france24--2020-10-17--Falcons, Jaguars still set to play after virus positives

A Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad player has tested positive for Covid-19 , the team said Saturday , but the club 's NFL home game against Detroit scheduled Sunday remains on for now The Atlanta Falcons , Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars remain scheduled to play NFL games on Sunday despite announcing Saturday that a player for each club has been placed on the Covid-19 reserve list .
Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky , Baltimore defensive tackle Brandon Williams and an unidentified Jaguars practice squad player were put onto the list , which means either a positive test or close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Falcons ( 0-5 ) remain scheduled to play Sunday at Minnesota ( 1-4 ) while the Ravens ( 4-1 ) visit Philadelphia ( 1-3 with one drawn ) and the Jaguars ( 1-4 ) entertain Detroit ( 1-3 ) .
More testing and contact tracing is being conducted under NFL safety protocols that could have an impact on Sunday 's schedule .
Cominsky , 24 , joined defensive tackle Marlon Davidson on the Falcons virus list while an assistant coach tested positive on Thursday , prompting the club to close its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who wo n't play Sunday , did not test positive but had close contact with someone who did , according to the NFL Network .
Under NFL safety protocols , any `` high risk '' close contact person must be isolated for at least five days .
Williams , whose entire eight-year NFL career has been spent with the Ravens , has made 11 tackles in five games this season .
The Jaguars worked remotely as a precaution after the practice squad positive on the eve of the contest with Detroit while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , we received results from our daily PCR testing that an individual on our practice squad tested positive for COVID-19 , '' the Jaguars said in a statement .
`` After confirming the positive test later in the evening , our organization began working with the NFL to review contact tracing data while the player self-isolated .
`` As a precautionary measure for today , we made the decision to conduct our football activities remotely while following NFL protocols and recommendations ... We plan to play tomorrow 's game as scheduled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England Patriots closing their facilities for practice in the past week .
The Patriots reopened their facility on Saturday ahead of Denver 's visit to New England on Sunday .
New England had reopened Thursday only to close Friday after another positive , with ESPN reporting the Patriots put center James Ferentz on the Covid-19 reserve list on the same day a positive test caused the shutdown .
The Broncos plan to bench top running back Melvin Gordon for the game at New England with what was described as a non-Covid-19 illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modkins will not travel to the game with the Patriots after testing positive for COVID-19 , the Broncos announced .
`` Early this morning , we learned that running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive for COVID-19 , '' the team said in a statement .
`` Curtis is currently at home in self-isolation and experiencing no symptoms . ''
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham tested negative for Covid-19 after missing workouts Thursday and Friday with flu-like symptoms .
That means he will be able to play Sunday when the Browns face @ @

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars remain scheduled to play NFL games on Sunday despite announcing Saturday that a player for each club has been placed on the Covid-19 reserve list.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky, Baltimore defensive tackle Brandon Williams and an unidentified Jaguars practice squad player were put onto the list, which means either a positive test or close contact with someone who has tested positive.
The Falcons (0-5) remain scheduled to play Sunday at Minnesota (1-4) while the Ravens (4-1) visit Philadelphia (1-3 with one drawn) and the Jaguars (1-4) entertain Detroit (1-3).
More testing and contact tracing is being conducted under NFL safety protocols that could have an impact on Sunday's schedule.
Cominsky, 24, joined defensive tackle Marlon Davidson on the Falcons virus list while an assistant coach tested positive on Thursday, prompting the club to close its practice facility before reopening Friday.
Williams, who won't play Sunday, did not test positive but had close contact with someone who did, according to the NFL Network.
Under NFL safety protocols, any "high risk" close contact person must be isolated for at least five days.
Williams, whose entire eight-year NFL career has been spent with the Ravens, has made 11 tackles in five games this season.
The Jaguars worked remotely as a precaution after the practice squad positive on the eve of the contest with Detroit while more testing is conducted.
"Last night, we received results from our daily PCR testing that an individual on our practice squad tested positive for COVID-19," the Jaguars said in a statement.
"After confirming the positive test later in the evening, our organization began working with the NFL to review contact tracing data while the player self-isolated.
"As a precautionary measure for today, we made the decision to conduct our football activities remotely while following NFL protocols and recommendations... We plan to play tomorrow's game as scheduled."
The uncertainty follows the Falcons and New England Patriots closing their facilities for practice in the past week.
The Patriots reopened their facility on Saturday ahead of Denver's visit to New England on Sunday.
New England had reopened Thursday only to close Friday after another positive, with ESPN reporting the Patriots put center James Ferentz on the Covid-19 reserve list on the same day a positive test caused the shutdown.
The Broncos plan to bench top running back Melvin Gordon for the game at New England with what was described as a non-Covid-19 illness.
But Denver running backs coach Curtis Modkins will not travel to the game with the Patriots after testing positive for COVID-19, the Broncos announced.
"Early this morning, we learned that running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive for COVID-19," the team said in a statement.
"Curtis is currently at home in self-isolation and experiencing no symptoms."
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham tested negative for Covid-19 after missing workouts Thursday and Friday with flu-like symptoms. That means he will be able to play Sunday when the Browns face Pittsburgh.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Brighton sign Welbeck on one-year deal

Brighton sign Welbeck on one-year deal

Brighton signed former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck on a one-year contract on Sunday .
Welbeck was available @ @ @ @ @ leaving Watford earlier in October following their relegation from the Premier League last season .
@ @ @ @ @ quick return to the top-flight by agreeing to join the Seagulls for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ who has 42 England caps , could make his Brighton debut against West Bromwich Albion @ @ @ @ @ We are delighted to have Danny joining us .
He will complement our existing striking @ @ @ @ @ Graham Potter said .
`` He 's got an undoubted pedigree , and he is @ @ @ @ @ .
He will add to our attacking threat and we are thrilled to add another @ @ @ @ @ quality . ''
Welbeck spent six years with United , winning the Premier League in @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 .
He played for Arsenal for five years and won the FA Cup @ @ @

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Brighton signed former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck on a one-year contract on Sunday.
Welbeck was available on a free transfer after leaving Watford earlier in October following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
The 29-year-old has made a quick return to the top-flight by agreeing to join the Seagulls for the rest of the campaign.
Welbeck, who has 42 England caps, could make his Brighton debut against West Bromwich Albion on October 26.
"We are delighted to have Danny joining us. He will complement our existing striking options," Brighton manager Graham Potter said.
"He's got an undoubted pedigree, and he is quick and technically very good. He will add to our attacking threat and we are thrilled to add another player of his experience and quality."
Welbeck spent six years with United, winning the Premier League in 2013, before joining Arsenal in 2014.
He played for Arsenal for five years and won the FA Cup in 2017.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Masia holds on to grab Aragon Moto3 victory

Spanish teenager Jaume Masia held on to win the Aragon Moto3 Grand Prix on Sunday , while his compatriot Albert Arenas finished seventh to increase his lead in the world championship .
Masia on a Honda was chased across the line by KTM 's South African Darryn Binder with another KTM , ridden by Spaniard Raul Fernandez was third at the head of a knot of riders .
Fernandez , who started from pole position , gained his first Moto3 podium finish .
`` I was n't expecting to win but we have worked hard this weekend .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tyre was very worn '' , said Masia , who took his second victory in the Moto3 class and is now sixth in the world championship classification .
The 19-year-old Masia became the 100th different MotoGP winner for Honda across all classes .
The first was in 1961 .
Arenas increased his lead in the rider standings to 13 points over Japanese rider Ai Ogura , who was 14th on Sunday , and 18 over Italian Celestino Vietti , who was ninth .
Tony Arbolino , who was n't able to race after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being required to quarantine , but the Italian rider kept his 4th place in the championship .

Alcañiz (Spain) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Spanish teenager Jaume Masia held on to win the Aragon Moto3 Grand Prix on Sunday, while his compatriot Albert Arenas finished seventh to increase his lead in the world championship.
Masia on a Honda was chased across the line by KTM's South African Darryn Binder with another KTM, ridden by Spaniard Raul Fernandez was third at the head of a knot of riders.
Fernandez, who started from pole position, gained his first Moto3 podium finish.
"I wasn't expecting to win but we have worked hard this weekend. In the last part of the race my rear tyre was very worn", said Masia, who took his second victory in the Moto3 class and is now sixth in the world championship classification.
The 19-year-old Masia became the 100th different MotoGP winner for Honda across all classes. The first was in 1961.
Arenas increased his lead in the rider standings to 13 points over Japanese rider Ai Ogura, who was 14th on Sunday, and 18 over Italian Celestino Vietti, who was ninth.
Tony Arbolino, who wasn't able to race after being in contact with a coronavirus sufferer and being required to quarantine, but the Italian rider kept his 4th place in the championship.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Israel takes first steps out of second virus lockdown

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday , as Israel starts cautiously lifting lockdown restrictions Israel started cautiously emerging from a second coronavirus lockdown Sunday after a month of tight restrictions , re-opening preschools , kindergartens , beaches and national parks , with numbers of new infections falling .
Public radio said about a million young children would return to kindergartens and other facilities Sunday .
Businesses not involving face-to-face contact with the public were allowed back to work , and a contentious ban on individuals moving more than one kilometre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule sparked anger among some Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem a wave of protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
People will now also be able to visit friends or relatives , as long as gatherings are of no more than 10 people if inside , and 20 outside .
The latest lockdown was the second since Israel recorded its first Covid-19 case in February .
Tough restrictions introduced in March were lifted after about two months , but critics of the government have said the easing was premature .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Netanyahu said Saturday .
Ronni Gamzu , Israel 's national coronavirus response coordinator , urged people to keep up their guard despite the easing .
`` The main challenge is still ahead of us , '' he said in remarks aired on public radio Sunday .
`` Keep observing the rules . ''
According to a decision Thursday , a phased lifting of restrictions will take place through to February .
The current lockdown , imposed on September 18 , remains in place in several mainly ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infection .
Influential rabbi Chaim Kanievsky , who himself recently tested positive for the virus , ordered ultra-Orthodox boys ' schools to reopen , despite a government ban .
On Saturday , Netanyahu made a direct plea to the most religiously observant .
`` Our Torah sanctifies life .
We have a Torah of life and we need to safeguard life and health , '' he said .
`` I ask the ultra-Orthodox public to follow these rules . ''
Israel boasted about its early virus response , which included swiftly stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and placing the country under lockdown for weeks .
By mid-May , after new daily cases had dropped off considerably , the government had moved to expedite the reopening of schools , bars , eateries and places of worship , as well as allowing weddings , with restricted numbers , but infections quickly resurged .
By the end of last month , the number of new daily cases had soared , at times to over 8,000 -- among the highest rates in the world per capita according to an AFP tally .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell below 2,500 , and an official update on Sunday morning showed just 397 new cases recorded the day before .
Israel , a country of about nine million people , has recorded 302,911 coronavirus cases , including 2,202 deaths , as of Sunday .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Israel started cautiously emerging from a second coronavirus lockdown Sunday after a month of tight restrictions, re-opening preschools, kindergartens, beaches and national parks, with numbers of new infections falling.
Public radio said about a million young children would return to kindergartens and other facilities Sunday.
Businesses not involving face-to-face contact with the public were allowed back to work, and a contentious ban on individuals moving more than one kilometre from their homes was lifted.
That rule sparked anger among some Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem a wave of protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
People will now also be able to visit friends or relatives, as long as gatherings are of no more than 10 people if inside, and 20 outside.
The latest lockdown was the second since Israel recorded its first Covid-19 case in February.
Tough restrictions introduced in March were lifted after about two months, but critics of the government have said the easing was premature.
"This time we are moving cautiously," Netanyahu said Saturday.
Ronni Gamzu, Israel's national coronavirus response coordinator, urged people to keep up their guard despite the easing.
"The main challenge is still ahead of us," he said in remarks aired on public radio Sunday. "Keep observing the rules."
According to a decision Thursday, a phased lifting of restrictions will take place through to February.
- 'Follow the rules' -
The current lockdown, imposed on September 18, remains in place in several mainly ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas around the country, designated "red" zones of infection.
Influential rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, who himself recently tested positive for the virus, ordered ultra-Orthodox boys' schools to reopen, despite a government ban.
On Saturday, Netanyahu made a direct plea to the most religiously observant.
"Our Torah sanctifies life. We have a Torah of life and we need to safeguard life and health," he said.
"I ask the ultra-Orthodox public to follow these rules."
Israel boasted about its early virus response, which included swiftly stopping international flights, shutting down non-essential businesses and placing the country under lockdown for weeks.
By mid-May, after new daily cases had dropped off considerably, the government had moved to expedite the reopening of schools, bars, eateries and places of worship, as well as allowing weddings, with restricted numbers, but infections quickly resurged.
By the end of last month, the number of new daily cases had soared, at times to over 8,000 -- among the highest rates in the world per capita according to an AFP tally.
But this past week, daily infections largely fell below 2,500, and an official update on Sunday morning showed just 397 new cases recorded the day before.
Israel, a country of about nine million people, has recorded 302,911 coronavirus cases, including 2,202 deaths, as of Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Thai democracy protesters defy ban for fourth day

Pro-democracy protesters gather at Victory Monument in Bangkok to rally for the fourth consecutive day in defiance of an emergency decree banning gatherings Thousands of pro-democracy protestors took over a major Bangkok intersection on Sunday with posters bearing the faces of arrested activists , defying a ban on gatherings and stern warnings from authorities who have escalated a crackdown in recent days .
The youth-led movement has suffered several blows this week , with scores arrested after demonstrators surrounded a royal motorcade and flashed a pro-democracy salute to Queen Suthida during a Wednesday protest .
The government reacted by imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than four and allowing for the arrest of protest leaders , many of whom are calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha , a former military chief first brought to power in a 2014 coup .
Police also deployed water cannon against unarmed demonstrators on Friday in Bangkok 's central shopping district in an escalation of tactics that drew outrage across Thai society .
But the crackdown has emboldened the movement 's mostly young supporters who have turned up in large numbers to daily guerrilla protests around Bangkok .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to outwit authorities , who shut down much of the city 's Skytrain and underground rail services to discourage people from joining in .
`` I can not let the students fight alone , '' said 24-year-old Phat , a first-time rallygoer who arrived at Sunday 's protest venue at Bangkok 's Victory Monument .
Thousands descended on the major traffic thoroughfare from 4:00 pm ( 0900 GMT ) shouting `` Free our friends '' while carrying posters of arrested activists .
They include human rights lawyer Anon Numpa , Parit `` Penguin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sithijirawattanakul -- three of the most recognisable faces in the leaderless movement who have consistently called for reforms to the monarchy .
Among their demands is the abolition of a draconian royal defamation law -- which shields King Maha Vajiralongkorn from criticism -- and a call for the monarch to stay out of the country 's turbulent politics .
Once-taboo in Thailand , the issue of royal reform demanded by protesters is one of the biggest challenges facing the kingdom 's conservative military-aligned government .
The social media-savvy protesters have also harnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending alerts through newly formed groups on Telegram -- a secure messaging app -- and taken tips from Hong Kong 's pro-democracy protests .
Across town in Asok , a popular shopping and restaurant district , a smaller group of protesters gathered and practiced hand signals to warn each other if authorities were to issue another severe crackdown .
`` I think the government used too severe of measures against students on Friday , they were just kids with empty hands , '' said 65-year-old Suk .
`` All they had were their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yingyos Thepjumnong warned protesters earlier Sunday that no rallies `` causing unrest and disorder '' would be allowed .
`` If they defy it , police will do whatever is necessary to enforce the law , '' he said .

Bangkok (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Thousands of pro-democracy protestors took over a major Bangkok intersection on Sunday with posters bearing the faces of arrested activists, defying a ban on gatherings and stern warnings from authorities who have escalated a crackdown in recent days.
The youth-led movement has suffered several blows this week, with scores arrested after demonstrators surrounded a royal motorcade and flashed a pro-democracy salute to Queen Suthida during a Wednesday protest.
The government reacted by imposing "serious" emergency measures banning gatherings of more than four and allowing for the arrest of protest leaders, many of whom are calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former military chief first brought to power in a 2014 coup.
Police also deployed water cannon against unarmed demonstrators on Friday in Bangkok's central shopping district in an escalation of tactics that drew outrage across Thai society.
But the crackdown has emboldened the movement's mostly young supporters who have turned up in large numbers to daily guerrilla protests around Bangkok.
The locations are announced an hour before to outwit authorities, who shut down much of the city's Skytrain and underground rail services to discourage people from joining in.
"I cannot let the students fight alone," said 24-year-old Phat, a first-time rallygoer who arrived at Sunday's protest venue at Bangkok's Victory Monument.
"I want true democracy," he told AFP.
Thousands descended on the major traffic thoroughfare from 4:00 pm (0900 GMT) shouting "Free our friends" while carrying posters of arrested activists.
They include human rights lawyer Anon Numpa, Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul -- three of the most recognisable faces in the leaderless movement who have consistently called for reforms to the monarchy.
Among their demands is the abolition of a draconian royal defamation law -- which shields King Maha Vajiralongkorn from criticism -- and a call for the monarch to stay out of the country's turbulent politics.
Once-taboo in Thailand, the issue of royal reform demanded by protesters is one of the biggest challenges facing the kingdom's conservative military-aligned government.
The social media-savvy protesters have also harnessed unorthodox ways of spreading their messages, sending alerts through newly formed groups on Telegram -- a secure messaging app -- and taken tips from Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests.
Across town in Asok, a popular shopping and restaurant district, a smaller group of protesters gathered and practiced hand signals to warn each other if authorities were to issue another severe crackdown.
"I think the government used too severe of measures against students on Friday, they were just kids with empty hands," said 65-year-old Suk. "All they had were their mobile phones."
National Police spokesman Yingyos Thepjumnong warned protesters earlier Sunday that no rallies "causing unrest and disorder" would be allowed.
"If they defy it, police will do whatever is necessary to enforce the law," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--End of the party: Paris empties under curfew

Paris has not known a curfew since 1961 Shortly before the clock struck 9 pm on Saturday , restaurant shutters in Paris came down and people dashed home to beat a strict new curfew to battle the coronavirus outbreak .
Police patrolled streets which would ordinarily be bustling with party-goers to enforce the new anti-mingling measure as the country notched up a record of more than 32,000 positive Covid-19 tests in 24 hours , with 1,868 people in intensive care .
Densely-populated Paris has been an infection hotspot , with bars already shuttered since October 6 although restaurants and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay open .
Alcohol sales are prohibited from 10 pm and face masks are compulsory in public both indoors and outside .
But there has been concern over people , especially youngsters , flouting face coverings and social distancing rules to gather in groups on restaurant terraces and in other public places .
This prompted the government to announce a 9 pm to 6 am curfew for Paris and a dozen other French cities -- some 20 million inhabitants in all -- and impose a limit of six on home gatherings blamed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The curfew will remain in place for at least four weeks .
At 10 pm on Saturday , the streets of the City of Light were eerily empty apart from a few stragglers risking a 135-euro ( $ 158 ) fine unless they can provide a certificate to show they have good reason to be out and about .
`` I 'm coming back from the hospital Curie where my daughter is being operated on .
They gave me this proof , '' one man tells a group of police officers , presenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's fine , good evening sir , '' one replied as he handed back the document .
- 'There is no-one left ' - Food delivery employees zigzagged the streets on bikes or scooters , bringing meals to now home-bound diners in a city where it is common to sit down to a meal after 9 pm .
A handful of municipal buses circulated without impediment down unusually car-free lanes , though mostly empty themselves .
Metros and trains also continue operating to ferry people who have no choice but to break the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
Paris has not known a curfew since 1961 , which was limited at the time to Muslims amid unrest over the Algerian war of independence from France .
Before that , a curfew was in place in the capital during the Nazi occupation of France in World War II .
On Saturday , a total of 1,350 police and gendarmes were deployed in Paris and its suburbs to ensure compliance with the latest restrictions -- the strictest since a two-month lockdown ended in May .
`` It is telling .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left , '' police commissioner Patrick Caron said as the curfew took effect .
`` It is no longer time for education ( about the measures ) but for sanction , '' he added .
Fines can increase to 3,750 euros or prison time for multiple infractions .
But for the first night at least , members of Caron 's police team in the Latin Quarter -- a favourite with students and tourists -- were left twiddling their thumbs and musing among themselves about the strange times we are living in .
Curfews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lille , Lyon , Toulouse , Montpellier , Saint-Etienne , Aix-Marseille , Rouen and Grenoble .
Health ministry figures on Saturday showed a record coronavirus-positive rate of 13.1 percent of people tested -- up from nine percent 10 days ago and 3.4 percent last month .
- In it together - More than 1,200 people have been admitted to intensive care in a week .
France now has 5,800 intensive care beds available .
At the height of the epidemic , the country dealt with some 7,000 intensive care patients at once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak hit .
In total , 10,399 people are now in hospital for coronavirus in France -- an increase of 378 from Friday to Saturday alone .
`` I remain confident in the sense of responsibility of the immense majority of my fellow citizens , '' Prime Minister Jean Castex said of the curfew on Saturday .
`` Everyone must understand that we can make it through this only with the daily effort of each one of us , in our professional and personal lives , '' he said .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Shortly before the clock struck 9 pm on Saturday, restaurant shutters in Paris came down and people dashed home to beat a strict new curfew to battle the coronavirus outbreak.
Police patrolled streets which would ordinarily be bustling with party-goers to enforce the new anti-mingling measure as the country notched up a record of more than 32,000 positive Covid-19 tests in 24 hours, with 1,868 people in intensive care.
Densely-populated Paris has been an infection hotspot, with bars already shuttered since October 6 although restaurants and other establishments that serve food were allowed to stay open.
Alcohol sales are prohibited from 10 pm and face masks are compulsory in public both indoors and outside.
But there has been concern over people, especially youngsters, flouting face coverings and social distancing rules to gather in groups on restaurant terraces and in other public places.
This prompted the government to announce a 9 pm to 6 am curfew for Paris and a dozen other French cities -- some 20 million inhabitants in all -- and impose a limit of six on home gatherings blamed for a large proportion of new infections.
The curfew will remain in place for at least four weeks.
At 10 pm on Saturday, the streets of the City of Light were eerily empty apart from a few stragglers risking a 135-euro ($158) fine unless they can provide a certificate to show they have good reason to be out and about.
"I'm coming back from the hospital Curie where my daughter is being operated on. They gave me this proof," one man tells a group of police officers, presenting a piece of paper.
"That's fine, good evening sir," one replied as he handed back the document.
- 'There is no-one left' -
Food delivery employees zigzagged the streets on bikes or scooters, bringing meals to now home-bound diners in a city where it is common to sit down to a meal after 9 pm.
A handful of municipal buses circulated without impediment down unusually car-free lanes, though mostly empty themselves. Metros and trains also continue operating to ferry people who have no choice but to break the curfew, whether for work or medical reasons.
Paris has not known a curfew since 1961, which was limited at the time to Muslims amid unrest over the Algerian war of independence from France.
Before that, a curfew was in place in the capital during the Nazi occupation of France in World War II.
On Saturday, a total of 1,350 police and gendarmes were deployed in Paris and its suburbs to ensure compliance with the latest restrictions -- the strictest since a two-month lockdown ended in May.
"It is telling. It is 9 pm and there is no-one left," police commissioner Patrick Caron said as the curfew took effect.
"It is no longer time for education (about the measures) but for sanction," he added. Fines can increase to 3,750 euros or prison time for multiple infractions.
But for the first night at least, members of Caron's police team in the Latin Quarter -- a favourite with students and tourists -- were left twiddling their thumbs and musing among themselves about the strange times we are living in.
Curfews are also in place in the cities of Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Saint-Etienne, Aix-Marseille, Rouen and Grenoble.
Health ministry figures on Saturday showed a record coronavirus-positive rate of 13.1 percent of people tested -- up from nine percent 10 days ago and 3.4 percent last month.
- In it together -
More than 1,200 people have been admitted to intensive care in a week. France now has 5,800 intensive care beds available.
At the height of the epidemic, the country dealt with some 7,000 intensive care patients at once, more than the beds available before the outbreak hit.
In total, 10,399 people are now in hospital for coronavirus in France -- an increase of 378 from Friday to Saturday alone.
"I remain confident in the sense of responsibility of the immense majority of my fellow citizens," Prime Minister Jean Castex said of the curfew on Saturday.
"Everyone must understand that we can make it through this only with the daily effort of each one of us, in our professional and personal lives," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Virus positive Rossi must miss second MotoGP race

The 'Doctor ' is out : Valentino Rossi will miss a second race in Aragon Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi 's quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 means he will miss not only Sunday 's Aragon Grand Prix but also next weekend 's Grand Prix of Teruel , his Yamaha team said .
`` Due to Italian law , Valentino Rossi will be unable to attend the Gran Premio de Teruel event , '' said a team statement .
The 41-year-old Italian has to compete a 10-day quarantine and test negative before he can return to the circuits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace Valentino in Teruel , leaving Maverick Vinales to ride alone at the two races at MotorLand Aragon .
Michelin , which supplies MotoGP , also announced on Sunday that one of its technicians tested positive and was placed in isolation along with one of his colleagues .
Rossi was not the only rider forced to miss this weekend due to Covid-19 .
In Moto3 , young Italian Tony Arbolino must quarantine after coming into contact with a fellow passenger to Spain who tested positive for the virus .
Spaniard Jorge Martin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races n September after a positive test .

Alcañiz (Spain) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi's quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 means he will miss not only Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix but also next weekend's Grand Prix of Teruel, his Yamaha team said.
"Due to Italian law, Valentino Rossi will be unable to attend the Gran Premio de Teruel event," said a team statement.
The 41-year-old Italian has to compete a 10-day quarantine and test negative before he can return to the circuits.
Yamaha said that it would again not replace Valentino in Teruel, leaving Maverick Vinales to ride alone at the two races at MotorLand Aragon.
Michelin, which supplies MotoGP, also announced on Sunday that one of its technicians tested positive and was placed in isolation along with one of his colleagues.
Rossi was not the only rider forced to miss this weekend due to Covid-19.
In Moto3, young Italian Tony Arbolino must quarantine after coming into contact with a fellow passenger to Spain who tested positive for the virus.
Spaniard Jorge Martin, who rides in Moto2, missed two races n September after a positive test.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--'Reclaimed ruins': Azerbaijan shows off Karabakh conquests

An Azeri soldier hangs the flag of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil They conquered withered vineyards and left behind burnt carcases of tanks to plant an Azerbaijani flag atop a barren hill on the edge of Nagorno-Karabakh -- overlooking nothing at all .
Fighting erupted three weeks ago between Christian ethnic Armenians and Muslim Azerbaijan over a blood-soaked patch of mountains both call part of their ancestral lands .
The Azerbaijani side has spent days trumpeting military successes that give the air of an army on the move .
`` If they do n't leave on their own , we 'll chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ilham Aliyev said on the eve of a new ceasefire on Sunday that both sides accused the other of immediately breaking .
On Twitter , Aliyev lists towns his forces have recaptured for the first time since a 1994 truce ended a war that killed 30,000 and left the region -- to the horror of Azerbaijanis -- in separatist hands .
One of these towns is Jabrayil .
Yet it is not just empty after being trapped in a no-mans land splitting Nagorno-Karabakh proper from territory under Azerbaijani control -- there is simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valley rolling down from the hill with the flag is covered with craggy bushes and a few low outlines of brick walls that have been blasted apart by rival forces for a generation .
- 'Fight to the last drop of blood ' - Jabrayil 's lone standing structure is a cliff-like monument equipped with running faucets that the Soviets erected to encourage `` friendship and inter-ethnic peace '' .
A machine-gun toting soldier climbed this to unfurl an Azerbaijani flag before a clutch of reporters given access to a tightly controlled press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy should know that Azerbaijani soldiers will fight to their last drop of blood to protect their motherland -- and to sacrifice their lives if required , '' Colonel Elshat Habilov declared before ordering the reporters back out .
`` As we liberate our occupied lands one by one , we are gaining morale , drawing ever closer to a great victory . ''
That Aliyev 's army wanted to showcase its hold on this uninhabited hill articulates Azerbaijan 's desire to put behind it the trauma of the 1988-1994 war .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding areas such as Jabrayil and the nearby district of Fuzuli running along the Iranian border .
These provide access points to the southern gates of Nagorno-Karabakh and its capital Stepanakert .
Azerbaijan it trying to recapture the region by moving in from its southern and northern ends .
Most of its military successes have come on the border area of the conflict zone .
The exchanges of mortar and artillery fire on the north end around Terter are almost ceaseless and require residents to spend most of their time sheltering in basements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their fists in triumph and looked at ease as they smoked along the country road leading into Jabrayil .
The tank guns and artillery pieces were still trained on the mountains but the soldiers manning them sat around campfires or idled away the time in the fields .
Wooden sticks dotted dried fields that once held up lush grapevines behind them .
Shoulder-high piles of bricks suggested the shape of houses that once lined the road .
Habilov struggled to recall the last time anyone lived in these valleys or how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani frontline is dotted with camps for families who have been forced to abandon such places .
`` We have reclaimed ruins , '' Habilov said as he herded reporters out before the sun set over the Caucasus mountains .
`` But we are also reclaiming our territorial integrity , '' he said .

Jabrayil (Azerbaijan) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
They conquered withered vineyards and left behind burnt carcases of tanks to plant an Azerbaijani flag atop a barren hill on the edge of Nagorno-Karabakh -- overlooking nothing at all.
Fighting erupted three weeks ago between Christian ethnic Armenians and Muslim Azerbaijan over a blood-soaked patch of mountains both call part of their ancestral lands.
The Azerbaijani side has spent days trumpeting military successes that give the air of an army on the move.
"If they don't leave on their own, we'll chase them out like dogs," President Ilham Aliyev said on the eve of a new ceasefire on Sunday that both sides accused the other of immediately breaking.
On Twitter, Aliyev lists towns his forces have recaptured for the first time since a 1994 truce ended a war that killed 30,000 and left the region -- to the horror of Azerbaijanis -- in separatist hands.
One of these towns is Jabrayil.
Yet it is not just empty after being trapped in a no-mans land splitting Nagorno-Karabakh proper from territory under Azerbaijani control -- there is simply no trace of it left.
The valley rolling down from the hill with the flag is covered with craggy bushes and a few low outlines of brick walls that have been blasted apart by rival forces for a generation.
- 'Fight to the last drop of blood' -
Jabrayil's lone standing structure is a cliff-like monument equipped with running faucets that the Soviets erected to encourage "friendship and inter-ethnic peace".
A machine-gun toting soldier climbed this to unfurl an Azerbaijani flag before a clutch of reporters given access to a tightly controlled press tour of recaptured lands.
"Our enemy should know that Azerbaijani soldiers will fight to their last drop of blood to protect their motherland -- and to sacrifice their lives if required," Colonel Elshat Habilov declared before ordering the reporters back out.
"As we liberate our occupied lands one by one, we are gaining morale, drawing ever closer to a great victory."
That Aliyev's army wanted to showcase its hold on this uninhabited hill articulates Azerbaijan's desire to put behind it the trauma of the 1988-1994 war.
It ended with Azerbaijan losing both Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas such as Jabrayil and the nearby district of Fuzuli running along the Iranian border.
These provide access points to the southern gates of Nagorno-Karabakh and its capital Stepanakert.
- Piles of bricks -
Azerbaijan it trying to recapture the region by moving in from its southern and northern ends.
Most of its military successes have come on the border area of the conflict zone.
The exchanges of mortar and artillery fire on the north end around Terter are almost ceaseless and require residents to spend most of their time sheltering in basements.
But Azerbaijani men in fatigues raised their fists in triumph and looked at ease as they smoked along the country road leading into Jabrayil.
The tank guns and artillery pieces were still trained on the mountains but the soldiers manning them sat around campfires or idled away the time in the fields.
Wooden sticks dotted dried fields that once held up lush grapevines behind them.
Shoulder-high piles of bricks suggested the shape of houses that once lined the road.
Habilov struggled to recall the last time anyone lived in these valleys or how many people had called Jabrayil their home.
The Azerbaijani frontline is dotted with camps for families who have been forced to abandon such places.
"We have reclaimed ruins," Habilov said as he herded reporters out before the sun set over the Caucasus mountains.
"But we are also reclaiming our territorial integrity," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Israel begins gradual easing of lockdown measures as Covid-19 cases decline

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men walk toward the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on October 18 , 2020 , as certain restrictions were lifted after a weeks-long second lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19 .
Israel started easing some lockdown restrictions on Sunday in the first phase of scaling back measures imposed last month to stem soaring novel coronavirus infection rates .
`` We will exit ( lockdown ) carefully this time , in line with the plan set out by the experts at the health ministry , '' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place until at least midnight Wednesday in some areas designated `` red '' , mainly those with high ultra-Orthodox populations , where infections remain high , according to authorities .
Nursery schools , beaches and national parks reopened on Sunday , as did the Western Wall , the holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray in east Jerusalem , the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa mosque compound .
Businesses that do not receive the public have also been allowed to restart their activities and Israelis may now again visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restricted to 10 people indoors and 20 outside .
One key measure lifted on Sunday was a restriction on people moving more than one kilometre ( less than a mile ) from their home .
That rule sparked anger from some Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem protests against Netanyahu .
The easing of some of the rules , in force since September 18 as part of a second lockdown in six months against the pandemic , was approved on Thursday by Netanyahu 's government , contingent on new cases being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Friday , there were 1,695 new cases , according to official figures , down from around 8,000-9,000 per day at the end of September .
`` If everyone follows the rules , I am sure that it will work , '' Netanyahu said .
Israel , a country of about nine million people , has recorded 301,896 coronavirus cases , including 2,141 deaths , as of data released on Friday .
The lifting of restrictions is scheduled to take place in several phases , through to February 2021 .
The government faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country exited an initial weeks-long lockdown earlier this year .
The restriction on movement sparked anger from many Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem protests against Netanyahu , which continued to be held every Saturday since July in spite of the lockdown measures .

Israel started easing some lockdown restrictions on Sunday in the first phase of scaling back measures imposed last month to stem soaring novel coronavirus infection rates.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men walk toward the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on October 18, 2020, as certain restrictions were lifted after a weeks-long second lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Advertising Read more
"We will exit (lockdown) carefully this time, in line with the plan set out by the experts at the health ministry," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Saturday evening.
But the lockdown will remain in place until at least midnight Wednesday in some areas designated "red", mainly those with high ultra-Orthodox populations, where infections remain high, according to authorities.
Nursery schools, beaches and national parks reopened on Sunday, as did the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray in east Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
Businesses that do not receive the public have also been allowed to restart their activities and Israelis may now again visit friends and relatives, but gatherings are restricted to 10 people indoors and 20 outside.
One key measure lifted on Sunday was a restriction on people moving more than one kilometre (less than a mile) from their home.
That rule sparked anger from some Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem protests against Netanyahu.
The easing of some of the rules, in force since September 18 as part of a second lockdown in six months against the pandemic, was approved on Thursday by Netanyahu's government, contingent on new cases being no higher than 2,000 per day.
On Friday, there were 1,695 new cases, according to official figures, down from around 8,000-9,000 per day at the end of September.
"If everyone follows the rules, I am sure that it will work," Netanyahu said.
Israel, a country of about nine million people, has recorded 301,896 coronavirus cases, including 2,141 deaths, as of data released on Friday.
The lifting of restrictions is scheduled to take place in several phases, through to February 2021.
The government faced widespread criticism when cases surged after the country exited an initial weeks-long lockdown earlier this year.
The restriction on movement sparked anger from many Israelis who claimed it was designed to stem protests against Netanyahu, which continued to be held every Saturday since July in spite of the lockdown measures.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-10-18--China beefs up laws to handle epidemics, protect whistleblowers

Ophthalmologist Li Wenliang was at first remprimanded after alerting colleagues to the new coronavirus but an outpouring of grief and anger over his death prompted Beijing to redirect criticism to local officials and subsequently paint him as a hero China has passed a new law to improve its handling of disease outbreaks -- including protecting whistleblowers -- following a cascade of criticism over its coronavirus response and accusations of an early cover-up .
The new biosecurity law , approved by lawmakers on Saturday , flags the right to report `` acts that endanger biosecurity '' and calls for risk prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency plans .
It takes effect from April 15 next year .
`` Any work unit or individual has the right to report acts that endanger biosecurity , '' the regulation said .
`` When a report is required according to the law , no work unit or individual shall conceal ( it ) ... or hinder others from making a report , '' it added on infectious diseases and epidemics .
China 's approval of the law comes in the face of Western criticism on the coronavirus , over accusations that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early whistleblowers .
But China has been trying to reshape this narrative , with authorities seeking instead to model the country as a vanguard in the pandemic fight .
Although doctor Li Wenliang who alerted colleagues to the new coronavirus in late December was at first reprimanded , a national outpouring of grief and anger over his death prompted Beijing to redirect criticism to local officials and subsequently paint him as a hero .
President Xi Jinping in February raised the need to speed up establishing the biosecurity law , urging for reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the new law , those who conceal information , omit making reports or prevent others from reporting infectious diseases could be given warnings or suspended .
The new law also calls for systems including to regularly monitor biosafety risks , and to trace the origins of incidents .
Disease prevention agencies are also to help predict the occurrence and prevalence of emerging diseases .
Based on these predictions , authorities should announce warnings and adopt prevention measures .
Although Beijing established an information system after the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak that allowed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came under fire during the coronavirus outbreak for perceived incompetence , including delays in announcing the public health emergency .
The new biosecurity law also takes aim at the management of research facilities , flagging the need for emergency plans for biosafety incidents .

Beijing (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
China has passed a new law to improve its handling of disease outbreaks -- including protecting whistleblowers -- following a cascade of criticism over its coronavirus response and accusations of an early cover-up.
The new biosecurity law, approved by lawmakers on Saturday, flags the right to report "acts that endanger biosecurity" and calls for risk prevention systems, ranging from active monitoring to emergency plans.
It takes effect from April 15 next year.
"Any work unit or individual has the right to report acts that endanger biosecurity," the regulation said.
"When a report is required according to the law, no work unit or individual shall conceal (it)... or hinder others from making a report," it added on infectious diseases and epidemics.
China's approval of the law comes in the face of Western criticism on the coronavirus, over accusations that it covered up the initial outbreak and silenced early whistleblowers.
But China has been trying to reshape this narrative, with authorities seeking instead to model the country as a vanguard in the pandemic fight.
Although doctor Li Wenliang who alerted colleagues to the new coronavirus in late December was at first reprimanded, a national outpouring of grief and anger over his death prompted Beijing to redirect criticism to local officials and subsequently paint him as a hero.
President Xi Jinping in February raised the need to speed up establishing the biosecurity law, urging for reforms of mechanisms to prevent major outbreaks.
Under the new law, those who conceal information, omit making reports or prevent others from reporting infectious diseases could be given warnings or suspended.
The new law also calls for systems including to regularly monitor biosafety risks, and to trace the origins of incidents.
Disease prevention agencies are also to help predict the occurrence and prevalence of emerging diseases.
Based on these predictions, authorities should announce warnings and adopt prevention measures.
Although Beijing established an information system after the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak that allowed for real-time reports of outbreaks, provincial authorities came under fire during the coronavirus outbreak for perceived incompetence, including delays in announcing the public health emergency.
The new biosecurity law also takes aim at the management of research facilities, flagging the need for emergency plans for biosafety incidents.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--France rallies in dozens of cities after beheading of teacher Samuel Paty in Paris suburb

France rallies in dozens of cities after beheading of teacher Samuel Paty in Paris suburb France rallies in dozens of @ @ @ @ @ Samuel Paty in Paris suburb

Page not found
The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.


france24--2020-10-18--Caviezel surprises in first run of men's skiing World Cup season

Swiss Gino Caviezel was fastest on the first run in Soelden Swiss skier Gino Caviezel created a surprise on the @ @ @ @ @ 's World Cup season with the fastest run in the opening leg of the giant @ @ @ @ @ a race held on sunny but deserted slopes , Caviezel completed his run in 1min @ @ @ @ @ bunch of event favourites with 14 of the top 35 starters within one second .
@ @ @ @ @ 0.06sec behind followed by Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen and Frenchman Alexis Pinturault , who won last @ @ @ @

Sölden (Austria) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Swiss skier Gino Caviezel created a surprise on the first run of the men's World Cup season with the fastest run in the opening leg of the giant slalom in Soelden.
In a race held on sunny but deserted slopes, Caviezel completed his run in 1min 08.13sec narrowly ahead of a bunch of event favourites with 14 of the top 35 starters within one second.
Slovenian Zan Kranjec was second 0.06sec behind followed by Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen and Frenchman Alexis Pinturault, who won last year at Soelden.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--All Blacks coach warns Wallabies will 'fight' for Bledisloe Cup

The All Blacks set a `` marker '' with their convincing win over the Wallabies but they must keep improving if they want to retain the Bledisloe Cup , new coach Ian Foster said on Sunday .
The four-tries-to-one , 27-7 win in Auckland was much needed by New Zealand after they began the four-match series with a disappointing draw last week in Wellington , Foster 's first game in charge .
But apart from the devastation wreaked by sensational rookie Caleb Clarke , it was not the performance Foster was looking for .
The All Blacks were 10-7 up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the style in the second period with three unanswered tries .
`` That 's the level we need to start at , '' Foster said .
`` We 've set a marker down of where we need to be as a team in terms of the mental side of the game and the approach to the physicality and speed of it .
`` Was it a perfect performance , no it was n't ... We 've just got to climb because it 's a tough series .
This is a better Wallabies team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they want to stay in the fight . ''
The All Blacks performance was a considerable improvement from their display in the 16-16 drawn first Test , while for the Wallabies it was a significant step backwards .
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had a direct message for his squad about their high error rate , particularly missing 40 tackles .
`` Selection can sometimes fix that , '' he warned .
`` We turned the ball over a lot and we missed too many tackles .
The individual tackles were poor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` Right across the board we were n't as sharp as last week and gave them a lot of space and opportunity . ''
Much of the damage inflicted by the All Blacks came from 21-year-old Clarke , starting a Test for the first time after making his debut in 10-minute cameo off the bench last week .
His rampaging runs drew immediate comparisons with the great Jonah Lomu , rugby 's first global superstar who retired in 2002 and died in 2015 .
Although Clarke did not score himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardie Savea and was often instrumental in leading the All Blacks out of their danger zone and on to attack .
Clarke left the field to a standing ovation and Foster said he had delivered the level of performance he wanted from entire squad .
`` He just wants the ball and wants to run hard and it 's quite a good thing for us to give him the ball , '' Foster said .
`` I think the whole team will be thrilled for him , to see him running around and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what we all need to be doing . ''
The final two games of the series will be played in Australia as part of the Tri-Nations , also involving Argentina .
New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 .

Auckland (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The All Blacks set a "marker" with their convincing win over the Wallabies but they must keep improving if they want to retain the Bledisloe Cup, new coach Ian Foster said on Sunday.
The four-tries-to-one, 27-7 win in Auckland was much needed by New Zealand after they began the four-match series with a disappointing draw last week in Wellington, Foster's first game in charge.
But apart from the devastation wreaked by sensational rookie Caleb Clarke, it was not the performance Foster was looking for. The All Blacks were 10-7 up at the break before they turned on the style in the second period with three unanswered tries.
"That's the level we need to start at," Foster said.
"We've set a marker down of where we need to be as a team in terms of the mental side of the game and the approach to the physicality and speed of it.
"Was it a perfect performance, no it wasn't... We've just got to climb because it's a tough series. This is a better Wallabies team than I've seen for a while and they want to stay in the fight."
The All Blacks performance was a considerable improvement from their display in the 16-16 drawn first Test, while for the Wallabies it was a significant step backwards.
- 'Missed too many tackles' -
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had a direct message for his squad about their high error rate, particularly missing 40 tackles.
"Selection can sometimes fix that," he warned. "We turned the ball over a lot and we missed too many tackles. The individual tackles were poor and we got put under the heat from it.
"Right across the board we weren't as sharp as last week and gave them a lot of space and opportunity."
Much of the damage inflicted by the All Blacks came from 21-year-old Clarke, starting a Test for the first time after making his debut in 10-minute cameo off the bench last week.
His rampaging runs drew immediate comparisons with the great Jonah Lomu, rugby's first global superstar who retired in 2002 and died in 2015.
Although Clarke did not score himself, he set up a sensational try by Ardie Savea and was often instrumental in leading the All Blacks out of their danger zone and on to attack.
Clarke left the field to a standing ovation and Foster said he had delivered the level of performance he wanted from entire squad.
"He just wants the ball and wants to run hard and it's quite a good thing for us to give him the ball," Foster said.
"I think the whole team will be thrilled for him, to see him running around and doing what he loves doing and that's what we all need to be doing."
The final two games of the series will be played in Australia as part of the Tri-Nations, also involving Argentina. New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Iran says UN arms embargo on Tehran has been lifted

A file photo taken on February 2 , 2019 , shows Iranians visiting a weaponry and military equipment exhibition in the capital Tehran Iran said a longstanding UN embargo on arms sales to and from the Islamic republic expired Sunday in line with a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers from which Washington has withdrawn .
Tehran , which could now purchase weapons from Russia , China and elsewhere , has hailed the development as a diplomatic victory over its arch enemy the United States , which had tried to maintain an indefinite freeze on arms sales .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transfer of arms , related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran ... are all automatically terminated , '' the foreign ministry said in a statement .
The embargo on the sale of conventional arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from Sunday , October 18 , under the terms of the UN resolution that blessed the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers .
`` As of today , the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely based on its defensive needs , '' the ministry added in the statement sent out on Twitter .
It insisted that under the terms of the deal , struck with the United States , China , Britain , France , Germany and Russia , `` the lifting of arms restrictions and the travel ban were designed to be automatic with no other action required . ''
US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran .
But Washington suffered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo .
It was `` a momentous day for the international community , '' the Iranian ministry said on Sunday , adding the world had stood with Tehran `` in defiance of the US regime 's efforts '' .
But it stressed that `` unconventional arms , weapons of mass destruction and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place in Iran 's defense doctrine '' .
Despite pulling out of the nuclear deal , the Trump administration insists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions .
Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord .
But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire UN Security Council , with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to Iran 's nuclear programme .
Iran urged the US to `` abandon its destructive approach vis-a-vis Resolution 2231 '' , adding that American attempts to `` violate '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times in the past three months by the Security Council '' .
The statement added that in the case of measures amounting to a `` material breach of the resolution and the purposes '' of the deal , Iran `` reserves the right to take any necessary countermeasures to secure its national interests '' .
Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost its military cooperation with Tehran , while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18 .
Washington maintained it will seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russian air defence systems .
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet that the international community had `` protected '' the nuclear deal and Sunday marked the `` normalization of Iran 's defense cooperation with the world '' .

Tehran (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Iran said a longstanding UN embargo on arms sales to and from the Islamic republic expired Sunday in line with a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers from which Washington has withdrawn.
Tehran, which could now purchase weapons from Russia, China and elsewhere, has hailed the development as a diplomatic victory over its arch enemy the United States, which had tried to maintain an indefinite freeze on arms sales.
"As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran... are all automatically terminated," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The embargo on the sale of conventional arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from Sunday, October 18, under the terms of the UN resolution that blessed the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.
"As of today, the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions, and solely based on its defensive needs," the ministry added in the statement sent out on Twitter.
It insisted that under the terms of the deal, struck with the United States, China, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, "the lifting of arms restrictions and the travel ban were designed to be automatic with no other action required."
US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran.
But Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo.
- 'Momentous day' -
It was "a momentous day for the international community," the Iranian ministry said on Sunday, adding the world had stood with Tehran "in defiance of the US regime's efforts".
But it stressed that "unconventional arms, weapons of mass destruction and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place in Iran's defense doctrine".
Despite pulling out of the nuclear deal, the Trump administration insists it is still a "participant" and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions.
Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord.
But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire UN Security Council, with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran urged the US to "abandon its destructive approach vis-a-vis Resolution 2231", adding that American attempts to "violate" the resolution had been "categorically rejected several times in the past three months by the Security Council".
The statement added that in the case of measures amounting to a "material breach of the resolution and the purposes" of the deal, Iran "reserves the right to take any necessary countermeasures to secure its national interests".
Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost its military cooperation with Tehran, while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18.
Washington maintained it will seek to prevent Iran from purchasing Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet that the international community had "protected" the nuclear deal and Sunday marked the "normalization of Iran's defense cooperation with the world".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--The next Lomu? New bruiser Clarke compared with All Blacks legend

The All Blacks may have unearthed the next Jonah Lomu after 21-year-old Caleb Clarke proved to be a one-man demolition squad in the All Blacks ' 27-7 whipping of Australia in Auckland Sunday .
Clarke , the son of former All Black Eroni Clarke , takes an uncomplicated approach to using his 1.84 metre , 107 kilo ( 6ft 1in , 236 pounds ) frame .
`` When you get the ball , just run .
You do n't have to think about anything , '' he said after his first Test start , after making his debut off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bledisloe Cup Test .
As the All Blacks lifted their aggression and accuracy in Auckland , much of it was off Clarke 's bruising runs .
The build-up to Ardie Savea 's try was a standout as Clarke bulldozed his way through most of the Wallabies side before off-loading in sight of the line .
`` Michael Hooper grabbed my nuts just then , '' Clarke revealed afterwards .
`` I was really sore .
I was trying to push his hand off . ''
Clarke also bounced off four tacklers as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith 's opening try in the first half .
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was left counting the cost of 40 missed tackles , many of them on Clarke .
The comparisons between Clarke and Lomu , the former All Blacks wing who is regarded as rugby 's first global superstar , are obvious with both big , fast and direct runners and playing in the number 11 shirt .
The modest Clarke is humbled to be compared to his hero , who died in 2015 after battling a long-term kidney disorder .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood and I know he was a big part of my Dad 's life .
When he passed away it affected my Dad .
He was n't the same for a few weeks .
I feel like I have a big responsibility to do the jersey justice , '' he told Stuff on the eve of the Test .
His father , a 10-Test All Black , played alongside Lomu in 1998 .
Such was Clarke 's performance that he received a standing ovation from sections of the crowed when he was replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got caught up in the moment .
I wanted to jog and clap everyone else but then I started cramping and I had to walk , '' he said .
It was also an emotional time for Clarke having his family there to watch , particularly his grandmother who was widowed earlier this year .
`` The more special thing was having my nana there in the crowd ... when I saw my nana that 's when the waterworks started . ''

Auckland (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The All Blacks may have unearthed the next Jonah Lomu after 21-year-old Caleb Clarke proved to be a one-man demolition squad in the All Blacks' 27-7 whipping of Australia in Auckland Sunday.
Clarke, the son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, takes an uncomplicated approach to using his 1.84 metre, 107 kilo (6ft 1in, 236 pounds) frame.
"When you get the ball, just run. You don't have to think about anything," he said after his first Test start, after making his debut off the bench last week in the drawn first Bledisloe Cup Test.
As the All Blacks lifted their aggression and accuracy in Auckland, much of it was off Clarke's bruising runs.
The build-up to Ardie Savea's try was a standout as Clarke bulldozed his way through most of the Wallabies side before off-loading in sight of the line.
"Michael Hooper grabbed my nuts just then," Clarke revealed afterwards.
"I was really sore. I was trying to push his hand off."
Clarke also bounced off four tacklers as the All Blacks worked their way towards Aaron Smith's opening try in the first half.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was left counting the cost of 40 missed tackles, many of them on Clarke.
The comparisons between Clarke and Lomu, the former All Blacks wing who is regarded as rugby's first global superstar, are obvious with both big, fast and direct runners and playing in the number 11 shirt.
The modest Clarke is humbled to be compared to his hero, who died in 2015 after battling a long-term kidney disorder.
"He was a big part of my childhood and I know he was a big part of my Dad's life. When he passed away it affected my Dad. He wasn't the same for a few weeks. I feel like I have a big responsibility to do the jersey justice," he told Stuff on the eve of the Test.
His father, a 10-Test All Black, played alongside Lomu in 1998.
Such was Clarke's performance that he received a standing ovation from sections of the crowed when he was replaced late in the game.
"I got caught up in the moment. I wanted to jog and clap everyone else but then I started cramping and I had to walk," he said.
It was also an emotional time for Clarke having his family there to watch, particularly his grandmother who was widowed earlier this year.
"The more special thing was having my nana there in the crowd... when I saw my nana that's when the waterworks started."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--France to pay tribute to murdered teacher on national official ceremony on Wednesday after knife att

France to pay tribute to murdered teacher on national official ceremony on Wednesday after knife attack France to pay tribute @ @ @ @ @ official ceremony on Wednesday after knife attack


france24--2020-10-19--PSG look to go one better in Champions League but doubts remain

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain are hoping to go all the way in the Champions League this season after losing the final to Bayern Munich in August Paris Saint-Germain came so close to winning the prize they crave more than anything in last season 's Champions League and are hoping to go one better this time , but there are concerns that the Qatar-owned club might actually have gone backwards in recent months .
Bayern Munich 's greater experience told in Lisbon in August , and there were tears at the end for Neymar as the French champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champions League final .
Two months on , Thomas Tuchel 's side begin their latest bid for European success at home to Manchester United on Tuesday , in a rematch of the last-16 tie in 2019 which PSG lost to a controversial late penalty .
It therefore brings back memories of just one of several painful defeats in the Champions League in recent years , but the reality is that Paris should be considered favourites against the Old Trafford side and to win a group also containing RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they do go all the way remains to be seen .
Tuchel has been the first to complain that his squad is weaker than it was last season as PSG -- having already seen several key players depart over the summer -- have started the new campaign hamstrung by injuries , suspensions and coronavirus cases .
Right-back Thomas Meunier and all-time record goal-scorer Edinson Cavani left when their contracts ended , not even sticking around for the latter stages of the Champions League in August -- Cavani is now at United and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old side this week .
Skipper Thiago Silva did stay for the 'Final Eight ' in Lisbon but has since joined Chelsea and complained that sporting director Leonardo had been `` clumsy and rushed '' in refusing to offer him a deal to stay .
`` Not only with me , '' the Brazilian told France Football .
`` Cavani is the top scorer in PSG 's history .
I am saying this so that the club progresses and does n't make the same mistakes in future . ''
Tuchel would appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently difficult relationship with the man who makes the signings producing regular headlines in France .
`` We will do everything we possibly can and we will never accept excuses but we have to face up to the reality and that is that we have lost players , '' the German , who is in the final year of his contract , said earlier this month as he indicated PSG could not win the Champions League without major strengthening .
`` We did n't like what he said .
The club did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it either , '' said Leonardo .
`` If you decide to stay , you have to respect the club 's sporting policy , the internal rules and the situation at the club . ''
But if there was no love lost just a few weeks ago , Tuchel would have been pleased to see several new signings arrive just before the transfer window closed on October 5 .
PSG signed two new midfielders , with Portuguese international Danilo Pereira arriving on loan from Porto and Rafinha joining on a three-year deal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also captured on loan from Everton to strengthen the attack .
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are still there of course , and so is Angel di Maria , but they still look light in defence .
Friday 's 4-0 win over Nimes was their fifth in a row in Ligue 1 after starting the campaign with two straight defeats , yet question marks remain about their longer-term prospects this season .
Meanwhile in the short term PSG are still missing a host of players for the start of their European campaign .
Influential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee injury , while midfield duo Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes are expected to miss Tuesday 's game and Mauro Icardi is absent too .
Di Maria , at least , can play here while he serves a ban domestically .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Paris Saint-Germain came so close to winning the prize they crave more than anything in last season's Champions League and are hoping to go one better this time, but there are concerns that the Qatar-owned club might actually have gone backwards in recent months.
Bayern Munich's greater experience told in Lisbon in August, and there were tears at the end for Neymar as the French champions agonisingly lost 1-0 in their first ever Champions League final.
Two months on, Thomas Tuchel's side begin their latest bid for European success at home to Manchester United on Tuesday, in a rematch of the last-16 tie in 2019 which PSG lost to a controversial late penalty.
It therefore brings back memories of just one of several painful defeats in the Champions League in recent years, but the reality is that Paris should be considered favourites against the Old Trafford side and to win a group also containing RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Yet whether this will be the season that they do go all the way remains to be seen.
Tuchel has been the first to complain that his squad is weaker than it was last season as PSG -- having already seen several key players depart over the summer -- have started the new campaign hamstrung by injuries, suspensions and coronavirus cases.
- 'Clumsy and rushed' -
Right-back Thomas Meunier and all-time record goal-scorer Edinson Cavani left when their contracts ended, not even sticking around for the latter stages of the Champions League in August -- Cavani is now at United and so could come back to haunt his old side this week.
Skipper Thiago Silva did stay for the 'Final Eight' in Lisbon but has since joined Chelsea and complained that sporting director Leonardo had been "clumsy and rushed" in refusing to offer him a deal to stay.
"Not only with me," the Brazilian told France Football. "Cavani is the top scorer in PSG's history. I am saying this so that the club progresses and doesn't make the same mistakes in future."
Tuchel would appear to agree with that view, with his apparently difficult relationship with the man who makes the signings producing regular headlines in France.
"We will do everything we possibly can and we will never accept excuses but we have to face up to the reality and that is that we have lost players," the German, who is in the final year of his contract, said earlier this month as he indicated PSG could not win the Champions League without major strengthening.
"We didn't like what he said. The club didn't like it and I didn't like it either," said Leonardo.
"If you decide to stay, you have to respect the club's sporting policy, the internal rules and the situation at the club."
- New signings late in coming -
But if there was no love lost just a few weeks ago, Tuchel would have been pleased to see several new signings arrive just before the transfer window closed on October 5.
PSG signed two new midfielders, with Portuguese international Danilo Pereira arriving on loan from Porto and Rafinha joining on a three-year deal from Barcelona.
Italy striker Moise Kean was also captured on loan from Everton to strengthen the attack.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are still there of course, and so is Angel di Maria, but they still look light in defence.
Friday's 4-0 win over Nimes was their fifth in a row in Ligue 1 after starting the campaign with two straight defeats, yet question marks remain about their longer-term prospects this season.
Meanwhile in the short term PSG are still missing a host of players for the start of their European campaign.
Influential left-back Juan Bernat is out with a knee injury, while midfield duo Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes are expected to miss Tuesday's game and Mauro Icardi is absent too.
Di Maria, at least, can play here while he serves a ban domestically.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--Churches burnt as thousands mark Chile protest movement anniversary

Demonstrators set a police vehicle on fire during clashes between security forces and protesters marking the first anniversdary of Chile 's social unrest over inequality Two churches were torched as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered Sunday in a central Santiago square to mark the anniversary of a protest movement that broke out last year demanding greater equality in Chile .
The demonstration comes just a week before Chileans vote in a referendum on whether to replace the dictatorship-era constitution -- one of the key demands when the protest movement began on October 18 , 2019 .
While the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests at Plaza Italia , there were several incidents of violence , looting and vandalism in the afternoon .
One church close to Plaza Italia was burnt to the ground as hooded protesters cheered , while a second place of worship was looted and also suffered fire damage .
Firefighters managed to get that blaze under control , though .
The small Church of the Assumption that was totally destroyed is known as the `` artists ' parish , '' according to local press .
There were clashes between groups of football hooligans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Plaza Italia doused a statue with red paint .
The communist mayor of a neighborhood near the central square , Daniel Jadue , was hounded out of Plaza Italia by protesters .
Yet it was a different feeling in the morning when demonstrators , many wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus pandemic , held up banners , sang and danced .
Police even gradually pulled back from the Plaza Italia .
`` It 's great , very good and positive .
They 're pure good things for Chile in everything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 , told AFP as she and a group of people danced to drums .
`` The people of Chile need to unite , and we have to believe that we can do things . ''
Some even turned up to the demonstration in fancy dress .
For Victor Hugo de la Fuente , a journalist and manager at the Chilean edition of Le Monde Diplomatique , happiness reigned amongst protesters `` due to the possibility of progressing and achieving a fairer and more democratic Chile . ''
Demonstrators also called for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposed constitutional change .
`` This is the opportunity to say enough !
We 're here and we 're going to vote for 'Approve , ' '' Paulina Villarroel , a 29-year-old psychologist , told AFP .
The government of President Sebastian Pinera -- one of the protesters ' main targets -- called on demonstrators to be peaceful and to respect coronavirus restrictions .
The deadly outbreak has left 13,600 Chileans dead with more than 490,000 infected .
Protests broke out a year ago initially as a response to a hike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general demonstration against inequality and the government .
On one night of unrest , a dozen metro stations were set ablaze , bus stops were smashed , supermarkets looted , buildings vandalized and protesters clashed with riot police who fired tear gas and used water cannons .

Santiago (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Two churches were torched as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered Sunday in a central Santiago square to mark the anniversary of a protest movement that broke out last year demanding greater equality in Chile.
The demonstration comes just a week before Chileans vote in a referendum on whether to replace the dictatorship-era constitution -- one of the key demands when the protest movement began on October 18, 2019.
While the morning brought a largely festive atmosphere to the protests at Plaza Italia, there were several incidents of violence, looting and vandalism in the afternoon.
One church close to Plaza Italia was burnt to the ground as hooded protesters cheered, while a second place of worship was looted and also suffered fire damage.
Firefighters managed to get that blaze under control, though.
The small Church of the Assumption that was totally destroyed is known as the "artists' parish," according to local press.
There were clashes between groups of football hooligans in one Santiago neighborhood, while protesters in Plaza Italia doused a statue with red paint.
The communist mayor of a neighborhood near the central square, Daniel Jadue, was hounded out of Plaza Italia by protesters.
Yet it was a different feeling in the morning when demonstrators, many wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus pandemic, held up banners, sang and danced. Police even gradually pulled back from the Plaza Italia.
"It's great, very good and positive. They're pure good things for Chile in everything from here," demonstrator Viviana Donoso, 43, told AFP as she and a group of people danced to drums.
"The people of Chile need to unite, and we have to believe that we can do things."
Some even turned up to the demonstration in fancy dress.
- Hopes of a 'fairer Chile' -
For Victor Hugo de la Fuente, a journalist and manager at the Chilean edition of Le Monde Diplomatique, happiness reigned amongst protesters "due to the possibility of progressing and achieving a fairer and more democratic Chile."
Demonstrators also called for their countrymen to vote to "approve" the proposed constitutional change.
"This is the opportunity to say enough! We're here and we're going to vote for 'Approve,'" Paulina Villarroel, a 29-year-old psychologist, told AFP.
The government of President Sebastian Pinera -- one of the protesters' main targets -- called on demonstrators to be peaceful and to respect coronavirus restrictions.
The deadly outbreak has left 13,600 Chileans dead with more than 490,000 infected.
Protests broke out a year ago initially as a response to a hike in metro fares, before mushrooming into a general demonstration against inequality and the government.
On one night of unrest, a dozen metro stations were set ablaze, bus stops were smashed, supermarkets looted, buildings vandalized and protesters clashed with riot police who fired tear gas and used water cannons.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Wallabies slammed for 'avalanche of mistakes'

The Wallabies were punished by the All Blacks for too many errors The Wallabies buried themselves in an `` avalanche of mistakes '' , Australian media commentators lamented Monday after their team again failed to snap a decades-long hoodoo at New Zealand 's Eden Park .
Australia 's inability to win at the Auckland stadium stretched to a 34th year after being outplayed by a rampaging All Blacks 27-7 on Sunday .
They were punished for a poor defensive performance , guilty of too many handling errors , conceding a raft of turnovers and missing a whopping 40 tackles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallabies buried themselves in an avalanche of their own mistakes , '' said the Sydney Morning Herald .
`` The attitude was there but the execution was badly awry at Eden Park ...
It was hard to keep count of the errors but three second-half mistakes in close succession were damaging . ''
They included Marika Koroibete failing to get the ball down in the corner , Brandon Paenga-Amosa 's double movement that cost them a try and Jordan Petaia 's carelessness that allowed Sam Cane to cross for five points .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but ( coach ) Dave Rennie will demand more of his players upon their return to Australia .
It was n't good enough , '' the newspaper added .
The Australian broadsheet was equally unforgiving , headlining : `` New team , same old Eden Park story . ''
`` Australia may have had a relatively new side , but in the end it was an old and tiresome story as the Wallabies fell off tackles , struggled to make their hits and allowed the All Blacks to build that ferocious , familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports noted that `` the Wallabies can not be their own worst enemy .
The All Blacks are a tough enough opponent already '' .
The win put New Zealand in the driving seat after two Bledisloe Cup games , with the first in Wellington a 16-16 thriller .
There are two more to come over the coming weeks in Australia as part of the Rugby Championship , which also includes Argentina but not world champions South Africa who pulled out due to lack of preparation .
While the critics piled in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimistic line , saying the Wallabies `` are showing the beginning of something '' .
`` The All Blacks were unstoppable , imposing , breathtakingly brutal in their execution of counter-attack and turnover raids , '' it wrote .
`` Australia is not capable of this level of rugby -– yet .
They could be , judging by the signs .
`` They have lifted their level of skill significantly ; the running lines are sharper , their set-piece is slightly more reliable .
And they show more fortitude . ''
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The Wallabies buried themselves in an "avalanche of mistakes", Australian media commentators lamented Monday after their team again failed to snap a decades-long hoodoo at New Zealand's Eden Park.
Australia's inability to win at the Auckland stadium stretched to a 34th year after being outplayed by a rampaging All Blacks 27-7 on Sunday.
They were punished for a poor defensive performance, guilty of too many handling errors, conceding a raft of turnovers and missing a whopping 40 tackles to New Zealand's 23.
"The Wallabies buried themselves in an avalanche of their own mistakes," said the Sydney Morning Herald.
"The attitude was there but the execution was badly awry at Eden Park... It was hard to keep count of the errors but three second-half mistakes in close succession were damaging."
They included Marika Koroibete failing to get the ball down in the corner, Brandon Paenga-Amosa's double movement that cost them a try and Jordan Petaia's carelessness that allowed Sam Cane to cross for five points.
"Pressure caused some of the mistakes, but (coach) Dave Rennie will demand more of his players upon their return to Australia. It wasn't good enough," the newspaper added.
The Australian broadsheet was equally unforgiving, headlining: "New team, same old Eden Park story."
"Australia may have had a relatively new side, but in the end it was an old and tiresome story as the Wallabies fell off tackles, struggled to make their hits and allowed the All Blacks to build that ferocious, familiar momentum," it said.
Fox Sports noted that "the Wallabies cannot be their own worst enemy. The All Blacks are a tough enough opponent already".
The win put New Zealand in the driving seat after two Bledisloe Cup games, with the first in Wellington a 16-16 thriller.
There are two more to come over the coming weeks in Australia as part of the Rugby Championship, which also includes Argentina but not world champions South Africa who pulled out due to lack of preparation.
While the critics piled in, Sydney's Daily Telegraph took a more optimistic line, saying the Wallabies "are showing the beginning of something".
"The All Blacks were unstoppable, imposing, breathtakingly brutal in their execution of counter-attack and turnover raids," it wrote.
"Australia is not capable of this level of rugby -– yet. They could be, judging by the signs.
"They have lifted their level of skill significantly; the running lines are sharper, their set-piece is slightly more reliable. And they show more fortitude."
The two arch-rivals next clash in Sydney on October 31.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Lille thrash nine-man Lens to go top of Ligue 1

Burak Yilmaz ( R ) set Lille on their way to top spot in Ligue 1 Lille grabbed top spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday by thrashing newly-promoted Lens 4-0 in France 's northern derby as the ill-disciplined visitors had two players sent off .
Lens had a chance to go top in France for the first time in 16 years but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Lille who move two points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain .
Burak Yilmaz 's low shot put the home side ahead in the echoing , empty Stade Metropole after 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half when Jonathan Bamba scored Lille 's second before first Jonathan Gradit and then substitute Clement Michelin were shown red cards as Lens fell apart .
Jonathan Ikone and Yusuf Yazici completed the job for Lille .
`` This start to the season is the result of the hard work we do every day .
We are very serious and ready to do a great job but we have n't won anything yet .
`` We have to keep our feet on the ground and stay focused on the next game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at Nimes .
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia said his team had `` turned the page '' after captain Memphis Depay set up three goals in Sunday 's 3-2 win at Strasbourg to claim their first victory since August .
The Dutch attacker , who was linked with a move to Barcelona during the transfer window , was the provider for Zimbabwe international forward Tino Kadewere and repeated the feat twice for Karl Toko Ekambi in the first half .
Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou scored for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to ninth with their first three points since August .
`` The win was more than deserved .
This team had the capacity to admit they had to turn the page , '' Garcia said .
`` The answer was on the pitch , three Depay assists and three goals in open play . ''
Kadewere opened the scoring after 15 minutes , firing home first time from Depay 's long ball .
Depay then combined twice with Toko Ekambi before the 42-minute mark to make it 3-0 .
The hosts fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit just over a minute later .
Ivory Coast midfielder Aholou , on loan from Monaco , scored with a left-footed volley 10 minutes into the second half .
Patrick Vieira 's Nice side eased to a 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne to move up to fourth , joining Lens on 13 points .
Pierre Lees-Malou opened the scoring for Nice before 20-year-old Amine Gouiri added a second before half-time .
Adil Aouchiche pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne on 57 minutes but Myziane Maolida sealed the points for the southerners .
On Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Champions League next week with a 3-1 victory over Bordeaux .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lille grabbed top spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday by thrashing newly-promoted Lens 4-0 in France's northern derby as the ill-disciplined visitors had two players sent off.
Lens had a chance to go top in France for the first time in 16 years but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Lille who move two points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Burak Yilmaz's low shot put the home side ahead in the echoing, empty Stade Metropole after 11 minutes.
Lens hung on till the second half when Jonathan Bamba scored Lille's second before first Jonathan Gradit and then substitute Clement Michelin were shown red cards as Lens fell apart.
Jonathan Ikone and Yusuf Yazici completed the job for Lille.
"Tonight was a perfect match," said Lille striker Luiz Araujo.
"This start to the season is the result of the hard work we do every day. We are very serious and ready to do a great job but we haven't won anything yet.
"We have to keep our feet on the ground and stay focused on the next game."
PSG had also won 4-0 on Friday with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at Nimes.
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia said his team had "turned the page" after captain Memphis Depay set up three goals in Sunday's 3-2 win at Strasbourg to claim their first victory since August.
The Dutch attacker, who was linked with a move to Barcelona during the transfer window, was the provider for Zimbabwe international forward Tino Kadewere and repeated the feat twice for Karl Toko Ekambi in the first half.
Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou scored for the hosts but Lyon hung on and move up to ninth with their first three points since August.
"The win was more than deserved. This team had the capacity to admit they had to turn the page," Garcia said.
"The answer was on the pitch, three Depay assists and three goals in open play."
Kadewere opened the scoring after 15 minutes, firing home first time from Depay's long ball.
Depay then combined twice with Toko Ekambi before the 42-minute mark to make it 3-0.
The hosts fought back as Senegal's Diallo cut the deficit just over a minute later.
Ivory Coast midfielder Aholou, on loan from Monaco, scored with a left-footed volley 10 minutes into the second half.
Patrick Vieira's Nice side eased to a 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne to move up to fourth, joining Lens on 13 points.
Pierre Lees-Malou opened the scoring for Nice before 20-year-old Amine Gouiri added a second before half-time.
Adil Aouchiche pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne on 57 minutes but Myziane Maolida sealed the points for the southerners.
On Saturday, Marseille warmed up for their return to the Champions League next week with a 3-1 victory over Bordeaux.
© 2020 AFP