france24--2020-10-28--Turkey threatens legal, diplomatic action over Charlie Hebdo’s caricature of Erdogan

A file photo of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Turkey on October 28 , 2020 condemned Charlie Hebdo 's cover caricature of the Turkish president .
Turkey on Wednesday vowed to take `` legal and diplomatic actions '' over a cartoon in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
`` We assure our people that necessary legal and diplomatic actions will be taken against this cartoon , '' the Turkish presidency said in a statement issued Wednesday morning .
Minutes later , the Ankara prosecutor 's office launched an `` official investigation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency reported .
Turkish anger at the caricature added fuel to a row between Turkey and France about the magazine 's cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed , which flared after a French teacher , Samuel Paty , was beheaded outside his school in a Paris suburb earlier this month after he had shown pupils the cartoons in a lesson on freedom of speech .
`` We strongly condemn the publication concerning our President in the French magazine which has no respect for any belief , sacredness and values , '' presidential spokesman Ibrahim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are just showing their own vulgarity and immorality .
An attack on personal rights is not humour and freedom expression , '' he said .
The cartoon on the cover of Charlie Hebdo showed Erdogan sitting in a white T-shirt and underpants and holding a canned drink , along with a woman wearing an Islamic hijab .
“ I condemn this incorrigible French rag 's immoral publication concerning our president , ” Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay wrote on Twitter .
“ I call on the moral and conscientious international community to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two countries increased over the weekend when Erdogan said French President Emmanuel Macron needed a mental health check , prompting France to recall its ambassador from Ankara .
Erdogan has led calls for a boycott of French products .
France , in turn , has called on its EU allies to take measures against Turkey following the boycott call .
On Tuesday , the European Commission warned that Erdogan 's comments make Turkey 's stalled bid to join the EU an even more distant prospect .
`` Calls for a boycott of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the spirit of these obligations and will take Turkey even further away from the European Union , '' a spokesman said .
Turkey and France are both members of the NATO military alliance , but have been at odds over issues including Syria and Libya , maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
At a summit earlier this month , EU member states agreed to review Turkey ’ s behaviour in December and threatened to impose sanctions if Erdogan 's “ provocations '' do not stop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , EU spokesman Peter Stano said he would not rule out an urgent meeting of EU ministers at an earlier date following Erdogan ’ s comments and boycott calls .
“ We clearly expect a change in action and declarations from the Turkish side , ” Stano said at a news conference .
He said there would be many discussions “ to see whether we are going to continue to wait or take action earlier ” .
The Prophet Mohammed cartoons , considered blasphemous by Muslims , have been displayed in France in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redouble efforts to stop conservative Islamic beliefs from subverting French values , angering many Muslims .

Turkey on Wednesday vowed to take "legal and diplomatic actions" over a Charlie Hebdo cartoon mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marking the latest escalation in a worsening spat with France. The French government has said it will not give in to "destabilisation and intimidation".
A file photo of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey on October 28, 2020 condemned Charlie Hebdo's cover caricature of the Turkish president.
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"We assure our people that necessary legal and diplomatic actions will be taken against this cartoon," the Turkish presidency said in a statement issued Wednesday morning. Minutes later, the Ankara prosecutor's office launched an "official investigation" into the publication, the Anadolu news agency reported.
Turkish anger at the caricature added fuel to a row between Turkey and France about the magazine's cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which flared after a French teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded outside his school in a Paris suburb earlier this month after he had shown pupils the cartoons in a lesson on freedom of speech.
"We strongly condemn the publication concerning our President in the French magazine which has no respect for any belief, sacredness and values," presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Twitter.
"They are just showing their own vulgarity and immorality. An attack on personal rights is not humour and freedom of expression," he said.
The cartoon on the cover of Charlie Hebdo showed Erdogan sitting in a white T-shirt and underpants and holding a canned drink, along with a woman wearing an Islamic hijab.
“I condemn this incorrigible French rag's immoral publication concerning our president,” Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay wrote on Twitter. “I call on the moral and conscientious international community to speak out against this disgrace.”
France won't give in to 'intimidation'
Tensions between France and Turkey increased over the weekend when Erdogan said French President Emmanuel Macron needed a mental health check, prompting France to recall its ambassador from Ankara.
Macron mounted a staunch defence of France's secular tradition after Paty's killing earlier this month, and vowed to crack down on Islamic radicalism, in particular by closing mosques suspected of fomenting extremist ideas.
That prompted Erdogan to accuse Macron of unfairly targeting France's Muslim community, and fuelled the latest diplomatic spat between the two NATO allies in recent months.
Erdogan has led calls for a boycott of French products. France, in turn, has called on its EU allies to take measures against Turkey following the boycott call.
On Wednesday, France's government spokesman said the country would not give in to "destabilisation and intimidation attempts", and would continue its fight against Islamic extremism.
France "will never renounce its principles and values," spokesman Gabriel Attal said after a cabinet meeting, underscoring "a strong European unity" behind its stance.
EU slams boycott calls
The European Commission has warned that Erdogan's comments make Turkey's stalled bid to join the EU an even more distant prospect.
"Calls for a boycott of products of any member state are contrary to the spirit of these obligations and will take Turkey even further away from the European Union," a spokesman said on Tuesday.
Turkey and France are both members of the NATO military alliance, but have been at odds over issues including Syria and Libya, maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
At a summit earlier this month, EU member states agreed to review Turkey’s behaviour in December and threatened to impose sanctions if Erdogan's “provocations" do not stop, a council statement said.
On Monday, EU spokesman Peter Stano said he would not rule out an urgent meeting of EU ministers at an earlier date following Erdogan’s comments and boycott calls.
“We clearly expect a change in action and declarations from the Turkish side,” Stano said at a news conference. He said there would be many discussions “to see whether we are going to continue to wait or take action earlier”.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-29--French green light for pro sport to continue despite second lockdown

Professional sports tournaments in France can continue despite the country being ordered into a second national lockdown , said sports minister Roxana Maracineanu early Thursday .
`` Top athletes and professional athletes will be able to continue training .
And they will also be able to continue to compete since travel for professional reasons is allowed , '' said Maracineanu .
Her announcement came just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said a new coronavirus lockdown would be introduced until at least December 1 .
A second wave of cases has sent the death toll in France to nearly 35,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's National Assembly was an immediate boost for the Paris Masters tennis event due to be staged in the French capital from Monday .
Slovakian player Lukas Lacko posted a statement from ATP Player Relations which said the French Tennis Federation ( FFT ) will stage the tournament behind closed doors at the 20,000-capacity Bercy Arena in the east of the city .
`` However , further government clearance is necessary , '' the ATP said in a message to `` players and team members '' .
`` The FFT will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to play behind closed doors as soon as possible and under exactly what conditions . ''
World number two Rafael Nadal , who won a 13th French Open at Roland Garros in Paris just over two weeks ago , is the top seed at the tournament .

Paris (AFP) –
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Professional sports tournaments in France can continue despite the country being ordered into a second national lockdown, said sports minister Roxana Maracineanu early Thursday.
"Top athletes and professional athletes will be able to continue training. And they will also be able to continue to compete since travel for professional reasons is allowed," said Maracineanu.
Her announcement came just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said a new coronavirus lockdown would be introduced until at least December 1.
A second wave of cases has sent the death toll in France to nearly 35,000.
Maracineanu's speech to the country's National Assembly was an immediate boost for the Paris Masters tennis event due to be staged in the French capital from Monday.
Slovakian player Lukas Lacko posted a statement from ATP Player Relations which said the French Tennis Federation (FFT) will stage the tournament behind closed doors at the 20,000-capacity Bercy Arena in the east of the city.
"However, further government clearance is necessary," the ATP said in a message to "players and team members".
"The FFT will continue to engage with the French government to confirm the ability to play behind closed doors as soon as possible and under exactly what conditions."
The Paris Masters carries a total prize money purse of 4.3 million euros.
World number two Rafael Nadal, who won a 13th French Open at Roland Garros in Paris just over two weeks ago, is the top seed at the tournament.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-29--US senators spar with Big Tech over legal immunity, politics

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey gives his opening statement remotely during a hearing to discuss reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act Capitol Hill clashed with Silicon Valley Wednesday over legal protections and censorship on social media during a fiery hearing a week before Election Day in which Twitter 's Jack Dorsey acknowledged that platforms need to do more to `` earn trust . ''
Dorsey -- along with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google chief Sundar Pichai -- had been summoned to the Senate to testify via video link to debate a law known as Section 230 that shields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users post .
With the election looming , tech executives have been facing increased pressure to shield users from the rapid propagation of false information while staying above the political fray .
The delicate balancing act has angered Republicans , however , who distrust Silicon Valley over what they see the suppression of conservative voices and Democrats who worry that the platforms are not doing enough on disinformation .
`` My concern is that these platforms have become powerful arbiters of what is true and what content users can access , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commerce Committee .
The senator said the panel had `` dozens of examples of conservative content being censored , '' questioning Dorsey on how that platform decides on how to label or remove content .
`` Your platform allows foreign dictators to post propaganda without restriction yet your routinely restrict the president of the United States , '' Wicker said , pointing to one message in China accusing the US military of introducing the coronavirus .
Right on cue , President Donald Trump , who faces an uphill battle for reelection on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critique , taking to Twitter to accuse Big Tech of covering up the `` corruption '' of his opponent Joe Biden .
He reprised a favorite accusation that old and new media are also corrupt , and have been involved in `` Suppression of the Story '' -- calling on lawmakers to `` Repeal Section 230 ! ''
Dorsey , who has cultivated a distinctive long beard during the pandemic , was the main early target of lawmakers ' opprobrium , however .
A visibly irritated Senator Ted Cruz , a Texas Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accused the company of blocking political speech with which it disagreed .
Sometimes shouting , he rebuked Dorsey over Twitter 's decision to restrict access to a New York Post article of questionable provenance that made corruption allegations against Biden 's son .
`` Mr Dorsey who the hell elected you and put you in charge of what the media are allowed to report and what the American people are allowed to hear ? ''
Cruz thundered .
Dorsey responded that the decision to block links to the story was `` incorrect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We realize we need to earn trust more , '' Dorsey said .
`` We realize more accountability is needed to show our intentions and to show the outcome . ''
Cruz had criticism for Google too , and what he alleged was its `` willingness to manipulate search outcomes to influence and change election results . ''
While Section 230 reform has some support on both sides of the aisle , the exchanges had a distinctly partisan flavor , with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal accusing Republicans of using the hearing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that my Republican colleagues are holding this hearing days before the election when they seem to want to bully and browbeat the platforms to try to tilt them to President Trump 's favor . ''
The technology executives had earlier defended Section 230 in written testimony while warning that proposed reforms could lead to more harmful and abusive content online , and would limit rather than expand free expression .
Pichai said the law , part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act , `` has been foundational for US leadership in the tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be `` very aware of the consequences of .. changes on businesses and customers '' of a revision of the statute .
Dorsey had said in his prepared testimony that Section 230 gives online services flexibility to remove `` hate speech '' and other inappropriate content , and that the law underpins the social media world where anyone can post comments .
Zuckerberg meanwhile appears open to reform of the law in a surprise for digital rights defenders .
`` I believe Congress should update the law to make sure it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his written remarks .
Jesse Blumenthal , a digital rights activist with the Charles Koch Institute , said Zuckerberg appeared to be shifting his position and noted that `` opening this door is potentially a step backward for free expression . ''
Digital rights activists say the attention on Section 230 is misguided , and that various measures would be unconstitutional or counterproductive .
`` Everyone relies on ( Section 230 ) , from small blogs to big internet platform , '' said Ashkhen Kazaryan , head of civil liberties at the @ @ @ @

Washington (AFP) –
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Capitol Hill clashed with Silicon Valley Wednesday over legal protections and censorship on social media during a fiery hearing a week before Election Day in which Twitter's Jack Dorsey acknowledged that platforms need to do more to "earn trust."
Dorsey -- along with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google chief Sundar Pichai -- had been summoned to the Senate to testify via video link to debate a law known as Section 230 that shields their platforms from liability over what their users post.
With the election looming, tech executives have been facing increased pressure to shield users from the rapid propagation of false information while staying above the political fray.
The delicate balancing act has angered Republicans, however, who distrust Silicon Valley over what they see the suppression of conservative voices and Democrats who worry that the platforms are not doing enough on disinformation.
"My concern is that these platforms have become powerful arbiters of what is true and what content users can access," said Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee.
The senator said the panel had "dozens of examples of conservative content being censored," questioning Dorsey on how that platform decides on how to label or remove content.
"Your platform allows foreign dictators to post propaganda without restriction yet your routinely restrict the president of the United States," Wicker said, pointing to one message in China accusing the US military of introducing the coronavirus.
Right on cue, President Donald Trump, who faces an uphill battle for reelection on November 3, served up his own critique, taking to Twitter to accuse Big Tech of covering up the "corruption" of his opponent Joe Biden.
- 'Suppression of the Story' -
He reprised a favorite accusation that old and new media are also corrupt, and have been involved in "Suppression of the Story" -- calling on lawmakers to "Repeal Section 230!"
Dorsey, who has cultivated a distinctive long beard during the pandemic, was the main early target of lawmakers' opprobrium, however.
A visibly irritated Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said Twitter "silences people" and accused the company of blocking political speech with which it disagreed.
Sometimes shouting, he rebuked Dorsey over Twitter's decision to restrict access to a New York Post article of questionable provenance that made corruption allegations against Biden's son.
"Mr Dorsey who the hell elected you and put you in charge of what the media are allowed to report and what the American people are allowed to hear?" Cruz thundered.
Dorsey responded that the decision to block links to the story was "incorrect" and had been fixed.
"We realize we need to earn trust more," Dorsey said. "We realize more accountability is needed to show our intentions and to show the outcome."
Cruz had criticism for Google too, and what he alleged was its "willingness to manipulate search outcomes to influence and change election results."
While Section 230 reform has some support on both sides of the aisle, the exchanges had a distinctly partisan flavor, with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal accusing Republicans of using the hearing as a political football.
"I am appalled that my Republican colleagues are holding this hearing days before the election when they seem to want to bully and browbeat the platforms to try to tilt them to President Trump's favor."
- Opening a door? -
The technology executives had earlier defended Section 230 in written testimony while warning that proposed reforms could lead to more harmful and abusive content online, and would limit rather than expand free expression.
Pichai said the law, part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, "has been foundational for US leadership in the tech sector."
He cautioned the panel to be "very aware of the consequences of .. changes on businesses and customers" of a revision of the statute.
Dorsey had said in his prepared testimony that Section 230 gives online services flexibility to remove "hate speech" and other inappropriate content, and that the law underpins the social media world where anyone can post comments.
Zuckerberg meanwhile appears open to reform of the law in a surprise for digital rights defenders.
"I believe Congress should update the law to make sure it's working as intended," Zuckerberg said in his written remarks.
Jesse Blumenthal, a digital rights activist with the Charles Koch Institute, said Zuckerberg appeared to be shifting his position and noted that "opening this door is potentially a step backward for free expression."
Digital rights activists say the attention on Section 230 is misguided, and that various measures would be unconstitutional or counterproductive.
"Everyone relies on (Section 230), from small blogs to big internet platform," said Ashkhen Kazaryan, head of civil liberties at the activist nonprofit TechFreedom.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-29--Five Chinese agents arrested in US for targeting Beijing opponents

Five Chinese agents were arrested on Wednesday for their roles in an operation targeting Beijing 's opponents in the United States , US officials announced .
Assistant Attorney General John Demers said charges had been filed against eight people involved in an `` illegal Chinese law enforcement operation known as Fox Hunt . ''
`` Since 2014 , at the direction of Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping , China has been engaged in a global operation known as Fox Hunt , '' Demers said at a press conference .
`` China describes Fox Hunt as an international anti-corruption campaign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world and bring them to China to face genuine criminal charges , '' Demers said .
`` But in many instances the hunted are opponents of Communist Party Chairman Xi -- political rivals , dissidents , critics , '' he said .
`` And in either event , the operation is a clear violation of the rule of law and international norms . ''
Demers said Chinese `` repatriation squads '' had entered the United States to `` locate the alleged fugitives , and deploy intimidation and other tactics to force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face certain imprisonment or worse following illegitimate trials . ''
The Justice Department announcement comes at a time of rising tensions between the US and China over the coronavirus pandemic , which President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed on Beijing .
Demers said five Chinese agents were arrested in the United States on Wednesday to face charges of `` conspiring to act in the United States as illegal agents of the People 's Republic of China . ''
Three of those charged -- Zhu Yong , 64 , a Chinese citizen and permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-year-old naturalized US citizen ; and Michael McMahon , a 53-year-old US citizen and licensed private detective -- were arrested in New York and New Jersey .
The other two -- Rong Jing , 38 , a Chinese citizen and permanent US resident , and Zheng Congying , 24 , a Chinese citizen and permanent US resident -- were arrested in California .
The other three facing charges -- Zhu Feng , 33 ; Hu Ji , 45 ; and Li Minjun , 64 , -- remain at large and are believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The Chinese government 's brazen attempts to surveil , threaten , and harass our own citizens and lawful permanent residents , while on American soil , are part of China 's diverse campaign of theft and malign influence in our country and around the world , '' FBI Director Christopher Wray said .
He said the targeting of Chinese nationals viewed as threats to the regime was not confined to the United States but was also taking place in other countries .
`` These are not the actions we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wray said .
`` Instead they 're more like something we would expect from an organized criminal syndicate . ''
The Justice Department did not identify the targeted individuals but it provided details of some of the methods used against them .
One case involved a man identified only as `` John Doe-1 , '' a resident of New Jersey accused by China of abuse of government power and accepting bribes .
The Justice Department said Chinese agents used a visit to the United States by John Doe-1 's elderly father in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to China .
They also conducted surveillance and online harassment of John Doe-1 's adult daughter as part of a campaign to exert pressure on John Doe-1 , the Justice Department said .
The charges of conspiracy to act as an agent of China carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison .

Washington (AFP) –
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Five Chinese agents were arrested on Wednesday for their roles in an operation targeting Beijing's opponents in the United States, US officials announced.
Assistant Attorney General John Demers said charges had been filed against eight people involved in an "illegal Chinese law enforcement operation known as Fox Hunt."
"Since 2014, at the direction of Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping, China has been engaged in a global operation known as Fox Hunt," Demers said at a press conference.
"China describes Fox Hunt as an international anti-corruption campaign in which it seeks to locate legitimate fugitives around the world and bring them to China to face genuine criminal charges," Demers said.
"But in many instances the hunted are opponents of Communist Party Chairman Xi -- political rivals, dissidents, critics," he said. "And in either event, the operation is a clear violation of the rule of law and international norms."
Demers said Chinese "repatriation squads" had entered the United States to "locate the alleged fugitives, and deploy intimidation and other tactics to force them back into China where they would face certain imprisonment or worse following illegitimate trials."
The Justice Department announcement comes at a time of rising tensions between the US and China over the coronavirus pandemic, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed on Beijing.
Demers said five Chinese agents were arrested in the United States on Wednesday to face charges of "conspiring to act in the United States as illegal agents of the People's Republic of China."
Three of those charged -- Zhu Yong, 64, a Chinese citizen and permanent US resident; Hongru Jin, a 30-year-old naturalized US citizen; and Michael McMahon, a 53-year-old US citizen and licensed private detective -- were arrested in New York and New Jersey.
The other two -- Rong Jing, 38, a Chinese citizen and permanent US resident, and Zheng Congying, 24, a Chinese citizen and permanent US resident -- were arrested in California.
The other three facing charges -- Zhu Feng, 33; Hu Ji, 45; and Li Minjun, 64, -- remain at large and are believed to be in China, the Justice Department said.
- Threatening note -
"The Chinese government's brazen attempts to surveil, threaten, and harass our own citizens and lawful permanent residents, while on American soil, are part of China's diverse campaign of theft and malign influence in our country and around the world," FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
He said the targeting of Chinese nationals viewed as threats to the regime was not confined to the United States but was also taking place in other countries.
"These are not the actions we would expect from a responsible nation-state," Wray said. "Instead they're more like something we would expect from an organized criminal syndicate."
The Justice Department did not identify the targeted individuals but it provided details of some of the methods used against them.
One case involved a man identified only as "John Doe-1," a resident of New Jersey accused by China of abuse of government power and accepting bribes.
The Justice Department said Chinese agents used a visit to the United States by John Doe-1's elderly father in an attempt to persuade him and his family to return to China.
They also conducted surveillance and online harassment of John Doe-1's adult daughter as part of a campaign to exert pressure on John Doe-1, the Justice Department said.
The charges of conspiracy to act as an agent of China carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Guinea loosens restrictions on opposition, 10 days after disputed election

Meanwhile on Wednesday , Guinean President Alpha Conde ( R ) made his first appearance since the election , visiting a police officer in the Conakry hospital after the officer was injured during protests .
Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo said Wednesday that a blockade of his home , imposed by the security forces following tumultuous presidential elections on October 18 , had been lifted .
“ We discovered on the stroke of noon that we could go in and out .
They packed up without warning , in the same way that they had come , ” Diallo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician in his home in the capital Conakry after he declared victory a day after the vote—a claim denied by the government and which led to lethal clashes .
On Tuesday , mediators from the UN , African Union and regional bloc ECOWAS called on the “ security measures ” around Diallo ’ s home to be lifted “ in the spirit of inclusive dialogue.
” Diallo said that barricades around the headquarters of his party , the UFDG , and around his offices , remained in place .
The security presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notably lighter on Wednesday .
“ We were surprised this morning to see that the troops deployed in our area had packed up and gone , ” said Souleymane Bangoura , an inhabitant of the district of Sonfonia .
President Alpha Conde , 82 , won the hotly contested election according to official results announced Saturday , setting the stage for a controversial third term .
Conde was a former opposition leader during years of hardline rule who in 2010 became the first democratically elected president of one of Africa ’ s poorest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been accused by critics of authoritarian drift during his second term in office , which he won in 2015 .
The United States , in line with a European Union statement a day earlier , said it “ notes ” the announced results and voiced concern about a lack of transparency and inconsistencies in the vote-counting .
“ We urge all parties to resolve electoral disputes peacefully through established , non-partisan institutions and inclusive dialogue , ” a US embassy statement said .
The United States also urged an immediate investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
France , the former colonial power , on Wednesday expressed “ concern ” sand said that doubts about the vote should be “ lifted in a transparent manner.
” Conde pushed through a new constitution in March which he argued would modernise the country .
But it also allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents , arguing that the counter had been reset to zero .
Opposition to that move had provoked mass protests from October 2019 , in which security forces killed dozens of people .
Conde , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election day , visited the military hospital in the capital on Wednesday under the close guard of the “ red berets ” , an elite military unit .
Accompanied by Defence Minister Mohamed Diane and his personal adviser Tibou Camara , Conde spoke with police and gendarmes who had been injured in post-election violence .
Diallo was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conte , and has unsuccessfully challenged Conde in each election the president has contested .
On October 19 , without waiting for official results , Diallo maintained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling stations showed that he had won .
The self-proclaimed win led to unrest that , according to the government , claimed 21 lives , while the political opposition put the toll at more than 27 .
AFP was unable to independently confirm these figures .
According to provisional results released by Guinea ’ s electoral commission , Conde garnered 59.5 percent of the vote , and Diallo 33.5 percent .
Diallo has called on his supporters to maintain pressure until his claimed victory is “ recognised ” and has also said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitutional Court .

Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo said Wednesday that a blockade of his home, imposed by the security forces following tumultuous presidential elections on October 18, had been lifted.
In his first public appearance since the election, Guinean President Alpha Condé (R) visited a police officer in the Conakry hospital on October 28, 2020, after the officer was injured during protests.
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“We discovered on the stroke of noon that we could go in and out. They packed up without warning, in the same way that they had come,” Diallo told AFP.
Police had barricaded the politician in his home in the capital Conakry after he declared victory a day after the vote – a claim denied by the government and which led to lethal clashes.
On Tuesday, mediators from the UN, African Union and regional bloc ECOWAS called on the “security measures” around Diallo’s home to be lifted “in the spirit of inclusive dialogue.”
Diallo said that barricades around the headquarters of his party, the UFDG, and around his offices, remained in place.
The security presence in reputedly pro-opposition districts of Conakry was also notably lighter on Wednesday.
“We were surprised this morning to see that the troops deployed in our area had packed up and gone,” said Souleymane Bangoura, an inhabitant of the district of Sonfonia.
President Alpha Condé, 82, won the hotly contested election according to official results announced Saturday, setting the stage for a controversial third term.
Condé was a former opposition leader during years of hardline rule who in 2010 became the first democratically elected president of one of Africa’s poorest and most volatile states.
But he has been accused by critics of authoritarian drift during his second term in office, which he won in 2015.
The United States, in line with a European Union statement a day earlier, said it “notes” the announced results and voiced concern about a lack of transparency and inconsistencies in the vote-counting.
“We urge all parties to resolve electoral disputes peacefully through established, non-partisan institutions and inclusive dialogue,” a US embassy statement said.
The United States also urged an immediate investigation into allegations of excessive force following the election.
France, the former colonial power, on Wednesday expressed “concern” and said that doubts about the vote should be “lifted in a transparent manner.”
Deadly clashes
Condé pushed through a new constitution in March which he argued would modernise the country.
But it also allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents, arguing that the counter had been reset to zero.
Opposition to that move had provoked mass protests from October 2019, in which security forces killed dozens of people.
Condé, who had not been seen in public since election day, visited the military hospital in the capital on Wednesday under the close guard of the “red berets”, an elite military unit.
Accompanied by Defence Minister Mohamed Diane and his personal adviser Tibou Camara, Condé spoke with police and gendarmes who had been injured in post-election violence.
Diallo was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conte, and has unsuccessfully challenged Condé in each election the president has contested.
On October 19, without waiting for official results, Diallo maintained that data his activists had gathered at individual polling stations showed that he had won.
The self-proclaimed win led to unrest that, according to the government, claimed 21 lives, while the political opposition put the toll at more than 27.
AFP was unable to independently confirm these figures.
According to provisional results released by Guinea’s electoral commission, Conde garnered 59.5 percent of the vote, and Diallo 33.5 percent.
Diallo has called on his supporters to maintain pressure until his claimed victory is “recognised” and has also said he intends to file a suit at the Constitutional Court.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-28--Former Homeland Security official reveals himself as ‘Anonymous’ Trump critic

“ We alone must determine whether his behavior warrants continuance in office , and we face a momentous decision , ” wrote former US Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor .
A former US Department of Homeland Security official on Wednesday revealed he was the author of an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed and later book that excoriated President Donald Trump , stepping forward to urge Americans to vote against Trump .
Miles Taylor , chief of staff in the department until 2019 , set tongues wagging in Washington with the editorial that called Trump amoral , petty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday in a statement on Medium , an online publishing platform , ahead of next week ’ s presidential election .
“ We alone must determine whether his behavior warrants continuance in office , and we face a momentous decision , as our choice about Trump ’ s future will affect our future for years to come , ” wrote Taylor , a Republican who endorsed Trump ’ s election opponent , Democrat Joe Biden .
“ With that in mind , he doesn ’ t deserve a second term in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live through it.
” Trump responded on Wednesday evening , saying , “ Anonymous was a nobody , a disgruntled employee who was quickly removed from his job a long time ago.
” Trump said he did not know Taylor and had “ never even heard of him , ” although Trump in August called Taylor a “ lowlife.
” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany blasted Taylor as a “ liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action and leaking over leading.
” Taylor , who described himself as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration in the anonymous editorial , has also publicly criticized Trump .
The op-ed and book that followed it , called “ A Warning , ” caused brief flurries of attention , although they were overshadowed by a series of books written by well-known former Trump associates , both pro and con , who identified themselves as the authors of their work .
Many had suspected Taylor was the anonymous author for months .

A former US Department of Homeland Security official on Wednesday revealed he was the author of an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed and later book that excoriated President Donald Trump, stepping forward to urge Americans to vote against Trump.
“We alone must determine whether his behavior warrants continuance in office, and we face a momentous decision,” wrote former US Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor.
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Miles Taylor, chief of staff in the department until 2019, set tongues wagging in Washington with the editorial that called Trump amoral, petty and ineffective. He disclosed his identity on Wednesday in a statement on Medium, an online publishing platform, ahead of next week’s presidential election.
“We alone must determine whether his behavior warrants continuance in office, and we face a momentous decision, as our choice about Trump’s future will affect our future for years to come,” wrote Taylor, a Republican who endorsed Trump’s election opponent, Democrat Joe Biden.
“With that in mind, he doesn’t deserve a second term in office, and we don’t deserve to live through it.”
Trump responded on Wednesday evening, saying, “Anonymous was a nobody, a disgruntled employee who was quickly removed from his job a long time ago.”
Trump said he did not know Taylor and had “never even heard of him,” although Trump in August called Taylor a “lowlife.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany blasted Taylor as a “liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action and leaking over leading.”
Taylor, who described himself as part of the “resistance” within the Trump administration in the anonymous editorial, has also publicly criticized Trump.
The op-ed and book that followed it, called “A Warning,” caused brief flurries of attention, although they were overshadowed by a series of books written by well-known former Trump associates, both pro and con, who identified themselves as the authors of their work. Many had suspected Taylor was the anonymous author for months.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-28--'Amazing coup' as former All Blacks coach Hansen joins Aussie league club

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has agreed to act as a consultant for struggling Australian rugby league side Canterbury Bulldogs in what the club called `` an amazing coup '' .
Hansen 's tenure with New Zealand ended after they finished third at the World Cup in Japan last year and he subsequently took up a job as director of rugby at Japanese side Toyota Verblitz .
He will now act as a high performance consultant for the Bulldogs next season , linking up with new coach Trent Barrett as the club looks to rebound from finishing 15th on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive Andrew Hill hailed Hansen as `` one of the most highly respected figures throughout all of sports '' .
`` Steve will work closely with our coaching and management staff , in addition to our players leadership group , '' he said in a statement late Wednesday .
`` To be able to have someone with Steve 's record and background work with our staff and players will be a great asset to our club , '' he added , calling it an `` amazing coup '' .
Hansen was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Cup in 2015 and an assistant coach when they claimed the title in 2011 .
During his time at the helm , New Zealand were World Rugby 's team of the year five times , won the Rugby Championship six times and retained the Bledisloe Cup , played annually against Australia , in all eight years .

Sydney (AFP) –
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Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has agreed to act as a consultant for struggling Australian rugby league side Canterbury Bulldogs in what the club called "an amazing coup".
Hansen's tenure with New Zealand ended after they finished third at the World Cup in Japan last year and he subsequently took up a job as director of rugby at Japanese side Toyota Verblitz.
He will now act as a high performance consultant for the Bulldogs next season, linking up with new coach Trent Barrett as the club looks to rebound from finishing 15th on the 16-team ladder this year.
Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill hailed Hansen as "one of the most highly respected figures throughout all of sports".
"Steve will work closely with our coaching and management staff, in addition to our players leadership group," he said in a statement late Wednesday.
"To be able to have someone with Steve's record and background work with our staff and players will be a great asset to our club," he added, calling it an "amazing coup".
Hansen was the All Blacks head coach when they won the World Cup in 2015 and an assistant coach when they claimed the title in 2011.
During his time at the helm, New Zealand were World Rugby's team of the year five times, won the Rugby Championship six times and retained the Bledisloe Cup, played annually against Australia, in all eight years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Rashford stars again for Man Utd in Champions League as Barcelona beat Juventus

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring his third goal and Manchester United 's fifth in their big win over RB Leipzig Marcus Rashford was again the star for Manchester United in the Champions League with a hat-trick in a 5-0 thumping of RB Leipzig on Wednesday as Barcelona put their off-field troubles to one side to win 2-0 away to a Juventus side deprived of Cristiano Ronaldo .
Rashford 's late goal earned United a 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain last week and at Old Trafford the England striker came on as a second-half substitute and scored three times from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine win against last season 's semi-finalists .
Paul Pogba released Mason Greenwood to open the scoring in the first half , before the youngster made way for Rashford after the break and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side ran away with the game to make it two wins from two in Group H. Anthony Martial also netted from the penalty spot as United ruthlessly exposed the side who currently top the German Bundesliga and went clear at the top of the section .
`` We looked dangerous throughout and that we could score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Rashford .
`` It was a real team performance . ''
Meanwhile PSG got their campaign up and running by beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Turkey , although they lost Neymar to an adductor injury in the first half .
Both PSG 's goals were scored in the second half by Moise Kean , the on-loan Everton striker heading in Kylian Mbappe 's corner in the 64th minute and then turning to fire in the second late on .
In Italy Barcelona bounced back from their weekend defeat in the Clasico against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis which led to president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigning on Tuesday .
Ronald Koeman 's side had luck on their side as they took the lead through a deflected Ousmane Dembele strike and then saw Alvaro Morata have three goals disallowed for offside for the hosts .
The absence of Ronaldo because of a positive coronavirus test meant no chance to see him renew his on-field rivalry with Lionel Messi , but the Argentine got his name on the scoresheet late on , netting a stoppage-time penalty to seal Barca 's second victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This was our best game all season , '' said Koeman .
`` The team reacted well , despite the resignation of the president .
We were focused on the football because all the other stuff is not our responsibility . ''
Juve had Turkish defender Merih Demirel sent off late on as their underwhelming start to the season under novice coach Andrea Pirlo continued .
Their next game is away at Ferencvaros , who came from behind to draw 2-2 with 10-man Dynamo Kiev in Budapest .
Viktor Tsygankov 's penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukrainians in control but they then had captain Sergiy Sydorchuk sent off and the hosts -- with a sizeable crowd behind them -- took full advantage .
Tokmac Nguen pulled one back and Ivorian Franck Boli scrambled in a stoppage-time leveller for the Hungarians .
In Group E Chelsea were comprehensive 4-0 winners away to Krasnodar in Russia , with Jorginho missing a penalty before Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring .
Timo Werner smashed in a spot-kick on 76 minutes to double Chelsea 's lead , with Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a first Chelsea goal on his first start since signing from Ajax for £37 million ( $ 48 million ) .
`` We brought him in to do a job , maybe people have forgotten a bit because we signed him in January and he missed the start of the season , but tonight he showed he is here , '' said Chelsea boss Frank Lampard of Ziyech , who has struggled with injury .
Sevilla beat Rennes 1-0 in the same section with Luuk de Jong scoring the only goal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group F with Jadon Sancho 's 78th-minute penalty and Erling Braut Haaland 's stoppage-time strike securing a 2-0 win over Zenit Saint-Petersburg .
The Germans are a point behind Lazio and Club Brugge , who drew 1-1 in Belgium with a Hans Vanaken penalty securing a draw for the hosts .
Lazio had travelled without a host of players due to coronavirus , including star striker Ciro Immobile , but had gone in front early on through Joaquin Correa .

Paris (AFP) –
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Marcus Rashford was again the star for Manchester United in the Champions League with a hat-trick in a 5-0 thumping of RB Leipzig on Wednesday as Barcelona put their off-field troubles to one side to win 2-0 away to a Juventus side deprived of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford's late goal earned United a 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain last week and at Old Trafford the England striker came on as a second-half substitute and scored three times from the 74th minute on in what was a fine win against last season's semi-finalists.
Paul Pogba released Mason Greenwood to open the scoring in the first half, before the youngster made way for Rashford after the break and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ran away with the game to make it two wins from two in Group H.
Anthony Martial also netted from the penalty spot as United ruthlessly exposed the side who currently top the German Bundesliga and went clear at the top of the section.
"We looked dangerous throughout and that we could score every time we went forward," said Rashford. "It was a real team performance."
Meanwhile PSG got their campaign up and running by beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Turkey, although they lost Neymar to an adductor injury in the first half.
Both PSG's goals were scored in the second half by Moise Kean, the on-loan Everton striker heading in Kylian Mbappe's corner in the 64th minute and then turning to fire in the second late on.
- Barca bounce back -
In Italy Barcelona bounced back from their weekend defeat in the Clasico against Real Madrid and shut out the boardroom crisis which led to president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigning on Tuesday.
Ronald Koeman's side had luck on their side as they took the lead through a deflected Ousmane Dembele strike and then saw Alvaro Morata have three goals disallowed for offside for the hosts.
The absence of Ronaldo because of a positive coronavirus test meant no chance to see him renew his on-field rivalry with Lionel Messi, but the Argentine got his name on the scoresheet late on, netting a stoppage-time penalty to seal Barca's second victory in as many Group G outings.
"This was our best game all season," said Koeman.
"The team reacted well, despite the resignation of the president. We were focused on the football because all the other stuff is not our responsibility."
Juve had Turkish defender Merih Demirel sent off late on as their underwhelming start to the season under novice coach Andrea Pirlo continued.
Their next game is away at Ferencvaros, who came from behind to draw 2-2 with 10-man Dynamo Kiev in Budapest.
- Ziyech impresses, Haaland on target -
Viktor Tsygankov's penalty and a Carlos de Pena effort had the Ukrainians in control but they then had captain Sergiy Sydorchuk sent off and the hosts -- with a sizeable crowd behind them -- took full advantage.
Tokmac Nguen pulled one back and Ivorian Franck Boli scrambled in a stoppage-time leveller for the Hungarians.
In Group E Chelsea were comprehensive 4-0 winners away to Krasnodar in Russia, with Jorginho missing a penalty before Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring.
Timo Werner smashed in a spot-kick on 76 minutes to double Chelsea's lead, with Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic adding late goals.
For Ziyech it was a first Chelsea goal on his first start since signing from Ajax for £37 million ($48 million).
"We brought him in to do a job, maybe people have forgotten a bit because we signed him in January and he missed the start of the season, but tonight he showed he is here," said Chelsea boss Frank Lampard of Ziyech, who has struggled with injury.
Sevilla beat Rennes 1-0 in the same section with Luuk de Jong scoring the only goal.
Borussia Dortmund claimed their first points in Group F with Jadon Sancho's 78th-minute penalty and Erling Braut Haaland's stoppage-time strike securing a 2-0 win over Zenit Saint-Petersburg.
The Germans are a point behind Lazio and Club Brugge, who drew 1-1 in Belgium with a Hans Vanaken penalty securing a draw for the hosts.
Lazio had travelled without a host of players due to coronavirus, including star striker Ciro Immobile, but had gone in front early on through Joaquin Correa.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Biden says halting virus will take hard work, as Trump stumps non-stop

Democrat Joe Biden insisted Wednesday he will tackle coronavirus from Day 1 if elected president but warned there is no magic `` switch '' to end the pandemic , as Donald Trump insisted he will still win easily and dismissed his opponent as a Covid alarmist .
Less than a week before decision day , Biden cast his presidential ballot in his home state of Delaware and met with health experts , as he fine-tuned his pandemic response plan , seeking to reassure voters that he would use science to fight the contagion .
`` Even if I win it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard work to end this pandemic , '' the former vice president , who has a strong lead in opinion polls , said in Wilmington .
`` I 'm not running on a false promise of being able to end this pandemic by flipping a switch , '' he added .
`` But what I can promise you is this : We 'll start on Day 1 by doing the right thing .
We 'll let science guide our decisions . ''
Biden , 77 , continues to campaign cautiously ahead of next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , socially distanced crowds that look nothing like the traditional scene in the closing days of a White House race .
On Saturday , Biden is to get some star power when he 's joined on the stump in Michigan by Barack Obama , whom he served as vice president .
It will be their first joint in-person appearance of the 2020 race , though Obama has been delivering strategically timed broadsides at Trump throughout .
Trump , by contrast , is finishing his campaign in an extreme test of endurance , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in swing states and also states that he won in 2016 yet now has to defend .
After rallying supporters in three states Tuesday , Trump , 74 , overnighted in a fourth -- Nevada -- then flew to Arizona for two more rallies .
On an airport tarmac in Bullhead City , Trump all but ignored the Covid-19 crisis and many supporters did n't bother with masks as they cheered his defiant insistence on a landslide victory November 3 , despite all the bad polls .
`` It 's going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he boomed , referring to the Republican color .
`` We love you !
We love you ! ''
the enthusiastic crowd chanted back .
At another rally , in Goodyear , Arizona , Trump predicted he 'd repeat his 2016 upset , saying `` we 're going to have an even bigger surprise in six days . ''
`` The only thing I worry about is if they cheat with the ballots , '' he said , talking at length about his latest conspiracy theory that the US polls could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing no evidence .
The pandemic has upended all aspects of American life and overshadowed the election , with polls showing it may well be the president 's undoing as cases hit record levels in the US .
With many Americans fearing the risk of voting in crowded polling stations , a remarkable 74.7 million people have already cast their ballots .
Some 57.4 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump 's coronavirus response , while 39.8 percent approve , according to a poll average compiled by tracker FiveThirtyEight.com .
Biden has seized on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls heading into the final week and looking to expand his state-by-state path to victory .
On Tuesday , Biden visited Georgia , traditionally Republican territory , and he has said he would travel to Florida , Wisconsin and Michigan in the race 's closing days .
All are states that Trump won in 2016 but which are up for grabs this year .
Trump has repeatedly stressed that the US is `` rounding the turn '' on the pandemic , but figures do not bear that out : More than 227,000 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen .
On Wednesday , Trump kept up his scorn for Biden 's focus on health safety , saying that the Democrat would destroy the country through more lockdowns .
`` 'Sleepy Joe ' wants to keep everyone locked down forever , '' he said , using his stock insult for his challenger .
`` If you vote for Biden it means no kids in school , no graduation , no Christmas and no Fourth of July together .
Other than that you 'll have a wonderful life . ''
But Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci , warned Wednesday that evne if a Covid-19 vaccine is released this year , it will take to `` the end of 2021 and perhaps even into the next year '' to reach `` some semblances of normality . ''
Biden blasted the president , calling his administration 's response to the pandemic `` an insult to every single person suffering from Covid-19 and every family who 's lost a loved one . ''
The White House said meanwhile that it was closely following the situation in Philadelphia , where a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city on edge following the fatal police shooting of a Black man , the latest to spark anger in the United States .

Wilmington (United States) (AFP) –
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Democrat Joe Biden insisted Wednesday he will tackle coronavirus from Day 1 if elected president but warned there is no magic "switch" to end the pandemic, as Donald Trump insisted he will still win easily and dismissed his opponent as a Covid alarmist.
Less than a week before decision day, Biden cast his presidential ballot in his home state of Delaware and met with health experts, as he fine-tuned his pandemic response plan, seeking to reassure voters that he would use science to fight the contagion.
"Even if I win it's going to take a lot of hard work to end this pandemic," the former vice president, who has a strong lead in opinion polls, said in Wilmington.
"I'm not running on a false promise of being able to end this pandemic by flipping a switch," he added. "But what I can promise you is this: We'll start on Day 1 by doing the right thing. We'll let science guide our decisions."
Biden, 77, continues to campaign cautiously ahead of next Tuesday, holding low-key events with small, socially distanced crowds that look nothing like the traditional scene in the closing days of a White House race.
On Saturday, Biden is to get some star power when he's joined on the stump in Michigan by Barack Obama, whom he served as vice president. It will be their first joint in-person appearance of the 2020 race, though Obama has been delivering strategically timed broadsides at Trump throughout.
Trump, by contrast, is finishing his campaign in an extreme test of endurance, with a final attempt to catch up both in swing states and also states that he won in 2016 yet now has to defend.
After rallying supporters in three states Tuesday, Trump, 74, overnighted in a fourth -- Nevada -- then flew to Arizona for two more rallies.
On an airport tarmac in Bullhead City, Trump all but ignored the Covid-19 crisis and many supporters didn't bother with masks as they cheered his defiant insistence on a landslide victory November 3, despite all the bad polls.
"It's going to be a great, great red wave," he boomed, referring to the Republican color.
"We love you! We love you!" the enthusiastic crowd chanted back.
At another rally, in Goodyear, Arizona, Trump predicted he'd repeat his 2016 upset, saying "we're going to have an even bigger surprise in six days."
"The only thing I worry about is if they cheat with the ballots," he said, talking at length about his latest conspiracy theory that the US polls could be rigged -- yet, as always, providing no evidence.
- Under shadow of Covid -
The pandemic has upended all aspects of American life and overshadowed the election, with polls showing it may well be the president's undoing as cases hit record levels in the US.
With many Americans fearing the risk of voting in crowded polling stations, a remarkable 74.7 million people have already cast their ballots.
Some 57.4 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's coronavirus response, while 39.8 percent approve, according to a poll average compiled by tracker FiveThirtyEight.com.
Biden has seized on that to build an impressive advantage in polls heading into the final week and looking to expand his state-by-state path to victory.
On Tuesday, Biden visited Georgia, traditionally Republican territory, and he has said he would travel to Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan in the race's closing days.
All are states that Trump won in 2016 but which are up for grabs this year.
- 'Normality' by late 2021 -
Trump has repeatedly stressed that the US is "rounding the turn" on the pandemic, but figures do not bear that out: More than 227,000 Americans have died and daily case averages have risen.
On Wednesday, Trump kept up his scorn for Biden's focus on health safety, saying that the Democrat would destroy the country through more lockdowns.
"'Sleepy Joe' wants to keep everyone locked down forever," he said, using his stock insult for his challenger.
"If you vote for Biden it means no kids in school, no graduation, no Christmas and no Fourth of July together. Other than that you'll have a wonderful life."
But Trump's own chief infectious disease specialist, Anthony Fauci, warned Wednesday that evne if a Covid-19 vaccine is released this year, it will take to "the end of 2021 and perhaps even into the next year" to reach "some semblances of normality."
Biden blasted the president, calling his administration's response to the pandemic "an insult to every single person suffering from Covid-19 and every family who's lost a loved one."
The White House said meanwhile that it was closely following the situation in Philadelphia, where a second straight night of unrest and looting set the city on edge following the fatal police shooting of a Black man, the latest to spark anger in the United States.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Juventus fall to Messi's Barcelona without Covid-hit Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Juventus ' Champions League clash against Lionel Messi 's Barcelona , two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus , with the Italian giants losing 2-0 at home on Wednesday in his absence .
Messi , 33 , set up Ousmane Dembele to put Barca in front after quarter of an hour in Turin , adding a second himself from the penalty spot in stoppage time .
Alvaro Morata had three goals ruled out for offside for Juve who played the final five minutes a man down after Merih Demiral was sent off for a second yellow card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with six points after two games with Juventus on three .
The reverse fixture takes place at the Camp Nou on December 8 .
`` This was our best game all season , '' said Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman .
`` This is a big win against an important European side and we were able to play the football we 're trying to impose .
`` I 'm very happy with the game and the character displayed by the team , it is a great victory . ''
It was a first defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last game as a player for the Turin giants was a loss to Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final .
`` We knew it would be a difficult game , they are further along the path , they have players more experienced in these games , while we are under construction , '' said Pirlo .
`` We need to grow .
I hope to have the other players back soon .
`` I have no other solutions , those who play have to stay 90 minutes , so it 's difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The 35-year-old Ronaldo , the top scorer in the history of the competition with 130 goals , was furious at missing the game .
The Portuguese superstar had needed to test negative 24 hours before the game to take part in his sixth Champions League meeting against Argentine Messi .
They have not faced off since the five-time Ballon d'Or winner left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018 .
Hours before kick-off , Ronaldo posted a photo on Instagram , stating : `` Feeling good and healthy !
Forza Juve !
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 241 million Instagram followers on the swab tests used to detect the virus , he said : `` PCR IS BULLSHIT . ''
He later removed that post .
Ronaldo then posted a video of himself wearing the Juventus jersey running on a treadmill in his home gym , jumping off for his usual goal celebration before giving the thumbs up and wishing his teammates 'good luck ' .
Ronaldo first tested positive for Covid-19 on October 13 while playing with Portugal , and has been in self-isolation since returning to Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Juve as under-pressure Koeman 's side bounced back after a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend followed a 1-0 loss to Getafe .
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu also resigned on Tuesday along with his board of directors , following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi .
`` After the defeat against Real Madrid it was important to get off to a good start , '' said defender Sergi Roberto .
`` We 're delighted , there are only two goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot more .
We dominated , we created chances . ''
Barcelona were firing on all cylinders with three early chances .
Leonardo Bonucci closed down Messi with Wojciech Szczesny punching out a strike from former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic and an Antoine Griezmann follow-up hitting the post .
The breakthrough came when Messi pinged a sublime cross-field ball for Dembele who ran at two defenders before his long-range strike deflected off Federico Chiesa and looped in over Szczesny .
Morata had the ball in the net just after but the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Messi sending the ball wide after 23 minutes off a Griezmann back-heel flick .
Morata latched onto a Juan Cuadrado cross to turn home after half an hour , but again he was ruled offside .
A VAR review then denied him for a third time on 55 minutes .
Juventus saw Demiral dismissed in the closing minutes , and Messi sealed victory from the spot following a foul by Federico Bernardeschi on Ansu Fati for his 117th Champions League goal .

Turin (Italy) (AFP) –
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Cristiano Ronaldo missed Juventus' Champions League clash against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus, with the Italian giants losing 2-0 at home on Wednesday in his absence.
Messi, 33, set up Ousmane Dembele to put Barca in front after quarter of an hour in Turin, adding a second himself from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Alvaro Morata had three goals ruled out for offside for Juve who played the final five minutes a man down after Merih Demiral was sent off for a second yellow card.
Barcelona are top of Group G with six points after two games with Juventus on three. The reverse fixture takes place at the Camp Nou on December 8.
"This was our best game all season," said Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman.
"This is a big win against an important European side and we were able to play the football we're trying to impose.
"I'm very happy with the game and the character displayed by the team, it is a great victory."
It was a first defeat for new Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo whose last game as a player for the Turin giants was a loss to Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final.
"We knew it would be a difficult game, they are further along the path, they have players more experienced in these games, while we are under construction," said Pirlo.
"We need to grow. I hope to have the other players back soon.
"I have no other solutions, those who play have to stay 90 minutes, so it's difficult when there are matches close together."
The 35-year-old Ronaldo, the top scorer in the history of the competition with 130 goals, was furious at missing the game.
The Portuguese superstar had needed to test negative 24 hours before the game to take part in his sixth Champions League meeting against Argentine Messi.
They have not faced off since the five-time Ballon d'Or winner left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018.
Hours before kick-off, Ronaldo posted a photo on Instagram, stating: "Feeling good and healthy! Forza Juve! #finoallafine."
Adding a comment for his 241 million Instagram followers on the swab tests used to detect the virus, he said: "PCR IS BULLSHIT."
He later removed that post.
Ronaldo then posted a video of himself wearing the Juventus jersey running on a treadmill in his home gym, jumping off for his usual goal celebration before giving the thumbs up and wishing his teammates 'good luck'.
Ronaldo first tested positive for Covid-19 on October 13 while playing with Portugal, and has been in self-isolation since returning to Italy.
He has reportedly tested positive 18 times.
- Barca recover from Clasico loss -
The loss could have been heavier for Juve as under-pressure Koeman's side bounced back after a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend followed a 1-0 loss to Getafe.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu also resigned on Tuesday along with his board of directors, following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.
"After the defeat against Real Madrid it was important to get off to a good start," said defender Sergi Roberto.
"We're delighted, there are only two goals' difference but it could have been a lot more. We dominated, we created chances."
Barcelona were firing on all cylinders with three early chances.
Leonardo Bonucci closed down Messi with Wojciech Szczesny punching out a strike from former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic and an Antoine Griezmann follow-up hitting the post.
The breakthrough came when Messi pinged a sublime cross-field ball for Dembele who ran at two defenders before his long-range strike deflected off Federico Chiesa and looped in over Szczesny.
Morata had the ball in the net just after but the goal was ruled offside after a VAR viewing, with Messi sending the ball wide after 23 minutes off a Griezmann back-heel flick.
Morata latched onto a Juan Cuadrado cross to turn home after half an hour, but again he was ruled offside. A VAR review then denied him for a third time on 55 minutes.
Juventus saw Demiral dismissed in the closing minutes, and Messi sealed victory from the spot following a foul by Federico Bernardeschi on Ansu Fati for his 117th Champions League goal.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Sancho, Haaland rescue toiling Dortmund in 'game that won't go in history books'

Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland spared Borussia Dortmund 's blushes with late goals on Wednesday , as the German side laboured to a 2-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League in a game even their boss admitted `` wo n't go down in the history books '' .
Sancho 's 77th-minute spot-kick and a stoppage time strike from Haaland decided an otherwise turgid game in Dortmund 's favour , giving them the first three points of their Group F campaign .
`` It was difficult today .
We had the ball a lot and we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Haaland told Sky .
`` We knew the chances would come , and in the end it is three very important points , '' he added .
Having slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in their opening game last week , the Bundesliga side were under pressure to pick up three points .
`` After the Lazio game , we needed to win , and you could see there was some pressure .
It 's a big relief , '' Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told Sky , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in the history books '' .
Having played recent games in front of several hundred fans , Dortmund were forced to close their stadium doors completely on Wednesday following a decision by local and regional health authorities the day before in the light of growing numbers of coronavirus cases .
As the sound of heavy rain echoed around the 80,000-capacity arena , Lucien Favre 's side toiled without reward against a well-drilled Russian defence .
With Zenit content to sit back , Dortmund were starved of space up front and their attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short passes .
`` Guys , this is too complicated , '' shouted veteran centre-back Mats Hummels into the empty Signal-Iduna-Park midway through the first half .
Sancho orchestrated a couple of half-chances before the break , but neither Marco Reus nor Haaland could squeeze the ball past Mikhail Kerzhakov .
Reus struck the post early in the second half , while Kerzhakov palmed away a long-range effort from Dahoud on 66 minutes .
The home side were finally rewarded 11 minutes later as Thorgan Hazard was pulled down by Vyacheslav Karavaev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his recent performances , made no mistake from 12 yards , coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner in front of the famous , but now deserted 'Yellow Wall ' .
Haaland sealed the three points in stoppage time , latching onto a flicked header from Jude Bellingham and drilling the ball underneath Kerzhakov .

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) –
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Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland spared Borussia Dortmund's blushes with late goals on Wednesday, as the German side laboured to a 2-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League in a game even their boss admitted "won't go down in the history books".
Sancho's 77th-minute spot-kick and a stoppage time strike from Haaland decided an otherwise turgid game in Dortmund's favour, giving them the first three points of their Group F campaign.
"It was difficult today. We had the ball a lot and we had to be patient and not rush things," Haaland told Sky.
"We knew the chances would come, and in the end it is three very important points," he added.
Having slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in their opening game last week, the Bundesliga side were under pressure to pick up three points.
"After the Lazio game, we needed to win, and you could see there was some pressure. It's a big relief," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told Sky, adding that the game "won't go down in the history books".
Having played recent games in front of several hundred fans, Dortmund were forced to close their stadium doors completely on Wednesday following a decision by local and regional health authorities the day before in the light of growing numbers of coronavirus cases.
As the sound of heavy rain echoed around the 80,000-capacity arena, Lucien Favre's side toiled without reward against a well-drilled Russian defence.
With Zenit content to sit back, Dortmund were starved of space up front and their attacks repeatedly fizzled out in a tangle of short passes.
"Guys, this is too complicated," shouted veteran centre-back Mats Hummels into the empty Signal-Iduna-Park midway through the first half.
Sancho orchestrated a couple of half-chances before the break, but neither Marco Reus nor Haaland could squeeze the ball past Mikhail Kerzhakov.
Reus struck the post early in the second half, while Kerzhakov palmed away a long-range effort from Dahoud on 66 minutes.
The home side were finally rewarded 11 minutes later as Thorgan Hazard was pulled down by Vyacheslav Karavaev.
Sancho, who has faced media criticism for his recent performances, made no mistake from 12 yards, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner in front of the famous, but now deserted 'Yellow Wall'.
Haaland sealed the three points in stoppage time, latching onto a flicked header from Jude Bellingham and drilling the ball underneath Kerzhakov.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Sancho, Haaland rescue toiling Dortmund

Sancho, Haaland rescue toiling Dortmund

Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland spared Borussia Dortmund 's blushes with late goals on Wednesday , as the German side laboured to a 2-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League .
Sancho 's 77th-minute spotkick and a stoppage time strike from Haaland decided an otherwise turgid game in Dortmund 's favour , giving them the first three points of their Group F campaign .
Having slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in their opening game last week , the Bundesliga side were under pressure to pick up three points , with sporting director Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` another slip '' .
Yet on a wet Wednesday evening in the west of Germany , Lucien Favre 's side toiled without reward against a well-drilled Russian defence .
As Zenit sat back , Dortmund were starved of space up front and their attacks repeatedly fizzled out in a tangle of short passes .
`` Guys , this is too complicated , '' shouted veteran centre-back Mats Hummels into the empty Signal-Iduna-Park midway through the first half .
Sancho orchestrated a couple of half-chances before the break , but neither Marco Reus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mikhail Kerzhakov .
Reus struck the post early in the second half , while Kerzhakov palmed away a long-range effort from Dahoud on 66 minutes .
The home side were finally rewarded 11 minutes later as Thorgan Hazard was pulled down by Vyacheslav Karavaev .
Sancho , who has faced media criticism for his recent performances , made no mistake from 12 yards , coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner in front of the famous , but now deserted 'Yellow Wall ' .
Haaland sealed the three points in stoppage time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jude Bellingham and drilling the ball underneath Kerzhakov .

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) –
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Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland spared Borussia Dortmund's blushes with late goals on Wednesday, as the German side laboured to a 2-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League.
Sancho's 77th-minute spotkick and a stoppage time strike from Haaland decided an otherwise turgid game in Dortmund's favour, giving them the first three points of their Group F campaign.
Having slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in their opening game last week, the Bundesliga side were under pressure to pick up three points, with sporting director Michael Zorc warning that they could not afford "another slip".
Yet on a wet Wednesday evening in the west of Germany, Lucien Favre's side toiled without reward against a well-drilled Russian defence.
As Zenit sat back, Dortmund were starved of space up front and their attacks repeatedly fizzled out in a tangle of short passes.
"Guys, this is too complicated," shouted veteran centre-back Mats Hummels into the empty Signal-Iduna-Park midway through the first half.
Sancho orchestrated a couple of half-chances before the break, but neither Marco Reus nor Haaland could squeeze the ball past Mikhail Kerzhakov.
Reus struck the post early in the second half, while Kerzhakov palmed away a long-range effort from Dahoud on 66 minutes.
The home side were finally rewarded 11 minutes later as Thorgan Hazard was pulled down by Vyacheslav Karavaev.
Sancho, who has faced media criticism for his recent performances, made no mistake from 12 yards, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner in front of the famous, but now deserted 'Yellow Wall'.
Haaland sealed the three points in stoppage time, latching onto a flicked header from Jude Bellingham and drilling the ball underneath Kerzhakov.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Rashford hat-trick as Man Utd smash Leipzig 5-0 in Champions League

Marcus Rashford scored a second-half hat-trick as Manchester United seized control of their Champions League group with a thumping 5-0 win against German league leaders RB Leipzig on Wednesday .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side , who have endured a rocky start to their season , now have six points from two games after building on their impressive opening win against Paris Saint-Germain United took the lead midway through the first half when Marcus Greenwood , 19 , received a through ball from Paul Pogba and stroked the ball across Peter Gulacsi and into the far corner .
Substitute Rashford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 63rd minute to remind Solskjaer he is the main man at Old Trafford .
Anthony Martial also got in on the act , scoring a penalty on an outstanding night for the three-time European champions , who are now three points clear at the top of Group H. Greenwood , who last month was sent home in disgrace by England for breaking coronavirus protocols , started up front alongside Martial , with Rashford and Bruno Fernandes surprisingly left on the bench .
Leipzig started brightly , pinning the home side back but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early save before Luke Shaw had a shot blocked by the head of Yussuf Poulsen and Martial burst into the box but failed to find Pogba .
The home side broke the deadlock when Pogba drove forward from midfield and found Greenwood , who had timed his run into the box perfectly and hit his shot with unerring accuracy .
United had a nervous wait as VAR looked at a potential off-side but the goal was allowed to stand .
Leipzig came back strongly , pinning United back for long spells of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an appeal for a penalty soon after the break when the ball hit Ibrahima Konate 's arm but a VAR check ruled there was no penalty .
United goalkeeper David de Gea produced a sharp save to keep out a Konate effort at the back post from a tight angle after the ball was flicked on by Poulsen .
The visitors , now with substitutes Marcel Sabitzer and Alexander Sorloth on the pitch , were playing with urgency but United looked dangerous on the break .
Fernandes sent a superb first-time ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slotted past Gulasci .
The linesman had raised his flag for offside but VAR checked the decision , ruling that the forward started his run in his own half and awarded the goal .
Rashford rifled home again four minutes later to make the score 3-0 but unselfishly allowed Martial to take the penalty after the Frenchman was brought down in the box .
But the England man completed his hat-trick in added time to cap a devastating display .

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Marcus Rashford scored a second-half hat-trick as Manchester United seized control of their Champions League group with a thumping 5-0 win against German league leaders RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who have endured a rocky start to their season, now have six points from two games after building on their impressive opening win against Paris Saint-Germain
United took the lead midway through the first half when Marcus Greenwood, 19, received a through ball from Paul Pogba and stroked the ball across Peter Gulacsi and into the far corner.
Substitute Rashford struck three times after coming on in the 63rd minute to remind Solskjaer he is the main man at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial also got in on the act, scoring a penalty on an outstanding night for the three-time European champions, who are now three points clear at the top of Group H.
Greenwood, who last month was sent home in disgrace by England for breaking coronavirus protocols, started up front alongside Martial, with Rashford and Bruno Fernandes surprisingly left on the bench.
Leipzig started brightly, pinning the home side back but United soon settled.
Fred forced an early save before Luke Shaw had a shot blocked by the head of Yussuf Poulsen and Martial burst into the box but failed to find Pogba.
The home side broke the deadlock when Pogba drove forward from midfield and found Greenwood, who had timed his run into the box perfectly and hit his shot with unerring accuracy.
United had a nervous wait as VAR looked at a potential off-side but the goal was allowed to stand.
Leipzig came back strongly, pinning United back for long spells of the rest of the first half.
United had an appeal for a penalty soon after the break when the ball hit Ibrahima Konate's arm but a VAR check ruled there was no penalty.
United goalkeeper David de Gea produced a sharp save to keep out a Konate effort at the back post from a tight angle after the ball was flicked on by Poulsen.
The visitors, now with substitutes Marcel Sabitzer and Alexander Sorloth on the pitch, were playing with urgency but United looked dangerous on the break.
Fernandes sent a superb first-time ball through to Rashford, who raced through and slotted past Gulasci.
The linesman had raised his flag for offside but VAR checked the decision, ruling that the forward started his run in his own half and awarded the goal.
Rashford rifled home again four minutes later to make the score 3-0 but unselfishly allowed Martial to take the penalty after the Frenchman was brought down in the box.
But the England man completed his hat-trick in added time to cap a devastating display.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Gilead Sciences reports almost $900 mn in Q3 remdesivir sales

Gilead reported a jump in third-quarter sales in part due to nearly $ 900 million in revenues from Remdesivir , a treatment for Covid-19 Remdesivir , a therapeutic to treat Covid-19 , boosted third-quarter sales for pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences by nearly $ 900 million , according to results released Wednesday by the drugmaker .
The medication , sold under the brand name Veklury and originally developed to treat Ebola , has been shown to shorten the recovery time for patients hospitalized with the new coronavirus .
The company reported a profit of $ 360 million , compared with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-ago period .
The US Food and Drug Administration last Thursday granted full approval to the antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for patients hospitalized with Covid-19 , after conditional authorization was given in May .
Remdesivir , which is administered by an injection , was one of the first drugs to show relative promise in treating the virus , although its efficacy in reducing its mortality rate is unproven .
President Donald Trump , who tested positive for the coronavirus early in October , was treated with remdesivir -- among other drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shares of Gilead fell 1.4 percent to 57.90 in after-hours trading .

New York (AFP) –
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Remdesivir, a therapeutic to treat Covid-19, boosted third-quarter sales for pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences by nearly $900 million, according to results released Wednesday by the drugmaker.
The medication, sold under the brand name Veklury and originally developed to treat Ebola, has been shown to shorten the recovery time for patients hospitalized with the new coronavirus.
Gilead reported a 17 percent jump in third-quarter revenues to $6.6 billion.
The company reported a profit of $360 million, compared with a loss of $1.2 billion in the year-ago period.
The US Food and Drug Administration last Thursday granted full approval to the antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for patients hospitalized with Covid-19, after conditional authorization was given in May.
Remdesivir, which is administered by an injection, was one of the first drugs to show relative promise in treating the virus, although its efficacy in reducing its mortality rate is unproven.
President Donald Trump, who tested positive for the coronavirus early in October, was treated with remdesivir -- among other drugs -- at a military hospital outside Washington.
Shares of Gilead fell 1.4 percent to 57.90 in after-hours trading.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Hurricane Zeta slams into Louisiana coast

This RAMMB/NOAA satellite image shows Hurricane Zeta moving in the US Gulf Coast towards Louisiana on October 28 , 2020 , at 17:40 UTC Hurricane Zeta slammed into the southern United States as a Category 2 storm on Wednesday , bringing dangerous winds and surging ocean waves to Louisiana , which has been hit repeatedly during a busy hurricane season .
Zeta , packing sustained winds of 110 miles ( 175 kilometers ) an hour , strengthened and moved onto land near Cocodrie in remote in southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon .
It was expected to sweep through the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast .
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning that covered New Orleans , and said a `` life-threatening storm surge and strong winds ( are ) expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast . ''
New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell said `` this is not a drill , '' warning that it was expected the hurricane would soon be `` directly impacting the city of New Orleans . ''
Officials had urged residents to evacuate vulnerable areas or stock up on emergency supplies of food , water and medication for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas were under a mandatory evacuation order , though not New Orleans and its suburbs .
Zeta hit with just six days to go until Election Day , although it was not expected to affect the outcome , with early voting in Louisiana already finished .
As rainfall and winds began ahead of the storm 's arrival , New Orleans residents rushed to prepare , boarding up windows , moving vehicles and boats to higher ground and in some cases stacking sandbags to guard against potential flooding .
The hurricane is the fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The New Orleans area has repeatedly had to be on guard , though it 's been spared so far this year , with the brunt of earlier storms hitting cities like Lake Charles , some 200 miles ( 320 kilometers ) west near the Texas border .
This time though local officials were urgently warning not to be complacent , particularly due to the risk of dangerous winds and the damage and power outages that could accompany them .
Flooding appeared to be less of a threat this time for the low-lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during 2005 's Hurricane Katrina — because the storm was so fast-moving at around 20 miles per hour .
Nevertheless , floodgates in the region were being closed and operators of pumps that can struggle to keep water from rising on New Orleans streets during a typical heavy rainfall were at the ready .
Annie Quattlebaum , a 39-yer-old biologist , and a group of friends visiting New Orleans from Denver were stranded when the storm caused their flight to be canceled .
They were roaming the city ’ s iconic French Quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in search of an open store to buy drinks and food as they prepared to hunker down in their hotel for the night .
`` We 've been told by friends that are familiar with this area and familiar with the weather to have snacks and have your phone charged , '' said a mask-wearing Quattlebaum .
`` We 're not going to do anything stupid .
We 're just going to hunker down while it 's going on . ''
Along the shores of Lake Catherine , on the far northeastern edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend homes and commercial fishermen operate , boats were lined up along the higher ground of roadsides .
At Island Marina , Geoff Wallace , 60 , secured wood and other material he was using for a construction project to keep it from flying away and becoming missiles .
`` These people that live here , it 's just a part of living here , '' he said , gray skies shadowing the marshland and a shrimp boat behind him .
`` These poor guys , '' he said of the marina owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this four or five times this year .
It gets tiring . ''
New Orleans remains traumatized from Hurricane Katrina , which flooded 80 percent of the city and killed more than 1,800 people 15 years ago .
Hurricane defenses have been vastly improved since then , but have not yet been truly tested in the New Orleans area .
Zeta had strengthened to a Category 2 storm on a five-grade scale before landfall .
The hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rains to Mexico 's Caribbean coast on Tuesday after making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is the 27th storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season .
In September , meteorologists were forced to use the Greek alphabet to name Atlantic storms for only the second time ever , after the 2020 hurricane season blew through their usual list , ending on Tropical Storm Wilfred .
Scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful storms as the ocean surface warms due to climate change .

New Orleans (AFP) –
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Hurricane Zeta slammed into the southern United States as a Category 2 storm on Wednesday, bringing dangerous winds and surging ocean waves to Louisiana, which has been hit repeatedly during a busy hurricane season.
Zeta, packing sustained winds of 110 miles (175 kilometers) an hour, strengthened and moved onto land near Cocodrie in remote in southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon.
It was expected to sweep through the New Orleans area before moving along the Mississippi coast.
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning that covered New Orleans, and said a "life-threatening storm surge and strong winds (are) expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast."
New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell said "this is not a drill," warning that it was expected the hurricane would soon be "directly impacting the city of New Orleans."
Officials had urged residents to evacuate vulnerable areas or stock up on emergency supplies of food, water and medication for at least three days.
Some coastal areas were under a mandatory evacuation order, though not New Orleans and its suburbs.
Zeta hit with just six days to go until Election Day, although it was not expected to affect the outcome, with early voting in Louisiana already finished.
- French Quarter deserted -
As rainfall and winds began ahead of the storm's arrival, New Orleans residents rushed to prepare, boarding up windows, moving vehicles and boats to higher ground and in some cases stacking sandbags to guard against potential flooding.
The hurricane is the fifth major storm to hit Louisiana this year.
The New Orleans area has repeatedly had to be on guard, though it's been spared so far this year, with the brunt of earlier storms hitting cities like Lake Charles, some 200 miles (320 kilometers) west near the Texas border.
This time though local officials were urgently warning not to be complacent, particularly due to the risk of dangerous winds and the damage and power outages that could accompany them.
Flooding appeared to be less of a threat this time for the low-lying city — 80 percent of which flooded during 2005's Hurricane Katrina — because the storm was so fast-moving at around 20 miles per hour.
Nevertheless, floodgates in the region were being closed and operators of pumps that can struggle to keep water from rising on New Orleans streets during a typical heavy rainfall were at the ready.
Annie Quattlebaum, a 39-yer-old biologist, and a group of friends visiting New Orleans from Denver were stranded when the storm caused their flight to be canceled.
They were roaming the city’s iconic French Quarter, largely deserted on Wednesday afternoon, in search of an open store to buy drinks and food as they prepared to hunker down in their hotel for the night.
"We've been told by friends that are familiar with this area and familiar with the weather to have snacks and have your phone charged," said a mask-wearing Quattlebaum.
"We're not going to do anything stupid. We're just going to hunker down while it's going on."
- 'These poor guys' -
Along the shores of Lake Catherine, on the far northeastern edge of the city where many locals have weekend homes and commercial fishermen operate, boats were lined up along the higher ground of roadsides.
At Island Marina, Geoff Wallace, 60, secured wood and other material he was using for a construction project to keep it from flying away and becoming missiles.
"These people that live here, it's just a part of living here," he said, gray skies shadowing the marshland and a shrimp boat behind him.
"These poor guys," he said of the marina owners, "they've had to go through this four or five times this year. It gets tiring."
New Orleans remains traumatized from Hurricane Katrina, which flooded 80 percent of the city and killed more than 1,800 people 15 years ago.
Hurricane defenses have been vastly improved since then, but have not yet been truly tested in the New Orleans area.
Zeta had strengthened to a Category 2 storm on a five-grade scale before landfall.
The hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rains to Mexico's Caribbean coast on Tuesday after making landfall near the resort town of Tulum.
It is the 27th storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season.
In September, meteorologists were forced to use the Greek alphabet to name Atlantic storms for only the second time ever, after the 2020 hurricane season blew through their usual list, ending on Tropical Storm Wilfred.
Scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful storms as the ocean surface warms due to climate change.
© 2020 AFP