france24--2020-12-20--Car bombing in Kabul kills at least eight, including children and women

Afghan police officers inspect the site of a car bomb explosion in Kabul , Afghanistan , on December 20 , 2020 .
A car bomb killed at least eight people and wounded more than 15 others in Kabul on Sunday , officials said , the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital .
Kabul has been hit by a wave of deadly violence in recent months despite the Taliban and government engaging in peace talks to end the country ’ s long conflict .
Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian blamed “ terrorists ” for the attack , and said casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted Afghan lawmaker Khan Mohammad Wardak , said Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi .
Wardak survived the blast but is among the injured .
It is unclear whether the explosive was planted in a car parked on the lawmaker ’ s route or if a vehicle with the bomb was being driven by a bomber , Andarabi said .
A security source said the car bomb detonated in the west of the capital , and a health ministry official also confirmed the blast .
“ It was a powerful explosion that has caused a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vicinity , ” the source said .
Television footage showed at least two cars on fire , with plumes of thick black smoke billowing into the sky .
No group has so far claimed responsibility .
The jihadist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for some of the recent attacks in the capital .
Dozens of people , mostly students , were killed when IS group jihadists attacked two education centres , including one at Kabul University that saw gunmen open fire on classrooms .
The group has also claimed a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rockets were fired at Bagram Airfield , a major US airbase north of Kabul , but there were no casualties .
That attack was also claimed by the IS group .
Sunday ’ s car bomb comes just two days after 15 children were killed and many more wounded when a motorbike laden with explosives blew up near a religious gathering in a remote part of Ghazni , officials said , blaming the Taliban .
The children had gathered to recite Koranic verses , a regular activity on the Islamic holy day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the blast occurred when “ unexploded ordnance ” detonated near the children .
Violence has surged across several provinces in Afghanistan this year .
Between January and September more than 2,100 civilians were killed and more than 3,800 wounded , according to the UN mission in Afghanistan .
The Afghan interior ministry in a statement said that the Taliban had killed 487 civilians and injured 1,049 others by carrying out 35 suicide attacks and 507 blasts across the country over the past three months .
Peace talks – which opened in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently on a break until early January .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has called for the next round of negotiations to be held at home .
Outgoing US President Donald Trump has pushed to end America ’ s longest war , with Washington signing a deal with the Taliban earlier this year committing to pulling all of its troops from the country by May 2021 .

A car bomb killed at least eight people and wounded more than 15 others in Kabul on Sunday, officials said, the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital.
Afghan police officers inspect the site of a car bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, on December 20, 2020.
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Kabul has been hit by a wave of deadly violence in recent months despite the Taliban and government engaging in peace talks to end the country’s long conflict.
Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian blamed “terrorists” for the attack, and said casualties included women and children.
The attack targeted Afghan lawmaker Khan Mohammad Wardak, said Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi. Wardak survived the blast but is among the injured.
It is unclear whether the explosive was planted in a car parked on the lawmaker’s route or if a vehicle with the bomb was being driven by a bomber, Andarabi said.
A security source said the car bomb detonated in the west of the capital, and a health ministry official also confirmed the blast.
“It was a powerful explosion that has caused a lot of damage to houses in the vicinity,” the source said.
Television footage showed at least two cars on fire, with plumes of thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
No claim of responsibility
No group has so far claimed responsibility. The jihadist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for some of the recent attacks in the capital.
Dozens of people, mostly students, were killed when IS group jihadists attacked two education centres, including one at Kabul University that saw gunmen open fire on classrooms.
The group has also claimed a series of recent rocket attacks.
On Saturday five rockets were fired at Bagram Airfield, a major US airbase north of Kabul, but there were no casualties. That attack was also claimed by the IS group.
Sunday’s car bomb comes just two days after 15 children were killed and many more wounded when a motorbike laden with explosives blew up near a religious gathering in a remote part of Ghazni, officials said, blaming the Taliban.
The children had gathered to recite Koranic verses, a regular activity on the Islamic holy day of Friday.
The Taliban denied involvement and said the blast occurred when “unexploded ordnance” detonated near the children.
Surge of violence in 2020
Violence has surged across several provinces in Afghanistan this year.
Between January and September more than 2,100 civilians were killed and more than 3,800 wounded, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan.
The Afghan interior ministry in a statement said that the Taliban had killed 487 civilians and injured 1,049 others by carrying out 35 suicide attacks and 507 blasts across the country over the past three months.
Peace talks – which opened in September in the Qatari capital of Doha – are currently on a break until early January.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has called for the next round of negotiations to be held at home.
Outgoing US President Donald Trump has pushed to end America’s longest war, with Washington signing a deal with the Taliban earlier this year committing to pulling all of its troops from the country by May 2021.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-20--Seifert leads New Zealand home to wrap up Pakistan T20 series

New Zealand ’ s Tim Seifert on his way to an unbeaten 84 in a winning effort against Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international in Hamilton Tim Seifert 's 84 not out trumped an unbeaten 99 by Mohammed Hafeez as New Zealand claimed the second Twenty20 against Pakistan by nine wickets in Hamilton on Sunday to take the series with a game to spare .
New Zealand chased down Pakistan 's 163 for six with four balls to spare .
Kane Williamson , back in the side after paternity leave , hit the winning runs to be not out 57 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match in the three-match series by five wickets with seven balls remaining .
Opener Seifert batted through the innings and although denied a century because of the quality of his partners , he did match his career-best 84 against India last year .
He put on 35 for the first wicket with Martin Guptill , who was out for 21 , and shared in a 129-run stand with Williamson .
The 40-year-old Hafeez , however , was almost on his own for Pakistan with a career-best 99 .
Mohammad Rizwan 's 22 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for his first-ball dismissal in game one with a rollicking 57-ball display in which he belted 10 fours and five sixes .
Tim Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with four for 21 .

Hamilton (New Zealand) (AFP) –
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Tim Seifert's 84 not out trumped an unbeaten 99 by Mohammed Hafeez as New Zealand claimed the second Twenty20 against Pakistan by nine wickets in Hamilton on Sunday to take the series with a game to spare.
New Zealand chased down Pakistan's 163 for six with four balls to spare.
Kane Williamson, back in the side after paternity leave, hit the winning runs to be not out 57.
The Black Caps won the first match in the three-match series by five wickets with seven balls remaining.
Opener Seifert batted through the innings and although denied a century because of the quality of his partners, he did match his career-best 84 against India last year.
He put on 35 for the first wicket with Martin Guptill, who was out for 21, and shared in a 129-run stand with Williamson.
The 40-year-old Hafeez, however, was almost on his own for Pakistan with a career-best 99.
Mohammad Rizwan's 22 was the next best score.
Hafeez made up for his first-ball dismissal in game one with a rollicking 57-ball display in which he belted 10 fours and five sixes.
Tim Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with four for 21.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Fisheries dispute threatens to sink post-Brexit trade deal

The European Parliament has fixed Sunday as the last moment it can accept a text of any accord if MEPs are to ratify it before Britain leaves the EU single market in two weeks Negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal were deadlocked and threatened by failure on Sunday , as both sides dug in their heels over access to the UK 's rich fishing waters .
The European Parliament had fixed Sunday as the last moment it could accept a text of any accord if MEPs are to ratify it before Britain leaves the EU single market in two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations in Brussels now expect the talks to blow past what is only the latest in a series of missed deadlines , and both insist that the other must back down over fish .
Without a deal , Britain 's participation in the European project would end with a new cross-Channel tariff barrier to sharpen the shock of unravelling a half-century of ever deeper political and economic partnership .
`` We 're continuing to try every possible path to an agreement , but without a substantial shift from the ( European ) Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 31 December , '' a British government source said .
But a European diplomat had told AFP that Brussels had made its best offer and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- now distracted by a worsening coronavirus crisis at home -- to decide whether he wants a deal .
`` It could well continue over Christmas , now the UK is still making up its mind whether it is willing to pay the price for unprecedented access to the internal market , '' he said '' The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is willing to compromise on fish .
But it will bail at putting EU fishermen structurally out of business .
The narrow path to a deal has now become a single goat track , about to peter out . ''
The tough talk came as the negotiators scramble to secure a pact before December 31 .
No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders , where a pre-deadline rush of freight trucks has already caused long tailbacks .
Britain intends to assume control over its waters on January 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to EU fishing fleets for a transitional period under new terms .
UK negotiator David Frost wants Britain to take back more than half the fish currently assigned under the EU quota system , under a three-year agreement .
The European side insists the UK can not have tariff-free access to the EU single market as a whole unless it agrees to take back only a quarter of the fish quota -- and that the transitional period would last seven years .
The issue is highly charged for both Britain and EU members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands , Belgium and Denmark , and diplomatic sources admit the whole trade package could collapse .
`` We can not accept a deal that does n't leave us in control of our own laws or waters , '' the UK government source said , arguing that the EU was `` continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence '' .
EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods .
`` We are in the throes of being sold down the river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement , urging EU negotiator Michel Barnier to stick by them .
Time is very short to reach an accord .
The European Parliament had highlighted a deadline of midnight ( 2300 GMT ) on Sunday to receive a deal for review if MEPs are to ratify it before the end of the year .
Their UK parliamentary counterparts are in recess , but can be recalled within 48 hours to do likewise .
But EU capitals have not acknowledged any deadline -- and officials say they could provisionally ratify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a no-deal divorce .
The urgency of reaching a deal is seen in long lines of trucks at the freight rail link through the Channel tunnel as British companies frantically stockpile .
A group of UK MPs warned on Saturday that Britain has not installed the complex IT systems and port infrastructure needed to ensure trade with the EU runs smoothly .
And the coronavirus epidemic has added another level of crisis .
Southeast England , which includes the Channel tunnel and ferry ports was ordered back into lockdown this weekend after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detected .

Brussels (AFP) –
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Negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal were deadlocked and threatened by failure on Sunday, as both sides dug in their heels over access to the UK's rich fishing waters.
The European Parliament had fixed Sunday as the last moment it could accept a text of any accord if MEPs are to ratify it before Britain leaves the EU single market in two weeks.
But both sides of the intense negotiations in Brussels now expect the talks to blow past what is only the latest in a series of missed deadlines, and both insist that the other must back down over fish.
Without a deal, Britain's participation in the European project would end with a new cross-Channel tariff barrier to sharpen the shock of unravelling a half-century of ever deeper political and economic partnership.
"We're continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but without a substantial shift from the (European) Commission we will be leaving on WTO terms on 31 December," a British government source said.
But a European diplomat had told AFP that Brussels had made its best offer and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- now distracted by a worsening coronavirus crisis at home -- to decide whether he wants a deal.
"It could well continue over Christmas, now the UK is still making up its mind whether it is willing to pay the price for unprecedented access to the internal market," he said
"The EU has been clear this weekend that it is willing to compromise on fish. But it will bail at putting EU fishermen structurally out of business. The narrow path to a deal has now become a single goat track, about to peter out."
The tough talk came as the negotiators scramble to secure a pact before December 31. No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders, where a pre-deadline rush of freight trucks has already caused long tailbacks.
Britain intends to assume control over its waters on January 1, but is ready to allow continued access to EU fishing fleets for a transitional period under new terms.
UK negotiator David Frost wants Britain to take back more than half the fish currently assigned under the EU quota system, under a three-year agreement.
The European side insists the UK can not have tariff-free access to the EU single market as a whole unless it agrees to take back only a quarter of the fish quota -- and that the transitional period would last seven years.
- Fishermen 'sold down the river' -
The issue is highly charged for both Britain and EU members with northern fishing fleets like France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, and diplomatic sources admit the whole trade package could collapse.
"We cannot accept a deal that doesn't leave us in control of our own laws or waters," the UK government source said, arguing that the EU was "continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence".
EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods.
"We are in the throes of being sold down the river," the European Fisheries Alliance said in a statement, urging EU negotiator Michel Barnier to stick by them.
Time is very short to reach an accord.
The European Parliament had highlighted a deadline of midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday to receive a deal for review if MEPs are to ratify it before the end of the year.
Their UK parliamentary counterparts are in recess, but can be recalled within 48 hours to do likewise.
But EU capitals have not acknowledged any deadline -- and officials say they could provisionally ratify the agreement to avoid the economic shock of a no-deal divorce.
- Virus crisis -
The urgency of reaching a deal is seen in long lines of trucks at the freight rail link through the Channel tunnel as British companies frantically stockpile.
A group of UK MPs warned on Saturday that Britain has not installed the complex IT systems and port infrastructure needed to ensure trade with the EU runs smoothly.
And the coronavirus epidemic has added another level of crisis. Southeast England, which includes the Channel tunnel and ferry ports was ordered back into lockdown this weekend after a new fast-spreading strain of the virus was detected.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Thousands of protesters in Sudan demand faster political reform

A Sudanese man waves his country 's flag during protests on December 19 , 2020 in the capital , Khartoum , marking the second anniversary of the start of a revolt that toppled the previous government .
Thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets of the capital Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman on Saturday , demanding an acceleration of reforms on the second anniversary of the start of an uprising that ousted Omar al-Bashir .
The veteran leader was deposed by the military in April 2019 after months of mass protests against poor economic conditions and Bashir ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudanese are unhappy with what they see as the slow or even negligible pace of change under the transitional government that has struggled to fix an economy in crisis .
The government was formed under a three-year power sharing agreement between the military and civilian groups which is meant to lead to fair presidential and parliamentary elections .
Sudan ’ s state TV aired footage of thousands of protesters gathering outside the presidential residence in Khartoum which now hosts the sovereign council , a joint military-civilian ruling body .
The country also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok .
“ We have come out today , not to celebrate the anniversary or to congratulate the transitional government .
This government , unfortunately , over the past two years has not made any progress in the retribution file for our martyrs , ” protester Waleed El Tom told state TV in Khartoum .
Hundreds of Sudanese civilians were killed in protests before and after the former president ’ s ouster .
On Saturday , thousands more protesters gathered outside the abandoned parliament building in Omdurman , across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests took place in other cities across the country , state media said .
At the top of the protesters ’ demands is the formation of a long-awaited transitional parliament , part of the power sharing deal , to pass the necessary legislation for building a democratic state .
Others called for the dissolution of the sovereign council , the cabinet and the ruling coalition .
Sudan ’ s economy has worsened since Bashir ’ s removal , as the weak transitional government has failed to kick-start reforms and halt a fall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Sudanese people had hopes that their revolution would be great , that it would achieve things , but today the Sudanese people are standing in bread lines , ” a protester told state TV .
Hamdok on Saturday vowed to answer the demands of protesters .
“ We pledge to spur the pace to fulfil all the demands of the revolution , and improving the living conditions and the economy are among the priorities in which we will do everything we can to overcome the challenges , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Al-Burhan , head of the ruling council , said on Twitter the army would remain “ the guarantor and protector of the revolution and its gains ” .
Security was tightened in Khartoum and Omdurman but no major incidents of violence or casualties were reported .
Social media users shared pictures and videos of protesters burning tyres and security forces firing tear gas .
Reuters was not immediately able to verify the images .
Sudan ’ s government has signed peace deals with most of the rebel groups that caused unrest during Bashir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the United States ’ recent decision to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism will help the ailing economy .

Thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets of the capital Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman on Saturday, demanding an acceleration of reforms on the second anniversary of the start of an uprising that ousted Omar al-Bashir.
A Sudanese man waves his country's flag during protests on December 19, 2020 in the capital, Khartoum, marking the second anniversary of the start of a revolt that toppled the previous government.
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The veteran leader was deposed by the military in April 2019 after months of mass protests against poor economic conditions and Bashir’s autocratic, three-decade rule.
Many Sudanese are unhappy with what they see as the slow or even negligible pace of change under the transitional government that has struggled to fix an economy in crisis.
The government was formed under a three-year power sharing agreement between the military and civilian groups which is meant to lead to fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
Sudan’s state TV aired footage of thousands of protesters gathering outside the presidential residence in Khartoum which now hosts the sovereign council, a joint military-civilian ruling body.
The country also has a civilian cabinet of technocrats led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
“We have come out today, not to celebrate the anniversary or to congratulate the transitional government. This government, unfortunately, over the past two years has not made any progress in the retribution file for our martyrs,” protester Waleed El Tom told state TV in Khartoum.
Hundreds of Sudanese civilians were killed in protests before and after the former president’s ouster.
On Saturday, thousands more protesters gathered outside the abandoned parliament building in Omdurman, across the river Nile from the capital. Small protests took place in other cities across the country, state media said.
Economy worsens
At the top of the protesters’ demands is the formation of a long-awaited transitional parliament, part of the power sharing deal, to pass the necessary legislation for building a democratic state.
Others called for the dissolution of the sovereign council, the cabinet and the ruling coalition.
Sudan’s economy has worsened since Bashir’s removal, as the weak transitional government has failed to kick-start reforms and halt a fall in the Sudanese pound on the black market.
“The Sudanese people had hopes that their revolution would be great, that it would achieve things, but today the Sudanese people are standing in bread lines,” a protester told state TV.
Hamdok on Saturday vowed to answer the demands of protesters.
“We pledge to spur the pace to fulfil all the demands of the revolution, and improving the living conditions and the economy are among the priorities in which we will do everything we can to overcome the challenges,” he said on Twitter.
Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, head of the ruling council, said on Twitter the army would remain “the guarantor and protector of the revolution and its gains”.
Security was tightened in Khartoum and Omdurman but no major incidents of violence or casualties were reported.
Social media users shared pictures and videos of protesters burning tyres and security forces firing tear gas. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the images.
Sudan’s government has signed peace deals with most of the rebel groups that caused unrest during Bashir’s rule, and it hopes that the United States’ recent decision to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism will help the ailing economy.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-20--US lawmakers set to vote on virus stimulus deal: WSJ

Chuck Schumer said the House and Senate could vote on the deal within a day US lawmakers agreed on pandemic spending powers for the Federal Reserve late Saturday , the Wall Street Journal reported , clearing the way for a vote on a roughly $ 900 billion Covid-19 relief package for millions of Americans .
The deal would maintain the central bank 's ability to set up emergency lending programs without congressional approval , the Journal said , but the Fed would require approval to restart similar existing programs once they expire later this year .
Republicans had sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit for businesses and other institutions , while Democrats argued restricting its powers could compound the fiscal crisis in the world 's largest economy .
The impasse had threatened to temporarily shut down the government -- a scenario not unheard of in politically divided Washington , but disastrous given the worsening economy and record daily death tolls from Covid-19 .
According to the Journal , Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the House and Senate could vote on the deal on Sunday .
Lawmakers could `` begin closing out the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , workers , and businesses , '' a spokesman for Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told the newspaper .
Before the deal was reported , President Donald Trump tweeted : `` Why is n't Congress giving our people a Stimulus Bill ?
`` GET IT DONE , and give them more money in direct payments . ''
A bill to aid struggling businesses and the unemployed is seen as critical to getting the US economy back on its feet , even as new vaccines offer hope that an end to the pandemic may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to include aid for vaccine distribution and logistics , extra jobless benefits of $ 300 per week , and a new round of $ 600 stimulus checks -- half the amount provided in checks distributed last March .
On the brink of a shutdown , the House of Representatives voted 320 to 60 late Friday to extend funding for federal agencies through Sunday to allow negotiators to thrash out a deal .

Washington (AFP) –
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US lawmakers agreed on pandemic spending powers for the Federal Reserve late Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported, clearing the way for a vote on a roughly $900 billion Covid-19 relief package for millions of Americans.
The deal would maintain the central bank's ability to set up emergency lending programs without congressional approval, the Journal said, but the Fed would require approval to restart similar existing programs once they expire later this year.
Republicans had sought to limit the Fed's ability to provide credit for businesses and other institutions, while Democrats argued restricting its powers could compound the fiscal crisis in the world's largest economy.
The impasse had threatened to temporarily shut down the government -- a scenario not unheard of in politically divided Washington, but disastrous given the worsening economy and record daily death tolls from Covid-19.
According to the Journal, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the House and Senate could vote on the deal on Sunday.
Lawmakers could "begin closing out the rest of the package to deliver much-needed relief to families, workers, and businesses," a spokesman for Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told the newspaper.
Before the deal was reported, President Donald Trump tweeted: "Why isn't Congress giving our people a Stimulus Bill?
"GET IT DONE, and give them more money in direct payments."
A bill to aid struggling businesses and the unemployed is seen as critical to getting the US economy back on its feet, even as new vaccines offer hope that an end to the pandemic may be in sight.
The package is expected to include aid for vaccine distribution and logistics, extra jobless benefits of $300 per week, and a new round of $600 stimulus checks -- half the amount provided in checks distributed last March.
On the brink of a shutdown, the House of Representatives voted 320 to 60 late Friday to extend funding for federal agencies through Sunday to allow negotiators to thrash out a deal.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Mexico's Alvarez overpowers Britain's Smith to claim two titles

Mexican superstar Saul `` Canelo '' Alvarez became the unified world super middleweight champion overcoming a stark height difference with a 12-round beatdown of the previously undefeated Callum Smith in San Antonio , Texas Mexican pound-for-pound champ Saul Alvarez ended the longest layoff of his career on Saturday , brutally overpowering the previously unbeaten Callum Smith to capture two super middleweight titles with a unanimous decision in Texas .
Three-division champion Alvarez claimed the vacant WBC title and Briton Smith 's WBA version of the 168-pound belt , overcoming a stark height difference as he moved up in weight class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic-limited crowd at the Alamodome in San Antonio .
`` I feel really proud to have this , '' Alvarez said .
`` I represent not only the boxing world but my country .
I did a great job after a 13-month layoff .
`` I am the best in the world . ''
Alvarez improved to 54-1-2 with 36 knockouts , while Smith suffered the first defeat of his pro career and dropped to 27-1 , 19 knockouts .
Saturday 's victory rekindles the possibility of a third fight between Alvarez and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost to Alvarez in a controversial majority decision in Las Vegas in 2018 .
The 30-year-old Alvarez showed he is one of the smartest fighters in the sport , adjusting on the fly and managing to get inside the long reach of Smith to attack the body and head .
`` I felt great at 168 pounds .
This is one of the best nights for me , '' said Alvarez .
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic , that has killed 315,000 people across the US in the past 11 months , organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they still managed to get a permit to allow 15,000 people into the 32,000-seat venue .
They saw Alvarez , who goes by the nickname `` Canelo '' , land every punch in his arsenal during the glorified sparring session with Smith whose busted up face and blood-spattered white trunks told the story .
Alvarez 's best punch was the right uppercut and he threw it with authority , imposing his will like he was chopping down a tree .
His best round was the ninth when he almost knocked Smith down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the champ up .
All three judges gave almost every round to Alvarez with two scoring it 119-109 and the third 117-111 .
The opening rounds were uneventful but Alvarez picked up the pace in the fourth landing solid combinations and doing the first bit of damage with the uppercut .
Alvarez put up solid defence as well , easily slipping punches and countering Smith 's jab .
Alvarez bloodied Smith 's nose and almost knocked him down with 84 seconds to go in the ninth , but the Englishman survived the round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round repeatedly looking up at the clock in a bid to finish the fight on his feet .
Alvarez tried for a knockout as the crowd booed Smith for clinching and not throwing punches .
`` Since the first round I tried to see what he brings , his skills , whatever .
But I showed what I am , '' Alvarez said This was Alvarez 's first fight since he jumped up to light-heavyweight to score an 11th round knockout of Sergey Kovalev in November 2019 .
The last time Alvarez fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another Englishman , Rocky Fielding , with a third-round stoppage in December 2018 .
Smith was hoping to avenge the defeat suffered by his elder brother , Liam Smith , against Alvarez in 2016 .
Liam was at his brother 's side on Saturday to watch the fight .
Alvarez said that `` GGG '' Golovkin was now in his sights .
On Friday , Golovkin knocked down Kamil Szeremeta four times in a seventh-round stoppage of the overmatched Polish challenger to retain his IBF world middleweight title and move closer to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want all the belts , '' Alvarez said .
`` I do n't run from nobody .
I just showed I fight the best .
If he ( Golovkin ) wants the fight I will take it . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Mexican pound-for-pound champ Saul Alvarez ended the longest layoff of his career on Saturday, brutally overpowering the previously unbeaten Callum Smith to capture two super middleweight titles with a unanimous decision in Texas.
Three-division champion Alvarez claimed the vacant WBC title and Briton Smith's WBA version of the 168-pound belt, overcoming a stark height difference as he moved up in weight class for the fight in front of a pandemic-limited crowd at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
"I feel really proud to have this," Alvarez said. "I represent not only the boxing world but my country. I did a great job after a 13-month layoff.
"I am the best in the world."
Alvarez improved to 54-1-2 with 36 knockouts, while Smith suffered the first defeat of his pro career and dropped to 27-1, 19 knockouts.
Saturday's victory rekindles the possibility of a third fight between Alvarez and Gennady "GGG" Golovkin, who lost to Alvarez in a controversial majority decision in Las Vegas in 2018.
The 30-year-old Alvarez showed he is one of the smartest fighters in the sport, adjusting on the fly and managing to get inside the long reach of Smith to attack the body and head.
"I felt great at 168 pounds. This is one of the best nights for me," said Alvarez.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, that has killed 315,000 people across the US in the past 11 months, organizers were forced to limit the crowd size but they still managed to get a permit to allow 15,000 people into the 32,000-seat venue.
They saw Alvarez, who goes by the nickname "Canelo", land every punch in his arsenal during the glorified sparring session with Smith whose busted up face and blood-spattered white trunks told the story.
Alvarez's best punch was the right uppercut and he threw it with authority, imposing his will like he was chopping down a tree. His best round was the ninth when he almost knocked Smith down -- the ropes the only thing holding the champ up.
All three judges gave almost every round to Alvarez with two scoring it 119-109 and the third 117-111.
- 'GGG' trilogy beckons -
The opening rounds were uneventful but Alvarez picked up the pace in the fourth landing solid combinations and doing the first bit of damage with the uppercut.
Alvarez put up solid defence as well, easily slipping punches and countering Smith's jab.
Alvarez bloodied Smith's nose and almost knocked him down with 84 seconds to go in the ninth, but the Englishman survived the round.
Smith avoided Alvarez in the final round repeatedly looking up at the clock in a bid to finish the fight on his feet. Alvarez tried for a knockout as the crowd booed Smith for clinching and not throwing punches.
"Since the first round I tried to see what he brings, his skills, whatever. But I showed what I am," Alvarez said
This was Alvarez's first fight since he jumped up to light-heavyweight to score an 11th round knockout of Sergey Kovalev in November 2019.
The last time Alvarez fought in the 168-pound division, he destroyed another Englishman, Rocky Fielding, with a third-round stoppage in December 2018.
Smith was hoping to avenge the defeat suffered by his elder brother, Liam Smith, against Alvarez in 2016. Liam was at his brother's side on Saturday to watch the fight.
Alvarez said that "GGG" Golovkin was now in his sights.
On Friday, Golovkin knocked down Kamil Szeremeta four times in a seventh-round stoppage of the overmatched Polish challenger to retain his IBF world middleweight title and move closer to a big money trilogy fight.
"I want all the belts," Alvarez said. "I don't run from nobody. I just showed I fight the best. If he (Golovkin) wants the fight I will take it."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Deadly Fiji super cyclone sparks disease fears

Four people died and entire villages were wiped out after super cyclone Yasa smashed into the northern islands of Fiji on Thursday Disease threatens to worsen an already desperate situation in Fiji , an official warned Sunday , where thousands of lives have been devastated in the wake of the deadly super cyclone Yasa .
Agencies rushed food and clean water to areas where the storm smashed into the northern islands of the South Pacific nation on Thursday night , forcing more than 23,000 people to flee their homes .
Four people died and entire villages were wiped out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are being sent to hard-hit areas to help farmers dispose of dead livestock to reduce the risk of disease , National Disaster Management Office director Vasiti Soko said .
Fiji is prone to violent storms at this time of year , with Cyclone Winston killing 44 people when it slammed into the islands in 2016 .
`` We 're going to be doing a lot of work around shelter and the provision of clean water because we have seen the diseases that follow these cyclones ... leptospirosis , diarrhoea , dengue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited , '' Ilisapeci Rokotunidau , the Fiji Red Cross director general , told AFP .
`` From our experience from Winston , three months after Winston one of the biggest things was malnutrition . ''
Authorities on Saturday put the damage from the storm in the hundreds of millions of dollars , with one senior aid worker comparing the destruction to a war zone .
The Red Cross is now focused on providing relief to Bua and other areas in the north of Fiji hit hard by the storm .
One local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the major city of Nadi due to the Covid-19 pandemic and returned to Bua to rebuild his life was reported to have lost everything after the super cyclone hit .
`` Now , everything is gone and he is saying 'there is no more use in living ' , '' Rokotunidau said .
`` We suspect that is the beginning of stories we will be hearing . ''
`` The sad thing for a lot of people is 'what now ' .
Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismal one . ''

Suva (Fiji) (AFP) –
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Disease threatens to worsen an already desperate situation in Fiji, an official warned Sunday, where thousands of lives have been devastated in the wake of the deadly super cyclone Yasa.
Agencies rushed food and clean water to areas where the storm smashed into the northern islands of the South Pacific nation on Thursday night, forcing more than 23,000 people to flee their homes.
Four people died and entire villages were wiped out, with crops and livestock destroyed.
Agriculture officials are being sent to hard-hit areas to help farmers dispose of dead livestock to reduce the risk of disease, National Disaster Management Office director Vasiti Soko said.
Fiji is prone to violent storms at this time of year, with Cyclone Winston killing 44 people when it slammed into the islands in 2016.
"We're going to be doing a lot of work around shelter and the provision of clean water because we have seen the diseases that follow these cyclones... leptospirosis, diarrhoea, dengue, and especially if access to hospitals is limited," Ilisapeci Rokotunidau, the Fiji Red Cross director general, told AFP.
"From our experience from Winston, three months after Winston one of the biggest things was malnutrition."
Authorities on Saturday put the damage from the storm in the hundreds of millions of dollars, with one senior aid worker comparing the destruction to a war zone.
The Red Cross is now focused on providing relief to Bua and other areas in the north of Fiji hit hard by the storm.
One local man who had lost his job in the major city of Nadi due to the Covid-19 pandemic and returned to Bua to rebuild his life was reported to have lost everything after the super cyclone hit.
"Now, everything is gone and he is saying 'there is no more use in living'," Rokotunidau said. "We suspect that is the beginning of stories we will be hearing."
"The sad thing for a lot of people is 'what now'. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of year and this is going to be a very dismal one."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Post-Brexit talks stall as both sides demand concessions on fishing

Fishermen aboard the boat 'About Time ' off the south-east coast of England on October 12 , 2020 .
British and EU negotiators had dug in their heels and were each demanding more concessions from the other as post-Brexit trade talks dragged on into Sunday , deadlocked on fishing rights .
Sources from both sides said that unless the other backed down on access to UK waters , Britain would leave the single market at midnight on December 31 without a follow-on deal on cross-Channel commerce .
“ We ’ re continuing to try every possible path to an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ( European ) Commission we will be leaving on WTO terms on 31 December , ” a British government source said .
But an EU diplomat told AFP that Brussels had made Britain its last offer on fishing and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to decide whether he wants a deal .
“ If Britain doesn ’ t accept the latest EU offer it will be a ‘ no deal ’ over fish , ” he warned .
A European official said : “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as both sides are engaged in intense—and tense—negotiations to secure a pact before the end of the month .
No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders , where a pre-deadline rush has already caused long tailbacks of lorries .
Observers , however , noted that the fishing issue was about finding middle ground between offer and counteroffer in an economically small sector , while the much bigger other main issue , on guaranteeing fair trade competition rules is closer to settlement .
“ It ’ s all down to numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The EU ’ s pointman in the negotiations , Michel Barnier , has proposed EU fishermen giving up nearly a quarter of the value of the fish they currently catch in UK waters .
Britain is understood to be holding out for getting back much more than half .
The UK has suggested this compromise last for three years before it is renegotiated , whereas Europe is holding out for double that .
“ We can not accept a deal that doesn ’ t leave us in control of our own laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said , arguing that the EU was “ continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence ” .
EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods .
“ We are in the throes of being sold down the river , ” the European Fisheries Alliance said in a statement , urging Barnier to stick to protecting them .
“ The shape of a deal , as currently stands would give a huge blow to the European seafood sector which is made up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessels with an annual turnover of 20.7 billion euros.
” Time is very short to reach an accord .
The European Parliament has highlighted a deadline of midnight ( 2300 GMT ) on Sunday to receive a deal for review if MEPs are to ratify it before the end of the year .
Their UK parliamentary counterparts are in recess , but can be recalled within 48 hours to do likewise .
But EU capitals are not binding themselves to the European Parliament ’ s deadline .
France ’ s European affairs minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be called to a halt if they dragged out past Sunday night .
“ We won ’ t do that because what is at risk is whole sectors like fishing , like sustainable competition conditions for our businesses , ” he said .
The urgency of reaching a deal is seen in long lines of trucks at the freight rail link through the Channel tunnel as British companies frantically stockpile .
A group of UK MPs warned on Saturday that Britain has not installed the complex IT systems and port infrastructure needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoothly .
Some disruption is inevitable , deal or no deal , with British and European firms needing to fill out import-export , health and tax forms to send and receive goods to each other .
A deal would avoid tariffs but there would still be traffic snarls as checks on truck loads and drivers ’ papers are carried out .
Even truck drivers ’ lunches will come under border scrutiny : the British government warned packed ham and cheese sandwiches are banned from entry into Europe under meat and dairy restrictions that @ @ @ @ @

British and EU negotiators had dug in their heels and were each demanding more concessions from the other as post-Brexit trade talks dragged on into Sunday, deadlocked on fishing rights.
Fishermen aboard the boat 'About Time' off the south-east coast of England on October 12, 2020.
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Sources from both sides said that unless the other backed down on access to UK waters, Britain would leave the single market at midnight on December 31 without a follow-on deal on cross-Channel commerce.
“We’re continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but without a substantial shift from the (European) Commission we will be leaving on WTO terms on 31 December,” a British government source said.
But an EU diplomat told AFP that Brussels had made Britain its last offer on fishing and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to decide whether he wants a deal.
“If Britain doesn’t accept the latest EU offer it will be a ‘no deal’ over fish,” he warned.
A European official said: “It’s very blocked.”
The tough talk came as both sides are engaged in intense—and tense—negotiations to secure a pact before the end of the month. No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders, where a pre-deadline rush has already caused long tailbacks of lorries.
Observers, however, noted that the fishing issue was about finding middle ground between offer and counteroffer in an economically small sector, while the much bigger other main issue, on guaranteeing fair trade competition rules is closer to settlement.
“It’s all down to numbers now,” the European diplomat said.
The EU’s pointman in the negotiations, Michel Barnier, has proposed EU fishermen giving up nearly a quarter of the value of the fish they currently catch in UK waters. Britain is understood to be holding out for getting back much more than half.
The UK has suggested this compromise last for three years before it is renegotiated, whereas Europe is holding out for double that.
“We cannot accept a deal that doesn’t leave us in control of our own laws or waters,” the UK government source said, arguing that the EU was “continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence”.
Fishermen ‘sold down the river’
EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods.
“We are in the throes of being sold down the river,” the European Fisheries Alliance said in a statement, urging Barnier to stick to protecting them.
“The shape of a deal, as currently stands would give a huge blow to the European seafood sector which is made up of more than 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels with an annual turnover of 20.7 billion euros.”
Time is very short to reach an accord. The European Parliament has highlighted a deadline of midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday to receive a deal for review if MEPs are to ratify it before the end of the year.
Their UK parliamentary counterparts are in recess, but can be recalled within 48 hours to do likewise.
But EU capitals are not binding themselves to the European Parliament’s deadline.
France’s European affairs minister, Clement Beaune, said talks would not be called to a halt if they dragged out past Sunday night.
“We won’t do that because what is at risk is whole sectors like fishing, like sustainable competition conditions for our businesses,” he said.
‘Concerns’ Britain not ready
The urgency of reaching a deal is seen in long lines of trucks at the freight rail link through the Channel tunnel as British companies frantically stockpile.
A group of UK MPs warned on Saturday that Britain has not installed the complex IT systems and port infrastructure needed to ensure trade with the EU runs smoothly.
Some disruption is inevitable, deal or no deal, with British and European firms needing to fill out import-export, health and tax forms to send and receive goods to each other.
A deal would avoid tariffs but there would still be traffic snarls as checks on truck loads and drivers’ papers are carried out.
Even truck drivers’ lunches will come under border scrutiny: the British government warned packed ham and cheese sandwiches are banned from entry into Europe under meat and dairy restrictions that apply to non-EU arrivals.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-21--Former MVP Durant ready to ride, at last, with Nets

Forward Kevin Durant in NBA pre-season action for the Brooklyn Nets against the Washington Wizards Kevin Durant says the quality of his Brooklyn Nets teammates promises him a `` smooth ride '' in his return from an 18-month NBA absence in the wake of a devastating torn Achilles tendon .
The return of one of the NBA 's most formidable scoring threats , the league Most Valuable Player in 2014 and a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors -- has sparked excitement among fans and pundits eager to see Durant at top form and curious as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyrie Irving .
They wo n't have to wait long for a first look , with the Nets hosting the Warriors in the first game of the season on Tuesday .
Durant insists the clash is no grudge match , calling it `` just a regular game . ''
In this year 's abbreviated pre-season -- shortened as the league returns to action barely two months after the Lakers capped the pandemic-disrupted 2019-20 campaign with a 17th championship -- Durant has offered tantalizing glimpses of his old form .
But the 10-time All-Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-season victory over the Boston Celtics that he expects to continue to improve .
`` I was out for 18 months not playing an NBA game , not playing against that physicality , the speed of the game , '' Durant said .
`` So it 's going to take me some time to get my feet up under me , get my legs right .
“ Having a team like we have , those guys support me every time I step on the floor , try to put me in great positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just playing off of each other , ” Durant said .
`` So if we continue to do that , this will be a smooth ride for me as I get back into the swing of things . ''
Durant was injured in game five of the 2019 NBA Finals , opted for free agency and signed a four-year deal with the Nets not long after having surgery .
He watched the Nets from the bench throughout last season , their fortunes faltering further after a right shoulder injury ruled Irving out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Nets coach Steve Nash , a two-time NBA MVP embarking on his first season as a head coach , said he 'll be keeping a close eye on both as the season unfolds .
`` There 's been such a layoff for both of them , '' Nash said during training camp .
`` In particular , Kevin coming off one of the toughest injuries to deal with as a basketball player .
`` We have to be careful with him and his adaptation process back into the game . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a dozen NBA seasons is likely affecting him more now than the injury .
`` Even if I did n't have an Achilles I probably would n't be 100 % , you know , '' he said during training camp .
`` So the wear and tear over time , I guess , but I feel solid . ''
Durant has returned from significant injury before .
After earning MVP honors in 2013-14 , when he averaged 32 points , 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder , Durant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014-15 campaign because of a foot injury .
He had surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot in October of 2014 and missed the first 17 games of the season .
He made his season debut that December , but in February underwent season-ending surgery to address pain his foot .
Durant came back strong in 2015-16 , averaging 28.2 points , 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his last season in Oklahoma City .
He signed in 2016 with the Warriors , departing a partnership with Thunder star Russell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and play alongside Stephen Curry , Draymond Green and Klay Thompson .
Durant 's tenure at Golden State included a scattering of injuries and two titles .
They were seeking a third straight championship in 2019 when Durant suffered a calf injury in the second round of the playoffs and missed nine games -- coming back for game five of the finals against the Toronto Raptors .
It 's been a long time since then , but Durant said this month that he will try to let his return unfold with out undue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have crazy anxiety wondering how I was going to play the next day or the next series and it used to drive me crazy , you know what I ’ m saying ? ''
Durant said .
`` With my mental health , I guess , it 's easier for me to have this approach just to wait and see what happens and then falling back on the work that I 've put in .
`` If I fall back on that work , I wo n't have to worry too much about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 'll come naturally . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Kevin Durant says the quality of his Brooklyn Nets teammates promises him a "smooth ride" in his return from an 18-month NBA absence in the wake of a devastating torn Achilles tendon.
The return of one of the NBA's most formidable scoring threats, the league Most Valuable Player in 2014 and a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors -- has sparked excitement among fans and pundits eager to see Durant at top form and curious as to how he will mesh with star teammate Kyrie Irving.
They won't have to wait long for a first look, with the Nets hosting the Warriors in the first game of the season on Tuesday.
Durant insists the clash is no grudge match, calling it "just a regular game."
In this year's abbreviated pre-season -- shortened as the league returns to action barely two months after the Lakers capped the pandemic-disrupted 2019-20 campaign with a 17th championship -- Durant has offered tantalizing glimpses of his old form.
But the 10-time All-Star said after a 25-point performance in a pre-season victory over the Boston Celtics that he expects to continue to improve.
"I was out for 18 months not playing an NBA game, not playing against that physicality, the speed of the game," Durant said. "So it's going to take me some time to get my feet up under me, get my legs right.
“Having a team like we have, those guys support me every time I step on the floor, try to put me in great positions to be successful, and we're just playing off of each other,” Durant said. "So if we continue to do that, this will be a smooth ride for me as I get back into the swing of things."
Durant was injured in game five of the 2019 NBA Finals, opted for free agency and signed a four-year deal with the Nets not long after having surgery.
He watched the Nets from the bench throughout last season, their fortunes faltering further after a right shoulder injury ruled Irving out for the second half of the season.
New Nets coach Steve Nash, a two-time NBA MVP embarking on his first season as a head coach, said he'll be keeping a close eye on both as the season unfolds.
"There's been such a layoff for both of them," Nash said during training camp. "In particular, Kevin coming off one of the toughest injuries to deal with as a basketball player.
"We have to be careful with him and his adaptation process back into the game."
But Durant, 32, said the toll of a dozen NBA seasons is likely affecting him more now than the injury.
"Even if I didn't have an Achilles I probably wouldn't be 100%, you know," he said during training camp. "So the wear and tear over time, I guess, but I feel solid."
Durant has returned from significant injury before.
After earning MVP honors in 2013-14, when he averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant played in just 27 games during the 2014-15 campaign because of a foot injury.
He had surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot in October of 2014 and missed the first 17 games of the season.
He made his season debut that December, but in February underwent season-ending surgery to address pain his foot.
Durant came back strong in 2015-16, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his last season in Oklahoma City.
- It'll come naturally -
He signed in 2016 with the Warriors, departing a partnership with Thunder star Russell Westbrook to join a Western Conference juggernaut and play alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Durant's tenure at Golden State included a scattering of injuries and two titles.
They were seeking a third straight championship in 2019 when Durant suffered a calf injury in the second round of the playoffs and missed nine games -- coming back for game five of the finals against the Toronto Raptors.
It's been a long time since then, but Durant said this month that he will try to let his return unfold with out undue angst.
"I definitely used to have crazy anxiety wondering how I was going to play the next day or the next series and it used to drive me crazy, you know what I’m saying?" Durant said.
"With my mental health, I guess, it's easier for me to have this approach just to wait and see what happens and then falling back on the work that I've put in.
"If I fall back on that work, I won't have to worry too much about what will happen. I already know it'll come naturally."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-21--NBA set for leap into unknown as new season tips off

LeBron James will lead the Los Angeles Lakers ' attempt to win back-to-back NBA championships as the season tips off on Tuesday The NBA takes a leap into the unknown on Tuesday when the 2020-2021 season tips off after the shortest offseason in history against the backdrop of a raging Covid-19 crisis across the United States .
Little more than two months after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers brought the curtain down on a gruelling , pandemic-interrupted season with victory in the NBA Finals in the Orlando quarantine bubble , a shortened 72-game campaign gets underway with games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Golden State Warriors face a road trip to take on the Brooklyn Nets before the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers clash at Staples Center .
The new season marks the first time league action has taken place at home arenas since the 2019-2020 season was dramatically suspended in March as the coronavirus pandemic erupted across the United States .
When the league resumed in July , teams were based at a single location at Disney World in Florida and kept in a tightly controlled bubble for three months to guard against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take place in 30 locations across the United States at a time when the country continues to set new records for coronavirus cases and fatalities .
The NBA has put in place a range of measures designed to mitigate the Covid-19 threat , including strict safety protocols and a tweaked schedule that cuts down on travel .
The new-look schedule -- reduced from the standard 82 games -- will see teams play each other on consecutive nights more frequently to reduce the amount of time spent on the road .
The league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first half of the season -- up to March 4 -- in order to give itself flexibility over possible postponements .
Fans will also be largely absent from arenas .
Only a handful of teams are allowing limited numbers of spectators into venues .
An ambitious plan by Golden State to fill the Chase Center to 50 % capacity was rejected by health authorities in San Francisco .
Arenas will also not carry the `` Black Lives Matter '' slogans on court as they had when play resumed last season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice messages .
The Toronto Raptors , the 2019 NBA champions , will play home games in Tampa , Florida , after Canadian authorities denied the NBA an exemption to Covid-19 restrictions placed on travel to and from the United States .
Teams and players will be required to click back into gear after what has been the shortest offseason in history .
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had initially signalled that the league would restart in January , but the start was brought forward to December , a move which allows for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas period .
The 72-game schedule also means the regular season and playoffs can be completed in time for next year 's Tokyo Olympics , although it is an open question whether players involved in the NBA Finals will be available to make the trip to Japan .
The finals are due to conclude just one day before the Olympics get under way in Tokyo on July 23 .
Most analysts expect James and the Lakers to be involved in the battle for the NBA championship next year .
The Lakers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October to win the franchise 's 17th championship , have been installed as heavy favourites to retain their crown after an offseason which saw several roster upgrades .
Already spearheaded by James and Anthony Davis , the Lakers have added German point guard Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers as well as Spanish veteran Marc Gasol .
It means the Lakers will most likely be the team to beat when the season gets under way -- a status James relishes .
`` For me personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my back , or on my front since I entered the league , '' James said .
`` And then you add in the Lakers ' name on top of that .
The Lakers franchise -- the bullseye has been on this franchise for a long time as well .
Everyone is going to come at us . ''
The Lakers are likely to face stiff competition from several rivals however , including the Brooklyn Nets , who will finally be able to unleash their strike force of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a year on the sidelines .
Last season 's finals runners-up Miami will also expect to be in the hunt , led by Jimmy Butler , Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo .
The Milwaukee Bucks meanwhile will head into the new campaign buoyed by the news Giannis Antetokounmpo has committed his future to the franchise .
The back-to-back MVP inked a new five-year deal last week .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The NBA takes a leap into the unknown on Tuesday when the 2020-2021 season tips off after the shortest offseason in history against the backdrop of a raging Covid-19 crisis across the United States.
Little more than two months after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers brought the curtain down on a gruelling, pandemic-interrupted season with victory in the NBA Finals in the Orlando quarantine bubble, a shortened 72-game campaign gets underway with games in New York and Los Angeles.
The Golden State Warriors face a road trip to take on the Brooklyn Nets before the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers clash at Staples Center.
The new season marks the first time league action has taken place at home arenas since the 2019-2020 season was dramatically suspended in March as the coronavirus pandemic erupted across the United States.
When the league resumed in July, teams were based at a single location at Disney World in Florida and kept in a tightly controlled bubble for three months to guard against Covid-19 infection.
Yet the upcoming season will take place in 30 locations across the United States at a time when the country continues to set new records for coronavirus cases and fatalities.
- Travel, schedule tweaks -
The NBA has put in place a range of measures designed to mitigate the Covid-19 threat, including strict safety protocols and a tweaked schedule that cuts down on travel.
The new-look schedule -- reduced from the standard 82 games -- will see teams play each other on consecutive nights more frequently to reduce the amount of time spent on the road.
The league has also only drawn up a schedule for the first half of the season -- up to March 4 -- in order to give itself flexibility over possible postponements.
Fans will also be largely absent from arenas.
Only a handful of teams are allowing limited numbers of spectators into venues. An ambitious plan by Golden State to fill the Chase Center to 50% capacity was rejected by health authorities in San Francisco.
Arenas will also not carry the "Black Lives Matter" slogans on court as they had when play resumed last season, nor will players wear jerseys carrying social justice messages.
The Toronto Raptors, the 2019 NBA champions, will play home games in Tampa, Florida, after Canadian authorities denied the NBA an exemption to Covid-19 restrictions placed on travel to and from the United States.
Teams and players will be required to click back into gear after what has been the shortest offseason in history.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had initially signalled that the league would restart in January, but the start was brought forward to December, a move which allows for a lucrative slate of televised games over the Christmas period.
The 72-game schedule also means the regular season and playoffs can be completed in time for next year's Tokyo Olympics, although it is an open question whether players involved in the NBA Finals will be available to make the trip to Japan.
The finals are due to conclude just one day before the Olympics get under way in Tokyo on July 23.
- 'Bullseye' on the Lakers -
Most analysts expect James and the Lakers to be involved in the battle for the NBA championship next year.
The Lakers, who defeated the Miami Heat in six games in October to win the franchise's 17th championship, have been installed as heavy favourites to retain their crown after an offseason which saw several roster upgrades.
Already spearheaded by James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers have added German point guard Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers as well as Spanish veteran Marc Gasol.
It means the Lakers will most likely be the team to beat when the season gets under way -- a status James relishes.
"For me personally, the bullseye has always been on my back, or on my front since I entered the league," James said.
"And then you add in the Lakers' name on top of that. The Lakers franchise -- the bullseye has been on this franchise for a long time as well. Everyone is going to come at us."
The Lakers are likely to face stiff competition from several rivals however, including the Brooklyn Nets, who will finally be able to unleash their strike force of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Former MVP Durant returns after more than a year on the sidelines.
Last season's finals runners-up Miami will also expect to be in the hunt, led by Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo.
The Milwaukee Bucks meanwhile will head into the new campaign buoyed by the news Giannis Antetokounmpo has committed his future to the franchise. The back-to-back MVP inked a new five-year deal last week.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--US Congress reaches deal on Covid-19 relief package

Dusk falls over the US Capitol building on December 20 , 2020 -- as Republicans and Democrats finally came to an agreement on a massive coronavirus relief bill US lawmakers have reached a deal for a new package to boost the world 's largest economy , which has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic , congressional leaders announced Sunday .
`` We 've agreed to a package of nearly $ 900 billion .
It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long , '' Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority leader Chuck Schumer confirmed an agreement had been reached with Republicans and the White House on a deal that `` delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates . ''
The package is expected to include aid for vaccine distribution and logistics , extra jobless benefits of $ 300 per week , and a new round of $ 600 stimulus checks -- half the amount provided in checks distributed last March under the CARES Act .
Congress was working under a deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consensus both on assistance to hard-pressed American households and companies and on the 2021 federal budget in order to avoid a government shutdown .
Number two Democrat in the House of Representatives , Steny Hoyer , said he expected the deal to pass on Monday and then head to the Senate .
This would require passage of a stopgap measure by midnight on Sunday to keep the federal government funded an extra 24 hours and avert a shutdown .

Washington (AFP) –
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US lawmakers have reached a deal for a new package to boost the world's largest economy, which has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, congressional leaders announced Sunday.
"We've agreed to a package of nearly $900 billion. It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long," Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell in a statement.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer confirmed an agreement had been reached with Republicans and the White House on a deal that "delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates."
The package is expected to include aid for vaccine distribution and logistics, extra jobless benefits of $300 per week, and a new round of $600 stimulus checks -- half the amount provided in checks distributed last March under the CARES Act.
Congress was working under a deadline of midnight Sunday -- needing to reach consensus both on assistance to hard-pressed American households and companies and on the 2021 federal budget in order to avoid a government shutdown.
Number two Democrat in the House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer, said he expected the deal to pass on Monday and then head to the Senate.
This would require passage of a stopgap measure by midnight on Sunday to keep the federal government funded an extra 24 hours and avert a shutdown.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--UN peacekeepers say rebel push in Central African Republic 'under control'

Children look at a United Nations Bangladeshi soldier , part of the MINUSCA peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic Rebel forces advancing on the Central African Republic 's capital Bangui have been pushed back and the situation is `` under control '' , a spokesman for UN peacekeeping forces said Sunday , as tensions mount a week before key elections .
The government had alleged an attempted coup when three of the powerful armed groups that control most of the country 's territory began advancing towards the capital along critical main roads , ahead of presidential and legislative elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Coalition of the Democratic Opposition ( COD-2020 ) called for the votes to be postponed `` until the re-establishment of peace and security '' .
Uniting the main parties and movements opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera , COD-2020 was until recently led by former president Francois Bozize , who the government said Saturday was at the head of rebel fighters massing not far from the capital .
Vladimir Monteiro , spokesman for the UN 's MINUSMA peacekeeping force , told AFP Sunday that `` the armed groups have left the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the routes towards Bangui , and that they had given up ground in two other areas .
MINUSMA `` sent blue helmets to Mbaiki , where there were clashes on Saturday ... to block the armed groups , '' Monteiro added , saying `` the situation is under control '' .
But security and humanitarian sources said that parts of the armed groups were still on the ground around Bossembele -- around 150 kilometres ( 90 miles ) from Bangui .
The government had said Saturday that former president Bozize was at Bossembele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a coalition on Saturday called the Coalition of Patriots for Change ( CPC ) .
They urged members to `` scrupulously respect the integrity of the civilian population '' and to allow vehicles belonging to the United Nations and to humanitarian groups to circulate freely in the former French colony .
In a joint statement , a group known as the G5+ -- France , Russia , the US , the EU and the World Bank -- urged Bozize and allied armed groups to lay down their arms , calling for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm and called on all sides to ensure credible elections and peace .
And the 11,000-strong MINUSCA force warned Saturday it would `` use all means at its disposal including planes to prevent violence . ''
'Why take up arms ? '
Meanwhile , Bozize 's KNK party denied the former leader wanted to carry out a putsch .
`` We categorically deny that Bozize is at the origin of anything , '' Christian Guenebem , a spokesman for his KNK party , told AFP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the physical and political integrity of Bozize . ''
`` Why take up arms against your countrymen ? ''
Touadera asked at a rally in Bangui Saturday .
`` The national election authority and Constitutional Court have guaranteed that the elections will be held as scheduled , '' added the president , who is widely expected to win re-election .
Bozize , back after years in exile , has been barred from running in the election by the coup-prone country 's top court , as the CAR had sought him with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arbitrary arrest and torture .
The 74-year-old , who came to power in a coup in 2003 before himself being overthrown in 2013 , said last Tuesday that he accepted the court 's decision .
The CAR spiralled into conflict when Bozize , a Christian , was ousted as president by the Seleka , a rebel coalition drawn largely from the Muslim minority .
That coup triggered a bloodbath between the Seleka and so-called `` anti-Balaka '' self-defence forces , mainly Christian and animist .
France sent its army to intervene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were staged in 2016 and won by Touadera .

Rebel forces advancing on the Central African Republic's capital Bangui have been pushed back and the situation is "under control", a spokesman for UN peacekeeping forces said Sunday, as tensions mount a week before key elections.
Children look at a United Nations Bangladeshi soldier, part of the MINUSCA peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic
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The government had alleged an attempted coup when three of the powerful armed groups that control most of the country's territory began advancing towards the capital along critical main roads, ahead of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 27.
Earlier Sunday, the Coalition of the Democratic Opposition (COD-2020) called for the votes to be postponed "until the re-establishment of peace and security".
Uniting the main parties and movements opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, COD-2020 was until recently led by former president Francois Bozize, who the government said Saturday was at the head of rebel fighters massing not far from the capital.
Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the UN's MINUSCA peacekeeping force, told AFP Sunday that "the armed groups have left the town" of Yaloke, on one of the routes towards Bangui, and that they had given up ground in two other areas.
MINUSCA "sent blue helmets to Mbaiki, where there were clashes on Saturday... to block the armed groups," Monteiro added, saying "the situation is under control".
But security and humanitarian sources said that parts of the armed groups were still on the ground around Bossembele -- around 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Bangui.
The government had said Saturday that former president Bozize was at Bossembele with fighters from three rebel groups which announced a coalition on Saturday called the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC).
They urged members to "scrupulously respect the integrity of the civilian population" and to allow vehicles belonging to the United Nations and to humanitarian groups to circulate freely in the former French colony.
In a joint statement, a group known as the G5+ -- France, Russia, the US, the EU and the World Bank -- urged Bozize and allied armed groups to lay down their arms, calling for the elections to go ahead on December 27.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm and called on all sides to ensure credible elections and peace.
And the 11,000-strong MINUSCA force warned Saturday it would "use all means at its disposal including planes to prevent violence."
'Why take up arms?'
Meanwhile, Bozize's KNK party denied the former leader wanted to carry out a putsch.
"We categorically deny that Bozize is at the origin of anything," Christian Guenebem, a spokesman for his KNK party, told AFP.
"The government has always wanted to undermine the physical and political integrity of Bozize."
"Why take up arms against your countrymen?" Touadera asked at a rally in Bangui Saturday.
"The national election authority and Constitutional Court have guaranteed that the elections will be held as scheduled," added the president, who is widely expected to win re-election.
Bozize, back after years in exile, has been barred from running in the election by the coup-prone country's top court, as the CAR had sought him with an international arrest warrant on charges including murder, arbitrary arrest and torture.
The 74-year-old, who came to power in a coup in 2003 before himself being overthrown in 2013, said last Tuesday that he accepted the court's decision.
The CAR spiralled into conflict when Bozize, a Christian, was ousted as president by the Seleka, a rebel coalition drawn largely from the Muslim minority.
That coup triggered a bloodbath between the Seleka and so-called "anti-Balaka" self-defence forces, mainly Christian and animist.
France sent its army to intervene, and after a transitional period, elections were staged in 2016 and won by Touadera.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-20--Who said what this sporting weekend

Who said what this sporting weekend

Who said what this sporting weekend : '' Just imagine if there were 75,000 people in , it would have gone down in history as one of the great performances against Leeds . ''
-- Man Utd manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer after the 6-2 win over Leeds at an empty Old Trafford .
`` It could have been 6-6 if you 're an optimistic Leeds fan or it could have been 10-2 .
We could n't do ourselves justice . ''
`` I do n't think we have ever had a worse batting performance so we can only go upwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captain Virat Kohli after his team were dismissed for a paltry 36 - their lowest ever Test total -- in their eight-wicket loss to Australia in Adelaide .
-- Headline in The Times of India '' Something took place today that is out of my character and must never happen again .
I apologise to everyone -- my opponents , teammates and family .
Of course , I accept all the consequences of my actions . ''
-- Borussia Moenchengladbach 's Marcus Thuram who was red-carded for spitting in the face of Hoffenheim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I know what it 's like to love wearing the same shirt every day .
Stories like ours , of loving the same club for so long , will unfortunately become rarer in football .
I admire you very much , Leo Messi . ''
-- Brazilian legend Pele after Lionel Messi equalled his record of scoring 643 goals for the same club .
Pele achieved his mark at Santos ; Messi reached the number in Barcelona 's draw with Valencia .
-- Mexico 's Saul 'Canelo ' Alvarez , who defeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's WBA world super-middleweight title , on the prospects of once again facing old rival Gennady Golovkin .

Paris (AFP) –
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Who said what this sporting weekend:
"Just imagine if there were 75,000 people in, it would have gone down in history as one of the great performances against Leeds."
-- Man Utd manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer after the 6-2 win over Leeds at an empty Old Trafford.
"It could have been 6-6 if you're an optimistic Leeds fan or it could have been 10-2. We couldn't do ourselves justice."
-- Leeds striker Patrick Bamford
"I don't think we have ever had a worse batting performance so we can only go upwards from here."
-- India cricket captain Virat Kohli after his team were dismissed for a paltry 36 - their lowest ever Test total -- in their eight-wicket loss to Australia in Adelaide.
"Massacre in Adelaide."
-- Headline in The Times of India
"It just clicked today."
-- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after his side demolished Crystal Palace 7-0.
"Something took place today that is out of my character and must never happen again. I apologise to everyone -- my opponents, teammates and family. Of course, I accept all the consequences of my actions."
-- Borussia Moenchengladbach's Marcus Thuram who was red-carded for spitting in the face of Hoffenheim defender Stefan Posch.
"Like you, I know what it's like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, will unfortunately become rarer in football. I admire you very much, Leo Messi."
-- Brazilian legend Pele after Lionel Messi equalled his record of scoring 643 goals for the same club. Pele achieved his mark at Santos; Messi reached the number in Barcelona's draw with Valencia.
"I don't run from nobody."
-- Mexico's Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who defeated Callum Smith to take the British fighter's WBA world super-middleweight title, on the prospects of once again facing old rival Gennady Golovkin.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--'Phenomenal' Benzema stars as Real Madrid move level with Atletico at La Liga summit

Karim Benzema was described as `` phenomenal '' after scoring the opening goal and creating two others as Real Madrid won 3-1 at Eibar on Sunday to move level on points with city rivals Atletico at the top of La Liga .
Benzema and Luka Modric scored inside the first 13 minutes in the Basque Country to put Zinedine Zidane 's men on their way to a fourth straight league win , with Lucas Vazquez scoring a late third after Garcia Kike pulled one back for Eibar .
`` He is decisive .
What he does is phenomenal , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of French compatriot Benzema .
`` Not just in terms of goals .
I 'm repeating myself on Karim , but he does n't just score goals .
Karim brings clear-sightedness to our game , that 's very important .
`` When he scores it 's even better , but beyond that he is very important to us . ''
Real sit behind Atletico on goal difference , but have the better head-to-head record , which is how level teams are split at the end of the season .
Diego Simeone 's Atletico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after Saturday 's 3-1 success against Elche .
Fifth-placed Barcelona are eight points adrift of the Madrid pair following their 2-2 draw this weekend with Valencia .
Eibar started brightly , but fell behind in the sixth minute as Rodrygo fed Benzema to slot in his seventh league goal of the season .
Benzema , who was also hailed by Zidane as the greatest ever French centre-forward earlier this week , created the second goal seven minutes later , cutting inside and picking out Modric who fired home right-footed .
The striker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16th minute , but he headed Modric 's cross past the post .
Real went close to a third goal again when home goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic kept out Rodrygo 's close-range effort , but Eibar got themselves back into the match in spectacular style before the half-hour mark .
Kike collected the ball outside the area before curling a fine finish past Thibaut Courtois .
Benzema thought he had restored the visitors ' two-goal lead before half-time , but was flagged for a marginal offside , with VAR upholding the linesman 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table , wasted an excellent chance to equalise 11 minutes after the break , as Takashi Inui shot wide following a rare mistake from Real captain Sergio Ramos .
The reigning champions struggled to put the game to bed in the second half , with Marco Asensio striking a free-kick narrowly off target shortly after coming on as a substitute .
The capital giants survived a late scare when VAR decided not to award Eibar a penalty after the ball struck Ramos 's arm .
Vazquez wrapped up the points in injury time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angle , having been played in by Benzema .
Earlier on Sunday , former Spain international Roberto Soldado scored twice as Granada moved into sixth with a 2-0 win over Real Betis , while Getafe beat Cadiz 2-0 and Celta Vigo made it four straight victories by seeing off Alaves by the same scoreline .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Karim Benzema was described as "phenomenal" after scoring the opening goal and creating two others as Real Madrid won 3-1 at Eibar on Sunday to move level on points with city rivals Atletico at the top of La Liga.
Benzema and Luka Modric scored inside the first 13 minutes in the Basque Country to put Zinedine Zidane's men on their way to a fourth straight league win, with Lucas Vazquez scoring a late third after Garcia Kike pulled one back for Eibar.
"He is decisive. What he does is phenomenal," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane in praise of French compatriot Benzema.
"Not just in terms of goals. I'm repeating myself on Karim, but he doesn't just score goals. Karim brings clear-sightedness to our game, that's very important.
"When he scores it's even better, but beyond that he is very important to us."
Real sit behind Atletico on goal difference, but have the better head-to-head record, which is how level teams are split at the end of the season.
Diego Simeone's Atletico have two games in hand, though, after Saturday's 3-1 success against Elche.
Fifth-placed Barcelona are eight points adrift of the Madrid pair following their 2-2 draw this weekend with Valencia.
Eibar started brightly, but fell behind in the sixth minute as Rodrygo fed Benzema to slot in his seventh league goal of the season.
Benzema, who was also hailed by Zidane as the greatest ever French centre-forward earlier this week, created the second goal seven minutes later, cutting inside and picking out Modric who fired home right-footed.
The striker should have doubled his tally in the 16th minute, but he headed Modric's cross past the post.
Real went close to a third goal again when home goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic kept out Rodrygo's close-range effort, but Eibar got themselves back into the match in spectacular style before the half-hour mark.
Kike collected the ball outside the area before curling a fine finish past Thibaut Courtois.
Benzema thought he had restored the visitors' two-goal lead before half-time, but was flagged for a marginal offside, with VAR upholding the linesman's decision.
Eibar, sitting 14th in the table, wasted an excellent chance to equalise 11 minutes after the break, as Takashi Inui shot wide following a rare mistake from Real captain Sergio Ramos.
The reigning champions struggled to put the game to bed in the second half, with Marco Asensio striking a free-kick narrowly off target shortly after coming on as a substitute.
The capital giants survived a late scare when VAR decided not to award Eibar a penalty after the ball struck Ramos's arm.
Vazquez wrapped up the points in injury time with a cool finish from a tight angle, having been played in by Benzema.
Earlier on Sunday, former Spain international Roberto Soldado scored twice as Granada moved into sixth with a 2-0 win over Real Betis, while Getafe beat Cadiz 2-0 and Celta Vigo made it four straight victories by seeing off Alaves by the same scoreline.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--US says will 'react' if Iran seeks to avenge Soleimani killing

General Kenneth F. McKenzie , seen here in March , said the US was prepared to react if Tehran sought to avenge the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani Washington is `` prepared to react '' if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani , the head of US forces in the Middle East warned Sunday .
`` We are prepared to defend ourselves , our friends and partners in the region , and we 're prepared to react if necessary , '' General Kenneth McKenzie , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , told journalists .
He was touring the region weeks before the anniversary of the January 3 , 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport .
`` My assessment is we are in a very good position and we 'll be prepared for anything the Iranians or their proxies acting for them might choose to do , '' McKenzie , a four-star marine general , told a small group of journalists in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location in the region .
The Centcom commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he met with the head of the anti-jihadist coalition , American General Paul Calvert , as well as the Iraqi army chief of staff , General Abdul Amir Yarallah .
McKenzie said he had also gone to Syria to meet with American forces deployed in the small southern base at Al-Tanf , near the border with Jordan and Iraq .
In an apparent sign of US military leaders ' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani 's killing , McKenzie 's current tour was not announced in advance .
Similarly , last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff , to Qatar , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , Israel and Afghanistan were kept secret until he had left the region .
`` I talk to my commanders about it every day and I think we will be ready , '' McKenzie said .
Even as the US Army continues troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan ordered by President Donald Trump -- with a goal of drawing down to 2,500 in each country by January 15 -- the Pentagon has substantially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran from launching any attack .
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November , and two American B-52 bombers recently overflew the region in a demonstration of strength clearly aimed at Iran and its allies .
Still , a volley of rockets exploded Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad , causing material damage but no casualties , according to Iraqi security forces .
It was the third attack on American military and diplomatic installations there since an indefinite truce was agreed with pro-Iranian groups in October @

Washington (AFP) –
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Washington is "prepared to react" if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of US forces in the Middle East warned Sunday.
"We are prepared to defend ourselves, our friends and partners in the region, and we're prepared to react if necessary," General Kenneth McKenzie, who heads the US Central Command (Centcom), told journalists.
He was touring the region weeks before the anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport.
"My assessment is we are in a very good position and we'll be prepared for anything the Iranians or their proxies acting for them might choose to do," McKenzie, a four-star marine general, told a small group of journalists in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location in the region.
The Centcom commander said he had recently visited Baghdad, where he met with the head of the anti-jihadist coalition, American General Paul Calvert, as well as the Iraqi army chief of staff, General Abdul Amir Yarallah.
McKenzie said he had also gone to Syria to meet with American forces deployed in the small southern base at Al-Tanf, near the border with Jordan and Iraq.
In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance.
Similarly, last week's visits by General Mark Milley, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Afghanistan were kept secret until he had left the region.
"I talk to my commanders about it every day and I think we will be ready," McKenzie said.
Even as the US Army continues troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan ordered by President Donald Trump -- with a goal of drawing down to 2,500 in each country by January 15 -- the Pentagon has substantially reinforced its posture around Iraq to dissuade Iran from launching any attack.
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November, and two American B-52 bombers recently overflew the region in a demonstration of strength clearly aimed at Iran and its allies.
Still, a volley of rockets exploded Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad, causing material damage but no casualties, according to Iraqi security forces.
It was the third attack on American military and diplomatic installations there since an indefinite truce was agreed with pro-Iranian groups in October.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-20--Lille reclaim top spot with PSG stalemate

Lille moved back top of Ligue 1 on Sunday after holding Paris Saint-Germain to an uninspiring goalless draw which failed to live up to its pre-match billing .
Lille take first place in the French top flight from Lyon on goal difference after a match which saw just a handful of shots on target and very little in the way of incident .
PSG are a point back in third after failing to create anything from their territorial dominance , shorn of attacking inspiration without Neymar and Mauro Icardi , among others , while Kylian Mbappe started on the bench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knock .
Marseille meanwhile are five points behind the leaders after their 1-1 draw with Reims on Saturday , although Andre Villas-Boas ' side do have two games in hand on their title rivals .
PSG were the stronger side in a dismal first half which did n't see a shot on target until Moise Kean 's weak flicked header was easy collected by Mike Maignan in the 42nd minute .
Lille , who on Friday were sold to Callisto , a subsidiary of the Merlyn Partners investment fund , struggled to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their league campaign so far .
PSG 's dominance continued in the second period but they were lacking their usual creative spark , and the highlight of the latter stages was Presnel Kimpembe 's superb tackle on Burak Yilmaz with Lille charging towards goal on the break .
Kimpembe appeared to injure a hamstring as he charged across to make the goal-saving tackle with 12 minutes remaining , and limped off soon afterwards .
Mbappe had been brought on a minute before Kimpembe 's challenge but did very little in the time afforded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought down on a forgettable encounter between two tired-looking teams .
Germany striker Kevin Volland scored his sixth Ligue 1 goal as Monaco battled to a 1-0 win at bottom club Dijon to snap a three-match losing streak .
Their win moved the seventh-placed principality club within seven points of Lille and Lyon .
Former Bayer Leverkusen forward Volland slotted in the only goal on 15 minutes , with both sides seeing later efforts ruled out by VAR .
`` After four straight wins and then three defeats on the bounce , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said coach Niko Kovac .
`` It was not the best Monaco but we showed lots of character and that 's the best way to move forward . ''
Rennes are two points ahead of Monaco in fifth after strolling to a 3-0 win at Lorient , who sit second-from-bottom after their 11th defeat of the season .
Damien Da Silva opened the scoring with a deflected close-range effort midway through the first half , and Benjamin Bourigeaud doubled the away side 's lead with a fine first-time strike with 20 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six minutes later when he cut in from the left before curling home past Paul Nardi .
Rennes are level with Marseille on 28 points , five behind Lille .
One point ahead of Lorient in 18th place are Nimes , who came away from Saint-Etienne with a 2-2 draw .
Elsewhere , Montpellier missed the chance to move into fourth as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Brest .

Paris (AFP) –
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Lille moved back top of Ligue 1 on Sunday after holding Paris Saint-Germain to an uninspiring goalless draw which failed to live up to its pre-match billing.
Lille take first place in the French top flight from Lyon on goal difference after a match which saw just a handful of shots on target and very little in the way of incident.
PSG are a point back in third after failing to create anything from their territorial dominance, shorn of attacking inspiration without Neymar and Mauro Icardi, among others, while Kylian Mbappe started on the bench as he reportedly struggles with a thigh knock.
Marseille meanwhile are five points behind the leaders after their 1-1 draw with Reims on Saturday, although Andre Villas-Boas' side do have two games in hand on their title rivals.
PSG were the stronger side in a dismal first half which didn't see a shot on target until Moise Kean's weak flicked header was easy collected by Mike Maignan in the 42nd minute.
Lille, who on Friday were sold to Callisto, a subsidiary of the Merlyn Partners investment fund, struggled to get a foothold in the biggest match of their league campaign so far.
PSG's dominance continued in the second period but they were lacking their usual creative spark, and the highlight of the latter stages was Presnel Kimpembe's superb tackle on Burak Yilmaz with Lille charging towards goal on the break.
Kimpembe appeared to injure a hamstring as he charged across to make the goal-saving tackle with 12 minutes remaining, and limped off soon afterwards.
Mbappe had been brought on a minute before Kimpembe's challenge but did very little in the time afforded him, and the curtain was soon brought down on a forgettable encounter between two tired-looking teams.
- Monaco bounce back -
Germany striker Kevin Volland scored his sixth Ligue 1 goal as Monaco battled to a 1-0 win at bottom club Dijon to snap a three-match losing streak.
Their win moved the seventh-placed principality club within seven points of Lille and Lyon.
Former Bayer Leverkusen forward Volland slotted in the only goal on 15 minutes, with both sides seeing later efforts ruled out by VAR.
"After four straight wins and then three defeats on the bounce, the most important thing was to win," said coach Niko Kovac.
"It was not the best Monaco but we showed lots of character and that's the best way to move forward."
Rennes are two points ahead of Monaco in fifth after strolling to a 3-0 win at Lorient, who sit second-from-bottom after their 11th defeat of the season.
Damien Da Silva opened the scoring with a deflected close-range effort midway through the first half, and Benjamin Bourigeaud doubled the away side's lead with a fine first-time strike with 20 minutes remaining.
Martin Terrier completed the scoring six minutes later when he cut in from the left before curling home past Paul Nardi.
Rennes are level with Marseille on 28 points, five behind Lille.
One point ahead of Lorient in 18th place are Nimes, who came away from Saint-Etienne with a 2-2 draw.
Elsewhere, Montpellier missed the chance to move into fourth as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Brest.
© 2020 AFP