Oxford, United Kingdom – Leaning in closely over a brass sphere the size of a clenched fist, Hussein Kara Ahmed explains to his audience the mechanical workings of the world’s only complete surviving spherical astrolabe, created by a 15th century Islamic craftsman named Musa.

A Syrian refugee who fled deadly violence in his home city of Aleppo and arrived in the United Kingdom six months ago via Turkey, Ahmed is giving one of his first tours at Oxford’s History of the Museum of Science, home to an impressive collection of Islamic astronomical instruments.

He has been preparing for four months for his debut performance as part of the Multaka Oxford scheme, which trains refugee volunteers to curate, research and engage with museum visitors in the historic university town.

“When I first joined the Multaka programme, I felt so happy already because the collection came from my culture and religion,” he told Al Jazeera. “I wanted to join because it’s my right to talk about the collection and my culture.”

Multaka, which means meeting place, is a model which was established in Germany‘s capital, Berlin, in 2015. It aims to aid integration and cultural understanding by encouraging refugees and migrants to explain their own cultural history to the public, both through Arabic and English.

So far, 26 recently arrived volunteers from Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Oman have taken part in the programme in Oxford.

Participants broaden their vocational and language skills through organising events, writing blog posts and conducting research on museum’s artefacts.

Next year, they will also begin working with a collection of Arab textiles in the town’s Pitt-Rivers Museum.

“The museum is changing who’s speaking about the museums, so it’s about bringing different voices in, different layers of interpretation,” said Nicola Bird, Multaka Oxford’s project manager.

“We have these amazing Islamic, Arabic and Middle Eastern collections and we have lots of people we work with from that area who can actually enrich the interpretation and actually be the public face for the collections.”

The programme works two ways, says Mohammad Al Awad, a participant and former assistant professor at the University of Damascus, who worked on archaeological sites in Palmyra, Bosra and the Syria’s Hauran region, and studied in France for several years.

The museum’s collection allows him to learn more than ever about the golden age of Islamic science, while also contributing his own expert knowledge and insight into the Middle East’s history.

“It’s an opportunity to speak together, for learning together, for living together, for sharing our culture together,” he said.

“We’ve seen families from the Middle East and this is their first time [going to a museum in the UK]. This will encourage them to go other times to a museum. This is a step for integration.”

For Mohammed, exchanging cultural knowledge and engaging with the local community is the perfect way for his family to settle into their new lives in the UK.

“I speak with people as my neighbour in Syria, or in France. It’s similar, I don’t think the other person is different … We have [different] things but we live together.”

More than 11,000 Syrian refugees have been resettled in the UK since 2015 and about 8,000 more have been granted asylum in the country since Syria’s civil war broke out in 2011.

“Refugees can contribute an enormous amount to the UK, bringing a wealth of skills and experience that are really valuable,” said Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council.

“It’s fantastic to see initiatives and projects like these, which support refugees to integrate in the UK by giving back to the country that granted them protection, as well as providing opportunities for them to meet people in their new communities.”

Listen to Australia v South Africa live commentary in T20 – Live – BBC Sport

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This article contains spoilers for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Read at your own risk!

The 1920s setting of the Fantastic Beasts franchise is a great opportunity for younger versions of beloved Harry Potter characters to appear in their own stories. Most of them, like Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, are only shown portrayed by new actors — except one. 

The exception is Jamie Campbell Bower, who crosses over from his cameo role as a young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Grindelwald only appeared as a moving photograph and as a menacing figure in a window in Deathly Hallows, but Fantastic Beasts brings him back in a flashback reflection in the Mirror or Erised. 

When young Dumbledore looks in the mirror, which fans recall shows the viewer his or her heart’s desire, he sees a younger version of himself (played by Toby Regbo) forming a blood pact with young Grindelwad; therein lies Campbell Bower, acting as a pre-evil Grindelwald whose closeness with Dumbledore is apparent. 

It’s possible that Campbell Bower will return in later installations of Fantastic Beasts to better outline the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, which according to canon had a romantic element. 

Until then, he’s the only actor who can claim to be a part of both Wizarding World franchises. Nice flex. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that economic protectionism is overshadowing global growth and urged countries to pursue free trade policies.

“One who chooses to close his door will only cut himself off from the rest of the world and lose his direction,” Xi told a summit of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) chief executives on Saturday.

Xi urged the world to “say no to protectionism and unilateralism”, warning it was a “short-sighted approach” that was “doomed to failure”.

Speaking after Xi, US Vice President Mike Pence told the summit that Washington will not change its approach until Beijing changes its own trade policies.

He also warned that the US could double the tariffs already imposed on Chinese goods.

“We have taken decisive action to address our imbalance with China,” he said. “We put tariffs on $250bn in Chinese goods, and we could more than double that number.”

“The US will not change course until China changes its ways.”

The two countries have been involved in an escalating trade war this year, imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods, and have said that the tariffs could be increased.

Experts have warned that the tit-for-tat trade war could seriously harm the global economy.

The APEC summit in Papua New Guinea of leaders from 21 countries across the region has developed into a tussle for influence between an increasingly assertive China and a more withdrawn US.

Saturday’s summit of CEOs is the precursor to the official leaders’ meeting, which will take place on Sunday.

Xi criticised “America First” trade protectionism and stressed that global trade rules should not be applied “with double standards or selfish agendas.”

In a rebuke to China, Pence met with the representative from Taiwan, a self-governing island which China considers to be part of its own territory.

He also announced the US would join with Australia in the development of a new naval base.

Pence also mocked China’s Belt-and-Road initiative, under which China offers loans to poorer countries in the region to improve infrastructure.

He said the terms of China’s loans were “opaque at best” and “too often, they come with strings attached and lead to staggering debt.”

“Do not accept foreign debt that could compromise your sovereignty,” he said.

“We don’t drown our partners in a sea of debt… We don’t coerce, corrupt, or compromise your independence. The United States deals openly and fairly.”

In his own address, Xi defended the policy, saying there was no “hidden political agenda…nor is it a trap as some people have labelled it.”

He also warned that no one would gain from the tensions between Beijing and Washington.

“History has shown that confrontation – whether in the form of a cold war, hot war or trade war – will produce no winners,” he said.

Pence also said that The US wanted a “better relationship” with China, if it respects its neighbours’ sovereignty, embraced “free, fair and reciprocal trade” and its human rights record.

Reporting from the Papua New Guinean capital Port Moresby, Al Jazeera’s Andrew Thomas said the Saturday speeches set a competitive rather than a cooperative tone for the summit.

“[Pence and Xi] represent the two biggest economies that are part of the APEC group,” he said. “Mike Pence used his speech to take a lot of digs at China, particularly the way that China goes around making loans… President Xi was all about [US President] Donald Trump’s tariffs. Trump might not be here but his policies are certainly being talked about.”

Thomas added that the fringe events at the summit provided more insight into the wider geopolitical aims of the participants, with China looking to boost support for its position on Taiwan.

“It is the bilateral meetings, the sideline meetings that perhaps tell us more about what’s going on here,” Thomas said. “President Xi on Friday night hosted a reception for Pacific island leaders, particularly those he invests heavily in, in terms of aid and investment projects, but also, interestingly, only those Pacific island countries that recognise China and not Taiwan.

“Meanwhile, across town, Taiwan hosted its own event for the smaller number of countries that recognise it.

“So, just [as] with aid and investment, food and drinks receptions come with strings attached. If you want them from China’s President then you better recognise China and not Taiwan…It’s that geopolitical context that’s on show here, as much as it’s about the official talks.”

Trump is set to meet Xi at the G20 summit in Argentina next month.

England coach Eddie Jones says there are “about 35 players” in contention to make his 31-man Rugby World Cup squad.

Jones has named an experimental side to face Japan this weekend, with 21-year-old wing Joe Cokanasiga and 19-year-old forward Ted Hill both in line for debuts.

“Selection is going to be difficult, and that’s what we want,” said Jones.

“We haven’t got a big pool of players [in mind] – we have about 35 we think are in contention.”

He added: “Thirty five doesn’t get divided by 31. So there is good competition.”

Worcester flanker Hill has come from nowhere to make the bench this weekend, with Jones likening him to “a New Zealand number six”.

Hill has made a significant impression with England’s players and coaches after joining the squad for the first time in Portugal last month.

“He has impressed everyone with his demeanour. He has a very good physique, he’s a big, rangy guy, and tough,” Jones said.

“The ability to change from a club player to an international player is crucial, and he has made that transition quite easily, so that does give him a head-start.”

Jack Nowell, starting at outside centre against Japan, is another selection with the World Cup in mind, according to Jones.

“We have wanted to do that for a long time, but we have never had the opportunity,” he added.

“He is back in good form and his feet are sparkling.

“It’s just an option, he’s a very good winger, but having the ability to play 13 would help us considerably at the World Cup.”

Jones’ estimate means he is significantly closer to his 31-man squad than predecessor Stuart Lancaster was at the same stage before the 2015 World Cup.

Lancaster named an initial 50-man training group in May 2015, gradually whittling his selection down to the required number by the end of August.

His most controversial call as he cut a final eight players from his squad was to leave out Luther Burrell to make space for rugby league convert Sam Burgess. Danny Cipraini was another of those to miss out.

Familiar foe

England assistant coach Neal Hatley was part of a fact-finding mission, spending time with Tokyo club Suntory Sungoliath recently, and he believes Japan will test the hosts in new ways.

“We are expecting them to be fast and physical,” he told BBC 5 Live.

“The trip was very enlightening.

“I was impressed. The standard of the Japanese players was exceptional, and their attitude to work was first-class.”

Jones coached Japan for three years, standing down in the wake of the 2015 World Cup, at which the Brave Blossoms beat Samoa, the United States and, famously, South Africa.

Jones is half-Japanese and has a Japanese wife, but says he will not be distracted from the task in hand. Earlier in the week he suggested that Japan should “pray, pray, pray” in preparation for meeting an “absolutely ruthless” England.

“The emotional connection doesn’t disappear but I’ve never, by nationality, called myself Japanese because I was brought up as an Australian,” said Jones.

“Japan was part of our family, and obviously marrying a Japanese, having a dog that only speaks Japanese, it’s a big part of the family.

“But this is a serious Test match and you don’t allow those things to cloud your thoughts.”

‘If it happens, great, if not, I won’t lose sleep’

Maro Itoje captained England under-20s to victory in the 2014 Junior World Championship final and the 24-year-old has been named vice-captain for the first time for Saturday, supporting skipper George Ford.

“Not really to be honest!” he said, when asked if it was a surprise.

“Hopefully that doesn’t sound arrogant or anything. I have been part of the leadership group of this squad for a little while now. Once I got an idea of that the team was going to look like, this may have been a possibility.

“My goal is about being part of extremely successful sides. My role within that, I don’t mind. If the England captaincy happens one day great, if it doesn’t it is not something I will lose sleep over.”

Line-ups

England: Daly; Cokanasiga, Nowell, Lozowski, Ashton; Ford (c), Care; Hepburn, George, Williams, Ewels, Itoje, Lawes, Wilson, Mercer.

Replacements: Hartley, Moon, Sinckler, Hill, Underhill, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Slade.

Japan: Tupou; Yamada, Lafaele, Nakamura, Fukuoka; Tamura, Tanaka; Inagaki, Sakate, Koo, van der Walt, Helu, Leitch (c), Nishikawa, Himeno.

Replacements: Niwai, Yamamoto, Ai Valu, Anise, Tui, Nunomaki, Nagare, Matsuda.

Some athletes blame poor performances on the state of the pitch. Others blame it on tactics, or perhaps just a bad day at the office.

But blaming your opponent farting is definitely a new one.

Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, with both Gary Anderson and Wesley Harms denying responsibility for the “rotten egg smells”.

Two-time Scottish world champion Anderson, 47, won Friday’s match 10-2 to progress to the quarter-finals, but Dutchman Harms, 34, was quick to explain his sub-standard performance by accusing Anderson of leaving a “fragrant smell”.

He told Dutch TV station RTL7L: “It’ll take me two nights to lose this smell from my nose.

“If the boy thinks I’ve farted he’s 1010% wrong. I swear on my children’s lives that it was not my fault.

“I had a bad stomach once on stage before and admitted it. So I’m not going to lie about farting on stage.”

World number four Anderson was not best pleased by the accusation, saying the smell had definitely come “from the table side” at the Aldersley Leisure Village.

“Every time I walked past there was a waft of rotten eggs so that’s why I was thinking it was him,” he said.

“It was bad. It was a stink, then he started to play better and I thought he must have needed to get some wind out.

“If somebody has done that they need to see a doctor. Seemingly he says it was me but I would admit it.”

Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams has vowed to sue the US state of Georgia for “gross mismanagement” of the gubernatorial election after withdrawing from the race.

Abrams, who aimed to become the country’s first black woman governor, on Friday acknowledged at a news conference that she had lost an election to Republican Brian Kemp, accusing him of voter suppression.

“Let be clear, this is not a speech of concession because concession means to acknowledge an action is right true or proper… I cannot concede that,” she said.

Following Friday’s appearance, Abrams tweeted she would be suing Georgia “for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections from unconstitutional actions”.

In the coming days, we will be filing a major federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections from unconstitutional actions. #gapol

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018

Abrams, a 44-year-old Yale-educated lawyer, has been a Democrat in the Georgia legislature for about 10 years, serving as minority leader from 2011 to 2017 in the traditionally Republican southern state.

Unofficial returns showed Kemp, the 55-year-old businessman who oversaw the election as Georgia’s secretary of state, ahead by about 60,000 votes out of nearly four million cast on November 6.

Kemp declared himself governor-elect the next day and stepped down as Georgia’s secretary of state, though thousands of absentee and provisional ballots remained uncounted.

Kemp issued a statement late on Friday noting the election was “over and hard-working Georgians are ready to move forward”.

“We can no longer dwell on the divisive politics of the past but must focus on Georgia’s bright and promising future,” he said.

The election is over and hardworking Georgians are ready to move forward. We can no longer dwell on the divisive politics of the past but must focus on Georgia’s bright and promising future. #gapol (1 of 3)

— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) November 16, 2018

The race grabbed the attention of the nation, with Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey campaigning for Abrams in the final days and President Donald Trump holding a rally for Kemp.

Trump praised the Democrat in lauding Kemp’s victory, tweeting: “Congratulations to Brian Kemp on becoming the new Governor of Georgia. Stacey Abrams fought brilliantly and hard – she will have a terrific political future! Brian was unrelenting and will become a great Governor for the truly Wonderful People of Georgia!”

Kemp’s victory is an important marker for Republicans ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Kemp’s narrow margin already suggests that Georgia, a state Trump won by five percentage points in 2016, could be a genuine battleground in two years.

Image: LG

Shopping in the UK? Check out the Black Friday TV deals we’ve found just for you.

If you’re shopping for a new 4K TV on Black Friday this year, you’re in luck.

With Black Friday quickly approaching (it’s on Nov. 23 this year), there’s going to be a mad race to find the best TV deals from across the internet, with people feverishly refreshing their web browsers during Thanksgiving dinner just to find something great at a low price. 

SEE ALSO: Full coverage of Black Friday 2018 sales

While a lot of TV deals have yet to be officially released, we’ve been sorting through all the Black Friday ads to determine what will be on sale and have assembled what we’ve learned.

We’ve rounded up the best deals on 4K smart TVs from top name brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, and more, and did all the hard work of visiting retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and even Target to find the best deals. Now all you have to do is comb through this list to find the perfect 4K TV for yourself or as a gift for friends and family.

Keep checking this post, too. It’s going to be updated with the best new deals as soon as they’re available on Black Friday. However, there are a lot of good deals that are live right now, so if you want to beat the rush, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the best deals on 4K TVs for Black Friday 2018:

Early Black Friday TV deals

• Insignia 32-inch LED 720p Smart HDTV Fire TV Edition — $129.99 (list price $169.99)

• Insignia – 50-inch Class – LED – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV – Fire TV Edition — $279.99 (list price $379.99)

• Hisense 55-inch Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) Roku Smart LED TV — $248.00 (list price $378.00)

• LG 43-inch 4K HDR UHD Smart TV — $269.99 (list price $349.99)

• LG 43-inch 4K LED UK6090 Series UHD TV — $269.99 (list price $399.99)

• LG 49-inch 4K HDR UHD Smart TV — $329.99 (list price $449.99)

• LG 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV — $896.99 (list price $1,196.99)

• LG 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV — $1,596.99 (list price $1,996.99)

• LG 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV — $1,696.99 (list price $2,196.99)

• LG 55-inch OLED C8 — $1599 ($100 less than LG’s Black Friday price)

• LG 60-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV — $549.99 (list price $799.99)

• LG 65-inch OLED C8 — $2249 ($450 less than LG’s Black Friday price )

• LG 70-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV — $996.99 (list price $1,499.99)

• LG 75-inch Class LED UK6190 Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV — $999.99 (list price $1,499.99)

• Samsung 43-inch Class – LED – NU6900 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $277.99 (list price $379.99)

• Samsung 43-inch Smart HDR UHD TV — $279.99 (list price $379.99)

• Samsung 49-inch Class – LED – NU8000 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $597.99 (list price $799.99)

• Samsung 50-inch Smart UHD TV — $329.99 (list price $449.99)

• Samsung 50-inch Class – LED – NU6900 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $327.99 (list price $449.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Class – LED – NU8000 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $997.99 (list price $1,299.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Class – LED – Q6F Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $1,297.99 (list price $1,799.99)

• Sony 65-inch XBR-X900F 4K UltraHD LED HDTV — $1,599 (list price $1,799.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Class – LED – NU8000 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $747.99 (list price $999.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Class 4K (2160P) UHD Smart LED TV — $397.99 (list price $699.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Class – LED – Q6F Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $997.99 (list price $1099.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Class – LED – NU6900 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $397.99 (list price $499.99)

• Samsung 55-inch LED 4K UHD Smart TV – UN55NU6900BXZA — $397.99 (list price $527.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Smart HD UHD TV — $399.99 (list price $529.99)

• Samsung 75-inch Class – LED – NU8000 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $1,597.99 (list price $2,299.99)

• Samsung 82-inch Class – LED – NU8000 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV — $2497.99 (list price $2999.99)

• Sony 65-inch LED 4K Ultra HD High Dynamic Range Smart TV – XBR65X850F — $999.99 (list price $1,799.99)

• Sharp 55-inch Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR Smart LED TV — $299.00 (list price $499.99)

• Sharp 50-inch Class 4K Ultra HD (2160p) HDR Smart LED TV — $249.00 (list price $399.99)

• Sony 49-inch XBR49X900F  4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2018 Model) with Hulu $25 Gift Card — $998.00 (list price $1,098)

• Sony 65-inch Class LED X850F Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV — $999.99 (list price $1,399.99)

• TCL 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model) — $629.99 (list price $799.99)

• TCL 55-inch Roku TV Smart HDR UHD TV — $349.99 (list price $449.99)

• VIZIO 50-inch 4K HDR Smart TV – E50-F2 UHD TV — $349.99 (list price $439.99)

4K TV deals starting on Black Friday

30 inches and up

40 inches and up

50 inches and up

60 inches and up

70 inches and up

Black Friday 2018 deals by store

Black Friday 2018 deals by category

Danny Cipriani shone on his return from a three-week suspension to help Gloucester beat Leicester Tigers and move up to third in the Premiership.

The Cherry and Whites capped off their fine bonus-point win at Kingsholm with a stunning late try from Ollie Thorley.

Jason Woodward, Matt Banahan and Fraser Balmain had all gone over to give the hosts a deserved 22-6 half-time lead.

Tigers then rallied and Mike Williams crossed, but only in between Thorley’s first and the youngster’s late beauty.

With help from substitute Ben Morgan, Thorley weaved his way through the Leicester defence from just outside his own 22 in a mesmerising breakaway that delivered a fitting end to a superb team performance.

Quick hands from Cipriani had helped towards Woodward and Banahan’s early scores for the hosts, who have won four of their first seven league games this term.

The result saw Tigers slip to sixth in the table, coupled with Harlequins beating Newcastle at the same time on Friday.

Cipriani, 31, missed three Premiership Rugby Cup matches after he was sent off for a high tackle in October’s Champions Cup loss to Munster, although it is unlikely that he would have been involved in all three.

Before he was withdrawn amid warm applause in the 72nd minute, he also got things moving for Thorley’s first try and – although he was not flawless from the tee – he added nine points with his boot and dictated the vast majority the hosts’ inventive play.

Out-of-sorts Leicester – who gave away eight first-half penalties – had traditionally enjoyed greater success against the Cherry and Whites, having won seven of their past eight meetings before Friday’s dominant Gloucester win.

The margin of victory could have been greater, but Thorley was denied by a try-saving tackle in the corner on 31 minutes and then a sensational second-half score from Woodward was ruled out by the television match official after a forward pass was spotted amid another dazzling break.

Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

“I’ve been doing a bit of work on my speed recently and a few people have been helping me out and that’s really paid off.

“I relied on instinct. Danny has been helping me with a few things and Tom Marshall has been helping me too, so it was nice to get a bit of pay-off.

“We’re so happy because that really sets us up for the next couple of games. We really wanted to used this game as a springboard and we did that.”

Leicester Tigers interim head coach Geordan Murphy:

“We picked a dominant pack to try and get some control, but we didn’t achieve this as Gloucester’s physicality was very impressive.

“The game got away from us in the first half when we conceded three tries. The first one was frustrating as I felt Dan Cole was held down in the scrum and the try could have been chalked off, but we were then a bit naive and lost concentration.

“They had all the ball in the first half but we managed to get a foothold and were in the game at 29-13. But their defence held firm and that breakaway try at the end rubbed salt in the wounds.”

Gloucester: Woodward; Banahan, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Thorley; Cipriani, Heinz; Hohneck, Hanson, Balmain; Savage, Slater (capt); Evans, Kriel, Clarke.

Replacements: Walker, Rapava Ruskin, Knight, Grobler, Morgan, Braley, Trinder, Hudson.

Leicester: Worth; Thompstone, Owen, Eastmond, Olowofela; Ford, White; Bateman, T Youngs (capt), Cole, Wells, Kitchener, Williams, Thompson, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Cortes, Spencer, Fitzgerald, Harrison, Hardwick, Smith.

Referee: Ian Tempest.