csmonitor--2020-08-09--World pledges to help Lebanese, but not Beirut government

World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $ 300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion , but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people .
Over 30 participants to the international conference offered help for a “ credible and independent ” investigation into the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion , another key demand of the Lebanese crowds who took to the streets Saturday and Sunday .
In Beirut , two Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the premier , resigned amid signals that the embattled government may be unraveling in the aftermath of the devastating blast that ripped through the capital .
The blast killed 160 and wounded 6,000 , raising public anger to new levels .
The resignation of Information Minister Manal Abdel-Samad , in which she cited failure to meet the people 's aspirations and last week 's blast , was followed by a swirl of reports that other ministers were also resigning .
He stepped down despite closed-door meetings into the evening and a flurry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diab and several ministers following Abdel-Samad 's announcement .
The political haggling had appeared to put off more resignations , and a Cabinet meeting is planned Monday .
If seven of the 20 ministers resign , the Cabinet would effectively have to step down and remain in place as a caretaker government .
Maha Yahya , the director of the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center , said the discussions clearly point to backroom deals that seek to put together a new government that 's acceptable to domestic and international powers , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government “ really has been a lame duck , ” she said , unable to undertake any reform or show independence in a highly divisive political atmosphere .
“ Even the ministers are deserting the sinking ship.
” Meanwhile , four more lawmakers announced Sunday they were resigning from the 128-seat parliament , joining four others who declared it earlier .
Parliament is also due to convene later this week .
As the political negotiations took place , protesters converged again on the parliament area Sunday afternoon , setting off another night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with security forces , attempting to breach the heavily-guarded parliament .
Security forces responded with tear gas and chased the protesters in the streets of downtown , in a smaller repeat of scenes from the night before .
The protesters blame the ruling elite for the chronic mismanagement and corruption that is believed to be behind the explosion in a Beirut Port warehouse .
Hundreds of tons of highly explosive material were stored in the waterfront hangar , and the blast sent a shock wave that defaced the coastline of Beirut — destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from participants at Sunday 's donor conference co-organized by France and the United Nations read : “ In these horrendous times , Lebanon is not alone . ''
The teleconference participants promised emergency aid — focusing on medicine and hospitals , schools , food and housing .
The donors pledged the aid will be coordinated by the U.N. and delivered directly to the Lebanese people — in a clear indication that no money is going to the government and its coffers .
The head of the International Monetary Fund , which wants an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over any money , was clear : No money without changes to ensure ordinary Lebanese aren ’ t crushed by debt whose benefits they never see .
“ Current and future generations of Lebanese must not be saddled with more debts than they can ever repay , ” IMF head Kristalina Georgieva said during the conference .
“ Commitment to these reforms will unlock billions of dollars for the benefit of the Lebanese people.
” French President Emmanuel Macron , whose country once governed Lebanon as a protectorate , said , “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that violence and chaos do not win the day . ''
“ The explosion of August 4 was like a thunderbolt .
It ’ s time to wake up and take action .
The Lebanese authorities now have to put in place ... political and economic reforms.
” Amid the conference participants were President Donald Trump , Jordan 's King Abdullah II , Egypt 's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and other top officials from China , the European Union and the Gulf Arab countries .
International diplomacy usually calls for careful language .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The response to furious protests should be “ measured.
” Disappearing funds require “ transparency.
” But Macron 's response to the crowd in Beirut and in a later speech there was unusually blunt : The aid “ will not fall into corrupt hands ” and Lebanon 's discredited government must change .
In the short-term , the aid streaming into Lebanon is purely for humanitarian emergencies and relatively easy to monitor .
The U.S. , France , Britain , Canada and Australia , among others , have been clear that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Lebanese Red Cross or U.N. agencies .
“ Our aid is absolutely not going to the government .
Our aid is going to the people of Lebanon , ” said John Barsa of USAID .
But actual rebuilding requires massive imports of supplies and equipment .
The contracts and subcontracts have given Lebanon 's ruling elite its wealth and power , while leaving the country with crumbling roads , regular electricity cuts , trash that piles on the streets and intermittent water supplies .
“ The level of infrastructure in Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of corruption , ” said Neemat Frem , a prominent Lebanese businessman and independent member of parliament .
“ We badly need more dollars but I understand that the Lebanese state and its agencies are not competent.
” Lebanon has an accumulated debt of about $ 100 billion , for a population of just under 7 million people — 5 million Lebanese and 2 million Syrians and Palestinians , most of them refugees .
Its electricity company , controlled like the port by multiple factions , posts losses of $ 1.5 billion a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for their own generators because power is off more than it 's on .
“ There ’ s grand theft Lebanon and there ’ s petty theft Lebanon .
Petty theft Lebanon exists but that ’ s not what got the country in the hole we ’ re in , ” said Nadim Houry , executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative .
Prior aid , Houry said , ended up as a tool in the hands of the political leaders , who kept their slice and doled out jobs and money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small indignities they endure to get through a day — 37 % of people report needing to pay bribes , compared with 4 % in neighboring Jordan , according to Transparency International — and the larger issue of a collapsing state , are going after both .
“ The public is going to be incredibly distrustful of the way this is done , and I think rightly so , ” said Frank Vogl , a co-founder of Transparency International and chairman for the Partnership for transparency Fund .
At the angry demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nooses in central Beirut and held mock hanging sessions of cut-out cardboard images of top Lebanese officials .
Demonstrators held signs that read “ resign or hang.
” One police officer was killed and dozens of people were hurt in confrontations that lasted for hours and where security forces used rubber bullets to disperse the crowds .
On Saturday and in a new expression of rage , protesters also fanned out around the city , storming a couple of government ministries and briefly declaring the Foreign Ministry as the headquarters of their movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the protesters ransacked offices and seized public documents claiming they would reveal how corruption has permeated successive governments .
In the country where civil war raged for 15 years , few , if any , have been held accountable for it and most of the warlords remain in power or leading powerful political factions .
On Sunday , France ’ s ambassador to Lebanon said his country is taking part in the investigation of the Aug. 4 blast .
Bruno Foucher tweeted that 46 officers are operating as part of the judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a French prosecutor after a national of France , Jean-Marc Bonfils , was killed in the blast and others injured .
It is “ a guarantee of impartiality and speed ” in the investigation , Foucher tweeted .
The government , backed by the powerful militant Hezbollah group and its allies , announced it is defaulting on Lebanon 's sovereign debt and has since been engaged in difficult , internally divisive talks with the International Monetary Fund for assistance .
The coronavirus restrictions deepened the impact of the economic and financial crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lebanese have criticized Diab 's government for being unable to tackle the challenges , saying it represents the deep-seated political class that has had a hold of the country 's politics since the end of the civil war in 1990 .
In a televised speech Saturday evening and in an attempt to diffuse public anger , Diab offered to propose early parliamentary elections said he was prepared to stay in the post for two months to allow time for politicians to work on structural reforms .
Julien Courson , head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's non-profits are forming a coalition to monitor how relief and aid money is spent .
He estimated Lebanon loses $ 2 billion to corruption each year .
“ The decision-makers and the public servants who are in charge of these files are still in their positions .
Until now , we did n't see any solution to the problem , ” he said .
A first step would be an online clearinghouse for every contract linked to reconstruction , Courson said .
And the first project has to be highly visible and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poortman , board chairman of Infrastructure Transparency Initiative .
“ That will help keeping some of the political stuff at a distance , ” Poortman said .
“ Donors will have to be on top of this .
The issue of procurement is always where lots of corruption takes place ... it needs to be done quickly , and there is always the temptation to not follow the rules and go ahead and do something where a lot of people are going to make a lot of money.
” Lori Hinnant and Bassem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Associated Press report .

World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people.
Over 30 participants to the international conference offered help for a “credible and independent” investigation into the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion, another key demand of the Lebanese crowds who took to the streets Saturday and Sunday.
In Beirut, two Lebanese Cabinet ministers, including a top aid to the premier, resigned amid signals that the embattled government may be unraveling in the aftermath of the devastating blast that ripped through the capital. The blast killed 160 and wounded 6,000, raising public anger to new levels.
The resignation of Information Minister Manal Abdel-Samad, in which she cited failure to meet the people's aspirations and last week's blast, was followed by a swirl of reports that other ministers were also resigning.
Late Sunday, Environment Minister Demanios Kattar resigned, calling the ruling system “flaccid and sterile.”
He stepped down despite closed-door meetings into the evening and a flurry of phone calls between Prime Minister Hassan Diab and several ministers following Ms. Abdel-Samad's announcement. The political haggling had appeared to put off more resignations, and a Cabinet meeting is planned Monday.
If seven of the 20 ministers resign, the Cabinet would effectively have to step down and remain in place as a caretaker government.
Maha Yahya, the director of the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center, said the discussions clearly point to backroom deals that seek to put together a new government that's acceptable to domestic and international powers, as well as the angered public.
The current government “really has been a lame duck,” she said, unable to undertake any reform or show independence in a highly divisive political atmosphere. “Even the ministers are deserting the sinking ship.”
Meanwhile, four more lawmakers announced Sunday they were resigning from the 128-seat parliament, joining four others who declared it earlier. Parliament is also due to convene later this week.
As the political negotiations took place, protesters converged again on the parliament area Sunday afternoon, setting off another night of violent demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters clashed with security forces, attempting to breach the heavily-guarded parliament. Security forces responded with tear gas and chased the protesters in the streets of downtown, in a smaller repeat of scenes from the night before.
The protesters blame the ruling elite for the chronic mismanagement and corruption that is believed to be behind the explosion in a Beirut Port warehouse. Hundreds of tons of highly explosive material were stored in the waterfront hangar, and the blast sent a shock wave that defaced the coastline of Beirut – destroying hundreds of buildings.
The final statement from participants at Sunday's donor conference co-organized by France and the United Nations read: “In these horrendous times, Lebanon is not alone."
The teleconference participants promised emergency aid – focusing on medicine and hospitals, schools, food, and housing.
The donors pledged the aid will be coordinated by the U.N. and delivered directly to the Lebanese people – in a clear indication that no money is going to the government and its coffers.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, which wants an audit of the national bank before handing over any money, was clear: No money without changes to ensure ordinary Lebanese aren’t crushed by debt whose benefits they never see.
“Current and future generations of Lebanese must not be saddled with more debts than they can ever repay,” IMF head Kristalina Georgieva said during the conference. “Commitment to these reforms will unlock billions of dollars for the benefit of the Lebanese people.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country once governed Lebanon as a protectorate, said, “We have to do everything we can so that violence and chaos do not win the day."
“The explosion of August 4 was like a thunderbolt. It’s time to wake up and take action. The Lebanese authorities now have to put in place ... political and economic reforms.”
Amid the conference participants were President Donald Trump, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and other top officials from China, the European Union, and the Gulf Arab countries.
International diplomacy usually calls for careful language. Rigged votes are "irregular." The response to furious protests should be "measured." Disappearing funds require "transparency."
But Macron's response to the crowd in Beirut and in a later speech there was unusually blunt: The aid "will not fall into corrupt hands" and Lebanon's discredited government must change.
In the short-term, the aid streaming into Lebanon is purely for humanitarian emergencies and relatively easy to monitor. The U.S., France, Britain, Canada, and Australia, among others, have been clear that it is going directly to trusted local aid groups like the Lebanese Red Cross or U.N. agencies.
“Our aid is absolutely not going to the government. Our aid is going to the people of Lebanon,” said John Barsa of USAID.
But actual rebuilding requires massive imports of supplies and equipment. The contracts and subcontracts have given Lebanon's ruling elite its wealth and power, while leaving the country with crumbling roads, regular electricity cuts, trash that piles on the streets, and intermittent water supplies.
“The level of infrastructure in Lebanon is directly linked today to the level of corruption,” said Neemat Frem, a prominent Lebanese businessman and independent member of parliament. “We badly need more dollars but I understand that the Lebanese state and its agencies are not competent.”
Lebanon has an accumulated debt of about $100 billion, for a population of just under 7 million people – 5 million Lebanese and 2 million Syrians and Palestinians, most of them refugees. Its electricity company, controlled like the port by multiple factions, posts losses of $1.5 billion a year, although Mr. Frem said most factories pay for their own generators because power is off more than it's on.
“There’s grand theft Lebanon and there’s petty theft Lebanon. Petty theft Lebanon exists but that’s not what got the country in the hole we’re in,” said Nadim Houry, executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative.
Prior aid, Mr. Houry said, ended up as a tool in the hands of the political leaders, who kept their slice and doled out jobs and money to supporters.
Protesters, tired of the small indignities they endure to get through a day – 37% of people report needing to pay bribes, compared with 4% in neighboring Jordan, according to Transparency International – and the larger issue of a collapsing state, are going after both.
“The public is going to be incredibly distrustful of the way this is done, and I think rightly so,” said Frank Vogl, a co-founder of Transparency International and chairman for the Partnership for transparency Fund.
At the angry demonstrations Saturday, protesters set up gallows and nooses in central Beirut and held mock hanging sessions of cut-out cardboard images of top Lebanese officials.
Demonstrators held signs that read “resign or hang.” One police officer was killed and dozens of people were hurt in confrontations that lasted for hours and where security forces used rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
On Saturday and in a new expression of rage, protesters also fanned out around the city, storming a couple of government ministries and briefly declaring the Foreign Ministry as the headquarters of their movement. In the economy and energy ministries, the protesters ransacked offices and seized public documents claiming they would reveal how corruption has permeated successive governments.
In the country where civil war raged for 15 years, few, if any, have been held accountable for it and most of the warlords remain in power or leading powerful political factions.
On Sunday, France’s ambassador to Lebanon said his country is taking part in the investigation of the Aug. 4 blast. Bruno Foucher tweeted that 46 officers are operating as part of the judicial investigation. That probe was started by a French prosecutor after a national of France, Jean-Marc Bonfils, was killed in the blast and others injured.
It is “a guarantee of impartiality and speed” in the investigation, Mr. Foucher tweeted.
The government, backed by the powerful militant Hezbollah group and its allies, announced it is defaulting on Lebanon's sovereign debt and has since been engaged in difficult, internally divisive talks with the International Monetary Fund for assistance. The coronavirus restrictions deepened the impact of the economic and financial crisis and fueled public anger against the new government. Lebanese have criticized Mr. Diab's government for being unable to tackle the challenges, saying it represents the deep-seated political class that has had a hold of the country's politics since the end of the civil war in 1990.
In a televised speech Saturday evening and in an attempt to diffuse public anger, Mr. Diab offered to propose early parliamentary elections said he was prepared to stay in the post for two months to allow time for politicians to work on structural reforms.
Julien Courson, head of the Lebanon Transparency Association, said the country's non-profits are forming a coalition to monitor how relief and aid money is spent. He estimated Lebanon loses $2 billion to corruption each year.
“The decision-makers and the public servants who are in charge of these files are still in their positions. Until now, we didn't see any solution to the problem,” he said.
A first step would be an online clearinghouse for every contract linked to reconstruction, Mr. Courson said. And the first project has to be highly visible and spread the benefits widely, said Christiaan Poortman, board chairman of Infrastructure Transparency Initiative.
“That will help keeping some of the political stuff at a distance,” Mr. Poortman said. “Donors will have to be on top of this. The issue of procurement is always where lots of corruption takes place ... it needs to be done quickly, and there is always the temptation to not follow the rules and go ahead and do something where a lot of people are going to make a lot of money.”
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Lori Hinnant in Paris and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-09--Discontent spills into streets after Belarus  election

Belarus police and protesters clashed in the capital and the city of Brest Sunday night after a presidential election in which the country 's longtime leader sought a sixth term despite rising discontent with his authoritarian rule and his cavalier dismissal of the coronavirus pandemic .
Tensions have been rising for weeks ahead of Sunday 's vote in the ex-Soviet nation , which pitted President Alexander Lukashenko , who has held an iron grip on Belarus since 1994 , against four others .
The campaign has generated the country 's biggest opposition protests in years .
Opposition supporters say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sunday ’ s vote to give the 65-year-old Lukashenko a sixth term .
Officials had already denied two prominent opposition challengers places on the ballot , jailing one on charges he called political and prompting the other to flee to Russia with his children .
The main opposition candidate , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , came under heavy pressure over the weekend as eight members of her staff were arrested , and one of her top aides fled the country on Sunday .
Belarusians weary of the country 's deteriorating economy and Lukashenko 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former teacher and the wife of a jailed opposition blogger , in large shows of support unusual for a country where crackdowns on dissent are routine .
The head of the Central Elections Commission , Lidia Yermoshina , said early Monday that partial results from some regions showed Lukashenko with a crushing lead , getting more than 90 % of the vote in some districts .
Police presence in the capital of Minsk was heavy throughout the day and in the evening police set up checkpoints on the city 's perimeter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that protesters would come from other cities .
Lukashenko had vowed to crush any protests .
About 1,000 protesters gathered near the obelisk honoring Minsk as a World War II “ hero city , ” where police harshly clashed with them , beating some with truncheons and later using flash-bang grenades to try to disperse them .
Protesters later tried to build barricades with trash containers , but news reports said police appeared to have driven protesters away by about 1 a.m. Monday ( 2200 GMT Sunday ) .
Protests also broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gomel , Grodno and Vitebsk and police fired tear gas at the demonstrators in Brest , news reports said .
There was no official information on the number of arrests or people injured , but Ales Bilyatsky of the Viasna human rights group told The Associated Press that he believed there were several hundred arrests .
Three journalists from the independent Russian TV station Dozhd were detained earlier after interviewing an opposition figure and were expected to be deported .
She also rejected exit polls that indicated an overwhelming win for Lukashenko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes — the majority was for us . ''
Lukashenko himself was defiant as he voted earlier in the day .
“ If you provoke , you will get the same answer , ” he said .
“ Do you want to try to overthrow the government , break something , wound , offend , and expect me or someone to kneel in front of you and kiss them and the sand onto which you wandered ?
This will not happen.
” Mindful of Belarus ' long history of violent crackdowns on dissent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and six rival candidates arrested , three of whom were imprisoned for years — Tsikhanouskaya called for calm earlier Sunday .
“ I hope that everything will be peaceful and that the police will not use force , ” she said after voting .
Tsikhanouskaya emerged as Lukashenko 's main opponent after two other prominent opposition aspirants were denied places on the ballot .
One was jailed for charges that he calls political and the other , an entrepreneur and former ambassador to the United States Valery Tsepkalo , fled to Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his children taken away .
Tsepkalo 's wife Veronika became a top member of Tsikhanouskaya 's campaign , but she , too , has now left the country , campaign spokeswoman Anna Krasulina said Sunday .
Some voters were defiant in the face of Lukashenko 's vow not to tolerate any protests .
“ There is no more fear .
Belarusians will not be silent and will protest loudly , '' 24-year-old Tatiana Protasevich said at a Minsk polling place Sunday .
As polls opened , the country ’ s central elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electorate had cast ballots in early voting , a figure likely to heighten concerns about the potential for manipulation .
“ For five nights nobody has guarded the ballot boxes , which gives the authorities a wide field for maneuverings , ” Veronika Tsepkalo told The Associated Press on Sunday , a few hours before leaving Belarus .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , whose assessments of elections are widely regarded as authoritative , was not invited to send observers Tsikhanouskaya had crisscrossed the country , tapping into public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic and the country ’ s stagnating Soviet-style economy .
Belarus , a country of 9.5 million people , has reported more than 68,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and 580 deaths but critics have accused authorities of manipulating the figures to downplay the death toll .
Lukashenko has dismissed the virus as “ psychosis ” and declined to order restrictions to block its spread .
He announced last month that he had been infected but had no symptoms and recovered quickly , allegedly thanks to doing sports .
He has defended his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lockdown would have doomed the nation ’ s already weak economy .
Belarus has sustained a severe economic blow after its leading exports customer , Russia , went into a pandemic-induced recession and other foreign markets shrank .
Before the coronavirus , the country ’ s state-controlled economy already had been stalled for years , stoking public frustration .
Yet for some voters , Lukashenko 's long , hardline rule was a plus .
“ He is an experienced politician , not a housewife who appeared out of nowhere and muddied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
“ We need a strong hand that will not allow riots . ''
Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this story

Belarus police and protesters clashed in the capital and the city of Brest Sunday night after a presidential election in which the country's longtime leader sought a sixth term despite rising discontent with his authoritarian rule and his cavalier dismissal of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tensions have been rising for weeks ahead of Sunday's vote in the ex-Soviet nation, which pitted President Alexander Lukashenko, who has held an iron grip on Belarus since 1994, against four others. The campaign has generated the country's biggest opposition protests in years. Opposition supporters say they suspect election officials will manipulate the results of Sunday’s vote to give the 65-year-old Lukashenko a sixth term.
Officials had already denied two prominent opposition challengers places on the ballot, jailing one on charges he called political and prompting the other to flee to Russia with his children. The main opposition candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, came under heavy pressure over the weekend as eight members of her staff were arrested, and one of her top aides fled the country on Sunday.
Belarusians weary of the country's deteriorating economy and Mr. Lukashenko's repression of the opposition coalesced around Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, a former teacher and the wife of a jailed opposition blogger, in large shows of support unusual for a country where crackdowns on dissent are routine.
The head of the Central Elections Commission, Lidia Yermoshina, said early Monday that partial results from some regions showed Mr. Lukashenko with a crushing lead, getting more than 90% of the vote in some districts.
Police presence in the capital of Minsk was heavy throughout the day and in the evening police set up checkpoints on the city's perimeter to check residence permits, apparently worried that protesters would come from other cities. Mr. Lukashenko had vowed to crush any protests.
About 1,000 protesters gathered near the obelisk honoring Minsk as a World War II “hero city,” where police harshly clashed with them, beating some with truncheons and later using flash-bang grenades to try to disperse them. Protesters later tried to build barricades with trash containers, but news reports said police appeared to have driven protesters away by about 1 a.m. Monday.
Protests also broke out in the major cities of Brest, Gomel, Grodno, and Vitebsk and police fired tear gas at the demonstrators in Brest, news reports said.
There was no official information on the number of arrests or people injured, but Ales Bilyatsky of the Viasna human rights group told The Associated Press that he believed there were several hundred arrests.
Three journalists from the independent Russian TV station Dozhd were detained earlier after interviewing an opposition figure and were expected to be deported.
“What has happened is awful,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya told reporters Sunday.
She also rejected exit polls that indicated an overwhelming win for Mr. Lukashenko, saying “I will believe my own eyes – the majority was for us."
Mr. Lukashenko himself was defiant as he voted earlier in the day.
“If you provoke, you will get the same answer,” he said. “Do you want to try to overthrow the government, break something, wound, offend, and expect me or someone to kneel in front of you and kiss them and the sand onto which you wandered? This will not happen.”
Mindful of Belarus' long history of violent crackdowns on dissent – protesters were beaten after the 2010 election and six rival candidates arrested, three of whom were imprisoned for years – Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for calm earlier Sunday.
“I hope that everything will be peaceful and that the police will not use force,” she said after voting.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emerged as Mr. Lukashenko's main opponent after two other prominent opposition aspirants were denied places on the ballot. One was jailed for charges that he calls political and the other, an entrepreneur and former ambassador to the United States Valery Tsepkalo, fled to Russia after warnings that he would be arrested and his children taken away.
Mr. Tsepkalo's wife Veronika became a top member of Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's campaign, but she, too, has now left the country, campaign spokeswoman Anna Krasulina said Sunday.
Some voters were defiant in the face of Mr. Lukashenko's vow not to tolerate any protests.
“There is no more fear. Belarusians will not be silent and will protest loudly," Tatiana Protasevich said at a Minsk polling place Sunday.
As polls opened, the country’s central elections commission said more than 40% of the electorate had cast ballots in early voting, a figure likely to heighten concerns about the potential for manipulation.
“For five nights nobody has guarded the ballot boxes, which gives the authorities a wide field for maneuverings,” Veronika Tsepkalo told The Associated Press on Sunday, a few hours before leaving Belarus.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose assessments of elections are widely regarded as authoritative, was not invited to send observers.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya had crisscrossed the country, tapping into public frustration with Mr. Lukashenko’s swaggering response to the pandemic and the country’s stagnating Soviet-style economy.
Belarus, a country of 9.5 million people, has reported more than 68,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and 580 deaths but critics have accused authorities of manipulating the figures to downplay the death toll.
Mr. Lukashenko has dismissed the virus as “psychosis” and declined to order restrictions to block its spread. He announced last month that he had been infected but had no symptoms and recovered quickly, allegedly thanks to doing sports. He has defended his handling of the outbreak, saying that a lockdown would have doomed the nation’s already weak economy.
Belarus has sustained a severe economic blow after its leading exports customer, Russia, went into a pandemic-induced recession and other foreign markets shrank. Before the coronavirus, the country’s state-controlled economy already had been stalled for years, stoking public frustration.
Yet for some voters, Mr. Lukashenko's long, hardline rule was a plus.
“He is an experienced politician, not a housewife who appeared out of nowhere and muddied the waters,” retiree Igor Rozhov said Sunday. “We need a strong hand that will not allow riots."
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this story.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-09--Coronavirus relief: Can President Trump bypass Congress?

President Donald Trump ’ s end run around Congress on coronavirus relief is raising questions about whether it would give Americans the economic lifeline he claims and appears certain to face legal challenges .
Democrats called it a pre-election ploy that would burden cash-strapped states .
`` When you look at those executive orders ... the kindest thing I could say is he doesn ’ t know what he ’ s talking about or something 's wrong there , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
“ To characterize them as even accomplishing what they set out to do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an agreement , is just not so.
” After negotiations with lawmakers on the next package of pandemic economic assistance hit a wall , on Saturday Trump used what he said were the inherent powers of the presidency to forge ahead on tax and spending policy that Congress says it is granted by the Constitution .
Trump asserted he had the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit , although at a lower amount than what the jobless had been getting during the crisis .
His reelection chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contended his orders “ will take care of pretty much this entire situation , as we know it.
” But the orders appeared to carry less weight than Trump promoted and cut federal relief spending by shifting more onto the shoulders of struggling states .
Critics said the actions crossed a legal line and fell well short of what is needed to help right the fragile economy .
“ Paltry , ” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York , given the scope of the economic and health crises .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the moves were framed by the White House as the president breaking through the Washington gridlock in order to directly distribute aid .
Advisers hope it will sustain an economic recovery that Trump likely needs to defeat Democrat Joe Biden in November .
With an eye on reversing his slide in the polls , Trump took full credit for the measures , which he signed at his New Jersey golf club on Saturday after congressional talks broke down this past week .
Democrats initially sought a $ 3.4 trillion package , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 trillion .
Republicans had proposed a $ 1 trillion plan .
Trump accused Democrats of trying to spend more than was needed and adding money for priorities unrelated to the pandemic .
He said local aid amounted to “ bailout money ” for states and cities `` badly run by Democrats for many years .
... And we ’ re not willing to do that.
” The president wants to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans put out of work during the outbreak .
But his order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each week , compared with the $ 600 that people had been receiving .
Trump also said states would cover 25 percent of this money even as many are dealing with major budget shortfalls .
The federal contribution would be redirected from disaster relief money at the Federal Emergency Management Agency — dollars not likely to last more than two months .
Shifting FEMA disaster funds also would occur as the peak of hurricane season looms and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns of an “ extremely active ” season already underway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry Kudlow , struggled during a television interview Sunday to clearly explain the specifics of his boss 's order on unemployment aid .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the $ 100 share from states would come from from an earlier pool of federal money and that Trump may waive the requirement about how it can be used .
“ Look , that would cost us about $ 500 million between now and the end of the year , ” said Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont , a Democrat .
“ I could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think that ’ s a great idea .
I could take that money from , you know , mass disinfecting for our schools .
I don ’ t think that ’ s a great idea .
In fact , I think the president ’ s plan is not a great idea.
” Pelosi , D-Calif. , criticized Trump for not doing anything to help schools trying to reopen and she said the orders were “ unconstitutional slop.
” That 's the same phrase that Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-Neb . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative , and against the government spending large sums of money in coronavirus legislation “ The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop , ” Sasse said in a statement issued by email and obtained by The Hill .
“ President Obama did not have the power to unilaterally rewrite immigration law with DACA , and President Trump does not have the power to unilaterally rewrite the payroll tax law.
” Trump also acted to defer payment of the payroll tax , a long-pushed goal that had little support from either party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans .
His order on housing is not a guarantee against eviction , as he claimed , but instead directs the departments of the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development to identify money that could help those struggling to pay their monthly rent .
Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year , and he raised the possibility of making it permanent , though experts said he lacked that authority .
The temporary deferral would not directly aid unemployed workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are jobless .
Employees would need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress .
The president was silent on how he would fund Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7 % tax on employee income covers .
Democrats seized on the possible threat to Social Security as a signal that Trump wanted to cut the social safety net .
His team pushed back .
“ If the Democrats want to challenge us in court and hold up unemployment benefits to those hardworking Americans who are out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re going to have a lot of explaining to do , ” Mnuchin said .
Both the White House and congressional Democrats indicated Sunday they wanted to resume negotiations , but no talks were scheduled .
The breakdown comes with the Nov. 3 election approaching and the White House nervously watching signs that the economic recovery is slowing down as the coronavirus surges .
“ This is not presidential leadership , '' Biden said .
`` These orders are not real solutions .
They are just another cynical ploy designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more harm than good.
” Pelosi and Mnuchin were on “ Fox News Sunday , ” Schumer was on ABC 's “ This Week ” and Lamont was on CBS ' “ Face the Nation .
”

President Donald Trump’s end run around Congress on coronavirus relief is raising questions about whether it would give Americans the economic lifeline he claims and appears certain to face legal challenges. Democrats called it a pre-election ploy that would burden cash-strapped states.
“When you look at those executive orders ... the kindest thing I could say is he doesn’t know what he’s talking about or something’s wrong there,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “To characterize them as even accomplishing what they set out to do, as something that will take the place of an agreement, is just not so.”
After negotiations with lawmakers on the next package of pandemic economic assistance hit a wall, on Saturday Mr. Trump used what he said were the inherent powers of the presidency to forge ahead on tax and spending policy that Congress says it is granted by the Constitution.
Mr. Trump asserted he had the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit, although at a lower amount than what the jobless had been getting during the crisis. His reelection chances imperiled by the pandemic, the president contended his orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.”
But the orders appeared to carry less weight than Mr. Trump promoted and cut federal relief spending by shifting more onto the shoulders of struggling states. Critics said the actions crossed a legal line and fell well short of what is needed to help right the fragile economy.
“Paltry,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, given the scope of the economic and health crises.
Though certain to further strain relations with Congress, the moves were framed by the White House as the president breaking through the Washington gridlock in order to directly distribute aid. Advisers hope it will sustain an economic recovery that Trump likely needs to defeat Democrat Joe Biden in November.
With an eye on reversing his slide in the polls, Mr. Trump took full credit for the measures, which he signed at his New Jersey golf club on Saturday after congressional talks broke down this past week. Democrats initially sought a $3.4 trillion package, but said they lowered their demand to $2 trillion. Republicans had proposed a $1 trillion plan.
Mr. Trump accused Democrats of trying to spend more than was needed and adding money for priorities unrelated to the pandemic. He said local aid amounted to “bailout money” for states and cities “badly run by Democrats for many years. ... And we’re not willing to do that.”
The president wants to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans put out of work during the outbreak. But his order called for up to $400 payments each week, compared with the $600 that people had been receiving.
Mr. Trump also said states would cover 25% of this money even as many are dealing with major budget shortfalls. The federal contribution would be redirected from disaster relief money at the Federal Emergency Management Agency – dollars not likely to last more than two months. Shifting FEMA disaster funds also would occur as the peak of hurricane season looms and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns of an “extremely active” season already underway.
Mr. Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, struggled during a television interview Sunday to clearly explain the specifics of his boss’s order on unemployment aid. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the $100 share from states would come from from an earlier pool of federal money and that Mr. Trump may waive the requirement about how it can be used.
“Look, that would cost us about $500 million between now and the end of the year,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat. “I could take that money from testing. I don’t think that’s a great idea. I could take that money from, you know, mass disinfecting for our schools. I don’t think that’s a great idea. In fact, I think the president’s plan is not a great idea.”
Ms. Pelosi, D-Calif., criticized Mr. Trump for not doing anything to help schools trying to reopen and she said the orders were “absurdly unconstitutional.”
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., also questioned the constitutionality of the orders. He’s a fiscal conservative, and against the government spending large sums of money in coronavirus legislation
“The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop,” Mr. Sasse said in a statement issued by email and obtained by The Hill. “President Obama did not have the power to unilaterally rewrite immigration law with DACA, and President Trump does not have the power to unilaterally rewrite the payroll tax law.”
Mr. Trump also acted to defer payment of the payroll tax, a long-pushed goal that had little support from either party on Capitol Hill, and federal student loans. His order on housing is not a guarantee against eviction, as he claimed, but instead directs the departments of the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development to identify money that could help those struggling to pay their monthly rent.
Mr. Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year, and he raised the possibility of making it permanent, though experts said he lacked that authority. The temporary deferral would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless. Employees would need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress.
The president was silent on how he would fund Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Democrats seized on the possible threat to Social Security as a signal that Mr. Trump wanted to cut the social safety net. His team pushed back.
“If the Democrats want to challenge us in court and hold up unemployment benefits to those hardworking Americans who are out of a job because of COVID, they’re going to have a lot of explaining to do,” Mr. Mnuchin said.
Both the White House and congressional Democrats indicated Sunday they wanted to resume negotiations, but no talks were scheduled.
The breakdown comes with the Nov. 3 election approaching and the White House nervously watching signs that the economic recovery is slowing down as the coronavirus surges.
“This is not presidential leadership,” Mr. Biden said. “These orders are not real solutions. They are just another cynical ploy designed to deflect responsibility. Some measures do far more harm than good.”
Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Mnuchin were on “Fox News Sunday,” Mr. Schumer was on ABC’s “This Week” and Mr. Lamont was on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-10--Monday Sunrise Briefing: Generosity for Lebanon but little trust

International donors pledged Sunday to give generously ( nearly $ 300 million ) to Lebanon in emergency aid after the massive explosion in Beirut this past week .
But there were unusually blunt warnings : no money to rebuild unless government corruption ends .
And Lebanon ’ s government was on the brink of collapse .
This weekend saw violent protests and resignations by top ministers and lawmakers .
Neither the Lebanese people nor foreign donors trust the integrity of this government .
French President Emmanuel Macron , who organized the donor event , said he was approaching Lebanon like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when times are hard , but not to give a blank check to systems that no longer have the trust of their people.
” Food , shelter , and other aid - from the U.S. , France , and others - is going to the people via NGOs , not the Lebanese government .
How to combat the country ’ s endemic graft ?
A first step would be an online clearinghouse for every reconstruction contract , the head of the Lebanon Transparency Association told the Associated Press .
2 .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a coronavirus relief bill .
So , President Trump issued four executive actions Saturday , including promising a $ 400 per week federal unemployment bonus .
But few agreed that the White House end-run around Congress would work .
The $ 400 a week jobless money would come from $ 44 billion in FEMA disaster relief funds , require states to cover $ 100 of the $ 400 as well as set up and manage a new program of benefits .
Some governors said they didn ’ t have the extra funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take months .
On Sunday TV talk shows , Trump officials struggled to explain the plan .
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-Nebraska ) called it “ unconstitutional slop.
” The other executive actions called for deferring payroll tax payments ( used to fund Social Security and Medicare ) , for federal agencies to consider a ban on evicting renters , and for extending relief on federal student loans .
3 .
Democratic facade ?
Violent protests broke out in several Belarus cities after presidential elections Sunday .
Exit polls showed a landslide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth term in office .
No international observers were allowed and opposition politicians say the vote was rigged .
Belarusians , weary of the country 's deteriorating economy and Mr. Lukashenko 's repression of the opposition , coalesced around Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , a former teacher and the wife of a jailed opposition blogger .
She drew large crowds - unusual for a country where crackdowns on dissent are routine .
Democracy ?
The Belarusian election commission is expected to announce the official results of the presidential election , with Alexander Lukashenko seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform .
Seattle ’ s City Council is scheduled to vote on proposals that could cut up to 100 positions from the city ’ s 1,400-member police force .
Voting matters .
Primary elections are held in Connecticut ( presidential and state ) , Minnesota , Vermont and Wisconsin .
In Minnesota , Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar seeks a second term against a well-funded political upstart .
Voters in Georgia cast ballots in a House seat runoff and other contested spots .
Relationships matter .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Slovenia , Austria , and Poland .
Peering at the Perseids .
The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday , Wednesday , and Thursday .
The best in B-ball .
The abbreviated regular NBA season ends today .
The playoffs begin on Monday .
May Abboud Melki offered the world a portrait of poise , a hymn of hope , amid the devastation in Beirut .
Just hours after a massive explosion on Tuesday killed at least 160 people and left as many as 300,000 homeless , she sat down at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auld Lang Syne ” as her family was cleaning up .
Her apartment was windowless and in shambles .
Her granddaughter , May-Lee Melki , posted the video on Instagram , describing the moment as “ beauty from ashes , ” and said her grandmother was “ pushing through her pain , ” ABC News reported .
The video went viral worldwide , underscoring the defiant , healing influence of music .
In a similarly poignant moment , in April a tornado destroyed 150 homes , and killed three people in Chattanooga , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piano in the rubble of the decimated Faith Community Wesleyan Church .
She plucked out the hymn `` It Is Well With My Soul . ''
Several church members were salvaging things in the debris , heard the music , and began to sing .
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers : Where do women lead in the media ?
South Africa .
In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our story about adding roads in the Tongass National Forest : Alaskans ask whether a forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or their lumber .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • How ‘ success ’ of US Iran policy has benefited China • The other people facing housing woes : Mom and pop landlords • Sexism isn ’ t a relic of the past .
How men ’ s views are shifting .
• Where do women lead in the media ?
South Africa .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our pandemic coverage is free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update .
Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

International donors pledged Sunday to give generously (nearly $300 million) to Lebanon in emergency aid after the massive explosion in Beirut this past week. But there were unusually blunt warnings: no money to rebuild unless government corruption ends. And Lebanon’s government was on the brink of collapse. This weekend saw violent protests and resignations by top ministers and lawmakers.
Neither the Lebanese people nor foreign donors trust the integrity of this government. French President Emmanuel Macron, who organized the donor event, said he was approaching Lebanon like “a friend who rushes to help, when times are hard, but not to give a blank check to systems that no longer have the trust of their people.”
Food, shelter, and other aid - from the U.S., France, and others - is going to the people via NGOs, not the Lebanese government. How to combat the country’s endemic graft? A first step would be an online clearinghouse for every reconstruction contract, the head of the Lebanon Transparency Association told the Associated Press.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, August 10, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are three news events from this past weekend (while you may have been whale watching, knitting, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
2. A Trump workaround? Congress failed to agree on a coronavirus relief bill. So, President Trump issued four executive actions Saturday, including promising a $400 per week federal unemployment bonus. But few agreed that the White House end-run around Congress would work. The $400 a week jobless money would come from $44 billion in FEMA disaster relief funds, require states to cover $100 of the $400 as well as set up and manage a new program of benefits. Some governors said they didn’t have the extra funds and creating a new unemployment program could take months. On Sunday TV talk shows, Trump officials struggled to explain the plan. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) called it “unconstitutional slop.” The other executive actions called for deferring payroll tax payments (used to fund Social Security and Medicare), for federal agencies to consider a ban on evicting renters, and for extending relief on federal student loans.
3. Democratic facade? Violent protests broke out in several Belarus cities after presidential elections Sunday. Exit polls showed a landslide for President Alexander Lukashenko, giving him a sixth term in office. No international observers were allowed and opposition politicians say the vote was rigged. Belarusians, weary of the country's deteriorating economy and Mr. Lukashenko's repression of the opposition, coalesced around Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a former teacher and the wife of a jailed opposition blogger. She drew large crowds - unusual for a country where crackdowns on dissent are routine.
Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP View caption Hide caption A man and his daughter pray for the victims of U.S. atomic bombing at the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park in Nagasaki, southern Japan, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Nagasaki marked the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Sunday.
Look Ahead
Monday, Aug. 10
Democracy? The Belarusian election commission is expected to announce the official results of the presidential election, with Alexander Lukashenko seeking a sixth term in office.
Law enforcement reform. Seattle’s City Council is scheduled to vote on proposals that could cut up to 100 positions from the city’s 1,400-member police force.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Voting matters. Primary elections are held in Connecticut (presidential and state), Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin. In Minnesota, Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar seeks a second term against a well-funded political upstart. Voters in Georgia cast ballots in a House seat runoff and other contested spots.
Relationships matter. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Europe August 11-15 with stops in Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria, and Poland.
Peering at the Perseids. The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Friday, Aug. 14
The best in B-ball. The abbreviated regular NBA season ends today. The playoffs begin on Monday.
Resiliency Watch
Courtesy Hoda Meliki via Instagram View caption Hide caption May Abboud Melki plays the piano amid the debris of her home in Beirut, Lebanon, after a massive explosion on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.
May Abboud Melki offered the world a portrait of poise, a hymn of hope, amid the devastation in Beirut.
Just hours after a massive explosion on Tuesday killed at least 160 people and left as many as 300,000 homeless, she sat down at her piano, and calmly played “Auld Lang Syne” as her family was cleaning up. Her apartment was windowless and in shambles.
Her granddaughter, May-Lee Melki, posted the video on Instagram, describing the moment as “beauty from ashes,” and said her grandmother was “pushing through her pain,” ABC News reported. The video went viral worldwide, underscoring the defiant, healing influence of music.
In a similarly poignant moment, in April a tornado destroyed 150 homes, and killed three people in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tracy Lynn Coats spotted a piano in the rubble of the decimated Faith Community Wesleyan Church. She plucked out the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." Several church members were salvaging things in the debris, heard the music, and began to sing.
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
Where do women lead in the media? South Africa.
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our story about adding roads in the Tongass National Forest: Alaskans ask whether a forest's true value is it's trees or their lumber.
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our pandemic coverage is free. No paywall.
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update. Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think. Thank you!