oann--2020-11-08--Thousands take to streets of U.S. in celebration of Biden victory

WASHINGTON/PHILADELPHIA ( Reuters ) – Days of pent-up post-election anxiety gave way to spontaneous street celebrations as Joe Biden supporters on Saturday cheered news of his presidential win with a cacophony of banging pots and pans , honking horns and dance music in cities across the United States .
Rallies by hundreds of supporters of Republican President Donald Trump , who insisted on Saturday “ this election is far from over , ” were more muted in size and scope compared with the festive crowds that turned out by the thousands in some cities for Biden .
While there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters , as occurred between two opposing groups of about 100 each in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , there were no immediate reports of violence or other unruly behavior .
After a nerve-wracking four-day wait for results after polls closed on Tuesday , the reaction to news that Pennsylvania and its 20 Electoral College votes had carried Biden over the line was almost instantaneous .
Minutes after major television networks called the race in the former vice president ’ s favor , throngs of people – most wearing masks to curb the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rejoice outside a security fence as the sound of fireworks boomed in the distance .
“ I was on the bus and I jumped off the bus to come right down here to the White House , ” Washington resident Donna Thomas said .
“ It is something to celebrate .
We have been waiting so long.
” Duane Fitzhugh , 52 , a teacher celebrating outside the Trump International Hotel , on Pennsylvania Avenue blocks from the White House , compared the moment to the lifting of an evil spell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell over the country four years ago , and we ’ ve been waiting years for it to end , ” he said .
In New York City , Biden supporters danced in the streets , cheered and banged on kitchenware from balconies , brownstone stoops and rooftops – hoisting Biden campaign signs and American flags in the air .
A planned demonstration in Manhattan ’ s Columbus Circle turned into a dance party celebrating the election ’ s result , while revelers at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village danced and splashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similar scenes played out in cities coast to coast – Atlanta , New Orleans to San Francisco , among them – overwhelming what some backers of Trump had planned as a day of rallies in all 50 state capitals in support of baseless claims that Democrats were out to steal the election .
Hundreds of pro-Trump demonstrators gathered in several cities – from state capitals in several battleground states like Pennsylvania , Michigan and Arizona to such Republican strongholds as Colorado Springs , Colorado .
But those rallies were generally smaller in number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning out to register their delight at the victory of Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris .
In Los Angeles , protest marches organized in advance by labor unions and the political activist group Refuse Facism , demanding that Trump concede defeat , ended up merging with Biden victory celebrations , filling downtown with a crowd of thousands .
At least 2,000 people massed in San Francisco ’ s Castro District in a carnival-like atmosphere of dancing , shouting , and music blaring from car stereos .
Some hoisted painted paper-mache @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lock him up ” scrawled on it , along with Biden campaign signs and American and rainbow flags .
Even a handful of city traffic control officers were seen joining in the revelry .
Enjoying unseasonably warm weather in Philadelphia , Biden supporters cheered , danced and hugged in the streets .
Jada Carter , 23 , and her younger sister , Nyla , 11 , chanted , “ Na-Na , Hey-Hey , Kiss Him Goodbye ” at Trump supporters huddled nearby .
Many supporters of Trump and his running mate , Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwillingness to accept the election ’ s outcome .
Hundreds gathered on the steps of the state capitol building in Lansing , Michigan , waving Trump-Pence flags to shouts of “ This is not over ” and “ We will be here forever.
” At the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix , tensions ran high as supporters of the president , some carrying firearms , chanted “ Trump won ” and “ We will win in court.
” They blamed news media outlets for declaring Biden the winner .
“ The media is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouted .


oann--2020-11-09--Oil rises as Biden wins, OPEC+ signals deal can be tweaked

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil jumped by almost 10 % on Monday for its biggest daily gain in almost six months after news of a highly effective Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 and Saudi Arabia ’ s assurance that an OPEC+ oil output deal could be adjusted to balance the market .
Brent crude rose $ 3.41 , or 8.6 % , to $ 42.86 a barrel by 1302 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up $ 3.57 , or 9.6 % , at $ 40.71 .
“ Asset prices move faster than the real economy , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positively today to the Pfizer vaccine news , ” said BNP Paribas analyst Harry Tchilinguirian .
Pfizer said its experimental vaccine was more than 90 % effective in preventing COVID-19 , based on initial data from a large study .
Saudi Arabia ’ s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the OPEC+ deal on oil output cuts could be adjusted if there is consensus among members of the group .
The Saudi minister was commenting after being asked whether OPEC+ – which groups OPEC states , Russia and other producers – would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrels per day ( bpd ) rather than easing them to 5.7 million bpd from January .
Key members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) are wary of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden relaxing measures on Iran and Venezuela , which could mean an increase in oil production that would make it harder to balance supply with demand .
“ While a Biden presidency increases the likelihood of Iranian oil supply returning to the market , this is not something that will happen overnight , and we still believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2021/2022 event , ” ING said in a note .
Oil prices also found support from a weaker U.S. dollar on the back of Biden ’ s U.S. election victory , said UBS oil analyst Giovanni Staunovo .
The dollar weakened on Monday , hitting a 10-week low and boosting dolar-priced commodities that become more affordable for buyers outside the United Stataes .
[ MKTS/GLOB ] China , the world ’ s top crude importer , reported October imports down 12 % from September .
However , renewed European lockdown measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to push the outlook for global oil demand toward the downside , an International Energy Agency ( IEA ) official said .
“ Major parts of the European continent are in lockdown .
This would surely work toward the negative side , ” said Keisuke Sadamori , IEA director for energy markets and security .

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oann--2020-11-09--Vaccine progress and Biden win power stocks to record peak

MILAN ( Reuters ) – World stocks climbed to new record highs on Monday as a promising vaccine development from Pfizer and expectations global trade ties will improve under U.S. President-elect Joe Biden boosted risk appetite .
Markets started to trade on the prospect of a Biden presidency last week , but the Democratic candidate ’ s projected victory on Saturday gave more fuel to the move .
Further boosting sentiment was data showing that Pfizer ’ s experimental vaccine was more than 90 % effective in preventing COVID-19 , potentially a big move forward in the fight against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which tracks shares in 49 countries , rallied after the news broke to reach another record high , up more than 1 % on the day .
On Friday , it posted its biggest one-week gain in nearly seven months .
“ The relief rally in equity seems very strong .
It also seems to have taken people off-guard , ” said Arne Petimezas , analyst at AFS in Amsterdam .
The pan-European STOXX 600 climbed almost 4 % by 1203 GMT , back to February levels and driven by shares in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other risky assets , oil shot up nearly 8 % , while safe-haven bonds and gold sold off .
E-mini futures for the S & P 500 also got a boost , jumping nearly 4 % to a record high , although Nasdaq futures remained just under their all-time peak , up 1.7 % .
Monday ’ s vaccine progress reinforced expectations that the economic damage from the pandemic would be temporary , even if conditions could still weaken further .
“ With Europe in lockdown , and lockdown risk in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor , ” strategists at French bank Exane led by Dennis Jose said .
“ However , if a vaccine is approved , it opens up a scenario where consumers unleash their supersized savings , enabling investors to look through near-term weakness.
” Earlier , MSCI ’ s broadest index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 1.4 % after hitting its highest since January 2018 on expectations of easing trade tensions following the U.S. election .
U.S. President Donald Trump has not conceded defeat and is challenging the outcome of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already congratulated Biden .
“ The die is cast , ” said Andrea Delitala , portfolio manager and head of euro multi-asset strategy at Pictet Asset Management in Milan .
“ The U.S. elections have returned a favourable scenario ( for ) investors , freeing them from the unpredictability of the leader of the world ’ s leading economy … a return of multilateralism is on the cards , ” he added .
Investors expect Republicans to maintain control of the Senate , making it harder for a Biden administration to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned tax hike to a big fiscal stimulus package .
That would mean better earnings prospects for companies exposed to the world ’ s largest economy but also that the U.S. Federal Reserve might have to step in to provide any further support the pandemic-hit economy may need .
Oil prices jumped as investors greeted the vaccine news and the prospect of a Biden victory , shrugging off worries about lacklustre demand .
Brent prices added 8 % to $ 42.6 .
The dollar remained weak on expectations that monetary policy in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade relations improve .
After posting its biggest weekly loss in more than seven months on Friday , the dollar index was up 0.2 % to just above a 10-week low , while growth and trade proxies such as the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan remained in demand .
The euro , which climbed 1.9 % last week , was up 0.1 % .
Sterling added 0.2 % as the focus turned to Brexit trade negotiations which could come to a head with the European Union summit on Nov. 15 .


oann--2020-11-11--Head of Peru’s Congress assumes presidency, vows to respect election timetable

LIMA ( Reuters ) – The head of Peru ’ s Congress , Manuel Merino , was sworn in as the Andean nation ’ s president on Tuesday , and vowed that elections set for April would stand after lawmakers removed Martin Vizcarra on corruption charges .
Merino , a businessman and member of the center-right Popular Action party , will serve as interim president until July , following the already-scheduled April 11 elections .
In a speech after the swearing-in ceremony , Merino , 59 , sought to temper widespread concerns of pending political chaos in the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promising an orderly transition and elections .
“ There is nothing to celebrate here , this is a difficult moment for the country , ” Merino told Peruvians .
“ Our first commitment before the country is to confirm our democratic convictions , and our respect for the election timetable.
” Merino ’ s ascension to the presidency came after Peru ’ s opposition-led Congress voted overwhelmingly to oust the centrist Vizcarra late on Monday after an impeachment trial over allegations of bribery , the second such trial he has faced in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means he joins a long list of Peruvian politicians ensnared in allegations of corruption , piling a political crisis atop the economic recession induced by the coronavirus pandemic .
It has also raised fears about potential knock-on effects for an economy already blighted by the coronavirus lockdown , and a drift toward populism .
Peru ’ s sol currency plummeted to an 18-year low in early trading on Tuesday , and dollar-denominated government bonds also tumbled as markets took in the shock news .
Congress has twice approved the partial withdrawal of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership , unnerving some analysts and politicians .
Jaime Reusche , vice president with Moody ’ s Sovereign Risk Group , said even if the transition was smooth “ destabilizing political incidents ” could ultimately weaken Peru ’ s institutions .
The anticipated backing by Merino ’ s cabinet picks for fresh congressional initiatives like the pension fund withdrawals “ could weigh on Peru ’ s creditworthiness , ” he added .
Vizcarra , who presented himself as an anti-corruption crusader , continued to question Congress ’ decision to oust him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s government lacked legitimacy .
Several protests involving hundreds of people continued in cities throughout the country in support of Vizcarra .
In downtown Lima , the capital , police fired tear gas at protesters who waved banners and signs and demanded Vizcarra ’ s return .
In his speech , Merino told Peruvians he would focus on taming the coronavirus outbreak in the coming months , as well as righting the country ’ s ailing economy .


oann--2020-11-13--Asian stocks dip as virus spread tamps vaccine hopes

SHANGHAI/BOSTON ( Reuters ) – Stocks in Asia fell on Friday , following on from selloffs in the United States and Europe as investors feared the economic impact of an accelerating rise in coronavirus infections .
The United States has reported fresh daily records for new COVID-19 case hospitalisations this week , prompting cities and states , including Chicago , Detroit and California , to re-impose public health restrictions .
European officials have also warned against complacency and said measures to control infections must continue despite hopes that vaccines under development could help to slow the spread of the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell said on Thursday during a discussion with other central bankers that progress in developing a coronavirus vaccine was welcome news but that near-term economic risks remain as infections accelerate , underscoring the likely need for additional government stimulus .
Against that grim backdrop , MSCI ’ s broadest index of Asian shares outside Japan dipped 0.25 % in early trade as shares across the region stumbled .
Chinese blue-chips led losses , falling 1.21 % .
Australian shares lost 0.47 % , Seoul ’ s Kospi was down 0.16 % and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some investors saw a buying opportunity in the slump .
“ My view is this is the dark just before dawn , ” said Michael Frazis , portfolio manager at Frazis Capital Partners in Sydney .
“ You ’ ve got the second wave of coronavirus , new sets of shutdowns , clear problems around the world , travel dropping off again… But at the same time , we have the strongest possible evidence that we do have a vaccine and many people will be vaccinated over the next few months.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive and it ’ s actually a good time to be investing in markets , ” he said .
Frazis said many risks nevertheless remained for short-term traders amid ongoing uncertainty over issues like the U.S. stimulus response .
On Thursday , top Democrats in the U.S. Congress urged renewed negotiations over a multitrillion-dollar coronavirus aid proposal , but the top Republican immediately rejected their approach as too expensive , continuing a months-long impasse .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.08 % , pulled lower by industrial and financial companies sensitive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 lost 1.00 % and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.65 % .
U.S. Treasury yields also sank on Thursday , weighed down by the persistent rise in coronavirus cases and data showing inflation remained benign in the world ’ s largest economy .
The U.S. yield curve , viewed in part as a gauge of risk appetite , also flattened .
On Friday , U.S. yields continued to tick lower , with benchmark 10-year Treasury notes yielding 0.8766 % , compared to a Thursday close of 0.886 % .
“ Bond yields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.0 % level in terms of the U.S. 10Y Treasury , have … snapped back sharply in terms of yield , ” Rob Carnell , Asia Pacific head of research at ING said in a note .
“ That move most likely got a further nudge from the softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data for October which were released yesterday , and which tally with a weaker economic reality.
” Rising risk aversion lifted the safe-haven yen , with the dollar dropping 0.18 % against the Japanese currency to 104.93 .
The euro was flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ index ticked 0.2 % higher to 92.987 .
An unexpected rise in U.S. crude stockpiles exacerbated virus-linked economic fears in commodity markets , pushing U.S. crude 1.63 % lower to $ 40.45 per barrel .


oann--2020-11-12--Exclusive: Top official on U.S. election cybersecurity tells associates he expects to be fired

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO ( Reuters ) – Top U.S. cybersecurity official Christopher Krebs , who worked on protecting the election from hackers but drew the ire of the Trump White House over efforts to debunk disinformation , has told associates he expects to be fired , three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters .
Krebs , who heads the Department of Homeland Security ’ s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , did not return messages seeking comment .
CISA and the White House declined comment .
Separately , Bryan Ware , assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed in his resignation on Thursday .
Ware did not provide details , but a U.S. official familiar with his matter said the White House asked for Ware ’ s resignation earlier this week .
The departure is part of the churn in the administration since Republican President Donald Trump was defeated by Democrat Joe Biden in last week ’ s election , raising concerns about the transition to the president-elect who would take office on Jan. 20 .
Trump , who has yet to concede and has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper and has installed loyalists in top positions at the Pentagon .
Krebs has drawn praise from both Democrats and Republicans for his handling of the election , which generally ran smoothly despite persistent fears that foreign hackers might try to undermine the vote .
But he drew the ire of the Trump White House over a website run by CISA dubbed “ Rumor Control ” which debunks misinformation about the election , according to the three people familiar with the matter .
White House officials have asked for content to be edited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false claims about the election , including that Democrats are behind a mass election fraud scheme .
CISA officials have chosen not to delete accurate information .
In particular , one person said , the White House was angry about a CISA post rejecting a conspiracy theory that falsely claims an intelligence agency supercomputer and program , purportedly named Hammer and Scorecard , could have flipped votes nationally .
No such system exists , according to Krebs , election security experts and former U.S. officials .
On Twitter , U.S .
Senator Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chris Krebs has done a great job protecting our elections .
He is one of the few people in this Administration respected by everyone on both sides of the aisle .
There is no possible justification to remove him from office .
None.
” Krebs has steadily shot down rumors of fraud in recent days , including retweeting leading election security expert Matt Blaze , who for years has warned of specific vulnerabilities in election gear , when the professor wrote that “ no serious evidence has yet been found or presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any state has been altered through technical exploitation.
” Gregory Crabb , chief information security officer for the U.S .
Postal Service , which was also under pressure over misinformation about mail-in ballots , said : “ From my view on the election frontlines , Krebs was a great partner and deserves accolades for his work .
”


oann--2020-11-12--Exclusive: Group of 165 Google critics call for swift EU antitrust action – letter

BRUSSELS ( Reuters ) – A group of 165 companies and industry bodies have called on EU antitrust enforcers to take a tougher line against Google , saying the U.S. tech giant unfairly favours its own services on its web searches .
The group includes U.S. and UK companies as well as peers in 21 EU countries .
It sent a joint letter to EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Thursday , saying Google was giving its own services , such as those for accommodation , travel and jobs , preferential placement in its search results and urging swift action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unit of Alphabet , has refuted assertions that it unfairly favours its own services .
It says that its users are not locked in and that competition to its services is just one click away on the internet .
“ People expect Google to give them the most relevant , high quality search results that they can trust , ” a Google representative said .
“ They do not expect us to preference specific companies or commercial rivals over others , or to stop launching helpful services which create more choice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines totalling 8.25 billion euros ( $ 9.7 billion ) against Google in the past three years for abusing its market power to favour its shopping comparison service , its Android mobile operating system and its advertising business .
The 165-strong group – which says it is the largest-ever to write in concert to EU competition chiefs urging action – comprised 135 companies that offer online services plus 30 industry associations .
Signatories to the letter , seen by Reuters , included longstanding Google critics Yelp , Expedia , Trivago , Kelkoo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU shopping probe against Google .
The European Commission said it had received the letter and would reply in due course .
It added that it monitored the market carefully to assess the effectiveness of remedies offered for Google Shopping .
“ While we compete amongst ourselves for the best consumer experience , there is one common competitor that does not compete fairly – Google , ” the letter said .
“ Google gained unjustified advantages through preferentially treating its own services within its general search results pages by displaying various forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OneBoxes ) , ” it added .
OneBoxes outline information and images in boxes placed near the top of search results and are often ways for local businesses to get more visibility .
For example , a search for local jobs might throw up a box offering Google ’ s job-search service , or a results for a flight query might have a box offering Google ’ s flights-search service .
“ With this exclusive use of OneBoxes , Google artificially keeps users within its own service and prevents them from visiting competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter said .
The group said the Digital Markets Act – new EU tech rules in the pipeline that would prevent dominant online platforms from favouring their own services – would take too long to come into effect .
They urged Vestager to act swiftly to ensure Google gave its rivals equal treatment in search results .
“ Many of us may not have the strength and resources to wait until such regulation really takes effect , ” they said .
Vestager is due to announce a draft law on Dec. 2 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the European Parliament before it can become legislation in a process that could a year or more .
It is unclear how the new rules would affect Google ’ s presentation of its search results .


oann--2020-11-12--Fired Amazon worker files discrimination lawsuit over pandemic conditions

NEW YORK ( Reuters ) – A former Amazon.com Inc worker who protested conditions at his New York City fulfillment center sued the retailer on Thursday , accusing it of discrimination for firing him and for putting Black and Hispanic workers at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 .
In a proposed class action filed in Brooklyn federal court , Christian Smalls alleged Amazon failed to provide needed protective gear to its “ predominantly minority ” workforce , subjecting them to inferior working conditions than its mainly white managers .
Citing a leaked memo from Amazon ’ s general counsel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Amazon fired him after concluding that as a Black man he was a “ weak spokesman ” for workers .
He also said Amazon tried to drum up public support by making him the “ face ” of workers criticizing its pandemic response .
The complaint seeks unspecified damages for Black and Hispanic workers at the Staten Island facility .
Amazon fired Smalls on March 30 , saying he joined a protest at the Staten Island facility despite being on paid quarantine , after had having close contact with someone diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other workers critical of its pandemic response in April , citing various alleged workplace violations .
New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote to Amazon later in April , expressing “ serious concern ” it was trying to silence critics of its health and safety measures .
In a statement on Thursday , Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said Amazon ’ s focus on customers “ is central to our work in diversity and inclusion , ” and that Smalls was fired for putting others ’ health and safety at risk .
The Seattle-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers shopped online more often .
Amazon has said it expects to invest $ 10 billion this year on COVID-19 initiatives to deliver products and keep employees safe , including by distributing masks to workers and employing disinfectant spraying and temperature checks worldwide .
On Oct. 1 , Amazon said 19,816 of its 1.37 million front-line U.S. workers between Mar .
1 and Sept. 19 had tested positive or were presumed positive for the coronavirus .
It said that was 42 % fewer than if the infection rate had mirrored the rate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Brooklyn federal judge dismissed a separate lawsuit accusing Amazon of creating a public nuisance at the Staten Island facility .
The case is Smalls v Amazon Inc , U.S. District Court , Eastern District of New York , No .
20-05492 .


oann--2020-11-14--Israeli operatives killed al Qaeda’s No. 2 leader in Iran in August: New York Times

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Al Qaeda ’ s second-in-command , accused of helping to mastermind the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa , was killed in Iran in August by Israeli operatives acting at the behest of the United States , the New York Times reported , citing intelligence officials .
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah , who went by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Masri , was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle in the streets of Tehran on Aug. 7 , the Times reported on Friday .
The killing of Masri , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qaeda ’ s current leader , Ayman al-Zawahiri , was kept secret until now , the newspaper said .
A senior Afghan security source told Reuters in October that Masri , who has long been on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation ’ s Most Wanted Terrorists list , had been killed in the Pasdaran area of Tehran .
Reuters had been unable to corroborate that information .
It was unclear what , if any , role the United States had in the killing of the Egyptian-born militant , the Times said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other al Qaeda operatives in Iran for years , it said .
Al Qaeda has not announced his death , Iranian officials have covered it up and no government has publicly claimed responsibility , the Times said .
Iran on Saturday denied the report , saying there were no al Qaeda “ terrorists ” on its soil .
Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement that the United States and Israel sometimes “ try to tie Iran to such groups by lying and leaking false information to the media in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this group and other terrorist groups in the region ” .
The administration of President Donald Trump ’ s “ scare-mongering tactic against Iran has become routine , ” Khatibzadeh said .
A U.S. official , speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity , declined to confirm any details of the Times story or say whether there was any U.S. involvement .
The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The Israeli prime minister ’ s office said it was not commenting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past that its intelligence services have penetrated Iran in recent years , including saying in 2018 that it had smuggled out an alleged archive of Iranian nuclear secrets .
Masri , one of al Qaeda ’ s founding leaders , was killed along with his daughter , the Times reported .
She was the widow of former al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden ’ s son .
Osama bin Laden orchestrated the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks on the United States and was killed in a U.S. raid in Pakistan in 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qaeda , a Sunni Muslim militant organization , have long been enemies .
Masri had been in Iran ’ s “ custody ” since 2003 but had been living freely in an upscale suburb of Tehran since 2015 , the Times cited unnamed U.S. intelligence officials as saying .
U.S. counterterrorism officials believe Iran , also a U.S. enemy , may have let him live there to conduct operations against U.S. targets , the Times said .
There was an unusual killing in Tehran on Aug. 7 , the day Masri was reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state media at the time .
State media said on Aug. 8 that a Lebanese man and his daughter had been killed in the northern Tehran neighbourhood of Pasdaran by unknown assailants on motorcycle .
They identified the man as Habib Dawoud , a 58-year-old history teacher , and his daughter Mariam , 27 .
The semi-official Mehr news agency quoted a Tehran police source as saying the two were in a vehicle and were “ shot four times from the driver ’ s side ” .
The Iranian government did not confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 8 the official IRNA news agency reported that the public relations office of Tehran ’ s Provincial Government had tweeted the report quoting several media , including social media accounts .
It was not immediately known what , if any , impact Masri ’ s death has had on al Qaeda ’ s activities .
Even as it has lost senior leaders in the nearly two decades since the attacks on New York and Washington , it has maintained active affiliates from the Middle East to Afghanistan to West Africa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes weeks after the killing of two other senior al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan by local security forces .
In October , Afghan security forces killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri , another person on the FBI ’ s terrorist list , while the Afghan government this month announced that it had killed yet another senior al Qaeda commander .


oann--2020-11-15--Peru interim leader under pressure to quit after two die in protests

LIMA ( Reuters ) – Peruvian interim President Manuel Merino came under growing pressure on Sunday to resign after half his new cabinet stepped down following the deaths of two people in protests over the sudden ouster of his predecessor .
Thousands of Peruvians have staged some of the country ’ s largest protests in decades – mostly peaceful but some marred by clashes – since the Congress voted last Monday to remove Martin Vizcarra as president over bribery allegations , which he denies .
The political shakeup has come as Peru , the world ’ s no .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what is expected to be its worst economic contraction in a century .
Protesters filled plazas in downtown Lima on Saturday afternoon , with demonstrations beginning peacefully but growing more intense by nightfall .
Two young protesters were killed in clashes , the public ombudsman confirmed .
After the violence , at least nine cabinet ministers – sworn in on Thursday – announced their resignations , while calls grew for the departure of Merino , the former head of Congress who had led the push to impeach Vizcarra and who took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present his resignation at this time , ” the new head of Congress , center-right lawmaker Luis Valdéz told local station América Televisión early on Sunday , adding he had called for an urgent meeting of legislators .
The national assembly of Peru ’ s regional governments also released a statement demanding Merino ’ s resignation , saying he was “ politically responsible for the acts of violence ” .
Prime Minister Ántero Flores-Aráoz said in an interview with RPP radio that if Merino resigned he would depart also .
“ I owe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can not leave him alone , ” he said .
On Saturday hundreds of mostly young protesters unveiled a massive Peruvian flag and sang the national anthem in the central Plaza San Martín .
Later , a band of hooded protesters confronted police , throwing rocks and fireworks at them , and security forces fired back with tear gas .
The city echoed with sirens , shouts and chants of protesters demanding Merino ’ s removal .
Flores-Aráoz had earlier told reporters that Vizcarra ’ s removal on corruption charges by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Merino had no intention of caving to demands from protesters that he resign .
“ This was a constitutional change , ” Flores-Aráoz said .
“ We ask people for understanding .
We don ’ t want to descend into chaos and anarchy.
” Though the protests seen in Lima since Monday have been mostly peaceful , dozens have been injured in sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces .
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to tame the unrest , and humans rights groups said their use of force was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people can not be indifferent , we must demand respect , ” said Sonia Julca , an economist from the University of Callao .
“ The people are against this government led by Merino.
” Merino , a member of the center-right Popular Action party , has called for calm and promised to stick with a plan for new presidential elections in April .
Vizcarra , a politically unaffiliated centrist who is popular with Peruvians , oversaw an anti-graft campaign that led to frequent clashes with Congress in a country that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The former president has yet to be found guilty of the corruption charges brought against him during the impeachment hearing prior to his ouster .


oann--2020-11-15--Hamilton takes seventh F1 title in style

ISTANBUL ( Reuters ) – Britain ’ s Lewis Hamilton choked back the tears as he won a record-equalling seventh Formula One world championship on Sunday and became the most successful driver in the sport ’ s history .
The Mercedes ace put on a masterclass in wet and slippery conditions to take a record-stretching 94th career win at a rollercoaster of a Turkish Grand Prix and secure the title with three races to spare .
Only Ferrari great Michael Schumacher has seven titles to his name , a number once thought unlikely ever to be matched , but most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed to Hamilton .
So complete was Hamilton ’ s domination that he lapped sole rival and team mate Valtteri Bottas with 12 laps to go on a nightmare afternoon for the spinning Finn who finished 14th .
Hamilton already had more race wins , pole positions and podium finishes than anyone in the history of the sport but , despite starting a season-low sixth , the 35-year-old was determined to add to the tally .
“ Thank you so much guys…that ’ s for all the kids out there who dream the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , I believe in you guys , ” he whooped over the radio after taking the chequered flag .
The Briton finished a massive 31.6 seconds clear of Racing Point ’ s second-placed Mexican Sergio Perez in a race run behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Seven is just unimaginable but when you work with such a great group of people and you really trust each other , there is just no end to what can do together , ” said Hamilton , who has yet to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like I ’ m only just getting started.
” Hamilton was congratulated after parking up by Perez , who still has no seat for 2021 , and Ferrari ’ s Sebastian Vettel who completed the podium in a race full of spins and changes of lead .
“ I told him that it was very special for us because we can witness history being made today , ” said Vettel , a four-times world champion with Red Bull and on the podium for the first time this year .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of what he has achieved.
” Bottas , who said over the radio four laps from the end that he wished the race was already finished , also went across to extend his hand .
Mercedes had already won the constructors ’ championship for a seventh year in a row , an unprecedented feat .
While Perez started third and eked out his tyres , Canadian team mate Lance Stroll saw his dreams of a first win disappear after leading from his first pole position .
He finished ninth , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitted on lap 37 .
Ferrari ’ s Charles Leclerc took fourth place , after passing Perez on the last lap but then sliding wide , with Spaniard Carlos Sainz fifth for McLaren and Red Bull ’ s Max Verstappen sixth .
Red Bull ’ s Alexander Albon was seventh with Lando Norris eighth for McLaren and taking a bonus point for the fastest lap .
Australian Daniel Ricciardo was 10th for Renault .
Hamilton said there was a point where he thought the race was slipping away from him , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added to the sense of uncertainty , but he kept believing .
When the team suggested he pit for fresh tyres towards the end , given the safety of his lead and the amount of laps done on the worn intermediates , he over-ruled them .
“ I lost a world championship in the pit-lane , I learned my lesson from 2007 , that ’ s for sure .
I felt like I really had it under control and I was going to deal with the rain if it dropped , ” said @ @ @ @ @


oann--2020-11-17--Oil prices rise on possible OPEC+ supply action, vaccine hopes

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices fell back on Tuesday after being buoyed by expectations that OPEC+ producers would keep supplies tight and news of a second promising COVID-19 vaccine as tightening coronavirus-driven restrictions spurred caution .
Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude were both up by about 40 cents before falling into negative territory .
Brent was down 3 cents , or less than 0.1 % , at $ 43.79 a barrel by 1213 GMT while WTI was down 5 cents , or 0.1 % , at $ 41.29 .
“ Oil prices enjoy modest gains this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly more efficient , vaccine has led a new price rally , ” said Rystad Energy ’ s head of oil markets , Bjornar Tonhaugen .
“ Now all eyes are on possible leaks from today ’ s OPEC+ technical meeting , ” he added .
OPEC+ , which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries , Russia and others , holds a ministerial committee meeting on Tuesday that could recommend changing quotas for next year when all the ministers meet on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 .
OPEC+ has lowered its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a confidential document seen by Reuters shows , supporting the case for a tighter policy on output next year .
Brent and WTI have risen more than 10 % in the last six days after Pfizer said its COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90 % effective .
Prices had a further boost this week when Moderna said its vaccine was 94.5 % effective .
“ Developments with regards to a vaccine are constructive for oil demand in the medium to long term .
However , for the near term it changes little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demand impact from the latest wave of COVID-19 , ” said ING commodity strategist Warren Patterson .
Near-term economic outlook remains hazy as the grip of the virus grows stronger , with Sweden moving to restrict the size of public gatherings and a British medical adviser suggesting strengthening the three-tier system of restrictions when the full lockdown in England ends .
But China ’ s crude oil throughput in October rose to its highest level , underpinning a fast demand recovery .
“ Oil demand in China is exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” analysts from Bernstein Energy said , saying this supported data indicating “ oil demand has not been structurally damaged ” by the pandemic .
The Iranian government eyes oil price of $ 40 a barrel for its budget for next year , although the figure was not final yet .
It is hopeful that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will lift U.S. sanctions on its energy sector which would boost Iran ’ s crude exports .


oann--2020-11-18--At least 55 hurt in Thailand’s most violent protests since new movement emerged

BANGKOK ( Reuters ) – At least 55 people were hurt , some with gunshot wounds , when demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters , in the worst violence since a new youth-led protest movement emerged in July .
Police fired water cannon and teargas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament .
The police denied that they had opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets , and said they were investigating who might have used firearms .
The protest movement , which has called for deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has entrenched the power of the military , has emerged as the biggest challenge to Thailand ’ s establishment in years .
Thousands of demonstrators converged on parliament to put pressure on lawmakers discussing changes to the constitution .
The protesters also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , a former army ruler , and to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn .
Bangkok ’ s Erawan Medical Centre said at least 55 people were hurt .
It said at least 32 were suffering from teargas and six people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who might have used firearms .
“ We tried to avoid clashes , ” the deputy head of Bangkok police , Piya Tavichai , told a news conference .
He said police had tried to push back protesters from parliament and to separate them and the yellow-shirted royalist counter-protesters .
Protesters advanced on police with makeshift shields , including inflatable pool ducks .
After about six hours , police pulled back and abandoned their water trucks , which the protesters mounted and sprayed with graffiti .
“ I hereby announce the escalation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
There will be no compromise , ” Parit “ Penguin ” Chiwarak told the crowd at the gates of parliament before protesters dispersed .
Another protest was set for central Bangkok on Wednesday .
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been obliged to use teargas and water cannon to keep parliamentarians safe .
Prime Minister Prayuth took power as the head of a military junta in 2014 and remained in office after an election last year .
He rejects opposition accusations that the election was unfair .
Lawmakers were discussing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which would exclude the possibility of altering the monarchy ’ s role .
There is also discussion of the role of the upper house Senate , which was entirely selected by Prayuth ’ s former junta and helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after last year ’ s disputed vote .
Some protesters fought with dozens of royalists who had remained behind after an earlier demonstration by hundreds of right-wing Thais calling on lawmakers not to make changes to the constitution .
“ Amending the constitution is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monarchy , ” royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters .
Protesters have said they do not want to abolish the monarchy .


oann--2020-11-17--Republican U.S. Senator Grassley, 87, tests positive for coronavirus

FILE PHOTO : Senator Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) speaks during the third day of the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC , U.S. , October 14 , 2020 .
Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS FILE PHOTO : Senator Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) speaks during the third day of the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC , U.S. , October 14 , 2020 .
Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senator Chuck Grassley , chairman of the chamber ’ s Finance Committee , said on Tuesday he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
“ While I still feel fine , the test came back positive for the coronavirus , ” Grassley , 87 , said in a statement .
Earlier on Tuesday , the Iowa lawmaker said he was awaiting test results after learning he had been exposed to the virus .
“ I appreciate everyone ’ s well wishes and prayers , and look forward to resuming my normal schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


oann--2020-11-19--Australian special forces allegedly killed 39 unarmed Afghans: report

SYDNEY ( Reuters ) – Australian special forces allegedly killed 39 unarmed prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan , with senior commandos reportedly forcing junior soldiers to kill defenceless captives in order to “ blood ” them for combat , a four year investigation found .
Australia said on Thursday that 19 current and former soldiers will be referred for potential criminal prosecution for allegedly killing the 39 Afghan locals .
Detailing the findings of a long-awaited inquiry into the conduct of special forces personnel in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016 , Australia ’ s General Angus John Campbell said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 25 Australian Special Forces personnel in 23 separate incidents .
All of those kills were outside the “ heat of battle ” , Campbell said .
“ These findings allege the most serious breaches of military conduct and professional values , ” Campbell told reporters in Canberra .
“ The unlawful killing , of civilians and prisoners is never acceptable.
” The report said the majority of those killed , which included prisoners , farmers and other Afghan locals , were captured when they were killed and therefore protected under international law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Campbell said 19 current and former members of Australia ’ s military will be referred to a soon-to-be appointed special investigator to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to prosecute .
Australia ’ s Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said last week that Canberra had been advised that local prosecution would negate charges at the International Criminal Court at The Hague .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had earlier warned the report would include “ difficult and hard news for Australians ” , but few expected some of the most shocking revelations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it included allegations that senior special forces personnel ordered the killing of unarmed Afghans .
“ There is credible information that junior soldiers were required by their patrol commanders to shoot a prisoner , in order to achieve the soldier ’ s first kill , in a practice that was known as ‘ blooding ’ , ” the report read .
Once a person had been killed , those allegedly responsible would stage a fight scene with foreign weapons or equipment to justify their action , the report concluded .
The actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what the report concluded was a culture of secrecy and compartmentalisation in which information was kept and controlled within patrols .
The veil of secrecy was a key reason that the allegations took so long to come to light .
Although it has been the subject of rumour , Australia ’ s official investigation only began after the publication of classified documents about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan .
A former military lawyer , David McBride , has been charged with providing the classified papers to the Australian Broadcasting Corp .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but says it is in the national interest .
The four-year inquiry was conducted by New South Wales state Judge Paul Brereton , who was appointed by the Inspector-General of Defence in 2016 to investigate rumours of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2016 .
The inquiry examined more than 20,000 documents and 25,000 images , and interviewed 423 witnesses under oath .
The report recommended Canberra should compensate victims ’ families even without a successful prosecution .
Campbell said he would seek to revoke citations for special operations task groups that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The release of the report came after Morrison spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani .
“ The Prime Minister of Australia expressed his deepest sorrow over the misconduct by some Australian troops in Afghanistan , ” Ghani ’ s office wrote on Twitter .
Australia has had troops in Afghanistan since 2002 as part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Taliban militia .
Australia has about 1,500 troops remaining in Afghanistan .


oann--2020-11-19--Pompeo visits Israeli settlement in occupied West Bank, in parting gift to Netanyahu

SHAAR BINYAMIN , West Bank ( Reuters ) – Mike Pompeo on Thursday paid the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank , in a parting show of solidarity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the outgoing Trump administration .
Palestinians accused Pompeo of helping Israel to cement its control over West Bank land that they seek for a state after he made a trip to the Shaar Binyamin winery near the settlement of Psagot , just north of Jerusalem .
To Israel ’ s delight and Palestinian dismay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American foreign policy to announce that the U.S. under President Donald Trump no longer viewed Israel ’ s settlements as “ inconsistent with international law ” .
Palestinians and much of the world regard the settlements as illegal under international law .
After meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday morning Pompeo travelled to the West Bank to visit the settler winery , which has a blend named after him .
He also issued guidelines for Israeli products made in settlements to be labelled “ Made in Israel ” or “ Product of Israel ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing the distinction between products made within Israel and those produced in occupied territory .
Pompeo ’ s visit departed from past policy that had kept top U.S. officials away from settlements , which Palestinians view as obstacles to a viable future state .
Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi accused Pompeo of using Trump ’ s final weeks in office “ to set yet another illegal precedent , violate international law and perhaps to advance his own future political ambitions ” .
“ Pompeo is intoxicated by apartheid wine stolen from Palestinian land .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it damages the chances for peace , ” Ashrawi told Reuters .
Wasel Abu Youssef , a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization , also denounced his labelling announcement .
“ This is totally rejected .
It reaffirms the partnership between President Trump and the occupation , ” he said .
It is unclear whether Trump ’ s decision on settlements would be reversed by a Biden administration , amid Israeli concerns he will take a tougher line on the issue .
Before heading to the West Bank , Pompeo said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heights .
In 2019 Trump formally recognised Israel ’ s sovereignty over the area of the strategic plateau that it captured from Syria in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognised by the United Nations and most countries .
“ The simple recognition of this as part of Israel , too , was a decision President Trump made that is historically important and simply a recognition of reality , ” Pompeo said on Thursday .
The Palestinian leadership cut ties with Trump White House three years ago , accusing it of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s election defeat with dismay , and his close ally Netanyahu waited 10 days after Joe Biden declared victory to speak with the Democratic candidate and refer to him as president-elect .
Pompeo said Washington would also step up action against pro-Palestinian efforts to isolate Israel economically and diplomatically .
“ I want you to know that we will immediately take steps to identify organisations that engage in hateful BDS ( Boycott , Divestment and Sanctions ) conduct and withdraw U.S. government support , ” he said .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitic , ” Pompeo said .
BDS supporters dispute that , saying they are against all forms of racism .
U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Pompeo had falsely equated peaceful support for boycotts of Israel with antisemitism .
“ Instead of combating systemic racism and far-right extremism in the United States , the Trump administration is undermining the common fight against the scourge of antisemitism by equating it with peaceful advocacy of boycotts , ” said Eric Goldstein , the group ’ s acting Middle East and North Africa director .


oann--2020-11-19--Soccer: Guardiola extends Man City contract to 2023

( Reuters ) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him in charge until the end of the 2022-23 season , the Premier League club said on Thursday .
The Spaniard has guided City to two Premier League titles , three League Cups and an FA Cup since his arrival in 2016 .
“ Pep ’ s contract extension is the natural next step in a journey which has evolved over many years , ” City chairman Khaldoon Mubarak said in a statement .
“ It is a product of the mutual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the entire club.
” Guardiola ’ s current five-year stay at City is his longest spell in charge of a club since he began his managerial career in 2008 .
The 49-year-old managed Barcelona from 2008-12 and spent three years in charge of Bayern Munich before joining City .
“ Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself , ” Guardiola said in Thursday ’ s club statement .
“ Since then we have achieved a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games and trophies , and we are all very proud of that success.
” Under Guardiola , City became the first English top-flight club to collect 100 points in a season when they cruised to the title in 2017-18 .
They successfully defended their title the following season to become the first team in a decade to win back-to-back Premier League crowns .
Guardiola ’ s City side are currently 10th in the Premier League with 12 points from seven games , six behind pacesetters Leicester City with a game in hand .


oann--2020-11-21--Huawei lawyers question if Canada border agent had reasonable grounds to issue CFO’s warrant

VANCOUVER ( Reuters ) – A border official who took part in interrogating Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou testified on Friday he did not have reasonable grounds to believe she should have been denied entry to Canada but that he felt the border agency ’ s warrant to detain her was still justified .
Huawei lawyers are seeking to prove in a Canadian court that the investigation by Canada ’ s border agency two years ago at Vancouver International Airport resulted in abuse of process that should get her extradition to the United States thrown out .
Prosecutors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CBSA ) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) have countered that Meng ’ s investigation and arrest followed usual procedures .
On Friday , defence lawyer Mona Duckett confronted CBSA agent Sowmith Katragadda about a document he signed , which included a declaration that he had reasonable grounds to believe she should be denied entry to Canada and therefore could be arrested with an immigration warrant .
When asked if he had reasonable grounds , Katragadda replied , “ At the time , no I did not.
” He countered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the paperwork and believed there was still justification for the immigration warrant .
CBSA officials have previously testified they were concerned about Meng fleeing the country if the RCMP did not arrest her .
Meng , 48 , was arrested on charges of bank fraud from the United States , where she is accused of misrepresenting Huawei Technologies Co Ltd ’ s [ HWT.UL ] dealings with Iran , putting one of its lenders , HSBC , at risk of violating U.S. trade sanctions .
She has denied the charges and sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of alleged collusion between Canadian and U.S. authorities among other reasons .
In particular , Meng ’ s lawyers have asserted that Canadian and U.S. authorities used the additional investigative powers of the CBSA to interrogate Meng without a lawyer present .
CBSA officers have testified their investigation was not directed by outside authorities and would have taken place regardless of the outstanding warrant for her arrest .
Meng ’ s arrest has set off a diplomatic conflict between Ottawa and Beijing .


oann--2020-11-20--Ethiopian government says troops take two towns from Tigray fighters

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia/UM RAKUBA , Sudan ( Reuters ) – Government forces captured two towns from rebel forces in Ethiopia ’ s northern Tigray region , the government said on Friday , and Tigrayan fighters fired rockets at an airport in a neighbouring region .
The rocket attack on Bahir Dar , capital of Asmara region , raised concerns that the two-week-old conflict between the Tigrayan rebels and the central government could spiral into a wider war .
The United Nations meanwhile said it was making plans for as many as 200,000 refugees fleeing into neighbouring Sudan .
Hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed and tens of thousands of refugees have already fled from fighting in Tigray as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to hold his ethnically diverse nation together .
Ethiopian government forces are fighting their way towards Mekelle , the Tigrayan capital , from several directions .
In the north , Ethiopian troops took the towns of Axum and Adwa , a government statement said .
They are now advancing toward the town of Adigrat , about 120 km ( 80 miles ) north of Mekelle , the regional capital of Tigray and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Many fighters of the junta have surrendered , ” the statement said , referring to the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front .
Tigrayan forces were not available for comment but in a televised address , spokesman Getachew Reda said their fighters have inflicted “ increasing causalties ” in Raya , to the south of Mekelle .
Tigrayan fighters also “ eliminated enemy forces ” from Mehoni in the south and Zalambessa to the northeast , Tigrayan TV said .
It has been impossible to verify assertions on all sides because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been severed since the conflict began .
Reda ’ s address also claimed responsibility for a rocket attack in the early hours of Friday on the airport in Bahir Dar , which Amhara authorities had announced earlier in the day .
He said it was in retaliation for bombing raids launched from there .
“ We will continue to target whichever airport has been used to stage an attack on Tigray , ” he said .
The Amhara government ’ s communications office said the rockets caused no damage .
Bahir Dar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is located hundreds of miles from the fighting in Tigray .
Tigrayan refugees have told Reuters that Amhara militiamen are fighting on the government side .
The two regions also have a border dispute .
At the Um Rakuba settlement in Sudan , where aid workers are setting up a camp in the scrubland for 10,000 mainly Tigrayan refugees , those who arrived queued up for cornflour porridge and put up makeshift shelters .
Yohannes Gor , 28 , arrived by foot after fleeing the Ethiopian town of Humera , close to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clothes he was wearing .
“ I live under this tree and sleep on the dirt , ” he said .
“ I lost all trace of my family and I don ’ t know what happened to them.
” Aid agencies fear a humanitarian emergency in Tigray , where hundreds of thousands of people depended on relief aid even before the conflict .
Refugees have crowded into boats to cross a river to Sudan , overwhelming aid groups on the other side .
Axel Bisschop of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees had already reached Sudan , surpassing a contingency plan for 20,000 .
“ The new planning figure is around 200,000.
” UNICEF ’ s Sudan-based representative Abdullah Fadil worried about the impact on Sudan , already hosting 1 million refugees from other African wars .
“ Our serious concern is if we do not act quickly with the resources needed…this could unravel not only Ethiopia but also Sudan , ” he told the same briefing .
Ethiopia , a federation of 10 ethnic regions , was dominated for decades by Tigrayans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is of Amhara and Oromo descent , took power two years ago .
He says he aims to share authority more fairly .
The TPLF accuses him of pursuing a vendetta against former officials .
The conflict erupted two weeks ago after what the government called a TPLF attack on army forces stationed in the region .
On Thursday , Tigray forces accused the government of bombing a university in the Tigray capital Mekelle .
There was no immediate response from the government , although officials have said they are attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tigray forces fired rockets at two airports in Amhara .
They have also fired rockets into the neighbouring nation of Eritrea , which has a long-running enmity with the TPLF leadership .
Eritrea made peace with Ethiopia in 2018 , earning Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize .
Reports of ethnically motivated killings have emerged .
Rights group Amnesty International documented a mass killing of civilians , many of whom appeared to be Amhara , by what it says were Tigrayan forces on Nov. 9-10 .
The Tigray authorities have denied this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were targeted for being Tigrayan .
Since taking power , Abiy has freed political prisoners and loosened what was once one of Africa ’ s most repressive political and economic systems .
But the new freedoms have been accompanied by violence as regional bosses vie for power , money and land .


oann--2020-11-21--Ethiopian government says troops take two towns from Tigray fighters


oann--2020-11-22--Violence erupts in Brazil after Black man beaten to death at Carrefour store

PORTO ALEGRE , Brazil ( Reuters ) – More than 1,000 demonstrators attacked a Carrefour Brasil supermarket in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre on Friday after security guards beat to death a Black man at the store .
The killing , which has sparked protests across Brazil , occurred late on Thursday when a store employee called security after the man threatened to attack her , cable news channel GloboNews said , citing the Rio Grande do Sul state military police .
Amateur footage of the fatal beating and tributes to the Black victim were published on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media by his father as 40-year-old Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas .
News website G1 later reported that an initial analysis by the state forensics institute indicated the cause of death could be asphyxiation .
In a statement on Friday , the local unit of France ’ s Carrefour SA said it deeply regretted what it called a brutal death and said it immediately took steps to ensure those responsible were legally punished .
It said it would terminate the contract with the security firm , fire the employee in charge of the store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close the store as a mark of respect .
In a series of tweets in Portuguese on Friday night , the Chairman and CEO of Carrefour , Alexandre Bompard , said that the images posted on social media were “ unbearable.
” “ Internal measures have immediately been implemented by the Carrefour Brazil , notably towards the security company involved .
These measures do not go far enough .
My values , and the values of Carrefour do not allow for racism and violence , ” Bompard said .
He called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ training on security , diversity and tolerance values .
“ I have asked the teams of Carrefour Brazil to fully cooperate with judicial authorities to get to the bottom of this odious action , ” he addded In Porto Alegre , protesters on Friday afternoon handed out stickers depicting the Carrefour logo stained with blood and called for a boycott of the chain .
They held up a banner in Portuguese reading “ Black Lives Matter ” and signs calling for justice for Beto , a nickname for the victim .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrators smashed windows and delivery vehicles in the supermarket ’ s parking area .
A Reuters witness saw police firing teargas at the protesters .
In Sao Paulo , dozens of protesters smashed the front windows of a Carrefour store with rocks , pulled off the front doors and stormed the building , spilling products into the aisles before dispersing .
In Rio de Janeiro , roughly 200 shouting protesters gathered outside of another Carrefour store location .
Nov. 20 is honored in many parts of Brazil as Black Awareness Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a harmonious ‘ racial democracy ’ and far-right President Jair Bolsonaro denies the presence of racism .
But the influence of slavery , abolished in 1888 , is still evident .
Black Brazilians are almost three times as likely to be victims of homicide , according to 2019 government data .
“ The culture of hate and racism needs to be combated at its source and the full weight of the law should be used to punish those that promote hate and racism , ” Rodrigo Maia , the speaker of Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a tweet .


oann--2020-11-22--G20 leaders seek to help poorest nations in post-COVID world

BEIJING/DUBAI/WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Leaders of the 20 biggest economies on Saturday vowed to ensure a fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines , drugs and tests around the world and do what was needed to support poorer countries struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people , consistent with members ’ commitments to incentivize innovation , ” the leaders said in a draft G20 communique seen by Reuters .
“ We recognise the role of extensive immunization as a global public good.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uneven , uncertain global recovery dominated the first day of a two-day summit under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia , which hands off the rotating presidency of the G20 to Italy next month .
The COVID-19 pandemic , which has thrown the global economy into a deep recession this year , and efforts needed to underpin an economic rebound in 2021 , were at the top of the agenda .
“ We must work to create the conditions for affordable and equitable access to these tools for all peoples , ” Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his opening remarks .
G20 leaders are concerned that the pandemic might further deepen global divisions between the rich and the poor .
“ We need to avoid at all costs a scenario of a two-speed world where only the richer can protect themselves against the virus and restart normal lives , ” French President Emmanuel Macron told the summit .
To do that , the European Union urged G20 leaders quickly to put more money into a global project for vaccines , tests and therapeutics – called Access to COVID-19 Tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVAX facility to distribute vaccines .
“ At the G20 Summit I called for $ 4.5 billion to be invested in ACT Accelerator by the end of 2020 , for procurement & delivery of COVID-19 tests , treatments and vaccines everywhere , ” European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter .
“ We need to show global solidarity , ” she said .
Germany was contributing more than 500 million euros ( $ 592.65 million ) to the effort , Chancellor Angela Merkel told the G20 , urging other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a text of her remarks .
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to provide Russia ’ s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to other countries and said Moscow was also preparing a second and third vaccine .
China , where the pandemic originated a year ago , also offered to cooperate on vaccines .
China has five home-grown candidates for a vaccine undergoing the last phase of trials .
“ China is willing to strengthen cooperation with other countries in the research and development , production , and distribution of vaccines , ” President Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will … offer help and support to other developing countries , and work hard to make vaccines a public good that citizens of all countries can use and can afford , ” he said .
U.S. President Donald Trump , who lost the U.S. presidential election but has refused to concede to former Vice President Joe Biden , addressed G20 leaders briefly before going golfing .
He discussed the need to work together to restore economic growth , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a summary released late on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. pledge to support the global vaccine distribution effort .
One European source said Trump ’ s remarks were focused on what he described as an unprecedented U.S. recovery and the U.S. drive to develop its own vaccines .
To prepare for future outbreaks , the EU is proposing a treaty on pandemics .
“ An international treaty would help us respond more quickly and in a more coordinated manner , ” European Council President Charles Michel told the G20 .
While the global economy is recovering from the depths of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgent infection rates and the pandemic is likely to leave deep scars , the International Monetary Fund said in a report for the summit .
Especially vulnerable are poor and highly indebted countries , which are “ on the precipice of financial ruin and escalating poverty , hunger and untold suffering ” , United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday .
To address this , the G20 will endorse a plan to extend a freeze in debt service payments by the poorest countries to mid-2021 and endorse a common approach for dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft communique said .
World Bank President David Malpass warned the G20 that failing to provide more permanent debt relief to some countries now could lead to increased poverty and a repeat of the disorderly defaults of the 1980s .
The G20 debt relief initiative has helped 46 countries defer $ 5.7 billion in debt service payments , but that is far short of the 73 countries that were eligible , and promised savings of around $ 12 billion .
Private sector participation is seen as critical to ensuring broader use of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an important theme of the Italian presidency of the G20 in 2021 .


oann--2020-11-22--Burkina Faso holds election under looming threat of violence

OUAGADOUGOU ( Reuters ) – Voters went to the polls in Burkina Faso on Sunday in a presidential election dominated by jihadist violence that will prevent voting in hundreds of villages .
President Roch Kabore is seeking a second five-year term , campaigning on achievements such as free healthcare for children under the age of five and paving some of the red dirt roads that snake across the arid West African country .
But a surge in attacks by groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State has eclipsed everything and the violence has cost more than 2,000 lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in a school in Ouagadougou , Kabore told reporters : “ I call on all Burkinabe to vote , whatever their leaning .
It ’ s about the democracy of Burkina Faso , it ’ s about development , it ’ s about peace.
” The electoral commission has said that polling stations will remain shut across much of the north and east for fear of violence .
At least 400,000 people – nearly 7 % of the electorate – will be unable to cast their votes , official data shows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring peace to our country .
The president needs a second mandate to end what has started , ” said 59-year-old secretarial worker Maimouna Tapsoba after voting in Ouagadougou .
Kabore faces stiff opposition from former finance minister and 2015 runner-up Zephirin Diabre as well as Eddie Komboigo , head of Blaise Campaore ’ s party .
Campaore was president for 27 years until the 2014 revolution .
Komboigo on Sunday joined Diabre in claiming the vote had been marred by fraud .
Both vowed to challenge the results by filing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not provided evidence for their claims .
The election commission said some voters had experienced difficulties finding their polling stations but did not report wider disruptions .
Analysts expect a tight race that could go to a second round if no candidate wins more than 50 % of the vote .
Provisional results from the first round are expected by the middle of the week .


oann--2020-11-23--Oil prices rise on back of COVID vaccine news

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil prices rose more than 1 % on Monday , extending last week ’ s gains as traders anticipated coronavirus vaccine trials would spur a recovery in demand .
Sentiment was also bolstered by expectations that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) , Russia and other producers , a group known as OPEC+ , would extend a deal to restrain output .
Brent crude rose 66 cents to $ 45.62 a barrel by 1247 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 52 cents to $ 42.94 a barrel .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The contango structure in the market , whereby the prices of front-month delivery contracts are lower than those for delivery six months later , narrowed to as little as 31 U.S. cents , its smallest since mid June , reflecting traders ’ views a sustained glut is receding .
Outlook for demand has improved with news indicating progress towards developing COVID-19 vaccines .
A U.S. official said the first inoculations in the United States could start a day or two after regulatory approval was secured .
British drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Monday its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Oxford , could be around 90 % effective .
PVM analyst Stephen Brennock said the news was detaching sentiment from “ gloomy fundamentals ” .
“ Investors are ignoring near-term headwinds , chief among which are surging global COVID infections , and instead looking ahead to next summer , ” he said .
On the supply side , OPEC+ , which meets on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. , will look at options to extend its deal on output cuts by at least three months from January .
Smaller Russian oil companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , a group representing the producers said .
Yemen ’ s Iran-aligned Houthi group on Monday said it fired a missile that struck a Saudi Aramco site in the western city of Jeddah .
There was no immediate Saudi confirmation of the claim .
Aramco ’ s main oil facilities in are in the east .


oann--2020-11-23--Vaccine progress lift stocks, dollar still sickly

LONDON/SHANGHAI ( Reuters ) – Investors scooped up stocks , commodities and emerging-market currencies and gave the dollar a wide berth as AstraZeneca and Oxford University provided markets with their now-regular Monday shot of encouraging COVID-19 vaccine news.The STOXX index of Europe ’ s 600 largest firms rose to its highest since February , Wall Street was pointing up 0.6 % and Brent futures were nearly 1.5 % stronger .
AstraZeneca and Oxford vaccine , which is set to cost just a few dollars a shot and should be easier to ramp up and store than vaccines by Pfizer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 90 % effective .
As the dollar buckled through a range it has been in for the past few months , the euro touched $ 1.19 , but it was the emerging markets that are likely to benefit from a cheaper and easier-to-store drug that rallied the most .
South Africa ’ s rand shrugged off a double sovereign credit-rating downgrade over the weekend to add 0.8 % .
Russia ’ s rouble and Mexican peso both climbed half a percent to bolster their stellar months .
“ The combined vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a much faster pace of normalization to our daily lives compared to what we would have assumed just a few weeks ago , ” analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note to clients .
“ By spring , things should be looking much closer to normal.
” Markets ’ optimism also came after a top official of the U.S. government ’ s vaccine-development effort said Sunday that the first vaccines there could be given to U.S. healthcare workers and some others by mid-December .
U.S shares looked set to mimic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasdaq futures rose 0.4 % , Dow futures rose 0.7 % , and U.S. e-mini futures for the S & P 500 were 0.6 % higher at 3,576 .
The rally also showed investors are willing to look past the grim U.S. case numbers — which topped 12 million over the weekend — and mixed European economic data released on Monday .
IHS Markit ’ s headline flash composite PMI , seen as a good guide to economic health , fell to 45.1 in November from October ’ s 50.0 – the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll had predicted a shallower dip to 46.1 .
Vaccine hopes , though , and expectations of more stimulus from the European Central Bank next month , meant optimism improved .
The composite future output index jumped to 60.1 from 56.5 , its highest since February .
“ Today ’ s vaccine news is positive , but it is only partly responsible for the rally in stock markets , ” said Philip Shaw , chief economist at Investec in London .
“ ( It ) is also being driven by the news that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program in under three weeks.
” Euro zone government bonds saw some selling as investors also focused on the fact that major economies remain under strict lockdowns and that COVID-19 cases are not receding .
Benchmark German 10-year Bund yields were last flat at -0.57 % , off a two-week low .
The European share rally took the region ’ s November gains to 15 % and followed another record high for Asian equities even before the announcement of latest vaccine news .
MSCI ’ s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Analysts said the gains belied some uncertainty as monetary and fiscal help for the U.S. economy remained elusive .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week that key pandemic lending programs at the Federal Reserve would expire on Dec. 31 , putting the outgoing Trump administration at odds with the central bank and potentially adding stress to the economy .
With the vaccine news and dollar index , which tracks the dollar against a basket of six major rivals , down to 92.097 , commodity markets were still bullish , with traders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing oil higher .
West Texas Intermediate crude gained 71 cents , or 1.67 % , to $ 43.13 a barrel , in line with the gains in Brent crude futures .
Both benchmarks jumped 5 % last week .
Safe-haven gold , meanwhile , drifted at $ 1,864 per ounce , having lost almost 10 % since peaking in earlier August .
“ Positive sentiment continues to be driven by the recent good news about the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines in development and the expectation that the OPEC+ meeting at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend current cuts by three to six months , ” said Stephen Innes , chief global markets Strategist at Axi , a financial services firm .


oann--2020-11-24--Oil hits highest since March collapse on vaccine, Biden transition

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Oil hit its highest since in March on Tuesday , rising towards $ 47 a barrel , as a third promising coronavirus vaccine spurred demand recovery hopes and U.S. President-elect Joe Biden received the go-ahead to begin his transition .
AstraZeneca said on Monday its COVID-19 shot was 70 % effective in trials and could be up to 90 % effective , giving the fight against the pandemic a third vaccine .
This follows positive results from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna .
Brent crude rose 51 cents , or 1.1 % , to $ 46.57 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session high of $ 46.72 , its highest since March 6 .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 63 cents , or 1.5 % , to $ 43.69 .
“ The fight against the coronavirus is intensifying and is proving to be increasingly successful , ” said Tamas Varga of broker PVM .
“ Next year ’ s oil demand estimates are bound to be amended upwards.
” This is Brent ’ s highest since the collapse of an earlier OPEC-led output pact , just as demand was starting to crater in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices crashing .
Also supporting oil and wider financial markets , U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday allowed officials to proceed with a transition to Joe Biden ’ s administration .
“ In the short-term , this is good for markets in general as well as for the oil market , ” said Bjarne Schieldrop of SEB .
Expectations that U.S. crude inventories edged lower last week also added support .
The first of this week ’ s U.S. supply reports is due at 2130 GMT from the American Petroleum Institute .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief Saudi Arabia-Russia price war , OPEC and allies agreed to record high output cuts to support prices .
OPEC+ , as the group is known , is expected to roll over current cuts into 2021 at meetings on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 , following technical talks this week .


oann--2020-11-26--Japan criticises U.N. finding that Nissan’s Ghosn was detained unfairly

TOKYO ( Reuters ) -Japan ’ s justice minister on Tuesday criticised a written opinion by a United Nations panel , saying that claims that former Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn had been treated unfairly under the Japanese legal system were based on “ factual errors ” .
In a written opinion late last week , a U.N. panel of human rights experts concluded that the repeated arrest of Ghosn was “ fundamentally unfair ” and “ appears to be an abuse of process intended to ensure that he remained in custody ” .
“ It ’ s hugely disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on factual errors , relying only on the one-sided claims made by Ghosn and his legal team without an understanding of how our legal system works , ” Japanese Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa said at a news briefing on Tuesday .
“ The Japanese government has filed a complaint , ” she added , saying the government would be working with the United Nations to “ correct their misunderstandings.
” The U.N. panel also urged the Japanese government to “ remedy the situation of Mr. Ghosn without delay ” .
Ghosn was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself and hiding his income in late 2018 .
He was living in Tokyo on bail awaiting trial when he fled to Lebanon about a year later , in December 2019 .
Ghosn ’ s detention and escape to Lebanon threw Japan ’ s legal system into the international spotlight , with critics viewing its judicial practices as overly harsh .
In what has been called “ hostage justice ” by critics , the Japanese legal systems allow detainees to be interrogated without a lawyer present , and prisoners held in custody are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ghosn has denied any wrongdoing and says that he would have not received a fair trial in Japan .
He has also claimed that he was a victim of a boardroom coup – a claim that Nissan Motor Co. has denied and called baseless .


oann--2020-11-28--Cellist turns locked-down museums into backdrop for “healing art”

PARIS ( Reuters ) – It ’ s an ideal pairing for the COVID-19 era : a musician who can not play for a live audience and sumptuous museums that can not welcome visitors .
Cellist Camille Thomas has put them together to create what she hopes will be a balm for troubled times .
She is carrying out a series of solo performances of classic works set against a backdrop of deserted museum interiors in and around Paris .
They are filmed and posted on the Internet .
During the pandemic , she has performed at the Palace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World and is scheduled next week to perform at the Grand Palais , a vast exhibition space next to the Champs Elysees .
All the venues are shut because of France ’ s COVID-19 lockdown .
A YouTube video of her performing at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris in October had been viewed 36,575 times as of Friday .
“ I wanted to symbolise with these images the loneliness of musicians without the public , of museums without visitors , ” said Thomas .
She was speaking in a room of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she played the Kaddish , a piece written by 20th century French composer Maurice Ravel .
“ Of course people need medical care in this pandemic time but they also need care for the soul , ” said Thomas , 32 , who has a recording contract with a classical music label .
“ I believe that art and music is healing and it ’ s essential to … feel that , after this difficult time , all this beauty is waiting , it ’ s still there and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @


oann--2020-11-28--Brexit goes down to the wire: EU and UK say big differences remain

BRUSSELS/LONDON ( Reuters ) – The European Union and Britain said on Friday there were still substantial differences over a Brexit trade deal as the EU chief negotiator prepared to travel to London in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a tumultuous finale to the five-year Brexit crisis .
With just five weeks left until the United Kingdom finally exits the EU ’ s orbit on Dec. 31 , both sides are calling on the other to compromise on the three main issues of contention – fishing , state aid and how to resolve any future disputes .
The two sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to be suspended last week when one of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier ’ s team tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ Clearly there are substantial and important differences still to be bridged but we ’ re getting on with it , ” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters .
“ The likelihood of a deal is very much determined by our friends and partners in the EU — there ’ s a deal there to be done if they want to do it.
” Barnier said on Twitter he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks with Britain ’ s chief negotiator David Frost .
Neither side has so far shown a willingness to shift enough on the three outstanding issues to allow a breakthrough .
“ It is late , but a deal is still possible , and I will continue to talk until it ’ s clear that it isn ’ t , ” Frost said .
Britain formally left the EU on Jan. 31 but has been in a transition period since then under which rules on trade , travel and business remain unchanged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated by Brussels as a third country .
One EU diplomat said there are “ only a few days left ” for the talks , which have previously continued through numerous broken deadlines .
“ The gaps on level playing-field , governance and fisheries remain large , ” the diplomat said following a closed-door briefing given by Barnier to national diplomats on the progress of the negotiations .
“ Without London taking the necessary decisions quickly , reaching a deal will be all but impossible.
” A “ no-deal ” exit would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupt delicate supply chains that stretch across Europe and beyond — just as the world grapples with the vast economic cost of the COVID-19 outbreak .
EU ambassadors called on the executive European Commission to urgently prepare contingency measures for a no-deal .
But Barnier is reluctant to go down the contingency route as he still believes a deal can be struck , another EU diplomat said .
The first sign of movement — either towards a deal or that talks are crumbling — is likely to be a call between Johnson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No such call has yet been announced .
A source close to the negotiations said it had been “ tough ” recently to make progress .
Von der Leyen said on Wednesday the EU was ready for a no-deal Brexit if necessary .
The two sides are trying to strike a trade deal on goods that would safeguard nearly $ 1 trillion in annual trade and buttress peace in British-ruled Northern Ireland .
The latter is a priority for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden , who has warned Johnson he must uphold the 1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland .


oann--2020-11-30--Grosjean escapes fiery crash in Bahrain, Hamilton wins

MANAMA ( Reuters ) – Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday after French driver Romain Grosjean had a miraculous escape from a fiery first-lap crash that ripped his car in two .
Grosjean ’ s Haas was engulfed in flames after it careered off the road at high speed and speared through the protective barriers lining the floodlit Sakhir track .
The 34-year-old managed to free himself from the wreckage and jump clear .
He suffered burns to his hands and is recuperating in a nearby hospital .
Renault ’ s Daniel Ricciardo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crash while Hamilton said the incident showed how dangerous the sport could be .
“ It was terrifying to see , ” said seven-times world champion Hamilton , who took his 95th career win ahead of Red Bull ’ s Max Verstappen , with the race ending under the safety car .
“ It hits home for a driver , but I am grateful that he is safe and he was able to get out and it is a stark reminder of how dangerous this sport can be .
“ It wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the zone and into race mode but the race goes on and that is what we have to do.
” Grosjean was voted ‘ Driver of the Day ’ by fans .
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said they would have pulled out if the Frenchman ’ s injuries had been life-threatening .
“ In this day and age a man ’ s health and life is much more important than a racing event or a sporting event , ” said Wolff .
Grosjean ’ s crash brought the race to a halt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed an hour and 20 minutes later after repairs to the barriers .
Immediately after the restart Lance Stroll ’ s Racing Point was flipped upside down after contact with Daniil Kvyat .
The Canadian climbed out unscathed and the safety car was deployed so his car could be removed .
The race then settled into something of a procession and Hamilton cruised unchallenged to his 11th win from 15 races this season , and fifth in a row .
Verstappen said he was unable to put any real pressure on Hamilton “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Verstappen .
“ We tried to keep close but they always had an answer .
It is what it is – second place is good.
” It was a Red Bull double on the podium as British-born Thai driver Alexander Albon took third from Sergio Perez after the Racing Point driver suffered a blown engine three laps from the end .
With both Racing Point cars failing to finish McLaren vaulted into third in the constructor standings , with Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz finishing fourth and fifth .
Ricciardo was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who made a poor start and then suffered a puncture .
Esteban Ocon was ninth in the other Renault ahead of Charles Leclerc , whose Ferrari team mate Sebastian Vettel finished 13th .


oann--2020-11-30--Britain and EU say time is running out for Brexit trade deal

BRUSSELS/LONDON ( Reuters ) – Britain and the European Union cautioned each other on Monday that time was running out to reach a Brexit trade deal , with big differences still to be bridged on state aid , enforcement and fishing .
The United Kingdom leaves the EU ’ s orbit on Dec. 31 , when a transition period of informal membership ends following its formal departure last January , and the sides are trying to secure a deal to govern nearly $ 1 trillion in annual trade .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who is also tackling Europe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says a deal would be preferable but that Britain , which joined the EU in 1973 , would flourish without one .
Talks in London over the weekend were “ quite difficult ” and “ massive divergences ” remain on the most thorny elements of fisheries , economic fair play and settling disputes , an EU source said .
Johnson ’ s spokesman said there had been some progress but “ there still remains divergence on issues ( such as ) fisheries and the level playing field.
” “ We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as possible but we ’ ve been clear we won ’ t change our negotiating position , ” the spokesman said .
After breaking multiple deadlines , the negotiators are stuck mainly on fishing , state aid and how to resolve any future disputes .
A trade deal would not only safeguard trade but also buttress peace in British-ruled Northern Ireland , though some disruption is almost certain at the busiest EU-UK border points .
Failure to secure a deal would snarl borders , spook financial markets and disrupt delicate supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — just as the world grapples with the vast economic cost of the COVID-19 outbreak .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was a significant week for Brexit .
Talks between EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and British chief negotiator David Frost continued on Monday .
Asked whether there was reason for optimism , Barnier told reporters : “ There are reasons for determination.
” “ We are running out of time here , ” said Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney , whose country is in the EU .
“ The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of the challenges of it.
” Coveney said a deal could be done if there was give and take on both sides but told Ireland ’ s Newstalk Radio that a failure to agree on fishing rights could wreck a deal .
“ If there isn ’ t an agreement on this , the whole thing could fall on the back of it and that ’ s the worry , ” he said .
Fishing alone contributed just 0.03 % of British economic output in 2019 , but it is an emotive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a symbol of the regained sovereignty they hope leaving the EU will bring .
Combined with fish and shellfish processing , the sector makes up 0.1 % of UK GDP .
Britain wants “ zonal attachment ” to agree a total allowable catch for the United Kingdom ’ s waters – a step that would give it a much larger quota share than if the fish maths were worked out on the EU ’ s proposals .


oann--2020-12-07--Georgia Republican Senator Loeffler dodges questions on Trump during debate with challenger Warnock

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler danced around questions about whether President Donald Trump lost the Nov. 3 election in a debate with her Democratic challenger on Sunday before two Georgia runoffs that will decide control of the U.S. Senate .
Facing off with the Rev .
Raphael Warnock on a debate stage in Atlanta , Loeffler repeatedly called the political newcomer a “ radical liberal , ” while Warnock criticized Loeffler ’ s stock trades after the wealthy businesswoman was appointed senator a year ago .
Each criticized the other ’ s interpretation of the Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler sidestepped a question about whether she agreed with Trump ’ s baseless claims that last month ’ s election was “ rigged.
” Trump has not conceded to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden , instead insisting without evidence that the result was due to widespread fraud , claims that state and federal officials have repeatedly rejected .
“ It ’ s vitally important that Georgians trust our election process and the president has every right to every legal recourse , ” Loeffler said .
Warnock countered by asking why Loeffler “ continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s time to put this behind us.
” Georgia has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator in 20 years , but Biden ’ s narrow victory there over Trump has given Democrats hope .
They face an uphill battle , however , and need to win both races to deny Republicans a Senate majority that could be used to block much of Biden ’ s legislative agenda .
Republicans are training much of their fire on Warnock , the Black senior pastor of the Atlanta church where civil rights champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once preached .
“ My opponent , radical liberal Raphael Warnock , is a socialist , ” Loeffler said , an attack she voiced repeatedly through the debate .
She went through a litany of attacks she has made in her campaign ads , which seek to portray Warnock as anti-police , anti-Israel , “ Marxist ” and tied to the Rev .
Jeremiah Wright and a sermon in which the Black Chicago pastor declared : “ God damn America !
” Warnock said Loeffler was trying to misrepresent him .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He accused Loeffler of improperly profiting by “ dumping millions of dollars of stock ” just after becoming senator and early in the coronavirus outbreak , before the stock market turned down .
“ I ’ m OK with the fact that she wants to make money , I just think you shouldn ’ t use the people ’ s seat to enrich yourself .
You ought to use the people ’ s seat to represent the people , ” Warnock said .
The Justice Department closed a probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Jim Inhofe , earlier this year , shortly before market turmoil tied to the coronavirus , media have reported .
All three have denied wrongdoing .
Loeffler was appointed to her seat a year ago after its former occupant retired .
She trailed Warnock in her complicated 20-candidate Nov. 3 contest , when Warnock got 32.9 % and Loeffler took 25.9 % .
Senator David Perdue , the other Georgia Republican fighting to hold his seat on Jan. 5 , opted out of debating Democratic challenger Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on stage on Sunday .
Ossoff said Perdue may not want to talk about his frequent stock trades while a senator .
Last summer , the Justice Department shut an inquiry into Perdue ’ s trades in shares of a financial firm without charges , the New York Times reported last month .
“ Senator Perdue , I suppose , doesn ’ t feel that he can handle himself in a debate , or perhaps is concerned that he may incriminate himself in a debate , both of which in my opinion are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ossoff said .
Perdue ’ s campaign has said he does not manage his stock portfolio day to day .
The road to the runoffs poses challenges for both parties .
Biden demonstrated that a Democrat could win in the historically conservative state by defeating Trump there by 49.5 % -49.3 % in last month ’ s election .
That outcome has sparked recriminations among Republicans , with Trump blasting Georgia Governor Brian Kemp , and Loeffler and Perdue calling for the resignation of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday night , Trump urged the crowd to vote Republican in the Senate runoffs despite his unsubstantiated claims of significant electoral fraud in the state .
He also repeated his allegations of fraud in the national election that cost him the White House .