france24--2020-12-10--Scotland extend Townsend deal until 2023 Rugby World Cup

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a two-year contract extension that will take him up to the 2023 World Cup , Scottish Rugby announced on Thursday .
Townsend took over in 2017 and his deal is set to make him the longest-serving Scotland boss in the professional era .
The former international has won 22 of his 40 Tests at the helm , with one draw .
Townsend failed to guide Scotland into the knockout stages at last year 's World Cup in Japan but led them to five consecutive victories in 2020 before last month 's defeat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to continue in my role as Scotland head coach , '' said the 47-year-old .
`` I will be doing all I can , alongside an outstanding support staff , to improve the team as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2023 in France .
`` Over the past year I believe we have made progress on and off the field which give real grounds for optimism around what this team can achieve . ''
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been such a competitive arena and Scottish Rugby is determined to keep pace with other nations , and having a talented and respected coach like Gregor on board is an important factor in helping us achieve that . ''

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a two-year contract extension that will take him up to the 2023 World Cup, Scottish Rugby announced on Thursday.
Townsend took over in 2017 and his deal is set to make him the longest-serving Scotland boss in the professional era.
The former international has won 22 of his 40 Tests at the helm, with one draw.
Townsend failed to guide Scotland into the knockout stages at last year's World Cup in Japan but led them to five consecutive victories in 2020 before last month's defeat to France in the Autumn Nations Cup.
"I am honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to continue in my role as Scotland head coach," said the 47-year-old.
"I will be doing all I can, alongside an outstanding support staff, to improve the team as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
"Over the past year I believe we have made progress on and off the field which give real grounds for optimism around what this team can achieve."
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson said: "International rugby has never been such a competitive arena and Scottish Rugby is determined to keep pace with other nations, and having a talented and respected coach like Gregor on board is an important factor in helping us achieve that."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-10--UK demands EU concessions ahead of 'moment of finality'

Britain on Thursday said talks to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union will not go beyond this weekend unless there is `` substantial movement '' from Brussels in key areas .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen met in Brussels on Thursday , and gave themselves until Sunday to decide whether to keep talking .
Asked if talks could be extended , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television : `` I ca n't rule it out but I think we are rapidly approaching the point now where we need some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely but I ca n't categorically exclude it and of course it depends on the progress made between now and then . ''
Britain left the EU in January and is in a standstill transition period until December 31 while both sides thrash out the terms of their new trading relationship .
But months of negotiations have been stuck on the extent of EU access to UK fishing grounds and fair competition rules .
Raab , a former Brexit minister in the government of Johnson 's predecessor Theresa May , said there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the EU side '' .
`` We 're talking about fisheries , level playing field commitment , the EU 's attempt to lock us into their rules .
I think we need to see substantial movement , '' he added .
He later told BBC radio that Sunday 's deadline was a `` moment of finality '' and said : `` The EU has to move significantly on both those points because they 're points of principle .
`` We 're not going to be treated in a way that no other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accept . ''
Britain 's chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier resume talks in Brussels on Thursday in what could be a final push in the years-long Brexit process .
Their meeting comes as von der Leyen published a fallback plan in the event of `` no deal '' , ahead of briefing leaders of the 27 EU member states about the talks .
Failure to secure a deal by the end of December will see Britain revert to World Trade Organization ( WTO ) rules , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Britain on Thursday said talks to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union will not go beyond this weekend unless there is "substantial movement" from Brussels in key areas.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen met in Brussels on Thursday, and gave themselves until Sunday to decide whether to keep talking.
Asked if talks could be extended, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television: "I can't rule it out but I think we are rapidly approaching the point now where we need some finality.
"I think it's unlikely but I can't categorically exclude it and of course it depends on the progress made between now and then."
Britain left the EU in January and is in a standstill transition period until December 31 while both sides thrash out the terms of their new trading relationship.
But months of negotiations have been stuck on the extent of EU access to UK fishing grounds and fair competition rules.
Raab, a former Brexit minister in the government of Johnson's predecessor Theresa May, said there had not been enough "pragmatism and flexibility on the EU side".
"We're talking about fisheries, level playing field commitment, the EU's attempt to lock us into their rules. I think we need to see substantial movement," he added.
He later told BBC radio that Sunday's deadline was a "moment of finality" and said: "The EU has to move significantly on both those points because they're points of principle.
"We're not going to be treated in a way that no other country would accept or the EU would not accept."
Britain's chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier resume talks in Brussels on Thursday in what could be a final push in the years-long Brexit process.
Their meeting comes as von der Leyen published a fallback plan in the event of "no deal", ahead of briefing leaders of the 27 EU member states about the talks.
Failure to secure a deal by the end of December will see Britain revert to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, with tariffs and quotas, from January 1.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-10--Two dead as fire ravages Spanish warehouse housing migrants

Firefighters put out the fire in the Spanish warehouse where up to 200 migrants lived A fire ripped through a warehouse occupied by migrants near Barcelona killing at least two people and injuring 19 , including several who jumped from the building to escape the flames , Spanish officials said Thursday .
The blaze broke out at around 9:00 pm ( 2000 GMT ) on Wednesday in an industrial area of Badalona , a Barcelona suburb , where up to 200 migrants lived in squalid conditions , according to Badalona city hall .
Firefighters said they had so far found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more fatalities since they have not been able to enter the three-story building which had been occupied by squatters for years .
The blaze has been brought under control but firefighters were working to stabilise the structure of the warehouse to safely enter it and look for anyone who may be trapped inside , fire chief David Borrell told reporters at the scene .
`` We are trying to determine if there are any sign that there are more people or not , '' he said .
At least 19 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's civil protection agency said in a tweet .
Some people were hurt after jumping from the building , regional health minister Alba Verges said .
Badalona mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol said the authorities had accounted for 60 people `` but many escaped through the back windows and fled .
Maybe more than one hundred people left . ''
Moises , a Moroccan man who lived in the warehouse told daily newspaper La Vanguardia the blaze was started by a candle but Catalonia regional interior minister Miquel Samper said the authorities were still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catalonia 's interim regional leader Pere Aragones said housing assistance would be offered to those who lived in the warehouse .
`` This is a tragedy which comes on top of the economic misery which unfortunately many of the affected people faced , '' he said during an interview with Spanish public television TVE .
Most of the residents were reportedly from sub-Saharan Africa and lived by selling goods on the street or collecting scrap metal .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was following the news `` of the tragic fire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am deeply sorry for the loss of human life and I am grateful for the great work of the emergency services , who have saved dozens of people from the flames , '' he said in a tweet .

Badalona (Spain) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A fire ripped through a warehouse occupied by migrants near Barcelona killing at least two people and injuring 19, including several who jumped from the building to escape the flames, Spanish officials said Thursday.
The blaze broke out at around 9:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Wednesday in an industrial area of Badalona, a Barcelona suburb, where up to 200 migrants lived in squalid conditions, according to Badalona city hall.
Firefighters said they had so far found two bodies but could not rule out that more fatalities since they have not been able to enter the three-story building which had been occupied by squatters for years.
The blaze has been brought under control but firefighters were working to stabilise the structure of the warehouse to safely enter it and look for anyone who may be trapped inside, fire chief David Borrell told reporters at the scene.
"We are trying to determine if there are any sign that there are more people or not," he said.
At least 19 people were injured, including seven seriously, Catalonia's civil protection agency said in a tweet.
Some people were hurt after jumping from the building, regional health minister Alba Verges said.
Badalona mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol said the authorities had accounted for 60 people "but many escaped through the back windows and fled. Maybe more than one hundred people left."
Moises, a Moroccan man who lived in the warehouse told daily newspaper La Vanguardia the blaze was started by a candle but Catalonia regional interior minister Miquel Samper said the authorities were still investigating the cause of the blaze.
Catalonia's interim regional leader Pere Aragones said housing assistance would be offered to those who lived in the warehouse.
"This is a tragedy which comes on top of the economic misery which unfortunately many of the affected people faced," he said during an interview with Spanish public television TVE.
Most of the residents were reportedly from sub-Saharan Africa and lived by selling goods on the street or collecting scrap metal.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was following the news "of the tragic fire in Badalona with concern."
"I am deeply sorry for the loss of human life and I am grateful for the great work of the emergency services, who have saved dozens of people from the flames," he said in a tweet.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-10--Climate change spurring frog extinctions: conservationists

The harlequin frog , actually a toad , has been added to the `` extinct '' list Three Central American frog species have gone extinct and many others may soon follow as their populations are ravaged by a fungus that is spreading faster because of climate change , conservationists said Thursday .
In an update to its `` Red List '' of threatened species , the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) noted some positive developments , including for the European bison , but warned that the world is seeing a worrying number of extinctions .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stark reminder that conservation efforts must urgently expand , '' IUCN chief Bruno Oberle said in a statement .
Among the 31 species added to the `` extinct '' category in the latest Red List update was the often magnificently colourful Chiriqui harlequin frog -- which is actually a toad -- and two other frog species once found in Central America .
The Chiriqui harlequin used to be extremely abundant in Costa Rica and western Panama , but suddenly began disappearing in the late 1980s .
No specimens have been seen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Central and South America have meanwhile now been listed as `` critically endangered '' -- just one step from becoming extinct .
The main driver of the drastic declines in these species is chytridiomycosis disease , caused by the deadly chytrid fungus .
`` This is an invasive species which has impacted large numbers of frogs in different parts of the world , '' Craig Hilton-Taylor , who heads IUCN 's Red List unit , told AFP .
`` Climate change seems to be helping the spread of the fungus and creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flourish , and that then is wiping out the frog populations , '' he said , describing the situation for frogs and other amphibians as `` an enormous crisis '' .
Kelsey Neam , who works on the Red List 's amphibian section , told AFP most harlequin species were particularly vulnerable to the fungus , since they breathe through their skin , which has become weakened by increasing droughts .
`` It attacks their skin so they ca n't breathe , '' she said .
Many other harlequin toads are listed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a large possibility that others are gone , '' Neam said .
Among the other species that have ceased to exist are all 17 freshwater fish endemic to Lake Lanao in the Philippines -- 15 of them were declared extinct while two were listed as critically endangered and possibly extinct .
This devastation , according to Hilton-Taylor , was mainly caused by two predatory fish species introduced accidentally to the lake half a century ago .
In addition , overfishing , pollution , deforestation and other factors have wrought `` massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As a result , it has now finally tipped over , '' he said , decrying the large number of endemic species that `` have just gone overnight . ''
Many more species are vulnerable or threatened .
The Red List now includes 128,918 animal and plant species from around the world , including 35,765 threatened with extinction .
Among them is the tucuxi , a grey dolphin found in the Amazon river system , which has been moved to the `` endangered '' category after its population has been depleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damming of rivers and pollution .
With this move , all four of the world 's freshwater dolphin species are now considered threatened , including the baiji , found in the Yangtze River , which is possibly extinct .
Hilton-Taylor meanwhile highlighted positive developments for the tucuxi , with authorities across Peru , Ecuador , Colombia and Brazil banding together to take action to save it .
That `` is really good news for the conservation of the species , '' he said .
The latest edition of the Red List contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive impact that concerted conservation efforts can have , with 26 species showing signs of recovery .
Perhaps the most dramatic about-face was enjoyed by the European bison , which has moved up from `` vulnerable '' to `` near threatened '' .
Europe 's largest land mammal disappeared completely from the wild in the early 20th century , but thanks to continued breeding in zoos it could be reintroduced to the wild in the 1950s .
Intense conservation efforts have helped the population , found mainly in Poland , Belarus and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2003 to more than 6,200 last year , with 49 free-ranging bison herds across the continent .
`` That is positive news and shows that conservation actions can turn things around , '' Hilton-Taylor said .

Geneva (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Three Central American frog species have gone extinct and many others may soon follow as their populations are ravaged by a fungus that is spreading faster because of climate change, conservationists said Thursday.
In an update to its "Red List" of threatened species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) noted some positive developments, including for the European bison, but warned that the world is seeing a worrying number of extinctions.
"The growing list of extinct species is a stark reminder that conservation efforts must urgently expand," IUCN chief Bruno Oberle said in a statement.
Among the 31 species added to the "extinct" category in the latest Red List update was the often magnificently colourful Chiriqui harlequin frog -- which is actually a toad -- and two other frog species once found in Central America.
The Chiriqui harlequin used to be extremely abundant in Costa Rica and western Panama, but suddenly began disappearing in the late 1980s. No specimens have been seen since 1996.
Twenty-two other frog species found across Central and South America have meanwhile now been listed as "critically endangered" -- just one step from becoming extinct.
The main driver of the drastic declines in these species is chytridiomycosis disease, caused by the deadly chytrid fungus.
- 'Enormous crisis' -
"This is an invasive species which has impacted large numbers of frogs in different parts of the world," Craig Hilton-Taylor, who heads IUCN's Red List unit, told AFP.
"Climate change seems to be helping the spread of the fungus and creating the right conditions for the disease to flourish, and that then is wiping out the frog populations," he said, describing the situation for frogs and other amphibians as "an enormous crisis".
Kelsey Neam, who works on the Red List's amphibian section, told AFP most harlequin species were particularly vulnerable to the fungus, since they breathe through their skin, which has become weakened by increasing droughts.
"It attacks their skin so they can't breathe," she said.
Many other harlequin toads are listed as critically endangered and possibly extinct.
"There is a large possibility that others are gone," Neam said.
Among the other species that have ceased to exist are all 17 freshwater fish endemic to Lake Lanao in the Philippines -- 15 of them were declared extinct while two were listed as critically endangered and possibly extinct.
This devastation, according to Hilton-Taylor, was mainly caused by two predatory fish species introduced accidentally to the lake half a century ago.
In addition, overfishing, pollution, deforestation and other factors have wrought "massive changes" for the lake's ecosystem.
"As a result, it has now finally tipped over," he said, decrying the large number of endemic species that "have just gone overnight."
Many more species are vulnerable or threatened.
- All freshwater dolphins threatened -
The Red List now includes 128,918 animal and plant species from around the world, including 35,765 threatened with extinction.
Among them is the tucuxi, a grey dolphin found in the Amazon river system, which has been moved to the "endangered" category after its population has been depleted by getting caught in fishing gear, the damming of rivers and pollution.
With this move, all four of the world's freshwater dolphin species are now considered threatened, including the baiji, found in the Yangtze River, which is possibly extinct.
Hilton-Taylor meanwhile highlighted positive developments for the tucuxi, with authorities across Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil banding together to take action to save it.
That "is really good news for the conservation of the species," he said.
The latest edition of the Red List contained a number of further examples of the positive impact that concerted conservation efforts can have, with 26 species showing signs of recovery.
Perhaps the most dramatic about-face was enjoyed by the European bison, which has moved up from "vulnerable" to "near threatened".
Europe's largest land mammal disappeared completely from the wild in the early 20th century, but thanks to continued breeding in zoos it could be reintroduced to the wild in the 1950s.
Intense conservation efforts have helped the population, found mainly in Poland, Belarus and Russia, to grow from around 1,800 individuals in 2003 to more than 6,200 last year, with 49 free-ranging bison herds across the continent.
"That is positive news and shows that conservation actions can turn things around," Hilton-Taylor said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-10--First rail network opens between Iran and Afghanistan

The network will later be connected to Central Asian and Chinese rail networks , officials say An Iranian goods train carrying tonnes of agricultural products chugged into a western Afghan province Thursday as the two countries marked the opening of their first shared railway network .
The train route so far links the Iranian city of Khaf with the Afghan town of Rozanak about 150 kilometres ( 95 miles ) away , but is scheduled to be expanded to reach Herat , Afghanistan 's third largest city .
Crowds of Afghans gathered at Rozanak station for the arrival of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashraf Ghani , addressing the ceremony via video link , welcomed the move as an `` important step for economic revival and development in both the countries '' .
The project was a gateway to Europe for Afghanistan , said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani .
`` I see the prosperity of Iran and Afghanistan in this railway , '' he said , also speaking via video link from Tehran .
`` The development , security and stability of Afghanistan ( contributes to ) development , security and stability in Iran and the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new link .
`` It is going to change our villages , towns and cities into business hubs , '' said Arbab Ghulam Reza , a farmer from Rozanak .
`` It was also very difficult for our young boys to go to Iran for work .
Now they can simply buy a train ticket and go . ''
Once completed , the 225 kilometre network would help transport six million tonnes of goods and a million passengers annually , officials said .
The Khaf-Herat network would later be connected to Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Decades of war and neglect have destroyed Afghanistan 's infrastructure , making its roads and bridges nearly impassable .
But despite the worsening security situation , efforts to rebuild roads and railway networks have always been a top priority of the Afghan government and the donor community .
In 2016 , the first railway link between northern neighbour Turkmenistan and Afghanistan opened .
That link is planned to eventually extend to Tajikistan .
Coronavirus entered Afghanistan in February , as thousands of migrants returned from neighbouring Iran , which at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Afghanistan briefly suspended land and air routes with Iran , before reopening all of its borders with the country .

Herat (Afghanistan) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
An Iranian goods train carrying tonnes of agricultural products chugged into a western Afghan province Thursday as the two countries marked the opening of their first shared railway network.
The train route so far links the Iranian city of Khaf with the Afghan town of Rozanak about 150 kilometres (95 miles) away, but is scheduled to be expanded to reach Herat, Afghanistan's third largest city.
Crowds of Afghans gathered at Rozanak station for the arrival of the first blue painted train.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, addressing the ceremony via video link, welcomed the move as an "important step for economic revival and development in both the countries".
The project was a gateway to Europe for Afghanistan, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
"I see the prosperity of Iran and Afghanistan in this railway," he said, also speaking via video link from Tehran.
"The development, security and stability of Afghanistan (contributes to) development, security and stability in Iran and the entire region."
Residents of Rozanak welcomed the new link.
"It is going to change our villages, towns and cities into business hubs," said Arbab Ghulam Reza, a farmer from Rozanak.
"It was also very difficult for our young boys to go to Iran for work. Now they can simply buy a train ticket and go."
Once completed, the 225 kilometre network would help transport six million tonnes of goods and a million passengers annually, officials said.
The Khaf-Herat network would later be connected to Central Asian and Chinese rail networks, officials said.
Decades of war and neglect have destroyed Afghanistan's infrastructure, making its roads and bridges nearly impassable.
But despite the worsening security situation, efforts to rebuild roads and railway networks have always been a top priority of the Afghan government and the donor community.
In 2016, the first railway link between northern neighbour Turkmenistan and Afghanistan opened. That link is planned to eventually extend to Tajikistan.
Coronavirus entered Afghanistan in February, as thousands of migrants returned from neighbouring Iran, which at the time was the region's worst-hit nation.
Afghanistan briefly suspended land and air routes with Iran, before reopening all of its borders with the country.
str-mam-emh-jds/ecl/rma
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-10--Lebanese judge charges caretaker PM, ex-ministers over Beirut port blast

Lebanon 's investigating judge charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers with negligence over the Beirut port blast that killed200 people and ravaged the capital in August , Lebanon ’ s official news agency said Thursday .
Judge Fadi Sawwan filed the charges Thursday against Diab and former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil , as well as Ghazi Zeiter and Youssef Fenianos , both former ministers of public works .
All four were charged with negligence leading to deaths over the August 4 explosion at Beirut port , which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignition of a large stockpile of explosive material that had been stored at the port for years .
The four are the most senior individuals to be indicted so far in the probe , which is being conducted in secrecy .
Anger has been building up over the slow investigation , lack of answers and the fact that no senior officials have been indicted .
About 30 other security officials and port and customs officials have been detained in the probe .
Diab , a former university professor , resigned a few days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port and destroyed large parts of the city .
He is currently serving as caretaker prime minister until his successor forms a new government .
Zeitar was transport and public works minister in 2014 , followed by Fenianos in 2016 , who held the job until the beginning of 2020 .
Khalil was finance minister in 2014 , 2016 and until 2020 .
Both Khalil and Fenanios were sanctioned by the US in September this year , the first two officials to be subjected to those outside of Hezbollah group The explosion came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by pandemic-related closures – that has brought soaring inflation , poverty and unemployment .
France and the rest of the international community has been urging Lebanon 's leaders to form a new government to break a political deadlock that has blocked billions of dollars in assistance .

Lebanon's investigating judge charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers with negligence over the Beirut port blast that killed 200 people and ravaged the capital in August, Lebanon’s official news agency said Thursday.
Advertising Read more
Judge Fadi Sawwan filed the charges Thursday against Diab and former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, as well as Ghazi Zeiter and Youssef Fenianos, both former ministers of public works.
All four were charged with negligence leading to deaths over the August 4 explosion at Beirut port, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands. The explosion was caused by the ignition of a large stockpile of explosive material that had been stored at the port for years.
The four are the most senior individuals to be indicted so far in the probe, which is being conducted in secrecy. Anger has been building up over the slow investigation, lack of answers and the fact that no senior officials have been indicted.
About 30 other security officials and port and customs officials have been detained in the probe.
Resignations, sanctions, political chaos
Diab, a former university professor, resigned a few days after the blast, which leveled the port and destroyed large parts of the city. He is currently serving as caretaker prime minister until his successor forms a new government.
Zeitar was transport and public works minister in 2014, followed by Fenianos in 2016, who held the job until the beginning of 2020. Khalil was finance minister in 2014, 2016 and until 2020.
Both Khalil and Fenanios were sanctioned by the US in September this year, the first two officials to be subjected to those outside of Hezbollah group
The explosion came amid an unprecedented financial meltdown – worsened by pandemic-related closures – that has brought soaring inflation, poverty and unemployment.
France and the rest of the international community has been urging Lebanon's leaders to form a new government to break a political deadlock that has blocked billions of dollars in assistance.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-12-10--Lebanon judge indicts PM, 3 ex-ministers over port blast: judicial source

The August 4 explosion in Beirut port killed more than 200 people and ravaged a huge part of the Lebanese capital The lead investigator into a catastrophic August 4 explosion at Beirut port charged outgoing premier Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with negligence Thursday , a judicial source said .
They are the first politicians to be indicted over the devastating blast that killed more than 200 people , disfigured the heart of the capital and ignited a wave of public anger against Lebanon 's ruling elite .
The decision by judge Fadi Sawan came after the investigation confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notices warning them against postponing the disposal of ammonium nitrate fertiliser , '' which authorities say was behind the explosion , the source said .
`` They also did not take the necessary measures to avoid the devastating explosion and its enormous damage , '' added the source , who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on the issue .
The other officials charged are the former ministers of finance , Ali Hasan Khalil , public works , Yusef Fenianos , and transport , Ghazi Zaiter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Sawan asked lawmakers to investigate several outgoing and former ministers over the explosion .
The letter came after Sawan 's own investigations raised `` certain suspicions about the responsibility of those ministers and their failure towards addressing the presence of the ammonium nitrate at the port . ''
The judicial source said on Thursday that parliament had not responded to Sawan 's request , prompting him to press charges unilaterally .
Sawan will begin questioning the suspects on Monday , the source said .
The investigation has so far triggered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port and customs officials .
Lebanese officials have rejected an international probe , despite demands both at home and abroad for an impartial investigation .
Experts from France and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation took part in the preliminary investigation .

Beirut (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The lead investigator into a catastrophic August 4 explosion at Beirut port charged outgoing premier Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with negligence Thursday, a judicial source said.
They are the first politicians to be indicted over the devastating blast that killed more than 200 people, disfigured the heart of the capital and ignited a wave of public anger against Lebanon's ruling elite.
The decision by judge Fadi Sawan came after the investigation confirmed that the suspects had received "several written notices warning them against postponing the disposal of ammonium nitrate fertiliser," which authorities say was behind the explosion, the source said.
"They also did not take the necessary measures to avoid the devastating explosion and its enormous damage," added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on the issue.
The other officials charged are the former ministers of finance, Ali Hasan Khalil, public works, Yusef Fenianos, and transport, Ghazi Zaiter.
In a letter to parliament late last month, Sawan asked lawmakers to investigate several outgoing and former ministers over the explosion.
The letter came after Sawan's own investigations raised "certain suspicions about the responsibility of those ministers and their failure towards addressing the presence of the ammonium nitrate at the port."
The judicial source said on Thursday that parliament had not responded to Sawan's request, prompting him to press charges unilaterally.
Sawan will begin questioning the suspects on Monday, the source said.
The investigation has so far triggered the arrest of 25 people, including top port and customs officials.
Lebanese officials have rejected an international probe, despite demands both at home and abroad for an impartial investigation.
Experts from France and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation took part in the preliminary investigation.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--Kardashians move to Disney, launching streaming content in 2021

The Kardashian clan at the Met gala in New York in 2019 Reality television 's royal family , the Kardashians , have inked a deal with Disney and will launch new content in 2021 on the entertainment giant 's Hulu and Star streaming subsidiaries , the platforms said Thursday .
Disney did not release details about the project , which family matriarch Kris Jenner said in a tweet was a `` multi year partnership . ''
Content created by the Kardashians will be available in the United States on Hulu , and in markets abroad will stream on Star , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will launch in February .
It is a strategic shift for the Kardashians , who recently left cable television -- which is declining in the United States -- for a new home on a streaming platform , as the medium becomes increasingly popular .
`` Keeping Up with the Kardashians , '' the program which rocketed the family to fame , has been broadcast on cable channel E !
, part of NBCUniversal .
In September , the family announced that the program would end in early 2021 after 20 seasons , almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minor celebrity when the show launched , Kim Kardashian has become a global star thanks to the program , on which she built an empire with the help of her mother .
The reality show follows the Kardashians in their daily lives as they navigate family dramas , including falling outs between sisters Kim , Kourtney , Khloe , Kendall and Kylie .
By building successful cosmetics companies off their TV fame , Kim 's fortune is now estimated by Forbes magazine at $ 780 million while Kylie is estimated to be worth @ @ @ @

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Reality television's royal family, the Kardashians, have inked a deal with Disney and will launch new content in 2021 on the entertainment giant's Hulu and Star streaming subsidiaries, the platforms said Thursday.
Disney did not release details about the project, which family matriarch Kris Jenner said in a tweet was a "multi year partnership."
Content created by the Kardashians will be available in the United States on Hulu, and in markets abroad will stream on Star, Disney's new subscription video service which will launch in February.
It is a strategic shift for the Kardashians, who recently left cable television -- which is declining in the United States -- for a new home on a streaming platform, as the medium becomes increasingly popular.
"Keeping Up with the Kardashians," the program which rocketed the family to fame, has been broadcast on cable channel E!, part of NBCUniversal.
In September, the family announced that the program would end in early 2021 after 20 seasons, almost 14 years after its debut.
A minor celebrity when the show launched, Kim Kardashian has become a global star thanks to the program, on which she built an empire with the help of her mother.
The reality show follows the Kardashians in their daily lives as they navigate family dramas, including falling outs between sisters Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie.
By building successful cosmetics companies off their TV fame, Kim's fortune is now estimated by Forbes magazine at $780 million while Kylie is estimated to be worth $700 million.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--Disney+ streaming tops 86 mn subscribers

Disney+ will raise its US price by a dollar to $ 7.99 Walt Disney chief executive Bob Chapek told investors on Thursday that the company 's year-old streaming TV service Disney+ had passed 86.8 million subscribers , beating its `` wildest expectations . ''
The entertainment giant is prioritizing exclusive programming , original shows and movies , and bundled streaming services to build on the momentum of its various offerings which extend beyond Disney+ to include ESPN , Hulu and Star , executives said during an investor day .
`` We knew this one-of-a-kind service featuring content only Disney can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in the marketplace , '' Chapek said of Disney+ .
`` This success has bolstered our confidence in our continued acceleration towards a direct-to-consumer first business model . ''
Disney+ competes with streaming television titans Netflix and Amazon Prime in a crowded market for online entertainment .
The streaming service , which will raise its US price by a dollar to $ 7.99 , `` has exceeded our wildest expectations with 86.8 million subscribers as of December 2nd , '' Chapek said .
In a recent corporate reorganization , Disney split distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more nimble in its delivery of shows to viewers , according to executives .
Data gathered by Disney+ on audience preferences is shared with creative teams to tailor shows to viewers ' tastes , the company said .
`` This is especially important now given consumers ' rapidly changing consumption behaviors and the prolonged uncertainty due to the pandemic , '' Chapek said .
Given the pandemic , Disney has planned film premiers on its streaming service and when feasible also at traditional theaters .
Regardless of where Disney content premiers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to media and entertainment division chief Kareem Daniel .
`` While this has been a very tough year for all of us here at Disney , we continue to take deliberate and innovative steps in running our businesses to best position them for future growth , '' Chapek said .
The company has an array of Marvel , Star Wars and Disney shows lined up for release on its streaming service over the next few years , according to Daniel .
Disney will expand its television streaming services in 2021 to more markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Eastern Europe , according to head of international operations Rebecca Campbell .
Disney will also beef up its streaming service in India , where it has a partnership with Hotstar .
`` This is why we decided to launch Disney+ in conjunction with Hotstar to create a truly integrated entertainment experience for consumers in that market . ''
The streaming offer includes Bollywood films , local programming and Indian Premier League cricket matches , according to Campbell .
Disney also announced a new `` Star Wars '' film titled `` Rogue Squadron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wonder Woman '' director Patty Jenkins , is set in `` a future era of the galaxy '' and is scheduled for release at Christmas 2023 .
The company additionally made public several new TV series within the sci-fi franchise , including two spin-offs from the creators of `` The Mandalorian '' and the return of Lando Calrissian .

San Francisco (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Walt Disney chief executive Bob Chapek told investors on Thursday that the company's year-old streaming TV service Disney+ had passed 86.8 million subscribers, beating its "wildest expectations."
The entertainment giant is prioritizing exclusive programming, original shows and movies, and bundled streaming services to build on the momentum of its various offerings which extend beyond Disney+ to include ESPN, Hulu and Star, executives said during an investor day.
"We knew this one-of-a-kind service featuring content only Disney can create would resonate with consumers and stand out in the marketplace," Chapek said of Disney+.
"This success has bolstered our confidence in our continued acceleration towards a direct-to-consumer first business model."
Disney+ competes with streaming television titans Netflix and Amazon Prime in a crowded market for online entertainment.
The streaming service, which will raise its US price by a dollar to $7.99, "has exceeded our wildest expectations with 86.8 million subscribers as of December 2nd," Chapek said.
In a recent corporate reorganization, Disney split distribution from content creation in an effort to be more nimble in its delivery of shows to viewers, according to executives.
Data gathered by Disney+ on audience preferences is shared with creative teams to tailor shows to viewers' tastes, the company said.
"This is especially important now given consumers' rapidly changing consumption behaviors and the prolonged uncertainty due to the pandemic," Chapek said.
Given the pandemic, Disney has planned film premiers on its streaming service and when feasible also at traditional theaters.
- Positioning for 'future growth' -
Regardless of where Disney content premiers, it will end up on Disney+ according to media and entertainment division chief Kareem Daniel.
"While this has been a very tough year for all of us here at Disney, we continue to take deliberate and innovative steps in running our businesses to best position them for future growth," Chapek said.
The company has an array of Marvel, Star Wars and Disney shows lined up for release on its streaming service over the next few years, according to Daniel.
Disney will expand its television streaming services in 2021 to more markets, including Hong Kong, South Korea and Eastern Europe, according to head of international operations Rebecca Campbell.
Disney will also beef up its streaming service in India, where it has a partnership with Hotstar.
"India is a promising market opportunity," Campbell said.
"This is why we decided to launch Disney+ in conjunction with Hotstar to create a truly integrated entertainment experience for consumers in that market."
The streaming offer includes Bollywood films, local programming and Indian Premier League cricket matches, according to Campbell.
Disney also announced a new "Star Wars" film titled "Rogue Squadron." The movie, by "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins, is set in "a future era of the galaxy" and is scheduled for release at Christmas 2023.
The company additionally made public several new TV series within the sci-fi franchise, including two spin-offs from the creators of "The Mandalorian" and the return of Lando Calrissian.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--Bayern star Lewandowski eyes league milestones at Union Berlin

Bayern Munich striker is two short of claiming 250 Bundesliga goals Robert Lewandowski , the German league 's top-scorer , can make his 200th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern Munich in Saturday 's tricky away match at FC Union , where Germany 's leading clubs have struggled in the past .
Lewandowski could claim two milestone in Berlin as he is two short of scoring 250 Bundesliga goals for both Bayern and ex-club Dortmund .
Lewandowski has shaken off a leg knock which ruled him out of Wednesday 's 2-0 home win over Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as group winners .
`` I assume that he is 100 per cent fit , '' Bayern coach Hansi Flick before they headed to Berlin .
Lewandowski , the Bundesliga 's top-scorer for the last three seasons , once again leads the way with 12 goals so far .
Two of his closest rivals - Dortmund 's Erling Braut Haaland , who has 10 goals , and Leverkusen 's Lucas Alario , on seven - are sidelined by knee injures , victims of this season 's dense fixture list .
Bayern hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen , who they face away the following weekend .
Union 's eighth-match winning run was ended last Friday by a 3-1 derby defeat at Hertha Berlin .
To make matters worse , Union 's top-scorer Max Kruse , who claimed five goals and four assists in November , misses the Bayern game with a torn hamstring .
Even without Kruse , Union coach Urs Fischer is looking forward to the `` awesome task '' of facing Bayern .
`` We will try to be brave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not lose the courage to attack , '' added Fischer , whose side are sixth .
Union 's Swiss coach has just signed a contract extension , reportedly until 2023 .
In the two years since his arrival , Fischer has turned Union into a side capable of tripping up sides at the top of the league .
Last season , both Dortmund and Moenchengladbach were first in the table when they lost at Union 's packed Alten Foersterei stadium , where Bayern laboured to a 2-0 win behind closed doors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union saw off strugglers Mainz 4-0 , then Arminia Bielefeld 4-0 before Kruse netted twice in a 3-3 draw with Frankfurt a fortnight ago .
Peter Bosz 's Leverkusen , who are home to Hoffenheim on Sunday , have climbed to second by joining Wolfsburg as the league 's only unbeaten teams .
Part of their success is due to Bosz improving Leverkusen 's threat at set-pieces and they scored twice from Leon Bailey corners in Sunday 's 3-0 win over bottom side Schalke .
`` That is a huge factor for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger , who scored with a header against Schalke off a Bailey corner .
RB Leipzig 's Swedish playmaker is back to his best after a groin strain sidelined him earlier in the year with strong displays against Bayern Munich and Manchester United .
Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has opted not to start with strikers recently and Forsberg has revelled up front in a three-man attack .
After claiming his first headed Bundesliga goal in last weekend 's thrilling 3-3 draw at Bayern , Forsberg was a constant menace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man Utd out of the Champions League .
Third-placed Leipzig trail Bayern by two points before Saturday 's home game against Bremen .
248 - the league goals Lewandowski has score for Bayern and ex-club Dortmund .
Only Munich legend Gerd Mueller and Schalke striker Klaus Fischer have previously reached the 250 goals milestone .
330 - the Bundesliga games Lewandowski has played in his career , including 199 for Bayern .
44 - the Bundesliga games Union Berlin has played in the club 's history .

Berlin (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Robert Lewandowski, the German league's top-scorer, can make his 200th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern Munich in Saturday's tricky away match at FC Union, where Germany's leading clubs have struggled in the past.
Lewandowski could claim two milestone in Berlin as he is two short of scoring 250 Bundesliga goals for both Bayern and ex-club Dortmund.
Lewandowski has shaken off a leg knock which ruled him out of Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League with the holders already through to the last 16 as group winners.
"I assume that he is 100 per cent fit," Bayern coach Hansi Flick before they headed to Berlin.
Lewandowski, the Bundesliga's top-scorer for the last three seasons, once again leads the way with 12 goals so far.
Two of his closest rivals - Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland, who has 10 goals, and Leverkusen's Lucas Alario, on seven - are sidelined by knee injures, victims of this season's dense fixture list.
Bayern hold a slim lead in the table and are just one point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, who they face away the following weekend.
Union's eighth-match winning run was ended last Friday by a 3-1 derby defeat at Hertha Berlin.
To make matters worse, Union's top-scorer Max Kruse, who claimed five goals and four assists in November, misses the Bayern game with a torn hamstring.
Even without Kruse, Union coach Urs Fischer is looking forward to the "awesome task" of facing Bayern.
"We will try to be brave and get through the difficult phases. We must not lose the courage to attack," added Fischer, whose side are sixth.
Union's Swiss coach has just signed a contract extension, reportedly until 2023.
In the two years since his arrival, Fischer has turned Union into a side capable of tripping up sides at the top of the league.
Last season, both Dortmund and Moenchengladbach were first in the table when they lost at Union's packed Alten Foersterei stadium, where Bayern laboured to a 2-0 win behind closed doors in May.
In recent home games, Union saw off strugglers Mainz 4-0, then Arminia Bielefeld 4-0 before Kruse netted twice in a 3-3 draw with Frankfurt a fortnight ago.
Peter Bosz's Leverkusen, who are home to Hoffenheim on Sunday, have climbed to second by joining Wolfsburg as the league's only unbeaten teams.
Part of their success is due to Bosz improving Leverkusen's threat at set-pieces and they scored twice from Leon Bailey corners in Sunday's 3-0 win over bottom side Schalke.
"That is a huge factor for us and cannot be overestimated," said midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger, who scored with a header against Schalke off a Bailey corner.
One to watch: Emil Forsberg
RB Leipzig's Swedish playmaker is back to his best after a groin strain sidelined him earlier in the year with strong displays against Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has opted not to start with strikers recently and Forsberg has revelled up front in a three-man attack.
After claiming his first headed Bundesliga goal in last weekend's thrilling 3-3 draw at Bayern, Forsberg was a constant menace in Tuesday's 3-2 home win which dumped Man Utd out of the Champions League.
Third-placed Leipzig trail Bayern by two points before Saturday's home game against Bremen.
Key stats
248 - the league goals Lewandowski has score for Bayern and ex-club Dortmund. Only Munich legend Gerd Mueller and Schalke striker Klaus Fischer have previously reached the 250 goals milestone.
330 - the Bundesliga games Lewandowski has played in his career, including 199 for Bayern.
44 - the Bundesliga games Union Berlin has played in the club's history.
Fixtures (all times 1430GMT unless stated)
VfL Wolfsburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (1930)
Saturday
Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund v VfB Stuttgart, RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Hertha Berlin, Freiburg v Arminia Bielefeld, Mainz 05 v Cologne, Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (1730)
Sunday
Augsburg v Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim (1700)
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--Udderly healthy: donkey milk a hit in Albania

The high-priced milk is touted as rich in vitamins and a boost for the immune system .
On a small farm south of Tirana , donkeys happily munch on hay while customers flock to scoop up bottles of their milk , a niche product winning fans who believe in its health benefits .
Touted as rich in vitamins and a boost for the immune system , the high-priced milk has been flying off the shelf during the coronavirus pandemic -- a time when many in Albania are looking for an extra health kick .
`` The demand for donkey milk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says 37-year-old Elton Kikia , the manager of the small farm in the village of Paper , where around a dozen of the small , knobbly-kneed animals romp around a green pasture .
The high demand is good news for the donkeys themselves , whose comfortable lifestyle on the farm is a welcome respite from their traditional roles as beasts of burden .
Typically enlisted to carry heavy loads and pull carts through Albania 's mountainous terrain , donkeys are frequently subject to mistreatment , in the form of beatings , overwork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a very delicate animal , which to produce its milk needs tenderness and love , '' says Kikia .
Two years ago he left his job as a journalist to take over the family farm , which is only one of two in the country to raise donkeys for their milk .
At 50 euros a litre , the price of their milk is exorbitant in a country where the average wage barely reaches 400 euros a month .
But fears around Covid-19 have set off a flurry of interest .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cure for the virus , aficionados are convinced its nutritional profile -- which is close to human milk -- helps strengthen the body 's natural defences .
Klea Ymeri , a student in agro-environmental engineering , recently travelled to Paper to buy two 250 millilitre bottles to help her parents recover from Covid-19 .
`` On top of the medicines they are taking , donkey 's milk could be a good natural remedy for the respiratory system '' , she told AFP .
The family also uses some of the milk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products .
Regina Beqiri , a relative and pharmacist who concocts the mixtures , says sales are up at at time when virus restrictions mean `` people are spending more time at home and can take better care of their skin '' .
The farm currently has four pregnant donkeys and four milk-producing mothers , each with a calf .
With a maximum production of three litres a day , `` we ca n't meet the demand '' , Kikia told AFP , saying he plans to expand his herd to 100 donkeys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Albania , where the donkey population is on the decline .
Waves of emigration from villages to cities , plus with the use of machines in agriculture , has shrunk the number of donkeys and breeders across the Balkan state .
Milk production is thus also a way of `` protecting '' the species , according to the farmers , whose animals still bear the scars of their difficult past lives .
`` They are cared for and rehabilitated , including psychologically , '' says Riza Kikia , 71 , Elton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a white female donkey who arrived with a wounded ear and a scar-streaked back .
`` She was weak , sad , she did n't want to stay with the others .
Now she plays , she eats well and she makes good milk '' , said Kikia .
The donkeys are also a draw for local children from the village who come to take rides , feed and pet the animals .
`` This bond between the donkeys and the children is a therapy in itself , '' Kikia explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has magical effects , both on the behaviour of the children and on that of the animals . ''

Papër (Albania) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
On a small farm south of Tirana, donkeys happily munch on hay while customers flock to scoop up bottles of their milk, a niche product winning fans who believe in its health benefits.
Touted as rich in vitamins and a boost for the immune system, the high-priced milk has been flying off the shelf during the coronavirus pandemic -- a time when many in Albania are looking for an extra health kick.
"The demand for donkey milk is rising sharply" alongside virus infections, says 37-year-old Elton Kikia, the manager of the small farm in the village of Paper, where around a dozen of the small, knobbly-kneed animals romp around a green pasture.
The high demand is good news for the donkeys themselves, whose comfortable lifestyle on the farm is a welcome respite from their traditional roles as beasts of burden.
Typically enlisted to carry heavy loads and pull carts through Albania's mountainous terrain, donkeys are frequently subject to mistreatment, in the form of beatings, overwork or saddle sores.
"Yet it is a very delicate animal, which to produce its milk needs tenderness and love," says Kikia.
Two years ago he left his job as a journalist to take over the family farm, which is only one of two in the country to raise donkeys for their milk.
At 50 euros a litre, the price of their milk is exorbitant in a country where the average wage barely reaches 400 euros a month.
But fears around Covid-19 have set off a flurry of interest.
While no one is branding the milk as a cure for the virus, aficionados are convinced its nutritional profile -- which is close to human milk -- helps strengthen the body's natural defences.
Klea Ymeri, a student in agro-environmental engineering, recently travelled to Paper to buy two 250 millilitre bottles to help her parents recover from Covid-19.
"On top of the medicines they are taking, donkey's milk could be a good natural remedy for the respiratory system", she told AFP.
The family also uses some of the milk to make soaps, masks and other beauty products.
Regina Beqiri, a relative and pharmacist who concocts the mixtures, says sales are up at at time when virus restrictions mean "people are spending more time at home and can take better care of their skin".
- Two-way therapy -
The farm currently has four pregnant donkeys and four milk-producing mothers, each with a calf.
With a maximum production of three litres a day, "we can't meet the demand", Kikia told AFP, saying he plans to expand his herd to 100 donkeys.
But that is no easy task in Albania, where the donkey population is on the decline.
Waves of emigration from villages to cities, plus with the use of machines in agriculture, has shrunk the number of donkeys and breeders across the Balkan state.
Milk production is thus also a way of "protecting" the species, according to the farmers, whose animals still bear the scars of their difficult past lives.
"They are cared for and rehabilitated, including psychologically," says Riza Kikia, 71, Elton's father.
Geni, for example, is a white female donkey who arrived with a wounded ear and a scar-streaked back.
"She was weak, sad, she didn't want to stay with the others. Now she plays, she eats well and she makes good milk", said Kikia.
The donkeys are also a draw for local children from the village who come to take rides, feed and pet the animals.
"This bond between the donkeys and the children is a therapy in itself," Kikia explained.
"It is a psychological remedy that has magical effects, both on the behaviour of the children and on that of the animals."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--'They cut his head off': Grief torments Mozambique terror survivors

It 's been nearly a year since her husband , son and brother-in-law were beheaded by Islamist militants waging a brutal insurgency in northern Mozambique .
`` I managed to escape , '' she told AFP , struggling to speak about her loss .
`` Now I am here in Metuge , '' she said , standing in front of her tent at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Pemba , the capital of the northern Cabo Delgado province .
Shortly after her family members were killed in February , Ali fled her home in Quissanga district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) over two days .
She sought refuge at the 25-Junho camp , named after the southeast African nation 's independence day June 25 , which shelters 16,000 of the half a million people displaced by the extremist violence .
In the face of such tragedy , the widow now seems distant , removed from reality .
Her immediate concern is finding enough food for herself , her three children and three grandchildren , all of whom share the tiny tent donated by the World Food Programme .
`` I have not received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , although her two sons receive food rations donated by humanitarian agencies .
A jihadist group has caused havoc in gas-rich Cabo Delgado over the last three years , with beheadings and the torching of villages becoming hallmarks of its campaign to establish an Islamist caliphate .
Little is known about the jihadists known locally as Al-Shabab , which has no known link to the group of the same name operating in Somalia , but it has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State .
The group has staged more than 700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data ( ACLED ) group .
More than 2,400 people have been killed , about half of them civilians , ACLED said .
Last month the militants dismembered five men and 15 teenage boys who had been participating in a male initiation ceremony .
In April , they shot dead and beheaded more than 50 youths for allegedly refusing to join their ranks .
Muanassa Amulia , 64 , also lives at the camp .
The insurgents killed her son and kidnapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beating her during a raid in September .
She had been looking for food in the fields with a few other villagers when the militants arrived .
They were rounded up and forced to march back to their village , where their homes had already been set on fire .
`` They beat the women , then took one of the men into the bush five metres ( 16 feet ) away , and cut off his head at the neck .
They also took another man and killed him , '' Amulia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , but they took the girls , my granddaughters , with them . ''
With tears streaming down her face , she said in a choking voice that the men then `` continued to hit me hard '' .
`` After hours of long torture , they left us and took two girls , my granddaughters '' .
She relives the pain every day .
`` Even today , when I think about what happened , I ca n't eat or sleep , '' she said , sitting in front of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headwrap .
`` I cry when I think of my sons and granddaughters who were taken by the attackers .
But up to now they have n't come back .
I do n't know if they 're alive . ''
Now she feels powerless , shrouded in despair .
`` I think and pray every day asking God for my granddaughters to come back , but nothing happens . ''

Metuge (Mozambique) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Rabia Ali stares at the horizon.
It's been nearly a year since her husband, son and brother-in-law were beheaded by Islamist militants waging a brutal insurgency in northern Mozambique.
"I managed to escape," she told AFP, struggling to speak about her loss.
"Now I am here in Metuge," she said, standing in front of her tent at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Pemba, the capital of the northern Cabo Delgado province.
Shortly after her family members were killed in February, Ali fled her home in Quissanga district and walked 60 kilometres (40 miles) over two days.
She sought refuge at the 25-Junho camp, named after the southeast African nation's independence day June 25, which shelters 16,000 of the half a million people displaced by the extremist violence.
In the face of such tragedy, the widow now seems distant, removed from reality.
Her immediate concern is finding enough food for herself, her three children and three grandchildren, all of whom share the tiny tent donated by the World Food Programme.
"I have not received any support since I arrived," she said, although her two sons receive food rations donated by humanitarian agencies.
A jihadist group has caused havoc in gas-rich Cabo Delgado over the last three years, with beheadings and the torching of villages becoming hallmarks of its campaign to establish an Islamist caliphate.
Little is known about the jihadists known locally as Al-Shabab, which has no known link to the group of the same name operating in Somalia, but it has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
The group has staged more than 700 organised attacks since launching the insurgency in 2017, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) group.
More than 2,400 people have been killed, about half of them civilians, ACLED said.
Last month the militants dismembered five men and 15 teenage boys who had been participating in a male initiation ceremony.
In April, they shot dead and beheaded more than 50 youths for allegedly refusing to join their ranks.
- 'I can't eat or sleep' -
Muanassa Amulia, 64, also lives at the camp.
The insurgents killed her son and kidnapped her granddaughters, but not before badly beating her during a raid in September.
She had been looking for food in the fields with a few other villagers when the militants arrived.
They were rounded up and forced to march back to their village, where their homes had already been set on fire.
"They beat the women, then took one of the men into the bush five metres (16 feet) away, and cut off his head at the neck. They also took another man and killed him," Amulia said.
"They only beat us women, but they took the girls, my granddaughters, with them."
With tears streaming down her face, she said in a choking voice that the men then "continued to hit me hard".
"After hours of long torture, they left us and took two girls, my granddaughters".
She relives the pain every day.
"Even today, when I think about what happened, I can't eat or sleep," she said, sitting in front of her tent, wearing a floral blue capulana-style headwrap.
"I cry when I think of my sons and granddaughters who were taken by the attackers. But up to now they haven't come back. I don't know if they're alive."
Now she feels powerless, shrouded in despair.
"I think and pray every day asking God for my granddaughters to come back, but nothing happens."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--E.Guinea, France brace for UN ruling in property dispute

French prosecutors accused Teodorin Obiang of plundering tens of millions of dollars from the oil- and timber-rich African nation 's coffers to fund his jetset lifestyle in France The UN 's top court will rule on Friday in a bitter row centred on a swanky Paris house seized by France as part of a corruption probe into Equatorial Guinea 's vice president .
The central African nation dragged France to the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ) four years ago after French police raided the luxury mansion in 2012 , in a probe into Teodorin Obiang .
Equatorial Guinea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris , but France says it is merely the home of Obiang , 52 , who is also the son of iron-fisted President Teodoro Obiang Nguema .
French prosecutors accused the younger Obiang of plundering tens of millions of dollars from the oil- and timber-rich African nation 's coffers to fund his jetset lifestyle in France .
Teodorin Obiang was handed a three-year sentence and a 30,000 euro ( $ 36,200 ) fine , both suspended , in 2017 for corruption and money laundering .
The sentence is under appeal in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guinea went to the Hague-based ICJ , the world 's legal referee in disputes between countries , to order France to stop Obiang 's criminal prosecution , arguing that he had immunity .
They also asked judges to rule that France broke treaty rules which safeguard diplomats from interference by a host country when they seized the six-storey mansion in one of the French capital 's most sought-after neighbourhoods .
In 2018 ICJ 's judges in a preliminary ruling said they did not have jurisdiction to deal with any claims against Obiang 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ICJ said it could rule whether France was within its powers to confiscate the property .
Significantly the ICJ 's judges also earlier told France to treat the property as a diplomatic mission pending the outcome of the final judgement .
Legal experts agreed that a ruling in favour of Equatorial Guinea could harm France 's long-term attempts to bring groups and individuals to book for misappropriating public funds at home and then stashing the proceeds in France .
`` If France loses the case , it is a setback to France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Geoff Gordon , a senior researcher at the Asser Institute in The Hague .
Cecily Rose , an assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University , however said a judgement in favour of Malabo `` would mean that France would just be a bit more careful or cautious '' about how it designates diplomatic premises .
`` It 's also worth noting that this case advertises the fact that France is a sort of leader in the anti-corruption fight ... That 's very powerful , and could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning corruption in the future , '' she said .

The Hague (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The UN's top court will rule on Friday in a bitter row centred on a swanky Paris house seized by France as part of a corruption probe into Equatorial Guinea's vice president.
The central African nation dragged France to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) four years ago after French police raided the luxury mansion in 2012, in a probe into Teodorin Obiang.
Equatorial Guinea insists the property is its diplomatic mission in Paris, but France says it is merely the home of Obiang, 52, who is also the son of iron-fisted President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
French prosecutors accused the younger Obiang of plundering tens of millions of dollars from the oil- and timber-rich African nation's coffers to fund his jetset lifestyle in France.
Teodorin Obiang was handed a three-year sentence and a 30,000 euro ($36,200) fine, both suspended, in 2017 for corruption and money laundering. The sentence is under appeal in France.
In 2016, lawyers for Equatorial Guinea went to the Hague-based ICJ, the world's legal referee in disputes between countries, to order France to stop Obiang's criminal prosecution, arguing that he had immunity.
They also asked judges to rule that France broke treaty rules which safeguard diplomats from interference by a host country when they seized the six-storey mansion in one of the French capital's most sought-after neighbourhoods.
- 'Very powerful' -
In 2018 ICJ's judges in a preliminary ruling said they did not have jurisdiction to deal with any claims against Obiang's criminal prosecution in France.
However, the ICJ said it could rule whether France was within its powers to confiscate the property.
Significantly the ICJ's judges also earlier told France to treat the property as a diplomatic mission pending the outcome of the final judgement.
Legal experts agreed that a ruling in favour of Equatorial Guinea could harm France's long-term attempts to bring groups and individuals to book for misappropriating public funds at home and then stashing the proceeds in France.
"If France loses the case, it is a setback to France's unilateral capacity to prosecute corrupt rulers," said Geoff Gordon, a senior researcher at the Asser Institute in The Hague.
Cecily Rose, an assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University, however said a judgement in favour of Malabo "would mean that France would just be a bit more careful or cautious" about how it designates diplomatic premises.
"It's also worth noting that this case advertises the fact that France is a sort of leader in the anti-corruption fight... That's very powerful, and could lead to some very interesting public interest litigation concerning corruption in the future," she said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--EU opens path for more sanctions against Turkey

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the EU 's credibility was at stake ahead of the decision EU leaders took a step towards imposing more sanctions on Turkish targets on Friday in response to Ankara 's prospecting for gas in Greek and Cypriot waters .
`` The chosen measures will be sanctions on individuals , and supplementary measures could be decided if Turkey pursues its actions , '' a diplomat told AFP .
There will be disappointment in Athens that the leaders , meeting at a summit in Brussels , did not agree to seek an arms embargo or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , released by a European Council spokesman , called for a list to be drawn up of targets for `` restrictive measures '' .
And they mandated chief EU diplomat Josep Borrell to prepare a report on more measures that could be taken to `` expand the scope '' of the action .
This will be submitted to leaders at or before their summit in March next year .
`` Turkey has engaged in unilateral actions and provocations and escalated its rhetoric against the EU , EU Member States and European leaders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral and provocative activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are still taking place , including in Cyprus 's exclusive economic zone . ''
Greece , with French backing , has led the charge for tougher EU action against Turkey , which has repeatedly sent a gas drilling vessel into disputed waters .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the `` credibility of the European Union '' was at stake as he arrived at Thursday 's summit .
He noted that the leaders had already agreed in October that something must be done about Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is the moment to show whether we , as Europe , really are credible in what we have agreed , '' he said .
Some members of the European Union and of NATO -- the military alliance that includes both Greece and Turkey -- have been more cautious .
Germany has led diplomatic outreach aimed at resolving the dispute , and NATO has set up a military hotline to head off accidental clashes .
Speaking just ahead of the summit , NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg tried to soothe tempers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four million refugees , more than any other NATO ally , and that the country had suffered from terrorist attacks .
`` There are differences , there are disagreements , we need to address them , '' Stoltenberg said .
`` At the same time , we need to make sure that we realise the importance of Turkey as part of NATO and also as part of the Western family . ''
Turkey 's relationship with western allies has become increasingly strained in recent months .
The United States has been infuriated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile system , which is incompatible with NATO 's air defence grid .
Turkey has also been accused of breaching the UN arms embargo on Libya , where it is backing the Tripoli government in the civil war .
And Turkish support is seen as having encouraged Azerbaijan to resume a long-dormant conflict with Armenia .
French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged in an increasingly bitter and personal war of words with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan , and has called for EU solidarity with Greece .

Brussels (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
EU leaders took a step towards imposing more sanctions on Turkish targets on Friday in response to Ankara's prospecting for gas in Greek and Cypriot waters.
"The chosen measures will be sanctions on individuals, and supplementary measures could be decided if Turkey pursues its actions," a diplomat told AFP.
There will be disappointment in Athens that the leaders, meeting at a summit in Brussels, did not agree to seek an arms embargo or to target economic sectors.
But the conclusions, released by a European Council spokesman, called for a list to be drawn up of targets for "restrictive measures".
And they mandated chief EU diplomat Josep Borrell to prepare a report on more measures that could be taken to "expand the scope" of the action.
This will be submitted to leaders at or before their summit in March next year.
"Turkey has engaged in unilateral actions and provocations and escalated its rhetoric against the EU, EU Member States and European leaders," the leaders said.
"Turkish unilateral and provocative activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are still taking place, including in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone."
Greece, with French backing, has led the charge for tougher EU action against Turkey, which has repeatedly sent a gas drilling vessel into disputed waters.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the "credibility of the European Union" was at stake as he arrived at Thursday's summit.
He noted that the leaders had already agreed in October that something must be done about Turkey's increasingly assertive actions in his region.
"This is the moment to show whether we, as Europe, really are credible in what we have agreed," he said.
Some members of the European Union and of NATO -- the military alliance that includes both Greece and Turkey -- have been more cautious.
Germany has led diplomatic outreach aimed at resolving the dispute, and NATO has set up a military hotline to head off accidental clashes.
- Difficult relationship -
Speaking just ahead of the summit, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg tried to soothe tempers.
He noted that Turkey was hosting around four million refugees, more than any other NATO ally, and that the country had suffered from terrorist attacks.
"There are differences, there are disagreements, we need to address them," Stoltenberg said.
"At the same time, we need to make sure that we realise the importance of Turkey as part of NATO and also as part of the Western family."
Turkey's relationship with western allies has become increasingly strained in recent months.
The United States has been infuriated by Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, which is incompatible with NATO's air defence grid.
Turkey has also been accused of breaching the UN arms embargo on Libya, where it is backing the Tripoli government in the civil war.
And Turkish support is seen as having encouraged Azerbaijan to resume a long-dormant conflict with Armenia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged in an increasingly bitter and personal war of words with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and has called for EU solidarity with Greece.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--'Seasick and drunk': Aussie cricket coach Langer reveals health scare

Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has revealed a health scare last year left him feeling `` seasick and drunk '' and almost forced him to quit .
The 50-year-old , who is preparing for a four-Test series against India starting in Adelaide next week , said tinnitus , vertigo and vestibular migraines struck out of the blue during the World Cup in England .
He initially thought it was a tumour in his ear , like his father developed 25 years earlier , but brain scans in England and later back home ruled that out .
`` I developed tinnitus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I also kept getting vertigo , which is just horrible , '' he told the West Australian newspaper late Thursday .
`` For about 10 months , it literally felt like I was seasick and drunk the whole time .
`` In my job , I 've got to put the mask on all the time obviously but it takes its toll . ''
Perth-born Langer , who has been Australian coach since 2018 when Darren Lehmann stepped down in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal , said it got so bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I got to a point where I was feeling so unwell and not having the answers , I was n't sure that I would keep going in my job because it was just so stressful , '' he said .
Physiotherapy has helped the 105-Test veteran deal with vertigo and he has also been having treatment for the migraines , which leave him dizzy , but the tinnitus has not abated .
`` It was really weird .
It literally just came on , '' he said , '' We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day I wake up and I describe as like in Star Wars , the light sabres when they start hitting each other . ''
Langer said is not sure why the symptoms developed , but said he `` got hit a lot '' during his career as an opening batsman .
His problems led to him become the Perth-based Ear Science Institute 's new ambassador next year .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has revealed a health scare last year left him feeling "seasick and drunk" and almost forced him to quit.
The 50-year-old, who is preparing for a four-Test series against India starting in Adelaide next week, said tinnitus, vertigo and vestibular migraines struck out of the blue during the World Cup in England.
He initially thought it was a tumour in his ear, like his father developed 25 years earlier, but brain scans in England and later back home ruled that out.
"I developed tinnitus and that is just a constant now. I also kept getting vertigo, which is just horrible," he told the West Australian newspaper late Thursday.
"For about 10 months, it literally felt like I was seasick and drunk the whole time.
"In my job, I've got to put the mask on all the time obviously but it takes its toll."
Perth-born Langer, who has been Australian coach since 2018 when Darren Lehmann stepped down in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal, said it got so bad he considered his future in the game.
"I got to a point where I was feeling so unwell and not having the answers, I wasn't sure that I would keep going in my job because it was just so stressful," he said.
Physiotherapy has helped the 105-Test veteran deal with vertigo and he has also been having treatment for the migraines, which leave him dizzy, but the tinnitus has not abated.
"It was really weird. It literally just came on," he said,
"We're in England for the World Cup and one day I wake up and I describe as like in Star Wars, the light sabres when they start hitting each other."
Langer said is not sure why the symptoms developed, but said he "got hit a lot" during his career as an opening batsman.
His problems led to him become the Perth-based Ear Science Institute's new ambassador next year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--New 'Star Wars' film 'Rogue Squadron' due in 2023

Mark Hamill attends the premiere of `` Star Wars : The Rise Of Skywalker '' on December 16 , 2019 in Hollywood , California : Disney has announced a new `` Star Wars '' film that is scheduled to come out Christmas 2023 Disney announced on Thursday a new `` Star Wars '' film from the director of `` Wonder Woman '' and several new TV series within the sci-fi franchise , including two spin-offs from the creators of smash hit `` The Mandalorian . ''
Patty Jenkins will direct `` Rogue Squadron , '' which is set in `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will be the next `` Star Wars '' movie released , scheduled for Christmas 2023 .
`` This story will introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots , as they earn their wings and risk their lives in a boundary-pushing , high-speed thrill ride , '' Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told Disney 's investor day .
Jenkins immediately posted on Twitter a video of herself donning a `` Star Wars '' starfighter helmet and marching toward an X-wing , adding she had been inspired to take on the film by her air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he lost his life in service to this country , it ignited a desire in me to turn all of that tragedy and thrill into one day making the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time , '' she said .
Jenkins will be the first woman to direct a `` Star Wars '' feature film .
Kennedy also announced `` Rangers of the New Republic '' and `` Ahsoka , '' series for the Disney+ streaming platform that will be developed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni , set simultaneously and sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that launched the enormously popular Baby Yoda character .
`` These interconnected shows , along with future stories , will excite new audiences , embrace our most passionate fans and will culminate in a climactic story event , '' said Kennedy .
Another new series will be `` Lando , '' based on fan favorite Lando Calrissian from the original `` Star Wars '' film trilogy .
It will be helmed by `` Dear White People '' creator Justin Simien .
A previously announced `` Rogue One '' spinoff Disney+ series , titled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production in London and will tell `` the building of a revolution , '' said returning star Diego Luna .
Stellan Skarsgard and Fiona Shaw join the cast of the `` tense , nailbiting spy thriller '' created by `` Bourne Identity '' screenwriter Tony Gilroy .
Hayden Christensen , the divisive star of the poorly received `` Star Wars '' prequel trilogy , will return as Darth Vader in `` Obi-Wan Kenobi , '' another previously announced Disney+ series starring an also-returning Ewan McGregor .
Production starts in March .
And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Acolyte '' will be directed by `` Russian Doll '' co-creator Leslye Headland and `` set in final days of the high Republic era . ''
At the start of Disney 's investor day Kareem Daniel , head of the company 's distribution unit , previewed plans to `` release roughly 10 Marvel series , 10 'Star Wars ' series '' as well as 15 Disney series and 15 Disney films on Disney+ `` over the next few years . ''
Another `` Star Wars '' movie is currently being written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ) , Kennedy confirmed , adding that his `` approach to 'Star Wars ' will be `` fresh , unexpected and unique . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Disney announced on Thursday a new "Star Wars" film from the director of "Wonder Woman" and several new TV series within the sci-fi franchise, including two spin-offs from the creators of smash hit "The Mandalorian."
Patty Jenkins will direct "Rogue Squadron," which is set in "a future era of the galaxy" and will be the next "Star Wars" movie released, scheduled for Christmas 2023.
"This story will introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots, as they earn their wings and risk their lives in a boundary-pushing, high-speed thrill ride," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told Disney's investor day.
Jenkins immediately posted on Twitter a video of herself donning a "Star Wars" starfighter helmet and marching toward an X-wing, adding she had been inspired to take on the film by her air force pilot father.
"So when he lost his life in service to this country, it ignited a desire in me to turn all of that tragedy and thrill into one day making the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time," she said.
Jenkins will be the first woman to direct a "Star Wars" feature film.
Kennedy also announced "Rangers of the New Republic" and "Ahsoka," series for the Disney+ streaming platform that will be developed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, set simultaneously and sharing storylines with their "Mandalorian" show that launched the enormously popular Baby Yoda character.
"These interconnected shows, along with future stories, will excite new audiences, embrace our most passionate fans and will culminate in a climactic story event," said Kennedy.
Another new series will be "Lando," based on fan favorite Lando Calrissian from the original "Star Wars" film trilogy. It will be helmed by "Dear White People" creator Justin Simien.
A previously announced "Rogue One" spinoff Disney+ series, titled "Andor," has just begun production in London and will tell "the building of a revolution," said returning star Diego Luna.
Stellan Skarsgard and Fiona Shaw join the cast of the "tense, nailbiting spy thriller" created by "Bourne Identity" screenwriter Tony Gilroy.
Hayden Christensen, the divisive star of the poorly received "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, will return as Darth Vader in "Obi-Wan Kenobi," another previously announced Disney+ series starring an also-returning Ewan McGregor. Production starts in March.
And a "Star Wars" mystery thriller entitled "The Acolyte" will be directed by "Russian Doll" co-creator Leslye Headland and "set in final days of the high Republic era."
At the start of Disney's investor day Kareem Daniel, head of the company's distribution unit, previewed plans to "release roughly 10 Marvel series, 10 'Star Wars' series" as well as 15 Disney series and 15 Disney films on Disney+ "over the next few years."
Another "Star Wars" movie is currently being written by Taika Waititi ("Jojo Rabbit"), Kennedy confirmed, adding that his "approach to 'Star Wars' will be "fresh, unexpected and unique."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--French court to rule in ex-president Sarkozy's corruption trial

Sarkozy told the court he `` never committed the slightest act of corruption '' The court in the landmark corruption trial of French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy will deliver its verdict on March 1 , 2021 .
The trial wrapped up on Thursday evening after the last of the defence was concluded .
Earlier this week , prosecutors called for Sarkozy to be sentenced to a prison term of four years of which he should serve two .
The 65-year-old rightwinger , the country 's first modern head of state to appear in the dock , is accused of trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job in exchange for inside information on an inquiry into his campaign finances .
Prosecutors asked for the same punishment for Sarkozy 's lawyer and co-defendant , Thierry Herzog , as well as for the judge , Gilbert Azibert .
Sarkozy , who led France from 2007 to 2012 , had told the court Monday that he `` never committed the slightest act of corruption '' and vowed to go `` all the way '' to clear his name .
The corruption and influence-peddling charges -- among several legal cases against him -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a fine of one million euros ( $ 1.2 million ) .
Defending himself in court for the first time on Monday , Sarkozy said he relished the prospect of getting a fair hearing after being `` dragged through the mud for six years '' .
`` What did I do to deserve this ? ''
asked Sarkozy , who wore a dark suit and a surgical mask , vowing to `` go all the way for the truth '' .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The court in the landmark corruption trial of French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy will deliver its verdict on March 1, 2021.
The trial wrapped up on Thursday evening after the last of the defence was concluded.
Earlier this week, prosecutors called for Sarkozy to be sentenced to a prison term of four years of which he should serve two.
The 65-year-old rightwinger, the country's first modern head of state to appear in the dock, is accused of trying to bribe a judge with a plum retirement job in exchange for inside information on an inquiry into his campaign finances.
Prosecutors asked for the same punishment for Sarkozy's lawyer and co-defendant, Thierry Herzog, as well as for the judge, Gilbert Azibert.
Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, had told the court Monday that he "never committed the slightest act of corruption" and vowed to go "all the way" to clear his name.
The corruption and influence-peddling charges -- among several legal cases against him -- carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of one million euros ($1.2 million).
Defending himself in court for the first time on Monday, Sarkozy said he relished the prospect of getting a fair hearing after being "dragged through the mud for six years".
"What did I do to deserve this?" asked Sarkozy, who wore a dark suit and a surgical mask, vowing to "go all the way for the truth".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-11--Australian Covid vaccine dropped over false positive HIV result

Development of the vaccine was abandoned over fears it could undermine public confidence Development of a Covid-19 vaccine in Australia was abandoned Friday after clinical trials produced a false positive HIV result among subjects involved in early-stage testing .
The result prompted the government to axe plans to purchase millions of doses of the candidate vaccine and instead increase orders of alternatives from AstraZeneca and Novax , Prime Minister Scott Morrison said .
`` The University of Queensland vaccine will not be able to proceed based on the scientific advice , and that will no longer feature as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The candidate vaccine , which was still in phase one trials at the University of Queensland , used a small amount of HIV protein as a `` molecular clamp '' but triggered an antibody response that could interfere with HIV screening , Health Minister Greg Hunt said .
Although the vaccine had proved promising at suppressing Covid-19 and there was no chance of HIV transmission , development was abandoned over fears it could undermine public confidence in vaccinations , Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy said .
`` It probably would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we ca n't have any issues with confidence , '' Murphy said .
Professor Paul Young from the University of Queensland insisted that the HIV protein used in the vaccine was `` completely harmless '' and posed no health risk to those who took part in trials .
The government said the announcement did not change the planned roll-out of other vaccines to begin in March .
With Australia recording only a small number of infections daily , the government said it could afford to take a relatively cautious approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks .
Australia has recorded 28,000 cases of Covid-19 in a population of 25 million , with around 900 deaths .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Development of a Covid-19 vaccine in Australia was abandoned Friday after clinical trials produced a false positive HIV result among subjects involved in early-stage testing.
The result prompted the government to axe plans to purchase millions of doses of the candidate vaccine and instead increase orders of alternatives from AstraZeneca and Novax, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
"The University of Queensland vaccine will not be able to proceed based on the scientific advice, and that will no longer feature as part of Australia's vaccine plan," Morrison said.
The candidate vaccine, which was still in phase one trials at the University of Queensland, used a small amount of HIV protein as a "molecular clamp" but triggered an antibody response that could interfere with HIV screening, Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
Although the vaccine had proved promising at suppressing Covid-19 and there was no chance of HIV transmission, development was abandoned over fears it could undermine public confidence in vaccinations, Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy said.
"It probably would have worked very well as a vaccine, but we can't have any issues with confidence," Murphy said.
Professor Paul Young from the University of Queensland insisted that the HIV protein used in the vaccine was "completely harmless" and posed no health risk to those who took part in trials.
The government said the announcement did not change the planned roll-out of other vaccines to begin in March.
With Australia recording only a small number of infections daily, the government said it could afford to take a relatively cautious approach to vaccines in comparison to countries with large outbreaks.
Australia has recorded 28,000 cases of Covid-19 in a population of 25 million, with around 900 deaths.
© 2020 AFP