france24--2020-02-04--Post-Brexit blues hit British elected officials in France

Thanks to Brexit , the 760 British local councillors in France will not be eligible to run for re-election in the March 2020 municipal elections .
It ’ s a painful change for these expatriates , who are deeply invested in the life of their adopted homes .
`` The mayor of Montrollet will lose his Englishman ! ''
cries Norman Cox , who , despite celebrating his 27th year in France , has n't lost his British sense of humour .
Still , the 70-year-old transplant to the village of Montrollet , population 312 , in western France 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart to laugh lately .
Brexit remains difficult to digest for the Cambridge native , who says he has been in love with France since his first French girlfriend in the early 1970s .
`` On Friday night [ the night of Le Brexit ] , I turned on my TV a few minutes before the countdown and I was deeply shocked by the nationalist sentiment of the English .
It is truly sad , '' Cox told FRANCE 24 in slightly-accented French .
Mediating between the French and the British For Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he was struck from the electoral roll .
It was a hard blow for this elected municipal official , who can ’ t count the hours he has spent helping with the smooth-running of the municipality .
He has been a member of the municipal council for 12 years and sits on five committees , including those that deal with town planning , communication , youth and heritage .
A jack-of-all-trades , Cox has also developed a specific role : that of mediator between the British and the French in Montrollet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population here is British and many do n't speak French .
So as soon as there are problems between neighbours or translation needs , the mayor calls on me , '' Cox said .
That 's why the mayor , Jean-Claude Gillet , sought him out .
`` We have always wanted the British community to be well-integrated into the village , '' said Cox , who himself benefited from local solidarity when he arrived in France without speaking the language .
Nevertheless , albeit reluctantly , he will have to resign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of Brexit , the 760 Britons currently serving as councillors in France will not be able to be run again in the upcoming municipal elections .
Like all European citizens , until now they have been eligible to vote and run in local elections .
Since the United Kingdom left the European Union , however , that is no longer the case .
`` I will no longer be able to vote in France and , as I left the UK more than 15 years ago , I ca n't vote there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes that `` a democratic and citizen 's right '' has been violated .
In order to regain his rights , he has therefore embarked on the long and complicated process of French naturalisation .
Collecting the necessary administrative documents and providing sworn translation is its own obstacle course .
Cox finally managed to submit his file in September 2018 .
Registered at the prefecture of Niort in December 2019 , Cox hopes that his file will be favourably treated in the next six months .
But nothing is less certain .
'You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a Briton who learned that the hard way , when he was denied naturalization .
Like Cox , Lawrence , who is originally from London , has been in France for 27 years .
He has been a town councillor in Plazac , a commune in the Dordogne , in the south of France , for six years .
The 48-year-old father applied for citizenship just after the 2016 referendum but was turned down on economic grounds .
`` I 've been paying my taxes and charges in France for 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an irregular income , '' the self-employed roofing and carpentry craftsman explained , adding that he has `` never applied for public aid '' .
`` I did n't come to France to ask for anything .
I live in France , I 'm raising my four children here , I work here and that 's not going to change .
What 's changing is my status , '' lamented Lawrence , who said he now feels more Périgordian than British .
`` You do n't get elected overnight , as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fruit of 21 years of integration , '' he said .
The puzzle of small towns Plazac Mayor Florence Gauthier , who is running for re-election , has replaced Lawrence on the electoral roll , which she will be able to file complete , and on schedule , by February 27 .
But finding replacements for outgoing Britons can prove to be a real headache in smaller municipalities in need of candidates .
That ’ s true in Perriers-en-Beauficel , a village of 214 inhabitants in Normandy 's Manche region , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British , and in Poupas , a village of 85 inhabitants in the southwestern region of Tarn-et-Garonne , where three of eleven elected officials are British .
In Plazac , Lawrence 's departure is also an emotional loss for the municipal staff , who have publicly supported him , as well as for the municipality , which has launched an online petition ( 34,091 signatures to date ) .
`` It 's a very cosmopolitan commune with 27 nationalities among 750 inhabitants .
The town council was a reflection of that , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a shame that Mark is leaving , '' said Plazac Deputy Mayor Marie-Claude Roussarie .
Lawrence will be able to renew his naturalisation application in 2021 and , before then , apply for a residence permit .
But after being denied once , he is not devoid of anxiety .
The transition period that runs until December 31 , 2020 guarantees his rights for the time being , as it does those of the 185,000 British citizens in France .
Beyond that date , questions remain for these British citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security , about the possibility of continuing to work , or simply about their ability to stay in their long-adopted homeland .

Thanks to Brexit, the 760 British local councillors in France will not be eligible to run for re-election in the March 2020 municipal elections. It’s a painful change for these expatriates, who are deeply invested in the life of their adopted homes.
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"The mayor of Montrollet will lose his Englishman!" cries Norman Cox, who, despite celebrating his 27th year in France, hasn't lost his British sense of humour. Still, the 70-year-old transplant to the village of Montrollet, population 312, in western France's Charente region, hasn't had the heart to laugh lately.
Brexit remains difficult to digest for the Cambridge native, who says he has been in love with France since his first French girlfriend in the early 1970s. "On Friday night [the night of Le Brexit], I turned on my TV a few minutes before the countdown and I was deeply shocked by the nationalist sentiment of the English. It is truly sad," Cox told FRANCE 24 in slightly-accented French.
Mediating between the French and the British
For Cox, Brexit took effect on February 1, when he was struck from the electoral roll. It was a hard blow for this elected municipal official, who can’t count the hours he has spent helping with the smooth-running of the municipality. He has been a member of the municipal council for 12 years and sits on five committees, including those that deal with town planning, communication, youth and heritage. A jack-of-all-trades, Cox has also developed a specific role: that of mediator between the British and the French in Montrollet.
"Nearly 10 percent of the population here is British and many don't speak French. So as soon as there are problems between neighbours or translation needs, the mayor calls on me," Cox said. That's why the mayor, Jean-Claude Gillet, sought him out.
"We have always wanted the British community to be well-integrated into the village," said Cox, who himself benefited from local solidarity when he arrived in France without speaking the language. Nevertheless, albeit reluctantly, he will have to resign.
Village of Montrollet, in Charente, where the British Norman Cox has been an councillor since 2008. © Norman Cox
Violation of a 'democratic right'
As a result of Brexit, the 760 Britons currently serving as councillors in France will not be able to be run again in the upcoming municipal elections. Like all European citizens, until now they have been eligible to vote and run in local elections. Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, however, that is no longer the case.
"I will no longer be able to vote in France and, as I left the UK more than 15 years ago, I can't vote there either," rued Cox, who believes that "a democratic and citizen's right" has been violated. In order to regain his rights, he has therefore embarked on the long and complicated process of French naturalisation.
Collecting the necessary administrative documents and providing sworn translation is its own obstacle course. Cox finally managed to submit his file in September 2018. Registered at the prefecture of Niort in December 2019, Cox hopes that his file will be favourably treated in the next six months. But nothing is less certain.
'You don't get elected overnight'
Mark Lawrence is a Briton who learned that the hard way, when he was denied naturalization. Like Cox, Lawrence, who is originally from London, has been in France for 27 years. He has been a town councillor in Plazac, a commune in the Dordogne, in the south of France, for six years.
Mark Lawrence, carpenter and town councillor in Plazac, in the Dordogne, was removed from the electoral rolls of his village after Brexit. © Camille Deyber
The 48-year-old father applied for citizenship just after the 2016 referendum but was turned down on economic grounds. "I've been paying my taxes and charges in France for 20 years, but a few years ago I had an irregular income," the self-employed roofing and carpentry craftsman explained, adding that he has "never applied for public aid".
"I didn't come to France to ask for anything. I live in France, I'm raising my four children here, I work here and that's not going to change. What's changing is my status," lamented Lawrence, who said he now feels more Périgordian than British. "You don't get elected overnight, as far as I'm concerned; it's the fruit of 21 years of integration," he said.
The puzzle of small towns
Plazac Mayor Florence Gauthier, who is running for re-election, has replaced Lawrence on the electoral roll, which she will be able to file complete, and on schedule, by February 27. But finding replacements for outgoing Britons can prove to be a real headache in smaller municipalities in need of candidates. That’s true in Perriers-en-Beauficel, a village of 214 inhabitants in Normandy's Manche region, where two of the eleven elected officials are British, and in Poupas, a village of 85 inhabitants in the southwestern region of Tarn-et-Garonne, where three of eleven elected officials are British.
In Plazac, Lawrence's departure is also an emotional loss for the municipal staff, who have publicly supported him, as well as for the municipality, which has launched an online petition (34,091 signatures to date). "It's a very cosmopolitan commune with 27 nationalities among 750 inhabitants. The town council was a reflection of that, we had a Briton and two Belgians. It's a shame that Mark is leaving," said Plazac Deputy Mayor Marie-Claude Roussarie.
Lawrence will be able to renew his naturalisation application in 2021 and, before then, apply for a residence permit. But after being denied once, he is not devoid of anxiety. The transition period that runs until December 31, 2020 guarantees his rights for the time being, as it does those of the 185,000 British citizens in France. Beyond that date, questions remain for these British citizens, who are worried about maintaining their social security, about the possibility of continuing to work, or simply about their ability to stay in their long-adopted homeland.
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france24--2020-02-04--Irish election: Sinn Fein surges into the lead four days before vote

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald poses with her notes ahead of her speech at the 2019 Sinn Fein conference in Derry ( Londonderry ) in Northern Ireland on November 16 , 2019 .
Republican party Sinn Fein have surged into first place with just days until Ireland goes to the polls in a general election , according to a new survey .
Sinn Fein were at 25 per cent , ahead of opposition party Fianna Fail on 23 per cent , the final Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll said on Monday night .
Fine Gael - the party of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leo Varadkar - was trailing on 20 per cent in third .
The general election takes place on Saturday .
The poll was conducted from January 30 to February 1 among 1,200 adults at 120 locations in every constituency .
Its results suggest an historic shift in sentiment .
Sinn Fein ’ s flagship policy is uniting the republic with the British province of Northern Ireland and dissolving a border erected in the partition of 1921 .
But that could be overshadowed as the more immediate issues of housing , healthcare and homelessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinn Fein have also historically under-performed at previous elections compared to opinion polling .
More particularly , the all-island party is fielding just 42 candidates in the election and will not be able to form a majority government even if all are elected .
But they could still play a key role in any coalition government .
The latest poll forced state broadcaster RTE to invite Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to a leaders debate on Tuesday night , because of what it said was a “ notable change in the dynamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was originally planned as a face-off between Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin .
McDonald said she was “ pleased to accept ” the invitation .
Irish governments have been dominated by the duopoly of the centre-right Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties since its foundation .
Varadkar opened campaigning touting his success in Brexit negotiations for Britain ’ s departure from the European Union and appealing to the public that the process is ongoing .
But polls suggest the issue does not rank as a concern for voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s minority government in parliament through a confidence and supply agreement since the 2016 election .
This potentially links them to the perceived failings of the incumbent government .
Fianna Fail also still bears the blame of leading Ireland into a ruinous recession in 2008 following the boom period dubbed the “ Celtic Tiger ” .

Republican party Sinn Fein have surged into first place with just days until Ireland goes to the polls in a general election, according to a new survey.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald poses with her notes ahead of her speech at the 2019 Sinn Fein conference in Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland on November 16, 2019.
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Sinn Fein were at 25 per cent, ahead of opposition party Fianna Fail on 23 per cent, the final Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll said on Monday night.
Fine Gael - the party of the incumbent government lead by prime minister Leo Varadkar - was trailing on 20 per cent in third. The general election takes place on Saturday.
The poll was conducted from January 30 to February 1 among 1,200 adults at 120 locations in every constituency. Its results suggest an historic shift in sentiment.
Sinn Fein’s flagship policy is uniting the republic with the British province of Northern Ireland and dissolving a border erected in the partition of 1921.
But that could be overshadowed as the more immediate issues of housing, healthcare and homelessness have come to dominate the campaign.
Sinn Fein have also historically under-performed at previous elections compared to opinion polling.
More particularly, the all-island party is fielding just 42 candidates in the election and will not be able to form a majority government even if all are elected.
But they could still play a key role in any coalition government.
Sinn Fein in leaders debate
The latest poll forced state broadcaster RTE to invite Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to a leaders debate on Tuesday night, because of what it said was a “notable change in the dynamic of the campaign on the ground”.
It was originally planned as a face-off between Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin.
McDonald said she was “pleased to accept” the invitation.
Irish governments have been dominated by the duopoly of the centre-right Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties since its foundation.
Varadkar opened campaigning touting his success in Brexit negotiations for Britain’s departure from the European Union and appealing to the public that the process is ongoing.
But polls suggest the issue does not rank as a concern for voters.
Fianna Fail has propped up Varadkar’s minority government in parliament through a confidence and supply agreement since the 2016 election.
This potentially links them to the perceived failings of the incumbent government.
Fianna Fail also still bears the blame of leading Ireland into a ruinous recession in 2008 following the boom period dubbed the “Celtic Tiger”.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-04--Exclusive: Iraqi Kurdistan PM Barzani warns 'great possibility' of IS group returning

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 , Masrour Barzani , Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq , warned `` there is a great possibility for ISIS ( the IS group ) to come back '' and urged the international community to take action .
Barzani claimed the IS group had more members now than it did in 2013 when it was about to create its `` caliphate '' .
He also said the terrorist group was taking advantage of the security `` vacuum '' in areas disputed between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation between the two respective parties .
Speaking to FRANCE 24 's Marc Perelman , the Iraqi Kurdistan PM Masrour Barzani expressed his support for US troops remaining in Iraq and said he would be open to allowing the US to deploy Patriot anti-missile systems .
He said he was very worried about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran but refused to comment on the US killing of Qassem Soleimani , noting , however , that while `` Iran is our neighbour , the United States is our friend '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader , for recently declaring that his father Massoud Barzani begged Soleimani to come to the rescue when the IS group was marching towards Kurdistan in 2014 .
Barzani also lamented Turkey 's `` invasion '' of northern Syria , saying it was not helpful and it risked changing the demographics on the ground .
He voiced cautious hope that the new Iraqi prime minister , Mohammad Allawi , would be more successful than his predecessor , noting that it was urgent to respond to the demands of the protesters .
Barzani further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to decide whether early elections should be held .

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, warned "there is a great possibility for ISIS (the IS group) to come back" and urged the international community to take action.
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Barzani claimed the IS group had more members now than it did in 2013 when it was about to create its "caliphate".
He also said the terrorist group was taking advantage of the security "vacuum" in areas disputed between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurds and called for the resumption of full security cooperation between the two respective parties.
Speaking to FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman, the Iraqi Kurdistan PM Masrour Barzani expressed his support for US troops remaining in Iraq and said he would be open to allowing the US to deploy Patriot anti-missile systems. He said he was very worried about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran but refused to comment on the US killing of Qassem Soleimani, noting, however, that while "Iran is our neighbour, the United States is our friend".
He criticised Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, for recently declaring that his father Massoud Barzani begged Soleimani to come to the rescue when the IS group was marching towards Kurdistan in 2014.
Barzani also lamented Turkey's "invasion" of northern Syria, saying it was not helpful and it risked changing the demographics on the ground.
He voiced cautious hope that the new Iraqi prime minister, Mohammad Allawi, would be more successful than his predecessor, noting that it was urgent to respond to the demands of the protesters.
Barzani further said it was up to the Iraqi people to decide whether early elections should be held.
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france24--2020-02-04--‘Disgusting and unhealthy’: Rubbish piles up in strike-hit Paris

A strike by waste collectors in France has led to rubbish piling up in the streets of Paris , leaving locals and tourists to the French capital dealing with eyesores , bad smells and rodent pests .
For the past 10 days , waste collectors striking over government reforms to the pension system have been blockading six of the Paris region ’ s seven incinerators .
With nowhere to dispose of rubbish , bins in several parts of the city are going uncollected and waste left to fester on pavements and street corners .
“ It 's frankly disgusting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joël Bonnet told AFP .
“ It 's ugly , it 's unhealthy , and when compared to other capitals , it 's rare to see nightmare situations like this.
” For visitors to the city , like Anglo-American couple April and Andie Wood , it is an image of the French capital they had not been expecting .
“ I think it is a deterrent as a tourist to have to witness it , ” said April .
“ The problem you ’ ve got is safety to pedestrians and the vermin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andie .
The strikes have been triggered by government plans to create a single pension system for all workers .
But rubbish collectors says that they should continue to be allowed to retire early because their life expectancy is seven years less than the national average .

A strike by waste collectors in France has led to rubbish piling up in the streets of Paris, leaving locals and tourists to the French capital dealing with eyesores, bad smells and rodent pests.
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For the past 10 days, waste collectors striking over government reforms to the pension system have been blockading six of the Paris region’s seven incinerators.
With nowhere to dispose of rubbish, bins in several parts of the city are going uncollected and waste left to fester on pavements and street corners.
“It's frankly disgusting, it's ugly!” Paris resident Joël Bonnet told AFP. “It's ugly, it's unhealthy, and when compared to other capitals, it's rare to see nightmare situations like this.”
For visitors to the city, like Anglo-American couple April and Andie Wood, it is an image of the French capital they had not been expecting.
“I think it is a deterrent as a tourist to have to witness it,” said April.
“The problem you’ve got is safety to pedestrians and the vermin, and the smell!” added Andie.
The strikes have been triggered by government plans to create a single pension system for all workers. But rubbish collectors says that they should continue to be allowed to retire early because their life expectancy is seven years less than the national average.
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france24--2020-02-04--French tomatoes, peppers and chillis under threat from dangerous virus

A woman shops tomatoes in the vegetables produce section of a Carrefour supermarket on March 15 , 2012 in the French northern city of Hazebrouck .
A particularly devastating virus is threatening tomatoes , peppers and chilli plants in France after affecting six countries in Europe as well as Turkey , the United States and China , France ’ s food safety agency Anses said on Tuesday .
The Tomato brown rugose fruit virus ( ToBRFV ) is harmless to humans but it can destroy a whole areas of production , be it in greenhouses , vegetable gardens or organic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be transmitted by infected seeds , plants and fruits , as well as by simple contact and survive for a long time without losing its power of infection , Anses said .
There is currently no treatment or variety resistant to the virus , which emerged in the Middle East in 2014 before spreading to Europe in 2018 .
“ Anses confirms a high risk of introduction and spread of the virus in France with a significant potential impact on crops , both for professional sectors and for family production , which represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The virus causes yellow or brown spots to appear on the leaves and deformation of fruit , which thus become non-marketable , Anses said .
The agency recommends that plants in a contaminated area be removed and burned .
It also advises growers to buy only certified seeds and if possible outside contaminated European countries .

A particularly devastating virus is threatening tomatoes, peppers and chilli plants in France after affecting six countries in Europe as well as Turkey, the United States and China, France’s food safety agency Anses said on Tuesday.
A woman shops tomatoes in the vegetables produce section of a Carrefour supermarket on March 15, 2012 in the French northern city of Hazebrouck.
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The Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is harmless to humans but it can destroy a whole areas of production, be it in greenhouses, vegetable gardens or organic fields, it said.
It can be transmitted by infected seeds, plants and fruits, as well as by simple contact and survive for a long time without losing its power of infection, Anses said.
There is currently no treatment or variety resistant to the virus, which emerged in the Middle East in 2014 before spreading to Europe in 2018.
“Anses confirms a high risk of introduction and spread of the virus in France with a significant potential impact on crops, both for professional sectors and for family production, which represent significant volumes,” it said in a statement.
The virus causes yellow or brown spots to appear on the leaves and deformation of fruit, which thus become non-marketable, Anses said.
The agency recommends that plants in a contaminated area be removed and burned.
It also advises growers to buy only certified seeds and if possible outside contaminated European countries.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-05--Fact-checking the economic claims in Trump's State of the Union speech

Fact-checking the economic claims in Trump 's State of the Union speech Donald Trump used his State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ of the US economy under his stewardship , but was everything he said true ?
@ @ @ @ @ from French companies worried about disruption to supplies from the factories shuttered by the Chinese @ @ @

Fact-checking the economic claims in Trump's State of the Union speech
05:22 BUSINESS DAILY © FRANCE 24
Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to hail the performance of the US economy under his stewardship, but was everything he said true? Also today, we hear from French companies worried about disruption to supplies from the factories shuttered by the Chinese coronavirus quarantine.


france24--2020-02-05--Trump's State of the Union address hails the 'Great American Comeback'

A bitter feud between US President Donald Trump and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi boiled over at his State of the Union speech on Tuesday , with Trump snubbing her outstretched hand and Pelosi ripping apart a copy of the speech on camera .
US President Donald Trump delivered his third annual State of the Union address Tuesday night on the eve of his expected acquittal on impeachment charges by the Senate .
As Trump wrapped up his discourse , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – seated behind him – tore her hard copy of his speech in half .
Trump spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives impeached him on December 18 on charges of obstructing Congress during its inquiry into the Ukraine aid scandal and abuse of presidential power .
This is the second State of the Union address in US history to be delivered by a president against the backdrop of an impeachment trial .
Former president Bill Clinton delivered his 1999 address a month after having been impeached by the House on grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice related to his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual speech since 1790 , when George Washington was in office , though it has only been officially known as the “ State of the Union ” address since 1947 , during Harry Truman ’ s term .
As widely predicted , the elephant in the room – Trump ’ s proceedings – went unmentioned .
Upon seeing Nancy , the speaker of the US House of Representatives , for the first time since she stormed out of a White House meeting four months ago , Trump declined to shake her outstretched hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his speech .
Pelosi appeared taken aback .
She avoided citing the customary `` high privilege and distinct honour '' that usually accompanies the speaker 's formal introduction of the president to Congress .
As Trump took the podium , he was greeted with a standing ovation and a chant of “ Four more years !
” from some members of the crowd .
He listed several firsts and superlatives for which he claimed credit .
During his term , he said , “ the state of our union is stronger than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy is the strongest it ’ s ever been ” .
He also claimed that he was responsible for the lowest-ever US unemployment rates for minorities , women and veterans .
He added that the stock markets had reached record highs , as had real median household income and consumer confidence .
Foreign policy Turning to foreign policy , Trump said : “ The days of being scorned by other nations are behind us.
” Trump ’ s surprising guest of the evening was Venezuelan opposition leader , who declared himself president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for months to win face time with Trump , his most important international ally .
The president offered Guaidó exactly the sort of endorsement he ’ s been looking for as he struggles to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power .
Trump called Guaidó “ the true and legitimate president of Venezuela ” .
Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated , including his “ Phase One ” deal with China and the treaty with Mexico and Canada he signed last month .
“ Unfair trade is the single biggest reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
As was widely predicted , Trump cited the assassination of Iranian military commander as one of his great triumphs .
“ Our message to the terrorists is clear : You will never escape American justice .
If you attack our citizens , you forfeit your life !
” Topic to topic Some observers noted the whiplash-inducing second half of Trump ’ s address , which jumped from topic to topic without discernible transition .
Part of the evening ’ s proceedings involved Trump introducing and recounting anecdotes about various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited .
Trump also announced that the Presidential Medal of Freedom , one of the country ’ s highest civilian honours , would go to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who is perhaps best known for coining the term “ feminazis ” in the early 1990s .
Earlier in the day , Limbaugh had announced that he was undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer .
Trump later introduced a toddler named Ellie Schneider , who was born premature in 2017 .
Trump said he was allocating $ 50 million for neonatal research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemnation of late-term abortions .
Trump then switched to the topic of trees , saying that the US would “ join the 1 trillion trees initiative ” to “ plant trees in America and all around the world ” .
Immediately after , he launched into a defence of school prayer and the Second Amendment right to bear arms .
Trump lauded his much-mocked plans for a Space Force and what he called the “ Manifest Destiny of the stars ” , which he said includes his ambition to make America “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mars ” .
As she rose from her seat immediately following the address , Pelosi ripped up the hard copy she had of Trump ’ s speech , a move that quickly became the most-discussed moment of the evening across social media platforms .
`` The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people , '' Pelosi later tweeted .

A bitter feud between US President Donald Trump and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi boiled over at his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, with Trump snubbing her outstretched hand and Pelosi ripping apart a copy of the speech on camera.
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US President Donald Trump delivered his third annual State of the Union address Tuesday night on the eve of his expected acquittal on impeachment charges by the Senate. As Trump wrapped up his discourse, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – seated behind him – tore her hard copy of his speech in half.
Trump spoke at the Capitol , the very building where the House of Representatives impeached him on December 18 on charges of obstructing Congress during its inquiry into the Ukraine aid scandal and abuse of presidential power.
This is the second State of the Union address in US history to be delivered by a president against the backdrop of an impeachment trial. Former president Bill Clinton delivered his 1999 address a month after having been impeached by the House on grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice related to his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
The US president has delivered an annual speech since 1790, when George Washington was in office, though it has only been officially known as the “State of the Union” address since 1947, during Harry Truman’s term.
As widely predicted, the elephant in the room – Trump’s impeachment proceedings – went unmentioned.
Upon seeing Nancy Pelosi , the speaker of the US House of Representatives, for the first time since she stormed out of a White House meeting four months ago, Trump declined to shake her outstretched hand as he gave her a copy of his speech.
Pelosi appeared taken aback. She avoided citing the customary "high privilege and distinct honour" that usually accompanies the speaker's formal introduction of the president to Congress.
02:02
As Trump took the podium, he was greeted with a standing ovation and a chant of “Four more years!” from some members of the crowd.
He listed several firsts and superlatives for which he claimed credit. During his term, he said, “the state of our union is stronger than ever before” while “the state of the economy is the strongest it’s ever been”. He also claimed that he was responsible for the lowest-ever US unemployment rates for minorities, women and veterans. He added that the stock markets had reached record highs, as had real median household income and consumer confidence.
Foreign policy
Turning to foreign policy, Trump said: “The days of being scorned by other nations are behind us.”
Trump’s surprising guest of the evening was Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó , who declared himself president in January 2019 and has been trying for months to win face time with Trump, his most important international ally.
The president offered Guaidó exactly the sort of endorsement he’s been looking for as he struggles to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump called Guaidó “the true and legitimate president of Venezuela”.
Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated, including his “Phase One” deal with China and the treaty with Mexico and Canada he signed last month. “Unfair trade is the single biggest reason I decided to run for president,” he said.
As was widely predicted, Trump cited the assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani as one of his great triumphs. “Our message to the terrorists is clear: You will never escape American justice. If you attack our citizens, you forfeit your life!”
Topic to topic
Some observers noted the whiplash-inducing second half of Trump’s address, which jumped from topic to topic without discernible transition. Part of the evening’s proceedings involved Trump introducing and recounting anecdotes about various people in the audience whom he had invited.
Trump also announced that the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, would go to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who is perhaps best known for coining the term “feminazis” in the early 1990s. Earlier in the day, Limbaugh had announced that he was undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer.
Trump later introduced a toddler named Ellie Schneider, who was born premature in 2017. Trump said he was allocating $50 million for neonatal research and then linked neonatal research with his condemnation of late-term abortions.
Trump then switched to the topic of trees, saying that the US would “join the 1 trillion trees initiative” to “plant trees in America and all around the world”. Immediately after, he launched into a defence of school prayer and the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Trump lauded his much-mocked plans for a Space Force and what he called the “Manifest Destiny of the stars”, which he said includes his ambition to make America “the first nation to plant its flag on Mars”.
As she rose from her seat immediately following the address, Pelosi ripped up the hard copy she had of Trump’s speech, a move that quickly became the most-discussed moment of the evening across social media platforms.
"The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people," Pelosi later tweeted.
The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people. #SOTU https://t.co/7rUFbhWDDQ — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 5, 2020
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-05--Militia loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr clashes with protesters in Baghdad

Iraqi protester Ghassan Saber says supporters of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr do not let them `` speak freely '' .
Violent clashes have broken out on the streets of Baghdad between supporters of the powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr and the wider anti-government protest movement following last week ’ s appointment of Iraqi prime minister delegate Mohammed Allawi .
After months of anti-government demonstrations in Iraq , protesters were united in their calls for change .
But a split has now appeared between the powerful cleric Moqtada al Sadr , who supports the new prime minister , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds of demonstrators have been evicted from a towering Turkish restaurant , a symbol of the Baghdad protests , by al Sadr ’ s men .
`` This place was taken by infiltrators and saboteurs who encouraged violence , and that ’ s why the revolution was being diverted , '' said Abu Ahmed , a member of Sadr 's militia , Saraya al Salam .
The protesters deny this and accuse the Sadrists of crushing the movement to bolster the new prime minister .
The return of Sadr ’ s armed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caps , was seen by protesters as yet another betrayal .
Few were willing to talk out of fear of reprisals .
“ They ’ re using sticks , they ’ re using knives , they don ’ t let us speak freely , ” said Ghassan Saber , a protester , who spoke to FRANCE 24 away from the Sadrists ’ watchful eyes .
Click on the player above to watch the full report .

ON THE GROUND
Violent clashes have broken out on the streets of Baghdad between supporters of the powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr and the wider anti-government protest movement following last week’s appointment of Iraqi prime minister delegate Mohammed Allawi.
Iraqi protester Ghassan Saber says supporters of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr do not let them "speak freely".
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After months of anti-government demonstrations in Iraq, protesters were united in their calls for change. But a split has now appeared between the powerful cleric Moqtada al Sadr, who supports the new prime minister, and the wider protest movement that opposes him.
Hundreds of demonstrators have been evicted from a towering Turkish restaurant, a symbol of the Baghdad protests, by al Sadr’s men.
"This place was taken by infiltrators and saboteurs who encouraged violence, and that’s why the revolution was being diverted," said Abu Ahmed, a member of Sadr's militia, Saraya al Salam.
The protesters deny this and accuse the Sadrists of crushing the movement to bolster the new prime minister.
The return of Sadr’s armed and violent men, recognisable by their blue caps, was seen by protesters as yet another betrayal.
Few were willing to talk out of fear of reprisals.
“They’re using sticks, they’re using knives, they don’t let us speak freely,” said Ghassan Saber, a protester, who spoke to FRANCE 24 away from the Sadrists’ watchful eyes.
Click on the player above to watch the full report.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-04--Buttigieg leads in Iowa caucus followed by Sanders in partial results

Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend , Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign stop in Portsmouth , New Hampshire , U.S. , February 4 , 2020 .
Pete Buttigieg held a narrow lead over Bernie Sanders on Tuesday in long-delayed results from the chaotic Iowa Democratic Party caucuses , and former Vice President Joe Biden trailed badly in fourth place with about 71 % of precincts reporting .
U.S .
Senator Bernie Sanders was a close second place and U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren placed third in the first results , released nearly 21 hours after Iowans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin the five-month process of picking a challenger to Republican President Donald Trump .
Buttigieg , the moderate 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , had 26.8 % of state delegate equivalents , the data traditionally reported to determine the winner .
Sanders , a U.S. senator , had 25.2 % , while his fellow progressive , Warren , was at 18.4 % and Biden at 15.5 % .
Senator Amy Klobuchar was fifth at 12.6 % .
If elected , Buttigieg , 38 , would be the first openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he served in Afghanistan before becoming mayor of South Bend , a city of 102,000 people .
Sanders , 78 , was ahead in the popular vote , which is not used to determine the delegates who will cast ballots at the Democratic National Convention in July .
An independent , Sanders calls himself a democratic socialist .
It was a clumsy start to voting .
Officials blamed inconsistencies related to a new mobile app used for vote counting for the unusual delay in Iowa , the state that traditionally kicks off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year on Nov. 3 .
The uncertainty enraged Democrats worried it would only strengthen Trump 's bid for re-election and prompted some Democratic candidates ' campaigns to question whether the results would be legitimate .
`` As leader of the party I apologize deeply for this , '' Iowa State Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters .
`` We 've been working day and night to make sure these results are accurate . ''
Some Democrats have long complained that the largely white farm state has an outsized role in determining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Democrats could run the country if they could not conduct a caucus , while Trump mocked the Democrats on Twitter , calling the delay an `` unmitigated disaster . ''
Trump took a swipe at the Democrats , 11 of whom are contenders in the state-by-state battle to face him in November .
`` Nothing works , just like they ran the Country , '' he tweeted .
While Republicans pounced on the problems , their party has its own history of presidential election chaos in Iowa .
On the night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney was declared to have won by only eight votes .
But two weeks later , the party announced that Rick Santorum had actually won by 34 votes .
Romney went on to be the nominee .
Before the Iowa results were released , campaign aides for Biden cited gross failures in the caucuses .
`` What we 're saying is there are some inconsistencies , that the process , the integrity , is at stake .
And the Iowa Democratic Party needs to check that data , check it again , check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fourth time , because it ’ s important to get it right , '' Biden campaign senior adviser Symone Sanders told reporters .
`` It looks like a disorganized mess , '' said Jessica Leonard , 41 , who runs a food truck in Winterset , Iowa , and normally votes Democratic .
After more than a year of campaigning and more than $ 800 million in spending , the results in Iowa had been expected to provide some answers for Democrats desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departed Iowa and turned their attention to the next contest in New Hampshire on Feb. 11 before the first results had even been released .
Michael Bloomberg , the former New York City mayor who entered the race late and has decided to skip the early-voting states to focus on later contests , seized on the muddled results , announcing he would buy more advertising and hire more staff .
`` After more than a year of this primary , the field is as unsettled as ever .
No one has made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' campaign spokeswoman Galia Slayen told Reuters .
Price , the Iowa Democratic chairman , said the problems were `` unacceptable . ''
He said the app was recording data accurately but only tallying part of it .
The coding problem was fixed and state officials are verifying the data from the app with required paper documentation , he said .
Some local officials reported having trouble using the mobile app to report results from schools , community centers and other locations .
But when they turned to the traditional method - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were put on hold and could not get through .
The Nevada Democratic Party said that for its Feb. 22 presidential caucuses it will not be using the same app or vendor employed in Iowa .
Iowa Democrats had been keen to be more transparent in this year 's caucuses after complaints from Sanders about the 2016 caucuses when he and rival Hillary Clinton earned roughly the same number of delegates who go on to choose the party 's presidential nominee .
He asked the party for an audit .

Democratic White House candidate Pete Buttigieg seized a shock lead in the chaotic Iowa caucuses, closely trailed by leftist senator Bernie Sanders, according to partial returns released on Tuesday after an embarrassing delay in reporting the results.
Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S., February 4, 2020.
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Progressive standard-bearer Elizabeth Warren was in third place followed by Joe Biden, a disappointing showing for the former vice president who has claimed he is best positioned to defeat Donald Trump in November.
Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who has been battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, hailed what he called an "astonishing victory" in the midwestern farm state which kicks off the presidential nominating process.
"I have never been more confident in our campaign, in our team, and in the vision that brought to us this point," Buttigieg told ecstatic supporters in New Hampshire, which holds the next nominating contest on February 11.
02:20
With polls still mixed on whether Americans would be comfortable with an openly gay president, Buttigieg also made a rare, though implicit, reference to his sexuality -- and the added significance it gave the Iowa outcome.
"It validates for a kid, somewhere in a community, wondering if he belongs, or she belongs, or they belong in their own family, that if you believe in yourself and your country there's a lot backing up that belief," he said with a catch in his voice.
05:48
According to the partial results, Buttigieg, unknown nationally a year ago, leads with 26.8 percent followed by Sanders, the 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist, with 25.2 percent, followed by Senator Warren with 18.4 percent, and Biden with 15.4 percent.
The centrist senator from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar was in fifth place on 12.6 percent, with 71 percent of the precincts reporting.
The results were posted some 21 hours after Iowans gathered across the state to hold the first vote of the presidential nominating season.
Troy Price, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, apologized profusely for the delay and blamed it on a "coding error" with an app being used for the first time to report the returns from precincts across the farm state.
Price pledged to provide the full results as soon as possible.
"We have been working day and night to make sure that the results are accurate," he said. "And we also have a paper trail and documentation that we have been able to use to provide information to help verify the results."
As Iowa struggled to publish the results and frustrated Democratic candidates fumed, Trump gleefully pounced on the hold-up, describing the Democrats' failure to deliver timely results as an "unmitigated disaster."
"Nothing works, just like they ran the country," tweeted Trump -- hours before delivering his annual State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment.
The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
'Shocking incompetence'
The results are usually known within hours of the conclusion of the caucuses, which do not involve a traditional ballot but see voters attending public gatherings and voicing support for the candidate of their choice.
Iowa kicks off the process of selecting presidential nominees every four years, but the fiasco surrounding the results is likely to increase calls for the state to lose the honor.
"The top finishers, probably Sanders and Buttigieg, could have used their showings to launch into New Hampshire," the next contest, said Larry Sabato, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia.
"Instead, the story is the shocking incompetence of the Iowa Democratic Party."
He called for an end to the "strange system in a 91 percent white state" in favor of giving other states a chance to kick off the process.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner expressed alarm over the Iowa debacle.
"This chaos has created an environment where misinformation is now running rampant online, further undermining confidence in the democratic process," he said.
With Iowa still mired in confusion, the Democratic candidates turned their sights on New Hampshire.
According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in the Granite State with 24 percent, followed by Biden on 18 percent, Warren with 13 percent and Buttigieg with 11 percent.
Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said that "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'"
"When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump tweeted.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-05--French prosecutors open probe on skate coach accused of raping teenage trainee

Sarah Abitbol , a 10-time French figure skating champion , has accused her former coach of raping her when she was aged 15 to 17 .
French prosecutors opened an investigation into claims of rape and sexual abuse of minors in figure skating on Tuesday as details emerged of allegations made 20 years ago against the coach at the heart of the case .
The probe , hailed as a `` strong signal '' by French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and in which `` the words of the victims must be heard '' , will focus on claims made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In her autobiography published last week , Abitbol accused coach Gilles Beyer of raping her several times from 1990 to 1992 when she was between the ages of 15 and 17 .
`` He ( Beyer ) started to do horrible things leading to sexual abuse and I was raped at 15 , '' said Abitbol , now 44 , in a video interview with L'Obs .
The investigation will also `` attempt to identify all the other victims who suffered ... offences of the same nature '' , Paris-based prosecutor Remy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with sports daily L'Equipe publishing an investigation in which three other skaters accused Beyer and two other coaches , Jean-Roland Racle and Michel Lotz , of abuse and rape when they were minors .
Further allegations of underage sexual abuse emerged from former swimmers and tennis players .
On Friday , 62-year-old Beyer admitted to having had `` intimate '' and `` inappropriate '' relations with Abitbol , telling AFP he was `` sincerely sorry '' .
`` I acknowledge having had intimate relationships with her , '' Beyer said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exact circumstances differ from hers , I am aware that , given my duties and her age at the time , these relationships were inappropriate . ''
Racle has denied the accusations while Lotz has not commented .
Sports Minister Maracineanu has called for the president of France 's ice skating federation , Didier Gailhaguet , to resign , saying he `` can not absolve himself of his moral and personal responsibility '' .
But after a meeting at the federation 's Paris headquarters on Tuesday , Gailhaguet said he would not make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the investigation had concluded .
`` I , as federation president , will await the result of this investigation before making any decision on the resignation the sports minister asked for , '' the 66-year-old said .
Maracineanu , a former swimming world champion , does not have the power to sack Gailhaguet but has intimated that the federation would face state sanctions if he remains .
Gailhaguet , who is due to hold a press conference on Wednesday , has been the most influential man in French ice skating since he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after the alleged offences .
He has headed the federation ever since apart from a three-year hiatus between 2004 and 2007 which followed a judging scandal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City .
He was suspended by the International Skating Union for three years from 2002 and duly gave up , temporarily , the presidency of the French federation .
Gailhaguet 's accession to the presidency opened the door for Beyer to take charge of the French national team .
Two years later , another skater made a complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry level but not acted on by prosecutors .
The report of that investigation , which has been seen by AFP , shows that Gailhaguet was aware of the nature of the allegations against Beyer .
In a letter addressed to him and dated February 8 , 2000 , the parents of a young skater outline Beyer 's inappropriate behaviour towards their daughter , who was 17 , during a training camp .
According to the letter which relates to an incident in July 1999 , Beyer was `` under the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl 's bed .
After talking he said he would leave but asked if he could kiss her .
She declined .
`` It would be desirable , not to say essential ... that this gentleman never again gets close to adolescent skaters who are minors , '' the parents said in the letter .
Beyer did not comment on those claims when contacted by AFP .
The 2000 inquiry led the sports ministry to remove him from his technical role at the federation , but he remained a coach at club level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federation until 2018 .
On Tuesday , former Olympic champion Gwendal Peizerat , who won the 2002 ice dance gold with Marina Anissina , said the revelations were `` the tip of the iceberg '' .
`` We 're talking about rape , harassment ... Didier Gailhaguet is not the moral example we should be showing our children , '' said Peizerat , who unsuccessfully challenged Gailhaguet as skating chief in a 2014 election .

French prosecutors opened an investigation into claims of rape and sexual abuse of minors in figure skating on Tuesday as details emerged of allegations made 20 years ago against the coach at the heart of the case.
Sarah Abitbol, a 10-time French figure skating champion, has accused her former coach of raping her when she was aged 15 to 17.
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The probe, hailed as a "strong signal" by French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu and in which "the words of the victims must be heard", will focus on claims made by former world championship bronze medallist Sarah Abitbol.
In her autobiography published last week, Abitbol accused coach Gilles Beyer of raping her several times from 1990 to 1992 when she was between the ages of 15 and 17.
"He (Beyer) started to do horrible things leading to sexual abuse and I was raped at 15," said Abitbol, now 44, in a video interview with L'Obs.
The investigation will also "attempt to identify all the other victims who suffered... offences of the same nature", Paris-based prosecutor Remy Heitz said.
Abitbol's claims coincided with sports daily L'Equipe publishing an investigation in which three other skaters accused Beyer and two other coaches, Jean-Roland Racle and Michel Lotz, of abuse and rape when they were minors.
Further allegations of underage sexual abuse emerged from former swimmers and tennis players.
On Friday, 62-year-old Beyer admitted to having had "intimate" and "inappropriate" relations with Abitbol, telling AFP he was "sincerely sorry".
"I acknowledge having had intimate relationships with her," Beyer said in a statement.
"If my memories of the exact circumstances differ from hers, I am aware that, given my duties and her age at the time, these relationships were inappropriate."
Racle has denied the accusations while Lotz has not commented.
Sports Minister Maracineanu has called for the president of France's ice skating federation, Didier Gailhaguet, to resign, saying he "cannot absolve himself of his moral and personal responsibility".
But after a meeting at the federation's Paris headquarters on Tuesday, Gailhaguet said he would not make a decision on whether to step down until the investigation had concluded.
"I, as federation president, will await the result of this investigation before making any decision on the resignation the sports minister asked for," the 66-year-old said.
Powerful figure
Maracineanu, a former swimming world champion, does not have the power to sack Gailhaguet but has intimated that the federation would face state sanctions if he remains.
Gailhaguet, who is due to hold a press conference on Wednesday, has been the most influential man in French ice skating since he first became president in 1998, some years after the alleged offences.
He has headed the federation ever since apart from a three-year hiatus between 2004 and 2007 which followed a judging scandal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
He was suspended by the International Skating Union for three years from 2002 and duly gave up, temporarily, the presidency of the French federation.
Gailhaguet's accession to the presidency opened the door for Beyer to take charge of the French national team.
Two years later, another skater made a complaint against Beyer which was followed up at ministry level but not acted on by prosecutors.
The report of that investigation, which has been seen by AFP, shows that Gailhaguet was aware of the nature of the allegations against Beyer.
In a letter addressed to him and dated February 8, 2000, the parents of a young skater outline Beyer's inappropriate behaviour towards their daughter, who was 17, during a training camp.
According to the letter which relates to an incident in July 1999, Beyer was "under the effects of alcohol" when he sat on the girl's bed. After talking he said he would leave but asked if he could kiss her. She declined.
"It would be desirable, not to say essential ... that this gentleman never again gets close to adolescent skaters who are minors," the parents said in the letter.
Beyer did not comment on those claims when contacted by AFP.
The 2000 inquiry led the sports ministry to remove him from his technical role at the federation, but he remained a coach at club level and held an executive position at the federation until 2018.
On Tuesday, former Olympic champion Gwendal Peizerat, who won the 2002 ice dance gold with Marina Anissina, said the revelations were "the tip of the iceberg".
"We're talking about rape, harassment ... Didier Gailhaguet is not the moral example we should be showing our children," said Peizerat, who unsuccessfully challenged Gailhaguet as skating chief in a 2014 election.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-05--US Senate votes to acquit Trump on both charges in impeachment trial

The US Senate on Wednesday acquitted President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges following an historic two-week impeachment trial in the upper house .
The Republican-majority Senate acquitted Trump on both articles of impeachment .
For the first charge , abuse of power , they voted 52-48 `` not guilty '' .
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to break ranks , voting `` guilty '' on the first charge , siding with the Senate 's 45 Democrats and two independents .
However , he voted `` not guilty '' on the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corrupting an election to keep one 's self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one 's oath of office that I can imagine , '' Romney said in an emotional speech on the Senate floor .
The `` abuse of power '' charge refers to allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden , in what House Democrats said political quid pro quo for personal political gain .
Senators voted 53-47 to acquit Trump on the second article , obstruction of Congress by blocking witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A conviction on either of the two counts would have elevated Vice President Mike Pence , another Republican , into the presidency .
Romney joined the rest of the Republican senators in voting to acquit on the obstruction charge .
No Democrat voted to acquit .
The Senate trial spanned 21 days .
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing .
'Forever impeached ' The verdict cleared out a major hurdle for the president to fully plunge into his campaign for re-election in November .
Democrats were dejected but not surprised , after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts and high-pressure stonewalling from the White House .
Anticipating the likely party-line vote by the senators , Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeatedly said that , whatever happened , Trump would join two previous presidents as being tarred with the `` impeached '' label , since the House of Representatives formally impeached Trump in December .
The vote closed a political chapter that many Democrats had been reluctant to enter .
Pelosi originally rejected pressure early last year to impeach Trump on evidence compiled by then special counsel Robert Mueller that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But her concerns that it was a hefty political risk for Democrats less than two years before national elections melted after new allegations surfaced in August that Trump had pressured Ukraine for help for his 2020 campaign .
Though doubtful from the outset that they would win support from Senate Republicans , an investigation amassed with surprising speed strong evidence to support the allegations .
The evidence showed that from early in 2019 , Trump 's private lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a close political ally , Ambassador to the European Union Gordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help smear Democrats , including Trump 's potential 2020 rival Joe Biden , by opening investigations into them .
Adam Schiff , who led the House investigation , said the fact that it came after Mueller 's investigation showed that Trump 's 2016 campaign had actively sought help from Russia forced Democrats to act .
`` We must say enough -- enough !
He has betrayed our national security , and he will do so again , '' Schiff argued on the Senate floor this week .
`` He has compromised our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , '' Schiff said .
Third US president to be impeached Trump is the third US president to have been impeached .
The two others , Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 , were left in power by the Senate .
In 1999 , Democratic President Bill Clinton was acquitted on charges of lying under oath and obstruction of justice stemming from a sexual relationship with a White House intern .
In 1868 , President Andrew Johnson was found not guilty of 11 charges , which partially revolved around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the secretary of war .
Richard Nixon , the only president to resign , did so in 1974 when many of his fellow Republicans abandoned him during a House impeachment probe related to a break-in at Democratic Party offices in Washington .
On Twitter after the vote , the president posted a video showing Trump campaign signs for future elections from 2024 onward ending with `` Trump 4EVA . ''
The U.S. Constitution limits a president to two elected four-year terms in office .
Trump said he would deliver a public statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1700 GMT ) on Thursday on his acquittal .
`` President Trump has been totally vindicated and it 's now time to get back to the business of the American people , '' Trump 's campaign manager , Brad Parscale , said in a statement .

The US Senate on Wednesday acquitted President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges following an historic two-week impeachment trial in the upper house.
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The Republican-majority Senate acquitted Trump on both articles of impeachment. For the first charge, abuse of power, they voted 52-48 "not guilty".
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to break ranks, voting "guilty" on the first charge, siding with the Senate's 45 Democrats and two independents. However, he voted "not guilty" on the second charge, obstruction of Congress.
"Corrupting an election to keep one's self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine," Romney said in an emotional speech on the Senate floor.
The "abuse of power" charge refers to allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden, in what House Democrats said was a quid pro quo for personal political gain.
04:27
Senators voted 53-47 to acquit Trump on the second article, obstruction of Congress. That charge alleges that Trump blocked witnesses and documents sought by the Democratic-majority House during its pre-trial investigation.
A conviction on either of the two counts would have elevated Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican, into the presidency. Romney joined the rest of the Republican senators in voting to acquit on the obstruction charge. No Democrat voted to acquit.
The Senate trial spanned 21 days.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
'Forever impeached'
The verdict cleared out a major hurdle for the president to fully plunge into his campaign for re-election in November.
Democrats were dejected but not surprised, after the intense 78-day House investigation that faced public doubts and high-pressure stonewalling from the White House.
Anticipating the likely party-line vote by the senators, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeatedly said that, whatever happened, Trump would join two previous presidents as being tarred with the "impeached" label, since the House of Representatives formally impeached Trump in December.
The vote closed a political chapter that many Democrats had been reluctant to enter.
Pelosi originally rejected pressure early last year to impeach Trump on evidence compiled by then special counsel Robert Mueller that the president had obstructed the Russia election-meddling investigation.
But her concerns that it was a hefty political risk for Democrats less than two years before national elections melted after new allegations surfaced in August that Trump had pressured Ukraine for help for his 2020 campaign.
Though doubtful from the outset that they would win support from Senate Republicans, an investigation amassed with surprising speed strong evidence to support the allegations.
The evidence showed that from early in 2019, Trump's private lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a close political ally, Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, were scheming to pressure Kiev to help smear Democrats, including Trump's potential 2020 rival Joe Biden, by opening investigations into them.
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who led the House investigation, said the fact that it came after Mueller's investigation showed that Trump's 2016 campaign had actively sought help from Russia forced Democrats to act.
"We must say enough – enough! He has betrayed our national security, and he will do so again," Schiff argued on the Senate floor this week.
"He has compromised our elections, and he will do so again," Schiff said.
Third US president to be impeached
Trump is the third US president to have been impeached. The two others, Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868, were left in power by the Senate.
In 1999, Democratic President Bill Clinton was acquitted on charges of lying under oath and obstruction of justice stemming from a sexual relationship with a White House intern.
In 1868, President Andrew Johnson was found not guilty of 11 charges, which partially revolved around a post-Civil War tussle over his removal of the secretary of war.
Richard Nixon, the only president to resign, did so in 1974 when many of his fellow Republicans abandoned him during a House impeachment probe related to a break-in at Democratic Party offices in Washington.
'Trump 4EVA'
On Twitter after the vote, the president posted a video showing Trump campaign signs for future elections from 2024 onward ending with "Trump 4EVA". The US Constitution limits a president to two elected four-year terms in office.
Trump said he would deliver a public statement at noon EST/ 6pm Paris time (5pm GMT) on Thursday on his acquittal.
"President Trump has been totally vindicated and it's now time to get back to the business of the American people," Trump's campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-05--Romney to break ranks with Republicans and vote to convict Trump

Prominent Republican senator , Mitt Romney , broke with his party on Wednesday and announced he would vote to convict US President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial just hours before the Senate was poised to acquit the Republican president .
Romney , the 2012 Republican presidential nominee , said he believes Trump was guilty of “ an appalling abuse of public trust '' when he pressured Ukraine 's leaders to investigate political foe Joe Biden .
The Utah senator noted that as a “ profoundly religious ” person , he was bound by the oath senators took to administer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the heart of who I am , ” he said .
Romney announced his decision during an eight-minute speech on the Senate floor , as Romney became the first senator to bolt what so far has been a strict party-line divide over whether to oust Trump .
The two men have had a tumultuous relationship since Trump began his successful presidential campaign .
`` What he did was not 'perfect , ' '' Romney said on the Senate floor , as Trump has described his call with Ukraine 's president that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security and our fundamental values .
Corrupting an election to keep one 's self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one 's oath of office that I can imagine . ''
The Republican-controlled Senate was scheduled to hold its historic vote at 4pm EST ( 2100 GMT ) on whether to convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress arising from his dealings with Ukraine in only the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the charges on December 18 , 2019 .
Romney , a moderate and elder statesman in his party , is the only Republican senator to announce that he plans to vote to remove Trump from office .
The impeachment drama that has consumed Washington since September will come to an end with Wednesday 's vote , allowing Trump to pivot toward campaigning for the November election .
While the vote is historic , the outcome of acquittal appears assured .
A two-thirds majority vote would be necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate 's 100 seats , and none of them has called for conviction .
Trump , America 's 45th president , would have to turn over his office to Vice President Mike Pence if convicted on either charge .
After facing the darkest chapter of his presidency , Trump , 73 , is seeking a second four-year term in the November 3 election .
'Our country deserves better than this' As they did on Tuesday , senators ahead of the vote made a series of speeches explaining their decision in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether any Democratic senators break ranks from their party to hand Trump a bipartisan acquittal .
Democratic Senator Doug Jones , facing a tough re-election bid this year in Republican-dominated Alabama , said he would vote to convict Trump on both charges and voiced alarm at the arguments by the president 's lawyers in favor of virtually unchecked presidential power .
Jones also issued an appeal for unity at a time of deep partisan divisions in Washington and nationwide .
`` Our country deserves better than this .
They deserve better from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress .
We must find a way to come together to set aside partisan differences and to focus on what we have in common as Americans , '' Jones said .
The impeachment charges against Trump centered on his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Biden and his son Hunter Biden and the president 's subsequent actions to block testimony and documents sought by the House in its impeachment investigation .
Democrats accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $ 391 million in security aid passed by Congress to help Ukraine combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help him smear Biden , who is seeking his party 's nomination to challenge Trump in November .
Trump denied wrongdoing and most Republicans in the House and Senate rallied around him .
Over the past few days , some Republican senators have criticised Trump 's behavior but said it did not warrant his ouster .
`` I hope our Democratic colleagues will finally accept the results of this trial , just as they have not accepted the results of the 2016 election , '' said Republican Senator John Cornyn , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second impeachment inquiry .
`` It 's time for our country to come together , to heal the wounds that divide us . ''
'Two systems of justice' Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said the trial underscored that `` in America there are two systems of justice : one for the powerful and another for everyone else .
`` Donald Trump knows all this better than anybody , '' Harris said .
`` After the Senate votes today , Donald Trump will want the American people to feel cynical .
He will want us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to think he is all powerful and we have no power .
We 're not going to let him get away with that , '' Harris added .
The House launched its impeachment inquiry in September .
The Senate trial began on Jan. 16 .
Senate Republicans voted down a Democratic bid to call witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton and present new evidence in the trial .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler told reporters that Democrats likely would subpoena Bolton , who in an unpublished book manuscript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pressuring Ukraine , as they continue to investigate the president .
Trump is the third US president to have been impeached .
The two others , Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 , were left in power by the Senate .
( FRANCE 24 with AFP , AP and REUTERS )

Republican Senator Mitt Romney issued a scathing criticism of Donald Trump on Wednesday as he broke with his party and voted to convict the U.S. president for abuse of power in his impeachment trial.
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Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, said he believes Trump was guilty of “an appalling abuse of public trust" when he pressured Ukraine's leaders to investigate political foe Joe Biden.
The Utah senator noted that as a “profoundly religious” person, he was bound by the oath senators took to administer impartial justice. “My faith is at the heart of who I am,” he said.
Romney announced his decision during an eight-minute speech on the Senate floor, as Romney became the first senator to bolt what so far has been a strict party-line divide over whether to oust Trump. The two men have had a tumultuous relationship since Trump began his successful presidential campaign.
"What he did was not 'perfect,'" Romney said on the Senate floor, as Trump has described his call with Ukraine's president that was at the heart of the scandal. "No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep one's self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine."
My thoughts on today’s impeachment vote → https://t.co/Tk1OJWnEdc — Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) February 5, 2020
The Republican-controlled Senate was scheduled to hold its historic vote at 4pm EST (2100 GMT) on whether to convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress arising from his dealings with Ukraine in only the third presidential impeachment trial in US history.
The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the charges on December 18, 2019.
Romney, a moderate and elder statesman in his party, is the only Republican senator to announce that he plans to vote to remove Trump from office.
The impeachment drama that has consumed Washington since September will come to an end with Wednesday's vote, allowing Trump to pivot toward campaigning for the November election.
While the vote is historic, the outcome of acquittal appears assured. A two-thirds majority vote would be necessary to remove him. Republicans hold 53 of the Senate's 100 seats, and none of them has called for conviction. Trump, America's 45th president, would have to turn over his office to Vice President Mike Pence if convicted on either charge.
After facing the darkest chapter of his presidency, Trump, 73, is seeking a second four-year term in the November 3 election.
'Our country deserves better than this'
As they did on Tuesday, senators ahead of the vote made a series of speeches explaining their decision in the trial. It remains to be seen whether any Democratic senators break ranks from their party to hand Trump a bipartisan acquittal.
Democratic Senator Doug Jones, facing a tough re-election bid this year in Republican-dominated Alabama, said he would vote to convict Trump on both charges and voiced alarm at the arguments by the president's lawyers in favor of virtually unchecked presidential power.
Jones also issued an appeal for unity at a time of deep partisan divisions in Washington and nationwide.
"Our country deserves better than this. They deserve better from the president. They deserve better from the Congress. We must find a way to come together to set aside partisan differences and to focus on what we have in common as Americans," Jones said.
The impeachment charges against Trump centered on his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Biden and his son Hunter Biden and the president's subsequent actions to block testimony and documents sought by the House in its impeachment investigation.
Sen. Romney showed true bravery and courage today! He put country before party and made history in such an honorable and inspiring way!#brave #ImpeachmentDay #ImpeachedForLife #Romney https://t.co/r9NQlsdvPD — Biden2020 (@BidenPOTUS46) February 5, 2020
Democrats accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid passed by Congress to help Ukraine combat Russia-backed separatists as leverage to pressure Kiev to help him smear Biden, who is seeking his party's nomination to challenge Trump in November.
Trump denied wrongdoing and most Republicans in the House and Senate rallied around him. Over the past few days, some Republican senators have criticised Trump's behavior but said it did not warrant his ouster.
"I hope our Democratic colleagues will finally accept the results of this trial, just as they have not accepted the
results of the 2016 election," said Republican Senator John Cornyn, saying he hopes they do not launch a second impeachment inquiry. "It's time for our country to come together, to heal the wounds that divide us."
'Two systems of justice'
Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said the trial underscored that "in America there are two systems of justice: one for the powerful and another for everyone else.
"Donald Trump knows all this better than anybody," Harris said.
"After the Senate votes today, Donald Trump will want the American people to feel cynical. He will want us not to care. He will want us to think he is all powerful and we have no power. We're not going to let him get away with that," Harris added.
The House launched its impeachment inquiry in September. The Senate trial began on Jan. 16. Senate Republicans voted down a Democratic bid to call witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton and present new evidence in the trial.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler told reporters that Democrats likely would subpoena Bolton, who in an unpublished book manuscript described Trump as playing a central role in pressuring Ukraine, as they continue to investigate the president.
Trump is the third US president to have been impeached. The two others, Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868, were left in power by the Senate.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-05--Hollywood 'Golden Age' film legend Kirk Douglas dead at age 103

FILE PHOTO : Actor Kirk Douglas arrives to receive an inaugural award for Excellence in film presented by the Santa @ @ @ @ @ a black-tie gala fundraiser in his honor at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa @ @ @ @ @ 30 , 2006 .
Actor Kirk Douglas has died at the age of 103 , @ @ @ @ @ People magazine on Wednesday .
“ It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and @ @ @ @ @ left us today at the age of 103 , ” Michael Douglas said in an @ @ @ @ @ “ To the world , he was a legend , an actor from the golden @ @ @ @ @ well into his golden years , a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes @ @ @ @ @ standard for all of us to aspire to , ” Douglas added .

Kirk Douglas, the cleft-chinned movie star who fought gladiators, cowboys and boxers on the screen and the Hollywood establishment, died on Wednesday at the age of 103, his son Michael Douglas said.
FILE PHOTO: Actor Kirk Douglas arrives to receive an inaugural award for Excellence in Film presented by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at a black-tie gala fundraiser in his honor at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California on July 30, 2006.
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“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” Michael Douglas said in a statement to People magazine and on his Facebook page.
“To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to,” Douglas added.
“Kirk’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet,” Michael added, saying he was "so proud" to be his father's son.
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Douglas made more than 90 movies in a career that stretched across seven decades and films such as "Spartacus" and "The Vikings" made him one of the biggest box-office stars of the 1950s and '60s.
He also played a major role in breaking the Hollywood blacklist - actors, directors and writers who were shunned professionally because of links to the communist movement in the 1950s. Douglas said he was more proud of that than any film he made.
Tributes poured in from Hollywood. Actor and director Rob Reiner said on Twitter that Douglas "will always be an icon in the pantheon of Hollywood. He put himself on the line to break the blacklist."
Mitzi Gaynor, who appeared with Douglas in the 1963 movie "For Love or Money," said the film would "always hold a special place in my heart."
"Thank you for so generously sharing your amazing talent with all of us," Gaynor tweeted.
Danny DeVito called him an "inspirational Scallywag," while Ed Asner tweeted "I will always be in your awe."
A stroke in 1996 at age 80 left Douglas with slurred speech and damaged facial nerves. But two weeks later he showed his spirit by attending the Academy Awards ceremony to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. He also continued to take small acting roles through 2008 but said the stroke left him suicidal.
"Humor saved me," Douglas told Parade magazine in 2014. "At first, I thought my life was at an end. But when I put the gun in my mouth, it hit a tooth. Ow! And that struck me funny. A toothache was stopping me from committing suicide?"
In one of his last public appearances, Douglas was frail and barely audible in a wheelchair as he helped daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones present the Oscar for best screenplay in January 2018. In November of that year he joined his son Michael as the younger Douglas was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Douglas had a distinctive chin, razor-sharp cheekbones and a jutting jaw - looks that he passed along to Michael - and that made him a natural for playing all manner of rugged characters.
He also had a demanding nature that earned him a reputation in his prime as the actor who directed directors. Long-time friend and sometime co-star Burt Lancaster loved to introduce him by saying, "Kirk would be the first to admit he is a difficult person. (Pause) I would be the second."
"I make my own way," Douglas once told an interviewer. "Nobody's my boss. Nobody's ever been my boss ... I've been a maverick."
Douglas said playing Vincent van Gogh in "Lust for Life" (1956) was his favorite role but "Spartacus" (1960) was his favorite film because, as producer, he took a big step toward breaking the Hollywood blacklist.
The lifetime Oscar was Douglas' only Academy Award even though he was nominated for playing ruthless boxer Midge Kelly in "Champion" (1949), a movie executive in "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952) and van Gogh in "Lust for Life."
Douglas' first movie was "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" in 1946 after being suggested for the part by acting school classmate Betty Joan Perske, who became famous after changing her name to Lauren Bacall.
Douglas was known for powerful performances as characters who had to endure intense on-screen pain. He was stabbed in "Ace in the Hole," crucified in "Spartacus," lost an eye in "The Vikings," an ear in "Lust for Life," and a finger in "The Big Sky."
His other notable movies were "Lonely Are the Brave," "The Devil's Disciple," "Victory at Entebbe" and "Tough Guys," which he made with Lancaster in 1986.
Douglas' independent streak led him to set up Bryna Production Co, which he named after his mother, in 1955, snubbing big studio bosses and helping break their monopoly on the industry.
Born Issur Danielovich on Dec. 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York, Douglas was the only son of seven children born to illiterate Russian immigrants.
After graduating from high school, he hitch-hiked to St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he became a wrestling champion. He also staged and starred in theatrical productions and changed his name to Izzy Demsy.
After St. Lawrence, he graduated from New York's American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1941 and changed his name to Kirk Douglas. He joined the Navy following two small Broadway roles.
While in the Navy he married British actress Diana Dill and they had two sons, Michael and Joel, before the marriage ended after eight years.
Douglas had a reputation as a Hollywood ladies' man. Among the lovers listed in the 1988 book "The Ragman's Son," one of several books he wrote about his life, were Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Maxwell, Patricia Neal and Gene Tierney.
While making "Act of Love," Douglas met Anne Buydens, the film's publicist, and they married in 1954. Their marriage became one of Hollywood's most enduring despite his affairs. They had two sons, Peter and Eric.
Douglas, who survived a 1991 helicopter crash that killed two people, tried to discourage his children from following him into acting. Still, Michael became a superstar and a successful producer, Joel and Peter also were producers and Eric was an actor until his 2004 death from a drug overdose.
"You see how they listened to me," Douglas once said.
Kirk Douglas has passed away and I think the world is a poorer place without him. The term legend is used to often these days, but this man was a living legend. 103 years are a long life, but in my eyes he was still too young. Rest in Peace, #KirkDouglas pic.twitter.com/LOj22gBb24 — The real Dr Vries (@DrVries) February 5, 2020
Douglas, who grew a long white ponytail in his later years, published several books, including a book of poetry, prose and photographs in 2014 and “Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love, Laughter and a Lifetime in Hollywood," in 2017 with his wife.
He established the Douglas Foundation for making charitable donations and in 2015 he and Anne announced plans to give away his $80 million fortune to a variety of causes. The beneficiaries included a shelter for homeless women named after Anne, the Los Angeles public school district, St. Lawrence University and hospitals.
To mark his 99th birthday in 2015 he donated $15 million to the Motion Picture and Television Fund to help build a facility for entertainment industry figures with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sadly today a true legend has parted this world. Kirk Douglas has died at the age of 103. Rest easy sweet Spartacus. #kirkdouglasrip #KirkDouglas #spartacus pic.twitter.com/gVj0EY7Eg9 — cinematicanarchy (@cinematicanarc1) February 5, 2020
(REUTERS)
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