france24--2020-08-31--India accuses China of new 'provocative' border action

Tensions have been high in recent months on the contested border between India and China in the Himalayas The Indian military on Monday accused China of carrying out `` provocative '' movements on their contested Himalayan border near where 20 Indian troops were killed in a battle in June .
A defence ministry statement said the incidents happened in eastern Ladakh on Saturday night but did not indicate whether there was a new clash .
Chinese People 's Liberation Army troops `` carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo '' at the border , it said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ military talks on Monday .
On June 15 , troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat in which 20 Indian troops were killed .
China also acknowledged casualties but did not give numbers .
New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the latest frontier tensions between the two sides who fought a border war in 1962 and have been involved in regular showdowns since .
The Chinese and Indian militaries have poured tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June fighting .
But their military and diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent stalemate .
The Indian statement said Chinese troops `` violated the consensus '' to ease border tensions .
`` Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake , undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground , '' said the ministry .
`` A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues . ''
Beijing did not confirm the incident , but said Chinese border troops `` have always strictly respected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line , '' referring to the unofficial border .
`` Border troops from both sides have maintained communication over issues on the ground , '' foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday at a regular press briefing .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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The Indian military on Monday accused China of carrying out "provocative" movements on their contested Himalayan border near where 20 Indian troops were killed in a battle in June.
A defence ministry statement said the incidents happened in eastern Ladakh on Saturday night but did not indicate whether there was a new clash.
Chinese People's Liberation Army troops "carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo" at the border, it said.
It added the two sides were holding military talks on Monday.
On June 15, troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat in which 20 Indian troops were killed. China also acknowledged casualties but did not give numbers.
New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the latest frontier tensions between the two sides who fought a border war in 1962 and have been involved in regular showdowns since.
The Chinese and Indian militaries have poured tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June fighting. But their military and diplomatic talks on easing tensions are in an apparent stalemate.
The Indian statement said Chinese troops "violated the consensus" to ease border tensions.
"Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground," said the ministry.
"A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues."
Beijing did not confirm the incident, but said Chinese border troops "have always strictly respected the Line of Actual Control and never crossed the line," referring to the unofficial border.
"Border troops from both sides have maintained communication over issues on the ground," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday at a regular press briefing.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Junk food linked to age-marker in chromosomes: study

Short telomeres are a marker of biological ageing at the cellular level , and a new study suggests that diet is a factor in driving the cells to age faster People who eat a lot of industrially processed junk food are more likely to exhibit a change in their chromosomes linked to ageing , according to research presented Tuesday at an online medical conference .
Three or more servings of so-called `` ultra-processed food '' per day doubled the odds that strands of DNA and proteins called telomeres , found on the end of chromosomes , would be shorter compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists reported at the European and International Conference on Obesity .
Short telomeres are a marker of biological ageing at the cellular level , and the study suggests that diet is a factor in driving the cells to age faster .
While the correlation is strong , however , the causal relationship between eating highly processed foods and diminished telomeres remains speculative , the authors cautioned .
Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes that contain our genetic code .
Telomeres do not carry genetic information , but are vital for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , by extension , the DNA that all the cells in our body relies on to function .
As we get older , our telomeres shorten naturally because each time a cell divides , part of the telomere is lost .
That reduction in length has long been recognised as a marker of biological age .
Scientists led by professors Maria Bes-Rastrollo and Amelia Marti , both of the University of Navarra in Spain , wanted to explore a suspected connection between the regular consumption of highly processed junk food and shrinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible link with sugar-sweetened drinks , processed meats and other foods loaded with saturated fats and sugar , but the findings were inconclusive .
Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured substances composed of some mix of oils , fats , sugars , starch and proteins that contain little if any whole or natural foods .
They often include artificial flavourings , colourings , emulsifiers , preservatives and other additives that increase shelf-life and profit margins .
These same properties , however , also mean that such foods are nutritionally poor compared to less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier studies have shown strong correlations between ultra-processed foods and hypertension , obesity , depression , type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer .
These conditions are often age-related in so far as they are linked to oxidative stress and inflammation known to influence telomere length .
Marti and colleagues looked at health data for nearly 900 people aged 55 or older who provided DNA samples in 2008 and provided detailed data about their eating habits every two years thereafter .
The 645 men and 241 women were equally divided into four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultra-processed foods .
Those in the high-intake group were more likely to have a family history of cardiovascular disease , diabetes and abnormal blood fats .
That also consumed less foods associated with the Mediterranean diet -- fibre , olive oil , fruits , vegetable and nuts .
Compared to the group who ate the fewest ultra-processed foods , the other three showed an increased likelihood -- 29 , 40 and 82 percent , respectively -- of having shortened telomeres .
The findings were published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed American Journal @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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People who eat a lot of industrially processed junk food are more likely to exhibit a change in their chromosomes linked to ageing, according to research presented Tuesday at an online medical conference.
Three or more servings of so-called "ultra-processed food" per day doubled the odds that strands of DNA and proteins called telomeres, found on the end of chromosomes, would be shorter compared to people who rarely consumed such foods, scientists reported at the European and International Conference on Obesity.
Short telomeres are a marker of biological ageing at the cellular level, and the study suggests that diet is a factor in driving the cells to age faster.
While the correlation is strong, however, the causal relationship between eating highly processed foods and diminished telomeres remains speculative, the authors cautioned.
Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes that contain our genetic code.
Telomeres do not carry genetic information, but are vital for preserving the stability and integrity of chromosomes and, by extension, the DNA that all the cells in our body relies on to function.
As we get older, our telomeres shorten naturally because each time a cell divides, part of the telomere is lost.
That reduction in length has long been recognised as a marker of biological age.
Scientists led by professors Maria Bes-Rastrollo and Amelia Marti, both of the University of Navarra in Spain, wanted to explore a suspected connection between the regular consumption of highly processed junk food and shrinking telomeres.
- Not real food -
Earlier studies had pointed to a possible link with sugar-sweetened drinks, processed meats and other foods loaded with saturated fats and sugar, but the findings were inconclusive.
Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured substances composed of some mix of oils, fats, sugars, starch and proteins that contain little if any whole or natural foods.
They often include artificial flavourings, colourings, emulsifiers, preservatives and other additives that increase shelf-life and profit margins.
These same properties, however, also mean that such foods are nutritionally poor compared to less processed alternatives, the researchers said.
Earlier studies have shown strong correlations between ultra-processed foods and hypertension, obesity, depression, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
These conditions are often age-related in so far as they are linked to oxidative stress and inflammation known to influence telomere length.
Marti and colleagues looked at health data for nearly 900 people aged 55 or older who provided DNA samples in 2008 and provided detailed data about their eating habits every two years thereafter.
The 645 men and 241 women were equally divided into four groups, depending on their consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Those in the high-intake group were more likely to have a family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and abnormal blood fats.
That also consumed less foods associated with the Mediterranean diet -- fibre, olive oil, fruits, vegetable and nuts.
Compared to the group who ate the fewest ultra-processed foods, the other three showed an increased likelihood -- 29, 40 and 82 percent, respectively -- of having shortened telomeres.
The findings were published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Hong Kong starts mass virus testing as China distrust swirls

Hong Kong will start city-wide voluntary mass virus tests on September 1 with help from mainland China but many people are distrustful of Beijing and the local government Hong Kong started conducting mass coronavirus tests on Tuesday , a health scheme that has been swept up in the political debate dividing the city , where many remain deeply distrustful of both local leaders and China .
The voluntary tests are part of an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that began in late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited response due to the involvement of mainland Chinese testing firms and doctors -- and swirling public fears of data and DNA harvesting as Beijing cracks down on the city 's democracy movement .
Since registration began on Saturday , 510,000 people have signed up to take the free tests -- around seven percent of the city 's 7.5 million population .
More than half of all 141 community test centres across the city are fully booked for their first day on Tuesday .
But health experts advising the government have said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be tested for the scheme to comprehensively uncover hidden transmissions and end the current wave .
Hong Kong has recorded just over 4,800 infections since the virus first hit the city in late January but about 75 percent of those cases were detected since the start of July .
Tests began at 8am ( 0000 GMT ) on Tuesday and will run for between a week and two weeks depending on public demand , with numbers limited each day to reduce the risk of infection .
Authorities have billed the scheme as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Chinese help .
But the involvement of mainland China has sent the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing 's surveillance state , which uses biometric data to monitor its citizens .
Some prominent Hong Kong health experts have also questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme , arguing that more targeted monitoring of at-risk and vulnerable communities would be a better use of resources .
They have also raised concerns that the act of testing so many people might itself help spread the virus in a city where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people gathering in public .
A group of pro-democracy politicians and lawmakers , including prominent activist Joshua Wong , called on the public on Sunday to boycott the test .
They voiced fears of mass DNA harvesting and concerns Hong Kong might introduce a mandatory health code system like those used on the mainland .
Hong Kong 's government has repeatedly rejected those concerns , denying DNA would be taken and insisting that no tests would go to mainland labs .
City leader Carrie Lam , a pro-Beijing appointee , slammed those opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Beijing , anti-government members '' who `` will not spare any chance to create troubles and stir up confrontations even when it comes to a public health issue '' .
Beijing 's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called those opposed to testing `` anti-China radicals '' with a `` vile disregard '' for public health .
Last week Lam also dismissed doctors who voiced concerns about the efficacy of city-wide testing as being politically motivated , angering some in the medical community .
At the height of the third wave in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 new coronavirus cases a day .
Citing the rising infections , Lam cancelled local legislature elections for a year , sparking uproar from the city 's pro-democracy camp , which had hoped to capitalise on seething public anger after last year 's huge protests .
Cases have since fallen back to single digits , with just nine new infections on Monday , and government opponents have questioned why elections needed to be cancelled if the government could also conduct city-wide tests .
Authorities have said mass testing is a needed emergency health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over multiple days , unlike an election .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Hong Kong started conducting mass coronavirus tests on Tuesday, a health scheme that has been swept up in the political debate dividing the city, where many remain deeply distrustful of both local leaders and China.
The voluntary tests are part of an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that began in late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures.
The programme has been hampered by a limited response due to the involvement of mainland Chinese testing firms and doctors -- and swirling public fears of data and DNA harvesting as Beijing cracks down on the city's democracy movement.
Since registration began on Saturday, 510,000 people have signed up to take the free tests -- around seven percent of the city's 7.5 million population.
More than half of all 141 community test centres across the city are fully booked for their first day on Tuesday.
But health experts advising the government have said as many as five million people might need to be tested for the scheme to comprehensively uncover hidden transmissions and end the current wave.
Hong Kong has recorded just over 4,800 infections since the virus first hit the city in late January but about 75 percent of those cases were detected since the start of July.
Tests began at 8am (0000 GMT) on Tuesday and will run for between a week and two weeks depending on public demand, with numbers limited each day to reduce the risk of infection.
Authorities have billed the scheme as a benevolent public health initiative made possible with Chinese help.
- 'Anti China radicals' -
But the involvement of mainland China has sent the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing's surveillance state, which uses biometric data to monitor its citizens.
Some prominent Hong Kong health experts have also questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme, arguing that more targeted monitoring of at-risk and vulnerable communities would be a better use of resources.
They have also raised concerns that the act of testing so many people might itself help spread the virus in a city where emergency rules currently forbid more than two people gathering in public.
A group of pro-democracy politicians and lawmakers, including prominent activist Joshua Wong, called on the public on Sunday to boycott the test.
They voiced fears of mass DNA harvesting and concerns Hong Kong might introduce a mandatory health code system like those used on the mainland.
Hong Kong's government has repeatedly rejected those concerns, denying DNA would be taken and insisting that no tests would go to mainland labs.
City leader Carrie Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, slammed those opposed to the testing scheme as "active anti-Beijing, anti-government members" who "will not spare any chance to create troubles and stir up confrontations even when it comes to a public health issue".
Beijing's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called those opposed to testing "anti-China radicals" with a "vile disregard" for public health.
Last week Lam also dismissed doctors who voiced concerns about the efficacy of city-wide testing as being politically motivated, angering some in the medical community.
At the height of the third wave in late July, Hong Kong was recording about 150 new coronavirus cases a day.
Citing the rising infections, Lam cancelled local legislature elections for a year, sparking uproar from the city's pro-democracy camp, which had hoped to capitalise on seething public anger after last year's huge protests.
Cases have since fallen back to single digits, with just nine new infections on Monday, and government opponents have questioned why elections needed to be cancelled if the government could also conduct city-wide tests.
Authorities have said mass testing is a needed emergency health measure and that it will be conducted over multiple days, unlike an election.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Guinea's Conde to run for 3rd term, says ruling party

Guinea 's President Aloha Conde is a former opposition figure who was jailed under previous regimes Guinea 's ruling party on Monday confirmed months of speculation that 82-year-old President Alpha Conde will seek a third term in office , a possibility that had already sparked deadly mass protests .
The news came after Conde pushed through a constitutional reform in March that critics had argued was designed to allow him to run for office again in the October 18 election .
`` President Alpha Conde will indeed be our candidate in the presidential election , '' said the statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RPG ) , read out on television .
The party had formally nominated him to run again back in August , but Conde had made no formal response .
He instead told delegates that the RPG must pledge to help women , the young and the poor before he would agree to stand for election .
Conde was elected president in 2010 and again in 2015 .
Under Guinea 's constitution , presidents may only serve two terms .
But according to analysts , the new constitution could reset the presidential term counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time -- a view now confirmed by the RPG .
Opposition figures were at the forefront of a protest movement against the constitutional referendum in March and unsuccessfully tried to organise a boycott .
Mass rallies have been held for nearly a year to oppose the possibility of Conde seeking a third mandate .
Security forces in the former French colony repeatedly cracked down on the protests , killing several dozen civilians .
Conde is a former opposition figure who was jailed under previous regimes in Guinea , a country rich in minerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of instability .
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea 's first democratically elected president in 2010 , but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian .

Conakry (AFP) –
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Guinea's ruling party on Monday confirmed months of speculation that 82-year-old President Alpha Conde will seek a third term in office, a possibility that had already sparked deadly mass protests.
The news came after Conde pushed through a constitutional reform in March that critics had argued was designed to allow him to run for office again in the October 18 election.
"President Alpha Conde will indeed be our candidate in the presidential election," said the statement from the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), read out on television.
The party had formally nominated him to run again back in August, but Conde had made no formal response.
He instead told delegates that the RPG must pledge to help women, the young and the poor before he would agree to stand for election.
Conde was elected president in 2010 and again in 2015.
Under Guinea's constitution, presidents may only serve two terms. But according to analysts, the new constitution could reset the presidential term counter and enable him to run a third time -- a view now confirmed by the RPG.
Opposition figures were at the forefront of a protest movement against the constitutional referendum in March and unsuccessfully tried to organise a boycott.
Mass rallies have been held for nearly a year to oppose the possibility of Conde seeking a third mandate.
Security forces in the former French colony repeatedly cracked down on the protests, killing several dozen civilians.
Conde is a former opposition figure who was jailed under previous regimes in Guinea, a country rich in minerals but plagued by entrenched poverty and a history of instability.
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected president in 2010, but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Venezuela's Maduro pardons opposition lawmakers

Venezuela 's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an interview in Caracas on August 23 , 2020 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pardoned more than 100 lawmakers and associates of opposition leader Juan Guaido `` in the interests of promoting national reconciliation , '' the government said .
Guaido 's assistant Roberto Marrero and lawmakers Gilber Caro and Renzo Prieto were among the names read out by Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez live on state television .
The presidential decree `` comes into force from its publication '' after which the courts `` must implement immediate measures to liberate the persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested in March 2019 and accused of being part of a `` terrorist cell '' planning attacks to destabilize the Maduro government .
Guido himself was not among those pardoned , though , despite several cases open against him .
Those on the list of 110 people included opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara , who fled to the Chilean embassy in the capital Caracas in 2017 after leading anti-government protests that left 125 people dead .
The Supreme Court -- which has been accused of pandering to the regime -- ordered that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Also among the pardoned is Henry Ramos Allup , the head of the Democratic Action party which is the oldest in Venezuela .
In addition , the order includes people with outstanding judicial cases , including opposition lawmakers living in exile .
`` Pardon or insult , Maduro is neither president , nor am I a criminal , '' wrote Americo De Grazia , a lawmaker living in exile .
`` If you ( Maduro ) want to contribute to peace in Venezuela , pardon the country from the usurpation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in a tragedy inflicted on our people and maybe then we 'll have something to thank you for . ''
The opposition considers Maduro a usurper over his 2018 re-election in a poll widely seen as fraudulent .
In January 2019 , Guaido launched a challenge to Maduro 's authority by declaring himself acting president , quickly receiving the backing of more than 50 countries .
The pardons announcement came a day after Maduro claimed to be supporting measures to bring `` reconciliation '' and `` dialogue '' to the deeply polarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
Guaido and leading opposition figures have already vowed to boycott that election over a lack of transparency after the Supreme Court appointed election officials -- a role that should have been conducted by the opposition-controlled legislature .
The `` number one aim '' of the pardons is to `` legitimize '' the December elections , analyst Felix Seijas from pollsters Delphos , told AFP .
Maduro `` is giving in to one of the opposition 's long-standing demands in negotiations , '' Seijas added .
For Rafael Alvarez Loscher , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` build bridges '' with fundamental powers such as the European Union .
The idea is to give an air of `` legitimacy '' to the legislative elections so that he can take control of the National Assembly .
`` Maduro needs to take decisions regarding the external debt , he needs capital , he needs loans , debt restructuring , Venezuela needs money , '' said Alvarez Loscher .
But that 's not possible with Venezuela subject to international sanctions , led primarily by the United States .
Maduro needs legitimacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief .
Venezuela is sitting on the world 's largest proven oil reserves but under Maduro 's watch , the country has descended into crisis .
Poverty has soared , inflation is the highest in the world , the currency has become practically worthless , and oil production is down to its lowest level in 77 years , which experts blame on mismanagement and corruption .
There may be yet another plan behind the move .
`` Maybe now , we will see the empowerment of some political leaders , '' said Seijas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` promote the participation of competing '' political powers within the opposition .

Caracas (AFP) –
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pardoned more than 100 lawmakers and associates of opposition leader Juan Guaido "in the interests of promoting national reconciliation," the government said.
Guaido's assistant Roberto Marrero and lawmakers Gilber Caro and Renzo Prieto were among the names read out by Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez live on state television.
The presidential decree "comes into force from its publication" after which the courts "must implement immediate measures to liberate the persons mentioned," said Rodriguez.
Marrero was arrested in March 2019 and accused of being part of a "terrorist cell" planning attacks to destabilize the Maduro government.
Guido himself was not among those pardoned, though, despite several cases open against him.
Those on the list of 110 people included opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara, who fled to the Chilean embassy in the capital Caracas in 2017 after leading anti-government protests that left 125 people dead.
The Supreme Court -- which has been accused of pandering to the regime -- ordered that he be denied the freedom to leave the country.
Also among the pardoned is Henry Ramos Allup, the head of the Democratic Action party which is the oldest in Venezuela.
In addition, the order includes people with outstanding judicial cases, including opposition lawmakers living in exile.
"Pardon or insult, Maduro is neither president, nor am I a criminal," wrote Americo De Grazia, a lawmaker living in exile.
"If you (Maduro) want to contribute to peace in Venezuela, pardon the country from the usurpation of power, quit the occupation that has resulted in a tragedy inflicted on our people and maybe then we'll have something to thank you for."
The opposition considers Maduro a usurper over his 2018 re-election in a poll widely seen as fraudulent.
In January 2019, Guaido launched a challenge to Maduro's authority by declaring himself acting president, quickly receiving the backing of more than 50 countries.
- Quest for 'legitimacy' -
The pardons announcement came a day after Maduro claimed to be supporting measures to bring "reconciliation" and "dialogue" to the deeply polarized South American country ahead of December legislative elections.
Guaido and leading opposition figures have already vowed to boycott that election over a lack of transparency after the Supreme Court appointed election officials -- a role that should have been conducted by the opposition-controlled legislature.
The "number one aim" of the pardons is to "legitimize" the December elections, analyst Felix Seijas from pollsters Delphos, told AFP.
Maduro "is giving in to one of the opposition's long-standing demands in negotiations," Seijas added.
For Rafael Alvarez Loscher, from the JURISCORP consultancy, Maduro is trying to "build bridges" with fundamental powers such as the European Union.
The idea is to give an air of "legitimacy" to the legislative elections so that he can take control of the National Assembly.
"Maduro needs to take decisions regarding the external debt, he needs capital, he needs loans, debt restructuring, Venezuela needs money," said Alvarez Loscher.
But that's not possible with Venezuela subject to international sanctions, led primarily by the United States.
Maduro needs legitimacy to be able to push for sanctions relief.
Venezuela is sitting on the world's largest proven oil reserves but under Maduro's watch, the country has descended into crisis.
Poverty has soared, inflation is the highest in the world, the currency has become practically worthless, and oil production is down to its lowest level in 77 years, which experts blame on mismanagement and corruption.
There may be yet another plan behind the move.
"Maybe now, we will see the empowerment of some political leaders," said Seijas
The advantage for Maduro could be to "promote the participation of competing" political powers within the opposition.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Biden accuses 'toxic' Trump of trying to sow chaos in the United States

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about safety in America during a campaign appearance in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , U.S. August 31 , 2020 .
Joe Biden on Monday accused President Donald Trump of fanning the flames of violence as a week of deadly unrest has catapulted law and order to the top of the political agenda barely two months before the US election .
The stakes for Biden could not be higher as he delivered an address in Pittsburgh , in the battleground state of Pennsylvania .
Emerging from months of Covid-19 travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive , mocked by Trump as weak in the face of chaotic unrest combining leftist anti-racism protests , riots , deadly shootings and right-wing vigilante actions in Kenosha , Wisconsin , and Portland , Oregon .
With Trump exalting in the shift of debate from his widely panned handling of the coronavirus pandemic to his favoured theme of `` law and order , '' Biden risks losing the momentum that has put him ahead in the polls for the November 3 vote .
But the 77-year-old Democrat punched back , branding Trump `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his inauguration .
`` Fires are burning and we have a president who fans the flames rather than fighting the flames , '' Biden offered in a stinging rebuke .
`` The incumbent president is incapable of telling us the truth , incapable of facing the facts and incapable of healing . ''
While Trump has spent much of the past week warning voters they `` wo n't be safe '' in Biden 's America , the Democrat sought to turn tables on the Republican in his 22-minute speech -- delivered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns -- with the question : `` Do you really feel safer under Donald Trump ? ''
Trump `` ca n't stop the violence , because for years he has fomented it , '' Biden charged .
Trump `` may believe mouthing the words 'law and order ' makes him strong , but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is . ''
Trump , who for months has been trying to downplay the coronavirus crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic rule , will offer his own perspective Tuesday when he visits the flashpoint of Kenosha .
The city , in one of the most significant states of the electoral map , has been in turmoil since the shooting by a white police officer of an African-American man in front of his children during an arrest this month .
A microcosm of the racial and ideological tensions of the Trump era , Kenosha has seen Black Lives Matter protests , riots , and the arrival of armed , white vigilantes , culminating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly shot dead two people at the protest and badly injured another .
On Saturday in Portland there was another death .
A man wearing a cap with the logo of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer was shot as Trump supporters -- some armed -- made a dramatic show of force in the city , clashing with leftwing groups that have been protesting against the police for weeks .
On Monday Biden offered his strongest yet denunciation of the violence .
`` Looting is not protesting , setting fires is not protesting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lawlessness , plain and simple , and those who do it should be prosecuted , '' Biden said .
Trump 's visit to Kenosha will focus on his message that police are under siege in Democratic-led cities , putting what he calls `` suburban housewives '' and the `` American Dream '' in danger .
The president 's spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said he currently has no plans to meet with the family of the 29-year-old black shooting victim , Jacob Blake , who has been left paralysed .
`` Currently the plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some business owners and he 'll survey the damage , '' she told reporters at the White House .
Local elected leaders have pleaded with the president to stay away , according to US media reports .
Over the weekend and continuing Monday , Trump delivered a torrent of tweets pushing his claims about Democratic-run cities in meltdown and offering support for the right-wing militias -- including one saying `` Rest In Peace '' for the victim of Saturday 's Portland shooting .
`` The Radical Left Mayors & Governors of Cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost control of their 'Movement , ' '' Trump wrote on Monday .
Biden accused Trump of fear-mongering about unrest while ignoring a convergence of US crises : the pandemic that has left 183,000 Americans dead and an economy battered , racial injustice and `` emboldened '' white nationalists .
`` Mr. Trump , you want to talk about fear ?
Do you know what people are afraid of in America ? ''
Biden bluntly asked his rival .

Joe Biden on Monday accused President Donald Trump of fanning the flames of violence as a week of deadly unrest has catapulted law and order to the top of the political agenda barely two months before the US election.
U.S. Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about safety in America during a campaign appearance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. August 31, 2020.
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The stakes for Biden's speech in Pittsburgh, in the swing state of Pennsylvania, could not have been higher a day before Trump heads to the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, to deliver his dueling vision on the upheaval.
Emerging from months of Covid-19 travel restrictions, Biden finds himself suddenly on the defensive, mocked by Trump as weak in the face of events combining leftist anti-racism protests, riots, deadly shootings and right-wing vigilante actions in Kenosha and in Portland, Oregon.
01:30
With Trump exalting in the shift of debate from his widely panned handling of the coronavirus pandemic to his favoured theme of crime, Biden risks losing the momentum that has put him ahead in the polls for the November 3 vote.
But the 77-year-old Democrat punched back, branding Trump's presidency "a toxic presence in our nation."
"Fires are burning and we have a president who fans the flames rather than fighting the flames," Biden said.
"The incumbent president is incapable of telling us the truth, incapable of facing the facts and incapable of healing."
While Trump has spent much of the past week warning voters they "won't be safe" in Biden's America, the Democrat sought to turn tables on the Republican in his 22-minute speech -- delivered in a mostly empty hall due to coronavirus concerns -- with the question: "Do you really feel safer under Donald Trump?"
Trump "can't stop the violence, because for years he has fomented it," Biden charged.
Trump "may believe mouthing the words 'law and order' makes him strong, but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows you how weak he is."
Biden, who has been accused by Republicans of insufficiently denouncing violence by leftist anti-racism protesters, tried to set this to rest.
"Looting is not protesting, setting fires is not protesting," he said.
"None of this is protesting. It's lawlessness, plain and simple, and those who do it should be prosecuted."
At a White House press conference, Trump still complained that Biden "mostly seemed to blame the police and law enforcement," not leftist radicals.
Kenosha flashpoint
On Tuesday, Trump will promote his own perspective on what's wrong in America's cities by visiting Kenosha.
The city, in one of the most significant swing states of the electoral map, has been in turmoil since the shooting by a white police officer of an African-American man in front of his children during an arrest this month.
A microcosm of the racial and ideological tensions of the Trump era, Kenosha has seen Black Lives Matter protests, riots, and the arrival of armed, white vigilantes, culminating in an incident where a 17-year-old militia enthusiast, Kyle Rittenhouse, allegedly shot dead two people at the protest and badly injured another.
Democrats and police reform advocates see Kenosha as a symbol of institutional racism leading to deadly encounters between officers and black suspects.
They see Rittenhouse, a Trump supporter, as emblematic of right-wing militias that are increasingly brazen about brandishing weaponry in political settings and attempting to act as amateur law enforcers.
Trump, however, is making clear he comes with a different priority: countering what he has repeatedly described as the "anarchy" in Democratic-led cities.
He will "meet with local law enforcement and some business owners and he'll survey the damage" from the unrest, spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters.
Trump described his desire "to see the people that did such a good job for me," referring to law enforcement units that quelled the rioting.
Trump also declined to condemn the killings that Rittenhouse, who was in the streets with a rifle, is suspected of.
Trump called this "an interesting situation" and said the teenager seen in video footage of the killings -- allegedly Rittenhouse -- was reacting because he was attacked.
The White House said there were no plans for Trump to meet while in Kenosha with the family of the black man shot by the police officer, Jacob Blake.
Although Biden has talked by telephone with the Blake family, Trump also ruled this out, saying the relatives wanted a family lawyer to be in on the call.
"That's inappropriate," he said, without explaining further.
Trump said he had instead had a "great talk" with "the pastor," whom he called "a wonderful man."
Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr, said Trump's comment mystified him.
"We don't have a family pastor," he told CNN. "I don't know who he talked to, I don't care."
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has asked Trump not to visit, out of fear of greater tensions.
Trump responded that his trip "could increase love and respect for our country."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-31--Penarol sack ex-Man Utd star Forlan after poor results

Diego Forlan lasted less than a year in the Penarol job and five months of that was during the coroanvirus lockdown Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan was sacked as coach of Uruguayan giants Penarol on Monday .
Media reports claimed the popular 40-year-old had been ditched due to poor results , although there was no confirmation from the club .
`` I have no regrets , that 's football , '' he said , adding that becoming the club 's manager had been a `` proud moment . ''
According to local media , club president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday morning .
The decision came after a 2-0 weekend defeat to Wanderers in the Uruguayan league .
In 11 matches in charge , Forlan had guided the team to just four wins and as many defeats .
It was a meager return for Uruguay 's most popular and successful club that is used to competing for trophies .
Local press reports claim he will be replaced by Mario Saralegui , who previously coached the club in 2008 and 2009 .
Forlan , who won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth , only joined the club in December .
It was his first coaching appointment , although he played for Penarol between 2015-16 .
As a player he helped Uruguay win the 2011 Copa America for a record 15th time .
He also won the Premier League with United in 2003 and the Europa League with Atletico seven years later .
He helped Penarol win the Uruguayan title in his only season with them and also played for Villarreal in Spain , Italy 's Inter Milan , Argentina 's Independiente and Internacional of @ @

Montevideo (AFP) –
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Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan was sacked as coach of Uruguayan giants Penarol on Monday.
Media reports claimed the popular 40-year-old had been ditched due to poor results, although there was no confirmation from the club.
"I have no regrets, that's football," he said, adding that becoming the club's manager had been a "proud moment."
According to local media, club president Jorge Barrera informed Forlan of his sacking on Monday morning.
The decision came after a 2-0 weekend defeat to Wanderers in the Uruguayan league.
In 11 matches in charge, Forlan had guided the team to just four wins and as many defeats.
It was a meager return for Uruguay's most popular and successful club that is used to competing for trophies.
Local press reports claim he will be replaced by Mario Saralegui, who previously coached the club in 2008 and 2009.
Forlan, who won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Uruguay finished fourth, only joined the club in December.
It was his first coaching appointment, although he played for Penarol between 2015-16.
As a player he helped Uruguay win the 2011 Copa America for a record 15th time. He also won the Premier League with United in 2003 and the Europa League with Atletico seven years later.
He helped Penarol win the Uruguayan title in his only season with them and also played for Villarreal in Spain, Italy's Inter Milan, Argentina's Independiente and Internacional of Brazil.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Climate change fuels sharp increase in glacier lakes

Unlike normal lakes , glacier lakes are unstable because they are often dammed by ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris The volume of lakes formed as glaciers worldwide melt due to climate change had jumped by 50 percent in 30 years , according to new study based on satellite data .
`` We have known that not all meltwater is making it into the oceans immediately , '' lead author Dan Shugar , a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary , said in a statement .
`` But until now there were no data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in lakes or groundwater . ''
The findings , published Monday in Nature Climate Change , will help scientists and governments identify potential hazards to communities downstream of these often unstable lakes , he said .
They will also improve the accuracy of sea level rise estimates through better understanding of how -- and how quickly -- water shed by glaciers makes it to the sea .
Between 1994 and 2017 , the world 's glaciers , especially in high-mountain regions , shed about 6.5 trillion tonnes in mass , according to earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , 35 percent of global sea-level rises came from glacier melting , '' Anders Levermann , climate professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact , told AFP .
The other main sources of sea level rise are ice sheets and the expansion of ocean water as it warms .
Earth 's average surface temperature has risen one degree Celsius since preindustrial times , but high-mountain regions around the world have warmed at twice that pace , accelerating glacier melt .
Unlike normal lakes , glacier lakes are unstable because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ composed of loose rock and debris .
When accumulating water bursts through these accidental barriers , massive flooding can occur downstream .
Known as glacial lake outbursts , this kind of flooding has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last century , as well as the destruction of villages , infrastructure and livestock , according to the study , published in Nature Climate Change .
The most recent recorded incident was a glacial lake outburst that washed through the Hunza Valley in Pakistan in May .
In January , the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glacial lakes have formed in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region , with 33 posing an imminent threat that could impact as many as seven million people .
The new study , based on 250,000 scenes from NASA 's Landsat satellite missions , estimates current glacial lake volume at more than 150 cubic kilometres ( 37 cubic miles ) , equivalent to one-third the volume of Lake Erie in the United States or twice the volume of Lake Geneva .
A decade ago , it would have not been possible to process and analyse that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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The volume of lakes formed as glaciers worldwide melt due to climate change had jumped by 50 percent in 30 years, according to new study based on satellite data.
"We have known that not all meltwater is making it into the oceans immediately," lead author Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, said in a statement.
"But until now there were no data to estimate how much was being stored in lakes or groundwater."
The findings, published Monday in Nature Climate Change, will help scientists and governments identify potential hazards to communities downstream of these often unstable lakes, he said.
They will also improve the accuracy of sea level rise estimates through better understanding of how -- and how quickly -- water shed by glaciers makes it to the sea.
Between 1994 and 2017, the world's glaciers, especially in high-mountain regions, shed about 6.5 trillion tonnes in mass, according to earlier research.
"In the past 100 years, 35 percent of global sea-level rises came from glacier melting," Anders Levermann, climate professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact, told AFP.
The other main sources of sea level rise are ice sheets and the expansion of ocean water as it warms.
- Glacial lake outbursts -
Earth's average surface temperature has risen one degree Celsius since preindustrial times, but high-mountain regions around the world have warmed at twice that pace, accelerating glacier melt.
Unlike normal lakes, glacier lakes are unstable because they are often dammed by ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.
When accumulating water bursts through these accidental barriers, massive flooding can occur downstream.
Known as glacial lake outbursts, this kind of flooding has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last century, as well as the destruction of villages, infrastructure and livestock, according to the study, published in Nature Climate Change.
The most recent recorded incident was a glacial lake outburst that washed through the Hunza Valley in Pakistan in May.
In January, the UN Development Programme estimated that more than 3,000 glacial lakes have formed in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, with 33 posing an imminent threat that could impact as many as seven million people.
The new study, based on 250,000 scenes from NASA's Landsat satellite missions, estimates current glacial lake volume at more than 150 cubic kilometres (37 cubic miles), equivalent to one-third the volume of Lake Erie in the United States or twice the volume of Lake Geneva.
A decade ago, it would have not been possible to process and analyse that volume of data, said Shugar.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Creditors back Argentina restructuring of $66 bn debt

Argentina 's President Alberto Fernandez ( R ) and Economy Minister Martin Guzman greet each other with a fist bump after announcing the restructuring of a $ 66 billion foreign-law debt Recession-hit Argentina has managed to restructure 99 percent of $ 66 billion in debt issued under foreign legislation , Economy Minister Martin Guzman announced on Monday .
The news comes approximately a month after Argentina reached an agreement with three major creditor groups to renegotiate the terms of the debt following months of strained talks and several missed deadlines .
`` There has been massive acceptance , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speaking alongside President Alberto Fernandez and Vice President Cristina Kirchner .
Guzman said that the deal meant Argentina would benefit from $ 37.7 billion in debt relief while its annual interest rate will drop from seven percent to three percent .
`` This gives us a sufficient economic timeframe to generate sustainable policies and allow development , '' said Guzman .
The high acceptance rate also lifts the specter of litigation by speculative funds , which have successfully sued the country in the past .
`` We 've come out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't want to condemn any more Argentines to groveling . ''
As for the remaining one percent , `` this debt will surely be paid , '' said Matias Rajnerman , an analyst at Ecolatina .
`` It 's very little money , $ 600 million .
For Argentina it 's practically nothing . ''
The deal , reached on August 4 , is worth 54.8 cents on the dollar , a significant increase on Argentina 's original offer of 39 cents .
The bonds represent roughly a fifth of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which amounts to around 90 percent of its GDP .
The country is also waiting to find out this week how many creditors involved in a $ 41.7 billion debt under local legislation will sign on to a restructuring deal with the same conditions .
Last week , Argentina formally opened consultations with the International Monetary Fund to agree new terms on the repayment of a $ 44 billion bailout loan agreed in 2018 .
The loan was due to be worth $ 57 billion but center-left Fernandez refused the remaining disbursements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The loan had been agreed by his liberal predecessor Mauricio Macri .
Argentina , which is in the midst of an economic crisis and has been in recession since 2018 , is due to start repaying that debt in September 2021 .
`` Unlike its neighboring countries , Argentina did n't go to the Fund in the midst of the ( coronavirus ) pandemic , '' economist Marina Dal Poggetto from the EcoGo consultancy , told AFP .
`` What that means is the government wants to refinance the repayments . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ninth time in its history -- since May 22 when the country missed a deadline to pay $ 500 million in interest on the debt that is subject to the current negotiation .
It missed another deadline in July to pay $ 600 million more .
Argentina 's troubles have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic , with more than a third of the country 's population of 44 million living in poverty .
Inflation stands at 40 percent and the IMF expects Latin America 's third largest economy to shrink by @ @ @ @ @

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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Recession-hit Argentina has managed to restructure 99 percent of $66 billion in debt issued under foreign legislation, Economy Minister Martin Guzman announced on Monday.
The news comes approximately a month after Argentina reached an agreement with three major creditor groups to renegotiate the terms of the debt following months of strained talks and several missed deadlines.
"There has been massive acceptance, thanks to the dialogue process," said Guzman, speaking alongside President Alberto Fernandez and Vice President Cristina Kirchner.
Guzman said that the deal meant Argentina would benefit from $37.7 billion in debt relief while its annual interest rate will drop from seven percent to three percent.
"This gives us a sufficient economic timeframe to generate sustainable policies and allow development," said Guzman.
The high acceptance rate also lifts the specter of litigation by speculative funds, which have successfully sued the country in the past.
"We've come out of the labyrinth," said Fernandez. "We don't want to condemn any more Argentines to groveling."
As for the remaining one percent, "this debt will surely be paid," said Matias Rajnerman, an analyst at Ecolatina.
"It's very little money, $600 million. For Argentina it's practically nothing."
The deal, reached on August 4, is worth 54.8 cents on the dollar, a significant increase on Argentina's original offer of 39 cents.
The bonds represent roughly a fifth of the country's $324 billion in debt, which amounts to around 90 percent of its GDP.
- Further restructuring due -
The country is also waiting to find out this week how many creditors involved in a $41.7 billion debt under local legislation will sign on to a restructuring deal with the same conditions.
Last week, Argentina formally opened consultations with the International Monetary Fund to agree new terms on the repayment of a $44 billion bailout loan agreed in 2018.
The loan was due to be worth $57 billion but center-left Fernandez refused the remaining disbursements when he took power in December 2018. The loan had been agreed by his liberal predecessor Mauricio Macri.
Argentina, which is in the midst of an economic crisis and has been in recession since 2018, is due to start repaying that debt in September 2021.
"Unlike its neighboring countries, Argentina didn't go to the Fund in the midst of the (coronavirus) pandemic," economist Marina Dal Poggetto from the EcoGo consultancy, told AFP.
"What that means is the government wants to refinance the repayments."
It has been in default -- for the ninth time in its history -- since May 22 when the country missed a deadline to pay $500 million in interest on the debt that is subject to the current negotiation.
It missed another deadline in July to pay $600 million more.
Argentina's troubles have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than a third of the country's population of 44 million living in poverty.
Inflation stands at 40 percent and the IMF expects Latin America's third largest economy to shrink by 10 percent this year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--US tops six million coronavirus cases

US tops six million coronavirus cases

Argentina 's President Alberto Fernandez ( R ) and Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner wear masks at a ceremony at Casa Rosada Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires on August 31 , 2020 ; Latin America is the worst-hit region The United States surpassed six million coronavirus cases on Monday , adding a million infections in three weeks , as India and parts of Europe reported alarming news on the pandemic 's economic toll .
While it accounts for a quarter of the global caseload , the US is reporting a third fewer new daily infections than it did during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University tracker .
But the virus is still raging in some regions , with no coordinated federal response , and President Donald Trump -- desperate to present a positive picture as he seeks re-election in November -- has made clear he favors less testing , so that America does not look so bad .
The US remains the country hit hardest by far by the health crisis gripping the world , with 183,203 Covid-19 deaths , the Baltimore-based university 's tracker showed .
The US charted its five millionth case on August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after it hit four million .
Global coronavirus infections have soared past 25 million , as countries tighten restrictions to halt the health crisis that has upended life for most of humanity .
A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-July , according to an AFP tally , with India on Sunday setting the record for the highest single-day rise in cases with 78,761 .
In America , there are great disparities from between states .
New York City , the epicenter of the crisis in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of lockdown and other measures to fight the virus .
Only one percent of tests in New York come back positive , and on Sunday it reported just one death , compared to more than a thousand nationwide .
The US Open tennis tournament began there Monday , albeit with no spectators and with strict health safeguards in force .
But other parts of America such as the South and Midwest are showing a much higher incidence of Covid-19 .
One university in Alabama has reported more than 1,000 cases since classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death toll is expected to reach 200,000 in September , according to epidemiological models .
The virus has hobbled the US economy , the world 's largest , and cast a shadow over Trump 's re-election prospects .
As the US marked this latest horrific milestone , bad economic news poured in from elsewhere .
India reported a historic 23.9 percent decline in GDP in the second quarter as manufacturing and productivity were battered by a strict lockdown .
The plunge by Asia 's third largest economy was the biggest since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures in 1996 .
`` The entire quarter was spent in lockdown and it was a complete washout for the Indian economy , '' Mumbai-based economist Ashutosh Datar told AFP .
India has recorded 3.6 million cases and is the only country reporting more new daily infections than the US .
Italy , the eurozone 's third largest economy , also reported Monday it has fallen into deep recession : GDP fell by nearly 13 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous one .
Turkey also reported taking a huge hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy shrank 9,9 percent .
The virus has proven a tenacious foe even in nations such as New Zealand and South Korea , which had previously brought their outbreaks largely under control but are now battling new clusters of infections .
On the other side of the world , Latin America -- the worst-hit region -- is still struggling with its first wave , with Covid-19 deaths in Brazil crossing 120,000 , second only to the United States .
Nearly 855,000 people have died of Covid-19 globally , and with no vaccine or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been forced to resort to some form of social distancing and lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus .
Masks became mandatory from Monday on public transport and flights in New Zealand , which went more than 100 days without local transmission before the current cluster emerged .
And tightened virus curbs kicked in on Sunday in South Korea , which is also battling fresh clusters -- including in the greater Seoul region , home to half the country 's population .
But there was some good news Monday , from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that we know will work , '' a masked Ardern told reporters in Auckland .
And Australia reported fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases , the lowest number in two months , as authorities appeared to bring an outbreak in second city Melbourne under control .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States surpassed six million coronavirus cases on Monday, adding a million infections in three weeks, as India and parts of Europe reported alarming news on the pandemic's economic toll.
While it accounts for a quarter of the global caseload, the US is reporting a third fewer new daily infections than it did during the July peak, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
But the virus is still raging in some regions, with no coordinated federal response, and President Donald Trump -- desperate to present a positive picture as he seeks re-election in November -- has made clear he favors less testing, so that America does not look so bad.
The US remains the country hit hardest by far by the health crisis gripping the world, with 183,203 Covid-19 deaths, the Baltimore-based university's tracker showed.
The US charted its five millionth case on August 9. That was just 17 days after it hit four million.
Global coronavirus infections have soared past 25 million, as countries tighten restrictions to halt the health crisis that has upended life for most of humanity.
A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-July, according to an AFP tally, with India on Sunday setting the record for the highest single-day rise in cases with 78,761.
In America, there are great disparities from between states. New York City, the epicenter of the crisis in the spring, is doing much better after months of lockdown and other measures to fight the virus.
Only one percent of tests in New York come back positive, and on Sunday it reported just one death, compared to more than a thousand nationwide.
The US Open tennis tournament began there Monday, albeit with no spectators and with strict health safeguards in force.
But other parts of America such as the South and Midwest are showing a much higher incidence of Covid-19. One university in Alabama has reported more than 1,000 cases since classes resumed after the summer break.
And the death toll is expected to reach 200,000 in September, according to epidemiological models.
- 'Complete washout' -
The virus has hobbled the US economy, the world's largest, and cast a shadow over Trump's re-election prospects.
As the US marked this latest horrific milestone, bad economic news poured in from elsewhere.
India reported a historic 23.9 percent decline in GDP in the second quarter as manufacturing and productivity were battered by a strict lockdown.
The plunge by Asia's third largest economy was the biggest since the government in New Delhi started publishing quarterly figures in 1996.
"The entire quarter was spent in lockdown and it was a complete washout for the Indian economy," Mumbai-based economist Ashutosh Datar told AFP.
India has recorded 3.6 million cases and is the only country reporting more new daily infections than the US.
Italy, the eurozone's third largest economy, also reported Monday it has fallen into deep recession: GDP fell by nearly 13 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous one.
Turkey also reported taking a huge hit in the second quarter, as its economy shrank 9,9 percent.
The virus has proven a tenacious foe even in nations such as New Zealand and South Korea, which had previously brought their outbreaks largely under control but are now battling new clusters of infections.
On the other side of the world, Latin America -- the worst-hit region -- is still struggling with its first wave, with Covid-19 deaths in Brazil crossing 120,000, second only to the United States.
Nearly 855,000 people have died of Covid-19 globally, and with no vaccine or effective treatment available yet, governments have been forced to resort to some form of social distancing and lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus.
Masks became mandatory from Monday on public transport and flights in New Zealand, which went more than 100 days without local transmission before the current cluster emerged.
And tightened virus curbs kicked in on Sunday in South Korea, which is also battling fresh clusters -- including in the greater Seoul region, home to half the country's population.
But there was some good news Monday, from the Pacific region.
"We have a plan that we know will work," a masked Ardern told reporters in Auckland.
And Australia reported fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases, the lowest number in two months, as authorities appeared to bring an outbreak in second city Melbourne under control.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Canada researchers investigating acai berry to fight Covid

Past studies have shown the acai berry 's extract may act as an inflammation inhibitor Canadian researchers said Monday they are investigating a popular superfood -- the acai berry -- as a treatment to prevent Covid-19 's most severe symptoms .
Past studies have shown the berry 's extract may act as an inflammation inhibitor , which doctors believe could help prohibit the severe inflammatory response caused by the coronavirus .
University of Toronto scientists Michael Farkouh and Ana Andreazza , who have studied the berry 's effect on inflammation responses for nearly five years , are researching how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's a long shot , '' Farkouh told AFP .
`` But acai berries are cheap and easily accessible for everyone , as well as safe , so it was worth trying . ''
The pair enrolled some 580 patients who have tested positive for coronavirus in Canada and Brazil , where the berry is grown .
Half took doses of the extract while the rest received placebos .
The hope is that early intervention with acai could help prevent some of the disease 's worst symptoms , which can lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He explained that the extract specifically targets the same NLRP3 pathway as the coronavirus , which when activated triggers the body 's response to fight off infection and stress .
Results of the 30-day study are expected to be released at the end of 2020 .

Ottawa (AFP) –
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Canadian researchers said Monday they are investigating a popular superfood -- the acai berry -- as a treatment to prevent Covid-19's most severe symptoms.
Past studies have shown the berry's extract may act as an inflammation inhibitor, which doctors believe could help prohibit the severe inflammatory response caused by the coronavirus.
University of Toronto scientists Michael Farkouh and Ana Andreazza, who have studied the berry's effect on inflammation responses for nearly five years, are researching how it can be used to fight Covid-19.
"It's a long shot," Farkouh told AFP. "But acai berries are cheap and easily accessible for everyone, as well as safe, so it was worth trying."
The pair enrolled some 580 patients who have tested positive for coronavirus in Canada and Brazil, where the berry is grown.
Half took doses of the extract while the rest received placebos.
The hope is that early intervention with acai could help prevent some of the disease's worst symptoms, which can lead to hospitalization and death, Farkouh said.
He explained that the extract specifically targets the same NLRP3 pathway as the coronavirus, which when activated triggers the body's response to fight off infection and stress.
Results of the 30-day study are expected to be released at the end of 2020.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Earth's ice sheets tracking worst-case climate scenarios

Iced sheet mass loss due to melt-water and crumbling ice from 2007 to 2017 aligned almost perfectly with the IPCC 's most extreme forecasts The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets , which hold enough frozen water to lift oceans 65 metres , are tracking the UN 's worst-case scenarios for sea level rise , researchers said Monday , highlighting flaws in current climate change models .
Mass loss from 2007 to 2017 due to melt-water and crumbling ice aligned almost perfectly with the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change 's ( IPCC ) most extreme forecasts , which see the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( nearly 16 inches ) to global oceans by 2100 , they reported in Nature Climate Change .
Such an increase would have a devastating impact worldwide , increasing the destructive power of storm surges and exposing coastal regions home to hundreds of millions of people to repeated and severe flooding .
That is nearly three times more than mid-range projections from the IPCC 's last major Assessment Report in 2014 , which predicts a 70-centimetre rise in sea level from all sources , including mountain glaciers and the expansion of ocean water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mismatch between the observed reality of accelerating ice sheet disintegration and the models tracking those trends , a special IPCC report last year on the planet 's frozen regions maintained the same end-of-century projections for Greenland , and allowed for only a small increase from Antarctica under the highest greenhouse gas emissions scenario .
`` We need to come up with a new worst-case scenario for the ice sheets because they are already melting at a rate in line with our current one , '' lead author Thomas Slater , a researcher at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Leeds , told AFP .
`` Sea level projections are critical in helping governments plan climate policy , mitigation and adaptation strategies , '' he added .
`` If we underestimate future sea level rise , then these measures may be inadequate and leave coastal communities vulnerable . ''
Ice sheet losses at the upper end of the IPCC forecasts would by itself expose some 50 million people to annual coastal flooding worldwide by mid-century , according to research published last year .
Total sea level rise of at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upward of $ 70 billion a year in sea walls and other defences against flooding .
Several factors explain why the climate models underlying UN projections for sea level might have given short shrift to ice sheets , according to the new analysis .
Ice sheet models do well in describing the long-term impact of gradual global warming , which has seen temperatures at the poles rise far more quickly than for the planet as a whole .
But they have failed to account for short-term fluctuations in weather patterns that are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For Greenland , much of the ice loss is now being driven by surface melt events during hot summers -- processes not captured in the AR5 simulations , '' said Slater , referring to the 2014 IPCC report , the fifth since 1992 .
`` We needs to understand these better to improve our sea level rise predictions . ''
Until the turn of the 21st century , the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets generally accumulated as much mass as they shed .
Runoff , in other words , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last two decades ago , the gathering pace of global warming has upended this balance .
Last year , Greenland lost a record 532 billion tonnes of ice -- the equivalent of six Olympic pools of cold , fresh water flowing into the Atlantic every second .
This run-off accounted for 40 percent of sea level rise in 2019 .
A new generation of climate models that better reflects how ice sheets , the oceans and the atmosphere interact will underpin the IPCC 's next major report , which will be completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another study published earlier this month in The Cryosphere , a journal of the European Geosciences Union , Slater and colleagues calculated that Earth 's ice masses -- including mountain glaciers , the Arctic ice cap , and both ice sheets -- lost nearly 28 trillion tonnes of mass between 1994 and 2017 .
Less than half of that amount contributed to sea level rise .
The Arctic ice cap , for example , forms in the ocean , and thus does not increase sea level when it melts .
The rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased nearly 60 percent of that time period .

Paris (AFP) –
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The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which hold enough frozen water to lift oceans 65 metres, are tracking the UN's worst-case scenarios for sea level rise, researchers said Monday, highlighting flaws in current climate change models.
Mass loss from 2007 to 2017 due to melt-water and crumbling ice aligned almost perfectly with the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change's (IPCC) most extreme forecasts, which see the two ice sheets adding up to 40 centimetres (nearly 16 inches) to global oceans by 2100, they reported in Nature Climate Change.
Such an increase would have a devastating impact worldwide, increasing the destructive power of storm surges and exposing coastal regions home to hundreds of millions of people to repeated and severe flooding.
That is nearly three times more than mid-range projections from the IPCC's last major Assessment Report in 2014, which predicts a 70-centimetre rise in sea level from all sources, including mountain glaciers and the expansion of ocean water as it warms.
Despite this clear mismatch between the observed reality of accelerating ice sheet disintegration and the models tracking those trends, a special IPCC report last year on the planet's frozen regions maintained the same end-of-century projections for Greenland, and allowed for only a small increase from Antarctica under the highest greenhouse gas emissions scenario.
"We need to come up with a new worst-case scenario for the ice sheets because they are already melting at a rate in line with our current one," lead author Thomas Slater, a researcher at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds, told AFP.
"Sea level projections are critical in helping governments plan climate policy, mitigation and adaptation strategies," he added.
"If we underestimate future sea level rise, then these measures may be inadequate and leave coastal communities vulnerable."
Ice sheet losses at the upper end of the IPCC forecasts would by itself expose some 50 million people to annual coastal flooding worldwide by mid-century, according to research published last year.
- Balance upended -
Total sea level rise of at least a metre would likely require spending upward of $70 billion a year in sea walls and other defences against flooding.
Several factors explain why the climate models underlying UN projections for sea level might have given short shrift to ice sheets, according to the new analysis.
Ice sheet models do well in describing the long-term impact of gradual global warming, which has seen temperatures at the poles rise far more quickly than for the planet as a whole.
But they have failed to account for short-term fluctuations in weather patterns that are, themselves, deeply influenced by climate change.
"For Greenland, much of the ice loss is now being driven by surface melt events during hot summers -- processes not captured in the AR5 simulations," said Slater, referring to the 2014 IPCC report, the fifth since 1992.
"We needs to understand these better to improve our sea level rise predictions."
Until the turn of the 21st century, the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets generally accumulated as much mass as they shed. Runoff, in other words, was compensated by fresh snowfall.
But over the last two decades ago, the gathering pace of global warming has upended this balance.
Last year, Greenland lost a record 532 billion tonnes of ice -- the equivalent of six Olympic pools of cold, fresh water flowing into the Atlantic every second. This run-off accounted for 40 percent of sea level rise in 2019.
A new generation of climate models that better reflects how ice sheets, the oceans and the atmosphere interact will underpin the IPCC's next major report, which will be completed next year, said Slater.
In another study published earlier this month in The Cryosphere, a journal of the European Geosciences Union, Slater and colleagues calculated that Earth's ice masses -- including mountain glaciers, the Arctic ice cap, and both ice sheets -- lost nearly 28 trillion tonnes of mass between 1994 and 2017.
Less than half of that amount contributed to sea level rise. The Arctic ice cap, for example, forms in the ocean, and thus does not increase sea level when it melts.
The rate of ice loss, they found, has increased nearly 60 percent of that time period.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--K-pop's BTS first all-South Korean act to top US singles charts

South Korean boy band BTS are pictured performing from South Korea during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards , where they won Best Pop K-pop sensation BTS has become the first all-South Korean act to rule the top US singles chart , industry tracker Billboard announced Monday , with their English-language `` Dynamite '' hitting number one .
It is another milestone cementing the seven-member boy band 's global dominance , coming hours after BTS beat American heavyweights including Lady Gaga , Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to score the Best Pop award at Sunday 's MTV Video Music Awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in English , `` Dynamite '' was released August 21 and tallied 33.9 million US streams in just a week , with 300,000 units sold .
In securing the top spot , the song unseats Cardi B 's raunchy hit `` WAP '' featuring fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion , a not-safe-for-work bop that held number one for two consecutive weeks .
BTS 's achievement comes after it reached the Billboard Hot 100 's fourth slot in March with its song `` On . ''
Three of BTS ' albums have hit number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this is its first Hot 100 top single .
Billboard 's all-genre Hot 100 blends US streaming , radio airplay and digital sales data to rank the top hits .
BTS is the first all-South Korean group -- comprised of J-Hope , Jimin , Jin , Jungkook , RM , Suga and V -- to reign over the chart .
South Korean soloist PSY reached number two for seven weeks in the fall of 2012 with his viral dance juggernaut `` Gangnam Style . ''
The first Asian artist to top the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose `` Sukiyaki '' held the ranking for three weeks in June 1963 .
K-pop -- along with K-drama soap operas -- has been one of South Korea 's most successful cultural exports .
A key component of the `` Korean Wave '' that has swept Asia and beyond over the last two decades , the K-pop industry is estimated to be worth some $ 5 billion .

New York (AFP) –
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K-pop sensation BTS has become the first all-South Korean act to rule the top US singles chart, industry tracker Billboard announced Monday, with their English-language "Dynamite" hitting number one.
It is another milestone cementing the seven-member boy band's global dominance, coming hours after BTS beat American heavyweights including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to score the Best Pop award at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.
The first BTS single sung completely in English, "Dynamite" was released August 21 and tallied 33.9 million US streams in just a week, with 300,000 units sold.
In securing the top spot, the song unseats Cardi B's raunchy hit "WAP" featuring fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, a not-safe-for-work bop that held number one for two consecutive weeks.
BTS's achievement comes after it reached the Billboard Hot 100's fourth slot in March with its song "On."
Three of BTS' albums have hit number one on Billboard's album charts, but this is its first Hot 100 top single.
Billboard's all-genre Hot 100 blends US streaming, radio airplay and digital sales data to rank the top hits.
BTS is the first all-South Korean group -- comprised of J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V -- to reign over the chart.
South Korean soloist PSY reached number two for seven weeks in the fall of 2012 with his viral dance juggernaut "Gangnam Style."
The first Asian artist to top the chart was Japanese-born crooner Kyu Sakamoto, whose "Sukiyaki" held the ranking for three weeks in June 1963.
K-pop -- along with K-drama soap operas -- has been one of South Korea's most successful cultural exports.
A key component of the "Korean Wave" that has swept Asia and beyond over the last two decades, the K-pop industry is estimated to be worth some $5 billion.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Hong Kong starts mass virus testing as China distrust swirls

Hong Kong will start city-wide voluntary mass virus tests on September 1 with help from mainland China but many people are distrustful of Beijing and the local government Hong Kong will start conducting mass coronavirus tests on Tuesday , a health scheme that has been swept up in the political debate dividing the city , where many remain deeply distrustful of both local leaders and China .
The voluntary tests are part of an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that began in late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a limited response due to the involvement of mainland Chinese testing firms and doctors -- and swirling public mistrust of local authorities as Beijing cracks down on the city 's democracy movement .
Since registration began on Saturday , 510,000 people have signed up to take the free tests -- around seven percent of the city 's 7.5 million population .
More than half of all 141 community test centres across the city are fully booked for their first day on Tuesday .
But health experts advising the government have said as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested for the scheme to comprehensively uncover hidden transmissions and end the current wave .
Hong Kong has recorded just over 4,800 infections since the virus first hit the city in late January but about 75 percent of those cases were detected since the start of July .
Tests will run for between a week and two weeks depending on public demand with numbers limited each day to reduce the risk of infection .
Authorities have billed the scheme as a benevolent public health initiative made possible with Chinese help .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing 's surveillance state , which uses biometric data to monitor its citizens .
Some prominent Hong Kong health experts have also questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme , arguing that more targeted testing of at-risk and vulnerable communities would be a better use of resources .
A group of pro-democracy politicians and lawmakers , including prominent activist Joshua Wong , called on the public to boycott the test on Sunday .
They voiced fears of mass DNA harvesting and concerns Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system like those used on the mainland .
Hong Kong government 's has repeatedly rejected those concerns , denying DNA would be taken and that no tests would go to mainland labs .
City leader Carrie Lam , a pro-Beijing appointee , slammed those opposed to the testing scheme as `` active anti-Beijing , anti-government members '' who `` will not spare any chance to create troubles and stir up confrontations even when it comes to a public health issue '' .
Beijing 's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called testing opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vile disregard '' for public health .
Last week Lam also dismissed doctors who voiced concerns about the efficacy of city-wide testing as being politically motivated , angering some in the medical community .
At the height of the third wave in late July , Hong Kong was recording about 150 new coronavirus cases a day .
Citing the rising infections , Lam cancelled local legislature elections for a year , sparking uproar from the city 's pro-democracy camp , which had hoped to capitalise on seething public anger after last year 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to single digits , with just nine new infections on Monday , and government opponents have questioned why elections needed to be cancelled if the government could also conduct city-wide tests .
Authorities have said mass testing is a needed emergency health measure and that it will be conducted over multiple days , unlike an election .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Hong Kong will start conducting mass coronavirus tests on Tuesday, a health scheme that has been swept up in the political debate dividing the city, where many remain deeply distrustful of both local leaders and China.
The voluntary tests are part of an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that began in late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures.
The programme has been hampered by a limited response due to the involvement of mainland Chinese testing firms and doctors -- and swirling public mistrust of local authorities as Beijing cracks down on the city's democracy movement.
Since registration began on Saturday, 510,000 people have signed up to take the free tests -- around seven percent of the city's 7.5 million population.
More than half of all 141 community test centres across the city are fully booked for their first day on Tuesday.
But health experts advising the government have said as many as five million people might need to be tested for the scheme to comprehensively uncover hidden transmissions and end the current wave.
Hong Kong has recorded just over 4,800 infections since the virus first hit the city in late January but about 75 percent of those cases were detected since the start of July.
Tests will run for between a week and two weeks depending on public demand with numbers limited each day to reduce the risk of infection.
Authorities have billed the scheme as a benevolent public health initiative made possible with Chinese help.
- 'Anti China radicals' -
But the involvement of mainland China has sent the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing's surveillance state, which uses biometric data to monitor its citizens.
Some prominent Hong Kong health experts have also questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme, arguing that more targeted testing of at-risk and vulnerable communities would be a better use of resources.
A group of pro-democracy politicians and lawmakers, including prominent activist Joshua Wong, called on the public to boycott the test on Sunday.
They voiced fears of mass DNA harvesting and concerns Hong Kong might introduce a mandatory health code system like those used on the mainland.
Hong Kong government's has repeatedly rejected those concerns, denying DNA would be taken and that no tests would go to mainland labs.
City leader Carrie Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, slammed those opposed to the testing scheme as "active anti-Beijing, anti-government members" who "will not spare any chance to create troubles and stir up confrontations even when it comes to a public health issue".
Beijing's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called testing opponents "anti-China radicals" with a "vile disregard" for public health.
Last week Lam also dismissed doctors who voiced concerns about the efficacy of city-wide testing as being politically motivated, angering some in the medical community.
At the height of the third wave in late July, Hong Kong was recording about 150 new coronavirus cases a day.
Citing the rising infections, Lam cancelled local legislature elections for a year, sparking uproar from the city's pro-democracy camp, which had hoped to capitalise on seething public anger after last year's huge protests.
Cases have since fallen back to single digits, with just nine new infections on Monday, and government opponents have questioned why elections needed to be cancelled if the government could also conduct city-wide tests.
Authorities have said mass testing is a needed emergency health measure and that it will be conducted over multiple days, unlike an election.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-31--Fourth seed Tsitsipas breezes into US Open second round

Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the second round of the US Open on Monday with a straight-sets win over @ @ @ @ @ The Greek player needed just one hour and 38 minutes to dispose of the world @ @ @ @ @ 6-1 , 6-1 .
The 22-year-old Tsitsipas , sixth on the ATP rankings , will @ @ @ @ @ , ranked 123 in the world , or American wildcard Maxime Cressy in round two @ @ @ @ @ 's draw on day one of the Flushing Meadows tournament , which is taking place @ @ @ @ @ , Frenchman Gilles Simon enjoyed a straightforward victory over Egypt 's Mohamed Safwat .
Adrian @ @ @ @ @ , defeated Italy 's Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 , 6-4 , 2-6 , 6-3 in a @ @ @ @ @ and 41 minutes .
World number one and overwhelming favorite Novak Djokovic begins his hunt @ @ @ @ @ on Arthur Ashe Stadium later on Monday .

New York (AFP) –
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Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the second round of the US Open on Monday with a straight-sets win over Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
The Greek player needed just one hour and 38 minutes to dispose of the world number 41, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.
The 22-year-old Tsitsipas, sixth on the ATP rankings, will play either Slovakian Jozef Kovalik, ranked 123 in the world, or American wildcard Maxime Cressy in round two.
Elsewhere in the men's draw on day one of the Flushing Meadows tournament, which is taking place without fans because of coronavirus, Frenchman Gilles Simon enjoyed a straightforward victory over Egypt's Mohamed Safwat.
The 35-year-old triumphed 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Adrian Mannarino, also of France, defeated Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted two hours and 41 minutes.
World number one and overwhelming favorite Novak Djokovic begins his hunt for an 18th Grand Slam on Arthur Ashe Stadium later on Monday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow warns dissent being silenced

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow has warned that dissent is being silenced in the city Hong Kong democracy activist Agnes Chow on Tuesday warned that dissent was being silenced in the financial hub as she reported to the police after her recent arrest under China 's new security law for the city .
The 23-year-old was one of the first opposition politicians to be detained under the law for alleged `` collusion with foreign forces '' -- and could face up to life in jail if convicted .
`` I hope the world , not only the whole of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security law is actually not a legal thing , but a political tool for the regime , for the government to suppress political dissidents , '' Chow told media outside a police station .
Chow , who has a large following in Japan because she speaks Japanese , was arrested on August 10 in the largest police operation since the sweeping law was imposed on the restless city in late June .
During that operation , more than 200 officers raided the offices of local newspaper Apple Daily and arrested its owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing .
Six of the 10 people arrested that day , including Lai and Chow , were detained under the security law .
Police alleged that Apple Daily executives used an overseas account to provide financial support for a three-member group that lobbied for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong -- an act now illegal under the new security law .
That day , police also paid a discreet visit to the local newsroom of Nikkei , a Japanese financial newspaper , armed with a court order .
The order was in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago calling for international support for pro-democracy protests then convulsing Hong Kong .
On Tuesday , Chow confirmed the ad came up during her questioning by police .
`` If this advertisement published in 2019 is really the evidence that I was against the national security law in 2020 , it will be really ridiculous , '' Chow said .
The security law , which came into effect on June 30 , has no retrospective effect , according to a Hong Kong police spokesperson , and police say the group continued to operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those arrested have denied those allegations .
Chow has not been officially charged by the police and will have to report to the police station on December 2 , one day before her 24th birthday .
The new law removes the presumption of bail unless a judge has sufficient reason to believe a defendant will not continue to endanger national security .
So far , the only person charged under the law has been rejected bail .
`` My only wish is that I hope ...
I could go back to my home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my 24th birthday at home , '' Chow said .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Hong Kong democracy activist Agnes Chow on Tuesday warned that dissent was being silenced in the financial hub as she reported to the police after her recent arrest under China's new security law for the city.
The 23-year-old was one of the first opposition politicians to be detained under the law for alleged "collusion with foreign forces" -- and could face up to life in jail if convicted.
"I hope the world, not only the whole of Hong Kong... could know that the national security law is actually not a legal thing, but a political tool for the regime, for the government to suppress political dissidents," Chow told media outside a police station.
Chow, who has a large following in Japan because she speaks Japanese, was arrested on August 10 in the largest police operation since the sweeping law was imposed on the restless city in late June.
During that operation, more than 200 officers raided the offices of local newspaper Apple Daily and arrested its owner Jimmy Lai -- a prominent critic of Beijing.
Six of the 10 people arrested that day, including Lai and Chow, were detained under the security law.
Police alleged that Apple Daily executives used an overseas account to provide financial support for a three-member group that lobbied for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong -- an act now illegal under the new security law.
That day, police also paid a discreet visit to the local newsroom of Nikkei, a Japanese financial newspaper, armed with a court order.
The order was in relation to an ad placed in Nikkei a year ago calling for international support for pro-democracy protests then convulsing Hong Kong.
On Tuesday, Chow confirmed the ad came up during her questioning by police.
"If this advertisement published in 2019 is really the evidence that I was against the national security law in 2020, it will be really ridiculous," Chow said.
The security law, which came into effect on June 30, has no retrospective effect, according to a Hong Kong police spokesperson, and police say the group continued to operate after the law came into effect.
Those arrested have denied those allegations.
Chow has not been officially charged by the police and will have to report to the police station on December 2, one day before her 24th birthday.
The new law removes the presumption of bail unless a judge has sufficient reason to believe a defendant will not continue to endanger national security.
So far, the only person charged under the law has been rejected bail.
"My only wish is that I hope... I could go back to my home after the report and I could have my 24th birthday at home," Chow said.
© 2020 AFP