france24--2020-08-07--Belarus police arrest Deutsche Welle correspondent before vote

Authorities in Belarus are targeting independent journalists ahead of Sunday 's presidential election .
A reporter for German media outlet Deutsche Welle ( DW ) has been arrested .
Freelance journalist Alexander Burakov , who reports from Belarus for DW 's Russian-language service , was preparing to celebrate his 46th birthday with his family on Thursday .
Instead , he ended up in a temporary detention cell after being arrested twice by the police in his hometown , Mogilyov , about 200 kilometres ( 120 miles ) east of the capital , Minsk .
Burakov was stopped by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterfeit alcohol '' , he told the non-governmental human rights centre Viasna .
After police inspected Burakov 's car without finding anything , officers suggested that the vehicle , which he has owned since 2013 , had been stolen and the car 's identification number might have been faked .
As a result , the journalist was taken to the local police station .
A few hours later , Burakov was released – only to be arrested again a few steps from the police station .
Boris Vyrvich , the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journalists in Mogilyov , told DW that , according to witnesses , Burakov had argued with an unidentified woman in front of the police station and screamed out : `` It 's a provocation . ''
After that , he was seized .
It was Burakov 's second arrest in the past two months .
He was previously seized on May 8 and sentenced to 10 days in a temporary detention facility .
DW attempted to contact Burakov several times on Thursday but his mobile phone had been switched off .
Burakov had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days before his arrest , he told DW that he was worried about possible efforts by the authorities to prevent independent journalists from covering the presidential election .
DW condemned Burakov 's arrest and called on the authorities to ensure the freedom of press in Belarus .
`` The intimidation efforts against our correspondent Burakov demonstrate in all clarity the difficult situation for journalists in Belarus , '' Manuela Kasper-Claridge , DW 's editor-in-chief , said in a statement released Thursday .
Burakov has become the latest reporter arrested in the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observers contacted by DW said the targeting of journalists was closely connected to Sunday 's presidential election .
`` Journalists are being prosecuted , hindered from their work and even arrested , '' Kasper-Claridge said .
`` This is not acceptable and is to be condemned in the strongest terms .
I appeal to the officials in Belarus to finally pay attention to press freedom and let journalists work unhindered . ''
In a letter to the Ambassador of Belarus in Berlin , DW Director General Peter Limbourg strongly protested this action against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Deutsche Welle , I wish to protest most strongly against this clearly arbitrary measure .
It blatantly flouts the internationally recognised freedom of the press .
I call on your government to examine this case as soon as possible . ''
Limbourg also questioned the explanation for the arrest .
`` The reasons put forward for the arrest can only be considered as weak pretexts to prevent independent journalistic work a few days before the presidential election . ''
The Belarusian Association of Journalists has counted more than 100 cases of prosecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country since January .
Eighty percent of them happened after the start of the presidential campaign in early May , association head Andrey Bastunets told reporters on Thursday .
He said authorities clearly wanted to prevent independent observers and journalists from covering the election .
The international media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders called on authorities in Belarus to ensure that independent coverage would remain permitted , and to address the persecution of journalists by the police .
Foreign journalists have also been prevented from working freely , the group reports , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
> > Read more on this story on Deutsche Welle 's website

Authorities in Belarus are targeting independent journalists ahead of Sunday's presidential election. A reporter for German media outlet Deutsche Welle (DW) has been arrested.
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Freelance journalist Alexander Burakov, who reports from Belarus for DW's Russian-language service, was preparing to celebrate his 46th birthday with his family on Thursday. Instead, he ended up in a temporary detention cell after being arrested twice by the police in his hometown, Mogilyov, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) east of the capital, Minsk.
Burakov was stopped by the police Wednesday evening on suspicion of "transporting counterfeit alcohol", he told the non-governmental human rights centre Viasna. After police inspected Burakov's car without finding anything, officers suggested that the vehicle, which he has owned since 2013, had been stolen and the car's identification number might have been faked. As a result, the journalist was taken to the local police station.
A few hours later, Burakov was released – only to be arrested again a few steps from the police station. Boris Vyrvich, the head of the local branch of the Belarusian Association of Journalists in Mogilyov, told DW that, according to witnesses, Burakov had argued with an unidentified woman in front of the police station and screamed out: "It's a provocation." After that, he was seized.
'Intimidation efforts'
It was Burakov's second arrest in the past two months. He was previously seized on May 8 and sentenced to 10 days in a temporary detention facility. DW attempted to contact Burakov several times on Thursday but his mobile phone had been switched off.
Burakov had expected to be detained. A few days before his arrest, he told DW that he was worried about possible efforts by the authorities to prevent independent journalists from covering the presidential election.
DW condemned Burakov's arrest and called on the authorities to ensure the freedom of press in Belarus. "The intimidation efforts against our correspondent Burakov demonstrate in all clarity the difficult situation for journalists in Belarus," Manuela Kasper-Claridge, DW's editor-in-chief, said in a statement released Thursday.
A growing list
Burakov has become the latest reporter arrested in the government's clampdown on journalists and bloggers. Rights observers contacted by DW said the targeting of journalists was closely connected to Sunday's presidential election.
"Journalists are being prosecuted, hindered from their work and even arrested," Kasper-Claridge said. "This is not acceptable and is to be condemned in the strongest terms. I appeal to the officials in Belarus to finally pay attention to press freedom and let journalists work unhindered."
In a letter to the Ambassador of Belarus in Berlin, DW Director General Peter Limbourg strongly protested this action against the DW correspondent.
"On behalf of Deutsche Welle, I wish to protest most strongly against this clearly arbitrary measure. It blatantly flouts the internationally recognised freedom of the press. I call on your government to examine this case as soon as possible."
Limbourg also questioned the explanation for the arrest. "The reasons put forward for the arrest can only be considered as weak pretexts to prevent independent journalistic work a few days before the presidential election."
The Belarusian Association of Journalists has counted more than 100 cases of prosecution of members of the press across the country since January. Eighty percent of them happened after the start of the presidential campaign in early May, association head Andrey Bastunets told reporters on Thursday. He said authorities clearly wanted to prevent independent observers and journalists from covering the election.
The international media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders called on authorities in Belarus to ensure that independent coverage would remain permitted, and to address the persecution of journalists by the police. Foreign journalists have also been prevented from working freely, the group reports, "at the order of President Alexander Lukashenko".
>> Read more on this story on Deutsche Welle's website
(FRANCE 24 with DW)
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france24--2020-08-07--Misinformation spreads after Lebanon blast: Missile, drone, nuclear warhead?

Three days after the explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on August 4 , videos continue to spread online claiming that a missile , drone or other weapon caused the blast .
The Lebanese government is still determining responsibility for the catastrophe that they say was caused by the ignition of ammonium nitrate .
Fact checks show that there is no evidence to support the claim that the explosion was caused by a projectile weapon .
Almost as quickly as videos of the explosion in Beirut were posted , people on social media began speculating as to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 157 people and injured more than 5,000 .
US President Donald Trump Lebanese President Michel Aoun said August 7 that the state is not sure yet what exactly caused the ammonium nitrate to explode .
“ It could have been an accident due to negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb , ” the president Almost as quickly as videos of the explosion in Beirut were posted , people on social media began speculating as to the cause of the disaster , which killed at least 157 people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump said that generals told him the explosion was a “ bomb of some kind '' , though Pentagon officials denied having such information.Lebanese President Michel Aoun said August 7 that the state is not sure yet what exactly caused the ammonium nitrate to explode .
“ It could have been an accident due to negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb , ” the president told local media .
Amid this uncertainty over the causes of the explosion , fake claims have multiplied on social networks .
This poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter August 6 , saying that thermal imaging shows a missile hitting the port .
On August 6 , Jake Godin posted a comparison video of original and edited footage claiming to show a missile exploding in the Beirut port .
Left : Undoctored screenshot of an eyewitness video of the Beirut explosion .
Right : A manipulated image of a missile superimposed over footage of the blast .
The poster writes , “ It was purely missile attack.
” A poster writes on Twitter on August 4 that the Beirut explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfeiffer , PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico posted on Twitter on August 4 to explain the colour of the Beirut explosion .
“ There ’ s nothing about it that looked nuclear , and a lot of things about it that looked like an ammonium nitrate explosion , ” Jeffrey Lewis , a nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey , USA , said to A website known for spreading unfounded conspiracy theories , “ There ’ s nothing about it that looked nuclear , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked like an ammonium nitrate explosion , ” Jeffrey Lewis , a nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey , USA , said to AFP A website known for spreading unfounded conspiracy theories , Veterans Today , posted an article claiming , falsely , that the blast was a nuclear attack by Israel .
The site published what it said was an “ untouched and genuine ” photograph that purportedly showed a missile in the sky .
The photograph was in fact a screenshot from a video ; examination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile was in fact a bird Left : A poster writes on Twitter on August 4 , “ Someone posted this saying it ’ s proof Lebanon was attacked by a missile.
” Right : The same video posted on July 30 , with the caption , “ Two Israeli drones fly over the town of Hula.
” Left : A video posted on Twitter August 4 shows the moment of the explosion in Beirut .
Right : An edited screenshot of the video claims to show drones flying over the blast site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What do we know ?
A video posted on Twitter August 4 shows multiple angles of the Beirut explosion .
While some birds are visible flying in the video on the left , there is no evidence of a missile in these videos .

LEBANON
Photos and videos manipulated to include missiles or drones have been shared widely on social media. (Photos: Twitter)
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Three days after the explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on August 4, videos continue to spread online claiming that a missile, drone or other weapon caused the blast. The Lebanese government is still determining responsibility for the catastrophe that they say was caused by the ignition of ammonium nitrate. Fact checks show that there is no evidence to support the claim that the explosion was caused by a projectile weapon.
Almost as quickly as videos of the explosion in Beirut were posted, people on social media began speculating as to the cause of the disaster, which killed at least 157 people and injured more than 5,000. US President Donald Trump said that generals told him the explosion was a “bomb of some kind", though Pentagon officials denied having such information.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said August 7 that the state is not sure yet what exactly caused the ammonium nitrate to explode. “It could have been an accident due to negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb,” the president told local media. Amid this uncertainty over the causes of the explosion, fake claims have multiplied on social networks.
Doctored videos
Some videos of the blast seem, at first glance, to show an object flying above or into the explosion site, a warehouse in the city’s port.
A video continues to circulate widely online that claims to reveal a missile flying into the explosion site, using thermal imaging filters. On Facebook, a version of the video has been viewed over 600,000 times.
Thermal Imaging Videos Emerging Showing Possible Missile Strike On Beirut Harbourhttps://t.co/s2zNUTn1aR
Video at 6 seconds appears to show a missile strike immediately before the main explosion#BeirutBlast pic.twitter.com/4MYZr8nIMN Sukhoi Su-57 Felon ???????????????? (@I30mki) August 6, 2020
This poster published doctored footage of the Beirut explosion on Twitter August 6, saying that thermal imaging shows a missile hitting the port.
A video posted on YouTube and later deleted was manipulated to include a missile. When slowed down, the missile can be more clearly seen as fake. (Source: Video)
The Associated Press explains how this video was manipulated:
When viewing the video frame by frame, the missile appears bent in the middle and has a cartoonish appearance. As the missile moves closer to the target, its size and the angle doesn’t change. About 8 seconds into the video, the missile disappears before getting close to striking anything.
Placed side-by-side with the original video posted on Twitter, the manipulation is clear.
Some shoddy videos are claiming to show evidence of a missile hitting Beirut's port claiming it was the cause of the explosion. Here's a quick side-by-side showing the original video at normal, 1/2 and 1/4 speeds along with the "thermal imaging" fake video. pic.twitter.com/ND6vcaiPyq Jake Godin (@JakeGodin) August 6, 2020
On August 6, Jake Godin posted a comparison video of original and edited footage claiming to show a missile exploding in the Beirut port.
Both Facebook and Twitter have marked some posts containing the video as manipulated.
Another video was similarly doctored, as reported by Snopes, to include a missile.
Left: Undoctored screenshot of an eyewitness video of the Beirut explosion. Right: A manipulated image of a missile superimposed over footage of the blast. The poster writes, “It was purely missile attack.”
A nuclear attack?
Some claimed that the shape of the cloud after the explosion pointed to it being nuclear.
I'm not an expert on explosives but damn, that looks like a nuke going off. That mushroom cloud.... #Lebanon #Beirutpic.twitter.com/fheXVz0l9W MJVentrice (@MJVentrice) August 4, 2020
A poster writes on Twitter on August 4 that the Beirut explosion resembles a nuclear mushroom cloud.
These assumptions were quickly reined in by experts on Twitter, who pointed out that the red colour of the blast, too cold to be a nuclear weapon, more closely resembled an ammonium nitrate explosion. The blast also did not create a blinding flash characteristic of nuclear detonations.
5/n
The always winderful @CherylRofer on the color of Beirut explosion:https://t.co/RzOqURIPVz
Pics 3 & 4 stolen from @ArmsControlWonk
As @wellerstein points out, fireball color suggests way too cold to be a nuke.
As do cloud & fireball risetime.
And everything else. https://t.co/bDdstBrLPz pic.twitter.com/AaWlfrz0h4 Martin “Exceeding Design Limits” Pfeiffer 🏳🌈 (@NuclearAnthro) August 4, 2020
Martin Pfeiffer, PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico posted on Twitter on August 4 to explain the colour of the Beirut explosion.
“There’s nothing about it that looked nuclear, and a lot of things about it that looked like an ammonium nitrate explosion,” Jeffrey Lewis, a nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA, said to AFP.
A website known for spreading unfounded conspiracy theories, Veterans Today, posted an article claiming, falsely, that the blast was a nuclear attack by Israel. The site published what it said was an “untouched and genuine” photograph that purportedly showed a missile in the sky. The photograph was in fact a screenshot from a video; examination of the video showed that the supposed missile was in fact a bird.
A photo claiming to show a missile above the Beirut explosion. In another video, it is clear that the “missile” is a flying bird.
Others shared a video of drones in the sky, suggesting that one of them might have dropped a bomb on Beirut. The problem? The video of the drones was posted on social media at least five days earlier, and was reportedly filmed in the Lebanese town of Hula.
Left: A poster writes on Twitter on August 4, “Someone posted this saying it’s proof Lebanon was attacked by a missile.” Right: The same video posted on July 30, with the caption, “Two Israeli drones fly over the town of Hula.”
Another photo circulating claims to show drones flying above the port of Beirut at the time of the explosion. This photo is a manipulated screenshot from a video posted on Twitter on August 4. In the video, the black marks indicated in the photo are not visible.
Left: A video posted on Twitter August 4 shows the moment of the explosion in Beirut. Right: An edited screenshot of the video claims to show drones flying over the blast site, with the black markings magnified.
What do we know?
As of August 7, the date of publication of this article, here is what has been confirmed so far:
Lebanese authorities say the explosion was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate deposited at a warehouse in Beirut’s port. The chemical substance is thought to have been stored in the warehouse as far back as 2013. Ammonium nitrate, often used in agricultural fertilisers, can be used to create an explosive substance. Officials believe that years of improper storage and the ignition of a fire in the warehouse caused the ammonium nitrate to detonate.
Original videos of the blast taken from multiple angles do not show any evidence of a missile attack.
Did a rough sync of eyewitness footage from Beirut. Illustrates the time delay on how the blast wave hits relative to distance to the explosion. pic.twitter.com/onn8UV7kL2 Veli-Pekka Kivimäki (@vpkivimaki) August 4, 2020
A video posted on Twitter August 4 shows multiple angles of the Beirut explosion. While some birds are visible flying in the video on the left, there is no evidence of a missile in these videos.
Authorities took 16 people into custody on Friday, to question them in the investigation into the warehouse explosion. Those questioned include port authority and customs officials as well as maintenance workers who might have information about the explosive material stored at the port.
This article was written by Pariesa Young


france24--2020-08-07--Ukraine’s prisons go up for sale

Ukraine’s prisons go up for sale

The Irpin Penal Centre , a vast prison complex outside of Kiev , has been empty since inmates were moved out last year .
Now , according to the Ukrainian government , it could represent a prime opportunity for one lucky investor .
The jail will be the first to go under the hammer in a major sell-off of the country ’ s penitentiaries as part of plans to fund a much-needed overhaul of the ageing prison system .
`` We want to sell about a hundred facilities .
The first ones will be those already closed .
The second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres in the city centre .
With the money received from the sale , we will build new pre-trial detention centres , ” Said Ukrainian justice minister Denys Maliuska .
Irpin was built in 1944 and spans some eight hectares .
Its surrounds include a railway and a nature area , making it an attractive proposition for potential buyers , said Maliuska .
`` It 's a huge area , a territory that is not claimed .
The neighbours will be happy if something is built here , but not a prison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling the prisons is expected to take 10 years .
Also set to go up for sale is Kiev ’ s notorious Lukyanivska complex , home to around 2,500 prisoners and where overcrowded and unsanitary conditions have been condemned by human rights groups .
More than 51,000 people are held in some 130 prisons across Ukraine , according to official figures , mostly in old facilities with dire conditions that according to a 2016 US State Department report pose a “ serious threat to the life and health of prisoners ” .

The Irpin Penal Centre, a vast prison complex outside of Kiev, has been empty since inmates were moved out last year. Now, according to the Ukrainian government, it could represent a prime opportunity for one lucky investor.
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The jail will be the first to go under the hammer in a major sell-off of the country’s penitentiaries as part of plans to fund a much-needed overhaul of the ageing prison system.
"We want to sell about a hundred facilities. The first ones will be those already closed. The second stage is the sale of pre-trial detention centres in the city centre. With the money received from the sale, we will build new pre-trial detention centres,” Said Ukrainian justice minister Denys Maliuska.
Irpin was built in 1944 and spans some eight hectares. Its surrounds include a railway and a nature area, making it an attractive proposition for potential buyers, said Maliuska.
"It's a huge area, a territory that is not claimed. The neighbours will be happy if something is built here, but not a prison,” he said.
The process of selling the prisons is expected to take 10 years.
Also set to go up for sale is Kiev’s notorious Lukyanivska complex, home to around 2,500 prisoners and where overcrowded and unsanitary conditions have been condemned by human rights groups.
More than 51,000 people are held in some 130 prisons across Ukraine, according to official figures, mostly in old facilities with dire conditions that according to a 2016 US State Department report pose a “serious threat to the life and health of prisoners”.
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france24--2020-08-08--Lebanese protesters storm ministry buildings as anger over Beirut explosion grows

Demonstrators take part in a protest , following Tuesday 's blast , in Beirut , Lebanon August 8 , 2020 .
Lebanese protesters forced their way into government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks on Saturday as shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week 's devastating explosion .
More than 110 people were wounded during demonstrations in central Beirut on Saturday against this week 's huge explosion and 32 people were taken to hospital , Lebanese Red Cross officials told local media .
Dozens of protesters entered the premises of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slogans against the government and political establishment , witnesses said .
The demonstrators also burned a portrait of President Michel Aoun .
`` We are staying here .
We call on the Lebanese people to occupy all the ministries , '' one demonstrator said on a megaphone , as new protests erupted against the political leadership blamed for a massive explosion that killed more than 150 people in the capital this week .
Police confirmed shots and rubber bullets were fired during the clashes .
It was not immediately clear who fired the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teargas canisters at protesters , who hit back with firecrackers and stones .
A policeman was killed during the clashes , a spokesman said .
A policeman at the scene said the officer died when he fell into an elevator shaft in a nearby building after being chased by protesters .
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday evening , Lebanon 's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he would request early parliamentary elections to defuse an escalating political crisis following the catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut .
`` We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary elections , '' he said , reading a statement .
He added he was not to blame for the country 's deep economic and political woes .
The US Embassy in Beirut said the US government supported the demonstrators ' right to peaceful protest and urged all involved to refrain from violence .
The embassy also said in a tweet that the Lebanese people `` deserved leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability '' .
A fire at Beirut port on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggered an explosion that was felt in neighbouring countries and destroyed entire sections of the city .
The blast killed more than 150 people and injured 5,000 while leaving more than a quarter of a million people without homes .
Spectacular videos of the disaster show a mushroom-shaped shockwave that swept from the port through the city .
According to the health ministry , more than 60 people are still missing .
`` After three days of cleaning , removing rubble and licking our wounds ... it is time to let our anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fares Halabi , a 28-year-old activist .
Thousands of people poured into Beirut ’ s main square , where they set up symbolic nooses to hang politicians whose corruption and negligence they blame for Tuesday 's explosion at the Port of Beirut .
The lack of political change combined with a stinging economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic all but snuffed out the revolutionary movement – until this week .
`` Today is the first demonstration since the explosion , an explosion in which any one of us could have died , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has contributed to solidarity initiatives for blast victims .
`` This is the biggest warning for everyone now that we do n't have anything to lose anymore .
Everyone should be in the streets today , everyone , '' she told AFP .
> > ‘ Beirut is destroyed , my heart is broken ’ : Locals in despair over Lebanon blast Two days after a landmark visit by French President Emmanuel Macron , diplomatic activity was intensifying to organise international support for the disaster-hit country ahead of a Sunday aid conference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations .
The Arab League has also pledged support .
Three senior diplomats were in Beirut Saturday in a show of solidarity with the disaster-hit city , where 300,000 people were made temporarily homeless by the port explosion .
The first to meet top officials was Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was also expected as was the president of the European Council , Charles Michel .
The president and prime minister of Lebanon have promised a government investigation but , more than a mere case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a direct result of high-level corruption .
Few Lebanese trust that the leadership would incriminate its own in an investigation chaired by some of the country 's top officials .
Aoun , however , has rejected calls for an international independent investigation into the blast .
A total of 21 people have been detained so far , including Badri Daher , director-general of Lebanon 's customs authority .
> > The strange history of the chemical cargo that caused the Beirut blast Lebanon defaulted on its debt earlier this year and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the economic emergency and agree on an international rescue package despite intense Western pressure .
Analyst Nasser Yassin , of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs , said Lebanon 's leaders were clearly seeking to take advantage of the situation .
`` The fear is that the authorities will benefit from this great disaster and from the international and Arab attention they are getting , '' he said .
Activist Hayat Nazer said the current crisis should not turn into a chance for the political elite to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead give fresh impetus to a drive for change .
`` I think it 's the last wake-up call for people , '' she said .
`` We need to save each other , we need to clean our country , to rebuild it , and to completely disregard that we have politicians , '' Nazer said .
`` It 's not just about protesting in the streets .
We can make a change on a daily basis , the revolution is part of our lives , we can apply it every day @ @

Lebanese protesters forced their way into government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Banks in Lebanon on Saturday as shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week's devastating explosion.
Demonstrators take part in a protest, following Tuesday's blast, in Beirut, Lebanon August 8, 2020.
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More than 110 people were wounded during demonstrations in central Beirut on Saturday against this week's huge explosion and 32 people were taken to hospital, Lebanese Red Cross officials told local media.
Police confirmed shots and rubber bullets were fired during the clashes. It was not immediately clear who fired the shots. Riot police shot dozens of teargas canisters at protesters, who hit back with firecrackers and stones.
With security forces focused on a large gathering at the Martyrs' Square protest hub, a group led by retired army officers snuck into Lebanon's foreign ministry and declared the building a "headquarters of the revolution".
The stunt, which marked a new development in the strategy of a protest camp whose October 17 uprising had lost steam lately, was facilitated by the damage the port-blast shockwave had inflicted on the building.
But the takeover lasted barely three hours.
Large army reinforcements using rubber bullets and tear gas drove out the roughly 200 protesters, who only had time to chant celebratory slogans against the government and burn a portrait of President Michel Aoun.
At one point, protesters had stormed or taken over four key official buildings.
"We are officially at war with our government," said activist Hayat Nazer, as tear gas filled the air in downtown Beirut.
"This is war."
02:12
'Lebanon is ours'
Separate groups of protesters also stormed the economy ministry, the Association of Banks in Lebanon and the energy ministry before being forced out by the army shortly afterwards.
The latter is the focus of particular anger from the population, which has in recent months been subjected to worse-than-ever power cuts due to the de facto bankruptcy of the state.
"They ruled Lebanon for 30 years, now Lebanon is ours," said one protester speaking on live Lebanese television broadcasts.
"We entered the energy ministry and we are here to stay."
The Association of Banks in Lebanon, another obvious target for protesters who have routinely nicknamed their rulers "the government of banks", was ransacked, an AFP reporter said.
By 10:30 pm local time. however, protesters had been dispersed and security forces deployed across the city, where the broken glass and rubble from Tuesday's disaster mixed with the smoking remains of a night of rage.
The rallies claimed a human toll too, with one policeman falling to his death following an "assault" by "rioters", the police said. A policeman at the scene said the officer died when he fell into an elevator shaft in a nearby building after being chased by protesters.
Dozens of people wounded during the violence also needed treatment in hospitals already bursting with the injured from Tuesday's blast and coronavirus patients.
"We are staying here. We call on the Lebanese people to occupy all the ministries," one demonstrator said on a megaphone, as new protests erupted against the political leadership blamed for a massive explosion that killed more than 150 people in the capital this week.
Possible early elections
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday evening, Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he would request early parliamentary elections to defuse an escalating political crisis following the catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut.
"We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections," he said, reading a statement. He added he was not to blame for the country's deep economic and political woes.
00:21
The US Embassy in Beirut said the US government supported the demonstrators' right to peaceful protest and urged all involved to refrain from violence.
The embassy also said in a tweet that the Lebanese people "deserved leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability".
2/2 We support them in their right to peaceful protest, and encourage all involved to refrain from violence. — U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) August 8, 2020
Explosion felt in neighbouring countries
A fire at Beirut port on Tuesday ignited a stock of ammonium nitrate and triggered an explosion that was felt in neighbouring countries and destroyed entire sections of the city.
The blast killed more than 150 people and injured 5,000 while leaving more than a quarter of a million people without homes. Spectacular videos of the disaster show a mushroom-shaped shockwave that swept from the port through the city.
According to the health ministry, more than 60 people are still missing.
The lack of political change combined with a stinging economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic all but snuffed out the revolutionary movement – until this week.
"Today is the first demonstration since the explosion, an explosion in which any one of us could have died," said Hayat Nazer, an activist who has contributed to solidarity initiatives for blast victims.
"This is the biggest warning for everyone now that we don't have anything to lose anymore. Everyone should be in the streets today, everyone," she told AFP.
02:07
>> ‘Beirut is destroyed, my heart is broken’: Locals in despair over Lebanon blast
International aid
Two days after a landmark visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, diplomatic activity was intensifying to organise international support for the disaster-hit country ahead of a Sunday aid conference to be co-hosted by Macron and the United Nations. The Arab League has also pledged support.
Three senior diplomats were in Beirut Saturday in a show of solidarity with the disaster-hit city, where 300,000 people were made temporarily homeless by the port explosion.
The first to meet top officials was Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was also expected as was the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
03:41
The president and prime minister of Lebanon have promised a government investigation but, more than a mere case of negligence, many Lebanese see the blast as a direct result of high-level corruption. Few Lebanese trust that the leadership would incriminate its own in an investigation chaired by some of the country's top officials.
Aoun, however, has rejected calls for an international independent investigation into the blast.
A total of 21 people have been detained so far, including Badri Daher, director-general of Lebanon's customs authority.
>> The strange history of the chemical cargo that caused the Beirut blast
'Wake-up call'
Lebanon defaulted on its debt earlier this year and the current leadership has so far consistently failed to address the economic emergency and agree on an international rescue package despite intense Western pressure.
Analyst Nasser Yassin, of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, said Lebanon's leaders were clearly seeking to take advantage of the situation.
"The fear is that the authorities will benefit from this great disaster and from the international and Arab attention they are getting," he said.
Activist Hayat Nazer said the current crisis should not turn into a chance for the political elite to get a new lease of life but instead give fresh impetus to a drive for change.
"I think it's the last wake-up call for people," she said.
"We need to save each other, we need to clean our country, to rebuild it, and to completely disregard that we have politicians," Nazer said.
"It's not just about protesting in the streets. We can make a change on a daily basis, the revolution is part of our lives, we can apply it every day."
Lebanon's information minister, Manal Abdel Samad, became the first political casualty of the explosions when she resigned on Sunday, apologising to the Lebanese people.
"After the enormous Beirut catastrophe, I announce my resignation from government," she said in a statement carried by local media.
03:25
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
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france24--2020-08-08--Lebanon: Beirut blast deals fresh blow to a government struggling with popular discontent

People clean an apartment damaged in the Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael on August 7 , 2020 , three days after a massive explosion in the capital 's port .
The devastating blast that struck the heart of the Lebanese capital has dealt a fresh blow to the country 's fragile government , already under fire for alleged financial mismanagement that has led the country to the brink of economic collapse .
What lasting political consequences is the blast likely to have ?
The colossal explosion that devastated Beirut 's port and gutted entire neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deeply unpopular government .
The blast killed more than 150 people and injured 5,000 while leaving more than a quarter of a million people without homes .
Lebanon 's ruling elite was already under enormous pressure from a protest movement that rejects it as inept , corrupt and beholden to the country 's myriad sectarian groups rather than the national interest .
Battling runaway inflation , mass unemployment and rising poverty , the government is struggling .
Many have seen their life savings simply evaporate .
And despite weeks of talks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the International Monetary Fund on a rescue package after Lebanon defaulted on its debt earlier this year .
Lebanese security forces on Thursday fired tear gas at dozens of anti-government demonstrators angered by the devastation in Beirut and more protests were set for Saturday .
With public anger now at the boiling point over the epic destruction caused by a disaster blamed on governmental negligence , what will be the political impact for a country already suffering its worst-ever economic crisis ?
> > ‘ We 've got nothing ’ : Millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid economic collapse Ahmed Bayram of Save the Children warned that a humanitarian crisis was unfolding as a result of the blast in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab 's government , billed as a technocratic line-up when it was formed in January , is seen as subservient to the party of President Michel Aoun and his Hezbollah political allies .
This week Nassif Hitti resigned as foreign minister to protest a lack of willingness to tackle much-needed reforms , warning that Lebanon risked becoming a `` failed state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge quantities of highly explosive ammonium nitrate had been stored for years in a rundown warehouse and that the hazard was known to the authorities .
`` The catastrophe , while exceptionally severe , is the result of business as usual in Lebanon , '' Faysal Itani , a deputy director at the Center for Global Policy , wrote in The New York Times .
`` There is a pervasive culture of negligence , petty corruption and blame-shifting endemic to the Lebanese bureaucracy , all overseen by a political class defined by its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Irrespective of how this explosion came to happen there is absolute criminal neglect , '' said Maha Yahya , director of the Carnegie Middle East Center .
Lebanon 's Kataeb Party , a Christian group that opposes the Hezbollah-backed government , announced Saturday that its three lawmakers would resign from parliament .
The announcement was made during the funeral of a leading Kataeb member who died in the port explosion .
But in the larger context of extreme geopolitical polarisation in the region – notably between the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsors might seek to preserve it at all costs .
`` Despite popular anger ... a resignation still seems unlikely just now because there is no clear alternative , '' said Karim Bitar , a professor of international relations in Paris and Beirut .
> > ‘ Beirut is destroyed , my heart is broken ’ : Locals in despair over Lebanon blast An unprecedented nationwide and cross-sectarian protest movement that erupted on October 17 had looked at one stage like it could topple the hereditary ruling elite .
The euphoria faded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materialise and the combination of economic hardship and the coronavirus pandemic left any nascent revolution in tatters .
Professot Bitar predicted that Tuesday 's tragedy might give the protest camp `` a second wind '' .
`` The Lebanese will be more determined than ever to make a political class , which is corrupt to the bone , accountable , '' he said .
But the Carnegie center 's Yahya argued that many among the protest camp could also see the port blast as the final straw that convinces them to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 's massive diaspora instead of fighting for change at home .
The government announced a two-week state of emergency with immediate effect on Wednesday , which could also foil any plans for mass protests in the short term .
The Iran-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah , a dominant political player in Lebanon , has appealed for unity , describing the explosion as `` a major tragedy '' .
The group 's leader , Hassan Nasrallah , categorically denied that Hezbollah stored arms at the port .
But some note that Hezbollah 's influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well known to the public and the disaster could reflect badly on the organisation .
`` They will also be held accountable because they are part and parcel of the governing system , '' said Yahya .
Strangled by US sanctions , the Shiite movement is also bracing for the upcoming verdict in the trial over the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri in a bomb blast .
The main suspects are alleged Hezbollah members and a guilty verdict could increase pressure on the group both at home – heightened tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely result – and abroad .
The United States and many other Western countries , including Germany and Britain , already categorise Hezbollah as a `` terrorist '' group .
The special tribunal in The Hague handling the case announced on Wednesday it would postponing the verdict , initially set for Friday , to August 18 as a result of the Beirut port blast .

The devastating blast that struck the heart of the Lebanese capital has dealt a fresh blow to the country's fragile government, already under fire for alleged financial mismanagement that has led the country to the brink of economic collapse. What lasting political consequences is the blast likely to have?
People clean an apartment damaged in the Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael on August 7, 2020, three days after a massive explosion in the capital's port.
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The colossal explosion that devastated Beirut's port and gutted entire neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital deals a fresh blow to an already fragile and deeply unpopular government. The blast killed more than 150 people and injured 5,000 while leaving more than a quarter of a million people without homes.
Lebanon's ruling elite was already under enormous pressure from a protest movement that rejects it as inept, corrupt and beholden to the country's myriad sectarian groups rather than the national interest.
Battling runaway inflation, mass unemployment and rising poverty, the government is struggling. Many have seen their life savings simply evaporate. And despite weeks of talks, the cabinet failed to reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund on a rescue package after Lebanon defaulted on its debt earlier this year.
Lebanese security forces on Thursday fired tear gas at dozens of anti-government demonstrators angered by the devastation in Beirut and more protests were set for Saturday.
With public anger now at the boiling point over the epic destruction caused by a disaster blamed on governmental negligence, what will be the political impact for a country already suffering its worst-ever economic crisis?
>> ‘We've got nothing’: Millions in Lebanon struggle with cost of living amid economic collapse
Ahmed Bayram of Save the Children warned that a humanitarian crisis was unfolding as a result of the blast in an interview with FRANCE 24.
05:49
A disaster resulting from 'business as usual'?
Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government, billed as a technocratic line-up when it was formed in January, is seen as subservient to the party of President Michel Aoun and his Hezbollah political allies.
This week Nassif Hitti resigned as foreign minister to protest a lack of willingness to tackle much-needed reforms, warning that Lebanon risked becoming a "failed state".
Security officials told AFP that huge quantities of highly explosive ammonium nitrate had been stored for years in a rundown warehouse and that the hazard was known to the authorities.
"The catastrophe, while exceptionally severe, is the result of business as usual in Lebanon," Faysal Itani, a deputy director at the Center for Global Policy, wrote in The New York Times.
"There is a pervasive culture of negligence, petty corruption and blame-shifting endemic to the Lebanese bureaucracy, all overseen by a political class defined by its incompetence and contempt for the public good."
"Irrespective of how this explosion came to happen there is absolute criminal neglect," said Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center.
03:41
Lebanon's Kataeb Party, a Christian group that opposes the Hezbollah-backed government, announced Saturday that its three lawmakers would resign from parliament. The announcement was made during the funeral of a leading Kataeb member who died in the port explosion.
But in the larger context of extreme geopolitical polarisation in the region – notably between the United States and Iran – the beleaguered government's global sponsors might seek to preserve it at all costs.
"Despite popular anger ... a resignation still seems unlikely just now because there is no clear alternative," said Karim Bitar, a professor of international relations in Paris and Beirut.
>> ‘Beirut is destroyed, my heart is broken’: Locals in despair over Lebanon blast
Protesters vow to keep fighting
An unprecedented nationwide and cross-sectarian protest movement that erupted on October 17 had looked at one stage like it could topple the hereditary ruling elite.
The euphoria faded, however, as substantive change failed to materialise and the combination of economic hardship and the coronavirus pandemic left any nascent revolution in tatters.
Professot Bitar predicted that Tuesday's tragedy might give the protest camp "a second wind".
"The Lebanese will be more determined than ever to make a political class, which is corrupt to the bone, accountable," he said.
But the Carnegie center's Yahya argued that many among the protest camp could also see the port blast as the final straw that convinces them to leave the country for good, choosing to join Lebanon's massive diaspora instead of fighting for change at home.
The government announced a two-week state of emergency with immediate effect on Wednesday, which could also foil any plans for mass protests in the short term.
01:34
Hezbollah on the defensive
The Iran-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah, a dominant political player in Lebanon, has appealed for unity, describing the explosion as "a major tragedy". The group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, categorically denied that Hezbollah stored arms at the port.
But some note that Hezbollah's influence on the running of the port is well known to the public and the disaster could reflect badly on the organisation. "They will also be held accountable because they are part and parcel of the governing system," said Yahya.
Strangled by US sanctions, the Shiite movement is also bracing for the upcoming verdict in the trial over the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri in a bomb blast. The main suspects are alleged Hezbollah members and a guilty verdict could increase pressure on the group both at home – heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Hariri supporters are one likely result – and abroad. The United States and many other Western countries, including Germany and Britain, already categorise Hezbollah as a "terrorist" group.
The special tribunal in The Hague handling the case announced on Wednesday it would be postponing the verdict, initially set for Friday, to August 18 as a result of the Beirut port blast.
Lebanon's information minister, Manal Abdel Samad, became the first political casualty of the explosions when she resigned on Sunday, apologising to the Lebanese people.
"After the enormous Beirut catastrophe, I announce my resignation from government," she said in a statement carried by local media.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-08-08--Bayern and Barcelona win places in the Champions League quarter-finals

Chelsea 's Tammy Abraham in action with Bayern Munich 's Leon Goretzka , as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) .
Bayern Munich cruised past Chelsea to win 4-1 on Saturday , gaining them a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 7-1 aggregate .
They will be joined in the last eight by Barcelona , who were victorious at home against Napoli , thanks to a fired-up Lionel Messi .
The Bavarians , who won the domestic league and Cup double , quickly killed off the tie with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won 3-0 in London in the first leg in February .
Bayern will be on an 18-game winning streak across all competitions as they head into next week 's Final Eight tournament in Lisbon .
Polish striker Lewandowski , with 53 goals in 44 matches in all competitions this season , turned provider to set up Ivan Perisic in the 24th minute as the hosts showed no lack of fitness despite a five-week gap since their last competitive game .
Chelsea , who conceded seven goals in a two-legged European tie for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Tammy Abraham 's tap-in from a Manuel Neuer pass a minute before the break .
Bayern substitute Corentin Tolisso restored their two-goal lead in the 76th and Lewandowski headed in his second eight minutes later to make it 13 goals in the Champions League this season .
Messi led Barcelona to a 3-1 win at home to Napoli on Saturday for a 4-2 aggregate victory which took the club into the Champions League quarter-finals for the 13th consecutive season where they face Bayern Munich .
The Catalans had a shaky start but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a powerful header from a corner by Clement Lenglet before Messi scored a superb second in the 23rd , seeing off four defenders to curl the ball into the far bottom corner .
Messi had the ball in the net again soon after following a superb team move but the goal was harshly ruled out for handball by the Argentine following a VAR review , although Messi later won a penalty which Luis Suarez converted for Barca 's third .
Napoli got one back when Lorenzo Insigne converted a spot kick at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the better side after the interval but Barca survived to set up a mouth-watering clash with Bayern in the Final Eight tournament in Lisbon next Friday .

Bayern Munich cruised past Chelsea to win 4-1 on Saturday, gaining them a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 7-1 aggregate. They will be joined in the last eight by Barcelona, who were victorious at home against Napoli, thanks to a fired-up Lionel Messi.
Chelsea's Tammy Abraham in action with Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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The Bavarians, who won the domestic league and Cup double, quickly killed off the tie with a ninth minute Lewandowski penalty, after having won 3-0 in London in the first leg in February.
Bayern will be on an 18-game winning streak across all competitions as they head into next week's Final Eight tournament in Lisbon.
Polish striker Lewandowski, with 53 goals in 44 matches in all competitions this season, turned provider to set up Ivan Perisic in the 24th minute as the hosts showed no lack of fitness despite a five-week gap since their last competitive game.
Chelsea, who conceded seven goals in a two-legged European tie for the first time, got onto the scoresheet with Tammy Abraham's tap-in from a Manuel Neuer pass a minute before the break.
Bayern substitute Corentin Tolisso restored their two-goal lead in the 76th and Lewandowski headed in his second eight minutes later to make it 13 goals in the Champions League this season.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
👏 Barcelona & Bayern into last 8!
🤔 Who did it better?#UCL — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 8, 2020
13th consecutive season for Barcelona
Messi led Barcelona to a 3-1 win at home to Napoli on Saturday for a 4-2 aggregate victory which took the club into the Champions League quarter-finals for the 13th consecutive season where they face Bayern Munich.
The Catalans had a shaky start but took the lead in the 10th minute with a powerful header from a corner by Clement Lenglet before Messi scored a superb second in the 23rd, seeing off four defenders to curl the ball into the far bottom corner.
Messi had the ball in the net again soon after following a superb team move but the goal was harshly ruled out for handball by the Argentine following a VAR review, although Messi later won a penalty which Luis Suarez converted for Barca's third.
Napoli got one back when Lorenzo Insigne converted a spot kick at the end of the first half and were the better side after the interval but Barca survived to set up a mouth-watering clash with Bayern in the Final Eight tournament in Lisbon next Friday.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-08--Investigators recover 'black box' flight recorders from Air India crash

Officials inspect the site where a passenger plane crashed when it overshot the runway at the Calicut International Airport in Karipur , in the southern state of Kerala , India , August 8 , 2020 .
Investigators have recovered the `` black box '' flight recorders from an Air India Express plane that crashed in southern India killing at least 18 people , the aviation minister said Saturday .
The plane carrying 190 people crash-landed during bad weather Friday night and tore in two , injuring scores of passengers .
The Boeing 737 , on a special flight from Dubai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , overshot the runway at Kozhikode in Kerala state , plunged down an embankment and broke up .
`` Fuel had leaked out so it was a miracle that the plane did not catch fire , the toll could have been much higher , '' one senior emergency official at the scene said .
Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited the site Saturday and announced that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders had been found , which will help the investigation into the cause of the crash .
The Aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Kozhikode is considered a tricky airport as it has a table-top runway with a steep drop at one end .
Kerala has been hit by severe floods in recent days and heavy rains had been falling for several hours at Kozhikode as the jet landed .
Puri put the latest death toll at 18 , while authorities said 22 people were in critical condition in hospital .
The fatalities included the two pilots as well as four children .
Passenger Renjith Panangad , 34 , recalled the plane touching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blank '' .
`` After the crash , the emergency door opened and I dragged myself out somehow , '' he told AFP from a hospital bed in Kozhikode .
`` The front part of the plane was gone -- it was completely gone .
I do n't know how I made it but I 'm grateful .
I am still shaken . ''
The impact was so brutal that the nose of the Boeing 737 finished about 20 metres ( yards ) from the back half of the jet .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around .
People were soaked in blood everywhere , some had fractures , some were unconscious , '' said local resident Fazal Puthiyakath who was among the first at the scene .
Indian media quoted air traffic control officials and a flight tracker website as showing the Boeing 737 twice circled and started to land before it crashed at the third attempt .
The jet repeatedly jumped up and down in buffeting winds before the landing , survivors told Indian television .
Local taxi drivers and traders joined airport rescue staff to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark and wet .
Several people on board had to be cut out with special equipment .
It took three hours to clear all the injured and bodies , officials said .
Taxis ferried many of the injured to hospitals .
`` Locals rushed to the spot after hearing the noise , '' one rescue worker said .
`` People came in cars , messages were being sent on WhatsApp ... that people were needed to help .
`` At first , people took the injured to the hospitals in their cars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' One of the infants died in a car before the child could receive treatment .
The flight was one of hundreds in recent months to bring home tens of thousands of Indians stranded abroad by the coronavirus pandemic , many of them in Gulf countries .
Kerala 's health minister K.K .
Shailaja asked all those involved in the rescue to go into isolation because of the risk of catching the coronavirus from passengers .
According to flight documents seen by AFP , 15 of those on board had lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency .
Two were coming back to be married .
`` My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones , '' Modi said .
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was saddened by the `` loss of innocent lives '' .
In June , a Pakistan International Airlines flight ploughed into a crowded Karachi neighbourhood , killing 97 people aboard and a child on the ground .
The last major plane crash in India was in 2010 when an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the @ @ @ @ @

Investigators have recovered the "black box" flight recorders from an Air India Express plane that crashed in southern India killing at least 18 people, the aviation minister said Saturday.
Officials inspect the site where a passenger plane crashed when it overshot the runway at the Calicut International Airport in Karipur, in the southern state of Kerala, India, August 8, 2020.
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The plane carrying 190 people crash-landed during bad weather Friday night and tore in two, injuring scores of passengers.
The Boeing 737, on a special flight from Dubai to bring back Indians stranded by the coronavirus pandemic, overshot the runway at Kozhikode in Kerala state, plunged down an embankment and broke up.
"Fuel had leaked out so it was a miracle that the plane did not catch fire, the toll could have been much higher," one senior emergency official at the scene said.
Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited the site Saturday and announced that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders had been found, which will help the investigation into the cause of the crash.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau was conducting the probe, he said.
Kozhikode is considered a tricky airport as it has a table-top runway with a steep drop at one end.
Kerala has been hit by severe floods in recent days and heavy rains had been falling for several hours at Kozhikode as the jet landed.
Puri put the latest death toll at 18, while authorities said 22 people were in critical condition in hospital.
The fatalities included the two pilots as well as four children.
Passenger Renjith Panangad, 34, recalled the plane touching the ground and then everything went "blank".
"After the crash, the emergency door opened and I dragged myself out somehow," he told AFP from a hospital bed in Kozhikode.
"The front part of the plane was gone -- it was completely gone. I don't know how I made it but I'm grateful. I am still shaken."
The impact was so brutal that the nose of the Boeing 737 finished about 20 metres (yards) from the back half of the jet.
"All that we could hear were screams all around. People were soaked in blood everywhere, some had fractures, some were unconscious," said local resident Fazal Puthiyakath who was among the first at the scene.
'Broke in two'
Indian media quoted air traffic control officials and a flight tracker website as showing the Boeing 737 twice circled and started to land before it crashed at the third attempt.
The jet repeatedly jumped up and down in buffeting winds before the landing, survivors told Indian television.
Local taxi drivers and traders joined airport rescue staff to help free people from the wreckage in the dark and wet.
Several people on board had to be cut out with special equipment. It took three hours to clear all the injured and bodies, officials said.
Taxis ferried many of the injured to hospitals.
"Locals rushed to the spot after hearing the noise," one rescue worker said. "People came in cars, messages were being sent on WhatsApp... that people were needed to help.
"At first, people took the injured to the hospitals in their cars. Then the emergency services took over."
One of the infants died in a car before the child could receive treatment.
Stranded by virus
The flight was one of hundreds in recent months to bring home tens of thousands of Indians stranded abroad by the coronavirus pandemic, many of them in Gulf countries.
Kerala's health minister K.K. Shailaja asked all those involved in the rescue to go into isolation because of the risk of catching the coronavirus from passengers.
According to flight documents seen by AFP, 15 of those on board had lost their jobs and 12 were returning for a medical emergency. Two were coming back to be married.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences.
"My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones," Modi said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was saddened by the "loss of innocent lives".
In June, a Pakistan International Airlines flight ploughed into a crowded Karachi neighbourhood, killing 97 people aboard and a child on the ground.
The last major plane crash in India was in 2010 when an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the runway killing 158 people.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-08--France offers aid as Mauritius declares emergency over oil leak from grounded ship

This photo taken and provided by Georges de La Tremoille of Mu Press shows oil leaking from the MV Wakashio , a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeast coast of Mauritius , Friday , Aug. 7 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Saturday to send teams and equipment to help Mauritius deal with an oil spill that environmentalists fear could be a major ecological disaster .
The bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on July 25 on a reef on the south east coast of the Indian Ocean island .
Pravind Jugnauth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of environmental emergency and pleaded for international help on Friday .
`` The sinking of the # Wakashio represents a danger for Mauritius , '' Jugnauth said in a tweet .
Macron responded by saying France was deploying teams and equipment from neighbouring Reunion Island .
A military aircraft from Reunion carrying pollution-control equipment will make two flights over the spill site on Saturday , while a naval vessel carrying booms and absorbents will also set sail , authorities on Reunion said .
`` When biodiversity is in danger , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is there .
Alongside the Mauritian people .
You can count on our support , '' Macron said in a tweet .
The carrier , belonging to a Japanese company but Panamanian-flagged , ran aground on July 25 and its crew was evacuated safely .
The ship was empty at the time but was carrying 200 tonnes of diesel and 3,800 tonnes of bunker fuel , according to the local press .
`` The ministry has been informed ... that there is a breach in the vessel MV Wakashio and there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry said in a statement .
`` The public in general , including boat operators and fishers , are requested not to venture on the beach and in the lagoons of Blue Bay , Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg . ''
Shipping websites say the Wakashio was built in 2007 , with gross tonnage of 101,000 tonnes and deadweight tonnage of 203,000 tonnes , and a length of 299.95 metres ( 984 feet ) .
The grounding happened at Pointe d'Esny , which is listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue Bay .
Anti-pollution systems have been sent to the two sites , the ministry said , adding that the government was asking the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion for assistance .
`` We are in an environmental crisis situation , '' Environment Minister Kavy Ramano told a press conference .
`` This is the first time that we are faced with a catastrophe of this kind , and we are insufficiently equipped to handle this problem , '' said Fishing Minister Sudheer Maudhoo .
The ministers said that all attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rough seas , and efforts to pump out the oil had also failed .
Ecologists fear the ship could break up , which would cause an even greater leak and inflict potentially catastrophic damage on the island 's coastline .
The country depends crucially on its seas for food and for tourism , boasting some of the finest coral reefs in the world .
`` The current oil spill on the reef near Pointe d'Esny on the south east coast of the Mauritian island is likely one of the most terrible ecological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , '' the environmental group Greenpeace said in a statement .

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Saturday to send teams and equipment to help Mauritius deal with an oil spill that environmentalists fear could be a major ecological disaster.
This photo taken and provided by Georges de La Tremoille of Mu Press shows oil leaking from the MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeast coast of Mauritius, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020.
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The bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on July 25 on a reef on the south east coast of the Indian Ocean island. Pravind Jugnauth, prime minister of Mauritius, declared a state of environmental emergency and pleaded for international help on Friday.
"The sinking of the #Wakashio represents a danger for Mauritius," Jugnauth said in a tweet.
Macron responded by saying France was deploying teams and equipment from neighbouring Reunion Island.
A military aircraft from Reunion carrying pollution-control equipment will make two flights over the spill site on Saturday, while a naval vessel carrying booms and absorbents will also set sail, authorities on Reunion said.
"When biodiversity is in danger, there is an urgent need to act. France is there. Alongside the Mauritian people. You can count on our support," Macron said in a tweet.
Lorsque la biodiversité est en péril, il y a urgence d’agir. La France est là. Aux côtés du peuple mauricien. Vous pouvez compter sur notre soutien cher @PKJugnauth. Nous déployons dès à présent des équipes et du matériel depuis La Réunion. https://t.co/uxoNhAQWfS — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 8, 2020
The carrier, belonging to a Japanese company but Panamanian-flagged, ran aground on July 25 and its crew was evacuated safely.
The ship was empty at the time but was carrying 200 tonnes of diesel and 3,800 tonnes of bunker fuel, according to the local press.
"The ministry has been informed... that there is a breach in the vessel MV Wakashio and there is a leakage of oil," the environment ministry said in a statement.
"The public in general, including boat operators and fishers, are requested not to venture on the beach and in the lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg."
Shipping websites say the Wakashio was built in 2007, with gross tonnage of 101,000 tonnes and deadweight tonnage of 203,000 tonnes, and a length of 299.95 metres (984 feet).
The grounding happened at Pointe d'Esny, which is listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and near the marine park of Blue Bay.
'Catastrophe'
Anti-pollution systems have been sent to the two sites, the ministry said, adding that the government was asking the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion for assistance.
"We are in an environmental crisis situation," Environment Minister Kavy Ramano told a press conference.
"This is the first time that we are faced with a catastrophe of this kind, and we are insufficiently equipped to handle this problem," said Fishing Minister Sudheer Maudhoo.
The ministers said that all attempts to stabilise the ship had failed because of rough seas, and efforts to pump out the oil had also failed.
Ecologists fear the ship could break up, which would cause an even greater leak and inflict potentially catastrophic damage on the island's coastline.
The country depends crucially on its seas for food and for tourism, boasting some of the finest coral reefs in the world.
"The current oil spill on the reef near Pointe d'Esny on the south east coast of the Mauritian island is likely one of the most terrible ecological crises ever seen on the small island country," the environmental group Greenpeace said in a statement.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-08--Paris makes masks compulsory outdoors in busy areas from Monday

People wearing protective masks walk near the Louvre Museum as France reinforces mask-wearing as part of efforts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) across the country , in Paris , France August 6 , 2020 .
Paris authorities on Saturday imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors in busy areas of the French capital from Monday to curb a rise in the rate of coronavirus infections .
The order applies to people aged 11 and over , the Paris prefecture said in a statement , adding that indicators showed the virus had begun circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worn along the banks of the River Seine and along the Canal St Martin as well as in open-air markets and other places where social distancing is difficult .
This order will remain in place for one month , the prefecture said .
The rate of positive tests in the greater Paris region now stood at 2.4 % compared with a national average of 1.6 % , it said .
The zones where masks must be worn will be detailed separately , and evaluated on a regular basis , the prefecture said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in the capital 's lower-income suburbs .
After tough lockdown measures slowed infection rates , many European countries are now watching new clusters flare up after easing restrictions to try to limit the economic damage and alleviate public frustration .
France has made it compulsory to wear a face mask in closed public spaces such as shops and banks since July 21 , and Paris joins a growing list of cities ordering people to wear masks in busy zones outdoors , including Toulouse , Lille and Biarritz .
`` It needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not particularly pleasant , '' Parisian Ofra Hoffman said in the run-up to the announcement .
The number of people in France infected with coronavirus rose by 2,288 on Friday , a new post-lockdown high .
Britain will not hesitate to add more countries to its quarantine list , finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Friday when asked about whether France could join Spain on the list .

Paris authorities have announced that face masks will be mandatory in busy outdoor areas of the French capital starting on Monday to curb a rise in the rate of coronavirus infections.
People wearing protective masks walk near the Louvre Museum as France reinforces mask-wearing as part of efforts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across the country, in Paris, France August 6, 2020.
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The order applies to people aged 11 and over, the Paris prefecture said in a statement, adding that indicators showed the virus had begun circulating more widely since mid-July.
Masks must be worn along the banks of the River Seine and along the Canal St Martin as well as in open-air markets and other places where social distancing is difficult. This order will remain in place for one month, the prefecture said.
The rate of positive tests in the greater Paris region now stands at 2.4% compared with a national average of 1.6%, it said.
The zones where masks must be worn will be detailed separately, and evaluated on a regular basis, the prefecture said. They will include some densely populated areas in the capital's lower-income suburbs.
After tough lockdown measures slowed infection rates, many European countries are now watching new clusters flare up after easing restrictions to try to limit the economic damage and alleviate public frustration.
France has made it compulsory to wear a face mask in closed public spaces such as shops and banks since July 21, and Paris joins a growing list of cities ordering people to wear masks in busy zones outdoors including Toulouse, Lille and Biarritz.
The number of people in France infected with coronavirus rose by 2,288 on Friday, a new post-lockdown high.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-08--Belarus opposition candidate's campaign manager detained before presidential vote

Supporters of Svetlana Tikhanouskaya , a candidate in the upcoming presidential election and President Alexander Lukashenko 's main challenger , react during a rally in Minsk , Belarus August 6 , 2020 .
The campaign manager of Belarus 's leading opposition candidate was detained on Saturday on the eve of a tense presidential vote , her office said .
A spokeswoman for presidential hopeful Svetlana Tikhanovskaya told AFP that Maria Moroz had been detained and was expected to be held until Monday .
It was not immediately clear on what grounds she had been detained , said spokeswoman Anna Krasulina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released before Monday , '' Krasulina said .
Moroz was also detained by the interior ministry on Thursday after visiting the Lithuanian embassy in Minsk .
She was later released .
Authorities in Belarus on Saturday also detained Maria Kolesnikova , a prominent member of the opposition campaign , the campaign team said .
Belarus holds the presidential election on Sunday with Tikhanovskaya posing the greatest challenge in years to long-ruling strongman Alexander Lukashenko .
The 65-year-old leader has headed the ex-Soviet country bordering Russia since 1994 and Sunday 's polls are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko has presided over an aggressive crackdown on the opposition and Tikhanovskaya has charged that he will rig the vote .
Early voting began in the country of 9.5 million people on Tuesday , with official turnout over the past four days already at more than 32 percent .
Tikhanovskaya has drawn huge crowds to campaign rallies throughout the country after she was allowed to participate in place of her husband who was jailed and barred from running .
Lukashenko , who is Europe 's longest-serving leader , jailed two of his main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate fled the country .
The strongman has accused Moscow and Western countries of meddling in the elections and last week his security service detained more than 30 Russians who the authorities said were plotting violent protests with members of the opposition .
Belarusian authorities also detained Vitali Shkliarov , a well-known political analyst who was born in Belarus and worked on the US presidential bids of Bernie Sanders and advised the Russian opposition .
His lawyer said Saturday that Shkliarov had been charged with helping organise mass unrest in Belarus and faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if convicted .

The campaign manager of Belarus's leading opposition candidate and another opposition ally were detained on Saturday on the eve of a tense presidential vote, her office said. One has since been released.
Supporters of Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, a candidate in the upcoming presidential election and President Alexander Lukashenko's main challenger, react during a rally in Minsk, Belarus August 6, 2020.
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A spokeswoman for presidential hopeful Svetlana Tikhanovskaya told AFP that her campaign manager Maria Moroz had been detained and will likely be held until after the vote.
It was not immediately clear on what grounds she had been detained, said spokeswoman Anna Krasulina.
"She probably won't be released before Monday," Krasulina added.
Moroz was also detained by the interior ministry on Thursday after visiting the Lithuanian embassy in Minsk. She was later released.
Police in Belarus have arrested and detained Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s campaign manager Maria Moroz - three days before the election and ahead of a massive rally planned for tonight that authorities are trying to stop. pic.twitter.com/QZlPbJzHH2 — Jean Mackenzie (@jeanmackenzie) August 6, 2020
Authorities in Belarus on Saturday also briefly detained Maria Kolesnikova, a prominent member of the opposition campaign, the team said.
Belarus holds the presidential election on Sunday with Tikhanovskaya posing the greatest challenge in years to long-ruling strongman Alexander Lukashenko.
The 65-year-old leader has headed the ex-Soviet country bordering Russia since 1994 and Sunday's polls are expected to hand him his sixth term.
Lukashenko has presided over an aggressive crackdown on the opposition and Tikhanovskaya has charged that he will rig the vote.
Europe's longest-serving leader
Early voting began in the country of 9.5 million people on Tuesday, with official turnout over the past four days already at more than 32 percent.
Tikhanovskaya has drawn huge crowds to campaign rallies throughout the country after she was allowed to participate in place of her husband who was jailed and barred from running.
Lukashenko, who is Europe's longest-serving leader, jailed two of his main rivals in the elections while another would-be candidate fled the country.
The strongman has accused Moscow and Western countries of meddling in the elections and last week his security service detained more than 30 Russians who the authorities said were plotting violent protests with members of the opposition.
Belarusian authorities also detained Vitali Shkliarov, a well-known political analyst who was born in Belarus and worked on the US presidential bids of Bernie Sanders and advised the Russian opposition.
His lawyer said Saturday that Shkliarov had been charged with helping organise mass unrest in Belarus and faces up to three years in prison, if convicted.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-08-08--Venezuela sentences two American ex-soldiers to 20 years over failed ‘invasion’

Two former US soldiers have been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Venezuela on charges including terrorism , after a failed bid to invade the Caribbean country last May , Attorney General Tarek William Saab said .
Luke Alexander Denman , 34 , and Airan Berry , 41 , `` admitted '' to `` conspiracy , association ( to commit crimes ) , illicit trafficking of war weapons and terrorism '' over the attempted invasion , allegedly aimed at toppling President Nicolas Maduro , Saab said on Twitter around midnight Friday .
They were sentenced during a court hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vehicles , weapons and identity documents .
Denman and Berry are among the 91 people , a majority of them Venezuelan nationals , whom Venezuela says it captured in thwarting the botched May 3 incursion , which saw armed men land by boat in Macuto , less than an hour from Caracas .
Maduro claimed it was a plot to assassinate him and install opposition leader Juan Guaido in his place , and Caracas has accused US President Donald Trump of being directly responsible for the raid , in which eight attackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has described the raid as a `` remake '' of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion , when Cuban exiles covertly financed and directed by the US government attempted to overthrow then Cuba leader Fidel Castro .
Trump has long opposed Maduro , a leftist who presides over a crumbling economy and whose re-election was widely seen as marred by irregularities .
But the US has denied any involvement in the Venezuela incident .
`` If I wanted to go into Venezuela I would n't make a secret about it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News shortly after .
Maduro has also accused Guaido -- who in January 2019 declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro 's authority -- of being Trump 's accomplice in planning the invasion , a charge Guaido denies .
Despite Maduro 's accusations against him , Guaido has not been charged with any crimes .
The US army has confirmed that Denman and Berry are former members of the Green Berets who were deployed to Iraq .
Lawyer Alonso Medina Roa , who said he had been granted power of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent them , said their right to a defense had been violated after he was blocked from entering the hearing on Friday .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the Trump administration would work to repatriate Denman and Berry .
The US will `` use every tool that we have available to try to get them back , '' he told reporters in May .
The others implicated in the case are Venezuelans .

Two former US soldiers have been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Venezuela on charges including terrorism, after a failed bid to invade the Caribbean country last May, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said.
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Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41, "admitted" to "conspiracy, association (to commit crimes), illicit trafficking of war weapons and terrorism" over the attempted invasion, allegedly aimed at toppling President Nicolas Maduro, Saab said on Twitter around midnight Friday.
They were sentenced during a court hearing, he said, and posted photographs of vehicles, weapons and identity documents.
Denman and Berry are among the 91 people, a majority of them Venezuelan nationals, whom Venezuela says it captured in thwarting the botched May 3 incursion, which saw armed men land by boat in Macuto, less than an hour from Caracas.
#Venezuela🇻🇪: fmr #GreenBeret Luke #Denman and Airan #Berry have been convicted to 20+ years, AG @tarekwilliamsaab informed. Neither were able to see their lawyers during the trial#ThisIsVzla pic.twitter.com/gApguMzbVT — stefano pozzebon (@StePozzebon) August 8, 2020
Maduro claimed it was a plot to assassinate him and install opposition leader Juan Guaido in his place, and Caracas has accused US President Donald Trump of being directly responsible for the raid, in which eight attackers were allegedly killed.
The Venezuelan leader has described the raid as a "remake" of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, when Cuban exiles covertly financed and directed by the US government attempted to overthrow then Cuba leader Fidel Castro.
Denial from Trump
Trump has long opposed Maduro, a leftist who presides over a crumbling economy and whose re-election was widely seen as marred by irregularities.
But the US has denied any involvement in the Venezuela incident.
"If I wanted to go into Venezuela I wouldn't make a secret about it," Trump said in an interview with Fox News shortly after.
Maduro has also accused Guaido -- who in January 2019 declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro's authority -- of being Trump's accomplice in planning the invasion, a charge Guaido denies.
Despite Maduro's accusations against him, Guaido has not been charged with any crimes.
The US army has confirmed that Denman and Berry are former members of the Green Berets who were deployed to Iraq.
Lawyer Alonso Medina Roa, who said he had been granted power of attorney by the Americans' relatives to represent them, said their right to a defense had been violated after he was blocked from entering the hearing on Friday.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the Trump administration would work to repatriate Denman and Berry.
The US will "use every tool that we have available to try to get them back," he told reporters in May.
The others implicated in the case are Venezuelans.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-08--UK calls on France to intercept migrants crossing Channel as numbers rise

A handout image made available by France 's Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer ( SNSM ) on February 18 , 2019 shows British rescuers ( front ) helping some 20 migrants on a semi-rigid boat trying to make their way from France across the English Channel .
British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday described the volume of migrants crossing the Channel as `` appalling and unacceptably high '' and called on France to help keep numbers down .
Patel made her comments on social media the day after British border officials detained 235 migrants as they tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK and France -- a daily record high .
The government has come under increasing political pressure from critics to tackle the issue and has floated the idea of using the Royal Navy to patrol the Channel .
`` The number of illegal small boat crossings is appalling and unacceptably high .
The figures are shameful , '' Patel said in a series of messages on Twitter .
Patel , whose parents left Uganda in the 1960s to live in Britain , called on `` genuine refugees '' to claim asylum in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
And she urged the French authorities to do more .
`` We also need the cooperation of the French to intercept boats and return migrants back to France , '' she wrote .
Among those criticising the minister has been Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage , who has long campaigned on immigration issues and has accused the government of `` talk and no action '' .
During the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union , Brexit supporters argued for the UK to `` take back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many migrants were arriving .
Last month the interior ministers of France and Britain signed an agreement to create a new joint police intelligence unit to combat migrant traffickers and reduce the number of illegal Channel crossings .
Media reports claim that more than 3,400 people have made the crossing so far this year .
In 2019 , 2,758 migrants were rescued by the French and British authorities while trying to make the crossing -- four times more than in 2018 , according to French officials .

British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday described the volume of migrants crossing the Channel as "appalling and unacceptably high" and called on France to help keep numbers down.
A handout image made available by France's Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM) on February 18, 2019 shows British rescuers (front) helping some 20 migrants on a semi-rigid boat trying to make their way from France across the English Channel.
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Patel made her comments on social media the day after British border officials detained 235 migrants as they tried to cross the narrow stretch of water between the UK and France -- a daily record high.
The government has come under increasing political pressure from critics to tackle the issue and has floated the idea of using the Royal Navy to patrol the Channel.
"The number of illegal small boat crossings is appalling and unacceptably high. The figures are shameful," Patel said in a series of messages on Twitter.
We also need the cooperation of the French to intercept boats and return migrants back to France.
I know that when the British people say they want to take back control of our borders – this is exactly what they mean. — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) August 7, 2020
Patel, whose parents left Uganda in the 1960s to live in Britain, called on "genuine refugees" to claim asylum in European Union states rather than travel to the UK.
And she urged the French authorities to do more.
"We also need the cooperation of the French to intercept boats and return migrants back to France," she wrote.
Among those criticising the minister has been Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who has long campaigned on immigration issues and has accused the government of "talk and no action".
During the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union, Brexit supporters argued for the UK to "take back control" of its borders over fears too many migrants were arriving.
Last month the interior ministers of France and Britain signed an agreement to create a new joint police intelligence unit to combat migrant traffickers and reduce the number of illegal Channel crossings.
Media reports claim that more than 3,400 people have made the crossing so far this year.
In 2019, 2,758 migrants were rescued by the French and British authorities while trying to make the crossing -- four times more than in 2018, according to French officials.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-08--Al-Shabaab claims deadly blast at military base in Somali capital Mogadishu

An aerial view of downtown Mogadishu , Somalia , seen on February 14 , 2018 .
At least seven people were killed when a car bomb exploded at an army base in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday , military and emergency services said .
The attack , claimed by the Al-Shabaab militant group , targeted a compound near Somalia 's national stadium where soldiers from the Somali National Army ( SNA ) are stationed .
`` There was a heavy blast at the 27th brigade camp .
A vehicle loaded with explosives rammed the entrance and there are casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten others were wounded , '' Mohamed Abdirahman , a lieutenant in the SNA , told AFP .
Aamin Ambulance , the country 's only free ambulance service , said in a statement that eight people died and 14 others were wounded in the blast .
The blast sent shockwaves through the city and a cloud of smoke overhead .
Windows were blown out in buildings nearby .
Witnesses said the vehicle passed by a checkpoint before a huge explosion erupted near the military camp .
Suleyman Hassan , a witness , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the entrance .
`` There are casualties , and some vehicles are burning .
We can see clouds of smoke , '' he said .
Other witnesses also reported seeing ambulances taking away the dead and wounded from the site .
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement .
Somalia has suffered near-continuous conflict for almost 30 years , while the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu has been fighting Al-Shabaab Islamic insurgents since 2008 .
Bombings and other terrorist attacks are common in Mogadishu , although few have been recorded in @ @ @

At least seven people were killed when a car bomb exploded at an army base in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, military and emergency services said.
An aerial view of downtown Mogadishu, Somalia, seen on February 14, 2018.
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The attack, claimed by the Al-Shabaab militant group, targeted a compound near Somalia's national stadium where soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA) are stationed.
"There was a heavy blast at the 27th brigade camp. A vehicle loaded with explosives rammed the entrance and there are casualties. Seven people died and more than ten others were wounded," Mohamed Abdirahman, a lieutenant in the SNA, told AFP.
Aamin Ambulance, the country's only free ambulance service, said in a statement that eight people died and 14 others were wounded in the blast.
The blast sent shockwaves through the city and a cloud of smoke overhead. Windows were blown out in buildings nearby.
Witnesses said the vehicle passed by a checkpoint before a huge explosion erupted near the military camp.
Suleyman Hassan, a witness, said a minivan loaded with explosives detonated just outside the entrance.
"There are casualties, and some vehicles are burning. We can see clouds of smoke," he said.
Other witnesses also reported seeing ambulances taking away the dead and wounded from the site.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
Somalia has suffered near-continuous conflict for almost 30 years, while the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu has been fighting Al-Shabaab Islamic insurgents since 2008.
Bombings and other terrorist attacks are common in Mogadishu, although few have been recorded in recent months.
(AFP)
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