france24--2020-09-24--Legendary newspaper editor Harold Evans dies aged 92

British author of the American Century Harold Evans speaks during the K. C. Mammen Mappillai Memorial Lecture in New Delhi back in 2007 .
Crusading British newspaper editor Harold Evans has died in New York aged 92 , his wife Tina Brown said Thursday , prompting a flood of tributes .
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden , whose brief includes media , described Evans a `` giant of investigative journalism '' , a reputation he established at the helm of the Sunday Times .
Ian Murray , executive director of the Society of Editors , paid tribute to Evans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` Sir Harold Evans was a giant among journalists who strove to put the ordinary man and woman at the heart of his reporting .
`` He took on the establishment without fear or favour and earned a deserved reputation as one of the world 's greatest editors .
`` In his 70 years as a journalist he never lost sight of the need to maintain integrity in our profession .
He was a true champion of a free press and holding the powerful to account , '' Murray said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ international news agency Reuters , where Evans worked as editor at large from 2011 , said `` his example will continue to guide us '' .
Evans ' most famous expose was on the birth defects caused by the drug thalidomide , which eventually led to compensation payouts for the victims .
Glen Harrison , a thalidomide survivor and deputy chairman of the campaign group Thalidomide UK , called him `` an outstanding human being for our cause '' and a `` true gentleman '' .
`` We would n't know where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Campaigner Guy Tweedy said : `` If it was n't for him fighting against the Establishment , and having the courage to expose this horrendous scandal , we would never have got any justice at all . ''
`` All I tried to do -- all I hoped to do -- was to shed a little light , '' Evans recalled in an interview with the Independent in 2014 .
`` And if that light grew weeds , we 've have to try and pull them up . ''
Under Evans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sunday Times also revealed that British intelligence agent Kim Philby was a double agent working for the Soviet Union .
He also published the diaries of a former government minister , Richard Crossman , despite risking prosecution under the Official Secrets Act .
Evans had humble roots , growing up in a working-class family near Manchester , northwest England , and beginning his career at the regional publication the Manchester Evening News .
He edited his first newspaper at the age of 32 , the Northern Echo , in northeast England where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before moving on to Fleet Street in London .
He called journalism his `` basic passion '' and summed up his own philosophy to the profession by saying `` attempting to get at truth means rejecting stereotypes and clichés . ''
Evans left the Sunday Times in 1981 to become editor of sister paper The Times when media mogul Rupert Murdoch took over .
But his time there was short-lived , and he only led the paper for a year after falling out with the owner in a row about editorial independence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of his consistent attacks on Margaret Thatcher , the then-prime minister .
Evans and his second wife Tina Brown then moved to the United States , where he taught at Duke University and became editor-in-chief of The Atlantic Monthly Press .
He was also appointed president and publisher of Random House , editing authors including Maya Angelou , and wrote several best-selling books , including `` The American Century '' in 1998 and `` They Made America '' in 2004 .
Tina Brown was also a respected media boss , rejuvenating Vanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yorker in the 1990s , with the couple earning a reputation as mainstays of the New York politics and party scenes .
Evans , who was knighted in 2004 for his services to journalism , is survived by his children , Isabel , Georgie , Ruth , Michael and Kate .

London (AFP) –
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Crusading British newspaper editor Harold Evans has died in New York aged 92, his wife Tina Brown said Thursday, prompting a flood of tributes.
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, whose brief includes media, described Evans a "giant of investigative journalism", a reputation he established at the helm of the Sunday Times.
Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, paid tribute to Evans, who died of congestive heart failure on Wednesday.
"Sir Harold Evans was a giant among journalists who strove to put the ordinary man and woman at the heart of his reporting.
"He took on the establishment without fear or favour and earned a deserved reputation as one of the world's greatest editors.
"In his 70 years as a journalist he never lost sight of the need to maintain integrity in our profession. He was a true champion of a free press and holding the powerful to account," Murray said.
Stephen J Adler, editor-in-chief of the international news agency Reuters, where Evans worked as editor at large from 2011, said "his example will continue to guide us".
Evans' most famous expose was on the birth defects caused by the drug thalidomide, which eventually led to compensation payouts for the victims.
Glen Harrison, a thalidomide survivor and deputy chairman of the campaign group Thalidomide UK, called him "an outstanding human being for our cause" and a "true gentleman".
"We wouldn't know where we would be without him," he said.
Campaigner Guy Tweedy said: "If it wasn't for him fighting against the Establishment, and having the courage to expose this horrendous scandal, we would never have got any justice at all."
"All I tried to do -- all I hoped to do -- was to shed a little light," Evans recalled in an interview with the Independent in 2014.
"And if that light grew weeds, we've have to try and pull them up."
- 'Basic passion' -
Under Evans' tenure from 1967 to 1981, the Sunday Times also revealed that British intelligence agent Kim Philby was a double agent working for the Soviet Union.
He also published the diaries of a former government minister, Richard Crossman, despite risking prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
Evans had humble roots, growing up in a working-class family near Manchester, northwest England, and beginning his career at the regional publication the Manchester Evening News.
He edited his first newspaper at the age of 32, the Northern Echo, in northeast England where he had attended university at Durham, before moving on to Fleet Street in London.
He called journalism his "basic passion" and summed up his own philosophy to the profession by saying "attempting to get at truth means rejecting stereotypes and clichés."
Evans left the Sunday Times in 1981 to become editor of sister paper The Times when media mogul Rupert Murdoch took over.
But his time there was short-lived, and he only led the paper for a year after falling out with the owner in a row about editorial independence.
He also once said he was sacked because of his consistent attacks on Margaret Thatcher, the then-prime minister.
Evans and his second wife Tina Brown then moved to the United States, where he taught at Duke University and became editor-in-chief of The Atlantic Monthly Press.
He was also appointed president and publisher of Random House, editing authors including Maya Angelou, and wrote several best-selling books, including "The American Century" in 1998 and "They Made America" in 2004.
Tina Brown was also a respected media boss, rejuvenating Vanity Fair in the 1980s and The New Yorker in the 1990s, with the couple earning a reputation as mainstays of the New York politics and party scenes.
Evans, who was knighted in 2004 for his services to journalism, is survived by his children, Isabel, Georgie, Ruth, Michael and Kate.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Thailand protests: Why Thai protesters are challenging the monarchy?

Thailand protests : Why Thai protesters are challenging the monarchy ?
Since a longstanding taboo on criticising # Thailand 's @ @ @ @ @ protesters in early August , their rallies in # Bangkok have got increasingly bold in @ @ @ @ @ demanding change .
FRANCE 24 's International Affairs editor Philip Turle explains .

Thailand protests: Why Thai protesters are challenging the monarchy?
04:30
Video by: Philip TURLE
Since a longstanding taboo on criticising #Thailand's #monarchy was broken by protesters in early August, their rallies in #Bangkok have got increasingly bold in criticising King Maha Vajiralongkorn and demanding change. FRANCE 24's International Affairs editor Philip Turle explains.


france24--2020-09-24--Coronavirus pandemic: Bars & restaurants shut in Marseille and Guadeloupe

Bars and restaurants in # France 's Mediterranean city of # Marseille will have to close as part of new @ @ @ @ @ spread of # Covid-19 , the health minister said on Wednesday .
Marseille was the @ @ @ @ @ at a state of `` maximum alert '' requiring the closures , Olivier Veran told @ @ @ @ @ territory # Guadeloupe .

Coronavirus pandemic: Bars & restaurants shut in Marseille and Guadeloupe
01:30
Video by: Solange MOUGIN
Bars and restaurants in #France's Mediterranean city of #Marseille will have to close as part of new restrictions designed to stop the spread of #Covid-19, the health minister said on Wednesday. Marseille was the only part of mainland France at a state of "maximum alert" requiring the closures, Olivier Veran told reporters, along with Caribbean territory #Guadeloupe.


france24--2020-09-24--Russia's season of war games unites West-weary allies

Russia is staging a series of military exercises with China and other allies amid growing alarm over fresh tensions with the West .
The largest of these games , Caucasus-2020 , kicked off in southern Russia this week and include land and naval exercises involving a total of 80,000 people including more than 12,000 troops .
China , Iran and Myanmar are taking part along with several ex-Soviet countries including Belarus .
`` These exercises are the main annual test of the Russian armed forces ' readiness to engage in a large-scale conflict , '' Vasily Kashin , a Moscow-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drills that last until Saturday and feature naval deployments on the Black Sea and the Caspian have been organised `` for the top echelons of the military leadership '' , he said .
According to the defence ministry , up to 250 tanks and around 450 infantry combat vehicles and armoured personnel carriers are taking part in the drills along with artillery systems and rocket launchers .
The Russian forces will test the TOS-2 heavy flamethrower systems first paraded through Moscow 's Red Square during Victory Day celebrations in June .
President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the top priorities of his 20-year rule .
After years of post-Soviet neglect , the armed forces received new aircraft , tanks and missiles , opened new bases in the Arctic and resumed Cold War-style strategic bomber patrols .
Moscow has staged more frequent large-scale military exercises in the Caucasus , the Baltic and the Arctic in recent years .
In 2018 , Russia held what it has called its largest ever military drills , with 300,000 Russian troops joining Chinese soldiers in a show of force condemned by NATO .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a show of support for Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has faced unprecedented protests against his disputed re-election last month and was sworn in during a secret ceremony Wednesday .
Running parallel to the Caucasus-2020 games , the joint Russian-Belarusian drills dubbed Slavic Brotherhood began in mid-September and involve more than 900 troops .
The drills were launched near Belarus 's southwestern city of Brest on the Polish border , and as part of the games , two Russian supersonic heavy strategic Tu-160 bombers flew over Belarus 's border with the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Baltic states of coordinating with the opposition and has claimed Western countries see Belarus as a `` springboard '' to attack Russia .
`` Putin and me are of the same opinion : we are being hunted here so that they can go for Russia afterwards , '' Lukashenko said in August .
Next month Belarus will also host drills by the six member states of a Russia-led security bloc , the Collective Security Treaty Organization .
Ukraine , whose army is fighting Moscow-backed separatists in the east of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games constitute a serious threat .
`` Military units present participating in the manoeuvres could be used to provoke escalations and threaten the stability of the Black Sea , '' the defence ministry said .
NATO patrols the Black Sea where Ukrainian and Russian gunboats have clashed in waters near Crimea after the territory was annexed in 2014 .
Several countries have pulled out of military exercises with Russia this year , with New Delhi citing the coronavirus pandemic but observers pointing to its frayed ties with China .
Moscow 's ally Serbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Belgrade called `` great and undeserved pressure '' from the EU .
The Kremlin 's relationship with Europe has worsened since Russia annexed Crimea and tensions are exacerbated by allegations of election meddling and spying .
The poisoning of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny recently spurred sharp condemnations from European leaders who have said they could respond with further sanctions on Moscow .
Russia insists the purpose of its `` purely defensive '' exercises are to ward off a theoretical enemy , but sees the games as an opportunity to show off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a costly overhaul of the country 's military and has tested dozens of new additions to its arsenal in Syria since entering the conflict in 2015 .
Compared with the last Caucasus-2020 games in 2016 , Russia has added more drones and artillery to its military as well as fighter jets and air defence systems like the renowned S-400 systems , Kashin says .
Putin has also lauded new `` invincible '' nuclear-capable weapons , which have yet to be shown off in drills .
Kashin raised the possibility that one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile -- could be unveiled during Caucasus-2020 as well as the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet , which has been anticipated for several years .

Moscow (AFP) –
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Russia is staging a series of military exercises with China and other allies amid growing alarm over fresh tensions with the West.
The largest of these games, Caucasus-2020, kicked off in southern Russia this week and include land and naval exercises involving a total of 80,000 people including more than 12,000 troops.
China, Iran and Myanmar are taking part along with several ex-Soviet countries including Belarus.
"These exercises are the main annual test of the Russian armed forces' readiness to engage in a large-scale conflict," Vasily Kashin, a Moscow-based military analyst, told AFP.
The drills that last until Saturday and feature naval deployments on the Black Sea and the Caspian have been organised "for the top echelons of the military leadership", he said.
According to the defence ministry, up to 250 tanks and around 450 infantry combat vehicles and armoured personnel carriers are taking part in the drills along with artillery systems and rocket launchers.
The Russian forces will test the TOS-2 heavy flamethrower systems first paraded through Moscow's Red Square during Victory Day celebrations in June.
President Vladimir Putin has made reviving the army one of the top priorities of his 20-year rule.
After years of post-Soviet neglect, the armed forces received new aircraft, tanks and missiles, opened new bases in the Arctic and resumed Cold War-style strategic bomber patrols.
- A 'springboard' for attack -
Moscow has staged more frequent large-scale military exercises in the Caucasus, the Baltic and the Arctic in recent years.
In 2018, Russia held what it has called its largest ever military drills, with 300,000 Russian troops joining Chinese soldiers in a show of force condemned by NATO.
Russia's drills this autumn are also viewed as a show of support for Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has faced unprecedented protests against his disputed re-election last month and was sworn in during a secret ceremony Wednesday.
Running parallel to the Caucasus-2020 games, the joint Russian-Belarusian drills dubbed Slavic Brotherhood began in mid-September and involve more than 900 troops.
The drills were launched near Belarus's southwestern city of Brest on the Polish border, and as part of the games, two Russian supersonic heavy strategic Tu-160 bombers flew over Belarus's border with the EU on Tuesday.
Lukashenko has accused Poland and the Baltic states of coordinating with the opposition and has claimed Western countries see Belarus as a "springboard" to attack Russia.
"Putin and me are of the same opinion: we are being hunted here so that they can go for Russia afterwards," Lukashenko said in August.
Next month Belarus will also host drills by the six member states of a Russia-led security bloc, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Ukraine, whose army is fighting Moscow-backed separatists in the east of the country, has said Russia's upcoming war games constitute a serious threat.
- 'Invincible' weapons -
"Military units present participating in the manoeuvres could be used to provoke escalations and threaten the stability of the Black Sea," the defence ministry said.
NATO patrols the Black Sea where Ukrainian and Russian gunboats have clashed in waters near Crimea after the territory was annexed in 2014.
Several countries have pulled out of military exercises with Russia this year, with New Delhi citing the coronavirus pandemic but observers pointing to its frayed ties with China.
Moscow's ally Serbia dropped out of drills in Belarus after what Belgrade called "great and undeserved pressure" from the EU.
The Kremlin's relationship with Europe has worsened since Russia annexed Crimea and tensions are exacerbated by allegations of election meddling and spying.
The poisoning of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny recently spurred sharp condemnations from European leaders who have said they could respond with further sanctions on Moscow.
Russia insists the purpose of its "purely defensive" exercises are to ward off a theoretical enemy, but sees the games as an opportunity to show off its military prowess.
Moscow is carrying out a costly overhaul of the country's military and has tested dozens of new additions to its arsenal in Syria since entering the conflict in 2015.
Compared with the last Caucasus-2020 games in 2016, Russia has added more drones and artillery to its military as well as fighter jets and air defence systems like the renowned S-400 systems, Kashin says.
Putin has also lauded new "invincible" nuclear-capable weapons, which have yet to be shown off in drills.
Kashin raised the possibility that one of the new weapons -- the Kinjal hypersonic missile -- could be unveiled during Caucasus-2020 as well as the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, which has been anticipated for several years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Disgraced French writer Matzneff stripped of state aid

Publisher Vanessa Springora described in her memoir `` Consent '' how she was groomed by Matzneff when she was 14 France has stripped paedophile writer Gabriel Matzneff of all state aid , the country 's culture minister said Friday .
The controversial essayist , who never made a secret of his preference for sex with adolescent girls and boys , is to stand trial next year on a charge of promoting paedophilia .
`` I can assure you that Gabriel Matzneff is no longer getting his grant , '' Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot told the publishing weekly , Livres Hebdo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the French literary world for years , winning the prestigious Renaudot prize in 2013 and getting thousands of euros in aid as well as a subsidised apartment in Paris ' upmarket Left Bank .
Officials said he received some 160,000 euros ( $ 186,000 ) over the past 18 years in grants for low-income writers .
But publisher Vanessa Springora ignited a huge scandal earlier this year with her memoir `` Consent '' , in which she described how she was groomed by Matzneff when she was 14 .
Two other women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too were abused by him as teenagers .
The scandal has shaken the French arts and fashion establishments , with a deputy mayor of Paris forced to resign because of his links to the writer .
Christophe Girard had been the conduit for money given to the writer from the Saint Laurent fashion house .
Girard too is now under investigation over a rape accusation against him , which he denies .
The Matzneff scandal was one of the turning points in the # MeToo movement in France , after decades of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's behaviour despite his frankness about his private life .
Within months of the latest instalment of his `` intimate journals '' hitting the shelves , French publishers began pulling his books from shops as Springora 's book began making headlines in January .
Matzneff , now 84 , denounced the `` unjust and excessive attacks '' on him , claiming that his relationship with Springora had been one of `` beauty '' .
But in her book , which quickly became a bestseller , she wrote : `` Aged 14 , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man waiting for you when you leave school .
`` You are not supposed to live in a hotel with him , or find yourself in his bed with his penis in your mouth when you should be having your mid-afternoon snack . ''
Bachelot praised Springora for having the courage to speak out .
`` I thank Vanessa Springora , '' she said .
`` Whenever there are power issues , financial issues , there can be these phenomena of sexual assault .
`` That should lead the books industry to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more proactive , '' she added .
The minister called for parity between the sexes on the juries of the country 's big literary prizes and at the head of its major publishing houses .

Paris (AFP) –
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France has stripped paedophile writer Gabriel Matzneff of all state aid, the country's culture minister said Friday.
The controversial essayist, who never made a secret of his preference for sex with adolescent girls and boys, is to stand trial next year on a charge of promoting paedophilia.
"I can assure you that Gabriel Matzneff is no longer getting his grant," Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot told the publishing weekly, Livres Hebdo.
Matzneff has occupied a privileged niche in the French literary world for years, winning the prestigious Renaudot prize in 2013 and getting thousands of euros in aid as well as a subsidised apartment in Paris' upmarket Left Bank.
Officials said he received some 160,000 euros ($186,000) over the past 18 years in grants for low-income writers.
But publisher Vanessa Springora ignited a huge scandal earlier this year with her memoir "Consent", in which she described how she was groomed by Matzneff when she was 14.
Two other women have since come forward to say they too were abused by him as teenagers.
The scandal has shaken the French arts and fashion establishments, with a deputy mayor of Paris forced to resign because of his links to the writer.
- Widening scandal -
Christophe Girard had been the conduit for money given to the writer from the Saint Laurent fashion house.
Girard too is now under investigation over a rape accusation against him, which he denies.
The Matzneff scandal was one of the turning points in the #MeToo movement in France, after decades of people turning a blind eye to the diarist's behaviour despite his frankness about his private life.
Within months of the latest instalment of his "intimate journals" hitting the shelves, French publishers began pulling his books from shops as Springora's book began making headlines in January.
Matzneff, now 84, denounced the "unjust and excessive attacks" on him, claiming that his relationship with Springora had been one of "beauty".
But in her book, which quickly became a bestseller, she wrote: "Aged 14, you are not supposed to have a 50-year-old man waiting for you when you leave school.
"You are not supposed to live in a hotel with him, or find yourself in his bed with his penis in your mouth when you should be having your mid-afternoon snack."
Bachelot praised Springora for having the courage to speak out.
"I thank Vanessa Springora," she said. "Whenever there are power issues, financial issues, there can be these phenomena of sexual assault.
"That should lead the books industry to think about prevention measures, and to be much more proactive," she added.
The minister called for parity between the sexes on the juries of the country's big literary prizes and at the head of its major publishing houses.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--French ex-president loses challenge to cash-from-Libya case

Nicolas Sarkozy is accused of taking millions of euros from former Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi to help finance his 2007 presidential campaign Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy lost his bid Thursday to throw out an inquiry into claims he used Libyan cash for his 2007 presidential campaign , a ruling that could require him and several associates to stand trial .
A Paris appeals court upheld the validity of the investigation , launched in 2012 after reports that Sarkozy accepted millions of euros from the regime of former strongman Moamer Kadhafi .
Sarkozy , 65 , has denied the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing on whether he would appeal the decision to France 's top criminal court .
But the failed legal challenge means the inquiry by two anti-corruption judges can continue , though it remains uncertain if they will eventually seek a trial .
Sarkozy has been accused by former members of Kadhafi 's regime that he took millions from the slain Libyan dictator , some of it delivered in cash-stuffed suitcases , in his successful 2007 presidential run .
The investigation began after the Mediapart published a document in 2012 , allegedly signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show that Kadhafi agreed to give Sarkozy up to 50 million euros ( $ 58 million at current exchange rates ) .
Judges are also investigating claims by a French-Lebanese businessman , Ziad Takieddine , who said he delivered suitcases carrying a total of five million euros from the Libyan regime to Sarkozy 's chief of staff in 2006 and 2007 .
Also charged in the case is Alexandre Djouhri , a businessman known to be close with several top rightwing politicians , who is suspected of acting as a middleman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged in 2018 with taking bribes , concealing the embezzlement of Libyan public funds and illegal campaign financing .
Two of his former ministers , Claude Gueant and Eric Woerth , are among several others who have also been charged in the case .
`` I think the judges proved they were able to resist all sorts of pressure being put on them , '' said Vincent Brengarth , a lawyer for the Sherpa anti-corruption NGO , one of the civil parties in the case .
The allegations that Sarkozy took money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris with pomp and ceremony shortly after his election victory -- are the most serious to emerge from several investigations that have dogged him since he left office .
The claims first emerged in 2011 , as France and Britain were preparing a NATO-backed intervention to support rebels seeking to end Kadhafi 's tyrannical 41-year rule .
Besides the claims of cash-stuffed suitcases , investigators suspect that Sarkozy 's campaign got cash from the 2009 sale of a villa on the French Riviera to a Libyan investment fund managed by Bashir Saleh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Djouhri is suspected of being the owner of the villa , which was sold at an inflated price to mask the alleged funds from Libya .
It is not the only legal headache for Sarkozy , who has enjoyed renewed popularity since retiring , with his memoirs seeing strong sales .
He has also been charged in two other cases , one relating to fake invoices devised to mask overspending on his failed 2012 re-election campaign , and another for alleged influence peddling involving a top judge .
He is set to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 5 , when he will become France 's first ex-president in the dock for corruption .
Sarkozy , who quit politics after a failed comeback attempt for the 2017 presidential vote , has accused the Paris judiciary of hounding him .

Paris (AFP) –
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Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy lost his bid Thursday to throw out an inquiry into claims he used Libyan cash for his 2007 presidential campaign, a ruling that could require him and several associates to stand trial.
A Paris appeals court upheld the validity of the investigation, launched in 2012 after reports that Sarkozy accepted millions of euros from the regime of former strongman Moamer Kadhafi.
Sarkozy, 65, has denied the allegations. His lawyer declined to comment after the hearing on whether he would appeal the decision to France's top criminal court.
But the failed legal challenge means the inquiry by two anti-corruption judges can continue, though it remains uncertain if they will eventually seek a trial.
Sarkozy has been accused by former members of Kadhafi's regime that he took millions from the slain Libyan dictator, some of it delivered in cash-stuffed suitcases, in his successful 2007 presidential run.
The investigation began after the Mediapart published a document in 2012, allegedly signed by Libya's intelligence chief, purporting to show that Kadhafi agreed to give Sarkozy up to 50 million euros ($58 million at current exchange rates).
Judges are also investigating claims by a French-Lebanese businessman, Ziad Takieddine, who said he delivered suitcases carrying a total of five million euros from the Libyan regime to Sarkozy's chief of staff in 2006 and 2007.
Also charged in the case is Alexandre Djouhri, a businessman known to be close with several top rightwing politicians, who is suspected of acting as a middleman for the cash transfers.
The former president was charged in 2018 with taking bribes, concealing the embezzlement of Libyan public funds and illegal campaign financing.
Two of his former ministers, Claude Gueant and Eric Woerth, are among several others who have also been charged in the case.
"I think the judges proved they were able to resist all sorts of pressure being put on them," said Vincent Brengarth, a lawyer for the Sherpa anti-corruption NGO, one of the civil parties in the case.
- Legal headaches -
The allegations that Sarkozy took money from Kadhafi -- whom he welcomed to Paris with pomp and ceremony shortly after his election victory -- are the most serious to emerge from several investigations that have dogged him since he left office.
The claims first emerged in 2011, as France and Britain were preparing a NATO-backed intervention to support rebels seeking to end Kadhafi's tyrannical 41-year rule.
Besides the claims of cash-stuffed suitcases, investigators suspect that Sarkozy's campaign got cash from the 2009 sale of a villa on the French Riviera to a Libyan investment fund managed by Bashir Saleh, Kadhafi's former chief of staff.
Djouhri is suspected of being the owner of the villa, which was sold at an inflated price to mask the alleged funds from Libya.
It is not the only legal headache for Sarkozy, who has enjoyed renewed popularity since retiring, with his memoirs seeing strong sales.
He has also been charged in two other cases, one relating to fake invoices devised to mask overspending on his failed 2012 re-election campaign, and another for alleged influence peddling involving a top judge.
He is set to go on trial in the second case on October 5, when he will become France's first ex-president in the dock for corruption.
Sarkozy, who quit politics after a failed comeback attempt for the 2017 presidential vote, has accused the Paris judiciary of hounding him.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Vatican cardinal caught up in real estate scandal resigns unexpectedly

File photo : New cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu of Italy is seen during a consistory ceremony to install 14 new cardinals in Saint Peter 's Basilica at the Vatican , June 28 2018 .
A powerful Vatican cardinal caught up in a real estate scandal resigned suddenly on Thursday and gave up his right to take part in an eventual conclave to elect a pope , in one of the most mysterious episodes to hit the Holy See in years .
A brief statement , issued unusually in the evening , said that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department that decides who will be the saints of the Roman Catholic Church .
But perhaps more significantly , the statement said the Becciu , 72 , had `` given up the rights associated with being a cardinal '' .
The one-line statement gave no details but the most important right of Roman Catholic cardinals under 80 , as is Becciu , is to take part in a conclave to elect a new pope after the current pope dies or resigns .
The relinquishing of that right indicated that the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last cardinal to give up that right was Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland , who resigned over a sex scandal in 2013 .
Becciu was until 2018 deputy secretary of state , one of the most powerful positions in the Vatican .
During his tenure in that office the Vatican became embroiled in a controversial deal in which the Secretariat of State used Church money to purchase a luxury building in London as an investment .
That investigation led to the suspension last year of five Vatican employees , the resignation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departure of the former head of the Vatican 's Financial Information Authority ( AIF ) .
Becciu has denied all wrongdoing in the London property deal and defended the purchase , saying the property has increased in value .
In June , Vatican police arrested Gianluigi Torzi , an Italian middleman who was part of a controversial deal , and charged him with extortion , embezzlement , aggravated fraud and money laundering , the Vatican press office said in a statement .
He was later released but the investigation is continuing .
Vatican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand down indictments soon .

A powerful Vatican cardinal caught up in a real estate scandal resigned suddenly on Thursday and gave up his right to take part in an eventual conclave to elect a pope, in one of the most mysterious episodes to hit the Holy See in years.
File photo: New cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu of Italy is seen during a consistory ceremony to install 14 new cardinals in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, June 28 2018.
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A brief statement, issued unusually in the evening, said that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, head of the department that decides who will be the saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
But perhaps more significantly, the statement said the Becciu, 72, had "given up the rights associated with being a cardinal".
The one-line statement gave no details but the most important right of Roman Catholic cardinals under 80, as is Becciu, is to take part in a conclave to elect a new pope after the current pope dies or resigns.
The relinquishing of that right indicated that the reason for Becciu's resignation was particularly serious.
The last cardinal to give up that right was Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland, who resigned over a sex scandal in 2013.
Becciu was until 2018 deputy secretary of state, one of the most powerful positions in the Vatican.
During his tenure in that office the Vatican became embroiled in a controversial deal in which the Secretariat of State used Church money to purchase a luxury building in London as an investment.
That investigation led to the suspension last year of five Vatican employees, the resignation of the Vatican's police chief and the departure of the former head of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority (AIF).
Becciu has denied all wrongdoing in the London property deal and defended the purchase, saying the property has increased in value.
In June, Vatican police arrested Gianluigi Torzi, an Italian middleman who was part of a controversial deal, and charged him with extortion, embezzlement, aggravated fraud and money laundering, the Vatican press office said in a statement.
He was later released but the investigation is continuing. Vatican sources said they expected Vatican magistrates to hand down indictments soon.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-09-25--Google removes street view virtual tour of Australia's Uluru

Uluru was closed to tourists last year at the request of the Anangu people , who hold the site sacred Google has removed images from its Street View that allowed users to virtually walk on Australia 's Uluru , a sacred Aboriginal site closed to tourists since last year , the company said Friday .
Parks Australia had asked that the user-contributed images be taken down in line with the wishes of the Anangu people who are the traditional owners of the World Heritage site .
The giant red monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in central Australia was closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request of the Anangu , who hold the site sacred .
`` We understand Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is deeply sacred to the Anangu people , '' a Google spokesperson said .
`` As soon as Parks Australia raised their concerns about this user contribution , we removed the imagery , '' they said .
The company said the images had been taken by users of Google maps prior to the closure of Uluru , previously known as Ayers Rock .
The Street View function allows users to take virtual walking tours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists climbed to the top of Uluru each year in defiance of the wishes of its traditional owners .
The climb was permanently closed on October 26 , 2019 , the anniversary of ownership being handed back to the Anangu people .
Uluru has great spiritual and cultural significance to indigenous Australians , with their connection to the site dating back tens of thousands of years .

Sydney (AFP) –
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Google has removed images from its Street View that allowed users to virtually walk on Australia's Uluru, a sacred Aboriginal site closed to tourists since last year, the company said Friday.
Parks Australia had asked that the user-contributed images be taken down in line with the wishes of the Anangu people who are the traditional owners of the World Heritage site.
The giant red monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in central Australia was closed to tourists in October 2019 at the request of the Anangu, who hold the site sacred.
"We understand Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is deeply sacred to the Anangu people," a Google spokesperson said.
"As soon as Parks Australia raised their concerns about this user contribution, we removed the imagery," they said.
The company said the images had been taken by users of Google maps prior to the closure of Uluru, previously known as Ayers Rock.
The Street View function allows users to take virtual walking tours of locations around the planet.
Thousands of tourists climbed to the top of Uluru each year in defiance of the wishes of its traditional owners.
The climb was permanently closed on October 26, 2019, the anniversary of ownership being handed back to the Anangu people.
Uluru has great spiritual and cultural significance to indigenous Australians, with their connection to the site dating back tens of thousands of years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--'Last call!': Curfew begins for English and Welsh pubs

Drinkers leave a bar in Soho , central London , that was forced to closed early due to measures aiming to curb the coronavirus The last call echoed around pubs and bars in England and Wales earlier than usual Thursday night , as tighter rules to try to stop a coronavirus surge came into force .
The ramped-up restrictions , announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday , require all premises serving food or drink to close by 10 pm ( 2100 GMT ) .
They will apply in Scotland from Friday , while Northern Ireland -- where venues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen , from Tuesday -- is still considering a curfew .
British pubs traditionally close at 11 pm and although some stay open later -- depending on their location and the day -- some question the curfew 's likely impact .
`` I do n't think it 's gon na help , it 's too little too late , as usual , '' Joyce , a sceptical drinker in her fifties at the Prince George in the East London neighbourhood of Dalston , told AFP .
`` You 're just displacing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK government and devolved administrations in Cardiff and Edinburgh have imposed the curfew , alongside several other measures , as Covid-19 transmission spirals nationwide once again .
Britain announced 6,634 new cases on Thursday -- the highest daily tally recorded since the pandemic began , though the number of tests being conducted is now at unprecedented levels .
The new curbs come just weeks after the end of a month-long government scheme that encouraged people to eat and drink out by subsidising the bill , in a bid to help the hard-hit hospitality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greeted gloomily from the sector , with the British Beer and Pub Association estimating that fewer than half of pubs were currently breaking even .
Leisure group Whitbread and pub chain Wetherspoons both announced widespread job cuts on Tuesday .
`` It 's a bit of a shame , but it 's just realism of what is going on now , '' said Kristy Law , the assistant manager at the Prince George .
She noted the pub , which typically serves regulars , usually closes at midnight on weekends but would now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compensate .
`` It 's a nightmare to kick people out at the end of the night !
`` I ca n't imagine what it will be ( like ) now ... everyone will still be in this party mood . ''
Some experts have questioned whether the new hospitality rules will have a meaningful impact while various people can still meet in pubs , bars and restaurants .
`` Closing down restaurants and pubs earlier will do little to stave the spread for as long as multiple different households can interchangeably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter .
In England up to six people from different households can currently gather , while in Scotland the same number can meet up but only from two households .
In Wales , socialising is limited to six people from within your own household .
However Jennifer Cole , a biological anthropologist at Royal Holloway , University of London , argued that even an hour of less drinking could help .
`` Closing the bars and restaurants at 10pm simply keeps people more sober . ''

London (AFP) –
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The last call echoed around pubs and bars in England and Wales earlier than usual Thursday night, as tighter rules to try to stop a coronavirus surge came into force.
The ramped-up restrictions, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday, require all premises serving food or drink to close by 10 pm (2100 GMT).
They will apply in Scotland from Friday, while Northern Ireland -- where venues serving only alcohol had just been allowed to reopen, from Tuesday -- is still considering a curfew.
British pubs traditionally close at 11 pm and although some stay open later -- depending on their location and the day -- some question the curfew's likely impact.
"I don't think it's gonna help, it's too little too late, as usual," Joyce, a sceptical drinker in her fifties at the Prince George in the East London neighbourhood of Dalston, told AFP.
"You're just displacing the problem," she predicted.
The UK government and devolved administrations in Cardiff and Edinburgh have imposed the curfew, alongside several other measures, as Covid-19 transmission spirals nationwide once again.
Britain announced 6,634 new cases on Thursday -- the highest daily tally recorded since the pandemic began, though the number of tests being conducted is now at unprecedented levels.
The new curbs come just weeks after the end of a month-long government scheme that encouraged people to eat and drink out by subsidising the bill, in a bid to help the hard-hit hospitality industry.
The new measures have been greeted gloomily from the sector, with the British Beer and Pub Association estimating that fewer than half of pubs were currently breaking even.
Leisure group Whitbread and pub chain Wetherspoons both announced widespread job cuts on Tuesday.
- 'More sober' -
"It's a bit of a shame, but it's just realism of what is going on now," said Kristy Law, the assistant manager at the Prince George.
She noted the pub, which typically serves regulars, usually closes at midnight on weekends but would now be opening an hour earlier at 4pm to compensate.
"It's a nightmare to kick people out at the end of the night!
"I can't imagine what it will be (like) now... everyone will still be in this party mood."
Some experts have questioned whether the new hospitality rules will have a meaningful impact while various people can still meet in pubs, bars and restaurants.
"Closing down restaurants and pubs earlier will do little to stave the spread for as long as multiple different households can interchangeably meet up," said David Strain, clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter.
In England up to six people from different households can currently gather, while in Scotland the same number can meet up but only from two households. In Wales, socialising is limited to six people from within your own household.
However Jennifer Cole, a biological anthropologist at Royal Holloway, University of London, argued that even an hour of less drinking could help.
"Closing the bars and restaurants at 10pm simply keeps people more sober."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--'Stay healthy': Super Cup delight as Bayern, Sevilla fans watch live football again

A Bayern Munich fan wears a face mask prior to the UEFA Super Cup match at the Puskas Arena in Budapest For Bayern Munich fan Sven Widmann , it was worth driving to Budapest just to watch the Champions League winners play in Thursday 's UEFA Super Cup , the first time he 's been able to do so at a stadium since the coronavirus first hit Europe in March .
`` My last game at the stadium was in March , '' said Widmann , sporting a brand-new Bayern jersey and smiling broadly at Budapest 's Puskas Stadium behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to allow fans to return , around 15,500 football fans watched the Super Cup in Budapest , which proved controversial since the German government classed the Hungarian capital a risk zone .
`` We all know that it is not easy , especially with this ( health ) situation , to make good decisions , '' said Bayern coach Hansi Flick after the 2-1 win over Sevilla .
`` It was good to have this atmosphere , it 's great that fans came , it 's better for football obviously .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that everyone who returns ( to Germany ) will remain in good health , that 's what I want tell fans : Stay healthy , because it 's the most important thing these days . ''
Widmann , a season ticket holder at Munich 's Allianz Arena , was not going to miss the chance to finally see his beloved Bayern in action again .
`` It 's really special , because Bayern has spoiled us in recent months .
So there 's a lot of joy , '' added Widmann , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bundesliga , German Cup and Champions League triumphs watching on television .
Having had to pass in front of special thermal cameras which measure fans ' body temperature before entering the stadium , Widmann was one of around only a thousand Bayern fans who made the trip from Germany .
The vast majority of the famous red Bayern shirts and scarves on display belonged to Hungarian fans of the German champions .
Hundreds of Bayern fans returned their tickets after Markus Soeder , state premier for Bavaria , this week warned German fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Budapest .
All fans returning to Germany must test negative for Covid-19 or face a two-week quarantine .
`` I wanted to come with a friend , but he cancelled because of the virus -- his wife was afraid , '' admitted Widmann , who drove from Munich after being tested on Monday .
`` I respect distances , wear my mask , and I live in Munich , where you can get the virus just as easily . ''
The match in Budapest was also the first time Sevilla fans could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium since March .
A noisy group of 350 Sevilla fans cheered their team -- but told similar tales of how the measures to combat the coronavirus had overshadowed their journey to Budapest .
`` It was much more complicated than usual , '' said 52-year-old Sevilla fan Silvia Guijarro .
`` We had to all test negative .
`` But until the last moment , we did n't know whether we would be able to move around freely in Budapest or whether we would have to stay indoors until the match .
@

Budapest (AFP) –
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For Bayern Munich fan Sven Widmann, it was worth driving to Budapest just to watch the Champions League winners play in Thursday's UEFA Super Cup, the first time he's been able to do so at a stadium since the coronavirus first hit Europe in March.
"My last game at the stadium was in March," said Widmann, sporting a brand-new Bayern jersey and smiling broadly at Budapest's Puskas Stadium behind his face mask.
As a pilot project to allow fans to return, around 15,500 football fans watched the Super Cup in Budapest, which proved controversial since the German government classed the Hungarian capital a risk zone.
"We all know that it is not easy, especially with this (health) situation, to make good decisions," said Bayern coach Hansi Flick after the 2-1 win over Sevilla.
"It was good to have this atmosphere, it's great that fans came, it's better for football obviously. It was more like football.
"I hope that everyone who returns (to Germany) will remain in good health, that's what I want tell fans: Stay healthy, because it's the most important thing these days."
Widmann, a season ticket holder at Munich's Allianz Arena, was not going to miss the chance to finally see his beloved Bayern in action again.
"It's really special, because Bayern has spoiled us in recent months. So there's a lot of joy," added Widmann, who had to cheer last season's Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League triumphs watching on television.
Having had to pass in front of special thermal cameras which measure fans' body temperature before entering the stadium, Widmann was one of around only a thousand Bayern fans who made the trip from Germany.
The vast majority of the famous red Bayern shirts and scarves on display belonged to Hungarian fans of the German champions.
Hundreds of Bayern fans returned their tickets after Markus Soeder, state premier for Bavaria, this week warned German fans to "think again" before travelling to Budapest.
All fans returning to Germany must test negative for Covid-19 or face a two-week quarantine.
"I wanted to come with a friend, but he cancelled because of the virus -- his wife was afraid," admitted Widmann, who drove from Munich after being tested on Monday.
"I respect distances, wear my mask, and I live in Munich, where you can get the virus just as easily."
The match in Budapest was also the first time Sevilla fans could see their team play live in a stadium since March.
A noisy group of 350 Sevilla fans cheered their team -- but told similar tales of how the measures to combat the coronavirus had overshadowed their journey to Budapest.
"It was much more complicated than usual," said 52-year-old Sevilla fan Silvia Guijarro.
"We had to all test negative.
"But until the last moment, we didn't know whether we would be able to move around freely in Budapest or whether we would have to stay indoors until the match."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--French Open to allow just 1,000 fans a day at Roland Garros

A maximum of only 1,000 spectators will be allowed each day at Roland Garros after the French government insisted Thursday on tougher restrictions to counter the resurgence of the coronavirus .
Organisers of the French Open , which gets underway four months later than planned in Paris on Sunday , had hoped for a maximum of 5,000 .
That figure had already been reduced from 20,000 and then 11,500 .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex insisted that the Grand Slam tournament must be subject to the same restrictions imposed Thursday on sports events taking place in designated 'red zones ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgence .
`` We will apply the same rules at Roland Garros as elsewhere , '' said Castex .
`` We go from 5,000 to 1,000 . ''
Sources told AFP , however , that the figure does not include credential holders such as officials , media , players and staff .
Earlier Thursday , French Open chief Guy Forget said he had hoped to protect the 5,000 limit and that the nature of the Roland Garros complex would work in the tournament 's favour .
`` We are able to accommodate 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a 12-hectare area , '' he said .
`` We stage the tournament on the equivalent of 15 football fields , outdoors .
Everyone wears a mask , even the ball boys and girls and chair umpires . ''
The limit of 1,000 fans a day represents less than 3 % of last year 's total attendance of almost 520,000 .
There will also be financial repercussions .
In 2019 , Roland Garros accounted for around 80 % of the French Tennis Federation ( FFT ) budget -- 255.4 million euros out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planned limit was 11,500 spectators , Forget estimated that `` the tournament 's proceeds ( would ) be halved '' , which corresponded to between 130 and 140 million euros .
The US Open in New York , which ended just under two weeks ago , banned all spectators from its sprawling Flushing Meadows complex .
Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War .
Meanwhile , three years after the match which turned out to be the `` end of my hip '' Andy Murray on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stan Wawrinka in the pick of first round matches .
In 2017 , Murray and 2015 French Open champion Wawrinka fought out a thrilling five-set semi-final which saw the veteran Swiss triumph from two sets to one down .
Murray , 33 , has arguably been paying the price ever since with the former world number one battling a long-standing hip injury which at one stage threatened to end his career .
Both Murray and Wawrinka are three-time major winners .
World ranked 111 Murray needed a wild card to play in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 12-8 winning record over the 35-year-old Wawrinka , the world 17 .
World number one Novak Djokovic , bidding to win Roland Garros for the second time after his 2016 victory and collect an 18th major , starts against Sweden 's Mikael Ymer , ranked 80 .
Defending champion Rafael Nadal , seeded two and looking for a 13th French Open crown , begins his campaign against Egor Gerasimov , the 83rd-ranked Belarusian .
Nadal , who is one Slam shy of equalling Roger Federer 's all-time record of 20 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open champion Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals .
The 34-year-old Spaniard defeated the Austrian in the last two finals in Paris .
Thiem has an intriguing opener against Marin Cilic , the 2014 US Open winner and a former world number three .
With Federer not taking part , Russia 's Daniil Medvedev is Djokovic 's scheduled semi-final opponent .
However , Medvedev has never won a match at Roland Garros in three visits .
Defending women 's champion and world number one Ashleigh Barty is skipping this year 's French Open over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open winner Naomi Osaka through injury .
Simona Halep , the 2018 champion , is top seed and the Romanian starts against Spain 's world number 70 Sara Sorribes Tormo .
Serena Williams , a three-time champion in Paris , continues her bid for a record-equalling 24th major .
Williams , who turns 39 on Saturday , begins against compatriot Kristie Ahn who she defeated in the first round of the US Open .
She could face old rival Victoria Azarenka in the last 16 , just weeks after the Belarusian won their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an arm injury would prevent her from coming to Paris .
After Barty , Osaka and Bianca Andreescu , Switzerland 's Bencic is the fourth member of the top 10 to skip the tournament .

Paris (AFP) –
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A maximum of only 1,000 spectators will be allowed each day at Roland Garros after the French government insisted Thursday on tougher restrictions to counter the resurgence of the coronavirus.
Organisers of the French Open, which gets underway four months later than planned in Paris on Sunday, had hoped for a maximum of 5,000.
That figure had already been reduced from 20,000 and then 11,500.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex insisted that the Grand Slam tournament must be subject to the same restrictions imposed Thursday on sports events taking place in designated 'red zones' where the coronavirus is showing signs of resurgence.
"We will apply the same rules at Roland Garros as elsewhere," said Castex. "We go from 5,000 to 1,000."
Sources told AFP, however, that the figure does not include credential holders such as officials, media, players and staff.
Earlier Thursday, French Open chief Guy Forget said he had hoped to protect the 5,000 limit and that the nature of the Roland Garros complex would work in the tournament's favour.
"We are able to accommodate 5,000, as small as it is, on a 12-hectare area," he said.
"We stage the tournament on the equivalent of 15 football fields, outdoors. Everyone wears a mask, even the ball boys and girls and chair umpires."
The limit of 1,000 fans a day represents less than 3% of last year's total attendance of almost 520,000.
There will also be financial repercussions.
In 2019, Roland Garros accounted for around 80% of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) budget -- 255.4 million euros out of a total 325 million.
Ticket sales generate nearly 20% of tournament revenue.
When the planned limit was 11,500 spectators, Forget estimated that "the tournament's proceeds (would) be halved", which corresponded to between 130 and 140 million euros.
The US Open in New York, which ended just under two weeks ago, banned all spectators from its sprawling Flushing Meadows complex.
Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War.
- Murray v Wawrinka blockbuster-
Meanwhile, three years after the match which turned out to be the "end of my hip" Andy Murray on Thursday was handed a Roland Garros rematch against Stan Wawrinka in the pick of first round matches.
In 2017, Murray and 2015 French Open champion Wawrinka fought out a thrilling five-set semi-final which saw the veteran Swiss triumph from two sets to one down.
Murray, 33, has arguably been paying the price ever since with the former world number one battling a long-standing hip injury which at one stage threatened to end his career.
Both Murray and Wawrinka are three-time major winners.
World ranked 111 Murray needed a wild card to play in Paris but will at least be buoyed by a 12-8 winning record over the 35-year-old Wawrinka, the world 17.
World number one Novak Djokovic, bidding to win Roland Garros for the second time after his 2016 victory and collect an 18th major, starts against Sweden's Mikael Ymer, ranked 80.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal, seeded two and looking for a 13th French Open crown, begins his campaign against Egor Gerasimov, the 83rd-ranked Belarusian.
Nadal, who is one Slam shy of equalling Roger Federer's all-time record of 20, is scheduled to face third seed and US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals.
The 34-year-old Spaniard defeated the Austrian in the last two finals in Paris.
Thiem has an intriguing opener against Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner and a former world number three.
With Federer not taking part, Russia's Daniil Medvedev is Djokovic's scheduled semi-final opponent.
However, Medvedev has never won a match at Roland Garros in three visits.
Defending women's champion and world number one Ashleigh Barty is skipping this year's French Open over health fears.
- Serena v Azarenka in last 16? -
Also missing is US Open winner Naomi Osaka through injury.
Simona Halep, the 2018 champion, is top seed and the Romanian starts against Spain's world number 70 Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Serena Williams, a three-time champion in Paris, continues her bid for a record-equalling 24th major.
Williams, who turns 39 on Saturday, begins against compatriot Kristie Ahn who she defeated in the first round of the US Open.
She could face old rival Victoria Azarenka in the last 16, just weeks after the Belarusian won their US Open semi-final.
Belinda Bencic said an arm injury would prevent her from coming to Paris.
After Barty, Osaka and Bianca Andreescu, Switzerland's Bencic is the fourth member of the top 10 to skip the tournament.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--US probe to touch down on asteroid Bennu on October 20

The asteroid Bennu , as photographed by OSIRIS-REx , on December 2 , 2018 After a four-year journey , NASA 's robotic spacecraft OSIRIS-REx will descend to asteroid Bennu 's boulder-strewn surface on October 20 , touching down for a few seconds to collect rock and dust samples , the agency said Thursday .
Scientists hope the mission will help deepen our understanding of how planets formed and life began and provide insight on asteroids that could impact Earth .
`` Years of planning and hard work by this team are essentially coming down to putting the TAGSAM ( Touch-And-Go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface for just five to 10 seconds , '' said Mike Moreau , OSIRIS-REx deputy project manager .
NASA has chosen a site called Nightingale , a rocky area 52 feet ( 16 meters ) in diameter , for the spacecraft 's robotic arm to attempt to collect a sample , because it holds the greatest amount of unobstructed fine-grained material .
The spacecraft , about the size of a large van , will need to touch down in an area about the size of a few parking spots , taking care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft and Bennu will be approximately 207 million miles ( 334 million kilometers ) from Earth , it will take about 18.5 minutes for signals to travel between them .
This prevents the live commanding of flight activities , so the spacecraft will need to perform the sequence autonomously .
OSIRIS-REx is supposed to collect at least 2 ounces ( 57 grams ) of Bennu 's rocky material to bring back to Earth –- the largest sample return from space since the Apollo program .
It will deliver its payload to Earth on @ @ @ @ @

Washington (AFP) –
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After a four-year journey, NASA's robotic spacecraft OSIRIS-REx will descend to asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface on October 20, touching down for a few seconds to collect rock and dust samples, the agency said Thursday.
Scientists hope the mission will help deepen our understanding of how planets formed and life began and provide insight on asteroids that could impact Earth.
"Years of planning and hard work by this team are essentially coming down to putting the TAGSAM (Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) into contact with the surface for just five to 10 seconds," said Mike Moreau, OSIRIS-REx deputy project manager.
NASA has chosen a site called Nightingale, a rocky area 52 feet (16 meters) in diameter, for the spacecraft's robotic arm to attempt to collect a sample, because it holds the greatest amount of unobstructed fine-grained material.
The spacecraft, about the size of a large van, will need to touch down in an area about the size of a few parking spots, taking care to avoid surrounding boulders.
Because the spacecraft and Bennu will be approximately 207 million miles (334 million kilometers) from Earth, it will take about 18.5 minutes for signals to travel between them.
This prevents the live commanding of flight activities, so the spacecraft will need to perform the sequence autonomously.
OSIRIS-REx is supposed to collect at least 2 ounces (57 grams) of Bennu's rocky material to bring back to Earth –- the largest sample return from space since the Apollo program.
It will deliver its payload to Earth on September 24, 2023.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Amazon launches Luna cloud-based video game service

Amazon on Thursday unveiled Luna streaming video game service , challenging Microsoft and Google in the fast-growing segment .
Gamers in the US were invited to request early access to Luna , which uses a video game controller to connect directly to games hosted at Amazon Web Services datacenters to stream play through Fire TV as well as personal computers .
Luna apps for mobile devices were on their way , according to Amazon , which is pricing the new service at a $ 6 monthly introductory price .
`` Amazon streaming service is a good idea with a tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pachter said in a tweet .
`` I think they will get to where they need to be , but they 're starting out with an all-you-can-eat model and few suppliers . ''
Luna takes on Microsoft 's xCloud and Google Stadia in the shift to playing video games directly in the cloud .
Google 's Stadia cloud gaming service costs $ 10 monthly , and Microsoft this month made xCloud gaming a free addition , for now , to its Game Pass subscription service at Xbox .
Stadia membership comes with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles in its library cost extra .
`` It 's day one for Luna , '' said Amazon entertainment devices and services vice president Marc Whitten .
`` We are excited to work with gamers , streamers , and publishers like Ubisoft and Remedy Entertainment to build a great gaming experience for everyone . ''
Amazon also announced a gaming channel at Luna devoted to Ubisoft , with subscribers getting access to the French video game giant 's hit titles such as Assassins Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6 .
Amazon planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to games from more publishers .
`` We 're proud to be working alongside Amazon on Luna , utilizing the power of cloud gaming to provide our players with another way to access our games , wherever they are , '' said Ubisoft senior vice president of partnerships Chris Early .
`` Ubisoft 's channel on Luna will allow players to experience our new releases along with many of our catalog games , while enjoying player-friendly features like Alexa and Twitch integrations . ''
Streaming of gameplay at Amazon 's popular Twitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Seattle-based internet colossus .
Watching video games being played as a spectator sport was booming even before the pandemic gave people hunkered down at home more time and interest in tuning into such entertainment .
Luna is built on Amazon 's muscular AWS infrastructure for hosting computing power in the cloud , playing into its strength as a leading force in that market .
`` As new features and content are added for Luna customers , the backend tech that 's driving it all will also be frequently refreshed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense for Amazon , which already sells video games at its leading e-commerce platform ; has a community of gamers at Twitch , and streams films , television shows and music on its popular Prime platform .
`` Amazon recognizes that part of the game business is moving to a subscription model , '' technology analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group told AFP .
`` Like they 've done with movies and music , Amazon wants part of that . ''
Starting with a small portfolio of games during a restricted preview period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique aspects of the service such as avoiding lags in graphics , referred to as latency , that tend to infuriate players , according to the analyst .
`` Amazon is not really a gaming company , so they may not have an idea of what gamers want and will tolerate , '' Enderle said .
`` They are going to be on a learning path . ''
Luna also promises to help Amazon stay close to gamers , who will then buy displays , headsets , computers or other gear from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide opportunities for Amazon to make money from related ads , or even from in-game transactions the way Apple gets a percentage of purchases in games at its App Store , according to Enderle .
`` The goal is to grab and then hold an audience of gamers , '' Enderle said .
`` Basically , you lock in any retail services assocaited with gaming . ''

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Amazon on Thursday unveiled Luna streaming video game service, challenging Microsoft and Google in the fast-growing segment.
Gamers in the US were invited to request early access to Luna, which uses a video game controller to connect directly to games hosted at Amazon Web Services datacenters to stream play through Fire TV as well as personal computers.
Luna apps for mobile devices were on their way, according to Amazon, which is pricing the new service at a $6 monthly introductory price.
"Amazon streaming service is a good idea with a tough business model," Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said in a tweet.
"I think they will get to where they need to be, but they're starting out with an all-you-can-eat model and few suppliers."
Luna takes on Microsoft's xCloud and Google Stadia in the shift to playing video games directly in the cloud.
Google's Stadia cloud gaming service costs $10 monthly, and Microsoft this month made xCloud gaming a free addition, for now, to its Game Pass subscription service at Xbox.
Stadia membership comes with some complementary games, but most of the titles in its library cost extra.
"It's day one for Luna," said Amazon entertainment devices and services vice president Marc Whitten.
"We are excited to work with gamers, streamers, and publishers like Ubisoft and Remedy Entertainment to build a great gaming experience for everyone."
- Cloud Assassins -
Amazon also announced a gaming channel at Luna devoted to Ubisoft, with subscribers getting access to the French video game giant's hit titles such as Assassins Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6.
Amazon planned to add more channels to Luna, offering access to games from more publishers.
"We're proud to be working alongside Amazon on Luna, utilizing the power of cloud gaming to provide our players with another way to access our games, wherever they are," said Ubisoft senior vice president of partnerships Chris Early.
"Ubisoft's channel on Luna will allow players to experience our new releases along with many of our catalog games, while enjoying player-friendly features like Alexa and Twitch integrations."
Streaming of gameplay at Amazon's popular Twitch platform will be available at Luna, according to the Seattle-based internet colossus.
Watching video games being played as a spectator sport was booming even before the pandemic gave people hunkered down at home more time and interest in tuning into such entertainment.
Luna is built on Amazon's muscular AWS infrastructure for hosting computing power in the cloud, playing into its strength as a leading force in that market.
"As new features and content are added for Luna customers, the backend tech that's driving it all will also be frequently refreshed," Amazon promised.
- Locking in gamers -
The move makes sense for Amazon, which already sells video games at its leading e-commerce platform; has a community of gamers at Twitch, and streams films, television shows and music on its popular Prime platform.
"Amazon recognizes that part of the game business is moving to a subscription model," technology analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group told AFP.
"Like they've done with movies and music, Amazon wants part of that."
Starting with a small portfolio of games during a restricted preview period should give Amazon time to work on unique aspects of the service such as avoiding lags in graphics, referred to as latency, that tend to infuriate players, according to the analyst.
"Amazon is not really a gaming company, so they may not have an idea of what gamers want and will tolerate," Enderle said.
"They are going to be on a learning path."
Luna also promises to help Amazon stay close to gamers, who will then buy displays, headsets, computers or other gear from the e-commerce colossus.
The service may also provide opportunities for Amazon to make money from related ads, or even from in-game transactions the way Apple gets a percentage of purchases in games at its App Store, according to Enderle.
"The goal is to grab and then hold an audience of gamers," Enderle said.
"Basically, you lock in any retail services assocaited with gaming."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Zimbabwe leader tells UN that sanctions hurt development

Zimbabwe 's President Emmerson Mnangagwa ( center ) , seen here at a meeting with civil society organizations in August 2020 , has appealed to the United Nations to condemn Western sanctions Zimbabwe 's leader on Thursday appealed at the United Nations for support to end Western sanctions , saying that they set back development goals .
In an address to the UN General Assembly , President Emmerson Mnangagwa pointed to a recent UN report that found a negative impact from sanctions on Zimbabwe as a whole .
`` These are a breach of international law and compromise Zimbabwe 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goals , '' including eradication of hunger , he said .
`` We therefore call on the General Assembly to strongly pronounce itself against these unilateral illegal sanctions , '' he said .
Zimbabwe has faced Western sanctions since the early 2000s but they have been focused primarily on the leaders , accusing them of corruption and gross mismanagement of an economy that has seen eye-boggling inflation rates .
But a report in November by the UN special rapporteur on the right to food , Hilal Elver , said that sanctions contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These economic sanctions worsen the existing inequalities and do not have any actual impact on their supposed targets , '' she wrote in the report , which found that 60 percent of Zimbabweans were food insecure .
Mnangagwa took over in 2017 following the ouster of veteran leader Robert Mugabe -- who was known for his caustic denunciations of the West in fora such as the UN General Assembly .
But brief hopes for an improvement of relations subsided as Zimbabwean authorities under Mnangagwa have violently suppressed protests .

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Zimbabwe's leader on Thursday appealed at the United Nations for support to end Western sanctions, saying that they set back development goals.
In an address to the UN General Assembly, President Emmerson Mnangagwa pointed to a recent UN report that found a negative impact from sanctions on Zimbabwe as a whole.
"These are a breach of international law and compromise Zimbabwe's capacity to implement and achieve Sustainable Development Goals," including eradication of hunger, he said.
"We therefore call on the General Assembly to strongly pronounce itself against these unilateral illegal sanctions," he said.
Zimbabwe has faced Western sanctions since the early 2000s but they have been focused primarily on the leaders, accusing them of corruption and gross mismanagement of an economy that has seen eye-boggling inflation rates.
But a report in November by the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, said that sanctions contributed to a poor climate for business and investment.
"These economic sanctions worsen the existing inequalities and do not have any actual impact on their supposed targets," she wrote in the report, which found that 60 percent of Zimbabweans were food insecure.
Mnangagwa took over in 2017 following the ouster of veteran leader Robert Mugabe -- who was known for his caustic denunciations of the West in fora such as the UN General Assembly.
But brief hopes for an improvement of relations subsided as Zimbabwean authorities under Mnangagwa have violently suppressed protests.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Novavax enters late-stage clinical trials

A vial with a potential coronavirus , COVID-19 , vaccine at Novavax labs in Gaithersburg , Maryland on March 20 , 2020 , one of the labs developing a vaccine for the coronavirus , COVID-19 US biotech firm Novavax said Thursday it was initiating its final Phase 3 clinical trial for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine .
The trial will be carried out in the United Kingdom and aims to enroll 10,000 volunteers , aged 18-84 , with and without underlying conditions , over the next four to six weeks .
`` With a high level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission observed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are optimistic that this pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial will enroll quickly and provide a near-term view of NVX-CoV2373 's efficacy , '' said Gregory Glenn , the company 's president of research and development , using the technical name for the formulation .
It is the eleventh Covid-19 vaccine candidate to reach the Phase 3 stage globally .
The company has been awarded $ 1.6 billion by the US government to develop and fund the drug , which is administered by two intramuscular injections .
The Maryland-based company uses insect cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protein of the virus , which it hopes will evoke a robust human immune response .
It also uses an `` adjuvant , '' a compound that boosts the production of neutralizing antibodies .
The company says the drug , which is a liquid formulation , can be stored at two degrees celsius to eight degrees celsius , refrigerator temperature .
In the spring , the company said it had proven the efficacy of a seasonal flu vaccine it had developed using the same technology .

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US biotech firm Novavax said Thursday it was initiating its final Phase 3 clinical trial for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine.
The trial will be carried out in the United Kingdom and aims to enroll 10,000 volunteers, aged 18-84, with and without underlying conditions, over the next four to six weeks.
"With a high level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission observed and expected to continue in the UK, we are optimistic that this pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial will enroll quickly and provide a near-term view of NVX-CoV2373's efficacy," said Gregory Glenn, the company's president of research and development, using the technical name for the formulation.
It is the eleventh Covid-19 vaccine candidate to reach the Phase 3 stage globally.
The company has been awarded $1.6 billion by the US government to develop and fund the drug, which is administered by two intramuscular injections.
The Maryland-based company uses insect cells to grow synthesized pieces of the spike protein of the virus, which it hopes will evoke a robust human immune response.
It also uses an "adjuvant," a compound that boosts the production of neutralizing antibodies.
The company says the drug, which is a liquid formulation, can be stored at two degrees celsius to eight degrees celsius, refrigerator temperature.
In the spring, the company said it had proven the efficacy of a seasonal flu vaccine it had developed using the same technology.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Martinez header hands Bayern Munich UEFA Super Cup victory

Javier Martinez ( 2nd from right ) celebrates scoring the winning goal for Bayern Munich against Sevilla in Budapest Javi Martinez wrote more UEFA Super Cup history for Bayern Munich on Thursday as his header in extra time sealed a 2-1 win over Sevilla in Budapest .
Having equalised with a crucial 120th-minute goal seven years ago when Bayern won the 2013 Super Cup on penalties against Chelsea , Martinez struck on 104 minutes at the Puskas Arena to hand the Champions League winners ' a fourth title in 2020 .
After Lucas Ocampos converted an early penalty for Sevilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had two second-half goals disallowed before substitute Martinez , 32 , struck .
Having replaced Goretzka on 99 minutes , it was Martinez - linked to a return to Spain after losing a first-team place under Hansi Flick - whose header extends Bayern 's winning streak to 23 games dating back to February .
Bayern can win a fifth title this year next Wednesday when they host Borussia Dortmund in Munich for the German Super Cup .
There were a smattering of travelling Bayern and Sevilla fans among the 15,500 crowd in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in front of spectators since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit Europe in March .
Champions League winners Bayern fell behind for the first time this season on 14 minutes when the VAR judged David Alaba had fouled Ivan Rakitic in the area and Ocampos converted Sevilla 's penalty .
Alaba was booked for the challenge , but replays showed Rakitic seemed to run into the Austrian defender .
There were nervous glances in the Germans ' ranks , especially when defender Benjamin Pavard and Thomas Mueller both missed chances .
Goretzka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller and Robert Lewandowski combined in the area for the midfielder to smash home the equaliser with 34 minutes gone .
It stayed 1-1 at the break , but Bayern turned up the heat on the Europa League holders .
Just six minutes after the break , Lewandowski had the ball in the net after being set up by Thomas Mueller , but the VAR spotted the Poland striker was just the length a of a boot offside .
Then with an hour gone , Bayern winger Leroy Sane was left frustrated after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalkeeper Bono , but the VAR spotted Lewandowski had the lightest of touches on a Sevilla defender in the build up .
Bayern maintained the pressre , but with the 90 minutes almost up Manuel Neuer underlined his status as one of the world 's best goalkeepers with a finger-tip save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri after Sevilla attacked from the edge of their own penalty area .
Sevilla made a great start to extra-time with Bayern in all sorts of trouble , as Ocampos had a shot blocked while En-Nesyri 's shot clipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg .
However , the scene was set for Martinez , a veteran of the side which won the 2013 Champions League final in London , to add to his chapter in Bayern 's folklore .

Budapest (AFP) –
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Javi Martinez wrote more UEFA Super Cup history for Bayern Munich on Thursday as his header in extra time sealed a 2-1 win over Sevilla in Budapest.
Having equalised with a crucial 120th-minute goal seven years ago when Bayern won the 2013 Super Cup on penalties against Chelsea, Martinez struck on 104 minutes at the Puskas Arena to hand the Champions League winners' a fourth title in 2020.
After Lucas Ocampos converted an early penalty for Sevilla, Leon Goretzka equalised for Bayern, who had two second-half goals disallowed before substitute Martinez, 32, struck.
Having replaced Goretzka on 99 minutes, it was Martinez - linked to a return to Spain after losing a first-team place under Hansi Flick - whose header extends Bayern's winning streak to 23 games dating back to February.
Bayern can win a fifth title this year next Wednesday when they host Borussia Dortmund in Munich for the German Super Cup.
There were a smattering of travelling Bayern and Sevilla fans among the 15,500 crowd in Budapest as both clubs played for the first time in front of spectators since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit Europe in March.
Champions League winners Bayern fell behind for the first time this season on 14 minutes when the VAR judged David Alaba had fouled Ivan Rakitic in the area and Ocampos converted Sevilla's penalty.
Alaba was booked for the challenge, but replays showed Rakitic seemed to run into the Austrian defender.
There were nervous glances in the Germans' ranks, especially when defender Benjamin Pavard and Thomas Mueller both missed chances.
Goretzka got Bayern back on level terms when Mueller and Robert Lewandowski combined in the area for the midfielder to smash home the equaliser with 34 minutes gone.
It stayed 1-1 at the break, but Bayern turned up the heat on the Europa League holders.
Just six minutes after the break, Lewandowski had the ball in the net after being set up by Thomas Mueller, but the VAR spotted the Poland striker was just the length a of a boot offside.
Then with an hour gone, Bayern winger Leroy Sane was left frustrated after his shot powered past Sevilla's Moroccan goalkeeper Bono, but the VAR spotted Lewandowski had the lightest of touches on a Sevilla defender in the build up.
Bayern maintained the pressre, but with the 90 minutes almost up Manuel Neuer underlined his status as one of the world's best goalkeepers with a finger-tip save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri after Sevilla attacked from the edge of their own penalty area.
Sevilla made a great start to extra-time with Bayern in all sorts of trouble, as Ocampos had a shot blocked while En-Nesyri's shot clipped the post after crashing off Neuer's leg.
However, the scene was set for Martinez, a veteran of the side which won the 2013 Champions League final in London, to add to his chapter in Bayern's folklore.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Pompeo to show support for Greece amid Turkey tensions

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ( left ) welcomes US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Athens in October 2019 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Greece next week in a show of support following high tensions in the Mediterranean with Turkey , the State Department announced Thursday .
Pompeo will also travel to Italy , with a stop in Vatican City , to discuss religious freedom , and Croatia on the September 27-October 2 trip .
In his second trip to Greece in less than a year , Pompeo will go both to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island of Crete , where he will meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis .
Pompeo will `` renew our shared commitment to advance security , peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and celebrate the strongest US-Greek relationship in decades , '' the State Department said .
In Crete , he will visit the NATO base at Souda Bay `` to underscore the strong US security partnership with NATO ally Greece , '' it said .
Historic tensions flared last month when Turkey sent a vessel backed by military frigates to hunt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed by Greece .
Greece responded with naval exercises as a warning and has enjoyed especially vocal backing from France .
But the tone has recently softened between Greece and Turkey , also a NATO member , with the two agreeing Tuesday to begin exploratory talks on their dispute .
Pompeo earlier this month also discussed the row on a visit to Cyprus , the majority-Greek island whose northern third is occupied by Turkey .
But President Donald Trump has maintained warm relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , who controversially helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Syria .
Relations have been growing for several years between Washington and Athens , which has been building energy ties with US ally Israel .

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Greece next week in a show of support following high tensions in the Mediterranean with Turkey, the State Department announced Thursday.
Pompeo will also travel to Italy, with a stop in Vatican City, to discuss religious freedom, and Croatia on the September 27-October 2 trip.
In his second trip to Greece in less than a year, Pompeo will go both to the northern city of Thessaloniki and the southern island of Crete, where he will meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Pompeo will "renew our shared commitment to advance security, peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and celebrate the strongest US-Greek relationship in decades," the State Department said.
In Crete, he will visit the NATO base at Souda Bay "to underscore the strong US security partnership with NATO ally Greece," it said.
Historic tensions flared last month when Turkey sent a vessel backed by military frigates to hunt for oil and gas reserves in waters also claimed by Greece.
Greece responded with naval exercises as a warning and has enjoyed especially vocal backing from France.
But the tone has recently softened between Greece and Turkey, also a NATO member, with the two agreeing Tuesday to begin exploratory talks on their dispute.
Pompeo earlier this month also discussed the row on a visit to Cyprus, the majority-Greek island whose northern third is occupied by Turkey.
The United States recently lifted a decades-long arms embargo on Cyprus, outraging Turkey.
But President Donald Trump has maintained warm relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who controversially helped persuade the US leader to pull troops from Syria.
Relations have been growing for several years between Washington and Athens, which has been building energy ties with US ally Israel.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--ViacomCBS probed, cleared CEO on misconduct allegation

ViacomCBS said Thursday it investigated and subsequently cleared chief executive Bob Bakish following an allegation of sexual misconduct .
The @ @ @ @ @ details but confirmed a report that its board had conducted an independent review of the @ @ @ @ @ action .
`` The board takes any allegation of this type seriously , '' a @ @ @ @ @ An independent review of the alleged incident has concluded , and the investigation did not @ @ @ @ @ The claim centered on alleged improper touching of another employee at a 2016 holiday party @ @ @ @ @ at Viacom , according to a report by the news site The Information .
Bakish @ @ @ @ @ year later and then became head of the group after its merger in 2019 with @ @ @ @ @ Moonves was ousted amid sexual misconduct allegations .

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ViacomCBS said Thursday it investigated and subsequently cleared chief executive Bob Bakish following an allegation of sexual misconduct.
The US media-entertainment giant offered no details but confirmed a report that its board had conducted an independent review of the matter and ultimately took no action.
"The board takes any allegation of this type seriously," a company spokesperson said.
"An independent review of the alleged incident has concluded, and the investigation did not support the allegation."
The claim centered on alleged improper touching of another employee at a 2016 holiday party when Bakish was acting CEO at Viacom, according to a report by the news site The Information.
Bakish became CEO at Viacom a year later and then became head of the group after its merger in 2019 with CBS, whose CEO Les Moonves was ousted amid sexual misconduct allegations.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--VW pay-out to Brazil regime victims reopens debate on justice

Volkswagen has reached an unprecedented deal to pay damages for collaborating with Brazil 's secret police under the country 's military dictatorship Thirty-five years after the end of Brazil 's military dictatorship , there has been little justice for the killing and torture committed by the regime -- but an unprecedented deal for carmaker Volkswagen to pay damages for collaborating with the secret police could turn a new page .
Because of an amnesty law enacted in 1979 by the military government ( 1964-1985 ) , no one has ever been convicted for the human rights violations committed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed suspected leftist `` subversives '' in one of the darkest chapters of the Cold War .
So it was a rare moment of justice when Volkswagen announced Wednesday it had signed a historic deal with state and federal prosecutors in Brazil to pay 36 million reais ( $ 6.4 million ) in compensation for its part in the atrocities of that era .
Former workers at the German automaker 's Brazilian unit and their families say the company 's security office collaborated with the secret police to identify suspected leftist opponents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tortured .
The claims , which were being investigated by Brazilian prosecutors in three separate cases , were broadly confirmed by an independent review commissioned by the company in 2016 .
Volkswagen is one of more than 120 companies implicated in crimes committed by the regime , according to Brazil 's National Truth Commission , which was established to investigate dictatorship-era crimes .
`` It was n't just Volkswagen that was involved in persecuting workers in Brazil , '' said Prudente Mello , a lawyer and former member of Brazil 's Amnesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctoral thesis on companies ' collaboration with the military regime .
`` We have lots of other companies that need to be investigated , too , both Brazilian and multinational , '' he told AFP .
Some in Brazil said they hoped the Volkswagen settlement was just the beginning .
`` Whenever you hear that it 's impossible to hold anyone to account for the crimes of the dictatorship , remember this , '' said left-wing Congresswoman Fernanda Melchionna , tweeting a link to the Volkswagen story .
`` Will we get more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
That would be dignified and historic , '' tweeted the journalist and writer Xico Sa .
The prosecutors who struck the deal hinted as much in the statement announcing it .
`` This is unprecedented in Brazilian history and has enormous importance in promoting transitional justice in Brazil and around the world , '' they said .
`` It is impossible to turn the shameful pages in our history without fully uncovering the truth , making reparations to victims ( and ) holding to account those who committed grave human rights violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way to go in that regard . ''
Brazil is still coming to terms with the abuses committed by the military regime , which was responsible for torturing an estimated 20,000 people and the murder or disappearance of at least 434 , according to the National Truth Commission .
The number of victims is lower than under other military regimes in South America such as Chile ( 3,200 killed ) or Argentina ( 30,000 , according to rights groups ) .
But it does not include hundreds of victims killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land conflicts and indigenous massacres .
The Volkswagen deal was all the more momentous given that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has sought to rewrite the national memory of the dictatorship since taking office in 2019 .
The far-right leader , an army captain during the dictatorship , triggered controversy by saying in 2016 that the regime 's mistake was torturing rather than killing its opponents .
He also called 1970s torturer-in-chief Carlos Ustra a `` national hero '' and last year reinstated commemorations of the 1964 coup that installed the dictatorship .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight at a moment like this , in which we are seeing a retreat in the democratization of the country , '' said Mello .

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) –
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Thirty-five years after the end of Brazil's military dictatorship, there has been little justice for the killing and torture committed by the regime -- but an unprecedented deal for carmaker Volkswagen to pay damages for collaborating with the secret police could turn a new page.
Because of an amnesty law enacted in 1979 by the military government (1964-1985), no one has ever been convicted for the human rights violations committed by the regime, which abducted, tortured and killed suspected leftist "subversives" in one of the darkest chapters of the Cold War.
So it was a rare moment of justice when Volkswagen announced Wednesday it had signed a historic deal with state and federal prosecutors in Brazil to pay 36 million reais ($6.4 million) in compensation for its part in the atrocities of that era.
Former workers at the German automaker's Brazilian unit and their families say the company's security office collaborated with the secret police to identify suspected leftist opponents and union leaders, who were then detained and tortured.
The claims, which were being investigated by Brazilian prosecutors in three separate cases, were broadly confirmed by an independent review commissioned by the company in 2016.
Volkswagen is one of more than 120 companies implicated in crimes committed by the regime, according to Brazil's National Truth Commission, which was established to investigate dictatorship-era crimes.
Others include Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Esso, Texaco and Pirelli.
"It wasn't just Volkswagen that was involved in persecuting workers in Brazil," said Prudente Mello, a lawyer and former member of Brazil's Amnesty Commission on dictatorship-era crimes who wrote his doctoral thesis on companies' collaboration with the military regime.
"We have lots of other companies that need to be investigated, too, both Brazilian and multinational," he told AFP.
Some in Brazil said they hoped the Volkswagen settlement was just the beginning.
"Whenever you hear that it's impossible to hold anyone to account for the crimes of the dictatorship, remember this," said left-wing Congresswoman Fernanda Melchionna, tweeting a link to the Volkswagen story.
"Will we get more companies joining in the 'mea culpa'? That would be dignified and historic," tweeted the journalist and writer Xico Sa.
The prosecutors who struck the deal hinted as much in the statement announcing it.
"This is unprecedented in Brazilian history and has enormous importance in promoting transitional justice in Brazil and around the world," they said.
"It is impossible to turn the shameful pages in our history without fully uncovering the truth, making reparations to victims (and) holding to account those who committed grave human rights violations.... Unfortunately, Brazil still has a long way to go in that regard."
- Countering Bolsonaro -
Brazil is still coming to terms with the abuses committed by the military regime, which was responsible for torturing an estimated 20,000 people and the murder or disappearance of at least 434, according to the National Truth Commission.
The number of victims is lower than under other military regimes in South America such as Chile (3,200 killed) or Argentina (30,000, according to rights groups).
But it does not include hundreds of victims killed in the unrest of the era, including land conflicts and indigenous massacres.
The Volkswagen deal was all the more momentous given that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has sought to rewrite the national memory of the dictatorship since taking office in 2019.
The far-right leader, an army captain during the dictatorship, triggered controversy by saying in 2016 that the regime's mistake was torturing rather than killing its opponents.
He also called 1970s torturer-in-chief Carlos Ustra a "national hero" and last year reinstated commemorations of the 1964 coup that installed the dictatorship.
The VW settlement "carries a lot of weight at a moment like this, in which we are seeing a retreat in the democratization of the country," said Mello.
© 2020 AFP