france24--2020-01-08--Ghosn claims Nissan colluded with Japan prosecutors over 'staged arrest'

Carlos Ghosn said he had `` no choice '' but to flee at his first appearance since his brazen escape from Japan .
Carlos Ghosn , speaking publicly for the first since his dramatic escape from Japanese justice , told reporters in Beirut he had been treated `` brutally '' by Tokyo prosecutors , whom he accused of conspiring with Nissan to oust him as head of the automaker .
Ghosn , who denies any wrongdoing , fled charges of financial misconduct in Japan including allegedly under-reporting his compensation to the tune of $ 85 million .
Addressing a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the one-time car industry titan said he was `` presumed guilty '' by Japanese prosecutors and had `` no choice '' but to jump bail .
Ghosn alleged `` collusion '' between Nissan and Japanese prosecutors over his arrest , which he described as `` staged '' .
Dismissing all allegations against him as untrue , he said he had been `` ripped '' from friends and family when arrested , in what he described as a `` travesty '' of justice .
“ I ’ m not above the law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come out and have my name cleared , ” he told a packed room of journalists .
He added that he would be ready to stand trial `` anywhere where I think I can have a fair trial '' .
Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct when he slipped away from his Tokyo residence , crossed Japan on a bullet train and was smuggled onto charter jets that delivered him from Osaka to Lebanon via Istanbul .
His bail jump has prompted outrage from the Japanese government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unjustifiable '' , as well as from Nissan , which labelled the getaway `` extremely regrettable '' .
Many were hoping Ghosn would disclose details of his audacious escape during Wednesday ’ s press conference , but Ghosn told reporters he was `` not here to talk '' about how he fled Japan .
In a comment that was bound to cause further upset in Japan , he appeared to compare his arrest to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941 .
`` I did n't suspect anything ... Did you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reporters .
Ghosn said the charges against him stem from a `` coup '' inside Nissan by disgruntled executives and Japanese officials who feared his plans to more closely integrate the car giant with its alliance partner , French firm Renault .
Asked how high the alleged conspiracy went , the 65-year-old said he did not believe Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was involved .
In a further jab at his former colleagues , Ghosn said that Nissan 's stock market value had fallen by $ 40 million a day since his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slumped by 20 million euros daily .
Shortly after the press conference , Tokyo prosecutors issued a statement slamming the former Nissan chief 's `` one-sided '' and `` unacceptable '' criticism of Japan 's legal system .
The Tokyo prosecutor 's office also said claims they had colluded with Nissan were `` categorically false and contrary to fact '' .
The prosecutors said Ghosn had `` only himself to blame for being arrested '' , accusing him of having `` flagrantly disregarded Japanese law to avoid the consequences of the crimes he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on Carlos Ghosn 's fall from grace :

Carlos Ghosn, speaking publicly for the first since his dramatic escape from Japanese justice, told reporters in Beirut he had been treated "brutally" by Tokyo prosecutors, whom he accused of conspiring with Nissan to oust him as head of the automaker.
Carlos Ghosn said he had "no choice" but to flee at his first appearance since his brazen escape from Japan.
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Ghosn, who denies any wrongdoing, fled charges of financial misconduct in Japan including allegedly under-reporting his compensation to the tune of $85 million.
Addressing a large crowd of journalists in the Lebanese capital, the one-time car industry titan said he was "presumed guilty" by Japanese prosecutors and had "no choice" but to jump bail.
Ghosn alleged "collusion" between Nissan and Japanese prosecutors over his arrest, which he described as "staged".
Dismissing all allegations against him as untrue, he said he had been "ripped" from friends and family when arrested, in what he described as a "travesty" of justice.
“I’m not above the law and I welcome the opportunity for the truth to come out and have my name cleared,” he told a packed room of journalists.
He added that he would be ready to stand trial "anywhere where I think I can have a fair trial".
Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct when he slipped away from his Tokyo residence, crossed Japan on a bullet train and was smuggled onto charter jets that delivered him from Osaka to Lebanon via Istanbul.
His bail jump has prompted outrage from the Japanese government, which has called his escape "unjustifiable", as well as from Nissan, which labelled the getaway "extremely regrettable".
Many were hoping Ghosn would disclose details of his audacious escape during Wednesday’s press conference, but Ghosn told reporters he was "not here to talk" about how he fled Japan.
In a comment that was bound to cause further upset in Japan, he appeared to compare his arrest to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941.
"I didn't suspect anything ... Did you see Pearl Harbour happening?" he quipped to reporters.
Prosecutors slam 'one-sided' account
Ghosn said the charges against him stem from a "coup" inside Nissan by disgruntled executives and Japanese officials who feared his plans to more closely integrate the car giant with its alliance partner, French firm Renault.
Asked how high the alleged conspiracy went, the 65-year-old said he did not believe Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was involved.
In a further jab at his former colleagues, Ghosn said that Nissan's stock market value had fallen by $40 million a day since his arrest, while that of Renault had slumped by 20 million euros daily.
Shortly after the press conference, Tokyo prosecutors issued a statement slamming the former Nissan chief's "one-sided" and "unacceptable" criticism of Japan's legal system.
The Tokyo prosecutor's office also said claims they had colluded with Nissan were "categorically false and contrary to fact".
The prosecutors said Ghosn had "only himself to blame for being arrested", accusing him of having "flagrantly disregarded Japanese law to avoid the consequences of the crimes he committed".
>> A look back on Carlos Ghosn's fall from grace:
01:43
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-08--Trump says Iran 'standing down' after missile attack

US President Donald Trump said no US lives were lost in the Iranian missile strikes on military bases in Iraq .
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran appeared to be `` standing down '' after missile strikes against Iraqi bases that caused no US casualties , indicating there would be no immediate new military response .
In a televised address to the nation from the White House , Trump emphasized that there were `` no Americans harmed '' in the salvo of missiles aimed at two bases .
While he promised to immediately impose `` punishing '' new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs that Iran `` appears to be standing down '' in the tit-for-tat confrontation , signalling that the United States did not plan a new military riposte .
Trump closed his remarks by addressing Iranians directly , saying that he was `` ready to embrace peace with all who seek it '' .
However , the US president , facing both an impeachment trial in Congress and a tough re-election in November , touted his decision to order the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani last Friday – the operation that prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national hero in Iran , was `` the world 's top terrorist '' and `` should have been terminated long ago '' , Trump said .
Although Trump ended his remarks with the call for peace , he opened by stating bluntly that he would never allow Iran to procure a nuclear weapon .
He then urged European allies and other world powers to follow America 's lead in abandoning a teetering international agreement on managing the country 's nuclear ambitions , and negotiate a new one instead .
Iran 's overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil , both housing American and other foreign troops deployed in a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State ( IS ) group .
Iran 's supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , called the missiles a `` slap in the face '' for the United States and indicated that more was to come .
`` An important incident has happened .
The question of revenge is another issue , '' Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received advance warning from Iran that a missile attack on US forces was imminent .
`` Iraq rejects any violation of its sovereignty and attacks on its territory , '' the statement said , without specifically condemning the missile strikes .
Iraqi President Barham Saleh denounced the missile attack , warning against attempts to turn Iraq into a `` battlefield for warring sides '' .
The brazenness of the strike was highly unusual for Iran , which has tended to disguise attacks on US interests or troops through its use of proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched from Iran onto American targets is a new phase , '' said Phillip Smyth , an expert on Shiite militias .
But as the dust settled , it appeared that Iran 's strike – coming soon after the burial of Soleimani at a funeral in front of vast crowds – might have been more symbolic than anything .
Iran 's Revolutionary Guards Corps warned any US counter-attack would be met with an even `` more crushing response '' and threatened to strike Israel and America 's `` allied governments '' .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to indicate that Iran was satisfied for now .
`` Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence , '' Zarif said on Twitter .
The strikes sparked worldwide condemnation , including from NATO , Germany , France and the UK .
France said its forces deployed in Iraq sustained no casualties while the UK was concerned about `` reports '' of victims as British troops are stationed there .
The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels .
The apparent de-escalation did not remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Iraq , where Iran has close links to powerful armed Shiite militias .
And Iranian allies in the country said they still intend to take revenge for Friday 's US attack in which top Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed alongside Soleimani .
Paramilitary chief Qais al-Khazali – blacklisted as a `` terrorist '' by the US – said his side 's response to the United States `` will be no less than the size of the Iranian response . ''
Influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said the crisis Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation rhetoric from both Iran and the US , calling on militia groups not to carry out attacks .
`` I call on the Iraqi factions to be deliberate , patient , and not to start military actions , and to shut down the extremist voices of some rogue elements until all political , parliamentary and international methods have been exhausted , '' he said .

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran appeared to be "standing down" after missile strikes against Iraqi bases that caused no US casualties, indicating there would be no immediate new military response.
US President Donald Trump said no US lives were lost in the Iranian missile strikes on military bases in Iraq.
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In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump emphasized that there were "no Americans harmed" in the salvo of missiles aimed at two bases.
While he promised to immediately impose "punishing" new economic sanctions against Iran, Trump welcomed signs that Iran "appears to be standing down" in the tit-for-tat confrontation, signalling that the United States did not plan a new military riposte.
Trump closed his remarks by addressing Iranians directly, saying that he was "ready to embrace peace with all who seek it".
01:36
However, the US president, facing both an impeachment trial in Congress and a tough re-election in November, touted his decision to order the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani last Friday – the operation that prompted Tehran's missile strike.
Soleimani, a national hero in Iran, was "the world's top terrorist" and "should have been terminated long ago", Trump said.
Although Trump ended his remarks with the call for peace, he opened by stating bluntly that he would never allow Iran to procure a nuclear weapon.
He then urged European allies and other world powers to follow America's lead in abandoning a teetering international agreement on managing the country's nuclear ambitions, and negotiate a new one instead.
09:16
Revenge ‘another issue’
Iran's overnight missile strikes targeted the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, both housing American and other foreign troops deployed in a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) group.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called the missiles a "slap in the face" for the United States and indicated that more was to come.
"An important incident has happened. The question of revenge is another issue," Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television.
The office of Iraq's premier said it had received advance warning from Iran that a missile attack on US forces was imminent.
"Iraq rejects any violation of its sovereignty and attacks on its territory," the statement said, without specifically condemning the missile strikes.
Iraqi President Barham Saleh denounced the missile attack, warning against attempts to turn Iraq into a "battlefield for warring sides".
02:53
‘Proportionate measures’
The brazenness of the strike was highly unusual for Iran, which has tended to disguise attacks on US interests or troops through its use of proxy Shiite forces.
"Ballistic missiles openly launched from Iran onto American targets is a new phase," said Phillip Smyth, an expert on Shiite militias.
But as the dust settled, it appeared that Iran's strike – coming soon after the burial of Soleimani at a funeral in front of vast crowds – might have been more symbolic than anything.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps warned any US counter-attack would be met with an even "more crushing response" and threatened to strike Israel and America's "allied governments".
However, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to indicate that Iran was satisfied for now.
"Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence," Zarif said on Twitter.
Sadr calls for restraint
The strikes sparked worldwide condemnation, including from NATO, Germany, France and the UK.
France said its forces deployed in Iraq sustained no casualties while the UK was concerned about "reports" of victims as British troops are stationed there. The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels.
The apparent de-escalation did not remove pressure from approximately 5,200 US troops stationed across Iraq, where Iran has close links to powerful armed Shiite militias.
And Iranian allies in the country said they still intend to take revenge for Friday's US attack in which top Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed alongside Soleimani.
Paramilitary chief Qais al-Khazali – blacklisted as a "terrorist" by the US – said his side's response to the United States " will be no less than the size of the Iranian response."
Influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said the crisis Iraq was experiencing was “over” following de-escalation rhetoric from both Iran and the US, calling on militia groups not to carry out attacks.
"I call on the Iraqi factions to be deliberate, patient, and not to start military actions, and to shut down the extremist voices of some rogue elements until all political, parliamentary and international methods have been exhausted," he said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-01-08--Prince Harry and Meghan to step back as ‘senior’ UK royals

In a stunning declaration , Britain ’ s Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , said they are planning “ to step back ” as senior members of the royal family and “ work to become financially independent '' .
A statement issued by the couple Wednesday evening also said they intend to “ balance ” their time between the UK and North America .
Harry , 35 , is currently sixth in line to the throne , and media speculation had been rife that he and Meghan , 38 , planned to step back from public life ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-week holiday in Canada .
“ After many months of reflection and internal discussions , we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution , '' the couple said in a statement .
“ We intend to step back as ‘ senior ’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent , while continuing to fully support her majesty the queen . ''
Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying discussions with Harry and Meghan over their future role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We understand their desire to take a different approach but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through , '' the palace said .
`` Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage . ''
Harry and Meghan married in May 2018 in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle , west of London .
In May 2019 the couple , known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , had their first child , a boy they named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his older brother , Prince William , who is second in line to the throne , and both Harry and Meghan have had a tense relationship with some British newspapers .
Last October , Meghan started legal proceedings against the Mail on Sunday newspaper over the publication of a private letter .
Harry described the treatment of his wife as `` bullying '' , likening it to that his mother Princess Diana suffered before her death in a Paris car accident in 1997 when her limousine crashed as it sped away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their time between Britain and North America `` will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born , while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter '' .
This would include the launch of a new charity , Harry and Meghan said , adding that they planned to work to become financially independent .

In a stunning declaration, Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, said they are planning “to step back” as senior members of the royal family and “work to become financially independent".
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A statement issued by the couple Wednesday evening also said they intend to “balance” their time between the UK and North America.
Harry, 35, is currently sixth in line to the throne, and media speculation had been rife that he and Meghan, 38, planned to step back from public life ever since their return this month from a six-week holiday in Canada.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the couple said in a statement. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support her majesty the queen."
Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying discussions with Harry and Meghan over their future role were at an early stage.
"We understand their desire to take a different approach but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through," the palace said. "Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage."
Second WOW from the #RoyalFamily in one evening.
This statement is beautifully understated rage from Buckingham Palace: #HarryandMeghan #PrinceHarry pic.twitter.com/pkh2hCLxMU — Ben Fuller (@politicsastar) January 8, 2020
Harry and Meghan married in May 2018 in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle, west of London. In May 2019 the couple, known formally as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, had their first child, a boy they named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Last year, Harry said he had had disagreements with his older brother, Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, and both Harry and Meghan have had a tense relationship with some British newspapers.
Last October, Meghan started legal proceedings against the Mail on Sunday newspaper over the publication of a private letter.
Harry described the treatment of his wife as "bullying", likening it to that his mother Princess Diana suffered before her death in a Paris car accident in 1997 when her limousine crashed as it sped away from chasing paparazzi.
The couple said splitting their time between Britain and North America "will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter".
This would include the launch of a new charity, Harry and Meghan said, adding that they planned to work to become financially independent.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AP)
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france24--2020-01-08--Paris retailers see sales halved as crippling strike drags on

Shoes with discounted sale tags are displayed at the Galeries Lafayette department store on the first day of winter sales in Paris on January 8 , 2020 .
Five weeks into strikes crippling French transport , Emile Sebbag is agonising over how to keep afloat his two Parisian clothing stores , deserted by shoppers as the backlash against France 's pension reform drags on .
The start of winter sales on Wednesday – traditionally a big event for French retailers – is unlikely to make up for a dismal Christmas period , when he took home half of what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing alarm among retailers as travellers face more chaos this month .
`` It 's been hell since December , '' Sebbag said .
One of his stores , where he sells jeans , hoodies and handbags by mid-price brands like Guess and Replay , is particularly dependent on commuters in the basement of Paris ' Les Halles shopping centre , which is built around a major local train and metro terminal .
`` It 's killing us .
I have to pay rent .
We risk going bust , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-50 % or more in the December holiday period , when many earn a large share of their annual income , according to the French Federation of small retailers .
While central Paris has borne the brunt of the disruptions , signs of the potential strain for the broader economy in France are starting to emerge as tourists book trips elsewhere , consumers shun shops and commuters struggle to get to work .
The union-led protests and strikes against President Emmanuel Macron 's plan to overhaul the pensions system add to the misery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yellow vest '' demonstrations against the high cost of living .
French consumer confidence fell more sharply than expected in December , hitting a five month low , data showed on Wednesday , in the first pointer on economic sentiment since the strikes began .
And while independent retailers like Sebbag - who had already struggled to break even for several years due to competition from chains and online rivals - may suffer more than others , larger companies including luxury goods makers like Hermes also rely on Paris as a major shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to report sales next week , had already felt the pinch during the height of the `` yellow vest '' protests in December 2018 .
Even high-end department stores like Printemps were cautious , although its many Chinese tour group visitors were less likely to have cancelled travel plans as air traffic remained stable .
`` I do n't think the sales period is going to allow us to make up ( for December ) , '' said Pierre Pelarray , who manages the group 's main store in Paris .
Footfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with revenues falling around 8 % from a year earlier , he said .
Unibail-Westfield-Rodamco , which owns Les Halles shopping centre and others in France , said the strike impact varied a lot from one mall to the other , with only `` a very limited number '' affected .
Foreign tourists cancellations in the capital have so far left hotels , cafes and restaurants nursing losses of 740 million euros ( $ 823 million ) , the GNI-HCR industry association that represents them estimates .
Sebbag , whose other store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that for now he was holding on in the hope that the strikes would end soon and steeper discounts might drive sales , adding he feared for his 14 employees .
At 62 , and after 30 years in the business , he said he felt close to the brink , however .
`` I only think about one thing , selling out , '' he said .

Five weeks into strikes crippling French transport, Emile Sebbag is agonising over how to keep afloat his two Parisian clothing stores, deserted by shoppers as the backlash against France's pension reform drags on.
Shoes with discounted sale tags are displayed at the Galeries Lafayette department store on the first day of winter sales in Paris on January 8, 2020.
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The start of winter sales on Wednesday – traditionally a big event for French retailers – is unlikely to make up for a dismal Christmas period, when he took home half of what he'd projected, Sebbag said, echoing growing alarm among retailers as travellers face more chaos this month.
"It's been hell since December," Sebbag said. One of his stores, where he sells jeans, hoodies and handbags by mid-price brands like Guess and Replay, is particularly dependent on commuters in the basement of Paris' Les Halles shopping centre, which is built around a major local train and metro terminal.
"It's killing us. I have to pay rent. We risk going bust," he said.
Paris shops' sales were down 30-50% or more in the December holiday period, when many earn a large share of their annual income, according to the French Federation of small retailers.
While central Paris has borne the brunt of the disruptions, signs of the potential strain for the broader economy in France are starting to emerge as tourists book trips elsewhere, consumers shun shops and commuters struggle to get to work.
The union-led protests and strikes against President Emmanuel Macron's plan to overhaul the pensions system add to the misery many businesses suffered during months of "yellow vest" demonstrations against the high cost of living.
French consumer confidence fell more sharply than expected in December, hitting a five month low, data showed on Wednesday, in the first pointer on economic sentiment since the strikes began.
And while independent retailers like Sebbag - who had already struggled to break even for several years due to competition from chains and online rivals - may suffer more than others, larger companies including luxury goods makers like Hermes also rely on Paris as a major shopping hub.
Some like Cartier-owner Richemont, set to report sales next week, had already felt the pinch during the height of the "yellow vest" protests in December 2018.
Selling out
Even high-end department stores like Printemps were cautious, although its many Chinese tour group visitors were less likely to have cancelled travel plans as air traffic remained stable.
"I don't think the sales period is going to allow us to make up (for December)," said Pierre Pelarray, who manages the group's main store in Paris. Footfall there was down 20% in December, with revenues falling around 8% from a year earlier, he said.
Unibail-Westfield-Rodamco, which owns Les Halles shopping centre and others in France, said the strike impact varied a lot from one mall to the other, with only "a very limited number" affected.
Foreign tourists cancellations in the capital have so far left hotels, cafes and restaurants nursing losses of 740 million euros ($823 million), the GNI-HCR industry association that represents them estimates.
Sebbag, whose other store is just off the Champs Elysees avenue, said that for now he was holding on in the hope that the strikes would end soon and steeper discounts might drive sales, adding he feared for his 14 employees.
At 62, and after 30 years in the business, he said he felt close to the brink, however.
"I only think about one thing, selling out," he said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-08--French ex-president Sarkozy to stand trial in October on graft charges

Nicolas Sarkozy will on October 5 become France 's first ex-president to stand trial on corruption charges in a case in which he is accused of trying to obtain classified information from a judge .
The trial will last until October 22 , a Paris court said .
This will be the first trial in several graft investigations against Sarkozy , who was president from 2007 to 2012 .
Jacques Chirac , who died last September , was the first ex-president put on trial but not on corruption charges -- he was found guilty in 2011 of embezzlement and misuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor of Paris .
Sarkozy , 64 , stands accused of seeking to obtain , through his lawyer Thierry Herzog , classified information from then-judge Gilbert Azibert in 2014 , about another case that has since been dismissed .
In return , the judge was allegedly offered help to obtain a post in Monaco .
Last June , appeals judges rejected a challenge filed by Sarkozy , Herzog and Azibert against the case for corruption and influence peddling .
Herzog and Azibert will also be tried for breach of professional secrecy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Since losing to the Socialist Party 's Francois Hollande and leaving office , Sarkozy has fought a barrage of corruption and campaign financing allegations , all of which he rejects .
Last October , a court ruled he must stand trial for illicit financing of his 2012 presidential campaign -- a charge for which he risks a one-year jail term and a fine .
No trial date has been set .
In that case , prosecutors say Sarkozy spent nearly 43 million euros ( $ 40 million ) on his failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal limit of 22.5 million euros -- using fake invoices .
'Seasoned offender ' He has said he was unaware of the fraud by executives at the public relations firm Bygmalion , who are among 13 others being pursued in the case .
Sarkozy has also been charged over accusations he accepted millions of euros from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi towards his first presidential campaign , in 2007 .
Sarkozy retired from political life after he was defeated in the primary round of elections in 2016 .
In its indictment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared Sarkozy 's actions to those of a `` seasoned offender '' and criticised his lawyers ' tactics which it said `` paralysed '' the investigation .
The case has its origins in the interception of telephone conversations between the former president and his lawyer , carried out as part of the probe into the Libyan financing allegations .
Investigators discovered at the time that Sarkozy was using a pre-paid mobile phone card allegedly for the sole purpose of communicating with his lawyer .
The wiretaps were ruled allowable by an appeals court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitter legal battle at trial .
Other senior French politicians charged with financial misconduct have included former prime ministers Edouard Balladur , Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe .
Fillon crashed out of the running for the presidency in 2017 after being charged with using public funds to pay his wife for a fake job as his assistant .
Juppe , a prime minister under Chirac , was given a suspended jail sentence in 2004 over a party funding scandal .
Balladur , 90 , faces charges of campaign finance violations .
( AFP @

Nicolas Sarkozy will on October 5 become France's first ex-president to stand trial on corruption charges in a case in which he is accused of trying to obtain classified information from a judge.
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The trial will last until October 22, a Paris court said.
This will be the first trial in several graft investigations against Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012.
Jacques Chirac, who died last September, was the first ex-president put on trial but not on corruption charges -- he was found guilty in 2011 of embezzlement and misuse of public funds during his time as mayor of Paris.
Sarkozy, 64, stands accused of seeking to obtain, through his lawyer Thierry Herzog, classified information from then-judge Gilbert Azibert in 2014, about another case that has since been dismissed.
In return, the judge was allegedly offered help to obtain a post in Monaco.
Last June, appeals judges rejected a challenge filed by Sarkozy, Herzog and Azibert against the case for corruption and influence peddling.
Herzog and Azibert will also be tried for breach of professional secrecy. The three men's lawyers declined to comment Wednesday.
Since losing to the Socialist Party's Francois Hollande and leaving office, Sarkozy has fought a barrage of corruption and campaign financing allegations, all of which he rejects.
Last October, a court ruled he must stand trial for illicit financing of his 2012 presidential campaign -- a charge for which he risks a one-year jail term and a fine. No trial date has been set.
In that case, prosecutors say Sarkozy spent nearly 43 million euros ($40 million) on his failed 2012 re-election bid -- almost double the legal limit of 22.5 million euros -- using fake invoices.
'Seasoned offender'
He has said he was unaware of the fraud by executives at the public relations firm Bygmalion, who are among 13 others being pursued in the case.
Sarkozy has also been charged over accusations he accepted millions of euros from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi towards his first presidential campaign, in 2007.
Sarkozy retired from political life after he was defeated in the primary round of elections in 2016.
In its indictment for the corruption case, the prosecution service compared Sarkozy's actions to those of a "seasoned offender" and criticised his lawyers' tactics which it said "paralysed" the investigation.
The case has its origins in the interception of telephone conversations between the former president and his lawyer, carried out as part of the probe into the Libyan financing allegations.
Investigators discovered at the time that Sarkozy was using a pre-paid mobile phone card allegedly for the sole purpose of communicating with his lawyer.
The wiretaps were ruled allowable by an appeals court in 2016 but could still fuel a bitter legal battle at trial.
Other senior French politicians charged with financial misconduct have included former prime ministers Edouard Balladur, Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe.
Fillon crashed out of the running for the presidency in 2017 after being charged with using public funds to pay his wife for a fake job as his assistant.
Juppe, a prime minister under Chirac, was given a suspended jail sentence in 2004 over a party funding scandal.
Balladur, 90, faces charges of campaign finance violations.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-08--As it happened: France condemns Iran's missile strike against US forces in Iraq

As it happened : France condemns Iran 's missile strike against US forces in Iraq Iran struck back at the @ @ @ @ @ killing of General Qassem Soleimani , firing a series of ballistic missiles at two military @ @ @ @ @ troops in a major escalation between the two longtime foes .
Read our live blog @ @ @ @ @ the day 's events unfolded .

LIVE BLOG
As it happened: France condemns Iran's missile strike against US forces in Iraq
Iran struck back at the US early Wednesday for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing US troops in a major escalation between the two longtime foes. Read our live blog below to see how all the day's events unfolded.
01:35 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks on public television after missile strikes on US bases in Iraq. Screengrab FRANCE 24.
Advertising Read more Iran fired missiles at two bases in Iraq housing US troops early Wednesday in revenge for the US killing of General Qassem Soleimani.
US President Donald Trump said there were no American or Iraqi casualties in the missile strike, adding that Americans should be “extremely grateful and happy” with the outcome.
Trump also said that Iran appeared to be “standing down” and said the US response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “until Iran changes its behaviour".
Iraq and a number of European countries in the anti-Islamic State (IS) group coalition – including France, Britain, Germany, Spain, Poland and Denmark – said none of their military personnel were hurt in the strikes.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the strikes were a “slap in the face” of the US and called for a withdrawal of US troops in the region. In a televised speech, Khamenei said resuming nuclear talks with Washington would pave the way for US dominance.
France has condemned the latest Iranian attack and reiterated the importance of maintaining the fight against the IS group while respecting Iraq’s sovereignty. Paris is in contact with all parties and will try to de-escalate tensions, said a French foreign ministry statement.
Defending his country’s retaliation, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the strikes were “proportionate measures” in response to Soleimani’s killing.
Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said the crisis Iraq was experiencing is over following de-escalation rhetoric from both Iran and the US and called on militia groups not to carry out attacks.
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france24--2020-01-08--Australia bushfires in numbers

Australia bushfires in numbers

At least 10.3 million hectares burned , an estimated billion animals killed and 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted @ @ @ @ @ of the startling figures that reveal the scale and devastation caused by the ongoing bushfire @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 homes have been destroyed by the fires and at least 26 people killed as @ @ @ @ @ , with 129 fires still burning in New South Wales and another 40 blazes in @ @ @ @ @ Smoke from the fire has also travelled a remarkable distance , creating hazy skies 12,000 @ @ @ @ @ .
The recovery effort is also likely to produce some eye-watering numbers .
The Australian @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 billion to fund reconstruction efforts , while A $ 700 million worth of @ @ @ @ @ made to cover lost and damaged property .

At least 10.3 million hectares burned, an estimated billion animals killed and 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted. These are just some of the startling figures that reveal the scale and devastation caused by the ongoing bushfire crisis in Australia.
Fires in Australia have burned 10.3 million hectares of land destroyed around 2,000 homes.
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Around 2,000 homes have been destroyed by the fires and at least 26 people killed as of Wednesday, January 8, with 129 fires still burning in New South Wales and another 40 blazes in the state of Victoria.
Smoke from the fire has also travelled a remarkable distance, creating hazy skies 12,000 km away in South America.
The recovery effort is also likely to produce some eye-watering numbers. The Australian government has already pledged A$2 billion to fund reconstruction efforts, while A$700 million worth of insurance claims have already been made to cover lost and damaged property.
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france24--2020-01-08--Families displaced by fighting in Tripoli forced to live on the street

The cold winter months have made life even more difficult for the tens of thousands of Libyans displaced by the Libyan National Army ’ s ( LNA ) offensive on the Tripoli government .
Nearly 146,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since the offensive began .
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar , the self-proclaimed head of the Benghazi-based LNA , led the military action to conquer Tripoli , which is the seat of Libya 's internationally recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , led by Fayez al-Sarraj .
The fighting south of Tripoli worsened after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 27 that promised additional Turkish military support for the GNA ’ s troops .
On January 2 , the Turkish Parliament approved a military deployment to Libya .
All of this will likely cause more people to be displaced .
As the war drags on , high demand has caused the price of rent to skyrocket , making many homes unaffordable for displaced families .
Some have squeezed in with relatives , but many more are sleeping rough .
People have used social media to call for help for displaced families needing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted on Facebook , shows a family sleeping on the street in the centre of Tripoli .
`` Some people are forced to sleep in their cars ” Wided Ben Aoun , 35 , was displaced from her home in the town of Ain Zara south of Tripoli .
She is now an activist with the Libyan Economic Organisation for the Rights of Displaced People ( in French , l ’ Organisation économique libyenne pour les droits des déplacés ) .
She lives in Tripoli .
She says local authorities have shown little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
I left my home with my family in early April .
My activism has allowed me to see up close how much displaced families are suffering .
We have been abandoned .
Most of the families , like mine , don ’ t have the money to rent an apartment at 1,300 Libyan dinars ( equivalent to 830 euros ) a month .
Other people can ’ t find a place to rent because all the places have all already been taken and they are forced to sleep in their cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in the street .
It ’ s shameful that children , women , the elderly , people with disabilities and illnesses have spent nine months in these conditions .
This Facebook post asks people to help the displaced families sleeping in a bus station in the Triq Elmatar neighbourhood in Tripoli .
Activists posted dozens of photos of displaced families in an attempt to rally Tripoli residents to help .
This tweet describes the terrible living conditions endured by displaced people in Tripoli .
`` Water is leaking through the roof '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother of seven children , fled her home in Essedra , located to the south of the Libyan capital , when the fighting started nine months ago .
She left everything behind and moved into a studio with a leaky roof in Tajoura , which is located to the west of Tripoli .
`` I sleep scared that the roof will cave in ” Amani , 43 , and her 15-year-old son fled their home in Ain Zara ( a suburb south of the Libyan capital ) in April .
They were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of a charity .
However , she says the home is in such poor condition that she ’ s afraid that the roof will cave in .
Tripoli authorities fear that there will be another wave of displaced people who arrive in the coming days as fighting has intensified to the south of the city .
Mohamed Fadhel Jobrane , president of the city-run Committee for the Return of Displaced People ( in French , le Comité de retour des déplacés ) , told the FRANCE 24 Observers that they are out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) announced that 900,000 people in Libya were in need of humanitarian assistance .
The Libyan Red Cross has worked to provide food and medical aid to the displaced people since the start of the war .
Red Cross volunteers have handed out 6,000 bags of clothing and 6,820 food rations .
Volunteers for the Libyan Red Cross hand out aid to displaced people living in a school in Tripoli .
The fighting has spread to the overcrowded neighbourhoods of Abou Salim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the south of Tripoli ) .
There are more than 180,000 people living in these communities .
The country is on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis .
Some people from these areas have already started leaving their homes to join the tens of thousands of displaced people in the Libyan capital .

LIBYA
This woman, who was displaced by the civil war in Libya, now lives in an unfinished building in Tripoli. (Photos posted on Facebook)
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The cold winter months have made life even more difficult for the tens of thousands of Libyans displaced by the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) offensive on the Tripoli government. Nearly 146,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since the offensive began.
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the self-proclaimed head of the Benghazi-based LNA, led the military action to conquer Tripoli, which is the seat of Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj.
The fighting south of Tripoli worsened after the GNA signed an agreement with Turkey on November 27 that promised additional Turkish military support for the GNA’s troops. On January 2, the Turkish Parliament approved a military deployment to Libya. All of this will likely cause more people to be displaced.
As the war drags on, high demand has caused the price of rent to skyrocket, making many homes unaffordable for displaced families. Some have squeezed in with relatives, but many more are sleeping rough.
People have used social media to call for help for displaced families needing somewhere to live.
This photo, posted on Facebook, shows a family sleeping on the street in the centre of Tripoli.
"Some people are forced to sleep in their cars”
Wided Ben Aoun, 35, was displaced from her home in the town of Ain Zara south of Tripoli. She is now an activist with the Libyan Economic Organisation for the Rights of Displaced People (in French, l’Organisation économique libyenne pour les droits des déplacés). She lives in Tripoli. She says local authorities have shown little interest in what happens to the affected families.
I left my home with my family in early April. My activism has allowed me to see up close how much displaced families are suffering. We have been abandoned. Most of the families, like mine, don’t have the money to rent an apartment at 1,300 Libyan dinars (equivalent to 830 euros) a month. Other people can’t find a place to rent because all the places have all already been taken and they are forced to sleep in their cars, in the hallways of hospitals or even in the street. It’s shameful that children, women, the elderly, people with disabilities and illnesses have spent nine months in these conditions.
This Facebook post asks people to help the displaced families sleeping in a bus station in the Triq Elmatar neighbourhood in Tripoli.
Activists posted dozens of photos of displaced families in an attempt to rally Tripoli residents to help.
اللهم الطف بأحوال النازحين وارجعهم إلى بيوتهم آمنين !! #طرابلس #ليبيا
.............نازحون في بلادهم ........
زملوني .. دثروني ..
من شتاء أنقذوني ..
بُحَّ صوتي..
حان موتي ..
أينكم لا تسمعوني ..
هل جهلتم أم بختلم ؟؟
أم عميتم أن تروني!
شُلّ طرفي ..
مات نصفي ..
جف دمعي في عيوني. ???? pic.twitter.com/APq7nicIaa Saddik Mohamed (@Saddiktweets) 24 novembre 2019
This tweet describes the terrible living conditions endured by displaced people in Tripoli.
"Water is leaking through the roof"
Najiah, a 58-year-old widow and the mother of seven children, fled her home in Essedra, located to the south of the Libyan capital, when the fighting started nine months ago. She left everything behind and moved into a studio with a leaky roof in Tajoura, which is located to the west of Tripoli.
Thank god, we were at least able to save ourselves. I wasn’t able to save anything from my home. We live in extremely difficult conditions. Some of my children have asthma and they suffer in the damp conditions. The roof leaks. We live far from Tripoli [18 kilometres] and we don’t have a car to get around.
Photo by our Observer.
"I sleep scared that the roof will cave in”
Amani, 43, and her 15-year-old son fled their home in Ain Zara (a suburb south of the Libyan capital) in April. They were able to rent a home thanks to the support of a charity. However, she says the home is in such poor condition that she’s afraid that the roof will cave in.
I left my home two days after the war started. We stayed with friends for a few weeks but, soon, there were 20 of us crammed into one apartment. A charity helped my son and I rent a house. However, one night, a piece of the roof fell on us. I’ve seen cracks in the ceiling and I sleep every night with the fear that the roof will cave in.
Photo provided by our Observer.
Tripoli authorities fear that there will be another wave of displaced people who arrive in the coming days as fighting has intensified to the south of the city. Mohamed Fadhel Jobrane, president of the city-run Committee for the Return of Displaced People (in French, le Comité de retour des déplacés), told the FRANCE 24 Observers that they are out of resources.
The 120 million Libyan dinars [equivalent to 76.6 million euros] that the government allocated to help displaced people was already spent on food aid and shelter. We have no more resources to help displaced people. In the last few weeks alone, the number of displaced families rose from 24,000 to 28,000. When the budget was drawn up, we thought the conflict would last two or three months but we have now entered the ninth month of the siege. The fighting has now reached the Machrou Hadhba and Wadi Rabie neighbourhoods and families from those areas are now streaming into the city. There are hundreds of families sleeping in their cars.
In December 2019, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that 900,000 people in Libya were in need of humanitarian assistance. The Libyan Red Cross has worked to provide food and medical aid to the displaced people since the start of the war. Red Cross volunteers have handed out 6,000 bags of clothing and 6,820 food rations.
Volunteers for the Libyan Red Cross hand out aid to displaced people living in a school in Tripoli.
The fighting has spread to the overcrowded neighbourhoods of Abou Salim, Al-Hadhba and Salahedinne (all located to the south of Tripoli). There are more than 180,000 people living in these communities. The country is on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Some people from these areas have already started leaving their homes to join the tens of thousands of displaced people in the Libyan capital.
Article by Omar Tiss.


france24--2020-01-09--Live: French pension reform strikes enter sixth week with nationwide day of protest

The 36th day of the longest continuous transport strikes in France 's modern history is taking place today , January @ @ @ @ @ the fourth day of major , cross-sector protests since the strikes began on December 5 @ @ @ @ @ major unions have called for Paris métro workers , state railway workers , power utility @ @ @ @ @ health workers , teachers , lawyers and pilots to participate in today ’ s protests @ @ @ @ @ of 14 Paris métro lines are running as normal , with reduced service on all @ @ @ @ @ trams and RER commuter trains .
• France 's national railway service , SNCF , @ @ @ @ @ categories of trains .
• As a result of the strikes , electricity production in @ @ @ @ @ by 8.30 am Paris time , according to information from French power utility EDF and @ @ @ @ @ The CGT union has called for anti-pension reform mobilisations for today , tomorrow and Saturday @ @ @ @ @ live blog below for all the day 's developments across the country .

Live Blog
French pension reform strikes enter sixth week with nationwide day of protest
French trade unions on Thursday brought tens of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets in a make-or-break push to force President Emmanuel Macron to abandon his planned pension reform.
An SNCF railway worker on strike holds CGT labour union flags at the Nice railway station in France during the 36th consecutive day of strikes against the French government's pension reform plans on January 9, 2020. © Eric Gaillard, REUTERS
Advertising Read more France’s main unions called for Paris métro workers, state railway workers, power utility workers, dock workers, health workers, teachers, lawyers and pilots to participate in Thursday’s protests.
The interior ministry said 452,000 people nationwide answered the union leaders’ protest call, a significant decline since the first big day of action on Dec. 5, which brought 806,000 onto the streets
Just two out of 14 Paris métro lines were running as normal, with reduced service on all other lines, buses, trams and RER commuter trains.
France's national railway service, SNCF, reduced departures for five categories of trains.
Schools were shut and power generation by EDF, the country's main energy utility, was cut by about 10%.
The hardline CGT union called for anti-pension reform mobilisations to continue on Friday and Saturday. Follow our live blog below for all the day's developments across the country. (FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-09--Lebanese prosecutor slaps travel ban on former car magnate Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn at his first press conference since fleeing Japan , January 8 , 2020 .
A Lebanese prosecutor imposed a travel ban on former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn on Thursday , a judicial source said , after he was questioned over an Interpol warrant issued by Japan seeking his arrest on financial misconduct charges .
Ghosn , 65 , fled Japan to Lebanon , his childhood home , last month while awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings , breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds , all of which he denies .
`` The state prosecution issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for his file from the Japanese authorities , '' a judicial source told AFP .
Responding to the travel ban , a lawyer for Ghosn told Lebanese media his client was `` very comfortable with the judicial path in Lebanon '' .
The ban came a day after the disgraced former auto tycoon denied any wrongdoing at a Beirut press conference Wednesday , his first since fleeing Japan .
Addressing a large crowd of journalists in the Lebanese capital , the one-time car industry titan said he was `` presumed guilty '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice '' but to jump bail .
Ghosn alleged `` collusion '' between Nissan and Japanese prosecutors over his arrest , which he described as `` staged '' .
Dismissing all allegations against him as untrue , he said he had been `` ripped '' from friends and family when arrested , in what he described as a `` travesty '' of justice .
“ I ’ m not above the law and I welcome the opportunity for the truth to come out and have my name cleared , ” he told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would be ready to stand trial `` anywhere where I think I can have a fair trial '' .
Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct when he slipped away from his Tokyo residence , crossed Japan on a bullet train and was smuggled onto charter jets that delivered him from Osaka to Lebanon via Istanbul .
His bail jump has prompted outrage from the Japanese government , which has called his escape `` unjustifiable '' , as well as from Nissan , which labelled the getaway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping Ghosn would disclose details of his audacious escape during Wednesday ’ s press conference , but Ghosn told reporters he was `` not here to talk '' about how he fled Japan .
In a comment that was bound to cause further upset in Japan , he appeared to compare his arrest to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 .
`` I did n't suspect anything ... Did you see Pearl Harbor happening ? ''
he quipped to reporters .
Shortly after the press conference , Tokyo prosecutors issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` one-sided '' and `` unacceptable '' criticism of Japan 's legal system .
The Tokyo prosecutor 's office also said claims they had colluded with Nissan were `` categorically false and contrary to fact '' .
The prosecutors said Ghosn had `` only himself to blame for being arrested '' , accusing him of having `` flagrantly disregarded Japanese law to avoid the consequences of the crimes he committed '' > > A look back on Carlos Ghosn 's fall from grace :

A Lebanese prosecutor imposed a travel ban on former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn on Thursday, a judicial source said, after he was questioned over an Interpol warrant issued by Japan seeking his arrest on financial misconduct charges.
Carlos Ghosn at his first press conference since fleeing Japan, January 8, 2020.
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Ghosn, 65, fled Japan to Lebanon, his childhood home, last month while awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies.
"The state prosecution issued a travel ban for Ghosn, and asked for his file from the Japanese authorities," a judicial source told AFP.
Responding to the travel ban, a lawyer for Ghosn told Lebanese media his client was "very comfortable with the judicial path in Lebanon".
The ban came a day after the disgraced former auto tycoon denied any wrongdoing at a Beirut press conference Wednesday, his first since fleeing Japan.
Addressing a large crowd of journalists in the Lebanese capital, the one-time car industry titan said he was "presumed guilty" by Japanese prosecutors and had "no choice" but to jump bail.
Ghosn alleged "collusion" between Nissan and Japanese prosecutors over his arrest, which he described as "staged".
Dismissing all allegations against him as untrue, he said he had been "ripped" from friends and family when arrested, in what he described as a "travesty" of justice.
“I’m not above the law and I welcome the opportunity for the truth to come out and have my name cleared,” he told a packed room of journalists.
He added that he would be ready to stand trial "anywhere where I think I can have a fair trial".
Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct when he slipped away from his Tokyo residence, crossed Japan on a bullet train and was smuggled onto charter jets that delivered him from Osaka to Lebanon via Istanbul.
His bail jump has prompted outrage from the Japanese government, which has called his escape "unjustifiable", as well as from Nissan, which labelled the getaway "extremely regrettable".
Many were hoping Ghosn would disclose details of his audacious escape during Wednesday’s press conference, but Ghosn told reporters he was "not here to talk" about how he fled Japan.
In a comment that was bound to cause further upset in Japan, he appeared to compare his arrest to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
"I didn't suspect anything ... Did you see Pearl Harbor happening?" he quipped to reporters.
Prosecutors slam 'one-sided' account
Shortly after the press conference, Tokyo prosecutors issued a statement slamming the former Nissan chief's "one-sided" and "unacceptable" criticism of Japan's legal system.
The Tokyo prosecutor's office also said claims they had colluded with Nissan were "categorically false and contrary to fact".
The prosecutors said Ghosn had "only himself to blame for being arrested", accusing him of having "flagrantly disregarded Japanese law to avoid the consequences of the crimes he committed"
.
>> A look back on Carlos Ghosn's fall from grace:
01:43
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-09--Questions, diplomatic tensions plague investigators probing Ukrainian plane crash in Iran

There were no survivors from the Ukrainian airliner that crashed on January 8 , 2020 , shortly after take-off from Tehran 's Imam Khoemini International Airport .
Ukrainian authorities on Thursday said they were considering several possible causes of Wednesday ’ s plane crash near Tehran , which killed everybody on board .
Iranian authorities have refused to send the black boxes of the Boeing 737 to the US , but are cooperating with their Ukrainian counterparts in the investigation .
Bereaved friends and families joined in mourning as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a national day of mourning Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger jet .
The Boeing 737 flight from Tehran to Kiev crashed shortly after take-off just hours after Iranian missiles targeting US forces struck two military bases in Iraq .
All 176 people on board – including 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians , 10 Swedes , 11 Ukrainians , four Afghans , three Germans and three Britons – died in the crash .
Canada and the US have called for a full investigation into the crash .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would ensure a `` thorough investigation '' so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Without naming Iran directly , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement calling for `` complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash '' .
Iran 's civil aviation chief , Ali Abedzadeh , said Iran would cooperate with Ukraine , but not send the black boxes to the US , with which it has had no diplomatic relations for four decades .
Fire on board the plane , say witnesses Iranian authorities said the plane initially headed west to leave the airport zone , turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the airport at the moment of the crash .
`` The plane disappeared from radar screens the moment it reached 8,000 feet ( 2,400 metres ) .
The pilot sent no radio message about the unusual circumstances , '' the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said on its website late Wednesday .
`` According to eyewitnesses , a fire was seen on board the plane which grew in intensity , '' the organisation added , reporting the first findings of its investigation into the crash .
The organisation said it had questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board a second aircraft that was flying above the Ukrainian Boeing 737 as the disaster unfolded .
Ukrainian investigators meanwhile want to search for possible debris of a Russian missile at the site of the Iran plane crash after seeing information about it on the Internet , Oleksiy Danilov , the secretary of the national security council , said on Thursday .
Ukrainian investigators into the crash include experts who participated in the investigation into the 2014 shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 , Danilov said The Malaysian airliner was shot down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur , killing all 298 people on board .
The disaster puts a renewed spotlight on Boeing , which faces a safety crisis over a different type of 737 , though the plane that crashed in Iran does not have the feature thought to have caused crashes of the grounded 737 MAX .
Investigations into airliner crashes are complex , requiring regulators , experts and companies across several international jurisdictions to work together .
Issuing an initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can take months to fully determine the cause .
Little cooperation since US quit Iran nuclear deal Black boxes from crashed jets are sometimes sent directly to Boeing 's suppliers – US-based Honeywell or L3 – whenever they are too damaged to be examined properly .
That would normally be carried out in coordination with the US National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) .
Iran could ask another country , possibly France or Russia , to help analyse the data if needed , said Paul Hayes , safety director at aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with Reuters .
With more than 60 of its nationals on board the crashed jet , Canada , which has advanced technical capabilities , could also play a key role , he added .
Previous Iranian accident reports , some of which are critical of domestic operators , have shown evidence of technical cooperation between Iran and the US .
But there has been little if any contact since Washington exited a nuclear deal in 2018 .
In 2015 , Iran 's AAIB asked the NTSB to produce a report on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions on Iran 's air safety .
The NTSB responded that this was beyond its mission .
It is not the first time countries have squabbled over sensitive investigations as economic influence in aviation shifts steadily eastwards , where travel demand is strongest .
In March last year , Ethiopia and the NTSB clashed over the crash of a Boeing 737 MAX .
France 's BEA has aired differences in the past with Egypt over Airbus accidents .
The latest standoff comes at a time when the UN protocols – nicknamed Annex 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands of social media and the increasing tendency of parties to give their own conclusions in public .

Ukrainian authorities on Thursday said they were considering several possible causes of Wednesday’s plane crash near Tehran, which killed everybody on board. Iranian authorities have refused to send the black boxes of the Boeing 737 to the US, but are cooperating with their Ukrainian counterparts in the investigation.
There were no survivors from the Ukrainian airliner that crashed on January 8, 2020, shortly after take-off from Tehran's Imam Khoemini International Airport.
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Bereaved friends and families joined in mourning as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a national day of mourning Thursday for the victims of the crashed Ukrainian passenger jet. The Boeing 737 flight from Tehran to Kiev crashed shortly after take-off just hours after Iranian missiles targeting US forces struck two military bases in Iraq.
All 176 people on board – including 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 10 Swedes, 11 Ukrainians, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons – died in the crash.
Canada and the US have called for a full investigation into the crash. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would ensure a "thorough investigation" so that "Canadians' questions are answered".
Without naming Iran directly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement calling for "complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash".
Iran's civil aviation chief, Ali Abedzadeh, said Iran would cooperate with Ukraine, but not send the black boxes to the US, with which it has had no diplomatic relations for four decades.
Fire on board the plane, say witnesses
Iranian authorities said the plane initially headed west to leave the airport zone, turned right following a problem and was headed back to the airport at the moment of the crash.
"The plane disappeared from radar screens the moment it reached 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). The pilot sent no radio message about the unusual circumstances," the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said on its website late Wednesday.
"According to eyewitnesses, a fire was seen on board the plane which grew in intensity," the organisation added, reporting the first findings of its investigation into the crash.
The organisation said it had questioned witnesses both on the ground and on board a second aircraft that was flying above the Ukrainian Boeing 737 as the disaster unfolded.
Reports of possible Russian missile debris
Ukrainian investigators meanwhile want to search for possible debris of a Russian missile at the site of the Iran plane crash after seeing information about it on the Internet, Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of the national security council, said on Thursday.
Ukrainian investigators into the crash include experts who participated in the investigation into the 2014 shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, Danilov said
The Malaysian airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014, over territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 people on board.
The disaster puts a renewed spotlight on Boeing, which faces a safety crisis over a different type of 737, though the plane that crashed in Iran does not have the feature thought to have caused crashes of the grounded 737 MAX.
Investigations into airliner crashes are complex, requiring regulators, experts and companies across several international jurisdictions to work together. Issuing an initial report within 24 hours is rare and it can take months to fully determine the cause.
Little cooperation since US quit Iran nuclear deal
Black boxes from crashed jets are sometimes sent directly to Boeing's suppliers – US-based Honeywell or L3 – whenever they are too damaged to be examined properly. That would normally be carried out in coordination with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Iran could ask another country, possibly France or Russia, to help analyse the data if needed, said Paul Hayes, safety director at aviation consultancy Ascend by Cirium, in an interview with Reuters.
With more than 60 of its nationals on board the crashed jet, Canada, which has advanced technical capabilities, could also play a key role, he added.
Previous Iranian accident reports, some of which are critical of domestic operators, have shown evidence of technical cooperation between Iran and the US. But there has been little if any contact since Washington exited a nuclear deal in 2018.
In 2015, Iran's AAIB asked the NTSB to produce a report on what it regarded as the harmful impact of sanctions on Iran's air safety. The NTSB responded that this was beyond its mission.
It is not the first time countries have squabbled over sensitive investigations as economic influence in aviation shifts steadily eastwards, where travel demand is strongest.
In March last year, Ethiopia and the NTSB clashed over the crash of a Boeing 737 MAX. France's BEA has aired differences in the past with Egypt over Airbus accidents.
The latest standoff comes at a time when the UN protocols – nicknamed Annex 13 – are struggling to adapt to the demands of social media and the increasing tendency of parties to give their own conclusions in public.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-09--Japan justice minister calls ex-Nissan boss Ghosn's accusations 'absolutely intolerable'

Carlos Ghosn 's accusations against Japan 's legal system are `` absolutely intolerable '' , Justice Minister Masako Mori said on Thursday , firing back at the auto executive-turned-fugitive shortly after his highly anticipated media appearance in Beirut .
Speaking publicly for the first time since his dramatic escape from Japan , Ghosn said on Wednesday he had been treated `` brutally '' by Tokyo prosecutors , who he said questioned him for up to eight hours a day without a lawyer present and tried to extract a confession out of him .
In a statement issued shortly after midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan 's justice minister shot back , repeating that Ghosn 's escape from his trial in itself `` could constitute a crime '' .
`` Such action would not be condoned under any nation 's system , '' Mori said .
`` Furthermore , he has been propagating both within Japan and internationally false information on Japan 's legal system and its practice .
That is absolutely intolerable . ''
Ghosn , the former chief of Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Renault SA , fled Japan last month as he was awaiting trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trust and misappropriation of company funds , all of which he denies .
Defending authorities ' jailing of Ghosn , Mori said that in Japan , a suspect can only be arrested with a warrant from the court upon review by a judge unlike in some countries where detention is possible without a warrant .
The international spotlight on Japan 's justice system comes as Mori prepares to host in April the United Nations ' Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice , held once every five years .
`` I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively to ensure a more accurate understanding of Japan 's criminal justice system by people around the world , '' Mori said in the statement .
The ministry has said it will try to find a way to bring Ghosn back from Lebanon , even though it has no extradition treaty with Japan .
`` If defendant Ghosn has anything to say , it is my strong hope that he engage in all possible efforts to make his case within Japan 's fair criminal justice proceedings , and that he seek justice rendered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Ghosn , for his part , said he escaped because he had `` zero chance '' of a fair trial , adding that he was prepared to stand trial in any of his three home countries of Lebanon , France or Brazil , none of which have extradition agreements with Japan .

Carlos Ghosn's accusations against Japan's legal system are "absolutely intolerable", Justice Minister Masako Mori said on Thursday, firing back at the auto executive-turned-fugitive shortly after his highly anticipated media appearance in Beirut.
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Speaking publicly for the first time since his dramatic escape from Japan, Ghosn said on Wednesday he had been treated "brutally" by Tokyo prosecutors, who he said questioned him for up to eight hours a day without a lawyer present and tried to extract a confession out of him.
In a statement issued shortly after midnight and translated into English and French, Japan's justice minister shot back, repeating that Ghosn's escape from his trial in itself "could constitute a crime".
"Such action would not be condoned under any nation's system," Mori said. "Furthermore, he has been propagating both within Japan and internationally false information on Japan's legal system and its practice. That is absolutely intolerable."
Ghosn, the former chief of Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Renault SA, fled Japan last month as he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies.
Defending authorities' jailing of Ghosn, Mori said that in Japan, a suspect can only be arrested with a warrant from the court upon review by a judge unlike in some countries where detention is possible without a warrant.
The international spotlight on Japan's justice system comes as Mori prepares to host in April the United Nations' Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held once every five years.
"I will continue to provide information and answer questions actively to ensure a more accurate understanding of Japan's criminal justice system by people around the world," Mori said in the statement.
The ministry has said it will try to find a way to bring Ghosn back from Lebanon, even though it has no extradition treaty with Japan.
"If defendant Ghosn has anything to say, it is my strong hope that he engage in all possible efforts to make his case within Japan's fair criminal justice proceedings, and that he seek justice rendered by a Japanese court," Mori said.
Ghosn, for his part, said he escaped because he had "zero chance" of a fair trial, adding that he was prepared to stand trial in any of his three home countries of Lebanon, France or Brazil, none of which have extradition agreements with Japan.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-09--British lawmakers poised to seal Brexit deal

After years of bitter arguments , British MPs will on Thursday finally approve the terms of Brexit , paving the way for the UK to leave the EU on January 31 .
The House of Commons will complete its scrutiny of a bill ratifying Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's European Union divorce deal , drawing a line under an extraordinary period of political chaos .
For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum , MPs have been deadlocked over how , when and even if Britain should end almost half a century of European integration .
But Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil , giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push Brexit through .
MPs gave their initial approval to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas , and the government set aside three days this week for detailed scrutiny .
But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday , while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text .
In a striking contrast to much of last year , when every Brexit vote risked bringing down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval on Thursday is now a done deal .
The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament , but this is expected before January 31 .
All eyes are now on another major challenge : the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the EU , its largest trading partner .
The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens ' rights and Britain 's financial settlement , and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 31 is extremely tight , and has given London the option to ask for more time .
But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period , saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible .
Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be `` basically impossible '' to agree everything within London 's timeframe .
`` We will have to prioritise , '' she said in a speech to the London School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough talks ahead '' .
In response , Johnson 's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal .
London did not want the EU 's long-standing policy that `` nothing is agreed until everything is agreed '' -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations , a spokesman said .
`` We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal , '' he said .

After years of bitter arguments, British MPs will on Thursday finally approve the terms of Brexit, paving the way for the UK to leave the EU on January 31.
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The House of Commons will complete its scrutiny of a bill ratifying Prime Minister Boris Johnson's European Union divorce deal, drawing a line under an extraordinary period of political chaos.
For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, MPs have been deadlocked over how, when and even if Britain should end almost half a century of European integration.
But Johnson's victory in last month's general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push Brexit through.
MPs gave their initial approval to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside three days this week for detailed scrutiny.
But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text.
In a striking contrast to much of last year, when every Brexit vote risked bringing down the previous government and eventually did, Commons approval on Thursday is now a done deal.
The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, but this is expected before January 31.
Turning to trade
All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the EU, its largest trading partner.
The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens' rights and Britain's financial settlement, and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership.
Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time.
But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible.
Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be "basically impossible" to agree everything within London's timeframe.
"We will have to prioritise," she said in a speech to the London School of Economics university, warning of "tough talks ahead".
In response, Johnson's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal.
London did not want the EU's long-standing policy that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations, a spokesman said.
"We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-09--US-Iran distrust looms over Tehran air crash investigation

A woman reacts in front of a memorial for the flight crew members of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed in Iran , at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev , Ukraine , January 8 , 2020 .
The crash of a U.S.-built airliner in Iran with the loss of 176 lives looks set to strain fragile international protocols on co-operation in air disaster investigations at a time when the United States and Iran are mired in confrontation .
The relatively new Boeing 737-800NG jet flown by Ukraine International Airlines burst into flames shortly after take-off from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of an investigation and even the way it is set up and coordinated could inflame political differences as mystery surrounds the jet 's sudden nosedive , analysts said .
Iran and the United States are co-signatories of the basic global agreement on modern aviation 75 years ago and sit together at the United Nations ' aviation agency , widely seen as an effective watchdog while serving in the past as a back-channel for Cold War adversaries .
The 1944 Chicago Convention gave rise to strict rules about how air accidents should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has largely stood the test of time even as member countries shunned other types of diplomatic cooperation .
Under those rules , Iran 's AAIB air accident board automatically leads what could be a year-long probe into flight 572 , designed to help avoid future accidents .
As the country where the jet was designed and built , the United States has a right to be accredited to the investigation and would normally appoint Boeing as its own technical adviser .
But the crash , coming shortly after Iran retaliated against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its top officials last Friday , immediately triggered fresh signs of distrust .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was prepared to offer Ukraine assistance and called for complete cooperation with `` any investigation '' into cause of the crash .
He did not mention any role for Iran .
Iran said earlier it would not send black boxes from the crashed jet to Boeing - a step that would in any case be unusual , according to former investigators , but which appeared intended to snub any U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving the United States means they get fair result , '' said Paul Hayes , safety director at aviation consultancy Ascend by Cirium .
The United States will on the other hand not want the probe to be hijacked by what it sees as political aims , others said .
Aviation experts say Iran , hardened by a high accident rate that the country 's leadership blames on years of sanctions , has the technical capability to read the two flight recorders .
But it may need foreign help if the finger-nail-sized circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2,000 parameters of data are badly damaged inside their `` crash survivable '' steel or titanium casings .
`` Iran has decent investigative capabilities .
They produce solid accident investigative reports , '' Hayes said .
Black boxes from crashed jets are sometimes sent directly to Boeing 's suppliers - U.S.-based Honeywell or L3 - whenever they are too damaged to be examined properly .
That would normally be carried out in coordination with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board .
Iran could ask another country , possibly France or Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hayes said .
With 62 of its nationals on board the crashed jet , Canada , which has advanced technical capabilities , could also play a key role , he added .
Previous Iranian accident reports , some of which are critical of domestic operators , have shown evidence of technical cooperation between Iran and the U.S..
But there has been little if any contact since Washington exited a nuclear deal in 2018 .
In 2015 , Iran 's AAIB asked the NTSB to produce a report on what it regarded as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's air safety .
The NTSB responded this was beyond its mission .
It is not the first time countries have squabbled over sensitive investigations as economic influence in aviation shifts steadily eastwards , where travel demand is strongest .
In March last year , Ethiopia and the NTSB clashed over the crash of a different type of Boeing 737 , the MAX , which remains grounded .
France 's BEA has aired differences in the past with Egypt over Airbus accidents .
The latest standoff comes at a time when the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to adapt to the demands of social media and the increasing tendency of parties to give their own conclusions in public .
Boeing itself has been criticised for veiled criticism of Indonesian pilots in an earlier 737 MAX crash in 2018 .
Ukraine 's embassy in Tehran blamed engine failure for Wednesday 's crash in Iran , only to retract quickly .
Engine maker CFM urged restraint , calling such speculation `` premature '' .

The crash of a U.S.-built airliner in Iran with the loss of 176 lives looks set to strain fragile international protocols on co-operation in air disaster investigations at a time when the United States and Iran are mired in confrontation.
A woman reacts in front of a memorial for the flight crew members of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed in Iran, at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine, January 8, 2020.
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The relatively new Boeing 737-800NG jet flown by Ukraine International Airlines burst into flames shortly after take-off from Tehran and crashed on Wednesday.
The results of an investigation and even the way it is set up and coordinated could inflame political differences as mystery surrounds the jet's sudden nosedive, analysts said.
Iran and the United States are co-signatories of the basic global agreement on modern aviation 75 years ago and sit together at the United Nations' aviation agency, widely seen as an effective watchdog while serving in the past as a back-channel for Cold War adversaries.
The 1944 Chicago Convention gave rise to strict rules about how air accidents should be investigated, marking a blueprint for co-operation that has largely stood the test of time even as member countries shunned other types of diplomatic cooperation.
Under those rules, Iran's AAIB air accident board automatically leads what could be a year-long probe into flight 572, designed to help avoid future accidents.
As the country where the jet was designed and built, the United States has a right to be accredited to the investigation and would normally appoint Boeing as its own technical adviser.
But the crash, coming shortly after Iran retaliated against a deadly U.S. drone strike against one of its top officials last Friday, immediately triggered fresh signs of distrust.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was prepared to offer Ukraine assistance and called for complete cooperation with "any investigation" into cause of the crash. He did not mention any role for Iran.
Iran said earlier it would not send black boxes from the crashed jet to Boeing - a step that would in any case be unusual, according to former investigators, but which appeared intended to snub any U.S. involvement.
"Iranians will wonder if involving the United States means they get fair result," said Paul Hayes, safety director at aviation consultancy Ascend by Cirium.
The United States will on the other hand not want the probe to be hijacked by what it sees as political aims, others said.
Aviation experts say Iran, hardened by a high accident rate that the country's leadership blames on years of sanctions, has the technical capability to read the two flight recorders.
But it may need foreign help if the finger-nail-sized circuit boards containing pilot voice recordings and up to 2,000 parameters of data are badly damaged inside their "crash survivable" steel or titanium casings.
"Iran has decent investigative capabilities. They produce solid accident investigative reports," Hayes said.
Cooperation
Black boxes from crashed jets are sometimes sent directly to Boeing's suppliers - U.S.-based Honeywell or L3 - whenever they are too damaged to be examined properly. That would normally be carried out in coordination with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Iran could ask another country, possibly France or Russia, to help analyse the data if needed, Hayes said. With 62 of its nationals on board the crashed jet, Canada, which has advanced technical capabilities, could also play a key role, he added.
Previous Iranian accident reports, some of which are critical of domestic operators, have shown evidence of technical cooperation between Iran and the U.S.. But there has been little if any contact since Washington exited a nuclear deal in 2018.
In 2015, Iran's AAIB asked the NTSB to produce a report on what it regarded as the harmful impact of sanctions on Iran's air safety. The NTSB responded this was beyond its mission.
It is not the first time countries have squabbled over sensitive investigations as economic influence in aviation shifts steadily eastwards, where travel demand is strongest.
In March last year, Ethiopia and the NTSB clashed over the crash of a different type of Boeing 737, the MAX, which remains grounded. France's BEA has aired differences in the past with Egypt over Airbus accidents.
The latest standoff comes at a time when the U.N. protocols - nicknamed Annex 13 - are struggling to adapt to the demands of social media and the increasing tendency of parties to give their own conclusions in public.
Boeing itself has been criticised for veiled criticism of Indonesian pilots in an earlier 737 MAX crash in 2018.
Ukraine's embassy in Tehran blamed engine failure for Wednesday's crash in Iran, only to retract quickly. Engine maker CFM urged restraint, calling such speculation "premature".
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-09--At United Nations, US justifies killing Iranian commander as self-defence

US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft ( second left ) speaks with Iran 's UN Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi ( far left ) in the UN Security Council chamber in New York City , US , December 19 , 2019 .
The United States told the United Nations on Wednesday that the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was self-defense and vowed to take additional action `` as necessary '' in the Middle East to protect U.S. personnel and interests .
In a letter to the U.N. Security Council , U.S .
Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran , with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime . ''
The killing of Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday was justified under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter , wrote Craft in the letter seen by Reuters , adding `` the United States is prepared to take additional actions in the region as necessary to continue to protect U.S. personnel and interests . ''
Under Article 51 , countries are required to `` immediately report '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken in exercising the right of self-defense .
The United States used Article 51 to justify taking action in Syria against Islamic State militants in 2014 .

The United States told the United Nations on Wednesday that the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was self-defense and vowed to take additional action "as necessary" in the Middle East to protect U.S. personnel and interests.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft (second left) speaks with Iran's UN Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi (far left) in the UN Security Council chamber in New York City, US, December 19, 2019.
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In a letter to the U.N. Security Council, U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United States also stands "ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime."
The killing of Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday was justified under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, wrote Craft in the letter seen by Reuters, adding "the United States is prepared to take additional actions in the region as necessary to continue to protect U.S. personnel and interests."
Under Article 51, countries are required to "immediately report" to the 15-member Security Council any measures taken in exercising the right of self-defense. The United States used Article 51 to justify taking action in Syria against Islamic State militants in 2014.
(REUTERS)
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