france24--2020-09-01--Kennedy dynasty on the line in US Senate race

A legendary American political dynasty is at stake Tuesday with Joe Kennedy III , the grandnephew of assassinated president John F Kennedy , challenging a savvy political veteran for his seat in the US Senate .
The contentious race , which pits two well-liked progressives with similar political positions against one another , is coming down to the wire in a busy Democratic primary in Massachusetts .
The 39-year-old Kennedy , grandson of slain attorney general Robert F. Kennedy , is part of the family 's fourth generation to carry the political torch , entering the House of Representatives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see him purely as the scion of an intensely political clan but as someone who has `` thrown everything I 've got '' into the contest , Kennedy insisted .
`` Every race I 've ever run , I 've made it clear it 's me on the ballot , '' Kennedy told AFP as he stumped for 11th-hour votes in Boston , where he wore a mask while fist-bumping police officers and truck drivers and hugging people on the streets .
`` You 're not going to get my father or my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters .
This is on me . ''
At 74 , his rival Ed Markey is a generation apart , a progressive political workhorse who spent 37 years in the House before rising to the Senate in 2013 .
He has led Kennedy in recent polling , but `` there 's nothing guaranteed , '' he told reporters Monday while campaigning in Brookline , the Boston suburb where JFK was born 103 years ago .
For the Kennedy clan , much is on the line .
For all but two years since 1947 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States -- a Kennedy has served in elective office .
They are the quintessential American dynasty , one of the closest things the country has to royalty .
Like his presidential great-uncle , who once served in the Senate , the lanky , red-haired Kennedy is running on the promise of a new generation .
And he has received the rare endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who in 2018 appointed Kennedy to deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump 's State of the Union speech .
Markey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anti-establishment platform , has powerful supporters too .
They include Senator Elizabeth Warren and rising star progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , with whom Markey co-authored the Green New Deal on tackling climate change .
`` When it comes to progressive leadership , it 's not your age that counts , it 's the age of your ideas , '' the 30-year-old lawmaker known as AOC said in an ad for Markey .
Should he win Tuesday , Kennedy is virtually assured victory in November 's general election , but a primary loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , as he can not be on the ballot as a candidate for both Senate and House .
The Democratic National Convention last month hinted at a the Kennedy clan 's possible political future though , when it aired a video message from JFK 's daughter Caroline Kennedy and her 27-year-old son Jack Kennedy Schlossberg .
`` We can reach these new frontiers , but only with a president who asks what he can do for our country , '' Schlossberg said , echoing his grandfather 's 1961 acceptance speech when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your country can do for you . ''
No Kennedy has lost an election in Massachusetts , and Joe III portrays himself as a champion for the working class and poor .
`` It 's being more engaged , it 's giving your heart and soul to the seat , '' he told the Boston Globe .
With the coronavirus pandemic prompting record numbers of mail-in ballots , Massachusetts officials warn that the race might not be called until Wednesday .

Boston (AFP) –
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A legendary American political dynasty is at stake Tuesday with Joe Kennedy III, the grandnephew of assassinated president John F Kennedy, challenging a savvy political veteran for his seat in the US Senate.
The contentious race, which pits two well-liked progressives with similar political positions against one another, is coming down to the wire in a busy Democratic primary in Massachusetts.
The 39-year-old Kennedy, grandson of slain attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, is part of the family's fourth generation to carry the political torch, entering the House of Representatives in 2013.
Voters in Massachusetts do not see him purely as the scion of an intensely political clan but as someone who has "thrown everything I've got" into the contest, Kennedy insisted.
"Every race I've ever run, I've made it clear it's me on the ballot," Kennedy told AFP as he stumped for 11th-hour votes in Boston, where he wore a mask while fist-bumping police officers and truck drivers and hugging people on the streets.
"You're not going to get my father or my grandfather or any of his brothers or sisters. This is on me."
At 74, his rival Ed Markey is a generation apart, a progressive political workhorse who spent 37 years in the House before rising to the Senate in 2013.
He has led Kennedy in recent polling, but "there's nothing guaranteed," he told reporters Monday while campaigning in Brookline, the Boston suburb where JFK was born 103 years ago.
- American royalty -
For the Kennedy clan, much is on the line. For all but two years since 1947 -- nearly a third of the history of the United States -- a Kennedy has served in elective office.
They are the quintessential American dynasty, one of the closest things the country has to royalty.
Like his presidential great-uncle, who once served in the Senate, the lanky, red-haired Kennedy is running on the promise of a new generation.
And he has received the rare endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who in 2018 appointed Kennedy to deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech.
Markey, who has framed his candidacy on an anti-establishment platform, has powerful supporters too.
They include Senator Elizabeth Warren and rising star progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with whom Markey co-authored the Green New Deal on tackling climate change.
"When it comes to progressive leadership, it's not your age that counts, it's the age of your ideas," the 30-year-old lawmaker known as AOC said in an ad for Markey.
Should he win Tuesday, Kennedy is virtually assured victory in November's general election, but a primary loss would leave him out of Congress come January, as he can not be on the ballot as a candidate for both Senate and House.
The Democratic National Convention last month hinted at a the Kennedy clan's possible political future though, when it aired a video message from JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy and her 27-year-old son Jack Kennedy Schlossberg.
"We can reach these new frontiers, but only with a president who asks what he can do for our country," Schlossberg said, echoing his grandfather's 1961 acceptance speech when he famously said: "Ask not what your country can do for you."
No Kennedy has lost an election in Massachusetts, and Joe III portrays himself as a champion for the working class and poor.
"It's being more engaged, it's giving your heart and soul to the seat," he told the Boston Globe.
With the coronavirus pandemic prompting record numbers of mail-in ballots, Massachusetts officials warn that the race might not be called until Wednesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--US partially lifts three-decade-old arms embargo on Cyprus

The fenced-off area of Varosha , restricted by the Turkish military , is seen from the Dherinia checkpoint on a ceasefire line , Cyprus , November 12 , 2018 .
The United States announced Tuesday that it would lift for one year its three-decade-old arms embargo on Cyprus to allow `` non-lethal '' military goods to be sold to the Mediterranean island .
In a move which drew an immediate rebuke from Turkey , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades of the change in a phone call Tuesday .
From October 1 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the sale or transfer of `` non-lethal defense articles and defense services . ''
Pompeo also `` reaffirmed US support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island , '' said State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus .
The announcement came amid a surge in tensions in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over maritime borders and gas drilling rights , which also involves Athens-allied Cyprus .
Both Greece and Turkey staged naval drills in the area to assert their sovereign claims , and the European Union warned Ankara Friday to pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States imposed the arms embargo in 1987 , in the hope that it could encourage the reunification of the island , about one-third of which is controlled by Turkey since a 1974 invasion .
But the embargo was counter-productive , simply pushing the Cypriot government to create alliances with other countries without making progress on reunification .
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said the move recognised the importance of the US relationship with Cyprus , which he called `` a reliable strategic partner for our nation . ''
`` It is in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades-long arms restrictions and deepen our security relationship with the Republic of Cyprus , '' he said in a statement .
The Turkish foreign ministry said the US move `` poisons the peace and stability environment in the region '' and does `` not comply with the spirit of alliance '' between the United States and Turkey .
If Washington does not reverse course , the ministry said , `` Turkey , as a guarantor country , will take the necessary decisive counter steps to guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical responsibilities . ''

The United States announced Tuesday that it would lift for one year its three-decade-old arms embargo on Cyprus to allow "non-lethal" military goods to be sold to the Mediterranean island.
The fenced-off area of Varosha, restricted by the Turkish military, is seen from the Dherinia checkpoint on a ceasefire line, Cyprus, November 12, 2018.
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In a move which drew an immediate rebuke from Turkey, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades of the change in a phone call Tuesday.
From October 1, the US will remove blocks for one year on the sale or transfer of "non-lethal defense articles and defense services."
Pompeo also "reaffirmed US support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island," said State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.
The announcement came amid a surge in tensions in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over maritime borders and gas drilling rights, which also involves Athens-allied Cyprus.
Both Greece and Turkey staged naval drills in the area to assert their sovereign claims, and the European Union warned Ankara Friday to pull back or face EU sanctions.
The United States imposed the arms embargo in 1987, in the hope that it could encourage the reunification of the island, about one-third of which is controlled by Turkey since a 1974 invasion.
But the embargo was counter-productive, simply pushing the Cypriot government to create alliances with other countries without making progress on reunification.
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said the move recognised the importance of the US relationship with Cyprus, which he called "a reliable strategic partner for our nation."
"It is in our national security interest to lift these outdated decades-long arms restrictions and deepen our security relationship with the Republic of Cyprus," he said in a statement.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the US move "poisons the peace and stability environment in the region" and does "not comply with the spirit of alliance" between the United States and Turkey.
If Washington does not reverse course, the ministry said, "Turkey, as a guarantor country, will take the necessary decisive counter steps to guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people, in line with its legal and historical responsibilities."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-01--Crying game takes Kenin into US Open second round

Sofia Kenin advanced to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday -- and then revealed that crying to herself beforehand had helped set up her straight-set win over Yanina Wickmayer .
The 21-year-old Moscow-born second seed from the United States needed just over an hour to score a 6-2 , 6-2 win over her unseeded Belgian opponent at Louis Armstrong Stadium .
It was an ultimately comfortable win for Kenin , who is targeting a second Grand Slam singles title following her emotional victory at the Australian Open in Melbourne earlier this year .
Kenin -- who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week 's Western & Southern Open tune-up tournament -- revealed afterwards she had been `` stressed '' ahead of Tuesday 's opener .
`` I was n't feeling well .
I just tried to tell myself , big targets .
Do n't go for too much .
First round , Grand Slam , it 's new .
A lot of emotions , '' Kenin said .
`` I just felt a little more emotional , everything .
Had to let it out , had to let off some steam before the match .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked how she had alleviated her pre-match butterflies , Kenin replied : `` Crying .
That 's what I did .
I mean , I had to let it out . ''
`` That 's not the answer that people would like to hear , '' she added .
`` But everyone knows in Aussie I was crying every day before my match .
It 's fine .
It worked .
`` I was just really nervous .
I had to let it out and just regroup and just tell myself , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a nice groove , feel the court .
I just felt like I was playing really well .
`` Obviously there is no more tears . ''
Kenin will play Canada 's Leylah Fernandez in the second round .
Fernandez opened her campaign with a 6-4 , 7-5 , win over Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday .
`` With Leylah , I have practiced a few times , so I kind of know her game more or less , '' she said .
`` She is a young rising star , playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be a good matchup , and hopefully I can do well . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Sofia Kenin advanced to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday -- and then revealed that crying to herself beforehand had helped set up her straight-set win over Yanina Wickmayer.
The 21-year-old Moscow-born second seed from the United States needed just over an hour to score a 6-2, 6-2 win over her unseeded Belgian opponent at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
It was an ultimately comfortable win for Kenin, who is targeting a second Grand Slam singles title following her emotional victory at the Australian Open in Melbourne earlier this year.
Kenin -- who had suffered a surprisingly early exit at last week's Western & Southern Open tune-up tournament -- revealed afterwards she had been "stressed" ahead of Tuesday's opener.
"I wasn't feeling well. I just tried to tell myself, big targets. Don't go for too much. First round, Grand Slam, it's new. A lot of emotions," Kenin said.
"I just felt a little more emotional, everything. Had to let it out, had to let off some steam before the match. I handled it really well."
Asked how she had alleviated her pre-match butterflies, Kenin replied: "Crying. That's what I did. I mean, I had to let it out."
"That's not the answer that people would like to hear," she added. "But everyone knows in Aussie I was crying every day before my match. It's fine. It worked.
"I was just really nervous. I had to let it out and just regroup and just tell myself, it's the first match. Just try to get a nice groove, feel the court. I just felt like I was playing really well.
"Obviously there is no more tears."
Kenin will play Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the second round. Fernandez opened her campaign with a 6-4, 7-5, win over Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday.
"With Leylah, I have practiced a few times, so I kind of know her game more or less," she said. "She is a young rising star, playing some really good tennis. It's going to be a good matchup, and hopefully I can do well."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Trump visits Kenosha, calls racial justice protests 'domestic terror'

U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to Kenosha in the aftermath of recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice after the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha , Wisconsin , U.S. , September 1 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump Tuesday took his tough law and order message to Kenosha , the latest US city roiled by the police shooting of a black man , as he branded recent anti-racism protests there as `` domestic terror '' by violent mobs .
Trump has been hoping for months to shift the election battle against Democrat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the coronavirus pandemic to what he sees as far more comfortable territory of law and order .
And in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha , in upheaval since a white police officer shot 29-year-old African American Jacob Blake in front of his three young sons , the Republican found his mark .
`` These are not acts of peaceful protest but really domestic terror , '' Trump said after touring damage in the city , describing multiple nights of angry demonstrations last week that left two people dead .
Crowds lined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorcade passed , with Trump supporters on one side and Black Lives Matter protesters on the other , yelling at one another from a distance and in sometimes tense face-to-face encounters .
`` Thank you for saving our town , '' read the sign of one supporter along the road .
`` Not my president , '' read another .
Under heavy security that blocked off the road , Trump visited a burned out store where he told the owners `` we 'll help you rebuild . ''
`` These gentlemen did a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reference to law enforcement units that quelled the violent protests .
`` This is a great area , a great state , '' Trump said , adding later that his administration was committing at least $ 47 million to Wisconsin law enforcement , small businesses and public safety programs .
`` We 'll get Kenosha back in shape , '' he said .
Trump suggested in Washington that a meeting with the Blake family was possible during his high-profile trip but it did not materialize .
A microcosm of the racial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha has seen Black Lives Matter protests , riots , and the arrival of armed , white vigilantes , culminating in an incident in which a 17-year-old militia enthusiast , Kyle Rittenhouse , allegedly shot dead two people and badly injured another .
Democrats and police reform advocates view Kenosha as a symbol of institutional racism .
They see Rittenhouse , a Trump supporter , as emblematic of right-wing militias that are increasingly brazen about brandishing weaponry in political settings .
Trump , however , came with a different priority : countering what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anarchy '' in Democratic-led cities .
Trump has refused to condemn the growing presence of armed vigilantes on the streets , calling the alleged killings by Rittenhouse `` an interesting situation . ''
`` We have to condemn the dangerous anti-police rhetoric , '' he said at a command center set up in a Kenosha high school .
In an interview Monday Trump likened police officers who err when making split decisions to golfers who `` choke '' under pressure .
`` Shooting the guy in the back many times .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ? ''
he said .
`` But they choke .
Just like in a golf tournament , they miss a three-foot putt . ''
Wisconsin 's governor and Kenosha 's mayor , both Democrats , had urged Trump not to visit but he ignored their pleas -- and Biden has accused him of deliberately fomenting violence for political gain .
`` We need a president who will lower the temperature and bring the country together -- not one who raises it and tears us further apart , '' Biden tweeted as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his part accuses Biden of weakness in addressing violent protests in cities like Kenosha and Portland , seeking to paint the Democrat as incapable of controlling the party 's left wing Trump 's visit came as new protests were planned in Los Angeles following the fatal shooting by sheriff 's deputies of a black man , identified as 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee , after a violent altercation .
Last week 's unrest in Kenosha rekindled a months-long surge of protest against police violence and racism , unleashed by the death of an unarmed African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands of police in Minneapolis .
But watching from her front porch as police closed nearby streets in Kenosha , resident Nicole Populorum took issue with Trump 's statement that he saved her city from burning down by deploying the National Guard .
`` The community came together , so for him to say if it was n't for him there would be no Kenosha is ignorant and insulting , '' Populorum said .

President Donald Trump Tuesday took his tough law and order message to Kenosha, the latest US city roiled by the police shooting of a black man, as he branded recent anti-racism protests there as "domestic terror" by violent mobs.
U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to Kenosha in the aftermath of recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice after the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S., September 1, 2020.
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Trump has been hoping for months to shift the election battle against Democrat Joe Biden from a verdict on his widely panned handling of the coronavirus pandemic to what he sees as far more comfortable territory of law and order.
And in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha, in upheaval since a white police officer shot 29-year-old African American Jacob Blake in front of his three young sons, the Republican found his mark.
01:27
"These are not acts of peaceful protest but really domestic terror," Trump said after touring damage in the city, describing multiple nights of angry demonstrations last week that left two people dead.
Crowds lined the barricaded streets where the president's motorcade passed, with Trump supporters on one side and Black Lives Matter protesters on the other, yelling at one another from a distance and in sometimes tense face-to-face encounters.
"Thank you for saving our town," read the sign of one supporter along the road. "Not my president," read another.
Under heavy security that blocked off the road, Trump visited a burned out store where he told the owners "we'll help you rebuild."
"These gentlemen did a fantastic job," he said, in reference to law enforcement units that quelled the violent protests.
"This is a great area, a great state," Trump said, adding later that his administration was committing at least $47 million to Wisconsin law enforcement, small businesses and public safety programs.
"We'll get Kenosha back in shape," he said.
Trump suggested in Washington that a meeting with the Blake family was possible during his high-profile trip but it did not materialize.
'They choke'
A microcosm of the racial and ideological tensions of the Trump era, Kenosha has seen Black Lives Matter protests, riots, and the arrival of armed, white vigilantes, culminating in an incident in which a 17-year-old militia enthusiast, Kyle Rittenhouse, allegedly shot dead two people and badly injured another.
Democrats and police reform advocates view Kenosha as a symbol of institutional racism.
They see Rittenhouse, a Trump supporter, as emblematic of right-wing militias that are increasingly brazen about brandishing weaponry in political settings.
Trump, however, came with a different priority: countering what he has repeatedly described as the "anarchy" in Democratic-led cities.
Trump has refused to condemn the growing presence of armed vigilantes on the streets, calling the alleged killings by Rittenhouse "an interesting situation."
"We have to condemn the dangerous anti-police rhetoric," he said at a command center set up in a Kenosha high school.
In an interview Monday Trump likened police officers who err when making split decisions to golfers who "choke" under pressure.
"Shooting the guy in the back many times. I mean, couldn't you have done something different?" he said. "But they choke. Just like in a golf tournament, they miss a three-foot putt."
Fanning 'flames'
Wisconsin's governor and Kenosha's mayor, both Democrats, had urged Trump not to visit but he ignored their pleas -- and Biden has accused him of deliberately fomenting violence for political gain.
"We need a president who will lower the temperature and bring the country together -- not one who raises it and tears us further apart," Biden tweeted as the president flew into Kenosha.
Trump for his part accuses Biden of weakness in addressing violent protests in cities like Kenosha and Portland, seeking to paint the Democrat as incapable of controlling the party's left wing
Trump's visit came as new protests were planned in Los Angeles following the fatal shooting by sheriff's deputies of a black man, identified as 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee, after a violent altercation.
Last week's unrest in Kenosha rekindled a months-long surge of protest against police violence and racism, unleashed by the death of an unarmed African American, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis.
But watching from her front porch as police closed nearby streets in Kenosha, resident Nicole Populorum took issue with Trump's statement that he saved her city from burning down by deploying the National Guard.
"The community came together, so for him to say if it wasn't for him there would be no Kenosha is ignorant and insulting," Populorum said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-01--Snooker great Hendry comes out of retirement

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry , aged 51 , announced on Tuesday that he will come out of retirement to play the next two seasons on the World Snooker Tour .
The Scot saw Ronnie O'Sullivan move to within one of his record tally of world championship titles last month at the Crucible .
Hendry originally retired in 2012 after a quarter-final defeat in Sheffield , despite having hit a maximum 147 break in that year 's championship .
`` I 'm excited to have the opportunity to enter some tournaments over the coming two seasons , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up my cue again recently at the World Seniors and after some coaching I feel a little more confident in my game .
`` I 've always missed the buzz of competing and although I have no expectations in terms of performance , this felt like a good time to explore getting back to the table . ''
Hendry won his maiden world championship in 1990 , the first of four final wins over Jimmy White , and last lifted the trophy in 1999 .
`` He is a giant of the sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on him every time he takes to the table in the coming months , '' said World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn .
Hendry has claimed 36 rankings titles in total , a mark O'Sullivan passed to set a new record of 37 with his latest Crucible triumph .

London (AFP) –
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Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, aged 51, announced on Tuesday that he will come out of retirement to play the next two seasons on the World Snooker Tour.
The Scot saw Ronnie O'Sullivan move to within one of his record tally of world championship titles last month at the Crucible.
Hendry originally retired in 2012 after a quarter-final defeat in Sheffield, despite having hit a maximum 147 break in that year's championship.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to enter some tournaments over the coming two seasons," he said.
"I've really enjoyed picking up my cue again recently at the World Seniors and after some coaching I feel a little more confident in my game.
"I've always missed the buzz of competing and although I have no expectations in terms of performance, this felt like a good time to explore getting back to the table."
Hendry won his maiden world championship in 1990, the first of four final wins over Jimmy White, and last lifted the trophy in 1999.
"He is a giant of the sport and I know that all eyes will be on him every time he takes to the table in the coming months," said World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn.
Hendry has claimed 36 rankings titles in total, a mark O'Sullivan passed to set a new record of 37 with his latest Crucible triumph.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--US partially lifts arms embargo on Cyprus

Turkish troops parade atop armoured vehicles in the northern part of Nicosia , the capital of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on July 20 , 2020 , to mark the 46th anniversary of the Turkish invasion in 1974 .
The United States announced Tuesday that it would lift for one year its three-decade-old arms embargo on Cyprus to allow `` non-lethal '' military goods to be sold to the Mediterranean island .
In a move which drew an immediate rebuke from Turkey , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades of the change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 1 , the US will remove blocks for one year on the sale or transfer of `` non-lethal defense articles and defense services . ''
Pompeo also `` reaffirmed US support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island , '' said State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus .
The announcement came amid a surge in tensions in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over maritime borders and gas drilling rights , which also involves Athens-allied Cyprus .
Both Greece and Turkey staged naval drills in the area to assert their sovereign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ankara Friday to pull back or face EU sanctions .
The United States imposed the arms embargo in 1987 , in the hope that it could encourage the reunification of the island , about one-third of which is controlled by Turkey since a 1974 invasion .
But the embargo was counter-productive , simply pushing the Cypriot government to create alliances with other countries without making progress on reunification .
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said the move recognized the importance of the US relationship with Cyprus , which he called `` a reliable strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is in our national security interest to lift these outdated decades-long arms restrictions and deepen our security relationship with the Republic of Cyprus , '' he said in a statement .
The Turkish foreign ministry said the US move `` poisons the peace and stability environment in the region '' and does `` not comply with the spirit of alliance '' between the United States and Turkey .
If Washington does not reverse course , the ministry said , `` Turkey , as a guarantor country , will take the necessary decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish Cypriot people , in line with its legal and historical responsibilities . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States announced Tuesday that it would lift for one year its three-decade-old arms embargo on Cyprus to allow "non-lethal" military goods to be sold to the Mediterranean island.
In a move which drew an immediate rebuke from Turkey, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades of the change in a phone call Tuesday.
From October 1, the US will remove blocks for one year on the sale or transfer of "non-lethal defense articles and defense services."
Pompeo also "reaffirmed US support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island," said State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.
The announcement came amid a surge in tensions in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over maritime borders and gas drilling rights, which also involves Athens-allied Cyprus.
Both Greece and Turkey staged naval drills in the area to assert their sovereign claims, and the European Union warned Ankara Friday to pull back or face EU sanctions.
The United States imposed the arms embargo in 1987, in the hope that it could encourage the reunification of the island, about one-third of which is controlled by Turkey since a 1974 invasion.
But the embargo was counter-productive, simply pushing the Cypriot government to create alliances with other countries without making progress on reunification.
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said the move recognized the importance of the US relationship with Cyprus, which he called "a reliable strategic partner for our nation."
"It is in our national security interest to lift these outdated decades-long arms restrictions and deepen our security relationship with the Republic of Cyprus," he said in a statement.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the US move "poisons the peace and stability environment in the region" and does "not comply with the spirit of alliance" between the United States and Turkey.
If Washington does not reverse course, the ministry said, "Turkey, as a guarantor country, will take the necessary decisive counter steps to guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people, in line with its legal and historical responsibilities."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--'Hip hip hooray': Murray wins five-set US Open thriller

Andy Murray showed the fighting qualities that he was renowned for in his prime , battling back from two sets down to progress to round two of his comeback Grand Slam at the US Open on Tuesday .
Playing in his first singles Grand Slam in 18 months because of injury and the coronavirus pandemic , Murray dug deep to prevail in a 4hr 39min bruiser against Japan 's Yoshihito Nishioka , winning 4-6 , 4-6 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) , 7-6 ( 7/4 ) , 6-4 .
`` That 's by far the most tennis I 've played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lost in five sets in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open to Roberto Bautista Agut .
`` At the beginning of the match I was apprehensive about playing a long match because I had n't played one in a while .
`` I was sort of pacing myself .
Once I got two sets down I had to start putting the after-burners on and managed to get through . ''
Murray will play 15th seed Canadian Felix Auger-Allassime in the second round .
Murray 's comeback appeared to be heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the third set , appearing all-but-certain to be heading for an embarrassing straight-sets exit .
But showing the grit and determination that led him to three Grand Slam wins during his peak , Murray hauled himself into a 5-4 lead before taking the set on a tie-break .
By then , Murray was playing more aggressively , forcing Nishioka onto the back foot and into errors of his own .
The Scot 's fist pumps became more pronounced and his roars of `` Come on ! ''
more audible in spectator-free Arthur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set .
The first four games of set four went to serve until a Murray double fault put him a break down .
Murray immediately broke back though , a delicate back-handed lob from deep making the score 3-3 , before breaking again for game , set , match .
Murray , the 2012 US Open champion , was competing in a Grand Slam singles match for the first time since last year 's Australian Open when there was lots of talk of him retiring .
The past three years of his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen to 115 in the ATP world rankings .
Murray said he `` did all right physically '' but felt `` tired '' .
He added that his big toes were `` pretty beat up '' and that he hoped organizers would grant him special permission to have an ice bath , with access restricted due to strict coronavirus measures .
`` They said it was for emergencies .
For me this is an emergency right now .
I 'll ask and see if they 'll allow me to use the ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get back to the hotel as quickly as I can , '' he said .
Murray had career-saving hip surgery in 2019 , his second hip operation , before suffering another setback with a pelvic injury at the Davis Cup last November .
That , combined with the pandemic shutdown , kept him out of competition until the ATP Western and Southern Open in New York this past week , where he reached the last 16 .
The comeback made it 10 career wins from two sets down , tying Roger Federer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was handed a wild card for the US Open after narrowly missing out on direct entry .
He is competing at the Flushing Meadows Slam for the first time since 2018 .

New York (AFP) –
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Andy Murray showed the fighting qualities that he was renowned for in his prime, battling back from two sets down to progress to round two of his comeback Grand Slam at the US Open on Tuesday.
Playing in his first singles Grand Slam in 18 months because of injury and the coronavirus pandemic, Murray dug deep to prevail in a 4hr 39min bruiser against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, winning 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
"That's by far the most tennis I've played since 2019," said Murray, who lost in five sets in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open to Roberto Bautista Agut.
"At the beginning of the match I was apprehensive about playing a long match because I hadn't played one in a while.
"I was sort of pacing myself. Once I got two sets down I had to start putting the after-burners on and managed to get through."
Murray will play 15th seed Canadian Felix Auger-Allassime in the second round.
Murray's comeback appeared to be heading for disaster when he went 3-1 down in the third set, appearing all-but-certain to be heading for an embarrassing straight-sets exit.
But showing the grit and determination that led him to three Grand Slam wins during his peak, Murray hauled himself into a 5-4 lead before taking the set on a tie-break.
By then, Murray was playing more aggressively, forcing Nishioka onto the back foot and into errors of his own.
The Scot's fist pumps became more pronounced and his roars of "Come on!" more audible in spectator-free Arthur Ashe Stadium as he took the fourth set.
The first four games of set four went to serve until a Murray double fault put him a break down.
Murray immediately broke back though, a delicate back-handed lob from deep making the score 3-3, before breaking again for game, set, match.
Murray, the 2012 US Open champion, was competing in a Grand Slam singles match for the first time since last year's Australian Open when there was lots of talk of him retiring.
- Ice bath 'emergency' -
The past three years of his career have been ravaged by injury and he has fallen to 115 in the ATP world rankings.
Murray said he "did all right physically" but felt "tired".
He added that his big toes were "pretty beat up" and that he hoped organizers would grant him special permission to have an ice bath, with access restricted due to strict coronavirus measures.
"They said it was for emergencies. For me this is an emergency right now. I'll ask and see if they'll allow me to use the ice bath. If not I'll try to get back to the hotel as quickly as I can," he said.
Murray had career-saving hip surgery in 2019, his second hip operation, before suffering another setback with a pelvic injury at the Davis Cup last November.
That, combined with the pandemic shutdown, kept him out of competition until the ATP Western and Southern Open in New York this past week, where he reached the last 16.
The comeback made it 10 career wins from two sets down, tying Roger Federer's record among active players.
"Hip hip hooray," tweeted Murray's mother, Judy Murray.
Murray was handed a wild card for the US Open after narrowly missing out on direct entry.
He is competing at the Flushing Meadows Slam for the first time since 2018.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Facebook nabs Russia-linked campaign to fuel US chaos

Facebook said the network was small , just 13 accounts and two pages Facebook on Tuesday said that it caught a budding Russia-linked campaign to fuel political chaos in the US , working off a tip from the FBI in its latest take-down of coordinated inauthentic behavior at the leading social network .
The network of 13 Facebook accounts and two pages posing as journalists and targeting left-wing progressives was removed for violating a policy against `` foreign interference '' at the platform .
The investigation that uncovered the covert operation , which was linked to the Internet Research Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation , according to Facebook head of security policy Nathaniel Gleicher .
The network was in the early stages of building an audience , with little engagement from users , Facebook said .
`` They put substantial effort into creating elaborate fictitious personas , trying to make fake accounts look as real as possible , '' Gleicher said while briefing reporters .
The list of topics in posts included `` social and racial justice in the US and UK , NATO and EU politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental issues , the founder of Wikileaks , tensions between Israel and Palestine , the coronavirus pandemic , criticism of fracking , French influence in Africa , the Biden-Harris campaign , QAnon , President Trump and his policies , and the US military policies in Africa. ''
.
Unwitting freelance writers were recruited to write material to be posted online , according to Facebook .
The Facebook pages were said to be crafted to drive viewers to websites of the social network , and their operators were working diligently to get approval to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a steady pattern where particularly Russian actors have gotten better at hiding who they are , but their impact is smaller and smaller and they are getting caught earlier , '' Gleicher said .
`` These actors are caught between a rock and hard place : run a large network that gets caught quickly or run a small network that has limited reach . ''
The campaign targeted its audience with English-language content focused heavily on a small number of political groups , including Democratic Socialists , environmentalists , and disgruntled Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Graphika .
A consistent target of the network was left-leaning voters in Britain and the US with the potential to be dissuaded from supporting centrist leadership of the Democratic and Labour parties , Graphika determined .
The network worked to amplify a PeaceData website that posed as an independent news outlet , the analysis found .
Only about five percent of the Engiish-language articles on the website dealt primarily with the US election or candidates , but they appeared oriented to build a left-wing audience and steer it away from Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same way that the IRA tried to depress progressive and minority support for Hillary Clinton in 2016 , according to Graphika .
The operation had a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn as well as on Facebook , according the social network analysis specialist .
Twitter said it suspended five accounts linked to Russia for `` platform manipulation . ''
The accounts appeared to be associated with the PeaceData website and appeared to gain little traction on Twitter before being removed , according to the one-to-many messaging platform .
`` Regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments around the world must stop these practices , '' Twitter said in a tweet .
Twitter is blocking links to content from the PeaceData website , which could still be accessed online Tuesday .
The website began publishing in December , and the Facebook accounts were set up in May , according to Graphika .
`` The network was in its infancy when it was taken down , '' Graphika concluded .

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Facebook on Tuesday said that it caught a budding Russia-linked campaign to fuel political chaos in the US, working off a tip from the FBI in its latest take-down of coordinated inauthentic behavior at the leading social network.
The network of 13 Facebook accounts and two pages posing as journalists and targeting left-wing progressives was removed for violating a policy against "foreign interference" at the platform.
The investigation that uncovered the covert operation, which was linked to the Internet Research Agency in Russia (IRA), started with a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to Facebook head of security policy Nathaniel Gleicher.
The network was in the early stages of building an audience, with little engagement from users, Facebook said.
"They put substantial effort into creating elaborate fictitious personas, trying to make fake accounts look as real as possible," Gleicher said while briefing reporters.
The list of topics in posts included "social and racial justice in the US and UK, NATO and EU politics, alleged Western war crimes and corruption, environmental issues, the founder of Wikileaks, tensions between Israel and Palestine, the coronavirus pandemic, criticism of fracking, French influence in Africa, the Biden-Harris campaign, QAnon, President Trump and his policies, and the US military policies in Africa.".
Unwitting freelance writers were recruited to write material to be posted online, according to Facebook.
The Facebook pages were said to be crafted to drive viewers to websites of the social network, and their operators were working diligently to get approval to run targeted ads.
"It follows a steady pattern where particularly Russian actors have gotten better at hiding who they are, but their impact is smaller and smaller and they are getting caught earlier," Gleicher said.
"These actors are caught between a rock and hard place: run a large network that gets caught quickly or run a small network that has limited reach."
- Beyond Facebook -
The campaign targeted its audience with English-language content focused heavily on a small number of political groups, including Democratic Socialists, environmentalists, and disgruntled Democrats in the US, according to an analysis by Graphika.
A consistent target of the network was left-leaning voters in Britain and the US with the potential to be dissuaded from supporting centrist leadership of the Democratic and Labour parties, Graphika determined.
The network worked to amplify a PeaceData website that posed as an independent news outlet, the analysis found.
Only about five percent of the Engiish-language articles on the website dealt primarily with the US election or candidates, but they appeared oriented to build a left-wing audience and steer it away from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s campaign, in the same way that the IRA tried to depress progressive and minority support for Hillary Clinton in 2016, according to Graphika.
The operation had a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn as well as on Facebook, according the social network analysis specialist.
Twitter said it suspended five accounts linked to Russia for "platform manipulation."
The accounts appeared to be associated with the PeaceData website and appeared to gain little traction on Twitter before being removed, according to the one-to-many messaging platform.
"Regardless of the low-level impact in this case, governments around the world must stop these practices," Twitter said in a tweet.
"They’re antidemocratic."
Twitter is blocking links to content from the PeaceData website, which could still be accessed online Tuesday.
The website began publishing in December, and the Facebook accounts were set up in May, according to Graphika.
"The network was in its infancy when it was taken down," Graphika concluded.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--New book 'Melania and Me' feeds speculations about First Lady

The book `` Melania and Me : The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady '' by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff was released in September 2020 , two months before the presidential vote A new book released Tuesday dishes on the supposed icy relationship between Melania Trump and her stepdaughter Ivanka , fuel for gossips eager to speculate about first family rivalries .
Author Stephanie Winston Wolkoff says she was once a friend of the president 's third wife , also acting as an advisor until 2018 when she fell out of favor after reporting revealed colossal spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she played a key role in organizing .
Anecdotes fill the 351-page book `` Melania and Me : The Rise and Fall of My Friendship With the First Lady , '' purporting to lift the veil off the ex-model of Slovenian origin .
Often portrayed as enigmatic , Melania 's pouty pursed lips are dissected on social media and at one point the slogan # FreeMelania painted her as the victim of a difficult husband .
Winston Wolkoff , a former Vogue events organizer , describes a much more aggressive figure , notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute detail of the inauguration -- and prevented Ivanka from appearing in key photos of the ceremony .
The 50-year-old first lady allegedly nicknamed her 38-year-old daughter-in-law `` princess , '' calling her and her husband Jared Kushner `` snakes . ''
The book also leads readers to believe that Melania -- who caused a stir in 2018 after wearing a jacket with the message `` I really do n't care , do u ? ''
scrawled on the back to visit a child migrant detention center -- might influence certain White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winston Wolkoff criticized the first lady for not defending her against the accusations of overspending on the inauguration , adding she 's working with federal investigators to scrutinize what happened .
The first lady 's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham has dubbed the book `` wildly self-aggrandizing '' revenge from a woman who joined the ranks of the president 's enemies .
But as campaign season heats up , the book appears a likely hit .
Its release comes days after Melania and Ivanka exchanged what appeared to be an icy stare at the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination to run for a second term .
It 's one of many `` tell-alls '' about the Trump family : the president 's niece recently held the spotlight after publishing a book lambasting her uncle 's character .
On Tuesday `` Melania and Me '' was in fourth place in Amazon 's top sellers , behind a new investigation by a New York Times journalist into members of the White House who resist Trump , and a book set for publication September 8 by Michael Cohen , Trump 's former lawyer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans `` want to know about their First lady and , since Melania is someone who is really guarded , they want to hear more , '' said Katherine Jellison , a historian at Ohio University .
`` A strained relationship between stepmother and stepdaughter is very much entrenched in the public 's mind ... it goes back all the way to Cinderella . ''

New York (AFP) –
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A new book released Tuesday dishes on the supposed icy relationship between Melania Trump and her stepdaughter Ivanka, fuel for gossips eager to speculate about first family rivalries.
Author Stephanie Winston Wolkoff says she was once a friend of the president's third wife, also acting as an advisor until 2018 when she fell out of favor after reporting revealed colossal spending on Donald Trump's inauguration, which she played a key role in organizing.
Anecdotes fill the 351-page book "Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship With the First Lady," purporting to lift the veil off the ex-model of Slovenian origin.
Often portrayed as enigmatic, Melania's pouty pursed lips are dissected on social media and at one point the slogan #FreeMelania painted her as the victim of a difficult husband.
Winston Wolkoff, a former Vogue events organizer, describes a much more aggressive figure, notably detailing how she and Melania choreographed every minute detail of the inauguration -- and prevented Ivanka from appearing in key photos of the ceremony.
The 50-year-old first lady allegedly nicknamed her 38-year-old daughter-in-law "princess," calling her and her husband Jared Kushner "snakes."
The book also leads readers to believe that Melania -- who caused a stir in 2018 after wearing a jacket with the message "I really don't care, do u?" scrawled on the back to visit a child migrant detention center -- might influence certain White House decisions.
- Cinderella rivalry? -
Speaking to CBS Monday, Winston Wolkoff criticized the first lady for not defending her against the accusations of overspending on the inauguration, adding she's working with federal investigators to scrutinize what happened.
The first lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham has dubbed the book "wildly self-aggrandizing" revenge from a woman who joined the ranks of the president's enemies.
But as campaign season heats up, the book appears a likely hit.
Its release comes days after Melania and Ivanka exchanged what appeared to be an icy stare at the Republican Convention where the president formally accepted the nomination to run for a second term.
It's one of many "tell-alls" about the Trump family: the president's niece recently held the spotlight after publishing a book lambasting her uncle's character.
On Tuesday "Melania and Me" was in fourth place in Amazon's top sellers, behind a new investigation by a New York Times journalist into members of the White House who resist Trump, and a book set for publication September 8 by Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer currently serving a prison term.
Americans "want to know about their First lady and, since Melania is someone who is really guarded, they want to hear more," said Katherine Jellison, a historian at Ohio University.
"A strained relationship between stepmother and stepdaughter is very much entrenched in the public's mind... it goes back all the way to Cinderella."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Kabul resumes Taliban prisoner release: insurgent spokesman

Following a prisoner release Taliban negotiators may soon be sitting down with the Afghan government to talk peace Afghan authorities have resumed a controversial release of Taliban inmates , an insurgent spokesman said Tuesday , marking an important step toward breaking an impasse that has delayed the start of peace talks for months .
Negotiations were supposed to begin in March but were repeatedly pushed back as the Taliban and the Afghan government squabbled over the prisoner exchange , which included hundreds of battle-hardened insurgents .
`` Our prisoners have been released and we see this as a positive step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intra-Afghan talks , '' Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP late Tuesday .
Another Taliban official from the group 's prison commission said 200 prisoners had been released by Kabul since Monday .
He said in return for their prisoners , the militants had released four Afghan commandos who had been held captive , adding that two more would be freed on Wednesday .
A senior Afghan government official told AFP on condition of anonymity that `` dozens '' of Taliban prisoners had been released on Monday .
`` The remaining prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , '' he said .
Eight of the freed Taliban prisoners were paraded in front of local media in Kandahar , the insurgent bastion .
Under the terms of a US-Taliban deal in February , Kabul was supposed to free 5,000 militants and the Taliban were meant to free 1,000 Afghan troops .
Both sides met most of their obligations , but Kabul had balked at the release of a final 400 inmates who President Ashraf Ghani himself said were `` a danger to the world '' .
On August 9 thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these 400 prisoners , which included many prisoners who had carried out brutal attacks against Afghans and foreigners .
Their release was opposed by officials in Paris and Canberra because those on the list included militants tied to the killing of French and Australian civilians and troops in Afghanistan .
It was not immediately clear if those insurgents were among the prisoners freed since Monday .
Washington has pushed for the release of the imprisoned militants .
US President Donald Trump has made ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing US troops back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
The Taliban have said they are willing to begin peace talks `` within a week '' after all 400 prisoners are freed , and blamed Kabul for delaying the negotiations so far .
Afghanistan 's State Ministry for Peace Affairs said on Tuesday that authorities had taken all efforts to ensure that peace talks begin soon .
`` These efforts have put us closer than ever to the start of direct talks , '' Najia Anwari , spokeswoman to the ministry , told AFP .
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner release on Twitter as `` a positive step '' towards peace in Afghanistan .
`` I hope necessary steps will be taken to pave the way for intra-Afghan talks and that delegations from both sides will meet very soon , '' he tweeted .

Kabul (AFP) –
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Afghan authorities have resumed a controversial release of Taliban inmates, an insurgent spokesman said Tuesday, marking an important step toward breaking an impasse that has delayed the start of peace talks for months.
Negotiations were supposed to begin in March but were repeatedly pushed back as the Taliban and the Afghan government squabbled over the prisoner exchange, which included hundreds of battle-hardened insurgents.
"Our prisoners have been released and we see this as a positive step that paves the ground for the start of intra-Afghan talks," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP late Tuesday.
Another Taliban official from the group's prison commission said 200 prisoners had been released by Kabul since Monday.
He said in return for their prisoners, the militants had released four Afghan commandos who had been held captive, adding that two more would be freed on Wednesday.
A senior Afghan government official told AFP on condition of anonymity that "dozens" of Taliban prisoners had been released on Monday.
"The remaining prisoners will be released within a couple of days," he said.
Eight of the freed Taliban prisoners were paraded in front of local media in Kandahar, the insurgent bastion.
- Final 400 prisoners -
Under the terms of a US-Taliban deal in February, Kabul was supposed to free 5,000 militants and the Taliban were meant to free 1,000 Afghan troops.
Both sides met most of their obligations, but Kabul had balked at the release of a final 400 inmates who President Ashraf Ghani himself said were "a danger to the world".
On August 9 thousands of prominent Afghans approved the release of these 400 prisoners, which included many prisoners who had carried out brutal attacks against Afghans and foreigners.
Their release was opposed by officials in Paris and Canberra because those on the list included militants tied to the killing of French and Australian civilians and troops in Afghanistan.
It was not immediately clear if those insurgents were among the prisoners freed since Monday.
Washington has pushed for the release of the imprisoned militants.
US President Donald Trump has made ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing US troops back home a foreign policy priority of his administration.
The Taliban have said they are willing to begin peace talks "within a week" after all 400 prisoners are freed, and blamed Kabul for delaying the negotiations so far.
Afghanistan's State Ministry for Peace Affairs said on Tuesday that authorities had taken all efforts to ensure that peace talks begin soon.
"These efforts have put us closer than ever to the start of direct talks," Najia Anwari, spokeswoman to the ministry, told AFP.
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, meanwhile, hailed the resumption of the prisoner release on Twitter as "a positive step" towards peace in Afghanistan.
"I hope necessary steps will be taken to pave the way for intra-Afghan talks and that delegations from both sides will meet very soon," he tweeted.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--'Thrones' creators join 'Star Wars' director for Netflix series

David Benioff and D.B .
Weiss spent around a decade on HBO 's fantasy epic `` Game of Thrones , '' which demolished audience records and scooped an unprecedented number of Emmys for a fictional show The creators of `` Game of Thrones '' will team up with `` Star Wars '' director Rian Johnson and Brad Pitt for an ambitious new Chinese sci-fi adaptation , Netflix announced Tuesday .
Liu Cixin 's bestselling book trilogy `` The Three-Body Problem , '' which tells the epic story of humanity 's first contact with an alien civilization , will become an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Liu Cixin 's trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we 've read , taking readers on a journey from the 1960s until the end of time , from life on our pale blue dot to the distant fringes of the universe , '' `` Thrones '' duo David Benioff and D. B. Weiss , who will co-write , said in a statement .
They will be joined as executive producers by Rian Johnson , who oversaw 2017 's critically acclaimed `` Star Wars '' movie `` The Last Jedi , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B Entertainment company .
Prolific Chinese science fiction author Liu said the apocalyptic series `` transcends time and the confines of nations , cultures and races ; one that compels us to consider the fate of humankind as a whole . ''
It imagines an alternate history in which a female Chinese astrophysicist caught up in the Cultural Revolution makes contact with an alien civilization , prompting global fears of an invasion .
Fans include former president Barack Obama , who once said the `` wildly imaginative '' trilogy made `` my day-to-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not something to worry about .
Aliens are about to invade ! ''
Another of Liu 's works , `` The Wandering Earth , '' was given the big-screen treatment last year -- billed as China 's first space-age blockbuster , it became one of the country 's highest grossing movies with over $ 690 million domestically .
`` Thrones '' showrunners Benioff and Weiss signed a multi-year deal with Netflix last August to write , produce and direct new series and films .
Tuesday 's announcement is the first confirmed project to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly worth a nine-figure sum and followed an intense bidding war between major studios .
The pair spent around a decade on HBO 's fantasy epic `` Thrones , '' which demolished audience records , scooped an unprecedented number of Emmys for a fictional show , and redefined weekly `` event TV . ''
Announcing the deal last year , Benioff and Weiss said they shared a love for `` the same books '' as several Netflix executives .
`` The first time I read 'The Three-Body Problem ' trilogy ( Remembrance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what science fiction meant to me forever , '' said Netflix original series drama vice-president Peter Friedlander .
Benioff , Weiss and the other producers exchange frequent e-mails and `` discuss the books compulsively , '' he added .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The creators of "Game of Thrones" will team up with "Star Wars" director Rian Johnson and Brad Pitt for an ambitious new Chinese sci-fi adaptation, Netflix announced Tuesday.
Liu Cixin's bestselling book trilogy "The Three-Body Problem," which tells the epic story of humanity's first contact with an alien civilization, will become an international series for the streaming giant.
"Liu Cixin's trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we've read, taking readers on a journey from the 1960s until the end of time, from life on our pale blue dot to the distant fringes of the universe," "Thrones" duo David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, who will co-write, said in a statement.
They will be joined as executive producers by Rian Johnson, who oversaw 2017's critically acclaimed "Star Wars" movie "The Last Jedi," as well as Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment company.
Prolific Chinese science fiction author Liu said the apocalyptic series "transcends time and the confines of nations, cultures and races; one that compels us to consider the fate of humankind as a whole."
It imagines an alternate history in which a female Chinese astrophysicist caught up in the Cultural Revolution makes contact with an alien civilization, prompting global fears of an invasion.
Fans include former president Barack Obama, who once said the "wildly imaginative" trilogy made "my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty -- not something to worry about. Aliens are about to invade!"
Another of Liu's works, "The Wandering Earth," was given the big-screen treatment last year -- billed as China's first space-age blockbuster, it became one of the country's highest grossing movies with over $690 million domestically.
- Changed sci-fi 'forever' -
"Thrones" showrunners Benioff and Weiss signed a multi-year deal with Netflix last August to write, produce and direct new series and films.
Tuesday's announcement is the first confirmed project to emerge from that deal, which was reportedly worth a nine-figure sum and followed an intense bidding war between major studios.
The pair spent around a decade on HBO's fantasy epic "Thrones," which demolished audience records, scooped an unprecedented number of Emmys for a fictional show, and redefined weekly "event TV."
Announcing the deal last year, Benioff and Weiss said they shared a love for "the same books" as several Netflix executives.
"The first time I read 'The Three-Body Problem' trilogy (Remembrance of Earth's Past), it changed what science fiction meant to me forever," said Netflix original series drama vice-president Peter Friedlander.
Benioff, Weiss and the other producers exchange frequent e-mails and "discuss the books compulsively," he added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Islamic school students infected in new Indonesia virus outbreak

Indonesian officials have blocked access to the Darussalam Blokagung Islamic boarding school in Banyuwangi , East Java after hundreds of students tested positive for the coronavirus More than 600 Islamic school students in Indonesia have tested positive for the coronavirus , a health ministry official said , marking the latest outbreak as classrooms reopen across the country .
The Darussalam Blokagung boarding school in East Java 's Banyuwangi regency has initiated a two-week quarantine of some 6,000 students after at least 664 pupils were infected .
Most of the cases involved mild or no symptoms but the local police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
`` All activities must be halted , '' health ministry spokesman Benget Saragih said Tuesday .
`` Mass prayer has been temporarily stopped and all students must stay in their rooms . ''
Mass testing had been carried out from the middle of August after some students complained of feeling unwell , according to the school .
There are thousands of religious boarding schools across Indonesia , the world 's biggest Muslim-majority nation .
The mass infection comes after nearly 1,300 people at an Indonesian military academy tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 270 million has since seen smaller outbreaks nationwide as schools began to reopen following months-long closures .
Indonesia on Wednesday reported more than 3,000 new cases to bring its official total to over 180,000 infections and 7,616 deaths .
But with some of the world 's lowest testing rates the true scale of the crisis is widely believed to be much greater in the vast archipelago .

Banyuwangi (Indonesia) (AFP) –
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More than 600 Islamic school students in Indonesia have tested positive for the coronavirus, a health ministry official said, marking the latest outbreak as classrooms reopen across the country.
The Darussalam Blokagung boarding school in East Java's Banyuwangi regency has initiated a two-week quarantine of some 6,000 students after at least 664 pupils were infected.
Most of the cases involved mild or no symptoms but the local police and the military have blocked access to the school.
"All activities must be halted," health ministry spokesman Benget Saragih said Tuesday.
"Mass prayer has been temporarily stopped and all students must stay in their rooms."
Mass testing had been carried out from the middle of August after some students complained of feeling unwell, according to the school.
There are thousands of religious boarding schools across Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.
The mass infection comes after nearly 1,300 people at an Indonesian military academy tested positive for the virus in July.
The country of nearly 270 million has since seen smaller outbreaks nationwide as schools began to reopen following months-long closures.
Indonesia on Wednesday reported more than 3,000 new cases to bring its official total to over 180,000 infections and 7,616 deaths.
But with some of the world's lowest testing rates the true scale of the crisis is widely believed to be much greater in the vast archipelago.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Netanyahu: direct Israel-UAE flights will continue

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Monday 's historic first direct commercial flight of an israeli airliner from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi flying over Saudi Arabia will not be the last Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Monday 's historic first commercial flight of an Israeli aircraft direct to the United Arab Emirates across Saudi Arabia will not be the last .
`` Now there is another tremendous breakthrough , '' he wrote in a statement shortly after Saudi Arabia said it would allow UAE flights to `` all countries '' to overfly the kingdom .
`` Israeli planes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to fly directly from Israel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai , and back , '' Netanyahu said , without giving any timeline .
`` Flights will be cheaper and shorter , and it will lead to robust tourism and develop our economy , '' he said .
Monday 's groundbreaking flight on an aircraft of Israeli national carrier El Al carried a US-Israeli delegation headed by White House adviser Jared Kushner .
The visit was aimed at charting the relationship between the Emirates and the Jewish state after their landmark deal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu said that he was `` working with maximum energy , and we have already begun to work on opening an air route over Saudi Arabia , which will simply shorten flights between Israel and the UAE . ''
In March 2018 , Air India launched the first scheduled service to Israel allowed to cross Saudi airspace .
It was seen at the time as a sign of a behind-the-scenes improvement in ties between the Arab kingdom and the Jewish state .
During a May 2017 Middle East tour , US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Air Force One , in a first known direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Israel .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Monday's historic first commercial flight of an Israeli aircraft direct to the United Arab Emirates across Saudi Arabia will not be the last.
"Now there is another tremendous breakthrough," he wrote in a statement shortly after Saudi Arabia said it would allow UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom.
"Israeli planes and those from all countries will be able to fly directly from Israel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and back," Netanyahu said, without giving any timeline.
"Flights will be cheaper and shorter, and it will lead to robust tourism and develop our economy," he said.
Monday's groundbreaking flight on an aircraft of Israeli national carrier El Al carried a US-Israeli delegation headed by White House adviser Jared Kushner.
The visit was aimed at charting the relationship between the Emirates and the Jewish state after their landmark deal to normalise relations.
Two weeks earlier, Netanyahu said that he was "working with maximum energy, and we have already begun to work on opening an air route over Saudi Arabia, which will simply shorten flights between Israel and the UAE."
In March 2018, Air India launched the first scheduled service to Israel allowed to cross Saudi airspace.
It was seen at the time as a sign of a behind-the-scenes improvement in ties between the Arab kingdom and the Jewish state.
During a May 2017 Middle East tour, US President Donald Trump flew from Riyadh to Tel Aviv on Air Force One, in a first known direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Israel.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Saudi allows overflights by UAE services to 'all countries'

An historic first direct commercial flight arrives in Abu Dhabi from Tel Aviv on Monday after flying over Saudi Arabia to mark the normalisation of ties between the Jewish state and the UAE Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow UAE flights to `` all countries '' to overfly the kingdom , state media reported Wednesday , days after allowing an Israeli aircraft to pass over en route to Abu Dhabi .
Saudi Arabia has accepted an Emirati request to allow `` crossing the kingdom 's airspace for flights heading to the UAE and departing from it to all countries '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing a source from the civil aviation authority .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile announced that Monday 's historic first commercial flight of an Israeli aircraft direct to the United Arab Emirates across Saudi Arabia would not be the last .
`` Israeli planes and those from all countries will be able to fly directly from Israel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai , and back , '' Netanyahu said , without giving any timeline .
The announcements come after a US-Israeli delegation visited Abu Dhabi on Monday , on the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark the normalisation of ties between the Jewish state and the UAE .
Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians .
But the kingdom has cultivated clandestine relations with Israel in recent years , in a shift spearheaded by de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
In a sign of its cooperation with Israel , Saudi Arabia allowed Monday 's historic flight to cross its airspace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long detour around the Arabian peninsula .
However , Saudi Arabia , the Arab world 's biggest economy and home to Islam 's holiest sites , faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE .
Not only would a formal recognition of Israel be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause , it would also hurt the kingdom 's image as the leader of the Islamic world .
In 2002 , Saudi Arabia sponsored the Arab Peace Initiative which called for Israel 's complete withdrawal from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1967 and an equitable solution for Palestinian refugees , in exchange for peace and the full normalisation of relations .
But a shared animosity towards Iran , along with Saudi attempts to attract foreign investment to fund Prince Mohammed 's ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan , appear to be pushing the kingdom closer to Israel than ever .

Riyadh (AFP) –
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Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom, state media reported Wednesday, days after allowing an Israeli aircraft to pass over en route to Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia has accepted an Emirati request to allow "crossing the kingdom's airspace for flights heading to the UAE and departing from it to all countries", the official Saudi Press Agency said, citing a source from the civil aviation authority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile announced that Monday's historic first commercial flight of an Israeli aircraft direct to the United Arab Emirates across Saudi Arabia would not be the last.
"Israeli planes and those from all countries will be able to fly directly from Israel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and back," Netanyahu said, without giving any timeline.
The announcements come after a US-Israeli delegation visited Abu Dhabi on Monday, on the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to mark the normalisation of ties between the Jewish state and the UAE.
Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians.
But the kingdom has cultivated clandestine relations with Israel in recent years, in a shift spearheaded by de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In a sign of its cooperation with Israel, Saudi Arabia allowed Monday's historic flight to cross its airspace, halving what would otherwise have been a long detour around the Arabian peninsula.
However, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy and home to Islam's holiest sites, faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE.
Not only would a formal recognition of Israel be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause, it would also hurt the kingdom's image as the leader of the Islamic world.
In 2002, Saudi Arabia sponsored the Arab Peace Initiative which called for Israel's complete withdrawal from the Palestinian territories occupied in the Six-Day War of 1967 and an equitable solution for Palestinian refugees, in exchange for peace and the full normalisation of relations.
But a shared animosity towards Iran, along with Saudi attempts to attract foreign investment to fund Prince Mohammed's ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, appear to be pushing the kingdom closer to Israel than ever.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Who were the Khmer Rouge?

Who were the Khmer Rouge?

Khmer Rouge torturer Kaing Guek Eav , better known as Duch during his trial in Phnom Penh in 2008 The Khmer Rouge 's interrogator-in-chief Kaing Guek Eav , better known by his alias Duch , died Wednesday in Cambodia 's capital at the age of 77 .
The former teacher ran a notorious prison for the regime , overseeing the deaths of some 15,000 people -- a fraction of the estimated two million who died .
Here 's what we know about the Khmer Rouge .
- Who were they ?
- The ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia from 1975 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brother Number One '' Pol Pot -- a charismatic intellectual who studied in France .
Today Pol Pot 's name is synonymous with terror and genocide , and his bid to create an agrarian utopia is blamed for the deaths of some two million Cambodians .
The movement started in the northeastern jungles of the kingdom , where Pol Pot recruited supporters and waged guerilla warfare against the repressive governments of Cambodia of the time .
On April 17 , 1975 , Khmer Rouge troops marched into Phnom Penh , toppling the dictatorship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staged a coup against then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk .
Millions of Phnom Penh residents were evacuated to the countryside , separating families into communes across the country .
- What did they do ?
- The Khmer Rouge demanded unquestioning loyalty to `` Angkar '' -- which translates to `` the organisation '' in Khmer , and any ties to family or friends deemed `` impure '' was dangerous .
Even Cambodians ' deep religious devotion to Buddhism was regarded with suspicion by cadres , who defrocked monks and defaced temples across the kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambodians were forced to toil in rice fields under extreme conditions , work in factories and oversee the mass executions of those considered `` impure '' .
Intellectuals , former civil servants and members of the police and armed forces often fell into this category , while ethnic minorities -- including Vietnamese and Cham Muslims -- were also systematically targeted .
Towards the end of the regime , the Khmer Rouge devoured its own with repeated purges -- driven by paranoia from the leadership that the revolution 's enemies were hidden within .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who pledged a billion dollars in aid to Pol Pot , according to Sebastian Strangio , author of `` In the Dragon 's Shadow '' and `` Hun Sen 's Cambodia '' .
The US also indirectly helped to bolster the ranks of the Khmer Rouge , as carpet-bombings in Vietnam , Cambodia and Laos bred resentment among locals against the Western superpower .
After the Khmer Rouge was ousted by Vietnamese-backed troops in 1979 it received some backing from the US , which saw them as a check on communist Hanoi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now-premier Hun Sen ?
- Asia 's longest-serving leader Hun Sen rose through the ranks of the Khmer Rouge to become battalion commander before fleeing the country for Vietnam in 1977 to escape one of the many internal purges .
Local history books play down the role he played during the Khmer Rouge 's rule , but credit him with leading Vietnamese troops into the country to oust Pol Pot from power in January 1979 .
Attempts to investigate the role of other individuals has been restricted by the current government , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hun Sen has said he wanted a UN-backed tribunal to only investigate the regime 's top echelon .
- What justice has there been - Launched in 2006 , the tribunal -- which costs hundreds of millions of dollars -- has so far convicted just three people .
Duch was the first member of the Khmer Rouge to face judgement and his testimony revealed aspects of the secretive regime that was never known to the public .
He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 .
The other two convicted were Nuon Chea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief ideologue of the regime -- who died last year -- and Khieu Samphan , the former head of state who served as the Khmer Rouge 's public face to the world .
Critics have castigated interference by the government and the pace of proceedings .
Judicial processes are `` complex , politicised , and in many ways doomed to fail '' , said Robert Carmichael , author of `` When The Clouds Fell From the Sky '' , which chronicles Duch 's trial .
But his trial and conviction `` were viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed about regime , he told AFP .

Phnom Penh (AFP) –
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The Khmer Rouge's interrogator-in-chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known by his alias Duch, died Wednesday in Cambodia's capital at the age of 77.
The former teacher ran a notorious prison for the regime, overseeing the deaths of some 15,000 people -- a fraction of the estimated two million who died.
Here's what we know about the Khmer Rouge.
- Who were they? -
The ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 under the leadership of "Brother Number One" Pol Pot -- a charismatic intellectual who studied in France.
Today Pol Pot's name is synonymous with terror and genocide, and his bid to create an agrarian utopia is blamed for the deaths of some two million Cambodians.
The movement started in the northeastern jungles of the kingdom, where Pol Pot recruited supporters and waged guerilla warfare against the repressive governments of Cambodia of the time.
On April 17, 1975, Khmer Rouge troops marched into Phnom Penh, toppling the dictatorship of General Lon Nol -- who had staged a coup against then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk.
Millions of Phnom Penh residents were evacuated to the countryside, separating families into communes across the country.
- What did they do? -
The Khmer Rouge demanded unquestioning loyalty to "Angkar" -- which translates to "the organisation" in Khmer, and any ties to family or friends deemed "impure" was dangerous.
Even Cambodians' deep religious devotion to Buddhism was regarded with suspicion by cadres, who defrocked monks and defaced temples across the kingdom.
In the name of Angkar, Cambodians were forced to toil in rice fields under extreme conditions, work in factories and oversee the mass executions of those considered "impure".
Intellectuals, former civil servants and members of the police and armed forces often fell into this category, while ethnic minorities -- including Vietnamese and Cham Muslims -- were also systematically targeted.
Towards the end of the regime, the Khmer Rouge devoured its own with repeated purges -- driven by paranoia from the leadership that the revolution's enemies were hidden within.
- Who supported them? -
The regime's biggest backer was China, who pledged a billion dollars in aid to Pol Pot, according to Sebastian Strangio, author of "In the Dragon's Shadow" and "Hun Sen's Cambodia".
The US also indirectly helped to bolster the ranks of the Khmer Rouge, as carpet-bombings in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos bred resentment among locals against the Western superpower.
After the Khmer Rouge was ousted by Vietnamese-backed troops in 1979 it received some backing from the US, which saw them as a check on communist Hanoi.
- What was the role of now-premier Hun Sen? -
Asia's longest-serving leader Hun Sen rose through the ranks of the Khmer Rouge to become battalion commander before fleeing the country for Vietnam in 1977 to escape one of the many internal purges.
Local history books play down the role he played during the Khmer Rouge's rule, but credit him with leading Vietnamese troops into the country to oust Pol Pot from power in January 1979.
Attempts to investigate the role of other individuals has been restricted by the current government, which contains several former Khmer Rouge members.
Hun Sen has said he wanted a UN-backed tribunal to only investigate the regime's top echelon.
- What justice has there been -
Launched in 2006, the tribunal -- which costs hundreds of millions of dollars -- has so far convicted just three people.
Duch was the first member of the Khmer Rouge to face judgement and his testimony revealed aspects of the secretive regime that was never known to the public.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012.
The other two convicted were Nuon Chea, "Brother Number Two" and chief ideologue of the regime -- who died last year -- and Khieu Samphan, the former head of state who served as the Khmer Rouge's public face to the world.
Critics have castigated interference by the government and the pace of proceedings.
Judicial processes are "complex, politicised, and in many ways doomed to fail", said Robert Carmichael, author of "When The Clouds Fell From the Sky", which chronicles Duch's trial.
But his trial and conviction "were viewed as beneficial" because of the details revealed about regime, he told AFP.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Beijing pillories Pentagon report on Chinese military ambitions

China has condemned a Pentagon report for claiming Beijing wants to double its stockpile of nuclear warheads within a decade China on Wednesday condemned a Pentagon report for claiming Beijing wants to double its stockpile of nuclear warheads within a decade as it seeks to deter the United States from any intervention linked to Taiwan .
The Pentagon 's annual study on China 's military power issued Tuesday said it has already matched or outstripped the US military in several areas of defence .
It added that the People 's Liberation Army aims to be ready to win any conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Beijing considers part of its territory .
China 's defence ministry called the report `` utterly wrong '' and a misinterpretation of Beijing 's `` defence policy and military strategy '' .
The report `` defamed China 's military modernisation , defence expenditure , nuclear policy and other issues '' , the ministry said in a statement .
The two superpowers are locked in a broad power struggle sweeping in trade , technology , defence and political influence .
Beijing said the report was the latest example of US scaremongering to justify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world .
`` China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and everyone knows that China is a builder of world peace , '' foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Wednesday .
The Pentagon report said China is determined to project its power eastward into the Pacific beyond Taiwan and to squeeze the United States out of the region .
China has in turn blamed Washington , which has military bases across the Pacific , for rising tensions in Asia .
Tensions between the two superpowers have simmered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , where China asserts territorial claims disputed by neighbours including Vietnam , the Philippines , Malaysia , and Taiwan .
The Pentagon said last month that Chinese drills involving ballistic missile launches in the sea threatened regional security .
Beijing , meanwhile , has blasted the `` tyrannical '' blacklisting by Washington of two dozen state-owned Chinese companies involved in building China 's regional bases .

Beijing (AFP) –
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China on Wednesday condemned a Pentagon report for claiming Beijing wants to double its stockpile of nuclear warheads within a decade as it seeks to deter the United States from any intervention linked to Taiwan.
The Pentagon's annual study on China's military power issued Tuesday said it has already matched or outstripped the US military in several areas of defence.
It added that the People's Liberation Army aims to be ready to win any conflict with the US over self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
China's defence ministry called the report "utterly wrong" and a misinterpretation of Beijing's "defence policy and military strategy".
The report "defamed China's military modernisation, defence expenditure, nuclear policy and other issues", the ministry said in a statement.
The two superpowers are locked in a broad power struggle sweeping in trade, technology, defence and political influence.
Beijing said the report was the latest example of US scaremongering to justify its own military spending -- the highest in the world.
"China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and everyone knows that China is a builder of world peace," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Wednesday.
The Pentagon report said China is determined to project its power eastward into the Pacific beyond Taiwan and to squeeze the United States out of the region.
China has in turn blamed Washington, which has military bases across the Pacific, for rising tensions in Asia.
Tensions between the two superpowers have simmered over the South China Sea in recent weeks, where China asserts territorial claims disputed by neighbours including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
The Pentagon said last month that Chinese drills involving ballistic missile launches in the sea threatened regional security.
Beijing, meanwhile, has blasted the "tyrannical" blacklisting by Washington of two dozen state-owned Chinese companies involved in building China's regional bases.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Three things we learned from England v Pakistan T20s

England and Pakistan shared the spoils in a Twenty20 series at Old Trafford that ended all square at 1-1 after the tourists ' five-run win in a last-ball thriller on Tuesday .
AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points from an entertaining contest : Tom Banton , following the absence through injury of Jason Roy , was given a chance in his preferred opening position and the 21-year-old Somerset batsman responded with scores of 71 , 20 and 46 .
But with Jos Buttler , one of several multi-format players omitted from the Pakistan series , returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting on Friday , Banton 's place at the top of the order is by no means assured , even if Roy is still sidelined .
Ahead of next year 's T20 World Cup in India , even as consistent as a performer as Dawid Malan , who has seven scores of over fifty in just 13 matches , can not be certain of their spot .
Test captain Joe Root will be keen to regain his place after being left out of the T20 squad to face Australia .
He has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
England national selector Ed Smith insists it is the kind of problem he loves to have and it is certainly one he has to deal with .
England , in common with several teams , still look vulnerable when in the field during the powerplay overs .
That makes the ongoing omission of left-arm paceman David Willey all the more curious , especially with Ben Stokes missing on compassionate leave while the star all-rounder spends time with his ill father in New Zealand .
The 30-year-old Yorkshire all-rounder has taken more wickets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in English history , but did not feature against Pakistan .
And despite being England 's man of the series in last month 's one-day international campaign against Ireland , when he took eight wickets and scored 98 runs for once out across the three games , he has also been left out of both the T20 and one-day squads for this month 's series against Australia .
`` He 's playing good cricket and still has ambitions to be in all the England white-ball sides .
But that 's one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength in depth , '' said Smith .
Age is just a number for Pakistan Pakistan have long had a reputation for giving fledgling talent a chance on the world stage and that tradition was maintained when the 19-year-old Haider Ali marked his international debut with a sparkling 54 on Tuesday .
But any suggestion Twenty20 is a young man 's game was countered by Mohammad Hafeez 's unbeaten 86 -- the 39-year-old 's fourth half-century in his past five innings in T20 internationals .
Haider and Hafeez shared a stand of exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell which one was the novice despite the 20-year age difference between them .
`` He was good under pressure and just expressed himself , '' said Hafeez of Haider .
`` I was just trying to back him every time , tell him 'you are playing well , continue like that ' .
It is great to see youngsters coming from our system and performing well . ''

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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England and Pakistan shared the spoils in a Twenty20 series at Old Trafford that ended all square at 1-1 after the tourists' five-run win in a last-ball thriller on Tuesday.
AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points from an entertaining contest:
England's batting depth
Tom Banton, following the absence through injury of Jason Roy, was given a chance in his preferred opening position and the 21-year-old Somerset batsman responded with scores of 71, 20 and 46.
But with Jos Buttler, one of several multi-format players omitted from the Pakistan series, returning for England in three T20s against Australia starting on Friday, Banton's place at the top of the order is by no means assured, even if Roy is still sidelined.
Ahead of next year's T20 World Cup in India, even as consistent as a performer as Dawid Malan, who has seven scores of over fifty in just 13 matches, cannot be certain of their spot.
Test captain Joe Root will be keen to regain his place after being left out of the T20 squad to face Australia. He has not played a T20 international since May 2019.
England national selector Ed Smith insists it is the kind of problem he loves to have and it is certainly one he has to deal with.
Powerplay problems
England, in common with several teams, still look vulnerable when in the field during the powerplay overs.
That makes the ongoing omission of left-arm paceman David Willey all the more curious, especially with Ben Stokes missing on compassionate leave while the star all-rounder spends time with his ill father in New Zealand.
The 30-year-old Yorkshire all-rounder has taken more wickets in the powerplay than any T20 bowler in English history, but did not feature against Pakistan.
And despite being England's man of the series in last month's one-day international campaign against Ireland, when he took eight wickets and scored 98 runs for once out across the three games, he has also been left out of both the T20 and one-day squads for this month's series against Australia.
"He's playing good cricket and still has ambitions to be in all the England white-ball sides. But that's one of the unfortunate consequences of having a lot of strength in depth," said Smith.
Age is just a number for Pakistan
Pakistan have long had a reputation for giving fledgling talent a chance on the world stage and that tradition was maintained when the 19-year-old Haider Ali marked his international debut with a sparkling 54 on Tuesday.
But any suggestion Twenty20 is a young man's game was countered by Mohammad Hafeez's unbeaten 86 -- the 39-year-old's fourth half-century in his past five innings in T20 internationals.
Haider and Hafeez shared a stand of exactly 100 during which it was hard to tell which one was the novice despite the 20-year age difference between them.
"He was good under pressure and just expressed himself," said Hafeez of Haider.
"I was just trying to back him every time, tell him 'you are playing well, continue like that'. It is great to see youngsters coming from our system and performing well."
© 2020 AFP