france24--2020-11-20--Families of jailed Saudis appeal to world ahead of G20

Families of imprisoned Saudis appealed Friday for the world to speak up as the kingdom hosts the Group of 20 summit , saying that challenging the kingdom 's international reputation was crucial to winning their freedom .
As leaders of the world 's largest economies prepared for talks Saturday that have gone virtual due to the Covid-19 pandemic , activists staged a `` counter-summit '' in hopes of throwing a spotlight on the ultra-conservative kingdom 's human rights record .
PEN America , the literary group that defends free expression , called the online forum amid continued outrage over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khashoggi , who was strangled and dismembered inside Saudi Arabia 's Istanbul consulate .
`` All of our relatives are in danger .
They are facing the threat of what Jamal Khashoggi has seen on a daily basis , '' said Areej al-Sadhan , who says her brother , Abdulrahman al-Sadhan , was picked by up Saudi secret police in March 2018 .
`` Your voices are going to help keep them safe , '' she said .
Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was seized in the Riyadh office of the Red Crescent humanitarian group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions on human rights and social justice on an anonymous Twitter account , according to the family .
Areej al-Sadhan , who lives in California , says she has faced shadowy threats since speaking about her brother , including a warning she was going to be `` thrown into the sewer system . ''
One of the most prominent Saudis in custody is 31-year-old Loujain al-Hathloul , a key figure in the campaign to allow Saudi women to drive who was arrested in May 2018 weeks before the kingdom lifted its ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hunger strike since October 26 when her parents visited her and found her to be `` very weak and hopeless , '' said her sister , Lina al-Hathoul .
`` We should not underestimate the power we have with our voices , '' Lina , who has lived in Europe for several years , told the counter-summit .
`` Even one word asking about political prisoners and prisoners of conscience -- saying their names , making sure they 're not forgotten -- really is something that could save them . ''
Outgoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely with Saudi Arabia , hailing its purchases of US weapons and hostility toward US adversary Iran .
Trump said of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he `` saved his ass '' after a US Senate resolution , which followed a CIA briefing , found the powerful young royal responsible for Khashoggi 's killing .
Senator Chris Murphy , a Democrat , told the counter-summit that he expected President-elect Joe Biden to address human rights in Saudi Arabia and the kingdom 's support for a brand of Islam that `` forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` It is past time for us to recognize that Saudi Arabia is a deeply imperfect ally and that our priorities in this relationship have been long skewed in a way that , I argue , is not to the advantage of the United States in the long run , '' Murphy said .
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers had urged the Trump administration to boycott the G20 , seeing it as part of efforts for Saudi Arabia to rebrand itself without meaningful reforms .
Instead , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual summit .
Safa al-Ahmad , acting director of the Saudi rights group ALQST , said the kingdom 's outreach efforts , such as inviting Western musicians , have been geared entirely at improving its public image abroad without reform at home .
`` There is a limit to the hypocrisy and the gaslighting of the Saudi government .
The reality is very , very different from what the government continues to claim . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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Families of imprisoned Saudis appealed Friday for the world to speak up as the kingdom hosts the Group of 20 summit, saying that challenging the kingdom's international reputation was crucial to winning their freedom.
As leaders of the world's largest economies prepared for talks Saturday that have gone virtual due to the Covid-19 pandemic, activists staged a "counter-summit" in hopes of throwing a spotlight on the ultra-conservative kingdom's human rights record.
PEN America, the literary group that defends free expression, called the online forum amid continued outrage over the 2018 murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, who was strangled and dismembered inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate.
"All of our relatives are in danger. They are facing the threat of what Jamal Khashoggi has seen on a daily basis," said Areej al-Sadhan, who says her brother, Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, was picked by up Saudi secret police in March 2018.
"Your voices are going to help keep them safe," she said.
Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was seized in the Riyadh office of the Red Crescent humanitarian group, where he worked, after he voiced opinions on human rights and social justice on an anonymous Twitter account, according to the family.
Areej al-Sadhan, who lives in California, says she has faced shadowy threats since speaking about her brother, including a warning she was going to be "thrown into the sewer system."
One of the most prominent Saudis in custody is 31-year-old Loujain al-Hathloul, a key figure in the campaign to allow Saudi women to drive who was arrested in May 2018 weeks before the kingdom lifted its ban on female drivers.
She has been on a hunger strike since October 26 when her parents visited her and found her to be "very weak and hopeless," said her sister, Lina al-Hathoul.
"We should not underestimate the power we have with our voices," Lina, who has lived in Europe for several years, told the counter-summit.
"Even one word asking about political prisoners and prisoners of conscience -- saying their names, making sure they're not forgotten -- really is something that could save them."
- Change expected under Biden -
Outgoing US President Donald Trump has aligned himself closely with Saudi Arabia, hailing its purchases of US weapons and hostility toward US adversary Iran.
Trump said of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he "saved his ass" after a US Senate resolution, which followed a CIA briefing, found the powerful young royal responsible for Khashoggi's killing.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, told the counter-summit that he expected President-elect Joe Biden to address human rights in Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's support for a brand of Islam that "forms the building blocks of global extremist movements."
"It is past time for us to recognize that Saudi Arabia is a deeply imperfect ally and that our priorities in this relationship have been long skewed in a way that, I argue, is not to the advantage of the United States in the long run," Murphy said.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers had urged the Trump administration to boycott the G20, seeing it as part of efforts for Saudi Arabia to rebrand itself without meaningful reforms.
Instead, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit in person hours after the virtual summit.
Safa al-Ahmad, acting director of the Saudi rights group ALQST, said the kingdom's outreach efforts, such as inviting Western musicians, have been geared entirely at improving its public image abroad without reform at home.
"There is a limit to the hypocrisy and the gaslighting of the Saudi government. The reality is very, very different from what the government continues to claim."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-20--'Was he any good at cricket?': Wales debutant Botham at ease with famous name

Wales rugby debutant James Botham remembers vividly the moment he became aware the man he once thought of just as his grandfather was also one of England 's greatest cricketers .
`` I knew of it , but it was n't really until I got told by my gran ( Kath Botham ) , '' recalled the 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker .
`` We were all playing cricket in the garden and he 's got a cigar in one hand , which he put in his mouth , a glass of wine in the other with a cricket bat !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my grandmother 'was he any good at cricket ? '
.
She said 'he was alright at some point ! '
.
`` Growing up in school playing cricket myself I realised it a bit more , as people would try and get into me when I came out to bat .
`` That all just goes over my head really , it does n't really bother me , '' added Botham , who is set to win his first Test cap against Georgia in an Autumn Nations Cup clash at Llanelli on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an understatement .
One of the finest all-round cricketers of his generation , he so transformed the 1981 series against Australia in England 's favour after resigning as captain , it became known as `` Botham 's Ashes '' .
That his grandson is about to play for Wales owes much to the rugby career of Liam Botham , Ian 's son and James ' father .
Liam was playing for Cardiff when James was born in the Welsh capital .
But his father 's move to Newcastle , northeast England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cumbria , a noted rugby nursery whose 'old boys ' include former England captain Will Carling , World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood and current Wales prop Tomas Francis .
But Botham , who joined Cardiff straight from school as an 18-year-old after making 500-mile round rips for training sessions , insisted he 'd never had doubts about where his allegiance lay .
`` Everyone gives me grief about it –- saying 'your grandad could n't be more English if he tried ! '
but I was born down here and since I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag painted in my room on the wall , '' he said .
`` I always wanted to play for Wales and that 's why I 've stuck to it and done the long journey from Sedbergh down to Wales to hopefully get myself in .
It 's paid off . ''
Botham , who said the main piece of advice he 'd received from his grandfather , was to `` enjoy yourself '' only got called into the Wales squad on Monday after playing just 13 professional games .
But with Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been catapulted straight into the starting XV by coach Wayne Pivac .
`` I did n't have a clue , but was called on Sunday night to say I was in camp , '' said Botham .
`` Then they announced the team for the players and my name was on there .
`` I was just looking at it thinking 'this ca n't be real ! '
but it is .
I ca n't wait to go out there now . ''
Coronavirus restrictions mean Saturday 's match will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is grateful for the support he 's received from all his family , it is his late great-grandfather , Gerry Waller -- Kath Botham 's father -- whose absence James will feel most acutely when he runs out at Parc Y Scarlets .
`` Sadly , the main man who was there for all my games was my great-grandfather , '' he said .
`` He was there every game and would come up afterwards with his packet of Jelly Babies .
It was a good sight at the end of the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before he died , I did promise I would try to play for Wales .
He will be looking down on me from up there .
Hopefully , I can do him proud on the weekend . ''

London (AFP) –
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Wales rugby debutant James Botham remembers vividly the moment he became aware the man he once thought of just as his grandfather was also one of England's greatest cricketers.
"I knew of it, but it wasn't really until I got told by my gran (Kath Botham)," recalled the 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker.
"We were all playing cricket in the garden and he's got a cigar in one hand, which he put in his mouth, a glass of wine in the other with a cricket bat!
"I did ask the question to my grandmother 'was he any good at cricket?'. She said 'he was alright at some point!'.
"Growing up in school playing cricket myself I realised it a bit more, as people would try and get into me when I came out to bat.
"That all just goes over my head really, it doesn't really bother me," added Botham, who is set to win his first Test cap against Georgia in an Autumn Nations Cup clash at Llanelli on Saturday.
"Alright" is something of an understatement.
Ian Botham played 102 Tests for England from 1977-1992.
One of the finest all-round cricketers of his generation, he so transformed the 1981 series against Australia in England's favour after resigning as captain, it became known as "Botham's Ashes".
That his grandson is about to play for Wales owes much to the rugby career of Liam Botham, Ian's son and James' father.
Liam was playing for Cardiff when James was born in the Welsh capital.
But his father's move to Newcastle, northeast England, saw James educated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, a noted rugby nursery whose 'old boys' include former England captain Will Carling, World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood and current Wales prop Tomas Francis.
But Botham, who joined Cardiff straight from school as an 18-year-old after making 500-mile round rips for training sessions, insisted he'd never had doubts about where his allegiance lay.
- 'Always Wales' -
"Everyone gives me grief about it –- saying 'your grandad couldn't be more English if he tried!' but I was born down here and since I was a kid I had the Welsh flag painted in my room on the wall," he said.
"I always wanted to play for Wales and that's why I've stuck to it and done the long journey from Sedbergh down to Wales to hopefully get myself in. It's paid off."
Botham, who said the main piece of advice he'd received from his grandfather, was to "enjoy yourself" only got called into the Wales squad on Monday after playing just 13 professional games.
But with Wales having lost their last six Tests, he has been catapulted straight into the starting XV by coach Wayne Pivac.
"I didn't have a clue, but was called on Sunday night to say I was in camp," said Botham. "Then they announced the team for the players and my name was on there.
"I was just looking at it thinking 'this can't be real!' but it is. I can't wait to go out there now."
Coronavirus restrictions mean Saturday's match will be behind closed doors.
And while he is grateful for the support he's received from all his family, it is his late great-grandfather, Gerry Waller -- Kath Botham's father -- whose absence James will feel most acutely when he runs out at Parc Y Scarlets.
"Sadly, the main man who was there for all my games was my great-grandfather," he said.
"He was there every game and would come up afterwards with his packet of Jelly Babies. It was a good sight at the end of the game, especially as a kid.
"Before he died, I did promise I would try to play for Wales. He will be looking down on me from up there. Hopefully, I can do him proud on the weekend."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-20--England's Itoje seeks solace from 'The Lion King' as Ireland await

Maro Itoje may have been tipped by many to be the Lions ' 'King ' in South Africa next year , but it is the animated children 's film 'The Lion King ' that is providing the England star with unusual inspiration at a time of uncertainty in his club career .
Itoje , who will line-up in England 's second row when they face Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup at Twickenham on Saturday , remains with Saracens following the five-times Premiership champions ' relegation from the English top flight at the end of last season for breaches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020/21 Premiership season starts on Friday , the second-tier Championship remains on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic and may not get going until the new year , if it starts at all .
But Itoje is trying not to let the doubts over London club Saracens ' schedule prey on his mind .
`` I do n't know if you ever watched 'The Lion King ' , but Timon and Pumbaa ( two of the animal characters ) had a saying called `` Hakuna-matata '' , Itoje told reporters .
`` It means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this type of thing , where you have no control over the outcome , you have no control over the planning process , you should try as much as possible just to let it figure itself out and not lose any sleep worrying or being anxious about X , Y or Z , '' the 26-year-old added .
`` I 'm at peace .
In the long run everything always tends to work out well .
I know with the type of club Saracens is , that if the worst-case scenario happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it work . ''
But he admitted it felt strange not knowing when Saracens , the 2019 Premiership and European double-winners , would next play a domestic league game .
`` It 's a little bit weird to be honest !
, '' he said .
`` I was on Twitter the other day looking at all the rugby shirts .
I was like 'where 's Saracens ? '
I forgot that we were down ( relegated ) !
`` I do n't really know when we 're going to be back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve got a presumptive date in January but you keep on hearing different things .
I 'm not too sure there 's been a definitive answer . ''
There are those who argue a greatly reduced club programme could benefit Saracens stars such as Itoje and England captain Owen Farrell by ensuring they are fresh , yet match fit through Red Rose duty , for the British and Irish Lions ' three-Test series away to world champions South Africa in June and July .
The dynamic Itoje , a veteran of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three for the Lions during their drawn 2017 series in New Zealand ) , has been tipped to lead the combined side .
His apparent habit of 'getting in the face ' of opponents when his team are awarded a penalty has , however , annoyed traditionalists .
But Itoje , a member of the England side beaten by South Africa in last year 's World Cup final , said his conduct had been misunderstood .
`` My celebrations , or whenever there 's a small moment or a small victory within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with the opposition , '' he explained .
`` The opposition do n't cross my mind ... My energy is towards my team , it 's to celebrate my team-mates doing something special . ''

London (AFP) –
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Maro Itoje may have been tipped by many to be the Lions' 'King' in South Africa next year, but it is the animated children's film 'The Lion King' that is providing the England star with unusual inspiration at a time of uncertainty in his club career.
Itoje, who will line-up in England's second row when they face Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup at Twickenham on Saturday, remains with Saracens following the five-times Premiership champions' relegation from the English top flight at the end of last season for breaches of the salary cap.
While the new 2020/21 Premiership season starts on Friday, the second-tier Championship remains on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic and may not get going until the new year, if it starts at all.
But Itoje is trying not to let the doubts over London club Saracens' schedule prey on his mind.
"I don't know if you ever watched 'The Lion King', but Timon and Pumbaa (two of the animal characters) had a saying called "Hakuna-matata", Itoje told reporters. "It means 'no worries'.
"I feel with this type of thing, where you have no control over the outcome, you have no control over the planning process, you should try as much as possible just to let it figure itself out and not lose any sleep worrying or being anxious about X, Y or Z," the 26-year-old added.
"I'm at peace. In the long run everything always tends to work out well. I know with the type of club Saracens is, that if the worst-case scenario happened we'll find a way to make it work."
But he admitted it felt strange not knowing when Saracens, the 2019 Premiership and European double-winners, would next play a domestic league game.
"It's a little bit weird to be honest!," he said. "I was on Twitter the other day looking at all the rugby shirts. I was like 'where's Saracens?' I forgot that we were down (relegated)!
"I don't really know when we're going to be back. I know the boys are training and they’ve got a presumptive date in January but you keep on hearing different things. I'm not too sure there's been a definitive answer."
There are those who argue a greatly reduced club programme could benefit Saracens stars such as Itoje and England captain Owen Farrell by ensuring they are fresh, yet match fit through Red Rose duty, for the British and Irish Lions' three-Test series away to world champions South Africa in June and July.
- 'Energy for team-mates' -
The dynamic Itoje, a veteran of 43 Tests (40 for England and three for the Lions during their drawn 2017 series in New Zealand), has been tipped to lead the combined side.
His apparent habit of 'getting in the face' of opponents when his team are awarded a penalty has, however, annoyed traditionalists.
But Itoje, a member of the England side beaten by South Africa in last year's World Cup final, said his conduct had been misunderstood.
"My celebrations, or whenever there's a small moment or a small victory within the game, it almost has nothing to do with the opposition," he explained.
"The opposition don't cross my mind...My energy is towards my team, it's to celebrate my team-mates doing something special."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-20--Armed men in T-shirts enforce the law, raise election violence fears in Uganda

Supporters of Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine take cover from tear gas during his arrest in Luuka , Uganda , on November 18 , 2020 .
Uganda this week witnessed its worst violence in a decade when demonstrators took to the streets to protest opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine ’ s arrest .
The ferocity of the violence and the state ’ s use of armed plainclothesmen raised alarm bells as President Yoweri Museveni , Africa ’ s longest-serving leader , faces a popular challenger in the January election .
The video clip , recorded from a family car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outskirts of the Ugandan capital , Kampala , documents 45 seconds of raw human terror .
“ These guys are shooting , ” says a female voice inside the car while through the windshield , young men in T-shirts and jeans can be seen wielding automatic rifles on the street .
The panic mounts as the armed men start shooting wantonly into the air thick with teargas .
“ What ?
!
Jesus !
” cries the woman .
“ Mummy , mummy , I ’ m very scared , ” whimpers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distance at chest level .
The video clip , posted on Twitter by leading Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo , was just one of many disturbing images circulating on social media sites on Thursday as plainclothes and uniformed security officers shot demonstrators protesting the arrest of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine , killing at least 37 people .
“ In the last couple of days we have begun to see very unusual things in this country : individuals driving private cars , wielding guns and shooting indiscriminately at anybody they see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely worrying , ” said Opiyo in an interview with FRANCE 24 on Friday .
“ We believe the government has been hiring paramilitary militia in the guise of maintaining law and order.
” The video , Opiyo noted , was shot on Thursday by a colleague who wished to remain anonymous .
“ We have seen many like this online yesterday , but I can vouch for this video because I know the person who shot it , ” he said .
Election season can be a particularly fraught time in Uganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started early and with a ferocity that raised alarm bells , exposing the high political stakes for President Museveni .
‘ Let Museveni know that we are not slaves ’ Museveni is running for re-election in the January 2021 polls after the country ’ s election commission on November 2 cleared the incumbent ’ s bid to extend his 34-year rule .
Since Museveni took power in 1986 after ousting a military government , the 76-year-old rebel soldier-turned-president has never lost a single election in his political career .
But he faces a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 38-year-old musician-turned-politician .
Uganda ’ s “ ghetto president ” , as he ’ s popularly known , has captured the imagination of many voters and electrified his primarily young fan base with his fearless calls for Museveni to step down .
Wine – whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu – was arrested earlier this week and charged with flouting Covid-19 restrictions .
Following Thursday ’ s violence – the country ’ s worst unrest in a decade – he was freed on bail on Friday and is due to appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to journalists after his release , a weary-looking Wine sounded defiant .
“ Let Museveni know that we are not slaves and we shall not accept to be slaves , ” he said .
“ We shall be free.
” Wine ’ s characteristic displays of defiance following his frequent arrests have turned into a familiar feature on the Ugandan political scene since he was elected to parliament in 2017 .
Following a 2018 spell in jail , Wine was allowed to travel to the US for medical treatment for injuries sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling party members harboured secret hopes that this young , green parliamentarian could be intimidated into staying on in the US , those dreams were soon dashed .
Following his treatment , the crowd-gathering thorn in Museveni ’ s side returned to his homeland , vowing not to be intimidated .
“ I am a free Ugandan with the right to move freely in my country , '' he declared upon arrival .
Wine ’ s latest arrest was the second in barely a month .
On November 3 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidacy .
After being blocked from going to his offices , Wine was taken to his residence , where he addressed his supporters , displaying his torn suit jacket and pointing to injuries sustained by some of his associates during the arrest .
But while Wine ’ s detentions are not new , the public reaction to his arrest this week caught experts and human rights defenders by surprise .
“ Museveni ’ s hold on power has been achieved by visiting violence , intimidation , corruption and bribery – this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s new is the level of reaction from the public.
” Wine ’ s arrest on Wednesday triggered immediate protests in Kampala and quickly spread to other towns across the East African nation .
By late Wednesday , the Red Cross said it had treated dozens of injured , including 11 people for gunshot wounds .
By Thursday night , the situation had deteriorated , with shop windows broken and looted , and youths burning tyres on the streets , demanding Wine ’ s release .
Ugandan police maintain their forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not support Wine ’ s National Unity Platform ( NUP ) party .
`` What we have seen in the last few days , that is violence , vandalism , looting , intimidation and threats , are crimes that were being committed [ against ] people who are not pro-NUP , '' said police spokesman Fred Enanga .
`` This is not something that we can tolerate . ''
While admitting the situation had turned “ very intense ” , Opiyo noted that the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s no doubt the brutality of the security agencies was met with unruly conduct by people who were outraged and using every means to express their outrage , ” said Opiyo .
In a country mired in poverty and youth unemployment , public anger has been mounting against an ageing , governing clique that has arbitrarily deployed security officials to uphold the law as they see fit .
While Wine was arrested for flouting coronavirus restrictions , members of Museveni ’ s National Resistance Movement party have held packed campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacefully secured by law enforcement officials .
`` Coronavirus restrictions are being used as an excuse for violent repression of the opposition and to give added advantage to the ruling party , ” said Opiyo .
“ This is about using Covid to obtain political advantage.
” The use of armed plainclothes men on Thursday has also terrified the citizenry , adding to insecurity fears in the run-up to the January 15 elections .
“ This is not the first time we have seen them on the streets , often times they work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opiyo .
“ But since they are government employed individuals , it ’ s often difficult to hold them to account.
” While the mysterious gunmen in T-shirts are allowed to “ control the street ” with impunity , human rights defenders in Uganda are bracing for a particularly intimidating campaign season .
A day after posting the posting the video clip and other images of armed men in civilian clothes , Opiyo admitted he was concerned for his safety as well as the safety of other human rights defenders and civil society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my office last night because I got word that I was being trailed .
They are very unhappy that I ’ m posting these updates .
Two days ago , civil society activists were stopped in their car , and taken out and beaten , journalists are being beaten , any group that questions the authorities are being brutalised , ” said Opiyo .
“ I don ’ t feel safe , but this is my home and I ’ m not going anywhere .
”

Uganda this week witnessed its worst violence in a decade when demonstrators took to the streets to protest opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine’s arrest. The ferocity of the violence and the state’s use of armed plainclothes militias raised alarm bells as President Yoweri Museveni, Africa’s longest-serving leader, faces a popular challenger in the January election.
Supporters of Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine take cover from tear gas during his arrest in Luuka, Uganda, on November 18, 2020.
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The video clip, recorded from a family car packed with audibly panicking members on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital, Kampala, documents 45 seconds of raw human terror.
“These guys are shooting,” says a female voice inside the car while through the windshield, young men in T-shirts and jeans can be seen wielding automatic rifles on the street.
The panic mounts as the armed men start shooting wantonly into the air thick with teargas. “What?! Jesus!” cries the woman. “Mummy, mummy, I’m very scared,” whimpers the woman as the heavyset gunman shoots into the distance at chest level.
The video clip, posted on Twitter by leading Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo, was just one of many disturbing images circulating on social media sites on Thursday as plainclothes and uniformed security officers shot demonstrators protesting the arrest of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, killing at least 37 people.
This is not a war zone. It is an election or what they call so in Uganda. We are fast spiraling into anarchy in here. We must restore calm & avoid bloodshed. Whoever wins in these circumstances may be a lawful but not a legitimate leader #StopTheBloodshed pic.twitter.com/o1dgWs8DDR — Nicholas Opiyo (@nickopiyo) November 19, 2020
“In the last couple of days we have begun to see very unusual things in this country: individuals driving private cars, wielding guns and shooting indiscriminately at anybody they see on the streets. These signs are extremely worrying,” said Opiyo in an interview with FRANCE 24 on Friday. “We believe the government has been hiring paramilitary militia in the guise of maintaining law and order.”
The video, Opiyo noted, was shot on Thursday by a colleague who wished to remain anonymous. “We have seen many like this online yesterday, but I can vouch for this video because I know the person who shot it,” he said.
Election season can be a particularly fraught time in Uganda. But this time, the violence started early and with a ferocity that raised alarm bells, exposing the high political stakes for President Museveni.
‘Let Museveni know that we are not slaves’
Museveni is running for re-election in the January 2021 polls after the country’s election commission on November 2 cleared the incumbent’s bid to extend his 34-year rule.
Since Museveni took power in 1986 after ousting a military government, the 76-year-old rebel soldier-turned-president has never lost a single election in his political career.
But he faces a serious threat next year from Wine, a 38-year-old musician-turned-politician.
Uganda’s “ghetto president”, as he’s popularly known, has captured the imagination of many voters and electrified his primarily young fan base with his fearless calls for Museveni to step down.
Wine – whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu – was arrested earlier this week and charged with flouting Covid-19 restrictions. Following Thursday’s violence – the country’s worst unrest in a decade – he was freed on bail on Friday and is due to appear in court again on December 18.
Speaking to journalists after his release, a weary-looking Wine sounded defiant. “Let Museveni know that we are not slaves and we shall not accept to be slaves,” he said. “We shall be free.”
The Wine arrest-release-defiance routine
Wine’s characteristic displays of defiance following his frequent arrests have turned into a familiar feature on the Ugandan political scene since he was elected to parliament in 2017.
Following a 2018 spell in jail, Wine was allowed to travel to the US for medical treatment for injuries sustained during his incarceration.
But if Uganda’s ruling party members harboured secret hopes that this young, green parliamentarian could be intimidated into staying on in the US, those dreams were soon dashed. Following his treatment, the crowd-gathering thorn in Museveni’s side returned to his homeland, vowing not to be intimidated. “I am a free Ugandan with the right to move freely in my country," he declared upon arrival.
Wine’s latest arrest was the second in barely a month. On November 3, he was detained shortly after filing his presidential candidacy. After being blocked from going to his offices, Wine was taken to his residence, where he addressed his supporters, displaying his torn suit jacket and pointing to injuries sustained by some of his associates during the arrest.
Uganda erupts after another arrest
But while Wine’s detentions are not new, the public reaction to his arrest this week caught experts and human rights defenders by surprise.
“Museveni’s hold on power has been achieved by visiting violence, intimidation, corruption and bribery – this is not new,” said Opiyo. “What’s new is the level of reaction from the public.”
Wine’s arrest on Wednesday triggered immediate protests in Kampala and quickly spread to other towns across the East African nation. By late Wednesday, the Red Cross said it had treated dozens of injured, including 11 people for gunshot wounds. By Thursday night, the situation had deteriorated, with shop windows broken and looted, and youths burning tyres on the streets, demanding Wine’s release.
Ugandan police maintain their forces were containing rioters who were targeting people who did not support Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party. "What we have seen in the last few days, that is violence, vandalism, looting, intimidation and threats, are crimes that were being committed [against] people who are not pro-NUP," said police spokesman Fred Enanga. "This is not something that we can tolerate."
‘Using Covid to obtain political advantage’
While admitting the situation had turned “very intense”, Opiyo noted that the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by security officers had exacerbated the violence.
“There’s no doubt the brutality of the security agencies was met with unruly conduct by people who were outraged and using every means to express their outrage,” said Opiyo.
In a country mired in poverty and youth unemployment, public anger has been mounting against an ageing, governing clique that has arbitrarily deployed security officials to uphold the law as they see fit.
While Wine was arrested for flouting coronavirus restrictions, members of Museveni’s National Resistance Movement party have held packed campaign events in recent weeks that have been peacefully secured by law enforcement officials.
"Coronavirus restrictions are being used as an excuse for violent repression of the opposition and to give added advantage to the ruling party,” said Opiyo. “This is about using Covid to obtain political advantage.”
The use of armed plainclothes men on Thursday has also terrified the citizenry, adding to insecurity fears in the run-up to the January 15 elections.
“This is not the first time we have seen them on the streets, often times they work alongside uniformed security personnel,” explained Opiyo. “But since they are government employed individuals, it’s often difficult to hold them to account.”
While the mysterious gunmen in T-shirts are allowed to “control the street” with impunity, human rights defenders in Uganda are bracing for a particularly intimidating campaign season.
A day after posting the posting the video clip and other images of armed men in civilian clothes, Opiyo admitted he was concerned for his safety as well as the safety of other human rights defenders and civil society activists in Uganda.
“I slept in my office last night because I got word that I was being trailed. They are very unhappy that I’m posting these updates. Two days ago, civil society activists were stopped in their car, and taken out and beaten, journalists are being beaten, any group that questions the authorities are being brutalised,” said Opiyo. “I don’t feel safe, but this is my home and I’m not going anywhere.”
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france24--2020-11-20--Mexico City restricts alcohol sales to tackle virus

Medical personnel receive decorations during the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution at the Monument to the @ @ @ @ @ City authorities on Friday announced restrictions on alcohol sales to discourage parties and warned the @ @ @ @ @ lockdown after nationwide coronavirus deaths soared past 100,000 .
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that the @ @ @ @ @ limit '' of its current status of orange under a traffic-light system introduced in response @ @ @ @ @ return to red would see non-essential activities suspended again in the city of nine million @ @ @ @ @ `` urgent '' cooperation from the capital 's residents to reduce hospitalizations .
She said @ @ @ @ @ in half of the city 's 16 municipalities this weekend , and in the other @ @ @ @ @ Mexico 's official coronavirus death toll reached 100,104 on Thursday -- the fourth highest in @ @ @ @ @ testing means the actual figure is believed to be much higher .
The government imposed @ @ @ @ @ of March and started gradually reopening the economy in June .

Mexico City (AFP) –
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Mexico City authorities on Friday announced restrictions on alcohol sales to discourage parties and warned the city was close to another lockdown after nationwide coronavirus deaths soared past 100,000.
Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that the capital was "at the limit" of its current status of orange under a traffic-light system introduced in response to the pandemic.
A return to red would see non-essential activities suspended again in the city of nine million people.
Sheinbaum appealed for "urgent" cooperation from the capital's residents to reduce hospitalizations.
She said alcohol sales would be banned in half of the city's 16 municipalities this weekend, and in the other half the following weekend.
Mexico's official coronavirus death toll reached 100,104 on Thursday -- the fourth highest in the world -- although limited testing means the actual figure is believed to be much higher.
The government imposed lockdown measures at the end of March and started gradually reopening the economy in June.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Brazilian duo fire Beijing past FC Seoul

Brazilians Fernando and A Lan scored either side of the break as Beijing Guoan overcame a huge jinx against South Korean opposition with a 2-1 victory over FC Seoul in their Champions League clash on Saturday .
The Chinese side ’ s second win in as many matches -- they had beaten Thailand 's Chiangrai United in February before the pandemic struck -- took them to the top of Group E which also includes Melbourne Victory .
Beijing were carrying a dubious record in the tournament , having won only two of their 19 matches against South Korean teams before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doha ’ s Education City Stadium .
But they proved much better on the day with a cohesive display , rarely allowing the six-times K League champions any leeway , especially in the first session , which they thoroughly dominated with 68 percent ball possession .
After the initial moments of circumspection , midfielder Fernando put Beijing ahead in the eighth minute with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box as he found space following an assist from Zhang Yunin .
Clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by for both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-half stoppage time , his shot from outside the box going slightly wide of target .
Han had another chance four minutes after resumption but Beijing goalkeeper Hou Sen brought off a splendid save after the Korean had brilliantly controlled a Ko Kwang-min pass before taking his shot .
Although the Koreans produced a better display after the break , it was the Beijingers who still held control most of the time and looked like scoring .
And sure enough they managed to extend their lead in the 60th minute with A Lan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latching on to a long pass from Renato Augusto , another Brazilian in the Beijing ranks , and beating the Seoul goalkeeper Yang Han-been with a powerful shot from just outside the box .
FC Seoul got back into the match six minutes later when Beijing ’ s South Korean defender Kim Min-jae handled the ball just inside the area and Park Chu-yong easily found the net from the penalty spot .
Desperate for another goal , Seoul tried to up the tempo but failed to make any headway against Beijing who stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the knockout phase Beijing face Melbourne Victory next on Tuesday while Seoul will lock horns with Chiangrai United the same day .

Doha (AFP) –
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Brazilians Fernando and A Lan scored either side of the break as Beijing Guoan overcame a huge jinx against South Korean opposition with a 2-1 victory over FC Seoul in their Champions League clash on Saturday.
The Chinese side’s second win in as many matches -- they had beaten Thailand's Chiangrai United in February before the pandemic struck -- took them to the top of Group E which also includes Melbourne Victory.
Beijing were carrying a dubious record in the tournament, having won only two of their 19 matches against South Korean teams before they lined up against FC Seoul at Doha’s Education City Stadium.
But they proved much better on the day with a cohesive display, rarely allowing the six-times K League champions any leeway, especially in the first session, which they thoroughly dominated with 68 percent ball possession.
After the initial moments of circumspection, midfielder Fernando put Beijing ahead in the eighth minute with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box as he found space following an assist from Zhang Yunin.
Clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by for both sides, but Han Chan-hee almost equalized in first-half stoppage time, his shot from outside the box going slightly wide of target.
Han had another chance four minutes after resumption but Beijing goalkeeper Hou Sen brought off a splendid save after the Korean had brilliantly controlled a Ko Kwang-min pass before taking his shot.
Although the Koreans produced a better display after the break, it was the Beijingers who still held control most of the time and looked like scoring.
And sure enough they managed to extend their lead in the 60th minute with A Lan, formerly known as Alan Carvalho, latching on to a long pass from Renato Augusto, another Brazilian in the Beijing ranks, and beating the Seoul goalkeeper Yang Han-been with a powerful shot from just outside the box.
FC Seoul got back into the match six minutes later when Beijing’s South Korean defender Kim Min-jae handled the ball just inside the area and Park Chu-yong easily found the net from the penalty spot.
Desperate for another goal, Seoul tried to up the tempo but failed to make any headway against Beijing who stayed well on course for a spot in the knockout phase
Beijing face Melbourne Victory next on Tuesday while Seoul will lock horns with Chiangrai United the same day.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Armenia PM urges stronger military links with Russia

Armenian soldiers patroled a check point outside Aghdam before the district was due to be returned to Azerbaijan Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Saturday for greater military cooperation with Russia , a day after Azerbaijani troops began moving into disputed territory previously held by Armenian separatist forces .
`` We hope we can reinforce cooperation with Russia not only in the security sector but also military and technical cooperation , '' he said , according to his press service .
`` Of course , there were hard times before the war , but the situation today is even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting in Yerevan with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu , after Azerbaijani troops Friday moved into the Aghdam district bordering Nagorno-Karabakh .
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed a Russian-brokered ceasefire on November 9 after six weeks of fighting over the self-proclaimed republic .
Under the agreement , Azerbaijan will regain control of three districts that have been controlled by the separatists since the 1990s .
Around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have deployed in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh under the terms of the deal and Shoigu said Saturday the troops had secured the return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory who were displaced during the recent fighting .
`` For us , the main thing is to prevent bloodshed , '' Shoigu said Saturday .
He was part of a major Russian delegation in Yerevan that also included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov .
Lavrov described the visit as a signal of Russia 's `` support '' for Armenian authorities , who have come under growing pressure from the opposition for ceding disputed territory to Azerbaijan .
Armenia replaced its defence minister Friday in an effort to placate demonstrators that stormed government buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to the streets almost daily since .
Yet Lavrov said that `` attempts to question this agreement both domestically and internationally are unacceptable . ''
Several thousand people gathered again in Yerevan Saturday to voice their opposition to the deal and demand Pashinyan 's resignation .
The prime minister was responsible for `` a crisis of dignity in our society , a social , moral and economic crisis , '' former rights ombudsman in Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Melkonyan said at the rally .
`` Only after Pashinyan leaves can we find our dignity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
Separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh and several surrounding districts had captured the territory and claimed independence following a post-Soviet 1990s war that left around 30,000 dead .
Their claim was not recognised internationally , however , even by Armenia .
As part of the peace accord , Armenia agreed to return 15 to 20 percent of Nagorno-Karabakh territory captured by Azerbaijan in recent fighting , including the historic town of Shusha .
Opposition figures have denounced Pashinyan as a traitor for having agreed to what they see as the humiliating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has sacked defence and foreign ministers , he has refused calls to step down .

Yerevan (AFP) –
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Saturday for greater military cooperation with Russia, a day after Azerbaijani troops began moving into disputed territory previously held by Armenian separatist forces.
"We hope we can reinforce cooperation with Russia not only in the security sector but also military and technical cooperation," he said, according to his press service.
"Of course, there were hard times before the war, but the situation today is even more difficult."
Pashinyan was speaking during a meeting in Yerevan with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, after Azerbaijani troops Friday moved into the Aghdam district bordering Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed a Russian-brokered ceasefire on November 9 after six weeks of fighting over the self-proclaimed republic. Under the agreement, Azerbaijan will regain control of three districts that have been controlled by the separatists since the 1990s.
Around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have deployed in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh under the terms of the deal and Shoigu said Saturday the troops had secured the return of 7,000 refugees back into the disputed territory who were displaced during the recent fighting.
"For us, the main thing is to prevent bloodshed," Shoigu said Saturday. He was part of a major Russian delegation in Yerevan that also included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov described the visit as a signal of Russia's "support" for Armenian authorities, who have come under growing pressure from the opposition for ceding disputed territory to Azerbaijan.
- 'Social, moral and economic crisis' -
Armenia replaced its defence minister Friday in an effort to placate demonstrators that stormed government buildings after the deal was announced and have taken to the streets almost daily since.
Yet Lavrov said that "attempts to question this agreement both domestically and internationally are unacceptable."
Several thousand people gathered again in Yerevan Saturday to voice their opposition to the deal and demand Pashinyan's resignation.
The prime minister was responsible for "a crisis of dignity in our society, a social, moral and economic crisis," former rights ombudsman in Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Melkonyan said at the rally.
"Only after Pashinyan leaves can we find our dignity again and get back on our feet," he added.
Separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh and several surrounding districts had captured the territory and claimed independence following a post-Soviet 1990s war that left around 30,000 dead.
Their claim was not recognised internationally, however, even by Armenia.
As part of the peace accord, Armenia agreed to return 15 to 20 percent of Nagorno-Karabakh territory captured by Azerbaijan in recent fighting, including the historic town of Shusha.
Opposition figures have denounced Pashinyan as a traitor for having agreed to what they see as the humiliating terms of the deal, but while he has sacked defence and foreign ministers, he has refused calls to step down.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Thai students and dancing dinosaurs rally in Bangkok

Thai protestors dressed as dinosaurs rally with students for reform of the education system Thousands of high school students upset about Thailand 's lacklustre education system rallied alongside protestors dressed as dancing dinosaurs in Bangkok on Saturday .
It was the first mass gathering in the kingdom since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned authorities would use all laws , including harsh royal defamation charges , to crack down on pro-democracy protesters .
Since August , emboldened by a broader political protest movement sweeping Thailand , a group called the `` Bad Students '' have campaigned for the resignation of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , equality , a curriculum overhaul and relaxation of strict rules .
Ahead of Saturday 's rally three student leaders were summoned for police questioning and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said there were now four juveniles facing potential prosecution .
But despite the threats the youngsters remained defiant as they danced alongside half a dozen T-Rex characters representing Thailand 's `` political dinosaurs '' and bounced around giant `` asteroid '' balls .
`` We have to come out and make our voices heard to force change , '' Leaf , 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrist bands to indicate they were underage , so older protesters could protect them .
`` School is not a safe place ( for girls ) , '' one student 's placard said .
Hundreds of protesters at the rally wore rubber duck hair clips , a reference to pro-democracy protesters using inflatable pool toys to shield themselves from police water cannon and tear gas on Tuesday .
Many protesters were upset families have to fork out extra money on tutoring because of the poor quality of teaching .
`` I spend so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and need to enrol her in a faraway school so that she could get a good education .
It should not be like this , '' said Supaporn Pratumrat , 41 , who attended the rally with her daughter .
Izzy 18 , went to the US on an student exchange last year and said students there were able to have fun and pursue their hobbies after school but many Thai students do n't have that luxury .
`` In Thailand some students go to extra classes from 4pm to 9pm , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thailand has been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution , unprecedented calls to reform the untouchable monarchy , and for Prime Minister Prayut , who came to power in a 2014 coup , to resign .
Police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters outside parliament on Tuesday and 55 people were injured including six people shot during scuffles between democracy activists and hardline royalists .
A day later protesters graffitied the outside the national police headquarters and threw paint at the complex .
The government 's decision to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defamation charges against pro-democracy protesters is likely to increase tensions ahead of the next major rally scheduled for Wednesday .
`` Destroying public property , unprecedented violation of the monarchy , I personally can not accept this , '' Prayut said on Friday night .
In Thailand lese majeste charges are routinely interpreted to include any criticism of the monarchy -- including content posted or shared on social media .
Anyone convicted of defaming , insulting or threatening the king , queen , heir or regent faces between three and 15 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin is keeping an eye on events in Thailand .
`` If the democratic movement was crushed by the army or the security forces , and victims were killed , then I do not believe that the king of Thailand can continue to stay in Germany , '' German Social Democratic parliamentarian Nils Schmidt told German channel ARD .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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Thousands of high school students upset about Thailand's lacklustre education system rallied alongside protestors dressed as dancing dinosaurs in Bangkok on Saturday.
It was the first mass gathering in the kingdom since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned authorities would use all laws, including harsh royal defamation charges, to crack down on pro-democracy protesters.
Since August, emboldened by a broader political protest movement sweeping Thailand, a group called the "Bad Students" have campaigned for the resignation of Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, demanded cultural change, equality, a curriculum overhaul and relaxation of strict rules.
Ahead of Saturday's rally three student leaders were summoned for police questioning and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said there were now four juveniles facing potential prosecution.
But despite the threats the youngsters remained defiant as they danced alongside half a dozen T-Rex characters representing Thailand's "political dinosaurs" and bounced around giant "asteroid" balls.
"We have to come out and make our voices heard to force change," Leaf, 15 told AFP.
Many students wore coloured wrist bands to indicate they were underage, so older protesters could protect them.
"School is not a safe place (for girls)," one student's placard said.
Hundreds of protesters at the rally wore rubber duck hair clips, a reference to pro-democracy protesters using inflatable pool toys to shield themselves from police water cannon and tear gas on Tuesday.
- Anger over poor teacher quality -
Many protesters were upset families have to fork out extra money on tutoring because of the poor quality of teaching.
"I spend so much for my daughter's tutoring fees and need to enrol her in a faraway school so that she could get a good education. It should not be like this," said Supaporn Pratumrat, 41, who attended the rally with her daughter.
Izzy 18, went to the US on an student exchange last year and said students there were able to have fun and pursue their hobbies after school but many Thai students don't have that luxury.
"In Thailand some students go to extra classes from 4pm to 9pm," he told AFP.
Since July, Thailand has been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, unprecedented calls to reform the untouchable monarchy, and for Prime Minister Prayut, who came to power in a 2014 coup, to resign.
Police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters outside parliament on Tuesday and 55 people were injured including six people shot during scuffles between democracy activists and hardline royalists.
A day later protesters graffitied the outside the national police headquarters and threw paint at the complex.
The government's decision to give police the green light to pursue royal defamation charges against pro-democracy protesters is likely to increase tensions ahead of the next major rally scheduled for Wednesday.
"Destroying public property, unprecedented violation of the monarchy, I personally cannot accept this," Prayut said on Friday night.
In Thailand lese majeste charges are routinely interpreted to include any criticism of the monarchy -- including content posted or shared on social media.
Anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir or regent faces between three and 15 years in prison on each count.
Meanwhile, Berlin is keeping an eye on events in Thailand.
"If the democratic movement was crushed by the army or the security forces, and victims were killed, then I do not believe that the king of Thailand can continue to stay in Germany," German Social Democratic parliamentarian Nils Schmidt told German channel ARD.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Ruyant catches Thomson to lead Vendee Globe

French skipper Thomas Ruyant is the new leader of the Vendee Globe in his his Imoca 60 monohull LinkedOut French skipper Thomas Ruyant is the new leader of the Vendee Globe after overhauling Alex Thomson after 13 days at sea in the solo round-the-world race .
Ruyant and his boat LinkedOut , which had been 16 nautical miles behind Thomson 's Hugo Boss on Friday , opened up a 23.5nm lead by 0400GMT but that had narrowed slightly to 21.7nm by Saturday 's 1100GMT briefing .
`` Initially it was about getting the best angle since getting out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I have had a good angle and good winds all the time , '' Ruyant told the organisers .
`` I think all the time maybe Alex has had less wind and certainly during the early part of the descent of the South Atlantic . ''
Another French skipper Charlie Dalin is currently running third in Apivia , 66.7nm behind the leader .
Jean Le Cam , who finished second in 2004-05 , is fourth in Yes we Cam !
a further 215nm back .
The breakaway top trio , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' -- boats equipped with foils which help lift the boat so that it is virtually flying across the top of the waves -- are enjoying a fast slide south eastwards towards the Southern Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope .
So far in the competition , there has only been one abandonment , that of Nicolas Troussel after a dismasting on Monday off Cape Verde .
Jeremie Beyou , who had to return to the start to repair his boat Charal before setting off again on Tuesday is 3,146nm behind Ruyant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nautical miles around the globe before they finish back in France at some point in January .
1 .
Thomas Ruyant ( FRA/LinkedOut ) 20.073,5 nautical miles from the finish , 2 .
Alex Thomson ( GBR/Hugo Boss ) at 21.7nm , 3 .
Charlie Dalin ( FRA/Apivia ) 66.7 , 4 .
Jean Le Cam ( FRA/Yes we Cam ! )
281.7 , 5 .
Kevin Escoffier ( FRA/PRB ) 314.0 , 6 .
Louis Burton ( FRA/Bureau Vallee 2 ) 337.7 , 7 .
Boris Herrmann ( GER/Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( FRA/Maitre Coq IV ) 392.3 , 9 .
Sebastien Simon ( FRA/Arkea-Paprec ) 408.6 , 10 .
Samantha Davies ( GBR/Initiatives-Cœur ) 426.2

At sea (AFP) –
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French skipper Thomas Ruyant is the new leader of the Vendee Globe after overhauling Alex Thomson after 13 days at sea in the solo round-the-world race.
Ruyant and his boat LinkedOut, which had been 16 nautical miles behind Thomson's Hugo Boss on Friday, opened up a 23.5nm lead by 0400GMT but that had narrowed slightly to 21.7nm by Saturday's 1100GMT briefing.
"Initially it was about getting the best angle since getting out of the doldrums and obviously I set a route but I have had a good angle and good winds all the time," Ruyant told the organisers.
"I think all the time maybe Alex has had less wind and certainly during the early part of the descent of the South Atlantic."
Another French skipper Charlie Dalin is currently running third in Apivia, 66.7nm behind the leader. Jean Le Cam, who finished second in 2004-05, is fourth in Yes we Cam! a further 215nm back.
The breakaway top trio, who are all in the new generation of 'foilers' -- boats equipped with foils which help lift the boat so that it is virtually flying across the top of the waves -- are enjoying a fast slide south eastwards towards the Southern Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope.
So far in the competition, there has only been one abandonment, that of Nicolas Troussel after a dismasting on Monday off Cape Verde.
Jeremie Beyou, who had to return to the start to repair his boat Charal before setting off again on Tuesday is 3,146nm behind Ruyant.
The finishers will complete approximately 24,296 nautical miles around the globe before they finish back in France at some point in January.
Standings Saturday 11h00 GMT
1. Thomas Ruyant (FRA/LinkedOut) 20.073,5 nautical miles from the finish, 2. Alex Thomson (GBR/Hugo Boss) at 21.7nm, 3. Charlie Dalin (FRA/Apivia) 66.7, 4. Jean Le Cam (FRA/Yes we Cam!) 281.7, 5. Kevin Escoffier (FRA/PRB) 314.0, 6. Louis Burton (FRA/Bureau Vallee 2) 337.7, 7. Boris Herrmann (GER/Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco) 379.1, 8. Yannick Bestaven (FRA/Maitre Coq IV) 392.3, 9. Sebastien Simon (FRA/Arkea-Paprec) 408.6, 10. Samantha Davies (GBR/Initiatives-Cœur) 426.2
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Lebanese police hunt dozens after mass jailbreak

Lebanese police escort a prisoner who had escaped along with dozens of others from a detention centre sparking a manhunt Police in Lebanon on Saturday hunted for 44 fugitive prisoners who escaped from a detention centre on the outskirts of Beirut , calling on local residents to be on alert .
Despite tight security , 69 people broke out of a detention facility near the presidential palace in Baabda , east of Beirut , a police statement said .
Five were killed in a car accident , when they lost control of the stolen vehicle as they rushed away and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person was taken to hospital .
By early afternoon on Saturday , 15 had been recaptured , and another four had handed themselves back in , leaving 44 on the run .
`` A manhunt is ... underway to arrest the remaining fugitive prisoners , '' police said in a statement .
Local authorities called on residents to be on alert , with large numbers of security forces deployed searching the area .
Prosecutor Ghada Aoun has ordered an immediate investigation in the breakout .
Speaking to AFP , she said she did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collusion between the detainees and security guards tasked with protecting their cells . ''
Judge Fadi Akiki , a government representative at the military court , held a meeting with security officials after inspecting the detention facility and site of the car crash .
Relatives of the inmates gathered outside the detention centre , located in Baabda 's Justice Palace , where some were awaiting trial .
Some asked about the fate of their relatives , while others handed their sons back into custody , according to an AFP photographer .
They include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being held for six months on charges of attempted murder -- a charge she denies .
`` My son was among the escapees , but I brought him back and handed him over to the state , '' Berjawi told AFP .
The jailbreak comes as detainees across Lebanon have called on parliament to approve a draft general amnesty law , that would see thousands of them freed from coronavirus-hit prisons .
Lebanon has recorded over 113,000 Covid-19 cases including 884 deaths since the outbreak began in February .
The country is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month to stem an uptick in infections .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Police in Lebanon on Saturday hunted for 44 fugitive prisoners who escaped from a detention centre on the outskirts of Beirut, calling on local residents to be on alert.
Despite tight security, 69 people broke out of a detention facility near the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, a police statement said.
Five were killed in a car accident, when they lost control of the stolen vehicle as they rushed away and crashed into a tree. One other person was taken to hospital.
By early afternoon on Saturday, 15 had been recaptured, and another four had handed themselves back in, leaving 44 on the run.
"A manhunt is...underway to arrest the remaining fugitive prisoners," police said in a statement.
Local authorities called on residents to be on alert, with large numbers of security forces deployed searching the area.
Prosecutor Ghada Aoun has ordered an immediate investigation in the breakout.
Speaking to AFP, she said she did not rule out the possibility of "collusion between the detainees and security guards tasked with protecting their cells."
Judge Fadi Akiki, a government representative at the military court, held a meeting with security officials after inspecting the detention facility and site of the car crash.
Relatives of the inmates gathered outside the detention centre, located in Baabda's Justice Palace, where some were awaiting trial.
Some asked about the fate of their relatives, while others handed their sons back into custody, according to an AFP photographer.
They include Joumana Berjawi, whose 22-year-old son escaped after being held for six months on charges of attempted murder -- a charge she denies.
"My son was among the escapees, but I brought him back and handed him over to the state," Berjawi told AFP.
The jailbreak comes as detainees across Lebanon have called on parliament to approve a draft general amnesty law, that would see thousands of them freed from coronavirus-hit prisons.
Lebanon has recorded over 113,000 Covid-19 cases including 884 deaths since the outbreak began in February.
The country is currently under lockdown until the end of the month to stem an uptick in infections.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Miller tops Portuguese MotoGP practice, champion Mir struggles

Jack Miller was quickest in third practice for the Portuguese MotoGP Australia 's Jack Miller topped the timesheets after Saturday @ @ @ @ @ with world champion Joan Mir struggling to make an impression in the Algarve .
Mir @ @ @ @ @ title in the season-closer with victory look slim , as he must first negotiate Q1 @ @ @ @ @ have a shot at figuring in the first four rows of Sunday 's grid .
@ @ @ @ @ up the title last week in Valencia there is a six-way battle for second place @ @ @ @ @ Rins , Maverick Vinales , Fabio Quartararo , Andrea Dovizioso and Pol Espargaro .
Mir @ @ @ @ @ to seal the constructors ' title too but face opposition from Ducati and Yamaha .

Portimao (Portugal) (AFP) –
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Australia's Jack Miller topped the timesheets after Saturday's third Portuguese MotoGP practice with world champion Joan Mir struggling to make an impression in the Algarve.
Mir's hopes of celebrating his title in the season-closer with victory look slim, as he must first negotiate Q1 to progress to Q2 to have a shot at figuring in the first four rows of Sunday's grid.
While Mir may have wrapped up the title last week in Valencia there is a six-way battle for second place between Franco Morbidelli, Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales, Fabio Quartararo, Andrea Dovizioso and Pol Espargaro.
Mir's Suzuki team are hoping to seal the constructors' title too but face opposition from Ducati and Yamaha.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Ethiopia claims advances, rejects talks in fight with dissident region

Ethiopia 's government claimed advances in its battle against the dissident Tigray region on Saturday , while showing no signs of bowing to international pressure for a halt to the conflict that has caused tens of thousands to flee and raised fears of a humanitarian disaster .
`` Our defence forces are currently marching on Mekele , '' the Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check , a government agency , said Saturday .
The regional capital is the seat of the Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) , which the government is seeking to dislodge from power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had captured a string of towns in Tigray , including the ancient city of Aksum and Adigrat , 117 kilometres ( 73 miles ) north of Mekele .
In a statement , the TPLF said there had been a `` heavy bombardment '' of Adigrat , but did not say who was now in control .
A communications blackout in the region has made assertions from both sides in the conflict difficult to verify .
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed -- last year 's Nobel Peace Prize winner -- unleashed a military campaign against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its forces of attacking two federal military camps in the region and the party of defying his government and seeking to destabilise it .
Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed in the conflict in Africa 's second most populous country , while tens of thousands have fled the fighting , crossing to neighbouring Sudan .
In a statement Saturday , Abiy praised his army 's advance .
`` Our forces have now fully liberated Adigrat town from TPLF militia as of today , '' he said .
`` Together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to ensure that all humanitarian needs will be addressed , '' Abiy added .
`` The overall safety and well-being of the people of Tigray is of paramount importance to the Federal government and we will do all that is necessary to ensure stability prevails in the Tigray region and that our citizens are free from harm and want , '' he said .
The TPLF led the overthrow of Mengistu Hailemariam , head of Ethiopia 's military Derg regime , in 1991 and dominated the country 's politics until Abiy became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to rule Tigray , one of 10 regional states under Ethiopia 's system of ethnic federalism whereby by regions are delineated by ethnicity and language .
TPLF leaders have complained of being sidelined and blamed for the country 's woes .
The bitter feud with the central government led the TPLF to hold their own elections this year in defiance of a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Abiy has so far spurned all calls for peace .
On Friday , the African Union appointed three former national presidents as special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming days '' : Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique , Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa .
`` The Envoys will travel to Ethiopia with a view to helping to mediate between the parties to the conflict in the sister Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia , '' said South Africa 's President Cyril Ramaphosa , the current AU chairperson .
The Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check agency said Abiy would meet with the envoys .
However it also contradicted Ramaphosa , saying , `` News circulating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mediate between the Federal Government and TPLF criminal element is fake . ''
US officials said they , too , had urged de-escalation , but saw little prospect for negotiations .
`` Neither party , from everything we hear , is interested in mediation , '' said Tibor Nagy , the top US diplomat for Africa .
Military action has already spread beyond Tigray 's borders with the TPLF firing rockets at the Eritrean capital Asmara , to the north , and the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar to the southwest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heavy fighting , while Amnesty International has documented a gruesome massacre in which `` scores , and likely hundreds , of people were stabbed or hacked to death '' in the southwest town of Mai-Kadra .
Meanwhile , UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of a `` dramatic humanitarian impact '' from the fighting , requesting `` the opening of humanitarian corridors and the truces that might be necessary for humanitarian aid to be delivered '' -- without specifying where such corridors could be located .
UN officials in Geneva said that around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide assistance to as many as 200,000 people who could flee unrest over the next six months .

Addis Ababa (AFP) –
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Ethiopia's government claimed advances in its battle against the dissident Tigray region on Saturday, while showing no signs of bowing to international pressure for a halt to the conflict that has caused tens of thousands to flee and raised fears of a humanitarian disaster.
"Our defence forces are currently marching on Mekele," the Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check, a government agency, said Saturday. The regional capital is the seat of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which the government is seeking to dislodge from power.
The agency also said the national army had captured a string of towns in Tigray, including the ancient city of Aksum and Adigrat, 117 kilometres (73 miles) north of Mekele.
In a statement, the TPLF said there had been a "heavy bombardment" of Adigrat, but did not say who was now in control.
A communications blackout in the region has made assertions from both sides in the conflict difficult to verify.
- Military 'advances' -
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed -- last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner -- unleashed a military campaign against the TPLF on November 4, accusing its forces of attacking two federal military camps in the region and the party of defying his government and seeking to destabilise it.
Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed in the conflict in Africa's second most populous country, while tens of thousands have fled the fighting, crossing to neighbouring Sudan.
In a statement Saturday, Abiy praised his army's advance. "Our forces have now fully liberated Adigrat town from TPLF militia as of today," he said.
"Together with the rest of Ethiopia, we will work to ensure that all humanitarian needs will be addressed," Abiy added.
"The overall safety and well-being of the people of Tigray is of paramount importance to the Federal government and we will do all that is necessary to ensure stability prevails in the Tigray region and that our citizens are free from harm and want," he said.
- Mediation rejected -
The TPLF led the overthrow of Mengistu Hailemariam, head of Ethiopia's military Derg regime, in 1991 and dominated the country's politics until Abiy became prime minister in 2018.
The party continues to rule Tigray, one of 10 regional states under Ethiopia's system of ethnic federalism whereby by regions are delineated by ethnicity and language.
TPLF leaders have complained of being sidelined and blamed for the country's woes. The bitter feud with the central government led the TPLF to hold their own elections this year in defiance of a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Abiy has so far spurned all calls for peace.
On Friday, the African Union appointed three former national presidents as special envoys who will be dispatched "in the coming days": Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa.
"The Envoys will travel to Ethiopia with a view to helping to mediate between the parties to the conflict in the sister Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia," said South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current AU chairperson.
The Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check agency said Abiy would meet with the envoys. However it also contradicted Ramaphosa, saying, "News circulating that the envoys will be traveling to Ethiopia to mediate between the Federal Government and TPLF criminal element is fake."
US officials said they, too, had urged de-escalation, but saw little prospect for negotiations.
"Neither party, from everything we hear, is interested in mediation," said Tibor Nagy, the top US diplomat for Africa.
- Refugees flee -
Military action has already spread beyond Tigray's borders with the TPLF firing rockets at the Eritrean capital Asmara, to the north, and the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar to the southwest.
The campaign has seen warplanes bombing Tigray and heavy fighting, while Amnesty International has documented a gruesome massacre in which "scores, and likely hundreds, of people were stabbed or hacked to death" in the southwest town of Mai-Kadra.
Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of a "dramatic humanitarian impact" from the fighting, requesting "the opening of humanitarian corridors and the truces that might be necessary for humanitarian aid to be delivered" -- without specifying where such corridors could be located.
UN officials in Geneva said that around $200 million will be needed to provide assistance to as many as 200,000 people who could flee unrest over the next six months.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Gutsy Argentina claw back to earn draw with Australia

A courageous Argentina battled back to earn a brutal 15-15 Tri Nations draw with Australia Saturday and reinforce their credentials after an epic win against the All Blacks last week .
The Pumas looked in trouble when they slipped nine points behind in the second half at Newcastle , north of Sydney , but the golden boot of Nicolas Sanchez rescued them to keep the tournament wide open .
After his 25 points against New Zealand , he again bagged them all , with his Australian opposite number Reece Hodge missing a penalty in the dying minutes to secure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's side came into the match on a high after their first win against New Zealand in 35 years last weekend , and their passion and intensity again carried them through .
It left all three teams on six points on the Tri Nations ladder , but Argentina have a game in hand with a return clash next up against the All Blacks in a week 's time before facing Australia once more .
Australian coach Dave Rennie kept the same backline that helped orchestrate their own upset of the All Blacks two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hodge , they once more ran the show at a sell-out McDonald Jones Stadium .
They dominated possession in the first half but were plagued by poor execution that saw two tries disallowed and other chances wasted .
Australia took a 9-6 advantage into the second stanza and stretched their lead to nine points , but the Pumas refused to give up .
The odds were always stacked against Argentina , who went into the game having lost 17 of their last 19 against the Wallabies , including 14 of the previous 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with confidence as they searched for a fourth win in five Tests .
Australia applied the early pressure and got the first points on the board with Hodge nailing his first penalty of the night after just three minutes , only for Sanchez to cancel it out almost immediately .
The Wallabies began stringing together attacking runs and exciting centre Jordan Petaia was desperately unlucky to have an acrobatic try disallowed after his foot strayed onto the chalk chasing a deft Hunter Paisami grubber kick .
Argentina were on the back foot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for errors to creep in at critical times .
Ill-discipline cost them another penalty on 32 minutes against the run of play as frustration crept in , with Sanchez converting before Hodge levelled the scores .
It set up a frantic finish to the half as tempers frayed and scuffles broke out , with hulking Taniela Tupou and Sanchez among the culprits .
Wallaby Marika Koroibete had a try disallowed for a forward pass just before the break and their pressure finally paid off with Hodge kicking another penalty after the hooter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth minutes after the restart as Pumas ' hooker Julian Montoya was sent to the sin bin for persistent offending and made it five-out-of-five to further extend their lead as drizzle came down .
But the irrepressible Sanchez kept the Pumas in the hunt , booting three consecutive penalties to level the scores as the momentum shifted .
Hodge had a golden opportunity to win the game with two minutes left , but sent his kick veering off to the right .

Newcastle (Australia) (AFP) –
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A courageous Argentina battled back to earn a brutal 15-15 Tri Nations draw with Australia Saturday and reinforce their credentials after an epic win against the All Blacks last week.
The Pumas looked in trouble when they slipped nine points behind in the second half at Newcastle, north of Sydney, but the golden boot of Nicolas Sanchez rescued them to keep the tournament wide open.
After his 25 points against New Zealand, he again bagged them all, with his Australian opposite number Reece Hodge missing a penalty in the dying minutes to secure a win for the Wallabies.
Mario Ledesma's side came into the match on a high after their first win against New Zealand in 35 years last weekend, and their passion and intensity again carried them through.
It left all three teams on six points on the Tri Nations ladder, but Argentina have a game in hand with a return clash next up against the All Blacks in a week's time before facing Australia once more.
Australian coach Dave Rennie kept the same backline that helped orchestrate their own upset of the All Blacks two weeks ago and, steered by No.10 Hodge, they once more ran the show at a sell-out McDonald Jones Stadium.
They dominated possession in the first half but were plagued by poor execution that saw two tries disallowed and other chances wasted.
Australia took a 9-6 advantage into the second stanza and stretched their lead to nine points, but the Pumas refused to give up.
The odds were always stacked against Argentina, who went into the game having lost 17 of their last 19 against the Wallabies, including 14 of the previous 15 in Australia.
But they were buzzing with confidence as they searched for a fourth win in five Tests.
Australia applied the early pressure and got the first points on the board with Hodge nailing his first penalty of the night after just three minutes, only for Sanchez to cancel it out almost immediately.
- In the hunt -
The Wallabies began stringing together attacking runs and exciting centre Jordan Petaia was desperately unlucky to have an acrobatic try disallowed after his foot strayed onto the chalk chasing a deft Hunter Paisami grubber kick.
Argentina were on the back foot, absorbing pressure as Australia dominated territory only for errors to creep in at critical times.
Ill-discipline cost them another penalty on 32 minutes against the run of play as frustration crept in, with Sanchez converting before Hodge levelled the scores.
It set up a frantic finish to the half as tempers frayed and scuffles broke out, with hulking Taniela Tupou and Sanchez among the culprits.
Wallaby Marika Koroibete had a try disallowed for a forward pass just before the break and their pressure finally paid off with Hodge kicking another penalty after the hooter for a 9-6 lead.
He bagged his fourth minutes after the restart as Pumas' hooker Julian Montoya was sent to the sin bin for persistent offending and made it five-out-of-five to further extend their lead as drizzle came down.
But the irrepressible Sanchez kept the Pumas in the hunt, booting three consecutive penalties to level the scores as the momentum shifted.
Hodge had a golden opportunity to win the game with two minutes left, but sent his kick veering off to the right.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Pompeo's strange farewell tour, full of symbolism and silence

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , in Jerusalem on November 18 , 2020 , has been on a farewell tour in all but name What 's Donald Trump 's top diplomat to do when allies have turned the page and are waiting for Joe Biden but the president refuses to concede ?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is addressing the complex predicament with a most unusual 10-day trip -- a farewell tour in everything but name in which he has dodged the press but forged ahead with Trump 's norm-shattering foreign policy .
The trip opened with 54 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of one minute in public , when he laid a wreath in memory of victims of recent jihadist attacks in France .
Pompeo spent the full weekend in Paris accompanied by his wife , Susan , staying at the US ambassador 's residence on what was nonetheless described as private time , with a series of meetings that were not listed on his public schedule .
When Pompeo resurfaced on Monday , he paid the quick visit to the memorial before meetings with France 's President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
It was Pompeo 's first bilateral visit to America 's oldest ally during his tenure .
France described Pompeo 's trip as a courtesy visit and said it was fully transparent with the team of Biden , whose victory has been hailed in European capitals after four years of tensions with the unilateral-minded Trump .
Pompeo headed from Paris to Istanbul at a time of high tension between France and Turkey , and agreed , in statement to the French newspaper Le Figaro , that recent actions by Ankara have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was going to mediate .
Pompeo did not meet any officials on his visit to Turkey , with the State Department blaming incompatible schedules .
Instead Pompeo , an evangelical Christian who has put a top priority on religious freedom , met with the leader of the Orthodox world , Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople , as well as the Vatican 's American-born envoy .
Turkey complained about Pompeo 's visit , saying the United States should address racism and other issues at home , and has already congratulated Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a tougher relationship with the Democrat who has vowed to empower Turkey 's opposition .
As Trump made baseless allegations of voting fraud in closely fought states including Georgia , Pompeo headed on to another Georgia -- the nation in the Caucasus .
Tbilisi , eager to boost relations with the United States , is going through its own internal crisis with the opposition boycotting parliament , saying October 31 elections were rigged .
Pompeo finally spoke on his fourth stop , in Jerusalem , where he pushed the Trump strategy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Iran .
For what will likely be his final visit as the top US diplomat , he broke taboos and became the first secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement in the West Bank -- more precisely , the Psagot winery .
That enterprise had already rolled out a Pompeo wine label after he contested the international consensus that Israeli construction on occupied Palestinian land is illegal .
Pompeo also became the first secretary of state to tour the Golan Heights , whose annexation by Israel from Syria was recognised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide to former president Barack Obama and a major critic of Pompeo , told NBC that the lame-duck secretary of state seemed focused on not just `` complicating the Biden presidency but his own political interests '' .
He was alluding to wide speculation that Pompeo will seek the White House in 2024 , a campaign in which he will likely reach out to fellow evangelical Christians who are staunchly supportive of Israel .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the `` tremendous friendship '' of Pompeo but , mindful of the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , in what the premier 's office called a `` warm '' conversation .
Pompeo highlighted a signature achievement of Trump by participating in the first-ever visit to Jerusalem by the foreign minister of Bahrain , which officially established diplomatic ties with Israel last month .
He then flew to the United Arab Emirates , which has also normalised relations with the Jewish state .
On Saturday he arrived in Qatar to meet negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban , and will finish his tour with a stop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief the Arab allies on US deliberations on whether to label the Iranian-linked Huthi rebels in war-ravaged Yemen as a `` terrorist '' group .
Speculation has also grown of more dramatic action against Iran , with The New York Times reporting that Trump after the election mulled a military strike over its nuclear programme , which has grown since Trump withdrew from a denuclearisation accord .
Whatever his discussions , they may remain secret for now with Pompeo looking set to go through the whole trip without taking questions from the travelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precedent in the history of the State Department .

Abu Dhabi (AFP) –
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What's Donald Trump's top diplomat to do when allies have turned the page and are waiting for Joe Biden but the president refuses to concede?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is addressing the complex predicament with a most unusual 10-day trip -- a farewell tour in everything but name in which he has dodged the press but forged ahead with Trump's norm-shattering foreign policy.
The trip opened with 54 hours in Paris in which he appeared for a total of one minute in public, when he laid a wreath in memory of victims of recent jihadist attacks in France.
Pompeo spent the full weekend in Paris accompanied by his wife, Susan, staying at the US ambassador's residence on what was nonetheless described as private time, with a series of meetings that were not listed on his public schedule.
When Pompeo resurfaced on Monday, he paid the quick visit to the memorial before meetings with France's President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian that were closed to the press.
It was Pompeo's first bilateral visit to America's oldest ally during his tenure.
France described Pompeo's trip as a courtesy visit and said it was fully transparent with the team of Biden, whose victory has been hailed in European capitals after four years of tensions with the unilateral-minded Trump.
- Diplomacy of a different sort -
Pompeo headed from Paris to Istanbul at a time of high tension between France and Turkey, and agreed, in statement to the French newspaper Le Figaro, that recent actions by Ankara have been "very aggressive".
Not that he was going to mediate. Pompeo did not meet any officials on his visit to Turkey, with the State Department blaming incompatible schedules.
Instead Pompeo, an evangelical Christian who has put a top priority on religious freedom, met with the leader of the Orthodox world, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, as well as the Vatican's American-born envoy.
Turkey complained about Pompeo's visit, saying the United States should address racism and other issues at home, and has already congratulated Biden, although President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is bracing for a tougher relationship with the Democrat who has vowed to empower Turkey's opposition.
As Trump made baseless allegations of voting fraud in closely fought states including Georgia, Pompeo headed on to another Georgia -- the nation in the Caucasus.
Tbilisi, eager to boost relations with the United States, is going through its own internal crisis with the opposition boycotting parliament, saying October 31 elections were rigged.
- Breaking taboos for Israel -
Pompeo finally spoke on his fourth stop, in Jerusalem, where he pushed the Trump strategy of unstinting support for Israel and maximum pressure on Iran.
For what will likely be his final visit as the top US diplomat, he broke taboos and became the first secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement in the West Bank -- more precisely, the Psagot winery.
That enterprise had already rolled out a Pompeo wine label after he contested the international consensus that Israeli construction on occupied Palestinian land is illegal.
Pompeo also became the first secretary of state to tour the Golan Heights, whose annexation by Israel from Syria was recognised by Trump.
Ben Rhodes, a top aide to former president Barack Obama and a major critic of Pompeo, told NBC that the lame-duck secretary of state seemed focused on not just "complicating the Biden presidency but his own political interests".
He was alluding to wide speculation that Pompeo will seek the White House in 2024, a campaign in which he will likely reach out to fellow evangelical Christians who are staunchly supportive of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the "tremendous friendship" of Pompeo but, mindful of the future, he spoke by phone with Biden on Tuesday, in what the premier's office called a "warm" conversation.
Pompeo highlighted a signature achievement of Trump by participating in the first-ever visit to Jerusalem by the foreign minister of Bahrain, which officially established diplomatic ties with Israel last month.
He then flew to the United Arab Emirates, which has also normalised relations with the Jewish state.
On Saturday he arrived in Qatar to meet negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban, and will finish his tour with a stop in Saudi Arabia.
Pompeo is expected to brief the Arab allies on US deliberations on whether to label the Iranian-linked Huthi rebels in war-ravaged Yemen as a "terrorist" group.
Speculation has also grown of more dramatic action against Iran, with The New York Times reporting that Trump after the election mulled a military strike over its nuclear programme, which has grown since Trump withdrew from a denuclearisation accord.
Whatever his discussions, they may remain secret for now with Pompeo looking set to go through the whole trip without taking questions from the travelling press, a silent spell with little precedent in the history of the State Department.
© 2020 AFP