france24--2020-08-06--‘Beirut is destroyed, my heart is broken’: Locals in despair over Lebanon blast

Lebanon is still reeling from Tuesday ’ s explosion in the port of Beirut – a further tragedy on top of the severe political , economic and health crises racking the country .
FRANCE 24 spoke to locals about the devastation they have encountered and the despair they are feeling .
The gigantic blasts in Beirut ’ s port on August 4 caused monstrous destruction , apocalyptic scenes , and a heavy human toll – with at least 137 dead and around 5,000 injured , shaking Lebanon to the core .
The explosions piled a tragedy on top of crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic crisis , with its currency in free fall and an accelerating poverty rate – while the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated a healthcare crisis in the country .
At the same time , successive waves of protests since 2016 have demonstrated the lack of trust in the Lebanese government – in which power has been divided on sectarian lines since the country ’ s 15-year civil war ended three decades ago .
“ This is the last thing Lebanon needed , with the country already at the end of its tether , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was thrown back by a metre in his flat by the blasts .
“ We already thought we ’ d hit rock bottom – but now this explosion ’ s happened we ’ re wondering when things will stop getting worse.
” The Lebanese woke up on Wednesday morning to calamitous scenes .
The damage reached a radius of several kilometres around the port , which was almost completely razed .
Homes have been devastated and windows blasted out in the heart of the metropolis .
Some buildings collapsed completely .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Beirut City Council chairman Jamal Itani .
In some hard-hit districts of Beirut – such as Achrafieh , Dora and Gemmayze ( renowned for its nightlife ) – the streets are littered with debris and crushed cars .
The sheer extent of the destruction has revived memories of the 1975-90 civil war , which remains at the forefront of Lebanon ’ s collective memory .
“ We didn ’ t sleep all night ; our home is damaged , our door and window are gone – we ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do , ” said Maya , a Beirut lawyer .
“ My city – the city of my childhood and of my children – has been blown away , innocent people have died .
I have never experienced such a shock , even though I ’ ve lived through war .
Beirut is destroyed , and my heart is broken.
” Many businesses were destroyed in the city centre , close to the port .
The blast , described by local media as “ Beirutshima , ” – in a mordant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hiroshima – also damaged property in Beirut ’ s inner suburbs , more than 10 kilometres away from the port .
Some 300,000 of the capitals 2 million residents have been made homeless thanks to the explosion , Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said .
The blast “ destroyed or damaged nearly half of the city ” , he added , noting that the damage could cost “ between three and five billion dollars ” .
Many people remain missing and rescuers are still trying to find victims amongst the debris at the port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – caused by the explosion of a warehouse containing 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , according to the authorities – risks increasing .
Hospitals in the capital – some of which were damaged by the explosion – were already under pressure because of the coronavirus and lack of equipment to tackle it due to the economic crisis .
They have been forced to send many victims to hospitals in the city ’ s suburbs and more remote areas .
“ We ’ re facing a catastrophe of exceptional magnitude for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary-general of the Lebanese Red Cross , told FRANCE 24 .
‘ I don ’ t see how Lebanon will be able to recover ’ Many Lebanese are fearful about the social and economic consequences of this tragedy , in a country with already abysmal levels of public debt – especially seeing as the port of Beirut risks being paralysed for a long while , despite being the main place of entry for a country that imports 80 percent of its goods .
Flour shortages are likely to be a particular problem in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the port were ruined , the UN ’ s Food and Agriculture Organisation said .
“ How are we going to live without our lost loved ones ?
” said Maya .
“ Who will repair all the damage ?
How will we feed ourselves ?
The country is in a bad state , the people feel destroyed – and I don ’ t see how Lebanon will be able to recover from this tragedy.
” “ It ’ s one disaster after another in Lebanon , a long descent into hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is a patriot in love with his country , but he is seriously considering emigrating along with his family .
“ We can ’ t live in Lebanon any more ; it ’ s now impossible , ” he put it .
“ We ’ re fighting for survival.
” Many nations have offered Lebanon aid – including France , which has long historic ties to the country .
President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Lebanon on Thursday , while sending urgent disaster aid .
For its part , the EU will send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devastation , and is ready to send additional aid as needed .
“ This tragedy comes at the worst possible time for Lebanon , when the government is not responding to the demands of the people who have been protesting against it since October , ” Ziyad Baroud , the country ’ s former interior minister , told FRANCE 24 .
“ In light of the economic and health crisis , the people of Lebanon will have to face many challenges , with little means to face them.
” Anger is brewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media , with many accusing them of being responsible for Tuesday ’ s disaster through incompetence .
“ The political class has been stealing from us and lying to us for years – depriving us of electricity , slowly killing us , ” Maya said .
“ It ’ s their incompetence that ’ s killing us , with this explosion.
” This article was translated from the original in French .

Lebanon is still reeling from Tuesday’s explosion in the port of Beirut – a further tragedy on top of the severe political, economic and health crises racking the country. FRANCE 24 spoke to locals about the devastation they have encountered and the despair they are feeling.
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The gigantic blasts in Beirut’s port on August 4 caused monstrous destruction, apocalyptic scenes, and a heavy human toll – with at least 137 dead and around 5,000 injured, shaking Lebanon to the core.
The explosions piled a tragedy on top of crises. Lebanon is suffering from an acute economic crisis, with its currency in free fall and an accelerating poverty rate – while the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated a healthcare crisis in the country. At the same time, successive waves of protests since 2016 have demonstrated the lack of trust in the Lebanese government – in which power has been divided on sectarian lines since the country’s 15-year civil war ended three decades ago.
“This is the last thing Lebanon needed, with the country already at the end of its tether,” said Fadi, a civil engineer who was thrown back by a metre in his flat by the blasts. “We already thought we’d hit rock bottom – but now this explosion’s happened we’re wondering when things will stop getting worse.”
‘We didn’t sleep all night’
The Lebanese woke up on Wednesday morning to calamitous scenes. The damage reached a radius of several kilometres around the port, which was almost completely razed. Homes have been devastated and windows blasted out in the heart of the metropolis. Some buildings collapsed completely. “It’s like an earthquake struck us,” said Beirut City Council chairman Jamal Itani.
In some hard-hit districts of Beirut – such as Achrafieh, Dora and Gemmayze (renowned for its nightlife) – the streets are littered with debris and crushed cars. The sheer extent of the destruction has revived memories of the 1975-90 civil war, which remains at the forefront of Lebanon’s collective memory.
“We didn’t sleep all night; our home is damaged, our door and window are gone – we’re just crying; there’s nothing else we can do,” said Maya, a Beirut lawyer. “My city – the city of my childhood and of my children – has been blown away, innocent people have died. I have never experienced such a shock, even though I’ve lived through war. Beirut is destroyed, and my heart is broken.”
Many businesses were destroyed in the city centre, close to the port. The blast, described by local media as “Beirutshima,” – in a mordant reference to the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima – also damaged property in Beirut’s inner suburbs, more than 10 kilometres away from the port.
Some 300,000 of the capitals 2 million residents have been made homeless thanks to the explosion, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said. The blast “destroyed or damaged nearly half of the city”, he added, noting that the damage could cost “between three and five billion dollars”.
Many people remain missing and rescuers are still trying to find victims amongst the debris at the port; the human toll from the blast – caused by the explosion of a warehouse containing 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, according to the authorities – risks increasing.
Hospitals in the capital – some of which were damaged by the explosion – were already under pressure because of the coronavirus and lack of equipment to tackle it due to the economic crisis. They have been forced to send many victims to hospitals in the city’s suburbs and more remote areas.
“We’re facing a catastrophe of exceptional magnitude for the first time in decades,” George Kettaneh, secretary-general of the Lebanese Red Cross, told FRANCE 24.
‘I don’t see how Lebanon will be able to recover’
Many Lebanese are fearful about the social and economic consequences of this tragedy, in a country with already abysmal levels of public debt – especially seeing as the port of Beirut risks being paralysed for a long while, despite being the main place of entry for a country that imports 80 percent of its goods. Flour shortages are likely to be a particular problem in the immediate future, after grain silos near the port were ruined, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation said.
“How are we going to live without our lost loved ones?” said Maya. “Who will repair all the damage? How will we feed ourselves? The country is in a bad state, the people feel destroyed – and I don’t see how Lebanon will be able to recover from this tragedy.”
“It’s one disaster after another in Lebanon, a long descent into hell,” Fadi added. He said he is a patriot in love with his country, but he is seriously considering emigrating along with his family. “We can’t live in Lebanon any more; it’s now impossible,” he put it. “We’re fighting for survival.”
Many nations have offered Lebanon aid – including France, which has long historic ties to the country. President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Lebanon on Thursday, while sending urgent disaster aid. For its part, the EU will send 100 specialised firefighters to help deal with the devastation, and is ready to send additional aid as needed.
“This tragedy comes at the worst possible time for Lebanon, when the government is not responding to the demands of the people who have been protesting against it since October,” Ziyad Baroud, the country’s former interior minister, told FRANCE 24. “In light of the economic and health crisis, the people of Lebanon will have to face many challenges, with little means to face them.”
Anger is brewing against Lebanon’s political leaders on social media, with many accusing them of being responsible for Tuesday’s disaster through incompetence.
“The political class has been stealing from us and lying to us for years – depriving us of electricity, slowly killing us,” Maya said. “It’s their incompetence that’s killing us, with this explosion.”
This article was translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-08-06--Facebook, Twitter remove Trump posts over false claims children are 'almost immune' to Covid

( FILE PHOTO ) U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House , in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , August 3 , 2020 .
Facebook Inc on Wednesday took down a post by U.S. President Donald Trump , which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus .
The post contained a video clip , from an interview with Fox & Friends earlier in the day , in which Trump claimed that children are `` almost immune '' to COVID-19 .
`` This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our policies around harmful COVID misinformation , '' a Facebook spokesman said .
A tweet containing the video that was posted by the Trump campaign 's @ TeamTrump account and shared by the president was also later hidden by Twitter Inc for breaking its COVID-19 misinformation rules .
A Twitter spokesman said the @ TeamTrump account owner would be required to remove the tweet before they could tweet again .
The Trump campaign accused the companies of bias against the president , saying Trump had stated a fact .
`` Social media companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Courtney Parella , a spokeswoman with the campaign .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has said that while adults make up most of the known COVID-19 cases to date , some children and infants have been sick with the disease and they can also transmit it to others .
An analysis by the World Health Organization of 6 million infections between Feb. 24 and July 12 found that the share of children aged 5-14 years was about 4.6 % .
The White House did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During a briefing at the White House , Trump repeated his claim that the virus had little impact on children .
`` Children handle it very well , '' he told reporters .
`` If you look at the numbers , in terms of mortality , fatalities ... for children under a certain age ... their immune systems are very very strong and very powerful .
They seem to be able to handle it very well and that 's according to every statistical claim . ''
It was the first time Facebook had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the company 's spokesman said .
It also appeared to be the first reported instance of the social media company taking down a post from the president for breaching its misinformation rules .
Twitter has taken down a post retweeted by Trump pointing to a misleading viral video about the coronavirus , but left up clips of the president suggesting scientists should investigate using light or disinfectant on patients .
Twitter said those remarks expressed a wish for treatment , rather than a literal call for action .
It also left up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outspoken CEO Elon Musk stating that `` kids are essentially immune '' from the virus .
Facebook has taken heat from lawmakers and its own employees in recent months for not taking action on inflammatory posts by Trump .
The company has previously removed ads from Trump 's election campaign for breaking misinformation rules , in that case around a national census .
It also took down both Trump posts and campaign ads that showed a red inverted triangle , a symbol the Nazis used to identify political prisoners , for violating its @ @ @ @ @

Facebook Inc on Wednesday took down a post by U.S. President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.
(FILE PHOTO) U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 3, 2020.
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The post contained a video clip, from an interview with Fox & Friends earlier in the day, in which Trump claimed that children are "almost immune" to COVID-19.
"This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19, which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation," a Facebook spokesman said.
A tweet containing the video that was posted by the Trump campaign's @TeamTrump account and shared by the president was also later hidden by Twitter Inc for breaking its COVID-19 misinformation rules.
A Twitter spokesman said the @TeamTrump account owner would be required to remove the tweet before they could tweet again.
The Trump campaign accused the companies of bias against the president, saying Trump had stated a fact. "Social media companies are not the arbiters of truth," said Courtney Parella, a spokeswoman with the campaign.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that while adults make up most of the known COVID-19 cases to date, some children and infants have been sick with the disease and they can also transmit it to others.
An analysis by the World Health Organization of 6 million infections between Feb. 24 and July 12 found that the share of children aged 5-14 years was about 4.6%.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During a briefing at the White House, Trump repeated his claim that the virus had little impact on children.
"Children handle it very well," he told reporters. "If you look at the numbers, in terms of mortality, fatalities ... for children under a certain age ... their immune systems are very very strong and very powerful. They seem to be able to handle it very well and that's according to every statistical claim."
It was the first time Facebook had removed a Trump post for coronavirus misinformation, the company's spokesman said.
It also appeared to be the first reported instance of the social media company taking down a post from the president for breaching its misinformation rules.
Twitter has taken down a post retweeted by Trump pointing to a misleading viral video about the coronavirus, but left up clips of the president suggesting scientists should investigate using light or disinfectant on patients.
Twitter said those remarks expressed a wish for treatment, rather than a literal call for action.
It also left up a March post from Tesla Inc's outspoken CEO Elon Musk stating that "kids are essentially immune" from the virus.
Kids are essentially immune, but elderly with existing conditions are vulnerable. Family gatherings with close contact between kids & grandparents probably most risky. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2020
Facebook has taken heat from lawmakers and its own employees in recent months for not taking action on inflammatory posts by Trump.
The company has previously removed ads from Trump's election campaign for breaking misinformation rules, in that case around a national census.
It also took down both Trump posts and campaign ads that showed a red inverted triangle, a symbol the Nazis used to identify political prisoners, for violating its policy against organized hate.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-06--Scavenging for human hair: Nairobi hairdressers cut costs amid Covid-19 crisis

A hairdresser searches for discarded human hair at the Dandora dump in Nairobi , Kenya , on July 29 , 2020 .
For decades , Nairobi ’ s poor have scavenged through heaps of rubbish at the city ’ s vast Dandora dumpsite .
But recently , they have been joined by some of the city ’ s hairdressers , in search for used human hair they can sell on to their customers as Covid-19 takes its toll on businesses .
Second-hand hair extensions are nothing new in Kenya ’ s capital .
But with the country reeling from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for used hair is growing , says hairdresser Julia Wania .
For Wania , scavenging for discarded human-hair extensions is a way to cut costs and offer a cheaper service to cash-strapped customers .
`` You pick the hair according to the state you find it in , and decide whether it 's good or not good enough .
Some you just see and know they are not good enough and you leave them , ” she told Reuters .
The hair is found among the around 850 tonnes waste the ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included facemasks and rubber gloves as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
`` First thing after getting the hair from wherever I get it is to wash the hair and make it neat , ” says Wania .
“ But when a client picks it , I always wash the hair again when they are here to their satisfaction .
Because it gets even cleaner when I go piece by piece as opposed to washing in a bunch .
So I prefer a customer to pick and I wash again . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now covers an area of over 30 acres .
It has been labelled a severe health hazard by environmental groups with those who live near and scavenge at the dump exposed to dangerous toxins and air pollution from burning waste .
But searching the rubbish for food or items to sell helps support an estimated 3,000 families .

For decades, Nairobi’s poor have scavenged through heaps of rubbish at the city’s vast Dandora dumpsite. But recently, they have been joined by some of the city’s hairdressers, in search for used human hair they can sell on to their customers as Covid-19 takes its toll on businesses.
A hairdresser searches for discarded human hair at the Dandora dump in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 29, 2020.
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Second-hand hair extensions are nothing new in Kenya’s capital. But with the country reeling from the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis, demand for used hair is growing, says hairdresser Julia Wania.
For Wania, scavenging for discarded human-hair extensions is a way to cut costs and offer a cheaper service to cash-strapped customers.
"You pick the hair according to the state you find it in, and decide whether it's good or not good enough. Some you just see and know they are not good enough and you leave them,” she told Reuters.
The hair is found among the around 850 tonnes waste the ends up in Dandora daily and has lately included facemasks and rubber gloves as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"First thing after getting the hair from wherever I get it is to wash the hair and make it neat,” says Wania.
“But when a client picks it, I always wash the hair again when they are here to their satisfaction. Because it gets even cleaner when I go piece by piece as opposed to washing in a bunch. So I prefer a customer to pick and I wash again."
The Dandora dump opened in 1975 and now covers an area of over 30 acres. It has been labelled a severe health hazard by environmental groups with those who live near and scavenge at the dump exposed to dangerous toxins and air pollution from burning waste.
But searching the rubbish for food or items to sell helps support an estimated 3,000 families.
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france24--2020-08-06--Lebanese investigators focus on negligence in Beirut blast

People walk near the site of Tuesday 's blast in the port area of Beirut , Lebanon on August 6 , 2020 .
Investigators probing the deadly blast that ripped across Beirut focused Wednesday on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertiliser in a waterfront warehouse , while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials .
Public anger mounted against the ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster that the health ministry said killed 137 people and injured more than 5,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians , including Hezbollah , hold sway .
The investigation is focusing on how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate , a highly explosive chemical used in fertilisers , came to be stored at the facility for six years , and why nothing was done about it .
Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic before the blast .
Many have lost their jobs and seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Food security is a worry , since the country imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is now devastated .
The government is strapped for cash .
A senior US Defence Department official and member of the US intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces .
Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss intelligence briefings publicly .
They told AP that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been caused by improper storage of explosives .
Fueling speculation that negligence was to blame for the accident , an official letter circulating online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger and had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it .
Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertiliser that is potentially explosive .
The 2,750-tonne cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby .
The 2017 letter from the customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed , but state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation into all letters related to the materials stored at the port , as well as lists of those in charge of maintenance , storage and protection of the hangar .
In the letter , the customs chief warned of the “ dangers if the materials remain where they are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees ” and asked the judge for guidance .
He said five similar letters were sent in 2014 , 2015 and 2016 .
The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company .
It is not known if there was a response .
Badri Daher , the head of the customs department , confirmed to the local LBC TV channel that there were five or six such letters to the judiciary .
He said his predecessor also pleaded with the judiciary to issue orders to export the explosive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ” to the port and staff there .
Daher said it was his duty to “ alert ” authorities of the dangers but that is the most he could do .
“ I am not a technical expert.
” President Michel Aoun vowed before a cabinet meeting that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished .
“ There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut , ” he said .
After the meeting , the cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Investigators probing the deadly blast that ripped across Beirut focused Wednesday on possible negligence in the storage of tons of a highly explosive fertiliser in a waterfront warehouse, while the government ordered the house arrest of several port officials.
People walk near the site of Tuesday's blast in the port area of Beirut, Lebanon on August 6, 2020.
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Public anger mounted against the ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster that the health ministry said killed 137 people and injured more than 5,000. The port of Beirut and customs office is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians, including Hezbollah, hold sway.
The investigation is focusing on how 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilisers, came to be stored at the facility for six years, and why nothing was done about it.
Lebanon already was on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic before the blast. Many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since the country imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is now devastated. The government is strapped for cash.
A senior US Defence Department official and member of the US intelligence community said there were no indications the explosion was the result of an attack by either a nation state or proxy forces. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss intelligence briefings publicly. They told AP that at the moment, the explosion seems to have been caused by improper storage of explosives.
Fueling speculation that negligence was to blame for the accident, an official letter circulating online showed the head of the customs department had warned repeatedly over the years that the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the port was a danger and had asked judicial officials for a ruling on a way to remove it.
Ammonium nitrate is a component of fertiliser that is potentially explosive. The 2,750-tonne cargo had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013, and on Tuesday it is believed to have detonated after a fire broke out nearby.
Requests for guidance
The 2017 letter from the customs chief to a judge could not be immediately confirmed, but state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered security agencies to start an immediate investigation into all letters related to the materials stored at the port, as well as lists of those in charge of maintenance, storage and protection of the hangar.
In the letter, the customs chief warned of the “dangers if the materials remain where they are, affecting the safety of (port) employees” and asked the judge for guidance. He said five similar letters were sent in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The letter proposes the material be exported or sold to a Lebanese explosives company. It is not known if there was a response.
Badri Daher, the head of the customs department, confirmed to the local LBC TV channel that there were five or six such letters to the judiciary. He said his predecessor also pleaded with the judiciary to issue orders to export the explosive materials “because of how dangerous they are” to the port and staff there.
Daher said it was his duty to “alert” authorities of the dangers but that is the most he could do. “I am not a technical expert.”
President Michel Aoun vowed before a cabinet meeting that the investigation would be transparent and that those responsible will be punished.
“There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut,” he said.
After the meeting, the cabinet ordered an unspecified number of Beirut port officials put under house arrest pending the investigation.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-08-06--Lebanese diaspora mobilises after deadly Beirut blast

Lebanese light candles at a vigil held at Kensington Gardens in central London to honour the victims of the Beirut blast on August 5 , 2020 .
Lebanon 's diaspora , estimated at nearly three times the size of the tiny country 's population of five million , has stepped up to provide assistance following the massive explosion that laid waste to the capital Beirut .
Lebanese expats rushed to wire money to loved ones who lost their homes or were injured in the blast on Tuesday that killed at least 137 people , while others worked to create special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've been on the phone all morning with ... our partners in order to put together an alliance for an emergency fund in light of the explosion , '' said George Akiki , co-founder and CEO of LebNet , a non-profit based in California 's Silicon Valley that helps Lebanese professionals in the United States and Canada .
`` Everyone , both Lebanese and non-Lebanese , wants to help . ''
Akiki said his group , along with other organizations such as SEAL and Life Lebanon , have set up Beirut Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money and channel it to safe and reputable organizations in Lebanon .
Many Lebanese expats , who almost all have loved ones or friends impacted by the disaster , are also helping individually or have started online fundraisers .
`` As a first step , my wife Hala and I will match at least $ 10,000 in donations and later on we will provide more help towards rebuilding and other projects , '' Habib Haddad , a tech entrepreneur and member of LebNet based in Boston , Massachusetts , told AFP .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same , channeling their grief and anger toward helping their stricken homeland , which before the blast was already reeling from a deep economic and political crisis that has left more than half the population living in poverty .
`` They 're asking Lebanese emigrants around the world to try and help , '' said Maroun Daccache , owner of a Lebanese restaurant in Sao Paulo , Brazil , a country that has an estimated seven million people of Lebanese descent .
`` I 'm trying to help with something but here the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Still , we are much better off than those over there , '' Daccache said .
Even before the tragedy , Lebanon heavily relied on its diaspora for cash remittances but these inflows had slowed in the last year given the country 's political crisis .
Expats also usually visit home every summer , injecting much-needed cash into the economy .
But the diaspora this year has largely been absent because of the Covid-19 pandemic and many had become increasingly skeptical and reluctant to send aid to a country where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of society .
`` People are outraged by the mismanagement of the country and they want to help , but no one trusts the people in charge , '' said Najib Khoury-Haddad , a tech entrepreneur in the San Francisco area , echoing the feeling of many Lebanese leery of giving money to a dysfunctional government .
`` I heard that the government has set up a relief fund but who would trust them ? ''
he added .
Ghislaine Khairalla , 55 , of Washington DC , said one idea being floated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beirut with one outside the country that could provide a safe and direct source of assistance .
`` We ( the diaspora ) are the financial bloodline especially since the economy is not going to recover anytime soon , '' Khairalla , whose brother 's home was reduced to rubble by the blast , said .
`` And we are lucky to have a kind of stable life here .
We are physically outside Lebanon but our hearts and emotions are there . ''
Nayla Habib , a Lebanese-Canadian who lives in Montreal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever way she can and expressed outrage at reports that the blast was caused by more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the Beirut port , which is located in the heart of the densely populated city .
`` My God , the state of our country is terrible and heartbreaking , '' Habib told AFP .
`` I donated before the blast to a lady that helps feed the poor and I will donate again .
`` Whatever I give is like a drop in the ocean but it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I live in Canada but part of my heart is still there . ''

Lebanon's diaspora, estimated at nearly three times the size of the tiny country's population of five million, has stepped up to provide assistance following the massive explosion that laid waste to the capital Beirut.
Lebanese light candles at a vigil held at Kensington Gardens in central London to honour the victims of the Beirut blast on August 5, 2020.
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Lebanese expats rushed to wire money to loved ones who lost their homes or were injured in the blast on Tuesday that killed at least 137 people, while others worked to create special funds to address the tragedy.
"I've been on the phone all morning with ... our partners in order to put together an alliance for an emergency fund in light of the explosion," said George Akiki, co-founder and CEO of LebNet, a non-profit based in California's Silicon Valley that helps Lebanese professionals in the United States and Canada. "Everyone, both Lebanese and non-Lebanese, wants to help."
Akiki said his group, along with other organizations such as SEAL and Life Lebanon, have set up Beirut Emergency Fund 2020, which will raise much-needed money and channel it to safe and reputable organizations in Lebanon.
Many Lebanese expats, who almost all have loved ones or friends impacted by the disaster, are also helping individually or have started online fundraisers.
"As a first step, my wife Hala and I will match at least $10,000 in donations and later on we will provide more help towards rebuilding and other projects," Habib Haddad, a tech entrepreneur and member of LebNet based in Boston, Massachusetts, told AFP.
He said many fellow compatriots are doing the same, channeling their grief and anger toward helping their stricken homeland, which before the blast was already reeling from a deep economic and political crisis that has left more than half the population living in poverty.
"They're asking Lebanese emigrants around the world to try and help," said Maroun Daccache, owner of a Lebanese restaurant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a country that has an estimated seven million people of Lebanese descent.
"I'm trying to help with something but here the business is not very good because of the pandemic. Still, we are much better off than those over there," Daccache said.
'Terrible and heartbreaking'
Even before the tragedy, Lebanon heavily relied on its diaspora for cash remittances but these inflows had slowed in the last year given the country's political crisis.
Expats also usually visit home every summer, injecting much-needed cash into the economy. But the diaspora this year has largely been absent because of the Covid-19 pandemic and many had become increasingly skeptical and reluctant to send aid to a country where corruption is widespread and permeates all levels of society.
"People are outraged by the mismanagement of the country and they want to help, but no one trusts the people in charge," said Najib Khoury-Haddad, a tech entrepreneur in the San Francisco area, echoing the feeling of many Lebanese leery of giving money to a dysfunctional government.
"I heard that the government has set up a relief fund but who would trust them?" he added.
Ghislaine Khairalla, 55, of Washington DC, said one idea being floated was to pair a needy family in Beirut with one outside the country that could provide a safe and direct source of assistance.
"We (the diaspora) are the financial bloodline especially since the economy is not going to recover anytime soon," Khairalla, whose brother's home was reduced to rubble by the blast, said. "And we are lucky to have a kind of stable life here. We are physically outside Lebanon but our hearts and emotions are there."
Nayla Habib, a Lebanese-Canadian who lives in Montreal, said she planned to help in whatever way she can and expressed outrage at reports that the blast was caused by more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the Beirut port, which is located in the heart of the densely populated city.
"My God, the state of our country is terrible and heartbreaking," Habib told AFP. "I donated before the blast to a lady that helps feed the poor and I will donate again.
"Whatever I give is like a drop in the ocean but it's necessary," she added. "I live in Canada but part of my heart is still there."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-08-06--Why are butchered dolphins washing ashore in France's Brittany?

A photo posted online shows the butchered remains of a dolphin washed up on the beach in western France .
This isn ’ t the first time that a dolphin , skinned or carved , has startled beachgoers in Brittany .
In early August , a beachgoer walking in La Torche , in the French department of Finistère , found the body of a dolphin whose upper dorsal section was completely carved out .
“ These are protected species .
These barbaric ‘ customs ’ must end , ” this poster writes above a picture of a slaughtered dolphin discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook Aug. 2 .
This picture shows This picture shows one of several dead dolphins found over the weekend on beaches around La Torche .
While it was the only one that was butchered , others had their tails cut off , a common practice used by fishermen to release dolphins trapped in nets .
A beachgoer found the remains of three dead dolphins on Plovan beach in Brittany and posted these photos on Twitter Aug. 2 .
Three mutilated dolphins were found on Jan. 12 , 2020 on La Torche beach in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a carved up dolphin was found on the beach in the Bigouden region in the French department of Finistère .
Locals in the region had found similarly mutilated bodies of dolphins back in January .

FRANCE
On Aug. 2, a walker happened across the butchered body of a dolphin on a beach in La Torche, France. (Photo: Sea Shepherd/Facebook)
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A photo posted online shows the butchered remains of a dolphin washed up on the beach in western France. This isn’t the first time that a dolphin, skinned or carved, has startled beachgoers in Brittany.
In early August, a beachgoer walking in La Torche, in the French department of Finistère, found the body of a dolphin whose upper dorsal section was completely carved out.
“These are protected species. These barbaric ‘customs’ must end,” this poster writes above a picture of a slaughtered dolphin discovered on a French beach and posted on Facebook Aug. 2.
This picture shows one of several dead dolphins found over the weekend on beaches around La Torche. While it was the only one that was butchered, others had their tails cut off, a common practice used by fishermen to release dolphins trapped in nets.
3 dauphins échoués ce matin sur la plage de Plovan (Bretagne), dont 2 avec la queue coupée et un aileron attaché avec un câble métallique... Servirait-il d’appât aux pêcheurs Mme la ministre @AnnickGirardin ? pic.twitter.com/xY2lkanL75 Cyrille (@cyrillegagliano) August 2, 2020
A beachgoer found the remains of three dead dolphins on Plovan beach in Brittany and posted these photos on Twitter Aug. 2.
Locals in the region had found similarly mutilated bodies of dolphins back in January.
Three mutilated dolphins were found on Jan. 12, 2020 on La Torche beach in Brittany.
Un dauphin dépecé retrouvé sur une plage du Pays bigouden. Il a été trouvé mercredi. https://t.co/mrkYHTfgbk pic.twitter.com/i4IET99jKG Ouest-France 29 (@OuestFrance29) January 30, 2020
On Jan 29, 2020, a carved up dolphin was found on the beach in the Bigouden region in the French department of Finistère.
“Death by the agony of the deep”
The common dolphin, present in the waters on the coast of northern and western France, is a protected species. In France, it is illegal to capture, transport, kill or mutilate these creatures.
Dolphins and other aquatic mammals are commonly caught as unintentional “bycatch” in the nets of fisherman trawling for fish. Trawl nets are towed behind boats to catch schools of moving fish such as anchovies, bass or tuna. Dolphins can be pulled into the net accidentally or swim into the nets to feed, where they become trapped and drown. Legally, fishermen must release and report all dolphins accidentally caught in their nets, but nonprofit conservation organisation Sea Shepherd reports that fewer than 1% of dolphins caught in fishing nets are reported.
The Paris Administrative Court condemned French authorities on July 2 for failing to take measures to prevent dolphin bycatch, based in part on the nation’s inadequate reporting and monitoring systems.
Bycatch is blamed for the death of numerous dolphins every year off France’s Atlantic coast. From Jan. 1 to Mar. 18, 2020, nearly 1,000 dolphins were found dead on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, according to the Pelagis Observatory. More than 70% of them showed signs and injuries from bycatch.
Since dolphins and fishermen are searching for the same prey, dolphins commonly end up near fishing vessels. In the Bay of Biscay, a popular area to catch sea bass, dolphins are plentiful.
This map shows the number of aquatic mammals that washed up on beaches around the Bay of Biscay between Jan. 1 and Mar. 18, 2020. (Source: Pelagis Observatory)
The number of dolphins found washed ashore represent only a fraction of the number killed in fishermen’s nets at sea each year. According to Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, only 18% of dead dolphins actually wash up on shore.
It’s only the tip of the iceberg. For years, fishermen have denied responsibility, saying dolphins die just from being sick or drowning in storms. But when scientists do autopsies on these dolphins, most are healthy with no sign of sickness. Then when you open them up you can see their lungs exploded in their bodies because they couldn’t breathe. They call that death by the agony of the deep, it’s a very painful death.
Last year, 26 European NGOs asked the European Commission to prosecute 15 EU countries, including France, for failing to protect dolphins. In July 2020, the European Commission gave France three months to implement measurements preventing dolphin deaths on its coasts.
Several measures have been implemented in France to reduce bycatch, such as placing neutral inspectors on fishing vessels to observe their catches. All trawler boats over 12 metres are required to use “pingers” which emit a high sound deterring dolphins from approaching. However, Sea Shepherd argues that these devices may actually cause more harm to the species by pushing dolphins away from their feeding grounds, making it harder for them to survive.
But why are some dolphins ending up butchered on beaches?
Essemlali explained:
The way the dolphin is butchered is typical of what fishermen do when they eat dolphins. We have been receiving more and more testimonies from fishermen reporting this behaviour. There are certain people who consider dolphins to be like fish, that they can be eaten. But as a protected species, it’s illegal to eat them even if they are captured as bycatch.
On Jan. 21, 2020, Sea Shepherd published a video showing unidentified fishermen butchering a dolphin for its meat.
In this video published by Sea Shepherd Jan. 21, 2020, fishermen are seen butchering a dolphin while saying, “It’s red meat” and “A good steak” in French.
French officials condemned the actions shown in this video and called them “isolated behaviors", but Essemlali does not believe this video is unique.
We used to believe this only happened occasionally, but we are getting more and more testimonies from fishermen who tell us it is a common practice. It’s very hard to estimate how many dolphins are being butchered like this but we have many different fishermen, who don’t know each other, telling us the same thing about different vessels. We have even heard of people who intentionally hunt dolphins with harpoons. They tell us it’s so easy because dolphins are so curious and friendly they come so close to fishing vessels. For them, it’s just free fish. There is also a black market for dolphin meat in France.
Sea Shepherd continues to advocate for dolphins and recommends that consumers reduce their fish intake and that the fishing industry be drastically reduced. They continue to organise nightly patrols in the Bay of Biscay to document and observe fishing methods.
Article by Pariesa Young


france24--2020-08-06--Survivors gather in Hiroshima to mark 75th anniversary of atomic bombing

The list of names of war dead is given to Hiroshima City mayor Kazumi Matsui from a representative of families of the 1945 atomic bombing victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima , western Japan on August 6 , 2020 .
Bells tolled in Hiroshima on Thursday for the 75th anniversary of the world 's first atomic bombing , with ceremonies downsized due to the coronavirus and the city 's mayor urging nations to reject selfish nationalism and unite to fight all threats .
Though thousands usually pack the Peace Park in the centre of the Japanese city to pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a symbol of peace , entrance was sharply limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial ceremony .
The city said the significance of the anniversary of the bombing that killed 140,000 people before the end of 1945 had prompted its decision to hold the ceremony despite the spread of the virus , but taking strict precautions .
`` On August 6 , 1945 , a single atomic bomb destroyed our city .
Rumor at the time had it that 'Nothing will grow here for 75 years , ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , Hiroshima recovered , becoming a symbol of peace . ''
At 8:15 a.m. on Aug 6 , 1945 , U.S. B-29 warplane Enola Gay dropped a bomb nicknamed `` Little Boy '' and obliterated the city with an estimated population of 350,000 , where thousands more died later from injuries and radiation-related illnesses .
On Thursday , as cicadas shrilled in the heavy summer heat and the Peace Bell sounded , the crowd stood to observe a moment of silence at the exact time the bomb exploded .
`` When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it took tens of millions of lives and terrorised the world because nations fighting World War I were unable to meet the threat together , '' Matsui added .
`` A subsequent upsurge in nationalism led to World War Two and the atomic bombings .
We must never allow this painful past to repeat itself .
Civil society must reject self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats . ''
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended as usual , but the number of foreign visitors was down .
Overall attendance was scaled back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure , with chairs spaced far apart and most people wearing masks .
Matsui urged Japan to ratify a 2017 United Nations pact banning nuclear arms , but Abe avoided any direct reference , saying Japan would `` work as a bridge between nations '' to abolish nuclear weapons .
Keiko Ogura , who was eight when the bomb blast knocked her off her feet , has dedicated her life to working for peace .
`` The nuclear danger is spreading around the world , and under that mushroom cloud , no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent news conference .
The anniversary was a top trending topic on Japanese Twitter as most users offered prayers for world peace , although one drew a parallel with this week 's huge blast that killed at least 135 in Beirut , the Lebanese capital .
`` I really had n't been able to imagine it before , but looking at the damage from the Beirut explosion and imagining something several times more powerful , I was struck with a huge sense of fear , '' wrote the commenter , identified as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was followed by the bombing of Nagasaki on Aug. 9 , instantly killing more than 75,000 people .
Japan surrendered six days later , ending World War Two .

Bells tolled in Hiroshima on Thursday for the 75th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing, with ceremonies downsized due to the coronavirus and the city's mayor urging nations to reject selfish nationalism and unite to fight all threats.
The list of names of war dead is given to Hiroshima City mayor Kazumi Matsui from a representative of families of the 1945 atomic bombing victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan on August 6, 2020.
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Though thousands usually pack the Peace Park in the centre of the Japanese city to pray, sing and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entrance was sharply limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial ceremony.
The city said the significance of the anniversary of the bombing that killed 140,000 people before the end of 1945 had prompted its decision to hold the ceremony despite the spread of the virus, but taking strict precautions.
"On August 6, 1945, a single atomic bomb destroyed our city. Rumor at the time had it that 'Nothing will grow here for 75 years,'" said mayor Kazumi Matsui.
"And yet, Hiroshima recovered, becoming a symbol of peace."
At 8:15 a.m. on Aug 6, 1945, U.S. B-29 warplane Enola Gay dropped a bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" and obliterated the city with an estimated population of 350,000, where thousands more died later from injuries and radiation-related illnesses.
On Thursday, as cicadas shrilled in the heavy summer heat and the Peace Bell sounded, the crowd stood to observe a moment of silence at the exact time the bomb exploded.
"When the 1918 flu pandemic attacked a century ago, it took tens of millions of lives and terrorised the world because nations fighting World War I were unable to meet the threat together," Matsui added.
"A subsequent upsurge in nationalism led to World War Two and the atomic bombings. We must never allow this painful past to repeat itself. Civil society must reject self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats."
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended as usual, but the number of foreign visitors was down. Overall attendance was scaled back to less than a tenth of the usual figure, with chairs spaced far apart and most people wearing masks.
Matsui urged Japan to ratify a 2017 United Nations pact banning nuclear arms, but Abe avoided any direct reference, saying Japan would "work as a bridge between nations" to abolish nuclear weapons.
'Sense of fear'
Keiko Ogura, who was eight when the bomb blast knocked her off her feet, has dedicated her life to working for peace.
"The nuclear danger is spreading around the world, and under that mushroom cloud, no one can escape," she told a recent news conference.
The anniversary was a top trending topic on Japanese Twitter as most users offered prayers for world peace, although one drew a parallel with this week's huge blast that killed at least 135 in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.
"I really hadn't been able to imagine it before, but looking at the damage from the Beirut explosion and imagining something several times more powerful, I was struck with a huge sense of fear," wrote the commenter, identified as "Sato-san."
The bombing of Hiroshima was followed by the bombing of Nagasaki on Aug. 9, instantly killing more than 75,000 people. Japan surrendered six days later, ending World War Two.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-06--Lebanese police tear gas anti-government protesters in wake of devastating blast

Demonstrators are pictured near burning fire during a protest near parliament , following Tuesday 's blast in Beirut 's port area , Lebanon August 7 , 2020 .
Lebanese security forces late Thursday fired tear gas to disperse dozens of anti-government demonstrators angered by a cataclysmic blast widely seen as the most shocking expression yet of their government 's incompetence .
The scuffles in central Beirut took place in a ravaged street leading to parliament , the wreckage from Tuesday 's explosion still littering the entire area .
Protesters had sparked a blaze , vandalised stores and lobbed stones at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National News Agency .
Police responded with tear gas to disperse the small , but clearly furious crowd , wounding some demonstrators , NNA said .
Tuesday 's blast killed nearly 150 people , wounded at least 5,000 and destroyed entire districts of the capital .
Lebanese authorities said it was triggered by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate negligently stored in a warehouse at Beirut 's port since 2013 .
This raised questions as to how such a huge cargo of the highly explosive substance could have been left unsecured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Lebanon was already knee-deep in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war .
It added to the grievances of a protest movement that emerged in October to demand the removal of a political class deemed inept and corrupt .
Activists have called for a large anti-government demonstration on Saturday -- an event they have titled `` hang them by the gallows . ''
Thursday 's scuffles erupted as Lebanon 's ambassador to Jordan resigned , saying 'total negligence ' by the country 's authorities signalled the need for a leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation over Tuesday 's blast , after lawmaker Marwan Hamadeh also stepped down on Wednesday .

Lebanese security forces late Thursday fired tear gas to disperse dozens of anti-government demonstrators angered by a cataclysmic blast widely seen as the most shocking expression yet of their government's incompetence.
Demonstrators are pictured near burning fire during a protest near parliament, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon August 7, 2020.
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The scuffles in central Beirut took place in a ravaged street leading to parliament, the wreckage from Tuesday's explosion still littering the entire area.
Protesters had sparked a blaze, vandalised stores and lobbed stones at security forces, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Police responded with tear gas to disperse the small, but clearly furious crowd, wounding some demonstrators, NNA said.
Tuesday's blast killed nearly 150 people, wounded at least 5,000 and destroyed entire districts of the capital.
Lebanese authorities said it was triggered by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate negligently stored in a warehouse at Beirut's port since 2013.
01:28
This raised questions as to how such a huge cargo of the highly explosive substance could have been left unsecured for so long.
The explosion came as Lebanon was already knee-deep in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
It added to the grievances of a protest movement that emerged in October to demand the removal of a political class deemed inept and corrupt.
Activists have called for a large anti-government demonstration on Saturday -- an event they have titled "hang them by the gallows."
Thursday's scuffles erupted as Lebanon's ambassador to Jordan resigned, saying 'total negligence' by the country's authorities signalled the need for a leadership change.
It is the second such resignation over Tuesday's blast, after lawmaker Marwan Hamadeh also stepped down on Wednesday.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-06--On Beirut visit, Macron says aid to go 'directly to the people', relief groups

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech during a news conference , following Tuesday 's blast in Beirut 's port area , in Beirut , Lebanon , on August 6 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that an international aid conference for disaster-hit Lebanon would be held soon .
Speaking to journalists at the end of a snap visit to Beirut , where more than 130 people were killed and several thousand more wounded in a massive explosion at the port on Tuesday , the French leader said the conference would be held `` in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid raised during the conference would be chanelled `` directly to the people , the relief organisations and the teams that need it on the ground '' .
He said that he personally had no further information into what may have caused Tuesday 's deadly blast , beyond what was already in the public domain .
Macron also told the reporters in Lebanon that an international inquiry into the blast was needed , and that it had to be as transparent as possible .
Initial probes have pointed to a cargo of ammonium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and exploded in a devastating fireball , as being the cause of the blast .

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that an international aid conference for disaster-hit Lebanon would be held soon.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech during a news conference, following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 6, 2020.
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Speaking to journalists at the end of a snap visit to Beirut, where more than 130 people were killed and several thousand more wounded in a massive explosion at the port on Tuesday, the French leader said the conference would be held "in the coming days".
Macron stressed that the aid raised during the conference would be chanelled "directly to the people, the relief organisations and the teams that need it on the ground".
He said that he personally had no further information into what may have caused Tuesday's deadly blast, beyond what was already in the public domain.
Macron also told the reporters in Lebanon that an international inquiry into the blast was needed, and that it had to be as transparent as possible.
Initial probes have pointed to a cargo of ammonium nitrate, which was abandoned in Beirut and exploded in a devastating fireball, as being the cause of the blast.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-06--Macron pledges help for Beirut as Lebanese rage against rulers

French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on Thursday , pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated @ @ @ @ @ disaster that has sparked grief and fury .
Follow the day 's events as they @ @ @ @ @ Macron was the first foreign head of state to make the trip after two explosions @ @ @ @ @ killing scores , injuring thousands and inflicting billions of euros in damage .
The French @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 's former colonial power and urged reform , telling crowds that he was not @ @ @ @ @ cheque to the country 's discredited regime .
Macron said he would organise an international @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , adding that French aid would go `` directly to the people '' .
@ @ @ @ @ said 16 port staffers have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the @ @ @ @ @ least 145 people and injured thousands more .

French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on Thursday, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. Follow the day's events as they unfolded on our liveblog.
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Macron was the first foreign head of state to make the trip after two explosions rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing scores, injuring thousands and inflicting billions of euros in damage.
The French leader pledged the support of Lebanon's former colonial power and urged reform, telling crowds that he was not planning to write a blank cheque to the country's discredited regime.
Macron said he would organise an international donor conference to help crisis-wracked Lebanon, adding that French aid would go "directly to the people".
Lebanon's state news agency said 16 port staffers have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the devastating blasts that killed at least 145 people and injured thousands more.
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france24--2020-08-06--In pictures: Lebanon's capital in ruins after Beirut port explosion

A picture shows the aftermath of a blast that tore through Lebanon 's capital , Beirut , on August 5 , 2020 .
Residents of the Lebanese capital have been conducting their daily lives amid apocalyptic scenes since a massive explosion at Beirut ’ s port tore through the city on Tuesday .
The blast on August 4 – blamed on an unsecured store of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut port – devastated entire neighbourhoods , killed more than 100 people and left up to 300,000 without homes .
It was the latest blow to a country already reeling from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon on Thursday , the first world leader in Beirut after the port blast that wreaked destruction across the capital , and called for the government to enact urgent reforms .
> > ‘ Beirut is destroyed , my heart is broken ’ : Locals in despair over Lebanon blast Public anger is mounting against the country 's political class , which many see as bearing responsibility for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster .
The port of Beirut and customs office is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians , including Hezbollah , hold sway .
Many nations have offered Lebanon aid – including France , which has long historic ties to the country and is sending urgent disaster aid .
The EU will send 100 specialised firefighters to help deal with the devastation , and is ready to send additional aid as needed .

Residents of the Lebanese capital have been conducting their daily lives amid apocalyptic scenes since a massive explosion at Beirut’s port tore through the city on Tuesday.
A picture shows the aftermath of a blast that tore through Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on August 5, 2020.
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The blast on August 4 – blamed on an unsecured store of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut port – devastated entire neighbourhoods, killed more than 100 people and left up to 300,000 without homes.
It was the latest blow to a country already reeling from political, health and economic crises.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon on Thursday, the first world leader in Beirut after the port blast that wreaked destruction across the capital, and called for the government to enact urgent reforms.
>> ‘Beirut is destroyed, my heart is broken’: Locals in despair over Lebanon blast
Public anger is mounting against the country's political class, which many see as bearing responsibility for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster. The port of Beirut and customs office is notorious for being one of the most corrupt and lucrative institutions in Lebanon where various factions and politicians, including Hezbollah, hold sway.
Many nations have offered Lebanon aid – including France, which has long historic ties to the country and is sending urgent disaster aid. The EU will send 100 specialised firefighters to help deal with the devastation, and is ready to send additional aid as needed.
An aerial view shows the massive damage done to Beirut port's grain silos (C) and the area around it on August 5, 2020, one day after a mega-blast tore through the harbour in the heart of the Lebanese capital with the force of an earthquake, killing more than 100 people and injuring over 4,000. - Rescuers searched for survivors in Beirut in the morning after a cataclysmic explosion at the port sowed devastation across entire neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis. (Photo by - / AFP) AFP - -
A man inspects the damage of the blast that tore through Lebanon's capital. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
An injured man sits next to a restaurant in the trendy partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael on the day after the explosion. AFP - PATRICK BAZ
The interior of a church is pictured in the aftermath of the Beirut blast. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
People inspect the damage in the aftermath of the blast that tore through Lebanon's capital. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
A man rides on a motorbike near rubble from damaged buildings following Tuesday's blast. REUTERS - AZIZ TAHER
Scenes of destruction close to the blast at Beirut port. AFP - JOSEPH EID
Further scenes of destruction in Beirut, alongside the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. - AFP
A shattered window provides a vantage point for the aftermath of the explosion. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
A picture shows destruction inside the Saint George Maronite Church on August 5, 2020 in the aftermath of the explosion. AFP - JOSEPH EID
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france24--2020-08-06--'Closed for vacation': France faces new Covid-19 testing woes

People queue to enter a laboratory to get tested for the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) in Neuilly-sur-Seine , near Paris , France , on August 4 , 2020 .
With virus cases rising anew , France is struggling to administer enough tests to keep up with demand .
One reason : Many testing labs are closed so that their staff can take summer vacation , just as signs of a second wave are building .
Doctors and experts say the vacation crunch is just part of a larger web of failures in France ’ s testing strategy – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own virus advisory panel this week called disorganized and “ insufficient.
” “ First , there is a lack of workers to do the testing .
If we don ’ t ask all the health workers to be available by mobilizing all of them , there are just not enough people , ” emergency services doctor Christophe Prudhomme told The Associated Press at his hospital in the Paris suburb of Bobigny .
“ And then it ’ s a matter of organization , ” he said , urging regional health agencies “ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the citizen who has to take his phone and try to call seven or eight labs in order to get an appointment that will take place only next week.
” Testing troubles have plagued the U.S. and other countries too .
But France 's August ritual of fleeing cities for weeks of holiday rest on seashores , mountainsides or grandma ’ s country house is an added tangle .
“ Closed for vacation ” signs dangle from door after door across Paris this month , from bakeries to shoe shops and iconic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris : How the city is adapting to keep visitors safe during the pandemic Doctor ’ s offices and labs are no exception .
Their staff need a rest more than ever this difficult year .
And with Parisians vacationing in the provinces , demand for medical services usually plunges in the summer .
But this August , socially distanced lines snake outside the scattered Paris labs that remain open , from the Left Bank to the city ’ s northern canals .
Trying to get a test appointment can take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
That ’ s worrying news in a country that saw renowned hospitals nearly drown with virus patients in the first wave – in part because of inadequate testing — and has already lost more than 30,000 lives to the pandemic .
Two months of strict lockdown and soul-searching about France ’ s early mistakes seemed to put the country on track to vanquish COVID-19 .
But now it ’ s again recording more than 1,000 new cases a day , and the number of patients in intensive care units is edging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
France is in better shape than last time to keep ahead of new infections — but testing is key .
“ The virus didn ’ t disappear at all .
...
The contamination is continuing , and amplifying in some regions , ” said François Blanchecotte , president of the Union of Medical Biologists , who has been in the forefront of French testing efforts .
“ We have to adapt the testing strategy to this evolution.
” He argues for a more targeted policy that takes into account lab capacities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resorts or tourist sites where young people are congregating .
He ’ s particularly annoyed at a blanket government campaign to test 1.5 million Parisians to better understand how the virus is spreading .
The free test vouchers were distributed just as dozens of labs shut down for vacation , worsening bottlenecks .
“ We are at a crossroads .
We ’ ve seen a situation of disorder in Paris , in which labs were not ready to face thousands of people at the same time .
It ’ s a nightmare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government didn ’ t order anyone to skip vacation , which French workers see as a hard-won , fundamental right .
But it issued a special decree late last month authorizing certain medical students , firefighters and rescue workers to administer coronavirus nasal swabs .
That was too late to stop an outbreak in the town of Quiberon in the western region of Brittany , unleashed by a night club party last month .
Authorities urged everyone in the area to get tested — a mammoth task on a peninsula where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the summer .
Some partygoers were foiled by long lines at a makeshift testing station , and gave up .
And the virus spread on .
In Paris , City Hall is trying to relieve the summer strain on labs with a mobile testing site at a beach venue on the La Villette canal , where crowds lined up Wednesday even before it opened .
> > Read more : Beachside bliss as Paris Plages kicks off in the French capital alongside pop-up Covid testing Noemie Maoso wants to ensure she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ireland with her daughter .
“ I ’ m going to do it to be serene during my trip , ” she said .
Another woman who needs a test to go to Greece to work on a farm couldn ’ t get an appointment last month , so tried her luck again on Wednesday .
Some labs have adjusted their hours to stay open late into the evening , or open on Sundays – both unusual for France .
After coming under fire for its limited testing capacity in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can test up to 700,000 people a week , and hit a record high of 581,000 tests over the past week But the number of new positive cases is growing twice as fast as the growth in test rates , according to data from the national health agency .
Blanchecotte is worried , but defended the decision to let lab staff take holiday time .
For months , they worked overtime to keep up with virus testing needs , he said .
Some staggered holiday departures or scaled back vacation plans .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know that September , October , November are difficult months , ” he warned .
“ We need to be prepared .
”

With virus cases rising anew, France is struggling to administer enough tests to keep up with demand. One reason: Many testing labs are closed so that their staff can take summer vacation, just as signs of a second wave are building.
People queue to enter a laboratory to get tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, France, on August 4, 2020.
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Doctors and experts say the vacation crunch is just part of a larger web of failures in France’s testing strategy – a strategy that even the government’s own virus advisory panel this week called disorganized and “insufficient.”
“First, there is a lack of workers to do the testing. If we don’t ask all the health workers to be available by mobilizing all of them, there are just not enough people,” emergency services doctor Christophe Prudhomme told The Associated Press at his hospital in the Paris suburb of Bobigny.
“And then it’s a matter of organization,” he said, urging regional health agencies “to organize testing so that it’s not the citizen who has to take his phone and try to call seven or eight labs in order to get an appointment that will take place only next week.”
Testing troubles have plagued the U.S. and other countries too. But France's August ritual of fleeing cities for weeks of holiday rest on seashores, mountainsides or grandma’s country house is an added tangle. “Closed for vacation” signs dangle from door after door across Paris this month, from bakeries to shoe shops and iconic cafes.
>> A strange August in Paris: How the city is adapting to keep visitors safe during the pandemic
Doctor’s offices and labs are no exception. Their staff need a rest more than ever this difficult year. And with Parisians vacationing in the provinces, demand for medical services usually plunges in the summer.
But this August, socially distanced lines snake outside the scattered Paris labs that remain open, from the Left Bank to the city’s northern canals. Trying to get a test appointment can take a week or more. So can getting results.
That’s worrying news in a country that saw renowned hospitals nearly drown with virus patients in the first wave – in part because of inadequate testing — and has already lost more than 30,000 lives to the pandemic.
Two months of strict lockdown and soul-searching about France’s early mistakes seemed to put the country on track to vanquish COVID-19. But now it’s again recording more than 1,000 new cases a day, and the number of patients in intensive care units is edging up, for the first time in months.
01:47
France is in better shape than last time to keep ahead of new infections — but testing is key.
“The virus didn’t disappear at all. ... The contamination is continuing, and amplifying in some regions,” said François Blanchecotte, president of the Union of Medical Biologists, who has been in the forefront of French testing efforts. “We have to adapt the testing strategy to this evolution.”
He argues for a more targeted policy that takes into account lab capacities, such as organizing tests at beach resorts or tourist sites where young people are congregating.
He’s particularly annoyed at a blanket government campaign to test 1.5 million Parisians to better understand how the virus is spreading. The free test vouchers were distributed just as dozens of labs shut down for vacation, worsening bottlenecks.
“We are at a crossroads. We’ve seen a situation of disorder in Paris, in which labs were not ready to face thousands of people at the same time. It’s a nightmare to get an appointment,” Blanchecotte said.
The government didn’t order anyone to skip vacation, which French workers see as a hard-won, fundamental right. But it issued a special decree late last month authorizing certain medical students, firefighters and rescue workers to administer coronavirus nasal swabs.
🛬 #Paris's #CDG airport has begun compulsory testing for passengers from 16 countries where the #coronavirus virus is circulating widely
🦠📈 The move comes as the number of daily #Covid19 cases continues to increase across #France 🇫🇷
For more ➡ https://t.co/BI3eVpujTl pic.twitter.com/uQtY3IdfY2 — FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) August 5, 2020
That was too late to stop an outbreak in the town of Quiberon in the western region of Brittany, unleashed by a night club party last month. Authorities urged everyone in the area to get tested — a mammoth task on a peninsula where the population swells from 5,000 to 60,000 in the summer. Some partygoers were foiled by long lines at a makeshift testing station, and gave up. And the virus spread on.
In Paris, City Hall is trying to relieve the summer strain on labs with a mobile testing site at a beach venue on the La Villette canal, where crowds lined up Wednesday even before it opened.
>> Read more: Beachside bliss as Paris Plages kicks off in the French capital alongside pop-up Covid testing
Noemie Maoso wants to ensure she’s virus-free before heading on a trip to Ireland with her daughter. “I’m going to do it to be serene during my trip,” she said. Another woman who needs a test to go to Greece to work on a farm couldn’t get an appointment last month, so tried her luck again on Wednesday.
Some labs have adjusted their hours to stay open late into the evening, or open on Sundays – both unusual for France.
After coming under fire for its limited testing capacity in the first wave, the government now says it can test up to 700,000 people a week, and hit a record high of 581,000 tests over the past week
But the number of new positive cases is growing twice as fast as the growth in test rates, according to data from the national health agency.
Blanchecotte is worried, but defended the decision to let lab staff take holiday time. For months, they worked overtime to keep up with virus testing needs, he said. Some staggered holiday departures or scaled back vacation plans.
And autumn may be even worse.
“We know that September, October, November are difficult months,” he warned. “We need to be prepared.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-06--Ivory Coast's Ouattara to run for third term in October election

Alassane Ouattara , Ivory Coast 's president since 2011 , had previously said he would not seek a third term .
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday he would seek re-election in October , formally accepting the ruling party 's nomination to be its candidate and defying opponents who say the constitution forbids a third term .
Ouattara , who has governed since 2011 , had won plaudits in March after announcing that he would not seek another term in power .
But his preferred successor , Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly , died in July , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that decision .
`` I have decided to respond favourably to the call of my fellow citizens , '' Ouattara said in a televised speech .
`` Given my previous promise , this decision represents a real sacrifice for me . ''
The election is seen as the greatest test yet of the tenuous stability achieved since a brief civil war in 2010 and 2011 killed about 3,000 people following Ouattara 's first election win .
Ouattara 's opponents say the two-term limit in the constitution bars him from running again , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandates do not count under the new constitution adopted in 2016 .

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday he would seek re-election in October, formally accepting the ruling party's nomination to be its candidate and defying opponents who say the constitution forbids a third term.
Alassane Ouattara, Ivory Coast's president since 2011, had previously said he would not seek a third term.
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Ouattara, who has governed since 2011, said in March he would not run again. But his preferred successor, then-prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, died in July, leading the party to ask Ouattara to reconsider.
The election is seen as the greatest test yet of the tenuous stability achieved since a brief civil war in 2010 and 2011 killed about 3,000 people following Ouattara's first election win.
"I have decided to respond favourably to the call of my fellow citizens," Ouattara said in a televised speech. "Given my previous promise, this decision represents a real sacrifice for me."
His opponents say the two-term limit in the constitution bars him from running again, but Ouattara has said his first two mandates do not count under the new constitution adopted in 2016.
Opposition party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), called his decision to run "deplorable." FPI spokesman Issiaka Sangare added: "Ivory Coast could have given another signal that would have allowed democracy to continue."
Former president, prime minister to stand in race
FPI is the party of Ivory Coast’s former president, Laurent Gbagbo. On Saturday, it named his one-time prime minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan as its candidate, ending speculation Gbagbo might return from abroad to stand.
Ouattara's other main challenger will be Henri Konan Bedie, who was president from 1993-1999 and is the confirmed candidate of one of the country's largest parties, the PDCI.
The race is expected to be the most hotly contested since 2010, when Gbagbo's refusal to step down after Ouattara’s victory sparked the deadly conflict.
Bedie has said he and Gbagbo have agreed that their parties would back the other’s candidate in the event of a second-round run-off against Ouattara.
The first round of polling will be held on Oct. 31.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-06--US lifts warning to citizens to avoid global travel due to Covid-19

( FILES ) In this file photo taken on March 13 , 2020 Passengers arrive at Los Angeles Airport international terminal hours before the start of the European travel ban , March 13 , 2020 , in Los Angeles , California .
The United States on Thursday lifted a warning to its citizens to avoid all foreign travel due to the coronavirus pandemic , pointing to improvements .
The State Department said it would instead resume considering each country on a case-by-case basis .
`` With health and safety conditions improving in some countries and potentially deteriorating in others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , '' it said in a statement .
`` We continue to recommend US citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic . ''
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump seeks a quick return to normal in the United States , which has suffered by far the highest number of deaths from COVID-19 .
But US borders remain closed to most travelers from the European Union , which also bans most Americans due to the risk of contagion .
Under the new ratings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most countries .
Among the few recipients of the `` Level 1 '' ranking -- which means no special concerns for travel -- were Taiwan , which has won wide acclaim for its handling of the pandemic , and Australia .
The United States gave a Level 3 status -- which means to reconsider travel -- to many allies including Britain , France and Germany .
It kept the Level 4 warning to avoid all travel for India , which has seen growing cases of COVID-19 .

The United States on Thursday lifted a warning to its citizens to avoid all foreign travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, pointing to improvements.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 13, 2020 Passengers arrive at Los Angeles Airport international terminal hours before the start of the European travel ban, March 13, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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The State Department said it would instead resume considering each country on a case-by-case basis.
"With health and safety conditions improving in some countries and potentially deteriorating in others, the Department is returning to our previous system," it said in a statement.
"We continue to recommend US citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic."
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump seeks a quick return to normal in the United States, which has suffered by far the highest number of deaths from COVID-19.
But US borders remain closed to most travelers from the European Union, which also bans most Americans due to the risk of contagion.
Under the new ratings, the United States is still advising precautions for most countries.
Among the few recipients of the "Level 1" ranking -- which means no special concerns for travel -- were Taiwan, which has won wide acclaim for its handling of the pandemic, and Australia.
The United States gave a Level 3 status -- which means to reconsider travel -- to many allies including Britain, France and Germany.
It kept the Level 4 warning to avoid all travel for India, which has seen growing cases of COVID-19.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-06--Mauritania's Mohamed Ould Bilal named new PM after predecessor, govt step down

Mauritania 's prime minister and his entire government resigned on Thursday , a day after parliamentary investigators probing alleged graft under the previous administration submitted a report whose authors questioned several ministers .
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani appointed Mohamed Ould Bilal , the former head of several state agencies , as the new prime minister , the presidency said later in a statement .
The political system in Mauritania has been rocked this year by a parliamentary investigation into alleged corruption in the government of former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz , who stepped down last year after a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally , won the election to succeed him , but Abdel Aziz quickly found his government 's actions , including deals involving offshore oil projects , under scrutiny by parliament .
The investigators on Wednesday gave a report documenting their findings to the public prosecutor .
The report has not been made public but several current ministers were questioned about suspected graft that occurred on their watch while serving in senior positions in Abdel Aziz 's government .
In brief remarks to reporters on Thursday , Prime Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Sidiya said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ghazouani but did not provide an explanation .

Mauritania's prime minister and his entire government resigned on Thursday, a day after parliamentary investigators probing alleged graft under the previous administration submitted a report whose authors questioned several ministers.
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President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani appointed Mohamed Ould Bilal, the former head of several state agencies, as the new prime minister, the presidency said later in a statement.
The political system in Mauritania has been rocked this year by a parliamentary investigation into alleged corruption in the government of former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who stepped down last year after a decade in power.
Ghazouani, his close ally, won the election to succeed him, but Abdel Aziz quickly found his government's actions, including deals involving offshore oil projects, under scrutiny by parliament.
The investigators on Wednesday gave a report documenting their findings to the public prosecutor. The report has not been made public but several current ministers were questioned about suspected graft that occurred on their watch while serving in senior positions in Abdel Aziz's government.
In brief remarks to reporters on Thursday, Prime Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Sidiya said he had submitted the government's resignation to Ghazouani but did not provide an explanation.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-06--Israel’s Tel Aviv lights up with Lebanon flag

The colours of the Lebanese flag are projected onto Tel Aviv 's City Hall on Wednesday , August 6 , 2020 .
The colours of the Lebanese flag lit up the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday in solidarity with the country following Tuesday ’ s deadly blast in Beirut .
It was a rare show of support from Israel for a country with which it is technically still at war .
The flag was projected onto the walls of Tel Aviv ’ s City Hall , which overlooks Rabin Square , on Wednesday night , on the orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Humanity precedes any conflict , and our hearts are with the Lebanese people in the wake of the terrible disaster that befell them , ” mayor Ron Huldai said on Twitter .
Most passers-by in Tel Aviv seemed to support the expression of solidarity .
`` It 's a very kind thing to put this flag on this building .
I like to watch it .
I think that the citizens seem to care about the things that happen in the world and not just here in Israel , ” Tel Aviv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not everyone was pleased to see the Lebanese flag on Israeli soil , including Israel 's minister for Jerusalem affairs and a member of the far-right Jewish Home party Rafi Peretz .
`` It is possible and necessary to provide humanitarian aid to civilians who were hurt in Lebanon , but waving an enemy flag in the heart of Tel Aviv is moral confusion , '' Peretz wrote on Twitter .
Israel deems the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah as one of its biggest threats and the two sides fought a month-long war in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many of them civilians , and 160 Israelis .
But Israel has also been among numerous countries to offer Lebanon aid after Tuesday ’ s blast .
`` A very great disaster occurred yesterday in Lebanon .
We are ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon , as human beings to human beings , ” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday .

The colours of the Lebanese flag lit up the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday in solidarity with the country following Tuesday’s deadly blast in Beirut. It was a rare show of support from Israel for a country with which it is technically still at war.
The colours of the Lebanese flag are projected onto Tel Aviv's City Hall on Wednesday, August 6, 2020.
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The flag was projected onto the walls of Tel Aviv’s City Hall, which overlooks Rabin Square, on Wednesday night, on the orders of the city’s mayor.
"Humanity precedes any conflict, and our hearts are with the Lebanese people in the wake of the terrible disaster that befell them,” mayor Ron Huldai said on Twitter.
Most passers-by in Tel Aviv seemed to support the expression of solidarity.
"It's a very kind thing to put this flag on this building. I like to watch it. I think that the citizens seem to care about the things that happen in the world and not just here in Israel,” Tel Aviv resident Eylom told Reuters.
However, not everyone was pleased to see the Lebanese flag on Israeli soil, including Israel's minister for Jerusalem affairs and a member of the far-right Jewish Home party Rafi Peretz.
"It is possible and necessary to provide humanitarian aid to civilians who were hurt in Lebanon, but waving an enemy flag in the heart of Tel Aviv is moral confusion," Peretz wrote on Twitter.
Israel deems the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah as one of its biggest threats and the two sides fought a month-long war in 2006 that killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, many of them civilians, and 160 Israelis.
But Israel has also been among numerous countries to offer Lebanon aid after Tuesday’s blast.
"A very great disaster occurred yesterday in Lebanon. We are ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, as human beings to human beings,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday.
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france24--2020-08-06--Guinea's ruling party asks Alpha Condé to run for third presidential term

Guinean President Alpha Condé speaks during a press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris , France , on April 11 , 2017 .
Guinea 's ruling party on Thursday urged President Alpha Conde to seek a third term in elections due this year , a scenario that has sparked clashes in the West African state .
Under Guinea 's constitution , presidents may only serve two terms .
Conde , 82 , was elected president in 2010 and again in 2015 .
But this year he pushed through a revamped constitution that opponents say was crafted to reset the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
His Rally of the Guinean People ( RPG ) party announced that it wanted Conde to run again at a convention in the capital Conakry .
Party members are issuing a `` plea to President Alpha Conde to accept the will of the people to be the RPG 's sole candidate , '' MP Diakagbe Kaba told delegates .
The president has yet to formally respond to the request .
He has previously said that `` the party will decide '' who goes forward to the poll .
Guinea 's electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held on October 18 , but Conde has yet to sign off on a date .
Thursday 's announcement is likely to incense Guinea 's embattled opposition , which has staged mass rallies since October against the possibility of Conde running for a third term .
Security forces in the former French colony repeatedly cracked down on the protests , in which several dozen civilians were killed .
Opposition figures also attempted to organise a boycott of the referendum in March , but the vote went ahead despite protests .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 91.59 percent of those voting , with a turnout of 61 percent Conde is a former opposition figure himself who was jailed under Guinea 's previous iron-fisted regimes .
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea 's first democratically elected president in 2010 , but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian .

Guinea's ruling party on Thursday urged President Alpha Conde to seek a third term in elections due this year, a scenario that has sparked clashes in the West African state.
Guinean President Alpha Condé speaks during a press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on April 11, 2017.
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Under Guinea's constitution, presidents may only serve two terms.
Conde, 82, was elected president in 2010 and again in 2015. But this year he pushed through a revamped constitution that opponents say was crafted to reset the term counter, enabling him to run again.
His Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) party announced that it wanted Conde to run again at a convention in the capital Conakry.
Party members are issuing a "plea to President Alpha Conde to accept the will of the people to be the RPG's sole candidate," MP Diakagbe Kaba told delegates.
The president has yet to formally respond to the request. He has previously said that "the party will decide" who goes forward to the poll.
Guinea's electoral commission has proposed the presidential election be held on October 18, but Conde has yet to sign off on a date.
Thursday's announcement is likely to incense Guinea's embattled opposition, which has staged mass rallies since October against the possibility of Conde running for a third term.
Security forces in the former French colony repeatedly cracked down on the protests, in which several dozen civilians were killed.
Opposition figures also attempted to organise a boycott of the referendum in March, but the vote went ahead despite protests.
According to the official results, the constitution was approved by 91.59 percent of those voting, with a turnout of 61 percent
Conde is a former opposition figure himself who was jailed under Guinea's previous iron-fisted regimes.
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected president in 2010, but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian.
(AFP)
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