france24--2020-06-20--Macron orders inquiry after ex-prosecutor decries political ‘pressure’ in Fillon probe

In a twist in the fake jobs trial of former French prime minister François Fillon , President Emmanuel Macron asked on Friday the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate a former top prosecutor ’ s allegations that political pressure was put on the criminal justice system in the early months of the process , when Fillon was a candidate in the 2017 presidential elections .
One of the most sensational stories in French politics roared back to life when magazine Le Point reported on Wednesday that Elaine Houlette – who was head of France ’ s office of financial prosecutions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was put under “ enormous pressure ” and “ very tight control ” by her boss , Paris Attorney-General Catherine Champrenault , during the Fillon investigation in the early months of 2017 .
Speaking to a parliamentary committee on the independence of the judiciary on June 10 , Houlette suggested that Champrenault made her speed up the inquiry with demands that it be conducted “ fast ” during this period – when the conservative Fillon was running in that year ’ s presidential contest .
The Paris attorney-general reports directly to the justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ seldom acted so quickly ” in response to an alleged political scandal as it did in the Fillon case , noted left-wing paper Libération .
Houlette ’ s statement to the parliamentary committee provoked fierce reactions from politicians across the political spectrum .
Éric Woerth , an LR MP and the treasurer of Fillon ’ s 2017 campaign , said that any “ acceleration ” of the justice process was designed to “ end his presidential candidacy ” .
“ When we denounce the political use of the justice system , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marine Le Pen , leader of the far-right Rassemblement National ( formerly the Front National ) .
“ The truth is now emerging – and this is only the tip of the iceberg.
” Jean-Luc Mélenchon , leader of the far-left La France Insoumise ( LFI ) , tweeted : “ The former head of the financial crime bureau admitted to having acted under pressure in the Fillon affair .
Who was responsible ?
The chief prosecutor who ordered the odious searches against LFI .
The truth is coming.
” In 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and LFI property as part of a probe into financial propriety .
In response to this outcry , on June 19 Macron asked the Supreme Judicial Council – an independent body which regulates the justice system – to launch an inquiry to “ remove any doubt about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary ” in the Fillon case .
As the candidate for right-wing party Les Républicains ( LR ) , the ex-PM was riding high in the polls as the favourite to win the presidential elections – until January of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canard Enchaîné published an article accusing Fillon of employing his wife Penelope as his “ parliamentary assistant ” for a total salary of €500,000 ( prosecutors now say it was around €1 million ) , despite her apparently doing negligible work in such a role .
The paper also found documents suggesting that she was paid a total of €100,000 over several years as an “ adviser ” for the literary publication Revue des Deux Mondes , owned by an associate of Fillon .
Again , it appeared that she had done little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Le Canard Enchaîné found that two of his children were paid €84,000 from state coffers for similar roles , despite apparently doing barely any work .
A preliminary hearing immediately opened .
“ Penelopegate ” , as the French press dubbed it , kyboshed Fillon ’ s attempt to take the Élysée Palace ; his poll ratings crumbled .
In many respects it had been an impressive campaign .
Few political pundits had expected Fillon ’ s resounding win in the 2016 LR primary over both his former boss , ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emollient centrist .
Fillon then established a clear poll lead with a vision to reform France , using classically liberal policies to shrink the state and inject more dynamism into the economy .
In the wake of Penelopegate , Macron replaced Fillon as the frontrunner before seizing the crown in the May elections , with a similar agenda to liberalise the French economy , couched in centrist marketing .
After refusing to stand down as the Républicains candidate , Fillon was eliminated in the first round after coming third .
The trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing , saying that he was the victim of a politically motivated dirty tricks campaign , although he has admitted “ making mistakes ” .
The verdict is expected on June 29 .
On Friday , Houlette clarified that the “ pressures ” she referred to were “ purely procedural ” – and that Fillon was not charged “ at the request of ” the government or “ under pressure ” from it .
For her part , Champrenault said the same day that her actions during the Fillon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual functioning ” of the criminal justice system .

In a twist in the fake jobs trial of former French prime minister François Fillon, President Emmanuel Macron asked on Friday the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate a former top prosecutor’s allegations that political pressure was put on the criminal justice system in the early months of the process, when Fillon was a candidate in the 2017 presidential election.
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One of the most sensational stories in French politics roared back to life when magazine Le Point reported on Wednesday that Elaine Houlette – who was head of France’s office of financial prosecutions from 2014 to 2019 – said that she was put under “enormous pressure” and “very tight control” by her boss, Paris Attorney-General Catherine Champrenault, during the Fillon investigation in the early months of 2017.
Speaking to a parliamentary committee on the independence of the judiciary on June 10, Houlette suggested that Champrenault made her speed up the inquiry with demands that it be conducted “fast” during this period – when the conservative Fillon was running in that year’s presidential contest. The Paris attorney-general reports directly to the justice minister.
The criminal justice system has “seldom acted so quickly” in response to an alleged political scandal as it did in the Fillon case, noted left-wing paper Libération.
‘The truth is coming’
Houlette’s statement to the parliamentary committee provoked fierce reactions from politicians across the political spectrum. Éric Woerth, an LR MP and the treasurer of Fillon’s 2017 campaign, said that any “acceleration” of the justice process was designed to “end his presidential candidacy”.
“When we denounce the political use of the justice system, people call us conspiracy theorists,” tweeted Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National (formerly the Front National). “The truth is now emerging – and this is only the tip of the iceberg.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI), tweeted: “The former head of the financial crime bureau admitted to having acted under pressure in the Fillon affair. Who was responsible? The chief prosecutor who ordered the odious searches against LFI. The truth is coming.” In 2018, raids were conducted at Mélenchon’s home and LFI property as part of a probe into financial propriety.
In response to this outcry, on June 19 Macron asked the Supreme Judicial Council – an independent body which regulates the justice system – to launch an inquiry to “remove any doubt about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary” in the Fillon case.
Penelopegate
As the candidate for right-wing party Les Républicains (LR), the ex-PM was riding high in the polls as the favourite to win the presidential elections – until January of that year, when satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné published an article accusing Fillon of employing his wife Penelope as his “parliamentary assistant” for a total salary of €500,000 (prosecutors now say it was around €1 million), despite her apparently doing negligible work in such a role.
The paper also found documents suggesting that she was paid a total of €100,000 over several years as an “adviser” for the literary publication Revue des Deux Mondes, owned by an associate of Fillon. Again, it appeared that she had done little actual work. A fortnight later, Le Canard Enchaîné found that two of his children were paid €84,000 from state coffers for similar roles, despite apparently doing barely any work.
A preliminary hearing immediately opened. “Penelopegate”, as the French press dubbed it, kyboshed Fillon’s attempt to take the Élysée Palace; his poll ratings crumbled. In many respects it had been an impressive campaign. Few political pundits had expected Fillon’s resounding win in the 2016 LR primary over both his former boss, ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, and Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppé, an emollient centrist. Fillon then established a clear poll lead with a vision to reform France, using classically liberal policies to shrink the state and inject more dynamism into the economy.
In the wake of Penelopegate, Macron replaced Fillon as the frontrunner before seizing the crown in the May elections, with a similar agenda to liberalise the French economy, couched in centrist marketing. After refusing to stand down as the Républicains candidate, Fillon was eliminated in the first round after coming third.
The trial started in February 2020. Fillon has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing, saying that he was the victim of a politically motivated dirty tricks campaign, although he has admitted “making mistakes”. The verdict is expected on June 29.
On Friday, Houlette clarified that the “pressures” she referred to were “purely procedural” – and that Fillon was not charged “at the request of” the government or “under pressure” from it.
For her part, Champrenault said the same day that her actions during the Fillon inquiry were just part of the “usual functioning” of the criminal justice system.
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france24--2020-06-20--DR Congo court gives 20-year sentence to president’s chief of staff Kamerhe for graft

Pictured in this file photo , Vital Kamerhe , now chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo , attends a meeting in Kinshasa , DR Congo on December 28 , 2018 .
The Democratic Republic of Congo 's high court on Saturday found the president 's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $ 48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail , the lead judge said .
Vital Kamerhe is the most senior politician to face trial for graft in DR Congo , where high-level corruption is endemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $ 48,831,148 , '' said presiding Judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves .
The veteran power broker appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the coronavirus .
Kamerhe backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi ’ s support the next time around in 2023 .
His arrest on April 8 sent shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition and the nation .
Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge , who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month , was actually brutally murdered .

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said.
Pictured in this file photo, Vital Kamerhe, now chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, attends a meeting in Kinshasa, DR Congo on December 28, 2018.
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Vital Kamerhe is the most senior politician to face trial for graft in DR Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic.
"From everything we have heard, the court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $48,831,148," said presiding Judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves.
Kamerhe denies stealing money earmarked for social housing under President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship 100-day building programme.
The veteran power broker appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the coronavirus.
Kamerhe backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023.
His arrest on April 8 sent shock waves through the country’s ruling coalition and the nation.
Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge, who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month, was actually brutally murdered.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-20--US judge rules Bolton can publish White House memoir despite Trump bid to block it

In this file photo , US President Donald Trump speaks alongside then national security adviser John Bolton ( L ) during a cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington , DC on May 9 , 2018 .
A federal judge ruled Saturday that former national security adviser John Bolton can move forward in publishing his tell-all book despite efforts by the Trump administration to block the release because of concerns that classified information could be exposed .
The decision from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth is a victory for Bolton in a court case that involved core First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge also made clear his concerns that Bolton had “ gambled with the national security of the United States ” by opting out of a prepublication review process meant to prevent government officials from spilling classified secrets in memoirs they publish .
The ruling clears the path for a broader election-year readership and distribution of a memoir , due out Tuesday , that paints an unflattering portrait of President Donald Trump 's foreign policy decision-making during the turbulent year-and-a-half that Bolton spent in the White House .
Nonetheless , Lamberth frowned upon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bolton took it “ upon himself to publish his book without securing final approval from national intelligence authorities ” and perhaps caused irreparable harm to national security , Lamberth said .
But with 200,000 copies already distributed to booksellers across the country , attempting to block its release would be futile , the judge wrote .
“ A single dedicated individual with a book in hand could publish its contents far and wide from his local coffee shop , ” Lamberth wrote .
“ With hundreds of thousands of copies around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage is done .
There is no restoring the status quo .
’

A federal judge ruled Saturday that former national security adviser John Bolton can move forward in publishing his tell-all book despite efforts by the Trump administration to block the release because of concerns that classified information could be exposed.
In this file photo, US President Donald Trump speaks alongside then national security adviser John Bolton (L) during a cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington, DC on May 9, 2018.
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The decision from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth is a victory for Bolton in a court case that involved core First Amendment and national security concerns. But the judge also made clear his concerns that Bolton had “gambled with the national security of the United States” by opting out of a prepublication review process meant to prevent government officials from spilling classified secrets in memoirs they publish.
The ruling clears the path for a broader election-year readership and distribution of a memoir, due out Tuesday, that paints an unflattering portrait of President Donald Trump's foreign policy decision-making during the turbulent year-and-a-half that Bolton spent in the White House.
Nonetheless, Lamberth frowned upon the way Bolton went about publishing the book. Bolton took it “upon himself to publish his book without securing final approval from national intelligence authorities” and perhaps caused irreparable harm to national security, Lamberth said.
But with 200,000 copies already distributed to booksellers across the country, attempting to block its release would be futile, the judge wrote.
“A single dedicated individual with a book in hand could publish its contents far and wide from his local coffee shop,” Lamberth wrote. “With hundreds of thousands of copies around the globe — many in newsrooms — the damage is done. There is no restoring the status quo.’
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-20--World Refugee Day: Exiled Pakistani couple founders of 'The Dissident Club' in Paris

Taha Siddiqui 's `` The Dissident Club '' in Paris was opened in a bid to build a community of exiles .
In early 2018 , Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui fled his homeland after having escaped a kidnapping attempt .
Two years later , he and his photojournalist wife , Sara Farid , have opened “ The Dissident Club ” in Paris – where dissidents from all over the world are welcome to openly speak their minds .
FRANCE 24 reports .
Noureddine is a musician from Sudan , Asser is a journalist and political asylum-seeker from Syria , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and filmmaker who describes himself a “ dissident of the non-creative world ” .
They are all regulars at “ The Dissident Club ” in Paris , which was opened at the start of the year in a bid to create a safe and open space for the world ’ s dissidents , with the aim of building a community of exiles .
“ Someone needs to connect them all , and ‘ The Dissident Club ’ will try to do that .
[ It ’ s a place ] to gain experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make people aware that being an exiled dissident doesn ’ t mean that you ’ re all alone .
You have a community that can support you.
” To watch the full report , please click on the player above .

ON THE GROUND
In early 2018, Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui fled his homeland after having escaped a kidnapping attempt. Two years later, he and his photojournalist wife, Sara Farid, have opened “The Dissident Club” in Paris – where dissidents from all over the world are welcome to openly speak their minds. FRANCE 24 reports.
Taha Siddiqui's "The Dissident Club" in Paris was opened in a bid to build a community of exiles.
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Noureddine is a musician from Sudan, Asser is a journalist and political asylum-seeker from Syria, and Bruce is an American poet, artist and filmmaker who describes himself a “dissident of the non-creative world”. They are all regulars at “The Dissident Club” in Paris, which was opened at the start of the year in a bid to create a safe and open space for the world’s dissidents, with the aim of building a community of exiles.
“Someone needs to connect them all, and ‘The Dissident Club’ will try to do that. [It’s a place] to gain experience from everyone and then bring that together and make people aware that being an exiled dissident doesn’t mean that you’re all alone. You have a community that can support you.”
To watch the full report, please click on the player above.
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france24--2020-06-20--US attorney general says Trump has fired federal prosecutor who refused to resign

Geoffrey Berman had insisted late on June 19 , 2020 that he had no intention of quitting after US Attorney General William Barr issued a press release announcing his resignation .
US Attorney General William Barr said on Saturday that President Donald Trump had fired Geoffrey Berman , the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan whose office is investigating Trump 's attorney Rudolph Giuliani , after Berman publicly refused late on Friday to step down from his post .
In a letter to Berman , Barr said he was `` surprised and quite disappointed '' by Berman 's late-night public statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , saying Berman had made a `` public spectacle over public service '' .
`` I have asked the President to remove you as of today , and he has done so , '' Barr said , adding that the deputy US Attorney for the Southern District of New York , Audrey Strauss , will become the acting US Attorney in that district until a permanent replacement is installed .
Berman 's termination marks another remarkable development in an escalating crisis at the Justice Department that started on Friday night , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and would be replaced by the chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission .
Berman , however , issued a statement of his own , saying he had no intention of stepping down until the Senate confirms his successor .
Berman had investigated associates of the president , including overseeing the prosecution of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and probing advisor Rudy Giuliani 's efforts to discredit Trump 's political opponents .
After the Justice Department moved abruptly Friday night to oust Berman , the US attorney in Manhattan said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ongoing investigations would continue .
Friday night 's standoff set off an extraordinary clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation ’ s top districts , which has tried major mob and terror cases over the years .
It will also likely deepen tensions between the Justice Department and congressional Democrats who have pointedly accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump ’ s personal lawyer than the nation ’ s chief law enforcement officer .
The move to oust Berman also came days after allegations surfaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton that the president sought to interfere in an Southern District of New York investigation into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Barr offered no explanation for why he was pushing out Berman in the statement he issued late Friday .
In Berman 's statement , he said he had learned that he was being pushed out through a press release .
He vowed to stay on the job until a Trump nominee is confirmed by the Senate , challenging Barr ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he was appointed to the job by federal judges , not by the president .
Under federal law , a US attorney who is appointed by district court judges can serve “ until the vacancy is filled ” .
Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump ’ s Justice Department of political interference , and those concerns have also been pervasive among some rank and file officials in the agency .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said his committee was inviting Berman to testify next week .
Federal prosecutors in New York have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump in recent years .
That includes an ongoing investigation into Giuliani ’ s business dealings , including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent , according to people familiar with the probe .
The people were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The office has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates , including Cohen , who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes .
Berman has also overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation .
The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations , including hiding the origin of a $ 325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump ’ s reelection .
'Trump told Erdogan he would take care of things' Attention refocused on the Southern District this week after news organisations , including The Associated Press , obtained copies of Bolton ’ s tell-all book .
Bolton alleges in the book that Trump sought to cut a deal to stop federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halkbank violated US sanctions against Iran in order to free an American pastor imprisoned in Turkey .
Six weeks after the pastor ’ s release , Bolton writes that on a call with the Turkish president , “ Trump then told Erdogan he would take care of things , explaining that the Southern District prosecutors were not his people , but were Obama people , a problem that would be fixed when they were replaced by his people.
” The White House is seeking to block the public release of Bolton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without formal authorisation that the manuscript was free of classified information .
The episode Bolton describes occurred months after Berman assumed the role of US attorney .
A Republican who contributed to the president ’ s election campaign , Berman worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was put in his job by the Trump administration .
But as US attorney , he won over some skeptics after he went after Trump allies , and had a direct hand in other investigations that have angered the president .
Berman was appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2018 , after Preet Bharara , then US attorney in New York , was fired .
Bharara had refused to resign along with dozens of other federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama .
Months later , FBI agents raided Cohen ’ s offices , an act the president decried as a politically motivated witch hunt .
Berman recused himself from Cohen ’ s prosecution though it was never explained why .
The following April , in the absence of a formal nomination by Trump , the judges in Manhattan federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanently .
The White House never said why Trump didn ’ t formally nominate Berman .
Yet the links between the White House and some of Berman ’ s investigations were clear .
His office subpoenaed Trump ’ s inaugural committee for a wide range of documents as part of an investigation into various potential crimes , including possible illegal contributions from foreigners to inaugural events .
And weeks before the 2018 midterm election , Berman announced insider trading charges against an ardent Trump supporter , House Republican Chris Collins .
Collins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since resigned .
Under Berman ’ s tenure , his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti , the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing pornography actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump .
Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike ’ s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $ 25 million .

US Attorney General William Barr said on Saturday that President Donald Trump had fired Geoffrey Berman, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan whose office is investigating Trump's attorney Rudolph Giuliani, after Berman publicly refused late on Friday to step down from his post.
Geoffrey Berman had insisted late on June 19, 2020 that he had no intention of quitting after US Attorney General William Barr issued a press release announcing his resignation.
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In a letter to Berman, Barr said he was "surprised and quite disappointed" by Berman's late-night public statement in which he refused to quit his job, saying Berman had made a "public spectacle over public service".
"I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr said, adding that the deputy US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Audrey Strauss, will become the acting US Attorney in that district until a permanent replacement is installed.
Berman's termination marks another remarkable development in an escalating crisis at the Justice Department that started on Friday night, when Barr unexpectedly announced that Berman was stepping down and would be replaced by the chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Berman, however, issued a statement of his own, saying he had no intention of stepping down until the Senate confirms his successor.
Berman had investigated associates of the president, including overseeing the prosecution of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and probing advisor Rudy Giuliani's efforts to discredit Trump's political opponents.
After the Justice Department moved abruptly Friday night to oust Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan said he was refusing to leave his post and his ongoing investigations would continue.
Tensions between Justice Department, House Democrats
Friday night's standoff set off an extraordinary clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation’s top districts, which has tried major mob and terror cases over the years. It will also likely deepen tensions between the Justice Department and congressional Democrats who have pointedly accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump’s personal lawyer than the nation’s chief law enforcement officer.
The move to oust Berman also came days after allegations surfaced from former Trump national security adviser John Bolton that the president sought to interfere in an Southern District of New York investigation into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Barr offered no explanation for why he was pushing out Berman in the statement he issued late Friday.
In Berman's statement, he said he had learned that he was being pushed out through a press release. He vowed to stay on the job until a Trump nominee is confirmed by the Senate, challenging Barr’s power to remove him from office because he was appointed to the job by federal judges, not by the president. Under federal law, a US attorney who is appointed by district court judges can serve “until the vacancy is filled”.
Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump’s Justice Department of political interference, and those concerns have also been pervasive among some rank and file officials in the agency. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said his committee was inviting Berman to testify next week.
Numerous prosecutions, investigations tied to Trump
Federal prosecutors in New York have overseen numerous prosecutions and investigations with ties to Trump in recent years. That includes an ongoing investigation into Giuliani’s business dealings, including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent, according to people familiar with the probe. The people were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The office has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Cohen, who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes.
Berman has also overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation. The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations, including hiding the origin of a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump’s reelection.
'Trump told Erdogan he would take care of things'
Attention refocused on the Southern District this week after news organisations, including The Associated Press, obtained copies of Bolton’s tell-all book. Bolton alleges in the book that Trump sought to cut a deal to stop federal prosecutors in New York from investigating whether Halkbank violated US sanctions against Iran in order to free an American pastor imprisoned in Turkey.
Six weeks after the pastor’s release, Bolton writes that on a call with the Turkish president, “Trump then told Erdogan he would take care of things, explaining that the Southern District prosecutors were not his people, but were Obama people, a problem that would be fixed when they were replaced by his people.”
The White House is seeking to block the public release of Bolton’s book, saying it is being published without formal authorisation that the manuscript was free of classified information.
The episode Bolton describes occurred months after Berman assumed the role of US attorney.
Appointed by Trump's former Attorney General
A Republican who contributed to the president’s election campaign, Berman worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was put in his job by the Trump administration. But as US attorney, he won over some skeptics after he went after Trump allies, and had a direct hand in other investigations that have angered the president.
Berman was appointed by then Attorney General Jeff Sessions in January 2018, after Preet Bharara, then US attorney in New York, was fired. Bharara had refused to resign along with dozens of other federal prosecutors appointed by President Barack Obama.
Months later, FBI agents raided Cohen’s offices, an act the president decried as a politically motivated witch hunt. Berman recused himself from Cohen’s prosecution though it was never explained why.
The following April, in the absence of a formal nomination by Trump, the judges in Manhattan federal court voted to appoint Berman to the position permanently. The White House never said why Trump didn’t formally nominate Berman.
Yet the links between the White House and some of Berman’s investigations were clear. His office subpoenaed Trump’s inaugural committee for a wide range of documents as part of an investigation into various potential crimes, including possible illegal contributions from foreigners to inaugural events.
And weeks before the 2018 midterm election, Berman announced insider trading charges against an ardent Trump supporter, House Republican Chris Collins. Collins, who represented western New York, has since resigned.
Under Berman’s tenure, his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing pornography actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump. Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike’s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $25 million.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-20--Turkey says Haftar forces must withdraw from Sirte for lasting Libya ceasefire

Members of the self-proclaimed eastern Libyan National Army ( LNA ) special forces gather in the city of Benghazi , on their way to reportedly back up fellow LNA fighters on the front line west of the city of Sirte who are facing forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , on June 18 , 2020 .
Turkey on Saturday said Khalifa Haftar 's forces in eastern Libya need to withdraw from the strategic city of Sirte for a lasting ceasefire and accused France of `` jeopardising '' NATO security by backing him .
Ibrahim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFP that Turkey supports the position of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli , and that Sirte and Al-Jufra should be evacuated by Haftar 's forces for a `` sustainable ceasefire . ''
Libya has been mired in chaos since a Western-backed 2011 uprising toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi only to leave rival warlords fighting for control of the country 's oil wealth and drawing in international powers as the conflict has ebbed and flowed .
Turkey has forged strong ties with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj , sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped him repel Haftar 's recent offensive .
A high-level Turkish delegation including Kalin , the foreign minister and intelligence chief paid a visit to Tripoli on Wednesday on an unannounced trip .
Kalin said a ceasefire in Libya would be possible if everybody went back to their positions in 2015 , referring to an agreement reached that year .
`` This is the position of the GNA and we support it because right now the Haftar forces are using strategic locations as their launching pad against the legitimate government , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these places to use Libyan oil resources to finance their war . ''
`` A rushed , premature ceasefire will not lead to what we want to achieve for all Libyans there . ''
Kalin also accused France of `` jeopardising '' NATO 's security by supporting Haftar , whose forces have been conducting an offensive to take the capital Tripoli since last year .
`` In Libya we are supporting the legitimate government and the French government is supporting an illegitimate warlord and jeopardising NATO security , Mediterranean security , North African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .

Turkey on Saturday said Khalifa Haftar's forces in eastern Libya need to withdraw from the strategic city of Sirte for a lasting ceasefire and accused France of "jeopardising" NATO security by backing him.
Members of the self-proclaimed eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) special forces gather in the city of Benghazi, on their way to reportedly back up fellow LNA fighters on the front line west of the city of Sirte who are facing forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on June 18, 2020.
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Ibrahim Kalin, the presidential spokesman, told AFP that Turkey supports the position of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and that Sirte and Al-Jufra should be evacuated by Haftar's forces for a "sustainable ceasefire."
Libya has been mired in chaos since a Western-backed 2011 uprising toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi only to leave rival warlords fighting for control of the country's oil wealth and drawing in international powers as the conflict has ebbed and flowed.
Turkey has forged strong ties with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, sending sophisticated drones and air defence systems that helped him repel Haftar's recent offensive.
A high-level Turkish delegation including Kalin, the foreign minister and intelligence chief paid a visit to Tripoli on Wednesday on an unannounced trip.
Kalin said a ceasefire in Libya would be possible if everybody went back to their positions in 2015, referring to an agreement reached that year.
"This is the position of the GNA and we support it because right now the Haftar forces are using strategic locations as their launching pad against the legitimate government," said Kalin.
"They are also using these places to use Libyan oil resources to finance their war."
He warned against a rushed truce.
"A rushed, premature ceasefire will not lead to what we want to achieve for all Libyans there."
Kalin also accused France of "jeopardising" NATO's security by supporting Haftar, whose forces have been conducting an offensive to take the capital Tripoli since last year.
"In Libya we are supporting the legitimate government and the French government is supporting an illegitimate warlord and jeopardising NATO security, Mediterranean security, North African security and Libya's political stability," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-20--China to create ‘national security agency’ in Hong Kong despite international concerns

A woman walks past a sign ( L and R ) that reads ‘ June 20 , anti-national security law , labour strike , class strike referendum ’ outside a venue in Hong Kong on June 20 , 2020 , where a selection of pro-democracy unions are holding a vote to ask members if they will participate in a city-wide strike and if they supported China ’ s plans to impose a new national security law in Hong Kong .
China will set up a `` national security agency '' in Hong Kong to oversee a forthcoming new law aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , state media said on Saturday .
The new law also would override any existing Hong Kong laws that may conflict with it once it is implemented , Xinhua news agency said in a report detailing the draft legislation .
The report followed the conclusion of a meeting in Beijing of China 's top law-making committee during which it reviewed a preliminary draft of legislation aimed at snuffing out the pro-democracy movement that has rocked the semi-autonomous city .
The Hong Kong security agency would be chaired by the city 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address security threats .
Xinhua said the eventual law would criminalise `` secession , subversion of state power , terrorism , and collusion with foreign forces '' that endanger security .
It said the Standing Committee of the National People 's Congress -- China 's rubber-stamp legislature -- would `` soon finalise '' the legislation .
The controversial national security law has raised international concerns that it will end the financial hub 's remaining freedoms .
The fast-tracking of the bill -- which is bypassing Hong Kong 's legislature -- also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainland style political repression is on its way .
The draft also stipulates that if Hong Kong laws clash with the provisions of the upcoming legislation , the power of interpretation lies with the Standing Committee in Beijing .

China will set up a "national security agency" in Hong Kong to oversee a forthcoming new law aimed at cracking down on dissent in the city, state media said on Saturday.
A woman walks past a sign (L and R) that reads ‘June 20, anti-national security law, labour strike, class strike referendum’ outside a venue in Hong Kong on June 20, 2020, where a selection of pro-democracy unions are holding a vote to ask members if they will participate in a city-wide strike and if they supported China’s plans to impose a new national security law in Hong Kong.
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The new law also would override any existing Hong Kong laws that may conflict with it once it is implemented, Xinhua news agency said in a report detailing the draft legislation.
The report followed the conclusion of a meeting in Beijing of China's top law-making committee during which it reviewed a preliminary draft of legislation aimed at snuffing out the pro-democracy movement that has rocked the semi-autonomous city.
The Hong Kong security agency would be chaired by the city's chief executive and would be empowered to act to address security threats.
Xinhua said the eventual law would criminalise "secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces" that endanger security.
It said the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress -- China's rubber-stamp legislature -- would "soon finalise" the legislation.
The controversial national security law has raised international concerns that it will end the financial hub's remaining freedoms.
The fast-tracking of the bill -- which is bypassing Hong Kong's legislature -- also has compounded fears in the finance hub that mainland style political repression is on its way.
The draft also stipulates that if Hong Kong laws clash with the provisions of the upcoming legislation, the power of interpretation lies with the Standing Committee in Beijing.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--British police declare deadly Reading stabbings ‘terrorism’

Emergency helicopters at Forbury park in Reading where the stabbing attack took place , on June 20 , 2020 .
British police said on Sunday they were treating a stabbing spree in which a lone assailant killed three people in a park in the southern English city of Reading as a `` terrorism incident '' .
`` Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm that the stabbing incident that happened in Reading last night ( 20/6 ) , has now been declared a terrorist incident , '' Thames Valley Police said in a statement .
The Thames Valley Police force said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene and they were not looking for anyone else .
“ There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public , ” Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said earlier on Sunday .
British media had earlier reported that police suspected a terrorist motive and that the man arrested was Libyan .
Police did not confirm that or release the suspect ’ s name .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his “ thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends were enjoying a warm , sunny evening in the Forbury Gardens park in Reading , a town of about 200,000 residents 40 miles ( 64 kilometres ) west of London .
Witnesses reported that police cars and helicopters descended on the park .
Within minutes police had blocked off several roads , and two air ambulances landed nearby .
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups socialising on the grass when “ one lone person walked through , suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stab them ” .
“ He stabbed three of them , severely in the neck , and under the arms , and then turned and started running towards me , and we turned and started running , ” Wort said .
“ When he realised that he couldn ’ t catch us , he tried to stab another group .
He got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run , he ran out the park.
” Police said that “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hospital .
Tragically , three of these people died , and another three sustained serious injuries ” .
The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading said it was treating two casualties from the incident .
The incident came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens , but police said there was no connection between the attack and the protest .
Nieema Hassan , one of the organisers of Saturday ’ s protest , said demonstrators had left by the time the violence occurred .
In a social media post , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people that are affected .
I hope they ’ re OK ” .
Britain ’ s official terrorism threat level stands at “ substantial ” , the middle level on a five-rung scale , meaning an attack is likely .
It had previously stood a notch higher for several years .
The country has been hit by a series of violent attacks in recent years , including a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in 2017 that killed 22 people and two deadly vehicle and knife attacks in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcia Pascual was walking to his home near Forbury Gardens when emergency vehicles and police officers descended .
He said it was “ chaos ” as police yelled at people to leave the area .
“ We didn ’ t know if it was a situation like happened in London a few years ago , where the attackers were on the loose , ” he said .
“ Forbury Gardens is a peaceful place , a lot of families go there with their kids to play , picnics .
To realize that happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe .
”

British police said on Sunday they were treating a stabbing spree in which a lone assailant killed three people in a park in the southern English city of Reading as a "terrorism incident".
Emergency helicopters at Forbury park in Reading where the stabbing attack took place, on June 20, 2020.
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"Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm that the stabbing incident that happened in Reading last night (20/6), has now been declared a terrorist incident," Thames Valley Police said in a statement.
The Thames Valley Police force said officers arrested a 25-year-old local man at the scene and they were not looking for anyone else.
“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public,” Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said earlier on Sunday.
02:35
British media had earlier reported that police suspected a terrorist motive and that the man arrested was Libyan. Police did not confirm that or release the suspect’s name.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his “thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading”.
My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene. — Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) June 20, 2020
The violence erupted around 7pm as families and friends were enjoying a warm, sunny evening in the Forbury Gardens park in Reading, a town of about 200,000 residents 40 miles (64 kilometres) west of London.
Witnesses reported that police cars and helicopters descended on the park. Within minutes police had blocked off several roads, and two air ambulances landed nearby.
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups socialising on the grass when “one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them”.
“He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running,” Wort said. “When he realised that he couldn’t catch us, he tried to stab another group. He got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park.”
Police said that “a number of people were injured and taken to hospital. Tragically, three of these people died, and another three sustained serious injuries”.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading said it was treating two casualties from the incident.
The incident came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens, but police said there was no connection between the attack and the protest.
Nieema Hassan, one of the organisers of Saturday’s protest, said demonstrators had left by the time the violence occurred. In a social media post, she said she was “praying for the people that are affected. I hope they’re OK”.
Britain’s official terrorism threat level stands at “substantial”, the middle level on a five-rung scale, meaning an attack is likely.
It had previously stood a notch higher for several years. The country has been hit by a series of violent attacks in recent years, including a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in 2017 that killed 22 people and two deadly vehicle and knife attacks in London the same year.
Airline worker Carlos Garcia Pascual was walking to his home near Forbury Gardens when emergency vehicles and police officers descended. He said it was “chaos” as police yelled at people to leave the area.
“We didn’t know if it was a situation like happened in London a few years ago, where the attackers were on the loose,” he said. “Forbury Gardens is a peaceful place, a lot of families go there with their kids to play, picnics. To realize that happened in Forbury Gardens is really hard to believe.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--Egypt readies army to intervene in Libya ‘if necessary’

Egypt ’ s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside the country , if necessary .
Sisi ’ s comments came amid high tensions over regional rival Turkey ’ s intervention in Libya .
He also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Khalifa Haftar ’ s eastern-based Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
Turkey ’ s support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tripoli by forces loyal to Haftar , which are backed by Russia , the United Arab Emirates and Egypt .
“ Any direct intervention from the Egyptian state has now acquired international legitimacy , ” Sisi told an audience after inspecting military units at an air base near the border with Libya .
He said Egypt has the right to defend itself after receiving “ direct threats ” from “ terrorist militias and mercenaries ” supported by foreign countries , in an apparent reference to some armed groups loyal to the GNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aims of any intervention would include protecting Egypt ’ s 1,200-km ( 746-mile ) western border , helping achieve a ceasefire , and restoring stability and peace in Libya , he said .
Before his speech , Sisi addressed several air force pilots and special forces personnel at the base , telling them : “ Be prepared to carry out any mission , here inside our borders - or if necessary , outside our borders.
” The UAE and Saudi Arabia expressed support for Egypt ’ s desire to protect its security and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Turkey or the GNA .
Earlier this month , Egypt called for a ceasefire in Libya as part of an initiative which also proposed an elected leadership council for the country .
While the United States , Russia and the UAE welcomed the plan , Turkey dismissed it as an attempt to save Haftar following his battlefield losses .
On Saturday Sisi said that Egypt has always been reluctant to intervene in Libya and wants a political solution to its conflict , but added that “ the situation now is different ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can cross the Sirte-Jufra frontline , this is a red line for us , ” he said before an audience that included some Libyan tribal leaders .
Sisi called on the two warring parties to respect the frontline and return to talks .
He also said Egypt could provide Libyan tribes with training and arms to fight the “ terrorist militias ” .

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside the country, if necessary.
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Sisi’s comments came amid high tensions over regional rival Turkey’s intervention in Libya. He also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).
Turkey’s support for the GNA has reversed a 14-month assault on Tripoli by forces loyal to Haftar, which are backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
“Any direct intervention from the Egyptian state has now acquired international legitimacy,” Sisi told an audience after inspecting military units at an air base near the border with Libya.
He said Egypt has the right to defend itself after receiving “direct threats” from “terrorist militias and mercenaries” supported by foreign countries, in an apparent reference to some armed groups loyal to the GNA and supported by Turkey.
The main aims of any intervention would include protecting Egypt’s 1,200-km (746-mile) western border, helping achieve a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in Libya, he said.
04:57
Before his speech, Sisi addressed several air force pilots and special forces personnel at the base, telling them: “Be prepared to carry out any mission, here inside our borders - or if necessary, outside our borders.”
The UAE and Saudi Arabia expressed support for Egypt’s desire to protect its security and borders. There was no immediate reaction from Turkey or the GNA.
Earlier this month, Egypt called for a ceasefire in Libya as part of an initiative which also proposed an elected leadership council for the country.
While the United States, Russia and the UAE welcomed the plan, Turkey dismissed it as an attempt to save Haftar following his battlefield losses.
On Saturday Sisi said that Egypt has always been reluctant to intervene in Libya and wants a political solution to its conflict, but added that “the situation now is different”.
“If some people think that they can cross the Sirte-Jufra frontline, this is a red line for us,” he said before an audience that included some Libyan tribal leaders.
Sisi called on the two warring parties to respect the frontline and return to talks.
He also said Egypt could provide Libyan tribes with training and arms to fight the “terrorist militias”.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--Serbians vote in Europe’s first post-lockdown election

A voter wearing a face mask casts a ballot during a national election , the first in Europe since coronavirus lockdown , at a polling station in Belgrade , Serbia , June 21 , 2020 .
Serbians went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe ’ s first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago , with the ruling conservatives expected to win a comfortable majority .
Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for the use by the country ’ s electorate of almost 6.6 million , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - partly due to fears of becoming infected .
Turnout could also be hit by the boycott campaign of some opposition parties , who say the vote will not be free or fair due to President Aleksandar Vucic ’ s firm grip over the media .
Voters largely back efforts by Vucic ’ s ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the European Union while maintaining strong ties with Russia and China .
But the future government will face increasing EU and U.S. pressure to recognise the independence of Serbia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as key for regional stability .
According to the latest opinion polls , Vucic ’ s conservative Serbian Peoples ’ Party ( SNS ) is set to win about 50 % of the vote , boosted by widespread approval over the government ’ s handling of the pandemic .
Vucic ’ s coalition partner , the Socialist Party , is expected to come second with about 10 % . '
I am for the things to stay as they were' The opposition centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance ( SPAS ) led by Aleksandar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Belgrade ’ s most populous municipality , is tipped to come third .
Mladjan Knezevic , a pensioner from Novi Beograd , said he voted for the status quo : “ I am for the things to stay as they were.
” Vucic himself is not up for re-election but the opposition parties boycotting the vote accuse him of using his position as president to promote his party .
Serbia , which has a population of 7.2 million , has reported 12,803 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 260 deaths .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted .
Analysts and pollsters say , health concerns will keep some voters at home , especially among higher-risk groups .
About 1.2 million people on the electoral list have lived abroad for years and are unlikely to vote .
At a polling station in a school in Belgrade ’ s Zemun municipality , voters and election officials in face masks said they were working briskly to minimise exposure to virus .
“ Yes , I am concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to see SPAS in the parliament , ” Milica , 26 , a social worker , said through a blue surgical mask .

Polls closed after Serbians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe's first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago, with the ruling conservatives expected to win a comfortable majority.
A voter wearing a face mask casts a ballot during a national election, the first in Europe since coronavirus lockdowns began, at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia on June 21, 2020.
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Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for use by the country's electorate of almost 6.6 million, many of whom were expected to skip voting – partly because of fears of infection.
At 2pm local time (1200 GMT), turnout was 26.5 percent compared with 29.7 percent at the same stage of voting four years ago, figures released by the state election commission showed.
Turnout could have been affected by a boycott by some opposition parties, who said the vote would not be free or fair owing to President Aleksandar Vucic's grip over the media.
Voters largely approved of efforts by Vucic's ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the European Union while maintaining strong ties with Russia and China.
But the future government will face increasing EU and US pressure to recognise the independence of Serbia's former province of Kosovo, a move seen as key for regional stability.
"I hope for a good result. I expect success," Vucic said after casting his ballot. "I expect a good turnout."
According to the latest opinion polls, Vucic's conservative Serbian Peoples' Party (SNS) was set to win about 50 percent of the vote, boosted by widespread approval over the government's handling of the pandemic.
Vucic's coalition partner, the Socialist Party, was expected to come in second with about 10 percent.
The opposition centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance (SPAS) led by Aleksandar Sapic, the mayor of Novi Beograd, Belgrade's most populous municipality, was tipped to come in third.
'I am for the things to stay as they were'
Mladjan Knezevic, a pensioner from Novi Beograd, said he voted for the status quo: "I am for things to stay as they were."
Vucic himself is not up for re-election, but the opposition parties boycotting the vote accused him of using his position as president to promote his party.
Serbia, which has a population of 7.2 million, has reported 12,894 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 261 deaths. It was among the first European countries to start opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted.
Analysts and pollsters said that health concerns would keep some voters at home, especially among higher-risk groups. About 1.2 million people on the electoral list have lived abroad for years and were unlikely to vote.
At a polling station in a school in Belgrade's Zemun municipality, voters and election officials in face masks said they were working briskly to minimise exposure to the virus.
"Yes, I am concerned about the coronavirus but had to vote ... I want to see SPAS in parliament," Milica, a 26-year-old social worker, said through a blue surgical mask.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--Spectacular ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse thrills skywatchers from Africa to Asia

The solar eclipse as seen from Yunlin in Taiwan , on June 21 , 2020 .
Skywatchers along a narrow band from west Africa to the Arabian Peninsula , India and the Far East witnessed Sunday a dramatic “ ring of fire ” solar eclipse .
So-called annular eclipses occur when the Moon—passing between Earth and the Sun—is not quite close enough to our planet to completely obscure sunlight , leaving a thin ring of the solar disc visible .
They happen every year or two , and can only been seen from a narrow pathway across the planet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern hemisphere ’ s longest day of the year—the summer solstice—when Earth ’ s north pole is tilted most directly towards the Sun .
The “ ring of fire ” was first visible in northeastern Republic of Congo from 5:56 local time ( 04:56 GMT ) just a few minutes after sunrise .
This is the point of maximum duration , with the blackout lasting 1 minute and 22 seconds .
Arcing eastward across Africa and Asia , it reached “ maximum eclipse ” —with a perfect solar halo around the Moon—over Uttarakhand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12:10 local time ( 0640 GMT ) .
More spectacular , but less long-lived : the exact alignment of the Earth , Moon and Sun was visible for only 38 seconds .
In Nairobi , east Africa , observers saw only a partial eclipse as clouds blocked the sky for several seconds at the exact moment the Moon should have almost hidden the Sun .
Despite some disappointment Susan Murbana told AFP : “ It was very exciting because I think I ’ m so obsessed with eclipses .
“ Today has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clouds .
And we ’ ve been able to see most of it , ” said Murbana who set up the Travelling Telescope educational programme with her husband Chu .
Without the coronavirus pandemic , they would have organised a trip to Lake Magadi in southern Kenya where the skies are generally clearer than over the capital .
“ With the pandemic situation , we ’ re not able to have crowds ... and get kids to look through or do stuff , ” she said but still managed to share the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had around 50 people joining us via Zoom and then we have so many people via our Facebook live.
” The annular eclipse is visible from only about two percent of Earth ’ s surface , Florent Delefie , an astronomer at the Paris Observatory , told AFP .
“ It ’ s a bit like switching from a 500-watt to a 30-watt light bulb , ” he added .
“ It ’ s a cold light and you don ’ t see as well.
” Animals can get spooked—birds will sometimes go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the barn .
The full eclipse was visible at successive locations over a period of nearly four hours , and one of the last places to see the partially hidden Sun was Taiwan .
People hundreds of kilometres ( miles ) on either side of the centreline across 14 countries could also see light drain from the day but not the “ ring of fire ” .
A solar eclipse always occurs about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse , when the Moon moves into Earth ’ s shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of the Earth ’ s surface .
There will be a second solar eclipse in 2020 on December 14 over South America .
Because the Moon will be a bit closer to Earth , it will block out the Sun ’ s light entirely .

Skywatchers along a narrow band from west Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, India and the Far East witnessed Sunday a dramatic “ring of fire” solar eclipse.
The solar eclipse as seen from Yunlin in Taiwan, on June 21, 2020.
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So-called annular eclipses occur when the Moon—passing between Earth and the Sun—is not quite close enough to our planet to completely obscure sunlight, leaving a thin ring of the solar disc visible.
They happen every year or two, and can only been seen from a narrow pathway across the planet.
Sunday’s eclipse arrived on the northern hemisphere’s longest day of the year—the summer solstice—when Earth’s north pole is tilted most directly towards the Sun.
The partial solar eclipse as seen from Yevpatoria, Crimea, on June 21, 2020. REUTERS - ALEXEY PAVLISHAK
The “ring of fire” was first visible in northeastern Republic of Congo from 5:56 local time (04:56 GMT) just a few minutes after sunrise.
This is the point of maximum duration, with the blackout lasting 1 minute and 22 seconds.
Arcing eastward across Africa and Asia, it reached “maximum eclipse”—with a perfect solar halo around the Moon—over Uttarakhand, India near the Sino-Indian border at 12:10 local time (0640 GMT).
The partial solar eclipse as seen from New Delhi, India, on June 21, 2020. REUTERS - DANISH SIDDIQUI
More spectacular, but less long-lived: the exact alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun was visible for only 38 seconds.
In Nairobi, east Africa, observers saw only a partial eclipse as clouds blocked the sky for several seconds at the exact moment the Moon should have almost hidden the Sun.
An Iranian woman uses special protective glasses to observe the solar eclipse, in Tehran, Iran, on June 21, 2020. via REUTERS - WANA NEWS AGENCY
Despite some disappointment Susan Murbana told AFP: “It was very exciting because I think I’m so obsessed with eclipses.
“Today has been very kind to us in terms of the clouds. And we’ve been able to see most of it,” said Murbana who set up the Travelling Telescope educational programme with her husband Chu.
Without the coronavirus pandemic, they would have organised a trip to Lake Magadi in southern Kenya where the skies are generally clearer than over the capital.
“With the pandemic situation, we’re not able to have crowds... and get kids to look through or do stuff,” she said but still managed to share the event on social media.
“We had around 50 people joining us via Zoom and then we have so many people via our Facebook live.”
The annular eclipse is visible from only about two percent of Earth’s surface, Florent Delefie, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, told AFP.
“It’s a bit like switching from a 500-watt to a 30-watt light bulb,” he added. “It’s a cold light and you don’t see as well.”
The partial solar eclipse as seen from the Cairo suburb of Maadi, Egypt, on June 21, 2020. REUTERS - AMR ABDALLAH DALSH
Animals get spooked
Animals can get spooked—birds will sometimes go back to sleep, and cows will return to the barn.
The full eclipse was visible at successive locations over a period of nearly four hours, and one of the last places to see the partially hidden Sun was Taiwan.
People hundreds of kilometres (miles) on either side of the centreline across 14 countries could also see light drain from the day but not the “ring of fire”.
Weather conditions are critical for viewing.
A crow stands on a roof as the partial solar eclipse is visible in Nairobi, Kenya, June 21, 2020. REUTERS - BAZ RATNER
A solar eclipse always occurs about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse, when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow. Lunar eclipses are visible from about half of the Earth’s surface.
There will be a second solar eclipse in 2020 on December 14 over South America. Because the Moon will be a bit closer to Earth, it will block out the Sun’s light entirely.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--France shakes off Covid-19 doldrums as cinemas prepare to reopen Monday

France shakes off Covid-19 doldrums as cinemas prepare to reopen Monday Cinemas in France have been closed for three months @ @ @ @ @ long-awaited reopening .
The Covid-19 pandemic plunged the cinema industry into financial difficulty , and @ @ @ @ @ hoping to tempt back the crowds .
But there are fewer films on offer , @ @ @ @ @ until summer to release box office favourites .
James André and Clovis Casali visited Paris @ @ @ @ @ Rex to see how it is preparing for the grand reopening .

France shakes off Covid-19 doldrums as cinemas prepare to reopen Monday
01:49
Cinemas in France have been closed for three months - and Monday marks the long-awaited reopening. The Covid-19 pandemic plunged the cinema industry into financial difficulty, and cinemas across the country are hoping to tempt back the crowds. But there are fewer films on offer, as distributors decided to wait until summer to release box office favourites. James André and Clovis Casali visited Paris's legendary cinema Le Grand Rex to see how it is preparing for the grand reopening.


france24--2020-06-21--Thousands of empty seats at Trump’s comeback rally in Tulsa

President Donald Trump launched his comeback rally Saturday by defining the upcoming election as a stark choice between national heritage and left-wing radicalism .
But his intended show of political force amid a pandemic featured thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases on his own campaign staff .
Trump ignored health warnings to hold his first rally in 110 days — one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans and put 40 million out of work .
The rally was meant to restart his reelection effort less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters again .
“ The choice in 2020 is very simple , ” Trump said .
“ Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob , or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans ?
” Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances about the coronavirus , which he dubbed the “ Kung flu , ” a racist term for COVID-19 , which originated in China .
He also tried to defend his handling of the pandemic , even as cases continue to surge in many states , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing was making his record look bad — and suggested the testing effort should slow down .
“ Here ’ s the bad part .
When you do testing to that extent , you ’ re going to find more cases , ” he said .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ Slow the testing down.
’ They test and they test.
” “ Speed up the testing , ” Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , tweeted later .
In the hours before the rally , crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to address an overflow space outdoors .
When Trump thundered that “ the silent majority is stronger than ever before , ” about a third of the seats at his indoor rally were empty .
Trump tried to explain away the crowd size by blaming the media for scaring people and by insisting there were protesters outside who were “ doing bad things.
” But the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful , and Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon .
Before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event .
The president raged to aides that the staffers ’ positive cases had been made public , according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
Trump devoted more than 10 minutes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laughing along — trying to explain away a pair of odd images from his speech last weekend at West Point , blaming his slippery leather-soled shoes for video of him walking awkwardly down a ramp as he left the podium .
And then he declared that he used two hands to drink a cup of water that day because he didn ’ t want to spill water on his tie — and proceeded to this time drink with just one hand .
But Trump also leaned in hard on cultural issues , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rename military bases honoring Confederate generals following nationwide protests about racial injustice .
“ The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history , desecrate our monuments , our beautiful monuments , ” Trump said .
“ They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place.
” Trump also floated the idea of a one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of burning an American flag , an act of protest protected by the First Amendment .
And he revived his attacks on Minnesota Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a child , claiming she would want “ to make the government of our country just like the country from where she came , Somalia : no government , no safety , no police , no nothing — just anarchy.
” “ And now she ’ s telling us how to run our country , ” Trump continued .
“ No , thank you.
” After a three-month break from rallies , Trump spent the evening reviving his greatest hits , including boasts about the pre-pandemic economy and complaints about the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of some of the flashpoints roiling the nation , including the abrupt firing of a U.S. attorney in Manhattan , the damaging new book from his former national security adviser or the killing of George Floyd .
Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus .
The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spike in many states , while the choice of host city and date — it was originally set for Friday , Juneteenth , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many as 300 people — prompted anger amid a national wave of protests against racial injustice .
But Trump and his advisers forged forward , believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president , who is furious that he has fallen behind Biden in polls , and reassure increasingly anxious Republicans .
But Trump has struggled to land effective attacks against Biden , and his broadsides against the former vice president did not draw nearly the applause as did his digs at his 2016 opponent , Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa .
Trump ’ s campaign , for its part , declared that it had received over a million ticket requests .
The crowd that gathered was far less than that , though the rally , being broadcast on cable , also targeted voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania , North Carolina and Florida .
The president ’ s campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere over the smaller-than-expected crowds , accusing protesters of blocking access to metal detectors and preventing people from entering the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulsa for several hours leading up to the president ’ s speaking did not see protesters block entry to the area where the rally was held .
The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer , but there was no requirement that participants use them and few did .
Participants also underwent a temperature check .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s anything worse than the flu , ” said Brian Bernard , 54 , a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge , Louisiana , who sported a Trump 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years , and if I haven ’ t caught a cold or flu yet , I don ’ t think I ’ m gon na catch COVID .
”

President Donald Trump launched his comeback rally Saturday by defining the upcoming election as a stark choice between national heritage and left-wing radicalism. But his intended show of political force amid a pandemic featured thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases on his own campaign staff.
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Trump ignored health warnings to hold his first rally in 110 days — one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans and put 40 million out of work. The rally was meant to restart his reelection effort less than five months before the president faces voters again.
“The choice in 2020 is very simple,” Trump said. “Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob, or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans?”
Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances about the coronavirus, which he dubbed the “Kung flu,” a racist term for COVID-19, which originated in China. He also tried to defend his handling of the pandemic, even as cases continue to surge in many states, including Oklahoma.
He complained that robust coronavirus testing was making his record look bad — and suggested the testing effort should slow down.
“Here’s the bad part. When you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find more cases,” he said. “So I said to my people, ‘Slow the testing down.’ They test and they test.”
“Speed up the testing,” Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, tweeted later.
01:17
In the hours before the rally, crowds were significantly lighter than expected, and campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to address an overflow space outdoors. When Trump thundered that “the silent majority is stronger than ever before,” about a third of the seats at his indoor rally were empty.
Trump tried to explain away the crowd size by blaming the media for scaring people and by insisting there were protesters outside who were “doing bad things.” But the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful, and Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon.
Before the rally, Trump’s campaign revealed that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the coronavirus. Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event.
The president raged to aides that the staffers’ positive cases had been made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.
Trump devoted more than 10 minutes of his 105-minute rally — with the crowd laughing along — trying to explain away a pair of odd images from his speech last weekend at West Point, blaming his slippery leather-soled shoes for video of him walking awkwardly down a ramp as he left the podium. And then he declared that he used two hands to drink a cup of water that day because he didn’t want to spill water on his tie — and proceeded to this time drink with just one hand.
But Trump also leaned in hard on cultural issues, including the push to tear down statues and rename military bases honoring Confederate generals following nationwide protests about racial injustice.
“The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments,” Trump said. “They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place.”
Trump also floated the idea of a one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of burning an American flag, an act of protest protected by the First Amendment. And he revived his attacks on Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who emigrated from Somalia as a child, claiming she would want “to make the government of our country just like the country from where she came, Somalia: no government, no safety, no police, no nothing — just anarchy.”
“And now she’s telling us how to run our country,” Trump continued. “No, thank you.”
After a three-month break from rallies, Trump spent the evening reviving his greatest hits, including boasts about the pre-pandemic economy and complaints about the media. But his scattershot remarks made no mention of some of the flashpoints roiling the nation, including the abrupt firing of a U.S. attorney in Manhattan, the damaging new book from his former national security adviser or the killing of George Floyd.
Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus. The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spike in many states, while the choice of host city and date — it was originally set for Friday, Juneteenth, in a city where a 1921 racist attack killed as many as 300 people — prompted anger amid a national wave of protests against racial injustice.
But Trump and his advisers forged forward, believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president, who is furious that he has fallen behind Biden in polls, and reassure increasingly anxious Republicans.
But Trump has struggled to land effective attacks against Biden, and his broadsides against the former vice president did not draw nearly the applause as did his digs at his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton.
City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. Trump’s campaign, for its part, declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. The crowd that gathered was far less than that, though the rally, being broadcast on cable, also targeted voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida.
The president’s campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere over the smaller-than-expected crowds, accusing protesters of blocking access to metal detectors and preventing people from entering the rally. Three Associated Press journalists reporting in Tulsa for several hours leading up to the president’s speaking did not see protesters block entry to the area where the rally was held.
The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer, but there was no requirement that participants use them and few did. Participants also underwent a temperature check.
“I don’t think it’s anything worse than the flu,” said Brian Bernard, 54, a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who sported a Trump 2020 hat. “I haven’t caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years, and if I haven’t caught a cold or flu yet, I don’t think I’m gonna catch COVID.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-21--US prosecutor who probed Trump allies agrees to step down after initial standoff

An extraordinary standoff between the Justice Department and Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman ended Saturday when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that his investigations into allies of President Donald Trump would not be disturbed .
The announcement capped two days of conflicting statements , allegations of political interference in prosecutions , and defiance from Berman .
On Saturday , Attorney General William Barr said Berman ’ s refusal to resign under pressure prompted Trump to fire him .
Trump tried to distance himself from the dispute , telling reporters the decision “ was all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode deepened tensions between the Justice Department and congressional Democrats , who have accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump ’ s personal lawyer than the country ’ s chief law enforcement officer .
It also raised questions about ongoing investigations in the Southern District of New York , most notably a probe into Rudy Giuliani , the president ’ s personal attorney .
Barr set off the whirlwind chain of events on Friday night with a surprise announcement that Berman was resigning , without explanation .
But Berman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stepping down and his investigations would continue .
On Saturday morning , he showed up to work , telling reporters , “ I ’ m just here to do my job.
” “ Unfortunately , with your statement of last night , you have chosen public spectacle over public service , ” Barr wrote in a letter released by the Justice Department .
He said the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was “ false.
” Although Barr said Trump had removed Berman , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all up to the attorney general .
Attorney General Barr is working on that .
That ’ s his department , not my department.
” Trump added : “ I wasn ’ t involved.
” The administration ’ s push to cast aside Berman amounted to a political and constitutional clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation ’ s top districts , which has tried major mob , financial crimes and terrorism cases over the years .
Only days ago , allegations surfaced from former Trump national security adviser John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an investigation by Berman ’ s office into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan .
Berman initially vowed to stay on the job until a replacement was confirmed .
He changed his mind late Saturday after Barr said he would allow Berman ’ s second in command , Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss , to become acting U.S. attorney .
Berman said Strauss ’ appointment signaled that Barr had decided “ to respect the normal operation of law.
” He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s efforts to replace Berman with a handpicked replacement , however , were already running into roadblocks before Barr agreed to install Strauss .
After announcing Berman ’ s resignation , the White House said it was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton , a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor , for the job .
But Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a close Trump ally , said he was unlikely to proceed with Clayton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s senators , Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand , gave their consent to the pick .
Schumer said the bid to oust Berman “ reeks of potential corruption of the legal process , ” and Gillibrand said she would “ not be complicit ” in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption .
Both lawmakers called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration .
Schumer also called for the department ’ s inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Berman ’ s ouster .
And the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Berman has an open invitation to testify before his panel .
Berman , a Republican who contributed to the president ’ s election campaign , worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was personally interviewed by Trump before being tapped as U.S. attorney .
But he won over some skeptics after overseeing numerous prosecutions and investigations with ties to Trump .
Though Berman is said to be unclear about the exact reason he was fired , people familiar with his thinking said his job had always seemed in jeopardy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure .
Among the most high profile investigations he was overseeing was into Giuliani ’ s business dealings , including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent .
Charges in the case do not appear imminent , according to people familiar with the matter .
They were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The Southern District has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates , including Trump ’ s former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen , who served a prison sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes .
Cohen was recently released from a federal prison to continue serving his sentence on home confinement over coronavirus concerns .
Berman has overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen , Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation .
The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations , including hiding the origin of a $ 325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump ’ s reelection .
Under Berman ’ s tenure , his office also brought charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump .
Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike ’ s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $ 25 million .

An extraordinary standoff between the Justice Department and Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman ended Saturday when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that his investigations into allies of President Donald Trump would not be disturbed.
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The announcement capped two days of conflicting statements, allegations of political interference in prosecutions, and defiance from Berman. On Saturday, Attorney General William Barr said Berman’s refusal to resign under pressure prompted Trump to fire him. Trump tried to distance himself from the dispute, telling reporters the decision “was all up to the attorney general.”
This episode deepened tensions between the Justice Department and congressional Democrats, who have accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump’s personal lawyer than the country’s chief law enforcement officer. It also raised questions about ongoing investigations in the Southern District of New York, most notably a probe into Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal attorney.
Barr set off the whirlwind chain of events on Friday night with a surprise announcement that Berman was resigning, without explanation. But Berman insisted he had not resigned, was not stepping down and his investigations would continue.
On Saturday morning, he showed up to work, telling reporters, “I’m just here to do my job.”
Hours later, Barr announced Berman’s firing.
“Unfortunately, with your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service,” Barr wrote in a letter released by the Justice Department. He said the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was “false.”
Although Barr said Trump had removed Berman, the president told reporters: “That’s all up to the attorney general. Attorney General Barr is working on that. That’s his department, not my department.” Trump added: “I wasn’t involved.”
The administration’s push to cast aside Berman amounted to a political and constitutional clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation’s top districts, which has tried major mob, financial crimes and terrorism cases over the years.
Only days ago, allegations surfaced from former Trump national security adviser John Bolton that the president sought to interfere in an investigation by Berman’s office into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Berman initially vowed to stay on the job until a replacement was confirmed. He changed his mind late Saturday after Barr said he would allow Berman’s second in command, Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, to become acting U.S. attorney.
Berman said Strauss’ appointment signaled that Barr had decided “to respect the normal operation of law.” He said he was stepping down immediately.
The administration’s efforts to replace Berman with a handpicked replacement, however, were already running into roadblocks before Barr agreed to install Strauss.
After announcing Berman’s resignation, the White House said it was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor, for the job.
But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a close Trump ally, said he was unlikely to proceed with Clayton’s nomination unless New York’s senators, Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, gave their consent to the pick.
Schumer said the bid to oust Berman “reeks of potential corruption of the legal process,” and Gillibrand said she would “not be complicit” in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption. Both lawmakers called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration.
Schumer also called for the department’s inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Berman’s ouster. And the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said Berman has an open invitation to testify before his panel.
Berman, a Republican who contributed to the president’s election campaign, worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was personally interviewed by Trump before being tapped as U.S. attorney. But he won over some skeptics after overseeing numerous prosecutions and investigations with ties to Trump.
Though Berman is said to be unclear about the exact reason he was fired, people familiar with his thinking said his job had always seemed in jeopardy and he never had the sense it was secure.
Among the most high profile investigations he was overseeing was into Giuliani’s business dealings, including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent. Charges in the case do not appear imminent, according to people familiar with the matter. They were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Southern District has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes. Cohen was recently released from a federal prison to continue serving his sentence on home confinement over coronavirus concerns.
Berman has overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation. The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations, including hiding the origin of a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump’s reelection.
Under Berman’s tenure, his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump. Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike’s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $25 million.
(AP)
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