france24--2020-08-14--Iran, Turkey slam Israel-UAE deal, others welcome 'historic step'

President Donald Trump 's White House senior adviser Jared Kushner , third from right , speaks in the Oval Office at the White House as Trump listens on August 13 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
Iran and Turkey lashed out at their regional rival the United Arab Emirates on Friday over its decision to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in a US-brokered deal , accusing the UAE of betraying the Palestinian cause .
Others welcomed the landmark deal as a step towards peace in the region .
A joint statement released by US President Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan announced `` the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates '' .
The UAE , which has never fought Israel and has quietly been improving ties for years , said the agreement also puts a hold on Israel 's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank , which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state .
The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state — and the third Arab country , after Egypt and Jordan — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Palestinians said the deal amounts to “ treason ” and have called on Arab and Muslim countries to oppose it .
The accord also delivered a key foreign policy victory for US President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians .
Trump has suggested that other countries in the region will follow the UAE 's lead .
Israel , the UAE and other Gulf countries that view Iran as a regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years .
Turkey has had diplomatic relations with Israel for decades , but under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has positioned itself as a champion of the Palestinians .
Turkey and the UAE are often at odds over supporting rival camps in the conflict in Libya .
The Turkish foreign ministry said the United Arab Emirates had no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or “ to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine ” .
Turkey said the people of the region “ will never forget and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UAE .
Iran 's foreign ministry also slammed the accord , calling the deal a “ dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims ” .
Oman said Friday it backed the normalisation of ties between the country and Israel , and hoped the move would help achieve a lasting Middle East peace .
A foreign ministry spokesman expressed the sultanate 's `` support for the UAE 's decision regarding relations with Israel '' according to a statement by Oman 's official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it welcomed the landmark UAE-Israel deal , saying that it would boost prospects for peace in the Middle East .
`` This historic step will contribute to strengthening stability and peace in the region , '' the Bahraini government said in a statement on the national news agency .
In Egypt , President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the measure as a plan `` to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands '' .
`` I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States , United Arab Emirates and Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lands and taking steps to bring peace in the Middle East , '' Sisi said on Twitter .
Sisi also called Abu Dhabi 's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to congratulate him on taking a `` historic '' step towards peace .
Jordan said Thursday that the Israeli-Emirati normalisation deal 's impact on peace efforts would depend on Israel 's actions , including its stance on a two-state solution with the Palestinians .
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi , who neither welcomed nor rejected the agreement , said that `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is linked to the actions Israel will take '' .
He said the Jewish state must end its `` illegal actions '' and its `` violations of Palestinian rights '' while urging Israel to engage in `` direct , serious and active peace negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution '' .
But Safadi added that Jordan backs `` any real effort that contributes to achieving comprehensive and just peace that ends Israeli occupation and meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people '' .
France also welcomed the landmark deal between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some reservations , calling for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become `` definitive '' .
`` The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step , which must become a definitive measure , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Thursday .
`` The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace , '' Le Drian added .
Germany 's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed both the agreement and the decision to suspend annexation .
He called to congratulate his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on “ this historic step ” .
“ We stand by our position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East , ” Maas said in a statement .
`` Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumption of direct negotiations .
We are also ready to actively support such a process , ” he added .
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he hoped the deal could help move towards the realisation of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East .
`` The secretary-general welcomes this agreement , hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two state-solution in line with relevant UN resolutions , international law and bilateral agreements , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump promoted the deal as a `` huge breakthrough '' , while his rival in the upcoming November presidential election also welcomed the development .
`` HUGE breakthrough today !
Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends , Israel and the United Arab Emirates ! ''
Trump said on Twitter .
`` Everybody said this would be impossible ... After 49 years Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalise their diplomatic relations , '' Trump later told reporters .
Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden called the UAE 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly-needed act of statesmanship '' .
White House adviser Jared Kushner , who helped draw up Trump 's controversial Middle East peace plan , described the deal as `` an icebreaker '' and voiced hopes of seeing `` countries start to do the same '' .

Iran and Turkey lashed out at their regional rival the United Arab Emirates on Friday over its decision to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in a US-brokered deal, accusing the UAE of betraying the Palestinian cause. Others welcomed the landmark deal as a step towards peace in the region.
President Donald Trump's White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, third from right, speaks in the Oval Office at the White House as Trump listens on August 13, 2020, in Washington, DC.
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A joint statement released by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan announced "the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".
The UAE, which has never fought Israel and has quietly been improving ties for years, said the agreement also puts a hold on Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state.
The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state — and the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan — to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. The Palestinians said the deal amounts to “treason” and have called on Arab and Muslim countries to oppose it.
The accord also delivered a key foreign policy victory for US President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians. Trump has suggested that other countries in the region will follow the UAE's lead.
Israel, the UAE and other Gulf countries that view Iran as a regional menace have been cultivating closer ties in recent years. Turkey has had diplomatic relations with Israel for decades, but under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has positioned itself as a champion of the Palestinians. Turkey and the UAE are often at odds over supporting rival camps in the conflict in Libya.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the United Arab Emirates had no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or “to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine”. Turkey said the people of the region “will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behaviour” by the UAE.
Iran's foreign ministry also slammed the accord, calling the deal a “dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims”.
UAE's Gulf neighbours
Oman said Friday it backed the normalisation of ties between the country and Israel, and hoped the move would help achieve a lasting Middle East peace.
A foreign ministry spokesman expressed the sultanate's "support for the UAE's decision regarding relations with Israel" according to a statement by Oman's official news agency.
Bahrain said on Thursday it welcomed the landmark UAE-Israel deal, saying that it would boost prospects for peace in the Middle East.
"This historic step will contribute to strengthening stability and peace in the region," the Bahraini government said in a statement on the national news agency.
Egypt
In Egypt, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the measure as a plan "to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands".
"I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States, United Arab Emirates and Israel to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands and taking steps to bring peace in the Middle East," Sisi said on Twitter.
Sisi also called Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to congratulate him on taking a "historic" step towards peace.
Jordan
Jordan said Thursday that the Israeli-Emirati normalisation deal's impact on peace efforts would depend on Israel's actions, including its stance on a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, who neither welcomed nor rejected the agreement, said that "the impact of the deal on peace efforts is linked to the actions Israel will take".
He said the Jewish state must end its "illegal actions" and its "violations of Palestinian rights" while urging Israel to engage in "direct, serious and active peace negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution".
But Safadi added that Jordan backs "any real effort that contributes to achieving comprehensive and just peace that ends Israeli occupation and meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people".
01:02
France
France also welcomed the landmark deal between Israel and the UAE, albeit with some reservations, calling for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become "definitive".
"The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step, which must become a definitive measure," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Thursday.
"The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of international law and agreed parameters, which is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace," Le Drian added.
Germany
Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed both the agreement and the decision to suspend annexation. He called to congratulate his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on “this historic step”.
“We stand by our position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East,” Maas said in a statement.
"Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past months against an annexation and for the resumption of direct negotiations. We are also ready to actively support such a process,” he added.
United Nations
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he hoped the deal could help move towards the realisation of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East.
"The secretary-general welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two state-solution in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements," a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.
United States
Trump promoted the deal as a "huge breakthrough", while his rival in the upcoming November presidential election also welcomed the development.
"HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!" Trump said on Twitter.
"Everybody said this would be impossible ... After 49 years Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalise their diplomatic relations," Trump later told reporters.
Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden called the UAE's move "a welcome, brave and badly-needed act of statesmanship".
White House adviser Jared Kushner, who helped draw up Trump's controversial Middle East peace plan, described the deal as "an icebreaker" and voiced hopes of seeing "countries start to do the same".
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-13--Covid-19: UK imposes 14-day quarantine on people travelling from France

Britain on Thursday said it will reimpose quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands , prompting Paris to quickly announce a `` reciprocal measure '' .
The UK government declared the change , which will likely spark a mass exodus among the estimated half a million British holidaymakers currently in France , after a rise in coronavirus cases there .
`` Data shows we need to remove France , the Netherlands , Monaco , Malta , Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN , '' transport minister Grant Shapps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations , you will need to self-isolate for 14 days . ''
French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said that it was `` a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure '' .
France `` hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible , '' Beaune said on Twitter .
On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections , its highest daily number since May .
Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later carved out `` travel corridors '' , which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate .
But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July , catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays .
Britain reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra , Belgium and the Bahamas last week .
With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the Covid-19 disease , Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also announced on Thursday that casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown , but that those not wearing masks face harsher fines .
Skating rinks will also be allowed to reopen , and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events will be introduced following a two-week delay to the initial plans caused by a spike in cases .
`` A number of remaining aspects of England 's culture , sport , leisure and business sectors will be permitted to reopen from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson 's Downing Street office .
`` Two weeks ago the Office for National Statistics had expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive .
The situation now appears to have levelled off , '' it added .
Indoor theatres , music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences .
The piloting of crowd-attended sporting events will commence with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield 's Crucible Theatre on August 15 and 16 .
`` We are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed , '' Johnson said .
`` However , as I have always said , we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required , '' he warned .
Despite the easing of lockdown measures , the government also announced that the fine for those who `` repeatedly flout face covering rules '' will be doubled to a maximum of £3,200 ( $ 4,200 ) .
New fines will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people '' .
`` Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus , but we must remain focused and we can not be complacent , '' Johnson said .
The loosening of lockdown rules will not apply to local hotspots that have seen more stringent measures applied to prevent community spread .
Although the Office for National Statistics said the `` situation had levelled off '' , more than 1,000 people a day are still testing positive @ @ @ @

Britain on Thursday said it will reimpose quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands, prompting Paris to quickly announce a "reciprocal measure".
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The UK government declared the change, which will likely spark a mass exodus among the estimated half a million British holidaymakers currently in France, after a rise in coronavirus cases there.
"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN," transport minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.
"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."
French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said that it was "a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure".
France "hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible," Beaune said on Twitter.
Une décision britannique que nous regrettons et qui entraînera une mesure de réciprocité, en espérant un retour à la normale le plus rapidement possible @Djebbari_JB https://t.co/6pA0qDQun6 — Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) August 13, 2020
On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May.
Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out "travel corridors", which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate.
But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July, catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays.
Britain reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas last week.
With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the Covid-19 disease, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.
His government also announced on Thursday that casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown, but that those not wearing masks face harsher fines.
Complacency warning
Skating rinks will also be allowed to reopen, and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events will be introduced following a two-week delay to the initial plans caused by a spike in cases.
"A number of remaining aspects of England's culture, sport, leisure and business sectors will be permitted to reopen from this weekend," said the statement from Johnson's Downing Street office.
"Two weeks ago the Office for National Statistics had expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive. The situation now appears to have levelled off," it added.
Indoor theatres, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences.
The piloting of crowd-attended sporting events will commence with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on August 15 and 16.
"We are able to announce some further changes which will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed," Johnson said.
"However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required," he warned.
Despite the easing of lockdown measures, the government also announced that the fine for those who "repeatedly flout face covering rules" will be doubled to a maximum of £3,200 ($4,200).
New fines will also be introduced for "people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people".
"Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent," Johnson said.
The loosening of lockdown rules will not apply to local hotspots that have seen more stringent measures applied to prevent community spread.
Although the Office for National Statistics said the "situation had levelled off", more than 1,000 people a day are still testing positive for the virus.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-14--Beirut blast: French forensic teams, FBI join probe into cause of explosion

The explosion of a huge store of ammonium nitrate at Beirut 's port killed more than 170 people and injured around 6,500 more .
For many Lebanese , the best hope for answers about what caused the Beirut blast lies with French forensic teams and FBI investigators .
Lebanon ’ s judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator , military threats to jail leakers and doubts over whether a panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial .
So for many Lebanese , their greatest hope for credible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their capital may lie with outsiders : the French forensic police who have joined the probe and FBI investigators are expected to take part .
French teams have pressed ahead at their work , sending divers into the underwater crater , taking explosives samples and preparing recommendations for both French and Lebanese magistrates .
Among the French judicial police on the case are men and women who responded after the 2004 tsunami in Japan , the 2010 earthquake in Haiti , and the November 2015 and Bastille Day 2016 terror attacks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crossroads of a disastrous accident and a crime scene .
It still was not known what sparked the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beirut ’ s port next to densely populated residential areas .
Documents have emerged that show the country ’ s top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile .
Search and rescue crews flew in from around the world in the immediate aftermath and found themselves looking at a scene that was both familiar and yet strangely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s easier because we can understand ... how it moves .
But in this case , we didn ’ t have enough elements to understand what happened , ” said Alberto Boanini , a member of the Italian rescue team .
The team has seen its share of quakes and forest fires , but nothing quite like the port in Beirut , where he said it was hard to fathom what could level it so completely .
Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of the hands of their own government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-entrenched political factions , notorious for corruption , won ’ t allow any results damaging to their leadership to come to light .
The explosion killed more than 175 people , injured at least 6,000 , and left tens of thousands homeless .
Paris sent judicial police because a French architect was among the dead , and French law gives jurisdiction for an investigation if a citizen dies abroad under questionable circumstances .
But the French investigators work only at the invitation of the Lebanese , and their orders are confidential .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need but will not say whether their inquiry can extend to questioning witnesses or requesting documents .
They hand over their findings to the Lebanese , but keep a mirror copy for a French inquiry .
The FBI is also joining at Lebanese authorities ’ invitation .
Top Lebanese officials , including President Michel Aoun , have rejected calls for an independent probe , describing it as “ a waste of time ” and suggesting it would be politicized .
In its last decision before resigning under pressure , six days after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s government referred the port explosion case to the Higher Judicial Council , Lebanon ’ s highest justice authority , to carry out the investigation .
An argument then ensued with the outgoing justice minister over the investigation ’ s lead judge .
The outgoing minister proposed a figure whom the panel rejected as too close to Aoun ’ s party .
After wrangling back and forth , they settled on a compromise , Judge Fadi Sawwan , a former military investigating judge .
The Council itself is made up of 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the interests of the various political factions and religious sects in line with Lebanon ’ s sectarian power-sharing system .
The authorities have so far arrested at least 19 people in connection to the blast , including the head of the Customs Department and his predecessor , as well as the head of the port .
Lebanese say they want to see top officials who knew about the existence of the ammonium nitrate being investigated .
“ They will blame the small guys while the ones who are really responsible will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what will happen , ” said Jad , a 38-year-old computer engineer who declined to give his full name in line with his company ’ s regulations not to discuss politics .
“ Look , it ’ s simple .
If this time there is no credible , serious investigation that will lead to the punishment of everyone responsible for this disaster , it is goodbye Lebanon .
No one will ever want to live in this country again , ” he said , standing on a bridge overlooking the decimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage .
Lebanese forensics expert Omar Nachabe said the public infighting about the name of the lead investigator is a bad sign that casts doubt on the credibility of any local investigation .
“ If I am a Lebanese citizen , my capital ( city ) has been destroyed .
I want a quick and serious investigation , yet the government has not shown until now that it is up to the task , ” he told the local channel LBCI .
He lamented the time wasted before the explosion was referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues till now .
Explosions have marked a grim timeline in Lebanon ’ s modern history and have killed presidents , prime ministers and countless journalists and activists during the country ’ s 1975-90 civil war and beyond .
Almost none of the perpetrators were ever arrested or tried , and the truth was invariably buried .
Lebanese had high hopes that the U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri would be a chance to end impunity in Lebanon .
But it took 15 years and was marred by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tribunal is to issue verdicts Tuesday .
International involvement in the investigation might bring some truth , but bringing justice is more complicated .
Dov Jacobs , an international legal scholar based in the Netherlands , said the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago might be the closest analogy .
In that case , international experts had full access to the site , and international prosecutors charged three Russians and a Ukrainian with involvement in bringing down the plane and the murder of all on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Dutch court in absentia , since none have been extradited .
But in Lebanon , Jacobs said , “ the investigation itself is a tool of political influence .
It ’ s one of those frustrating moments where immediate calls for justice are faced with a wall which is the political reality on the ground .
”

For many Lebanese, the best hope for answers about what caused the Beirut blast lies with French forensic teams and FBI investigators.
The explosion of a huge store of ammonium nitrate at Beirut's port killed more than 170 people and injured around 6,500 more.
Advertising Read more
Lebanon’s judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator, military threats to jail leakers and doubts over whether a panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial.
So for many Lebanese, their greatest hope for credible answers about the blast that wrecked much of their capital may lie with outsiders: the French forensic police who have joined the probe and FBI investigators are expected to take part.
French teams have pressed ahead at their work, sending divers into the underwater crater, taking explosives samples and preparing recommendations for both French and Lebanese magistrates. Among the French judicial police on the case are men and women who responded after the 2004 tsunami in Japan, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the November 2015 and Bastille Day 2016 terror attacks in France.
The Beirut explosion lies at the crossroads of a disastrous accident and a crime scene. It still was not known what sparked the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beirut’s port next to densely populated residential areas. Documents have emerged that show the country’s top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile.
Search and rescue crews flew in from around the world in the immediate aftermath and found themselves looking at a scene that was both familiar and yet strangely alien.
“In an earthquake, it’s easier because we can understand ... how it moves. But in this case, we didn’t have enough elements to understand what happened,” said Alberto Boanini, a member of the Italian rescue team. The team has seen its share of quakes and forest fires, but nothing quite like the port in Beirut, where he said it was hard to fathom what could level it so completely.
Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of the hands of their own government, having learned from past experience that the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, won’t allow any results damaging to their leadership to come to light. The explosion killed more than 175 people, injured at least 6,000, and left tens of thousands homeless.
Paris sent judicial police because a French architect was among the dead, and French law gives jurisdiction for an investigation if a citizen dies abroad under questionable circumstances.
But the French investigators work only at the invitation of the Lebanese, and their orders are confidential.
French officials say they have the access they need but will not say whether their inquiry can extend to questioning witnesses or requesting documents. They hand over their findings to the Lebanese, but keep a mirror copy for a French inquiry. The FBI is also joining at Lebanese authorities’ invitation.
Top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, have rejected calls for an independent probe, describing it as “a waste of time” and suggesting it would be politicized.
In its last decision before resigning under pressure, six days after the explosion, Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government referred the port explosion case to the Higher Judicial Council, Lebanon’s highest justice authority, to carry out the investigation.
An argument then ensued with the outgoing justice minister over the investigation’s lead judge. The outgoing minister proposed a figure whom the panel rejected as too close to Aoun’s party. After wrangling back and forth, they settled on a compromise, Judge Fadi Sawwan, a former military investigating judge.
The Council itself is made up of 10 people, eight of whom are appointed according to the interests of the various political factions and religious sects in line with Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system.
The authorities have so far arrested at least 19 people in connection to the blast, including the head of the Customs Department and his predecessor, as well as the head of the port.
Lebanese say they want to see top officials who knew about the existence of the ammonium nitrate being investigated.
“They will blame the small guys while the ones who are really responsible will get away with their crime, that’s what will happen,” said Jad, a 38-year-old computer engineer who declined to give his full name in line with his company’s regulations not to discuss politics.
“Look, it’s simple. If this time there is no credible, serious investigation that will lead to the punishment of everyone responsible for this disaster, it is goodbye Lebanon. No one will ever want to live in this country again,” he said, standing on a bridge overlooking the decimated port. He had come to inspect the damage.
Lebanese forensics expert Omar Nachabe said the public infighting about the name of the lead investigator is a bad sign that casts doubt on the credibility of any local investigation.
“If I am a Lebanese citizen, my capital (city) has been destroyed. I want a quick and serious investigation, yet the government has not shown until now that it is up to the task,” he told the local channel LBCI. He lamented the time wasted before the explosion was referred to the HJC and the bickering that continues till now.
Explosions have marked a grim timeline in Lebanon’s modern history and have killed presidents, prime ministers and countless journalists and activists during the country’s 1975-90 civil war and beyond.
Almost none of the perpetrators were ever arrested or tried, and the truth was invariably buried. Lebanese had high hopes that the U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri would be a chance to end impunity in Lebanon. But it took 15 years and was marred by doubts, politics and more deaths. The tribunal is to issue verdicts Tuesday.
International involvement in the investigation might bring some truth, but bringing justice is more complicated. Dov Jacobs, an international legal scholar based in the Netherlands, said the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago might be the closest analogy.
In that case, international experts had full access to the site, and international prosecutors charged three Russians and a Ukrainian with involvement in bringing down the plane and the murder of all on board. The men are on trial in a Dutch court in absentia, since none have been extradited.
But in Lebanon, Jacobs said, “the investigation itself is a tool of political influence. It’s one of those frustrating moments where immediate calls for justice are faced with a wall which is the political reality on the ground.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-14--Afghan president calls release of 400 Taliban prisoners likely 'danger to the world'

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned that the release of 400 Taliban prisoners represents a `` danger '' to the world .
Afghan authorities said Friday they had started to release 400 Taliban prisoners , the final hurdle in launching long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides .
A group of 80 prisoners were released on Thursday , said National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal , tweeting that it would `` speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting , nationwide ceasefire '' .
Their release was approved at the weekend by a gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities initially refused to free the militants , accused of serious crimes including brutal attacks that killed Afghans and foreigners .
Both sides have said they are ready to begin talks in Doha , Qatar , within days of the prisoners being freed .
The prisoners include some 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks .
Ghani warned on Thursday that their release was a `` danger '' to the world .
`` Until this issue , there was a consensus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of it , '' Ghani said in a videoconference organised by a US think tank .
`` We have now paid the major installment on cost and that means peace will have consequences , '' he added , noting that the release of `` hardened criminals '' and drug dealers was `` likely to pose a danger both to us and to ( America ) and to the world '' .

Afghan authorities said Friday they had started to release 400 Taliban prisoners, the final hurdle in launching long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned that the release of 400 Taliban prisoners represents a "danger" to the world.
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A group of 80 prisoners were released on Thursday, said National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal, tweeting that it would "speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire".
Their release was approved at the weekend by a gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans called by President Ashraf Ghani after the authorities initially refused to free the militants, accused of serious crimes including brutal attacks that killed Afghans and foreigners.
Both sides have said they are ready to begin talks in Doha, Qatar, within days of the prisoners being freed.
The prisoners include some 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks.
Ghani warned on Thursday that their release was a "danger" to the world.
"Until this issue, there was a consensus on the desirability of peace but not on the cost of it," Ghani said in a videoconference organised by a US think tank.
"We have now paid the major installment on cost and that means peace will have consequences," he added, noting that the release of "hardened criminals" and drug dealers was "likely to pose a danger both to us and to (America) and to the world".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-14--Beirut's Karantina district: Amid the devastation, old tensions surface

Beirut 's Karantina neighbourhood was severely damaged in the August 4 explosion in the Lebanese capital .
Relief operations are underway in Karantina , a poor Beirut neighbourhood near the port that was devastated in the August 4 blast that tore apart the Lebanese capital .
But with anxieties heightened and resources scarce , decades-old tensions between Lebanese and Syrians are coming to the fore .
Every day here , locals picking up the pieces in the wake of the disaster queue for basic necessities provided by NGOs .
In that daily struggle for survival , some Lebanese look askance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid .
No country has taken in more Syrian refugees than Lebanon , but in this fresh crisis — yet another in a series the country has faced — local aid groups are looking inward .
`` We try to give to everyone , Lebanese and Syrians .
But first of all , this aid is for the Christians of Ashrafieh who have been affected , '' Theresa Badr , of the Steps of Hope NGO , tells FRANCE 24 .
FRANCE 24 's Nadia Massih , Abdallah Malkawi and Karim Yahiaoui filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , click on the video player above .

On the ground
Relief operations are underway in Karantina, a poor Beirut neighbourhood near the port that was devastated in the August 4 blast that tore apart the Lebanese capital. But with anxieties heightened and resources scarce, decades-old tensions between Lebanese and Syrians are coming to the fore.
Beirut's Karantina neighbourhood was severely damaged in the August 4 explosion in the Lebanese capital.
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Every day here, locals picking up the pieces in the wake of the disaster queue for basic necessities provided by NGOs. In that daily struggle for survival, some Lebanese look askance at the Syrians joining the procession for aid.
No country has taken in more Syrian refugees than Lebanon, but in this fresh crisis — yet another in a series the country has faced — local aid groups are looking inward.
"We try to give to everyone, Lebanese and Syrians. But first of all, this aid is for the Christians of Ashrafieh who have been affected," Theresa Badr, of the Steps of Hope NGO, tells FRANCE 24.
FRANCE 24's Nadia Massih, Abdallah Malkawi and Karim Yahiaoui filed this report from Beirut.
To watch, click on the video player above.
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france24--2020-08-14--Uncertainty surrounds Israel’s West Bank plans after UAE deal

Palestinians pray in front of Israeli border guards during a protest against Jewish settlements and Israel 's planned annexation of parts of the West Bank in the Palestinian village of Halhoul in the occupied West Bank on July 17 , 2020 .
The United Arab Emirates announced Thursday that Israel had agreed to abandon plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in exchange for normalised relations .
But later statements by Israel underscored that annexation remains `` on the table '' , throwing the future of the territory into uncertainty .
US President Donald Trump 's original plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to annex parts of the West Bank , where Jewish settlements are considered illegal under international law .
The Palestinians rejected the plan outright as biased and untenable as did Israel 's Arab neighbours .
For now , Thursday 's deal appears to put annexation on ice .
The joint statement released by US President Donald Trump , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan said they had agreed Israel would `` suspend declaring sovereignty '' over Palestinian West Bank areas .
The statement also announced `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United Arab Emirates '' .
Sheikh Mohamed underscored in a tweet that during a call with Trump and Netanyahu an agreement was reached `` to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories '' .
But Netanyahu , who had hailed the deal as ushering in a `` new era '' for the Arab world and Israel , later made clear that he had only agreed to delay annexation and that the plans remained `` on the table '' , adding that he would `` never give up our rights to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accord , calling it a `` betrayal '' of their cause .
They announced they were withdrawing their ambassador from the Emirates and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting .
In Egypt , President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the measure as a plan `` to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands '' .
`` I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States , United Arab Emirates and Israel to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands and taking steps to bring peace in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sisi also called Abu Dhabi 's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to congratulate him on taking a `` historic '' step towards peace .
France also welcomed the landmark deal between Israel and the UAE , albeit with some reservations , calling for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become `` definitive '' .
`` The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step , which must become a definitive measure , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of international law and agreed parameters , which is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace , '' Le Drian added .
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he hoped the deal could help move towards the realisation of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East .
`` The secretary-general welcomes this agreement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two state-solution in line with relevant UN resolutions , international law and bilateral agreements , '' a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement .
Jordan said Thursday that the Israeli-Emirati normalisation deal 's impact on peace efforts would depend on Israel 's actions , including its stance on a two-state solution with the Palestinians .
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi , who neither welcomed nor rejected the agreement , said that `` the impact of the deal on peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take '' .
He said the Jewish state must end its `` illegal actions '' and its `` violations of Palestinian rights '' while urging Israel to engage in `` direct , serious and active peace negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution '' .
But Safadi added that Jordan backs `` any real effort that contributes to achieving comprehensive and just peace that ends Israeli occupation and meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people '' .
Iran was unequivocal in calling the deal `` dangerous and illegitimate '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing a statement from Iran 's foreign ministry on Friday .
`` The shameful measure of Abu Dhabi to reach an agreement with the fake Zionist regime ( Israel ) is a dangerous move and the UAE and other states that backed it will be responsible for its consequences , '' the statement added .
`` This is stabbing the Palestinians in the back and will strengthen regional unity against the Zionist regime , '' the foreign ministry said .
US alone in backing annexation Trump tapped his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to forge a Middle East peace plan .
It was unveiled in Washington on January 28 alongside Netanyahu , who hailed it as a `` realistic path to a durable peace '' .
It gave the Jewish state Washington 's green light to annex areas including the Jordan Valley , a strategic strip along the Jordanian border , as well as some 130 Jewish settlements in the West Bank .
Under the plan Jerusalem was to be Israel 's `` undivided '' capital , and economic aid would flow to the Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Israel seized control of the West Bank , including east Jerusalem , in the Six-Day War of 1967 and has occupied it ever since .
More than 600,000 Israelis live in settlements constructed in the territory , which Palestinians regard as the mainstay of their future state .
The day after Trump 's announcement , protests flared in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and Palestinian demonstrators clashed with Israeli security forces in the West Bank .
Apart from the US , no country has publicly backed the annexation plans .
Palestinian Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending the two-state solution and the dismantling of the rights of the people of Palestine '' .
In a joint statement after the January plan was announced , France , Belgium , Germany and Estonia reaffirmed that they `` will not recognise any changes to the 1967 borders , unless agreed by Israelis and Palestinians '' .
The UN 's special Mideast envoy , Nickolay Mladenov , said at the time that annexation would `` constitute a serious violation of international law [ and ] deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution @ @

The United Arab Emirates announced Thursday that Israel had agreed to abandon plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in exchange for normalised relations. But later statements by Israel underscored that annexation remains "on the table", throwing the future of the territory into uncertainty.
Palestinians pray in front of Israeli border guards during a protest against Jewish settlements and Israel's planned annexation of parts of the West Bank in the Palestinian village of Halhoul in the occupied West Bank on July 17, 2020.
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US President Donald Trump's original plan in January gave Israel the green light to annex parts of the West Bank, where Jewish settlements are considered illegal under international law.
The Palestinians rejected the plan outright as biased and untenable as did Israel's Arab neighbours.
For now, Thursday's deal appears to put annexation on ice. The joint statement released by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan said they had agreed Israel would "suspend declaring sovereignty" over Palestinian West Bank areas.
The statement also announced "the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".
Sheikh Mohamed underscored in a tweet that during a call with Trump and Netanyahu an agreement was reached "to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories".
During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship. — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 13, 2020
But Netanyahu, who had hailed the deal as ushering in a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel, later made clear that he had only agreed to delay annexation and that the plans remained "on the table", adding that he would "never give up our rights to our land".
International reaction
The Palestinians strongly rejected the accord, calling it a "betrayal" of their cause. They announced they were withdrawing their ambassador from the Emirates and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting.
In Egypt, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the measure as a plan "to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands".
"I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States, United Arab Emirates and Israel to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands and taking steps to bring peace in the Middle East," Sisi said on Twitter.
Sisi also called Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to congratulate him on taking a "historic" step towards peace.
02:39
France also welcomed the landmark deal between Israel and the UAE, albeit with some reservations, calling for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become "definitive".
"The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step, which must become a definitive measure," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Thursday.
"The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of international law and agreed parameters, which is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace," Le Drian added.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he hoped the deal could help move towards the realisation of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East.
"The secretary-general welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two state-solution in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements," a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.
01:02
Jordan said Thursday that the Israeli-Emirati normalisation deal's impact on peace efforts would depend on Israel's actions, including its stance on a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, who neither welcomed nor rejected the agreement, said that "the impact of the deal on peace efforts is linked to the actions Israel will take".
He said the Jewish state must end its "illegal actions" and its "violations of Palestinian rights" while urging Israel to engage in "direct, serious and active peace negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution".
But Safadi added that Jordan backs "any real effort that contributes to achieving comprehensive and just peace that ends Israeli occupation and meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people".
Iran was unequivocal in calling the deal "dangerous and illegitimate", according to state news agency IRNA, citing a statement from Iran's foreign ministry on Friday.
"The shameful measure of Abu Dhabi to reach an agreement with the fake Zionist regime (Israel) is a dangerous move and the UAE and other states that backed it will be responsible for its consequences," the statement added.
"This is stabbing the Palestinians in the back and will strengthen regional unity against the Zionist regime," the foreign ministry said.
US alone in backing annexation
Trump tapped his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, a staunch supporter of Israel, to forge a Middle East peace plan. It was unveiled in Washington on January 28 alongside Netanyahu, who hailed it as a "realistic path to a durable peace".
It gave the Jewish state Washington's green light to annex areas including the Jordan Valley, a strategic strip along the Jordanian border, as well as some 130 Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Under the plan Jerusalem was to be Israel's "undivided" capital, and economic aid would flow to the Palestinians, who would get their own state.
Israel seized control of the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, in the Six-Day War of 1967 and has occupied it ever since. More than 600,000 Israelis live in settlements constructed in the territory, which Palestinians regard as the mainstay of their future state.
The day after Trump's announcement, protests flared in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and Palestinian demonstrators clashed with Israeli security forces in the West Bank.
Apart from the US, no country has publicly backed the annexation plans.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has said annexation "means ending the two-state solution and the dismantling of the rights of the people of Palestine".
In a joint statement after the January plan was announced, France, Belgium, Germany and Estonia reaffirmed that they "will not recognise any changes to the 1967 borders, unless agreed by Israelis and Palestinians".
The UN's special Mideast envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said at the time that annexation would "constitute a serious violation of international law [and] deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-13--Protesters form 'solidarity chains' to condemn post-vote crackdown in Belarus

Women hold flowers during a demonstration against violence following recent protests to reject the presidential election results in Minsk , Belarus , August 13 , 2020 .
Tens of thousands of Belarusians staged a wave of peaceful protests on Thursday against President Alexander Lukashenko 's disputed re-election and an ensuing brutal police crackdown .
In apparent concessions on Thursday evening , Belarus announced the release of more than 1,000 detained protesters and the interior minister apologised to injured bystanders .
This came as European countries condemned the police violence and the European Union was set to discuss possible sanctions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minsk crowds stood on the street cheering as cars drove past honking horns in support without any detentions , an AFP journalist saw .
Earlier an AFP journalist estimated tens of thousands of people , many wearing white and holding flowers and balloons , lined roads and filed through the capital Minsk to protest against police brutality during four nights of unrest since Sunday 's vote .
Official statements suggested a more conciliatory approach following public outrage at extreme police violence including shootings and beatings .
Senate Speaker Natalya Kochanova said on television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detentions and more than 1,000 detained at protests had been released .
The interior ministry has said it has detained some 6,700 people at daily protests since Sunday .
Interior Minister Yury Karayev said on state television : `` I apologise for the injuries of random people at protests who got caught in the middle . ''
Lukashenko 's opponents accuse him of rigging the election to defeat his main rival , popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who has left the ex-Soviet country for neighbouring Lithuania .
People came out to contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grenades , rubber bullets , tear gas , water cannon and , in at least one case , live fire to disperse the crowds .
At least two people have died and hundreds have been wounded in the violence while nearly 7,000 have been arrested .
On Thursday , demonstrators held placards reading `` Change ! ''
and `` No violence '' and wore white bracelets , one of the symbols of the opposition movement .
`` We want to show that we , the women of our country , are against violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hairdresser wearing a white sweater and jacket and holding a bunch of white flowers .
Large groups of workers at several major factories staged walk-outs , local media reported .
Russia 's foreign ministry on Thursday backed Lukashenko , claiming it knew of `` clear attempts at outside interference '' and saying it was `` concerned '' at the unrest .
The leaders of neighbouring Poland and the Baltic states urged Lukashenko to `` terminate the use of force against your people immediately . ''
European Union foreign ministers were set to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary meeting on Friday and Germany summoned the Belarusian Ambassador .
Prominent Belarusians have condemned the violence and urged Lukashenko , who has ruled Belarus with an iron grip since 1994 , to step down .
In an interview with RFE/RL , writer Svetlana Alexievich , winner of the 2015 Nobel Literature Prize , spoke of her shock at the `` inhumane , satanic '' actions of riot police and urged Lukashenko to go peacefully .
The interior ministry on Wednesday acknowledged police deliberately fired on a group of protesters , wounding one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
Police said a protester died on Monday when an explosive device went off in his hand , while his widow told local media he was unarmed .
The Belarusian Investigative Committee , which probes major crimes , on Wednesday said a 25-year-old man died after he was detained on Sunday in the southeastern city of Gomel and sentenced to 10 days in prison .
His mother told local media he had heart problems and had gone out to see his girlfriend , not to take part in protests .
The protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 percent of the vote in Sunday 's election to secure a sixth term .
Lukashenko , 65 , has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled `` sheep '' .
The protest movement arose in support of Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old political novice who ran for president after potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed .
The official results gave her 10 percent of the vote , but Tikhanovskaya said the election was rigged and claimed victory , demanding that Lukashenko hand over power .
She left for neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Tens of thousands of Belarusians staged a wave of peaceful protests on Thursday against President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election and an ensuing brutal police crackdown.
Women hold flowers during a demonstration against violence following recent protests to reject the presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus, August 13, 2020.
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In apparent concessions on Thursday evening, Belarus announced the release of more than 1,000 detained protesters and the interior minister apologised to injured bystanders.
This came as European countries condemned the police violence and the European Union was set to discuss possible sanctions on Friday.
On Thursday evening in central Minsk crowds stood on the street cheering as cars drove past honking horns in support without any detentions, an AFP journalist saw.
Earlier an AFP journalist estimated tens of thousands of people, many wearing white and holding flowers and balloons, lined roads and filed through the capital Minsk to protest against police brutality during four nights of unrest since Sunday's vote.
Similar human chains formed in half a dozen other cities, local media reported.
Official statements suggested a more conciliatory approach following public outrage at extreme police violence including shootings and beatings.
Senate Speaker Natalya Kochanova said on television that Lukashenko had ordered officials to review detentions and more than 1,000 detained at protests had been released.
The interior ministry has said it has detained some 6,700 people at daily protests since Sunday.
Interior Minister Yury Karayev said on state television: "I apologise for the injuries of random people at protests who got caught in the middle."
Lukashenko's opponents accuse him of rigging the election to defeat his main rival, popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has left the ex-Soviet country for neighbouring Lithuania.
People came out to contest the vote results and police used stun grenades, rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and, in at least one case, live fire to disperse the crowds.
At least two people have died and hundreds have been wounded in the violence while nearly 7,000 have been arrested.
'Change!'
On Thursday, demonstrators held placards reading "Change!" and "No violence" and wore white bracelets, one of the symbols of the opposition movement.
"We want to show that we, the women of our country, are against violence," said Yekaterina, a 38-year-old hairdresser wearing a white sweater and jacket and holding a bunch of white flowers.
Large groups of workers at several major factories staged walk-outs, local media reported.
Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday backed Lukashenko, claiming it knew of "clear attempts at outside interference" and saying it was "concerned" at the unrest.
The leaders of neighbouring Poland and the Baltic states urged Lukashenko to "terminate the use of force against your people immediately."
European Union foreign ministers were set to discuss possible new sanctions on Belarus at an extraordinary meeting on Friday and Germany summoned the Belarusian Ambassador.
Prominent Belarusians have condemned the violence and urged Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron grip since 1994, to step down.
In an interview with RFE/RL, writer Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the 2015 Nobel Literature Prize, spoke of her shock at the "inhumane, satanic" actions of riot police and urged Lukashenko to go peacefully.
'Inhumane actions'
The interior ministry on Wednesday acknowledged police deliberately fired on a group of protesters, wounding one.
Officials have confirmed two deaths of protesters.
Police said a protester died on Monday when an explosive device went off in his hand, while his widow told local media he was unarmed.
The Belarusian Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, on Wednesday said a 25-year-old man died after he was detained on Sunday in the southeastern city of Gomel and sentenced to 10 days in prison.
His mother told local media he had heart problems and had gone out to see his girlfriend, not to take part in protests.
Foreign-controlled 'sheep'
The protests broke out after authorities said Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote in Sunday's election to secure a sixth term.
Lukashenko, 65, has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled "sheep".
The protest movement arose in support of Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran for president after potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed.
The official results gave her 10 percent of the vote, but Tikhanovskaya said the election was rigged and claimed victory, demanding that Lukashenko hand over power.
She left for neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday as allies said she came under official pressure.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-14--Trump blocks postal funds in attempt to stop Americans from voting by mail

A woman cleans the doors of the National Capital Station US Post Office near Capitol Hill in Washington , DC , August 13 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was blocking Democrats ' effort to include funds for the U.S .
Postal Service and election infrastructure in a new coronavirus relief bill , a bid to block more Americans from voting by mail during the pandemic .
Congressional Democrats accused Republican Trump of trying to damage the struggling Postal Service to improve his chances of being re-elected as opinion polls show him trailing presumptive Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against mail-in ballots for months as a possible source of fraud , although millions of Americans - including much of the military - have cast absentee ballots by mail for years without such problems .
Trump said his negotiators have resisted Democrats ' calls for additional money to help prepare for presidential , congressional and local voting during a pandemic that has killed more than 165,000 Americans and presented logistical challenges to organising as large an event as the Nov. 3 elections .
`` The items are the post office and the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told Fox Business Network , saying Democrats want to give the post office $ 25 billion .
`` If we do n't make the deal , that means they ca n't have the money , that means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting . ''
Trump later said at a news briefing that if a deal was reached that included postal funding , he would not veto it .
The amount of money in question is less than 1 % of either party 's current proposed aid package for Americans struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have floated a $ 1 trillion response while the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $ 3 trillion bill in May .
The White House negotiating team of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has not met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in six days .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said the Republican-controlled Senate was leaving Washington until September , unless there was a coronavirus relief agreement that required a vote .
`` I ’ m still hoping that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement here sometime in the coming weeks , '' he told reporters .
Democrats have cried foul , accusing Trump and his party of trying to make it harder for Americans to vote , as experts said concern about catching Covid-19 could keep up to half of the electorate from voting in person .
`` Pure Trump .
He does n't want an election , '' Biden said , when asked about Trump 's comments before a campaign appearance .
Roughly one in four U.S. voters cast ballots by mail in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has also criticised state efforts to make voting by mail more widely available , saying without evidence it could lead to widespread fraud .
Evidence shows mail voting is as secure as any other method .
Pelosi said any coronavirus relief bill should include billions of dollars to protect not just Americans ' right to vote but also essential services , such as mailing prescription medicines .
`` You would think they 'd have a little sensitivity , but so obsessed are they to undermine absentee voting that this is their connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
`` So the president says he 's not putting up any money for absentee voting and he 's not putting up any money for the Postal Service , undermining the health of our democracy . ''
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany doubled down at a news briefing , saying the administration opposed any additional funding for election security in a coronavirus relief bill .
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed that Americans blame both parties for the standoff in negotiations , which has led to the expiration of a $ 600-per-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a moratorium on evictions .
New Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , who has donated $ 2.7 million to Trump and his fellow Republicans since 2017 , has ordered operational changes and a clampdown on overtime in a bid to fix the financially troubled Postal Service , which reported a net loss of $ 2.2 billion in the last quarter .
Those measures have led to mail delays across the country , which could complicate voting by mail .
State election officials have scrambled to expand mail voting capacity .

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was blocking Democrats' effort to include funds for the U.S. Postal Service and election infrastructure in a new coronavirus relief bill, a bid to block more Americans from voting by mail during the pandemic.
A woman cleans the doors of the National Capital Station US Post Office near Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, August 13, 2020.
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Congressional Democrats accused Republican Trump of trying to damage the struggling Postal Service to improve his chances of being re-elected as opinion polls show him trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Trump has been railing against mail-in ballots for months as a possible source of fraud, although millions of Americans - including much of the military - have cast absentee ballots by mail for years without such problems.
Trump said his negotiators have resisted Democrats' calls for additional money to help prepare for presidential, congressional and local voting during a pandemic that has killed more than 165,000 Americans and presented logistical challenges to organising as large an event as the Nov. 3 elections.
"The items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting," Trump told Fox Business Network, saying Democrats want to give the post office $25 billion. "If we don't make the deal, that means they can't have the money, that means they can't have universal mail-in voting."
Trump later said at a news briefing that if a deal was reached that included postal funding, he would not veto it.
The amount of money in question is less than 1% of either party's current proposed aid package for Americans struggling because of the pandemic. Senate Republicans have floated a $1 trillion response while the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion bill in May.
The White House negotiating team of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has not met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in six days.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said the Republican-controlled Senate was leaving Washington until September, unless there was a coronavirus relief agreement that required a vote.
"I’m still hoping that we’ll have some kind of bipartisan agreement here sometime in the coming weeks," he told reporters.
'Pure Trump'
Democrats have cried foul, accusing Trump and his party of trying to make it harder for Americans to vote, as experts said concern about catching Covid-19 could keep up to half of the electorate from voting in person.
"Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election," Biden said, when asked about Trump's comments before a campaign appearance.
Roughly one in four U.S. voters cast ballots by mail in 2016, and Trump has voted by mail. Trump has also criticised state efforts to make voting by mail more widely available, saying without evidence it could lead to widespread fraud. Evidence shows mail voting is as secure as any other method.
Pelosi said any coronavirus relief bill should include billions of dollars to protect not just Americans' right to vote but also essential services, such as mailing prescription medicines.
"You would think they'd have a little sensitivity, but so obsessed are they to undermine absentee voting that this is their connection there," Pelosi told a news conference. "So the president says he's not putting up any money for absentee voting and he's not putting up any money for the Postal Service, undermining the health of our democracy."
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany doubled down at a news briefing, saying the administration opposed any additional funding for election security in a coronavirus relief bill.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed that Americans blame both parties for the standoff in negotiations, which has led to the expiration of a $600-per-week lifeline to unemployed people and the end of a moratorium on evictions.
New Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has donated $2.7 million to Trump and his fellow Republicans since 2017, has ordered operational changes and a clampdown on overtime in a bid to fix the financially troubled Postal Service, which reported a net loss of $2.2 billion in the last quarter.
Those measures have led to mail delays across the country, which could complicate voting by mail. State election officials have scrambled to expand mail voting capacity.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-14--India: Human chain protects Hindu temple amid riots over Facebook post

The night of August 11 in Bangalore was marked by arson and mob violence after a mainly Muslim crowd descended on the DJ Halli police station , demanding the investigation of a Facebook post published by the nephew of Member of the Legislative Assembly ( MLA ) Akhanda Srinivas Murthy .
The post , now-deleted , allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad and was published with what some have called “ an intention to create violence.
” When police hesitated to investigate the offence , the mob grew angrier , leading to a night of destruction .
Photos and videos posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people descending on the police station in northeast Bangalore , the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka .
Mob trying to break into the police station .
Feel for the cops tbh .
On frontline Covid duty while their colleagues go down fighting against the virus and now , facing the wrath of a mob for no fault of theirs .
@ CPBlr @ deepolice12 # bangalore # violence # pulakeshinagar # djhalli pic.twitter.com/eOMCNse0ym A video posted to Twitter on August 11 shows a large crowd gathered outside the DJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zahira went to the police station at the beginning of the conflict : MLA Murthy has said that he is not in touch with his nephew , identified as P. Naveen Kumar , who shared the post .
Meanwhile , Kumar claims that his account was hacked when the post was published.Police have since arrested Kumar , but after officers failed to immediately take action , thousands of Muslims gathered outside the gates of the police station in protest .
Fearing that the growing mob would damage Hindu places of worship in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers began to gather around a nearby Hindu temple .
In a video posted to Twitter on August 11 , we can see a human chain of volunteers protecting the Hanuman temple in Bangalore .
A video posted on Twitter August 11 shows protesters breaking windows of the police station using stones and branches after they penetrated the gates .
A video posted to Twitter on August 11 shows the crowd of people descending on the legislator ’ s home , just a few blocks from the DJ Halli police station .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a motorcycle on fire in a video posted on August 11 .
A video taken from above the riots , posted August 11 , shows the crowd in the street and vehicles on fire .
Zahira witnessed the show of solidarity : The human chain successfully deterred members of the mob who came to attack the Hindu temple .
While no damage was done to the place of worship , the scene at the police station nearby degenerated quickly.Zahira continues : Zahira recalled that after using tear gas and shooting into the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot into the crowd .
Three people were killed , according to police.After shots were fired , the mob began to move towards a different police station , KG Halli .
Others gathered at the legislator ’ s home , setting it and a house next door ablaze .
MLA Murthy and his family were not at home when the fires were started .
The protesters also set fire to vehicles in their path , reportedly destroying more than 50 civilian automobiles and 200 impounded vehicles parked at DJ Halli station.Both political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction in Bangalore.Authorities have imposed a curfew on the neighbourhood where the riots broke out and instituted Section 144 , a code that prohibits the gathering of four or more people , throughout the city .
Authorities say that up to 75 police officers and many other civilians were injured in the clashes .
Police have arrested more than 150 people so far .

INDIA
Left: Youth volunteers protect a Hindu temple during riots on August 11. Right: The mob set fire to buildings and vehicles until 1 a.m. (Photos: Twitter)
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Riots broke out in Bangalore, India on August 11 after a legislator’s relative allegedly posted a derogatory statement about the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook. A crowd of people gathered outside the politician’s house, stormed two local police stations, and set fire to vehicles in the area. Amid the violence, community youth formed a human chain to protect a Hindu temple near the riots, fearing the mob would damage the place of worship.
The night of August 11 in Bangalore was marked by arson and mob violence after a mainly Muslim crowd descended on the DJ Halli police station, demanding the investigation of a Facebook post published by the nephew of Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Akhanda Srinivas Murthy. The post, now-deleted, allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad and was published with what some have called “an intention to create violence.” When police hesitated to investigate the offence, the mob grew angrier, leading to a night of destruction.
“The mob was furious”
Photos and videos posted on social media show a massive crowd of people descending on the police station in northeast Bangalore, the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Mob trying to break into the police station.
Feel for the cops tbh.
On frontline Covid duty while their colleagues go down fighting against the virus and now, facing the wrath of a mob for no fault of theirs. @CPBlr @deepolice12#bangalore #violence #pulakeshinagar #djhalli pic.twitter.com/eOMCNse0ym Ashish Pareek (@pareektweets) August 11, 2020
A video posted to Twitter on August 11 shows a large crowd gathered outside the DJ Halli police station.
Student journalist Noor Zahira went to the police station at the beginning of the conflict:
The mob was really furious because a few weeks ago, a similar situation had happened, but it was not an inflammatory post against any faith or any religion, it was against a legislator [Editor’s note: In June, a man was arrested for posting “highly derogatory/objectionable” comments about an Indian chief minister], and within minutes, the police had gone to the accused's home. So people were really saying, ‘If you can take swift action against a person’s post, why can't you do that if it's a religious post?’
MLA Murthy has said that he is not in touch with his nephew, identified as P. Naveen Kumar, who shared the post. Meanwhile, Kumar claims that his account was hacked when the post was published.
Police have since arrested Kumar, but after officers failed to immediately take action, thousands of Muslims gathered outside the gates of the police station in protest.
Defusing Hindu-Muslim tensions
Fearing that the growing mob would damage Hindu places of worship in the Muslim-majority neighbourhood, a group of youth volunteers began to gather around a nearby Hindu temple.
In a video posted to Twitter on August 11, we can see a human chain of volunteers protecting the Hanuman temple in Bangalore.
Zahira witnessed the show of solidarity:
There were people who were thinking that since the Muslim mob attacked the police station, there are chances that they could attack the temple that was just a few lanes down from the police station. To prevent any sort of communal disharmony, a few youth volunteers from the community went and stood outside the temple safeguarding the premises. It is a Hindu-minority area so they didn’t want them to be at risk. They stood there and made sure nobody touched any place of worship so that today or tomorrow, the communal harmony wouldn’t be spoiled and lead to even bigger riots. There was a situation in February, the Delhi riots [Editor’s note: 53 people died in violent riots in Delhi in February, fueled by religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Read more on France24.com], and we want to avoid any such event at any cost in Bangalore. A lot of educated Muslim advocates, leaders and people with higher responsibility and social status stepped in and spoke to the crowd, told them that it is time to go the direction of peace.
The human chain successfully deterred members of the mob who came to attack the Hindu temple. While no damage was done to the place of worship, the scene at the police station nearby degenerated quickly.
Police station vandalised, vehicles set ablaze
Zahira continues:
This is a new police station and has high security. The gates are really, really tall and really strong. They could not really break into the gate and move it. But a police car had to go inside the police station, so the gate had to be opened. In that particular moment, the mob broke into the police station and torched the whole basement of the police station. The building was charred, the glass was pelted with stones.
Do you think it's Kashmir?
Then, you are wrong
It's Karnataka's DJ Halli,#Bengaluru
Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy's House vandalized by Peacefuls for Social Media Post by his Nephew
They vandalized Police Station & attacked on innocent people#KavalByrasandra #DJHalliViolence pic.twitter.com/DxyYAYhkIH Ganesh K Gunaga (@GaneshJaiHind) August 11, 2020
A video posted on Twitter August 11 shows protesters breaking windows of the police station using stones and branches after they penetrated the gates.
Zahira recalled that after using tear gas and shooting into the air to try to disperse protesters, police shot into the crowd. Three people were killed, according to police.
After shots were fired, the mob began to move towards a different police station, KG Halli. Others gathered at the legislator’s home, setting it and a house next door ablaze. MLA Murthy and his family were not at home when the fires were started. The protesters also set fire to vehicles in their path, reportedly destroying more than 50 civilian automobiles and 200 impounded vehicles parked at DJ Halli station.
.@INCKarnataka mla Akhanda Srinivas murthy house attacked by people for a controversial post on Prophet #Muhammad by his sister's son Naveen. pic.twitter.com/4TmRSudyaa Imran Khan (@keypadguerilla) August 11, 2020
A video posted to Twitter on August 11 shows the crowd of people descending on the legislator’s home, just a few blocks from the DJ Halli police station.
Violence in #Bengaluru over a derogatory post by close relative of MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy. Vehicles burnt, stones pelted, situation still tense in Pulakeshinagar. pic.twitter.com/soMK3pF4TG Prathibha (@prathibhatweets) August 11, 2020
Protesters can be seen flipping cars and lighting a motorcycle on fire in a video posted on August 11.
Bangalore - Major violence in IT city. Offended by objectionable social media post on prophet Muhammad large crowd gathered outside police station. Khaki didn't act. Several vehicles torched, property vandalised later. Relative of a Congress MLA had posted the comment.#Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/74U3NEFsFP Shalabh (@shalabhTOI) August 11, 2020
A video taken from above the riots, posted August 11, shows the crowd in the street and vehicles on fire.
Both political and religious officials have condemned the violence and destruction in Bangalore.
Authorities have imposed a curfew on the neighbourhood where the riots broke out and instituted Section 144, a code that prohibits the gathering of four or more people, throughout the city. Authorities say that up to 75 police officers and many other civilians were injured in the clashes. Police have arrested more than 150 people so far.
Article written by Pariesa Young


france24--2020-08-14--Israeli air strikes target Hamas positions in Gaza over incendiary balloons

Israeli soldiers inspecting land near the Gaza Strip , in an area where Palestinians have been setting fires by flying balloons loaded with flammable material across the border , June 8 , 2018 .
Fresh Israeli air strikes hit Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Friday , Israel 's army said , as a week of hostilities between the Jewish State and the Palestinian enclave raged on .
Israel says the strikes , and other measures including halting the territory 's fuel supply , are in retaliation for firebombs suspended from balloons that float over the border from Gaza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Hamas , the Islamist group that rules the enclave , was the fifth such operation this week .
It came just hours after Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalise ties in a landmark US-brokered deal .
That agreement has been strongly rejected by the Palestinians , who called it a `` betrayal '' of their cause , including their claim to Jerusalem as the capital of their future state .
The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) said a Hamas aerial defence post , observation posts and underground infrastructures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not report any casualties .
`` Over the last week , explosive and arson balloons have been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory , '' it said in a statement .
`` In response , a short while ago , IDF fighter jets , attack helicopters and tanks struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip . ''
A similar attack the previous night caused no reported casualties but left an unexploded missile inside a UN-run school 's compound in a Gaza refugee camp .
Dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern Israel , as makeshift firebombs attached to bunches of balloons or kites set agricultural fields and scrubland alight .
In response , Israel has closed its cargo crossing with Gaza and also reduced the territory 's permitted coastal fishing zone .
Hamas on Thursday condemned Israel 's attacks on Gaza and its sanctions as `` dangerous and aggressive behaviour '' , warning of `` consequences '' the Jewish state will bear .
Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 .
Despite a truce last year backed by the UN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clash sporadically with rockets , mortar fire or incendiary balloons .
The Gaza Strip has a population of two million , more than half of whom live in poverty , according to the World Bank .
Palestinian analysts say fire from Gaza often aims to pressure Israel to give the green light for the transfer of Qatari financial aid into the strip .
On Monday , Hamas fired several rockets into the sea as a warning `` message '' to Israel , a source close to the Islamist movement told AFP .

Fresh Israeli air strikes hit Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Israel's army said, as a week of hostilities between the Jewish State and the Palestinian enclave raged on.
Israeli soldiers inspecting land near the Gaza Strip, in an area where Palestinians have been setting fires by flying balloons loaded with flammable material across the border, June 8, 2018.
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Israel says the strikes, and other measures including halting the territory's fuel supply, are in retaliation for firebombs suspended from balloons that float over the border from Gaza.
The overnight attack on sites used by Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the enclave, was the fifth such operation this week.
It came just hours after Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalise ties in a landmark US-brokered deal.
That agreement has been strongly rejected by the Palestinians, who called it a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a Hamas aerial defence post, observation posts and underground infrastructures had been hit on Friday, and did not report any casualties.
"Over the last week, explosive and arson balloons have been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," it said in a statement.
"In response, a short while ago, IDF fighter jets, attack helicopters and tanks struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip."
A similar attack the previous night caused no reported casualties but left an unexploded missile inside a UN-run school's compound in a Gaza refugee camp.
Dozens of blazes have been reported this week in southern Israel, as makeshift firebombs attached to bunches of balloons or kites set agricultural fields and scrubland alight.
In response, Israel has closed its cargo crossing with Gaza and also reduced the territory's permitted coastal fishing zone.
Hamas on Thursday condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza and its sanctions as "dangerous and aggressive behaviour", warning of "consequences" the Jewish state will bear.
Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.
Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.
The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.
Palestinian analysts say fire from Gaza often aims to pressure Israel to give the green light for the transfer of Qatari financial aid into the strip.
On Monday, Hamas fired several rockets into the sea as a warning "message" to Israel, a source close to the Islamist movement told AFP.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-15--'It's good to be home,' says Markle as she finds her voice in US

Since stepping back from royal duties , Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have waged an increasingly bitter war with the media , particularly the British tabloid press Meghan Markle said Friday she was pleased to be back in America , where she plans to speak out against racism and campaign for positive change in her home country .
Markle and husband Prince Harry relocated to the United States via Canada this year after announcing in January that they were quitting frontline British royal duties .
The Duchess of Sussex , who is mixed race , said it was `` devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism was laid bare following the death in police custody of unarmed black man George Floyd in May .
But her feelings began to change as the country became gripped by widespread peaceful protests , and airwaves became dominated by black voices speaking against decades of discrimination .
`` It shifted from sadness to a feeling of absolute inspiration because I can see that the tide is turning , '' she told a summit hosted by The 19th* , a new news organization overwhelmingly staffed by women .
`` From my standpoint it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of racism and certainly unconscious bias , '' said Markle , who grew up in Los Angeles .
`` But I think to see the changes that are being made right now is ... something that I look forward to being a part of and being a part of using my voice in a way that I have n't been able to of late .
`` So yeah it 's good to be home , '' she added .
The `` Suits '' actress , who was interviewing The 19th* 's CEO Emily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , also hinted at her and Harry 's troubles with tabloid papers .
Since stepping back from the royal front lines , Harry and Meghan have waged an increasingly bitter war with the media , particularly the British tabloid press .
Markle has brought a high-profile case against the Mail on Sunday , website Mail Online and its owner Associated Newspapers .
She claims breach of privacy , data protection rights and copyright over the publication of extracts of correspondence to her estranged father , Thomas , after her wedding to Harry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit in Los Angeles against one or more paparazzi whom they accused of taking pictures of their son Archie without their permission .
`` I think what 's so fascinating , at least from my standpoint and my personal experience the past couple years ( is ) the headline alone , the clickbait alone makes an imprint , '' said Markle .
She added that there is `` so much toxicity '' in certain news coverage .
`` My husband and I talk about it often - this 'economy for attention ' ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're looking at the digital space and media .
`` And so if you 're just trying to grab someone 's attention and keep it you 're going for something salacious versus something truthful , '' said Markle , 39 .
Prince Harry has likened what he said was a `` ruthless campaign '' against his wife to the treatment of his mother , Diana , princess of Wales .
She was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris in August 1997 , while being pursued by paparazzi photographers .
Markle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` to do something of meaning , to do something that matters , '' in California , where they plan to launch a wide-ranging non-profit organization named Archewell .
They recently moved into a new family home in Santa Barbara , according to US media reports .

New York (AFP) –
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Meghan Markle said Friday she was pleased to be back in America, where she plans to speak out against racism and campaign for positive change in her home country.
Markle and husband Prince Harry relocated to the United States via Canada this year after announcing in January that they were quitting frontline British royal duties.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is mixed race, said it was "devastating" to return as America's systemic racism was laid bare following the death in police custody of unarmed black man George Floyd in May.
But her feelings began to change as the country became gripped by widespread peaceful protests, and airwaves became dominated by black voices speaking against decades of discrimination.
"It shifted from sadness to a feeling of absolute inspiration because I can see that the tide is turning," she told a summit hosted by The 19th*, a new news organization overwhelmingly staffed by women.
"From my standpoint it's not new to see this undercurrent of racism and certainly unconscious bias," said Markle, who grew up in Los Angeles.
"But I think to see the changes that are being made right now is... something that I look forward to being a part of and being a part of using my voice in a way that I haven't been able to of late.
"So yeah it's good to be home," she added.
The "Suits" actress, who was interviewing The 19th*'s CEO Emily Ramshaw about the role of gender in media, also hinted at her and Harry's troubles with tabloid papers.
Since stepping back from the royal front lines, Harry and Meghan have waged an increasingly bitter war with the media, particularly the British tabloid press.
Markle has brought a high-profile case against the Mail on Sunday, website Mail Online and its owner Associated Newspapers.
- 'Toxicity' -
She claims breach of privacy, data protection rights and copyright over the publication of extracts of correspondence to her estranged father, Thomas, after her wedding to Harry.
Last month the couple filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against one or more paparazzi whom they accused of taking pictures of their son Archie without their permission.
"I think what's so fascinating, at least from my standpoint and my personal experience the past couple years (is) the headline alone, the clickbait alone makes an imprint," said Markle.
She added that there is "so much toxicity" in certain news coverage.
"My husband and I talk about it often - this 'economy for attention'... what is monetizable right now when you're looking at the digital space and media.
"And so if you're just trying to grab someone's attention and keep it you're going for something salacious versus something truthful," said Markle, 39.
Prince Harry has likened what he said was a "ruthless campaign" against his wife to the treatment of his mother, Diana, princess of Wales.
She was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris in August 1997, while being pursued by paparazzi photographers.
Markle and Harry have spoken of their desire to "to do something of meaning, to do something that matters," in California, where they plan to launch a wide-ranging non-profit organization named Archewell.
They recently moved into a new family home in Santa Barbara, according to US media reports.
© 2020 AFP