france24--2020-12-26--India grab three early Australia wickets to take control

India took three wickets in the first session of the second Test against Australia A fired-up India grabbed three wickets , including the prize scalp of Steve Smith for a duck , to leave Australia in trouble after a gripping opening session on the first day of the second Test Saturday .
Batting after captain Tim Paine won the toss , the hosts were 65 for three at lunch in front of some 30,000 socially-distanced fans , the maximum allowed at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground .
A stubborn Marnus Labuschagne was not out on 26 and Travis Head unbeaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-notch bowling from Jasprit Bumrah , Umesh Yadav and Ravi Ashwin on a wicket offering turn and bounce .
After their horror show in the first Test at Adelaide , where they lost by eight wickets and were skittled for 36 in their second innings , India were desperate to start well in Melbourne .
And with Ajinkya Rahane captaining the side in place of Virat Kohli , who has returned home for the birth of his first child , Bumrah ensured they did just that .
With David Warner still injured , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Joe Burns opening alongside makeshift opener Matthew Wade .
Burns hit an unbeaten 51 in Adelaide to relive some pressure after a long lean spell , but his performance Saturday will once more raise questions over his place in the team .
He looked tentative against Bumrah and played and missed several times before getting a nick to a delivery he should have left .
Rishabh Pant , back behind the stumps in place of Wriddhiman Saha , took the catch and Burns was gone without scoring .
At the other end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when debutant Shubman Gill , in the team for Prithvi Shaw , narrowly missed a catch at slip .
He started finding the gaps as his confidence grew before attempting a big hit off Ashwin , which proved his downfall for 30 .
Ravindra Jadeja took the catch , but only just with Gill also underneath it .
The pair collided but Jadeja managed to hang on to the ball .
Ashwin then claimed the crucial wicket of Smith , who was undone by an off-break with Cheteshwar Pujara holding a catch at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced just eight balls .
India thought they had a fourth wicket on the stroke of lunch , but an lbw decision against Labuschagne was overturned on review .

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A fired-up India grabbed three wickets, including the prize scalp of Steve Smith for a duck, to leave Australia in trouble after a gripping opening session on the first day of the second Test Saturday.
Batting after captain Tim Paine won the toss, the hosts were 65 for three at lunch in front of some 30,000 socially-distanced fans, the maximum allowed at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A stubborn Marnus Labuschagne was not out on 26 and Travis Head unbeaten on four as they fended off some top-notch bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Ravi Ashwin on a wicket offering turn and bounce.
After their horror show in the first Test at Adelaide, where they lost by eight wickets and were skittled for 36 in their second innings, India were desperate to start well in Melbourne.
And with Ajinkya Rahane captaining the side in place of Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child, Bumrah ensured they did just that.
With David Warner still injured, Australia went into the clash unchanged, with Joe Burns opening alongside makeshift opener Matthew Wade.
Burns hit an unbeaten 51 in Adelaide to relive some pressure after a long lean spell, but his performance Saturday will once more raise questions over his place in the team.
He looked tentative against Bumrah and played and missed several times before getting a nick to a delivery he should have left.
Rishabh Pant, back behind the stumps in place of Wriddhiman Saha, took the catch and Burns was gone without scoring.
At the other end, Wade had an escape on four when debutant Shubman Gill, in the team for Prithvi Shaw, narrowly missed a catch at slip.
He started finding the gaps as his confidence grew before attempting a big hit off Ashwin, which proved his downfall for 30.
Ravindra Jadeja took the catch, but only just with Gill also underneath it. The pair collided but Jadeja managed to hang on to the ball.
Ashwin then claimed the crucial wicket of Smith, who was undone by an off-break with Cheteshwar Pujara holding a catch at slip after the world's top batsman faced just eight balls.
India thought they had a fourth wicket on the stroke of lunch, but an lbw decision against Labuschagne was overturned on review.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Kamara runs for six touchdowns as NFL Saints rip Vikings

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara celebrates scoring one of his NFL record-tying six rushing touchdowns Friday in a victory over Minnesota Alvin Kamara ran for 155 yards and an NFL record-tying six touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints in routing Minnesota 52-33 on Friday in an NFL Christmas contest .
Kamara carried 22 times and caught three passes for 17 yards while scoring on runs of 40 , 7 , 6 , 5 , 3 and 1 yards then credited his offensive line blockers for opening holes in the Vikings defensive line .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The O-line , kudos to them .
They get the game ball for sure .
I did a small part .
They did the rest . ''
Kamara matched the all-time NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a game set by Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals in 1929 in a 40-6 victory over the Chicago Bears .
The Saints ( 11-4 ) clinched a fourth consecutive NFC South division title , having already secured their place in the NFL playoffs , while the Vikings fell to 6-9 and were eliminated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got so much more room to grow , '' Kamara said .
`` Every week we 're looking to get better .
We want to do more .
We 're tasting greatness .
We 've still got a long way to go . ''
He opened the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown run but the Vikings answered on the next possession on Dalvin Cook 's 15-yard touchdown run .
Kamara 's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 66-yard Saints march and Wil Lutz kicked a 30-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 17-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota 's Mike Boone responded with a 4-yard touchdown run but Kamara scored on a 5-yard run with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter to lift the Saints ahead 24-14 at halftime .
A deflected Drew Brees pass was intercepted by the Vikings ' Hardy Nickerson , giving Minnesota the ball at the Saints ' 18-yard line , and that set up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Irv Smith , although a missed conversion kick left the visitors trailing 24-20 .
The Saints answered with a 10-play , 74-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdown run as New Orleans seized a 31-20 advantage .
Smith made his second touchdown grab on a 4-yard pass from Cousins to trim the Vikings ' deficit to four entering the fourth quarter , but had two touchdown runs , the record-equalizer coming from three yards with 1:50 remaining .
Taysom Hill scored on a 1-yard run for the other Saints touchdown .
Brees completed 19-of-26 tosses for 311 yards , becoming the first passer in NFL to crack 80,000 career yards .

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Alvin Kamara ran for 155 yards and an NFL record-tying six touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints in routing Minnesota 52-33 on Friday in an NFL Christmas contest.
Kamara carried 22 times and caught three passes for 17 yards while scoring on runs of 40, 7, 6, 5, 3 and 1 yards then credited his offensive line blockers for opening holes in the Vikings defensive line.
"It's a good day," Kamara said. "The O-line, kudos to them. They get the game ball for sure. I did a small part. They did the rest."
Kamara matched the all-time NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a game set by Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals in 1929 in a 40-6 victory over the Chicago Bears.
The Saints (11-4) clinched a fourth consecutive NFC South division title, having already secured their place in the NFL playoffs, while the Vikings fell to 6-9 and were eliminated from post-season contention.
"We still have got so much more room to grow," Kamara said. "Every week we're looking to get better. We want to do more. We're tasting greatness. We've still got a long way to go."
Kamara has 21 touchdowns this season, including a team-record 15 rushing touchdowns.
He opened the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown run but the Vikings answered on the next possession on Dalvin Cook's 15-yard touchdown run.
Kamara's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 66-yard Saints march and Wil Lutz kicked a 30-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 17-7 edge early in the second quarter.
Minnesota's Mike Boone responded with a 4-yard touchdown run but Kamara scored on a 5-yard run with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter to lift the Saints ahead 24-14 at halftime.
A deflected Drew Brees pass was intercepted by the Vikings' Hardy Nickerson, giving Minnesota the ball at the Saints' 18-yard line, and that set up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Irv Smith, although a missed conversion kick left the visitors trailing 24-20.
The Saints answered with a 10-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Kamara's 6-yard touchdown run as New Orleans seized a 31-20 advantage.
Smith made his second touchdown grab on a 4-yard pass from Cousins to trim the Vikings' deficit to four entering the fourth quarter, but had two touchdown runs, the record-equalizer coming from three yards with 1:50 remaining.
Taysom Hill scored on a 1-yard run for the other Saints touchdown.
Brees completed 19-of-26 tosses for 311 yards, becoming the first passer in NFL to crack 80,000 career yards.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--France confirms first case on its soil of British virus variant

France had been among many nations who had shut their borders to the UK in the hope of containing the more transmissible strain France has confirmed the first case of a new coronavirus variant that recently emerged in Britain , its health ministry said .
The new strain of the virus , which experts fear is more contagious , has prompted more than 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on the UK .
The first French case -- found in a citizen living in Britain who arrived from London on December 19 -- is asymptomatic and self-isolating at home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said late Friday .
They were tested in a hospital on December 21 , and later found positive for the strain .
Health authorities have carried out contact-tracing for the health professionals taking care of the patient , the ministry said in a statement .
Any of their contacts that were seen as vulnerable would similarly be isolated , it said .
In addition to this first case , several other positive samples that `` may suggest the VOC 202012/01 variant are being sequenced '' by the specialist laboratories of the national Pasteur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , France 's health minister Olivier Veran had admitted that it was possible the newly discovered strain was already in the country .
Italian authorities have detected the new strain in a patient in Rome , while the World Health Organization reported that nine cases have been detected in Denmark and one each in the Netherlands and Australia .
Following the snap 48-hour ban this week , France had reopened its borders to the UK -- partly to allow French citizens to return home , as well as to relieve the massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instituted a testing policy .
France 's interior ministry said Thursday that limits on travel from the UK will continue `` until at least January 6 '' .
For now , only citizens of France or the EU , those with residency rights there or business travellers are allowed to make the crossing from the UK -- if they can show a negative Covid-19 test less than three days old .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the new viral strain `` may be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahead of Christmas British health minister Matt Hancock announced the expansion of strict lockdown measures across further parts of the south of England to contain the spread of the disease .
With more than 68,000 deaths from the virus , the United Kingdom is one of the hardest hit countries in Europe .

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France has confirmed the first case of a new coronavirus variant that recently emerged in Britain, its health ministry said.
The new strain of the virus, which experts fear is more contagious, has prompted more than 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on the UK.
The first French case -- found in a citizen living in Britain who arrived from London on December 19 -- is asymptomatic and self-isolating at home in Tours in central France, the ministry said late Friday.
They were tested in a hospital on December 21, and later found positive for the strain.
Health authorities have carried out contact-tracing for the health professionals taking care of the patient, the ministry said in a statement.
Any of their contacts that were seen as vulnerable would similarly be isolated, it said.
In addition to this first case, several other positive samples that "may suggest the VOC 202012/01 variant are being sequenced" by the specialist laboratories of the national Pasteur Institute, the statement added.
- Borders closed -
On Monday, France's health minister Olivier Veran had admitted that it was possible the newly discovered strain was already in the country.
Italian authorities have detected the new strain in a patient in Rome, while the World Health Organization reported that nine cases have been detected in Denmark and one each in the Netherlands and Australia.
Following the snap 48-hour ban this week, France had reopened its borders to the UK -- partly to allow French citizens to return home, as well as to relieve the massive build-up of freight goods -- but had instituted a testing policy.
France's interior ministry said Thursday that limits on travel from the UK will continue "until at least January 6".
For now, only citizens of France or the EU, those with residency rights there or business travellers are allowed to make the crossing from the UK -- if they can show a negative Covid-19 test less than three days old.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the new viral strain "may be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original version of the disease".
Ahead of Christmas British health minister Matt Hancock announced the expansion of strict lockdown measures across further parts of the south of England to contain the spread of the disease.
With more than 68,000 deaths from the virus, the United Kingdom is one of the hardest hit countries in Europe.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Harden to return but NBA Rockets send only nine to Portland

Reigning NBA scoring champion James Harden is set to be among nine players for the Houston Rockets when they visit Portland Three-time reigning NBA scoring champion James Harden will play for the virus-hit Houston Rockets when they open the season Saturday at Portland with only one player over the league minimum .
The Rockets were forced to cancel their scheduled opener Wednesday against Oklahoma City after being unable to field the minimum eight players , due in part to Harden .
But their official NBA injury report Friday revealed rookie forward Kenyon Martin Jr. and reserve Ben McLemore were self-isolating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center DeMarcus Cousins and guards John Wall , Eric Gordon and Mason Jones were listed as out due to `` health and safety protocols , '' as they must quarantine after being declared close contacts to those with the deadly virus .
That leaves the Rockets nine players able to make the road trip to face the Trail Blazers .
Harden could not play on Wednesday after he violated NBA health and safety protocols that ban players from attending gatherings of more than 15 people .
The 31-year-old was fined $ 50,000 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team medical personnel required him to quarantine for four days and test negative for Covid-19 each day before clearing him to return to activities with the team .
The 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player has asked to be traded to one of several rival teams , expressing his unhappiness and remaining in Houston .

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Three-time reigning NBA scoring champion James Harden will play for the virus-hit Houston Rockets when they open the season Saturday at Portland with only one player over the league minimum.
The Rockets were forced to cancel their scheduled opener Wednesday against Oklahoma City after being unable to field the minimum eight players, due in part to Harden.
But their official NBA injury report Friday revealed rookie forward Kenyon Martin Jr. and reserve Ben McLemore were self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins and guards John Wall, Eric Gordon and Mason Jones were listed as out due to "health and safety protocols," as they must quarantine after being declared close contacts to those with the deadly virus.
That leaves the Rockets nine players able to make the road trip to face the Trail Blazers.
Harden could not play on Wednesday after he violated NBA health and safety protocols that ban players from attending gatherings of more than 15 people.
The 31-year-old was fined $50,000 for attending an indoor party Monday, and team medical personnel required him to quarantine for four days and test negative for Covid-19 each day before clearing him to return to activities with the team.
The 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player has asked to be traded to one of several rival teams, expressing his unhappiness and remaining in Houston.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Celtics confirm death of 12-time NBA champion KC Jones

Legendary Boston Celtics player and coach KC Jones has died , his former NBA club announced KC Jones , a 12-time NBA champion as a player and coach and 1956 Olympic gold medalist , has died , his former club the Boston Celtics announced Friday .
He was 88 .
Jones , who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989 , captured 10 titles as a player , two more as a coach and two others as an assistant coach .
`` The Celtics family mourns the loss of twelve-time NBA champion , two-time NCAA champion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ K.C .
Jones as we celebrate his remarkable career and life , '' the Celtics said in a statement .
Jones played college basketball at the University of San Francisco , winning 1955 and 1956 national crowns and a 1956 Melbourne Olympics title alongside future Celtics teammate Bill Russell .
Russell tweeted that he was told Jones died Friday morning .
`` The way that he was revered by the players he played with , by the people he worked with , by the players that played for him , he was special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stevens .
With the Celtics , Jones won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966 .
The club retired his jersey number , 25 , in 1967 .
Only Celtics teammates Russell and Sam Jones won more career NBA titles as players .
`` Where K.C .
Jones went , winning was sure to follow , '' the Celtics said .
Jones joined Russell , Michael Jordan , Magic Johnson , Quinn Buckner , Jerry Lucas and Clyde Lovellette as the only players to complete the `` Triple Crown '' of NBA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as an assistant coach for the 1972 NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers and served as head coach for the Washington Bullets for three seasons , but he joined the Celtics coaching staff in 1978 and was an assistant when they won the 1981 NBA crown .
In 1983 , Jones was named Celtics head coach and guided the team to NBA championships in 1984 and 1986 .
Boston also reached the NBA finals under Jones in 1985 and 1987 .
`` K.C .
also demonstrated that one could be both a fierce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the word , '' the Celtics said in their statement .
`` He made his teammates better and he got the most out of the players he coached .
Never one to seek credit , his glory was found in the most fundamental of basketball ideals -- being part of a winning team . ''

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KC Jones, a 12-time NBA champion as a player and coach and 1956 Olympic gold medalist, has died, his former club the Boston Celtics announced Friday. He was 88.
Jones, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989, captured 10 titles as a player, two more as a coach and two others as an assistant coach.
"The Celtics family mourns the loss of twelve-time NBA champion, two-time NCAA champion, Gold medal-winning Olympian and Hall of Famer K.C. Jones as we celebrate his remarkable career and life," the Celtics said in a statement.
Jones played college basketball at the University of San Francisco, winning 1955 and 1956 national crowns and a 1956 Melbourne Olympics title alongside future Celtics teammate Bill Russell.
Russell tweeted that he was told Jones died Friday morning.
"The way that he was revered by the players he played with, by the people he worked with, by the players that played for him, he was special," said current Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
With the Celtics, Jones won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. The club retired his jersey number, 25, in 1967.
Only Celtics teammates Russell and Sam Jones won more career NBA titles as players.
"Where K.C. Jones went, winning was sure to follow," the Celtics said.
Jones joined Russell, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Quinn Buckner, Jerry Lucas and Clyde Lovellette as the only players to complete the "Triple Crown" of NBA and NCAA titles plus Olympic gold.
Jones served as an assistant coach for the 1972 NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers and served as head coach for the Washington Bullets for three seasons, but he joined the Celtics coaching staff in 1978 and was an assistant when they won the 1981 NBA crown.
In 1983, Jones was named Celtics head coach and guided the team to NBA championships in 1984 and 1986. Boston also reached the NBA finals under Jones in 1985 and 1987.
"K.C. also demonstrated that one could be both a fierce competitor and a gentleman in every sense of the word," the Celtics said in their statement.
"He made his teammates better and he got the most out of the players he coached. Never one to seek credit, his glory was found in the most fundamental of basketball ideals -- being part of a winning team."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Heat beat Pelicans to open NBA Christmas festivities

Miami 's Duncan Robinson ( C ) goes for a layup against New Orleans guard Josh Hart ( R ) , during the Heat 's NBA victory over the Pelicans Miami 's Duncan Robinson matched an NBA Christmas Day record with seven 3-pointers , and the Heat defeated visiting New Orleans 111-98 on Friday to extend their holiday win streak .
Robinson finished with 23 points , hitting 7-of-13 from 3-point range and his only 2-point attempt , in leading the reigning Eastern Conference champions to their eighth consecutive Christmas victory .
Goran Dragic came off the bench to score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 for the Heat , who bounced back from an opening loss Wednesday at Orlando after the shortest-ever break between NBA seasons , only 2 1/2 months since their NBA Finals defeat .
`` Getting more and more comfortable every day , '' Robinson said .
`` Last year was a great learning experience .
We 're just trying to build on it .
The opener was a disappointment .
We 're happy to get this one . ''
The Heat improved the NBA 's best Christmas record to 11-2. despite star Jimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes and not playing in the second half due to right ankle stiffness .
`` When he goes down , it 's up to us to pick it up for him , '' Robinson said .
`` I thought we did a good job of sticking with it and getting a good win today . ''
Reserve Avery Bradley scored 12 points in his first action with the Heat , whose 16-3 run late in the fourth quarter sealed a victory after New Orleans trimmed a lead that had reached 23 points in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Pelicans , while Brandon Ingram added 28 points for New Orleans .
Other NBA games on the holiday slate include the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers hosting Dallas , Golden State at Milwaukee , the Los Angeles Clippers at Denver and Brooklyn at Boston .

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Miami's Duncan Robinson matched an NBA Christmas Day record with seven 3-pointers, and the Heat defeated visiting New Orleans 111-98 on Friday to extend their holiday win streak.
Robinson finished with 23 points, hitting 7-of-13 from 3-point range and his only 2-point attempt, in leading the reigning Eastern Conference champions to their eighth consecutive Christmas victory.
Goran Dragic came off the bench to score 18 points, and Bam Adebayo added 17 for the Heat, who bounced back from an opening loss Wednesday at Orlando after the shortest-ever break between NBA seasons, only 2 1/2 months since their NBA Finals defeat.
"Getting more and more comfortable every day," Robinson said. "Last year was a great learning experience. We're just trying to build on it. The opener was a disappointment. We're happy to get this one."
The Heat improved the NBA's best Christmas record to 11-2. despite star Jimmy Butler scoring only four points in 16 minutes and not playing in the second half due to right ankle stiffness.
"When he goes down, it's up to us to pick it up for him," Robinson said. "I thought we did a good job of sticking with it and getting a good win today."
Reserve Avery Bradley scored 12 points in his first action with the Heat, whose 16-3 run late in the fourth quarter sealed a victory after New Orleans trimmed a lead that had reached 23 points in the first half.
Zion Williamson scored 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Pelicans, while Brandon Ingram added 28 points for New Orleans.
Other NBA games on the holiday slate include the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers hosting Dallas, Golden State at Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Clippers at Denver and Brooklyn at Boston.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Major blast hits Nashville after chilling bomb warning

A huge explosion tore through a section of downtown Nashville early Friday , after police responding to reports of gunfire discovered a parked motorhome playing a recorded bomb warning .
The blast shattered windows and ripped apart trees but appeared calculated to spare lives , injuring just three people as it detonated at 6:30am ( 1130 GMT ) in a section of the southern US city that was largely deserted due the early hour and the Christmas Day holiday .
The blast left as many as 20 buildings including store fronts badly damaged and the road surface charred -- scattering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area filled with businesses , restaurants and bars .
In a dramatic sequence of events that shattered the Christmas morning calm , police responded to calls that gunshots had been fired and noticed the vehicle as they arrived on the scene .
A recorded message playing from the motorhome warned that a bomb would detonate within 15 minutes -- enough time for a bomb squad to clear the area before the explosion , police chief John Drake and spokesman Don Aaron told reporters .
Witnesses told the Tennessean newspaper the warning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted down to the blast .
`` Evacuate now .
There is a bomb .
A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode , '' one recalled the chilling recording saying .
Pictures shared on social media from the immediate aftermath showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the burning RV and store fronts that had been torn apart .
The Tennesean reported that officers were conducting door-to-door checks .
A dog walker had been heading towards the vehicle just before the blast , the paper said , but police sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially saving him from serious injury or death .
The blast knocked an officer to the ground , the paper said , and gave another officer hearing loss .
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident , which is being investigated by the FBI and the US Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives .
Agents offered no possible motive immediately and made no link to any domestic terrorism plot .
Neither was it immediately clear if anyone was in the RV when it exploded .
`` This appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement is closing downtown streets as investigation continues , '' the Metro Nashville Police Department tweeted .
Firefighters said at least three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries , according to local media .
The blast was large enough to be felt several kilometers away .
The damage was `` limited but it is dramatic , '' Nashville Mayor John Cooper said , adding that the city was `` lucky '' the blast had occurred on Christmas when few people were downtown .
`` It 's unfortunate but any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a much worse story . ''
Police said several people had been moved to a local station for questioning , although no arrests or details of suspects were announced .
US Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led messages of concern from multiple public figures , saying she was `` praying for all those involved '' and thanking the `` brave first responders for keeping us safe . ''

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A huge explosion tore through a section of downtown Nashville early Friday, after police responding to reports of gunfire discovered a parked motorhome playing a recorded bomb warning.
The blast shattered windows and ripped apart trees but appeared calculated to spare lives, injuring just three people as it detonated at 6:30am (1130 GMT) in a section of the southern US city that was largely deserted due the early hour and the Christmas Day holiday.
The blast left as many as 20 buildings including store fronts badly damaged and the road surface charred -- scattering glass, tree branches and bricks in an area filled with businesses, restaurants and bars.
In a dramatic sequence of events that shattered the Christmas morning calm, police responded to calls that gunshots had been fired and noticed the vehicle as they arrived on the scene.
A recorded message playing from the motorhome warned that a bomb would detonate within 15 minutes -- enough time for a bomb squad to clear the area before the explosion, police chief John Drake and spokesman Don Aaron told reporters.
Witnesses told the Tennessean newspaper the warning, spoken in a woman's voice, counted down to the blast.
"Evacuate now. There is a bomb. A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode," one recalled the chilling recording saying.
Pictures shared on social media from the immediate aftermath showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the burning RV and store fronts that had been torn apart.
- Officer knocked to ground -
The Tennesean reported that officers were conducting door-to-door checks.
A dog walker had been heading towards the vehicle just before the blast, the paper said, but police sent him back in the other direction, potentially saving him from serious injury or death.
The blast knocked an officer to the ground, the paper said, and gave another officer hearing loss.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, which is being investigated by the FBI and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Agents offered no possible motive immediately and made no link to any domestic terrorism plot.
Neither was it immediately clear if anyone was in the RV when it exploded.
"This appears to have been an intentional act. Law enforcement is closing downtown streets as investigation continues," the Metro Nashville Police Department tweeted.
Firefighters said at least three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to local media.
The blast was large enough to be felt several kilometers away.
The damage was "limited but it is dramatic," Nashville Mayor John Cooper said, adding that the city was "lucky" the blast had occurred on Christmas when few people were downtown.
"It's unfortunate but any other morning I think it would have been a much worse story."
Police said several people had been moved to a local station for questioning, although no arrests or details of suspects were announced.
US Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led messages of concern from multiple public figures, saying she was "praying for all those involved" and thanking the "brave first responders for keeping us safe."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Russia opens criminal probe into ally of poisoned Kremlin foe Navalny

In this file photo taken on September 08 , 2019 Russian opposition activist Lyubov Sobol speaks to the press after casting her vote at a polling station during to the Moscow city Duma election in Moscow .
Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny after she tried to doorstep the apartment of a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning .
Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing `` with the use of violence or a threat to use it '' after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's main security agency .
The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in jail .
Sobol was initially taken in for questioning as a witness in the probe , but later on Friday Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said she became a suspect in the case .
`` Lyubov Sobol is now officially a suspect in the criminal case , her status has changed , '' Zhanov wrote on Twitter , adding that she was being taken into police custody for 48 hours .
Sobol 's lawyer Vladimir Voronin confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details .
Russia 's Investigative Committee -- which probes major crimes -- said in a statement on Friday that Sobol and several others repeatedly tried to enter the `` apartment of an elderly woman '' in eastern Moscow , adding that they were wearing uniforms of the country 's consumer watchdog .
The statement said that Sobol tricked a delivery courier into letting her inside the apartment block and then forced her way into the woman 's flat when she opened the door .
Just after 7:00 am ( 0400 GMT ) on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado .
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door , demanding it be opened .
A separate CCTV image released by Navalny 's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol 's Moscow residential building .
Investigators confiscated Sobol 's tech devices as well as her daughter 's mobile phone , her associates said .
On Monday , Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear .
Later Monday , Sobol went to the Moscow apartment where Kudryavtsev is believed to live .
She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours .
Sobol 's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev 's mother-in-law .
Western governments say Navalny , 44 , was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow 's relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FSB says Navalny 's call with Kudryavtsev was `` fake '' but has not denied that he works for the agency .
The Kremlin has admitted that security agents have tailed Navalny but denied any attempts to poison him .
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader 's poisoning .
Navalny said the Russian authorities ' `` hysterical reaction '' only proved their guilt .
`` You call a killer 's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lawyer by training , has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year .
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other opposition politicians were barred from running for local council elections in Moscow .
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest .
Kremlin critics have accused authorities of taking a crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months .
But Navalny , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever .
`` I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail , '' he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol .
`` And even though life puts a bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger . ''

Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny after she tried to doorstep the apartment of a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning.
In this file photo taken on September 08, 2019 Russian opposition activist Lyubov Sobol speaks to the press after casting her vote at a polling station during to the Moscow city Duma election in Moscow.
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Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing "with the use of violence or a threat to use it" after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from Federal Security Service (FSB), the country's main security agency.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
Sobol was initially taken in for questioning as a witness in the probe, but later on Friday Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said she became a suspect in the case.
"Lyubov Sobol is now officially a suspect in the criminal case, her status has changed," Zhanov wrote on Twitter, adding that she was being taken into police custody for 48 hours.
Sobol's lawyer Vladimir Voronin confirmed this information to AFP without providing further details.
Russia's Investigative Committee -- which probes major crimes -- said in a statement on Friday that Sobol and several others repeatedly tried to enter the "apartment of an elderly woman" in eastern Moscow, adding that they were wearing uniforms of the country's consumer watchdog.
The statement said that Sobol tricked a delivery courier into letting her inside the apartment block and then forced her way into the woman's flat when she opened the door.
Just after 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Friday, the 33-year-old opposition activist posted a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado.
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door, demanding it be opened.
A separate CCTV image released by Navalny's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol's Moscow residential building.
Investigators confiscated Sobol's tech devices as well as her daughter's mobile phone, her associates said.
On Monday, Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical weapons expert with the FSB named Konstantin Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear.
Later Monday, Sobol went to the Moscow apartment where Kudryavtsev is believed to live. She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours.
Sobol's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev's mother-in-law.
Western governments say Navalny, 44, was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow's relations with leading European countries and sparked mutual sanctions.
The FSB says Navalny's call with Kudryavtsev was "fake" but has not denied that he works for the agency.
The Kremlin has admitted that security agents have tailed Navalny but denied any attempts to poison him.
'Hysterical reaction'
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader's poisoning.
Navalny said the Russian authorities' "hysterical reaction" only proved their guilt.
"You call a killer's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning," he wrote on his blog.
Sobol, a lawyer by training, has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year.
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other opposition politicians were barred from running for local council elections in Moscow.
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest.
Kremlin critics have accused authorities of taking a crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months.
But Navalny, who is undergoing physical therapy in Germany, said late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever.
"I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail," he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol.
"And even though life puts a bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-25--Russia probes Navalny ally for 'threatening suspected poisoner'

Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny after she tried to doorstep the apartment of a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning .
Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing `` with the use of violence or a threat to use it '' after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , the country 's main security agency .
The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in jail .
Sobol was initially taken in for questioning as a witness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said she became a suspect in the case .
`` Lyubov Sobol is now officially a suspect in the criminal case , her status has changed , '' Zhanov wrote on Twitter , adding that she was being taken into police custody for 48 hours .
Sobol 's lawyer Vladimir Voronin confirmed this information to AFP without providing further details .
Russia 's Investigative Committee -- which probes major crimes -- said in a statement on Friday that Sobol and several others repeatedly tried to enter the `` apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , adding that they were wearing uniforms of the country 's consumer watchdog .
The statement said that Sobol tricked a delivery courier into letting her inside the apartment block and then forced her way into the woman 's flat when she opened the door .
Just after 7:00 am ( 0400 GMT ) on Friday , the 33-year-old opposition activist posted a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado .
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCTV image released by Navalny 's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol 's Moscow residential building .
Investigators confiscated Sobol 's tech devices as well as her daughter 's mobile phone , her associates said .
On Monday , Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical weapons expert with the FSB named Konstantin Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear .
Later Monday , Sobol went to the Moscow apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours .
Sobol 's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev 's mother-in-law .
Western governments say Navalny , 44 , was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow 's relations with leading European countries and sparked mutual sanctions .
The FSB says Navalny 's call with Kudryavtsev was `` fake '' but has not denied that he works for the agency .
The Kremlin has admitted that security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to poison him .
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader 's poisoning .
Navalny said the Russian authorities ' `` hysterical reaction '' only proved their guilt .
`` You call a killer 's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning , '' he wrote on his blog .
Sobol , a lawyer by training , has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year .
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local council elections in Moscow .
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest .
Kremlin critics have accused authorities of taking a crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months .
But Navalny , who is undergoing physical therapy in Germany , said late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever .
`` I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail , '' he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger . ''

Moscow (AFP) –
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Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny after she tried to doorstep the apartment of a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning.
Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing "with the use of violence or a threat to use it" after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from Federal Security Service (FSB), the country's main security agency.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
Sobol was initially taken in for questioning as a witness in the probe, but later on Friday Navalny ally Ivan Zhdanov said she became a suspect in the case.
"Lyubov Sobol is now officially a suspect in the criminal case, her status has changed," Zhanov wrote on Twitter, adding that she was being taken into police custody for 48 hours.
Sobol's lawyer Vladimir Voronin confirmed this information to AFP without providing further details.
Russia's Investigative Committee -- which probes major crimes -- said in a statement on Friday that Sobol and several others repeatedly tried to enter the "apartment of an elderly woman" in eastern Moscow, adding that they were wearing uniforms of the country's consumer watchdog.
The statement said that Sobol tricked a delivery courier into letting her inside the apartment block and then forced her way into the woman's flat when she opened the door.
Just after 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Friday, the 33-year-old opposition activist posted a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado.
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door, demanding it be opened.
A separate CCTV image released by Navalny's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol's Moscow residential building.
Investigators confiscated Sobol's tech devices as well as her daughter's mobile phone, her associates said.
On Monday, Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical weapons expert with the FSB named Konstantin Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear.
Later Monday, Sobol went to the Moscow apartment where Kudryavtsev is believed to live. She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours.
Sobol's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev's mother-in-law.
Western governments say Navalny, 44, was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow's relations with leading European countries and sparked mutual sanctions.
The FSB says Navalny's call with Kudryavtsev was "fake" but has not denied that he works for the agency.
The Kremlin has admitted that security agents have tailed Navalny but denied any attempts to poison him.
- 'Hysterical reaction' -
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader's poisoning.
Navalny said the Russian authorities' "hysterical reaction" only proved their guilt.
"You call a killer's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning," he wrote on his blog.
Sobol, a lawyer by training, has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year.
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other opposition politicians were barred from running for local council elections in Moscow.
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest.
Kremlin critics have accused authorities of taking a crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months.
But Navalny, who is undergoing physical therapy in Germany, said late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever.
"I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail," he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol.
"And even though life puts a bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Thousands of virus-stranded trucks depart Dover for Calais

A lorry driver shows their credentials to a member of the British Army , as they enter the Port of Dover , in Dover on the south-east coast of England , on December 25 , 2020 , as the COVID-19 testing of drivers queueing to depart from the ferry terminal to Europe continues .
More than 4,500 lorries , among a huge backlog of trucks stranded for days in the British port of Dover , crossed the Channel on Friday after nearly 1,000 British troops were deployed Christmas Day to step up coronavirus testing .
The port remained open despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the trains bringing trucks through the Channel Tunnel , could operate -- but only for trips from Britain to France .
`` Yesterday , we had 1,000 lorries cross over from Dover .
As of 6:00 pm ( 1700 GMT ) we had 1,400 lorries from Britain , '' Benoit Rochet , head of the Calais port operator , told AFP .
`` At this rate , the situation should be completely taken care of by tomorrow , '' he said .
Getlink , the Eurotunnel operator , said more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both directions by 5:00 pm , two-thirds of which had travelled from England to France .
Truckers were stranded in southeast England after France halted all travel from Britain on Sunday for 48 hours in a bid to prevent a new strain of coronavirus , which experts fear to be more contagious , from reaching its shores .
The move created a massive logjam with up to 10,000 trucks parked along highways as well as on the runway of the Manston airfield , according to EU transport commissioner Adina Valean , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drivers fumed at having to spend Christmas in their cabs away from their families with only minimal toilet facilities because they were unable to get the Covid-19 tests that must be negative to be allowed into France .
British transport minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Friday that more than 10,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out on lorry drivers and only 24 of them had tested positive .
Twenty-five French firefighters were again dispatched to Dover on Friday to help carry out tests , following a first team sent over Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted that more than 1,000 Christmas Eve meals had also been sent to stranded drivers , distributed with the help of French Red Cross volunteers .
Britain 's defence ministry said Friday that an additional 800 personnel had been deployed on top of 300 already on site to step up coronavirus tests for drivers and `` help clear the backlog of vehicles . ''
`` There is a need for increased testing as more vehicles continue to arrive every hour , '' the ministry said on Twitter , adding that the teams would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting to return home .

More than 4,500 lorries, among a huge backlog of trucks stranded for days in the British port of Dover, crossed the Channel on Friday after nearly 1,000 British troops were deployed Christmas Day to step up coronavirus testing.
A lorry driver entering the Port of Dover on the southeast coast of England, shows his credentials to a member of the British Army on December 25, 2020, as Covid-19 testing of drivers queueing to depart from the ferry terminal to Europe continues.
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The port remained open despite the Christmas holiday so that ferries, as well as the trains bringing trucks through the Channel Tunnel, could operate -- but only for trips from Britain to France.
"Yesterday, we had 1,000 lorries cross over from Dover. As of 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) we had 1,400 lorries from Britain," Benoit Rochet, head of the Calais port operator, told AFP.
"At this rate, the situation should be completely taken care of by tomorrow," he said.
Getlink, the Eurotunnel operator, said more than 1,000 trucks had transited the tunnel in both directions by 5:00 pm, two-thirds of which had travelled from England to France.
Truckers were stranded in southeast England after France halted all travel from Britain on Sunday for 48 hours in a bid to prevent a new strain of coronavirus, which experts fear to be more contagious, from reaching its shores.
The move created a massive logjam with up to 10,000 trucks parked along highways as well as on the runway of the Manston airfield, according to EU transport commissioner Adina Valean, who criticised the French government's decision.
Drivers fumed at having to spend Christmas in their cabs away from their families with only minimal toilet facilities because they were unable to get the Covid-19 tests that must be negative to be allowed into France.
British transport minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Friday that more than 10,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out on lorry drivers and only 24 of them had tested positive.
Twenty-five French firefighters were again dispatched to Dover on Friday to help carry out tests, following a first team sent over Thursday.
France's Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari tweeted that more than 1,000 Christmas Eve meals had also been sent to stranded drivers, distributed with the help of French Red Cross volunteers.
Britain's defence ministry said Friday that an additional 800 personnel had been deployed on top of 300 already on site to step up coronavirus tests for drivers and "help clear the backlog of vehicles."
"There is a need for increased testing as more vehicles continue to arrive every hour," the ministry said on Twitter, adding that the teams would also deliver food and water to drivers waiting to return home.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-25--Christmas Day explosion in Nashville was 'intentional', say police

In this photo from the Twitter page of the Metro Nashville Police Department , damage is seen on a street after an explosion in Nashville , Tennessee on December 25 , 2020 .
A parked motor home exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning in what police described as an `` intentional act , '' and fire officials reported taking three people to hospital but none were critically injured .
“ The explosion was significant , as you can see … the police department , its federal partners - the FBI and ATF - are conducting a large-scale investigation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nashville police spokesman .
`` We do believe that the explosion was an intentional act . ''
A motive for the explosion was not disclosed by police .
The explosion was felt nine blocks away and destroyed several other vehicles and damaged several buildings , launching black smoke in the sky that could be seen for miles .
Flights out of Nashville airport were halted because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion downtown .
Andrew McCabe , a former deputy FBI director , told CNN that an explosion of this size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of terrorism .
He said it was possible police were the target of the explosions given they were answering a report of a suspicious vehicle when it blew up .
Authorities were on their way to the scene after 6 a.m. before the explosion occurred in a recreational vehicle parked near a bank building in the heart of Nashville , the capital of both the U.S. state of Tennessee and U.S. country music .
Nashville Mayor John Cooper urged people to stay away from the downtown area , as police and federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees lying everywhere , glass laying everywhere , '' Nashville resident Buck McCoy told CNN .
Interviewed by CNN , McCabe said it was unclear whether the timing on Christmas Day factored in the blast .
He said investigators would be looking into whether any buildings in the area were a target .

A parked motor home exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning in what police described as an "intentional act," and fire officials reported taking three people to hospital but none were critically injured.
In this photo from the Twitter page of the Metro Nashville Police Department, damage is seen on a street after an explosion in Nashville, Tennessee on December 25, 2020.
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“The explosion was significant, as you can see … the police department, its federal partners - the FBI and ATF - are conducting a large-scale investigation to this point," said Don Aaron, Nashville police spokesman. "We do believe that the explosion was an intentional act."
A motive for the explosion was not disclosed by police.
The explosion was felt nine blocks away and destroyed several other vehicles and damaged several buildings, launching black smoke in the sky that could be seen for miles. Flights out of Nashville airport were halted because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion downtown.
03:03
Andrew McCabe, a former deputy FBI director, told CNN that an explosion of this size would be investigated as a possible act of terrorism. He said it was possible police were the target of the explosions given they were answering a report of a suspicious vehicle when it blew up.
Authorities were on their way to the scene after 6 a.m. before the explosion occurred in a recreational vehicle parked near a bank building in the heart of Nashville, the capital of both the U.S. state of Tennessee and U.S. country music.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper urged people to stay away from the downtown area, as police and federal authorities launched their investigation.
"There was trees lying everywhere, glass laying everywhere," Nashville resident Buck McCoy told CNN.
Interviewed by CNN, McCabe said it was unclear whether the timing on Christmas Day factored in the blast. He said investigators would be looking into whether any buildings in the area were a target.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-25--French fishermen voice relief at Brexit deal

French fishing boats capture 30 to 70 percent of their hauls in British waters .
French fishing officials on Friday welcomed a post-Brexit trade accord that will allow them to continue plying British waters after January 1 , avoiding a `` no deal '' that could have threatened the livelihoods of thousands .
`` It 's a huge relief for fishermen -- It 's a win-win deal , '' Olivier Lepretre , president of the fishing committee for the northern Hauts-de-France region , told AFP .
`` We 're going to lose some of our quotas , which is annoying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Access to Britain 's rich fishing waters was a major sticking point in the post-Brexit talks , and the agreement struck Thursday will require EU fishing vessels to relinquish 25 percent of their current quotas over the next five and a half years .
After that , there will be annual negotiations on the amount of fish that EU vessels can take from British waters .
Reaching an accord was seen as vital for Boulogne-sur-Mer , France 's largest fishing port , where some 5,000 jobs depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million euros ( $ 97 million ) last year .
`` The biggest worry for fishermen in Hauts-de-France , as well as the entire sector , was that we would no longer have access to British waters .
That is no longer the case , '' Lepretre 's vice president , Stephane Pinto , told France 3 television .
Jean-Luc Hall , head of the national CNPMEM fisheries association , said French boats capture 30 to 70 percent of their hauls in British territory .
`` Even if it is n't perfect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work -- this gives us a little bit of visibility , '' he told AFP .
The French government has also announced measures to support fishermen and fishmongers impacted by the deal , including up to 30,000 euros in individual aid over the coming years .

Lille (France) (AFP) –
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French fishing officials on Friday welcomed a post-Brexit trade accord that will allow them to continue plying British waters after January 1, avoiding a "no deal" that could have threatened the livelihoods of thousands.
"It's a huge relief for fishermen -- It's a win-win deal," Olivier Lepretre, president of the fishing committee for the northern Hauts-de-France region, told AFP.
"We're going to lose some of our quotas, which is annoying but it's not a death knell," he said.
Access to Britain's rich fishing waters was a major sticking point in the post-Brexit talks, and the agreement struck Thursday will require EU fishing vessels to relinquish 25 percent of their current quotas over the next five and a half years.
After that, there will be annual negotiations on the amount of fish that EU vessels can take from British waters.
Reaching an accord was seen as vital for Boulogne-sur-Mer, France's largest fishing port, where some 5,000 jobs depend on an industry that generated revenues of 80 million euros ($97 million) last year.
"The biggest worry for fishermen in Hauts-de-France, as well as the entire sector, was that we would no longer have access to British waters. That is no longer the case," Lepretre's vice president, Stephane Pinto, told France 3 television.
Jean-Luc Hall, head of the national CNPMEM fisheries association, said French boats capture 30 to 70 percent of their hauls in British territory.
"Even if it isn't perfect, it seems we'll still be able to work -- this gives us a little bit of visibility," he told AFP.
The French government has also announced measures to support fishermen and fishmongers impacted by the deal, including up to 30,000 euros in individual aid over the coming years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Turkey seeks closer ties with Israel, says Erdogan, but Palestinian policy a 'red line'

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants to repair relations with Israel .
Turkey would like better ties with Israel but Israeli policy towards the Palestinians remains `` unacceptable '' , President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday .
Turkey and Israel , once allies , have had a bitter falling out in recent years .
Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel 's occupation in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians .
It has also criticised recent U.S.-brokered rapprochements between Israel and four Muslim countries .
`` The Palestine policy is our red line .
It is impossible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their merciless acts there are unacceptable , '' Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul .
`` If there were no issues at the top level ( in Israel ) , our ties could have been very different , '' he said , adding that the two countries continued to share intelligence .
`` We would have liked to bring our ties to a better point . ''
Turkey and Israel expelled each other 's ambassadors in 2018 after Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinians in clashes on the Gaza border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused Turkey of giving passports to a dozen Hamas members in Istanbul , describing the move as `` a very unfriendly step '' .
Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007 , and the group has fought three wars with Israel since then .
Turkey says Hamas is a legitimate political movement that won power through democratic elections .
Israel has formalised ties with four Muslim countries this year - the United Arab Emirates , Bahrain , Sudan and Morocco .
It said on Wednesday it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim nation , possibly in Asia .
Ankara has slammed the U.S.-brokered deals , with Erdogan previously threatening to suspend diplomatic ties with the UAE and withdraw its envoy .
Turkey also slammed Bahrain 's decision to formalise ties as a blow to efforts to defend the Palestinian cause .
Palestinians see the U.S.-brokered deals as a betrayal of a long-standing demand that Israel first meet their demand for statehood .
Egypt and Israel established full relations in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 .

Turkey would like better ties with Israel but Israeli policy towards the Palestinians remains "unacceptable", President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants to repair relations with Israel.
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Turkey and Israel, once allies, have had a bitter falling out in recent years. Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians.
It has also criticised recent U.S.-brokered rapprochements between Israel and four Muslim countries.
"The Palestine policy is our red line. It is impossible for us to accept Israel's Palestine policies. Their merciless acts there are unacceptable," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul.
"If there were no issues at the top level (in Israel), our ties could have been very different," he said, adding that the two countries continued to share intelligence. "We would have liked to bring our ties to a better point."
Israel's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on Erdogan's statement.
Turkey and Israel expelled each other's ambassadors in 2018 after Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinians in clashes on the Gaza border.
In August this year, Israel accused Turkey of giving passports to a dozen Hamas members in Istanbul, describing the move as "a very unfriendly step".
Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, and the group has fought three wars with Israel since then. Turkey says Hamas is a legitimate political movement that won power through democratic elections.
Israel has formalised ties with four Muslim countries this year - the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. It said on Wednesday it was working towards normalising ties with a fifth Muslim nation, possibly in Asia.
Ankara has slammed the U.S.-brokered deals, with Erdogan previously threatening to suspend diplomatic ties with the UAE and withdraw its envoy. Turkey also slammed Bahrain's decision to formalise ties as a blow to efforts to defend the Palestinian cause.
Palestinians see the U.S.-brokered deals as a betrayal of a long-standing demand that Israel first meet their demand for statehood. Egypt and Israel established full relations in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-25--Barca loom for expected new PSG coach Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino is widely reported to be Thomas Tuchel 's successor as Paris Saint-Germain coach and the number one item on the Argentine 's in-tray will be February 's date with Barcelona .
Tuchel was reportedly given his marching orders on Thursday , four months after guiding the Qatari-backed club to their first ever Champions League final , August 's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich .
The German , whose dismissal has yet to be officially confirmed by the club , leaves the Parc des Princes having secured a last 16 Champions League clash with Barca and PSG sitting third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of leaders Lyon .
Pochettino 's opening match in charge will be January 6 's trip to Saint-Etienne on Ligue 1 's resumption after the winter break .
Then , on February 16 , the 48-year-old has his first massive test against his compatriot Lionel Messi 's Catalans , with the return leg on March 6 .
Pochettino was let go after five and a half years at Spurs in the aftermath of leading the north London side to their first ever appearance in a Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ silverware the former PSG defender 's stock is high in managerial circles .
The Parisians will be keen to complete his signing and avoid missing their man who has been linked to the likes of Real Madrid , Manchester United and Barca in recent months .
Pochettino is due to team up with Neymar , Kylian Mbappe and other well-heeled company at PSG 's first post-Christmas training session on January 3 .
While the club refrained from making any public comment about the abrupt change in personnel , France World Cup winner Mbappe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departure .
`` Unfortunately it 's the law of football but no-one will forget your time here , '' Mbappe said .
`` You wrote a great line of the club 's history and I say thank you coach , '' he added .
Pochettino arrives in the French capital with his successful stint at Spurs preceded by a season at Southampton .
His maiden post as a coach was at struggling Espanyol , where in 2009 his first match in charge was against his expected February foes , Barcelona .
He earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he played under Marcelo Bielsa in 1998 , from relegation .
With his expected new employers hungry to finally fulfil their Champions league desire Pochettino will have little time to settle in before getting his new team firing on all cylinders for Barca .
Like Tuchel , as Mbappe 's tribute illustrated , Pochettino is at ease in man-managing a dressing room crammed with a galaxy of stars .
The son of a farmer from Murphy , in the north of Argentina , he is a stickler for detail , which coupled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attractive style of play , personnel skills , and popularity amongst the PSG fans from his playing days , makes him a potentially ideal fit as the new occupant of the PSG dugout .
He will have under his wing several compatriots to count on such as Mauro Icardi , Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes .
His anticipated arrival before the winter transfer window will allow him to bring in new faces , with French newspaper Le Parisien identifying one as his former Spurs charge , Inter Milan 's attacking midfielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given their Argentine ties and knowing each other well Pochettino may be the catalyst for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to start regarding PSG as potential new employers when he is free to move from the Camp Nou at the end of the season .

Paris (AFP) –
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Mauricio Pochettino is widely reported to be Thomas Tuchel's successor as Paris Saint-Germain coach and the number one item on the Argentine's in-tray will be February's date with Barcelona.
Tuchel was reportedly given his marching orders on Thursday, four months after guiding the Qatari-backed club to their first ever Champions League final, August's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
The German, whose dismissal has yet to be officially confirmed by the club, leaves the Parc des Princes having secured a last 16 Champions League clash with Barca and PSG sitting third in Ligue 1, a point shy of leaders Lyon.
Pochettino's opening match in charge will be January 6's trip to Saint-Etienne on Ligue 1's resumption after the winter break.
Then, on February 16, the 48-year-old has his first massive test against his compatriot Lionel Messi's Catalans, with the return leg on March 6.
Pochettino was let go after five and a half years at Spurs in the aftermath of leading the north London side to their first ever appearance in a Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019.
Although he has yet to win any silverware the former PSG defender's stock is high in managerial circles.
The Parisians will be keen to complete his signing and avoid missing their man who has been linked to the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barca in recent months.
Pochettino is due to team up with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and other well-heeled company at PSG's first post-Christmas training session on January 3.
While the club refrained from making any public comment about the abrupt change in personnel, France World Cup winner Mbappe took to Instagram to note Tuchel's departure.
"Unfortunately it's the law of football but no-one will forget your time here," Mbappe said.
"You wrote a great line of the club's history and I say thank you coach," he added.
- Ideal fit -
Pochettino arrives in the French capital with his successful stint at Spurs preceded by a season at Southampton.
His maiden post as a coach was at struggling Espanyol, where in 2009 his first match in charge was against his expected February foes, Barcelona.
He earned plaudits for saving the Spanish outfit, where he played under Marcelo Bielsa in 1998, from relegation.
With his expected new employers hungry to finally fulfil their Champions league desire Pochettino will have little time to settle in before getting his new team firing on all cylinders for Barca.
Like Tuchel, as Mbappe's tribute illustrated, Pochettino is at ease in man-managing a dressing room crammed with a galaxy of stars.
The son of a farmer from Murphy, in the north of Argentina, he is a stickler for detail, which coupled with his tactical acumen, devotion to an attractive style of play, personnel skills, and popularity amongst the PSG fans from his playing days, makes him a potentially ideal fit as the new occupant of the PSG dugout.
He will have under his wing several compatriots to count on such as Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.
His anticipated arrival before the winter transfer window will allow him to bring in new faces, with French newspaper Le Parisien identifying one as his former Spurs charge, Inter Milan's attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen.
And looking further ahead, given their Argentine ties and knowing each other well Pochettino may be the catalyst for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to start regarding PSG as potential new employers when he is free to move from the Camp Nou at the end of the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Bangladesh director charged after film depiction of police angers force

Bangladesh megastar Shakib Khan plays a lawyer in the courtroom drama 'Nabab LLB ' , which has angered the police over its depiction of the force A Bangladeshi film director has been arrested and charged after a scene depicting police harshly interrogating a rape victim and highlighting attitudes towards violence against women in the conservative nation sparked the ire of the force .
The first half of `` Nabab LLB '' , a fictional courtroom drama about rape and the treatment of victims starring megastar Shakib Khan , was released on a local streaming service in mid-December .
The scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went viral on social media last week , with criticism directed at police over their handling of the case .
It angered the force , with Mamun , 34 , and the actor who played the policeman , 46-year-old Shaheen Mridha , arrested on Friday .
`` The officer was interrogating her using very offensive gestures and obscene language which is the opposite of healthy entertainment and will create negative perceptions about policing among the public , '' Dhaka Metropolitan Police said on their news portal .
The statement added that the pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a film containing such offensive and obscene dialogue '' .
They faced court on Friday and were charged with `` making a film with pornographic content '' over a different scene depicting the sexual assault , police added .
Officers said they were also seeking to arrest Orchita Sporshia , the 27-year-old actress who played the rape victim .
A senior police officer told AFP Saturday that the film `` insulted the entire force '' .
`` The plot is completely fabricated and unpleasant .
It is based on total falsehood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain anonymous , said .
The pair face up to seven years in jail if they are found guilty .
Movies are usually vetted by the country 's censorship board but regulations to include streaming service offerings have yet to be finalised .
There are five local streaming platforms in Bangladesh , including recently launched iTheatre , which released `` Nabab LLB '' .
The second part of the film is due to be released in early January .
The arrests were denounced by rights activists , who said the film accurately depicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's legal system .
`` These arrests are nothing new but the continuation of attacks on artistic freedom , '' activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin told AFP .
Activists say violence against women is rising in Bangladesh .
According to local human rights organisation Ain-o-Salish Kendra ( ASK ) , between April and August more than 630 rape cases were reported , with 29 women killed after the assault while five others took their own life .

Dhaka (AFP) –
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A Bangladeshi film director has been arrested and charged after a scene depicting police harshly interrogating a rape victim and highlighting attitudes towards violence against women in the conservative nation sparked the ire of the force.
The first half of "Nabab LLB", a fictional courtroom drama about rape and the treatment of victims starring megastar Shakib Khan, was released on a local streaming service in mid-December.
The scene from the movie directed by Anonno Mamun went viral on social media last week, with criticism directed at police over their handling of the case.
It angered the force, with Mamun, 34, and the actor who played the policeman, 46-year-old Shaheen Mridha, arrested on Friday.
"The officer was interrogating her using very offensive gestures and obscene language which is the opposite of healthy entertainment and will create negative perceptions about policing among the public," Dhaka Metropolitan Police said on their news portal.
The statement added that the pair were arrested "for making and acting in a film containing such offensive and obscene dialogue".
They faced court on Friday and were charged with "making a film with pornographic content" over a different scene depicting the sexual assault, police added.
Officers said they were also seeking to arrest Orchita Sporshia, the 27-year-old actress who played the rape victim.
A senior police officer told AFP Saturday that the film "insulted the entire force".
"The plot is completely fabricated and unpleasant. It is based on total falsehood," the officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
The pair face up to seven years in jail if they are found guilty.
Movies are usually vetted by the country's censorship board but regulations to include streaming service offerings have yet to be finalised.
There are five local streaming platforms in Bangladesh, including recently launched iTheatre, which released "Nabab LLB". The second part of the film is due to be released in early January.
The arrests were denounced by rights activists, who said the film accurately depicted the struggles rape victims face in Bangladesh's legal system.
"These arrests are nothing new but the continuation of attacks on artistic freedom," activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin told AFP.
Activists say violence against women is rising in Bangladesh.
According to local human rights organisation Ain-o-Salish Kendra (ASK), between April and August more than 630 rape cases were reported, with 29 women killed after the assault while five others took their own life.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Wolves players banned from supermarkets over Covid concerns

Wolves have banned players from shopping at supermarkets over fears they could catch coronavirus Premier League club Wolves have banned their players from shopping amid fears they could catch coronavirus with infections rising across England .
Testing on players and staff in England 's top-flight is to double to twice a week in areas of the country under tier four restrictions .
The latest round of testing in the Premier League revealed seven positive cases from 1,569 tests on Monday .
However , since then Manchester City have confirmed another four positive tests for Gabriel Jesus , Kyle Walker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff to go shopping and to the supermarkets for them , '' Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said ahead of his side 's clash with Tottenham on Sunday .
`` We have to avoid any kind of risk because we have a small squad and we have problems with some players out .
`` We can not afford to lose any player , we tell them on a daily basis 'do n't relax and try to be more careful ' . ''
Wolves also told players to avoid supermarkets during the first three-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our kitchen staff puts together a big box of the basic things that we need , '' added Nuno .
`` During the high moment of the pandemic everybody had it .
When the situation improved we said to players 'you are free to go and do your own shopping ' .
`` But now as the levels are increasing so high , and we have this new mutation that everyone is so worried about , we start putting this together again .
It 's about protecting ourselves . ''

London (AFP) –
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Premier League club Wolves have banned their players from shopping amid fears they could catch coronavirus with infections rising across England.
Testing on players and staff in England's top-flight is to double to twice a week in areas of the country under tier four restrictions.
The latest round of testing in the Premier League revealed seven positive cases from 1,569 tests on Monday.
However, since then Manchester City have confirmed another four positive tests for Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and two staff members.
"We have staff to go shopping and to the supermarkets for them," Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said ahead of his side's clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
"We have to avoid any kind of risk because we have a small squad and we have problems with some players out.
"We cannot afford to lose any player, we tell them on a daily basis 'don't relax and try to be more careful'."
Wolves also told players to avoid supermarkets during the first three-month lockdown between March and May this year.
"Our kitchen staff puts together a big box of the basic things that we need," added Nuno.
"During the high moment of the pandemic everybody had it. When the situation improved we said to players 'you are free to go and do your own shopping'.
"But now as the levels are increasing so high, and we have this new mutation that everyone is so worried about, we start putting this together again. It's about protecting ourselves."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--European businesses hopeful of China-EU investment deal

The China-EU investment deal has been in the works for seven years but has faced opposition over concerns about the use of forced labour , particularly in China 's Xinjiang region European businesses in China are hopeful of an EU-China investment deal by end of the year , the head of the European Chamber of Commerce in China said on Saturday , although Beijing has declined to commit to a deadline .
The China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment has been in the works for seven years , and is expected to pave the way for European businesses to invest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other sectors that are gradually being opened up for foreign investment in China .
But the deal is facing opposition from some European members of parliament and the incoming US administration of President-elect Joe Biden , who say it does not address concerns about the use of forced labour by Chinese manufacturers , especially in the restive northwestern region of Xinjiang .
`` The next few days will be interesting .
My sense is that there is a serious push to get this past the finishing line , '' Joerg Wuttke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China , told AFP .
`` It 's not a perfect deal , far from it , but it 's a big step forward . ''
China 's commerce ministry has refrained from committing to a year-end deadline and appears prepared for an extension of discussions .
`` In order to preserve its security and development interests , China will conduct the negotiations at its own pace and strive to reach a comprehensive , balanced and ambitious investment agreement with the EU , '' it said in a statement late Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at providing more investment opportunities and sound institutional guarantees for the two sides , but to reach it requires joint efforts and to meet each other halfway , '' it added .
In an interview with Le Monde on Wednesday , France 's junior trade minister Franck Riester said Beijing needed to address the issue of forced labour if Paris was to agree to the deal .
Human rights organisations have raised concerns about labour practices in Xinjiang where Uighurs and members of other Muslim-minority ethnic groups have reportedly been forced to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing rejects the accusations .
Other critics of the deal say it might undermine Biden 's efforts to mend bridges with European allies , following Donald Trump 's divisive tenure .
`` There is nothing in the agreement that would be at the disadvantage of the US , '' Wuttke insisted .
But Biden 's camp has been nervous about Brussels moving closer to Beijing .
Jake Sullivan , who has been tipped as National Security Advisor , tweeted on Tuesday that : `` The Biden-Harris administration would welcome early consultations with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's economic practices . ''
The investment deal aims to create an equal playing field for European businesses in China that have long complained about preferential terms enjoyed by domestic firms .
The treaty will also strengthen intellectual property protections for European companies and ban forced technology transfers .

Beijing (AFP) –
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European businesses in China are hopeful of an EU-China investment deal by end of the year, the head of the European Chamber of Commerce in China said on Saturday, although Beijing has declined to commit to a deadline.
The China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment has been in the works for seven years, and is expected to pave the way for European businesses to invest in financial services, telecommunications, electric vehicles and other sectors that are gradually being opened up for foreign investment in China.
But the deal is facing opposition from some European members of parliament and the incoming US administration of President-elect Joe Biden, who say it does not address concerns about the use of forced labour by Chinese manufacturers, especially in the restive northwestern region of Xinjiang.
"The next few days will be interesting. My sense is that there is a serious push to get this past the finishing line," Joerg Wuttke, head of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, told AFP.
"It's not a perfect deal, far from it, but it's a big step forward."
China's commerce ministry has refrained from committing to a year-end deadline and appears prepared for an extension of discussions.
"In order to preserve its security and development interests, China will conduct the negotiations at its own pace and strive to reach a comprehensive, balanced and ambitious investment agreement with the EU," it said in a statement late Thursday.
"The China-EU investment agreement is aimed at providing more investment opportunities and sound institutional guarantees for the two sides, but to reach it requires joint efforts and to meet each other halfway," it added.
In an interview with Le Monde on Wednesday, France's junior trade minister Franck Riester said Beijing needed to address the issue of forced labour if Paris was to agree to the deal.
Human rights organisations have raised concerns about labour practices in Xinjiang where Uighurs and members of other Muslim-minority ethnic groups have reportedly been forced to pick cotton under a coercive state-run scheme. Beijing rejects the accusations.
Other critics of the deal say it might undermine Biden's efforts to mend bridges with European allies, following Donald Trump's divisive tenure.
"There is nothing in the agreement that would be at the disadvantage of the US," Wuttke insisted.
But Biden's camp has been nervous about Brussels moving closer to Beijing.
Jake Sullivan, who has been tipped as National Security Advisor, tweeted on Tuesday that: "The Biden-Harris administration would welcome early consultations with our European partners on our common concerns about China's economic practices."
The investment deal aims to create an equal playing field for European businesses in China that have long complained about preferential terms enjoyed by domestic firms.
The treaty will also strengthen intellectual property protections for European companies and ban forced technology transfers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Britain and EU release full text of post-Brexit trade deal

Britain 's parliament and EU national capitals have just days to green-light the post-Brexit trade deal Britain and the European Union on Saturday published the full text of the post-Brexit trade agreement aimed at governing their relationship when the UK definitively leaves the bloc 's single market in just five days ' time .
The document , which is more than 1,200 pages long , lays out detail on trade , law enforcement and dispute settlement among other arrangements between Britain and the EU after the UK leaves the single market and customs union on 31 December .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by the UK government , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the agreement had been `` carefully judged to benefit everyone '' and preserve `` free trade for millions of people in the United Kingdom and across Europe '' .
`` While we made our fair share of compromises during the negotiations , we never wavered from the goal of restoring national sovereignty , '' he added .
Senior UK government minister Michael Gove wrote in The Times newspaper that Thursday 's agreement would allow Britain to bring `` innovation and investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endured economic decline '' .
He added there were still `` significant changes '' to be prepared for by businesses in the short term .
To ratify the deal , Britain 's parliament has been recalled to sit on December 30 .
A vote in favour is virtually assured after the UK 's main opposition Labour Party said its MPs would back it .
In Brussels , the European Commission has proposed the agreement be applied on a provisional basis until 28 February .
The European Parliament will be asked for its consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process to be concluded the Council , which brings together the executives of all 27 member states , must adopt the decision .

London (AFP) –
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Britain and the European Union on Saturday published the full text of the post-Brexit trade agreement aimed at governing their relationship when the UK definitively leaves the bloc's single market in just five days' time.
The document, which is more than 1,200 pages long, lays out detail on trade, law enforcement and dispute settlement among other arrangements between Britain and the EU after the UK leaves the single market and customs union on 31 December.
In the foreward to the copy of the text published by the UK government, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the agreement had been "carefully judged to benefit everyone" and preserve "free trade for millions of people in the United Kingdom and across Europe".
"While we made our fair share of compromises during the negotiations, we never wavered from the goal of restoring national sovereignty," he added.
Senior UK government minister Michael Gove wrote in The Times newspaper that Thursday's agreement would allow Britain to bring "innovation and investment to parts of the country that have endured economic decline".
He added there were still "significant changes" to be prepared for by businesses in the short term.
To ratify the deal, Britain's parliament has been recalled to sit on December 30. A vote in favour is virtually assured after the UK's main opposition Labour Party said its MPs would back it.
In Brussels, the European Commission has proposed the agreement be applied on a provisional basis until 28 February.
The European Parliament will be asked for its consent to the deal in 2021 and for the process to be concluded the Council, which brings together the executives of all 27 member states, must adopt the decision.
© 2020 AFP