france24--2020-08-13--Israel, UAE normalise relations in historic, Trump-brokered deal

US President Donald Trump applauds Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they appear together at a joint news conference to discuss a new Middle East peace plan proposal in Washington , US , January 28 , 2020 .
Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a historic peace deal on Thursday that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern nations in an agreement that U.S. President Donald Trump helped broker .
The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted a statement from the countries , acknowledging the deal .
He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “ a truly historic moment '' .
“ Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates , ” he said .
The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition while efforts to bring peace between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headway .
For Israel , the announcement comes after years of boasting by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged .
Netanyahu has sought to build settlements on lands sought by the Palestinians and embraced a Trump proposal that would allow him to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank while granting Palestinians limited autonomy in other areas .
Netanyahu said it was a `` historic day '' that launched a `` new era '' for the Arab world and Israel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubai and the rolling , oil-rich sand dunes of Abu Dhabi , it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in the Middle East despite being governed by autocratic rulers .
It also puts the UAE out first in a regional recognition race among neighbouring Gulf Arab states .
The UAE 's leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan quickly stressed in a tweet that `` during a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu , an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a national television address that he had only agreed to delay annexations in the occupied West Bank , that the plans remained `` on the table '' and that he would `` never give up our rights to our land '' .
For the Palestinians , who long have relied on Arab backing in their struggle for independence , the announcement marked both a win and setback .
While Thursday 's deal halts Israeli annexation plans , the Palestinians have repeatedly urged Arab governments not to normalise relations with Israel until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state is reached .
President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas voiced his `` strong rejection and condemnation '' of the deal called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League .
In a statement , Abbas called the deal an `` aggression '' against the Palestinian people and a `` betrayal '' of their cause , including their claim to Jerusalem as a capital of their future state .
Hamas , the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip , rejected the Israel-UAE pact as `` a reward for the Israeli occupation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not serve the Palestinian people '' .
A joint statement from the US , the UAE and Israel was issued immediately after Trump 's tweet .
It said delegations would meet in the coming weeks to sign deals on direct flights , security , telecommunications , energy , tourism and healthcare .
The two countries also will partner on fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East 's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth , enhancing technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the statement by Trump , Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , the day-to-day ruler of the UAE .
It said the leaders had a three-way call discussing the deal .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the deal .
“ This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world ’ s most forward leaning , technologically advanced states , and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region , ” he said in a statement .
“ It also illustrates their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small – but strong – nations.
” He added : `` Blessed are the peacemakers .
Mabruk and Mazal Tov.
” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered warm words .
`` The UAE and Israel ’ s decision to normalise relations is hugely good news , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` It was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in the West Bank and today ’ s agreement to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes `` any initiative that can promote peace and security in the Middle East region '' , a UN spokesman said .
Among Arab nations , only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel .
Egypt made a peace deal with Israel in 1979 , followed by Jordan in 1994 .
Mauritania recognised Israel in 1999 , but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel ’ s war in Gaza at the time .
In addition to Trump , the main US mediators for agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and son-in-law Jared Kushner , special Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz and David Friedman , the US ambassador to Israel .
The UAE is a US-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula .
Formed in 1971 , the country like other Arab nations at the time did not recognise Israel over its occupation of land home to the Palestinians .
“ Arab oil is not dearer than Arab blood , ” the UAE ’ s founding ruler , Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , once pronounced when agreeing to an oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1973 Mideast war .
The UAE relied on white-collar Palestinians in creating its nation .
Over time , it maintained its stance that Israel allow the creation of a Palestinian state on land it seized in the 1967 war .
But in recent years , ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown , in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .
Prince Mohammed also shares Israel ’ s distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the militant group Hamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Tasnim news agency , which is affiliated to the country 's elite Revolutionary Guards , denounced Thursday 's deal between Israel and the UAE on as `` shameful '' .
It remains unclear what prompted Israel and the UAE to make the announcement now .
In June , the United Arab Emirates ’ ambassador to the US warned in an Israeli newspaper op-ed that Israel ’ s planned annexing the Jordan Valley and other parts of the occupied West Bank would “ upend ” Israel ’ s efforts to improve ties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a domestic boost at a time when Israel ’ s shaky coalition government is plagued by infighting and facing the possibility of early elections in the coming months .
Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet as the country grapples with a renewed coronavirus outbreak and skyrocketing unemployment as the result of earlier lockdown measures .
Netanyahu also delivered a valuable diplomatic achievement to his good friend , Trump , ahead of US elections .
Still , by dropping the annexation plan Netanyahu may be hedging his bets ahead of a possible change in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presumptive Democratic nominee , has made clear that he would oppose any moves by Israel to unilaterally redraw the Mideast map and annex lands sought by the Palestinians .
Netanyahu also risked criticism inside his own hard-line Likud Party , whose members strongly supported annexation .
Netanyahu appears to be betting that Likud members – and the small , but influential settler movement – will agree the peace agreement delivers more benefits than unilateral annexation .
Opinion polls have shown that annexation is not a high priority for the vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan changes little on the ground .
Israel already holds overall control of the West Bank and continues to expand its settlements there , while granting the Palestinians autonomy in a series of disconnected enclaves .
Some 500,000 Israelis now live in the rapidly expanding West Bank settlements .
Next year , Israel will take part in the UAE ’ s delayed Expo 2020 , the world ’ s fair being hosted by Dubai .
A secret synagogue also draws practising Jews in Dubai .
The UAE also has announced plans to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which will house a mosque , a church and a synagogue .
Israelis traveling with Western passports routinely enter the UAE without a problem , though one still can ’ t make a phone call between the two countries .
Israelis also work in Dubai ’ s gold and diamond trade as well .
Emirati officials also have allowed Israeli officials to visit and the Israeli national anthem was played after an athlete won gold in an Abu Dhabi judo tournament .
Israel also has a small mission representing its interests at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dhabi .

Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a historic peace deal on Thursday that will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern nations in an agreement that US President Donald Trump helped broker.
US President Donald Trump applauds Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they appear together at a joint news conference to discuss a new Middle East peace plan proposal in Washington, DC, January 28, 2020.
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The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.
Trump tweeted a statement from the countries, acknowledging the deal. He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “a truly historic moment".
“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Trump said the leaders of Israel and the United Arab Emirates would sign their historic peace accord in the White House in around three weeks.
The deal grants a rare diplomatic win to Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway.
00:01
Netanyahu hails ‘new era’
For Israel, the announcement comes after years of boasting by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged. Netanyahu has sought to build settlements on lands sought by the Palestinians and embraced a Trump proposal that would allow him to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank while granting Palestinians limited autonomy in other areas.
Netanyahu said it was a "historic day" that launched a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel.
For the UAE, home to skyscraper-studded Dubai and the rolling, oil-rich sand dunes of Abu Dhabi, it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in the Middle East despite being governed by autocratic rulers. It also puts the UAE out first in a regional recognition race among neighbouring Gulf Arab states.
The UAE's leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan quickly stressed in a tweet that "during a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories".
However, Netanyahu then said in a national television address that he had only agreed to delay annexations in the occupied West Bank, that the plans remained "on the table" and that he would "never give up our rights to our land".
For the Palestinians, who long have relied on Arab backing in their struggle for independence, the announcement marked both a win and setback. While Thursday's deal halts Israeli annexation plans, the Palestinians have repeatedly urged Arab governments not to normalise relations with Israel until a peace agreement establishing an independent Palestinian state is reached.
President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas voiced his "strong rejection and condemnation" of the deal called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League.
In a statement, Abbas called the deal an "aggression" against the Palestinian people and a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as a capital of their future state.
Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, rejected the Israel-UAE pact as "a reward for the Israeli occupation and crimes" and said it "does not serve the Palestinian people".
A joint statement from the US, the UAE and Israel was issued immediately after Trump's tweet. It said delegations would meet in the coming weeks to sign deals on direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism and healthcare. The two countries also will partner on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
A joint statement from the US, UAE and Israel saying they had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates". © France 24
“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations,” said the statement by Trump, Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the UAE. It said the leaders had a three-way call discussing the deal.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the deal.
“This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world’s most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region,” he said in a statement. “It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats, as small – but strong – nations.”
He added: "Blessed are the peacemakers. Mabruk and Mazal Tov.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered warm words. "The UAE and Israel’s decision to normalise relations is hugely good news," he wrote on Twitter.
"It was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in the West Bank and today’s agreement to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East," Johnson continued.
For his part, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said hoped the Israel-UAE deal can help realise a two-state solution with the Palestinians for peace in the Middle East.
Guterres said annexation would "effectively close the door" on negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and "destroy the prospect" of a viable Palestinian state under a two-state solution.
Among Arab nations, only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel. Egypt made a peace deal with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. Mauritania recognised Israel in 1999, but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel’s war in Gaza at the time.
In addition to Trump, the main US mediators for agreement were the president’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, special Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz and David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel.
The UAE is a US-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Formed in 1971, the country like other Arab nations at the time did not recognise Israel over its occupation of land home to the Palestinians.
“Arab oil is not dearer than Arab blood,” the UAE’s founding ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once pronounced when agreeing to an oil boycott over US military support to Israel in the 1973 Mideast war.
Domestic boost for Netanyahu
The UAE relied on white-collar Palestinians in creating its nation. Over time, it maintained its stance that Israel allow the creation of a Palestinian state on land it seized in the 1967 war.
But in recent years, ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown, in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Prince Mohammed also shares Israel’s distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the militant group Hamas that holds the Gaza Strip.
Iran's Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated to the country's elite Revolutionary Guards, denounced Thursday's deal between Israel and the UAE on as "shameful".
It remains unclear what prompted Israel and the UAE to make the announcement now. In June, the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the US warned in an Israeli newspaper op-ed that Israel’s planned annexing the Jordan Valley and other parts of the occupied West Bank would “upend” Israel’s efforts to improve ties with Arab nations.
The agreement gives Netanyahu a domestic boost at a time when Israel’s shaky coalition government is plagued by infighting and facing the possibility of early elections in the coming months. Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet as the country grapples with a renewed coronavirus outbreak and skyrocketing unemployment as the result of earlier lockdown measures.
Netanyahu also delivered a valuable diplomatic achievement to his good friend, Trump, ahead of US elections.
Still, by dropping the annexation plan Netanyahu may be hedging his bets ahead of a possible change in the White House. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has made clear that he would oppose any moves by Israel to unilaterally redraw the Mideast map and annex lands sought by the Palestinians.
Netanyahu also risked criticism inside his own hard-line Likud Party, whose members strongly supported annexation. Netanyahu appears to be betting that Likud members – and the small, but influential settler movement – will agree the peace agreement delivers more benefits than unilateral annexation. Opinion polls have shown that annexation is not a high priority for the vast majority of the Israeli public.
Abandoning its annexation plan changes little on the ground. Israel already holds overall control of the West Bank and continues to expand its settlements there, while granting the Palestinians autonomy in a series of disconnected enclaves. Some 500,000 Israelis now live in the rapidly expanding West Bank settlements.
Next year, Israel will take part in the UAE’s delayed Expo 2020, the world’s fair being hosted by Dubai. A secret synagogue also draws practising Jews in Dubai. The UAE also has announced plans to build the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which will house a mosque, a church and a synagogue.
Israelis traveling with Western passports routinely enter the UAE without a problem, though one still can’t make a phone call between the two countries. Israelis also work in Dubai’s gold and diamond trade as well.
Emirati officials also have allowed Israeli officials to visit and the Israeli national anthem was played after an athlete won gold in an Abu Dhabi judo tournament. Israel also has a small mission representing its interests at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-13--France to reciprocate Britain's Covid-19 quarantine, says minister

Britain 's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France will lead to a reciprocal measure , French junior minister for European affairs Clément Beaune said late on Thursday .
`` A British decision that we regret and which will lead to a measure of reciprocity , hoping that things will return to normal as soon as possible , '' Beaune said on Twitter at midnight .
His tweet came after the United Kingdom announced it will impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France on Saturday because Covid-19 infection rates there are too high , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government , wary of a second wave of the novel coronavirus , also added the Netherlands , Malta and three other countries to its quarantine list .
Spain and Belgium have already been added in recent weeks .
`` Data shows we need to remove France , the Netherlands , Monaco , Malta , Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of # coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN , '' Shapps said on Twitter .
`` If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days . ''
The French Foreign Ministry gave no immediate reaction .
France reported more than 2,500 new Covid-19 infections for the second day in a row on Thursday , levels last seen in mid-April when the country was in the middle of one of Europe 's strictest lockdowns .
The reimposition of quarantine conditions is hitting Britons ' favourite holiday destinations in the middle of summer and as the travel industry fights for survival .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government would be ruthless when it came to imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger of importing fresh cases of the virus .
That approach is in contrast to earlier this year when the government was criticised for being too slow to lock down at the beginning of the pandemic when many cases are thought to have arrived from holidaymakers returning from Italy .
The UK 's quarantine policy began in June .
For UK holidaymakers , France is the second most-visited country behind Spain .
France is the second biggest market for tourists coming into the UK , behind the United States .

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

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

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

UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan becomes the first Gulf leader to reach a deal with Israel to normalise ties .
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan , the first Gulf leader to strike a deal normalising relations with Israel , has long been seen as a strongman who has driven the UAE 's rise to diplomatic prominence .
A trained soldier and football fan , Sheikh Mohamed has for years been the quiet power behind the throne of Abu Dhabi , the capital of the United Arab Emirates .
In a 2009 note to US President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Olson said the royal -- better known as MBZ -- was `` the man who runs the United Arab Emirates '' .
Despite a low profile , and his apparent reluctance to speak in public , his ambition has been on display in recent years as the UAE built its profile as a regional player .
The country -- a collection of emirates better known for its skyscrapers , palm-shaped islands and opulent mega attractions -- has in short order built a nuclear power program and sent a man to space .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ club by sending a probe to Mars , to mark the 50th anniversary of its unification .
Named crown prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004 , Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan -- the revered founder of the UAE .
With his brother Sheikh Khalifa the nation 's president , he serves as deputy commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi , which controls the emirate 's substantial finances .
While the glitzier emirate of Dubai has had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make its fortune , Abu Dhabi sits on 90 percent of UAE oil production .
Born in the capital on March 11 , 1961 , Sheikh Mohamed was sent to military school in Britain , where he graduated from the famed Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in 1979 .
He rapidly rose through the ranks of the armed forces to become air force commander , deputy chief of staff and finally chief of staff in January 1993 and a year later was promoted to the rank of general .
Described by diplomats as Abu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forged links in world capitals , particularly in the West .
He is widely believed to have taken the decision to deploy boots on the ground in Yemen in 2015 as part of a Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels .
The Yemen war marked the first protracted military campaign abroad for the UAE and the first time it had to contend with military casualties , with dozens of Emirati soldiers killed .
The coalition has been denounced for air strikes , including on markets and hospitals , that have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March 2015 .
The UAE , which largely exited the conflict last year , has also been accused of running secret prisons across southern Yemen .
It denies the accusations .
Although the crown prince does not often speak in public -- he left the November 2017 inaugural speech of the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid -- his reach into the political sphere can not be underestimated .
Under his leadership , Abu Dhabi has fostered trade and political ties across the region -- including , to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has sided with the US against Tehran 's nuclear programme and with Saudi Arabia on its role in the mainly Sunni Arab world .
Sheikh Mohamed also took the lead on a staunch no-mercy domestic security policy .
Observers believe it was he who masterminded an unprecedented clampdown on Islamists in the UAE , with dozens handed lengthy jail terms over charges of ties to extremists .
At the same time , he crafted for the UAE a reputation of tolerance that contrasts with its conservative neighbours .
In 2017 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also known as Sheikh Zayed mosque after his father , would change names to become the `` Mariam Umm Issa '' ( Mary , Mother of Jesus ) mosque as a means to `` consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions '' .
An avid football fan , MBZ is president of the local club in the oasis of Al-Ain , his father 's hometown and the second largest city in Abu Dhabi .
He has also been spotted cycling through the capital in shorts and a helmet .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is married to fellow royal Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al-Nahyan -- the couple has four sons and five daughters .

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the first Gulf leader to strike a deal normalising relations with Israel, has long been seen as a strongman who has driven the UAE's rise to diplomatic prominence.
UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan becomes the first Gulf leader to reach a deal with Israel to normalise ties.
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A trained soldier and football fan, Sheikh Mohamed has for years been the quiet power behind the throne of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
In a 2009 note to US President Barack Obama leaked by WikiLeaks, former American ambassador Richard Olson said the royal -- better known as MBZ -- was "the man who runs the United Arab Emirates".
Despite a low profile, and his apparent reluctance to speak in public, his ambition has been on display in recent years as the UAE built its profile as a regional player.
The country -- a collection of emirates better known for its skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands and opulent mega attractions -- has in short order built a nuclear power program and sent a man to space.
And in July it joined another elite club by sending a probe to Mars, to mark the 50th anniversary of its unification.
Named crown prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004, Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan -- the revered founder of the UAE.
With his brother Sheikh Khalifa the nation's president, he serves as deputy commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, which controls the emirate's substantial finances.
While the glitzier emirate of Dubai has had to develop its tourism and services industries to make its fortune, Abu Dhabi sits on 90 percent of UAE oil production.
Military muscle
Born in the capital on March 11, 1961, Sheikh Mohamed was sent to military school in Britain, where he graduated from the famed Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in 1979.
He rapidly rose through the ranks of the armed forces to become air force commander, deputy chief of staff and finally chief of staff in January 1993 and a year later was promoted to the rank of general.
Described by diplomats as Abu Dhabi's strongman, Sheikh Mohamed has forged links in world capitals, particularly in the West.
He is widely believed to have taken the decision to deploy boots on the ground in Yemen in 2015 as part of a Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.
The Yemen war marked the first protracted military campaign abroad for the UAE and the first time it had to contend with military casualties, with dozens of Emirati soldiers killed.
The coalition has been denounced for air strikes, including on markets and hospitals, that have caused heavy civilian casualties since intervening in Yemen in March 2015.
The UAE, which largely exited the conflict last year, has also been accused of running secret prisons across southern Yemen. It denies the accusations.
Tight grip
Although the crown prince does not often speak in public -- he left the November 2017 inaugural speech of the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid -- his reach into the political sphere cannot be underestimated.
Under his leadership, Abu Dhabi has fostered trade and political ties across the region -- including, to a limited extent, with Shiite Iran -- but has sided with the US against Tehran's nuclear programme and with Saudi Arabia on its role in the mainly Sunni Arab world.
Sheikh Mohamed also took the lead on a staunch no-mercy domestic security policy.
Observers believe it was he who masterminded an unprecedented clampdown on Islamists in the UAE, with dozens handed lengthy jail terms over charges of ties to extremists.
At the same time, he crafted for the UAE a reputation of tolerance that contrasts with its conservative neighbours.
In 2017, he announced that Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque, also known as Sheikh Zayed mosque after his father, would change names to become the "Mariam Umm Issa" (Mary, Mother of Jesus) mosque as a means to "consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions".
An avid football fan, MBZ is president of the local club in the oasis of Al-Ain, his father's hometown and the second largest city in Abu Dhabi.
He has also been spotted cycling through the capital in shorts and a helmet.
A keen hunter and a poetry enthusiast, he is married to fellow royal Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al-Nahyan -- the couple has four sons and five daughters.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-13--Leipzig beat Atletico to reach Champions League last four, face PSG for final spot

Leipzig stunned Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time as Tyler Adams ' 88th-minute winner earned them a showdown with Paris Saint-Germain .
Atletico looked to have secured extra-time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade when Joao Felix won and then scored a penalty to cancel out Dani Olmo 's headed opener early in the second half .
But Adams proved an unlikely hero for Leipzig , coming off the bench to snatch victory in Lisbon after his fired effort took a cruel deflection of Stefan Savic and flew in .
The win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were only formed 11 years ago and playing their first ever season in Germany 's top flight in 2016 .
Progess to the last four also puts another feather in the cap of their coach Julian Nagelsmann , whose stock will rise even further after ousting Diego Simeone , one of this competition 's most gnarly tacticians .
Their challenge is now to defeat PSG on Tuesday , the French champions who have only played three matches in almost half a year and needed a late escape to see off Atalanta on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was an opportunity spurned to go far in Europe at the end of what has been a disappointing season in Spain .
After Real Madrid 's loss against Manchester City , only Barcelona are left to fly the Spanish flag in this tournament and they face a formidable challenge against Bayern Munich on Friday .
Questions will be asked again about the future of Simeone , who has struggled to recreate an Atletico side capable of challenging for major honours .
His notoriously defensive approach , which saw off holders Liverpool in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the slick , quick and free-flowing style of their opponents .
A forgettable first half was more worrying for Atletico , who struggled to escape their own half , even if Leipzig never really turned their pressure into any chances .
Marcel Halstenberg had the best opening but lashed over on the volley at the back post while the excellent Dayot Upamecano headed straight into the hands of Jan Oblak when given too much space in the box .
In between , VAR took a long time looking at a possible Atletico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Saul Niguez 's heel was minimal and the correct decision was made .
Leipzig were still in the ascendancy after half-time .
Sabitzer had been captain until he picked up a knee injury in June and it was his perfect cross that created the opener , Olmo nipping in at the front post and heading past Oblak into the far corner .
Simeone threw on Felix to spark his team into life and the 20-year-old made a difference .
He played a neat one-two with Diego Costa before poking the ball away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went down and then got up to score the penalty .
Atletico owned the momentum but they let it go as the game drifted towards extra-time .
Leipzig sensed an opportunity and in the 88th minute , they struck .
The ball was brilliantly switched left to Angelino , whose pulled cross fooled the retreating Atletico defence and landed at the feet of Adams on the edge of the area .
He had time to size up his shot , the finish spinning up off the left foot of Savic and leaving Oblak @ @

Leipzig stunned Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time as Tyler Adams' 88th-minute winner earned them a showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.
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Atletico looked to have secured extra-time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade when Joao Felix won and then scored a penalty to cancel out Dani Olmo's headed opener early in the second half.
But Adams proved an unlikely hero for Leipzig, coming off the bench to snatch victory in Lisbon after his fired effort took a cruel deflection of Stefan Savic and flew in.
The win marks an historic night for Leipzig, who were only formed 11 years ago and playing their first ever season in Germany's top flight in 2016.
Progess to the last four also puts another feather in the cap of their coach Julian Nagelsmann, whose stock will rise even further after ousting Diego Simeone, one of this competition's most gnarly tacticians.
Their challenge is now to defeat PSG on Tuesday, the French champions who have only played three matches in almost half a year and needed a late escape to see off Atalanta on Tuesday.
For Atletico and Simeone, this was an opportunity spurned to go far in Europe at the end of what has been a disappointing season in Spain.
After Real Madrid's loss against Manchester City, only Barcelona are left to fly the Spanish flag in this tournament and they face a formidable challenge against Bayern Munich on Friday.
Questions will be asked again about the future of Simeone, who has struggled to recreate an Atletico side capable of challenging for major honours.
His notoriously defensive approach, which saw off holders Liverpool in the last 16, looked outdated here against the slick, quick and free-flowing style of their opponents.
A forgettable first half was more worrying for Atletico, who struggled to escape their own half, even if Leipzig never really turned their pressure into any chances.
Marcel Halstenberg had the best opening but lashed over on the volley at the back post while the excellent Dayot Upamecano headed straight into the hands of Jan Oblak when given too much space in the box.
In between, VAR took a long time looking at a possible Atletico penalty but the contact between Peter Gulasci and Saul Niguez's heel was minimal and the correct decision was made.
Leipzig were still in the ascendancy after half-time. Sabitzer had been captain until he picked up a knee injury in June and it was his perfect cross that created the opener, Olmo nipping in at the front post and heading past Oblak into the far corner.
Simeone threw on Felix to spark his team into life and the 20-year-old made a difference. He played a neat one-two with Diego Costa before poking the ball away from the lunging Lukas Klostermann. Felix went down and then got up to score the penalty.
Atletico owned the momentum but they let it go as the game drifted towards extra-time. Leipzig sensed an opportunity and in the 88th minute, they struck.
The ball was brilliantly switched left to Angelino, whose pulled cross fooled the retreating Atletico defence and landed at the feet of Adams on the edge of the area.
He had time to size up his shot, the finish spinning up off the left foot of Savic and leaving Oblak helpless.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-13--Surge in Spain's Covid-19 cases prompts regional smoking ban

A woman smokes at the terrace of a restaurant , as the regional government of the Canary Islands forbids smoking without maintaining a safe distance and makes mandatory to wear protective masks in open public spaces , during the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) pandemic , in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Gran Canaria , Spain , August 13 , 2020 .
Two Spanish regions attracting tourists introduced outdoor smoking bans Thursday to curb the coronavirus as a top domestic medical body called for a more coordinated response and tougher punishment for rule breakers .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight in the northwestern region of Galicia , smokers are forbidden to remove face masks -- which are mandatory -- to smoke in public if it is not possible to maintain a distance of two metres ( 6.7 feet ) between people , in what is believed to be the first such restriction in Europe .
The government of the region , best-known for the Camino de Santiago Catholic pilgrimage , said infected smokers could blow droplets carrying the virus while exhaling .
The regional government of Spain 's Canary Islands quicky followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotspot off northwest Africa .
The smoking ban in the Canaries will come into effect on Friday along with mandatory wearing of face masks in all public spaces , regional leader Angel Victor Torres said .
The Canary Islands had been the only Spanish region where it was not obligatory to use face masks .
The government had to act `` forcefully '' in response to a rise in infections , Torres said .
Officials in regions including Madrid and Andalusia said they were considering similar smoking restrictions .
Spain 's regions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a patchwork of measures to curb the virus .
The new measures come as Spain grapples with a rise in Covid-19 cases since June 21 , when it ended its lockdown measures , one of the world 's strictest .
Spain , with a population of 47 million , leads Western Europe with more than 337,000 cases , compared with nearly 252,000 cases of Italy 's 60 million inhabitants , which was the first European country to be rocked by the virus .
The Spanish Medical Colleges Organisation said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of a common direction and called for better coordination between the central and regional governments .
Without a `` change in course '' , the `` rise in cases which we have seen will lead us once again to lose control '' of the pandemic , it added .
`` The disputes and rivalries between political forces and institutions , when they should all be rowing in the same direction , drive us to despair . ''
The medical body blamed the rise in infection on eased social distancing , family gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the poor living conditions of seasonal migrant farm workers .
It called on tougher punishments for those who violate social distancing orders and rules to prevent travel within regions to stop the spread of the virus .
Spain 's different layers of government provide `` contradictory '' figures about the virus which `` give everyone the impression of a lack of coordination in the fight against the pandemic , '' it added .
While the smoking bans were applauded by many medical experts , some questioned its effectiveness .
Fernando Garcia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for health , told AFP the measure was `` a bit disproportionate '' given the lack of evidence that `` tobacco smoke can transmit the disease '' .
The World Health Organization has said tobacco users could increase the possibility of transmission of the disease since it involves contact of fingers with the lips .
Outside Europe , South Africa has banned the sale of tobacco because it may lead people to drop social distancing while Jordan banned smoking in closed public spaces .

Two Spanish regions attracting tourists introduced outdoor smoking bans Thursday to curb the coronavirus as a top domestic medical body called for a more coordinated response and tougher punishment for rule breakers.
A woman smokes on the terrace of a restaurant in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain, August 13, 2020. The regional government there has expanded a mandatory requirement to wear masks in open public spaces, now forbidding smoking in outdoors without maintaining a safe distance,
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Under a law which came into force at midnight in the northwestern region of Galicia, smokers are forbidden to remove face masks -- which are mandatory -- to smoke in public if it is not possible to maintain a distance of two metres (6.7 feet) between people, in what is believed to be the first such restriction in Europe.
The government of the region, best-known for the Camino de Santiago Catholic pilgrimage, said infected smokers could blow droplets carrying the virus while exhaling.
The regional government of Spain's Canary Islands quicky followed suit. The archipelago is a tourism hotspot off northwest Africa.
The smoking ban in the Canaries will come into effect on Friday along with mandatory wearing of face masks in all public spaces, regional leader Angel Victor Torres said.
The Canary Islands had been the only Spanish region where it was not obligatory to use face masks.
The government had to act "forcefully" in response to a rise in infections, Torres said.
Officials in regions including Madrid and Andalusia said they were considering similar smoking restrictions.
Spain's regions are responsible for healthcare policy, which has led to a patchwork of measures to curb the virus.
'Disputes and rivalries'
The new measures come as Spain grapples with a rise in Covid-19 cases since June 21, when it ended its lockdown measures, one of the world's strictest.
Spain, with a population of 47 million, leads Western Europe with more than 337,000 cases, compared with nearly 252,000 cases of Italy's 60 million inhabitants, which was the first European country to be rocked by the virus.
The Spanish Medical Colleges Organisation said it was "disappointed and outraged" at the lack of a common direction and called for better coordination between the central and regional governments.
Without a "change in course", the "rise in cases which we have seen will lead us once again to lose control" of the pandemic, it added.
"The disputes and rivalries between political forces and institutions, when they should all be rowing in the same direction, drive us to despair."
The medical body blamed the rise in infection on eased social distancing, family gatherings and visits to nightclubs and bars, and the poor living conditions of seasonal migrant farm workers.
It called on tougher punishments for those who violate social distancing orders and rules to prevent travel within regions to stop the spread of the virus.
Spain's different layers of government provide "contradictory" figures about the virus which "give everyone the impression of a lack of coordination in the fight against the pandemic," it added.
While the smoking bans were applauded by many medical experts, some questioned its effectiveness.
Fernando Garcia, an epidemiologist at the Carlos III institute for health, told AFP the measure was "a bit disproportionate" given the lack of evidence that "tobacco smoke can transmit the disease".
The World Health Organization has said tobacco users could increase the possibility of transmission of the disease since it involves contact of fingers with the lips.
Outside Europe, South Africa has banned the sale of tobacco because it may lead people to drop social distancing while Jordan banned smoking in closed public spaces.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-13--France Covid-19 cases 'growing fastest among young' amid second wave fears

Visitors wearing protective face masks queue to enter the Louvre Pyramid in Paris , as France reinforces mask-wearing as part of efforts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) across the country , France , August 13 , 2020 .
French health authorities warned Thursday that new coronavirus cases were rising fastest among younger people , as the number of confirmed infections per day continued to tick up .
In mainland France , the pace of growth in cases in the week of August 3-9 was fastest among people aged 15-44 , the health ministry 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a `` troubling situation '' .
In total 2,669 tests had come back positive in the past 24 hours , it added , pointing to `` regular growth '' in daily new cases .
The figure was higher than Wednesday 's 2,524 , which itself had been the highest since May .
Among the new infections were 50 gendarmes based in Tarbes , southwest France , out of a group of 82 who had just returned from a deployment in Polynesia , the prefecture in the Hautes-Pyrenees department said .
Richard Peabody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pathogens Team at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe , warned that laxer respect for infection control measures was leading to increased case numbers across the continent .
`` If you take ... the pressure off the virus , then it will come back , '' he said , calling on European governments to be mindful of the lessons learnt in the first months of the pandemic .
Prime Minister Jean Castex struck a similar tone on Tuesday , warning that Covid-19 could get out of hand if people do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't act collectively , we expose ourselves to the heightened risk that the rebound in the epidemic becomes hard to control , '' he said during a visit to an intensive care ward in southern France .
Face masks became mandatory in outdoor Paris tourist hotspots on Monday as authorities try to curb the number of new infections .
The order covers busy outdoor areas in the French capital including the banks of the River Seine and the iconic Montmartre area in Paris ’ s far north – although other renowned tourist hotspots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées were not listed .
Anybody over age 11 faces a €135 fine if caught without a mask where one is required .
The latest uptick in Covid-19 cases has been most marked in Paris but some other cities including Nice , Toulouse , Biarritz , Marseille and Lille have already ordered people to wear masks outdoors .
Several coastal towns popular with tourists – including Le Touquet in the Calais region , Saint-Malo on Brittany ’ s northern coast and La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast – have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,400 people have died of coronavirus in France -- 17 in the past 24 hours -- and 374 are presently in intensive care .

French health authorities warned Thursday that new coronavirus cases were rising fastest among younger people, as the number of confirmed infections per day continued to tick up.
Visitors wearing protective face masks queue to enter the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, as France reinforces mask-wearing as part of efforts to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across the country, France, August 13, 2020.
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In mainland France, the pace of growth in cases in the week of August 3-9 was fastest among people aged 15-44, the health ministry's DGS public health arm said, calling it a "troubling situation".
In total 2,669 tests had come back positive in the past 24 hours, it added, pointing to "regular growth" in daily new cases.
The figure was higher than Wednesday's 2,524, which itself had been the highest since May.
Among the new infections were 50 gendarmes based in Tarbes, southwest France, out of a group of 82 who had just returned from a deployment in Polynesia, the prefecture in the Hautes-Pyrenees department said.
Richard Peabody, an epidemiologist leading the High Threat Pathogens Team at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, warned that laxer respect for infection control measures was leading to increased case numbers across the continent.
"If you take... the pressure off the virus, then it will come back," he said, calling on European governments to be mindful of the lessons learnt in the first months of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Jean Castex struck a similar tone on Tuesday, warning that Covid-19 could get out of hand if people do not take precautions: "If we don't act collectively, we expose ourselves to the heightened risk that the rebound in the epidemic becomes hard to control," he said during a visit to an intensive care ward in southern France.
Face masks became mandatory in outdoor Paris tourist hotspots on Monday as authorities try to curb the number of new infections. The order covers busy outdoor areas in the French capital including the banks of the River Seine and the iconic Montmartre area in Paris’s far north – although other renowned tourist hotspots such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées were not listed. Anybody over age 11 faces a €135 fine if caught without a mask where one is required.
The latest uptick in Covid-19 cases has been most marked in Paris but some other cities including Nice, Toulouse, Biarritz, Marseille and Lille have already ordered people to wear masks outdoors. Several coastal towns popular with tourists – including Le Touquet in the Calais region, Saint-Malo on Brittany’s northern coast and La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast – have done the same.
So far almost 30,400 people have died of coronavirus in France -- 17 in the past 24 hours -- and 374 are presently in intensive care.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-13--Lebanon's military gets sweeping new powers amid anger over Beirut explosion

Lebanon 's Parliament on Thursday approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the catastrophic Aug. 4 explosion , granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger at official corruption and mismanagement and political uncertainty .
The government resigned after the blast that killed more than 170 people , injured at least 6,000 and wrecked the capital 's port and caused widespread damage across the capital .
The disaster has raised popular fury toward Lebanon 's leaders to a new level as the country reels from an unprecedented economic and financial crisis , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government declared the state of emergency that gave the military the power to declare curfews , prevent public gatherings and censor the media , as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches .
The action required approval by lawmakers , which they granted Thursday .
The move has been criticized by rights groups and others who say the civilian government already was operating with increased powers because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Some pointed to the military crackdown on protesters last week , fearing the extended powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met outside its regular location to observe social distancing amid a surge of coronavirus cases and because of nearby ongoing protests by those who want the entire political class to step down .
The session opened with a moment of silence for those killed in the blast .
It then moved to discuss the resignation of nearly a dozen lawmakers last week to protest the government 's handling of the blast .
A major Christian party bloc is boycotting the session .
It still was not known what caused the fire responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were stored for years in Beirut 's port .
But documents have emerged that show the country 's top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile .
After the government resigned Monday , the Cabinet is in a caretaker capacity .
It was not immediately clear if Parliament had technically extended the government decision on the state of emergency for 15 days or simply imposed it to take effect starting Thursday , said rights lawyer Nizar Saghieh .
“ There is incredible chaos , '' Saghieh said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to extend the power of the state and security agencies and “ control the opposition . ''
“ We were waiting for the army to help in reconstruction , not be an extension of power , ” he said .
Lawmaker Simon Abi Ramieh protested that Parliament was convened to vote on the state of emergency while it was already in effect and called instead for forming a parliamentary committee to investigate the explosion .
`` We are living in a state of institutional blunder , ” he said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are somewhere else ...
The public wants to know the truth behind the negligence that led to the explosion.
” Lebanon 's political landscape has been shaken by the events .
Before resigning , the caretaker prime minister proposed early elections , an idea that was not supported by the Parliament speaker and other political groups .
Since the resignation , there has been a flurry of closed-door meetings and political haggling to form a government that meets the approval of domestic and international powers .
Lebanon 's complicated sectarian-based political system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from among Sunni Muslims .
It was n't clear if there would be a national unity government — which would mean the participation of all political parties — or an emergency transition government .
France ’ s defense minister was due to arrive in Beirut on Thursday amid a flurry of foreign visits to the stricken country .
France has been leading efforts to help Lebanon emerge from the drastic blow , including talking to political parties to hasten the formation of a new government .
Also on Thursday , U.S .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to arrive in Lebanon for a two-day visit .
Hale is expected to “ reiterate the American government ’ s commitment to assist the Lebanese people in recovering from the tragedy and rebuilding their lives , ” a statement by the U.S. Embassy said .
He will also stress the “ urgent need ” for embracing fundamental reforms .

Lebanon's Parliament on Thursday approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the catastrophic Aug. 4 explosion, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger at official corruption and mismanagement and political uncertainty.
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The government resigned after the blast that killed more than 170 people, injured at least 6,000 and wrecked the capital's port and caused widespread damage across the capital.
The disaster has raised popular fury toward Lebanon's leaders to a new level as the country reels from an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, along with the coronavirus pandemic.
Before it resigned, the government declared the state of emergency that gave the military the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor the media, as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches. The action required approval by lawmakers, which they granted Thursday.
The move has been criticized by rights groups and others who say the civilian government already was operating with increased powers because of the coronavirus outbreak. Some pointed to the military crackdown on protesters last week, fearing the extended powers could lead to silencing dissent.
Parliament met outside its regular location to observe social distancing amid a surge of coronavirus cases and because of nearby ongoing protests by those who want the entire political class to step down.
The session opened with a moment of silence for those killed in the blast. It then moved to discuss the resignation of nearly a dozen lawmakers last week to protest the government's handling of the blast. A major Christian party bloc is boycotting the session.
It still was not known what caused the fire responsible for igniting nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beirut's port. But documents have emerged that show the country's top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile.
After the government resigned Monday, the Cabinet is in a caretaker capacity.
It was not immediately clear if Parliament had technically extended the government decision on the state of emergency for 15 days or simply imposed it to take effect starting Thursday, said rights lawyer Nizar Saghieh.
“There is incredible chaos," Saghieh said. He said the state of emergency's only justification is to extend the power of the state and security agencies and “control the opposition."
“We were waiting for the army to help in reconstruction, not be an extension of power,” he said.
'Institutional blunder'
Lawmaker Simon Abi Ramieh protested that Parliament was convened to vote on the state of emergency while it was already in effect and called instead for forming a parliamentary committee to investigate the explosion.
"We are living in a state of institutional blunder,” he said. “We are in a place and the Lebanese people are somewhere else... The public wants to know the truth behind the negligence that led to the explosion.”
Lebanon's political landscape has been shaken by the events. Before resigning, the caretaker prime minister proposed early elections, an idea that was not supported by the Parliament speaker and other political groups.
Since the resignation, there has been a flurry of closed-door meetings and political haggling to form a government that meets the approval of domestic and international powers. Lebanon's complicated sectarian-based political system requires the prime minister to be chosen from among Sunni Muslims. It wasn't clear if there would be a national unity government — which would mean the participation of all political parties — or an emergency transition government.
France’s defense minister was due to arrive in Beirut on Thursday amid a flurry of foreign visits to the stricken country. France has been leading efforts to help Lebanon emerge from the drastic blow, including talking to political parties to hasten the formation of a new government.
Also on Thursday, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale was due to arrive in Lebanon for a two-day visit. Hale is expected to “reiterate the American government’s commitment to assist the Lebanese people in recovering from the tragedy and rebuilding their lives,” a statement by the U.S. Embassy said. He will also stress the “urgent need” for embracing fundamental reforms.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-13--Israel targets Hamas in Gaza in response to fire-bomb balloons

Smoke and flames rise after war planes belonging to the Israeli army carried out airstrikes over the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on August 12 , 2020 .
Israel attacked targets of Islamist group Hamas in Gaza and halted fuel supplies to the enclave Thursday in the latest retaliation against fire bombs suspended from balloons that have been released from the Palestinian territory .
Israeli warplanes and tanks struck overnight in the fourth military attack over the past week , causing no reported casualties Thursday but leaving one unexploded missile inside a UN-run school 's compound in Gaza 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official in Gaza said `` an unexploded missile fired by an Israeli plane '' had impacted inside the school area and that `` explosives engineering teams are working to disarm it '' .
Adnan Abu Hasna , spokesman for UNRWA , the United Nations agency for Palestinians , also told AFP the missile had come down in one of its schools , where children had just returned Sunday after a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We closed the school and are awaiting an investigation to the determine the facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
An Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP that the military was looking into the claim .
Israel 's defence ministry said the fuel sanctions came `` in light of the continued launching of incendiary balloons from the Strip toward the territory of the State of Israel and of the undermining of security stability '' .
The latest round of hostilities has seen firebombs attached to bunches of balloons floating into Israel , setting agricultural fields and scrubland ablaze .
Sometimes kites are used in the makeshift attacks .
Israeli fire services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires caused by balloons on Tuesday , and 24 on Wednesday , without recording any casualties .
Police sappers have also been dismantling bombs attached to balloons that landed in southern Israel since August 6 .
In response , Israel has closed its cargo crossing with Gaza and also reduced the territory 's permitted coastal fishing zone .
Hamas on Thursday condemned Israel 's attacks on Gaza and its sanctions as `` dangerous and aggressive behaviour '' , warning in a statement of `` consequences '' the Jewish state will bear .
Hamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 .
Despite a truce last year backed by the UN , Egypt and Qatar , the two sides clash sporadically with rockets , mortar fire or incendiary balloons .
The Gaza Strip has a population of two million , more than half of whom live in poverty , according to the World Bank .
Palestinian analysts say fire from Gaza often aims to pressure Israel to give the green light for the transfer of Qatari financial aid into the strip .
On Monday , Hamas fired several rockets into the sea as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a source close to the Islamist movement told AFP .
While Israel 's Iron Dome defence system was capable of intercepting projectiles fired from Gaza , balloons and kites rigged with explosives have proved a different challenge .
The Israeli army said it was testing a `` new laser anti-balloon system '' .

Israel attacked targets of Islamist group Hamas in Gaza and halted fuel supplies to the enclave Thursday in the latest retaliation against fire bombs suspended from balloons that have been released from the Palestinian territory.
Smoke and flames rise after war planes belonging to the Israeli army carried out airstrikes over the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on August 12, 2020.
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Israeli warplanes and tanks struck overnight in the fourth military attack over the past week, causing no reported casualties Thursday but leaving one unexploded missile inside a UN-run school's compound in Gaza's Shati refugee camp.
A Palestinian security official in Gaza said "an unexploded missile fired by an Israeli plane" had impacted inside the school area and that "explosives engineering teams are working to disarm it".
Adnan Abu Hasna, spokesman for UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinians, also told AFP the missile had come down in one of its schools, where children had just returned Sunday after a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We closed the school and are awaiting an investigation to the determine the facts and extent of damage," he said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP that the military was looking into the claim.
Israel's defence ministry said the fuel sanctions came "in light of the continued launching of incendiary balloons from the Strip toward the territory of the State of Israel and of the undermining of security stability".
Anti-balloon lasers
The latest round of hostilities has seen firebombs attached to bunches of balloons floating into Israel, setting agricultural fields and scrubland ablaze. Sometimes kites are used in the makeshift attacks.
Israeli fire services in the south of the country reported 60 fires caused by balloons on Tuesday, and 24 on Wednesday, without recording any casualties.
Police sappers have also been dismantling bombs attached to balloons that landed in southern Israel since August 6.
In response, Israel has closed its cargo crossing with Gaza and also reduced the territory's permitted coastal fishing zone.
Hamas on Thursday condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza and its sanctions as "dangerous and aggressive behaviour", warning in a statement of "consequences" the Jewish state will bear.
Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.
Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.
The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.
Palestinian analysts say fire from Gaza often aims to pressure Israel to give the green light for the transfer of Qatari financial aid into the strip.
On Monday, Hamas fired several rockets into the sea as a warning "message" to Israel, a source close to the Islamist movement told AFP.
While Israel's Iron Dome defence system was capable of intercepting projectiles fired from Gaza, balloons and kites rigged with explosives have proved a different challenge.
The Israeli army said it was testing a "new laser anti-balloon system".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-13--'Light in the darkness': Baby George born amid Beirut blast wreckage

Emmanuelle Lteif Khnaisser , who was in labour at the moment of the Beirut port blast , holds her baby George at the family home in Jal el-Dib , Lebanon , on August 12 , 2020 .
Stepping into the delivery room where his wife Emmanuelle was about to give birth , Edmond Khnaisser meant to capture their son 's first moments on camera .
Instead , he recorded the instant the biggest blast in Lebanon 's history sent whole windows crashing onto his 28 year-old wife 's hospital bed .
`` I saw death with my own eyes ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' I was looking around and at the ceiling , just waiting for it to fall on us , '' Emmanuelle said , recollecting the direct aftermath of the massive blast that injured 6000 and killed more than 170 people in Beirut on Aug. 4 .
Brushing off blood and shattered glass , medical staff instinctively carried Emmanuelle into the corridor , fearing another explosion could follow .
About to faint and shaken to the core , Emmanuelle said she knew she had to focus on giving birth .
`` He has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very strong , '' she told herself .
Right after the blast , Stephanie Yacoub , chief resident of obstetrics and gynecology at St. George Hospital University Medical Center , had run out the room to help an injured nurse .
But it was too late and the nurse died .
Yacoub hurried back to Emmanuelle straight away to help her give birth , along with Professor Elie Anastasiades and a team of medics .
`` There was no electricity and the sun was starting to set , so we knew we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible .
And with the use of people 's phone lights , he came into the world , '' she told Reuters a week after the blast .
Seventeen people died in St. George hospital right after the blast and dozens were injured , including Edmond Khnaisser ’ s mother , who suffered six broken ribs and a punctured lung .
Running back and forth between his wife and his mother , Khnaisser said he had one objective in mind , to get his new son George to safety .
As they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the blast ’ s perimeter , the extent of the destruction started to sink in .
They eventually made it to a hospital right outside of the capital where George was finally bathed and cleaned .
`` George is very special .
He is the light in the darkness , a birth in wreckage , '' Edmond said , showing pictures of his son on the Instagram page he created for the boy they now call `` miracle '' baby George .

Stepping into the delivery room where his wife Emmanuelle was about to give birth, Edmond Khnaisser meant to capture their son's first moments on camera.
Emmanuelle Lteif Khnaisser, who was in labour at the moment of the Beirut port blast, holds her baby George at the family home in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon, on August 12, 2020.
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Instead, he recorded the instant the biggest blast in Lebanon's history sent whole windows crashing onto his 28 year-old wife's hospital bed.
"I saw death with my own eyes...I started feeling 'is it over?' I was looking around and at the ceiling, just waiting for it to fall on us," Emmanuelle said, recollecting the direct aftermath of the massive blast that injured 6000 and killed more than 170 people in Beirut on Aug. 4.
Brushing off blood and shattered glass, medical staff instinctively carried Emmanuelle into the corridor, fearing another explosion could follow.
About to faint and shaken to the core, Emmanuelle said she knew she had to focus on giving birth.
"He has to come to life and I have to be very strong," she told herself.
Incredible story from #Beirut "My son George was Born under a catostraphic blast! It was crazy! I did not believe we came out alive. My wife is great and Baby George is amazing," the wonderful father Eddy Khnaisser says.
Welcome to the world George ❤ pic.twitter.com/iGViUFMqBo — Razan Ibraheem (@RazanIbraheem_) August 7, 2020
Right after the blast, Stephanie Yacoub, chief resident of obstetrics and gynecology at St. George Hospital University Medical Center, had run out the room to help an injured nurse.
But it was too late and the nurse died. Yacoub hurried back to Emmanuelle straight away to help her give birth, along with Professor Elie Anastasiades and a team of medics.
"There was no electricity and the sun was starting to set, so we knew we had to get this done as soon as possible. And with the use of people's phone lights, he came into the world," she told Reuters a week after the blast.
Seventeen people died in St. George hospital right after the blast and dozens were injured, including Edmond Khnaisser’s mother, who suffered six broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Running back and forth between his wife and his mother, Khnaisser said he had one objective in mind, to get his new son George to safety.
As they got into strangers’ cars and out of the blast’s perimeter, the extent of the destruction started to sink in.
They eventually made it to a hospital right outside of the capital where George was finally bathed and cleaned.
"George is very special. He is the light in the darkness, a birth in wreckage," Edmond said, showing pictures of his son on the Instagram page he created for the boy they now call "miracle" baby George.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-14--Covid-19: French government declares Paris, Marseille high-risk zones

Paris and Marseille have been declared high-risk areas for the coronavirus – known as `` red zones '' in France – noting that the virus is `` actively circulating '' in the two cities .
The French government on Friday declared Paris and Marseille and its surrounding area high-risk zones for the coronavirus , granting authorities there powers to impose localised curbs to contain the spread of the disease .
The declaration , made in a government decree , follows a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in France over the past two weeks .
On Thursday , France reported more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second day in a row , levels last seen in mid-April when the country was in the middle of one of Europe 's strictest lockdowns .
The government move gives local authorities in Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone area powers to limit the circulation of people and vehicles , restrict access to public transport and air travel , limit access to public buildings and close restaurants , bars and other establishments .
Paris and Marseille had in recent days already made the wearing of face masks mandatory in busy public areas .
Late on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France from Saturday because of the spike in infection rates .
The Netherlands and four other countries were also added to the UK quarantine list that already included Spain and Belgium .
Making Paris and Marseille red zones could have a major impact on tourism , as it could lead other countries to impose quarantines on their citizens returning from those areas .

France declared its capital Paris and the port city of Marseille high-risk zones for the coronavirus on Friday as the government reported more than 2,500 new infections for the third day in a row.
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The seven-day moving average of new infections, which smoothes out reporting irregularities, increased to 2,041, doubling over the last two weeks.
This went beyond the 2,000 threshold for the first time since April 20, when France was in the middle of one of Europe's strictest lockdowns.
In the wake of these figures, Paris authorities published an updated map where wearing a mask will be mandatory, with whole swaths of the city now covered by the measure, including the famed Champs Elysees, which had been left out of the initial map.
Despite the rise in cases, which prompted Britain to remove France from its list of safe travel destinations, the number of people hospitalised due to the disease continued to fall, having dipped below 5,000 for the first time since mid-March on Wednesday. The total official tally of cases now stands at 212,211.
Health ministry epidemiologist Daniel Levy-Bruhl described the situation as "worrying", stressing the number of new cases was up sharply in all age groups but especially 25- to 35-year olds.
Because that age group is less likely to need hospital care - around the world the coronavirus has overwhelmingly killed elderly people - France's hospital system is holding up.
The number of people in intensive care units for the disease has fallen to 367, a new low since mid-March and a level almost 20 times lower than a peak of 7,148 reached on April 8.
Speaking on BFM TV, Levy-Bruhl said authorities are not "presently worried by the hospital situation but we are worried of how this situation could evolve if measures are not taken to stop the increase of cases we're witnessing".
The daily death toll increased by 18 to 30,406 on Friday versus a rise of 17 over the last two days.
(REUTERS)
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