france24--2020-07-26--Olivia de Havilland, star of Hollywood's Golden Age, dies at 104

Olivia de Havilland , twice an Oscar winner for Best Actress , pictured in April 1970 in Paris .
`` Gone With the Wind '' star Olivia de Havilland , a winner of two Academy Awards and among the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood , died on Sunday at her home in Paris .
She was 104 .
De Havilland died of natural causes at her home in the French capital , where she had lived for more than 60 years , said her New York-based publicist Lisa Goldberg .
Her acting career included two Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio system and a long-running feud with sister Joan Fontaine that was worthy of a screenplay .
She first drew attention by playing opposite swashbuckling Errol Flynn in a series of films starting in the 1930s and made an enduring impression as the demure Southern belle Melanie in `` Gone With the Wind '' in 1939 .
Later she would have to fight to get more challenging roles — a battle that ended up in court but paid off with Oscars for `` To Each His Own '' in 1946 and `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a naturalised American who was born to English parents in Japan , had lived in Paris since 1953 .
She also acquired French nationality and was a recipient of France 's Legion of Honour , the country 's highest distinction .
She made few public appearances after retiring but returned to Hollywood in 2003 to take part in the 75th Academy Awards show .
De Havilland 's family moved to California when she and Joan were children .
She began her movie career after director Max Reinhardt saw her in a California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dream '' and cast her in his 1935 film version of the play .
Warner Bros. was impressed and , as was the custom at the time , signed the teenager to a seven-year contract .
Warners loaned her out to make `` Gone With the Wind '' in 1939 and de Havilland 's gentle but willful personality helped make the role of Melanie one of the movie 's most intriguing parts .
The role earned her the first of her five Oscar nominations .
`` I felt very drawn to Melanie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was a complex personality compared to the heroines I 'd been playing over and over . ''
`` Gone With the Wind , '' which also starred Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh , won eight Academy Awards , including best picture .
The prestige of the Oscar nomination and the popularity of `` Gone With the Wind '' did not get de Havilland the types of roles she wanted .
She often refused the parts Warner Bros. offered , which resulted in the studio suspending her several times .
In 1943 de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warners had expired but the studio said she still owed them the six months that she spent on suspension .
De Havilland won in court , weakening the major studios ' dominance over actors by limiting actors ' contracts to seven years , regardless of suspension time .
But challenging a powerful studio had been a risky career move and she did not make a movie for three years .
De Havilland made a triumphant return to the screen in 1946 with the Oscar-winning role of an unwed mother in `` To Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her portrayal of a spinster brought another Academy Award for `` The Heiress . ''
The Oscars provided fodder and a venue for de Havilland 's rivalry with Fontaine , who was one year younger .
Their relationship had been testy since childhood and the acrimony reached a new level in 1942 when the sisters were both Oscar-nominated — de Havilland for `` Hold Back the Dawn '' and Fontaine for Alfred Hitchcock 's `` Suspicion . ''
Fontaine was the winner .
Four years later when de Havilland won for `` To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a congratulatory hand at the ceremony but de Havilland did not acknowledge her — a moment captured by photographers .
De Havilland reportedly was upset about a catty remark by Fontaine about her husband , writer Marcus Goodrich .
The sisters stopped speaking altogether in 1975 after their mother died .
Fontaine said de Havilland had not invited her to the memorial service but de Havilland claimed Fontaine had said she was too busy to attend .
When Fontaine died at age 96 in December 2013 , de Havilland issued a statement saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' De Havilland made 50 movies in her career and nine were with Flynn , including `` Captain Blood , '' `` The Charge of the Light Brigade , '' `` The Adventures of Robin Hood '' and `` They Died With Their Boots On . ''
She told LA Weekly she had a crush on Flynn but never acted on it .
Other memorable roles included playing both a sweet and evil twin in `` The Dark Mirror '' in 1946 and a mental patient in `` The Snake Pit , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1948 .
Later she starred in two well-received suspense films , `` Lady in a Cage '' and `` Hush ... Hush , Sweet Charlotte '' with Bette Davis ( both 1964 ) .
De Havilland did not like the way she was portrayed in the 2017 film television miniseries `` Feud : Bette and Joan '' about Davis and Joan Crawford .
She sued the producers , claiming she was made to look like a gossip and hypocrite , and the case went to the US Supreme Court , which let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's suit .
De Havilland had a son , Benjamin , with Goodrich and a daughter , Giselle , with her second husband , journalist Pierre Galante .

"Gone With the Wind" star Olivia de Havilland, a winner of two Academy Awards and among the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, died on Sunday at her home in Paris. She was 104.
Olivia de Havilland, twice an Oscar winner for Best Actress, pictured in April 1970 in Paris.
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De Havilland died of natural causes at her home in the French capital, where she had lived for more than 60 years, said her New York-based publicist Lisa Goldberg.
Her acting career included two Academy Awards, a victory over Hollywood's studio system and a long-running feud with sister Joan Fontaine that was worthy of a screenplay.
She first drew attention by playing opposite swashbuckling Errol Flynn in a series of films starting in the 1930s and made an enduring impression as the demure Southern belle Melanie in "Gone With the Wind" in 1939.
Later she would have to fight to get more challenging roles — a battle that ended up in court but paid off with Oscars for "To Each His Own" in 1946 and "The Heiress" in 1949.
De Havilland, a naturalised American who was born to English parents in Japan, had lived in Paris since 1953. She also acquired French nationality and was a recipient of France's Legion of Honour, the country's highest distinction.
She made few public appearances after retiring but returned to Hollywood in 2003 to take part in the 75th Academy Awards show.
Taking on the studios
De Havilland's family moved to California when she and Joan were children. She began her movie career after director Max Reinhardt saw her in a California production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and cast her in his 1935 film version of the play. Warner Bros. was impressed and, as was the custom at the time, signed the teenager to a seven-year contract.
Warners loaned her out to make "Gone With the Wind" in 1939 and de Havilland's gentle but willful personality helped make the role of Melanie one of the movie's most intriguing parts. The role earned her the first of her five Oscar nominations.
"I felt very drawn to Melanie," de Havilland later said. "She was a complex personality compared to the heroines I'd been playing over and over."
"Gone With the Wind," which also starred Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, won eight Academy Awards, including best picture.
Olivia de Havilland (second from right) poses with former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and actress Jacqueline Bisset (right) after receiving the Legion of Honour in Sepetember 2010. © Philippe Wojazer, REUTERS
The prestige of the Oscar nomination and the popularity of "Gone With the Wind" did not get de Havilland the types of roles she wanted. She often refused the parts Warner Bros. offered, which resulted in the studio suspending her several times.
In 1943 de Havilland declared that her seven-year deal with Warners had expired but the studio said she still owed them the six months that she spent on suspension.
De Havilland won in court, weakening the major studios' dominance over actors by limiting actors' contracts to seven years, regardless of suspension time. But challenging a powerful studio had been a risky career move and she did not make a movie for three years.
De Havilland made a triumphant return to the screen in 1946 with the Oscar-winning role of an unwed mother in "To Each His Own." Three years later her portrayal of a spinster brought another Academy Award for "The Heiress."
Sibling rivalry
The Oscars provided fodder and a venue for de Havilland's rivalry with Fontaine, who was one year younger. Their relationship had been testy since childhood and the acrimony reached a new level in 1942 when the sisters were both Oscar-nominated — de Havilland for "Hold Back the Dawn" and Fontaine for Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion." Fontaine was the winner.
Four years later when de Havilland won for "To Each His Own," Fontaine extended a congratulatory hand at the ceremony but de Havilland did not acknowledge her — a moment captured by photographers. De Havilland reportedly was upset about a catty remark by Fontaine about her husband, writer Marcus Goodrich.
The sisters stopped speaking altogether in 1975 after their mother died. Fontaine said de Havilland had not invited her to the memorial service but de Havilland claimed Fontaine had said she was too busy to attend.
When Fontaine died at age 96 in December 2013, de Havilland issued a statement saying she was "shocked and saddened."
De Havilland made 50 movies in her career and nine were with Flynn, including "Captain Blood," "The Charge of the Light Brigade," "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "They Died With Their Boots On." She told LA Weekly she had a crush on Flynn but never acted on it.
Other memorable roles included playing both a sweet and evil twin in "The Dark Mirror" in 1946 and a mental patient in "The Snake Pit," which earned her an Oscar nomination, in 1948. Later she starred in two well-received suspense films, "Lady in a Cage" and "Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" with Bette Davis (both 1964).
De Havilland did not like the way she was portrayed in the 2017 film television miniseries "Feud: Bette and Joan" about Davis and Joan Crawford. She sued the producers, claiming she was made to look like a gossip and hypocrite, and the case went to the US Supreme Court, which let stand a ruling that dismissed De Havilland's suit.
De Havilland had a son, Benjamin, with Goodrich and a daughter, Giselle, with her second husband, journalist Pierre Galante.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-26--France's Macron appoints new junior minister for European affairs

French President Emmanuel Macron named Clément Beaune as his government 's new junior minister for European affairs , replacing Amélie de Montchalin , the Elysée Palace said on Sunday .
Beaune , 37 , was among eleven junior ministers — six of them new entries — appointed by the president , who has now completed his reshuffled 42-member government , led by Prime Minister Jean Castex .
As Macron 's Europe advisor , Beaune has been an influential voice in shaping the president 's European policy , from Brexit negotiations to euro zone reform .
A graduate of France 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never held public office but knows the inner workings of government well after a stint as budget advisor to former Socialist prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault , before joining Macron 's staff at the economy ministry .
The five other new entries have been plucked from the National Assembly , France 's lower house of parliament .
Lawmakers Bérangère Abba , Olivia Grégoire and Joël Giraud , all three of them from the ruling LREM party , will hold the portfolios for biodiversity , the social economy and rural affairs , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modem party , supplies the two other entries : Sarah El Haïry , appointed junior minister for youth , and Nathalie Elimas , who will be in charge of special education .

French President Emmanuel Macron named Clément Beaune as his government's new junior minister for European affairs, replacing Amélie de Montchalin, the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.
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Beaune, 37, was among eleven junior ministers — six of them new entries — appointed by the president, who has now completed his reshuffled 42-member government, led by Prime Minister Jean Castex.
As Macron's Europe advisor, Beaune has been an influential voice in shaping the president's European policy, from Brexit negotiations to euro zone reform.
A graduate of France's elite ENA school of administration, he has never held public office but knows the inner workings of government well after a stint as budget advisor to former Socialist prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, before joining Macron's staff at the economy ministry.
The five other new entries have been plucked from the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament.
Lawmakers Bérangère Abba, Olivia Grégoire and Joël Giraud, all three of them from the ruling LREM party, will hold the portfolios for biodiversity, the social economy and rural affairs, respectively.
Macron's main centrist ally, the Modem party, supplies the two other entries: Sarah El Haïry, appointed junior minister for youth, and Nathalie Elimas, who will be in charge of special education.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--China says Hong Kong to halt extradition treaties with UK, Canada, Australia

A man reads a newspaper on the edge of a promenade overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong China ’ s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Hong Kong ’ s government would suspend agreements on mutual assistance for criminal matters , including extradition , with Britain , Canada and Australia .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily briefing that the decisions taken by the UK , Canada and Australia earlier this month to suspend extradition agreements with Hong Kong over a new security law for the city constituted a gross interference in China ’ s internal affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after New Zealand announced earlier on Tuesday that it had suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and made a number of other changes following China ’ s decision to pass the national security law for the territory .
“ New Zealand can no longer trust that Hong Kong ’ s criminal justice system is sufficiently independent from China , ” New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Tuesday .
“ If China in future shows adherence to the ‘ one country , two systems ’ framework then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed new legislation on the former British colony earlier this month despite the protests of Hong Kong residents and Western nations , setting the financial hub on a more authoritarian track .
Peters said New Zealand will treat military and dual-use goods and technology exports to Hong Kong in the same way as it treats such exports to China as part of a review of its overall relationship with Hong Kong .
Travel advice has been updated to alert New Zealanders to the risks presented by the new security law , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese embassy in New Zealand called the decision a violation of international law and gross interference in China ’ s internal affairs .
“ The Chinese side has lodged its grave concern and strong opposition , ” an embassy representative said in the statement .
China is New Zealand ’ s largest trading partner , with annual two-way trade recently exceeding NZ $ 32 billion ( $ 21 billion ) .
New Zealand ’ s ties with China have frayed recently after the pacific nation backed Taiwan ’ s participation at the World @ @ @ @ @ @

China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Hong Kong’s government would suspend agreements on mutual assistance for criminal matters, including extradition, with Britain, Canada and Australia.
A man reads a newspaper on the edge of a promenade overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily briefing that the decisions taken by the UK, Canada and Australia earlier this month to suspend extradition agreements with Hong Kong over a new security law for the city constituted a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.
China’s latest move came after New Zealand announced earlier on Tuesday that it had suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and made a number of other changes following China’s decision to pass the national security law for the territory.
“New Zealand can no longer trust that Hong Kong’s criminal justice system is sufficiently independent from China,” New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Tuesday.
“If China in future shows adherence to the ‘one country, two systems’ framework then we could reconsider this decision.”
Beijing imposed new legislation on the former British colony earlier this month despite the protests of Hong Kong residents and Western nations, setting the financial hub on a more authoritarian track.
Peters said New Zealand will treat military and dual-use goods and technology exports to Hong Kong in the same way as it treats such exports to China as part of a review of its overall relationship with Hong Kong.
Travel advice has been updated to alert New Zealanders to the risks presented by the new security law, he added.
In a website statement, the Chinese embassy in New Zealand called the decision a violation of international law and gross interference in China’s internal affairs.
“The Chinese side has lodged its grave concern and strong opposition,” an embassy representative said in the statement.
China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade recently exceeding NZ$32 billion ($21 billion).
New Zealand’s ties with China have frayed recently after the pacific nation backed Taiwan’s participation at the World Health Organization (WHO).
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--Mali's opposition rejects ECOWAS leaders' plan to end deadlock

Mali ’ s opposition coalition on Tuesday formally rejected a plan proposed by West African leaders for ending a political crisis , raising the prospect of more mass anti-government demonstrations in the coming weeks .
Tens of thousands of people answered opposition calls for protests in early June over contested local elections , perceived government corruption and incompetence .
Police killings of protesters further inflamed anger against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , who the opposition insists should resign .
Heads of state of members of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) proposed on Monday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should step down and that by-elections be held .
It also called for a government of national unity and an inquiry into the deaths .
President Keita responded with a cabinet reshuffle late on Monday , naming six ministers to core positions , including Tiebile Drame as foreign minister and General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele as defence minister .
They are tasked with negotiating with the opposition to form the government of national unity .
But the plan was unlikely to be accepted by the M5-RFP opposition coalition , which has spearheaded anti-Keita protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the proposals from the bloc .
“ The M5-RFP states with regret that the conclusions of the Heads of State Summit do not take into account the depth and gravity of the sociopolitical crisis that has Mali ’ s future hanging in the balance , ” it said in a statement .
It said the proposals did not “ correspond to the expectations and aspirations of the people of Mali and violate the laws and constitution of Mali.
” The coalition has said it would restart the protests on August 3 if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest has raised concerns that it could derail the fight against Islamist extremists in the region .

Mali’s opposition coalition on Tuesday formally rejected a plan proposed by West African leaders for ending a political crisis, raising the prospect of more mass anti-government demonstrations in the coming weeks.
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Tens of thousands of people answered opposition calls for protests in early June over contested local elections, perceived government corruption and incompetence. Police killings of protesters further inflamed anger against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who the opposition insists should resign.
Heads of state of members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) proposed on Monday that the members of parliament whose elections were contested should step down and that by-elections be held. It also called for a government of national unity and an inquiry into the deaths.
President Keita responded with a cabinet reshuffle late on Monday, naming six ministers to core positions, including Tiebile Drame as foreign minister and General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele as defence minister. They are tasked with negotiating with the opposition to form the government of national unity.
But the plan was unlikely to be accepted by the M5-RFP opposition coalition, which has spearheaded anti-Keita protests and already flatly rejected an earlier version of the proposals from the bloc.
“The M5-RFP states with regret that the conclusions of the Heads of State Summit do not take into account the depth and gravity of the sociopolitical crisis that has Mali’s future hanging in the balance,” it said in a statement.
It said the proposals did not “correspond to the expectations and aspirations of the people of Mali and violate the laws and constitution of Mali.”
The coalition has said it would restart the protests on August 3 if their demands are not met.
The unrest has raised concerns that it could derail the fight against Islamist extremists in the region.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--Six US mayors ask Congress to stop Trump federal deployment

Demonstrators sit on the street during a protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland , Oregon , U.S. , July 27 , 2020 .
Six U.S. mayors , all Democrats , urged Congress on Monday to halt President Donald Trump 's deployment of federal forces to their cities , saying the move has escalated tensions at anti-racism protests spreading across the country .
The request came on the same day the U.S. attorney for Oregon announced the arrest of 22 people on charges stemming from clashes with federal and local police at the federal courthouse in Portland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have drawn national attention for whisking away demonstrators in unmarked cars , beating a U.S. Navy veteran and tear-gassing activist mothers and the city 's mayor .
`` We call on Congress to pass legislation to make clear that these actions are unlawful and repugnant , '' the Democratic mayors of Portland , Chicago , Seattle , Albuquerque , New Mexico ; Kansas City , Missouri ; and Washington , D.C. , wrote in a letter to the leaders of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives .
The appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests over the weekend , with an escalation in violence and the appearance of white supremacists and an armed Black militia .
One person was shot dead at an Austin , Texas , protest on Saturday and two others were struck by gunfire at demonstration in Aurora , Colorado on Sunday .
In Seattle , police declared a riot and arrested 45 people during a protest over the deployment of federal agents to Portland and a standby force to Seattle .
Protesters in Los Angeles clashed with officers in front of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown Richmond was instigated by white supremacists posing as Black Lives Matter protesters , police said .
A Black militia group marched through Louisville , Kentucky , on Saturday demanding justice for Breonna Taylor , a Black woman killed by police who burst into her apartment .
After violence in Oakland , California , during a protest on Sunday , Mayor Libby Schaaf condemned `` agitators '' for vandalising the downtown and giving Trump the `` images he wants '' to justify sending federal agents into U.S. cities .
Trump has said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cities such as Portland , saying local officials have been unable or unwilling to intervene .
The 22 people whose arrests were announced on Monday were charged with various federal offenses stemming from protests on July 23 , 24 , 25 and 26 , including assaulting federal officers and harassing and stalking federal employees .
The U.S .
Marshals Service on Monday tweeted it was lining up personnel to send to Oregon .

Six U.S. mayors, all Democrats, urged Congress on Monday to halt President Donald Trump's deployment of federal forces to their cities, saying the move has escalated tensions at anti-racism protests spreading across the country.
Demonstrators sit on the street during a protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland, Oregon, U.S., July 27, 2020.
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The request came on the same day the U.S. attorney for Oregon announced the arrest of 22 people on charges stemming from clashes with federal and local police at the federal courthouse in Portland.
Federal agents dispatched to Portland, Oregon, have drawn national attention for whisking away demonstrators in unmarked cars, beating a U.S. Navy veteran and tear-gassing activist mothers and the city's mayor.
"We call on Congress to pass legislation to make clear that these actions are unlawful and repugnant," the Democratic mayors of Portland, Chicago, Seattle, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Kansas City, Missouri; and Washington, D.C., wrote in a letter to the leaders of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The appeal followed a surge in Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend, with an escalation in violence and the appearance of white supremacists and an armed Black militia.
One person was shot dead at an Austin, Texas, protest on Saturday and two others were struck by gunfire at demonstration in Aurora, Colorado on Sunday.
In Seattle, police declared a riot and arrested 45 people during a protest over the deployment of federal agents to Portland and a standby force to Seattle. Protesters in Los Angeles clashed with officers in front of the city's federal courthouse.
Weekend violence in downtown Richmond was instigated by white supremacists posing as Black Lives Matter protesters, police said. A Black militia group marched through Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed by police who burst into her apartment.
After violence in Oakland, California, during a protest on Sunday, Mayor Libby Schaaf condemned "agitators" for vandalising the downtown and giving Trump the "images he wants" to justify sending federal agents into U.S. cities.
Trump has said that federal forces are necessary to restore order to cities such as Portland, saying local officials have been unable or unwilling to intervene.
The 22 people whose arrests were announced on Monday were charged with various federal offenses stemming from protests on July 23, 24, 25 and 26, including assaulting federal officers and harassing and stalking federal employees.
The U.S. Marshals Service on Monday tweeted it was lining up personnel to send to Oregon.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--Malaysian ex-PM Najib convicted on all charges in first 1MDB corruption case

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Tuesday on all seven corruption charges in his first trial linked to a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad ( 1MDB ) .
The landmark case has been widely seen as a test for the country ’ s efforts to stamp out corruption and could have big political implications for the Southeast Asian nation .
“ After considering all evidence in this trial , I find that the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt , ” Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Mohamad Nazlan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges of criminal breach of trust , money laundering and abuse of power for allegedly illegally receiving nearly $ 10 million from former 1MDB unit SRC International .
He had pleaded not guilty .
Each of the charges carry hefty fines and jail terms of up to 15 or 20 years .
Najib ’ s lawyers are seeking a delay in sentencing .
Najib has said he would appeal any decision at the federal court .
The former prime minister , who was voted out in a historic 2018 election , still faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB .
Prosecutors allege more than $ 1 billion of the funds made its way into his personal accounts .
The former premier arrived in court to shouts of “ long live Najib ” by hundreds of supporters who had gathered outside .
Wearing a mask and flanked by top leaders of his party , Najib offered prayers just outside the courtroom .
Najib ’ s lawyers say he was misled by Malaysian financier Jho Low and other 1MDB officials into believing that the funds banked into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , rather than misappropriated from SRC as prosecutors have alleged .
Low denies wrongdoing .
Allegations of corruption over 1MDB have hung over Najib for more than five years .
But the criminal charges came only after his defeat in the 2018 election when his successor Mahathir Mohamad reopened investigations .
The closely-watched case is seen as a test of Malaysia ’ s efforts to root out corruption , after Najib ’ s party was returned to power in February as part of an alliance led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ implications .
The guilty verdict could boost Muhyiddin ’ s credibility with the public , but weaken his coalition , which counts Najib ’ s United Malays National Organisation ( UMNO ) as its biggest component - and potentially trigger snap polls .
The court ’ s decision comes just days after Malaysia reached a $ 3.9 billion deal with Goldman Sachs over its role in helping 1MDB raise money .

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in jail on corruption charges linked to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal that led to the downfall of his government two years ago.
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The ex-prime minister was also fined almost $50 million after being convicted on all seven charges in the first of several trials related to the looting of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereign wealth fund.
The 67-year-old Malaysian politician said he would challenge the guilty verdict “as soon as possible” and that he had a “solid case” for his appeal.
The court granted Najib a delay in carrying out the jail sentence and the fine.
The landmark case has been widely seen as a test for the country’s efforts to stamp out corruption and could have big political implications for the Southeast Asian nation.
“After considering all evidence in this trial, I find that the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali said.
02:19
A boost for Malaysia's rule of law
Billions of dollars were stolen from Malaysia's main state investment vehicle and spent on everything from high-end real estate to pricey art.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs also became embroiled in the scandal and faces a series of hefty fines in both the US and Malaysia as a result.
Anger at the looting played a large part in the shock loss of Najib's long-ruling coalition at elections in 2018, and he was arrested and hit with dozens of charges following his defeat.
The verdict was welcomed as a boost for Malaysia's rule of law and came despite Najib's political allies returning to power earlier this year as part of a coalition.
The blue-blood politician, whose father and uncle were both former Malaysian prime ministers, had vehemently denied any wrongdoing and looked calm as the verdict was handed down.
Malaysian ex-PM Najib speaking to other party leaders outside court just before he hears a verdict in the first trial he faces over 1MDB. pic.twitter.com/mEBv0m4S8i — Rozanna Latiff (@rozlatiff) July 28, 2020
'Kleptocracy'
After finding him guilty on a range of charges including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering, the judge sentenced Najib to between 10 and 12 years on each.
The sentences will run concurrently, however, meaning he will remain behind bars for 12 years.
Addressing the court before sentence was passed, Najib read a Koranic verse and defended his record during nine years as Malaysian premier.
But prosecutor V. Sithambaram called for a heavy punishment, saying Najib was guilty of a "gross betrayal of trust".
"This case has tarnished the country as a kleptocracy, and the people of Malaysia don't deserve that," he said.
Outside the court, hundreds of angry supporters chanted "Long live Najib".
The former leader had insisted he was ignorant of the transactions from the 1MDB unit, SRC International.
The defence team portrayed him as a victim, and instead sought to paint financier Low Taek Jho – a key figure in the scandal who has been charged in the US and Malaysia – as the mastermind.
Low, whose whereabouts are unknown, maintains his innocence.
Najib's lawyers said he was tricked by Low into believing the money was a donation from Saudi royalty, but the judge dismissed the notion as "far-fetched".
Political turbulence
The return of Najib's party to power after the collapse of a reformist administration that replaced him, was quickly followed by prosecutors dropping charges against his stepson Riza Aziz, and raised concerns the ex-leader's own cases would be influenced.
Riza allegedly also received huge sums from 1MDB, including to bankroll his Hollywood production company – which made "The Wolf of Wall Street", starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Analysts said the conviction would boost confidence in the new government headed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, whose legitimacy has been questioned since took power without an election.
He will be seen as "putting country over politics, and gain support from those who wanted to see justice in case", Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia expert from the University of Nottingham, told AFP.
The opposition alliance "Pact of Hope" led by political heavyweight Anwar Ibrahim – who ousted Najib at the 2018 polls and re-opened probes into 1MDB – declared the verdict "a huge victory for Malaysians".
"The judicial process would not have happened if the people had not risen up to hand the 'Pact of Hope' victory" at the polls, the alliance said in statement.
The political ramifications could be significant, however.
The conviction could destabilise the ruling coalition, which has a razor-thin majority in parliament, if Najib and his backers withdraw support – potentially prompting a snap election.
The amounts involved in Najib's first case are small compared to those in his second and most significant trial, which centres on allegations he illicitly obtained more than $500 million.
Malaysia had also charged Goldman Sachs, claiming large amounts were stolen when the bank arranged bond issues for 1MDB, but the two sides agreed to a $3.9 billion settlement last week.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--Bubble hockey begins as NHL adjusts to playoff quarantine in Canadian hub cities

The Chicago Blackhawks arrive in Edmonton , Alberta , on Sunday July 26 , 2020 .
The NHL will officially resume play on Saturday , Aug. 1 , after being on pause since March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
When the Boston Bruins boarded their flight bound for Toronto , they thought of it as just another long road trip .
Sure , they were spaced out and masked up on the plane , but they were en route to compete for the Stanley Cup that they fell one win short of earning last season .
Patrice Bergeron said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what ’ s coming next.
” It unfolded a little differently for Edmonton goaltender Mike Smith when he checked into a downtown hotel Sunday minutes from his house for a stay he hopes will last more than two months .
NHL players from the 24 playoff teams woke up to their new reality Monday in the hub cities of Toronto and Edmonton , Alberta .
Quarantined bubble life began with the league reporting zero positive coronavirus test results last week , and this existence away from the public is scheduled to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall .
“ We asked our group right from the start just to keep open minds because everything ’ s going to change , everything ’ s fluctuating constantly , daily , minutely , ” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said .
“ It ’ s different .
You ’ ve got a walkway with fences .
People can ’ t see in .
You can ’ t see out .
But if you embrace it and are willing just to go with things , it ’ s pretty cool.
” While Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and grappled with the Miami Marlins ’ COVID-19 outbreak , the NHL reported none of the 800-plus players tested in the final week of training camps came back positive for the virus .
That information and the low amount of confirmed cases in the Canadian provinces where games will take place added a layer of confidence to the first day of practices .
Like the NBA and Major League Soccer in Florida , the NHL set up a quarantined environment for players , coaches and staff that allowed those in the bubble to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the less stringent way MLB and the NFL are trying to get through theirs .
“ We are in a bubble .
Major League Baseball is not , ” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said .
“ Obviously once you get to the bubble , it appears to be a very safe environment.
” Feeling safe allowed teams to get down to business in preparing for exhibition games this week and the start of the playoffs this weekend .
They started getting the lay of the land at hotels and practice rinks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty arenas they ’ ll be playing in when hockey restarts after the pause that began March 12 .
“ I was a little skeptical of the whole process before this all started : How was it going to work ?
How can they prepare this ?
” Montreal forward and player representative Paul Byron said .
“ It didn ’ t seem like they had much time , much notice .
...
I ’ m actually pleasantly surprised coming to the hotel .
It seems like they ’ ve got a pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes free Tim Hortons coffee , a selection of restaurants and private transportation from the hotel to the rink .
Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice went so far as to call it all “ pretty darn normal ” while preparing for meaningful elimination in an abnormal spot on the calendar .
Midsummer hockey will feel plenty natural when the puck drops .
“ The one place that it actually feels normal is when you lace your skates up , ” longtime player turned Carolina coach Rod Brind ’ Amour said .
“ The one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the outside kind of things that everybody ’ s dealing with , including the players , is when they ’ re playing.
” There are still questions about who will be playing .
Columbus coach John Tortorella won ’ t name his starting goaltender for Game 1 against Toronto until the day before .
Brind ’ Amour said Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton was still “ unfit ” to practice , and his status is in doubt .
But Day One of hub city practices also brought some good news .
Colorado ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makar , Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos and Boston ’ s Rocket Richard Trophy winner David Pastrnak practiced and are on track to play .
It ’ s just the start , and it ’ ll take almost a week of daily testing to be sure the NHL can pull this off .
But getting into the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles represented an important stride toward playing during a pandemic .
“ Obviously happy that we can get this thing going , ” Bergeron said .
“ So far , so good .
@

When the Boston Bruins boarded their flight bound for Toronto, they thought of it as just another long road trip.
The Chicago Blackhawks arrive in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday July 26, 2020. The NHL will officially resume play on Saturday, Aug. 1, after being on pause since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Sure, they were spaced out and masked up on the plane, but they were en route to compete for the Stanley Cup that they fell one win short of earning last season. Patrice Bergeron said he was “excited and looking forward to what’s coming next.”
It unfolded a little differently for Edmonton goaltender Mike Smith when he checked into a downtown hotel Sunday minutes from his house for a stay he hopes will last more than two months.
“Reality definitely set in,” Smith said.
NHL players from the 24 playoff teams woke up to their new reality Monday in the hub cities of Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta. Quarantined bubble life began with the league reporting zero positive coronavirus test results last week, and this existence away from the public is scheduled to last until the Stanley Cup is awarded in the fall.
“We asked our group right from the start just to keep open minds because everything’s going to change, everything’s fluctuating constantly, daily, minutely,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said.
“It’s different. You’ve got a walkway with fences. People can’t see in. You can’t see out. But if you embrace it and are willing just to go with things, it’s pretty cool.”
While Major League Baseball postponed at least two games and grappled with the Miami Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak, the NHL reported none of the 800-plus players tested in the final week of training camps came back positive for the virus. That information and the low amount of confirmed cases in the Canadian provinces where games will take place added a layer of confidence to the first day of practices.
Hoping for the longest road trip ever.
See you soon, Toronto. pic.twitter.com/7K4ZbCV5pj — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 26, 2020
Like the NBA and Major League Soccer in Florida, the NHL set up a quarantined environment for players, coaches and staff that allowed those in the bubble to contrast that method of finishing the season to the less stringent way MLB and the NFL are trying to get through theirs.
“We are in a bubble. Major League Baseball is not,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Obviously once you get to the bubble, it appears to be a very safe environment.”
Feeling safe allowed teams to get down to business in preparing for exhibition games this week and the start of the playoffs this weekend. They started getting the lay of the land at hotels and practice rinks, and some got to see inside the empty arenas they’ll be playing in when hockey restarts after the pause that began March 12.
Flyers vs. Penguins
Leafs vs. Canadiens
Flames vs. Oilers
It's officially game day in the NHL! 🚨 🏒 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TDkbgBS1fD — theScore (@theScore) July 28, 2020
The initial reviews are positive.
“I was a little skeptical of the whole process before this all started: How was it going to work? How can they prepare this?” Montreal forward and player representative Paul Byron said. “It didn’t seem like they had much time, much notice. ... I’m actually pleasantly surprised coming to the hotel. It seems like they’ve got a pretty good setup for us.”
The setup includes free Tim Hortons coffee, a selection of restaurants and private transportation from the hotel to the rink. Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice went so far as to call it all “pretty darn normal” while preparing for meaningful elimination in an abnormal spot on the calendar.
A day off in the bubble 🏓#BlackhawksBubble pic.twitter.com/nHE2rKKErT — Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 27, 2020
Midsummer hockey will feel plenty natural when the puck drops.
“The one place that it actually feels normal is when you lace your skates up,” longtime player turned Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “The one place that it feels like you forget all the outside kind of things that everybody’s dealing with, including the players, is when they’re playing.”
There are still questions about who will be playing. Columbus coach John Tortorella won’t name his starting goaltender for Game 1 against Toronto until the day before. Brind’Amour said Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton was still “unfit” to practice, and his status is in doubt.
A look at the Secure Zone in Edmonton, which will also include an additional hotel not shown on this rendering (The Matrix).
Watch the full information session on the NHL's plans: https://t.co/x3j55fGKMN #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/N67QAFh4Z6 — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 24, 2020
But Day One of hub city practices also brought some good news. Colorado’s rookie of the year finalist Cale Makar, Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos and Boston’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner David Pastrnak practiced and are on track to play.
It’s just the start, and it’ll take almost a week of daily testing to be sure the NHL can pull this off. But getting into the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles represented an important stride toward playing during a pandemic.
“Obviously happy that we can get this thing going,” Bergeron said. “So far, so good.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-28--UK, Germany warn against travel to Spain as Covid-19 re-emerges

People attend a mass for victims of Covid-19 at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on July 26 , 2020 .
Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí , the Catholic basilica is normally a tourist hotspot .
Britain has advised against all but essential travel to Spain while Germany warned its citizens Tuesday to avoid the country 's worst-affected regions as Spain registers a new rise in coronavirus cases that further threatens to undermine its tourism-heavy economy .
Britain ’ s effective ban on travel to Spain following an upswing in coronavirus cases in that country ’ s northeast on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , continent-wide approach to suppressing the virus and giving hard-hit , tourism-reliant economies a chance to rebound .
The U.K. government ’ s recommendation against all but essential travel to the whole of Spain means that all travelers arriving in Britain from that country will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine .
The move not only dashed British holidaymakers ’ hopes for a getaway this summer , but also fanned renewed uncertainty within Europe ’ s tourism industry over how to plan ahead amid authorities ’ responses to new COVID-19 outbreaks .
Indicative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TUI UK and Jet2 to suspend flights to Spain , which is traditionally the most popular summer destination for British vacationers .
“ The U.K. government must work closely with the travel industry as this level of uncertainty and confusion is damaging for business and disappointing for those looking forward to a well-deserved break , ” TUI UK said in a statement .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday defended the decision , saying it was his government 's duty to protect the U.K. from a fresh coronavirus spike .
“ Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s happening in Europe , amongst some of our European friends .
I ’ m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic , ” Johnson said .
“ I ’ m afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries , it is really our job , our duty , to act swiftly and decisively.
” Johnson added that there could be further changes to travel advice down the line affecting all of Europe .
The U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe with more than 45,000 deaths .
One of the reasons cited for that is that many travelers brought the virus back during the February school break after skiing trips in France , Italy and Spain .
Professor Keith Neal , an epidemiologist at the University of Nottingham said it makes sense to advise against travel to Spain amid the summer holiday season .
“ Some people have criticized the lack of notice but with cases rising any delay would only increase cases in the U.K , ” Neal said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new recommendation “ a mistake , ” saying that the upsurge in new COVID-19 cases is only focused in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon and is much less severe than the number of cases reported in the U.K. itself .
Sanchez spoke as figures were released showing that his country wiped out more than a million jobs in the second quarter of this year .
Spain ’ s official statistics agency INE said on Tuesday that most of the 1.07 million lost jobs were in the service sector , with the worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Ayala tried to strike a conciliatory tone , saying that Madrid is trying to get the British government to concentrate on the scientific data since the outbreaks are contained in specific areas within Spain , while coronavirus infection rates on the country ’ s vacation islands are much lower than the U.K. Spain is still in talks with the British government , “ trying to find a solution which meets epidemiological criteria , ” Ayala told a press conference in Athens during an official visit to Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government on Tuesday made the use of face masks mandatory in all public areas and limited the number of people that can gather in one place as part of a drive to curb new coronavirus outbreaks .
Regional government head Isabel Díaz Ayuso said that no more than 10 people can be present at private gatherings , while nightlife venues must close their doors at 1 a.m. - early by Spanish standards .
Díaz Ayuso said an information campaign will focus on young people , who are largely blamed for spreading the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people “ have it in their hands to reverse the trend.
” Britain ’ s travel advice comes on the heels of similar decisions by other European governments , including Norway , which ordered a 10-day quarantine for people returning from the entire Iberian peninsula , and France , which urged its citizens not to visit Catalonia .
German authorities didn ’ t follow the U.K. ’ s route on Spain but did advise against travel to Catalonia and two other Spanish regions in light of rising coronavirus infections .
A note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advises against “ nonessential tourist travel ” to Catalonia , its western neighbor , Aragón , and Navarra in northern Spain .
It cites a rise in infection figures and “ local closures.
” Meanwhile , Germany ’ s national disease control center appealed to its own citizens to keep to distancing , hygiene and mask-wearing rules and halt an upturn in new coronavirus infections .
Lothar Wieler , the head of the Robert Koch Institute , said developments over the past two weeks are “ really very worrying.
” Wieler pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about COVID-19 and less accepting of virus control rules .
Asked whether Germany is seeing the beginning of a second coronavirus wave , Wieler replied : “ We don ’ t know if this is the beginning of a second wave , but of course it could be .
It would begin with rising figures … if we all keep to these rules , I am still optimistic that we can prevent this .
”

Britain has advised against all but essential travel to Spain while Germany warned its citizens Tuesday to avoid the country's worst-affected regions as Spain registers a new rise in coronavirus cases that further threatens to undermine its tourism-heavy economy.
People attend a mass for victims of Covid-19 at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on July 26, 2020. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Catholic basilica is normally a tourist hotspot.
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Britain’s effective ban on travel to Spain following an upswing in coronavirus cases in that country’s northeast on Tuesday hammered home the lack of a comprehensive, continent-wide approach to suppressing the virus and giving hard-hit, tourism-reliant economies a chance to rebound.
The U.K. government’s recommendation against all but essential travel to the whole of Spain means that all travelers arriving in Britain from that country will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
The move not only dashed British holidaymakers’ hopes for a getaway this summer, but also fanned renewed uncertainty within Europe’s tourism industry over how to plan ahead amid authorities’ responses to new COVID-19 outbreaks.
Indicative of this were decisions by holiday companies TUI UK and Jet2 to suspend flights to Spain, which is traditionally the most popular summer destination for British vacationers.
“The U.K. government must work closely with the travel industry as this level of uncertainty and confusion is damaging for business and disappointing for those looking forward to a well-deserved break,” TUI UK said in a statement.
01:46
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday defended the decision, saying it was his government's duty to protect the U.K. from a fresh coronavirus spike.
“Let’s be absolutely clear about what’s happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends. I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic,” Johnson said.
“I’m afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries, it is really our job, our duty, to act swiftly and decisively.”
Johnson added that there could be further changes to travel advice down the line affecting all of Europe.
The U.K. has the highest official coronavirus death toll in Europe with more than 45,000 deaths. One of the reasons cited for that is that many travelers brought the virus back during the February school break after skiing trips in France, Italy and Spain.
Professor Keith Neal, an epidemiologist at the University of Nottingham said it makes sense to advise against travel to Spain amid the summer holiday season.
“Some people have criticized the lack of notice but with cases rising any delay would only increase cases in the U.K,” Neal said.
But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the new recommendation “a mistake,” saying that the upsurge in new COVID-19 cases is only focused in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon and is much less severe than the number of cases reported in the U.K. itself.
Sanchez spoke as figures were released showing that his country wiped out more than a million jobs in the second quarter of this year.
Spain’s official statistics agency INE said on Tuesday that most of the 1.07 million lost jobs were in the service sector, with the worst-hit areas being Catalonia, Andalusia and Madrid.
02:59
Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Ayala tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying that Madrid is trying to get the British government to concentrate on the scientific data since the outbreaks are contained in specific areas within Spain, while coronavirus infection rates on the country’s vacation islands are much lower than the U.K.
Spain is still in talks with the British government, “trying to find a solution which meets epidemiological criteria,” Ayala told a press conference in Athens during an official visit to Greece Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Madrid's regional government on Tuesday made the use of face masks mandatory in all public areas and limited the number of people that can gather in one place as part of a drive to curb new coronavirus outbreaks.
Regional government head Isabel Díaz Ayuso said that no more than 10 people can be present at private gatherings, while nightlife venues must close their doors at 1 a.m. - early by Spanish standards.
Díaz Ayuso said an information campaign will focus on young people, who are largely blamed for spreading the coronavirus through their social life. She said young people “have it in their hands to reverse the trend.”
Britain’s travel advice comes on the heels of similar decisions by other European governments, including Norway, which ordered a 10-day quarantine for people returning from the entire Iberian peninsula, and France, which urged its citizens not to visit Catalonia.
German authorities didn’t follow the U.K.’s route on Spain but did advise against travel to Catalonia and two other Spanish regions in light of rising coronavirus infections.
A note posted by the foreign ministry on Tuesday advises against “nonessential tourist travel” to Catalonia, its western neighbor, Aragón, and Navarra in northern Spain. It cites a rise in infection figures and “local closures.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s national disease control center appealed to its own citizens to keep to distancing, hygiene and mask-wearing rules and halt an upturn in new coronavirus infections.
Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute, said developments over the past two weeks are “really very worrying.”
Wieler pointed to studies indicating that people have become less concerned about COVID-19 and less accepting of virus control rules.
Asked whether Germany is seeing the beginning of a second coronavirus wave, Wieler replied: “We don’t know if this is the beginning of a second wave, but of course it could be. It would begin with rising figures … if we all keep to these rules, I am still optimistic that we can prevent this.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-28--Coronavirus-linked malnutrition is killing 10,000 more children a month, UN warns

Children receive porridge received during a breakfast distribution by an NGO in Johannesburg , South Africa , on May 23 , 2020 .
Coronavirus and its restrictions are pushing already hungry communities over the edge , killing an estimated 10,000 more young children a month as meagre farms are cut off from markets and villages are isolated from food and medical aid , the United Nations warned Monday .
In the call to action , four UN agencies warned that growing malnutrition due to the Covid-19 pandemic would have long-term consequences , transforming individual tragedies into a generational catastrophe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being struck by what is called wasting , or malnutrition that manifests in spindly limbs and distended bellies , according to the UN .
Wasting and stunting can permanently damage children physically and mentally .
“ The food security effects of the Covid crisis are going to reflect many years from now , ” said Dr. Francesco Branca , the WHO head of nutrition .
“ There is going to be a societal effect.
” The leaders of four international agencies — the World Health Organization , UNICEF , the World Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — have called for at least $ 2.4 billion immediately to address global hunger .
But even more than lack of money , restrictions on movement have prevented families from seeking treatment , said Victor Aguayo , the head of UNICEF ’ s nutrition program .
“ By having schools closed , by having primary health care services disrupted , by having nutritional programs dysfunctional , we are also creating harm , ” Aguayo said .
He cited as an example the near-global suspension of Vitamin A supplements , which are a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Afghanistan , movement restrictions prevent families from bringing their malnourished children to hospitals for food and aid just when they need it most .
The Indira Gandhi hospital in the capital , Kabul , has seen only three or four malnourished children , said specialist Nematullah Amiri .
Last year , there were 10 times as many .
Because the children don ’ t come in , there ’ s no way to know for certain the scale of the problem , but a recent study by Johns Hopkins University indicated an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die .
Afghanistan is now in a red zone of hunger , with severe childhood malnutrition spiking from 690,000 in January to 780,000 — a 13 percent increase , according to UNICEF .
In Yemen , restrictions on movement have blocked aid distribution , along with the stalling of salaries and price hikes .
The Arab world ’ s poorest country is suffering further from a fall in remittances and a drop in funding from humanitarian agencies .
Yemen is now on the brink of famine , according to the Famine Early Warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite data and weather mapping to pinpoint places most in need .
'Now we are starving' Some of the worst hunger still occurs in sub-Saharan Africa .
In Sudan , 9.6 million people live from one meal to the next — a 65 % increase from the same time last year .
Lockdowns across Sudanese provinces , as around the world , have dried up work and incomes for millions .
With inflation hitting 136 percent , prices for basic goods have more than tripled .
“ It has never been easy but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , weeds , just plants from the earth , ” said Ibrahim Youssef , director of the Kalma camp for internally displaced people in war-ravaged south Darfur .
Adam Haroun , an official in the Krinding camp in west Darfur , recorded nine deaths linked with malnutrition , otherwise a rare occurrence , over the past two months — five newborns and four older adults , he said .
Before the pandemic and lockdown , the Abdullah family ate three meals a day , sometimes with bread , or they ’ d add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to just one meal of “ millet porridge ” — water mixed with grain .
Zakaria Yehia Abdullah , a farmer now at Krinding , said the hunger is showing “ in my children ’ s faces.
” “ I don ’ t have the basics I need to survive , ” said the 67-year-old , who hasn ’ t worked the fields since April .
“ That means the 10 people counting on me can ’ t survive either .
”

Coronavirus and its restrictions are pushing already hungry communities over the edge, killing an estimated 10,000 more young children a month as meagre farms are cut off from markets and villages are isolated from food and medical aid, the United Nations warned Monday.
Children receive porridge received during a breakfast distribution by an NGO in Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 23, 2020.
Advertising Read more
In the call to action, four UN agencies warned that growing malnutrition due to the Covid-19 pandemic would have long-term consequences, transforming individual tragedies into a generational catastrophe.
More than 550,000 additional children each month are being struck by what is called wasting, or malnutrition that manifests in spindly limbs and distended bellies, according to the UN. Wasting and stunting can permanently damage children physically and mentally.
“The food security effects of the Covid crisis are going to reflect many years from now,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, the WHO head of nutrition. “There is going to be a societal effect.”
The leaders of four international agencies — the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization — have called for at least $2.4 billion immediately to address global hunger.
But even more than lack of money, restrictions on movement have prevented families from seeking treatment, said Victor Aguayo, the head of UNICEF’s nutrition program.
“By having schools closed, by having primary health care services disrupted, by having nutritional programs dysfunctional, we are also creating harm,” Aguayo said. He cited as an example the near-global suspension of Vitamin A supplements, which are a crucial way to bolster developing immune systems.
Fewer children make it to hospitals
In Afghanistan, movement restrictions prevent families from bringing their malnourished children to hospitals for food and aid just when they need it most. The Indira Gandhi hospital in the capital, Kabul, has seen only three or four malnourished children, said specialist Nematullah Amiri. Last year, there were 10 times as many.
Because the children don’t come in, there’s no way to know for certain the scale of the problem, but a recent study by Johns Hopkins University indicated an additional 13,000 Afghans younger than 5 could die.
Afghanistan is now in a red zone of hunger, with severe childhood malnutrition spiking from 690,000 in January to 780,000 — a 13 percent increase, according to UNICEF.
In Yemen, restrictions on movement have blocked aid distribution, along with the stalling of salaries and price hikes. The Arab world’s poorest country is suffering further from a fall in remittances and a drop in funding from humanitarian agencies.
Yemen is now on the brink of famine, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, which uses surveys, satellite data and weather mapping to pinpoint places most in need.
'Now we are starving'
Some of the worst hunger still occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sudan, 9.6 million people live from one meal to the next — a 65% increase from the same time last year.
Lockdowns across Sudanese provinces, as around the world, have dried up work and incomes for millions. With inflation hitting 136 percent, prices for basic goods have more than tripled.
“It has never been easy but now we are starving, eating grass, weeds, just plants from the earth,” said Ibrahim Youssef, director of the Kalma camp for internally displaced people in war-ravaged south Darfur.
Adam Haroun, an official in the Krinding camp in west Darfur, recorded nine deaths linked with malnutrition, otherwise a rare occurrence, over the past two months — five newborns and four older adults, he said.
Before the pandemic and lockdown, the Abdullah family ate three meals a day, sometimes with bread, or they’d add butter to porridge. Now they are down to just one meal of “millet porridge” — water mixed with grain. Zakaria Yehia Abdullah, a farmer now at Krinding, said the hunger is showing “in my children’s faces.”
“I don’t have the basics I need to survive,” said the 67-year-old, who hasn’t worked the fields since April. “That means the 10 people counting on me can’t survive either.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-28--George Floyd protests were 'hijacked' by 'rioters and anarchists', Barr tells Congress

US Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday strongly defended sending federal law enforcement officers to quell protests in Portland and rejected allegations he was trying to boost President Donald Trump 's reelection prospects .
In a fiery hearing of the House Judiciary Committee , Barr rejected Democrat allegations that the Trump administration was stifling peaceful protests against racism and police brutality , saying the demonstrations in the Oregon city were `` an assault on the government of the United States . ''
He also rejected accusations that he had turned the Justice Department into a political tool for Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` rectify the rule of law , '' even when that meant pursuing a lighter prison sentence for Trump political consultant Roger Stone .
`` In the wake of George Floyd 's death , violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims , '' Barr said in his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee .
`` To tacitly condone destruction and anarchy is to abandon the basic rule-of-law principles that should unite us even in a politically divisive time , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance before the House Judiciary Committee after 18 months in office , bringing him face-to-face with a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt and is holding hearings on what Democrats say is the politicisation of the Justice Department under his watch .
It comes during a tumultuous stretch in which Barr has taken actions cheered by Trump and his supporters but condemned by Democrats and other critics .
Among those actions is the Justice Department ’ s decision to drop the prosecution of former Trump administration national security adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more lenient sentence for Stone , a move that prompted the entire trial team ’ s departure .
Trump later commuted the sentence entirely .
Opening the hearing , committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said the Trump administration had “ twisted the Department of Justice into a shadow of its former self , ” serving the powerful before average Americans .
He said the committee has a responsibility to protect Americans “ from that kind of corruption.
” Nadler said Barr had “ aided and abetted ” Trump ’ s worst impulses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments , for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters .
Republicans hit back hard in defense of Barr and Trump 's administration .
The top Republican on the panel , Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan , used his opening statement to show an eight-minute video that spliced together images of violence by protesters around the country , showcasing law enforcement officers under attack in Chicago , Portland and New York .
The images were cut from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of largely peaceful protests around the nation .
'Narrative that I am simply the president ’ s factotum' Under combative questioning , Barr acerbically defended himself but revealed little new information about his motivations or the Justice Department 's recent actions on policing or otherwise .
Fuming Democrats often used their five minutes to lay out their frustrations and cut him off as he attempted to answer questions .
“ Many of the Democrats on this Committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases according to his instructions , ” Barr said in his opening statement .
`` Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing , that appears to be your agenda today.
” On policing , Barr 's testimony underscores the Justice Department ’ s ongoing effort to differentiate between increasing violence in some cities and Floyd 's death , which has led to state charges against four officers and is under investigation by federal authorities .
Massive but peaceful demonstrations followed Floyd 's death in May .
The attorney general , speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Capitol to the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis , acknowledged that Floyd ’ s death struck a chord in the Black community because it reinforced concerns Black people are treated differently by police .
But he condemned Americans who he says have responded inappropriately to Floyd 's death through what he said was rioting and anarchy .
“ As elected officials of the federal government , every member of this committee — regardless of your political views or your feelings about the Trump administration — should condemn violence against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Barr said .
“ So should state and local leaders who have a responsibility to keep their communities safe . ''
Civil unrest escalated in Portland after federal agents were accused of whisking people away in unmarked cars without probable cause ; the people were detained and later released .
In the capital , Washington DC , peaceful protesters were violently cleared from the streets by federal officers using smoke bombs and pepper balls last month before a photo op by Trump in front of St. John 's church , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the broad use of law enforcement power to deal with the situation , noting that protesters had earlier set fire to the church and `` it was total consensus that you couldn ’ t allow that to happen so close to the White House.
” The department ’ s internal watchdog has opened investigations into use of force and other tactics by agents in Washington and Portland .
Barr also said force was used because the protesters would not disperse from the area when law enforcement officials were trying to move back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night before .
When pressed on details , he pointed to the investigations .
The use of pepper spray is warranted , even if peaceful protesters are also harmed , he said .
'My obligation is to be fair to the individual' Beyond the federal response to the demonstrations , Barr was pressed in detail about his intervention in the Flynn and Stone cases , both of which arose from special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation .
Democrats criticised him for partly taking into account Stone 's health and age , 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used in other similar cases .
While Stone ’ s health was one of the factors considered by senior level officials at the Justice Department , the point of contention about the sentencing recommendation was over whether a specific sentencing enhancement over witness tampering would apply .
Barr said that enhancement is “ traditionally applied to mafiosos ” and he didn ’ t agree that it was warranted in Stone ’ s case .
Barr said he told the acting US attorney that “ we are going to leave it up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revised recommendation to be filed when the line prosecutors submitted an initial recommendation calling for a sentence of seven to nine years .
“ And even though I knew I would get a lot of criticism for doing that , I think at the end of the day my obligation is to be fair to the individual , ” Barr said .
Republicans and Democrats also repeatedly revisited Mueller 's probe , with Democrats arguing he downplayed the report to the public before it was released and Republicans pressing him on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is investigating the department 's decisions as it started investigating Trump 's ties to Russia during the Obama administration in 2016 .

US Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday strongly defended sending federal law enforcement officers to quell protests in Portland and rejected allegations he was trying to boost President Donald Trump's reelection prospects.
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In a fiery hearing of the House Judiciary Committee, Barr rejected Democrat allegations that the Trump administration was stifling peaceful protests against racism and police brutality, saying the demonstrations in the Oregon city were "an assault on the government of the United States."
He also rejected accusations that he had turned the Justice Department into a political tool for Trump, saying instead that his mission was to "rectify the rule of law," even when that meant pursuing a lighter prison sentence for Trump political consultant Roger Stone.
"In the wake of George Floyd's death, violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims," Barr said in his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.
"To tacitly condone destruction and anarchy is to abandon the basic rule-of-law principles that should unite us even in a politically divisive time," he said.
The hearing marks Barr’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee after 18 months in office, bringing him face-to-face with a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt and is holding hearings on what Democrats say is the politicisation of the Justice Department under his watch.
It comes during a tumultuous stretch in which Barr has taken actions cheered by Trump and his supporters but condemned by Democrats and other critics.
Among those actions is the Justice Department’s decision to drop the prosecution of former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and Barr's urging for a more lenient sentence for Stone, a move that prompted the entire trial team’s departure. Trump later commuted the sentence entirely.
00:26
'Twisted the Department of Justice'
Opening the hearing, committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said the Trump administration had “twisted the Department of Justice into a shadow of its former self,” serving the powerful before average Americans. He said the committee has a responsibility to protect Americans “from that kind of corruption.”
Nadler said Barr had “aided and abetted” Trump’s worst impulses and excoriated him and the Justice Department for turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments, for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters.
04:04
Republicans hit back hard in defense of Barr and Trump's administration. The top Republican on the panel, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, used his opening statement to show an eight-minute video that spliced together images of violence by protesters around the country, showcasing law enforcement officers under attack in Chicago, Portland and New York. The images were cut from hundreds of hours of racial injustice footage of largely peaceful protests around the nation.
'Narrative that I am simply the president’s factotum'
Under combative questioning, Barr acerbically defended himself but revealed little new information about his motivations or the Justice Department's recent actions on policing or otherwise. Fuming Democrats often used their five minutes to lay out their frustrations and cut him off as he attempted to answer questions.
“Many of the Democrats on this Committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president’s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions,” Barr said in his opening statement. "Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing, that appears to be your agenda today.”
On policing, Barr's testimony underscores the Justice Department’s ongoing effort to differentiate between increasing violence in some cities and Floyd's death, which has led to state charges against four officers and is under investigation by federal authorities. Massive but peaceful demonstrations followed Floyd's death in May.
The attorney general, speaking as Congress and the public pay respects in the Capitol to the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, acknowledged that Floyd’s death struck a chord in the Black community because it reinforced concerns Black people are treated differently by police. But he condemned Americans who he says have responded inappropriately to Floyd's death through what he said was rioting and anarchy.
“As elected officials of the federal government, every member of this committee — regardless of your political views or your feelings about the Trump administration — should condemn violence against federal officers and destruction of federal property,” Barr said. “So should state and local leaders who have a responsibility to keep their communities safe."
Defending Trump's 'church walk' crackdown
Civil unrest escalated in Portland after federal agents were accused of whisking people away in unmarked cars without probable cause; the people were detained and later released.
In the capital, Washington DC, peaceful protesters were violently cleared from the streets by federal officers using smoke bombs and pepper balls last month before a photo op by Trump in front of St. John's church, where Barr had accompanied him.
Barr defended the broad use of law enforcement power to deal with the situation, noting that protesters had earlier set fire to the church and "it was total consensus that you couldn’t allow that to happen so close to the White House.”
The department’s internal watchdog has opened investigations into use of force and other tactics by agents in Washington and Portland.
Barr also said force was used because the protesters would not disperse from the area when law enforcement officials were trying to move back the security perimeter, a decision made the night before. When pressed on details, he pointed to the investigations.
The use of pepper spray is warranted, even if peaceful protesters are also harmed, he said.
'My obligation is to be fair to the individual'
Beyond the federal response to the demonstrations, Barr was pressed in detail about his intervention in the Flynn and Stone cases, both of which arose from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Democrats criticised him for partly taking into account Stone's health and age, 67, and said those standards haven't been used in other similar cases.
While Stone’s health was one of the factors considered by senior level officials at the Justice Department, the point of contention about the sentencing recommendation was over whether a specific sentencing enhancement over witness tampering would apply. Barr said that enhancement is “traditionally applied to mafiosos” and he didn’t agree that it was warranted in Stone’s case.
Barr said he told the acting US attorney that “we are going to leave it up to the judge” and that he ordered the revised recommendation to be filed when the line prosecutors submitted an initial recommendation calling for a sentence of seven to nine years.
“And even though I knew I would get a lot of criticism for doing that, I think at the end of the day my obligation is to be fair to the individual,” Barr said.
Republicans and Democrats also repeatedly revisited Mueller's probe, with Democrats arguing he downplayed the report to the public before it was released and Republicans pressing him on the origins of the probe. The department is investigating the department's decisions as it started investigating Trump's ties to Russia during the Obama administration in 2016.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-28--French astronaut Thomas Pesquet: 'I couldn't be more excited to go back into space'

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet : ' I could n't be more excited to go back into space' French astronaut Thomas @ @ @ @ @ European to fly on board the new SpaceX Dragon 2 , which is due to @ @ @ @ @ for the International Space Station in the spring of 2021 .
Pesquet already spent six @ @ @ @ @ from November 2016 to June 2017 .
He spoke to FRANCE 24 about training for @ @ @ @ @ why his new mission is called `` Alpha '' and why he thinks a manned @ @ @ @ @ within his lifetime .

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet: 'I couldn't be more excited to go back into space'
11:35 THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet will be the first European to fly on board the new SpaceX Dragon 2, which is due to blast off from Cape Canaveral for the International Space Station in the spring of 2021. Pesquet already spent six months on board the ISS from November 2016 to June 2017. He spoke to FRANCE 24 about training for his return to space, why his new mission is called "Alpha" and why he thinks a manned mission to Mars will happen within his lifetime.


france24--2020-07-28--Gisèle Halimi, trailblazing French lawyer who fought for women’s rights, dies aged 93

Gisèle Halimi , a Tunisian-born French lawyer , author and feminist who devoted her life to defending women 's rights and was instrumental in winning the decriminalisation of abortion in France , died Tuesday aged 93 .
Halimi died peacefully a day after her 93rd birthday , one of her three sons , Emmanuel Faux , told AFP .
`` She fought to reach 93 , '' he added .
Born into a modest family in Tunis on July 27 , 1927 , Halimi embarked on a legal career before moving to France , where she made her name by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the National Liberation Front ( FLN ) .
But she earned national fame as a campaigning lawyer , notably in a 1972 trial where she defended a minor who was on trial for having an abortion after a rape .
She ensured not only that the young woman , Marie-Claire Chevalier , was acquitted but helped swing public opinion behind the realisation that such trials had no place in a rapidly modernising France .
Along with French writer Jean-Paul Sartre and feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir , she had already founded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle for the right to abortion .
She become one of the most prominent of 343 women who in 1971 also signed an open letter saying that they had had abortions .
The Chevalier case helped spur the momentum that enabled Halimi and other activists , including the iconic women 's rights lawmaker Simone Veil , to win the decriminalisation of abortion in 1975 .
In 1981 , Halimi was elected to the French National Assembly as a Socialist Party candidate although she distanced herself from the party after her election .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Halimi was also a renowned feminist author .
Her oeuvre included `` Djamila Boupacha '' ( 1962 ) , a biography of an Algerian FLN activist who was brutally tortured and raped under French custody .
A mother of three boys , including Serge Halimi , editorial director of the French monthly , Le Monde diplomatique , Halimi said she would have liked to have a daughter to `` test '' her feminist commitment .
`` I would have liked to know if , by raising her , I would be conforming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both for myself and for all women , '' she told Le Monde in 2011 .
She remained true to her ideals to the end , asking in a September 2019 interview with French daily , Le Monde , why `` injustices imposed on women do not spark a general revolt . ''
`` Injustice is physically intolerable to me , '' she said on another occasion .
`` All my life can be summed up with that . ''

Gisèle Halimi, a Tunisian-born French lawyer, author and feminist who devoted her life to defending women's rights and was instrumental in winning the decriminalisation of abortion in France, died Tuesday aged 93.
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Halimi died peacefully a day after her 93rd birthday, one of her three sons, Emmanuel Faux, told AFP. "She fought to reach 93," he added.
Born into a modest family in Tunis on July 27, 1927, Halimi embarked on a legal career before moving to France, where she made her name by defending activists from the Algerian nationalist movement, the National Liberation Front (FLN).
Aujourd’hui, une figure de notre pays s’est éteinte. Fervente humaniste, militante féministe et défenseure des droits humains, #GiseleHalimi est une source d’inspiration pour tous les progressistes. Elle restera une boussole pour nos combats futurs. pic.twitter.com/arruvSWpv2 — Samia GHALI (@SamiaGhali) July 28, 2020
Landmark abortion case
But she earned national fame as a campaigning lawyer, notably in a 1972 trial where she defended a minor who was on trial for having an abortion after a rape.
She ensured not only that the young woman, Marie-Claire Chevalier, was acquitted but helped swing public opinion behind the realisation that such trials had no place in a rapidly modernising France.
Along with French writer Jean-Paul Sartre and feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, she had already founded in 1971 the association "Choose" to battle for the right to abortion.
She become one of the most prominent of 343 women who in 1971 also signed an open letter saying that they had had abortions.
The Chevalier case helped spur the momentum that enabled Halimi and other activists, including the iconic women's rights lawmaker Simone Veil, to win the decriminalisation of abortion in 1975.
Gisèle Halimi vient de mourir à l'âge de 93 ans.
Le droit à l'avortement, l'abolition de la peine de mort, la dépénalisation de l'homosexualité... Elle a consacré sa vie à défendre ces causes. Voici son histoire. pic.twitter.com/IlFOnRKxIE — Brut FR (@brutofficiel) July 28, 2020
Political and literary careers
In 1981, Halimi was elected to the French National Assembly as a Socialist Party candidate although she distanced herself from the party after her election.
In addition to her legal and political careers, Halimi was also a renowned feminist author. Her oeuvre included "Djamila Boupacha" (1962), a biography of an Algerian FLN activist who was brutally tortured and raped under French custody.
A mother of three boys, including Serge Halimi, editorial director of the French monthly, Le Monde diplomatique, Halimi said she would have liked to have a daughter to "test" her feminist commitment. "I would have liked to know if, by raising her, I would be conforming exactly to what I had claimed, both for myself and for all women," she told Le Monde in 2011.
She remained true to her ideals to the end, asking in a September 2019 interview with French daily, Le Monde, why "injustices imposed on women do not spark a general revolt."
"Injustice is physically intolerable to me," she said on another occasion. "All my life can be summed up with that."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-28--Postcard provides clue to exact spot of Van Gogh’s last painting, says researcher

A researcher claimed Tuesday to have discovered the exact spot where Vincent Van Gogh painted his last canvas before his mysterious death from a gunshot wound .
The tortured Dutch artist had been working on `` Tree Roots '' , a jumble of brightly-coloured tree trunks , roots and stumps near Auvers-sur-Oise , north of Paris , on a hot July day in 1890 when he staggered back wounded to the village inn .
Wouter van der Veen , of the Van Gogh Institute , which looks after the artist 's room at the Auberge Ravoux where he spent his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tangle of roots is still there , a stone 's throw from the inn .
Experts at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam have backed the finding , saying it was `` an interpretation , but it looks like indeed it is true . ''
The museum 's director Emilie Gordenker and the great grandson of Van Gogh 's younger brother Theo travelled to the village Tuesday to unveil a plaque at the spot .
Both Vincent and Theo , who had supported the painter for much of his life and outlived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buried next to each other in the village cemetery .
Van der Veen told AFP that he made the breakthrough from a postcard of the village from the turn of the 20th century , which shows an embankment with the trees on the main road through the hamlet , 30 kilometres ( 18 miles ) north of Paris .
He was going through some documents during the coronavirus lockdown when `` my eye was caught by a detail from the postcard '' .
He compared it with the painting and found `` that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discovering the place where Van Gogh painted his last and most mysterious work is a waking dream which I am still trying to comprehend , '' the researcher added .
Teio Meedendorp , of the Van Gogh Museum , told AFP that Van Gogh would have often passed the spot `` going out to the fields behind the chateau of Auvers where he painted in the last week of his life . ''
Because of the way the light falls in the painting , Van der Veen said Van Gogh was probably still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` about 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm '' .
This , he argued , could help disprove the controversial theory that Van Gogh had not killed himself but had got drunk and fought with two local boys who shot him by accident .
The theory was first floated in a biography of the painter by the Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith nine years ago , and featured in the 2018 movie `` At Eternity 's Gate '' starring Willem Dafoe .
Its director , the American painter Julian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released that Van Gogh was probably murdered .
He insisted that a man who had painted 75 canvases in almost as many days at Auvers-sur-Oise was unlikely to be suicidal .
Schnabel also claimed that `` the painting material he had that day was never found .
`` It is strange to bury your shit if you are committing suicide , '' he added .
But Van der Veen dismissed `` these lousy theories '' , insisting that for him the painting was Van Gogh 's final `` testament , a farewell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him for a year '' .
Van Gogh had been in an asylum near Arles and released just three months earlier .
`` The thicket of roots was a symbol of the struggles of life .
We cut down the tree and from their stumps new shoots appear .
`` It makes sense , the theme of life and death , and eliminates all these lousy theories which do little for his memory , '' Van der Veen said .
The revolver with which Van Gogh is believed to have shot himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 182,000 ) at a Paris auction last year .
Discovered in a field near the village , it was billed as `` the most famous weapon in the history of art '' .
The rusty 7mm Lefaucheux had already been exhibited at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam .
While the Van Gogh Institute said the link with painter could not be proven conclusively , the bullet extracted from his stomach was the same calibre as the one used for the Lefaucheux revolver .

A researcher claimed Tuesday to have discovered the exact spot where Vincent Van Gogh painted his last canvas before his mysterious death from a gunshot wound.
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The tortured Dutch artist had been working on "Tree Roots", a jumble of brightly-coloured tree trunks, roots and stumps near Auvers-sur-Oise, north of Paris, on a hot July day in 1890 when he staggered back wounded to the village inn.
Wouter van der Veen, of the Van Gogh Institute, which looks after the artist's room at the Auberge Ravoux where he spent his final 70 days, said most of the tangle of roots is still there, a stone's throw from the inn.
Wouter van der Veen, of the Van Gogh Institute, next to the alleged spot where Vincent Van Gogh painted his last canvas in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. AFP - FRANCOIS GUILLOT
Experts at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam have backed the finding, saying it was "an interpretation, but it looks like indeed it is true."
The museum's director Emilie Gordenker and the great grandson of Van Gogh's younger brother Theo travelled to the village Tuesday to unveil a plaque at the spot.
Both Vincent and Theo, who had supported the painter for much of his life and outlived him by just six months, are buried next to each other in the village cemetery.
Van der Veen told AFP that he made the breakthrough from a postcard of the village from the turn of the 20th century, which shows an embankment with the trees on the main road through the hamlet, 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of Paris.
He was going through some documents during the coronavirus lockdown when "my eye was caught by a detail from the postcard".
'Shot by accident'
He compared it with the painting and found "that the trunks and roots corresponded.
"Discovering the place where Van Gogh painted his last and most mysterious work is a waking dream which I am still trying to comprehend," the researcher added.
Teio Meedendorp, of the Van Gogh Museum, told AFP that Van Gogh would have often passed the spot "going out to the fields behind the chateau of Auvers where he painted in the last week of his life."
Because of the way the light falls in the painting, Van der Veen said Van Gogh was probably still working on it late in the afternoon, "about 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm".
This, he argued, could help disprove the controversial theory that Van Gogh had not killed himself but had got drunk and fought with two local boys who shot him by accident.
The theory was first floated in a biography of the painter by the Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith nine years ago, and featured in the 2018 movie "At Eternity's Gate" starring Willem Dafoe.
Its director, the American painter Julian Schnabel, told AFP when the film was released that Van Gogh was probably murdered.
He insisted that a man who had painted 75 canvases in almost as many days at Auvers-sur-Oise was unlikely to be suicidal.
Schnabel also claimed that "the painting material he had that day was never found.
"It is strange to bury your shit if you are committing suicide," he added.
'Lousy' murder theories
But Van der Veen dismissed "these lousy theories", insisting that for him the painting was Van Gogh's final "testament, a farewell letter... Suicide had been an option for him for a year".
Van Gogh had been in an asylum near Arles and released just three months earlier.
"The thicket of roots was a symbol of the struggles of life. We cut down the tree and from their stumps new shoots appear.
"It makes sense, the theme of life and death, and eliminates all these lousy theories which do little for his memory," Van der Veen said.
The revolver with which Van Gogh is believed to have shot himself in the chest sold for 162,500 euros ($182,000) at a Paris auction last year.
Discovered in a field near the village, it was billed as "the most famous weapon in the history of art".
The rusty 7mm Lefaucheux had already been exhibited at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
While the Van Gogh Institute said the link with painter could not be proven conclusively, the bullet extracted from his stomach was the same calibre as the one used for the Lefaucheux revolver.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-28--Hong Kong activist Nathan Law: 'Whenever there is repression, there is resistance'

In an interview with FRANCE 24 , leading Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law vowed to pursue his fight from his new base in the UK .
While he conceded that the Hong Kong pro-democracy activists facing off against Beijing was a `` David versus Goliath '' scenario , he held out hope that his side would prevail with help from other countries .
Speaking to FRANCE 24 from London , Law vowed to pursue the fight for democracy and the rule of law back home .
He said he had taken a `` personal decision '' to leave Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue his international advocacy work .
The leading pro-democracy activist said the recent national security law enforced by Beijing on Hong Kong was the end of `` one country , two systems '' .
While he conceded that the activists facing off against Beijing was a `` David versus Goliath '' situation , he held out hope that his side would prevail with help from other countries .
Law said he had a `` very constructive '' meeting last week with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and was encouraged to see several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand , suspend their extradition treaties with Hong Kong .
He brushed off Chinese claims that he was a US puppet as being part of a long smear campaign against him and called for sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations in the western Xinjiang region and in Hong Kong .
Finallly , Law said that rather than becoming a `` hostage '' to the US presidential campaign , the defence of democracy in Hong Kong was a rare topic on which both Democrats and Republicans could agree and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be committed to it .

In an interview with FRANCE 24, leading Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law vowed to pursue his fight from his new base in the UK. While he conceded that the Hong Kong pro-democracy activists facing off against Beijing was a "David versus Goliath" scenario, he held out hope that his side would prevail with help from other countries.
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Speaking to FRANCE 24 from London, Law vowed to pursue the fight for democracy and the rule of law back home. He said he had taken a "personal decision" to leave Hong Kong and move to the UK to continue his international advocacy work.
The leading pro-democracy activist said the recent national security law enforced by Beijing on Hong Kong was the end of "one country, two systems". While he conceded that the activists facing off against Beijing was a "David versus Goliath" situation, he held out hope that his side would prevail with help from other countries.
Law said he had a "very constructive" meeting last week with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and was encouraged to see several countries, such as the UK and New Zealand, suspend their extradition treaties with Hong Kong.
He brushed off Chinese claims that he was a US puppet as being part of a long smear campaign against him and called for sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations in the western Xinjiang region and in Hong Kong.
Finallly, Law said that rather than becoming a "hostage" to the US presidential campaign, the defence of democracy in Hong Kong was a rare topic on which both Democrats and Republicans could agree and that he was confident the next US president would be committed to it.
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