france24--2020-01-10--‘Democracy has taken root here’: Hong Kong activists take keen interest in Taiwan vote

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters hold a banner to ask for the support of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as she approaches in a vehicle during a campaign event in Taipei , Taiwan , on January 10 , 2020 .
Hong Kong activists and budding pro-democracy politicians have flocked to Taiwan to observe its elections , aiming to bolster exchanges and galvanise an alliance against China 's influence .
One delegation of about 50 , including a batch of young district councillors who stormed to a landslide electoral victory in November , arrived this week and has been networking with key Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We want to learn and gain more experience , to help Hong Kong people as they struggle on their democratic road in the future , '' said Raymond Tang , a district councillor who attended an evening seminar in Taipei with fellow delegates on countering fake news .
The links between the two places have never been deeper : Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than seven months of anti-China protests , and Taiwan 's elections come amid heightened fears of an increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat from China .
What 's happened in Hong Kong has made everyone reassess its relationship with Beijing , '' Joseph Cheng , a veteran pro-democracy activist and one of the leaders of the delegation .
`` Democracy has taken root in Taiwan and it refutes the basic argument that democracy is for the West , that it does n't apply to Chinese people , which is the argument propagated by Beijing , '' he added .
In a Facebook video late Thursday , 15 district councillors from Hong Kong , including former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Taiwan to treasure their unfettered democracy and to vote .
`` This time it 's over to you , '' they said in a montage .
`` Hong Kong and Taiwan , let 's go for it together . ''
Prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong , who has been barred from leaving Hong Kong during an ongoing court case , also appealed to the youth of Taiwan to `` protect Taiwan 's democracy '' .
`` I hope our Taiwan friends really go for it , and with their votes show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bow and scrape before Beijing .
This is the greatest support you can give Hong Kong , '' he wrote on Facebook .
Taiwan has become home to a small but growing number of Hong Kong protesters who have fled there fearing politically motivated charges against them in Hong Kong .
They have no legal way to gain permanent asylum , but President Tsai Ing-wen 's broadly sympathetic government has allowed about 60 of them to temporarily extend their stay .
Around 6,200 immigrants from Hong Kong and Macau are eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the Communist Party with our vote , '' said Edward Leung , a 58-year-old Hong Kong emigre who now lives in the southern city of Kaohsiung and plans to vote for Tsai .
He says she can better defend Taiwan against China .
Some Hong Kong protesters fear Taiwan 's support will vanish if Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang opposition party , which favours close ties with China , wins the election .
Han has said he fully supports the Hong Kong protesters and their struggle for democracy .
China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use force to take back Taiwan while reiterating a call for unification with the island under the `` one country , two systems '' model used in Hong Kong .
But the political crisis in Hong Kong , fuelled by public anger against Beijing 's tightening grip on the city , has hardened public sentiment in Taiwan , including both major political parties , against such a system .
Lam Wing-kee , a Hong Kong bookseller once abducted by Chinese agents , is trying to rebuild his life in Taiwan by setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open in March .
He said he was optimistic because of the burgeoning intellectual and political ties between Taiwan and his home .
`` What we 're seeing in Taiwan is a country facing a military threat and economic encroachments from China .
This is not a good combination and it perpetuates uncertainty , '' he said , standing in an empty store space he plans to fill with thousands of books focused on politics in Hong Kong , Taiwan and China .
`` I hope my bookshop can make a little difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their awareness . ''

Hong Kong activists and budding pro-democracy politicians have flocked to Taiwan to observe its elections, aiming to bolster exchanges and galvanise an alliance against China's influence.
Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters hold a banner to ask for the support of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as she approaches in a vehicle during a campaign event in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 10, 2020.
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One delegation of about 50, including a batch of young district councillors who stormed to a landslide electoral victory in November, arrived this week and has been networking with key Taiwan civil society leaders, academics and officials.
"We want to learn and gain more experience, to help Hong Kong people as they struggle on their democratic road in the future," said Raymond Tang, a district councillor who attended an evening seminar in Taipei with fellow delegates on countering fake news.
The links between the two places have never been deeper: Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than seven months of anti-China protests, and Taiwan's elections come amid heightened fears of an increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping.
"There's an acute sense of threat from China. What's happened in Hong Kong has made everyone reassess its relationship with Beijing," Joseph Cheng, a veteran pro-democracy activist and one of the leaders of the delegation.
"Democracy has taken root in Taiwan and it refutes the basic argument that democracy is for the West, that it doesn't apply to Chinese people, which is the argument propagated by Beijing," he added.
01:23
In a Facebook video late Thursday, 15 district councillors from Hong Kong, including former student leader Lester Shum, urged the people of Taiwan to treasure their unfettered democracy and to vote.
"This time it's over to you," they said in a montage. "Hong Kong and Taiwan, let's go for it together."
Prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who has been barred from leaving Hong Kong during an ongoing court case, also appealed to the youth of Taiwan to "protect Taiwan's democracy".
"I hope our Taiwan friends really go for it, and with their votes show the Taiwan people's determination to refuse to bow and scrape before Beijing. This is the greatest support you can give Hong Kong," he wrote on Facebook.
Taiwan has become home to a small but growing number of Hong Kong protesters who have fled there fearing politically motivated charges against them in Hong Kong.
They have no legal way to gain permanent asylum, but President Tsai Ing-wen's broadly sympathetic government has allowed about 60 of them to temporarily extend their stay.
Around 6,200 immigrants from Hong Kong and Macau are eligible to vote in Taiwan.
"We will fight against the Communist Party with our vote," said Edward Leung, a 58-year-old Hong Kong emigre who now lives in the southern city of Kaohsiung and plans to vote for Tsai. He says she can better defend Taiwan against China.
Some Hong Kong protesters fear Taiwan's support will vanish if Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang opposition party, which favours close ties with China, wins the election.
Han has said he fully supports the Hong Kong protesters and their struggle for democracy.
01:45
China's President Xi Jinping early last year threatened to use force to take back Taiwan while reiterating a call for unification with the island under the "one country, two systems" model used in Hong Kong.
But the political crisis in Hong Kong, fuelled by public anger against Beijing's tightening grip on the city, has hardened public sentiment in Taiwan, including both major political parties, against such a system.
Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookseller once abducted by Chinese agents, is trying to rebuild his life in Taiwan by setting up a new bookstore, set to open in March. He said he was optimistic because of the burgeoning intellectual and political ties between Taiwan and his home.
"What we're seeing in Taiwan is a country facing a military threat and economic encroachments from China. This is not a good combination and it perpetuates uncertainty," he said, standing in an empty store space he plans to fill with thousands of books focused on politics in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. "I hope my bookshop can make a little difference, to influence Taiwan, and raise their awareness."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-10--Bushfire crisis forces a reckoning on Australia’s ‘regressive’ climate politics

Australia ’ s government , long allied with the coal industry , has been labelled “ an increasingly regressive force ” on climate change by watchdogs .
Will the record bushfires ravaging the country since autumn mark a turning point ?
Thousands of families seeking refuge on beaches .
Over a billion animals killed .
Clouds of smoke choking the country ’ s biggest cities .
These apocalyptic scenes have captured the scale and severity of the wildfires raging in Australia since September .
“ We ’ re in the middle of a war situation , ” David Bowman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Tasmania , told TIME magazine this week .
“ I 've seen bushfires before , but this was like an atomic bomb , ” echoed Andrew Constance , Transport Minister of New South Wales , in the Sydney Morning Herald .
His comments came as authorities urged nearly a quarter-million people to evacuate their homes in neighbouring Victoria state , ahead of a renewed heatwave that caused two major fires to merge into a “ megablaze ” on Friday .
Australians are used to fire season , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Camroux , an Australian-born senior research fellow at the Centre for International Research ( CERI ) at Paris ’ s Sciences Po .
“ Contrary to the usual patterns , the fires have not been contained within a single state but stretch from New South Wales to Victoria and Queensland , ” he told FRANCE 24 .
“ They could last for a long time , because the rains are not expected until March or April.
” Even those out of reach of the flames are not immune to the dangers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air pollution in and around Australia ’ s major cities .
In Canberra , the capital , levels of PM 2.5 particulate matter peaked on New Year ’ s Day at more than 200 times the World Health Organization ’ s safe recommended value .
“ We ’ ve never seen anything like this , ” said Camroux .
‘ Sack ScoMo ’ For many Australians , the government ’ s response to the fires has exemplified its wider failures in responding to the threats posed by climate change .
“ Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this national crisis , ” said Camroux .
As early as last April , chief firefighters had warned of the possibility of crisis-level bushfires , but didn ’ t receive any response from the government .
For weeks , as damage from the fires spread , the conservative prime minister and longtime coal industry advocate refused to acknowledge any connection between climate change and the fires , before finally doing so in mid-December .
“ All this has sparked Australians ’ outrage , ” said Camroux .
Catalysing their anger is the Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-December , even as two firefighters were killed battling the flames .
Morrison cut the trip short and apologised , before scheduling a visit to the affected areas in early January .
But he hasn ’ t avoided further blunders .
During a visit this week to Kangaroo Island , a wildlife hub and popular tourist destination off Australia ’ s south coast , Morrison erroneously told reporters : “ Thankfully , we ’ ve had no loss of life.
” He was quickly corrected , prompting an awkward exchange .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Australia is open , Australia is still a wonderful place to come and bring your family and enjoy your holidays , ” he said after meeting local tourism operators and farmers .
“ Even here on Kangaroo Island , where a third of the island has obviously been decimated , two-thirds of it is open and ready for business , ” he said .
“ It ’ s important to keep the local economies vibrant at these times.
” Over the last week , Morrison has called up 3,000 military reservists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record A $ 2 billion ( €1.2 billion ) in recovery funds .
For Camroux and many Australian residents , the measures are “ too little , too late ” and illustrate Morrison ’ s “ lack of leadership ” .
At least one environmental group has gone further , characterising the government ’ s response to the fires as “ criminal negligence ” in a call to action published on Wednesday .
The group , Uni Students for Climate Justice , is among the organisers of the ‘ Sack ScoMo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday across at least ten Australian cities , demanding the prime minister ’ s resignation and urgent action on climate change .
One of the world ’ s biggest polluters per capita Morrison ’ s government is hardly the first in Australia to prioritise fossil fuel revenue over climate action .
“ Since 1996 successive conservative Australian governments have successfully fought to subvert international agreements on climate change in defence of the country ’ s fossil fuel industries , ” wrote Booker Prize-winning novelist Richard Flanagan last week in a New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Climate Suicide ” .
Ketan Joshi , an Australian energy and climate science writer , argued on the Guardian news site that mainstream Australian media has been complicit in “ pioneering the denial of climate disaster ” .
“ Rightwing media outlets in Australia have responded to the current bushfires by either refusing to give the story its due prominence or by spreading falsehoods , ” Joshi wrote .
Moreover , he cited a study by university researchers affiliated with the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism that found that “ climate scepticism gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
This tendency towards climate scepticism goes hand in hand with the country ’ s heavy economic dependence on fossil fuels – and , in turn , its position as one of the world ’ s top emitters of greenhouse gases .
With just 25 million residents , or 0.3 percent of the world ’ s population , it is responsible for 1.2 percent of global CO2 emissions .
According to the Global Carbon Project , this makes Australia the world ’ s eleventh-highest CO2 emitter per capita as of 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 2020 Climate Change Performance Index , created by the rights observatory Germanwatch , ranks Australia 56th out of 61 countries evaluated .
The index cites the Morrison government ’ s record as “ an increasingly regressive force ” in international climate negotiations , its approval of a major new coal mine and its withdrawal from the United Nations ’ Green Climate Fund .
Surge in public concern Australians ’ concern about climate change is rapidly growing , however , as the die-out of half of the Great Barrier Reef – the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has drawn stark attention to another one of the devastating consequences of climate change .
> > Focus : Australia 's Great Barrier Reef disappearing due to climate change In May 2019 , polling from the Sydney-based Lowy Institute found that 64 percent of Australians considered climate change a “ critical threat ” , making it the top-ranked threat ahead of cyberattacks from other countries ( 62 percent ) , international terrorism ( 61 percent ) and North Korea ’ s nuclear programme ( 60 percent ) .
It was the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began polling on the question in 2006 .
The shift in public opinion appears to be driven by Australia ’ s youth : more than three-quarters of those aged 18-44 agreed that global warming is a “ serious and pressing problem ” , compared to just under half of those over the age of 45 .
This dynamic was also reflected in the massive Australian turnout for the most recent youth-led climate strikes in September .
Organisers estimated that more than 300,000 protesters participated across the country , which would make the demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iraq War in 2003 .
“ As in many Western countries , it ’ s become a generational issue , ” said Camroux .
“ We can expect the movement to continue gaining ground.
” ‘ There will be a before and after the fires ’ So far , growing public awareness of climate change has not translated to the ballot box .
Last May , the conservative coalition headed by Morrison was narrowly re-elected .
The result contrasted sharply with opinion polls , which had predicted a Labor victory .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce Australia ’ s greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 , by rapidly shifting to renewable energy and setting an emissions cap for big polluters .
Still , said Camroux , “ there will be a before and after the fires ” .
To date , many Australians have dismissed environmentalists as urban elites , seeing them as “ disconnected from the lives of ‘ real Australians ’ in the countryside ” , he said .
There are signs , however , of a growing thaw between these two camps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers and environmentalists who , since 2017 , have been fighting a major new coal mine planned by India ’ s Adani Group .
“ Farmers and urban environmentalists protested to denounce the possible consequences of the mine ’ s opening on the Great Barrier Reef , ” Camroux said .
“ The national crisis caused by the fires will rally them even closer together.
” This article was adapted by Colin Kinniburgh from the original in French .

Australia’s government, long allied with the coal industry, has been labelled “an increasingly regressive force” on climate change by watchdogs. Will the record bushfires ravaging the country since autumn mark a turning point?
Advertising Read more
Thousands of families seeking refuge on beaches. Over a billion animals killed. Clouds of smoke choking the country’s biggest cities. These apocalyptic scenes have captured the scale and severity of the wildfires raging in Australia since September.
“We’re in the middle of a war situation,” David Bowman, director of the Fire Centre Research Hub at the University of Tasmania, told TIME magazine this week.
“I've seen bushfires before, but this was like an atomic bomb,” echoed Andrew Constance, Transport Minister of New South Wales, in the Sydney Morning Herald. His comments came as authorities urged nearly a quarter-million people to evacuate their homes in neighbouring Victoria state, ahead of a renewed heatwave that caused two major fires to merge into a “megablaze” on Friday.
Australians are used to fire season, but the current environmental catastrophe is unprecedented, said David Camroux, an Australian-born senior research fellow at the Centre for International Research (CERI) at Paris’s Sciences Po.
“Contrary to the usual patterns, the fires have not been contained within a single state but stretch from New South Wales to Victoria and Queensland,” he told FRANCE 24. “They could last for a long time, because the rains are not expected until March or April.”
Even those out of reach of the flames are not immune to the dangers of the fires, with millions facing hazardous air pollution in and around Australia’s major cities. In Canberra, the capital, levels of PM 2.5 particulate matter peaked on New Year’s Day at more than 200 times the World Health Organization’s safe recommended value.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Camroux.
Fires in Australia have burned 10.3 million hectares of land destroyed around 2,000 homes. © France 24
‘Sack ScoMo’
For many Australians, the government’s response to the fires has exemplified its wider failures in responding to the threats posed by climate change.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has multiplied errors in managing this national crisis,” said Camroux.
As early as last April, chief firefighters had warned of the possibility of crisis-level bushfires, but didn’t receive any response from the government. For weeks, as damage from the fires spread, the conservative prime minister and longtime coal industry advocate refused to acknowledge any connection between climate change and the fires, before finally doing so in mid-December.
“All this has sparked Australians’ outrage,” said Camroux. Catalysing their anger is the Hawaii beach vacation Morrison took with his family in mid-December, even as two firefighters were killed battling the flames.
Morrison cut the trip short and apologised, before scheduling a visit to the affected areas in early January. But he hasn’t avoided further blunders. During a visit this week to Kangaroo Island, a wildlife hub and popular tourist destination off Australia’s south coast, Morrison erroneously told reporters: “Thankfully, we’ve had no loss of life.” He was quickly corrected, prompting an awkward exchange.
Still, Morrison’s message was upbeat.
“Australia is open, Australia is still a wonderful place to come and bring your family and enjoy your holidays,” he said after meeting local tourism operators and farmers.
“Even here on Kangaroo Island, where a third of the island has obviously been decimated, two-thirds of it is open and ready for business,” he said. “It’s important to keep the local economies vibrant at these times.”
Over the last week, Morrison has called up 3,000 military reservists to help fight the fires and pledged a record A$2 billion (€1.2 billion) in recovery funds.
For Camroux and many Australian residents, the measures are “too little, too late” and illustrate Morrison’s “lack of leadership”. At least one environmental group has gone further, characterising the government’s response to the fires as “criminal negligence” in a call to action published on Wednesday.
The group, Uni Students for Climate Justice, is among the organisers of the ‘Sack ScoMo’ protests that drew thousands into the streets Friday across at least ten Australian cities, demanding the prime minister’s resignation and urgent action on climate change.
Can barely capture the whole crowd.
Huge climate/bushfires/dump ScoMo protest outside Sydney town hall.
Has shut down George and Park Street intersection. #SackScoMo #AustraliaFires pic.twitter.com/KYK12k7e94 — Michael Mazengarb (@MichaelM_ACT) January 10, 2020
One of the world’s biggest polluters per capita
Morrison’s government is hardly the first in Australia to prioritise fossil fuel revenue over climate action.
“Since 1996 successive conservative Australian governments have successfully fought to subvert international agreements on climate change in defence of the country’s fossil fuel industries,” wrote Booker Prize-winning novelist Richard Flanagan last week in a New York Times opinion article entitled “Australia Is Committing Climate Suicide”.
Ketan Joshi, an Australian energy and climate science writer, argued on the Guardian news site that mainstream Australian media has been complicit in “pioneering the denial of climate disaster”.
“Rightwing media outlets in Australia have responded to the current bushfires by either refusing to give the story its due prominence or by spreading falsehoods,” Joshi wrote. Moreover, he cited a study by university researchers affiliated with the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism that found that “climate scepticism gets substantial favourable exposure in mainstream Australian media”.
08:40
This tendency towards climate scepticism goes hand in hand with the country’s heavy economic dependence on fossil fuels – and, in turn, its position as one of the world’s top emitters of greenhouse gases. With just 25 million residents, or 0.3 percent of the world’s population, it is responsible for 1.2 percent of global CO2 emissions. According to the Global Carbon Project, this makes Australia the world’s eleventh-highest CO2 emitter per capita as of 2018, just ahead of the United States.
The 2020 Climate Change Performance Index, created by the rights observatory Germanwatch, ranks Australia 56th out of 61 countries evaluated. The index cites the Morrison government’s record as “an increasingly regressive force” in international climate negotiations, its approval of a major new coal mine and its withdrawal from the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund.
Surge in public concern
Australians’ concern about climate change is rapidly growing, however, as the die-out of half of the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef system – has drawn stark attention to another one of the devastating consequences of climate change.
>> Focus: Australia's Great Barrier Reef disappearing due to climate change
In May 2019, polling from the Sydney-based Lowy Institute found that 64 percent of Australians considered climate change a “critical threat”, making it the top-ranked threat ahead of cyberattacks from other countries (62 percent), international terrorism (61 percent) and North Korea’s nuclear programme (60 percent).
It was the first time climate change ranked highest since the institute began polling on the question in 2006. The shift in public opinion appears to be driven by Australia’s youth: more than three-quarters of those aged 18-44 agreed that global warming is a “serious and pressing problem”, compared to just under half of those over the age of 45.
This dynamic was also reflected in the massive Australian turnout for the most recent youth-led climate strikes in September. Organisers estimated that more than 300,000 protesters participated across the country, which would make the demonstrations the largest in Australia since those against the Iraq War in 2003.
“As in many Western countries, it’s become a generational issue,” said Camroux. “We can expect the movement to continue gaining ground.”
‘There will be a before and after the fires’
So far, growing public awareness of climate change has not translated to the ballot box. Last May, the conservative coalition headed by Morrison was narrowly re-elected. The result contrasted sharply with opinion polls, which had predicted a Labor victory. The Labor party had campaigned on a promise to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, by rapidly shifting to renewable energy and setting an emissions cap for big polluters.
Still, said Camroux, “there will be a before and after the fires”. To date, many Australians have dismissed environmentalists as urban elites, seeing them as “disconnected from the lives of ‘real Australians’ in the countryside”, he said.
There are signs, however, of a growing thaw between these two camps. One illustration is the coalition of farmers and environmentalists who, since 2017, have been fighting a major new coal mine planned by India’s Adani Group.
“Farmers and urban environmentalists protested to denounce the possible consequences of the mine’s opening on the Great Barrier Reef,” Camroux said. “The national crisis caused by the fires will rally them even closer together.”
This article was adapted by Colin Kinniburgh from the original in French.
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france24--2020-01-10--Iran rejects claims it shot down Ukraine passenger jet

Red Crescent workers at the site of the crash on January 8 , 2019 .
Iran 's civil aviation chief denied Friday that an Iranian missile downed a Ukrainian airliner which crashed killing all 176 on board , dismissing Western claims of a catastrophic mistake by the country 's air defences .
Iran 's denial came as Tehran faced mounting international pressure to allow a `` credible '' investigation into the crash , which several Western governments blamed on an accidental missile strike .
`` One thing is for certain , this airplane was not hit by a missile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abedzadeh said , after Tehran invited the US , Ukraine , Canada and others to join the investigation .
The cause of the crash is to be announced Saturday after an investigating committee meeting in the presence of foreign and local parties involved , Iran 's Fars news agency said , quoting an `` informed source '' .
Ukraine said its experts had gained access to the black box flight recorders as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeated it was `` likely '' an Iran missile downed the plane .
The Boeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched missiles at US forces in Iraq in response to the killing of a top Iranian general in a US drone strike in Baghdad .
It is Iran 's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake , killing all 290 people on board .
The majority of the passengers on Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 were dual national Iranian-Canadians but they also included Ukrainians , Afghans , Britons and Swedes .
Vadym Prystaiko , the foreign minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts to Tehran to take part in the Iran-led inquiry , told reporters Friday : `` Our team has now access to the black boxes . ''
Prystaiko said Ukraine sees `` full cooperation '' from Iran , adding that Ukrainian experts also had access to plane fragments and the crash site .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that multiple intelligence sources indicated an Iranian surface-to-air missile downed the plane after it took off from Tehran .
`` We know this may have been unintentional .
Canadians have questions , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
Abedzadeh rejected the claim , saying `` any remarks made before the data is extracted ( from the plane 's black box flight recorders ) ... is not an expert opinion '' .
Trudeau 's comments came as video footage emerged that appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit .
The footage , which The New York Times said it had verified , shows a fast-moving object rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash is seen , which dims and then continues moving forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sky lit up .
Iran 's foreign ministry said a Canadian delegation was on its way to Tehran to `` handle the affairs of the Canadian victims '' , a rarity since the two countries cut diplomatic relations in 2012 .
The civil aviation chief said Tehran had invited `` Americans , Canadians , the French , Ukrainians and the Swedish '' to be present during the investigation .
`` The important thing now is that everything is completely investigated .
Nothing must be swept under the table , '' German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US National Transportation Safety Board said it had received formal notification of the crash from Iran and would send a representative to join the probe .
Iran 's foreign ministry also invited US plane maker Boeing to `` participate '' in the probe .
Canada 's transportation safety board said it had accepted an invitation to join the inquiry .
France is the co-manufacturer of the plane 's engines , and has offered its expertise to help decipher the black box data .
Trudeau was backed by several other Western leaders , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier Mark Rutte and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg .
US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington officials believed the Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was struck by an Iranian missile .
`` I have my suspicions ... somebody could have made a mistake . ''
His secretary of state , Mike Pompeo , echoed him on Friday .
`` We do believe it 's likely that plane was shot down by an Iranian missile , '' he said .
`` We are going to let the investigation play out before we make a final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media that satellite , radar and electronic data indicated Tehran 's air defence units downed the aircraft .
Iran 's aviation authority chief said the missile theory could not be `` scientifically correct '' because it was not possible for an airliner to be hit and `` continue flying for 60 to 70 seconds '' .
`` The debris collected has been in a very limited area .
If there was an explosion in the wings it should have been much more scattered , '' Abedzadeh said .
The airliner went down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no radio message from the pilot to indicate distress , Iranian aviation authorities said .
The pilot did not call the tower because `` he must have been trying to save the airplane before anything else '' , Abedzadeh said .
German carrier Lufthansa said it was cancelling all flights to and from Tehran until January 20 `` due to the unclear security situation for the airspace around Tehran airport '' .
Sweden said it was stopping Iran Air flights between the two countries because of safety concerns .
Several other airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi airspace .
Investigators are pursuing several possibilities , including engine failure , a missile strike or an act of terror .
As speculation about the cause grew , Hesamodin Ashena , a senior advisor to President Hassan Rouhani , warned Iranians working for Farsi-language media abroad to `` not participate in the psychological warfare '' against Iran over the plane crash .

Iran's civil aviation chief denied Friday that an Iranian missile downed a Ukrainian airliner which crashed killing all 176 on board, dismissing Western claims of a catastrophic mistake by the country's air defences.
Red Crescent workers at the site of the crash on January 8, 2019.
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Iran's denial came as Tehran faced mounting international pressure to allow a "credible" investigation into the crash, which several Western governments blamed on an accidental missile strike.
"One thing is for certain, this airplane was not hit by a missile," Iran's civil aviation chief Ali Abedzadeh said, after Tehran invited the US, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the investigation.
The cause of the crash is to be announced Saturday after an investigating committee meeting in the presence of foreign and local parties involved, Iran's Fars news agency said, quoting an "informed source".
Ukraine said its experts had gained access to the black box flight recorders as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeated it was "likely" an Iran missile downed the plane.
The Boeing 737 crashed on Wednesday shortly after Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq in response to the killing of a top Iranian general in a US drone strike in Baghdad.
It is Iran's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake, killing all 290 people on board.
The majority of the passengers on Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 were dual national Iranian-Canadians but they also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes.
Vadym Prystaiko, the foreign minister of Ukraine which has sent around 50 experts to Tehran to take part in the Iran-led inquiry, told reporters Friday: "Our team has now access to the black boxes."
Prystaiko said Ukraine sees "full cooperation" from Iran, adding that Ukrainian experts also had access to plane fragments and the crash site.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that multiple intelligence sources indicated an Iranian surface-to-air missile downed the plane after it took off from Tehran.
"We know this may have been unintentional. Canadians have questions, and they deserve answers," Trudeau told reporters.
'Iran missile likely'
Abedzadeh rejected the claim, saying "any remarks made before the data is extracted (from the plane's black box flight recorders) ... is not an expert opinion".
Trudeau's comments came as video footage emerged that appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit.
The footage, which The New York Times said it had verified, shows a fast-moving object rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash is seen, which dims and then continues moving forward. Several seconds later an explosion is heard and the sky lit up.
Exclusive: Video verified by The New York Times shows a Ukrainian airliner being hit over Tehran on Wednesday https://t.co/brU9ZRmRX9 — The New York Times (@nytimes) January 9, 2020
Iran's foreign ministry said a Canadian delegation was on its way to Tehran to "handle the affairs of the Canadian victims", a rarity since the two countries cut diplomatic relations in 2012.
The civil aviation chief said Tehran had invited "Americans, Canadians, the French, Ukrainians and the Swedish" to be present during the investigation.
European Union foreign ministers urged Iran to be transparent.
"The important thing now is that everything is completely investigated. Nothing must be swept under the table," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
The US National Transportation Safety Board said it had received formal notification of the crash from Iran and would send a representative to join the probe.
Iran's foreign ministry also invited US plane maker Boeing to "participate" in the probe.
Canada's transportation safety board said it had accepted an invitation to join the inquiry.
France is the co-manufacturer of the plane's engines, and has offered its expertise to help decipher the black box data.
Trudeau was backed by several other Western leaders, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Netherlands Premier Mark Rutte and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington officials believed the Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was struck by an Iranian missile. "I have my suspicions... somebody could have made a mistake."
His secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, echoed him on Friday.
"We do believe it's likely that plane was shot down by an Iranian missile," he said. "We are going to let the investigation play out before we make a final determination."
Radio silence
Unidentified officials told US media that satellite, radar and electronic data indicated Tehran's air defence units downed the aircraft.
Iran's aviation authority chief said the missile theory could not be "scientifically correct" because it was not possible for an airliner to be hit and "continue flying for 60 to 70 seconds".
"The debris collected has been in a very limited area. If there was an explosion in the wings it should have been much more scattered," Abedzadeh said.
The airliner went down in the dark just minutes after take-off, with no radio message from the pilot to indicate distress, Iranian aviation authorities said.
The pilot did not call the tower because "he must have been trying to save the airplane before anything else", Abedzadeh said.
German carrier Lufthansa said it was cancelling all flights to and from Tehran until January 20 "due to the unclear security situation for the airspace around Tehran airport".
Sweden said it was stopping Iran Air flights between the two countries because of safety concerns.
Several other airlines also announced they would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Investigators are pursuing several possibilities, including engine failure, a missile strike or an act of terror.
As speculation about the cause grew, Hesamodin Ashena, a senior advisor to President Hassan Rouhani, warned Iranians working for Farsi-language media abroad to "not participate in the psychological warfare" against Iran over the plane crash.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-01-10--Brazil: Bolsonaro, one year on

Brazil: Bolsonaro, one year on

For the past year , Brazil has been led by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro , who promised during his election @ @ @ @ @ destiny of Brazil '' , eradicate corruption and turn the economy around .
What to @ @ @ @ @ in office of this controversial leader , who has made numerous sweeping statements and likes @ @ @ @ @ to his “ friend '' Donald Trump ?
Our team reports .

Brazil: Bolsonaro, one year on
16:41 Jair Bolsonaro © FRANCE 24
By: Pierre LE DUFF | Laura DAMASE
For the past year, Brazil has been led by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who promised during his election campaign to "change the destiny of Brazil", eradicate corruption and turn the economy around. What to make of the first year in office of this controversial leader, who has made numerous sweeping statements and likes to show off his closeness to his “friend" Donald Trump? Our team reports.


france24--2020-01-10--US imposes further Iran sanctions in response to missile strikes

A satellite picture taken January 8 , 2020 , shows what appears to be damage caused by Iran 's missile @ @ @ @ @ base in Iraq .
The Trump administration on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran in @ @ @ @ @ missile strikes on Iraqi bases housing US and allied troops .
Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin said the new sanctions will target eight senior Iranian officials as well as companies @ @ @ @ @ sectors .
Iran this week launched the strikes in retaliation for the US drone strike @ @ @ @ @ , the head of the powerful Quds Force , in Baghdad last week .
“ @ @ @ @ @ actions we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime , @ @ @ @ @ said .
The administration has already reinstated all the US sanctions that were eased under @ @ @ @ @ which has caused significant economic hardship in Iran and cut its oil exports to historic @ @

The United States piled new sanctions on Iran's already crippled economy Friday and defended the killing of a top Iranian leader, saying he had been planning an "imminent" attack on US embassies.
A satellite picture taken January 8, 2020 shows what appears to be damage caused by Iran's missile strikes on Al Asad air base in Iraq.
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The sanctions, announced at the White House, marked the latest salvo in a US-Iranian confrontation that risked sliding into war a week ago with the deadly US drone attack on general Qassem Soleimani, who was by some measures the second most influential person in Iran.
In response to the killing of Soleimani, Iran fired volleys of ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing US troops, without causing casualties.
While President Donald Trump said he would not respond further militarily, Washington is intent on maintaining pressure.
The sanctions mean "we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime", Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House.
The measures targeting Iran's steel industry and eight state officials came on top of massive sanctions already aimed at bringing the country's economy to its knees.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that sanctions so far "have deprived the regime of billions in revenue".
"Oil revenues (are) down by 80 percent and Iran cannot access roughly 90 percent of its foreign policy reserves," he said. "As long as Iran's outlaw ways continue we will continue to impose sanctions."
Among the senior Iranian officials targeted in the new measures were Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, the Iranian armed forces deputy chief of staff and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij militia, a volunteer force loyal to the regime.
Seventeen Iranian metals producers and mining companies were listed.
The sanctions also included a network of three entities that are based in China and the Seychelles as well as a vessel "involved in the purchase, sale, and transfer of Iranian metals products", the Treasury said in a statement.
'Imminent' threat questioned
Critics are questioning why Trump - who has been impeached and faces a Senate trial in the coming days - ordered Soleimani's killing last week.
US media reported Friday that the American military allegedly targeted an additional Iranian official, Abdul Reza Shahlai, who is a senior officer of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a top-secret mission on the same day in Yemen.
Shahlai was not killed, but the reports beg further questions about whether Trump was indeed acting to prevent an additional attack by Soleimani or carrying out a broader campaign against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The administration has pushed back against accusations that Trump acted recklessly, insisting longtime US foe Soleimani was on the brink of launching an attack and had to be stopped.
On Thursday, Trump said that Soleimani had been planning to blow up the US embassy in Baghdad. However, officials did not back up that scenario.
Then on Friday, Trump shifted, saying "probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad."
"I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies," Trump added in an excerpt of an interview due to air later on Fox News.
Earlier, Pompeo said the US had specific information on "imminent" attacks "against American facilities, including American embassies, military bases".
But he added he did not know what day they were planned for.
00:20
The United States has been at loggerheads with Iran, a fierce regional rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia, for decades.
Soon after Trump came into office he withdrew from an international accord meant to give Iran the ability to develop civilian nuclear power while under supervision. Trump claimed that Tehran was cheating and trying to obtain a nuclear weapon.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-01-10--Queen Elizabeth demands swift response to ‘Megxit’

Queen Elizabeth II has ordered royal courtiers to define a future role for Prince Harry and Meghan within days , following their unexpected decision to distance themselves from the royal family .
First Brexit , now Megxit .
Sources say Queen Elizabeth II has called on aides to rapidly define the new roles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , the Duke and Duchess of Sussex .
The reports come as Britain is still reeling from the couple ’ s announcement that they are stepping down from full-time royal duties .
Fans of the monarchy greeted the move with dismay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ royals superfan John Loughery told Reuters .
“ And I think she is wearing the trousers , and I feel sorry for Harry .
We want the golden boy back .
And I think it will end up in tears.
” Many are sceptical at how the couple could stay on as part-time royals – and are upset by claims that the rest of the royal family was blindsided by the announcement .
“ They 're a law unto themselves .
They are just putting out statements , here , there and everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan .
On their new website , the Sussexes announced they will no longer take part in the Royal Rota system , which sends updates to British papers .
Tabloids in particular have been heavily critical of the couple , leading Prince Harry and Meghan to speak publicly about the toll of the intense media pressure that comes with being senior royals .
From now on , they will be providing direct access only “ to credible media outlets focused on objective news reporting ” , and prioritising communication with “ grassroots media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You might call it their own way of taking back control .

Queen Elizabeth II has ordered royal courtiers to define a future role for Prince Harry and Meghan within days, following their unexpected decision to distance themselves from the royal family.
Royal super fan John Loughery holds a copy of a British newspaper as he poses for the media outside of Buckingham Palace in London on January 9, 2020, following the announcement that Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, plan to step down as "senior" members of the Royal Family.
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First Brexit, now Megxit.
Sources say Queen Elizabeth II has called on aides to rapidly define the new roles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The reports come as Britain is still reeling from the couple’s announcement that they are stepping down from full-time royal duties.
Fans of the monarchy greeted the move with dismay.
“Very strange behaviour,” royals superfan John Loughery told Reuters. “And I think she is wearing the trousers, and I feel sorry for Harry. We want the golden boy back. And I think it will end up in tears.”
Many are sceptical at how the couple could stay on as part-time royals – and are upset by claims that the rest of the royal family was blindsided by the announcement.
“They're a law unto themselves. They are just putting out statements, here, there and everywhere without consulting anybody,” said another fan.
On their new website, the Sussexes announced they will no longer take part in the Royal Rota system, which sends updates to British papers. Tabloids in particular have been heavily critical of the couple, leading Prince Harry and Meghan to speak publicly about the toll of the intense media pressure that comes with being senior royals.
From now on, they will be providing direct access only “to credible media outlets focused on objective news reporting”, and prioritising communication with “grassroots media organisations and young, up-and-coming journalists”.
You might call it their own way of taking back control.
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france24--2020-01-10--Congo ethnic killings may amount to crimes against humanity, UN says

A Congolese victim of ethnic violence rests inside a ward at the General Hospital in Bunia , Ituri province , in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo , on June 25 , 2019 .
Killings , rapes and other barbaric violence committed by an ethnic armed group in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo against a rival group may amount to crimes against humanity and possibly even genocide , the United Nations said on Friday .
The attacks in Ituri province have mostly targeted Hema herders , who have long been in conflict with Lendu farmers over grazing rights and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out systematic and widespread attacks , trying to `` inflict lasting trauma '' on the Hema and clear them from what they deem to be their ancestral lands , the UN human rights office said in a report .
`` The widespread nature of the organisation , the systematic nature , is certainly characteristic of crimes against humanity , '' UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a briefing .
`` The burden of proof of genocide , the intent to destroy a whole part of a population , is far more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquired more firearms after seizing them from the military , UN investigators said .
`` The barbarity that characterises these attacks – including the beheading of women and children with machetes , the dismemberment and removal of body parts of the victims as trophies of war – reflects the desire of the attackers to inflict lasting trauma to the Hema communities and to force them to flee and not return to their villages , '' the report said .
`` Certain elements constituting genocide '' – a rare designation under international law – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FARDC army and police have failed to stop the violence and have themselves carried out executions , rapes and arbitrary arrests , it said .
Congolese authorities must deploy more security forces and investigate abuses , it added .
At least 701 people have been killed and 168 injured during inter-ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu communities in Djugu and Mahagi territories from December 2017 to September 2019 , the report said .
At least 142 people have suffered acts of sexual violence , it added .
Most victims are from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators said they had also documented acts of reprisals by some Hema , including the burning of villages .
Nearly 57,000 Congolese have fled to Uganda while more than half a million have been displaced in their homeland , it said .

Killings, rapes and other barbaric violence committed by an ethnic armed group in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo against a rival group may amount to crimes against humanity and possibly even genocide, the United Nations said on Friday.
A Congolese victim of ethnic violence rests inside a ward at the General Hospital in Bunia, Ituri province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 25, 2019.
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The attacks in Ituri province have mostly targeted Hema herders, who have long been in conflict with Lendu farmers over grazing rights and political representation.
Lendu armed groups have carried out systematic and widespread attacks, trying to "inflict lasting trauma" on the Hema and clear them from what they deem to be their ancestral lands, the UN human rights office said in a report.
"The widespread nature of the organisation, the systematic nature, is certainly characteristic of crimes against humanity," UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a briefing.
"The burden of proof of genocide, the intent to destroy a whole part of a population, is far more difficult to prove."
#DRC: UN #humanrights report finds killings, rapes & other forms of violence targeting Hema community in DRC province of Ituri may amount to crimes against humanity. Report calls on authorities to conduct an independent & impartial investigation. 👉 https://t.co/SRSGwSiVBP pic.twitter.com/WKszaTFiXk — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) January 10, 2020
Lendu groups have acquired more firearms after seizing them from the military, UN investigators said.
"The barbarity that characterises these attacks – including the beheading of women and children with machetes, the dismemberment and removal of body parts of the victims as trophies of war – reflects the desire of the attackers to inflict lasting trauma to the Hema communities and to force them to flee and not return to their villages," the report said.
"Certain elements constituting genocide" – a rare designation under international law – may be present, it said.
The FARDC army and police have failed to stop the violence and have themselves carried out executions, rapes and arbitrary arrests, it said. Congolese authorities must deploy more security forces and investigate abuses, it added.
At least 701 people have been killed and 168 injured during inter-ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu communities in Djugu and Mahagi territories from December 2017 to September 2019, the report said. At least 142 people have suffered acts of sexual violence, it added.
Most victims are from the Hema community, but the UN investigators said they had also documented acts of reprisals by some Hema, including the burning of villages.
Nearly 57,000 Congolese have fled to Uganda while more than half a million have been displaced in their homeland, it said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-10--The people planting mangroves to revive a Gambian community

Darboe told the FRANCE 24 Observers about the effects the drought had on the town .
About five communities in Sankandi are affected by the drought .
The area is very sparse and huge .
Normally it ’ s a very busy area with lots of activity , but when mangroves die , people migrate and move away so activity dies .
When the mangroves were there there was an abundance of fish in the water .
Lots of people lived along the river and they could always get a good catch .
But when the mangroves died all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huxham , a researcher in environmental biology at the Edinburgh Napier University , has been working with Ansumana Darboe on the challenges the community in Sankandi is facing .
He says that the mangrove forests probably died due to a severe dry season and human intervention .
There was a big dieback along the river about 20 years ago .
My speculation is that it is to do with dams that were built along the Gambian river in the 1960s and 1970s that would have changed water flow .
Most species of mangroves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better where there ’ s some freshwater .
They can ’ t grow in pure seawater .
Where the Sankandi youth group works is quite a long way up the river , where there ’ s low salinity water .
If you change the river flow with dams , the water could have become more salty and that would have cause dieback .
A dry season can also cause the water to become more salty , and you would only need a month or two of that to kill a large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only encourage fish to thrive in the area , but also have other fundamental uses for nearby communities .
More than 90 per cent of people in The Gambia rely on trees for their cooking fuel , which means there ’ s a lot of pressure on the forest resources here .
People could also be using the timber from the mangroves for building houses .
It doesn ’ t surprise me that people have moved away .
That often happens in these communities , because mangrove products and services are particularly important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those who rely on non-market goods like firewood .
This would hit the poorest people hardest because they ’ re relying on those resources day-to-day .
The Sankandi Youth Development Organisation began in 2005 and initially focused on community development and empowering local women and girls .
The mangrove planting project began in 2014 , and won a grant in 2018 from the environmental organisation Earthwatch Institute .
The planting project has been well-received in the community , with many locals volunteering to plant saplings .
Darboe is hoping to garner more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the community like the project .
They ’ re very supportive .
Whenever we do a planting exercise everyone goes down to the riverbank to see it being planted , everyone wants to see it happening .
We ’ ve already planted 150,000 mangrove saplings .
The area is huge though , so we need billions !
Our number one challenge is funding .
We want more research on mangrove planting and the results , data collection and evaluating what we ’ ve done .
We also want to teach people about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that and empower people to do more themselves .
We have to buy the mangrove saplings we want to plant .
We also have to provide food for the locals if they work with us : they are not paid , so we cook for them .
Every time we plant more than 200 people get involved .
It ’ s the entire community .
Since it began , the organisation has launched other initiatives aside from replanting mangroves : it trains locals in beekeeping , setting up hives and empowering members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own apiculture businesses .

THE GAMBIA
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Severe drought has been affecting the town of Sankandi in The Gambia for the last four decades, and it has taken its toll on the environment. Mangrove forests that grew along the river died, which had repercussions on the local community, who use mangroves as a main resource. Our Observer wanted to work out how to restore the mangrove forests and help the struggling local population.
Ansumana Darboe co-founded the Sankandi Youth Development Organisation in 2005 to promote sustainable development in the region and empower local rural communities. Since 2014, the organisation has been focusing on restoring the once-lush wetlands near the river, which Darboe hopes will boost the local ecosystem and so help the community by repopulating the river with fish. The presence of mangroves encourages fish to breed, so mangrove forests are often linked with a high fish population.
The mangrove, a distinctive tree with long roots that grow in salty, brackish water where few other plants would thrive, is a species under threat. Mangrove forests are found in bodies of saltwater across West Africa, but some forests are shrinking due to deforestation, dams and irrigation, and climate change. In The Gambia, some mangrove forests have been severely damaged because of persistent drought.
"When the mangroves died the fish disappeared"
Darboe told the FRANCE 24 Observers about the effects the drought had on the town.
About five communities in Sankandi are affected by the drought. The area is very sparse and huge. Normally it’s a very busy area with lots of activity, but when mangroves die, people migrate and move away so activity dies. When the mangroves were there there was an abundance of fish in the water. Lots of people lived along the river and they could always get a good catch. But when the mangroves died all of the fish population disappeared.
Dr Mark Huxham, a researcher in environmental biology at the Edinburgh Napier University, has been working with Ansumana Darboe on the challenges the community in Sankandi is facing. He says that the mangrove forests probably died due to a severe dry season and human intervention.
There was a big dieback along the river about 20 years ago. My speculation is that it is to do with dams that were built along the Gambian river in the 1960s and 1970s that would have changed water flow. Most species of mangroves grow in the sea but grow much better where there’s some freshwater. They can’t grow in pure seawater. Where the Sankandi youth group works is quite a long way up the river, where there’s low salinity water. If you change the river flow with dams, the water could have become more salty and that would have cause dieback. A dry season can also cause the water to become more salty, and you would only need a month or two of that to kill a large number of trees.
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Death of mangrove forests hits poorest people the hardest
Huxham says that mangroves not only encourage fish to thrive in the area, but also have other fundamental uses for nearby communities.
More than 90 per cent of people in The Gambia rely on trees for their cooking fuel, which means there’s a lot of pressure on the forest resources here. People could also be using the timber from the mangroves for building houses. It doesn’t surprise me that people have moved away. That often happens in these communities, because mangrove products and services are particularly important for the poorest people in a society, those who rely on non-market goods like firewood. This would hit the poorest people hardest because they’re relying on those resources day-to-day.
The Sankandi Youth Development Organisation began in 2005 and initially focused on community development and empowering local women and girls. The mangrove planting project began in 2014, and won a grant in 2018 from the environmental organisation Earthwatch Institute.
Everything run with volunteers
The planting project has been well-received in the community, with many locals volunteering to plant saplings. Darboe is hoping to garner more external support for the organisation.
People in the community like the project. They’re very supportive. Whenever we do a planting exercise everyone goes down to the riverbank to see it being planted, everyone wants to see it happening. We’ve already planted 150,000 mangrove saplings. The area is huge though, so we need billions! Our number one challenge is funding. We want more research on mangrove planting and the results, data collection and evaluating what we’ve done. We also want to teach people about sustainable development, we want to communicate on that and empower people to do more themselves. We have to buy the mangrove saplings we want to plant. We also have to provide food for the locals if they work with us: they are not paid, so we cook for them. Every time we plant more than 200 people get involved. It’s the entire community.
Since it began, the organisation has launched other initiatives aside from replanting mangroves: it trains locals in beekeeping, setting up hives and empowering members of the local community to set up their own apiculture businesses.
Article by Catherine Bennett (cfbennett2).


france24--2020-01-10--Libya’s Haftar vow to press Tripoli campaign despite ceasefire call

Forces in East Libya led by Khalifa Haftar said on Thursday they will not let up in their military campaign against rival factions in the capital Tripoli , appearing to reject a call by Russia and Turkey for a ceasefire .
A statement from Haftar 's self-styled Libyan National Army ( LNA ) welcomed Russia 's bid `` to seek peace and stability in Libya '' , but affirmed `` the continuation of the efforts of the armed forces in their war against terrorist groups ... which control the capital Tripoli '' .
A high-level source close to the LNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , described the statement as a `` conditional acceptance '' of Russia and Turkey 's call on Wednesday for a ceasefire to start on Jan. 12 .
Haftar 's forces began an offensive to take control of Tripoli in April that quickly stalled on the city 's outskirts .
However , the LNA has gained an advantage in recent weeks as fighting intensified and it seized the coastal city of Sirte on Monday .
Libya has been divided into rival camps based in Tripoli and the east since 2014 , each with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive upended a UN-led peace push and reignited a conflict that has in recent years fuelled migrant smuggling to Europe , given space to Islamist militants and disrupted oil supplies .
Both Russia and Turkey have been increasingly involved in Libya 's conflict , with Turkey backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli and the armed factions that support it .
Turkey 's parliament voted last week to allow a troop deployment to the North African country .
Russia has largely backed Haftar , whilst maintaining relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian military contractors have deployed alongside the LNA , which has also received air support from the United Arab Emirates and backing from Jordan and Egypt , according to UN experts and diplomats .
The GNA has said it welcomes any serious call for a return to the political process .
`` The GNA urgently wants to restore peace , and until that is possible ... we will exercise our lawful right to enter into military alliances and defend our country from attack , '' senior GNA adviser Mohammed Ali Abdallah said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` welcomes any credible ceasefire proposal , but we have a duty to protect the Libyan people '' from Haftar 's offensive , he said .

Forces in East Libya led by Khalifa Haftar said on Thursday they will not let up in their military campaign against rival factions in the capital Tripoli, appearing to reject a call by Russia and Turkey for a ceasefire.
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A statement from Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) welcomed Russia's bid "to seek peace and stability in Libya", but affirmed "the continuation of the efforts of the armed forces in their war against terrorist groups ... which control the capital Tripoli".
A high-level source close to the LNA, who asked not to be identified, described the statement as a "conditional acceptance" of Russia and Turkey's call on Wednesday for a ceasefire to start on Jan. 12.
Haftar's forces began an offensive to take control of Tripoli in April that quickly stalled on the city's outskirts. However, the LNA has gained an advantage in recent weeks as fighting intensified and it seized the coastal city of Sirte on Monday.
Libya has been divided into rival camps based in Tripoli and the east since 2014, each with their own set of institutions.
Haftar's offensive upended a UN-led peace push and reignited a conflict that has in recent years fuelled migrant smuggling to Europe, given space to Islamist militants and disrupted oil supplies.
Both Russia and Turkey have been increasingly involved in Libya's conflict, with Turkey backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and the armed factions that support it. Turkey's parliament voted last week to allow a troop deployment to the North African country.
Between Ankara and Athens, the eastern Mediterranean is simmering with tensions https://t.co/8kfXPVA8bC pic.twitter.com/RGGCK1OllD — FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) January 2, 2020
Russia has largely backed Haftar, whilst maintaining relations with the GNA.
In recent months Russian military contractors have deployed alongside the LNA, which has also received air support from the United Arab Emirates and backing from Jordan and Egypt, according to UN experts and diplomats.
The GNA has said it welcomes any serious call for a return to the political process.
"The GNA urgently wants to restore peace, and until that is possible ... we will exercise our lawful right to enter into military alliances and defend our country from attack," senior GNA adviser Mohammed Ali Abdallah said in a statement on Thursday.
The GNA "welcomes any credible ceasefire proposal, but we have a duty to protect the Libyan people" from Haftar's offensive, he said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-10--Australia wildfires: Lack of rainfall 'a direct consequence of climate chaos'

Australia is battling catastrophic fires that have devastated more than 10 million hectares , with no end in sight .
@ @ @ @ @ thousands forced to flee their homes .
Mark Graham is an ecologist from the Nature @ @ @ @ @ has been battling wildfires at the Gondwana Rainforests , a world heritage site in New @ @ @ @ @ to us about the devastation being caused to animals , particularly koalas ; the heartwarming @ @ @ @ @ ; plus anger at the government ’ s refusal to recognise the role climate change @ @ @

Australia wildfires: Lack of rainfall 'a direct consequence of climate chaos'
08:40 PERSPECTIVE © FRANCE 24
By: Naomi LLOYD
Australia is battling catastrophic fires that have devastated more than 10 million hectares, with no end in sight. Lives have been lost and thousands forced to flee their homes. Mark Graham is an ecologist from the Nature Conservation Council in Australia and has been battling wildfires at the Gondwana Rainforests, a world heritage site in New South Wales. He spoke to us about the devastation being caused to animals, particularly koalas; the heartwarming community response to the bushfires; plus anger at the government’s refusal to recognise the role climate change has played.


france24--2020-01-11--France 24 Special Edition: Australia Inferno

Tune into our special edition of Down to Earth devoted to the bushfires plaguing Australia .
As the crisis in @ @ @ @ @ month , more than 150 fires are still raging across the continent , some of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s known as mega-blazes .
Already 10,000 hectares of bush , parks and forests @ @ @ @ @ have been lost and more than a billion animals are estimated to have perished .
@ @ @ @ @ the flames as well as analysis from experts , activists and journalists in an effort @ @ @ @ @ of this human and environmental catastrophe .

Tune into our special edition of Down to Earth devoted to the bushfires plaguing Australia.
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As the crisis in Australia enters its fifth consecutive month, more than 150 fires are still raging across the continent, some of them merging to create what’s known as mega-blazes.
Already 10,000 hectares of bush, parks and forests have burned, 27 lives have been lost and more than a billion animals are estimated to have perished.
We hear first-hand accounts of the flames as well as analysis from experts, activists and journalists in an effort to try to understand the amplitude of this human and environmental catastrophe.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-11--Iran admits it 'unintentionally' shot down Ukrainian passenger plane

Red Crescent workers at the site of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crash in Iran on January 8 , 2020 .
Three days after the crash , the Iranian army admitted that the aircraft had been shot down `` by mistake '' .
Iran said on Saturday its armed forces `` unintentionally '' shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed after taking off from Tehran , killing all 176 people aboard .
President Hassan Rouhani said a military investigation had found `` missiles fired due to human error '' brought down the Boeing 737 on Wednesday , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The about-turn came after officials in Iran had categorically denied Western claims that the Ukraine International Airlines ( UIA ) airliner had been struck by a missile in a catastrophic error .
The plane , which had been bound for Kiev , slammed into a field shortly after taking off from Tehran 's Imam Khomeini International Airport before dawn on Wednesday .
It came only hours after Iran 's armed forces launched a wave of missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a US drone strike .
Iran had come under mounting pressure to allow a `` credible '' investigation after video footage emerged appearing to show the plane being hit by a fast-moving object before a flash appears .
The Ukrainian and Canadian leaders called for accountability after Iran 's admission .
The armed forces were first to acknowledge the error , saying the Boeing 737 had been mistaken for a `` hostile plane '' at a time when enemy threats were at the highest level .
`` The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Twitter .
`` Armed Forces ' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people . ''
In a statement posted on the government 's website , Rouhani said Iran 's armed forces had been on alert for possible attacks by the Americans after the `` martyrdom '' of Soleimani .
`` Iran is very much saddened by this catastrophic mistake and I , on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran , express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims of this painful catastrophe , '' he said .
Rouhani added he had ordered `` all relevant bodies to take all necessary actions ( to ensure ) compensation '' to the families of those killed .
`` This painful incident is not an issue that can be overcome easily . ''
He said `` the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake will be prosecuted '' .
`` It is necessary to take necessary steps and measures to remove the weak points of the country 's defence systems so that such a catastrophe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 were dual national Iranian-Canadians but also included Ukrainians , Afghans , Britons and Swedes .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of the plane and pay compensation .
`` We expect Iran ... to bring the guilty to the courts , '' the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said closure and accountability were needed in the wake of the incident .
Trudeau also demanded `` transparency , and justice for the families and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a national tragedy , and all Canadians are mourning together , '' his office said in a statement .
The disaster came as tensions soared in the region after the Soleimani killing , and fears grew of an all-out war between Iran and its arch-enemy the United States .
Washington said the Soleimani strike was carried out to prevent `` imminent '' , large-scale attacks on American embassies .
Tehran had vowed `` severe revenge '' for the killing of Soleimani before launching missiles at the bases in Iraq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by US adventurism led to disaster , '' Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted .
`` Our profound regrets , apologies and condolences to our people , to the families of all victims , and to other affected nations . ''
Iran has invited the United States , Ukraine , Canada and others to join the crash investigation .
It is Iran 's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake , killing all 290 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UIA 737 , which The New York Times said it had verified , emerged and appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit .
A fast-moving object is seen rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash appears , which dims and then continues moving forward .
Several seconds later , an explosion is heard and the sky lights up .
Many airlines from around the world cancelled flights to and from Iran in the wake of the crash , or rerouted flights away from Iranian airspace .
Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and de-escalation , and fears of a full-blown conflict have subsided after US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran appeared to be standing down after targeting the US bases in Iraq .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Iran's acknowledgement that it shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane was a step in the right direction but wanted those responsible to be held to account.
Red Crescent workers at the site of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crash in Iran on January 8, 2020. Three days after the crash, the Iranian army admitted that the aircraft had been shot down "by mistake".
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"I insist on immediately completing identification of the bodies and their return to Ukraine," Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter after speaking to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
"The perpetrators must be held accountable."
Iran said on Saturday its armed forces "unintentionally" shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed after taking off from Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard.
President Hassan Rouhani said a military investigation had found "missiles fired due to human error" brought down the Boeing 737 on Wednesday, calling it an "unforgivable mistake".
The about-turn came after officials in Iran had categorically denied Western claims that the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) airliner had been struck by a missile in a catastrophic error.
The plane, which had been bound for Kiev, slammed into a field shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport before dawn on Wednesday.
02:44
It came only hours after Iran's armed forces launched a wave of missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, one of Iran's top generals, in a US drone strike.
Iran had come under mounting pressure to allow a "credible" investigation after video footage emerged appearing to show the plane being hit by a fast-moving object before a flash appears.
The armed forces were first to acknowledge the error, saying the Boeing 737 had been mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when enemy threats were at the highest level.
Iran 'saddened'
In a statement posted on the government's website, Rouhani said Iran's armed forces had been on alert for possible attacks by the Americans after the "martyrdom" of Soleimani.
"Iran is very much saddened by this catastrophic mistake and I, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, express my deep condolences to the families of victims of this painful catastrophe," he said.
Rouhani added he had ordered "all relevant bodies to take all necessary actions (to ensure) compensation" to the families of those killed.
"This painful incident is not an issue that can be overcome easily."
He said "the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake will be prosecuted".
"It is necessary to take necessary steps and measures to remove the weak points of the country's defence systems so that such a catastrophe is never repeated again."
The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 were dual national Iranian-Canadians but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes.
Demands for justice
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of the plane and pay compensation.
"We expect Iran... to bring the guilty to the courts," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook.
02:18
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said closure and accountability were needed in the wake of the incident and he demanded "transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims".
Though Canada has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 2012, Trudeau spoke to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani earlier on Saturday. Rouhani committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region, and continuing a dialogue, Trudeau said.
"Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered," Trudeau said in a news conference on Saturday.
"It is absolutely necessary that Canada participate in this investigation. We expect the full cooperation of Iranian authorities," he said.
The disaster came as tensions soared in the region after the Soleimani killing, and fears grew of an all-out war between Iran and its arch-enemy the United States.
Washington said the Soleimani strike was carried out to prevent "imminent", large-scale attacks on American embassies.
Tehran had vowed "severe revenge" for the killing of Soleimani before launching missiles at the bases in Iraq.
'US adventurism'
"Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted.
"Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations."
Iran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation.
It is Iran's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake, killing all 290 people on board.
Video footage of the UIA 737, which The New York Times said it had verified, emerged and appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit.
A fast-moving object is seen rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash appears, which dims and then continues moving forward. Several seconds later, an explosion is heard and the sky lights up.
Many airlines from around the world cancelled flights to and from Iran in the wake of the crash, or rerouted flights away from Iranian airspace.
Nations around the world have called for restraint and de-escalation, and fears of a full-blown conflict have subsided after US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran appeared to be standing down after targeting the US bases in Iraq.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-11--Taiwan goes to the polls, as voters factor in candidates' stance on China

Early results from Taiwanese television networks and the Election Commission showed President Tsai Ing-wen leading her closest challenger , Han Kuo-yu of the Nationalist Party , in Saturday 's presidential election , possibly putting her on the way to winning a second term .
The mood was jubilant at the headquarters of Tsai 's Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei , the capital , with supporters cheering as her tally climbed .
At a gathering in Kaohsiung , where Han is mayor , it was much grimmer , with some wiping away tears as the vote count showed Tsai holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precincts reporting , results from the Central Election Commission showed Tsai with 57.96 % of the votes and Han with 38.34 % .
TV networks reported that Tsai was ahead in almost all major cities .
The self-governing island was expected to know later Saturday whether Tsai had triumphed with her tough stance toward China .
Taiwan has developed its own identity since separating from China during civil war in 1949 but has never declared formal independence .
Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island of 23 million people and threatens to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Han voted in Kaohsiung , where he is mayor .
A third-party candidate , James Soong , also ran but had virtually no chance of winning .
“ I hope every citizen can come out and vote , '' Tsai said after casting her vote in Taipei .
“ You should exercise your rights to make democracy stronger in Taiwan . ''
For many in Taiwan , months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong , a semi-autonomous Chinese territory , have driven home the contrast between their democratically governed island and authoritarian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election as a chance to protect Taiwan 's democracy .
“ Let us tell the world with our own votes that Taiwanese are determined to defend sovereignty , determined to guard democracy and determined to persist in reforms , ” she said at a rally late Friday .
The Nationalist Party 's Han has said Taiwan should be more open to negotiations with China , in contrast to Tsai , who has dismissed Beijing 's overtures .
At his last rally , attended by hundreds of thousands of people in the southern port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical issues such as improving education and the economy .
“ I want to attract massive investments .
I want products to be exported nonstop , ” he said .
The Hong Kong protests have undermined support in Taiwan for the “ one country , two systems ” approach Beijing has championed for governing both that former British colony and Taiwan .
Fears of Chinese interference in Taiwan ’ s politics and an uptick in the economy helped Tsai regain an edge after a dire electoral setback for her Democratic Progressive Party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The reason why I vote for her is for upholding the value of Taiwan 's freedom and democracy and that should not be affected by the other side of the strait ( China ) , ” Lucy Ting , a college student , said at Tsai 's rally on Friday .
The Nationalists have struggled to find candidates who can fire up their pro-China supporters and win over young Taiwanese who increasingly favor the DPP .
A second term for Tsai is expected to draw more diplomatic , economic and military pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a continuation of Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s campaign to compel her administration to endorse its insistence that Taiwan is a part of China .
Tsai has refused to do so , maintaining that Beijing has no claim over Taiwan , although her government has repeatedly called for the reopening of talks between the sides without preconditions .
Since its transition to full democracy beginning in the 1980s , Taiwan has increasingly asserted its independent identity from China even though it is not recognized by the United Nations or any major nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people exercises all the roles of a sovereign nation , issuing its own passports , maintaining its own military and legal system and serving as a crucial hub in the global high-tech supply chain .
If reelected , Tsai will face challenges in trying to reform the government and economy and push through unpopular cuts in generous civil service pensions .

Taiwan’s incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen declared victory over her closest challenger, Han Kuo-yu, in Saturday’s election, earning her a second-term as the region's first female leader.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen smiles as she arrives to cast her vote at a polling station during general elections in New Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan, January 11, 2020.
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Tsai, 63, was greeted by thousands of jubilant flag-waving supporters outside her party headquarters, hailing a result which looks set to infuriate China.
"Today we have defended our democracy and freedom, tomorrow let us stand united to overcome all challenges and difficulties," she told the cheering crowd.
Official results showed Tsai secured 57 percent of the popular vote with a record-breaking 8.2 million ballots, 1.3 million more than her 2016 victory.
Her main rival Han Kuo-yu, from the China-friendly Kuomintang, racked up 39 percent and conceded defeat.
The result is a blow for Beijing, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has made no secret of wanting to see Tsai turfed out.
03:54
Over the last four years it ramped up economic, military and diplomatic pressure on the self-ruled island, hoping it would scare voters into supporting Tsai's opposition.
But the strong arm tactics backfired and voters flocked to her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), fuelled in part by China's hardline response to months of huge and violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
The result was welcomed by the United States, Taiwan's primary military ally, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saluting Tsai's "commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure".
'No threats'
Tsai pitched herself as a defender of liberal democratic values against the increasingly authoritarian shadow cast by China under President Xi Jinping.
Beijing has vowed to one day retake the island, by force if necessary. It loathes Tsai because she refuses to acknowledge the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China".
Her campaign frequently invoked Hong Kong's protests as a warning of what might lie ahead should China one day take control of Taiwan.
During her victory speech Tsai said she was committed to dialogue with China's leaders and wanted peace.
But she called on Beijing to halt its sabre rattling towards Taiwan and respect the idea that only the island's 23 million inhabitants can decide its future.
"Today I want to once again remind the Beijing authorities that peace, parity, democracy and dialogue are the keys to stability," Tsai said.
"I want the Beijing authorities to know that democratic Taiwan and our democratically elected government will never concede to threats."
But China is also Taiwan's largest trade partner, leaving the island in a precariously dependent relationship.
Han, the 62-year-old mayor of the southern city of Kaohsiung, favoured much warmer ties with China -- saying it would boost Taiwan's fortunes -- and accused the current administration of needlessly antagonising Beijing.
But his campaign struggled to gain momentum or escape the perception that he was too cosy with Taiwan's giant neighbour.
Turnout in the poll was 75 percent, a jump of nearly 10 percent from Tsai's first presidential election victory four years ago.
Official results showed the DPP managed to retain its majority in the island's unicameral parliament with 61 out of 113 seats, while the KMT took 38 seats.
01:19
Carrot or stick?
Tsai's victory is the second major electoral setback for Beijing in recent weeks.
In November, Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp scored a landslide win over pro-Beijing parties in district elections as the city convulses with months of anti-government protests.
"Tsai's landslide victory is like a slap in the face to Beijing as Taiwanese voters say no to its intimidation," Hung Chin-fu, a political analyst at Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University, told AFP.
Joshua Eisenman, a foreign affairs expert the University of Notre Dame, said all eyes will be watching China's response.
"Will the hardline position towards Tsai... be continued or will Beijing adopt a more 'soft sell' approach that is more carrot and less stick?" he said.
Taiwanese voters have watched events in Hong Kong closely because the financial hub is run on Beijing's "one country, two systems" model.
China has suggested the same model could one day be applied to Taiwan if the island ever came to be controlled by Beijing.
But an increasing number of Taiwanese voters are spooked by that proposal.
"I don't want Taiwan's democracy to turn into how Hong Kong is now," Dennis Wu, a doctor, told AFP as he cast a vote for Tsai in the capital Taipei.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-01-11--Oman's Haitham sworn in as sultan after long-time leader Qaboos dies at 79

Oman 's newly sworn-in Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said carries the coffin of his cousin , the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said , during the funeral in Muscat , Oman on January 11 , 2020 .
Haitham bin Tariq , Oman 's culture minister and the 65-year-old cousin of late Sultan Qaboos , has been sworn in as the new royal ruler , the government said Saturday .
`` Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new sultan of the country ... after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet .
Oman 's ailing Sultan Qaboos bin Said , one of the Middle East 's longest serving rulers who maintained the country 's neutrality in regional struggles , died on Friday and the Gulf state 's high military council began the process to choose his successor .
Qaboos , who died at the age of 79 , was unmarried and had no children , and left no apparent heir .
According to the Omani constitution , the royal family had three days to determine the successor and if they failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a letter addressed to the family would be the successor .
Most experts had expected the throne to go to Asad bin Tariq , another cousin , who was appointed deputy prime minister for international relations and cooperation affairs in 2017 in what was seen as a clear message of support .
Haitham , a sports enthusiast , held the position of undersecretary of the ministry of foreign affairs for political affairs before becoming the minister of heritage and culture in the mid-1990s .
He was also the first head of Oman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three days of official mourning have been declared with flags flown at half-mast for 40 days , for the Western-backed Qaboos , 79 , who had ruled since taking over in a bloodless coup in 1970 with the help of former colonial power Britain .
State news agency ONA did not give a cause of death , but Qaboos had been unwell for years and spent a week in Belgium undergoing medical treatment in early December .
The high military council , in a statement carried on state media on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convene to choose a new ruler .
There had been wide speculation over the succession as domestic challenges loom large , from strained state finances to high unemployment in the relatively small oil producer , and at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the United States and U.S. ally Saudi Arabia .
`` I imagine that the succession itself will be a smooth process within Oman , '' Kristian Coates Ulrichsen of the Texas-based Rice University 's Baker Institute told Reuters .
`` But the wildcard is whether any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new sultan as he settles into power - just as the Saudis and Emiratis tried to pressure Emir Tamim in the weeks and months after he assumed power in Qatar in 2013 . ''
Condolences started pouring in for the white-bearded Qaboos .
Former US President George W. Bush said in a statement that Qaboos had been a stable force in the Middle East .
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum in a Twitter post described him as the sultan of honour , affection and wisdom .
Oman has long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to global diplomacy , balancing ties between two vast neighbours locked in a regional struggle , Saudi Arabia to the west and Iran to the north .
Oman maintains friendly ties with Washington and Tehran and helped mediate secret U.S.-Iran talks in 2013 that led two years later to the international nuclear pact which Washington quit in 2018 .
Muscat did not take sides in a Gulf dispute that saw Riyadh and its allies impose a boycott on Qatar in mid-2017 and did not join a Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oman 's diplomatic centrality has been a factor of Qaboos ' personality , said Simon Henderson , director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy .
`` It is hard to see how Oman can involve itself in the Yemen , Iran and Qatar issues until a new leader has established himself -- which means for the foreseeable future . ''

Haitham bin Tariq, Oman's culture minister and the 65-year-old cousin of late Sultan Qaboos, has been sworn in as the new royal ruler, the government said Saturday.
Oman's newly sworn-in Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said carries the coffin of his cousin, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, during the funeral in Muscat, Oman on January 11, 2020.
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"Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new sultan of the country... after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the sultan," the government said in a tweet.
Oman's ailing Sultan Qaboos bin Said, one of the Middle East's longest serving rulers who maintained the country's neutrality in regional struggles, died on Friday and the Gulf state's high military council began the process to choose his successor.
Qaboos, who died at the age of 79, was unmarried and had no children, and left no apparent heir.
According to the Omani constitution, the royal family had three days to determine the successor and if they failed to agree, the person chosen by Qaboos in a letter addressed to the family would be the successor.
Most experts had expected the throne to go to Asad bin Tariq, another cousin, who was appointed deputy prime minister for international relations and cooperation affairs in 2017 in what was seen as a clear message of support.
Haitham, a sports enthusiast, held the position of undersecretary of the ministry of foreign affairs for political affairs before becoming the minister of heritage and culture in the mid-1990s.
He was also the first head of Oman's football federation in the early 80s.
Three days of mourning
Three days of official mourning have been declared with flags flown at half-mast for 40 days, for the Western-backed Qaboos, 79, who had ruled since taking over in a bloodless coup in 1970 with the help of former colonial power Britain.
State news agency ONA did not give a cause of death, but Qaboos had been unwell for years and spent a week in Belgium undergoing medical treatment in early December.
The high military council, in a statement carried on state media on Saturday, called on Oman's ruling family council to convene to choose a new ruler.
There had been wide speculation over the succession as domestic challenges loom large, from strained state finances to high unemployment in the relatively small oil producer, and at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the United States and U.S. ally Saudi Arabia.
"I imagine that the succession itself will be a smooth process within Oman," Kristian Coates Ulrichsen of the Texas-based Rice University's Baker Institute told Reuters.
"But the wildcard is whether any of Oman's neighbours might try to pressure the new sultan as he settles into power - just as the Saudis and Emiratis tried to pressure Emir Tamim in the weeks and months after he assumed power in Qatar in 2013."
Diplomacy
Condolences started pouring in for the white-bearded Qaboos.
Iran's top diplomat said Saturday that his death was a "loss for the region" and expressed hopes that relations between the two nations will grow under Qaboos's successor.
"We offer our dear neighbour Oman our condolences...(and) we congratulate it for its selection of His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq as sultan, hoping our relations grow as they have before and that the future draws inspiration from the past," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in Arabic.
Former US President George W. Bush said in a statement that Qaboos had been a stable force in the Middle East. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum in a Twitter post described him as the sultan of honour, affection and wisdom.
Oman has long been to the Middle East what neutral Switzerland is to global diplomacy, balancing ties between two vast neighbours locked in a regional struggle, Saudi Arabia to the west and Iran to the north.
Oman maintains friendly ties with Washington and Tehran and helped mediate secret US-Iran talks in 2013 that led two years later to the international nuclear pact which Washington quit in 2018.
Muscat did not take sides in a Gulf dispute that saw Riyadh and its allies impose a boycott on Qatar in mid-2017 and did not join a Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Oman's diplomatic centrality has been a factor of Qaboos' personality, said Simon Henderson, director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
"It is hard to see how Oman can involve itself in the Yemen, Iran and Qatar issues until a new leader has established himself - which means for the foreseeable future."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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