france24--2020-01-14--Pelosi sets Wednesday vote on sending Trump impeachment charges to Senate

Speaker Nancy Pelosi wields the gavel as she presides over the House of Representatives approving two counts of impeachment against President Donald Trump on December 18 , 2019 .
The Democratic-led US House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said , likely setting the start of Trump 's trial for later this week .
Pelosi met privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps , ending her blockade a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Speaker said the House will vote to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case .
She warned the Republican-led Senate off any idea of simply dismissing the case against Trump .
“ The President and the Senators will be held accountable , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
“ The American people deserve the truth , and the Constitution demands a trial.
” Trump became only the third US president to be impeached when the House last month approved charges that he abused his power by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstructed Congress .
But Pelosi had delayed sending the charges to the Senate in an unsuccessful effort to get that chamber 's Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to agree to include new witness testimony that could be damaging to the Republican president .
The Senate is expected to acquit Trump , as none of its 53 Republicans have voiced support for ousting him , a step that would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate .
A Wednesday vote would allow the Senate to start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first few days will be consumed with housekeeping duties such as swearing in members and formally reading the two impeachment charges .
Lawmakers likely would not hear opening arguments until next week at the earliest .
In a US presidential impeachment trial , the senators act as a jury in proceedings overseen by the head of the Supreme Court , Chief Justice John Roberts .
Republicans and Democrats are likely to clash over the issue of whether to call new witnesses .
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed his impeachment as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election win as he tries to win re-election in November .
The White House said on Tuesday the trial was `` purely political '' .
`` It 's out of a desire to gain more power .
It has nothing to do with the rule of law by any stretch because the articles they came up with do n't actually cite any crime .
It 's just to try and smear this president because they know they ca n't beat him at the ballot box , '' White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Biden and his son Hunter , and into a discredited theory that Ukraine , not Russia , meddled in the 2016 US election .
Democrats say Trump abused his power by asking a foreign government to interfere in an American election for his own political benefit at the expense of US national security .
Joe Biden , whose son served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential nomination to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election .
The two articles of impeachment – or formal charges – against Trump include an accusation that he obstructed Congress ' efforts to investigate him by instructing officials to ignore House committee subpoenas to testify or to produce documents at an earlier stage of the Ukraine investigation .
Democrats want to hear at the trial from current and former White House officials such as former national security adviser John Bolton for insight into Trump 's pressure campaign on Ukraine that could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Republican majority in the Senate will set the trial 's rules and McConnell has not committed to allowing any witnesses or new documents .
He instead could steer the process towards a quick acquittal .
Pelosi could name up to 10 lawmakers as managers to argue the case against Trump , including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , who spearheaded the impeachment probe , and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler .
The 1999 impeachment trial of then-President Bill Clinton lasted five weeks .
If the Senate conducts its trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suggested , that would mean lawmakers would still be considering charges against the president while the first nominating contests of the 2020 presidential election were underway in Iowa and New Hampshire .
That could make life difficult for the four senators who are running for the Democratic nomination : Elizabeth Warren , Michael Bennet , Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders .
No US president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment .
Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be removed , while Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1868 and 1998 , but not convicted by the Senate .

The Democratic-led US House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said, likely setting the start of Trump's trial for later this week.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi wields the gavel as she presides over the House of Representatives approving two counts of impeachment against President Donald Trump on December 18, 2019.
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Pelosi met privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The Speaker said the House will vote to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case. She warned the Republican-led Senate off any idea of simply dismissing the case against Trump.
“The President and the Senators will be held accountable,” Pelosi said in a statement. “The American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial.”
Trump became only the third US president to be impeached when the House last month approved charges that he abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation into his Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstructed Congress.
But Pelosi had delayed sending the charges to the Senate in an unsuccessful effort to get that chamber's Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to agree to include new witness testimony that could be damaging to the Republican president.
The Senate is expected to acquit Trump, as none of its 53 Republicans have voiced support for ousting him, a step that would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate.
A Wednesday vote would allow the Senate to start the trial on Thursday afternoon, although the first few days will be consumed with housekeeping duties such as swearing in members and formally reading the two impeachment charges.
Lawmakers likely would not hear opening arguments until next week at the earliest.
In a US presidential impeachment trial, the senators act as a jury in proceedings overseen by the head of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts. Republicans and Democrats are likely to clash over the issue of whether to call new witnesses.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win as he tries to win re-election in November.
The White House said on Tuesday the trial was "purely political".
"It's out of a desire to gain more power. It has nothing to do with the rule of law by any stretch because the articles they came up with don't actually cite any crime. It's just to try and smear this president because they know they can't beat him at the ballot box," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News.
Prosecution case
The case against Trump is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Biden and his son Hunter, and into a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US election.
Democrats say Trump abused his power by asking a foreign government to interfere in an American election for his own political benefit at the expense of US national security.
Joe Biden, whose son served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, is a leading Democratic candidate for the presidential nomination to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
The two articles of impeachment – or formal charges – against Trump include an accusation that he obstructed Congress' efforts to investigate him by instructing officials to ignore House committee subpoenas to testify or to produce documents at an earlier stage of the Ukraine investigation.
Democrats want to hear at the trial from current and former White House officials such as former national security adviser John Bolton for insight into Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine that could be damaging for the president's defence.
But the Republican majority in the Senate will set the trial's rules and McConnell has not committed to allowing any witnesses or new documents. He instead could steer the process towards a quick acquittal.
Pelosi could name up to 10 lawmakers as managers to argue the case against Trump, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, who spearheaded the impeachment probe, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler.
The 1999 impeachment trial of then-President Bill Clinton lasted five weeks. If the Senate conducts its trial along those lines, as Republican McConnell has suggested, that would mean lawmakers would still be considering charges against the president while the first nominating contests of the 2020 presidential election were underway in Iowa and New Hampshire.
That could make life difficult for the four senators who are running for the Democratic nomination: Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bennet, Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders.
No US president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be removed, while Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the House, respectively in 1868 and 1998, but not convicted by the Senate.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-15--Iranian president rejects new 'Trump deal' in nuclear dispute

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed on Wednesday a proposal for a new “ Trump deal ” aimed at resolving a nuclear row , saying it was a “ strange ” offer and criticising US President Donald Trump for always breaking promises .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who has praised Trump as a great dealmaker , called on Tuesday for the president to replace Iran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers with his own new pact to ensure Tehran does not get an atomic weapon .
Trump said he agreed with Johnson that a “ Trump deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a televised speech , Rouhani told Washington to return to the nuclear pact , which Washington abandoned in 2018 .
The agreement calls for the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear programme .
Since quitting , Trump has reimposed sanctions on Iran that have crippled its economy .
Tehran says it wants to keep the agreement but can not do so indefinitely if it receives none of the promised economic benefits .
It has gradually taken steps to reduce its compliance , which prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuse it on Tuesday of violating the terms .
“ This Prime Minister in London , I don ’ t know how he thinks .
He says let ’ s put aside the nuclear deal and put the Trump plan in action , ” Rouhani said .
“ If you take the wrong step , it will be to your detriment .
Pick the right path .
The right path is to return to the nuclear deal.
” Rouhani said Iran could reverse steps that exceeded restrictions in the agreement as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Germany activated a dispute mechanism in the deal on Tuesday , which eventually could lead to the reimposing of UN sanctions .
Iran called this step a “ strategic mistake ” .
The European powers said they were acting to avoid a crisis over nuclear proliferation adding to an escalating confrontation in the Middle East .
Rouhani criticised the Europeans for reneging on promises to protect Tehran ’ s economy from US sanctions .
Tensions have reached a new peak between the arch enemies since Washington killed an Iranian general in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tehran responded a week ago by launching missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq .
No Americans were hurt , but hours later Iran shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner in what its government has acknowledged as a tragic mistake .
Rouhani repeated Iran ’ s longstanding position that peace can come to the Middle East only when the United States withdraws from the region .
“ American soldiers today are not secure in the region ... We don ’ t want there to be insecurity in the world .
We want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with war .
We want you to leave the region intelligently and it ’ s to your benefit.
” He also referred to the upcoming general election in Iran in February , saying Iranian people `` want diversity '' .
He urged electoral authorities to refrain from disqualifying would-be candidates for a general election in February .
`` The people are our masters and we are its servants .
The servant must address the master with modesty , precision and honesty , '' Rouhani said .

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed on Wednesday a proposal for a new “Trump deal” aimed at resolving a nuclear row, saying it was a “strange” offer and criticising US President Donald Trump for always breaking promises.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has praised Trump as a great dealmaker, called on Tuesday for the president to replace Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers with his own new pact to ensure Tehran does not get an atomic weapon.
Trump said he agreed with Johnson that a “Trump deal” should replace the Iran nuclear deal.
In a televised speech, Rouhani told Washington to return to the nuclear pact, which Washington abandoned in 2018.
00:22
The agreement calls for the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear programme. Since quitting, Trump has reimposed sanctions on Iran that have crippled its economy.
Tehran says it wants to keep the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely if it receives none of the promised economic benefits. It has gradually taken steps to reduce its compliance, which prompted Britain, France and Germany to formally accuse it on Tuesday of violating the terms.
“This Prime Minister in London, I don’t know how he thinks. He says let’s put aside the nuclear deal and put the Trump plan in action,” Rouhani said.
“If you take the wrong step, it will be to your detriment. Pick the right path. The right path is to return to the nuclear deal.”
Rouhani said Iran could reverse steps that exceeded restrictions in the agreement as soon as sanctions are lifted.
‘Strategic mistake’
Britain, France and Germany activated a dispute mechanism in the deal on Tuesday, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of UN sanctions. Iran called this step a “strategic mistake”.
The European powers said they were acting to avoid a crisis over nuclear proliferation adding to an escalating confrontation in the Middle East.
Rouhani criticised the Europeans for reneging on promises to protect Tehran’s economy from US sanctions.
Tensions have reached a new peak between the arch enemies since Washington killed an Iranian general in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3. Tehran responded a week ago by launching missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq. No Americans were hurt, but hours later Iran shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner in what its government has acknowledged as a tragic mistake.
Rouhani repeated Iran’s longstanding position that peace can come to the Middle East only when the United States withdraws from the region.
“American soldiers today are not secure in the region ... We don’t want there to be insecurity in the world. We want you to go from here, but not with war. We want you to leave the region intelligently and it’s to your benefit.”
He also referred to the upcoming general election in Iran in February, saying Iranian people "want diversity". He urged electoral authorities to refrain from disqualifying would-be candidates for a general election in February.
"The people are our masters and we are its servants. The servant must address the master with modesty, precision and honesty," Rouhani said.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-01-15--Putin uses state of nation speech to flag referendum on constitutional change

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow , Russia January 15 , 2020 .
President Vladimir Putin proposed Wednesday to tweak the Russian Constitution to increase the powers of parliament and the Cabinet - a move that could herald his intention to shift into a new position to stay at the helm after his current term expires .
Speaking in his state of the nation address before top officials and lawmakers , Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow lawmakers to name prime ministers and Cabinet members .
The right currently belongs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Putin argued that the president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers .
He said that the president should have the power to name top defense and security officials .
He said that constitutional changes must be put to a nationwide referendum .
Putin ’ s current term expires in 2024 , and Russia ’ s political elites have been abuzz with speculation about his future plans .
The 67-year-old Putin has remained at the helm for more than 20 years - longer than any other Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He will have to step down after his term ends under the current law , which limits the president to two consecutive terms .
Observers speculated that he may stay in charge by shifting into the prime minister ’ s seat after increasing the powers of parliament and the Cabinet and trimming presidential authority .
Other potential options include a merger with neighboring Belarus and becoming the head of a new unified state - a prospect rejected by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko .
Putin focused his state of the nation address on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new incentives for economic growth .
He said that the authorities need to do more to encourage new births and support young families .
Putin emphasized that low incomes remain a key obstacle to population increase .
Russia ’ s population currently stands at about 147 million .
The Russian leader that the nation is currently facing the consequences of the post-Soviet economic meltdown that resulted in a steep drop in new births .
He promised that the government would offer additional subsidies to families that have children .

President Vladimir Putin proposed Wednesday to tweak the Russian Constitution to increase the powers of parliament and the Cabinet - a move that could herald his intention to shift into a new position to stay at the helm after his current term expires.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow, Russia January 15, 2020.
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Speaking in his state of the nation address before top officials and lawmakers, Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow lawmakers to name prime ministers and Cabinet members. The right currently belongs to the president.
At the same time, Putin argued that the president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers. He said that the president should have the power to name top defense and security officials.
He said that constitutional changes must be put to a nationwide referendum.
00:18
Putin’s current term expires in 2024, and Russia’s political elites have been abuzz with speculation about his future plans.
The 67-year-old Putin has remained at the helm for more than 20 years - longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin. He will have to step down after his term ends under the current law, which limits the president to two consecutive terms.
Observers speculated that he may stay in charge by shifting into the prime minister’s seat after increasing the powers of parliament and the Cabinet and trimming presidential authority.
Potential merger with Belarus
Other potential options include a merger with neighboring Belarus and becoming the head of a new unified state - a prospect rejected by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Putin focused his state of the nation address on the need to encourage population growth and create new incentives for economic growth.
He said that the authorities need to do more to encourage new births and support young families.
Putin emphasized that low incomes remain a key obstacle to population increase. Russia’s population currently stands at about 147 million.
The Russian leader that the nation is currently facing the consequences of the post-Soviet economic meltdown that resulted in a steep drop in new births.
He promised that the government would offer additional subsidies to families that have children.
(AP)
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france24--2020-01-15--Sudan reopens airspace after military crushes armed revolt

The street surrounding the headquarters of Sudan 's Directorate of General Intelligence Service , is pictured open in the Riyadh district of the capital Khartoum on January 15 , Sudan said it reopened its airspace on Wednesday after an armed revolt from within its security forces shut down the capital ’ s airport for hours and left at least two people dead .
In a press conference , General Abdel-Fattah Burhan , head of the country ’ s ruling transitional council , announced that “ life has returned to normal , ” following a tense stand-off between the armed forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots in the air to demand better severance benefits .
The burst of unrest paralyzed street life in several parts of the capital , Khartoum , along with another western city .
Videos circulated on social media showing vast deployment of security forces and heavy exchanges of gunfire .
The armed forces will “ not allow any coup to occur , ” said Burhan , adding that it ’ s a “ shame that weapons were raised in the faces of the people.
” The army quickly quelled the short-lived mutiny with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Othman al-Hussein , its chief of staff on Wednesday .
Clashes killed two people and injured four others , including two officers , he added .
After trying to persuade the renegade officers to turn over their arms , the military stormed and retook the headquarters of an intelligence agency “ using the least amount of force possible , ” al-Hussein said .
The mutiny was the latest twist in Sudan ’ s fragile democratic transition after three decades of authoritarian rule under former President Omar al-Bashir .
A sweeping protest movement ousted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint military-civilian government last summer .
During the transitional period , Sudan is devising ways to reorganize its armed forces .
The program , al-Hussein said , requires dismantling an intelligence agency branch and merging it with a paramilitary unit known as the Rapid Support Forces , notorious for their brutal suppression of insurgencies in Sudan ’ s restive provinces .
Unrest ensued as angry intelligence officers , who were dismissed without receiving what they considered fair compensation , took to the streets .
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok described the mutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting off the nation ’ s transition to building a solid democracy .
”

Sudan said it reopened its airspace on Wednesday after an armed revolt from within its security forces shut down the capital’s airport for hours and left at least two people dead.
The street surrounding the headquarters of Sudan's Directorate of General Intelligence Service, is pictured open in the Riyadh district of the capital Khartoum on January 15,
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In a press conference, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the country’s ruling transitional council, announced that “life has returned to normal,” following a tense stand-off between the armed forces and rogue intelligence officers who had fired shots in the air to demand better severance benefits.
The burst of unrest paralyzed street life in several parts of the capital, Khartoum, along with another western city. Videos circulated on social media showing vast deployment of security forces and heavy exchanges of gunfire.
The armed forces will “not allow any coup to occur,” said Burhan, adding that it’s a “shame that weapons were raised in the faces of the people.”
The army quickly quelled the short-lived mutiny with “minimal losses,” said General Mohamed Othman al-Hussein, its chief of staff on Wednesday. Clashes killed two people and injured four others, including two officers, he added.
After trying to persuade the renegade officers to turn over their arms, the military stormed and retook the headquarters of an intelligence agency “using the least amount of force possible,” al-Hussein said.
The mutiny was the latest twist in Sudan’s fragile democratic transition after three decades of authoritarian rule under former President Omar al-Bashir. A sweeping protest movement ousted al-Bashir and led to the creation of a joint military-civilian government last summer.
During the transitional period, Sudan is devising ways to reorganize its armed forces. The program, al-Hussein said, requires dismantling an intelligence agency branch and merging it with a paramilitary unit known as the Rapid Support Forces, notorious for their brutal suppression of insurgencies in Sudan’s restive provinces.
Unrest ensued as angry intelligence officers, who were dismissed without receiving what they considered fair compensation, took to the streets.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok described the mutiny as “discord” aimed at “cutting off the nation’s transition to building a solid democracy.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-01-15--US Democrats spar on foreign policy, trade and electability in seventh debate

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) speaks with former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) listening at the seventh Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines , Iowa , U.S. , January 14 , 2020 .
Leftwing US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders assailed frontrunner Joe Biden over his Iraq war vote as commander-in-chief credibility during spiking global tensions took center stage Tuesday at the latest Democratic debate .
With Washington 's conflict with Iran as the backdrop , the six candidates sought to make their best case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over who has the best judgment on foreign policy .
Non-interventionist Senator Sanders drew a sharp contrast , saying that while he opposed an Iraq war that was `` based on lies , '' former vice president Biden trumpeted the effort .
`` I thought they were lying , '' Sanders said of the Bush administration 's justifications for it in 2002 .
`` I did n't believe them for a moment .
Joe saw it differently . ''
Biden said he acknowledged years ago that it was a `` mistake to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to clash with Sanders over Iraq .
Instead , he called for leaving special forces and some troops in the Middle East to patrol the Gulf , pushing back against Sanders 's and Senator Elizabeth Warren 's call to bring all American forces home .
`` I think we need to get our combat troops out , '' said Warren , who is battling Sanders for the right to wave the progressive flag in the 2020 Democratic race .
With no clear frontrunner emerging yet in Iowa , the candidates took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 days before Iowans cast the first ballots of the nomination battle .
But the fireworks expected in the run up to the debate largely failed to materialize in the debate 's first third .
While Biden , the 77-year-old establishment candidate , is leading national polling , he and Sanders are in a dead heat in Iowa , followed closely by former South Bend , Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg and Warren .
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and billionaire California activist Tom Steyer round out the field for the nationally televised debate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Iowa vote , each candidate will be scrambling for a breakout moment that could translate into the first tangible victory in a tight contest .
After avoiding open confrontation so far , the two leading liberals , Sanders and Warren , engaged in open sniping on Monday which carried over to the debate stage .
CNN reported that Sanders told Warren in a private meeting in late 2018 , as they both contemplated presidential runs , that he did not believe a woman could defeat Trump .
The 78-year-old Sanders called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren then released a statement saying that was indeed what Sanders told her .
Sanders at the debate doubled down : `` I did n't say it . ''
`` Bernie is my friend , and I am not here to try to fight with Bernie .
But , look , this question about whether or not a woman can be president has been raised and it 's time for us to attack it head-on . ''
Fortified by his showing in recent polls despite suffering a heart attack last November , Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday Sanders released a blistering three-minute video attacking Biden for his Iraq vote , support for `` disastrous '' trade agreements , and calls from years ago to cut Social Security .
`` I just do n't think that Biden 's record is going to bring forth the energy that we need to defeat Trump , '' Sanders tweeted .
The president meanwhile sought to thrust himself into the spotlight , hosting a campaign rally in neighboring Wisconsin , a key swing state , as Democrats took the stage .
Trump accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' and mocked Biden for occasional memory issues .
`` They have n't been doing great on the debates , I have to tell you , '' Trump told the faithful at his rally .
The debate risks being overshadowed by a historic political drama : Trump 's looming impeachment trial in the US Senate , which , if it begins next week , would force four presidential candidates to stay in Washington serving as jurors in the proceedings instead of winning over undecided Iowa voters .
Polling is tight in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sanders , Buttigieg and Warren all less than five percentage points back , according to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls .
Klobuchar , credited with a crisp performance in the previous debate , was well behind , at seven percent .
Steyer is at 2.7 percent .

Leftwing US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders assailed frontrunner Joe Biden over his Iraq war vote as commander-in-chief credibility during spiking global tensions took center stage Tuesday at the latest Democratic debate.
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks with former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) listening at the seventh Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., January 14, 2020.
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With Washington's conflict with Iran as the backdrop, the six candidates sought to make their best case against President Donald Trump, and tangled over who has the best judgment on foreign policy.
Non-interventionist Senator Sanders drew a sharp contrast, saying that while he opposed an Iraq war that was "based on lies," former vice president Biden trumpeted the effort.
"I thought they were lying," Sanders said of the Bush administration's justifications for it in 2002. "I didn't believe them for a moment. Joe saw it differently."
Biden said he acknowledged years ago that it was a "mistake to go to war," but he largely declined to clash with Sanders over Iraq.
Instead, he called for leaving special forces and some troops in the Middle East to patrol the Gulf, pushing back against Sanders's and Senator Elizabeth Warren's call to bring all American forces home.
"I think we need to get our combat troops out," said Warren, who is battling Sanders for the right to wave the progressive flag in the 2020 Democratic race.
With no clear frontrunner emerging yet in Iowa, the candidates took the stage with everything to play for just 20 days before Iowans cast the first ballots of the nomination battle.
But the fireworks expected in the run up to the debate largely failed to materialize in the debate's first third.
03:02
While Biden, the 77-year-old establishment candidate, is leading national polling, he and Sanders are in a dead heat in Iowa, followed closely by former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg and Warren.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and billionaire California activist Tom Steyer round out the field for the nationally televised debate in Iowa's capital Des Moines.
Ahead of the Iowa vote, each candidate will be scrambling for a breakout moment that could translate into the first tangible victory in a tight contest.
After avoiding open confrontation so far, the two leading liberals, Sanders and Warren, engaged in open sniping on Monday which carried over to the debate stage.
Progressive feud
CNN reported that Sanders told Warren in a private meeting in late 2018, as they both contemplated presidential runs, that he did not believe a woman could defeat Trump.
The 78-year-old Sanders called the report "ludicrous," but Warren then released a statement saying that was indeed what Sanders told her.
Sanders at the debate doubled down: "I didn't say it."
Warren said she "disagreed."
"Bernie is my friend, and I am not here to try to fight with Bernie. But, look, this question about whether or not a woman can be president has been raised and it's time for us to attack it head-on."
Fortified by his showing in recent polls despite suffering a heart attack last November, Sanders has launched an offensive against Biden.
On Tuesday Sanders released a blistering three-minute video attacking Biden for his Iraq vote, support for "disastrous" trade agreements, and calls from years ago to cut Social Security.
"I just don't think that Biden's record is going to bring forth the energy that we need to defeat Trump," Sanders tweeted.
The president meanwhile sought to thrust himself into the spotlight, hosting a campaign rally in neighboring Wisconsin, a key swing state, as Democrats took the stage.
Trump accused Sanders of being "a nasty guy," and mocked Biden for occasional memory issues.
"They haven't been doing great on the debates, I have to tell you," Trump told the faithful at his rally.
The debate risks being overshadowed by a historic political drama: Trump's looming impeachment trial in the US Senate, which, if it begins next week, would force four presidential candidates to stay in Washington serving as jurors in the proceedings instead of winning over undecided Iowa voters.
Polling is tight in Iowa, with Biden at 20.7 percent support and Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren all less than five percentage points back, according to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls.
Klobuchar, credited with a crisp performance in the previous debate, was well behind, at seven percent. Steyer is at 2.7 percent.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-15--Delta flight dumps fuel on California school, 26 treated for minor injuries

An airplane takes an emergency approach to land at LAX Airport in Los Angeles , U.S. , January 14 , 2020 in this picture grab obtained from a social media video .
A Delta Airlines jet making an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport dumped fuel on the playground of an elementary school in the flight path on Tuesday , inflicting minor injuries on 17 children and nine adults , local and federal authorities said .
All of the injuries at Park Avenue Elementary School in suburban Cudahy were said to be minor and none of the victims needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department said on Twitter .
`` Shortly after takeoff , Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return quickly to LAX .
The aircraft landed safely after a release of fuel , which was required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight , '' Delta said in a written statement .
`` We are in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the L.A. County Fire Department and share concerns regarding reported minor injuries to adults and children at a school in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a separate statement that it was `` thoroughly investigating the circumstances '' behind the incident and suggested the flight may not have followed fuel-dumping rules .
`` There are special fuel-dumping procedures for aircraft operating into and out of any major U.S. airport , '' the agency said .
`` These procedures call for fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas , typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomises and disperses before it reaches the ground . ''
The fire department said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped on the school 's playground while students were at recess and that 70 firefighters were on the scene treating the injured .
Other students had been evacuated from the elementary school following the incident , a Los Angeles County Sheriff 's spokeswoman said .
Parents were notified to pick up their children near the school , which is about 16 miles east of the airport .
Two streets were closed during the emergency response .
The mayor of Cudahy , Elizabeth Alcantar , said on Twitter the city had opened an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct a `` townhall '' meeting to provide more information .

A Delta Airlines jet making an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport dumped fuel on the playground of an elementary school in the flight path on Tuesday, inflicting minor injuries on 17 children and nine adults, local and federal authorities said.
An airplane takes an emergency approach to land at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, U.S., January 14, 2020 in this picture grab obtained from a social media video.
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All of the injuries at Park Avenue Elementary School in suburban Cudahy were said to be minor and none of the victims needed hospitalisation, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said on Twitter.
"Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return quickly to LAX. The aircraft landed safely after a release of fuel, which was required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight," Delta said in a written statement.
"We are in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the L.A. County Fire Department and share concerns regarding reported minor injuries to adults and children at a school in the area," the airline said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a separate statement that it was "thoroughly investigating the circumstances" behind the incident and suggested the flight may not have followed fuel-dumping rules.
"There are special fuel-dumping procedures for aircraft operating into and out of any major U.S. airport," the agency said. "These procedures call for fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas, typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomises and disperses before it reaches the ground."
The fire department said it had confirmed that jet fuel was the substance dropped on the school's playground while students were at recess and that 70 firefighters were on the scene treating the injured.
Other students had been evacuated from the elementary school following the incident, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokeswoman said.
Parents were notified to pick up their children near the school, which is about 16 miles east of the airport. Two streets were closed during the emergency response.
The mayor of Cudahy, Elizabeth Alcantar, said on Twitter the city had opened an emergency response center following the incident and would conduct a "townhall" meeting to provide more information.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-15--New report accuses China of 'intense' global attack on human rights

Kenneth Roth , the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch holds up their World Report 2020 at the United Nations in the Manhattan borough of New York City , New York , U.S. , January 14 , 2020 .
U.S.-based Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) has released a scathing review of the Chinese government , calling on the international community to push back against `` the most brutal and pervasive oppression China has seen in decades '' in its 2020 annual report .
The organisation 's global head , Kenneth Roth , was denied entry on Sunday to Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report , which covers the global human rights situation but features China prominently .
The report condemns Beijing 's treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region and warns that China 's growing political influence and efforts to censor people abroad pose an `` existential threat to the international human rights system . ''
`` If not challenged , Beijing 's actions portend a dystopian future in which no one is beyond the reach of Chinese censors , and an international human rights system so weakened that it no longer serves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roth said in the report .
China last month announced sanctions on HRW and other U.S. nongovernmental organizations ( NGOs ) as a countermeasure to the U.S. Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act , which supports anti-government protests in Hong Kong and threatens China with sanctions for human rights abuses .
Beijing says the NGOs are encouraging violent crime linked to anti-government protests in Hong Kong that have plagued the city for over six months .
Roth rejected the accusation .
Chinese state media has also broadly blamed fake news and Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates in Taiwan and Hong Kong .
The HRW report , released at the United Nations on Tuesday , said Hong Kong police have used `` excessive force '' and have `` increasingly restricted freedom of assembly '' there .
It criticised Hong Kong 's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam for refusing to launch an independent investigation into police abuses .
Beijing has previously criticized HRW over its investigations on surveillance technology and re-education camps in Xinjiang .
The United Nations estimates roughly 1 million Uighurs have been previously detained in Xinjiang .
Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Xinjiang , saying it is providing vocational training to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism and to teach new skills .
China has always been sensitive to rights allegations , but in the past year it has become increasingly forceful in rebuking criticisms , which have periodically threatened to derail trade negotiations with the United States .
`` To avoid criticism of them , the Chinese government is trying with increasing ferocity to use its economic and diplomatic clout to silence critical voices abroad and to undermine global institutions that protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference at the United Nations .
When it came to countering China on human rights , Roth said several important governments have been `` missing in action . ''
`` ( U.S. President Donald ) Trump has lost credibility because he so often embraces friendly autocrats , rather than defend the human rights standards that they flout , '' Roth said .
`` The European Union has been diverted by Brexit , it 's been obstructed by nationalist members , it 's been divided over migration and as a result it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong common voice on human rights , '' he said .
`` Other governments are simply bought off ( by China . )
'' Chinese diplomat Xing Jisheng addressed reporters at the end of the news conference , saying China totally rejected the HRW report as prejudiced and fabricated .
`` Hong Kong is a part of China , so given what you said here , I think it is clear to all why you have been barred such entry , '' Xing told Roth .

U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a scathing review of the Chinese government, calling on the international community to push back against "the most brutal and pervasive oppression China has seen in decades" in its 2020 annual report.
Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch holds up their World Report 2020 at the United Nations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 14, 2020.
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The organisation's global head, Kenneth Roth, was denied entry on Sunday to Hong Kong where he was expected to launch the report, which covers the global human rights situation but features China prominently.
The report condemns Beijing's treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region and warns that China's growing political influence and efforts to censor people abroad pose an "existential threat to the international human rights system."
"If not challenged, Beijing's actions portend a dystopian future in which no one is beyond the reach of Chinese censors, and an international human rights system so weakened that it no longer serves as a check on government repression," Roth said in the report.
China last month announced sanctions on HRW and other U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as a countermeasure to the U.S. Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which supports anti-government protests in Hong Kong and threatens China with sanctions for human rights abuses.
Beijing says the NGOs are encouraging violent crime linked to anti-government protests in Hong Kong that have plagued the city for over six months. Roth rejected the accusation.
Chinese state media has also broadly blamed fake news and Western interference for landslide victories against pro-Beijing election candidates in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The HRW report, released at the United Nations on Tuesday, said Hong Kong police have used "excessive force" and have "increasingly restricted freedom of assembly" there. It criticised Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam for refusing to launch an independent investigation into police abuses.
Trump credibility
Beijing has previously criticized HRW over its investigations on surveillance technology and re-education camps in Xinjiang. The United Nations estimates roughly 1 million Uighurs have been previously detained in Xinjiang.
Beijing denies any mistreatment of Uighurs or others in Xinjiang, saying it is providing vocational training to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism and to teach new skills.
China has always been sensitive to rights allegations, but in the past year it has become increasingly forceful in rebuking criticisms, which have periodically threatened to derail trade negotiations with the United States.
"To avoid criticism of them, the Chinese government is trying with increasing ferocity to use its economic and diplomatic clout to silence critical voices abroad and to undermine global institutions that protect human rights," Roth told a news conference at the United Nations.
When it came to countering China on human rights, Roth said several important governments have been "missing in action."
"(U.S. President Donald) Trump has lost credibility because he so often embraces friendly autocrats, rather than defend the human rights standards that they flout," Roth said.
"The European Union has been diverted by Brexit, it's been obstructed by nationalist members, it's been divided over migration and as a result it's often found it difficult to adopt a strong common voice on human rights," he said. "Other governments are simply bought off (by China.)"
Chinese diplomat Xing Jisheng addressed reporters at the end of the news conference, saying China totally rejected the HRW report as prejudiced and fabricated.
"Hong Kong is a part of China, so given what you said here, I think it is clear to all why you have been barred such entry," Xing told Roth.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-15--As it happened: US House delivers Trump impeachment articles to Senate

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) announces the House of Representatives managers for the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump as Reps. ' Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) and Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) stand by during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , U.S. , January 15 , 2020 .
Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a seven-member team to prosecute President Donald Trump .
After Nancy Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment , the documents were delivered to the Senate .
On Wednesday morning , House lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , controlled by Trump 's fellow Republicans , the task of putting him on trial on charges of abuse of power for asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and of obstruction of Congress for blocking testimony and documents sought by Democratic lawmakers .
Minutes before signing Trump 's articles of impeachment , US Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestured a portrait of George Washington above the House floor , saying , `` The president takes an oath that was taken by George Washington .
So sad , so tragic .
Today we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pm EST ( 10:27 GMT and 11:27 pm Paris time ) , Pelosi formally signed the two articles of impeachment against Trump , rotating between seven different pens .
Upon signing , she distributed the pens to the seven impeachment managers .
Immediately thereafter , the impeachment managers made the history-making walk across the marbled floors of the Capitol Building and delivered the articles to the Senate .
This was the first time since Bill Clinton 's impeachment proceedings 22 years ago that this momentous promenade had taken place .
Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate would formally receive the articles Thursday the 16th of January at midday EST ( 6pm in Paris , 5pm GMT ) .
Formal opening arguments , both pro-and anti-impeachment , start on Tuesday , the 21st of January .
The 100-seat Senate is expected to acquit Trump , keeping him in office , as none of its 53 Republicans has voiced support for removing him , a step that under the U.S. Constitution would require a two-thirds majority .
• After weeks of delay , the House was poised to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power and obstruction of Congress – against Trump to the Senate later on Wednesday , clearing the way for the trial to start in earnest next week .
• The trial in the Senate – controlled by Trump ’ s fellow Republicans – is expected to end in his acquittal after several weeks of televised proceedings , leaving him in office .
• The trial will focus attention on Trump 's request that Ukraine investigate domestic political rival Joe Biden , just as the 2020 presidential campaign heats up .
• Adam Schiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the House `` managers '' who will present the case that Trump should be ousted for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son and for obstructing the House investigation by refusing to provide requested testimony and documents .
• A fight over witnesses remains unresolved .
Senate Democrats in the Republican-controlled chamber want four current and former Trump administration officials to testify , while many Republicans want a speedy trial without witness testimony .
Trump has at times said he wants to hear from witnesses , albeit not the same ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need at least four Republicans to join them to reach a majority of 51 senators to approve the subpoenas .

Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a seven-member team of 'impeachment managers' to prosecute President Donald Trump. After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment, the managers made a landmark promenade to deliver the papers to the Senate.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrounded by the House impeachment managers and committee chairs as she signs the two articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump, Washington, USA, January 15, 2020.
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House lawmakers on Wednesday voted 228 to 193 to give the Senate, controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, the task of putting him on trial on the two articles of impeachment, i.e. 1) abuse of power for asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden; and 2) obstruction of Congress for blocking testimony and documents sought by Democratic lawmakers.
The magnificent seven
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected a team of seven "impeachment managers", who will act in a prosecutorial role and present the pro-impeachment case before the Senate.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a Trump nemesis who served as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles for six years, was selected to head the team of managers.
Minutes before signing Trump's articles of impeachment, Pelosi gestured towards a portrait of George Washington above the House floor, saying, "The president takes an oath that was taken by George Washington. So sad, so tragic."
"When the managers walk the hall, they will cross a threshold in history, delivering articles of impeachment against the president of the United States for abuse of power and obstruction of the House. Today we will make history."
"Engrossment"
At 5:27pm EST (10:27 GMT, 11:27pm Paris time), Pelosi formally signed the two articles of impeachment against Trump, a rare ritual called an "engrossment ceremony". In doing so, she rotated between a dozen-odd different pens. Upon signing, she distributed the pens to the impeachment managers and other House members.
The super cool thing to do today is get a photo of the PENS pic.twitter.com/ja8RNocu8F — Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) January 15, 2020
While many observers delighted in Pelosi's gesture, others felt it was inappropriate to the occasion.
Pelosi has handled the optics of impeachment well, right up until that signing ceremony, which was awkward. Handing out pens should have been done in private. This was not some celebratory moment. — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 15, 2020
Immediately thereafter, the impeachment managers made the history-making walk across the marbled floors of the Capitol Building and delivered the articles to the Senate. This was the first time since Bill Clinton's impeachment proceedings 22 years ago that this momentous promenade had taken place.
Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, said that the Senate would formally receive the articles Thursday January 16 at midday EST (6pm in Paris, 5pm GMT). Formal opening arguments, both pro-and anti-impeachment, start on Tuesday January 21.
Pelosi launched the impeachment inquiry in September after earlier resisting such a move centred on Trump's actions to impede a federal investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 election to boost his candidacy.
Ball in the Senate's court
The trial will focus attention on Trump's request that Ukraine investigate domestic political rival Joe Biden, just as the 2020 presidential campaign heats up.
01:07
A fight over witnesses remains unresolved. Senate Democrats in the Republican-controlled chamber want four current and former Trump administration officials to testify, while many Republicans want a speedy trial without witness testimony. Trump has at times said he wants to hear from witnesses, albeit not the same ones the Democrats want to testify. Democrats need at least four Republicans to join them to reach a majority of 51 senators to approve the subpoenas.
The 100-seat Senate is expected to acquit Trump, keeping him in office, as none of its 53 Republicans has voiced support for removing him, a step that under the US Constitution would require a two-thirds majority.
Read our blog below to see how the day unfolded.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-15--Sudan’s ‘predicted nightmare’ revolt highlights risks to democratic transition

A deadly revolt Tuesday by Sudanese security forces protesting against their severance packages has underscored the importance of reforming and restructuring the country ’ s hydra-headed security services .
But it ’ s a daunting task with ambitious armed men jostling for power .
When gunshots broke out in the Sudanese capital Tuesday , a local wag shot a little video clip of himself nonchalantly strutting through the Khartoum night .
“ I ’ m in the ghetto…ratatata !
” he intoned with insouciance , repeating , as the heavy gunfire persisted , “ RA-tatata !
RA-tatata !
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m in the Ghetto ” meme was promptly picked up and shared by social media users of Sudanese origin across the world .
“ When popular western memes meet volitile [ sic ] African states .
# ILoveMyPeople ” posted one Twitter user .
By Wednesday morning though , the generals were out , revealing the cause and fallout of the gunfire and it was clear it was no laughing matter .
`` What happened on Tuesday was a revolt , '' Mohamed Othman al-Hussein , Sudan ’ s army chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The shooting broke out at Khartoum bases of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service – formerly known as the National Intelligence and Security Service ( NISS ) – after some of its agents rejected a retirement plan proposed by the country 's new authorities .
Sudanese troops from the regular army and from the paramilitary , former Janjaweed Rapid Support Forces ( RSF ) then crushed the rebellion after storming these bases amid heavy gunfire .
Two soldiers and three civilians who happened to be in the area were killed in the fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s ruling transitional council , Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan , announced that “ life has returned to normal ” and warned that “ anyone who tries to disturb the security and stability of citizens will be defeated ” .
Sudanese transitional Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok described the mutiny as “ discord ” aimed at “ cutting off the nation ’ s transition to building a solid democracy '' .
But the breakout of fighting between two wings of Sudan ’ s vast , hydra-headed security services have raised fears of armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African nation , threatening a delicate democratic transition since the April 2019 ouster of Sudanese strongman Omar al-Bashir .
“ This is the nightmare people predicted back in April , ” noted Patrick Smith , editor of The Africa Report , in a phone interview with FRANCE 24 .
“ There was a feeling back then that , ‘ this is fantastic , ’ the people have triumphed , the revolution has forced Bashir from power .
But the fact is , Bashir was forced out of power by his own soldiers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the reactions of Sudan ’ s myriad security forces.
” ‘ Not just a bunch of spooks ’ International attention through much of last year was rightly focused on the battle for control between civilians and the military in a country that sits at the crossroads of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East .
Sudan experts however warned that reforming and restructuring the security services could pose a challenge , one that risked plunging the country into a fresh round of bloodshed .
Bashir , like many seasoned autocrats , oversaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services designed to prevent coups as well as surveil and crack down on any opposition .
His security-intelligence establishment included the Sudanese regular army , comprised of around 180,000 troops .
Meanwhile the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ( RSF ) rose out of the Darfur conflict , when the dreaded Janjaweed militias indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) were officially merged .
The commander of the RSF , Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – widely known by his nickname “ Hemedti ” – is a widely reviled figure who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ire since his troops conducted a brutal crackdown on the Khartoum protest camp in June 2019 .
Sudan also has the Popular Defence Forces ( PDF ) , an umbrella term for a range of militias and paramilitaries , as well as border security and policing services .
But there ’ s also a more sinister security services branch , and its troop and arsenal sizes have never been publicly disclosed .
The National Intelligence and Security Service ( NISS ) is described as Sudan ’ s intelligence agency , but it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NISS is the epitome of the Deep State , it ’ s the belly of the beast , ” explained Smith .
“ This intelligence service is a military in itself .
They had massive amounts of money under Bashir and they possess heavy weapons including helicopter gunships and armored cars .
It ’ s not just a bunch of spooks who happen to be good shots , they have military hardware.
” Spy chief quits and disappears Under its powerful former chief , Salah Gosh , the NISS played a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that erupted due to the Darfur conflict as well as in coordinating militias in the troubled western province .
Although Gosh grew threateningly powerful and was sidelined by Bashir around 2011 , the NISS itself stayed loyal to the Islamist strongman .
In a 2019 academic report , seasoned Sudan expert Alex de Waal noted that the NISS is “ thoroughly interpenetrated with the NCP ” – referring to Bashir ’ s Muslim Brotherhood-linked National Congress Party – and “ has its own commercial operations and external links ( to many different Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of finance ” .
An Islamist who was instrumental in helping al Qaeda set up branches in Sudan in the 1990s , Gosh was quick to realise his glory days were over when Bashir was ousted from power .
Two days after the country ’ s regular armed forces removed the Sudanese strongman from power on April 11 , 2019 , Gosh resigned his post and has not been seen in public since .
He is believed to have fled to Egypt although Cairo has never confirmed these reports .
Months later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council ( TMC ) announced that the NISS would now be called the Directorate of General Intelligence Service .
But few Sudanese put much store in a terminology revamp and the old NISS name has stuck .
The sudden public disappearance of the once omnipotent spy chief has sparked rumours and reports of Salah ’ s whereabouts , continued behind-the-scenes flexing of power and bids to bring back Sudan ’ s old guard .
But none of them have been confirmed .
The ‘ nub ’ of transitional issues The intrigue around Gosh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents voiced their discontent over their retirement plans with volleys of gunshots and seized two oil fields in southern Sudan .
Dagalo ( a.k.a .
Hemedti ) – whose RSF troops crushed Tuesday ’ s rebellion – was quick to blame the former spy chief for the latest disturbances .
`` This is a coordinated plan by Salah Gosh , ” Dagalo told reporters during a visit to neighbouring South Sudan .
`` The person behind this shooting today is Salah Gosh .
He has many generals active within the security sector with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But many Sudanese put little credence on Dagalo ’ s word .
The ambitious provincial former Janjaweed commander who gained immense power and wealth by fighting wars for whoever would pay him – including Saudi Arabia and the UAE – is widely distrusted in Sudan .
Analysts were quick to note that the statement by the Sudanese regular army that the latest rebellion had been quelled made no mention of Gosh .
Local reporters meanwhile noted that Hemedti appeared to be training his sights on Gosh ’ s successor , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also known as “ Dambalab ” .
“ Seems like Hemediti [ sic ] is laying the groundwork to remove Dambalab ( current head of Intelligence ) & other high ranking Intelligence officials , ” noted a Sudanese media Twitter post .
But hours later , Mustafa handed in his resignation as spy chief .
His quitting however did little to quell fears of a counter-revolution by Bashir ’ s supporters .
The revolving door of senior uniformed men moving around the power board game with their armed fighters has underscored the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reintegration ( DDR ) process for Sudan to avoid the fate of its northern neighbour , Libya .
“ This crisis gets to the nub of the transitional issues in Sudan : to what extent can the regular military begin to get purchase of the security services , ” explained Smith .
“ The tragedy of Sudan now is the lack of focus on this critical issue .
”

A deadly revolt Tuesday by Sudanese security forces protesting against their severance packages has underscored the importance of reforming and restructuring the country’s hydra-headed security services. But it’s a daunting task with ambitious armed men jostling for power.
Advertising Read more
When gunshots broke out in the Sudanese capital Tuesday, a local wag shot a little video clip of himself nonchalantly strutting through the Khartoum night. “I’m in the ghetto…ratatata!” he intoned with insouciance, repeating, as the heavy gunfire persisted, “RA-tatata! RA-tatata!”
The Khartoum version of the “I’m in the Ghetto” meme was promptly picked up and shared by social media users of Sudanese origin across the world. “When popular western memes meet volitile [sic] African states. #ILoveMyPeople” posted one Twitter user.
When popular western memes meet volitile African states. #ILoveMyPeople https://t.co/JSIoaVuYKE — بنت نوبية (@NU_B_YA) January 15, 2020
By Wednesday morning though, the generals were out, revealing the cause and fallout of the gunfire and it was clear it was no laughing matter.
"What happened on Tuesday was a revolt," Mohamed Othman al-Hussein, Sudan’s army chief of staff, told reporters in the capital.
The shooting broke out at Khartoum bases of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service – formerly known as the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) – after some of its agents rejected a retirement plan proposed by the country's new authorities.
Sudanese troops from the regular army and from the paramilitary, former Janjaweed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) then crushed the rebellion after storming these bases amid heavy gunfire. Two soldiers and three civilians who happened to be in the area were killed in the fighting.
Hours later, the head of the country’s ruling transitional council, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, announced that “life has returned to normal” and warned that “anyone who tries to disturb the security and stability of citizens will be defeated”.
Sudanese transitional Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok described the mutiny as “discord” aimed at “cutting off the nation’s transition to building a solid democracy".
But the breakout of fighting between two wings of Sudan’s vast, hydra-headed security services have raised fears of armed groups battling for power in the northeastern African nation, threatening a delicate democratic transition since the April 2019 ouster of Sudanese strongman Omar al-Bashir.
“This is the nightmare people predicted back in April,” noted Patrick Smith, editor of The Africa Report, in a phone interview with FRANCE 24. “There was a feeling back then that, ‘this is fantastic,’ the people have triumphed, the revolution has forced Bashir from power. But the fact is, Bashir was forced out of power by his own soldiers and there were fears over what was going to be the reactions of Sudan’s myriad security forces.”
‘Not just a bunch of spooks’
International attention through much of last year was rightly focused on the battle for control between civilians and the military in a country that sits at the crossroads of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Sudan experts however warned that reforming and restructuring the security services could pose a challenge, one that risked plunging the country into a fresh round of bloodshed.
Bashir, like many seasoned autocrats, oversaw a vast, entangled network of security services designed to prevent coups as well as surveil and crack down on any opposition.
His security-intelligence establishment included the Sudanese regular army, comprised of around 180,000 troops.
Meanwhile the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rose out of the Darfur conflict, when the dreaded Janjaweed militias indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) were officially merged. The commander of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – widely known by his nickname “Hemedti” – is a widely reviled figure who and has been the focus of civilian ire since his troops conducted a brutal crackdown on the Khartoum protest camp in June 2019.
Sudan also has the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), an umbrella term for a range of militias and paramilitaries, as well as border security and policing services.
But there’s also a more sinister security services branch, and its troop and arsenal sizes have never been publicly disclosed.
The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) is described as Sudan’s intelligence agency, but it was always much more than that. “The NISS is the epitome of the Deep State, it’s the belly of the beast,” explained Smith. “This intelligence service is a military in itself. They had massive amounts of money under Bashir and they possess heavy weapons including helicopter gunships and armored cars. It’s not just a bunch of spooks who happen to be good shots, they have military hardware.”
Spy chief quits and disappears
Under its powerful former chief, Salah Gosh, the NISS played a major military role during the Sudan-Chad border hostilities that erupted due to the Darfur conflict as well as in coordinating militias in the troubled western province. Although Gosh grew threateningly powerful and was sidelined by Bashir around 2011, the NISS itself stayed loyal to the Islamist strongman.
In a 2019 academic report, seasoned Sudan expert Alex de Waal noted that the NISS is “thoroughly interpenetrated with the NCP” – referring to Bashir’s Muslim Brotherhood-linked National Congress Party – and “has its own commercial operations and external links (to many different Middle Eastern states) and thus parallel sources of finance”.
An Islamist who was instrumental in helping al Qaeda set up branches in Sudan in the 1990s, Gosh was quick to realise his glory days were over when Bashir was ousted from power. Two days after the country’s regular armed forces removed the Sudanese strongman from power on April 11, 2019, Gosh resigned his post and has not been seen in public since. He is believed to have fled to Egypt although Cairo has never confirmed these reports.
Months later, the country’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced that the NISS would now be called the Directorate of General Intelligence Service. But few Sudanese put much store in a terminology revamp and the old NISS name has stuck.
The sudden public disappearance of the once omnipotent spy chief has sparked rumours and reports of Salah’s whereabouts, continued behind-the-scenes flexing of power and bids to bring back Sudan’s old guard. But none of them have been confirmed.
The ‘nub’ of transitional issues
The intrigue around Gosh peaked again on Tuesday, when NISS agents voiced their discontent over their retirement plans with volleys of gunshots and seized two oil fields in southern Sudan.
Dagalo (a.k.a. Hemedti) – whose RSF troops crushed Tuesday’s rebellion – was quick to blame the former spy chief for the latest disturbances.
"This is a coordinated plan by Salah Gosh,” Dagalo told reporters during a visit to neighbouring South Sudan. "The person behind this shooting today is Salah Gosh. He has many generals active within the security sector with an aim to create confusion and fighting."
But many Sudanese put little credence on Dagalo’s word. The ambitious provincial former Janjaweed commander who gained immense power and wealth by fighting wars for whoever would pay him – including Saudi Arabia and the UAE – is widely distrusted in Sudan.
Analysts were quick to note that the statement by the Sudanese regular army that the latest rebellion had been quelled made no mention of Gosh. Local reporters meanwhile noted that Hemedti appeared to be training his sights on Gosh’s successor, the new NISS chief, Gen. Abu-Bakr Mustafa, also known as “Dambalab”.
“Seems like Hemediti [sic] is laying the groundwork to remove Dambalab (current head of Intelligence) & other high ranking Intelligence officials,” noted a Sudanese media Twitter post.
Seems like Hemediti is laying the ground work to remove Dambalab (current head of Intelligence) & other high ranking Intelligence officials. Dambalab is an ally of Gosh. OTOH Hemediti is seeking to be the ultimate power in the “armed forces.” #Sudan — SudanUprising (@SudanzUprising) January 15, 2020
Seems like Hemediti is laying the ground work to remove Dambalab (current head of Intelligence) & other high ranking Intelligence officials. Dambalab is an ally of Gosh. OTOH Hemediti is seeking to be the ultimate power in the “armed forces.” #Sudan — SudanUprising (@SudanzUprising) January 15, 2020
But hours later, Mustafa handed in his resignation as spy chief. His quitting however did little to quell fears of a counter-revolution by Bashir’s supporters.
The revolving door of senior uniformed men moving around the power board game with their armed fighters has underscored the importance of a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process for Sudan to avoid the fate of its northern neighbour, Libya.
“This crisis gets to the nub of the transitional issues in Sudan: to what extent can the regular military begin to get purchase of the security services,” explained Smith. “The tragedy of Sudan now is the lack of focus on this critical issue.”
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france24--2020-01-15--Putin appoints Mishustin as PM after Medvedev's resignation

President Vladimir Putin has named Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin as Russia 's new prime minister , the Kremlin said Wednesday .
The 53-year-old Mishustin has worked in the government since 1998 and kept a low profile while serving as the head of the Federal Tax Service since 2010 .
The Russian leader made the appointment after he engineered a surprise shakeup of Russia 's leadership and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev submitted his resignation earlier in the day .
Putin proposed changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be put to a vote in a nationwide referendum .
Medvedev resigned his post after Putin announced the proposed constitutional amendments .
Putin kept his longtime ally in the Kremlin 's leadership structure , appointing him to the newly created post of deputy head of the presidential Security Council .
The shakeup sent shock waves through Russia 's political elites who were left pondering what Putin 's intentions were and speculating about future Cabinet appointments .
Medvedev has been prime minister for nearly eight years .
After Putin 's first two terms ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placeholder president from 2008 to 2012 and appointed his mentor as prime minister , although Putin continued to wield power .
Under Medvedev , the constitution was amended to lengthen the president 's term from four years to six .
Medvedev said in televised comments that he needed to resign in light of Putin 's proposed changes in government .
Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow lawmakers to name prime ministers and Cabinet members .
The president currently holds the authority to make those appointments .
“ It will increase the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and independence of the prime minister and all Cabinet members , ” Putin told an audience of top officials and lawmakers .
At the same time , Putin argued that Russia would not remain stable if it were governed under a parliamentary system .
The president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers , to name top defense and security officials , and to be in charge of the Russian military and law enforcement agencies , he said .
Putin has been in power longer than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who led from 1924 until his death in 1953 .
He will have to step down in 2024 after his term ends under the current law , which limits the president to two consecutive terms .
Observers speculated that Putin may stay in charge by shifting into the prime minister 's seat after increasing the powers of parliament and the Cabinet and trimming presidential authority .
Political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said Putin 's speech made it clear he was pondering the move to premiership .
“ Putin is advancing the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and influential prime minister while the presidency will become more decorative , ” Oreshkin said .
In his address , Putin said the constitution must also specify the authority of the State Council consisting of regional governors and top federal officials .
Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Moscow Center said it appears as if Putin might try to continue pulling the strings as head of the council and could even shift into a new position before his term ends .
“ It looks very much like Putin is preparing to leave the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2024 or even earlier , and is currently trying to create a safety mechanism for his successor in case of conflict , '' she wrote on Facebook .
“ Putin looks like he is counting on becoming the head of the State Council , which will get increased powers and become a key decision-making platform with input from the Presidential Administration , the government and the governors.
” Other possible options include a merger with neighboring Belarus that would create a new position of the head of a new unified state - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko .
Political analyst Kirill Rogov said that Putin intends to stay in charge while re-distributing powers between various branches of government .
“ Such a model resembling the Chinese one would allow Putin to stay at the helm indefinitely while encouraging rivalry between potential successors , ” Rogov observed .
Putin served two presidential terms in 2000-2008 before shifting into the prime minister 's job for four years to observe the term limit .
Medvedev kept his seat warm and then stepped down after just one term to allow his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
While in office , Medvedev raised the presidential term from four to six years .
Even though Putin continued calling the shots during Medvedev 's presidency , he was n't quite happy with his performance .
He was particularly critical of Medvedev 's decision to give the green light to the Western air campaign over Libya in 2011 that led to the ouster and the killing of long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
Medvedev 's decision to step down after one term to let Putin return to the presidency also sparked massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major challenge to the Kremlin .
Some of Putin 's associates suspected Medvedev 's aides of encouraging the protests .
In his speech , Putin emphasized the need to amend the constitution to give it a clear priority over international law .
“ The requirements of international law and treaties and decisions of international organs can only be valid on the territory of Russia as long as they do n't restrict human rights and freedoms and do n't contradict the constitution , ” he said .
He also said that the constitution must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are n't allowed to have foreign citizenship or residence permits .
Putin in his address vowed to encourage population growth by offering additional subsidies to families that have children .
He said that Russia would remain open for cooperation with all countries while maintaining a strong defense capability to fend off potential threats .
“ For the first time in history , we are n't trying to catch up with anyone , ” Putin said .
“ On the contrary , other leading nations are yet to develop the weapons that Russia @ @ @ @

Russian lawmakers will begin reviewing President Vladimir Putin's nomination of a little-known tax chief as the new prime minister Thursday after his announcement of a sweeping constitutional shake-up fuelled speculation about his future plans.
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The overwhelmingly Kremlin-loyal State Duma lower parliament is likely to approve Mikhail Mishustin for the role, following the shock resignation of the government in the wake of Putin's call for reforms to reshape Russia's political system.
The series of bombshell announcements made during and after Putin's state of the nation speech triggered speculation about his role past 2024, when his current presidential term expires.
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Some suggested 67-year-old Putin, who is currently two years into his fourth presidential term and has steered the country since 1999, could be laying the groundwork to assume a new post or remain in a powerful behind-the-scenes role.
It is also unclear whether Mishustin, a relatively obscure technocrat disengaged from political debate whose recent career revolved around Russia's tax service, is a temporary figure or could be groomed as Putin's successor.
The State Duma said on its website that Mishustin will hold "consultations" with the four parties represented in parliament prior to the plenary session starting at 10am (07:00 GMT), during which his candidacy will be formally reviewed.
'Staying number one'?
In his state of the nation speech, Putin said he wanted more authority transferred to parliament from the president, including the power to choose the prime minister and senior cabinet members.
Outlining the proposals, which would be the first significant changes to the country's constitution since it was adopted in 1993, Putin noted the "demand for change" among Russians.
Frustration has been building in Russia where ordinary people have seen their incomes stagnate or decrease for five years, while a key reform hiking the pension age has led to anger and a fall in Putin's ratings.
Dmitry Medvedev, prime minister since 2012, announced the resignation of his government soon after Putin's speech on Wednesday saying the constitutional proposals would make significant changes to the country's balance of power.
He remains acting prime minister until a new head of government takes the reins.
Independent political analyst Maria Lipman said all of the announced changes indicate that Putin wants to "stay on as number one in the country, without any competitors".
She said he could be deliberately weakening the presidency before relinquishing the role.
Russia's opposition also said the proposals indicate Putin's desire to stay in power.
"To remain the sole leader for life, who took over the whole country as his property... is the only goal for Putin," tweeted opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
If 53-year-old Mishustin is appointed he would have a week to propose a new government and ministers.
The former head of an investment group trained as an engineer, has a PhD in economics and has led Russia's Federal Tax Service since 2010.
He also shares Putin's love for hockey and has been seen at matches with security services officials, according to reports.
Former opposition lawmaker Gennadiy Gudkov called Mishustin "a new faceless functionary without ambition" who embodies a system that is "detrimental for the economy".
Medvedev -- who also served as Russian president for four years from 2008 -- is expected to stay close to the Russian leader, transitioning to a role as deputy head of the country's Security Council, which Putin chairs.
"He remains what he's always been: (Putin's) alter ego," tweeted head of Carnegie Moscow Centre Dmitry Trenin, suggesting Medvedev could be being groomed as the next president.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-15--US and China sign ‘phase one’ trade deal aimed at easing tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He during a signing ceremony for `` phase one '' of the U.S.-China trade agreement in the East Room of the White House in Washington , U.S. , January 15 , 2020 .
After nearly two years of conflict between the world 's two dominant economic powers , the United States and China signed a trade truce on Wednesday , letting businesses around the globe breathe a sigh of relief .
US President Donald Trump , who currently faces an impeachment trial and then a tough reelection bid later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentous . ''
But tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in imports remain in place , leaving American consumers and businesses to foot the bill .
The `` phase one '' agreement includes pledges from China to beef up purchases of American crops and other exports , provides protections for US technology , and new enforcement mechanisms .
`` Today , we take a momentous step , one that 's never taken before with China , '' that will ensure `` fair and reciprocal trade , '' Trump said at the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are righting the wrongs of the past . ''
As Trump ambled through a lengthy commentary on the deal , punctuated by introductions of many officials involved in the negotiations , major networks switched away from the White House to the Congress to show the presentation of articles of impeachment in the Senate as the first step towards a trial .
The easing of US-China trade frictions has boosted stock markets worldwide in recent weeks , as it takes the threat of new tariffs off the table for now .
Trump signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liu He , who has led Beijing 's negotiations with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
Trump also thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said he would visit China in `` the not-too-distant future . ''
`` Negotiations were tough on us , '' Trump said , but they led `` to this really incredible breakthrough . ''
But he said he will only remove tariffs `` if we 're able to do phase two . ''
`` I 'm leaving them on .
Otherwise we have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter to Trump read by Liu , the Chinese leader said the deal is `` good for China , for the US and for the whole world . ''
However , the most difficult issues remain to be dealt with in `` phase two '' negotiations , including massive subsidies for state industry .
Prior to the signing , Mnuchin said the deal puts pressure on Beijing to stay at the negotiating table and make further commitments -- including on cyber-security and access for US services firms to the Chinese markets -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs that remain in place .
`` In phase two there will be additional roll backs , '' Mnuchin said on CNBC early Wednesday .
`` This gives China a big incentive to get back to the table and agree to the additional issues that are still unresolved . ''
Still , elements of the deal the administration has touted as achievements effectively take the relationship between the two powers back to where it was before Trump took office .
`` The US-China phase-one deal is essentially a trade truce , with large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lovely said in an analysis .
But the trade expert with the Peterson Institute for International Economics , cautioned that `` we will continue to see the impact of this in slower investment and higher business costs . ''
After announcing the deal on December 13 , the United States canceled a damaging round of new tariffs that were due to kick in two days later and also promised to slash in half the 15 percent tariffs on $ 120 billion imposed September 1 on consumer goods like clothing .
As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an additional $ 200 billion in US products over two years , above the levels purchased in 2017 , before Trump launched his offensive , including an additional $ 32 billion in agricultural goods .
Trump has repeatedly touted the trade pact as a boon for American farmers , who were hit hard by the tariff war .
Soybeans exports to China plunged to just $ 3 billion from more than $ 12 billion in 2017 and the Trump administration paid out $ 28 billion in aid to farmers in the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US farmers have the capacity to meet that demand .
And Lovely raised a question about the wisdom on relying so heavily on the Chinese market .
`` It also means Chinese retaliation could be reinstated , dampening farmers ' willingness to invest to meet the very hard export targets in the deal . ''
The agreement includes additional protections for intellectual property and addresses financial services and foreign exchange while including a provision for dispute resolution , which Mnuchin said will be binding for the first time .
Trump in August formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain an advantage in trade and offset the impact of the tariffs .
The label , which had no real practical impact , was removed earlier this week .
The deal also restores a twice-yearly dialogue process that previous administrations conducted regularly but that Trump scrapped .

The United States and China signed an initial trade deal on Wednesday that will roll back some tariffs and boost Chinese purchases of U.S. products, defusing an 18-month row between the world's two largest economies but leaving a number of sore spots unresolved.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He during a signing ceremony for "phase one" of the U.S.-China trade agreement in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2020.
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Beijing and Washington touted the "Phase 1" agreement as a step forward after months of start-and-stop talks, and investors greeted the news with relief. Even so, there was skepticism the U.S.-China trade relationship was now firmly on the mend.
The deal fails to address structural economic issues that led to the trade conflict, does not fully eliminate the tariffs that have slowed the global economy, and sets hard-to-achieve purchase targets, analysts and industry leaders said.
While acknowledging the need for further negotiations with China to solve a host of other problems, President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a win for the U.S. economy and his administration's trade policies.
"Together, we are righting the wrongs of the past and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers, farmers and families," Trump said in rambling remarks at the White House alongside U.S. and Chinese officials.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He read a letter from President Xi Jinping in which the Chinese leader praised the deal as a sign the two countries could resolve their differences with dialogue.
The centerpiece of the deal is a pledge by China to purchase at least an additional $200 billion worth of U.S. farm products and other goods and services over two years, above a baseline of $186 billion in purchases in 2017, the White House said.
Commitments include $54 billion in additional energy purchases, $78 billion in additional manufacturing purchases, $32 billion more in farm products, and $38 billion in services, according to a deal document released by the White House.
Liu said Chinese companies would buy $40 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually over the next two years "based on market conditions." Beijing had balked at committing to buy set amounts of U.S. farm goods earlier, and has inked new soybean contracts with Brazil since the trade war started.
Key world stock market indexes climbed to record highs on hopes the deal would reduce tensions, before closing below those highs, while oil prices slid on doubts the pact will spur world economic growth and boost crude demand.
Soybean futures, which traded 0.4% lower throughout much of the deal signing ceremony, sank even further after Liu's remarks, a sign that farmers and traders were dubious about the purchase goals.
The deal does not end retaliatory tariffs on American farm exports, makes farmers "increasingly reliant" on Chinese state-controlled purchases, and does not address "big structural changes," Michelle Erickson-Jones, a wheat farmer and spokeswoman for Farmers for Free Trade, said in a statement.
Trump and his economic advisers had pledged to attack Beijing's long-standing practice of propping up state-owned companies and flooding international markets with low-priced goods as the trade war heated up.
Although the deal could be a boost to U.S. farmers, automakers and heavy equipment manufacturers, some analysts question China's ability to divert imports from other trading partners to the United States.
"I find a radical shift in Chinese spending unlikely. I have low expectations for meeting stated goals," said Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Leuthold Group in Minneapolis. "But I do think the whole negotiation has moved the football forward for both the U.S. and China."
Trump, who has embraced an "America First" policy aimed at rebalancing global trade in favor of U.S. companies and workers, said China had pledged action to confront the problem of pirated or counterfeited goods and said the deal included strong protection of intellectual property rights.
U.S. Speaker of the House of Representative Nancy Pelosi said Trump's China strategy had "inflicted deep, long-term damage to American agriculture and rattled our economy in exchange for more of the promises that Beijing has been breaking for years," in a statement.
Earlier, top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told Fox News the agreement would add 0.5 percentage point to U.S. gross domestic product growth in both 2020 and 2021.
Aviation industry sources said Boeing Co was expected to win a major order for wide-body jets from China, including its 787 or 777-9 models, or a mixture of both. Such a deal could ease pressure on the 787 Dreamliner, which has suffered from a broad downturn in demand for large jets, forcing the planemaker to trim production late last year.
CCTV, China's state-run television outlet, said the deal would satisfy China's increasingly demanding consumers by supplying products like dairy, poultry, beef, pork, and processed meat from the United States.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-15--Paedophile French priest says Church 'could have helped' him

Bernard Preynat , a former priest accused on sexual assaults , waits the beginning of his trial , on January 13 , 2020 , in the courthouse of Lyon , southeastern France .
Former Catholic priest Bernard Preynat , on trial for sexually abusing dozens of boy scouts in the 1970s and 1980s , said on Wednesday that he warned the Catholic Church about his sexual impulses but they failed to take appropriate measures .
“ When I was 14 years old , during my Junior Seminary , I already knew ( that I was attracted to little boys ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick ’ , but they got rid of me .
They sent me to another seminary , '' Preynat told the court on the second day of trial .
A former priest in Sainte-Foy-les-Lyon , in the suburbs of Lyon , Preynat could face up to 10 years in prison .
But he claims that his sexual inclinations did not prevent him from being ordained in 1971 .
“ They should have helped me… They let me become a priest instead , '' he explained , after he had undergone therapy at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1967 and 1968 .
Over the years , he explained during confession that some of his actions and impulses had been clearly presented `` as sins '' .
But “ the priest would just encourage me not to do it again , and would then absolve me , ” Preynat said .
“ People mentioned the word ‘ disease ’ many times , but they never showed me a way out of it , ” he said while being careful to stress : “ I am not accusing the Church , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” After being convicted in 2016 , he said he didn ’ t “ think about taking up therapy again ” .
He assured the court he had stopped abusing children in the early 1990s by sheer strength of will , after a promise made to Cardinal Albert Decourtray .
Only ten plaintiffs , out of 35 victims heard during the investigation have been brought to trial , as many of the other cases are past the statute of limitations .
The allegations against Preynat , who was defrocked last summer , saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended sentence for covering up Preynat ’ s acts .

Former Catholic priest Bernard Preynat, on trial for sexually abusing dozens of boy scouts in the 1970s and 1980s, said on Wednesday that he warned the Catholic Church about his sexual impulses but they failed to take appropriate measures.
Bernard Preynat, a former priest accused on sexual assaults, waits the beginning of his trial, on January 13, 2020, in the courthouse of Lyon, southeastern France.
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“When I was 14 years old, during my Junior Seminary, I already knew (that I was attracted to little boys). People told me ‘you are sick’, but they got rid of me. They sent me to another seminary," Preynat told the court on the second day of trial.
A former priest in Sainte-Foy-les-Lyon, in the suburbs of Lyon, Preynat could face up to 10 years in prison. But he claims that his sexual inclinations did not prevent him from being ordained in 1971.
“They should have helped me… They let me become a priest instead," he explained, after he had undergone therapy at the Vinatier Psychiatric Hospital, near Lyon, in 1967 and 1968.
Over the years, he explained during confession that some of his actions and impulses had been clearly presented "as sins". But “the priest would just encourage me not to do it again, and would then absolve me,” Preynat said.
“People mentioned the word ‘disease’ many times, but they never showed me a way out of it,” he said while being careful to stress: “I am not accusing the Church, I am not using it as an excuse.”
After being convicted in 2016, he said he didn’t “think about taking up therapy again”. He assured the court he had stopped abusing children in the early 1990s by sheer strength of will, after a promise made to Cardinal Albert Decourtray.
Only ten plaintiffs, out of 35 victims heard during the investigation have been brought to trial, as many of the other cases are past the statute of limitations.
The allegations against Preynat, who was defrocked last summer, saw Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, handed a six-month suspended sentence for covering up Preynat’s acts.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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