france24--2020-12-24--Virus-hit Lions coach to miss game with Brady's Bucs

Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell will not be on the sidelines for Saturday 's NFL game against Tampa Bay due to the league 's Covid-19 protocols , the team announced Thursday Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell will miss Saturday 's game against Tampa Bay , becoming the NFL season 's first head coach sidelined from a contest by the Covid-19 virus .
The Lions announced on Thursday Bevell and four defensive assistants will not coach against the Tom Brady-led Buccanneers , who at 9-5 would clinch a playoff berth with a victory .
Bevell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was moved into the temporary head coaching role last month when the club fired Matt Patricia .
The Lions are 5-9 overall and 1-2 under Bevell , who was considered a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19 .
Lions wide receivers coach Robert Prince will replace Bevell on Saturday as the interim coach while quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan takes over the role of calling offensive plays for Detroit .
Bevell said the NFL rejected the Lions ' request to postpone the game to Sunday , when he expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did push to have things that could help us , '' Bevell said .
`` I am disappointed because if the game were Sunday , I would be able to be there . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell will miss Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, becoming the NFL season's first head coach sidelined from a contest by the Covid-19 virus.
The Lions announced on Thursday Bevell and four defensive assistants will not coach against the Tom Brady-led Buccanneers, who at 9-5 would clinch a playoff berth with a victory.
Bevell, who had been the Lions' offensive coordinator, was moved into the temporary head coaching role last month when the club fired Matt Patricia.
The Lions are 5-9 overall and 1-2 under Bevell, who was considered a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
Lions wide receivers coach Robert Prince will replace Bevell on Saturday as the interim coach while quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan takes over the role of calling offensive plays for Detroit.
Bevell said the NFL rejected the Lions' request to postpone the game to Sunday, when he expected to be out of quarantine.
"We did push to have things that could help us," Bevell said. "I am disappointed because if the game were Sunday, I would be able to be there."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--How does Britain's parliament approve the Brexit trade deal?

How does Britain 's parliament approve the Brexit trade deal ?
Britain and the European Union agreed terms of a @ @ @ @ @ months of knife-edge negotiations and seven days before transitional arrangements come to an end .
@ @ @ @ @ just days to scrutinise and pass the laws needed to implement the deal before a @ @ @ @ @ 24 's Bénédicte Paviot tells us more .

How does Britain's parliament approve the Brexit trade deal?
03:13
Britain and the European Union agreed terms of a trade deal on Thursday after months of knife-edge negotiations and seven days before transitional arrangements come to an end. That gives Britain's parliament just days to scrutinise and pass the laws needed to implement the deal before a Dec. 31 deadline. FRANCE 24's Bénédicte Paviot tells us more.


france24--2020-12-24--US Congress fails to agree to boost stimulus checks

In a brief Christmas Eve session , House Democrats failed in a bid to increase relief payments to people struggling to survive the pandemic Republicans on Thursday blocked an effort to amend the hard-won pandemic relief package to more than triple direct payments to struggling Americans , something demanded by President Donald Trump .
After months of partisan bickering , legislators late Monday finally approved a $ 900 billion stimulus package to help families and businesses struggling to survive the hit to the economy from the coronavirus before millions lose their benefits .
The legislation includes one-time payments of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped a bombshell on the celebrations this week , hinting he might veto the bill unless the amount was increased to $ 2,000 .
Democrats , who have been pushing for months to increase pandemic support , cheered his statement , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged Republicans to support an amendment to boost the dollar amount .
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives held a Christmas Eve `` pro forma '' session , normally a brief affair with little business , in an effort to win bipartisan approval to send the revised payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Republicans refused to agree to the change .
`` So we do not have unanimous consent , '' said Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell , who was acting as speaker pro tempore .
Pelosi immediately lambasted Republicans and vowed to call the House back on Monday to approve the amendment in a regular session .
`` Today , on Christmas Eve morning , House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $ 2,000 that the President agreed to support .
If the President is serious about the $ 2,000 direct payments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end their obstruction , '' she said in a statement .
`` House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people , which House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly rejected . ''
The stakes are high , especially if Trump vetoes the bill : About 14 million jobless workers will lose their pandemic unemployment benefits right after Christmas , and millions more face losing their home when an eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year .
And the stimulus measure is wrapped up with a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government will be forced to shut down at midnight Monday if Trump does not sign the bill .
The chaos comes in the final weeks of Trump 's presidency , as he continues to insist without evidence that the election of President-elect Joe Biden was fraudulent , attacking Republicans who refuse to back his false claims .
It is highly unusual for a president to veto legislation that enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support , but Trump has never shied away from flaunting tradition .
Late Wednesday he also vetoed the bill that funds defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return Monday to override his action and approve the measure .
They could do the same with the pandemic stimulus bill , but Trump could simply sit on it , meaning it can not take effect .
That would kick it to the new Congress that takes office January 3 to vote on the package again , but not before the economy suffers even more damage .
Recent data have shown worrying signs that the world 's largest economy is faltering after the sharp rebound in the third quarter fueled by the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late March , just as the pandemic restrictions were taking hold .
Job losses have continued and new claims for unemployment insurance have increased in four of the past six weeks , while consumer spending has slowed as confidence wanes amid the spike in Covid-19 infections .
`` We hope spending will stabilize in January and then begin to creep higher in February , but the current picture is quite bleak , '' said Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics .
`` We expect to see claims shooting over the one million mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said warning that `` a sustained downward trend is unlikely before early spring . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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Republicans on Thursday blocked an effort to amend the hard-won pandemic relief package to more than triple direct payments to struggling Americans, something demanded by President Donald Trump.
After months of partisan bickering, legislators late Monday finally approved a $900 billion stimulus package to help families and businesses struggling to survive the hit to the economy from the coronavirus before millions lose their benefits.
The legislation includes one-time payments of $600 to most taxpayers, but Trump dropped a bombshell on the celebrations this week, hinting he might veto the bill unless the amount was increased to $2,000.
Democrats, who have been pushing for months to increase pandemic support, cheered his statement, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged Republicans to support an amendment to boost the dollar amount.
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives held a Christmas Eve "pro forma" session, normally a brief affair with little business, in an effort to win bipartisan approval to send the revised payments to Trump's desk for signature.
But Republicans refused to agree to the change.
"So we do not have unanimous consent," said Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell, who was acting as speaker pro tempore.
Pelosi immediately lambasted Republicans and vowed to call the House back on Monday to approve the amendment in a regular session.
"Today, on Christmas Eve morning, House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $2,000 that the President agreed to support. If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction," she said in a statement.
"House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people, which House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly rejected."
- High stakes battle -
The stakes are high, especially if Trump vetoes the bill: About 14 million jobless workers will lose their pandemic unemployment benefits right after Christmas, and millions more face losing their home when an eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year.
And the stimulus measure is wrapped up with a $1.4 trillion funding bill, meaning the government will be forced to shut down at midnight Monday if Trump does not sign the bill.
The chaos comes in the final weeks of Trump's presidency, as he continues to insist without evidence that the election of President-elect Joe Biden was fraudulent, attacking Republicans who refuse to back his false claims.
It is highly unusual for a president to veto legislation that enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support, but Trump has never shied away from flaunting tradition.
Late Wednesday he also vetoed the bill that funds defense operations, even as lawmakers vow to return Monday to override his action and approve the measure.
They could do the same with the pandemic stimulus bill, but Trump could simply sit on it, meaning it cannot take effect.
That would kick it to the new Congress that takes office January 3 to vote on the package again, but not before the economy suffers even more damage.
Recent data have shown worrying signs that the world's largest economy is faltering after the sharp rebound in the third quarter fueled by the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that Congress approved in late March, just as the pandemic restrictions were taking hold.
Job losses have continued and new claims for unemployment insurance have increased in four of the past six weeks, while consumer spending has slowed as confidence wanes amid the spike in Covid-19 infections.
"We hope spending will stabilize in January and then begin to creep higher in February, but the current picture is quite bleak," said Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics.
"We expect to see claims shooting over the one million mark by the first full week of January," he said warning that "a sustained downward trend is unlikely before early spring."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Pope urges world to share vaccines in Christmas message curbed by Covid-19

Pope Francis called in his Christmas message on Friday for nations to share Covid-19 vaccines , saying walls of nationalism could not be built to stop a pandemic that knows no borders .
In a sign of the times , Francis delivered his traditional `` Urbi et Orbi '' ( to the city and the world ) message virtually from a lectern inside the Vatican instead of from the central balcony of St. Peter 's Basilica before tens of thousands .
The pandemic and its social and economic effects dominated the message , in which Francis called for global unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and humanitarian crises .
`` At this moment in history , marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic , it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters , '' he said .
Stressing that health is an international issue , he appeared to criticise so-called 'vaccine nationalism ' , which UN officials fear will worsen the pandemic if poor nations receive the vaccine last .
`` May the Son of God renew in political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , starting with health care , so that all will be ensured access to vaccines and treatment .
In the face of a challenge that knows no borders , we can not erect walls .
All of us are in the same boat , '' he said .
Italians are under a nationwide lockdown for much of the Christmas and New Year holiday period .
The restrictions mean people are not be able to go to St. Peter 's Square or the basilica for papal events , all of which have been moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to help others because Jesus himself was born a poor outcast , Francis said on Thursday night at his Christmas Eve Mass , which started two hours early so the few participants could get home in time before a 10 pm curfew .
`` May the Child of Bethlehem help us , then , to be generous , supportive and helpful , especially towards those who are vulnerable , the sick , those unemployed or experiencing hardship due to the economic effects of the pandemic , and women who have suffered domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in his Friday address .
Francis called for peace and reconciliation in Syria , Yemen , Libya , Nagorno-Karabakh , South Sudan , Nigeria and Cameroon and Iraq , which he is due to visit in early March .
He also asked to comfort those suffering from humanitarian crises or natural disasters in Burkina Fasso , Mali , Niger , the Philippines and Vietnam .

Pope Francis called in his Christmas message on Friday for nations to share Covid-19 vaccines, saying walls of nationalism could not be built to stop a pandemic that knows no borders.
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In a sign of the times, Francis delivered his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message virtually from a lectern inside the Vatican instead of from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica before tens of thousands.
The pandemic and its social and economic effects dominated the message, in which Francis called for global unity and help for nations suffering from conflicts and humanitarian crises.
"At this moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters," he said.
Stressing that health is an international issue, he appeared to criticise so-called 'vaccine nationalism', which UN officials fear will worsen the pandemic if poor nations receive the vaccine last.
"May the Son of God renew in political and government leaders a spirit of international cooperation, starting with health care, so that all will be ensured access to vaccines and treatment. In the face of a challenge that knows no borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in the same boat," he said.
Every other person is my brother or my sister. In everyone, I see reflected the face of God, and in those who suffer, I see the Lord pleading for my help. I see him in the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the marginalized, the migrant and the refugee. — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 25, 2020
Italians are under a nationwide lockdown for much of the Christmas and New Year holiday period. The restrictions mean people are not be able to go to St. Peter's Square or the basilica for papal events, all of which have been moved indoors.
Curfew
Christmas is above all a time to help others because Jesus himself was born a poor outcast, Francis said on Thursday night at his Christmas Eve Mass, which started two hours early so the few participants could get home in time before a 10 pm curfew.
"May the Child of Bethlehem help us, then, to be generous, supportive and helpful, especially towards those who are vulnerable, the sick, those unemployed or experiencing hardship due to the economic effects of the pandemic, and women who have suffered domestic violence during these months of lockdown," he said in his Friday address.
Francis called for peace and reconciliation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Sudan, Nigeria and Cameroon and Iraq, which he is due to visit in early March.
He also asked to comfort those suffering from humanitarian crises or natural disasters in Burkina Fasso, Mali, Niger, the Philippines and Vietnam.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-25--Pope says fraternity the watchword 'at this moment in history'

Pope Francishighlighted the plight of children caught up in war , singling out victims in Syria , Yemen and Iraq in his Christmas message Pope Francis said in his Christmas message Friday that fraternity was a watchword for these unusually troubled times exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` At this moment in history , marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic , it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters , '' he said in his `` Urbi et Orbi '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity was especially aimed at `` people who are the most fragile , the sick and all who at this period find themselves without work or in grave difficulty due to the economic consequences of the pandemic and to women who have been subjected to domestic violence during these months of confinement . ''
The pontiff also touched on the plight of children caught up by war , singling out victims in Syria , Yemen and Iraq in his Christmas message .
`` On this day , when the word of God became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaze to the many , all too many , children worldwide , especially in Syria , Iraq and Yemen , who still pay the high price of war , '' he said .
`` May their faces touch the consciences of all men and women of good will , so that the causes of conflicts can be addressed and courageous efforts can be made to build a future of peace , '' he said .
Pope Francis will make a historic visit to Iraq in March , the Vatican said Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will include a trip to the city of Mosul , a former jihadist stronghold .
The pope has long spoken of his desire to visit the Middle Eastern country , where two decades of conflict has taken a heavy toll on Christian communities .
The Argentinian-born pope called for peace and reconciliation in Libya and Iraq , `` particularly to the Yazidis , sorely tried by these last years of war . ''

Vatican City (AFP) –
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Pope Francis said in his Christmas message Friday that fraternity was a watchword for these unusually troubled times exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
"At this moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters," he said in his "Urbi et Orbi" message.
He said this call for solidarity was especially aimed at "people who are the most fragile, the sick and all who at this period find themselves without work or in grave difficulty due to the economic consequences of the pandemic and to women who have been subjected to domestic violence during these months of confinement."
The pontiff also touched on the plight of children caught up by war, singling out victims in Syria, Yemen and Iraq in his Christmas message.
"On this day, when the word of God became a child, let us turn our gaze to the many, all too many, children worldwide, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, who still pay the high price of war," he said.
"May their faces touch the consciences of all men and women of good will, so that the causes of conflicts can be addressed and courageous efforts can be made to build a future of peace," he said.
Pope Francis will make a historic visit to Iraq in March, the Vatican said Monday, the first ever by a pontiff and which will include a trip to the city of Mosul, a former jihadist stronghold.
The pope has long spoken of his desire to visit the Middle Eastern country, where two decades of conflict has taken a heavy toll on Christian communities.
The Argentinian-born pope called for peace and reconciliation in Libya and Iraq, "particularly to the Yazidis, sorely tried by these last years of war."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Japan unveils green growth plan for 2050 carbon neutral goal

Japan has pledged to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050 , an ambitious target for a country still heavily-dependent on fossile fuels Japan on Friday unveiled plans to boost renewable energy , phase out gasoline-powered cars and reduce battery costs as part of a bid to reach an ambitious 2050 carbon-neutral goal .
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the new 2050 goal in November , significantly moving up Japan 's timeline for carbon-neutrality .
On Friday , his government laid out for the first time what meeting that target will involve , including setting a provisional goal of generating more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources by 2050 .
`` The government 's actions on the environment reflect our belief that a significant change of mindset is required and that these are not constraints for growth , rather they are drivers of growth , '' top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a regular briefing .
Japan , which is a signatory to the Paris climate deal , has been seen as reluctant to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel , despite its self-professed pride as a nation of energy-saving technologies .
The country was the sixth-biggest contributor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the International Energy Agency .
The world 's third largest economy still relies heavily on coal and liquefied natural gas , with most of its nuclear reactors offline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster .
Japan expects demand for electricity to surge 30-50 percent by 2050 , but the nation 's conservative ruling party has so far stayed lukewarm about renewable energy , though Suga has shifted the tone in recent weeks .
Under the plans to boost renewables , officials are placing a new focus on offshore wind generation , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the coming decades .
Japan also wants to use nuclear and thermal power plants with carbon capture technology to cover 30-40 percent of the nation 's electricity demand .
Ammonia and hydrogen technologies are expected to fulfil about 10 percent of the nation 's power needs .
By the mid-2030s , the government also wants to end the sale of new passenger vehicles that are solely powered by gasoline .
Japan plans to replace them with hybrids , electric cars and cars fitted with fuel-cell engines , while bringing down the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while officials say the new plan is ambitious , some critics believe it falls short .
Mika Ohbayashi , director of the Renewable Energy Institute , said the figures were `` a poor starting point for discussions and ( showed ) a lack of ambition . ''
Japan should aim for renewable energy to cover 50-60 percent of national electricity needs by 2030 , rather than wait until 2050 , the think tank said .
The institution also voiced its scepticism about whether carbon capture technology will become widely available in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other nations in their carbon-neutral plans .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Japan on Friday unveiled plans to boost renewable energy, phase out gasoline-powered cars and reduce battery costs as part of a bid to reach an ambitious 2050 carbon-neutral goal.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the new 2050 goal in November, significantly moving up Japan's timeline for carbon-neutrality.
On Friday, his government laid out for the first time what meeting that target will involve, including setting a provisional goal of generating more than half of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2050.
"The government's actions on the environment reflect our belief that a significant change of mindset is required and that these are not constraints for growth, rather they are drivers of growth," top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a regular briefing.
Japan, which is a signatory to the Paris climate deal, has been seen as reluctant to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel, despite its self-professed pride as a nation of energy-saving technologies.
The country was the sixth-biggest contributor to global greenhouse emissions in 2017, according to the International Energy Agency.
The world's third largest economy still relies heavily on coal and liquefied natural gas, with most of its nuclear reactors offline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Japan expects demand for electricity to surge 30-50 percent by 2050, but the nation's conservative ruling party has so far stayed lukewarm about renewable energy, though Suga has shifted the tone in recent weeks.
Under the plans to boost renewables, officials are placing a new focus on offshore wind generation, with the goal of producing up to 45 gigawatts within the coming decades.
Japan also wants to use nuclear and thermal power plants with carbon capture technology to cover 30-40 percent of the nation's electricity demand.
Ammonia and hydrogen technologies are expected to fulfil about 10 percent of the nation's power needs.
By the mid-2030s, the government also wants to end the sale of new passenger vehicles that are solely powered by gasoline.
Japan plans to replace them with hybrids, electric cars and cars fitted with fuel-cell engines, while bringing down the cost of batteries for those vehicles.
But while officials say the new plan is ambitious, some critics believe it falls short.
Mika Ohbayashi, director of the Renewable Energy Institute, said the figures were "a poor starting point for discussions and (showed) a lack of ambition."
Japan should aim for renewable energy to cover 50-60 percent of national electricity needs by 2030, rather than wait until 2050, the think tank said.
The institution also voiced its scepticism about whether carbon capture technology will become widely available in the coming decades -- an assumption made by Japan as well as other nations in their carbon-neutral plans.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Russia probes Navalny ally for 'threatening suspected '

Lyubov Sobol was accused of trespassing and violence Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny and raided her flat for allegedly threatening a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning .
Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing `` with the use of violence or a threat to use it '' after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , the country 's main security agency .
Sobol 's lawyer Vladimir Voronin told AFP that the opposition activist was currently a witness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sobol to be charged later Friday .
Just after 7:00 am ( 0400 GMT ) on Friday , the 33-year-old opposition activist posted a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado .
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door , demanding it be opened .
A separate CCTV image released by Navalny 's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol 's Moscow residential building .
Investigators confiscated Sobol 's tech devices as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her associates said .
On Monday , Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical weapons expert with the FSB named Konstantin Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear .
Later Monday , Sobol went to the Moscow apartment where Kudryavtsev is believed to live .
She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours .
Sobol 's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev 's mother-in-law .
Western governments say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow 's relations with leading European countries and sparked mutual sanctions .
The FSB says Navalny 's call with Kudryavtsev was `` fake '' but has not denied that he works for the agency .
The Kremlin has admitted that security agents have tailed Navalny but denied any attempts to poison him .
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader 's poisoning .
Navalny said the Russian authorities ' `` hysterical reaction '' only proved their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning , '' he wrote on his blog .
Sobol , a lawyer by training , has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year .
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other opposition politicians were barred from running for local council elections in Moscow .
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest .
Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months .
But Navalny , who is undergoing physical therapy in Germany , said late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever .
`` I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail , '' he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol .
`` And even though life puts a bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger . ''

Moscow (AFP) –
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Russian authorities on Friday launched a criminal probe into an ally of Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny and raided her flat for allegedly threatening a man Navalny said took part in his poisoning.
Investigators accused Lyubov Sobol of trespassing "with the use of violence or a threat to use it" after she rang the doorbell of the alleged agent from Federal Security Service (FSB), the country's main security agency.
Sobol's lawyer Vladimir Voronin told AFP that the opposition activist was currently a witness in the probe but added that he expected Sobol to be charged later Friday.
Just after 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Friday, the 33-year-old opposition activist posted a video on Twitter from inside her apartment before going incommunicado.
In the video her seven-year-old daughter can be heard crying as someone pounds on the front door, demanding it be opened.
A separate CCTV image released by Navalny's allies shows masked men in black uniforms -- one carrying a crowbar -- inside Sobol's Moscow residential building.
Investigators confiscated Sobol's tech devices as well as her daughter's mobile phone, her associates said.
On Monday, Navalny said he had tricked an alleged chemical weapons expert with the FSB named Konstantin Kudryavtsev into admitting the domestic intelligence agency had sought to kill him this summer by placing poison in his underwear.
Later Monday, Sobol went to the Moscow apartment where Kudryavtsev is believed to live. She was detained by police at the scene and questioned for hours.
Sobol's lawyer said the probe had been launched following a complaint from Kudryavtsev's mother-in-law.
Western governments say Navalny, 44, was poisoned with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent in a case that has further dented Moscow's relations with leading European countries and sparked mutual sanctions.
The FSB says Navalny's call with Kudryavtsev was "fake" but has not denied that he works for the agency.
The Kremlin has admitted that security agents have tailed Navalny but denied any attempts to poison him.
- 'Hysterical reaction' -
Russian authorities have not opened a criminal probe into the opposition leader's poisoning.
Navalny said the Russian authorities' "hysterical reaction" only proved their guilt.
"You call a killer's doorbell -- they break down your door and take you in for questioning," he wrote on his blog.
Sobol, a lawyer by training, has announced plans to run in parliamentary elections next year.
She rose to prominence in the summer of 2019 when she and other opposition politicians were barred from running for local council elections in Moscow.
The barred candidates spearheaded demonstrations in the Russian capital over their exclusion from the polls and Sobol also staged a month-long hunger strike in protest.
Kremlin critics have accused authorities of taking a crackdown on the opposition to new highs in recent months.
But Navalny, who is undergoing physical therapy in Germany, said late Thursday he was as optimistic as ever.
"I am absolutely convinced that we will prevail," he said during a YouTube broadcast hosted by Sobol.
"And even though life puts a bit of pressure on us we will come out even stronger."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Mali opposition leader dies of Covid-19 months after release by jihadists

Soumaila Cissé pictured greeting a relative at his home in Bamako on October 9 , 2020 , a day after he was released by jihadist militants .
Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé has died of coronavirus aged 71 , his family and party said Friday , just two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap .
Cissé `` died in France , where he had been taken for Covid-19 care '' , a member of his family told AFP .
`` I can confirm this terrible news .
He 's dead , '' a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying the politician 's wife had let him know .
Cissé was snatched by jihadists on March 25 while campaigning in the northeastern Timbuktu region ahead of long-delayed legislative elections .
He was freed six months later in October alongside Frenchwoman Sophie Pétronin and two Italians .
The hostages were exchanged for some 200 prisoners whose release was demanded by jihadist groups .
`` I was not subjected to any violence , either physical or verbal , '' Cissé said following his release .
A former leader of the opposition in parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
In 2013 and 2018 , he was defeated by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , who was ousted in an August 18 military coup .
Following the 2018 vote , Cissé accused officials of rigging the election , claiming he had won a runoff with 51.75 percent of the vote to Keita 's 48.25 percent .
An engineer and IT specialist by training , Cissé studied in Senegal and France , where he worked for major companies including IBM before returning to Mali .

Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé has died of coronavirus aged 71, his family and party said Friday, just two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap.
Soumaila Cissé pictured greeting a relative at his home in Bamako on October 9, 2020, a day after he was released by jihadist militants.
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Cissé "died in France, where he had been taken for Covid-19 care", a member of his family told AFP.
"I can confirm this terrible news. He's dead," a leader of Cissé's URD party told AFP, saying the politician's wife had let him know.
Cissé was snatched by jihadists on March 25 while campaigning in the northeastern Timbuktu region ahead of long-delayed legislative elections.
He was freed six months later in October alongside Frenchwoman Sophie Pétronin and two Italians.
The hostages were exchanged for some 200 prisoners whose release was demanded by jihadist groups.
"I was not subjected to any violence, either physical or verbal," Cissé said following his release.
A former leader of the opposition in parliament, Cissé was runner-up in three presidential elections.
In 2013 and 2018, he was defeated by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was ousted in an August 18 military coup.
Following the 2018 vote, Cissé accused officials of rigging the election, claiming he had won a runoff with 51.75 percent of the vote to Keita's 48.25 percent.
An engineer and IT specialist by training, Cissé studied in Senegal and France, where he worked for major companies including IBM before returning to Mali.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-12-25--South Africa says 'no evidence' its virus variant more dangerous than UK strain

South Africa 's health minister has rejected his British counterpart 's claim that a new coronavirus variant in the country is more contagious or dangerous than a similar one in spreading the UK .
`` At present , there is no evidence that the 501.V2 ( variant ) is more transmissible than the United Kingdom variant – as suggested by the British Health Secretary , '' Zwelini Mkhize said in a statement published late Thursday .
`` There is also no evidence that ( it ) causes more severe disease or increased mortality than the UK variant or any variant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Announcing restrictions on travel from South Africa Wednesday , Britain 's Matt Hancock had said that the variant there was `` highly concerning , because it is yet more transmissible , and it appears to have mutated further '' than the similar strain in Britain .
The British minister 's words `` have created a perception that the variant in SA has been a major factor in the second wave in UK , '' Mkhize said .
`` This is not correct . ''
He pointed to evidence that the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the South African one , appeared as early as September in southeastern county Kent – `` approximately a month before the South African variant appears to have developed '' .
Citing `` the widely shared view of the scientific community , '' Mkhize also argued that `` the risks of travel bans may outweigh the benefits '' .
`` Banning travel between UK and SA is an unfortunate decision , '' he added .
South Africa is the country hit hardest by coronavirus on the continent , with close to one million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 14,000 positive cases were detected on each of the past two days , compared with between 8,000 and 10,000 earlier this week .
Mkhize said on Wednesday that new restrictions could be necessary to slow the virus ' spread .

South Africa's health minister has rejected his British counterpart's claim that a new coronavirus variant in the country is more contagious or dangerous than a similar one in spreading the UK.
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"At present, there is no evidence that the 501.V2 (variant) is more transmissible than the United Kingdom variant – as suggested by the British Health Secretary," Zwelini Mkhize said in a statement published late Thursday.
"There is also no evidence that (it) causes more severe disease or increased mortality than the UK variant or any variant that has been sequenced around the world".
Announcing restrictions on travel from South Africa Wednesday, Britain's Matt Hancock had said that the variant there was "highly concerning, because it is yet more transmissible, and it appears to have mutated further" than the similar strain in Britain.
The British minister's words "have created a perception that the variant in SA has been a major factor in the second wave in UK," Mkhize said.
"This is not correct."
He pointed to evidence that the British strain, which bears a similar mutation to the South African one, appeared as early as September in southeastern county Kent – "approximately a month before the South African variant appears to have developed".
Citing "the widely shared view of the scientific community," Mkhize also argued that "the risks of travel bans may outweigh the benefits".
"Banning travel between UK and SA is an unfortunate decision," he added.
South Africa is the country hit hardest by coronavirus on the continent, with close to one million infections so far and 26,000 people dead.
Around 14,000 positive cases were detected on each of the past two days, compared with between 8,000 and 10,000 earlier this week.
Mkhize said on Wednesday that new restrictions could be necessary to slow the virus' spread.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-25--Don't squander sacrifices of 2020: WHO chief

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 'vaccines are offering the world a way out of this tragedy ' although it will 'take time' The sacrifices made to protect people during the coronavirus pandemic must not be squandered over the festive period , the World Health Organization 's chief said in a Christmas message .
Millions were making `` heart-wrenching sacrifices '' by staying away from loved ones on Christmas Day , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a video clip posted to Twitter late Thursday , while others will have a missing face at the family table .
He said vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries around the world , were starting to offer a way out of the crisis that has engulfed the planet this year .
`` As 2020 draws to an end , a pandemic of historic proportions is preventing many of us from celebrating in the ways we would like , '' Tedros said .
`` Instead , hundreds of millions of people are today making great , heart-wrenching sacrifices by staying apart to stay safe .
`` But in doing so , they are giving the most precious gifts : the gifts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus has killed at least 1.7 million people since the outbreak emerged in China last December , while almost 78.7 million cases have been registered , according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP .
`` All around the world , throughout this most trying of years , we have seen over and over again the sacrifices of so many people to protect and preserve life , '' said Tedros .
`` We must not squander their sacrifices , nor those made by so many families who , this holiday season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a familiar face .
`` Despite so much loss , we have built so much hope .
Vaccines are offering the world a way out of this tragedy .
But it will take time for the whole world to be vaccinated . ''
According to the WHO 's overview of different candidate vaccines , 61 have entered human trials , 16 of which have reached final-stage mass testing .
A further 172 candidate vaccines are being developed in laboratories with a view to eventual human testing .
Tedros said : `` We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by caring for others , through acts of solidarity and safety , we can share the greatest gift of all : the gift of life . ''

Geneva (AFP) –
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The sacrifices made to protect people during the coronavirus pandemic must not be squandered over the festive period, the World Health Organization's chief said in a Christmas message.
Millions were making "heart-wrenching sacrifices" by staying away from loved ones on Christmas Day, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a video clip posted to Twitter late Thursday, while others will have a missing face at the family table.
He said vaccines, now beginning to be deployed in countries around the world, were starting to offer a way out of the crisis that has engulfed the planet this year.
"As 2020 draws to an end, a pandemic of historic proportions is preventing many of us from celebrating in the ways we would like," Tedros said.
"Instead, hundreds of millions of people are today making great, heart-wrenching sacrifices by staying apart to stay safe.
"But in doing so, they are giving the most precious gifts: the gifts of life and health."
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1.7 million people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, while almost 78.7 million cases have been registered, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.
"All around the world, throughout this most trying of years, we have seen over and over again the sacrifices of so many people to protect and preserve life," said Tedros.
"We must not squander their sacrifices, nor those made by so many families who, this holiday season, will sit at family tables missing a familiar face.
"Despite so much loss, we have built so much hope. Vaccines are offering the world a way out of this tragedy. But it will take time for the whole world to be vaccinated."
According to the WHO's overview of different candidate vaccines, 61 have entered human trials, 16 of which have reached final-stage mass testing.
A further 172 candidate vaccines are being developed in laboratories with a view to eventual human testing.
Tedros said: "We must continue taking comfort in the fact that by caring for others, through acts of solidarity and safety, we can share the greatest gift of all: the gift of life."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Cards from across Iraq bring Christmas cheer to Christians

Christmas cards with hand-written greetings from across mainly Muslim Iraq bring joy to Christians in the northern town of Qaraqosh , where the minority community is still rebuilding after the ravages of jihadist rule It was n't Santa on a sleigh , but it was close : just before dusk on Christmas Eve , a busload of volunteers pulled into the Iraqi Christian town of Qaraqosh to deliver holiday happiness .
Under a pinkish sky , they disembarked from their charter bus with cardboard boxes full of Christmas cards , bearing hand-written messages from across Muslim-majority Iraq .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' read one card , signed in the overwhelmingly Muslim southern port city of Basra the previous day .
On foot , members of Iraq 's Tahawer ( Dialogue ) initiative and other volunteers delivered some 1,400 cards across the northern town , which was ravaged by jihadist rule after the Islamic State group advanced east across the Nineveh Plains in 2014 .
`` It 's a beautiful initiative , '' said Rand Khaled , after receiving a Christmas card outside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a chic chocolate-coloured coat shielding her from the cold .
`` We need initiatives like this every once in a while , because people who do n't know these areas absolutely should get to know them , '' Khaled told AFP .
Iraq 's Christians number around 400,000 today , down from some 1.5 million before the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 .
It is a tiny minority in a country of 40 million people , most of whom are Shiite Muslims .
The cards came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad and the Shiite shrine city of Najaf , from mainly Sunni Arab Salahaddin province in the west and the Kurdish city of Dohuk in the far north .
They were packed into dozens of boxes and transported up to 950 kilometres ( 600 miles ) through military checkpoints before reaching Qaraqosh .
`` I do n't know how to describe it , '' said Nishwan Mohammad , Tahawer 's programme manager .
`` People were ecstatic -- they never expected someone to come visit them , much less bring them letters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFP .
In addition to the handwritten messages , each card bore a special hand-drawn symbol of the province from which it was sent .
Those from Basra -- signed by sheikhs , university students and even fishmongers -- featured the port city 's emblematic new bridge across the Shatt al-Arab waterway with Santa and his reindeer flying overhead .
Those from Baghdad showed part of the capital 's much loved Tahrir ( Freedom ) Monument .
And the cards from Salahaddin bore an image of the spiralled Great Mosque of Samarra , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient Mesopotamian ziggurat -- but also roughly resembles a Christmas tree .
Pharmacists , tailors , a linen shop owner and a cellphone salesman were among the signatories there .
Since the jihadists of IS were pushed out of Qaraqosh in 2016 , the town has slowly started to rebuild thanks to funding by international organisations and its residents ' own savings .
It sees few visitors , however , which is why the Christmas Eve delivery was so special .
`` After the war that took place in this province , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different communities , '' said Imad al-Sayer , an activist from the nearby city of Mosul who helped distribute the cards .
`` We 're taking the initiative .
God willing , these letters will be constructive messages that bring positive changes to the communities of this province . ''

Qaraqosh (Iraq) (AFP) –
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It wasn't Santa on a sleigh, but it was close: just before dusk on Christmas Eve, a busload of volunteers pulled into the Iraqi Christian town of Qaraqosh to deliver holiday happiness.
Under a pinkish sky, they disembarked from their charter bus with cardboard boxes full of Christmas cards, bearing hand-written messages from across Muslim-majority Iraq.
"A special greeting to our Christian brothers," read one card, signed in the overwhelmingly Muslim southern port city of Basra the previous day.
On foot, members of Iraq's Tahawer (Dialogue) initiative and other volunteers delivered some 1,400 cards across the northern town, which was ravaged by jihadist rule after the Islamic State group advanced east across the Nineveh Plains in 2014.
"It's a beautiful initiative," said Rand Khaled, after receiving a Christmas card outside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh.
She was dressed in her Christmas Eve finest, with a chic chocolate-coloured coat shielding her from the cold.
"We need initiatives like this every once in a while, because people who don't know these areas absolutely should get to know them," Khaled told AFP.
Iraq's Christians number around 400,000 today, down from some 1.5 million before the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
It is a tiny minority in a country of 40 million people, most of whom are Shiite Muslims.
- A special symbol -
The cards came from all over Iraq: from the capital Baghdad and the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, from mainly Sunni Arab Salahaddin province in the west and the Kurdish city of Dohuk in the far north.
They were packed into dozens of boxes and transported up to 950 kilometres (600 miles) through military checkpoints before reaching Qaraqosh.
"I don't know how to describe it," said Nishwan Mohammad, Tahawer's programme manager.
"People were ecstatic -- they never expected someone to come visit them, much less bring them letters from all over Iraq," he told AFP.
In addition to the handwritten messages, each card bore a special hand-drawn symbol of the province from which it was sent.
Those from Basra -- signed by sheikhs, university students and even fishmongers -- featured the port city's emblematic new bridge across the Shatt al-Arab waterway with Santa and his reindeer flying overhead.
Those from Baghdad showed part of the capital's much loved Tahrir (Freedom) Monument.
And the cards from Salahaddin bore an image of the spiralled Great Mosque of Samarra, which was designed to look like the ancient Mesopotamian ziggurat -- but also roughly resembles a Christmas tree.
Pharmacists, tailors, a linen shop owner and a cellphone salesman were among the signatories there.
Since the jihadists of IS were pushed out of Qaraqosh in 2016, the town has slowly started to rebuild thanks to funding by international organisations and its residents' own savings.
It sees few visitors, however, which is why the Christmas Eve delivery was so special.
"After the war that took place in this province, there was a kind of estrangement among the different communities," said Imad al-Sayer, an activist from the nearby city of Mosul who helped distribute the cards.
"We're taking the initiative. God willing, these letters will be constructive messages that bring positive changes to the communities of this province."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Indian PM makes fresh appeal to farmers protesting over new laws

Many Indian farmers fear the new laws will lead to the dismantling of regulated markets for their produce and leave them at the mercy of big corporates Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered to hold fresh talks to end a stalemate over new agricultural reforms , in his latest push to win over farmers protesting for almost a month against the move .
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping out near several entry points to New Delhi since November 26 against three new laws they say will lead to dismantling of regulated markets .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rice at guaranteed prices , leaving them at the mercy of big corporates .
In a speech beamed live to millions of farmers across the country , Modi sought to allay their misgivings , insisting the laws , passed in September , would give them the freedom to sell their produce `` anywhere and to anyone they like '' .
`` Lies are being spread that the local mandis ( markets ) will shut down , the minimum support price will be stopped ... do n't be misguided by those having political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am saying this with humility that we are ready to discuss every issue of the farmers , even with those ( political parties ) who are against us , for the sake of our farmers . ''
Modi also released $ 2.5 billion to 90 million farmers under a financial scheme that his party launched last year .
Under the direct cash transfer scheme , small farmers get 6,000 rupees ( $ 82 ) in four instalments in a year .
Modi also interacted with seven farmers from different states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised the government 's various farm schemes .
Agriculture employs about 70 percent of India 's 1.3 billion people and accounts for 15 percent of its $ 2.7 trillion economy .
But in recent decades farm incomes have stagnated , and experts say the sector badly needs investment and modernisation .
Farmer unions have demanded a total repeal of the laws and warned of a bigger agitation if their demands are not met .
Several rounds of talks between ministers and farmer leaders have failed to produce a breakthrough so far .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered to hold fresh talks to end a stalemate over new agricultural reforms, in his latest push to win over farmers protesting for almost a month against the move.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping out near several entry points to New Delhi since November 26 against three new laws they say will lead to dismantling of regulated markets.
They also fear the government would stop buying wheat and rice at guaranteed prices, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
In a speech beamed live to millions of farmers across the country, Modi sought to allay their misgivings, insisting the laws, passed in September, would give them the freedom to sell their produce "anywhere and to anyone they like".
"Lies are being spread that the local mandis (markets) will shut down, the minimum support price will be stopped... don't be misguided by those having political motives," Modi, 70 said.
"I am saying this with humility that we are ready to discuss every issue of the farmers, even with those (political parties) who are against us, for the sake of our farmers."
Modi also released $2.5 billion to 90 million farmers under a financial scheme that his party launched last year.
Under the direct cash transfer scheme, small farmers get 6,000 rupees ($82) in four instalments in a year.
Modi also interacted with seven farmers from different states via a video conference in which they praised the government's various farm schemes.
Agriculture employs about 70 percent of India's 1.3 billion people and accounts for 15 percent of its $2.7 trillion economy.
But in recent decades farm incomes have stagnated, and experts say the sector badly needs investment and modernisation.
Farmer unions have demanded a total repeal of the laws and warned of a bigger agitation if their demands are not met.
Several rounds of talks between ministers and farmer leaders have failed to produce a breakthrough so far.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--‘Time to leave Brexit behind’: Relief as marathon talks end in 11th-hour deal

Thursday 's agreement caps months of tense and often testy negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal .
Britain and the European Union finally struck a trade deal on Christmas Eve after 10 months of intense negotiation allowed them to soften the economic shock of Brexit .
The UK will not face tariffs on cross-Channel commerce when it leaves the EU single market at the New Year , despite breaking off half a century of close partnership .
`` We 've taken back control of our laws and our destiny .
We 've taken back control of every jot and tittle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is complete , and unfettered , '' British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared .
Ursula von der Leyen , the EU Commission president , was more measured .
`` At the end of a successful negotiations journey I normally feel joy .
But today , I only feel quiet satisfaction and , frankly speaking , relief , '' she said , citing English playwright William Shakespeare : `` Parting is such sweet sorrow . ''
She also warned that , protected by the deal from unfair British competition , `` The single market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Von der Leyen urged the 440 million Europeans remaining in the 27-nation union to put the drama of the four years since Britain 's Brexit referendum behind them and to look to the future .
`` I say it is time to leave Brexit behind .
Our future is made in Europe , '' she said .
Britain formally left the EU in January after a divisive referendum in 2016 , the first country to split from the political and economic project that was born as the continent rebuilt in the aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains tied to the EU 's rules during a transition period that runs until midnight on December 31 , when the UK will leave the bloc 's single market and customs union .
The final 2,000-page agreement was held up by a last-minute dispute over fishing as both sides haggled over the access EU fishermen will get to Britain 's waters after the end of the year .
Von der Leyen said that although the UK would become a `` third country '' it would be a trusted partner .
Johnson – who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit done '' – insisted it was a `` good deal for the whole of Europe and for our friends and partners as well '' .
Leaders around the continent were quick to herald the 11th-hour accord that heads off the threat of Britain crashing out of the EU after 47 years of shared history with no follow-on rules .
Irish premier Micheal Martin – whose EU member state would have been hard hit by a no-deal – said the accord was the `` least bad version of Brexit possible '' .
German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident '' that the deal was a `` good outcome '' with French President Emmanuel Macron – often portrayed as a bogeyman by the British tabloids – saying that `` Europe 's unity and firmness paid off '' .
Johnson was triumphant on Christmas Eve , calling the deal a `` present '' for Britain , but reaction elsewhere in the UK was more restrained .
`` I think it 's dragged on for too long now , '' David Ashby , 62 , said in Lincolnshire 's Boston , summing up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shane O'Neill said he was pleased , adding : `` It would 've been a disaster if there would 've been no deal . ''
But Andy Finch , back in Lincolnshire , had been against Brexit from the beginning .
`` I still do n't think it 's a good idea , '' he said .
`` But that 's where we are .
And , well , we 'll just have to see . ''
Following the announcement of the political accord , Von der Leyen 's Commission will send the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
Their ambassadors will meet on Friday , Christmas Day , and are expected to take two or three days to analyse the agreement and decide whether to approve its provisional implementation .
The UK parliament will also have to interrupt its end of year holidays to vote on the deal on December 30 , and with the opposition backing its implementation , it should pass easily .
But with Britain outside the EU single market and customs area , cross-Channel traders will still face a battery of new regulations and delays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit .
Despite this , the threat of a return to tariffs will have been removed , and relations between the former partners will rest on a surer footing .
It will be seen as win by Johnson , as well as a success for Von der Leyen and her chief negotiator Michel Barnier , who led almost 10 months of intense talks with Britain 's David Frost .
After the shock 2016 referendum , European capitals were concerned that if such a large rival on their doorstep were to deregulate its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brussels insisted the only way to keep the land border between Ireland and the UK open was to keep Northern Ireland , a British province , within its customs union .
And members balked at giving up access to Britain 's rich fishing waters , which support fleets in France , Belgium , Denmark , Ireland and the Netherlands .
It was the question of fish that emerged as the last stumbling block this week when London pushed to reduce EU fishing fleets ' share of the estimated 650-million-euro annual haul by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phased in over three years .
The EU was insisting on 25 percent over at least six years .
In the end , the final agreement settled on the EU 's figure but cut the length of the transition period to five-and-a-half years , an EU official said .
After this time access to Britain 's fishing grounds will be negotiated on an annual basis .

Britain and the European Union finally struck a trade deal on Christmas Eve after 10 months of intense negotiation allowed them to soften the economic shock of Brexit.
Thursday's agreement caps months of tense and often testy negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal.
Advertising Read more
The UK will not face tariffs on cross-Channel commerce when it leaves the EU single market at the New Year, despite breaking off half a century of close partnership.
"We've taken back control of our laws and our destiny. We've taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation in a way that is complete, and unfettered," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared.
Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission president, was more measured.
"At the end of a successful negotiations journey I normally feel joy. But today, I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, relief," she said, citing English playwright William Shakespeare: "Parting is such sweet sorrow."
She also warned that, protected by the deal from unfair British competition, "The single market will be fair and remain so."
Von der Leyen urged the 440 million Europeans remaining in the 27-nation union to put the drama of the four years since Britain's Brexit referendum behind them and to look to the future.
"I say it is time to leave Brexit behind. Our future is made in Europe," she said.
Britain formally left the EU in January after a divisive referendum in 2016, the first country to split from the political and economic project that was born as the continent rebuilt in the aftermath of World War II.
But London remains tied to the EU's rules during a transition period that runs until midnight on December 31, when the UK will leave the bloc's single market and customs union.
'Least bad version of Brexit'
The final 2,000-page agreement was held up by a last-minute dispute over fishing as both sides haggled over the access EU fishermen will get to Britain's waters after the end of the year.
Von der Leyen said that although the UK would become a "third country" it would be a trusted partner.
Johnson – who rode to power pledging to "get Brexit done" – insisted it was a "good deal for the whole of Europe and for our friends and partners as well".
Leaders around the continent were quick to herald the 11th-hour accord that heads off the threat of Britain crashing out of the EU after 47 years of shared history with no follow-on rules.
Irish premier Micheal Martin – whose EU member state would have been hard hit by a no-deal – said the accord was the "least bad version of Brexit possible".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "confident" that the deal was a "good outcome" with French President Emmanuel Macron – often portrayed as a bogeyman by the British tabloids – saying that "Europe's unity and firmness paid off".
Johnson was triumphant on Christmas Eve, calling the deal a "present" for Britain, but reaction elsewhere in the UK was more restrained.
"I think it's dragged on for too long now," David Ashby, 62, said in Lincolnshire's Boston, summing up the mood of many.
In London, Shane O'Neill said he was pleased, adding: "It would've been a disaster if there would've been no deal."
But Andy Finch, back in Lincolnshire, had been against Brexit from the beginning.
"I still don't think it's a good idea," he said. "But that's where we are. And, well, we'll just have to see."
EU diplomats get deal briefing
Following the announcement of the political accord, Von der Leyen's Commission will send the text to the remaining 27 European member states.
Their ambassadors will meet on Friday, Christmas Day, and are expected to take two or three days to analyse the agreement and decide whether to approve its provisional implementation.
The UK parliament will also have to interrupt its end of year holidays to vote on the deal on December 30, and with the opposition backing its implementation, it should pass easily.
But with Britain outside the EU single market and customs area, cross-Channel traders will still face a battery of new regulations and delays with analysts expecting both economies to take a hit.
Despite this, the threat of a return to tariffs will have been removed, and relations between the former partners will rest on a surer footing.
It will be seen as win by Johnson, as well as a success for Von der Leyen and her chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who led almost 10 months of intense talks with Britain's David Frost.
After the shock 2016 referendum, European capitals were concerned that if such a large rival on their doorstep were to deregulate its industry their firms would face unfair competition.
Brussels insisted the only way to keep the land border between Ireland and the UK open was to keep Northern Ireland, a British province, within its customs union.
And members balked at giving up access to Britain's rich fishing waters, which support fleets in France, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands.
It was the question of fish that emerged as the last stumbling block this week when London pushed to reduce EU fishing fleets' share of the estimated 650-million-euro annual haul by more than a third, with changes phased in over three years. The EU was insisting on 25 percent over at least six years.
In the end, the final agreement settled on the EU's figure but cut the length of the transition period to five-and-a-half years, an EU official said. After this time access to Britain's fishing grounds will be negotiated on an annual basis.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-12-25--Family praises Pakistan's bid to stop release of Daniel Pearl murderers

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh ( C ) , who had been convicted over the 2002 killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl , was ordered released on Thursday The father of slain American journalist Daniel Pearl on Friday welcomed Pakistan 's decision to challenge the verdict of a local court ordering the release of a militant convicted of murdering their son in 2002 .
`` We are heartened to hear that the government of Pakistan is filing an appeal against the release order so that our son 's murderers will remain in jail , '' Daniel Pearl 's father Judea Pearl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court to release the accused comes months after it sparked outrage for overturning the murder conviction and death sentence of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh , and acquitted three other men connected to the case .
The four are being held under the emergency orders of the local government while an ongoing appeal against their acquittals is heard in the Supreme Court , but defence lawyers argued against their continued detention in the south of the country .
`` We refuse to believe that Pakistan government and Pakistani people will let such a travesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will prevail , '' Judea said , referring to the latest court order .
`` We also have full confidence in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to provide justice for our beloved son and reinforce the paramount importance of the freedom of the press , '' he added .
In a written order issued Thursday , the Sindh court ordered that all four `` be released from jail forthwith on the receipt of this order '' .
A lawyer representing Sheikh and his co-defendants said the court had found there was `` no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom '' .
Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab told AFP that `` we will definitely file an appeal against the Sindh High Court verdict '' .
He did not specify any timeframe , however , stressing that `` legal proceedings take time . ''
Sheikh , a British-born jihadist who once studied at the London School of Economics and had been involved in previous kidnappings of foreigners , was arrested days after Pearl 's abduction and later sentenced to death by hanging .
In January 2011 , a report released by the Pearl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his death made chilling revelations , and said that the wrong men had been convicted for Pearl 's murder .
The investigation , led by Pearl 's friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra Nomani and a Georgetown University professor , claimed the reporter was murdered by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , the alleged mastermind of the September 11 , 2001 attacks , not Sheikh .
Pearl was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi in January 2002 while researching a story about Islamist @ @

Islamabad (AFP) –
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The father of slain American journalist Daniel Pearl on Friday welcomed Pakistan's decision to challenge the verdict of a local court ordering the release of a militant convicted of murdering their son in 2002.
"We are heartened to hear that the government of Pakistan is filing an appeal against the release order so that our son's murderers will remain in jail," Daniel Pearl's father Judea Pearl tweeted.
The decision by Sindh High Court to release the accused comes months after it sparked outrage for overturning the murder conviction and death sentence of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and acquitted three other men connected to the case.
The four are being held under the emergency orders of the local government while an ongoing appeal against their acquittals is heard in the Supreme Court, but defence lawyers argued against their continued detention in the south of the country.
"We refuse to believe that Pakistan government and Pakistani people will let such a travesty of justice tarnish its name and justice will prevail," Judea said, referring to the latest court order.
"We also have full confidence in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to provide justice for our beloved son and reinforce the paramount importance of the freedom of the press," he added.
In a written order issued Thursday, the Sindh court ordered that all four "be released from jail forthwith on the receipt of this order".
A lawyer representing Sheikh and his co-defendants said the court had found there was "no valid reason for depriving them of their freedom".
Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab told AFP that "we will definitely file an appeal against the Sindh High Court verdict".
He did not specify any timeframe, however, stressing that "legal proceedings take time."
Sheikh, a British-born jihadist who once studied at the London School of Economics and had been involved in previous kidnappings of foreigners, was arrested days after Pearl's abduction and later sentenced to death by hanging.
In January 2011, a report released by the Pearl Project at Georgetown University following an investigation into his death made chilling revelations, and said that the wrong men had been convicted for Pearl's murder.
The investigation, led by Pearl's friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra Nomani and a Georgetown University professor, claimed the reporter was murdered by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, not Sheikh.
Pearl was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi in January 2002 while researching a story about Islamist militants.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Skating star Hanyu makes stylish return to competition

Yuzuru Hanyu ( pictured skating in Seoul in February 2020 ) had been out of action since February after deciding his asthma made competing in this season 's Grand Prix series too risky during the pandemic Japan 's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu made a stylish return to competition Friday after skipping the Grand Prix season over fears of coronavirus infection .
Resplendent in a gold-studded black outfit , Hanyu unveiled a new short programme routine set to `` Let Me Entertain You '' by Robbie Williams at the Japanese national championships in Nagano , and claimed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 26-year-old star had been out of action since February after deciding his asthma made competing in this season 's Grand Prix series too risky during the pandemic , but he picked up where he left off with a confident performance .
`` First of all , it was important just to get back to competition , '' said Hanyu , who admitted to feeling `` conflicted '' about competing this week as infections surge around Japan .
`` I had been able to do some really good practice , and although my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got , I managed to land all my jumps .
Now I want to execute my programme tomorrow . ''
Hanyu leads 17-year-old Yuma Kagiyama , who won the NHK Trophy last month in his senior Grand Prix debut , and Pyeongchang Olympic silver medallist Shoma Uno , who is attempting to win his fifth straight national title .
With Canadian coach Brian Orser unable to join him because of travel restrictions , Hanyu sat alone clutching a Winnie the Pooh soft toy as he waited for his score , after unveiling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quadruple salchow before nailing a quad toe loop to triple toe loop combination , then followed with a triple axel before channelling British pop star Williams with a slide on his knees to finish .
`` It was a rock song so there was a rock theme , '' said Hanyu .
`` I tried to do it in the same kind of style as Robbie Williams .
`` At first I was looking for piano music for the routine , but given all that has gone on in the news , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose something more upbeat .
I wanted to give people watching something uplifting amid all the gloomy things that have been going on . ''
Japan 's national championships this year double as a qualifier for the world championships in Stockholm next spring .
Hanyu is aiming to win the national title for the first time since 2016 , having missed the event three times since then through injury or illness .
`` To be honest , I was a bit disappointed that I could n't hear any cheers , '' said Hanyu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a crowd ordered not to yell because of virus countermeasures .
`` But I felt that people watching on TV and over the internet would be cheering at home , so I was able to enjoy myself . ''

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu made a stylish return to competition Friday after skipping the Grand Prix season over fears of coronavirus infection.
Resplendent in a gold-studded black outfit, Hanyu unveiled a new short programme routine set to "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams at the Japanese national championships in Nagano, and claimed the lead with a score of 103.53.
The 26-year-old star had been out of action since February after deciding his asthma made competing in this season's Grand Prix series too risky during the pandemic, but he picked up where he left off with a confident performance.
"First of all, it was important just to get back to competition," said Hanyu, who admitted to feeling "conflicted" about competing this week as infections surge around Japan.
"I had been able to do some really good practice, and although my performance wasn't worth the score I got, I managed to land all my jumps. Now I want to execute my programme tomorrow."
Hanyu leads 17-year-old Yuma Kagiyama, who won the NHK Trophy last month in his senior Grand Prix debut, and Pyeongchang Olympic silver medallist Shoma Uno, who is attempting to win his fifth straight national title.
With Canadian coach Brian Orser unable to join him because of travel restrictions, Hanyu sat alone clutching a Winnie the Pooh soft toy as he waited for his score, after unveiling his high-tempo new routine.
He opened with a quadruple salchow before nailing a quad toe loop to triple toe loop combination, then followed with a triple axel before channelling British pop star Williams with a slide on his knees to finish.
"It was a rock song so there was a rock theme," said Hanyu. "I tried to do it in the same kind of style as Robbie Williams.
"At first I was looking for piano music for the routine, but given all that has gone on in the news, I thought it would be better to choose something more upbeat. I wanted to give people watching something uplifting amid all the gloomy things that have been going on."
Japan's national championships this year double as a qualifier for the world championships in Stockholm next spring.
Hanyu is aiming to win the national title for the first time since 2016, having missed the event three times since then through injury or illness.
"To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't hear any cheers," said Hanyu said of his performance, in front of a crowd ordered not to yell because of virus countermeasures.
"But I felt that people watching on TV and over the internet would be cheering at home, so I was able to enjoy myself."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Japan ex-PM Abe faces lawmakers on scandal but avoids prosecution

Abe will not face prosecution over the scandal , but appeared before lawmakers to apologise for making false statements Japan 's former prime minister Shinzo Abe apologised to lawmakers on Friday over a scandal involving payments for supporters , a day after prosecutors said they would not indict him in the case .
The country 's longest-serving prime minister has denied any wrongdoing , but acknowledged that he had made statements to parliament that were subsequently shown to be false .
`` It turned out that I gave explanations that are contrary to the facts , '' Abe said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was not aware of it , I feel a moral responsibility .
I deeply regret this and apologise to my fellow lawmakers , '' he added .
The case revolves around dinners organised on the eve of government-sponsored cherry blossom viewing parties .
His office is alleged to have paid more than eight million yen ( $ 76,000 ) for the dinners attended by supporters over five years until 2019 , failing to report the expenditures as required by Japanese law .
Abe had previously denied that his political office had paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by prosecutors over the case , but on Thursday they said they would not take further action against him .
- 'Why do n't you step down ? '
- Abe held a press conference on Thursday for the first time since he resigned earlier this year over health reasons , apologising but insisting he had no knowledge of the payments .
He said he `` deeply , deeply '' apologised for falsely claiming his office had not paid .
`` My political responsibility is very serious .
I will do my utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
In parliament , opposition lawmakers excoriated the former leader .
`` You have no intention of finding out the truth at all , and no intention of explaining to the public , '' said Takahiro Kuroiwa of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan ( CDP ) .
`` In a private firm , if the president makes false statements 100 times , then makes an excuse saying he or she was deceived by an employee , is it forgiven ? ''
added Kiyomi Tsujimoto , another CDP lawmaker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a lawmaker ? ''
she demanded .
Abe 's successor , Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga , has also apologised for making statements about the payments that turned out to be false .
While Suga is not expected to face prosecution , it comes at a bad time for his cabinet , with his approval ratings sinking in part over his handling of a third wave of coronavirus cases .
Abe weathered several scandals while in office , including over the cherry blossom parties , a decades-old tradition intended to honour the great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was accused of packing the event with supporters , and even inviting a member of Japan 's infamous Yakuza mafia .
When the opposition demanded a guest list be produced , it emerged the list had been shredded .
While the government denied wrongdoing , Suga has said he will not hold the event next year .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe apologised to lawmakers on Friday over a scandal involving payments for supporters, a day after prosecutors said they would not indict him in the case.
The country's longest-serving prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, but acknowledged that he had made statements to parliament that were subsequently shown to be false.
"It turned out that I gave explanations that are contrary to the facts," Abe said at the lower house.
"Even though I was not aware of it, I feel a moral responsibility. I deeply regret this and apologise to my fellow lawmakers," he added.
The case revolves around dinners organised on the eve of government-sponsored cherry blossom viewing parties.
His office is alleged to have paid more than eight million yen ($76,000) for the dinners attended by supporters over five years until 2019, failing to report the expenditures as required by Japanese law.
Abe had previously denied that his political office had paid for the dinners.
He was questioned by prosecutors over the case, but on Thursday they said they would not take further action against him.
- 'Why don't you step down?' -
Abe held a press conference on Thursday for the first time since he resigned earlier this year over health reasons, apologising but insisting he had no knowledge of the payments.
He said he "deeply, deeply" apologised for falsely claiming his office had not paid.
"My political responsibility is very serious. I will do my utmost to regain the people's trust," he said.
In parliament, opposition lawmakers excoriated the former leader.
"You have no intention of finding out the truth at all, and no intention of explaining to the public," said Takahiro Kuroiwa of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP).
"In a private firm, if the president makes false statements 100 times, then makes an excuse saying he or she was deceived by an employee, is it forgiven?" added Kiyomi Tsujimoto, another CDP lawmaker.
"Why don't you step down as a lawmaker?" she demanded.
Abe's successor, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, has also apologised for making statements about the payments that turned out to be false.
While Suga is not expected to face prosecution, it comes at a bad time for his cabinet, with his approval ratings sinking in part over his handling of a third wave of coronavirus cases.
Abe weathered several scandals while in office, including over the cherry blossom parties, a decades-old tradition intended to honour the great and good for their achievements.
His government was accused of packing the event with supporters, and even inviting a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mafia.
When the opposition demanded a guest list be produced, it emerged the list had been shredded.
While the government denied wrongdoing, Suga has said he will not hold the event next year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-25--Latin American countries begin mass Covid-19 vaccinations

Mexican nurse Irene Ramirez receives the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine jabs at the General Hospital in Mexico City on December 24 , 2020 .
Mexico , Chile and Costa Rica launched mass vaccination campaigns against the novel coronavirus on Thursday , administering the first shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , while Argentina received its first doses of Russia 's controversial Sputnik V jab .
Frontline medical staff in Mexico and Chile were among the first to receive their vaccines while Costa Rica began its own immunization program , with President Carlos Alvarado hailing what `` may be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
But global optimism was tempered as China and Brazil joined more than 50 governments restricting flights from Britain or air traffic in both directions , after the highly infectious new coronavirus strain first appeared there .
Thousands of trucks remained stranded at a major British port as France sent 10,000 kits to test drivers before allowing them to cross the Channel .
Despite the new strain that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said was `` up to 70 percent more transmissible '' than the original coronavirus , Britain said rail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Christmas .
Mexico televised the start of its mass immunisation programme after it received its first 3,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine from Belgium .
`` It 's the best gift I could receive in 2020 , '' 59-year-old Mexican nurse Maria Irene Ramirez said as she received the injection at a hospital in the capital .
Mexico has registered more than 120,000 Covid-19 deaths – the world 's fourth highest toll after the United States , Brazil and India .
In Chile , 46-year-old nursing assistant Zulema Riquelme was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of President Sebastian Pinera .
`` I 'm very excited and nervous , '' she said , hours after the first 10,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived by plane .
Elizabeth Castillo , a wheelchair-bound , 91-year-old nursing home resident , was the first person in Costa Rica to be vaccinated .
`` I am very grateful to God , because I have asked so much of him .
My life is very important to me , so take advantage of every moment , '' she said .
Argentina , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia 's controversial Sputnik V vaccine on Thursday on a special flight from Moscow .
The country is the first in Latin America to approve the Russian vaccine .
Argentina 's President Alberto Fernandez has vowed to receive the first Sputnik V shot to prove it is reliable after criticism that it was registered before the start of large-scale clinical trials .

Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica launched mass vaccination campaigns against the novel coronavirus on Thursday, administering the first shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while Argentina received its first doses of Russia's controversial Sputnik V jab.
Mexican nurse Irene Ramirez receives the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine jabs at the General Hospital in Mexico City on December 24, 2020.
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Frontline medical staff in Mexico and Chile were among the first to receive their vaccines while Costa Rica began its own immunization program, with President Carlos Alvarado hailing what "may be the beginning of the end of this pandemic".
But global optimism was tempered as China and Brazil joined more than 50 governments restricting flights from Britain or air traffic in both directions, after the highly infectious new coronavirus strain first appeared there.
Thousands of trucks remained stranded at a major British port as France sent 10,000 kits to test drivers before allowing them to cross the Channel.
Despite the new strain that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said was "up to 70 percent more transmissible" than the original coronavirus, Britain said rail and sea links with France would remain open over Christmas.
Mexico televised the start of its mass immunisation programme after it received its first 3,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine from Belgium.
"It's the best gift I could receive in 2020," 59-year-old Mexican nurse Maria Irene Ramirez said as she received the injection at a hospital in the capital.
Mexico has registered more than 120,000 Covid-19 deaths – the world's fourth highest toll after the United States, Brazil and India.
'Excited and nervous'
In Chile, 46-year-old nursing assistant Zulema Riquelme was the first person shown receiving the jab in the presence of President Sebastian Pinera.
"I'm very excited and nervous," she said, hours after the first 10,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived by plane.
Elizabeth Castillo, a wheelchair-bound, 91-year-old nursing home resident, was the first person in Costa Rica to be vaccinated.
"I am very grateful to God, because I have asked so much of him. My life is very important to me, so take advantage of every moment," she said.
Argentina, meanwhile, received the first 300,000 doses of Russia's controversial Sputnik V vaccine on Thursday on a special flight from Moscow.
The country is the first in Latin America to approve the Russian vaccine.
Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez has vowed to receive the first Sputnik V shot to prove it is reliable after criticism that it was registered before the start of large-scale clinical trials.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-12-25--GoDaddy apologises for fake Christmas bonus email security test

The technique of phishing , widely used by computer hackers , sees emails pretending to be a person known to the intended target , with the objective of obtaining information to infiltrate their computer systems US web company GoDaddy apologized Thursday after an email that promised employees a Christmas bonus in the midst of the economic crisis turned out to be a computer security test .
`` GoDaddy takes the security of our platform extremely seriously .
We understand some employees were upset by the phishing attempt and felt it was insensitive , for which we have apologized , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet domain management company in the world , told AFP in a statement .
`` While the test mimicked real attempts in play today , we need to do better and be more sensitive to our employees , '' added the Arizona-based company .
In December , around 500 employees clicked on an email from the company offering a Christmas bonus of $ 650 and asking them to fill out a form with their personal details .
Two days later , a different message appeared in their inboxes .
`` You are receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phishing test , '' the email from GoDaddy 's security chief read , according to Arizona 's Copper Courier newspaper .
The technique of phishing , widely used by computer hackers , sees emails pretending to be a person known to the intended target , with the objective of obtaining information to infiltrate their computer systems .
The test email sparked uproar on social media as millions of Americans have been hit hard by the economic crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic .

Washington (AFP) –
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US web company GoDaddy apologized Thursday after an email that promised employees a Christmas bonus in the midst of the economic crisis turned out to be a computer security test.
"GoDaddy takes the security of our platform extremely seriously. We understand some employees were upset by the phishing attempt and felt it was insensitive, for which we have apologized," a spokesman for GoDaddy, the largest internet domain management company in the world, told AFP in a statement.
"While the test mimicked real attempts in play today, we need to do better and be more sensitive to our employees," added the Arizona-based company.
In December, around 500 employees clicked on an email from the company offering a Christmas bonus of $650 and asking them to fill out a form with their personal details.
Two days later, a different message appeared in their inboxes.
"You are receiving this email because you failed our recent phishing test," the email from GoDaddy's security chief read, according to Arizona's Copper Courier newspaper.
The technique of phishing, widely used by computer hackers, sees emails pretending to be a person known to the intended target, with the objective of obtaining information to infiltrate their computer systems.
The test email sparked uproar on social media as millions of Americans have been hit hard by the economic crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-26--Russian historian sentenced to 12.5 years for butchering lover

A Russian historian and Napoleon enthusiast was sentenced to 12-and-a-half-years in prison for murdering and dismembering his young lover last year .
The Saint Petersburg trial , which spurred activists to voice growing anger over domestic abuse in Russia , began in June after delays due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Oleg Sokolov , 64 , had admitted murdering 24-year-old Anastasia Yeshchenko but said he committed the crime against his former student and lover in the heat of the moment during an argument .
He was arrested in November last year after he was found drunk and carrying a backpack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yulia Maximenko sentenced Sokolov on Friday to `` 12 years and six months in a strict regime penal colony '' on charges of murder and the illegal possession of firearms .
`` He was aware of his actions at the time of the crime , '' Maximenko said as she read out the verdict , adding that the intent to murder arose `` suddenly '' .
Sokolov , a historian who received France 's Legion d'Honneur in 2003 , paced back and forth as the sentence was read , an AFP journalist following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year he was arrested after he was hauled out of the freezing Moika River in Saint Petersburg while drunk and carrying a backpack containing a woman 's arms .
Sokolov 's lawyer Sergei Lukyanov said the defence `` does not agree '' with the sentence but will decide whether to appeal after receiving a copy of the verdict .
Last week the court heard the final arguments in the case and prosecutors requested a 15-year-term .
Their lawyer Alexandra Baksheyeva told reporters that even though `` nothing can bring their daughter back '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the verdict to request a harsher sentence .
Sokolov taught history at Saint Petersburg State University , President Vladimir Putin 's alma mater , and was close to the authorities .
The decorated historian authored several books on Napoleon Bonaparte and often led historical reenactments of the French emperor 's 1812 Russian campaign .
The gruesome murder shocked Russia after many of his students said Sokolov had exhibited inappropriate behaviour in the past and demanded that management at the university be investigated .
Every year , nearly 16.5 million women across Russia fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists .
However , efforts to lobby for a specialised law against violence and protect victims have failed .

Saint Petersburg (AFP) –
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A Russian historian and Napoleon enthusiast was sentenced to 12-and-a-half-years in prison for murdering and dismembering his young lover last year.
The Saint Petersburg trial, which spurred activists to voice growing anger over domestic abuse in Russia, began in June after delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Oleg Sokolov, 64, had admitted murdering 24-year-old Anastasia Yeshchenko but said he committed the crime against his former student and lover in the heat of the moment during an argument.
He was arrested in November last year after he was found drunk and carrying a backpack containing a woman's arms.
Judge Yulia Maximenko sentenced Sokolov on Friday to "12 years and six months in a strict regime penal colony" on charges of murder and the illegal possession of firearms.
"He was aware of his actions at the time of the crime," Maximenko said as she read out the verdict, adding that the intent to murder arose "suddenly".
Sokolov, a historian who received France's Legion d'Honneur in 2003, paced back and forth as the sentence was read, an AFP journalist following the trial reported.
In November last year he was arrested after he was hauled out of the freezing Moika River in Saint Petersburg while drunk and carrying a backpack containing a woman's arms.
Sokolov's lawyer Sergei Lukyanov said the defence "does not agree" with the sentence but will decide whether to appeal after receiving a copy of the verdict.
Last week the court heard the final arguments in the case and prosecutors requested a 15-year-term.
Yeshchenko's parents attended the sentencing on Friday.
Their lawyer Alexandra Baksheyeva told reporters that even though "nothing can bring their daughter back" the family does not intend to appeal the verdict to request a harsher sentence.
Sokolov taught history at Saint Petersburg State University, President Vladimir Putin's alma mater, and was close to the authorities.
The decorated historian authored several books on Napoleon Bonaparte and often led historical reenactments of the French emperor's 1812 Russian campaign.
The gruesome murder shocked Russia after many of his students said Sokolov had exhibited inappropriate behaviour in the past and demanded that management at the university be investigated.
Every year, nearly 16.5 million women across Russia fall victim to domestic violence, according to activists.
However, efforts to lobby for a specialised law against violence and protect victims have failed.
© 2020 AFP