france24--2020-01-13--Furious Beijing warns DPP against any ideas about independence after victory in Taiwan

Beijing warned Taipei against any ideas about independence while the Kuomintang ( KMT ) licked its wounds after the DPP won more votes than ever before in Taiwan ’ s presidential elections .
Hong Kong may have been crucial for Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen ’ s victory , but KMT candidate Han Kuo-yu may well have dug his own grave before the protests even started “ We have one consistent line when it comes to Taiwan policy .
We support 'peaceful reunification ' and 'one country , two systems . '
We are strictly opposed to any separatist plot aiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harsh words were plastered across the front page of Sunday ’ s People ’ s Daily , the official newspaper of China ’ s Communist Party ( CCP ) , without mentioning the impressive , 57,1 percent victory of Tsai Ing-wen over the pro-Beijig Han Kuo-yu , who won just over 38 percent .
The lines also directly attacked Tsai ’ s victory speech on Saturday evening where she again flatly rejected Beijing ’ s “ one country , two systems ” policy , instead warning Beijing against “ putting pressure and threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for dialogue between equal partners .
With 8,17 million votes against Han Kuo-yu ’ s 5,52 million Tsai Ing-wen won more votes than any Taiwanese presidential candidate before .
However , she did not beat the 58,45 percent score gained by her predecessor Ma Ying-chiu ( also DPP ) , who won the elections in 2006 with 7,65 million votes .
The turnout of Saturday ’ s vote was a solid 75 percent of Taiwan ’ s more than 19 million voters .
Parliamentary elections which were held in tandem with the presidentials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they won 61 seats , still an absolute majority in the 113 seat Legislative Yuan , but here they lost 7 seats compared to 2016 .
The KMT , which had 35 seats , gained three seats , climbing to 38 .
Overall , Saturday ’ s elections annulled the significance of the 2018 local election results when Han Kuo-yu , which managed to wipe away most of DPP control on the island , winning 16 out of 22 municipalities and counties , leaving the DPP with only six , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave ” that offered solid prospects of a presidential victory for Han Kuo-yu , was driven by a barrage of fantastic economic promises , where he said that he would bring a Disneyland theme park to Taiwan and integrate second city ( of which he is mayor ) Kaohsiong in the world ’ s F1 racing circuit to help boost the economy .
He rapidly captivated a growing public that was not deterred by his populist style and sometimes racist and misogenic remarks .
But according to most opinion polls , Han ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April last year , while Tsai ’ s popularity rose .
Most analysts agree that the situation in Hong Kong , and its government ’ s clumsy handling of a controversial extradition bill that lead to increasingly violent protests , was the main reason that Tsai ’ s popularity grew , as she took the Hong Kong example as a warning against what all-too-close ties with Beijing could mean for Taiwan .
But before protests in Hong Kong had erupted on a city wide scale , Han Kuo-yu had already undermined all chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On March 23 , in an unprecedented move , he decided to deviate from an official trip to Hong Kong and Macao and , without informing his delegation , paid a private visit to the Liaison Office of the Central People ’ s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ( LOCPG ) , Beijing ’ s de-facto “ embassy ” in Hong Kong .
Han met with then LOCPG director Wang Zhimin ( who was replaced by Beijing in early January . )
The content of this conversation , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was gearing up for the Primaries , was never disclosed , but led to increasingly harsh criticism of Han , accusing him of selling out to China , and raising fears that Beijing may exploit the visit to propagate its “ one country , two systems ” policy .
His popularity started to decline immediately after the incident .
Weeks later , unrelated , protests in Hong Kong against the governments ’ introduction of an extradition bill exploded and reached a boiling point in June .
Tsai Ing-wen deftly used Hong Kong ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign with the slogan “ today Hong Kong , tomorrow Taiwan , ” answering to concerns of Taiwanese people , 90 percent of whom , according to a poll held by Taipei ’ s Mainland Affairs Council , increasingly disapprove of Beijing ’ s “ one country , two systems ” initiative .
But thanks to her rival Han Kuo-yu ’ s impromptu overtures to mainland authorities in March , she may have won her victory without even using the Hong Kong protests as a political tool to gain support .

TAIWAN
Beijing warned Taipei against any ideas about independence while the Kuomintang (KMT) licked its wounds after the DPP won more votes than ever before in Taiwan’s presidential elections.
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Hong Kong may have been crucial for Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen’s victory, but KMT candidate Han Kuo-yu may well have dug his own grave before the protests even started
“We have one consistent line when it comes to Taiwan policy. We support 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems.' We are strictly opposed to any separatist plot aiming at 'Taiwanese independence.'”
The harsh words were plastered across the front page of Sunday’s People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Communist Party (CCP), without mentioning the impressive, 57,1 percent victory of Tsai Ing-wen over the pro-Beijig Han Kuo-yu, who won just over 38 percent.
The lines also directly attacked Tsai’s victory speech on Saturday evening where she again flatly rejected Beijing’s “one country, two systems” policy, instead warning Beijing against “putting pressure and threatening Taiwan’s sovereignty” while calling for dialogue between equal partners.
Monster victory
With 8,17 million votes against Han Kuo-yu’s 5,52 million Tsai Ing-wen won more votes than any Taiwanese presidential candidate before.
However, she did not beat the 58,45 percent score gained by her predecessor Ma Ying-chiu (KMT), who won the elections in 2006 with 7,65 million votes.
The turnout of Saturday’s vote was a solid 75 percent of Taiwan’s more than 19 million voters.
Parliamentary elections which were held in tandem with the presidentials also turned out well for the DPP as they won 61 seats, still an absolute majority in the 113 seat Legislative Yuan, but here they lost 7 seats compared to 2016. The KMT, which had 35 seats, gained three seats, climbing to 38.
Overall, Saturday’s elections annulled the significance of the 2018 local election results when Han Kuo-yu, which managed to wipe away most of DPP control on the island, winning 16 out of 22 municipalities and counties, leaving the DPP with only six, where they controlled 13 before.
“Han wave” broken
This “Han wave” that offered solid prospects of a presidential victory for Han Kuo-yu, was driven by a barrage of fantastic economic promises, where he said that he would bring a Disneyland theme park to Taiwan and integrate second city (of which he is mayor) Kaohsiung in the world’s F1 racing circuit to help boost the economy.
He rapidly captivated a growing public that was not deterred by his populist style and sometimes racist and misogenic remarks.
But according to most opinion polls, Han’s popularity entered a steep decline in April last year, while Tsai’s popularity rose.
Most analysts agree that the situation in Hong Kong, and its government’s clumsy handling of a controversial extradition bill that lead to increasingly violent protests, was the main reason that Tsai’s popularity grew, as she took the Hong Kong example as a warning against what all-too-close ties with Beijing could mean for Taiwan.
Private visit
But before protests in Hong Kong had erupted on a city wide scale, Han Kuo-yu had already undermined all chances of ever becoming Taiwan’s president.
On March 23, in an unprecedented move, he decided to deviate from an official trip to Hong Kong and Macao and, without informing his delegation, paid a private visit to the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG), Beijing’s de-facto “embassy” in Hong Kong.
Han met with then LOCPG director Wang Zhimin (who was replaced by Beijing in early January.)
The content of this conversation, which took place around the time that Taiwan was gearing up for the Primaries, was never disclosed, but led to increasingly harsh criticism of Han, accusing him of selling out to China, and raising fears that Beijing may exploit the visit to propagate its “one country, two systems” policy. His popularity started to decline immediately after the incident.
Anti-Beijing sentiments
Weeks later, unrelated, protests in Hong Kong against the governments’ introduction of an extradition bill exploded and reached a boiling point in June.
Tsai Ing-wen deftly used Hong Kong’s anti-Beijing sentiments for her own political campaign with the slogan “today Hong Kong, tomorrow Taiwan,” answering to concerns of Taiwanese people, 90 percent of whom, according to a poll held by Taipei’s Mainland Affairs Council, increasingly disapprove of Beijing’s “one country, two systems” initiative.
But thanks to her rival Han Kuo-yu’s impromptu overtures to mainland authorities in March, she may have won her victory without even using the Hong Kong protests as a political tool to gain support.
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france24--2020-01-13--Philippines on alert as Taal volcano erupts, spewing ash, lava

Residents look at the errupting Taal Volcano in Tagaytay City , Philippines , January 13 , 2020 .
Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning shot from an erupting volcano south of the Philippine capital on Monday , grounding hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible `` explosive eruption '' .
Homes and streets across the region surrounding the Taal volcano , which exploded to life on Sunday accompanied by a series of earthquakes , were coated in fine grit and at least 10,000 people had sought refuge in evacuation centres .
`` You could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed your eyes the house would shake , '' restaurant owner Lia Monteverde told AFP , saying the quakes came minutes apart .
`` All of us did n't sleep at all .
We just prepared to leave . ''
Taal sits in a picturesque lake and is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation where earthquakes and eruptions are a frightening and destructive part of life .
The activity is due to the Philippines ' position on the Pacific `` Ring of Fire '' , where tectonic plates collide deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region around Taal , government offices and the Philippine Stock Exchange were closed as a precaution on Monday .
Aviation officials said they were working to resume flights at Manila 's main international airport , which was shut down Sunday due to the risk posed to planes by the volcanic ash .
Some 240 flights have been cancelled so far , snarling plans for tens of thousands of people travelling through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport .
`` I 'm disappointed because this ( delay ) means additional expense for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said stranded traveler Joan Diocaras , a 28-year-old Filipino who works in Taiwan .
`` But there 's nothing we can do . ''
The eruption began with an explosion of superheated steam and rock , but by early Monday `` fountains '' of lava had been spotted on Taal , the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs ) said .
Authorities raised the alert level to its second-highest level on Sunday , saying an `` explosive eruption '' could happen in `` hours to days '' .
Phivolcs chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of fresh movement in the volcano , but said it was unclear if Taal would `` sustain its activity '' .
Government seismologists recorded magma moving towards the crater of Taal , which is located 65 kilometres ( 40 miles ) south of Manila .
Apart from the ash , some particles up to 6.4 centimetres ( 2.5 inches ) in diameter , larger than a golf ball , had reportedly fallen in areas around the lake , Phivolcs said .
Taal 's last eruption was in 1977 , Solidum said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands of people after spewing millions of tonnes of ash , rocks and lava in the central Bicol region .
The most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo , about 100 kilometres northwest of Manila , which killed more than 800 people .
It spewed an ash cloud that travelled thousands of kilometres in a matter of days and was blamed for damaging nearly two dozen aircraft .

Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning shot from an erupting volcano south of the Philippine capital on Monday, grounding hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible "explosive eruption".
Residents look at the errupting Taal Volcano in Tagaytay City, Philippines, January 13, 2020.
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Homes and streets across the region surrounding the Taal volcano, which exploded to life on Sunday accompanied by a series of earthquakes, were coated in fine grit and at least 10,000 people had sought refuge in evacuation centres.
"You could not sleep anymore, because every time you closed your eyes the house would shake," restaurant owner Lia Monteverde told AFP, saying the quakes came minutes apart.
"All of us didn't sleep at all. We just prepared to leave."
Taal sits in a picturesque lake and is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation where earthquakes and eruptions are a frightening and destructive part of life.
The activity is due to the Philippines' position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth's surface.
Schools in the region around Taal, government offices and the Philippine Stock Exchange were closed as a precaution on Monday.
Aviation officials said they were working to resume flights at Manila's main international airport, which was shut down Sunday due to the risk posed to planes by the volcanic ash.
Some 240 flights have been cancelled so far, snarling plans for tens of thousands of people travelling through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"I'm disappointed because this (delay) means additional expense for me and it's tiring to wait," said stranded traveler Joan Diocaras, a 28-year-old Filipino who works in Taiwan.
"But there's nothing we can do."
Alert level raised
The eruption began with an explosion of superheated steam and rock, but by early Monday "fountains" of lava had been spotted on Taal, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Authorities raised the alert level to its second-highest level on Sunday, saying an "explosive eruption" could happen in "hours to days".
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told AFP the lava was evidence of fresh movement in the volcano, but said it was unclear if Taal would "sustain its activity".
Government seismologists recorded magma moving towards the crater of Taal, which is located 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of Manila.
Apart from the ash, some particles up to 6.4 centimetres (2.5 inches) in diameter, larger than a golf ball, had reportedly fallen in areas around the lake, Phivolcs said.
Taal's last eruption was in 1977, Solidum said.
Two years ago, Mount Mayon displaced tens of thousands of people after spewing millions of tonnes of ash, rocks and lava in the central Bicol region.
The most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, about 100 kilometres northwest of Manila, which killed more than 800 people.
It spewed an ash cloud that travelled thousands of kilometres in a matter of days and was blamed for damaging nearly two dozen aircraft.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-13--Libyan rivals expected to sign ceasefire accord in Moscow

File photo : Khalifa Haftar , the military commander who dominates eastern Libya , in Paris , France , on May 29 , 2018 .
Both sides in Libya 's conflict are expected Monday in Moscow to sign an agreement on the terms of a ceasefire which went into effect over the weekend , ending nine months of fighting after weeks of international diplomacy .
The oil-rich North African country has been wracked by bloody turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi , with multiple foreign powers now involved .
The UN-recognised Government of National Accord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under attack since last April from forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar , who is based in the east of the country .
Haftar 's forces on January 6 captured the strategic coastal city of Sirte .
GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday called on Libyans to `` turn the page on the past , reject discord and to close ranks to move towards stability and peace '' .
His comments came after a ceasefire began at midnight ( Sunday 00:00 local time , Saturday 2200 GMT ) in line with a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli , more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced , according to the UN .
The truce comes after a diplomatic offensive , led by Ankara and Moscow , which have established themselves as key players in Libya .
Ankara dispatched troops – in a training capacity , it said – to the GNA in January .
And Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces , which are supported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Egypt , all regional rivals of Turkey .
Libya 's head of High Council of State Khaled al-Mechri said the signing of the agreement in Moscow would pave the way for the revival of the political process .
The head of Russia 's contact group to Tripoli , Lev Dengov , said the two rivals will have to determine in the Russian capital `` the terms of the future settlement in Libya , including the possibility of signing an agreement on the ceasefire and its details '' .
He added he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree to meet directly .
Haftar will be accompanied by parliament speaker Aguila Salah , while Sarraj will go with speaker Mechri .
According to a Libyan source quoted by the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti , Khalifa Haftar has already arrived in Moscow .
`` They will have separate meetings with Russian officials and emissaries of the Turkish delegation , which is cooperating with Russia on this issue .
Representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt will probably be present as observers at the talks , '' said Dengov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Defence Minister Hulusi Akar are also expected to arrive in Moscow on Monday .

Both sides in Libya's conflict are expected Monday in Moscow to sign an agreement on the terms of a ceasefire which went into effect over the weekend, ending nine months of fighting after weeks of international diplomacy.
File photo: Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who dominates eastern Libya, in Paris, France, on May 29, 2018.
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The oil-rich North African country has been wracked by bloody turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with multiple foreign powers now involved.
The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli had been under attack since last April from forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is based in the east of the country.
Haftar's forces on January 6 captured the strategic coastal city of Sirte.
GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday called on Libyans to "turn the page on the past, reject discord and to close ranks to move towards stability and peace".
His comments came after a ceasefire began at midnight (Sunday 00:00 local time, Saturday 2200 GMT) in line with a joint call by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced, according to the UN.
The truce comes after a diplomatic offensive, led by Ankara and Moscow, which have established themselves as key players in Libya.
Ankara dispatched troops – in a training capacity, it said – to the GNA in January.
And Russia has been accused of backing pro-Haftar forces, which are supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, all regional rivals of Turkey.
Libya's head of High Council of State Khaled al-Mechri said the signing of the agreement in Moscow would pave the way for the revival of the political process.
The head of Russia's contact group to Tripoli, Lev Dengov, said the two rivals will have to determine in the Russian capital "the terms of the future settlement in Libya, including the possibility of signing an agreement on the ceasefire and its details".
He added he did not know if the two men would agree to meet directly.
Haftar will be accompanied by parliament speaker Aguila Salah, while Sarraj will go with speaker Mechri.
According to a Libyan source quoted by the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, Khalifa Haftar has already arrived in Moscow.
"They will have separate meetings with Russian officials and emissaries of the Turkish delegation, which is cooperating with Russia on this issue. Representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt will probably be present as observers at the talks," said Dengov, quoted by Russian news agencies.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Defence Minister Hulusi Akar are also expected to arrive in Moscow on Monday.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-13--Chronicle of a nine-month offensive to seize Libya's capital

A fighter loyal to the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) stands on a rooftop during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar , in Espiaa , about 40 kilometres south of the Libyan capital Tripoli on April 29 , 2019 .
Both sides in Libya ’ s conflict – forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar and the UN-recognised government based in Tripoli – have agreed to a ceasefire starting on Sunday .
It comes after months of turmoil in which the eastern-based Haftar and his forces began an offensive to seize the Libyan capital from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
On April 4 , Haftar orders his troops to “ advance ” on Tripoli , seat since 2016 of the GNA , which he claims is backed by “ terrorist ” groups .
Haftar supports a parallel administration based in the eastern city of Tobruk , and his forces already control the country ’ s main southern oil fields .
His Libyan Arab Armed Forces ( LAAF , previously Libyan National Army ) briefly seize Tripoli ’ s war-destroyed international airport but are pushed back on April 5 .
Haftar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tripoli ’ s only functioning airport , Mitiga , on April 8 .
On April 19 , the White House says President Donald Trump recognised Haftar ’ s “ significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya ’ s oil resources ” .
On June 26 , GNA forces deliver a major blow to Haftar by retaking the town of Gharyan , the LAAF ’ s main supply base southwest of the capital .
On July 2 , an air strike hits a migrant detention centre in a Tripoli suburb .
Fifty-three people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GNA blames Haftar ’ s forces , which deny responsibility .
On November 5 , The New York Times reports that Russia has sent about 200 mercenaries to Libya to support Haftar .
Moscow denies that it has dispatched the fighters .
Ten days later the US urges Haftar to end his offensive .
On December 10 , a UN report accuses several countries of breaching a 2011 arms embargo by supplying the belligerent parties in the conflict .
It points to Turkey , which supports the GNA , as well as rivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates that are among countries backing Haftar .
On December 12 , Haftar announces a new “ decisive battle ” and an “ advance on the heart of Tripoli ” .
The GNA cabinet on December 19 approves the implementation of the military deal reached with Turkey .
Turkey ’ s parliament on January 2 passes a bill approving a military deployment to shore up the GNA .
On January 5 , President Recip Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish soldiers have begun deploying to Libya .
The next day Haftar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sirte from pro-GNA forces .
On January 8 , Turkey and Russia call for a ceasefire to begin on January 12 at midnight ( 2200 GMT on January 11 ) .
After initially pledging to continue the offensive , Haftar ’ s forces agree on January 11 to the ceasefire but warn of a “ severe ” response to any violation by the “ opposing camp ” .
Hours after Haftar , the GNA , which is led by Fayez al-Sarraj , also agrees to the ceasefire , but underlines its “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any attack or aggression that may come from the other camp ” .
More than 280 civilians have been killed since the start of the Tripoli offensive , according to the UN .
The fighting has displaced 146,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 2,000 fighters .

Both sides in Libya’s conflict – forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar and the UN-recognised government based in Tripoli – have agreed to a ceasefire starting on Sunday.
A fighter loyal to the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) stands on a rooftop during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, in Espiaa, about 40 kilometres south of the Libyan capital Tripoli on April 29, 2019.
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It comes after months of turmoil in which the eastern-based Haftar and his forces began an offensive to seize the Libyan capital from the Government of National Accord (GNA).
Here is a timeline:
Advance on Tripoli
On April 4, Haftar orders his troops to “advance” on Tripoli, seat since 2016 of the GNA, which he claims is backed by “terrorist” groups.
Haftar supports a parallel administration based in the eastern city of Tobruk, and his forces already control the country’s main southern oil fields.
His Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF, previously Libyan National Army) briefly seize Tripoli’s war-destroyed international airport but are pushed back on April 5.
Government strikes back
Government forces announce a counter-offensive called “Volcano of Anger” on April 7.
Haftar’s aircraft carry out a strike against Tripoli’s only functioning airport, Mitiga, on April 8.
On April 19, the White House says President Donald Trump recognised Haftar’s “significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources”.
On June 26, GNA forces deliver a major blow to Haftar by retaking the town of Gharyan, the LAAF’s main supply base southwest of the capital.
Migrant centre hit
On July 2, an air strike hits a migrant detention centre in a Tripoli suburb. Fifty-three people are killed and 130 wounded. The GNA blames Haftar’s forces, which deny responsibility.
International involvement
On November 5, The New York Times reports that Russia has sent about 200 mercenaries to Libya to support Haftar. Moscow denies that it has dispatched the fighters.
Ten days later the US urges Haftar to end his offensive.
On December 10, a UN report accuses several countries of breaching a 2011 arms embargo by supplying the belligerent parties in the conflict.
It points to Turkey, which supports the GNA, as well as rivals Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that are among countries backing Haftar.
Turkish intervention
On December 12, Haftar announces a new “decisive battle” and an “advance on the heart of Tripoli”.
The GNA cabinet on December 19 approves the implementation of the military deal reached with Turkey.
Turkey’s parliament on January 2 passes a bill approving a military deployment to shore up the GNA.
On January 5, President Recip Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish soldiers have begun deploying to Libya.
The next day Haftar’s forces say they have taken control of Sirte from pro-GNA forces.
Ceasefire
On January 8, Turkey and Russia call for a ceasefire to begin on January 12 at midnight (2200 GMT on January 11).
After initially pledging to continue the offensive, Haftar’s forces agree on January 11 to the ceasefire but warn of a “severe” response to any violation by the “opposing camp”.
Hours after Haftar, the GNA, which is led by Fayez al-Sarraj, also agrees to the ceasefire, but underlines its “legitimate right” to “respond to any attack or aggression that may come from the other camp”.
More than 280 civilians have been killed since the start of the Tripoli offensive, according to the UN. The fighting has displaced 146,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 2,000 fighters.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-13--Former Pope Benedict XVI breaks silence to reaffirm celibacy in the priesthood

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ( R ) stands with cardinals during a papal consistory for the creation of new Cardinals on February 14 , 2015 , at St. Peter 's Basilica in Vatican City .
Retired Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence to reaffirm the “ necessity ” of priestly celibacy , co-authoring a bombshell book at the precise moment that Pope Francis is weighing whether to allow married men to be ordained to address the Catholic priest shortage .
Benedict wrote the book , “ From the Depths of Our Hearts : Priesthood , Celibacy and the Crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his fellow conservative , Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah , who heads the Vatican ’ s liturgy office and has been a quiet critic of Francis .
The French daily Le Figaro published excerpts of the book late Sunday ; The Associated Press obtained galleys of the English edition , which is being published by Ignatius Press .
Benedict ’ s intervention is extraordinary , given he had promised to remain “ hidden from the world ” when he retired in 2013 , and pledged his obedience to the new pope .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he penned an odd essay last year on the sexual abuse scandal that blamed the crisis on the sexual revolution of the 1960s .
His reaffirmation of priestly celibacy , however , gets to the heart of a fraught policy issue that Francis is expected to weigh in on in the coming weeks , and could well be considered a public attempt by the former pope to sway the thinking of the current one .
The implications for such an intervention are grave , given the current opposition to Francis by conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orthodoxy , some of whom even consider his resignation illegitimate .
It is likely to fuel renewed anxiety about the wisdom of Benedict ’ s decision to remain an “ emeritus pope , ” rather than merely a retired bishop , and the unprecedented situation he created by having two popes , one retired and one reigning , living side by side in the Vatican gardens .
In that light , it is significant that the English edition of the book lists the author as “ Benedict XVI , ” with no mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover .
The authors clearly anticipated the potential interpretation of their book as criticism of the current pope , and stressed in their joint introduction that they were penning it “ in a spirit of filial obedience , to Pope Francis.
” But they also said that the current “ crisis ” in the church required them to not remain silent .
Francis has said he would write a document based on the outcome of the October 2019 synod of bishops on the Amazon .
A majority of bishops at the meeting called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the priest shortage in the Amazon , where the faithful can go months without having a Mass .
Francis has expressed sympathy with the Amazonian plight .
While he has long reaffirmed the gift of a celibate priesthood in the Latin rite church , he has stressed that celibacy is a tradition , not doctrine , and therefore can change , and that there could be pastoral reasons to allow for an exception in a particular place .
Benedict addresses the issue head-on in his chapter in the brief book , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion penned by Benedict and Sarah , and then a chapter apiece in between .
True to his theological form , Benedict ’ s chapter is dense with biblical references and he explains in scholarly terms what he says is the “ necessary ” foundation for the celibate priesthood that dates from the times of the apostles .
“ The priesthood of Jesus Christ causes us to enter into a life that consists of becoming one with him and renouncing all that belongs only to us , ” he writes .
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the necessity of celibacy but also of liturgical prayer , meditation on the Word of God and the renunciation of material goods.
” Marriage , he writes , requires man to give himself totally to his family .
“ Since serving the Lord likewise requires the total gift of a man , it does not seem possible to carry on the two vocations simultaneously .
Thus , the ability to renounce marriage so as to place oneself totally at the Lord ’ s disposition became a criterion for priestly ministry.
” The joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even stronger , acknowledging the crisis of the Catholic priesthood that it says has been “ wounded by the revelation of so many scandals , disconcerted by the constant questioning of their consecrated celibacy.
” Dedicating the book to priests of the world , the two authors urge them to persevere , and for all faithful to hold firm and support them in their celibate ministry .
“ It is urgent and necessary for everyone – bishops , priests and lay people – to stop letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy , ” they write .
“ It is urgent and necessary for everyone – bishops , priests and lay people – to take a fresh look with the eyes of faith at the Church and at priestly celibacy which protects her mystery.
” The book is being published at a moment of renewed interest – and confusion – in popular culture about the nature of the relationship between Francis and Benedict , thanks to the Netflix drama , “ The Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Hopkins as Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as Francis , imagines a days-long conversation between the two men before Benedict announced his historic resignation – conversations in which their different views of the state of the church become apparent .
Those meetings never happened , and the two men didn ’ t know one another well before Francis was elected to succeed Benedict .
But while the film takes artistic liberties for the sake of narrative , it gets the point across that Francis and Benedict indeed have very different points of view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Retired Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence to reaffirm the “necessity” of priestly celibacy, co-authoring a bombshell book at the precise moment that Pope Francis is weighing whether to allow married men to be ordained to address the Catholic priest shortage.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (R) stands with cardinals during a papal consistory for the creation of new Cardinals on February 14, 2015, at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
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Benedict wrote the book, “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church,” along with his fellow conservative, Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, who heads the Vatican’s liturgy office and has been a quiet critic of Francis.
The French daily Le Figaro published excerpts of the book late Sunday; The Associated Press obtained galleys of the English edition, which is being published by Ignatius Press.
Benedict’s intervention is extraordinary, given he had promised to remain “hidden from the world” when he retired in 2013, and pledged his obedience to the new pope. He has largely held to that pledge, though he penned an odd essay last year on the sexual abuse scandal that blamed the crisis on the sexual revolution of the 1960s.
His reaffirmation of priestly celibacy, however, gets to the heart of a fraught policy issue that Francis is expected to weigh in on in the coming weeks, and could well be considered a public attempt by the former pope to sway the thinking of the current one.
The implications for such an intervention are grave, given the current opposition to Francis by conservatives and traditionalists nostalgic for Benedict’s orthodoxy, some of whom even consider his resignation illegitimate.
Story broke so I can say: Ignatius Press is publishing the new book by Pope Emeritus Benedict and Cardinal Robert Sarah. The title: FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS: PRIESTHOOD, CELIBACY, AND THE CRISIS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Available for pre-order tomorrow, Jan 13. Ships Feb 20. pic.twitter.com/OscEpRTX0P — Mark Brumley (@mabrumley) January 12, 2020
It is likely to fuel renewed anxiety about the wisdom of Benedict’s decision to remain an “emeritus pope,” rather than merely a retired bishop, and the unprecedented situation he created by having two popes, one retired and one reigning, living side by side in the Vatican gardens.
In that light, it is significant that the English edition of the book lists the author as “Benedict XVI,” with no mention of his emeritus papal status on the cover.
The authors clearly anticipated the potential interpretation of their book as criticism of the current pope, and stressed in their joint introduction that they were penning it “in a spirit of filial obedience, to Pope Francis.” But they also said that the current “crisis” in the church required them to not remain silent.
Francis has said he would write a document based on the outcome of the October 2019 synod of bishops on the Amazon. A majority of bishops at the meeting called for the ordination of married men to address the priest shortage in the Amazon, where the faithful can go months without having a Mass.
Francis has expressed sympathy with the Amazonian plight. While he has long reaffirmed the gift of a celibate priesthood in the Latin rite church, he has stressed that celibacy is a tradition, not doctrine, and therefore can change, and that there could be pastoral reasons to allow for an exception in a particular place.
Benedict addresses the issue head-on in his chapter in the brief book, which is composed of a joint introduction and conclusion penned by Benedict and Sarah, and then a chapter apiece in between. True to his theological form, Benedict’s chapter is dense with biblical references and he explains in scholarly terms what he says is the “necessary” foundation for the celibate priesthood that dates from the times of the apostles.
“The priesthood of Jesus Christ causes us to enter into a life that consists of becoming one with him and renouncing all that belongs only to us,” he writes. “For priests, this is the foundation of the necessity of celibacy but also of liturgical prayer, meditation on the Word of God and the renunciation of material goods.”
Marriage, he writes, requires man to give himself totally to his family. “Since serving the Lord likewise requires the total gift of a man, it does not seem possible to carry on the two vocations simultaneously. Thus, the ability to renounce marriage so as to place oneself totally at the Lord’s disposition became a criterion for priestly ministry.”
The joint conclusion of the book makes the case even stronger, acknowledging the crisis of the Catholic priesthood that it says has been “wounded by the revelation of so many scandals, disconcerted by the constant questioning of their consecrated celibacy.”
Dedicating the book to priests of the world, the two authors urge them to persevere, and for all faithful to hold firm and support them in their celibate ministry.
“It is urgent and necessary for everyone – bishops, priests and lay people – to stop letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas, the theatrical productions, the diabolical lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy,” they write. “It is urgent and necessary for everyone – bishops, priests and lay people – to take a fresh look with the eyes of faith at the Church and at priestly celibacy which protects her mystery.”
The book is being published at a moment of renewed interest – and confusion – in popular culture about the nature of the relationship between Francis and Benedict, thanks to the Netflix drama, “The Two Popes”.
The film, starring Anthony Hopkins as Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as Francis, imagines a days-long conversation between the two men before Benedict announced his historic resignation – conversations in which their different views of the state of the church become apparent.
Those meetings never happened, and the two men didn’t know one another well before Francis was elected to succeed Benedict. But while the film takes artistic liberties for the sake of narrative, it gets the point across that Francis and Benedict indeed have very different points of view – which the new book bears out.
(AP)
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france24--2020-01-13--No, these photos do not show American soldiers going off to war with Iran

Two Facebook pages posted a series of photos on January 8 claiming to show American troops saying tearful goodbyes to their families before heading off to war with Iran .
The images were shared thousands of times , but it turns out they do not have anything to do with the current crisis between Washington and Tehran .
The United States assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on January 3 with a drone strike on his convoy .
On January 8 , Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases housing American soldiers .
The escalation in violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake images online .
Facebook pages `` Bigmouthmagazine '' and `` Scoop '' both posted photos supposedly showing American soldiers saying tearful goodbyes before being deployed to fight against Iran .
The photos were shared more than 6,000 times .
This photo shows Major Terri Gurrola sobbing as she hugs her daughter , Gaby .
The photo was taken in September 2007 by a photographer for the Associated Press .
Major Gurrola wrote about the image in an article published in the British daily newspaper The Guardian in October 2014 .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that her 3-year-old daughter Gaby hadn ’ t forgotten her during her year-long deployment to Iraq .
We found this article by running the photo through a reverse image search on Google Images ( click here to find out how ) .
This photograph , taken by photographer Marcus Yam in 2010 , shows First Class Sergeant Brian Eisch , who left behind two young sons when he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the US mission to combat terrorism and the Taliban .
This photo was part of “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published on the The New York Times website in December 2010 .
A reverse image search shows the photograph is also on Yam ’ s personal website This photo , too , does not show a soldier deploying for a war against Iran .
The man in the photo is Lieutenant Gibram Cruz , an Army intelligence officer based in Arizona , who was home visiting his mother , Rocio Rebolla Gomez , just days before she was slated for deportation to Mexico .
Rebolla Gomez , who is undocumented , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
The photo was published in the Los Angeles Times on December 23 , 2019 .
A reverse search of this photo on Google Images produces a series of images by the photographer Sharilyn Wells , published on the website of North Carolina Public Radio .
The images show reunions between soldiers returning from war , and their families .
Wells , who is a veteran herself , took this photo in September 2012 .
The image , which shows a couple reuniting after the husband returned from his deployment , won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documenting military life , organised by the city of Fayetteville , North Carolina .
While none of the photos show soldiers leaving for Iran , the United States did announce that it would deploy an additional 3,000 soldiers to the Middle East in light of increased tensions between Washington and Tehran .
France 24 reported that since January 6 , several convoys have left for Iraq from Fort Bragg in North Carolina .

USA
People on social media have been sharing images of what they say are US soldiers leaving for war with Iran (Photos from Facebook)
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Two Facebook pages posted a series of photos on January 8 claiming to show American troops saying tearful goodbyes to their families before heading off to war with Iran. The images were shared thousands of times, but it turns out they do not have anything to do with the current crisis between Washington and Tehran.
The United States assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on January 3 with a drone strike on his convoy. On January 8, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases housing American soldiers. The escalation in violence has led to the circulation of many fake images online. Facebook pages "Bigmouthmagazine" and "Scoop" both posted photos supposedly showing American soldiers saying tearful goodbyes before being deployed to fight against Iran. The photos were shared more than 6,000 times.
This photo shows Major Terri Gurrola sobbing as she hugs her daughter, Gaby. The photo was taken in September 2007 by a photographer for the Associated Press. Major Gurrola wrote about the image in an article published in the British daily newspaper The Guardian in October 2014. In the article, she explains how happy she was that her 3-year-old daughter Gaby hadn’t forgotten her during her year-long deployment to Iraq. We found this article by running the photo through a reverse image search on Google Images (click here to find out how).
This photograph, taken by photographer Marcus Yam in 2010, shows First Class Sergeant Brian Eisch, who left behind two young sons when he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the US mission to combat terrorism and the Taliban. This photo was part of “The Homefront”, a multimedia project that was published on the The New York Times website in December 2010. A reverse image search shows the photograph is also on Yam’s personal website.
This photo, too, does not show a soldier deploying for a war against Iran. The man in the photo is Lieutenant Gibram Cruz, an Army intelligence officer based in Arizona, who was home visiting his mother, Rocio Rebolla Gomez, just days before she was slated for deportation to Mexico. Rebolla Gomez, who is undocumented, had lived in the United States for 32 years. The photo was published in the Los Angeles Times on December 23, 2019.
A reverse search of this photo on Google Images produces a series of images by the photographer Sharilyn Wells, published on the website of North Carolina Public Radio. The images show reunions between soldiers returning from war, and their families.
Wells, who is a veteran herself, took this photo in September 2012. The image, which shows a couple reuniting after the husband returned from his deployment, won first place in a contest for photos documenting military life, organised by the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
While none of the photos show soldiers leaving for Iran, the United States did announce that it would deploy an additional 3,000 soldiers to the Middle East in light of increased tensions between Washington and Tehran. France 24 reported that since January 6, several convoys have left for Iraq from Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Article by Hermann Boko


france24--2020-01-14--Lebanese demonstrators take to the streets in show of ongoing anger

Lebanese protesters blocked several roads around the capital of Beirut and in other areas of the country on Tuesday in renewed rallies against the ruling elite they say has failed to address the economy ’ s downward spiral .
Protesters burned tires and blocked three main highways leading to the capital from the south , east and north , bringing traffic to a standstill .
School and university students took part in some of the protests and hundreds marched down main highways , raising Lebanese flags and blasting rallying songs through loudspeakers .
In downtown Beirut , dozens rallied outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor and his financial policies .
Security forces separated the protesters from the bank ’ s entrance .
In the northern city of Tripoli and in Akkar province , protesters sat in the streets and blocked several roads with burning tires or bricks .
In the southern city of Sidon , dozens of protesters marched down the streets , rallying outside banks and government offices .
Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis in decades , with the local currency plummeting before the dollar , losing over 60 percent of its value over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency have dried up .
Meanwhile , banks have imposed informal capital controls limiting withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers in the country , which relies heavily on imports of basic goods .
Panic has set in among residents who fear their deposits are in danger .
Nationwide protests for three months have failed to pressure politicians to form a new government to institute drastic reforms .
The protesters returned to the streets after several weeks of relative calm , following the designation of Hassan Diab as prime minister in mid-December .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency government amid political divisions and jockeying for power .
Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned in late October .
“ I would like to know why they ( politicians ) are still keeping their seats , ” Elie Zghaib , a protester said .
Lately , protesters had focused their ire on banks , rallying at the premises or outside banks and demanding access to their deposits .
Dozens have also taunted politicians who showed up in shopping malls or restaurants , sometimes chasing them out of public places and decrying their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nationwide protests began in mid-October in Lebanon , denouncing years of government mismanagement and corruption , demanding the political elite to step down .

Lebanese demonstrators took to the streets to demand an end to a months-long political vacuum Tuesday, with police firing tear gas at the start of what protesters have billed a "week of wrath".
Lebanese anti-government protesters burn tires during a demonstration in the northern city of Tripoli on January 14, 2020, to denounce the political deadlock and a crippling economic crisis.
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Protesters resumed blocking major highways, before anti-riot police armed with batons and shields charged hundreds of demonstrators outside the Lebanese central bank, an AFP correspondent said.
The charge dispersed the crowd, some of whom smashed paving stones to hurl them at police while others distributed onions to ward off the effects of the tear gas.
The security forces on Twitter denounced "attacks" led by "rioters" who had thrown stones and firecrackers at police.
Although protests had declined in size in recent weeks, demonstrations have been ongoing since mid-October, increasingly targeting banks and state institutions blamed for driving Lebanon towards collapse.
The unprecedented cross-sectarian movement has been fuelled by a crippling economic crisis, the worst since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.
Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a government after Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister on October 29, as political parties fail to agree on the makeup of a new team.
"Rebel, Beirut," dozens of protesters chanted as they marched to the sound of drums towards the home of premier designate Hassan Diab, who has struggled to form a cabinet since he was named on December 19.
"I want a government that can resolve the economic crisis as quickly as possible," said Nour, a 31-year-old marcher.
As a liquidity crisis grows and the cost of living rises, protesters have returned to the streets to urge politicians to swiftly form a cabinet of experts to respond to their demands.
On Tuesday morning, dozens of protesters blocked key highways in and around Beirut with overturned rubbish bins and burning tyres.
Laila Youssef, 47, said she was taking part to call on politicians to wake up.
"We've gone back to closing down roads because we can't stand it anymore," the mother of three told AFP. "What we earn today is not enough to buy the basics for home."
'Mafia gangs'
Many Lebanese have lost their jobs or seen their salaries reduced by half in recent months.
Even as banks cap withdrawals, the value of the Lebanese pound to the US dollar has fallen by almost half on the parallel exchange market.
A 75-year-old who refused to give his name said he was protesting against the "mafia gangs" in power.
"To humiliate the Lebanese people, they formed mafia gangs with the banks and took out all the dollars," he charged.
In a televised speech, President Michel Aoun acknowledged the delay in agreeing a new cabinet line-up but appealed for more time to find suitable candidates.
"What is needed is a government with a specific speedy programme to address the pressing economic and financial crisis," he told foreign envoys.
"The formation of this government demands choosing competent individuals who deserve the trust of the people and parliament, which takes time," he said.
'Sliding towards collapse'here were also demonstrations Tuesday in the provinces, including second city Tripoli and the southeastern town of Hasbayya, Lebanese television channels showed.
In the northern city of Tripoli, 30-year-old Alaa Khodr said he and other protesters wanted a government to be formed rapidly without any representatives of traditional political parties.
"We want a government as soon as possible because the economic situation can no longer wait and the country is sliding towards collapse," he told AFP.
The protests had dwindled to symbolic gatherings in recent weeks after Diab, a professor and former education minister, was nominated last month.
But Lebanese have returned to the streets since Saturday, when hundreds gathered across the country to vent their frustration.
The protesters are demanding a new government made up solely of independent technocrats, but analysts warn this may be a tall order in a country ruled by a sectarian power-sharing system since the end of the civil war.
The World Bank has warned of a recession that may see the proportion of people living in poverty climb from a third to half the population.
Even before the protests began, economic growth in Lebanon had slowed sharply in the face of repeated political deadlocks in recent years, compounded by the war in neighbouring Syria.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-14--France's pension reform compromise: The light at the end of the metro tunnel?

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Saturday made what appeared to be a major concession in his government ’ s showdown with unions over pension reform , retracting the bill ’ s most controversial measure – the so-called pivot age .
But Philippe ’ s backtrack is only provisional .
It depends on unions sorting out another way to save the system money , lest the reform wind up right back where it started .
To hear the French government tell it , more than five weeks into record strike action against a polemical pension revamp , the powers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend .
The planned reform , which featured in Emmanuel Macron ’ s 2017 presidential campaign platform , aims to streamline France ’ s tentacular pension system , replacing 42 sector-specific pension schemes into a single points-based model .
In an effort to put the system on a sounder financial footing , Philippe in December introduced what he called a pivot age – raising the age at which retirees can collect a full pension by two years , to 64 , while maintaining a legal retirement age of 62 .
Retiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a penalty , while retiring later would mean a bonus – all in an effort to encourage workers to stay on the job , and pay into the system , for longer .
The plan alarmed unions , with even the traditionally reform-minded CFDT saying it “ crossed a red line ” .
Pulling the pivot age off the table , at least for now , is supposed , in the government ’ s estimation , to be the olive branch that defuses the protracted conflict .
The CFDT and Unsa – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a points-based pension system – applauded Philippe ’ s gesture , perceiving in it “ a spirit of compromise on the government ’ s part ” .
But the collective of unions ( CGT , FO , CFE-CGC , FSU , Solidaires ) who want the reform withdrawn altogether weren ’ t swayed .
They still want the whole overhaul scrapped .
Indeed , there is every chance the dreaded pivot age will reappear in the reform bill down the line .
The letter Philippe sent to the unions is clear on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an age of equilibrium – the pivot age by another name – in the future system .
The prime minister 's missive also asked unions to propose “ measures allowing [ the system ] to reach financial equilibrium by 2027 ” without “ diminishing pensions ” or “ increasing the cost of labour ” .
“ If an agreement can not be reached , the government , enlightened by the efforts of the conference [ the discussions on pension-system equilibrium and financing due to deliver their conclusions by the end of April ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to attain equilibrium by 2027 , ” Philippe explained .
“ I want be perfectly clear on this point : I will shoulder my responsibilities , ” he wrote .
Stéphane Sirot , a historian at Cergy-Pontoise University outside Paris and a specialist in unionism and social conflict , thinks the pivot age is not quite off the table .
“ When you read the prime minister ’ s letter , you can see that the discussions the unions are being offered are very restrictive and it is hard to see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least partially , a pivot-age formula , ” Sirot told France 24 .
The unions opposed to the system-wide pension reform agree .
The CGT and others deemed the prime minister ’ s announcement “ smoke and mirrors ” .
“ It ’ s a provisional withdrawal , so that means it will be put back in , ” François Hommeril , president of the CFE-CGC ( a union representing middle managers ) , told France 24 .
“ The script so far is unfolding just as planned : Those who were frightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled even though the unions are being asked to provide solutions without being given any leeway.
” For some observers , it looks a lot like history repeating .
In September 2018 , in the run-up to this government ’ s unemployment-insurance reform , labour and employers ’ unions were told to get on the same page about new rules for that system , with the government setting for them the objective of achieving €3 billion in savings .
Each side agreed to take part in the unemployment-insurance reform negotiations then , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start behind the scenes that the calculus was nearly impossible .
A few months later , unsurprisingly , the effort had proven futile .
The State ultimately took charge of the unemployment insurance system for the first time since 1982 and it changed the system ’ s rules , tightening eligibility requirements and payout conditions .
“ Rather than letting the labour and employers ’ unions conduct their discussions together , they are given a series of constraints that make any agreement impossible , ” Sirot notes .
“ As soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can only result in failure .
It ’ s a very typical way for political powers in France to conceive of social dialogue : We set the objectives , we cut off a certain number of possible paths to attain them and it ’ s up to you to sort yourselves out .
But , in order to talk about compromise , what is needed are negotiations in which all of the possibilities remain open.
” So for opponents of the current pension reform , it ’ s a foregone conclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ script described by Philippe in his letter : The government will take back the reins in April , via orders , after noting negotiations between labour and employer unions have failed .
And as the critics see it , this script is even worse than the last one .
“ What the prime minister told us is that the pivot age , which was meant to be submitted to the [ lower-house ] National Assembly for discussion , will in the end be introduced by order , ” notes Hommeril , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpret as a positive thing is in truth something even more negative.
” The initial reform bill had provided for discussions between labour and employer unions until September 2020 as well as a debate in parliament on the matter .
Saturday ’ s announcement , on the other hand , shortens the discussions to three months and deprives upper- and lower-house lawmakers of having their say .
This article has been adapted from the original in French .

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Saturday made what appeared to be a major concession in his government’s showdown with unions over pension reform, retracting the bill’s most controversial measure – the so-called pivot age. But Philippe’s backtrack is only provisional. It depends on unions sorting out another way to save the system money, lest the reform wind up right back where it started.
Advertising Read more
To hear the French government tell it, more than five weeks into record strike action against a polemical pension revamp, the powers that be finally reached a compromise with unions over the weekend.
The planned reform, which featured in Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign platform, aims to streamline France’s tentacular pension system, replacing 42 sector-specific pension schemes into a single points-based model.
In an effort to put the system on a sounder financial footing, Philippe in December introduced what he called a pivot age – raising the age at which retirees can collect a full pension by two years, to 64, while maintaining a legal retirement age of 62.
Retiring before 64 would remain possible, but with a penalty, while retiring later would mean a bonus – all in an effort to encourage workers to stay on the job, and pay into the system, for longer. The plan alarmed unions, with even the traditionally reform-minded CFDT saying it “crossed a red line”.
Pulling the pivot age off the table, at least for now, is supposed, in the government’s estimation, to be the olive branch that defuses the protracted conflict.
The CFDT and Unsa – the unions in favour of transitioning to a points-based pension system – applauded Philippe’s gesture, perceiving in it “a spirit of compromise on the government’s part”.
But the collective of unions (CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, FSU, Solidaires) who want the reform withdrawn altogether weren’t swayed. They still want the whole overhaul scrapped.
Indeed, there is every chance the dreaded pivot age will reappear in the reform bill down the line. The letter Philippe sent to the unions is clear on the matter, stating there will surely be an age of equilibrium – the pivot age by another name – in the future system. The prime minister's missive also asked unions to propose “measures allowing [the system] to reach financial equilibrium by 2027” without “diminishing pensions” or “increasing the cost of labour”.
Disappear, reappear?
“If an agreement cannot be reached, the government, enlightened by the efforts of the conference [the discussions on pension-system equilibrium and financing due to deliver their conclusions by the end of April], will by order take the measures necessary to attain equilibrium by 2027,” Philippe explained. “I want be perfectly clear on this point: I will shoulder my responsibilities,” he wrote.
Stéphane Sirot, a historian at Cergy-Pontoise University outside Paris and a specialist in unionism and social conflict, thinks the pivot age is not quite off the table. “When you read the prime minister’s letter, you can see that the discussions the unions are being offered are very restrictive and it is hard to see how that will not translate into, at least partially, a pivot-age formula,” Sirot told France 24.
>> ‘We won’t give up’: French protesters defiant on day 36 of pension strikes
The unions opposed to the system-wide pension reform agree. The CGT and others deemed the prime minister’s announcement “smoke and mirrors”.
“It’s a provisional withdrawal, so that means it will be put back in,” François Hommeril, president of the CFE-CGC (a union representing middle managers), told France 24. “The script so far is unfolding just as planned: Those who were frightened are today making believe they’re thrilled even though the unions are being asked to provide solutions without being given any leeway.”
Déjà vu?
For some observers, it looks a lot like history repeating. In September 2018, in the run-up to this government’s unemployment-insurance reform, labour and employers’ unions were told to get on the same page about new rules for that system, with the government setting for them the objective of achieving €3 billion in savings.
Each side agreed to take part in the unemployment-insurance reform negotiations then, even though some of those involved conceded from the start behind the scenes that the calculus was nearly impossible.
A few months later, unsurprisingly, the effort had proven futile. The State ultimately took charge of the unemployment insurance system for the first time since 1982 and it changed the system’s rules, tightening eligibility requirements and payout conditions.
“Rather than letting the labour and employers’ unions conduct their discussions together, they are given a series of constraints that make any agreement impossible,” Sirot notes. “As soon as you assign an impossible mission to negotiators, it can only result in failure. It’s a very typical way for political powers in France to conceive of social dialogue: We set the objectives, we cut off a certain number of possible paths to attain them and it’s up to you to sort yourselves out. But, in order to talk about compromise, what is needed are negotiations in which all of the possibilities remain open.”
>> Divide and conquer: Macron’s plan to defeat French pension strikes
So for opponents of the current pension reform, it’s a foregone conclusion. Everything will go according to the script described by Philippe in his letter: The government will take back the reins in April, via orders, after noting negotiations between labour and employer unions have failed.
And as the critics see it, this script is even worse than the last one.
“What the prime minister told us is that the pivot age, which was meant to be submitted to the [lower-house] National Assembly for discussion, will in the end be introduced by order,” notes Hommeril, of the CFE-CGC union. “So what some interpret as a positive thing is in truth something even more negative.”
The initial reform bill had provided for discussions between labour and employer unions until September 2020 as well as a debate in parliament on the matter. Saturday’s announcement, on the other hand, shortens the discussions to three months and deprives upper- and lower-house lawmakers of having their say.
This article has been adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-01-14--European countries launch dispute against Iran over nuclear violations

An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) headquarters in Vienna , Austria , on September 9 , 2019 .
Three EU countries on Tuesday said they were launching a dispute mechanism against Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal , accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating the accord while insisting they remained committed to the agreement .
The move by Britain , France and Germany comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following the killing of top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US strike , and the admission by Tehran days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airliner .
The foreign ministers of the three European nations said Iran had been progressively scaling back its commitments under the deal and defying key restrictions on its nuclear programme since May last year .
`` We have therefore been left with no choice , given Iran 's actions '' to begin the dispute process , their statement said , adding that Tehran was not `` meeting its commitments '' .
The 2015 nuclear deal – known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPoA ) – has a provision that allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another party before a joint commission .
If the issue is not resolved at the joint commission , it then goes to an advisory board and eventually to the UN Security Council which could re-impose sanctions .
Iran had intensified sensitive activities to enrich uranium – which can be used to make a nuclear weapon – in response to the United States pulling out of the deal in 2018 .
Its latest step in January to forego the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment prompted the Europeans to trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are inconsistent with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and have increasingly severe and non-reversible proliferation implications , '' the statement said .
The nuclear accord aimed to restrict Iran 's nuclear ambitions – which Western powers feared were aimed at developing weapons – in return for sanctions relief .
In their statement on Tuesday , the European powers said they `` once again express our commitment '' to the deal and expressed `` determination to work with all participants to preserve it '' .
The three countries said they would not join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Iran '' championed by US President Donald Trump .
The US president 's move meant Iran has not benefitted from the sanctions relief it had hoped for , creating more trouble for its already battered economy .
Yet even as the EU powers made clear their committment to the deal , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he would be willing to work on a `` Trump deal '' to replace the JCPoA .
`` If we are going to get rid of it , let 's replace it and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` That 's what we need to see .
I think that would be a great way forward , '' he added , noting that `` from the American perspective it 's a flawed agreement . ''
Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the Tehran US embassy that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution which ousted the pro-American shah .
The United States killed Soleimani in a strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad , prompting vows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation , Iranian forces mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane over Tehran , killing all 176 passengers and crew on board .
Analysts have said the Europeans still have an opportunity to press for diplomacy , with Tehran on the defensive after admitting its forces shot down the airliner .
`` I see an opportunity to re-engage at least on the nuclear front , '' Alex Vatanka , senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute told AFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it , in a multilateral setting . ''

Three EU countries on Tuesday said they were launching a dispute mechanism against Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal, accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating the accord while insisting they remained committed to the agreement.
An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on September 9, 2019.
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The move by Britain, France and Germany comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following the killing of top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US strike, and the admission by Tehran days later it had accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner.
The foreign ministers of the three European nations said Iran had been progressively scaling back its commitments under the deal and defying key restrictions on its nuclear programme since May last year.
"We have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran's actions" to begin the dispute process, their statement said, adding that Tehran was not "meeting its commitments".
The 2015 nuclear deal – known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) – has a provision that allows a party to claim significant non-compliance by another party before a joint commission.
If the issue is not resolved at the joint commission, it then goes to an advisory board and eventually to the UN Security Council which could re-impose sanctions.
US supports the move
The United States said Tuesday it supported the three EU countries that launched a process charging Iran with failing to observe the terms of the 2015 deal curtailing its nuclear program.
"We fully support the decision by the E3 to initiate the dispute resolution mechanism," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. "We believe further diplomatic and economic pressure is warranted by nations."
Iran had intensified sensitive activities to enrich uranium – which can be used to make a nuclear weapon – in response to the United States pulling out of the deal in 2018.
Its latest step in January to forego the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment prompted the Europeans to trigger the mechanism.
"Iran's actions are inconsistent with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and have increasingly severe and non-reversible proliferation implications," the statement said.
Johnson backs ‘Trump deal’
The nuclear accord aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions – which Western powers feared were aimed at developing weapons – in return for sanctions relief.
In their statement on Tuesday, the European powers said they "once again express our commitment" to the deal and expressed "determination to work with all participants to preserve it".
The three countries said they would not join "a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran" championed by US President Donald Trump.
The US president's move meant Iran has not benefitted from the sanctions relief it had hoped for, creating more trouble for its already battered economy.
Yet even as the EU powers made clear their committment to the deal, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he would be willing to work on a "Trump deal" to replace the JCPoA.
"If we are going to get rid of it, let's replace it and let's replace it with the Trump deal," he said.
"That's what we need to see. I think that would be a great way forward," he added, noting that "from the American perspective it's a flawed agreement."
‘Opportunity to re-engage’
Tensions between Iran and the United States last week climbed to their highest levels since the hostage crisis at the Tehran US embassy that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution which ousted the pro-American shah.
The United States killed Soleimani in a strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, prompting vows of retribution by Iran.
And while Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was seen as a relatively measured retaliation, Iranian forces mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane over Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board.
Analysts have said the Europeans still have an opportunity to press for diplomacy, with Tehran on the defensive after admitting its forces shot down the airliner.
"I see an opportunity to re-engage at least on the nuclear front," Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute told AFP. "I think the Iranians would do it, in a multilateral setting."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-01-14--Ghett'Up: Bringing the US to the French suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis

Ghett'Up : Bringing the US to the French suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis FRANCE 24 's new show Banlieue Project is a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s disadvantaged suburbs to tell their own stories .
We provide the camera and @ @ @ @ @ break down clichés about the French `` banlieues '' .
In this first episode , @ @ @ @ @ from the Paris suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis , she studied in the United States during her @ @ @ @ @ by the people she met there .
When she came back to France , she @ @ @ @ @ allow youngsters in Seine-Saint-Denis to exchange with Americans .
Inès tells us more .

Ghett'Up: Bringing the US to the French suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis
06:58 BANLIEUE PROJECT © FRANCE 24
FRANCE 24's new show Banlieue Project is a platform for residents of France’s disadvantaged suburbs to tell their own stories. We provide the camera and they film their experiences to break down clichés about the French "banlieues". In this first episode, we meet Inès. Originally from the Paris suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis, she studied in the United States during her business degree and was inspired by the people she met there. When she came back to France, she set up Skype workshops which allow youngsters in Seine-Saint-Denis to exchange with Americans. Inès tells us more.


france24--2020-01-14--Libya’s Haftar leaves Moscow without signing ceasefire deal

Libya ’ s eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end nine months of fighting in the country , the Russian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP Tuesday .
Haftar on Monday evening asked for until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by the head of UN-recognised government Fayez al-Sarraj , but left the Russian capital without signing , Russia ’ s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said .
The two delegations from Libya on Monday spent seven hours in an attempt to sign a deal outlining the terms of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire that took effect over the weekend .
Mediated by Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers , the talks did not include the warring sides meeting face to face , but Moscow said there was “ progress ” and that Haftar viewed the ceasefire document “ positively ” .
Russian state media citing Libyan sources later said however that his plane departed Russia after a failure to reach a permanent agreement , leaving the fragile truce in uncertainty .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would “ teach a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he resumed fighting after abandoning ceasefire talks in Moscow .
“ We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country ’ s legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya , ” Erdogan told a meeting of his party in Ankara in a televised speech .
Erdogan said the issue would now be discussed at talks in Berlin on Sunday attended by European , North African and Middle Eastern countries , as well as the UN , EU , Africa Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haftar did not sign the ceasefire .
He first said yes , but later unfortunately he left Moscow , he fled Moscow , ” Erdogan said .
“ Despite this , we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community.
” Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya – home to Africa ’ s largest proven crude reserves – following years of turbulence since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi .

Libya’s eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing a ceasefire agreement to end nine months of fighting in the country, the Russian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP Tuesday.
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Haftar on Monday evening asked for until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by the head of UN-recognised government Fayez al-Sarraj, but left the Russian capital without signing, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
The two delegations from Libya on Monday spent seven hours in an attempt to sign a deal outlining the terms of a permanent truce in Libya, following a ceasefire that took effect over the weekend.
03:38
Mediated by Russian and Turkish foreign and defense ministers, the talks did not include the warring sides meeting face to face, but Moscow said there was “progress” and that Haftar viewed the ceasefire document “positively”.
Russian state media citing Libyan sources later said however that his plane departed Russia after a failure to reach a permanent agreement, leaving the fragile truce in uncertainty.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would “teach a lesson” to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar if he resumed fighting after abandoning ceasefire talks in Moscow.
“We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country’s legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya,” Erdogan told a meeting of his party in Ankara in a televised speech.
Erdogan said the issue would now be discussed at talks in Berlin on Sunday attended by European, North African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as the UN, EU, Africa Union and Arab League.
“The putschist Haftar did not sign the ceasefire. He first said yes, but later unfortunately he left Moscow, he fled Moscow,” Erdogan said.
“Despite this, we find the talks in Moscow were positive as they showed the true face of the putschist Haftar to the international community.”
Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya – home to Africa’s largest proven crude reserves – following years of turbulence since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-01-14--Iran makes arrests in downing of Ukrainian jet as Rouhani vows to punish those involved

Iran ’ s judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made over the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran .
The announcement came shortly after Iran ’ s president called for a special court to be set up to probe the downing last week of the plane by Iranian forces .
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili was quoted by Iranian state media saying that “ extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested .
He did not say how many individuals have been detained or name them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a missile had brought down the jetliner , acknowledged – three days after Wednesday ’ s downing and in the face of mounting evidence – that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the Ukrainian plane by mistake .
“ The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts , ” President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran on Tuesday .
“ This is not an ordinary case .
The entire world will be watching this court.
” Rouhani called the incident “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his administration would pursue the case “ by all means ” .
“ The responsibility falls on more than just one person , ” he said , adding that those found culpable “ should be punished ” .
“ There are others , too , and I want that this issue is expressed honestly , ” he said , without elaborating .
Rouhani called the government ’ s admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane the “ first good step ” .
The plane , en route to the Ukrainian capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nine crew members from several countries , including 82 Iranians , 57 Canadians – including many Iranians with dual citizenship – and 11 Ukrainians , according to officials .
There were several children among the passengers , including an infant .
Iran shot down the plane when it was bracing for possible U.S. retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
No one was hurt in that attack , which was carried out to avenge the stunning killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the country ’ s leadership , with protesters taking to the streets in past days .
Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets .
( AP )

Iran’s judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made over the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran.
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The announcement came shortly after Iran’s president called for a special court to be set up to probe the downing last week of the plane by Iranian forces.
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili was quoted by Iranian state media saying that “extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested. He did not say how many individuals have been detained or name them.
Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the jetliner, acknowledged – three days after Wednesday’s downing and in the face of mounting evidence – that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the Ukrainian plane by mistake.
“The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran on Tuesday. “This is not an ordinary case. The entire world will be watching this court.”
Rouhani called the incident “a painful and unforgivable” mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case “by all means”.
“The responsibility falls on more than just one person,” he said, adding that those found culpable “should be punished”.
“There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly,” he said, without elaborating.
Rouhani called the government’s admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane the “first good step”.
The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians – including many Iranians with dual citizenship – and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant.
Iran shot down the plane when it was bracing for possible U.S. retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq. No one was hurt in that attack, which was carried out to avenge the stunning killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike in Baghdad.
The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the country’s leadership, with protesters taking to the streets in past days. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets.
(AP)
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france24--2020-01-14--Ireland's PM Varadkar calls early election for February 8

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told his cabinet he would seek a dissolution of the lower house of parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ polls in an early general election on February 8 , Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said @ @ @ @ @ capitalise on a Brexit deal and talks in Northern Ireland .
`` The election will @ @ @ @ @ February 8th , '' he said in a speech in Dublin , adding that he @ @ @ @ @ to dissolve parliament .
Varadkar later posted a video on Twitter outlining what he sees @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We 've made some good progress since I 've become ( prime minister @ @ @ @ @ “ But I know it 's not enough , and we want to do much @ @ @ @ @ is likely to revolve around the issues of health and housing .
Ireland is struggling @ @ @ @ @ has faced hospital overcrowding .

Ireland will go to the polls in an early general election on February 8, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday, hoping to capitalise on a Brexit deal and talks in Northern Ireland.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told his cabinet he would seek a dissolution of the lower house of parliament.
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"The election will be held on Saturday, February 8th," he said in a speech in Dublin, adding that he would ask President Michael Higgins to dissolve parliament.
Varadkar later posted a video on Twitter outlining what he sees as his achievements in power.
“We've made some good progress since I've become (prime minister)" he said. “But I know it's not enough, and we want to do much more.''
The election is likely to revolve around the issues of health and housing. Ireland is struggling with a housing crisis and has faced hospital overcrowding.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP)
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france24--2020-01-14--The volunteers knitting pouches, mittens for Australia's burned koalas

At least 1.25 billion animals – even more if you include microscopic species – have died in the wildfires that @ @ @ @ @ September , destroying over 30,000 square miles of forest and bush .
Volunteers all over @ @ @ @ @ help wildlife sanctuaries deal with the crisis , arming themselves with sewing machines and knitting @ @ @ @ @ Animal Rescue Craft Guild , which has more than 190,000 members , asked volunteers to @ @ @ @ @ baby marsupials , including koalas , kangaroos , opossums and wombats , who can ’ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pouches .
They also asked for people to make mittens to help heal @ @ @ @ @

AUSTRALIA
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At least 1.25 billion animals – even more if you include microscopic species – have died in the wildfires that have raged across Australia since September, destroying over 30,000 square miles of forest and bush. Volunteers all over the world have mobilised to help wildlife sanctuaries deal with the crisis, arming themselves with sewing machines and knitting needles.
The Facebook group Animal Rescue Craft Guild, which has more than 190,000 members, asked volunteers to make little cloth pouches for baby marsupials, including koalas, kangaroos, opossums and wombats, who can’t shelter in their mother’s pouches. They also asked for people to make mittens to help heal koalas’ burned paws.
My daughter has been involved in the Animal Rescue Craft Guild on Facebook. We’ve just received these pictures of ‘bat wraps’ being used to help Australian wildlife. The count would approve. @violetfenn #AustralianBushfireDisaster pic.twitter.com/bWq0x628dP Geoff Llewellyn (@mykindleandtea) January 10, 2020
“I wanted to do something after I saw the images of animals with burns”
Gwladys Nicol, who works in education in Paris, leads a small group of volunteers who are making pouches and nests for animals displaced by Australia’s fires.
Article written by Pierre Hamdi (@PierreHamdi)


france24--2020-01-14--Friends and family of teenage Ivorian stowaway struggle to grasp his death

Friends and family of teenage Ivorian stowaway struggle to grasp his death Laurent Barthelemy Ani Guibahi was 14 and dreamed @ @ @ @ @ Last week he left his home in Abidjan and secreted himself in the undercarriage of @ @ @ @ @ He was found dead when it arrived in France .
Back in Abidjan , his @ @ @ @ @ trying to understand what prompted Barthelemy to undertake the deadly journey .
“ They told @ @ @ @ @ been found in France , ” his father said , sobbing .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ imagine ?
A child that you had left at home.
” Investigators said the child @ @ @ @ @ or from asphyxiation .

Friends and family of teenage Ivorian stowaway struggle to grasp his death
Laurent Barthelemy Ani Guibahi was 14 and dreamed of becoming a scientist. Last week he left his home in Abidjan and secreted himself in the undercarriage of an Air France jet. He was found dead when it arrived in France.
02:00 Laurent Barthelemy was found dead in Paris in the undercarriage of an Air France jet. © France24
Advertising Read more Back in Abidjan, his grieving parents and friends are trying to understand what prompted Barthelemy to undertake the deadly journey.
“They told me that my child had been found in France,” his father said, sobbing. “It’s crazy. Can you imagine? A child that you had left at home.”
Investigators said the child likely died from extreme cold or from asphyxiation. (FRANCE 24)
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