france24--2020-12-01--French interior minister outlines proposals for police reform amid outcry

Amid a wave of anger and street protests in France over police violence , Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin outlined proposals for police reform before a National Assembly committee on Monday evening .
President Emmanuel Macron 's ruling party earlier agreed to completely rewrite a draft plan that would have curbed the right to film police officers in action , after large protests over the weekend drew 133,000 people nationwide and 46,000 in Paris alone , according to the official count or many more according to union estimates .
The rallies followed the publication of video footage of the brutal beating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers earlier this month , an incident that Macron branded as `` shameful '' for France .
Four officers were charged over the beating on Monday .
A provision in the draft law known as Article 24 , a key plank in Macron 's plans to court right-wing voters by being tougher on law and order ahead of his likely 2022 re-election bid , had sparked outrage in the media and on the left flank of his own party .
Article 24 did not completely ban sharing images of the police , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year in prison and a €45,000 fine – to share them with an `` obvious intention to harm '' .
A new version of Article 24 will be submitted at a later date , officials said .
The stated aim of the broader `` general security '' bill is to provide better protection for French police officers , who unions said were under heavy strain after months of violent `` yellow vest '' protests .
On Monday evening , Interior Minister Darmanin was heard for more than two hours before the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough-talking former conservative acknowledged that `` perhaps '' there were `` structural problems '' within the police force and listed what he called the institution 's `` seven deadly sins '' .
Among them , Darmanin pinpointed matters pertaining to equipment , supervision and internal affairs oversight .
Darmanin 's proposals are meant to respond to Macron 's request on Friday to `` quickly '' suggest ways to `` reaffirm the confidence that should naturally exist between the French and those who protect them and to more effectively fight all discrimination '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darmanin 's predecessor , Christophe Castaner , who presented a plan for the purpose in June .
But amid the resulting outcry from law enforcement , Castaner was shuffled out of the government in a cabinet rejig a month later .
The first `` deadly sin '' Darmanin listed pertained to basic police training , which he said should be lengthened .
In order to meet recruitment needs after a series of deadly terrorist attacks in 2015 , the length of the training period in police academies was reduced from 12 months to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of training throughout an officer 's career .
`` We owe '' police officers `` more hours of training '' , he said .
Darmanin 's second point , or `` sin '' , concerned supervising staff .
`` One of the difficulties is that there are n't enough leaders in charge , seconds-in-command present on the streets , '' Darmanin said .
`` We must rebuild an intermediate group of supervisors on the ground ...
Being on the ground is the most noble of duties , '' he said .
Darmanin also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His ministry obtained €1 billion ( $ 1.2 billion ) in the current coronavirus-era stimulus plan , providing for upgrades like renovating police stations and replacing the police vehicle fleet .
Darmanin believes more is needed , suggesting for instance the generalised use of wearable cameras for police on patrol .
In addition , the minister spoke of a possible reform of the IGPN , the French police disciplinary body or `` police of the police '' , which he noted is charged with both conducting inspections and conducting inquiries .
Lastly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share '' the notion of `` a divorce between the police and the population '' .
He proposed increasing police reserves to 30,000 , the same number of reserves the country 's force of gendarmes maintains .
After submitting a white paper on interior security in mid-November , Darmanin had said that discussions would continue through the first half of 2021 with the objective being draft legislation for 2022 .
That official report , which required a full year of work to draw up , consists of about 200 proposals pertaining to police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as an updated territorial distribution of personnel between police , gendarmes and facilities shared between the forces .
Several of the white paper 's proposals have already been applied or are already envisaged in the `` general security '' bill currently on the table .

Amid a wave of anger and street protests in France over police violence, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin outlined proposals for police reform before a National Assembly committee on Monday evening.
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President Emmanuel Macron's ruling LREM (La République En Marche) party earlier agreed to rewrite a draft law that would have curbed the right to film police officers in action after large protests over the weekend drew 133,000 people nationwide and 46,000 in Paris alone, according to the official count.
The rallies followed the publication of video footage of the brutal beating of a Black man by three police officers last week, an incident that Macron branded as "shameful" for France. Four officers were charged over the beating on Monday.
A provision in the draft law known as Article 24, a key measure in Macron's plans to court right-wing voters by being tougher on law and order ahead of his likely 2022 re-election bid, had sparked outrage in the media and on the left flank of his own party.
07:08
Article 24 did not completely ban sharing images of the police, but made it a crime – punishable by a year in prison and a €45,000 fine – to share them with an "obvious intention to harm", such as calling for violence or retribution. A new version of Article 24 will be submitted at a later date, officials said.
The stated aim of the broader "general security" bill is to provide better protection for French police officers, whom unions said were under heavy strain after months of violent "Yellow Vest" protests and the heightened state of alert after a spate of terrorist attacks across France in recent years.
'Seven deadly sins'
On Monday evening, Interior Minister Darmanin spoke for more than two hours before the National Assembly. The tough-talking former conservative acknowledged that "perhaps" there were "structural problems" within the police force and listed what he called the institution's "seven deadly sins". Among them were matters pertaining to equipment, supervision and internal affairs oversight.
Darmanin's proposals were meant to respond to Macron's request on Friday to "quickly" suggest ways to "reaffirm the confidence that should naturally exist between the French and those who protect them and to effectively fight discrimination".
Macron had made the same request of Darmanin's predecessor, Christophe Castaner, who presented a plan for the purpose in June. But amid the resulting outcry from law enforcement, Castaner was shuffled out of the government in a cabinet reshuffle a month later.
The first "deadly sin" for Darmanin pertained to basic police training, which he said should be lengthened. In order to meet recruitment needs after a series of deadly terrorist attacks in 2015, the length of the training period in police academies was reduced from 12 months to eight. Darmanin also emphasised the importance of training throughout an officer's career. "We owe" police officers "more hours of training", he said.
Darmanin's second point concerned supervising staff. "One of the difficulties is that there aren't enough leaders in charge, seconds-in-command, present on the streets," Darmanin said. "We must rebuild an intermediate group of supervisors on the ground ... Being on the ground is the most noble of duties," he added.
Darmanin also said the police need more resources. His ministry obtained €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in the current coronavirus-era stimulus plan, providing for upgrades like renovating police stations and replacing the vehicle fleet. But he believes more is needed, including for the wider use of wearable cameras for police on patrol.
In addition, the minister spoke of a possible reform of the IGPN (L'inspection générale de la Police nationale) – the French police disciplinary body or "police of the police" – which he noted is charged with both conducting inspections and conducting inquiries.
Darmanin said he "really does not share" the notion of "a divorce between the police and the population". He proposed increasing police reserves to 30,000, the same number of reserves the country's force of gendarmes maintains.
After submitting a white paper on interior security in mid-November, Darmanin said that discussions would continue through the first half of 2021 with the objective drafting legislation for 2022. That official report, which required a full year to draw up, consists of some 200 proposals pertaining to police recruitment, training and career paths, as well as an updated territorial distribution of personnel between police, gendarmes and facilities shared between the forces. Several of the white paper's proposals have already been applied or are already envisaged in the "general security" bill currently on the table.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-01--Tehran muddies waters over killing of nuclear scientist

New details released by Iran ’ s state media about the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh have been @ @ @ @ @ scepticism .
Initially , Tehran had accused Israel of using electronic devices to murder the @ @ @ @ @ now believes a Paris-based Iranian resistance group acted alongside the Israelis .
FRANCE 24 ’ @ @ @ @ @ Parsons takes a closer look .

Tehran muddies waters over killing of nuclear scientist
04:18
New details released by Iran’s state media about the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh have been met with a degree of scepticism. Initially, Tehran had accused Israel of using electronic devices to murder the scientist remotely. The government now believes a Paris-based Iranian resistance group acted alongside the Israelis. FRANCE 24’s chief foreign editor Robert Parsons takes a closer look.


france24--2020-12-02--Greece's undeclared workers hit hard by virus lockdown

Greece went into a second nationwide lockdown on November 7 after a dangerous spike in infections accompanied by scores of daily fatalities Every time Elisa drives to a client 's house for a hairdressing job , she makes sure to pack a bag of groceries in the car in case she is stopped by Greek police .
Skirting the country 's strict lockdown rules to put food on the table , she is among thousands of undeclared Greek workers facing additional hardship during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I write out a declaration that I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my neighbourhood , '' says the 32-year-old .
`` The city centre is more risky as police checks are more frequent , '' she told AFP .
Greece went into a second nationwide lockdown on November 7 after a dangerous spike in infections accompanied by scores of daily fatalities .
Anybody found by police venturing outdoors without a valid reason faces a 300-euro ( $ 359 ) fine .
Company workers may commute with a written declaration from their employer .
But that 's not an option for the self-employed -- mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially those hiding their full income from tax authorities .
Greece 's black economy has historically been one of the biggest in Europe , accounting for over a quarter of the country 's output .
Now , after a decade-long economic crisis that wiped out a quarter of the country 's wealth and sent unemployment soaring , many Greeks facing job precarity say they can not afford to keep up with taxes and living costs .
The hairdressing salon that employed Elisa was among thousands of small businesses that did not survive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to break the law .
It 's a matter of survival , '' says Vangelis , a plumber in his 40s who takes jobs in his neighbourhood and declined to give his real name .
`` I ca n't stay at home and earn nothing ...
I 'd rather take the risk .
This way , I can at least make 50 euros a day and pay my rent and supermarket bills , '' he adds .
Vangelis says his earnings fell by half during the first six-week Covid-19 lockdown in the spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolerant now , he says .
`` It 's not like we 're stealing . ''
Vangelis insists that `` everybody knows how the economy works in Greece , the money must circulate ; the majority of delivery men have no social security and the police turn a blind eye '' .
According to estimates the mobility rate -- how many people are going out to work -- rose by 35 percent during the second lockdown compared to the first , says Panagiotis Petrakis , a professor of economics at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the indirect indices used to track the underground economy .
The overall losses to the economy as a result of the first lockdown totalled nearly 2.5 billion euros ( $ 3 billion ) , according to official figures , but the real amount is probably double that according to Petrakis .
Greece 's jobless rate is expected to reach 18.9 percent this year according to the government .
And national output is set to fall by 10.5 percent before recovering by over four percent next year .
As in many countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece 's main money earner , but also personal and entertainment services , sectors where moonlighting is common .
The crunch is expected to hit hardest those outside the official fabric of the economy who are not entitled to state benefits during the pandemic -- low income , unemployed or undocumented workers .
Anna , a housekeeper from Georgia , says she lives `` in anguish of being arrested . ''
Though she has lived in Greece for more than ten years , she still has no residency papers .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vulnerable person .
But I have lost a lot of clients , especially among the elderly , who are afraid of bringing in someone like me who uses public transport , '' she laments .

Athens (AFP) –
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Every time Elisa drives to a client's house for a hairdressing job, she makes sure to pack a bag of groceries in the car in case she is stopped by Greek police.
Skirting the country's strict lockdown rules to put food on the table, she is among thousands of undeclared Greek workers facing additional hardship during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I write out a declaration that I'm going shopping, and I mainly work in my neighbourhood," says the 32-year-old.
"The city centre is more risky as police checks are more frequent," she told AFP.
Greece went into a second nationwide lockdown on November 7 after a dangerous spike in infections accompanied by scores of daily fatalities.
Anybody found by police venturing outdoors without a valid reason faces a 300-euro ($359) fine.
Company workers may commute with a written declaration from their employer. But that's not an option for the self-employed -- mainly native Greeks and long-established immigrants -- and especially those hiding their full income from tax authorities.
Greece's black economy has historically been one of the biggest in Europe, accounting for over a quarter of the country's output.
Now, after a decade-long economic crisis that wiped out a quarter of the country's wealth and sent unemployment soaring, many Greeks facing job precarity say they cannot afford to keep up with taxes and living costs.
The hairdressing salon that employed Elisa was among thousands of small businesses that did not survive the 2010-2018 crisis.
- 'We're not stealing' -
"I'm forced to break the law. It's a matter of survival," says Vangelis, a plumber in his 40s who takes jobs in his neighbourhood and declined to give his real name.
"I can't stay at home and earn nothing... I'd rather take the risk. This way, I can at least make 50 euros a day and pay my rent and supermarket bills," he adds.
Vangelis says his earnings fell by half during the first six-week Covid-19 lockdown in the spring.
But thankfully, police are more tolerant now, he says.
"It's not like we're stealing."
Vangelis insists that "everybody knows how the economy works in Greece, the money must circulate; the majority of delivery men have no social security and the police turn a blind eye".
According to estimates the mobility rate -- how many people are going out to work -- rose by 35 percent during the second lockdown compared to the first, says Panagiotis Petrakis, a professor of economics at the University of Athens.
The mobility rate is one of the indirect indices used to track the underground economy.
The overall losses to the economy as a result of the first lockdown totalled nearly 2.5 billion euros ($3 billion), according to official figures, but the real amount is probably double that according to Petrakis.
- 'Living in anguish' -
Greece's jobless rate is expected to reach 18.9 percent this year according to the government.
And national output is set to fall by 10.5 percent before recovering by over four percent next year.
As in many countries, the lockdown has mainly hit tourism, Greece's main money earner, but also personal and entertainment services, sectors where moonlighting is common.
The crunch is expected to hit hardest those outside the official fabric of the economy who are not entitled to state benefits during the pandemic -- low income, unemployed or undocumented workers.
Anna, a housekeeper from Georgia, says she lives "in anguish of being arrested."
Though she has lived in Greece for more than ten years, she still has no residency papers.
"I have a certificate saying that I am helping a vulnerable person. But I have lost a lot of clients, especially among the elderly, who are afraid of bringing in someone like me who uses public transport," she laments.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Biden pledges help 'on the way' for US economy

US President-elect Joe Biden said his economic team is working on a plan to support families and businesses weather the current crisis President-elect Joe Biden presented his economic team on Tuesday and pledged they would lead the charge on a plan to provide more relief for the faltering US economy , which his nominee for Treasury secretary called an `` American tragedy . ''
The diverse group , featuring women and minorities in key roles , is set to inherit the fallout from millions of job losses -- including an ongoing wave of corporations laying off workers and small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus cases spikes .
Even with good news on possible vaccines , economists warn they may not come soon enough to prevent further damage as an initial sharp recovery loses steam .
`` I know times are tough , but I want you to know that help is on the way , '' Biden said at the event to introduce the `` tested and experienced '' team led by former Fed chief Janet Yellen , his pick for Treasury secretary .
He called on Congress to rapidly approve a `` robust '' new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the lame-duck legislature will not be enough .
`` We need to act now and we need to work together , '' Biden said , promising to `` build a new American economy that works for all Americans . ''
He said his team already is working on a new plan that can be launched `` on day one '' to revive the economy and create more than 18 million jobs through investments in infrastructure , clean energy and manufacturing .
The world 's largest economy shed more than 20 million jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has regained only about half of those .
Yellen previously made history as the first woman to lead the Fed , and would score another first if confirmed as Treasury secretary , a job that has never been held by a woman .
She is well regarded for navigating the central bank through the aftermath of the global financial crisis , and said the country is facing another `` historic '' crisis that is hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest .
Yellen warned that `` inaction will produce self-reinforcing downturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So many people struggling to put food on the table and pay bills and rent .
It 's an American tragedy , '' she said .
Outgoing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday reiterated his support for forging a compromise , although he said it should be a limited package .
`` I will continue to work with Congress , '' Mnuchin said .
`` I urge Congress to pass something quickly . ''
The goal is to enact a successor to the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act after its main provisions expired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans losing aid just after Christmas .
But the negotiations remain at an impasse and , without support from Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell , the two sides face a tough fight for approval in the final weeks of Donald Trump 's presidency .
McConnell told reporters Tuesday he received a new proposal from top Democrats and is gauging what kind of deal Trump is willing to sign -- and what other Republican lawmakers are willing to support .
`` We just do n't have time to waste , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan support to get out of the Congress . ''
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to Mnuchin on Tuesday and said agreement on a new relief package is `` long overdue . ''
They also discussed a budget deal to avert a government shutdown on December 11 , and Pelosi noted progress on a bipartisan spending package .
Early Tuesday , a bipartisan group of lawmakers offered a $ 908 billion compromise that could address some of the immediate needs including extending unemployment benefits and providing more grants to struggling businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ among his party faithful .
It calls for $ 500 billion in relief , including $ 332 billion for small businesses , a Republican congressional source said .
In a joint appearance with Mnuchin before the Senate Banking Committee , Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again urged lawmakers to provide more aid to support the economy .
In an apparent response to concerns of deficit hawks , he stressed that the `` risk of overdoing it '' is far outweighed by the risk of not doing enough .
`` Additional fiscal relief would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse downturn , Powell said .
Other nominees for Biden 's economic team include Nigerian-born Wally Adeyemo , who would be the first African American in the role of deputy Treasury secretary .
Neera Tanden , president of liberal think tank Center for American Progress , was picked to head the Office of Management and Budget .
If confirmed , she would be its first leader of South Asian origin , but she is a controversial choice who faces oppositions from conservatives and progressives .
Cecilia Rouse , the dean of the Princeton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was tapped to chair Biden 's Council of Economic Advisors and would be the first African American in that post .

Wilmington (United States) (AFP) –
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President-elect Joe Biden presented his economic team on Tuesday and pledged they would lead the charge on a plan to provide more relief for the faltering US economy, which his nominee for Treasury secretary called an "American tragedy."
The diverse group, featuring women and minorities in key roles, is set to inherit the fallout from millions of job losses -- including an ongoing wave of corporations laying off workers and small businesses shutting their doors as the number of virus cases spikes.
Even with good news on possible vaccines, economists warn they may not come soon enough to prevent further damage as an initial sharp recovery loses steam.
"I know times are tough, but I want you to know that help is on the way," Biden said at the event to introduce the "tested and experienced" team led by former Fed chief Janet Yellen, his pick for Treasury secretary.
He called on Congress to rapidly approve a "robust" new relief package, but said anything accomplished by the lame-duck legislature will not be enough.
"We need to act now and we need to work together," Biden said, promising to "build a new American economy that works for all Americans."
He said his team already is working on a new plan that can be launched "on day one" to revive the economy and create more than 18 million jobs through investments in infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing.
The world's largest economy shed more than 20 million jobs in the early weeks of the pandemic, and has regained only about half of those.
- 'American tragedy' -
Yellen previously made history as the first woman to lead the Fed, and would score another first if confirmed as Treasury secretary, a job that has never been held by a woman.
She is well regarded for navigating the central bank through the aftermath of the global financial crisis, and said the country is facing another "historic" crisis that is hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest.
Yellen warned that "inaction will produce self-reinforcing downturn causing yet more devastation."
"So many people struggling to put food on the table and pay bills and rent. It's an American tragedy," she said.
Outgoing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday reiterated his support for forging a compromise, although he said it should be a limited package.
"I will continue to work with Congress," Mnuchin said. "I urge Congress to pass something quickly."
The goal is to enact a successor to the $2.2 trillion CARES Act after its main provisions expired earlier this year, and with more Americans losing aid just after Christmas.
But the negotiations remain at an impasse and, without support from Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, the two sides face a tough fight for approval in the final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency.
McConnell told reporters Tuesday he received a new proposal from top Democrats and is gauging what kind of deal Trump is willing to sign -- and what other Republican lawmakers are willing to support.
"We just don't have time to waste," he said, acknowledging that a package would "require bipartisan support to get out of the Congress."
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to Mnuchin on Tuesday and said agreement on a new relief package is "long overdue."
They also discussed a budget deal to avert a government shutdown on December 11, and Pelosi noted progress on a bipartisan spending package.
- Biden's team -
Early Tuesday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers offered a $908 billion compromise that could address some of the immediate needs including extending unemployment benefits and providing more grants to struggling businesses.
Separately, McConnell circulated a spending proposal among his party faithful. It calls for $500 billion in relief, including $332 billion for small businesses, a Republican congressional source said.
In a joint appearance with Mnuchin before the Senate Banking Committee, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again urged lawmakers to provide more aid to support the economy.
In an apparent response to concerns of deficit hawks, he stressed that the "risk of overdoing it" is far outweighed by the risk of not doing enough.
"Additional fiscal relief would really help to guard against" a worse downturn, Powell said.
Other nominees for Biden's economic team include Nigerian-born Wally Adeyemo, who would be the first African American in the role of deputy Treasury secretary.
Neera Tanden, president of liberal think tank Center for American Progress, was picked to head the Office of Management and Budget.
If confirmed, she would be its first leader of South Asian origin, but she is a controversial choice who faces oppositions from conservatives and progressives.
Cecilia Rouse, the dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, was tapped to chair Biden's Council of Economic Advisors and would be the first African American in that post.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--US attorney general says no evidence of fraud to alter election result

FILE PHOTO : U.S. Attorney General William Barr testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Congressional Auditorium at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center , in Washington , U.S. , July 28 , 2020 .
Chip The US attorney general rejected Republican claims of significant voter fraud in the presidential election on Tuesday , adding to the pressure on President Donald Trump to give up his quixotic effort to overturn Joe Biden 's clear victory .
`` To date , we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press in an interview .
Barr 's comments confirmed the conclusions of the Department of Homeland Security , US intelligence and independent poll watchers that the 2020 election was , in the language of government officials , the `` most secure in American history . ''
They came as Trump persisted in claiming , without evidence , that fraudulent voting practices and systems in key states like Michigan , Pennsylvania and Georgia had robbed him of a second term .
In tweets Tuesday afternoon Trump highlighted testimony being offered in a public hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already certified Biden 's win in the state , and a separate Republican-organized event in Virginia .
`` People are coming forward like never before .
Large truck carrying hundreds of thousands of fraudulent ( FAKE ) ballots to a voting center ?
TERRIBLE - SAVE AMERICA ! ''
he wrote .
In several legal filings -- all rejected by the courts -- the Trump campaign has sought to invalidate millions of votes for Biden based on claims that lacked any evidence .
According to official vote tallies , Biden earned 6.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 306 state-by-state Electoral College votes , well above the 270 needed to win the presidency .
But Trump 's campaign has strived to delay the popular vote tally from being finalized before the Electoral College meets on December 14 to certify the election winner .
His personal and campaign attorneys , led by Rudy Giuliani , have made numerous allegations ranging from ballot-box stuffing and fake ballot printing , to thousands of dead people having voted , to vote-counting machines being programmed to favor Biden .
On November 17 Trump fired Chris Krebs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Infrastructure Security Agency , which was responsible for election security and had made the `` most secure ever '' claim about the November 3 election .
Krebs has since been demonized by the White House , with Trump campaign lawyer Joe DiGenova sparking outrage by calling him a `` moron '' who should be `` taken out at dawn and shot . ''
Barr , an ally of Trump , did n't address specific claims , but dismissed the idea of any `` systemic '' fraud that would have changed the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which there has been evidence , Barr noted , would impact an insignificant number of votes .
`` There 's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud , and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results , '' he told the AP .
`` And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that , and so far , we have n't seen anything to substantiate that , '' he said , referring to the departments of Homeland Security and Justice .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in a joint statement Giuliani and Jenna Ellis , a senior legal advisor to the outgoing president 's campaign , dismissed the remarks .
`` With all due respect to the attorney general , there has n't been any semblance of a Department of Justice investigation , '' they said .
`` We have gathered ample evidence of illegal voting in at least six states , which they have not examined .
We have many witnesses swearing under oath they saw crimes being committed in connection with voter fraud . ''
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the truth through the judicial system and state legislatures . ''
Barr 's comments were reported about the same time he arrived Tuesday at the White House for unspecified meetings .
Recent news reports have said that Trump is unhappy with Barr for not making efforts to support the president 's reelection .
But , likely pleasing Trump , on Tuesday he revealed that he had named an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Justice Department and FBI investigators who probed links between Trump 's campaign and Russia in the 2016 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including former special counsel Robert Mueller , were part of a corrupt , political `` witch hunt '' by the `` deep state '' to undermine his administration .

The US attorney general rejected Republican claims of significant voter fraud in the presidential election on Tuesday, adding to the pressure on President Donald Trump to give up his quixotic effort to overturn Joe Biden's clear victory.
US Attorney General William Barr testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the US Capitol Visitors Center, in Washington, DC, July 28, 2020.
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"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," Attorney General Bill Barr told the Associated Press in an interview.
Barr's comments confirmed the conclusions of the Department of Homeland Security, US intelligence and independent poll watchers that the 2020 election was, in the language of government officials, the "most secure in American history."
They came as Trump persisted in claiming, without evidence, that fraudulent voting practices and systems in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia had robbed him of a second term.
In tweets Tuesday afternoon Trump highlighted testimony being offered in a public hearing on the election in Michigan, which has already certified Biden's win in the state, and a separate Republican-organized event in Virginia.
"People are coming forward like never before. Large truck carrying hundreds of thousands of fraudulent (FAKE) ballots to a voting center? TERRIBLE - SAVE AMERICA!" he wrote.
Unsubstantiated claims
In several legal filings -- all rejected by the courts -- the Trump campaign has sought to invalidate millions of votes for Biden based on claims that lacked any evidence.
According to official vote tallies, Biden earned 6.2 million votes more than Trump and captured 306 state-by-state Electoral College votes, well above the 270 needed to win the presidency.
But Trump's campaign has strived to delay the popular vote tally from being finalized before the Electoral College meets on December 14 to certify the election winner.
His personal and campaign attorneys, led by , have made numerous allegations ranging from ballot-box stuffing and fake ballot printing, to thousands of dead people having voted, to vote-counting machines being programmed to favor Biden.
On November 17 Trump fired Chris Krebs, the respected head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which was responsible for election security and had made the "most secure ever" claim about the November 3 election.
Krebs has since been demonized by the White House, with Trump campaign lawyer Joe DiGenova sparking outrage by calling him a "moron" who should be "taken out at dawn and shot."
No systemic fraud
Barr, an ally of Trump, didn't address specific claims, but dismissed the idea of any "systemic" fraud that would have changed the outcome of the vote.
Any problem for which there has been evidence, Barr noted, would impact an insignificant number of votes.
"There's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud, and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results," he told the AP.
"And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that, and so far, we haven't seen anything to substantiate that," he said, referring to the departments of Homeland Security and Justice.
Giuliani rejects Barr
There was no immediate reaction to Barr from Trump. But in a joint statement Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, a senior legal advisor to the outgoing president's campaign, dismissed the remarks.
"With all due respect to the attorney general, there hasn't been any semblance of a Department of Justice investigation," they said.
"We have gathered ample evidence of illegal voting in at least six states, which they have not examined. We have many witnesses swearing under oath they saw crimes being committed in connection with voter fraud."
They said they would "continue our pursuit of the truth through the judicial system and state legislatures."
Barr's comments were reported about the same time he arrived Tuesday at the White House for unspecified meetings.
Recent news reports have said that Trump is unhappy with Barr for not making efforts to support the president's reelection.
But, likely pleasing Trump, on Tuesday he revealed that he had named an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Justice Department and FBI investigators who probed links between Trump's campaign and Russia in the 2016 election.
Trump has claimed that those investigators, including former special counsel Robert Mueller, were part of a corrupt, political "witch hunt" by the "deep state" to undermine his administration.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-02--Joshua Wong leads young Hong Kong trio facing jail

Joshua Wong has already spent time in prison for leading Hong Kong democracy protests and has said he is prepared for more time behind bars Leading dissident Joshua Wong is among three young Hong Kong activists who will be sentenced on Wednesday for taking part in last year 's democracy protests as a crackdown on Beijing 's critics gathers pace .
Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight months of huge and often violent rallies in which millions took to the streets .
Beijing has refused demands for universal suffrage and authorities have pursued democracy supporters with criminal cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics have stifled the movement and restored a semblance of calm .
But the finance hub remains deeply polarised with many still seething against Beijing 's growing hold on the semi-autonomous city .
Wong , 24 , was prosecuted alongside fellow activists Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow over a protest which took place last summer outside the police headquarters .
The three pleaded guilty to various charges including inciting an unlawful assembly and were remanded into custody pending Wednesday 's sentencing .
They face up to three years in jail .
Despite his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for leading democracy protests and has said he is prepared for more time behind bars .
`` All these pains and sufferings would only strengthen our courage and conviction for democracy and justice , '' read a post on his verified Twitter account on Monday alongside a letter from Wong saying he was being held in solitary confinement ahead of sentencing .
Wong , Chow and Lam , 26 , joined Hong Kong 's pro-democracy movement when they were in their teens .
All three organised successful rallies in 2012 against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system more `` patriotic '' .
And they played prominent roles two years later in the `` Umbrella Movement '' -- a 79-day peaceful occupation by a largely student-led campaign calling for universal suffrage .
Leading figures from those protests , including Wong , were jailed and the democracy movement struggled in the years after .
But it exploded onto the streets once more in June 2019 , sparked by plans to allow extraditions to mainland China and its opaque legal system .
Millions took to the streets over the next seven months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via social media calling for greater democracy and police accountability .
Riot police unleashed thousands of rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets and were frequently filmed using batons to beat arrested demonstrators .
Small groups of hardline activists resorted to rocks , petrol bombs and widespread vandalism .
Figures like Wong and Chow joined some of the protests and also used their celebrity status over the years to lobby for international sanctions , a move that infuriated Beijing with state media casting them as traitors .
Earlier this summer , Beijing imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its direct control over the city and outlaws certain political views .
More than 10,000 people have been arrested over the last 18 months and most of Hong Kong 's leading activists and opposition figures face prosecution .
`` The suppression is not only targeting prominent figures .
It comes from all directions and is going after all kinds of people , '' Isaac Cheng , a friend of Wong 's and former vice chairman of their now-defunct political party Demosisto , told AFP .
Chow is being investigated under the security law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' by pushing for sanctions .
Beijing says security has been restored .
But Cheng described a sense of despondency among many younger Hong Kongers .
`` We thought this place belongs to us but it now turns out to be a crime if a student thinks differently from the government , '' he said .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Leading dissident Joshua Wong is among three young Hong Kong activists who will be sentenced on Wednesday for taking part in last year's democracy protests as a crackdown on Beijing's critics gathers pace.
Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight months of huge and often violent rallies in which millions took to the streets.
Beijing has refused demands for universal suffrage and authorities have pursued democracy supporters with criminal cases and a tough new security law.
The tactics have stifled the movement and restored a semblance of calm. But the finance hub remains deeply polarised with many still seething against Beijing's growing hold on the semi-autonomous city.
Wong, 24, was prosecuted alongside fellow activists Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow over a protest which took place last summer outside the police headquarters.
The three pleaded guilty to various charges including inciting an unlawful assembly and were remanded into custody pending Wednesday's sentencing.
They face up to three years in jail.
- Teen origins -
Despite his youth, Wong has already spent time in prison for leading democracy protests and has said he is prepared for more time behind bars.
"All these pains and sufferings would only strengthen our courage and conviction for democracy and justice," read a post on his verified Twitter account on Monday alongside a letter from Wong saying he was being held in solitary confinement ahead of sentencing.
"Cages cannot lock up souls."
Wong, Chow and Lam, 26, joined Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement when they were in their teens.
All three organised successful rallies in 2012 against plans to make Hong Kong's education system more "patriotic".
And they played prominent roles two years later in the "Umbrella Movement" -- a 79-day peaceful occupation by a largely student-led campaign calling for universal suffrage.
Leading figures from those protests, including Wong, were jailed and the democracy movement struggled in the years after.
But it exploded onto the streets once more in June 2019, sparked by plans to allow extraditions to mainland China and its opaque legal system.
Millions took to the streets over the next seven months in a deliberately leaderless campaign mostly organised via social media calling for greater democracy and police accountability.
Riot police unleashed thousands of rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets and were frequently filmed using batons to beat arrested demonstrators.
Small groups of hardline activists resorted to rocks, petrol bombs and widespread vandalism.
- Security law -
Figures like Wong and Chow joined some of the protests and also used their celebrity status over the years to lobby for international sanctions, a move that infuriated Beijing with state media casting them as traitors.
Earlier this summer, Beijing imposed a broad security law which ramps up its direct control over the city and outlaws certain political views.
More than 10,000 people have been arrested over the last 18 months and most of Hong Kong's leading activists and opposition figures face prosecution.
"The suppression is not only targeting prominent figures. It comes from all directions and is going after all kinds of people," Isaac Cheng, a friend of Wong's and former vice chairman of their now-defunct political party Demosisto, told AFP.
Chow is being investigated under the security law for allegedly "conspiring with foreign forces" by pushing for sanctions.
Beijing says security has been restored.
But Cheng described a sense of despondency among many younger Hong Kongers.
"We thought this place belongs to us but it now turns out to be a crime if a student thinks differently from the government," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--US Justice Dept investigating potential White House 'pay-for-pardon' scheme

FILE PHOTO : Signage is seen at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , August 29 , 2020 .
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House in exchange for a presidential pardon , according to court documents unsealed in federal court .
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Tuesday released a heavily redacted order that described what she called a `` bribery-for-pardon '' investigation .
About half of the 18-page document was blacked out , with the publicly available version providing few details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of the people potentially involved .
It said federal prosecutors in Washington said they had obtained evidence of a bribery scheme in which someone `` would offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence . ''
The order said prosecutors were also investigating a `` secret lobbying scheme '' in which two unidentified individuals `` acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials , without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act . ''
The Justice Department had to ask Howell 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer and clients , who were not identified .
Howell granted the request in August , saying attorney-client privilege did not apply in that instance .
Prosecutors had said they planned to `` confront '' three unnamed individuals with the communications and finish their investigation .
According to Howell 's order , government investigators said they had seized `` over fifty digital media devices , including iPhones , iPads , laptops , thumb drives , and computer and external hard drives . ''
A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the U.S. Constitution in pardoning people convicted of federal crimes .
President Donald Trump last week pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
That was the first of what is expected to be a string of pardons in Trump 's final weeks in the White House .
According to Howell 's order , the Justice Department had recently told her it wanted to keep the investigation from becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct '' that had not yet been charged .

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to court documents unsealed in federal court.
Signage at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, DC, August 29, 2020.
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U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Tuesday released a heavily redacted order that described what she called a "bribery-for-pardon" investigation.
About half of the 18-page document was blacked out, with the publicly available version providing few details of the alleged scheme, and naming none of the people potentially involved.
It said federal prosecutors in Washington said they had obtained evidence of a bribery scheme in which someone "would offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence."
The order said prosecutors were also investigating a "secret lobbying scheme" in which two unidentified individuals "acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials, without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act."
The Justice Department had to ask Howell's permission to view certain emails between a lawyer and clients, who were not identified.
Howell granted the request in August, saying attorney-client privilege did not apply in that instance.
Prosecutors had said they planned to "confront" three unnamed individuals with the communications and finish their investigation.
According to Howell's order, government investigators said they had seized "over fifty digital media devices, including iPhones, iPads, laptops, thumb drives, and computer and external hard drives."
A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Presidents enjoy wide latitude under the U.S. Constitution in pardoning people convicted of federal crimes. President Donald Trump last week pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
That was the first of what is expected to be a string of pardons in Trump's final weeks in the White House.
According to Howell's order, the Justice Department had recently told her it wanted to keep the investigation from becoming public because it detailed "individuals and conduct" that had not yet been charged.
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france24--2020-12-02--Cold, hard mission for a US warehouse: Help stop Covid

Capitol Carbonic in Baltimore makes dry ice as large as blocks and as small as grains of rice A warehouse in the US city of Baltimore may seem an unlikely place to help save the country from the Covid-19 pandemic , but Brian Gallizzo is prepared to do just that .
`` We are ready , we have our tanks full , '' Gallizzo , chief financial officer for the six-decade-old family firm Capitol Carbonic , told AFP .
How his company will help is by keeping things cool -- extremely cool .
Capitol produces dry ice , a necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 vaccine , which could receive government approval soon .
Pfizer called Capitol because it was on the hunt for the quarter-inch pellets it spits out of a machine resembling a giant spaghetti maker in its Baltimore warehouse .
The dry ice pellets are needed to keep Pfizer 's vaccine at just the right , very chilly , temperature .
US regulators will decide next week whether to allow Pfizer to become the first major drugmaker to deploy its vaccine , and manufacturers like Capitol Carbonic are already finding themselves involved in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history .
The vaccines from Pfizer and others nearing approval appear to be the United States ' best chance for ending the world 's largest Covid-19 outbreak , which is again surging to alarming levels nationwide .
But getting shots to people nationwide will be a logistical undertaking that will test the capabilities of the world 's largest shipping firms , the small businesses that undergird the US dry ice supply and the many other companies in between .
`` We 've never experienced anything like this before in the history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone globally , '' said Omar Chane of PricewaterhouseCoopers ' life sciences management consultancy .
Anticipation for a vaccine 's approval is particularly high in the US , where Covid-19 has killed some 270,000 people and infected more than 13.6 million .
Several vaccines are under development , but the candidate from Pfizer and German firm BioNTech is nearest to approval and at the center of the US government 's immunization plan .
Assuming it 's approved , 6.4 million doses could be distributed starting soon after December 10 , with 40 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However that vaccine also has the strictest temperature requirement of -70 degrees Celsius , about 20 degrees warmer than the lowest temperature on earth recorded , in Antarctica .
Dry ice is the best way to maintain that temperature range , but it 's a complicated substance made of solidified carbon dioxide that begins turning to gas as soon as it 's manufactured .
In their basketball court-sized warehouse filled with the howl of super-cold machinery at work , Capitol Carbonic makes tens of thousands of pounds in a typical day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ block to as small as a grain of rice -- including the pellet Pfizer expressed interest in .
The drugmaker plans to move its vaccine in a special container packed with dry ice that can be opened briefly only twice a day and lasts for 15 .
Shippers are readying for it : FedEx says it 's received special permission to transport the substance by air , while UPS said it 's going to install dry ice makers in some of its warehouses .
But at -79 degrees Celsius , dry ice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question for John Dillinger , Capitol 's general manager , is how the containers will be kept cool .
`` The nature of dry ice is , as soon as you make it , it starts to go away , '' he said .
`` What happens if a CVS or a Walgreens gets it , and 11 days have gone and their suitcase has run out of ice ? ''
In the months before they heard from Pfizer , Capitol Carbonic was having a challenging year in which demand spiked thanks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for delivery , shipments that need to be chilled by dry ice .
But the carbon dioxide they rely on comes as a byproduct of gasoline refining , and with fewer people driving , supply was squeezed .
`` Honestly , this year was extremely unprecedented , '' Gallizzo said .
Other vaccines under development can be stored at higher temperature ranges -- for some , around that of a normal refrigerator .
Candidates include one from British drugs group AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford , and another from Moderna and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say even those may require dry ice to keep them cold in transit .
`` Every time that it moves through the hands of a materials handler , the external ambient temperature gets warmer , which impacts the temperature of the box , '' said Glenn Richey , a supply chain management professor at Auburn University .
Barring renewed business shutdowns , Gallizzo is confident the dry ice industry can keep up with demand , but he 's less sure about the rest of the supply chain .
`` It 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to get it to the customer , '' he said .
`` That 's going to be our biggest issue . ''

Baltimore (AFP) –
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A warehouse in the US city of Baltimore may seem an unlikely place to help save the country from the Covid-19 pandemic, but Brian Gallizzo is prepared to do just that.
"We are ready, we have our tanks full," Gallizzo, chief financial officer for the six-decade-old family firm Capitol Carbonic, told AFP.
How his company will help is by keeping things cool -- extremely cool.
Capitol produces dry ice, a necessary component to distribute pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine, which could receive government approval soon.
Pfizer called Capitol because it was on the hunt for the quarter-inch pellets it spits out of a machine resembling a giant spaghetti maker in its Baltimore warehouse.
The dry ice pellets are needed to keep Pfizer's vaccine at just the right, very chilly, temperature.
US regulators will decide next week whether to allow Pfizer to become the first major drugmaker to deploy its vaccine, and manufacturers like Capitol Carbonic are already finding themselves involved in one of the most important medical supply chains in history.
The vaccines from Pfizer and others nearing approval appear to be the United States' best chance for ending the world's largest Covid-19 outbreak, which is again surging to alarming levels nationwide.
But getting shots to people nationwide will be a logistical undertaking that will test the capabilities of the world's largest shipping firms, the small businesses that undergird the US dry ice supply and the many other companies in between.
"We've never experienced anything like this before in the history of vaccine administration in the US, let alone globally," said Omar Chane of PricewaterhouseCoopers' life sciences management consultancy.
- Not unlike Antarctica -
Anticipation for a vaccine's approval is particularly high in the US, where Covid-19 has killed some 270,000 people and infected more than 13.6 million.
Several vaccines are under development, but the candidate from Pfizer and German firm BioNTech is nearest to approval and at the center of the US government's immunization plan.
Assuming it's approved, 6.4 million doses could be distributed starting soon after December 10, with 40 million available by the end of the month.
However that vaccine also has the strictest temperature requirement of -70 degrees Celsius, about 20 degrees warmer than the lowest temperature on earth recorded, in Antarctica.
Dry ice is the best way to maintain that temperature range, but it's a complicated substance made of solidified carbon dioxide that begins turning to gas as soon as it's manufactured.
In their basketball court-sized warehouse filled with the howl of super-cold machinery at work, Capitol Carbonic makes tens of thousands of pounds in a typical day.
They range from as large as a block to as small as a grain of rice -- including the pellet Pfizer expressed interest in.
The drugmaker plans to move its vaccine in a special container packed with dry ice that can be opened briefly only twice a day and lasts for 15.
Shippers are readying for it: FedEx says it's received special permission to transport the substance by air, while UPS said it's going to install dry ice makers in some of its warehouses.
But at -79 degrees Celsius, dry ice is not easily made, and the unanswered question for John Dillinger, Capitol's general manager, is how the containers will be kept cool.
"The nature of dry ice is, as soon as you make it, it starts to go away," he said. "What happens if a CVS or a Walgreens gets it, and 11 days have gone and their suitcase has run out of ice?"
- 'Extremely unprecedented' -
In the months before they heard from Pfizer, Capitol Carbonic was having a challenging year in which demand spiked thanks in part to homebound consumers ordering more food for delivery, shipments that need to be chilled by dry ice.
But the carbon dioxide they rely on comes as a byproduct of gasoline refining, and with fewer people driving, supply was squeezed.
"Honestly, this year was extremely unprecedented," Gallizzo said.
Other vaccines under development can be stored at higher temperature ranges -- for some, around that of a normal refrigerator.
Candidates include one from British drugs group AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, and another from Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health.
But experts say even those may require dry ice to keep them cold in transit.
"Every time that it moves through the hands of a materials handler, the external ambient temperature gets warmer, which impacts the temperature of the box," said Glenn Richey, a supply chain management professor at Auburn University.
Barring renewed business shutdowns, Gallizzo is confident the dry ice industry can keep up with demand, but he's less sure about the rest of the supply chain.
"It's going to be a matter of figuring out how to get it to the customer," he said. "That's going to be our biggest issue."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--England leaves lockdown but sees new virus curbs

Prime Minister Boris Johnson heard criticism of the government 's post-lockdown plans from some members oof his ruling Conservative party on Tuesday England on Wednesday exited a month-long lockdown but most of the country remained under restrictions as a new regional system for cutting coronavirus infection rates kicked in .
The four-week lockdown , which began in November , was imposed to stop surging rates of infection , ease pressure on health services , and to allow families to gather for Christmas .
But a tough three-tier system of restrictions will now be in place that has been criticised as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the virus-battered economy .
Most of England 's 55 million people will go straight into level two or three , depending on local infection rates , limiting household mixing and the reopening of the hospitality sector .
Just one percent of the country -- the southwest county of Cornwall , and the far-flung Isles of Scilly off its coast , and the Isle of Wight in the south -- are at the less restrictive level one .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , a Covid survivor , succeeded in winning a vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite opposition within his own Conservative ranks .
Only a coronavirus vaccine , including one developed by British drug firm AstraZeneca and Oxford University , and mass testing would allow life to get back to normal , he said .
`` All we need to do now is to hold our nerve until these vaccines are indeed in our grasp and being injected into our arms , '' he told lawmakers before the vote .
Until then `` we can not afford to relax , especially during the cold months of winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ministers are banking on the arrival of coronavirus jabs and rapid countrywide community testing as a way of returning to normality from early 2021 .
Across England , non-essential shops in `` Tier 2 '' are allowed to reopen , hoping to improve a dismal year with bumper sales in the run-up to Christmas -- traditionally a money-spinner .
Mixing of households outside support bubbles remains banned under the guidelines , although individuals can meet in groups of six outside .
The capital and driving force of the UK economy , London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs where food is served and restaurants can reopen , obeying social distancing rules .
But in Tier 3 areas , which take in some 23 million people and includes Britain 's second city Birmingham , hospitality venues will remain closed except for takeaways .
The restrictions have prompted fresh concerns for the economy , which finance minister Rishi Sunak said is facing a 11.3 percent contraction this year -- the worst in 300 years .
Those fears were stoked further this week by the collapse of retail group Arcadia , which owns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Debenhams chain .
Both went into administration , blaming the impact of coronavirus restrictions on trade that was already under pressure from online competitors .
The main opposition Labour Party chose to abstain from the Tuesday vote , criticising the government for failing to offer more financial support to the beleaguered hospitality sector .
Last month , a survey for pub and restaurant industry bodies suggested almost three-quarters of UK hospitality venues would be forced to shut in 2021 without more government help .
Britain has recorded the highest number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 59,000 deaths from some 1.65 million cases .
An Imperial College London study this week indicated the month-long shutdown helped push down the number of cases by nearly a third , raising hopes of less stringent measures .
The government has announced plans for a Christmas reprieve , with three households allowed to gather indoors from December 23 to 27 .
The tiered system -- a different approach from the three other nations in the UK , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , whose devolved administrations set their own health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
The first assessment is due on December 16 , but the government has said a further relaxation of restrictions before Christmas is unlikely .

London (AFP) –
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England on Wednesday exited a month-long lockdown but most of the country remained under restrictions as a new regional system for cutting coronavirus infection rates kicked in.
The four-week lockdown, which began in November, was imposed to stop surging rates of infection, ease pressure on health services, and to allow families to gather for Christmas.
But a tough three-tier system of restrictions will now be in place that has been criticised as doing little to reinstate cherished freedoms and help the virus-battered economy.
Most of England's 55 million people will go straight into level two or three, depending on local infection rates, limiting household mixing and the reopening of the hospitality sector.
Just one percent of the country -- the southwest county of Cornwall, and the far-flung Isles of Scilly off its coast, and the Isle of Wight in the south -- are at the less restrictive level one.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Covid survivor, succeeded in winning a vote on the measures in parliament on Tuesday night, despite opposition within his own Conservative ranks.
Only a coronavirus vaccine, including one developed by British drug firm AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and mass testing would allow life to get back to normal, he said.
"All we need to do now is to hold our nerve until these vaccines are indeed in our grasp and being injected into our arms," he told lawmakers before the vote.
Until then "we cannot afford to relax, especially during the cold months of winter", he warned.
- Economic concerns -
Johnson and his ministers are banking on the arrival of coronavirus jabs and rapid countrywide community testing as a way of returning to normality from early 2021.
Across England, non-essential shops in "Tier 2" are allowed to reopen, hoping to improve a dismal year with bumper sales in the run-up to Christmas -- traditionally a money-spinner.
Mixing of households outside support bubbles remains banned under the guidelines, although individuals can meet in groups of six outside.
The capital and driving force of the UK economy, London, is in Tier 2, meaning pubs where food is served and restaurants can reopen, obeying social distancing rules.
But in Tier 3 areas, which take in some 23 million people and includes Britain's second city Birmingham, hospitality venues will remain closed except for takeaways.
The restrictions have prompted fresh concerns for the economy, which finance minister Rishi Sunak said is facing a 11.3 percent contraction this year -- the worst in 300 years.
Those fears were stoked further this week by the collapse of retail group Arcadia, which owns popular high-street stores Topshop and Burton, and the Debenhams chain.
Both went into administration, blaming the impact of coronavirus restrictions on trade that was already under pressure from online competitors.
- Most virus fatalities in Europe -
The main opposition Labour Party chose to abstain from the Tuesday vote, criticising the government for failing to offer more financial support to the beleaguered hospitality sector.
Last month, a survey for pub and restaurant industry bodies suggested almost three-quarters of UK hospitality venues would be forced to shut in 2021 without more government help.
Britain has recorded the highest number of fatalities in Europe in the pandemic with more than 59,000 deaths from some 1.65 million cases.
An Imperial College London study this week indicated the month-long shutdown helped push down the number of cases by nearly a third, raising hopes of less stringent measures.
The government has announced plans for a Christmas reprieve, with three households allowed to gather indoors from December 23 to 27.
The tiered system -- a different approach from the three other nations in the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whose devolved administrations set their own health policy -- will be reviewed every two weeks.
The first assessment is due on December 16, but the government has said a further relaxation of restrictions before Christmas is unlikely.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Cold War security body OSCE set to fill leadership vacuum

Ukrainian border guards look on as OSCE observers cross a checkpoint between the Kiev-controlled territory and occupied areas in the war-torn east last month The international security body OSCE is expected to fill an unprecedented leadership vacuum , during meetings Thursday and Friday , after it failed to reappoint four of its top leaders in July .
Originally established during the Cold War to foster relations between the Soviet Union and the West , nowadays the OSCE monitors elections , reports on human rights and press freedom , and is engaged in the diplomatic resolution of conflicts , including in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now set to give in to Russia 's demands on the make up of the new leadership team , in hopes that it would increase the influence of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
Though sometimes referred to as a Cold War relic , experts have said that its role has been strengthened in recent years , and point to the opportunities it holds as the largest regional security organisation in the world comprised of 57 members states .
`` The weakening of NATO under the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies of the United States to rely on other institutions to assert themselves in the Eurasian space , '' Nicolas Baladassi , an expert on international security .
Traditionally , the top leadership positions have been held by Westerners , an imbalance Russia and Central Asian countries have long decried as resulting in unfair treatment and `` excessive criticism '' of their human rights records .
In the middle of July , the OSCE 's top four diplomats were forced to vacate their offices when they were not reappointed -- usually a formality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As demanded by Russia , the OSCE is now set to fill one of the positions with a diplomat from a former Soviet state .
The new secretary general is slated to be Helga Schmid , a German currently serving as the secretary general of the EU 's European External Action Services ( EEAS ) , according to James Gilmore , the US ambassador to the OSCE .
Conceding to Moscow 's request , Western states hope , would come in exchange for Russian President Vladimir Putin 's support on continuing the OSCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , something he has long rejected .
In reference to the OSCE 's diplomatic role in resolving the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and Belarus , Gilmore said that recent months had `` demonstrated the relevance and the importance of the OSCE .
This is the one forum that exists , that has everybody in it . ''

Vienna (AFP) –
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The international security body OSCE is expected to fill an unprecedented leadership vacuum, during meetings Thursday and Friday, after it failed to reappoint four of its top leaders in July.
Originally established during the Cold War to foster relations between the Soviet Union and the West, nowadays the OSCE monitors elections, reports on human rights and press freedom, and is engaged in the diplomatic resolution of conflicts, including in Nagorno-Karabakh and Belarus.
European states are now set to give in to Russia's demands on the make up of the new leadership team, in hopes that it would increase the influence of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Though sometimes referred to as a Cold War relic, experts have said that its role has been strengthened in recent years, and point to the opportunities it holds as the largest regional security organisation in the world comprised of 57 members states.
"The weakening of NATO under the presidency of Donald Trump has forced the European allies of the United States to rely on other institutions to assert themselves in the Eurasian space," Nicolas Baladassi, an expert on international security.
Traditionally, the top leadership positions have been held by Westerners, an imbalance Russia and Central Asian countries have long decried as resulting in unfair treatment and "excessive criticism" of their human rights records.
In the middle of July, the OSCE's top four diplomats were forced to vacate their offices when they were not reappointed -- usually a formality -- leaving the organisation without leadership.
As demanded by Russia, the OSCE is now set to fill one of the positions with a diplomat from a former Soviet state.
The new secretary general is slated to be Helga Schmid, a German currently serving as the secretary general of the EU's European External Action Services (EEAS), according to James Gilmore, the US ambassador to the OSCE.
Conceding to Moscow's request, Western states hope, would come in exchange for Russian President Vladimir Putin's support on continuing the OSCE's mandate to investigate rule of law issues, something he has long rejected.
In reference to the OSCE's diplomatic role in resolving the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and Belarus, Gilmore said that recent months had "demonstrated the relevance and the importance of the OSCE. This is the one forum that exists, that has everybody in it."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--The bookseller of Kinshasa: A lone fight to help DR Congo's bookworms

In the aircraft hold , Alpha Ramazani has stowed a precious cargo .
In Europe , its contents may seem banal .
But in the chaotic , rundown capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo , they are revered as nectar for the brain .
The 33-year-old bookseller is bringing with him the latest big-name novels from Europe , along with political treatises , Michelle Obama 's memoirs , a new biography of Joe Biden and a selection of other hot-off-the-presses books sought by a tiny but devoted following in Kinshasa .
When Ramazani goes on a trip to Brussels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- he brings back dozens of kilos ( pounds ) of extra luggage , all of it crammed with books .
Six thousand kilometres ( 3,700 miles ) later , his suitcases are shepherded through customs , carefully unpacked and the titles put on sale at Book Express , Ramazani 's tiny 30-square-metre ( 322-square-foot ) shop , located on a street with bustling bars and pavement terraces .
Despite the extra cost and hassle , his books are sold at roughly the same price as in Europe , although in the DRC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the average daily income .
The customers `` are primarily intellectuals -- politicians , university professors , who come only to buy political books , then there are mothers who come in to buy books for their children , '' said Ramazani , a father of two .
It may seem odd that an ad-hoc system to provide newly-published books can exist today , at a time of globalised trade and ultra-fast deliveries .
This seems especially so , given that the DRC is a former Belgian colony of some 80 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the country 's poverty also makes it of marginal interest for publishing giants used to operating in the smoother and wealthier francophone world .
A book that typically sells in Kinshasa for the rough equivalent of $ 20 ( 17 euros ) amounts to nearly half of the DRC 's average per capita wage , which is $ 43 per month .
But the gap in the market has become Ramazani 's to fill .
The books he brings back help to pad out his main income , which comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Kinshasa .
He opened Book Express in Kinshasa , his home town , in 2019 after working at a bookshop in Brussels .
He reassured his partner , a Belgian , that it was just a `` whim '' .
Hauling the books back is a labour of love .
`` It 's an eight-hour flight , and then you have customs when you arrive -- that 's a bit complicated , '' said Ramazani .
He said he sometimes offered a cartoon book or a children 's book to zealous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but never money .
New books are sold in several other outlets in Kinshasa , including France 's cultural shop window , the Institut Francais , as well as by publishing outlets such as Mediaspaul and Cepas that are Catholic-owned .
Books that are published in the DRC are sold at the Grands Lacs bookshop , on a main avenue -- the biggest book store in the country in terms of shelf space .
There is also a thriving market in second- or third-hand books , enlivened by street hawkers pitching ancient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management and history .
But there is little interest in fiction , in a country where for the many poor , every day is a struggle .
`` There 's no demand for general literature , '' said Ramazani rather sadly , eyeing unsold titles by novelists Amelie Nothomb , Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt and Alain Mabanckou , which he will probably have to take back on his next flight to Belgium and resell to the publisher .
Kinshasa 's small community of bookworms hold regular gatherings in a literary cafe run by a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined with others to launch an association gathering DRC writers .
`` This country needs its literature , '' she said .
`` There 's a thirst for reading , '' said Ramazani , who spoke of plans for a book festival .

Kinshasa (AFP) –
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In the aircraft hold, Alpha Ramazani has stowed a precious cargo.
In Europe, its contents may seem banal. But in the chaotic, rundown capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are revered as nectar for the brain.
The 33-year-old bookseller is bringing with him the latest big-name novels from Europe, along with political treatises, Michelle Obama's memoirs, a new biography of Joe Biden and a selection of other hot-off-the-presses books sought by a tiny but devoted following in Kinshasa.
When Ramazani goes on a trip to Brussels -- usually using up his holiday time -- he brings back dozens of kilos (pounds) of extra luggage, all of it crammed with books.
Six thousand kilometres (3,700 miles) later, his suitcases are shepherded through customs, carefully unpacked and the titles put on sale at Book Express, Ramazani's tiny 30-square-metre (322-square-foot) shop, located on a street with bustling bars and pavement terraces.
Despite the extra cost and hassle, his books are sold at roughly the same price as in Europe, although in the DRC this figure can be many times higher than the average daily income.
The customers "are primarily intellectuals -- politicians, university professors, who come only to buy political books, then there are mothers who come in to buy books for their children," said Ramazani, a father of two.
It may seem odd that an ad-hoc system to provide newly-published books can exist today, at a time of globalised trade and ultra-fast deliveries.
This seems especially so, given that the DRC is a former Belgian colony of some 80 million people where French is a national tongue.
But the country's poverty also makes it of marginal interest for publishing giants used to operating in the smoother and wealthier francophone world.
A book that typically sells in Kinshasa for the rough equivalent of $20 (17 euros) amounts to nearly half of the DRC's average per capita wage, which is $43 per month.
- Labour of love -
But the gap in the market has become Ramazani's to fill.
The books he brings back help to pad out his main income, which comes from selling schoolbooks to students at the Belgian School of Kinshasa.
He opened Book Express in Kinshasa, his home town, in 2019 after working at a bookshop in Brussels. He reassured his partner, a Belgian, that it was just a "whim".
Hauling the books back is a labour of love.
"It's an eight-hour flight, and then you have customs when you arrive -- that's a bit complicated," said Ramazani.
He said he sometimes offered a cartoon book or a children's book to zealous customs officials to help smooth things over, but never money.
New books are sold in several other outlets in Kinshasa, including France's cultural shop window, the Institut Francais, as well as by publishing outlets such as Mediaspaul and Cepas that are Catholic-owned.
- Fiction is country cousin -
Books that are published in the DRC are sold at the Grands Lacs bookshop, on a main avenue -- the biggest book store in the country in terms of shelf space.
There is also a thriving market in second- or third-hand books, enlivened by street hawkers pitching ancient works on law, the economy, management and history.
But there is little interest in fiction, in a country where for the many poor, every day is a struggle.
"There's no demand for general literature," said Ramazani rather sadly, eyeing unsold titles by novelists Amelie Nothomb, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt and Alain Mabanckou, which he will probably have to take back on his next flight to Belgium and resell to the publisher.
Kinshasa's small community of bookworms hold regular gatherings in a literary cafe run by a woman called Missy Bangala, who last week joined with others to launch an association gathering DRC writers.
"This country needs its literature," she said.
"There's a thirst for reading," said Ramazani, who spoke of plans for a book festival.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Brazil's poor fear looming end of Covid emergency cash

Ilma Silva Santos ( R ) poses with her husband Antonio Pedro de Souza ( L ) and two of their children outside the two-room shack in a squatter camp where they live , in Salvador , Brazil Since she and her husband lost their jobs because of the pandemic , Ilma Silva Santos , a construction worker from the slums of Salvador in northeastern Brazil , has been feeding her family of five thanks to government relief payments -- now set to expire at the end of the year .
Asked how her family will survive after New Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't even know how to answer . ''
Santos , her husband and their three children live in a two-room shack in a squatter camp called Manuel Faustino on the city outskirts , where nearly everyone receives the Covid-19 relief payments -- as do more than 67 million low-income workers in Brazil , nearly one-third of the population .
The money is not much .
The payments started at 600 reais ( about $ 110 ) a month in April , then were halved in September as President Jair Bolsonaro 's government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Manuel Faustino , the difference between receiving that money or not is enormous .
When the benefit runs out , `` I 'm not going to live , I 'm going to survive , '' said resident Jaira Andrade do Nascimento , 37 , outside her small shack , one of about 60 that line the settlement 's three dirt streets .
`` 300 reais is n't a lot , but at least with that we knew we 'd be able to buy food , '' said another resident , Juraci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barber who lost his job when the pandemic started .
Brazil -- Latin America 's biggest country , with 212 million people -- has the second-highest death toll in the pandemic , after the United States , with more than 173,000 people killed .
The health crisis has also battered the economy .
Unemployment is at a record-high 14.6 percent , and would be higher if nearly six million workers had not given up looking for jobs .
Against that backdrop , the emergency aid has become a political , socioeconomic and budgetary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 on a platform of austerity and budget-cutting reforms .
But he embraced the massive aid payments when they boosted his approval ratings .
The far-right president 's popularity plunged early in the pandemic over his controversial handling of the disease , which he downplayed as a `` little flu . ''
But then it rebounded to around 40 percent , the highest of his term .
Pollsters found he was performing particularly well among Brazilians receiving the aid payments .
`` That leads you to believe that after the stipend ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said political scientist David Fleischer of the University of Brasilia .
Up for reelection in 2022 , Bolsonaro has been scrambling to keep up the payments .
But they are hugely expensive .
They have cost more than 615 billion reais so far , exploding the budget deficit .
The Bolsonaro administration has explored various ways to keep the program going , but has not managed to make the math work without breaking Brazil 's constitutionally mandated spending cap next year .
That would put the president at odds with his backers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy minister , Paulo Guedes .
`` The president would like to extend the emergency stipend for as long as possible , but he is also fearful of a crisis in confidence in the markets , '' Silvio Cascione , Brazil director for the consultancy Eurasia Group , told AFP .
`` Some people want to perpetuate certain benefits .
But nobody should live like that .
It 's the surest path to failure , '' he said .
The sheer size of the program shows Brazil 's deep inequalities .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nearly twice as high as the number with formal jobs .
Brazil was already one of the 10 most unequal countries in the world , according to World Bank figures .
Experts say the pandemic has only made things worse , hitting the poor hardest in both health and economic terms .
In Manuel Faustino , that adds up to hard choices , now about to get harder .
Even with the emergency aid , `` buying face masks and hand sanitizer is difficult .
Either you buy those things or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alves Nascimento , 61 .
When the aid ends , she said , `` I 'm going to have to tighten my belt even more .
Stop drinking coffee every day and save wherever I can . ''

Salvador (Brazil) (AFP) –
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Since she and her husband lost their jobs because of the pandemic, Ilma Silva Santos, a construction worker from the slums of Salvador in northeastern Brazil, has been feeding her family of five thanks to government relief payments -- now set to expire at the end of the year.
Asked how her family will survive after New Year's, she says, "I don't even know how to answer."
Santos, her husband and their three children live in a two-room shack in a squatter camp called Manuel Faustino on the city outskirts, where nearly everyone receives the Covid-19 relief payments -- as do more than 67 million low-income workers in Brazil, nearly one-third of the population.
The money is not much. The payments started at 600 reais (about $110) a month in April, then were halved in September as President Jair Bolsonaro's government struggled to fund them.
But to people in Manuel Faustino, the difference between receiving that money or not is enormous.
When the benefit runs out, "I'm not going to live, I'm going to survive," said resident Jaira Andrade do Nascimento, 37, outside her small shack, one of about 60 that line the settlement's three dirt streets.
"300 reais isn't a lot, but at least with that we knew we'd be able to buy food," said another resident, Juraci Andrade dos Santos, 26, a barber who lost his job when the pandemic started.
- Balancing act -
Brazil -- Latin America's biggest country, with 212 million people -- has the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, after the United States, with more than 173,000 people killed.
The health crisis has also battered the economy.
Unemployment is at a record-high 14.6 percent, and would be higher if nearly six million workers had not given up looking for jobs.
Against that backdrop, the emergency aid has become a political, socioeconomic and budgetary hot potato.
Bolsonaro won the presidency in 2018 on a platform of austerity and budget-cutting reforms. But he embraced the massive aid payments when they boosted his approval ratings.
The far-right president's popularity plunged early in the pandemic over his controversial handling of the disease, which he downplayed as a "little flu." But then it rebounded to around 40 percent, the highest of his term.
Pollsters found he was performing particularly well among Brazilians receiving the aid payments.
"That leads you to believe that after the stipend ends, his approval rating will decline," said political scientist David Fleischer of the University of Brasilia.
Up for reelection in 2022, Bolsonaro has been scrambling to keep up the payments.
But they are hugely expensive. They have cost more than 615 billion reais so far, exploding the budget deficit.
The Bolsonaro administration has explored various ways to keep the program going, but has not managed to make the math work without breaking Brazil's constitutionally mandated spending cap next year.
That would put the president at odds with his backers in the business world and his deficit-hawk economy minister, Paulo Guedes.
"The president would like to extend the emergency stipend for as long as possible, but he is also fearful of a crisis in confidence in the markets," Silvio Cascione, Brazil director for the consultancy Eurasia Group, told AFP.
Bolsonaro appeared to back down Tuesday.
"Some people want to perpetuate certain benefits. But nobody should live like that. It's the surest path to failure," he said.
- Rising inequality -
The sheer size of the program shows Brazil's deep inequalities.
The number of Brazilians benefitting from the aid payments is nearly twice as high as the number with formal jobs.
Brazil was already one of the 10 most unequal countries in the world, according to World Bank figures.
Experts say the pandemic has only made things worse, hitting the poor hardest in both health and economic terms.
In Manuel Faustino, that adds up to hard choices, now about to get harder.
Even with the emergency aid, "buying face masks and hand sanitizer is difficult. Either you buy those things or you eat," said community leader Miralva Alves Nascimento, 61.
When the aid ends, she said, "I'm going to have to tighten my belt even more. Stop drinking coffee every day and save wherever I can."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Boxing champ Shields wants mixed martial arts crown too

Women 's world boxing champion Claressa Shields has signed with the Professional Fighters League and wants to hold world boxing and mixed martial arts titles at the same time Three-division world boxing champion Claressa Shields is jumping into mixed martial arts and wants to own global crowns in both sports at once .
The 25-year-old American , a two-time Olympic middleweight champion , was announced Tuesday as the newest member of the Professional Fighters League ( PFL ) .
`` I want to go where no man or woman has gone and hold championships in both boxing and MMA at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ca n't wait to get to work . ''
Shields , who has won all 10 of her fights since turning professional after the 2016 Rio Olympics , will continue her boxing career while she enters the MMA realm with a series of special attraction fights in 2021 and a place in the 2022 PFL campaign .
She is to follow two examples from US sports , Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders , who became two-sport stars in the NFL and Major League Baseball .
Jackson is the only player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and MLB , while Sanders is the only player to compete in the World Series and Super Bowl .
`` Since turning pro it has been my goal to be the GWOAT ( Greatest Woman of All Time ) and to be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders , '' Shields said .
Shields , a two-time amateur world boxing champion , was first a world pro champion in the women 's super middleweight division .
She also holds titles at middleweight and light middleweight .
`` She has transcended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said PFL chief executive officer Peter Murray .
`` Claressa will continue to box professionally as she embarks on her multi-year PFL MMA career . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Three-division world boxing champion Claressa Shields is jumping into mixed martial arts and wants to own global crowns in both sports at once.
The 25-year-old American, a two-time Olympic middleweight champion, was announced Tuesday as the newest member of the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
"I want to go where no man or woman has gone and hold championships in both boxing and MMA at the same time," Shields said. "I can't wait to get to work."
Shields, who has won all 10 of her fights since turning professional after the 2016 Rio Olympics, will continue her boxing career while she enters the MMA realm with a series of special attraction fights in 2021 and a place in the 2022 PFL campaign.
She is to follow two examples from US sports, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, who became two-sport stars in the NFL and Major League Baseball.
Jackson is the only player to be an All-Star in the NFL and MLB, while Sanders is the only player to compete in the World Series and Super Bowl.
"Since turning pro it has been my goal to be the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) and to be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders," Shields said.
Shields, a two-time amateur world boxing champion, was first a world pro champion in the women's super middleweight division. She also holds titles at middleweight and light middleweight.
"She has transcended sports and has become a global icon," said PFL chief executive officer Peter Murray.
"Claressa will continue to box professionally as she embarks on her multi-year PFL MMA career."
© 2020 AFP