france24--2020-10-27--Child malnutrition surges in war-torn Yemen: UN

An eight-year-old Yemeni child weighing nine and a half kilogrammes is carried by her father in Hajjah Governorate , northern Yemen , in a photo from September 23 , 2020 Malnutrition among young children has soared to the highest levels ever recorded in parts of war-torn Yemen , the UN said Tuesday , as coronavirus and shortfalls in aid funding worsen a humanitarian crisis .
More than half a million cases of acute malnutrition among children under five were recorded in the south , and the results of a survey of the north currently under way are expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A 15.5 percent increase in severe malnutrition in the age group has left at least 98,000 at `` high risk of dying '' unless they receive urgent treatment , the Food and Agriculture Organization , the World Food Programme and the UN children 's fund UNICEF said in a statement .
`` The data we are releasing today confirms that acute malnutrition among children is hitting the highest levels we have seen since the war started , '' said Lise Grande , the UN 's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen .
Yemen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and a beleaguered government which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition , has sunk into the world 's worst humanitarian crisis .
More than 24 million people , nearly 80 percent of the population , depend on some form of aid for survival , and this year the situation has deteriorated sharply .
`` Escalating conflict and economic decline , plus the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic , has pushed an already exhausted population to the brink , '' the UN said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been disrupted as funds dry up .
The UN warned in July that nearly one in nine people in the world are going hungry , with the coronavirus pandemic and climate-related shocks exacerbating already worsening trends this year .
In Yemen 's children 's wards , the evidence of the crisis is clear , with skeletal youngsters crying weakly as anxious families hover over them .
Many parents fear their youngsters are at risk of contracting coronavirus if they are hospitalised , and are becoming reluctant to send them to clinics for treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become catastrophic and there is a significant increase in the percentage of malnourished children , '' said paediatrician Fahad Al-Qudsi , who works at Sanaa 's Joumhouri hospital .
`` There is a rising shortage of medicines , as well as proper nutrition for pregnant mothers , '' he told AFP Tuesday .
Only $ 1.43 billion of the $ 3.2 billion needed to fund Yemen aid projects had been received by mid-October .
In September , the UN said that critical aid had been cut at 300 health centres and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes had been reduced or shut down entirely .
Several Arab donors , including Saudi Arabia , have failed to deliver on their aid pledges , a UN official told the Security Council at the time , as donors face their own economic troubles amid the coronavirus crisis .
`` We 've been warning since July that Yemen is on the brink of a catastrophic food security crisis , '' said Grande .
`` If the war does n't end now , we are nearing an irreversible situation and risk losing an entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Sanaa (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Malnutrition among young children has soared to the highest levels ever recorded in parts of war-torn Yemen, the UN said Tuesday, as coronavirus and shortfalls in aid funding worsen a humanitarian crisis.
More than half a million cases of acute malnutrition among children under five were recorded in the south, and the results of a survey of the north currently under way are expected to be "equally concerning", it said.
A 15.5 percent increase in severe malnutrition in the age group has left at least 98,000 at "high risk of dying" unless they receive urgent treatment, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme and the UN children's fund UNICEF said in a statement.
"The data we are releasing today confirms that acute malnutrition among children is hitting the highest levels we have seen since the war started," said Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen.
Yemen, which since 2014 has been gripped by a war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and a beleaguered government which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, has sunk into the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
More than 24 million people, nearly 80 percent of the population, depend on some form of aid for survival, and this year the situation has deteriorated sharply.
"Escalating conflict and economic decline, plus the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has pushed an already exhausted population to the brink," the UN said, adding that aid programmes including emergency food assistance have been disrupted as funds dry up.
- 'Catastrophic' -
The UN warned in July that nearly one in nine people in the world are going hungry, with the coronavirus pandemic and climate-related shocks exacerbating already worsening trends this year.
In Yemen's children's wards, the evidence of the crisis is clear, with skeletal youngsters crying weakly as anxious families hover over them.
Many parents fear their youngsters are at risk of contracting coronavirus if they are hospitalised, and are becoming reluctant to send them to clinics for treatment.
"Malnutrition here and in Yemen has become catastrophic and there is a significant increase in the percentage of malnourished children," said paediatrician Fahad Al-Qudsi, who works at Sanaa's Joumhouri hospital.
"There is a rising shortage of medicines, as well as proper nutrition for pregnant mothers," he told AFP Tuesday.
Only $1.43 billion of the $3.2 billion needed to fund Yemen aid projects had been received by mid-October.
In September, the UN said that critical aid had been cut at 300 health centres and more than a third of its major humanitarian programmes had been reduced or shut down entirely.
Several Arab donors, including Saudi Arabia, have failed to deliver on their aid pledges, a UN official told the Security Council at the time, as donors face their own economic troubles amid the coronavirus crisis.
"We've been warning since July that Yemen is on the brink of a catastrophic food security crisis," said Grande.
"If the war doesn't end now, we are nearing an irreversible situation and risk losing an entire generation of Yemen's young children."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Jones urges critics to lay off Robshaw over virus breach

Chris Robshaw had been due to appear for the Barbarians against England England coach Eddie Jones wants Chris Robshaw to be spared a torrent of abuse following his role in the cancellation of last weekend 's match against the Barbarians .
Former England captain was among a group of BaaBaas players who broke coronavirus health protocols by leaving their team hotel to go for a meal out in London last Wednesday .
An investigation revealed this was one of at least two incidents where the guidelines had been flouted , leading the Rugby Football Union to call off Sunday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act as a warm-up for Jones ' men ahead of their virus-delayed Six Nations finale away to Italy this weekend .
A bonus-point win in Rome on Saturday could yet see England crowned Six Nations champions , with Jones insisting he 'd no interest in apportioning blame .
`` I really have n't followed it , '' he told Sky Sports .
`` Once it was done and dusted , then it was on to find the best preparation for Italy .
`` I 'm sure if Chris was involved , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris is a good young man .
He 's served his country well ; let 's make sure we do n't take it out on him too badly , '' added the veteran Australian coach , who said he had soon started working on a `` Plan B '' to get his side prepared to face the Azzurri .
Former Harlequins back-rower Robshaw apologised via social media on Friday .
`` It was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect players , staff and the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday 's match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen , '' he added .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
England coach Eddie Jones wants Chris Robshaw to be spared a torrent of abuse following his role in the cancellation of last weekend's match against the Barbarians.
Former England captain was among a group of BaaBaas players who broke coronavirus health protocols by leaving their team hotel to go for a meal out in London last Wednesday.
An investigation revealed this was one of at least two incidents where the guidelines had been flouted, leading the Rugby Football Union to call off Sunday's match at Twickenham, a fixture designed to act as a warm-up for Jones' men ahead of their virus-delayed Six Nations finale away to Italy this weekend.
A bonus-point win in Rome on Saturday could yet see England crowned Six Nations champions, with Jones insisting he'd no interest in apportioning blame.
"I really haven't followed it," he told Sky Sports. "Once it was done and dusted, then it was on to find the best preparation for Italy.
"I'm sure if Chris was involved, he'll be sorry for his actions. Chris is a good young man. He's served his country well; let's make sure we don't take it out on him too badly," added the veteran Australian coach, who said he had soon started working on a "Plan B" to get his side prepared to face the Azzurri.
Former Harlequins back-rower Robshaw apologised via social media on Friday.
"It was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect players, staff and the public," he said.
"I understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday's match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen," he added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Gunmen kill 'wanted' Yemeni rebel minister

People wait outside a hospital in Yemen 's rebel-held capital of Sanaa on Tuesday after Hassan Zaid , a minister in the Huthi administration , was shot while driving Unidentified gunmen in Yemen 's rebel-held capital Sanaa shot dead a Huthi government minister as he drove his car , also wounding his daughter , officials said Tuesday .
Yemen is mired in civil war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels -- who control the capital but whose administration is not internationally recognised -- and a beleaguered government supported by a Saudi-led military coalition .
Hassan Zaid , minister for youth and sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Saudi-led coalition , which had offered a $ 10 million bounty for information leading to his arrest .
In 2017 , Zaid sparked anger when he proposed suspending school for a year and sending pupils and teachers to the frontline instead .
The Huthi interior ministry said Zaid was driving his car when it was shot at , leading to his `` martyrdom '' after suffering serious injuries .
They said an investigation into the attack -- a rare occurrence in Sanaa -- is under way .
However , they indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing it as a `` criminal act and part of the aggressors ' plan to target national figures '' .
But an official from Yemen 's internationally recognised government told AFP that the killing was `` likely to be an assassination operation due to internal disputes and conflicts '' .
The Huthi rebels , who control Sanaa and much of the north , have been fighting the government since 2014 .
The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the conflict the following year .
In April 2018 , the Huthi political leader Saleh al-Sammad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list -- was killed in what the insurgents said was an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition .

Sanaa (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Unidentified gunmen in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa shot dead a Huthi government minister as he drove his car, also wounding his daughter, officials said Tuesday.
Yemen is mired in civil war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels -- who control the capital but whose administration is not internationally recognised -- and a beleaguered government supported by a Saudi-led military coalition.
Hassan Zaid, minister for youth and sports in the Huthi administration, was wanted by the Saudi-led coalition, which had offered a $10 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.
In 2017, Zaid sparked anger when he proposed suspending school for a year and sending pupils and teachers to the frontline instead.
The Huthi interior ministry said Zaid was driving his car when it was shot at, leading to his "martyrdom" after suffering serious injuries.
They said an investigation into the attack -- a rare occurrence in Sanaa -- is under way.
However, they indicated that the Saudi-led coalition was responsible, describing it as a "criminal act and part of the aggressors' plan to target national figures".
But an official from Yemen's internationally recognised government told AFP that the killing was "likely to be an assassination operation due to internal disputes and conflicts".
The Huthi rebels, who control Sanaa and much of the north, have been fighting the government since 2014.
The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the conflict the following year.
In April 2018, the Huthi political leader Saleh al-Sammad -- who was also on the wanted list -- was killed in what the insurgents said was an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--UN, African nations urge Guinea to end blockade of opposition chief

Opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo , pictured in Conakry shortly before he declared victory a day after the elections International envoys mediating the crisis following last week 's disputed election in Guinea urged the government on Tuesday to lift a blockade of the home of opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo .
Police barricaded the politician inside his home in the capital Conakry last week , after he self-proclaimed victory in October 18 poll , triggering clashes which killed 21 people nationwide .
Representatives from the United Nations , African Union and the 15-nation West African bloc ECOWAS said they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's home , and `` urge the Guinean authorities to lift ( them ) in the spirit of inclusive dialogue '' .
President Alpha Conde , 82 , won the hotly-contested election according to official results announced Saturday , setting the stage for a controversial third term .
But his main opponent Diallo , 68 , disputes the results .
He claimed victory after the vote , citing data his activists gathered at individual polling stations .
His self-proclaimed win led to unrest across the nation of some 13 million people .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , but the political opposition says 27 people died .
AFP was unable to independently confirm the number of deaths .
The international envoys -- who include ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and the UN special representative to West Africa , Mohamed Ibn Chambas -- landed in Guinea on Sunday to mediate .
In a statement on Tuesday , the representatives said they had come to `` lower sociopolitical tensions '' after the election .
They added that they `` regretted the loss of human life , '' urged Guinea to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and called on all parties to engage in dialogue .
Much of the turbulence centres on a third term for Alpha Conde , whom opponents accuse of drifting into authoritarianism .
He pushed through a new constitution in March which he argued would modernise the country .
But it also allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents , arguing that the counter had been reset to zero .
Opposition to that outcome had provoked mass protests from October 2019 , in which security forces killed dozens of people .
Conde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opposition activist , became the former French colony 's first democratically-elected leader in 2010 , and won re-election in 2015 .
Critics accuse him of veering into authoritarianism , however , and of stubbornly refusing to investigate killings committed by his forces .
Diallo was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conte , and has unsuccessfully challenged Conde in each election the president has contested .
Guinea 's politics are mainly drawn along ethnic lines : the president 's base is among the ethnic Malinke community while Diallo has strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as Peul .

Conakry (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
International envoys mediating the crisis following last week's disputed election in Guinea urged the government on Tuesday to lift a blockade of the home of opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo.
Police barricaded the politician inside his home in the capital Conakry last week, after he self-proclaimed victory in October 18 poll, triggering clashes which killed 21 people nationwide.
Representatives from the United Nations, African Union and the 15-nation West African bloc ECOWAS said they had noted "security measures" around Diallo's home, and "urge the Guinean authorities to lift (them) in the spirit of inclusive dialogue".
President Alpha Conde, 82, won the hotly-contested election according to official results announced Saturday, setting the stage for a controversial third term.
But his main opponent Diallo, 68, disputes the results. He claimed victory after the vote, citing data his activists gathered at individual polling stations.
His self-proclaimed win led to unrest across the nation of some 13 million people.
The government put the number of dead at 21, but the political opposition says 27 people died. AFP was unable to independently confirm the number of deaths.
The international envoys -- who include ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and the UN special representative to West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas -- landed in Guinea on Sunday to mediate.
In a statement on Tuesday, the representatives said they had come to "lower sociopolitical tensions" after the election.
They added that they "regretted the loss of human life," urged Guinea to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice, and called on all parties to engage in dialogue.
- Contested third term -
Much of the turbulence centres on a third term for Alpha Conde, whom opponents accuse of drifting into authoritarianism.
He pushed through a new constitution in March which he argued would modernise the country.
But it also allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents, arguing that the counter had been reset to zero.
Opposition to that outcome had provoked mass protests from October 2019, in which security forces killed dozens of people.
Conde, who spent decades in exile as an opposition activist, became the former French colony's first democratically-elected leader in 2010, and won re-election in 2015.
Critics accuse him of veering into authoritarianism, however, and of stubbornly refusing to investigate killings committed by his forces.
Diallo was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conte, and has unsuccessfully challenged Conde in each election the president has contested.
Guinea's politics are mainly drawn along ethnic lines: the president's base is among the ethnic Malinke community while Diallo has strong backing among the Fulani people, also known as Peul.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Courting controversy: Supreme Court confirmation rankles progressives

The confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett pushes the US Supreme Court firmly to the right .
FRANCE 24 foreign affairs @ @ @ @ @ confirmation was expected but not without controversies , including that Republicans blocked an Obama court @ @ @ @ @ year , 2016 .

Courting controversy: Supreme Court confirmation rankles progressives
04:37
The confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett pushes the US Supreme Court firmly to the right. FRANCE 24 foreign affairs editor Philip Turle says the confirmation was expected but not without controversies, including that Republicans blocked an Obama court pick in the previous election year, 2016.


france24--2020-10-27--French firms urged to ‘resist blackmail’ as Turkey's Erdogan joins calls for boycott

French products concealed behind a plastic cover in a supermarket in the Jordanian capital Amman on October 26 , 2020 .
Economists have downplayed the threat to French exports as calls to boycott French goods spread across the Muslim world in a backlash over the hardened stance France has taken against radical Islamists in the wake of the brutal murder of a teacher .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the first head of state on Monday to join calls for a boycott that has seen French goods being pulled from supermarket shelves in Qatar and Kuwait , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to French-labelled goods , do n't buy them , '' Erdogan said in a televised speech in Ankara , further ratcheting up his criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron .
The backlash stems from comments made by Macron after the October 16 beheading of a history teacher who had shown cartoons of the Prophet Mohamed in a class discussion on free speech .
Depictions of the Prophet Muhammed are forbidden in Islam and are offensive to many Muslims .
In the wake of Samuel Paty 's gruesome murder the French president vowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that France would not `` give up ” the right to caricature .
He vowed that France would never give up the right to lampoon political and religious figures .
He doubled down on his defence of French secularism in the wake of the teacher ’ s beheading , and his government has vowed to crack down on mosques and Muslim organisations suspected of spreading hate speech .
> > Anger at beheading of French teacher ‘ must not override rule of law ’ Macron 's comments triggered protests in several Muslim-majority countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures of Macron in Syria and setting fire to French flags in the Libyan capital Tripoli .
Seeking to calm the current backlash against France , the French Council of the Muslim Faith said on Monday that Muslims are “ not persecuted ” in France and “ freely practise their religion ” .
But some in Western Europe 's largest Muslim community warn that Macron ’ s words risk further alienating a segment of the population that already feels discriminated against .
The head of France 's MEDEF employers ' federation on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` foolishness '' , was clearly bad news for companies already hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` But there is no question of giving in to blackmail , '' Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux told broadcaster RMC .
`` It is a question of sticking to our republican values ( ... ) .
There is a time to put principles above business . ''
He said MEDEF supported the government 's stance and urged companies `` to resist this blackmail and , unfortunately , to endure this boycott '' , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for now .
The French foreign ministry has urged Middle Eastern countries to prevent the boycotts , saying the `` baseless '' calls are being `` pushed by a radical minority '' .
French Trade Minister Franck Riester told reporters on Monday that the government was not planning a reciprocal boycott against Turkish products .
The boycotts are likely to have only a marginal impact on French exports , said French economist Stéphanie Villers , noting that tariffs on French wine introduced by the US last year were far more crippling .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt France ’ s economy , then all French products would be boycotted , ” Villers told RTL radio , citing the more lucrative aviation and luxury sectors , which have not been affected .
Arms exports account for the lion 's share of French trade with countries like Qatar and Kuwait , said Frédéric Encel , a professor of geopolitics at the Paris Business School .
Such contracts `` take years to negotiate '' , he told French daily Le Parisien .
`` No mosque or NGO can halt the sale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Describing the boycott as a “ micro-phenomenon ” , Encel said Middle Eastern countries would also be reluctant to provoke retaliatory action by France ’ s European partners .
“ For economic reasons , governments will ensure the protest action remains marginal , ” Encel told Le Parisien .
He added : “ For most Muslim countries , the European Union is a more important trade partner than China , the United States or India .
They can not risk incurring sanctions from their principal trading partner.
” As the backlash against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the French president and slammed Erdogan ’ s attacks on Macron .
`` They are defamatory comments that are completely unacceptable , particularly against the backdrop of the horrific murder of the French teacher Samuel Paty by an Islamist fanatic , '' German Chancellor Angela Merkel 's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters on Monday .
The prime ministers of Italy , the Netherlands and Greece also expressed support for France , as did European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen .
`` President Erdogan 's words addressing President @ EmmanuelMacron are unacceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted , adding that the Netherlands stood `` for the freedom of speech and against extremism and radicalism . ''
Italy 's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted : `` Personal insults do n't help the positive agenda the EU wants to have with Turkey but pushes solutions further away . ''
'Hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims' Erdogan is not the only head of state to have admonished France and its president for allegedly offending Muslims .
In a series of tweets posted on Sunday , Pakistan ’ s Prime Minister Imran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clearly without having any understanding of it '' .
Khan added : `` President Macron has attacked and hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe & across the world.
” Earlier this month , before Paty ’ s murder in a Paris suburb , Macron unveiled a plan to fight was he called “ Islamist separatism ” in France .
He stressed that he was referring to “ radical Islamism ” and not Muslims in general , though he also argued that Islam was “ in crisis everywhere in the @ @ @

Economists have downplayed the threat to French exports as calls to boycott French goods spread across the Muslim world in a backlash over the hardened stance France has taken against radical Islamists in the wake of the brutal murder of a teacher.
French products concealed behind a plastic cover in a supermarket in the Jordanian capital Amman on October 26, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the first head of state on Monday to join calls for a boycott that has seen French goods being pulled from supermarket shelves in Qatar and Kuwait, among other Gulf states.
"Never give credit to French-labelled goods, don't buy them," Erdogan said in a televised speech in Ankara, further ratcheting up his criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The backlash stems from comments made by Macron after the October 16 beheading of a history teacher who had shown cartoons of the Prophet Mohamed in a class discussion on free speech. Depictions of the Prophet Mohammed are forbidden in Islam and are offensive to many Muslims.
In the wake of Samuel Paty's gruesome murder the French president vowed to take the fight to Islamists, saying that France would not "give up” the right to caricature. He vowed that France would never give up the right to lampoon political and religious figures.
He doubled down on his defence of French secularism in the wake of the teacher’s beheading, and his government has vowed to crack down on mosques and Muslim organisations suspected of spreading hate speech.
>> Anger at beheading of French teacher ‘must not override rule of law’
Macron's comments triggered protests in several Muslim-majority countries at the weekend, with people burning pictures of Macron in Syria and setting fire to French flags in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
Seeking to calm the current backlash against France, the French Council of the Muslim Faith said on Monday that Muslims are “not persecuted” in France and “freely practise their religion”. But some in Western Europe's largest Muslim community warn that Macron’s words risk further alienating a segment of the population that already feels discriminated against.
‘Principles above business’
The head of France's MEDEF employers' federation on Monday said the boycott, which he described as "foolishness", was clearly bad news for companies already hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
"But there is no question of giving in to blackmail," Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux told broadcaster RMC. "It is a question of sticking to our republican values (...). There is a time to put principles above business."
He said MEDEF supported the government's stance and urged companies "to resist this blackmail and, unfortunately, to endure this boycott", which he said remained "fairly localised" for now.
The French foreign ministry has urged Middle Eastern countries to prevent the boycotts, saying the "baseless" calls are being "pushed by a radical minority".
French Trade Minister Franck Riester told reporters on Monday that the government was not planning a reciprocal boycott against Turkish products.
‘Micro-phenomenon’
The boycotts are likely to have only a marginal impact on French exports, said French economist Stéphanie Villers, noting that tariffs on French wine introduced by the US last year were far more crippling.
“If there was a real intent to hurt France’s economy, then all French products would be boycotted,” Villers told RTL radio, citing the more lucrative aviation and luxury sectors, which have not been affected.
Arms exports account for the lion's share of French trade with countries like Qatar and Kuwait, said Frédéric Encel, a professor of geopolitics at the Paris Business School. Such contracts "take years to negotiate", he told French daily Le Parisien. "No mosque or NGO can halt the sale of French bombers or Rafale fighters jets."
Describing the boycott as a “micro-phenomenon”, Encel said Middle Eastern countries would also be reluctant to provoke retaliatory action by France’s European partners.
“For economic reasons, governments will ensure the protest action remains marginal,” Encel told Le Parisien. He added: “For most Muslim countries, the European Union is a more important trade partner than China, the United States or India. They cannot risk incurring sanctions from their principal trading partner.”
European support
As the backlash against France widens, European leaders have rallied behind the French president and slammed Erdogan’s attacks on Macron.
"They are defamatory comments that are completely unacceptable, particularly against the backdrop of the horrific murder of the French teacher Samuel Paty by an Islamist fanatic," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters on Monday.
The prime ministers of Italy, the Netherlands and Greece also expressed support for France, as did European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
"President Erdogan's words addressing President @EmmanuelMacron are unacceptable," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tweeted, adding that the Netherlands stood "for the freedom of speech and against extremism and radicalism."
President Erdogan’s words addressing President @EmmanuelMacron are unacceptable. The Netherlands stands firmly with France and for the collective values of the European Union. For the freedom of speech and against extremism and radicalism. — Mark Rutte (@MinPres) October 26, 2020
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted: "Personal insults don't help the positive agenda the EU wants to have with Turkey but pushes solutions further away."
'Hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims'
Erdogan is not the only head of state to have admonished France and its president for allegedly offending Muslims.
In a series of tweets posted on Sunday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan accused Macron of "attacking Islam, clearly without having any understanding of it".
Khan added: "President Macron has attacked and hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe & across the world.”
through encouraging the display of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam & our Prophet PBUH. By attacking Islam, clearly without having any understanding of it, President Macron has attacked & hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe & across the world. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 25, 2020
Earlier this month, before Paty’s murder in a Paris suburb, Macron unveiled a plan to fight was he called “Islamist separatism” in France. He stressed that he was referring to “radical Islamism” and not Muslims in general, though he also argued that Islam was “in crisis everywhere in the world”.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-10-27--'Hard choices' as France weighs new virus clampdown

The French authorities imposed a curfew this month that now requires about 46 million people -- two-thirds of the population -- to be home by 9:00 pm French officials said Tuesday that tougher restrictions are looming to counter an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases , with doctors warning that many hospitals are just days away from being overrun with patients .
`` We have to prepare for difficult decisions , '' Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France Inter radio .
`` At some point we have to make hard choices ... as our neighbours have , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , Spain and elsewhere in Europe .
The French government is loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy even harder , and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies .
The authorities imposed a curfew this month that now requires about 46 million people -- two-thirds of the population -- to be home by 9:00 pm , as the number of daily virus cases flared .
Media reports say President Emmanuel Macron , who held a crisis meeting with ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , possibly with a full lockdown on weekends , or else order targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions .
Another option could be to postpone the return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend , in particular to high schools and universities .
Prime Minister Jean Castex will meet political party chiefs and union leaders later Tuesday , ahead of another crisis meeting with Macron on Wednesday .
`` I 'd rather have local lockdowns now than a nationwide lockdown at Christmas , '' Damien Abad , parliament chief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on France Info radio .
France on Sunday recorded a grim record of 52,010 coronavirus infections in 24 hours .
On Monday , it reported 258 daily coronavirus deaths , and a net increase of 186 admissions to intensive care .
That brought the overall number of people in intensive care to 2,761 , nearly half the country 's overall capacity of 5,800 , and some hospitals have been forced to start transferring patients to less-crowded facilities .
`` The outbreak is out of control , '' the infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BFM television .
He urged the government to adopt `` a drastic measure , call it a lockdown '' for the entire country , despite the economic toll .
`` The economy can bounce back , but you do n't bounce if intensive care fails , '' he said .
More than 34,000 people have died of Covid-19 in France .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
French officials said Tuesday that tougher restrictions are looming to counter an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, with doctors warning that many hospitals are just days away from being overrun with patients.
"We have to prepare for difficult decisions," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France Inter radio.
"At some point we have to make hard choices... as our neighbours have," he said, referring to tough new measures announced for Italy, Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
The French government is loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy even harder, and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies.
The authorities imposed a curfew this month that now requires about 46 million people -- two-thirds of the population -- to be home by 9:00 pm, as the number of daily virus cases flared.
Media reports say President Emmanuel Macron, who held a crisis meeting with ministers Tuesday, might extend the curfew hours, possibly with a full lockdown on weekends, or else order targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions.
Another option could be to postpone the return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend, in particular to high schools and universities.
- 'Out of control' -
Prime Minister Jean Castex will meet political party chiefs and union leaders later Tuesday, ahead of another crisis meeting with Macron on Wednesday.
"I'd rather have local lockdowns now than a nationwide lockdown at Christmas," Damien Abad, parliament chief for the rightwing opposition Republicans party, said on France Info radio.
France on Sunday recorded a grim record of 52,010 coronavirus infections in 24 hours.
On Monday, it reported 258 daily coronavirus deaths, and a net increase of 186 admissions to intensive care.
That brought the overall number of people in intensive care to 2,761, nearly half the country's overall capacity of 5,800, and some hospitals have been forced to start transferring patients to less-crowded facilities.
"The outbreak is out of control," the infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux at Paris's Tenon hospital said on BFM television.
He urged the government to adopt "a drastic measure, call it a lockdown" for the entire country, despite the economic toll.
"The economy can bounce back, but you don't bounce if intensive care fails," he said.
More than 34,000 people have died of Covid-19 in France.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Tens of thousands hit streets to decry Poland abortion ruling

In Poland , tens of thousands of women ’ s rights activists have defied pandemic restrictions for a fifth day @ @ @ @ @ ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion .
Critics of the law fear @ @ @ @ @ a rise in illegal abortions .

Tens of thousands hit streets to decry Poland abortion ruling
01:45
In Poland, tens of thousands of women’s rights activists have defied pandemic restrictions for a fifth day to protest against a court ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion. Critics of the law fear the ruling will lead to a rise in illegal abortions.


france24--2020-10-27--Tens of thousands stage anti-France rally in Bangladesh

Police estimated that more than 40,000 people took part in the march organised by an Islamist party which was halted before it could get close to the French embassy in Dhaka Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the Bangladesh capital on Tuesday calling for a boycott of French products and burning an effigy of President Emmanuel Macron after he defended cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed .
Police estimated more than 40,000 people took part in the march organised by an Islamist party that was halted before it could get close to the French embassy in Dhaka .
Protesters chanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Macron to be punished choked the streets .
Hundreds of police deployed a barbed wire barricade across a road about five kilometres ( three miles ) from the embassy to stop them advancing .
Before breaking up , one group doused an effigy with a Macron face in kerosene and set it ablaze , shouting anti-French slogans .
The French president has been the target of protests in several countries over his comments , made after a teacher in a Paris suburb was decapitated for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is forbidden in Islam .
The rally was organised by Islami Andolan Bangladesh , one of the largest Islamist parties in the Muslim majority country of 168 million people .
The party has called for more nationwide protests on Thursday and Friday .
`` Macron is one of the few leaders who worship Satan , '' Ataur Rahman , a senior Islami Andolon leader , told the rally .
Rahman called on the Bangladesh government to expel the French ambassador while another leader said activists would `` tear down every brick '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered out .
`` France is the enemy of Muslims .
Those who represent them are also our enemies , '' said Nesar Uddin , another leader from the group .
Police said that extra forces were patrolling around the French embassy in the diplomatic district .
Teacher Samuel Paty was killed by a Chechen teenager on October 16 after showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a discussion on freedom of speech .
The French president 's comments defending the cartoons have already led to a diplomatic showdown with Turkey and protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a major trade partner for Bangladesh whose garment factories sell apparel worth billions of dollars to French brands .
Lafarge , the world 's top cement maker , is one of the largest French investors in Bangladesh .
Cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by a Danish newspaper in 2005 triggered massive protests in the country .
There have been several violent Islamist incidents in Bangladesh in recent years .
One group linked to Islamic State killed at least 17 foreigners , including seven Italians and nine Japanese , in an attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Dhaka (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the Bangladesh capital on Tuesday calling for a boycott of French products and burning an effigy of President Emmanuel Macron after he defended cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Police estimated more than 40,000 people took part in the march organised by an Islamist party that was halted before it could get close to the French embassy in Dhaka.
Protesters chanting "Boycott French products" and calling for Macron to be punished choked the streets.
Hundreds of police deployed a barbed wire barricade across a road about five kilometres (three miles) from the embassy to stop them advancing.
Before breaking up, one group doused an effigy with a Macron face in kerosene and set it ablaze, shouting anti-French slogans.
The French president has been the target of protests in several countries over his comments, made after a teacher in a Paris suburb was decapitated for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to his pupils.
Any depiction of Mohammed is forbidden in Islam.
The rally was organised by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, one of the largest Islamist parties in the Muslim majority country of 168 million people.
The party has called for more nationwide protests on Thursday and Friday.
"Macron is one of the few leaders who worship Satan," Ataur Rahman, a senior Islami Andolon leader, told the rally.
Rahman called on the Bangladesh government to expel the French ambassador while another leader said activists would "tear down every brick" of the embassy if the envoy was not ordered out.
"France is the enemy of Muslims. Those who represent them are also our enemies," said Nesar Uddin, another leader from the group.
Police said that extra forces were patrolling around the French embassy in the diplomatic district.
Teacher Samuel Paty was killed by a Chechen teenager on October 16 after showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a discussion on freedom of speech.
The French president's comments defending the cartoons have already led to a diplomatic showdown with Turkey and protests in other Muslim majority states.
France is a major trade partner for Bangladesh whose garment factories sell apparel worth billions of dollars to French brands.
Lafarge, the world's top cement maker, is one of the largest French investors in Bangladesh.
Cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by a Danish newspaper in 2005 triggered massive protests in the country.
There have been several violent Islamist incidents in Bangladesh in recent years.
One group linked to Islamic State killed at least 17 foreigners, including seven Italians and nine Japanese, in an attack on a Dhaka cafe in July 2016.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Belgium's once hidden princess meets royal father

The princess had to fight a long legal battle for recognition The once secret princess of Belgium has met former king Albert for the first time since her legal battle to be accepted as his daughter , the palace said Tuesday .
A photograph distributed with the announcement shows Princess Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg , sitting smiling alongside Albert II and his wife , Queen Paola , in their Brussels residence .
Delphine , now a 52-year-old artist , was the child of an affair the former king of the Belgians had with a Baroness , and he long refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long legal battle for recognition , the princess has been allowed to adopt his family name and has begun to build a relationship with the royal family .
The latest meeting was the first with Albert and his wife since she was recognised , and was marked by a joint message issued in the names of the former king , Delphine and Paola .
`` This Sunday , October 25 , a new chapter opened , full of emotion , understanding and , also , hope , '' they said .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belvedere , a meeting during which each of us was able to express , serenely and with empathy , our feelings and experiences .
`` After the tumult , the wounds and the suffering , comes the time of forgiveness , healing and reconciliation .
`` This is the patient sometimes difficult path that we have decided to take resolutely together .
These first steps pave the peaceful course which it is now up to us to pursue . ''
The meeting followed a similar encounter earlier this month between Princess Delphine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albert 's son Philippe .
Albert II reigned from 1993 until 2013 .
He was obliged to undergo a DNA test in 2019 following a long legal battle with the woman who had insisted for years she was his daughter .
The test confirmed he was indeed Delphine 's biological father , which he had refused to admit since the revelation in 1999 of an old extra-marital affair .
A Belgian court ruled on October 1 that the artist -- who was partly raised in Britain and has an American husband -- can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call herself a princess .
Her two children , Josephine and Oscar , are now also a princess and a prince .
Delphine was born in 1968 to a baroness , Sibylle de Selys Longchamps , early in an affair that lasted until 1984 .
Albert had already married his future queen , Paola , and the illegitimate daughter was kept secret .
Despite rumours and press reports , Albert continued to deny his paternity throughout his two-decade reign and after his abdication , until the judge-ordered DNA test .
The result was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saga could have been over -- but the former king , now 86 , continued to show his daughter the cold shoulder .
In a statement issued after the test , Albert 's lawyers said simply `` the scientific conclusions indicate that he is the biological father of Mrs Delphine Boel '' .
And they added that his legal paternity was not the same as being a father , insisting he had made no `` familial , social or educational decisions '' in Boel 's upbringing .
When the former king informed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through legal counsel , that he felt no connection with her it was `` like a knife in the back '' , she told reporters on October 5 .
The princess said she had been in touch with her father until he cut contact brutally when she was 33 years old , and his dismissive rejection of the hard-fought recognition was a step too far .
The legal battle continued until earlier this month , when the family relented and accepted Delphine into the fold .

Brussels (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The once secret princess of Belgium has met former king Albert for the first time since her legal battle to be accepted as his daughter, the palace said Tuesday.
A photograph distributed with the announcement shows Princess Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg, sitting smiling alongside Albert II and his wife, Queen Paola, in their Brussels residence.
Delphine, now a 52-year-old artist, was the child of an affair the former king of the Belgians had with a Baroness, and he long refused to recognise her.
But, after a long legal battle for recognition, the princess has been allowed to adopt his family name and has begun to build a relationship with the royal family.
The latest meeting was the first with Albert and his wife since she was recognised, and was marked by a joint message issued in the names of the former king, Delphine and Paola.
"This Sunday, October 25, a new chapter opened, full of emotion, understanding and, also, hope," they said.
"Our meeting took place at the Chateau du Belvedere, a meeting during which each of us was able to express, serenely and with empathy, our feelings and experiences.
"After the tumult, the wounds and the suffering, comes the time of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation.
"This is the patient sometimes difficult path that we have decided to take resolutely together. These first steps pave the peaceful course which it is now up to us to pursue."
- Royal affair -
The meeting followed a similar encounter earlier this month between Princess Delphine and the current King of the Belgians, Albert's son Philippe.
Albert II reigned from 1993 until 2013. He was obliged to undergo a DNA test in 2019 following a long legal battle with the woman who had insisted for years she was his daughter.
The test confirmed he was indeed Delphine's biological father, which he had refused to admit since the revelation in 1999 of an old extra-marital affair.
A Belgian court ruled on October 1 that the artist -- who was partly raised in Britain and has an American husband -- can indeed adopt her father's name and call herself a princess.
Her two children, Josephine and Oscar, are now also a princess and a prince.
Delphine was born in 1968 to a baroness, Sibylle de Selys Longchamps, early in an affair that lasted until 1984.
Albert had already married his future queen, Paola, and the illegitimate daughter was kept secret.
Despite rumours and press reports, Albert continued to deny his paternity throughout his two-decade reign and after his abdication, until the judge-ordered DNA test.
The result was finally released in January, and the saga could have been over -- but the former king, now 86, continued to show his daughter the cold shoulder.
- 'Knife in the back' -
In a statement issued after the test, Albert's lawyers said simply "the scientific conclusions indicate that he is the biological father of Mrs Delphine Boel".
And they added that his legal paternity was not the same as being a father, insisting he had made no "familial, social or educational decisions" in Boel's upbringing.
When the former king informed his hidden daughter and the Belgian people, through legal counsel, that he felt no connection with her it was "like a knife in the back", she told reporters on October 5.
The princess said she had been in touch with her father until he cut contact brutally when she was 33 years old, and his dismissive rejection of the hard-fought recognition was a step too far.
The legal battle continued until earlier this month, when the family relented and accepted Delphine into the fold.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Two hurt as Greek warship collides with freighter

Two crew members of the minesweeper were injured Two crew members of a Greek minesweeper were slightly hurt Tuesday after @ @ @ @ @ container ship off Piraeus , the port next to Athens , the navy said .
@ @ @ @ @ board the naval vessel , who were rescued by coastguard patrol boats .
The two @ @ @ @ @ for treatment .
The minesweeper suffered serious damage to the stern and was towed back @ @ @ @ @ the nearby island of Salamina , the merchant navy ministry said .
Piraeus port authorities @ @ @ @ @ incident and confined to port the container ship Maerck Launceston , which flies a Portuguese @ @

Athens (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Two crew members of a Greek minesweeper were slightly hurt Tuesday after it collided with a Portuguese container ship off Piraeus, the port next to Athens, the navy said.
There were 27 sailors on board the naval vessel, who were rescued by coastguard patrol boats.
The two injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
The minesweeper suffered serious damage to the stern and was towed back to the naval base on the nearby island of Salamina, the merchant navy ministry said.
Piraeus port authorities opened an inquiry into the incident and confined to port the container ship Maerck Launceston, which flies a Portuguese flag.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Macron meets to discuss lockdown alternatives

French President Emmanuel Macron was holding an emergency meeting with ministers on Tuesday to formulate a response to the country @ @ @ @ @ and avoid a second lockdown .
Alternatives on the table include a stricter curfew , @ @ @ @ @ targeted by age or region .

Macron meets to discuss lockdown alternatives
01:36
French President Emmanuel Macron was holding an emergency meeting with ministers on Tuesday to formulate a response to the country’s soaring Covid-19 infections and avoid a second lockdown. Alternatives on the table include a stricter curfew, business-friendly lockdowns, and lockdowns targeted by age or region.


france24--2020-10-27--Israel to approve settler homes in flashpoint Hebron area: group

The Israeli Shimaa settlement south of the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank , with the Palestinian village of Samua in the background Israel is set to approve construction of Jewish settler homes in a flashpoint area of the West Bank city of Hebron for the first time since 2002 , the anti-occupation group Peace Now said Tuesday .
It condemned what it called an attempt to `` squeeze in '' the approvals before next week 's US presidential election when Donald Trump faces Democratic challenger Joseph Biden , who views such settlements as illegal .
Peace Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupied territory , said Israeli military authorities had given the green light to the construction of 31 settler housing units `` in the heart of Hebron '' .
Hebron is considered a West Bank powder-keg where around 800 Jewish settlers live under hefty Israeli army security , surrounded by around 200,000 Palestinians .
The city includes the site known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs , which is revered by both faiths .
The Israeli military body responsible for civilian affairs in the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve new settler units in central Hebron in 2017 .
Peace Now and the Hebron municipality challenged that project in court .
In 2018 , Israel 's government allocated more than 21 million shekels ( $ 6.2 million ) to the project , according to Peace Now .
The Jerusalem District Court had told the state that the project can not go ahead until the legal challenge is resolved , with a hearing set for January 31 , Peace Now said .
But Israeli authorities told the court on Sunday that they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the non-government group said .
`` The state was quick to issue the building permit even though the court has explicitly ruled that work should not start until the ... hearing takes place , '' said Peace Now 's statement .
`` The state explains to the court that although the court order prohibits the commencement of the works , it does not prohibit the issuance of the permit itself , '' it added .
Peace Now linked the timing of the approvals to next week 's US presidential election .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Bank .
Biden was the vice president in the Barack Obama administration that considered Jewish settlement building in the West Bank illegal , a position in line with international consensus .
`` The attempt to squeeze in this construction of 31 settlement units before the US election is an unscrupulous act that threatens Israel 's national interest and relations on the world stage , '' Peace Now said .
About 450,000 Jewish settlers live alongside roughly 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank , which Israel has occupied since 1967 .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Israel is set to approve construction of Jewish settler homes in a flashpoint area of the West Bank city of Hebron for the first time since 2002, the anti-occupation group Peace Now said Tuesday.
It condemned what it called an attempt to "squeeze in" the approvals before next week's US presidential election when Donald Trump faces Democratic challenger Joseph Biden, who views such settlements as illegal.
Peace Now, which tracks settlement construction in the occupied territory, said Israeli military authorities had given the green light to the construction of 31 settler housing units "in the heart of Hebron".
Hebron is considered a West Bank powder-keg where around 800 Jewish settlers live under hefty Israeli army security, surrounded by around 200,000 Palestinians.
The city includes the site known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs, which is revered by both faiths.
The Israeli military body responsible for civilian affairs in the West Bank, COGAT, took steps to approve new settler units in central Hebron in 2017.
Peace Now and the Hebron municipality challenged that project in court.
In 2018, Israel's government allocated more than 21 million shekels ($6.2 million) to the project, according to Peace Now.
The Jerusalem District Court had told the state that the project cannot go ahead until the legal challenge is resolved, with a hearing set for January 31, Peace Now said.
But Israeli authorities told the court on Sunday that they would issue the permits within a week, the non-government group said.
"The state was quick to issue the building permit even though the court has explicitly ruled that work should not start until the... hearing takes place," said Peace Now's statement.
"The state explains to the court that although the court order prohibits the commencement of the works, it does not prohibit the issuance of the permit itself," it added.
Peace Now linked the timing of the approvals to next week's US presidential election.
Trump has not criticised Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank.
Biden was the vice president in the Barack Obama administration that considered Jewish settlement building in the West Bank illegal, a position in line with international consensus.
"The attempt to squeeze in this construction of 31 settlement units before the US election is an unscrupulous act that threatens Israel's national interest and relations on the world stage," Peace Now said.
About 450,000 Jewish settlers live alongside roughly 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Trump, Biden hustle for key votes in swing states

Democratic hopeful Joe Biden has defended his climate policies and attacked the President Donald Trump on his handling of the @ @ @ @ @ visit to the swing state of Pennsylvania on Monday .
Trump held three separate rallies @ @ @ @ @ Biden as a “ pathetic candidate ” .

Trump, Biden hustle for key votes in swing states
01:36
Democratic hopeful Joe Biden has defended his climate policies and attacked the President Donald Trump on his handling of the pandemic, during a low-key visit to the swing state of Pennsylvania on Monday. Trump held three separate rallies the same day, labelling Biden as a “pathetic candidate”.


france24--2020-10-28--Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as India tour dates confirmed

Australia cricket captain Tim Paine ( right ) and India cricket captain Virat Kohli ( left ) with the Border Gavaskar trophy ahead of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval in 2018 Cricket Australia Wednesday confirmed that India will play a four-Test series on their upcoming tour Down Under , with the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosting the second Test on December 26 .
The announcement came hours after Australia 's second largest city exited a months-long coronavirus lockdown which enabled the MCG to confirm it would stage its traditional Boxing Day Test .
The battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test in Australia at the Adelaide Oval on December 17 , followed by Melbourne before moving to the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7 with the tour finale at Brisbane 's Gabba on January 15 .
Neither side has lost a day-night Test previously , with the Australian men 's team winning all four pink-ball Tests in Adelaide against New Zealand , South Africa , England and Pakistan , and India winning their only encounter at Eden Gardens versus Bangladesh in 2019 .
`` Australia and India represents one of the great rivalries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to welcome Virat Kohli 's outstanding squad to Australian shores this summer , '' Nick Hockley of Cricket Australia said .
Pandemic permitting , the India squad will arrive on November 12 and complete quarantine and Covid protocols before the first of three one-day internationals on November 27 .
After three 50-over games and three Twenty20s in Sydney and Canberra the tour will move to Adelaide , Melbourne , Sydney and Brisbane for the Tests .
Dates for the tour had been delayed by a coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne and wrangling over quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any relevant government restrictions or requirements

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Cricket Australia Wednesday confirmed that India will play a four-Test series on their upcoming tour Down Under, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosting the second Test on December 26.
The announcement came hours after Australia's second largest city exited a months-long coronavirus lockdown which enabled the MCG to confirm it would stage its traditional Boxing Day Test.
The battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin with India's first day-night Test in Australia at the Adelaide Oval on December 17, followed by Melbourne before moving to the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7 with the tour finale at Brisbane's Gabba on January 15.
Neither side has lost a day-night Test previously, with the Australian men's team winning all four pink-ball Tests in Adelaide against New Zealand, South Africa, England and Pakistan, and India winning their only encounter at Eden Gardens versus Bangladesh in 2019.
"Australia and India represents one of the great rivalries in world sport and we are delighted to welcome Virat Kohli's outstanding squad to Australian shores this summer," Nick Hockley of Cricket Australia said.
Pandemic permitting, the India squad will arrive on November 12 and complete quarantine and Covid protocols before the first of three one-day internationals on November 27.
After three 50-over games and three Twenty20s in Sydney and Canberra the tour will move to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for the Tests.
Dates for the tour had been delayed by a coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne and wrangling over quarantine requirements.
India tour to Australia*
One-day international series:
November 27 – 1st ODI (Sydney, day-night)
November 29 – 2nd ODI (Sydney, day-night)
December 2 – 3rd ODI (Canberra, day-night)
Twenty 20 international series:
December 4 – 1st T20 (Canberra, night)
December 6 – 2nd T20 (Sydney, night)
December 8 – 3rd T20 (Sydney, night)
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series
December 17-21 – 1st Test (Adelaide Oval, day-night)
December 26-30 – 2nd Test (Melbourne)
January 7-11 – 3rd Test (Sydney)
January 15-19 – 4th Test (Brisbane)
*Matches and travel remain subject to any relevant government restrictions or requirements
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Kardashian slammed for 'tone deaf' 40th birthday tropical getaway

Kim Kardashian said her birthday guests had been asked to quarantine for two weeks before departure , and had undergone multiple `` health screens '' Reality TV star Kim Kardashian faced a backlash Tuesday after chartering a private jet to fly her entourage to a remote tropical island for lavish 40th birthday celebrations during the Covid pandemic .
Kardashian and her `` closest inner circle '' spent last week dancing , kayaking and swimming with whales on a private isle where they could `` pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time , '' she tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters Khloe and Kourtney and half-sister Kendall Jenner , some 4,000 miles ( 6,400 kilometers ) from Los Angeles to Tahiti on board a Boeing 777 , according to E !
and TMZ .
Husband Kanye West reportedly joined the party midway through the week .
`` Before COVID , I do n't think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment , '' she wrote .
But the glamorous festivities -- and Kardashian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned as `` disgustingly tone deaf '' by social media users at a time when coronavirus has killed more than 226,000 Americans , and California remains under a non-essential travel ban .
`` Cool , people have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone while they died alone in a hospital .
but neat trip to post all over social media while the world suffers .
so humble and so down to earth , truly , '' tweeted @ JBomb11 , in a post swiftly drawing 11,000 `` likes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't realize this is not what the majority of people during the worst covid spike yet want to hear ?
People are going to food banks not private islands , '' posted British musician Peter Frampton .
Kardashian said her guests had been asked to quarantine for two weeks before departure , and had undergone multiple `` health screens . ''
She is not the first celebrity to face the wrath of social media users for flaunting their privilege during the Covid-19 pandemic .
In March , as the US followed much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars led by Gal Gadot ( `` Wonder Woman '' ) were ridiculed for a video montage of themselves singing `` Imagine '' from their sprawling homes .
The video , intended to provide hope , was slammed as being out of touch with the lives of everyday people .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian faced a backlash Tuesday after chartering a private jet to fly her entourage to a remote tropical island for lavish 40th birthday celebrations during the Covid pandemic.
Kardashian and her "closest inner circle" spent last week dancing, kayaking and swimming with whales on a private isle where they could "pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time," she tweeted.
The trip took the celebrities, including sisters Khloe and Kourtney and half-sister Kendall Jenner, some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) from Los Angeles to Tahiti on board a Boeing 777, according to E! and TMZ.
Husband Kanye West reportedly joined the party midway through the week.
"Before COVID, I don't think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment," she wrote.
But the glamorous festivities -- and Kardashian's posts trumpeting them -- were immediately condemned as "disgustingly tone deaf" by social media users at a time when coronavirus has killed more than 226,000 Americans, and California remains under a non-essential travel ban.
"Cool, people have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone while they died alone in a hospital. but neat trip to post all over social media while the world suffers. so humble and so down to earth, truly," tweeted @JBomb11, in a post swiftly drawing 11,000 "likes."
"Are you that insensitive you don't realize this is not what the majority of people during the worst covid spike yet want to hear? People are going to food banks not private islands," posted British musician Peter Frampton.
Kardashian said her guests had been asked to quarantine for two weeks before departure, and had undergone multiple "health screens."
She is not the first celebrity to face the wrath of social media users for flaunting their privilege during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In March, as the US followed much of the world into lockdown, Hollywood stars led by Gal Gadot ("Wonder Woman") were ridiculed for a video montage of themselves singing "Imagine" from their sprawling homes.
The video, intended to provide hope, was slammed as being out of touch with the lives of everyday people.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--US senators seek to declare China 'genocide' against Uighurs

US senators sought Tuesday to declare that China is committing genocide against Uighurs and other Turkic-speaking Muslims , a step that could ramp up pressure on behalf of the estimated one million-plus people in camps .
The resolution was introduced by senators across the political spectrum , although it is unlikely to move immediately as the Senate is out of session until after next week 's election .
The text states that China 's campaign `` against Uighurs , ethnic Kazakhs , Kyrgyz and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region constitutes genocide . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they are and is the first step toward holding China accountable for their monstrous actions , '' said Senator John Cornyn , a Republican who sponsored it .
Senator Jeff Merkley , a Democrat , said the resolution would show that the United States `` ca n't stay silent . ''
`` China 's assault on Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups -- escalating surveillance , imprisonment , torture and forced 're-education camps ' -- is genocide , pure and simple , '' Merkley said .
Other co-sponsors include Marco Rubio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on foreign policy , and Robert Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
Rights groups say that more than one million Uighurs languish in camps in the Xinjiang region as Beijing attempts to forcibly integrate the community and root out its Islamic heritage .
China has denied the numbers and describes the camps as vocational centers that teach skills to prevent the allure of Islamic radicalism following a series of attacks .
Trump 's administration has decried the situation in Xinjiang and slapped sanctions on the Communist Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but stopped just short of declaring genocide .
Robert O'Brien , Trump 's national security advisor , said earlier this month that `` if not genocide , something close '' to it is taking place in Xinjiang .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , in an interview Tuesday with news site The Print on a visit to India , said that China 's actions `` remind us of what happened in the 1930s in Germany . ''
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , who is leading Trump in pre-election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genocide and vowed a tougher response .
Successive US administrations have been reluctant to use the term genocide , cautious about legal implications at home and abroad .
George W. Bush 's administration described Sudan 's scorched-earth campaign in Darfur as genocide , while Barack Obama 's administration said likewise about the Islamic State extremist group 's mass killings , rape and enslavement of Christians , Yazidis and other religious minorities .
Then secretary of state John Kerry made the determination shortly after the House of Representatives unanimously described the Islamic State campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation who studies human rights in Asia , said that a genocide resolution on Xinjiang could put pressure on the administration to follow suit and pave the way for additional sanctions .
`` Obviously it would be great to have the executive branch say that this is genocide and/or crimes against humanity , '' Enos said .
`` But I think , in lieu of that , this would be a very strong , bipartisan message that the US government cares about the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Chinese Communist Party does not , '' she said .
The UN convention on genocide , drafted in the aftermath of the Holocaust , obligates states to prevent and punish the `` odious scourge . ''
It defines genocide to include actions such as killing as well as preventing births `` with intent to destroy , in whole or in part , a national , ethnical , racial or religious group . ''
A data-driven study by German researcher Adrian Zenz found that China has forcibly sterilized large numbers of Uighur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that exceed birth quotas .
The Trump administration earlier described Myanmar 's brutal campaign against the mostly Muslim Rohingya people as `` ethnic cleansing . ''

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
US senators sought Tuesday to declare that China is committing genocide against Uighurs and other Turkic-speaking Muslims, a step that could ramp up pressure on behalf of the estimated one million-plus people in camps.
The resolution was introduced by senators across the political spectrum, although it is unlikely to move immediately as the Senate is out of session until after next week's election.
The text states that China's campaign "against Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region constitutes genocide."
"This resolution recognizes these crimes for what they are and is the first step toward holding China accountable for their monstrous actions," said Senator John Cornyn, a Republican who sponsored it.
Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, said the resolution would show that the United States "can't stay silent."
"China's assault on Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups -- escalating surveillance, imprisonment, torture and forced 're-education camps' -- is genocide, pure and simple," Merkley said.
Other co-sponsors include Marco Rubio, a close ally of President Donald Trump on foreign policy, and Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Rights groups say that more than one million Uighurs languish in camps in the Xinjiang region as Beijing attempts to forcibly integrate the community and root out its Islamic heritage.
China has denied the numbers and describes the camps as vocational centers that teach skills to prevent the allure of Islamic radicalism following a series of attacks.
Trump's administration has decried the situation in Xinjiang and slapped sanctions on the Communist Party's top official there, Chen Quanguo, but stopped just short of declaring genocide.
Robert O'Brien, Trump's national security advisor, said earlier this month that "if not genocide, something close" to it is taking place in Xinjiang.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in an interview Tuesday with news site The Print on a visit to India, said that China's actions "remind us of what happened in the 1930s in Germany."
The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who is leading Trump in pre-election polls, has called China's actions genocide and vowed a tougher response.
- Cautious use of word -
Successive US administrations have been reluctant to use the term genocide, cautious about legal implications at home and abroad.
George W. Bush's administration described Sudan's scorched-earth campaign in Darfur as genocide, while Barack Obama's administration said likewise about the Islamic State extremist group's mass killings, rape and enslavement of Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities.
Then secretary of state John Kerry made the determination shortly after the House of Representatives unanimously described the Islamic State campaign to be genocide.
Olivia Enos, a senior policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation who studies human rights in Asia, said that a genocide resolution on Xinjiang could put pressure on the administration to follow suit and pave the way for additional sanctions.
"Obviously it would be great to have the executive branch say that this is genocide and/or crimes against humanity," Enos said.
"But I think, in lieu of that, this would be a very strong, bipartisan message that the US government cares about the state of the Uighur people, even and especially when the Chinese Communist Party does not," she said.
The UN convention on genocide, drafted in the aftermath of the Holocaust, obligates states to prevent and punish the "odious scourge."
It defines genocide to include actions such as killing as well as preventing births "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group."
A data-driven study by German researcher Adrian Zenz found that China has forcibly sterilized large numbers of Uighur women and pressured them to abort pregnancies that exceed birth quotas.
The Trump administration earlier described Myanmar's brutal campaign against the mostly Muslim Rohingya people as "ethnic cleansing."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Reciever Brown officially signs with Buccaneers

Wide receiver Antonio Brown has officially joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , reuniting him with quarterback Tom Brady after they were briefly teammates with the New England Patriots last season Antonio Brown , who is serving an eight-game suspension by the NFL , has officially signed a deal to play for Tom Brady 's Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the club announced Tuesday .
Head coach Bruce Arians said Brown would work out as a member of the team for the first time on Wednesday .
Brown has also reportedly cleared the COVID-19 protocols .
`` If Antonio does what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's going to be fine , '' Arians said Tuesday .
The US media reported that his contract would be for one-year and worth a maximum $ 2.5 million .
The 32-year-old Brown would receive an additional $ 750,000 if Tampa Bay wins the Super Bowl , US broadcaster ESPN reported .
Brown , a free agent , was also talking to the Seattle Seahawks .
Brown was Brady 's teammate last season in New England for just one game after which Brown was cut due to allegations of sexual assault and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media .
He is suspended through week eight and will likely now join the first place Buccaneers for their November 8 home game against the New Orleans Saints .
Before joining the Patriots and then becoming a free agent , Brown had a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders .
He has not played a full season in the league since 2018 .
In June , Brown was sentenced to two years ' probation , ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and enrol in an anger management course by a US judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge unrelated to the allegations of sexual assault .
As part of the discipline , the league directed Brown to continue his counselling and treatment program .
The seven-time Pro Bowl selection , had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and a league-best 15 touchdown receptions for the Pittsburgh Steelers two years ago .
Brown ranks third among active players in receptions ( 841 ) and is fourth in receiving yards ( 11,263 ) and touchdown catches ( 75 ) .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Antonio Brown, who is serving an eight-game suspension by the NFL, has officially signed a deal to play for Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the club announced Tuesday.
Head coach Bruce Arians said Brown would work out as a member of the team for the first time on Wednesday. Brown has also reportedly cleared the COVID-19 protocols.
"If Antonio does what I think he's going to do, he's going to be fine," Arians said Tuesday.
The US media reported that his contract would be for one-year and worth a maximum $2.5 million. The 32-year-old Brown would receive an additional $750,000 if Tampa Bay wins the Super Bowl, US broadcaster ESPN reported.
Brown, a free agent, was also talking to the Seattle Seahawks.
Brown was Brady's teammate last season in New England for just one game after which Brown was cut due to allegations of sexual assault and trying to intimidate the alleged victim through social media.
He is suspended through week eight and will likely now join the first place Buccaneers for their November 8 home game against the New Orleans Saints.
Before joining the Patriots and then becoming a free agent, Brown had a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders. He has not played a full season in the league since 2018.
In June, Brown was sentenced to two years' probation, ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and enrol in an anger management course by a US judge after pleading no contest to an assault charge unrelated to the allegations of sexual assault.
As part of the discipline, the league directed Brown to continue his counselling and treatment program.
The seven-time Pro Bowl selection, had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and a league-best 15 touchdown receptions for the Pittsburgh Steelers two years ago.
Brown ranks third among active players in receptions (841) and is fourth in receiving yards (11,263) and touchdown catches (75).
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Women on 10 flights from Qatar invasively examined: Australia

Women were removed from a Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight earlier this month and forced to undergo vaginal inspections Female passengers on 10 planes flying out of Doha were forced to endure invasive physical examinations , Australia 's foreign minister said Wednesday , greatly expanding the number of women previously thought affected .
It was revealed on Sunday that women were removed from a Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight in Doha earlier this month and forced to undergo vaginal inspections after a newborn baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom .
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne told a Senate hearing Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total '' had been subject to the searches she has described as `` grossly disturbing '' and `` offensive '' .
`` We became aware of that yesterday through advice from our post in Doha , '' she said .
She said 18 Australian women on the October 2 flight to Sydney were affected , along with `` other foreign nationals '' .
AFP understands one French woman on the flight was among them .
Payne did not detail the destinations of the other flights .
The incident has sparked a diplomatic row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lodging protests with the Middle East nation over the treatment of its citizens .
Officials said Australia was also working with other countries to jointly raise concerns with Doha but refused to name those countries , citing privacy concerns .
Payne admitted she had not spoken directly to her Qatari counterpart , saying she was `` waiting to see the report '' on the incident , which she expected to receive this week .
Doha 's Hamad International airport previously confirmed a broad outline of events , without providing details of the procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights involved .
It also launched an appeal Sunday for the child 's mother to come forward , saying the baby remains unidentified but is `` safe under the professional care of medical and social workers '' .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Female passengers on 10 planes flying out of Doha were forced to endure invasive physical examinations, Australia's foreign minister said Wednesday, greatly expanding the number of women previously thought affected.
It was revealed on Sunday that women were removed from a Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight in Doha earlier this month and forced to undergo vaginal inspections after a newborn baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne told a Senate hearing Wednesday that women on "10 aircraft in total" had been subject to the searches she has described as "grossly disturbing" and "offensive".
"We became aware of that yesterday through advice from our post in Doha," she said.
She said 18 Australian women on the October 2 flight to Sydney were affected, along with "other foreign nationals". AFP understands one French woman on the flight was among them.
Payne did not detail the destinations of the other flights.
The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between Australia and Qatar, with Canberra lodging protests with the Middle East nation over the treatment of its citizens.
Officials said Australia was also working with other countries to jointly raise concerns with Doha but refused to name those countries, citing privacy concerns.
Payne admitted she had not spoken directly to her Qatari counterpart, saying she was "waiting to see the report" on the incident, which she expected to receive this week.
Doha's Hamad International airport previously confirmed a broad outline of events, without providing details of the procedures, or the number of women and flights involved.
It also launched an appeal Sunday for the child's mother to come forward, saying the baby remains unidentified but is "safe under the professional care of medical and social workers".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Founder of NXIVM sex cult sentenced to 120 years in prison in US

NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere looks on during his sentencing hearing in a sex trafficking and racketeering case inside the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York , U.S. , New York , U.S. , October 27 , 2020 in this courtroom sketch .
A `` self-help '' guru convicted of running a cult-like organisation of sex slaves who were branded with his initials was sentenced to 120 years in prison by a New York judge Tuesday .
The effective life sentence for Keith Raniere , 60 , comes after he was found guilty of coercing women into having sex with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a life-coaching group that attracted a coterie of rich and famous devotees .
Followers signed up for $ 5,000 , five-day self-help courses , but some were then financially and sexually exploited and forced to follow a restrictive diet , as Raniere -- known as `` Vanguard '' -- exerted control , his six-week trial heard .
He established a faction within the group called DOS , a pyramid structure in which the women were `` slaves '' and `` Grand Master '' Raniere sat at the top .
The `` slaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raniere , hand over personal information and compromising photos -- and some of the women were branded like cattle as other members held them down .
Raniere was convicted in June 2019 on all seven charges brought against him , including racketeering , sex trafficking , extortion , criminal conspiracy and the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl .
`` I was a child .
( He ) robbed me of my youth , '' said the woman during an impact statement at his sentencing hearing .
A total of 15 people -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn court Tuesday while more than 90 victims wrote letters to Judge Nicholas Garaufis .
Nxivm -- pronounced Nexium -- proved a huge draw with its promise of self-improvement courses after Raniere founded the organization in New York state in 1998 .
But Raniere , who was arrested in Mexico in 2018 , swapped the personal development training courses for sex sessions as the head of subgroup of up to 20 women -- the youngest of whom was the 15-year-old .
The dramatic story has been the subject of two screen adaptions : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' docu-series and `` Escaping the Nxivm Cult , '' a 2019 Lisa Robinson film focused on the testimony of a mother working to save her daughter from the organization .
Addressing the court Tuesday , Raniere said he was `` deeply sorry '' for the `` pain and anger '' that his victims had expressed but maintained his innocence .
`` I 'm not remorseful over the charges .
Those are not right , '' he added .
Five other people were charged in the case , and all of them pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- known for her role in `` Smallville '' -- admitted to two counts of racketeering in April 2019 .
The heiress of the Canadian drinks empire Seagram , Clare Bronfman , was sentenced last month after also pleading guilty .
The 41-year-old was accused of using more than $ 100 million of her $ 2.6 billion estimated net worth to fund the group and got more than six years in jail .
Following Raniere 's conviction , New York prosecutor Richard Donoghue said the proceedings `` revealed that Raniere , who portrayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was in fact , a master manipulator , a con-man and the crime boss of a cult-like organization . ''
Prosecutors had called for a life sentence , accusing Raniere of a `` total denial of culpability . ''
Citing post-conviction calls and emails , the prosecution said Raniere presented his organization as a `` good '' thing , wondering `` who will carry forth this burning torch of light ? ''
Raniere 's defense team -- who unsuccessfully asked the jury to focus on whether they saw his actions as legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- had suggested a 15-year jail term would be appropriate .

A "self-help" guru convicted of running a cult-like organisation of sex slaves who were branded with his initials was sentenced to 120 years in prison by a New York judge Tuesday.
Nxivm cult leader Keith Raniere looks on during his sentencing hearing in a sex trafficking and racketeering case inside the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York, US on October 27, 2020 in this courtroom sketch.
Advertising Read more
The effective life sentence for Keith Raniere, 60, comes after he was found guilty of coercing women into having sex with him as the charismatic leader of Nxivm, a life-coaching group that attracted a coterie of rich and famous devotees.
Followers signed up for $5,000, five-day self-help courses, but some were then financially and sexually exploited and forced to follow a restrictive diet, as Raniere -- known as "Vanguard" -- exerted control, his six-week trial heard.
He established a faction within the group called DOS, a pyramid structure in which the women were "slaves" and "Grand Master" Raniere sat at the top.
The "slaves" were made to have sex with Raniere, hand over personal information and compromising photos -- and some of the women were branded like cattle as other members held them down.
Raniere was convicted in June 2019 on all seven charges brought against him, including racketeering, sex trafficking, extortion, criminal conspiracy and the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.
"I was a child. (He) robbed me of my youth," said the woman during an impact statement at his sentencing hearing.
A total of 15 people -- 13 of them women -- addressed the Brooklyn court Tuesday while more than 90 victims wrote letters to Judge Nicholas Garaufis.
Nxivm -- pronounced Nexium -- proved a huge draw with its promise of self-improvement courses after Raniere founded the organisation in New York state in 1998.
But Raniere, who was arrested in Mexico in 2018, swapped the personal development training courses for sex sessions as the head of a subgroup of up to 20 women -- the youngest of whom was the 15-year-old.
Heiress previously sentenced
The dramatic story has been the subject of two screen adaptions: HBO's recently released "The Vow" docu-series and "Escaping the Nxivm Cult," a 2019 Lisa Robinson film focused on the testimony of a mother working to save her daughter from the organization.
Addressing the court Tuesday, Raniere said he was "deeply sorry" for the "pain and anger" that his victims had expressed but maintained his innocence.
"I'm not remorseful over the charges. Those are not right," he added.
Five other people were charged in the case, and all of them pleaded guilty.
German-born American actress Allison Mack -- known for her role in "Smallville" -- admitted to two counts of racketeering in April 2019.
The heiress of the Canadian drinks empire Seagram, Clare Bronfman, was sentenced last month after also pleading guilty.
The 41-year-old was accused of using more than $100 million of her $2.6 billion estimated net worth to fund the group and got more than six years in jail.
Following Raniere's conviction, New York prosecutor Richard Donoghue said the proceedings "revealed that Raniere, who portrayed himself as a savant and a genius, was in fact, a master manipulator, a con-man and the crime boss of a cult-like organization."
Prosecutors had called for a life sentence, accusing Raniere of a "total denial of culpability."
Citing post-conviction calls and emails, the prosecution said Raniere presented his organization as a "good" thing, wondering "who will carry forth this burning torch of light?"
Raniere's defense team -- who unsuccessfully asked the jury to focus on whether they saw his actions as legal, even if they found them immoral -- had suggested a 15-year jail term would be appropriate.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-10-27--Champions League: Manchester City beat tame Marseille 3-0

Manchester City made it two wins from two in their latest bid for Champions League glory as Kevin De Bruyne starred in a straightforward 3-0 win at Marseille on Tuesday .
The English side , who have never reached the semi-finals under Pep Guardiola , sit top of the early Group C table after their opening victory at Porto last week .
The City boss said that his side have to accept recent criticism after only winning two of their five Premier League matches so far this season , but that he was confident they can put together a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Velodrome .
`` Part of the criticism was right , but you 've got to accept it .
It 's part of our job , '' Guardiola told BT Sport .
`` It 's about where we 've come from in the last month , with lack of preparation , injuries and Covid-19 , but the Champions League is in a good place now .
`` I 'm sure we 're going to find that consistency ...
I 'm so satisfied with the way we played . ''
With De Bruyne running the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since returning from injury , City cruised past a largely ineffective Marseille .
Andre-Villas Boas 's men , playing in their first Champions League campaign since 2013 , are rooted to the foot of the group after back-to-back defeats .
The former Chelsea and Tottenham coach cut an agitated figure in his post-match press conference , hitting out at journalists who criticised his decision to start with five defenders .
`` Lorient ( who Marseille beat on Saturday ) and City are not the same thing , '' he said .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I make .
`` City is City -- spent over a billion ( euros ) over years to build this team .
They have a coach who is a phenomenon ... '' Unfortunately , Marseille have no money to bring in Guardiola .
Unfortunately , you have AVB and his tactics . ''
Porto sit second behind City after a 2-0 win over Olympiakos in Group C 's other match on Tuesday and host Marseille next week .
`` It 's another level , you have to be honest , '' Marseille winger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to learn from these matches , we have to improve .
`` The Porto match is a last-chance match .
We have to do better , it 's the Champions League .
It 's been seven years since we took part , we must all learn together . ''
City started with Ferran Torres up front in the absence of injured duo Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus .
The visitors dominated the early stages without creating many clear-cut chances , but were handed the opening goal in the 18th minute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ put De Bruyne in the clear , and the Belgian squared for Torres to slot in his third City goal since signing from Valencia .
City appeared likely to win without any help from their opponents , but Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi contrived to lose the ball inside his own area and was fortunate to see Oleksandr Zinchenko 's effort clip the base of the post .
The home side were much improved after the interval , though , and City goalkeeper Ederson was lucky to fumble a long-range strike from Thauvin onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes of a push for a late OM equaliser were put to bed 14 minutes from time .
Phil Foden stood a high ball up to the back post which Raheem Sterling nodded down for Ilkay Gundogan to score .
It was not long before De Bruyne collected his second assist of the game , as his low pass was tapped home by Sterling .

Manchester City made it two wins from two in their latest bid for Champions League glory as Kevin De Bruyne starred in a straightforward 3-0 win at Marseille on Tuesday.
Olympique de Marseille's Jordan Amavi in action with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille, France on October 27, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The English side, who have never reached the semi-finals under Pep Guardiola, sit top of the early Group C table after their opening victory at Porto last week.
The City boss said that his side have to accept recent criticism after only winning two of their five Premier League matches so far this season, but that he was confident they can put together a strong run after their performance at the Stade Velodrome.
"Part of the criticism was right, but you've got to accept it. It's part of our job," Guardiola told BT Sport.
"It's about where we've come from in the last month, with lack of preparation, injuries and Covid-19, but the Champions League is in a good place now.
"I'm sure we're going to find that consistency... I'm so satisfied with the way we played."
With De Bruyne running the show in midfield on his first start since returning from injury, City cruised past a largely ineffective Marseille.
Andre-Villas Boas's men, playing in their first Champions League campaign since 2013, are rooted to the foot of the group after back-to-back defeats.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham coach cut an agitated figure in his post-match press conference, hitting out at journalists who criticised his decision to start with five defenders.
"Lorient (who Marseille beat on Saturday) and City are not the same thing," he said. "You are starting to criticise all the choices I make.
"City is City -- spent over a billion (euros) over years to build this team. They have a coach who is a phenomenon...
"Unfortunately, Marseille have no money to bring in Guardiola. Unfortunately, you have AVB and his tactics."
Porto sit second behind City after a 2-0 win over Olympiakos in Group C's other match on Tuesday and host Marseille next week.
"It's another level, you have to be honest," Marseille winger Florian Thauvin told RMC Sport.
"We have to learn from these matches, we have to improve.
"The Porto match is a last-chance match. We have to do better, it's the Champions League. It's been seven years since we took part, we must all learn together."
City dominate
City started with Ferran Torres up front in the absence of injured duo Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
The visitors dominated the early stages without creating many clear-cut chances, but were handed the opening goal in the 18th minute.
Marseille midfielder Valentin Rongier's dreadful pass put De Bruyne in the clear, and the Belgian squared for Torres to slot in his third City goal since signing from Valencia.
City appeared likely to win without any help from their opponents, but Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi contrived to lose the ball inside his own area and was fortunate to see Oleksandr Zinchenko's effort clip the base of the post.
The home side were much improved after the interval, though, and City goalkeeper Ederson was lucky to fumble a long-range strike from Thauvin onto his post and behind.
But any hopes of a push for a late OM equaliser were put to bed 14 minutes from time.
Phil Foden stood a high ball up to the back post which Raheem Sterling nodded down for Ilkay Gundogan to score.
It was not long before De Bruyne collected his second assist of the game, as his low pass was tapped home by Sterling.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe