france24--2020-08-20--China faces questions over 'vaccinated' workers sent overseas

China faced demands on Thursday to explain why a state-backed firm claimed it had vaccinated dozens of staff against the coronavirus before sending them back to work at a mine in Papua New Guinea .
The China Metallurgical Group Corporation ( MCC ) -- which controls a major nickel mine in the country -- warned local authorities that 48 staff who returned from China this month may test positive for the virus because they had received a vaccine .
In response , Papua New Guinea authorities called for `` immediate clarification '' from Beijing and blocked a charter flight full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land Thursday .
The pandemic has disrupted operations at several lucrative mines in Papua New Guinea , one of the Pacific 's poorest nations .
While moving its staff into place , MMC 's subsidiary firm Ramu NiCo told Papua New Guinea authorities that any positive coronavirus test results were `` the normal reaction of the vaccination and not due to infection '' , according to a Chinese and English-language statement obtained by AFP .
The 48 members of staff at its multi-billion-dollar mine had `` been vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine '' before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously indicated that it would test vaccines on military personnel and staff at state-backed companies , but it is not clear whether these tests were carried out on workers heading overseas .
`` It takes around seven days to produce antibodies in the vaccine recipient 's body after being vaccinated , '' the statement reads .
`` If they need to be tested again for COVID-19 , it is suggested to be conducted at least seven days after the vaccination date . ''
Papua New Guinea 's pandemic tsar David Manning told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arrival of a flight with around 150 Chinese workers on board due in Port Moresby on Thursday .
`` I am demanding an explanation from the Chinese ambassador as to how this has happened , '' he said .
`` I have written to the Chinese government through the Chinese ambassador -- to explain how these 48 employees of this state company were vaccinated . ''
There are growing concerns that Ramu NiCo staff may have circumvented arrival quarantine procedures , that the vaccinations may have been administered unlawfully in Papua New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Papua New Guinea citizens .
Anyone arriving in Papua New Guinea must receive a coronavirus test before boarding their flight and undergo quarantine on arrival .
In a letter from Manning to the Chinese ambassador , also seen by AFP , he demanded `` immediate clarification '' and stated that Papua New Guinea `` does not currently acknowledge a vaccine '' for coronavirus and will not until national regulators and the World Health Organisation have given their approval .
He also issued a decree banning coronavirus testing , trials and unapproved vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador Xue Bing told AFP : `` We do n't have any comments for the moment .
However , one thing is for sure , China is not doing ( coronavirus ) tests here in PNG . ''
Papua New Guinea -- which has an already under-resourced health sector -- had largely dodged the worst of the virus outbreak until recent weeks .
The country saw 12 new cases on Thursday taking its total to 359 , with 159 active cases amid low rates of testing .
At least three people have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced the closure of major mines including the vast Ok Tedi copper and gold mine .
China 's Ramu NiCo is no stranger to controversy and was temporarily shuttered in late 2019 after spewing slurry into the Bismarck Sea and turning parts of the surrounding coastline ochre red .
Nickel is a highly prized metal widely used in batteries , including for electric cars .

Port Moresby (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
China faced demands on Thursday to explain why a state-backed firm claimed it had vaccinated dozens of staff against the coronavirus before sending them back to work at a mine in Papua New Guinea.
The China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) -- which controls a major nickel mine in the country -- warned local authorities that 48 staff who returned from China this month may test positive for the virus because they had received a vaccine.
In response, Papua New Guinea authorities called for "immediate clarification" from Beijing and blocked a charter flight full of Chinese workers that was due to land Thursday.
The pandemic has disrupted operations at several lucrative mines in Papua New Guinea, one of the Pacific's poorest nations.
While moving its staff into place, MMC's subsidiary firm Ramu NiCo told Papua New Guinea authorities that any positive coronavirus test results were "the normal reaction of the vaccination and not due to infection", according to a Chinese and English-language statement obtained by AFP.
The 48 members of staff at its multi-billion-dollar mine had "been vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine" before their return, it said.
China has previously indicated that it would test vaccines on military personnel and staff at state-backed companies, but it is not clear whether these tests were carried out on workers heading overseas.
"It takes around seven days to produce antibodies in the vaccine recipient's body after being vaccinated," the statement reads.
"If they need to be tested again for COVID-19, it is suggested to be conducted at least seven days after the vaccination date."
Papua New Guinea's pandemic tsar David Manning told AFP he wanted answers and had blocked the arrival of a flight with around 150 Chinese workers on board due in Port Moresby on Thursday.
"I am demanding an explanation from the Chinese ambassador as to how this has happened," he said.
"I have written to the Chinese government through the Chinese ambassador -- to explain how these 48 employees of this state company were vaccinated."
- Call for clarity -
There are growing concerns that Ramu NiCo staff may have circumvented arrival quarantine procedures, that the vaccinations may have been administered unlawfully in Papua New Guinea, or that they were tested on Papua New Guinea citizens.
Anyone arriving in Papua New Guinea must receive a coronavirus test before boarding their flight and undergo quarantine on arrival.
In a letter from Manning to the Chinese ambassador, also seen by AFP, he demanded "immediate clarification" and stated that Papua New Guinea "does not currently acknowledge a vaccine" for coronavirus and will not until national regulators and the World Health Organisation have given their approval.
He also issued a decree banning coronavirus testing, trials and unapproved vaccine treatments in Papua New Guinea.
Chinese ambassador Xue Bing told AFP: "We don't have any comments for the moment. However, one thing is for sure, China is not doing (coronavirus) tests here in PNG."
Papua New Guinea -- which has an already under-resourced health sector -- had largely dodged the worst of the virus outbreak until recent weeks.
The country saw 12 new cases on Thursday taking its total to 359, with 159 active cases amid low rates of testing. At least three people have died from the virus.
Coronavirus clusters recently forced the closure of major mines including the vast Ok Tedi copper and gold mine.
China's Ramu NiCo is no stranger to controversy and was temporarily shuttered in late 2019 after spewing slurry into the Bismarck Sea and turning parts of the surrounding coastline ochre red.
Nickel is a highly prized metal widely used in batteries, including for electric cars.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--China defends Wuhan pool party after viral video prompts outrage

The images of the Wuhan pool party were shared on social media around the world A massive pool party attended by thousands of people at the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic showed how well China had dealt with disease , authorities insisted Thursday , despite images from the event prompting outrage around the world .
Pictures and video of the weekend electronic music party in Wuhan -- where COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019 -- have gone viral , attracting a huge negative response in places where lockdowns are still in effect .
The headline `` Life 's a beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' -- splashed across the front page of Australia 's Daily Telegraph -- was typical of some mainstream news headlines , while comments on social media sites were more colourfully frank .
China 's nationalist Global Times newspaper hit back against what it called `` sour grapes '' abroad .
AFP 's video of the event has been viewed more than 16 million times since it was posted .
One Twitter user called the event `` incredibly irresponsible '' , while another suggested there was `` no way '' it would not lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China said Thursday the pool party showed the city 's `` strategic victory '' against the outbreak , and said the images were proof the country 's approach to controlling the virus had been successful .
`` I saw relevant reports by AFP , and it is said that people in Europe and America were very shocked , '' foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press briefing .
`` This shows that Wuhan has won a strategic victory in its fight against the epidemic , '' he said .
China has come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of the virus , which has infected over 22 million people and killed nearly 800,000 .
Beijing has denied US accusations that China covered up the initial outbreak and handled it badly .
Wuhan has not reported any new virus cases in months after undergoing a draconian lockdown and strict restrictions earlier this year .

Beijing (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A massive pool party attended by thousands of people at the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic showed how well China had dealt with disease, authorities insisted Thursday, despite images from the event prompting outrage around the world.
Pictures and video of the weekend electronic music party in Wuhan -- where COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019 -- have gone viral, attracting a huge negative response in places where lockdowns are still in effect.
The headline "Life's a beach in Wuhan as world pays virus price" -- splashed across the front page of Australia's Daily Telegraph -- was typical of some mainstream news headlines, while comments on social media sites were more colourfully frank.
China's nationalist Global Times newspaper hit back against what it called "sour grapes" abroad.
AFP's video of the event has been viewed more than 16 million times since it was posted.
One Twitter user called the event "incredibly irresponsible", while another suggested there was "no way" it would not lead to more cases of coronavirus.
- Under fire -
But China said Thursday the pool party showed the city's "strategic victory" against the outbreak, and said the images were proof the country's approach to controlling the virus had been successful.
"I saw relevant reports by AFP, and it is said that people in Europe and America were very shocked," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press briefing.
"This shows that Wuhan has won a strategic victory in its fight against the epidemic," he said.
China has come under fire from around the world since the outbreak of the virus, which has infected over 22 million people and killed nearly 800,000.
Beijing has denied US accusations that China covered up the initial outbreak and handled it badly.
Wuhan has not reported any new virus cases in months after undergoing a draconian lockdown and strict restrictions earlier this year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Italian cinema from the comfort of the car

Italian cinema from the comfort of the car Italy , the European nation first hit by the pandemic , is @ @ @ @ @ industry .
FRANCE 24 reports on an initiative to give old drive-in theatres a new @ @ @ @

Italian cinema from the comfort of the car
01:43
Italy, the European nation first hit by the pandemic, is working to save its film industry. FRANCE 24 reports on an initiative to give old drive-in theatres a new lease on life.


france24--2020-08-20--UAE, Israel eye economic benefits of normalisation deal

In celebration of normalisation , Israeli sand sculptor Tzvi Halevi and his brother Yossi build replicas of the UAE 's most distinctive landmarks on the beach in Tel Aviv Hard hit by the coronavirus , the UAE and Israel expect rapid dividends from their normalisation deal , which gives the Jewish state `` kosher '' access to the wealthy Gulf for the first time .
From oil to tourism to cutting edge technologies , the two countries hope to benefit from the ripple effect of their `` historic '' agreement to be signed in three weeks time .
The oil-rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in space and technology , is the first Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel and only the third Arab country to do so after Egypt and Jordan .
Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow in the UAE 's footsteps until Israel has signed a peace accord with the Palestinians .
Economically , `` Israel and the UAE should benefit from this new relationship tremendously , '' says Ellen R. Wald , a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council 's Global Energy Center .
While Israel 's focus will mainly be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UAE is set to invest heavily in Israel 's tourism and high-tech sectors .
Dubai , which has the most diversified economy in the region , saw its GDP contract 3.5 percent in the first quarter following two years of modest growth .
Its Emirates airline , the leader in Middle East aviation , was forced to downsize and cut thousands of jobs .
After years of growth , the Israeli economy is facing a `` severe recession '' , with GDP set to fall by 6.2 percent this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has jumped from 3.4 percent in February to 23.5 percent in May .
`` Israel would benefit greatly if it can purchase UAE oil , and the UAE will benefit if it can sell to a hungry customer , '' said Wald .
Israel wants to attract business for its tourism industry , especially in the Mediterranean metropolis of Tel Aviv , and to attract Muslim visitors to Jerusalem 's Al-Aqsa mosque compound , Islam 's third holiest site .
Currently most of the millions of Israelis who travel abroad each year head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that could now change .
In Israel 's third largest city of Haifa , which has a mixed Arab and Jewish population , travel agency Mirage Tours has already started advertising travel to Dubai with the promise `` soon '' .
`` I get a lot of calls from Arabs and Jews and there 're many Jews who ask me for a seat when there is a first flight , '' said owner George Muhashim .
Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994 but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries , with which the Jewish state fought bitter and bloody wars in the past .
The UAE , however , is a dream destination Muhashim says .
On Sunday , Israel 's Channel 12 television reported that the economy ministry had estimated exports to the UAE could reach between $ 300 million and $ 500 million a year .
UAE investments in Israel were predicted to amount to up to $ 350 million a year .
The sectors expected to gain the most were cyber industries , medical equipment , financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Emiratis admire Israeli competitive advantage and know-how in the cyber and high-tech sectors and they absolutely want to get access to said know-how , as a very forward-looking leadership , '' said Cinzia Bianco , a research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations .
Over the past 20 years , the Israeli foreign ministry has helped `` more than 500 Israeli companies who wanted to do business with companies in the Gulf states , resulting in deals worth millions of dollars , '' an official in Jerusalem said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to last Thursday 's announcement , business was done discreetly , according to Erel Margalit , head of Israeli investment company JVP - which specialises in innovation and cyber security .
`` But now it 's all 'kosher ' ... we shall have a more direct relationship and things will move faster , '' he told AFP .
Israelis would occasionally meet Emiratis at international fairs or use employees with non-Israeli passports to travel there but products could not be identified as made in Israel .
Small Israeli start-up Bo & Bo Ltd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute its advanced physiotherapy equipment in the UAE through third parties .
`` It was a huge headache as you had to manufacture it in a different country , '' co-founder Gadi Nir told AFP .
Since last week 's normalisation announcement , things have accelerated , with Bo & Bo having negotiated a first contract in the UAE to distribute its `` Made in Israel '' products there over the next three years .
But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging and direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai or Abu Dhabi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing ceremony is to take place on Zoom .

Dubai (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Hard hit by the coronavirus, the UAE and Israel expect rapid dividends from their normalisation deal, which gives the Jewish state "kosher" access to the wealthy Gulf for the first time.
From oil to tourism to cutting edge technologies, the two countries hope to benefit from the ripple effect of their "historic" agreement to be signed in three weeks time.
The oil-rich United Arab Emirates, with big ambitions in space and technology, is the first Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel and only the third Arab country to do so after Egypt and Jordan.
Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow in the UAE's footsteps until Israel has signed a peace accord with the Palestinians.
Economically, "Israel and the UAE should benefit from this new relationship tremendously," says Ellen R. Wald, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center.
While Israel's focus will mainly be on the Gulf state's oil wealth, the UAE is set to invest heavily in Israel's tourism and high-tech sectors.
- 'Hungry customer' -
Dubai, which has the most diversified economy in the region, saw its GDP contract 3.5 percent in the first quarter following two years of modest growth.
Its Emirates airline, the leader in Middle East aviation, was forced to downsize and cut thousands of jobs.
After years of growth, the Israeli economy is facing a "severe recession", with GDP set to fall by 6.2 percent this year, according to official projections, while unemployment has jumped from 3.4 percent in February to 23.5 percent in May.
Normalisation could boost recovery.
"Israel would benefit greatly if it can purchase UAE oil, and the UAE will benefit if it can sell to a hungry customer," said Wald.
Israel wants to attract business for its tourism industry, especially in the Mediterranean metropolis of Tel Aviv, and to attract Muslim visitors to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site.
Currently most of the millions of Israelis who travel abroad each year head to Europe or the United States, but that could now change.
In Israel's third largest city of Haifa, which has a mixed Arab and Jewish population, travel agency Mirage Tours has already started advertising travel to Dubai with the promise "soon".
"I get a lot of calls from Arabs and Jews and there're many Jews who ask me for a seat when there is a first flight," said owner George Muhashim.
Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994 but some of his customers are nervous about visiting two countries, with which the Jewish state fought bitter and bloody wars in the past.
The UAE, however, is a dream destination Muhashim says.
- 'Kosher' -
On Sunday, Israel's Channel 12 television reported that the economy ministry had estimated exports to the UAE could reach between $300 million and $500 million a year.
UAE investments in Israel were predicted to amount to up to $350 million a year.
The sectors expected to gain the most were cyber industries, medical equipment, financial technology and communications, the report said.
"The Emiratis admire Israeli competitive advantage and know-how in the cyber and high-tech sectors and they absolutely want to get access to said know-how, as a very forward-looking leadership," said Cinzia Bianco, a research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Over the past 20 years, the Israeli foreign ministry has helped "more than 500 Israeli companies who wanted to do business with companies in the Gulf states, resulting in deals worth millions of dollars," an official in Jerusalem said, on condition of anonymity.
Prior to last Thursday's announcement, business was done discreetly, according to Erel Margalit, head of Israeli investment company JVP - which specialises in innovation and cyber security.
"But now it's all 'kosher'... we shall have a more direct relationship and things will move faster," he told AFP.
- 'Headache' -
Israelis would occasionally meet Emiratis at international fairs or use employees with non-Israeli passports to travel there but products could not be identified as made in Israel.
Small Israeli start-up Bo&Bo Ltd had for two years been trying to distribute its advanced physiotherapy equipment in the UAE through third parties.
"It was a huge headache as you had to manufacture it in a different country," co-founder Gadi Nir told AFP.
Since last week's normalisation announcement, things have accelerated, with Bo&Bo having negotiated a first contract in the UAE to distribute its "Made in Israel" products there over the next three years.
But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging and direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai or Abu Dhabi yet to become reality, the contract signing ceremony is to take place on Zoom.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Snapback setback for US, as UN questions Iran sanctions move

Snapback setback for US , as UN questions Iran sanctions move The US is attempting to reinstate sanctions against Iran @ @ @ @ @ in the Iran nuclear deal .
The move has met opposition , even from Iran @ @ @ @ @ , who say the move lacks a legal basis given the US is no longer @ @ @ @ @

Snapback setback for US, as UN questions Iran sanctions move
01:48
The US is attempting to reinstate sanctions against Iran, using a clause embedded in the Iran nuclear deal. The move has met opposition, even from Iran critics such as John Bolton, who say the move lacks a legal basis given the US is no longer party to the treaty.


france24--2020-08-20--Alexei Navalny: the charismatic campaigner who takes on Putin

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has often been jailed and physically attacked A charismatic anti-corruption campaigner , Alexei Navalny has been Russia 's leading opposition politician for around a decade , determined to challenge Vladimir Putin 's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health .
The Yale-educated 44-year-old lawyer -- who was in intensive care in a Siberian hospital on Thursday after allies claimed he was poisoned -- has been banned from state television and was barred from challenging Putin in the 2018 presidential election .
He has often been jailed and physically attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his efforts .
Navalny has won a young fan base through viral videos exposing corruption among the elites and has more than two million followers on Twitter .
He has grabbed attention with his uncompromising rhetoric and coined phrases such as the `` party of crooks and thieves '' to slam the ruling United Russia party .
In 2011 , the anti-corruption blogger led mass protests when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against vote-rigging in parliamentary elections .
Two years later the father-of-two stood for Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Sobyanin .
In 2017 , he accused then-prime minister Dmitry Medvedev of massive corruption in a YouTube documentary .
That kick-started a fresh wave of protests across the country that was met with police violence and mass arrests .
The same year he had to travel to Spain for surgery after one of several street attacks left him nearly blind in one eye .
Navalny has faced a series of legal cases , which supporters see as punishment for his activism .
In 2013 , he was found guilty in an embezzlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a five-year suspended sentence that disqualified him from standing for public office .
In 2014 , he was given another suspended sentence , and his brother Oleg , a co-defendant , was jailed for three-and-a-half years in a decision activists compared to a `` hostage-taking '' .
Navalny has said he learnt about political campaigning from watching the US television series `` House of Cards '' and once listed Hollywood actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger among his personal heroes .
Navalny toured Russia ahead of the 2018 presidential election in an American-style campaign to rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tightly controlling the media , he still remains a fringe figure for many Russians , who are exposed to the official portrayal of him as a Western stooge and convicted criminal .
Putin has refused to pronounce Navalny 's name in public , instead referring to him as `` the person you mentioned '' , among other euphemisms , when asked directly about the opposition leader .
While barred from mainstream politics , Navalny has kept trying to expose the lavish wealth of Russia 's elites , broadcasting the findings of his investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and YouTube .
Trawling through land registries and the filings of offshore companies , Navalny and his team have helped lay bare the mansions and hidden fortunes of high-ranking officials .
Among Navalny 's most eye-catching exposes have been details on the palatial homes of Putin 's allies in Russia and abroad -- including one kitted out with a vast climate-controlled storage room for fur coats .
But despite tapping into discontent among a largely young urban middle class he is far from a unifying opposition figure and some have criticised his anti-immigrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent success in local elections last year , when pro-Putin parties suffered losses because of a `` Smart Voting '' plan Navalny put forward after his allies were barred from standing in several races .
The tactic -- which called for voters to support the one opposition candidate most likely to defeat the ruling party -- saw Kremlin-backed lawmakers drop from 38 out of 45 seats in the Moscow city assembly to 25 .
In the year since the elections , Navalny 's offices have been raided repeatedly , while his Anti-Corruption Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ordered to pay several large fines .
Navalny was travelling the country to promote the tactical voting strategy in this September 's regional elections when he fell ill and his plane made an emergency landing in the city of Omsk .

Moscow (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A charismatic anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny has been Russia's leading opposition politician for around a decade, determined to challenge Vladimir Putin's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health.
The Yale-educated 44-year-old lawyer -- who was in intensive care in a Siberian hospital on Thursday after allies claimed he was poisoned -- has been banned from state television and was barred from challenging Putin in the 2018 presidential election.
He has often been jailed and physically attacked, but has vowed to press ahead with his efforts.
Navalny has won a young fan base through viral videos exposing corruption among the elites and has more than two million followers on Twitter.
He has grabbed attention with his uncompromising rhetoric and coined phrases such as the "party of crooks and thieves" to slam the ruling United Russia party.
In 2011, the anti-corruption blogger led mass protests when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against vote-rigging in parliamentary elections.
Two years later the father-of-two stood for Moscow mayor, coming second against Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin.
In 2017, he accused then-prime minister Dmitry Medvedev of massive corruption in a YouTube documentary. That kick-started a fresh wave of protests across the country that was met with police violence and mass arrests.
The same year he had to travel to Spain for surgery after one of several street attacks left him nearly blind in one eye.
- Brother jailed -
Navalny has faced a series of legal cases, which supporters see as punishment for his activism.
In 2013, he was found guilty in an embezzlement case involving a timber deal and given a five-year suspended sentence that disqualified him from standing for public office.
In 2014, he was given another suspended sentence, and his brother Oleg, a co-defendant, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in a decision activists compared to a "hostage-taking".
Navalny has said he learnt about political campaigning from watching the US television series "House of Cards" and once listed Hollywood actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger among his personal heroes.
Navalny toured Russia ahead of the 2018 presidential election in an American-style campaign to rally his supporters.
But with the Kremlin tightly controlling the media, he still remains a fringe figure for many Russians, who are exposed to the official portrayal of him as a Western stooge and convicted criminal.
Putin has refused to pronounce Navalny's name in public, instead referring to him as "the person you mentioned", among other euphemisms, when asked directly about the opposition leader.
- Eye-catching exposes -
While barred from mainstream politics, Navalny has kept trying to expose the lavish wealth of Russia's elites, broadcasting the findings of his investigations to millions of Russians on social media and YouTube.
Trawling through land registries and the filings of offshore companies, Navalny and his team have helped lay bare the mansions and hidden fortunes of high-ranking officials.
Among Navalny's most eye-catching exposes have been details on the palatial homes of Putin's allies in Russia and abroad -- including one kitted out with a vast climate-controlled storage room for fur coats.
But despite tapping into discontent among a largely young urban middle class he is far from a unifying opposition figure and some have criticised his anti-immigrant nationalist stance.
He scored his biggest recent success in local elections last year, when pro-Putin parties suffered losses because of a "Smart Voting" plan Navalny put forward after his allies were barred from standing in several races.
The tactic -- which called for voters to support the one opposition candidate most likely to defeat the ruling party -- saw Kremlin-backed lawmakers drop from 38 out of 45 seats in the Moscow city assembly to 25.
In the year since the elections, Navalny's offices have been raided repeatedly, while his Anti-Corruption Foundation was declared a "foreign agent" and ordered to pay several large fines.
Navalny was travelling the country to promote the tactical voting strategy in this September's regional elections when he fell ill and his plane made an emergency landing in the city of Omsk.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Thailand ups pressure on protesters with flurry of arrests

Thailand has seen near-daily rallies for over a month with some 20,000 turning out at the weekend to vent their anger at the military-aligned government and call for discussions about the royal family 's role Thai police Thursday arrested several more prominent activists involved in the kingdom 's young pro-democracy movement , which is demanding an overhaul of the government and breaking taboos by calling for reforms to the monarchy .
Thailand has seen near-daily rallies for over a month with some 20,000 turning out at the weekend to vent their anger at the military-aligned government and call for discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overnight , police detained three key activists before taking five more into custody Thursday morning , including two outspoken rap stars -- taking the total to 11 arrests .
Four further arrest warrants had been issued , police told reporters Thursday .
Those detained had `` all joined the protest on 18 July , '' said Karoon Hosakul , an MP from the opposition Pheu Thai party , referring to a demonstration in Bangkok that kicked off the wave of rallies .
They all face eight charges , including sedition , he confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( RAD ) and Thanayut Na Ayutthaya , better known as rapper `` Elevenfinger '' , both performed on stage at the event .
RAD 's track `` What My Country 's Got ? ''
-- an indictment of military oppression -- has racked up more than 87 million views since its release ahead of last year 's election .
The poll saw ex-army chief and mastermind of the 2014 coup Prayut Chan-O-Cha sweep to power .
But protesters say the vote was stacked in his favour thanks to a constitution scripted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding parliament be dissolved and the constitution rewritten .
Thursday 's detentions came after the re-arrest late Wednesday of human rights lawyer Anon Numpa for his participation at another protest on August 3 .
He was one of the first activists to openly discuss reforming the monarchy at the Harry Potter-themed event .
The movement is calling for greater transparency of palace finances and for a controversial royal defamation law -- which carries jail sentences of up to 15 years -- to be scrapped .
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is hugely powerful , supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's billionaire clans .
Since he ascended the throne in 2016 , he has made unprecedented changes to the institution -- including amassing direct control of the palace 's fortune , which is estimated to be worth up to $ 60 billion .
Many of Thailand 's high school students have taken up the pro-democracy fight , tying white bows in their hair and on backpacks in solidarity with the cause .
So far no activists have been charged under the lese-majeste law , but their perceived affront to the monarchy has triggered @ @ @ @ @ @

Bangkok (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Thai police Thursday arrested several more prominent activists involved in the kingdom's young pro-democracy movement, which is demanding an overhaul of the government and breaking taboos by calling for reforms to the monarchy.
Thailand has seen near-daily rallies for over a month with some 20,000 turning out at the weekend to vent their anger at the military-aligned government and call for discussions about the royal family's role.
Overnight, police detained three key activists before taking five more into custody Thursday morning, including two outspoken rap stars -- taking the total to 11 arrests.
Four further arrest warrants had been issued, police told reporters Thursday.
Those detained had "all joined the protest on 18 July," said Karoon Hosakul, an MP from the opposition Pheu Thai party, referring to a demonstration in Bangkok that kicked off the wave of rallies.
They all face eight charges, including sedition, he confirmed.
Dechatorn Bamrungmuang from Rap Against Dictatorship (RAD) and Thanayut Na Ayutthaya, better known as rapper "Elevenfinger", both performed on stage at the event.
RAD's track "What My Country's Got?" -- an indictment of military oppression -- has racked up more than 87 million views since its release ahead of last year's election.
The poll saw ex-army chief and mastermind of the 2014 coup Prayut Chan-O-Cha sweep to power.
But protesters say the vote was stacked in his favour thanks to a constitution scripted by the military in 2017.
They are demanding parliament be dissolved and the constitution rewritten.
Thursday's detentions came after the re-arrest late Wednesday of human rights lawyer Anon Numpa for his participation at another protest on August 3.
He was one of the first activists to openly discuss reforming the monarchy at the Harry Potter-themed event.
The movement is calling for greater transparency of palace finances and for a controversial royal defamation law -- which carries jail sentences of up to 15 years -- to be scrapped.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is hugely powerful, supported by the arch-royalist military and the country's billionaire clans.
Since he ascended the throne in 2016, he has made unprecedented changes to the institution -- including amassing direct control of the palace's fortune, which is estimated to be worth up to $60 billion.
Many of Thailand's high school students have taken up the pro-democracy fight, tying white bows in their hair and on backpacks in solidarity with the cause.
So far no activists have been charged under the lese-majeste law, but their perceived affront to the monarchy has triggered several smaller counter-demonstrations by royalists.
burs-rs/rma
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--DNC showcases 'power of Democratic Party women'

FRANCE 24 correspondent Kethevane Gorjestani says the penultimate night of the Democratic National Convention covered climate change , gun control @ @ @ @ @ , but was also a showcase of the power of the women of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ speech from vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris .

DNC showcases 'power of Democratic Party women'
01:26
FRANCE 24 correspondent Kethevane Gorjestani says the penultimate night of the Democratic National Convention covered climate change, gun control, immigration and the economy, but was also a showcase of the power of the women of the Democratic Party, culminating in a speech from vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.


france24--2020-08-20--The colonel who overthrew Mali's president

Military in Mali are calling on people to carry on as normal , promising to work quickly towards fresh elections @ @ @ @ @ in Bamako on Friday , to celebrate , they say , the people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , chairman of the National Salvation Committee , has declared himself head of the junta @

The colonel who overthrew Mali's president
01:55
Military in Mali are calling on people to carry on as normal, promising to work quickly towards fresh elections and planning a patriotic rally in Bamako on Friday, to celebrate, they say, the people’s victory. Colonel Assimi Goita, chairman of the National Salvation Committee, has declared himself head of the junta.


france24--2020-08-21--Bolivia probes alleged Morales affair with minor

Former president of Bolivia Evo Morales , pictured in February 2020 , is accused of having an alleged sexual relationship with a minor Bolivia 's justice ministry has filed a criminal complaint against 60-year-old former president Evo Morales over an alleged sexual relationship with a minor , Deputy Minister Guido Melgar said Thursday .
`` The Justice Ministry has filed a complaint against citizen Juan Evo Morales Ayma for the crimes of statutory rape and human trafficking , '' Melgar told a press conference in La Paz .
The move comes several days after the alleged relationship came to light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman have been published in Bolivian newspapers and on social media in recent days .
The woman , now age 19 and identified by Melgar only by the initials N.M. , was reported to be a minor when the relationship began .
Melgar said photos taken from a cell phone belonging to one of the woman 's relatives show her while on trips with Morales , who was president of Bolivia from 2006-2019 .
`` The curious thing here is that she was a minor at the time and as we all know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she needed her parents ' permission , '' he said .
The former leftist president has lived in Argentina since the end of last year after resigning amid protests after claiming re-election for a controversial fourth term .
The woman is reported to have flown to see Morales after he had fled to Mexico , and later when he settled in Argentina .
Melgar first revealed his ministry was investigating the alleged relationship on Monday .
The crime of rape is punishable under Bolivian law by between two and six years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by up to 15 years ' imprisonment .
Morales , single and a father of two , was reported in 2016 to be in a relationship with Gabriela Zapata , head of a Chinese company awarded Bolivian state contracts worth millions of dollars .
Bolivia 's right-wing interim government has launched several investigations into Morales , including charges of sedition and terrorism for his role in the violence that occurred in the wake of the elections .
Neither Morales nor his Movement for Socialism ( MAS ) party have commented on the new @ @

La Paz (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Bolivia's justice ministry has filed a criminal complaint against 60-year-old former president Evo Morales over an alleged sexual relationship with a minor, Deputy Minister Guido Melgar said Thursday.
"The Justice Ministry has filed a complaint against citizen Juan Evo Morales Ayma for the crimes of statutory rape and human trafficking," Melgar told a press conference in La Paz.
The move comes several days after the alleged relationship came to light. Photographs showing Morales with a young woman have been published in Bolivian newspapers and on social media in recent days.
The woman, now age 19 and identified by Melgar only by the initials N.M., was reported to be a minor when the relationship began.
Melgar said photos taken from a cell phone belonging to one of the woman's relatives show her while on trips with Morales, who was president of Bolivia from 2006-2019.
"The curious thing here is that she was a minor at the time and as we all know, for a minor to travel, she needed her parents' permission," he said.
The former leftist president has lived in Argentina since the end of last year after resigning amid protests after claiming re-election for a controversial fourth term.
The woman is reported to have flown to see Morales after he had fled to Mexico, and later when he settled in Argentina.
Melgar first revealed his ministry was investigating the alleged relationship on Monday.
The crime of rape is punishable under Bolivian law by between two and six years in prison, and the crime of human trafficking by up to 15 years' imprisonment.
Morales, single and a father of two, was reported in 2016 to be in a relationship with Gabriela Zapata, head of a Chinese company awarded Bolivian state contracts worth millions of dollars.
Bolivia's right-wing interim government has launched several investigations into Morales, including charges of sedition and terrorism for his role in the violence that occurred in the wake of the elections.
Neither Morales nor his Movement for Socialism (MAS) party have commented on the new accusations.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-21--Indigenous protesters block key Brazil highway over country’s Covid-19 response

Members of the Kayapo indigenous group block highway BR-163 during a protest in Para State , Brazil , on August 20 , 2020 against the country ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Armed with spears and bows , dozens of indigenous protesters in Brazil vowed Thursday to maintain a roadblock on a key highway until the authorities listen to their demands for help fighting Covid-19 and deforestation .
Members of the Kayapo Mekranoti ethnic group have been blocking highway BR-163 through the Amazon since Monday outside the northern town of Novo Progresso .
But they vowed that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let truckers through , as they had done for the past two days .
“ We ’ re going to stay right here until the government sends its representatives to talk with us , ” one protest leader , Mudjere Kayapo , told AFP .
The highway is the main artery to ship corn and soybeans , two of Brazil ’ s main exports , from the country ’ s central-western agricultural heartland .
A federal judge has ordered the protesters to stand down , citing the economic damage they are inflicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has ordered the federal police to remove the protesters if they do not comply .
The Kayapo Mekranoti warned that would lead to violence .
“ We do not want to fight .
But we will not accept the army or police coming here and removing us by force .
If that happens , there will be blood spilled on the asphalt , ” they said in a letter to the government ’ s indigenous affairs office , FUNAI .
Wearing feather headdresses and body paint , the protesters burned a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and calling for patience on others .
The Kayapo Mekranoti are demanding far-right President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s government release funds they say they are owed for environmental damage the highway caused to their land .
They also want help fighting illegal mining , deforestation and the new coronavirus , which has hit especially hard among indigenous people in the region .
In Brazil , the country with the second-biggest Covid-19 death toll worldwide after the United States , 26,000 indigenous people have been infected and 690 have died in the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association ( APIB ) .
“ Our rights are being violated , ” the protesters said .
“ Indigenous health is growing more fragile by the day ... We are here to defend the Amazon and protect our territory .
But the government wants to open indigenous lands to illegal projects , including mining , logging and ranching .
”

Armed with spears and bows, dozens of indigenous protesters in Brazil vowed Thursday to maintain a roadblock on a key highway until the authorities listen to their demands for help fighting Covid-19 and deforestation.
Members of the Kayapo Mekranoti, an indigenous ethnic group, block highway BR-163 during a protest in Para State, Brazil on August 20, 2020 against the country’s response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Advertising Read more
Members of the Kayapo Mekranoti ethnic group have been blocking highway BR-163 through the Amazon since Monday outside the northern town of Novo Progresso.
But they vowed that they would no longer lift their blockade periodically to let truckers through, as they had done for the past two days.
“We’re going to stay right here until the government sends its representatives to talk with us,” one protest leader, Mudjere Kayapo, told AFP.
The highway is the main artery to ship corn and soybeans, two of Brazil’s main exports, from the country’s central-western agricultural heartland.
A federal judge has ordered the protesters to stand down, citing the economic damage they are inflicting.
She rejected an appeal Wednesday, and has ordered the federal police to remove the protesters if they do not comply.
The Kayapo Mekranoti warned that would lead to violence.
“We do not want to fight. But we will not accept the army or police coming here and removing us by force. If that happens, there will be blood spilled on the asphalt,” they said in a letter to the government’s indigenous affairs office, FUNAI.
Wearing feather headdresses and body paint, the protesters burned a letter from FUNAI rejecting some of their demands and calling for patience on others.
>> Chief Aritana, influential indigenous leader in Brazil, dies of Covid-19
The Kayapo Mekranoti are demanding far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s government release funds they say they are owed for environmental damage the highway caused to their land.
They also want help fighting illegal mining, deforestation and the new coronavirus, which has hit especially hard among indigenous people in the region.
In Brazil, the country with the second-biggest Covid-19 death toll worldwide after the United States, 26,000 indigenous people have been infected and 690 have died in the pandemic, according to the Brazilian Indigenous Peoples’ Association (APIB).
“Our rights are being violated,” the protesters said.
“Indigenous health is growing more fragile by the day... We are here to defend the Amazon and protect our territory. But the government wants to open indigenous lands to illegal projects, including mining, logging and ranching.”
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-08-21--Coronavirus bites back in Europe as Latin America tops 250,000 deaths

Italy registered 845 new cases on Thursday , its highest daily tally since May Global health authorities said Thursday European countries should be able to ride out a surge in coronavirus cases without reimposing full lockdowns , as the World Bank warned the crisis could push 100 million people into extreme poverty .
Worrying spikes in cases reported Thursday in France , Italy , Spain and Germany showed the pandemic was rebounding across the continent -- often due to travel , summer holidays and parties .
While Italy registered 845 new cases on Thursday , its highest daily tally since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a massive increase on the previous day .
Spain 's daily increases topped even those of France , and Germany was concerned about its own resurgence .
Despite the rise in cases , a top World Health Organization official said additional lockdowns should not be necessary .
`` With the basic nationwide and additional targeted measures , we are in a much better position to stamp out these localized virus flare-ups , '' the head of the WHO 's European branch , Hans Kluge , told reporters .
`` We can manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an education system in operation , '' he added .
The coronavirus pandemic may have driven as many as 100 million people back into extreme poverty , World Bank President David Malpass warned Thursday in an interview with AFP .
The Washington-based development lender previously estimated that 60 million people would fall into extreme poverty , but the new estimate puts the deterioration at 70 to 100 million , and he said `` that number could go higher '' if the pandemic worsens or drags on , which is possible .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Latin America surged past 250,000 .
Nine months after the virus began sweeping across the world from China last December , the pandemic has hit the Americas harder than anywhere else .
Latin America and the Caribbean recorded nearly 6.5 million infections and 250,969 deaths by 2200 GMT Thursday , according to an AFP tally based on official national figures .
Globally , the virus has claimed at least 788,242 lives .
Brazil is the region 's worst-affected country with 3.5 million cases and more than 112,000 deaths .
The South American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States as the world 's worst-hit country .
Peru , where figures released Thursday showed a 30 percent fall in GDP in the second quarter , has registered more than 26,000 deaths .
The crushing economic damage has sprung not just from the virus itself but also from the lockdowns that largely halted business activity across the world .
The United States -- where 174,000 people have died -- continues to bear the brunt in health terms and is suffering grim economic fallout .
The number of Americans filing claims for joblessness each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said on Thursday , an increase on the previous week 's figures .
Germany will need to take on yet more debt in 2021 to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on the economy , Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said .
`` Next year we will continue to be forced to suspend the debt rule and spend considerable funds to protect the health of citizens and stabilise the economy , '' Scholz said in an interview with the Funke media group , referring to Germany 's cherished policy of keeping a balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trillion euros in aid to shield companies and citizens in Europe 's top economy from the pandemic fallout , including through loans , grants and subsidised shorter-hours programmes .
Worrying trends emerged in India as a new study suggested more than a quarter of Delhi 's 20 million people may have been infected without showing symptoms -- backing up several similar studies .
The figures added urgency to the desperate bid to find a vaccine for the virus , which has infected more than 22 million and killed hundreds of thousands since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Russia announced on Thursday it was pushing forward with testing on more than 40,000 people of its candidate drug , known as Sputnik V , which has already been hailed by Russian officials as a success even as experts questioned the rigour of the testing regime .
Several drugs are approaching the mass-testing phase , and countries around the world have been pre-ordering many millions of doses .
The EU said on Thursday it had concluded talks with a German pharmaceutical firm to secure 225 million doses of a potential vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reached .
`` This will not solve the problems of the next few weeks , but of the next few months , '' he said .
However , while a vaccine remains elusive , governments are left trying to control the spread through social-distancing measures , quarantines , travel bans and restrictions on businesses .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Global health authorities said Thursday European countries should be able to ride out a surge in coronavirus cases without reimposing full lockdowns, as the World Bank warned the crisis could push 100 million people into extreme poverty.
Worrying spikes in cases reported Thursday in France, Italy, Spain and Germany showed the pandemic was rebounding across the continent -- often due to travel, summer holidays and parties.
While Italy registered 845 new cases on Thursday, its highest daily tally since May, France reported 4,700 fresh infections -- a massive increase on the previous day. Spain's daily increases topped even those of France, and Germany was concerned about its own resurgence.
Despite the rise in cases, a top World Health Organization official said additional lockdowns should not be necessary.
"With the basic nationwide and additional targeted measures, we are in a much better position to stamp out these localized virus flare-ups," the head of the WHO's European branch, Hans Kluge, told reporters.
"We can manage the virus and keep the economy running and an education system in operation," he added.
The coronavirus pandemic may have driven as many as 100 million people back into extreme poverty, World Bank President David Malpass warned Thursday in an interview with AFP.
The Washington-based development lender previously estimated that 60 million people would fall into extreme poverty, but the new estimate puts the deterioration at 70 to 100 million, and he said "that number could go higher" if the pandemic worsens or drags on, which is possible.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus in Latin America surged past 250,000.
Nine months after the virus began sweeping across the world from China last December, the pandemic has hit the Americas harder than anywhere else.
Latin America and the Caribbean recorded nearly 6.5 million infections and 250,969 deaths by 2200 GMT Thursday, according to an AFP tally based on official national figures. Globally, the virus has claimed at least 788,242 lives.
Brazil is the region's worst-affected country with 3.5 million cases and more than 112,000 deaths.
The South American giant is second only to the United States as the world's worst-hit country.
Peru, where figures released Thursday showed a 30 percent fall in GDP in the second quarter, has registered more than 26,000 deaths.
- Economic toll -
The crushing economic damage has sprung not just from the virus itself but also from the lockdowns that largely halted business activity across the world.
The United States -- where 174,000 people have died -- continues to bear the brunt in health terms and is suffering grim economic fallout.
The number of Americans filing claims for joblessness each week topped one million again, US officials said on Thursday, an increase on the previous week's figures.
Germany will need to take on yet more debt in 2021 to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said.
"Next year we will continue to be forced to suspend the debt rule and spend considerable funds to protect the health of citizens and stabilise the economy," Scholz said in an interview with the Funke media group, referring to Germany's cherished policy of keeping a balanced budget.
The government has pledged over a trillion euros in aid to shield companies and citizens in Europe's top economy from the pandemic fallout, including through loans, grants and subsidised shorter-hours programmes.
- Vaccine hopes -
Worrying trends emerged in India as a new study suggested more than a quarter of Delhi's 20 million people may have been infected without showing symptoms -- backing up several similar studies.
The figures added urgency to the desperate bid to find a vaccine for the virus, which has infected more than 22 million and killed hundreds of thousands since it first emerged in China late last year.
Russia announced on Thursday it was pushing forward with testing on more than 40,000 people of its candidate drug, known as Sputnik V, which has already been hailed by Russian officials as a success even as experts questioned the rigour of the testing regime.
Several drugs are approaching the mass-testing phase, and countries around the world have been pre-ordering many millions of doses.
The EU said on Thursday it had concluded talks with a German pharmaceutical firm to secure 225 million doses of a potential vaccine -- the fourth such agreement the bloc has reached.
"This will not solve the problems of the next few weeks, but of the next few months," he said.
However, while a vaccine remains elusive, governments are left trying to control the spread through social-distancing measures, quarantines, travel bans and restrictions on businesses.
burs-db/ft
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-21--Facebook says it's fielding questions by US regulators

According to Politico Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days Facebook on Thursday said its executives are fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission on an antitrust fact-finding mission .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days this week , news website Politico reported , citing unnamed people familiar with the case .
`` We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission 's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have , '' a Facebook spokesperson said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
FTC investigations do no always lead to lawsuits .
Last month Zuckerberg plus CEOs Tim Cook of Apple , Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google were grilled for more than five hours in an unprecedented joint appearance -- by video -- before a House of Representatives panel investigating market dominance .
The head of a US congressional antitrust committee contended that the companies are too powerful and will likely emerge from the coronavirus pandemic even stronger .
`` Simply put , they have too much power , '' House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Whether it 's through self-preferencing , predatory pricing , or requiring users to buy additional products , the dominant platforms have wielded their power in destructive , harmful ways in order to expand , '' the Democrat from Rhode Island said .

San Francisco (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Facebook on Thursday said its executives are fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission on an antitrust fact-finding mission.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days this week, news website Politico reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the case.
"We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have," a Facebook spokesperson said, declining to confirm whether Zuckerberg gave testimony.
FTC investigations do no always lead to lawsuits.
Last month Zuckerberg plus CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google were grilled for more than five hours in an unprecedented joint appearance -- by video -- before a House of Representatives panel investigating market dominance.
The head of a US congressional antitrust committee contended that the companies are too powerful and will likely emerge from the coronavirus pandemic even stronger.
"Simply put, they have too much power," House Judiciary Antitrust subcommittee chair David Cicilline said.
"Whether it's through self-preferencing, predatory pricing, or requiring users to buy additional products, the dominant platforms have wielded their power in destructive, harmful ways in order to expand," the Democrat from Rhode Island said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--'Laser' Robinson leads Heat over Pacers, Rockets silence Thunder

Miami guard Duncan Robinson went 7-of-8 from 3-point range for a game-high 24 points Thursday as the Heat defeated Indiana Pacers 109-100 in an NBA playoff game .
Robinson 's sizzling shooting from beyond the arc powered the Heat to a 2-0 lead in their first-round best-of-seven series against the Pacers , with game three set for Saturday .
The Houston Rockets also grabbed a 2-0 series lead , roaring past the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-98 .
`` You see some go early , the hoop starts to look a little bigger , '' said Robinson .
`` We wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency and I thought we did that .
Game three ... is going to require that same level of passion . ''
Robinson made his first six shots and matched a club one-game playoff record with seven 3-pointers '' He 's an elite shooter , a laser out there on the perimeter , '' Pacers coach Nate McMillan said .
`` He made us pay every time he had an open look . ''
The Heat went 18-of-35 from 3-point range , setting a new team playoff record for 3-pointers thanks to Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly persistent , '' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said .
`` He has got a lot of grit to him . ''
`` He just hit some tough shots , '' Indiana 's Myles Turner said .
`` Stuff like that you just have to tip your cap .
They got hot . ''
Slovenian guard Goran Dragic added 20 points and Jimmy Butler contributed 18 for the Heat , who made 18-of-35 3-pointers in the COVID-19 quarantine bubble without fans at Walt Disney World in Orlando , Florida .
`` They got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' McMillan said .
`` Dragic took over in that third quarter for some big plays . ''
Indiana 's Victor Oladipo , who missed much of the opener after being poked in the eye , led the Pacers with 22 points while Turner and Malcolm Brogdon each added 17 in a losing cause .
`` We ca n't get discouraged , '' Oladipo said .
`` We have to keep our confidence and things will open up for us .
Series ai n't over .
It 's 0-2 but it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Houston , still playing without injured point guard Russell Westbrook , triumphed despite an off-shooting night for star James Harden , who connected on just 5-of-16 shots from the floor on the way to 21 points .
But seven Rockets players scored in double figures and Houston made 19 of their NBA playoff-record 56 three-point attempts to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference clash .
`` Could n't make a shot , but I 'm more than just a shot-maker , '' Harden said .
`` I just tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things to impact the game . ''
The Thunder had dominated the second quarter to take a 59-53 halftime lead .
Houston opened the third period on a 13-0 run to regain the advantage but trailed by one point going into the final frame .
After Oklahoma City 's Chris Paul hit a jumper seconds into the fourth , Houston put together a 17-0 scoring run , shutting out the Thunder for more than five minutes with a tremendous defensive display to put the game out of reach .
Just two points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champion Harden .
`` My teammates , man , they did an unbelievable job , especially in that fourth quarter getting stops -- I think we got five , six stops in a row and just turned the whole game around , '' he said .

Miami (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Miami guard Duncan Robinson went 7-of-8 from 3-point range for a game-high 24 points Thursday as the Heat defeated Indiana Pacers 109-100 in an NBA playoff game.
Robinson's sizzling shooting from beyond the arc powered the Heat to a 2-0 lead in their first-round best-of-seven series against the Pacers, with game three set for Saturday.
The Houston Rockets also grabbed a 2-0 series lead, roaring past the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-98.
"You see some go early, the hoop starts to look a little bigger," said Robinson.
"We wanted to come out with a sense of urgency and I thought we did that. Game three... is going to require that same level of passion."
Robinson made his first six shots and matched a club one-game playoff record with seven 3-pointers
"He's an elite shooter, a laser out there on the perimeter," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "He made us pay every time he had an open look."
The Heat went 18-of-35 from 3-point range, setting a new team playoff record for 3-pointers thanks to Robinson's hot hand.
"Duncan is incredibly persistent," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He has got a lot of grit to him."
"He just hit some tough shots," Indiana's Myles Turner said. "Stuff like that you just have to tip your cap. They got hot."
Slovenian guard Goran Dragic added 20 points and Jimmy Butler contributed 18 for the Heat, who made 18-of-35 3-pointers in the COVID-19 quarantine bubble without fans at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
"They got hot. They were knocking down threes," McMillan said. "Dragic took over in that third quarter for some big plays."
Indiana's Victor Oladipo, who missed much of the opener after being poked in the eye, led the Pacers with 22 points while Turner and Malcolm Brogdon each added 17 in a losing cause.
"We can't get discouraged," Oladipo said. "We have to keep our confidence and things will open up for us. Series ain't over. It's 0-2 but it's a seven-game series for a reason."
Houston, still playing without injured point guard Russell Westbrook, triumphed despite an off-shooting night for star James Harden, who connected on just 5-of-16 shots from the floor on the way to 21 points.
But seven Rockets players scored in double figures and Houston made 19 of their NBA playoff-record 56 three-point attempts to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference clash.
"Couldn't make a shot, but I'm more than just a shot-maker," Harden said. "I just tried to be active defensively, tried to do other things to impact the game."
The Thunder had dominated the second quarter to take a 59-53 halftime lead.
- 'Unbelievable job' -
Houston opened the third period on a 13-0 run to regain the advantage but trailed by one point going into the final frame.
After Oklahoma City's Chris Paul hit a jumper seconds into the fourth, Houston put together a 17-0 scoring run, shutting out the Thunder for more than five minutes with a tremendous defensive display to put the game out of reach.
Just two points in the run came from NBA scoring champion Harden.
"My teammates, man, they did an unbelievable job, especially in that fourth quarter getting stops -- I think we got five, six stops in a row and just turned the whole game around," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Four share Northern Trust lead as PGA playoffs begin

Australia 's Cameron Davis fired a seven-under par 64 to share the lead with Americans Harris English , Kevin Streelman and Russell Henley after Thursday 's opening round of the US PGA Northern Trust .
Davis , chasing his first US PGA title , made eight birdies against a lone bogey on his penultimate hole to join the US pack atop the leaderboard in the FedEx Cup playoff opener at TPC Boston .
`` My game suits this place pretty well , '' the 25-year-old from Sydney said .
`` We 've got to hit our irons well .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was play a nice solid round of golf .
`` I was able to get a few more putts to go in and that 's nice to see .
Nice to finally get a low one . ''
Davis opened and closed the back side , his opening nine holes , with back-to-back birdies on putts inside six feet and added a 12-foot birdie putt at 14 .
The Aussie added 21-foot birdie putts at the par-5 second and par-4 sixth but found brush at the par-3 eighth and took a bogey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way around , '' Davis said .
`` Being aggressive is just going to bring in bigger numbers . ''
The top 70 players in season points advance from Boston to next week 's BMW Championship with only the top 30 going from there to the season-ending Tour Championship next month at East Lake .
English and Streelman are in the top 30 but Davis is 91st and Henley 10 more spots back , needing big weeks to advance .
Streelman had three sets of back-to-back birdies and holed out for eagle from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ par-4 15th .
`` It was pretty fun , '' Streelman said .
`` I hit a 9-iron that was going right at the hole ...
I walked up and I did n't see the ball , said maybe it went in and I pulled the ball out . ''
Henley 's bogey-free round saw him close with an eagle and two birdies in the last four holes .
He birdied the par-4 15th and 17th from just over six feet then dropped his second shot at the par-5 18th only inches from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game came to me for sure , '' Henley said .
`` I was happy to finish that way . ''
English , who won his only two PGA titles in 2013 at the St. Jude Classic and the Mayakoba Classic , eagled the par-5 second from 97 yards in the fairway then birdied three and four .
English ran off four straight birdies starting at the par-3 11th and including a 41-foot putt at 13. he answered a bogey at 17 with a tap-in birdie at 18 .
Streelman seeks his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa Bay and the 2014 Travelers Championship .
Henley seeks a fourth after the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii , the 2014 Honda Classic and 2017 Houston Open .
One stroke back on 65 were South Africa 's Louis Oosthuizen , Colombia 's Sebastian Munoz and Americans Charley Hoffman , Scott Piercy , Bubba Watson , Kevin Kisner and Matthew Wolff .
Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods , returning to the Scotty Cameron putter he used in 14 of his 15 major triumphs , opened on 68 .
`` Just stubbornness I guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
`` I 'll put it in play and see how it goes and it worked .
When I gave myself some chances I made them . ''
Munoz birdied the first seven holes .
`` I just saw the lines and made my putts , '' he said .
`` I did n't think about anything .
It 's great to be in the zone and I was there . ''
`` It comes down to thinking I 'm man enough to hit the shots and then able to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a lot more mental than people think .
Life is hard . ''

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Australia's Cameron Davis fired a seven-under par 64 to share the lead with Americans Harris English, Kevin Streelman and Russell Henley after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Northern Trust.
Davis, chasing his first US PGA title, made eight birdies against a lone bogey on his penultimate hole to join the US pack atop the leaderboard in the FedEx Cup playoff opener at TPC Boston.
"My game suits this place pretty well," the 25-year-old from Sydney said. "We've got to hit our irons well. I felt like all I had to do was play a nice solid round of golf.
"I was able to get a few more putts to go in and that's nice to see. Nice to finally get a low one."
Davis opened and closed the back side, his opening nine holes, with back-to-back birdies on putts inside six feet and added a 12-foot birdie putt at 14.
The Aussie added 21-foot birdie putts at the par-5 second and par-4 sixth but found brush at the par-3 eighth and took a bogey.
"You just have to plot your way around," Davis said. "Being aggressive is just going to bring in bigger numbers."
The top 70 players in season points advance from Boston to next week's BMW Championship with only the top 30 going from there to the season-ending Tour Championship next month at East Lake.
English and Streelman are in the top 30 but Davis is 91st and Henley 10 more spots back, needing big weeks to advance.
Streelman had three sets of back-to-back birdies and holed out for eagle from 148 yards in the fairway at the par-4 15th.
"It was pretty fun," Streelman said. "I hit a 9-iron that was going right at the hole... I walked up and I didn't see the ball, said maybe it went in and I pulled the ball out."
Henley's bogey-free round saw him close with an eagle and two birdies in the last four holes. He birdied the par-4 15th and 17th from just over six feet then dropped his second shot at the par-5 18th only inches from the cup.
"It felt like the game came to me for sure," Henley said. "I was happy to finish that way."
English, who won his only two PGA titles in 2013 at the St. Jude Classic and the Mayakoba Classic, eagled the par-5 second from 97 yards in the fairway then birdied three and four.
English ran off four straight birdies starting at the par-3 11th and including a 41-foot putt at 13. he answered a bogey at 17 with a tap-in birdie at 18.
Streelman seeks his third career PGA victory after 2013 at Tampa Bay and the 2014 Travelers Championship.
Henley seeks a fourth after the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii, the 2014 Honda Classic and 2017 Houston Open.
One stroke back on 65 were South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, Colombia's Sebastian Munoz and Americans Charley Hoffman, Scott Piercy, Bubba Watson, Kevin Kisner and Matthew Wolff.
Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods, returning to the Scotty Cameron putter he used in 14 of his 15 major triumphs, opened on 68.
"Just stubbornness I guess," Woods said of the switch back. "I'll put it in play and see how it goes and it worked. When I gave myself some chances I made them."
- Munoz birdies 7 in row -
Munoz birdied the first seven holes.
"I just saw the lines and made my putts," he said. "I didn't think about anything. It's great to be in the zone and I was there."
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson was working on mental issues.
"It comes down to thinking I'm man enough to hit the shots and then able to make the putts," Watson said.
"It's a lot more mental than people think. Life is hard."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Robertson eyes Lions tour after All Blacks snub

Canterbury Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson , seen here in May 2019 , says he wants to join next year 's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after being overlooked for the All Blacks job Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson revealed Friday that he wants to join next year 's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after being overlooked for the All Blacks job .
Robertson , regarded as one of the game 's hottest coaching talents after winning four straight Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders , also said he was open to working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised last year when it did not appoint Robertson to replace the outgoing Steve Hansen , instead promoting assistant coach Ian Foster to the top job .
Despite the snub , Robertson said he still wanted international experience and had approached Lions coach Warren Gatland -- currently at Waikato Chiefs -- about going on tour next year .
`` Once I missed the All Blacks job , I actually reached out to Gats and asked him if I could go on that tour , '' he told radio station Gold FM .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't be involved with the All Blacks , what 's the biggest thing -- or actually bigger in its own self the Lions tour -- to get involved ' . ''
The 45-year-old said Gatland had taken his request to Lions management and it was being considered .
`` Something that really drives me and motivates me is probably to learn and understand , '' he said .
`` Obviously Gats has been hugely successful at the international level as a coach so he 's a person to learn off and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offshore to actually coach and get that international experience . ''
Gatland has negotiated a year 's absence from his Chiefs duties to coach the Lions , and Robertson would probably have to do something similar with the Crusaders .
The South Africa tour -- if it takes place amid the global COVID-19 pandemic -- is scheduled for July-August , and the timing of next year 's Super Rugby season remains unclear .
Robertson also floated the possibility of coaching in France , where he played for three years with Perpignan .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France is so I could learn French to coach there one day .
If that 's the right thing and the right timing , then great .
I 've got some options , '' he said .
Robertson is contracted at the Crusaders until the end of 2021 and the South Islanders would be keen to retain the innovative coach .

Wellington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson revealed Friday that he wants to join next year's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after being overlooked for the All Blacks job.
Robertson, regarded as one of the game's hottest coaching talents after winning four straight Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, also said he was open to working in France.
New Zealand Rugby was widely criticised last year when it did not appoint Robertson to replace the outgoing Steve Hansen, instead promoting assistant coach Ian Foster to the top job.
Despite the snub, Robertson said he still wanted international experience and had approached Lions coach Warren Gatland -- currently at Waikato Chiefs -- about going on tour next year.
"Once I missed the All Blacks job, I actually reached out to Gats and asked him if I could go on that tour," he told radio station Gold FM.
"I thought, 'Look, if I can't be involved with the All Blacks, what's the biggest thing -- or actually bigger in its own self the Lions tour -- to get involved'."
The 45-year-old said Gatland had taken his request to Lions management and it was being considered.
"Something that really drives me and motivates me is probably to learn and understand," he said.
"Obviously Gats has been hugely successful at the international level as a coach so he's a person to learn off and also allows me to not have to go offshore to actually coach and get that international experience."
Gatland has negotiated a year's absence from his Chiefs duties to coach the Lions, and Robertson would probably have to do something similar with the Crusaders.
The South Africa tour -- if it takes place amid the global COVID-19 pandemic -- is scheduled for July-August, and the timing of next year's Super Rugby season remains unclear.
Robertson also floated the possibility of coaching in France, where he played for three years with Perpignan.
"One of the reasons I played in France is so I could learn French to coach there one day. If that's the right thing and the right timing, then great. I've got some options," he said.
Robertson is contracted at the Crusaders until the end of 2021 and the South Islanders would be keen to retain the innovative coach.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Two Mets games postponed after positive COVID-19 tests

Two New York Mets games have been postponed after two positive COVID-19 test in the organization , Major League Baseball @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
The Mets ' series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday and the @ @ @ @ @ Series against the New York Yankees on Friday have been postponed `` out of an @ @ @ @ @ allow for additional testing and contact tracing to be conducted , '' MLB said .
@ @ @ @ @ in the Mets organization had tested positive for coronavirus .
NewsDay newspaper reported one player @ @ @ @ @ positive , although MLB did not elaborate .
The Mets had won three straight games @ @ @ @ @ their first four-game series sweep since they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in four straight games @ @ @ @ @ The Marlins were the first MLB team to have a game postponed due to a @ @ @ @ @ missed a week of games starting July 27 .
They reportedly had 17 players and @ @ @ @ @ that outbreak .

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Two New York Mets games have been postponed after two positive COVID-19 test in the organization, Major League Baseball said in a statement on Thursday.
The Mets' series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday and the scheduled opener of their Subway Series against the New York Yankees on Friday have been postponed "out of an abundance of caution and to allow for additional testing and contact tracing to be conducted," MLB said.
The statement said two individuals in the Mets organization had tested positive for coronavirus.
NewsDay newspaper reported one player and one staff member tested positive, although MLB did not elaborate.
The Mets had won three straight games in Miami and were seeking their first four-game series sweep since they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in four straight games in September of 2019.
The Marlins were the first MLB team to have a game postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, when they missed a week of games starting July 27.
They reportedly had 17 players and two coaches test positive during that outbreak.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--European countries oppose US sanctions move on Iran, deepening rift at UN

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters following a meeting with members of the UN Security Council calling for the restoration of sanctions against Iran at United Nations headquarters in New York , US , August 20 , 2020 .
The United States formally began the process Thursday of activating a controversial mechanism aimed at reimposing sanctions on Iran , a move that was immediately rejected by European allies fighting to save the Iranian nuclear deal .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Britain , France and Germany of “ siding with the ayatollahs ” after they insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disputed procedure called “ snapback.
” Pompeo personally submitted a letter to the president of the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York , accusing Iran of “ significant ” non-compliance with the terms of the 2015 historic accord , according to a copy seen by AFP .
It is intended to launch the start of the process to snapback sanctions on Iran that threatens to torpedo the historic 2015 nuclear accord and threatens to plunge the Security Council into crisis .
It also widens the gulf between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member on Iran policy , which began when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018 .
The procedure , never before used , comes after the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council last week when it failed to muster support for a resolution to extend a conventional arms embargo on Iran .
The snapback aims to restore all international sanctions against Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement with Tehran in exchange for it agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons .
But it also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) , which Britain , France and Germany—along with Russia and China—are trying to save .
Britain , France and Germany released a joint statement saying they would not support the action “ which is incompatible ” with efforts to preserve the JCPOA .
“ We call on all UNSC members to refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work , ” they said .
Pompeo accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and said their actions would “ endanger ” people living in the Middle East and their own citizens as well .
The European trio says it has serious concerns about the conventional arms embargo expiring on October 18 but believe the safest way to keep Iran in check is through the JCPOA .
A Security Council resolution ratifying the accord , which was negotiated by former president Barack Obama , says participating states can unilaterally reimpose sanctions if Iran has failed to significantly comply with the agreement .
The snapback procedure is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions after 30 days , without the possibility of any members , namely Russia and China , wielding their vetoes .
European countries on the Security Council say the US gave up their right as a participant when Trump pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed American sanctions as part of his “ maximum pressure ” campaign against the Iranian regime .
Iran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief .
Pompeo insists that America can trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the deal was signed and insisted it would successfully lead to the automatic renewal of sanctions in 30 days and an extension of the arms embargo .
The US accuses Russia and China of planning to sell arms to Iran when the embargo expires .
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted that Washington ’ s move was “ illegitimate and felonious.
” A Chinese spokesperson said it has “ no legal ground ” and would not be considered as starting a snapback process .
“ It is nothing but a political show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spokesperson said in a statement .
Experts say the snapback attempt raises questions about the legitimacy of its resolutions .
They foresee a situation in which the United States acts as if the sanctions have been reimposed—and the rest of the Council continues as before .
“ There ’ s no doubt the Trump White House is using snapback as a desperate last gambit to burn the JCPOA house down before the US elections , ” Ellie Geranmayeh , an Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations , told AFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN Security Council in one big mess , with competing narratives among world powers over if the UN sanctions against Iran should be reinforced , ” she said .

The United States formally began the process Thursday of activating a controversial mechanism aimed at reimposing sanctions on Iran, a move that was immediately rejected by European allies fighting to save the Iranian nuclear deal.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters following a meeting with members of the UN Security Council calling for the restoration of sanctions against Iran at United Nations headquarters in New York, US on August 20, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Britain, France and Germany of “siding with the ayatollahs” after they insisted Washington had no legal right to trigger the disputed procedure called “snapback.”
Pompeo personally submitted a letter to the president of the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, accusing Iran of “significant” non-compliance with the terms of the 2015 historic accord, according to a copy seen by AFP.
It is intended to launch the start of the process to snapback sanctions on Iran that threatens to torpedo the historic 2015 nuclear accord and threatens to plunge the Security Council into crisis.
It also widens the gulf between the US and almost every other Security Council member on Iran policy, which began when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018.
The procedure, never before used, comes after the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council last week when it failed to muster support for a resolution to extend a conventional arms embargo on Iran.
The snapback aims to restore all international sanctions against Iran that were lifted as part of the nuclear agreement with Tehran in exchange for it agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons.
But it also threatens to sink that historic deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Britain, France and Germany—along with Russia and China—are trying to save.
00:19
Britain, France and Germany released a joint statement saying they would not support the action “which is incompatible” with efforts to preserve the JCPOA.
“We call on all UNSC members to refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work,” they said.
Pompeo accused them of a “failure of leadership” and said their actions would “endanger” people living in the Middle East and their own citizens as well.
‘Lasting damage’
The European trio says it has serious concerns about the conventional arms embargo expiring on October 18 but believe the safest way to keep Iran in check is through the JCPOA.
A Security Council resolution ratifying the accord, which was negotiated by former president Barack Obama, says participating states can unilaterally reimpose sanctions if Iran has failed to significantly comply with the agreement.
The snapback procedure is supposed to lead to the re-establishment of sanctions after 30 days, without the possibility of any members, namely Russia and China, wielding their vetoes.
01:24
European countries on the Security Council say the US gave up their right as a participant when Trump pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed American sanctions as part of his “maximum pressure” campaign against the Iranian regime.
Iran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief.
Pompeo insists that America can trigger a snapback because it was a participant when the deal was signed and insisted it would successfully lead to the automatic renewal of sanctions in 30 days and an extension of the arms embargo.
The US accuses Russia and China of planning to sell arms to Iran when the embargo expires.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted that Washington’s move was “illegitimate and felonious.”
Factsheet on the illegitimate and felonious U.S. attempt to re-impose U.N. sanctions on Iran pic.twitter.com/wPbFytmA98 — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 20, 2020
A Chinese spokesperson said it has “no legal ground” and would not be considered as starting a snapback process.
“It is nothing but a political show staged by the United States,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Experts say the snapback attempt raises questions about the legitimacy of its resolutions.
They foresee a situation in which the United States acts as if the sanctions have been reimposed—and the rest of the Council continues as before.
“There’s no doubt the Trump White House is using snapback as a desperate last gambit to burn the JCPOA house down before the US elections,” Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.
“This move will leave the UN Security Council in one big mess, with competing narratives among world powers over if the UN sanctions against Iran should be reinforced,” she said.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-08-20--Raptors exec Ujiri: Altercation happened 'because I am black'

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said Thursday that the altercation between him and a California sheriff 's deputy at the Raptors ' 2019 NBA title-clinching game was racially motivated .
Nigerian-born Ujiri issued a statement through the Raptors Thursday in his first public comments since body camera video footage was released this week that showed deputy Alan Strickland shoving Ujiri and telling him to back up as the executive tried to show his pass and join his players celebrating their championship triumph over the Golden State Warriors .
Ujiri has counter-sued Strickland , who claimed in a February lawsuit that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left him with lasting bodily and psychological injury .
`` The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team , the Toronto Raptors , winning its first world championship , '' Ujiri said .
`` It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization , for our players , for our city , for our country , and for me personally , given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA .
`` Yet , unfortunately , I was reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my hard work and success , there are some people , including those who are supposed to protect us , who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement .
And there 's only one indisputable reason why that is the case -- because I am Black . ''
Ujiri 's countersuit , filed in US District Court in Oakland , California , alleges that Strickland falsified the encounter and attempted to portray Ujiri as `` the initial aggressor and an inherently violent individual . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fabrication '' that has been contradicted by video footage .
`` What saddens me most about this ordeal is that the only reason why I am getting the justice I deserve in this moment is because of my success , '' Ujiri said Thursday .
`` Because I 'm the President of a NBA team , I had access to resources that ensured I could demand and fight for my justice .
So many of my brothers and sisters have n't had , do n't have , and wo n't have the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that 's why Black Lives Matter . ''
Ujiri closed his statement by invoking the names of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain , black Americans who died at the hands of law enforcement officials and whose deaths have fueled the Black Lives Matter movement .
Ujiri said it was important to demand justice for those three , `` for far too many Black lives that mattered '' and `` for Black people around the world , who need our voice and our compassion to save their lives .
@

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said Thursday that the altercation between him and a California sheriff's deputy at the Raptors' 2019 NBA title-clinching game was racially motivated.
Nigerian-born Ujiri issued a statement through the Raptors Thursday in his first public comments since body camera video footage was released this week that showed deputy Alan Strickland shoving Ujiri and telling him to back up as the executive tried to show his pass and join his players celebrating their championship triumph over the Golden State Warriors.
Ujiri has counter-sued Strickland, who claimed in a February lawsuit that Ujiri struck him in an altercation that left him with lasting bodily and psychological injury.
"The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world championship," Ujiri said.
"It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA.
"Yet, unfortunately, I was reminded in that moment that despite all of my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who are supposed to protect us, who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement. And there's only one indisputable reason why that is the case -- because I am Black."
Ujiri's countersuit, filed in US District Court in Oakland, California, alleges that Strickland falsified the encounter and attempted to portray Ujiri as "the initial aggressor and an inherently violent individual."
It calls Strickland's account "a complete fabrication" that has been contradicted by video footage.
"What saddens me most about this ordeal is that the only reason why I am getting the justice I deserve in this moment is because of my success," Ujiri said Thursday.
"Because I'm the President of a NBA team, I had access to resources that ensured I could demand and fight for my justice. So many of my brothers and sisters haven't had, don't have, and won't have the same access to resources that assured my justice. And that's why Black Lives Matter."
Ujiri closed his statement by invoking the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain, black Americans who died at the hands of law enforcement officials and whose deaths have fueled the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ujiri said it was important to demand justice for those three, "for far too many Black lives that mattered" and "for Black people around the world, who need our voice and our compassion to save their lives."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-20--Super Bowl champion Chiefs ban headdresses, face paint

New policies announced Thursday by the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will prohibit supporters from wearing headdresses or Native American style face paint into Arrowhead Stadium when fans return .
The NFL club 's move , following the dropping of the nickname Redskins by Washington 's Football Team , come in the wake of greater cultural concern over racial injustice and social inequality following the May death of George Floyd while in police custody .
`` Fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium , '' the team said in a statement .
`` Face painting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but any face paint that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions will be prohibited . ''
Still under review are two other Chiefs fan traditions , the `` Arrowhead Chop '' cheer mimicking a Tomahawk motion and a pre-game beating of a drum by a celebrity or former Chiefs player or coach .
`` We are engaged in a thorough review process of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future , '' the Chiefs said .
`` We are exploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect between our fans and our players but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures .
`` This includes discussions around how to shift the focus of the drum to something that symbolizes the heartbeat of the stadium . ''
The policies , coming after dialogue with tribes that began in 2014 , were aimed at raising awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrating `` the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders , '' the team said .
`` It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future . ''
The Chiefs are scheduled to play host to Houston on September 10 in the first game of the 2020 NFL season .

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
New policies announced Thursday by the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will prohibit supporters from wearing headdresses or Native American style face paint into Arrowhead Stadium when fans return.
The NFL club's move, following the dropping of the nickname Redskins by Washington's Football Team, come in the wake of greater cultural concern over racial injustice and social inequality following the May death of George Floyd while in police custody.
"Fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium," the team said in a statement. "Face painting is still allowed for all fans, but any face paint that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions will be prohibited."
Still under review are two other Chiefs fan traditions, the "Arrowhead Chop" cheer mimicking a Tomahawk motion and a pre-game beating of a drum by a celebrity or former Chiefs player or coach.
"We are engaged in a thorough review process of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future," the Chiefs said.
"We are exploring all options for a modified engagement moment from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect between our fans and our players but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures.
"This includes discussions around how to shift the focus of the drum to something that symbolizes the heartbeat of the stadium."
The policies, coming after dialogue with tribes that began in 2014, were aimed at raising awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrating "the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area."
"We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders," the team said. "It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future."
The Chiefs are scheduled to play host to Houston on September 10 in the first game of the 2020 NFL season.
© 2020 AFP