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  • Cesare Battisti: Brazil ‘issues arrest warrant’ for ex-militant

    Former left-wing militant Cesare Battisti during an interview with AFP in Brazil in 2017 Image copyright AFP Image caption Battisti denies responsibility for the murders

    An arrest warrant has been issued in Brazil for a former communist militant sought after for 4 murders in Italy during the nineteen seventies, consistent with local media.

    Cesare Battisti has lived in Brazil as a refugee with the backing of former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

    But incoming a ways-proper president Jair Bolsonaro has pledged to extradite him.

    Battisti instructed AFP last year he faced “torture” and dying if he had been to be sent again to Italy.

    In 1979, the militant was once convicted of belonging to a far-left terrorist team outlawed in Italy – the Armed Proletarians for Communism (PAC).

    Image copyright AFP Image caption Cesare Battisti signs a copy of his book written in jail, ‘At the Foot of the Wall,’ all over a launch adventure in Brazil

    Battisti lived in France and Mexico earlier than escaping to Brazil to avoid being extradited. He used to be arrested through Brazilian government in 2007, prompting the Italian government to request his extradition beneath an present bilateral treaty.

    But Brazil’s then president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva granted Mr Battisti refugee status in 2010, a transfer that drew strong criticism from Italy.

    Battisti was once arrested again in 2017 for carrying a big quantity of undeclared money even as looking to pass into Bolivia from Brazil.

    ‘Brazil merits appreciate!’

    Since 2009, Brazil’s presidency has had the facility to deny the extradition of individuals, regardless of the proof towards them.

    Last October, Ideal Court Docket Justice Luiz Fux temporarily delayed a renewed extradition decision towards Battisti whilst the court deliberated on whether or not or no longer his former protection might be overruled by means of subsequent presidents.

    On Thursday, Justice Fux dominated that former president Lula’s choice might be reversed and an arrest warrant used to be issued, in line with Globo TV.

    Image copyright AFP Image caption Battisti leaves Federal Police headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil after his arrest in 2015

    Brazil’s present President Michel Temer has previously advised the BBC he helps Battisti’s extradition.

    The country’s incoming far-proper President-go with Jair Bolsonaro has pledged to extradite him as soon as he’s taking office on 1 January 2019.

    In October, Mr Bolsonaro tweeted (in Portuguese and Italian): “We Will Be Able To show the sector our general repudiation and commitment to the battle in opposition to terrorism. Brazil deserves appreciate!”

    Main Points are still doubtful as as to if Battisti has been apprehended. His legal professional advised Reuters he lately lives in the the town of Cananeia in Sao Paulo state.

    The arrest warrant has reportedly been handed onto global policing agency Interpol. The agency didn’t reply to speedy requests for comment.

  • What chance has Nasa of finding lifestyles on Mars?

    Different tales from the AGU meeting you could like:

    The world’s such a lot far off island Sun-skimming probe starts calling home Space laser makes height maps of Earth Symbol copyright NASA/JPL/JHUAPL/MSSS/BROWN UNIVERSITY Image caption Jezero Crater displays sturdy proof from orbit of past water process

    the brand new rover will be dropped into the close to equatorial Jezero Crater, which satellite tv for pc observations counsel once held a deep lake.

    Scientists wish that if microbes lived in or around this body of water, signatures of their presence will likely be retained in sediments that may be simply drilled today.

    A key aim might be the carbonate deposits that seem to line what could have been the palaeo-lake’s coastline.

    “Carbonates are a kind of mineral that precipitates out of water and what is in point of fact nice about that procedure is that after they precipitate out – they trap everything that’s within the water. So, the whole thing that is residing there can also be trapped throughout the mineral,” explained Briony Horgan from Purdue College in Indiana.

    Symbol copyright NASA Image caption the new rover follows the design template of the Interest robot which landed on Mars in 2012

    The car shall be a close replica of the only-tonne Interest robot that Nasa landed in Gale Crater in 2012.

    It Will use the similar “Skycrane” era that put the former system down with such nice precision – however with an important upload-on. Engineers have advanced an on-the-fly mapping gadget known as Terrain-Relative Navigation which ought to convey even larger accuracy to the landing process.

    the expectancy is that the program will position the rover right up in opposition to rocks that record the delta that fed the lake with water.

    Ken Farley, the mission’s leader scientist, advised the AGU meeting that the direction the rover will take after landing had already been deliberate.

    The robot can be equipped with an advanced navigation machine if you want to supply it the autonomy to work out the most productive, most direct course between waypoints.

    this should dramatically speed up the coming to different technological know-how targets. “In just right terrain we will be driving more than a 100m an afternoon,” Dr Farley instructed BBC News.

    Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and observe me on Twitter: @BBCAmos

    (more…)

  • Cohen insists he was once directed by means of Trump to damage the legislation

    Memo reveals Cohen’s assistance on Russia probe Michael Cohen: Trump’s non-public legal professional What does the unique suggest do?

    Cohen, FIFTY TWO, used to be sentenced to 3 years on Wednesday and will have to report back to jail through 6 March.

    He admitted to mendacity to Congress, marketing campaign finance violations and tax evasion. as well as to the prison term, he was also ordered to forfeit just about $2m (£1.6m).

    He is the primary of Mr Trump’s inner circle to be jailed following Unique Suggest Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

    What else did Cohen say?

    He was asked within the ABC News interview about cash paid to two ladies to maintain quiet approximately alleged affairs with the then-presidential candidate.

    Mr Trump “used to be very interested in how this would affect the election”, Cohen said.

    The objective of the bills had been to “lend a hand Trump and his campaign”, he added.

    “People of the United States Of America of America, folks of the sector, do not believe what he’s pronouncing,” Cohen persevered.

    “the person doesn’t tell the truth. And it’s sad that I must take responsibility for his grimy deeds.”

    What are Cohen’s crimes?

    The sentencing was related to two separate instances introduced through the Southern District Of Recent York and the Mueller research.

    Cohen pleaded accountable to campaign finance violations for his function in making hush cash bills in regards to the girls, porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy style Karen McDougal.

    He confessed to making a $ONE HUNDRED THIRTY,000 cost to Ms Daniels and arranging for a $ONE HUNDRED FIFTY,000 fee to Ms McDougal.

    Prosecutors argued effectively that these bills amounted to illegal campaign contributions. Below US regulation, a person donation cannot exceed $2,700.

    Mr Trump has said each bills have been made in spite of denying having precise affairs, and has referred to as them a private transaction unrelated to his election marketing campaign.

    Cohen’s different convictions, for tax evasion and financial institution fraud, are unrelated to the president.

    Cohen also admitted to making false statements to Congress about a property deal Mr Trump was having a look into in Moscow within the run-up to the 2016 election.

    All you wish to have to know about Trump Russia story The Trump-Russia saga in 250 words

    (more…)

  • Did you see the Geminid meteor bathe?

    Geminid Meteor Australia Image copyright Steven Sandner Image caption Steven Sandner noticed this spectacular display in Australia

    A Geminid meteor bathe has been spotted by stargazing enthusiasts from around the global.

    here’s a ramification of your photos.

    The Geminid meteors are pieces of rocky debris from an extinct comet, racing around the Sun System, in an orbit.

    Presentational white space Geminid Meteor in West Sussex, England Symbol copyright Jonas Yip Symbol caption “Despite the cold, I managed to seize a meteor streak,” says Jonas Yip who took this scene on Lancing Seashore in West Sussex, England Presentational white space

    The Geminid meteors originate from a rocky asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, and each 12 months, the Earth passes through a path of particles left by way of the asteroid because it travels around the Sun.

    Geminid Meteor in Wales Symbol copyright Chris Pomeroy Symbol caption Chris Pomeroy took this picture from a top in Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales Presentational white space

    Whilst the particles hits Earth’s setting they dissipate, generating streaks of sunshine referred to as meteors.

    Meteor shower in Dubai Symbol copyright David Greer Image caption David Greer said: “I took the photo ultimate night time in Al Quadra wilderness in Dubai.” Presentational white space

    Showing in bursts of two or three, Geminids commute slower and burn brighter than so much different meteors – developing lengthy, glowing arcs of white, yellow, blue, pink and inexperienced.

    Geminid Meteor in Hampshire Symbol copyright Richard Hopkins Image caption Richard Hopkins in Hampshire, England, says: “The Picture displays the Pleiades on the top, the constellation of Taurus the bull at the left with the brilliant pink celebrity Aldeberan and the golf green comet at the bottom proper, and that i also stuck a Geminid meteor.” Presentational white space

    All pictures belong to the copyright holders as marked.

  • Euro falls as ‘gilets jaunes’ protests hit French economy

    French protesters stand near a fire and blockade in western France Symbol copyright AFP Symbol caption ‘Yellow vest’ protests have dented the French financial system

    The euro has fallen in opposition to the greenback after disappointing French and German economic surveys dismayed the markets.

    In France, non-public sector trade activity contracted for the primary time in and a half years because the “gilets jaunes” protests took their toll.

    In Germany, non-public sector process slowed to a four-yr low. The surveys pointed to susceptible fourth-quarter expansion within the two largest eurozone economies.

    After the figures have been published, the euro fell 0.6% to under the $1.13 mark.

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    the data came from intently-watched surveys printed via research team IHS Markit, which tracks trade job across Europe in its Buying Managers’ Index (PMI).

    Its December composite figure for the French economy was down sharply at 49.3, from November’s reading of 54.2.

    Any determine underneath 50 indicates contraction instead of growth. The French studying confounded analysts, with the index hitting depths not seen given that November 2014.

    “Having held up quite well inside the initial months of Q4, latest flash data pointed to an outright contraction in France’s private sector for the primary time in -and-a-half years, following the protests which have swept through the united states in recent weeks,” mentioned Eliot Kerr, an economist at IHS Markit.

    “Momentum within the manufacturing sector’s downturn collected pace, while so much notably, the provider sector’s resilience got here to a halt, with trade process and demand losing.”

    For the German economic system, the identical determine was 52.2, as in opposition to 52.3 the previous month.

    who’re the ‘gilets jaunes’? Macron promises divide protest leaders

    The impact of the “yellow vest” demonstrations has been keenly felt in France, where the federal government has been pressured to bow to power and change its financial course.

    President Emmanuel Macron has replied to the nationwide boulevard protests by way of scrapping an unpopular gasoline tax rise and promising an extra €ONE HUNDRED (£90; $114) a month for minimal wage earners and tax cuts for pensioners.

    On The Other Hand, it’s removed from clear that he has performed enough to defuse public anger.

    Bart Hordijk, market analyst at Monex Europe, mentioned: “The Emotions a few of the yellow vests can have slightly a few reinforce from the French public. However, companies beg to disagree.

    “If the value of this drop keeps in other nations and coming months, the european Imperative Bank’s review that the eurozone financial system ‘risks shifting to the downside’ will quickly appear old-fashioned, because the risks will already be there.

    “The ECB president talked the day before today of ‘lower expansion, no longer of no enlargement’. Alternatively, a tail possibility is forming that eurozone economies will slip right into a recession while the ECB rates of interest are still sub-0.

    “this may be a Japan-like scenario: a prospect which the euro understandably does not take neatly.”

  • No sexual consent means rape, Spain told by criminal panel

    Women's rights protest in Madrid, 25 Nov 18 Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption This year Spain has noticed mass protests towards gender-primarily based violence

    Spanish law shall be toughened to outline any non-consensual sexual act as “assault” or “rape” instead of “sexual abuse”, experts have decided.

    A panel of felony experts was once arrange via the government after protests whilst five males had been cleared of raping a teenage lady. Judges ruled that the so-referred to as “wolf pack” gang had now not assaulted her.

    The panel will recommend that the utmost jail term for rape must remain 15 years, Spanish media report.

    The proposal is still being labored on.

    On 5 December judges in the northern Navarre area upheld the verdict to transparent the 5 males in the case referred to as La manada (wolf pack). The case will now go to the Splendid Courtroom.

    Symbol copyright Reuters Image caption A rally in Bilbao towards the FIVE December ruling: “It’s Not Abuse, It Is Rape. We Consider You” says the banner

    Below the current regulation, proof of violence or intimidation has to be presented for a case to be treated as “rape”.

    The new notion, quoted by Spain’s Europa Press news company, requires the “maximum penalty” in cases regarding violence or intimidation towards a sufferer “in degrading instances”, or when the sufferer is assaulted by two or extra people.

    The 15-year maximum jail time period for rape is the similar as the utmost time period for murder in Spain.

    The felony adjustments are also extra explicit about the varieties of sexual assault regarded as to be the worst.

    They come with circumstances the place a sufferer is particularly inclined, as an example assaulted by a determine or different authority determine, or the place a weapon is used against the sufferer.

    Similarly, if a wrongdoer intoxicates the sufferer with drugs or alcohol it will be considered an especially grave crime.

  • Strasbourg Christmas market reopens after attack

    People look at candles, letters and flowers at the Christmas Market in Strasbourg on 14 December 2018 Image copyright EPA Symbol caption The Strasbourg Christmas marketplace is one among Europe’s busiest

    The Christmas market within the French town of Strasbourg has reopened, two days after the attack carried out by way of a gunman on Tuesday evening.

    Cherif Chekatt used to be killed on Thursday via police on a town side road after he opened fire on officials.

    3 other people died following the taking pictures at the market and several other extra are seriously injured.

    Interior Minister Christophe Castaner is traveling the marketplace because it reopens, speaking to stallholders.

    Strasbourg’s mayor Roland Ries stated security would be tight: “we’ve limited the choice of entrances with checkpoints, body searches and bag searches. we’ve diminished the number of entry points for larger control, with a greater distribution of police forces,” he instructed French radio.

    Symbol copyright Police Nationale (France)

    French President Emmanuel Macron in advance thanked security forces in a tweet, vowing that the country’s dedication towards terrorism is “general.”

    Loads of French police and security forces had been looking for Chekatt.

    A large police operation had taken place in Neudorf earlier on Thursday afternoon, however ended with out results.

    Seven other folks have been arrested in connection with the assault: Cherif Chekatt’s parents and of his brothers, in addition as three other folks as regards to him, Mr Heitz stated.

    Mr Ries mentioned that discovering Chekatt supposed the involved folks of his town may now give you the option to go back to a regular life.

    Mr Castaner thanked security forces in a tweet:

    How did Tuesday’s attack spread?

    At approximately 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT), a person opened hearth on the subject of the famed Christmas market near place Kléber.

    Mr Heitz mentioned the man had shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) as he opened hearth.

    The suspect was armed with a gun and a knife and escaped the world after leaping right into a taxi, Mr Heitz mentioned.

    As he fled he came into contact with four infantrymen, Mr Heitz said, and began firing at them. the soldiers fired back, it appears hitting him within the arm.

    The attacker informed the taxi motive force he had killed 10 other folks, and likewise stated he had been injured during a firefight with squaddies.

    He ordered the taxi driving force to drop him close to the police station in Neudorf. Whilst he were given out of the car, he fired at police officers before escaping.

    What will we know about the suspect?

    Chekatt was once born in Strasbourg and was once already known to the safety services.

    He was once at the “fiche S” watchlist of individuals who constitute a potential threat to national safety.

    He had 27 convictions for crimes together with theft spanning France, Germany and Switzerland, and had spent substantial time in prison as a result.

    Police have been in search of him on Tuesday morning in reference to another case, but did not to find him at home.

    Strasbourg taking pictures: Face to face with gunman

    A search of his condo in Neudorf found out a grenade, a rifle, four knives – two of that have been hunting knives – and ammunition.

    The Islamic State group’s self-styled information company, Amaq, on Thursday said that Chekatt was once “an Islamic State soldier” who had “performed the operation in reaction to calls for concentrated on voters of coalition countries” combating its militants in Syria and Iraq.

    Who were the sufferers of the attack?

    3 folks died in Tuesday’s attack, and one has been declared mind-dead, Mr Heitz stated on Friday.

    The death of Kamal Naghchband, a storage mechanic in the beginning from Afghanistan, was announced on Thursday. the daddy of three died in health facility. His mosque introduced his funeral might happen after Friday prayers. He had been traveling the market together with his circle of relatives and used to be shot within the head, his cousin told the AFP information agency.

    Skip Twitter submit by means of @GM_EyyubSultan

    Suite au décès de Kamal Naghchband, père de 3 enfants, nous vous annonçons que son place of job funéraire air of mystery lieu ce vendredi 14 décembre à l. a. Grande Mosquée Eyyûb Sultan de #Strasbourg, après los angeles prière du vendredi, à 13:00. Il sera inhumé au Cimetière musulman de Strasbourg Meinau pic.twitter.com/Lk6SmtkvyH

    — Grande Mosquée Eyyûb Sultan (@GM_EyyubSultan) December 13, 2018

    Report

    Finish of Twitter post through @GM_EyyubSultan

    A retired bank employee aged SIXTY ONE, from Strasbourg, used to be also killed in the assault, according to media reports.

    The 3rd victim used to be a Thai vacationer who used to be on vacation with his wife.

    Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sent a letter of condolence to his French counterpart on Thursday that showed the person used to be a few of the lifeless, AFP stories.

    Anupong Suebsamarn, FORTY FIVE, has been named via Thai media because the victim.

  • Sondra Locke: Any Which Means You’ll Be Able To actress dies aged SEVENTY FOUR

    Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke Image copyright Getty Pictures Image caption Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke in 1982

    Actress Sondra Locke, who is absolute best known for making six motion pictures with Clint Eastwood, has died on the age of 74.

    She earned an Oscar nomination for her first movie, The Center Is a Lonely Hunter, in 1968.

    Locke changed into romantically involved with Eastwood at the same time as making The Outlaw Josey Wales in 1975 however later went directly to sue him for fraud when they broke up.

    She died on 3 November after having a middle assault, which used to be associated with her breast and bone cancer diagnosis.

    When she was once in a courting with Eastwood she solely made movies with him at Warner Bros, together with The Gauntlet (1977), Each Which Means However Unfastened (1978), Bronco Billy (1980) and Any Which Means You Can (1980).

    Image copyright Getty Photographs Image caption Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke on the set of Bronco Billy

    She additionally starred in the 1983 film Surprising Affect, which was the fourth movie within the Grimy Harry series.

    The pair were together for 14 years, but in April 1989 Locke filed a lawsuit against Eastwood.

    In her settlement she received a $1.5m (£1.2m) 3-year settlement to create motion pictures for Warner Bros, however the studio didn’t accept any of the 30 initiatives she pitched.

    Believing this was Clintwood’s doing, she again sued him in 1995 for fraud, in the end attaining a $2.5m (£2m) payment a year later.

    “i don’t must concern approximately operating,” she stated after the cost used to be made.

    She mentioned the lawsuit “was once by no means about money, it used to be about my fighting for my skilled rights”.

    Follow us on Fb, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. in case you have a narrative advice e-mail entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

  • Somalia violence: Deadly clashes after arrest of Mukhtar Robow in Baidoa

    Former al-Shabab leader Mukhtar Robow attends a news conference in Baidoa, Somalia November 4, 2018 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mukhtar Robow defected from al-Shabab closing year

    A Few persons are pronounced to had been killed in southern Somalia as violence erupted following the arrest of a former al-Shabab commander set to contest regional elections.

    At least ELEVEN other people, together with infantrymen and civilians, died in Baidoa all the way through clashes involving supporters of Mukhtar Robow, sources told the BBC.

    the government has accused Mr Robow of being a safety risk.

    He is looking for the presidency of South West state in subsequent week’s election.

    News of Mr Robow’s arrest early on Thursday precipitated street protests in Baidoa, the neighborhood capital.

    A Somali radio station tweeted pictures of roads strewn with burning tyres and rocks.

    Skip Twitter post through @DalsanFM

    Pictures : Casualties mentioned as Southwest administrative headquarters Baidoa is hit via violent protests as supporters of detained top southwest presidential candidate and previous Alshabaab deputy Mukhtar Robow conflict with safety sellers #Somalia pic.twitter.com/YT3t7IzFab

    — Radio Dalsan (@DalsanFM) December 13, 2018

    File

    End of Twitter publish by way of @DalsanFM

    The BBC’s Ibrahim Adan in the capital, Mogadishu, says the nationality of the warriors who were killed is not clear. Ethiopian troops, who form part of the African Union pressure in the u . s . a ., have a base within the city.

    Mr Robow was a spokesman for the jihadist al-Shabab staff and once served as its deputy leader before defecting last yr.

    who are Somalia’s al-Shabab?

    The federal executive banned him from contesting the state elections however the electoral fee gave him the go-ahead.

    Correspondents say he has posed an incredible risk to the influence of the federal executive in the area.

    Following his arrest, a government statement mentioned he have been organising a defense force in Baidoa.

    “These actions indicate that he never relinquished his extremist ideologies and is ready to hurt the Somali other people once more,” the remark said.

    Mr Robow is supported by way of a number of clans within the area and is regarded as a major candidate for the neighborhood election. His supporters have been infuriated through his detention.

    “this is a violation of democracy, Robow was standing in his region and his people wanted him. the federal government has no right to arrest him,” Baidoa resident Mohamed Sheik Ali informed AFP information agency.

  • China buys US soybeans for first time when you consider that industry warfare

    Soybeans coming thru silo Image copyright Reuters Image caption China’s acquire of 1.13 million tonnes folks soybeans has been hailed as an attractive, nice step by US officials.

    China has purchased US soybeans for the first time since the industry battle among the two nations started in July – a transfer hailed as a “great step” by means of US officers.

    one in every of the biggest casualties of the united states-China business warfare has been the u.s. soybean sector.

    China is through far the world’s greatest importer of soybeans.

    And Beijing’s prime price lists put on US soybeans this 12 months has been critically hurting US farmers.

    A trade truce between China and the us was reached in advance this month however, and there have been so much anticipation that China may quickly return to the us soybean marketplace.

    Leader economist Robert Carnell from ING Bank informed the BBC that China’s acquire on Thursday used to be extra about comfort than the rest.

    “the simple truth is China needs a lot of soybeans and it’s been buying them from Brazil, now not the united states,” he said.

    “But Brazil may just by no means supply the entire soybeans China wanted, so in the end China has been driven again to US soybeans. And That I suppose it’s just handy for them to do that right now.”

    Mr Carnell stated that the hot arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s leader financial officer and deputy chair, used to be far more indicative of where the business conflict among the us and China used to be in reality as much as.

    Huawei finance leader arrested in Canada US-China business row: What has happened up to now?

    “It’s a battle for technology, a fight for 5G,” he mentioned. “particularly, Huawei has turn into one among the world’s greatest suppliers of telecoms generation – and the u.s. doesn’t actually like that.

    “So that arrest is providing you with a miles better, a far clearer message on the place the business war traces within the sand are in point of fact being drawn.”