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  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:26

    Russia promises 'tough response' to US sanctions

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:05

    Deadline for Brazil's Lula to surrender for prison expires

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:04

    Dow ends bruising session 2.4% lower on trade war fears

  • Bamako (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 21:54

    14 'terrorism' suspects killed in Mali escape attempt: army

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 21:29

    Brazilian court turns down Lula's new appeal against arrest

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    US stocks fall further on trade worries; Dow -3.0%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:50

    Facebook to require verified identities for political ads

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:28

    White House warns China tariffs not a negotiating ploy

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:27

    New US sanctions 'aimed at the Russian people': Russian embassy

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 19:58

    US stocks' losses deepen on trade war fears; Dow -2.0%

  • London (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 18:13

    Britain refuses visa for Russian ex-spy's niece: official

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 17:50

    27 civilians dead in air strikes on Syria's Douma: monitor

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 17:07

    16-year-old Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: ministry

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 16:50

    $11 bn pledged at Lebanon donor conference: Macron

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 16:49

    Trump says WTO is unfair to US

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    Two civilians dead in air raids on Syria's rebel Douma: monitor

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    Air strikes hit Syria's rebel-held Douma, first in 10 days: monitor

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    Ex-spy Skripal 'improving rapidly' after poisoning: hospital

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    Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: ministry

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    15 killed in Nigeria bank robbery, attack on police station

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:37

    US imposes sanctions on Putin's oligarch allies

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    US job creation tumbles in March; unemployment steady at 4.1%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:35

    Trump won't attend White House correspondents' dinner

  • Neumünster (Germany) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:12

    Puigdemont urges Madrid to 'start dialogue' in Catalonia row

  • Neumünster (Germany) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:00

    Catalonia's Puigdemont leaves German jail on bail

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 13:31

    S.Arabia renews $1bn line of credit for Beirut: Lebanese govt

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 13:18

    China, EU 'must act together' against US protectionism: Chinese envoy

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 12:52

    Up to 2.7 million Europeans affected by Facebook data scandal: EU

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 11:20

    S.Africa's Zuma says charges against him 'politically motivated'

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 11:19

    Clashes erupt along Gaza-Israel border as protests begin

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 10:08

    Russian regulator requests Telegram messaging app be blocked: statement

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:55

    Graft case against S.Africa's Zuma adjourned to June 8

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    France announces loans, aid worth 550 mln euros for Lebanon

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:01

    S.Africa's Zuma arrives at court for graft hearing: AFP

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:00

    S. Korea ex-president Park jailed for 24 years over corruption scandal bur/amz/sm

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 08:30

    S. Korea ex-president Park guilty of abuse of power, bribery: court

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    China ready to pay "any cost" in trade war: Ministry of Commerce

  • Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 06:21

    Malaysian PM announces dissolution of parliament for election

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    Venezuela suspends flights by Panama's Copa for three months

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    Japanese studio confirms death of anime master Isao Takahata

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    Panama orders Venezuela ambassador out, recalls own envoy from Caracas

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    Samsung Electronics flags record $14.7 billion Q1 operating profit

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    Two peacekeepers dead, 10 wounded in Mali attack: UN

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    White House calls on Gaza demos to avoid border

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    Trump eyes $100 billion of additional tariffs on China: White House

  • Caracas (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 00:25

    Venezuela risks deeper isolation by suspending ties with Panama airline

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 00:23

    Trump to host Qatari Emir in bid to end Gulf crisis: WH

  • Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:23

    Brazil judge issues warrant to imprison ex-president Lula

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:13

    Trump says he did not know about payment to porn star

  • Mexico City (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:07

    'Threats, lack of respect' unjustified, Mexican president tells Trump

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 22:57

    Trump vows to send 2,000 to 4,000 troops to Mexican border

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 19:24

    German court refuses to extradite Catalonia's Puigdemont: official

  • Geneva (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 18:16

    China launches WTO challenge against US intellectual property tariffs

  • Rome (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 17:54

    Italy president says no govt accord, new talks next week

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 17:01

    Major fire at Istanbul hospital, patients evacuated: TV

  • Ottawa (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 16:09

    Trudeau sees high chance of NAFTA deal with US, Mexico

  • Petrozavodsk (Russia) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 16:07

    Russian historian cleared of child porn charges

  • London (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 15:13

    Poisoned Russian spy's daughter says growing stronger 'daily': statement

  • Madrid (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:40

    Spain judge frees HSBC leaker Falciani on bail: judicial source

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:39

    US trade deficit rises despite record American exports

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:35

    Four staff dead in Turkish university shooting: reports

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 12:07

    Israel says open-fire rules for Gaza unchanged for new protests

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 12:07

    French, Malian troops kill 30 jihadists: French military

  • Freetown (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 11:46

    Challenger Bio wins S. Leone presidential vote: election watchdog

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:54

    Saudi crown prince on official visit to France next week: French presidency

  • Jodhpur (India) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:53

    Court jails Bollywood star Khan for five years

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:30

    Palestinian killed by Israeli air strike on Gaza border: ministry

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 09:24

    UK can't ignore 'legitimate questions' over spy poisoning: Moscow

  • Jodhpur (India) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 08:49

    Bollywood superstar Salman Khan convicted of killing rare antelopes

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 05:43

    Expelled diplomats leave US embassy in Moscow: AFP

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 05:31

    Brazil Supreme Court rejects Lula's bid to delay prison

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 23:15

    Zuckerberg says he is right person to lead Facebook despite 'mistakes'

  • New York (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 22:06

    US stocks jump as investors reassess trade war risk, Dow +1.0%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 21:28

    Trump orders National Guard to Mexican border: official

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 20:56

    Data on 'up to 87 million' Facebook users shared with UK firm

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:48

    Russia says OPCW voted down joint poisoning probe bid

  • Madrid (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:27

    HSBC leaker Herve Falciani detained in Spain: police

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:12

    Brazil Supreme Court opens session on Lula bid to delay prison

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 18:46

    Russia requests Security Council meeting on spy poisoning

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 17:32

    Syria mission coming to 'rapid end' but not over yet: WHouse 

  • Matías Romero (Mexico) (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 17:22

    Migrant caravan abandons plan to travel to US border

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:53

    One year on, West vows Assad will pay for sarin attack

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:39

    Decision made on Syria pullout, announcement soon: US intel chief

  • New York (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:36

    US stocks open sharply lower on trade war fears

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:32

    Putin urges 'common sense' to prevail in row over poisoned spy

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:13

    Turkey, Russia and Iran urge 'lasting ceasefire' in Syria

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 14:47

    Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to testify before Congress April 11: panel

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 13:26

    France to extend internal EU border checks: EU Commission

  • Manama (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 13:21

    Bahrain announces discovery of 80 bn barrels of oil

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 12:34

    Iran, Russia, Turkey leaders begin summit on Syria

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:49

    Britain slams 'perverse' Russian plan for joint poisoning probe

  • Douala (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:20

    12 European hostages freed in troubled anglophone Cameroon

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:07

    Eurozone unemployment falls to 8.5% in February

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 10:10

    China to hit US soybeans, cars, planes with retaliatory tariffs

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 09:52

    Russia says spy poisoning 'grotesque provocation' by UK, US

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 09:52

    Russia intel chief warns against 'new' Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 01:23

    China says ready to retaliate to US tariff plan: Xinhua

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 23:20

    US identifies $50 bn in Chinese imports facing tariffs

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 22:44

    Police confirm 'active shooter' at YouTube offices

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 22:32

    Police probe possible shooting at YouTube's California offices

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:20

    Trump says he wants US troops 'out' of Syria

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:13

    Russia, Turkey agree to speed up delivery of S-400s: Putin

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:06

    Putin hopes arms watchdog meeting to put 'full stop' on spy case

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 19:07

    Trump claims 'nobody's been tougher' on Russia than him

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 19:01

    Trump vows to deploy military to Mexican border

  • New York (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:56

    Spotify valued at $29.5 billion in stock debut

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:27

    One peacekeeper killed, 11 wounded in C. Africa attack: UN

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:15

    UK accuses Russia of using arms watchdog meeting as 'diversionary tactic'

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:27

    UK scientists unable to prove nerve agent was Russian-made: reports

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:22

    France's SNCF warns of major rail strike disruption on Wednesday 

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:16

    Britain's Prince Philip, 96, admitted to hospital for hip surgery: official

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:31

    Half of European flights face delays after computer failure: Eurocontrol

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:15

    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces on Gaza border: ministry

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:05

    Putin, Erdogan launch construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 15:59

    Malian jihadist in court for war crimes on Wednesday

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 14:14

    OPCW to meet over Britain-Russia spy poisoning case

  • Geneva (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 12:44

    UN urges Israel to 'reconsider' cancellation of African migrant deal

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 11:58

    Israel cancelling deal with UN on African migrants: Netanyahu

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:36

    German prosecutor requests Puigdemont extradition to Spain

  • Kunduz (Afghanistan) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:18

    UN probes reports of 'serious harm to civilians' in Afghan airstrike

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:08

    N.Korea foreign minister visits Beijing to meet counterpart

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 05:51

    Powerful 6.8 quake strikes Bolivia: USGS

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 22:22

    Netanyahu suspends deal for African migrants

  • New York (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 22:04

    US stocks end sharply lower on tech, trade worries; Nasdaq: -2.7%

  • New York (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 20:10

    US stock selloff deepens, Dow -3.0%; Nasdaq -3.4%

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 19:15

    Four Russian envoys expelled from Germany back in Moscow: Russian embassy

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Brazil's Lula negotiates after arrest deadline passes

AFP / Miguel SCHINCARIOL Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters at the metalworkers' union building in Sao Bernardo do Campo, hours before a deadline he eventually missed to surrender and begin serving a 12-year prison sentence or face arrest

Ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's polarizing election frontrunner and leftist icon, was negotiating his surrender after dramatically skipping a first deadline Friday to start his 12-year prison sentence for corruption.

Holed up with thousands of cheering supporters in the metalworkers' union building in his hometown of Sao Bernardo do Campo, near Sao Paulo, the 72-year-old let the 5:00 pm (2000 GMT) deadline pass without public comment.

This raised the temperature in the standoff between the leftist former two-term president and Judge Sergio Moro, who heads the mammoth "Car Wash" anti-graft probe and who ordered Lula's imprisonment.

Given that Lula was effectively surrounded by a human shield, it was clear that a forcible arrest attempt would trigger violence.

But authorities took pains to reduce tensions, downplaying Lula's defiance and stressing that he was not considered a fugitive -- something that would trigger a preventative arrest warrant.

"Lula did not comply with a judicial order," a spokesman for Moro told AFP, "but everyone knows where he is. He's not hiding or on the run."

- Surrender date still unclear -

Politicians from Lula's Workers Party said he would remain in Sao Bernardo do Campo overnight and that his lawyers were in close negotiations with police over the time and place of the arrest.

"There is a discussion between police and the ex-president's lawyers and the party is following this. The idea is to avoid the judge ordering preventative arrest, which would aggravate the situation," said Congressman Carlos Zarattini.

"Nothing is over yet."

Senator Gleisi Hoffmann tweeted that a Catholic Mass would take place at the union building early Saturday in memory of Lula's late wife Marisa Leticia, who died last year and would now be turning 68.

According to varying Brazilian media reports, Lula was considering surrendering after the Mass or possibly holding out through the weekend.

Much of Friday, Lula waited in hope that the country's top appeals court, the Superior Tribunal of Justice, would temporarily suspend his arrest warrant. However, the petition was rejected shortly before the deadline expired.

Yet another appeal for an injunction against the arrest was filed late Friday with the Supreme Court.

On Thursday, Moro had given Lula 24 hours to surrender voluntarily to police and begin incarceration in the southern city of Curitiba. Moro said the cell, a separate room with its own toilet, was ready, and that Lula would not be handcuffed -- if he came quietly.

- Loved on the left -

AFP / MARCELO CHELLO Lula supporters rally outside the Metallurgical Union in Sao Bernardo do Campo

Lula was convicted last year of taking a luxury apartment as a kickback from a big construction company. He lost a lower court appeal in January and saw his sentence increased from nine to 12 years.

To his Workers' Party faithful, Lula is a victim of an out-of-control judiciary preventing him from returning to power.

They remember him for a 2003-2010 presidency that saw tens of millions lifted from poverty and Brazil rise on the world stage.

"Lula is innocent, Lula for president!" supporters chanted outside the union building.

Renata Swiecik, an unemployed mother of four who had joined the crowd, urged Lula not to hand himself over.

"We are here to resist to the end. Lula will not be a prisoner in 2018, he'll be president and help the people once more," said Swiecik, 31.

- Corruption taint -

AFP/File / Heuler Andrey Brazilian Federal Judge Sergio Moro is in charge of the sprawling "Car Wash" probe, which has revealed systemic, high-level embezzlement and bribery throughout Brazilian business and politics

However, Lula's imminent arrest is being celebrated by many Brazilians.

The "Car Wash" probe, which has revealed systemic, high-level embezzlement and bribery throughout business and politics over the last four years, is wildly popular.

Detractors say that Lula epitomizes Brazil's corruption-riddled elite and his conviction is the biggest "Car Wash" scalp by far.

"I want Lula in prison, I want a better future and with him in the leadership we won't have that," said Maura Moraes de Oliveira, 51, who works as a maid in Curitiba.

"Not only Lula should be locked up, but all the corrupt, a complete cleaning."

Operation "Car Wash" was named after the service station where agents initially investigated a minor money laundering scheme in 2014, before realizing that they'd stumbled on a gargantuan web of embezzlement and bribery at state oil company Petrobras and right through the political classes.

Lula, who grew up poor and with little formal education before becoming a trade union leader and politician, has long said he will go down fighting.

In theory, once someone has been convicted and lost a lower court appeal, he or she is barred from running for office under Brazil's clean-slate law.

Still, even in prison, Lula has the right to register as a candidate. It would then be up to the Superior Electoral Tribunal to rule on whether his candidacy could stand.

Although Lula would almost certainly be blocked, he could use the process to maintain his political influence.

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