Sabtu, 05 Desember 2020

Trump presses Georgia governor to help overturn result - BBC News

US President Donald Trump listens as first lady Melania Trump at a campaign rally in Valdosta, Georgia
Reuters

US President Donald Trump has pressed the Republican governor of Georgia to help overturn Joe Biden's election victory in the state.

In a series of tweets, he urged governor Brian Kemp to call a special session of the state legislature.

It came hours before Mr Trump attended a campaign rally in Georgia for upcoming Senate runoff elections.

The president is still refusing to concede and alleges, without evidence, that Mr Biden's win was due to fraud.

He has launched legal challenges in several states but so far almost all of them have failed.

Georgia was a key battleground state in the election and Joe Biden's narrow win - the first time the state had voted Democrat since 1992 - helped to seal his victory.

  • Why Republicans are fighting in Georgia

It is now the focus of an intense political battle for control of the Senate. If Democrats win January's two runoff elections there, Republicans would lose control of the upper house.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump called Mr Kemp on Saturday morning and asked him to demand an audit of absentee ballot signatures. Mr Kemp - who has no power to order such an audit - turned down the requests, a source told the newspaper.

Mr Trump has alleged throughout the election that the increase in postal ballots had led to widespread fraud, but there has been no evidence of this.

Then on Twitter, the president turned up the pressure on the governor, saying: "I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification ... Why are these two 'Republicans' saying no?"

Mr Kemp tweeted back that he had "publicly called for a signature audit three times" to which Trump responded: "Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding?"

He added: "At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do."

Later, Mr Trump again took aim at Mr Kemp when he addressed supporters in Valdosta, Georgia - his first post-election campaign rally - saying the governor had to "get a lot tougher".

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
Grey line

President Trump told the cheering crowd that he could still win the election. Repeating his unsubstantiated claims, he said: "They cheated and rigged our presidential election but we'll still win it."

The crowd - many waving "Make America Great Again" posters - chanted "Stop the steal" and "Four More Years".

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, said on Wednesday that no evidence of widespread fraud had been found to support Mr Trump's claims.

An election official in the state, Gabriel Sterling, also a Republican, has urged the president to turn down his fraud claims, saying they were inciting violent threats.

Mr Biden won the election with 306 votes in the electoral college - the system the US uses to elect a president - to Mr Trump's 232. The college will meet on 14 December to formalise the outcome.

Why are Republicans campaigning again in Georgia?

The state has two separate Senate races under way ahead of runoff elections on 5 January and both have a Republican incumbent squaring off against a Democratic newcomer.

Senator David Perdue, 70, will compete against Jon Ossoff, 33, a documentary filmmaker.

Senator Kelly Loeffler, 50, is facing off with Reverend Raphael Warnock, 51, a senior pastor at an Atlanta Baptist Church.

Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler look on ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump hosting a campaign event
Reuters

Recent polls show Mr Warnock pulling ahead of Ms Loeffler and the Perdue-Ossoff race in a dead heat.

Mr Trump's Republican party currently has a slim majority in the upper chamber, and a victory in the run-offs would allow it to counter the Democratic administration of President-elect Biden.

However, if the Democrats win the two remaining seats, they would control half the seats in the Senate - and the vice-president would be able to act as a tie-breaker.

The Democrats already control the lower chamber - the House of Representatives.

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2020-12-06 01:38:00Z
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Trump presses Georgia governor to help overturn result - BBC News

US President Donald Trump listens as first lady Melania Trump at a campaign rally in Valdosta, Georgia
Reuters

US President Donald Trump has pressed the Republican governor of Georgia to help overturn Joe Biden's election victory in the state.

In a series of tweets, he urged governor Brian Kemp to call a special session of the state legislature.

It came hours before Mr Trump attended a campaign rally in Georgia for upcoming Senate runoff elections.

The president is still refusing to concede and alleges, without evidence, that Mr Biden's win was due to fraud.

He has launched legal challenges in several states but so far almost all of them have failed.

Georgia was a key battleground state in the election and Joe Biden's narrow win - the first time the state had voted Democrat since 1992 - helped to seal his victory.

  • Why Republicans are fighting in Georgia

It is now the focus of an intense political battle for control of the Senate. If Democrats win January's two runoff elections there, Republicans would lose control of the upper house.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump called Mr Kemp on Saturday morning and asked him to demand an audit of absentee ballot signatures. Mr Kemp - who has no power to order such an audit - turned down the requests, a source told the newspaper.

Mr Trump has alleged throughout the election that the increase in postal ballots had led to widespread fraud, but there has been no evidence of this.

Then on Twitter, the president turned up the pressure on the governor, saying: "I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification ... Why are these two 'Republicans' saying no?"

Mr Kemp tweeted back that he had "publicly called for a signature audit three times" to which Trump responded: "Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding?"

He added: "At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do."

Later, Mr Trump again took aim at Mr Kemp when he addressed supporters in Valdosta, Georgia - his first post-election campaign rally - saying the governor had to "get a lot tougher".

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
Grey line

President Trump told the cheering crowd that he could still win the election. Repeating his unsubstantiated claims, he said: "They cheated and rigged our presidential election but we'll still win it."

The crowd - many waving "Make America Great Again" posters - chanted "Stop the steal" and "Four More Years".

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, said on Wednesday that no evidence of widespread fraud had been found to support Mr Trump's claims.

An election official in the state, Gabriel Sterling, also a Republican, has urged the president to turn down his fraud claims, saying they were inciting violent threats.

Mr Biden won the election with 306 votes in the electoral college - the system the US uses to elect a president - to Mr Trump's 232. The college will meet on 14 December to formalise the outcome.

Why are Republicans campaigning again in Georgia?

The state has two separate Senate races under way ahead of runoff elections on 5 January and both have a Republican incumbent squaring off against a Democratic newcomer.

Senator David Perdue, 70, will compete against Jon Ossoff, 33, a documentary filmmaker.

Senator Kelly Loeffler, 50, is facing off with Reverend Raphael Warnock, 51, a senior pastor at an Atlanta Baptist Church.

Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler look on ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump hosting a campaign event
Reuters

Recent polls show Mr Warnock pulling ahead of Ms Loeffler and the Perdue-Ossoff race in a dead heat.

Mr Trump's Republican party currently has a slim majority in the upper chamber, and a victory in the run-offs would allow it to counter the Democratic administration of President-elect Biden.

However, if the Democrats win the two remaining seats, they would control half the seats in the Senate - and the vice-president would be able to act as a tie-breaker.

The Democrats already control the lower chamber - the House of Representatives.

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2020-12-06 01:12:00Z
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Trump presses Georgia governor to help overturn result - BBC News

US President Donald Trump listens as first lady Melania Trump at a campaign rally in Valdosta, Georgia
Reuters

US President Donald Trump has pressed the Republican governor of Georgia to help overturn Joe Biden's election victory in the state.

In a series of tweets, he urged governor Brian Kemp to call a special session of the state legislature.

It came hours before Mr Trump attended a campaign rally in Georgia for upcoming Senate runoff elections.

The president is still refusing to concede and alleges, without evidence, that Mr Biden's win was due to fraud.

He has launched legal challenges in several states but so far almost all of them have failed.

Georgia was a key battleground state in the election and Joe Biden's narrow win - the first time the state had voted Democrat since 1992 - helped to seal his victory.

  • Why Republicans are fighting in Georgia

It is now the focus of an intense political battle for control of the Senate. If Democrats win January's two runoff elections there, Republicans would lose control of the upper house.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump called Mr Kemp on Saturday morning and asked him to demand an audit of absentee ballot signatures. Mr Kemp - who has no power to order such an audit - turned down the requests, a source told the newspaper.

Mr Trump has alleged throughout the election that the increase in postal ballots had led to widespread fraud, but there has been no evidence of this.

Then on Twitter, the president turned up the pressure on the governor, saying: "I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification ... Why are these two 'Republicans' saying no?"

Mr Kemp tweeted back that he had "publicly called for a signature audit three times" to which Trump responded: "Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding?"

He added: "At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do."

Later, Mr Trump again took aim at Mr Kemp when he addressed supporters in Valdosta, Georgia - his first post-election campaign rally - saying the governor had to "get a lot tougher".

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
Grey line

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, said on Wednesday that no evidence of widespread fraud had been found to support Mr Trump's claims.

An election official in the state, Gabriel Sterling, also a Republican, has urged the president to turn down his fraud claims, saying they were inciting violent threats.

Mr Biden won the election with 306 votes in the electoral college - the system the US uses to elect a president - to Mr Trump's 232. The college will meet on 14 December to formalise the outcome.

Why are Republicans campaigning again in Georgia?

The state has two separate Senate races under way ahead of runoff elections on 5 January and both have a Republican incumbent squaring off against a Democratic newcomer.

Senator David Perdue, 70, will compete against Jon Ossoff, 33, a documentary filmmaker.

Senator Kelly Loeffler, 50, is facing off with Reverend Raphael Warnock, 51, a senior pastor at an Atlanta Baptist Church.

Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler look on ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump hosting a campaign event
Reuters

Recent polls show Mr Warnock pulling ahead of Ms Loeffler and the Perdue-Ossoff race in a dead heat.

Mr Trump's Republican party currently has a slim majority in the upper chamber, and a victory in the run-offs would allow it to counter the Democratic administration of President-elect Biden.

However, if the Democrats win the two remaining seats, they would control half the seats in the Senate - and the vice-president would be able to act as a tie-breaker.

The Democrats already control the lower chamber - the House of Representatives.

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2020-12-06 00:56:00Z
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Paris protests: Police clash with protesters as violence flares at anti-security bill demonstrations - Sky News

Police clashed with protesters in Paris as demonstrations over a new French security law turned violent.

Thousands took to the streets of the French capital and other major cities on Saturday to protest President Emmanuel Macron's proposed legislation, which they claim would restrict civil liberties and increase surveillance.

Demonstrators were also marching against police brutality, but officers were forced to fire tear gas when a small number of them burned cars, smashed shop windows and set fire to barricades.

Part of Mr Macron's draft bill - that would have banned the filming of police officers - had to be rewritten earlier this week after it sparked a major backlash.

Thousands took to the streets for the protest against the 'global security bill' on Saturday
Image: Thousands took to the streets for the protest against the 'global security bill' on Saturday
Police officers filled the streets to deal with protesters
Image: Police officers fired tear gas at protesters

Today in Paris, protesters clutched signs that read "Police everywhere, justice nowhere" and "France, land of police rights".

Mr Macron has tried to offer police officers greater protection in the face of online hate with his new bill, but angered unions on Friday when he said that those who used gratuitous violence and showed racist attitudes needed to be sanctioned.

A protester throws wood on a barricade during demonstrations in Paris
Image: A protester throws wood on a barricade during demonstrations in Paris

Police misconduct has received fresh attention in France recently after video footage emerged of officers beating up a black man called Michel Zecler as he was arrested in Paris.

More from France

Mr Macron was already facing mass criticism for his hard-line stance on France's secular laws following the beheading of a school teacher who showed students a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.

Fire lit the streets of Paris as cars were set alight
Image: Fire lit up the streets as cars were set ablaze

The French president stood by France's 'laicite' laws that sanction blasphemy after Samuel Paty, 47, was murdered in Conflans Sainte-Honorine in October.

Mr Macron said Mr Paty was killed because he "taught the freedom of expression, of believing and not believing", sparking outrage in Islamic countries around the world.

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2020-12-05 20:17:15Z
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France: Violence erupts in new Paris protest against security law - Al Jazeera English

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 64 people had been detained in protests across the country so far.

Violence erupted in Paris for the second consecutive weekend at a mass protest against a new security law and police brutality, as demonstrators clashed with police, set alight vehicles and smashed shop windows.

The weekly nationwide protests are becoming a major crisis for President Emmanuel Macron’s government, with tensions intensified by the beating of a Black music producer by police last month.

Members of the so-called yellow vests movement, which shook Macron with protests against inequality in France over the winter of 2018-19, were also prominent in the rally on Saturday.

Windows of a supermarket, property agency and a bank were broken while several cars burst into flames along Avenue Gambetta as demonstrators marched towards the central Place de la Republique, AFP news agency reporters said.

Objects were also thrown at police who responded by using tear gas, in a repeat of the violent scenes from the protests last weekend against the security law that would restrict publishing pictures of the faces of the police.

Some demonstrators used objects left into the streets to create impromptu barricades that they set on fire.

Protesters, some letting off smoke bombs and firecrackers, shouted slogans such as: “Everyone hates the police.”

It was one of about 100 protests planned throughout France on Saturday against the new security law.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 64 people were detained across the country, and eight police officers were injured.

The security bill was part of Macron’s drive to get tougher on law and order [Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP]

‘No contradiction’

France has been hit by a wave of street protests after the government introduced a security bill in parliament that set out to increase its surveillance tools and restrict rights on circulating images of police officers in the media and online.

The bill was part of Macron’s drive to get tougher on law and order ahead of elections in 2022. His government also said the police needed to be better protected from online hate.

But the draft legislation provoked a public backlash.

After four French police officers were charged on November 30 over the beating and racial abuse of Black music producer Michel Zecler, legislators from Macron’s party pledged a “complete rewrite” of part of the draft law.

Under a sign demanding the withdrawal of the security law, CGT union leader Philippe Martinez said several causes were coming together.

“There is no contradiction between public and individual freedoms and the need to fight job insecurity and unemployment,” Martinez told AFP.

He referred to the “abuse of employers” and the loss of worker protections.

Police officers intervene during the protest against the draft law [Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP]
On Friday, Macron gave a hugely anticipated interview to Brut, a video-based news portal aimed at young people, which was seen as an attempt by the president to win credibility with youth particularly concerned by the actions of the French police.

Macron acknowledged “there are police who are violent” and insisted that “they need to be punished”.

But he also lashed out at the violence against police at last weekend’s rally in Paris, which he blamed on “crazy people”.

“I cannot let it be said that we are reducing freedoms in France,” he said.

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2020-12-05 18:45:00Z
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Riots in Paris as furious masked mob set cars on fire and throw Molotov cocktails at police - Daily Mail

Riots in Paris as furious masked mob set cars on fire and throw Molotov cocktails at police as thousands march against law making it illegal to film police

  • Violent clashes broke out in Paris again today after weeks of unrest following a new 'Global Security' bill
  • Law would make it illegal to film the police, a policy President Macron's administration has pledged to rewrite
  • Concerns from activists & journalists that new measure would harm press freedoms & enable police brutality
  • Fires were light in the street and cars were set alight as the roads of the French capital were filled with smoke
  • Demonstrators were seen battling with riot police, with reports of missiles being thrown at the officers 
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Cars were ignited by furious gangs of rioters in Paris today as thousands marched against a new law making it illegal to film the police.

Flames and thick black smoke filled major streets in the French capital on Saturday as youths wearing black masks and balaclavas threw missiles including Molotov Cocktails at the police.

By early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, said a local police spokesman, who said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in.

The new legislation would have created a new criminal offence for publishing images of police officers with intent to cause them harm but President Macron's administration has since pledged to rewrite it following riots across the country. 

Despite the rewrite concession, opponents have pledged to continue to protest until it is removed completely.  

In a day of dramatic protests, cars were set alight in the street, filling the roads of Paris with plumes of thick black smoke. Pictured: A 'yellow vest' anti-government protestor kneels raising his fist holding a sign which reads: 'Living, Yes! Surviving, No!'

In a day of dramatic protests, cars were set alight in the street, filling the roads of Paris with plumes of thick black smoke. Pictured: A 'yellow vest' anti-government protestor kneels raising his fist holding a sign which reads: 'Living, Yes! Surviving, No!'

Protesters were blocked by riot police officers during the demonstration this afternoon in Paris as yellow flares were set off

Protesters were blocked by riot police officers during the demonstration this afternoon in Paris as yellow flares were set off 

Demonstrators attempted get past the wall of riot police who blocked the street in Paris which saw fires and clashes break out in the capital

Demonstrators attempted get past the wall of riot police who blocked the street in Paris which saw fires and clashes break out in the capital

Reports suggest some members of the protest were throwing missiles at the riot police in Paris, including Molotov Cocktails

Reports suggest some members of the protest were throwing missiles at the riot police in Paris, including Molotov Cocktails

During the struggle between officers and demonstrators in Paris, the police were pelted with pink paint as well as claims of other missiles being launched at them

During the struggle between officers and demonstrators in Paris, the police were pelted with pink paint as well as claims of other missiles being launched at them

Protestors took the streets in Paris again today, after weeks of demonstrations, to campaign against the French government's proposed 'General Security' bill,  forcing the police to intervene

Protestors took the streets in Paris again today, after weeks of demonstrations, to campaign against the French government's proposed 'General Security' bill,  forcing the police to intervene

Across the city fires broke out, including this car which has been set alight as part of the growing tensions between protestors and police in Paris

Across the city fires broke out, including this car which has been set alight as part of the growing tensions between protestors and police in Paris

‘They were part of a march heading towards Place de la Republique,’ said the source.

‘Vehicles and property are being set alight and officers are coming under attack. The situation is very tense.

‘There are hundreds of Black Bloc anarchists in the crowd and they are starting the fires, and smashing windows.’

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed.

Local police confirmed that by early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, Paris. Pictured: A demonstrator holds an umbrella and a sign reading 'For your safety you will have no more freedoms' during the protests

Local police confirmed that by early evening there had been 22 arrests of ‘very violent suspects’ in the area around Avenue Gambetta, Paris. Pictured: A demonstrator holds an umbrella and a sign reading 'For your safety you will have no more freedoms' during the protests

A spokesperson for the local police said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in Paris

A spokesperson for the local police said highly organised rioters had put numerous shop windows in Paris

One source described the situation as 'very tense' as police attempted to block off protestors in the French capital

One source described the situation as 'very tense' as police attempted to block off protestors in the French capital

Large groups of demonstrators, who were piled in together on the streets of Paris and unable to social distance, were blocked off during the demonstration

Large groups of demonstrators, who were piled in together on the streets of Paris and unable to social distance, were blocked off during the demonstration

People marched through the streets of Paris which saw fires burning and cars set alight holding signs, such as this which reads: 'Sweet France. Dear country of violence'

People marched through the streets of Paris which saw fires burning and cars set alight holding signs, such as this which reads: 'Sweet France. Dear country of violence'

Police detained several protestors during the demonstrations, including this one individual in Marseille, southern France

Police detained several protestors during the demonstrations, including this one individual in Marseille, southern France

Police officers are reported to have dragged a protestor during the protests in Marseille today

Police officers are reported to have dragged a protestor during the protests in Marseille today

There were similar scenes a week ago in Paris when police came under continual attack around Place de Bastille.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration has pledged to rewrite a new Global Security bill which will make it illegal to publish any images of the police that might harm officers ‘physically or psychologically’.

Tensions are running particularly high because four officers are currently facing criminal charges after beating up Michel Zecler, a black music producer, two weeks ago.

More than 20 arrests were made today as violence broke out in Paris and smoke filled the streets

More than 20 arrests were made today as violence broke out in Paris and smoke filled the streets

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed

As the violence intensified, officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, and water canons were also deployed

As well as shops and car windows, billboards were also destroyed by the protestors in Paris

As well as shops and car windows, billboards were also destroyed by the protestors in Paris

Violent clashes continued into the afternoon as police were forced to detain members of the protest in Paris

Violent clashes continued into the afternoon as police were forced to detain members of the protest in Paris 

Thousands of people marched in Paris, holding placards and banners against the General Security bill

Thousands of people marched in Paris, holding placards and banners against the General Security bill

As the winter evening set in in Paris, the streets were filled with colour as fires and flares continue to burn in the city

As the winter evening set in in Paris, the streets were filled with colour as fires and flares continue to burn in the city

Demonstrators have pointed to the fact that all the evidence against the police comes from CCTV footage, and film shot by passers-by outside Mr Zecler’s Black Gold studio in Paris.

Interior Minister GĂ©rald Darmanin said he would press for the dismissal of all the officers involved, saying they had ‘soiled the uniform of the republic’.

Today, there were also demonstrations against the new law in some 89 other cities and towns beyond Paris.

Cars were seen burnt out this evening after protests resulted in cars being set alight across the capital

Cars were seen burnt out this evening after protests resulted in cars being set alight across the capital

Firefighters attended the scene in Paris this evening to extinguish a vehicle which had been set on fire

Firefighters attended the scene in Paris this evening to extinguish a vehicle which had been set on fire

Riot mobile gendarmes stand in front of a wall inscription reading 'Police everywhere, justice nowhere'

Riot mobile gendarmes stand in front of a wall inscription reading 'Police everywhere, justice nowhere'

Protestors were seen throwing items in the street while standing beside a burning barricade in Paris

Protestors were seen throwing items in the street while standing beside a burning barricade in Paris

Some demonstrators sat on chairs watching a car which had been set alight during the clashes in Paris

Some demonstrators sat on chairs watching a car which had been set alight during the clashes in Paris

Most of France remains under coronavirus lockdown, but the forces of law and order today appeared relaxed about the large numbers turning up to demonstrate.

Protesters argue that recording officers in action is essential to being able to condemn and curb the actions of violent officers. They also worry how courts would determine whether images were posted with intent to harm.

In July, three French police officers were charged with manslaughter over the death of a delivery man, Cedric Chouviat, which bystanders caught on video.

Mr Chouviat's death had similarities with the killing of George Floyd in the US state of Minneapolis, which sparked outrage around the world and a series of Black Lives Matter demonstrations in France.

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2020-12-05 16:35:00Z
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COVID-19: Moscow vaccine launch is more of a PR event - 100,000 have already had it - Sky News

There is hardly a rush to get the vaccine, here at city clinic number 68 in Moscow.

It is one of 70 polyclinics across the capital to offer Russia's first registered vaccine, Sputnik V, to medics, teachers and social workers starting today.

Only 17 people have signed up.

Registration opened on Friday. You have to be aged between 18 and 60, have no chronic medical conditions and you can't be pregnant or breastfeeding.

Only 17 people have signed up at one clinic
Image: Only 17 people have signed up at one clinic

Dmitry Buriy works in a bank but signed up anyway. Maybe he hadn't read the small print - that you need a certificate proving you are from one of the at-risk groups. He was turned away.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "We still know so little about COVID-19 or how bad the after-effects might be so better to get the vaccine now.

"I think the Russian vaccine is just as good as foreign ones. I've been reading a lot about it and I feel I can trust it."

More from Covid-19

This Moscow "launch" is more a PR event than anything else.

One hundred thousand people have already received the vaccine.

Forty thousand of those are volunteers in Sputnik V's Phase 3 trials but another 60,000 medics and doctors have also taken the vaccine.

On the same day the UK licensed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use, President Vladimir Putin urged his officials to launch "mass vaccination" by the end of the next week.

Top marks then for Moscow's mayor for rolling it out first.

"I'm not scared of taking it," says Svetlana Belusova, a 36-year-old medic.

She already had the virus earlier this year and doesn't want it again.

A woman receives her Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at a clinic in Moscow
Image: A woman receives her Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at a clinic in Moscow

"I think vaccination will help stop the pandemic. In half a year I think everything should start getting better," she added.

It needs to. As elsewhere, the numbers are not encouraging. Moscow today registered an all-time high for the virus of 7,993 cases over the last 24 hours.

There were 28,782 across the whole country, another all-time high.

All told Russia has had 2.4 million cases and 42,000 deaths.

The comparatively low death toll has consistently raised eyebrows but officials insist it is correct.

Sputnik V was registered in August
Image: Sputnik V was registered in August

Anna Gusalova works in one of Moscow's bigger hospitals.

"It's scary. I know many people who are sick and lots who have died in my circle of friends, mostly older people," she says.

"We've always had vaccinations since childhood. I don't see why the vaccine should be any worse in Russia than in other countries."

I ask if she is surprised at the rush to get Sputnik V registered and into circulation.

"Doesn't every country want to get a vaccine first?", she asks.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LW1vc2Nvdy12YWNjaW5lLWxhdW5jaC1pcy1tb3JlLW9mLWEtcHItZXZlbnQtMTAwLTAwMC1oYXZlLWFscmVhZHktaGFkLWl0LTEyMTUxODU00gF4aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LW1vc2Nvdy12YWNjaW5lLWxhdW5jaC1pcy1tb3JlLW9mLWEtcHItZXZlbnQtMTAwLTAwMC1oYXZlLWFscmVhZHktaGFkLWl0LTEyMTUxODU0?oc=5

2020-12-05 13:53:40Z
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