france24--2020-07-19--Thousands in Israel protest Netanyahu's coronavirus response

A protestor holds up his fists as Israeli police spray the crowd with water cannon during a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem , on July 19 , 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Israeli police fired water cannons to disperse anti-government protests attended by thousands on Saturday , as public anger mounts over the handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Demonstrators gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's residence in Jerusalem and at a park in Tel Aviv , voicing frustration over the government 's response to a growing epidemic that has taken a devastating economic toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had allowed demonstrations to take place but took action against unauthorised `` disturbances , '' including road blockages .
Rosenfeld said protesters in Tel Aviv sprayed pepper spray at police , leading to multiple arrests .
With Israel recording more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections a day in recent weeks , the government on Friday announced a broad range of new restrictions .
Shops , markets and other public venues have closed on weekends , while restaurants have been restricted to take away and delivery .
Netanyahu has admitted he reopened the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , when Israel , a country of about 9 million people , had reduced its daily caseload to a trickle .
In an apparent bid to quell public anger , Netanyahu this week announced plans to send cash to all Israelis -- a measure criticised by some experts who said the economy needed targeted assistance , not a nationwide payout .
While some protesters voiced frustration over the reimposed restrictions , others have blasted the government for failing to improve testing capacity ahead of the second transmission wave .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute think tank , only 29.5 percent of the public supported Netanyahu 's coronavirus management .
That figure was 57.5 percent at the beginning of April .
Beyond the pandemic , some protesters demanded Netanyahu 's resignation over corruption charges filed against the veteran right-wing premier .
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing , but has been indicted for accepting improper gifts and seeking to trade favours with media moguls in exchange for positive coverage .
The trial continues in Jerusalem on Sunday , although Netanyahu is not expected to appear in court .

Israeli police fired water cannons to disperse anti-government protests attended by thousands on Saturday, as public anger mounts over the handling of the coronavirus crisis.
A protestor holds up his fists as Israeli police spray the crowd with water cannon during a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on July 19, 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertising Read more
Demonstrators gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem and at a park in Tel Aviv, voicing frustration over the government's response to a growing epidemic that has taken a devastating economic toll.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said officers had allowed demonstrations to take place but took action against unauthorised "disturbances," including road blockages.
Rosenfeld said protesters in Tel Aviv sprayed pepper spray at police, leading to multiple arrests.
01:36
With Israel recording more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections a day in recent weeks, the government on Friday announced a broad range of new restrictions.
Shops, markets and other public venues have closed on weekends, while restaurants have been restricted to take away and delivery.
Netanyahu has admitted he reopened the economy too soon through late April and early May, when Israel, a country of about 9 million people, had reduced its daily caseload to a trickle.
In an apparent bid to quell public anger, Netanyahu this week announced plans to send cash to all Israelis -- a measure criticised by some experts who said the economy needed targeted assistance, not a nationwide payout.
Dip in support for Covid response
While some protesters voiced frustration over the reimposed restrictions, others have blasted the government for failing to improve testing capacity ahead of the second transmission wave.
According to a July 12 poll by the Israel Democracy Institute think tank, only 29.5 percent of the public supported Netanyahu's coronavirus management.
That figure was 57.5 percent at the beginning of April.
Beyond the pandemic, some protesters demanded Netanyahu's resignation over corruption charges filed against the veteran right-wing premier.
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but has been indicted for accepting improper gifts and seeking to trade favours with media moguls in exchange for positive coverage.
The trial continues in Jerusalem on Sunday, although Netanyahu is not expected to appear in court.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--WHO reports nearly 260,000 single-day Covid-19 infections, a record high

People wearing personal protective equipment ( PPE ) stand beside a notice advising guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the entrance to a church before a Sunday service in Hyderabad , India on July 19 , 2020 .
Countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India were struggling to hold down rising rates of the coronavirus , as global deaths from COVID-19 surged past 600,000 in a sign of how far off the world remains from a return to normalcy .
While the U.S. leads global infections , South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — roughly half of all those confirmed on the African continent .
Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources .
India on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases , taking the country 's total to 1,077,618 .
Elsewhere in Asia , China confirmed 13 new cases in the northwestern city of Urumqi while South Korea reported less than 40 additional cases for a second straight day .
The Urumqi outbreak is the latest to pop up since China largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
At least 30 people have been infected and authorities are conducting universal testing in communities where cases were discovered , later to be expanded to other parts of the city and major businesses .
South Korean authorities are also struggling to suppress an uptick in local infections , with 34 additional cases , 21 of them domestic and 13 from overseas , raising the country ’ s total to 13,745 with 295 deaths .
Both countries are mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all overseas arrivals .
After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian state of Victoria rose again , prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell .
Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours .
Two men and a woman in their 90s died , taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122 .
The World Health Organization on Saturday again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848 .
South Africa now trails the U.S. , Brazil , India — all far more populous countries — in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases .
South Africa ’ s new coronavirus epicenter , Gauteng province , hosts the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and one-quarter of the country ’ s population of 57 million , with many poor people living in crowded conditions in the middle of a frosty Southern Hemisphere winter .
“ The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they can not comply with World Health Organization protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing , ” the foundation of former South African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tutu and his wife , Leah , warned in a statement .
Global COVID-19 deaths have hit 601,549 , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The United States tops the list with 140,119 deaths , followed by 78,772 in Brazil and 45,358 in the United Kingdom and 38,888 in Mexico , where a surge in cases has frustrated plans to reopen the economy .
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million , out of which 3.7 million are in the United States .
There are over 2 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India .
Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations .
'Never seen anything like this' Infections are soaring in U.S. states like Florida , Texas , Arizona , fueled by the haphazard lifting of lockdowns and the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks .
Teams of military medics have been deployed in Texas and California to help hospitals deal with a deluge of patients who are flooding emergency rooms in parts of the U.S .
Some patients are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most seriously ill and nurses are working extra shifts to keep up with the surge .
Patients struggling to breathe are being placed on ventilators in emergency wards since intensive care units are full , officials say .
Patients are waiting “ hours and hours ” to get admitted , said Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine in the state of Texas , which reported a new daily record for virus deaths Friday and more than 10,000 confirmed cases for the fourth consecutive day .
More than 80 infants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything like this COVID surge , ” said Haddock , who has worked in emergency rooms since 2007 .
“ We ’ re doing our best , but we ’ re not an ICU.
” The surge of infections means that millions of American children are unlikely to return to classrooms full time in the fall .
Police in Barcelona are limiting access to some of the city ’ s beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of the coronavirus .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit the city ’ s famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic district ’ s narrow streets because they are too busy .
Local governments in India continued to reimpose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country following a surge in cases .
And in Iran , the president made the startling announcement that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected , the state-run IRNA news agency reported .
Hassan Rouhani cited a new Health Ministry study that has not been made public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst outbreak with more than 270,000 confirmed cases .
In Bangladesh , confirmed cases surpassed 200,000 but experts say the number is much higher as the country lacks adequate labs for testing .
Most people in rural areas have stopped wearing masks and are thronging shopping centers ahead of the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha this month .
Scientists , meanwhile , poured cold water on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s hope that the country may return to normal by Christmas , saying that , without a vaccine , normal life was @ @ @ @ @

Countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India were struggling to hold down rising rates of the coronavirus, as global deaths from COVID-19 surged past 600,000 in a sign of how far off the world remains from a return to normalcy.
People wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) stand beside a notice advising guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the entrance to a church before a Sunday service in Hyderabad, India on July 19, 2020.
Advertising Read more
While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with 350,879 cases — roughly half of all those confirmed on the African continent. Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources.
India on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases, taking the country's total to 1,077,618. Elsewhere in Asia, China confirmed 13 new cases in the northwestern city of Urumqi while South Korea reported less than 40 additional cases for a second straight day.
The Urumqi outbreak is the latest to pop up since China largely contained the domestic spread of the virus in March. At least 30 people have been infected and authorities are conducting universal testing in communities where cases were discovered, later to be expanded to other parts of the city and major businesses.
South Korean authorities are also struggling to suppress an uptick in local infections, with 34 additional cases, 21 of them domestic and 13 from overseas, raising the country’s total to 13,745 with 295 deaths.
Both countries are mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all overseas arrivals.
After a one-day respite, COVID-19 cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell. Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours. Two men and a woman in their 90s died, taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122.
'Sitting ducks'
The World Health Organization on Saturday again reported a single-day record of new infections with 259,848.
South Africa now trails the U.S., Brazil, India — all far more populous countries — in the number of infections, surpassing Peru, after health authorities announced 13,285 new cases.
South Africa’s new coronavirus epicenter, Gauteng province, hosts the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and one-quarter of the country’s population of 57 million, with many poor people living in crowded conditions in the middle of a frosty Southern Hemisphere winter.
“The simple fact is that many South Africans are sitting ducks because they cannot comply with World Health Organization protocols on improved hygiene and social distancing,” the foundation of former South African archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, warned in a statement.
Global COVID-19 deaths have hit 601,549, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The United States tops the list with 140,119 deaths, followed by 78,772 in Brazil and 45,358 in the United Kingdom and 38,888 in Mexico, where a surge in cases has frustrated plans to reopen the economy.
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, out of which 3.7 million are in the United States. There are over 2 million in Brazil and more than 1 million in India. Experts believe the true numbers around the world are higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues in some nations.
'Never seen anything like this'
Infections are soaring in U.S. states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, fueled by the haphazard lifting of lockdowns and the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks.
Teams of military medics have been deployed in Texas and California to help hospitals deal with a deluge of patients who are flooding emergency rooms in parts of the U.S. Some patients are being moved into hallways to make room for most seriously ill and nurses are working extra shifts to keep up with the surge.
Patients struggling to breathe are being placed on ventilators in emergency wards since intensive care units are full, officials say.
Patients are waiting “hours and hours” to get admitted, said Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine in the state of Texas, which reported a new daily record for virus deaths Friday and more than 10,000 confirmed cases for the fourth consecutive day. More than 80 infants have tested positive for the virus in the state.
“I’ve never seen anything like this COVID surge,” said Haddock, who has worked in emergency rooms since 2007. “We’re doing our best, but we’re not an ICU.”
The surge of infections means that millions of American children are unlikely to return to classrooms full time in the fall.
Local lockdowns in Spain, India
Police in Barcelona are limiting access to some of the city’s beaches because sunbathers are ignoring regulations amid a resurgence of the coronavirus. Authorities in Amsterdam are urging people not to visit the city’s famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic district’s narrow streets because they are too busy.
Local governments in India continued to reimpose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country following a surge in cases. And in Iran, the president made the startling announcement that as many as 25 million Iranians could have been infected, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Hassan Rouhani cited a new Health Ministry study that has not been made public. Iran has the Middle East’s worst outbreak with more than 270,000 confirmed cases.
In Bangladesh, confirmed cases surpassed 200,000 but experts say the number is much higher as the country lacks adequate labs for testing. Most people in rural areas have stopped wearing masks and are thronging shopping centers ahead of the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha this month.
Scientists, meanwhile, poured cold water on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s hope that the country may return to normal by Christmas, saying that, without a vaccine, normal life was a long way off.
(AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-18--French authorities open arson investigation into Nantes cathedral fire

The inside of the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes , western France , following a fire on July 18 , 2020 .
A fire broke out in three places at the gothic cathedral of Nantes in western France Saturday , destroying stained glass windows and the grand organ and sparking an arson investigation .
Catholic officials mourned the loss of priceless artefacts and paintings as well as the 17th century organ -- a star attraction of the cathedral .
Regional fire chief Laurent Ferlay however said the damage was not comparable to last year 's devastating blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rosette of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and alerted emergency services a little before 08:00 am ( 0600 GMT ) .
Roughly 100 firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to save the structure , built between the 15th and 19th centuries , Ferlay said .
Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said the fire had started in three different places , so a judicial investigation for arson was immediately opened .
`` When we arrive at a place where a fire has taken place , when you see three separate fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common sense , you open an investigation , '' Sennes told AFP .
The prosecutor said investigators had found no sign of a break-in , but noted that one fire had started near the organ , while the other two were at the other end of the cathedral .
Catholic official Father François Renaud , who oversees the cathedral , surveyed the damage with firemen and told AFP the organ console had `` completely disappeared '' , describing it as `` an unimaginable loss '' .
`` The console of the choir organ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adjoining wooden choir stalls .
Original stained glass windows behind the great organ have all shattered , '' he said .
While the blaze was still raging , President Emmanuel Macron tweeted support for `` our firefighters who are taking all kinds of risks to save this gothic jewel '' .
Prime Minister Jean Castex later inspected the damage along with the French ministers of the interior and culture .
He set the investigation and subsequent reconstruction as priorities , saying `` the state will play a major role '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by fire in 1972 and its roof took more than 13 years to repair .
Cathedral rector Father Hubert Champenois said `` everything was in order last night , '' and that `` a very close inspection was made before it closed , like every other evening . ''
Ferlay played down any comparison with the 1972 blaze or with Notre-Dame , which caught fire during repair work in April last year .
Much of Notre-Dame 's roof and wooden structure was destroyed , its steeple collapsed and fumes containing toxic molten lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nantes -- the Basilica of St Donatian and St Rogatian -- was struck by a fire in 2015 that destroyed three-quarters of its roof .
`` I would like to stress that following the 1972 fire , the roof was redone with concrete reinforcement , '' Ferlay said .
Aside from the destroyed organ , officials said other items lost included a painting by 19th century artist Hippolyte Flandrin and stained glass windows on the facade , some of which contained remnants of 16th century glass .
Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saint Clair healing the blind `` a painful loss '' .
The organ dated back to 1621 and had undergone five restorations since -- the latest one in 1971 .
During the 18th century revolutionary period , authorities had wanted to melt down its pipes for scrap , but the organist argued it could instead be used for `` revolutionary ceremonies '' , according to historian Paul Chopelin .

A fire broke out in three places at the gothic cathedral of Nantes in western France Saturday, destroying stained glass windows and the grand organ and sparking an arson investigation.
The inside of the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes, western France, following a fire on July 18 , 2020.
Advertising Read more
Catholic officials mourned the loss of priceless artefacts and paintings as well as the 17th century organ -- a star attraction of the cathedral.
Regional fire chief Laurent Ferlay however said the damage was not comparable to last year's devastating blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.
Passers-by saw flames behind the rosette of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and alerted emergency services a little before 08:00 am (0600 GMT).
Roughly 100 firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to save the structure, built between the 15th and 19th centuries, Ferlay said.
Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said the fire had started in three different places, so a judicial investigation for arson was immediately opened.
"When we arrive at a place where a fire has taken place, when you see three separate fire outbreaks, it's a question of common sense, you open an investigation," Sennes told AFP.
The prosecutor said investigators had found no sign of a break-in, but noted that one fire had started near the organ, while the other two were at the other end of the cathedral.
'An unimaginable loss'
Catholic official Father François Renaud, who oversees the cathedral, surveyed the damage with firemen and told AFP the organ console had "completely disappeared", describing it as "an unimaginable loss".
"The console of the choir organ has gone up in smoke along with the adjoining wooden choir stalls. Original stained glass windows behind the great organ have all shattered," he said.
While the blaze was still raging, President Emmanuel Macron tweeted support for "our firefighters who are taking all kinds of risks to save this gothic jewel".
Prime Minister Jean Castex later inspected the damage along with the French ministers of the interior and culture.
He set the investigation and subsequent reconstruction as priorities, saying "the state will play a major role" in the latter.
The building was last hit by fire in 1972 and its roof took more than 13 years to repair.
Cathedral rector Father Hubert Champenois said "everything was in order last night," and that "a very close inspection was made before it closed, like every other evening."
Ferlay played down any comparison with the 1972 blaze or with Notre-Dame, which caught fire during repair work in April last year.
Reinforced roof
Much of Notre-Dame's roof and wooden structure was destroyed, its steeple collapsed and fumes containing toxic molten lead billowed into the air.
Another church in Nantes -- the Basilica of St Donatian and St Rogatian -- was struck by a fire in 2015 that destroyed three-quarters of its roof.
"I would like to stress that following the 1972 fire, the roof was redone with concrete reinforcement," Ferlay said.
Aside from the destroyed organ, officials said other items lost included a painting by 19th century artist Hippolyte Flandrin and stained glass windows on the facade, some of which contained remnants of 16th century glass.
Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot called the destruction of Flandrin's painting of Saint Clair healing the blind "a painful loss".
The organ dated back to 1621 and had undergone five restorations since -- the latest one in 1971.
During the 18th century revolutionary period, authorities had wanted to melt down its pipes for scrap, but the organist argued it could instead be used for "revolutionary ceremonies", according to historian Paul Chopelin.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-20--United Arab Emirates launches historic Mars space mission from Japan

An H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe , developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre ( MBRSC ) in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) for the Mars explore , lifts off from the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center on the southwestern island of Tanegashima , Japan , in this photo taken by Kyodo July 20 , 2020 .
The first Arab space mission to Mars blasted off Monday aboard a rocket from Japan , with the probe dubbed `` Hope '' successfully separating about an hour after liftoff .
A live feed of the launch showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as `` Al-Amal '' in Arabic , lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan at 6:58 am local time ( 2158 GMT ) .
Almost exactly one hour later , the feed showed people applauding in the Japanese control room as the probe successfully detached .
In Dubai , the launch was met with rapturous excitement , with the UAE Mars mission 's deputy project manager Sarah Al-Amiri declaring it `` an indescribable feeling '' to see the probe blasting off .
`` This is the future of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also minister of state for advanced sciences , told Dubai TV from the launch site .
The Emirati project is one of three racing to Mars , including Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States , taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearest .
In October , Mars will be a comparatively short 38.6 million miles ( 62.07 million kilometres ) from Earth , according to NASA .
`` Hope '' is expected to reach Mars 's orbit by February 2021 , marking the 50th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an alliance of seven emirates .
Unlike the two other Mars ventures scheduled for this year , it will not land on the Red Planet , but instead orbit it for a whole Martian year , or 687 days .
While the objective of the Mars mission is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in the Red Planet 's atmosphere , the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years .
The UAE also wants the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspiration for Arab youth , in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises .
On Twitter , the UAE 's government declared the probe launch a `` message of pride , hope and peace to the Arab region , in which we renew the golden age of Arab and Islamic discoveries . ''
Dubai 's Burj Khalifa , the world 's tallest skyscraper , lit up hours before liftoff with a symbolic 10-second countdown in anticipation of the launch , which was twice delayed by bad weather .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- have set off for the Red Planet since the 1960s .
Many never made it that far , or failed to land .
The drive to explore Mars flagged until the confirmation less than 10 years ago that water once flowed on its surface .
Omran Sharaf , the mission 's project manager , has said the `` Hope '' probe will offer a special perspective on the elusive planet .
`` What is unique about this mission is that for the first time the scientific community around the world will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at different times of the day at different seasons , '' Sharaf told a pre-launch briefing .
`` We have a strategy to contribute to the global effort in developing technologies and science work that will help one day if humanity decides to put a human on Mars . ''
The UAE already has nine functioning satellites in orbit , with plans to launch another eight in coming years .
And in September , it sent the first Emirati into space on a mission to the International Space Station .
But the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a goal of building a human settlement on Mars by 2117 .

The first Arab space mission to Mars blasted off Monday aboard a rocket from Japan, with the probe dubbed "Hope" successfully separating about an hour after liftoff.
An H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, lifts off from the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center on the southwestern island of Tanegashima, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 20, 2020.
Advertising Read more
A live feed of the launch showed the rocket carrying the unmanned probe, known as "Al-Amal" in Arabic, lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan at 6:58 am local time (2158 GMT).
Almost exactly one hour later, the feed showed people applauding in the Japanese control room as the probe successfully detached.
In Dubai, the launch was met with rapturous excitement, with the UAE Mars mission's deputy project manager Sarah Al-Amiri declaring it "an indescribable feeling" to see the probe blasting off.
"This is the future of the UAE," Amiri, who is also minister of state for advanced sciences, told Dubai TV from the launch site.
The Emirati project is one of three racing to Mars, including Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States, taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearest.
In October, Mars will be a comparatively short 38.6 million miles (62.07 million kilometres) from Earth, according to NASA.
"Hope" is expected to reach Mars's orbit by February 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE, an alliance of seven emirates.
Martian year of orbit
Unlike the two other Mars ventures scheduled for this year, it will not land on the Red Planet, but instead orbit it for a whole Martian year, or 687 days.
While the objective of the Mars mission is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in the Red Planet's atmosphere, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years.
The UAE also wants the project to serve as a source of inspiration for Arab youth, in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises.
On Twitter, the UAE's government declared the probe launch a "message of pride, hope and peace to the Arab region, in which we renew the golden age of Arab and Islamic discoveries."
Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, lit up hours before liftoff with a symbolic 10-second countdown in anticipation of the launch, which was twice delayed by bad weather.
'Holistic view'
Several dozen probes -- most of them American -- have set off for the Red Planet since the 1960s. Many never made it that far, or failed to land.
The drive to explore Mars flagged until the confirmation less than 10 years ago that water once flowed on its surface.
Omran Sharaf, the mission's project manager, has said the "Hope" probe will offer a special perspective on the elusive planet.
"What is unique about this mission is that for the first time the scientific community around the world will have an holistic view of the Martian atmosphere at different times of the day at different seasons," Sharaf told a pre-launch briefing.
"We have a strategy to contribute to the global effort in developing technologies and science work that will help one day if humanity decides to put a human on Mars."
The UAE already has nine functioning satellites in orbit, with plans to launch another eight in coming years. And in September, it sent the first Emirati into space on a mission to the International Space Station.
But the UAE's ambitions go well beyond that, with a goal of building a human settlement on Mars by 2117.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-20--Mayor of Portland demands federal troops leave city after clashes with anti-racism protesters

A man is struck by a police officer during a protest against racial inequality in Portland , U.S. , July 18 , 2020 , in this still image obtained from a social media video .
U.S. President Donald Trump condemned protests in Portland , Oregon , and violence in `` Democrat-run '' cities on Sunday as his Republican administration moves to intervene in urban centres he says have lost control of anti-racism demonstrations .
Federal law enforcement officers , armed with a new executive order aimed at protecting U.S. monuments , last week started cracking down on crowds gathering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
After a chaotic night in Portland that saw a police association building set on fire and officers shooting tear gas at a group of mothers protesting police brutality , Trump and Portland 's mayor traded barbs over who was to blame for the escalating unrest .
`` We are trying to help Portland , not hurt it .
Their leadership has , for months , lost control of the anarchists and agitators .
They are missing in action .
We must protect Federal property , AND OUR PEOPLE , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining polling numbers before his November 3 election against Democrat Joe Biden , Trump is making `` law and order '' a central campaign issue to appeal to critical suburban voters .
The crackdown in the liberal bastion of Portland drew widespread criticism and legal challenges as videos surfaced of camouflage-clad officers without clear identification badges using force and unmarked vehicles to arrest protesters without explanation .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said on Sunday that it was federal authorities who were sharply escalating the situation .
`` Their presence here is actually leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Wheeler said on CNN 's `` State of the Union '' program .
`` And it 's not helping the situation at all .
They 're not wanted here .
We have n't asked them here .
In fact , we want them to leave . ''
Wheeler and Oregon Governor Kate Brown , both Democrats , called the move an abuse of power by the federal government and the state filed a lawsuit against the U.S. agencies involved .
On Sunday , Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives demanded internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security departments `` abused emergency authorities '' in handling the Portland protests .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Attorney General William Barr and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf are working on measures the administration can take to counter the unrest .
`` You 'll see something rolled out this week as we start to go in and make sure that the communities , whether it 's Chicago or Portland , or Milwaukee , or someplace across the heartland of the country , we need to make sure our communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Sunday Morning Futures . ''
The announcement is expected to expand a new Justice Department initiative that sends federal law enforcement into cities facing protests .
In Portland on Saturday night , Melanie Damm said she saw unidentified federal officers in military-style gear fired tear gas canisters into a group of mothers , clad mostly in white , who were protesting against police brutality .
`` The level of violence escalated by these GI soldiers was such an overreaction .
You ’ re seeing moms getting tear-gassed , '' said Damm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t young and Antifa-looking , '' she said , referring to more militant anti-fascism protesters .
In an interview on `` Fox News Sunday , '' Trump attributed the increase in violence in cities such as Chicago and New York by saying `` they ’ re Democrat-run cities , they are liberally run .
They are stupidly run . ''
The Republican president last month threatened to send U.S. military troops to quell protests that erupted over police brutality and racism after the killing of a Black man , George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon 's attorney general , Ellen Rosenblum , on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) , the U.S .
Marshals Service , and Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) , saying they had violated peoples ' civil rights by seizing and detaining them without probable cause .

U.S. President Donald Trump condemned protests in Portland, Oregon, and violence in "Democrat-run" cities on Sunday as his Republican administration moves to intervene in urban centres he says have lost control of anti-racism demonstrations.
A man is struck by a police officer during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, U.S., July 18, 2020, in this still image obtained from a social media video.
Advertising Read more
Federal law enforcement officers, armed with a new executive order aimed at protecting U.S. monuments, last week started cracking down on crowds gathering in Portland to protest police brutality and systemic racism.
After a chaotic night in Portland that saw a police association building set on fire and officers shooting tear gas at a group of mothers protesting police brutality, Trump and Portland's mayor traded barbs over who was to blame for the escalating unrest.
"We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE," Trump wrote in a Twitter post.
Facing declining polling numbers before his November 3 election against Democrat Joe Biden, Trump is making "law and order" a central campaign issue to appeal to critical suburban voters.
The crackdown in the liberal bastion of Portland drew widespread criticism and legal challenges as videos surfaced of camouflage-clad officers without clear identification badges using force and unmarked vehicles to arrest protesters without explanation.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said on Sunday that it was federal authorities who were sharply escalating the situation.
"Their presence here is actually leading to more violence and more vandalism," Wheeler said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "And it's not helping the situation at all. They're not wanted here. We haven't asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave."
Wheeler and Oregon Governor Kate Brown, both Democrats, called the move an abuse of power by the federal government and the state filed a lawsuit against the U.S. agencies involved.
On Sunday, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives demanded internal investigations into whether the Justice and Homeland Security departments "abused emergency authorities" in handling the Portland protests.
Nationwide crackdown
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Attorney General William Barr and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf are working on measures the administration can take to counter the unrest.
"You'll see something rolled out this week as we start to go in and make sure that the communities, whether it's Chicago or Portland, or Milwaukee, or someplace across the heartland of the country, we need to make sure our communities are safe," Meadows said on "Sunday Morning Futures."
The announcement is expected to expand a new Justice Department initiative that sends federal law enforcement into cities facing protests.
Moms tear-gassed
In Portland on Saturday night, Melanie Damm said she saw unidentified federal officers in military-style gear fired tear gas canisters into a group of mothers, clad mostly in white, who were protesting against police brutality.
"The level of violence escalated by these GI soldiers was such an overreaction. You’re seeing moms getting tear-gassed," said Damm, herself a 39-year-old mom. "We aren’t young and Antifa-looking," she said, referring to more militant anti-fascism protesters.
In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Trump attributed the increase in violence in cities such as Chicago and New York by saying "they’re Democrat-run cities, they are liberally run. They are stupidly run."
The Republican president last month threatened to send U.S. military troops to quell protests that erupted over police brutality and racism after the killing of a Black man, George Floyd, by a Minneapolis police officer.
Oregon's attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Marshals Service, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), saying they had violated peoples' civil rights by seizing and detaining them without probable cause.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--Covid-19 resurges across the world as deaths top 600,000

A healthcare worker places a stretcher in an ambulance at the emergency room entrance of Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston , Texas , USA , July 8 , 2020 .
The coronavirus pandemic has found fresh legs around the world , as confirmed deaths pass 600,000 and countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain a surge of new infections .
Hong Kong issued tougher new rules on wearing face masks , Spain closed overcrowded beaches and Germany reported another outbreak at a slaughterhouse .
Pope Francis said “ the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and urged compassion for those whose suffering during the outbreak has been worsened by conflicts .
The World Health Organization said that 259,848 new infections were reported Saturday , its highest one-day tally yet .
While the U.S. leads global infections , South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases , or around half of all those confirmed on the continent .
Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources .
India , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Sunday reported a 24-hour record of 38,902 new cases .
> > California ‘ never should have re-opened ’ as Covid-19 cases surge to record high In Europe , where infections are far below their peak but local outbreaks are causing concern , leaders of the 27-nation European Union haggled for a third day in Brussels over a proposed €1.85 trillion ( $ 2.1 trillion ) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is “ a lot of good will , but there are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks , which have have laid bare divisions about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic , such as Italy and Spain , should be helped .
She said the talks , which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday , could still end without a deal .
As scientists around the world race to find a vaccine to halt the pandemic , Russia 's ambassador to Britain on Sunday rejected allegations by the United States , Britain and China that his country 's intelligence services have sought to steal information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Covid-19 strategy has caused an ‘ amplification of the epidemic ’ “ I don ’ t believe in this story at all , there is no sense in it , ” Ambassador Andrei Kelin said when asked in a BBC interview about the allegations .
“ I learned about their ( the hackers ' ) existence from British media .
In this world , to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country , it is impossible.
” Confirmed global virus deaths risen to nearly 603,000 , according to data compiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tops the list with over 140,000 , followed by more than 78,000 in Brazil .
Europe as a continent has seen about 200,000 deaths .
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million , with 3.7 million in the United States and more than 2 million in Brazil .
Experts believe the pandemic 's true toll around the world is much higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues .
> > How long will social distancing last ?
Infections have been soaring in U.S. states such as Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a haphazard , partisan approach to lifting lockdowns as well as the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Sunday that the situation was so dire in his California city that authorities were considering a new stay-at-home order .
Even where the situation has been largely brought under control , new outbreaks are prompting the return of restrictions .
Following a recent surge in cases , Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the situation in the Asian financial hub is “ really critical ” and that she sees “ no sign ” that it ’ s under control .
Police in Barcelona have limited access to some of the city ’ s beloved beaches because sunbathers were ignoring social distancing regulations amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections .
Authorities in Amsterdam urged people not to visit the city ’ s famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic district ’ s narrow streets because they are too busy .
> @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Coronavirus complications can last a lifetime Slaughterhouses also have featured in outbreaks in the U.S. , Germany and elsewhere .
Authorities in northwestern Germany 's Vechta county said 66 workers at a chicken slaughterhouse tested positive , though most appeared to have been infected in their free time .
An earlier outbreak at a slaughterhouse in western Germany infected over 1,400 and prompted a partial lockdown .
Cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again Sunday , prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ( $ 140 ) .
“ There ’ s no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and it ’ s a simple thing , but it ’ s about changing habits , it ’ s about becoming a simple part of your routine , ” Andrews said .
Speaking on Sunday from his window overlooking St. Peter ’ s Square , Pope Francis renewed his appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ will permit the peace and security indispensable to supplying the necessary humanitarian assistance .
”

The coronavirus pandemic has found fresh legs around the world, as confirmed deaths pass 600,000 and countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain a surge of new infections. Hong Kong issued tougher new rules on wearing face masks, Spain closed overcrowded beaches and Germany reported another outbreak at a slaughterhouse.
A healthcare worker places a stretcher in an ambulance at the emergency room entrance of Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, July 8, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Pope Francis said “the pandemic is showing no sign of stopping” and urged compassion for those whose suffering during the outbreak has been worsened by conflicts.
The World Health Organization said that 259,848 new infections were reported Saturday, its highest one-day tally yet.
While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases, or around half of all those confirmed on the continent. Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources.
India, which has now confirmed more than 1 million infections, on Sunday reported a 24-hour record of 38,902 new cases.
>> California ‘never should have re-opened’ as Covid-19 cases surge to record high
In Europe, where infections are far below their peak but local outbreaks are causing concern, leaders of the 27-nation European Union haggled for a third day in Brussels over a proposed €1.85 trillion ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is “a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions” in the talks, which have have laid bare divisions about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, should be helped. She said the talks, which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday, could still end without a deal.
As scientists around the world race to find a vaccine to halt the pandemic, Russia's ambassador to Britain on Sunday rejected allegations by the United States, Britain and China that his country's intelligence services have sought to steal information about vaccine efforts.
>> Sweden’s Covid-19 strategy has caused an ‘amplification of the epidemic’
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Ambassador Andrei Kelin said when asked in a BBC interview about the allegations. “I learned about their (the hackers') existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible.”
Confirmed global virus deaths risen to nearly 603,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The United States tops the list with over 140,000, followed by more than 78,000 in Brazil. Europe as a continent has seen about 200,000 deaths.
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, with 3.7 million in the United States and more than 2 million in Brazil. Experts believe the pandemic's true toll around the world is much higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues.
>> How long will social distancing last?
Infections have been soaring in U.S. states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona, with many blaming a haphazard, partisan approach to lifting lockdowns as well as the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Sunday that the situation was so dire in his California city that authorities were considering a new stay-at-home order.
Even where the situation has been largely brought under control, new outbreaks are prompting the return of restrictions.
Following a recent surge in cases, Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the situation in the Asian financial hub is “really critical” and that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control.
Police in Barcelona have limited access to some of the city’s beloved beaches because sunbathers were ignoring social distancing regulations amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections. Authorities in Amsterdam urged people not to visit the city’s famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic district’s narrow streets because they are too busy.
>> 'Survival is just the beginning': Coronavirus complications can last a lifetime
Slaughterhouses also have featured in outbreaks in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere. Authorities in northwestern Germany's Vechta county said 66 workers at a chicken slaughterhouse tested positive, though most appeared to have been infected in their free time. An earlier outbreak at a slaughterhouse in western Germany infected over 1,400 and prompted a partial lockdown.
Cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again Sunday, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby district of Mitchell for people who leave their homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140).
“There’s no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and it’s a simple thing, but it’s about changing habits, it’s about becoming a simple part of your routine,” Andrews said.
Speaking on Sunday from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for an immediate worldwide cease-fire that he said “will permit the peace and security indispensable to supplying the necessary humanitarian assistance.”
>> 'Grave concerns' about Covid-19 immunity passports
(AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--France introduces fine for failure to wear mask in enclosed public spaces

Visitors , wearing protective face masks , make a selfie in front of the `` Mona Lisa '' ( La Joconde ) by Leonardo Da Vinci at the Louvre museum in Paris as the museum reopens its doors to the public after almost 4-month closure due to the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak in France , July 6 , 2020 .
People in France will risk a fine of 135 euros ( $ 154 ) starting Monday for failure to comply with a new decree to wear a mask in public places indoors , the government announced .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus circulation , Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday said masks will become compulsory in enclosed public spaces from next week in a bid to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections .
Masks are already required on public transport , punishable with a fine of the same amount , in a country that has lost over 30,150 people to the epidemic .
On Saturday , the health minister said the new obligation will enter into force on Monday and will apply to shops and supermarkets , covered fresh produce markets , banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public .
And on Sunday , the health department announced contraventions can be punished with a fine of up to 135 euros -- almost double the price of a monthly Paris public transport pass .
For people working in communal offices , the government has said employers will have to judge the need for mask-wearing on a case-by-case basis .
France 's public health service noted over the weekend that the so-called `` R '' number indicating the viral transmission rate has grown to over one , meaning that every infected person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the latest official data , released Wednesday , France had 119 new coronavirus patients hospitalised in 24 hours , down from a high of 4,281 people hospitalised in one day in April .
One of the hardest-hit countries in Europe , France has all but emerged from a weeks-long countrywide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 epidemic , which had placed immense pressure on its hospital system .
The government of France , like many other countries , counselled against mask-wearing at the start of the epidemic , urging people to reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing they did not really work for infection control .
But since a partial lifting of lockdown on May 11 , mask-wearing is obligatory on public transport and required for entry into facilities such as the Louvre Museum , Disneyland Paris and the Eiffel Tower .
Restaurant workers have to wear them too , as do clients before they sit down to eat .
France has embarked on a mask production campaign after initially having to rely on imports from countries such as China .

People in France will risk a fine of 135 euros ($154) starting Monday for failure to comply with a new decree to wear a mask in public places indoors, the government announced.
Visitors, wearing protective face masks, make a selfie in front of the "Mona Lisa" (La Joconde) by Leonardo Da Vinci at the Louvre museum in Paris as the museum reopens its doors to the public after almost 4-month closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, July 6, 2020.
Advertising Read more
As officials noted signs of an uptick in virus circulation, Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday said masks will become compulsory in enclosed public spaces from next week in a bid to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Masks are already required on public transport, punishable with a fine of the same amount, in a country that has lost over 30,150 people to the epidemic.
On Saturday, the health minister said the new obligation will enter into force on Monday and will apply to shops and supermarkets, covered fresh produce markets, banks and other establishments that receive members of the public.
And on Sunday, the health department announced contraventions can be punished with a fine of up to 135 euros -- almost double the price of a monthly Paris public transport pass.
For people working in communal offices, the government has said employers will have to judge the need for mask-wearing on a case-by-case basis.
France's public health service noted over the weekend that the so-called "R" number indicating the viral transmission rate has grown to over one, meaning that every infected person infects about 1.2 people in turn.
According to the latest official data, released Wednesday, France had 119 new coronavirus patients hospitalised in 24 hours, down from a high of 4,281 people hospitalised in one day in April.
One of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, France has all but emerged from a weeks-long countrywide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, which had placed immense pressure on its hospital system.
The government of France, like many other countries, counselled against mask-wearing at the start of the epidemic, urging people to reserve limited mask stocks for healthcare workers and arguing they did not really work for infection control.
But since a partial lifting of lockdown on May 11, mask-wearing is obligatory on public transport and required for entry into facilities such as the Louvre Museum, Disneyland Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
Restaurant workers have to wear them too, as do clients before they sit down to eat.
France has embarked on a mask production campaign after initially having to rely on imports from countries such as China.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-20--US rapper Kanye West launches his 2020 presidential bid with chaotic campaign rally

Rapper Kanye West holds his first rally in support of his presidential bid in North Charleston , South Carolina , U.S. July 19 , 2020 .
US rapper Kanye West broke down in tears on Sunday at the chaotic launch of his unlikely campaign to oust Donald Trump as president in November elections .
Wearing a bullet-proof jacket marked `` security , '' West gave a rambling speech in which he claimed he had wanted his wife , Kim Kardashian , to get an abortion and that renowned American abolitionist Harriet Tubman `` never actually freed the slaves . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina , how he had wanted his wife to get an abortion when she was pregnant with North , their oldest daughter .
He then revealed his father also had wanted to abort him .
`` My dad wanted to abort me .
My mom saved my life .
There would 've been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy , '' West said , bursting into tears .
He later shouted , `` I almost killed my daughter !
I almost killed my daughter ! ''
At another point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves , she just had the slaves go work for other white people . ''
West 's speech , clips of which went viral on social media , provoked confusion , anger and concern for the musician 's mental health .
The event was for registered guests only , and all attendees were required to sign a Covid-19 liability release form as well as wear masks and practice social distancing , US media reported .
Less than four months ahead of November 's election , West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 when he announced on Twitter he would challenge Trump .
He has offered virtually no details about his campaign , but the hip-hop star -- who famously wore a `` Make America Great Again '' cap to a 2018 Oval Office meeting with Trump -- said he no longer supports the president .
Reports began circulating in US media last week that West had dropped out of the race .
He missed the deadline in several states to be listed on the presidential ballot , but he is listed on the ballot @ @ @

US rapper Kanye West broke down in tears on Sunday at the chaotic launch of his unlikely campaign to oust Donald Trump as president in November elections.
Rapper Kanye West holds his first rally in support of his presidential bid in North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. July 19, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Wearing a bullet-proof jacket marked "security," West gave a rambling speech in which he claimed he had wanted his wife, Kim Kardashian, to get an abortion and that renowned American abolitionist Harriet Tubman "never actually freed the slaves."
West told the event in Charleston, South Carolina, how he had wanted his wife to get an abortion when she was pregnant with North, their oldest daughter. He then revealed his father also had wanted to abort him.
"My dad wanted to abort me. My mom saved my life. There would've been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy," West said, bursting into tears.
He later shouted, "I almost killed my daughter! I almost killed my daughter!"
At another point during his speech, he said, "Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had the slaves go work for other white people."
West's speech, clips of which went viral on social media, provoked confusion, anger and concern for the musician's mental health.
The event was for registered guests only, and all attendees were required to sign a Covid-19 liability release form as well as wear masks and practice social distancing, US media reported.
Less than four months ahead of November's election, West, 43, raised eyebrows on July 4 when he announced on Twitter he would challenge Trump.
He has offered virtually no details about his campaign, but the hip-hop star -- who famously wore a "Make America Great Again" cap to a 2018 Oval Office meeting with Trump -- said he no longer supports the president.
Reports began circulating in US media last week that West had dropped out of the race.
He missed the deadline in several states to be listed on the presidential ballot, but he is listed on the ballot in Oklahoma.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--EU summit drags on for third day over controversial Covid-19 rescue plan

France 's President Emmanuel Macron ( L ) , Luxembourg 's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel ( C ) and European Council President Charles Michel ( R ) speak as Austria 's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz looks on during the second day of an EU summit in Brussels , Belgium on July 18 , 2020 .
European Union leaders remained fundamentally divided for a third day Sunday over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ( $ 2.1 trillion ) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund , and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that they might not reach a deal despite the urgency imposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bettel said in his seven years ’ experience of European meetings , “ I have never seen positions as diametrically opposed as this.
” Even with Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron negotiating as the closest of partners , the traditionally powerful Franco-German alliance could not get the bloc 's 27 quarreling nations in line .
Often negotiating outdoors on a sundeck in the Europa summit center in Brussels , the blue skies and fresh breeze had no impact on the mood .
Undiplomatic terms like “ ” hate '' and “ grumpy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during marathon negotiations that should have drawn everyone closer together to fight a historic recession in the bloc .
“ Whether there will be a solution , I still can ’ t say , ” Merkel said as she arrived early for the extra day of talks .
The pandemic has sent the EU into a tailspin , killing around 135,000 of its citizens and sending its economy into an estimated contraction of 8.3 % this year .
The bloc ’ s executive has proposed a 750 billion-euro coronavirus fund , partly based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as loans and grants to the countries hit hardest by the pandemic .
That comes on top of the seven-year 1 trillion-euro EU budget that leaders have been haggling over for months even before the pandemic hit .
All nations agree they need to band together but five richer countries in the north , led by the Netherlands , want strict controls on spending , while struggling southern nations like Spain and Italy say those conditions should be kept to a minimum .
The differences were so great that Sunday 's resumption of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back several hours as small groups worked on new compromise proposals .
The leaders finally sat down to dinner together in the early evening , and could mull a proposal from the group of five wealthy northern nations that suggested a coronavirus recovery fund with 350 million euros of grants and the same amount again in loans .
The five EU nations nicknamed “ the frugals ” — the Netherlands , Austria , Finland , Sweden and Denmark — had long opposed any grants at all .
Merkel and Macron walked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frugals , bemoaning their lack of commitment to a common cause .
“ They ran off in a bad mood , ” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said .
Rutte has long been known as a European bridge builder , but this weekend his tough negotiating stance is being blamed for holding up a deal .
He and his allies are pushing for labor market and pension reforms to be linked to EU handouts and a “ brake ” enabling EU nations to monitor and , if necessary , halt projects that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund .
Rutte and the other frugal leaders held talks with EU summit host Charles Michel early Sunday but Merkel and Macron refused to water down their proposals of aid .
While Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte says he has a good personal relationship with Rutte , he said the “ clash is very hard ” and that Rutte ’ s demand for a veto ” is an unwarranted request.
” “ He can ’ t ask us to do specific reforms , ” Conte said .
`` Once ( the aid ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its proposals.
” Another member of the frugals , Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz , said he still believed a deal was possible , but there is a “ long way to go , ” the Austria Press Agency cited Kurz as saying .
Rutte also wants a link to be made between the handout of EU funds and the rule of law — a connection aimed at Poland and Hungary , countries with right-wing populist governments that many in the EU think are sliding away from democratic rule .
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of COVID-19 that could hit EU economies hard in the fall or winter .
“ I don ’ t know what is the personal reason for the Dutch prime minister to hate me or Hungary , but he ’ s attacking so harshly and making very clear that because Hungary , in his opinion , does not respect the rule of law , ( it ) must be punished financially , ” Orban said .
Orban was prepared to stick around for a week if necessary to reach a deal .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching an agreement .
It ’ s not about Hungary but about Europe now , ” said the notoriously soccer-mad prime minister .
Macron said leaders need to compromise but still respect the underlying principles and goals of the EU .
“ It is still possible , but these compromises , I say very clearly , will not be made at the cost of European ambition , ” he said .

European Union leaders remained fundamentally divided for a third day Sunday over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that they might not reach a deal despite the urgency imposed by the pandemic.
France's President Emmanuel Macron (L), Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (C) and European Council President Charles Michel (R) speak as Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz looks on during the second day of an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium on July 18, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said in his seven years’ experience of European meetings, “I have never seen positions as diametrically opposed as this.”
Even with Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron negotiating as the closest of partners, the traditionally powerful Franco-German alliance could not get the bloc's 27 quarreling nations in line.
Often negotiating outdoors on a sundeck in the Europa summit center in Brussels, the blue skies and fresh breeze had no impact on the mood. Undiplomatic terms like “”hate" and “grumpy" have been thrown around between leaders during marathon negotiations that should have drawn everyone closer together to fight a historic recession in the bloc.
“Whether there will be a solution, I still can’t say,” Merkel said as she arrived early for the extra day of talks.
The pandemic has sent the EU into a tailspin, killing around 135,000 of its citizens and sending its economy into an estimated contraction of 8.3% this year.
The bloc’s executive has proposed a 750 billion-euro coronavirus fund, partly based on common borrowing, to be sent as loans and grants to the countries hit hardest by the pandemic. That comes on top of the seven-year 1 trillion-euro EU budget that leaders have been haggling over for months even before the pandemic hit.
All nations agree they need to band together but five richer countries in the north, led by the Netherlands, want strict controls on spending, while struggling southern nations like Spain and Italy say those conditions should be kept to a minimum.
The differences were so great that Sunday's resumption of talks by all 27 leaders together was pushed back several hours as small groups worked on new compromise proposals.
The leaders finally sat down to dinner together in the early evening, and could mull a proposal from the group of five wealthy northern nations that suggested a coronavirus recovery fund with 350 million euros of grants and the same amount again in loans. The five EU nations nicknamed “the frugals” — the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Denmark — had long opposed any grants at all.
Merkel and Macron walked out of heated talks before dawn Sunday with the frugals, bemoaning their lack of commitment to a common cause.
“They ran off in a bad mood,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.
Rutte has long been known as a European bridge builder, but this weekend his tough negotiating stance is being blamed for holding up a deal. He and his allies are pushing for labor market and pension reforms to be linked to EU handouts and a “brake” enabling EU nations to monitor and, if necessary, halt projects that are being paid for by the recovery fund.
Rutte and the other frugal leaders held talks with EU summit host Charles Michel early Sunday but Merkel and Macron refused to water down their proposals of aid.
While Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte says he has a good personal relationship with Rutte, he said the “clash is very hard” and that Rutte’s demand for a veto ”is an unwarranted request.”
“He can’t ask us to do specific reforms,” Conte said. "Once (the aid) is approved, each country will present its proposals.”
Another member of the frugals, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, said he still believed a deal was possible, but there is a “long way to go,” the Austria Press Agency cited Kurz as saying.
Rutte also wants a link to be made between the handout of EU funds and the rule of law — a connection aimed at Poland and Hungary, countries with right-wing populist governments that many in the EU think are sliding away from democratic rule.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban raised the specter of a second wave of COVID-19 that could hit EU economies hard in the fall or winter.
“I don’t know what is the personal reason for the Dutch prime minister to hate me or Hungary, but he’s attacking so harshly and making very clear that because Hungary, in his opinion, does not respect the rule of law, (it) must be punished financially,” Orban said.
Orban was prepared to stick around for a week if necessary to reach a deal.
"Not even soccer is as important as reaching an agreement. It’s not about Hungary but about Europe now,” said the notoriously soccer-mad prime minister.
Macron said leaders need to compromise but still respect the underlying principles and goals of the EU.
“It is still possible, but these compromises, I say very clearly, will not be made at the cost of European ambition,” he said.
(AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--Turkey's Erdogan visits Hagia Sofia after controversial reconversion to mosque

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visits the Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii in Istanbul , Turkey , July 19 , 2020 .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a surprise visit to Hagia Sofia on Sunday just days before the first Muslim prayers are due to be held at the Istanbul landmark since it was reconverted to a mosque last week .
In a lightning visit billed as an inspection , Erdogan took stock of the conversion work , the president 's office said , providing pictures showing scaffolding inside the building .
Diyanet , the country 's religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtained off and unlit `` through appropriate means during prayer times '' .
It was unclear whether Erdogan planned to be among some 500 worshippers set to attend Friday prayers .
> > Turkey challenges allies and enemies alike in quest for ‘ larger role on world stage ’ Turkey 's top court paved the way for the conversion in a decision to revoke the edifice 's museum status conferred nearly a century ago .
The sixth-century building had been open to all visitors , regardless of their faith , since its inauguration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , Diyanet said the building would continue to be open to all visitors outside the hours given over to prayer .
The UNESCO World Heritage site was built as a cathedral during the Byzantine empire but converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 .
> > The many lives of Hagia Sophia , Istanbul ’ s ‘ wonder of wonders ’ It was designated a museum in a key reform of the post-Ottoman authorities under the modern republic 's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk .
Erdogan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very big mistake '' to convert the Hagia Sophia into a museum .
The reconversion sparked anger among Christians and tensions between historic foes and uneasy NATO allies Turkey and Greece .

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a surprise visit to Hagia Sofia on Sunday just days before the first Muslim prayers are due to be held at the Istanbul landmark since it was reconverted to a mosque last week.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visits the Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii in Istanbul, Turkey, July 19, 2020.
Advertising Read more
In a lightning visit billed as an inspection, Erdogan took stock of the conversion work, the president's office said, providing pictures showing scaffolding inside the building.
Diyanet, the country's religious authority, said Christian icons would be curtained off and unlit "through appropriate means during prayer times".
It was unclear whether Erdogan planned to be among some 500 worshippers set to attend Friday prayers.
>> Turkey challenges allies and enemies alike in quest for ‘larger role on world stage’
Turkey's top court paved the way for the conversion in a decision to revoke the edifice's museum status conferred nearly a century ago.
The sixth-century building had been open to all visitors, regardless of their faith, since its inauguration as a museum in 1935.
Earlier this week, Diyanet said the building would continue to be open to all visitors outside the hours given over to prayer.
The UNESCO World Heritage site was built as a cathedral during the Byzantine empire but converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
>> The many lives of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s ‘wonder of wonders’
It was designated a museum in a key reform of the post-Ottoman authorities under the modern republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Erdogan said last year it had been a "very big mistake" to convert the Hagia Sophia into a museum.
The reconversion sparked anger among Christians and tensions between historic foes and uneasy NATO allies Turkey and Greece.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--Britain toughens criticism of China over Hong Kong, Uighurs

A protester waves the former British colonial Hong Kong flag at a rally in a shopping mall on June 1 , 2020 .
Britain and China issued new salvos of criticism against each other Sunday , with the U.K. foreign secretary hinting that he may suspend the U.K. ’ s extradition arrangements with Hong Kong over China 's moves against the city-state .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accused Beijing of “ gross and egregious ” human rights abuses against its Uighur population in China ’ s western province of Xinjiang .
In response , the Chinese ambassador to Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolute response ” to any move by Britain to sanction officials over the alleged rights abuses .
The comments were the latest signs of sharply increased tensions between the U.K. and China .
Issues include China ’ s treatment of its Uighur minority and a new , sweeping national security law that China imposed on Hong Kong , a semi-autonomous territory that Britain handed over to China in 1997 .
Britain ’ s recent decision to prohibit Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from being involved in the U.K. ’ s superfast 5G mobile network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ > The Muslim world 's silence on China 's repression of the Uighurs Raab said Sunday that Britain ’ s government has reviewed its extradition arrangements with Hong Kong and that he plans to make a statement Monday in parliament on the topic .
Earlier this month , Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to China ’ s imposition of security legislation on the semi-autonomous territory .
Critics see the new law as a further erosion of the rule of law and freedoms that Hong Kong was promised when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that while Britain wants good relations with China , it could not stand by amid reports of forced sterilization and mass education camps targeting the Uighur population in Xinjiang .
“ It is clear that there are gross , egregious human rights abuses going on .
We are working with our international partners on this .
It is deeply , deeply troubling , ” he told the BBC .
> > Breaking the silence on China ’ s ‘ two-faced ’ campaign against Uighurs Liu Xiaoming , the Chinese ambassador , denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the BBC and insisted there are “ no so-called restriction of the population.
” When confronted with drone footage that appeared to show Uighurs being blindfolded and led onto trains , Liu claimed there are many “ fake accusations ” against China .
Beijing was ready to respond in kind should Britain impose sanctions on Chinese officials , Liu added .
“ If the U.K. goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China , China will certainly make a resolute response to it , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between China ( and ) the United States … I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-U.S. happen in China-U.K. relations.
” Liu also said Britain `` should have its own independent foreign policy , rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei.
” The criticism echoed comments this week by a Chinese government spokeswoman who accused Britain of colluding with Washington to hurt Huawei and “ discriminate , suppress and exclude Chinese companies .
”

Britain and China issued new salvos of criticism against each other Sunday, with the U.K. foreign secretary hinting that he may suspend the U.K.’s extradition arrangements with Hong Kong over China's moves against the city-state.
A protester waves the former British colonial Hong Kong flag at a rally in a shopping mall on June 1, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accused Beijing of “gross and egregious” human rights abuses against its Uighur population in China’s western province of Xinjiang.
In response, the Chinese ambassador to Britain warned that China will deliver a “resolute response” to any move by Britain to sanction officials over the alleged rights abuses.
The comments were the latest signs of sharply increased tensions between the U.K. and China. Issues include China’s treatment of its Uighur minority and a new, sweeping national security law that China imposed on Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous territory that Britain handed over to China in 1997.
Britain’s recent decision to prohibit Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from being involved in the U.K.’s superfast 5G mobile network has further frayed bilateral relations.
>> The Muslim world's silence on China's repression of the Uighurs
Raab said Sunday that Britain’s government has reviewed its extradition arrangements with Hong Kong and that he plans to make a statement Monday in parliament on the topic.
Earlier this month, Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to China’s imposition of security legislation on the semi-autonomous territory. Critics see the new law as a further erosion of the rule of law and freedoms that Hong Kong was promised when it reverted to Chinese rule.
Raab added that while Britain wants good relations with China, it could not stand by amid reports of forced sterilization and mass education camps targeting the Uighur population in Xinjiang.
“It is clear that there are gross, egregious human rights abuses going on. We are working with our international partners on this. It is deeply, deeply troubling,” he told the BBC.
>> Breaking the silence on China’s ‘two-faced’ campaign against Uighurs
Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador, denied there were concentration camps in Xinjiang during an interview with the BBC and insisted there are “no so-called restriction of the population.” When confronted with drone footage that appeared to show Uighurs being blindfolded and led onto trains, Liu claimed there are many “fake accusations” against China.
Beijing was ready to respond in kind should Britain impose sanctions on Chinese officials, Liu added.
“If the U.K. goes that far to impose sanctions on any individuals in China, China will certainly make a resolute response to it,” he said. “You have seen what happened between China (and) the United States … I do not want to see this tit-for-tat between China-U.S. happen in China-U.K. relations.”
Liu also said Britain "should have its own independent foreign policy, rather than dance to the tune of the Americans like what happened to Huawei.”
The criticism echoed comments this week by a Chinese government spokeswoman who accused Britain of colluding with Washington to hurt Huawei and “discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies.”
(AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-07-19--Beachside bliss as Paris Plages kicks off in the French capital alongside pop-up Covid testing

People arrive to watch the film `` Le Grand Bain '' from boats at the Cinema on the water ( Cinema sur l'eau ) at a floating cinema with 38 socially distant boats at Paris Plages , Paris , France , July 18 , 2020 .
Revellers at this year ’ s Paris Plages , which opened on the weekend , will get to choose from the many usual amusements that draw tens of thousands to two locations in the capital each summer along with an added attraction not seen before – Covid-19 testing hubs .
Having launched in 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement into a beachgoer ’ s paradise with its very own artificial beaches : Paris Plages .
In many ways , it marks the start of the city ’ s summer festivities .
This year , like every other , there are all kinds of activities ( although with some Covid-necessitating restrictions ) spread over both sites , including : fencing , open-air gyms , concerts , swimming , paddle boats , pétanque ( boules ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those Parisians unable to escape the city ’ s sweltering heat .
Then there 's a floating open-air cinema that will appeal to film buffs who can hop on one of 38 electric boats each seating up to six people from the same social circle .
Emerging from one of the riverside man-made swimming pools at the Bassin , a young boy tells FRANCE 24 why Paris Plages holds such appeal : “ There ’ s no swimming pool in my town , so it feels good to enjoy this and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when the City of Light often boasts more tourists than residents , this year ’ s event is certain to draw fewer crowds , coupled with a more subdued ambience due to the Covid-19 health crisis .
Early indicators suggest that the French capital is one of several regions in the country where the virus could see a resurgence , which is why authorities are pushing an aggressive testing policy to stave off new infections .
Nestled among the playground of sandy banks , parasols , sun lounges and palm trees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the banks of the river the other at the Bassin de la Villette – where medical teams have the capacity to carry out between 150-200 serological and standard PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) Covid tests per day .
`` At Paris Plages people have got the time and they really want to know whether they have been sick ... and there are those who need a certificate to travel on some airlines to go on holiday , '' Muriel Prudhomme , a doctor and deputy at the city hall 's health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stream of people of all ages came to be tested .
`` I 'm taking all necessary precautions , but there are so many people that do n't seem to care , '' pensioner Nicole Gressier told Reuters .
`` I 'm going to see my granddaughter who I have n't seen for nine months , so when I was strolling here I saw it was possible to be tested , so why not ? ''
It ’ s all part of a ‘ new normal ’ defining day-to-day life in a city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economically crippling virus lockdown in early May .
More than 30,000 people in France have died from the virus .
While it has so far been contained with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling , daily cases have risen ahead of the summer holiday season as people congregate in larger groups and travellers come to and from France without specific quarantine measures .
On his way to Pont-Marie , to catch one of the Paris Plages concerts , is Bruno , accompanied by his 8-year-old daughter .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the last minute , but we thought it would be nice to start the day with a classical music concert by the water 's edge , ” he told AFP .
`` It 's great for Parisians and tourists that it 's opening this year despite the health crisis , '' the 55-year-old from Val de Marne said , but he lamented that so `` few people are wearing masks ” .
New restrictions , which come into effect in France on Monday , will enforce mask-wearing in enclosed public places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of the virus .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex , who announced the new rule last week , cautioned that France would be monitoring events in Spain , which has seen a recent rise in new cases .
On Sunday , local authorities in Barcelona imposed a second lockdown forcing its 4 million residents indoors with the closure of cinemas , theatres , nightclubs , some shops and other public entertainment spots .
The new restrictions have snuffed out hopes that the summer influx of tourists would help resuscitate Spain ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plages also reflect the huge downturn affecting France ’ s tourism sector .
Up to 10 percent of the country ’ s annual GDP comes from tourism , with more than 30 million tourists visiting Paris each year .
'This is what will make us all stronger' Amid the health crisis and the need for social distancing , there had been some doubt over whether this year ’ s Paris Plages would go ahead .
But as she strolled along the riverside to inaugurate the opening on Saturday , Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign tourists and with many Parisians unlikely to go on holiday this summer it was important for the city to show its resilience .
“ As always in difficult times we have to stick together , ” said Hidalgo .
“ We have to be present to also take in moments of happiness and pleasure ... not in the immediacy of tomorrow – that ’ s going to be difficult , but I think this is what will make us all stronger so that we ’ re still able to enjoy our city @ @ @ @ @ @

Revellers at this year’s Paris Plages, which opened on the weekend, will get to choose from the many usual amusements that draw tens of thousands to two locations in the capital each summer along with an added attraction not seen before – Covid-19 testing hubs.
People arrive to watch the film "Le Grand Bain" from boats at the Cinema on the water (Cinema sur l'eau) at a floating cinema with 38 socially distant boats at Paris Plages, Paris, France, July 18, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Having launched in 2002, every summer now Paris transforms part of the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement into a beachgoer’s paradise with its very own artificial beaches: Paris Plages. In many ways, it marks the start of the city’s summer festivities.
This year, like every other, there are all kinds of activities (although with some Covid-necessitating restrictions) spread over both sites, including: fencing, open-air gyms, concerts, swimming, paddle boats, pétanque (boules), and food and drink stalls that promise respite for those Parisians unable to escape the city’s sweltering heat.
Then there's a floating open-air cinema that will appeal to film buffs who can hop on one of 38 electric boats each seating up to six people from the same social circle.
Emerging from one of the riverside man-made swimming pools at the Bassin, a young boy tells FRANCE 24 why Paris Plages holds such appeal: “There’s no swimming pool in my town, so it feels good to enjoy this and a quiet beach here.”
But at a time when the City of Light often boasts more tourists than residents, this year’s event is certain to draw fewer crowds, coupled with a more subdued ambience due to the Covid-19 health crisis.
Early indicators suggest that the French capital is one of several regions in the country where the virus could see a resurgence, which is why authorities are pushing an aggressive testing policy to stave off new infections.
Nestled among the playground of sandy banks, parasols, sun lounges and palm trees, are two pop-up testing hubs – one on the banks of the river the other at the Bassin de la Villette – where medical teams have the capacity to carry out between 150-200 serological and standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Covid tests per day.
"At Paris Plages people have got the time and they really want to know whether they have been sick ... and there are those who need a certificate to travel on some airlines to go on holiday," Muriel Prudhomme, a doctor and deputy at the city hall's health department, told Reuters as a steady stream of people of all ages came to be tested.
"I'm taking all necessary precautions, but there are so many people that don't seem to care," pensioner Nicole Gressier told Reuters. "I'm going to see my granddaughter who I haven't seen for nine months, so when I was strolling here I saw it was possible to be tested, so why not?"
Many missing masks
It’s all part of a ‘new normal’ defining day-to-day life in a city still finding its feet after emerging from an economically crippling virus lockdown in early May.
More than 30,000 people in France have died from the virus.
While it has so far been contained with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling, daily cases have risen ahead of the summer holiday season as people congregate in larger groups and travellers come to and from France without specific quarantine measures.
On his way to Pont-Marie (a Paris bridge which links the Seine to the Île Saint-Louis) to catch one of the Paris Plages concerts, is Bruno, accompanied by his 8-year-old daughter. "We made up our minds this morning at the last minute, but we thought it would be nice to start the day with a classical music concert by the water's edge,” he told AFP.
"It's great for Parisians and tourists that it's opening this year despite the health crisis," the 55-year-old from Val de Marne said, but he lamented that so "few people are wearing masks”.
New restrictions, which come into effect in France on Monday, will enforce mask-wearing in enclosed public places, as concerns grow of a possible second wave of the virus.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex, who announced the new rule last week, cautioned that France would be monitoring events in Spain, which has seen a recent rise in new cases.
On Sunday, local authorities in Barcelona imposed a second lockdown forcing its 4 million residents indoors with the closure of cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, some shops and other public entertainment spots. The new restrictions have snuffed out hopes that the summer influx of tourists would help resuscitate Spain’s flagging economy.
Fewer numbers at Paris Plages also reflect the huge downturn affecting France’s tourism sector. Up to 10 percent of the country’s annual GDP comes from tourism, with more than 30 million tourists visiting Paris each year.
'This is what will make us all stronger'
Amid the health crisis and the need for social distancing, there had been some doubt over whether this year’s Paris Plages would go ahead.
But as she strolled along the riverside to inaugurate the opening on Saturday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told FRANCE 24 that with so few foreign tourists and with many Parisians unlikely to go on holiday this summer it was important for the city to show its resilience. “As always in difficult times we have to stick together,” said Hidalgo.
“We have to be present to also take in moments of happiness and pleasure... not in the immediacy of tomorrow – that’s going to be difficult, but I think this is what will make us all stronger so that we’re still able to enjoy our city,” said the Mayor.
Paris Plages is open until 30 August 2020.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe