france24--2020-03-08--Blaze engulfs refugee shelter on Lesbos amid tensions over surge in migration

Firefighters stand next to the burning premises of the community centre of an NGO on the island of Lesbos , Greece on March 7 , 2020 .
A fire engulfed a refugee shelter on the Greek island of Lesbos Saturday , as Greek authorities engaged in renewed clashes with a group of migrants who are among thousands massed along the Turkish side of a land border crossing with Greece .
The fire at One Happy Family , a Swiss-operated family care centre for refugees just outside the island 's capital , came after violence at the weekend directed at aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The school building has a lot of damage , we ca n't say more at the moment , '' a source among the operators told AFP .
`` The fire brigade is there , our team on the ground as well , '' they added .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
The fire coincided with fresh clashes on Saturday when a group of migrants hurled rocks at Greek police near the Greek village of Kastanies along the Turkish border .
Greek police responded by firing tear gas to deter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in return at their Greek counterparts .
At least two migrants were wounded , although it was not immediately clear what caused their injuries .
Groups of mostly young men tied ropes onto the border fence in an attempt to tear it down .
Some shouted “ Allah is Great '' while others shouted “ Open the border . ''
On the Turkish side of the land border with Greece , tens of thousands of asylum-seekers have been trying to break through for a week .
There have been numerous exchanges of tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkey has accused Greece of injuring many migrants and killing at least five , a claim Athens denies .
Over 1,700 migrants have landed on Lesbos and four other Aegean islands from Turkey over the past week , adding to the 38,000 already crammed into abysmal and overstretched refugee centres .
The new surge has ramped up already high tensions on Lesbos , an island that has been on the migration frontline for years .
Frustration exploded into violence last weekend with mobs setting up roadblocks , attacking cars carrying NGO workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Greek migration minister announced plans for two new camps to house asylum-seekers who arrived after March 1 , when Turkey announced it would no longer prevent people from trying to cross into the European Union .
`` We want to build two closed centres in ( the northern region of ) Serres and the greater Athens area with 1,000 places , '' Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi told Skai TV .
`` We need the backing of local communities .
We can not leave all ( these ) people on the islands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state support for refugees would be drastically reduced , and that they would be asked to leave camps after securing protected status .
`` Accomodation and benefits for those granted asylum will be interrupted within a month .
From then on , they will have to work for a living .
This makes our country a less attractive destination for migration flows , '' the minister said .
Far-right militants from other parts of Europe have travelled to Lesbos and the Greek land border with Turkey , among them Swedish far-right leader Jimmie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the message `` Sweden is full . ''
On Friday , two Germans and two Austrians – identified as hardline nationalists by local media – told police they had been attacked and beaten on the central Lesbos market .
One of the four , who claimed they were journalists , was identified as Mario Mueller , a German member of the far-right Identitarian Movement .
On Saturday , anti-fascist activists organised a gathering in support of refugees on Lesbos .
`` We need to react in some way because we 've reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Maria Psomadaki , a retired teacher .

A fire engulfed a refugee shelter on the Greek island of Lesbos Saturday, as Greek authorities engaged in renewed clashes with a group of migrants who are among thousands massed along the Turkish side of a land border crossing with Greece.
Firefighters stand next to the burning premises of the community centre of an NGO on the island of Lesbos, Greece on March 7, 2020.
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The fire at One Happy Family, a Swiss-operated family care centre for refugees just outside the island's capital, came after violence at the weekend directed at aid groups and journalists on Lesbos.
"The school building has a lot of damage, we can't say more at the moment," a source among the operators told AFP.
"The fire brigade is there, our team on the ground as well," they added.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The fire coincided with fresh clashes on Saturday when a group of migrants hurled rocks at Greek police near the Greek village of Kastanies along the Turkish border. Greek police responded by firing tear gas to deter the crowd while Turkish police fired tear gas in return at their Greek counterparts.
>
At least two migrants were wounded, although it was not immediately clear what caused their injuries.
Groups of mostly young men tied ropes onto the border fence in an attempt to tear it down. Some shouted “Allah is Great" while others shouted “Open the border."
On the Turkish side of the land border with Greece, tens of thousands of asylum-seekers have been trying to break through for a week. There have been numerous exchanges of tear gas and stones with Greek riot police.
Turkey has accused Greece of injuring many migrants and killing at least five, a claim Athens denies.
Frustration and violence on Lesbos
Over 1,700 migrants have landed on Lesbos and four other Aegean islands from Turkey over the past week, adding to the 38,000 already crammed into abysmal and overstretched refugee centres.
The new surge has ramped up already high tensions on Lesbos, an island that has been on the migration frontline for years.
Frustration exploded into violence last weekend with mobs setting up roadblocks, attacking cars carrying NGO workers and beating journalists.
Earlier Saturday, the Greek migration minister announced plans for two new camps to house asylum-seekers who arrived after March 1, when Turkey announced it would no longer prevent people from trying to cross into the European Union.
"We want to build two closed centres in (the northern region of) Serres and the greater Athens area with 1,000 places," Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi told Skai TV.
"We need the backing of local communities. We cannot leave all (these) people on the islands," he said.
Mitarachi also said state support for refugees would be drastically reduced, and that they would be asked to leave camps after securing protected status.
"Accomodation and benefits for those granted asylum will be interrupted within a month. From then on, they will have to work for a living. This makes our country a less attractive destination for migration flows," the minister said.
Far-right activity
Far-right militants from other parts of Europe have travelled to Lesbos and the Greek land border with Turkey, among them Swedish far-right leader Jimmie Akesson, who reportedly handed out flyers with the message "Sweden is full."
On Friday, two Germans and two Austrians – identified as hardline nationalists by local media – told police they had been attacked and beaten on the central Lesbos market.
One of the four, who claimed they were journalists, was identified as Mario Mueller, a German member of the far-right Identitarian Movement.
On Saturday, anti-fascist activists organised a gathering in support of refugees on Lesbos.
"We need to react in some way because we've reached a point where fear is taking hold," said Maria Psomadaki, a retired teacher.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP)
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france24--2020-03-08--Several killed in collapse of hotel in China used as virus quarantine site

Rescue workers move a casualty at the site where a hotel being used for a coronavirus quarantine collapsed in the southeastern Chinese port city of Quanzhou in Fujian province on March 8 , 2020 .
At least ten people were killed in the collapse of a hotel in southeastern China that was being used for medical observation of people who had arrived from areas hit by the coronavirus outbreak , authorities said Sunday .
The sudden collapse of the building on Saturday evening trapped 71 people , the Ministry of Emergency Management said .
Thirty-eight had been rescued as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in critical condition and four others in serious condition , the ministry said .
The ministry earlier reported that 48 people had been rescued .
It did not immediately explain the discrepancy .
More than 1,000 firefighters and seven rescue dogs were dispatched to the site , according to the ministry .
News photos showed rescue workers with flashlights climbing over the debris and bringing people out .
Rubble was left piled on cars in front of the building .
The Xinjia Express Hotel is in Quanzhou , a coastal city in Fujian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was housing people who had come from coronavirus-hit areas .
Most parts of China are quarantining people from such areas for 14 days .
Two supermarkets on the first floor of the building were undergoing remodeling , and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes prior to the collapse , the official Xinhua News Agency said , quoting a district official .
The owner of the building has been put under police control , Xinhua reported .
Construction of the building began in 2013 and it was converted into a 66-room hotel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The hotel opened in June 2018 , with rooms on the fourth to seventh floors of the building , the newspaper Beijing Youth Daily said .
China , where the virus first emerged in December , has confirmed more than 80,000 cases , by far the most in the world .
It reported 44 new cases over the last 24 hours on Sunday morning , the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on Jan. 20 .
Another 27 deaths were reported , bringing the total to 3,097 .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inland city about 670 kilometers ( 475 miles ) northwest of Quanzhou .

At least ten people were killed in the collapse of a hotel in southeastern China that was being used for medical observation of people who had arrived from areas hit by the coronavirus outbreak, authorities said Sunday.
Rescue workers move a casualty at the site where a hotel being used for a coronavirus quarantine collapsed in the southeastern Chinese port city of Quanzhou in Fujian province on March 8, 2020.
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The sudden collapse of the building on Saturday evening trapped 71 people, the Ministry of Emergency Management said. Thirty-eight had been rescued as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday, including one person in critical condition and four others in serious condition, the ministry said.
The ministry earlier reported that 48 people had been rescued. It did not immediately explain the discrepancy.
More than 1,000 firefighters and seven rescue dogs were dispatched to the site, according to the ministry. News photos showed rescue workers with flashlights climbing over the debris and bringing people out. Rubble was left piled on cars in front of the building.
The Xinjia Express Hotel is in Quanzhou, a coastal city in Fujian province. The city government said it was housing people who had come from coronavirus-hit areas. Most parts of China are quarantining people from such areas for 14 days.
Two supermarkets on the first floor of the building were undergoing remodeling, and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes prior to the collapse, the official Xinhua News Agency said, quoting a district official.
The owner of the building has been put under police control, Xinhua reported. Construction of the building began in 2013 and it was converted into a 66-room hotel in 2018, the official told Xinhua.
The hotel opened in June 2018, with rooms on the fourth to seventh floors of the building, the newspaper Beijing Youth Daily said.
China, where the virus first emerged in December, has confirmed more than 80,000 cases, by far the most in the world.
It reported 44 new cases over the last 24 hours on Sunday morning, the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on Jan. 20. Another 27 deaths were reported, bringing the total to 3,097.
Most of the cases have been in Wuhan, an inland city about 670 kilometers (475 miles) northwest of Quanzhou.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-08--France bans gatherings of more than 1,000 people to contain coronavirus

French Health Minister Olivier Veran at a press briefing at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on March 8 , 2020 .
France on Sunday banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the death toll from the outbreak increased to 19 with 1,126 cases confirmed nationwide .
Following an emergency meeting led by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée presidential palace , Health Minister Olivier Véran said the country ’ s coronavirus alert level remained at Stage 2 , with the government focused on protecting citizens while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban on public gatherings of more 1,000 people .
Protests , exams and public transportation could be exempt from the ban on large gatherings , because they are “ useful to the life of the country , ” said Véran .
“ Prefects and ministries will come up with lists of events considered useful , ” he added .
Véran also suggested that nationwide municipal elections , set for March 15 , would carry on as scheduled .
Reporting from the Elysée palace after the emergency meeting , FRANCE 24 ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a message of reassurance ” for the French people .
“ This is not a matter of trying to put people in quarantine , it ’ s really a matter of scientifically , when necessary , putting measures into place , a matter of proportionality , to keep life going while doing their best to limit the spread of COVID-19 , ” explained Shrago .
French authorities had earlier banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined venues .
Véran also announced new measures to make telemedicine more flexible and available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connect online or via video-link to doctors .
The new measure will have major consequences for sporting and entertainment events , with cancellations including a book fair and a tattoo salon .
Paris Saint-Germain 's Ligue 1 game at Strasbourg on Saturday was postponed , as well as the women 's Six Nations rugby showdown between Scotland and France .
`` This evening we are still in the second stage , meaning that our priority is to do everything to slow the spread of the virus in our national territory , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , up 19 percent from the pervious day before , the second largest number of cases in Europe after Italy .

France on Sunday banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the death toll from the outbreak increased to 19 with 1,126 cases confirmed nationwide.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran at a press briefing at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris on March 8, 2020.
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Following an emergency meeting led by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée presidential palace, Health Minister Olivier Véran said the country’s coronavirus alert level remained at Stage 2, with the government focused on protecting citizens while responding with proportionate measures.
These included a ban on public gatherings of more 1,000 people. Protests, exams and public transportation could be exempt from the ban on large gatherings, because they are “useful to the life of the country", said Véran. “Prefects and ministries will come up with lists of events considered useful,” he added.
Véran also suggested that nationwide municipal elections, set for March 15, would carry on as scheduled.
Reporting from the Élysée palace after the emergency meeting, FRANCE 24’s Luke Shrago noted that authorities had issued “a message of reassurance” for the French people. “This is not a matter of trying to put people in quarantine, it’s really a matter of scientifically, when necessary, putting measures into place, a matter of proportionality, to keep life going while doing their best to limit the spread of COVID-19,” explained Shrago.
French authorities had earlier banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined venues.
Véran also announced new measures to make telemedicine more flexible and available to the public by enabling patients to connect online or via video-link to doctors.
The new measure will have major consequences for sporting and entertainment events, with cancellations including a book fair and a tattoo salon.
Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 game at Strasbourg on Saturday was postponed, as well as the women's Six Nations rugby showdown between Scotland and France.
"This evening we are still in the second stage, meaning that our priority is to do everything to slow the spread of the virus in our national territory," said Véran.
France on Sunday reported 1,126 coronavirus cases, up 19 percent from the day before, the second largest number of cases in Europe after Italy.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-03-08--'We don't dare complain': Sexism and harassment plague French restaurant kitchens

In France , the # MeToo movement has yet to make it through the restaurant kitchen 's doors .
( Photo illustration ) If the # MeToo movement has knocked the sexism out of some professional kitchens around the world , the restaurant sector in France has not followed suit .
On International Women 's Day 2020 , FRANCE 24 takes the temperature in French kitchens .
Workplace sexism and sexual harassment is not breaking news to anyone working in the French restaurant sector .
A facade of glittering Michelin stars and the quest for culinary excellence often hides a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years after the birth of the # MeToo movement , sex harassment and assaults in French kitchens are still rife .
Gastronomy is considered to be a matter of state by French President Emmanuel Macron .
It is such a culturally and politically charged issue that “ there is a reluctance to talk about cooking , cooks and outbursts in the world of cuisine '' , Célia Tunc , secretary general of the Collège Culinaire de France , explained to FRANCE 24 .
`` It 's as if we are protecting this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male ones – continue to win all the awards .
They are the `` representatives , the carriers and the heirs of French history '' , according to Macron .
Acclaim for male chefs is nothing new .
In 2013 , Time magazine devoted its front page to the `` Gods of Cookery '' , but somehow managed to leave women out of not just the cover image , but the entire `` family tree '' of the 50 most talented chefs in the world .
For its part , the Michelin Guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
However , in 2020 , it only awarded one French female chef three stars , Anne-Sophie Pic , and just one other received two stars , Stéphanie Le Quellec .
This gender imbalance had already been documented by The New York Times in 2018 , which described it as a trend towards fraternity instead of equality in French kitchens .
`` Considering all professions , women experience the most harassment in the culinary arena , '' says Maria Canabal , president of the Parabere Forum , a worldwide organisation that promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am far too regularly presented with testimonies from women or members of the LGBT community who have been raped or harassed in the kitchen .
And I encourage them to report this to the courts .
Denouncing attackers through social networks or anonymously does succeed to raise awareness of the problem , but it does not solve it .
We live under the rule of law and this must be how we end this . ''
Few victims dare to speak out publicly .
Examples of abuse are plentiful , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will only report their experiences to online sites .
`` Fear of being blacklisted . ''
`` If I pursue him , it will be the end of my career . ''
`` I 'm already the only woman in the kitchen , if I complain on top of that ! ''
Faced with these obstacles , young women – often still teenagers – do not know how to act or who to turn to in this sector dominated by men .
`` Being in the kitchen is like being in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chef .
Now 29 years old , she was only 16 when a sous- chef ( under-chef ) locked her in a cold room because she refused his advances .
`` We 're told so many times to respond to everything 'Yes , chef ! '
and that 'this is just the way it is ' , that we do n't dare complain . ''
Why so many vacancies ?
The French hotel and catering industry is very short-staffed , with nearly 130,000 vacancies each year .
But no one is talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or , if they are , they are not talking publicly .
But they are talking privately .
From the `` lapin chaud '' ( hot rabbit ) to the `` grand malade '' ( weirdo ) , female kitchen staff know whom they should avoid at the end of their shifts .
However , the tacit code in French kitchens is to not “ balance ton porc ” , which translates , roughly , to not `` squeal on your pig '' – i.e.
, not identify your harasser .
Alexia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the popular television show “ Top Chef '' .
She revealed to entertainment site Melty that she had experienced some unwelcome attention in the kitchen .
“ In Michelin-starred restaurants , guys will grab your ass , talk trash to you .
I got texts when I was 15 years old at 2am from guys saying 'Come to my place ’ .
” For Canabal , there is only one way that this will change .
`` You have to stop repeating over and over that this treatment is normal , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ' .
No , it 's not normal .
It 's neither 'cultural ' nor 'job-related ' .
It 's simply harassment.
” This conversation is finally starting to take place in cooking schools , after victims pointed out the omertà that has surrounded this topic .
Nicknamed `` the Harvard of gastronomy '' by Le Monde , the Ferrandi School in Paris has almost achieved gender balance within its student population and it is now addressing this key issue .
Education and support in the school have evolved over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme , monitoring of female apprentices by a nurse and a social worker , and theatre workshops to try to encourage more open discourse about the issue .
`` However , we ca n't force students to talk , '' says Bruno de Monte , Ferrandi 's managing director .
`` When we are alerted to a problem , we react immediately .
It happened with a 15-year-old female apprentice .
We contacted the establishment to tell them , 'either the chef leaves or we 're taking the student out ’ .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant enough to have any lasting change on such an intractable industry ?
The gender-based anomaly is that most chefs – and 94 percent of professional chefs in France are men – evoke a mother or grandmother when they are talking about their vocation .
Cooking , considered naturally feminine in the domestic sphere , becomes masculine in the professional sphere .
One of France ’ s most famous chefs Paul Bocuse made a clear distinction between the cuisine of great chefs and that of `` little women '' , even though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sadly , this attitude does not only belong to the old guard .
In September 2019 , when questioned about the absence of female chefs at a symposium for the World ’ s 50 Best ( a British rival to the Michelin Guide ) , Yannick Alléno , a three-star French chef , gave his opinion : `` I regret it , but there are structural obstacles .
A lot of women ask to work at noon because in the evening they have to take care of the children .
We men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s DNA to give birth . ''
Hope for the new generation '' There are no women experts in the field '' ; `` The ones we contacted were not available '' ; `` In any case , there are no female candidates in the competition '' ...
Faced with such excuses , the Parabere Forum has set up a database of more than 6,000 culinary women in 60 countries , including chefs , sommeliers , producers , and winemakers .
These contacts have been made available to promote gender equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , at the first Parabere Forum , no one was talking about equality in the culinary world , '' explains Canabal .
“ The conventions , the juries in the competitions , the roundtables were 100 percent male .
Everybody thought it was normal .
Today , the public reacts when there are no women on stage , the change in mentality is tangible . ''
Will the new generation also change things ?
`` Little by little , things are moving forward .
Before we were afraid of not being believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all .
There 's an evolution in the right direction , '' Camille Aumont Carnel , creator of the Instagram account “ Je dis non chef ” ( I say no chef ) , speaking with French television channel LCI .
`` In this environment , we have a thousand Harvey Weinsteins , who rape , harass and blackmail careers .
We need a # MeToo for the restaurant business , our own Adele Haenel , to the end the anonymity so that the eyewitness accounts can openly flood in and heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was adapted from the original in French by Sophie Gorman .

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
If the #MeToo movement has knocked the sexism out of some professional kitchens around the world, the restaurant sector in France has not followed suit. On International Women's Day 2020, FRANCE 24 takes the temperature in French kitchens.
In France, the #MeToo movement has yet to make it through the restaurant kitchen's doors. (Photo illustration)
Advertising Read more
Workplace sexism and sexual harassment is not breaking news to anyone working in the French restaurant sector. A facade of glittering Michelin stars and the quest for culinary excellence often hides a daily struggle for women. More than two years after the birth of the #MeToo movement, sex harassment and assaults in French kitchens are still rife.
Gastronomy is considered to be a matter of state by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is such a culturally and politically charged issue that “there is a reluctance to talk about cooking, cooks and outbursts in the world of cuisine", Célia Tunc, secretary general of the Collège Culinaire de France, explained to FRANCE 24. "It's as if we are protecting this world."
French chefs – the male ones – continue to win all the awards. They are the "representatives, the carriers and the heirs of French history", according to Macron.
Acclaim for male chefs is nothing new. In 2013, Time magazine devoted its front page to the "Gods of Cookery", but somehow managed to leave women out of not just the cover image, but the entire "family tree" of the 50 most talented chefs in the world.
For its part, the Michelin Guide claims to give pride of place to women. However, in 2020, it only awarded one French female chef three stars, Anne-Sophie Pic, and just one other received two stars, Stéphanie Le Quellec.
This gender imbalance had already been documented by The New York Times in 2018, which described it as a trend towards fraternity instead of equality in French kitchens.
Harassment and sexual assault
"Considering all professions, women experience the most harassment in the culinary arena," says Maria Canabal, president of the Parabere Forum, a worldwide organisation that promotes gender equality in the culinary world.
“I am far too regularly presented with testimonies from women or members of the LGBT community who have been raped or harassed in the kitchen. And I encourage them to report this to the courts. Denouncing attackers through social networks or anonymously does succeed to raise awareness of the problem, but it does not solve it. We live under the rule of law and this must be how we end this."
Few victims dare to speak out publicly. Examples of abuse are plentiful, but most victims are determined to remain anonymous and will only report their experiences to online sites. "Fear of being blacklisted." "If I pursue him, it will be the end of my career." "I'm already the only woman in the kitchen, if I complain on top of that!"
Faced with these obstacles, young women – often still teenagers – do not know how to act or who to turn to in this sector dominated by men.
"Being in the kitchen is like being in the army," says Lucie, a chef. Now 29 years old, she was only 16 when a sous- chef (under-chef) locked her in a cold room because she refused his advances. "We're told so many times to respond to everything 'Yes, chef!' and that 'this is just the way it is', that we don't dare complain."
Why so many vacancies?
The French hotel and catering industry is very short-staffed, with nearly 130,000 vacancies each year. But no one is talking about why there are so many unfilled jobs, or, if they are, they are not talking publicly.
But they are talking privately. From the "lapin chaud" (hot rabbit) to the "grand malade" (weirdo), female kitchen staff know whom they should avoid at the end of their shifts. However, the tacit code in French kitchens is to not “balance ton porc”, which translates, roughly, to not "squeal on your pig" – i.e., not identify your harasser.
Screengrab from Je dis non chef! on Instagram © Instagram
Alexia Duchêne was a finalist in season 10 of the popular television show “Top Chef". She revealed to entertainment site Melty that she had experienced some unwelcome attention in the kitchen. “In Michelin-starred restaurants, guys will grab your ass, talk trash to you. I got texts when I was 15 years old at 2am from guys saying 'Come to my place’.”
For Canabal, there is only one way that this will change. "You have to stop repeating over and over that this treatment is normal, that 'the world of cooking is simply like that'. No, it's not normal. It's neither 'cultural' nor 'job-related'. It's simply harassment.”
Starting the conversation
This conversation is finally starting to take place in cooking schools, after victims pointed out the omertà that has surrounded this topic.
Nicknamed "the Harvard of gastronomy" by Le Monde, the Ferrandi School in Paris has almost achieved gender balance within its student population and it is now addressing this key issue.
Education and support in the school have evolved over the last ten years to include a harassment prevention programme, monitoring of female apprentices by a nurse and a social worker, and theatre workshops to try to encourage more open discourse about the issue.
"However, we can't force students to talk," says Bruno de Monte, Ferrandi's managing director. "When we are alerted to a problem, we react immediately. It happened with a 15-year-old female apprentice. We contacted the establishment to tell them, 'either the chef leaves or we're taking the student out’.”
The question remains: Is this response significant enough to have any lasting change on such an intractable industry?
‘In women’s DNA to give birth’
The gender-based anomaly is that most chefs – and 94 percent of professional chefs in France are men – evoke a mother or grandmother when they are talking about their vocation. Cooking, considered naturally feminine in the domestic sphere, becomes masculine in the professional sphere. One of France’s most famous chefs Paul Bocuse made a clear distinction between the cuisine of great chefs and that of "little women", even though he admitted he was himself trained by women.
Sadly, this attitude does not only belong to the old guard. In September 2019, when questioned about the absence of female chefs at a symposium for the World’s 50 Best (a British rival to the Michelin Guide), Yannick Alléno, a three-star French chef, gave his opinion: "I regret it, but there are structural obstacles. A lot of women ask to work at noon because in the evening they have to take care of the children. We men are lucky. It’s in women’s DNA to give birth."
Hope for the new generation
"There are no women experts in the field"; "The ones we contacted were not available"; "In any case, there are no female candidates in the competition" ...
Faced with such excuses, the Parabere Forum has set up a database of more than 6,000 culinary women in 60 countries, including chefs, sommeliers, producers, and winemakers. These contacts have been made available to promote gender equality in the sector.
"Seven years ago, at the first Parabere Forum, no one was talking about equality in the culinary world," explains Canabal. “The conventions, the juries in the competitions, the roundtables were 100 percent male. Everybody thought it was normal. Today, the public reacts when there are no women on stage, the change in mentality is tangible."
Will the new generation also change things?
"Little by little, things are moving forward. Before we were afraid of not being believed, this is no longer the case at all. There's an evolution in the right direction," Camille Aumont Carnel, creator of the Instagram account “Je dis non chef” (I say no chef), speaking with French television channel LCI.
"In this environment, we have a thousand Harvey Weinsteins, who rape, harass and blackmail careers. We need a #MeToo for the restaurant business, our own Adele Haenel, to the end the anonymity so that the eyewitness accounts can openly flood in and heads will finally roll."
This article was adapted from the original in French by Sophie Gorman.
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france24--2020-03-08--‘Open the gates’ to migrants, Erdogan tells Greece before EU talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will hold talks in Brussels Monday as he called on Greece to `` open the gates '' for migrants at Turkey 's border trying to get to Europe .
Amid tensions at the Turkey-Greece land border – where thousands of migrants have massed after Turkish authorities announced they would no longer prevent them from crossing into the EU – Erdogan said he would use Monday ’ s meeting to discuss “ different outcomes ” with Brussels .
In a televised address to the nation Sunday , Erdogan urged Greece to open its border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Greek police .
`` Hey Greece !
I appeal to you ... open the gates as well and be free of this burden , '' he said , adding : `` Let them go to other European countries . ''
Erdogan will meet European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels at 6pm local time ( 1700 GMT ) on Monday .
Turkey has repeatedly railed against what it describes as unfair burden-sharing , since around four million mostly Syrian refugees live in Turkey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to a deal whereby Brussels would provide billions of euros in aid in exchange for Turkish authorities curbing the flow of migrants into the bloc , but Ankara has repeatedly accused the EU of not fulfilling promises made .
Erdogan 's top press aide Fahrettin Altun has said one of the unmet conditions was that the EU would take in refugees from Turkey .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Michel met Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday as Turkey demanded greater support over the conflict and migrants .
After the talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 192 million ) in aid for vulnerable groups in Syria .
As the standoff between Turkey and Greece intensified , a fire broke out at a refugee center on the Greek island of Lesbos , Greece 's firefighting service said Sunday , causing considerable damage to a warehouse but no injuries .
It was the second fire at an installation built for migrants , after a reception center was burned down by unknown perpetrators last week .
The warehouse , which contained furniture and electrical appliances , was completely destroyed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country and the Greek border area has since seen violent confrontations between them and the migrants .
On Saturday , youths threw rocks at Greek police and tried to break down a border fence .
Meanwhile , Cyprus announced it will send security forces to the Greek-Turkish land border to help protect it .
Greek government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios said in a statement that the decision to send the force was announced by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to Greek Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two had Sunday morning .
“ The president 's proposal was gratefully accepted by Greece 's Prime Minister and , therefore , a force from Cyprus 's security forces will travel to Greece immediately to defend and guard Greece 's , and Europe 's , borders , ” the Cyprus government 's statement said .
The Greek government released a video purporting to show a Turkish armoured vehicle trying to pull down part of the border fence with a rope .
It claimed the vehicle was partly purchased with EU border funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authenticity of the video .
There was no immediate comment from Turkish officials .
Anastasiades has accused Turkey of “ using refugees to raise money ” after around 100 African nationals crossed the border from the northern Turkish-occupied part of the island into Cyprus , which has the EU ’ s highest number of refugees per capita .

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Greece to "open the gates" for migrants at Turkey's border as he prepared to hold talks with EU leaders in Brussels on Monday.
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Amid tensions at the Turkey-Greece land border – where thousands of migrants have massed after Turkish authorities announced they would no longer prevent them from crossing into the EU – Erdogan said he would use Monday’s meeting to discuss “different outcomes” with Brussels.
In a televised address to the nation Sunday, Erdogan urged Greece to open its border after clashes in recent days between migrants and Greek police.
"Hey Greece! I appeal to you... open the gates as well and be free of this burden," he said, adding: "Let them go to other European countries."
03:12
Erdogan will meet European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels at 6pm local time (1700 GMT) on Monday.
Turkey has repeatedly railed against what it describes as unfair burden-sharing, since around four million mostly Syrian refugees live in Turkey.
In 2016, Turkey and the EU agreed to a deal whereby Brussels would provide billions of euros in aid in exchange for Turkish authorities curbing the flow of migrants into the bloc, but Ankara has repeatedly accused the EU of not fulfilling promises made.
Erdogan's top press aide Fahrettin Altun has said one of the unmet conditions was that the EU would take in refugees from Turkey.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Michel met Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday as Turkey demanded greater support over the conflict and migrants.
After the talks, Borrell promised an additional €170 million ($192 million) in aid for vulnerable groups in Syria.
Fire damages migrant shelter on Greece’s Lesbos
As the standoff between Turkey and Greece intensified, a fire broke out at a refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece's firefighting service said Sunday, causing considerable damage to a warehouse but no injuries.
01:42
It was the second fire at an installation built for migrants, after a reception centre was burned down by unknown perpetrators last week. The warehouse, which contained furniture and electrical appliances, was completely destroyed, according to Greek firefighters.
Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country and the Greek border area has since seen violent confrontations between them and the migrants. On Saturday, youths threw rocks at Greek police and tried to break down a border fence.
Cyprus to send security forces to Greece-Turkey border
Meanwhile, Cyprus announced it will send security forces to the Greek-Turkish land border to help protect it. Greek government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios said in a statement that the decision to send the force was announced by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a telephone conversation the two had Sunday morning.
“The president's proposal was gratefully accepted by Greece's Prime Minister and, therefore, a force from Cyprus's security forces will travel to Greece immediately to defend and guard Greece's, and Europe's, borders,” the Cyprus government's statement said.
The Greek government released a video purporting to show a Turkish armoured vehicle trying to pull down part of the border fence with a rope. It claimed the vehicle was partly purchased with EU border funds. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the video. There was no immediate comment from Turkish officials.
Anastasiades has accused Turkey of “using refugees to raise money” after around 100 African nationals crossed the border from the northern Turkish-occupied part of the island into Cyprus, which has the EU’s highest number of refugees per capita.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-08--Iran reports its largest coronavirus death toll within 24-hour period

In this file photo , health workers spray disinfectant outside the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad , Iran on February 27 , 2020 .
Iran 's health ministry on Sunday reported 49 new deaths from the COVID-19 disease , the highest toll within 24 hours since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country .
`` At least 194 of our compatriots who fell sick with the COVID-19 illness have passed away , '' Iranian health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference .
The outbreak of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , where the virus originated late last year .
Jahanpour added that 743 new infections were also confirmed within the past 24 hours , bringing the number of cases to 6,566 spread across all of Iran 's 31 provinces .
With 1,805 infections , the capital Tehran remains part of the province with the most cases , the spokesman added .
Reporting from Tehran , FRANCE 24 ’ s Reza Sayah said Iranians have been coping as best they can as the country , already grappling with the effects of tough US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The overwhelming majority of people we ’ re seeing here in Iran are dealing with this outbreak in a civil and cooperative way .
Sure they ’ re concerned , but they ’ re helping one and another , they ’ re taking precautionary measures , they ’ re not going out to social gatherings , they ’ re doing the best they can in a civil manner , ” said Sayaf .
Iran has imposed travel restrictions on 15 provinces , said Sayah .
Schools and universities have been closed until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year , celebrations in early April .
“ In less than two weeks , it ’ s Nowruz , the Persian New Year , perhaps the biggest and most popular national holiday when Iranians get together and socialise with family and friends , ” said Sayaf .
“ That ’ s not going to happen the way it usually does , and that ’ s another hit to this country that has seen many crises over the past couple of years.
” Outside Tehran , the situation in the provinces continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were detected in and around Qom , the holy Shiite city south of Tehran where the country 's first cases were reported .
He said the number of cases was also `` rising quickly '' in Isfahan , a popular tourist destination , where there were now 564 people sick with the virus .
Iran Air announced on Sunday the suspension of all its flights to Europe until further notice .
The statement issued by the company made no mention of the novel coronavirus epidemic as a reason for the measure , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities for `` unknown reasons '' .
According to several specialised sites , the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA ) banned on February 3 Iran Air aircraft from European airspace , namely an Airbus A321-200 and two Airbus A330-200 that had not undergone necessary upgrades for authorisation to fly in Europe .
Sweden on March 2 announced it was temporarily suspending the flight permits of Iran Air on the advice of health officials who said Tehran was `` not in control '' of the novel coronavirus outbreak on its soil .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destinations including Paris , London , Amsterdam , Stockholm , Frankfurt , Vienna and Rome .
Across the Persian Gulf , Iran ’ s archfoe Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary lockdown on its eastern Qatif province , home to the kingdom ’ s marginalised Shiite population , to prevent the spread of the virus .
Saudi authorities on Sunday said 11 coronavirus cases had been recorded in the eastern province .
`` Given that all 11 recorded positive cases of the new coronavirus are from Qatif ... it has been decided ... to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Saudi interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency .
The move risks stirring resentment in Qatif , which has been a flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government and minority Shiites in the country who have complained of discrimination , charges the government denies .
Saudi authorities have previously said those infected have either been to Iran or interacted with people who visited the Islamic Republic , home to major Shiite holy sites .

Iran's health ministry on Sunday reported 49 new deaths from the COVID-19 disease, the highest toll within 24 hours since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.
In this file photo, health workers spray disinfectant outside the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran on February 27, 2020.
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"At least 194 of our compatriots who fell sick with the COVID-19 illness have passed away," Iranian health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference.
The outbreak of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in Iran is one of the deadliest outside of China, where the virus originated late last year.
Jahanpour added that 743 new infections were also confirmed within the past 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 6,566 spread across all of Iran's 31 provinces.
With 1,805 infections, the capital Tehran remains part of the province with the most cases, the spokesman added.
Braced for a somber Nowruz
Reporting from Tehran, FRANCE 24’s Reza Sayah said Iranians have been coping as best they can as the country, already grappling with the effects of tough US sanctions, faces yet another crisis. “The overwhelming majority of people we’re seeing here in Iran are dealing with this outbreak in a civil and cooperative way. Sure they’re concerned, but they’re helping one and another, they’re taking precautionary measures, they’re not going out to social gatherings, they’re doing the best they can in a civil manner,” said Sayaf.
Iran has imposed travel restrictions on 15 provinces, said Sayah. Schools and universities have been closed until the end of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrations in early April.
“In less than two weeks, it’s Nowruz, the Persian New Year, perhaps the biggest and most popular national holiday when Iranians get together and socialise with family and friends,” said Sayaf. “That’s not going to happen the way it usually does, and that’s another hit to this country that has seen many crises over the past couple of years.”
Outside Tehran, the situation in the provinces continued to deteriorate, with Jahanpour saying 685 cases were detected in and around Qom, the holy Shiite city south of Tehran where the country's first cases were reported.
He said the number of cases was also "rising quickly" in Isfahan, a popular tourist destination, where there were now 564 people sick with the virus.
Iran Air suspends flights to Europe
Iran Air announced on Sunday the suspension of all its flights to Europe until further notice.
The statement issued by the company made no mention of the novel coronavirus epidemic as a reason for the measure, citing only "restrictions" imposed by European authorities for "unknown reasons".
According to several specialised sites, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) banned on February 3 Iran Air aircraft from European airspace, namely an Airbus A321-200 and two Airbus A330-200 that had not undergone necessary upgrades for authorisation to fly in Europe.
Sweden on March 2 announced it was temporarily suspending the flight permits of Iran Air on the advice of health officials who said Tehran was "not in control" of the novel coronavirus outbreak on its soil.
The Iranian carrier operates flights to multiple European destinations including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Vienna and Rome.
Saudi Arabia locks down predominantly Shiite eastern province
Across the Persian Gulf, Iran’s archfoe Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary lockdown on its eastern Qatif province, home to the kingdom’s marginalised Shiite population, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Saudi authorities on Sunday said 11 coronavirus cases had been recorded in the eastern province. "Given that all 11 recorded positive cases of the new coronavirus are from Qatif ... it has been decided ... to temporarily suspend entry and exit from Qatif," the Saudi interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
The move risks stirring resentment in Qatif, which has been a flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government and minority Shiites in the country who have complained of discrimination, charges the government denies.
Saudi authorities have previously said those infected have either been to Iran or interacted with people who visited the Islamic Republic, home to major Shiite holy sites.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-07--Pope delivers Sunday service by livestream as Italy’s coronavirus cases mount

People wear protective face masks on St. Peter 's Square in Vatican City on March 6 , 2020 after the Vatican reports its first case of coronavirus .
Pope Francis has delivered Sunday prayers by livestream in a bid to control crowds as the coronavirus death toll in Italy rose to 233 , with more than 5,800 cases reported , making Italy Europe ’ s worst-hit country .
Italian officials on Saturday said the number of coronavirus cases leapt by more than 1,200 in a 24-hour period , with the death toll rising to 233 , as Italy reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic emerged in December .
Entire towns are quarantined in the north , the worst-hit area , known as “ red zones ” .
The Italian government is set to adopt new tough measures to contain the virus , including a quarantine on the entire Lombardy region around Milan as well as areas around and including Venice and the northern cities of Parma and Rimini , Italian media reported Saturday .
A draft of the government resolution obtained by Italy 's Corriere Della Sera newspaper and other media said movement into and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until April 3 .
As the streets of Rome and several northern cities in the worst-hit areas emptied due to stringent isolation measures , Pope Francis decided to deliver Sunday 's prayer by livestream .
The 83-year-old pontiff broke with centuries of tradition by enlisting the help of technology to keep crowds from descending on St. Peter 's Square for the traditional Angelus Prayer .
`` The prayer will be broadcast via livestream by Vatican News and on screens in Saint Peter 's Square , '' the Vatican said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argentine-born pope 's schedule `` to avoid the dissemination '' of the new COVID-19 disease .
The Vatican appears to believe that the pope 's absence from his traditional spot at the window will keep the crowds on the vast square down and the threat of contagion low .
The Vatican is in the process of unrolling unprecedented health precautions designed to keep the city-state 's 450 mostly elderly residents safe .
It recorded its first COVID-19 infection on Thursday and was awaiting the results of a test on another person who appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Italian government finds itself at the forefront of the global fight against an epidemic that has convulsed the markets and paralysed global supply chains since late last year .
Ministers decided at an all-night emergency meeting to call in retired doctors as part of an effort to bolster the strained healthcare system with 20,000 additional staff .
The head of the Italian ruling coalition 's junior partner became the latest high-profile figure to confirm coming down with the new disease .
`` I am fine , '' the Democratic Party 's Nicola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to stay home for the next few days . ''
The accelerating spread of the illness emptied Italian train stations and turned usually thronged parts of Rome into a ghost town .
Many of the city 's outdoor restaurants and cafes were either closed on Friday night or had free tables overseen by forlorn staff with little to do but chat .
The expansive street that runs from Rome 's Colosseum along the Forum was deserted and the magnificent ruins stood in their natural splendour – and without being swarmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
US military sailor confirmed with coronavirus in Italy A US sailor deployed to the southern Italian city of Naples tested positive for the coronavirus , the US military said on Saturday , in the second confirmed case among US forces following another in South Korea .
“ The member is currently restricted to their residence , receiving supportive and medical care in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control , ” the military ’ s European Command said in a statement .
“ Military health professionals are conducting a thorough contact investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been exposed , ” it said .

Pope Francis has delivered Sunday prayers by livestream in a bid to control crowds as the coronavirus death toll in Italy rose to 233, with more than 5,800 cases reported, making Italy Europe’s worst-hit country.
People wear protective face masks on St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on March 6, 2020 after the Vatican reports its first case of coronavirus.
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Italian officials on Saturday said the number of coronavirus cases leapt by more than 1,200 in a 24-hour period, with the death toll rising to 233, as Italy reported the most deaths outside China, where the epidemic emerged in December.
Entire towns are quarantined in the north, the worst-hit area, known as “red zones”. The Italian government is set to adopt new tough measures to contain the virus, including a quarantine on the entire Lombardy region around Milan as well as areas around and including Venice and the northern cities of Parma and Rimini, Italian media reported Saturday.
A draft of the government resolution obtained by Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper and other media said movement into and out of the regions would be severely restricted until April 3.
As the streets of Rome and several northern cities in the worst-hit areas emptied due to stringent isolation measures, Pope Francis decided to deliver Sunday's prayer by livestream.
The 83-year-old pontiff broke with centuries of tradition by enlisting the help of technology to keep crowds from descending on St. Peter's Square for the traditional Angelus Prayer.
"The prayer will be broadcast via livestream by Vatican News and on screens in Saint Peter's Square," the Vatican said in a statement.
It had originally promised to review the Argentine-born pope's schedule "to avoid the dissemination" of the new COVID-19 disease.
The Vatican appears to believe that the pope's absence from his traditional spot at the window will keep the crowds on the vast square down and the threat of contagion low.
The Vatican is in the process of unrolling unprecedented health precautions designed to keep the city-state's 450 mostly elderly residents safe.
It recorded its first COVID-19 infection on Thursday and was awaiting the results of a test on another person who appeared at a Vatican-organised event last month.
Coalition leader gets virus
The Italian government finds itself at the forefront of the global fight against an epidemic that has convulsed the markets and paralysed global supply chains since late last year.
Ministers decided at an all-night emergency meeting to call in retired doctors as part of an effort to bolster the strained healthcare system with 20,000 additional staff.
The head of the Italian ruling coalition's junior partner became the latest high-profile figure to confirm coming down with the new disease.
"I am fine," the Democratic Party's Nicola Zingaretti said on Facebook. "I will have to stay home for the next few days."
The accelerating spread of the illness emptied Italian train stations and turned usually thronged parts of Rome into a ghost town.
Many of the city's outdoor restaurants and cafes were either closed on Friday night or had free tables overseen by forlorn staff with little to do but chat.
The expansive street that runs from Rome's Colosseum along the Forum was deserted and the magnificent ruins stood in their natural splendour – and without being swarmed by tourists – on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
US military sailor confirmed with coronavirus in Italy
A US sailor deployed to the southern Italian city of Naples tested positive for the coronavirus, the US military said on Saturday, in the second confirmed case among US forces following another in South Korea.
“The member is currently restricted to their residence, receiving supportive and medical care in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control,” the military’s European Command said in a statement.
“Military health professionals are conducting a thorough contact investigation to determine whether any other personnel may have been exposed,” it said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-09--Global stock markets, oil prices plunge amid coronavirus fears

Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Khurais , Saudi Arabia October 12 , 2019 .
Global stock markets and oil prices plunged Monday after a squabble among crude producers jolted investors who were already on edge about the surging costs of a virus outbreak .
The main stock indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by more 8 percent at the opening .
Tokyo closed down 5.1 percent while Sydney lost 7.3 percent and Shanghai was off 3 percent .
The benchmark US crude price fell as much as 30 percent , deepening a rout that began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major producers failed to agree on how much to cut output to prop up prices .
Investors usually welcome lower energy costs for businesses and consumers .
But the abrupt plunge , amid anxiety over the coronavirus , rattled markets .
“ Investors should brace for volatility , ” James Trafford of Fidelity International said in a report .
A recovery in oil and stock prices “ will require some stabilisation in the coronavirus data points ” or signs of agreement among crude producers , Trafford said .
In Saudi Arabia , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil giant Saudi Aramco after its share price sank by the daily 10 percent limit at the opening .
Investors already were on edge about the mounting costs of the coronavirus outbreak that began in China and has disrupted world travel and trade .
Anxiety rose after Italy announced it was isolating cities and towns with some 16 million people , or more than one quarter of its population .
In Europe , the London ’ s FTSE 100 tumbled 8.6 percent to 5,910.87 in early trading , and Frankfurt ’ s DAX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CAC 40 in France lost 2.7 percent to 5,001.53 .
Ursula von der Leyen , the president of the European Commission , told a news conference in Brussels on Monday that : “ We are looking into everything that we can do to help to address the impact on the economy , ” but added the EU urgently needs an agreement on a new budget for the 2021-2027 period if it wants to address current and future challenges linked to the coronavirus outbreak .
Investors are looking ahead to a meeting Thursday of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely expected to announce new stimulus measures .
On Wall Street , the future for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1,255.00 points , or 4.9 percent , while the S & P 500 future contract also lost 4.9 percent .
Companies have been hit by travel and other controls that are spreading worldwide as the global number of coronavirus infections rose past 110,000 worldwide .
In Asia , Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 fell to 19,698.76 after the government reported the economy contracted 7 percent in the October-December quarter , worse than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline .
That was before the viral outbreak slammed tourism and travel but after a sales tax hike dented consumers ’ appetite for spending .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng sank 4.2 percent to 25,047.42 .
The Shanghai Composite Index declined to 2,943.29 .
The S & P-ASX 200 in Sydney retreated to 5,760.60 .
The Kospi in Seoul lost 4.2 % to 1,954.77 .
India ’ s Sensex retreated 6.2 percent to 35,255.73 .
Markets in Taiwan , New Zealand and Southeast Asia also declined .
Benchmark US crude fell 22.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 29.88 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
Brent crude , the international standard , lost 21.5 percent , or $ 9.39 , to $ 35.88 per barrel in London .
The dollar sank to 102.57 yen from Friday ’ s 105.29 yen .
The euro advanced to $ 1.1399 from $ 1.1289 .
Chinese factories that make the world ’ s smartphones , toys and other consumer goods are gradually reopening but aren ’ t expected to return to normal production until at least April .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ components and raw materials from China ’ s Asian neighbors .
Apple Inc. says slowdowns in manufacturing iPhones in China will hurt its sales totals .
An airline industry group says carriers could lose as much as $ 113 billion in potential ticket sales .
Adding to pessimism , China reported Saturday that its exports fell 17 percent and imports were off 4 percent from a year earlier in January and February after Beijing shut factories , offices and shops in the most severe anti-disease measures ever imposed .
Central banks worldwide have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while that might help to encourage consumer and corporate spending , it can not reopen factories that are due to quarantines or a lack of workers and raw materials .
Already last week , global stocks were sinking as the spread of the virus prompted governments to follow China ’ s lead by imposing travel controls and canceling public events .
The US Federal Reserve ’ s emergency 0.5 percent cut in its key lending rate failed to reverse the downturn and the yield on the 10-year Treasury , already at record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.7 percent late Friday .
The yield – the difference between a bond ’ s market price and what investors will receive if they hold it to maturity – is an indicator of the market ’ s outlook on the economy .
Rising market prices that cause the yield to narrow indicate investors are shifting money into bonds as a safe haven .
“ Global recession risks have risen , ” Moody ’ s Investors Service said in a report .
“ A sustained pullback in consumption , coupled with extended closures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layoffs and weigh on sentiment .
”

Global stock markets and oil prices plunged Monday after a squabble among crude producers jolted investors who were already on edge about the surging costs of a virus outbreak.
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The main stock indexes in London and Frankfurt dropped by more 8 percent at the opening. Tokyo closed down 5.1 percent while Sydney lost 7.3 percent and Shanghai was off 3 percent.
The benchmark US crude price fell as much as 30 percent, deepening a rout that began when Saudi Arabia, Russia and other major producers failed to agree on how much to cut output to prop up prices.
Investors usually welcome lower energy costs for businesses and consumers. But the abrupt plunge, amid anxiety over the coronavirus, rattled markets.
“Investors should brace for volatility,” James Trafford of Fidelity International said in a report.
A recovery in oil and stock prices “will require some stabilisation in the coronavirus data points” or signs of agreement among crude producers, Trafford said.
01:15
In Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh stock exchange suspended trading of state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco after its share price sank by the daily 10 percent limit at the opening.
Investors already were on edge about the mounting costs of the coronavirus outbreak that began in China and has disrupted world travel and trade.
Anxiety rose after Italy announced it was isolating cities and towns with some 16 million people, or more than one quarter of its population.
In Europe, the London’s FTSE 100 tumbled 8.6 percent to 5,910.87 in early trading, and Frankfurt’s DAX shed 8 percent to 10,616.42. The CAC 40 in France lost 2.7 percent to 5,001.53.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, told a news conference in Brussels on Monday that: “We are looking into everything that we can do to help to address the impact on the economy,” but added the EU urgently needs an agreement on a new budget for the 2021-2027 period if it wants to address current and future challenges linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Investors are looking ahead to a meeting Thursday of the European Central Bank, which is widely expected to announce new stimulus measures.
On Wall Street, the future for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1,255.00 points, or 4.9 percent, while the S&P 500 future contract also lost 4.9 percent.
Travel and tourism sectors hit hard
Companies have been hit by travel and other controls that are spreading worldwide as the global number of coronavirus infections rose past 110,000 worldwide.
In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell to 19,698.76 after the government reported the economy contracted 7 percent in the October-December quarter, worse than the original estimate of a 6.3 percent decline. That was before the viral outbreak slammed tourism and travel but after a sales tax hike dented consumers’ appetite for spending.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng sank 4.2 percent to 25,047.42. The Shanghai Composite Index declined to 2,943.29. The S&P-ASX 200 in Sydney retreated to 5,760.60. The Kospi in Seoul lost 4.2% to 1,954.77.
India’s Sensex retreated 6.2 percent to 35,255.73. Markets in Taiwan, New Zealand and Southeast Asia also declined.
Benchmark US crude fell 22.9 percent, or $9.40, to $29.88 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 21.5 percent, or $9.39, to $35.88 per barrel in London.
The dollar sank to 102.57 yen from Friday’s 105.29 yen. The euro advanced to $1.1399 from $1.1289.
‘Global recession risks rising’
Chinese factories that make the world’s smartphones, toys and other consumer goods are gradually reopening but aren’t expected to return to normal production until at least April. That weighs on demand for imports of components and raw materials from China’s Asian neighbors.
Apple Inc. says slowdowns in manufacturing iPhones in China will hurt its sales totals. An airline industry group says carriers could lose as much as $113 billion in potential ticket sales.
Adding to pessimism, China reported Saturday that its exports fell 17 percent and imports were off 4 percent from a year earlier in January and February after Beijing shut factories, offices and shops in the most severe anti-disease measures ever imposed.
Central banks worldwide have cut interest rates. But economists warn that while that might help to encourage consumer and corporate spending, it cannot reopen factories that are due to quarantines or a lack of workers and raw materials.
Already last week, global stocks were sinking as the spread of the virus prompted governments to follow China’s lead by imposing travel controls and canceling public events.
The US Federal Reserve’s emergency 0.5 percent cut in its key lending rate failed to reverse the downturn and the yield on the 10-year Treasury, already at record lows, dropped to 0.47 percent from 0.7 percent late Friday.
The yield – the difference between a bond’s market price and what investors will receive if they hold it to maturity – is an indicator of the market’s outlook on the economy. Rising market prices that cause the yield to narrow indicate investors are shifting money into bonds as a safe haven.
“Global recession risks have risen,” Moody’s Investors Service said in a report. “A sustained pullback in consumption, coupled with extended closures of businesses, would hurt earnings, drive layoffs and weigh on sentiment.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-09--Four men accused in downing of flight MH17 to be tried in absentia in Amsterdam

A protest sign stands in front of a row of chairs as family members of victims of the MH17 crash lined up empty chairs for each seat on the plane during a protest outside the Russian Embassy in The Hague , Netherlands March 8 , 2020 .
The first hearing in the trial of four fugitive suspects in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was set to start in Amsterdam on Monday , more than five years after the plane was downed in Ukraine .
Prosecutors say the suspects , three Russians and a Ukrainian , helped arrange the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MH17 , a civilian aircraft .
The suspects are believed to be in Russia and are not expected to attend .
MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17 , 2014 , when it was shot down by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels amid fighting in eastern Ukraine , killing all 298 aboard .
Russia has denied any involvement .
The judges ' first order of business will be to verify whether the suspects have appointed lawyers to defend them , and to lay out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Dutch-led international Joint Investigation Team spent years collecting evidence before issuing arrest warrants last year for the four suspects : Russians Sergey Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin , and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko .
They are presumed innocent until proven guilty .
Girkin has said rebels were not responsible for the plane 's downing and declined further comment .
Others could not be reached for comment .
Countries participating in the investigation – Ukraine , the Netherlands , Australia , Malaysia and Belgium – agreed in 2017 to hold trials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up a UN-backed tribunal foundered over Russian opposition .
Prosecutors say the suspects face preliminary charges of the murder of 298 people and of causing the aircraft to crash , resulting in the death of all aboard .
Reporting from Schiphol , in the Netherlands , FRANCE 24 ’ s correspondent Stephanie van den Berg said the prosecution had announced it would call 13 witnesses , some of whom might be inside witnesses .
“ This is interesting , because for now , a lot of the evidence is based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been doctored and not true .
But if you ’ re going to put actual witnesses on the stand that is going to back up some of that digital evidence it ’ s interesting .
So we ’ re really curious to see who these witnesses are and what they can present .
And it ’ s going to make it harder for Russia to deny involvement.
” If convicted , the men could face sentences of up to life in prison .
However , Russia does not extradite its citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimacy of the international investigation and the independence of the court .
It is possible the suspects will participate via video link .
Families of victims are expected to attend the hearings .
`` We think that Russia still has some answers to give us , '' Sander van Luik , whose brother died in the crash , said at a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in The Hague on Sunday .
The downing of the plane led to sanctions against Russia by the European Union , which repeated its support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks have been scheduled for the initial proceedings .

The first hearing in the trial of four fugitive suspects in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was set to start in Amsterdam on Monday, more than five years after the plane was downed in Ukraine.
A protest sign stands in front of a row of chairs as family members of victims of the MH17 crash lined up empty chairs for each seat on the plane during a protest outside the Russian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands March 8, 2020.
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Prosecutors say the suspects, three Russians and a Ukrainian, helped arrange the Russian missile system used to shoot down MH17, a civilian aircraft. The suspects are believed to be in Russia and are not expected to attend.
MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it was shot down by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels amid fighting in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 aboard. Russia has denied any involvement.
The judges' first order of business will be to verify whether the suspects have appointed lawyers to defend them, and to lay out a timetable for the case to proceed.
A Dutch-led international Joint Investigation Team spent years collecting evidence before issuing arrest warrants last year for the four suspects: Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin, and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko.
They are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Girkin has said rebels were not responsible for the plane's downing and declined further comment. Others could not be reached for comment.
Countries participating in the investigation – Ukraine, the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia and Belgium – agreed in 2017 to hold trials in the Netherlands under Dutch law after attempts to set up a UN-backed tribunal foundered over Russian opposition.
Prosecutors say the suspects face preliminary charges of the murder of 298 people and of causing the aircraft to crash, resulting in the death of all aboard.
02:48
Inside witnesses?
Reporting from Schiphol, in the Netherlands, FRANCE 24’s correspondent Stephanie van den Berg said the prosecution had announced it would call 13 witnesses, some of whom might be inside witnesses.
“This is interesting, because for now, a lot of the evidence is based on video and Russia can say that it has been doctored and not true. But if you’re going to put actual witnesses on the stand that is going to back up some of that digital evidence it’s interesting. So we’re really curious to see who these witnesses are and what they can present. And it’s going to make it harder for Russia to deny involvement.”
If convicted, the men could face sentences of up to life in prison. However, Russia does not extradite its citizens, and the Kremlin has questioned both the legitimacy of the international investigation and the independence of the court.
It is possible the suspects will participate via video link. Families of victims are expected to attend the hearings.
"We think that Russia still has some answers to give us," Sander van Luik, whose brother died in the crash, said at a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in The Hague on Sunday.
The downing of the plane led to sanctions against Russia by the European Union, which repeated its support for the court this weekend.
Two weeks have been scheduled for the initial proceedings.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-03-09--Afghan rivals Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah hold dueling presidential inaugurations

Afghanistan 's leadership rivals Ashraf Ghani ( left ) and Abdullah Abdullah ( right ) side by side at a NATO Summit in Warsaw , Poland July 8 , 2016 .
President Ashraf Ghani was sworn in for a second term on Monday as opposition leader and former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah held a rival inauguration .
Following accusations of voter fraud in September 's polls , Abdullah has vowed to form his own parallel government .
Afghanistan 's two rival leaders were preparing to hold parallel presidential inaugurations on Monday , after the pair failed to reach a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgent Taliban .
The spat has raised fears for Afghanistan 's fragile democracy as the US prepares to leave the country following an agreement with the insurgents last month , with President Donald Trump committed to ending America 's longest war .
Polls were held in September but incumbent Ashraf Ghani was only declared to have won a second term in February after repeated delays and accusations of voter fraud , sparking a furious response by former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah , who vowed to form his own parallel government .
Last-minute talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the two sides sought to broker an agreement .
But by Monday morning , there was little indication a solution had been found , with Ghani 's spokesman only announcing that his inauguration would be delayed by several hours .
Abdullah 's spokesman Faraidoon Khwazoon told AFP the ceremony would go ahead as planned but cautioned : `` Things can change '' .
Washington had earlier warned that the bickering posed a risk to the US withdrawal deal , which requires the Taliban to hold talks with Kabul .
Widening divisions among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper hand in those negotiations .
Their game of thrones has left many Afghans despairing for their country 's future , worried that Kabul 's politicians will be no match for the Taliban in any peace talks .
`` It is impossible to have two presidents in one country , '' said Ahmad Jawed , 22 , who urged the men `` to put their personal interests aside and only think of their country instead of fighting for power '' .
He told AFP that `` instead of holding oath-taking ceremonies they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solution '' .
Afghans have shown little enthusiasm for Abdullah , Ghani or the election process in general .
Most of them abstained in last year 's lacklustre poll that saw candidates pitch few ideas or policies .
Unemployment is high , and even university graduates like Jawed are struggling to find work , while violence has continued unabated , except for during a week-long partial truce ahead of the US-Taliban deal .
In the deadliest attack to hit Afghanistan in weeks , Islamic State group gunmen shot dead 32 people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Kabul commemorating a politician from the Hazara ethnic group .
The Taliban have also ramped up attacks on Afghan forces and civilians .
The ceremonies will take place under heightened security , with road closures and multiple checkpoints set up in Kabul hours before the two men were due to be sworn in .
Dozens of supporters waited at two separate venues inside the grounds of the presidential palace , where both men were expected to hold their ceremonies .
Experts say the infighting is likely to cost the government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut out of the Doha negotiations .
According to the agreement signed in Qatar , foreign troops will withdraw from Afghanistan in 14 months , in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with Kabul .
Political analyst Atta Noori said the squabbling would `` gravely affect the government 's position in the upcoming intra-Afghan talks '' .
`` Unity is the only way ( forward ) if they want to win on the negotiating table , '' he told AFP .
The prolonged political crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contested 2014 election , which also saw Ghani declared the winner .
That time , Abdullah 's supporters held violent demonstrations before the US finally intervened to broker an awkward deal between the two rivals , with Ghani as the president and Abdullah as the chief executive .
The renewed bickering has added to the frustrations of ordinary Afghans .
`` They make promises during the campaign but never act on their promises , '' Kabul resident Noman Formuli said .
`` They had promised to bring security , they failed .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed , '' the 24-year-old told AFP .
`` We are tired of seeing them '' .

President Ashraf Ghani was sworn in for a second term on Monday as opposition leader, while his former electoral opponent Abdullah Abdullah held a rival inauguration. Ghani's ceremony was disrupted by the sound of two rockets hitting the edge of the compound of the presidential palace compound in the capital Kabul, Reuters witnesses said. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Afghanistan's leadership rivals Ashraf Ghani (left) and Abdullah Abdullah (right) side by side at a NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland July 8, 2016.
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Afghanistan's two rival leaders were preparing to hold parallel presidential inaugurations on Monday, after the pair failed to reach a deal in the face of a unified and resurgent Taliban.
The spat has raised fears for Afghanistan's fragile democracy as the US prepares to leave the country following an agreement with the insurgents last month, with President Donald Trump committed to ending America's longest war.
As hundreds of people had assembled at two venues inside the presidential palace complex to watch the rival swearing-in ceremonies, two blasts were heard, prompting some to flee. "Caliphate soldiers targeted the inauguration of the tyrant Ashraf Ghani", firing 10 rockets near the presidential palace in Kabul, the IS group subsequently said in a statement released via its usual social media channels.
"I have no bulletproof vest on, only my shirt, I will stay even if I have to sacrifice my head," Ghani told the remaining crowd, as sirens sounded overhead.
Polls were held in September but incumbent Ashraf Ghani was only declared to have won a second term in February after repeated delays and accusations of voter fraud, sparking a furious response by former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, who vowed to form his own parallel government.
Last-minute talks reportedly extended late into the night Sunday as the two sides sought to broker an agreement.
But by Monday morning, there was little indication a solution had been found, with Ghani's spokesman only announcing that his inauguration would be delayed by several hours.
Abdullah's spokesman Faraidoon Khwazoon told AFP the ceremony would go ahead as planned but cautioned: "Things can change".
Washington had earlier warned that the bickering posed a risk to the US withdrawal deal, which requires the Taliban to hold talks with Kabul.
Widening divisions among Afghan politicians would leave the insurgents with the upper hand in those negotiations.
Fight for power
Their game of thrones has left many Afghans despairing for their country's future, worried that Kabul's politicians will be no match for the Taliban in any peace talks.
"It is impossible to have two presidents in one country," said Ahmad Jawed, 22, who urged the men "to put their personal interests aside and only think of their country instead of fighting for power".
He told AFP that "instead of holding oath-taking ceremonies they should talk to each other to find a solution".
Afghans have shown little enthusiasm for Abdullah, Ghani or the election process in general. Most of them abstained in last year's lacklustre poll that saw candidates pitch few ideas or policies.
Unemployment is high, and even university graduates like Jawed are struggling to find work, while violence has continued unabated, except for during a week-long partial truce ahead of the US-Taliban deal.
In the deadliest attack to hit Afghanistan in weeks, Islamic State group gunmen shot dead 32 people and wounded dozens of others at a Friday rally in Kabul commemorating a politician from the Hazara ethnic group.
The Taliban have also ramped up attacks on Afghan forces and civilians.
Heightened security
The ceremonies will take place under heightened security, with road closures and multiple checkpoints set up in Kabul hours before the two men were due to be sworn in.
Dozens of supporters waited at two separate venues inside the grounds of the presidential palace, where both men were expected to hold their ceremonies.
Experts say the infighting is likely to cost the government, which is already under pressure after being shut out of the Doha negotiations.
According to the agreement signed in Qatar, foreign troops will withdraw from Afghanistan in 14 months, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with Kabul.
Political analyst Atta Noori said the squabbling would "gravely affect the government's position in the upcoming intra-Afghan talks".
"Unity is the only way (forward) if they want to win on the negotiating table," he told AFP.
The prolonged political crisis has brought back memories of the angrily contested 2014 election, which also saw Ghani declared the winner.
That time, Abdullah's supporters held violent demonstrations before the US finally intervened to broker an awkward deal between the two rivals, with Ghani as the president and Abdullah as the chief executive.
The renewed bickering has added to the frustrations of ordinary Afghans.
"They make promises during the campaign but never act on their promises," Kabul resident Noman Formuli said.
"They had promised to bring security, they failed. They promised jobs for the country, they failed," the 24-year-old told AFP.
"We are tired of seeing them".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: PSG vs. Dortmund Champions League tie to be played without spectators

PSG ’ s Neymar during a game in the French city of Lyon , on March 4 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ play Wednesday 's home Champions League tie against German club Borussia Dortmund behind closed doors @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The match will be held without spectators in order to conform @ @ @ @ @ government to cope with the spread of the virus , a police statement said on @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,100 cases and 19 deaths , has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 , the health minister said .

Paris Saint-Germain were ordered to play Wednesday's home Champions League tie against German club Borussia Dortmund behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak, police said.
PSG’s Neymar during a game in the French city of Lyon, on March 4, 2020.
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The match will be held without spectators in order to conform with measures adopted by the government to cope with the spread of the virus, a police statement said on Monday.
Wednesday's game in Paris will be the first match with no fans at the Parc des Princes in 10 years. The last time it happened, in March 2010, the decision was taken following crowd trouble during a match between PSG and French rivals Marseille.
PSG, which lost the first leg 2-1, said it took note of the decision and said the club remains “fully mobilized to organize the match in the best possible conditions."
France, with more than 1,100 cases and 19 deaths, has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people to try and slow the spread of COVID-19, the health minister said.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
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france24--2020-03-09--Sudan's PM Hamdok unharmed after blast targets his convoy in Khartoum

Sudan ’ s prime minister survived an assassination attempt on Monday after a blast in the capital , Khartoum , Sudanese state media said .
Abdalla Hamdok ’ s family confirmed he was safe following the explosion , which targeted his convoy .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack .
Hamdok was appointed prime minister last August , after pro-democracy protests forced the military to remove the autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April and replace it with a civilian-led government .
Military generals remain the de facto rulers of the country and have shown little willingness to hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamdok has confirmed the government will cooperate with the International Criminal Court ’ s efforts to prosecute those wanted for war crimes and genocide in connection with the Darfur conflict in Sudan in the 2000s .
Transitional authorities announced in February that they agreed to hand over al-Bashir to the ICC along with other former officials wanted by the ICC .
Nearly a year after al-Bashir ’ s ouster , the country faces a dire economic crisis .
Inflation stands at a staggering 60 % and the unemployment rate was 22.1 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund .
The government has said that 30 % of Sudan ’ s young people , who make up more than half of the over 42 million population , are without jobs .

Sudan’s prime minister survived an assassination attempt on Monday after a blast in the capital, Khartoum, Sudanese state media said.
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Abdalla Hamdok’s family confirmed he was safe following the explosion, which targeted his convoy.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Hamdok was appointed prime minister last August, after pro-democracy protests forced the military to remove the autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April and replace it with a civilian-led government.
Military generals remain the de facto rulers of the country and have shown little willingness to hand over power to the civilian-led administration.
Hamdok has confirmed the government will cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s efforts to prosecute those wanted for war crimes and genocide in connection with the Darfur conflict in Sudan in the 2000s.
Transitional authorities announced in February that they agreed to hand over al-Bashir to the ICC along with other former officials wanted by the ICC.
Nearly a year after al-Bashir’s ouster, the country faces a dire economic crisis. Inflation stands at a staggering 60% and the unemployment rate was 22.1% in 2019, according to the International Monetary Fund. The government has said that 30% of Sudan’s young people, who make up more than half of the over 42 million population, are without jobs.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-08--Mexican women launch general strike to protest the high rate of femicide

These protesters are crying out for victims of femicide in Mexico in 2019 .
On average , 10 women are killed in Mexico every day due to femicide .
An average of 10 women are victims of femicide every day in Mexico .
Thousands have mobilised to take a stand against femicide in a country where they say women ’ s rights are being ignored , with a nationwide strike planned for Monday .
FRANCE 24 reports .
Two recent killings in particular shocked the nation : Ingrid Escamilla was stabbed and skinned by her boyfriend back in February , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the media .
Just days later , 7-year-old Fatima also became a symbol of femicide after her body was found mutilated .
“ We 're scared for our children , it ’ s scary to not know what could happen to them , ” a woman said to FRANCE 24 .
In response to the recent rise in femicide cases , Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has promised to do whatever necessary to ensure women are protected .
“ I am open to anything that helps bring peace and tranquility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to make things better , ” he said .
Mariana Lima Buendía was killed at the hands of her policeman husband in 2010 .
Irinea Buendía , her mother , remains unconvinced by the president ’ s promises .
“ I can not help but think that President Obrador is not doing his duty and is not doing anything to ensure justice for femicide victims .
Yet it is his job to protect citizens , ” she said .
Click on the video player above to watch the FRANCE 24 report .

On the ground
An average of 10 women are victims of femicide every day in Mexico. Thousands have mobilised to take a stand against femicide in a country where they say women’s rights are being ignored, with a nationwide strike planned for Monday. FRANCE 24 reports.
These protesters are crying out for victims of femicide in Mexico in 2019. On average, 10 women are killed in Mexico every day due to femicide.
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Two recent killings in particular shocked the nation: Ingrid Escamilla was stabbed and skinned by her boyfriend back in February, the images of her corpse widely circulated by the media. Just days later, 7-year-old Fatima also became a symbol of femicide after her body was found mutilated.
“We're scared for our children, it’s scary to not know what could happen to them,” a woman said to FRANCE 24.
In response to the recent rise in femicide cases, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has promised to do whatever necessary to ensure women are protected. “I am open to anything that helps bring peace and tranquility to the country. We will continue to work to make things better,” he said.
Mariana Lima Buendía was killed at the hands of her policeman husband in 2010. Irinea Buendía, her mother, remains unconvinced by the president’s promises.
“I cannot help but think that President Obrador is not doing his duty and is not doing anything to ensure justice for femicide victims. Yet it is his job to protect citizens,” she said.
Click on the video player above to watch the FRANCE 24 report.
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