france24--2020-05-29--Kosovo's highest court rules new government can be formed without snap elections

Kosovo interim Prime Minister Albin Kurti greet activists and supporters during a protest against new government in Kosovo without holding new elections , in Pristina , Kosovo , May 28 , 2020 .
Kosovo 's Constitutional Court ruled late on Thursday that a new government can be formed without holding a snap election , a decision opposed by the caretaker prime minister 's party , which has vowed street protests .
Albin Kurti 's government was dismissed on March 25 after less than two months in office , following disagreements with its main partner , the Democratic League of Kosovo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic and removal of tariffs on Serbian goods .
`` The biggest political party does not have the exclusivity to propose the candidate of the prime minister to form the government , '' the court said in its verdict .
Kurti backed a snap election after seeing that other parties rallied together with his former coalition partner the LDK to form a new government .
His party said it will organise protests in coming days .
The task to form the government is now given to LDK nominee Avdullah Hoti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past finance minister .
Hoti has promised he will return to negotiations with Serbia to normalise ties under EU and United States mediation .
Such talks were halted in 2018 when a previous government introduced a 100 % tariffs on goods produced in Serbia .
The move has angered the European Union and the United States , which backed Kosovo 's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 after wars tore apart the former Yugoslavia .
Kurti has said the change of the government is fuelled by President Hashim Thaci , who Kurti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic , under a plan for Serbia to recognise Kosovo , which would help Belgrade join the European Union .
Thaci has denied the accusations .
“ We ask all leaders to work together for an orderly transition in the interest of peace , stability , and prosperity for all the people of Kosovo , ” the US embassy in Pristina said in a statement .

Kosovo's Constitutional Court ruled late on Thursday that a new government can be formed without holding a snap election, a decision opposed by the caretaker prime minister's party, which has vowed street protests.
Kosovo interim Prime Minister Albin Kurti greet activists and supporters during a protest against new government in Kosovo without holding new elections, in Pristina, Kosovo, May 28, 2020.
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Albin Kurti's government was dismissed on March 25 after less than two months in office, following disagreements with its main partner, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and removal of tariffs on Serbian goods.
"The biggest political party does not have the exclusivity to propose the candidate of the prime minister to form the government," the court said in its verdict.
Kurti backed a snap election after seeing that other parties rallied together with his former coalition partner the LDK to form a new government. His party said it will organise protests in coming days.
The task to form the government is now given to LDK nominee Avdullah Hoti, former deputy prime minister and a past finance minister.
Hoti has promised he will return to negotiations with Serbia to normalise ties under EU and United States mediation. Such talks were halted in 2018 when a previous government introduced a 100% tariffs on goods produced in Serbia.
The move has angered the European Union and the United States, which backed Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 after wars tore apart the former Yugoslavia.
Kurti has said the change of the government is fuelled by President Hashim Thaci, who Kurti said agreed to a land swap with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, under a plan for Serbia to recognise Kosovo, which would help Belgrade join the European Union. Thaci has denied the accusations.
“We ask all leaders to work together for an orderly transition in the interest of peace, stability, and prosperity for all the people of Kosovo,” the US embassy in Pristina said in a statement.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Trump directs action to revoke Hong Kong’s special status in a move targeting Beijing

US President Donald Trump at the White House on May 29 , 2020 .
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was directing his administration to begin the process of eliminating special treatment for Hong Kong in response to China plans to impose new security legislation in the territory .
Trump made the announcement at a White House news conference , saying China had broken its word over Hong Kong 's autonomy .
He said its move against Hong Kong was a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong , China and the world .
`` We will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , '' he said , adding that the United States would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for smothering Hong Kong 's autonomy .
Trump 's move comes after China moved forwards with plans to impose new national security legislation and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the territory no longer warrants special treatment under US law that has enabled it to remain a global financial centre .
Under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act , which was passed by US Congress in November amid last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department must determine whether Hong Kong had a sufficient degree of autonomy to justify it retaining its special trade status .
> > Read more on the high stakes of China 's new security law for Hong Kong US 'terminating ' relationship with WHO Trump also announced he was breaking off US ties with the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which he says failed to do enough to combat the initial spread of the novel coronavirus .
Trump had already suspended funding to the UN agency , accusing it of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global health crisis erupted .
`` Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms , we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization , '' Trump told reporters .
The US is the largest source of financial support to the WHO and its exit is expected to significantly weaken the organisation .
Trump said the US would be “ redirecting ” the money to “ other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs ” , without providing specifics

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered his administration to begin the process of eliminating special U.S. treatment for Hong Kong to punish China, but stopped short of calling an immediate end to privileges that have helped the territory remain a global financial center.
US President Donald Trump at the White House on May 29, 2020.
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In making the announcement, Trump used some of his toughest rhetoric yet against China, saying Beijing had broken its word over Hong Kong's autonomy by moving to impose new national security legislation and the territory no longer warranted U.S. economic privileges.
At a White House news conference, Trump called this a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong, China and the world, having already attacked Beijing over the coronavirus pandemic, which began in China. Trump said China's "malfeasance" was responsible for massive suffering and economic damage worldwide.
"We will take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment as a separate customs and travel territory from the rest of China," Trump said, adding that Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for "smothering - absolutely smothering - Hong Kong's freedom."
00:39
He did not name any of the potential sanctions targets. Trump said his announcement would "affect the full range of agreements we have with Hong Kong," from the U.S. extradition treaty to export controls on dual-use technologies and more "with few exceptions."
"Our actions will be strong, our actions will be meaningful," Trump added.
China's state-run Global Times newspaper called Trump's announcement "recklessly arbitrary."
Trump gave no time frame for the moves, suggesting he may be trying to buy time before deciding whether to implement the most drastic measures, which have drawn strong resistance from U.S. companies operating in Hong Kong.
He also said he was issuing a proclamation to better safeguard vital university research by suspending entry of foreign nationals from China identified as potential security risks.
Sources, including a current U.S. official, told Reuters on Thursday that the latter move could affect 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese graduate students.
Financial markets saw Trump's announcement as more bark than bite and U.S. stocks finished mostly higher as it was seen as less threatening to the U.S. economy than investors had feared.
"I don't think a lot has changed," said Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council. "We haven't taken steps that really ratchet up the tension even more."
He said he interpreted the actions rescinding Hong Kong's special status as being first subject to review by various agencies and not happening immediately.
Revved-up rhetoric
Trump's revved-up rhetoric against China comes in the midst of his re-election campaign in which opinion polls show voters increasingly embittered toward Beijing, especially over the coronavirus.
Trump may be mindful though that a more serious rupture with Beijing could upend his hard-fought Phase One trade deal with the world's second-largest economy, which he has counted on for economic benefit in major U.S. farm states.
Trump also has to take into account the effect on the more than 1,300 U.S. firms that have offices in Hong Kong and provide about 100,000 jobs.
Daniel Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia until early in Trump's administration, said his Hong Kong provisions remained "fairly vague" and "it remains to be seen how quickly and extensively they are implemented."
But there was a risk that removing Hong Kong's special status might inadvertently accelerate its loss of autonomy.
"Beijing clearly calculated that the collateral damage to their overall interests from U.S. retaliation for would be manageable," Russel said.
>> Read more: the high stakes of China's new security law for Hong Kong
While Trump gave no time frame for moves, two people familiar with the matter said that among options under consideration were to set a deadline of a year from now for China to step back or else face full revocation of Hong Kong's special status.
Such a deadline would buy time to avoid a major rupture in relations ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. election. By the end of that period, however, Trump might no longer be in office to make the final decision.
Trump's announcement came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared China's erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy meant the territory no longer warranted special treatment under U.S. law.
Earlier, Hong Kong's Beijing-backed government told Washington to keep out of the national security debate, and warned that withdrawal of the financial hub's special status could backfire on the U.S. economy.
"Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the U.S.," it said late on Thursday.
It said that from 2009 to 2018, the cumulative U.S. trade surplus of $297 billion with Hong Kong was the biggest among all U.S. trading partners.
Chinese authorities and Hong Kong's government say the security legislation poses no threat to the city's autonomy and the interests of foreign investors will be preserved.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--US policeman who knelt on neck of black man George Floyd charged with third-degree murder

A man holds a sign while protesting near the area where video was filmed of a Minneapolis officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd , a black man who died on May 25 , 2020 .
A sacked Minneapolis police officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd , a black man who was handcuffed and later died , was arrested and charged with third-degree murder Friday .
`` Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged by the Hennepin County Attorney 's Office with murder and with manslaughter , '' the county 's prosecutor Mike Freeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was murder in the third degree .
Freeman said that he does `` anticipate '' that additional charges could also be filed against the three other officers accused of involvement in Floyd 's death , but he declined to address those potential steps .
The announcement came shortly after Chauvin was arrested and placed in the custody of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension .
An investigation into the other three officers who were present at the scene on Monday was ongoing .
All four were fired from their jobs on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests , which escalated in violence as demonstrators torched a police precinct in Minneapolis that had been abandoned by officers .
The protests were sparked by outrage over the death on Monday of the 46-year-old unarmed black man in the video Monday .
Earlier Friday , Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for an end to the violence that has rocked Minneapolis and said he expected `` swift '' justice for the officers involved .
Walz also promised a reckoning with the racial inequities behind the unrest , but said that first the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order following three nights of arson , looting and vandalism in the Midwestern city .
`` We have to restore order to our society before we can start addressing the issue , '' Walz told a briefing , referring to decades of racial divide across the US .
`` We can not have the looting and recklessness that went on . ''
Following three consecutive nights of often-violent protests in the city , Walz announced Friday afternoon that he was imposing a mandatory nighttime curfew for Minneapolis this weekend .
The curfew is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stretching from 8pm to 6am local time , which would take effect Friday night .
Walz also apologised for the arrest of a black CNN correspondent and his crew who were led off in handcuffs while reporting live on television early Friday close to a police precinct that was burned overnight , saying there was `` no reason '' it should have occurred .
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the unrest on Friday with incendiary language that prompted Twitter to hide his tweet behind a warning that accused him of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its rules .
`` These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , and I wo n't let that happen , '' Trump said in the tweet .
`` Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you ! ''
A bystander 's mobile phone footage showed Floyd repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleaded to the officer kneeling on his neck , `` Please , I ca n't breathe . ''
After several minutes , Floyd gradually grows quiet and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood what was driving the protests , saying he believed the community had `` lost faith '' in the police force and `` felt they were part of the problem '' .
But he said Floyd 's plight had gotten `` lost in 48 hours of anarchy '' .
More protests were expected in several US cities on Friday and over the weekend .
In New York , protesters are also calling for charges to be brought against a white woman who was recorded calling the police on a black man in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog on a leash .

A sacked Minneapolis police officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed and later died, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder Friday.
A man holds a sign while protesting near the area where video was filmed of a Minneapolis officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a black man who died on May 25, 2020.
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"Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office with murder and with manslaughter," the county's prosecutor Mike Freeman told reporters, specifying that the charge was murder in the third degree.
Freeman said that he does "anticipate" that additional charges could also be filed against the three other officers accused of involvement in Floyd's death, but he declined to address those potential steps.
The announcement came shortly after Chauvin was arrested and placed in the custody of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
An investigation into the other three officers who were present at the scene on Monday was ongoing. All four were fired from their jobs on Tuesday.
The arrest came after three days of protests, which escalated in violence as demonstrators torched a police precinct in Minneapolis that had been abandoned by officers.
The protests were sparked by outrage over the death on Monday of the 46-year-old unarmed black man in the video Monday.
Minnesota governor expects 'swift' justice
Earlier Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for an end to the violence that has rocked Minneapolis and said he expected "swift" justice for the officers involved.
Walz also promised a reckoning with the racial inequities behind the unrest, but said that first the state's National Guard would work to restore order following three nights of arson, looting and vandalism in the Midwestern city.
"We have to restore order to our society before we can start addressing the issue," Walz told a briefing, referring to decades of racial divide across the US. "We cannot have the looting and recklessness that went on."
Following three consecutive nights of often-violent protests in the city, Walz announced Friday afternoon that he was imposing a mandatory nighttime curfew for Minneapolis this weekend.
The curfew is for all public places, including streets, stretching from 8pm to 6am local time, which would take effect Friday night.
Walz also apologised for the arrest of a black CNN correspondent and his crew who were led off in handcuffs while reporting live on television early Friday close to a police precinct that was burned overnight, saying there was "no reason" it should have occurred.
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the unrest on Friday with incendiary language that prompted Twitter to hide his tweet behind a warning that accused him of "glorifying violence" in violation of its rules.
"These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen," Trump said in the tweet. "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"
A bystander's mobile phone footage showed Floyd repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleaded to the officer kneeling on his neck, "Please, I can't breathe." After several minutes, Floyd gradually grows quiet and ceases to move.
Walz said he understood what was driving the protests, saying he believed the community had "lost faith" in the police force and "felt they were part of the problem". But he said Floyd's plight had gotten "lost in 48 hours of anarchy".
More protests were expected in several US cities on Friday and over the weekend.
In New York, protesters are also calling for charges to be brought against a white woman who was recorded calling the police on a black man in a park who asked her to keep her dog on a leash.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--The world after Covid: What should tomorrow look like?

The world after Covid : What should tomorrow look like ?
Health , society , economy , environment , globalisation @ @ @ @ @ crisis has profoundly shaken our world in many ways and raised a great deal of @ @ @ @ @ if this could be an opportunity to change things for the better ?
To consider @ @ @ @ @ you to meet the people who are daring to imagine the future .
Artists , @ @ @ @ @ and chefs share their hopes for the world after Covid-19 .
The world after Covid @ @ @ @ @ Hubert Reeves : The world after Covid , as seen by photographer Omar Victor Diop @ @ @ @ @ , as seen by singer Inna Modja : Take international news everywhere with you !
@ @ @ @ @

Health, society, economy, environment, globalisation and geopolitics. The Covid-19 crisis has profoundly shaken our world in many ways and raised a great deal of crucial questions. But what if this could be an opportunity to change things for the better? To consider this, FRANCE 24 invites you to meet the people who are daring to imagine the future. Artists, economists, scientists, philosophers and chefs share their hopes for the world after Covid-19.
The world after Covid
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The world after Covid, as seen by journalist Glenn Greenwald:
The world after Covid, as seen by aviator and explorer Bertrand Piccard:
The world after Covid, as seen by astrophysicist Hubert Reeves:
01:37
The world after Covid, as seen by photographer Omar Victor Diop:
01:19
The world after Covid, as seen by singer Inna Modja:
00:37
The world after Covid, as seen by environmental activist Vandana Shiva:
The world after Covid, as seen by UNHCR ambassador Barbara Hendricks:
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france24--2020-05-29--French health workers angry as reforms threaten famous 35-hour working week

As French health workers continue to demonstrate demanding better pay and conditions after gruelling work on the coronavirus frontline , the government has announced that significant healthcare reforms are on the way to tackle problems exposed by the crisis .
But the prospect of employees having to work more than the mandated 35 hours is contentious .
Clad in face masks and banging pots and pans , a group of French doctors and nurses formed the latest protest by health workers on Thursday , as they massed in front of a hospital to the north of Paris , with banners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no tear gas , but beds and money !
” Despite being one of the richest countries in the world , France ’ s health service lacked staff , masks and ventilators at the start of the coronavirus crisis .
In light of workers ’ anger over what they see as an insufficiently funded health service – not to mention the public ’ s admiration of their valiant response to the Covid-19 epidemic – the French government is treading carefully .
On Monday French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced a “ public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Philippe promised to invest “ massively ” in France ’ s hospitals – including helping those struggling with debt – while strengthening links between the country ’ s health and social care systems .
Currently , salaries for French nurses start around €1,500 per month — among the lowest in the OECD , putting France 28th out of 32 on this measure .
Even before the Covid-19 crisis , many argued that funding for France ’ s cherished state health service had not risen enough to deal with an ageing population and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron ’ s re-election battle looms in 2022 , it seems his government wants to do what Boris Johnson ’ s Conservatives did ahead of the UK ’ s 2019 general elections – when they deployed vast new spending plans to neutralise public concern that National Health Service spending had not increased enough for years .
All the signs suggest that pay increases for doctors and nurses will be part of Philippe ’ s package .
However , one line in the prime minister ’ s address provoked an explosion of chagrin among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ working hours ” are “ not a taboo ” and must be re-examined to boost the system ’ s “ agility ” .
One organisation representing operating theatre staff immediately responded : “ Work more to earn more ?
” – a slogan used by former President Nicolas Sarkozy , admired by many on the French right but a bête noir of the left – “ Out of the question ” .
A few hours before Philippe ’ s speech , François Hollande fired a pre-emptive shot across the bow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff who have worked without even counting their hours , and who sometimes worked overtime without extra pay , that we ’ ve now got to get rid of the 35-hour working week , ” said Macron ’ s Socialist predecessor .
“ Please don ’ t get rid of what many of us see as a social asset.
” Since its introduction in 2000 , France ’ s 35-hour working week has prompted both envy and French-bashing abroad .
It is also controversial at home .
Admirers say that it enhances quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the be-all and end-all of one ’ s daily existence , while forming part of a distinctive French social model that resists the homogenising effects of globalisation .
Critics say that it is part of an economic system that stifles dynamism and innovation – often pointing to the fact that France ’ s GDP growth has frequently lagged behind that of its Anglo-Saxon competitors over recent decades .
The 35-hour week is “ certainly a social achievement ” , said the head of the French Hospital Federation Frédéric Valletoux , “ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , where you ’ ve got people doing different jobs at very different rhythms ; we ’ ve tried to put everyone in the same box , and that caused major organisational problems ” .
Many hospital staff work more than seven hours a day .
Under the French system , this means they are supposed to get days off to compensate for going above and beyond the 35-hour threshold .
Sometimes this system is tricky to manage , noted Éric , an operating theatre nurse in Brittany .
While it works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his previous post in the Paris region , “ we ended up accumulating a lot of time off , and it was sometimes complicated to take it ” .
According to France ’ s National Union of Nurses , the AP-HP hospital trust – a Paris-based network that forms Europe ’ s largest hospital group – owed its nurses 1.3 million days off at the end of 2018 .
Virginie , a night nurse in a surgical unit of the AP-HP , said this situation is linked to the psychological pressure that weighs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve got two days off , but I don ’ t know if someone ’ s going to replace me ; we get a replacement about half the time , so you try to work it out with colleagues , ” she said .
“ Sometimes it ’ s fine , but at other times it ’ s hell .
Ideally there ’ s one nurse for every 10 patients , but at night we ’ re often left with one for every 15 .
We know that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s harder to be as vigilant .
But if something happens , it ’ s still us who will be held accountable.
” Given the pressures on hospitals , their collective deficits have reached €30 billion .
At the same time , the state health service is struggling to attract workers .
A 2019 survey by the French Hospital Federation found that 97 percent of medical centres are struggling to recruit nursing staff .
“ The 35-hour week is a social asset that was accompanied by the creation of 4,000 hospital jobs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to take things forward is to get more jobs and more hospital beds , ” said Thierry Amouroux , a nurse at AP-HP and a spokesperson for the SPNI trade union .
“ If we increase the 35-hour limit , that means working more without pay for those overtime hours , ” Virginie added .
“ Unfortunately , that ’ s already the case .
If we stay longer treating a patient or because a colleague is late , we ’ re told that it ’ s our fault , that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working times ; it shouldn ’ t be a taboo .
But we should discuss the issues surrounding it as well.
” This article was translated from the original in French .

As French health workers continue to demonstrate demanding better pay and conditions after gruelling work on the coronavirus frontline, the government has announced that significant healthcare reforms are on the way to tackle problems exposed by the crisis. But the prospect of employees having to work more than the mandated 35 hours is contentious.
Advertising Read more
Clad in face masks and banging pots and pans, a group of French doctors and nurses formed the latest protest by health workers on Thursday, as they massed in front of a hospital to the north of Paris, with banners stating their demands: “No medals, no tear gas, but beds and money!”
Despite being one of the richest countries in the world, France’s health service lacked staff, masks and ventilators at the start of the coronavirus crisis.
In light of workers’ anger over what they see as an insufficiently funded health service – not to mention the public’s admiration of their valiant response to the Covid-19 epidemic – the French government is treading carefully. On Monday French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced a “public consultation” on reforming the health service.
A ‘straitjacket’ for hospitals
Philippe promised to invest “massively” in France’s hospitals – including helping those struggling with debt – while strengthening links between the country’s health and social care systems.
Currently, salaries for French nurses start around €1,500 per month — among the lowest in the OECD, putting France 28th out of 32 on this measure.
Even before the Covid-19 crisis, many argued that funding for France’s cherished state health service had not risen enough to deal with an ageing population and increasingly expensive treatments. As President Emmanuel Macron’s re-election battle looms in 2022, it seems his government wants to do what Boris Johnson’s Conservatives did ahead of the UK’s 2019 general elections – when they deployed vast new spending plans to neutralise public concern that National Health Service spending had not increased enough for years.
All the signs suggest that pay increases for doctors and nurses will be part of Philippe’s package. However, one line in the prime minister’s address provoked an explosion of chagrin among many health workers, when he said that “working hours” are “not a taboo” and must be re-examined to boost the system’s “agility”. One organisation representing operating theatre staff immediately responded: “Work more to earn more?” – a slogan used by former President Nicolas Sarkozy, admired by many on the French right but a bête noir of the left – “Out of the question”.
A few hours before Philippe’s speech, François Hollande fired a pre-emptive shot across the bow. “You can’t say to staff who have worked without even counting their hours, and who sometimes worked overtime without extra pay, that we’ve now got to get rid of the 35-hour working week,” said Macron’s Socialist predecessor. “Please don’t get rid of what many of us see as a social asset.”
Since its introduction in 2000, France’s 35-hour working week has prompted both envy and French-bashing abroad. It is also controversial at home. Admirers say that it enhances quality of life by ensuring that work is not the be-all and end-all of one’s daily existence, while forming part of a distinctive French social model that resists the homogenising effects of globalisation. Critics say that it is part of an economic system that stifles dynamism and innovation – often pointing to the fact that France’s GDP growth has frequently lagged behind that of its Anglo-Saxon competitors over recent decades.
The 35-hour week is “certainly a social achievement”, said the head of the French Hospital Federation Frédéric Valletoux, “but it’s been a straitjacket for hospitals, where you’ve got people doing different jobs at very different rhythms; we’ve tried to put everyone in the same box, and that caused major organisational problems”.
‘Dangerous’ staffing shortfalls
Many hospital staff work more than seven hours a day. Under the French system, this means they are supposed to get days off to compensate for going above and beyond the 35-hour threshold. Sometimes this system is tricky to manage, noted Éric, an operating theatre nurse in Brittany. While it works smoothly in his current job, in his previous post in the Paris region, “we ended up accumulating a lot of time off, and it was sometimes complicated to take it”.
According to France’s National Union of Nurses, the AP-HP hospital trust – a Paris-based network that forms Europe’s largest hospital group – owed its nurses 1.3 million days off at the end of 2018. Virginie, a night nurse in a surgical unit of the AP-HP, said this situation is linked to the psychological pressure that weighs on nursing staff.
“Next week I’ve got two days off, but I don’t know if someone’s going to replace me; we get a replacement about half the time, so you try to work it out with colleagues,” she said. “Sometimes it’s fine, but at other times it’s hell. Ideally there’s one nurse for every 10 patients, but at night we’re often left with one for every 15. We know that it’s dangerous – that it means it’s harder to be as vigilant. But if something happens, it’s still us who will be held accountable.”
Given the pressures on hospitals, their collective deficits have reached €30 billion. At the same time, the state health service is struggling to attract workers. A 2019 survey by the French Hospital Federation found that 97 percent of medical centres are struggling to recruit nursing staff.
“The 35-hour week is a social asset that was accompanied by the creation of 4,000 hospital jobs. That was undeniably progress, but the way to take things forward is to get more jobs and more hospital beds,” said Thierry Amouroux, a nurse at AP-HP and a spokesperson for the SPNI trade union.
“If we increase the 35-hour limit, that means working more without pay for those overtime hours,” Virginie added. “Unfortunately, that’s already the case. If we stay longer treating a patient or because a colleague is late, we’re told that it’s our fault, that we’re unorganised. We can discuss working times; it shouldn’t be a taboo. But we should discuss the issues surrounding it as well.”
This article was translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-05-29--Covid-19: France’s daily death toll stays under 100 for ninth consecutive day

File photo of a nurse in protective gear at a hospital in Nantes , France .
France 's coronavirus death toll rose by less than a 100 for the ninth day running on Friday , as the country gears up for a new easing of lockdown measures .
The French health ministry said that the number of fatalities had risen by 52 , or 0.2 percent , to 28,714 , the fourth-highest coronavirus total in the world .
France is set for an easing of restrictions after Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Thursday announced details of the second phase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict coronavirus lockdown , which included a nationwide reopening of bars and restaurants from June 2 .
But in Paris , where the risk of coronavirus spread remains higher than in the rest of the mainland , only the outside terraces of eating and drinking establishments can reopen to clients .
On Friday , the Louvre , the world 's most visited museum , announced plans to re-open its doors on June 6 as part of a phased opening .
Earlier this week , the French government 's contact-tracing app plan was approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paving the way for a weekend launch .
The StopCovid app – use of which will remain voluntary – is designed to keep track of users who have been in close proximity over a two-week period .
If any become infected , they inform the platform , which alerts the others .
Privacy defenders have expressed fears that the app marks the first step towards a society under constant online surveillance .
But France ’ s CNIL watchdog , which gave provisional approval for StopCovid in April , said Tuesday that the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with ample safeguards to prevent abuse .
It nevertheless made a number of recommendations to make it even safer , including improving the quality of information provided to users , allowing users to object to information shared , and providing an option for erasing stored data .

France's coronavirus death toll rose by less than a 100 for the ninth day running on Friday, as the country gears up for a new easing of lockdown measures.
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The French health ministry said that the number of fatalities had risen by 52, or 0.2 percent, to 28,714, the fourth-highest coronavirus total in the world.
France is set for an easing of restrictions after Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Thursday announced details of the second phase in the gradual lifting of France’s strict coronavirus lockdown, which included a nationwide reopening of bars and restaurants from June 2. But in Paris, where the risk of coronavirus spread remains higher than in the rest of the mainland, only the outside terraces of eating and drinking establishments can reopen to clients.
On Friday, the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, announced plans to re-open its doors on June 6 as part of a phased opening.
Voluntary tracking app ready for roll-out
Earlier this week, the French government's contact-tracing app plan was approved by the lower house of parliament, paving the way for a weekend launch.
The StopCovid app – use of which will remain voluntary – is designed to keep track of users who have been in close proximity over a two-week period. If any become infected, they inform the platform, which alerts the others.
Privacy defenders have expressed fears that the app marks the first step towards a society under constant online surveillance.
But France’s CNIL watchdog, which gave provisional approval for StopCovid in April, said Tuesday that the app met the legal requirements for privacy protection, with ample safeguards to prevent abuse.
It nevertheless made a number of recommendations to make it even safer, including improving the quality of information provided to users, allowing users to object to information shared, and providing an option for erasing stored data.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Covid-19: Divided States of America

Covid-19: Divided States of America

In the United States , the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is deepening the divide between Republicans and Democrats .
Faced with scientists ’ decisions and the restrictions that they imply , supporters of President Donald Trump are invoking their rights set out in the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution .
Our team reports from Florida and Louisiana , two states in the south of the country , where the political battle is raging .
`` To live free or to die '' , `` Fake virus , real liberty-killer laws ! ''
These are the messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are multiplying across the southern states of the US .
The coronavirus is exacerbating political tensions and deepening divisions between Democrats and ultra-conservatives .
Some Americans , especially Trump supporters , are reclaiming their constitutional rights – the right to bear arms , freedom of religion or even free movement – thereby undermining the emergency measures issued by the authorities in order to fight against the pandemic .
> > Watch our special programme : Covid-19 exposes glaring inequality in US In Florida , one of the states most affected by Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a staunch Trump supporter , has listed exceptions to the `` Stay At Home Order '' .
These include declaring gun stores essential businesses , issuing a decree to authorise religious ceremonies , and letting mayors decide whether to re-open beaches and hotels .
Meanwhile in Louisiana , some pastors are defying the Democratic governor in the name of religious freedom and are continuing to hold ceremonies without social distancing .
Amid this unprecedented health crisis , how to fight the pandemic while respecting the US Constitution , which guarantees individual freedoms ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our team reports from the southern states , which have become battlegrounds for these divisions .

In the United States, the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is deepening the divide between Republicans and Democrats. Faced with scientists’ decisions and the restrictions that they imply, supporters of President Donald Trump are invoking their rights set out in the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution. Our team reports from Florida and Louisiana, two states in the south of the country, where the political battle is raging.
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"To live free or to die", "Fake virus, real liberty-killer laws!" These are the messages that can be read at anti-lockdown protests that are multiplying across the southern states of the US. The coronavirus is exacerbating political tensions and deepening divisions between Democrats and ultra-conservatives.
Some Americans, especially Trump supporters, are reclaiming their constitutional rights – the right to bear arms, freedom of religion or even free movement – thereby undermining the emergency measures issued by the authorities in order to fight against the pandemic.
>> Watch our special programme: Covid-19 exposes glaring inequality in US
In Florida, one of the states most affected by Covid-19, its Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, a staunch Trump supporter, has listed exceptions to the "Stay At Home Order". These include declaring gun stores essential businesses, issuing a decree to authorise religious ceremonies, and letting mayors decide whether to re-open beaches and hotels.
Meanwhile in Louisiana, some pastors are defying the Democratic governor in the name of religious freedom and are continuing to hold ceremonies without social distancing.
Amid this unprecedented health crisis, how to fight the pandemic while respecting the US Constitution, which guarantees individual freedoms? Is the coronavirus endangering the country? Our team reports from the southern states, which have become battlegrounds for these divisions.
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france24--2020-05-29--Louvre preparing to re-open June 6 as France eases Covid-19 lockdown

The Louvre museum in Paris on Friday said it was planning to re-open its doors on July 6 following new steps announced by French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe to ease the country 's Covid-19 lockdown .
In a statement , the Louvre , France 's most visited museum , said a progressive re-opening would entail a reservation system and new signage that would enable `` maximum security conditions '' for visitors in addition to the wearing of masks and recommended social-distancing measures .
The statement came a day after Prime Minister Philippe announced details of the second phase in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown , which included a nationwide reopening of bars and restaurants from June 2 .
But in Paris , where the risk of coronavirus spread remains higher than in the rest of the mainland , only the outside terraces of eating and drinking establishments can reopen to clients .
French Culture Minister Franck Riester on Friday held a meeting with the presidents of major cultural institutions and following this a provisional re-opening schedule was released .
The Louvre Museum , the Tuileries gardens , the `` jardin du Carrousel '' and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the same public institution , were all preparing for a phased reopening , the statement noted .
The `` jardin du Carrousel '' will open Saturday , May 30 , while the Tuileries garden will open Sunday , May 31 .
Gatherings would still be restricted to groups of no more than 10 people .
The Louvre , which had 9.6 million visitors last year , closed in March , just days before France went into a strict nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the virus .

The Louvre museum in Paris on Friday said it was planning to re-open its doors on July 6 following new steps announced by French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe to ease the country's Covid-19 lockdown.
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In a statement, the Louvre, France's most visited museum, said a progressive re-opening would entail a reservation system and new signage that would enable "maximum security conditions" for visitors in addition to the wearing of masks and recommended social-distancing measures.
[#PresseLouvre]
Le musée du #Louvre, le jardin des #Tuileries et le #MuséeDelacroix préparent leur réouverture et annoncent leur nouvelle programmation culturelle de l'été et de l'automne.
Retrouvez notre communiqué de presse 👇https://t.co/Y48c2qYBoR — Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) May 29, 2020
The statement came a day after Prime Minister Philippe announced details of the second phase in the gradual lifting of France’s strict coronavirus lockdown, which included a nationwide reopening of bars and restaurants from June 2. But in Paris, where the risk of coronavirus spread remains higher than in the rest of the mainland, only the outside terraces of eating and drinking establishments can reopen to clients.
French Culture Minister Franck Riester on Friday held a meeting with the presidents of major cultural institutions and following this a provisional re-opening schedule was released.
Les musées et monuments nationaux propriété de l’Etat vont rouvrir à partir du 2 juin.
J’ai réuni ce matin les présidentes et présidents de ces établissements pour échanger sur les mesures qui seront prises pour assurer la protection et la santé des personnels et des visiteurs. pic.twitter.com/DFK2QSVx9p — Franck Riester (@franckriester) May 29, 2020
The Louvre Museum, the Tuileries gardens, the "jardin du Carrousel" and the Eugène Delacroix National Museum, all part of the same public institution, were all preparing for a phased reopening, the statement noted.
The "jardin du Carrousel" will open Saturday, May 30, while the Tuileries garden will open Sunday, May 31. Gatherings would still be restricted to groups of no more than 10 people.
The Louvre, which had 9.6 million visitors last year, closed in March, just days before France went into a strict nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-29--Black CNN reporter, crew released after live arrest covering Minneapolis riots

Screengrab of CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez being arrested on live TV Friday morning in Minneapolis .
Police arrested a black CNN correspondent and his crew broadcasting live from the US city of Minneapolis early Friday while covering unrest sparked by the death of a black man at the hands of law enforcement .
The crew was later released .
Black reporter Omar Jimenez had just shown a protester being arrested when about half a dozen white police officers surrounded him .
`` We can move back to where you like , '' he told the officers wearing gas masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air that he and his crew were members of the press .
`` We 're getting out of your way . ''
`` This is among the state patrol unit that was advancing up the street , seeing and scattering the protesters at that point for people to clear the area .
And so we walked away , '' Jimenez said before being told he was under arrest and handcuffed by two officers .
`` Why am I under arrest , sir ? ''
CNN said a producer and a camera operator working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew was released .
The arrest and brief detention came as riots erupted across the US over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died in Minneapolis while in police custody on May 25 , 2020 .
The state 's National Guard announced the 500 troops were being deployed Friday morning for peacekeeping amid signs that the anger was nowhere near dissipating .
`` Our troops are trained to protect life , preserve property and ensure people 's right to peacefully demonstrate , '' said Major General Jon Jensen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guardsmen and women were processed into duty overnight and will be on rotating missions , supporting local and state police in peacekeeping jobs from Friday morning , the guard said .
`` The National Guard will provide support to civil authorities as long as directed in order to ensure the safety of people and property , '' they said .
'You saw it with your own eyes' Amid widespread condemnation of the Minneapolis police ’ s handling of Floyd , police officers on Friday gave no explanation for the CNN crew ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of comfort was that it happened on live TV , '' Jimenez told viewers after he was released .
`` You do n't have to doubt my story .
It 's not filtered in any way ; you saw it with your own eyes . ''
The striking footage of the arrest could add to racial tension in the city and across the country , where sympathy protests have taken place .
Thursday marked a third night of arson , looting and vandalism in the Minnesota city over the death of Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a white police officer knelt on his neck .
`` A CNN reporter and his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs , despite identifying themselves – a clear violation of their First Amendment rights , '' CNN wrote on Twitter before the crew were released .
CNN anchor John Berman told viewers about an hour after the arrest that CNN President Adam Zucker had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz , who said he `` deeply apologises '' and was working to have the crew released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency in Minnesota and ordered the National Guard activated .
President Donald Trump suggested in a tweet that looters would be shot .
Twitter hid Trump 's tweet with a warning for `` glorifying violence '' .
Protests also erupted in other major cities around the country , including Louisville , Kentucky , where police said seven people had been shot .

Police arrested a black CNN correspondent and his crew broadcasting live from the US city of Minneapolis early Friday while covering unrest sparked by the death of a black man at the hands of law enforcement. The crew was later released.
Screengrab of CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez being arrested on live TV Friday morning in Minneapolis.
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Black reporter Omar Jimenez had just shown a protester being arrested when about half a dozen white police officers surrounded him.
"We can move back to where you like," he told the officers wearing gas masks and face shields, before explaining live on air that he and his crew were members of the press. "We're getting out of your way."
"This is among the state patrol unit that was advancing up the street, seeing and scattering the protesters at that point for people to clear the area. And so we walked away," Jimenez said before being told he was under arrest and handcuffed by two officers. "Why am I under arrest, sir?"
No answer was audible.
Minnesota police arrest CNN reporter and camera crew as they report from protests in Minneapolis https://t.co/oZdqBti776 pic.twitter.com/3QbeTjD5ed — CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
CNN said a producer and a camera operator working with Jimenez were also arrested before the crew was released.
The arrest and brief detention came as riots erupted across the US over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in Minneapolis while in police custody on May 25, 2020.
Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed
The state's National Guard announced the 500 troops were being deployed Friday morning for peacekeeping amid signs that the anger was nowhere near dissipating.
"Our troops are trained to protect life, preserve property and ensure people's right to peacefully demonstrate," said Major General Jon Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard.
The guardsmen and women were processed into duty overnight and will be on rotating missions, supporting local and state police in peacekeeping jobs from Friday morning, the guard said.
"The National Guard will provide support to civil authorities as long as directed in order to ensure the safety of people and property," they said.
'You saw it with your own eyes'
Amid widespread condemnation of the Minneapolis police’s handling of Floyd, police officers on Friday gave no explanation for the CNN crew’s arrest.
"What gave me one bit of comfort was that it happened on live TV," Jimenez told viewers after he was released. "You don't have to doubt my story. It's not filtered in any way; you saw it with your own eyes."
The striking footage of the arrest could add to racial tension in the city and across the country, where sympathy protests have taken place.
Thursday marked a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in the Minnesota city over the death of Floyd, seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck.
"A CNN reporter and his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves – a clear violation of their First Amendment rights," CNN wrote on Twitter before the crew were released.
Governor apologises
CNN anchor John Berman told viewers about an hour after the arrest that CNN President Adam Zucker had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who said he "deeply apologises" and was working to have the crew released immediately.
Walz has declared a state of emergency in Minnesota and ordered the National Guard activated. President Donald Trump suggested in a tweet that looters would be shot. Twitter hid Trump's tweet with a warning for "glorifying violence".
Protests also erupted in other major cities around the country, including Louisville, Kentucky, where police said seven people had been shot.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Ivory Coast's 'rebel city' of Bouaké looks to the future

Our reporters returned to the city of Bouaké , in Ivory Coast , which was held for 10 years by the northern rebellion during the First Ivorian Civil War .
This metropolis , located in the centre of the country , now wants to move on from years of conflict and ditch its label of `` rebel city '' .
As early as 2002 , Bouaké , the second-largest city in Ivory Coast , was occupied by rebel movements opposed to President Laurent Gbagbo , who was elected in 2000 .
Supported by Burkina Faso , these troops took control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and made Bouaké their capital for more than 10 years .
At the time , UN peacekeepers supervised the dividing line between the north and south of the country .
On November 6 , 2004 , the bombing of French troops from Operation Licorne by the Ivorian governmental air force sealed Bouaké 's name in the collective imagination as the `` rebel city '' .
Twenty years on , the city has changed .
Years of conflict have left their mark and have delayed the development of the metropolis .
`` Ten years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nicolas Djibo , the mayor of Bouaké , regrets .
To make up for lost time , a series of major works has been launched .
All the inhabitants of Bouaké now want to turn the page and prepare the city to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 .
Former fighters are gradually reintegrating into civilian life .
The capital of Ivory Coast 's Baoulé area fully intends to be reborn and become the Bouaké of yesteryear again — a city where life is good .

Our reporters returned to the city of Bouaké, in Ivory Coast, which was held for 10 years by the northern rebellion during the First Ivorian Civil War. This metropolis, located in the centre of the country, now wants to move on from years of conflict and ditch its label of "rebel city".
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As early as 2002, Bouaké, the second-largest city in Ivory Coast, was occupied by rebel movements opposed to President Laurent Gbagbo, who was elected in 2000. Supported by Burkina Faso, these troops took control of the northern half of the country and made Bouaké their capital for more than 10 years.
At the time, UN peacekeepers supervised the dividing line between the north and south of the country. On November 6, 2004, the bombing of French troops from Operation Licorne by the Ivorian governmental air force sealed Bouaké's name in the collective imagination as the "rebel city".
Major works
Twenty years on, the city has changed. Years of conflict have left their mark and have delayed the development of the metropolis. "Ten years of crisis pushed us back 30 years," Nicolas Djibo, the mayor of Bouaké, regrets.
To make up for lost time, a series of major works has been launched. All the inhabitants of Bouaké now want to turn the page and prepare the city to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023. Former fighters are gradually reintegrating into civilian life. The capital of Ivory Coast's Baoulé area fully intends to be reborn and become the Bouaké of yesteryear again — a city where life is good.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-29--French mortality rate for first-half of May lower than in 2019 despite Covid-19

French mortality rates between May 1 and 18 were six percent lower than for the same period last year and @ @ @ @ @ seen over that period in 2018 , despite the coronavirus epidemic , statistics agency INSEE @ @ @ @ @ the peak of the epidemic between March 1 and April 30 , French mortality rates @ @ @ @ @ the year-earlier period and 16 % higher than the corresponding period in 2018 , provisional @ @ @ @ @ May 1 ... we no longer have excess mortality compared to the two previous years @ @ @ @ @ a statement .

French mortality rates between May 1 and 18 were six percent lower than for the same period last year and one percent below the rate seen over that period in 2018, despite the coronavirus epidemic, statistics agency INSEE said on Friday.
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During the peak of the epidemic between March 1 and April 30, French mortality rates were 26% higher than the year-earlier period and 16% higher than the corresponding period in 2018, provisional data showed.
"Since May 1... we no longer have excess mortality compared to the two previous years" the agency said in a statement.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Spain's government pushes through basic income guarantee to fight poverty

Volunteers prepare rations of donated food ahead of a distribution to people in need at the Santa Anna church in Barcelona on May 15 , 2020 .
The Spanish government approved on Friday the creation of a minimum income worth 462 euros ( $ 514 ) a month for the poorest , Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias told a news conference , in a scheme that targets some 2.5 million people .
Under the decree approved at a cabinet meeting , the Socialist-led government would pay the monthly stipend and top up existing revenue for people earning less so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every month , Iglesias told reporters .
The minimum income would increase with the number of family members to a total of up to 1,015 euros per month .
The new programme aims to reach 850,000 households or 2.5 million people and would cost the government about 3 billion euros a year .
The plan to install a basic income was a pre-electoral promise , but it was accelerated due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
Spain is one of Europe 's hardest hit countries , with more than 27,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
It also has one of the highest unemployment rates on the continent .
Close to a million jobs were lost in March alone when the lockdown began and the Bank of Spain has forecast the economy will contract by up to 12 % this year .

The Spanish government approved on Friday the creation of a minimum income worth 462 euros ($514) a month for the poorest, Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias told a news conference, in a scheme that targets some 2.5 million people.
Volunteers prepare rations of donated food ahead of a distribution to people in need at the Santa Anna church in Barcelona on May 15, 2020.
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Under the decree approved at a cabinet meeting, the Socialist-led government would pay the monthly stipend and top up existing revenue for people earning less so that they get at least that minimum amount every month, Iglesias told reporters.
The minimum income would increase with the number of family members to a total of up to 1,015 euros per month. The new programme aims to reach 850,000 households or 2.5 million people and would cost the government about 3 billion euros a year.
The plan to install a basic income was a pre-electoral promise, but it was accelerated due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain is one of Europe's hardest hit countries, with more than 27,000 deaths and nearly 238,000 confirmed cases of the virus. It also has one of the highest unemployment rates on the continent.
Close to a million jobs were lost in March alone when the lockdown began and the Bank of Spain has forecast the economy will contract by up to 12% this year.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Week in Review: Brazil becomes a Covid-19 epicentre and Hollywood mulls its red carpet options

FRANCE 24 takes a look at how Brazil has become a Covid-19 hotspot and how nations from Argentina to Greece are dealing with the pandemic .
Meanwhile , Hollywood searches for socially distant alternatives to red carpet glamour , Portugal tries to save its tourist season and post-lockdown Parisians flock to the painters ’ haven of Barbizon for a breath of fresh air .
The French health ministry has opened negotiations with healthcare personnel over a suite of reforms to hospitals and nursing homes .
But some already doubt that the reforms will live up to the “ massive ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telephone campaigning , proxy voting : An unusual second round for France ’ s municipal elections The second round of local and mayoral elections will be held on June 28 , three and a half months after the first .
Covid-19 means that candidates will have to campaign without meeting voters , who are themselves encouraged to vote by proxy or wear masks .
Between old and new empires , Hong Kong ’ s fate exposes stakes in Covid-19 era China ’ s latest move to impose a new security law for Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the international stage .
But all eyes are on the US response as the future of the semi-autonomous territory is caught up in geopolitical wrangling between the world ’ s dominant powers .
While the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be coming under control in Asia and Europe , it continues to wreak havoc in Latin America .
The World Health Organization has described this as a “ new epicentre ” .
FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the situation in these countries , which are trying to achieve a balance between protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviving the economy .
French lawmakers have approved a government-backed cellphone app that will alert users if they have been in contact with a person infected by the coronavirus .
Set to be launched this weekend , the StopCovid app – the use of which is voluntary – was designed to keep track of users who have been in close proximity over a two-week period .
Privacy defenders have expressed fears that the app marks the first step towards a society under constant surveillance .
Parisians flock to the painters ’ haven of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After two months of lockdown ( or `` confinement '' in French ) and with the Paris gardens still closed to the public , Parisians starved of nature are flocking to the picturesque village of Barbizon , a gateway to the vast forest of Fontainebleau and a magnet for art lovers .
'France and those supporting Haftar are on the wrong side of the Libyan conflict , ' Erdogan spokesman says Ibrahim Kalin , a spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , discussed the situation in Libya , where Turkey has sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting rebel commander Khalifa Haftar .
YOU ARE HERE A trip back in time : the traditional fireplaces of southwestern France Fireplaces are the heart of a household in southwestern France , where the d'Artagnan chimney at the castle of Castelmore takes us back to the 17th century and the fireplaces of Mayragues chateau are lavishly decorated .
With Brazil 's Covid-19 death toll surpassing 25,000 , sometimes at the rate of more than 1,000 per day , the World Health Organization has declared it the `` most affected '' country in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
In this special edition of Inside The Americas , we see how the poorest and most isolated Brazilians are paying a heavy price while President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay the pandemic .
The month of May is usually synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival in France .
But this year , the world 's biggest movie festival did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Whether it 's cinema , theatre or music , France 's prized cultural sector has taken a hit from the lockdown and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The French government has unveiled a rescue plan , but will it be enough ?
The new normal : FRANCE 24 reports from Greece to Argentina '' The New Normal '' programme examines the consequences of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with reports from our correspondents around the globe .
Post-confinement week # 2 : the Loire Valley reopens to tourists and adapting to work from home As France eases its coronavirus lockdown measures , FRANCE 24 brings you four reports on the consequences of the pandemic from around the country .
We take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how to recreate the cinema experience in your own home and the online retrospective of American independent filmmaker Mark Rappaport from the Munich Film Museum .
This week 's film picks include Romanian director Anca Damian 's `` Marona 's Fantastic Tale '' and Irish director Lorcan Finnegan 's dystopian oddity , `` Vivarium . ''
TV show : Paris jazz drama from 'La La Land ' director Damien Chazelle in 'The Eddy' A look at the long-awaited jazz drama `` The Eddy '' from the director of `` Whiplash '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chazelle , and HBO 's indie show about female skateboarders trying to smash the patriarchy in their sport : `` Betty '' from director Crystal Moselle .
In the United States , the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is deepening the divide between Republicans and Democrats .
Faced with scientists ’ decisions and the restrictions that they imply , supporters of President Donald Trump are invoking their rights set out in the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution .
Our team reports from Florida and Louisiana , two states in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political battle is raging .
Portugal has seen relatively few cases of coronavirus compared to its European neighbours but Covid-19 has nevertheless dealt a heavy economic blow .
The country is highly dependent on tourism , which makes up nearly a quarter of its GDP , and Portugal is hoping the summer season can still be saved .
In hotels , airports and on beaches , measures are being put in place to ensure a safe stay for tourists .
Paying the price : The pandemic ’ s economic impact on women With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions are losing their jobs .
We report on how the recession brought on by the pandemic could lead to a prolonged dip in women 's incomes and labour participation across the globe .
Also , what is it like to be fired over Zoom ?
Thousands of French people have contracted Covid-19 and come out the other side .
But a long road to recovery lies ahead for some and others will experience lingering symptoms .
We talk to an infectious disease specialist about immunity , vaccines and the discrimination Covid-19 survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story of 103-year-old Hélène-François , who beat the virus after three months in hospital .

WEEK IN REVIEW
FRANCE 24 takes a look at how Brazil has become a Covid-19 hotspot and how nations from Argentina to Greece are dealing with the pandemic. Meanwhile, Hollywood searches for socially distant alternatives to red carpet glamour, Portugal tries to save its tourist season and post-lockdown Parisians flock to the painters’ haven of Barbizon for a breath of fresh air.
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ARTICLES
Macron government negotiates hospital revamp in wake of Covid-19
The French health ministry has opened negotiations with healthcare personnel over a suite of reforms to hospitals and nursing homes. But some already doubt that the reforms will live up to the “massive” investment promised by President Emmanuel Macron.
Telephone campaigning, proxy voting: An unusual second round for France’s municipal elections
The second round of local and mayoral elections will be held on June 28, three and a half months after the first. Covid-19 means that candidates will have to campaign without meeting voters, who are themselves encouraged to vote by proxy or wear masks.
Between old and new empires, Hong Kong’s fate exposes stakes in Covid-19 era
China’s latest move to impose a new security law for Hong Kong has exposed Britain’s weakness on the international stage. But all eyes are on the US response as the future of the semi-autonomous territory is caught up in geopolitical wrangling between the world’s dominant powers.
Anti-government protesters march again Beijing's plans to impose national security legislation in Hong Kong, May 24, 2020. REUTERS - Tyrone Siu
Latin American countries face uphill battle against Covid-19 pandemic
While the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be coming under control in Asia and Europe, it continues to wreak havoc in Latin America. The World Health Organization has described this as a “new epicentre”. FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the situation in these countries, which are trying to achieve a balance between protective health measures and the need to start reviving the economy.
VIDEO REPORTS
Protecting or profiling? French divided over coronavirus tracing app
French lawmakers have approved a government-backed cellphone app that will alert users if they have been in contact with a person infected by the coronavirus. Set to be launched this weekend, the StopCovid app – the use of which is voluntary – was designed to keep track of users who have been in close proximity over a two-week period. Privacy defenders have expressed fears that the app marks the first step towards a society under constant surveillance.
Parisians flock to the painters’ haven of Barbizon for a breath of fresh air
After two months of lockdown (or "confinement" in French) and with the Paris gardens still closed to the public, Parisians starved of nature are flocking to the picturesque village of Barbizon, a gateway to the vast forest of Fontainebleau and a magnet for art lovers.
De nombreux visiteurs ont choisi ce week-end le village impressionniste de Barbizon, pour s'évader de Paris, après deux mois de confinement. © France 24
TV SHOWS ONLINE
THE INTERVIEW
'France and those supporting Haftar are on the wrong side of the Libyan conflict,' Erdogan spokesman says
Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed the situation in Libya, where Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed Tripoli-based government fighting rebel commander Khalifa Haftar.
THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
YOU ARE HERE
A trip back in time: the traditional fireplaces of southwestern France
Fireplaces are the heart of a household in southwestern France, where the d'Artagnan chimney at the castle of Castelmore takes us back to the 17th century and the fireplaces of Mayragues chateau are lavishly decorated.
Vous êtes ici © France 24
INSIDE THE AMERICAS
Special programme: Brazil, Latin America’s Covid-19 epicentre
With Brazil's Covid-19 death toll surpassing 25,000, sometimes at the rate of more than 1,000 per day, the World Health Organization has declared it the "most affected" country in South America, the new epicentre of the coronavirus. In this special edition of Inside The Americas, we see how the poorest and most isolated Brazilians are paying a heavy price while President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay the pandemic.
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
France's cultural industry eager to bounce back after lockdown
The month of May is usually synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival in France. But this year, the world's biggest movie festival did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Whether it's cinema, theatre or music, France's prized cultural sector has taken a hit from the lockdown and it's unclear when things will improve. The French government has unveiled a rescue plan, but will it be enough?
THE NEW NORMAL
The new normal: FRANCE 24 reports from Greece to Argentina
"The New Normal" programme examines the consequences of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with reports from our correspondents around the globe.
POST-CONFINEMENT
Post-confinement week #2: the Loire Valley reopens to tourists and adapting to work from home
As France eases its coronavirus lockdown measures, FRANCE 24 brings you four reports on the consequences of the pandemic from around the country.
ENCORE!
Film show: Hollywood searches for alternative red carpet options
We take a look at some coronavirus-safe red-carpet options, how to recreate the cinema experience in your own home and the online retrospective of American independent filmmaker Mark Rappaport from the Munich Film Museum. This week's film picks include Romanian director Anca Damian's "Marona's Fantastic Tale" and Irish director Lorcan Finnegan's dystopian oddity, "Vivarium."
ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
TV show: Paris jazz drama from 'La La Land' director Damien Chazelle in 'The Eddy'
A look at the long-awaited jazz drama "The Eddy" from the director of "Whiplash" and "La La Land", Damien Chazelle, and HBO's indie show about female skateboarders trying to smash the patriarchy in their sport: "Betty" from director Crystal Moselle.
REPORTERS
Covid-19: Divided States of America
In the United States, the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is deepening the divide between Republicans and Democrats. Faced with scientists’ decisions and the restrictions that they imply, supporters of President Donald Trump are invoking their rights set out in the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution. Our team reports from Florida and Louisiana, two states in the south of the country, where the political battle is raging.
FOCUS
Covid-19: Portugal hopes summer tourist season can be saved
Portugal has seen relatively few cases of coronavirus compared to its European neighbours but Covid-19 has nevertheless dealt a heavy economic blow. The country is highly dependent on tourism, which makes up nearly a quarter of its GDP, and Portugal is hoping the summer season can still be saved. In hotels, airports and on beaches, measures are being put in place to ensure a safe stay for tourists.
© France 24
THE 51 PERCENT
Paying the price: The pandemic’s economic impact on women
With businesses worldwide closing or reducing staff, millions are losing their jobs. We report on how the recession brought on by the pandemic could lead to a prolonged dip in women's incomes and labour participation across the globe. Also, what is it like to be fired over Zoom?
FRANCE IN FOCUS
Life after Covid-19: A long road to recovery
Thousands of French people have contracted Covid-19 and come out the other side. But a long road to recovery lies ahead for some and others will experience lingering symptoms. We talk to an infectious disease specialist about immunity, vaccines and the discrimination Covid-19 survivors may face. Also, the heartwarming story of 103-year-old Hélène-François, who beat the virus after three months in hospital.
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france24--2020-05-30--Protests rage across US over the death of George Floyd in police custody

A man holds a Black Lives Matter sign as a police car burns during a protest on May 29 , 2020 in Atlanta , Georgia .
Demonstrators marched , stopped traffic and in some cases lashed out violently at police as protests erupted Friday in dozens of U.S. cities following the killing of George Floyd after a white officer pressed a knee into his neck while taking him into custody in Minnesota .
In Phoenix , Denver , Las Vegas , Los Angeles and beyond , thousands of protesters carried signs that said : “ He said I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They chanted `` No justice , no peace ” and “ Say his name .
George Floyd '' .
After hours of peaceful protest in downtown Atlanta , some demonstrators suddenly turned violent , smashing police cars , setting one on fire , spray-painting the iconic logo sign at CNN headquarters , and breaking into a restaurant .
The crowd pelted officers with bottles , chanting “ Quit your jobs.
” At least three officers were hurt and there were multiple arrests , Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said .
Campos said protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bricks , bottles and knives at them .
People watched the scene from rooftops , some laughing as skirmishes broke out .
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms passionately addressed the protesters at a news conference : “ This is not a protest .
This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. ” “ You are disgracing our city , ” she told protesters .
“ You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country .
We are better than this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
We are better than this as a country .
Go home , go home.
” Bottoms was flanked by rappers T.I .
and Killer Mike , as well as King ’ s daughter , Bernice King .
“ We have to be better than this moment .
We have to be better than burning down our own homes .
Because if we lose Atlanta what have we got ?
” he said .
After Mayor Bottoms appealed for calm , the violence continued .
More cars were set on fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows of the College Football Hall of Fame were broken , and the iconic Omni Hotel was vandalized .
Protesters gathered outside the White House , with President Donald Trump inside , and some tried to push through barriers set up by the U.S. Secret Service along Pennsylvania Avenue .
In Minneapolis , a curfew did little to stop protesters and others from gathering in several areas of the city , including the battered Lake Street neighborhood where a police precinct was burned the night before .
There were scattered small fires and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being broken into near the city ’ s 5th Precinct .
> > Read more : US policeman who knelt on neck of black man George Floyd charged with third-degree murder An initially peaceful demonstration in New York City spiraled into chaos as night fell , as protesters skirmished with officers , destroyed police vehicles and set fires .
In Brooklyn , activists who had marched from Manhattan chanted insults at officers lined up outside the Barclays Center and pelted them with water bottles .
Police sprayed an eye-irritating chemical into the largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plaza .
Video posted to social media showed officers using batons and shoving protesters down as they took people into custody and cleared streets .
Demonstrators rocked a police van , set it ablaze , then scrawled graffiti across its charred hulk and set it on fire a second time as officers retreated from the area .
Blocks away , protesters used a club to batter another police vehicle .
Numerous people were arrested and police brought in buses to carry off those they arrested .
“ We have a long night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted .
“ Our sole focus is deescalating this situation and getting people home safe .
There will be a full review of what happened tonight .
We don ’ t ever want to see another night like this.
” The police department said numerous officers were injured , including one who had a tooth knocked out .
The names of black people killed by police , including Floyd and Eric Garner , who died on Staten Island in 2014 , were on signs carried by those in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s my duty to be out here , ” said Brianna Petrisko , among those at Foley Square in lower Manhattan , where most were wearing masks amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Our country has a sickness .
We have to be out here .
This is the only way we ’ re going to be heard.
” 'How many more ? '
In Houston , where George Floyd grew up , several thousand people rallied in front of City Hall .
Among them was 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richmond , Texas .
“ My question is how many more , how many more ?
I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we ’ re not oppressed.
” Tensions rose in several West Coast cities as night fell .
About 1,000 protesters gathered in Oakland at a demonstration and some windows were smashed .
Demonstrators shut down a freeway in Los Angeles amid isolated scuffles with police that ended in a few protesters detained and one officer receiving medical treatment , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and CNN reported that someone wrote “ killer ” on a patrol car .
Protesters repeatedly clashed with police in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose , said Mayor Sam Liccardo , and police responded with flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets .
One officer was being treated at a hospital for an injury that was not life-threatening , he and police officials said .
Liccardo said his own officers shared the community 's outrage over Floyd 's in-custody death .
“ It was a horrible injustice .
I ’ d venture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there feels much of the same anger about what happened in Minneapolis , ” he told The Associated Press .
Thirty miles to the west , Santa Cruz police chief Andrew G. Mills said in a statement that the actions by Minneapolis officers in Floyd 's death “ are the antithesis of what we view as good policing .
”

Demonstrators marched, stopped traffic and in some cases lashed out violently at police as protests erupted Friday in dozens of U.S. cities following the killing of George Floyd after a white officer pressed a knee into his neck while taking him into custody in Minnesota.
A man holds a Black Lives Matter sign as a police car burns during a protest on May 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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In Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and beyond, thousands of protesters carried signs that said: “He said I can’t breathe. Justice for George.” They chanted "No justice, no peace” and “Say his name. George Floyd".
After hours of peaceful protest in downtown Atlanta, some demonstrators suddenly turned violent, smashing police cars, setting one on fire, spray-painting the iconic logo sign at CNN headquarters, and breaking into a restaurant. The crowd pelted officers with bottles, chanting “Quit your jobs.”
At least three officers were hurt and there were multiple arrests, Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said. Campos said protesters shot BB guns at officers and threw bricks, bottles and knives at them. People watched the scene from rooftops, some laughing as skirmishes broke out.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms passionately addressed the protesters at a news conference: “This is not a protest. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.”
“You are disgracing our city,” she told protesters. “You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country. We are better than this. We are better than this as a city. We are better than this as a country. Go home, go home.”
00:27
Bottoms was flanked by rappers T.I. and Killer Mike, as well as King’s daughter, Bernice King.
Killer Mike cried as he spoke.
“We have to be better than this moment. We have to be better than burning down our own homes. Because if we lose Atlanta what have we got?” he said.
After Mayor Bottoms appealed for calm, the violence continued. More cars were set on fire, a Starbucks was smashed up, the windows of the College Football Hall of Fame were broken, and the iconic Omni Hotel was vandalized.
White House in lockdown
Protesters gathered outside the White House, with President Donald Trump inside, and some tried to push through barriers set up by the U.S. Secret Service along Pennsylvania Avenue.
In Minneapolis, a curfew did little to stop protesters and others from gathering in several areas of the city, including the battered Lake Street neighborhood where a police precinct was burned the night before. There were scattered small fires and some stores in a strip mall were being broken into near the city’s 5th Precinct.
>> Read more: US policeman who knelt on neck of black man George Floyd charged with third-degree murder
An initially peaceful demonstration in New York City spiraled into chaos as night fell, as protesters skirmished with officers, destroyed police vehicles and set fires.
In Brooklyn, activists who had marched from Manhattan chanted insults at officers lined up outside the Barclays Center and pelted them with water bottles. Police sprayed an eye-irritating chemical into the largely diverse crowd multiple times, then cleared the plaza.
02:38
Video posted to social media showed officers using batons and shoving protesters down as they took people into custody and cleared streets.
Demonstrators rocked a police van, set it ablaze, then scrawled graffiti across its charred hulk and set it on fire a second time as officers retreated from the area. Blocks away, protesters used a club to batter another police vehicle.
Numerous people were arrested and police brought in buses to carry off those they arrested.
“We have a long night ahead of us in Brooklyn,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted. “Our sole focus is deescalating this situation and getting people home safe. There will be a full review of what happened tonight. We don’t ever want to see another night like this.”
We have a long night ahead of us in Brooklyn. Our sole focus is deescalating this situation and getting people home safe. There will be a full review of what happened tonight. We don’t ever want to see another night like this. — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) May 30, 2020
The police department said numerous officers were injured, including one who had a tooth knocked out.
The names of black people killed by police, including Floyd and Eric Garner, who died on Staten Island in 2014, were on signs carried by those in the crowd, and in their chants.
“It’s my duty to be out here,” said Brianna Petrisko, among those at Foley Square in lower Manhattan, where most were wearing masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Our country has a sickness. We have to be out here. This is the only way we’re going to be heard.”
'How many more?'
In Houston, where George Floyd grew up, several thousand people rallied in front of City Hall. Among them was 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz, who came from the nearby city of Richmond, Texas.
“My question is how many more, how many more? I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we’re not oppressed.”
Tensions rose in several West Coast cities as night fell.
About 1,000 protesters gathered in Oakland at a demonstration and some windows were smashed.
Demonstrators shut down a freeway in Los Angeles amid isolated scuffles with police that ended in a few protesters detained and one officer receiving medical treatment, police said. An LAPD vehicle had its windows smashed, and CNN reported that someone wrote “killer” on a patrol car.
Protesters repeatedly clashed with police in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose, said Mayor Sam Liccardo, and police responded with flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. One officer was being treated at a hospital for an injury that was not life-threatening, he and police officials said.
Liccardo said his own officers shared the community's outrage over Floyd's in-custody death.
“It was a horrible injustice. I’d venture to guess that every police officer out there feels much of the same anger about what happened in Minneapolis,” he told The Associated Press.
Thirty miles to the west, Santa Cruz police chief Andrew G. Mills said in a statement that the actions by Minneapolis officers in Floyd's death “are the antithesis of what we view as good policing.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-30--Picnics at last: Paris parks reopen after Covid-19 lockdown

People gather in Paris 's garden of the Esplanade des Invalides on May 28 , 2020 , after the French Prime Minister announced the second phase of the easing of lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic , caused by the novel coronavirus .
Parks and gardens in Paris reopen on Saturday as France enters the second phase of its relaxation of lockdown rules that were imposed to stem the spread of Covid-19 .
Many Parisians can at last enjoy their first picnics of the summer .
The city ’ s parks and green spaces reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s address on Thursday , when he announced “ good results ” in the battle against Covid-19 .
However , certain rules will be in place .
Visitors must maintain social distancing , are advised to wear face masks – though these are not obligatory – and gatherings must not exceed ten people .
People will also be allowed to picnic and exercise in the parks but group sport sessions are still prohibited .
A further sixty parks that are either playgrounds or being renovated are excluded from the measure .
Playgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorough cleaning .
> > Read more : French bars , restaurants and parks to reopen with restrictions from June 2 Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had been pressing for the city ’ s parks and gardens to reopen for weeks , arguing that it would give residents of the densely populated capital much more space to move .
“ If you don ’ t open parks and gardens for walking , sport , picnics , Parisians will relocate to sidewalks or places like riverbanks or the Canal Saint-Martin , ” said Hidalgo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country from June 2 .

Parks and gardens in Paris reopen on Saturday as France enters the second phase of its relaxation of lockdown rules that were imposed to stem the spread of Covid-19.
People gather in Paris's garden of the Esplanade des Invalides on May 28, 2020, after the French Prime Minister announced the second phase of the easing of lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus.
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Many Parisians can at last enjoy their first picnics of the summer. The city’s parks and green spaces reopen on Saturday following Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s address on Thursday, when he announced “good results” in the battle against Covid-19.
However, certain rules will be in place. Visitors must maintain social distancing, are advised to wear face masks – though these are not obligatory – and gatherings must not exceed 10 people.
People will also be allowed to picnic and exercise in the parks but group sport sessions are still prohibited.
A further sixty parks that are either playgrounds or being renovated are excluded from the measure. Playgrounds will reopen gradually to allow for very thorough cleaning.
>> Read more: French bars, restaurants and parks to reopen with restrictions from June 2
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had been pressing for the city’s parks and gardens to reopen for weeks, arguing that it would give residents of the densely populated capital much more space to move.
“If you don’t open parks and gardens for walking, sport, picnics, Parisians will relocate to sidewalks or places like riverbanks or the Canal Saint-Martin,” said Hidalgo.
Cafes and restaurants will reopen throughout the country from June 2.
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france24--2020-05-30--Covid-19: German high school tests students twice a week

German schoolchildren get tested for coronavirus , May 30 2020 .
As schools in Germany reopen in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ the spread of Covid-19 , students at one high school are checked twice a week @ @ @ @ @ .
FRANCE 24 reports from Neustrelitz in northern Germany .
At a high school in @ @ @ @ @ coming back to class means coming in for a test .
Twice a week students @ @ @ @ @ Neustrelitz are checked for Covid-19 – in the very same building that they study in @ @ @ @ @ fun for the students but they find it reassuring .
“ Thanks to the test @ @ @ @ @ anyone .
My family can also get checked , which is important , ” said @ @ @ @ @ is free and the results come by email the next day .
The test isn @ @ @ @ @ all the students and teachers have taken part since the school reopened on May 6 @ @ @ @ @ , click on the player above .

As schools in Germany reopen in the wake of a lockdown imposed to stem the spread of Covid-19, students at one high school are checked twice a week for symptoms of the virus. FRANCE 24 reports from Neustrelitz in northern Germany.
German schoolchildren get tested for coronavirus, May 30 2020.
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At a high school in Neustreltiz, northern Germany, coming back to class means coming in for a test.
Twice a week students at a high school in Neustrelitz are checked for Covid-19 – in the very same building that they study in. It’s not fun for the students but they find it reassuring.
“Thanks to the test, I am not endangering anyone. My family can also get checked, which is important,” said one student.
The test is free and the results come by email the next day.
The test isn’t mandatory but nearly all the students and teachers have taken part since the school reopened on May 6.
To watch the video, click on the player above.
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france24--2020-05-30--Afghanistan: Life inside Kabul's women's prison during Covid-19

Thousands of prisoners in Afghanistan have been released and pardoned as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic .
But in @ @ @ @ @ for women , more than a hundred women , often with young children , remain @ @ @ @ @ reports from Kabul .
In Afghanistan 's overcrowded prisons , officials struggled to implement hygiene @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 .
President Ashraf Ghani intervened on March 27 , signing a decree to @ @ @ @ @ to reform various prisons as part of measures designed to battle the virus .
But @ @ @ @ @ facility for women , more than a hundred women , often with young children , @ @ @ @ @ detainee had fled her husband , to whom she was forcibly married at the age @ @ @ @ @ the video click on the player above .

Thousands of prisoners in Afghanistan have been released and pardoned as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic. But in Kabul's only prison facility for women, more than a hundred women, often with young children, remain behind bars. FRANCE 24 reports from Kabul.
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In Afghanistan's overcrowded prisons, officials struggled to implement hygiene protocols to slow the spread of Covid-19.
President Ashraf Ghani intervened on March 27, signing a decree to release over 12,000 inmates and to reform various prisons as part of measures designed to battle the virus.
But in Kabul's only prison facility for women, more than a hundred women, often with young children, remain behind bars.
One detainee had fled her husband, to whom she was forcibly married at the age of 17.
To watch the video click on the player above.
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