france24--2020-05-12--Paris police bans alcohol along Seine river as crowds revel in new-found freedom

People gather along the banks of the Seine river in Paris , on May 11 , 2020 , the first day of France 's easing of lockdown measures .
Police in the French capital declared a ban on alcoholic drinks on the banks of the Seine and the popular Canal Saint-Martin after crowds gathered there on Monday evening to enjoy their newly recovered freedom following eight weeks of lockdown .
After a two-month freeze , Paris slowly emerged from its torpor as hairdressers , florists , nail salons and some other businesses reopened – but under mandatory social distancing requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart of France 's proverbial joie de vivre – are still waiting to learn when they will be back in business and cafe life can resume under the French government ’ s phased-in lifting of restrictions it imposed to stem the country 's coronavirus outbreak .
Meanwhile , some Parisians could n't resist the temptation of celebrating their release from lockdown , and conviviality was accompanied by wine or beer .
As the sun set over the picturesque Canal Saint Martin , youths gathered for conversation , standing shoulder-to-shoulder or sitting knee-to-knee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a megaphone to disperse the crowd .
The Paris police chief later issued a ban on consumption of alcoholic drinks along the banks of the Seine river and the canal , saying he “ deplored ” having to take action to ensure distancing on the first day of de-confinement .
France was hit hard by Covid-19 , recording more than 26,600 virus-related deaths as of Monday night .
Authorities , trying to strike a balance between public health and boosting the economy , have said they will reassess the situation in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The French government has split the country into red and green zones based on the number of infections recorded in different regions .
Paris and its suburbs have been designated red because of the continuing threat from the virus , meaning parks and gardens remain shut to the public .
On Tuesday , Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo reiterated her call for the city to be allowed to reopen its green spaces , calling them `` indispensable '' to the densely-populated capital .
Hidalgo also said that face masks , which are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere , should be made mandatory throughout the city .

Police in the French capital declared a ban on alcoholic drinks on the banks of the Seine and the popular Canal Saint-Martin after crowds gathered there on Monday evening to enjoy their newly recovered freedom following eight weeks of lockdown. The Paris mayor has called for face masks to be made obligatory throughout the city.
People gather along the banks of the Seine river in Paris, on May 11, 2020, the first day of France's easing of lockdown measures.
Advertising Read more
After a two-month freeze, Paris slowly emerged from its torpor as hairdressers, florists, nail salons and some other businesses reopened – but under mandatory social distancing requirements.
>> Parisians enjoy coffee, company and haircuts as lockdown lifted
Restaurants and bars – at the heart of France's proverbial joie de vivre – are still waiting to learn when they will be back in business and cafe life can resume under the French government’s phased-in lifting of restrictions it imposed to stem the country's coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, some Parisians couldn't resist the temptation of celebrating their release from lockdown, and conviviality was accompanied by wine or beer. As the sun set over the picturesque Canal Saint Martin, youths gathered for conversation, standing shoulder-to-shoulder or sitting knee-to-knee on the ground – until police moved in with a megaphone to disperse the crowd.
VIDEO: Paris police break up crowds.
Police were forced to step in to clear the banks of Canal Saint-Martin after crowds of Parisians gathered at the end of two months of lockdown pic.twitter.com/ak6eBb3JLU — AFP news agency (@AFP) May 12, 2020
The Paris police chief later issued a ban on consumption of alcoholic drinks along the banks of the Seine river and the canal, saying he “deplored” having to take action to ensure distancing on the first day of de-confinement.
France was hit hard by Covid-19, recording more than 26,600 virus-related deaths as of Monday night. Authorities, trying to strike a balance between public health and boosting the economy, have said they will reassess the situation in three weeks, wary of a second wave.
Masks but no parks
The French government has split the country into red and green zones based on the number of infections recorded in different regions. Paris and its suburbs have been designated red because of the continuing threat from the virus, meaning parks and gardens remain shut to the public.
On Tuesday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo reiterated her call for the city to be allowed to reopen its green spaces, calling them "indispensable" to the densely-populated capital. Hidalgo also said that face masks, which are currently compulsory in public transport but only recommended elsewhere, should be made mandatory throughout the city.
Évacuation en cours du Canal Saint-Martin à Paris par les forces de l’ordre suite à un rassemblement assez nombreux sur les quais ce lundi soir. #deconfinementjour1 pic.twitter.com/QCeYUBU9oq — Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) May 11, 2020
France's health minister was quick to respond, stating that parks and gardens would have to remain shut to limit the risk of a second wave of coronavirus infections.
"It's not over. The virus continues to circulate,” Olivier Véran told reporters during a visit to Limeil-Brevannes in the Paris region. The minister argued that the scenes witnessed along the canal and the Seine on Monday showed how difficult it is to ensure people comply with a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.
Véran added: "No, we will not reopen the parks and gardens in Paris, in Ile-de-France [the Paris region], and in regions that are classified as red because it can be extremely tempting with the sun that we have today for people to regroup too much and not respect the 10-people limit as well as social distancing.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-11--Lesotho murder scandal: PM's coalition collapses, Thabane to leave on May 22

Lesotho murder scandal : PM 's coalition collapses , Thabane to leave on May 22 In tonight 's edition : @ @ @ @ @ given an exit date of May 22 after murder allegations against him cause his coalition @ @ @ @ @ is accused of being involved in the assassination of his ex-wife .
In South Africa @ @ @ @ @ easing of lockdowns may be premature in parts of the country as Cape Town becomes @ @ @ @ @ schools re-open their doors in Benin .
Social distancing measures and masks are a must @ @ @ @ @ precautions will be hard to enforce .

Lesotho murder scandal: PM's coalition collapses, Thabane to leave on May 22
09:55 EYE ON AFRICA © FRANCE 24
By: Georja Calvin-Smith Follow | Laura DI BIASIO
In tonight's edition: Lesotho's prime minister is given an exit date of May 22 after murder allegations against him cause his coalition to collapse. Thomas Thabane is accused of being involved in the assassination of his ex-wife. In South Africa, there are fears the easing of lockdowns may be premature in parts of the country as Cape Town becomes a coronavirus hotspot. And schools re-open their doors in Benin. Social distancing measures and masks are a must, but many worry that precautions will be hard to enforce.


france24--2020-05-12--China says no new domestic cases following increase over weekend

Commuters wear face masks inside a subway station in Beijing , China , during morning rush hour on May 11 , 2020 .
A new cluster of Covid-19 cases reappeared over the weekend in the city of Wuhan , where the pandemic first emerged .
China reported no new domestic coronavirus infections on Tuesday , after two consecutive days of double-digit increases fuelled fears of a second wave of infections .
China has largely brought the virus under control , but it remains on edge , fearful that a second wave could undermine its efforts to get the economy back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reappeared over the weekend in the city of Wuhan , where the pandemic first emerged , while the northeastern city of Shulan was placed under lockdown Sunday after another outbreak emerged .
On Monday , China 's National Health Commission reported 17 new cases , five of them in Wuhan .
Seven of the new cases were imported .
A day earlier , China announced the first double-digit increase in nationwide cases in nearly 10 days , saying 14 new infections had been confirmed .
Wuhan also saw its first new case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive day , there were deaths reported .
One imported case was recorded .
The country ’ s official death toll remains at 4,633 , while the total number of infections in the mainland is 82,919 .

China reported no new domestic coronavirus infections on Tuesday, after two consecutive days of double-digit increases fuelled fears of a second wave of infections.
Commuters wear face masks inside a subway station in Beijing, China, during morning rush hour on May 11, 2020. A new cluster of Covid-19 cases reappeared over the weekend in the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first emerged.
Advertising Read more
China has largely brought the virus under control, but it remains on edge, fearful that a second wave could undermine its efforts to get the economy back up and running.
A new cluster reappeared over the weekend in the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first emerged, while the northeastern city of Shulan was placed under lockdown Sunday after another outbreak emerged.
On Monday, China's National Health Commission reported 17 new cases, five of them in Wuhan. Seven of the new cases were imported.
A day earlier, China announced the first double-digit increase in nationwide cases in nearly 10 days, saying 14 new infections had been confirmed. Wuhan also saw its first new case in over a month.
For the 27th consecutive day, there were deaths reported. One imported case was recorded.
The country’s official death toll remains at 4,633, while the total number of infections in the mainland is 82,919.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--Senegal to re-open mosques and ease other Covid-19 restrictions as cases jump

Men await the distribution of sanitary products by an aid group in the Liberte 6 Baraka district of Dakar , Senegal , on May 2 , 2020 .
The country has recorded 1,886 coronavirus cases in total , including 19 deaths .
Senegalese President Macky Sall announced the re-opening of mosques and churches and the easing of other restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus , even as the largest one-day jump in cases was recorded on Monday .
Sall ordered places of worship closed in March and imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew .
Since then , the daily pace of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday from a previous high of 104 , with increasing community transmission in hotspots such as the holy city of Touba .
Sall , like other leaders in West Africa , has confronted public pressure to find more sustainable ways to balance public health with economic realities in the face of an epidemic that the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned could drag on across Africa for years .
`` In the best of cases , COVID-19 will continue to circulate in the country until the month of August , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an address to the nation .
`` In this new phase that will last not a few weeks but three or four months , we need to learn to live in the presence of the virus . ''
Sall also said the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew would be shortened by one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and that weekly markets could re-open .
Several other West African governments , including Burkina Faso and Ghana , have announced a similar easing of restrictions this month , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practice social distancing .

Senegalese President Macky Sall announced the re-opening of mosques and churches and the easing of other restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus, even as the largest one-day jump in cases was recorded on Monday.
Men await the distribution of sanitary products by an aid group in the Liberte 6 Baraka district of Dakar, Senegal, on May 2, 2020. The country has recorded 1,886 coronavirus cases in total, including 19 deaths.
Advertising Read more
Sall ordered places of worship closed in March and imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew.
Since then, the daily pace of new cases has picked up, 177 on Monday from a previous high of 104, with increasing community transmission in hotspots such as the holy city of Touba.
Senegal has recorded 1,886 coronavirus cases in total, including 19 deaths.
Sall, like other leaders in West Africa, has confronted public pressure to find more sustainable ways to balance public health with economic realities in the face of an epidemic that the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned could drag on across Africa for years.
"In the best of cases, COVID-19 will continue to circulate in the country until the month of August, or even September," Sall said in an address to the nation. "In this new phase that will last not a few weeks but three or four months, we need to learn to live in the presence of the virus."
Sall also said the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew would be shortened by one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and that weekly markets could re-open.
Several other West African governments, including Burkina Faso and Ghana, have announced a similar easing of restrictions this month, while calling on their citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-11--‘Everyone needs to meet to talk’: Parisians enjoy coffee, company and haircuts as lockdown lifted

Marais residents Cyril Muller ( L ) and Frank Barron meet outside Fringe , a local coffee shop that opened today as France eased its Covid-19 lockdown on May 11 , 2020 .
On the sidewalks of the Marais , the vibrant central Paris neighbourhood that is both quaint and chic , local residents , merchants and workers enjoyed each other ’ s company on the first day of the easing of France ’ s Covid-19 lockdown .
FRANCE 24 reports .
A little after 11am on Monday , Frank Barron , 40 , was enjoying a latté at Fringe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Turenne , for the first time in almost two months .
He had to stand on the sidewalk , but his drink , with an artful , leaf-like design on its surface , came in a ceramic mug .
Barron told FRANCE 24 that making coffee at home , which he ’ s been doing since France ’ s lockdown began on March 17 , isn ’ t the same as drinking it at a neighbourhood spot .
But that isn ’ t just because of the java – it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barron was standing next to Cyril Muller , 38 , another resident of the Marais , a neighbourhood that consists of parts of Paris ’ s 3rd and 4th arrondissements ( districts ) and is known for its quaint streets and compact museums , art galleries and boutiques .
The Picasso Museum is here ; so is , arguably , the best falafel in town .
Muller , a spice distributer , said that streetside conversations are an important part of city life .
“ I missed it , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk.
” Standing behind a barrier of a table and a pastry shelf , Fringe owner Jeff Hargrove , 56 , said it felt strange to be able to serve customers at the door , but not inside .
“ Our place is more welcoming , cozy , but we have to keep these distances , ” he said .
Hargrove won ’ t be able to seat customers until the French government allows cafés and restaurants throughout the country , including the wider Paris region , where it says that Covid-19 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For now , it makes him happy to see his customers , many of whom are local residents , at a distance .
“ Actually , I ’ ve not had anyone I don ’ t know , ” he said .
A few doors further up , Jonathan Benhamou , 32 , a salesman at Danyberd , a men ’ s clothing store , said that two of his regular customers had already visited since the shop opened .
“ They gained weight , so they had to buy new suits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sidewalk , a man and a woman stopped , arched their bodies back and smiled in recognition , and a cheerful conversation ensued .
The man , James Rose , 56 , – who happened to be Barron ’ s partner – said that “ seeing friends for real ” was pleasing after so long .
Nadège Maguet , 54 , a local postal worker walking by , said she has been seeing residents along her routes for 25 years .
“ I know their children , their grandparents .
All the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown , Maguet played music on her cellphone as she wheeled her cart , which sometimes prompted people to open their windows and say hello .
Children living in the Marais made her colourful pictures to thank her for delivering the mail .
One picture , which she displayed on her phone , showed a yellow shooting star on a light blue background with a large-lettered “ Merci ” ( Thank you ) , and a smaller “ Nadège ” above a heart .
Maguet said that Monday ’ s greater number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around the corner on Rue des Filles du Calvaire , César Levy , 38 , sat amid abstract metal sculptures and minimalist paintings in 193 Gallery , the exhibition space he opened two years ago .
The latest show opened about two weeks before the lockdown began , so Lévy decided to extend its duration .
He spent part of his time in lockdown digitalising the gallery ’ s catalogue , and hopes that collectors will return this week .
“ Psychologically , to not see the collectors , the artists for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard , ” he said .
Across the neighbourhood on the Rue des Rosiers , Hanna Abergel , 65 , the owner of a Middle Eastern restaurant bearing her name , lamented the absence of tourists , who she said were her main customers .
But her partner , Guy , 61 , made sandwiches for a group of three teenagers and for Marais residents Valérie Geoffrey , 49 , and Betty Lachgar , 44 .
“ They have to get back into the habit , ” he said .
On the busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food shops were open during the lockdown , one hair salon was so busy that no one had time to talk .
On the quieter Rue des Archives , hairdresser Françoise Myoho shared her opinion of post-lockdown tresses .
“ Catastrophic !
” she said .
But she acknowledged that some of her customers had achieved “ interesting ” results by taking scissors into their own hands .

ON THE GROUND
On the sidewalks of the Marais, the vibrant central Paris neighbourhood that is both quaint and chic, local residents, merchants and workers enjoyed each other’s company on the first day of the easing of France’s Covid-19 lockdown. FRANCE 24 reports.
Marais residents Cyril Muller (L) and Frank Barron meet outside Fringe, a local coffee shop that opened today as France eased its Covid-19 lockdown on May 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
A little after 11am on Monday, Frank Barron, 40, was enjoying a latté at Fringe, a small coffeeshop on the Rue de Turenne, for the first time in almost two months. He had to stand on the sidewalk, but his drink, with an artful, leaf-like design on its surface, came in a ceramic mug.
Barron told FRANCE 24 that making coffee at home, which he’s been doing since France’s lockdown began on March 17, isn’t the same as drinking it at a neighbourhood spot. But that isn’t just because of the java – it’s also due to the camaraderie with neighbours.
Barron was standing next to Cyril Muller, 38, another resident of the Marais, a neighbourhood that consists of parts of Paris’s 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts) and is known for its quaint streets and compact museums, art galleries and boutiques. The Picasso Museum is here; so is, arguably, the best falafel in town.
Marais resident Valérie Geoffroy receives her sandwich order from Guy Abergel at Chez Hanna, a Middle Eastern restaurant on the Rue des Rosiers on May 11, 2020. © Philippe Theise
Muller, a spice distributer, said that streetside conversations are an important part of city life.
“I missed it,” he said. “Everyone needs to meet to talk.”
Standing behind a barrier of a table and a pastry shelf, Fringe owner Jeff Hargrove, 56, said it felt strange to be able to serve customers at the door, but not inside.
“Our place is more welcoming, cozy, but we have to keep these distances,” he said.
Hargrove won’t be able to seat customers until the French government allows cafés and restaurants throughout the country, including the wider Paris region, where it says that Covid-19 is still actively circulating, to fully reopen.
For now, it makes him happy to see his customers, many of whom are local residents, at a distance.
“Actually, I’ve not had anyone I don’t know,” he said.
A few doors further up, Jonathan Benhamou, 32, a salesman at Danyberd, a men’s clothing store, said that two of his regular customers had already visited since the shop opened.
“They gained weight, so they had to buy new suits,” he said.
Out on the sidewalk, a man and a woman stopped, arched their bodies back and smiled in recognition, and a cheerful conversation ensued.
The man, James Rose, 56, – who happened to be Barron’s partner – said that “seeing friends for real” was pleasing after so long.
Thank-you messages
Nadège Maguet, 54, a local postal worker walking by, said she has been seeing residents along her routes for 25 years.
“I know their children, their grandparents. All the family,” she said.
Nadège Maguet, a mail carrier who works in the Marais, displays one of the pictures local children made for her during France's Covid-19 lockdown to thank her for bringing the mail on May 11, 2020. The image features a shooting star and the word "Merci" in large letters. © Philippe Theise
During the lockdown, Maguet played music on her cellphone as she wheeled her cart, which sometimes prompted people to open their windows and say hello.
Children living in the Marais made her colourful pictures to thank her for delivering the mail. One picture, which she displayed on her phone, showed a yellow shooting star on a light blue background with a large-lettered “Merci” (Thank you), and a smaller “Nadège” above a heart.
Maguet said that Monday’s greater number of face-to-face exchanges made her feel good.
“It’s human,” she said.
Around the corner on Rue des Filles du Calvaire, César Levy, 38, sat amid abstract metal sculptures and minimalist paintings in 193 Gallery, the exhibition space he opened two years ago.
The latest show opened about two weeks before the lockdown began, so Lévy decided to extend its duration. He spent part of his time in lockdown digitalising the gallery’s catalogue, and hopes that collectors will return this week.
César Lévy, the owner of 193 Gallery in the Marais, decided to prolong his exhibition of Mexican artists, which opened in early March, for three more weeks. © Philippe Theise
“Psychologically, to not see the collectors, the artists for two months, it’s very hard,” he said.
‘Interesting’ haircuts
Across the neighbourhood on the Rue des Rosiers, Hanna Abergel, 65, the owner of a Middle Eastern restaurant bearing her name, lamented the absence of tourists, who she said were her main customers.
“It’s sad,” she said.
But her partner, Guy, 61, made sandwiches for a group of three teenagers and for Marais residents Valérie Geoffrey, 49, and Betty Lachgar, 44.
“They have to get back into the habit,” he said.
On the busy Rue de Bretagne, where many specialty food shops were open during the lockdown, one hair salon was so busy that no one had time to talk. On the quieter Rue des Archives, hairdresser Françoise Myoho shared her opinion of post-lockdown tresses.
“Catastrophic!” she said. But she acknowledged that some of her customers had achieved “interesting” results by taking scissors into their own hands.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--At odds with Trump, US virus expert Fauci warns of the risks of reopening too soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seen in a frame grab from a video feed as he testifies remotely from his home during a U.S. Senate Committee for Health , Education , Labor , and Pensions hearing on the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) response in Washington , U.S. , May 12 , 2020 .
The US government 's top infectious diseases expert warned Congress Tuesday that ending lockdowns too soon could trigger fresh and uncontrollable outbreaks of COVID-19 .
In his first appearance on Capitol Hill in two months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds with the rhetoric of President Donald Trump , who has pressed for rapid steps to rekindle the devastated economy .
The respected scientist told a Senate panel that federal authorities had developed guidelines on how to safely reopen activities , with a sustained 14-day decrease in cases as a vital first step .
`` If a community or a state or region does n't go by those guidelines and reopens ... the consequences could be really serious , '' said Fauci .
`` There is a real risk that you will trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to control , '' he later added , warning that would not only cost lives `` but could even set you back on the road to trying to get economic recovery . ''
Responding to a question from Senator Bernie Sanders , Fauci acknowledged that US coronavirus deaths are likely higher than the official toll of roughly 80,000 .
This , he said , was because many people -- particularly in hardest-hit New York -- died at home before they could be admitted to a hospital .
Some colleges meanwhile have begun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Fauci argued it was `` a bridge too far '' to expect vaccines or treatments might be ready in time to assuage student fears .
The antiviral remdesivir was recently shown in a clinical trial to speed up the recovery time for COVID-19 patients , but Fauci said the results were `` modest '' and concerned hospitalised patients .
He added that the treatment closest to wide use by the fall might be blood plasma from recovered patients .
Fauci said he was `` cautiously optimistic '' about the prospects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials , including one made by the firm Moderna which is closely collaborating with the National Institutes of Health where he is a senior official .
Its efficacy could be determined by late fall or early winter , he said .
`` We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners , '' Fauci added .
`` In other words , it 's multiple shots on goal . ''
Fauci , who has become the trusted face of the federal government 's virus response , was one of four top medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee .
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , Fauci was in `` modified quarantine '' after Vice President Mike Pence 's spokeswoman -- with whom he had no close contact -- tested positive .
A statement issued later by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said Fauci , CDC director Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) commissioner Stephen Hahn could return to work if they check their temperatures and wear masks .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forthright approach has irked Trump , who has been accused of downplaying the crisis as he pushes to restart the economy .
Fauci appeared in Congress hours after Trump renewed that message on Twitter , writing : `` Numbers are coming down in most parts of our Country , which wants to open and get going again .
It is happening , safely ! ''
The US has reported more than 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million infections .
While the situation has improved in New York , and the daily nationwide death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rate of new cases has yet to drop off dramatically .
Though widely respected by lawmakers in both major parties , Fauci came under fire from Republican Rand Paul , who said that because the mortality rate in children is low , schools could be reopened faster in certain districts .
`` As much as I respect you , Dr. Fauci , I do n't think you 're the end-all , '' said Paul .
`` I do n't think you 're the one person who gets to make the decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific advice , but warned not to be `` cavalier in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects '' of COVID-19 , given growing reports of children suffering from a related autoimmune syndrome .
The White House has outlined a three-phase approach to help state and local officials reopen their economies while observing medical advice on limiting the virus ' spread .
As well as a two-week `` downward trajectory '' of cases , it calls for robust testing for at-risk healthcare workers , with asymptomatic cases screened as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The US government's top infectious diseases expert warned Congress Tuesday that ending lockdowns too soon could trigger fresh and uncontrollable outbreaks of Covid-19.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in a screen grab from a video feed as he testifies remotely from his home during a US Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on the coronavirus disease response in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2020.
Advertising Read more
In his first appearance on Capitol Hill in two months, Anthony Fauci delivered a cautionary message at odds with the rhetoric of President Donald Trump, who has pressed for rapid steps to rekindle the devastated economy.
The respected scientist told a Senate panel that federal authorities had developed guidelines on how to safely reopen activities, with a sustained 14-day decrease in cases as a vital first step.
"If a community or a state or region doesn't go by those guidelines and reopens... the consequences could be really serious," said Fauci.
"There is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you may not be able to control," he later added, warning that would not only cost lives "but could even set you back on the road to trying to get economic recovery."
Responding to a question from Senator Bernie Sanders, Fauci acknowledged that US coronavirus deaths are likely higher than the official toll of roughly 80,000.
This, he said, was because many people – particularly in hardest-hit New York – died at home before they could be admitted to a hospital.
Some colleges meanwhile have begun announcing plans to restart classes in fall, but Fauci argued it was "a bridge too far" to expect vaccines or treatments might be ready in time to assuage student fears.
The antiviral remdesivir was recently shown in a clinical trial to speed up the recovery time for COVID-19 patients, but Fauci said the results were "modest" and concerned hospitalised patients. He added that the treatment closest to wide use by the fall might be blood plasma from recovered patients.
Fauci said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the prospects of a vaccine, with eight candidates undergoing clinical trials, including one made by the firm Moderna which is closely collaborating with the National Institutes of Health where he is a senior official.
Its efficacy could be determined by late fall or early winter, he said.
"We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners," Fauci added. "In other words, it's multiple shots on goal."
Remote testimony
Fauci, who has become the trusted face of the federal government's virus response, was one of four top medical experts testifying remotely to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci was in "modified quarantine" after Vice President Mike Pence's spokeswoman – with whom he had no close contact – tested positive.
A statement issued later by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Fauci, CDC director Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn could return to work if they check their temperatures and wear masks.
There has been frequent speculation that Fauci's forthright approach has irked Trump, who has been accused of downplaying the crisis as he pushes to restart the economy.
Fauci appeared in Congress hours after Trump renewed that message on Twitter, writing: "Numbers are coming down in most parts of our Country, which wants to open and get going again. It is happening, safely!"
The US has reported more than 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million infections.
While the situation has improved in New York, and the daily nationwide death toll has dipped markedly in recent days, the rate of new cases has yet to drop off dramatically.
Though widely respected by lawmakers in both major parties, Fauci came under fire from Republican Rand Paul, who said that because the mortality rate in children is low, schools could be reopened faster in certain districts.
"As much as I respect you, Dr. Fauci, I don't think you're the end-all," said Paul. "I don't think you're the one person who gets to make the decision."
Fauci responded that he only offered scientific advice, but warned not to be "cavalier in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects" of COVID-19, given growing reports of children suffering from a related autoimmune syndrome.
The White House has outlined a three-phase approach to help state and local officials reopen their economies while observing medical advice on limiting the virus' spread.
As well as a two-week "downward trajectory" of cases, it calls for robust testing for at-risk healthcare workers, with asymptomatic cases screened as well, and contacts of positive cases traced.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--Exclusive: Madagascar's president defends controversial homegrown Covid-19 cure

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and RFI , Madagascar 's President Andry Rajoelina defended his promotion of a controversial homegrown remedy for Covid-19 despite an absence of clinical trials .
`` It works really well , '' he said of the herbal drink Covid-Organics .
Rajoelina claimed that if a European country had discovered the remedy , people would not be so sceptical .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics drink , which Madagascar 's Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus , has not been clinically tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been discovered by a European country , instead of Madagascar ?
Would people doubt it so much ?
I do n't think so , '' the president told FRANCE 24 's Marc Perelman and RFI 's Christophe Boisbouvier .
The drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti-malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs .
`` What is the problem with Covid-Organics , really ?
Could it be that this product comes from Africa ?
Could it be that it 's not OK for a country like Madagascar , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ... to have come up with ( this formula ) that can help save the world ? ''
asked Rajoelina , who claims the infusion cures patients within ten days .
Equatorial Guinea , Guinea-Bissau , Niger and Tanzania have already taken delivery of consignments of Covid-Organics , which was launched last month .
`` No one will stop us from moving forward – not a country , not an organisation , '' Rajoelina said in response to the WHO 's concerns .
He said the proof of the tonic 's efficacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` our patients '' , calling it a `` preventive and curative remedy '' .
Rajoelina said Madagascar has reported 171 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries to date , with no deaths .
`` The patients who have healed have taken no other product than Covid-Organics , '' the president added .
Reminding viewers that Madagascar has a long history of traditional medicine , Rajoelina said that many pharmaceutical drugs authorised in the West have turned out to be harmful , such as the Mediator weight loss drug in France .

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and RFI, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina defended his promotion of a controversial homegrown remedy for Covid-19 despite an absence of clinical trials. "It works really well," he said of the herbal drink Covid-Organics. Rajoelina claimed that if a European country had discovered the remedy, people would not be so sceptical.
Advertising
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics drink, which Madagascar's Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested.
"What if this remedy had been discovered by a European country, instead of Madagascar? Would people doubt it so much? I don't think so," the president told FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman and RFI's Christophe Boisbouvier.
The drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti-malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs.
"What is the problem with Covid-Organics, really? Could it be that this product comes from Africa? Could it be that it's not OK for a country like Madagascar, which is the 63rd poorest country in the world... to have come up with (this formula) that can help save the world?" asked Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within ten days.
>> Covid-19 in Madagascar: The president’s controversial ‘miracle cure’
Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have already taken delivery of consignments of Covid-Organics, which was launched last month.
"No one will stop us from moving forward – not a country, not an organisation," Rajoelina said in response to the WHO's concerns.
He said the proof of the tonic's efficacy was in the "healing" of "our patients", calling it a "preventive and curative remedy".
Rajoelina said Madagascar has reported 171 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries to date, with no deaths.
"The patients who have healed have taken no other product than Covid-Organics," the president added.
Reminding viewers that Madagascar has a long history of traditional medicine, Rajoelina pointed out that many pharmaceutical drugs authorised in the West have turned out to be harmful, such as the Mediator weight loss drug in France.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--France's Covid-19 death toll overtakes Spain's to reach nearly 27,000

A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) practices rehabilitation exercises with physiotherapist Christophe Chamaillard in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) at the hospital in Vannes during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in France , May 6 , 2020 France 's death toll from the coronavirus rose by 348 to 26,991 on Tuesday , overtaking Spain to become the country with the world 's fourth-highest number of fatalities after the United States , Britain and Italy .
Official data had showed France 's coronavirus casualty rate trailing Spain 's closely for several weeks , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 24 and Spain 's less than 100 more than France 's over several days last week .
On Tuesday the United States ' COVID-19 death toll stood at 80,606 , Britain at 32,065 and Italy at 30,911 .
Spain followed France with 26,920 .
On the second day after the loosening of a strict nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus contagion , President Emmanuel Macron 's government reiterated that it was ready to tighten restrictions again if necessary .
Government `` deconfinement '' coordinator Jean Castex told lawmakers that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone as planned and that the biggest challenge in maintaining social distancing as a bulwark against transmission of the virus was public transport in densely populated areas .
`` We must consider the possibility of reversing the end of lockdown .
If certain indicators deteriorate , we will tighten measures again , possibly on a regional basis , '' Castex said .
By the end of Monday , the government had already banned the consumption of alcohol along the popular Canal Saint-Martin area in eastern Paris , where groups of young people eagerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , against the rules .
The national government is also keeping popular Paris parks such as the Jardin du Luxembourg closed , despite calls from Mayor Anne Hidalgo to open them up to give Parisians - many of whom live in cramped flats without balconies or terraces - more space to stretch their legs .
The health ministry said in a statement the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 infections fell again to 21,595 from 22,284 on Monday , continuing an uninterrupted downward trend that has lasted four weeks .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key measure of a health system 's ability to cope with the pandemic - also continued its downtrend , falling by 170 or 6.3 % to 2,542 , from more than 7,000 in early April at the height of the crisis .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 708 to 140,227 on Tuesday , up from 456 on Monday .
Including 37,988 probable cases , up 94 , the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose by 802 to 178,225 , putting France in sixth place worldwide by that measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider locking down the country again if daily new infections rise above 3,000 again .
In the past six days , the case count has increased by about 670 per day on average .

France's death toll from the coronavirus rose by 348 to 26,991 on Tuesday, overtaking Spain to become the country with the world's fourth-highest number of fatalities after the United States, Britain and Italy.
A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) practices rehabilitation exercises with physiotherapist Christophe Chamaillard in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital in Vannes during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in France, May 6, 2020
Advertising Read more
Official data had showed France's coronavirus casualty rate trailing Spain's closely for several weeks, with both countries' tolls above 22,000 since April 24 and Spain's less than 100 more than France's over several days last week.
On Tuesday the United States' COVID-19 death toll stood at 80,606, Britain at 32,065 and Italy at 30,911. Spain followed France with 26,920.
On the second day after the loosening of a strict nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus contagion, President Emmanuel Macron's government reiterated that it was ready to tighten restrictions again if necessary.
Government "deconfinement" coordinator Jean Castex told lawmakers that the first 36 hours of the easing had gone as planned and that the biggest challenge in maintaining social distancing as a bulwark against transmission of the virus was public transport in densely populated areas.
"We must consider the possibility of reversing the end of lockdown. If certain indicators deteriorate, we will tighten measures again, possibly on a regional basis," Castex said.
By the end of Monday, the government had already banned the consumption of alcohol along the popular Canal Saint-Martin area in eastern Paris, where groups of young people eagerly socialised in close contact with each other, against the rules.
Paris parks staying closed
The national government is also keeping popular Paris parks such as the Jardin du Luxembourg closed, despite calls from Mayor Anne Hidalgo to open them up to give Parisians - many of whom live in cramped flats without balconies or terraces - more space to stretch their legs.
The health ministry said in a statement the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 infections fell again to 21,595 from 22,284 on Monday, continuing an uninterrupted downward trend that has lasted four weeks.
The number of people in intensive care - a key measure of a health system's ability to cope with the pandemic - also continued its downtrend, falling by 170 or 6.3% to 2,542, from more than 7,000 in early April at the height of the crisis.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 708 to 140,227 on Tuesday, up from 456 on Monday. Including 37,988 probable cases, up 94, the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose by 802 to 178,225, putting France in sixth place worldwide by that measure.
The government has said it will consider locking down the country again if daily new infections rise above 3,000 again. In the past six days, the case count has increased by about 670 per day on average.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--Afghan president orders troops to resume 'offensive' stance after deadly attacks

Afghan security forces stand guard outside Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital which came under attack in Kabul , Afghanistan May 12 , 2020 .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered the country 's security forces Tuesday to resume offensive operations against the Taliban and other insurgent groups , following two separate attacks that killed dozens of people .
`` I order all the security forces to end their active defence position , return to offensive postures , and resume their operations against the enemy , '' Ghani said in a televised address .
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Tuesday 's suicide bombing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nangarhar .
No group has yet claimed responsibility for a separate attack on a maternity hospital in the capital Kabul but Ghani blamed the Taliban .
`` Today we witnessed terrorist attacks by the Taliban and Daesh groups on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar , as well as other attacks in the country , '' Ghani said , using the Arabic abbreviation for the IS group .
Earlier Tuesday , gunmen stormed a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital , killing at least 14 people – including newborns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a funeral in the country ’ s restive east left two dozen mourners dead .
Three gunmen held siege to the Barchi National Hospital in Kabul for hours after the early-morning attack before security forces killed them in a clearance operation , the interior ministry said .
The 100-bed government-run facility is supported by Doctors Without Borders , which is also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières ( MSF ) , said Wahidullah Mayar , a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health .
Heavily armed security forces were seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least one wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket .
`` The fatalities also include mothers and nurses , '' interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said .
Some 15 people were wounded and more than 100 – including three foreign nationals – were rescued , he said .
The hospital is located in the west of the city , home to the capital 's minority Shiite Hazara community – a frequent target of hardline Sunni militants from the Islamic State group .
Tuesday 's attack was the latest assault on the country 's already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical personnel frequently caught in the crossfire during decades of war in the country .
`` We call on all sides to stop attacking hospitals and health workers , '' said deputy health minister in the city , Waheed Majroh .
Around an hour after the Kabul assault , a suicide bomber killed at least 24 people at the funeral of a local police commander in eastern Nangarhar province , according to provincial spokesman Ataullah Khogyani .
The attacker detonated explosives in the middle of the ceremony .
Amir Mohammad , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people had gathered for the funeral , an event that often draws huge crowds in Afghanistan .
The Taliban denied involvement in either attack .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called the attacks `` appalling '' and noted that the Taliban , who signed a February 29 accord with the United States , denied responsibility .
`` The Taliban and the Afghan government should cooperate to bring the perpetrators to justice , '' Pompeo said in a statement .
The latest violence comes as Afghanistan grapples with myriad crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , a surge in coronavirus infections , and a reduction in foreign military support .

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered the country's security forces Tuesday to resume offensive operations against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, following two separate attacks that killed dozens of people.
Afghan security forces stand guard outside Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital which came under attack in Kabul, Afghanistan May 12, 2020.
Advertising Read more
"I order all the security forces to end their active defence position, return to offensive postures, and resume their operations against the enemy," Ghani said in a televised address.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bombing at a funeral in the eastern province of Nangarhar. No group has yet claimed responsibility for a separate attack on a maternity hospital in the capital Kabul but Ghani blamed the Taliban.
"Today we witnessed terrorist attacks by the Taliban and Daesh groups on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar, as well as other attacks in the country," Ghani said, using the Arabic abbreviation for the IS group.
Earlier Tuesday, gunmen stormed a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital, killing at least 16 people – including newborns and nurses – as a suicide blast at a funeral in the country’s restive east left two dozen mourners dead.
Three gunmen held siege to the Barchi National Hospital in Kabul for hours after the early-morning attack before security forces killed them in a clearance operation, the interior ministry said.
The 100-bed government-run facility is supported by Doctors Without Borders, which is also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), said Wahidullah Mayar, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health.
Heavily armed security forces were seen carrying infants away from the scene – at least one wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket.
"The fatalities also include mothers and nurses," interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said.
Some 15 people were wounded and more than 100 – including three foreign nationals – were rescued, he said.
The hospital is located in the west of the city, home to the capital's minority Shiite Hazara community – a frequent target of hardline Sunni militants from the Islamic State group.
Tuesday's attack was the latest assault on the country's already stretched health sector, with facilities and medical personnel frequently caught in the crossfire during decades of war in the country.
"We call on all sides to stop attacking hospitals and health workers," said deputy health minister in the city, Waheed Majroh.
Around an hour after the Kabul assault, a suicide bomber killed at least 24 people at the funeral of a local police commander in eastern Nangarhar province, according to provincial spokesman Ataullah Khogyani.
The attacker detonated explosives in the middle of the ceremony.
Amir Mohammad, who was wounded in the blast, said thousands of people had gathered for the funeral, an event that often draws huge crowds in Afghanistan.
The Taliban denied involvement in either attack.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called the attacks "appalling" and noted that the Taliban, who signed a February 29 accord with the United States, denied responsibility.
"The Taliban and the Afghan government should cooperate to bring the perpetrators to justice," Pompeo said in a statement.
The latest violence comes as Afghanistan grapples with myriad crises, including a rise in militant operations across the country, a surge in coronavirus infections, and a reduction in foreign military support.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--French teachers anxious as schools gradually reopen after Covid-19 lockdown

School employees prepare the refectory of the Rothschild school in the French Riviera city of Nice , southern France , on May 11 , 2020 , as schools in France are to gradually reopen with the partial lifting of the lockdown .
Thousands of French schools started to reopen this week as the country emerged from an eight-week lockdown to contain Covid-19 .
Teachers prepared for pupils according to a strict protocol – with masks , hand sanitiser and markings on the ground for social distancing .
But some worried that the measures might not be enough to keep staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school in Cergy , a suburb northwest of Paris , the staff briefing had to take place in the gym .
“ The classrooms are too small for a group of teachers , even a small one , ” said the headteacher , Olivier Flipo , who is also a delegate for the UNSA trade union .
This is one of many ways in which “ we have to reinvent the school ” , he continued .
On May 14 , five teachers of the school ’ s 13 permanent staff members will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to classes .
That is around 15 percent , in line with government guidelines .
The children were chosen at their families ’ request and on the basis of three criteria : the parents do essential work , the children have special educational needs , or a family situation requires the child 's return to school .
“ A single parent who needs to go back to work , for example , ” Flipo explained .
“ It ’ s potentially dangerous , ” Flipo said .
“ Except we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ the kids are going back to school ’ and we follow the directives they set out.
” Each school implements these rules according to its means .
“ The directives went through the local education authority , then the inspectorate , then the local inspector before it was sent back to headteachers – you get as many bureaucracies as you get schools , ” Flipo said .
There was an even trickier situation at the Évangile primary school , in Paris ’ s northern 18th arrondissement ( district ) : on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unable to go in to work because his wife ’ s health was judged to be at risk .
“ We suspected as much , but it means that one of the other teachers will have to take over , because there ’ s a lot to manage with 30 pupils coming back , ” one teacher said .
As the school reopened that day , the nine teachers ( out of 12 ) who went back to work also learned that the education ministry had not , in fact , provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use masks provided by the local council , ” said Charlotte , a teacher of 7-8 year olds .
The package finally arrived at the end of the morning – with just one bottle of hand sanitiser for the five classes .
The school also lacked disinfectant wipes and tape for floor markings to facilitate social distancing .
In light of this situation , the staff at the Évangile sent a request to local education authorities for the school to be closed if supplies did not arrive on time .
Describing the sanitary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the situation put headteachers under “ a great deal of pressure ” .
On a blog he uses along with 49 other primary school headteachers in Cergy , he found that stress was a big problem for his colleagues .
“ It ’ s like a storm hits us whenever we ’ re faced with an issue , ” he said .
Despite everything , he says he is staying calm , give or take some spells of insomnia during which he “ thinks a lot ” .
Every issue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the inspectorate and the mayor .
Flipo is in constant contact with them , as well as with parents ’ associations .
The idea of children going back to school with social distancing measures is bemusing , Charlotte said , “ especially when you don ’ t have the right sanitary equipment ” .
She noted that the 30 pupils returning to the Évangile constitute just five students per class – half the proportion recommended by the government .
Charlotte was delighted at the prospect of seeing her pupils , but less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus crisis .
There will be no possibility of playing in groups , for example : “ The building blocks are finished , for now.
” Equipment is another potential problem , Charlotte continued .
“ My pupils will sometimes forget their pens , ” she pointed out , noting that she plans to make small boxes containing supplies of them .
But there are other risks , too : “ When you ’ re 7 , you ’ ll put your pen in your mouth , then drop it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid sitting next to you.
” This new environment will be “ very anxiety-inducing for children ” , Charlotte went on .
“ There ’ s nothing nice about it.
” Although the government ’ s approach is aimed at fighting truancy , she suggests that it will not help : “ We ’ re not going to take learning any further under these conditions ; we won ’ t necessarily have face-to-face contact with our pupils so it will just be a matter of revision.
” Meanwhile there ’ s a palpable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flipo – who himself contracted Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic – and Charlotte said they don ’ t feel it themselves .
But it ’ s prevalent amongst his staff , Flipo said .
“ Many have anxiety in the pit of their stomachs.
” One of his staff members was so anxious about bringing Covid-19 home that she decided to stay there – with the inspectorate ’ s agreement – and teach remotely .
“ She had to avoid passing on her anxiety to her colleagues , her pupils and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This article was translated from the original in French .

ON THE GROUND
Thousands of French schools started to reopen this week as the country emerged from an eight-week lockdown to contain Covid-19. Teachers prepared for pupils according to a strict protocol – with masks, hand sanitiser and markings on the ground for social distancing. But some worried that the measures might not be enough to keep staff and children safe.
School employees prepare the refectory of the Rothschild school in the French Riviera city of Nice, southern France, on May 11, 2020, as schools in France are to gradually reopen with the partial lifting of the lockdown.
Advertising Read more
At Hazay primary school in Cergy, a suburb northwest of Paris, the staff briefing had to take place in the gym. “The classrooms are too small for a group of teachers, even a small one,” said the headteacher, Olivier Flipo, who is also a delegate for the UNSA trade union. This is one of many ways in which “we have to reinvent the school”, he continued.
On May 14, five teachers of the school’s 13 permanent staff members will welcome 39 of the 259 pupils back to classes. That is around 15 percent, in line with government guidelines. The children were chosen at their families’ request and on the basis of three criteria: the parents do essential work, the children have special educational needs, or a family situation requires the child's return to school. “A single parent who needs to go back to work, for example,” Flipo explained.
“It’s potentially dangerous,” Flipo said. “Except we don’t set the rules; the government says ‘the kids are going back to school’ and we follow the directives they set out.”
Each school implements these rules according to its means. “The directives went through the local education authority, then the inspectorate, then the local inspector before it was sent back to headteachers – you get as many bureaucracies as you get schools,” Flipo said.
‘Delusional’ sanitary measures
There was an even trickier situation at the Évangile primary school, in Paris’s northern 18th arrondissement (district): on Monday morning it emerged that the headteacher would be unable to go in to work because his wife’s health was judged to be at risk.
“We suspected as much, but it means that one of the other teachers will have to take over, because there’s a lot to manage with 30 pupils coming back,” one teacher said.
As the school reopened that day, the nine teachers (out of 12) who went back to work also learned that the education ministry had not, in fact, provided face masks.
“We had to use masks provided by the local council,” said Charlotte, a teacher of 7-8 year olds. The package finally arrived at the end of the morning – with just one bottle of hand sanitiser for the five classes. The school also lacked disinfectant wipes and tape for floor markings to facilitate social distancing.
In light of this situation, the staff at the Évangile sent a request to local education authorities for the school to be closed if supplies did not arrive on time.
Describing the sanitary measures as “delusional”, Flipo said that the situation put headteachers under “a great deal of pressure”. On a blog he uses along with 49 other primary school headteachers in Cergy, he found that stress was a big problem for his colleagues.
“It’s like a storm hits us whenever we’re faced with an issue,” he said. Despite everything, he says he is staying calm, give or take some spells of insomnia during which he “thinks a lot”.
Every issue that comes up prompts a series of meetings with the inspectorate and the mayor. Flipo is in constant contact with them, as well as with parents’ associations.
The idea of children going back to school with social distancing measures is bemusing, Charlotte said, “especially when you don’t have the right sanitary equipment”. She noted that the 30 pupils returning to the Évangile constitute just five students per class – half the proportion recommended by the government.
‘Anxiety-inducing’ environment
Charlotte was delighted at the prospect of seeing her pupils, but less so about teaching them in the context of the coronavirus crisis. There will be no possibility of playing in groups, for example: “The building blocks are finished, for now.”
Equipment is another potential problem, Charlotte continued. “My pupils will sometimes forget their pens,” she pointed out, noting that she plans to make small boxes containing supplies of them. But there are other risks, too: “When you’re 7, you’ll put your pen in your mouth, then drop it on the floor, then talk to the kid sitting next to you.”
This new environment will be “very anxiety-inducing for children”, Charlotte went on. “There’s nothing nice about it.” Although the government’s approach is aimed at fighting truancy, she suggests that it will not help: “We’re not going to take learning any further under these conditions; we won’t necessarily have face-to-face contact with our pupils so it will just be a matter of revision.”
Meanwhile there’s a palpable sense of fear among the teachers. Flipo – who himself contracted Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic – and Charlotte said they don’t feel it themselves. But it’s prevalent amongst his staff, Flipo said. “Many have anxiety in the pit of their stomachs.”
One of his staff members was so anxious about bringing Covid-19 home that she decided to stay there – with the inspectorate’s agreement – and teach remotely. “She had to avoid passing on her anxiety to her colleagues, her pupils and even parents,” Flipo said.
This article was translated from the original in French.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--How contagious? Conspiracies, lies and the Covid-19 'infodemic'

How contagious ?
Conspiracies , lies and the Covid-19 'infodemic' From anti-science conspiracy theories to state-sponsored disinformation , the United @ @ @ @ @ infodemic '' of half-truths and falsehoods is undermining the effort to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ driving anti-lockdown protests and just how much traction are they getting ?
François Picard and @ @ @ @ @ team up for a special edition of The Debate that asks about the role of @ @ @ @ @ giants and populist leaders everywhere – from the US and Brazil to China .

How contagious? Conspiracies, lies and the Covid-19 'infodemic'
39:17 THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24
From anti-science conspiracy theories to state-sponsored disinformation, the United Nations warns that an "infodemic" of half-truths and falsehoods is undermining the effort to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. How is social media driving anti-lockdown protests and just how much traction are they getting? François Picard and Deutsche Welle's Melinda Crane team up for a special edition of The Debate that asks about the role of fringe groups, social media giants and populist leaders everywhere – from the US and Brazil to China.


france24--2020-05-12--‘Blood, toil, tears, and sweat’: Churchill’s ‘electric’ speech, 80 years on

The British Royal Air Force Red Arrows conduct a fly past over the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in London to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe ( VE75 ) in Britain on May 8 , 2020 .
On May 13 , 1940 , Winston Churchill gave his first address to the House of Commons as prime minister .
While German troops were tearing through Western Europe , a defiant Churchill famously told the British people that there was one objective : “ Victory ” .
In the meantime , he had “ nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and sweat ” .
FRANCE 24 looks back at that crucial moment in the Second World War , 80 years on .
When Churchill took to the dispatch box to deliver that iconic rallying cry , German soldiers had spent three days surging through France and the Low Countries , with a speed that shocked the world .
The British army ’ s attempt to halt the German invasion of Norway , launched the previous month , was failing .
Of the three powers that eventually emerged victorious in 1945 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have actively taken Hitler on .
By contrast , the United States did not start fighting until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Hitler declared war in December 1941 .
At the start of the war the Soviet Union was allied with Germany through the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact – until Hitler famously betrayed Stalin by invading the USSR in June 1941 .
In this context , when Churchill spoke on May 13 , 1940 , for much of his audience the prospect of victory seemed distant to say the least .
Three days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned as prime minister after losing the House of Commons ’ confidence over the Norway campaign .
Since Germany seized all of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 , it had become clear to many that Chamberlain ’ s attempts to appease Hitler – epitomised by his infamous declaration of “ Peace in our time !
” after signing the September 1938 Munich Agreement , which allowed the Nazis to annex part of Czechoslovakia in exchange for peace – were a humiliating sham .
The natural choice to replace him was the person who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the only option , ever since 1935 , when Chamberlain ’ s predecessor Stanley Baldwin declined to ramp up investment in the military to prepare for war against Hitler 's Germany .
Churchill had already spent four decades as an MP when he entered Downing Street .
It was a long career marked by more failures than successes – from the catastrophic hubris of the 1915 Gallipoli campaign to the folly of returning Britain to the gold standard in 1925 .
To many MPs who heckled his speeches on the matter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appeasement was yet more bluster and bravado .
But , after that famous speech on May 13 , no MP voted against the motion “ That this House welcomes the formation of a Government representing the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a victorious conclusion ” .
It was a moment of supreme vindication .
Later the same month – as France crumbled under the German invasion and Britain began evacuating its troops from Dunkirk – Lord Halifax argued in the War Cabinet for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign secretary since 1938 , Halifax had been a key architect of appeasement .
Much of the Conservative party still supported his stance .
But having won the Commons ’ approval with a goal of “ victory ” in that May 13 speech , Churchill outmanoeuvred Halifax – aided by support from the Labour party in the newly formed “ national government ” .
After the fall of France that summer , Churchill ’ s address continued to set the tone for Britain ’ s indefatigable campaign against Hitler as its focus shifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt in October-November 1942 , when Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery ’ s troops smashed Erwin Rommel ’ s Afrika Korps .
This turned the tide in the Western Allies ' fight against Germany , as Stalingrad ( July 1942 to February 1943 ) did for the Soviet Union , and Midway ( 1942 ) did for the US against Japan in the Pacific .
To analyse the context and consequences of the “ blood , toil , tears , and sweat ” speech , FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Churchill : Walking with Destiny and The Storm of War .
1 .
What did the situation look like on May 13 amid failures in the Norway campaign ?
Churchill had made terrible mistakes during the Norway campaign .
But he was not primarily blamed for it , especially during the Norway debate – when he probably should have been because he was First Lord of the Admiralty and the driving force behind the strategy of the Norway campaign .
But people forgave him , frankly , because he had been out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d been warning people about Hitler and the Nazis for years , and nobody had taken any notice .
And from the time when Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia in March 1939 onwards , everything that Churchill had warned about quickly became true .
So he was in a very powerful moral position , even though as far as the Norway debate was concerned , it was actually his decisions – more so than Neville Chamberlain ’ s – that were responsible for the defeat there .
I think people generally recognised that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ navy and air force that he ’ d spent years calling for , we wouldn ’ t have done as badly as we did in Norway .
2 .
What kind of personal qualities and experiences enabled Churchill to be so prescient about the evils of Nazism during his “ wilderness years ” in the 1930s ?
There were three things , really .
The first is that he liked Jews , he ’ d grown up with Jews .
So he had an early warning system when it came to Hitler that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have – especially of course people who were anti-Semitic .
The second thing is that he was a historian , and he ’ d seen the dangers posed by Philip II of Spain , Louis XIV of France , Napoleon and Kaiser Wilhelm II , and he ’ d put them in the historical context – the long continuity of threats from the hegemonic power in [ continental ] Europe .
So that was a reason why he was able to spot Hitler and the Nazis and the danger they posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d actually come up against fanaticism in his own life .
He saw the same tropes in the fanaticism of Hitler and the Nazis , in a way that the prime ministers of the 1930s – Ramsay MacDonald , Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain – never did , because they ’ d never come across that kind of fanaticism before at all .
3 .
What kind of morale-boosting effect did this speech of Churchill ’ s have in spurring the heroic efforts of the British people during the Second World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Mass Observation , from the newspapers of the day , from correspondence and diaries , that people wanted to have an absolutely unequivocal commitment to victory .
His use of the word “ victory ” at the end of the speech was a tonic ; it was exactly what people wanted to hear .
There ’ d been very large peace demonstrations – both for the fascist and communist ( of course the Soviet Union was allied to the Germans at the time ) parties – and so when Churchill spoke for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to have said .
4 .
To look at one counter-factual , how much more difficult do you think the war effort would have been for the other Allies if Britain had adopted Halifax ’ s approach instead of Churchill ’ s ?
It would have been next to impossible to get the Americans into the war in any meaningful way , because of course it wasn ’ t until November 1942 that the Americans landed in the western theatre in any large numbers , in Operation Torch [ in North Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of a peace deal with Hitler in May or June 1940 under Lord Halifax , that wouldn ’ t have happened .
The Americans would have been a ) not interested in North Africa and b ) wouldn ’ t have had any kind of springboard from which to liberate Western Europe in 1944 .
It would also have been extremely demoralising for the rest of the [ British ] Empire , because of course the Canadians , Australians , New Zealanders , Indians and South Africans put in the most fabulous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and none of that would have been forthcoming if we ’ d been at peace with Hitler .
5 .
In his May 13 speech , Churchill famously declared that the objective could be stated in one word : “ Victory ” .
How significant were the contributions to victory made by Churchill ’ s decision to aggressively take the fight to the Axis , most notably in North Africa , even when the British Empire was standing alone against the Nazis ?
The whole basis of the western Allies ’ grand strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Africa and after that to go into Sicily in July 1943 , and then to cross over into mainland Italy in September 1943 , and then only after had Rome had fallen to cross the English Channel and attack in northern France – all of that was the brainchild of Winston Churchill and [ head of the British army ] Field Marshal Lord Alan Brooke , who managed to sell it to the very reluctant American chiefs of staff .
I think Churchill ’ s grand plan – his great strategy – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Europe , and waiting until June 1944 to liberate France and Belgium and so on , was a ) the correct strategy and b ) not an easy one to sell to the Americans , so you needed someone who was charismatic , who was highly driven .
And that , of course , was Winston Churchill .

On May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill gave his first address to the House of Commons as prime minister. While German troops were tearing through Western Europe, a defiant Churchill famously told the British people that there was one objective: “Victory”. In the meantime, he had “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat”. FRANCE 24 looks back at that crucial moment in the Second World War, 80 years on.
The British Royal Air Force Red Arrows conduct a fly past over the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in London to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE75) in Britain on May 8, 2020.
Advertising Read more
When Churchill took to the dispatch box to deliver that iconic rallying cry, German soldiers had spent three days surging through France and the Low Countries, with a speed that shocked the world. The British army’s attempt to halt the German invasion of Norway, launched the previous month, was failing.
Of the three powers that eventually emerged victorious in 1945, the British Empire was the only one to have actively taken Hitler on. By contrast, the United States did not start fighting until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Hitler declared war in December 1941. At the start of the war the Soviet Union was allied with Germany through the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact – until Hitler famously betrayed Stalin by invading the USSR in June 1941.
In this context, when Churchill spoke on May 13, 1940, for much of his audience the prospect of victory seemed distant to say the least.
Three days before, on May 10, Neville Chamberlain resigned as prime minister after losing the House of Commons’ confidence over the Norway campaign. Since Germany seized all of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, it had become clear to many that Chamberlain’s attempts to appease Hitler – epitomised by his infamous declaration of “Peace in our time!” after signing the September 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed the Nazis to annex part of Czechoslovakia in exchange for peace – were a humiliating sham.
The natural choice to replace him was the person who had been warning that standing up to Nazism was the only option, ever since 1935, when Chamberlain’s predecessor Stanley Baldwin declined to ramp up investment in the military to prepare for war against Hitler's Germany.
Churchill had already spent four decades as an MP when he entered Downing Street. It was a long career marked by more failures than successes – from the catastrophic hubris of the 1915 Gallipoli campaign to the folly of returning Britain to the gold standard in 1925.
To many MPs who heckled his speeches on the matter in the 1930s, Churchill’s opposition to appeasement was yet more bluster and bravado. But, after that famous speech on May 13, no MP voted against the motion “That this House welcomes the formation of a Government representing the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a victorious conclusion”. It was a moment of supreme vindication.
Later the same month – as France crumbled under the German invasion and Britain began evacuating its troops from Dunkirk – Lord Halifax argued in the War Cabinet for a peace deal with Hitler. As foreign secretary since 1938, Halifax had been a key architect of appeasement. Much of the Conservative party still supported his stance.
But having won the Commons’ approval with a goal of “victory” in that May 13 speech, Churchill outmanoeuvred Halifax – aided by support from the Labour party in the newly formed “national government”.
After the fall of France that summer, Churchill’s address continued to set the tone for Britain’s indefatigable campaign against Hitler as its focus shifted to North Africa – building up to the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt in October-November 1942, when Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery’s troops smashed Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps. This turned the tide in the Western Allies' fight against Germany, as Stalingrad (July 1942 to February 1943) did for the Soviet Union, and Midway (1942) did for the US against Japan in the Pacific.
To analyse the context and consequences of the “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” speech, FRANCE 24 spoke to historian Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny and The Storm of War.
1. What did the situation look like on May 13 amid failures in the Norway campaign?
Churchill had made terrible mistakes during the Norway campaign. But he was not primarily blamed for it, especially during the Norway debate – when he probably should have been because he was First Lord of the Admiralty and the driving force behind the strategy of the Norway campaign.
But people forgave him, frankly, because he had been out of power for 10 years, he’d been warning people about Hitler and the Nazis for years, and nobody had taken any notice. And from the time when Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia in March 1939 onwards, everything that Churchill had warned about quickly became true. So he was in a very powerful moral position, even though as far as the Norway debate was concerned, it was actually his decisions – more so than Neville Chamberlain’s – that were responsible for the defeat there.
I think people generally recognised that if we had the kind of army, navy and air force that he’d spent years calling for, we wouldn’t have done as badly as we did in Norway.
2. What kind of personal qualities and experiences enabled Churchill to be so prescient about the evils of Nazism during his “wilderness years” in the 1930s?
There were three things, really. The first is that he liked Jews, he’d grown up with Jews. So he had an early warning system when it came to Hitler that many in the House of Commons didn’t have – especially of course people who were anti-Semitic.
The second thing is that he was a historian, and he’d seen the dangers posed by Philip II of Spain, Louis XIV of France, Napoleon and Kaiser Wilhelm II, and he’d put them in the historical context – the long continuity of threats from the hegemonic power in [continental] Europe. So that was a reason why he was able to spot Hitler and the Nazis and the danger they posed.
The third thing is that he’d actually come up against fanaticism in his own life. He saw the same tropes in the fanaticism of Hitler and the Nazis, in a way that the prime ministers of the 1930s – Ramsay MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain – never did, because they’d never come across that kind of fanaticism before at all.
3. What kind of morale-boosting effect did this speech of Churchill’s have in spurring the heroic efforts of the British people during the Second World War?
It was electric. We see from Mass Observation, from the newspapers of the day, from correspondence and diaries, that people wanted to have an absolutely unequivocal commitment to victory. His use of the word “victory” at the end of the speech was a tonic; it was exactly what people wanted to hear. There’d been very large peace demonstrations – both for the fascist and communist (of course the Soviet Union was allied to the Germans at the time) parties – and so when Churchill spoke for Britain, it was a very popular thing to have said.
4. To look at one counter-factual, how much more difficult do you think the war effort would have been for the other Allies if Britain had adopted Halifax’s approach instead of Churchill’s?
It would have been next to impossible to get the Americans into the war in any meaningful way, because of course it wasn’t until November 1942 that the Americans landed in the western theatre in any large numbers, in Operation Torch [in North Africa]. If Britain had made some kind of a peace deal with Hitler in May or June 1940 under Lord Halifax, that wouldn’t have happened. The Americans would have been a) not interested in North Africa and b) wouldn’t have had any kind of springboard from which to liberate Western Europe in 1944.
It would also have been extremely demoralising for the rest of the [British] Empire, because of course the Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Indians and South Africans put in the most fabulous effort in the Second World War – and none of that would have been forthcoming if we’d been at peace with Hitler.
5. In his May 13 speech, Churchill famously declared that the objective could be stated in one word: “Victory”. How significant were the contributions to victory made by Churchill’s decision to aggressively take the fight to the Axis, most notably in North Africa, even when the British Empire was standing alone against the Nazis?
The whole basis of the western Allies’ grand strategy in the Mediterranean – first to liberate North Africa and after that to go into Sicily in July 1943, and then to cross over into mainland Italy in September 1943, and then only after had Rome had fallen to cross the English Channel and attack in northern France – all of that was the brainchild of Winston Churchill and [head of the British army] Field Marshal Lord Alan Brooke, who managed to sell it to the very reluctant American chiefs of staff.
I think Churchill’s grand plan – his great strategy – for liberating at least the western half of Europe, and waiting until June 1944 to liberate France and Belgium and so on, was a) the correct strategy and b) not an easy one to sell to the Americans, so you needed someone who was charismatic, who was highly driven. And that, of course, was Winston Churchill.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--Surf’s up: French surfers defy Covid-19 ban in battle over beaches

Surfers at a beach near Cannes , France , on May 11 , 2020 .
A group of surfers in Cannes , in southeast France , defied a government ban to take to the waves on Monday amid a debate over whether beaches should continue to be closed to the public to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
`` It 's so much fun , we 've got the waves , the sun , ” one surfer , named Adrien , told Reuters .
The group of around a dozen surfers were in the water for about two hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat to force them to leave the beach .
`` We surfed for what ?
Two hours ?
Four police officers arrived and made us get out of the water , but it did n't take us long to get back into the water , ” said Nicolas , a Belgian surfer living in France .
France ’ s beaches , closed since March , have become a battleground in the debate over how far government restrictions to control the spread of the pandemic should go .
The French government had originally planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the earliest , even as it begins easing other lockdown measures including re-opening shops , forests and parks .
It was a decision that angered local authorities in coastal regions , who say beaches are vital for their economies , as well as surfers who argue their sport poses little danger .
But the French government changed course last week and said it will now consider re-opening beaches on a case-by-case basis and applications from local mayors are currently being processed .

A group of surfers in Cannes, in southeast France, defied a government ban to take to the waves on Monday amid a debate over whether beaches should continue to be closed to the public to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Surfers at a beach near Cannes, France, on May 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
"It's so much fun, we've got the waves, the sun,” one surfer, named Adrien, told Reuters.
The group of around a dozen surfers were in the water for about two hours, before local police arrived in a patrol boat to force them to leave the beach.
"We surfed for what? Two hours? Four police officers arrived and made us get out of the water, but it didn't take us long to get back into the water,” said Nicolas, a Belgian surfer living in France.
France’s beaches, closed since March, have become a battleground in the debate over how far government restrictions to control the spread of the pandemic should go.
The French government had originally planned to keep beaches closed until June at the earliest, even as it begins easing other lockdown measures including re-opening shops, forests and parks.
It was a decision that angered local authorities in coastal regions, who say beaches are vital for their economies, as well as surfers who argue their sport poses little danger.
But the French government changed course last week and said it will now consider re-opening beaches on a case-by-case basis and applications from local mayors are currently being processed.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-05-12--Assad cousin's dissent reveals power struggle in Syria's ruling family

Syria 's top tycoon publicly airing his grievances has revealed a power struggle within the ruling family as it tries to cement its power after nine years of war , analysts say .
Syria 's top tycoon publicly airing his grievances has revealed a power struggle within the ruling family as it tries to cement its power after nine years of war , analysts say .
After years of staying out of the limelight , business magnate Rami Makhlouf this month in two videos on Facebook laid bare his struggles with the regime headed by his first cousin President Bashar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a desperate last stand .
`` He can feel the pressure accumulating to marginalise him , '' said Jihad Yazigi , editor of the economic publication The Syria Report , told AFP .
`` He long tried to resist before throwing down his last card and exposing family dissensions , '' he said .
`` But it will cost him dearly . ''
The 51-year-old Makhlouf , who is under both US and EU sanctions , has been considered to be a pillar of Assad 's regime ever since the president took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s money was used to “ crush demonstrations ” when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011 , noted FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor Gauthier Rybinski .
He presided over an empire of businesses including as head of Syria 's largest mobile operator Syriatel .
But trouble has been brewing since last summer , when the authorities seized control of his charity , Al-Bustan , and dissolved militias affiliated to him .
When the finance ministry in December froze the assets of several businessmen over tax evasion and illicit enrichment , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and companies were included .
Assad in October said he had `` called on everyone in the private sector who has squandered state funds to return the money '' in a bid to shore up state finances .
“ Everyone wants a slice of the cake , ” Rybinski said .
“ The only problem is that the cake barely exists anymore.
” Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said such anti-corruption drives were often more political in nature .
`` Anti-graft campaigns in Syria are recurrent because they are ineffective .
The aim is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have grown too tall , '' he told AFP .
Makhlouf 's business empire , which Yazigi estimated to be worth `` billions of dollars '' , over the years grew to include stakes in telecommunications , electricity and real estate .
`` There were many sectors in which no one could work without going via him , '' he added .
Balanche said he continued to prosper during the war , importing agricultural products and hydrocarbons .
`` Through shell companies , he was one of the only ones able to skirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria , '' he said .
Makhlouf kept a low profile throughout the war , giving a rare three-hour-long interview to The New York Times in May 2011 , months into anti-government protests .
`` Nobody can guarantee what will happen after , God forbid , anything happens to the regime , '' he said .
Protesters had singled him out with slogans such as `` Out , out , out , Makhlouf get out '' or `` We want to talk openly , we 've been robbed by Makhlouf 's family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , Makhlouf urged Assad to order a `` rescheduling '' of up to $ 185 million in tax payments from Syriatel .
In a second video on May 3 , he accused security services of detaining employees to intimidate him into stepping away from his businesses .
`` Would anyone ever have thought that the security agencies would come for Rami Makhlouf 's companies , while he has been their biggest ... sponsor throughout the war ? ''
he asked .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An Arab diplomatic source in Beirut said the Syrian government had managed to extract money `` from a number of businessmen '' .
`` But it appears Makhlouf refused to pay what he was asked for amid reports that he even tried to get money out of the country , '' the source told AFP .
He said the main causes for his downfall appeared to be the growth of his empire , and the state 's `` urgent need for cash because of the economic crisis '' .
The Syrian pound has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , and food prices have doubled over the past year .
Some reports have pointed to pressure from Assad 's ally Russia , which could be seeking payments from Damascus for its military intervention to shore up Assad .
Other reports say the president 's wife Asma could have played a role in the row involving Makhlouf .
Yazigi said she might be trying to secure her son 's future , but said there was not enough evidence to show this .
The affair is reminiscent of an earlier family feud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father banished his brother after he mounted a failed coup against him .
`` Bashar is getting rid of a cumbersome cousin just like his father got rid of Rifaat al-Assad in the 1980s , '' Balanche said .
In Makhlouf 's case , `` Assad will be happy enough just clipping his wings because he 's still his cousin . ''
But `` in this type of autocratic regime , it 's good to remind people from time to time that no one is immune '' .
A diplomatic source close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Figaro that Makhalouf was “ also paying the price for the behavior of one of his sons last week , who had a picture on Instagram in front of his red Ferrari in Dubai ” .
At a time when Syrians are “ suffering ” , the source continued , “ the intelligence services wanted to get Assad to react ” .
By taking on his cousin , Assad was sending a signal to Syrians that he “ doesn ’ t hesitate to fight against corruption in his own family ” .

Syria's top tycoon publicly airing his grievances has revealed a power struggle within the ruling family as it tries to cement its power after nine years of war, analysts say.
Syria's top tycoon publicly airing his grievances has revealed a power struggle within the ruling family as it tries to cement its power after nine years of war, analysts say.
Advertising Read more
After years of staying out of the limelight, business magnate Rami Makhlouf this month in two videos on Facebook laid bare his struggles with the regime headed by his first cousin President Bashar al-Assad, in what analysts say is a desperate last stand.
"He can feel the pressure accumulating to marginalise him," said Jihad Yazigi, editor of the economic publication The Syria Report, told AFP.
"He long tried to resist before throwing down his last card and exposing family dissensions," he said. "But it will cost him dearly."
The 51-year-old Makhlouf, who is under both US and EU sanctions, has been considered to be a pillar of Assad's regime ever since the president took over from his father in 2000. Makhlouf’s money was used to “crush demonstrations” when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, noted FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor Gauthier Rybinski.
He presided over an empire of businesses including as head of Syria's largest mobile operator Syriatel.
But trouble has been brewing since last summer, when the authorities seized control of his charity, Al-Bustan, and dissolved militias affiliated to him.
When the finance ministry in December froze the assets of several businessmen over tax evasion and illicit enrichment, the Syrian press said Makhlouf, his wife and companies were included.
Assad in October said he had "called on everyone in the private sector who has squandered state funds to return the money" in a bid to shore up state finances.
“Everyone wants a slice of the cake,” Rybinski said. “The only problem is that the cake barely exists anymore.”
'Too tall'
Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said such anti-corruption drives were often more political in nature.
"Anti-graft campaigns in Syria are recurrent because they are ineffective. The aim is just to chop down the trees that have grown too tall," he told AFP.
Makhlouf's business empire, which Yazigi estimated to be worth "billions of dollars", over the years grew to include stakes in telecommunications, electricity and real estate.
"There were many sectors in which no one could work without going via him," he added.
Balanche said he continued to prosper during the war, importing agricultural products and hydrocarbons.
"Through shell companies, he was one of the only ones able to skirt sanctions and bring boats of goods into Syria," he said.
Makhlouf kept a low profile throughout the war, giving a rare three-hour-long interview to The New York Times in May 2011, months into anti-government protests.
"Nobody can guarantee what will happen after, God forbid, anything happens to the regime," he said.
Protesters had singled him out with slogans such as "Out, out, out, Makhlouf get out" or "We want to talk openly, we've been robbed by Makhlouf's family."
In his surprise comeback on May 1, Makhlouf urged Assad to order a "rescheduling" of up to $185 million in tax payments from Syriatel.
In a second video on May 3, he accused security services of detaining employees to intimidate him into stepping away from his businesses.
"Would anyone ever have thought that the security agencies would come for Rami Makhlouf's companies, while he has been their biggest... sponsor throughout the war?" he asked.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said dozens of his employees had been detained.
'Cumbersome cousin'
An Arab diplomatic source in Beirut said the Syrian government had managed to extract money "from a number of businessmen".
"But it appears Makhlouf refused to pay what he was asked for amid reports that he even tried to get money out of the country," the source told AFP.
He said the main causes for his downfall appeared to be the growth of his empire, and the state's "urgent need for cash because of the economic crisis".
The Syrian pound has plummeted to record lows on the black market, and food prices have doubled over the past year.
Some reports have pointed to pressure from Assad's ally Russia, which could be seeking payments from Damascus for its military intervention to shore up Assad.
Other reports say the president's wife Asma could have played a role in the row involving Makhlouf.
Yazigi said she might be trying to secure her son's future, but said there was not enough evidence to show this.
The affair is reminiscent of an earlier family feud, when almost four decades ago Assad's father banished his brother after he mounted a failed coup against him.
"Bashar is getting rid of a cumbersome cousin just like his father got rid of Rifaat al-Assad in the 1980s," Balanche said.
In Makhlouf's case, "Assad will be happy enough just clipping his wings because he's still his cousin."
But "in this type of autocratic regime, it's good to remind people from time to time that no one is immune".
A diplomatic source close to the Assad government told French daily Le Figaro that Makhalouf was “also paying the price for the behavior of one of his sons last week, who had a picture on Instagram in front of his red Ferrari in Dubai”.
At a time when Syrians are “suffering”, the source continued, “the intelligence services wanted to get Assad to react”. By taking on his cousin, Assad was sending a signal to Syrians that he “doesn’t hesitate to fight against corruption in his own family”.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe