france24--2020-02-11--Abbas blasts Trump’s plan for a ‘Swiss cheese’ Palestinian state in UN speech

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump 's Middle East plan , which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a `` Swiss cheese '' deal .
Brandishing a large map of Israel and Palestine as laid out by Trump 's long-awaited January 28 announcement , Abbas called it a `` Swiss cheese '' deal that would limit Palestinian sovereignty .
“ This is the summary of the project that was presented to us .
This is the state they would give us .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who among you would accept such a state ?
” asked Abbas .
The Palestinians have sought to rally international support against the plan , which Trump unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has since moved forward on plans to annex vast parts of the West Bank .
Addressing members of the UN Security Council in New York , Abbas said he was speaking “ on behalf of 13 million Palestinians to call for a just peace ” .
The deal would bring neither peace nor stability to the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to say to Mr. Donald Trump that his plan can not achieve peace and security as it cancels international legitimacy .
It cancels all the rights of the Palestinians .
This does not meet the aspirations of a two-state solution , '' he said .
`` If you impose peace it will not last , it can not last , '' he said , asking : `` What gives you the right to annex these lands ? ''
Abbas said that peace with Israel remained `` achievable '' and said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership . ''
`` This deal is not an international partnership .
This proposal was from one state , supported by another state , to be imposed . ''
UN speech , but no vote The speech came a day after the Palestinians abandoned their plans for a UN Security Council vote following pressure from the Trump administration on critics of the peace plan .
Introduced by Indonesia and Tunisia , the resolution risked not having nine out of 15 votes in its favour , the minimum required for adoption provided there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While details of the diplomatic pressure have not been officially released , John Lyndon of the Alliance for Middle East Peace noted that the vote plan was shelved for two reasons .
“ The first related to a call for an international conference to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue based upon UN Security Council resolutions rather than the details of the Trump initiative , as well as , I think , an unprecedented call for Chapter 7 of the UN charter to be implemented , which would call on the UN to somehow try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Israel and Palestine , ” explained Lyndon in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
Pressure , divisions in international response to Trump plan The Palestinian leadership has enjoyed the backing of the Arab League , the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and , most recently , the African Union , which have all rejected the Trump plan .
But individual countries ' positions are more complicated .
In the midst of pushing for the UN resolution , Tunisia abruptly withdrew its UN ambassador , raising speculation that the Arab state had come under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's son-in-law and adviser who has spearheaded his Middle East push , last week said there was a `` ton of cracks '' in opposition to the plan .
He pointed to divisions within the European Union , particularly from a handful of countries such as Hungary , led by the right-wing populist Viktor Orban .
Of the four EU members that hold seats on the Security Council , two of them – Germany and Estonia – looked ready to abstain from a vote criticising the US plan , diplomats said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgium .
A fifth EU member that was on the Security Council , Britain , left the bloc at the end of last month .
The European Union issued a statement last week reiterating its support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines .
The Palestinians want to establish a state in east Jerusalem , the West Bank and the Gaza Strip , territories Israel seized in a war with Arab countries a half-century ago .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the US initiative “ departs from these internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US have been optimistic of winning at least muted backing from Arab states traditionally supportive of the Palestinians , with Gulf monarchies united with Israel in their hostility to Iran .
The ambassadors of Bahrain , Oman , the United Arab Emirates attended Trump 's unveiling of the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who later held a breakthrough meeting with Sudan 's top general .
Netanyahu has hailed Trump 's plan , under which Israel would maintain sovereignty up to the Jordanian border even if there is a Palestinian state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' say protesting Palestinians Meanwhile thousands of Palestinians rallied Tuesday in the West Bank to reject Trump 's Mideast initiative and to express support for the Palestinian leadership bid to win UN opposition to the plan .
Protesters packed Al-Manara Square in Ramallah , the West Bank headquarters of the Palestinian Authority .
They waved Palestinian flags and held banners condemning the plan .
An English-language banner read “ Trump is part of the problem not the solution , ” while another condemned the “ theft of the century '' .
Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sarcastically as the “ deal of the century '' .
`` All Palestinian people and all the factions , national and Islamic , are standing behind President Mahmoud Abbas , ” Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told the crowd .
“ All the streets are full , '' he said .
`` This is the Palestinian response . ''
( FRANCE 24 with AP , AFP and REUTERS )

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal.
Advertising Read more
Brandishing a large map of Israel and Palestine as laid out by Trump's long-awaited January 28 announcement, Abbas called it a "Swiss cheese" deal that would limit Palestinian sovereignty.
“This is the summary of the project that was presented to us. This is the state they would give us. It’s like a Swiss cheese, really. Who among you would accept such a state?” asked Abbas.
The Palestinians have sought to rally international support against the plan, which Trump unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has since moved forward on plans to annex vast parts of the West Bank.
Addressing members of the UN Security Council in New York, Abbas said he was speaking “on behalf of 13 million Palestinians to call for a just peace”.
The deal would bring neither peace nor stability to the region, said Abbas. “I would like to say to Mr. Donald Trump that his plan cannot achieve peace and security as it cancels international legitimacy. It cancels all the rights of the Palestinians. This does not meet the aspirations of a two-state solution," he said.
"If you impose peace it will not last, it cannot last," he said, asking: "What gives you the right to annex these lands?"
Abbas said that peace with Israel remained "achievable" and said: "I have come to build a just partnership."
"This deal is not an international partnership. This proposal was from one state, supported by another state, to be imposed."
00:25
UN speech, but no vote
The speech came a day after the Palestinians abandoned their plans for a UN Security Council vote following pressure from the Trump administration on critics of the peace plan.
Introduced by Indonesia and Tunisia, the resolution risked not having nine out of 15 votes in its favour, the minimum required for adoption provided there is no veto by a permanent member.
While details of the diplomatic pressure have not been officially released, John Lyndon of the Alliance for Middle East Peace noted that the vote plan was shelved for two reasons. “The first related to a call for an international conference to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue based upon UN Security Council resolutions rather than the details of the Trump initiative, as well as, I think, an unprecedented call for Chapter 7 of the UN charter to be implemented, which would call on the UN to somehow try and implement previous UN Security Council resolutions in Israel and Palestine,” explained Lyndon in an interview with FRANCE 24.
03:38
Pressure, divisions in international response to Trump plan
The Palestinian leadership has enjoyed the backing of the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and, most recently, the African Union, which have all rejected the Trump plan.
But individual countries' positions are more complicated. In the midst of pushing for the UN resolution, Tunisia abruptly withdrew its UN ambassador, raising speculation that the Arab state had come under pressure from Washington.
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and adviser who has spearheaded his Middle East push, last week said there was a "ton of cracks" in opposition to the plan.
He pointed to divisions within the European Union, particularly from a handful of countries such as Hungary, led by the right-wing populist Viktor Orban.
Of the four EU members that hold seats on the Security Council, two of them – Germany and Estonia – looked ready to abstain from a vote criticising the US plan, diplomats said.
The other two members are France and Belgium. A fifth EU member that was on the Security Council, Britain, left the bloc at the end of last month.
The European Union issued a statement last week reiterating its support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines. The Palestinians want to establish a state in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel seized in a war with Arab countries a half-century ago.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the US initiative “departs from these internationally agreed parameters".
Israel and the US have been optimistic of winning at least muted backing from Arab states traditionally supportive of the Palestinians, with Gulf monarchies united with Israel in their hostility to Iran.
The ambassadors of Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates attended Trump's unveiling of the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who later held a breakthrough meeting with Sudan's top general.
Netanyahu has hailed Trump's plan, under which Israel would maintain sovereignty up to the Jordanian border even if there is a Palestinian state.
'Trump is part of the problem,' say protesting Palestinians
Meanwhile thousands of Palestinians rallied Tuesday in the West Bank to reject Trump's Mideast initiative and to express support for the Palestinian leadership bid to win UN opposition to the plan.
Protesters packed Al-Manara Square in Ramallah, the West Bank headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. They waved Palestinian flags and held banners condemning the plan.
An English-language banner read “Trump is part of the problem not the solution,” while another condemned the “theft of the century". Arab officials and media refer to the plan sarcastically as the “deal of the century".
"All Palestinian people and all the factions, national and Islamic, are standing behind President Mahmoud Abbas,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told the crowd.
“All the streets are full," he said. "This is the Palestinian response."
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-10--Mali’s president admits to holding talks with senior jihadist leaders

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and Radio France Internationale ( RFI ) Monday , Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita acknowledged , for the first time , that his government had opened up a dialogue with senior jihadist leaders .
Rebels captured a huge swathe of northern Mali in 2012 , triggering a jihadist insurgency that has now spread to neighbouring countries in the transitional Sahel zone between the Sahara and the African savannah .
With the death toll from ethnic and jihadist violence in Mali increasing in recent months , Keita said his administration was open to talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the instability and bloodshed that has gripped the country over the past eight years .
`` Talking with jihadists and fighting terrorism is not contradictory , ” said Keita .
“ I have a duty and a mission today to create all possible spaces and to do everything possible so that , by one means or another , some kind of appeasement can be achieved .
It 's time certain avenues were explored , '' he explained .
Keita acknowledged that his government had made contact with Iyad Ag Ghali – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ansar Dine jihadist group – as well as Amadou Koufa , leader of Katiba Macina , a group of predominantly Fulani ethnic fighters allied with Ansar Dine .
Keita noted that it was a strategic decision with the implications carefully considered .
`` This is n't being done on a whim , ” he said .
“ We 're going to try and do what the people want , like with the jirga in Afghanistan , to put it into practice , and we 're trying to do it without being naive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue with our work , with our duty , but we want to make sure that we will no longer be stubborn about things , stuck , or obtuse . ''
The peace measures were imperative , he insisted .
`` The number of deaths in the Sahel is becoming exponential and it 's time that certain avenues be explored , '' he explained .
Keita ’ s interview came as the New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Malian authorities to investigate massacres by armed ethnic groups and Islamist militants in central Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making 2019 the deadliest year in the region since the conflict began in 2012 .
Malian soldiers begin deploying to Kidal The Malian president also revealed that Malian army soldiers on Monday had begun deploying to Kidal and should arrive in the key northern town by Friday .
The return of Malian soldiers to Kidal is considered a key component in implementing the 2015 Algiers peace agreement , struck between the government in Bamako and some rebel groups .
Keita said the army had set off from the northern Malian city of Gao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south .
But he warned that the journey could be dangerous .
`` It is therefore normal that the general staff ... Malian forces and the allied forces , act cautiously , '' he told FRANCE 24 ’ s Marc Perelman and RFI ’ s Christophe Boisbouvier .
Kidal fell to separatist Tuareg rebels in 2012 , who remain in control of the city despite the presence of UN and French troops operating under Operation Barkhane .
While the Tuareg rebels controlling Kidal signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been shaky on the ground .

Exclusive
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) Monday, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita acknowledged, for the first time, that his government had opened up a dialogue with senior jihadist leaders. Rebels captured a huge swathe of northern Mali in 2012, triggering a jihadist insurgency that has now spread to neighbouring countries in the transitional Sahel zone between the Sahara and the African savannah.
Advertising Read more
With the death toll from ethnic and jihadist violence in Mali increasing in recent months, Keita said his administration was open to talks with jihadists leaders in a bid to end the instability and bloodshed that has gripped the country over the past eight years.
"Talking with jihadists and fighting terrorism is not contradictory,” said Keita. “I have a duty and a mission today to create all possible spaces and to do everything possible so that, by one means or another, some kind of appeasement can be achieved. It's time certain avenues were explored," he explained.
Keita acknowledged that his government had made contact with Iyad Ag Ghali – a prominent Tuareg figure and leader of the Ansar Dine jihadist group – as well as Amadou Koufa, leader of Katiba Macina, a group of predominantly Fulani ethnic fighters allied with Ansar Dine.
Keita noted that it was a strategic decision with the implications carefully considered. "This isn't being done on a whim,” he said. “We're going to try and do what the people want, like with the jirga in Afghanistan, to put it into practice, and we're trying to do it without being naive, we're not gullible. We'll continue with our work, with our duty, but we want to make sure that we will no longer be stubborn about things, stuck, or obtuse."
The peace measures were imperative, he insisted. "The number of deaths in the Sahel is becoming exponential and it's time that certain avenues be explored," he explained.
00:38
Keita’s interview came as the New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Malian authorities to investigate massacres by armed ethnic groups and Islamist militants in central Mali that killed more than 450 people, making 2019 the deadliest year in the region since the conflict began in 2012.
Malian soldiers begin deploying to Kidal
The Malian president also revealed that Malian army soldiers on Monday had begun deploying to Kidal and should arrive in the key northern town by Friday.
The return of Malian soldiers to Kidal is considered a key component in implementing the 2015 Algiers peace agreement, struck between the government in Bamako and some rebel groups.
Keita said the army had set off from the northern Malian city of Gao about 200 kilometres (120 miles) south. But he warned that the journey could be dangerous.
"It is therefore normal that the general staff... Malian forces and the allied forces, act cautiously," he told FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman and RFI’s Christophe Boisbouvier.
00:41
Kidal fell to separatist Tuareg rebels in 2012, who remain in control of the city despite the presence of UN and French troops operating under Operation Barkhane. While the Tuareg rebels controlling Kidal signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in 2015, the implementation of the deal has been shaky on the ground.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--Erdogan threatens to hit Syrian regime forces 'anywhere' if Turkish troops hurt

Turkish-backed Syrian fighters gather in the town of Sarmin , about 8 km southeast of the city of Idlib in northwestern Syria on February 11 , 2020 .
Turkey ’ s military will strike Syrian government forces by air or ground anywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier is hurt , Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday .
Erdogan said Turkey is determined to push Syrian government forces beyond Turkish observation posts in the northwestern Idlib region by the end of February , and he warned allied Syrian rebels not to give government forces an excuse to attack .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ south of Turkey ’ s border , in recent weeks as government forces backed by Russia and Iran have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion after the country ’ s nine year war .
Turkey , which is allied with some rebel groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , mounted a counter attack on Tuesday after 13 Turkish military personnel were killed by Syrian shelling in Idlib in the last 10 days .
“ If there is the smallest injury to our soldiers on the observation posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from here that we will hit the regime forces everywhere from today , regardless of Idlib ’ s borders or the lines of the Sochi agreement , ” Erdogan said , referring to a 2018 ceasefire accord .
“ We will do this by any means necessary , by air or ground , without hesitating , without allowing for any stalling , ” he told members of his AK Party in Ankara .
Russia , which has an air base in Syria , has controlled Idlib ’ s air space for several years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties between Ankara and Moscow .
The TASS news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan agreed in a phone call that the sides would continue contacts on Syria .
`` The importance was noted of the full implementation of existing Russian-Turkish agreements including the Sochi memorandum , '' the Kremlin said in a statement after the Putin-Erdogan phone call .
The leaders reviewed `` various aspects of the settlement of the Syrian crisis , first and foremost in the context of a flare-up in the Idlib de-escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , Russia and Turkey agreed a memorandum to enforce a demilitarised zone in Syria 's Idlib region from which `` radical '' fighters would be required to withdraw .
Russia insists , however , that groups of `` terrorists '' continue fighting in Idlib .

Russia on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Moscow on Syria and of aggravating the situation in Idlib where Syrian forces have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in a nine-year-old war.
Turkish-backed Syrian fighters gather in the town of Sarmin, about 8 km southeast of the city of Idlib in northwestern Syria on February 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
That offensive has fuelled violence in Idlib, in northwest Syria and bordering Turkey, forcing thousands of civilians to flee and drawing in the Turkish military which has seen 13 of its soldiers killed by Syrian shelling in the last 10 days.
In one of the strongest signs yet that Syria is placing relations between Moscow, which backs the Syrian government, and Ankara, which backs Syrian anti-government rebels, under increasing strain, the Kremlin, the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Defence Ministry all accused Turkey of bad faith.
The Kremlin said Turkey had failed to deliver on a promise to neutralise militants in Idlib, something it called unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry reminded Ankara its forces were in Syria without the blessing of the Syrian government, and the Defence Ministry said Turkish troops were seriously aggravating the situation on the ground in Idlib.
The Defence Ministry also flatly rejected an allegation made by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan who said Russian forces and Iran-backed militias were "constantly attacking the civilian people, carrying out massacres, spilling blood".
'Non-fulfillment'
"Statements by Turkish representatives about alleged attacks by Russian forces on civilians in the Idlib de-escalation zone do not correspond with reality," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.
"The real reason for the crisis in the Idlib de-escalation zone unfortunately is the non-fulfilment by our Turkish colleagues of their undertakings to separate moderate opposition militants from terrorists."
It said the presence of Turkish troops and armour in Idlib was making the situation there much worse, as was the transport of weapons and ammunition across the Syrian-Turkish border.
Russia took issue with Turkey after Erdogan said his military would strike Syrian forces by air or ground anywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier was hurt as the Syrian government fought to regain control of Idlib.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow remained committed to a deal on Syria it had struck with Ankara, but that Russia considered militant attacks in Idlib to be unacceptable and in contravention of that same agreement.
Russia, a close ally of the Syrian government, hashed out a deal with Turkey in 2018 to create a de-militarised zone in Idlib, but those agreements and others between the two countries have come under strain amid mounting tensions in the region.
"In particular, according to this document (the agreement), the Turkish side undertook to ensure that terrorist groups in Idlib were neutralised," said Peskov.
"We continue to note with regret that these groups are carrying out strikes from Idlib on Syrian forces and also taking aggressive action against our military facilities," Peskov told reporters.
"This is unacceptable."
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--China reports drop in new coronavirus cases as death toll passes 1,100

China on Wednesday reported another drop in the number of new cases of a viral infection and 97 more deaths , pushing the total dead past 1,100 even as the country remains largely closed down to prevent the spread of the disease .
The National Health Commission on Wednesday said 2,015 new cases of coronavirus had been reported over the last 24 hours , declining for a second day .
The total number of cases in mainland China is 44,653 , although many experts say a large number of others infected have gone uncounted .
The 97 additional deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,113 .
Despite the official end of the extended Lunar New Year holiday , China remained mostly closed for business as many remained at home , with some 60 million people under virtual quarantine .
The World Health Organization has named the disease caused by the virus as COVID-19 , avoiding any animal or geographic designation to avoid stigmatization and to show the disease comes from a new coronavirus discovered in 2019 .
The illness was first reported in December and connected to a food market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrated .
China 's official media reported Tuesday that the top health officials in Hubei province , of which Wuhan is the capital , have been relieved of their duties .
No reasons were given , although the province 's initial response was deemed slow and ineffective .
Speculation that higher-level officials could be sacked has simmered , but doing so could spark political infighting and be a tacit admission of responsibility .
The virus outbreak has become the latest political challenge for the party and its leader , Xi Jinping , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese leader since Mao Zedong , has struggled to handle crises on multiple fronts .
These include a sharply slowing domestic economy , the trade war with the U.S. and push-back on China 's increasingly aggressive foreign policies .
Zhong Nanshan , a leading Chinese epidemiologist , said that while the virus outbreak in China may peak this month , the situation at the center of the crisis remains more challenging .
“ We still need more time working hard in Wuhan , ” he said , describing the isolation of infected patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop more people from being infected , ” he said .
“ The problem of human to human transmission has not yet been resolved.
” Without enough facilities to handle the number of cases , Wuhan has been building prefabricated hospitals and converting a gym and other large spaces to house patients and try to isolate them from others .
The restart of business poses a risk of further spreading the virus , but China has little recourse , said Cong Liang , secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body .
“ Without the reopening of businesses , in the short term , it will affect the supply of medical material and ... in the long run , it will affect the supply of all kinds of production and life materials , and will make the control and prevention efforts on the front line unsustainable .
The target of defeating the epidemic will not be reached , ” Cong said at a news conference .
In Hong Kong , authorities evacuated part of an apartment block after cases among its residents raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building 's plumbing .
Three residents in one apartment were confirmed to have the virus days after a resident who lives 10 floors above them .
During the 2002-03 outbreak of SARS , an illness caused by a related virus , a number of infections in Hong Kong were linked to one building 's sewage pipes .
Hong Kong has confirmed 49 cases in the current outbreak .
Postal operators in the United States , China , Singapore and elsewhere said the suspension of flights to slow the virus spread was having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of letters and parcels .
The United States Postal Service informed its counterparts around the world on Tuesday that it was “ experiencing significant difficulties ” in dispatching letters , parcels and express mail to China , including Hong Kong and Macau , because airlines have suspended flights to those destinations .
It said the USPS said can no longer accept items destined for China “ until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.
” The Universal Postal Union , a U.N. agency for postal cooperation between its 192 member countries , said the flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreseeable future.
” The Chinese mail service , China Post , said it was disinfecting postal offices , processing centers and vehicles to ensure the virus does n't spread via the mail and to protect postal staff .
The virus does “ not survive for long on objects .
It is therefore safe to receive postal items from China , '' China Post said .

China on Wednesday reported another drop in the number of new cases of a viral infection and 97 more deaths, pushing the total dead past 1,100 even as the country remains largely closed down to prevent the spread of the disease.
Advertising Read more
The National Health Commission on Wednesday said 2,015 new cases of coronavirus had been reported over the last 24 hours, declining for a second day. The total number of cases in mainland China is 44,653, although many experts say a large number of others infected have gone uncounted.
The 97 additional deaths from the virus raised the mainland toll to 1,113.
Despite the official end of the extended Lunar New Year holiday, China remained mostly closed for business as many remained at home, with some 60 million people under virtual quarantine.
The World Health Organization has named the disease caused by the virus as COVID-19, avoiding any animal or geographic designation to avoid stigmatization and to show the disease comes from a new coronavirus discovered in 2019.
The illness was first reported in December and connected to a food market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak has largely been concentrated.
China's official media reported Tuesday that the top health officials in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, have been relieved of their duties. No reasons were given, although the province's initial response was deemed slow and ineffective. Speculation that higher-level officials could be sacked has simmered, but doing so could spark political infighting and be a tacit admission of responsibility.
Jinping struggling
The virus outbreak has become the latest political challenge for the party and its leader, Xi Jinping, who despite accruing more political power than any Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, has struggled to handle crises on multiple fronts. These include a sharply slowing domestic economy, the trade war with the U.S. and push-back on China's increasingly aggressive foreign policies.
Zhong Nanshan, a leading Chinese epidemiologist, said that while the virus outbreak in China may peak this month, the situation at the center of the crisis remains more challenging.
“We still need more time working hard in Wuhan,” he said, describing the isolation of infected patients there a priorityon.
“We have to stop more people from being infected,” he said. “The problem of human to human transmission has not yet been resolved.”
Without enough facilities to handle the number of cases, Wuhan has been building prefabricated hospitals and converting a gym and other large spaces to house patients and try to isolate them from others.
The restart of business poses a risk of further spreading the virus, but China has little recourse, said Cong Liang, secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's main economic planning body.
“Without the reopening of businesses, in the short term, it will affect the supply of medical material and ... in the long run, it will affect the supply of all kinds of production and life materials, and will make the control and prevention efforts on the front line unsustainable. The target of defeating the epidemic will not be reached,” Cong said at a news conference.
In Hong Kong, authorities evacuated part of an apartment block after cases among its residents raised suspicion the virus may be spreading through the building's plumbing. Three residents in one apartment were confirmed to have the virus days after a resident who lives 10 floors above them.
During the 2002-03 outbreak of SARS, an illness caused by a related virus, a number of infections in Hong Kong were linked to one building's sewage pipes.
Hong Kong has confirmed 49 cases in the current outbreak.
Mail delays
Postal operators in the United States, China, Singapore and elsewhere said the suspension of flights to slow the virus spread was having a major impact on the global flow of letters and parcels.
The United States Postal Service informed its counterparts around the world on Tuesday that it was “experiencing significant difficulties” in dispatching letters, parcels and express mail to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, because airlines have suspended flights to those destinations.
It said the USPS said can no longer accept items destined for China “until sufficient transport capacity becomes available.”
The Universal Postal Union, a U.N. agency for postal cooperation between its 192 member countries, said the flight suspensions would impact mail delivery “for the foreseeable future.”
The Chinese mail service, China Post, said it was disinfecting postal offices, processing centers and vehicles to ensure the virus doesn't spread via the mail and to protect postal staff.
The virus does “not survive for long on objects. It is therefore safe to receive postal items from China," China Post said.
(AP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire Democratic primary, Biden lags behind

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester , N.H. , U.S. , February 11 , 2020 .
Bernie Sanders narrowly won New Hampshire 's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday , solidifying his front-runner status in the nominating race and dealing a setback to moderate rival Joe Biden , who appeared likely to finish a disappointing fifth .
Sanders , a progressive senator from neighbouring Vermont , fended off attacks from rivals who warned his far-left views would lead the party to defeat in the Nov. 3 election against Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take this opportunity to thank the people of New Hampshire for a great victory tonight , ” Sanders told supporters in Manchester , New Hampshire .
Moderate Pete Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , was in second place after edging out Sanders in last week 's chaotic and disputed first nominating contest in Iowa .
Both campaigns have asked for a partial recanvass of Iowa results .
It was also a good night for Senator Amy Klobuchar , who rode a wave of momentum from a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish .
Biden , the former vice president who was once the front-runner in the Democratic race , limped to his second consecutive poor finish after placing fourth in Iowa .
He is certain to face growing questions about his campaign 's viability and his ability to consolidate moderate support against a surging Buttigieg and Klobuchar .
Biden fared poorly in two previous runs for president before winning election in 2008 as President Barack Obama 's No .
2 .
He hopes to stay afloat this time until the Feb. 29 contest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other Southern states on Super Tuesday on March 3 , where his support among African Americans will be a strength .
Without strong showings there , his race could be over .
`` It ai n't over , man .
It 's just getting started , '' Biden told supporters in South Carolina .
U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren , a progressive ally of Sanders who was considered a favorite in New Hampshire three months ago , also had a bad night .
She finished fourth , and also will face questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to thin the field of Democrats seeking the right to take on Trump in the Nov. 3 election , with businessman Andrew Yang and Senator Michael Bennet dropping out after it became clear they would finish well out of the running .
CBS News reported that Deval Patrick , the former Massachusetts governor , would drop out on Wednesday .

Bernie Sanders narrowly won New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, solidifying his front-runner status in the nominating race and dealing a setback to moderate rival Joe Biden, who appeared likely to finish a disappointing fifth.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester, N.H., U.S., February 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Sanders, a progressive senator from neighbouring Vermont, fended off attacks from rivals who warned his far-left views would lead the party to defeat in the Nov. 3 election against Republican President Donald Trump.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the people of New Hampshire for a great victory tonight,” Sanders told supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Moderate Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was in second place after edging out Sanders in last week's chaotic and disputed first nominating contest in Iowa. Both campaigns have asked for a partial recanvass of Iowa results.
It was also a good night for Senator Amy Klobuchar, who rode a wave of momentum from a strong debate on Friday into an apparent third-place finish.
Biden, the former vice president who was once the front-runner in the Democratic race, limped to his second consecutive poor finish after placing fourth in Iowa. He is certain to face growing questions about his campaign's viability and his ability to consolidate moderate support against a surging Buttigieg and Klobuchar.
Biden fared poorly in two previous runs for president before winning election in 2008 as President Barack Obama's No. 2. He hopes to stay afloat this time until the Feb. 29 contest in South Carolina and a series of contests in other Southern states on Super Tuesday on March 3, where his support among African Americans will be a strength.
Without strong showings there, his race could be over.
"It ain't over, man. It's just getting started," Biden told supporters in South Carolina.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a progressive ally of Sanders who was considered a favorite in New Hampshire three months ago, also had a bad night. She finished fourth, and also will face questions about her continued viability.
The results began to thin the field of Democrats seeking the right to take on Trump in the Nov. 3 election, with businessman Andrew Yang and Senator Michael Bennet dropping out after it became clear they would finish well out of the running. CBS News reported that Deval Patrick, the former Massachusetts governor, would drop out on Wednesday.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--French researcher Adelkhah jailed in Iran ends hunger strike

French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah , jailed in Iran since June , ended a six-week hunger strike on Wednesday , according to her lawyer .
“ Adelkhah responded to a written request from civil and political activists and ended her hunger strike at midday ( 0830 GMT ) today , ” lawyer Said Dehghan told AFP .
Dehghan expressed relief that Adelkhah had ended the hunger strike that she began on December 24 , but said she remained fragile .
“ Her mental and physical condition is not good , she has been weakened , ” he said .
“ Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has difficulty walking.
” Adelkhah , a specialist in Shiite Islam and a research director at Sciences Po University in Paris , is in Evin prison in Tehran as she awaits her trial .
Adelkhah ’ s French colleague Roland Marchal was arrested while visiting her , according to Dehghan , who represents both academics .
Their case has raised tensions between Iran and France , which has called for them to be released as a “ gesture ” of goodwill .
Iran has repeatedly criticised France for what it calls its “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic republic does not recognise dual nationality .

French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, jailed in Iran since June, ended a six-week hunger strike on Wednesday, according to her lawyer.
Advertising Read more
“Adelkhah responded to a written request from civil and political activists and ended her hunger strike at midday (0830 GMT) today,” lawyer Said Dehghan told AFP.
Dehghan expressed relief that Adelkhah had ended the hunger strike that she began on December 24, but said she remained fragile.
“Her mental and physical condition is not good, she has been weakened,” he said. “Her voice was difficult to hear and she has difficulty walking.”
Adelkhah, a specialist in Shiite Islam and a research director at Sciences Po University in Paris, is in Evin prison in Tehran as she awaits her trial.
Adelkhah’s French colleague Roland Marchal was arrested while visiting her, according to Dehghan, who represents both academics.
Their case has raised tensions between Iran and France, which has called for them to be released as a “gesture” of goodwill.
Iran has repeatedly criticised France for what it calls its “interference” in the case.
The Islamic republic does not recognise dual nationality.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--Nissan files $90 million suit against Ghosn for 'fraudulent activity'

Japanese car giant Nissan on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit to reclaim some 10 billion yen ( $ 90 million ) from former chairman Carlos Ghosn for what it called “ years of his misconduct and fraudulent activity ” .
The 65-year-old faces multiple charges of financial misconduct in Japan but fled to Lebanon before he could face trial .
He denies any wrongdoing .
Nissan said the damages had been calculated on the basis of the cost to the firm of Ghosn ’ s “ corrupt practices ” .
It accused Ghosn of “ the use of overseas residential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of corporate jets , payments to his sister , payments to his personal lawyer in Lebanon ” .
It said the amount was likely to rise and added that the company would also seek to sue Ghosn for “ groundless and defamatory remarks ” he made when he briefed the media in Lebanon .
Once hailed as a corporate saviour for rescuing Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy , Ghosn was facing a trial in Japan over a series of alleged crimes , including under-reporting his compensation to the tune of around $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 days in detention in Japan after his sudden November 2018 arrest , but launched an audacious escape plan while out on bail in Tokyo and managed to travel to Lebanon apparently undetected .
He believes Nissan turned on him because executives there were concerned he was moving the firm closer to French partner Renault , part of a three-way alliance with Mitsubishi Motors .

Japanese car giant Nissan on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit to reclaim some 10 billion yen ($90 million) from former chairman Carlos Ghosn for what it called “years of his misconduct and fraudulent activity”.
Advertising Read more
The 65-year-old faces multiple charges of financial misconduct in Japan but fled to Lebanon before he could face trial. He denies any wrongdoing.
Nissan said the damages had been calculated on the basis of the cost to the firm of Ghosn’s “corrupt practices”.
It accused Ghosn of “the use of overseas residential property without paying rent, private use of corporate jets, payments to his sister, payments to his personal lawyer in Lebanon”.
It said the amount was likely to rise and added that the company would also seek to sue Ghosn for “groundless and defamatory remarks” he made when he briefed the media in Lebanon.
Once hailed as a corporate saviour for rescuing Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy, Ghosn was facing a trial in Japan over a series of alleged crimes, including under-reporting his compensation to the tune of around $85 million.
Ghosn spent more than 100 days in detention in Japan after his sudden November 2018 arrest, but launched an audacious escape plan while out on bail in Tokyo and managed to travel to Lebanon apparently undetected.
He believes Nissan turned on him because executives there were concerned he was moving the firm closer to French partner Renault, part of a three-way alliance with Mitsubishi Motors.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--Clashes erupt as Venezuela opposition leader Guaido returns home

Venezuela 's opposition leader Juan Guaido , who many nations have recognised as the country 's rightful interim ruler , speaks at a gathering in Caracas , Venezuela , February 11 , 2020 .
Opposition leader Juan Guaido returned to Venezuela on Tuesday after an international support-building tour and called on the people in the crisis-wracked nation to keep pushing back against President Nicolas Maduro .
Guaido -- who had defied a travel ban to visit Colombia , the United States , Canada and several European nations -- was greeted by a throng of cheering supporters at the international airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're in Caracas now .
I bring back with me the commitment of the free world , ready to help us regain democracy and freedom , '' Guaido wrote on Twitter , before tweeting a picture of himself at passport control that was captioned `` HOME . ''
Shortly before his arrival , fighting broke out between his followers -- including several lawmakers -- and Maduro 's supporters .
`` Guaido , fascist ! ''
shouted employees of the state-run airline Conviasa , which was subjected to US sanctions last week , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's backers were waiting for him .
Several diplomats were present .
Videos circulating on social media appear to show Guaido sprayed with soda by an airline worker .
The opposition leader seemed to laugh it off .
Security escorts flanked the opposition leader -- wearing a white shirt and a wooden cross around his neck -- as he got into a white vehicle to head to Caracas .
After his trip abroad -- including a meeting with US President Donald Trump , who threatened to `` smash '' Maduro 's regime -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictatorship '' would be coming soon , and called for renewed protests .
`` We came to work and leave the rest , to do what is necessary to accomplish the goal '' of pushing Maduro from office , Guaido later told a rally attended by about 500 people .
His office said late Tuesday that a relative traveling with Guaido had vanished after being held by airport officials .
In a veiled reference to Guaido 's return , Maduro called on his supporters to focus on `` defending Venezuela . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by dummies , by traitors to the homeland , '' he said at a ceremony broadcast on state television .
Guaido rose to prominence in January 2019 when he declared himself the country 's acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro .
He derived such authority from his position as the speaker of the National Assembly , after the legislature declared Maduro 's 2018 re-election invalid following a poll widely denounced as rigged .
Lawmakers called Maduro a `` usurper '' while more than 50 countries recognized Guaido as interim president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Venezuela 's powerful military and has resisted Guaido 's challenge , even as the United States ramps up the pressure .
The international trip was the second time Guaido , who called for a legislative session to be held Wednesday , had flouted the travel ban .
Maduro 's number two Diosdado Cabello said Monday that he did n't expect much of anything to change after Guaido 's travels , which he called a `` tourism trip . ''
`` He is nothing , '' Cabello said .
But Guaido tweeted Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wo n't accept setbacks and in which we need everyone to do what they have to do .
The time has arrived . ''
`` Now more than ever , we need unity , confidence and political discipline .
Look out for new announcements . ''

Opposition leader Juan Guaido returned to Venezuela on Tuesday after an international support-building tour and called on the people in the crisis-wracked nation to keep pushing back against President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognised as the country's rightful interim ruler, speaks at a gathering in Caracas, Venezuela, February 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Guaido -- who had defied a travel ban to visit Colombia, the United States, Canada and several European nations -- was greeted by a throng of cheering supporters at the international airport outside the capital Caracas.
"We're in Caracas now. I bring back with me the commitment of the free world, ready to help us regain democracy and freedom," Guaido wrote on Twitter, before tweeting a picture of himself at passport control that was captioned "HOME."
Shortly before his arrival, fighting broke out between his followers -- including several lawmakers -- and Maduro's supporters.
"Guaido, fascist!" shouted employees of the state-run airline Conviasa, which was subjected to US sanctions last week, who had entered the area where the 36-year-old's backers were waiting for him. Several diplomats were present.
Chavistas were waiting for Guaido to scold him about his efforts to increase U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/SXXlEMcCfG — HÀÝÀŤ (@care_mariah) February 12, 2020
Videos circulating on social media appear to show Guaido sprayed with soda by an airline worker. The opposition leader seemed to laugh it off.
Security escorts flanked the opposition leader -- wearing a white shirt and a wooden cross around his neck -- as he got into a white vehicle to head to Caracas.
After his trip abroad -- including a meeting with US President Donald Trump, who threatened to "smash" Maduro's regime -- Guaido promised new sanctions "against the dictatorship" would be coming soon, and called for renewed protests.
"We came to work and leave the rest, to do what is necessary to accomplish the goal" of pushing Maduro from office, Guaido later told a rally attended by about 500 people.
His office said late Tuesday that a relative traveling with Guaido had vanished after being held by airport officials.
'A new moment'
In a veiled reference to Guaido's return, Maduro called on his supporters to focus on "defending Venezuela."
"Let's not get distracted by stupidities, by dummies, by traitors to the homeland," he said at a ceremony broadcast on state television.
Guaido rose to prominence in January 2019 when he declared himself the country's acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro.
He derived such authority from his position as the speaker of the National Assembly, after the legislature declared Maduro's 2018 re-election invalid following a poll widely denounced as rigged.
Lawmakers called Maduro a "usurper" while more than 50 countries recognized Guaido as interim president.
However, Maduro retains the support of Venezuela's powerful military and has resisted Guaido's challenge, even as the United States ramps up the pressure.
The international trip was the second time Guaido, who called for a legislative session to be held Wednesday, had flouted the travel ban.
Maduro's number two Diosdado Cabello said Monday that he didn't expect much of anything to change after Guaido's travels, which he called a "tourism trip."
"He is nothing," Cabello said.
But Guaido tweeted Tuesday: "A new moment has begun that won't accept setbacks and in which we need everyone to do what they have to do. The time has arrived."
"Now more than ever, we need unity, confidence and political discipline. Look out for new announcements."
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--French cinema stars call for overhaul of French Césars awards

A César sculpture is displayed prior to the start of the 35th Césars French film awards ceremony on February 27 , 2010 , at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris .
More than 200 actors , producers , directors and movie personalities on Tuesday demanded `` profound reform '' of France 's equivalent of the Oscars executive , the Cesar Academy , which they accused of being out of touch .
The academy is already under fire after Roman Polanski 's new film `` An Officer and a Spy '' topped the list of nominations for this year 's Cesar awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 .
Polanski has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978 and is persona non grata in Hollywood .
But the Cesar Academy has also been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes , both considered feminist activists , from a ceremony to announce the contenders for this year 's Cesars .
In an open letter , dozens of film industry personalities including actors Omar Sy , Berenice Bejo and Jean-Pierre Bacri , producer siblings Eric and Nicolas Altmayer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dysfunction '' at the academy and an `` opaqueness '' of its accounts .
They also complained that the founding statutes of the Cesars had not changed `` for a very long time '' and that the academy 's nearly 5,000 paid-up members do not get a vote or a say in its decisions .
The academy 's board , in response to the letter , said it would ask the National Centre for Cinema , a culture ministry agency , to appoint a mediator that will be in charge of `` deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has previously announced measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation .
The inclusion of Polanski 's film on the Cesars ' shortlist was condemned by France 's equality minister , women 's groups and film critics , but the Cesar Academy said it could not be expected to take `` moral positions '' when awarding films .
A number of French feminist groups , including the Osez Le Feminisme !
( Dare Feminism ! )
collective , published an open letter on the website of the daily Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snub Polanski 's film , which is titled `` J'accuse '' in France .
`` To celebrate an abuser like Polanski is to support the system of impunity for male violence , and silence the voices of the victims , '' the letter said .
The feminist groups also called for a protest outside the award ceremony , which is to be held in Paris 's Salle Pleyel auditorium .

More than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities on Tuesday demanded "profound reform" of France's equivalent of the Oscars executive, the Cesar Academy, which they accused of being out of touch.
A César sculpture is displayed prior to the start of the 35th Césars French film awards ceremony on February 27, 2010, at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris.
Advertising Read more
The academy is already under fire after Roman Polanski's new film "An Officer and a Spy" topped the list of nominations for this year's Cesar awards which will be handed out on February 28.
Polanski has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978 and is persona non grata in Hollywood.
But the Cesar Academy has also been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes, both considered feminist activists, from a ceremony to announce the contenders for this year's Cesars.
In an open letter, dozens of film industry personalities including actors Omar Sy, Berenice Bejo and Jean-Pierre Bacri, producer siblings Eric and Nicolas Altmayer, and director Jerome Salle, denounced "dysfunction" at the academy and an "opaqueness" of its accounts.
They also complained that the founding statutes of the Cesars had not changed "for a very long time" and that the academy's nearly 5,000 paid-up members do not get a vote or a say in its decisions.
The academy's board, in response to the letter, said it would ask the National Centre for Cinema, a culture ministry agency, to appoint a mediator that will be in charge of "deep reform" of its statutes and governance.
It has previously announced measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation.
The inclusion of Polanski's film on the Cesars' shortlist was condemned by France's equality minister, women's groups and film critics, but the Cesar Academy said it could not be expected to take "moral positions" when awarding films.
A number of French feminist groups, including the Osez Le Feminisme! (Dare Feminism!) collective, published an open letter on the website of the daily Le Parisien late Tuesday urging Cesar voters to snub Polanski's film, which is titled "J'accuse" in France.
"To celebrate an abuser like Polanski is to support the system of impunity for male violence, and silence the voices of the victims," the letter said.
The feminist groups also called for a protest outside the award ceremony, which is to be held in Paris's Salle Pleyel auditorium.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-11--US 2020 elections: The New Hampshire Democratic primary as it happened

US 2020 elections : The New Hampshire Democratic primary as it happened Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire 's high-stakes Democratic @ @ @ @ @ to US network projections , leaving rivals including party stalwart Joe Biden in his wake @ @ @ @ @ to challenge President Donald Trump in November .
Read below to see how the whole @ @ @

US 2020 elections: The New Hampshire Democratic primary as it happened
Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire's high-stakes Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to US network projections, leaving rivals including party stalwart Joe Biden in his wake as he staked his claim to challenge President Donald Trump in November. Read below to see how the whole event unfolded.
03:08 A first-time voter at Ward 5 polling station in Concord, New Hampshire, on February 11, 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Advertising Read more Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-02-12--Italian Senate votes to lift Salvini’s immunity, paving way for trial over migrant detentions

Italian senators voted on Wednesday to lift immunity for far-right leader Matteo Salvini , opening the way for a potentially career-ending trial over accusations he illegally detained migrants at sea last year .
The decision gives magistrates in Sicily the go-ahead to press charges over his decision to keep 131 rescued migrants blocked aboard a coastguard ship for six days last July as he waited for other European Union states to agree to take them in .
Salvini , the head of Italy 's League party who was serving as interior minister at the time , could eventually face up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty at the end of Italy 's tortuous legal process .
Conviction could also bar him from political office , dashing his ambitions to lead a future government .
‘ Head held high' Salvini had refused to allow rescued migrants off the Gregoretti coast guard boat – where they had been languishing for about a week in insalubrious conditions – until a deal was reached with other European states to host them .
A Catania court accused him of `` abuse of power '' in blocking them on board from July 27 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally detaining them .
Salvini insists the decision had the backing of the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte .
Before the debate began , Salvini took to Facebook to say he had his `` head held high , with the calm conscience of those who have defended their land and people '' .
`` If a man is not ready to fight for his ideas , either his ideas are worthless , or he is , '' Salvini wrote , quoting Ezra Pound , a 20th-century American poet known for his fascist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Salvini ’ s right-wing League party , granting their leader 's wishes , voted in a Senate commission in favor of lifting the immunity .
That paved the way for Wednesday 's vote in the entire Senate.Any criminal case against Salvini could derail his ambitions to soon become Italy 's premier and return his euro-skeptic populist party back to power.Prosecutors in Sicily had investigated Salvini for the Gregoretti vessel case in July 2019 .
Several such standoffs played out in the Mediterranean Sea while Salvini was interior minister.Eventually , the prosecutors shelved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Tribunal of Ministers , decided to proceed.Salvini 's League is now in the opposition after he pulled his party out of Conte 's government in August in a failed bid for an early election .

Italian senators voted on Wednesday to lift immunity for far-right leader Matteo Salvini, opening the way for a potentially career-ending trial over accusations he illegally detained migrants at sea last year.
Advertising Read more
The decision gives magistrates in Sicily the go-ahead to press charges over his decision to keep 131 rescued migrants blocked aboard a coastguard ship for six days last July as he waited for other European Union states to agree to take them in.
Salvini, the head of Italy's League party who was serving as interior minister at the time, could eventually face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty at the end of Italy's tortuous legal process. Conviction could also bar him from political office, dashing his ambitions to lead a future government.
‘Head held high'
Salvini had refused to allow rescued migrants off the Gregoretti coast guard boat – where they had been languishing for about a week in insalubrious conditions – until a deal was reached with other European states to host them.
A Catania court accused him of "abuse of power" in blocking them on board from July 27 to July 31 last year, and of illegally detaining them.
Salvini insists the decision had the backing of the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Before the debate began, Salvini took to Facebook to say he had his "head held high, with the calm conscience of those who have defended their land and people".
"If a man is not ready to fight for his ideas, either his ideas are worthless, or he is," Salvini wrote, quoting Ezra Pound, a 20th-century American poet known for his fascist sympathies.
01:39
Last month, fellow senators from Salvini’s right-wing League party, granting their leader's wishes, voted in a Senate commission in favor of lifting the immunity. That paved the way for Wednesday's vote in the entire Senate.Any criminal case against Salvini could derail his ambitions to soon become Italy's premier and return his euro-skeptic populist party back to power.Prosecutors in Sicily had investigated Salvini for the Gregoretti vessel case in July 2019. Several such standoffs played out in the Mediterranean Sea while Salvini was interior minister.Eventually, the prosecutors shelved the case. But another judicial body, the Tribunal of Ministers, decided to proceed.Salvini's League is now in the opposition after he pulled his party out of Conte's government in August in a failed bid for an early election.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--Security Council votes for 'lasting ceasefire' in Libya as Haftar bans UN flights to Tripoli

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a `` lasting ceasefire '' in Libya as Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar ’ s forces vowed to block UN humanitarian flights from landing in the capital Tripoli .
The text of the UN Security Council resolution , which reaffirmed the conclusions of last month ’ s Berlin Conference on Libya , was drafted by Britain and approved by 14 votes out of 15 with Russia abstaining .
It was subject to weeks of discussions , reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uphold a weapons embargo .
Haftar ’ s forces blocks UN flights Also on Wednesday , the UN said its flights have not been granted permission to land in Libya by the self-styled Libya National Army ( LNA ) , also known as the Libyan Arab Armed Forces , led by General Khalifa Haftar .
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN mission in Libya was concerned that its regular flights into Tripoli , which transport UN staff to and from the war-torn country , have been prevented from landing on several occasions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing UN flights from traveling to Libya “ will severely hinder our humanitarian and good offices efforts '' at a time when the United Nations is trying to get the warring parties to negotiate a peace agreement and “ provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected civilians ” .
A spokesman for Haftar ’ s forces confirmed the blockage , telling reporters in the eastern city of Benghazi that the UN would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Tripoli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a base .
Turkey supports the UN-recognised government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj while Haftar is supported by Saudi Arabia , the UAE , Egypt , France and Russia .

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire" in Libya as Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar’s forces vowed to block UN humanitarian flights from landing in the capital Tripoli.
Advertising Read more
The text of the UN Security Council resolution, which reaffirmed the conclusions of last month’s Berlin Conference on Libya, was drafted by Britain and approved by 14 votes out of 15 with Russia abstaining.
It was subject to weeks of discussions, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.
Haftar’s forces blocks UN flights
Also on Wednesday, the UN said its flights have not been granted permission to land in Libya by the self-styled Libya National Army (LNA), also known as the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, led by General Khalifa Haftar.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN mission in Libya was concerned that its regular flights into Tripoli, which transport UN staff to and from the war-torn country, have been prevented from landing on several occasions in the past weeks.
Dujarric said preventing UN flights from traveling to Libya “will severely hinder our humanitarian and good offices efforts" at a time when the United Nations is trying to get the warring parties to negotiate a peace agreement and “provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected civilians”.
A spokesman for Haftar’s forces confirmed the blockage, telling reporters in the eastern city of Benghazi that the UN would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Tripoli Mitiga airport as Turkey was using it as a base.
Turkey supports the UN-recognised government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj while Haftar is supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, France and Russia.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-13--Hubei sees 240 deaths in a single day as China's coronavirus death toll surpasses 1350

The number of fatalities in hard-hit Hubei province jumped by 242 deaths , the local health authority said Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus virus outbreak nationwide past 1,350 .
In its daily update , Hubei 's @ @ @ @ @ 14,840 new cases in the central province , where the outbreak emerged in December .
@ @ @ @ @ local officials said they were broadening their definition for COVID-19 cases .

The number of deaths and new cases from China's coronavirus outbreak spiked dramatically on Thursday after authorities changed the way they count infections in a move that will likely fuel speculation that the severity of the outbreak has been under-reported.
Advertising Read more
The hard-hit central province of Hubei reported 242 deaths in just one day and 14,840 new patients -- by far its biggest one-day tally since the crisis erupted last month.
The jump raised the death toll to 1,355 and the total number of nationwide infections to nearly 60,000 -- just hours after President Xi Jinping touted "positive results" from the government's drastic measures to contain the virus and a top Chinese expert predicted the epidemic would peak this month.
Officials in Hubei said they were broadening their definition for COVID-19 cases by including people "clinically diagnosed" with the virus in the daily tally.
This means officials can use lung imaging on suspected cases to diagnose the virus, rather than the standard nucleic acid tests.
01:33
China has placed some 56 million in virtual quarantine in Hubei and its capital, Wuhan, since late last month and restricted movements of millions more in cities far from the epicentre in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus.
Xi chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee on Wednesday after figures showed that the number of new cases had dropped for a second straight day.
China has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its transparent handling of the outbreak, in contrast to the way it concealed the extent of the SARS virus.
But it has faced continued scepticism among the global public, with suggestions that there may be similarities with the way it dealt with the 2002-2003 outbreak.
Authorities in Hubei have been accused of concealing the gravity of the outbreak in early January because they were holding key political meetings at the time.
'Too early' to predict
Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at China's National Health Commission, had said on Tuesday he thought the outbreak would peak in mid- to late-February.
But in Geneva, World Health Organization officials warned Wednesday against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.
"I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme.
In Spain, organisers of the world's top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.
The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances."
The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and China's Vivo.
US planemaker Boeing warned that there was "no question" the outbreak would hammer the aviation industry and the broader economy.
The epidemic has threatened to harm the Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, with ANZ bank warning that China's first-quarter GDP growth would slow to 3.2-4.0 percent, down from a previous projection of 5.0 percent.
It has also disrupted sporting events in China: motorsport's governing body FIA announced the suspension of the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, originally scheduled for April 19, due to the "continued spread" of the coronavirus.
And this week's Singapore Air Show -- Asia's biggest -- was badly hit by exhibitors withdrawing and low attendance.
Due to the impact of the virus, the OPEC oil cartel lowered its forecast for growth in global oil demand this year by nearly a fifth.
Cruise ship infections
Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country, as hundreds of people have now been infected in some two dozen countries.
The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan's coast.
Another 44 people on board a cruise ship moored off Japan's coast have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the country's health minister said Thursday.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the 44 new cases were from another 221 new tests. They raise the number of infections detected on the Diamond Princess to 218, in addition to a quarantine officer who also tested positive for the virus.
Kato said authorities now want to move elderly people off the ship if they test negative for the virus, offering to put them in government-designated lodging.
"We wish to start the operation from tomorrow or later," Kato told reporters.
Of the newly diagnosed infections, 43 are passengers, and one a member of the crew.
The Diamond Princess has been moored off Japan since February 3, after it emerged that a former passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong last month had tested positive for the virus now named COVID-19.
The ship was placed into quarantine shortly afterwards and authorities have asked passengers and crew to remain on board until February 19.
Those who have tested positive for the new virus have been taken off the ship to medical facilities, but questions have been raised about whether the quarantine on the ship is working, with dozens of new cases diagnosed almost daily.
Passengers are confined to cabins and required to wear masks and keep their distance from each other when they are allowed out for brief periods on open decks.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-12--The ‘French Oscars’, under fire, brace for a Polanski showdown

With France ’ s film industry in the midst of a belated # MeToo awakening , the annual César Awards have set the stage for a showdown with feminist groups by handing Roman Polanski ’ s latest film the lion 's share of nominations .
Another year , another “ Affaire Polanski ” for France ’ s César Awards .
French cinema ’ s annual showcase event , the local equivalent of Oscars night , is just two weeks away – but for beleaguered organisers at the Académie des Césars , it couldn ’ t come soon enough .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again been upset by a growing fracas centred on Roman Polanski – this one involving the mother of all “ affaires ” , the late 19th-century Dreyfus Affair , which the Franco-Polish director has turned into a hugely successful , and controversial , film .
Polanski , now 86 , has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978 .
He is a fugitive under American law and persona non grata in Hollywood .
But his latest film , “ An Officer and a Spy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) has received 12 nominations at the César Awards , topping the field and sparking outrage among feminist groups who had called for a boycott of the film .
“ 12 César nominations for Roman Polanski ’ s ‘ J ’ accuse ’ .
12 , like the number of women who accuse him of pedo-criminal rape , ” feminist groups wrote in an open letter to the French press on Monday , referring to other accusations of sex assault levelled at the director over the years .
“ With these 12 nominations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open and unconditional support to a fugitive rapist , who has admitted he drugged and raped a 13-year-old child and has fled US justice .
Two years after # MeToo , while Harvey Weinstein faces a possible life sentence in the United States , here in France we acclaim and celebrate a fugitive pedo-criminal rapist , ” they added , vowing to stage protests outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris , where the Césars will be awarded on February 28 .
This is not the first time the Césars have faced controversy because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was invited to preside over the awards ceremony , but stepped down after the proposal sparked outrage .
Laurence Rossignol , then the French minister for women ’ s rights , had called the decision to invite Polanski “ shocking and surprising ” , while the hashtag # BoycottCesars soon gained traction on Twitter .
Likewise , Marlène Schiappa , who has inherited the gender equality portfolio in President Emmanuel Macron ’ s government , has reacted with dismay to the latest César nominations , suggesting French cinema is “ yet to complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brigitte Rollet , a film specialist at the University of Versailles and Sciences-Po Paris , says both incidents reflect “ the academy ’ s startling impermeability to what is going on around it , to the wider context that makes some of its decisions seem so out of touch ” .
Though it preceded the # MeToo movement by several months , Polanski ’ s botched appointment in 2017 came at a time of heightened awareness of sex abuse and gender inequality worldwide .
It occurred just days after millions of women took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including in Paris , to highlight women ’ s issues and to protest against the sexist antics of the newly elected US president , Donald Trump .
Three years on , French cinema has finally begun its own reckoning of sex abuse allegations in the film industry , spurred on by the likes of actress Adèle Haenel , who touched a nerve last autumn when she opened up about the sexual harassment she endured while shooting her first film , aged 12 .
Days later , French photographer Valentine Monnier became the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alleging an “ extremely violent ” assault at his Swiss chalet in 1975 when she was 18 – a claim the director has denied .
In celebrating Polanski regardless of this context , Rollet says the Académie des Césars “ isn ’ t so much trying to make a point as it is simply failing to even consider what kind of message it is sending out ” .
The message is that France is lagging way behind the US when it comes to recognising and addressing sex abuse in the industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of the EROÏN platform , which helps showcase the work of female directors .
Clinet , who is based most of the year in Hollywood , points to a form of hypocrisy and incoherence in French attitudes to the issue .
It ’ s a “ contradiction between wanting to defend people like Haenel while at the same time failing to denounce the likes of Polanski ” .
“ If you support Adèle Haenel , why would you go watch a film by someone who committed acts of paedophilia ?
” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a habit of mischaracterising the crimes involved , most notably when it comes to child abuse .
“ There ’ s the abuse suffered by women and the abuse suffered by children , and in these cases we ’ re talking about the latter , ” she explains , drawing a parallel with the child abuse allegations that have shaken French ice skating in recent weeks .
“ We forgot that Haenel was a child at the time [ of the alleged abuse ] ; we ’ re talking about paedophilia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether , in Polanski ’ s case , one should distinguish between the artist and the man , Clinet says the argument has been used all too often to absolve one from making a stand .
“ Why should artists be untouchable ?
And why does the industry continue to support someone like Polanski ?
” she asks .
“ I don ’ t want to be a part of this , so I won ’ t watch his movie.
” The head of the French film academy , Alain Terzian , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s film , arguing that it is not up to his institution to “ adopt a moral stance ” when handing out awards .
“ Unless I am wrong , 1.5 million French people have gone to see his film .
Go ask them , ” he shot back when asked if the academy should be celebrating the veteran filmmmaker .
`` An Officer and a Spy '' , which tells the story of Captain Alfred Dreyfus , a French Jewish officer who was wrongly convicted of spying , won both best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Venice Film Festival in August .
The director sparked an uproar there by comparing the “ hounding ” he has experienced to the anti-Semitic persecution Dreyfus suffered , and then blaming disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein for his woes .
His film has also been a box office hit at home , despite a wave of protests that saw some screenings cancelled after protesters invaded or blockaded cinemas .
Whether or not to watch the film presented many moviegoers with a genuine dilemma , in a way that has rarely been seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dragging my feet and hoping I ’ d hate it , ” said a film industry worker , one of the César awards ’ more than 4,000 electors , who declined to give his name in order to speak openly about his vote .
“ But once I ’ d seen it there was no doubt in my mind it was the best film of the year , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not just Polanski ’ s work , he didn ’ t write it alone ; in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Z , from the photography to the acting.
” “ An Officer and a Spy ” will get his vote for best picture , “ to reward everyone involved in it ” .
But he won ’ t give Polanski the nod in the best director category , because that would “ give the industry a terrible image ” .
‘ No one said it was a crime ’ The Polanski controversy is not the only issue that has cast a pall over this year ’ s César awards .
On Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors and movie personalities penned an open letter demanding `` profound reform '' of the Académie des Césars , which they accused of being behind the times .
The signatories – including actors Mathieu Amalric and Jeanne Balibar as well as filmmakers Céline Sciamma and Gilles Lellouche – denounced `` dysfunction '' at the academy and the `` opaqueness '' of its accounts .
The academy has been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes , both considered feminist activists , from a ceremony announcing the contenders for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement change , it has previously adopted measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation .
In film as in other fields , male control over positions of influence has helped to keep a lid on cases of abuse , says Rollet of Versailles University .
“ The small world of cinema is conducive to people in power covering for each other , ” she explains .
“ It also makes it difficult for others to break ranks and speak out.
” Many have compared the tolerance Polanski enjoys from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until recently – to disgraced veteran French writer Gabriel Matzneff , who had written for decades about his sexual adventures with adolescents .
Matzneff , who is currently being investigated by French police , has since declared that he regretted his sex tourism trips to Asia , claiming that at the time “ no one ever said it was a crime ” .

With France’s film industry in the midst of a belated #MeToo awakening, the annual César Awards have set the stage for a showdown with feminist groups by handing Roman Polanski’s latest film the lion's share of nominations.
Advertising Read more
Another year, another “Affaire Polanski” for France’s César Awards.
French cinema’s annual showcase event, the local equivalent of Oscars night, is just two weeks away – but for beleaguered organisers at the Académie des Césars, it couldn’t come soon enough.
The run-up to the glitzy event has once again been upset by a growing fracas centred on Roman Polanski – this one involving the mother of all “affaires”, the late 19th-century Dreyfus Affair, which the Franco-Polish director has turned into a hugely successful, and controversial, film.
Polanski, now 86, has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978. He is a fugitive under American law and persona non grata in Hollywood. But his latest film, “An Officer and a Spy” (or “J'accuse” in French) has received 12 nominations at the César Awards, topping the field and sparking outrage among feminist groups who had called for a boycott of the film.
“12 César nominations for Roman Polanski’s ‘J’accuse’. 12, like the number of women who accuse him of pedo-criminal rape,” feminist groups wrote in an open letter to the French press on Monday, referring to other accusations of sex assault levelled at the director over the years.
“With these 12 nominations, the film industry has given its open and unconditional support to a fugitive rapist, who has admitted he drugged and raped a 13-year-old child and has fled US justice. Two years after #MeToo, while Harvey Weinstein faces a possible life sentence in the United States, here in France we acclaim and celebrate a fugitive pedo-criminal rapist,” they added, vowing to stage protests outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris, where the Césars will be awarded on February 28.
‘Out of touch’
This is not the first time the Césars have faced controversy because of Polanski. In 2017, he was invited to preside over the awards ceremony, but stepped down after the proposal sparked outrage.
Laurence Rossignol, then the French minister for women’s rights, had called the decision to invite Polanski “shocking and surprising”, while the hashtag #BoycottCesars soon gained traction on Twitter. Likewise, Marlène Schiappa, who has inherited the gender equality portfolio in President Emmanuel Macron’s government, has reacted with dismay to the latest César nominations, suggesting French cinema is “yet to complete its awakening, its revolution”.
Brigitte Rollet, a film specialist at the University of Versailles and Sciences-Po Paris, says both incidents reflect “the academy’s startling impermeability to what is going on around it, to the wider context that makes some of its decisions seem so out of touch”.
Though it preceded the #MeToo movement by several months, Polanski’s botched appointment in 2017 came at a time of heightened awareness of sex abuse and gender inequality worldwide. It occurred just days after millions of women took to the streets around the world, including in Paris, to highlight women’s issues and to protest against the sexist antics of the newly elected US president, Donald Trump.
Three years on, French cinema has finally begun its own reckoning of sex abuse allegations in the film industry, spurred on by the likes of actress Adèle Haenel, who touched a nerve last autumn when she opened up about the sexual harassment she endured while shooting her first film, aged 12.
The Cesar awards are literally - *LITERALLY* - inviting an actor who was a victim of sexual assault by a director when she was a child (Adele Haenel), and a director who sexually abused a child (Roman Polanski), to be in the same room together for a big celebration of film. — Caspar Salmon (@CasparSalmon) January 29, 2020
Days later, French photographer Valentine Monnier became the latest woman to accuse Polanski of raping her, alleging an “extremely violent” assault at his Swiss chalet in 1975 when she was 18 – a claim the director has denied.
In celebrating Polanski regardless of this context, Rollet says the Académie des Césars “isn’t so much trying to make a point as it is simply failing to even consider what kind of message it is sending out”.
Naming the crime
The message is that France is lagging behind the US when it comes to recognising and addressing sex abuse in the industry, says Audrey Clinet, a filmmaker and founder of the EROÏN platform, which helps showcase the work of female directors.
Clinet, who is based most of the year in Hollywood, points to a form of incoherence in French attitudes to the issue. It’s a “contradiction between wanting to defend people like Haenel while at the same time failing to denounce the likes of Polanski”.
“If you support Adèle Haenel, why would you go watch a film by someone who committed acts of paedophilia?” she asks, arguing that French media also have a habit of mischaracterising the crimes involved, most notably when it comes to child abuse.
“There’s the abuse suffered by women and the abuse suffered by children, and in these cases we’re talking about the latter,” she explains, drawing a parallel with the child abuse allegations that have shaken French ice skating in recent weeks.
“We forgot that Haenel was a child at the time [of the alleged abuse]; we’re talking about paedophilia, period,” she says. “Why is it that we talk of paedophilia in Michael Jackson’s case but not when the victims are actresses of the same age? They are also children, not ‘young women’.”
Rather than looking for culprits and focusing on abusers, Clinet says greater attention and solidarity should be given to the victims of sex abuse.
“It is extremely difficult to speak out about something so intimate and painful, and then face the intense pressure of media scrutiny, which adds a second trauma to the first,” she explains.
Asked whether, in Polanski’s case, one should distinguish between the artist and the man, Clinet recognizes this a “very delicate question” for the academy and the film world in general.
“I don’t mean to judge my colleagues,” she explains, adding that she understands “those who say it is undeniable that Polanski has made some extraordinary films”. Nor does she intend to criticise “the many talented people who worked on his film.”
Rather than calling for a boycott of Polanski’s work, Clinet says she prefers to try to raise awareness through her own work and that of other women, “in order to foster change in a positive way”.
Rewarding film over director
The head of the French film academy, Alain Terzian, has strongly defended its right to honour Polanski’s film, arguing that it is not up to his institution to “adopt a moral stance” when handing out awards.
"An Officer and a Spy", which tells the story of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish officer who was wrongly convicted of spying, won both best director and the critics’ prize at the Venice Film Festival in August. The director sparked an uproar there by comparing the “hounding” he has experienced to the anti-Semitic persecution Dreyfus suffered, and then blaming disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein for his woes.
His film has also been a box office hit at home, despite a wave of protests that saw some screenings cancelled after protesters invaded or blockaded cinemas. Whether or not to watch the film presented many moviegoers with a genuine dilemma, in a way that has rarely been seen in France.
“I went there dragging my feet and hoping I’d hate it,” said a film industry worker, one of the César awards’ more than 4,000 electors, who declined to give his name in order to speak openly about his vote.
“But once I’d seen it there was no doubt in my mind it was the best film of the year,” he said. “It’s not just Polanski’s work, he didn’t write it alone; in fact it’s excellent from A to Z, from the photography to the acting.”
“An Officer and a Spy” will get his vote for best picture, “to reward everyone involved in it”. But he won’t give Polanski the nod in the best director category, because that would “give the industry a terrible image”.
‘No one said it was a crime’
The Polanski controversy is not the only issue that has cast a pall over this year’s César awards.
On Tuesday, more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities penned an open letter demanding "profound reform" of the Académie des Césars, which they accused of being behind the times. The signatories – including actors Mathieu Amalric and Jeanne Balibar as well as filmmakers Céline Sciamma and Gilles Lellouche – denounced "dysfunction" at the academy and the "opaqueness" of its accounts.
The academy has been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes, both considered feminist activists, from a ceremony announcing the contenders for this year's Césars. Under pressure to implement change, it has previously adopted measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation.
In film as in other fields, male control over positions of influence has helped to keep a lid on cases of abuse, says Rollet of Versailles University.
“The small world of cinema is conducive to people in power covering for each other,” she explains. “It also makes it difficult for others to break ranks and speak out.”
Many have compared the tolerance Polanski enjoys from the film industry to that granted – until recently – to disgraced veteran French writer Gabriel Matzneff, who had written for decades about his sexual adventures with adolescents.
Matzneff, who is currently being investigated by French police, has since declared that he regretted his sex tourism trips to Asia, claiming that at the time “no one ever said it was a crime”.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe