france24--2020-08-01--UK PM Johnson postpones lockdown easing amid rise in new Covid-19 cases

Britain 's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a remote press conference to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic inside 10 Downing Street in central London on July 31 , 2020 .
Lockdown measures in the UK were set to be further eased this weekend , but on Friday Britain `` put the brakes on '' those plans and imposed new rules on millions of households in northern England , following concerns over a spike in coronavirus infections .
The reopening of high-risk activities such as casinos , bowling alleys and skating rinks , which was meant to begin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least August 15 , as will the reintroduction of indoor performances and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events , Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced .
`` I have said our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional ... that we would not hesitate to put the brakes on if required .
Our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal , '' he told a Downing Street briefing .
Johnson , who earlier this week warned of a `` second wave '' of cases in Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complacent '' about increasing infection numbers .
His announcement came hours after the government increased regional lockdown measures – under which people from different households are banned from meeting indoors – for some four million people across Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the restrictions were being brought in because people were `` meeting and not abiding ( by ) social distancing '' .
`` We take this action with a heavy heart , but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep people safe , '' Hancock said on Twitter .
Government data Friday showed there was `` some evidence that the incidence of new infections has increased in recent weeks '' in England .
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said : `` I do n't think it is helpful '' to talk yet of a second wave sweeping across Europe , but admitted the actions taken so far to ease restrictions were `` at the edge '' of what could be done safely .
`` The idea that we can open up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clearly wrong and what we 're seeing is that we 're at the outer edge of what we can do , '' he said .
The opposition Labour party warned that the delayed reopening of parts of the economy could have dire consequences for workers and called on the government to help those affected .
`` With millions of workers still furloughed , including those in casinos , night clubs , ice rinks and bowling alleys , the government 's one-size-fits-all plan risks accelerating the jobs crisis , '' said MP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local lockdown measures came into effect at midnight ( 23:00 GMT Thursday ) , just hours after being announced .
Andy Burnham , the mayor of Manchester , backed the measures due to the increase in infections .
`` The picture in Greater Manchester has changed over the last seven days , '' he told the BBC .
`` We have a rise in nine out of the 10 boroughs , the reality on the ground is changing . ''
The new measures were also criticised by Labour for being announced late at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter : `` Announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government 's communications during this crisis . ''
The measures also came into force just as celebrations of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha began .
Areas affected by the latest lockdown have significant Muslim populations .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meanwhile warned her citizens against travelling to the affected areas .
`` To ... minimise risks of onward transmission here , @ scotgov is STRONGLY advising against non-essential travel between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of England , '' she wrote on Twitter .
It is not the first local lockdown – England has lifted most of its restrictions nationally but imposed store closures around the central city of Leicester at the end of June .
Britain 's official virus death toll stands at 45,999 but is believed to be as high as 65,000 if excess deaths are used as a guide .

Lockdown measures in the UK were set to be further eased this weekend, but on Friday Britain "put the brakes on" those plans and imposed new rules on millions of households in northern England, following concerns over a spike in coronavirus infections.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a remote press conference to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic inside 10 Downing Street in central London on July 31, 2020.
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The reopening of high-risk activities such as casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks, which was meant to begin on Saturday, will be delayed until at least August 15, as will the reintroduction of indoor performances and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced.
"I have said our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional... that we would not hesitate to put the brakes on if required. Our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal," he told a Downing Street briefing.
Johnson, who earlier this week warned of a "second wave" of cases in Europe, added that Britain "cannot be complacent" about increasing infection numbers.
Increase in new infections
His announcement came hours after the government increased regional lockdown measures – under which people from different households are banned from meeting indoors – for some four million people across Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the restrictions were being brought in because people were "meeting and not abiding (by) social distancing".
"We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe," Hancock said on Twitter.
Government data Friday showed there was "some evidence that the incidence of new infections has increased in recent weeks" in England.
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said: "I don't think it is helpful" to talk yet of a second wave sweeping across Europe, but admitted the actions taken so far to ease restrictions were "at the edge" of what could be done safely.
"The idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control is clearly wrong and what we're seeing is that we're at the outer edge of what we can do," he said.
The opposition Labour party warned that the delayed reopening of parts of the economy could have dire consequences for workers and called on the government to help those affected.
"With millions of workers still furloughed, including those in casinos, night clubs, ice rinks and bowling alleys, the government's one-size-fits-all plan risks accelerating the jobs crisis," said MP and former party leader Ed Miliband.
The local lockdown measures came into effect at midnight (23:00 GMT Thursday), just hours after being announced.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, backed the measures due to the increase in infections.
"The picture in Greater Manchester has changed over the last seven days," he told the BBC.
"We have a rise in nine out of the 10 boroughs, the reality on the ground is changing."
Scots should avoid Manchester
The new measures were also criticised by Labour for being announced late at night.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Twitter: "Announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government's communications during this crisis."
The measures also came into force just as celebrations of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha began. Areas affected by the latest lockdown have significant Muslim populations.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meanwhile warned her citizens against travelling to the affected areas.
"To... minimise risks of onward transmission here, @scotgov is STRONGLY advising against non-essential travel between Scotland and these parts of the north of England," she wrote on Twitter.
It is not the first local lockdown – England has lifted most of its restrictions nationally but imposed store closures around the central city of Leicester at the end of June.
Britain's official virus death toll stands at 45,999 but is believed to be as high as 65,000 if excess deaths are used as a guide.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-08-01--Relief in sight as Western Europe swelters under heatwave

After parts of Spain set record temperatures during a heatwave and people in Britain sweltered and flocked to beaches Friday on the country 's hottest day so far this year , impending rain storms promise to bring a bit of relief to Europe this weekend .
San Sebastian on Spain 's northern coast witnessed 42 degrees Celsius ( 107 degrees Fahrenheit ) on Thursday – the hottest temperature there since records began in 1955 , the national weather agency said .
The city of Palma , on Spain 's Mediterranean island of Mallorca , set a local record of 40.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The Spanish weather agency , Aemet , said tropical nights – when temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius ( 68 degrees Fahrenheit ) – were also frequent in many parts of Spain in July .
“ Climate change is increasing the frequency of heatwaves , ” it said , adding that the annual number of days in heatwave conditions has doubled since the 1980s .
To the north , UK residents sought shade as temperatures rose above 37 degrees Celsius .
National weather agency the Met Office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 degrees Fahrenheit – was recorded at Heathrow Airport west of London .
That made Friday the hottest day of 2020 and the third-hottest on record .
Previous bouts of hot weather have seen people pack beaches around the British coast – not always observing social distancing measures intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The city council in Brighton , on England ’ s south coast , appealed for visitors to stay away , saying it was “ concerned about the number of people in the city '' .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distancing , ” the council said .
Forecasters say the blast of heat will end later in the day and there was a chance of violent thunderstorms across eastern England as cooler air moves in .

After parts of Spain set record temperatures during a heatwave and people in Britain sweltered and flocked to beaches Friday on the country's hottest day so far this year, impending rain storms promise to bring a bit of relief to Europe this weekend.
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San Sebastian on Spain's northern coast witnessed 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday – the hottest temperature there since records began in 1955, the national weather agency said.
The city of Palma, on Spain's Mediterranean island of Mallorca, set a local record of 40.6 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.
The Spanish weather agency, Aemet, said tropical nights – when temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) – were also frequent in many parts of Spain in July.
“Climate change is increasing the frequency of heatwaves,” it said, adding that the annual number of days in heatwave conditions has doubled since the 1980s.
To the north, UK residents sought shade as temperatures rose above 37 degrees Celsius. National weather agency the Met Office said a reading of 37.8 degrees Celsius – 100 degrees Fahrenheit – was recorded at Heathrow Airport west of London. That made Friday the hottest day of 2020 and the third-hottest on record.
Previous bouts of hot weather have seen people pack beaches around the British coast – not always observing social distancing measures intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The city council in Brighton, on England’s south coast, appealed for visitors to stay away, saying it was “concerned about the number of people in the city".
“Large numbers make it impossible to maintain physical distancing,” the council said.
Forecasters say the blast of heat will end later in the day and there was a chance of violent thunderstorms across eastern England as cooler air moves in.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-08-01--Hurricane Isaias pounds Bahamas before heading to Florida

A satellite image of Hurricane Isaías on its way to the Bahamas and Florida on July 31 , 2020 .
Hurricane Isaias dumped torrential rain on the Bahamas Saturday as it rumbled toward Florida -- the first big test for the storm-prone US state reeling from the coronavirus crisis .
The category one storm was expected to unleash up to eight inches ( 20 centimeters ) of rain on the islands before directing its fury at the United States .
As of 1200 GMT , Isaias was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 85 miles ( 136 kilometers ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northwestern Bahamas .
`` The latest projections have Isaias coming very close to the east coast of Florida as a category one hurricane later this evening and into tomorrow , '' Governor Ron DeSantis said .
`` The most important thing we want people to do now is remain vigilant . ''
The storm slowed down as it went over the Bahamas , moving at only about 12 miles an hour .
`` Hurricane conditions are expected along portions of the Florida east coast late Saturday , '' the Miami-based National Hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm surge '' was possible in some areas .
In the Bahamas , the deputy director of the country 's meteorology department , Jeffrey Simmons , told The Nassau Guardian `` the worst part '' of the storm came to New Providence , the most populous island , early Saturday .
It is the archipelago 's first hurricane since Dorian , a maximum strength category 5 storm last year that devastated two islands , pummeling them for three days .
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis relaxed strict virus-related stay-at-home orders to allow residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them not to use the time for `` socializing . ''
'Very much in flux' To the north in Florida , residents rushed to stock up on essentials before the storm , the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season and the second hurricane .
The storm 's slight turn offshore may spare the state the worst .
`` This stuff is all very much in flux , '' DeSantis said , while insisting : `` The state of Florida is fully prepared for this . ''
While the governor did not expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult given that shelters are usually crowded and social distancing would be hard -- he said hospitals could be forced to move some patients , depending on power outages and flash flooding .
Isaias is seen as a major test for emergency systems in Florida , one of the US states hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis .
Only California , with almost double Florida 's population of about 21 million people , has registered more cases .
On Friday , Florida reported another 257 deaths , setting a new state record and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Florida 's coronavirus testing centers were closed Thursday and will not reopen until they get the all-clear after the storm .
The state 's emergency management division explained that the testing centers are housed in tents and could not withstand tropical force winds .
Isaias left a shambles in Puerto Rico , downing trees and electric lines and inundating houses as it cut a path through the island on Thursday .
And in the Dominican Republic , locals were cleaning up after the Magua river broke its banks due to the storm @ @

Hurricane Isaias dumped torrential rain on the Bahamas Saturday as it rumbled toward Florida -- the first big test for the storm-prone US state reeling from the coronavirus crisis.
A satellite image of Hurricane Isaías on its way to the Bahamas and Florida on July 31, 2020.
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The category one storm was expected to unleash up to eight inches (20 centimeters) of rain on the islands before directing its fury at the United States.
As of 1200 GMT, Isaias was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 85 miles (136 kilometers) an hour, and was located over the northwestern Bahamas.
"The latest projections have Isaias coming very close to the east coast of Florida as a category one hurricane later this evening and into tomorrow," Governor Ron DeSantis said.
"The most important thing we want people to do now is remain vigilant."
The storm slowed down as it went over the Bahamas, moving at only about 12 miles an hour.
"Hurricane conditions are expected along portions of the Florida east coast late Saturday," the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said, adding a "dangerous storm surge" was possible in some areas.
In the Bahamas, the deputy director of the country's meteorology department, Jeffrey Simmons, told The Nassau Guardian "the worst part" of the storm came to New Providence, the most populous island, early Saturday.
It is the archipelago's first hurricane since Dorian, a maximum strength category 5 storm last year that devastated two islands, pummeling them for three days.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis relaxed strict virus-related stay-at-home orders to allow residents to prepare for the storm, but urged them not to use the time for "socializing."
'Very much in flux'
To the north in Florida, residents rushed to stock up on essentials before the storm, the ninth named storm of the Atlantic season and the second hurricane.
The storm's slight turn offshore may spare the state the worst.
"This stuff is all very much in flux," DeSantis said, while insisting: "The state of Florida is fully prepared for this."
While the governor did not expect many storm-based evacuations -- which would be difficult given that shelters are usually crowded and social distancing would be hard -- he said hospitals could be forced to move some patients, depending on power outages and flash flooding.
Isaias is seen as a major test for emergency systems in Florida, one of the US states hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis.
Only California, with almost double Florida's population of about 21 million people, has registered more cases.
On Friday, Florida reported another 257 deaths, setting a new state record and pushing its virus death toll to 6,843.
Florida's coronavirus testing centers were closed Thursday and will not reopen until they get the all-clear after the storm.
The state's emergency management division explained that the testing centers are housed in tents and could not withstand tropical force winds.
Isaias left a shambles in Puerto Rico, downing trees and electric lines and inundating houses as it cut a path through the island on Thursday.
And in the Dominican Republic, locals were cleaning up after the Magua river broke its banks due to the storm surge.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-31--Discovering French bread and the rules of 'baguetiquette'

Discovering French bread and the rules of 'baguetiquette' The stereotypical French person has a striped shirt , a beret and @ @ @ @ @ .
That may be a cliché , but what 's certain is that bread is @ @ @ @ @ French diet and people take their bread very seriously .
So just what makes French @ @ @ @ @ what are the rules of `` baguetiquette '' ?
In this edition of French Connections @ @ @ @ @ Genie Godula bite into the crunchy heaven of the baguette .

Discovering French bread and the rules of 'baguetiquette'
12:30 FRENCH CONNECTIONS © FRANCE 24
The stereotypical French person has a striped shirt, a beret and a baguette under an arm. That may be a cliché, but what's certain is that bread is an integral part of the French diet and people take their bread very seriously. So just what makes French bread so good? And what are the rules of "baguetiquette"? In this edition of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula bite into the crunchy heaven of the baguette.


france24--2020-08-02--Coronavirus death toll in Latin America tops 200,000

Cemetery workers dig new graves at the Xico cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City as the coronavirus outbreak continues on July 31 , 2020 .
The death toll in Latin America from the novel coronavirus passed 200,000 on Saturday night , a Reuters tally showed , underlining the region 's status as one of the global epicenters of the pandemic that is testing governments to the limit .
Apart from the United States , Brazil and Mexico have racked up more fatalities from the virus than any other country , and together they account for around 70 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggled to balance the need to curb the spread of the virus with restrictive safety measures while trying to reopen their economies , which have been battered by the crisis .
Brazil reported a daily record of 1,595 coronavirus deaths earlier in the week and registered another 1,088 on Saturday .
Mexico recorded 784 fatalities on Saturday and for the first time logged more than 9,000 new infections from the virus .
Other countries in Latin America are also battling to hold the coronavirus at bay , and the region breached the 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
> > Watch FRANCE 24 's Inside the Americas : The Covid-19 Challenge in Latin America

The death toll in Latin America from the novel coronavirus passed 200,000 on Saturday night, a Reuters tally showed, underlining the region's status as one of the global epicenters of the pandemic that is testing governments to the limit.
Cemetery workers dig new graves at the Xico cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City as the coronavirus outbreak continues on July 31, 2020.
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Apart from the United States, Brazil and Mexico have racked up more fatalities from the virus than any other country, and together they account for around 70% of the regional death toll.
Both have struggled to balance the need to curb the spread of the virus with restrictive safety measures while trying to reopen their economies, which have been battered by the crisis.
Brazil reported a daily record of 1,595 coronavirus deaths earlier in the week and registered another 1,088 on Saturday. Mexico recorded 784 fatalities on Saturday and for the first time logged more than 9,000 new infections from the virus.
Other countries in Latin America are also battling to hold the coronavirus at bay, and the region breached the 200,000 mark after Peru registered another 191 fatalities.
>>Watch FRANCE 24's Inside the Americas: The Covid-19 Challenge in Latin America
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-02--Two US astronauts aboard Earth-bound SpaceX craft depart ISS

This image grab from a NASA video shows the interior of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken watching an infrared view of the International Space Station after undocking from it on August 1 , 2020 .
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft shoved off from the International Space Station on Saturday with two US astronauts on board , beginning their journey back to Earth despite a storm threatening Florida .
NASA footage showed the capsule drifting slowly away from the ISS in the darkness of space , ending a two month stay for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab on an American spacecraft in nearly a decade .
`` And they are off ! ''
the US space agency tweeted , with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken set to splash down Sunday .
`` ( They ) will spend one more night in space prior to returning to their homeland , Earth , '' NASA tweeted .
Their proposed splash-down sites are off the coast of western Florida 's panhandle , while tropical storm Isaias is headed toward the state 's east coast .
NASA opted to go ahead with bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaias , which was downgraded to a tropical storm from a hurricane on Saturday .
The agency later added the capsule was confirmed to be `` on a safe trajectory . ''
`` Now is the entry , descent and splashdown phase after we undock , hopefully a little bit later today , '' Hurley said in a farewell ceremony aboard the ISS that was broadcast on NASA TV .
`` The teams are working really hard , especially with the dynamics of the weather over the next few days around Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ISS ceremony , Behnken said that `` the hardest part was getting us launched .
But the most important part is bringing us home . ''
Addressing his son and Hurley 's son , he held up a toy dinosaur that the children chose to send on the mission and said : `` Tremor The Apatosaurus is headed home soon and he 'll be with your dads . ''
Behnken later tweeted : `` All my bags are packed , I 'm ready to go . ''
Mission chief Chris Cassidy called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hailed the importance of having a new means to transport astronauts .
The mission , which blasted off May 30 , marked the first time a crewed spaceship had launched into orbit from American soil since 2011 when the space shuttle program ended .
It was also the first time a private company has flown to the ISS carrying astronauts .
The US has paid SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing a total of about $ 7 billion for their `` space taxi '' contracts .
But Boeing 's program has floundered badly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which left SpaceX , a company founded only in 2002 , as clear frontrunner .
For the past nine years , US astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian Soyuz rockets , for a price of around $ 80 million per seat .

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft shoved off from the International Space Station on Saturday with two US astronauts on board, beginning their journey back to Earth despite a storm threatening Florida.
This image grab from a NASA video shows the interior of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken watching an infrared view of the International Space Station after undocking from it on August 1, 2020.
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NASA footage showed the capsule drifting slowly away from the ISS in the darkness of space, ending a two month stay for the first US astronauts to reach the orbiting lab on an American spacecraft in nearly a decade.
"And they are off!" the US space agency tweeted, with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken set to splash down Sunday.
"(They) will spend one more night in space prior to returning to their homeland, Earth," NASA tweeted.
And they are off! @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have left the @Space_Station!
🛰62 days on board
🌎~1024 Earth orbits
🚀Saw 1 visiting vehicle leave & 1 arrive
🧪~114 hours of research
👨🚀 4 spacewalks for @AstroBehnken with @Astro_SEAL
📺Tune in @ https://t.co/0tGwqaAWLt pic.twitter.com/mLf43S4QTP — Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) August 2, 2020
Their proposed splash-down sites are off the coast of western Florida's panhandle, while tropical storm Isaias is headed toward the state's east coast.
NASA opted to go ahead with bringing the pair home despite the threat of Isaias, which was downgraded to a tropical storm from a hurricane on Saturday.
The agency later added the capsule was confirmed to be "on a safe trajectory."
"Now is the entry, descent and splashdown phase after we undock, hopefully a little bit later today," Hurley said in a farewell ceremony aboard the ISS that was broadcast on NASA TV.
"The teams are working really hard, especially with the dynamics of the weather over the next few days around Florida," he said.
Earlier, during the ISS ceremony, Behnken said that "the hardest part was getting us launched. But the most important part is bringing us home."
Addressing his son and Hurley's son, he held up a toy dinosaur that the children chose to send on the mission and said: "Tremor The Apatosaurus is headed home soon and he'll be with your dads."
Behnken later tweeted: "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go."
'Exciting day'
Mission chief Chris Cassidy called it an "exciting day" and hailed the importance of having a new means to transport astronauts.
The mission, which blasted off May 30, marked the first time a crewed spaceship had launched into orbit from American soil since 2011 when the space shuttle program ended.
It was also the first time a private company has flown to the ISS carrying astronauts.
The US has paid SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing a total of about $7 billion for their "space taxi" contracts.
But Boeing's program has floundered badly after a failed test run late last year, which left SpaceX, a company founded only in 2002, as clear frontrunner.
For the past nine years, US astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian Soyuz rockets, for a price of around $80 million per seat.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-02--Australia’s Melbourne enters stage 4 lockdown with curfew amid rise in Covid-19 cases

Authorities in Australia 's Victoria state have imposed strict new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in the city of Melbourne .
Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city , including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic .
Despite a lockdown that began in early July , Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily , and authorities said the city 's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster '' on Sunday , Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given `` unacceptably high '' levels of community transmission .
Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day , no further than five kilometres ( about three miles ) from home starting Sunday night .
Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day , also within the same strict radius .
Most school and university students in Melbourne will return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just weeks after returning to their classrooms , while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday .
Weddings will also be banned in the city .
At the height of the first wave of the pandemic , weddings in Australia were limited to five people .
`` These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe , '' Andrews said .
`` Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months . ''
Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures .
The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus Sunday .
Outside Melbourne , the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work , study , care and essential shopping .
Elsewhere in Australia , other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions .
They have , however , banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday , with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million .

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic.
Authorities in Australia's Victoria state have imposed strict new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in the city of Melbourne.
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Despite a lockdown that began in early July, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily, and authorities said the city's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six weeks.
Declaring a "state of disaster" on Sunday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given "unacceptably high" levels of community transmission.
Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than five kilometres (about three miles) from home starting Sunday night.
Statement on Melbourne moving to Stage 4 restrictions: pic.twitter.com/mFu1Kr1NO0 — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 2, 2020
Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day, also within the same strict radius.
Most school and university students in Melbourne will return to online learning from midnight Wednesday, just weeks after returning to their classrooms, while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday.
Weddings will also be banned in the city. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, weddings in Australia were limited to five people.
"These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe," Andrews said.
"Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months."
Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would be announced Monday, Andrews added, suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures.
The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus Sunday.
Outside Melbourne, the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work, study, care and essential shopping.
Sydney another coronavirus hotspot
Elsewhere in Australia, other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions.
They have, however, banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another virus hotspot.
Australia's total reported infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday, with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-01--France makes Covid-19 test obligatory for travellers from 16 countries

Travelers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely now must undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting Aug. 1 for passengers France is allowing in from a list of approved countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure .
Those who test positive in France as of Saturday must quarantine for 14 days .
France is not permitting general travel to and from the 16 countries , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing requirement therefore only applies to people entering under limited circumstances : French citizens who live in these countries or citizens of these countries with an established residence in France .
Daniel Court was tested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport after coming in from the French Riviera city of Nice .
He acknowledged not loving the experience .
“ It ’ s very fast , but I have to say that it ’ s not very pleasant , '' he said .
“ But we have to do it . ''
Another passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ main airport , Nadia Vusik of Belarus , said she thought the new policy made sense .
“ It is definitely necessary , and I am happy that in France it is possible to do right here .
It ’ s very convenient , ” she said .
French health authorities say the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped on the French mainland in recent weeks .
The government has already made mask-wearing mandatory in all indoor public spaces .
France has had over 225,000 confirmed infections and over 30,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johns Hopkins University , but experts say all numbers in the pandemic are too low for various reasons , including limited testing and missed cases .
The French government has so far ruled out imposing another nationwide lockdown after the one that brought the country to a standstill for nearly two months between March and May .

Travelers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely now must undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports.
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French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting Aug. 1 for passengers France is allowing in from a list of approved countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure.
Those who test positive in France as of Saturday must quarantine for 14 days.
France is not permitting general travel to and from the 16 countries, which include the United States and Brazil. The testing requirement therefore only applies to people entering under limited circumstances: French citizens who live in these countries or citizens of these countries with an established residence in France.
Daniel Court was tested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport after coming in from the French Riviera city of Nice. He acknowledged not loving the experience.
“It’s very fast, but I have to say that it’s not very pleasant,'' he said. “But we have to do it.''
Another passenger who got tested after landing at Paris’ main airport, Nadia Vusik of Belarus, said she thought the new policy made sense.
“It is definitely necessary, and I am happy that in France it is possible to do right here. It’s very convenient,” she said.
French health authorities say the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped on the French mainland in recent weeks. The government has already made mask-wearing mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
France has had over 225,000 confirmed infections and over 30,200 virus-related deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, but experts say all numbers in the pandemic are too low for various reasons, including limited testing and missed cases.
The French government has so far ruled out imposing another nationwide lockdown after the one that brought the country to a standstill for nearly two months between March and May.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-01--Berlin protest against coronavirus curbs draws thousands

Thousands of demonstrators march down the Friedrichstrasse street as they take part in a protest against the current measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus , in Berlin , on August 1 , 2020 .
Loudly chanting their opposition to face masks and vaccines , thousands of people gathered in Berlin on Saturday to protest against coronavirus restrictions before being dispersed by police .
Police put turnout at around 20,000 -- well below the 500,000 organisers had announced as they urged a `` day of freedom '' from months of virus curbs .
Despite Germany 's comparatively low toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in infections over recent weeks and politicians took to social media to criticise the rally as irresponsible .
`` We are the second wave , '' shouted the crowd , a mixture of hard left and right and conspiracy theorists as they converged on the Brandenburg Gate , demanding `` resistance '' and dubbing the pandemic `` the biggest conspiracy theory '' .
Few protesters wore a mask or respected the 1.5-metre ( five-foot ) social distancing requirement , an AFP journalist reported , despite police repeatedly calling on them via megaphone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin police ordered demonstrators to leave the area at the end of the afternoon .
Police tweeted they had launched legal proceedings against organisers for not respecting virus hygiene rules .
A handful of people held a counter demonstration .
Dubbing themselves `` grandmothers against the extreme right '' , they hurled insults against `` Nazi '' protesters .
The protest 's `` Day of Freedom '' slogan echoes the title of a 1935 documentary by Nazi-era film-maker Leni Riefenstahl on a party conference by Hitler 's National Socialist German Workers ' Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany seeks to minimise transmission of a virus which had claimed just over 9,000 deaths as of Saturday -- a far lower toll than its neighbours .
Saskia Esken of the Social Democrats , a junior coalition partner in Angela Merkel 's government , blasted the demonstrators as `` Covidiots '' .
In a tweet Esken railed : `` No distancing , no mask .
They are not only putting at risk our health but also our success against the pandemic as well as economic recovery , education and society .
Irresponsible !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Yes , demonstrations should also be possible in times of coronavirus , but not like this .
Distance , hygiene rules and masks serve to protect us all , so we treat each other with respect . ''
Jan Redmann , regional head of Merkel 's Christian Democrats in the eastern state of Brandenburg , also took aim at the marchers .
`` A thousand new infections a day still and in Berlin there are protests against anti-virus measures ?
We can no longer allow ourselves these dangerous absurdities , '' Redmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who hails from Merkel 's traditional right ally the Christian Social Union , showed a measure of understanding , however .
`` Of course there are always different opinions regarding infringements of basic rights and restrictions of freedom -- first , it 's normal and , in my view , it 's not the majority , '' Seehofer told Bavarian daily Passauer Neue Presse .
Saturday saw 955 new infections -- a level which the country had not seen since May 9 , according to the Robert Koch health institute .
But marchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being much overblown .
`` It 's pure scare tactics .
I do n't see any danger with the virus , '' one marcher , Iris Bitzenmeier , told AFP .
`` I do n't know any other sick people .
I knew many in March -- skiers , holidaymakers .
Something was really afoot in February -- but now there are no longer any sick people , '' she insisted .
Another demonstrator , Anna-Maria Wetzel , who had come to the capital after attending similar rallies in Baden-Wuerttemberg in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People who do n't inform themselves -- unlike ourselves -- remain ignorant and believe what the government tells them .
They get caught up in the fear the government puts in our heads -- and that fear weakens the immune system , '' she said .

Loudly chanting their opposition to face masks and vaccines, thousands of people gathered in Berlin on Saturday to protest against coronavirus restrictions before being dispersed by police.
Thousands of demonstrators march down the Friedrichstrasse street as they take part in a protest against the current measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, in Berlin, on August 1, 2020.
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Police put turnout at around 20,000 -- well below the 500,000 organisers had announced as they urged a "day of freedom" from months of virus curbs.
Despite Germany's comparatively low toll, authorities are concerned at a rise in infections over recent weeks and politicians took to social media to criticise the rally as irresponsible.
"We are the second wave," shouted the crowd, a mixture of hard left and right and conspiracy theorists as they converged on the Brandenburg Gate, demanding "resistance" and dubbing the pandemic "the biggest conspiracy theory".
Few protesters wore a mask or respected the 1.5-metre (five-foot) social distancing requirement, an AFP journalist reported, despite police repeatedly calling on them via megaphone to do so.
After several warnings, Berlin police ordered demonstrators to leave the area at the end of the afternoon.
Police tweeted they had launched legal proceedings against organisers for not respecting virus hygiene rules.
A handful of people held a counter demonstration. Dubbing themselves "grandmothers against the extreme right", they hurled insults against "Nazi" protesters.
The protest's "Day of Freedom" slogan echoes the title of a 1935 documentary by Nazi-era film-maker Leni Riefenstahl on a party conference by Hitler's National Socialist German Workers' Party.
Several politicians condemned the demonstration as Germany seeks to minimise transmission of a virus which had claimed just over 9,000 deaths as of Saturday -- a far lower toll than its neighbours.
'Covidiots'
Saskia Esken of the Social Democrats, a junior coalition partner in Angela Merkel's government, blasted the demonstrators as "Covidiots".
In a tweet Esken railed: "No distancing, no mask. They are not only putting at risk our health but also our success against the pandemic as well as economic recovery, education and society. Irresponsible!"
Health Minister Jens Spahn agreed: "Yes, demonstrations should also be possible in times of coronavirus, but not like this. Distance, hygiene rules and masks serve to protect us all, so we treat each other with respect."
Jan Redmann, regional head of Merkel's Christian Democrats in the eastern state of Brandenburg, also took aim at the marchers.
"A thousand new infections a day still and in Berlin there are protests against anti-virus measures? We can no longer allow ourselves these dangerous absurdities," Redmann complained.
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who hails from Merkel's traditional right ally the Christian Social Union, showed a measure of understanding, however.
"Of course there are always different opinions regarding infringements of basic rights and restrictions of freedom -- first, it's normal and, in my view, it's not the majority," Seehofer told Bavarian daily Passauer Neue Presse.
Saturday saw 955 new infections -- a level which the country had not seen since May 9, according to the Robert Koch health institute.
'Scare tactics'
But marchers insist the risk of catching the virus is being much overblown.
"It's pure scare tactics. I don't see any danger with the virus," one marcher, Iris Bitzenmeier, told AFP.
"I don't know any other sick people. I knew many in March -- skiers, holidaymakers. Something was really afoot in February -- but now there are no longer any sick people," she insisted.
Another demonstrator, Anna-Maria Wetzel, who had come to the capital after attending similar rallies in Baden-Wuerttemberg in the southwest, shared that view.
"People who don't inform themselves -- unlike ourselves -- remain ignorant and believe what the government tells them. They get caught up in the fear the government puts in our heads -- and that fear weakens the immune system," she said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-02--SpaceX capsule with two NASA astronauts makes dramatic splashdown in Gulf of Mexico to end test flig

SpaceX capsule with two NASA astronauts makes dramatic splashdown in Gulf of Mexico to end test flight

In this frame grab from NASA TV , the SpaceX capsule splashes down Sunday , Aug. 2 , 2020 in the Gulf of Mexico .
Two NASA astronauts returned to Earth on Sunday in a dramatic , retro-style splashdown , their capsule parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico to close out an unprecedented test flight by Elon Musk 's SpaceX company .
It was the first splashdown by U.S. astronauts in 45 years , with the first commercially built and operated spacecraft to carry people to and from orbit .
The return clears the way for another SpaceX crew launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist flights next year .
Test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken rode the SpaceX Dragon capsule back to Earth less than a day after departing the International Space Station and two months after blasting off from Florida .
The capsule parachuted into the calm gulf waters off the coast of Pensacola , hundreds of miles from Tropical Storm Isaias pounding Florida ’ s Atlantic coast .
“ Welcome back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX , ” the company 's Mission Control said .
The astronauts ' ride home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bumpy and hot , at least on the outside .
The spacecraft went from a screaming orbital speed of 17,500 mph ( 28,000 kph ) to 350 mph ( 560 kph ) during atmospheric reentry , and finally to 15 mph ( 24 kph ) at splashdown .
Peak heating during descent was 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit ( 1,900 degrees Celsius ) .
The anticipated top G forces felt by the crew : four to five times the force of Earth ’ s gravity .
A SpaceX recovery ship with more than 40 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in following splashdown , with two smaller , faster boats leading the way .
To keep the returning astronauts safe in the pandemic , the recovery crew quarantined for two weeks and were tested for the coronavirus .
SpaceX expected it to take a half-hour for the ship to arrive at the capsule and additional time to lift it out of the water onto the deck .
The astronauts had plenty of seasick bags if needed while waiting in the bobbing capsule .
A flight surgeon was going to be the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hatch swung open .
After medical exams , the astronauts were expected to fly home to Houston for a reunion with their wives and sons .
The last time NASA astronauts returned from space to water was on July 24 , 1975 , in the Pacific , the scene of most splashdowns , to end a joint U.S.-Soviet mission known as Apollo-Soyuz .
The Mercury and Gemini crews in the early to mid-1960s parachuted into the Atlantic , while most of the later Apollo capsules hit the Pacific .
The lone Russian “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partially frozen lake amid a blizzard following an aborted mission ; the harrowing recovery took hours .
SpaceX made history with this mission , which launched May 30 from NASA 's Kennedy Space Center .
It was the first time a private company launched people into orbit and also the first launch of NASA astronauts from home turf in nearly a decade .
Hurley came full circle , serving as pilot of NASA ’ s last space shuttle flight in 2011 and the commander of this SpaceX flight .
Musk monitored the descent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawthorne , California .
NASA turned to SpaceX and also Boeing to build capsules and ferry astronauts to and from the space station , following the retirement of the shuttles .
Until Hurley and Behnken rocketed into orbit , NASA astronauts relied on Russian rockets .
SpaceX already had experience hauling cargo to the space station , bringing those capsules back to a Pacific splashdown .
“ This is the next era in human spaceflight where NASA gets to be the customer , ” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said from Johnson Space Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return .
SpaceX needs six weeks to inspect the capsule before launching the next crew around the end of September .
This next mission of four astronauts will spend a full six months aboard the space station .
Hurley and Behnken ’ s capsule will be refurbished for another flight next spring .
A Houston company run by a former NASA official , meanwhile , has partnered with SpaceX to send three customers to the space station in fall 2021 .
Boeing doesn ’ t expect to launch its first crew until next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems in the debut of its Starliner capsule , with no one aboard , last year .
Its capsules will touch down in the U.S. Southwest desert .
By beating Boeing , SpaceX laid claim to a small U.S. flag left at the space station by Hurley and the rest of the last shuttle crew .
The flag — which also flew on the first shuttle flight — was carefully packed aboard the Dragon for the homecoming .
Also on board : a toy dinosaur named Tremor , sent into space by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded a wake-up call for their fathers Sunday morning , urging them to “ rise and shine ” and “ we can ’ t wait to see you.
” “ Don ’ t worry , you can sleep in tomorrow , ” said Behnken ’ s 6-year-old son Theo , who was promised a puppy after the flight .
“ Hurry home so we can go get my dog .
”

Two NASA astronauts returned to Earth on Sunday in a dramatic, retro-style splashdown, their capsule parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico to close out an unprecedented test flight by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
In this frame grab from NASA TV, the SpaceX capsule splashes down Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020 in the Gulf of Mexico.
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It was the first splashdown by U.S. astronauts in 45 years, with the first commercially built and operated spacecraft to carry people to and from orbit. The return clears the way for another SpaceX crew launch as early as next month and possible tourist flights next year.
Test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken rode the SpaceX Dragon capsule back to Earth less than a day after departing the International Space Station and two months after blasting off from Florida. The capsule parachuted into the calm gulf waters off the coast of Pensacola, hundreds of miles from Tropical Storm Isaias pounding Florida’s Atlantic coast.
“Welcome back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX,” the company's Mission Control said.
The astronauts' ride home in the capsule dubbed Endeavour was fast, bumpy and hot, at least on the outside.
The spacecraft went from a screaming orbital speed of 17,500 mph (28,000 kph) to 350 mph (560 kph) during atmospheric reentry, and finally to 15 mph (24 kph) at splashdown. Peak heating during descent was 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,900 degrees Celsius). The anticipated top G forces felt by the crew: four to five times the force of Earth’s gravity.
A SpaceX recovery ship with more than 40 staff, including doctors and nurses, moved in following splashdown, with two smaller, faster boats leading the way. To keep the returning astronauts safe in the pandemic, the recovery crew quarantined for two weeks and were tested for the coronavirus.
SpaceX expected it to take a half-hour for the ship to arrive at the capsule and additional time to lift it out of the water onto the deck. The astronauts had plenty of seasick bags if needed while waiting in the bobbing capsule. A flight surgeon was going to be the first to look into the capsule, once the hatch swung open. After medical exams, the astronauts were expected to fly home to Houston for a reunion with their wives and sons.
The last time NASA astronauts returned from space to water was on July 24, 1975, in the Pacific, the scene of most splashdowns, to end a joint U.S.-Soviet mission known as Apollo-Soyuz. The Mercury and Gemini crews in the early to mid-1960s parachuted into the Atlantic, while most of the later Apollo capsules hit the Pacific. The lone Russian “splashdown” was in 1976 on a partially frozen lake amid a blizzard following an aborted mission; the harrowing recovery took hours.
SpaceX made history with this mission, which launched May 30 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It was the first time a private company launched people into orbit and also the first launch of NASA astronauts from home turf in nearly a decade. Hurley came full circle, serving as pilot of NASA’s last space shuttle flight in 2011 and the commander of this SpaceX flight.
Musk monitored the descent and splashdown from SpaceX Mission Control in Hawthorne, California.
NASA turned to SpaceX and also Boeing to build capsules and ferry astronauts to and from the space station, following the retirement of the shuttles. Until Hurley and Behnken rocketed into orbit, NASA astronauts relied on Russian rockets. SpaceX already had experience hauling cargo to the space station, bringing those capsules back to a Pacific splashdown.
“This is the next era in human spaceflight where NASA gets to be the customer,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said from Johnson Space Center in Houston shortly before the astronauts’ return.
SpaceX needs six weeks to inspect the capsule before launching the next crew around the end of September. This next mission of four astronauts will spend a full six months aboard the space station. Hurley and Behnken’s capsule will be refurbished for another flight next spring. A Houston company run by a former NASA official, meanwhile, has partnered with SpaceX to send three customers to the space station in fall 2021.
Boeing doesn’t expect to launch its first crew until next year. The company encountered significant software problems in the debut of its Starliner capsule, with no one aboard, last year. Its capsules will touch down in the U.S. Southwest desert.
By beating Boeing, SpaceX laid claim to a small U.S. flag left at the space station by Hurley and the rest of the last shuttle crew. The flag — which also flew on the first shuttle flight — was carefully packed aboard the Dragon for the homecoming.
Also on board: a toy dinosaur named Tremor, sent into space by the astronauts’ young sons.
The boys recorded a wake-up call for their fathers Sunday morning, urging them to “rise and shine” and “we can’t wait to see you.”
“Don’t worry, you can sleep in tomorrow,” said Behnken’s 6-year-old son Theo, who was promised a puppy after the flight. “Hurry home so we can go get my dog.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-02--Islamic State group claims responsibility for deadly prison attack in Afghanistan

A wounded man receives treatment at a hospital after a suicide car bomb and multiple gunmen attack in the city of Jalalabad , east of Kabul , Afghanistan , Sunday , Aug. 2 , 2020 .
The Islamic State group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a complex attack by a suicide car bomber and multiple gunmen against a prison in eastern Afghanistan , which Afghan officials said killed at least three people and injured 24 others .
The hourslong gunbattle between Afghan security forces and insurgents in Jalalabad , the capital of Nangarhar province , was still ongoing Sunday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Attaullah Khogyani , spokesman for the provincial governor .
Tariq Arian , spokesman for the Interior Ministry , said at least three people were killed , while Zahir Adil , the spokesman for the provincial Health Ministry , provided the figure of 24 wounded .
The Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan , known as IS in Khorasan province , claimed responsibility for the attack .
The IS affiliate is headquartered in Nangarhar province .
Sunday ’ s attack comes a day after the Afghan intelligence agency said a senior IS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Jalalabad .
The Taliban ’ s political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told The Associated Press , “ We have a cease-fire and are not involved in any of these attacks anywhere in the country , ” but said he was not aware of the details of the Jalalabad attack .
The Taliban declared a three-day cease-fire starting Friday for the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha .
The Taliban had also denied involvement in a suicide bombing in the eastern Logar province late Thursday , which killed at least nine people and wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan has seen a recent spike in violence , with most attacks claimed by the local IS affiliate .
A United Nations report last month estimated there are around 2,200 IS members in Afghanistan , and that while the group is in “ territorial retreat ” and its leadership has been depleted , it “ remains capable of carrying out high-profile attacks in various parts of the country , including Kabul.
” Efforts to get peace talks underway between the Taliban and the Kabul government have stalled after the Taliban and the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a blueprint to ending Afghanistan ’ s decades of war .
That deal was struck to allow the U.S. to end its 19-year involvement in Afghanistan , and calls on the Taliban to guarantee its territory will not be used by terrorist groups .
The deal is also expected to guarantee the Taliban ’ s all-out participation in the fight against IS .
Still , a United Nations report last week said Afghanistan saw a 13 % drop in the number of civilians killed and wounded in violence across the country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to the same period last year .
The report credited the drop in casualties in part to the reduction of operations by international forces — which now only act when called upon and in support of the Afghan forces — and also to a decrease in the number of attacks by IS .
The report said the U.N. had recorded 17 attacks by IS that caused civilian casualties during the first six months of 2020 , down from 97 attacks in the same period last year .
Overall , the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first six months of 2020 in Afghanistan and 2,176 were wounded .

An Islamic State group attack on a prison in eastern Afghanistan holding hundreds of its members raged on Monday after killing at least 21 people in fighting overnight, a local official said.
A wounded man receives treatment at a hospital after a suicide car bomb and multiple gunmen attack in the city of Jalalabad, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020.
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Another 43 people have been wounded in the assault that began late Sunday when an Islamic State suicide bomber slammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the Jalalabad prison's entrance.
Militants then opened fire on security forces at the prison in the capital of Nangarhar province, some 115 kilometers (70 miles) east of Kabul.
Three attackers have been killed so far but the battle continued Monday with sporadic gunfire still coming from the prison grounds and nearby residential compound, said Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province.
The dead included civilians, prisoners, guards and Afghan security forces, Khogyani said.
Police believe several militants slipped away into a nearby residential complex, making it more difficult to flush them out, authorities said. Khogyani said security personnel were moving cautiously to avoid civilian casualties.
Afghan Security and Defense Force personnel in armored vehicles surrounded the prison in the middle of Jalalabad, just 700 meters (half a mile) from the governor's office. Soldiers were still evacuating residents from the area on Monday as sporadic gunshots rang out.
The Islamic State group's affiliate in Afghanistan, known as IS in Khorasan province, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The affiliate is headquartered in Nangarhar province.
The motive of the attack wasn't immediately clear. However, some prisoners have escaped during the fighting, said another provincial official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists.
The prison houses about 1,500 inmates, of which several hundred are believed to be Islamic State members. Khyogyani said about 1,000 prisoners who earlier escaped had been found by security forces across the city. It wasn't immediately clear if any prisoners were still at large.
The attack comes a day after authorities said Afghan special forces killed a senior Islamic State commander near Jalalabad.
While the Islamic State group has seen its so-called caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria eliminated after a yearslong campaign, the group has continued fighting in Afghanistan. The extremists also have battled the Taliban in the country, whom the U.S. overthrew following the 2001 American-led invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The Taliban’s political spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, told The Associated Press that his group was not involved in the Jalalabad attack. The U.S. struck a peace deal with the Taliban in February. A second, crucial round of negotiations between the Taliban and the political leadership in Kabul has yet to start. Still, Washington and NATO already have begun withdrawing troops in line with the deal.
“We have a cease-fire and are not involved in any of these attacks anywhere in the country,” he said.
The Taliban declared a three-day cease-fire starting Friday for the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The cease-fire expired at 12 a.m. Monday though it wasn't immediately clear if it would be extended as the U.S. pushes for an early start to intra-Afghan negotiations that have repeatedly been delayed since Washington signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February.
The Taliban also had denied being involved in a suicide bombing in eastern Logar province late Thursday that killed at least nine people and wounded 40.
Afghanistan has seen a recent spike in violence, with most attacks claimed by the local Islamic State group affiliate.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-02--US poised to announce measures against TikTok and other Chinese apps

China and U.S. flags are seen near a TikTok logo in this illustration picture taken July 16 , 2020 .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US is `` looking at '' banning Chinese social media apps , including TikTok , over allegations Beijing is using them to spy on users .
India has already barred the wildly popular TikTok app over national security and privacy concerns while other countries are reportedly mulling similar measures .
Asked on Monday by Fox News 's Laura Ingraham if the US should consider blocking the apps -- `` especially Tik Tok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Trump administration was `` taking this very seriously ; we are certainly looking at it . ''
Pompeo said the US had been working for a `` long time '' on the `` problems '' of Chinese technology in infrastructure and was `` making real progress . ''
`` With respect to Chinese apps on people 's cell phones , I can assure you the United States will get this one right too , '' he said .
`` I do n't want to get out in front of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at . ''
Pompeo earlier lashed out at what he called China 's `` Orwellian '' moves to censor activists , schools and libraries in Hong Kong under a sweeping new security law .
Authorities in the financial hub have ordered schools to remove books for review under the law , which has criminalized certain opinions such as calls for independence or more autonomy .
Libraries in Hong Kong said they were pulling titles written by a handful of pro-democracy activists .
`` The Chinese Communist Party 's destruction of free Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sharply worded statement .
`` With the ink barely dry on the repressive National Security Law , local authorities -- in an Orwellian move -- have now established a central government national security office , started removing books critical of the CCP from library shelves , banned political slogans , and are now requiring schools to enforce censorship , '' he said .
Pompeo condemned what he called the `` latest assaults on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong . ''
`` Until now , Hong Kong flourished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , under an independent rule of law .
No more , '' he said .
Beijing has faced a groundswell of criticism from primarily Western nations over its decision to impose the security law , which outlaws acts of subversion , secession , terrorism and colluding with foreign forces .
US Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC last week that the law was a `` betrayal '' and `` unacceptable to freedom-loving people around the world . ''
Last week the US Congress passed tough new sanctions targeting banks involved in violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would punish banks -- including by blocking loans from US institutions -- if they conduct `` significant transactions '' with officials who violate the city 's autonomy .
President Donald Trump must sign the legislation for it to take effect .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US is "looking at" banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, over allegations Beijing is using them to spy on users.
Chinese and American flags are seen near a TikTok logo in this illustration compiled July 16, 2020.
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India has already barred the wildly popular TikTok app over national security and privacy concerns while other countries are reportedly mulling similar measures.
Asked on Monday by Fox News's Laura Ingraham if the US should consider blocking the apps -- "especially Tik Tok" -- the country's top diplomat said the Trump administration was "taking this very seriously; we are certainly looking at it."
Pompeo said the US had been working for a "long time" on the "problems" of Chinese technology in infrastructure and was "making real progress."
"With respect to Chinese apps on people's cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right too," he said.
"I don't want to get out in front of the president, but it's something we are looking at."
Pompeo earlier lashed out at what he called China's "Orwellian" moves to censor activists, schools and libraries in Hong Kong under a sweeping new security law.
Authorities in the financial hub have ordered schools to remove books for review under the law, which has criminalized certain opinions such as calls for independence or more autonomy.
Libraries in Hong Kong said they were pulling titles written by a handful of pro-democracy activists.
"The Chinese Communist Party's destruction of free Hong Kong continues," Pompeo said in a sharply worded statement.
"With the ink barely dry on the repressive National Security Law, local authorities -- in an Orwellian move -- have now established a central government national security office, started removing books critical of the CCP from library shelves, banned political slogans, and are now requiring schools to enforce censorship," he said.
Pompeo condemned what he called the "latest assaults on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong."
"Until now, Hong Kong flourished because it allowed free thinking and free speech, under an independent rule of law. No more," he said.
Beijing has faced a groundswell of criticism from primarily Western nations over its decision to impose the security law, which outlaws acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.
US Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC last week that the law was a "betrayal" and "unacceptable to freedom-loving people around the world."
Last week the US Congress passed tough new sanctions targeting banks involved in violating Hong Kong's autonomy.
The act would punish banks -- including by blocking loans from US institutions -- if they conduct "significant transactions" with officials who violate the city's autonomy.
President Donald Trump must sign the legislation for it to take effect.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Soldiers killed in twin attacks in central Mali, political crisis continues

The Malian army has struggled to contain the violence involving jihadists and also inter-communal clashes Mali 's army suffered new losses in twin attacks Sunday that left at least five soldiers dead as the Sahel country was mired in a political crisis sparking international concern .
Five soldiers were killed and five were wounded in an ambush on a military convoy and an artillery attack on a camp , with both attacks blamed on jihadists , in central Mali , army and local sources said .
The bloodshed came some six weeks after jihadists ambushed a military convoy , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jihadists unleashed a revolt in northern Mali in 2012 that has since spread to the centre of the poor Sahel country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger despite the presence of thousands of French and UN troops .
The latest attacks came as President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita faces insistent calls to resign from an opposition angry over the brutal jihadist conflict as well as dire economic conditions and perceived corruption .
Much of the current tension was sparked in April , when the Constitutional Court tossed out 30 results from long-delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keita 's party .
The so-called June 5 Movement ( M5-RFP ) has continued to insist on Keita 's departure , despite two mediation missions by the regional bloc ECOWAS which suggested a new unity government and a resolution to the election quarrel .
M5-RFP has said it would resume acts of `` civil disobedience '' on Monday after observing a truce for the Eid al-Adha festival , a key Muslim holiday that began on Friday .

Mali's army suffered new losses in twin attacks Sunday that left at least five soldiers dead as the Sahel country was mired in a political crisis sparking international concern.
Malian army soldiers patrol the area next to the river of Djenne in central Mali on February 28, 2020.
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Five soldiers were killed and five were wounded in an ambush on a military convoy and an artillery attack on a camp, with both attacks blamed on jihadists, in central Mali, army and local sources said.
The bloodshed came some six weeks after jihadists ambushed a military convoy, also in central Mali, killing 24 soldiers.
Jihadists unleashed a revolt in northern Mali in 2012 that has since spread to the centre of the poor Sahel country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger despite the presence of thousands of French and UN troops.
The latest attacks came as President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita faces insistent calls to resign from an opposition angry over the brutal jihadist conflict as well as dire economic conditions and perceived corruption.
Much of the current tension was sparked in April, when the Constitutional Court tossed out 30 results from long-delayed parliamentary elections -- a move that benefited Keita's party.
The so-called June 5 Movement (M5-RFP) has continued to insist on Keita's departure, despite two mediation missions by the regional bloc ECOWAS which suggested a new unity government and a resolution to the election quarrel.
M5-RFP has said it would resume acts of "civil disobedience" on Monday after observing a truce for the Eid al-Adha festival, a key Muslim holiday that began on Friday.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-02--Tourist sites are empty as Covid-19 travel restrictions limit movement

Few people are seen at the Spanish Steps in Rome on June 12 , 2020 .
With no American visitors to show around the D-Day beaches or the Loire Valley ’ s chateaux , and no work on the immediate horizon , Paris tour guide Linda Zenou frets about how she ’ ll pay off a loan and continue to care for her ailing mother in the achingly lean months ahead .
“ My situation is going to become completely inextricable , ” she said .
“ We have nothing to live on.
” For growing numbers of businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , the question is not so much when the coronavirus pandemic will end but how and if they 'll survive until business picks up .
In trying to fend off the virus , countries that put up entry barriers to tourists have done so at a mounting cost to themselves and others .
“ It ’ s now survival of the fittest , ” said Johann Krige , CEO of the Kanonkop wine estate in South Africa , where the drying up of wine-tasting tourists threatens dozens of wine farms around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Town .
“ A lot of them are going to go under because they just don ’ t have sufficient cash flow , ” Krige said .
Around the world , travel amid the pandemic is becoming a story of tentative steps forward in some places , but punishing steps back elsewhere , of “ yes ” to letting back visitors from places faring somewhat better against COVID-19 but not from others where outbreaks are flaring .
The result is an ever-evolving global mishmash of restrictions and quarantines , all of which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make payrolls and for everyone in the industry from trinket sellers to luxury hotels .
In Australia , the government of Queensland , home to the Great Barrier Reef , barred visitors from Sydney starting Saturday because of a growing outbreak in the country ’ s largest city .
Queensland tourism official Brett Kapernick predicted that could cost some businesses a 40 % plunge in revenue .
“ With this pandemic , the situation becomes fluid and therefore evolves weekly , ” Kapernick said .
“ A week ago , we didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing a border closed to Sydney.
” While the Indonesian resort island of Bali tentatively opened up to domestic visitors on Friday , the beaches of Da Nang in Vietnam were deserted .
The city locked down Tuesday to contain a cluster of nearly 100 cases .
Shorn of tourism 's lifeblood , some businesses already look doomed .
Many of the luxury hotels in Rome ’ s historic center didn ’ t reopen in the late spring when Italy started allowing arrivals from elsewhere in the European Union and other select nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who for years worked as dining room staff , cooks or maids at hotels instead sought farm work , picking fruit and vegetables .
On Portugal ’ s Algarve coast , individual catastrophes also loom for the staffs of empty hotels , bars and restaurants which are losing hope that tourists will return quickly enough to keep them afloat .
In a region almost entirely reliant on tourism , the unemployment rate has already jumped 230 % .
And in Oxford , England , tour operator Frederick Laurie is clinging to British “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ green shoots ” in an otherwise bleak year .
He concedes that their numbers will never make up for the ruinous plunge in foreign visitors who once thronged the university town before the coronavirus chased them away .
“ It ’ s an extremely difficult time for us , ” he says .
His decade-old company , Footprints Tours , has seen revenues collapse by 70 % .
Losses globally are counted in the billions .
Percentage drops in visitor numbers are often double-digits .
Tourism income in South Africa was down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same month last year , the Tourism Business Council says , and over half a million jobs in its sector are at risk .
Governments in countries heavily reliant on tourism are trying to use bailouts to keep businesses afloat .
Thailand ’ s Cabinet this week approved projects worth more than $ 700 million for the tourism industry .
Bulgaria is offering tax breaks and job subsidies to shore up its tourism sector bracing for huge cuts in its workforce of 290,000 .
Hotel owners lament that they have more employees than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort , Sunny Beach .
The Caribbean ’ s dozens of islands depend on tourism for between 20 % to 80 % of their GDP but hotel occupancy across the region is now less than 10 % , officials say .
To make up for lost tourism , Barbados is offering a year-long visa for people who want to move to the island temporarily and work from home close to the beach .
The bright spots of the global pandemic are few and far between .
Among them : locals who are unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where foreign tourists used to jostle for elbow space .
Animals have South Africa 's world-famous wildlife parks largely to themselves because of lockdown rules that barred international tourists and made it illegal for South Africans to travel between provinces for vacations .
At the Kruger National Park , lions sleep undisturbed on the roads and roam around empty lodges , while elephants meander as they please .
At the Louvre Museum in Paris , it 's now possible to calmly contemplate the works .
That 's a rare treat for Parisians but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered in protest again this week , dressed in black and wearing masks , to demand more financial help .
Among them was Janice Baneux , who was decidedly pessimistic for their future .
“ Some people had to sell their homes , returning to their parents and waiting until next year when tourism will probably be back again , ” she said .
“ But this year there is no hope .
”

With no American visitors to show around the D-Day beaches or the Loire Valley’s chateaux, and no work on the immediate horizon, Paris tour guide Linda Zenou frets about how she’ll pay off a loan and continue to care for her ailing mother in the achingly lean months ahead.
Few people are seen at the Spanish Steps in Rome on June 12, 2020.
Advertising Read more
“My situation is going to become completely inextricable,” she said. “We have nothing to live on.”
For growing numbers of businesses and individuals who depend on the global tourism industry, the question is not so much when the coronavirus pandemic will end but how and if they'll survive until business picks up. In trying to fend off the virus, countries that put up entry barriers to tourists have done so at a mounting cost to themselves and others.
“It’s now survival of the fittest,” said Johann Krige, CEO of the Kanonkop wine estate in South Africa, where the drying up of wine-tasting tourists threatens dozens of wine farms around the historic town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.
“A lot of them are going to go under because they just don’t have sufficient cash flow,” Krige said.
Around the world, travel amid the pandemic is becoming a story of tentative steps forward in some places, but punishing steps back elsewhere, of “yes” to letting back visitors from places faring somewhat better against COVID-19 but not from others where outbreaks are flaring.
The result is an ever-evolving global mishmash of restrictions and quarantines, all of which are providing zero long-term visibility for businesses trying to make payrolls and for everyone in the industry from trinket sellers to luxury hotels.
In Australia, the government of Queensland, home to the Great Barrier Reef, barred visitors from Sydney starting Saturday because of a growing outbreak in the country’s largest city. Queensland tourism official Brett Kapernick predicted that could cost some businesses a 40% plunge in revenue.
“With this pandemic, the situation becomes fluid and therefore evolves weekly,” Kapernick said. “A week ago, we didn’t think we’d be facing a border closed to Sydney.”
While the Indonesian resort island of Bali tentatively opened up to domestic visitors on Friday, the beaches of Da Nang in Vietnam were deserted. The city locked down Tuesday to contain a cluster of nearly 100 cases.
Shorn of tourism's lifeblood, some businesses already look doomed. Many of the luxury hotels in Rome’s historic center didn’t reopen in the late spring when Italy started allowing arrivals from elsewhere in the European Union and other select nations. Early in the pandemic, Italians who for years worked as dining room staff, cooks or maids at hotels instead sought farm work, picking fruit and vegetables.
On Portugal’s Algarve coast, individual catastrophes also loom for the staffs of empty hotels, bars and restaurants which are losing hope that tourists will return quickly enough to keep them afloat. In a region almost entirely reliant on tourism, the unemployment rate has already jumped 230%.
Beach Caramelo , there is no tourists , even though weather is perfect. Vila Real do Santos Antonio #Algarve# Portugal pic.twitter.com/pHjhg70rQ9 — Jan Hatten Helander (Skamlig) (@HattenHelander) July 22, 2020
And in Oxford, England, tour operator Frederick Laurie is clinging to British “stay-cationers,” optimistically describing them as “green shoots” in an otherwise bleak year. He concedes that their numbers will never make up for the ruinous plunge in foreign visitors who once thronged the university town before the coronavirus chased them away.
“It’s an extremely difficult time for us,” he says. His decade-old company, Footprints Tours, has seen revenues collapse by 70%.
Losses globally are counted in the billions. Percentage drops in visitor numbers are often double-digits. Tourism income in South Africa was down 98% in May compared with the same month last year, the Tourism Business Council says, and over half a million jobs in its sector are at risk.
Governments in countries heavily reliant on tourism are trying to use bailouts to keep businesses afloat. Thailand’s Cabinet this week approved projects worth more than $700 million for the tourism industry. Bulgaria is offering tax breaks and job subsidies to shore up its tourism sector bracing for huge cuts in its workforce of 290,000. Hotel owners lament that they have more employees than patrons at Bulgaria’s biggest sea resort, Sunny Beach.
The Caribbean’s dozens of islands depend on tourism for between 20% to 80% of their GDP but hotel occupancy across the region is now less than 10%, officials say. To make up for lost tourism, Barbados is offering a year-long visa for people who want to move to the island temporarily and work from home close to the beach.
The bright spots of the global pandemic are few and far between. Among them: locals who are unable or reluctant to travel are rediscovering attractions where foreign tourists used to jostle for elbow space.
Animals have South Africa's world-famous wildlife parks largely to themselves because of lockdown rules that barred international tourists and made it illegal for South Africans to travel between provinces for vacations. At the Kruger National Park, lions sleep undisturbed on the roads and roam around empty lodges, while elephants meander as they please.
Had a fab holiday in Paris! Very few tourists. Louvre and Versailles almost empty. And the Parisians are so sensible. 100% face mask compliance indoors. pic.twitter.com/lTy8PYYZ1q — R Ketteler (@TRRC_LMCB) July 27, 2020
At the Louvre Museum in Paris, it's now possible to calmly contemplate the works. That's a rare treat for Parisians but a nightmare for tour guides, who gathered in protest again this week, dressed in black and wearing masks, to demand more financial help. Among them was Janice Baneux, who was decidedly pessimistic for their future.
“Some people had to sell their homes, returning to their parents and waiting until next year when tourism will probably be back again,” she said. “But this year there is no hope.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-02--Australia targets Big Tech: Could Google and Facebook be made to pay for news?

US tech firms Google and Facebook may soon pay for using news content if a new proposal by the Australian government goes ahead .
US tech companies Google and Facebook are in the crosshairs of government regulators in Australia where a new proposal seeks to make them pay for news content .
The sweeping changes are a global first in what the government says is an attempt to salvage the future of news by providing a “ level playing field ” for news businesses .
Under the legally binding framework , Google and Facebook would be required to pay media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their social media sites .
Along with payment for content they would have to address issues over access to user data and transparency of algorithms which rank content in news feeds and search results .
“ It ’ s about a fair go for Australian news media businesses , it ’ s about ensuring that we have increased competition , increased consumer protection and a sustainable media landscape , ” Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said during the announced changes on Friday .
“ Nothing less than the future of the Australian media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
Google Australia Managing Director Mel Silva said the intervention was “ heavy-handed ” and that it threatened to undermine the digital economy .
Unsurprisingly the decision was welcomed by Australia ’ s news businesses who have long called for tougher measures to prevent the siphoning off of both their content and advertising profits .
With the rise of US Big Tech , news businesses in Australia have struggled to weather substantial losses in revenue that have led to mass layoffs and either the merger or closure of numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s biggest publishers , News Limited , announced in May that 112 of its newspapers would either shut or become digital only .
To prevent the demise of one of the country ’ s oldest broadsheets , The Sydney Morning Herald underwent a recent merger with a television network .
Sherine Conyers , a researcher at the school of media and commmunications at the University of Leeds , told FRANCE 24 that the impact of digital platforms on journalism had caused significant losses in Australia ’ s media industry .
How well the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level the playing field ” , as stated by the treasurer , would depend on the value placed on news content .
“ Media companies spend a lot of time and money producing journalism and want a fair price for their content , ” said Conyers , who has also worked as a journalist in Australia .
“ But for tech companies , the value is likely held in the behavioural data produced as this content circulates around the web .
“ The question going forward is how tech companies will value news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business models , and how they respond to this financially , and to the rules being proposed in Australia.
” Both Google and Facebook have previously downplayed the commercial impact of sharing news content , and maintain media outlets benefit from using their platforms .
Facebook has argued that while it supports some form of regulatory code to help tech companies and media businesses work together , `` it is not healthy nor sustainable to expect that two private companies , Facebook and Google , are solely responsible for supporting a public good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian media industry , '' the company said .
The problem of how to sustain news businesses because of the value of their content has preoccupied regulators here in Europe where similar regulatory attempts have been introduced but with mixed results .
In October 2019 , France became the first to implement new EU copyright rules requiring publishers to be paid for snippets of news stories displayed in search results .
It was designed to force Google to pay publishers a so-called “ link tax ” and was hailed by proponents for enabling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Tech .
But Google circumvented the regulations announcing it would only display headlines instead .
In Spain , the company shut down Google News after a law passed in 2014 would have mandated payment for news content .
Drawing on lessons from regulators and policymakers internationally , the Australian anti-trust watchdog ACCC said in a statement it had designed its code so it would not reduce the availability of Australian news on Google or Facebook , while still netting fair payment for content .
Google Australia challenged those claims , expressing disappointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope was that the code would be forward thinking and the process would create incentives for both publishers and digital platforms to negotiate and innovate for a better future – so we are deeply disappointed and concerned the draft code does not achieve this , ” Google 's Silva said .
But the code does include some incentive for parties to seal a deal .
If the US-based platforms and Australian media businesses fail to negotiate a fair price for content they would have to undergo a mandatory arbitration process .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attract penalties of up to Aus $ 10 million ( US $ 7 million ) per breach or 10 percent of the company 's local turnover .
In a short statement , Facebook in Australia and New Zealand said it was `` reviewing the government 's proposal to understand the impact it will have on the industry , our services and our investment in the news ecosystem in Australia '' .
Though Frydenberg claims Australia ’ s proposal is “ in front of the world ” it may take more than the lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe , to manage the expectations of both media businesses and Big Tech .
The draft code will undergo another round of consultations in August before it is finalised .

US tech companies Google and Facebook are in the crosshairs of government regulators in Australia where a new proposal seeks to make them pay for news content. The sweeping changes are a global first in what the government says is an attempt to salvage the future of news by providing a “level playing field” for news businesses.
US tech firms Google and Facebook may soon pay for using news content if a new proposal by the Australian government goes ahead.
Advertising Read more
Under the legally binding framework, Google and Facebook would be required to pay media companies for using and monetising news content on their social media sites. Along with payment for content they would have to address issues over access to user data and transparency of algorithms which rank content in news feeds and search results.
“It’s about a fair go for Australian news media businesses, it’s about ensuring that we have increased competition, increased consumer protection and a sustainable media landscape,” Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said during the announced changes on Friday.
“Nothing less than the future of the Australian media landscape is at stake with these changes,” he added.
Google Australia Managing Director Mel Silva said the intervention was “heavy-handed” and that it threatened to undermine the digital economy. Unsurprisingly the decision was welcomed by Australia’s news businesses who have long called for tougher measures to prevent the siphoning off of both their content and advertising profits.
With the rise of US Big Tech, news businesses in Australia have struggled to weather substantial losses in revenue that have led to mass layoffs and either the merger or closure of numerous news outlets. One of Australia’s biggest publishers, News Limited, announced in May that 112 of its newspapers would either shut or become digital only. To prevent the demise of one of the country’s oldest broadsheets, The Sydney Morning Herald underwent a recent merger with a television network.
Sherine Conyers, a researcher at the school of media and commmunications at the University of Leeds, told FRANCE 24 that the impact of digital platforms on journalism had caused significant losses in Australia’s media industry. How well the government’s new code might “level the playing field”, as stated by the treasurer, would depend on the value placed on news content.
“Media companies spend a lot of time and money producing journalism and want a fair price for their content,” said Conyers, who has also worked as a journalist in Australia. “But for tech companies, the value is likely held in the behavioural data produced as this content circulates around the web.
“The question going forward is how tech companies will value news content, in line with their own business models, and how they respond to this financially, and to the rules being proposed in Australia.”
Both Google and Facebook have previously downplayed the commercial impact of sharing news content, and maintain media outlets benefit from using their platforms.
Facebook has argued that while it supports some form of regulatory code to help tech companies and media businesses work together, "it is not healthy nor sustainable to expect that two private companies, Facebook and Google, are solely responsible for supporting a public good and solving the challenges faced by the Australian media industry," the company said.
EU vs Big Tech
The problem of how to sustain news businesses because of the value of their content has preoccupied regulators here in Europe where similar regulatory attempts have been introduced but with mixed results.
In October 2019, France became the first to implement new EU copyright rules requiring publishers to be paid for snippets of news stories displayed in search results. It was designed to force Google to pay publishers a so-called “link tax” and was hailed by proponents for enabling publishers to strike deals for content with Big Tech.
But Google circumvented the regulations announcing it would only display headlines instead. In Spain, the company shut down Google News after a law passed in 2014 would have mandated payment for news content.
Facebook, Google hit back
Drawing on lessons from regulators and policymakers internationally, the Australian anti-trust watchdog ACCC said in a statement it had designed its code so it would not reduce the availability of Australian news on Google or Facebook, while still netting fair payment for content.
Google Australia challenged those claims, expressing disappointment over the proposed changes.
“Our hope was that the code would be forward thinking and the process would create incentives for both publishers and digital platforms to negotiate and innovate for a better future – so we are deeply disappointed and concerned the draft code does not achieve this,” Google's Silva said.
But the code does include some incentive for parties to seal a deal. If the US-based platforms and Australian media businesses fail to negotiate a fair price for content they would have to undergo a mandatory arbitration process. In addition, any breaches of the code would attract penalties of up to Aus$10 million (US$7 million) per breach or 10 percent of the company's local turnover.
In a short statement, Facebook in Australia and New Zealand said it was "reviewing the government's proposal to understand the impact it will have on the industry, our services and our investment in the news ecosystem in Australia".
Though Frydenberg claims Australia’s proposal is “in front of the world” it may take more than the lessons learned by other governments, like those in Europe, to manage the expectations of both media businesses and Big Tech.
The draft code will undergo another round of consultations in August before it is finalised.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP)
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