france24--2020-04-24--French government announces 'historic' €7 billion aid package for Air France-KLM

Air France-KLM 's first Airbus A350 during a ceremony at its headquarters in Colomiers , near Toulouse , France , September 27 , 2019 , .
France said on Friday it was readying a `` historic '' package of multi-billion euro loans to help carmaker Renault and flag-carrier Air France through the crisis caused by the coronavirus .
For Air France , a seven billion euro ( $ 7.5 billion ) package is planned and for Renault five billion euro ( $ 5.4 billion ) , Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced .
He said the package was needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis but warned the money would come with strings attached , with the airline notably having to improve its environmental credentials .
For Air France , the loan package is made up of four billion euros in bank loans guaranteed by the state and a three billion euro loan direct from the state , he told TF1 television .
`` We need to save our national company and the 350,000 direct and indirect employees affected , '' he said , while describing the plan as `` historic support '' .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Air France to guarantee our independence and save jobs , '' he added , while denying that nationalisation was on the cards .
But he warned that the help was not a `` blank cheque '' and would come with `` conditions '' linked to its profitability but also environmental factors .
`` Air France should become the most environmentally respectful airline in the planet .
This is the most important condition for me .
`` Air France needs to present a plan for reducing CO2 emissions and transforming its fleet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In The Hague , Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced the government plans to support KLM with an aid package worth between two to four billion euros .
`` We are currently working out the exact form and details , '' the finance minister said Friday .
For Renault , a five billion euro ( $ 5.4 billion ) bank loan package guaranteed by the state is being worked on , Le Maire said .
`` What is at stake here is our automobile industry .
Renault is an industrial flagship that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
The French state retains shareholdings in both Renault and Air France of 15 and 14.3 percent respectively .
Le Maire had previously warned that he expects GDP in France to contract 8 percent this year due to the effects of the lockdown against the coronavirus , which is due to last in France until May 11 .
`` This crisis is historic .
It will last years .
It will be long .
It will be difficult .
I want every businessperson to know that ... the state will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said France would do everything `` to save its companies and start again with an economy that is more respectful for the environment . ''

France said on Friday it was readying a "historic" package of multi-billion euro loans to help carmaker Renault and flag-carrier Air France through the crisis caused by the coronavirus.
Air France-KLM's first Airbus A350 during a ceremony at its headquarters in Colomiers, near Toulouse, France, September 27, 2019,.
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For Air France, a seven billion euro ($7.5 billion) package is planned and for Renault five billion euro ($5.4 billion), Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced.
He said the package was needed to save Air France amid an unprecedented industry crisis but warned the money would come with strings attached, with the airline notably having to improve its environmental credentials.
For Air France, the loan package is made up of four billion euros in bank loans guaranteed by the state and a three billion euro loan direct from the state, he told TF1 television.
"We need to save our national company and the 350,000 direct and indirect employees affected," he said, while describing the plan as "historic support".
02:10
"We are behind Air France, behind the employees of Air France to guarantee our independence and save jobs," he added, while denying that nationalisation was on the cards.
But he warned that the help was not a "blank cheque" and would come with "conditions" linked to its profitability but also environmental factors.
"Air France should become the most environmentally respectful airline in the planet. This is the most important condition for me.
"Air France needs to present a plan for reducing CO2 emissions and transforming its fleet to be less polluting," he said.
In The Hague, Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced the government plans to support KLM with an aid package worth between two to four billion euros.
"We are currently working out the exact form and details," the finance minister said Friday.
'Crisis will last years'
For Renault, a five billion euro ($5.4 billion) bank loan package guaranteed by the state is being worked on, Le Maire said.
"What is at stake here is our automobile industry. Renault is an industrial flagship that belongs to our culture and history," he added.
The French state retains shareholdings in both Renault and Air France of 15 and 14.3 percent respectively.
Le Maire had previously warned that he expects GDP in France to contract 8 percent this year due to the effects of the lockdown against the coronavirus, which is due to last in France until May 11.
"This crisis is historic. It will last years. It will be long. It will be difficult. I want every businessperson to know that... the state will be beside them," he added.
He said France would do everything "to save its companies and start again with an economy that is more respectful for the environment."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-24--Covid-19: France records 389 new deaths as hospital cases continue to fall

A nurse from the Eugenie Hospital in Ajaccio , Corsica on April 23 , 2020 .
France on Friday reported @ @ @ @ @ a lower toll than in previous days , and also welcomed new falls in the @ @ @ @ @ and intensive care .
The latest deaths in both hospitals and nursing homes brought France @ @ @ @ @ , top health official Jerome Salomon told reporters , adding that there were now 561 @ @ @ @ @ 183 fewer in intensive care .
But despite the gradually improving data , he said @ @ @ @ @ the virus remains high .
We must be mobilised and respect social distancing , which @ @ @ @ @ ''

France on Friday reported 389 more coronavirus deaths, a lower toll than in previous days, and also welcomed new falls in the number of patients in hospital and intensive care.
A nurse from the Eugenie Hospital in Ajaccio, Corsica on April 23, 2020.
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The latest deaths in both hospitals and nursing homes brought France's total toll to 22,245, top health official Jerome Salomon told reporters, adding that there were now 561 fewer people in hospital and 183 fewer in intensive care.
But despite the gradually improving data, he said: "The circulation of the virus remains high. We must be mobilised and respect social distancing, which must become a reflex."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-24--Yemen ceasefire is extended by one month to help contain Covid-19

The Saudi-led coalition on Friday said it was extending a unilateral ceasefire in Yemen by one month to support efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic , the state-run Saudi Press Agency ( SPA ) reported , citing a coalition spokesman .
A two-week ceasefire announced by the coalition that is battling the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen expired on Thursday without leading to a permanent truce .
The Houthi group did not accept the coalition 's previous ceasefire announcement and violence has continued in several provinces , raising fears that the war will grind on and shatter Yemen 's already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Houthis ousted the internationally recognized Saudi-backed government from power in the capital , Sanaa , in late 2014 .
They want a lifting of air and sea blockades imposed by the coalition to the regions they control before agreeing to a ceasefire , sources have told Reuters .
`` The coalition 's command reaffirms that there is still an opportunity to focus all efforts in order to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire , '' coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki was quoted as saying by the SPA .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world to allow countries to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic .
While Yemen has reported only one confirmed case of the novel coronavirus , aid groups fear a catastrophic outbreak should the virus spread among an acutely malnourished population in a country without adequate testing capabilities .

The Saudi-led coalition on Friday said it was extending a unilateral ceasefire in Yemen by one month to support efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing a coalition spokesman.
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A two-week ceasefire announced by the coalition that is battling the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen expired on Thursday without leading to a permanent truce.
The Houthi group did not accept the coalition's previous ceasefire announcement and violence has continued in several provinces, raising fears that the war will grind on and shatter Yemen's already weakened ability to combat the coronavirus. The Houthis ousted the internationally recognized Saudi-backed government from power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. They want a lifting of air and sea blockades imposed by the coalition to the regions they control before agreeing to a ceasefire, sources have told Reuters.
"The coalition's command reaffirms that there is still an opportunity to focus all efforts in order to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki was quoted as saying by the SPA.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month called for ceasefires in conflicts across the world to allow countries to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Yemen has reported only one confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, aid groups fear a catastrophic outbreak should the virus spread among an acutely malnourished population in a country without adequate testing capabilities.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-24--French court rejects Amazon's appeal over ruling to limit deliveries during Covid-19 crisis

An employee prepares an order for Amazon at Porona warehouse in Bruay-sur-l'Escaut , near Valenciennes , France , April 22 , 2020 .
A French court rejected US online retailer Amazon 's appeal against a ruling that limits what it can deliver during the coronavirus crisis .
Amazon must restrict deliveries in France to IT products , health items , food and pet food , the Court of Appeal in Versailles said , adding that for every delivery not meeting this requirement , Amazon would face a €100,000 ( $ 108,020 ) penalty .
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown , but also fuelled protests by Amazon workers from the United States to Italy over its sanitary protocols .
In France , these protests spiralled into a legal battle , highlighting how companies may struggle to keep going while protecting their workers , just as firms across Europe need to figure out how to let staff safely return to offices and factories once restrictions are lifted .
The spat has also accentuated losses for some French businesses that were still managing to sell and ship through Amazon , in spite of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential .
Some 10,000 third-party French vendors sell though Amazon 's site and many use its logistics too .
The French government , facing an 8 percent economic downturn this year , has encouraged businesses to operate when possible .
A French court handed unions a first victory last week after it told Amazon to restrict shipments to only food , hygiene and medical products while it improved its health measures .
This followed complaints the warehouses were too crowded and still processing everything from sex toys to video games .
Amazon – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some products during the outbreak , though not to such an extreme – shut its warehouses , arguing the ruling was too vague and it could not risk a fine .
With most retailers closed in France , e-commerce has become a lifeline for many small firms .
Victor Mazoyer , a butcher in France 's southeastern Drôme region , said customers deserted his store when the lockdown started .
But his sales via Amazon jumped .
`` We used to have some five orders a week online ... and we 've gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Mayozer .

A French court rejected US online retailer Amazon's appeal against a ruling that limits what it can deliver during the coronavirus crisis.
An employee prepares an order for Amazon at Porona warehouse in Bruay-sur-l'Escaut, near Valenciennes, France, April 22, 2020.
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Amazon must restrict deliveries in France to IT products, health items, food and pet food, the Court of Appeal in Versailles said, adding that for every delivery not meeting this requirement, Amazon would face a €100,000 ($108,020) penalty.
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a surge in online orders from people under lockdown, but also fuelled protests by Amazon workers from the United States to Italy over its sanitary protocols.
In France, these protests spiralled into a legal battle, highlighting how companies may struggle to keep going while protecting their workers, just as firms across Europe need to figure out how to let staff safely return to offices and factories once restrictions are lifted.
The spat has also accentuated losses for some French businesses that were still managing to sell and ship through Amazon, in spite of a furore over whether some goods are really essential.
Some 10,000 third-party French vendors sell though Amazon's site and many use its logistics too. The French government, facing an 8 percent economic downturn this year, has encouraged businesses to operate when possible.
Unions handed a victory
A French court handed unions a first victory last week after it told Amazon to restrict shipments to only food, hygiene and medical products while it improved its health measures. This followed complaints the warehouses were too crowded and still processing everything from sex toys to video games.
Amazon – which had already said it would prioritise some products during the outbreak, though not to such an extreme – shut its warehouses, arguing the ruling was too vague and it could not risk a fine.
With most retailers closed in France, e-commerce has become a lifeline for many small firms.
Victor Mazoyer, a butcher in France's southeastern Drôme region, said customers deserted his store when the lockdown started. But his sales via Amazon jumped.
"We used to have some five orders a week online ... and we've gone up to 50 parcels of meat," said Mayozer.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-24--Brazil's justice minister Moro resigns after Bolsonaro fires police chief

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ( L ) and his Minister of Justice and Public Security Sergio Moro at Planalto Palace in Brasilia , Brazil , August 29 , 2019 .
Sergio Moro , Brazil 's justice and security minister , resigned on Friday after clashing with President Jair Bolsonaro over the sacking of the federal police chief .
Moro , a former anti-corruption judge , hit out at `` political interference '' in the federal police , saying that he could not do his job without `` autonomy '' for the force .
The news sparked jitters in the markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest in Latin America , plunging more than eight percent and the real dropping to a record low of 5.68 against the US dollar .
`` I 'm going to start packing up my things and send my resignation letter , '' said Moro , 47 , during a long speech in the capital Brasilia in which he accused the far right Bolsonaro of `` breaking the promise of a carte blanche . ''
The move came following Bolsonaro 's sacking of federal police chief Mauricio Valeixo , a close Moro ally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the federal police without a genuine reason is political interference that harms my credibility and that of the government , '' said Moro .
Last week , Bolsonaro also fired his health minister , Luiz Henrique Mandetta , who supported isolation as a tool to contain the spread of the virus .
Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the danger of COVID-19 .
`` Mandetta 's vision was that of health , of life .
Mine is more than life , it includes the economy and jobs , '' Bolsonaro said at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge in leading the high profile Car Wash corruption investigation that notably saw former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jailed for accepting a bribe .

Sergio Moro, Brazil's justice and security minister, resigned on Friday after clashing with President Jair Bolsonaro over the sacking of the federal police chief.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (L) and his Minister of Justice and Public Security Sergio Moro at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, August 29, 2019.
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Moro, a former anti-corruption judge, hit out at "political interference" in the federal police, saying that he could not do his job without "autonomy" for the force.
The news sparked jitters in the markets with Sao Paulo's stock exchange, the largest in Latin America, plunging more than eight percent and the real dropping to a record low of 5.68 against the US dollar.
"I'm going to start packing up my things and send my resignation letter," said Moro, 47, during a long speech in the capital Brasilia in which he accused the far right Bolsonaro of "breaking the promise of a carte blanche."
The move came following Bolsonaro's sacking of federal police chief Mauricio Valeixo, a close Moro ally.
"The change at the head of the federal police without a genuine reason is political interference that harms my credibility and that of the government," said Moro.
Last week, Bolsonaro also fired his health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who supported isolation as a tool to contain the spread of the virus. Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the danger of COVID-19.
"Mandetta's vision was that of health, of life. Mine is more than life, it includes the economy and jobs," Bolsonaro said at the time.
Moro made his name as a judge in leading the high profile Car Wash corruption investigation that notably saw former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jailed for accepting a bribe.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-24--Italy said to roll back lockdown over the course of four weeks

A worker wearing protective gear sanitizes the Mattozzi pizzeria , before the reopening of the restaurant for delivery service after 45 days of closure , amid the spread of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) continues in Campania , Italy , April 23 , 2020 .
Italy is to ease its coronavirus lockdown , the toughest and longest in Europe , over the next four weeks , media reported on Friday although there was no official confirmation .
`` The next four Mondays will mark the country 's reopening '' following the lockdown implemented last month to slow the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sera daily reported .
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed at least 25,500 people in Italy , the world 's second highest death toll .
`` Everything depends on the infection curve , '' the best-selling daily said , but if it does n't rise again `` factories making agricultural and forestry equipment can reopen on ( Monday ) April 27 '' .
Building sites as well as the textile and fashion industry can restart on May 4 , followed a week later by clothing , shoe and other shops .
Finally , bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 18 , the paper said .
Other Italian media said that bars and restaurants could reopen some time `` in the second half of May '' .
The country 's gradual reopening will be accompanied by strict hygiene measures and continued social distancing .
Shops with a surface area of 40 square metres or less will be allowed only one customer at a time .
Bars and restaurants will have to keep a distance of one metre between customers who will preferably not be seated in air conditioned spaces where viruses spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the longest one currently in force anywhere in the world .
Its stay-at-home orders -- introduced on March 9 -- have since been replicated by other European nations .
The government ordered all shops except for pharmacies and grocery stores to close on March 12 .

Italy is to ease its coronavirus lockdown, the toughest and longest in Europe, over the next four weeks, media reported on Friday although there was no official confirmation.
A worker wearing protective gear sanitizes the Mattozzi pizzeria, before the reopening of the restaurant for delivery service after 45 days of closure, amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Campania, Italy, April 23, 2020.
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"The next four Mondays will mark the country's reopening" following the lockdown implemented last month to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, the Corriere della Sera daily reported.
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed at least 25,500 people in Italy, the world's second highest death toll.
"Everything depends on the infection curve," the best-selling daily said, but if it doesn't rise again "factories making agricultural and forestry equipment can reopen on (Monday) April 27".
Building sites as well as the textile and fashion industry can restart on May 4, followed a week later by clothing, shoe and other shops.
Finally, bars, restaurants and hairdressers can reopen on May 18, the paper said.
Other Italian media said that bars and restaurants could reopen some time "in the second half of May".
The country's gradual reopening will be accompanied by strict hygiene measures and continued social distancing.
Shops with a surface area of 40 square metres or less will be allowed only one customer at a time.
Bars and restaurants will have to keep a distance of one metre between customers who will preferably not be seated in air conditioned spaces where viruses spread more easily.
Italy's national lockdown is the longest one currently in force anywhere in the world.
Its stay-at-home orders -- introduced on March 9 -- have since been replicated by other European nations.
The government ordered all shops except for pharmacies and grocery stores to close on March 12.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-24--‘The right thing to do’: The volunteers testing potential Covid-19 vaccine

The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday .
More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials , despite the possible risk of side effects .
`` I think you can never fully exclude any potential risk , but I think you have to walk in faith in these things , you have to trust that the work is being done as best they can , and know that the cause is important , so you just have to walk in faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill , a cancer researcher and one of the first two volunteers to receive the vaccine .
`` It seems like the right thing to do , to ensure that we can combat this disease and get over it a lot faster , '' he told Reuters .
The Oxford team , who have already developed a vaccine against Mers , another type of coronavirus , are hoping successful trials will lead to a Covid-19 vaccine being made available to the public by the end of the year .
They say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly ambitious ” .
`` Well personally I have a high degree of confidence about this vaccine because it is technology that we have used before , ” University of Oxford vaccinologist Prof Sarah Gilbert , who is among those leading the research , told Reuters .
“ Of course we have to test it , of course we have to get the data from humans .
We have used the technology to make lots of different vaccines though.
” As many as 100 potential Covid-19 vaccines are now under development across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to human trials .

The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday. More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials, despite the possible risk of side effects.
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"I think you can never fully exclude any potential risk, but I think you have to walk in faith in these things, you have to trust that the work is being done as best they can, and know that the cause is important, so you just have to walk in faith in that,” said Edward O’Neill, a cancer researcher and one of the first two volunteers to receive the vaccine.
"It seems like the right thing to do, to ensure that we can combat this disease and get over it a lot faster," he told Reuters.
The Oxford team, who have already developed a vaccine against Mers, another type of coronavirus, are hoping successful trials will lead to a Covid-19 vaccine being made available to the public by the end of the year.
They say, however, that this timeframe is “highly ambitious”.
"Well personally I have a high degree of confidence about this vaccine because it is technology that we have used before,” University of Oxford vaccinologist Prof Sarah Gilbert, who is among those leading the research, told Reuters.
“Of course we have to test it, of course we have to get the data from humans. We have used the technology to make lots of different vaccines though.”
As many as 100 potential Covid-19 vaccines are now under development across the world and at least five have already moved to human trials.
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france24--2020-04-24--‘Covering’ the coronavirus: our reporters’ perspective

What first looked like a local story , the coronavirus outbreak has in the space of a few weeks impacted people from all corners of the world , including the staff in the FRANCE 24 newsroom .
As France prepares its gradual exit from confinement in May , this fourth episode of “ Covering ” takes a look at how the Covid-19 crisis unfolded and how it has impacted our journalists ’ lives and work .
“ When I was talking about this virus with the editors of FRANCE 24 back in Paris in January , in February , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be safe , and I did not think that I would be the one saying that to them just a few weeks , a few months later , ” said our correspondent in China , Charles Pellegrin .
From Wuhan , the Covid-19 outbreak then spread to more than 200 countries and territories in the past months , leaving half of humanity under some form of lockdown .
The crisis also meant a major “ paradigm shift ” in and out of the newsroom , with greater reliance on the internet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and those in the field having to take unprecedented security measures to keep themselves and others safe .
“ We try to maintain the so-called security distance between us and the interviewee .
We try to wash the cameras regularly , avoid using hand mics and we try to reduce the time outside , ” says FRANCE 24 reporter Clovis Casali .
“ Because you are spending a lot of time outside you are more exposed , but of course nothing in comparison with the hospital workers , street cleaners , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this war on the virus.
” “ Covering such immense death tolls , and the struggles of the healthcare workers trying to deal with this , trying to give their all , or even the supermarket workers [ … ] I think all of that has brought it back home , how this has impacted everybody and every life , ” explains Seema Gupta , FRANCE 24 ’ s correspondent in Italy .
The fact that the crisis has left many people unemployed and fighting to put food on the table is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ makes you think about this health emergency being an economic and social emergency as well.
” Now , as many countries start to prepare for the end of lockdown measures , people have started wondering if things will ever be the same again .
“ There will be no obvious way to turn the page , '' says Gallagher Fenwick , director of FRANCE 24 English .
`` It ’ s going to be what we decide to do collectively , but also individually , as we come out of it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch episode 4 of our video series “ Covering ” .

What first looked like a local story, the coronavirus outbreak has in the space of a few weeks impacted people from all corners of the world, including the staff in the FRANCE 24 newsroom. As France prepares its gradual exit from confinement in May, this fourth episode of “Covering” takes a look at how the Covid-19 crisis unfolded and how it has impacted our journalists’ lives and work.
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“When I was talking about this virus with the editors of FRANCE 24 back in Paris in January, in February, they were telling me to be careful, to be safe, and I did not think that I would be the one saying that to them just a few weeks, a few months later,” said our correspondent in China, Charles Pellegrin. From Wuhan, the Covid-19 outbreak then spread to more than 200 countries and territories in the past months, leaving half of humanity under some form of lockdown.
The crisis also meant a major “paradigm shift” in and out of the newsroom, with greater reliance on the internet, most of the staff working from home, and those in the field having to take unprecedented security measures to keep themselves and others safe.
“We try to maintain the so-called security distance between us and the interviewee. We try to wash the cameras regularly, avoid using hand mics and we try to reduce the time outside,” says FRANCE 24 reporter Clovis Casali. “Because you are spending a lot of time outside you are more exposed, but of course nothing in comparison with the hospital workers, street cleaners, those who are really on the frontline in this war on the virus.”
A human and economic toll
“Covering such immense death tolls, and the struggles of the healthcare workers trying to deal with this, trying to give their all, or even the supermarket workers […] I think all of that has brought it back home, how this has impacted everybody and every life,” explains Seema Gupta, FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Italy. The fact that the crisis has left many people unemployed and fighting to put food on the table is “very sobering”, she says, and “makes you think about this health emergency being an economic and social emergency as well.”
Now, as many countries start to prepare for the end of lockdown measures, people have started wondering if things will ever be the same again.
“There will be no obvious way to turn the page," says Gallagher Fenwick, director of FRANCE 24 English. "It’s going to be what we decide to do collectively, but also individually, as we come out of it.”
Click on the player above to watch episode 4 of our video series “Covering”.
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france24--2020-04-24--In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas

In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas

In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas Will : i : Am , Taboo and apl.de.ap from the multi-million selling @ @ @ @ @ Peas speak to Eve Jackson about the role of the musician in an international health @ @ @ @ @ `` Mamacita '' that 's getting five million hits a day and how supermarket workers @ @ @ @ @ this global pandemic .

In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas
13:08 ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
Will:i:Am, Taboo and apl.de.ap from the multi-million selling hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas speak to Eve Jackson about the role of the musician in an international health crisis, their new single "Mamacita" that's getting five million hits a day and how supermarket workers are the real superheroes during this global pandemic.


france24--2020-04-24--Ramadan creates challenges for many in Gaza Strip during Covid-19 crisis

A Palestinian Muazzin reads the Koran in a near empty mosque on the first Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as prayers by worshippers in the holy places are suspended due to concerns about coronavirus in the Gaza Strip , April 24 , 2020 .
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is a time for giving , with mosques and charities feeding thousands , but coronavirus has left many in the Gaza Strip wondering how they will manage this year .
`` The markets and mosques are closed .
The good people who give us money or aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said 47-year-old Palestinian Salah Jibril , who is unemployed .
He and his wife live with their six children in a cramped two-bedroom flat on the outskirts of Gaza City .
He said his family normally counted on using the assistance they received during Ramadan to help them throughout the rest of the year .
`` This is the hardest Ramadan we have faced .
We do n't know how we will cope , '' he added .
So far , there have been 17 officially declared cases of coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly two million people .
This is partly due to rapid measures taken by the local government , run by Islamist group Hamas , which announced all mosques will remain closed throughout the holy month .
Large public prayer gatherings will be banned , with people told to stay at home .
During Ramadan , the faithful refrain from consuming food and even water during the day , breaking their fast at sunset with family and in large groups .
Mosques and other charitable organisations feed thousands of poor people during the month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money to help the impoverished – a donation known as zakat .
But this year in the strip , large public meals are banned and no concrete announcements have been made about alternate arrangements .
Donations are expected to be down due to the global economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Hamas announced this week it was giving $ 100 ( €93 ) to 5,000 poor families in the strip ahead of Ramadan .
Jibril 's family was not among them .
He receives around 1,800 shekels ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the local ministry of social affairs .
`` It is n't enough to pay the electricity , water and gas bills , a well as the food and drinks , and medicine for when the kids are sick , '' he said .
The family has no detergents or sterilisers .
A small bar of soap on a broken sink is all they have to keep their home clean .
Umm Mohammed , Jibril 's wife , said she could n't remember when they last had enough money to buy meat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Around 80 percent of the strip 's residents rely on aid , according to the United Nations .
Fifty-year-old father of seven Abdullah al-Omreen used to earn a meagre living selling fruit and vegetables in central Gaza , but is now unemployed .
During Ramadan , `` we receive alms from the rich and they also provide us meals daily .
But this year the whole situation is different , '' he said .
`` It will be difficult for everyone .
I am afraid no one will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis has increased calls for Israel to lift its crippling , almost 13-year-long blockade of the enclave that it insists is necessary to isolate Hamas .
The Islamist group has fought three wars with Israel since 2008 .
The mood might be dampened , but many Gazans are still getting into the Ramadan spirit , putting up decorations on the front of their homes .
`` Despite the difficult economic situation due to the coronavirus , we decorate our homes with Ramadan lanterns , '' said Moeen Abbas , owner of an ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to feel the atmosphere of the holy month . ''

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is a time for giving, with mosques and charities feeding thousands, but coronavirus has left many in the Gaza Strip wondering how they will manage this year.
A Palestinian Muazzin reads the Koran in a near empty mosque on the first Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as prayers by worshippers in the holy places are suspended due to concerns about coronavirus in the Gaza Strip, April 24, 2020.
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"The markets and mosques are closed. The good people who give us money or aid each Ramadan are facing a tough situation," said 47-year-old Palestinian Salah Jibril, who is unemployed.
He and his wife live with their six children in a cramped two-bedroom flat on the outskirts of Gaza City.
He said his family normally counted on using the assistance they received during Ramadan to help them throughout the rest of the year.
"This is the hardest Ramadan we have faced. We don't know how we will cope," he added.
So far, there have been 17 officially declared cases of coronavirus in the Gaza Strip, an enclave of roughly two million people.
This is partly due to rapid measures taken by the local government, run by Islamist group Hamas, which announced all mosques will remain closed throughout the holy month.
Public prayer gatherings banned
Large public prayer gatherings will be banned, with people told to stay at home.
Gaza's population is almost exclusively Muslim.
During Ramadan, the faithful refrain from consuming food and even water during the day, breaking their fast at sunset with family and in large groups.
Mosques and other charitable organisations feed thousands of poor people during the month, while individuals often give large sums of money to help the impoverished – a donation known as zakat.
But this year in the strip, large public meals are banned and no concrete announcements have been made about alternate arrangements.
Donations are expected to be down due to the global economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Hamas announced this week it was giving $100 (€93) to 5,000 poor families in the strip ahead of Ramadan.
Jibril's family was not among them.
He receives around 1,800 shekels ($500 or €463) every four months from the local ministry of social affairs.
"It isn't enough to pay the electricity, water and gas bills, a well as the food and drinks, and medicine for when the kids are sick," he said.
The family has no detergents or sterilisers. A small bar of soap on a broken sink is all they have to keep their home clean.
No money to buy meat
Umm Mohammed, Jibril's wife, said she couldn't remember when they last had enough money to buy meat.
"Coronavirus is worse than a war," she said.
Around 80 percent of the strip's residents rely on aid, according to the United Nations.
Fifty-year-old father of seven Abdullah al-Omreen used to earn a meagre living selling fruit and vegetables in central Gaza, but is now unemployed.
During Ramadan, "we receive alms from the rich and they also provide us meals daily. But this year the whole situation is different," he said. "It will be difficult for everyone. I am afraid no one will give us anything."
The coronavirus crisis has increased calls for Israel to lift its crippling, almost 13-year-long blockade of the enclave that it insists is necessary to isolate Hamas.
The Islamist group has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.
The mood might be dampened, but many Gazans are still getting into the Ramadan spirit, putting up decorations on the front of their homes.
"Despite the difficult economic situation due to the coronavirus, we decorate our homes with Ramadan lanterns," said Moeen Abbas, owner of an ice cream shop.
"We want our children to feel the atmosphere of the holy month."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-24--IMF and WHO warn against restrictions on medical and food supplies

The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) headquarters building is seen ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington @ @ @ @ @ April 8 , 2019 .
The International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization warned @ @ @ @ @ on medical supplies and food `` can be dangerously counterproductive '' as countries grapple with @ @ @ @ @ a joint statement urging caution on such restrictions , the two organizations also said they @ @ @ @ @ of trade financing needed to ensure that food and medical supply imports get to the @ @ @ @ @ .
The IMF and WTO said export restrictions `` disrupt supply chains , depress production @ @ @ @ @ critical products and workers away from where they are most needed .
Other governments counter @ @ @ @ @ ''

The International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization warned on Friday that export restrictions on medical supplies and food "can be dangerously counterproductive" as countries grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters building is seen ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington, D.C., US, April 8, 2019.
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In a joint statement urging caution on such restrictions, the two organizations also said they were concerned by the decline of trade financing needed to ensure that food and medical supply imports get to the countries that need them most.
The IMF and WTO said export restrictions "disrupt supply chains, depress production, and misdirect scarce, critical products and workers away from where they are most needed. Other governments counter with their own restrictions."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-24--Did dolphins really take advantage of coronavirus lockdown to take over a port in the south of Franc

Did dolphins really take advantage of coronavirus lockdown to take over a port in the south of France?

Turns out , the video was filmed in Turkey , not France The mooring cleat , the boat with a grey hull and the sea wall that you see in this photo also appear in the video .
Hundreds of thousands of people have watched a video showing dolphins swimming alongside a bunch of docked pleasure boats since it was posted on April 17 .
While most posts indicate that the video was filmed in the French region of Var , the port in question varies from post to post .
Some say the dolphin was swimming near Saint-Laurent-du-Var , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyères .
The mayor of Sanremo , a town in northwest Italy , actually thought that the dolphin had come to his port , before he realized that he was mistaken.We ran the video through a search using InVid ( check out how to use this tool by clicking this link ) and pulled up older posts featuring the same video , including a bunch of posts by Turkish media on April 16 .
These posts say that the video was filmed in Istanbul ’ s Ataköy Marina on the western bank of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dolphins with photos of the marina that had been posted on social media .
It was immediately clear that they showed the same location .

DEBUNKED
Lots of people shared this video of what they thought was a dolphin swimming near a port in the south of France. Many thought this footage was evidence of wildlife reclaiming spaces now that the pandemic has disrupted human activities.
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Lots of people have been reposting a video that they claim shows a group of dolphins happily swimming around a deserted port in the south of France as just one example of how wild animals are taking advantage of the reduction in human activity caused by the coronavirus lockdown. Turns out, this video wasn’t even filmed in France… and it’s actually pretty common to see dolphins in that port.
Hundreds of thousands of people have watched a video showing dolphins swimming alongside a bunch of docked pleasure boats since it was posted on April 17. While most posts indicate that the video was filmed in the French region of Var, the port in question varies from post to post. Some say the dolphin was swimming near Saint-Laurent-du-Var, while others say it was definitely in Hyères. The mayor of Sanremo, a town in northwest Italy, actually thought that the dolphin had come to his port, before he realized that he was mistaken.
Turns out, the video was filmed in Turkey, not France
We ran the video through a search using InVid (check out how to use this tool by clicking this link) and pulled up older posts featuring the same video, including a bunch of posts by Turkish media on April 16. These posts say that the video was filmed in Istanbul’s Ataköy Marina on the western bank of the Bosphorus Strait.
We compared the video of the dolphins with photos of the marina that had been posted on social media. It was immediately clear that they showed the same location.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram ⚓ Une publication partagée par Bilge (@bilgeakguul) le 4 Déc. 2018 à 7 :45 PST
comparaison
The mooring cleat, the boat with a grey hull and the sea wall that you see in this photo also appear in the video.
"It’s not that dolphins have made a comeback, it’s just that they are easier to see than before!"
Most of the captions on this video seem to imply that the dolphins coming into the waters surrounding the port are a sign that wild animals are reappropriating spaces left void of human activity because of the lockdown meant to control the spread of covid-19.
But the fact that dolphins are swimming around the port at this time of year isn’t surprising in the least to Arda Tonay, a professor of marine biology at the University of Istanbul and vice president of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) :
That video is nothing out of the ordinary! Three types of marine mammals live in the Bosphorus: porpoises, common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, which are what you see in the video. This is the time of the year when you are most likely to see them. Even when the boats are moving around, bottlenose dolphins often come to this marina at night or in the early morning when there are less people around. Because activity has decreased considerably, they’ve started coming during the day, as well. However, it’s wrong to say that dolphins are coming into the Bosphorus or coming closer to the marina than ever because of the pandemic. Dolphins have always been there, it’s just easier to see them during the day these days.
Kuyruğunu suya vurarak balık sürüsünü avlanan yunus ailesi, Moda pic.twitter.com/1LkprWZ6x0 Melike Acar???????????? (@MelikeAcar) April 11, 2020
This video, which was posted on April 11, shows dolphins swimming in the Bosphorus. It was filmed from the east bank of the river.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been lots of fake news stories about how animals are reappropriating human spaces left empty because of lockdowns, according to this article by National Geographic. Experts interviewed by the publication pointed out that, while this kind of fake news might at first seem positive, it can actually harm conservation efforts by making people feel like they’ve been deceived.
Article by Pierre Hamdi (@PierreHamdi)


france24--2020-04-25--World leaders launch push for Covid-19 vaccine – but US stays away

World leaders pledged on Friday to accelerate work on tests , drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the globe , but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) initiative .
French President Emmanuel Macron , German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among those who joined a video conference to launch what the WHO billed as a `` landmark collaboration '' to fight the pandemic .
The aim is to speed development of safe and effective drugs , tests and vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lung disease caused be the novel coronavirus - and ensure equal access to treatments for rich and poor .
`` We are facing a common threat which we can only defeat with a common approach , '' WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said as he opened the virtual meeting .
`` Experience has told us that even when tools are available they have not been equally available to all .
We can not allow that to happen . ''
During the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009 , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equitable as wealthier countries were able to purchase more .
`` We must make sure that people who need them get them , '' said Peter Sands , head of the Global Fund to Fight on AIDS , tuberculosis and malaria .
`` The lessons from AIDS must be learned .
Too many millions died before anti-retroviral medicines were made widely accessible . ''
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the objective at a global pledging effort on May 4 would be to raise 7.5 billion euros ( $ 8.10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention , diagnostics and treatment .
`` This is a first step only , but more will be needed in the future , '' von der Leyen told the conference .
Leaders from Asia , the Middle East and the Americas also joined the videoconference , but several big countries did not participate , including China , India and Russia .
A spokesman for the U.S. mission in Geneva had earlier told Reuters that the United States would not be involved .
`` Although the United States was not in attendance at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt about our continuing determination to lead on global health matters , including the current COVID crisis , '' he said by email .
`` We remain deeply concerned about the WHO 's effectiveness , given that its gross failures helped fuel the current pandemic , '' he later said .
U.S. President Donald Trump has lambasted the WHO as being slow to react to the outbreak and being `` China-centric '' and announced a suspension of funding .
Tedros has steadfastly defended the WHO 's handling of the pandemic and repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the agency does with all crises .
Macron , Merkel , Ramaphosa , and Spain 's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were among those voicing strong support to WHO .
Macron urged all G7 and G20 countries to get behind the initiative , adding : `` And I hope we 'll manage to reconcile around this joint initiative both China and the U.S. , because this is about saying 'the fight against COVID-19 is a common human good and there should be no division in order to win this battle ' . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ global public good , to produce this vaccine and to distribute it in all parts of the world . ''
Ramaphosa , chairman of the African Union , warned that the continent - with its generally poor standards of healthcare - was `` extremely vulnerable to the ravages of this virus and is in need of support '' .
More than 2.7 million people have been infected with COVID-19 and nearly 190,000 have died from it since the new coronavirus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new diagnostics , treatments and vaccines become available , we have a responsibility to get them out equitably with the understanding that all lives have equal value , '' said Melinda Gates , co-chair of the Gates Foundation , which was WHO 's second largest donor last year .
More than 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are being developed , including six already in clinical trials , said Dr. Seth Berkley , CEO of the GAVI vaccine alliance , a public-private partnership that leads immunisation campaigns in poor countries .
`` We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone , we are going to need global leadership to identify and prioritise vaccine candidates , '' he told a Geneva news briefing .
Yuan Qiong , senior legal and policy advisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres ( MSF ) Access Campaign welcomed the pledges but called for concrete steps .
`` There should n't be any patent monopoly and profiteering out of this pandemic , '' she told Reuters .

World leaders pledged on Friday to accelerate work on tests, drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the globe, but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative.
Advertising Read more
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among those who joined a video conference to launch what the WHO billed as a "landmark collaboration" to fight the pandemic.
The aim is to speed development of safe and effective drugs, tests and vaccines to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19, the lung disease caused be the novel coronavirus - and ensure equal access to treatments for rich and poor.
"We are facing a common threat which we can only defeat with a common approach," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus said as he opened the virtual meeting.
"Experience has told us that even when tools are available they have not been equally available to all. We cannot allow that to happen."
During the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009, there was criticism that distribution of vaccines was not equitable as wealthier countries were able to purchase more.
"We must make sure that people who need them get them," said Peter Sands, head of the Global Fund to Fight on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. "The lessons from AIDS must be learned. Too many millions died before anti-retroviral medicines were made widely accessible."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the objective at a global pledging effort on May 4 would be to raise 7.5 billion euros ($8.10 billion) to ramp up work on prevention, diagnostics and treatment.
"This is a first step only, but more will be needed in the future," von der Leyen told the conference.
'Common fight'
Leaders from Asia, the Middle East and the Americas also joined the videoconference, but several big countries did not participate, including China, India and Russia.
A spokesman for the U.S. mission in Geneva had earlier told Reuters that the United States would not be involved.
"Although the United States was not in attendance at the meeting in question, there should be no doubt about our continuing determination to lead on global health matters, including the current COVID crisis," he said by email.
"We remain deeply concerned about the WHO's effectiveness, given that its gross failures helped fuel the current pandemic," he later said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has lambasted the WHO as being slow to react to the outbreak and being "China-centric" and announced a suspension of funding.
Tedros has steadfastly defended the WHO's handling of the pandemic and repeatedly committed to conducting a post-pandemic evaluation, as the agency does with all crises.
Macron, Merkel, Ramaphosa, and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were among those voicing strong support to WHO.
Macron urged all G7 and G20 countries to get behind the initiative, adding: "And I hope we'll manage to reconcile around this joint initiative both China and the U.S., because this is about saying 'the fight against COVID-19 is a common human good and there should be no division in order to win this battle'."
Merkel said: "This concerns a global public good, to produce this vaccine and to distribute it in all parts of the world."
Ramaphosa, chairman of the African Union, warned that the continent - with its generally poor standards of healthcare - was "extremely vulnerable to the ravages of this virus and is in need of support".
Vaccine trials
More than 2.7 million people have been infected with COVID-19 and nearly 190,000 have died from it since the new coronavirus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, according to a Reuters tally.
"As new diagnostics, treatments and vaccines become available, we have a responsibility to get them out equitably with the understanding that all lives have equal value," said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, which was WHO's second largest donor last year.
More than 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are being developed, including six already in clinical trials, said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of the GAVI vaccine alliance, a public-private partnership that leads immunisation campaigns in poor countries.
"We need to ensure that there are enough vaccines for everyone, we are going to need global leadership to identify and prioritise vaccine candidates," he told a Geneva news briefing.
Yuan Qiong, senior legal and policy advisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Access Campaign welcomed the pledges but called for concrete steps. "There shouldn't be any patent monopoly and profiteering out of this pandemic," she told Reuters.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-25--US Covid-19 deaths surpass 50,000 as some states ease lockdown

Jeannie Dent gets a manicure from Sally Le at Nail Turbo , during the phased reopening of businesses and restaurants from coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) restrictions in the state , in Roswell , Georgia , U.S. , April 24 , 2020 .
The U.S. states of Georgia , Oklahoma and Alaska began loosening lockdown orders on their pandemic-wounded businesses , even as the confirmed U.S. death toll from the coronavirus soared past 50,000 and despite warnings from health experts that such steps may be coming too early .
The news came as the outbreak appeared to continue to subside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the virus was first detected late last year , authorities on Saturday reported no new deaths for the 10th straight day , along with just 12 new cases , 11 of them brought from overseas and one local transmission in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang bordering Russia , according to the National Health Commission .
Just 838 people remain hospitalized in China with COVID-19 while another 1,000 are undergoing isolation and monitoring for being either suspected cases or having tested positive for the virus while showing no symptoms .
China has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 82,816 cases .
South Korea reported 10 fresh cases , the eighth day in a row its daily jump came below 20 .
There were no new deaths for the second straight day .
India announced the easing of a stringent lockdown for 1.3 billion people with the reopening of neighborhood and standalone shops .
India has reported more than 18,600 cases and 775 deaths .
Last week , it allowed resumption of manufacturing and farming activities in rural areas as millions of daily wage earners were left without work .
In France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide whether to keep children at home or send them back to class when the nationwide lockdown , in place since March 17 , starts to be lifted on May 11 .
As in many countries , the tourism industry in France has been ravaged by the pandemic and a French hotel executive predicted his business will remain “ catastrophic ” for the rest of this year .
“ Zero percent ( occupancy ) in April , probably in May and probably in June , ” Serge Cachan , president of the Astotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
With estimated losses this year of 60-70 % , Cachan said he is counting on government help to survive .
Belgium announced that after May 3 , hospitals will progressively open to some non-essential tasks and textile shops also will be allowed to reopen as the country begins relaxing safeguards .
Denmark has reopened schools for the youngest grads , while in Spain , parents face the decision of whether to let kids get their first fresh air in weeks when the country on Sunday starts to ease the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still holding off on changes to its lockdown as the coronavirus-related death toll in hospitals fast approaches 20,000 .
It 's the fourth highest in Europe , behind Italy , Spain and France , each of which has reported more than 20,000 deaths .
In the U.S. , Republican governors in Georgia and Oklahoma allowed salons , spas and barbershops to reopen , while Alaska opened the way for restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to open their doors , all with limitations .
Some Alaska municipalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited in scope , and subject to social-distancing restrictions , the reopenings marked a symbolic milestone in the debate raging in the United States and beyond as to how quickly political leaders should lift economically devestating lockdown orders .
During a White House press briefing Friday , President Donald Trump spoke optimistically of the economy but also asked people to continue social distancing and using face coverings .
The same day , Trump signed a $ 484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic .
Over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have filed for jobless aid , or about 1 in 6 U.S. workers .
Trump also said his widely criticized comments suggesting people can ingest or inject disinfectant to fight COVID-19 was an attempt at sarcasm .
The coronavirus has killed more than 190,000 people worldwide , including - as of Friday - more than 50,000 in the United States , according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from government figures .
The actual death toll is believed to be far higher .
Amy Pembrook and her husband , Mike , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma town of Fairview after it had been shuttered for about a month .
“ We ’ re super excited about going back , but we have caught a little flak from people who say it ’ s too early , ” Amy Pembrook said .
“ We just said we can live in fear for a long time or we can trust that everything is going to be OK. ” Without a tried-and-tested action plan for how to pull countries out of coronavirus lockdown , the world is seeing a patchwork of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stay closed in others ; face masks are mandatory in some places , a recommendation elsewhere .
Meanwhile , testing continues to lag across the United States .
To date , according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project , just under 4.7 million people have been tested in the country of 330 million .
Researchers at Harvard University have estimated a minimum of 500,000 daily tests are needed , and possibly much more , in order to safely reopen the economy .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus tests to reach a broader range of people , including those with no symptoms who believe they may have been exposed .
In Michigan , Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer lengthened her stay-at-home order through May 15 , while lifting restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in outdoor activities such as golf and motorized boating .
Michigan has nearly 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19 , behind only New York and New Jersey .
New York reported its lowest number of daily COVID-19 deaths in weeks on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day before - the fewest since March 31 , when it recorded 391 deaths .
More than 16,000 people have died in the state from the outbreak .

The U.S. states of Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska began loosening lockdown orders on their pandemic-wounded businesses, even as the confirmed U.S. death toll from the coronavirus soared past 50,000 and despite warnings from health experts that such steps may be coming too early.
Jeannie Dent gets a manicure from Sally Le at Nail Turbo, during the phased reopening of businesses and restaurants from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the state, in Roswell, Georgia, U.S., April 24, 2020.
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The news came as the outbreak appeared to continue to subside in much of Asia. In China, where the virus was first detected late last year, authorities on Saturday reported no new deaths for the 10th straight day, along with just 12 new cases, 11 of them brought from overseas and one local transmission in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang bordering Russia, according to the National Health Commission.
Just 838 people remain hospitalized in China with COVID-19 while another 1,000 are undergoing isolation and monitoring for being either suspected cases or having tested positive for the virus while showing no symptoms. China has reported a total of 4,632 deaths among 82,816 cases.
South Korea reported 10 fresh cases, the eighth day in a row its daily jump came below 20. There were no new deaths for the second straight day.
India announced the easing of a stringent lockdown for 1.3 billion people with the reopening of neighborhood and standalone shops. India has reported more than 18,600 cases and 775 deaths. Last week, it allowed resumption of manufacturing and farming activities in rural areas as millions of daily wage earners were left without work.
In France, the government is leaving families to decide whether to keep children at home or send them back to class when the nationwide lockdown, in place since March 17, starts to be lifted on May 11.
As in many countries, the tourism industry in France has been ravaged by the pandemic and a French hotel executive predicted his business will remain “catastrophic” for the rest of this year.
“Zero percent (occupancy) in April, probably in May and probably in June,” Serge Cachan, president of the Astotel chain of Paris hotels, told The Associated Press. With estimated losses this year of 60-70%, Cachan said he is counting on government help to survive.
Belgium announced that after May 3, hospitals will progressively open to some non-essential tasks and textile shops also will be allowed to reopen as the country begins relaxing safeguards. Denmark has reopened schools for the youngest grads, while in Spain, parents face the decision of whether to let kids get their first fresh air in weeks when the country on Sunday starts to ease the total ban on letting them outside.
Britain was still holding off on changes to its lockdown as the coronavirus-related death toll in hospitals fast approaches 20,000. It's the fourth highest in Europe, behind Italy, Spain and France, each of which has reported more than 20,000 deaths.
In the U.S., Republican governors in Georgia and Oklahoma allowed salons, spas and barbershops to reopen, while Alaska opened the way for restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to open their doors, all with limitations. Some Alaska municipalities chose to maintain stricter rules.
Though limited in scope, and subject to social-distancing restrictions, the reopenings marked a symbolic milestone in the debate raging in the United States and beyond as to how quickly political leaders should lift economically devestating lockdown orders.
During a White House press briefing Friday, President Donald Trump spoke optimistically of the economy but also asked people to continue social distancing and using face coverings. The same day, Trump signed a $484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic. Over the past five weeks, roughly 26 million people have filed for jobless aid, or about 1 in 6 U.S. workers.
Trump also said his widely criticized comments suggesting people can ingest or inject disinfectant to fight COVID-19 was an attempt at sarcasm.
The coronavirus has killed more than 190,000 people worldwide, including - as of Friday - more than 50,000 in the United States, according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from government figures. The actual death toll is believed to be far higher.
Amy Pembrook and her husband, Mike, reopened their hair salon in the northwest Oklahoma town of Fairview after it had been shuttered for about a month.
“We’re super excited about going back, but we have caught a little flak from people who say it’s too early,” Amy Pembrook said. “We just said we can live in fear for a long time or we can trust that everything is going to be OK.”
Without a tried-and-tested action plan for how to pull countries out of coronavirus lockdown, the world is seeing a patchwork of approaches. Schools reopen in one country, stay closed in others; face masks are mandatory in some places, a recommendation elsewhere.
Meanwhile, testing continues to lag across the United States. To date, according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project, just under 4.7 million people have been tested in the country of 330 million. Researchers at Harvard University have estimated a minimum of 500,000 daily tests are needed, and possibly much more, in order to safely reopen the economy.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said his administration plans to let pharmacists administer virus tests to reach a broader range of people, including those with no symptoms who believe they may have been exposed.
In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lengthened her stay-at-home order through May 15, while lifting restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in outdoor activities such as golf and motorized boating. Michigan has nearly 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19, behind only New York and New Jersey.
New York reported its lowest number of daily COVID-19 deaths in weeks on Friday. The state recorded 422 deaths as of the day before - the fewest since March 31, when it recorded 391 deaths. More than 16,000 people have died in the state from the outbreak.
(AP)
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france24--2020-04-25--G20 vows to boost tourism sector battered by Covid-19

G20 nations pledged Friday to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic on global tourism , one of the hardest-hit industries in which millions risk losing their jobs .
COVID-19 lockdowns have pounded international tourism , which is estimated to see a 45 percent decline this year according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) .
G20 tourism ministers pledged to ensure coordination as their countries ease lockdowns and travel restrictions , and to support the struggling industry 's recovery .
`` We commit to helping tourism sector businesses ... entrepreneurs and workers to adapt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the ministers said in a joint statement after a virtual meeting hosted by the group 's current president Saudi Arabia .
Up to 75 million jobs are at risk in the labour-intensive sector , they said , citing the World Travel and Tourism Council .
The tourism minister of Saudi Arabia , which last year issued its first tourist visas to boost the nascent sector , voiced hope the pandemic 's impact would be `` short-term '' .
`` The sites are still there , hotels are still there , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come back , '' Ahmed al-Khatib told AFP .
Saudi tourism faces a sharp downturn just months after launching the new visas in September , vaunting ambitions to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030 .
The kingdom has spent billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch , one of the main planks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 's drive to wean the economy off its decades-long dependence on oil revenues .
Saudi Arabia has splurged more than 500 million riyals ( $ 133 million ) to quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus in otherwise empty hotels around the kingdom , Khatib said .
The government is renting `` complete hotels '' for three or four months , Khatib added , offering a temporary lifeline to the struggling sector .

G20 nations pledged Friday to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic on global tourism, one of the hardest-hit industries in which millions risk losing their jobs.
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COVID-19 lockdowns have pounded international tourism, which is estimated to see a 45 percent decline this year according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
G20 tourism ministers pledged to ensure coordination as their countries ease lockdowns and travel restrictions, and to support the struggling industry's recovery.
"We commit to helping tourism sector businesses... entrepreneurs and workers to adapt and thrive in a new post-crisis era," the ministers said in a joint statement after a virtual meeting hosted by the group's current president Saudi Arabia.
Up to 75 million jobs are at risk in the labour-intensive sector, they said, citing the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The tourism minister of Saudi Arabia, which last year issued its first tourist visas to boost the nascent sector, voiced hope the pandemic's impact would be "short-term".
"The sites are still there, hotels are still there, restaurants are still there, waiting for visitors to come back," Ahmed al-Khatib told AFP.
Saudi tourism faces a sharp downturn just months after launching the new visas in September, vaunting ambitions to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030.
The kingdom has spent billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch, one of the main planks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's drive to wean the economy off its decades-long dependence on oil revenues.
Saudi Arabia has splurged more than 500 million riyals ($133 million) to quarantine thousands of overseas travellers and those exposed to the virus in otherwise empty hotels around the kingdom, Khatib said.
The government is renting "complete hotels" for three or four months, Khatib added, offering a temporary lifeline to the struggling sector.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-25--Week in Review: Violence in the Paris suburbs, Syria risks a 'bloodbath' and riding with Bugatti

FRANCE 24 looks at Italy 's preparations to reverse its lockdown after having been hit hard by the coronavirus , an outbreak of violence in some of the impoverished suburbs of Paris and the risk of the virus causing a `` bloodbath '' in Syria .
We also spoke to the Black Eyed Peas about their latest releases and looked at Tom Hanks ' latest `` nicer than ever '' role .
Covid-19 : 'If there were a severe outbreak in Syria , there would be a bloodbath' While the Covid-19 pandemic has killed more than 180,000 people worldwide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported relatively few cases .
But if the epidemic were to worsen , Syria 's death toll risks spiraling out of control as the country , still under international sanctions , lacks basic medical equipment .
Spectre of second wave haunts Italy as government mulls path out of lockdown The European country worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic is approaching a fateful decision on how to start lifting a nearly two-month-long lockdown on May 4 , with experts warning that Italians must learn to “ coexist ” with the virus for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : An explosive combination for our health ?
Recently published studies have explored the possibility of a link between pollution levels and Covid-19 fatalities .
While initial observations suggest that the virus is more dangerous in heavily polluted areas , more work is needed to prove this conclusively .
Nights of unrest in the French capital ’ s northern suburbs have stoked fears of a major flare-up in deprived neighbourhoods where weeks of lockdown have exacerbated the simmering tensions between restless youths and police .
From Netflix to sex toys : The businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a heavy toll on dozens of industries , sparking fears of a global economic recession to rival the Great Depression .
But for a few companies business is booming , as the pandemic triggers a surge in demand for their products .
‘ The right thing to do ’ : The volunteers testing potential Covid-19 vaccine The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday .
More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The coronavirus outbreak has , in the space of a few weeks , affected people from all corners of the world .
As France prepares its gradual exit from confinement in May , “ Covering ” takes a look at how the Covid-19 crisis unfolded and how it has influenced the life and work of FRANCE 24 journalists .
French gender equality minister on helping victims of domestic violence during lockdown In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Marlène Schiappa , France 's minister for gender equality , discussed the rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown and the measures taken by the French government in response .
IMF 's Kristalina Georgieva tells FRANCE 24 some eventual debt forgiveness is not off the table There has been a massive international effort to shore up Africa 's ability to respond to the coronavirus pandemic , with the continent expected to pay a devastating economic toll in the fightback .
Lenders have come up with $ 57 billion in loans and grants to help with the immediate impact of the crisis .
International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva tells FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the table .
Covid-19 : Francophone chief calls for 'moratorium ' on Africa 's debt , not cancellation Louise Mushikiwabo , the secretary general of the international organisation for Francophone nations , explained that Africa has been `` extremely cautious '' amid the Covid-19 pandemic but is already suffering the economic consequences .
She added , however , that she was not in favour of cancelling the debt of African countries , but that she preferred a `` moratorium on debt '' to support the economies of the continent .
`` Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
Former top White House official on Trump 's Covid-19 response : 'Time was lost' Beth Cameron , a former top White House official for pandemics , discussed the Trump administration ’ s response to the Covid-19 outbreak .
Cameron , who headed a directorate on pandemics created under Barack Obama that was later disbanded by the Trump administration , told FRANCE 24 that `` time was lost '' due to that decision .
She also reacted to reports that a US vaccine expert was fired for disagreeing with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organisation .
In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas Will : i : Am , Taboo and apl.de.ap from the multi-million selling hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas speak to Eve Jackson about the role of the musician in an international health crisis , their new single `` Mamacita '' that 's getting five million hits a day and how supermarket workers are the real superheroes during this global pandemic .
Tom Hanks is nicer than ever in ' A Beautiful Day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review `` A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood '' by Marielle Heller , in which Tom Hanks plays the beloved American TV personality Mister Rogers .
We also look at the documentary `` Be Natural '' , directed by Pamela Green , about the first female to direct a film : Frenchwoman Alice Guy .
YOU ARE HERE For almost 40 years , the automobile pioneer Ettore Bugatti designed exceptional cars in France 's eastern Alsace region .
`` Nothing is too beautiful ; nothing is too expensive , '' was his motto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Italian mechanics enthusiast was hired by an Alsatian industrialist .
In 1909 , he set up his own business in Molsheim .
Today , a foundation is dedicated to him in the city centre and about 100 models can be seen in the giant automobile museum in nearby Mulhouse .
FRANCE 24 takes you on a tour of the region , starting at a Bugatti workshop .
French culture : An 'exception ' to be protected ?
France is known around the world for its culture , and its literature , cinema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precious things that must be protected and promoted .
The French state therefore invests a lot of money in the country ’ s cultural output .
This costly policy – known as the `` cultural exception '' – has a good return on investment in terms of economic growth , but is n't without controversy .
From tough to tougher : The challenges for disabled people in times of lockdown Every day , disabled people face specific challenges .
But the coronavirus lockdown measures have made things even more difficult .
FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the globe .
With France now in its sixth week of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic , FRANCE 24 brings you four reports showing how the crisis has disrupted daily life across the country .
Paralysed planes : Should airline bailouts come with climate conditions ?
As Covid-19 takes hold across the globe , and global demand for air travel falls 80 percent , the aviation industry is in freefall .
The International Air Transport Association predicts half of all airlines will be bankrupt by June if governments do n't step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigners , however , believe the pause in flying is an opportunity to build a cleaner air transport system .
Paris was once again the global hub of haute couture in January , providing the backdrop for the summer ’ s couture collections .
It ’ s an art form out of reach for most budgets .
But , at its best , it can carry powerful messages about artistic and economic freedom .
At Julien Fournié and Alexandre Vauthier , it ’ s all about turning a dream into reality through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reproductive rights are being eroded by Covid-19 The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday .
More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials , despite the possible risk of side effects .

WEEK IN REVIEW
FRANCE 24 looks at Italy's preparations to reverse its lockdown after having been hit hard by the coronavirus, an outbreak of violence in some of the impoverished suburbs of Paris and the risk of the virus causing a "bloodbath" in Syria. We also spoke to the Black Eyed Peas about their latest releases and looked at Tom Hanks' latest "nicer than ever" role.
Advertising Read more
ARTICLES
Covid-19: 'If there were a severe outbreak in Syria, there would be a bloodbath'
While the Covid-19 pandemic has killed more than 180,000 people worldwide and infected more than 2.5 million, Syria has reported relatively few cases. But if the epidemic were to worsen, Syria's death toll risks spiraling out of control as the country, still under international sanctions, lacks basic medical equipment.
Spectre of second wave haunts Italy as government mulls path out of lockdown
The European country worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic is approaching a fateful decision on how to start lifting a nearly two-month-long lockdown on May 4, with experts warning that Italians must learn to “coexist” with the virus for months to come.
Italy fears a second wave. © Reuters
Air pollution and Covid-19: An explosive combination for our health?
Recently published studies have explored the possibility of a link between pollution levels and Covid-19 fatalities. While initial observations suggest that the virus is more dangerous in heavily polluted areas, more work is needed to prove this conclusively.
Violence flares in tense Paris suburbs as heavy-handed lockdown stirs ‘explosive cocktail’
Nights of unrest in the French capital’s northern suburbs have stoked fears of a major flare-up in deprived neighbourhoods where weeks of lockdown have exacerbated the simmering tensions between restless youths and police.
A rubbish bin burns in the street during clashes in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, in the northern suburbs of Paris, early on April 21, 2020. © Geoffroy Van der Hasselt, AFP
VIDEO REPORTS
From Netflix to sex toys: The businesses benefiting from the Covid-19 pandemic
Covid-19 has taken a heavy toll on dozens of industries, sparking fears of a global economic recession to rival the Great Depression. But for a few companies business is booming, as the pandemic triggers a surge in demand for their products.
Video Reports © France 24
‘The right thing to do’: The volunteers testing potential Covid-19 vaccine
The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday. More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials, despite the possible risk of side effects.
Human trials of a potential Covid-19 vaccine have begun in Oxford, UK. © AFP / FRANCE 24
‘Covering’ the coronavirus: our reporters’ perspective
The coronavirus outbreak has, in the space of a few weeks, affected people from all corners of the world. As France prepares its gradual exit from confinement in May, “Covering” takes a look at how the Covid-19 crisis unfolded and how it has influenced the life and work of FRANCE 24 journalists.
TV SHOWS ONLINE
THE INTERVIEW
French gender equality minister on helping victims of domestic violence during lockdown
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Marlène Schiappa, France's minister for gender equality, discussed the rise in domestic violence during the country's Covid-19 lockdown and the measures taken by the French government in response.
Marlène Schiappa © FRANCE 24
IMF's Kristalina Georgieva tells FRANCE 24 some eventual debt forgiveness is not off the table
There has been a massive international effort to shore up Africa's ability to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with the continent expected to pay a devastating economic toll in the fightback. Lenders have come up with $57 billion in loans and grants to help with the immediate impact of the crisis. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva tells FRANCE 24 that some eventual debt forgiveness is not off the table.
IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks to FRANCE 24 © France 24
Covid-19: Francophone chief calls for 'moratorium' on Africa's debt, not cancellation
Louise Mushikiwabo, the secretary general of the international organisation for Francophone nations, explained that Africa has been "extremely cautious" amid the Covid-19 pandemic but is already suffering the economic consequences. She added, however, that she was not in favour of cancelling the debt of African countries, but that she preferred a "moratorium on debt" to support the economies of the continent. "Africa is not demanding any special treatment," she said.
Former top White House official on Trump's Covid-19 response: 'Time was lost'
Beth Cameron, a former top White House official for pandemics, discussed the Trump administration’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Cameron, who headed a directorate on pandemics created under Barack Obama that was later disbanded by the Trump administration, told FRANCE 24 that "time was lost" due to that decision. She also reacted to reports that a US vaccine expert was fired for disagreeing with Trump. Finally, she strongly criticised the president's decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organisation.
ENCORE!
In quarantine with the Black Eyed Peas
Will:i:Am, Taboo and apl.de.ap from the multi-million selling hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas speak to Eve Jackson about the role of the musician in an international health crisis, their new single "Mamacita" that's getting five million hits a day and how supermarket workers are the real superheroes during this global pandemic.
The Black Eyed Peas © France 24
Tom Hanks is nicer than ever in 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'
FRANCE 24's film critics review "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" by Marielle Heller, in which Tom Hanks plays the beloved American TV personality Mister Rogers. We also look at the documentary "Be Natural", directed by Pamela Green, about the first female to direct a film: Frenchwoman Alice Guy.
Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers © France 24
YOU ARE HERE
Bugatti: A victory lap around France's Alsace region
For almost 40 years, the automobile pioneer Ettore Bugatti designed exceptional cars in France's eastern Alsace region. "Nothing is too beautiful; nothing is too expensive," was his motto. At the age of 21, the Italian mechanics enthusiast was hired by an Alsatian industrialist. In 1909, he set up his own business in Molsheim. Today, a foundation is dedicated to him in the city centre and about 100 models can be seen in the giant automobile museum in nearby Mulhouse. FRANCE 24 takes you on a tour of the region, starting at a Bugatti workshop.
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
French culture: An 'exception' to be protected?
France is known around the world for its culture, and its literature, cinema, music and art are seen as precious things that must be protected and promoted. The French state therefore invests a lot of money in the country’s cultural output. This costly policy – known as the "cultural exception" – has a good return on investment in terms of economic growth, but isn't without controversy.
FOCUS
From tough to tougher: The challenges for disabled people in times of lockdown
Every day, disabled people face specific challenges. But the coronavirus lockdown measures have made things even more difficult.
A WORLD CONFINED
A world confined: FRANCE 24 reports from India to Ethiopia
FRANCE 24 brings you four reports from our correspondents around the globe.
A world confined © FRANCE 24
CONFINEMENT: Week 6
With France now in its sixth week of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, FRANCE 24 brings you four reports showing how the crisis has disrupted daily life across the country.
DOWN TO EARTH
Paralysed planes: Should airline bailouts come with climate conditions?
As Covid-19 takes hold across the globe, and global demand for air travel falls 80 percent, the aviation industry is in freefall. The International Air Transport Association predicts half of all airlines will be bankrupt by June if governments don't step in with loans and bailouts. Climate campaigners, however, believe the pause in flying is an opportunity to build a cleaner air transport system.
FASHION
Haute couture, summer 2020: A force for female emancipation?
Paris was once again the global hub of haute couture in January, providing the backdrop for the summer’s couture collections. It’s an art form out of reach for most budgets. But, at its best, it can carry powerful messages about artistic and economic freedom. At Julien Fournié and Alexandre Vauthier, it’s all about turning a dream into reality through the client and couturier working together.
Fashion © FRANCE24
THE 51 PERCENT
How reproductive rights are being eroded by Covid-19
The first two volunteers were injected with a potential new Covid-19 vaccine being trialled at Oxford University on Thursday. More than 1,000 have agreed to take part in the first phase of human trials, despite the possible risk of side effects.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-25--French military bought chloroquine from China as Covid-19 'precaution'

France 's armed forces ministry on Friday said it had bought a consignment of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine from China as a precaution in case it becomes an approved medication for the coronavirus , an idea dismissed by many experts .
France 's armed forces ministry on Friday said it had bought a consignment of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine from China as a precaution in case it becomes an approved medication for the coronavirus , an idea dismissed by many experts .
The ministry made the statement following a viral video on social media showing packages marked as chloroquine destined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the background of strong tensions in the provisioning of pharmaceutical materials , the armed forces ministry carried out a purchase as a precaution , '' it said , confirming that the purchase had been from China .
It said the purchased drug would be ready `` if ever chloroquine is authorised by the health authorities as useful for fighting against COVID-19 , '' it added .
There has been impassioned debate in France on the effectiveness of chloroquine in treating the coronavirus , a cause championed by Professor Didier Raoult , a prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has also backed the idea .
But France has only authorised its use for treating the gravest virus cases and a recent US study linked chloroquine to a higher death rate .
In the video on social media , a voice can be saying that the consignment amounts to 70 kilogrammes and was destined for the army 's central pharmacy .
The ministry however could not confirm how much of the substance was imported .
Four French soldiers deployed in the Sahel region of western Africa in France 's anti-jihadist Barkhane force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moreover , nearly half of the 2,300 sailors who were aboard France 's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and support craft when a coronavirus outbreak occurred at sea have tested positive for the virus .

France's armed forces ministry on Friday said it had bought a consignment of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine from China as a precaution in case it becomes an approved medication for the coronavirus, an idea dismissed by many experts.
France's armed forces ministry on Friday said it had bought a consignment of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine from China as a precaution in case it becomes an approved medication for the coronavirus, an idea dismissed by many experts.
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The ministry made the statement following a viral video on social media showing packages marked as chloroquine destined for the French army.
"Against the background of strong tensions in the provisioning of pharmaceutical materials, the armed forces ministry carried out a purchase as a precaution," it said, confirming that the purchase had been from China.
It said the purchased drug would be ready "if ever chloroquine is authorised by the health authorities as useful for fighting against COVID-19," it added.
There has been impassioned debate in France on the effectiveness of chloroquine in treating the coronavirus, a cause championed by Professor Didier Raoult, a prominent but controversial Marseille-based doctor.
President Donald Trump has also backed the idea. But France has only authorised its use for treating the gravest virus cases and a recent US study linked chloroquine to a higher death rate.
In the video on social media, a voice can be saying that the consignment amounts to 70 kilogrammes and was destined for the army's central pharmacy. The ministry however could not confirm how much of the substance was imported.
Four French soldiers deployed in the Sahel region of western Africa in France's anti-jihadist Barkhane force tested positive earlier this month for coronavirus.
Moreover, nearly half of the 2,300 sailors who were aboard France's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and support craft when a coronavirus outbreak occurred at sea have tested positive for the virus.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-25--Belgium to reopen businesses, schools gradually from mid-May

Businesses and schools in Belgium will gradually reopen from the middle of May , easing a lockdown imposed in mid-March to curb the coronavirus pandemic , Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes announced Friday .
Businesses will restart from May 11 and schools from May 18 , Wilmes said , adding the spread of the virus had slowed but pointing out the situation was still evolving .
`` Nothing is etched in stone , '' the premier added .
By Friday , the country of 11.5 million people registered more than 44,000 infections and nearly 6,700 deaths .
`` The spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has not disappeared , '' Wilmes said following a long emergency government meeting focused on the lockdown .
The different phases of easing the lockdown could still be delayed if experts decide there has been an insufficient decrease in hospitalisations , she said .
Businesses will have to respect social distancing when they reopen , she said .
Restaurants will begin reopening only from June 8 at the earliest .
A timetable has not been set for cafes and bars .
As for schools , some classes will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Businesses and schools in Belgium will gradually reopen from the middle of May, easing a lockdown imposed in mid-March to curb the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes announced Friday.
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Businesses will restart from May 11 and schools from May 18, Wilmes said, adding the spread of the virus had slowed but pointing out the situation was still evolving. "Nothing is etched in stone," the premier added.
By Friday, the country of 11.5 million people registered more than 44,000 infections and nearly 6,700 deaths.
"The spread of COVID-19 has been slowed down, but the virus has not disappeared," Wilmes said following a long emergency government meeting focused on the lockdown.
The different phases of easing the lockdown could still be delayed if experts decide there has been an insufficient decrease in hospitalisations, she said.
Businesses will have to respect social distancing when they reopen, she said.
Restaurants will begin reopening only from June 8 at the earliest. A timetable has not been set for cafes and bars.
As for schools, some classes will be able to go ahead from Monday, May 18.
(AFP)
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