france24--2020-05-28--Latin American countries face uphill battle against Covid-19 pandemic

Medical personnel protest in Mexico City on May 25 , 2020 , with signs reading , `` New N95 , for your safety , for my safety , for everybody 's safety '' and `` No to exposure without protection equipment '' .
While the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be coming under control in Asia and Europe , it continues to wreak havoc in Latin America .
The World Health Organization has described this as a “ new epicentre ” .
FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the situation in these countries , which are trying to achieve a balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start reviving the economy .
Latin America is the `` new epicentre '' of the Covid-19 pandemic , with infections and deaths set to substantially worsen in the coming weeks , the WHO said on Tuesday .
While Europe is slowly emerging from lockdown , Latin America is now the most affected place in the world , with terrible repercussions for both the economy and employment .
“ South America has become a new epicentre for the disease .
We are seeing an increase in the number of cases in many South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of WHO ’ s Health Emergencies Programme Michael Ryan at a virtual conference from Geneva .
Brazil , Mexico and Peru are experiencing the most severe concentration of deaths in Latin America .
Chile , for its part , is on the brink of collapse , according to its president , while Ecuador and especially the city of Guayaquil , are beginning to show signs of recovery .
FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the different situations in the region : With a population of 210 million , Brazil is now the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the United States , in number of confirmed cases .
It is feared that the number of infections and deaths could be higher , as the country has been slow to implement screening tests .
Far-right populist president Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the epidemic since the beginning of the crisis .
With his supporters , he has denounced `` the dictatorship of the coronavirus ” and has regularly refused to respect any social distancing .
During a meeting in the capital Brasilia on Sunday , he removed his mask , shook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to even carried a child on his shoulders .
To protect the population , however , local authorities have adopted containment measures against the advice of the president .
In Mexico , too hasty to end lockdown ?
Mexico has the second highest death toll in Latin America with more than 6,000 deaths related to Covid-19 .
In spite of this , President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is already considering ending lockdown and claimed in a press conference that `` the pandemic has been tamed '' , allowing `` a return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes that social distancing must be maintained , his government has already begun working on how the country should emerge from lockdown .
They have developed a four-colour coding system depending on the intensity of the virus 's circulation .
Obrador wants to restart economic activity as soon as possible .
This rush to a new normal is being delayed by the closure of the border with the United States , a trading partner on which Mexico is highly dependent .
`` The social distancing campaign has made it possible to smooth out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less saturated .
But [ Obrador ’ s ] eagerness to end lockdown risks provoking a second wave of contagion , ” Dr. Guillermo Torre of the faculty of medicine at Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education , said in an interview to the French daily Le Monde .
This is especially true since NGOs have questioned whether the real number of cases is greatly underestimated in the country .
On March 16 , when only 86 cases were officially registered , Peru was the first Latin American country to adopt restrictive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic .
But , after nine weeks of lockdown , infection figures exploded .
Peru is now the second most affected country in Latin America after Brazil , and the third in terms of number of deaths after Brazil and Mexico .
The spread , despite lockdown , is due to several factors .
The first is the fragility of the Peruvian health system .
More than 8,000 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised in Peru .
But , due to a combination of lack of protective equipment and failure to follow health safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers .
At least 635 doctors and 1,200 nurses contracted the disease , and 33 health-care workers died .
In addition , markets and banks have acted as vectors for circulating the virus .
By declaring lockdown , the government was forced to maintain essential economic activities , including the sale of food in markets .
The markets became a source of contamination until the government responded by closing them down .
The same problem occurred with the banks , where Peruvians flocked to withdraw emergency aid vouchers .
The soaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the central role of the unofficial sector , which accounts for 70 percent of the country 's activities .
Thousands of people defied lockdown orders to feed their families .
Chile registered a new high for coronavirus cases on Monday , with nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours , including two ministers in President Sebastian Piñera 's government .
Over the past two weeks , Chile has seen a very significant increase in contamination , which has prompted the government to decree compulsory lockdown for the seven million inhabitants of the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national health system became saturated and `` very close to its limits '' .
In Santiago , the occupancy rate for intensive care beds is close to 95 percent .
But the pandemic is not the only problem facing Chile .
Unemployment and hunger have exploded in the poorest neighbourhoods .
In mid-May , residents of Santiago defied compulsory lockdown to protest .
In response , the Chilean government has begun distributing 2.5 million food baskets to the poorest families .
These distributions , estimated to cost $ 100 million , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have lost their jobs due to the health crisis .
But the situation remains explosive because of a social imbalance that was already tense before the epidemic .
In Venezuela , has the epidemic been contained ?
According to Venezuela 's president , Nicolas Maduro , the country has managed to `` contain '' the spread of the coronavirus .
The Venezuelan government recorded just 11 deaths related to Covid-19 and 1,211 confirmed cases on Wednesday .
If Maduro is proud of these figures , his main opponent , the self-proclaimed president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High Commissioner for Human Rights , Michelle Bachelet , has also publicly criticised Venezuela 's `` lack of transparency '' .
But both the WHO and Johns Hopkins University have accepted the government 's official figures .
Lockdown has been extended for another month for the 30 million Venezuelans .
A decision by Maduro that has less to do with health reasons than with a shortage of petrol that is undermining an already unlikely economic recovery , according to experts in the region interviewed by AFP .
Many people have resorted to breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the population is trying to get back to work in order to survive an economic situation that was already bad before the pandemic .
Since the first detection of the coronavirus in the country on February 29 , Ecuador has been one of the Latin American countries hardest hit by the pandemic .
More than 3,200 people have died and images of dead bodies in homes and streets have shocked the world .
The city of Guayaquil quickly became the local epicentre of the pandemic , resulting in the collapse of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the disease , Ecuador declared a state of emergency in mid-March and closed schools and offices .
A 15-hour daily curfew was also imposed .
This has resulted in public protest .
Demonstrators defied coronavirus restrictions to march in cities across Ecuador on Monday in protest against President Lenin Moreno 's drastic economic measures to tackle the crisis .
Guayaquil is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel .
After nine weeks of lockdown , the city has begun the next phase , with the resumption of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of countries appears to be coping well with the Covid-19 pandemic for the time being .
Their united stance is one of caution , as in Argentina where lockdown has been extended until June 7 .
In Colombia , it is extended at least until May 31 , while the state of health emergency is expected to last until August 31 .
In Uruguay , according to the scientific committee advising the government , the pandemic is under `` relative control '' .
This small country of 3.5 million people has registered less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by May 28 .
This article was translated by Sophie Gorman from the original in French .

While the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be coming under control in Asia and Europe, it continues to wreak havoc in Latin America. The World Health Organization has described this as a “new epicentre”. FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the situation in these countries, which are trying to achieve a balance between protective health measures and the need to start reviving the economy.
Medical personnel protest in Mexico City on May 25, 2020, with signs reading, "New N95, for your safety, for my safety, for everybody's safety" and "No to exposure without protection equipment".
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Latin America is the "new epicentre" of the Covid-19 pandemic, with infections and deaths set to substantially worsen in the coming weeks, the WHO said on Tuesday.
While Europe is slowly emerging from lockdown, Latin America is now the most affected place in the world, with terrible repercussions for both the economy and employment.
“South America has become a new epicentre for the disease. We are seeing an increase in the number of cases in many South American countries,” said executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme Michael Ryan at a virtual conference from Geneva.
Death rates by country per 100,000 population as of May 27 2020, according to John Hopkins University. © FRANCE 24 infographic.
Brazil, Mexico and Peru are experiencing the most severe concentration of deaths in Latin America. Chile, for its part, is on the brink of collapse, according to its president, while Ecuador and especially the city of Guayaquil, are beginning to show signs of recovery.
FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the different situations in the region:
In Brazil, populism and pandemics mix poorly
With a population of 210 million, Brazil is now the second most affected country in the world, behind the United States, in number of confirmed cases. It is feared that the number of infections and deaths could be higher, as the country has been slow to implement screening tests.
Far-right populist president Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the epidemic since the beginning of the crisis. With his supporters, he has denounced "the dictatorship of the coronavirus” and has regularly refused to respect any social distancing. During a meeting in the capital Brasilia on Sunday, he removed his mask, shook hands with as many people as possible and to even carried a child on his shoulders.
To protect the population, however, local authorities have adopted containment measures against the advice of the president.
In Mexico, too hasty to end lockdown?
Mexico has the second highest death toll in Latin America with more than 6,000 deaths related to Covid-19. In spite of this, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is already considering ending lockdown and claimed in a press conference that "the pandemic has been tamed", allowing "a return to a new normalcy".
While he believes that social distancing must be maintained, his government has already begun working on how the country should emerge from lockdown. They have developed a four-colour coding system depending on the intensity of the virus's circulation. Obrador wants to restart economic activity as soon as possible. This rush to a new normal is being delayed by the closure of the border with the United States, a trading partner on which Mexico is highly dependent.
"The social distancing campaign has made it possible to smooth out the epidemiological curve so that hospitals are less saturated. But [Obrador’s] eagerness to end lockdown risks provoking a second wave of contagion,” Dr. Guillermo Torre of the faculty of medicine at Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, said in an interview to the French daily Le Monde. This is especially true since NGOs have questioned whether the real number of cases is greatly underestimated in the country.
In Peru, the struggle continues
On March 16, when only 86 cases were officially registered, Peru was the first Latin American country to adopt restrictive measures in an attempt to contain the epidemic. But, after nine weeks of lockdown, infection figures exploded. Peru is now the second most affected country in Latin America after Brazil, and the third in terms of number of deaths after Brazil and Mexico.
The spread, despite lockdown, is due to several factors. The first is the fragility of the Peruvian health system. More than 8,000 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised in Peru. But, due to a combination of lack of protective equipment and failure to follow health safety protocols, the virus has spread rapidly among health care workers. At least 635 doctors and 1,200 nurses contracted the disease, and 33 health-care workers died.
In addition, markets and banks have acted as vectors for circulating the virus. By declaring lockdown, the government was forced to maintain essential economic activities, including the sale of food in markets. The markets became a source of contamination until the government responded by closing them down. The same problem occurred with the banks, where Peruvians flocked to withdraw emergency aid vouchers.
The soaring number of infections can also be explained by the central role of the unofficial sector, which accounts for 70 percent of the country's activities. Thousands of people defied lockdown orders to feed their families.
In Chile, hospitals are overcrowded
Chile registered a new high for coronavirus cases on Monday, with nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours, including two ministers in President Sebastian Piñera's government.
Over the past two weeks, Chile has seen a very significant increase in contamination, which has prompted the government to decree compulsory lockdown for the seven million inhabitants of the capital, Santiago.
Piñera was alarmed that the national health system became saturated and "very close to its limits". In Santiago, the occupancy rate for intensive care beds is close to 95 percent.
But the pandemic is not the only problem facing Chile. Unemployment and hunger have exploded in the poorest neighbourhoods. In mid-May, residents of Santiago defied compulsory lockdown to protest.
In response, the Chilean government has begun distributing 2.5 million food baskets to the poorest families. These distributions, estimated to cost $100 million, are to take place throughout Chile for people who have lost their jobs due to the health crisis. But the situation remains explosive because of a social imbalance that was already tense before the epidemic.
In Venezuela, has the epidemic been contained?
According to Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, the country has managed to "contain" the spread of the coronavirus. The Venezuelan government recorded just 11 deaths related to Covid-19 and 1,211 confirmed cases on Wednesday.
If Maduro is proud of these figures, his main opponent, the self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido, contests them. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has also publicly criticised Venezuela's "lack of transparency". But both the WHO and Johns Hopkins University have accepted the government's official figures.
Lockdown has been extended for another month for the 30 million Venezuelans. A decision by Maduro that has less to do with health reasons than with a shortage of petrol that is undermining an already unlikely economic recovery, according to experts in the region interviewed by AFP.
Many people have resorted to breaking lockdown restrictions, especially in Caracas, where the population is trying to get back to work in order to survive an economic situation that was already bad before the pandemic.
In Ecuador, recovery is slow
Since the first detection of the coronavirus in the country on February 29, Ecuador has been one of the Latin American countries hardest hit by the pandemic. More than 3,200 people have died and images of dead bodies in homes and streets have shocked the world.
The city of Guayaquil quickly became the local epicentre of the pandemic, resulting in the collapse of its health and funeral systems.
To curb the spread of the disease, Ecuador declared a state of emergency in mid-March and closed schools and offices. A 15-hour daily curfew was also imposed.
This has resulted in public protest. Demonstrators defied coronavirus restrictions to march in cities across Ecuador on Monday in protest against President Lenin Moreno's drastic economic measures to tackle the crisis.
Guayaquil is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. After nine weeks of lockdown, the city has begun the next phase, with the resumption of some activities and industries.
In Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay, caution remains
This trio of countries appears to be coping well with the Covid-19 pandemic for the time being. Their united stance is one of caution, as in Argentina where lockdown has been extended until June 7.
In Colombia, it is extended at least until May 31, while the state of health emergency is expected to last until August 31.
In Uruguay, according to the scientific committee advising the government, the pandemic is under "relative control". This small country of 3.5 million people has registered less than 1,000 cases and only 22 deaths by May 28.
This article was translated by Sophie Gorman from the original in French.
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france24--2020-05-28--Confirmed French coronavirus cases jump due to systems update, but daily deaths stay low

In this photo from May 6 , 2020 , a patient suffering from the Covid-19 is treated in the Intensive @ @ @ @ @ in Vannes , France .
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in France jumped by @ @ @ @ @ , though the increase was not due to a rise in daily infections but was @ @ @ @ @ of data from a new tracking system , the health ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ to yesterday is due to more efficient tracking , not to the epidemiological situation in @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The Covid-19 death toll for the past 24 hours came @ @ @ @ @ up to a total of 28,662 deaths since the start of the pandemic .

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in France jumped by 3,325 to 149,071 on Thursday, though the increase was not due to a rise in daily infections but was a result of the inclusion of data from a new tracking system, the health ministry said in a statement.
In this photo from May 6, 2020, a patient suffering from the Covid-19 is treated in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital in Vannes, France.
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“The increase compared to yesterday is due to more efficient tracking, not to the epidemiological situation in France,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Covid-19 death toll for the past 24 hours came in at 66, adding up to a total of 28,662 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-28--English Premier League football to kick off on June 17 after 100-day shutdown

Premier League clubs have agreed to a plan to restart in mid-June .
The Premier League plans to restart on June 17 after a 100-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic , with new staggered kickoff times to make sure every game can be shown on TV , as fans are prevented from attending games .
The clubs agreed Thursday that the competition should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United — two games that were postponed during earlier rounds .
However , the league still needs formal approval from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed , ” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said , “ as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.
” After those makeup games are played , the 30th round will start on Friday , June 19 at 8 p.m. ( 1900 GMT ) — if authorities approve safety plans .
“ Positive to see further steps on the return of football today , ” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted .
“ We are still working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports ’ return.
” It ’ s still unclear where games will be played when the league resumes .
Police have said only neutral venues should be used over concerns fans would congregate outside , but that plan was opposed by the 20 clubs .
The Premier League agreed to a government request for all remaining 92 fixtures to be aired live in Britain .
Only 200 of the 380 games each season are normally broadcast live domestically while all are available to view internationally .
For the first time since the Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shown live by free-to-air broadcaster BBC , which has four of the remaining games .
“ At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of lift , this is very welcome news , ” BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said .
Saturdays will see an additional late game start at 8 p.m. after fixtures at 12:30 p.m. , 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m .
There will be a new early and late slot on Sundays of 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. between the usual 2 p.m. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night games will be at usual at 8 p.m. Midweek rounds will now see an earlier set of games at 6 p.m. followed by 8 p.m. kickoffs .
Football has already resumed in Germany , with three rounds of the Bundesliga played in empty stadiums .
The Spanish league has government approval to restart after June 8 .
But lockdown measures have only just been eased to allow full practice sessions to resume at Premier League clubs .
Liverpool is on the verge of winning the Premier League , sitting 25 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Premier League plans to restart on June 17 after a 100-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with new staggered kickoff times to make sure every game can be shown on TV, as fans are prevented from attending games.
Premier League clubs have agreed to a plan to restart in mid-June.
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The clubs agreed Thursday that the competition should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United — two games that were postponed during earlier rounds.
However, the league still needs formal approval from the government.
“This date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said, “as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.”
After those makeup games are played, the 30th round will start on Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) — if authorities approve safety plans.
“Positive to see further steps on the return of football today,” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted. “We are still working on govt guidance before we green light sports’ return.”
It’s still unclear where games will be played when the league resumes. Police have said only neutral venues should be used over concerns fans would congregate outside, but that plan was opposed by the 20 clubs.
The Premier League agreed to a government request for all remaining 92 fixtures to be aired live in Britain. Only 200 of the 380 games each season are normally broadcast live domestically while all are available to view internationally.
For the first time since the Premier League launched in 1992, games will be shown live by free-to-air broadcaster BBC, which has four of the remaining games.
“At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of lift, this is very welcome news,” BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said.
Saturdays will see an additional late game start at 8 p.m. after fixtures at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will be a new early and late slot on Sundays of 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. between the usual 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. kickoffs. The Friday and Monday night games will be at usual at 8 p.m.
Midweek rounds will now see an earlier set of games at 6 p.m. followed by 8 p.m. kickoffs.
Football has already resumed in Germany, with three rounds of the Bundesliga played in empty stadiums. The Spanish league has government approval to restart after June 8.
But lockdown measures have only just been eased to allow full practice sessions to resume at Premier League clubs.
Liverpool is on the verge of winning the Premier League, sitting 25 points in front with nine games remaining.
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-28--The show will go on: Paris Fringe theatre festival goes online

The Paris Fringe theatre festival returns with its fourth programme in June .
But this year , as a result of the coronavirus lockdown , it will all be streamed online and for free .
The curtain will still rise on the 20 performances of Paris Fringe next month after it devised an innovative way to overcome the lockdown in France : it has moved its performances online .
This means it now has the potential for a global audience for the festival when it starts on Saturday June 6 .
“ People don ’ t have to come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can watch us from any country in the world , ” says programme director Anton Bonnici .
It will take place over all four weekends in June , with performances starting each Saturday and Sunday on their website at 2.30pm Paris time and running into the evening .
Paris Fringe was established in 2016 and has enjoyed three successful previous outings .
It is now run by Bonnici and a team of volunteers .
“ We had already started planning this year ’ s festival , we were working with the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 and had launched the application process for companies , when the coronavirus crisis hit , ” explains Bonnici , speaking with FRANCE 24 .
Many major international theatre festivals have been forced to cancel as a result of the pandemic , including Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Avignon Theatre Festival .
“ We had the choice to postpone it , cancel it or put it online , but even postponing was tricky .
So we decided to try a new thing and make the whole thing virtual.
” Bonnici contacted all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asked whether they would be interested in being involved in this innovative concept .
Twenty companies soon replied to say they were up for the challenge .
'See it or miss it' The productions involved in the 2020 festival come from Australia , Brazil , Albania , Canada , India , Italy , Belgium , the UK , USA and France itself .
There will be children shows , family shows , grown-up shows ...
There will be world premieres , works-in-progress and award-winning shows .
While most of the performances are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one is a mime .
Nearly all of them will be performed twice over the course of the festival and every weekend there will be a different programme .
Bonnici wanted the shows to be performed live , but for logistical reasons this will not be possible for all of them .
“ Some of them are in countries where the lockdown situation is quite severe and it is not possible for people to get together to make a show .
It was very important that we could be flexible.
” As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of companies will be performing in an actual theatre space and others have adapted their show to fit in their own living room .
Bonnici says 80 percent will be completely live .
“ We wanted to keep that sense of being at a live event , as if you are in the room with the performers , so we do n't have any plans to put the performances up on streaming platforms , '' says Bonnici .
`` You come , you see it or you miss it .
”

The Paris Fringe theatre festival returns with its fourth programme in June. But this year, as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, it will all be streamed online and for free.
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The curtain will still rise on the 20 performances of Paris Fringe next month after it devised an innovative way to overcome the lockdown in France: it has moved its performances online.
This means it now has the potential for a global audience for the festival when it starts on Saturday June 6. “People don’t have to come to a theatre in Paris this year, they can watch us from any country in the world,” says programme director Anton Bonnici.
It will take place over all four weekends in June, with performances starting each Saturday and Sunday on their website at 2.30pm Paris time and running into the evening.
Paris Fringe was established in 2016 and has enjoyed three successful previous outings. It is now run by Bonnici and a team of volunteers.
“We had already started planning this year’s festival, we were working with the same venue we’d used last time in 2018 and had launched the application process for companies, when the coronavirus crisis hit,” explains Bonnici, speaking with FRANCE 24.
Many major international theatre festivals have been forced to cancel as a result of the pandemic, including Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Avignon Theatre Festival.
“We had the choice to postpone it, cancel it or put it online, but even postponing was tricky. So we decided to try a new thing and make the whole thing virtual.”
Bonnici contacted all of the theatre companies who had already applied and asked whether they would be interested in being involved in this innovative concept. Twenty companies soon replied to say they were up for the challenge.
'See it or miss it'
The productions involved in the 2020 festival come from Australia, Brazil, Albania, Canada, India, Italy, Belgium, the UK, USA and France itself.
There will be children shows, family shows, grown-up shows... There will be world premieres, works-in-progress and award-winning shows. While most of the performances are in English, one is in French and one is a mime. Nearly all of them will be performed twice over the course of the festival and every weekend there will be a different programme.
Bonnici wanted the shows to be performed live, but for logistical reasons this will not be possible for all of them.
“Some of them are in countries where the lockdown situation is quite severe and it is not possible for people to get together to make a show. It was very important that we could be flexible.”
As a result of this flexibility, a number of companies will be performing in an actual theatre space and others have adapted their show to fit in their own living room. Bonnici says 80 percent will be completely live.
“We wanted to keep that sense of being at a live event, as if you are in the room with the performers, so we don't have any plans to put the performances up on streaming platforms," says Bonnici. "You come, you see it or you miss it.”
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france24--2020-05-28--Nissan to shut factory in Barcelona, thousands of workers affected

Nissan workers protest the news outside the carmaker ’ s plant in Barcelona , Spain , May 28 , 2020 .
Japanese carmaker Nissan has decided to shut its factory in Barcelona where 3,000 people are employed after four decades of operations , the Spanish government said on Thursday .
The decision came despite government efforts to keep the plant open , Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told the national radio station .
“ We regret this decision by Nissan to leave not just Spain but Europe ... to concentrate its business in Asia , despite the enormous efforts by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Spain is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus fallout , a context that particularly stoked anger among workers at the Barcelona plant .
“ It ’ s shameful that a multinational company like this one would drop us in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said 54-year old Jordi Carbonell who has been with Nissan for 32 years .
Carbonell said he had felt “ cheated ” by management in recent years .
“ No production site is profitable without a sufficient production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die , ” he said .
Spain ’ s car industry is the European Union ’ s second-biggest after that of Germany , accounting for 10 percent of the country ’ s gross domestic product .
With Brexit , the Barcelona site became Nissan ’ s main one in the European Union .
The Japanese company runs a bigger production facility in Sunderland in Britain .
In addition to 3,000 direct jobs , some 22,000 more depend indirectly on the site , according to unions .
The industry ministry confirmed to AFP that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it of plans to stop operations at the Barcelona site , which groups several production facilities .
Production there had already ground to a halt at the start of the month when some staff went on strike demanding an investment strategy for the site after plans were announced to cut 20 percent of the workforce .
Foreign Minister Gonzalez Laya said “ all kinds of help ” had been proposed to Nissan in the run-up to Thursday ’ s decision and that the government would “ not throw in the towel ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations , Gianluca de Ficchy , said “ all that support was taken into account in order to have an overall economic equation going forward ” .
Nevertheless , “ we ’ ve reached the conclusion that the overall economic equation for the plant was not sustainable going forward , ” he added .
But Gonzalez Laya said Spain would “ explore all solutions , because our concern is to safeguard employment ” .
She did not rule out the possibility of finding a buyer for the plant .
Economy Minister Nadia Calvino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start talks “ to see how this process could be managed ” , to no avail .
The Madrid government has argued that the cost of closing Nissan ’ s Barcelona operation , which it put at more than one billion euros ( $ 1.1 billion ) , was higher than the investment needed to keep it going .
Some workers at the Barcelona site blamed Nissan ’ s alliance with French carmaker Renault , concluded in 1999 , which union representative Pedro Ayllon said had made Nissan “ a secondary partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have been given the production of vehicles with low production numbers , the ones that the others didn ’ t want to make elsewhere , ” he said .
Nissan ’ s Barcelona plant currently makes mostly SUVs and pickup trucks , as well as electric minivans .
Its capacity is around 200,000 units per year , but that had been reduced by a third even before the coronavirus pandemic .
A decade ago , when the site was already in difficulty following the global financial crisis , it was kept going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
“ Workers make sacrifices in return for broken promises , ” said Ayllon .
Juan Sanchez , a 45-year-old worker in the paint shop whose partner also works at the plant , said the virus context made it particularly hard for the couple , parents of two daughters , to soon be out of a job .
“ With COVID-19 we can ’ t find another job , not while there are so many job cuts in other companies , ” he said .

Japanese carmaker Nissan has decided to shut its factory in Barcelona where 3,000 people are employed after four decades of operations, the Spanish government said on Thursday.
Nissan workers protest the news outside the carmaker’s plant in Barcelona, Spain, May 28, 2020.
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The decision came despite government efforts to keep the plant open, Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told the national radio station.
“We regret this decision by Nissan to leave not just Spain but Europe... to concentrate its business in Asia, despite the enormous efforts by the government to keep the business going,” she said.
Spain is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus fallout, a context that particularly stoked anger among workers at the Barcelona plant.
‘Shameful’
“It’s shameful that a multinational company like this one would drop us in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said 54-year old Jordi Carbonell who has been with Nissan for 32 years.
Carbonell said he had felt “cheated” by management in recent years. “No production site is profitable without a sufficient production volume and here they just let it die,” he said.
Spain’s car industry is the European Union’s second-biggest after that of Germany, accounting for 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
With Brexit, the Barcelona site became Nissan’s main one in the European Union. The Japanese company runs a bigger production facility in Sunderland in Britain.
In addition to 3,000 direct jobs, some 22,000 more depend indirectly on the site, according to unions.
The industry ministry confirmed to AFP that Nissan’s chief executive had informed it of plans to stop operations at the Barcelona site, which groups several production facilities.
‘Safeguard employment’
Production there had already ground to a halt at the start of the month when some staff went on strike demanding an investment strategy for the site after plans were announced to cut 20 percent of the workforce.
Foreign Minister Gonzalez Laya said “all kinds of help” had been proposed to Nissan in the run-up to Thursday’s decision and that the government would “not throw in the towel”.
The head of Nissan’s European operations, Gianluca de Ficchy, said “all that support was taken into account in order to have an overall economic equation going forward”.
Nevertheless, “we’ve reached the conclusion that the overall economic equation for the plant was not sustainable going forward,” he added.
But Gonzalez Laya said Spain would “explore all solutions, because our concern is to safeguard employment”.
She did not rule out the possibility of finding a buyer for the plant.
Economy Minister Nadia Calvino meanwhile said the government had invited Nissan to start talks “to see how this process could be managed”, to no avail.
The Madrid government has argued that the cost of closing Nissan’s Barcelona operation, which it put at more than one billion euros ($1.1 billion), was higher than the investment needed to keep it going.
Some workers at the Barcelona site blamed Nissan’s alliance with French carmaker Renault, concluded in 1999, which union representative Pedro Ayllon said had made Nissan “a secondary partner” in Europe.
“Since then we have been given the production of vehicles with low production numbers, the ones that the others didn’t want to make elsewhere,” he said.
Nissan’s Barcelona plant currently makes mostly SUVs and pickup trucks, as well as electric minivans.
‘Broken promises’
Its capacity is around 200,000 units per year, but that had been reduced by a third even before the coronavirus pandemic.
A decade ago, when the site was already in difficulty following the global financial crisis, it was kept going partly in exchange for wage cuts for staff.
“Workers make sacrifices in return for broken promises,” said Ayllon.
Juan Sanchez, a 45-year-old worker in the paint shop whose partner also works at the plant, said the virus context made it particularly hard for the couple, parents of two daughters, to soon be out of a job.
“With COVID-19 we can’t find another job, not while there are so many job cuts in other companies,” he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-28--British police say Johnson aide Cummings made ‘minor’ lockdown breach

Dominic Cummings , special adviser to Britain 's Prime Minister Boris Johnson , leaves his home in London , UK , on May 28 , 2020 .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s adviser likely broke the government ’ s coronavirus regulations by traveling during lockdown , but will not face further action , police said Thursday .
The adviser , Dominic Cummings , has acknowledged driving 250 miles ( 400 km ) to his parents ’ house in Durham , northeast England , at the end of March and later taking another drive to a scenic town 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham Constabulary said the drive to Durham did not breach the rules but the second trip , to the town of Barnard Castle , might have been “ a minor breach ” of lockdown rules “ that would have warranted police intervention.
” The force said that had Cummings been stopped by an officer at the time he would likely have been ordered to turn around , but “ there is no intention to take retrospective action.
” More than 14,000 people in Britain have been fined by police for violating a ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed March 23 to help slow the spread of the virus .
Johnson has resisted calls to fire Cummings , his most senior aide and the architect of the Conservative Party ’ s December election victory , for apparently flouting restrictions that the government imposed on the rest of the country .
Cummings has defended his actions , saying he traveled to ensure that his 4-year-old son could be looked after if he and his wife , who both had coronavirus symptoms , became sick .
He says he drove to Barnard Castle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been affected by illness , was good enough for the long trip back to London .
Cummings ’ explanation failed to assuage the anger among many Britons who have endured two months of isolation from loved ones during the pandemic and see a double standard at work .
More than 30 lawmakers in Johnson ’ s Conservative Party have called on Cummings to resign , citing an outpouring of fury from their constituents .
Johnson has stood by his aide .
His office said , “ The police have made clear they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his self-isolation and that going to Durham did not breach the regulations.
” It said the prime minister “ regards this issue as closed .
”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s adviser likely broke the government’s coronavirus regulations by traveling during lockdown, but will not face further action, police said Thursday.
Dominic Cummings, special adviser to Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, leaves his home in London, UK, on May 28, 2020.
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The adviser, Dominic Cummings, has acknowledged driving 250 miles (400 km) to his parents’ house in Durham, northeast England, at the end of March and later taking another drive to a scenic town 30 miles (50 km) away.
Durham Constabulary said the drive to Durham did not breach the rules but the second trip, to the town of Barnard Castle, might have been “a minor breach” of lockdown rules “that would have warranted police intervention.”
The force said that had Cummings been stopped by an officer at the time he would likely have been ordered to turn around, but “there is no intention to take retrospective action.”
More than 14,000 people in Britain have been fined by police for violating a ban on all but essential travel that was imposed March 23 to help slow the spread of the virus.
Johnson has resisted calls to fire Cummings, his most senior aide and the architect of the Conservative Party’s December election victory, for apparently flouting restrictions that the government imposed on the rest of the country.
Cummings has defended his actions, saying he traveled to ensure that his 4-year-old son could be looked after if he and his wife, who both had coronavirus symptoms, became sick. He says he drove to Barnard Castle to test whether his eyesight, which had been affected by illness, was good enough for the long trip back to London.
Cummings’ explanation failed to assuage the anger among many Britons who have endured two months of isolation from loved ones during the pandemic and see a double standard at work.
More than 30 lawmakers in Johnson’s Conservative Party have called on Cummings to resign, citing an outpouring of fury from their constituents.
Johnson has stood by his aide. His office said, “The police have made clear they are taking no action against Mr. Cummings over his self-isolation and that going to Durham did not breach the regulations.”
It said the prime minister “regards this issue as closed.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-28--French cafés eye return to business as government prepares new lockdown easing

Cafes like this one in the fortified town of Carcassonne , in southern France , could be reoponening as early as next week .
Bars , cafés and restaurants in parts of France may soon be reopening as the government announces new measures to ease the coronavirus lockdown on Thursday , though businesses in Paris and other hard-hit areas will have to wait longer .
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will unveil the second phase of his plan to reopen the country 's economy following a meeting with top cabinet members , after strict stay-at-home orders were lifted on May 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafés in so-called `` green '' zones with limited Covid-19 cases could open on June 2 , those in `` red '' zones including Paris and a large swathe of the northeast may have to wait until July , a government source said .
Cities will also be allowed to reopen parks and public gardens , though in red zones visitors will have to wear masks .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has urged the government to reopen parks for residents who have been cooped up for weeks , not least to avoid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as summer approaches .
The number of Covid-19 daily deaths has continued to decline across France , with 66 new fatalities reported Wednesday night , bringing the total to just under 28,600 since the outbreak began .
This could allow the government to lift restrictions on travelling , with residents currently required to stay within 100 kilometres of their homes , tourism minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said this week .
But face masks will remain mandatory on trains , metros and other public transport `` so long as we do not have a treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Elisabeth Borne said Wednesday .
Borne told Thursday 's Paris Match magazine she also plans to triple government funds to encourage cycling to 60 million euros and avoid a surge in car use by people wary of public transport .
Parents of high school students are also waiting to learn if classes will resume at least partially in June , and if the all-important orals for the final-year baccalaureate exam will go ahead .
Although classes have resumed for some of the younger grades , in practice schools are taking in only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a few days a week , in order to meet the strict hygiene and social distancing requirements .
Hoping to avert a second wave of Covid-19 cases , the government plans to introduce a “ StopCovid “ contact tracing app for phones after it was approved by parliament late on Wednesday .
The issue of how to track coronavirus spread with mobile technology has sparked privacy concerns in several countries now lifting strict home confinement measures as they hope to kickstart their economies .
Earlier this week , the Insee national statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course to shrink by 20 % in the second quarter from the previous three months , marking a sharp deterioration in the country ’ s recession .

Bars, cafés and restaurants in parts of France may soon be reopening as the government announces new measures to ease the coronavirus lockdown on Thursday, though businesses in Paris and other hard-hit areas will have to wait longer.
Cafes like this one in the fortified town of Carcassonne, in southern France, could be reoponening as early as next week.
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Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will unveil the second phase of his plan to reopen the country's economy following a meeting with top cabinet members, after strict stay-at-home orders were lifted on May 11.
>> Watch PM Philippe's announcements live on FRANCE 24 at 5pm Paris time (GMT+2)
But while restaurants, bars and cafés in so-called "green" zones with limited Covid-19 cases could open on June 2, those in "red" zones including Paris and a large swathe of the northeast may have to wait until July, a government source said.
Cities will also be allowed to reopen parks and public gardens, though in red zones visitors will have to wear masks.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has urged the government to reopen parks for residents who have been cooped up for weeks, not least to avoid the mass gatherings witnessed on canals and esplanades as summer approaches.
🛍🇫🇷Parisian department store #Printemps will re-open today, after winning a court battle to lift #lockdown restrictions placed on bigger shops. It comes ahead of French government announcements on the next phase of opening up the economy. @France24_en #F24 pic.twitter.com/jKKgqJl6uX — Stephen Carroll (@newstephen) May 28, 2020
Travel restrictions
The number of Covid-19 daily deaths has continued to decline across France, with 66 new fatalities reported Wednesday night, bringing the total to just under 28,600 since the outbreak began.
This could allow the government to lift restrictions on travelling, with residents currently required to stay within 100 kilometres of their homes, tourism minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said this week.
But face masks will remain mandatory on trains, metros and other public transport "so long as we do not have a treatment" against the new coronavirus, environment minister Elisabeth Borne said Wednesday.
Borne told Thursday's Paris Match magazine she also plans to triple government funds to encourage cycling to 60 million euros and avoid a surge in car use by people wary of public transport.
Tracing app
Parents of high school students are also waiting to learn if classes will resume at least partially in June, and if the all-important orals for the final-year baccalaureate exam will go ahead.
Although classes have resumed for some of the younger grades, in practice schools are taking in only a small fraction of students, often only a few days a week, in order to meet the strict hygiene and social distancing requirements.
Hoping to avert a second wave of Covid-19 cases, the government plans to introduce a “StopCovid“ contact tracing app for phones after it was approved by parliament late on Wednesday.
The issue of how to track coronavirus spread with mobile technology has sparked privacy concerns in several countries now lifting strict home confinement measures as they hope to kickstart their economies.
Earlier this week, the Insee national statistics agency said the French economy is on course to shrink by 20% in the second quarter from the previous three months, marking a sharp deterioration in the country’s recession.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-28--Twitter hides Trump tweet on Minneapolis unrest for ‘glorifying violence’

US President Donald Trump holds up a front page of the New York Post as he speaks to reporters while discussing an executive order on social media companies , at the White House in Washington , D.C. , USA , on May 28 , 2020 .
Twitter attached a disclaimer to a tweet by President Donald Trump on the unrest in Minneapolis on Friday , saying it broke its rules on `` glorifying violence '' , hours after the US president signed an executive order targeting the social media giant ’ s legal protections .
`` ...
These THUGS are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I won ’ t let that happen .
Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you ! ''
Trump 's tweet read .
Trump 's message can now be read only after clicking on a notice which says : `` This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence .
However , Twitter has determined that it may be in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain accessible . ''
In a thread , Twitter said it had taken the action `` in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts '' .
People will still `` be able to retweet with comment , but will not be able to like , reply or retweet it . ''
Twitter 's action came just hours after Trump said he would introduce legislation that may scrap or weaken a law that has protected internet companies , including Twitter and Facebook , in an extraordinary attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been criticised .
The proposed legislation is part of an executive order Trump signed on Thursday afternoon .
Trump had attacked Twitter for tagging his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud about mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact-check the posts .
Trump wants to `` remove or change '' a provision of a law known as Section 230 that shields social media companies from liability for content posted by their users .
Trump said US Attorney General William Barr will begin drafting legislation `` immediately '' to regulate social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House 's plan to modify Section 230 based on a copy of a draft executive order that experts said was unlikely to survive legal scrutiny .
The final version of the order released on Thursday had no major changes except the proposal for a federal legislation .
`` What I think we can say is we 're going to regulate it , '' Trump said before the signing of the order .
`` I 've been called by Democrats that want to do this , so I think you could possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Trump , who is running for re-election in November .
Twitter called the order `` a reactionary and politicized approach to a landmark law '' and said attempts to weaken Section 230 would `` threaten the future of online speech . ''
A Google spokeswoman said the order would harm `` America 's economy , '' while a Facebook spokesman said it would `` encourage platforms to censor anything that might offend anyone . ''
The order , as written , attempts to circumvent Congress and the courts in directing changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents his latest attempt to use the tools of the presidency to force private companies to change policies that he believes are not favourable to him .
`` In terms of presidential efforts to limit critical commentary about themselves , I think one would have to go back to the Sedition Act of 1798 - which made it illegal to say false things about the president and certain other public officials - to find an attack supposedly rooted in law by a president on any entity which comments or prints comments about public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams .
Jack Balkin , a Yale University constitutional law professor , said `` the president is trying to frighten , coerce , scare , cajole social media companies to leave him alone and not do what Twitter has just done to him . ''
Trump , who uses Twitter virtually every day to promote his policies and insult his opponents , has long claimed without evidence that the site is biased in favour of Democrats .
He and his supporters have leveled the same unsubstantiated charges against Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily as an advertising vehicle .
On Thursday , Trump said there is nothing he would rather do than get rid of his Twitter account but he had to keep it in order to circumvent the press and get his version of events to millions of followers .
He took to Twitter again Thursday night to cast doubt around voting by mail , tweeting the practice would lead to `` MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE '' and `` THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY . ''
The protections of Section 230 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Big Tech critic Senator Josh Hawley .
Critics argue that they give internet companies a free pass on things like hate speech and content that supports terror organisations .
Social media companies have been under pressure from many quarters , both in the United States and other countries , to better control misinformation and harmful content on their services .
Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on the company 's website late Wednesday that the president 's tweets `` may mislead people into thinking they do n't need to register to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves . ''
After labeling Trump 's tweets , Twitter continued to add fact-checking and 'manipulated media ' labels on hundreds of other tweets .
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Trump 's planned order `` outrageous '' and a `` distraction '' from the coronavirus crisis .

Twitter attached a disclaimer to a tweet by President Donald Trump on the unrest in Minneapolis on Friday, saying it broke its rules on "glorifying violence", hours after the US president signed an executive order targeting the social media giant’s legal protections.
US President Donald Trump holds up a front page of the New York Post as he speaks to reporters while discussing an executive order on social media companies, at the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, on May 28, 2020.
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"...These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!" Trump's tweet read.
Trump's message can now be read only after clicking on a notice which says: "This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible."
....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
In a thread, Twitter said it had taken the action "in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts". People will still "be able to retweet with comment, but will not be able to like, reply or retweet it."
Twitter's action came just hours after Trump said he would introduce legislation that may scrap or weaken a law that has protected internet companies, including Twitter and Facebook, in an extraordinary attempt to regulate social media platforms where he has been criticised.
The proposed legislation is part of an executive order Trump signed on Thursday afternoon. Trump had attacked Twitter for tagging his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud about mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact-check the posts.
Trump wants to "remove or change" a provision of a law known as Section 230 that shields social media companies from liability for content posted by their users.
Trump said US Attorney General William Barr will begin drafting legislation "immediately" to regulate social media companies.
01:13
On Wednesday, Reuters reported the White House's plan to modify Section 230 based on a copy of a draft executive order that experts said was unlikely to survive legal scrutiny. The final version of the order released on Thursday had no major changes except the proposal for a federal legislation.
"What I think we can say is we're going to regulate it," Trump said before the signing of the order.
"I've been called by Democrats that want to do this, so I think you could possibly have a bipartisan situation," said Republican Trump, who is running for re-election in November.
Twitter called the order "a reactionary and politicized approach to a landmark law" and said attempts to weaken Section 230 would "threaten the future of online speech."
A Google spokeswoman said the order would harm "America's economy," while a Facebook spokesman said it would "encourage platforms to censor anything that might offend anyone."
Trump trying to 'frighten, coerce, scare, cajole'
The order, as written, attempts to circumvent Congress and the courts in directing changes to long-established interpretations of Section 230. It represents his latest attempt to use the tools of the presidency to force private companies to change policies that he believes are not favourable to him.
The White House doesn't seem to realize that if they succeeded - if Twitter was actually liable for the speech of its users (if 230 was repealed) - they'd be forced to take down the many defamatory posts of Donald Trump -- Section 230 is actually his best friend. — Tim Wu (@superwuster) May 28, 2020
"In terms of presidential efforts to limit critical commentary about themselves, I think one would have to go back to the Sedition Act of 1798 - which made it illegal to say false things about the president and certain other public officials - to find an attack supposedly rooted in law by a president on any entity which comments or prints comments about public issues and public people," said First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams.
Jack Balkin, a Yale University constitutional law professor, said "the president is trying to frighten, coerce, scare, cajole social media companies to leave him alone and not do what Twitter has just done to him."
Trump, who uses Twitter virtually every day to promote his policies and insult his opponents, has long claimed without evidence that the site is biased in favour of Democrats. He and his supporters have leveled the same unsubstantiated charges against Facebook, which Trump's presidential campaign uses heavily as an advertising vehicle.
On Thursday, Trump said there is nothing he would rather do than get rid of his Twitter account but he had to keep it in order to circumvent the press and get his version of events to millions of followers.
He took to Twitter again Thursday night to cast doubt around voting by mail, tweeting the practice would lead to "MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE" and "THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY."
MAIL-IN VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE. IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY. WE CAN NEVER LET THIS TRAGEDY BEFALL OUR NATION. BIG MAIL-IN VICTORY IN TEXAS COURT TODAY. CONGRATS!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
The protections of Section 230 have been under fire for different reasons from lawmakers including Big Tech critic Senator Josh Hawley. Critics argue that they give internet companies a free pass on things like hate speech and content that supports terror organisations.
Social media companies have been under pressure from many quarters, both in the United States and other countries, to better control misinformation and harmful content on their services.
Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on the company's website late Wednesday that the president's tweets "may mislead people into thinking they don't need to register to get a ballot. Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves."
After labeling Trump's tweets, Twitter continued to add fact-checking and 'manipulated media' labels on hundreds of other tweets.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Trump's planned order "outrageous" and a "distraction" from the coronavirus crisis.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--Faltering Renault to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 4,600 in France

The Renault Zoé comes off the assembly line at a factory in Flins-sur-Seine , May 6 , 2020 French carmaker Renault said on Friday it was launching talks with unions to restructure some plants and potentially close others as it confirmed plans to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide to ride out a slump in sales .
Faced with a downturn in demand compounded by the coronavirus crisis , Renault is aiming to find 2 billion euros ( $ 2.22 billion ) in savings over the next three years as it shrinks production and hones in on more profitable models .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job cuts , transfers and retirement plans that would affect just under 10 % of its global workforce — would cost 1.2 billion euros .
Some 4,600 jobs would go in France , though largely through a voluntary departure plan and a retirement scheme , Franck Daout of the CFDT trade union told REUTERS .
The overall cuts would affect just under 10 % of Renault 's 180,000 global workforce .
The firm has around 48,500 staff in France .
`` They 've insisted on the fact everything will be negotiated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state bodies would be involved in talks over potential job losses in France .
The group , which is 15 % owned by the French state , said some plants like the one in Flins , close to Paris , where it makes its electric Zoe models , could cease to assemble cars and centre on recycling activities instead .
Six sites in all , including component factories , will be under review .
Any closures in France are likely to be politically sensitive .
The French government has warned it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion euro state loan for Renault — an aid measure linked to the coronavirus pandemic — until management and unions conclude talks over the carmaker 's French workforce and plants in France .
Renault , like its Japanese partner Nissan , was already under pressure when the pandemic hit , posting its first loss in a decade in 2019 .
Like peers , it is now trying to juggle a revenue slump with industry-wide changes like rising investment in cleaner cars .
Renault said it would slash costs by cutting the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing the number of components it uses , freezing expansion plans in Romania and Morocco and shrinking gearbox manufacturing worldwide .
The company plans to trim its global production capacity to 3.3 million vehicles in 2024 from 4 million now , focusing on areas like small vans or electric cars .

French carmaker Renault said on Friday it was launching talks with unions to restructure some plants and potentially close others as it confirmed plans to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide to ride out a slump in sales.
The Renault Zoé comes off the assembly line at a factory in Flins-sur-Seine, May 6, 2020
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Faced with a downturn in demand compounded by the coronavirus crisis, Renault is aiming to find 2 billion euros ($2.22 billion) in savings over the next three years as it shrinks production and hones in on more profitable models.
It said the restructuring measures — including the job cuts, transfers and retirement plans that would affect just under 10% of its global workforce — would cost 1.2 billion euros.
Some 4,600 jobs would go in France, though largely through a voluntary departure plan and a retirement scheme, Franck Daout of the CFDT trade union told REUTERS.
The overall cuts would affect just under 10% of Renault's 180,000 global workforce. The firm has around 48,500 staff in France.
"They've insisted on the fact everything will be negotiated," Daout said, adding that unions and state bodies would be involved in talks over potential job losses in France.
The group, which is 15% owned by the French state, said some plants like the one in Flins, close to Paris, where it makes its electric Zoe models, could cease to assemble cars and centre on recycling activities instead.
Six sites in all, including component factories, will be under review. Any closures in France are likely to be politically sensitive.
The French government has warned it will not sign off on a planned 5 billion euro state loan for Renault — an aid measure linked to the coronavirus pandemic — until management and unions conclude talks over the carmaker's French workforce and plants in France.
Renault, like its Japanese partner Nissan, was already under pressure when the pandemic hit, posting its first loss in a decade in 2019. Like peers, it is now trying to juggle a revenue slump with industry-wide changes like rising investment in cleaner cars.
Renault said it would slash costs by cutting the number of subcontractors in areas such as engineering, reducing the number of components it uses, freezing expansion plans in Romania and Morocco and shrinking gearbox manufacturing worldwide.
The company plans to trim its global production capacity to 3.3 million vehicles in 2024 from 4 million now, focusing on areas like small vans or electric cars.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-29--US, UK step up pressure on China over Hong Kong security law

Riot police detain a protester during demonstrations outside Hong Kong 's legislative council on May 27 , 2020 .
China faced growing international pressure Friday over its move to impose a security law on Hong Kong that critics say will destroy the city 's autonomy , with the United States and Britain placing the issue before the UN Security Council .
The US , Britain , Canada and Australia led criticism of the planned law , which would punish secession , subversion of state power , terrorism and acts that endanger national security , as well as allow Chinese security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China 's rubber-stamp parliament on Thursday approved the plans for the law , which followed seven months of huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year .
After China fended off initial American efforts this week to have the controversy put on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council , the US and Britain succeeded in securing an informal discussion about it for Friday , diplomatic sources told AFP .
Beijing 's proposed security law `` lies in direct conflict '' with China 's international obligations to guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries said in a joint statement with Canada and Australia on Thursday .
`` The proposed law would undermine the 'One Country , Two Systems ' framework , '' they added , referring to Hong Kong 's special status within China under the terms of its handover from Britain in 1997 .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said the UK would widen its rules around the rights of British National ( Overseas ) passport holders — a status offered to many Hongkongers at the time of handover — if China went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan could see Hong Kong 's 300,000 BNO passport holders being offered a path to full UK citizenship .
> > Between old and new empires , Hong Kong ’ s fate exposes stakes in Covid-19 era The Chinese parliament 's vote came just hours after Washington revoked the special status conferred on Hong Kong , paving the way for the territory to be stripped of trading and economic privileges .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the status had been withdrawn because China was no longer honouring its handover agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of autonomy .
US President Donald Trump also announced he would hold a press conference on Friday about China , with Hong Kong and a series of other flashpoint issues — including the coronavirus , espionage and trade — almost certain to be brought up .
`` We 'll be announcing tomorrow what we 're doing with respect to China , '' Trump told reporters on Thursday .
`` We 're not happy with China , '' he added .
China has remained defiant in the face of Western criticism on Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to blame for fuelling the pro-democracy movement and creating turmoil in the city of 7.5 million people .
At a press briefing on Friday , foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijianit warned that Beijing would take any necessary countermeasures if the US insists on interfering in China 's `` internal affairs '' .
The spokesman added that Hong Kong does not fall under UN mandate .
Li Zhanshu , chairman of the parliamentary committee tasked with drafting the controversial security law , said the bill was `` in line with the fundamental interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong compatriots '' .
Under the `` one country , two systems '' model agreed before the city 's return from Britain to China , Hong Kong is supposed to be guaranteed certain liberties until 2047 that are denied to those on the mainland .
The mini-constitution that has governed Hong Kong 's affairs since the handover obliges the territory 's authorities to enact national security laws .
But huge protests blocked an effort to do so in 2003 , and Hong Kong 's government then shelved it while watching the pro-democracy movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday said the law was in the interests of protecting peace and autonomy in Hong Kong .
`` For ( Hong Kong residents ) , safeguarding national security is a must , rather than a choice , '' the official news agency Xinhua in a commentary .
Communist Party mouthpiece the People 's Daily said in an editorial that the law would only target `` a small minority of people who are suspected of committing crimes that endanger national security . ''
But rather than diminishing the rights of Hong Kong residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will `` further safeguard those legal rights and freedoms in a safe environment , '' the paper said .
In Hong Kong , the pro-democracy movement voiced the opposite sentiments .
`` It 's the end of Hong Kong , '' pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP .
`` They are cutting off our souls , taking away the values which we 've always embraced , values like human rights , democracy , rule of law , '' she said

China faced growing international pressure Friday over its move to impose a security law on Hong Kong that critics say will destroy the city's autonomy, with the United States and Britain placing the issue before the UN Security Council.
Riot police detain a protester during demonstrations outside Hong Kong's legislative council on May 27, 2020.
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The US, Britain, Canada and Australia led criticism of the planned law, which would punish secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and acts that endanger national security, as well as allow Chinese security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong.
China's rubber-stamp parliament on Thursday approved the plans for the law, which followed seven months of huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year.
After China fended off initial American efforts this week to have the controversy put on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council, the US and Britain succeeded in securing an informal discussion about it for Friday, diplomatic sources told AFP.
Beijing's proposed security law "lies in direct conflict" with China's international obligations to guarantee certain freedoms in Hong Kong, the two countries said in a joint statement with Canada and Australia on Thursday.
"The proposed law would undermine the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework," they added, referring to Hong Kong's special status within China under the terms of its handover from Britain in 1997.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said the UK would widen its rules around the rights of British National (Overseas) passport holders — a status offered to many Hongkongers at the time of handover — if China went ahead with the new law.
The plan could see Hong Kong's 300,000 BNO passport holders being offered a path to full UK citizenship.
>> Between old and new empires, Hong Kong’s fate exposes stakes in Covid-19 era
The Chinese parliament's vote came just hours after Washington revoked the special status conferred on Hong Kong, paving the way for the territory to be stripped of trading and economic privileges.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the status had been withdrawn because China was no longer honouring its handover agreement with Britain to allow Hong Kong a high level of autonomy.
US President Donald Trump also announced he would hold a press conference on Friday about China, with Hong Kong and a series of other flashpoint issues — including the coronavirus, espionage and trade — almost certain to be brought up.
"We'll be announcing tomorrow what we're doing with respect to China," Trump told reporters on Thursday.
"We're not happy with China," he added.
'The end of Hong Kong'
China has remained defiant in the face of Western criticism on Hong Kong, insisting "foreign forces" are to blame for fuelling the pro-democracy movement and creating turmoil in the city of 7.5 million people.
At a press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijianit warned that Beijing would take any necessary countermeasures if the US insists on interfering in China's "internal affairs".
The spokesman added that Hong Kong does not fall under UN mandate.
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the parliamentary committee tasked with drafting the controversial security law, said the bill was "in line with the fundamental interests of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots".
Under the "one country, two systems" model agreed before the city's return from Britain to China, Hong Kong is supposed to be guaranteed certain liberties until 2047 that are denied to those on the mainland.
The mini-constitution that has governed Hong Kong's affairs since the handover obliges the territory's authorities to enact national security laws.
But huge protests blocked an effort to do so in 2003, and Hong Kong's government then shelved it while watching the pro-democracy movement grow.
China's state-run media on Friday said the law was in the interests of protecting peace and autonomy in Hong Kong.
"For (Hong Kong residents), safeguarding national security is a must, rather than a choice," the official news agency Xinhua in a commentary.
Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily said in an editorial that the law would only target "a small minority of people who are suspected of committing crimes that endanger national security."
But rather than diminishing the rights of Hong Kong residents, including freedom of speech, the law will "further safeguard those legal rights and freedoms in a safe environment," the paper said.
In Hong Kong, the pro-democracy movement voiced the opposite sentiments.
"It's the end of Hong Kong," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP.
"They are cutting off our souls, taking away the values which we've always embraced, values like human rights, democracy, rule of law," she said
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-29--Brazil sees record number of Covid-19 cases, more than 1,000 deaths in 24 hours

Covid-19 victims are buried at the Nossa Senhora de Manaus cemetery in Manaus , Brazil , on April 6 , 2020 .
Brazil registered a new record in Covid-19 cases and more than 1,000 dead in a 24-hour period , according to official figures released on Thursday .
The South American country has the world 's second highest number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases — 438,238 — after the United States .
According to Health Ministry data , 26,417 new cases were confirmed in a 24 hour-period ending late Thursday .
In that same period Brazil experienced its third highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic : 1,156 , bringing the total death toll to 26,754 , the sixth highest in the world .
Some experts , however , believe that the actual virus infection rate could be up to 15 times higher because there has been no widespread testing in Brazil .
The virus is spreading as federal and local authorities clash over health policies .
Most states have imposed partial lockdowns , but President Jair Bolsonaro wants them to end and for the economy to open quickly .
On Thursday , Bolsonaro signed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal government aid to states and municipalities .

Brazil registered a new record in Covid-19 cases and more than 1,000 dead in a 24-hour period, according to official figures released on Thursday.
Covid-19 victims are buried at the Nossa Senhora de Manaus cemetery in Manaus, Brazil, on April 6, 2020.
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The South American country has the world's second highest number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases — 438,238 — after the United States.
According to Health Ministry data, 26,417 new cases were confirmed in a 24 hour-period ending late Thursday.
In that same period Brazil experienced its third highest number of virus deaths since the start of the pandemic: 1,156, bringing the total death toll to 26,754, the sixth highest in the world.
Some experts, however, believe that the actual virus infection rate could be up to 15 times higher because there has been no widespread testing in Brazil.
The virus is spreading as federal and local authorities clash over health policies.
Most states have imposed partial lockdowns, but President Jair Bolsonaro wants them to end and for the economy to open quickly.
On Thursday, Bolsonaro signed into law 60-billion-real ($11.3 billion) of federal government aid to states and municipalities.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-28--Highlights from star-studded Africa WAN Show for Covid-19

Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour and Grammy-winner Angélique Kidjo were among a star-studded line-up of African talent brought together for a @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic .
More than 100 artists and celebrities from across the continent @ @ @ @ @ in the WAN Show broadcast online by the Worldwide Afro Network .
It was carried @ @ @ @ @ mark Africa Day - and organised by FRANCE 24 's very own music critic Amobé @ @ @ @ @ the highlights .
Also on the show : the remake of French director Claude Lelouch @ @ @ @ @ filmed illegally in Paris in the 1970s , a satirical look at the inner workings @ @ @ @ @ the new TV series `` Parlement '' and we discover the region in France that @ @ @ @ @ world 's greatest living artists , David Hockney .
Take international news everywhere with you @ @ @ @ @ app

Highlights from star-studded Africa WAN Show for Covid-19
11:54 ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour and Grammy-winner Angélique Kidjo were among a star-studded line-up of African talent brought together for a virtual concert to raise awareness of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 100 artists and celebrities from across the continent and the diaspora took part in the WAN Show broadcast online by the Worldwide Afro Network. It was carried by 200 African channels to mark Africa Day - and organised by FRANCE 24's very own music critic Amobé Mévégué. We look at the highlights.


france24--2020-05-28--Riots erupt in several US cities over Minnesota police killing of unarmed black man

Protesters angered by the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died while in police custody , gained access to a Minneapolis police precinct on Thursday , the third straight night of violent protests spreading beyond the city .
Livestream video showed the protesters entering the building , where fire alarms blared and sprinklers ran as blazes were set .
Police appeared to have left the building located in the neighborhood not far from where Floyd died Monday .
A spokesman didn ’ t immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press .
The Minneapolis unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with scattered rioting reaching for miles across the city .
It was the second consecutive night of violent protests following Floyd 's death , which was seen in a video that showed him gasping for breath while an officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes .
In footage recorded by a bystander , Floyd pleads that he can not breathe until he slowly stops talking and moving .
Another protest was announced for Thursday evening near county offices in downtown Minneapolis .
Some stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city shut down its light-rail system and all bus service out of safety concerns .
Around midday Thursday , the violence spread a few miles away to a Target in St. Paul 's Midway neighborhood , where police said 50 to 60 people rushed the store attempting to loot it .
Police and state patrol squad cars later blocked the entrance , but the looting then shifted to shops along nearby University Avenue , one of St. Paul ’ s main commercial corridors , and other spots in the city .
St. Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with unrest in roughly 20 different areas .
“ Please stay home .
Please do not come here to protest .
Please keep the focus on George Floyd , on advancing our movement and on preventing this from ever happening again .
We can all be in that fight together , ” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter tweeted .
Erika Atson , 20 , was among several hundred people who gathered for the planned demonstration outside government offices in downtown Minneapolis , where organizers called for peaceful protest .
Atson , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-year-old brothers tackled by Minneapolis police years ago because officers mistakenly presumed the boys had guns .
She said she had been at “ every single protest ” since Floyd ’ s death and that she worried about raising children who would be vulnerable in police encounters .
“ We don ’ t want to be here fighting against anyone .
We don ’ t want anyone to be hurt .
We don ’ t want to cause any damages , ” she said .
“ We just want the police officer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor ’ s order did not say how many Guard members were mobilized and whether they would be in service Thursday night .
After calling in the Guard , Walz urged widespread changes in the wake of Floyd 's death .
`` It is time to rebuild .
Rebuild the city , rebuild our justice system and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they ’ re charged to protect .
George Floyd ’ s death should lead to justice and systemic change , not more death and destruction , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis , smoke rose from smoldering buildings in the Longfellow neighborhood .
In a strip mall across the street from the police 's 3rd Precinct station , the focus of the protests on both nights , the windows in nearly every business had been smashed , from the large Target department store at one end to the Planet Fitness gym at the other .
Only the 24-hour laundromat appeared to have escaped unscathed .
“ WHY US ?
” demanded a large expanse of red graffiti scrawled on the wall of the Target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street was charred almost beyond recognition .
Among the casualties of the overnight fires : a six-story rental building under construction that was to provide nearly 200 apartments of affordable housing .
“ We ’ re burning our own neighborhood , ” said a distraught Deona Brown , a 24-year-old woman standing with a friend outside the precinct station , where a small group of protesters were shouting at a dozen or so stone-faced police officers in riot gear .
“ This is where we live , where we shop , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop did was wrong , but I ’ m scared now , ” Brown said .
Others in the crowd saw something different in the wreckage .
Protesters destroyed property `` because the system is broken , ” said a young man who identified himself only by his nickname , Cash , and who said he had been in the streets during the violence .
He dismissed the idea that the destruction would hurt residents of the largely black neighborhood .
“ They ’ re making money off of us , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed stores .
He laughed when asked if he had joined in the looting or violence .
“ I didn ’ t break anything.
” The protests that began Wednesday night and extended into Thursday were more violent than Tuesday 's , which included skirmishes between offices and protesters but no widespread property damage or looting .
Mayor Jacob Frey appealed for calm .
“ Please , Minneapolis , we can not let tragedy beget more tragedy , ” he said on Twitter .
The city ’ s response to the protests was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night into violence .
“ If the strategy was to keep residents safe — it failed , ” City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison , who is black , tweeted .
“ Prevent property damage — it failed . ''
“ We failed last night .
We are failing our city again , '' he tweeted Thursday , urging police to leave the scene of the overnight violence , saying their presence brings people into the streets .
Protests also spread to other U.S. cities .
In California , hundreds of people protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers .
Memphis police blocked a main thoroughfare after a racially mixed group of protesters gathered outside a police precinct .
The situation intensified later in the night , with police donning riot gear and protesters standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of officers stationed behind a barricade .
Amid the violence in Minneapolis , a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop , possibly by the owner , authorities said .
Fire crews responded to about 30 intentionally set blazes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and multiple fire trucks were damaged by rocks and other projectiles , the fire department said .
No one was hurt by the blazes .
There was no sign of police at the destroyed shopping center , though a couple dozen officers were outside the precinct house .
One man standing outside the building used a bullhorn to shout “ I can ’ t breathe , I can ’ t breathe .
Mama , I can ’ t breathe , ” repeating some of Floyd ’ s pleas for relief .
Across from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidewalk in red : “ Where ’ s humanity ?
” The 46-year-old Floyd died as police arrested him outside a convenience store after a report of a counterfeit bill being passed .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “ a robust criminal investigation ” into the death and making the case a priority .
The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that he had asked an investigation to be expedited .
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who kneeled on Floyd and three others were fired Tuesday .
The next day , the mayor called for him to be criminally charged .
The mayor also appealed for activation of the National Guard .

Protesters angered by the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died while in police custody, gained access to a Minneapolis police precinct on Thursday, the third straight night of violent protests spreading beyond the city.
Advertising Read more
Livestream video showed the protesters entering the building, where fire alarms blared and sprinklers ran as blazes were set. Police appeared to have left the building located in the neighborhood not far from where Floyd died Monday. A spokesman didn’t immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press.
The Minneapolis unrest ravaged several blocks in the Longfellow neighborhood, with scattered rioting reaching for miles across the city. It was the second consecutive night of violent protests following Floyd's death, which was seen in a video that showed him gasping for breath while an officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes. In footage recorded by a bystander, Floyd pleads that he cannot breathe until he slowly stops talking and moving.
Another protest was announced for Thursday evening near county offices in downtown Minneapolis. Some stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs closed early, fearing more strife. The city shut down its light-rail system and all bus service out of safety concerns.
Around midday Thursday, the violence spread a few miles away to a Target in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, where police said 50 to 60 people rushed the store attempting to loot it. Police and state patrol squad cars later blocked the entrance, but the looting then shifted to shops along nearby University Avenue, one of St. Paul’s main commercial corridors, and other spots in the city.
St. Paul spokesman Steve Linders said authorities were dealing with unrest in roughly 20 different areas.
“Please stay home. Please do not come here to protest. Please keep the focus on George Floyd, on advancing our movement and on preventing this from ever happening again. We can all be in that fight together,” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter tweeted.
Erika Atson, 20, was among several hundred people who gathered for the planned demonstration outside government offices in downtown Minneapolis, where organizers called for peaceful protest.
Atson, who is black, described seeing her 14- and 11-year-old brothers tackled by Minneapolis police years ago because officers mistakenly presumed the boys had guns. She said she had been at “every single protest” since Floyd’s death and that she worried about raising children who would be vulnerable in police encounters.
“We don’t want to be here fighting against anyone. We don’t want anyone to be hurt. We don’t want to cause any damages,” she said. “We just want the police officer to be held accountable for his actions.”
The governor’s order did not say how many Guard members were mobilized and whether they would be in service Thursday night. After calling in the Guard, Walz urged widespread changes in the wake of Floyd's death.
"It is time to rebuild. Rebuild the city, rebuild our justice system and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they’re charged to protect. George Floyd’s death should lead to justice and systemic change, not more death and destruction,” Walz said.
By Thursday morning in Minneapolis, smoke rose from smoldering buildings in the Longfellow neighborhood. In a strip mall across the street from the police's 3rd Precinct station, the focus of the protests on both nights, the windows in nearly every business had been smashed, from the large Target department store at one end to the Planet Fitness gym at the other. Only the 24-hour laundromat appeared to have escaped unscathed.
“WHY US?” demanded a large expanse of red graffiti scrawled on the wall of the Target. A Wendy’s restaurant across the street was charred almost beyond recognition.
04:01
Among the casualties of the overnight fires: a six-story rental building under construction that was to provide nearly 200 apartments of affordable housing.
“We’re burning our own neighborhood,” said a distraught Deona Brown, a 24-year-old woman standing with a friend outside the precinct station, where a small group of protesters were shouting at a dozen or so stone-faced police officers in riot gear. “This is where we live, where we shop, and they destroyed it.”
“What that cop did was wrong, but I’m scared now,” Brown said.
Others in the crowd saw something different in the wreckage.
Protesters destroyed property "because the system is broken,” said a young man who identified himself only by his nickname, Cash, and who said he had been in the streets during the violence. He dismissed the idea that the destruction would hurt residents of the largely black neighborhood.
“They’re making money off of us,” he said angrily of the owners of the destroyed stores. He laughed when asked if he had joined in the looting or violence. “I didn’t break anything.”
The protests that began Wednesday night and extended into Thursday were more violent than Tuesday's, which included skirmishes between offices and protesters but no widespread property damage or looting.
Mayor Jacob Frey appealed for calm. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” he said on Twitter.
The city’s response to the protests was being questioned even as things started spiraling Wednesday night into violence. “If the strategy was to keep residents safe — it failed,” City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, who is black, tweeted. “Prevent property damage — it failed."
“We failed last night. We are failing our city again," he tweeted Thursday, urging police to leave the scene of the overnight violence, saying their presence brings people into the streets.
Protests also spread to other U.S. cities. In California, hundreds of people protesting Floyd’s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers. Memphis police blocked a main thoroughfare after a racially mixed group of protesters gathered outside a police precinct. The situation intensified later in the night, with police donning riot gear and protesters standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of officers stationed behind a barricade.
Amid the violence in Minneapolis, a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop, possibly by the owner, authorities said.
Fire crews responded to about 30 intentionally set blazes, including at least 16 structure fires, and multiple fire trucks were damaged by rocks and other projectiles, the fire department said. No one was hurt by the blazes.
There was no sign of police at the destroyed shopping center, though a couple dozen officers were outside the precinct house. One man standing outside the building used a bullhorn to shout “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe. Mama, I can’t breathe,” repeating some of Floyd’s pleas for relief.
Across from the precinct, someone had spray-painted the sidewalk in red: “Where’s humanity?”
The 46-year-old Floyd died as police arrested him outside a convenience store after a report of a counterfeit bill being passed. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “a robust criminal investigation” into the death and making the case a priority. The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that he had asked an investigation to be expedited.
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd’s civil rights were violated.
The officer who kneeled on Floyd and three others were fired Tuesday. The next day, the mayor called for him to be criminally charged. The mayor also appealed for activation of the National Guard.
(AP)
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