france24--2020-05-12--Covid-19: French food guide launches list of best takeaways

French chef Christopher Coutanceau , who won this year the maximum three Michelin stars , prepares take away meals , on May 6 , 2020 at his restaurant in La Rochelle , as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus .
While France ’ s restaurants remain closed , the Fooding guide owned by the iconic Michelin group has opened a guide to the best places offering takeaway services , as a way of “ resisting ” Covid-19 .
Called “ Plats de résistance ” – a play on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the site offers a list of restaurants included in the guide that now offer takeaway services .
France ’ s eight-week lockdown officially ended on May 11 , but restaurants and cafés are still closed and people are expected to keep a distance of at least two metres from each other .
The government will announce details on when and how restaurants can reopen in June .
As well as restaurants providing takeaways , the new site will also list “ artisan food shops , bakeries and caterers ” that offer food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandre Cammas told AFP .
“ Plats de résistance ” already lists 500 establishments and will expand to include Michelin starred chefs providing takeaway services .
It is still “ worthwhile ” to discover the “ best ” gastronomic experiences , even though “ we ’ re living in complicated times ” , Cammas said .

While France’s restaurants remain closed, the Fooding guide owned by the iconic Michelin group has opened a guide to the best places offering takeaway services, as a way of “resisting” Covid-19.
French chef Christopher Coutanceau, who won this year the maximum three Michelin stars, prepares take away meals,on May 6, 2020 at his restaurant in La Rochelle, as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus.
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Called “Plats de résistance” – a play on words translated as “Resistance Dishes” – the site offers a list of restaurants included in the guide that now offer takeaway services.
France’s eight-week lockdown officially ended on May 11, but restaurants and cafés are still closed and people are expected to keep a distance of at least two metres from each other. The government will announce details on when and how restaurants can reopen in June.
As well as restaurants providing takeaways, the new site will also list “artisan food shops, bakeries and caterers” that offer food to go, Fooding’s founder Alexandre Cammas told AFP.
“Plats de résistance” already lists 500 establishments and will expand to include Michelin starred chefs providing takeaway services.
It is still “worthwhile” to discover the “best” gastronomic experiences, even though “we’re living in complicated times”, Cammas said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-12--Violence in northern Nigeria drives 23,000 to Niger

A Nigerian police officer flags down an oncoming vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos , on April 12 , 2020 .
Violence in northwest Nigeria has forced about 23,000 refugees to flee to Niger since April and raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation , the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday .
The numbers fleeing to neighbouring Niger have almost tripled from last year when the agency reported the first influx of 20,000 people following an insurgency and banditry in northern Nigeria which killed hundreds and displaced thousands .
The latest influx of mostly women and children came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katsina , Sokoto and Zamfara states during April .
The deadliest attack claimed 47 lives in Katsina State , the agency said , prompting air strikes by Nigerian security forces already stretched tackling a decade-long insurgency by Islamist group Boko Haram in the northeast .
`` We are working closely with authorities in Niger to relocate at least 7,000 refugees to safety ... where water , food , shelter , access to health and other essential assistance can be provided , '' UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told a media briefing .
`` Discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize on a prima facie basis the refugees fleeing Nigeria and arriving in the region , '' he said .
Nigeria closed all land borders in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , which has infected over 4,600 people in the country with 150 deaths .
It first shut parts of its borders last year to fight smuggling but people could still cross both ways .
The agency said refugees from Nigeria are being allowed to seek protection in Niger despite border closures with people in need of food , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baloch said around 19,000 Niger nationals have been displaced in their own country as they fled , fearing insecurity in border areas .
The refugees are found in Niger 's southern Maradi region , the agency said .
Many have also been caught up in clashes blamed on farmers and herders over dwindling land in Nigeria which have killed more people than the Boko Haram conflict .

Violence in northwest Nigeria has forced about 23,000 refugees to flee to Niger since April and raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
A Nigerian police officer flags down an oncoming vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos, on April 12, 2020.
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The numbers fleeing to neighbouring Niger have almost tripled from last year when the agency reported the first influx of 20,000 people following an insurgency and banditry in northern Nigeria which killed hundreds and displaced thousands.
The latest influx of mostly women and children came after attacks by gunmen in Nigeria's Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states during April.
The deadliest attack claimed 47 lives in Katsina State, the agency said, prompting air strikes by Nigerian security forces already stretched tackling a decade-long insurgency by Islamist group Boko Haram in the northeast.
"We are working closely with authorities in Niger to relocate at least 7,000 refugees to safety ... where water, food, shelter, access to health and other essential assistance can be provided," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told a media briefing.
"Discussions are also ongoing with the authorities to recognize on a prima facie basis the refugees fleeing Nigeria and arriving in the region," he said.
Nigeria closed all land borders in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 4,600 people in the country with 150 deaths. It first shut parts of its borders last year to fight smuggling but people could still cross both ways.
The agency said refugees from Nigeria are being allowed to seek protection in Niger despite border closures with people in need of food, shelter and basic services including healthcare.
Baloch said around 19,000 Niger nationals have been displaced in their own country as they fled, fearing insecurity in border areas. The refugees are found in Niger's southern Maradi region, the agency said.
Many have also been caught up in clashes blamed on farmers and herders over dwindling land in Nigeria which have killed more people than the Boko Haram conflict.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-12--Swedish footballers will not be tested for Covid-19 before games

AC Milan 's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic ( L ) takes part in a training session of Swedish league team Hammarby IF at Tele 2 Arena on April 17 , 2020 in Stockholm .
Swedish soccer players and coaches will not be required to take a test for Covid-19 before training sessions or matches as part of the country ’ s proposed return-to-play protocol during the pandemic .
Instead , they will have to fill in a self-assessment form each morning and email it to their club doctor no later than two hours before arriving for training , or before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The doctor will then assess whether the players and coaches are healthy enough to take part .
They must stay at home if they have any symptoms .
It follows the general principle adopted in Swedish society that only people who “ are feeling so ill that they must visit a hospital get a full-scale corona test '' , the Swedish league told The Associated Press on Tuesday .
`` So , in line with that , we do not have the opportunity to test our players . ''
Sweden currently has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its death toll stands at more than 3,300 .
The return-to-play protocols for training and professional matches , which were published by the Swedish league on Tuesday , have been presented to the country ’ s Public Health Authority .
The authority is expected to decide this week whether the top two Swedish leagues can start next month .
They are hoping to begin playing matches on June 14 , more than two months after the initially scheduled start date .
Swedish society hasn ’ t completely shut down during the virus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen not to impose as many restrictions as other countries .
This is reflected in its proposed return-to-play protocols in soccer , which differ to other leagues in Europe .
Just across the border in Denmark , for example , players and certain staff members will make self-examinations before training sessions , then enter a “ testing regime ” before league games or friendlies against other clubs , Danish Superliga chief executive Claus Thomsen told the AP .
Every player will be tested once before matches and probably on a weekly basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not a small expense for clubs of the size of the Danish league , '' Thomsen said .
`` But it is an expense we will carry . ''
The Danish league is planning to resume on May 28 .
In Germany , where soccer will resume this weekend , players and staff in the top two men ’ s leagues in Germany had to undergo two rounds of testing prior to resuming full team training last week .
They will also require regular tests prior to each game .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum of 20,000 tests to finish the season .
In England , Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said Monday the tests set to be used by players were developed by the sister company of the one used by the Bundesliga .

Swedish soccer players and coaches will not be required to take a test for Covid-19 before training sessions or matches as part of the country’s proposed return-to-play protocol during the pandemic.
Football has been in lockdown all over the world since the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in 2020.
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Instead, they will have to fill in a self-assessment form each morning and email it to their club doctor no later than two hours before arriving for training, or before arriving at a stadium for a match. The doctor will then assess whether the players and coaches are healthy enough to take part.
They must stay at home if they have any symptoms.
It follows the general principle adopted in Swedish society that only people who “are feeling so ill that they must visit a hospital get a full-scale corona test", the Swedish league told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
"So, in line with that, we do not have the opportunity to test our players."
Sweden currently has more than 27,000 cases of Covid-19 and its death toll stands at more than 3,300.
The return-to-play protocols for training and professional matches, which were published by the Swedish league on Tuesday, have been presented to the country’s Public Health Authority.
The authority is expected to decide this week whether the top two Swedish leagues can start next month. They are hoping to begin playing matches on June 14, more than two months after the initially scheduled start date.
Swedish society hasn’t completely shut down during the virus outbreak because the government and health authorities have chosen not to impose as many restrictions as other countries.
Different protocols across Europe
This is reflected in its proposed return-to-play protocols in soccer, which differ to other leagues in Europe.
Just across the border in Denmark, for example, players and certain staff members will make self-examinations before training sessions, then enter a “testing regime” before league games or friendlies against other clubs, Danish Superliga chief executive Claus Thomsen told the AP.
Every player will be tested once before matches and probably on a weekly basis, or more, after that.
"It is not a small expense for clubs of the size of the Danish league," Thomsen said. "But it is an expense we will carry."
The Danish league is planning to resume on May 28.
In Germany, where soccer will resume this weekend, players and staff in the top two men’s leagues in Germany had to undergo two rounds of testing prior to resuming full team training last week. They will also require regular tests prior to each game.
It’s estimated it will require a minimum of 20,000 tests to finish the season.
In England, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said Monday the tests set to be used by players were developed by the sister company of the one used by the Bundesliga.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-05-13--NGO report details IS group’s ‘abyss of horror’ in northern Syria

Human Rights Watch released details of a mass grave in Al-Hota gorge in northern Syria , in a report published on May 4 .
The NGO said that the Islamic state ( IS ) group was responsible , and called for further investigations into this pit of death , in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
Human Rights Watch released details of a mass grave in Al-Hota gorge in northern Syria , in a report published on May 4 .
The NGO said that the so-called Islamic State ( IS ) group was responsible , and called for further investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with FRANCE 24 .
Researchers call it the “ abyss of horror ” .
Located 85 kilometres north of Raqqa , the former capital of IS in Syria , was used as a mass grave by the jihadist group that ruled the region from 2013 to 2015 , Human Rights Watch revealed .
The NGO investigated the matter from 2014 to 2019 , using satellite technology and geological maps , among other devices .
It was able to film the bodies of six people , not yet identified , floating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50-metre-deep pit .
But there are clear indications that the number of corpses there is much higher .
Speaking to FRANCE 24 , Nadim Houry , co-author of the report , a former director of HRW ’ s Terrorism/Counter-terrorism programme and now executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative think-tank , looked back on the investigation and the questions it raised .
What led you to investigate the Al-Hota pit ?
It all started with a video that was leaked from the Islamic State group and broadcast by Syrian media in June 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurling the bodies of two men down into the abyss .
At the time , the IS group controlled the region and we couldn ’ t investigate .
But I knew the area well – I ’ d been there in 2013 , and even then I was hearing rumours about dead bodies thrown down the gorge .
After that , we couldn ’ t go there until the summer of 2017 , when the IS group was driven out in the Battle of Raqqa .
What were the difficulties in investigating ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to get to .
It ’ s a kind of canyon , it ’ s deserted , it ’ s a long way from the nearest road .
The paths leading to it were littered with mines and explosives .
And the abyss itself is very steep , with a 50 metre drop .
There were other complications .
The village of Soulouk is just a five-minute drive away , but its inhabitants were afraid to answer questions .
Even though the IS group was losing ground , it still had sleeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How did technology help your investigation ?
Our goal was to film at the bottom of the abyss and drones were the best way to do that .
But we had a lot of trouble getting the drones there .
The IS group was also using them , so the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan , which we passed through , took almost a year to give us the green light to use them , lest our drones be hijacked by terrorists .
In September 2018 , we were finally able to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without GPS ; this was necessary because firms had been ordered to cut their signals to aid the fight against the IS group .
This technology allowed us to see down 50 metres into the abyss .
It was an immense challenge .
We almost lost a drone that was hit by a flock of birds down in the gorge , but a second drone finally gave us the footage we needed .
What did you discover down there ?
The images show six bodies floating on a surface of viscous water – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t identify the bodies , nor could we dive under the surface , where there are surely other corpses .
The IS group was no longer in control of the area by this point , in 2018 .
What made you think it was responsible ?
The abyss was probably used as a mass grave by rebel groups both before and after IS controlled the area .
In 2018 we informed the Syrian Democratic Forces , a rebel group that had taken control of the region , and they told us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we have never been able to substantiate these claims .
On the other hand , we do have evidence against the IS group .
Firstly there was the aforementioned video from 2014 ; and then there are local testimonies and local journalistic investigations .
We also know that IS group did the same thing in another abyss in Iraq .
It is perhaps a punishment for “ impure ” people who , according to their jihadist ideology , don ’ t deserve to be buried .
But understanding this practice would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report now ?
We pushed our technology to the maximum of what we could do .
Now we ’ ve got to continue the investigation – because so far what we ’ ve discovered raises more questions than answers .
We begged the international coalition fighting the IS group , then with the SDF , and now with Turkish troops in control of the area , to ensure that the site is secured as a crime scene .
Of course , the answers are out there and it ’ s imperative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complete history of the IS group and to ensure that these crimes don ’ t happen again .
This report is just part of a bigger Human Rights Watch investigation into the disappearances caused by the Islamic State group .
This abyss has a sensationalist aspect ; it ’ s intriguing .
It already had a particular fascination for local people : Legend had it that there was a mythical creature in there that kidnapped people .
But it ’ s one mass grave among numerous others .
There are at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people have disappeared during the IS group ’ s reign – Westerners as well as Syrians and Iraqis .
The Syrians were the first to have suffered from the IS group ’ s atrocities ; they ’ ve lost loved ones , they ’ ve seen their economy collapse .
Giving answers about the fate of missing people would be a way of putting things back in order and helping the country to rebuild .
It would allow families to mourn and the country to turn a page in its history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in French .

INTERVIEW
Human Rights Watch released details of a mass grave in Al-Hota gorge in northern Syria, in a report published on May 4. The NGO said that the so-called Islamic State (IS) group was responsible, and called for further investigations into this pit of death, in an interview with FRANCE 24.
Human Rights Watch released details of a mass grave in Al-Hota gorge in northern Syria, in a report published on May 4. The NGO said that the Islamic state (IS) group was responsible, and called for further investigations into this pit of death, in an interview with FRANCE 24.
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Researchers call it the “abyss of horror”. Located 85 kilometres north of Raqqa, the former capital of IS in Syria, was used as a mass grave by the jihadist group that ruled the region from 2013 to 2015, Human Rights Watch revealed.
The NGO investigated the matter from 2014 to 2019, using satellite technology and geological maps, among other devices. It was able to film the bodies of six people, not yet identified, floating in the water at the bottom of the 50-metre-deep pit. But there are clear indications that the number of corpses there is much higher.
Speaking to FRANCE 24, Nadim Houry, co-author of the report, a former director of HRW’s Terrorism/Counter-terrorism programme and now executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative think-tank, looked back on the investigation and the questions it raised.
What led you to investigate the Al-Hota pit?
It all started with a video that was leaked from the Islamic State group and broadcast by Syrian media in June 2014. The footage shows seven masked terrorists hurling the bodies of two men down into the abyss. At the time, the IS group controlled the region and we couldn’t investigate. But I knew the area well – I’d been there in 2013, and even then I was hearing rumours about dead bodies thrown down the gorge. After that, we couldn’t go there until the summer of 2017, when the IS group was driven out in the Battle of Raqqa.
What were the difficulties in investigating?
Well for starters, the pit is hard to get to. It’s a kind of canyon, it’s deserted, it’s a long way from the nearest road. The paths leading to it were littered with mines and explosives. And the abyss is itself is very steep, with a 50 metre drop.
There were other complications. The village of Soulouk is just a five-minute drive away, but its inhabitants were afraid to answer questions. Even though the IS group was losing ground, it still had sleeper cells and members who refused to surrender.
How did technology help your investigation?
Our goal was to film at the bottom of the abyss and drones were the best way to do that. But we had a lot of trouble getting the drones there. The IS group was also using them, so the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan, which we passed through, took almost a year to give us the green light to use them, lest our drones be hijacked by terrorists.
In September 2018, we were finally able to bring in two French technological devices that work without GPS; this was necessary because firms had been ordered to cut their signals to aid the fight against the IS group. This technology allowed us to see down 50 metres into the abyss. It was an immense challenge. We almost lost a drone that was hit by a flock of birds down in the gorge, but a second drone finally gave us the footage we needed.
What did you discover down there?
The images show six bodies floating on a surface of viscous water – probably pockets of oil. But we couldn’t identify the bodies, nor could we dive under the surface, where there are surely other corpses.
The IS group was no longer in control of the area by this point, in 2018. What made you think it was responsible?
The abyss was probably used as a mass grave by rebel groups both before and after IS controlled the area. In 2018 we informed the Syrian Democratic Forces, a rebel group that had taken control of the region, and they told us about the settling of scores between locals. But we have never been able to substantiate these claims. On the other hand, we do have evidence against the IS group.
Firstly there was the aforementioned video from 2014; and then there are local testimonies and local journalistic investigations. We also know that IS group did the same thing in another abyss in Iraq. It is perhaps a punishment for “impure” people who, according to their jihadist ideology, don’t deserve to be buried. But understanding this practice would require further anthropological investigation.
Why release the report now?
We pushed our technology to the maximum of what we could do. Now we’ve got to continue the investigation – because so far what we’ve discovered raises more questions than answers. We begged the international coalition fighting the IS group, then with the SDF, and now with Turkish troops in control of the area, to ensure that the site is secured as a crime scene. Of course, the answers are out there and it’s imperative that we find them in order to write a complete history of the IS group and to ensure that these crimes don’t happen again.
This report is just part of a bigger Human Rights Watch investigation into the disappearances caused by the Islamic State group. This abyss has a sensationalist aspect; it’s intriguing. It already had a particular fascination for local people: Legend had it that there was a mythical creature in there that kidnapped people. But it’s one mass grave among numerous others. There are at the least 20 in the region and thousands of people have disappeared during the IS group’s reign – Westerners as well as Syrians and Iraqis.
The Syrians were the first to have suffered from the IS group’s atrocities; they’ve lost loved ones, they’ve seen their economy collapse. Giving answers about the fate of missing people would be a way of putting things back in order and helping the country to rebuild. It would allow families to mourn and the country to turn a page in its history.
This article was translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-05-13--Germany to begin easing border restrictions, wants ‘free travel’ by mid-June

Tourism industry workers demonstrate with a bus parade demanding financial help from the German government in Berlin , Germany , on May 13 , 2020 .
Germany wants to end by the middle of next month checks at land borders introduced to fight the coronavirus as infection rates slow , Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Wednesday .
Seehofer told reporters the EU 's top economy had `` set the clear goal of free travel in Europe by mid-June '' and would begin easing some border checks this week .
Restrictions on crossing the border imposed two months ago would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Switzerland and France on Saturday , enabling business trips and family visits to take place .
The border controls with those neighbours would then end on June 15 , assuming the virus outbreak is still seen to be under control .
The total opening of borders `` depends on our continuing to do our all to fight the infection '' , Seehofer said , warning against complacency in light of the encouraging data in Germany .
Seehofer said the agreements on loosening the measures had been reached in bilateral talks with neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from non-EU countries such as the United States and Russia would remain restricted until at least June 15 .
Germany still has a warning in force until mid-June against taking foreign holidays despite the easing of regulations among European partners .
`` We can surely ease the travel warning for Europe sooner than for other destinations , assuming the positive trend in several countries holds steady , '' Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said .
With the tourism sector reeling , the European Commission on Wednesday urged EU countries to gradually reopen shuttered internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the same criteria .
This would mean that countries with comparable health situations would use the same standards on border openings .

Germany wants to end by the middle of next month checks at land borders introduced to fight the coronavirus as infection rates slow, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Wednesday.
Tourism industry workers demonstrate with a bus parade demanding financial help from the German government in Berlin, Germany, on May 13, 2020.
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Seehofer told reporters the EU's top economy had "set the clear goal of free travel in Europe by mid-June" and would begin easing some border checks this week.
Restrictions on crossing the border imposed two months ago would be ended with Luxembourg and eased with Austria, Switzerland and France on Saturday, enabling business trips and family visits to take place.
The border controls with those neighbours would then end on June 15, assuming the virus outbreak is still seen to be under control.
The total opening of borders "depends on our continuing to do our all to fight the infection", Seehofer said, warning against complacency in light of the encouraging data in Germany.
Seehofer said the agreements on loosening the measures had been reached in bilateral talks with neighbours this week.
He said that travel from non-EU countries such as the United States and Russia would remain restricted until at least June 15.
Germany still has a warning in force until mid-June against taking foreign holidays despite the easing of regulations among European partners.
"We can surely ease the travel warning for Europe sooner than for other destinations, assuming the positive trend in several countries holds steady," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
With the tourism sector reeling, the European Commission on Wednesday urged EU countries to gradually reopen shuttered internal borders and to treat each member state according to the same criteria.
This would mean that countries with comparable health situations would use the same standards on border openings.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-13--Pompeo visits Israel for talks on plans to annex parts of West Bank

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a press conference at the State Department on April 29 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Israel Wednesday for talks on regional security and the country 's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank .
Pompeo was to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming defence minister Benny Gantz , a day before a unity government agreed between the two men is due to be sworn in .
The talks were also expected to cover common arch foe Iran after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Iranian bases in neighbouring Syria in recent weeks , and the Jewish state 's trade relations with China .
Pompeo wore a red , white and blue protective face mask when he landed at Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv for his first trip abroad in nearly two months amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
In what the US embassy in Jerusalem called a `` cautionary '' measure , Pompeo will not meet ambassador David Friedman , who was said by an embassy spokesman to be displaying `` mild upper respiratory symptoms '' although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The visit came as voilence broke out in the occupied West Bank .
Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager during clashes in the West Bank on Wednesday , the Palestinian health ministry said .
The ministry announced that Zaid Qaysia , 15 , was `` killed by a live bullet in the head fired by the Israeli soldiers in Al-Fawar camp '' near Hebron in the southern West Bank , with a further four Palestinians injured during clashes .
The Israeli army said it was checking the reports .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a West Bank arrest raid when a rock thrown off a rooftop struck him in the head , the military said .
The military said 21-year-old Staff Sgt .
Amit Ben-Yigal was on routine “ operational activity ” near the West Bank city of Jenin when a large rock was thrown off a rooftop and struck him on the head .
A search was on for the attacker .
Green light from US to annex land Netanyahu and Gantz faced off in three inconclusive elections in less than a year before agreeing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right-winger in power since 2009 , will serve as prime minister for 18 months with Gantz , a former army chief , as his alternate , after the latter resigned as parliamentary speaker on Tuesday in preparation for his new role .
The two will swap posts midway through the deal .
Their coalition agreement says the Israeli government can , from July 1 , begin considering implementing the West Bank annexations detailed in President Donald Trump 's Middle East peace plan .
Unveiled in January , the controversial plan gives a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annex Jewish settlements and other strategic West Bank territory .
The Palestinians have rejected Trump 's plan and cut ties with the Trump administration in 2017 over its pro-Israel stance .
Their chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said Pompeo 's team had not reached out ahead of the visit .
`` The Trump administration is collaborating with Israel in its annexation plan in what is both an attempt at burying the rights of the Palestinian people as well as a blatant attack on a rules-based international system , '' he said .
Israel has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Six-Day War of 1967 .
Nearly three million Palestinians live there alongside more than 400,000 Israelis residing in settlements that are considered illegal under international law .
For the Palestinians and much of the international community , Israeli annexations would sink any hope of a two-state solution to the conflict .
In an interview ahead of his visit with the newspaper Israel Hayom , Pompeo said that whether and how to go ahead with annexation was `` a decision Israel will make '' .
`` I want to understand what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo reportedly said , noting Trump 's initiative was unveiled several months before the Netanyahu-Gantz deal .
The US plan recognises Jerusalem as Israel 's undivided capital , defying Palestinian aspirations that the eastern part of the city will serve as their future capital .
Former US president Barack Obama 's ambassador to Israel , Daniel Shapiro , told AFP that he believed Pompeo was being `` disingenuous '' in claiming annexation decisions would be left to Israel .
`` I think the Trump administration very much wants this annexation to happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Tel Aviv University 's Institute for National Security Studies .
`` It is probably less concerned about the specific boundaries , but it wants to have an achievement in Israeli annexation that it can tout to President Trump 's evangelical supporters ( and ) right-wing Jewish supporters to excite them and energise them , '' ahead of US elections in November , Shapiro said .
Netanyahu may be tempted to move quickly in order to help Trump in that vote and to ensure annexation is a done deal before a possible unfavourable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , Shapiro noted .
But that would create substantial risks internationally and could cause deep division within Netanyahu 's coalition , the former ambassador added .
Gantz has praised the Trump plan but warned against moves that threaten regional stability .
Experts have said Jordan might back away from its historic 1994 peace deal with the Jewish state if Israel annexes the Jordan Valley , a strategically crucial border region that accounts for roughly 30 percent of the West Bank .

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Israel Wednesday for talks on regional security and the country's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a press conference at the State Department on April 29, 2020 in Washington, DC.
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Pompeo was to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming defence minister Benny Gantz, a day before a unity government agreed between the two men is due to be sworn in.
The talks were also expected to cover common arch foe Iran after Israel is believed to have launched strikes against Iranian bases in neighbouring Syria in recent weeks, and the Jewish state's trade relations with China.
Pompeo wore a red, white and blue protective face mask when he landed at Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv for his first trip abroad in nearly two months amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In what the US embassy in Jerusalem called a "cautionary" measure, Pompeo will not meet ambassador David Friedman, who was said by an embassy spokesman to be displaying "mild upper respiratory symptoms" although he had tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
Violent clashes in West Bank
The visit came as voilence broke out in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager during clashes in the West Bank on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said.
The ministry announced that Zaid Qaysia, 15, was "killed by a live bullet in the head fired by the Israeli soldiers in Al-Fawar camp" near Hebron in the southern West Bank, with a further four Palestinians injured during clashes.
The Israeli army said it was checking the reports.
An Israeli soldier was killed early Tuesday during a West Bank arrest raid when a rock thrown off a rooftop struck him in the head, the military said.
The military said 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal was on routine “operational activity” near the West Bank city of Jenin when a large rock was thrown off a rooftop and struck him on the head. A search was on for the attacker.
Green light from US to annex land
Netanyahu and Gantz faced off in three inconclusive elections in less than a year before agreeing to a three-year power-sharing administration.
Netanyahu, a right-winger in power since 2009, will serve as prime minister for 18 months with Gantz, a former army chief, as his alternate, after the latter resigned as parliamentary speaker on Tuesday in preparation for his new role. The two will swap posts midway through the deal.
Their coalition agreement says the Israeli government can, from July 1, begin considering implementing the West Bank annexations detailed in President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.
Unveiled in January, the controversial plan gives a green light from Washington for Israel to annex Jewish settlements and other strategic West Bank territory.
The Palestinians have rejected Trump's plan and cut ties with the Trump administration in 2017 over its pro-Israel stance.
Their chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said Pompeo's team had not reached out ahead of the visit.
"The Trump administration is collaborating with Israel in its annexation plan in what is both an attempt at burying the rights of the Palestinian people as well as a blatant attack on a rules-based international system," he said.
Israel has controlled the West Bank since seizing it in the Six-Day War of 1967.
Nearly three million Palestinians live there alongside more than 400,000 Israelis residing in settlements that are considered illegal under international law.
For the Palestinians and much of the international community, Israeli annexations would sink any hope of a two-state solution to the conflict.
In an interview ahead of his visit with the newspaper Israel Hayom, Pompeo said that whether and how to go ahead with annexation was "a decision Israel will make".
"I want to understand what the new government thinks about it," Pompeo reportedly said, noting Trump's initiative was unveiled several months before the Netanyahu-Gantz deal.
The US plan recognises Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital, defying Palestinian aspirations that the eastern part of the city will serve as their future capital.
Regional concerns
Former US president Barack Obama's ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, told AFP that he believed Pompeo was being "disingenuous" in claiming annexation decisions would be left to Israel.
"I think the Trump administration very much wants this annexation to happen," said Shapiro, a visiting fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies.
"It is probably less concerned about the specific boundaries, but it wants to have an achievement in Israeli annexation that it can tout to President Trump's evangelical supporters (and) right-wing Jewish supporters to excite them and energise them," ahead of US elections in November, Shapiro said.
Netanyahu may be tempted to move quickly in order to help Trump in that vote and to ensure annexation is a done deal before a possible unfavourable change at the helm of the White House, Shapiro noted.
But that would create substantial risks internationally and could cause deep division within Netanyahu's coalition, the former ambassador added.
Netanyahu's previous coalition had hardline pro-annexation right-wingers in key posts, notably outgoing defence minister Naftali Bennett.
Gantz has praised the Trump plan but warned against moves that threaten regional stability.
Experts have said Jordan might back away from its historic 1994 peace deal with the Jewish state if Israel annexes the Jordan Valley, a strategically crucial border region that accounts for roughly 30 percent of the West Bank.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-05-13--UK in ‘significant recession’ as economy shrinks by record 5.8 percent in March

A street sweeper cleans outside the Bank of England in London on March 31 , 2020 , as the spread of Covid-19 continues in Britain .
Britain 's economy shrank by a record 5.8 percent in March as the Covid-19 crisis escalated and the government shut down much of the country , according to official data that point towards an even bigger hit to come .
The monthly drop in gross domestic product was felt in almost all sectors – from the country 's shuttered restaurants and bars to its building sites and factories – and was the largest since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sharp contraction in UK Q1 GDP comes as little surprise , but does clearly highlight the magnitude of the challenge facing policymakers , '' JP Morgan market strategist Hugh Gimber said .
In the first three months of the year , GDP contracted by 2.0 percent from the last three months of 2019 , the biggest drop since the depths of the financial crisis in late 2008 , the Office for National Statistics said .
The Bank of England said last week that the contraction of the economy in the April-June period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest annual decline in more than three centuries .
British two-year government bond yields sank to a record low of -0.045 percent after the data , reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will ramp up its record £645 billion ( €732 billion ) of asset purchases next month .
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain was now in the midst of a significant recession .
`` We have to support people 's jobs , their incomes , livelihoods at this time , and support businesses so we can get through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other side , '' he said after the GDP data .
On Tuesday , Britain 's government extended a costly job support programme for another four months , though businesses will need to pick up more of the tab from August .
The decline in first-quarter GDP was slightly smaller than economists had forecast in a Reuters poll , and less than the 3.8 percent slump suffered by the euro zone in the first quarter .
The worst-hit country in Europe with more than 40,000 deaths from Covid-19 according to official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown since March 23 – a later date than in many other euro zone countries .
England tentatively began easing its Covid-19 lockdown on Wednesday , with some people who can not do their jobs at home urged to return to work , while Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , which have semi-autonomous governments , are sticking with a `` stay at home '' message for now .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government has faced a barrage of criticism that its new guidance – stay alert , control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Appearing on Sky News TV , Transport Minister Grant Shapps was asked why estate agents were being allowed to restart house viewings when people could not have their own relatives to visit .
`` The truth of the matter is , you have to start somewhere .
The lockdown message was very straightforward – it was just stay at home .
Now as we start to unlock , of course , there have to be decisions made , '' Shapps said .
`` There is no perfect way of doing this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their common sense ...
Right now , there has to be a cut-off somewhere.
” Workers were being advised to avoid public transport if at all possible , and schools remained closed , prompting questions about how parents and people who could not get to work by other means were supposed to apply the new guidance .
Employers faced the daunting task of creating safe environments for their staff , with detailed guidance on one-way systems at entry and exit points and in stairwells , spacing out workstations and other minutiae .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , there was only a very slight change in the regime .
People were now allowed out to exercise more than once a day , and two people from separate households were allowed to meet outdoors as long as they kept two metres apart .
Martin Hewitt , chairman of the National Police Chiefs ' Council , said officers would still be encouraging people to go home if they were out for reasons other than the authorised exercise , shopping for essentials , health or work .
Fines for transgressions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hopefully working in the spirit we 've had for the last seven weeks , '' he told BBC TV .
`` It 's not for the police to police people being two metres apart , that 's about everyone 's individual responsibility .
If there are those people who refuse to abide by the new regulations then we will move to enforcement if that 's what we have to do , '' he said , describing that as a last resort .

Britain's economy shrank by a record 5.8 percent in March as the Covid-19 crisis escalated and the government shut down much of the country, according to official data that point towards an even bigger hit to come.
A street sweeper cleans outside the Bank of England in London on March 31, 2020, as the spread of Covid-19 continues in Britain.
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The monthly drop in gross domestic product was felt in almost all sectors – from the country's shuttered restaurants and bars to its building sites and factories – and was the largest since comparable records began in 1997.
"The sharp contraction in UK Q1 GDP comes as little surprise, but does clearly highlight the magnitude of the challenge facing policymakers," JP Morgan market strategist Hugh Gimber said.
In the first three months of the year, GDP contracted by 2.0 percent from the last three months of 2019, the biggest drop since the depths of the financial crisis in late 2008, the Office for National Statistics said.
The Bank of England said last week that the contraction of the economy in the April-June period could approach 25 percent and lead to the largest annual decline in more than three centuries.
British two-year government bond yields sank to a record low of -0.045 percent after the data, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will ramp up its record £645 billion (€732 billion) of asset purchases next month.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain was now in the midst of a significant recession.
"We have to support people's jobs, their incomes, livelihoods at this time, and support businesses so we can get through this period of severe disruption and emerge stronger on the other side," he said after the GDP data.
Our world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has today opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule.
Check if you can claim: https://t.co/s15w2h83Bz pic.twitter.com/ekXB2d07wL — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 13, 2020
On Tuesday, Britain's government extended a costly job support programme for another four months, though businesses will need to pick up more of the tab from August.
The decline in first-quarter GDP was slightly smaller than economists had forecast in a Reuters poll, and less than the 3.8 percent slump suffered by the euro zone in the first quarter.
The worst-hit country in Europe with more than 40,000 deaths from Covid-19 according to official data, Britain has been in extensive lockdown since March 23 – a later date than in many other euro zone countries.
Small steps to ease lockdown
England tentatively began easing its Covid-19 lockdown on Wednesday, with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have semi-autonomous governments, are sticking with a "stay at home" message for now.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has faced a barrage of criticism that its new guidance – stay alert, control the virus, save lives – was confusing.
Appearing on Sky News TV, Transport Minister Grant Shapps was asked why estate agents were being allowed to restart house viewings when people could not have their own relatives to visit.
02:00
"The truth of the matter is, you have to start somewhere. The lockdown message was very straightforward – it was just stay at home. Now as we start to unlock, of course, there have to be decisions made," Shapps said.
"There is no perfect way of doing this, and we'd ask people to use their common sense ... Right now, there has to be a cut-off somewhere.”
Workers were being advised to avoid public transport if at all possible, and schools remained closed, prompting questions about how parents and people who could not get to work by other means were supposed to apply the new guidance.
Employers faced the daunting task of creating safe environments for their staff, with detailed guidance on one-way systems at entry and exit points and in stairwells, spacing out workstations and other minutiae.
For those still working from home or unable to work, there was only a very slight change in the regime. People were now allowed out to exercise more than once a day, and two people from separate households were allowed to meet outdoors as long as they kept two metres apart.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said officers would still be encouraging people to go home if they were out for reasons other than the authorised exercise, shopping for essentials, health or work.
Fines for transgressions have been increased.
"Everybody will carry on hopefully working in the spirit we've had for the last seven weeks," he told BBC TV.
"It's not for the police to police people being two metres apart, that's about everyone's individual responsibility. If there are those people who refuse to abide by the new regulations then we will move to enforcement if that's what we have to do," he said, describing that as a last resort.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-13--Students return to school as Israel emerges from Covid-19 lockdown

Five- and six-year-olds have returned to school in Jerusalem for the first time in almost two months .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ children at a Jerusalem school played together .
`` In the morning they came , @ @ @ @ @ , they did n't know what to do , where to play first , '' @ @ @ @ @ days a week , a Jerusalem school welcomes half of one class .
They use @ @ @ @ @ the other three days , it 's the second half , who use the blue @ @ @ @ @ parents complete a form each day recording their child 's temperature .
Returning to school @ @ @ @ @ Israel .
`` We told [ parents ] from the beginning , if you do @ @ @ @ @ back ... until the beginning of [ next ] year , it 's okay , @ @ @ @ @ a school staff member .
Click on the player above for FRANCE 24 's full @ @

It's been almost two months since children at a Jerusalem school played together. "In the morning they came, and they were so high, they didn't know what to do, where to play first," their teacher said.
Five- and six-year-olds have returned to school in Jerusalem for the first time in almost two months.
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Three days a week, a Jerusalem school welcomes half of one class. They use the green toys. On the other three days, it's the second half, who use the blue toys.
But only after parents complete a form each day recording their child's temperature.
Returning to school is not yet compulsory in Israel. "We told [parents] from the beginning, if you don't want to bring them back ... until the beginning of [next] year, it's okay, we understand," said a school staff member.
Click on the player above for FRANCE 24's full report.
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france24--2020-05-13--Senegal’s engineering students design machines to fight Covid-19

Lamine Mouhamed Kébé , a final-year mechanical engineering student at the Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique in Dakar , Senegal , and coordinator of the `` Dr.
Car ” project , handles a small robot in the school 's lab on May 8 , 2020 .
Senegalese engineering students are throwing themselves at the West African state 's growing coronavirus problem with inventions such as automatic sanitiser dispensers and medical robots .
Youngsters from a top engineering school in the capital Dakar have turned their technical skills toward easing pressure on the wards – and they are already in talks with hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example is a small robot , dubbed 'Dr .
Car ' , which will be able to measure patients ' blood pressure and temperature , according to students from Dakar 's Ecole Superieure Polytechnique ( ESP ) .
The university is considered one of West Africa 's best for engineering and technology , and is highly selective , with 28 nationalities represented among its 4,000 students .
Lamine Mouhamed Kebe , one of the students who conceived the robot , said the machine would reduce the exposure of doctors and nurses to infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At a certain point ... we realised that medical equipment was limited , '' the 23-year-old added .
`` We can do something '' .
Guided by a mounted camera and controlled via an app , doctors will also be able to communicate with patients through the robot , Kebe said , potentially allowing them to treat people isolated in hard-to-reach rural areas .
Senegal 's coronavirus outbreak pales in comparison to the situation in virus-stricken Europe and the United States .
But after a slow start , confirmed cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are increasing .
And as with other poor countries in the region , there are fears that Senegal is ill equipped to handle a large outbreak .
Authorities have recorded more than 1,700 cases to date , including 19 fatalities .
Hospital staff in Dakar are also beginning to contract Covid-19 .
Faced with an increased threat , frontline Senegalese doctors are taking the young engineers seriously .
An initial prototype designed by the students was essentially a small mobile trolley , designed to carry equipment or meals to patients .
But Abdoulaye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ward in a Dakar hospital , asked to redesign it to include mechanical arms capable of conducting medical tests – an upgrade the students are working on now .
`` It 's a whole process , '' Bousso said , adding that the robot could cut down on their use of expensive bibs and gowns , which must be thrown away .
Ndiaga Ndiaye , an ESP professor in charge of marketing the inventions , said that the university has long emphasised practical projects and entrepreneurship , which meant students were poised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The robot is `` far from being a gadget , '' he said , and could be produced at a larger scale once ready .
`` We are a public institution .
There is one concept that binds us all together , and that is service to the community , '' he said .
Other students have devised simpler devices that they also hope will battle the disease in Senegal .
Gianna Andjembe , a masters student in electrical engineering , has designed an automatic hand-sanitiser dispenser that he said could reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to supervise hand-washing .
`` It 's very simple , it 's basic , '' said the 26-year-old .
`` As scientists , as engineers , we have to meet the challenges and really take our destiny into our own hands , '' Andjembe added .
Lectures are now held over video and students who used to tinker in labs until late at night must now rush home owing to a dusk-to-dawn curfew .
But the crisis has also given the young engineers a sense of purpose .
`` What has changed is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before adding that the students also felt `` much more patriotism '' .

Senegalese engineering students are throwing themselves at the West African state's growing coronavirus problem with inventions such as automatic sanitiser dispensers and medical robots.
Lamine Mouhamed Kébé, a final-year mechanical engineering student at the Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique in Dakar, Senegal, and coordinator of the "Dr. Car” project, handles a small robot in the school's lab on May 8, 2020.
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Youngsters from a top engineering school in the capital Dakar have turned their technical skills toward easing pressure on the wards – and they are already in talks with hospitals over some of their innovations.
One example is a small robot, dubbed 'Dr. Car', which will be able to measure patients' blood pressure and temperature, according to students from Dakar's Ecole Superieure Polytechnique (ESP).
The university is considered one of West Africa's best for engineering and technology, and is highly selective, with 28 nationalities represented among its 4,000 students.
Lamine Mouhamed Kebe, one of the students who conceived the robot, said the machine would reduce the exposure of doctors and nurses to infected patients and use of expensive protective gear.
"At a certain point ... we realised that medical equipment was limited," the 23-year-old added. "We can do something".
Guided by a mounted camera and controlled via an app, doctors will also be able to communicate with patients through the robot, Kebe said, potentially allowing them to treat people isolated in hard-to-reach rural areas.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases rising
Senegal's coronavirus outbreak pales in comparison to the situation in virus-stricken Europe and the United States.
But after a slow start, confirmed cases in the nation of some 16 million people are increasing.
And as with other poor countries in the region, there are fears that Senegal is ill equipped to handle a large outbreak.
Authorities have recorded more than 1,700 cases to date, including 19 fatalities. Hospital staff in Dakar are also beginning to contract Covid-19.
Faced with an increased threat, frontline Senegalese doctors are taking the young engineers seriously.
An initial prototype designed by the students was essentially a small mobile trolley, designed to carry equipment or meals to patients.
But Abdoulaye Bousso, the head of an emergency ward in a Dakar hospital, asked to redesign it to include mechanical arms capable of conducting medical tests – an upgrade the students are working on now.
"It's a whole process," Bousso said, adding that the robot could cut down on their use of expensive bibs and gowns, which must be thrown away.
Focus on practicality
Ndiaga Ndiaye, an ESP professor in charge of marketing the inventions, said that the university has long emphasised practical projects and entrepreneurship, which meant students were poised to act when the virus broke out.
The robot is "far from being a gadget," he said, and could be produced at a larger scale once ready.
"We are a public institution. There is one concept that binds us all together, and that is service to the community," he said.
Other students have devised simpler devices that they also hope will battle the disease in Senegal.
Gianna Andjembe, a masters student in electrical engineering, has designed an automatic hand-sanitiser dispenser that he said could reduce the need for staff in schools and hospitals to supervise hand-washing.
"It's very simple, it's basic," said the 26-year-old.
"As scientists, as engineers, we have to meet the challenges and really take our destiny into our own hands," Andjembe added.
The coronavirus has upended ESP students' lives.
Lectures are now held over video and students who used to tinker in labs until late at night must now rush home owing to a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
But the crisis has also given the young engineers a sense of purpose.
"What has changed is the responsibility," robotmaker Kebe said before adding that the students also felt "much more patriotism".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-13--Brazil registers record death rate, marking it as global hotspot for Covid-19

Emergency workers transport a patient to a hospital in Santo Andre , Sao Paulo State , Brazil , on May 7 , 2020 , during the coronavirus outbreak .
Brazil registered its highest Covid-19 death toll for a single day , with 881 new deaths confirmed over the past 24 hours , the health ministry said Tuesday .
Brazil , the Latin American country hit hardest in the pandemic , appears to be quickly becoming a new global flashpoint .
The total death toll from the new coronavirus has now hit 12,400 in the country , with 177,589 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That makes Brazil the sixth most-affected country , after the United States , Britain , Italy , France and Spain .
`` Certainly , the increase of cases ( in Brazil ) in the last several days is a case of concern , '' Marcos Espinal , head of the communicable diseases department at the Pan American Health Organization , told a briefing in Washington .
Experts say under-testing means the real numbers in Brazil are probably far higher .
`` Brazil is only testing people who end up in the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the authors of a study published last week that estimated the real number of infections in the country was 15 times higher than the official figure .
`` It 's hard to know what 's really happening based on the available data .
We do n't have a real policy to manage the outbreak .
The pandemic is passing through as it pleases , '' he told AFP .
Brazil 's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has drawn criticism for downplaying the pandemic , comparing the virus to a `` little flu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , and urging state and local authorities to end stay-at-home measures .
Previously , the highest one-day toll in Brazil was 751 deaths on May 8 .

Brazil registered its highest Covid-19 death toll for a single day, with 881 new deaths confirmed over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said Tuesday.
Emergency workers transport a patient to a hospital in Santo Andre, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, on May 7, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Brazil, the Latin American country hit hardest in the pandemic, appears to be quickly becoming a new global flashpoint.
The total death toll from the new coronavirus has now hit 12,400 in the country, with 177,589 confirmed cases – up 9,258 from the day before.
That makes Brazil the sixth most-affected country, after the United States, Britain, Italy, France and Spain.
"Certainly, the increase of cases (in Brazil) in the last several days is a case of concern," Marcos Espinal, head of the communicable diseases department at the Pan American Health Organization, told a briefing in Washington.
Experts say under-testing means the real numbers in Brazil are probably far higher.
"Brazil is only testing people who end up in the hospital," said Domingo Alves, one of the authors of a study published last week that estimated the real number of infections in the country was 15 times higher than the official figure.
"It's hard to know what's really happening based on the available data. We don't have a real policy to manage the outbreak. The pandemic is passing through as it pleases," he told AFP.
Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has drawn criticism for downplaying the pandemic, comparing the virus to a "little flu," condemning the "hysteria" around it, and urging state and local authorities to end stay-at-home measures.
Previously, the highest one-day toll in Brazil was 751 deaths on May 8.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-12--At odds with Trump, US virus expert Fauci warns of risks of reopening too soon

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

The US government's top infectious diseases expert warned Congress Tuesday that ending lockdowns too soon could trigger fresh and uncontrollable outbreaks of Covid-19.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in a screen grab from a video feed as he testifies remotely from his home during a US Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on the coronavirus disease response in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2020.
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In his first appearance on Capitol Hill in two months, Anthony Fauci delivered a cautionary message at odds with the rhetoric of President Donald Trump, who has pressed for rapid steps to rekindle the devastated economy.
The respected scientist told a Senate panel that federal authorities had developed guidelines on how to safely reopen activities, with a sustained 14-day decrease in cases as a vital first step.
"If a community or a state or region doesn't go by those guidelines and reopens... the consequences could be really serious," said Fauci.
"There is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you may not be able to control," he later added, warning that would not only cost lives "but could even set you back on the road to trying to get economic recovery."
Responding to a question from Senator Bernie Sanders, Fauci acknowledged that US coronavirus deaths are likely higher than the official toll of roughly 80,000.
This, he said, was because many people – particularly in hardest-hit New York – died at home before they could be admitted to a hospital.
Some colleges meanwhile have begun announcing plans to restart classes in fall, but Fauci argued it was "a bridge too far" to expect vaccines or treatments might be ready in time to assuage student fears.
The antiviral remdesivir was recently shown in a clinical trial to speed up the recovery time for COVID-19 patients, but Fauci said the results were "modest" and concerned hospitalised patients. He added that the treatment closest to wide use by the fall might be blood plasma from recovered patients.
Fauci said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the prospects of a vaccine, with eight candidates undergoing clinical trials, including one made by the firm Moderna which is closely collaborating with the National Institutes of Health where he is a senior official.
Its efficacy could be determined by late fall or early winter, he said.
"We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners," Fauci added. "In other words, it's multiple shots on goal."
Remote testimony
Fauci, who has become the trusted face of the federal government's virus response, was one of four top medical experts testifying remotely to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci was in "modified quarantine" after Vice President Mike Pence's spokeswoman – with whom he had no close contact – tested positive.
A statement issued later by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Fauci, CDC director Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn could return to work if they check their temperatures and wear masks.
There has been frequent speculation that Fauci's forthright approach has irked Trump, who has been accused of downplaying the crisis as he pushes to restart the economy.
Fauci appeared in Congress hours after Trump renewed that message on Twitter, writing: "Numbers are coming down in most parts of our Country, which wants to open and get going again. It is happening, safely!"
The US has reported more than 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million infections.
While the situation has improved in New York, and the daily nationwide death toll has dipped markedly in recent days, the rate of new cases has yet to drop off dramatically.
Though widely respected by lawmakers in both major parties, Fauci came under fire from Republican Rand Paul, who said that because the mortality rate in children is low, schools could be reopened faster in certain districts.
"As much as I respect you, Dr. Fauci, I don't think you're the end-all," said Paul. "I don't think you're the one person who gets to make the decision."
Fauci responded that he only offered scientific advice, but warned not to be "cavalier in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects" of COVID-19, given growing reports of children suffering from a related autoimmune syndrome.
The White House has outlined a three-phase approach to help state and local officials reopen their economies while observing medical advice on limiting the virus' spread.
As well as a two-week "downward trajectory" of cases, it calls for robust testing for at-risk healthcare workers, with asymptomatic cases screened as well, and contacts of positive cases traced.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-13--‘Still learning’: Experts and survivors discover Covid-19’s  lingering effects

A medical staff member treats a patient suffering from Covid-19 in the intensive care unit at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista , California , on May 12 , 2020 .
An angelic voice singing “ Hallelujah ” echoes off the stately stone and brick canyons of a narrow Montmartre street .
Still struggling with Covid-19 complications two months after falling ill , Parisian soprano Veronica Antonelli wanted the impromptu performance from her third-floor balcony to project hope .
Hours earlier , her doctor had delivered troubling news : The lung scarring that sometimes makes her too tired to sing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
“ It makes things a bit complicated , given my profession , ” Antonelli said sadly .
The virus that has sickened over 4 million people around the world and killed more than 280,000 others is so new that patients face considerable uncertainty about what they can expect in recovery and beyond .
“ The short answer is that we ’ re still learning , ” said Dr. Jay Varkey , an infectious disease specialist at Emory University in Atlanta .
“ What we know has been gathered mostly by anecdotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups created on social media sites , survivors post head-to-toe complaints that read like a medical encyclopedia : anxiety , heart palpitations , muscle aches , bluish toes .
It ’ s hard to know which ones are clearly related to the virus , but the accounts help fuel doctors ’ increasing belief that Covid-19 is not just a respiratory disease .
‘ We just have to be patient ’ Persistent exhaustion is a common theme , but every survivor ’ s story is different , said Brandy Swayze , a coronavirus sufferer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing pneumonia .
She was hospitalized in late March and early April .
Her fatigue comes and goes .
Insomnia is another concern .
“ We ’ re just people who have more questions than anybody else about this thing because we ’ re going through it , ” said Swayze , 43 , of Cabin John , Maryland .
On top of her lung damage and fatigue , Antonelli has issues with her memory and a diminished sense of taste and smell – a common early symptom that lingers for many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking nerves .
Two-thirds of patients in a study in Italy had a loss of smell and taste .
Some reports suggest these problems last only a few weeks , but it ’ s been almost two months for Antonelli .
She said that when she asked a voice specialist when she would be able to smell again , his answer was “ ‘ We know nothing .
We just have to be patient .
We have no solution.
’ ” Antonelli , 45 , needs her stamina back to resume her offbeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor monuments and historic sites , a profession she chose because she likes how natural environments shape her voice .
Stuck at home , she sings at her balcony when she can to bring happiness and thank health workers , grocers and others for their service during the pandemic .
Some days , though , she ’ s simply too tired to leave her bed .
‘ Need to take it slow ’ In Wuhan , China , where Covid-19 emerged in December , physicians first considered it a type of pneumonia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is so smart .
It just attacked everywhere in the body , ” Dr. Xin Zheng of Wuhan Union Hospital said in a livestreamed webinar this month .
Lungs , hearts , kidneys , even the brain can be affected .
Some hospitalized patients develop blood clots , while others have elevated enzymes suggesting liver abnormalities .
“ That ’ s a very unique characteristic of it , ” said Dr. Thomas McGinn of Northwell Health hospitals in New York .
He co-authored the largest U.S. study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they ’ re faring in recovery .
Alex Melo , a retired marine from York , Maine , became critically ill with Covid-19 last month .
He spent a few days on a ventilator for pneumonia , but also developed blood clots that threatened his heart and lungs .
After two weeks in the hospital , he was sent home on blood thinners he must take for at least a few months .
The drugs make him prone to bleeding , and he worries how that will affect his work as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contractor .
But he ’ s not ready for that work anyway .
After two weeks at home , his lungs are still recovering and he can ’ t run without getting winded .
“ I need to take this slow , ’ ’ Melo said .
Reports from China suggest those with mild infections recover two to three weeks after first showing symptoms .
For those with more serious infections , recovery may take six weeks , said Varkey , the infectious disease specialist .
But recovery may take much longer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including patients who spent time in intensive care on ventilators or dialysis .
Wuhan doctors have reported heart problems in a small portion of hospitalized patients , including inflammation of the heart muscle and irregular heartbeats , both of which can increase risks for heart failure , Varkey noted .
Many of the problems may be caused by the virus itself , a hyperactive immune response to the virus , the treatment involved or a combination of all three , he said .
Some survivors who had long stays in intensive care may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some may develop a condition called post-intensive care syndrome , which can include persistent muscle weakness , fatigue , attention and memory problems and anxiety .
The condition has been seen in Covid-19 survivors who were put on ventilators , but it can happen after any critical illness and may be related to treatment , including sedation and prolonged bed rest .
Considering that most Covid-19 patients on ventilators don ’ t survive , western Illinois truck driver Scott Dobbels is making a remarkable recovery .
Dobbels spent 17 days in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilator .
He returned to his home in Silvis on April 20 weighing 20 pounds less and pushing a metal walker .
The next day , he went just to check things out at the lumber yard where he works and returned exhausted .
“ It put me back in bed for three days .
Too much , too soon , ” he said .
At first , just brushing his teeth was an effort .
After several sessions with a physical therapist , he ’ s regaining muscle and strength .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blows into a special inhaler several times a day .
Dobbels says he feels great , despite lingering muscle pain and some weakness , and plans to return to work May 13 .
He also has lingering questions about why his case was so severe when his wife , Elizabeth , became infected but experienced only mild symptoms .
“ Why me ?
” he said .
“ Why did I get it , why did I almost die , when others weren ’ t as severely affected ?
’ ’

An angelic voice singing “Hallelujah” echoes off the stately stone and brick canyons of a narrow Montmartre street.
A medical staff member treats a patient suffering from Covid-19 in the intensive care unit at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, California, on May 12, 2020.
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Still struggling with Covid-19 complications two months after falling ill, Parisian soprano Veronica Antonelli wanted the impromptu performance from her third-floor balcony to project hope. Hours earlier, her doctor had delivered troubling news: The lung scarring that sometimes makes her too tired to sing may last for months. Or maybe years.
“It makes things a bit complicated, given my profession,” Antonelli said sadly.
The virus that has sickened over 4 million people around the world and killed more than 280,000 others is so new that patients face considerable uncertainty about what they can expect in recovery and beyond.
“The short answer is that we’re still learning,” said Dr. Jay Varkey, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University in Atlanta. “What we know has been gathered mostly by anecdotal reports from Covid-19 survivors.”
In support groups created on social media sites, survivors post head-to-toe complaints that read like a medical encyclopedia: anxiety, heart palpitations, muscle aches, bluish toes. It’s hard to know which ones are clearly related to the virus, but the accounts help fuel doctors’ increasing belief that Covid-19 is not just a respiratory disease.
‘We just have to be patient’
Persistent exhaustion is a common theme, but every survivor’s story is different, said Brandy Swayze, a coronavirus sufferer who created a Facebook survivors group after developing pneumonia. She was hospitalized in late March and early April. Her fatigue comes and goes. Insomnia is another concern.
“We’re just people who have more questions than anybody else about this thing because we’re going through it,” said Swayze, 43, of Cabin John, Maryland.
On top of her lung damage and fatigue, Antonelli has issues with her memory and a diminished sense of taste and smell – a common early symptom that lingers for many, which doctors say stems from the virus attacking nerves.
Two-thirds of patients in a study in Italy had a loss of smell and taste. Some reports suggest these problems last only a few weeks, but it’s been almost two months for Antonelli. She said that when she asked a voice specialist when she would be able to smell again, his answer was “‘We know nothing. We just have to be patient. We have no solution.’”
Antonelli, 45, needs her stamina back to resume her offbeat career – singing opera a capella at outdoor monuments and historic sites, a profession she chose because she likes how natural environments shape her voice.
Stuck at home, she sings at her balcony when she can to bring happiness and thank health workers, grocers and others for their service during the pandemic. Some days, though, she’s simply too tired to leave her bed.
‘Need to take it slow’
In Wuhan, China, where Covid-19 emerged in December, physicians first considered it a type of pneumonia. But they came to realize “this virus is so smart. It just attacked everywhere in the body,” Dr. Xin Zheng of Wuhan Union Hospital said in a livestreamed webinar this month.
Lungs, hearts, kidneys, even the brain can be affected. Some hospitalized patients develop blood clots, while others have elevated enzymes suggesting liver abnormalities.
“That’s a very unique characteristic of it,” said Dr. Thomas McGinn of Northwell Health hospitals in New York. He co-authored the largest U.S. study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients, and a follow-up is planned to see how they’re faring in recovery.
Alex Melo, a retired marine from York, Maine, became critically ill with Covid-19 last month. He spent a few days on a ventilator for pneumonia, but also developed blood clots that threatened his heart and lungs. After two weeks in the hospital, he was sent home on blood thinners he must take for at least a few months.
The drugs make him prone to bleeding, and he worries how that will affect his work as a survival instructor for a Department of Defense contractor. But he’s not ready for that work anyway. After two weeks at home, his lungs are still recovering and he can’t run without getting winded.
“I need to take this slow,’’ Melo said.
Post-intensive care syndrome
Reports from China suggest those with mild infections recover two to three weeks after first showing symptoms. For those with more serious infections, recovery may take six weeks, said Varkey, the infectious disease specialist.
But recovery may take much longer for those with the most severe infections, including patients who spent time in intensive care on ventilators or dialysis.
Wuhan doctors have reported heart problems in a small portion of hospitalized patients, including inflammation of the heart muscle and irregular heartbeats, both of which can increase risks for heart failure, Varkey noted.
Many of the problems may be caused by the virus itself, a hyperactive immune response to the virus, the treatment involved or a combination of all three, he said.
Some survivors who had long stays in intensive care may require oxygen therapy or dialysis at home. Some may develop a condition called post-intensive care syndrome, which can include persistent muscle weakness, fatigue, attention and memory problems and anxiety. The condition has been seen in Covid-19 survivors who were put on ventilators, but it can happen after any critical illness and may be related to treatment, including sedation and prolonged bed rest.
‘Too much, too soon’
Considering that most Covid-19 patients on ventilators don’t survive, western Illinois truck driver Scott Dobbels is making a remarkable recovery.
Dobbels spent 17 days in the hospital, eight of them on a ventilator. He returned to his home in Silvis on April 20 weighing 20 pounds less and pushing a metal walker. The next day, he went just to check things out at the lumber yard where he works and returned exhausted.
“It put me back in bed for three days. Too much, too soon,” he said.
At first, just brushing his teeth was an effort. After several sessions with a physical therapist, he’s regaining muscle and strength. And to exercise his damaged lungs, he blows into a special inhaler several times a day.
Dobbels says he feels great, despite lingering muscle pain and some weakness, and plans to return to work May 13.
He also has lingering questions about why his case was so severe when his wife, Elizabeth, became infected but experienced only mild symptoms.
“Why me?” he said. “Why did I get it, why did I almost die, when others weren’t as severely affected?’’
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-13--India’s Modi announces nearly €250 billion stimulus to counter Covid-19 lockdown

Workers at a mobile phone factory in Noida , India , on May 12 , 2020 , after some restrictions were lifted during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India would provide 20 trillion rupees ( €244 billion ) in fiscal and monetary measures to support an economy battered by a sweeping weeks-long lockdown to fight the novel coronavirus .
India has more than 70,000 cases among its 1.3 billion population and is set to surpass China , the origin of the outbreak , within a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be extended beyond May 17 with a new set of rules .
In an address to the nation , he said the package was equivalent to 10 % of India 's gross domestic product , and was aimed at the multitudes out of work and the businesses reeling under the prolonged shutdown .
In March , the government said it was providing around 1.7 trillion Indian rupees ( $ 22.6 billion ) in direct cash transfers and food security measures , mainly for the poor , but was widely accused of doing too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new package , as well as reforms of land and labour markets , would be released within days : `` The package will also focus on land , labour , liquidity and laws .
It will cater to various sections including cottage industry , medium and small enterprises , labourers , middle class , industries , among others . ''
Economists said the new package included the March allocation as well as liquidity measures announced by the central bank worth 6.5 trillion rupees .
`` Headline announcement looks positive .
Would include around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Reserve Bank of India ) and the first package .
So - additional is 13.5 trillion rupees , '' said Sandip Sabharwal , a Mumbai-based fund manager .
`` It does n't match the gross borrowing details of the government so we need to look at details .
Headline number should , however , excite the markets near-term . ''
Last week , India increased its borrowing programme for the year to 12 trillion rupees from 7.8 trillion to fund some of the expenses .
Even before the pandemic , India 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strained because of poor tax collection and higher spending .
Last month , the ratings agency Fitch said India 's sovereign rating could come under pressure if its fiscal outlook deteriorates further as the government tries to tackle the coronavirus crisis .
Some commentators said it was too early to say how effective the package would prove to be .
`` Very often , when the government has made these huge , very big announcements ... the figures have often been fudged , '' Yogendra Yadav , founder of the opposition party Swaraj @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What we have right now is a statement of intent .
How can you quarrel with intent ?
” Modi said the reforms of the land and labour markets were intended to make India more competitive and a big player in global supply chains , some of which could shift away from China after the pandemic .
Business leaders say potential investors often choose Vietnam , Thailand or Bangladesh ahead of India because of the time required to buy land for factories , restrictive labour laws and higher borrowing costs .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment , and further strengthen 'Made in India ' , '' Modi said .
Governments and central banks around the world have unleashed unprecedented amounts of fiscal and monetary support for economies that are reeling from the pandemic .
`` India ’ s response has so far been tepid compared to other key nations and thus the catch-up is welcome and is also the need of the hour , '' said Madhavi Arora , lead economist at Edelweiss FX and Rates .
`` It needs to be seen how much will be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gauge the immediate fiscal hit and the consequent funding sources .
”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India would provide 20 trillion rupees (€244 billion) in fiscal and monetary measures to support an economy battered by a sweeping weeks-long lockdown to fight the novel coronavirus.
Workers at a mobile phone factory in Noida, India, on May 12, 2020, after some restrictions were lifted during an extended nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Advertising Read more
India has more than 70,000 cases among its 1.3 billion population and is set to surpass China, the origin of the outbreak, within a week. Modi said strict stay-at-home orders would be extended beyond May 17 with a new set of rules.
In an address to the nation, he said the package was equivalent to 10% of India's gross domestic product, and was aimed at the multitudes out of work and the businesses reeling under the prolonged shutdown.
In March, the government said it was providing around 1.7 trillion Indian rupees ($22.6 billion) in direct cash transfers and food security measures, mainly for the poor, but was widely accused of doing too little.
Modi said details of the new package, as well as reforms of land and labour markets, would be released within days: "The package will also focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws. It will cater to various sections including cottage industry, medium and small enterprises, labourers, middle class, industries, among others."
Economists said the new package included the March allocation as well as liquidity measures announced by the central bank worth 6.5 trillion rupees.
"Headline announcement looks positive. Would include around 6.5 trillion rupees already done by RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and the first package. So - additional is 13.5 trillion rupees," said Sandip Sabharwal, a Mumbai-based fund manager.
"It doesn't match the gross borrowing details of the government so we need to look at details. Headline number should, however, excite the markets near-term."
Last week, India increased its borrowing programme for the year to 12 trillion rupees from 7.8 trillion to fund some of the expenses.
Economy slowing, spending rising
Even before the pandemic, India's growth was slowing and public finances were strained because of poor tax collection and higher spending.
Last month, the ratings agency Fitch said India's sovereign rating could come under pressure if its fiscal outlook deteriorates further as the government tries to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
Some commentators said it was too early to say how effective the package would prove to be. "Very often, when the government has made these huge, very big announcements ... the figures have often been fudged," Yogendra Yadav, founder of the opposition party Swaraj India, told a television channel.
"What we have right now is a statement of intent. How can you quarrel with intent?”
Modi said the reforms of the land and labour markets were intended to make India more competitive and a big player in global supply chains, some of which could shift away from China after the pandemic.
Business leaders say potential investors often choose Vietnam, Thailand or Bangladesh ahead of India because of the time required to buy land for factories, restrictive labour laws and higher borrowing costs.
"These reforms will promote business, attract investment, and further strengthen 'Made in India'," Modi said.
Governments and central banks around the world have unleashed unprecedented amounts of fiscal and monetary support for economies that are reeling from the pandemic.
"India’s response has so far been tepid compared to other key nations and thus the catch-up is welcome and is also the need of the hour," said Madhavi Arora, lead economist at Edelweiss FX and Rates.
"It needs to be seen how much will be in the form of direct budgetary support to gauge the immediate fiscal hit and the consequent funding sources.”
(REUTERS)
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