france24--2020-01-26--With Europe's first confirmed coronavirus cases, how is France dealing with the disease?

French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn as she declared France was the first European country to have coronavirus cases , in Paris , January 24 , 2020 .
As France confirmed the third coronavirus case on its territory on Friday January 24 , authorities are gradually implementing a prevention and intervention plan in order to halt the spread of what could eventually become an epidemic .
`` You have to treat an epidemic like you treat a fire : you need to locate the source very quickly , '' French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn told reporters on Friday .
As French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case – two cases in Paris and one in Bordeaux – health personnel have had to come up with urgent measures and an intervention plan , aimed at `` containing '' the SARS-like disease `` as quickly as possible '' in case it ever becomes an epidemic , Buzyn added .
French Prime minister Édouard Philippe was also expected to meet with ministers concerned by the disease on Sunday , including Buzyn and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner , as the government ponders evacuating its citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first European country to be touched by the viral pneumonia , which has already contaminated almost 2,000 people and killed 56 others , mostly in Wuhan .
Small number of cases have also been reported in Hong Kong , Macao , Taiwan , Thailand , United States , Canada , Australia , Japan , South Korea , Vietnam , Singapore , Malaysa and Nepal .
`` Chinese authorities have put in place measures never before taken '' , including the confinement of tens of millions of people , Astrid Vabret , professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told FRANCE 24 .
`` Thermal cameras '' should be used in French airports , Vebret insisted , although `` everybody is prepared in the hospitals '' for an epidemic in France , she added .
According to Buzyn , France did not need to implement `` specific recommendation for travellers '' , because the World Health Organization `` did not wish to declare a public health emergency of international concern '' , she said after a cabinet meeting on Friday , before the deployment of medical personnel in airports .
'They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were coming from' Indeed , passengers arriving from China were surprised at the `` lightweight '' health plan in Paris 's main airport Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle , even though medical teams have been present at France 's airports since Sunday morning .
`` We were n't tested , I might even have the virus , '' one French expatriate jokingly told AFP as he landed in Paris from Shanghai , early Sunday morning .
`` There were a dozen first-aiders and two or three policemen , '' Claude Laubrieut also told AFP .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did n't give us any form to fill , no heat control .
They did n't even ask what city we were coming from , '' he added , surprised , while walking with his daughter .
`` In Shanghai , they are controlling everybody , '' Laubrieut added .
According to other travellers , they were all scanned by a `` thermal machine '' which verifies the person 's temperature when passing through the Chinese megalopolis .
For now , France is prioritising quarantines and isolation of sick people , rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been in contact with [ the three known ] patients are being identified , '' the Health Ministry said in a statement .
`` They will receive specific instructions from the health authorities to avoid contact , in order to limit the spread of the virus . ''
Every suspicious case is advised not to go to the hospital but rather to call emergency services , so that an isolation unity can take charge .
The Regional Health Agency ( ARS ) will then carry out examinations , in order to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of now , health securities are `` controlling and monitoring the family and the passengers of the plane the three patients took '' , Christophe Rapp , professor of infectious diseases , explained to FRANCE 24 .
This period of surveillance lasts `` 14 days , which is [ the virus 's ] incubation period '' .
France 's 'system is tottally capabale of handling this' '' France is well armed to face '' the virus , Jan-Cédric Hansen , doctor at the Pacy-sur-Eure hospital centre , told FRANCE 24 .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of patients – three , four , five or even 10 per day – our system is totally capable of handling this and we will limit the dissemination risk significantly . ''
According to the authorities , the quarantine is still seen as the best method , indeed an effective one if it is launched early , according to experts .
`` In China , the containment operations came too late and many people had already left , '' said Rapp .
According to the Health Ministry , if France was indeed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was `` probably because we started testing people very quickly and we were able to identify them '' , it said Friday evening .
The chance of “ an epidemic in France or in Europe is weak , extremely weak ” , Dr. Yazdan Yazdanpanah , who is treating two Paris hospital patients , told AP .
“ This illness is a lot less serious … than , for example , SARS , ” he said , referring to the 2002 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak , around 15 times less dangerous than SARS , '' agreed Hansen .
But still , some French cities cancelled their Lunar New Year Parade , like the Chinese capital .
In Paris , Chinese associations have cancelled the city 's first one , said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on Europe 1 radio on Sunday .
`` They are very emotional and concerned … they are really not in a mood to party now . ''
Celebrations planned for the southwestern city of Bordeaux on Sunday were also cancelled , both as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a tribute to the victims , its mayor said .
This article was adapted and updated from the original in French by Henrique Valdares .

As France confirmed the third coronavirus case on its territory on Friday January 24, authorities are gradually implementing a prevention and intervention plan in order to halt the spread of what could eventually become an epidemic.
French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn as she declared France was the first European country to have coronavirus cases, in Paris, January 24, 2020.
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"You have to treat an epidemic like you treat a fire: you need to locate the source very quickly," French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn told reporters on Friday.
As French authorities confirmed on Friday its third coronavirus case – two cases in Paris and one in Bordeaux – health personnel have had to come up with urgent measures and an intervention plan, aimed at "containing" the SARS-like disease "as quickly as possible" in case it ever becomes an epidemic, Buzyn added.
French Prime minister Édouard Philippe was also expected to meet with ministers concerned by the disease on Sunday, including Buzyn and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, as the government ponders evacuating its citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus epicentre.
France officially became the first European country to be touched by the viral pneumonia, which has already contaminated almost 2,000 people and killed 56 others, mostly in Wuhan. Small number of cases have also been reported in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysa and Nepal.
Experts push for 'thermal cameras' in French airports
"Chinese authorities have put in place measures never before taken", including the confinement of tens of millions of people, Astrid Vabret, professor of virology medicine at the Caen University Hospital, told FRANCE 24.
"Thermal cameras" should be used in French airports, Vebret insisted, although "everybody is prepared in the hospitals" for an epidemic in France, she added.
According to Buzyn, France did not need to implement "specific recommendation for travellers", because the World Health Organization "did not wish to declare a public health emergency of international concern", she said after a cabinet meeting on Friday, before the deployment of medical personnel in airports.
'They didn't even ask what city we were coming from'
Indeed, passengers arriving from China were surprised at the "lightweight" health plan in Paris's main airport Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, even though medical teams have been present at France's airports since Sunday morning. "We weren't tested, I might even have the virus," one French expatriate jokingly told AFP as he landed in Paris from Shanghai, early Sunday morning.
"There were a dozen first-aiders and two or three policemen," Claude Laubrieut also told AFP. "They just gave us very brief instructions. They didn't give us any form to fill, no heat control. They didn't even ask what city we were coming from," he added, surprised, while walking with his daughter.
"In Shanghai, they are controlling everybody," Laubrieut added. According to other travellers, they were all scanned by a "thermal machine" which verifies the person's temperature when passing through the Chinese megalopolis.
01:56
Quarantines only efficient with early implementation
For now, France is prioritising quarantines and isolation of sick people, rather than preventing. "Every person who has been in contact with [the three known] patients are being identified," the Health Ministry said in a statement. "They will receive specific instructions from the health authorities to avoid contact, in order to limit the spread of the virus."
[#CORONAVIRUSFRANCE ] Retrouvez l’ensemble des informations et recommandations sanitaires sur 👇https://t.co/SeQSsKcgnC — Gouvernement (@gouvernementFR) January 25, 2020
Every suspicious case is advised not to go to the hospital but rather to call emergency services, so that an isolation unity can take charge. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) will then carry out examinations, in order to identify any possible cases of contamination.
As of now, health securities are "controlling and monitoring the family and the passengers of the plane the three patients took", Christophe Rapp, professor of infectious diseases, explained to FRANCE 24. This period of surveillance lasts "14 days, which is [the virus's] incubation period".
France's 'system is tottally capabale of handling this'
"France is well armed to face" the virus, Jan-Cédric Hansen, doctor at the Pacy-sur-Eure hospital centre, told FRANCE 24. "As long as we have a small number of patients – three, four, five or even 10 per day – our system is totally capable of handling this and we will limit the dissemination risk significantly."
According to the authorities, the quarantine is still seen as the best method, indeed an effective one if it is launched early, according to experts. "In China, the containment operations came too late and many people had already left," said Rapp.
According to the Health Ministry, if France was indeed the first European country to have identified cases, it was "probably because we started testing people very quickly and we were able to identify them", it said Friday evening.
The chance of “an epidemic in France or in Europe is weak, extremely weak”, Dr. Yazdan Yazdanpanah, who is treating two Paris hospital patients, told AP. “This illness is a lot less serious … than, for example, SARS,” he said, referring to the 2002 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed hundreds of people.
"Its mortality is relatively weak, around 15 times less dangerous than SARS," agreed Hansen.
French Lunar New Year parades cancelled
But still, some French cities cancelled their Lunar New Year Parade, like the Chinese capital. In Paris, Chinese associations have cancelled the city's first one, said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on Europe 1 radio on Sunday. "They are very emotional and concerned … they are really not in a mood to party now."
Celebrations planned for the southwestern city of Bordeaux on Sunday were also cancelled, both as a way to reduce infection risk and as a tribute to the victims, its mayor said.
This article was adapted and updated from the original in French by Henrique Valdares.
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france24--2020-01-26--Erdogan in Algeria: Libya conflict ‘won’t be solved by military means’

This handout picture taken and released on January 26 , 2020 shows Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ( r ) meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ( l ) in Algiers , Algeria .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Libyan crisis could not be solved by `` military means '' , after talks Sunday with his Algerian counterpart in Algiers .
Erdogan , accompanied by a high-level business delegation , was greeted at Algiers airport by his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune , the national news agency APS reported .
Algeria , which shares a 1,000-kilometre ( 620-mile ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mediate a political settlement to the conflict gripping its neighbour that threatens regional stability .
`` We have said from the beginning that the Libyan crisis would not be resolved through military means , '' Erdogan told reporters after meeting Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune .
`` We are in intense negotiations with the countries of the region and with international actors to secure the ceasefire and facilitate the return to political dialogue in Libya , '' Erdogan told reporters .
The visit comes after Erdogan accused Eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar of violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) .
Fighting has abated in the past weeks but picked up at the weekend at the frontline in southern Tripoli , where artillery fire could be heard , a Reuters reporter said .
More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the months of fighting .
Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army ( LNA ) faction aims to capture the capital , Tripoli , through the backing of Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , Russian mercenaries and African troops .
Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GNA fend off Haftar ’ s assault on Tripoli .
Fighting has abated in the past weeks but picked up at the weekend at the frontline in southern Tripoli , where artillery fire could be heard , a Reuters reporter said .
More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the months of fighting .
Algiers , for its part , has taken on a role as mediator and last week hosted a meeting of Libya ’ s neighbours that rejected “ any foreign interference ” and called for a negotiated settlement @

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Libyan crisis could not be solved by "military means", after talks Sunday with his Algerian counterpart in Algiers.
This handout picture taken and released on January 26, 2020 shows Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (r) meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (l) in Algiers, Algeria.
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Erdogan, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, was greeted at Algiers airport by his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the national news agency APS reported.
Algeria, which shares a 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) border with Libya, is trying to mediate a political settlement to the conflict gripping its neighbour that threatens regional stability.
"We have said from the beginning that the Libyan crisis would not be resolved through military means," Erdogan told reporters after meeting Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
"We are in intense negotiations with the countries of the region and with international actors to secure the ceasefire and facilitate the return to political dialogue in Libya," Erdogan told reporters.
The visit comes after Erdogan accused Eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar of violating the truce between his troops and forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).
Libya conflict and ‘foreign interference’
Fighting has abated in the past weeks but picked up at the weekend at the frontline in southern Tripoli, where artillery fire could be heard, a Reuters reporter said. More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the months of fighting.
Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) faction aims to capture the capital, Tripoli, through the backing of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russian mercenaries and African troops.
Turkey sent military advisers and trainers to help the GNA fend off Haftar’s assault on Tripoli.
Fighting has abated in the past weeks but picked up at the weekend at the frontline in southern Tripoli, where artillery fire could be heard, a Reuters reporter said. More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the months of fighting.
Algiers, for its part, has taken on a role as mediator and last week hosted a meeting of Libya’s neighbours that rejected “any foreign interference” and called for a negotiated settlement.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-26--Soldiers killed in attack on Mali army camp, militants suspected

Nineteen soldiers were killed and five wounded in an attack on an army camp in central Mali before dawn on Sunday , an army spokesman and a local official told Reuters .
The identity of the attackers was not immediately clear .
They entered the camp near the village of Sokolo at about 0500 GMT , opened fire , destroyed some structures and left soon after , said Balco Ba , a deputy administrator in the nearby town of Niono .
Army spokesman Dirran Kone said the camp was later under control , reinforcements were in place and a search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malian army ’ s official Twitter account said a Malian plane had been deployed to monitor the scene .
Islamist groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State operate in arid central and northern Mali and have used the area as a base from which to launch attacks on soldiers and civilians across neighbouring Burkina Faso , Niger and beyond .
Large areas of the Sahel , the band of scrubland south of the Sahara , have fallen out of the control of armies and police forces , vexing local governments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain the spread of jihadist groups across West Africa .
Twenty-four Malian soldiers were killed and 29 wounded when militants attacked a patrol in northern Mali in November .
Twenty people were wounded earlier this month in the north , including 18 U.N. peacekeepers from Chad , in a rocket attack on a military base for U.N. , French and Malian forces .

Nineteen soldiers were killed and five wounded in an attack on an army camp in central Mali before dawn on Sunday, an army spokesman and a local official told Reuters.
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The identity of the attackers was not immediately clear. They entered the camp near the village of Sokolo at about 0500 GMT, opened fire, destroyed some structures and left soon after, said Balco Ba, a deputy administrator in the nearby town of Niono.
Army spokesman Dirran Kone said the camp was later under control, reinforcements were in place and a search was underway for the assailants. The Malian army’s official Twitter account said a Malian plane had been deployed to monitor the scene.
Le poste est sous contrôle #FAMa. Le ratissage en cours L'avion militaire malienne sur zone.
Le bilan provisoire est de 19 morts 5 blessés du matériel endommagé et ou emporté. pic.twitter.com/sgQjcajf2C — Forces Armées Maliennes (@FAMa_DIRPA) January 26, 2020
Islamist groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State operate in arid central and northern Mali and have used the area as a base from which to launch attacks on soldiers and civilians across neighbouring Burkina Faso, Niger and beyond.
Large areas of the Sahel, the band of scrubland south of the Sahara, have fallen out of the control of armies and police forces, vexing local governments and their international partners who have struggled to contain the spread of jihadist groups across West Africa.
Twenty-four Malian soldiers were killed and 29 wounded when militants attacked a patrol in northern Mali in November. Twenty people were wounded earlier this month in the north, including 18 U.N. peacekeepers from Chad, in a rocket attack on a military base for U.N., French and Malian forces.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-24--A risky commute: The dangerous ride for Cambodia's female garment workers

In this edition , we take a look at the hellish commute for Cambodia 's garment workers who are predominantly @ @ @ @ @ travelling to and from work .
Also the growing popularity of so-called dirty theatre in @ @ @ @ @ marginalisation in a conservative Muslim society .
Plus a mid-career change for something totally new @ @ @ @ @ idea but increasingly women in France are doing just that and finding a sweeter career @ @ @ @ @ .

A risky commute: The dangerous ride for Cambodia's female garment workers
11:48 THE 51 PERCENT © FRANCE 24
In this edition, we take a look at the hellish commute for Cambodia's garment workers who are predominantly women, risking their lives travelling to and from work. Also the growing popularity of so-called dirty theatre in Pakistan whose female performers face marginalisation in a conservative Muslim society. Plus a mid-career change for something totally new might seem like a half-baked idea but increasingly women in France are doing just that and finding a sweeter career path by retraining as bakers.


france24--2020-01-27--Live: 'The Holocaust must remain an open wound', says Macron, inaugurating memorial wall in Paris

Live : 'The Holocaust must remain an open wound ' , says Macron , inaugurating memorial wall in Paris As @ @ @ @ @ since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp , where more than a million people @ @ @ @ @ join FRANCE 24 for live coverage of the solemn commemorations throughout the day , from @ @ @ @ @ .

Holocaust survivors provide moving testimonies at Auschwitz liberation ceremony
As the world marks 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, where more than a million people perished during the Holocaust, survivors provided moving testimonies during a solemn ceremony. Read the ceremony as it unfolded on FRANCE 24's live blog below.
04:59 A delegation made up of heads of state and survivors attend a candle lighting ceremony at the former German Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau during events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation in Oswiecim, Poland, on January 27, 2020. AFP - JANEK SKARZYNSKI
Advertising Read more More than 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi death camp in Poland, either in gas chambers or from starvation and disease.
The camp was liberated on January 27, 1945, by Soviet troops, who discovered 7,000 survivors upon their arrival.
Holocaust survivors were among those gathered Monday afternoon to mark the solemn anniversary in Oswiecim, Poland. They recalled their suffering and warned of rising anti-semitism.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning inaugurated a new memorial wall of names commemorating French victims of Holocaust at the Shoah memorial museum in Paris. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-01-27--VIDEO: A chilling tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp

More than 1.1 million men women and children - most of them Jews - perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp .
At the entrance , a sign says `` arbeit macht frei '' , meaning `` work sets you free '' , but which was far from the truth for the many people who were killed at the camp .
More than 1.1 million men women and children – most of them Jews – perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau .
It was the largest of the thousands of concentration camps dotting Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II .
FRANCE 24 ’ s Gulliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former camp .
“ Work sets you free ” , the notorious sign hanging over the entrance of Auschwitz says .
But it ’ s a deceptive message : From 1942 and onward , 80 percent of the people arriving at the camp were never given the chance to work for their freedom at all , instead they were immediately sent to their deaths .
Dorota Kuczynska , a guide working at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial , says deceit was always a key aspect of the Nazis ' strategy .
`` The Germans went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , they sold train tickets to Auschwitz to Jews from Greece .
For the same reason , they sold non-existent houses and land in Poland , '' she explains .
Visitors touring the former camp can read the packing lists the Nazis had sent the Jews and see the things they had brought with them , though most of those items were confiscated upon arrival .
The memorial also has models on display showing how the exterminations were carried out , as well as some of the poison gas cylinders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to destroy the most flagrant pieces of evidence , including the gas chambers and the crematoriums , much of the camp ’ s infrastructure remains intact .
It is painful to look at , but people from all over the world clearly feel it is important .
Last year 2.3 million people visited the memorial – a number that increases from year to year .
To watch the full report , please click on the player above .

More than 1.1 million men women and children – most of them Jews – perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was the largest of the thousands of concentration camps dotting Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg and Pavel Pieniajek report from the former camp.
More than 1.1 million men women and children - most of them Jews - perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. At the entrance, a sign says "arbeit macht frei", meaning "work sets you free", but which was far from the truth for the many people who were killed at the camp.
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“Work sets you free”, the notorious sign hanging over the entrance of Auschwitz says. But it’s a deceptive message: From 1942 and onward, 80 percent of the people arriving at the camp were never given the chance to work for their freedom at all, instead they were immediately sent to their deaths.
Dorota Kuczynska, a guide working at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, says deceit was always a key aspect of the Nazis' strategy.
"The Germans went to great lengths to hide the truth. For example, they sold train tickets to Auschwitz to Jews from Greece. For the same reason, they sold non-existent houses and land in Poland," she explains.
Visitors touring the former camp can read the packing lists the Nazis had sent the Jews and see the things they had brought with them, though most of those items were confiscated upon arrival.
The memorial also has models on display showing how the exterminations were carried out, as well as some of the poison gas cylinders that were used. Although the Nazis tried to destroy the most flagrant pieces of evidence, including the gas chambers and the crematoriums, much of the camp’s infrastructure remains intact.
It is painful to look at, but people from all over the world clearly feel it is important. Last year 2.3 million people visited the memorial – a number that increases from year to year.
To watch the full report, please click on the player above.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-27--‘We will weep forever’: NBA mourns death of basketball great Kobe Bryant

The NBA grappled with the sudden death of league great Kobe Bryant on Sunday , players saying they felt sick to their stomach taking to the court without having ample time to absorb the shocking news .
A haunting moment of silence preceded the Houston Rockets ' game against the Nuggets in Denver , which tipped off just hours after the helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles in which Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who perished .
In San Antonio , where the Spurs hosted the reigning champion Toronto Raptors , both teams took 24-second shot-clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game in honor of Bryant – who wore the number 24 in the later years of his career .
And in a move that other NBA teams are also expected to adopt , the Dallas Mavericks announced that they were retiring the number 24 jersey .
Several NBA stars said they were reluctant to step on the court after learning the news .
“ I do n't even know how we are supposed to play this game tonight , '' said Portland 's Damian Lillard said before scoring 50 points in a 139-129 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you sick to your stomach .
It is disturbing .
“ It is bigger than just our heroes and the people we look up to dying .
It goes deeper than that . ''
Newly-retired Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade described Sunday as `` one of the saddest days of my lifetime , '' adding that he could n't believe Bryant was gone and that his family had been sharing Kobe stories all day .
“ It seems like a bad dream that you just want to wake up from .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is not going to go away soon .
We will weep forever . ''
Eight NBA games were on tap Sunday , and the prevailing mood in every arena was sadness and shock.Lillard said their coach Terry Stotts told them to go out and honor Bryant by not holding back.
“ Coach said Kobe is the toughest to ever play this game .
He said we should honor him that way.
“ It was on all of our minds .
In the time outs ... it hurt all of us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
He 's our hero .
It is sad man , real sad day .
`` Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.
“ No words can explain the impact he had on the floor , '' said Los Angeles Clippers Leonard .
“ We are a team from Los Angeles so we know the LA history with him .
It is just sad .
`` New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was preparing to start just his third career NBA contest against Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death.
“ I could n't focus at first when I heard the news , '' said Williamson , who was born the year Bryant won his first NBA championship in 2000 .
“ It was tough getting out there .
I just hate to see it happen like that to him and his daughter .
`` Clippers coach Doc Rivers fought back tears as he spoke to reporters before his team took on the Magic in Orlando.
“ We 're all Lakers right now , '' Rivers said , calling himself “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coach against Bryant – who won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“ He was such a great opponent , '' Rivers said .
“ It 's what you want in sports .
He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have – the Tiger Woodses and Michael Jordans .
'Crazy day to play basketball ' “ Looking at my young players and seeing how devastated they are , '' Rivers said as he lost his battle to hold back his tears .
New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven players he has ever seen .
“ I do n't know where you could even start , '' said Gentry before his team 's game against Boston .
“ Great competitor , great guy , great father .
Just really a sad , sad day for the NBA .
Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young said he was just getting to know Bryant and his basketball playing daughter .
“ This is a crazy day to play basketball , '' Young said before the Hawks beat Washington 152-133 .
`` I talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 's only been to three games this year and two of them were ours .
His daughter was a big fan of mine . ''
Bryant was one of the best closers the NBA has ever seen .
Throughout his career , Bryant would baffle his coach Phil Jackson with his penchant to start games slowly before assuming total command in the fourth quarter .
Former German all-star Dirk Nowitzki referred to Bryant 's finishing skills in a heart-tugging written tribute .
“ I remember coming home after games so I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
You will always be loved .
Rest in Peace with your angel Gigi , '' said Nowitzki .
( AFP )

The NBA grappled with the sudden death of league great Kobe Bryant on Sunday, with players saying they felt sick to their stomach taking to the court without having ample time to absorb the shocking news.
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A haunting moment of silence preceded the Houston Rockets' game against the Nuggets in Denver, which tipped off just hours after the helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles in which Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who perished.
In San Antonio, where the Spurs hosted the reigning champion Toronto Raptors, both teams took 24-second shot-clock violations on their first possessions of the game in honor of Bryant – who wore the number 24 in the later years of his career.
And in a move that other NBA teams are also expected to adopt, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they were retiring the number 24 jersey.
Several NBA stars said they were reluctant to step on the court after learning the news.
Trae Young pays tribute to Kobe Bryant by wearing No. 8 to start the game, and then leads the @ATLHawks to victory with 45 PTS and 14 AST. pic.twitter.com/FHzRcCzeqn — NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020
“I don't even know how we are supposed to play this game tonight," said Portland's Damian Lillard before scoring 50 points in a 139-129 win over Indiana. "It makes you sick to your stomach. It is disturbing.
“It is bigger than just our heroes and the people we look up to dying. It goes deeper than that."
Newly-retired Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade described Sunday as "one of the saddest days of my lifetime," adding that he couldn't believe Bryant was gone and that his family had been sharing Kobe stories all day.
“It seems like a bad dream that you just want to wake up from. It is a nightmare," he said.
“It is not going to go away soon. We will weep forever."
03:57
'We should honor him'
Eight NBA games were on tap Sunday, and the prevailing mood in every arena was sadness and shock.
Lillard said their coach Terry Stotts told them to go out and honor Bryant by not holding back.
“Coach said Kobe is the toughest to ever play this game. He said we should honor him that way.
“It was on all of our minds. In the time outs... it hurt all of us in our hearts. I look up to him. He's our hero. It is sad man, real sad day."
Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.
“No words can explain the impact he had on the floor," said the Los Angeles Clippers' Leonard. “We are a team from Los Angeles so we know the LA history with him. It is just sad."
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was preparing to start just his third career NBA contest against Boston when he was floored by news of the death.
“I couldn't focus at first when I heard the news," said Williamson, who was born the year Bryant won his first NBA championship in 2000. “It was tough getting out there. I just hate to see it happen like that to him and his daughter."
Clippers coach Doc Rivers fought back tears as he spoke to reporters before his team took on the Magic in Orlando.
“We're all Lakers right now," Rivers said, calling himself “lucky" to have had a chance to coach against Bryant – who won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“He was such a great opponent," Rivers said. “It's what you want in sports. He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have – the Tiger Woodses and Michael Jordans.
'Crazy day to play basketball'
“Looking at my young players and seeing how devastated they are," Rivers said as he lost his battle to hold back his tears.
New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said Bryant was one of the most driven players he has ever seen.
“I don't know where you could even start," said Gentry before his team's game against Boston.
“Great competitor, great guy, great father. Just really a sad, sad day for the NBA.
Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young said he was just getting to know Bryant and his basketball playing daughter.
“This is a crazy day to play basketball," Young said before the Hawks beat Washington 152-133. "I talked to him couple of times.
“He's only been to three games this year and two of them were ours. His daughter was a big fan of mine."
Bryant was one of the best closers the NBA has ever seen. Throughout his career, Bryant would baffle his coach Phil Jackson with his penchant to start games slowly before assuming total command in the fourth quarter.
Former German all-star Dirk Nowitzki referred to Bryant's finishing skills in a heart-tugging written tribute.
“I remember coming home after games so I could watch you dominate in the fourth quarter! You will always be loved. Rest in Peace with your angel Gigi," said Nowitzki.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-27--VIDEO: Moqtada al-Sadr, a powerful symbol of resistance in Iraq

Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks during a news conference in Najaf , Iraq , on May 17 , 2018 .
For months , Iraq has been rocked by anti-government demonstrations , and now a crisis between the United States and Iran .
One man stands at the centre of these events : Moqtada al-Sadr , the Shiite cleric who was the big winner of the 2018 legislative elections .
FRANCE 24 reports .
Hundreds of thousands gathered on January 24 to protest American troop presence in Iraq , at the call of Moqtada al-Sadr .
“ Moqtada al-Sadr is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famous for having resisted the Americans and the Islamic State in Iraq .
With him , Iraq belongs to the Iraqis , ” said one protester , Saad al-Dahlaki .
A nationalist and a reformist , Sadr today leads the majority bloc in parliament , with its stronghold in Sadr City , east of the capital , Baghdad .
Each street corner in Sadr City displays the portrait of the Shiite cleric , flanked by his father and his stepfather .
All considered to be descendants of Prophet Mohammed .
In the 2000s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warlord fighting against the occupying American forces .
But his detractors accuse him of incessant reversals and political opportunism .
After initially supporting anti-government protests , Sadr has recently distanced himself from the movement .
Since the American strike against General Qassem Soleimani , Sadr and his supporters have made the fight against the United States their priority .
“ The Americans are our greatest enemy .
Today , the Peace Brigades are ready to take up arms and will fight if Moqtada Sadr asks them .
All honourable Iraqis should request that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribal authority in Sadr City , Sheikh Nafaa al-Atwani .
Click the player above to watch the full report by Lucile Wassermann and Jack Hewson .

For months, Iraq has been rocked by anti-government demonstrations, and now a crisis between the United States and Iran. One man stands at the centre of these events: Moqtada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric who was the big winner of the 2018 legislative elections. FRANCE 24 reports.
Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks during a news conference in Najaf, Iraq, on May 17, 2018.
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Hundreds of thousands gathered on January 24 to protest American troop presence in Iraq, at the call of Moqtada al-Sadr.
“Moqtada al-Sadr is a symbol of resistance. He is famous for having resisted the Americans and the Islamic State in Iraq. With him, Iraq belongs to the Iraqis,” said one protester, Saad al-Dahlaki.
A nationalist and a reformist, Sadr today leads the majority bloc in parliament, with its stronghold in Sadr City, east of the capital, Baghdad.
Each street corner in Sadr City displays the portrait of the Shiite cleric, flanked by his father and his stepfather. All considered to be descendants of Prophet Mohammed.
In the 2000s, Sadr also distinguished himself as a warlord fighting against the occupying American forces.
But his detractors accuse him of incessant reversals and political opportunism. After initially supporting anti-government protests, Sadr has recently distanced himself from the movement.
Since the American strike against General Qassem Soleimani, Sadr and his supporters have made the fight against the United States their priority.
“The Americans are our greatest enemy. Today, the Peace Brigades are ready to take up arms and will fight if Moqtada Sadr asks them. All honourable Iraqis should request that they leave,” said the highest tribal authority in Sadr City, Sheikh Nafaa al-Atwani.
Click the player above to watch the full report by Lucile Wassermann and Jack Hewson.
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france24--2020-01-27--Billie Eilish sweeps Grammys, winning all top four awards

Billie Eilish , 18 , recorded her debut album together with her brother Finneas at their Los Angeles home .
Teen sensation Billie Eilish swept the Grammy Awards on Sunday , winning all four top prizes – album , song , record of the year and best new artist – in a rare feat at the music industry ’ s highest honors .
Eilish , an 18-year-old newcomer with a unique sound , won for her debut studio album “ When We All Fall Asleep , Where Do We Go ?
” while her hit single “ Bad Guy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song of the year .
In all , she took home five awards .
She is only the second person , and the youngest , to win all four top Grammys on the same night .
Eilish , distinguished by her green hair and baggy clothes , recorded the album with her brother Finneas in the bedroom of their Los Angeles home .
Finneas also won the Grammy for non classical producer of the year .
They seemed taken aback by their Grammy haul , which saw them triumph over established stars including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post Malone .
“ We didn ’ t make this album to win a Grammy .
We wrote about depression and suicidal thoughts and environmental change , ” Finneas said as the pair accepted the awards .
“ We stand up here confused and grateful.
” Asked backstage what she would do next , Eilish said , “ Being in this moment is all I ’ m thinking about ...
I ’ m gon na do whatever I feel.
” The Grammy Awards show opened with a dedication to basketball star Kobe Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the day and whose Los Angeles Lakers team has its home at the city ’ s Staples Center and Grammy venue .
“ We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built , ” said Grammy host Alicia Keys .
“ We never imagined in a million years we ’ d have to start the show like this.
” R & B star Lizzo won three of her eight nominations , while gay black country rapper Lil Nas X took two for his viral “ Old Town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lil Nas X , 20 , wearing a cowboy hat and silver lure suit , and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus dazzled the house with a kitschy performance of their viral collaboration “ Old Town Road , ” with contributions from stars ranging from K-Pop band BTS to young yodeler Mason Ramsey .
“ He told the world he was gay and overnight he became an inspiration and a role model for hundreds of young people around the world , ” comedian Ellen DeGeneres , who is also gay , said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medley of hits from her break-up album “ Thank u , Next , ” including “ 7 Rings ” and “ Imagine ” but won none of the five Grammys for which she was nominated .
Slain rapper Nipsey Hussle , 33 , who was gunned down in his Los Angeles neighborhood last year , won two Grammys and was honored in a tribute by John Legend , DJ Khaled and rapper Meek Mill .
Blake Shelton and his fiancee Gwen Stefani held hands as they debuted their new romantic duet “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabello sang her recent single “ First Man ” to her tearful father in the audience .
Demi Lovato won a standing ovation in her first performance at a major awards show since a drugs overdose in 2018 .
The Grammy winners are chosen by members of the Recording Academy , which is currently embroiled in a dispute over the departure of its new chief executive Deborah Dugan and her allegations of conflicts of interest in the nominations process .
The Recording Academy has denied the allegations .

Teen sensation Billie Eilish swept the Grammy Awards on Sunday, winning all four top prizes – album, song, record of the year and best new artist – in a rare feat at the music industry’s highest honors.
Billie Eilish, 18, recorded her debut album together with her brother Finneas at their Los Angeles home.
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Eilish, an 18-year-old newcomer with a unique sound, won for her debut studio album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” while her hit single “Bad Guy” was named record of the year and song of the year. In all, she took home five awards.
She is only the second person, and the youngest, to win all four top Grammys on the same night.
Eilish, distinguished by her green hair and baggy clothes, recorded the album with her brother Finneas in the bedroom of their Los Angeles home. Finneas also won the Grammy for non classical producer of the year.
They seemed taken aback by their Grammy haul, which saw them triumph over established stars including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and rapper Post Malone.
Billie and Finneas with all their #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/twDYpjL24I — eilishupdates media (@eilishupd8s1) January 27, 2020
“We didn’t make this album to win a Grammy. We wrote about depression and suicidal thoughts and environmental change,” Finneas said as the pair accepted the awards. “We stand up here confused and grateful.”
Asked backstage what she would do next, Eilish said, “Being in this moment is all I’m thinking about... I’m gonna do whatever I feel.”
The Grammy Awards show opened with a dedication to basketball star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident earlier in the day and whose Los Angeles Lakers team has its home at the city’s Staples Center and Grammy venue.
“We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” said Grammy host Alicia Keys. “We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this.”
R&B star Lizzo won three of her eight nominations, while gay black country rapper Lil Nas X took two for his viral “Old Town Road” collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus.
.@lizzo takes home the award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2020 #GRAMMYs! 👏
See the full list of winners here: https://t.co/g12ZVMPzN0 pic.twitter.com/jiXyAnXlCD — billboard (@billboard) January 27, 2020
Lil Nas X, 20, wearing a cowboy hat and silver lure suit, and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus dazzled the house with a kitschy performance of their viral collaboration “Old Town Road,” with contributions from stars ranging from K-Pop band BTS to young yodeler Mason Ramsey.
“He told the world he was gay and overnight he became an inspiration and a role model for hundreds of young people around the world,” comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who is also gay, said as she introduced Lil Nas X.
Grande performed a medley of hits from her break-up album “Thank u, Next,” including “7 Rings” and “Imagine” but won none of the five Grammys for which she was nominated.
Slain rapper Nipsey Hussle, 33, who was gunned down in his Los Angeles neighborhood last year, won two Grammys and was honored in a tribute by John Legend, DJ Khaled and rapper Meek Mill.
Blake Shelton and his fiancee Gwen Stefani held hands as they debuted their new romantic duet “Nobody But You,” while Camila Cabello sang her recent single “First Man” to her tearful father in the audience. Demi Lovato won a standing ovation in her first performance at a major awards show since a drugs overdose in 2018.
The Grammy winners are chosen by members of the Recording Academy, which is currently embroiled in a dispute over the departure of its new chief executive Deborah Dugan and her allegations of conflicts of interest in the nominations process. The Recording Academy has denied the allegations.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-26--French citizens in coronavirus-hit Wuhan to be evacuated by plane

French citizens will be evacuated from the Wuhan area in China that is the centre of a coronavirus outbreak , French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said on Sunday .
“ French citizens will be repatriated by airplane directly to France , with the agreement of the Chinese authorities .
This will take place midweek , ” Buzyn told reporters .
Several other countries are planning for evacuations from Wuhan , which is under lockdown by the Chinese government in an attempt to halt the spread of the pneumonia-like virus that has killed 80 people and infected 2,750 people .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight on Tuesday .
French hospitals are treating three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and more are likely , officials said .
The confirmed cases are all Chinese citizens who recently returned from travels there .
French automaker PSA said Saturday it was evacuating its expatriate employees and their families from Wuhan and quarantining them in another city .
It did not elaborate .
Medical teams at Paris airport French medical teams on Sunday began meeting passengers arriving on flights from China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other airports , a new effort to catch possible cases early on .
France has decided not to take the temperatures of arriving passengers because it “ provides a false sense of safety , ” the health minister said .
She said in each of France 's three confirmed cases , they arrived without a fever .
Buzyn said there was no reason for France 's general public to go outside with masks .
She also said a decision to cancel a Chinese New Year 's fete in Paris , which has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a medical decision .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the city 's Chinese residents were simply not in the mood for a party , given the spread of the virus .
The Chinese community in Rome said there would not be any public celebrations of the Lunar New Year on February 2 either for the same reason .

French citizens will be evacuated from the Wuhan area in China that is the centre of a coronavirus outbreak, French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said on Sunday.
An officer at one of the roads blocked by the police to restrict people leaving Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 25, 2020.
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“French citizens will be repatriated by airplane directly to France, with the agreement of the Chinese authorities. This will take place midweek,” Buzyn told reporters.
Several other countries are planning for evacuations from Wuhan, which is under lockdown by the Chinese government in an attempt to halt the spread of the pneumonia-like virus that has killed 80 people and infected 2,750 people.
The US consulate in Wuhan announced it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight on Tuesday.
French hospitals are treating three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and more are likely, officials said. The confirmed cases are all Chinese citizens who recently returned from travels there.
French automaker PSA said Saturday it was evacuating its expatriate employees and their families from Wuhan and quarantining them in another city. It did not elaborate.
Medical teams at Paris airport
French medical teams on Sunday began meeting passengers arriving on flights from China at Paris's Charles de Gaulle and other airports, a new effort to catch possible cases early on.
01:56
France has decided not to take the temperatures of arriving passengers because it “provides a false sense of safety,” the health minister said. She said in each of France's three confirmed cases, they arrived without a fever.
Buzyn said there was no reason for France's general public to go outside with masks.
She also said a decision to cancel a Chinese New Year's fete in Paris, which has a large Chinese population, was not based on a medical decision. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the city's Chinese residents were simply not in the mood for a party, given the spread of the virus.
The Chinese community in Rome said there would not be any public celebrations of the Lunar New Year on February 2 either for the same reason.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-27--VIDEO: Risking her life to save others in Nazi-occupied Poland

Helena Troszczynska was just 12 years old when she risked her life to save her Jewish cousins from the Nazis .
Helena Troszczynska was just a child when she and her family opened up their home to help two Jewish cousins flee Nazi persecution in 1943 .
At the time , the act carried the death penalty in Nazi-occupied Poland , but Troszczynska , who along with her mother were later registered as “ Righteous Among the Nations ” , says she has always lived by the principle of loving thy neighbour .
FRANCE 24 reports .
Troszczynska was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up at her family ’ s home in eastern Warsaw one evening in 1943 .
They had escaped from the ghetto in the city centre , where the Nazis were crushing the uprising , and were desperately seeking refuge .
Troszczynska ’ s parents had the keys to a house across the road that had burned down but whose basement remained intact and where the two men stayed until the liberation of Warsaw in 1944 .
Troszczynska would often bring them food and other provisions and was later registered as Righteous Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her cousins nominated her for her bravery and solidarity .
“ We knew what we were risking .
But we were brought up with three principles : truth , work , and love thy neighbour .
If someone 's in need , you have to help them , whether it 's a Jew or anyone else , ” she says .
Click the player above to watch the full report .

Helena Troszczynska was just a child when she and her family opened up their home to help two Jewish cousins flee Nazi persecution in 1943. At the time, the act carried the death penalty in Nazi-occupied Poland, but Troszczynska, who along with her mother were later registered as “Righteous Among the Nations”, says she has always lived by the principle of loving thy neighbour. FRANCE 24 reports.
Helena Troszczynska was just 12 years old when she risked her life to save her Jewish cousins from the Nazis.
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Troszczynska was just 12 years old when two Jewish cousins showed up at her family’s home in eastern Warsaw one evening in 1943. They had escaped from the ghetto in the city centre, where the Nazis were crushing the uprising, and were desperately seeking refuge.
Troszczynska’s parents had the keys to a house across the road that had burned down but whose basement remained intact and where the two men stayed until the liberation of Warsaw in 1944.
Troszczynska would often bring them food and other provisions and was later registered as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem after one of her cousins nominated her for her bravery and solidarity.
“We knew what we were risking. But we were brought up with three principles: truth, work, and love thy neighbour. If someone's in need, you have to help them, whether it's a Jew or anyone else,” she says.
Click the player above to watch the full report.
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france24--2020-01-27--Three rockets hit US embassy in Baghdad as thousands protest across Iraq

A general view of the US embassy in the Green zone in Baghdad , Iraq , on January 7 , 2020 .
Three rockets slammed into the US embassy in Iraq 's capital on Sunday in the first direct hit reported after months of close calls , as thousands of protesters kept up anti-government sit-ins across the country .
The attack marked a dangerous escalation in the spree of rocket attacks in recent months that have targeted the embassy or Iraqi military bases where American troops are deployed .
None of the attacks has been claimed but Washington has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , one rocket hit an embassy cafeteria at dinner time while two others landed nearby , a security source told AFP .
A senior Iraqi official told AFP at least one person was wounded , but it was not immediately clear how serious the injuries were and whether the person was an American national or an Iraqi staff member working at the mission .
The US embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The US State Department called on Iraq late Sunday to `` fulfil its obligations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack took place earlier in the day than usual , with AFP reporters hearing the booms on the western bank of the river Tigris at precisely 7:30 pm ( 1630 GMT ) .
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Halbusi both condemned the incident , saying it risked dragging their homeland into war .
Iraq has already been dragged into a worrying tit-for-tat between the United States and Iran over the last month .
A similar attack on a northern Iraqi base killed an American contractor , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Iran-backed faction known as Kataeb Hezbollah .
Less than a week later , a US drone strike killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani outside the Baghdad airport – prompting Iran to fire ballistic missiles at an Iraqi base where US troops are stationed .
Some 5,200 Americans are stationed in Iraq to lead the global coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group , but the US strike on Baghdad has rallied top Iraqi figures around a joint call to order them out .
Vehemently anti-American cleric Moqtada Sadr organised a mass rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters called for American troops to leave .
Sadr had previously backed separate anti-regime protests sweeping Iraq 's capital and south , even though he controls the largest bloc in parliament and top ministerial posts .
Bolstered by his own protest on Friday , Sadr announced he was dropping support for the youth-dominated reform campaign rocking the country since October .
His followers , widely regarded as the best-organised and well-stocked of the anti-government demonstrators , immediately began dismantling their tents and heading home .
Activists feared that without his political cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement – and indeed , within hours , riot police tried to storm protest camps .
Those efforts continued into Sunday , with security forces using live rounds and tear gas to try to flush protesters out of squares and streets they had occupied for months .
One protester was shot dead in Baghdad and another in the flashpoint southern city of Nasiriyah , medical sources said , and dozens more were wounded across the country .
In the capital , riot police have tried to clear streets around the main protest camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter the symbolic area , where many protesters stood their ground even after tents there were dismantled .
Just after midnight in Nasiriyah , unknown assailants stormed the main protest camp in Habbubi Square and set the tents on fire , the flames lighting up the night sky , an AFP correspondent there said .
Despite the renewed violence , thousands of students flooded the streets in the capital and across the south in a bid to keep national attention focused on their demands .
`` Only for you , Iraq ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protester in the shrine city of Karbala , hinting at the movement 's insistence on not being affiliated with any political party or outside backer .
In Basra , hundreds of students gathered to condemn the riot police 's dismantling of their main protest camp the previous day , according to an AFP correspondent .
The youth-led protests erupted on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs , poor services and rampant corruption before spiralling into calls for a government overhaul after they were met with violence .
More than 470 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them demonstrators , since the rallies began .
Protesters are now demanding snap elections , the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or recent bloodshed .

Three rockets slammed into the US embassy in Iraq's capital on Sunday in the first direct hit reported after months of close calls, as thousands of protesters kept up anti-government sit-ins across the country.
A general view of the US embassy in the Green zone in Baghdad, Iraq, on January 7, 2020.
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The attack marked a dangerous escalation in the spree of rocket attacks in recent months that have targeted the embassy or Iraqi military bases where American troops are deployed.
None of the attacks has been claimed but Washington has repeatedly blamed Iran-backed military factions in Iraq.
On Sunday, one rocket hit an embassy cafeteria at dinner time while two others landed nearby, a security source told AFP.
A senior Iraqi official told AFP at least one person was wounded, but it was not immediately clear how serious the injuries were and whether the person was an American national or an Iraqi staff member working at the mission.
The US embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The US State Department called on Iraq late Sunday to "fulfil its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities".
The attack took place earlier in the day than usual, with AFP reporters hearing the booms on the western bank of the river Tigris at precisely 7:30 pm (1630 GMT).
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Halbusi both condemned the incident, saying it risked dragging their homeland into war.
Iraq has already been dragged into a worrying tit-for-tat between the United States and Iran over the last month.
A similar attack on a northern Iraqi base killed an American contractor, and the US retaliated with a strike on an Iran-backed faction known as Kataeb Hezbollah.
Less than a week later, a US drone strike killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani outside the Baghdad airport – prompting Iran to fire ballistic missiles at an Iraqi base where US troops are stationed.
‘Only for you, Iraq!’
Some 5,200 Americans are stationed in Iraq to lead the global coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group, but the US strike on Baghdad has rallied top Iraqi figures around a joint call to order them out.
Vehemently anti-American cleric Moqtada Sadr organised a mass rally in Baghdad on Friday, where thousands of his supporters called for American troops to leave.
Sadr had previously backed separate anti-regime protests sweeping Iraq's capital and south, even though he controls the largest bloc in parliament and top ministerial posts.
Bolstered by his own protest on Friday, Sadr announced he was dropping support for the youth-dominated reform campaign rocking the country since October.
His followers, widely regarded as the best-organised and well-stocked of the anti-government demonstrators, immediately began dismantling their tents and heading home.
Activists feared that without his political cover, authorities would move to crush their movement – and indeed, within hours, riot police tried to storm protest camps.
Those efforts continued into Sunday, with security forces using live rounds and tear gas to try to flush protesters out of squares and streets they had occupied for months.
One protester was shot dead in Baghdad and another in the flashpoint southern city of Nasiriyah, medical sources said, and dozens more were wounded across the country.
In the capital, riot police have tried to clear streets around the main protest camp of Tahrir Square but have yet to enter the symbolic area, where many protesters stood their ground even after tents there were dismantled.
Just after midnight in Nasiriyah, unknown assailants stormed the main protest camp in Habbubi Square and set the tents on fire, the flames lighting up the night sky, an AFP correspondent there said.
UN hails ‘Iraqi hopes’
Despite the renewed violence, thousands of students flooded the streets in the capital and across the south in a bid to keep national attention focused on their demands.
"Only for you, Iraq!" read a sign held by a young protester in the shrine city of Karbala, hinting at the movement's insistence on not being affiliated with any political party or outside backer.
In Basra, hundreds of students gathered to condemn the riot police's dismantling of their main protest camp the previous day, according to an AFP correspondent.
The youth-led protests erupted on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption before spiralling into calls for a government overhaul after they were met with violence.
More than 470 people have died, a vast majority of them demonstrators, since the rallies began.
Protesters are now demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or recent bloodshed.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-27--Italy's Salvini fails to seize left's northern stronghold in regional election

Leader of Italy 's far-right League party Matteo Salvini at a news conference after polls closed for the Emilia-Romagna regional election in Bologna , Italy , on January 27 , 2020 .
Italy 's right-wing leader Matteo Salvini failed in his effort to overturn decades of leftist rule in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna on Sunday in an election that brought huge relief to the embattled centre-left .
Pollster forecasts based on an ongoing count predicted the incumbent PD governor , Stefano Bonaccini , had won between 51 % -49 % of the vote compared to 43 % -45 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its allies .
Salvini had campaigned relentlessly in the region since the start of the year , seeking a shock victory that he hoped would bring down the fragile national government , which includes the PD and is riven by internal strife .
Although he fell short in Emilia-Romagna , Salvini took comfort from the fact that his rightist bloc had secured a resounding victory in a separate regional election held on Sunday in the underdeveloped southern toe of Italy , Calabria .
But the main prize was undoubtedly Emilia-Romagna , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is home to the Ferrari sports car and Parmesan cheese , and has proved an impregnable leftist stronghold for generations .
`` Emilia-Romagna has sent a signal .
Salvini knows how to talk about problems , but he does n't know how to sort them out and the people have responded , '' said PD leader Nicola Zingaretti .
Underscoring the enormous interest in the ballot , turnout hit 68 % , some 30 points up on the last such election in 2014 .
But while the PD dodged disaster , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement , which looked on course to win barely 5 % of the vote in Emilia-Romagna and little more than 6 % in Calabria .
The party emerged as Italy 's largest group in 2018 national elections with 33 % backing , but it has seen its support slide in recent months leading to a wave of defections amongst its lawmakers and the resignation of its leader Luigi Di Maio .
Political analysts predicted that Sunday 's ballot-box setback would weaken the 5-Star 's standing within the coalition and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own policy priorities .
In a rare political miscalculation , Salvini walked out of government with 5-Star last August , expecting to trigger a national election that polls predicted he would easily win .
Instead , 5-Star joined up with the PD and shunted him into opposition .
Looking to exact revenge , Salvini has since concentrated all his efforts on winning a stream of local votes .
The right has now won nine regional elections since March 2018 , while chalking up just the one loss in Emilia-Romagna .
Salvini 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , as did his pledge to slash taxes .
But incumbent Bonaccini had one of the highest approval ratings of any Italian regional chief and focused exclusively on core local issues .
Bonaccini was given a boost by a grassroots movement that sprang up during the campaign , earning itself the name `` the Sardines '' by packing local squares with anti-Salvini rallies .

Italy's right-wing leader Matteo Salvini failed in his effort to overturn decades of leftist rule in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna on Sunday in an election that brought huge relief to the embattled centre-left.
Leader of Italy's far-right League party Matteo Salvini at a news conference after polls closed for the Emilia-Romagna regional election in Bologna, Italy, on January 27, 2020.
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Pollster forecasts based on an ongoing count predicted the incumbent PD governor, Stefano Bonaccini, had won between 51%-49% of the vote compared to 43%-45% for the candidate backed by the League and its allies.
Salvini had campaigned relentlessly in the region since the start of the year, seeking a shock victory that he hoped would bring down the fragile national government, which includes the PD and is riven by internal strife.
Although he fell short in Emilia-Romagna, Salvini took comfort from the fact that his rightist bloc had secured a resounding victory in a separate regional election held on Sunday in the underdeveloped southern toe of Italy, Calabria.
But the main prize was undoubtedly Emilia-Romagna, one of Italy's wealthiest regions, which is home to the Ferrari sports car and Parmesan cheese, and has proved an impregnable leftist stronghold for generations.
"Emilia-Romagna has sent a signal. Salvini knows how to talk about problems, but he doesn't know how to sort them out and the people have responded," said PD leader Nicola Zingaretti.
Underscoring the enormous interest in the ballot, turnout hit 68%, some 30 points up on the last such election in 2014.
But while the PD dodged disaster, there was less good news for its coalition partner, the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which looked on course to win barely 5% of the vote in Emilia-Romagna and little more than 6% in Calabria.
The party emerged as Italy's largest group in 2018 national elections with 33% backing, but it has seen its support slide in recent months leading to a wave of defections amongst its lawmakers and the resignation of its leader Luigi Di Maio.
Political analysts predicted that Sunday's ballot-box setback would weaken the 5-Star's standing within the coalition and give the PD more power to dictate its own policy priorities.
In a rare political miscalculation, Salvini walked out of government with 5-Star last August, expecting to trigger a national election that polls predicted he would easily win.
Instead, 5-Star joined up with the PD and shunted him into opposition. Looking to exact revenge, Salvini has since concentrated all his efforts on winning a stream of local votes.
The right has now won nine regional elections since March 2018, while chalking up just the one loss in Emilia-Romagna.
Salvini's anti-immigrant, anti-European message resonated during the campaign, as did his pledge to slash taxes.
But incumbent Bonaccini had one of the highest approval ratings of any Italian regional chief and focused exclusively on core local issues.
Bonaccini was given a boost by a grassroots movement that sprang up during the campaign, earning itself the name "the Sardines" by packing local squares with anti-Salvini rallies.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-27--Peru opposition suffers crushing blow in legislative elections

Political campaign posters in Lima , Peru , on January 25 , 2020 , a day before Peruvians head to the polls to choose a new Congress .
Peru 's Keiko Fujimori-led opposition suffered a crushing blow at legislative elections on Sunday , losing dozens of seats in the Congress it had dominated since 2016 , according to early results .
According to a rapid count by the Ipsos research firm , Fujimori 's Popular Force party 's share of the vote has dropped from 36.3 percent in 2016 to just 6.9 percent .
Having dominated Congress with 73 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to be only the sixth largest party with less than 20 seats , according to projections .
`` It 's the collapse of Fujimorism , it 's a very deep fall , a very hard blow , '' analyst Luis Benavente , director of the Vox Populi consultancy , told AFP .
`` We do n't know how many legislators they will have , but the first projections indicate it will be a 10th of their 2016 '' result , added analyst Fernando Rospigliosi .
It 's a big victory for center-right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September and called snap legislative elections in a bid to end a political crisis between the executive and Congress .
The elections have produced a hung parliament dominated by centrist parties more likely to approve of Vizcarra 's anti-corruption reforms previously blocked by Popular Force .
The largest single party is set to be the centrist Popular Action with 10.1 percent of the vote , according to Ipsos .
After the Christian fundamentalist party Frepap ( 8.8 ) come the right-wing Podemos Peru ( 8.25 ) , center-right Progress Alliance ( 8.0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.7 ) .
Vizcarra said he wanted to establish with the new Congress `` a responsible , mature relationship that seeks a consensus that benefits Peru '' .
Fujimori 's Popular Force looks to have paid for its leader 's implication in the sprawling Odebrecht corruption scandal .
Fujimori is accused of accepting $ 1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her unsuccessful 2011 presidential election campaign .
Odebrecht has admitted to paying at least $ 29 million to Peruvian officials since 2004 , and bribing four former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popularity of the 44-year-old daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori ( 1990-2000 ) .
She has already spent 13 months in pre-trial detention before being released in November , and on Tuesday faces a judge 's decision on whether to send her back to jail .
It was n't just Popular Force losing badly , but also its main ally , the social-democratic APRA of former president Alan Garcia , who committed suicide in April as police turned up at his home to arrest him in a corruption case related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oldest political party but with only 2.6 percent of the vote , according to Ipsos , it `` will lose its party registration and be left out of Congress '' , Benavente told AFP .
There were more than 2,300 candidates representing 21 parties in Sunday 's election .
Voters in Lima queued up to vote long before the doors opened , AFP reporters observed .
The vote – the first time legislative elections have been held separately from presidential voting here – came 15 months ahead of the next general election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on September 30 , a move that was widely popular among Peru 's 25 million population .
The opposition accused him of a `` coup d'etat '' and swore in Vice President Mercedes Araoz as `` acting president '' , but she resigned the following day .
The opposition took its case to the constitutional court , which ruled in Vizcarra 's favor .
Demonstrators took to the streets to support Vizcarra and his anti-corruption push .
Vizcarra does n't have a party himself but before the vote , political analyst Augusto Alvarez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve a more bearable relationship with the centrist parties that achieve a majority in Congress '' than he had done with Fujimori .
However , Alvarez had expected Popular Force to remain `` a relevant force '' , which no longer appears the case .
The new lawmakers will sit for only 16 months until the April 2021 general election , and a new president is due to take office three months after that .
Neither Vizcarra nor any of the new lawmakers will be eligible for re-election in 2021 , so only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed by the European Union and the Organization of American States .

Peru's Keiko Fujimori-led opposition suffered a crushing blow at legislative elections on Sunday, losing dozens of seats in the Congress it had dominated since 2016, according to early results.
Political campaign posters in Lima, Peru, on January 25, 2020, a day before Peruvians head to the polls to choose a new Congress.
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According to a rapid count by the Ipsos research firm, Fujimori's Popular Force party's share of the vote has dropped from 36.3 percent in 2016 to just 6.9 percent.
Having dominated Congress with 73 of the 130 seats, it is now set to be only the sixth largest party with less than 20 seats, according to projections.
"It's the collapse of Fujimorism, it's a very deep fall, a very hard blow," analyst Luis Benavente, director of the Vox Populi consultancy, told AFP.
"We don't know how many legislators they will have, but the first projections indicate it will be a 10th of their 2016" result, added analyst Fernando Rospigliosi.
It's a big victory for center-right President Martin Vizcarra, who dissolved parliament in September and called snap legislative elections in a bid to end a political crisis between the executive and Congress.
The elections have produced a hung parliament dominated by centrist parties more likely to approve of Vizcarra's anti-corruption reforms previously blocked by Popular Force.
The largest single party is set to be the centrist Popular Action with 10.1 percent of the vote, according to Ipsos.
After the Christian fundamentalist party Frepap (8.8) come the right-wing Podemos Peru (8.25), center-right Progress Alliance (8.0) and the centrist Partido Morado (7.7).
Vizcarra said he wanted to establish with the new Congress "a responsible, mature relationship that seeks a consensus that benefits Peru".
Paying for Odebrecht scandal
Fujimori's Popular Force looks to have paid for its leader's implication in the sprawling Odebrecht corruption scandal.
Fujimori is accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her unsuccessful 2011 presidential election campaign.
Odebrecht has admitted to paying at least $29 million to Peruvian officials since 2004, and bribing four former Peruvian presidents.
The scandal decimated the popularity of the 44-year-old daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).
She has already spent 13 months in pre-trial detention before being released in November, and on Tuesday faces a judge's decision on whether to send her back to jail.
It wasn't just Popular Force losing badly, but also its main ally, the social-democratic APRA of former president Alan Garcia, who committed suicide in April as police turned up at his home to arrest him in a corruption case related to the Odebrecht scandal.
APRA is Peru's oldest political party but with only 2.6 percent of the vote, according to Ipsos, it "will lose its party registration and be left out of Congress", Benavente told AFP.
‘A more bearable relationship’
There were more than 2,300 candidates representing 21 parties in Sunday's election.
Voters in Lima queued up to vote long before the doors opened, AFP reporters observed.
The vote – the first time legislative elections have been held separately from presidential voting here – came 15 months ahead of the next general election.
It came about after Vizcarra dissolved Congress on September 30, a move that was widely popular among Peru's 25 million population.
The opposition accused him of a "coup d'etat" and swore in Vice President Mercedes Araoz as "acting president", but she resigned the following day.
The opposition took its case to the constitutional court, which ruled in Vizcarra's favor.
Demonstrators took to the streets to support Vizcarra and his anti-corruption push.
Polls showed 90 percent support for the president's daring move.
Vizcarra doesn't have a party himself but before the vote, political analyst Augusto Alvarez told AFP that the president would "achieve a more bearable relationship with the centrist parties that achieve a majority in Congress" than he had done with Fujimori.
However, Alvarez had expected Popular Force to remain "a relevant force", which no longer appears the case.
The new lawmakers will sit for only 16 months until the April 2021 general election, and a new president is due to take office three months after that.
Neither Vizcarra nor any of the new lawmakers will be eligible for re-election in 2021, so only 16 sought re-election.
The election was observed by the European Union and the Organization of American States.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-27--Bolivia's interim president asks ministers to resign after announcing election run

Bolivia ’ s interim President Jeanine Anez at a ceremony in La Paz , Bolivia , on January 24 , 2020 , to announce her nomination as presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for May 3 .
Bolivia 's interim President Jeanine Anez asked all her ministers to resign a little more than three months before a general election , a statement from the presidency said on Sunday .
The news came just hours after Communication Minister Roxana Lizarraga resigned in protest at Anez 's decision to stand as a presidential candidate in the May 3 election .
When assuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anez had said she had no intention of standing for the full-time job .
But that changed on Friday when she announced her candidacy .
Anez `` has decided to ask for the resignation of all ministers to approach this new stage in the management of the democratic transition , '' said the presidency 's statement .
The statement added that it was `` usual '' in an electoral cycle to have `` adjustments in the working team of the Executive . ''
Hours earlier , Lizarraga , who was appointed by Anez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president for having `` lost sight of her objectives '' .
Lizarraga said Anez had `` started to fall into the same evils '' as the party of her predecessor Evo Morales , who resigned on November 10 following three weeks of at times violent protests against his controversial re-election in an October poll that the Organisation of American States said was rigged .
`` This is not the path the citizenry has signalled to us , '' said Lizarraga .
Anez came only fourth on 12 percent in an opinion poll published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Movement for Socialism ( MAS ) candidate with 26 percent .
MAS headed the survey by Mercados y Muestras and published in the Pagina Siete newspaper , which was conducted before the party had announced the name of its candidate , former economy minister Luis Arce .
Anez said she would name a new cabinet of 20 ministers `` as soon as possible '' .

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez asked all her ministers to resign a little more than three months before a general election, a statement from the presidency said on Sunday.
Bolivia’s interim President Jeanine Anez at a ceremony in La Paz, Bolivia, on January 24, 2020, to announce her nomination as presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for May 3.
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The news came just hours after Communication Minister Roxana Lizarraga resigned in protest at Anez's decision to stand as a presidential candidate in the May 3 election.
When assuming the interim presidency on November 12, Anez had said she had no intention of standing for the full-time job.
But that changed on Friday when she announced her candidacy.
Anez "has decided to ask for the resignation of all ministers to approach this new stage in the management of the democratic transition," said the presidency's statement.
The statement added that it was "usual" in an electoral cycle to have "adjustments in the working team of the Executive."
Hours earlier, Lizarraga, who was appointed by Anez on November 13, criticised the interim president for having "lost sight of her objectives".
Lizarraga said Anez had "started to fall into the same evils" as the party of her predecessor Evo Morales, who resigned on November 10 following three weeks of at times violent protests against his controversial re-election in an October poll that the Organisation of American States said was rigged.
"This is not the path the citizenry has signalled to us," said Lizarraga.
Anez came only fourth on 12 percent in an opinion poll published on Sunday that was led by Morales's Movement for Socialism (MAS) candidate with 26 percent.
MAS headed the survey by Mercados y Muestras and published in the Pagina Siete newspaper, which was conducted before the party had announced the name of its candidate, former economy minister Luis Arce.
Anez said she would name a new cabinet of 20 ministers "as soon as possible".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-27--75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation: Testifying till their last breath

More than 200 survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau and other Nazi camps are expected to attend the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the largest and most notorious of them all .
Now in their 90s , those who remember the horror first hand are determined to keep doing all they can , for as long as they can , to ensure the world never forgets .
The screams , the flames , selection , separation from their loved ones – and the stench of the crematoriums .
Seventy-five years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau , survivors have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them agreed to meet with journalists in three crowded sessions at the library of Oświęcim , the Polish town where the Nazis set up the camp complex .
“ When I arrived at Auschwitz I didn ’ t know anything about this place , ” says Alina Dąbrowska , now 97 , who was in the Polish resistance when she was deported in May 1943 .
“ My first impression was horrendous .
I thought , this is what hell looks like.
” ‘ They took away our humanity ’ Benjamin Lesser , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled to Hungary with his family , but was ultimately arrested there .
He offered a precise description of his first moments in the camp .
“ They told us to get out of the cattle cars .
I found myself face to face with Mengele [ the notorious Nazi doctor who carried out medical experiments at Auschwitz ] .
He was asking questions .
One man told him that he had bad knees – he was sent to the right , directly to the gas chambers .
I told him that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I could work .
He sent me to the left.
” Lesser did not know it at the time , but that was the last time he would see his mother .
He survived , with one sister ; his parents and three other siblings were killed .
The memories of Leon Weintraub , another Polish Jew , are equally vivid .
He was taken to Auschwitz from the Lodz ghetto in August 1944 .
He says he can still hear the rage of the SS men barking their orders .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raus , raus ’ , he remembers .
Then we saw people in striped pyjamas .
One of them took my stamp collection .
He told me I wouldn ’ t need it here .
I didn ’ t understand what he meant.
” “ We passed from the state of the living to the state of being a simple tool whose value lasted only as long as we were able to work .
Little by little they took away our humanity.
” ‘ I could not stay silent ’ The three survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living conditions , or rather survival conditions , in the death camp , where more than 1.1 million people perished , 90 percent of them Jewish .
Without going into great detail , Dąbrowska calmly recalls the piles of corpses , and taking the hand of one friend who had died , to say goodbye .
After the war , all three said they tried to put the experience behind them .
For a long time , they did not talk about Auschwitz .
“ I didn ’ t want to contaminate my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden of being children of a survivor , ” says Lesser .
Dąbrowska says she even tried to forget , for a time .
“ One day I ran into a woman who had been imprisoned with me , but I told her that I didn ’ t remember her and that I had never been at the camp.
” It was only decades later that the survivors felt ready to re-open this painful wound .
Lesser moved to California and became an American citizen .
It was when his grandchildren asked him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
“ They asked me to come to their school to tell my story .
The children were glued to their seats .
I realised then that I could not remain silent and I had to talk.
” Dąbrowska also gradually became conscious of her role as a witness .
She now comes to Auschwitz every year with groups of young people .
“ It ’ s important to preserve this place .
We can show what happened with the blocks and the gas chambers , ” says the 97-year-old with determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it not to be forgotten.
” As they approach their 100th birthday , the three survivors fear one thing above all : that when they are gone , people will forget .
“ People prefer to forget the bad times .
Unfortunately we won ’ t live forever , ” says Lesser .
“ What will happen when we ’ re no longer around ?
I don ’ t know .
That ’ s why I set up a foundation to keep the memory alive and prevent history from repeating itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I live , and afterwards my grandchildren will continue.
” Weintraub says that commemorations of anniversaries like this are important : “ We have the chance to change mindsets and make sure that it doesn ’ t happen again , ” he says .
After so much physical and mental torture , the survivors hope that the lessons of the past will lead to a brighter future .
They say education is key to achieving this – education and respect for a key principle : “ We have to love our differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t matter what race or religion you are from , we are all part of humanity , ” Lesser repeats the refrain several times during the meeting .
“ That is the message of the survivors .
Spread it.
” This article has been adapted from the original in French .

SPECIAL REPORT
More than 200 survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau and other Nazi camps are expected to attend the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the largest and most notorious of them all. Now in their 90s, those who remember the horror first hand are determined to keep doing all they can, for as long as they can, to ensure the world never forgets.
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The screams, the flames, selection, separation from their loved ones – and the stench of the crematoriums. Seventy-five years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, survivors have not forgotten their arrival here. Some of them agreed to meet with journalists in three crowded sessions at the library of Oświęcim, the Polish town where the Nazis set up the camp complex.
“When I arrived at Auschwitz I didn’t know anything about this place,” says Alina Dąbrowska, now 97, who was in the Polish resistance when she was deported in May 1943. “My first impression was horrendous. I thought, this is what hell looks like.”
‘They took away our humanity’
Benjamin Lesser, a Polish Jew from Krakow, had fled to Hungary with his family, but was ultimately arrested there. He offered a precise description of his first moments in the camp.
“They told us to get out of the cattle cars. I found myself face to face with Mengele [the notorious Nazi doctor who carried out medical experiments at Auschwitz]. He was asking questions. One man told him that he had bad knees – he was sent to the right, directly to the gas chambers. I told him that I was 18 and in good health and that I could work. He sent me to the left.” Lesser did not know it at the time, but that was the last time he would see his mother. He survived, with one sister; his parents and three other siblings were killed.
The memories of Leon Weintraub, another Polish Jew, are equally vivid. He was taken to Auschwitz from the Lodz ghetto in August 1944. He says he can still hear the rage of the SS men barking their orders. “We were greeted with ‘raus, raus, raus’, he remembers. Then we saw people in striped pyjamas. One of them took my stamp collection. He told me I wouldn’t need it here. I didn’t understand what he meant.”
“We passed from the state of the living to the state of being a simple tool whose value lasted only as long as we were able to work. Little by little they took away our humanity.”
‘I could not stay silent’
The three survivors did not linger on descriptions of their living conditions, or rather survival conditions, in the death camp, where more than 1.1 million people perished, 90 percent of them Jewish. Without going into great detail, Dąbrowska calmly recalls the piles of corpses, and taking the hand of one friend who had died, to say goodbye.
After the war, all three said they tried to put the experience behind them. For a long time, they did not talk about Auschwitz. “I didn’t want to contaminate my family by forcing them to carry this burden of being children of a survivor,” says Lesser.
Dąbrowska says she even tried to forget, for a time. “One day I ran into a woman who had been imprisoned with me, but I told her that I didn’t remember her and that I had never been at the camp.”
It was only decades later that the survivors felt ready to re-open this painful wound. Lesser moved to California and became an American citizen. It was when his grandchildren asked him about his experiences that he finally opened up. “They asked me to come to their school to tell my story. The children were glued to their seats. I realised then that I could not remain silent and I had to talk.”
Dąbrowska also gradually became conscious of her role as a witness. She now comes to Auschwitz every year with groups of young people. “It’s important to preserve this place. We can show what happened with the blocks and the gas chambers,” says the 97-year-old with determination. “We do all we can for it not to be forgotten.”
As they approach their 100th birthday, the three survivors fear one thing above all: that when they are gone, people will forget. “People prefer to forget the bad times. Unfortunately we won’t live forever,” says Lesser. “What will happen when we’re no longer around? I don’t know. That’s why I set up a foundation to keep the memory alive and prevent history from repeating itself. I’ll do it as long as I live, and afterwards my grandchildren will continue.”
Weintraub says that commemorations of anniversaries like this are important: “We have the chance to change mindsets and make sure that it doesn’t happen again,” he says.
After so much physical and mental torture, the survivors hope that the lessons of the past will lead to a brighter future. They say education is key to achieving this – education and respect for a key principle: “We have to love our differences instead of hating them. It doesn’t matter what race or religion you are from, we are all part of humanity,” Lesser repeats the refrain several times during the meeting. “That is the message of the survivors. Spread it.”
This article has been adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-01-27--France warns US against pulling troops out of unstable Sahel region

France 's Defence Minister Florence Parly speaks at a press conference with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the Pentagon on January 27 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly warned Monday that expected cuts to the Pentagon 's African operations would hamper efforts against jihadist groups , especially in the Sahel region .
But US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made clear that the United States was prepared to reduce its global military footprint and that African operations could be affected—while giving no details about how severely .
“ US support is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction would severely limit our effectiveness in our operations against terrorists , ” Parly said in a joint news conference with Esper in Washington .
“ Our friends in the Sahel are in a situation where our assistance is critical .
And I have expressed the hope of both the United States and France will keep on supporting them , ” she added .
Esper has launched a review of the US military footprint around the world and is expected to reduce the presence of US forces in West Africa , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rise in Islamic extremist groups in Mali , Niger , Burkina Faso , and other countries .
The US Defense Department wants to focus its forces on what it sees as priority threats , starting with China and Russia .
Washington has been a key ally for France ’ s 4,500-member Barkhane operation , providing intelligence and surveillance via drones as well as in-flight refueling and logistical transport , at a cost of $ 45 million a year .
Esper declined to say what cuts he was considering in Africa , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a US drone base in the region .
“ France has been a great leader in the Sahel , ” Esper told reporters .
“ I think it ’ s time for other European allies to assist as well in the region , and that could offset whatever changes we make as we consider next steps in Africa .
”

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly warned Monday that expected cuts to the Pentagon's African operations would hamper efforts against jihadist groups, especially in the Sahel region.
France's Defence Minister Florence Parly speaks at a press conference with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the Pentagon on January 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.
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But US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made clear that the United States was prepared to reduce its global military footprint and that African operations could be affected—while giving no details about how severely.
“US support is critical to our operations, and its reduction would severely limit our effectiveness in our operations against terrorists,” Parly said in a joint news conference with Esper in Washington.
“Our friends in the Sahel are in a situation where our assistance is critical. And I have expressed the hope of both the United States and France will keep on supporting them,” she added.
Esper has launched a review of the US military footprint around the world and is expected to reduce the presence of US forces in West Africa, where they have partnered with the French in battling a rise in Islamic extremist groups in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and other countries.
The US Defense Department wants to focus its forces on what it sees as priority threats, starting with China and Russia.
Washington has been a key ally for France’s 4,500-member Barkhane operation, providing intelligence and surveillance via drones as well as in-flight refueling and logistical transport, at a cost of $45 million a year.
Esper declined to say what cuts he was considering in Africa, which according to reports could include shutting down a US drone base in the region.
“France has been a great leader in the Sahel,” Esper told reporters.
“I think it’s time for other European allies to assist as well in the region, and that could offset whatever changes we make as we consider next steps in Africa.”
(AFP)
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