france24--2020-05-09--Russia scales back WWII Victory Day celebration in Moscow amid Covid-19

A woman wearing a face mask rides a scooter along a bridge past flags prepared for the celebrations of Victory Day , which marks the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two , amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Moscow , Russia , May 8 , 2020 .
Russia marks 75 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two on Saturday , but the coronavirus outbreak has forced it to scale back celebrations seen as boosting support for the Kremlin .
With coronavirus infections rising , President Vladimir Putin last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrations , a massive parade on Red Square that showcases Moscow 's most sophisticated military hardware , to an unspecified date .
In previous years , Putin basked in national pride as he watched Russian tanks rumble across the square with world leaders by his side .
But a recent poll gave him his lowest approval rating in more than two decades and the country 's economy is slipping into a deep downturn .
Putin has described Victory Day celebrations as sacred to Russians but said a big public event was too risky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia had reported 187,859 coronavirus cases and 1,723 deaths .
In a slimmed-down celebration , Putin will lay flowers at the Eternal Flame war memorial outside the Kremlin walls and deliver a speech .
Fireworks will be let off across Russia as much of the country remains in lockdown , the Defence Ministry has said .
The Russian air force will carry out fly-pasts over more than 47 cities , as well as at its military base in Syria , with a full array of jets and helicopters , including Sukhoi Su-57 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced warplanes .
Public processions commemorating Soviet participants in the war that are normally held on May 9 have been moved online , with people uploading pictures of family members and telling their war stories .
On the eve of the anniversary , Putin sent congratulatory letters to many former Soviet republics , as well as to the leaders of Britain , the United States and France .
Putin has accused Russia 's detractors of diminishing the Soviet war effort , and on Friday he warned post-Soviet leaders against what he said were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War Two .
In his messages to foreign leaders , Putin said their countries should build on the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the Allies as Moscow 's relations with the West remain fraught .
`` This invaluable cooperation experience is highly needed even today , '' Putin wrote to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , the Kremlin said .

Russia marks 75 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two on Saturday, but the coronavirus outbreak has forced it to scale back celebrations seen as boosting support for the Kremlin.
A woman wearing a face mask rides a scooter along a bridge past flags prepared for the celebrations of Victory Day, which marks the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2020.
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With coronavirus infections rising, President Vladimir Putin last month postponed the highlight of Victory Day celebrations, a massive parade on Red Square that showcases Moscow's most sophisticated military hardware, to an unspecified date.
In previous years, Putin basked in national pride as he watched Russian tanks rumble across the square with world leaders by his side. But a recent poll gave him his lowest approval rating in more than two decades and the country's economy is slipping into a deep downturn.
Putin has described Victory Day celebrations as sacred to Russians but said a big public event was too risky during the pandemic. As of Friday, Russia had reported 187,859 coronavirus cases and 1,723 deaths.
In a slimmed-down celebration, Putin will lay flowers at the Eternal Flame war memorial outside the Kremlin walls and deliver a speech.
Aircraft overhead, war stories online
Fireworks will be let off across Russia as much of the country remains in lockdown, the Defence Ministry has said.
The Russian air force will carry out fly-pasts over more than 47 cities, as well as at its military base in Syria, with a full array of jets and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters, the country's most advanced warplanes.
Public processions commemorating Soviet participants in the war that are normally held on May 9 have been moved online, with people uploading pictures of family members and telling their war stories.
On the eve of the anniversary, Putin sent congratulatory letters to many former Soviet republics, as well as to the leaders of Britain, the United States and France.
Putin has accused Russia's detractors of diminishing the Soviet war effort, and on Friday he warned post-Soviet leaders against what he said were attempts to rewrite the history of World War Two.
In his messages to foreign leaders, Putin said their countries should build on the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the Allies as Moscow's relations with the West remain fraught.
"This invaluable cooperation experience is highly needed even today," Putin wrote to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Kremlin said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-09--US withdraws support for UN Security Council global ceasefire resolution

In this file photo , members of the United Nations Security Council are pictured at the beginning of a meeting about Afghanistan at UN Headquarters in New York City , US on March 10 , 2020 .
The United States on Friday stunned other members of the UN Security Council by preventing a vote on a resolution for a ceasefire in various conflicts around the world to help troubled nations better fight the coronavirus pandemic , diplomats said .
Washington 's reversal came a day after it agreed to the text , negotiators said under cover of anonymity .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current draft , '' the country 's delegation declared , without further detail , to the 14 other Security Council members , after nearly two months of difficult negotiation over the text .
The latest stalemate continues to leave the global peace and security body largely mute in the face of a once-in-a-century pandemic that has killed more than 270,000 people and raised further fears for the world 's most vulnerable .
When asked for an explanation of the US move , a State Department official told AFP that China had `` repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council to move forward . ''
Diplomats told AFP that the language used in the draft to describe the World Health Organization was behind the US move to prevent the vote .
But other sources said Washington wanted the Council to return to an initial draft of the resolution which highlighted the need for `` transparency '' in global cooperation in tackling the pandemic .
`` In our view , the Council should either proceed with a resolution limited to support for a ceasefire , or a broadened resolution that fully addresses the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency and accountability in the context of COVID-19 , '' the State Department official said .
US President Donald Trump has accused the WHO of downplaying the seriousness of the outbreak in China .
The procedure blocked by the United States would have allowed the sponsors of the resolution , France and Tunisia , to put it to a vote .
The latest version of the text -- obtained by AFP -- called for a cessation of hostilities in conflict zones and a 90-day `` humanitarian pause '' to allow governments to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It called on all nations to `` enhance coordination '' in the virus fight and highlighted the `` urgent need to support all countries , as well as all relevant entities of the United Nations system , including specialized health agencies , and other relevant international , regional , and sub-regional organization . ''
This wording , which implicitly refers to the WHO without explicitly mentioning it , was the compromise obtained from the US and China on Thursday night , according to diplomats Washington had threatened to use its veto if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO , while Beijing brandished its own veto if the global health body were not mentioned , before in the end accepting that it would not be .
Diplomats said the US had let go more than a week ago of its demand for mention of transparency in the French-Tunisian text .
The `` ball was in the Chinese camp '' now , one of them said previously .
The US turnaround `` is a very , very bad news for United Nations , the Security Council and multilateralism , '' said one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been pushing for a cessation of hostilities around the world since March 23 , urging all sides in conflict to lay down arms and allow war-torn nations to combat the coronavirus .
French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere told AFP that he would like `` of course to continue to try to reach an agreement , if there is room for that . ''
His Tunisian counterpart Kais Kabtani said discussions are continuing `` to convince the Americans . ''
He vowed that the procedure for going to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ironically , the Security Council was also engaged Friday in a major videoconference organized by Estonia , which holds the body 's rotating presidency this month , on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II .
More than 50 ministers from around the world participated , most of them issuing a `` plea for multilateralism . ''

The United States on Friday stunned other members of the UN Security Council by preventing a vote on a resolution for a ceasefire in various conflicts around the world to help troubled nations better fight the coronavirus pandemic, diplomats said.
In this file photo, members of the United Nations Security Council are pictured at the beginning of a meeting about Afghanistan at UN Headquarters in New York City, US on March 10, 2020.
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Washington's reversal came a day after it agreed to the text, negotiators said under cover of anonymity.
"The United States cannot support the current draft," the country's delegation declared, without further detail, to the 14 other Security Council members, after nearly two months of difficult negotiation over the text.
The latest stalemate continues to leave the global peace and security body largely mute in the face of a once-in-a-century pandemic that has killed more than 270,000 people and raised further fears for the world's most vulnerable.
When asked for an explanation of the US move, a State Department official told AFP that China had "repeatedly blocked compromises that would have allowed the Council to move forward."
Diplomats told AFP that the language used in the draft to describe the World Health Organization was behind the US move to prevent the vote.
But other sources said Washington wanted the Council to return to an initial draft of the resolution which highlighted the need for "transparency" in global cooperation in tackling the pandemic.
"In our view, the Council should either proceed with a resolution limited to support for a ceasefire, or a broadened resolution that fully addresses the need for renewed member state commitment to transparency and accountability in the context of COVID-19," the State Department official said.
Compromise had implicit WHO reference
US President Donald Trump has accused the WHO of downplaying the seriousness of the outbreak in China.
The procedure blocked by the United States would have allowed the sponsors of the resolution, France and Tunisia, to put it to a vote.
The latest version of the text -- obtained by AFP -- called for a cessation of hostilities in conflict zones and a 90-day "humanitarian pause" to allow governments to better address the pandemic among those most suffering.
It called on all nations to "enhance coordination" in the virus fight and highlighted the "urgent need to support all countries, as well as all relevant entities of the United Nations system, including specialized health agencies, and other relevant international, regional, and sub-regional organization."
This wording, which implicitly refers to the WHO without explicitly mentioning it, was the compromise obtained from the US and China on Thursday night, according to diplomats
'Very bad news'
Washington had threatened to use its veto if there were any explicit reference to the WHO, while Beijing brandished its own veto if the global health body were not mentioned, before in the end accepting that it would not be.
Diplomats said the US had let go more than a week ago of its demand for mention of transparency in the French-Tunisian text. The "ball was in the Chinese camp" now, one of them said previously.
The US turnaround "is a very, very bad news for United Nations, the Security Council and multilateralism," said one ambassador from a Security Council member.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been pushing for a cessation of hostilities around the world since March 23, urging all sides in conflict to lay down arms and allow war-torn nations to combat the coronavirus.
French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere told AFP that he would like "of course to continue to try to reach an agreement, if there is room for that."
His Tunisian counterpart Kais Kabtani said discussions are continuing "to convince the Americans." He vowed that the procedure for going to a vote would be taken up again.
Ironically, the Security Council was also engaged Friday in a major videoconference organized by Estonia, which holds the body's rotating presidency this month, on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
More than 50 ministers from around the world participated, most of them issuing a "plea for multilateralism."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-09--‘We are invisible’: Greece’s artists struggle for state aid amid Covid-19 pandemic

Musicians wearing face masks gather around the White Tower during a protest by workers in the music industry in demand of state aid to mitigate financial losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Thessaloniki , Greece on May 7 , 2020 .
Despite being one of Greece 's best-known folk singers , Natassa Bofiliou is among thousands of artists worried about the economic impact of coronavirus lockdowns that have only just begun to be eased .
In a country where art is widely seen as a pastime , and performers have long struggled to secure steady pay and royalties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the cancellation of summer festivals has wrought havoc .
Having lived through Greece 's 10-year economic crisis , 37-year-old Bofiliou is no stranger to job insecurity .
`` For us , there is no return to normality , '' she told AFP .
`` The state has never really seriously concerned itself with the problems of artists , who often need to have a second job to survive . ''
Unpaid or uninsured work is a reality for many in the profession , she notes .
With restaurants and hotels reopening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvage some of the season .
Greece 's premier summer event , the annual Athens-Epidaurus festival , is set to open in mid-July , six weeks later than scheduled .
And organisers in Kalamata are `` optimistic '' that the international dance festival will begin on July 16 as scheduled .
The Thessaloniki documentary festival , originally to be held in March , will now be held online in late May .
The Greek culture ministry on Thursday announced a series of `` corrective '' measures to support artists after their apparent omission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition parties , and even Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis .
`` I sincerely regret having lived to see that deeply obscurantist views still exist ... in a civilised country , artists should be in the front row of appreciation , '' Theodorakis , the 94-year-old `` Zorba the Greek '' composer said in a statement last month .
When news broke in April that artists had been excluded from an 800-euro ( $ 865 ) emergency stipend arranged by the state for furloughed employees , their representatives hit the streets in a symbolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Unfortunately , we are invisible to the government and culture ministry , '' said Costas Kehayoglou , head of the federation of Greek performers .
On Thursday , around 2,000 actors , musicians , puppeteers and other artists gathered outside the Greek parliament to protest the snub .
Some of the banners they carried read `` Art 's not dead '' , `` We are not beggars '' and `` There are people behind the puppets '' .
Hours earlier , Culture Minister Lina Mendoni had announced that artists would be included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 million specifically for staff .
`` Our aim is to keep culture active ... we do n't want a scene without culture because of the pandemic , '' she told a news teleconference .
The performers ' federation later called the measures `` inadequate '' , noting that `` those excluded are more than those included '' .
`` Our civilisation is in peril , '' renowned singer Dimitra Galani told Athens municipal radio on Friday .
`` Just look at how France and other European countries protect their national ( cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elise Jalladeau , director general of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival , warns that Greece 's audiovisual industry will carry the effects of the shutdown for some time .
`` The sector is more fragile than in other European countries where there is more structure , especially as regards the protection of artists ' ( intellectual ) rights , '' she told AFP .
Greek artists have long struggled to secure decent pay for their work .
The Greek intellectual property agency collapsed in 2018 in a mismanagement scandal , owing millions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has yet to take hold .

Despite being one of Greece's best-known folk singers, Natassa Bofiliou is among thousands of artists worried about the economic impact of coronavirus lockdowns that have only just begun to be eased.
Musicians wearing face masks gather around the White Tower during a protest by workers in the music industry in demand of state aid to mitigate financial losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Thessaloniki, Greece on May 7, 2020.
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In a country where art is widely seen as a pastime, and performers have long struggled to secure steady pay and royalties, the closure of theatres and cinemas, and the cancellation of summer festivals has wrought havoc.
Having lived through Greece's 10-year economic crisis, 37-year-old Bofiliou is no stranger to job insecurity.
"For us, there is no return to normality," she told AFP. "The state has never really seriously concerned itself with the problems of artists, who often need to have a second job to survive."
Unpaid or uninsured work is a reality for many in the profession, she notes.
With restaurants and hotels reopening in June, officials are now trying to salvage some of the season.
Greece's premier summer event, the annual Athens-Epidaurus festival, is set to open in mid-July, six weeks later than scheduled.
And organisers in Kalamata are "optimistic" that the international dance festival will begin on July 16 as scheduled.
The Thessaloniki documentary festival, originally to be held in March, will now be held online in late May.
The Greek culture ministry on Thursday announced a series of "corrective" measures to support artists after their apparent omission from income benefits sparked an outcry from opposition parties, and even Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.
"I sincerely regret having lived to see that deeply obscurantist views still exist... in a civilised country, artists should be in the front row of appreciation," Theodorakis, the 94-year-old "Zorba the Greek" composer said in a statement last month.
When news broke in April that artists had been excluded from an 800-euro ($865) emergency stipend arranged by the state for furloughed employees, their representatives hit the streets in a symbolic protest outside the ministry of finance.
"Unfortunately, we are invisible to the government and culture ministry," said Costas Kehayoglou, head of the federation of Greek performers.
'People behind the puppets'
On Thursday, around 2,000 actors, musicians, puppeteers and other artists gathered outside the Greek parliament to protest the snub.
Some of the banners they carried read "Art's not dead", "We are not beggars" and "There are people behind the puppets".
Hours earlier, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni had announced that artists would be included in a 100-million-euro support fund, including 70 million specifically for staff.
"Our aim is to keep culture active... we don't want a scene without culture because of the pandemic," she told a news teleconference.
The performers' federation later called the measures "inadequate", noting that "those excluded are more than those included".
"Our civilisation is in peril," renowned singer Dimitra Galani told Athens municipal radio on Friday.
"Just look at how France and other European countries protect their national (cultural) product," she said.
Elise Jalladeau, director general of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, warns that Greece's audiovisual industry will carry the effects of the shutdown for some time.
"The sector is more fragile than in other European countries where there is more structure, especially as regards the protection of artists' (intellectual) rights," she told AFP.
Greek artists have long struggled to secure decent pay for their work.
The Greek intellectual property agency collapsed in 2018 in a mismanagement scandal, owing millions in unpaid royalties, and a new structure has yet to take hold.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-09--Investigation: Videos reveal location of mass drowning on Iran-Afghan border

This video circulating on social media in Afghanistan since May 2 shows four bodies - three men and a teenage boy - on the Afghan bank of the Harirud river , in Gulran district , Herat province .
A survivor told the France 24 Observers the four were among dozens who drowned when Iranian border guards forced them into the river further upstream on May 1 , 2020 .
A similar video shows the same four bodies with the faces exposed .
The group of migrants crossed from Afghanistan ’ s western Herat province into Iran ’ s Razavi Khorasan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Harirud river on makeshift rafts with the help of a human trafficker .
But they were caught by Iranian border guards , who detained them at their post .
The border post overlooks the Harirud river , 20 km southeast of the village of Jannatabad , Salehabad County , in Iran ’ s Razavi Khorasan province.Survivors say the Iranian border guards humiliated and beat them , then drove them in minibuses to the nearby river and forced them into the water .
Afghan officials said May 7 said they had confirmed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Afghan side of the river , and five downstream in Turkmenistan - with 28 people still missing.Iran ’ s Border Guard Command on May 3 denied that its troops had forced Afghan migrants into the river , saying “ videos shared on social media that show bodies on the river bank are not from the Iran-Afghanistan border ” .
The Iranian foreign ministry said however it was ready to cooperate with the Afghan government.Hanif Atmar , Afghanistan ’ s acting foreign minister , said in a tweet May 5 : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all our country ’ s diplomatic means until we achieve justice and righteousness.
” The UN says more than 100,000 Afghans living in Iran fled the Covid-19 outbreak after it hit the Islamic Republic in February .
The migrants in the May 1 incident were apparently among a wave of Afghans returning to work in Iran as the virus eased in recent weeks .

IRAN
Amateur videos circulating on social media in Afghanistan show bodies of Afghan migrants drowned in the Harirud river on the border with Iran on May 1, 2020. Survivors say they were forced into the river by Iranian border guards.
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Dozens of Afghan migrants are feared dead after Iranian border guards allegedly forced them into a river on the Iran-Afghan border on May 1. Of the 57 men and boys in the group only 12 are known to have survived. One of the survivors told the France 24 Observers he and the others were arrested and tortured by guards from an Iranian border post overlooking the Harirud river. His account, along with amateur videos circulating on social media in Afghanistan, allowed the Observers team to pinpoint the location of the Iranian border post.
The group of migrants crossed from Afghanistan’s western Herat province into Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province late on April 30, traversing the Harirud river on makeshift rafts with the help of a human trafficker. But they were caught by Iranian border guards, who detained them at their post. The border post overlooks the Harirud river, 20 km southeast of the village of Jannatabad, Salehabad County, in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province.
Survivors say the Iranian border guards humiliated and beat them, then drove them in minibuses to the nearby river and forced them into the water. Afghan officials said May 7 said they had confirmed at least 17 deaths - 12 bodies found on the Afghan side of the river, and five downstream in Turkmenistan - with 28 people still missing.
Iran’s Border Guard Command on May 3 denied that its troops had forced Afghan migrants into the river, saying “videos shared on social media that show bodies on the river bank are not from the Iran-Afghanistan border”. The Iranian foreign ministry said however it was ready to cooperate with the Afghan government.
Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, said in a tweet May 5: “We will pursue this unforgivable crime with all our country’s diplomatic means until we achieve justice and righteousness.”
The UN says more than 100,000 Afghans living in Iran fled the Covid-19 outbreak after it hit the Islamic Republic in February. The migrants in the May 1 incident were apparently among a wave of Afghans returning to work in Iran as the virus eased in recent weeks.
This video circulating on social media in Afghanistan since May 2 shows four bodies - three men and a teenage boy - on the Afghan bank of the Harirud river, in Gulran district, Herat province. A survivor told the France 24 Observers the four were among dozens who drowned when Iranian border guards forced them into the river further upstream on May 1, 2020. A similar video shows the same four bodies with the faces exposed.
“The border guards were laughing as we drowned”
We crossed the Harirud river in the Zulfiqar area around 10 pm on Thursday April 30. We were on barrels tied together with ropes. After we crossed the river and entered Iran, an Iranian patrol arrested us and took us to their post. The post was on a cliff overlooking the river. There were about 50 of us. They arrested all of us. There were old men among us, and children as young as 16, 14, and even 11. [Note: while members of the group believed at the time of the incident the youngest boy was 11, a spokesman at Herat hospital, where the boy’s body was taken, said he was in fact 13.] They kept us overnight at the post.The next day [Friday May 1] they began to insult us. They made us strip naked. They kicked us and beat us with their rifle butts and a whip. They forced us to remove weeds in their garden. Around noon they loaded us onto minibuses, and drove us a few minutes from the post. They told us to cross the river or they would shoot us. They fired some warning shots to frighten us. We decided to cross the river because we thought they would kill us. Many of us didn’t know how to swim. The border guards were laughing as we drowned. We tried to stick together, but it was impossible - the current was too powerful. There were about 20 of us who knew how to swim. That saved our lives. But the river took the others. We were able to find just eight bodies. I lost my money and my cellphone. We walked several kilometers to find help, and finally reached Herat.
Shah Mohammad (not his real name) is a survivor of the incident. He told the France 24 Observers he was going back to Iran to resume work on a construction project that had been halted after the coronavirus hit. He said he and more than 50 other men and boys crossed into Iran from the Zulfiqar valley in the Gulran district of Afghanistan’s Herat province.
This 51-second video circulating on social networks in Afghanistan since May 2 was apparently filmed by the same person as the two videos showing the bodies. The man, apparently a survivor of the May 1 drowning, points the camera toward a building on the Iranian side of the border and says: “This is the Iranian border post whose guards pushed us into the river. In 10 minutes, 15 of us died. We took six bodies out of the river. The others disappeared.”
“They just wanted to work”
Ahmad [not his real name] lost three cousins in the incident: Mohammad, 20, Edris, 19, and Djalil, 16. Their bodies were among the eight bodies that were found. He talked to France24 while he was crying:
It wasn’t the first time they had crossed into Iran. They had been working in Iran for years. After the coronavirus epidemic hit, construction projects halted in Iran. The boys had to come back to Afghanistan. But in recent days their bosses contacted them and asked them to come back to work. So my cousins contacted the trafficker who regularly takes them across the border. Their bodies came back a few days later. I don’t understand why the Iranian guards did that. Are they human? They could have beaten them, broken their bones, imprisoned them for 10 years - but not kill them. My cousins just wanted to work, to make a living.
“Asphyxiation by water was the cause of death”
We received three bodies on May 3 at 6 a.m., then two more bodies at 10 a.m., including the body of a 13-year-old boy. We examined the bodies. We did not find bullet wounds or signs of any other physical violence. There was some bleeding in the nose and mouth of one of the deceased, but we think it happened in the river not before. Asphyxiation by water was the cause of death for all of them. We also treated two of the survivors. Both had minor problems in their digestive system because they imbibed muddy water from the river.
“Iranian border guards have a green light for any kind of violence”
While Iran’s border guards deny forcing the Afghans into the river, doctors who examined the bodies say there is no doubt about the cause of the death. Dr. Aref Djalili, spokesman of Herat General Hospital, said doctors there had examined 5 of the 17 bodies that had been recovered:Abdullah Saljoughi, an independent journalist in Afghanistan’s Herat region, says undocumented Afghan migrants often face mistreatment and violence at the hands of the Iranian police and border guards.
When Iranian border guards arrest illegal migrants they normally transfer them to specific camps inside Iran, then deport them after one or two days at official border crossings between the two countries. Each day Iran deports between 1000 and 1,200 illegal Afghan migrants like this. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of Iranian border guards doing such a thing. However, violence against Afghan migrants is routine even when they are being deported via the official procedure. Insults, beatings, whipping, forced labour, being forced to strip…we hear reports of these practices frequently. There have been more serious incidents in the last decade too. For example in 2012 Iranian border guards shot and killed 13 migrants. Our experience on this side of the border suggests Iranian border guards have a green light for any kind of violence.
Where did it happen?
Two amateur videos circulating in Afghanistan since the May 1 incident show four bodies beside a river, one with the faces covered (see above), the other with the faces visible. A third video (above), apparently filmed by the same man wearing a green robe, zooms in on a building on the other side of the river as he says: “This is the Iranian border post whose guards pushed us into the river. In 10 minutes, 15 of us died. We took six bodies out of the river. The others disappeared.”
While Iran’s Border Guard Command says the amateur videos showing bodies were not filmed in the border area, comparison with satellite imagery reveals that the third video shows an Iranian border post. Its location and appearance are consistent with accounts by Shah Mohammad and other survivors.
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A video circulating on Afghan social media since May 2 claims to show an Iranian border guard post where 57 Afghan migrants were detained and tortured. The video, filmed from the Afghan side of the border, shows the Harirud river, next to it a green space (outlined in white), then cliffs with a specific geological structure (outlined in red), and on top of the cliffs a circular tower (outlined in blue) and some trees (outlined in orange). Circular towers are a common feature of Iranian border posts. A search of satellite images of the border area allowed the Observers team to match what is seen in the video with a specific location: 20 km southeast of the village of Jannatabad village, Salehabad county, in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province.
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The three videos contain geographic clues such as the mountains in the background that can be matched with satellite imagery from the same area of the Gulran district in Afghanistan's Herat province, across the river from Salehabad county in Iran.
Article by Ershad Alijani.


france24--2020-05-08--World Food Programme head warns Covid-19 pandemic could provoke 'famines of biblical proportions'

The UN 's World Food Programme ( WFP ) is warning of potential famines of `` biblical proportions '' as the Covid-19 pandemic affects countries in an already dire situation .
In an interview with FRANCE 24 , the United Nation 's WFP Executive Director David Beasley said he was especially worried about a breakdown in the supply chain that allows his agency to provide food to dozens of millions of people around the globe .
WFP head David Beasley expressed confidence that donor nations would respond to a $ 4.7 billion fundraising call launched this week by the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recession hitting many rich countries .
He also stressed that top Trump administration officials and key US congressional leaders had reassured him that they understood the need to maintain funding for the food emergency .
However , he called on `` the world 's billionaires '' to do more , saying , `` It 's time for you to step up in a way you 've never stepped up before ; people are in need ... this is a one-time phenomenon and we need your help . ''
However , he warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become much worse in the coming weeks , in large part because of the economic collapse provoked by the Covid-19 pandemic .
`` Almost a quarter of a billion people will be marching towards starvation because of the economic deterioration from Covid , wars , conflicts ...
It is a perfect storm .
I do wish I were exaggerating , but we are really looking at what could be famines of biblical proportions in multiple countries , and especially in Africa , '' Beasley told FRANCE 24 's Marc Perelman .

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is warning of potential famines of "biblical proportions" as the Covid-19 pandemic affects countries in an already dire situation. In an interview with FRANCE 24, the United Nation's WFP Executive Director David Beasley said he was especially worried about a breakdown in the supply chain that allows his agency to provide food to dozens of millions of people around the globe.
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WFP head David Beasley expressed confidence that donor nations would respond to a $4.7 billion fundraising call launched this week by the UN to help those in need, despite the recession hitting many rich countries. He also stressed that top Trump administration officials and key US congressional leaders had reassured him that they understood the need to maintain funding for the food emergency.
However, he called on "the world's billionaires" to do more, saying, "It's time for you to step up in a way you've never stepped up before; people are in need ... this is a one-time phenomenon and we need your help."
He warned that the situation in Africa was likely to become much worse in the coming weeks, in large part because of the economic collapse provoked by the Covid-19 pandemic. "Almost a quarter of a billion people will be marching towards starvation because of the economic deterioration from Covid, wars, conflicts... It is a perfect storm. I do wish I were exaggerating, but we are really looking at what could be famines of biblical proportions in multiple countries, and especially in Africa," Beasley told FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman.
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france24--2020-05-09--France prepares to ease Covid-19 lockdown: What you need to know

French police check motorists ' outings authorisation on Paris 's ring road on April 11 , 2020 , during the 26th day of a strict lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
On Thursday , the French government confirmed that the country will begin a “ gradual ” easing of its Covid-19 lockdown measures on Monday , May 11 .
Here ’ s everything you need to know about the restrictions being lifted .
After eight weeks in lockdown , France is set to enter a new phase on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ very gradual process ” of easing restrictions on movement , businesses and schools .
The partial reopening comes as more than 26,000 people have died of Covid-19 in France , while more than 22,000 people are still in hospital being treated for the virus .
The number of patients in intensive care , like the number of hospitalisations overall , has been in steady decline for close to a month , but remains high at more than 2,800 – comparable to the figure in late March .
So is France really ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tests to transportation , here ’ s what you need to know about the country ’ s plans for lifting Covid-19 restrictions .
Freedom of movement up to 100km The starkest difference for French residents on Monday is that they will no longer have to fill out a form to leave the house .
Trips of up to 100 kilometres from home ( or within one ’ s département or region ) will be allowed without justification , as will gatherings of up to 10 people .
Longer trips will still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelling family reasons ” , as justified by a signed form , said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner .
Outdoor activities , such as running , will no longer be subject to one-hour limits .
Some beaches will even begin to reopen , as determined by local authorities .
Guiding the government ’ s plans for easing the lockdown is the division of the country into two zones , green and red , based on health indicators .
“ The country is cut in two , with the virus circulating more quickly in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philippe on Thursday .
“ Some areas are still seeing an active circulation of the virus or a lot of pressure on hospitals .
Those are classified as red areas.
” The red zone will comprise four regions making up the northeast of France ( including Paris and its suburbs ) , as well as the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte .
Altogether , 32 of France ’ s 101 départements – home to 27 million people – will remain in the red .
For now , though , the government has imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferring to leave specifics to local authorities .
For the week of May 11 , parks and gardens are the only public places that will reopen in green zones but not red , unless otherwise specified by mayors or prefects .
Travel between the two zones is allowed , as long as it respects the 100-kilometre limit .
And primary schools in both zones will gradually begin to reopen , at local authorities ’ discretion .
The gap between the two zones will widen on May 18 , when middle schools in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while those in the red won ’ t .
At the beginning of June , the difference between the two zones is expected to grow further .
At that point , Philippe said , high schools , bars , and restaurants in the green zone may be able to reopen , but not in départments still marked as red .
As of Friday , France ’ s main transport operators have gradually begun restoring traffic to normal .
National rail operator SNCF says that , by Monday , roughly one-third of high-speed trains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines will be operating at 40 to 50 percent ( and slightly higher in the Paris region ) .
The Paris métro , bus and suburban rail lines operated by RATP will return to 75 percent of regular service , the agency said , with the city ’ s two automated métro lines running on regular schedules .
Sixty of 302 métro stations will remain closed , however .
Moreover , passenger capacity will remain severely limited : in order to respect social-distancing rules , RATP wants to limit ridership to 15 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour will be required to supply a certificate from their employer justifying their trip .
Unions worry , however , that the agency doesn ’ t actually have sufficient means to monitor and limit ridership , and that plans to distribute hand sanitiser , masks , and other protective equipment to both workers and customers remain inadequate .
“ There ’ s a rush [ to reopen ] that could be to the detriment ” of Paris residents , Bertrand Hammache , secretary general of the CGT-RATP union , told France Info .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid public transport anyway and are instead turning to cycling – a move that Paris and surrounding suburbs are seeking to accommodate and encourage by opening dozens of kilometres of temporary bike lanes .
Some temporary lanes are already in place , adding to the network of permanent cycle paths that has rapidly expanded under Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo .
Large portions of major streets , including the Rue de Rivoli , will also be closed to cars .
Pedestrians , too , will get a little more breathing room , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make more space for those on foot .
> > Paris to turn more streets over to bicycles as Covid-19 lockdown lifts In addition to facilitating social distancing , Paris ’ s deputy mayor for transport , Christophe Najdovski , says he hopes the measures will prevent people from switching in large numbers from public transit to their cars .
He said such a shift would be “ neither viable , nor desirable ” in the capital , which has long faced severe air pollution and congestion .
Schools are one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reopening plans .
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has affirmed that 80 to 85 percent of primary schools will reopen as soon as Tuesday , May 12 , with roughly 1 million children set to return to school .
This will mark the first step toward a full reopening of the education system .
The decision goes against the advice of the French government ’ s Scientific Council on the virus , which recommended that schools not reopen until September .
In a late April poll , 6 in 10 respondents also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Da Silva , principal of a primary school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis and spokesperson for the SNUipp 93 teachers ’ union , said her school was “ not at all ” ready to reopen .
“ We 're doing something that ’ s abusive to kindergarteners , ” she told France Info on Friday .
She cited a lack of capacity for cleaning and the impossibility of imposing social-distancing rules on four- and five-year-olds .
The government insists that reopening schools is necessary , with Blanquer noting that “ extremely significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown and underprivileged students disproportionately affected .
Parents will , however , have the option not to send their children back to school for now .
And middle , high-school and university students will continue to stay home , with secondary education set to open more gradually over the coming weeks and months .
For many , the most visible sign of a return to normal will be the reopening of most businesses .
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday that “ all businesses except cafés , bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so , businesses will need to follow safety guidelines outlined in a 20-page government document .
The document sets out a variety of specific recommendations for maintaining social distance between workers and customers , including capacity restrictions and markings on the ground to indicate required distances .
The largest shops , including department stores and shopping centres , are negotiating with unions to establish specific protocols for reopening .
For the time being , no large shopping malls will reopen in the Paris region .
Cultural establishments including theatres , cinemas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ libraries will begin to reopen .
In businesses where distancing is impossible , masks will be required along with goggles and/or visors .
Hairdressers and barbers , who have seen a surge in appointments for the coming weeks , are taking additional precautions .
Meanwhile , the government has advised that those who are able to work remotely should continue to do so .
This represents about one quarter of the French workforce , according to national labour statistics agency Dares .
Roughly another quarter has continued to show up to their physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vast tourism industry will remain largely shuttered for now , with borders staying closed to non-European Union visitors until at least June 15 , said Interior Minister Castaner .
Cross-border travel will remain the “ exception ” , he said .
Any travellers who do enter France from outside the EU ’ s open-border Schengen area – whether citizens or foreigners – will face a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival .
Those entering from EU countries will be exempt .

On Monday, May 11, France begins a “gradual” easing of its Covid-19 lockdown measures. Here’s everything you need to know about the restrictions being lifted.
French police check motorists' outings authorisation on Paris's ring road on April 11, 2020, during the 26th day of a strict lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
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After eight weeks in lockdown, France is set to enter a new phase on Monday, as the government begins a “very gradual process” of easing restrictions on movement, businesses and schools.
The partial reopening comes as more than 26,000 people have died of Covid-19 in France, while more than 22,000 people are still in hospital being treated for the virus. The number of patients in intensive care, like the number of hospitalisations overall, has been in steady decline for close to a month, but remains high at more than 2,800 – comparable to the figure in late March.
So is France really ready to reopen? From schools to cafés, parks to transportation, here’s what you need to know about the country’s plans for lifting Covid-19 restrictions.
Freedom of movement up to 100km
The starkest difference for French residents on Monday is that they will no longer have to fill out a form to leave the house. Trips of up to 100 kilometres from home (or within one’s département or district) will be allowed without justification, as will gatherings of up to 10 people. Longer trips will still be allowed only for work or for “compelling family reasons”, as justified by a signed form, said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
Outdoor activities, such as running, will no longer be subject to one-hour limits. Some beaches will even begin to reopen, as determined by local authorities.
Red and green zones
Guiding the government’s plans for easing the lockdown is the division of the country into two zones, green and red, based on health indicators.
“The country is cut in two, with the virus circulating more quickly in some regions,” said Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Thursday at a press conference confirming the May 11 plans. “Some areas are still seeing an active circulation of the virus or a lot of pressure on hospitals. Those are classified as red areas.”
#Déconfinement | Situation au jeudi 7 mai
Synthèse des indicateurs de l'activité épidémique :
◾ Tension hospitalière sur les capacités en réanimation
◾ Circulation active du virus #COVID19
◾ Taux de couverture des besoins en tests
📲 En savoir plus : https://t.co/AgaEUYkjcE pic.twitter.com/TgibndtINQ — Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé (@MinSoliSante) May 7, 2020
The red zone will comprise four regions making up the northeast of France (including Paris and its suburbs), as well as the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte. Altogether, 32 of France’s 101 départements – home to 27 million people – will remain in the red.
For now, though, the government has imposed few additional restrictions on red areas, preferring to leave specifics to local authorities. For the week of May 11, parks and gardens are the only public places that will reopen in green zones but not red, unless otherwise specified by mayors or prefects. Travel between the two zones is allowed, as long as it respects the 100-kilometre limit. And primary schools in both zones will gradually begin to reopen, at local authorities’ discretion.
The gap between the two zones will widen on May 18, when middle schools in the green zone should begin to reopen, while those in the red won’t. At the beginning of June, the difference between the two zones is expected to grow further. At that point, Philippe said, high schools, bars, and restaurants in the green zone may be able to reopen, but not in départements still marked as red.
Transportation
As of Friday, France’s main transport operators have gradually begun restoring traffic to normal. National rail operator SNCF says that, by Monday, roughly one-third of high-speed trains will be running again, while regional lines will be operating at 40 to 50 percent (and slightly higher in the Paris region).
The Paris métro, bus and suburban rail lines operated by RATP will return to 75 percent of regular service, the agency said, with the city’s two automated métro lines running on regular schedules. Sixty of 302 métro stations will remain closed, however.
Moreover, passenger capacity will remain severely limited: in order to respect social-distancing rules, RATP wants to limit ridership to 15 percent of normal levels. Passengers at rush hour will be required to supply a certificate from their employer justifying their trip.
All passengers on public transport nationwide will also be required to wear a mask or risk a €135 fine. The government said that, starting Monday, it would be supplying 10 million masks to local transport operators to distribute to passengers, including 4.4 million for the Paris region.
Unions worry, however, that the capital’s transport agency doesn’t actually have sufficient means to monitor and limit ridership, and that plans to distribute hand sanitiser, masks, and other protective equipment to both workers and customers remain inadequate.
“There’s a rush [to reopen] that could be to the detriment” of Paris residents, Bertrand Hammache, secretary general of the CGT-RATP union, told France Info.
Bikes, bikes, bikes
Many in the capital are keen to avoid public transport anyway and are instead turning to cycling – a move that Paris and surrounding suburbs are seeking to accommodate and encourage by opening dozens of kilometres of temporary bike lanes.
Some temporary lanes are already in place, adding to the network of permanent cycle paths that has rapidly expanded under Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
A customer rides away from a bike shop in Paris on May 6,2020. © AFP / FRANCE 24
Large portions of major streets, including the Rue de Rivoli, will also be closed to cars.
Pedestrians, too, will get a little more breathing room, as the city temporarily reduces parking on smaller streets to make more space for those on foot.
>> Paris to turn more streets over to bicycles as Covid-19 lockdown lifts
In addition to facilitating social distancing, Paris’s deputy mayor for transport, Christophe Najdovski, says he hopes the measures will prevent people from switching in large numbers from public transit to their cars. He said such a shift would be “neither viable, nor desirable” in the capital, which has long faced severe air pollution and congestion.
Education
Schools are one of the biggest flash points in the government’s reopening plans. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has affirmed that 80 to 85 percent of primary schools will reopen as soon as Tuesday, May 12, with roughly 1 million children set to return to school. This will mark the first step toward a full reopening of the education system.
The decision goes against the advice of the French government’s Scientific Council on the virus, which recommended that schools not reopen until September. In a late April poll, 6 in 10 respondents also said they opposed the reopening.
Catherine Da Silva, principal of a primary school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis and spokesperson for the SNUipp 93 teachers’ union, said her school was “not at all” ready to reopen.
“We're doing something that’s abusive to kindergarteners,” she told France Info on Friday. She cited a lack of capacity for cleaning and the impossibility of imposing social-distancing rules on four- and five-year-olds.
The government insists that reopening schools is necessary, with Blanquer noting that “extremely significant social problems” have been exacerbated during the lockdown and underprivileged students disproportionately affected.
Parents will, however, have the option not to send their children back to school for now. And middle, high-school and university students will continue to stay home, with secondary education set to open more gradually over the coming weeks and months.
Businesses
For many, the most visible sign of a return to normal will be the reopening of most businesses. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday that “all businesses except cafés, bars and restaurants will reopen”.
In order to do so, businesses will need to follow safety guidelines outlined in a 20-page government document. The document sets out a variety of specific recommendations for maintaining social distance between workers and customers, including capacity restrictions and markings on the ground to indicate required distances.
The largest shops, including department stores and shopping centres, are negotiating with unions to establish specific protocols for reopening. For the time being, no large shopping malls will reopen in the Paris region.
Cultural establishments including theatres, cinemas and large museums will remain closed, but libraries will begin to reopen.
>> France refuses Amazon’s Covid-19 emergency fund request
In businesses where distancing is impossible, masks will be required along with goggles and/or visors. Hairdressers and barbers, who have seen a surge in appointments for the coming weeks, are taking additional precautions.
Meanwhile, the government has advised that those who are able to work remotely should continue to do so. This represents about one quarter of the French workforce, according to national labour statistics agency Dares. Roughly another quarter has continued to show up to their physical workplace throughout the lockdown.
International travel
France’s vast tourism industry will remain largely shuttered for now, with borders staying closed to non-European Union visitors until at least June 15, said Interior Minister Castaner. Cross-border travel will remain the “exception”, he said.
Any travellers who do enter France from outside the EU’s open-border Schengen area – whether citizens or foreigners – will face a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival. Those entering from EU countries or the United Kingdom will be exempt, although Health Minister Olivier Véran has suggested that France reserves the right to impose specific restrictions “if the epidemic situation were to get out of control in one of the Schengen countries”.
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france24--2020-05-09--Covid-19: Fewer than 100 new deaths as hospitalisations continue to fall

Two days before France begins to ease its lockdown , the daily death toll from Covid-19 fell below the 100 mark .
French health officials on Saturday announced another 80 deaths from the new coronavirus , the lowest figure recorded over 24 hours since early April .
The figures for those in intensive care also fell , with 38 people admitted for critical care .
The death toll in France now stands at 26,310 , one of the Europe 's highest .
Just four of the latest fatalities were registered in nursing homes , a spectacular fall compared with daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in hospital .
France is on Monday due to begin relaxing lockdown restrictions imposed eight weeks ago with health authorities now registering much reduced pressures on intensive care services compared to the height of the crisis .
In all , 22,614 sufferers remain hospitalised , including 265 new admissions on Friday .
A total of 95,829 people have been hospitalised since the start of the epidemic and to date 56,038 people have returned home following treatment .
`` The epidemic remains active and is evolving and the virus is circulating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France 's health directorate general noted as it warned that social distancing should be kept up even as deconfinement begins .
Although France is hoping the worst may be over as it rolls back some restrictions parliament on Saturday evening definitively adopted a bill extending the country 's health state of emergency until July 10 .
The upper house senate had earlier given its green light to the text despite some opposition fears that measures to track those infected with the virus and their contacts could infringe their privacy

French health officials on Saturday announced another 80 deaths from the new coronavirus, the lowest figure recorded over 24 hours since early April.
Two days before France begins to ease its lockdown, the daily death toll from Covid-19 fell below the 100 mark.
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The figures for those in intensive care also fell, with 38 people admitted for critical care.
The death toll in France now stands at 26,310, one of the Europe's highest.
Just four of the latest fatalities were registered in nursing homes, a spectacular fall compared with daily figures for recent weeks, against 76 who died in hospital.
France is on Monday due to begin relaxing lockdown restrictions imposed eight weeks ago with health authorities now registering much reduced pressures on intensive care services compared to the height of the crisis.
In all, 22,614 sufferers remain hospitalised, including 265 new admissions on Friday.
A total of 95,829 people have been hospitalised since the start of the epidemic and to date 56,038 people have returned home following treatment.
"The epidemic remains active and is evolving, and the virus is circulating in many zones across the country," France's health directorate general noted as it warned that social distancing should be kept up even as de-confinement begins.
Although France is hoping the worst may be over as it rolls back some restrictions, parliament on Saturday evening definitively adopted a bill extending the country's health state of emergency until July 10.
The upper house senate had earlier given its green light to the text despite some opposition fears that measures to track those infected with the virus and their contacts could infringe their privacy
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-09--Travellers to Britain to face two-week quarantine

People arriving in Britain by air , sea and rail will be required to self-isolate for two weeks , the UK 's Times newspaper reported on May 9 , 2020 .
Britain is to introduce a 14-day quarantine period for almost everyone arriving into the country to avoid a second peak of the coronavirus pandemic , The Times newspaper reported on Saturday .
It said Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say in an address to the nation on Sunday that passengers arriving at airports and ports , including Britons returning from abroad , will have to self-isolate for a fortnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures that are likely to come into force in early June , travellers will have to provide the address at which they will self-isolate on arrival .
`` These measures will help protect the British public and reduce the transmission of the virus as we move into the next phase of our response , '' The Times quoted a government source as saying .
Downing Street declined to comment on the report and a spokeswoman for Britain 's interior ministry said : `` We do n't comment on leaks . ''
Johnson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps in Britain 's battle to tackle the novel coronavirus following a review by ministers of the current measures that have all but shut the economy and kept millions at home for over six weeks .
His environment minister George Eustice said on Saturday Johnson would not announce any dramatic changes to Britain 's lockdown , adopting a cautious approach .
UK airport operators said they feared a quarantine would compound the acute damage the pandemic has brought to the aviation industry as it would put people off travelling when lockdown restrictions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry , but also on the wider economy , '' said Karen Dee , Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association .
`` If the government believes quarantine is medically necessary , then it should be applied on a selective basis following the science , there should be a clear exit strategy and the economic impact on key sectors should be mitigated , '' she said .
Airlines UK , the representative body for airlines , said it needed to see the detail of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be asking for assurances that this decision has been led by the science and that government has a credible exit plan , with weekly reviews to ensure the restrictions are working and still required . ''
The Times report said travellers from Ireland , the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man would be exempt from the quarantine , as would lorry drivers bringing crucial supplies .
It said the authorities would carry out spot checks and those found to be breaking the rules would face fines of up to 1,000 pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Britain is to introduce a 14-day quarantine period for almost everyone arriving into the country to avoid a second peak of the coronavirus pandemic, The Times newspaper reported on Saturday.
People arriving in Britain by air, sea and rail will be required to self-isolate for two weeks, the UK's Times newspaper reported on May 9, 2020.
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It said Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say in an address to the nation on Sunday that passengers arriving at airports and ports, including Britons returning from abroad, will have to self-isolate for a fortnight.
According to the report, under measures that are likely to come into force in early June, travellers will have to provide the address at which they will self-isolate on arrival.
"These measures will help protect the British public and reduce the transmission of the virus as we move into the next phase of our response," The Times quoted a government source as saying.
Britain's COVID-19 death toll rose to 31,241 on Friday.
Downing Street declined to comment on the report and a spokeswoman for Britain's interior ministry said: "We don't comment on leaks."
Johnson is due to announce on Sunday the next steps in Britain's battle to tackle the novel coronavirus following a review by ministers of the current measures that have all but shut the economy and kept millions at home for over six weeks.
His environment minister George Eustice said on Saturday Johnson would not announce any dramatic changes to Britain's lockdown, adopting a cautious approach.
UK airport operators said they feared a quarantine would compound the acute damage the pandemic has brought to the aviation industry as it would put people off travelling when lockdown restrictions are lifted.
"Quarantine would not only have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry, but also on the wider economy," said Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association.
"If the government believes quarantine is medically necessary, then it should be applied on a selective basis following the science, there should be a clear exit strategy and the economic impact on key sectors should be mitigated," she said.
Airlines UK, the representative body for airlines, said it needed to see the detail of what the government is proposing.
"We will be asking for assurances that this decision has been led by the science and that government has a credible exit plan, with weekly reviews to ensure the restrictions are working and still required."
The Times report said travellers from Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man would be exempt from the quarantine, as would lorry drivers bringing crucial supplies.
It said the authorities would carry out spot checks and those found to be breaking the rules would face fines of up to 1,000 pounds ($1,240) or even deportation.
($1 = 0.8060 pounds)
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-09--Rock'n'roll pioneer Little Richard dies aged 87

American rock ' n'roll legend Little Richard has died at 87 , on May 9 , 2020 .
In this photo he is performing on stage at the Olympia Concert Hall , Paris , France , June 7 , 2005 .
Little Richard , the self-proclaimed “ architect of rock ‘ n ’ roll ” whose piercing wail , pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R & B to white America , died Saturday .
He was 87 .
Pastor Bill Minson , a close friend of Little Richard 's , told The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His son , Danny Jones Penniman , also confirmed his father 's death , which was first reported by Rolling Stone .
Danny Jones Penniman said his father had cancer .
Born Richard Penniman , Little Richard was one of rock ‘ n ’ roll ’ s founding fathers who helped shatter the color line on the music charts , joining Chuck Berry and Fats Domino in bringing what was once called “ race music ” into the mainstream .
Richard ’ s hyperkinetic piano playing , coupled with his howling vocals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensation — a gay , black man celebrated across America during the buttoned-down Eisenhower era .
He sold more than 30 million records worldwide , and his influence on other musicians was equally staggering , from the Beatles and Otis Redding to Creedence Clearwater Revival and David Bowie .
In his personal life , he wavered between raunch and religion , alternately embracing the Good Book and outrageous behavior and looks - mascara-lined eyes , pencil-thin mustache and glittery suits .
“ Little Richard ?
That ’ s rock ‘ n ’ roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard ’ s riffs on the radio in Canada , told biographer Jimmy McDonough .
“ Little Richard was great on every record.
” It was 1956 when his classic “ Tutti Frutti ” landed like a hand grenade in the Top 40 , exploding from radios and off turntables across the country .
It was highlighted by Richard ’ s memorable call of “ wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom.
” A string of hits followed , providing the foundation of rock music : “ Lucille , ” “ Keep A Knockin ’ , ” “ Long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miss Molly.
” More than 40 years after the latter charted , Bruce Springsteen was still performing “ Good Golly Miss Molly ” live .
The Beatles ’ Paul McCartney imitated Richard ’ s signature yelps — perhaps most notably in the “ Wooooo !
” from the hit “ She Loves You.
” Ex-bandmate John Lennon covered Richard ’ s “ Rip It Up ” and “ Ready Teddy ” on the 1975 “ Rock and Roll ” album .
When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in 1986 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elvis Presley , Berry , Buddy Holly , Jerry Lee Lewis , Sam Cooke and others .
“ It is with a heavy heart that I ask for prayers for the family of my lifelong friend and fellow rocker Little Richard , ” said Lewis , 84 , in a statement provided by his publicist .
“ He will live on always in my heart with his amazing talent and his friendship !
He was one of a kind and I will miss him dearly .
God bless his family and fans.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s seminal role than Richard himself .
The flamboyant singer claimed he paved the way for Elvis , provided Mick Jagger with his stage moves and conducted vocal lessons for McCartney .
“ I am the architect of rock ‘ n ’ roll !
” Little Richard crowed at the 1988 Grammy Awards as the crowd rose in a standing ovation .
“ I am the originator !
” Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon , Georgia , during the Great Depression , one of 12 children .
He was ostracized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small deformity : his right leg was shorter than his left .
The family was religious , and Richard sang in local churches with a group called the Tiny Tots .
The tug-of-war between his upbringing and rock ‘ n ’ roll excess tormented Penniman throughout his career .
Penniman was performing with bands by the age of 14 , but there were problems at home over his sexual orientation .
His father beat the boy and derided him as “ half a son.
” Richard left home to join a minstrel show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sam , occasionally appearing in drag .
In late 1955 , Little Richard recorded the bawdy “ Tutti Frutti , ” with lyrics that were sanitized by a New Orleans songwriter .
It went on to sell 1 million records over the next year .
When Little Richard ’ s hit was banned by many white-owned radio stations , white performers like Pat Boone and Elvis Presley did cover versions that topped the charts .
Little Richard went Hollywood with an appearance in “ Don ’ t Knock the Rock.
” But his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith , and a conflicted Richard quit the business in 1957 to enroll in a theological school and get married .
Richard remained on the charts when his label released previously recorded material .
And he recorded a gospel record , returning to his roots .
A 1962 arrest for a sexual encounter with a man in a bus station restroom led to his divorce and return to performing .
He mounted three tours of England between 1962 and 1964 , with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones serving as opening acts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ together a band that included guitarist Jimi Hendrix — and later fired Hendrix when he was late for a bus .
In 1968 , Richard hit Las Vegas and relaunched his career .
Within two years , he had another hit single and made the cover of Rolling Stone .
By the mid-1970s , Richard was battling a $ 1,000-a-day cocaine problem and once again abandoned his musical career .
He returned to religion , selling Bibles and renouncing homosexuality .
For more than a decade , he vanished .
“ If God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he can save anybody , ” Richard said .
But he returned , in 1986 , in spectacular fashion .
Little Richard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , and appeared in the movie “ Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
” A Little Richard song from the soundtrack , “ Great Gosh A ’ Mighty , ” even put him back on the charts for the first time in more than 15 years .
Little Richard was back to stay , enjoying another dose of celebrity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , named a street after its favorite son .
And Little Richard was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame .
In August 2002 , he announced his retirement from live performing .
But he continued to appear frequently on television , including a humorous appearance on a 2006 commercial for GEICO insurance .
Richard had hip surgery in November 2009 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville , and asked fans at the time to pray for him .
He lived in the Nashville area at the time .

Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” whose piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R&B to white America, died Saturday. He was 87.
American rock'n'roll legend Little Richard has died at 87, on May 9, 2020. In this photo he is performing on stage at the Olympia Concert Hall, Paris, France, June 7, 2005.
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Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard's, told The Associated Press that Little Richard died Saturday morning. His son, Danny Jones Penniman, also confirmed his father's death, which was first reported by Rolling Stone.
Danny Jones Penniman said his father had cancer.
Born Richard Penniman, Little Richard was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s founding fathers who helped shatter the color line on the music charts, joining Chuck Berry and Fats Domino in bringing what was once called “race music” into the mainstream. Richard’s hyperkinetic piano playing, coupled with his howling vocals and hairdo, made him an implausible sensation — a gay, black man celebrated across America during the buttoned-down Eisenhower era.
He sold more than 30 million records worldwide, and his influence on other musicians was equally staggering, from the Beatles and Otis Redding to Creedence Clearwater Revival and David Bowie. In his personal life, he wavered between raunch and religion, alternately embracing the Good Book and outrageous behavior and looks - mascara-lined eyes, pencil-thin mustache and glittery suits.
“Little Richard? That’s rock ‘n’ roll,” Neil Young, who heard Richard’s riffs on the radio in Canada, told biographer Jimmy McDonough. “Little Richard was great on every record.”
Little Richard, the founding father of rock'n'roll, dies at age 87.#RIPLittleRichard
pic.twitter.com/Wee7kiVSvy — Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) May 9, 2020
It was 1956 when his classic “Tutti Frutti” landed like a hand grenade in the Top 40, exploding from radios and off turntables across the country. It was highlighted by Richard’s memorable call of “wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom.”
A string of hits followed, providing the foundation of rock music: “Lucille,” “Keep A Knockin’,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Good Golly Miss Molly.” More than 40 years after the latter charted, Bruce Springsteen was still performing “Good Golly Miss Molly” live.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney imitated Richard’s signature yelps — perhaps most notably in the “Wooooo!” from the hit “She Loves You.” Ex-bandmate John Lennon covered Richard’s “Rip It Up” and “Ready Teddy” on the 1975 “Rock and Roll” album.
When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in 1986, he was among the charter members with Elvis Presley, Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke and others.
“It is with a heavy heart that I ask for prayers for the family of my lifelong friend and fellow rocker Little Richard,” said Lewis, 84, in a statement provided by his publicist. “He will live on always in my heart with his amazing talent and his friendship! He was one of a kind and I will miss him dearly. God bless his family and fans.”
Few were quicker to acknowledge Little Richard’s seminal role than Richard himself. The flamboyant singer claimed he paved the way for Elvis, provided Mick Jagger with his stage moves and conducted vocal lessons for McCartney.
Little Richard (1932-2020) consenting to pose with obscure opening act in Hamburg, 1962: pic.twitter.com/HRFyE3knJE — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) May 9, 2020
“I am the architect of rock ‘n’ roll!” Little Richard crowed at the 1988 Grammy Awards as the crowd rose in a standing ovation. “I am the originator!”
Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia, during the Great Depression, one of 12 children. He was ostracized because he was effeminate and suffered a small deformity: his right leg was shorter than his left.
The family was religious, and Richard sang in local churches with a group called the Tiny Tots. The tug-of-war between his upbringing and rock ‘n’ roll excess tormented Penniman throughout his career.
Penniman was performing with bands by the age of 14, but there were problems at home over his sexual orientation. His father beat the boy and derided him as “half a son.”
Richard left home to join a minstrel show run by a man known as Sugarloaf Sam, occasionally appearing in drag.
In late 1955, Little Richard recorded the bawdy “Tutti Frutti,” with lyrics that were sanitized by a New Orleans songwriter. It went on to sell 1 million records over the next year.
When Little Richard’s hit was banned by many white-owned radio stations, white performers like Pat Boone and Elvis Presley did cover versions that topped the charts.
Little Richard went Hollywood with an appearance in “Don’t Knock the Rock.” But his wild lifestyle remained at odds with his faith, and a conflicted Richard quit the business in 1957 to enroll in a theological school and get married.
Richard remained on the charts when his label released previously recorded material. And he recorded a gospel record, returning to his roots.
A 1962 arrest for a sexual encounter with a man in a bus station restroom led to his divorce and return to performing.
He mounted three tours of England between 1962 and 1964, with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones serving as opening acts. Back in the States, he put together a band that included guitarist Jimi Hendrix — and later fired Hendrix when he was late for a bus.
In 1968, Richard hit Las Vegas and relaunched his career. Within two years, he had another hit single and made the cover of Rolling Stone.
By the mid-1970s, Richard was battling a $1,000-a-day cocaine problem and once again abandoned his musical career. He returned to religion, selling Bibles and renouncing homosexuality. For more than a decade, he vanished.
“If God can save an old homosexual like me, he can save anybody,” Richard said.
But he returned, in 1986, in spectacular fashion. Little Richard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and appeared in the movie “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.”
A Little Richard song from the soundtrack, “Great Gosh A’Mighty,” even put him back on the charts for the first time in more than 15 years. Little Richard was back to stay, enjoying another dose of celebrity that he fully embraced.
Macon, Georgia, named a street after its favorite son. And Little Richard was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In August 2002, he announced his retirement from live performing. But he continued to appear frequently on television, including a humorous appearance on a 2006 commercial for GEICO insurance.
Richard had hip surgery in November 2009 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, and asked fans at the time to pray for him. He lived in the Nashville area at the time.
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-09--Covid-19: The pandemic heightens food insecurity in Benin

While residents of Benin haven ’ t been ordered to stay home like their neighbours in Nigeria , the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ slow down nevertheless , putting many at risk of food insecurity .
Half the population @ @ @ @ @ poverty line and many rely on informal jobs that have dried up amid the health @ @ @ @ @ being organised to help those most in need .
Some of those donations went to @ @ @ @ @ area , which hasn ’ t received funding in two months as its biggest donor @ @ @ @ @ .
Children are further at risk because of the closure of schools and the lack @ @ @ @ @ families are suffering too .
One father of five had to stop fishing after it @ @ @ @ @ s trying to support his family by sewing , but isn ’ t sure he @ @ @ @ @ financially .
In the absence of promised government aid , those in need have had @ @ @ @ @ their fellow citizens .

While residents of Benin haven’t been ordered to stay home like their neighbours in Nigeria, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced them to slow down nevertheless, putting many at risk of food insecurity.
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Half the population in Benin lives below the poverty line and many rely on informal jobs that have dried up amid the health crisis. Food donations are being organised to help those most in need.
Some of those donations went to an orphanage in the Togbin area, which hasn’t received funding in two months as its biggest donor is based in hard-hit Italy. Children are further at risk because of the closure of schools and the lack of school lunches.
Poor families are suffering too. One father of five had to stop fishing after it was banned. He’s trying to support his family by sewing, but isn’t sure he will be able to recover financially. In the absence of promised government aid, those in need have had to rely on donations from their fellow citizens.
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france24--2020-05-09--Overcrowding in DR Congo prisons poses Covid-19 threat

In a mid-April report , the NGO Human Rights Watch cited UN statistics that the main prisons in the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ 432 percent capacity , with Makala Prison in the country ’ s capital of Kinshasa @ @ @ @ @ media access to prisons in Kinshasa is denied , FRANCE 24 obtained amateur footage from @ @ @ @ @ an NGO and a Congolese official about the potential for a major Covid-19 health crisis @

Overcrowding in DR Congo prisons poses Covid-19 threat
02:02
In a mid-April report, the NGO Human Rights Watch cited UN statistics that the main prisons in the Democratic Republic of Congo are at 432 percent capacity, with Makala Prison in the country’s capital of Kinshasa at 461 percent. While media access to prisons in Kinshasa is denied, FRANCE 24 obtained amateur footage from Makala inmates and spoke with an NGO and a Congolese official about the potential for a major Covid-19 health crisis.


france24--2020-05-09--Who is behind the fake news campaign around Covid-19 in DR Congo?

The Facebook page `` B R O W N S '' , which has since been deleted , shared a fake quote attributed to Raoult .
The FRANCE 24 Observers team investigated and found no record that the epidemiologist , who hails from Marseille , said any such thing .
Three examples of fake posts that went viral that were shared on the `` V É R I T É '' Facebook page .
The posts were deleted May 9 but the page was still online as of that date .
At least five Facebook pages run by administrators in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check out the post , and the origin of each of the photos featured .
Scroll through these photos to see the initial post and the origin of the photo .
This is an example of a post on the personal Facebook page of one of the administrators of the page `` Vérité '' .
He seems to be arguing for a year off for Congolese students and questions whether Covid-19 is actually affecting the DRC , even though at least 36 people have died and 863 people have been infected , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the very few correct news items shared on `` V É R I T É '' .
Congolese pastor Walesa did say that Covid-19 was over in mid-April , without any proof for that statement .
Many Africans or members of the African diaspora have seen the same posts popping up non-stop on their Facebook newsfeeds since March .
Many reported the posts to the France 24 Observers team.These posts always have the same format .
They include one or two photos of a famous person , alongside a quote - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the earliest quotes that our team came across in March was attributed to Raoult , the French epidemiologist , who supposedly called on `` Africans to not take Bill Gates ’ vaccine against coronavirus ” .
Turns out , the quote was entirely made up.In the weeks since then , lots of other fake posts , written in the same format , have also appeared on social media .
One claimed that US President Donald Trump was opening an investigation into billionaire Bill Gates over the vaccine he aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Madagascar 's President Andry Rajoelina to discuss Covid-Organics , a Madagascar-made herbal tea that Rajoelina says can cure the virus .
Another included a fake declaration attriuted to the head of the World Health Organization endorsing Covid-Organics ( the WHO has in fact advised against using such untested remedies ) .
None of these stories are true.The fake posts that we identified were all shared on at least five Facebook pages with similar formats , called `` V É R I T É '' , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grass ’ d-Vérité 2 .
`` , `` Browns-Liberté . ''
and `` B R O W N S '' .
The last page was deleted from Facebook but the four others are still active and have between 36,000 and 150,000 followers each .
They all have the same three administrators , who are based in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
All of the pages were created between July 2019 and January 2020.Numerous fact-checking outlets have called out these pages for sharing fake posts .
Journalists at CongoCheck debunked a quote falsely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he questioned Covid-Organics .
AFP Factuel investigated a quote falsely attributed to WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recommending Covid-Organics.The photos posted alongside these fake quotes are taken out of context .
The post that talked about a meeting between French President Macron and Madagascar President Rajoelina is illustrated with a photo taken in March 2019 at the One Planet Summit in Kenya , more than a year before the Covid-19 pandemic.A photo supposedly showing French epidemiologist Didier Raoult in Madagascar was actually taken in August 2019 during a visit Raoult made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Observers team wanted to know who the three administrators behind the five similar pages re .
We identified two of them and managed to contact one.The administrator we contacted is a 20-year-old student at the University of Kinshasa .
We decided not to reveal his identity .
He created these pages with two of his friends to share , in his words , “ information that ’ s possible… or not ” .
He explains : The young man acknowledges fabricating quotes and says he does so “ for strategic reasons.
” His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe that the Covid-19 is really affecting the DRC .
He also advocates a year off for students in the DRC .
These are personal views that he transforms into “ news ” that he shares on the pages that he administers.This trend is not new .
We found other pages , including `` Falyala Wilondja '' , which was created in June 2019 and which uses the same method to spread fake news .
For example , this page recently shared a fake quote attributed to Macron : `` Any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its population to use the European vaccine against Covid-19 , its citizens will no longer be able to travel to Europe.
” Once again , this quote was completely made up.It turns out that the administrator of the page `` Falyala Wilondja '' and the administrator of `` V É R I T É '' know each other .
We found conversations between the two on Instagram and found a video on Youtube that showed the two singing Congolese rap in a school in Kinshasa .
Even though they run their own pages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one up each other in terms of how much fake news they can post.The FRANCE 24 Observers team asked the administrator of `` V É R I T É '' about his long-term goals and he gave a this answer : Amongst this flood of false information , there are a few pieces of actual news , often about what is happening in Congo .
For example , this post talks about a Congolese pastor , who claimed that the Covid-19 epidemic was over .
While the statement itself is false , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video posted online in April `` V É R I T É '' , which is by far the most active page in this network , has shared at least 37 news items about Covid-19 since its first post on April 3 , generating at least 206,000 shares as of May 6 .
On May 9 the posts were deleted , but the page remained online .

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Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, about 30 different quotes attributed to public figures including French infectious disease expert Didier Raoult, French president Emmanuel Macron and Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina have been making the rounds on Congolese Facebook pages. But it turns out all of them were made up. The FRANCE 24 Observers team tracked down the source of these widely circulated fake quotes and discovered a 20-year-old keen to generate “a buzz”.
Many Africans or members of the African diaspora have seen the same posts popping up non-stop on their Facebook newsfeeds since March. Many reported the posts to the France 24 Observers team.
These posts always have the same format. They include one or two photos of a famous person, alongside a quote - often provocative - about the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the earliest quotes that our team came across in March was attributed to Raoult, the French epidemiologist, who supposedly called on "Africans to not take Bill Gates’ vaccine against coronavirus”. Turns out, the quote was entirely made up.
The Facebook page "B R O W N S", which has since been deleted, shared a fake quote attributed to Raoult. The FRANCE 24 Observers team investigated and found no record that the epidemiologist, who hails from Marseille, said any such thing.
In the weeks since then, lots of other fake posts, written in the same format, have also appeared on social media. One claimed that US President Donald Trump was opening an investigation into billionaire Bill Gates over the vaccine he aims to create. Another described a meeting supposedly held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina to discuss Covid-Organics, a Madagascar-made herbal tea that Rajoelina says can cure the virus. Another included a fake declaration attriuted to the head of the World Health Organization endorsing Covid-Organics (the WHO has in fact advised against using such untested remedies). None of these stories are true.
Three examples of fake posts that went viral that were shared on the "V É R I T É" Facebook page. The posts were deleted May 9 but the page was still online as of that date.
At least five Facebook pages run by administrators in DR Congo
The fake posts that we identified were all shared on at least five Facebook pages with similar formats, called "V É R I T É", "Grass’d-Vérité. ", "Grass’d-Vérité 2.", "Browns-Liberté." and "B R O W N S". The last page was deleted from Facebook but the four others are still active and have between 36,000 and 150,000 followers each. They all have the same three administrators, who are based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All of the pages were created between July 2019 and January 2020.
Numerous fact-checking outlets have called out these pages for sharing fake posts. Journalists at CongoCheck debunked a quote falsely attributed to Congolese doctor Jean-Jacques Muyembe in which he questioned Covid-Organics. AFP Factuel investigated a quote falsely attributed to WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recommending Covid-Organics.
The photos posted alongside these fake quotes are taken out of context. The post that talked about a meeting between French President Macron and Madagascar President Rajoelina is illustrated with a photo taken in March 2019 at the One Planet Summit in Kenya, more than a year before the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Scroll through the images to check out the post, and the origin of each of the photos featured.
A photo supposedly showing French epidemiologist Didier Raoult in Madagascar was actually taken in August 2019 during a visit Raoult made to a research institute in Senegal.
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Scroll through these photos to see the initial post and the origin of the photo.
"Our page can get up to 5,000 new followers a day”
The FRANCE 24 Observers team wanted to know who the three administrators behind the five similar pages re. We identified two of them and managed to contact one.
The administrator we contacted is a 20-year-old student at the University of Kinshasa. We decided not to reveal his identity. He created these pages with two of his friends to share, in his words, “information that’s possible… or not”. He explains:
We make up stories to get followers, like, for example, for Macron’s visit to Madagascar. Our goal is to share news so that it actually happens. For example, we wrote an item about students getting a year off in the DRC. At the time we posted it we thought it was likely to happen. [Editor’s note: The post was later dismissed by the DRC's minister of education, according to this article by AFP Fact Check]. Our strategy is to share these posts in several different groups like RDC News 24h/24 [Editor’s note: Which has 504,000 members] or Radio Okapi [Editor’s note: the open discussion forum has 300,000 members]. We give our social media users new information, which they haven’t read elsewhere. That’s why our posts are shared so much. Thanks to that, one of our pages can get up to 5,000 new followers in a day. For example, in just one month, we’ve gathered more than 60,000 followers on "V É R I T É".
The young man acknowledges fabricating quotes and says he does so “for strategic reasons.” His personal Facebook page suggests that he doesn’t believe that the Covid-19 is really affecting the DRC. He also advocates a year off for students in the DRC. These are personal views that he transforms into “news” that he shares on the pages that he administers.
This is an example of a post on the personal Facebook page of one of the administrators of the page "Vérité". He seems to be arguing for a year off for Congolese students and questions whether Covid-19 is actually affecting the DRC, even though at least 36 people have died and 863 people have been infected, according to official statistics.
Not alone…
This trend is not new. We found other pages, including "Falyala Wilondja", which was created in June 2019 and which uses the same method to spread fake news. For example, this page recently shared a fake quote attributed to Macron: "Any African country that doesn’t want its population to use the European vaccine against Covid-19, its citizens will no longer be able to travel to Europe.” Once again, this quote was completely made up.
It turns out that the administrator of the page "Falyala Wilondja" and the administrator of "V É R I T É" know each other. We found conversations between the two on Instagram and found a video on Youtube that showed the two singing Congolese rap in a school in Kinshasa. Even though they run their own pages independently, they seem to be trying to one up each other in terms of how much fake news they can post.
The FRANCE 24 Observers team asked the administrator of "V É R I T É" about his long-term goals and he gave a this answer:
There are a lot of cyber criminals in Africa, especially in the DRC and that scares me. There aren’t laws that punish cyber criminals. So the best way to carry out this fight is to get to know them and then trick them. When a page gets a lot of followers, cyber criminals reach out to us and suggest that we join forces with them. We want to be spies.
Amongst this flood of false information, there are a few pieces of actual news, often about what is happening in Congo. For example, this post talks about a Congolese pastor, who claimed that the Covid-19 epidemic was over. While the statement itself is false, the pastor did make that claim in a video posted online in April.
This post is one of the very few correct news items shared on "V É R I T É". Congolese pastor Walesa did say that Covid-19 was over in mid-April, without any proof for that statement.
"V É R I T É", which is by far the most active page in this network, has shared at least 37 news items about Covid-19 since its first post on April 3, generating at least 206,000 shares as of May 6. On May 9 the posts were deleted, but the page remained online.
Article written by Alexandre Capron (@alexcapron)