france24--2020-05-01--EU's von der Leyen tells FRANCE 24 'global cooperation' needed for Covid-19 vaccine

With the EU executive now fully mobilised by the Covid-19 crisis , the president of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen , is convening a donors ' conference on May 4 in a bid to raise €7.5 billion .
Governments , philanthropists , business leaders and celebrities are all asked to take part in this `` online marathon '' to find a vaccine and treatments for the novel coronavirus .
Von der Leyen discussed this initiative in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
As the European Commission prepares to hold an online donor conference in a bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus vaccine and treatments for Covid-19 , its President Ursula von der Leyen discussed her initiative .
`` We know we can only defeat the virus with a vaccine , '' she told FRANCE 24 in an interview from Brussels .
`` We need global cooperation , and the pledging conference is on filling the funding gap . ''
Governments , philanthropists , business leaders and celebrities are all asked to take part in this pledging conference .
Von der Leyen is expecting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to play an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also underlined the necessity of the vaccine , once found , being `` deployed to vulnerable countries '' , so that `` everybody in this world '' has access to it regardless of resources .
Asked about criticism of the EU executive , which was slow to react to the Covid-19 pandemic , the Commission president sidestepped the question , saying , `` We all have to learn our lessons from the crisis . ''
Von der Leyen admitted that `` on the European level ( … ) we have to improve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be `` able to buy and stockpile the essential medical goods , like , for example , personal protective equipment like masks and gloves or ventilators '' .
`` I think over time , after the crisis , we really have to go in depth : what other lessons we 've learned , what do we have to change ? ''
she concluded .

With the EU executive now fully mobilised by the Covid-19 crisis, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is convening a donors' conference on May 4 in a bid to raise €7.5 billion. Governments, philanthropists, business leaders and celebrities are all asked to take part in this "online marathon" to find a vaccine and treatments for the novel coronavirus. Von der Leyen discussed this initiative in an interview with FRANCE 24.
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As the European Commission prepares to hold an online donor conference in a bid to raise €7.5 billion to fund research on a coronavirus vaccine and treatments for Covid-19, its President Ursula von der Leyen discussed her initiative. "We know we can only defeat the virus with a vaccine," she told FRANCE 24 in an interview from Brussels. "We need global cooperation, and the pledging conference is on filling the funding gap."
Governments, philanthropists, business leaders and celebrities are all asked to take part in this pledging conference. Von der Leyen is expecting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to play an important role in raising funds. She also underlined the necessity of the vaccine, once found, being "deployed to vulnerable countries", so that "everybody in this world" has access to it regardless of resources.
‘Learn our lessons’
Asked about criticism of the EU executive, which was slow to react to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission president sidestepped the question, saying, "We all have to learn our lessons from the crisis." Von der Leyen admitted that "on the European level (…) we have to improve the robust data reporting", but also be "able to buy and stockpile the essential medical goods, like, for example, personal protective equipment like masks and gloves or ventilators".
"I think over time, after the crisis, we really have to go in depth: what other lessons we've learned, what do we have to change?" she concluded.
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france24--2020-05-01--US approves remdesivir drug to treat Covid-19 patients, says Trump

Lab technicians load vials of remdesivir at a Gilead Sciences facility in La Verne , California , on March 18 , 2020 .
The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) has granted authorisation to Gilead Sciences Inc. for emergency use of its experimental antiviral drug remdesivir to treat patients with Covid-19 , President Donald Trump announced on Friday .
US medical officials have announced evidence from a trial that remdesivir helped patients with serious cases of Covid-19 recover faster .
Trump has been a vocal supporter of remdesivir as a possible way to bring the novel coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the global crisis .
Initially developed by Gilead Sciences Inc. to combat Ebola , the treatment has proven to be effective against the various coronaviruses that have emerged since the early 2000s .
Gilead said on Wednesday the drug had helped improve outcomes for patients with Covid-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , and provided data suggesting it worked better when given earlier in the course of infection .
The closely watched drug has moved financial markets in recent weeks , following the release of several studies that painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence said 1.5 million vials would start being distributed to hospitals on Monday .
Different results in US and China Dr Anthony Fauci , director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , oversaw the US study on 1,063 patients in the US , Europe and Asia to test the effectiveness of the antiviral drug .
The data , Fauci told reporters earlier this week , `` shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to recovery '' of Covid-19 patients .
But a team of Chinese researchers published much less encouraging conclusions in the British medical journal The Lancet .
Their experiment , conducted on 237 severely ill patients in 10 hospitals in Hubei province ( the region where the epidemic originated ) , appeared to indicate that remdesivir makes little difference .
`` Unfortunately , our study shows that this treatment does not provide any specific benefit compared to a placebo , '' wrote Bin Cao , the main author of the article .

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted authorisation to Gilead Sciences Inc. for emergency use of its experimental antiviral drug remdesivir to treat patients with Covid-19, President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
Lab technicians load vials of remdesivir at a Gilead Sciences facility in La Verne, California, on March 18, 2020.
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US medical officials have announced evidence from a trial that remdesivir helped patients with serious cases of Covid-19 recover faster.
Trump has been a vocal supporter of remdesivir as a possible way to bring the novel coronavirus pandemic under control. Nearly 65,000 Americans have died in the global crisis.
Initially developed by Gilead Sciences Inc. to combat Ebola, the treatment has proven to be effective against the various coronaviruses that have emerged since the early 2000s.
Gilead said on Wednesday the drug had helped improve outcomes for patients with Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and provided data suggesting it worked better when given earlier in the course of infection.
The closely watched drug has moved financial markets in recent weeks, following the release of several studies that painted a mixed picture of its effectiveness.
Vice President Mike Pence said 1.5 million vials would start being distributed to hospitals on Monday.
Different results in US and China
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, oversaw the US study on 1,063 patients in the US, Europe and Asia to test the effectiveness of the antiviral drug.
The data, Fauci told reporters earlier this week, "shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery" of Covid-19 patients.
But a team of Chinese researchers published much less encouraging conclusions in the British medical journal The Lancet.
Their experiment, conducted on 237 severely ill patients in 10 hospitals in Hubei province (the region where the epidemic originated), appeared to indicate that remdesivir makes little difference. "Unfortunately, our study shows that this treatment does not provide any specific benefit compared to a placebo," wrote Bin Cao, the main author of the article.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-01--France records 218 Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours, lowest tally since end-March

Medical workers tend to a patient infected with Covid-19 at the intensive care unit of the Lariboisiere Hospital in Paris on April 27 , 2020 .
The number of people who died of coronavirus infection in France increased by 218 to 24,594 on Friday , the lowest daily increase since the end of March , government data showed .
Health Ministry chief Jérôme Salomon said the number of people in intensive care units fell to 3,878 from 4,019 on Thursday , down for a 23rd consecutive day .
The number of people in hospital with coronavirus also fell again to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninterrupted fall since more than two weeks .
Salomon said the daily death toll of 218 included 79 new fatalities at care homes for the elderly , where the total number of Covid-19 deaths has reached 9,225 .
France is set for an easing of restrictions on May 11 following a strict nationwide lockdown , which was imposed on March 17 .
In an address marking international Labour Day on Friday , French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the exit from lockdown would not signal a return to “ normal life ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will need to be reorganised , '' Macron said .
`` There will be several phases and May 11 will be one of them.
” Earlier this week , French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe unveiled a strategy for lifting the restrictions , including the compulsory use of face masks in public , increased testing , a phased reopening of schools and limiting movement between regions .
New social distancing methods will also be introduced on public transport and gatherings of a maximum of 10 people will be allowed after May 11 , Philippe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that the loosening of restrictions will be conditional on a number of indicators that health officials are following closely .
Referring to one such indicator at his daily briefing on Friday , Salomon said the disease 's “ reproduction rate ” , known as the R0 , had risen to between 0.6-0.7 on average from 0.5 .
`` This is because of a progressive return to activity '' after weeks of lockdown , the health official said .
Public health experts warn that a reproduction rate of 1 or above would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of 0.7 means that , on average , 100 people infected with Covid-19 infect 70 other people .
This would mean the number of new infections would come down over time .

The number of people who died of coronavirus infection in France increased by 218 to 24,594 on Friday, the lowest daily increase since the end of March, government data showed.
Medical workers tend to a patient infected with Covid-19 at the intensive care unit of the Lariboisiere Hospital in Paris on April 27, 2020.
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Health Ministry chief Jérôme Salomon said the number of people in intensive care units fell to 3,878 from 4,019 on Thursday, down for a 23rd consecutive day.
The number of people in hospital with coronavirus also fell again to 25,887 from 26,283, also continuing an uninterrupted fall since more than two weeks.
Salomon said the daily death toll of 218 included 79 new fatalities at care homes for the elderly, where the total number of Covid-19 deaths has reached 9,225.
France is set for an easing of restrictions on May 11 following a strict nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on March 17.
In an address marking international Labour Day on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the exit from lockdown would not signal a return to “normal life”.
"There will be a recovery that will need to be reorganised," Macron said. "There will be several phases and May 11 will be one of them.”
Monitoring disease's 'reproduction rate'
Earlier this week, French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe unveiled a strategy for lifting the restrictions, including the compulsory use of face masks in public, increased testing, a phased reopening of schools and limiting movement between regions.
New social distancing methods will also be introduced on public transport and gatherings of a maximum of 10 people will be allowed after May 11, Philippe announced.
However, the government has warned that the loosening of restrictions will be conditional on a number of indicators that health officials are following closely.
Referring to one such indicator at his daily briefing on Friday, Salomon said the disease's “reproduction rate”, known as the R0, had risen to between 0.6-0.7 on average from 0.5.
"This is because of a progressive return to activity" after weeks of lockdown, the health official said.
Public health experts warn that a reproduction rate of 1 or above would make it impossible to loosen lockdowns.
A number of 0.7 means that, on average, 100 people infected with Covid-19 infect 70 other people. This would mean the number of new infections would come down over time.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-01--Lebanese protest against rescue plan as government seeks IMF help

Lebanese demonstrators protest against the growing economic hardship and to mark Labour Day in the capital Beirut on May 1 , 2020 .
Hundreds of Lebanese rallied Friday outside the central bank in Beirut and elsewhere in the country , a day after the prime minister said he would seek a rescue plan from the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) to deal with a spiraling economic and financial crisis .
The protesters criticized the government 's handling of the unprecedented crisis that saw the local currency crash , devastate their savings and send prices and inflation soaring .
Scuffles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops were seen beating and pulling away at least one protester .
The government “ is not even providing the most basic needs '' , said a protester in Beirut , Ahmad Demashqia .
There were also rallies in northern and southern Lebanon to commemorate May Day , the international Labour Day .
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Friday signed the official request for assistance from IMF .
He said the government has taken “ the first step on the path to saving Lebanon from the deep financial pit '' .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-awaited rescue plan .
France on Friday said it was urgent that Lebanon implement the reforms , describing the rescue plan as essential for the country 's recovery .
`` It is on this basis that France stands ready to support the efforts of Lebanon , '' French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a statement .
But the protesters were skeptical .
In the southern city of Sidon , 19-year-old Omar al-Mughrabi said the country needs radical change — not reform of failing or ineffective policies .
“ Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' al-Mughrabi said .
“ We do n't need any more debt than we already have.
” Lebanon 's banking association also expressed opposition to the government ’ s move , saying it could in `` no way '' endorse a rescue plan that would `` further destroy confidence '' in the country .
Lebanon , one of the most indebted nations in the world , defaulted for the first time in March on its sovereign debt .
Anti-government protests that erupted in October subsided during a nationwide lockdown since mid-March to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , a country of five million people , has reported only 729 cases and 24 deaths , and began to ease some virus restrictions this week .
Many of the protesters wore face masks against the virus .
The lockdown worsened the recession 's sharp bite , increasing unemployment and popular resentment .
In recent days , protesters ignored social distancing measures and calls to stay home to rally outside the central bank and private banks , setting off clashes with the security forces and the army .
In the northern city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week .
Prices of basic goods have increased , in some cases by over 60 percent .
The Lebanese pound , pegged to the dollar for 30 years , lost nearly 60 percent of its value .
With a stable national currency , the Lebanese had used their pound and the dollar interchangeably , many keeping their savings in dollars .
To deal with a liquidity crunch and a massive imports bill , the central bank decreed that most withdrawals could only be in the local currency .
The decision further @ @ @ @

Hundreds of Lebanese rallied Friday outside the central bank in Beirut and elsewhere in the country, a day after the prime minister said he would seek a rescue plan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to deal with a spiraling economic and financial crisis.
Lebanese demonstrators protest against the growing economic hardship and to mark Labour Day in the capital Beirut on May 1, 2020.
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The protesters criticized the government's handling of the unprecedented crisis that saw the local currency crash, devastate their savings and send prices and inflation soaring. Scuffles broke out outside a private bank and troops were seen beating and pulling away at least one protester.
The government “is not even providing the most basic needs", said a protester in Beirut, Ahmad Demashqia. There were also rallies in northern and southern Lebanon to commemorate May Day, the international Labour Day.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Friday signed the official request for assistance from IMF. He said the government has taken “the first step on the path to saving Lebanon from the deep financial pit". On Thursday, the Cabinet had adopted a long-awaited rescue plan.
France on Friday said it was urgent that Lebanon implement the reforms, describing the rescue plan as essential for the country's recovery.
"It is on this basis that France stands ready to support the efforts of Lebanon," French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a statement.
But the protesters were skeptical. In the southern city of Sidon, 19-year-old Omar al-Mughrabi said the country needs radical change — not reform of failing or ineffective policies.
“Going to the IMF is not the solution," al-Mughrabi said. “We don't need any more debt than we already have.”
Lebanon's banking association also expressed opposition to the government’s move, saying it could in "no way" endorse a rescue plan that would "further destroy confidence" in the country.
Lebanon, one of the most indebted nations in the world, defaulted for the first time in March on its sovereign debt. Anti-government protests that erupted in October subsided during a nationwide lockdown since mid-March to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. Lebanon, a country of five million people, has reported only 729 cases and 24 deaths, and began to ease some virus restrictions this week.
Many of the protesters wore face masks against the virus.
The lockdown worsened the recession's sharp bite, increasing unemployment and popular resentment. In recent days, protesters ignored social distancing measures and calls to stay home to rally outside the central bank and private banks, setting off clashes with the security forces and the army. In the northern city of Tripoli, a protester was killed earlier this week.
Prices of basic goods have increased, in some cases by over 60 percent. The Lebanese pound, pegged to the dollar for 30 years, lost nearly 60 percent of its value.
With a stable national currency, the Lebanese had used their pound and the dollar interchangeably, many keeping their savings in dollars. To deal with a liquidity crunch and a massive imports bill, the central bank decreed that most withdrawals could only be in the local currency. The decision further weakened the pound.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-01--Covid-19: After conflicting studies, effectiveness of remdesivir still in question

A US study published this week raised great hope for the effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir for the treatment of patients with Covid-19 .
But results of a similar study in China seemed to show the opposite .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , is satisfied .
Fauci , who oversaw the US study on the effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir , was visibly pleased when he told reporters that `` the data shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery '' of Covid-19 patients .
Following this conclusion , the New York Times reported that the White House had begun to consider allowing hospitals to administer the drug .
The study that put a smile on Fauci 's face was conducted under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) on 1,063 patients in the US , Europe and Asia .
Beginning on February 21 , for every patient who received a placebo , two patients received remdesivir , and preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated with Gilead 's drug could expect to recover from Covid-19 four days sooner than those who were not .
The fatality rate of the disease was also found to be slightly lower for those individuals who received remdesivir .
`` Specifically , the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo , '' an NIH statement said .
“ Although a 31 percent improvement doesn ’ t seem like a knockout 100 percent , it is a very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven is that a drug can block this virus , ” Fauci said at the White House .
This may be the proof that the scientific community has been waiting for .
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak , remdesivir has been considered one of the most promising treatment options while the world waits for a vaccine .
What makes it particularly attractive is that it specifically targets the mechanism that allows pathogens such as coronaviruses to `` replicate and amplify their viral load in the host body '' , said Isabelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Aix-Marseille .
In addition , remdesivir attacks a process `` specific to these viruses and which does not occur naturally in the human body , which makes it less harmful to the organism and improves its benefit-risk ratio '' , she adds .
Initially developed by Gilead to combat Ebola , the treatment has proven to be effective against the various coronaviruses that have emerged since the early 2000s .
`` It has produced very encouraging results in tests on animals exposed to SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and MERS ( Middle East Respiratory Syndrome , which appeared in 2012 ) , '' the French researcher recalled .
That a vast study seems to confirm the hopes placed in remdesivir has not escaped the notice of financial markets .
The announcement of the US study ’ s results was enough to cause the stock market index to soar in New York , underlining the importance of this perceived scientific breakthrough in the eyes of investors .
However , perhaps investors should have paid more attention to what was happening in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the NIH announced their findings , a team of Chinese researchers published much less encouraging conclusions in the highly respected British medical journal The Lancet .
Their experiment , conducted on 237 severely ill patients in 10 hospitals in Hubei province ( the region where the epidemic originated ) , seems to indicate that remdesivir makes little difference .
`` Unfortunately , our study shows that this treatment does not provide any specific benefit compared to a placebo , '' wrote Bin Cao , the main author of the article .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s difficult to decide , because `` the two studies seem to be of equal quality '' , says Stephen Evans , a pharmacoepidemiology researcher in the department of medical statistics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .
Moreover , it seems difficult to compare the studies because information about some of their basic assumptions is lacking .
`` We do n't know , for example , at what stage of the disease the remdesivir was administered in each case and whether there were combinations with other treatments , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , '' said Jonathan Stoye , a virologist at the Francis Crick Institute in London .
Furthermore , `` the studies carried out on SARS in 2002 showed that the longer it took to use remdesivir , the less effective it was '' , recalls Étienne Decroly , virologist and director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research , speaking to FRANCE 24 .
In the Chinese experiment , the patients were all `` in a serious condition '' , which could explain why its results are less promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese study has some advantages that may overshadow the US one .
First , it is complete , while US trials are still under way .
“ It is generally known that provisional analyses tend to produce more positive results than final analyses , '' said Derek Hill , a medical imaging specialist at University College London .
In addition , a full scientific publication of the NIH trial has yet to come , which makes it difficult to evaluate the study properly .
But the study conducted in Hubei province suffers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tested .
“ That 's too few to draw definitive conclusions because the low number introduces considerable uncertainty as to the scope of the results , '' said Evans .
The researcher went even further , arguing that the difference in the number of patients in the two experiments may be the only reason why they did not reach the same conclusion .
`` The four days gained by the people treated with remdesivir in the US trial are within the margin of error due to the uncertainty of the Chinese experiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , the Chinese team might have seen a similarly fast rate of remission if they had also studied closer to 1,000 participants .
In the meantime , scientists are waiting for the results of other large-scale tests concerning remdesivir , such as one conducted by the France ’ s National Institute of Health and Medical Research that began on March 24 on some 1,000 people .
In any case , in order for a treatment to be validated and marketed , `` it usually requires two large clinical trials to demonstrate its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College .
For the moment , Evans said , one thing is certain .
`` Even if the evidence of its effectiveness is not yet complete , we can at least guess that remdesivir is the new standard against which other treatments currently in development will be compared . ''
This article is a translation of the original in French .

A US study published this week raised great hope for the effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir for the treatment of patients with Covid-19. But results of a similar study in China seemed to show the opposite.
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Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, is satisfied. Fauci, who oversaw the US study on the effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir, was visibly pleased when he told reporters that "the data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery" of Covid-19 patients. Following this conclusion, the New York Times reported that the White House had begun to consider allowing hospitals to administer the drug.
The study that put a smile on Fauci's face was conducted under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on 1,063 patients in the US, Europe and Asia. Beginning on February 21, for every patient who received a placebo, two patients received remdesivir, and preliminary analysis of the results showed that patients treated with Gilead's drug could expect to recover from Covid-19 four days sooner than those who were not. The fatality rate of the disease was also found to be slightly lower for those individuals who received remdesivir.
"Specifically, the median time to recovery was 11 days for patients treated with remdesivir compared with 15 days for those who received placebo," an NIH statement said.
“Although a 31 percent improvement doesn’t seem like a knockout 100 percent, it is a very important proof of concept because what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus,” Fauci said at the White House.
This may be the proof that the scientific community has been waiting for. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, remdesivir has been considered one of the most promising treatment options while the world waits for a vaccine. What makes it particularly attractive is that it specifically targets the mechanism that allows pathogens such as coronaviruses to "replicate and amplify their viral load in the host body", said Isabelle Imbert, a specialist in antivirals at the University of Aix-Marseille. In addition, remdesivir attacks a process "specific to these viruses and which does not occur naturally in the human body, which makes it less harmful to the organism and improves its benefit-risk ratio", she adds.
Initially developed by Gilead to combat Ebola, the treatment has proven to be effective against the various coronaviruses that have emerged since the early 2000s. "It has produced very encouraging results in tests on animals exposed to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which occurred between 2002 and 2004) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, which appeared in 2012)," the French researcher recalled.
That a vast study seems to confirm the hopes placed in remdesivir has not escaped the notice of financial markets. The announcement of the US study’s results was enough to cause the stock market index to soar in New York, underlining the importance of this perceived scientific breakthrough in the eyes of investors.
Different results in China
However, perhaps investors should have paid more attention to what was happening in China. On the same day that Gilead and the NIH announced their findings, a team of Chinese researchers published much less encouraging conclusions in the highly respected British medical journal The Lancet. Their experiment, conducted on 237 severely ill patients in 10 hospitals in Hubei province (the region where the epidemic originated), seems to indicate that remdesivir makes little difference. "Unfortunately, our study shows that this treatment does not provide any specific benefit compared to a placebo," wrote Bin Cao, the main author of the article.
So back to square one? It’s difficult to decide, because "the two studies seem to be of equal quality", says Stephen Evans, a pharmacoepidemiology researcher in the department of medical statistics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Moreover, it seems difficult to compare the studies because information about some of their basic assumptions is lacking. "We don't know, for example, at what stage of the disease the remdesivir was administered in each case and whether there were combinations with other treatments, which could have had major impacts on the results," said Jonathan Stoye, a virologist at the Francis Crick Institute in London.
Furthermore, "the studies carried out on SARS in 2002 showed that the longer it took to use remdesivir, the less effective it was", recalls Étienne Decroly, virologist and director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, speaking to FRANCE 24. In the Chinese experiment, the patients were all "in a serious condition", which could explain why its results are less promising, she says.
Still, the Chinese study has some advantages that may overshadow the US one. First, it is complete, while US trials are still under way. “It is generally known that provisional analyses tend to produce more positive results than final analyses," said Derek Hill, a medical imaging specialist at University College London. In addition, a full scientific publication of the NIH trial has yet to come, which makes it difficult to evaluate the study properly.
Low number of participants
But the study conducted in Hubei province suffers from a major flaw: Only 237 patients were tested. “That's too few to draw definitive conclusions because the low number introduces considerable uncertainty as to the scope of the results," said Evans.
The researcher went even further, arguing that the difference in the number of patients in the two experiments may be the only reason why they did not reach the same conclusion. "The four days gained by the people treated with remdesivir in the US trial are within the margin of error due to the uncertainty of the Chinese experiment," he explained. In other words, the Chinese team might have seen a similarly fast rate of remission if they had also studied closer to 1,000 participants.
In the meantime, scientists are waiting for the results of other large-scale tests concerning remdesivir, such as one conducted by the France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research that began on March 24 on some 1,000 people. In any case, in order for a treatment to be validated and marketed, "it usually requires two large clinical trials to demonstrate its efficacy", said Hill of University College.
For the moment, Evans said, one thing is certain. "Even if the evidence of its effectiveness is not yet complete, we can at least guess that remdesivir is the new standard against which other treatments currently in development will be compared."
This article is a translation of the original in French.
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france24--2020-05-01--Canada bans assault weapons in wake of deadliest mass shooting

Canada 's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa , Canada , on May 1 , 2020 .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced an immediate ban on military-grade assault weapons , responding to a mass shooting and arson spree that left 22 people dead earlier this month .
`` These weapons were designed for one purpose , and one purpose only : to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time , '' Trudeau told a news briefing .
He said his government has approved a decree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transport and import of 1,500 models of military-grade assault weapons and variants of them .
`` There is no use , and no place for such weapons in Canada , '' Trudeau said .
The killing spree , the worst in Canadian history , began on the night of April 18 in Nova Scotia and led to a 13-hour manhunt for the shooter , who was eventually shot dead by police .
Authorities have said the assailant -- identified as 51-year-old denturist Gabriel Wortman -- was wearing a police uniform , driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several guns with him including at least one assault-style weapon .
Trudeau said there will be a two-year amnesty for people who currently own assault-style weapons to protect them from liability , and parliament will eventually pass legislation to compensate them for turning in their guns .
`` For many families , including indigenous people , firearms are part of traditions passed down through generations , and the vast majority of gun owners use them safely , responsibly , and in accordance with the law , whether it be for work , sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trudeau said .
`` But you do n't need an AR-15 to bring down a deer , '' he added .
Mass shootings are less common in Canada than in the US `` but the heartbreaking truth is , they 're happening more often than they once did , '' the prime minister said .
He mentioned for instance a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 that left six dead and 19 wounded .
Trudeau made banning assault weapons part of his campaign for elections that brought him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the campaign for the October 2019 elections in which he won another term .
Nearly four of five Canadians back such a ban , according to an Angus Reid poll released Friday .

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced an immediate ban on military-grade assault weapons, responding to a mass shooting and arson spree that left 22 people dead earlier this month.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on May 1, 2020.
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"These weapons were designed for one purpose, and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time," Trudeau told a news briefing.
He said his government has approved a decree banning the sale, purchase, use, transport and import of 1,500 models of military-grade assault weapons and variants of them.
"There is no use, and no place for such weapons in Canada," Trudeau said.
The killing spree, the worst in Canadian history, began on the night of April 18 in Nova Scotia and led to a 13-hour manhunt for the shooter, who was eventually shot dead by police.
Authorities have said the assailant -- identified as 51-year-old denturist Gabriel Wortman -- was wearing a police uniform, driving a mock police car, and had several guns with him including at least one assault-style weapon.
Assault-style firearms designed for military use have no place in our communities. That’s why we banned 1,500 of them today. Get the details here: https://t.co/8EEsbW7qdf — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 1, 2020
Trudeau said there will be a two-year amnesty for people who currently own assault-style weapons to protect them from liability, and parliament will eventually pass legislation to compensate them for turning in their guns.
"For many families, including indigenous people, firearms are part of traditions passed down through generations, and the vast majority of gun owners use them safely, responsibly, and in accordance with the law, whether it be for work, sports shooting for collecting or for hunting," Trudeau said.
"But you don't need an AR-15 to bring down a deer," he added.
Mass shootings are less common in Canada than in the US "but the heartbreaking truth is, they're happening more often than they once did," the prime minister said.
He mentioned for instance a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 that left six dead and 19 wounded.
Trudeau made banning assault weapons part of his campaign for elections that brought him to power in 2015. He repeated it in the campaign for the October 2019 elections in which he won another term.
Nearly four of five Canadians back such a ban, according to an Angus Reid poll released Friday.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-01--In May Day address, Macron warns that life won't return to 'normal' after lockdown ends

French President Emmanuel Macron takes part at the traditional Lily of the valley ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 1 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that the end of the national lockdown on May 11 would only be a first step as France looks to pull out of the crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic .
Traditional Labour Day protests that usually see thousands of demonstrators on streets were cancelled this year due to the virus outbreak that has killed more than 24,000 people across France .
`` May 11 will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There will be a recovery that will need to be reorganised , '' Macron said in a speech at the presidential palace after a meeting with horticulturists .
`` There will be several phases and May 11 will be one of them , '' the president added .
Unions organised online activities for Labour Day , and asked people to bang pans and put out banners on their balconies to mark the day .
Police disbanded a small protest in central Paris .
It was in stark contrast to this time last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` yellow vest '' protesters were on the streets across France demonstrating against Macron 's policies .
The protests were marred after dozens of masked and hooded anarchists clashed with riot police .
Macron , in a message on his Twitter account , lauded the traditional parades and French workers , urging unity and solidarity during these tough times .
But highlighting the rocky path ahead , union officials and some opposition leaders were quick to underscore their concerns amid the crisis .
`` Even if today we are confined , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of the Force Ouvrière union , told France Inter radio .
`` This is an opportunity to bear the social demands that we have been defending for a long time and that the crisis has highlighted , '' added Philippe Martinez , the general secretary of umbrella trade union CGT .
Despite the lockdown , far-right leader Marine Le Pen pressed ahead with her party 's annual May 1 tradition of honouring mediaeval heroine Joan of Arc by laying a wreath at the golden statue of the 15th century warrior in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said I had doubts about the confinement .
I just said that complete confinement was the solution when we failed to prevent the epidemic , '' Le Pen , wearing a mask , told reporters .
`` A successful end to the lockdown is with tests for everybody , masks for everybody and I am opposed to schools opening before September , '' she added .
In a controversial move , Macron 's government has decided that schools will gradually reopen from May 11 , despite the reservations expressed by its scientific advisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume operations from May 11 , although the government has urged companies to allow staff to continue working from home when possible .
The government has said it is prepared to slow or delay the unwinding of the lockdown if the virus infection rate spikes markedly higher , with administrative departments divided into 'red ' and 'green ' zones .
Opposition lawmakers and some experts have questioned the wisdom of allowing commuters back onto public transport in areas hard-hit by the virus , such as the Paris region , while also calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less affected .
Question marks have also been raised about the government 's ability to reach its target of 700,000 Covid-19 tests by May 11 , their implementation and the possible isolation of people who tested positive for the illness .

French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that the end of the national lockdown on May 11 would only be a first step as France looks to pull out of the crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic.
French President Emmanuel Macron takes part at the traditional Lily of the valley ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 1, 2020.
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Traditional Labour Day protests that usually see thousands of demonstrators on streets were cancelled this year due to the virus outbreak that has killed more than 24,000 people across France.
"May 11 will not be the passage to normal life. There will be a recovery that will need to be reorganised," Macron said in a speech at the presidential palace after a meeting with horticulturists.
"There will be several phases and May 11 will be one of them," the president added.
Unions organised online activities for Labour Day, and asked people to bang pans and put out banners on their balconies to mark the day. Police disbanded a small protest in central Paris.
🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 Unheard of scenes for the first of May at Place de la République. #lockdown #coronavirus #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/xr8A2xAPqV — Stuart Norval (@StuartNorval) May 1, 2020
It was in stark contrast to this time last year when tens of thousands of labour union and "yellow vest" protesters were on the streets across France demonstrating against Macron's policies.
The protests were marred after dozens of masked and hooded anarchists clashed with riot police.
Macron, in a message on his Twitter account, lauded the traditional parades and French workers, urging unity and solidarity during these tough times.
Ce 1er mai ne ressemble à aucun autre. Et pourtant, c'est bien grâce au travail, célébré ce jour, que la Nation tient. #FranceUnie pic.twitter.com/JbKKqCQ4Ta — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 1, 2020
But highlighting the rocky path ahead, union officials and some opposition leaders were quick to underscore their concerns amid the crisis.
"Even if today we are confined, our demands are not," Yves Veyrier, head of the Force Ouvrière union, told France Inter radio.
"This is an opportunity to bear the social demands that we have been defending for a long time and that the crisis has highlighted," added Philippe Martinez, the general secretary of umbrella trade union CGT.
Le Pen lays wreath at Joan of Arc statue
Despite the lockdown, far-right leader Marine Le Pen pressed ahead with her party's annual May 1 tradition of honouring mediaeval heroine Joan of Arc by laying a wreath at the golden statue of the 15th century warrior in central Paris.
"I've never said I had doubts about the confinement. I just said that complete confinement was the solution when we failed to prevent the epidemic," Le Pen, wearing a mask, told reporters.
"A successful end to the lockdown is with tests for everybody, masks for everybody and I am opposed to schools opening before September," she added.
In a controversial move, Macron's government has decided that schools will gradually reopen from May 11, despite the reservations expressed by its scientific advisors.
Most businesses will also be free to resume operations from May 11, although the government has urged companies to allow staff to continue working from home when possible.
The government has said it is prepared to slow or delay the unwinding of the lockdown if the virus infection rate spikes markedly higher, with administrative departments divided into 'red' and 'green' zones.
01:15
Opposition lawmakers and some experts have questioned the wisdom of allowing commuters back onto public transport in areas hard-hit by the virus, such as the Paris region, while also calling for restrictions to be lifted in areas less affected.
Question marks have also been raised about the government's ability to reach its target of 700,000 Covid-19 tests by May 11, their implementation and the possible isolation of people who tested positive for the illness.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-01--Biden denies Tara Reade sex assault allegation, saying it 'never happened'

In this file photo taken on March 10 , 2020 , Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden leaves after speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania .
Biden on Mat 1 , 2020 .
US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday emphatically denied sexually assaulting a former staffer , saying the incident she claims occurred 27 years ago `` never happened . ''
`` They are n't true .
This never happened , '' Biden said in a statement regarding the accusations made by Tara Reade , a former staffer in his US Senate office .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month of silence on the accusations with his statement .
The 77-year-old said Reade 's then-supervisor and former senior staffers in his office `` have said , unequivocally , that she never came to them and complained or raised issues . ''
Read , now 56 , said on a podcast in March that the former senator and vice president put his hands `` down my skirt '' and violated her .
She has since recounted her story to other media outlets , and filed an incident report with the Washington police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- in which she did not name Biden .
Other women have accused Biden of touching them inappropriately in the past , and Reade 's initial claims were similar -- and less severe than her most recent allegations Biden also went on a morning news show to proclaim his innocence .
`` It is not true .
I 'm saying unequivocally it never happened , and it did n't , '' Biden told MSNBC .
`` I do n't know why after 27 years all of this gets raised , '' Biden added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to question her motive .
I 'm not going to attack her . ''
But he stressed that `` I have a right to say , look at the facts .
Check it out . ''
Reade has not produced a copy of the complaint that she allegedly filed in 1993 after the incident , and Biden said he has asked officials to search the National Archives , where he says any such document would now reside .
He also said his papers , held at the University of Delaware , `` do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has pledged to pick a woman to be his vice president , has stressed he has worked his entire political career to improve conditions for women , including authoring the Violence Against Women Act .
`` Women are to be believed , given the benefit of the doubt , if they come forward and say something happened to them , '' he told MSNBC .
`` Then you have to look at the circumstances and the facts . ''
`` The truth matters , '' he said .
`` These claims @ @ @ @ @

US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday emphatically denied sexually assaulting a former staffer, saying the incident she claims occurred 27 years ago "never happened."
In this file photo taken on March 10, 2020, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden leaves after speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden on Mat 1, 2020.
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"They aren't true. This never happened," Biden said in a statement regarding the accusations made by Tara Reade, a former staffer in his US Senate office.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, broke a month of silence on the accusations with his statement.
The 77-year-old said Reade's then-supervisor and former senior staffers in his office "have said, unequivocally, that she never came to them and complained or raised issues."
Read, now 56, said on a podcast in March that the former senator and vice president put his hands "down my skirt" and violated her.
She has since recounted her story to other media outlets, and filed an incident report with the Washington police in early April -- seen by AFP -- in which she did not name Biden.
Other women have accused Biden of touching them inappropriately in the past, and Reade's initial claims were similar -- and less severe than her most recent allegations
Biden also went on a morning news show to proclaim his innocence.
"It is not true. I'm saying unequivocally it never happened, and it didn't," Biden told MSNBC.
"I don't know why after 27 years all of this gets raised," Biden added. "But I'm not going to question her motive. I'm not going to attack her."
But he stressed that "I have a right to say, look at the facts. Check it out."
Reade has not produced a copy of the complaint that she allegedly filed in 1993 after the incident, and Biden said he has asked officials to search the National Archives, where he says any such document would now reside.
He also said his papers, held at the University of Delaware, "do not contain personnel files."
Biden, who has pledged to pick a woman to be his vice president, has stressed he has worked his entire political career to improve conditions for women, including authoring the Violence Against Women Act.
"Women are to be believed, given the benefit of the doubt, if they come forward and say something happened to them," he told MSNBC.
"Then you have to look at the circumstances and the facts."
"The truth matters," he said. "These claims are not true."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-01--Are US forces essential to war on terror in Africa's Sahel region?

Are US forces essential to war on terror in Africa 's Sahel region ?
In the fight against terrorist groups @ @ @ @ @ provide crucial support to the G5 Sahel group ( Burkina Faso , Chad , Mali @ @ @ @ @ with intelligence , logistics and supplies .
But as the terror threat continues to spread @ @ @ @ @ is no longer a priority for the Pentagon , which could well withdraw its troops @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump .
Our reporter Fanny Allard travelled to the Sahel region to assess @ @ @ @ @ departure would have on the complex fight against terrorism there .
Take international news everywhere @ @ @ @ @ France 24 app

Are US forces essential to war on terror in Africa's Sahel region?
26:08 REPORTERS © FRANCE 24
In the fight against terrorist groups in Africa, US forces provide crucial support to the G5 Sahel group (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) with intelligence, logistics and supplies. But as the terror threat continues to spread in the region, Africa is no longer a priority for the Pentagon, which could well withdraw its troops, as announced by US President Donald Trump.


france24--2020-05-01--Turkish police detain union leaders attempting to stage May Day rally

Demonstrators wrestle with Turkish police during a Labour Day rally in Istanbul , on May 1 , 2020 .
Police in Istanbul detained at least 15 people Friday , including trade union leaders who tried to stage a May Day march in defiance of a coronavirus lockdown and a ban on demonstrations at the flashpoint Taksim Square .
The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey , or DISK , tweeted that its head Arzu Cerkezoglu and several other union leaders were detained near Taksim Square , where they wanted to lay wreaths of carnations .
Images showed police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tense , close contact .
The Istanbul governor 's office said the demonstrators were later released .
The statement added that various trade unions had left wreaths in Taksim Square as permitted by the governor 's office but that DISK had insisted on collectively marching to the square , which was in breach of lockdown and social distancing rules .
Taksim Square holds a symbolic value for Turkey ’ s labor movement .
In 1977 , 34 people were killed there during a May Day event when shots were fired into the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were later allowed to take DISK ’ s damaged wreath to the square .
Turkey has imposed partial lockdowns in 31 provinces every weekend and on national holidays .
Exemptions apply , including for many laborers who continue to work amid the pandemic .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the country must continue production to ensure the economic “ wheels continue turning.
” The ban on May Day demonstrations in Taksim has been in effect for several years , due to security concerns .
Police closed all roads leading to Taksim Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trade unions began marking May Day on Thursday ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown and also urged people to celebrate from their balconies Friday night and participate on social media .
Turkey ranks seventh in the world for the number of confirmed infections with 120,204 cases , according to Johns Hopkins University , although experts believe the actual toll of the pandemic is higher than the tally .
The country 's official death toll stands at 3,174 .

Police in Istanbul detained at least 15 people Friday, including trade union leaders who tried to stage a May Day march in defiance of a coronavirus lockdown and a ban on demonstrations at the flashpoint Taksim Square.
Demonstrators wrestle with Turkish police during a Labour Day rally in Istanbul, on May 1, 2020.
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The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, or DISK, tweeted that its head Arzu Cerkezoglu and several other union leaders were detained near Taksim Square, where they wanted to lay wreaths of carnations.
Images showed police and demonstrators wearing masks and face guards in tense, close contact.
The Istanbul governor's office said the demonstrators were later released. The statement added that various trade unions had left wreaths in Taksim Square as permitted by the governor's office but that DISK had insisted on collectively marching to the square, which was in breach of lockdown and social distancing rules.
IndustriAll Europe condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of trade union leaders in #Turkey this morning. We demand immediate release and stand ready to support our comrades. @BirlesikMetal @diskinsesi https://t.co/Eool7SNA6r — industriAll Europe (@industriAll_EU) May 1, 2020
Taksim Square holds a symbolic value for Turkey’s labor movement. In 1977, 34 people were killed there during a May Day event when shots were fired into the crowd from a nearby building.
Opposition lawmakers were later allowed to take DISK’s damaged wreath to the square.
Turkey has imposed partial lockdowns in 31 provinces every weekend and on national holidays. Exemptions apply, including for many laborers who continue to work amid the pandemic. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the country must continue production to ensure the economic “wheels continue turning.”
The ban on May Day demonstrations in Taksim has been in effect for several years, due to security concerns. Police closed all roads leading to Taksim Square with barricades and increased security presence Friday.
Trade unions began marking May Day on Thursday ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown and also urged people to celebrate from their balconies Friday night and participate on social media.
Turkey ranks seventh in the world for the number of confirmed infections with 120,204 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University, although experts believe the actual toll of the pandemic is higher than the tally. The country's official death toll stands at 3,174.
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-01--The threat of Covid-19 looms large in Mali's camps for the internally displaced

The threat of Covid-19 looms large in Mali 's camps for the internally displaced On the outskirts of the Malian @ @ @ @ @ for internally displaced persons shelter families who have fled violence in their regions .
But @ @ @ @ @ food , water , medical care and hygiene , the threat of Covid-19 means they @ @ @ @ @ they were before the pandemic .
With international aid becoming scarce , NGOs are worried @ @ @ @ @ these camps where social distancing is impossible and the future highly uncertain .
Our correspondents @ @

The threat of Covid-19 looms large in Mali's camps for the internally displaced
05:43 FOCUS © FRANCE 24
By: Erwan SCHIEX | Michel MVONDO | Leanne de Bassompierre
On the outskirts of the Malian capital Bamako, several camps for internally displaced persons shelter families who have fled violence in their regions. But with a severe lack of food, water, medical care and hygiene, the threat of Covid-19 means they are even more vulnerable than they were before the pandemic. With international aid becoming scarce, NGOs are worried the virus could spread in these camps where social distancing is impossible and the future highly uncertain. Our correspondents report.


france24--2020-05-01--Week in Review: Women on the front lines of Covid-19, lifting France's lockdown and homemade homages

Week in Review: Women on the front lines of Covid-19, lifting France's lockdown and homemade homages to art

FRANCE 24 takes a three-part look at the women on the front lines of the Covid-19 fight in France and examines the details of the government plan to start lifting lockdown on May 11 .
We also spoke with Iceland 's prime minister about her country 's response to the pandemic and examined how art lovers , barred from museum visits , are recreating famous paintings in their homes .
A vaccine against Covid-19 developed in Britain has shown very encouraging results on rhesus macaque monkeys , among the animals closest to humans .
The scientists working on the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectiveness it could be ready as soon as September .
Disinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding the global Covid-19 pandemic have flooded the internet – often with an additional nudge from world leaders and celebrities – presenting a challenge for health authorities , social media platforms , journalists and concerned citizens .
Key points of France ’ s strategy for lifting its nationwide Covid-19 lockdown French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has unveiled a strategy for bringing an end to the nationwide lockdown that is expected to come into force on May 11 provided certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How scientists are keeping politics out of the global race for a vaccine As the world races to combat Covid-19 , the United States is notably absent from multinational efforts .
But scientists say that for now , the international research community is working together to do all it can .
The Covid-19 pandemic has required contingency measures that are on the verge of achieving a historic goal of human rights campaigners : bringing the overall population of French prisons down to the number they were designed for , not more .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its plan to start lifting France 's nationwide Covid-19 lockdown on May 11 , the government is already anticipating how to reintroduce limits in the event of a second wave of the outbreak .
Women on the front line ( 1/3 ) : Nurses are a patient 's last contact before passing away Every night , from their balconies and windows , the French publicly applaud healthcare workers and nursing staff on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19 .
In France , nearly 90 percent of nurses are female .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ?
FRANCE 24 spoke to four of them .
Women on the front line ( 2/3 ) : Cashiers face 'warlike ' conditions working under Covid-19 With most workers being asked to stay home as France enters its seventh week in lockdown , the country 's supermarket cashiers are also on the front lines of the pandemic .
The profession , which is 90 percent female , has proven to be essential .
But what price do these workers pay for being behind the till ?
Women on the front line ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , much of the job is reassuring parents French schools have been closed since the nationwide lockdown began in mid-March .
Almost 70 percent of primary and secondary teachers are women , and FRANCE 24 spoke to a group who are determined to keep teaching – even if they are not in the classroom .
Hazardous material : Dealing with the vast medical waste of the Covid-19 pandemic Across the world authorities have been scrambling to supply health workers with equipment needed to treat Covid-19 patients .
But a new problem has emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks , gloves , gowns and other protective gear used by doctors and nurses , all of which could be contaminated by the virus .
From the Plague of Athens in 430 BC to modern-day HIV/AIDS , FRANCE 24 takes a look at the deadliest pandemics humanity has faced .
Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir discussed the outbreak of Covid-19 in Iceland , which thus far has around 1,800 cases and only 10 deaths .
Jakobsdóttir explained the use of mass testing and contact tracing to fight the outbreak , and emphasised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masterpieces and solitary snaps : Imagery in a time of coronavirus Art lovers deprived of wandering museums have taken up the `` Getty Challenge '' – recreating iconic paintings with household objects , inspired staging and a large dose of creativity .
We also meet the French photographer capturing the ghostly aspects of Paris 's deserted streets .
The week 's film news including a new online festival , `` We Are One : A Global Film Festival '' , plus the environmental documentary , `` Planet of the Humans '' and Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Good Wife '' .
As thousands of festivals across the planet are cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic , Mathieu Jaton from the Montreux Jazz Festival and British comedian Mark Watson , who is organising a 24-hour online comedy festival , talk about the financial , cultural and societal implications of a summer without cultural gatherings .
YOU ARE HERE We take you to France 's Basque Country , where we meet Thérèse and Michel Riouspeyrous , wine producers in Irouléguy .
Their two sons will one day take over the running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar story at the Goicoechea artisanal pottery , which will pass from father to son to perpetuate an old manufacturing technique .
We end our journey at the Arrantzaleak restaurant in Ciboure , where father , mother and son are united by a love of food .
The economic damage already done to Africa by the Covid-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdowns has been phenomenal and will set back the leaps in development the continent has seen over the decades .
We speak to the OECD 's Mario Pezzini about what needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people who beg on Johannesburg 's streets are falling through the cracks and Senegal plows millions into food aid as many struggle to get by .
Amid rise in cases , Japan rethinks its carefree attitude to Covid-19 The number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise In Japan , where authorities have neither carried out mass testing nor imposed a lockdown .
Even though a state of emergency was imposed on April 7 , many Japanese are continuing to go to work while many shops , restaurants and bars remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archipelago .
Conservationists have long been calling for an end to markets where wild animals are kept in confined and unsanitary conditions .
These types of markets have been singled out as potential nests for viruses such as the one that causes Covid-19 .
Some say the pandemic is a watershed moment for curbing this trade .
What are the risks if business continues as usual ?

WEEK IN REVIEW
FRANCE 24 takes a three-part look at the women on the front lines of the Covid-19 fight in France and examines the details of the government plan to start lifting lockdown on May 11. We also spoke with Iceland's prime minister about her country's response to the pandemic and examined how art lovers, barred from museum visits, are recreating famous paintings in their homes.
Advertising Read more
ARTICLES
High hopes for Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford scientists
A vaccine against Covid-19 developed in Britain has shown very encouraging results on rhesus macaque monkeys, among the animals closest to humans. The scientists working on the vaccine estimate that if they can prove its effectiveness it could be ready as soon as September.
Conspiracy theories and fake news: Fighting the Covid-19 ‘infodemic’
Disinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding the global Covid-19 pandemic have flooded the internet – often with an additional nudge from world leaders and celebrities – presenting a challenge for health authorities, social media platforms, journalists and concerned citizens.
Key points of France’s strategy for lifting its nationwide Covid-19 lockdown
French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has unveiled a strategy for bringing an end to the nationwide lockdown that is expected to come into force on May 11 provided certain key criteria are met.
A woman, wearing a protective face mask, walks past Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris, France on April 27, 2020. REUTERS - GONZALO FUENTES
Covid-19: How scientists are keeping politics out of the global race for a vaccine
As the world races to combat Covid-19, the United States is notably absent from multinational efforts. But scientists say that for now, the international research community is working together to do all it can.
As France releases thousands, can Covid-19 end chronic prison overcrowding?
The Covid-19 pandemic has required contingency measures that are on the verge of achieving a historic goal of human rights campaigners: bringing the overall population of French prisons down to the number they were designed for, not more. But the good news stops there.
Covid-19: France considers introducing series of ‘stop and go’ lockdowns
Alongside its plan to start lifting France's nationwide Covid-19 lockdown on May 11, the government is already anticipating how to reintroduce limits in the event of a second wave of the outbreak.
Commuters wearing protective face masks make their way along a suburban train platform as they arrive at the Gare du Nord RER station in Paris during a lockdown imposed to slow the spread of Covid-19 in France on April 27, 2020. REUTERS - GONZALO FUENTES
Women on the front line (1/3): Nurses are a patient's last contact before passing away
Every night, from their balconies and windows, the French publicly applaud healthcare workers and nursing staff on the front lines in the fight against Covid-19. In France, nearly 90 percent of nurses are female. How are these women coping with this unprecedented crisis? FRANCE 24 spoke to four of them.
Women on the front line (2/3): Cashiers face 'warlike' conditions working under Covid-19
With most workers being asked to stay home as France enters its seventh week in lockdown, the country's supermarket cashiers are also on the front lines of the pandemic. The profession, which is 90 percent female, has proven to be essential. But what price do these workers pay for being behind the till?
Women on the front line (3/3): For those teaching remotely, much of the job is reassuring parents
French schools have been closed since the nationwide lockdown began in mid-March. Almost 70 percent of primary and secondary teachers are women, and FRANCE 24 spoke to a group who are determined to keep teaching – even if they are not in the classroom.
Supermarket cashiers are more than ever on the frontline as France enters its 7th week in lockdown. © Pascal Guyot, AFP
VIDEO REPORTS
Hazardous material: Dealing with the vast medical waste of the Covid-19 pandemic
Across the world authorities have been scrambling to supply health workers with equipment needed to treat Covid-19 patients. But a new problem has emerged: How to deal with vast numbers of masks, gloves, gowns and other protective gear used by doctors and nurses, all of which could be contaminated by the virus.
A discarded face mask on a street in of Douala, Cameroon, on April 24, 2020. © AFP / FRANCE 24
INFOGRAPHICS
The great pandemics throughout history
From the Plague of Athens in 430 BC to modern-day HIV/AIDS, FRANCE 24 takes a look at the deadliest pandemics humanity has faced.
The great pandemics of history © Studio Graphique FMM
TV SHOWS ONLINE
THE INTERVIEW
Iceland 'gaining control' over Covid-19, prime minister tells FRANCE 24
Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir discussed the outbreak of Covid-19 in Iceland, which thus far has around 1,800 cases and only 10 deaths. Jakobsdóttir explained the use of mass testing and contact tracing to fight the outbreak, and emphasised the importance of social-distancing rules.
THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
ENCORE!
Homemade masterpieces and solitary snaps: Imagery in a time of coronavirus
Art lovers deprived of wandering museums have taken up the "Getty Challenge" – recreating iconic paintings with household objects, inspired staging and a large dose of creativity. We also meet the French photographer capturing the ghostly aspects of Paris's deserted streets.
ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
Film show: Spotlight on a controversial Michael Moore-produced environmental documentary
The week's film news including a new online festival, "We Are One: A Global Film Festival", plus the environmental documentary, "Planet of the Humans" and Martin Provost's, "How to Be a Good Wife".
ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
Festival cancellations: A cultural void?
As thousands of festivals across the planet are cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mathieu Jaton from the Montreux Jazz Festival and British comedian Mark Watson, who is organising a 24-hour online comedy festival, talk about the financial, cultural and societal implications of a summer without cultural gatherings.
ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
YOU ARE HERE
In France's Basque Country, traditional skills are a family affair
We take you to France's Basque Country, where we meet Thérèse and Michel Riouspeyrous, wine producers in Irouléguy. Their two sons will one day take over the running of the vineyard. It's a similar story at the Goicoechea artisanal pottery, which will pass from father to son to perpetuate an old manufacturing technique. We end our journey at the Arrantzaleak restaurant in Ciboure, where father, mother and son are united by a love of food.
You Are Here © France 24
EYE ON AFRICA
Covid-19: Economic slowdown weighs heavily on African development
The economic damage already done to Africa by the Covid-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdowns has been phenomenal and will set back the leaps in development the continent has seen over the decades. We speak to the OECD's Mario Pezzini about what needs to happen to salvage developmental progress. Also, people who beg on Johannesburg's streets are falling through the cracks and Senegal plows millions into food aid as many struggle to get by.
EYE ON AFRICA © FRANCE 24
FOCUS
Amid rise in cases, Japan rethinks its carefree attitude to Covid-19
The number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise In Japan, where authorities have neither carried out mass testing nor imposed a lockdown. Even though a state of emergency was imposed on April 7, many Japanese are continuing to go to work while many shops, restaurants and bars remain open. But concern is spreading across the archipelago.
FOCUS © FRANCE 24
DOWN TO EARTH
Could ending wildlife trade mean ending pandemics?
Conservationists have long been calling for an end to markets where wild animals are kept in confined and unsanitary conditions. These types of markets have been singled out as potential nests for viruses such as the one that causes Covid-19. Some say the pandemic is a watershed moment for curbing this trade. What are the risks if business continues as usual?
DOWN TO EARTH © FRANCE 24
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france24--2020-05-02--France's state rail company to seek virus bailout, may cut jobs

A SNCF employee walks on an empty platform of the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris on April 3 , 2020 on the eighteenth day of a lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection caused by the novel coronavirus in France .
France ’ s state-owned rail company SNCF will seek aid from the government and likely cut jobs after taking a severe hit from the Covid-19 lockdown , its CEO said on Saturday .
The lockdown begun on March 17 to contain the coronavirus pandemic has already cost the firm 2 billion euros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inter radio .
On the grounds that the company has accumulated “ too much debt ” during the coronavirus crisis , the prospect of state aid propping it up “ doesn ’ t seem unreasonable ” , he continued – adding that it wouldn ’ t be “ illogical ” to cut jobs in response to the sharp drop in customer demand .
Nevertheless , after France begins reversing its lockdown on May 11 , Farandou said that 100,000 staff will be working to ensure that “ 50 to 60 percent ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As confinement measures are eased over time , he expects all of France ’ s trains to be operational by the start of June .
The group has kept only 7 percent of its high-speed trains and 20 percent of regional services running since mid-March .
While its economy has entered a recession with a 5.8 percent GDP drop in the first quarter , France has not shied away from bailing out struggling national champions – including a 7 billion euro package for Air France and 5 billion for Renault .

France’s state-owned rail company SNCF will seek aid from the government and likely cut jobs after taking a severe hit from the Covid-19 lockdown, its CEO said on Saturday.
A SNCF employee walks on an empty platform of the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris on April 3, 2020 on the eighteenth day of a lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection caused by the novel coronavirus in France.
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The lockdown begun on March 17 to contain the coronavirus pandemic has already cost the firm 2 billion euros, SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou told France Inter radio.
On the grounds that the company has accumulated “too much debt” during the coronavirus crisis, the prospect of state aid propping it up “doesn’t seem unreasonable”, he continued – adding that it wouldn’t be “illogical” to cut jobs in response to the sharp drop in customer demand.
Nevertheless, after France begins reversing its lockdown on May 11, Farandou said that 100,000 staff will be working to ensure that “50 to 60 percent” of the country’s trains are running. As confinement measures are eased over time, he expects all of France’s trains to be operational by the start of June.
The group has kept only 7 percent of its high-speed trains and 20 percent of regional services running since mid-March.
While its economy has entered a recession with a 5.8 percent GDP drop in the first quarter, France has not shied away from bailing out struggling national champions – including a 7 billion euro package for Air France and 5 billion for Renault.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-02--US tweets support for Taiwan, enraging China

The United States tweeted its support for Taiwan ’ s participation in the United Nations Friday , provoking a sharp response from China expressing “ strong indignation and firm opposition.
” The tweet from the U.S. Mission to the United Nations said the 193-member global organization was founded to serve “ all voices , ” welcome “ a diversity of views and perspectives ” and promote human rights .
It said “ Barring # Taiwan from setting foot on UN grounds is an affront not just to the proud Taïwanese people , but to UN principles.
” It was retweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision by the U.S. administration to suddenly raise the Taiwan issue follows President Donald Tump ’ s criticism of China over the coronavirus pandemic after weeks of elaborate praise of President Xi Jinping ’ s performance in tackling the crisis .
Trump is now blaming China for not acting quickly to inform the world of exactly what was happening and halted U.S. contributions to the World Health Organization , accusing it of parroting Beijing .
China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and uses its diplomatic clout to stop the island from joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taiwan left the United Nations in 1971 when China joined and is excluded from all of its agencies , including the WHO ’ s assembly where its observer status has been stripped .
At the same time , it has one of the most robust public health systems in the world , and has won praise for its handling of the virus outbreak .
The spokesperson for China ’ s U.N. Mission called the U.S. Mission tweet “ a serious violation ” of the General Assembly resolution that gave China the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s sovereignty and territorial integrity .
“ It gravely interferes with China ’ s internal affairs and deeply hurts the feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people , ” said the spokesperon , who was not named .
“ There is only one China in the world .
The government of the People ’ s Republic China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China , and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
” China ’ s mission accused the United States of ” hypocrisy ” for citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views while repeatedly using its power to issue visas to block or delay U.N. member states and civil society organizations from attending activities at the United Nations .
China strongly urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle , the three joint communiques between the two countries and the General Assembly resolution “ and immediately stop backing the Taiwan region , politicizing , and undermining international response to the pandemic.
” “ While the coronavirus is raging across the world , people of all countries are calling for international solidarity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson said .
“ Political manipulation by the United States on an issue concerning China ’ s core interests will poison the atmosphere for cooperation of member states at a time when unity and solidarity is needed the most .
”

The United States tweeted its support for Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations Friday, provoking a sharp response from China expressing “strong indignation and firm opposition.”
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The tweet from the U.S. Mission to the United Nations said the 193-member global organization was founded to serve “all voices,” welcome “a diversity of views and perspectives” and promote human rights. It said “Barring #Taiwan from setting foot on UN grounds is an affront not just to the proud Taïwanese people, but to UN principles.” It was retweeted by U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft.
The decision by the U.S. administration to suddenly raise the Taiwan issue follows President Donald Tump’s criticism of China over the coronavirus pandemic after weeks of elaborate praise of President Xi Jinping’s performance in tackling the crisis.
Trump is now blaming China for not acting quickly to inform the world of exactly what was happening and halted U.S. contributions to the World Health Organization, accusing it of parroting Beijing.
China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and uses its diplomatic clout to stop the island from joining any organizations that require statehood for membership. Taiwan left the United Nations in 1971 when China joined and is excluded from all of its agencies, including the WHO’s assembly where its observer status has been stripped. At the same time, it has one of the most robust public health systems in the world, and has won praise for its handling of the virus outbreak.
The spokesperson for China’s U.N. Mission called the U.S. Mission tweet “a serious violation” of the General Assembly resolution that gave China the U.N. seat, three U.S.-China joint communiques and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
'One China'
“It gravely interferes with China’s internal affairs and deeply hurts the feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people,” said the spokesperon, who was not named. “There is only one China in the world. The government of the People’s Republic China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.”
China’s mission accused the United States of ”hypocrisy” for citing the U.N.’s welcome of diverse views while repeatedly using its power to issue visas to block or delay U.N. member states and civil society organizations from attending activities at the United Nations.
China strongly urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle, the three joint communiques between the two countries and the General Assembly resolution “and immediately stop backing the Taiwan region, politicizing, and undermining international response to the pandemic.”
“While the coronavirus is raging across the world, people of all countries are calling for international solidarity in fighting the pandemic,” the Chinese spokesperson said. “Political manipulation by the United States on an issue concerning China’s core interests will poison the atmosphere for cooperation of member states at a time when unity and solidarity is needed the most.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-02--French Foreign Legion soldier dies from injuries after anti-jihadist operation in Mali

Two French soldiers wait to embark aboard of a British Chinook helicopter nearby the new French military base of Gossi , in center Mali , on March 24 , 2019 .
A French Foreign Legion soldier who was fighting in Mali died on Friday from his injuries in an IED attack , the Élysée Palace announced in a press release on Saturday .
Brigadier Dymyto Martynyouk was struck by an improvised explosive device during an “ operation against terrorist groups ” on April 23 , the French presidential office said .
He died at the Percy military hospital near Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment .
President Emmanuel Macron expressed “ profound respect ” for his “ sacrifice ” , the statement continued .
In a separate statement , the armed forces chief of staff said a French tank truck was struck by a roadside bomb , wounding two soldiers in the vehicle .
This brings France ’ s death toll for its military campaign in the Sahel – a vast , semi-arid region just south of the Sahara Desert – to 42 .
France started its military operations there in 2013 , after Mali asked it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country ’ s northern desert regions the previous year .
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso .

A French Foreign Legion soldier who was fighting in Mali died on Friday from his injuries in an IED attack, the Élysée Palace announced in a press release on Saturday.
Two French soldiers wait to embark aboard of a British Chinook helicopter nearby the new French military base of Gossi, in center Mali, on March 24, 2019.
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Brigadier Dymyto Martynyouk was struck by an improvised explosive device during an “operation against terrorist groups” on April 23, the French presidential office said.
He died at the Percy military hospital near Paris, where he had been airlifted for treatment. President Emmanuel Macron expressed “profound respect” for his “sacrifice”, the statement continued.
In a separate statement, the armed forces chief of staff said a French tank truck was struck by a roadside bomb, wounding two soldiers in the vehicle.
This brings France’s death toll for its military campaign in the Sahel – a vast, semi-arid region just south of the Sahara Desert – to 42.
Le ministère des Armées a appris avec émotion et tristesse le décès dans le cadre de l’opération #barkhane du brigadier Dmytro Martynyouk, du 1er régiment étranger de cavalerie.
Hommage à ce militaire mort pour la France, au nom des convictions et des valeurs qu’il a défendues. pic.twitter.com/UEDv7cABuS — Ministère des Armées (@Armees_Gouv) May 2, 2020
France started its military operations there in 2013, after Mali asked it to help regain territory seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country’s northern desert regions the previous year.
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AFP)
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france24--2020-05-01--North Korea's Kim Jong-un reappears in public amid health rumours

In a photo purporting to be of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , the premier attends the completion of a fertiliser plant , together with his younger sister Kim Yo Jong , north of the capital , Pyongyang , on May 2 , 2020 .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance in 20 days as he celebrated the completion of a fertilizer factory near Pyongyang , state media said Saturday , ending an absence that had triggered global rumors that he may be seriously ill .
The North ’ s official Korean Central News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday in Sunchon with other senior officials , including his sister Kim Yo Jong , who many analysts predict would take over if her brother is suddenly unable to rule .
State media showed videos and photos of Kim wearing a black Mao suit and constantly smiling , walking around facilities , applauding , cutting a huge red ribbon with a scissor handed by his sister , and smoking inside and outside of buildings while talking with other officials .
Seemingly thousands of workers , many of them masked , stood in lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebration and releasing balloons into the air .
A sign installed on a stage where Kim sat with other senior officials read : “ Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory ; Completion Ceremony ; May 1 , 2020.
” There were no clear signs that Kim was in discomfort .
He was shown moving without a walking stick , like the one he used in 2014 when he was recovering from a presumed ankle surgery .
However , he was also seen riding a green electric cart , which appeared similar to a vehicle he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first public appearance since April 11 , when he presided over a ruling Workers ’ Party meeting to discuss the coronavirus and reappoint his sister as an alternate member of the powerful decision-making Political Bureau of the party ’ s Central Committee .
That move confirmed her substantial role in the government .
Speculation about his health swirled after he missed the April 15 birthday celebration for his late grandfather Kim Il Sung , the country ’ s most important holiday , for the first time since taking power in 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troubling questions about the future of the secretive , nuclear-armed state that has been steadily building an arsenal meant to threaten the U.S. mainland while diplomacy between Kim and President Donald Trump has stalled .
Some experts say South Korea , as well as its regional neighbors and ally Washington , must begin preparing for the possible chaos that could come if Kim is sidelined by health problems or even dies .
Worst-case scenarios include North Korean refugees flooding South Korea or China or military hard-liners letting loose nuclear weapons .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korea , ” said Leif-Eric Easley , a professor at Ewha University in Seoul .
“ Washington , Seoul and Tokyo need tighter coordination on contingency plans while international organizations need more resources and less controversy over the role of China.
” South Korea ’ s Unification Ministry , which deals with inter-Korean affairs , confirmed Kim ’ s visit to the fertilizer factory and said it was part of his efforts to emphasize economic development .
The ministry called for discretion on information related to North Korea , saying that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have caused “ unnecessary confusion and cost ” for South Korea ’ s society and financial markets .
South Korea ’ s government , which has a mixed record of tracking Pyongyang ’ s ruling elite , repeatedly downplayed speculation that Kim , believed to be 36 , was in poor health following surgery .
The office of President Moon Jae-in said it detected no unusual signs in North Korea or any emergency reaction by its ruling party , military and cabinet .
Seoul said it believed Kim was still managing state affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pyongyang .
The KCNA said workers at the fertilizer factory broke into “ thunderous cheers ” for Kim , who it said is guiding the nation in a struggle to build a self-reliant economy in the face of “ head wind ” by “ hostile forces.
” The report didn ’ t mention any direct comment toward Washington or Seoul .
Speaking to reporters at the White House , Trump declined to comment about Kim ’ s reappearance but said he would “ have something to say about it at the appropriate time.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out routine activities outside public view , such as sending greetings to the leaders of Syria , Cuba and South Africa and expressing gratitude to workers building tourist facilities in the coastal town of Wonsan , where some speculated he was staying .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what caused Kim ’ s absence in past weeks .
In 2014 , Kim vanished from the public eye for nearly six weeks and then reappeared with a cane .
South Korea ’ s spy agency said he had a cyst removed from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an increasing factor in years ahead : he ’ s overweight , smokes and drinks , and has a family history of heart issues .
If he ’ s suddenly unable to rule , some analysts said his sister would be installed as leader to continue Pyongyang ’ s heredity dynasty that began after World War II .
But others question whether core members of North Korea ’ s elite , mostly men in their 60s or 70s , would find it hard to accept a young and untested female leader who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective leadership or violent power struggles .
Following an unusually provocative run in missile and nuclear tests in 2017 , Kim used the Winter Olympics in South Korea to initiate negotiations with Washington and Seoul in 2018 .
That led to a surprising series of summits , including three between Kim and Trump .
But negotiations have faltered in past months over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament steps , which raised doubts about whether Kim would ever fully deal away an arsenal he likely sees as his strongest guarantee of survival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his nuclear stockpile and defeat sanctions through economic “ self-reliance.
” Some experts say the North ’ s self-imposed lockdown amid the coronavirus crisis could potentially hamper his ability to mobilize people for labor .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance in 20 days as he celebrated the completion of a fertilizer factory near Pyongyang, state media said Saturday, ending an absence that had triggered global rumors that he may be seriously ill.
In a photo purporting to be of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the premier attends the completion of a fertiliser plant, together with his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, north of the capital, Pyongyang, on May 2, 2020.
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The North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended the ceremony Friday in Sunchon with other senior officials, including his sister Kim Yo Jong, who many analysts predict would take over if her brother is suddenly unable to rule.
State media showed videos and photos of Kim wearing a black Mao suit and constantly smiling, walking around facilities, applauding, cutting a huge red ribbon with a scissor handed by his sister, and smoking inside and outside of buildings while talking with other officials.
Seemingly thousands of workers, many of them masked, stood in lines at the massive complex, roaring in celebration and releasing balloons into the air. A sign installed on a stage where Kim sat with other senior officials read: “Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory; Completion Ceremony; May 1, 2020.”
There were no clear signs that Kim was in discomfort. He was shown moving without a walking stick, like the one he used in 2014 when he was recovering from a presumed ankle surgery. However, he was also seen riding a green electric cart, which appeared similar to a vehicle he used in 2014.
It was Kim’s first public appearance since April 11, when he presided over a ruling Workers’ Party meeting to discuss the coronavirus and reappoint his sister as an alternate member of the powerful decision-making Political Bureau of the party’s Central Committee. That move confirmed her substantial role in the government.
Speculation about his health swirled after he missed the April 15 birthday celebration for his late grandfather Kim Il Sung, the country’s most important holiday, for the first time since taking power in 2011.
The possibility of high-level instability raised troubling questions about the future of the secretive, nuclear-armed state that has been steadily building an arsenal meant to threaten the U.S. mainland while diplomacy between Kim and President Donald Trump has stalled.
Some experts say South Korea, as well as its regional neighbors and ally Washington, must begin preparing for the possible chaos that could come if Kim is sidelined by health problems or even dies. Worst-case scenarios include North Korean refugees flooding South Korea or China or military hard-liners letting loose nuclear weapons.
“The world is largely unprepared for instability in North Korea,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “Washington, Seoul and Tokyo need tighter coordination on contingency plans while international organizations need more resources and less controversy over the role of China.”
South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, confirmed Kim’s visit to the fertilizer factory and said it was part of his efforts to emphasize economic development. The ministry called for discretion on information related to North Korea, saying that the “groundless” rumors of past weeks have caused “unnecessary confusion and cost” for South Korea’s society and financial markets.
South Korea’s government, which has a mixed record of tracking Pyongyang’s ruling elite, repeatedly downplayed speculation that Kim, believed to be 36, was in poor health following surgery.
The office of President Moon Jae-in said it detected no unusual signs in North Korea or any emergency reaction by its ruling party, military and cabinet. Seoul said it believed Kim was still managing state affairs but staying at an unspecified location outside Pyongyang.
The KCNA said workers at the fertilizer factory broke into “thunderous cheers” for Kim, who it said is guiding the nation in a struggle to build a self-reliant economy in the face of “head wind” by “hostile forces.”
The report didn’t mention any direct comment toward Washington or Seoul.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump declined to comment about Kim’s reappearance but said he would “have something to say about it at the appropriate time.”
Unhealthy habits
State media reported Kim was carrying out routine activities outside public view, such as sending greetings to the leaders of Syria, Cuba and South Africa and expressing gratitude to workers building tourist facilities in the coastal town of Wonsan, where some speculated he was staying.
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused Kim’s absence in past weeks. In 2014, Kim vanished from the public eye for nearly six weeks and then reappeared with a cane. South Korea’s spy agency said he had a cyst removed from his ankle.
Analysts say his health could become an increasing factor in years ahead: he’s overweight, smokes and drinks, and has a family history of heart issues.
If he’s suddenly unable to rule, some analysts said his sister would be installed as leader to continue Pyongyang’s heredity dynasty that began after World War II.
But others question whether core members of North Korea’s elite, mostly men in their 60s or 70s, would find it hard to accept a young and untested female leader who lacks military credentials. Some predict a collective leadership or violent power struggles.
Following an unusually provocative run in missile and nuclear tests in 2017, Kim used the Winter Olympics in South Korea to initiate negotiations with Washington and Seoul in 2018. That led to a surprising series of summits, including three between Kim and Trump.
But negotiations have faltered in past months over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament steps, which raised doubts about whether Kim would ever fully deal away an arsenal he likely sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.
Kim entered 2020 vowing to build up his nuclear stockpile and defeat sanctions through economic “self-reliance.” Some experts say the North’s self-imposed lockdown amid the coronavirus crisis could potentially hamper his ability to mobilize people for labor.
(AP)
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