france24--2020-01-22--Mitsubishi Motors raided over suspicions of diesel emissions fraud in Germany

The logo of Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is seen at the company 's plant in Friedberg , western Germany on January 21 , 2020 .
German prosecutors have raided 10 business premises as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars , the latest fallout from the so-called `` dieselgate '' scandal .
Frankfurt prosecutors said they had opened a fraud investigation against senior employees at `` an international car group '' , two international car suppliers and a car dealership .
The probe focuses on Mitsubishi diesel vehicles with 1.6- and 2.2-litre engines that were given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 ratings depending on their adherence to emissions standards .
`` There is a suspicion that the engines are equipped with a so-called shutdown device '' that makes them appear less polluting in lab tests than they actually are on the road , the prosecutors ' statement said .
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan on Wednesday confirmed the raid on its German distributors as well as on its European research and development facilities - also based in the country .
`` Mitsubishi Motors will of course collaborate and contribute to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , declining to offer further information .
Separately , Japanese auto parts maker Denso also admitted that German investigators visited their facilities .
`` Investigators from German authorities visited our facilities in Germany , and we are cooperating as a witness , '' a spokesman told AFP , but declined to elaborate further .
On the Tokyo stock exchange , Mitsubishi shares were swamped by selling at the opening bell , delaying an initial price .
When the stock was eventually traded , it was down 4.62 percent at 433 yen .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dieselgate scandal that erupted in 2015 when the Volkswagen group admitted to installing software in 11 million vehicles worldwide to dupe pollution tests .
The `` defeat devices '' allowed the affected cars to spew out up to 40 times more harmful nitrogen oxide than legally allowed .
The scandal has since ensnared a string of car companies , although Mitsubishi Motors had so far avoided being dragged into the controversy .
But the Tokyo-based firm did in 2016 admit to falsifying fuel-economy tests for 25 years to make the cars seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for German car supplier Continental confirmed to AFP that three of its locations had been searched as part of the probe .
The firm was acting as `` a witness '' and cooperating fully with the investigation , he added .
German car parts manufacturer Bosch told AFP it was not involved in the raids .
Alliance with Renault and Nissan under strain Mitsubishi Motors is the junior partner in an uneasy three-way alliance with Renault and Nissan , making up one of the world 's biggest automakers .
The partnership has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its chairman Carlos Ghosn for alleged financial misconduct .
Ghosn made international headlines last month after he jumped bail and fled to Lebanon - apparently by hiding in a large case for audio equipment on a private jet .
He denies the charges , claiming they were cooked up by disgruntled Nissan executives hoping to block his plans to more closely integrate the automaker with Renault .
Ghosn has since claimed the car alliance was on the rocks , forcing Nissan last week to deny reports it was working on secret plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dieselgate saga meanwhile has cost the Volkswagen group - which includes Audi , Porsche , Skoda and Seat - more than 30 billion euros ( $ 33 billion ) in fines , compensation and buybacks .
Bosch , accused of supplying key components of Volkswagen 's defeat devices , has also paid hundreds of millions of euros in fines at home and the United States but denies any wrongdoing .
Luxury automaker Daimler also denies cheating but nevertheless agreed to pay an 870-million-euro fine to German authorities last year for having sold vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

German prosecutors have raided 10 business premises as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars, the latest fallout from the so-called "dieselgate" scandal.
The logo of Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is seen at the company's plant in Friedberg, western Germany on January 21, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Frankfurt prosecutors said they had opened a fraud investigation against senior employees at "an international car group", two international car suppliers and a car dealership.
The probe focuses on Mitsubishi diesel vehicles with 1.6- and 2.2-litre engines that were given Germany's highest Euro 5 and Euro 6 ratings depending on their adherence to emissions standards.
"There is a suspicion that the engines are equipped with a so-called shutdown device" that makes them appear less polluting in lab tests than they actually are on the road, the prosecutors' statement said.
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan on Wednesday confirmed the raid on its German distributors as well as on its European research and development facilities - also based in the country.
"Mitsubishi Motors will of course collaborate and contribute to this investigation," the spokesperson told AFP, declining to offer further information.
Separately, Japanese auto parts maker Denso also admitted that German investigators visited their facilities.
"Investigators from German authorities visited our facilities in Germany, and we are cooperating as a witness," a spokesman told AFP, but declined to elaborate further.
Stock price falls on Tokyo exchange
On the Tokyo stock exchange, Mitsubishi shares were swamped by selling at the opening bell, delaying an initial price. When the stock was eventually traded, it was down 4.62 percent at 433 yen.
The Mitsubishi probe is the latest twist in the dieselgate scandal that erupted in 2015 when the Volkswagen group admitted to installing software in 11 million vehicles worldwide to dupe pollution tests.
The "defeat devices" allowed the affected cars to spew out up to 40 times more harmful nitrogen oxide than legally allowed.
The scandal has since ensnared a string of car companies, although Mitsubishi Motors had so far avoided being dragged into the controversy.
But the Tokyo-based firm did in 2016 admit to falsifying fuel-economy tests for 25 years to make the cars seem more efficient than they were.
A spokesman for German car supplier Continental confirmed to AFP that three of its locations had been searched as part of the probe. The firm was acting as "a witness" and cooperating fully with the investigation, he added.
German car parts manufacturer Bosch told AFP it was not involved in the raids.
Alliance with Renault and Nissan under strain
Mitsubishi Motors is the junior partner in an uneasy three-way alliance with Renault and Nissan, making up one of the world's biggest automakers.
The partnership has been under strain since the dramatic arrest of its chairman Carlos Ghosn for alleged financial misconduct.
Ghosn made international headlines last month after he jumped bail and fled to Lebanon - apparently by hiding in a large case for audio equipment on a private jet.
He denies the charges, claiming they were cooked up by disgruntled Nissan executives hoping to block his plans to more closely integrate the automaker with Renault.
Ghosn has since claimed the car alliance was on the rocks, forcing Nissan last week to deny reports it was working on secret plans to possibly dissolve the alliance.
The dieselgate saga meanwhile has cost the Volkswagen group - which includes Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Seat - more than 30 billion euros ($33 billion) in fines, compensation and buybacks.
Bosch, accused of supplying key components of Volkswagen's defeat devices, has also paid hundreds of millions of euros in fines at home and the United States but denies any wrongdoing.
Luxury automaker Daimler also denies cheating but nevertheless agreed to pay an 870-million-euro fine to German authorities last year for having sold vehicles that did not meet legal emission limits.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-22--France’s Macron aiming to avoid predecessors’ mishaps in first visit to Israel

French President Emmanuel Macron makes his speech during the `` 500 champions of the territories '' event for French medium-sized companies ( ETI ) at the Élysee Palace in Paris , France on January 21 , 2020 .
Emmanuel Macron begins a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday with a symbolic stop at one of France 's territories in the Holy Land aiming to avoid controversies of past presidents , while underscoring Paris ' historical influence in the region .
The two-day visit , which includes political meetings to discuss Iran tensions and the peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas , culminates in commemorations marking the 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp .
But for the 42-year-old Macron , it is also an opportunity to follow in the steps of previous French leaders in visiting one of the four sites owned by France since the Ottoman era of the 19th century and which to this day remain in its hands through international treaties .
Arriving through the Old City 's Lion gate in East Jerusalem , Macron will pay a visit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French tricolour has fluttered since the Ottomans gave it to Emperor Napoleon III in 1856 as thanks for his support during the Crimean War .
`` Be it schools , hospitals , orphanages , or religious sites like this , we continue to defend French identity , '' said a French diplomatic source ahead of the visit .
`` We are a step away here from Temple Mount and the Wailing Wail , the very heart of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians , so symbolically we are . ''
French diplomats caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mishaps such as those seen in the past .
Israeli officials have privately expressed disappointment that the French leader had not visited the country earlier in his presidency .
When former President Jacques Chirac visited Jerusalem 's old town in 1996 , he lost patience with the Israeli security agents who were pressing him to move on , telling one of them that his treatment was a `` provocation '' and threatening to get back on his plane .
He refused to enter St. Anne until Israeli security left the site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambling beyond St. Anne and into the historic Via Dolorosa , the route Christians believe Jesus walked to his crucifixion .
Macron last week played down any real prospect of renewing French efforts to push the peace process , stalled since 2014 , saying it was not for him to dictate to either side .
`` I am not going to come saying 'this is a peace plan ' because it would only fail , '' he told reporters on Jan. 15 .
`` I 'm going to speak to the actors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always has a role to play and I do n't think we 're absent from the debates in the region . ''

Emmanuel Macron begins a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday with a symbolic stop at one of France's territories in the Holy Land aiming to avoid controversies of past presidents, while underscoring Paris' historical influence in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron makes his speech during the "500 champions of the territories" event for French medium-sized companies (ETI) at the Élysee Palace in Paris, France on January 21, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The two-day visit, which includes political meetings to discuss Iran tensions and the peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, head of opposition Benny Gantz and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, culminates in commemorations marking the 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp.
But for the 42-year-old Macron, it is also an opportunity to follow in the steps of previous French leaders in visiting one of the four sites owned by France since the Ottoman era of the 19th century and which to this day remain in its hands through international treaties.
Arriving through the Old City's Lion gate in East Jerusalem, Macron will pay a visit to the Church of St. Anne, where the French tricolour has fluttered since the Ottomans gave it to Emperor Napoleon III in 1856 as thanks for his support during the Crimean War.
"Be it schools, hospitals, orphanages, or religious sites like this, we continue to defend French identity," said a French diplomatic source ahead of the visit. "We are a step away here from Temple Mount and the Wailing Wail, the very heart of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, so symbolically we are."
French diplomats caution that they want to leave little room for mishaps such as those seen in the past. Israeli officials have privately expressed disappointment that the French leader had not visited the country earlier in his presidency.
When former President Jacques Chirac visited Jerusalem's old town in 1996, he lost patience with the Israeli security agents who were pressing him to move on, telling one of them that his treatment was a "provocation" and threatening to get back on his plane. He refused to enter St. Anne until Israeli security left the site.
French officials did not rule out Macron ambling beyond St. Anne and into the historic Via Dolorosa, the route Christians believe Jesus walked to his crucifixion.
Macron last week played down any real prospect of renewing French efforts to push the peace process, stalled since 2014, saying it was not for him to dictate to either side. "I am not going to come saying 'this is a peace plan' because it would only fail," he told reporters on Jan. 15. "I'm going to speak to the actors, see what the conditions are. France always has a role to play and I don't think we're absent from the debates in the region."
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-22--Venezuelan intelligence raids opposition leader Guaido's offices, says lawmaker

Agents from Venezuela 's Sebin intelligence service on Tuesday raided the offices of opposition leader Juan Guaido while he was in London for talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson , an opposition lawmaker said .
`` We have just confirmed that Sebin officers are inside the office of president Guaido , '' lawmaker Delsa Solorzano told reporters after speaking with security guards at Caracas ' Zurich Tower .
National Assembly leader Guaido has been recognized as president by the United States and around 50 other countries in his power struggle with socialist President Nicolas Maduro .
The tower where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the afternoon by hooded and armed Sebin officers dressed in black .
The offices were empty when the search began , the opposition said , adding that several lawmakers had been unable to gain access .
Lawmaker Angel Torres said the agents `` abruptly entered '' the offices , amid opposition fears they could plant false evidence .
The 36-year-old Guaido has defied a travel ban to fly to London as part of a European trip which will include a visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
Despite international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalled and the socialist leader retains the support of the powerful armed forces , as well as that of allies China , Russia and Cuba .

Agents from Venezuela's Sebin intelligence service on Tuesday raided the offices of opposition leader Juan Guaido while he was in London for talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, an opposition lawmaker said.
Advertising Read more
"We have just confirmed that Sebin officers are inside the office of president Guaido," lawmaker Delsa Solorzano told reporters after speaking with security guards at Caracas' Zurich Tower.
National Assembly leader Guaido has been recognized as president by the United States and around 50 other countries in his power struggle with socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
The tower where the offices are located had been surrounded in the afternoon by hooded and armed Sebin officers dressed in black.
The offices were empty when the search began, the opposition said, adding that several lawmakers had been unable to gain access.
Lawmaker Angel Torres said the agents "abruptly entered" the offices, amid opposition fears they could plant false evidence.
The 36-year-old Guaido has defied a travel ban to fly to London as part of a European trip which will include a visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Despite international support, efforts to oust Maduro have stalled and the socialist leader retains the support of the powerful armed forces, as well as that of allies China, Russia and Cuba.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-22--French union shuts down France’s biggest hydroelectric site in pension reform protest

France 's hydroelectric power site of Grand'Maison , at Allemont , in the French region of Isère , on May 11 , 2007 .
France 's biggest hydroelectric power site at Grand'Maison was shut down on Tuesday by workers protesting against government plans to change the pension system , a branch of the CGT trade union said in a statement .
The protest was launched by the CGT Énergie-Isère branch of the union , it said on its Facebook page .
The disruption to the Grand'Maison power site in southeastern France comes just a few hours after energy workers protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans cut power to Paris 's wholesale food market at Rungis , a key source for retailers and restaurants of the French capital .
Striking workers at France 's national grid operator also cut off electricity to thousands of businesses and homes south of Paris on Tuesday .
`` The goal is to take things up a notch '' ahead of the government 's formal presentation of the pension reform on Friday , said Sebastien Menesplier , secretary general of the hardliner CGT union 's energy branch .
Menesplier ’ s union also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 equipment warehouses used by electricity company Enedis and natural gas network operator GRDF , preventing them from dispatching material to work sites .
French officials have denounced the cuts which have affected thousands of homes across France since mid-December , warning that they could have dangerous consequences for ordinary citizens .
Grid operator Enedis said Tuesday 's outages were reported at around 6am ( 0500 GMT ) and affected several suburbs south of the capital as well as Orly airport , in addition to the Rungis market .
On Tuesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nuclear power plants and other sites as part of its efforts to force the government to abandon the pensions overhaul .
The sabotage of power supplies underlines the determination of left-wing unions after a wave of strikes and street protests since early December failed to force Macron to back down , but disrupted train traffic and the Paris métro , spelling misery for millions of travellers and commuters .
The government says its proposed changes to the pension system will make the system more simple and equitable , but critics say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for longer in order to get a full pension .
Moderate unions got on board with the plan after the government dropped a proposal to push back the age for a full pension from 62 to 64 .
The situation eased considerably Monday after striking métro workers , who have been going without pay , voted to suspend their industrial action .
But the CGT warned the dispute was `` far from over '' , and another day of demonstrations is planned for Friday .
Unions are protesting the plan for a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dozens of special schemes that offer early retirement and other benefits to a range of employees , chiefly in the public sector .

France's biggest hydroelectric power site at Grand'Maison was shut down on Tuesday by workers protesting against government plans to change the pension system, a branch of the CGT trade union said in a statement.
France's hydroelectric power site of Grand'Maison, at Allemont, in the French region of Isère, on May 11, 2007.
Advertising Read more
The protest was launched by the CGT Énergie-Isère branch of the union, it said on its Facebook page.
The disruption to the Grand'Maison power site in southeastern France comes just a few hours after energy workers protesting against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plans cut power to Paris's wholesale food market at Rungis, a key source for retailers and restaurants of the French capital.
Striking workers at France's national grid operator also cut off electricity to thousands of businesses and homes south of Paris on Tuesday.
"The goal is to take things up a notch" ahead of the government's formal presentation of the pension reform on Friday, said Sebastien Menesplier, secretary general of the hardliner CGT union's energy branch.
Menesplier’s union also says it is blocking seven of the 11 equipment warehouses used by electricity company Enedis and natural gas network operator GRDF, preventing them from dispatching material to work sites.
French officials have denounced the cuts which have affected thousands of homes across France since mid-December, warning that they could have dangerous consequences for ordinary citizens.
Grid operator Enedis said Tuesday's outages were reported at around 6am (0500 GMT) and affected several suburbs south of the capital as well as Orly airport, in addition to the Rungis market.
Limiting nuclear power plants' output?
On Tuesday, the CGT warned it could begin limiting output at nuclear power plants and other sites as part of its efforts to force the government to abandon the pensions overhaul.
The sabotage of power supplies underlines the determination of left-wing unions after a wave of strikes and street protests since early December failed to force Macron to back down, but disrupted train traffic and the Paris métro, spelling misery for millions of travellers and commuters.
The government says its proposed changes to the pension system will make the system more simple and equitable, but critics say it will result in people having to work for longer in order to get a full pension.
Moderate unions got on board with the plan after the government dropped a proposal to push back the age for a full pension from 62 to 64.
The situation eased considerably Monday after striking métro workers, who have been going without pay, voted to suspend their industrial action.
But the CGT warned the dispute was "far from over", and another day of demonstrations is planned for Friday.
Unions are protesting the plan for a single French pension system that would do away with dozens of special schemes that offer early retirement and other benefits to a range of employees, chiefly in the public sector.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-21--Coronavirus reaches the US as China struggles with pandemic fears, mounting death toll

A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk towards check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing on January 21 , 2020 , the day that the death toll from a new China virus that is transmittable between humans rose to six .
The United States on Tuesday announced its first case of a new virus that has claimed nine lives in China and sickened hundreds , joining countries around the world in ramping up measures to block its spread .
The death toll from a new flu-like coronavirus in China rose to nine on Wednesday with 440 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities stepped up efforts to control the outbreak by discouraging public gatherings in Hubei province .
Another 2,197 cases of close contact with patients had been confirmed and there was evidence of `` respiratory transmission '' of the virus , National Health Commission vice-minister Li Bin told reporters .
As China also vowed to tighten containment measures in hospitals , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) is due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to determine whether the outbreak of the new coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency .
The virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan in Hubei at the end of last year , has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai , as well as the United States , Thailand , South Korea , Japan and Taiwan .
The Chinese government has been providing daily updates on the number of cases in a bid to head off public panic , as millions of people prepare to travel domestically and abroad for the country 's Lunar New Year celebrations starting this week .
Hubei had been asked to minimise public gatherings and people across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in general , the health commission said .
China also would step up cooperation with the WHO , Li added .
Officials found to have covered up infections would be a `` sinner for eternity before the Party and the people '' , the Chinese Communist Party 's Central Political and Legal Commission said in a post on its WeChat social media account that was subsequently deleted .
`` I 'm not sure that we could expect more of them at this stage in the outbreak , particularly when they are understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to contain it ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations , '' said Adam Kamradt-Scott , an infectious diseases expert at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney .
Fears of a pandemic similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) outbreak that started in China and killed nearly 800 people in 2002-2003 have roiled global markets , with aviation and luxury goods stocks hit particularly hard and the Chinese yuan tumbling .
The WHO said on Tuesday the new coronavirus was likely to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries in coming days .
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said new cases would appear as China stepped up monitoring .
`` If you increase surveillance and testing you are likely to get new numbers , '' he added .
Hong Kong 's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd , one of the airlines affected the most by the SARS outbreak , said it would allow flight attendants to wear a surgical mask while operating mainland China flights due to concerns over the new virus .
The Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of messages from members concerned over catching the virus , and attendants on all flights should have the option to wear a mask .
`` All of them are worried about the risk they are taking every time they go to work , '' the union said on its Facebook page .
Taiwan joined Australia in warning citizens to avoid travel to Wuhan , and airports around the world have stepped up screening of travellers from China .
`` I want to call on our nationals please not to visit this region if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page .
A Bank of Korea official said worries over the virus may impact domestic consumer spending .
Fifteen medical personnel are among those infected in China .
Symptoms include fever , coughing and difficulty breathing .
The viral infection can cause pneumonia and can be passed from person to person .
Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified , the WHO said the primary source was probably animal .
Chinese officials have linked the outbreak to Wuhan 's seafood market .

The United States on Tuesday announced its first case of a new virus that has claimed nine lives in China and sickened hundreds, joining countries around the world in ramping up measures to block its spread.
A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk towards check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing on January 21, 2020, the day that the death toll from a new China virus that is transmittable between humans rose to six.
Advertising Read more
The death toll from a new flu-like coronavirus in China rose to nine on Wednesday with 440 confirmed cases, Chinese health officials said as authorities stepped up efforts to control the outbreak by discouraging public gatherings in Hubei province.
Another 2,197 cases of close contact with patients had been confirmed and there was evidence of "respiratory transmission" of the virus, National Health Commission vice-minister Li Bin told reporters.
As China also vowed to tighten containment measures in hospitals, the World Health Organization (WHO) is due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to determine whether the outbreak of the new coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency.
The virus, originating in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei at the end of last year, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
03:18
The Chinese government has been providing daily updates on the number of cases in a bid to head off public panic, as millions of people prepare to travel domestically and abroad for the country's Lunar New Year celebrations starting this week.
Hubei had been asked to minimise public gatherings and people across the country were urged to avoid densely populated areas in general, the health commission said. China also would step up cooperation with the WHO, Li added.
Officials found to have covered up infections would be a "sinner for eternity before the Party and the people", the Chinese Communist Party's Central Political and Legal Commission said in a post on its WeChat social media account that was subsequently deleted.
"I'm not sure that we could expect more of them at this stage in the outbreak, particularly when they are understandably focused on responding to the outbreak and trying to contain it ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations," said Adam Kamradt-Scott, an infectious diseases expert at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney.
Fears of a pandemic similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak that started in China and killed nearly 800 people in 2002-2003 have roiled global markets, with aviation and luxury goods stocks hit particularly hard and the Chinese yuan tumbling.
The WHO said on Tuesday the new coronavirus was likely to spread to other parts of China and possibly other countries in coming days.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said new cases would appear as China stepped up monitoring. "If you increase surveillance and testing you are likely to get new numbers," he added.
Flight fears
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, one of the airlines affected the most by the SARS outbreak, said it would allow flight attendants to wear a surgical mask while operating mainland China flights due to concerns over the new virus.
The Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union said it had received a "tremendous" amount of messages from members concerned over catching the virus, and attendants on all flights should have the option to wear a mask.
"All of them are worried about the risk they are taking every time they go to work," the union said on its Facebook page.
Taiwan joined Australia in warning citizens to avoid travel to Wuhan, and airports around the world have stepped up screening of travellers from China.
"I want to call on our nationals please not to visit this region if not necessary," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page.
A Bank of Korea official said worries over the virus may impact domestic consumer spending.
Fifteen medical personnel are among those infected in China. Symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. The viral infection can cause pneumonia and can be passed from person to person.
Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified, the WHO said the primary source was probably animal. Chinese officials have linked the outbreak to Wuhan's seafood market.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-22--Burkina Faso president calls for two days of mourning after 'terrorist group' kills dozens

Militants killed 36 civilians when they attacked villages in northern Burkina Faso , the government said Tuesday , appealing for local volunteers to bolster its fight against jihadists .
A `` terrorist group '' killed 32 civilians when they attacked and burned the market in Nagraogo village before killing four more people in Alamou village on Monday , the government said .
Three other people were wounded in the attacks , it added .
`` The Burkina government has learned with consternation and anger of the deaths of 36 Burkinabe in Sanmatenga province , after a terrorist attack , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds of people have fled the area and taken refuge in the city of Kaya , in Sanmatenga province , according to residents contacted by AFP .
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore announced a two-day period of mourning , for Wednesday and Thursday , during which flags will be flown at half-mast and festivals will be prohibited .
Faced with these `` repeated attacks '' against civilians , the government launched an appeal for the people 's `` frank collaboration '' with the defence and security forces .
The Burkina parliament on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruitment of local volunteers in the fight against jihadists .
According to a document seen by AFP , volunteers aged over 18 will be recruited in their regions in agreement with local populations .
They will be given 14 days military training , after which they will be given small arms and other communication equipment .
The recruits would be expected to conduct surveillance and provide information and protection for their local communities in the event of an attack while waiting for security forces to deploy , according to Defence Minister Cheriff Sy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbouring Mali and Niger , has seen frequent jihadist attacks which have left hundreds of people dead since the start of 2015 when Islamist extremist violence began to spread across the Sahel region .
According to the UN , around 4,000 people were killed in jihadist attacks in the three Sahel countries last year .
The Burkina Faso army is ill-equipped and poorly trained to deal with the threat posed by jihadists in the country .
However , in recent months they have enjoyed a series of successes , claiming to have killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are 4,500 French troops deployed in the Sahel region as well as a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali to fight insurgents , backing up national forces of the G5 -- Chad , Burkina Faso , Mali , Mauritania and Niger .
In the wake of the latest attack European Commission diplomatic spokeswoman Virginie Battu-Henriksson said it was a reminder of the `` urgency '' of a plan to increase European security and development action in the region .
`` Thoughts for the families of the victims of this new terrorist attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said on Twitter .

Militants killed 36 civilians when they attacked villages in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Tuesday, appealing for local volunteers to bolster its fight against jihadists.
Advertising Read more
A "terrorist group" killed 32 civilians when they attacked and burned the market in Nagraogo village before killing four more people in Alamou village on Monday, the government said.
Three other people were wounded in the attacks, it added.
"The Burkina government has learned with consternation and anger of the deaths of 36 Burkinabe in Sanmatenga province, after a terrorist attack," communications minister Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said.
Hundreds of people have fled the area and taken refuge in the city of Kaya, in Sanmatenga province, according to residents contacted by AFP.
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore announced a two-day period of mourning, for Wednesday and Thursday, during which flags will be flown at half-mast and festivals will be prohibited.
Volunteer plan
Faced with these "repeated attacks" against civilians, the government launched an appeal for the people's "frank collaboration" with the defence and security forces.
The Burkina parliament on Tuesday adopted unanimously a law allowing for the recruitment of local volunteers in the fight against jihadists.
According to a document seen by AFP, volunteers aged over 18 will be recruited in their regions in agreement with local populations.
They will be given 14 days military training, after which they will be given small arms and other communication equipment.
The recruits would be expected to conduct surveillance and provide information and protection for their local communities in the event of an attack while waiting for security forces to deploy, according to Defence Minister Cheriff Sy.
Burkina Faso, as well as neighbouring Mali and Niger, has seen frequent jihadist attacks which have left hundreds of people dead since the start of 2015 when Islamist extremist violence began to spread across the Sahel region.
According to the UN, around 4,000 people were killed in jihadist attacks in the three Sahel countries last year.
The Burkina Faso army is ill-equipped and poorly trained to deal with the threat posed by jihadists in the country.
However, in recent months they have enjoyed a series of successes, claiming to have killed a hundred jihadists in many operations.
There are 4,500 French troops deployed in the Sahel region as well as a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali to fight insurgents, backing up national forces of the G5 -- Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
In the wake of the latest attack European Commission diplomatic spokeswoman Virginie Battu-Henriksson said it was a reminder of the "urgency" of a plan to increase European security and development action in the region.
"Thoughts for the families of the victims of this new terrorist attack in a market in Burkina Faso," she said on Twitter.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--Holocaust must not 'justify' division or hate, Macron says at 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberati

Holocaust must not 'justify' division or hate, Macron says at 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday told world leaders commemorating 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz that anti-Semitism is “ once again rearing its violent head ” , but underscored that the Holocaust must not be used to `` justify '' hatred and division .
Addressing more than 40 world leaders at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Memorial Center in Jerusalem , Macron said that “ in our history , anti-Semitism always preceded the weakening of democracy ” .
But , he noted , `` no one has the right to invoke ( those killed by the Nazis ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 42-year old French leader spoke after Israel ’ s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American Vice President Mike Pence had both warned of perceived threats by Iran .
While Netanyahu said “ there will not be another Holocaust ” , he urged action against what he called `` the tyrants of Tehran '' , comparing the threat of the Islamic Republic with that once posed by Nazi Germany .
`` We have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet , a regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and annihilate the one and only Jewish state , ” he said .
`` I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran . ''
Pence struck a similar chord , and urged the world to “ stand strong against the Islamic Republic of Iran '' , saying it is the only government in the world “ that denies the Holocaust as a matter of state policy '' .
Tehran denies accusations of anti-Semitism , insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including its own Jewish minority .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , meanwhile , proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to `` defend peace '' in the face of global instability .
Thursday ’ s forum was the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel , to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people , most of them Jews .
‘ Industrial mass murder ’ Germany 's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil are emerging in a new guise '' .
The German head of state told the gathering he bowed `` in deepest sorrow '' at the memory of `` the industrial mass murder of six million Jews , the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen '' .
Looking at resurgent extremism and intolerance , he said , `` Of course , our age is a different age .
The words are not the same .
The perpetrators are not the same .
But it is the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil are emerging in a new guise , presenting their anti-Semitic , racist , authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future , a new solution to the problems of our age . ''
About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event in Jerusalem to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch .
Among them was Yona Amit , 81 , who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis and lost family members , including her cousin .
`` I exchanged shoes with him playing '' shortly before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They were straight away sent to Auschwitz .
And of course my cousin , with my shoes : straight away up in the chimneys , in the gas chambers , '' she said .
`` My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz , my shoes are there .
I am here . ''
The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp , which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27 , 1945 .
( FRANCE 24 with AP @ @ @

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday told world leaders commemorating 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz that anti-Semitism is “once again rearing its violent head” but underscored that the Holocaust must not be used to "justify" hatred and division.
Advertising Read more
Addressing more than 40 world leaders at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remebrance Center in Jerusalem, Macron said that “in our history, anti-Semitism always preceded the weakening of democracy”. But, he noted, "no one has the right to invoke (those killed by the Nazis) to justify division or contemporary hatred".
The 42-year-old French leader spoke after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Vice President Mike Pence had both warned of perceived threats by Iran.
09:21
While Netanyahu said “there will not be another Holocaust”, he urged action against what he called "the tyrants of Tehran", comparing the threat of the Islamic Republic with that once posed by Nazi Germany.
"We have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet, a regime that openly seeks to develop nuclear weapons and annihilate the one and only Jewish state,” he said. "I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran."
Pence struck a similar chord, and urged the world to “stand strong against the Islamic Republic of Iran", saying it is the only government in the world “that denies the Holocaust as a matter of state policy".
Tehran denies accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause, it has no problem with Jewish people, including its own Jewish minority.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to "defend peace" in the face of global instability.
Thursday’s forum was the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel, to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews.
03:08
‘Industrial mass murder’
Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that racist and anti-Semitic "spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise".
The German head of state told the gathering he bowed "in deepest sorrow" at the memory of "the industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen".
Looking at resurgent extremism and intolerance, he said, "Of course, our age is a different age. The words are not the same. The perpetrators are not the same. But it is the same evil."
"The spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise, presenting their anti-Semitic, racist, authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future, a new solution to the problems of our age."
02:08
About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event in Jerusalem to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch.
Among them was Yona Amit, 81, who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis and lost family members, including her cousin.
"I exchanged shoes with him playing" shortly before he was captured, she recalled.
"They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin, with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys, in the gas chambers," she said.
"My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz, my shoes are there. I am here."
The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp, which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-22--'The Last Ones': Listening to survivors of the concentration camps

Seventy-five years after the killing stopped at Auschwitz , survivors still witness the horrors of the concentration camp .
FRANCE 24 commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with `` The Last Ones '' , a series of portraits of the camp 's last survivors by documentary film-maker Sophie Nahum .
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz .
From the 22th to the 26th of January , FRANCE 24 will be airing survivors ' stories in Nahum 's series `` The Last Ones '' .
Those who returned from the death camps recount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - between the pain that is impossible to forget , the guilt of surviving and the need to remember the past .
`` The Last Ones '' presents five 8-minute portraits that provide a comprehensive picture of the horrors of deportation and its destination of Auschwitz .
Henri was a child of Polish migrants and arrested in western France when he was fifteen years old for being a Jew .
He was one of 878 people shipped on convoy `` 73 '' to Kaunas , Lithuania .
Only 22 would come back alive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining survivor of that convoy , he speaks of the guilt he feels of having been one of the few to escape .
• Lucette , sent to Auschwitz on the last train from France Lucette , 93 years old , had never left her Parisian neighbourhood of Montmartre until she was deported .
Seventy-five years on , the pain remains , particularly as she recounts the story of her father being sent away .
Now , she fears the rise of anti-Semitism in France , once again .
Born in Hungary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberation .
Alongside his son , he evokes the transgenerational trauma of the Holocaust .
Can we recount everything ?
How much can we relate ?
Nicolas decided to tell everything , and recounted his experiences in his book , 'Being 16 in Auschwitz ' .
• Esther , sent to Auschwitz at 15 years old Though born in Poland , Esther grew up in Paris and was arrested during the infamous `` Vél d'Hiv roundup '' before being sent to Auschwitz at 15 years old .
Her sole aim there was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face suspicion upon her return to France , and years of living with severe depression .
• Armand , from the Polish ghetto to Buchenwald Armand encountered the Nazis at a very young age .
First , at 10 , in the Polish ghetto of Piotrkow , the country 's first , and later , when deported to the concentration camp of Buchenwald .
Haunted by the nightmares , he spends his life collecting memories so that the horror of what happened shall not be forgotten .

REMEMBERING
FRANCE 24 commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with "The Last Ones", a series of portraits of the camp's last survivors by documentary film-maker Sophie Nahum.
Seventy-five years after the killing stopped at Auschwitz, survivors still witness the horrors of the concentration camp.
Advertising Read more
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. From the 22th to the 26th of January, FRANCE 24 will be airing survivors' stories in Nahum's series "The Last Ones". Those who returned from the death camps recount their experiences there and their life afterwards - between the pain that is impossible to forget, the guilt of surviving and the need to remember the past.
"The Last Ones" presents five 8-minute portraits that provide a comprehensive picture of the horrors of deportation and its destination of Auschwitz.
• Henri, arrested with 13 family members
Henri was a child of Polish migrants and arrested in western France when he was fifteen years old for being a Jew. He was one of 878 people shipped on convoy "73" to Kaunas, Lithuania. Only 22 would come back alive. Seventy-five years later, the only remaining survivor of that convoy, he speaks of the guilt he feels of having been one of the few to escape.
• Lucette, sent to Auschwitz on the last train from France
Lucette, 93 years old, had never left her Parisian neighbourhood of Montmartre until she was deported. Seventy-five years on, the pain remains, particularly as she recounts the story of her father being sent away. Now, she fears the rise of anti-Semitism in France, once again.
• Nicolas, deported at 16 years old
Born in Hungary, Nicolas sought refuge in France following the liberation. Alongside his son, he evokes the transgenerational trauma of the Holocaust. Can we recount everything? How much can we relate? Nicolas decided to tell everything, and recounted his experiences in his book, 'Being 16 in Auschwitz'.
• Esther, sent to Auschwitz at 15 years old
Though born in Poland, Esther grew up in Paris and was arrested during the infamous "Vél d'Hiv roundup" before being sent to Auschwitz at 15 years old. Her sole aim there was to survive. She speaks of having to face suspicion upon her return to France, and years of living with severe depression.
• Armand, from the Polish ghetto to Buchenwald
Armand encountered the Nazis at a very young age. First, at 10, in the Polish ghetto of Piotrkow, the country's first, and later, when deported to the concentration camp of Buchenwald. Haunted by the nightmares, he spends his life collecting memories so that the horror of what happened shall not be forgotten.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--Holocaust survivor Dita Kraus: 'For children, Auschwitz was less horrible than for adults'

As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz , FRANCE 24 's Jerusalem correspondent sat down @ @ @ @ @ survivor of the Nazi concentration camp in Poland .
Detained with her parents from December @ @ @ @ @ was in charge of the few books smuggled out of the belongings of other deportees @ @ @ @ @ children 's block '' .
With these books , Kraus , nicknamed the `` Librarian @ @ @ @ @ to provide a semblance of humanity in the midst of unspeakable horror .
She first @ @ @ @ @ Otto Kraus , teaching a group of boys in the children 's block .
They @ @ @ @ @ liberation of the camp .
Click on the player above to watch the interview .

As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, FRANCE 24's Jerusalem correspondent sat down with Dita Kraus, a survivor of the Nazi concentration camp in Poland.
Advertising
Detained with her parents from December 1943, the young teenager was in charge of the few books smuggled out of the belongings of other deportees and kept in the "children's block".
With these books, Kraus, nicknamed the "Librarian of Auschwitz", sought to provide a semblance of humanity in the midst of unspeakable horror.
She first saw her future husband, Otto Kraus, teaching a group of boys in the children's block. They reunited in Prague after the liberation of the camp.
Click on the player above to watch the interview.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--In Jerusalem, Yad Vashem preserves the memory of Holocaust victims

As over a million Holocaust victims are still unknown to researchers , the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem keeps gathering information .
More than 40 world leaders , including Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron , are attending ceremonies at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem , which will hold a commemoration on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz .
which FRANCE 24 visited .
The millions who disappeared into the darkness of Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps during World War II are commemorated by miniature sculptures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located on the outskirts of Jerusalem .
Dr. Robert Rozett , the senior historian in a research institute at the memorial , says `` this subject is still central to the world ” .
“ There are around a million people who visit our museum each year , ” he told FRANCE 24 .
“ The majority come from abroad .
They do not necessarily have any connection , through their family , to the Holocaust .
I think a lot of people have understood that if you want to understand Israel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Founded in 1953 , Yad Vashem is a museum , a memorial and also a research center , with an archive of millions of documents and a library of 170,000 books .
It has gathered information on 4.8 of the six million killed during the Nazi effort to exterminate the Jewish people , and it continues its research .
`` We are constantly discovering new materials which provide new answers and new knowledge on these subjects but which also pose new questions , '' Rozett says .
Click on the player above @ @ @ @ @ @

More than 40 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, attended ceremonies at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, which held a commemoration on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz. which FRANCE 24 visited.
As over a million Holocaust victims are still unknown to researchers, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem keeps gathering information.
Advertising Read more
The millions who disappeared into the darkness of Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps during World War II are commemorated by miniature sculptures at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
Dr. Robert Rozett, the senior historian in a research institute at the memorial, says "this subject is still central to the world”.
“There are around a million people who visit our museum each year,” he told FRANCE 24. “The majority come from abroad. They do not necessarily have any connection, through their family, to the Holocaust. I think a lot of people have understood that if you want to understand Israel, you have to understand the Holocaust."
Founded in 1953, Yad Vashem is a museum, a memorial and also a research center, with an archive of millions of documents and a library of 170,000 books.
It has gathered information on 4.8 of the six million killed during the Nazi effort to exterminate the Jewish people, and it continues its research.
"We are constantly discovering new materials which provide new answers and new knowledge on these subjects but which also pose new questions," Rozett says.
Click on the player above to watch our special report.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--More Chinese cities shut down, New Year events cancelled as deadly virus spreads

China on Thursday decided to lock down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to try to contain a deadly new viral illness that has sickened hundreds and spread to other cities and countries in the Lunar New Year travel rush .
Police , SWAT teams and paramilitary troops guarded Wuhan ’ s train station , where metal barriers blocked the entrances at 10am sharp .
Only travelers holding tickets for the last trains were allowed to enter , with those booked for later trains being turned away .
Normally bustling streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spaces in the city of 11 million people were eerily quiet .
In addition to the train station , airport , ferry , subway and bus services were also halted .
Similar measures will take effect from Friday in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou .
In Huanggang , theatres , internet cafes and other entertainment centres were also ordered closed .
The illnesses from a newly identified coronavirus first appeared last month in Wuhan , an industrial and transportation hub in central China ’ s Hubei province .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events ” indefinitely , including traditional temple fairs that are a staple of holiday celebrations , according to an announcement by the city ’ s bureau of culture and tourism .
It said it was needed to “ execute epidemic prevention and control ” .
“ To my knowledge , trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science , ” Gauden Galea , the World Health Organization ’ s representative in China , told The Associated Press in an interview at the WHO ’ s Beijing office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a public health measure .
We can not at this stage say it will or it will not work.
” More cases reported internationally Other cases have been reported in the United States , Japan , South Korea and Thailand .
On Thursday , Hong Kong and Singapore reported one confirmed case each , while Vietnam said two Chinese nationals had tested positive for the virus in the country and were being treated in hospital .
India also said one of its nationals had been infected in Saudi Arabia .
Most cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had recently traveled there .
On Thursday , the total number of coronavirus cases in China had hit 634 , state television reported .
A total of 17 people have died , all of them in and around Wuhan .
Their average age was 73 , with the oldest 89 and the youngest 48 .
Images obtained from inside Wuhan following the closure showed long lines and empty shelves at supermarkets , as residents stocked up for what could be weeks of relative isolation .
That appeared to be an over-reaction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks carrying supplies into the city , although many Chinese still have strong memories of shortages and privations in the years before the country ’ s recent economic boom .
Such sweeping measures are typical of China ’ s authoritarian communist government , although their effectiveness in containing the outbreak remains uncertain .
Local authorities in Wuhan have demanded all residents wear masks in public places and urged government staff to wear them at work and for shopkeepers to post signs for their visitors , Xinhua news agency quoted a government notice as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s anti-virus task force as saying the measures were taken in an attempt to “ effectively cut off the virus spread , resolutely curb the outbreak and guarantee the people ’ s health and safety ” .
Stocking up on food The significant increase in illnesses reported just this week come as millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year , one of the world ’ s largest annual migrations of people .
Chinese are expected to take an estimated 3 billion trips during the 40-day spike in travel .
Analysts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiply .
“ Even if ( the number of cases ) are in the thousands , this would not surprise us , ” the WHO ’ s Galea said , adding , however , that the number of cases is not an indicator of the outbreak ’ s severity , so long as the mortality rate remains low .
The coronavirus family includes the common cold as well as viruses that cause more serious illnesses , such as the SARS outbreak that spread from China to more than a dozen countries in 2002-2003 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome , which developed from camels .
China is keen to avoid repeating mistakes with its handling of SARS .
For months , even after the illness had spread around the world , China parked patients in hotels and drove them around in ambulances to conceal the true number of cases and avoid WHO experts .
In the current outbreak , China has been credited with sharing information rapidly , and President Xi Jinping has emphasised that as a priority .
“ Party committees , governments and relevant departments at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and health first , ” Xi said Monday .
“ It is necessary to release epidemic information in a timely manner and deepen international cooperation.
” Health authorities were taking extraordinary measures to prevent additional person-to-person transmissions , placing those suspected to be infected in plastic tubes and wheeled boxes where air passed through filters .
The first cases in the Wuhan outbreak were connected to people who worked at or visited a seafood market , which has since been closed for an investigation .
Experts suspect the virus was first transmitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be mutating .
Mutations can make it deadlier or more contagious .
WHO plans another meeting of scientific experts Thursday on whether to recommend declaring the outbreak a global health emergency , which it defines as an “ extraordinary event ” that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response .
( FRANCE 24 with AP , AFP , REUTERS )

China announced that it will curtail certain Lunar New Year events amid a lockdown in eight cities as it seeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday it was "too early" to declare the virus a global health emergency.
Advertising Read more
During a news conference in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while the epidemic was clearly a crisis in China, “it has not yet become a global health emergency", although he added: "It may yet become one.”
He also said there was "no evidence" of human-to-human transmission outside of China.
Eight Chinese cities have suspended public transport, in an unprecedented effort to try to contain a deadly new viral illness that has sickened hundreds and spread to other cities and countries in the Lunar New Year travel rush.
Police, SWAT teams and paramilitary troops guarded Wuhan’s train station, where metal barriers blocked the entrances at 10am sharp. Only travelers holding tickets for the last trains were allowed to enter, with those booked for later trains being turned away.
Normally bustling streets, shopping malls, restaurants and other public spaces in the city of 11 million people were eerily quiet. In addition to the train station, airport, ferry, subway and bus services were also halted.
03:26
Similar measures will take effect from Friday in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou. In Huanggang, theatres, internet cafes and other entertainment centres were also ordered closed.
The illnesses from a newly identified coronavirus first appeared last month in Wuhan, an industrial and transportation hub in central China’s Hubei province.
01:41
In the capital Beijing, authorities cancelled “major events” indefinitely, including traditional temple fairs that are a staple of holiday celebrations, according to an announcement by the city’s bureau of culture and tourism. It said it was needed to “execute epidemic prevention and control”.
“To my knowledge, trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science,” Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization’s representative in China, told The Associated Press in an interview at the WHO’s Beijing office. “It has not been tried before as a public health measure. We cannot at this stage say it will or it will not work.”
More cases reported internationally
Other cases have been reported in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. On Thursday, Hong Kong and Singapore reported one confirmed case each, while Vietnam said two Chinese nationals had tested positive for the virus in the country and were being treated in hospital. India also said one of its nationals had been infected in Saudi Arabia, but a tweet from the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control said no cases of the virus had been found in the country so far.
01:27
Most cases outside China were people from Wuhan or who had recently traveled there.
A total of 25 people have died, all of them in and around Wuhan, with the number of confirmed cases also leaping to 830, the government said on Friday.
The National Health Commission said authorities were also examining 1,072 suspected cases of the virus.
Images obtained from inside Wuhan following the closure showed long lines and empty shelves at supermarkets, as residents stocked up for what could be weeks of relative isolation. That appeared to be an over-reaction, since no restrictions have been placed on trucks carrying supplies into the city, although many Chinese still have strong memories of shortages and privations in the years before the country’s recent economic boom.
Such sweeping measures are typical of China’s authoritarian communist government, although their effectiveness in containing the outbreak remains uncertain.
Local authorities in Wuhan have demanded all residents wear masks in public places and urged government staff to wear them at work and for shopkeepers to post signs for their visitors, Xinhua news agency quoted a government notice as saying.
Xinhua cited the city’s anti-virus task force as saying the measures were taken in an attempt to “effectively cut off the virus spread, resolutely curb the outbreak and guarantee the people’s health and safety”.
Stocking up on food
The significant increase in illnesses reported just this week come as millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year, one of the world’s largest annual migrations of people. Chinese are expected to take an estimated 3 billion trips during the 40-day spike in travel.
Analysts have predicted the reported cases will continue to multiply.
“Even if (the number of cases) are in the thousands, this would not surprise us,” the WHO’s Galea said, adding, however, that the number of cases is not an indicator of the outbreak’s severity, so long as the mortality rate remains low.
The coronavirus family includes the common cold as well as viruses that cause more serious illnesses, such as the SARS outbreak that spread from China to more than a dozen countries in 2002-2003 and killed about 800 people, and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, which developed from camels.
China is keen to avoid repeating mistakes with its handling of SARS. For months, even after the illness had spread around the world, China parked patients in hotels and drove them around in ambulances to conceal the true number of cases and avoid WHO experts.
In the current outbreak, China has been credited with sharing information rapidly, and President Xi Jinping has emphasised that as a priority.
“Party committees, governments and relevant departments at all levels must put people’s lives and health first,” Xi said Monday. “It is necessary to release epidemic information in a timely manner and deepen international cooperation.”
Health authorities were taking extraordinary measures to prevent additional person-to-person transmissions, placing those suspected to be infected in plastic tubes and wheeled boxes where air passed through filters.
The first cases in the Wuhan outbreak were connected to people who worked at or visited a seafood market, which has since been closed for an investigation. Experts suspect the virus was first transmitted from wild animals but the virus also may be mutating. Mutations can make it deadlier or more contagious.
WHO plans another meeting of scientific experts Thursday on whether to recommend declaring the outbreak a global health emergency, which it defines as an “extraordinary event” that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP, REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--International Court of Justice orders Myanmar to prevent genocide against Rohingya

Rohingya refugees walk on a road at the Balukhali camp in Cox 's Bazar , Bangladesh on April 8 , 2019 .
The International Court of Justice on Thursday ordered Myanmar to take urgent measures to protect its Muslim Rohingya population from persecution and atrocities , and preserve evidence of alleged crimes against them .
Mostly Muslim Gambia launched a lawsuit in November at the United Nations ' highest body for disputes between states , accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya in violation of a 1948 convention .
Thursday 's ruling dealt only with Gambia 's request for so-called preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for states .
It gave no indication of the court 's final decision , which could take years to reach .
In a unanimous ruling by a panel of 17 judges , the court said Myanmar must now take all steps within its power to prevent serious harm to Rohingya , and report back within four months .
More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after a military-led crackdown in 2017 , and were forced into squalid camps across the border in Bangladesh .
U.N. investigators concluded that the military campaign had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moments before the court in The Hague began reading its ruling , the Financial Times published an article by Myanmar 's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in which she said war crimes may have been committed against Rohingya Muslims but that refugees had exaggerated the abuses against them .
During a week of hearings last month , Suu Kyi asked the judges to drop the case .
The World Court 's rulings are final and without appeal , but it has no real way of enforcing them .
More than 100 Myanmar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they hoped international justice efforts would `` bring forth the truth '' and end impunity .
`` Political and military policies have always been imposed with violent force and intimidation upon the people of Myanmar , systematically and institutionally , on the basis of their political and religious beliefs and ethnic identities and continue until the present , '' the statement said .
`` We understand very clearly that the ICJ case against Myanmar is directed towards those responsible for using political power and military might , and not to the people of @ @ @

The International Court of Justice on Thursday ordered Myanmar to take urgent measures to protect its Muslim Rohingya population from persecution and atrocities, and preserve evidence of alleged crimes against them.
Rohingya refugees walk on a road at the Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on April 8, 2019.
Advertising Read more
Mostly Muslim Gambia launched a lawsuit in November at the United Nations' highest body for disputes between states, accusing Myanmar of genocide against Rohingya in violation of a 1948 convention.
Thursday's ruling dealt only with Gambia's request for so-called preliminary measures, the equivalent of a restraining order for states. It gave no indication of the court's final decision, which could take years to reach.
In a unanimous ruling by a panel of 17 judges, the court said Myanmar must now take all steps within its power to prevent serious harm to Rohingya, and report back within four months.
More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after a military-led crackdown in 2017, and were forced into squalid camps across the border in Bangladesh. U.N. investigators concluded that the military campaign had been executed with "genocidal intent".
Moments before the court in The Hague began reading its ruling, the Financial Times published an article by Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in which she said war crimes may have been committed against Rohingya Muslims but that refugees had exaggerated the abuses against them.
During a week of hearings last month, Suu Kyi asked the judges to drop the case.
The World Court's rulings are final and without appeal, but it has no real way of enforcing them.
More than 100 Myanmar civil society groups published a statement saying they hoped international justice efforts would "bring forth the truth" and end impunity.
"Political and military policies have always been imposed with violent force and intimidation upon the people of Myanmar, systematically and institutionally, on the basis of their political and religious beliefs and ethnic identities and continue until the present," the statement said.
"We understand very clearly that the ICJ case against Myanmar is directed towards those responsible for using political power and military might, and not to the people of Myanmar."
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--Malian army says six soldiers killed, several wounded in overnight attack

Six soldiers were killed and several were wounded in an overnight attack in central Mali , the army said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ the war-torn West African state .
The troops came under fire late Wednesday from `` @ @ @ @ @ Dioungani , an area in central Mali 's volatile Mopti region near the border with @ @ @ @ @ said on Twitter .
Local authorities and inhabitants have blamed the attack on jihadists .
@ @ @ @ @ provisional toll '' of six dead and several wounded , without giving further details .
@ @ @ @ @ contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012 and has claimed thousands @ @ @ @ @ since .
Despite some 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region , plus a 13,000-strong @ @ @ @ @ , the conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina @ @ @ @ @ Malian troops are frequently attacked .
On Tuesday , two soldiers were killed in the @ @ @ @ @ hit a roadside bomb .

Six soldiers were killed and several were wounded in an overnight attack in central Mali, the army said Thursday, in fresh violence in the war-torn West African state.
A Malian army pickup truck patrols the streets of Mopti on October 14, 2018.
Advertising Read more
The troops came under fire late Wednesday from "unidentified armed men" in Dioungani, an area in central Mali's volatile Mopti region near the border with Burkina Faso, the army said on Twitter.
Local authorities and inhabitants have blamed the attack on jihadists.
The army gave a "provisional toll" of six dead and several wounded, without giving further details.
Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012 and has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since.
Despite some 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, plus a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali, the conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Local Malian troops are frequently attacked. On Tuesday, two soldiers were killed in the Mopti region when their convoy hit a roadside bomb.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--France’s Macron rebukes Israeli security forces in altercation at Jerusalem church

French President Emmanuel Macron asks the Israeli police to leave the 12th-century Church of St. Anne in the Old City of Jerusalem on January 22 , 2020 .
`` Go outside , '' French President Emmanuel Macron demanded in English in a melee with Israeli security men on Wednesday , demanding they leave a Jerusalem basilica that he visited before a Holocaust memorial conference .
The French tricolour has flown over the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem 's walled Old City since it was gifted by the Ottomans to French Emperor Napoleon III in 1856 .
France views it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church 's sandstone complex , in a part of Jerusalem captured and annexed by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war .
Wednesday 's incident was a case of deja vu all over again .
In 1996 , France 's then-president Jacques Chirac lost patience with Israeli security agents at the same church , telling one of them that his treatment was a `` provocation '' and threatening to get back on his plane .
Chirac refused to enter St. Anne until Israeli security left the site .
Video showed Macron , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circle between his own protective detail and Israeli security personnel , including several paramilitary policemen in uniform , under an archway leading into the church .
Macron then stopped the shoving and shouted at the Israeli security guards in English : `` I do n't like what you did in front of me . ''
Lowering his voice , he then said : `` Go outside .
I 'm sorry , you know the rules .
Nobody has to provoke nobody . ''
Speaking later to reporters , Macron said the incident ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Israeli security officials .
Israeli police said that when Macron arrived at the church `` there was a discussion '' between Israeli and French security officers about entering with the president .
`` When the president and the delegation finished the visit , he apologised about the incident and shook hands with the security personnel , '' a police statement said .
Macron is one of dozens of world leaders attending Thursday 's World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center in Jerusalem , which will commemorate the 75th anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 42-year-old head of state had seen his visit to St. Anne as a symbolic stop underscoring France 's historical influence in the region .
Before heading to the church , Macron walked through Jerusalem 's Old City , stopping by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre .
He later visited the Muslim Noble Sanctuary that houses al-Aqsa mosque , a site revered by Jews as Temple Mount , and prayed at Judaism 's Western Wall , touching the ancient stones .

"Go outside," French President Emmanuel Macron demanded in English in a melee with Israeli security men on Wednesday, demanding they leave a Jerusalem basilica that he visited before a Holocaust memorial conference.
French President Emmanuel Macron asks the Israeli police to leave the 12th-century Church of St. Anne in the Old City of Jerusalem on January 22, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The French tricolour has flown over the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem's walled Old City since it was gifted by the Ottomans to French Emperor Napoleon III in 1856.
France views it as a provocation when Israeli police enter the church's sandstone complex, in a part of Jerusalem captured and annexed by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
Wednesday's incident was a case of deja vu all over again. In 1996, France's then-president Jacques Chirac lost patience with Israeli security agents at the same church, telling one of them that his treatment was a "provocation" and threatening to get back on his plane.
Chirac refused to enter St. Anne until Israeli security left the site.
Video showed Macron, jostled in the centre of a crowded circle between his own protective detail and Israeli security personnel, including several paramilitary policemen in uniform, under an archway leading into the church.
Macron then stopped the shoving and shouted at the Israeli security guards in English: "I don't like what you did in front of me."
Lowering his voice, he then said: "Go outside. I'm sorry, you know the rules. Nobody has to provoke nobody."
Speaking later to reporters, Macron said the incident ended pleasantly and that he shook hands with the Israeli security officials.
Israeli police said that when Macron arrived at the church "there was a discussion" between Israeli and French security officers about entering with the president.
"When the president and the delegation finished the visit, he apologised about the incident and shook hands with the security personnel," a police statement said.
Macron is one of dozens of world leaders attending Thursday's World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center in Jerusalem, which will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.
The 42-year-old head of state had seen his visit to St. Anne as a symbolic stop underscoring France's historical influence in the region.
Before heading to the church, Macron walked through Jerusalem's Old City, stopping by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
He later visited the Muslim Noble Sanctuary that houses al-Aqsa mosque, a site revered by Jews as Temple Mount, and prayed at Judaism's Western Wall, touching the ancient stones.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--Billionaire Isabel dos Santos, daughter of Angola's ex-president, charged with fraud

Isabel dos Santos , who is Africa 's richest woman and the daughter of Angola ’ s former president , sits for a portrait during a Reuters interview in London , Britain on January 9 , 2020 .
Angola 's billionaire former first daughter Isabel dos Santos has been charged in the southern African country with money laundering and mismanagement during her stewardship of state-owned oil firm Sonangol , the Angolan prosecutor general announced on Wednesday .
Hundreds of thousands of files about dos Santos were obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ( ICIJ ) and released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ Luanda Leaks ” .
They allege the daughter of ex-president José Eduardo dos Santos plundered state coffers to build her fortune , estimated at $ 2.1 billion ( €1.82 billion ) .
`` Isabel dos Santos is accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds during her tenure at Sonangol and is thus charged in the first instance with the crimes of money laundering , influence peddling , harmful management ... forgery of documents , among other economic crimes , '' prosecutor general Helder Pitta Gros told a news conference late Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gros as saying that dos Santos had not directly shown any interest in collaborating with Angolan authorities .
`` At the moment , the concern is to notify and get them to voluntarily come to justice , '' he added .
Dos Santos , who was chairwoman of Sonangol from June 2016 to November 2017 and amassed her fortune during her father ’ s decades-long presidency , could not immediately be reached for comment but has denied wrongdoing .
Investigations were opened after her successor Carlos Saturnino raised the alarm about `` irregular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dubbed Africa 's richest woman , dos Santos is accused of using her father 's backing to plunder state funds from the oil-rich but poor African country , and of building her business empire by moving the money abroad with the help of Western firms , including transfers between Angola and Dubai .
Pitta Gros said dos Santos was among five suspects , all of whom were currently residing abroad .
In Portugal , dos Santos holds significant stakes in several major firms including NOS and oil firm Galp Energia .
Soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dos Santos announced her decision to sell her stake in Portuguese bank Eurobic , the small lender said on Wednesday .
Dos Santos is Eurobic 's main shareholder but the bank said she had decided to withdraw from its shareholding structure and sell her stake .
In a statement sent to Reuters , Eurobic said the selling process of the 42.5 % stake had already started and dos Santos 's decision was `` final '' .
A spokeswoman for Portugal 's public prosecutor 's office confirmed to Reuters that Angola 's Pitta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucilia Gago , will meet in Lisbon on Thursday .
She did not say what they will discuss .
She stopped living in Angola after her father , who ruled the country with an iron fist for nearly 40 years , stepped down in 2017 for his anointed successor João Lourenço .
Angolan authorities froze Isabel dos Santos 's assets in the African country in late December following allegations by prosecutors that she and her husband Sindika Dokolo had steered payments of more than $ 1 billion from state companies Sonangol and Sodiam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dos Santos and Dokolo denied wrongdoing .

Isabel dos Santos, the tycoon daughter of Angola's former president, has been charged with money laundering and mismanagement, Angolan prosecutors said, as they launched a bid Thursday to have the billionairess and other suspects return home for questioning.
Advertising Read more
One of five named suspects, a Portuguese banker identified at the weekend in a worldwide media exclusive dubbed the "Luanda Leaks," has been found dead in Lisbon, police there said.
The eldest child of ex-president Jose Eduardo dos Santos is the target of an anti-graft campaign led by her father's successor, Joao Lourenco.
"Isabel dos Santos is accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds during her tenure at Sonangol," prosecutor general Helder Pitta Gros told a news conference late Wednesday, referring to Angola's state-owned oil giant.
"(She) is thus charged in the first instance with crimes of money laundering, influence peddling, harmful management ... forgery of documents, among other economic crimes."
Gros said dos Santos was among five suspects, all of whom were currently residing abroad.
"At the moment, the concern is to notify and get them to voluntarily come to face justice," said Gros.
Gros travelled to Lisbon after his announcement and was expected to meet his Portuguese counterpart later Thursday.
Dos Santos is accused of using her father's influence to steal millions of dollars from the oil- and diamond-rich but poor southern African country and stashing it abroad.
Investigations into her 18-month tenure as Sonangol head began after her successor Carlos Saturnino raised the alarm about "irregular money transfers" and other suspect procedures.
The so-called "Luanda Leaks" trove of more than 715,000 files, published on Sunday by some of the world's top media outlets, suggest the alleged looting was systemic.
The mounting scandal has stoked scrutiny of Portugal and some of its major corporations, especially the bank Eurobic.
Eurobic banker Nuno Ribeiro da Cunha, who was named in the "Luanda Leaks", was found dead in Lisbon, police said Thursday.
"All indications point to suicide," a police spokesman told AFP.
Just hours earlier, Eurobic said in a statement that Dos Santos -- who owns 42.5 percent of the bank -- had taken the decision to "withdraw" as a shareholder.
Dos Santos denial
Dos Santos has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and denounced the investigations as politically motivated.
The 46-year-old businesswoman has been furiously defending her empire, claiming her fortune was built on nothing but hard work and fruitful investments.
"This is what I do!," she tweeted on Monday. "I build companies and enterprises, I invest and create jobs."
Angola's ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) said it respected the prosecutor's decision.
"The MPLA supports and encourages the continuing fight against corruption and impunity, which is a national imperative," spokesman Albino Carlos told AFP.
Dos Santos has been dubbed "the princess" by many Angolans and Africa's richest woman by Forbes, which estimates her assets at $2.1 billion (1.89 billion euros).
She stopped living in Angola after her father stepped down in 2017 for his anointed successor Lourenco.
Most of the ex-president's family have moved abroad since he stepped down, and are believed to jet-set between London, Dubai and Portugal.
Angola is still reeling from dos Santos's 38-year rule during which key positions were awarded to his cronies and wealth amassed by a select few.
Lourenco has vowed to crack down on corruption and launched a large-scale purge of the dos Santos administration.
He removed Isabel dos Santos from her top job at Sonangol shortly after he came to power.
Prosecutors last month froze bank accounts and assets owned by Isabel dos Santos and her Congolose husband Sindika Dokolo as part of the probe.
Anti-corruption campaign group Global Witness alleged hundreds of companies, many based in tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands, helped her "to become Africa's richest woman while millions of Angolans live in extreme poverty".
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-01-23--'Their main weapon is fear': Human rights observers accuse Lebanese security forces of abuses

Although Lebanon ’ s new cabinet met for the first time on Wednesday , the country 's tenacious protest movement has n't seemed to lose momentum .
As the country ’ s security forces are now accused of using excessive violence against demonstrators , including the misuse of tear gas and rubber bullets , FRANCE 24 took an inside look at their increasingly tough tactics .
Human rights observers have been accusing security forces of the misuse of rubber bullets and tear gas , as some are being fired at close range or targeting delicate parts of protesters ’ bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
It took emergency personnel 56 stitches to reconstruct Jean-Georges Prince 's lip and chin after he was shot in the face with a rubber bullet by riot police while protesting outside Lebanon 's parliament on Saturday .
`` I heard the first shot and I saw a guy fall to the floor next to me , then I took my hand off my face and realised it was extremely bloody , ” he told FRANCE 24 ’ s Leila Molana-Allen .
“ A friend of mine was behind me , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrified .
I 'm a boxer , so I 'm used to taking punches to the face .
I never felt anything like that .
It literally pushed me back three or four steps .
You never expect to get shot in the face , you know , '' he added .
International guidelines say rubber bullets should only be shot at the lower body , and weapons experts recommend a minimum distance of 40 meters .
Prince says the policeman who shot him was only 4-5m away .
He was n't the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hospitalised with injuries from rubber bullets and tear gas canisters over the weekend .
Several lost an eye .
Tear gas canisters are fired from a launcher at an angle meant to allow the contents to disperse into the air .
But shoot them directly at a crowd , and the impact can cause serious injury .
It 's the misuse of these instruments , as well as rubber bullets , that human rights observers say caused so many injuries at the Beirut protests .
`` There 's an absurdity to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you 're getting this kind of reaction from the people who are supposed to guarantee your safety '' , Prince says .
Click on the player above to watch our special report

On the ground
Lebanon’s new cabinet met for the first time on Wednesday, but the country's tenacious protest movement hasn't seemed to lose momentum. With the country’s security forces now accused of using excessive violence against demonstrators, including the misuse of teargas and rubber bullets, FRANCE 24 took an inside look at their increasingly tough tactics.
Advertising Read more
Human rights observers have been accusing security forces of the misuse of rubber bullets and tear gas, as some are being fired at close range or targeting delicate parts of protesters’ bodies, causing many injuries at the Beirut protests.
It took emergency personnel 56 stitches to reconstruct Jean-Georges Prince's lip and chin after he was shot in the face with a rubber bullet by riot police while protesting outside Lebanon's parliament on Saturday.
"I heard the first shot and I saw a guy fall to the floor next to me, then I took my hand off my face and realised it was extremely bloody,” he told FRANCE 24’s Leila Molana-Allen. “A friend of mine was behind me, he looked at my face and he looked horrified. I'm a boxer, so I'm used to taking punches to the face. I never felt anything like that. It literally pushed me back three or four steps. You never expect to get shot in the face, you know," he added.
International guidelines say rubber bullets should only be shot at the lower body, and weapons experts recommend a minimum distance of 40 meters. Prince says the policeman who shot him was only 4-5m away. He wasn't the only one wounded: over 500 protesters were hospitalised with injuries from rubber bullets and tear gas canisters over the weekend. Several lost an eye.
Tear gas canisters are fired from a launcher at an angle meant to allow the contents to disperse into the air. But shoot them directly at a crowd, and the impact can cause serious injury. It's the misuse of these instruments, as well as rubber bullets, that human rights observers say caused so many injuries at the Beirut protests.
"There's an absurdity to it, that's the only word, when you're getting this kind of reaction from the people who are supposed to guarantee your safety", Prince says.
Click on the player above to watch our special report
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe