france24--2020-02-10--Death toll from China’s coronavirus jumps to 900

People wear protective masks following the outbreak of a new coronavirus , during their morning commute in a station , in Hong Kong , China February 10 , 2020 .
The number of deaths from China 's new coronavirus epidemic jumped to 902 on Monday after the hardest-hit province of Hubei reported 91 new fatalities .
In its daily update , Hubei 's health commission also confirmed another 2,618 new cases in the central province , where the outbreak emerged in December .
There are now more than 39,800 confirmed cases across China , based on previously released figures from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed to have emerged last year in a market that sells wild animals in Hubei 's capital Wuhan , the city at the centre of the outbreak , before spreading across the country .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) said Saturday that the number of cases being reported daily in China was `` stabilising '' , although the health body warned it was too early to say if the virus had peaked .
A WHO `` international expert mission '' left late Sunday for China , the agency 's director general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only confirmed fatalities outside the mainland are a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong .
The toll has overtaken the global number of deaths caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) virus , which killed 774 people in 2002-03 .

The number of deaths from China's new coronavirus epidemic jumped to 902 on Monday after the hardest-hit province of Hubei reported 91 new fatalities.
People wear protective masks following the outbreak of a new coronavirus, during their morning commute in a station, in Hong Kong, China February 10, 2020.
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In its daily update, Hubei's health commission also confirmed another 2,618 new cases in the central province, where the outbreak emerged in December.
There are now more than 39,800 confirmed cases across China, based on previously released figures from the government.
The new virus is believed to have emerged last year in a market that sells wild animals in Hubei's capital Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, before spreading across the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Saturday that the number of cases being reported daily in China was "stabilising", although the health body warned it was too early to say if the virus had peaked.
A WHO "international expert mission" left late Sunday for China, the agency's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter.
The only confirmed fatalities outside the mainland are a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong.
The toll has overtaken the global number of deaths caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, which killed 774 people in 2002-03.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-10--Designated Merkel successor Kramp-Karrenbauer won't run for chancellor role

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer waves next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel after being elected as the party leader during the Christian Democratic Union ( CDU ) party congress in Hamburg , Germany , on December 7 , 2018 .
The woman widely seen as German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s chosen successor will not lead her crisis-racked CDU party into upcoming elections , a party source told AFP Monday .
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer , known as AKK , took over from Merkel as CDU chairwoman and presumed shoo-in for chancellor in 2018 but “ has now said she will not be a candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
She made the surprise announcement after telling a crunch CDU meeting that the centre-right party had “ an unresolved relationship ” with the far-right AfD party and the far left .
It comes after an election debacle in the state of Thuringia in which regional CDU lawmakers went rogue and voted in the same camp as MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier .
AKK “ will by the summer organise the process to find the ( chancellor ) candidate , further prepare the party for the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the source said .
The source added that Merkel wanted her to remain as defence minister , the post she has held since July .
Germany ’ s next national elections must take place by autumn next year , although the fractious coalition between the CDU , its Bavarian CSU allies and the centre-left Social Democrats ( SPD ) may not hold until then .
The CDU has been in turmoil ever since the Thuringia fiasco , which broke a political taboo in Germany where mainstream parties have always ruled out cooperating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in Thuringia “ unforgivable ” and said the outcome “ must be reversed ” .
While AKK rushed to the scene to try and convince CDU state lawmakers to back new elections , she left after hours of talks without bringing about a clear result , further calling into question her crumbling authority .

The woman widely seen as German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chosen successor will not lead her crisis-racked CDU party into upcoming elections, a party source told AFP Monday.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer waves next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel after being elected as the party leader during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party congress in Hamburg, Germany, on December 7, 2018.
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Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, known as AKK, took over from Merkel as CDU chairwoman and presumed shoo-in for chancellor in 2018 but “has now said she will not be a candidate for the chancellery”, the source said.
She made the surprise announcement after telling a crunch CDU meeting that the centre-right party had “an unresolved relationship” with the far-right AfD party and the far left.
It comes after an election debacle in the state of Thuringia in which regional CDU lawmakers went rogue and voted in the same camp as MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier.
AKK “will by the summer organise the process to find the (chancellor) candidate, further prepare the party for the future and then give up the leadership”, the source said.
The source added that Merkel wanted her to remain as defence minister, the post she has held since July.
Germany’s next national elections must take place by autumn next year, although the fractious coalition between the CDU, its Bavarian CSU allies and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) may not hold until then.
The CDU has been in turmoil ever since the Thuringia fiasco, which broke a political taboo in Germany where mainstream parties have always ruled out cooperating with the AfD.
Merkel called the vote in Thuringia “unforgivable” and said the outcome “must be reversed”.
While AKK rushed to the scene to try and convince CDU state lawmakers to back new elections, she left after hours of talks without bringing about a clear result, further calling into question her crumbling authority.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-10--Irish nationalists Sinn Fein demand place in government after election success

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reacts after the announcement of voting results in a count centre , during Ireland 's national election , in Dublin , Ireland , February 9 , 2020 .
Irish nationalists Sinn Fein demanded on Sunday to be part of the next Irish government after the left-wing party secured the most votes in an election that leader Mary Lou McDonald described as a ballot-box `` revolution '' .
The former political wing of the Irish Republican Army , which has recast itself as the main left-wing party , secured 24.5 % of first-preference votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in 2016 .
That put it ahead of the centre-right Fianna Fail on 22.2 % and the Fine Gael party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at 20.9 % in an election analysts described as a seismic shift away from Ireland 's century-old , centre-right duopoly .
`` I think it is fair to say that this election has been historic .
It is something of a revolution in the ballot box , '' McDonald told reporters after arriving at her election count to a huge ovation from party supporters .
But her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least one of its rivals in terms of seat numbers after the surge caught even it off guard and it stood far fewer candidates .
It is unlikely to be more than a junior partner in government as a result .
The final results will not be known until Monday or later .
It took the parties 10 weeks to form a government in 2016 .
Sinn Fein 's ultimate goal is reuniting British-run Northern Ireland with Ireland and has said a condition for any coalition is the immediate preparations for a unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within five years .
She said Sinn Fein would talk to all parties about forming a government and that others should accept their responsibility to do the same .
`` I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party , a party that represents now a quarter of the electorate , and I think that is fundamentally undemocratic , '' she said .
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail , which have between them led every government since the 1922 foundation of the state , ruled out a coalition with Sinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varadkar reiterated his rejection because of `` principle and policy '' , Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin declined to repeat earlier refusals to consider a coalition with Sinn Fein , saying only that there were significant incompatibilities on policy .
`` Our policies and our principles have not changed overnight , '' he said .
`` But what is important is that the country comes first . ''
Some of his senior lawmakers disagreed strongly , however , with the idea of such a coalition .
Sinn Fein has moved on from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of the IRA 's war against British rule in Northern Ireland - a conflict in which some 3,600 people were killed before a 1998 peace deal .
Irish tricolour flags were flown at a Dublin count centre as Sinn Fein supporters were led in a chorus of the Irish rebel song `` Come Out Ye Black and Tans '' by a lawmaker jailed for possession of explosives in 1981 .
Opponents of Sinn Fein say its high-spending promises and pledge to increase taxes on the wealthy would discourage foreign multinationals that employ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have praised detailed policies such as a proposed rent freeze and the large-scale building of houses by the state to tackle the cost and availability of housing , the key election issue .
Varadkar 's Fine Gael , in power since 2011 , were not certain to have more seats than Sinn Fein , the 41-year-old premier said .
Martin predicted Fianna Fail would emerge on top .
Fine Gael 's focus on the fastest-growing economy in the European Union and success in negotiating a Brexit deal that avoided a `` hard border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks reinstated - failed to capture the imagination of voters more focused on issues such as health and housing .
Varadkar said he would talk to all parties except Sinn Fein about forming a government .
The option of another minority government led by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or a first coalition between the two parties also remains .
`` It 's not going to be easy to put a government together , for anyone , '' said Foreign Minister Simon Coveney of Fine Gael .

Irish nationalists Sinn Fein demanded on Sunday to be part of the next Irish government after the left-wing party secured the most votes in an election that leader Mary Lou McDonald described as a ballot-box "revolution".
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reacts after the announcement of voting results in a count centre, during Ireland's national election, in Dublin, Ireland, February 9, 2020.
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The former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, which has recast itself as the main left-wing party, secured 24.5% of first-preference votes, almost doubling its share from the last election in 2016.
That put it ahead of the centre-right Fianna Fail on 22.2% and the Fine Gael party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at 20.9% in an election analysts described as a seismic shift away from Ireland's century-old, centre-right duopoly.
"I think it is fair to say that this election has been historic. It is something of a revolution in the ballot box," McDonald told reporters after arriving at her election count to a huge ovation from party supporters.
01:48
But her party appeared set to fall behind at least one of its rivals in terms of seat numbers after the surge caught even it off guard and it stood far fewer candidates. It is unlikely to be more than a junior partner in government as a result.
The final results will not be known until Monday or later. It took the parties 10 weeks to form a government in 2016.
Sinn Fein's ultimate goal is reuniting British-run Northern Ireland with Ireland and has said a condition for any coalition is the immediate preparations for a unity referendum it would push London to hold within five years.
She said Sinn Fein would talk to all parties about forming a government and that others should accept their responsibility to do the same.
"I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party, a party that represents now a quarter of the electorate, and I think that is fundamentally undemocratic," she said.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which have between them led every government since the 1922 foundation of the state, ruled out a coalition with Sinn Fein before the election.
But although Varadkar reiterated his rejection because of "principle and policy", Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin declined to repeat earlier refusals to consider a coalition with Sinn Fein, saying only that there were significant incompatibilities on policy.
"Our policies and our principles have not changed overnight," he said. "But what is important is that the country comes first."
Some of his senior lawmakers disagreed strongly, however, with the idea of such a coalition.
Ira war
Sinn Fein has moved on from the long leadership of Gerry Adams, the face of the IRA's war against British rule in Northern Ireland - a conflict in which some 3,600 people were killed before a 1998 peace deal.
Irish tricolour flags were flown at a Dublin count centre as Sinn Fein supporters were led in a chorus of the Irish rebel song "Come Out Ye Black and Tans" by a lawmaker jailed for possession of explosives in 1981.
Opponents of Sinn Fein say its high-spending promises and pledge to increase taxes on the wealthy would discourage foreign multinationals that employ one-in-10 Irish workers.
But some parties have praised detailed policies such as a proposed rent freeze and the large-scale building of houses by the state to tackle the cost and availability of housing, the key election issue.
Varadkar's Fine Gael, in power since 2011, were not certain to have more seats than Sinn Fein, the 41-year-old premier said. Martin predicted Fianna Fail would emerge on top.
Fine Gael's focus on the fastest-growing economy in the European Union and success in negotiating a Brexit deal that avoided a "hard border" with Northern Ireland - with border checks reinstated - failed to capture the imagination of voters more focused on issues such as health and housing.
Varadkar said he would talk to all parties except Sinn Fein about forming a government. The option of another minority government led by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or a first coalition between the two parties also remains.
"It's not going to be easy to put a government together, for anyone," said Foreign Minister Simon Coveney of Fine Gael.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-10--Solar Orbiter blasts off on mission to reveal the sun's secrets

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft , built for NASA and the European Space Agency , lifts off from pad 41 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral , Florida , on February 9 , 2020 .
The US-European Solar Orbiter probe launched Sunday night from Florida on a voyage to deepen our understanding of the Sun and how it shapes the space weather that impacts technology back on Earth .
The mission , a collaboration between ESA ( the European Space Agency ) and NASA , successfully blasted off from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 11:03 pm ( 0403 GMT Monday ) and could last up to nine years or even beyond .
Scientists say the craft is expected to provide unprecedented insights into the Sun ’ s atmosphere , its winds and its magnetic fields , including how it shapes the heliosphere , the vast swath of space that encompasses our system .
By journeying out of the ecliptic plane—the belt of space roughly aligned with the Sun ’ s equator , through which the planets orbit—it will acquire the first-ever images of our star ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gravity assists from Earth and Venus , Solar Orbiter will slingshot itself into a bird ’ s eye view of the Sun ’ s poles .
“ I think it was picture perfect , suddenly you really feel like you ’ re connected to the entire solar system , ” said Daniel Muller , ESA project scientist , shortly after the launch .
“ You ’ re here on Earth and you ’ re launching something that will go close to the Sun.
” “ We have one common goal and that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this mission .
I think we ’ re going to succeed , ” added Holly Gilbert , director of NASA ’ s heliophysics science division .
Ten state-of-the-art instruments on board will record myriad observations to help scientists unlock clues about what drives solar winds and flares .
These emit billions of highly charged particles that impact the Earth , producing the spectacular Northern Lights .
But they can also disrupt radar systems , radio networks and even , though rarely , render satellites useless .
The largest solar storm on record hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out much of the continent ’ s telegraph network and bathing the skies in an aurora viewable as far away as the Caribbean .
“ Society increasingly relies on what happens in space , and therefore we ’ re more dependent on what the Sun is doing , ” said Etienne Pariat , a researcher at the CNRS observatory in Paris .
“ Imagine if just half of our satellites were destroyed , ” added Matthieu Berthomier , a researcher at the Paris-based Plasma Physics Laboratory .
“ It would be a disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closest approach will come every six months , when Solar Orbiter will be nearer to the Sun than Mercury , a mere 42 million kilometers ( 26 million miles ) away .
With a custom-designed titanium heat shield , it is designed to withstand temperatures as high as 500 Celsius ( 930 Fahrenheit ) .
Its heat-resistant structure is coated in a thin , black layer of calcium phosphate , a charcoal-like powder that is similar to pigments used in prehistoric cave paintings .
The shield will protect the instruments from extreme particle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but one of the spacecraft ’ s telescopes will peep out through holes in the heat shield that open and close in a carefully orchestrated dance , while other instruments will work behind the shadow of the shield .
Just like Earth , the Sun ’ s poles are extreme regions quite different from the rest of the body .
It is covered in coronal holes , cooler stretches where fast-gushing solar wind originates .
Scientists believe this region could be key to understanding what drives its magnetic activity .
Every 11 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : north becoming south and vice versa .
Just before this event , solar activity increases , sending powerful bursts of solar material into space .
Solar Orbiter will observe the surface as it explodes and record measurements as the material goes by the spacecraft .
The only spacecraft to previously fly over the Sun ’ s poles was another joint ESA/NASA venture , the Ulysses , launched in 1990 .
But it got no closer to the Sun than the Earth is .
“ You can ’ t really get much closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the Sun , ” ESA ’ s Muller said .
The mission will be controlled from the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt , Germany .
After launch , the team will conduct three months of testing to ensure systems are operating properly before turning on the in situ instruments .
The remote-sensing instruments will be activated on Solar Orbiter ’ s first approach of the Sun , in November 2021 .
It will work in concert with NASA ’ s Parker Solar Probe , which launched in 2018 and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing through the star ’ s inner atmosphere to see how energy flows through its corona .

The US-European Solar Orbiter probe launched Sunday night from Florida on a voyage to deepen our understanding of the Sun and how it shapes the space weather that impacts technology back on Earth.
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft, built for NASA and the European Space Agency, lifts off from pad 41 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 9, 2020.
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The mission, a collaboration between ESA (the European Space Agency) and NASA, successfully blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral at 11:03 pm (0403 GMT Monday) and could last up to nine years or even beyond.
Scientists say the craft is expected to provide unprecedented insights into the Sun’s atmosphere, its winds and its magnetic fields, including how it shapes the heliosphere, the vast swath of space that encompasses our system.
By journeying out of the ecliptic plane—the belt of space roughly aligned with the Sun’s equator, through which the planets orbit—it will acquire the first-ever images of our star’s uncharted polar regions.
It’s official - we’re headed to the Sun! ☀
At 11:03pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 9, #SolarOrbiter, an international collaboration between @ESA and NASA, launched on its journey to study our closest star: https://t.co/5R6yR18x2S
Photo Credit: @ulalaunch pic.twitter.com/zSjBkzocJP — NASA (@NASA) February 10, 2020
Drawing on gravity assists from Earth and Venus, Solar Orbiter will slingshot itself into a bird’s eye view of the Sun’s poles.
“I think it was picture perfect, suddenly you really feel like you’re connected to the entire solar system,” said Daniel Muller, ESA project scientist, shortly after the launch.
“You’re here on Earth and you’re launching something that will go close to the Sun.”
03:46
“We have one common goal and that is to get the good science out of this mission. I think we’re going to succeed,” added Holly Gilbert, director of NASA’s heliophysics science division.
Space weather
Ten state-of-the-art instruments on board will record myriad observations to help scientists unlock clues about what drives solar winds and flares.
These emit billions of highly charged particles that impact the Earth, producing the spectacular Northern Lights. But they can also disrupt radar systems, radio networks and even, though rarely, render satellites useless.
The Flight Contol Team confirms the #SolarOrbiter has stabilised itself and is in 'Sun Pointing Phase' - everthing is nominal! pic.twitter.com/9seNpneDyf — ESA Operations (@esaoperations) February 10, 2020
The largest solar storm on record hit North America in September 1859, knocking out much of the continent’s telegraph network and bathing the skies in an aurora viewable as far away as the Caribbean.
“Society increasingly relies on what happens in space, and therefore we’re more dependent on what the Sun is doing,” said Etienne Pariat, a researcher at the CNRS observatory in Paris.
“Imagine if just half of our satellites were destroyed,” added Matthieu Berthomier, a researcher at the Paris-based Plasma Physics Laboratory. “It would be a disaster for mankind.”
Titanium heat shield
The probe’s closest approach will come every six months, when Solar Orbiter will be nearer to the Sun than Mercury, a mere 42 million kilometers (26 million miles) away.
With a custom-designed titanium heat shield, it is designed to withstand temperatures as high as 500 Celsius (930 Fahrenheit). Its heat-resistant structure is coated in a thin, black layer of calcium phosphate, a charcoal-like powder that is similar to pigments used in prehistoric cave paintings.
The shield will protect the instruments from extreme particle radiation emitted from solar explosions.
All but one of the spacecraft’s telescopes will peep out through holes in the heat shield that open and close in a carefully orchestrated dance, while other instruments will work behind the shadow of the shield.
Just like Earth, the Sun’s poles are extreme regions quite different from the rest of the body. It is covered in coronal holes, cooler stretches where fast-gushing solar wind originates.
Scientists believe this region could be key to understanding what drives its magnetic activity.
Every 11 years, the Sun’s poles flip: north becoming south and vice versa. Just before this event, solar activity increases, sending powerful bursts of solar material into space.
Solar Orbiter will observe the surface as it explodes and record measurements as the material goes by the spacecraft.
#SolarOrbiter - we hear you!
We have acquisition of signal. Our New Norica tracking station has locked on to #SolarOrbiter. Transmission coming in loud and clear.#AOS✅#LoudAndClear〰#Estrack📡 pic.twitter.com/vLRmHBc113 — ESA Operations (@esaoperations) February 10, 2020
The only spacecraft to previously fly over the Sun’s poles was another joint ESA/NASA venture, the Ulysses, launched in 1990. But it got no closer to the Sun than the Earth is.
“You can’t really get much closer than Solar Orbiter is going and still look at the Sun,” ESA’s Muller said.
The mission will be controlled from the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany.
After launch, the team will conduct three months of testing to ensure systems are operating properly before turning on the in situ instruments.
The remote-sensing instruments will be activated on Solar Orbiter’s first approach of the Sun, in November 2021.
It will work in concert with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which launched in 2018 and will fly much closer to the Sun, passing through the star’s inner atmosphere to see how energy flows through its corona.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-10--Backed by soldiers, El Salvador President Bukele briefly occupies Congress

President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele attends a special session of congress to push for the approval of funds for a government security plan in San Salvador , El Salvador , on February 9 , 2020 .
President Nayib Bukele and a group of soldiers armed with automatic weapons briefly occupied El Salvador ’ s Congress on Sunday , stepping up a pressure campaign to force lawmakers to back a crime-fighting plan .
Watched by soldiers in full battle uniform , Bukele , 38 , sat in the seat reserved for the president of Congress and cupped his hands together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patience with lawmakers , few of whom turned up at the special session .
“ If those shameless people don ’ t approve the plan of territorial control , we ’ ll summon you here again ( next ) Sunday , ” he told supporters in a fiery speech outside , as he left the building .
Lawmakers were due to meet on Monday to discuss the president ’ s proposals , Congress president Mario Ponce said , in a possible sign of de-escalation .
Critics warned of a looming constitutional crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-based group , called the event “ an exhibition of brute force ” and said the Organization of American States should urgently meet to discuss the situation .
Bukele won office last year after a savvy social media campaign feeding off popular discontent with two parties that had ruled the Central American country since the end of a civil war .
Channeling that same frustration with traditional parties , he attacked Congress for foot-dragging over approval of a $ 109 million multi-lateral loan he has sought to equip police and soldiers to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s special session after Bukele said on Friday that Salvadorans had a legal right to insurrection in such situations , calling for protests and briefly removing lawmakers ’ security protection details .
The president ’ s move to pressure lawmakers was backed by defense minister René Merino Monroy and police director Mauricio Arriaza Chicas .
However , El Salvadoran think-tank FUSADES said there were no grounds for the executive branch to call such a session , since Congress was functioning normally .
On Sunday , hundreds of Salvadorans responded to Bukele ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blowing whistles outside Congress , as soldiers and police officers stood by to protect them , a Reuters witness said .
“ We are here because of the insecurity we have in our country , and the lawmakers do not want to recognize that , ” said Adelma Campos , a 43-year-old housewife .
“ They do not want to work for the people who gave them their votes.
” Although the murder rate in El Salvador has declined steeply since Bukele took office , authorities continue to battle gangs that control vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement , the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Sunday for “ dialogue and full respect for democratic institutions to guarantee the rule of law , including the independence of the branches of public power .
”

President Nayib Bukele and a group of soldiers armed with automatic weapons briefly occupied El Salvador’s Congress on Sunday, stepping up a pressure campaign to force lawmakers to back a crime-fighting plan.
President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele attends a special session of congress to push for the approval of funds for a government security plan in San Salvador, El Salvador, on February 9, 2020.
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Watched by soldiers in full battle uniform, Bukele, 38, sat in the seat reserved for the president of Congress and cupped his hands together to pray, he said, for patience with lawmakers, few of whom turned up at the special session.
“If those shameless people don’t approve the plan of territorial control, we’ll summon you here again (next) Sunday,” he told supporters in a fiery speech outside, as he left the building.
Lawmakers were due to meet on Monday to discuss the president’s proposals, Congress president Mario Ponce said, in a possible sign of de-escalation.
Critics warned of a looming constitutional crisis, however. Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based group, called the event “an exhibition of brute force” and said the Organization of American States should urgently meet to discuss the situation.
Bukele won office last year after a savvy social media campaign feeding off popular discontent with two parties that had ruled the Central American country since the end of a civil war.
Channeling that same frustration with traditional parties, he attacked Congress for foot-dragging over approval of a $109 million multi-lateral loan he has sought to equip police and soldiers to fight crime.
His cabinet called Sunday’s special session after Bukele said on Friday that Salvadorans had a legal right to insurrection in such situations, calling for protests and briefly removing lawmakers’ security protection details.
The president’s move to pressure lawmakers was backed by defense minister René Merino Monroy and police director Mauricio Arriaza Chicas.
However, El Salvadoran think-tank FUSADES said there were no grounds for the executive branch to call such a session, since Congress was functioning normally.
On Sunday, hundreds of Salvadorans responded to Bukele’s call to demonstrate, waving banners and blowing whistles outside Congress, as soldiers and police officers stood by to protect them, a Reuters witness said.
“We are here because of the insecurity we have in our country, and the lawmakers do not want to recognize that,” said Adelma Campos, a 43-year-old housewife. “They do not want to work for the people who gave them their votes.”
Although the murder rate in El Salvador has declined steeply since Bukele took office, authorities continue to battle gangs that control vast territory in the Central American country.
In a statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Sunday for “dialogue and full respect for democratic institutions to guarantee the rule of law, including the independence of the branches of public power.”
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-10--British Airways flight crosses Atlantic from New York to London in under five hours

A British Airways 747 aircraft flies over rooftops as it comes into land at Heathrow Airport in west London on February 18 , 2015 .
For the first time in years , a commercial passenger plane has flown across the Atlantic in less than five hours .
A British Airways flight landed early Sunday morning at Heathrow Airport in London after leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York just four hours and 56 minutes earlier .
That set a new speed record for subsonic — or slower than the speed of sound — commercial aircraft to fly between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which tracks global flights .
The previous record was held by a Norwegian Air flight , which flew between the two cities with a flight time of five hours and 13 minutes .
The flight had been expected to take 102 minutes longer .
The recent average flight time between New York and London is 6 hours and 13 minutes , according to Flightradar24 .
The wind and air currents were ideal for a fast flight , said Ian Petchenik , Flightradar24 ’ s director of communications .
“ In the winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit , ” he said .
“ It ’ s kind of in a perfect spot for flights across the North Atlantic to take advantage of it.
” British Airways just narrowly beat out a Virgin Atlantic flight , which arrived in London at around the same time but one minute slower .
British Airways confirmed the flight time for the Boeing 747 plane , saying the company prioritizes safety over speed .
The supersonic Concorde flights used to fly across the Atlantic in just over three hours , but stopped flying in @ @

For the first time in years, a commercial passenger plane has flown across the Atlantic in less than five hours.
A British Airways 747 aircraft flies over rooftops as it comes into land at Heathrow Airport in west London on February 18, 2015.
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A British Airways flight landed early Sunday morning at Heathrow Airport in London after leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York just four hours and 56 minutes earlier.
That set a new speed record for subsonic — or slower than the speed of sound — commercial aircraft to fly between the two cities, according to Flightradar24, which tracks global flights.
Thanks to a strong, well-positioned jet stream, a @British_Airways 747 managed a new New York-London subsonic speed record today, making the journey in 4 hours 56 minutes—17 minutes faster than the previous record. https://t.co/HISXpN6Vns #BA112 pic.twitter.com/A2R42rsx14 — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 9, 2020
The previous record was held by a Norwegian Air flight, which flew between the two cities with a flight time of five hours and 13 minutes.
The flight had been expected to take 102 minutes longer. The recent average flight time between New York and London is 6 hours and 13 minutes, according to Flightradar24.
The wind and air currents were ideal for a fast flight, said Ian Petchenik, Flightradar24’s director of communications. “In the winter, the jet stream dips down a bit,” he said. “It’s kind of in a perfect spot for flights across the North Atlantic to take advantage of it.”
British Airways just narrowly beat out a Virgin Atlantic flight, which arrived in London at around the same time but one minute slower.
It’s true that we were narrowly beaten by a BA Boeing 747, however they had twice the amount of engines and burnt twice as much fuel as Captain Chris in our brand new, fuel efficient Airbus A350-1000 😎 — Virgin Atlantic (@VirginAtlantic) February 9, 2020
British Airways confirmed the flight time for the Boeing 747 plane, saying the company prioritizes safety over speed.
The supersonic Concorde flights used to fly across the Atlantic in just over three hours, but stopped flying in 2003.
(AP)
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france24--2020-02-10--Socialism or pragmatism? Two visions for Democratic Party compete in New Hampshire primary

In Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary , voters will choose between two visions for the Democratic Party : Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ’ socialist agenda and the more moderate policies of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
“ Healthcare is a ‘ yoo-man ’ right , not a privilege , ” Bernie Sanders told cheering voters at a town hall in Hanover , New Hampshire in his signature Brooklyn accent , as he laid out his plan for Medicare for all on Sunday .
It ’ s a policy idea that is hugely popular with his supporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hanover , says Sanders has given him hope .
Reed lost his job as an integrated circuit loud engineering specialist when his company moved operations to China and is currently unemployed .
He relies on his wife ’ s healthcare plan .
“ If my wife loses her job , I don ’ t have healthcare anymore .
On pre-existings I am done so it ’ s a slow painful death and I ’ d prefer not to have that.
” There is even a group called Doctors for Bernie .
Greg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from LA has come to New Hampshire to canvass for Sanders .
`` Physicians in this country should support meaningful healthcare reform , '' he said .
`` Bernie is the only candidate with a plan to ensure that healthcare is a right , by taking profit out of health insurance .
I think the US is ready for that , '' Gabrellas added .
Sanders has an advantage in this primary .
He is from neighbouring Vermont and New England candidates tend to do well in New Hampshire .
In the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote .
However , this time around he faces another local challenger with a progressive agenda , Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren , so it might prove hard for him to garner more than 30 percent of the vote .
That still puts him in top place .
Following the Vermont Senator ’ s strong showing in the Iowa caucuses , Sanders ’ core support has proven very durable and his base , unlike that of former Vice President Joe Biden , is energised .
Ramya Chilappa , a pre-med student at Dartmouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on campus are joining Sanders ’ campaign .
“ I think the main thing is that he is really inspiring and has correctly identified the root cause of many of the problems in the United States that stem from systematic economic inequality , which makes it impossible for millions of people to rise from the situation that they ’ re born into.
” In the corridor outside the Sanders ’ rally , Liz Blum , a 77-year-old retired occupational therapist from Vermont who knows the candidate personally and has been fighting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters in a rendition of “ Step by Step ” , a union song from 1960s activist Pete Seeger .
“ Bernie ’ s always been a Socialist , ” said Blum .
“ Obama did not manage to do what he promised ( on healthcare ) but Bernie , he can do it , ” she said , referring to Barack Obama ’ s bid to provide universal healthcare .
The Democratic candidates ’ position on the hot button issue of healthcare encapsulates their approach to the election .
Pete Buttigieg portrays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At a campaign event in Londonderry he explained that he will not offer “ Medicare for all ” , like his socialist rival , but rather “ Medicare for all who want it ” .
That is an approach that goes down well with independents in New Hampshire such as Erin Drissling , a nurse from Londonderry .
Drissling believes many independents in New Hampshire ( who have the right to vote in the Democratic primary because it is open ) may do the same because they do not like the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you wan na keep your own health insurance , fantastic – do it .
If you feel that even Medicare for all becomes the piece that you wan na be on , then switch .
But to be turned around and told that you have to go on Medicare for all… I don ’ t think is the correct way to do things right now .
We ’ re so divided as a country and being told what to do from the right side , and having being told far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what choice is all about.
” Bryan and Tommy Pauli , a same-sex couple from Londonderry brought their two children , Emma and Greyson , to meet Buttigieg .
If elected , Buttigieg would become the first gay president of the United States .
The couple , who both work in accounting , explained that they are stressed about what could happen to their adopted children if Trump is re-elected .
“ At first I wasn ’ t gon na vote for Pete , ” said Bryan , “ but then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just convinced we need a new face in the White House .
Biden , Warren , they ca n't beat Trump .
Pete can cross both aisles .
Even Republicans would love him if they got to know him.
” Matthew Derosiers , 50 , is from New Hampshire but until recently he had never taken the time to attend a candidate ’ s town hall meeting .
But the current president ’ s shenanigans in Washington energised him this time .
“ Trump and the stuff that ’ s happening in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes need to be made and Pete is the person that can do it .
Pete is a non-Washington person , he ’ s young , it ’ s time for change.
” Derosiers will vote for Buttigieg on Tuesday because he believes he is the only candidate who can beat Trump .
New to the political scene But beating Trump is going to be hard .
There were more people lining up in the cold and rain ahead of a Trump campaign rally in Manchester on Monday than attending many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s approval rating is hovering near an all-time high .
In a recent Gallup poll , he registered a 49 percent approval rating .
Buttigieg told voters at his rally that his moderate path was the best way forward for the Democratic Party .
“ I respect Senator Sanders and I think a lot of the ideas that he ’ s calling for tie into values that we all share , ” he said .
“ But in a moment like this , telling Americans that you ’ ve either got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be for the status quo is telling most of us we don ’ t belong.
” Buttigieg argues that socialism will alienate a lot of voters .
In his campaign speeches he often refers to the “ future former Republicans ” who he says should join his movement .
Some voters even compare Buttigieg , who at 38 is the youngest candidate in the race , to France ’ s Emmanuel Macron , a centrist who appeals to both sides of the political spectrum .
`` This is someone that 's completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dorian Key , a volunteer who came up from New York City to canvass for Buttigieg ’ s campaign .
`` He 's someone that has n't had decades of Washington back-rubbing so that 's a really great thing , similar to President Emmanuel Macron of France who became president aged 40 , Justin Trudeau , also similarly young and we have the new prime ministers of Finland and New Zealand , who are in their 30s . ''
Dean Brown , 75 , a retired political science professor who used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now lives in West Lebanon , New Hampshire , is convinced Trump will win the election .
`` The American people are way behind in education and cultivation and they listen to people who inspire raw emotions with slogans like ‘ Make America great again ' and they think oh I don ’ t need to go to the doctor after all , '' said Brown .
There is a saying that Democrats fall in love and Republicans fall in line .
Both Buttigieg and Sanders are managing to make voters fall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need Democrats to make a choice about which vision to support in order to have a real shot at beating Trump in November .

On the ground
In Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, voters will choose between two visions for the Democratic Party: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ socialist agenda and the more moderate policies of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
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“Healthcare is a ‘yoo-man’ right, not a privilege,” Bernie Sanders told cheering voters at a town hall in Hanover, New Hampshire in his signature Brooklyn accent, as he laid out his plan for Medicare for all on Sunday. It’s a policy idea that is hugely popular with his supporters.
Chad Reed, an integrated circuit engineering specialist from Hanover, New Hampshire, February 9th, 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Chad Reed, 56, who lives in Hanover, says Sanders has given him hope. Reed lost his job as an integrated circuit loud engineering specialist when his company moved operations to China and is currently unemployed.
He relies on his wife’s healthcare plan. “If my wife loses her job, I don’t have healthcare anymore. On pre-existings I am done so it’s a slow painful death and I’d prefer not to have that.”
Greg Gabrellas, a member of 'Doctors for Bernie' from LA at a Sanders' town hall in Hanover, New Hampshire, February 9th 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
There is even a group called Doctors for Bernie. Greg Gabrellas, 32, a resident physician from LA has come to New Hampshire to canvass for Sanders. "Physicians in this country should support meaningful healthcare reform," he said. "Bernie is the only candidate with a plan to ensure that healthcare is a right, by taking profit out of health insurance. I think the US is ready for that," Gabrellas added.
Sanders has an advantage in this primary. He is from neighbouring Vermont and New England candidates tend to do well in New Hampshire. In the 2016 primary, he got 60 percent of the vote. However, this time around he faces another local challenger with a progressive agenda, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, so it might prove hard for him to garner more than 30 percent of the vote. That still puts him in top place.
‘He is really inspiring’
Following the Vermont Senator’s strong showing in the Iowa caucuses, Sanders’ core support has proven very durable and his base, unlike that of former Vice President Joe Biden, is energised.
Ramya Chilappa, a pre-med student at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Feburary 9th, 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Ramya Chilappa, a pre-med student at Dartmouth College, says a lot of young people on campus are joining Sanders’ campaign. “I think the main thing is that he is really inspiring and has correctly identified the root cause of many of the problems in the United States that stem from systematic economic inequality, which makes it impossible for millions of people to rise from the situation that they’re born into.”
In the corridor outside the Sanders’ rally, Liz Blum, a 77-year-old retired occupational therapist from Vermont who knows the candidate personally and has been fighting for universal healthcare since the 1980s, leads supporters in a rendition of “Step by Step”, a union song from 1960s activist Pete Seeger.
@BernieSanders supporters sing a Pete Seeger folk song ‘Step by step the longest march can be won’ #NewHampshirePrimary pic.twitter.com/Ls6AGo9t0Q — Jessica Le Masurier (@lemasurierjess) February 10, 2020
“Bernie’s always been a Socialist,” said Blum. “Obama did not manage to do what he promised (on healthcare) but Bernie, he can do it,” she said, referring to Barack Obama’s bid to provide universal healthcare.
Liz Blum, activist from Vermont, photographed after attending a Bernie Sanders town hall in Hanover, New Hampshire on February 9th, 2020 © Jessica Le Masurier
It’s all about healthcare
The Democratic candidates’ position on the hot button issue of healthcare encapsulates their approach to the election. Pete Buttigieg portrays himself as much more pragmatic than Sanders. At a campaign event in Londonderry he explained that he will not offer “Medicare for all”, like his socialist rival, but rather “Medicare for all who want it”. That is an approach that goes down well with independents in New Hampshire such as Erin Drissling, a nurse from Londonderry.
Drissling believes many independents in New Hampshire (who have the right to vote in the Democratic primary because it is open) may do the same because they do not like the idea of being dictated to by the government.
“If you wanna keep your own health insurance, fantastic – do it. If you feel that even Medicare for all becomes the piece that you wanna be on, then switch. But to be turned around and told that you have to go on Medicare for all… I don’t think is the correct way to do things right now. We’re so divided as a country and being told what to do from the right side, and having being told far from the left, the middle lane is what choice is all about.”
Bryan and Tommy Pauli and their children, Emma and Greyson at a Pete Buttigieg rally in Londonderry, New Hampshire, February 9th 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Bryan and Tommy Pauli, a same-sex couple from Londonderry brought their two children, Emma and Greyson, to meet Buttigieg.
If elected, Buttigieg would become the first gay president of the United States. The couple, who both work in accounting, explained that they are stressed about what could happen to their adopted children if Trump is re-elected.
“At first I wasn’t gonna vote for Pete,” said Bryan, “but then I saw him in Laconia and I was just convinced we need a new face in the White House. Biden, Warren, they can't beat Trump. Pete can cross both aisles. Even Republicans would love him if they got to know him.”
Matthew Derosiers, 50, is from New Hampshire but until recently he had never taken the time to attend a candidate’s town hall meeting. But the current president’s shenanigans in Washington energised him this time.
“Trump and the stuff that’s happening in Washington pushed me to do it. Serious changes need to be made and Pete is the person that can do it. Pete is a non-Washington person, he’s young, it’s time for change.” Derosiers will vote for Buttigieg on Tuesday because he believes he is the only candidate who can beat Trump.
New to the political scene
But beating Trump is going to be hard. There were more people lining up in the cold and rain ahead of a Trump campaign rally in Manchester on Monday than attending many of the Democratic candidates town hall events.
Trump supporters queue in Manchester, New Hampshire ahead of a campaign rally, 10th Feburary, 2020. © Yona Helaoua
Trump’s approval rating is hovering near an all-time high. In a recent Gallup poll, he registered a 49 percent approval rating.
Pete Buttigieg campaign rally in Londonderry, New Hampshire, February 9th, 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Buttigieg told voters at his rally that his moderate path was the best way forward for the Democratic Party. “I respect Senator Sanders and I think a lot of the ideas that he’s calling for tie into values that we all share,” he said. “But in a moment like this, telling Americans that you’ve either got to be for a revolution or you got to be for the status quo is telling most of us we don’t belong.”
Buttigieg argues that socialism will alienate a lot of voters. In his campaign speeches he often refers to the “future former Republicans” who he says should join his movement. Some voters even compare Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest candidate in the race, to France’s Emmanuel Macron, a centrist who appeals to both sides of the political spectrum.
"This is someone that's completely new to the political scene," said Dorian Key, a volunteer who came up from New York City to canvass for Buttigieg’s campaign. "He's someone that hasn't had decades of Washington back-rubbing so that's a really great thing, similar to President Emmanuel Macron of France who became president aged 40, Justin Trudeau, also similarly young and we have the new prime ministers of Finland and New Zealand, who are in their 30s."
Dean Brown, a retired political science professor in Hanover, New Hampshire, February 9th, 2020. © Jessica Le Masurier
Dean Brown, 75, a retired political science professor who used to teach at the University of Maryland and now lives in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, is convinced Trump will win the election.
"The American people are way behind in education and cultivation and they listen to people who inspire raw emotions with slogans like ‘Make America great again' and they think oh I don’t need to go to the doctor after all," said Brown.
There is a saying that Democrats fall in love and Republicans fall in line. Both Buttigieg and Sanders are managing to make voters fall in love with them. However, they need Democrats to make a choice about which vision to support in order to have a real shot at beating Trump in November.
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france24--2020-02-10--Exclusive: Mali’s president acknowledges dialogue with jihadist leaders

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and Radio France Internationale ( RFI ) Monday , Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita acknowledged , for the first time , that his government had opened up a dialogue with senior jihadist leaders .
With the death toll from ethnic and jihadist violence in Mali increasing in recent months , Keita said his administration was open to talks with jihadists leaders in a bid to end the instability and bloodshed that has gripped the country over the past eight years .
`` Talking with jihadists and fighting terrorism is not contradictory , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty and a mission today to create all possible spaces and to do everything possible so that , by one means or another , some kind of appeasement can be achieved .
It 's time certain avenues were explored , '' he explained .
Keita acknowledged that his government had made contact with Iyad Ag Ghali – a prominent Tuareg figure and leader of the Ansar Dine jihadist group – as well as Amadou Koufa , leader of Katiba Macina , a group of predominantly Fulani ethnic fighters allied with Ansar Dine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision with the implications carefully considered .
`` This is n't being done on a whim , ” he said .
“ We 're going to try and do what the people want , like with the jirga in Afghanistan , to put it into practice , and we 're trying to do it without being naive , we 're not gullible .
We 'll continue with our work , with our duty , but we want to make sure that we will no longer be stubborn about things , stuck , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imperative , he insisted .
`` The number of deaths in the Sahel is becoming exponential and it 's time that certain avenues be explored , '' he explained .
Rebels captured a huge swathe of northern Mali in 2012 , triggering a jihadist insurgency that has now spread to neighbouring countries in the transitional Sahel zone between the Sahara and the African savannah.Keita ’ s interview came as the New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Malian authorities to investigate massacres by armed ethnic groups and Islamist militants in central Mali that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadliest year in the region since the conflict began in 2012.The Malian president also revealed that Malian army soldiers on Monday had begun deploying to Kidal and should arrive in the key northern town by Friday .
The return of Malian soldiers to Kidal is considered a key component in implementing the 2015 Algiers peace agreement , struck between the government in Bamako and some rebel groups .
Keita said the army had set off from the northern Malian city of Gao about 200 kilometres ( 120 miles ) south .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous .
`` It is therefore normal that the general staff ... Malian forces and the allied forces , act cautiously , '' he told FRANCE 24 ’ s Marc Perelman and RFI ’ s Christophe Boisbouvier .
Kidal fell to separatist Tuareg rebels in 2012 , who remain in control of the city despite the presence of UN and French troops operating under Operation Barkhane .
While the Tuareg rebels controlling Kidal signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in 2015 , the implementation of the deal has been shaky @ @ @ @

Exclusive
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) Monday, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita acknowledged, for the first time, that his government had opened up a dialogue with senior jihadist leaders. Rebels captured a huge swathe of northern Mali in 2012, triggering a jihadist insurgency that has now spread to neighbouring countries in the transitional Sahel zone between the Sahara and the African savannah.
Advertising Read more
With the death toll from ethnic and jihadist violence in Mali increasing in recent months, Keita said his administration was open to talks with jihadists leaders in a bid to end the instability and bloodshed that has gripped the country over the past eight years.
"Talking with jihadists and fighting terrorism is not contradictory,” said Keita. “I have a duty and a mission today to create all possible spaces and to do everything possible so that, by one means or another, some kind of appeasement can be achieved. It's time certain avenues were explored," he explained.
Keita acknowledged that his government had made contact with Iyad Ag Ghali – a prominent Tuareg figure and leader of the Ansar Dine jihadist group – as well as Amadou Koufa, leader of Katiba Macina, a group of predominantly Fulani ethnic fighters allied with Ansar Dine.
Keita noted that it was a strategic decision with the implications carefully considered. "This isn't being done on a whim,” he said. “We're going to try and do what the people want, like with the jirga in Afghanistan, to put it into practice, and we're trying to do it without being naive, we're not gullible. We'll continue with our work, with our duty, but we want to make sure that we will no longer be stubborn about things, stuck, or obtuse."
The peace measures were imperative, he insisted. "The number of deaths in the Sahel is becoming exponential and it's time that certain avenues be explored," he explained.
00:38
Keita’s interview came as the New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Malian authorities to investigate massacres by armed ethnic groups and Islamist militants in central Mali that killed more than 450 people, making 2019 the deadliest year in the region since the conflict began in 2012.
Malian soldiers begin deploying to Kidal
The Malian president also revealed that Malian army soldiers on Monday had begun deploying to Kidal and should arrive in the key northern town by Friday.
The return of Malian soldiers to Kidal is considered a key component in implementing the 2015 Algiers peace agreement, struck between the government in Bamako and some rebel groups.
Keita said the army had set off from the northern Malian city of Gao about 200 kilometres (120 miles) south. But he warned that the journey could be dangerous.
"It is therefore normal that the general staff... Malian forces and the allied forces, act cautiously," he told FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman and RFI’s Christophe Boisbouvier.
00:41
Kidal fell to separatist Tuareg rebels in 2012, who remain in control of the city despite the presence of UN and French troops operating under Operation Barkhane. While the Tuareg rebels controlling Kidal signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in 2015, the implementation of the deal has been shaky on the ground.
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france24--2020-02-10--US charges four Chinese military officers in 2017 Equifax hack

Credit cards , a chain and an open padlock is seen in front of displayed Equifax logo in this illustration taken September 8 , 2017 .
The United States has charged four Chinese military hackers in the 2017 breach of the Equifax credit reporting agency that affected nearly 150 million American citizens , Attorney General William Barr said on Monday .
`` This was a deliberate and sweeping intrusion into the private information of the American people , '' Barr said in announcing the indictments of four members of the Chinese Liberation Army in connection with one of the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The announcement is the latest in an aggressive campaign by American authorities to root out Chinese espionage operations in the United States .
Since turning the spotlight on China in 2018 , the U.S. has snared a growing group of Chinese government officials , business people , and academics pursuing American secrets .
Roughly 147 million people had information , including Social Security numbers , birth dates and driver 's license data , compromised by the Equifax breach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , breaking into computer networks , stealing company secrets and personal data .
The hackers routed traffic through approximately 34 servers located in nearly 20 countries to obfuscate their true location .
Equifax Chief Executive Mark Begor said the company was grateful for the Justice Department investigation .
`` It is reassuring that our federal law enforcement agencies treat cybercrime – especially state-sponsored crime – with the seriousness it deserves , '' he said in a statement .
U.S. officials have said Chinese hackers were behind a massive breach at the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light in 2015 and involved the compromise of sensitive personal data submitted by applicants for U.S. government security clearances .
That breach exposed the names , Social Security numbers and addresses of more than 22 million current and former U.S. federal employees and contractors , as well as 5.6 million fingerprints .
Chinese hackers are similarly suspected of being behind a massive breach at hotel group Marriott International Inc .
The Equifax hack fits into a pattern of past Chinese cyberattacks , said Michael Daniel , a former White House cybersecurity coordinator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spying efforts .
`` It ’ s primary utility would be in developing potential targets for approach by intelligence operatives or feeding artificial intelligence machine learning tools , '' said Daniel , who currently serves as president of the Cyber Threat Alliance , a cybersecurity information sharing group .
Senator Ben Sasse , a Republican member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence , urged tougher action to counter Chinese hacking .
`` The Chinese Communist Party will leave no stone unturned in its effort to steal and exploit American data .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got to do more to protect Americans ' data from Chinese Communist Party influence operations , '' he said in a statement .
The Equifax data breach , because it was so large and involved so much sensitive financial information on so many Americans , had far-reaching implications for Equifax and the consumer credit industry .
The company agreed to pay up to $ 700 million to settle claims it broke the law during the data breach and to repay harmed consumers .
The scandal sent the company into turmoil , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Smith , and multiple congressional hearings as the company 's slowness to disclose the breach and security practices were challenged by lawmakers .
Policymakers and consumer groups have questioned how private companies could amass so much personal data , sparking efforts to bolster consumers ' ability to control their information .
Both the Senate Banking and House of Representatives Financial Services Committees are considering legislation that would require companies to better protect consumer data .

The United States has charged four Chinese military hackers in the 2017 breach of the Equifax credit reporting agency that affected nearly 150 million American citizens, Attorney General William Barr said on Monday.
Credit cards, a chain and an open padlock is seen in front of displayed Equifax logo in this illustration taken September 8, 2017.
Advertising Read more
"This was a deliberate and sweeping intrusion into the private information of the American people," Barr said in announcing the indictments of four members of the Chinese Liberation Army in connection with one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The announcement is the latest in an aggressive campaign by American authorities to root out Chinese espionage operations in the United States. Since turning the spotlight on China in 2018, the U.S. has snared a growing group of Chinese government officials, business people, and academics pursuing American secrets.
Roughly 147 million people had information, including Social Security numbers, birth dates and driver's license data, compromised by the Equifax breach.
The hackers spent weeks in the Equifax system, breaking into computer networks, stealing company secrets and personal data. The hackers routed traffic through approximately 34 servers located in nearly 20 countries to obfuscate their true location.
Equifax Chief Executive Mark Begor said the company was grateful for the Justice Department investigation.
"It is reassuring that our federal law enforcement agencies treat cybercrime – especially state-sponsored crime – with the seriousness it deserves," he said in a statement.
U.S. officials have said Chinese hackers were behind a massive breach at the Office of Personnel Management, which came to light in 2015 and involved the compromise of sensitive personal data submitted by applicants for U.S. government security clearances.
That breach exposed the names, Social Security numbers and addresses of more than 22 million current and former U.S. federal employees and contractors, as well as 5.6 million fingerprints.
Chinese hackers are similarly suspected of being behind a massive breach at hotel group Marriott International Inc .
The Equifax hack fits into a pattern of past Chinese cyberattacks, said Michael Daniel, a former White House cybersecurity coordinator, because the stolen data can support other spying efforts.
"It’s primary utility would be in developing potential targets for approach by intelligence operatives or feeding artificial intelligence machine learning tools," said Daniel, who currently serves as president of the Cyber Threat Alliance, a cybersecurity information sharing group.
Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, urged tougher action to counter Chinese hacking.
"The Chinese Communist Party will leave no stone unturned in its effort to steal and exploit American data. These indictments are good news, but we've got to do more to protect Americans' data from Chinese Communist Party influence operations," he said in a statement.
The Equifax data breach, because it was so large and involved so much sensitive financial information on so many Americans, had far-reaching implications for Equifax and the consumer credit industry.
The company agreed to pay up to $700 million to settle claims it broke the law during the data breach and to repay harmed consumers.
The scandal sent the company into turmoil, leading to the exit of its then-CEO, Richard Smith, and multiple congressional hearings as the company's slowness to disclose the breach and security practices were challenged by lawmakers.
Policymakers and consumer groups have questioned how private companies could amass so much personal data, sparking efforts to bolster consumers' ability to control their information. Both the Senate Banking and House of Representatives Financial Services Committees are considering legislation that would require companies to better protect consumer data.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-10--Syrian army shelling kills five Turkish soldiers in Idlib

Five Turkish soldiers were killed and five others were wounded on Monday as a result of `` intense '' shelling by Syrian government forces in Syria 's northern Idlib province , according to the Turkish defence ministry .
The ministry statement said Turkish artillery immediately responded to the attack , destroying targets .
Turkey has sent major reinforcements to Syria 's northwestern Idlib region where the attack occurred , as Ankara tries to stem rapid advances by Syrian government forces .
A rebel commander said the insurgents launched a military operation on Monday against the Syrian army near Saraqeb with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses also reporting Turkish shelling of Syrian military positions in the region .
“ Saraqeb is a town on the highway between Syrian capital Damascus and [ the Syrian economic hub ] Aleppo .
Syria government troops took it last week .
Today ’ s attack was obviously an attempt by pro-Turkish forces to reverse that gain , ” said FRANCE 24 ’ s Jasper Mortimer , reporting from Ankara .
Hours later , Turkey said it retaliated for the attack , “ neutralising ” 101 Syrian government soldiers and destroying three tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also hit , according to a Turkish ministry statement .
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 's forces , backed by Russian air cover , have been advancing into the last rebel-held areas of Idlib and the nearby Aleppo countryside , seizing dozens of towns and sparking a large-scale humanitarian crisis with some 600,000 people fleeing from their homes towards safer areas near the border with Turkey .
Most of the displaced are living in open-air shelters and temporary homes in freezing winter conditions close to the border .
Half of the displaced are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the collapse of a fragile cease-fire that was brokered between Turkey , Russia and Iran under the 2018 Astana accords .
Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in the Syrian war : Turkey supports the Syrian rebels , while Russia has heavily backed the Syrian government 's offensive .
`` Turkey is running 12 observation posts that were set up with Russia and Iranian approval under the Astana accord with the purpose of quietening the fighting in that province between the rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad and Assad ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these observation posts did succeed in quietening the civil war in that province .
But in the last few months Assad 's forces have launched an attack to drive the rebels out of Idlib , '' explained Mortimer .
Russian delegation in Ankara for talks The latest attack came as a Russian delegation arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara for a second round of talks to discuss the rising tensions in Idlib .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkish and Russian delegations exchanged proposals over the situation in Idlib during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , the Russian team returned to Ankara from a visit to Jordan , for further discussions , he said .
`` If a compromise had been reached there would have been no need for today 's meeting , '' Cavusoglu told reporters .
He said the Turkish and Russian leaders could step in if no compromise is reached .
Syria 's military has vowed to keep up its campaign .
Meanwhile , a car bomb exploded Monday in a Syrian town controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters , killing at least four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's state-run Anadolu Agency reported .
The attack was the latest in a series of explosions in Turkish-controlled regions that have killed and wounded scores of people .
Turkey has blamed the attacks on on the Syrian Kurdish militia , known as the People 's Protection Units .
The bomb went off on a main street in the town of Afrin , which Turkey took control of following a military incursion in 2018 , Anadolu reported .
It said some of the wounded were in serious condition , adding that the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive has aimed at pushing Kurdish fighters away from the border .
Those Kurdish fighters had been key U.S. allies in the fight against the Islamic State group .
Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighters terrorists linked to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey .
( FRANCE 24 with AFP , AP and REUTERS )

Five Turkish soldiers were killed and five others were wounded on Monday as a result of "intense" shelling by Syrian government forces in Syria's northern Idlib province, according to the Turkish defence ministry.
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The ministry statement said Turkish artillery immediately responded to the attack, destroying targets.
Turkey has sent major reinforcements to Syria's northwestern Idlib region where the attack occurred, as Ankara tries to stem rapid advances by Syrian government forces.
A rebel commander said the insurgents launched a military operation on Monday against the Syrian army near Saraqeb with the help of Turkish artillery, with witnesses also reporting Turkish shelling of Syrian military positions in the region.
“Saraqeb is a town on the highway between Syrian capital Damascus and [the Syrian economic hub] Aleppo. Syria government troops took it last week. Today’s attack was obviously an attempt by pro-Turkish forces to reverse that gain,” said FRANCE 24’s Jasper Mortimer, reporting from Ankara.
Hours later, Turkey said it retaliated for the attack, “neutralising” 101 Syrian government soldiers and destroying three tanks and two cannons. A Syrian helicopter was also hit, according to a Turkish ministry statement.
Observation posts under Astana accords
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russian air cover, have been advancing into the last rebel-held areas of Idlib and the nearby Aleppo countryside, seizing dozens of towns and sparking a large-scale humanitarian crisis with some 600,000 people fleeing from their homes towards safer areas near the border with Turkey.
Most of the displaced are living in open-air shelters and temporary homes in freezing winter conditions close to the border. Half of the displaced are believed to be children.
The fighting led to the collapse of a fragile cease-fire that was brokered between Turkey, Russia and Iran under the 2018 Astana accords. Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in the Syrian war: Turkey supports the Syrian rebels, while Russia has heavily backed the Syrian government's offensive.
"Turkey is running 12 observation posts that were set up with Russia and Iranian approval under the Astana accord with the purpose of quietening the fighting in that province between the rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad and Assad’s own forces. For a time, these observation posts did succeed in quietening the civil war in that province. But in the last few months Assad's forces have launched an attack to drive the rebels out of Idlib," explained Mortimer.
Russian delegation in Ankara for talks
The latest attack came as a Russian delegation arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara for a second round of talks to discuss the rising tensions in Idlib.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkish and Russian delegations exchanged proposals over the situation in Idlib during a first meeting in Ankara on Saturday. On Monday, the Russian team returned to Ankara from a visit to Jordan, for further discussions, he said.
"If a compromise had been reached there would have been no need for today's meeting," Cavusoglu told reporters. He said the Turkish and Russian leaders could step in if no compromise is reached.
Syria's military has vowed to keep up its campaign.
Deadly car bombing in Afrin
Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded Monday in a Syrian town controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters, killing at least four people and wounding 15 others, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
The attack was the latest in a series of explosions in Turkish-controlled regions that have killed and wounded scores of people. Turkey has blamed the attacks on on the Syrian Kurdish militia, known as the People's Protection Units.
The bomb went off on a main street in the town of Afrin, which Turkey took control of following a military incursion in 2018, Anadolu reported. It said some of the wounded were in serious condition, adding that the death toll was likely to rise.
The Turkish offensive has aimed at pushing Kurdish fighters away from the border. Those Kurdish fighters had been key U.S. allies in the fight against the Islamic State group. Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighters terrorists linked to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-10--Algerian court upholds jail sentence for Bouteflika’s brother

An Algerian military court on Monday confirmed a 15-year jail term for the brother of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and two former intelligence chiefs convicted of conspiracy against the state , a lawyer said .
`` Said Bouteflika , General ( Athmane ) Tartag and General ( Mohamed Lamine ) Mediene received 15 years in prison .
The initial verdict was confirmed , '' lawyer Boudjemaa Guechir told AFP .
Guechir represented the fourth defendant Louisa Hanoune , who had served as secretary general of Algeria 's left-wing Workers ' Party .
Her initial sentence of 15 years was reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Their convictions in September were the most prominent in a string of prosecutions of prominent politicians and businessmen on corruption charges since the ailing Bouteflika was ousted in April 2019 after two decades in power .
All four defendants were convicted of `` undermining the authority of the army '' and `` conspiring '' against the state in order to bring about regime change , in the run-up to Bouteflika 's resignation in the face of mass protests .
Said Bouteflika was widely reported to have been the decision-maker in Algeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who allegedly enriched themselves during Bouteflika ’ s final years in power , when the septuagenarian leader was rarely seen in public .
Mediene , known as Toufik , headed the all-powerful DRS intelligence agency from its foundation in 1990 up to his fall from grace in 2015 .
Tartag was also a former intelligence chief .
( FRANCE 24 with AFP )

An Algerian military court on Monday confirmed a 15-year jail term for the brother of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and two former intelligence chiefs convicted of conspiracy against the state, a lawyer said.
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"Said Bouteflika, General (Athmane) Tartag and General (Mohamed Lamine) Mediene received 15 years in prison. The initial verdict was confirmed," lawyer Boudjemaa Guechir told AFP.
Guechir represented the fourth defendant Louisa Hanoune, who had served as secretary general of Algeria's left-wing Workers' Party. Her initial sentence of 15 years was reduced to three years in prison, Guechir said.
Their convictions in September were the most prominent in a string of prosecutions of prominent politicians and businessmen on corruption charges since the ailing Bouteflika was ousted in April 2019 after two decades in power.
All four defendants were convicted of "undermining the authority of the army" and "conspiring" against the state in order to bring about regime change, in the run-up to Bouteflika's resignation in the face of mass protests.
Said Bouteflika was widely reported to have been the decision-maker in Algeria, creating an informal circle of favorites who allegedly enriched themselves during Bouteflika’s final years in power, when the septuagenarian leader was rarely seen in public.
Mediene, known as Toufik, headed the all-powerful DRS intelligence agency from its foundation in 1990 up to his fall from grace in 2015.
Tartag was also a former intelligence chief.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-02-10--TV political thriller Baron Noir mirrors real-life politics in France

Five weeks ahead of crucial municipal elections in France , with strikes , demonstrations and heightened tensions putting President Emmanuel Macron and his party on the defence , the new season of a hit political thriller TV series has viewers and voters on the edge of their seats .
As populists gain ground in France , a young , self-assured president from the country ’ s top schools who was elected on a centrist platform , is feeling the heat .
Sound familiar ?
The resemblance to France and President Emmanuel Macron is clear , but this is the storyline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hit French political thriller “ Baron Noir ” ( distributed in some countries as “ Republican Gangsters ” ) , released in France on Monday , February 10 , on the pay-TV network Canal+ .
The series , created by Eric Benzekri and Jean-Baptiste Delafon and directed by Ziad Doueiri , tells the story of a former deputy and mayor of the northern French city of Dunkirk , a political strategist for the French Socialist Party .
Its second season saw the election of a 39-year-old centrist , Amélie Dorendeu ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background and experience mirrors Macron ’ s .
Several other characters are also immediately recognisable to French viewers , from a prime minister appointed by Dorendeu from the moderate right ( just like Édouard Philippe ) , to the character of Michel Vidal – played by François Morel – the brilliant far-left orator with origins in the Socialist Party , who appeals to the working class and the young ( just like Jean-Luc Mélenchon , head of the real far-left party La France Insoumise ( France unbowed ) .
The main character , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acclaim by Kad Merad – is a Socialist who in the first season was at war with his former mentor and ended up in prison for corruption , only to come back in the second season fighting for his political career .
In the brand new third season , Rickwaert sees an opportunity in the disastrous state of the country and the mistakes of President Dorendeu ( echoing the mass strikes and protests in real-life France and their handling by Macron ) and decides to run for president himself .
The main character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been inspired by Julien Dray , a member of the French Socialist Party and a former member of the Assemblée Nationale .
( And Merad , the actor chosen to depict the black baron , is French-Algerian , like Dray . )
Benzekri , the co-writer of the series , is a former Socialist Party member himself and had worked for Dray – and for Mélenchon – before turning to screenwriting .
But he says the black baron ’ s character was inspired by several Socialist politicians , not only Dray .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost every season , ” Benzekri said in an interview for the website of the French daily 20 Minutes .
“ I worked with Dray for a very long time , so of course that inspired me… .
But the character 's a composite .
There is a resemblance , in that Philippe Rickwaert is a certain type of socialist – one who doesn ’ t come from the elite schools .
Julien Dray , of course , Jean-Christophe Cambadélis , Manuel Valls , Harlem Désir ... are political leaders who come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different relationship to politics than those we might know better , like François Hollande , Ségolène Royal , Emmanuel Macron , etc , ” he said .
“ But all the characters in Baron Noir are completely emancipated from their supposed inspirations .
They ’ re even emancipated from me .
That is , at some point they begin to live in their own right and it ’ s because I see them do something that I change my writing .
Now , after three seasons , that is , after 24 episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characters have become autonomous , ” he said .
Benzekri says the American series The Sopranos and The West Wing also served as inspiration .
He began writing “ Baron Noir ” as a film about a politician and his assistant , but soon came to the conclusion , along with Delafon , his co-writer , that it would work better as a series .
“ We sent an e-mail to Canal telling them that what we wanted to do was the Sopranos in The West Wing .
That is , mix the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wing with the family ambiance of a clan of the Sopranos – so with an ambiance that ’ s neither black nor white , but grey , ” he told 20 Minutes .
Nearly five weeks ahead of crucial nationwide municipal elections in France , Macron , like his female alter ego in the series , is feeling the heat .
The elections , which begin on March 15 , nearly three years after he became president , could be a bellwether for the 2022 presidential vote .
With the country gridlocked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s approval ratings are at about 40 percent and his party , La République En Marche , is losing support , with 14 of its deputies in the National Assembly recently jumping ship , bringing the party ’ s majority down to 300 seats out of 577 .
The third season of Baron Noir depicts the strengthening of the populists , fueled by a grassroots movement headed by a science teacher , Christophe Mercier – played by Frédéric Saurel – who is followed by millions on social media as he preaches his antagonism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leaders of the real-life yellow vest movement .
“ Something is happening in the world .
Something we need to talk about .
This season talks about the tension between representative democracy on one side , with all its problems that need to be solved , and what I call the democracy of the social networks on the other , that is , the public expression of billions of people all at once , ” Benzekri told France Inter radio in an interview .
In the third season , will Rickwaert and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somehow squeezing themselves in between the fictional centrist young president and the fictional far-left charismatic populist ?
No spoilers – but the outcome of the series might give French viewers and voters a glimpse of a possible scenario for 2022 .

Five weeks ahead of crucial municipal elections in France, with strikes, demonstrations and heightened tensions putting President Emmanuel Macron and his party on the defence, the new season of a hit political thriller TV series has viewers and voters on the edge of their seats.
Advertising Read more
As populists gain ground in France, a young, self-assured president from the country’s top schools who was elected on a centrist platform, is feeling the heat.
Sound familiar? The resemblance to France and President Emmanuel Macron is clear, but this is the storyline at the start of the third season of the hit French political thriller “Baron Noir” (distributed in some countries as “Republican Gangsters”), released in France on Monday, February 10, on the pay-TV network Canal+.
The series, created by Eric Benzekri and Jean-Baptiste Delafon and directed by Ziad Doueiri, tells the story of a former deputy and mayor of the northern French city of Dunkirk, a political strategist for the French Socialist Party.
Its second season saw the election of a 39-year-old centrist, Amélie Dorendeu (played by Anna Mouglalis), whose background and experience mirrors Macron’s.
Several other characters are also immediately recognisable to French viewers, from a prime minister appointed by Dorendeu from the moderate right (just like Édouard Philippe), to the character of Michel Vidal – played by François Morel – the brilliant far-left orator with origins in the Socialist Party, who appeals to the working class and the young (just like Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of the real far-left party La France Insoumise (France unbowed).
The main character, Philippe Rickwaert – played to great critical acclaim by Kad Merad – is a Socialist who in the first season was at war with his former mentor and ended up in prison for corruption, only to come back in the second season fighting for his political career.
Le #BaronNoir sort de l'ombre... Mais à quel prix ?
Rendez-vous lundi sur @canalplus pour la saison 3 👊 pic.twitter.com/SZA3Vt3XW7 — Baron Noir (@baronnoir) February 3, 2020
‘Sopranos in The West Wing’
In the brand new third season, Rickwaert sees an opportunity in the disastrous state of the country and the mistakes of President Dorendeu (echoing the mass strikes and protests in real-life France and their handling by Macron) and decides to run for president himself.
The main character of the series is said to have been inspired by Julien Dray, a member of the French Socialist Party and a former member of the Assemblée Nationale. (And Merad, the actor chosen to depict the black baron, is French-Algerian, like Dray.)
Benzekri, the co-writer of the series, is a former Socialist Party member himself and had worked for Dray – and for Mélenchon – before turning to screenwriting. But he says the black baron’s character was inspired by several Socialist politicians, not only Dray.
“It’s a question I get almost every season,” Benzekri said in an interview for the website of the French daily 20 Minutes. “I worked with Dray for a very long time, so of course that inspired me…. But the character's a composite. There is a resemblance, in that Philippe Rickwaert is a certain type of socialist – one who doesn’t come from the elite schools. Julien Dray, of course, Jean-Christophe Cambadélis, Manuel Valls, Harlem Désir... are political leaders who come from social movements, so they have a different relationship to politics than those we might know better, like François Hollande, Ségolène Royal, Emmanuel Macron, etc,” he said.
“But all the characters in Baron Noir are completely emancipated from their supposed inspirations. They’re even emancipated from me. That is, at some point they begin to live in their own right and it’s because I see them do something that I change my writing. Now, after three seasons, that is, after 24 episodes, 24 hours of film, these characters have become autonomous,” he said.
Benzekri says the American series The Sopranos and The West Wing also served as inspiration. He began writing “Baron Noir” as a film about a politician and his assistant, but soon came to the conclusion, along with Delafon, his co-writer, that it would work better as a series.
“We sent an e-mail to Canal telling them that what we wanted to do was the Sopranos in The West Wing. That is, mix the very sophisticated political universe of The West Wing with the family ambiance of a clan of the Sopranos – so with an ambiance that’s neither black nor white, but grey,” he told 20 Minutes.
Real-life politics in France
Nearly five weeks ahead of crucial nationwide municipal elections in France, Macron, like his female alter ego in the series, is feeling the heat. The elections, which begin on March 15, nearly three years after he became president, could be a bellwether for the 2022 presidential vote.
With the country gridlocked by ongoing strikes and demonstrations, Macron’s approval ratings are at about 40 percent and his party, La République En Marche, is losing support, with 14 of its deputies in the National Assembly recently jumping ship, bringing the party’s majority down to 300 seats out of 577.
The third season of Baron Noir depicts the strengthening of the populists, fueled by a grassroots movement headed by a science teacher, Christophe Mercier – played by Frédéric Saurel – who is followed by millions on social media as he preaches his antagonism to the political elites, much like the leaders of the real-life yellow vest movement.
“Something is happening in the world. Something we need to talk about. This season talks about the tension between representative democracy on one side, with all its problems that need to be solved, and what I call the democracy of the social networks on the other, that is, the public expression of billions of people all at once,” Benzekri told France Inter radio in an interview.
In the third season, will Rickwaert and the Socialist Party make a comeback, somehow squeezing themselves in between the fictional centrist young president and the fictional far-left charismatic populist?
No spoilers – but the outcome of the series might give French viewers and voters a glimpse of a possible scenario for 2022.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe