france24--2020-07-08--FBI chief says China is blackmailing dissenters in US to force them back home

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on threats to the homeland on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC , on November 5 , 2019 .
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday urged China-born people in the United States to contact the FBI if Chinese officials try to force them to return to China under a program of coercion that he said is led by Chinese President Xi Jinping .
Wray issued the unusual appeal in an address to the Hudson Institute think tank in which he reiterated U.S. charges that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blackmail and other means as part of a strategy to replace the United States as the world 's dominant economic and technological power .
He said Xi has `` spearheaded '' a program called Fox Hunt aimed at strong-arming people born in China living outside of the country who are regarded as threats to return home in order to silence criticism of Beijing 's political and human rights policies .
The families of those who refuse to return are threatened and some have been arrested in China `` for leverage , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims that they target live here in the United States , and many are American citizens or green card holders , '' he continued .
`` The Chinese government wants to force them to return to China and China 's tactics to accomplish this are shocking . ''
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wray 's address .
Beijing has denied U.S. charges that it employs cyber espionage against the United States .
Wray related a case in which he said the Chinese government sent `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States of an unidentified target who could not be located .
The emissary left a message that the target could chose between returning to China or committing suicide , Wray said .
`` I want to take this opportunity to note that if you believe the Chinese government is targeting you , that you are a potential Fox Hunt victim , please reach out to your local FBI field office , '' he said .
Wray also said that almost half of nearly 5,000 active FBI counterintelligence cases now underway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've now reached a point where the FBI is opening a new China-related counterintelligence case about every 10 hours , '' Wray said in his address .

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday urged China-born people in the United States to contact the FBI if Chinese officials try to force them to return to China under a program of coercion that he said is led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on threats to the homeland on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2019.
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Wray issued the unusual appeal in an address to the Hudson Institute think tank in which he reiterated U.S. charges that China is using espionage, cyber theft, blackmail and other means as part of a strategy to replace the United States as the world's dominant economic and technological power.
He said Xi has "spearheaded" a program called Fox Hunt aimed at strong-arming people born in China living outside of the country who are regarded as threats to return home in order to silence criticism of Beijing's political and human rights policies.
The families of those who refuse to return are threatened and some have been arrested in China "for leverage," he said
"Hundreds of these Fox Hunt victims that they target live here in the United States, and many are American citizens or green card holders," he continued. "The Chinese government wants to force them to return to China and China's tactics to accomplish this are shocking."
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wray's address. Beijing has denied U.S. charges that it employs cyber espionage against the United States.
Wray related a case in which he said the Chinese government sent "an emissary" to visit a family in the United States of an unidentified target who could not be located. The emissary left a message that the target could chose between returning to China or committing suicide, Wray said.
"I want to take this opportunity to note that if you believe the Chinese government is targeting you, that you are a potential Fox Hunt victim, please reach out to your local FBI field office," he said.
Wray also said that almost half of nearly 5,000 active FBI counterintelligence cases now underway are related to China.
"We've now reached a point where the FBI is opening a new China-related counterintelligence case about every 10 hours," Wray said in his address.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-07--Trump’s niece brands him a liar and a cheat in new book, White House cries foul

US President Donald Trump at an event at the White House in Washington , DC , on July 7 , 2020 , on reopening schools amid the coronavirus disease ( Covid-19 ) pandemic .
Donald Trump 's niece describes the US president as a lying narcissist who was shaped by his domineering father , according to excerpts of her memoir published Tuesday .
The White House immediately hit back , describing Mary Trump 's `` Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man '' as `` a book of falsehoods . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 amid a legal battle to stop its publication and is already a best-seller on Amazon .
Mary , a clinical psychologist , writes that Trump saw `` cheating as a way of life , '' according to The New York Times .
She alleges that the future US leader paid someone else to take the SAT pre-collegiate exam , helping him get into the University of Pennsylvania 's prestigious Wharton business school .
The Times does n't explain how she knew .
`` The absurd SAT allegation is completely false , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matthews .
The 240-page book says Trump is a product of his `` sociopath '' father Fred Trump who created an abusive and traumatic home life , The Washington Post reported .
`` ( The president ) said his father was loving and not at all hard on him as a child , '' Matthews said in response .
The memoir is billed as the first unflattering portrayal of Trump by a family insider .
The president 's younger brother Robert Trump tried to block publication , arguing that Mary was violating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement of her grandfather 's estate .
Last week , a New York appeals judge ruled that Simon & Schuster is allowed to release the memoir , saying it was `` not a party to the agreement . ''
Mary is the son of Fred Trump Jr , Trump 's older brother , who died in 1981 from complications related to alcoholism .
She writes that her uncle meets all the clinical criteria for being a narcissist , according to The New York Times .
`` Mary Trump and her book 's publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public interest , but this book is clearly in the author 's own financial self-interest , '' Matthews said .
The book is set to be the latest bombshell book to dish dirt on Trump after former aide John Bolton 's tome , which describes the Republican leader as corrupt and incompetent , hit shelves last month .
Trump has described that book as `` fiction . ''

Donald Trump's niece describes the US president as a lying narcissist who was shaped by his domineering father, according to excerpts of her memoir published Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump at an event at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2020, on reopening schools amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
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The White House immediately hit back, describing Mary Trump's "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" as "a book of falsehoods."
The memoir is due out on July 14 amid a legal battle to stop its publication and is already a best-seller on Amazon.
Mary, a clinical psychologist, writes that Trump saw "cheating as a way of life," according to The New York Times.
She alleges that the future US leader paid someone else to take the SAT pre-collegiate exam, helping him get into the University of Pennsylvania's prestigious Wharton business school.
The Times doesn't explain how she knew.
"The absurd SAT allegation is completely false," said deputy White House press secretary Sarah Matthews.
The 240-page book says Trump is a product of his "sociopath" father Fred Trump who created an abusive and traumatic home life, The Washington Post reported.
"(The president) said his father was loving and not at all hard on him as a child," Matthews said in response.
The memoir is billed as the first unflattering portrayal of Trump by a family insider.
The president's younger brother Robert Trump tried to block publication, arguing that Mary was violating a non-disclosure agreement signed in 2001 after the settlement of her grandfather's estate.
Last week, a New York appeals judge ruled that Simon & Schuster is allowed to release the memoir, saying it was "not a party to the agreement."
Mary is the son of Fred Trump Jr, Trump's older brother, who died in 1981 from complications related to alcoholism.
She writes that her uncle meets all the clinical criteria for being a narcissist, according to The New York Times.
"Mary Trump and her book's publisher may claim to be acting in the public interest, but this book is clearly in the author's own financial self-interest," Matthews said.
The book is set to be the latest bombshell book to dish dirt on Trump after former aide John Bolton's tome, which describes the Republican leader as corrupt and incompetent, hit shelves last month.
Trump has described that book as "fiction."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-08--Covid-19: The shifting epicentres of the United States

As Covid-19 cases surge in the United States — topping 3 million cases on Wednesday with an 85 percent increase in just two weeks — Inside the Americas brings you a special programme focused on the country 's handling of the coronavirus crisis .
The US has already recorded more than 130,000 deaths , the highest toll of any country on the planet .
More than 3 million Americans have been infected with Covid-19 so far , the most of any country in the world .
We take a look at just how the coronavirus has spread in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Meanwhile , many people outside the United States have a hard time understanding just why America has been so slow to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
FRANCE 24 's foreign affairs editor Douglas Herbert talks us through the US strategy to fight the virus and how face masks have become a political symbol in the country .
We also see how the surge in Covid-19 cases is affecting every part of the political race .
Our Washington correspondents Fanny Allard , Matthieu Mabin and Kethevane Gorjestani tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a pandemic .
Finally , for its most unfortunate victims , the coronavirus is truly a question of life or death .
But for those who end up in hospital , it 's also a financial issue , and in America , that all depends on what health insurance you have .
The US government has stepped in with an aid package for those without cover .
But the insurance industry says treatment for Covid-19 patients could top $ 500 billion and it 's asking Congress to dig deeper .
FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @

As Covid-19 cases surge in the United States — topping 3 million cases on Wednesday with an 85 percent increase in just two weeks — Inside the Americas brings you a special programme focused on the country's handling of the coronavirus crisis. The US has already recorded more than 130,000 deaths, the highest toll of any country on the planet.
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More than 3 million Americans have been infected with Covid-19 so far, the most of any country in the world. We take a look at just how the coronavirus has spread in the US since it was first flagged six months ago.
Meanwhile, many people outside the United States have a hard time understanding just why America has been so slow to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. FRANCE 24's foreign affairs editor Douglas Herbert talks us through the US strategy to fight the virus and how face masks have become a political symbol in the country.
We also see how the surge in Covid-19 cases is affecting every part of the political race. Our Washington correspondents Fanny Allard, Matthieu Mabin and Kethevane Gorjestani tell us more about the difficulties of campaigning during a pandemic.
Finally, for its most unfortunate victims, the coronavirus is truly a question of life or death. But for those who end up in hospital, it's also a financial issue, and in America, that all depends on what health insurance you have. The US government has stepped in with an aid package for those without cover. But the insurance industry says treatment for Covid-19 patients could top $500 billion and it's asking Congress to dig deeper. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.
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france24--2020-07-08--Ivorian Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly dies in Abidjan at 61

Ivorian Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died Wednesday in Abidjan at the age of 61 , the presidency announced on public television .
Coulibaly had been picked to be the ruling party candidate in a presidential election planned for October .
The presidency 's secretary-general , Patrick Achi , read a statement from President Alassane Ouattara on state media to announce Coulibaly 's death .
`` I am deeply saddened to announce that Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly , the head of government , left us early this afternoon after taking part in the Council of Ministers , '' Achi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AGC '' , returned to the Ivory Coast last week after a two-month absence .
The prime minister left May 2 for medical treatment in France despite the closure of borders due to the coronavirus pandemic .
He received a stent about a week after arriving in France following an exam of his coronary arteries .
He had also undergone heart surgery in 2012 .
`` I am back to take my place alongside the president to continue the work of developing and building our country , '' Coulibaly said during a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 2 .
Coulibaly became unwell on Wednesday during a weekly cabinet meeting and was evacuated to a hospital where he passed away , Ouattara said .
Coulibaly was hand-picked as the ruling RHDP ( Houphouetists Rally for Democracy and Peace ) party 's candidate in March .
His death throws the October presidential election into disarray , raising concerns about who will represent the party of President Ouattara , who is required to step down after his second term .
Ouattara 's party has been in power since post-election violence a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then president Laurent Gbagbo refused to acknowledge Ouattara 's victory in a run-off vote .
Gbagbo was subsequently tried for war crimes in connection with the post-election violence at the International Criminal Court but was acquitted in January 2019 .
ICC prosecutors have said they will appeal .
There was some speculation that Ouattara would also try to extend his rule but he eventually said he would not seek reelection in 2020 and threw his support behind Coulibaly .
There is no clear-cut replacement for him in an election that is widely viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s top cocoa producer .
Defence Minister Hamed Bakayoko served as interim prime minister while Coulibaly was in France .
In his remarks on Wednesday , Ouattara hailed the prime minister as having been his closest political ally for three decades .
`` I pay tribute to my younger brother , my son Amadou Gon Coulibaly , who was my closest collaborator for 30 years , '' Ouattara said .
“ I salute the memory of a statesman of great loyalty , devotion and love for his country . ''

Ivorian Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died Wednesday in Abidjan at the age of 61, the presidency announced on public television. Coulibaly had been picked to be the ruling party candidate in a presidential election planned for October.
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The presidency's secretary-general, Patrick Achi, read a statement from President Alassane Ouattara on state media to announce Coulibaly's death.
"I am deeply saddened to announce that Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the head of government, left us early this afternoon after taking part in the Council of Ministers," Achi said.
Coulibaly, known as "AGC", returned to the Ivory Coast last week after a two-month absence. The prime minister left May 2 for medical treatment in France despite the closure of borders due to the coronavirus pandemic. He received a stent about a week after arriving in France following an exam of his coronary arteries. He had also undergone heart surgery in 2012.
"I am back to take my place alongside the president to continue the work of developing and building our country," Coulibaly said during a speech upon his arrival at the airport on July 2.
Coulibaly became unwell on Wednesday during a weekly cabinet meeting and was evacuated to a hospital where he passed away, Ouattara said.
Ivory Coast Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly © Screen grab, France 24
Election disarray
Coulibaly was hand-picked as the ruling RHDP (Houphouetists Rally for Democracy and Peace) party's candidate in March. His death throws the October presidential election into disarray, raising concerns about who will represent the party of President Ouattara, who is required to step down after his second term.
Ouattara's party has been in power since post-election violence a decade ago left some 3,000 people dead after then president Laurent Gbagbo refused to acknowledge Ouattara's victory in a run-off vote. Gbagbo was subsequently tried for war crimes in connection with the post-election violence at the International Criminal Court but was acquitted in January 2019. ICC prosecutors have said they will appeal.
There was some speculation that Ouattara would also try to extend his rule but he eventually said he would not seek reelection in 2020 and threw his support behind Coulibaly.
There is no clear-cut replacement for him in an election that is widely viewed as a test of stability for the world’s top cocoa producer. Defence Minister Hamed Bakayoko served as interim prime minister while Coulibaly was in France.
In his remarks on Wednesday, Ouattara hailed the prime minister as having been his closest political ally for three decades.
"I pay tribute to my younger brother, my son Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who was my closest collaborator for 30 years," Ouattara said.
“I salute the memory of a statesman of great loyalty, devotion and love for his country."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
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france24--2020-07-08--France rules out 'total lockdown' in case of Covid-19 second wave

French Prime Minister Jean Castex answers questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris , France , July 8 , 2020 .
The French government said Wednesday it was girding for a possible surge in coronavirus cases in coming months but would not respond to any new outbreak with another nationwide lockdown .
`` My aim is to prepare France for a possible second wave while preserving our daily life , our economic and social life , '' new Prime Minister Jean Castex said in an interview on RTL television .
`` But we 're not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did last March , because we 've learned ... that the economic and human consequences from a total lockdown are disastrous , '' he said .
Instead , any business closures or stay-at-home orders would be `` targeted '' to specific areas , he said .
`` The coronavirus is still here , '' Castex warned , adding that he would travel on Sunday to France 's South American territory of French Guiana , which is reeling from a surge in cases .
Officials reported 124 new cases in the territory on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,200 , and the government has dispatched dozens of health workers from the mainland as well as a field hospital .
The head of France 's public health agency , Jérôme Salomon , said authorities were anticipating a second wave of Covid-19 cases `` this autumn or this winter '' , depending on a seasonal impact that remains uncertain .
`` What we have to understand is that the epidemic 's resurgence will basically depend on our behaviour , '' he said in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro .
Even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer holiday seasons , Salomon urged continued social distancing and the use of face masks , `` especially in crowded places and indoors '' .
France ended its two-month lockdown on May 11 .
Setting out the principles behind the government ’ s actions in a speech on April 28 , Castex 's predecessor Édouard Philippe emphasised that “ we will have to live with the virus ” .
He hailed the lockdown by pointing to a study suggesting that confinement prevented “ 70,000 deaths ” in France , adding that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
But he argued that “ lengthy lockdown ” would have “ negative repercussions ” , including “ children not going to school ” , a “ lack of visits ” between family and friends , and a “ lack of investment ” .
All this put the economy at risk of “ falling apart ” , Philippe said .
As the civil servant in charge of easing France ’ s lockdown at the time , Castex appeared to take a somewhat different view on renewed confinement measures .
In a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that France should consider the “ possibility of an emergency rethink ” in the case of a surge in cases .
Castex was named by President Emmanuel Macron last week to lead a new government tasked with orchestrating the country 's recovery from its worst health and economic crisis since World War II .
Billions of euros have been promised for investments as well as measures to limit job losses in an economy expected to shrink more than 10 percent this year .
`` We are going to protect people , but above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ecological transformation , in our country 's recovery , '' Castex said .
He also confirmed he had increased a proposed wage hike and budget boosts for hospital staff by around €1 billion in negotiations with unions this week , bring the total to €7.5 billion ( $ 8.5 billion ) .
But union leaders say that would lift monthly pay for nurses , technicians and others on the front lines of the coronavirus fight by only €180 a month , far short of demands for a €300 raise .
The outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the first cases were reported in January .
Some critics of Castex 's current strategy to contain Covid-19 argue that prolonged lockdowns will help the economy in the long run as well as save lives .
A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published on March 31 found that in the last pandemic to take the world by storm , the 1918-1919 Spanish flu , US cities where lockdowns and social distancing lasted longest performed better economically overall after the disease had run its course .

The French government said Wednesday it was girding for a possible surge in coronavirus cases in coming months but would not respond to any new outbreak with another nationwide lockdown.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex answers questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris, France, July 8, 2020.
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"My aim is to prepare France for a possible second wave while preserving our daily life, our economic and social life," new Prime Minister Jean Castex said in an interview on RTL television.
"But we're not going to impose a lockdown like the one we did last March, because we've learned... that the economic and human consequences from a total lockdown are disastrous," he said.
Instead, any business closures or stay-at-home orders would be "targeted" to specific areas, he said.
"The coronavirus is still here," Castex warned, adding that he would travel on Sunday to France's South American territory of French Guiana, which is reeling from a surge in cases. Officials reported 124 new cases in the territory on Tuesday, bringing the total to nearly 5,200, and the government has dispatched dozens of health workers from the mainland as well as a field hospital.
Seasonal impact unknown
The head of France's public health agency, Jérôme Salomon, said authorities were anticipating a second wave of Covid-19 cases "this autumn or this winter", depending on a seasonal impact that remains uncertain.
"What we have to understand is that the epidemic's resurgence will basically depend on our behaviour," he said in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro.
Even as millions of people prepare to relax over the summer holiday seasons, Salomon urged continued social distancing and the use of face masks, "especially in crowded places and indoors".
France ended its two-month lockdown on May 11. Setting out the principles behind the government’s actions in a speech on April 28, Castex's predecessor Édouard Philippe emphasised that “we will have to live with the virus”. He hailed the lockdown by pointing to a study suggesting that confinement prevented “70,000 deaths” in France, adding that its “positive effects outweighed its negative effects”.
But he argued that “lengthy lockdown” would have “negative repercussions”, including “children not going to school”, a “lack of visits” between family and friends, and a “lack of investment”. All this put the economy at risk of “falling apart”, Philippe said.
As the civil servant in charge of easing France’s lockdown at the time, Castex appeared to take a somewhat different view on renewed confinement measures. In a report published on May 11, he argued that France should consider the “possibility of an emergency rethink” in the case of a surge in cases.
'Protect people'
Castex was named by President Emmanuel Macron last week to lead a new government tasked with orchestrating the country's recovery from its worst health and economic crisis since World War II.
Billions of euros have been promised for investments as well as measures to limit job losses in an economy expected to shrink more than 10 percent this year.
"We are going to protect people, but above all we are going to invest in the ecological transformation, in our country's recovery," Castex said.
He also confirmed he had increased a proposed wage hike and budget boosts for hospital staff by around €1 billion in negotiations with unions this week, bring the total to €7.5 billion ($8.5 billion).
But union leaders say that would lift monthly pay for nurses, technicians and others on the front lines of the coronavirus fight by only €180 a month, far short of demands for a €300 raise.
The outbreak has killed nearly 30,000 people in France since the first cases were reported in January.
Some critics of Castex's current strategy to contain Covid-19 argue that prolonged lockdowns will help the economy in the long run as well as save lives. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published on March 31 found that in the last pandemic to take the world by storm, the 1918-1919 Spanish flu, US cities where lockdowns and social distancing lasted longest performed better economically overall after the disease had run its course.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-08--UK announces £30 billion Covid-19 stimulus package aimed at saving jobs

Britain 's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak reacts as he leaves Downing Street , in London , UK , July 8 , 2020 .
The UK government on Wednesday committed £30 billion ( $ 37 billion , 33 billion euros ) to saving jobs and helping the young find work in an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic .
Delivering a mini-budget to parliament , finance minister Rishi Sunak announced bonuses to companies retaining staff and taking on apprentices , investment in eco-friendly jobs and even allowing Britons to enjoy discounted meals in some restaurants .
`` People need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no-one will be left without hope , '' Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak said .
Noting that `` people are anxious about losing their jobs , about unemployment rising '' , Sunak said : `` We 're not just going to accept this . ''
The budget pledges £1,000 for firms to take on trainees , and £2 billion to subsidise placements for 16-to-24-year-olds from lower income families .
But Sunak insisted that the government 's furlough scheme already in operation to protect millions of private-sector jobs had to end in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's deadliest virus outbreak , with nearly 45,000 deaths , and the worst economic downturn among the G7 leading industrialised states .
Sunak -- a 40-year-old former Goldman Sachs analyst just five months into the second-most powerful job in government -- said the UK economy had contracted by 25 percent from one of Europe 's longest lockdowns , `` the same amount it grew in the previous 18 years '' .
The chancellor also confirmed £3 billion of green investment .
The package includes £2 billion in grants for households to insulate homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and £1 billion for public sector buildings , including hospitals .
The plan is part of Britain 's long-term pledge to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 .
Greenpeace UK called the new money an `` important start '' , but noted that it was `` dwarfed by green recovery commitments in Germany and France '' .
Britain is in the final stages of rolling back nationwide coronavirus restrictions imposed on March 23 , starting with the hospitality and tourism industries .
Since the crisis began , the Bank of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Britain 's economy and slashed its main interest rate to a record-low 0.1 percent .
Experts estimate the total cost of government emergency measures could run as high as £300 billion .
The crisis has forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make spending commitments usually favoured by the left-leaning Labour party rather than his own Conservatives .
But Labour 's finance spokeswoman Anneliese Dodds said the economy would be stronger had Johnson made fewer mistakes fighting the outbreak .
`` The best the government can do to boost demand is to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security that they can go out to work , to shop , and to socialise in safety , '' Dodds said in her official response .
The head of Britain 's CBI business lobby said the job retention plan will help some workers .
`` But with nearly 70 percent of firms running low on cash ... more immediate direct support for firms , from grants to further business rates relief , is still urgently needed , '' Carolyn Fairbairn said .
The government is paying up to 80 percent of salaries for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme that will start being wound down at the end of August .
Sunak on Wednesday said the furlough scheme `` can not and should not go on forever '' .
`` I know that when furlough ends it will be a difficult moment ...
But the truth is , calling for endless extensions to the furlough is just as irresponsible as it would have been , back in June , to end the scheme overnight .
`` We have to be honest , '' he said .

The UK government on Wednesday committed £30 billion ($37 billion, 33 billion euros) to saving jobs and helping the young find work in an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak reacts as he leaves Downing Street, in London, UK, July 8, 2020.
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Delivering a mini-budget to parliament, finance minister Rishi Sunak announced bonuses to companies retaining staff and taking on apprentices, investment in eco-friendly jobs and even allowing Britons to enjoy discounted meals in some restaurants.
"People need to know that although hardship lies ahead, no-one will be left without hope," Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak said.
Noting that "people are anxious about losing their jobs, about unemployment rising", Sunak said: "We're not just going to accept this."
The budget pledges £1,000 for firms to take on trainees, and £2 billion to subsidise placements for 16-to-24-year-olds from lower income families.
But Sunak insisted that the government's furlough scheme already in operation to protect millions of private-sector jobs had to end in October as planned.
18 years of growth
Britain has suffered Europe's deadliest virus outbreak, with nearly 45,000 deaths, and the worst economic downturn among the G7 leading industrialised states.
Sunak -- a 40-year-old former Goldman Sachs analyst just five months into the second-most powerful job in government -- said the UK economy had contracted by 25 percent from one of Europe's longest lockdowns, "the same amount it grew in the previous 18 years".
The chancellor also confirmed £3 billion of green investment.
The package includes £2 billion in grants for households to insulate homes and make them more energy efficient, and £1 billion for public sector buildings, including hospitals.
The plan is part of Britain's long-term pledge to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
Greenpeace UK called the new money an "important start", but noted that it was "dwarfed by green recovery commitments in Germany and France".
Britain is in the final stages of rolling back nationwide coronavirus restrictions imposed on March 23, starting with the hospitality and tourism industries.
Since the crisis began, the Bank of England has pumped cash stimulus worth £300 billion into Britain's economy and slashed its main interest rate to a record-low 0.1 percent.
Experts estimate the total cost of government emergency measures could run as high as £300 billion.
Not enough?
The crisis has forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make spending commitments usually favoured by the left-leaning Labour party rather than his own Conservatives.
But Labour's finance spokeswoman Anneliese Dodds said the economy would be stronger had Johnson made fewer mistakes fighting the outbreak.
"The best the government can do to boost demand is to give consumers and workers the confidence and psychological security that they can go out to work, to shop, and to socialise in safety," Dodds said in her official response.
The head of Britain's CBI business lobby said the job retention plan will help some workers.
"But with nearly 70 percent of firms running low on cash... more immediate direct support for firms, from grants to further business rates relief, is still urgently needed," Carolyn Fairbairn said.
The government is paying up to 80 percent of salaries for some nine million workers under a furlough scheme that will start being wound down at the end of August.
Sunak on Wednesday said the furlough scheme "cannot and should not go on forever".
"I know that when furlough ends it will be a difficult moment... But the truth is, calling for endless extensions to the furlough is just as irresponsible as it would have been, back in June, to end the scheme overnight.
"We have to be honest," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-08--Harvard, MIT sue Trump administration over revoking foreign student visas

A general view of Harvard University campus is seen on April 22 , 2020 in Cambridge , Massachusetts .
Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology sued the Trump administration on Wednesday , seeking to block a new rule that would bar foreign students from remaining in the United States if their universities move all courses online due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The two universities filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston asking for an emergency temporary restraining order on the new directive issued by the government on Monday .
`` We will pursue this case vigorously so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students at institutions across the country - can continue their studies without the threat of deportation , '' Harvard President Lawrence Bacow wrote in a statement addressed to the Harvard community .
The lawsuit , filed by two of the most elite U.S. universities , is the first to challenge the order that could force tens of thousands of foreign students to leave the country if their schools switch fully to remote learning .
Harvard had announced it would hold all classes online in the coming fall term .
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also planning to sue over the rule , which she called `` cruel '' and `` illegal . ''
Her office said it was still working out the details of any potential legal action but that it had been in touch with Harvard and other major colleges and universities in the state to `` support their efforts to protect students . ''
The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing schools across the country to re-open in the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions grappling with the logistical challenges of safely resuming classes as the coronavirus pandemic continues unabated around the world , and surges in the United States , especially among young people .
There are more than a million foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities , and many schools depend on revenue from foreign students , who often pay full tuition .
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) agency rule said most students on F-1 and M-1 visas could stay if their programs were in person or offered a mix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement left students , professors , and universities scrambling to figure out exactly who would be affected by the rule and how those affected could comply without having to leave the country .
On Twitter , professors across the country offered to teach outdoor in-person independent study courses for affected students .
The ICE policy change marked an unexpected reversal of exceptions to the rules limiting online learning for foreign students when colleges and universities in March rushed to shutter campuses and move to virtual classes as the pandemic forced lockdowns .
ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered the health of students , faculty , university staff , or communities , '' the complaint said .
The suit alleges the government skirted the proper rule-making process and is asking the court to strike it down .
Judge Allison Burroughs , appointed by former President Barack Obama , is assigned to hear the case .
In 2017 , she ordered a halt to Trump 's travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries , a policy that was eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court .

Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, seeking to block a new rule that would bar foreign students from remaining in the United States if their universities move all courses online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A general view of Harvard University campus is seen on April 22, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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The two universities filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston asking for an emergency temporary restraining order on the new directive issued by the government on Monday.
"We will pursue this case vigorously so that our international students - and international students at institutions across the country - can continue their studies without the threat of deportation," Harvard President Lawrence Bacow wrote in a statement addressed to the Harvard community.
The lawsuit, filed by two of the most elite U.S. universities, is the first to challenge the order that could force tens of thousands of foreign students to leave the country if their schools switch fully to remote learning.
Harvard had announced it would hold all classes online in the coming fall term. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement the state was also planning to sue over the rule, which she called "cruel" and "illegal."
Her office said it was still working out the details of any potential legal action but that it had been in touch with Harvard and other major colleges and universities in the state to "support their efforts to protect students."
The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing schools across the country to re-open in the fall. The Trump administration announcement blindsided academic institutions grappling with the logistical challenges of safely resuming classes as the coronavirus pandemic continues unabated around the world, and surges in the United States, especially among young people.
There are more than a million foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities, and many schools depend on revenue from foreign students, who often pay full tuition.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency rule said most students on F-1 and M-1 visas could stay if their programs were in person or offered a mix of online and in-person instruction.
The announcement left students, professors, and universities scrambling to figure out exactly who would be affected by the rule and how those affected could comply without having to leave the country. On Twitter, professors across the country offered to teach outdoor in-person independent study courses for affected students.
The ICE policy change marked an unexpected reversal of exceptions to the rules limiting online learning for foreign students when colleges and universities in March rushed to shutter campuses and move to virtual classes as the pandemic forced lockdowns.
ICE "proceeded without any indication of having considered the health of students, faculty, university staff, or communities," the complaint said.
The suit alleges the government skirted the proper rule-making process and is asking the court to strike it down.
Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, is assigned to hear the case. In 2017, she ordered a halt to Trump's travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, a policy that was eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-08--Libyan deminers clear Tripoli of hidden threats

Libya ’ s UN-backed western government has begun cleaning up the capital Tripoli of mines and unexploded ordinance Libya ’ @ @ @ @ @ begun cleaning up the capital Tripoli of mines and unexploded ordinance .
The United Nations @ @ @ @ @ have killed more than 80 civilians and nearly 60 soldiers since the conflict ended .
@ @ @ @ @ and Yuka Royer report .
A ceasefire in early June put a stop to six @ @ @ @ @ the Libyan capital , Tripoli , but dangers persist for the civilians returning there .
@ @ @ @ @ set up new medical facilities to deal with a growing number of accidents from unexploded @ @ @ @ @ Click on the video player above to watch FRANCE 24 's report .

On The Ground
Libya’s UN-backed western government has begun cleaning up the capital Tripoli of mines and unexploded ordinance. The United Nations says mines in the area have killed more than 80 civilians and nearly 60 soldiers since the conflict ended. FRANCE 24's Moaz Al-Sheikh and Yuka Royer report.
Libya’s UN-backed western government has begun cleaning up the capital Tripoli of mines and unexploded ordinance
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A ceasefire in early June put a stop to six months of deadly fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, but dangers persist for the civilians returning there. The Libyan health ministry has set up new medical facilities to deal with a growing number of accidents from unexploded mines and booby traps.
Click on the video player above to watch FRANCE 24's report.
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france24--2020-07-08--Covid-19 has exposed the limits of 'fact-denying populism', Merkel tells European Parliament

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at the European Parliament in Brussels on July 8 , 2020 , to present Germany 's priorities for its six-month EU presidency .
Chancellor Angela Merkel presented Germany 's priorities for its six-month term at the helm of the EU presidency on Wednesday , urging swift action to shore up economies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic while underscoring that the crisis had exposed the limits of `` fact-denying populism '' .
The coronavirus pandemic is showing the limits of “ fact-denying populism , ” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the European Parliament on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's plans for its six-month presidency of the European Union .
Germany took over the task of chairing EU meetings on July 1 and faces the challenge of seeking a compromise on a coronavirus recovery fund for the 27-nation bloc as well as the EU 's budget for the next seven years as the continent faces up to the task of pulling out of a deep recession .
“ The depth of the economic decline demands that we hurry , ” Merkel told lawmakers .
“ We must waste no time - only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I very much hope that we can reach an agreement this summer .
That will require a lot of readiness to compromise from all sides - and from you too . ''
“ We must not be naive : In many member states , opponents of Europe are just waiting to misuse the crisis for their ends , ” she said .
“ We must show them all where the added value of cooperation in the European Union lies .
We must show that a return to nationalism means not more , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any countries or politicians , Merkel pointed to cautionary examples elsewhere .
“ We are seeing at the moment that the pandemic ca n't be fought with lies and disinformation , and neither can it be with hatred and agitation , ” she said .
“ Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits , ” she added to applause .
“ In a democracy , facts and transparency are needed .
That distinguishes Europe , and Germany will stand up for it during its presidency . ''
Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion-euro ( $ 563 billion ) recovery fund that would be filled through shared EU borrowing .
That is a big step for Germany , breaking with its long-standing opposition to any kind of joint borrowing .
The EU ’ s executive Commission expanded on the proposal , putting forward plans for a 750 billion-euro fund made up mostly of grants .
It faces resistance from countries dubbed the “ Frugal Four ” - Austria , Denmark , the Netherlands and Sweden - that oppose grants and are reluctant to give money away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right and important for the regions particularly hard hit by the crisis , and above all the people who live there , to be able to count on our solidarity , ” Merkel said Wednesday .
“ It is in our very own interests - but at the same time , that also means the effort that is necessary for the good of all must not overburden the economically strong member states in a one-sided way .
”

Chancellor Angela Merkel presented Germany's priorities for its six-month term at the helm of the EU presidency on Wednesday, urging swift action to shore up economies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic while underscoring that the crisis had exposed the limits of "fact-denying populism".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at the European Parliament in Brussels on July 8, 2020, to present Germany's priorities for its six-month EU presidency.
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The coronavirus pandemic is showing the limits of “fact-denying populism,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the European Parliament on Wednesday as she set out her country's plans for its six-month presidency of the European Union.
Germany took over the task of chairing EU meetings on July 1 and faces the challenge of seeking a compromise on a coronavirus recovery fund for the 27-nation bloc as well as the EU's budget for the next seven years as the continent faces up to the task of pulling out of a deep recession.
03:17
“The depth of the economic decline demands that we hurry,” Merkel told lawmakers. “We must waste no time - only the weakest would suffer from that. I very much hope that we can reach an agreement this summer. That will require a lot of readiness to compromise from all sides - and from you too."
“We must not be naive: In many member states, opponents of Europe are just waiting to misuse the crisis for their ends,” she said. “We must show them all where the added value of cooperation in the European Union lies. We must show that a return to nationalism means not more, but less control."
Without explicitly naming any countries or politicians, Merkel pointed to cautionary examples elsewhere.
“We are seeing at the moment that the pandemic can't be fought with lies and disinformation, and neither can it be with hatred and agitation,” she said.
“Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits,” she added to applause. “In a democracy, facts and transparency are needed. That distinguishes Europe, and Germany will stand up for it during its presidency."
Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in May proposed creating a one-time 500 billion-euro ($563 billion) recovery fund that would be filled through shared EU borrowing. That is a big step for Germany, breaking with its long-standing opposition to any kind of joint borrowing.
The EU’s executive Commission expanded on the proposal, putting forward plans for a 750 billion-euro fund made up mostly of grants. It faces resistance from countries dubbed the “Frugal Four” - Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden - that oppose grants and are reluctant to give money away without strings attached.
“It is right and important for the regions particularly hard hit by the crisis, and above all the people who live there, to be able to count on our solidarity,” Merkel said Wednesday. “It is in our very own interests - but at the same time, that also means the effort that is necessary for the good of all must not overburden the economically strong member states in a one-sided way.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-08--Obamacare: Supreme Court rules employers can refuse to provide birth control on religious grounds

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration in its effort to allow employers who cite religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act .
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration in its effort to allow employers who cite religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act .
The high court on Wednesday said 7-2 the administration acted properly when it made the change , which lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today that the Departments had the statutory authority to craft that exemption , as well as the contemporaneously issued moral exemption .
We further hold that the rules promulgating these exemptions are free from procedural defects , ” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for a majority of the court .
The government had estimated that the rule changes would cause about 70,000 women , and at most 126,000 women , to lose contraception coverage in one year .
“ In accommodating claims of religious freedom , this Court has taken a balanced approach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beliefs of some to overwhelm the rights and interests of others who do not share those beliefs .
Today , for the first time , the Court casts totally aside countervailing rights and interests in its zeal to secure religious rights to the nth degree , ” she wrote .
Birth control has been a topic of contention since the law was passed .
Initially , churches , synagogues and mosques were exempt from the contraceptive coverage requirement .
The Obama administration also created a way by which religiously affiliated organizations including hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paying for contraception , but women on their health plans would still get no-cost birth control .
Some groups complained the opt-out process itself violated their religious beliefs .
That opt-out process was the subject of a 2016 Supreme Court case , but the court , with only eight justices at the time because of the death of Justice Antonin Scalia , didn ’ t decide the issue .
It instead sent both sides back to see if they could work out a compromise .
After the Trump administration took over , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many companies and organization with religious or moral objections to opt out of covering birth control without providing an alternate avenue for coverage .
But the change was blocked by courts after New Jersey and Pennsylvania challenged it .

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration in its effort to allow employers who cite religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act.
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration in its effort to allow employers who cite religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act.
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The high court on Wednesday said 7-2 the administration acted properly when it made the change, which lower courts had blocked.
“We hold today that the Departments had the statutory authority to craft that exemption, as well as the contemporaneously issued moral exemption. We further hold that the rules promulgating these exemptions are free from procedural defects,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for a majority of the court.
The government had estimated that the rule changes would cause about 70,000 women, and at most 126,000 women, to lose contraception coverage in one year.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg cited those numbers in dissenting.
“In accommodating claims of religious freedom, this Court has taken a balanced approach, one that does not allow the religious beliefs of some to overwhelm the rights and interests of others who do not share those beliefs. Today, for the first time, the Court casts totally aside countervailing rights and interests in its zeal to secure religious rights to the nth degree,” she wrote.
Birth control has been a topic of contention since the law was passed. Initially, churches, synagogues and mosques were exempt from the contraceptive coverage requirement. The Obama administration also created a way by which religiously affiliated organizations including hospitals, universities and charities could opt out of paying for contraception, but women on their health plans would still get no-cost birth control. Some groups complained the opt-out process itself violated their religious beliefs.
That opt-out process was the subject of a 2016 Supreme Court case, but the court, with only eight justices at the time because of the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, didn’t decide the issue. It instead sent both sides back to see if they could work out a compromise.
After the Trump administration took over, officials announced a rule change that allows many companies and organization with religious or moral objections to opt out of covering birth control without providing an alternate avenue for coverage. But the change was blocked by courts after New Jersey and Pennsylvania challenged it.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-08--Barter economy: Lebanese turn to Facebook to swap goods for food

A screengrab of the Facebook page `` Lebanon barters '' where users can exchange goods for food and other essential items .
With Lebanon plunged into an unprecedented financial crisis that has seen the value of the country ’ s currency collapse , some have switched to swapping goods and services for food and other essentials online to make ends meet .
A Facebook group called `` Lebanon barters '' has gained more than 16,000 members in just a month and has seen people trade everything from clothes to gym equipment in exchange for essentials such as milk , sugar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good thing for people who are in need and unable to buy [ things ] .
In this situation in the country , things are expensive .
For example , I have a machine to clean baby bottles that I do n't need anymore , because my son is a grown up , I can trade it for food or something that I need , ” user Siham told Reuters .
Lebanon ’ s financial crisis , its worst since the 1975-1990 civil war , has seen unemployment skyrocket and the value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a matter of months .
At the same time , the price of basic goods , many of which are imported , has soared .
Lots of people have turned to charity , but bartering is increasingly seen as preferable to living off handouts , according to the creator of the `` Lebanon barters '' Facebook page , which now gets over 200 requests for trades a day .
`` Some people perceive bartering as a terrible thing , using it to explain how desperate we are ... No , Lebanese are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who need to maintain their dignity , ” `` Lebanon barters '' creator told Hassan Hasna .
“ A Lebanese person would say : 'Yes , the economic situation is tough , and the situation is deteriorating but it does n't mean I want to humiliate myself and beg .
I am willing to barter a piece of clothing in exchange for bread . '
I am proud of such people .
They 're doing the impossible to survive and live with dignity . ''

With Lebanon plunged into an unprecedented financial crisis that has seen the value of the country’s currency collapse, some have switched to swapping goods and services for food and other essentials online to make ends meet.
A screengrab of the Facebook page "Lebanon barters" where users can exchange goods for food and other essential items.
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A Facebook group called "Lebanon barters" has gained more than 16,000 members in just a month and has seen people trade everything from clothes to gym equipment in exchange for essentials such as milk, sugar and canned goods.
"It's a good thing for people who are in need and unable to buy [things]. In this situation in the country, things are expensive. For example, I have a machine to clean baby bottles that I don't need anymore, because my son is a grown up, I can trade it for food or something that I need,” user Siham told Reuters.
Lebanon’s financial crisis, its worst since the 1975-1990 civil war, has seen unemployment skyrocket and the value of the Lebanese pound fall 80 percent in a matter of months.
At the same time, the price of basic goods, many of which are imported, has soared.
Lots of people have turned to charity, but bartering is increasingly seen as preferable to living off handouts, according to the creator of the "Lebanon barters" Facebook page, which now gets over 200 requests for trades a day.
"Some people perceive bartering as a terrible thing, using it to explain how desperate we are... No, Lebanese are not poor, they are generous people who need to maintain their dignity,” "Lebanon barters" creator told Hassan Hasna.
“A Lebanese person would say: 'Yes, the economic situation is tough, and the situation is deteriorating but it doesn't mean I want to humiliate myself and beg. I am willing to barter a piece of clothing in exchange for bread.' I am proud of such people. They're doing the impossible to survive and live with dignity."
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france24--2020-07-08--Second wave of Covid-19 sweeps Iran, 'affecting the elderly, young and children' (1/2)

While Europe has been slowly reopening after lockdowns meant to halt the spread of Covid-19 , Iran is in the grips of a second deadly wave of the virus .
Hospitals across the country are filling up and our Observers say , in some regions , they ’ ve already run out of beds .
While the government is still reporting relatively low numbers of cases , our Observers say this just doesn ’ t reflect the situation on the ground .
They report overwhelmed hospitals and towns plunging back into lockdown .
Of the country ’ s 31 provinces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red zones ” , the most serious indicator .
Iran was one of the first countries hit by the Covid-19 pandemic after China , but authorities didn ’ t admit that the virus was circulating there until February 21 .
Our team worked with our Observers on the ground to document this first wave during the spring .
We wrote about shortages of personal protective equipment , criticism of the government ’ s handling of the crisis as well as a booming business in fake “ Islamic remedies ” for the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This time , it ’ s hitting communities that were largely spared during the first wave as well as reappearing in regions that were already badly hit .
According to official figures , the number of daily deaths from the virus had dropped to 34 on May 25 .
By July 6 , however , the daily death rate had soared to 200 , surpassing even the most deadly day of the first wave , April 14 ( 163 deaths ) .
However , many commentators , including our Observers , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll .
'What we need is at least a month of total lockdown across the whole country' Sina ( not his real name ) is a doctor in a hospital in northern Iran .
He says that they still had empty beds a month ago but that is no longer the case .
His hospital has had to turn away sick people and send them to other hospitals , which are sometimes dozens of kilometres away because all of the nearby hospitals are as equally overwhelmed .
Two months ago , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three weeks ago , the number dropped down to 500 , but since then , the numbers have continued to climb .
Currently , we have about 1,100 patients that have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Before , we were seeing four deaths a day .
Now , we are seeing more than 20 .
Our intensive care unit hasn ’ t had a free bed for the past 10 days .
The symptoms of Covid-19 that we are seeing have changed .
During the first three months of the pandemic , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , the main symptoms we see are gastro-intestinal .
For me , the government bears the most responsibility for this situation .
They encouraged people to return to work too quickly .
They didn ’ t put in place any policies to contain the new pandemic .
They could have made it mandatory to wear a mask , opened up step by step and banned travel to and from red zones .
But they didn ’ t do any of that .
They just wanted to convince everyone that things were back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we need is at least a month of total lockdown across the whole country and not just the most affected regions .
It needs to be mandatory for everyone to wear a mask every time they go out .
Hospital directors and managers of cemeteries have been speaking to local media and expressing alarm at the rising number of deaths for several weeks .
On social media , all anyone is talking about is the second wave .
But it was n't until July 2 that the Iranian president Hassan Rohani finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government “ would consider ” putting in place “ rules and restrictions ” in the red zones to try to contain the spread of Covid-19 .
But , for the time being , no concrete measures have been taken .
'We don ’ t have enough medical resources and people are dying' Ali ( not his real name ) manages a public health organisation in a town in southern Iran .
He gives a dire assessment of the situation : The children ’ s ward in Mofid Hospital in Tehran is full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this article will be published on 9 July .

IRAN
Many hospitals in Iran no longer have enough beds for Covid-19 patients and have started treating them in car parks. This photo was taken on July 6 in Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran. (Photo: Mohammad Masoumian.)
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While Europe has been slowly reopening after lockdowns meant to halt the spread of Covid-19, Iran is in the grips of a second deadly wave of the virus. Hospitals across the country are filling up and our Observers say, in some regions, they’ve already run out of beds. While the government is still reporting relatively low numbers of cases, our Observers say this just doesn’t reflect the situation on the ground. They report overwhelmed hospitals and towns plunging back into lockdown. Of the country’s 31 provinces, 14 have been declared coronavirus “red zones”, the most serious indicator.
Iran was one of the first countries hit by the Covid-19 pandemic after China, but authorities didn’t admit that the virus was circulating there until February 21. Our team worked with our Observers on the ground to document this first wave during the spring. We wrote about shortages of personal protective equipment, criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis as well as a booming business in fake “Islamic remedies” for the virus.
Now, the virus is spreading again. This time, it’s hitting communities that were largely spared during the first wave as well as reappearing in regions that were already badly hit.
According to official figures, the number of daily deaths from the virus had dropped to 34 on May 25. By July 6, however, the daily death rate had soared to 200, surpassing even the most deadly day of the first wave, April 14 (163 deaths). However, many commentators, including our Observers, say that the government is purposefully underestimating the death toll.
Daily deaths from Covid-19, according to official statistics.
'What we need is at least a month of total lockdown across the whole country'
Sina (not his real name) is a doctor in a hospital in northern Iran. He says that they still had empty beds a month ago but that is no longer the case. His hospital has had to turn away sick people and send them to other hospitals, which are sometimes dozens of kilometres away because all of the nearby hospitals are as equally overwhelmed.
Two months ago, we had 1,500 patients in our hospital. Three weeks ago, the number dropped down to 500, but since then, the numbers have continued to climb. Currently, we have about 1,100 patients that have tested positive for Covid-19. Before, we were seeing four deaths a day. Now, we are seeing more than 20. Our intensive care unit hasn’t had a free bed for the past 10 days. The symptoms of Covid-19 that we are seeing have changed. During the first three months of the pandemic, we mainly saw people in respiratory distress. Now, the main symptoms we see are gastro-intestinal.
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At Masih Daneshvari Hospital, which is one of the main treatment centers for Covid-19 in Tehran, there are no more beds available and patients are being set up in the parking garage, either in chairs or in their cars. (Photo taken on July 6 by Mohammad Masoumian.)
For me, the government bears the most responsibility for this situation. They encouraged people to return to work too quickly. They didn’t put in place any policies to contain the new pandemic. They could have made it mandatory to wear a mask, opened up step by step and banned travel to and from red zones. But they didn’t do any of that. They just wanted to convince everyone that things were back to normal. In my opinion, what we need is at least a month of total lockdown across the whole country and not just the most affected regions. It needs to be mandatory for everyone to wear a mask every time they go out.
Hospital directors and managers of cemeteries have been speaking to local media and expressing alarm at the rising number of deaths for several weeks.
On social media, all anyone is talking about is the second wave. But it wasn't until July 2 that the Iranian president Hassan Rohani finally addressed the issue. He said the government “would consider” putting in place “rules and restrictions” in the red zones to try to contain the spread of Covid-19. But, for the time being, no concrete measures have been taken.
'We don’t have enough medical resources and people are dying'
Ali (not his real name) manages a public health organisation in a town in southern Iran. He gives a dire assessment of the situation:
We had coronavirus cases during the first wave, but compared with other regions, it wasn’t that bad here. There were still beds available in our virus treatment centres and our death rate wasn’t very high [Editor’s note: Ali didn’t want to provide these numbers, noting that the Iranian government said that the number of Covid-19 deaths was a "national secret.”]. But the number of cases have been growing since mid-May. The hospitals don’t have any beds left and we had to ask the Revolutionary Guards to open a field hospital. The number of deaths right now is much higher than during the first wave. And the victims are of all ages, the young as well as the elderly, even children. Mayors and local government officials asked for help from the capital of our province but we don’t have beds or doctors; we don’t have anything to give them. People are dying without the care that we were able to provide even just a month ago.
بخشِ کودکانِ بیمارستانِ مفید
تعدادی کودک به بیماری #کرونا مبتلا شدند
مراقب کودکان باشید pic.twitter.com/6MfpYcfSKt mohammad67 (@hossienysalman) June 27, 2020
The children’s ward in Mofid Hospital in Tehran is full of young people with Covid-19.
When Tehran officially admitted that there were cases of Covid-19 in Iran, the authorities in our province took measures to prevent the spread. Our governor blocked the roads to prevent any non-essential travel to our area. This allowed us to preserve our region. We also closed all the parks and asked people to work from home. But on April 29, the government cancelled all restrictions and pressured local governments to do the same. People began to travel to our region again and, since then, the number of cases is rising each day. We are now a red zone, one of the most severely affected regions in Iran.
The second part of this article will be published on 9 July.


france24--2020-07-08--French PM defends promotion of minister accused of rape after feminist backlash

Gérald Darmanin , France 's newly appointed interior minister , is under preliminary investigation over a rape accusation he denies .
France 's new prime minister firmly defended on Wednesday the contested promotion of a colleague accused of rape as his interior minister , in charge of enforcing French laws , following a backlash from feminist groups .
Prime Minister Jean Castex 's vigorous expression of support for the minister , Gérald Darmanin , comes amid questions about whether President Emmanuel Macron is failing in his promises to make a priority of equality between men and women .
Castex told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Darmanin 's appointment at the interior ministry .
He was promoted from his previous job as budget minister .
“ He , like everyone else , has the right to the presumption of innocence , ” Castex said .
Darmanin is under preliminary investigation over a rape accusation that he firmly denies .
Macron ’ s office has said the probe was “ not an obstacle ” to Darmanin ’ s appointment to his new job in charge of police and other law enforcement bodies .
The recently reopened investigation is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who alleged that Darmanin raped her when she sought legal help from him in 2009 .
Darmanin , the highest-ranking French official accused of sexual misconduct in the # MeToo era , says the encounter was consensual .
He has sued the woman for slander .
> > French feminists criticise choice of justice , interior ministers over sexism and rape claims In another controversial appointment , Macron handed the justice ministry to provocative lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti , who previously ridiculed the # MeToo movement and defended a top official accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staged two protests in Paris over the appointments they see as burying Macron ’ s promises to make equality between women and men the “ Great Cause ” of his five-year term .
“ It ’ s a slap in the face , ” said Pauline Baron of the feminist group NousToutes , which campaigns against sexual violence .
“ We are once again celebrating people who are accused of rape or say things that negate the voice of victims .
It stifles victims and feeds sexual violence and rape culture.
” Referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has criticized the “ crazy ” women who “ crucify ” men on social media .
He also dismissed the world ’ s first law against catcalls and other street harassment , passed in France in 2018 , as a “ joke.
” In a reshuffling of the French government on Monday , Macron replaced the high-profile women ’ s rights minister behind that law , Marlene Schiappa .
She will now work under Darmanin in a new role focusing on citizenship .

France's new prime minister firmly defended on Wednesday the contested promotion of a colleague accused of rape as his interior minister, in charge of enforcing French laws, following a backlash from feminist groups.
Gérald Darmanin, France's newly appointed interior minister, is under preliminary investigation over a rape accusation he denies.
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Prime Minister Jean Castex's vigorous expression of support for the minister, Gérald Darmanin, comes amid questions about whether President Emmanuel Macron is failing in his promises to make a priority of equality between men and women.
Castex told broadcaster BFM-TV that he took total responsibility for Darmanin's appointment at the interior ministry. He was promoted from his previous job as budget minister.
“He, like everyone else, has the right to the presumption of innocence,” Castex said.
Darmanin is under preliminary investigation over a rape accusation that he firmly denies. Macron’s office has said the probe was “not an obstacle” to Darmanin’s appointment to his new job in charge of police and other law enforcement bodies.
The recently reopened investigation is based on a 2017 legal complaint by a woman who alleged that Darmanin raped her when she sought legal help from him in 2009.
Darmanin, the highest-ranking French official accused of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, says the encounter was consensual. He has sued the woman for slander.
>> French feminists criticise choice of justice, interior ministers over sexism and rape claims
In another controversial appointment, Macron handed the justice ministry to provocative lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti, who previously ridiculed the #MeToo movement and defended a top official accused of rape.
On Tuesday, feminist groups staged two protests in Paris over the appointments they see as burying Macron’s promises to make equality between women and men the “Great Cause” of his five-year term.
“It’s a slap in the face,” said Pauline Baron of the feminist group NousToutes, which campaigns against sexual violence. “We are once again celebrating people who are accused of rape or say things that negate the voice of victims. It stifles victims and feeds sexual violence and rape culture.”
Referring to the #MeToo movement, Dupond-Moretti has criticized the “crazy” women who “crucify” men on social media. He also dismissed the world’s first law against catcalls and other street harassment, passed in France in 2018, as a “joke.”
In a reshuffling of the French government on Monday, Macron replaced the high-profile women’s rights minister behind that law, Marlene Schiappa. She will now work under Darmanin in a new role focusing on citizenship.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-07-08--Rodin Museum in Paris sells bronzes to make up for crippling Covid-19 shutdown

Rodin 's iconic sculpture `` The Thinker '' pictured in the museum 's garden on the eve of its reopening after an almost four-month shutdown .
Unlike other museums thumped by the coronavirus pandemic , the Rodin Museum in Paris might have an ace up its sleeve to help see it through the crisis : It can sell limited-edition versions of the French sculptor ’ s masterpieces .
The self-financed museum dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin is facing a mountain of challenges .
Tourists were scarce as it reopened Tuesday after four months of virus-enforced closure , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a long way off .
Signs seeking donations now line its walls .
But a measure of relief may come from a century-old system set up by Rodin himself allowing the museum to sell up to 12 replicas of select sculptures every year .
The bronzes are cast in special workshops in a process overseen by the museum and bought by art galleries , private collectors or other museums .
Rodin 's priceless originals are mainly carved out of marble .
The sales have helped his artworks reach a worldwide audience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced uneven results .
Given an expected lockdown-related budget shortfall of 3 million euros ( $ 3.4 million ) this year , the museum wants to turn the bronze sales into a bigger and more regular source of revenue .
So it is expanding its catalog and reaching out to new markets .
It ’ s already sold out of this year ’ s copies of “ The Thinker ” and “ The Burghers of Calais , ” among the sculptor ’ s most famous works .
Museum director Catherine Chevillot said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales of bronze replicas of Rodin statues so far this year .
In an interview with The Associated Press , she said the museum ’ s goal was to secure a yearly minimum of 3 million euros in statue sales , a quarter of the museum ’ s budget .
Prices for the statues vary from 50,000 euros to millions of euros , meaning a few big sales or many smaller ones are needed to make the target .
“ Our challenge is not to sell more but more regularly , ” Chevillot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell 6 to 9 million euros in statues and others nothing.
” The museum has sold a total of 5,000 such works over the last 100 years .
Many have gone to buyers in Europe and the US , but sales in those traditional markets have diminished in recent years .
So the museum is now turning to Asia , Latin America , and Gulf countries for new clients .
In addition , Chevillot said the museum has now quadrupled the number of works it is allowed to produce , from 30 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnerships , including one with the Gagosian Gallery in the US .
Rodin donated all of his works to the French state , allowing for the creation of the museum that is set amid a tranquil garden filled with Rodin originals in the shadow of Paris ’ gold-domed Invalides monument .
The museum used to draw about 2,500 people per day during the summer months — led by Americans .
This year , with Europe ’ s borders closed to the US and most other countries because of the still-spreading virus , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in visitors by as much as 80 % .
The museum also expects a drop in special event income this summer because weddings and large corporate gatherings remain off-limits because of virus risks .
That means that even with eventual new bronze sales , the museum ’ s future is cloudy after a rough few years for tourist sites across Paris .
“ It ’ s the third year that things are difficult : the first was the yellow vest protests , the second year strikes and this year the ( virus ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each year we ’ re digging into our reserves , so I wouldn ’ t like there to be a fourth and fifth year .
”

Unlike other museums thumped by the coronavirus pandemic, the Rodin Museum in Paris might have an ace up its sleeve to help see it through the crisis: It can sell limited-edition versions of the French sculptor’s masterpieces.
Rodin's iconic sculpture "The Thinker" pictured in the museum's garden on the eve of its reopening after an almost four-month shutdown.
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The self-financed museum dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin is facing a mountain of challenges. Tourists were scarce as it reopened Tuesday after four months of virus-enforced closure, and a return to the good old days is a long way off. Signs seeking donations now line its walls.
But a measure of relief may come from a century-old system set up by Rodin himself allowing the museum to sell up to 12 replicas of select sculptures every year. The bronzes are cast in special workshops in a process overseen by the museum and bought by art galleries, private collectors or other museums. Rodin's priceless originals are mainly carved out of marble.
The sales have helped his artworks reach a worldwide audience, but up to now, they've produced uneven results. Given an expected lockdown-related budget shortfall of 3 million euros ($3.4 million) this year, the museum wants to turn the bronze sales into a bigger and more regular source of revenue.
So it is expanding its catalog and reaching out to new markets. It’s already sold out of this year’s copies of “The Thinker” and “The Burghers of Calais,” among the sculptor’s most famous works.
Museum director Catherine Chevillot said Tuesday it has completed 1.4 million euros in sales of bronze replicas of Rodin statues so far this year. In an interview with The Associated Press, she said the museum’s goal was to secure a yearly minimum of 3 million euros in statue sales, a quarter of the museum’s budget.
Prices for the statues vary from 50,000 euros to millions of euros, meaning a few big sales or many smaller ones are needed to make the target.
“Our challenge is not to sell more but more regularly,” Chevillot said. Because “some years we sell 6 to 9 million euros in statues and others nothing.”
The museum has sold a total of 5,000 such works over the last 100 years. Many have gone to buyers in Europe and the US, but sales in those traditional markets have diminished in recent years. So the museum is now turning to Asia, Latin America, and Gulf countries for new clients.
In addition, Chevillot said the museum has now quadrupled the number of works it is allowed to produce, from 30 to 120. It is also pursuing new partnerships, including one with the Gagosian Gallery in the US.
Rodin donated all of his works to the French state, allowing for the creation of the museum that is set amid a tranquil garden filled with Rodin originals in the shadow of Paris’ gold-domed Invalides monument.
The museum used to draw about 2,500 people per day during the summer months — led by Americans. This year, with Europe’s borders closed to the US and most other countries because of the still-spreading virus, it’s preparing to see a drop in visitors by as much as 80%.
The museum also expects a drop in special event income this summer because weddings and large corporate gatherings remain off-limits because of virus risks.
That means that even with eventual new bronze sales, the museum’s future is cloudy after a rough few years for tourist sites across Paris.
“It’s the third year that things are difficult: the first was the yellow vest protests, the second year strikes and this year the (virus) crisis,” Chevillot said. “Each year we’re digging into our reserves, so I wouldn’t like there to be a fourth and fifth year.”
(AP)
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