france24--2020-04-20--Shaggy: ''It Wasn’t Me' is actually an anti-cheating song!'

Shaggy : `` It Wasn ’ t Me ' is actually an anti-cheating song ! '
Twenty years after he @ @ @ @ @ Shaggy is back with an updated version of his worldwide hit , collaborating with Rayvon @ @ @ @ @ t Me ( Hot Shot 2020 ) '' .
He joins us from lockdown in @ @ @ @ @ York to talk about the real message behind that song , the pitfalls of online @ @ @ @ @ collaboration with Sting was a life-changing experience .
We also chat about the rise and @ @ @ @ @ and discuss the future of live music in a time of social distancing .

Shaggy: ''It Wasn’t Me' is actually an anti-cheating song!'
12:23 ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
Twenty years after he first protested his innocence, Shaggy is back with an updated version of his worldwide hit, collaborating with Rayvon for "It Wasn’t Me (Hot Shot 2020)". He joins us from lockdown in his home studio in New York to talk about the real message behind that song, the pitfalls of online promiscuity and how a recent collaboration with Sting was a life-changing experience. We also chat about the rise and rise of dancehall music, and discuss the future of live music in a time of social distancing.


france24--2020-04-21--WHO warns rush to ease Covid-19 measures could spark resurgence of virus

Norway has reopened pre-schools and nurseries saying children are not as much at risk of developing the Covid-19 illness .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) said Tuesday that rushing to ease coronavirus restrictions would likely lead to a resurgence of the illness as governments in Europe began rolling out plans to lift quarantine measures to get their economies up and running again .
“ This is not the time to be lax .
Instead , we need to ready ourselves for a new way of living for the foreseeable future , ” said Dr. Takeshi Kasai , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said governments must remain vigilant to stop the spread of the virus and the lifting of lockdowns and other social distancing measures must be done gradually and strike the right balance between keeping people healthy and allowing economies to function .
“ As we move forward in this difficult time , our lives , our health system and approach to stopping transmission must continue to adapt and evolve along with the epidemic , at least until a vaccine or very effective treatment is found .
This process will need to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kasai ’ s warning came a day after Germans returned to the shops after a month of lockdown .
Shops up to 800 square metres , as well as car and bicycle dealers and bookstores , were allowed to reopen on Monday under an agreement with the leaders of Germany ’ s 16 states , all keen to start the long haul of pulling the economy out of recession .
Schools are set to begin reopening in two weeks .
'We need life again' Europe ’ s largest economy has relied more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strength of its traditional export engine has faded , and the move echoes a slow easing in neighbouring countries , equally desperate to revive business and society .
“ We need life again .
This whole time it was like a ghost town , ” said Michaela Frieser , not wearing a face mask , in Frankfurt ’ s main shopping district .
“ The sun ’ s out , we saved enough money and now we need to go out and spend it !
” Isabel Pennekamp , shopping in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that parts of the country reopened small stores .
“ Well , I think it ’ s good , because now people can get out a bit more and normality is a bit more possible again , ” she said .
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the gradual easing “ is a step-by-step process where , after time , we will evaluate what consequences it has had for the infection '' .
Federal and state governments have strongly recommended that Germans wear face masks when shopping and on public transport , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told officials from her Christian Democrats ( CDU ) party that the danger of infection remained high in Germany .
She told reporters it would take 14 days to see if the easing was pushing up the infection rate , adding : “ We must remain vigilant and disciplined.
” There is still a risk that contagion could surge and then restrictions would have to be tightened again , Merkel said .
Germany has the fifth-highest Covid-19 caseload – behind the United States , Spain , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down thanks to early and extensive testing .
In line with Germany , Luxembourg has similarly decided that a selection of stores could reopen and that some schools would begin reopening from May 4 .
But when all schools reopen , classes will be split into two halves that each alternate between a week in school and a week studying at home .
France on Monday eased restrictions on visits to nursing homes , which had been banned since March 17 , while Denmark allowed hair salons , dentists , physiotherapists and tattoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austria , DIY stores , garden centres and smaller shops have also opened their doors , and the government has announced plans for museums and libraries to follow from mid-May .
Norway , meanwhile , has reopened nurseries and pre-schools , with authorities saying the move is safe because children have been less affected by Covid-19 .
Around the globe , the game plan is to open up but maintain enough social distancing to prevent new flareups of the virus that has infected 2.4 million people worldwide , killed more than 165,000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdowns `` is not the end of the epidemic in any country .
It ’ s just the beginning of the next phase , ″ the head of the World Health Organization , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , told G-20 health ministers in an online meeting on Monday .
He sternly warned governments not to rush to return to normal , saying : “ It is critical that these measures are a phased process .
”

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that rushing to ease coronavirus restrictions would likely lead to a resurgence of the illness as governments in Europe began rolling out plans to lift quarantine measures to get their economies up and running again.
Norway has reopened pre-schools and nurseries saying children are not as much at risk of developing the Covid-19 illness.
Advertising Read more
“This is not the time to be lax. Instead, we need to ready ourselves for a new way of living for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Takeshi Kasai, the WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.
He said governments must remain vigilant to stop the spread of the virus and the lifting of lockdowns and other social distancing measures must be done gradually and strike the right balance between keeping people healthy and allowing economies to function.
“As we move forward in this difficult time, our lives, our health system and approach to stopping transmission must continue to adapt and evolve along with the epidemic, at least until a vaccine or very effective treatment is found. This process will need to become our new normal,” Kasai said.
Kasai’s warning came a day after Germans returned to the shops after a month of lockdown. Shops up to 800 square metres, as well as car and bicycle dealers and bookstores, were allowed to reopen on Monday under an agreement with the leaders of Germany’s 16 states, all keen to start the long haul of pulling the economy out of recession. Schools are set to begin reopening in two weeks.
'We need life again'
Europe’s largest economy has relied more on domestic demand in recent years as the strength of its traditional export engine has faded, and the move echoes a slow easing in neighbouring countries, equally desperate to revive business and society.
“We need life again. This whole time it was like a ghost town,” said Michaela Frieser, not wearing a face mask, in Frankfurt’s main shopping district. “The sun’s out, we saved enough money and now we need to go out and spend it!”
Isabel Pennekamp, shopping in the German city of Cologne, was grateful that parts of the country reopened small stores.
“Well, I think it’s good, because now people can get out a bit more and normality is a bit more possible again,” she said.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the gradual easing “is a step-by-step process where, after time, we will evaluate what consequences it has had for the infection".
Federal and state governments have strongly recommended that Germans wear face masks when shopping and on public transport, and some states have even made that compulsory.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told officials from her Christian Democrats (CDU) party that the danger of infection remained high in Germany. She told reporters it would take 14 days to see if the easing was pushing up the infection rate, adding: “We must remain vigilant and disciplined.”
There is still a risk that contagion could surge and then restrictions would have to be tightened again, Merkel said.
Germany has the fifth-highest Covid-19 caseload – behind the United States, Spain, Italy and France – but has kept fatalities down thanks to early and extensive testing.
Danes head back to hair salons
In line with Germany, Luxembourg has similarly decided that a selection of stores could reopen and that some schools would begin reopening from May 4. But when all schools reopen, classes will be split into two halves that each alternate between a week in school and a week studying at home.
France on Monday eased restrictions on visits to nursing homes, which had been banned since March 17, while Denmark allowed hair salons, dentists, physiotherapists and tattoo parlors to reopen for business.
In Austria, DIY stores, garden centres and smaller shops have also opened their doors, and the government has announced plans for museums and libraries to follow from mid-May.
Norway, meanwhile, has reopened nurseries and pre-schools, with authorities saying the move is safe because children have been less affected by Covid-19.
Around the globe, the game plan is to open up but maintain enough social distancing to prevent new flareups of the virus that has infected 2.4 million people worldwide, killed more than 165,000 and crippled the world economy.
The easing of the lockdowns "is not the end of the epidemic in any country. It’s just the beginning of the next phase,″ the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told G-20 health ministers in an online meeting on Monday.
He sternly warned governments not to rush to return to normal, saying: “It is critical that these measures are a phased process.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP, REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Trump will sign order to 'suspend immigration' over threat of Covid-19

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing between U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir @ @ @ @ @ at the White House in Washington , U.S. , April 20 , 2020 .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Monday he will be signing an executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United @ @ @ @ @ of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , as well as the need to protect @ @ @ @ @ American Citizens , I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into @ @ @ @ @ Trump said in a tweet late on Monday .
The development comes as the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ topped 42,000 on Monday , according to a Reuters tally .
The United States has @ @ @ @ @ largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases , with more than 774,000 infections , up 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ economy has ground to a standstill due to the coronavirus and more than 22 million @ @ @ @ @ benefits in the last month .

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would temporarily suspend immigration to the United States because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the US already being the worst-hit country in the world.
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing between U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir and Vice President Mike Pence at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Trump referred to the "Invisible Enemy," a phrase he has used to describe the virus that has killed more than 42,000 people in the US, which has more than 766,660 infections.
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" he tweeted Monday night.
The State Department issued around 462,000 immigrant visas in the 2019 fiscal year, while US Citizens and Immigration Services granted permanent residence to nearly 577,000 individuals.
Trump said the move would also protect American jobs, although the state-imposed lockdowns to slow the virus have already left 22 million people in the US out of work.
His tweet gave no further details about what the measure would entail, how it would be implemented or how long it would be in place.
Trump could sign an executive order as soon as Tuesday, The Washington Post reported, citing two White House officials.
In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2020
The real estate tycoon campaigned for office on a platform of immigration skepticism and has made policies restricting immigration central to his presidency.
Criticising the ban, California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said Trump was using the coronavirus outbreak to push his anti-immigrant stance.
"Trump failed to take this crisis seriously from day 1," she tweeted.
"His abandonment of his role as president has cost lives. And now, he's shamelessly politicizing this pandemic to double down on his anti-immigrant agenda."
Trump has touted his move to restrict travel from China over the coronavirus in January after it emerged there late last year, and he halted travel from much of Europe in mid-March as the virus spread there.
'Bans come too late'
The president likely has the authority to restrict immigration to protect public health, Cato Institute researchers Alex Nowrasteh and Andrew C. Forrester said in a blog post.
"However, blanket bans like those imposed by the administration in recent months and those coming on April 21 are akin to closing the barn door after the horse has escaped," they wrote.
"Most research on travel bans in response to pandemics finds that they don't limit the spread of diseases, in part because they are always imposed after the disease has spread."
Trump's tweet also implied that immigrants are spreading COVID-19 in the United States, they said.
However, examining the coronavirus date, "the rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths by county in the United States is not correlated with the share of the population that is foreign-born."
Trump has at times appeared impatient with efforts intended to slow the spread of the virus in the US -- appearing to lend support to protesters angry at governors' stay-at-home orders -- and has said parts of the country can begin to abandon lockdown measures soon.
He said Monday, however, that "we've really done the right thing" on fighting the virus, and that letting it spread unchecked would have been an "atrocity."
Trump has been widely criticized for initially downplaying the virus, which he likened to an ordinary flu and said was under control in the United States, before later accepting that it was a national emergency.
It was not immediately clear who would be affected by the latest immigration move as Washington has already suspended nearly all travel to the country.
The US last month suspended all routine visa services around the world -- including for immigrants -- due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has also imposed a series of travel bans.
The latest move is also likely to affect those hoping to apply for permanent resident "green cards."
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--UN member states call for 'equitable' access to future Covid-19 vaccines

The 193 members of the UN General Assembly on Monday adopted by consensus a resolution that calls for `` equitable , efficient and timely '' access to any future vaccines developed to fight coronavirus .
The resolution also highlights the `` crucial leading role '' played by the World Health Organization , which has faced criticism from Washington and others about its handling of the pandemic .
The resolution , which was drafted by Mexico and received US support , calls for strengthening the `` scientific international cooperation necessary to combat COVID-19 and to bolster coordination , '' including with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation comes as research laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturers launch expensive efforts to develop vaccines and other therapeutics that could be critical in fighting the pandemic , which has already killed more than 167,000 people and sent world economies into tailspin .
The resolution asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to `` to identify and recommend options , including approaches to rapidly scaling manufacturing and strengthening supply chains that promote and ensure fair , transparent , equitable , efficient and timely access to and distribution of preventive tools , laboratory testing , reagents and supporting materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drugs and future COVID-19 vaccines . ''
It also asks that such measures to develop and share treatments and vaccines are taken `` with a view to making them available to all those in need , in particular in developing countries . ''
The resolution is the second adopted by the assembly about the new coronavirus pandemic .
The first one , adopted earlier this month , also called for international cooperation in fighting the spread of the disease .
The smaller UN Security Council has still not been able to agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one proposed by Tunisia and the other by France -- that would support the call made by Guterres last month for a global ceasefire as the world fights the pandemic .
French and Tunisian representatives have since begun to merge the two drafts , according to diplomatic sources .

The 193 members of the UN General Assembly on Monday adopted by consensus a resolution that calls for "equitable, efficient and timely" access to any future vaccines developed to fight coronavirus.
Advertising Read more
The resolution also highlights the "crucial leading role" played by the World Health Organization, which has faced criticism from Washington and others about its handling of the pandemic.
The resolution, which was drafted by Mexico and received US support, calls for strengthening the "scientific international cooperation necessary to combat COVID-19 and to bolster coordination," including with the private sector.
The call for cooperation comes as research laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturers launch expensive efforts to develop vaccines and other therapeutics that could be critical in fighting the pandemic, which has already killed more than 167,000 people and sent world economies into tailspin.
The resolution asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to "to identify and recommend options, including approaches to rapidly scaling manufacturing and strengthening supply chains that promote and ensure fair, transparent, equitable, efficient and timely access to and distribution of preventive tools, laboratory testing, reagents and supporting materials, essential medical supplies, new diagnostics, drugs and future COVID-19 vaccines."
It also asks that such measures to develop and share treatments and vaccines are taken "with a view to making them available to all those in need, in particular in developing countries."
The resolution is the second adopted by the assembly about the new coronavirus pandemic.
The first one, adopted earlier this month, also called for international cooperation in fighting the spread of the disease.
The smaller UN Security Council has still not been able to agree on either of two draft resolutions -- one proposed by Tunisia and the other by France -- that would support the call made by Guterres last month for a global ceasefire as the world fights the pandemic.
French and Tunisian representatives have since begun to merge the two drafts, according to diplomatic sources.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Covid-19 ‘amplifying’ world's press freedom threats, says RSF

Reporters without Borders members hold signs depicting arrested Saudi writer , dissident and activist , Raif Badawi , assasinated Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and arrested Saudi journalist Wajdi al-Ghazzawi outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy to Germany in Berlin on October 1 , 2019 .
The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating threats to press freedom around the world , with authoritarian states including China and Iran suppressing details of the outbreak , activists said on Tuesday .
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) said in its annual press freedom rankings the pandemic was “ highlighting and amplifying the many crises ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The outbreak had encouraged some regimes to “ take advantage of the fact people are stunned and mobilisation has weakened to impose measures that would be impossible to adopt in normal times ” , RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire told AFP .
The rankings saw few major changes from last year , with Nordic countries regarded as the most free and isolated states Turkmenistan and North Korea footing the list of 180 countries .
Alluding to accusations that Beijing concealed the initial extent of the outbreak , it said China “ maintains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative effects for the entire world have been seen during the coronavirus public health crisis ” .
Europe has also not been immune—Hungary , under Prime Minister Viktor Orban , has passed a special law on false information which was a “ completely disproportionate and coercive measure ” .
RSF said there was a “ clear correlation ” between suppression of media freedom in response to the coronavirus pandemic and a country ’ s ranking in the index .
While Norway topped the index for the fourth year in a row , Finland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took last position from Turkmenistan , and Eritrea continued to be Africa ’ s lowest-ranked country at number 178 .
The third biggest leap was by Sudan , which rose 16 places to 159th after the removal of president Omar al-Bashir .
France lost two places to rank 32nd , with journalists in the country sometimes the victims of police violence at demonstrations , it said .
Published annually by RSF since 2002 , the World Press Freedom Index assesses factors such as media independence , self-censorship , the legal framework and transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts .
Turkey , where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been repeatedly criticised for cracking down on press freedom , rose three places to 154th but RSF said this was because of “ other countries falling ” rather than positive change .
It said censorship of the media , especially online media , has been stepped up in Turkey and the country was “ more authoritarian than ever.
” Russia , under President Vladimir Putin , in 149th place , is also persevering “ efforts to control the Internet , using ever more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing a law that would allow the country to disconnect the Russian internet from the rest of the world .
“ The prospect of a Chinese-style scenario ( in Russia ) is alarming , ” RSF said .
RSF said “ the closure of the national internet ” is already a reality in the isolated Central Asian state of Turkmenistan where the few internet users can access only a highly censored version of the Internet , often in cafes where they have to show ID before connecting .
“ Almost everywhere in Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consolidating their grip on news and information , ” RSF said .

The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating threats to press freedom around the world, with authoritarian states including China and Iran suppressing details of the outbreak, activists said on Tuesday.
Reporters without Borders members hold signs depicting arrested Saudi writer, dissident and activist, Raif Badawi, assasinated Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and arrested Saudi journalist Wajdi al-Ghazzawi outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy to Germany in Berlin on October 1, 2019.
Advertising Read more
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its annual press freedom rankings the pandemic was “highlighting and amplifying the many crises” already casting a shadow on press freedom.
The outbreak had encouraged some regimes to “take advantage of the fact people are stunned and mobilisation has weakened to impose measures that would be impossible to adopt in normal times”, RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire told AFP.
The rankings saw few major changes from last year, with Nordic countries regarded as the most free and isolated states Turkmenistan and North Korea footing the list of 180 countries.
RSF accused China and Iran—in 177th and 173rd place respectively—of censoring major coronavirus outbreaks.
‘Information hyper-control’
Alluding to accusations that Beijing concealed the initial extent of the outbreak, it said China “maintains its system of information hyper-control, whose negative effects for the entire world have been seen during the coronavirus public health crisis”.
Europe has also not been immune—Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has passed a special law on false information which was a “completely disproportionate and coercive measure”.
RSF said there was a “clear correlation” between suppression of media freedom in response to the coronavirus pandemic and a country’s ranking in the index.
While Norway topped the index for the fourth year in a row, Finland was again the runner-up.
North Korea took last position from Turkmenistan, and Eritrea continued to be Africa’s lowest-ranked country at number 178.
The third biggest leap was by Sudan, which rose 16 places to 159th after the removal of president Omar al-Bashir.
France lost two places to rank 32nd, with journalists in the country sometimes the victims of police violence at demonstrations, it said.
Published annually by RSF since 2002, the World Press Freedom Index assesses factors such as media independence, self-censorship, the legal framework and transparency based on a questionnaire filled out by experts.
‘Chinese-style scenario’
Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been repeatedly criticised for cracking down on press freedom, rose three places to 154th but RSF said this was because of “other countries falling” rather than positive change.
It said censorship of the media, especially online media, has been stepped up in Turkey and the country was “more authoritarian than ever.”
Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, in 149th place, is also persevering “efforts to control the Internet, using ever more elaborate methods”, it said, citing a law that would allow the country to disconnect the Russian internet from the rest of the world.
“The prospect of a Chinese-style scenario (in Russia) is alarming,” RSF said.
RSF said “the closure of the national internet” is already a reality in the isolated Central Asian state of Turkmenistan where the few internet users can access only a highly censored version of the Internet, often in cafes where they have to show ID before connecting.
“Almost everywhere in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, strongmen are consolidating their grip on news and information,” RSF said.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Virgin Australia collapses under strain of Covid-19 pandemic

Cash-strapped Virgin Australia collapsed Tuesday , making it the largest carrier yet to buckle under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic , which has ravaged the global airline industry .
In an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange , Virgin said it planned to keep operating flights despite handing the keys to administrators .
“ Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis , ” CEO Paul Scurrah said in the statement .
“ Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aus $ 5 billion ( $ 3.2 billion ) in debt and had appealed for a Aus $ 1.4 billion loan to stay afloat , but the government refused to bail out the majority foreign-owned company .
Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge , from accounting firm Deloitte , said more than 10 parties had expressed a “ keen interest ” in being part of the restructuring plans .
“ There has been an extraordinary amount of interest in the business and in the restructuring of Virgin Australia , ” he told reporters in Sydney .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will result in a restructuring being achieved in a short period of time.
” Ratings agency Moody ’ s said unsecured creditors would have to take “ a significant haircut ” if the restructure was successful .
“ Nevertheless , such an outcome may remain preferable to putting the company into liquidation with uncertain recovery prospects , ” it said .
The airline had already made 1,000 workers redundant and stood down 8,000 of its 10,000 pilots , flight attendants and ground crew .
Strawbridge said the administrators would “ seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ” .
Virgin suspended all international routes and scrapped all but one of its domestic routes after Australia shut its borders to limit the spread of COVID-19 and imposed tough restrictions on movement .
The airline more recently began operating limited domestic routes , as well as flights to bring Australians home from overseas , with financial support from the government .
Virgin was struggling before coronavirus , posting an underlying before-tax loss of Aus $ 71.2 million last year .
Richard Branson , the billionaire founder of Virgin Group , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message in support of the Virgin Australia team .
“ I am so proud of you and everything we have achieved together , ” he said .
“ This is not the end of Virgin Australia , but I believe a new beginning .
I promise we will work day and night to turn this into reality.
” Branson also joined critics of Canberra for failing to bail out the airline , saying governments in most countries had “ stepped up ” to help their carriers during the “ unprecedented crisis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse of Britain ’ s biggest domestic carrier FlyBe last month as the crisis threatens many firms .
On Monday , Branson warned Virgin Atlantic would fold without state help , Norwegian Air announced four subsidiaries in Sweden and Denmark had filed for bankruptcy , and Japan ’ s ANA slashed its annual net profit forecast by 71 percent .
The United States has set aside billions of dollars to support airlines including giants American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Southwest Airlines and United Airlines .
The loss of Virgin would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on air travel to get around the vast nation , and for the future of a tourist industry already reeling from months-long bushfire and COVID crises .
Australia has just two full-service airlines , Virgin and flag-carrier Qantas , which are complemented by their budget offshoots , Tigerair and Jetstar .
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating Qantas for alleged anti-competitive behaviour after CEO Alan Joyce urged the government not to support Virgin and said his airline was “ making sure we are the last man standing ” .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ challenging road ahead ” but defended his government ’ s response .
“ If we had not taken the actions that we have ... then all we may have ended up doing is sending $ 1 billion to foreign shareholders and that was never part of my plan , ” he said .
“ My plan was always about seeing two viable airlines on the other side , two viable airlines that would be there not just one year from now , but five or 10 years from now.
” The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who collectively owned 90 percent—including Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways—to come to the rescue .

Cash-strapped Virgin Australia collapsed Tuesday, making it the largest carrier yet to buckle under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged the global airline industry.
Advertising Read more
In an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Virgin said it planned to keep operating flights despite handing the keys to administrators.
“Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis,” CEO Paul Scurrah said in the statement. “Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep flying.”
The airline was more than Aus$5 billion ($3.2 billion) in debt and had appealed for a Aus$1.4 billion loan to stay afloat, but the government refused to bail out the majority foreign-owned company.
Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge, from accounting firm Deloitte, said more than 10 parties had expressed a “keen interest” in being part of the restructuring plans.
“There has been an extraordinary amount of interest in the business and in the restructuring of Virgin Australia,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“And so we are confident that this will result in a restructuring being achieved in a short period of time.”
Ratings agency Moody’s said unsecured creditors would have to take “a significant haircut” if the restructure was successful.
“Nevertheless, such an outcome may remain preferable to putting the company into liquidation with uncertain recovery prospects,” it said.
The airline had already made 1,000 workers redundant and stood down 8,000 of its 10,000 pilots, flight attendants and ground crew.
Strawbridge said the administrators would “seek to preserve as many of those jobs as possible”.
Virgin suspended all international routes and scrapped all but one of its domestic routes after Australia shut its borders to limit the spread of COVID-19 and imposed tough restrictions on movement.
The airline more recently began operating limited domestic routes, as well as flights to bring Australians home from overseas, with financial support from the government.
Dear @VirginAustralia team. I am so proud of you and everything we have achieved together. This is not the end of Virgin Australia, but I believe a new beginning. I promise that we will work day and night to turn this into reality https://t.co/GJH1zhEqEd pic.twitter.com/GelLiA6DKG — Richard Branson (@richardbranson) April 20, 2020
‘I’m so proud of you’
Virgin was struggling before coronavirus, posting an underlying before-tax loss of Aus$71.2 million last year.
Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group, which owns 10-percent of the airline, tweeted a message in support of the Virgin Australia team.
“I am so proud of you and everything we have achieved together,” he said.
“This is not the end of Virgin Australia, but I believe a new beginning. I promise we will work day and night to turn this into reality.”
Branson also joined critics of Canberra for failing to bail out the airline, saying governments in most countries had “stepped up” to help their carriers during the “unprecedented crisis for aviation”.
The news follows the collapse of Britain’s biggest domestic carrier FlyBe last month as the crisis threatens many firms.
On Monday, Branson warned Virgin Atlantic would fold without state help, Norwegian Air announced four subsidiaries in Sweden and Denmark had filed for bankruptcy, and Japan’s ANA slashed its annual net profit forecast by 71 percent.
The United States has set aside billions of dollars to support airlines including giants American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
The loss of Virgin would be a blow for Australians, who depend on air travel to get around the vast nation, and for the future of a tourist industry already reeling from months-long bushfire and COVID crises.
Australia has just two full-service airlines, Virgin and flag-carrier Qantas, which are complemented by their budget offshoots, Tigerair and Jetstar.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating Qantas for alleged anti-competitive behaviour after CEO Alan Joyce urged the government not to support Virgin and said his airline was “making sure we are the last man standing”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison admitted Virgin now faced a “challenging road ahead” but defended his government’s response.
“If we had not taken the actions that we have... then all we may have ended up doing is sending $1 billion to foreign shareholders and that was never part of my plan,” he said.
“My plan was always about seeing two viable airlines on the other side, two viable airlines that would be there not just one year from now, but five or 10 years from now.”
The government had urged Virgin’s foreign investors who collectively owned 90 percent—including Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways—to come to the rescue.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Families grieve as police search for motive for mass shooting in Canada

A memorial for Const .
Heidi Stevenson is seen outside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) Headquarters , in Dartmouth , Nova Scotia , Canada April 20 , 2020 .
Investigators on Monday scoured crime scenes from the worst mass shooting in Canadian history to try to understand why a dental worker with no criminal past killed at least 18 people .
The gunman , identified by police as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman , began his rampage late Saturday in the seaside village of Portapique , Nova Scotia , dying 14 hours later in a hail of police gunfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ) away .
`` Just how could this happen , we may never know why , '' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference .
`` But we do know this : no one man 's action can build a wall between us and a better day , no matter how evil , how thoughtless , or how destructive . ''
The death toll , initially put at 16 , rose to 18 on Monday , Trudeau said , with police warning that more bodies could be found in the rubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We expect there to be more victims , '' said RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather .
Among the victims so far identified were a veteran constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police , a nurse , an elementary school teacher , prison guards and a retired firefighter .
`` This happened in small towns -- in Portapique , Truro , Milford and Enfield -- places where people have deep roots , places where people know their neighbors and look out for one another , '' Trudeau said .
A `` virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 7:00 pm ( 2200 GMT ) .
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil told public broadcaster CBC that the investigation and the grieving process would be `` complicated '' by the coronavirus pandemic -- and the vast geographic area of the crime spree .
Forensic investigators fanned out to 16 `` chaotic '' crime scenes across the province that is home to Canada 's Atlantic navy fleet .
Some of the victims were not known to the shooter , while others were specifically targeted , said Leather .
`` It 's too early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` It appears to be , at least in part , very random in nature . ''
German Chancellor Angela Merkel led international expressions of sympathy , telling Trudeau in a note : `` This senseless and cruel act has shaken us all deeply . ''
After the first gunshots rang out in Portapique , where Wortman owned two properties , police found casualties inside and outside a home and also responded to a series of blazes .
Neighbors told The Globe and Mail newspaper that Wortman set fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran out .
An acquaintance said Wortman drove to his house in a mock squad car , wearing a police uniform , and banged on the door clutching a rifle and a pistol .
`` He was n't killing enemies , he was killing his friends , '' said the man , who hid with his wife and called the police .
`` He was trying to beat down our door .
It was beyond terrifying . ''
Police said Wortman , still posing as a policeman , later stopped a vehicle near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A monster murdered my mother today , '' Darcy Dobson wrote in a Facebook post about victim Heather O'Brien , a nurse in Truro .
`` At 9:59 am ( Sunday ) she sent her last text message to our family group chat .
By 10:15 she was gone .
She drove down the same street in the same town she drives through every single day .
She was kind .
She was beautiful .
She did n't deserve any of this . ''
Two vehicles were also lit on fire on Highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23-year veteran of the force and a married mother of two , died at the scene .
A male officer suffered non-life-threatening wounds and was recovering Monday at home , Leather said .
An RCMP tactical team , a dog unit and officers from other police agencies eventually caught up with Wortman -- who had swapped cars -- at a gas station in Enfield , near Halifax airport .
The gunman exchanged fire with police , who `` were involved in terminating the threat , '' Leather said .
Media reports said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Halifax and Dartmouth that were closed as part of the pandemic lockdown .
Wortman was also reportedly obsessed with policing , having refurbished several old squad cars , and struggled with alcoholism .
`` He was one of those freaky guys , he was really into police memorabilia , '' Nathan Staples , who once sought to buy one of the vehicles , told The Globe and Mail , describing Wortman 's home as a `` shrine '' to the RCMP .

Investigators on Monday scoured crime scenes from the worst mass shooting in Canadian history to try to understand why a dental worker with no criminal past killed at least 18 people.
A memorial for Const. Heidi Stevenson is seen outside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Headquarters, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada April 20, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The gunman, identified by police as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, began his rampage late Saturday in the seaside village of Portapique, Nova Scotia, dying 14 hours later in a hail of police gunfire outside Halifax, 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.
"Just how could this happen, we may never know why," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference.
"But we do know this: no one man's action can build a wall between us and a better day, no matter how evil, how thoughtless, or how destructive."
The death toll, initially put at 16, rose to 18 on Monday, Trudeau said, with police warning that more bodies could be found in the rubble of five burned out homes and buildings.
"We expect there to be more victims," said RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather.
Among the victims so far identified were a veteran constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a nurse, an elementary school teacher, prison guards and a retired firefighter.
"This happened in small towns -- in Portapique, Truro, Milford and Enfield -- places where people have deep roots, places where people know their neighbors and look out for one another," Trudeau said.
A "virtual vigil" has been planned for Friday at 7:00 pm (2200 GMT).
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil told public broadcaster CBC that the investigation and the grieving process would be "complicated" by the coronavirus pandemic -- and the vast geographic area of the crime spree.
'Unprecedented violence'
Forensic investigators fanned out to 16 "chaotic" crime scenes across the province that is home to Canada's Atlantic navy fleet.
Some of the victims were not known to the shooter, while others were specifically targeted, said Leather.
"It's too early to tell what the motivation was," he said. "It appears to be, at least in part, very random in nature."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel led international expressions of sympathy, telling Trudeau in a note: "This senseless and cruel act has shaken us all deeply."
After the first gunshots rang out in Portapique, where Wortman owned two properties, police found casualties inside and outside a home and also responded to a series of blazes.
Neighbors told The Globe and Mail newspaper that Wortman set fire to homes and shot residents as they ran out.
An acquaintance said Wortman drove to his house in a mock squad car, wearing a police uniform, and banged on the door clutching a rifle and a pistol.
"He wasn't killing enemies, he was killing his friends," said the man, who hid with his wife and called the police. "He was trying to beat down our door. It was beyond terrifying."
Police said Wortman, still posing as a policeman, later stopped a vehicle near Debert and shot the occupants.
"A monster murdered my mother today," Darcy Dobson wrote in a Facebook post about victim Heather O'Brien, a nurse in Truro.
"At 9:59 am (Sunday) she sent her last text message to our family group chat. By 10:15 she was gone. She drove down the same street in the same town she drives through every single day. She was kind. She was beautiful. She didn't deserve any of this."
Two vehicles were also lit on fire on Highway 102. Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the force and a married mother of two, died at the scene. A male officer suffered non-life-threatening wounds and was recovering Monday at home, Leather said.
Coronavirus link probed
An RCMP tactical team, a dog unit and officers from other police agencies eventually caught up with Wortman -- who had swapped cars -- at a gas station in Enfield, near Halifax airport.
The gunman exchanged fire with police, who "were involved in terminating the threat," Leather said.
Media reports said the shooter was a denturist who owned clinics in Halifax and Dartmouth that were closed as part of the pandemic lockdown.
Wortman was also reportedly obsessed with policing, having refurbished several old squad cars, and struggled with alcoholism.
"He was one of those freaky guys, he was really into police memorabilia," Nathan Staples, who once sought to buy one of the vehicles, told The Globe and Mail, describing Wortman's home as a "shrine" to the RCMP.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--S. Korea plays down report N. Korea's Kim Jong-un in 'grave danger' after surgery

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides a drill of mortar sub-units of North Korean Army in this image released by North Korea 's Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ) on April 10 , 2020 .
South Korea played down a report Tuesday that the North 's leader Kim Jong Un was being treated after surgery , as speculation mounted over his absence from a key anniversary .
Pyongyang marked the birthday of its late founder , Kim 's grandfather Kim Il Sung , on April 15 -- by far the most important date in its annual political calendar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance .
Daily NK , an online media outlet run mostly by North Korean defectors , said Kim had undergone a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month and was recovering at a villa in North Phyongan province .
`` Excessive smoking , obesity , and fatigue were the direct causes of Kim 's urgent cardiovascular treatment , '' it cited an unidentified source inside the country as saying .
No confirmation of the report was immediately available .
But it triggered widespread speculation , with CNN citing a US official saying that Washington was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in `` grave danger after a surgery '' .
The report did not specify what the intelligence was .
In a statement , a spokesman for the South 's presidential Blue House said : `` We have nothing to confirm and no special movement has been detected inside North Korea as of now . ''
Some South Korean officials raised doubts about the credibility of the sourcing .
Reporting from inside the isolated country is notoriously difficult , especially on anything to do with the North 's leadership , which is among its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry -- which handles inter-Korean relations -- and the defence ministry declined to comment .
Moon Chung-in , the security adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in , told AFP that he had not heard anything on Kim 's health .
The North 's state media last reported on Kim 's activities on April 12 , but previous absences on his part from the public eye have also prompted speculation about his health .
Ahn Chan-il , a defector-turned-researcher based in Seoul , said heart surgery required sophisticated medical equipment `` only accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was `` unreasonable '' to transport it elsewhere for the operation .
`` Nothing is confirmed at this point , and it 's too early to make a conclusion about his condition , '' he added .

South Korea played down a report Tuesday that the North's leader Kim Jong Un was being treated after surgery, as speculation mounted over his absence from a key anniversary.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides a drill of mortar sub-units of North Korean Army in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 10, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Pyongyang marked the birthday of its late founder, Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung, on April 15 -- by far the most important date in its annual political calendar -- but Kim was not seen in attendance.
Daily NK, an online media outlet run mostly by North Korean defectors, said Kim had undergone a cardiovascular procedure earlier this month and was recovering at a villa in North Phyongan province.
"Excessive smoking, obesity, and fatigue were the direct causes of Kim's urgent cardiovascular treatment," it cited an unidentified source inside the country as saying.
No confirmation of the report was immediately available.
But it triggered widespread speculation, with CNN citing a US official saying that Washington was "monitoring intelligence" that Kim was in "grave danger after a surgery". The report did not specify what the intelligence was.
In a statement, a spokesman for the South's presidential Blue House said: "We have nothing to confirm and no special movement has been detected inside North Korea as of now."
Some South Korean officials raised doubts about the credibility of the sourcing.
Reporting from inside the isolated country is notoriously difficult, especially on anything to do with the North's leadership, which is among its most closely-guarded secrets.
Both the unification ministry -- which handles inter-Korean relations -- and the defence ministry declined to comment.
Moon Chung-in, the security adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told AFP that he had not heard anything on Kim's health.
The North's state media last reported on Kim's activities on April 12, but previous absences on his part from the public eye have also prompted speculation about his health.
Analysts expressed caution over the Daily NK report.
Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher based in Seoul, said heart surgery required sophisticated medical equipment "only accessible in facilities in Pyongyang", adding it was "unreasonable" to transport it elsewhere for the operation.
"Nothing is confirmed at this point, and it's too early to make a conclusion about his condition," he added.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-22--Trump says US greencard suspension to last 60 days

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin answer questions during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington , U.S. , April 21 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was suspending immigration for green card seekers for 60 days , arguing the controversial move would help Americans find work again after coronavirus caused a surge in unemployment .
Trump told reporters at the White House the suspension would come into force through an executive order that he would likely sign on Wednesday as he offered the first details about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
Addressing an issue key to his conservative base as the country is ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic , with more than 43,000 people dead in the US , Trump said his move would help Americans who have lost their jobs during the ongoing shutdown .
`` By pausing immigration , it will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens , '' Trump said at his daily pandemic briefing .
`` This pause will be in effect for 60 days , '' he told reporters , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or changes `` based on economic conditions at the time . ''
The Republican president said the order would `` only apply to individuals seeking a permanent residency -- in other words , those receiving green cards . ''
`` It will not apply to those entering on a temporary basis , '' he added .
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) granted lawful permanent residence to around 577,000 individuals in 2019 .
Trump said there would be exemptions that his administration would detail before the order is signed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow .
Being drawn now and tonight , and it 's something we have to have in this country , '' he added .
According to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Wall Street Journal before Trump spoke , the eventual executive order could include exceptions for farm and health care workers .
The US government issued 462,000 visas in fiscal 2019 , according to official data -- a major drop from the 617,000 visas granted in 2016 under Trump 's predecessor Barack Obama .
Any executive order on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverse it , and has already raised hackles among Trump 's Democratic opponents .
Before Trump 's briefing , Texas lawmaker Joaquin Castro slammed what he called `` an attempt to divert attention away from Trump 's failure to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives . ''
In a tweet , Castro accused Trump of `` an authoritarian-like move to take advantage of a crisis and advance his anti-immigrant agenda . ''
The Supreme Court has in recent months offered several significant victories to the Trump administration in cases relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high court allowed the federal government to maintain a policy that will send more than 60,000 asylum seekers back to Mexico .
The `` Remain in Mexico '' policy unveiled in December 2018 and implemented a month later calls for non-Mexican asylum seekers who attempt to enter the US via that country to stay there while their cases are being decided .

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was suspending immigration for green card seekers for 60 days, arguing the controversial move would help Americans find work again after coronavirus caused a surge in unemployment.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin answer questions during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 21, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Trump told reporters at the White House the suspension would come into force through an executive order that he would likely sign on Wednesday as he offered the first details about a vague announcement he made Monday night on Twitter.
Addressing an issue key to his conservative base as the country is ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 43,000 people dead in the US, Trump said his move would help Americans who have lost their jobs during the ongoing shutdown.
"By pausing immigration, it will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens," Trump said at his daily pandemic briefing.
"This pause will be in effect for 60 days," he told reporters, adding that he would decide on any extension or changes "based on economic conditions at the time."
01:29
The Republican president said the order would "only apply to individuals seeking a permanent residency -- in other words, those receiving green cards."
"It will not apply to those entering on a temporary basis," he added.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted lawful permanent residence to around 577,000 individuals in 2019.
Trump said there would be exemptions that his administration would detail before the order is signed.
"We'll sign it most likely tomorrow. Being drawn now and tonight, and it's something we have to have in this country," he added.
According to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Wall Street Journal before Trump spoke, the eventual executive order could include exceptions for farm and health care workers.
The US government issued 462,000 visas in fiscal 2019, according to official data -- a major drop from the 617,000 visas granted in 2016 under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.
Any executive order on immigration will likely spark court action to reverse it, and has already raised hackles among Trump's Democratic opponents.
Before Trump's briefing, Texas lawmaker Joaquin Castro slammed what he called "an attempt to divert attention away from Trump's failure to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives."
In a tweet, Castro accused Trump of "an authoritarian-like move to take advantage of a crisis and advance his anti-immigrant agenda."
The Supreme Court has in recent months offered several significant victories to the Trump administration in cases relating to immigration.
A month ago, the high court allowed the federal government to maintain a policy that will send more than 60,000 asylum seekers back to Mexico.
The "Remain in Mexico" policy unveiled in December 2018 and implemented a month later calls for non-Mexican asylum seekers who attempt to enter the US via that country to stay there while their cases are being decided.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Violence flares in tense Paris suburbs as heavy-handed lockdown stirs ‘explosive cocktail’

A rubbish bin burns in the street during clashes in Villeneuve-la-Garenne , in the northern suburbs of Paris , early on April 21 , 2020 .
Three nights of unrest in the French capital ’ s northern suburbs have stoked fears of a major flare-up in deprived neighbourhoods where weeks of lockdown have exacerbated the simmering tensions between restless youths and police .
Six weeks into France ’ s nationwide lockdown , Zouhair Ech-Chetouani is as nervous as the youths he looks after in the shabby housing blocks of northern Asnières .
In more than 20 years of social work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern suburbs of Paris have seldom felt quite so tense .
According to Ech-Chetouani , strict confinement measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , coupled with tough policing to enforce those rules , have mixed up an “ explosive cocktail ” in areas already blighted by poverty , unemployment and now a worsening health crisis .
“ The spark has been lit , ” he says , referring to the unrest that has swept through several northern banlieues of Paris in recent nights .
The trouble in nearby Villeneuve-La-Garenne first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collided with the open door of an unmarked police car during a pursuit .
Witnesses said the officers had deliberately opened the door into the motorcyclist 's path , a claim denied by police .
The skirmishes lasted into the early hours of Sunday before calm was restored , but unrest broke out again the following two nights , spreading to other suburbs north of Paris , including Asnières .
Police said fireworks were aimed at them and several cars were torched while officers fired tear gas to disperse the troublemakers .
Relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fraught issue in France ’ s ethnically diverse suburbs , where men of African and North African origin complain about being routinely stopped and searched simply because of the colour of their skin .
A study by France 's National Centre for Scientific Research has shown that blacks are 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites , and those of Arab origin are seven times more likely .
In what has become a depressing cycle of violence and resentment , such routine checks can lead to violent altercations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French government is desperate to avoid as it grapples with a health emergency .
> > Racism , sex abuse and impunity : French police ’ s toxic legacy in the suburbs When President Emmanuel Macron imposed a nationwide lockdown starting March 17 , police officers privately expressed concerns that tough restrictions on public life could amplify tensions and spark unrest .
In late March , the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchainé , a leading source of investigative journalism , reported that the Interior Ministry had quietly asked police chiefs to adopt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce the lockdown in restive suburbs so as not to inflame tensions .
However , activists on the ground say the police approach has been anything but light .
On the first day of confinement , the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France ’ s poorest districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown despite comprising just over 2 percent of the country ’ s population .
Since then , videos of heavy-handed arrests have circulated widely on French social media , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re much less likely to see police fining and harassing parents who play with their children in the Bois de Boulogne , ” says Echi-Chetouani , referring to the park that borders the 16th arrondissement ( district ) of Paris in the French capital ’ s affluent west .
The social worker says the situation has considerably worsened since the start of the lockdown , which he argues has only heightened a sense of power and impunity among the police .
“ When there are people out in the streets , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he explains .
“ But with residents locked up at home , the police have become more violent and arbitrary.
” He adds : “ Of course , most officers do their work conscientiously .
But it only takes a few bad apples eager to settle scores for things to get out of hand very fast.
” In late March , a coalition of rights groups including Human Rights Watch released a statement denouncing the police ’ s “ unacceptable ” , “ illegal ” and “ sometimes dangerous ” practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency should not be in breach of the rule of law and does not justify discriminatory checks or unjustified and disproportionate force , ” the statement read .
Police unions , which did not return FRANCE 24 ’ s requests for comment , have rejected the accusations , stressing that officers are constantly targeted and provoked by youths in tense suburbs .
‘ All we got was an order to stay home ’ Critics of law enforcement tactics say they reflect a wider failure to take into account the specificities of the impoverished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the twin challenges of a health emergency and home confinement .
While Seine-Saint-Denis was hit by Covid-19 later than other territories , health officials have since declared it one of four French departments suffering from an “ exceptional ” spike in deaths .
The combination of large families in cramped quarters and a lack of doctors and hospital beds has left the local population particularly exposed to the virus .
And while many Parisians fled to countryside residences or switched to working from home , the capital ’ s poorer suburbs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the metropolis running .
“ Nurses , cashiers , caregivers , street cleaners , security agents , delivery men… Basically all the people who prop up the country today , all those who hold the front line and put themselves in danger , they come from the working-class districts , from [ Seine-Saint-Denis ] !
” said Stéphane Peu , a local communist lawmaker , in an interview with Le Monde .
The French newspaper notes that several other factors conspire to make the coronavirus lockdown more challenging in banlieue high-rises than elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food outlets .
In northern Bondy , for instance , there is just one supermarket for a population of 21,000 .
Seine-Saint-Denis is also home to France ’ s youngest population , with 30 % of inhabitants aged under 20 .
“ By and large , the lockdown is being respected in the suburbs , but there comes a point when restless youths in overcrowded homes need a breath of fresh air , ” says Echi-Chetouani , lamenting the authorities ’ failure to prepare for lockdown .
“ There has simply been no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the locals how the virus spreads and why social distancing is important to protect vulnerable family members , ” he adds .
“ All we got was an order to stay home , followed by repression .
”

Three nights of unrest in the French capital’s northern suburbs have stoked fears of a major flare-up in deprived neighbourhoods where weeks of lockdown have exacerbated the simmering tensions between restless youths and police.
A rubbish bin burns in the street during clashes in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, in the northern suburbs of Paris, early on April 21, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Six weeks into France’s nationwide lockdown, Zouhair Ech-Chetouani is as nervous as the youths he looks after in the shabby housing blocks of northern Asnières. In more than 20 years of social work, the community leader says the restive northern suburbs of Paris have seldom felt quite so tense.
According to Ech-Chetouani, strict confinement measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with tough policing to enforce those rules, have mixed up an “explosive cocktail” in areas already blighted by poverty, unemployment and now a worsening health crisis.
“The spark has been lit,” he says, referring to the unrest that has swept through several northern banlieues of Paris in recent nights.
The trouble in nearby Villeneuve-La-Garenne first flared late on Saturday after a motorcyclist collided with the open door of an unmarked police car during a pursuit. Witnesses said the officers had deliberately opened the door into the motorcyclist's path, a claim denied by police.
The skirmishes lasted into the early hours of Sunday before calm was restored, but unrest broke out again the following two nights, spreading to other suburbs north of Paris, including Asnières. Police said fireworks were aimed at them and several cars were torched while officers fired tear gas to disperse the troublemakers.
A history of violence
Relations between police and residents have long been a fraught issue in France’s ethnically diverse suburbs, where men of African and North African origin complain about being routinely stopped and searched simply because of the colour of their skin.
A study by France's National Centre for Scientific Research has shown that blacks are 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites, and those of Arab origin are seven times more likely.
In what has become a depressing cycle of violence and resentment, such routine checks can lead to violent altercations and eventually riots, a daunting prospect the French government is desperate to avoid as it grapples with a health emergency.
>> Racism, sex abuse and impunity: French police’s toxic legacy in the suburbs
When President Emmanuel Macron imposed a nationwide lockdown starting March 17, police officers privately expressed concerns that tough restrictions on public life could amplify tensions and spark unrest.
In late March, the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchainé, a leading source of investigative journalism, reported that the Interior Ministry had quietly asked police chiefs to adopt a light touch as they seek to enforce the lockdown in restive suburbs so as not to inflame tensions.
However, activists on the ground say the police approach has been anything but light.
Disproportionate force
On the first day of confinement, the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France’s poorest districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown despite comprising just over 2 percent of the country’s population.
Since then, videos of heavy-handed arrests have circulated widely on French social media, along with calls for revenge.
“You’re much less likely to see police fining and harassing parents who play with their children in the Bois de Boulogne,” says Echi-Chetouani, referring to the park that borders the 16th arrondissement (district) of Paris in the French capital’s affluent west.
The social worker says the situation has considerably worsened since the start of the lockdown, which he argues has only heightened a sense of power and impunity among the police.
“When there are people out in the streets, police abuses are less likely to go unnoticed,” he explains. “But with residents locked up at home, the police have become more violent and arbitrary.”
He adds: “Of course, most officers do their work conscientiously. But it only takes a few bad apples eager to settle scores for things to get out of hand very fast.”
In late March, a coalition of rights groups including Human Rights Watch released a statement denouncing the police’s “unacceptable”, “illegal” and “sometimes dangerous” practices.
“The current state of sanitary emergency should not be in breach of the rule of law and does not justify discriminatory checks or unjustified and disproportionate force,” the statement read.
Police unions, which did not return FRANCE 24’s requests for comment, have rejected the accusations, stressing that officers are constantly targeted and provoked by youths in tense suburbs.
‘All we got was an order to stay home’
Critics of law enforcement tactics say they reflect a wider failure to take into account the specificities of the impoverished and densely populated suburbs as they grapple with the twin challenges of a health emergency and home confinement.
While Seine-Saint-Denis was hit by Covid-19 later than other territories, health officials have since declared it one of four French departments suffering from an “exceptional” spike in deaths.
The combination of large families in cramped quarters and a lack of doctors and hospital beds has left the local population particularly exposed to the virus. And while many Parisians fled to countryside residences or switched to working from home, the capital’s poorer suburbs have supplied most of the workers who keep the metropolis running.
“Nurses, cashiers, caregivers, street cleaners, security agents, delivery men… Basically all the people who prop up the country today, all those who hold the front line and put themselves in danger, they come from the working-class districts, from [Seine-Saint-Denis]!” said Stéphane Peu, a local communist lawmaker, in an interview with Le Monde.
The French newspaper notes that several other factors conspire to make the coronavirus lockdown more challenging in banlieue high-rises than elsewhere in France, including the dearth of food outlets. In northern Bondy, for instance, there is just one supermarket for a population of 21,000.
Seine-Saint-Denis is also home to France’s youngest population, with 30% of inhabitants aged under 20.
“By and large, the lockdown is being respected in the suburbs, but there comes a point when restless youths in overcrowded homes need a breath of fresh air,” says Echi-Chetouani, lamenting the authorities’ failure to prepare for lockdown.
“There has simply been no outreach, no attempt to explain to the locals how the virus spreads and why social distancing is important to protect vulnerable family members,” he adds. “All we got was an order to stay home, followed by repression.”
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Covid-19: France records 531 deaths in a day as hospital cases continue to fall

Nurse Samantha Poirier checks an artificial respirator as she treats a patient suffering from Covid-19 in the intensive care unit at the Clinique de l'Estrée private hospital in Stains near Paris , France on April 20 , 2020 .
France on Tuesday reported 531 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours as the number of people in hospital and intensive care continued to decline .
The daily tally – 387 deaths in hospital and 144 in nursing homes – brought France 's total Covid-19 death toll to 20,796 , top health official Jérôme Salomon told reporters .
Salomon spoke one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , Spain , and the US to surpass the 20,000-fatality mark .
France has been under virtual lockdown for five weeks and is due to start lifting some confinement measures on May 11 .
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe told a news conference Sunday that the gradual exit from lockdown in May , due to start with the reopening of schools , would not allow people to move around or interact as before , especially without any vaccine against the virus .
`` It wo n't be a return to normal life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France introduces more testing , people with coronavirus would have to remain isolated at home or in hotels laid on by the government .
France has provided few details of the pace at which businesses like cinemas or bars will reopen , only saying that as some stores open up again , people will have to maintain social distancing .
However , Health Minister Olivier Véran told the same Sunday briefing that France will lift its ban on visits to nursing home residents , provided people did not have physical contact with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account for nearly 40 percent of the coronavirus fatalities in the country .
The government faced recent criticism after shortages of medicine , hospital equipment such as ventilators , and face masks for doctors as well as front-line workers in sectors like supermarkets added to problems in its handling of the Covid-19 crisis .
Philippe on Sunday said that France had managed to import just under 81 million masks during the previous week , exceeding for the first time `` in a long time '' the country ’ s weekly need of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also have secured and produced 15,000 more ventilators for resuscitation units in hospitals and another 15,000 less heavy-duty versions – helping it exceed its projected needs .
Philippe said the surplus of ventilators will allow the country to “ help France ’ s allies internationally ” .

France on Tuesday reported 531 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours as the number of people in hospital and intensive care continued to decline.
Nurse Samantha Poirier checks an artificial respirator as she treats a patient suffering from Covid-19 in the intensive care unit at the Clinique de l'Estrée private hospital in Stains near Paris, France on April 20, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The daily tally – 387 deaths in hospital and 144 in nursing homes – brought France's total Covid-19 death toll to 20,796, top health official Jérôme Salomon told reporters.
Salomon spoke one day after France became the fourth country after Italy, Spain, and the US to surpass the 20,000-fatality mark.
France has been under virtual lockdown for five weeks and is due to start lifting some confinement measures on May 11.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe told a news conference Sunday that the gradual exit from lockdown in May, due to start with the reopening of schools, would not allow people to move around or interact as before, especially without any vaccine against the virus.
"It won't be a return to normal life," Philippe said, adding that as France introduces more testing, people with coronavirus would have to remain isolated at home or in hotels laid on by the government.
Health minister: Nursing home visits allowed
France has provided few details of the pace at which businesses like cinemas or bars will reopen, only saying that as some stores open up again, people will have to maintain social distancing.
However, Health Minister Olivier Véran told the same Sunday briefing that France will lift its ban on visits to nursing home residents, provided people did not have physical contact with their relatives. Elderly people in nursing homes account for nearly 40 percent of the coronavirus fatalities in the country.
The government faced recent criticism after shortages of medicine, hospital equipment such as ventilators, and face masks for doctors as well as front-line workers in sectors like supermarkets added to problems in its handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
Philippe on Sunday said that France had managed to import just under 81 million masks during the previous week, exceeding for the first time "in a long time" the country’s weekly need of about 45 million.
By June, France will also have secured and produced 15,000 more ventilators for resuscitation units in hospitals and another 15,000 less heavy-duty versions – helping it exceed its projected needs.
Philippe said the surplus of ventilators will allow the country to “help France’s allies internationally”.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Trump, Congress agree on almost $500 billion additional Covid-19 relief

U.S. congressional leaders and the White House agreed on Tuesday on nearly $ 500 billion more in coronavirus relief for the U.S. economy , bringing to nearly $ 3 trillion the amount allocated to deal with the crisis .
President Donald Trump urged them to pass it quickly , leaving aid to state and local governments for another bill .
`` I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will quickly pass it once members have reviewed the final text , '' the Senate 's Republican majority leader , Mitch McConnell , said in a statement .
The deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business lending program , $ 60 billion for a separate emergency disaster loan program also for small businesses , as well as $ 75 billion for hospitals and $ 25 billion for national coronavirus testing .
The Senate was expected to vote on the plan later on Tuesday , and the House of Representatives later in the week , most likely on Thursday .
Congressional leaders had said they were very close to an agreement on legislation to provide more money to help small businesses , after an initial $ 350 billion fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday would be the fourth major piece of legislation passed as the federal government seeks to ease the heavy economic and personal toll of a pandemic that has killed more than 42,000 Americans and left more than 22 million people out of work .
Trump said he backed the measure , and urged lawmakers to act quickly .
He said talks would begin after its approval on more relief , including funds for state and local governments reeling from steep revenue losses due to the virus , and infrastructure spending that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` After I sign this Bill , we will begin discussions on the next Legislative Initiative with fiscal relief to State/Local Governments , '' as well as infrastructure investments , the Republican president wrote on Twitter .
Democrats and Republicans have sparred for weeks over how best to address the pandemic , which has killed 42,000 Americans , the highest death toll for any one country .
More than 22 million Americans have lost their jobs , as businesses have closed and residents have observed stay-at-home orders intended to minimize the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's statement announcing the bipartisan legislation was laced with criticism of Democrats .
The deal ended the stalemate over how to replenish the small-business loan program .
Congress set up the $ 350 billion scheme last month as part of a $ 2.3 trillion coronavirus economic relief plan , but it quickly ran out of money .
Critics of the program said too much of the money had gone to larger , better-connected businesses .
To combat that , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said , $ 125 billion of small business funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` mom and pop '' and minority-owned stores .
Anticipating the deal , House leaders asked members to return to Washington for a vote on Thursday , the chamber 's No .
2 Democrat , Steny Hoyer , told reporters .
He expects more than half the House to attend , and the bill to pass with support from both Democrats and Republicans .
Hoyer also told members to expect to vote on a rule change allowing proxy voting when necessary .
This would mean not all of the House 's 429 current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , reducing the threat of spreading the coronavirus .
But Hoyer said he thinks lawmakers should go further and consider using remote technologies such as FaceTime for votes , as well as committee work as needed .
Some Republicans - echoing Trump 's calls for the country to reopen - have balked at taking the proxy voting step .
`` I think it 's a terrible idea , '' Representative Jim Jordan told reporters in the Capitol .
`` What is it , 200 plus years .
... Congress has been meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate in person .
So , I think , it ’ s that fundamental . ''

U.S. congressional leaders and the White House agreed on Tuesday on nearly $500 billion more in coronavirus relief for the U.S. economy, bringing to nearly $3 trillion the amount allocated to deal with the crisis.
Advertising Read more
President Donald Trump urged them to pass it quickly, leaving aid to state and local governments for another bill.
"I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will quickly pass it once members have reviewed the final text," the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said in a statement.
The deal provides $321 billion for a small business lending program, $60 billion for a separate emergency disaster loan program also for small businesses, as well as $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for national coronavirus testing.
The Senate was expected to vote on the plan later on Tuesday, and the House of Representatives later in the week, most likely on Thursday.
Congressional leaders had said they were very close to an agreement on legislation to provide more money to help small businesses, after an initial $350 billion fund was quickly exhausted.
The bill agreed on Tuesday would be the fourth major piece of legislation passed as the federal government seeks to ease the heavy economic and personal toll of a pandemic that has killed more than 42,000 Americans and left more than 22 million people out of work.
Trump said he backed the measure, and urged lawmakers to act quickly. He said talks would begin after its approval on more relief, including funds for state and local governments reeling from steep revenue losses due to the virus, and infrastructure spending that Democrats have been requesting throughout the crisis.
"After I sign this Bill, we will begin discussions on the next Legislative Initiative with fiscal relief to State/Local Governments," as well as infrastructure investments, the Republican president wrote on Twitter.
Partisan divide
Democrats and Republicans have sparred for weeks over how best to address the pandemic, which has killed 42,000 Americans, the highest death toll for any one country. More than 22 million Americans have lost their jobs, as businesses have closed and residents have observed stay-at-home orders intended to minimize the spread of the potentially deadly respiratory illness.
McConnell's statement announcing the bipartisan legislation was laced with criticism of Democrats.
The deal ended the stalemate over how to replenish the small-business loan program. Congress set up the $350 billion scheme last month as part of a $2.3 trillion coronavirus economic relief plan, but it quickly ran out of money.
Critics of the program said too much of the money had gone to larger, better-connected businesses. To combat that, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, $125 billion of small business funds in the latest package would go to "mom and pop" and minority-owned stores.
Anticipating the deal, House leaders asked members to return to Washington for a vote on Thursday, the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer, told reporters. He expects more than half the House to attend, and the bill to pass with support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Hoyer: Expect vote to allow proxy voting
Hoyer also told members to expect to vote on a rule change allowing proxy voting when necessary. This would mean not all of the House's 429 current members would have to be present for votes, reducing the threat of spreading the coronavirus.
But Hoyer said he thinks lawmakers should go further and consider using remote technologies such as FaceTime for votes, as well as committee work as needed. Some Republicans - echoing Trump's calls for the country to reopen - have balked at taking the proxy voting step.
"I think it's a terrible idea," Representative Jim Jordan told reporters in the Capitol. "What is it, 200 plus years. ... Congress has been meeting, and you meet in person and debate in person. So, I think, it’s that fundamental."
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Europe: Countries take tentative steps to ease Covid-19 lockdown

After weeks in lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19 , some countries in Europe are starting to relax restrictions as the number of new cases declines .
But the joy of rediscovering lost freedoms has been met with a sense of caution amid warnings that the threat from the virus is far from over .
In Germany , small shops were allowed to re-open on Monday , though life is far from returning to normal with most German states making face masks compulsory in public .
`` We are protecting ourselves as best as we can , or shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face mask .
I ca n't do more than that .
I 'm wearing gloves which I will throw away afterwards , along with the face mask , ” Dresden resident Gertrude Sietzy told Reuters .
“ I hope that 's enough .
Other than that , I 'm really quite happy that we can go outside again at least a little.
” Small shops in neighbouring Austria have been open since April 14th and cultural spaces , such as museums and libraries , are due to re-open from mid-May .
In Denmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are once again serving customers , while both Denmark and Norway have started allowing some children back to school .
Even those countries hardest hit by the coronavirus have begun taking tentative steps towards easing lockdowns .
Spain has begun allowing some non-essential workers to return to their jobs , while bookshops in Italy were given the green light to re-open on April 14 .
Meanwhile , in France , all lockdown measures are still in place .
But the government has said restrictions will be gradually lifted from May 11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO on Monday warned against too swift a return to normal life .
`` We want to re-emphasise that easing restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country , ” said director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ Ending the epidemic will require a sustained effort on the part of individuals , communities and governments to continue suppressing and controlling this deadly virus . ''

After weeks in lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19, some countries in Europe are starting to relax restrictions as the number of new cases declines. But the joy of rediscovering lost freedoms has been met with a sense of caution amid warnings that the threat from the virus is far from over.
Advertising Read more
In Germany, small shops were allowed to re-open on Monday, though life is far from returning to normal with most German states making face masks compulsory in public.
"We are protecting ourselves as best as we can, or shall I say the others, with our face mask. I can't do more than that. I'm wearing gloves which I will throw away afterwards, along with the face mask,” Dresden resident Gertrude Sietzy told Reuters.
“I hope that's enough. Other than that, I'm really quite happy that we can go outside again at least a little.”
Small shops in neighbouring Austria have been open since April 14th and cultural spaces, such as museums and libraries, are due to re-open from mid-May.
In Denmark too, certain businesses, including hairdressers, are once again serving customers, while both Denmark and Norway have started allowing some children back to school.
Even those countries hardest hit by the coronavirus have begun taking tentative steps towards easing lockdowns.
Spain has begun allowing some non-essential workers to return to their jobs, while bookshops in Italy were given the green light to re-open on April 14.
Meanwhile, in France, all lockdown measures are still in place. But the government has said restrictions will be gradually lifted from May 11.
But as Europe lifts restrictions, the WHO on Monday warned against too swift a return to normal life.
"We want to re-emphasise that easing restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country,” said director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“Ending the epidemic will require a sustained effort on the part of individuals, communities and governments to continue suppressing and controlling this deadly virus."
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-04-21--Europe's moment of truth: What common response to Covid-19?

Europe 's moment of truth : What common response to Covid-19 ?
As some nations eye lifting coronavirus restrictions and @ @ @ @ @ , FRANCE 24 and Deutsche Welle partner up for a special edition of The Debate @ @ @ @ @ more successful in containing the Covid-19 pandemic than France ?
And can the Paris-Berlin partnership @ @ @ @ @ engine '' of Europe – rally a continent that is facing challenges from within as @ @ @ @ @ of the world ?
François Picard and Melinda Crane speak with former European Green Party @ @ @ @ @ of the German parliament Matern von Marschall and Strasbourg city councillor Syamak Agha Babaei , @ @ @ @ @ care physician on the front line of the crisis .
> > Germany starts opening @ @ @ @ @ control ' Take international news everywhere with you !
Download the France 24 app

Europe's moment of truth: What common response to Covid-19?
40:05 FRANCE 24 brings you a special edition of The Debate in partnership with Deutsche Welle. © FRANCE 24
As some nations eye lifting coronavirus restrictions and others move to double down, FRANCE 24 and Deutsche Welle partner up for a special edition of The Debate. Why has Germany been more successful in containing the Covid-19 pandemic than France? And can the Paris-Berlin partnership – often dubbed the "engine" of Europe – rally a continent that is facing challenges from within as well as from the rest of the world?
Advertising François Picard and Melinda Crane speak with former European Green Party standard-bearer Daniel Cohn-Bendit, member of the German parliament Matern von Marschall and Strasbourg city councillor Syamak Agha Babaei, who is also an emergency care physician on the front line of the crisis. >> Germany starts opening up as coronavirus outbreak 'under control' Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-04-21--'This may be a black April for the oil market,' IEA chief tells FRANCE 24

'This may be a black April for the oil market , ' IEA chief tells FRANCE 24 As oil prices @ @ @ @ @ 24 spoke to Fatih Birol , executive director of the International Energy Agency ( IEA @ @ @ @ @ crisis , demand for oil has slumped and oversupply has led to massive storage issues @ @ @ @ @ oil plunged below zero for the first time ever on Monday while the price of @ @ @ @ @ 18-year low on Tuesday .
Birol warned of a `` black April '' for the @ @ @ @ @ for a recovery in demand from June as lockdown measures are eased .

'This may be a black April for the oil market,' IEA chief tells FRANCE 24
04:44 THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
As oil prices hit record lows, FRANCE 24 spoke to Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Amid the coronavirus crisis, demand for oil has slumped and oversupply has led to massive storage issues. The price of US oil plunged below zero for the first time ever on Monday while the price of UK oil fell to an 18-year low on Tuesday. Birol warned of a "black April" for the oil market but expressed hope for a recovery in demand from June as lockdown measures are eased.


france24--2020-04-21--Amazon extends closure of French warehouses as Covid-19 worker safety fight continues

The Amazon site in Lauwin-Planque in the Nord department of France is pictured on April 16 , 2020 .
Amazon is extending the closure of its French warehouses until April 25 inclusive , the online retail giant said in a written statement on Tuesday , as it argued its case to keep making deliveries in France .
Amazon made its case on Tuesday in a French court of appeal to keep deliveries on track in the country , rejecting unions ' allegations that it was not doing its best to protect employees from Covid-19 .
The world 's largest online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juggles a surge in online orders during government lockdowns to curb the pandemic and employees ' safety , and France has become a major battleground .
Amazon closed six French warehouses employing about 10,000 people on April 16 , following a lower court 's ruling that sided with unions last week , ordering Amazon to focus only on delivering essential items like food while it revised health protocols .
Amazon 's lawyers said on Tuesday that excessive restrictions on the types of goods it can deliver would penalise clients stuck in confinement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all need IT , telephone equipment , products for our young children ... we need products to be able to continue our physical activities , '' Francois Farmine , one the U.S. company 's attorneys , told the court in the former royal city of Versailles .
Judges said they would deliver a verdict on April 24 .
France is the only country where Amazon has shut all of its so-called fulfillment centres after unions complained that they were still too crowded and filed a legal challenge .
A growing number of unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's biggest , CFDT , which is seen as more moderate than the leftist SUD , which instigated the litigation .
Amazon 's lawyers said that the Seattle-based group , controlled by billionaire Jeff Bezos , did its best to provide employees with health precautions , including sanitary gels and face masks .
In the hearing that took place in a room commonly used by criminal trial courts , Farmine said the unions ' goal was to shut activity altogether , which in turn would penalise small businesses that use the platforms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ... to block this company , '' he said .
`` It 's extremely dangerous , because if the manager of this company ca n't operate his activities , extremely serious consequences can follow , '' he added , hinting at a possible divestment from France .
The unions ' leading lawyer , Judith Krivine , said that staff representatives had been open to talks with management to find a way to keep delivering certain goods while making sure social distancing was guaranteed to prevent coronavirus contagion .
`` Since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are almost comparable to what they do at Christmas and we 're being told that the situation they 've been put in is unfair , untenable , unbearable , '' she said .
`` Let 's keep it decent , please . ''
But not all of Amazon 's workers support the unions ' lawsuit , with about 15,000 signing a petition urging the reopening of distribution centres .
`` The unions did n't ask us what we thought , '' said Priscilla Soares , one of two employees at Amazon 's site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France , who started the petition .
`` At first , Amazon was n't prepared for this '' but quickly implemented safety measures , she said .

Amazon is extending the closure of its French warehouses until April 25 inclusive, the online retail giant said in a written statement on Tuesday, as it argued its case to keep making deliveries in France.
The Amazon site in Lauwin-Planque in the Nord department of France is pictured on April 16, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Amazon made its case on Tuesday in a French court of appeal to keep deliveries on track in the country, rejecting unions' allegations that it was not doing its best to protect employees from Covid-19.
The world's largest online retailer is facing mounting scrutiny as it juggles a surge in online orders during government lockdowns to curb the pandemic and employees' safety, and France has become a major battleground.
Amazon closed six French warehouses employing about 10,000 people on April 16, following a lower court's ruling that sided with unions last week, ordering Amazon to focus only on delivering essential items like food while it revised health protocols.
Amazon's lawyers said on Tuesday that excessive restrictions on the types of goods it can deliver would penalise clients stuck in confinement and were difficult to enforce.
"We all need IT, telephone equipment, products for our young children ... we need products to be able to continue our physical activities," Francois Farmine, one the U.S. company's attorneys, told the court in the former royal city of Versailles.
Judges said they would deliver a verdict on April 24.
Union complaint
France is the only country where Amazon has shut all of its so-called fulfillment centres after unions complained that they were still too crowded and filed a legal challenge.
A growing number of unions have joined the backlash, including France's biggest, CFDT, which is seen as more moderate than the leftist SUD, which instigated the litigation.
Amazon's lawyers said that the Seattle-based group, controlled by billionaire Jeff Bezos, did its best to provide employees with health precautions, including sanitary gels and face masks.
In the hearing that took place in a room commonly used by criminal trial courts, Farmine said the unions' goal was to shut activity altogether, which in turn would penalise small businesses that use the platforms to sell their goods.
"The aim is ... to block this company," he said. "It's extremely dangerous, because if the manager of this company can't operate his activities, extremely serious consequences can follow," he added, hinting at a possible divestment from France.
The unions' leading lawyer, Judith Krivine, said that staff representatives had been open to talks with management to find a way to keep delivering certain goods while making sure social distancing was guaranteed to prevent coronavirus contagion.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, Amazon's results are almost comparable to what they do at Christmas and we're being told that the situation they've been put in is unfair, untenable, unbearable," she said. "Let's keep it decent, please."
But not all of Amazon's workers support the unions' lawsuit, with about 15,000 signing a petition urging the reopening of distribution centres.
"The unions didn't ask us what we thought," said Priscilla Soares, one of two employees at Amazon's site in Lauwin-Planque, near Douai in northern France, who started the petition.
"At first, Amazon wasn't prepared for this" but quickly implemented safety measures, she said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe