france24--2020-02-28--Nations increasingly fearful of coronavirus pandemic and resulting global recession

Hopes the coronavirus would be contained to China vanished on Friday as infections spread rapidly around the world , countries started stockpiling medical equipment and investors took flight in expectation of a global recession .
Share prices were on track for the worst week since the global financial crisis in 2008 as virus-related disruptions to international travel and supply chains fuelled fears of recession in the United States and the Euro zone .
The U.S. stock market fell into correction territory with the benchmark S & P 500 index down more than 4 % on Thursday , extending a market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % off of its closing peak on Feb. 19 .
`` Markets are voting and saying they think the U.S. is on its way to recession , '' said Chris Rupkey , chief economist at MUFG in New York .
`` And frankly at this stage after the coronavirus-related slowdown in travel plans that has busted the global supply chain apart , it will be a miracle if we avoid a recession . ''
Mainland China - where the virus originated late last year - reported 327 new cases on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with new infections reported around the world now surpassing those in China , World Health Organization ( WHO ) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even rich nations should prepare .
`` No country should assume it wo n't get cases , that would be a fatal mistake , quite literally , '' Tedros said , pointing to Italy , where 17 people have died in Europe 's worst outbreak .
A Reuters tally showed almost 10 countries reported their first virus cases in past 24 hours , , including Nigeria , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first case in sub-Saharan Africa .
U.S. investment bank BofA cut its world growth forecast to the lowest level since the peak of the financial crisis , and ratings agency Moody 's said a coronavirus pandemic would trigger global and U.S. recessions in the first half of the year .
In addition to stockpiling medical supplies , governments ordered schools shut and canceled big gatherings , including sports events , to try to halt the spread of the flu-like disease known as COVID-19 .
U.S. President Donald Trump 's administration was considering invoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protective gear , two officials told Reuters .
In Europe , France 's number of reported cases doubled , Germany warned of an impending epidemic and Greece , a gateway for refugees from the Middle East , announced tighter border controls .
`` We have a crisis before us .
An epidemic is on its way , '' French President Emmanuel Macron said .
The number of people who tested positive for the illness in Italy increased by more than 200 to 650 .
Germany has about 27 cases , France around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters in Geneva that Iran , Italy and South Korea were at a `` decisive point '' in their efforts to prevent a wider outbreak .
U.S. investment bank BofA cut its world growth forecast to the lowest level since the peak of the financial crisis , and ratings agency Moody 's said a coronavirus pandemic would trigger global and U.S. recessions in the first half of the year .
There is particular concern over a case in Japan in which a woman tested positive for the virus for a second time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and could imply contracting the disease does not confer immunity .
Scientists warned that much remains unknown about the virus , including how long it can survive on surfaces .
Hong Kong quarantined a pet dog of a coronavirus patient after it showed `` weak positive '' results for the virus , even though it did not have any symptoms .
Further tests would be conducted to confirm if the dog had been infected .
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) director Robert Redfield said the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious on surfaces .
`` On copper and steel its pretty typical , it 's pretty much about 2 hours , '' Redfield told a House of Representatives hearing .
`` But I will say on other surfaces - cardboard or plastic - it 's longer , and so we are looking at this . ''
He said infections contracted from surfaces rather than through the air could have contributed to the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan , where about 700 passengers and crew caught the disease .
Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July but the head of the WHO 's emergency program , Dr. Mike Ryan , said discussions were being held with organisers about whether it should go ahead .
The coronavirus has played havoc with global aviation and tourism as airlines cancel flights , countries ban visitors from hot spots and nervous passengers put off travel .
California-based Facebook Inc said it would cancel its annual developer conference and Microsoft Corp followed suit by withdrawing from a gaming conference scheduled for next month .
The WHO 's Ryan said Iran 's outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suffered the highest death toll outside China , with 26 dead , suggesting there are likely many more cases than the 245 reported , which includes some senior officials .
U.S. intelligence agencies are monitoring the global spread of coronavirus , including in Iran and India where only a few cases have been reported , sources familiar with the matter said .
The virus has so far mainly battered China , causing nearly 80,000 infections and almost 2,800 deaths , according official Chinese figures .
It has spread to another 46 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths have been reported , according to the WHO .
There is no cure for the coronavirus , which can lead to pneumonia , and a vaccine may take up to 18 months to develop .

Hopes the coronavirus would be contained to China vanished on Friday as infections spread rapidly around the world, countries started stockpiling medical equipment and investors took flight in expectation of a global recession.
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Share prices were on track for the worst week since the global financial crisis in 2008 as virus-related disruptions to international travel and supply chains fuelled fears of recession in the United States and the Euro zone.
The U.S. stock market fell into correction territory with the benchmark S&P 500 index down more than 4% on Thursday, extending a market rout that has now sliced more than 10% off of its closing peak on Feb. 19.
"Markets are voting and saying they think the U.S. is on its way to recession," said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG in New York.
"And frankly at this stage after the coronavirus-related slowdown in travel plans that has busted the global supply chain apart, it will be a miracle if we avoid a recession."
Mainland China - where the virus originated late last year - reported 327 new cases on Friday, the lowest since Jan. 23.
But with new infections reported around the world now surpassing those in China, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even rich nations should prepare.
"No country should assume it won't get cases, that would be a fatal mistake, quite literally," Tedros said, pointing to Italy, where 17 people have died in Europe's worst outbreak.
A Reuters tally showed almost 10 countries reported their first virus cases in past 24 hours, , including Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the first case in sub-Saharan Africa.
U.S. investment bank BofA cut its world growth forecast to the lowest level since the peak of the financial crisis, and ratings agency Moody's said a coronavirus pandemic would trigger global and U.S. recessions in the first half of the year.
Medical stockpiling
In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, governments ordered schools shut and canceled big gatherings, including sports events, to try to halt the spread of the flu-like disease known as COVID-19.
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration was considering invoking special powers to rapidly expand U.S. production of protective gear, two officials told Reuters.
In Europe, France's number of reported cases doubled, Germany warned of an impending epidemic and Greece, a gateway for refugees from the Middle East, announced tighter border controls.
"We have a crisis before us. An epidemic is on its way," French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The number of people who tested positive for the illness in Italy increased by more than 200 to 650. Germany has about 27 cases, France around 18 and Spain 15.
Tedros told reporters in Geneva that Iran, Italy and South Korea were at a "decisive point" in their efforts to prevent a wider outbreak.
U.S. investment bank BofA cut its world growth forecast to the lowest level since the peak of the financial crisis, and ratings agency Moody's said a coronavirus pandemic would trigger global and U.S. recessions in the first half of the year.
Known unknowns
There is particular concern over a case in Japan in which a woman tested positive for the virus for a second time. Second positive tests have also been reported in China and could imply contracting the disease does not confer immunity.
Scientists warned that much remains unknown about the virus, including how long it can survive on surfaces.
Hong Kong quarantined a pet dog of a coronavirus patient after it showed "weak positive" results for the virus, even though it did not have any symptoms. Further tests would be conducted to confirm if the dog had been infected.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield said the agency was evaluating how long coronavirus could be infectious on surfaces.
"On copper and steel its pretty typical, it's pretty much about 2 hours," Redfield told a House of Representatives hearing. "But I will say on other surfaces - cardboard or plastic - it's longer, and so we are looking at this."
He said infections contracted from surfaces rather than through the air could have contributed to the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, where about 700 passengers and crew caught the disease.
Tokyo Olympics future
Japan is scheduled to host the 2020 Olympics in July but the head of the WHO's emergency program, Dr. Mike Ryan, said discussions were being held with organisers about whether it should go ahead.
The coronavirus has played havoc with global aviation and tourism as airlines cancel flights, countries ban visitors from hot spots and nervous passengers put off travel.
California-based Facebook Inc said it would cancel its annual developer conference and Microsoft Corp followed suit by withdrawing from a gaming conference scheduled for next month.
The WHO's Ryan said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realised. It has suffered the highest death toll outside China, with 26 dead, suggesting there are likely many more cases than the 245 reported, which includes some senior officials.
U.S. intelligence agencies are monitoring the global spread of coronavirus, including in Iran and India where only a few cases have been reported, sources familiar with the matter said.
The virus has so far mainly battered China, causing nearly 80,000 infections and almost 2,800 deaths, according official Chinese figures. It has spread to another 46 countries, where about 3,700 cases and 57 deaths have been reported, according to the WHO.
There is no cure for the coronavirus, which can lead to pneumonia, and a vaccine may take up to 18 months to develop.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-27--France faces coronavirus 'epidemic', Macron warns, as confirmed cases double

President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France was preparing for a jump in the number of coronavirus cases , adding `` we are going to have to deal with it as best we can . ''
`` We are facing a crisis , an epidemic that is coming , '' Macron said while visiting staff at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris , where the first French person carrying the new coronavirus died Tuesday .
`` We know that we 're only at the beginning ... we 're going to try with all our caretakers to make the right decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olivier Veran .
`` You had a case here ...
I know this affected many of your teams , '' he said , pledging to address the crisis `` truthfully '' so that measures can be taken `` calmly '' .
Health Minister Veran also confirmed Thursday a sharp rise in coronavirus infections from 18 to 38 , linked to the identification of `` contact persons '' .
So far , France has reported two deaths , including an 80-year-old Chinese tourist who was the first casualty of the virus reported outside Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a case that has worried officials because he had not travelled to an outbreak hotspot .
A 55-year-old man from the same region as the teacher , who also had not travelled to an outbreak zone , was also hospitalised with the virus , and investigations are under way to try to find the source of the infections on French soil .
More than 2,700 people worldwide have died of COVID-19 so far , and almost 80,000 have been infected , mainly in China .
The French government has asked citizens returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid `` all non-essential outings '' and keep their children home from school .
The same recommendations have been issued for people returning from mainland China , Hong Kong , Macau , Singapore and South Korea .
( FRANCE 24 with AFP )

President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France was preparing for a jump in the number of coronavirus cases, adding "we are going to have to deal with it as best we can."
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"We are facing a crisis, an epidemic that is coming," Macron said while visiting staff at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris, where the first French person carrying the new coronavirus died Tuesday.
"We know that we're only at the beginning... we're going to try with all our caretakers to make the right decisions," Macron said alongside Health Minister Olivier Veran.
"You had a case here... I know this affected many of your teams," he said, pledging to address the crisis "truthfully" so that measures can be taken "calmly".
Health Minister Veran also confirmed Thursday a sharp rise in coronavirus infections from 18 to 38, linked to the identification of "contact persons".
So far, France has reported two deaths, including an 80-year-old Chinese tourist who was the first casualty of the virus reported outside Asia.
The second was a 60-year-old teacher, a case that has worried officials because he had not travelled to an outbreak hotspot.
A 55-year-old man from the same region as the teacher, who also had not travelled to an outbreak zone, was also hospitalised with the virus, and investigations are under way to try to find the source of the infections on French soil.
More than 2,700 people worldwide have died of COVID-19 so far, and almost 80,000 have been infected, mainly in China.
The French government has asked citizens returning from Italy's Lombardy and Veneto regions to avoid "all non-essential outings" and keep their children home from school.
The same recommendations have been issued for people returning from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and South Korea.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-02-27--Fearing ‘public lynching’, Polanski pulls out of France's César awards

Demonstrators hold banners during a protest against French-Polish film director Roman Polanski outside the `` Champo '' cinema hall in Paris on November 12 , 2019 .
Under-fire filmmaker Roman Polanski has announced he is skipping Friday ’ s awards ceremony for the Césars , France 's equivalent of the Oscars , saying he will not submit himself to a `` public lynching '' over rape accusations he denies .
Women 's rights activists have vowed to disrupt the awards ceremony in Paris , furious that Polanski 's latest film received the lion 's share of nominations .
They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the headquarters of the French Film Academy , known as the Académie des Césars .
In a statement on Thursday , the Paris-based director said the annual gala event threatened to turn into a “ public lynching ” .
Addressing the accusations of sexual assault levelled at him , he said , “ Fantasies of unhealthy minds are now treated as proven facts . ''
The 87-year-old director is still wanted in the United States for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 .
More recently he has denied new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says he raped her at his Swiss chalet in 1975 .
“ We know ahead of time how this evening will play out , ” Polanski , who has dual French and Polish citizenship , wrote in his statement , adding that he wanted to protect his staff and family .
His decision to skip the event marks the latest , dramatic twist in a month-long saga that has rattled the film Académie des Césars .
It comes two weeks after the academy ’ s entire board resigned amid a row over its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polanski spat .
Both Polanski and the academy were at the centre of a storm of protest last month after the director 's new film about the Dreyfus affair , `` An Officer and a Spy '' , topped the list of nominations for the César awards .
> > The ‘ French Oscars ’ , under fire , brace for a Polanski showdown The film , which picked up two prizes at the Venice Film Festival , including best director , has been a box office hit at home , despite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled after activists invaded or blockaded cinemas .
Its inclusion on the Césars shortlist prompted condemnation from women ’ s groups and some film critics , with France ’ s equality minister , Marlène Schiappa , suggesting French cinema was “ yet to complete its awakening , its revolution ” .
Alain Terzian , the academy ’ s longtime president , had strongly defended its right to honour Polanski ’ s film , arguing that it is not up to the institution to “ adopt a moral stance ” when handing out awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the rest of the board .
This is not the first time the Césars have faced controversy because of Polanski .
In 2017 , he was invited to preside over the awards ceremony , but stepped down after the proposal sparked outrage .
The latest Polanski row comes as French cinema has belatedly begun its own reckoning of sex abuse allegations in the film industry , spurred on by the likes of actress Adèle Haenel , who touched a nerve last autumn when she opened up about the sexual harassment she endured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 .
In an interview with the New York Times this week , Haenel said France had “ completely missed the boat ” on the # MeToo movement , failing to draw a line between “ libertine behaviour ” and “ sexual abuse ” .
`` Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims , '' she said , in a warning to the Césars .
`` It means raping women is n't that bad . ''
Other controversies have conspired to cast a pall over this year ’ s awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 200 actors , producers , directors and movie personalities penned an open letter demanding `` profound reform '' of the Académie des Césars , which they accused of being behind the times .
The signatories – including actors Mathieu Amalric and Jeanne Balibar as well as filmmakers Céline Sciamma and Gilles Lellouche – denounced `` dysfunction '' at the academy and the `` opaqueness '' of its accounts .
The male-dominated academy has been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes , both considered feminist activists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year 's Césars .
On Wednesday , just 48 hours ahead of the awards ceremony , academy members appointed film producer Margaret Ménégoz as their interim president , pending a complete renewal of the board in April .
She is only the second woman to lead the prestigious body , after film legend Jeanne Moreau in the 1980s .
As well as gender imbalance , the scarce visibility of minorities in French film is also dogging the industry on the eve of its annual gala event .
On Thursday , some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published an open letter slamming the “ invisibility ” of minorities both in front of the camera and behind it .
The signatories , who also included “ La Haine ” director Mathieu Kassovitz , accused the industry of confining black , Arab and Asian-origin performers to minor and often stereotypical parts .
`` Actors of colour are given insignificant parts which would never justify them getting a Cesar , '' they wrote , calling for “ urgent measures on inclusion ” .
The letter pointed to the success of Ladj Ly 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as proof of the appeal of films that properly reflect the minority experience in France .
The film , set in a troubled housing estate in a northern suburb of Paris , has 11 César nominations – just one fewer than Polanski 's .

Under-fire filmmaker Roman Polanski has announced he is skipping Friday’s awards ceremony for the Césars, France's equivalent of the Oscars, saying he will not submit himself to a "public lynching" over rape accusations he denies.
Demonstrators hold banners during a protest against French-Polish film director Roman Polanski outside the "Champo" cinema hall in Paris on November 12, 2019.
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Women's rights activists have vowed to disrupt the awards ceremony in Paris, furious that Polanski's latest film received the lion's share of nominations. They have sprayed anti-Polanski graffiti at the event venue and the headquarters of the French Film Academy, known as the Académie des Césars.
In a statement on Thursday, the Paris-based director said the annual gala event threatened to turn into a “public lynching”. Addressing the accusations of sexual assault levelled at him, he said, “Fantasies of unhealthy minds are now treated as proven facts."
The 87-year-old director is still wanted in the United States for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. More recently he has denied new allegations from photographer Valentine Monnier, who says he raped her at his Swiss chalet in 1975.
04:08
“We know ahead of time how this evening will play out,” Polanski, who has dual French and Polish citizenship, wrote in his statement, adding that he wanted to protect his staff and family.
His decision to skip the event marks the latest, dramatic twist in a month-long saga that has rattled the film Académie des Césars. It comes two weeks after the academy’s entire board resigned amid a row over its "opaque" decision-making structure and the Polanski spat.
Box office hit
Both Polanski and the academy were at the centre of a storm of protest last month after the director's new film about the Dreyfus affair, "An Officer and a Spy", topped the list of nominations for the César awards.
>> The ‘French Oscars’, under fire, brace for a Polanski showdown
The film, which picked up two prizes at the Venice Film Festival, including best director, has been a box office hit at home, despite a wave of protests that saw some screenings cancelled after activists invaded or blockaded cinemas.
Its inclusion on the Césars shortlist prompted condemnation from women’s groups and some film critics, with France’s equality minister, Marlène Schiappa, suggesting French cinema was “yet to complete its awakening, its revolution”.
Alain Terzian, the academy’s longtime president, had strongly defended its right to honour Polanski’s film, arguing that it is not up to the institution to “adopt a moral stance” when handing out awards. He has since resigned, along with the rest of the board.
France ‘missed the #MeToo boat’
This is not the first time the Césars have faced controversy because of Polanski. In 2017, he was invited to preside over the awards ceremony, but stepped down after the proposal sparked outrage.
The latest Polanski row comes as French cinema has belatedly begun its own reckoning of sex abuse allegations in the film industry, spurred on by the likes of actress Adèle Haenel, who touched a nerve last autumn when she opened up about the sexual harassment she endured while shooting her first film, aged 12.
In an interview with the New York Times this week, Haenel said France had “completely missed the boat” on the #MeToo movement, failing to draw a line between “libertine behaviour” and “sexual abuse”.
"Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims," she said, in a warning to the Césars. "It means raping women isn't that bad."
‘Dysfunction’
Other controversies have conspired to cast a pall over this year’s awards ceremony.
Earlier this month, more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities penned an open letter demanding "profound reform" of the Académie des Césars, which they accused of being behind the times.
The signatories – including actors Mathieu Amalric and Jeanne Balibar as well as filmmakers Céline Sciamma and Gilles Lellouche – denounced "dysfunction" at the academy and the "opaqueness" of its accounts.
The male-dominated academy has been widely criticised for allegedly excluding director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes, both considered feminist activists, from a ceremony announcing the contenders for this year's Césars.
On Wednesday, just 48 hours ahead of the awards ceremony, academy members appointed film producer Margaret Ménégoz as their interim president, pending a complete renewal of the board in April. She is only the second woman to lead the prestigious body, after film legend Jeanne Moreau in the 1980s.
CésarsSoWhite
As well as gender imbalance, the scarce visibility of minorities in French film is also dogging the industry on the eve of its annual gala event.
On Thursday, some of France’s top stars of colour published an open letter slamming the “invisibility” of minorities both in front of the camera and behind it. The signatories, who also included “La Haine” director Mathieu Kassovitz, accused the industry of confining black, Arab and Asian-origin performers to minor and often stereotypical parts.
"Actors of colour are given insignificant parts which would never justify them getting a Cesar," they wrote, calling for “urgent measures on inclusion”.
The letter pointed to the success of Ladj Ly's Oscar-nominated movie, "Les Misérables", as proof of the appeal of films that properly reflect the minority experience in France. The film, set in a troubled housing estate in a northern suburb of Paris, has 11 César nominations – just one fewer than Polanski's.
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france24--2020-02-27--French ex-PM Fillon tells Paris court 'fake jobs' scandal caused ‘irreparable damage'

Former French Prime minister Francois Fillon returns to the courtroom at the Paris ' courthouse , on February 27 , 2020 , for the hearing of his trial over claims he embezzled over €1 million euros in an alleged fake-jobs fraud .
François Fillon , once the front-runner to become France ’ s president but who fell from grace after being accused of wrongfully putting his wife on the payroll in a “ fake jobs ” scandal , told a Paris court Thursday that the allegations had caused “ irreparable damage ” .
The former French prime minister gave a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he addressed the court , FRANCE 24 's CatherineTrent-Norris reported from the court .
“ He said that although , technically in France , there was a presumption of innocence , he had already been found guilty by the court [ of ] the media three years ago , without any chance of appeal , '' she said .
In his statement , 65-year-old Fillon said : “ The goal was clear : To prevent me from running in normal conditions in the presidential election ” and that the “ damages are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Élysée Palace in the 2017 election , Fillon ’ s campaign was plunged into crisis when satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné reported that his wife , Penelope , had been paid hundreds of thousands of euros for doing little work , including serving several years as his parliamentary assistant .
The affair was dubbed Penelopegate .
The paper went on to report that Fillon had also employed two of his five children as parliamentary assistants while he was a senator , earning them a total of €84,000 between 2005 and 2007 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ documentation proving the work done by his wife by saying that he kept no archives of his parliamentary work in his electoral district , in the rural Sarthe region in western France .
Welsh-born Penelope Fillon , who has always kept a low profile , told the court that her mission consisted mostly in handling her husband ’ s mail , helping him prepare events and speeches , and providing information on local issues .
She said she never worked at the National Assembly , the lower house of parliament , to where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked about her well-paid job , she said repeatedly that her husband was in charge of taking those types of decisions .
She said she didn ’ t remember well the successive contracts she had as a parliamentary aid .
François Fillon insisted that , according to the principle of separation of powers , the justice system can not interfere with a lawmaker ’ s choices and how he organises work at his office .
Fillon served as prime minister under former president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012 .
The trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If convicted , Fillon and his wife face up to ten years in prison and a fine of €150,000 as well as reimbursing the funds paid out .
( FRANCE 24 with AP )

François Fillon, once the front-runner to become France’s president but who fell from grace after being accused of wrongfully putting his wife on the payroll in a “fake jobs” scandal, told a Paris court Thursday that the allegations had caused “irreparable damage”.
Former French Prime minister Francois Fillon returns to the courtroom at the Paris' courthouse, on February 27, 2020, for the hearing of his trial over claims he embezzled over €1 million euros in an alleged fake-jobs fraud.
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The former French prime minister gave a “short but rather bitter statement” as he addressed the court, FRANCE 24's CatherineTrent-Norris reported from the court.
“He said that although, technically in France, there was a presumption of innocence, he had already been found guilty by the court [of] the media three years ago, without any chance of appeal," she said.
In his statement, 65-year-old Fillon said: “The goal was clear: To prevent me from running in normal conditions in the presidential election” and that the “damages are irreparable”.
A favourite to win the Élysée Palace in the 2017 election, Fillon’s campaign was plunged into crisis when satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné reported that his wife, Penelope, had been paid hundreds of thousands of euros for doing little work, including serving several years as his parliamentary assistant. The affair was dubbed Penelopegate.
The paper went on to report that Fillon had also employed two of his five children as parliamentary assistants while he was a senator, earning them a total of €84,000 between 2005 and 2007.
No archives
Fillon explained his lack of documentation proving the work done by his wife by saying that he kept no archives of his parliamentary work in his electoral district, in the rural Sarthe region in western France.
Welsh-born Penelope Fillon, who has always kept a low profile, told the court that her mission consisted mostly in handling her husband’s mail, helping him prepare events and speeches, and providing information on local issues. She said she never worked at the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, to where her husband was first elected in 1981.
Asked about her well-paid job, she said repeatedly that her husband was in charge of taking those types of decisions. She said she didn’t remember well the successive contracts she had as a parliamentary aid.
François Fillon insisted that, according to the principle of separation of powers, the justice system cannot interfere with a lawmaker’s choices and how he organises work at his office.
Fillon served as prime minister under former president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012.
The trial is scheduled to last until March 11. If convicted, Fillon and his wife face up to ten years in prison and a fine of €150,000 as well as reimbursing the funds paid out.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-02-27--German teen Naomi Seibt, the darling of climate change deniers

At 19 , Naomi Seibt is on her way to becoming the voice of climate sceptics .
Close to the far right in her home country of Germany , she has also been propelled by the Heartland Institute , an American think tank supported by allies of US President Donald Trump .
Climate sceptics have found their muse : Naomi Seibt , a German woman who denounces “ climate alarmism ” in videos she posts on her YouTube channel .
In December , the Heartland Institute , an American think tank engaged against scientific consensus on climate change , gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on “ climate reality ” , which took place on the margins of COP 25 , the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid , Spain .
One month later , the institute featured Seibt in a video posted on its own YouTube channel , entitled “ Naomi Seibt vs. Greta Thunberg : Whom Should We Trust ?
” “ Greta Thunberg took the world by storm with her doomsday climate predictions , ” reads the video ’ s description .
“ Naomi Seibt , a rising star , advocates for proper scientific discourse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more reasonable advocate to you ?
” ‘ I don ’ t want you to panic ’ The media has cast Seibt as the “ anti-Greta ” , and it ’ s difficult to avoid the comparison .
The activists are both eloquent and close in age : The Swedish Thunberg is 16 , and Seibt is 19 .
Thunberg warns unceasingly of climate crisis , while Seibt warns against `` climate change alarmism '' .
Without denying global warming , a trend which she thinks is overestimated , Seibt questions the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the Heartland video , she says that “ climate change alarmism , at its very core , is a despicably anti-human ideology ” .
She also hopes to reassure the young people who mobilise for the “ Fridays for Future ” protests initiated by Thunberg .
“ I would like that young people are not made to fear the future or to believe that the older generations are destroying the planet , that the animals are dying out or that nature is dying , ” Seibt said .
Faced with Thunberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its elements of language and communication .
She has altered some of the Swedish activist ’ s now-famous phrases for her own purposes , transforming , for example , Thunberg ’ s “ I want you to panic ” , from the World Economic Forum in January 2019 , to an oppositional “ I don ’ t want you to panic .
I want you to think.
” However , Seibt doesn ’ t like being compared to the author of her source material .
“ The reason I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it suggests I am an indoctrinated puppet myself , ” she told an interviewer .
Freedom of expression , the migrant crisis and the German far right Seibt claims that , unlike Thunberg , she is not being indoctrinated .
She places her fight under the virtuous flag of freedom of expression as against so-called group think , asserting her right to “ express scepticism , based on science ” .
The German activist says she started “ being sceptical ” in 2015 .
“ But this had less to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Germany.
” She claims to be critical of subjects that find consensus in “ mainstream media ” , such as immigration , feminism , gender theory , socialism , postmodernism and climate change .
Issues that are “ all linked in a sense and open the way to totalitarianism ” .
German media call Seibt a sympathiser of Germany 's far-right AfD ( Alternative for Germany ) party , the third-largest political force in Parliament .
She insists she ’ s not part of AfD ; however , her first video posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written for a competition that AfD launched in April 2019 .
Seibt also was applauded at an AfD meeting in Münster in early February .
Last November , Seibt participated in a conference of the European Institute for Climate and Energy ( EIKE ) , a German think tank whose vice president , Michael Limburg , appeared on AfD ’ s list for the 2017 legislative elections .
It was there that the Heartland Institute , which had hosted conferences with EIKE , first noticed her .
But why would an American think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenage German activist ?
The Heartland Institute receives backing from influential Republicans , as well as Democrat William Happer , a scientist who served on the White House National Security Council between 2018 and 2019 .
Happer founded the CO2 Coalition , an organisation to defend the “ vital role of CO2 in our environment ” , and is known for having compared the “ demonization of CO2 ” to the “ demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler ” .
According to the Washington Post , the Heartland Institute fears that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its greenhouse gas emissions is contagious ” .
The Post reported that a Heartland director wrote that Seibt was the “ star ” of its Climate Reality Forum in Madrid , and a person who would be well-placed to fight German climate policy .
Suspected of being manipulated despite her intentions , Seibt has responded by adopting Thunberg ’ s cri de coeur at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City last September .
“ How dare you ?
” Seibt asks in a video entitled “ Message to the Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 Person of the Year , and her speech at the UN has millions of views on various YouTube channels ; Seibt ’ s video , thus far , has less than 50,000 .
The comparison between the two activists ends there .
This article has been adapted from the original in French by Philippe Theise .

At 19, Naomi Seibt is on her way to becoming the voice of climate sceptics. Close to the far right in her home country of Germany, she has also been propelled by the Heartland Institute, an American think tank supported by allies of US President Donald Trump.
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Climate sceptics have found their muse: Naomi Seibt, a German woman who denounces “climate alarmism” in videos she posts on her YouTube channel. In December, the Heartland Institute, an American think tank engaged against scientific consensus on climate change, gave Seibt top billing during its one-day forum on “climate reality”, which took place on the margins of COP 25, the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Spain.
One month later, the institute featured Seibt in a video posted on its own YouTube channel, entitled “Naomi Seibt vs. Greta Thunberg: Whom Should We Trust?”
“Greta Thunberg took the world by storm with her doomsday climate predictions,” reads the video’s description. “Naomi Seibt, a rising star, advocates for proper scientific discourse over climate change. Who seems like the more reasonable advocate to you?”
‘I don’t want you to panic’
The media has cast Seibt as the “anti-Greta”, and it’s difficult to avoid the comparison. The activists are both eloquent and close in age: The Swedish Thunberg is 16, and Seibt is 19. Thunberg warns unceasingly of climate crisis, while Seibt warns against "climate change alarmism".
Without denying global warming, a trend which she thinks is overestimated, Seibt questions the impact of human activity on the phenomenon. In the Heartland video, she says that “climate change alarmism, at its very core, is a despicably anti-human ideology”.
She also hopes to reassure the young people who mobilise for the “Fridays for Future” protests initiated by Thunberg. “I would like that young people are not made to fear the future or to believe that the older generations are destroying the planet, that the animals are dying out or that nature is dying,” Seibt said.
Faced with Thunberg’s success, Seibt is inspired by its elements of language and communication. She has altered some of the Swedish activist’s now-famous phrases for her own purposes, transforming, for example, Thunberg’s “I want you to panic”, from the World Economic Forum in January 2019, to an oppositional “I don’t want you to panic. I want you to think.”
However, Seibt doesn’t like being compared to the author of her source material.
“The reason I don’t like the term ‘anti-Greta’ is that it suggests I am an indoctrinated puppet myself,” she told an interviewer.
Freedom of expression, the migrant crisis and the German far right
Seibt claims that, unlike Thunberg, she is not being indoctrinated. She places her fight under the virtuous flag of freedom of expression as against so-called group think, asserting her right to “express scepticism, based on science”.
The German activist says she started “being sceptical” in 2015. “But this had less to do with climate science than with the migrant crisis in Germany.” She claims to be critical of subjects that find consensus in “mainstream media”, such as immigration, feminism, gender theory, socialism, postmodernism and climate change. Issues that are “all linked in a sense and open the way to totalitarianism”.
German media call Seibt a sympathiser of Germany's far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, the third-largest political force in Parliament. She insists she’s not part of AfD; however, her first video posted on YouTube is a poem on courage written for a competition that AfD launched in April 2019. Seibt also was applauded at an AfD meeting in Münster in early February.
Last November, Seibt participated in a conference of the European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE), a German think tank whose vice president, Michael Limburg, appeared on AfD’s list for the 2017 legislative elections. It was there that the Heartland Institute, which had hosted conferences with EIKE, first noticed her.
Interest from US climate sceptics
But why would an American think tank show so much interest in a teenage German activist? The Heartland Institute receives backing from influential Republicans, as well as Democrat William Happer, a scientist who served on the White House National Security Council between 2018 and 2019. Happer founded the CO2 Coalition, an organisation to defend the “vital role of CO2 in our environment”, and is known for having compared the “demonization of CO2” to the “demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler”.
According to the Washington Post, the Heartland Institute fears that “Germany’s strong will to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions is contagious”. The Post reported that a Heartland director wrote that Seibt was the “star” of its Climate Reality Forum in Madrid, and a person who would be well-placed to fight German climate policy.
Suspected of being manipulated despite her intentions, Seibt has responded by adopting Thunberg’s cri de coeur at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City last September. “How dare you?” Seibt asks in a video entitled “Message to the Media”. Time Magazine named Thunberg its 2019 Person of the Year, and her speech at the UN has millions of views on various YouTube channels; Seibt’s video, thus far, has less than 50,000. The comparison between the two activists ends there.
This article has been adapted from the original in French by Philippe Theise.
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france24--2020-02-27--UK threatens to walk away from EU trade talks ‘if no progress within four months’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlines his government 's negotiating stance with the European Union after Brexit , during a speech at the Old Naval College in Greenwich , in London , Britain February 3 , 2020 .
Britain laid out its opening demands for the upcoming trade talks with the European Union on Thursday , including a blunt threat to walk away from the negotiating table if there is no progress within four months .
The two sides appear headed for a rocky first round of negotiations as they try to forge a new relationship following the U.K. ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Britain and the EU both say they want to reach a free trade agreement , but have starkly divergent views on how it should be overseen and what constitutes fair competition between their two economies .
The EU says Britain must agree to follow the bloc ’ s rules in areas ranging from state aid to environmental protections , and give European boats access to U.K. fishing waters , if the two sides are to strike a good deal .
But the U.K. is demanding the right to diverge from the bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new trade agreements around the world that it thinks will bolster the British economy .
“ In pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty , ” Michael Gove , the minister in charge of Brexit preparations , told lawmakers in the House of Commons .
“ We will not be seeking to dynamically align with EU rules on EU terms , governed by EU laws and EU institutions.
” Britain ’ s negotiating mandate insists that “ we will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or for the EU ’ s institutions , including the Court of Justice , to have any jurisdiction in the U.K. ” That conflict will be one of the big hurdles in talks , which are due to begin Monday in Brussels .
Fishing is likely to be another flashpoint .
EU nations - especially France - want Britain to grant European fishing boats long-term access to U.K. waters .
Britain wants to negotiate fishing quotas annually .
Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but remains bound by the bloc ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 31 .
A divorce agreement between the two sides allows for the transition to be extended for two more years , but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he will not agree to that .
Johnson ’ s Conservative government says the U.K. will be leaving the bloc ’ s structures - including its single market for trade in goods and services - as of Jan. 1 , 2021 .
Britain hopes by then to have a trade agreement with the bloc similar to the one struck between the EU and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs and quotas on trade and goods , but it ’ s less clear what it would mean for the services sector that makes up four-fifths of Britain ’ s economy .
The U.K. also aspires to strike side agreements in areas including fisheries , law enforcement and judicial cooperation .
The British government is warning businesses that no matter what happens there will be new barriers to trade between Britain and the EU , which currently accounts for almost half of U.K. trade .
Even with a free trade deal there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill out .
The EU-Canada deal also took years to strike - now the two sides have just months .
Britain ’ s negotiating guidelines insist that there is “ limited , but sufficient time ” to get an agreement .
The document says a “ broad outline ” of an agreement should be done by June .
It warns that if there is not sufficient progress by then , the U.K. could walk away and focus on “ domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion.
” Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impress EU negotiators , who already accuse Johnson of trying to water down commitments Britain made in the divorce deal that paved the way for the country ’ s seamless departure on Jan. 31 .
That withdrawal agreement dealt with three broad issues - citizens ’ rights after Brexit , Britain ’ s liabilities after 47 years of membership and the need to keep people and goods flowing freely across the border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland , which is part of the U.K .
The two sides have agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland aligned to EU rules even if the rest of the U.K. diverges .
But recent comments by Johnson ’ s government seeming to downplay the significance of that agreement have set off alarm bells among EU leaders .
Behind the hard rhetoric , the two sides do have room for agreement .
Britain has promised it won ’ t undercut the EU by lowering standards on environmental protection , food hygiene or workers ’ rights .
But it won ’ t agree to let the EU be the judge of whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The challenge for negotiators will be to find a way to make that commitment binding that both sides can agree on .
“ We ’ re not going to engage in some race to the bottom , ” Johnson said .
“ All we want is mutual recognition of each other ’ s high standards , and access to each other ’ s markets.
” In Brussels , EU spokeswoman Dana Spinant said she “ wouldn ’ t want to jump to conclusions about the outcome ” of talks .
“ However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a no-deal ( U.K. exit ) ” even as it prepares for “ a positive result of those negotiations , ” she said .

Britain laid out its opening demands for the upcoming trade talks with the European Union on Thursday, including a blunt threat to walk away from the negotiating table if there is no progress within four months.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlines his government's negotiating stance with the European Union after Brexit, during a speech at the Old Naval College in Greenwich, in London, Britain February 3, 2020.
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The two sides appear headed for a rocky first round of negotiations as they try to forge a new relationship following the U.K.’s departure from the now 27-nation bloc.
Britain and the EU both say they want to reach a free trade agreement, but have starkly divergent views on how it should be overseen and what constitutes fair competition between their two economies.
The EU says Britain must agree to follow the bloc’s rules in areas ranging from state aid to environmental protections, and give European boats access to U.K. fishing waters, if the two sides are to strike a good deal.
But the U.K. is demanding the right to diverge from the bloc’s rules in order to strike new trade agreements around the world that it thinks will bolster the British economy.
“In pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty,” Michael Gove, the minister in charge of Brexit preparations, told lawmakers in the House of Commons.
“We will not be seeking to dynamically align with EU rules on EU terms, governed by EU laws and EU institutions.”
Britain’s negotiating mandate insists that “we will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU’s, or for the EU’s institutions, including the Court of Justice, to have any jurisdiction in the U.K.”
That conflict will be one of the big hurdles in talks, which are due to begin Monday in Brussels. Fishing is likely to be another flashpoint. EU nations - especially France - want Britain to grant European fishing boats long-term access to U.K. waters. Britain wants to negotiate fishing quotas annually.
READ MORE: >> British fishermen battle ‘codfathers’, quotas - and Brexit delay
Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but remains bound by the bloc’s rules until a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31. A divorce agreement between the two sides allows for the transition to be extended for two more years, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he will not agree to that.
Johnson’s Conservative government says the U.K. will be leaving the bloc’s structures - including its single market for trade in goods and services - as of Jan. 1, 2021.
Britain hopes by then to have a trade agreement with the bloc similar to the one struck between the EU and Canada. Such a deal would eliminate tariffs and quotas on trade and goods, but it’s less clear what it would mean for the services sector that makes up four-fifths of Britain’s economy. The U.K. also aspires to strike side agreements in areas including fisheries, law enforcement and judicial cooperation.
The British government is warning businesses that no matter what happens there will be new barriers to trade between Britain and the EU, which currently accounts for almost half of U.K. trade. Even with a free trade deal there will be new border checks and customs forms to fill out.
The EU-Canada deal also took years to strike - now the two sides have just months.
Britain’s negotiating guidelines insist that there is “limited, but sufficient time” to get an agreement. The document says a “broad outline” of an agreement should be done by June. It warns that if there is not sufficient progress by then, the U.K. could walk away and focus on “domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion.”
Britain’s tough talk is unlikely to impress EU negotiators, who already accuse Johnson of trying to water down commitments Britain made in the divorce deal that paved the way for the country’s seamless departure on Jan. 31. That withdrawal agreement dealt with three broad issues - citizens’ rights after Brexit, Britain’s liabilities after 47 years of membership and the need to keep people and goods flowing freely across the border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K.
The two sides have agreed to maintain an open border by keeping Northern Ireland aligned to EU rules even if the rest of the U.K. diverges. But recent comments by Johnson’s government seeming to downplay the significance of that agreement have set off alarm bells among EU leaders.
Behind the hard rhetoric, the two sides do have room for agreement. Britain has promised it won’t undercut the EU by lowering standards on environmental protection, food hygiene or workers’ rights.
But it won’t agree to let the EU be the judge of whether it is living up to those commitments. The challenge for negotiators will be to find a way to make that commitment binding that both sides can agree on.
“We’re not going to engage in some race to the bottom,” Johnson said. “All we want is mutual recognition of each other’s high standards, and access to each other’s markets.”
In Brussels, EU spokeswoman Dana Spinant said she “wouldn’t want to jump to conclusions about the outcome” of talks.
“However, the commission maintains its capacity to prepare for a no-deal (U.K. exit)” even as it prepares for “a positive result of those negotiations,” she said.
(AP)
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france24--2020-02-27--Japan orders nationwide shutdown of schools over coronavirus

Students of Ariake-nishi Gakuen School wear protective face masks , following the outbreak of the coronavirus , as they wave to a para-athlete Chiaki Takada and Mascot Someity ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo , Japan , February 25 , 2020 .
Japan ’ s entire school system , from elementary to high schools , will be asked to close from Monday until spring break late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak , Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday .
The dramatic escalation of Japan ’ s fight against the virus follows rising criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lukewarm government response .
“ This coming week or two are an extremely important period , ” Abe told a coronavirus task force .
“ Prioritising children ’ s ’ health and safety above everything else , we will ask all the elementary , junior high and high schools across Japan to temporarily close from March 2 to spring break.
” The Japanese school year ends in March , with spring vacation usually starting the last week of the month .
A woman working as a tour bus guide was reinfected with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an earlier infection , Osaka ’ s prefectural government said .
Her case , the first known of in Japan , highlighted how much is still unknown about the virus even as concerns grow about its global spread .
The number of cases in Japan rose on Thursday to more than 200 , up from the official tally of 186 late on Wednesday .
On the main northern island of Hokkaido , 15 new cases , including two children under the age of 10 , were confirmed .
The government has urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrapped or curtailed for two weeks to contain the virus while pledging that the 2020 Summer Olympics will go ahead in Tokyo .
But its handling of the virus has drawn increasing criticism , including from opposition politicians .
Abe got support from the International Olympic Committee as its head , Thomas Bach , told Japanese media the IOC is “ fully committed ” to holding the Games on schedule .
Bach told a conference call the committee `` is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting July 24 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I go to work ?
Abe ’ s sudden announcement about schools set off a flurry of worries on social media among parents now scrambling to arrange childcare .
“ My honest feeling - all schools on break ?
It ’ s important to protect children , but what happens if they have working parents ?
” wrote @ Kogoro1982 .
The cases reported in Japan do not include 705 reported from an outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise liner that was quarantined off Tokyo earlier this month .
A man in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , the prefectural government said , bringing the total number of people who have died in Japan to eight , including four from the ship .
The woman who tested positive twice , a resident of Osaka , in western Japan , tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains , the prefectural government said in a statement .
The woman in her 40s first tested positive in late January and was discharged from hospital on Feb. 1 after recovering , according to the statement .
Though a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive tests have been reported in China - one on Feb. 21 - where the disease originated late last year .
The outbreak has spread rapidly and widely , infecting about 80,000 people globally and killing nearly 2,800 , the vast majority in mainland China .
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said in parliament the government would need to keep tabs on the condition of those previously discharged , as health experts analysed the implications of testing positive for the virus after an initial recovery .
“ Once you have the infection , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs , ” said Philip Tierno Jr. , Professor of Microbiology and Pathology at NYU School of Medicine .
Tierno said much remains unknown about the virus .
“ I ’ m not certain that this is not bi-phasic , like anthrax , ” he said , meaning the disease appears to go away before recurring .
Asked to comment on prospects for the Olympic Games going ahead this summer , Tierno said , “ The Olympics should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are many people who don ’ t understand how easy it is to spread this infection from one person to another.
” The health ministry said on Thursday that with the Diamond Princess still located south of Tokyo , about 240 foreign and Japanese crew members who have tested negative for the virus would disembark from the ship over the next few days .
Those with no symptoms would remain at a facility near Tokyo for further monitoring , the ministry said in a statement .
An official could not immediately confirm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship , which was carrying around 3,700 people when it first docked on Feb. 3 .
Japan ’ s biggest trading group , Mitsubishi Corp , said it was telling all of its 3,800 staff in the country to work from home for two weeks starting Friday .

Japan’s entire school system, from elementary to high schools, will be asked to close from Monday until spring break late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.
Students of Ariake-nishi Gakuen School wear protective face masks, following the outbreak of the coronavirus, as they wave to a para-athlete Chiaki Takada and Mascot Someity ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, February 25, 2020.
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The dramatic escalation of Japan’s fight against the virus follows rising criticism of what has been seen as a lukewarm government response.
“This coming week or two are an extremely important period,” Abe told a coronavirus task force.
“Prioritising children’s’ health and safety above everything else, we will ask all the elementary, junior high and high schools across Japan to temporarily close from March 2 to spring break.”
The Japanese school year ends in March, with spring vacation usually starting the last week of the month.
A woman working as a tour bus guide was reinfected with the coronavirus, testing positive after having recovered from an earlier infection, Osaka’s prefectural government said. Her case, the first known of in Japan, highlighted how much is still unknown about the virus even as concerns grow about its global spread.
The number of cases in Japan rose on Thursday to more than 200, up from the official tally of 186 late on Wednesday. On the main northern island of Hokkaido, 15 new cases, including two children under the age of 10, were confirmed.
The government has urged that big gatherings and sports events be scrapped or curtailed for two weeks to contain the virus while pledging that the 2020 Summer Olympics will go ahead in Tokyo. But its handling of the virus has drawn increasing criticism, including from opposition politicians.
Abe got support from the International Olympic Committee as its head, Thomas Bach, told Japanese media the IOC is “fully committed” to holding the Games on schedule. Bach told a conference call the committee "is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting July 24," Kyodo News reported.
How do I go to work?
Abe’s sudden announcement about schools set off a flurry of worries on social media among parents now scrambling to arrange childcare.
“My honest feeling - all schools on break? It’s important to protect children, but what happens if they have working parents?” wrote @Kogoro1982.
The cases reported in Japan do not include 705 reported from an outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise liner that was quarantined off Tokyo earlier this month.
A man in his 80s died in Hokkaido after contracting the coronavirus, the prefectural government said, bringing the total number of people who have died in Japan to eight, including four from the ship.
The woman who tested positive twice, a resident of Osaka, in western Japan, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains, the prefectural government said in a statement. The woman in her 40s first tested positive in late January and was discharged from hospital on Feb. 1 after recovering, according to the statement.
Though a first known case for Japan, second positive tests have been reported in China - one on Feb. 21 - where the disease originated late last year.
The outbreak has spread rapidly and widely, infecting about 80,000 people globally and killing nearly 2,800, the vast majority in mainland China.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said in parliament the government would need to keep tabs on the condition of those previously discharged, as health experts analysed the implications of testing positive for the virus after an initial recovery.
“Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs,” said Philip Tierno Jr., Professor of Microbiology and Pathology at NYU School of Medicine.
Tierno said much remains unknown about the virus. “I’m not certain that this is not bi-phasic, like anthrax,” he said, meaning the disease appears to go away before recurring.
Asked to comment on prospects for the Olympic Games going ahead this summer, Tierno said, “The Olympics should be postponed if this continues ... There are many people who don’t understand how easy it is to spread this infection from one person to another.”
Scaling down events
The health ministry said on Thursday that with the Diamond Princess still located south of Tokyo, about 240 foreign and Japanese crew members who have tested negative for the virus would disembark from the ship over the next few days.
Those with no symptoms would remain at a facility near Tokyo for further monitoring, the ministry said in a statement. An official could not immediately confirm the total number of crew on board the ship, which was carrying around 3,700 people when it first docked on Feb. 3.
Japan’s biggest trading group, Mitsubishi Corp, said it was telling all of its 3,800 staff in the country to work from home for two weeks starting Friday.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-28--French jihadists are active in Battle of Idlib in Syria, FRANCE 24 reports

French jihadists are fighting in the Battle of Idlib against the Syrian regime .
They are following orders from the French jihadi recruiter Omar Omsen , who claimed independence from the Islamic State ( IS ) group and al Qaeda .
Images show that dozens of French jihadists are active in Syria in the battle of Idleb .
`` There are a few dozen people who have been in the area since 2013 and who have set up a camp on the Syrian-Turkish border , '' said FRANCE 24 's Wassim Nasr , a specialist in jihadist networks , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French recruiter Omar Omsen , the head of the jihadist group Furkat-al-Ghuraba .
Women and children are also there .
Having pledged allegiance to al Qaeda upon arrival in Syria , these French jihadists `` reclaimed their independence in 2018 '' , according to Omar Omsen .
Omsen maintains complicated relationships with local jihadi leaders and holds paradoxical positions , according to Nasr .
`` He has spoken out against the Nice bombings , which affected civilians , but maintains that the Charlie Hebdo attack was legitimate , '' Nasr said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , '' Omsen said .
`` But I never called for attacks in France and I even prevented them , '' the jihadist recruiter said .

EXCLUSIVE
French jihadists are fighting in the Battle of Idlib against the Syrian regime. They are following orders from the French jihadi recruiter Omar Omsen, who claimed independence from the Islamic State (IS) group and al Qaeda.
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Images show that dozens of French jihadists are active in Syria in the battle of Idlib.
"There are a few dozen people who have been in the area since 2013 and who have set up a camp on the Syrian-Turkish border," said FRANCE 24's Wassim Nasr, a specialist in jihadist networks, who spoke for two hours via Skype with French recruiter Omar Omsen, the head of the jihadist group Furkat-al-Ghuraba. Women and children are also there.
Having pledged allegiance to al Qaeda upon arrival in Syria, these French jihadists "reclaimed their independence in 2018", according to Omar Omsen. Omsen maintains complicated relationships with local jihadi leaders and holds paradoxical positions, according to Nasr. "He has spoken out against the Nice bombings, which affected civilians, but maintains that the Charlie Hebdo attack was legitimate," Nasr said.
"France has put a price on my head," Omsen said. "But I never called for attacks in France and I even prevented them," the jihadist recruiter said.
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france24--2020-02-28--Asia Bibi, Pakistani Christian woman jailed for blasphemy: 'I forgave all those who harmed me'

Asia Bibi , Pakistani Christian woman jailed for blasphemy : ' I forgave all those who harmed me' Pakistani Christian @ @ @ @ @ 24 ’ s Marc Perelman on the eve of her meeting with French President Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ for blasphemy in 2010 and acquitted eight years later , Asia Bibi looks back on @ @ @ @ @ arrest , as well as on the ordeals endured over the ten years she spent @ @ @ @ @ Now exiled , she hopes ‘ to come back someday ’ in her country , @ @ @ @ @ Minister Imran Khan to abrogate Pakistan ’ s blasphemy law .

Asia Bibi, Pakistani Christian woman jailed for blasphemy: 'I forgave all those who harmed me'
11:54 Asia Bibi © FRANCE 24
Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi spoke to FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman on the eve of her meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010 and acquitted eight years later, Asia Bibi looks back on the argument that caused her arrest, as well as on the ordeals endured over the ten years she spent in jail in Pakistan. Now exiled, she hopes ‘to come back someday’ in her country, and called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to abrogate Pakistan’s blasphemy law.


france24--2020-02-28--Fire breaks out at Paris's Gare de Lyon train station during protests over Congelese singer

Paris police reported a fire Friday near the Gare de Lyon train station , which was partially evacuated amid violent protests against a Congolese singer due to give a concert nearby .
“ Avoid the area and allow the emergency services to intervene , ” the police said on Twitter , adding later the fire had been brought under control and was “ being extinguished.
” Police said they had intervened to stop protesters who set alight garbage bins and scooters , releasing a thick , black smoke cloud over the city centre .
The police on Twitter reported “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ban on protesting on the sidelines of a concert ” .
It posted a video of what it said was “ scandalous behaviour ” by protesters shown wielding large roadworks barriers to prevent firefighters from getting to the blaze .
The SCNF train service operator said the underground section of the Gare de Lyon was evacuated as a precautionary measure .
Train traffic was severely disrupted .
Outside the station , AFP witnessed a dozen firetrucks at work amid the smouldering wrecks of about 30 vehicles , mainly scooters .
Police had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris , not far from the station , where Congolese artist Fally Ipupa was to give a concert .
Congolese expats regularly speak out against artists from home who perform in France or Belgium , accusing them of being close to former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila and his successor Felix Tshisekedi .
Outside the arena , Ipupa backers and Congolese opposition faced off , exchanging insults .
Twenty-three arrests were made .
“ With their music , they ( the Congolese government ) are bringing an entire people to their side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , ” opponent Willy Dendebe told AFP at the scene .
“ I have been here ( in France ) for 30 years because of them !
Thirty years and we let them be here in France as if nothing has happened .
So yes , we are angry !
” Lwangi Bienvenu , a fan who travelled from Belgium for the concert , observed the chaos from his hotel near the Gare de Lyon .
“ It ’ s a shame .
He ’ s Congolese , we should all be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the singer .
“ People will talk about the bad inside us .
They put people in danger and they will now surely cancel the concert.
” A 2017 concert by Ipupa was cancelled by police citing risks for “ serious disturbances to the public order.
” ( AFP )

The Gare de Lyon train station was partially evacuated on Friday and dozens of people were arrested amid violent protests against a Congolese singer due to give a concert nearby.
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“Avoid the area and allow the emergency services to intervene,” the police said on Twitter, adding later the fire had been brought under control and was “being extinguished.”
Police said they had intervened to stop protesters who set alight garbage bins and scooters, releasing a thick, black smoke cloud over the city centre.
The Congolese singer Fally Ipupa was to give a concert at the AccorHotels Arena, which is not far from the station. Police had banned any protests around the concert.
The police on Twitter reported “unacceptable violence by people who have violated the ban on protesting on the sidelines of a concert”.
It posted a video of what it said was “scandalous behaviour” by protesters shown wielding large roadworks barriers to prevent firefighters from getting to the blaze.
Comportement scandaleux des manifestants qui empêchent les @PompiersParis d’accéder à l'incendie. https://t.co/zMYNv04Ykt — Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) February 28, 2020
The SNCF train service operator said the underground section of the Gare de Lyon was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Train traffic was severely disrupted.
Outside the station, AFP witnessed a dozen firetrucks at work amid the smouldering wrecks of about 30 vehicles, mainly scooters.
Congolese expats regularly speak out against artists from home who perform in France or Belgium, accusing them of being close to former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila and his successor Felix Tshisekedi, who took office in January 2019. Many see Tshisekedi as an extension of his predecessor.
Outside the arena, Ipupa backers and Congolese opposition faced off, exchanging insults. The police said that 30 people were arrested and 54 fined for participating in a banned protest.
“With their music, they (the Congolese government) are bringing an entire people to their side while they slaughter and rape women and children,” opponent Willy Dendebe told AFP at the scene.
“I have been here (in France) for 30 years because of them! Thirty years and we let them be here in France as if nothing has happened. So yes, we are angry!”
Last month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the Congolese army and other state agents committed rights violations in the conflict-wracked central African country.
Just days earlier, Amnesty International delivered a damning assessment of Tshisekedi's government, saying "insecurity and impunity continue to threaten human rights progress" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lwangi Bienvenu, a fan who travelled from Belgium for the concert, observed the chaos from his hotel near the Gare de Lyon.
“It’s a shame. He’s Congolese, we should all be behind him,” Bienvenu said of the singer. “People will talk about the bad inside us. They put people in danger and they will now surely cancel the concert.”
A 2017 concert by Ipupa was cancelled by police citing risks for “serious disturbances to the public order.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-02-28--Bangladesh: The police’s dirty war on drug yaba

The government of Bangladesh has declared war against yaba , a cheap synthetic drug that is ravaging Asia .
But @ @ @ @ @ : according to eye-witnesses , dealers are killed on sight while the executions look like @ @ @ @ @ .
Our correspondent went to investigate this dirty war on yaba with law enforcement and @ @ @ @ @ victims .

Bangladesh: The police’s dirty war on drug yaba
16:33 Reporters © FRANCE 24
By: Charles EMPTAZ
The government of Bangladesh has declared war against yaba, a cheap synthetic drug that is ravaging Asia. But the police act with impunity: according to eye-witnesses, dealers are killed on sight while the executions look like accidental "crossfire shootings". Our correspondent went to investigate this dirty war on yaba with law enforcement and met with families of the victims.


france24--2020-03-01--Syria claims two military jets shot down by Turkey as tensions spike

Turkey said Sunday it was continuing a military operation against the Russian-backed Syrian regime in Syria 's northwestern Idlib region but insisted it did not wish to clash with Moscow .
Though Turkey has reported striking targets in Syria since dozens of its troops were killed there Thursday , it was the first confirmation of a full and continuing operation .
`` Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib , operation 'Spring Shield ' successfully continues , '' Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a televised speech .
`` We do n't have the desire or intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister added .
Thirty-four Turkish troops have been killed in Syria since Thursday .
`` Our intention is to stop the regime 's massacres , and prevent ... migration , '' he said .
`` We expect Russia to stop the regime 's attacks and to use their influence to ensure the regime withdraws to the borders of the Sochi agreement . ''
Syria ’ s official news agency said that two of its warplanes were downed by Turkey in the airspace over the Idlib region on Sunday .
The announcement came just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airspace for flights and drones in the northwest of the country .
Turkey has 12 observation posts established in rebel-held Idlib following a 2018 deal between Ankara and Moscow signed in the Black Sea resort of Sochi .
But the regime recently has pressed ahead with an assault , killing hundreds of civilians and forcing nearly a million to flee from their homes in the region .
Rebel-supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia previously worked closely to prevent a regime offensive in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned Damascus to get behind the agreed borders otherwise Ankara would use military force to push the regime back .
Akar said Turkish forces had destroyed dozens of tanks , helicopters and howitzers , adding 2,212 regime troops had been `` neutralised '' .
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor , 26 Syrian soldiers were killed in Turkish drone strikes on Saturday .
Erdogan on Saturday called on Russia to `` get out of our way '' in Idlib and leave Turkey `` face to face with the regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has strained relations between Ankara and Moscow but Erdogan will likely meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on Thursday or Friday , according to the Kremlin .
( FRANCE 24 with AFP , AP )

Turkish drone strikes in Syria's Idlib province killed 19 regime soldiers on Sunday, a war monitor reported, as tensions soared between Damascus and Ankara.
Smoke billows over the village of Qaminas, about 6 kilometres southeast of Idlib city in northwestern Syria, following reported Russian air strikes in northwestern Syria on March 1, 2020.
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The 19 died in strikes on a military convoy in the Jabal al-Zawiya area and a base near Maaret al-Numan city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The report came hours after Turkey shot down two Syrian warplanes, in an escalating offensive against the Damascus regime in the country's northwestern province of Idlib.
Following weeks of violence in and around Idlib, Turkey confirmed the launch of a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces after 34 Turkish soldiers died last week in an air strike blamed on Damascus.
Tensions have intensified between rebel backer Turkey and the regime's main ally Moscow, but Ankara has insisted it does not want to clash directly with Russian forces.
Turkey has also pressured Europe over the conflict by opening its border for migrants already in Turkey to cross into the continent.
The confrontation between Syrian forces and NATO-member Turkey has prompted worries over a wider conflict and a migrant crisis in Europe similar to that of 2015.
Turkey has 12 observation posts established in rebel-held Idlib following a 2018 deal between Ankara and Moscow signed in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
But the regime recently has pressed ahead with an assault, killing hundreds of civilians and forcing nearly a million to flee from their homes in the region.
Rebel-supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia previously worked closely to prevent a regime offensive in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war.
Erdogan on Saturday called on Russia to "get out of our way" in Idlib and leave Turkey "face to face with the regime" in Idlib.
The latest developments has strained relations between Ankara and Moscow but the Kremlin hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks in Moscow on March 5 or March 6, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday, Interfax news agency reported.
The talks will not be easy, but both leaders confirm their focus on resolving the situation in Syria’s Idlib region, where the two countries are backing opposing sides in a conflict, Peskov said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-01--Biden sets sights on Super Tuesday after big win in South Carolina primary

Former US vice president Joe Biden won the South Carolina primaries by a huge margin , his first primary victory and a chance at beating rival Bernie Sanders to the Democratic ticket for the 2020 presidential race .
Biden scored 48.5 % of the vote .
Sanders came in second with 19.9 % , and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer placed third with 11.4 % .
With a total of 54 South Carolina delegates in the offing , Biden picked up 36 to Sanders ’ 11 , with the remainder uncommitted .
Under primary rules , any given candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 15 % of the vote in each delegate pool to win any delegates at all .
Only Biden and Sanders managed to meet that threshold in South Carolina .
The vote marked Biden ’ s first primary victory of the election season , as well as the last major event on the election calendar before the crucially decisive Super Tuesday , which falls on March 3 , on which primaries take place in 14 US States as well as American Samoa , and Democrats Abroad .
Biden ’ s win came at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate Democrat bounced back from lacklustre performances in the three previous primaries -- , , and .
`` For all of those who have been knocked down , counted out , left behind - this is your campaign , '' Biden told a victory party in Columbia , South Carolina .
“ We need you , we want you , there ’ s a place for you in this campaign .
If Democrats nominate me , I believe we can beat Donald Trump.
” In terms of the US Presidential election calendar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to hold a primary , and it is generally considered a bellwether for how other southern states will vote in future primaries .
It is also considered an indicator of a candidate ’ s overall popularity with African-American voters nationwide .
Biden received a boost on Wednesday from the endorsement of James Clyburn , a South Carolina congressman and the highest-ranking African American in the House of Representatives , the US lower house .
The polls also found about six out of 10 South Carolina voters said influential black congressman James Clyburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a factor in their decision .
Exit polls showed Biden beating Sanders among a broad range of demographic and ideological groups , including those who identified themselves as `` very liberal '' -- a surprise , since it was assumed that the far-left would uniformly support Sanders , a self-described Social Democrat .
Biden ’ s allies almost immediately cast the South Carolina victory as proof that he should stand as the clear alternative to Sanders .
Steyer bows out After exit poll results had environmentalist candidate Tom Steyer coming in third , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid for the Democratic ticket and pulling out of the presidential race .
In South Carolina , the billionaire activist had spent more than $ 19 million on television advertising — more than all the other candidates combined .
South Carolina was his strongest showing yet in a 2020 Democratic nominating contest , but he was far behind winner Joe Biden and second-place finisher Bernie Sanders .
`` Honestly , I ca n't see a path where I can win the presidency , '' Steyer told supporters in South Carolina .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a great experience , I have zero regrets .
Meeting you and the people of America has been a highlight of my life . ''
The 62-year-old former hedge fund manager from San Francisco portrayed himself as a political outsider and blasted corporate money in U.S. politics in July , when he joined a field of two dozen Democrats seeking to .
Sanders focusing on Super Tuesday Sanders was spending the lead-up to Super Tuesday campaigning in the home states of two major Democratic rivals , betting he can score a double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of their victories .
In a power play , Sanders hosted a midday rally Saturday in downtown Boston , campaigning in the heart of liberal ally Elizabeth Warren ’ s political turf .
Addressing a crowd of thousands on the Boston Common , Sanders said his success in the Democratic primary means “ the establishment is getting very nervous ” — but he never predicted victory in South Carolina .
Sanders congratulated Biden on his first win and said it was nothing for his own supporters to worry about .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina .
That will not be the only defeat .
A lot of states in this country .
Nobody wins them all , ” he told a cheering crowd in Virginia , one of 14 states to vote next week .
“ Now we enter Super Tuesday.
” After two consecutive victories and a tie for the lead in Iowa , his confidence is surging .
Biden ’ s second wind Saturday was all about Biden and whether he might convince anxious establishment Democrats to rally behind him at last .
Elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been reluctant to support him after bad finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second place in Nevada last week .
Yet fearing Sanders ’ polarizing progressive priorities , they ’ re still searching for an alternative who ’ s viewed as a safer bet to defeat Trump in November .
Senior Biden adviser Symone Sanders called South Carolina a “ springboard ” for the campaign , on par with how the state boosted the presidential aspirations of Barack Obama in 2008 and Clinton in 2016 .
‘ A long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair Tom Perez cautioned Democrats that it ’ s still early in their presidential primary .
Speaking at a North Carolina Democratic Party fundraising gala , Perez noted that to win the nomination , a Democrat must win 1,991 delegates — and only a fraction of those have been allocated in the party ’ s first four primaries .
“ We have a long way to go , ” Perez said .
( FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS )

Former US vice president Joe Biden won the South Carolina primaries by a huge margin, his first primary victory and a chance at beating rival Bernie Sanders to the Democratic ticket for the 2020 presidential race.
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Biden scored 48.5% of the vote. Sanders came in second with 19.9%, and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer placed third with 11.4%.
With a total of 54 South Carolina delegates in the offing, Biden picked up 36 to Sanders’ 11, with the remainder uncommitted. Under primary rules, any given candidate, regardless of ranking, must win at least 15% of the vote in each delegate pool to win any delegates at all. Only Biden and Sanders managed to meet that threshold in South Carolina.
The vote marked Biden’s first primary victory of the election season, as well as the last major event on the election calendar before the crucially decisive Super Tuesday, which falls on March 3, on which primaries take place in 14 US States as well as American Samoa, and Democrats Abroad.
Biden’s win came at a do-or-die moment in his 2020 bid as the moderate Democrat bounced back from lacklustre performances in the three previous primaries -- Iowa , New Hampshire , and Nevada .
"For all of those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind - this is your campaign," Biden told a victory party in Columbia, South Carolina. “We need you, we want you, there’s a place for you in this campaign. If Democrats nominate me, I believe we can beat Donald Trump.”
In terms of the US Presidential election calendar, South Carolina is the first Southern US state to hold a primary, and it is generally considered a bellwether for how other southern states will vote in future primaries. It is also considered an indicator of a candidate’s overall popularity with African-American voters nationwide. Biden received a boost on Wednesday from the endorsement of James Clyburn, a South Carolina congressman and the highest-ranking African American in the House of Representatives, the US lower house.
The polls also found about six out of 10 South Carolina voters said influential black congressman James Clyburn's endorsement of Biden on Wednesday was a factor in their decision.
A 25+ point win for @JoeBiden in the #SouthCarolinaPrimary is a massive, inarguable repudiation of @BernieSanders by the heart of the Democratic base --
African-American Voters. — Fernand R. Amandi (@AmandiOnAir) March 1, 2020
Exit polls showed Biden beating Sanders among a broad range of demographic and ideological groups, including those who identified themselves as "very liberal"--a surprise, since it was assumed that the far-left would uniformly support Sanders, a self-described Social Democrat.
Biden’s allies almost immediately cast the South Carolina victory as proof that he should stand as the clear alternative to Sanders.
Steyer bows out
After exit poll results had environmentalist candidate Tom Steyer coming in third, the latter announced he was ending his bid for the Democratic ticket and pulling out of the presidential race. In South Carolina, the billionaire activist had spent more than $19 million on television advertising — more than all the other candidates combined.
South Carolina was his strongest showing yet in a 2020 Democratic nominating contest, but he was far behind winner Joe Biden and second-place finisher Bernie Sanders.
"Honestly, I can't see a path where I can win the presidency," Steyer told supporters in South Carolina.
"I love you very much, this has been a great experience, I have zero regrets. Meeting you and the people of America has been a highlight of my life."
The 62-year-old former hedge fund manager from San Francisco portrayed himself as a political outsider and blasted corporate money in U.S. politics in July, when he joined a field of two dozen Democrats seeking to deny US President Donald Trump a second term .
Thank you @TomSteyer for running a campaign to bring the crisis of climate change to the forefront of our national conversation. I look forward to working together to defeat Donald Trump in November. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 1, 2020
Sanders focusing on Super Tuesday
Sanders was spending the lead-up to Super Tuesday campaigning in the home states of two major Democratic rivals, betting he can score a double knockout blow — or at least limit the size of their victories.
In a power play, Sanders hosted a midday rally Saturday in downtown Boston, campaigning in the heart of liberal ally Elizabeth Warren’s political turf. Addressing a crowd of thousands on the Boston Common, Sanders said his success in the Democratic primary means “the establishment is getting very nervous” — but he never predicted victory in South Carolina.
Sanders congratulated Biden on his first win and said it was nothing for his own supporters to worry about.
“Tonight, we did not win in South Carolina. That will not be the only defeat. A lot of states in this country. Nobody wins them all,” he told a cheering crowd in Virginia, one of 14 states to vote next week. “Now we enter Super Tuesday.”
After two consecutive victories and a tie for the lead in Iowa, his confidence is surging.
Biden’s second wind
Saturday was all about Biden and whether he might convince anxious establishment Democrats to rally behind him at last.
Elected officials inclined to embrace his moderate politics had been reluctant to support him after bad finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second place in Nevada last week. Yet fearing Sanders’ polarizing progressive priorities, they’re still searching for an alternative who’s viewed as a safer bet to defeat Trump in November.
Senior Biden adviser Symone Sanders called South Carolina a “springboard” for the campaign, on par with how the state boosted the presidential aspirations of Barack Obama in 2008 and Clinton in 2016.
‘A long way to go’
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez cautioned Democrats that it’s still early in their presidential primary.
Speaking at a North Carolina Democratic Party fundraising gala, Perez noted that to win the nomination, a Democrat must win 1,991 delegates — and only a fraction of those have been allocated in the party’s first four primaries.
“We have a long way to go,” Perez said.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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