france24--2020-03-02--Five soldiers killed in checkpoint attack in central Mali

Troops of the Malian army patrol the ancient town of Djenne in central Mali on February 28 , 2020 .
Five Malian soldiers were killed when militants armed with rocket launchers attacked a checkpoint in a central region of the conflict-torn nation , a military source and local official said Monday .
`` At least five soldiers were killed on Sunday in Mondoro during a jihadist attack , '' said a source from the Mali army base in Mopti , the largest town in the region , adding that the assailants had also `` suffered losses '' .
A local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault `` using rocket launchers fired at parked military vehicles '' .
The official said the Malian air force then bombed jihadist positions , adding that the clashes lasted for an hour .
`` I do n't know the number of jihadists killed but there are victims , '' the official said .
A local association on Monday expressed concern over the possible withdrawal of troops from Mondoro , where one soldier was killed and three others wounded on February 14 .
The camps at Mondoro and Boulkessi , near the border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks in September that left at least 40 soldiers dead .
`` According to information received , the soldiers are threatening to leave Mondoro ... if they execute this decision , the terrorists will take control not only of Mondoro but the entire area of Douentza , '' said Oumar Ongoiba , an official with the Association for the Development of Mondoro , underscoring the strategic importance of the zone .
The September attacks on Mondoro and Boulkessi were claimed by the GSIM , the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel region affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibrahim Boubacar Keita hopes to negotiate .

Five Malian soldiers were killed when militants armed with rocket launchers attacked a checkpoint in a central region of the conflict-torn nation, a military source and local official said Monday.
Troops of the Malian army patrol the ancient town of Djenne in central Mali on February 28, 2020.
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"At least five soldiers were killed on Sunday in Mondoro during a jihadist attack," said a source from the Mali army base in Mopti, the largest town in the region, adding that the assailants had also "suffered losses".
A local official said the militants had launched the assault "using rocket launchers fired at parked military vehicles".
The official said the Malian air force then bombed jihadist positions, adding that the clashes lasted for an hour.
"I don't know the number of jihadists killed but there are victims," the official said.
A local association on Monday expressed concern over the possible withdrawal of troops from Mondoro, where one soldier was killed and three others wounded on February 14.
The camps at Mondoro and Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, were targeted in twin attacks in September that left at least 40 soldiers dead.
"According to information received, the soldiers are threatening to leave Mondoro... if they execute this decision, the terrorists will take control not only of Mondoro but the entire area of Douentza," said Oumar Ongoiba, an official with the Association for the Development of Mondoro, underscoring the strategic importance of the zone.
The September attacks on Mondoro and Boulkessi were claimed by the GSIM, the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel region affiliated to Al-Qaeda, with which Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita hopes to negotiate.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-02--Super Tuesday: Klobuchar, Buttigieg to back Biden after dropping out of presidential race

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s Democratic presidential bid picked up steam on Monday as he was set to pick up the endorsements of two former 2020 rivals - Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg - on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections .
Buttigieg threw his support to Biden at an emotional appearance at a Dallas restaurant , while Klobuchar delivered a barnstorm of a speech at a rally , reminiscent of the types politicians give at their party conventions when anointing their presidential nominees .
`` Joe Biden has dedicated his life to fighting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introducing Biden at the rally in Dallas on Monday night .
`` Not for the rich and powerful , but for the mom , for the farmer , for the dreamer , for the veteran .
He can bring our country together . ''
Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , and the first openly gay presidential candidate , said earlier in Dallas that he was `` delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden . ''
“ He is somebody of such extraordinary grace and kindness and empathy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that Buttigieg , 38 , `` reminds me of my son Beau , '' who died in 2015 , adding : `` To me , it is the highest compliment you can give any man or woman.
” Former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke , another former candidate for the Democratic nomination , also endorsed Biden , appearing to cheers as a surprise guest at the rally in Dallas .
Biden is fresh off a resounding victory in Saturday 's South Carolina primary and is aiming for a strong showing on Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist , who many centrist Democrats fear can not win against Republican President Donald Trump in November .
But Biden still faces a challenge from billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg among voters hoping the party will nominate a moderate to face Trump .
Bloomberg , a late entrant to the race , will make his ballot-box debut when 14 states vote on Super Tuesday .
He is betting the $ 500 million of his own money he has poured into his campaign will allow him to make up for not competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
He said on Monday the most likely scenario was that no Democratic candidate would win a majority of delegates and that picking the nominee could come down to `` horse trading '' at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee in July .
Asked at a Fox News town hall if a contested convention lay in his path to the nomination , Bloomberg said : `` That is the way that it would work I would guess . ''
The Super Tuesday contests offer the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win the party 's nomination at its national convention in July , with about 1,357 delegates , or nearly one-third of the total number , up for grabs .
Fourteen states - California , Texas , Virginia , Massachusetts , Tennessee , Alabama , Arkansas , Oklahoma , Minnesota , Vermont , Colorado , Utah , North Carolina and Maine - as well as American Samoa and Democrats living abroad cast ballots on Tuesday .
( The primary for expatriate Americans is scheduled to run through March 10 . )
Five candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii - remain in the running for the Democratic nomination , down from more than 20 earlier in the campaign .
Bloomberg and Biden have emerged as the main contenders for the votes of moderate Democrats , while Sanders , a senator from Vermont , is the progressive front-runner nationally , eclipsing Warren .
Biden 's high-stakes triumph in South Carolina , where his campaign had said his popularity with black voters would propel him to victory after early disappointing finishes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field .
Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer also gave up his campaign on Saturday after a third-place finish in the Southern state in which he had invested most heavily .
Sanders ' momentum might not be easily slowed .
On Monday , his campaign played down the efforts by moderates to present a united front .
`` The establishment is nervous , not because we ca n't beat Trump , but because we will , '' said Sanders ' campaign manager , Faiz Shakir .
`` And when we do , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the working class . ''
It was not immediately clear who would immediately benefit from the departures of Buttigieg and Klobuchar .
A Morning Consult poll taken Feb. 23 to 27 , for example , before Buttigieg exited the race , showed that 21 % of his supporters named Sanders as their second choice , 19 % picked Biden , another 19 % chose Warren and 17 % favored Bloomberg .
Biden still lags his rivals in spending and organization in Super Tuesday states and beyond , but his campaign said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 million over the preceding two days .
Endorsements of the former vice president from elected officials and community leaders poured in on Monday .
Backing from Ohio Democrats including Representative Marcia Fudge and former Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory added to endorsements from Senator Tim Kaine and state House of Delegates Majority Leader Charniele Herring of Virginia .
In Colorado , Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has backed Biden .
In California , Representative Gil Cisneros is supporting the former vice president .

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Democratic presidential bid picked up steam on Monday as he was set to pick up the endorsements of two former 2020 rivals - Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg - on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections.
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Buttigieg threw his support to Biden at an emotional appearance at a Dallas restaurant, while Klobuchar delivered a barnstorm of a speech at a rally, reminiscent of the types politicians give at their party conventions when anointing their presidential nominees.
"Joe Biden has dedicated his life to fighting for people," Klobuchar said, before introducing Biden at the rally in Dallas on Monday night.
"Not for the rich and powerful, but for the mom, for the farmer, for the dreamer, for the veteran. He can bring our country together."
03:01
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the first openly gay presidential candidate, said earlier in Dallas that he was "delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden."
“He is somebody of such extraordinary grace and kindness and empathy.”
The only way we beat Trump is through a politics that reflects the decency of the American people. It’s what we sought to practice in my campaign—and it’s what @JoeBiden has practiced his whole life.
I'm proud to stand with the VP and help make him our next Commander-in-Chief. pic.twitter.com/Y9SqDLZS0g — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 3, 2020
Biden, 77, in turn, told reporters that Buttigieg, 38, "reminds me of my son Beau," who died in 2015, adding: "To me, it is the highest compliment you can give any man or woman.”
04:42
Former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, another former candidate for the Democratic nomination, also endorsed Biden, appearing to cheers as a surprise guest at the rally in Dallas.
Biden is fresh off a resounding victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary and is aiming for a strong showing on Super Tuesday against Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, who many centrist Democrats fear cannot win against Republican President Donald Trump in November.
But Biden still faces a challenge from billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg among voters hoping the party will nominate a moderate to face Trump.
Bloomberg, a late entrant to the race, will make his ballot-box debut when 14 states vote on Super Tuesday. He is betting the $500 million of his own money he has poured into his campaign will allow him to make up for not competing in the first nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
He said on Monday the most likely scenario was that no Democratic candidate would win a majority of delegates and that picking the nominee could come down to "horse trading" at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee in July.
Asked at a Fox News town hall if a contested convention lay in his path to the nomination, Bloomberg said: "That is the way that it would work I would guess."
02:08
The Super Tuesday contests offer the biggest one-day haul of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the party's nomination at its national convention in July, with about 1,357 delegates, or nearly one-third of the total number, up for grabs.
Fourteen states - California, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Vermont, Colorado, Utah, North Carolina and Maine - as well as American Samoa and Democrats living abroad cast ballots on Tuesday. (The primary for expatriate Americans is scheduled to run through March 10.)
Five candidates - Biden, Bloomberg, Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii - remain in the running for the Democratic nomination, down from more than 20 earlier in the campaign.
Bloomberg and Biden have emerged as the main contenders for the votes of moderate Democrats, while Sanders, a senator from Vermont, is the progressive front-runner nationally, eclipsing Warren.
Biden's momentum
Biden's high-stakes triumph in South Carolina, where his campaign had said his popularity with black voters would propel him to victory after early disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, helped winnow the field.
Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer also gave up his campaign on Saturday after a third-place finish in the Southern state in which he had invested most heavily.
Sanders' momentum might not be easily slowed. On Monday, his campaign played down the efforts by moderates to present a united front.
"The establishment is nervous, not because we can't beat Trump, but because we will," said Sanders' campaign manager, Faiz Shakir. "And when we do, the Democratic Party will again be a party of the working class."
It was not immediately clear who would immediately benefit from the departures of Buttigieg and Klobuchar. A Morning Consult poll taken Feb. 23 to 27, for example, before Buttigieg exited the race, showed that 21% of his supporters named Sanders as their second choice, 19% picked Biden, another 19% chose Warren and 17% favored Bloomberg.
What’s missing from our politics right now? Empathy. Caring. A sacred trust between the citizens and their President.
That’s what @JoeBiden will restore.
Joe Biden knows you, and he’s going to fight for you. pic.twitter.com/eT4TI5Wwhi — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 3, 2020
Biden still lags his rivals in spending and organization in Super Tuesday states and beyond, but his campaign said on Sunday it had raised more than $10 million over the preceding two days.
Endorsements of the former vice president from elected officials and community leaders poured in on Monday.
Backing from Ohio Democrats including Representative Marcia Fudge and former Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory added to endorsements from Senator Tim Kaine and state House of Delegates Majority Leader Charniele Herring of Virginia.
In Colorado, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has backed Biden. In California, Representative Gil Cisneros is supporting the former vice president.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-02--Netanyahu claims victory in Israeli election but lacks governing majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious Tuesday after Israel 's third election in a year despite a looming corruption trial , dismaying the Palestinians who were angered by his hardline campaign pledges .
On the basis of initial projections by Israel 's three main television channels , Netanyahu , head of the right-wing Likud party , claimed victory in Monday 's vote over his main challenger , former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White .
The central election committee said it had counted 90 percent of the vote , with breakdowns of the result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 36 seats in Israel 's 120-member parliament .
That would mark the party 's best-ever result under Netanyahu , Israel 's longest-serving prime minister and its first to be indicted in office .
Netanyahu 's bloc , which includes ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties , is likely still one or two votes short of a majority , but his party spokesman said it was confident of luring defectors .
Likud 's main challenger , the centrist Blue and White party , was projected to win 32 seats .
Netanyahu 's victory , after inconclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony to the political durability of Israel 's longest-serving leader , who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial .
It would also pave the way for Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex , after the election , Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank , and the region 's Jordan Valley , under a peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump .
Palestinians have rejected the proposal , saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1967 Middle East war .
During an acrimonious campaign which focused more on character than on policy , right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led government .
Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman `` security-first '' platform , familiar to Israeli voters over decades , and his loyal base of blue-collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout , seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial .
`` What a joyous night , '' a beaming Netanyahu told a cheering crowd in a speech at Likud 's election headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially sweet , because it is a victory against all odds ... We turned lemons into lemonade . ''
Gantz , in an address at his party 's election headquarters , stopped short of conceding defeat , saying the election could result in another deadlock .
`` I will tell you honestly , I understand and share the feeling of disappointment and pain because it is not the result we wanted , '' he said .
Netanyahu 's re-election bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favourable press coverage , and that he wrongfully received gifts .
The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17 .
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing .
During the campaign , Gantz termed Netanyahu `` the defendant '' , accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial .
Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz , 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he would need Arab politicians ' support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands .
In the previous election , in September , Blue and White edged past Likud , taking 33 seats to its rival 's 32 , but Gantz , like Netanyahu , was unable to put together a ruling coalition .
`` While we need to wait for the final results , there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democracy Institute .
`` Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity , '' he said .
Netanyahu , responded to the projections earlier on Monday evening by tweeting that the results were `` a huge victory for Israel '' , also saying “ Thank you ” with a heart emoji .
In the final days of the campaign , opinion polls had forecast further deadlock , but turnout was high , at 71 percent , despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have recently travelled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots , voted at special polling stations wearing face masks and gloves .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious Tuesday after Israel's third election in a year despite a looming corruption trial, dismaying the Palestinians who were angered by his hardline campaign pledges.
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On the basis of initial projections by Israel's three main television channels, Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, claimed victory in Monday's vote over his main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White.
The central election committee said it had counted 90 percent of the vote, with breakdowns of the result in the media showing Netanyahu's Likud party with 36 seats in Israel's 120-member parliament.
That would mark the party's best-ever result under Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister and its first to be indicted in office.
Netanyahu's bloc, which includes ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, is likely still one or two votes short of a majority, but his party spokesman said it was confident of luring defectors. Likud's main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party, was projected to win 32 seats.
Netanyahu's victory, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, is testimony to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial.
It would also pave the way for Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the region's Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump.
Palestinians have rejected the proposal, saying it was killing their dream of establishing a viable state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
During an acrimonious campaign which focused more on character than on policy, right-wing and religious parties had pledged to join a Likud-led government.
Netanyahu campaigned vigorously on his strongman "security-first" platform, familiar to Israeli voters over decades, and his loyal base of blue-collar voters has stood firmly behind him throughout, seemingly unfazed by his imminent trial.
"What a joyous night," a beaming Netanyahu told a cheering crowd in a speech at Likud's election headquarters in Tel Aviv. "This victory is especially sweet, because it is a victory against all odds ... We turned lemons into lemonade."
Gantz, in an address at his party's election headquarters, stopped short of conceding defeat, saying the election could result in another deadlock.
"I will tell you honestly, I understand and share the feeling of disappointment and pain because it is not the result we wanted," he said.
Criminal charges
Netanyahu's re-election bid has been complicated since the last election by his indictment on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud over allegations he granted state favours worth millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for favourable press coverage, and that he wrongfully received gifts.
The first trial of a sitting prime minister in Israel is due to begin on March 17. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
During the campaign, Gantz termed Netanyahu "the defendant", accusing him of seeking to retain power to promote legislation that would bar authorities from putting a serving prime minister on trial.
Netanyahu has portrayed Gantz, 60, as a "coward", saying he would need Arab politicians' support in parliament to form a government and that they would tie his hands.
In the previous election, in September, Blue and White edged past Likud, taking 33 seats to its rival's 32, but Gantz, like Netanyahu, was unable to put together a ruling coalition.
"While we need to wait for the final results, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Netanyahu has won a significant political mandate from the Israeli people," said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. "Israelis voiced their support for the man they perceive to have brought them security and prosperity," he said.
Netanyahu, responded to the projections earlier on Monday evening by tweeting that the results were "a huge victory for Israel", also saying “Thank you” with a heart emoji.
תודה ❤ — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 2, 2020
In the final days of the campaign, opinion polls had forecast further deadlock, but turnout was high, at 71 percent, despite concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus.
Voters under home-quarantine, such as those who have recently travelled back to Israel from coronavirus hot spots, voted at special polling stations wearing face masks and gloves.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-03-03--France shuts dozens of schools in areas hit by coronavirus

Students and their parents wearing a face mask arrive at a school in Crepy-en-Valois , in northern France , on March 3 , 2020 , while tests are carried out following the death of a 60-year-old teacher who worked at the school .
French officials have closed about 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections , and more could be shuttered in the coming days , Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Tuesday .
Both primary and secondary schools have been shut in the Oise department north of Paris , where the main cluster of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people who have died of the virus lived .
Officials have reported 191 coronavirus cases in France so far , and three deaths .
The Oise closures are affecting about 35,000 pupils , Blanquer told LCI television , while an additional 9,000 have been told to stay home in the Morbihan department of Brittany on the Atlantic coast .
One class of some 20 students has been suspended in Montreuil , a suburb just east of Paris , after a pupil tested positive for the virus , Blanquer said .
The Oise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Morbihan authorities have ordered doors shut until at least March 14 .
`` These figures are evolving quickly , '' Blanquer said , adding : `` There could be similar measures taken in the coming days '' at other schools .
Authorities have already halted all class trips outside the country , and prohibited any gatherings of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces .
Schools are increasing stocks of soap for washing hands , but Blanquer said there were no plans to order a nationwide school shutdown , for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confine everyone , to paralyse the country , it would be counter-productive , '' he said .
President Emmanuel Macron , who is scheduled to visit the health ministry 's crisis management centre on Tuesday , has called off several events this week as France scrambles to contain the outbreak .
Contagion fears have led to shortages of sanitising hand gels and facemasks , with suppliers racing to replenish stocks even though much of the production is in China , where authorities have closed thousands of factories after the coronavirus emerged there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also soared , with one French producer , STIL , relaunching production at its factory south of Paris for the first time in 15 years after having moved manufacturing to Chinese partners .
`` We ca n't do without China completely , but with this coronavirus the balance could shift for French companies to not be completely reliant '' on Chinese producers , STIL 's president Gerard Lux told AFP .
The coronavirus epidemic shut down the Louvre museum for a second day on Monday , with workers who guard its famous trove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the museum 's flow of tourists from around the world .
It was not clear whether the world 's busiest museum , which is closed on Tuesdays , would reopen the next day .
Other events to have been cancelled include the French capital ’ s annual book fair , Livre Paris , which was expected to bring some 160,000 visitors to Paris later this month .

French officials have closed about 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections, and more could be shuttered in the coming days, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Tuesday.
Students and their parents wearing a face mask arrive at a school in Crepy-en-Valois, in northern France, on March 3, 2020, while tests are carried out following the death of a 60-year-old teacher who worked at the school.
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Both primary and secondary schools have been shut in the Oise department north of Paris, where the main cluster of French cases has emerged, and where two people who have died of the virus lived.
On Tuesday, the government reported a total of 204 cases, up 13 from the previous day, and a total of four deaths, up from the previous total of three. The latest person to die was a 92-year-old man in Brittany.
The Oise closures are affecting about 35,000 pupils, Blanquer told LCI television, while an additional 9,000 have been told to stay home in the Morbihan department of Brittany on the Atlantic coast.
One class of some 20 students has been suspended in Montreuil, a suburb just east of Paris, after a pupil tested positive for the virus, Blanquer said.
The Oise schools will remain closed until further notice, while Morbihan authorities have ordered doors shut until at least March 14.
"These figures are evolving quickly," Blanquer said, adding: "There could be similar measures taken in the coming days" at other schools.
Authorities have already halted all class trips outside the country, and prohibited any gatherings of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces.
Schools are increasing stocks of soap for washing hands, but Blanquer said there were no plans to order a nationwide school shutdown, for now.
"It wouldn't make sense to confine everyone, to paralyse the country, it would be counter-productive," he said.
President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to visit the health ministry's crisis management centre on Tuesday, has called off several events this week as France scrambles to contain the outbreak.
Contagion fears have led to shortages of sanitising hand gels and facemasks, with suppliers racing to replenish stocks even though much of the production is in China, where authorities have closed thousands of factories after the coronavirus emerged there in December.
Demand for thermometers has also soared, with one French producer, STIL, relaunching production at its factory south of Paris for the first time in 15 years after having moved manufacturing to Chinese partners.
"We can't do without China completely, but with this coronavirus the balance could shift for French companies to not be completely reliant" on Chinese producers, STIL's president Gerard Lux told AFP.
The coronavirus epidemic shut down the Louvre museum for a second day on Monday, with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum's flow of tourists from around the world.
It was not clear whether the world's busiest museum, which is closed on Tuesdays, would reopen the next day.
Other events to have been cancelled include the French capital’s annual book fair, Livre Paris, which was expected to bring some 160,000 visitors to Paris later this month.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-03-03--Erdogan warns Europe to expect ‘millions’ of migrants after Turkey opens borders

Migrants hoping to cross into Greece from Turkey are gathered at the border near the town of Kastanies on March 2 , 2020 .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that `` millions '' of migrants would soon head for Europe , drawing accusations from EU leaders that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria .
Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for the European Union and thousands have since massed at the Greek border , triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merkel described Turkey 's move as `` unacceptable '' and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could `` blackmail or intimidate the EU '' .
But Turkey , which hosts roughly four million refugees , is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria – where government forces backed by Russian air power are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib .
Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday , saying he had turned down an EU offer of one billion euros ( £1.1 billion ) in extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016 .
`` We do n't want this money , '' Erdogan said at a news conference without specifying when the money was offered , or by whom .
His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a `` fair share of the burden '' of dealing with migrants .
He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border – who include Afghans , Syrian and Iraqis – were far higher than figures provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying `` hundreds of thousands '' were already there .
`` There will be more .
Soon , this number will be expressed in millions , '' he added .
Ursula von der Leyen , the head of the European Commission , was due to visit Greece ’ s land border with Turkey on Tuesday , accompanied by European Council head Charles Michel and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis .
Greece says some 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend .
Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbing rocks .
A video shared by a Turkish official , which could not be independently verified , showed a boat of migrants being shot at and harassed by Greek coastguards .
Turkey accused Greek police of killing two migrants after a video was shared of a bloodied Syrian on the border , although Athens rejected this as `` fake news '' .
In desperation , many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos .
Athens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally – a move denounced by the UN refugee agency as having `` no legal basis '' .
The emergency at Greece ’ s border comes as Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the regime 's offensive against country ’ s the last rebel-held bastion .
Close to one million people have been forced to flee the Syrian government 's assault in the biggest wave of displacement of the nine-year conflict , but they are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he hoped for a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week .

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that "millions" of migrants would soon head for Europe, drawing accusations from EU leaders that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria.
Migrants hoping to cross into Greece from Turkey are gathered at the border near the town of Kastanies on March 2, 2020.
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Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for the European Union and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European politics in 2015.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU".
But Turkey, which hosts roughly four million refugees, is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria – where government forces backed by Russian air power are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib.
Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday, saying he had turned down an EU offer of one billion euros (£1.1 billion) in extra aid for migrants, adding to a six-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016.
"We don't want this money," Erdogan said at a news conference without specifying when the money was offered, or by whom.
His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a "fair share of the burden" of dealing with migrants.
He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border – who include Afghans, Syrian and Iraqis – were far higher than figures provided by officials and reporters at the scene, saying "hundreds of thousands" were already there.
"There will be more. Soon, this number will be expressed in millions," he added.
Top EU officials to visit border
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, was due to visit Greece’s land border with Turkey on Tuesday, accompanied by European Council head Charles Michel and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Greece says some 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas at the refugees, who responded by lobbing rocks.
A video shared by a Turkish official, which could not be independently verified, showed a boat of migrants being shot at and harassed by Greek coastguards.
Turkey accused Greek police of killing two migrants after a video was shared of a bloodied Syrian on the border, although Athens rejected this as "fake news".
In desperation, many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos.
Athens said it would boost patrols and it suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally – a move denounced by the UN refugee agency as having "no legal basis".
The emergency at Greece’s border comes as Turkey has launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the regime's offensive against country’s the last rebel-held bastion.
Close to one million people have been forced to flee the Syrian government's assault in the biggest wave of displacement of the nine-year conflict, but they are not being allowed to enter Turkey.
Erdogan said he hoped for a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-03--World in 'uncharted territory' as coronavirus toll rises

An employee looks at a UPS delivery truck at the Life Care Center of Kirkland , the long-term care facility linked to several confirmed coronavirus cases in the state , in Kirkland , Washington , U.S. March 2 , 2020 .
The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus , the UN health agency warned , as new infections dropped dramatically in China on Tuesday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six .
Globally , the virus has killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even as a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine times as many cases recorded outside China as inside , according to the World Health Organization .
China has imposed draconian quarantines and travel restrictions to keep large swathes of the population indoors for weeks , a strategy that appears to have paid off as new cases have been falling this month .
While Italy has locked down towns , other countries have stopped short of enacting mass quarantines and instead have discouraged large gatherings , delayed sporting events and banned arrivals from virus-hit nations .
South Korea , Iran and Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus , which is believed to have originated at a market that sold wild animals in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year .
`` We are in uncharted territory , '' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday .
`` We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission , but which can also be contained with the right measures . ''
Community transmission means infections within a population are not imported from another virus-hit area .
The United States is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people dying in the northwestern state of Washington , where officials warned residents the battle against the disease was shifting from containment to mitigation .
`` The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing , '' said Jeff Duchin , a health officer in King County where five of the deaths occurred .
The district is home to Seattle , a city with a population of more than 700,000 people .
The White House , which has been accused of downplaying the threat from the virus , continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pence declared that a treatment `` could literally be available by this summer , or early fall . ''
He was likely referring to remdesivir , an antiviral drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that has already been used to treat one US patient and was moving toward two expansive final stage trials in Asia .
Pence also announced American pharmaceuticals were teaming up in a consortium to fight the virus , and said that South Korea and Italy , two of the hardest-hit nations , would screen all their airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its world-class hospitals and cutting edge research , the US is viewed as vulnerable to an epidemic because of glaring disparities in its health care system , including nearly 28 million people without coverage .
China reported 125 new cases on Tuesday , its lowest daily increase in six weeks , with all but 11 infections in Wuhan 's central Hubei province .
The nationwide death toll rose to 2,943 with 31 more deaths , all in Hubei .
Chinese officials have touted progress in the battle against the epidemic , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second largest economy and threatened to cut into global growth .
Global markets tanked last week but rebounded on Monday after governments and central banks said they would step in if needed to soften the blow .
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from G7 countries will hold talks on the issue on Tuesday .
UN medical experts arrived in Iran on Monday to help it tackle the world 's second deadliest outbreak , with 66 fatalities and more than 1,500 infections .
China sent experts to Iran on Saturday while Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including testing equipment , body suits and gloves .
In Italy , tourist hotpots including the Duomo in Milan reopened to visitors but access was limited to avoid overcrowding in a bid to contain the virus .
Italy , Europe 's worst-affected country with around 1,700 infections , said Monday its deaths from the virus had jumped 18 to 52 .
South Korea has the most infections outside China , with more than 4,000 cases and 26 deaths .
The WHO says the virus appears to particularly hit people over the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illnesses .
Its mortality rate is between two and five percent -- higher than the seasonal flu .

The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China on Tuesday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six.
An employee looks at a UPS delivery truck at the Life Care Center of Kirkland, the long-term care facility linked to several confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, in Kirkland, Washington, U.S. March 2, 2020.
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Globally, the virus has killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even as a clear shift in the crisis emerges, with nine times as many cases recorded outside China as inside, according to the World Health Organization.
China has imposed draconian quarantines and travel restrictions to keep large swathes of the population indoors for weeks, a strategy that appears to have paid off as new cases have been falling this month.
While Italy has locked down towns, other countries have stopped short of enacting mass quarantines and instead have discouraged large gatherings, delayed sporting events and banned arrivals from virus-hit nations.
South Korea, Iran and Italy have emerged as major spawning grounds for the novel coronavirus, which is believed to have originated at a market that sold wild animals in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
"We are in uncharted territory," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.
"We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures."
Community transmission means infections within a population are not imported from another virus-hit area.
The United States is now facing a potential epidemic, with six people dying in the northwestern state of Washington, where officials warned residents the battle against the disease was shifting from containment to mitigation.
"The risk for all of us of becoming infected will be increasing," said Jeff Duchin, a health officer in King County where five of the deaths occurred.
The district is home to Seattle, a city with a population of more than 700,000 people.
US eyes treatment
The White House, which has been accused of downplaying the threat from the virus, continued to strike a bullish tone.
Vice President Mike Pence declared that a treatment "could literally be available by this summer, or early fall."
He was likely referring to remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that has already been used to treat one US patient and was moving toward two expansive final stage trials in Asia.
Pence also announced American pharmaceuticals were teaming up in a consortium to fight the virus, and said that South Korea and Italy, two of the hardest-hit nations, would screen all their airline passengers bound for the US.
Despite its world-class hospitals and cutting edge research, the US is viewed as vulnerable to an epidemic because of glaring disparities in its health care system, including nearly 28 million people without coverage.
China cases down
China reported 125 new cases on Tuesday, its lowest daily increase in six weeks, with all but 11 infections in Wuhan's central Hubei province.
The nationwide death toll rose to 2,943 with 31 more deaths, all in Hubei.
Chinese officials have touted progress in the battle against the epidemic, which has taken a toll on the world's second largest economy and threatened to cut into global growth.
Global markets tanked last week but rebounded on Monday after governments and central banks said they would step in if needed to soften the blow.
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from G7 countries will hold talks on the issue on Tuesday.
Hotspots elsewhere
UN medical experts arrived in Iran on Monday to help it tackle the world's second deadliest outbreak, with 66 fatalities and more than 1,500 infections.
China sent experts to Iran on Saturday while Germany, France and Britain pledged emergency medical supplies including testing equipment, body suits and gloves.
In Italy, tourist hotpots including the Duomo in Milan reopened to visitors but access was limited to avoid overcrowding in a bid to contain the virus.
Italy, Europe's worst-affected country with around 1,700 infections, said Monday its deaths from the virus had jumped 18 to 52.
South Korea has the most infections outside China, with more than 4,000 cases and 26 deaths.
The WHO says the virus appears to particularly hit people over the age of 60 and those already weakened by other illnesses.
Its mortality rate is between two and five percent -- higher than the seasonal flu.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-03--Haiti's president picks new prime minister to tackle socio-political crisis

Haiti 's President Jovenel Moise speaks during a news conference to provide information about the measures concerning coronavirus , at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince , Haiti March 2 , 2020 .
Haiti 's president Jovenel Moise on Monday named a new prime minister to tackle the country 's worsening socio-political and security crisis .
The decree naming Joseph Jouthe to the position was published in the official government gazette , after Moise made the announcement on Twitter -- albeit with a different spelling of Jouthe 's name .
`` Following consultations with different sectors , I have decided on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Moise said on his official Twitter account .
`` He is tasked with forming , as soon as possible , a government of transparency and consensus , capable of rising to the challenges of the moment , '' he said .
Jouthe has been environment minister since September 2018 and was also appointed interim finance minister in September 2019 .
He replaced Jean-Michel Lapin , who had been acting prime minister .
Haiti has been in deep crisis since the resignation in March 2019 of prime minister Jean-Henry Ceant .
Jouthe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post since then .
Lawmakers have never approved any of his nominees , hampering the government 's ability to function : elections could not be held last autumn and parliament has not been in session since January .
That means Jouthe 's appointment can not be ratified , according to constitutional rules .
Political talks that began last summer to find a way to form a new government came to nothing and the opposition is demanding that Moise step down before any further discussion can even begin .
Popular anger has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Accounts announced in May 2019 that he was suspected of involvement in a huge corruption scandal that stretches back a decade .
The ever-deepening crisis has slammed the brakes on domestic and international investment , leading to massive unemployment levels and an inflation rate topping 20 percent , which has made the impoverished nation even poorer .
A third of the population now faces severe food insecurity , the last stage before famine , according to the World Food Programme ( WFP ) .
The country has also faced a sudden surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , together with a rise in the usual gang-related violence in its poorer urban neighbourhoods .
A French employee of the WFP was freed last Thursday , two days after she was abducted in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince .

Haiti's president Jovenel Moise on Monday named a new prime minister to tackle the country's worsening socio-political and security crisis.
Haiti's President Jovenel Moise speaks during a news conference to provide information about the measures concerning coronavirus, at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 2, 2020.
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The decree naming Joseph Jouthe to the position was published in the official government gazette, after Moise made the announcement on Twitter -- albeit with a different spelling of Jouthe's name.
"Following consultations with different sectors, I have decided on Joute Joseph as new prime minister," Moise said on his official Twitter account.
"He is tasked with forming, as soon as possible, a government of transparency and consensus, capable of rising to the challenges of the moment," he said.
Jouthe has been environment minister since September 2018 and was also appointed interim finance minister in September 2019. He replaced Jean-Michel Lapin, who had been acting prime minister.
Haiti has been in deep crisis since the resignation in March 2019 of prime minister Jean-Henry Ceant. Jouthe is the third person Moise has appointed to the post since then.
Lawmakers have never approved any of his nominees, hampering the government's ability to function: elections could not be held last autumn and parliament has not been in session since January.
That means Jouthe's appointment cannot be ratified, according to constitutional rules.
Political talks that began last summer to find a way to form a new government came to nothing and the opposition is demanding that Moise step down before any further discussion can even begin.
Popular anger has been focused on Moise since the High Court of Accounts announced in May 2019 that he was suspected of involvement in a huge corruption scandal that stretches back a decade.
The ever-deepening crisis has slammed the brakes on domestic and international investment, leading to massive unemployment levels and an inflation rate topping 20 percent, which has made the impoverished nation even poorer.
A third of the population now faces severe food insecurity, the last stage before famine, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The country has also faced a sudden surge in the number of kidnappings for ransom, together with a rise in the usual gang-related violence in its poorer urban neighbourhoods.
A French employee of the WFP was freed last Thursday, two days after she was abducted in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-03--LIVE: Americans head to polls in crucial Super Tuesday primaries

A voter walks into the Madison Community Center to cast his ballot in the Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ in Arlington , VA. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots @ @ @ @ @ Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday .

A voter walks into the Madison Community Center to cast his ballot in the Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday on March 3, 2020 in Arlington, VA. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots in 14 states and American Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday.
© Samuel Corum, AFP


france24--2020-03-03--Millions of US primary voters head to polls as 'Super Tuesday' gets under way

Millions of voters from Maine to California are headed to the polls for Super Tuesday , when a third of all delegates are up for grabs as 14 states and the US territory of American Samoa vote in primary contests .
Racking up delegates is a key stage in the battle for the eventual presidential nomination , a fight that is shaping up to be a choice between two starkly different visions for the Democratic Party 's future as it readies to mount a November challenge to President Donald Trump .
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders , who has energised liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull away from the rest of the Democratic field – often deriding them as the `` establishment '' – while former vice president Joe Biden is hoping to ride a wave of momentum and Democratic endorsements to cement himself as the standard-bearer for the party ’ s moderate wing .
The two men , riding atop a rapidly shrinking Democratic field , have assembled coalitions of disparate demographics and political beliefs , and the day 's results could help shape whether the nomination fight will stretch until the party 's convention this summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid picked up steam on Monday as he gained the endorsements of two former 2020 rivals – Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend , Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg – on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections .
But the 14 coast-to-coast contests seemed certain to provide several other twists and turns , including the first test of billionaire former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg ’ s massive spending in the Democratic race .
Bloomberg skipped the first four states , banking on more than half a billion dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unorthodox and untested method of securing support from moderates .
Despite trailing the front-runners in the polls , Bloomberg and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren could nevertheless act as spoilers in the race , with Bloomberg potentially luring moderates away from Biden and Warren doing the same for liberals who might otherwise support Sanders .
Biden 's new supporters deployed on the morning talk shows on Super Tuesday to praise him – Klobuchar on NBC 's “ Today ” show and former presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke on MSNBC 's “ Morning Joe '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden .
Campaigning in Minnesota , Sanders sought to beat back Biden 's momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters .
“ To all of Amy and Pete ’ s millions of supporters , the door is open .
Come on in , '' Sanders said .
“ We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump.
” Bloomberg began Tuesday in Florida , which does not vote until March 17 , acknowledging that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday contests but vowing to keep up the fight until the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin in July .
He would need to win the nomination at a brokered convention because , “ I do n't think I can win any other way . ''
“ You don ’ t have to win states , you have to win delegates , ” Bloomberg said .
He suggested that no one will get a majority of delegates and “ then you go to a convention , and we ’ ll see what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of crossroads in the Democrats ' turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president .
Sanders , 78 , is a self-described democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes in primary contests , relying on an energised and youthful grass-roots movement that is drawn to his promise to transform the nation 's political and economic systems .
Biden , 77 , is a longtime politician widely viewed as a decent man but whose campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a message emphasising a pragmatic approach to governing and change .
Compared to Sanders and Bloomberg , Biden is understaffed and underfunded .
But his blowout victory in South Carolina last weekend put him firmly back in the race .
He went into Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina 's demographic makeup : those with large African-American and white moderate populations .
That makes Alabama , North Carolina , Arkansas , Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories , even in a splintered field .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable terrain is less forgiving .
Sanders has predicted victory in California , the day ’ s largest delegate prize .
The state , like delegate-rich Texas , plays to his strengths given its significant factions of liberal whites , large urban areas with younger voters and a strong Latino population .
Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont , and in neighbouring Massachusetts , where he ’ s eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Warren in her home state .
Read more : Democrats pull out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters While Tuesday 's outcome is uncertain , there is another complication : A significant number of votes were cast in the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday ’ s elections – when Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were still in the race .
At least 1.4 million people have already voted in California ’ s Democratic primary , for example , according to data collected by The Associated Press .
In Texas , more than 1 million early Democratic votes have been cast .
And in Virginia , nearly 28,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as in 2016 .
Through four primary contests , the AP allocated 60 delegates to Sanders , 54 to Biden and eight to Warren .
The first four states were always more about momentum than math , but Super Tuesday states offer more than 1,300 new delegates based on how candidates finish .
Just 155 delegates have been awarded so far .

Millions of voters from Maine to California are headed to the polls for Super Tuesday, when a third of all delegates are up for grabs as 14 states and the US territory of American Samoa vote in primary contests.
Advertising Read more
Racking up delegates is a key stage in the battle for the eventual presidential nomination, a fight that is shaping up to be a choice between two starkly different visions for the Democratic Party's future as it readies to mount a November challenge to President Donald Trump.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who has energised liberals and young voters, has sought to pull away from the rest of the Democratic field – often deriding them as the "establishment" – while former vice president Joe Biden is hoping to ride a wave of momentum and Democratic endorsements to cement himself as the standard-bearer for the party’s moderate wing.
The two men, riding atop a rapidly shrinking Democratic field, have assembled coalitions of disparate demographics and political beliefs, and the day's results could help shape whether the nomination fight will stretch until the party's convention this summer in Milwaukee.
Biden’s presidential bid picked up steam on Monday as he gained the endorsements of two former 2020 rivals – Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg – on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections.
But the 14 coast-to-coast contests seemed certain to provide several other twists and turns, including the first test of billionaire former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg’s massive spending in the Democratic race. Bloomberg skipped the first four states, banking on more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an unorthodox and untested method of securing support from moderates.
Despite trailing the front-runners in the polls, Bloomberg and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren could nevertheless act as spoilers in the race, with Bloomberg potentially luring moderates away from Biden and Warren doing the same for liberals who might otherwise support Sanders.
Last-minute push
Biden's new supporters deployed on the morning talk shows on Super Tuesday to praise him – Klobuchar on NBC's “Today” show and former presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke on MSNBC's “Morning Joe".
Sanders and his closest advisers pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden. Campaigning in Minnesota, Sanders sought to beat back Biden's momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters.
“To all of Amy and Pete’s millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in," Sanders said. “We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump.”
Bloomberg began Tuesday in Florida, which does not vote until March 17, acknowledging that he may not win any of the 14 Super Tuesday contests but vowing to keep up the fight until the Democratic National Convention in Wisconsin in July. He would need to win the nomination at a brokered convention because, “I don't think I can win any other way."
“You don’t have to win states, you have to win delegates,” Bloomberg said. He suggested that no one will get a majority of delegates and “then you go to a convention, and we’ll see what happens”.
A party divided
Tuesday is the most anticipated of crossroads in the Democrats' turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president.
Sanders, 78, is a self-described democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes in primary contests, relying on an energised and youthful grass-roots movement that is drawn to his promise to transform the nation's political and economic systems. Biden, 77, is a longtime politician widely viewed as a decent man but whose campaign has struggled at times to excite voters with a message emphasising a pragmatic approach to governing and change.
Compared to Sanders and Bloomberg, Biden is understaffed and underfunded. But his blowout victory in South Carolina last weekend put him firmly back in the race. He went into Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina's demographic makeup: those with large African-American and white moderate populations. That makes Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories, even in a splintered field.
Yet some of Super Tuesday’s more valuable terrain is less forgiving.
Sanders has predicted victory in California, the day’s largest delegate prize. The state, like delegate-rich Texas, plays to his strengths given its significant factions of liberal whites, large urban areas with younger voters and a strong Latino population. Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont, and in neighbouring Massachusetts, where he’s eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Warren in her home state.
Read more: Democrats pull out the stops to woo California’s Hispanic voters
While Tuesday's outcome is uncertain, there is another complication: A significant number of votes were cast in the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday’s elections – when Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were still in the race.
At least 1.4 million people have already voted in California’s Democratic primary, for example, according to data collected by The Associated Press. In Texas, more than 1 million early Democratic votes have been cast. And in Virginia, nearly 28,000 people voted early, twice as many as in 2016.
Through four primary contests, the AP allocated 60 delegates to Sanders, 54 to Biden and eight to Warren.
The first four states were always more about momentum than math, but Super Tuesday states offer more than 1,300 new delegates based on how candidates finish. Just 155 delegates have been awarded so far.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-03--‘Anyone but Trump’: The Texas evangelicals who plan to vote Democrat

Texas is home to one of the largest evangelical populations in the country , most of which traditionally votes Republican .
But some current and former members of the evangelical community have turned to the Democrats , espousing more progressive beliefs .
On the eve of Tuesday ’ s make-or-break Democratic primary , FRANCE 24 ’ s correspondents Alyssa Caverley and Pierrick Leurent travelled to Austin , the state ’ s capital , to meet some of those hoping to defeat President Donald Trump .
According to a Pew study , more than 60 percent of evangelicals in Texas are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many are Trump supporters .
But the same study says a quarter of evangelicals are Democrats , including many women who feel that the US president ’ s message does not reflect Christian values .
“ I ’ m going to vote for any opponent to Donald Trump , ” says Karen Smith , a volunteer for East Travis County Democrats .
“ But I ’ m hopeful that we find candidates of faith and character on the left and break through this myth that the only Christians are the Republicans.
” Click @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 ’ s report .

Super Tuesday
Texas is home to one of the largest evangelical populations in the country, most of which traditionally votes Republican. But some current and former members of the evangelical community have turned to the Democrats, espousing more progressive beliefs. On the eve of Tuesday’s make-or-break Democratic primary, FRANCE 24’s correspondents Alyssa Caverley and Pierrick Leurent travelled to Austin, the state’s capital, to meet some of those hoping to defeat President Donald Trump.
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According to a Pew study, more than 60 percent of evangelicals in Texas are registered to vote as Republican – and many are Trump supporters. But the same study says a quarter of evangelicals are Democrats, including many women who feel that the US president’s message does not reflect Christian values.
“I’m going to vote for any opponent to Donald Trump,” says Karen Smith, a volunteer for East Travis County Democrats. “But I’m hopeful that we find candidates of faith and character on the left and break through this myth that the only Christians are the Republicans.”
Click on the player above to watch FRANCE 24’s report.
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france24--2020-03-03--Coronavirus: France to requisition face masks for use by health professionals, those infected

An employee packs protective face masks on an assembly line at the Valmy manufacturing plant in Mably , central France , on February 28 , 2020 , amid the spread of the novel coronavirus .
French authorities will requisition all face mask stocks and production in the coming months , President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday , reserving them for use by those infected with the coronavirus and those working in the healthcare industry .
`` We will distribute them to health professionals and to French people infected with the coronavirus , '' Macron said on Twitter .
Fears of catching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks as well as sanitising hand gel in France , leading some stores and online retailers to hike prices .
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said earlier Tuesday that he had ordered France 's consumer and anti-fraud watchdog to open an investigation after reports that prices had doubled or even tripled .
`` I 'm ready to regulate prices of masks and gels by decree if the abuses are numerous , '' he said on Twitter .
Macron 's announcement came as the health ministry announced a fourth death from the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brittany , one of three areas in the country where most cases have been detected .
France has confirmed 204 cases of the virus that emerged in China last December , with 11 of the 13 administrative regions of mainland France registering at least one case each .
Contagion fears have led to shortages of sanitising hand gels and face masks , with suppliers racing to replenish stocks even though much of the production is in China , where authorities have closed thousands of factories after the coronavirus emerged there in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one French producer , STIL , relaunching production at its factory south of Paris for the first time in 15 years after having moved manufacturing to Chinese partners .
French officials have closed about 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections , and more could be shuttered in the coming days , Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said .
Authorities have already halted all school trips outside the country and prohibited any gatherings of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces .
Both primary and secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department north of Paris , where the main cluster of French cases has emerged , and where two people who have died of the virus lived .
President Emmanuel Macron has called off several events this week as France scrambles to contain the outbreak .
The coronavirus epidemic shut down the Louvre museum for a second day on Monday , with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum 's flow of tourists from around the world .
It was not clear whether the world 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesdays , would reopen on Wednesday .
Cancelled events include the French capital ’ s annual book fair , Livre Paris , which was expected to bring some 160,000 visitors to Paris later this month .

French authorities will requisition all face mask stocks and production in the coming months, President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday, reserving them for use by those infected with the coronavirus and those working in the healthcare industry.
An employee packs protective face masks on an assembly line at the Valmy manufacturing plant in Mably, central France, on February 28, 2020, amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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"We will distribute them to health professionals and to French people infected with the coronavirus," Macron said on Twitter.
Fears of catching the virus have sparked a run on masks as well as sanitising hand gel in France, leading some stores and online retailers to hike prices.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said earlier Tuesday that he had ordered France's consumer and anti-fraud watchdog to open an investigation after reports that prices had doubled or even tripled.
"I'm ready to regulate prices of masks and gels by decree if the abuses are numerous," he said on Twitter.
Nous réquisitionnons tous les stocks et la production de masques de protection. Nous les distribuerons aux professionnels de santé et aux Français atteints par le Coronavirus. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 3, 2020
Macron's announcement came as the health ministry announced a fourth death from the virus, a 92-year-old man in the Morbihan department in Brittany, one of three areas in the country where most cases have been detected.
France has confirmed 204 cases of the virus that emerged in China last December, with 11 of the 13 administrative regions of mainland France registering at least one case each.
Contagion fears have led to shortages of sanitising hand gels and face masks, with suppliers racing to replenish stocks even though much of the production is in China, where authorities have closed thousands of factories after the coronavirus emerged there in December.
Demand for thermometers has also soared, with one French producer, STIL, relaunching production at its factory south of Paris for the first time in 15 years after having moved manufacturing to Chinese partners.
School closures
French officials have closed about 120 schools in areas that have reported the largest numbers of coronavirus infections, and more could be shuttered in the coming days, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said.
Authorities have already halted all school trips outside the country and prohibited any gatherings of more than 5,000 people in enclosed spaces.
Both primary and secondary schools have been shut in the Oise department north of Paris, where the main cluster of French cases has emerged, and where two people who have died of the virus lived.
President Emmanuel Macron has called off several events this week as France scrambles to contain the outbreak.
The coronavirus epidemic shut down the Louvre museum for a second day on Monday, with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum's flow of tourists from around the world.
It was not clear whether the world's busiest museum, which is closed on Tuesdays, would reopen on Wednesday.
Cancelled events include the French capital’s annual book fair, Livre Paris, which was expected to bring some 160,000 visitors to Paris later this month.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-03-03--South Korea seeks criminal charges against Christian sect over coronavirus spread

Lee Man-hee , founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus speaks during a news conference at its facility in Gapyeong , South Korea on March 2 , 2020 .
Investigators in South Korea are seeking to establish the extent to which 12 executives of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus can be held criminally responsible for the rapid spread in the country of COVID-19 , the illness that results from the coronavirus .
He promises his disciples eternal life , fancies himself the new “ messiah ” and – as of Sunday – finds himself under investigation for homicide by wilful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , a secretive religious sect often described as a cult and seen as largely responsible for the propagation of COVID-19 in South Korea .
Eleven other executives of the movement are also in investigators ’ sights .
Authorities want to know whether , due to its unorthodox religious practises and taste for secrecy , the Christian sect has put lives at risk during the coronavirus outbreak .
With more than 5,000 people infected and at least 28 deaths to date , South Korea has registered the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the new coronavirus appeared in China in December , South Korea – a technologically advanced country with a well-organised public health infrastructure – thought it would be able to curtail the spread of the virus .
Seoul had already succeeded in containing a 2015 outbreak of MERS , another coronavirus , which had surfaced in the Middle East in 2012 .
But that was before South Korea encountered Patient No .
31 .
A 61-year-old woman who was a member of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the city of Taegu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero of the explosion of COVID-19 cases .
Health authorities believe one in five of the people infected by the coronavirus can be linked to her .
The woman first went to hospital on February 7 after a minor traffic accident .
During that exam , she complained of a pain in her throat .
She then returned to hospital a few days later for treatment of a persistent fever .
Doctors twice recommended that she submit to coronavirus screening .
Both times , the woman refused , the New York Times reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , 10 days later , she could no longer refuse testing ; on February 17 , doctors examined her more closely and diagnosed a COVID-19 infection .
They were never , however , able to establish how she had been exposed to the virus .
In the meantime , the patient had managed , twice , to leave the hospital temporarily to attend the Sunday gatherings of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus .
Each time , she had contact with a thousand fellow faithful , the Japan Times noted .
“ Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the church , ” said Chung Yun-seok , a South Korean expert on religious cults .
“ To them , getting sick is a sin because it prevents them from doing God ’ s work.
” The discovery of a hotbed of infection in Taegu and the link made with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus was a turning point in South Korea ’ s coronavirus battle .
Authorities then came up against the very secretive practises of the sect .
Aware of the group ’ s poor image within the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their relations , even from their parents .
“ To Shincheonji members , their priority is not the safety issue but rather protecting '' the church , Ji-il Tark , a Busan Presbyterian University theology professor who studies the group , told the Wall Street Journal .
As such , in the province of Gyeonggi , the local government had to rely on some 200 volunteers from the movement in order to contact other followers , CNN reported , because Shincheonji members often don ’ t take phone calls from non-members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who came into contact with an infected member of the sect is all the more difficult under those circumstances .
Church executives were accused of a lack of forthrightness : officially , they offered assurances that they were cooperating completely , but messages sent to members – later seen by South Korean media – advised them to lie about their membership in Shincheonji Church if contacted .
The group ’ s religious practises also lent to the rapid spread of the virus .
They meet often in small halls , where they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t allowed to wear any accessories on their faces – like glasses or protective masks – because they are considered insults to God , several former members of the movement told South Korean media .
Moreover , participating in weekly meetings is mandatory – rain or shine , and even in case of illness .
Members of the movement must clock in when they arrive and when they leave a “ working session ” , which allows executives of the group to monitor devotees ’ diligence .
A cold or early signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exonerate a member from doing his or her duty to preach the Good Word .
The movement is considered particularly aggressive in its proselytising .
Several places of Catholic worship in the country have posted signs at the door forbidding access to Shincheonji Church of Jesus members , who are suspected of seeking to poach worshippers for their cause during mass , the South China Morning Post reported .
Sect leader Lee was vehemently criticised for his reluctance to cooperate fully with authorities in their efforts to slow the epidemic .
For weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying even as recently as last week that COVID-19 was the work of those “ jealous of the Shincheonji Church ’ s success ” .
But after the launch of an official inquiry , the octogenarian finally came forward with a public apology , recognising that “ although it was not intentional , many people have been infected ” .
But is that mea culpa simply too little , too late ?
A petition signed by more than a million people has been presented to the South Korean government requesting the dissolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which counts more than 200,000 members .
This article has been translated from the original in French .

Investigators in South Korea are seeking to establish the extent to which 12 executives of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus can be held criminally responsible for the rapid spread in the country of COVID-19, the illness that results from the coronavirus.
Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus speaks during a news conference at its facility in Gapyeong, South Korea on March 2, 2020.
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He promises his disciples eternal life, fancies himself the new “messiah” and – as of Sunday – finds himself under investigation for homicide by wilful negligence. Lee Man-hee, 80, leads the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious sect often described as a cult and seen as largely responsible for the propagation of COVID-19 in South Korea. Eleven other executives of the movement are also in investigators’ sights.
Authorities want to know whether, due to its unorthodox religious practises and taste for secrecy, the Christian sect has put lives at risk during the coronavirus outbreak. With more than 5,000 people infected and at least 28 deaths to date, South Korea has registered the largest cluster of infections outside of China.
Patient No. 31
When the new coronavirus appeared in China in December, South Korea – a technologically advanced country with a well-organised public health infrastructure – thought it would be able to curtail the spread of the virus. Seoul had already succeeded in containing a 2015 outbreak of MERS, another coronavirus, which had surfaced in the Middle East in 2012.
But that was before South Korea encountered Patient No. 31. A 61-year-old woman who was a member of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the city of Taegu, she is considered to be at ground zero of the explosion of COVID-19 cases. Health authorities believe one in five of the people infected by the coronavirus can be linked to her.
The woman first went to hospital on February 7 after a minor traffic accident. During that exam, she complained of a pain in her throat. She then returned to hospital a few days later for treatment of a persistent fever.
Doctors twice recommended that she submit to coronavirus screening. Both times, the woman refused, the New York Times reported. But her health continued to deteriorate and, 10 days later, she could no longer refuse testing; on February 17, doctors examined her more closely and diagnosed a COVID-19 infection. They were never, however, able to establish how she had been exposed to the virus.
In the meantime, the patient had managed, twice, to leave the hospital temporarily to attend the Sunday gatherings of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Each time, she had contact with a thousand fellow faithful, the Japan Times noted.
“Her behaviour is not surprising to people familiar with the church,” said Chung Yun-seok, a South Korean expert on religious cults. “To them, getting sick is a sin because it prevents them from doing God’s work.”
Cult of secrecy
The discovery of a hotbed of infection in Taegu and the link made with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus was a turning point in South Korea’s coronavirus battle. Authorities then came up against the very secretive practises of the sect. Aware of the group’s poor image within the country, the faithful often keep their membership secret from their relations, even from their parents.
“To Shincheonji members, their priority is not the safety issue but rather protecting" the church, Ji-il Tark, a Busan Presbyterian University theology professor who studies the group, told the Wall Street Journal. As such, in the province of Gyeonggi, the local government had to rely on some 200 volunteers from the movement in order to contact other followers, CNN reported, because Shincheonji members often don’t take phone calls from non-members.
The detective work necessary to identify everyone who came into contact with an infected member of the sect is all the more difficult under those circumstances. Church executives were accused of a lack of forthrightness: officially, they offered assurances that they were cooperating completely, but messages sent to members – later seen by South Korean media – advised them to lie about their membership in Shincheonji Church if contacted.
The group’s religious practises also lent to the rapid spread of the virus. They meet often in small halls, where they are huddled close together. Members aren’t allowed to wear any accessories on their faces – like glasses or protective masks – because they are considered insults to God, several former members of the movement told South Korean media.
Moreover, participating in weekly meetings is mandatory – rain or shine, and even in case of illness. Members of the movement must clock in when they arrive and when they leave a “working session”, which allows executives of the group to monitor devotees’ diligence. A cold or early signs of flu would not be considered sufficient to exonerate a member from doing his or her duty to preach the Good Word.
Petition to dissolve the movement
The movement is considered particularly aggressive in its proselytising. Several places of Catholic worship in the country have posted signs at the door forbidding access to Shincheonji Church of Jesus members, who are suspected of seeking to poach worshippers for their cause during mass, the South China Morning Post reported.
Sect leader Lee was vehemently criticised for his reluctance to cooperate fully with authorities in their efforts to slow the epidemic. For weeks, he refused to take the blame, saying even as recently as last week that COVID-19 was the work of those “jealous of the Shincheonji Church’s success”.
But after the launch of an official inquiry, the octogenarian finally came forward with a public apology, recognising that “although it was not intentional, many people have been infected”.
But is that mea culpa simply too little, too late? A petition signed by more than a million people has been presented to the South Korean government requesting the dissolution of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which counts more than 200,000 members.
This article has been translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-03-03--India's Sikhs offer help to Muslim victims of New Delhi ethnic violence

In New Delhi , Sikh religious groups have been coming to the aid of victims of the sectarian violence that sprung up between Hindus and Muslims on February 23 , killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds .
Some majority-Muslim areas in the northeast of the Indian capital were targeted by Hindu nationalists between February 23 and 25 .
Residents were lynched and their homes and mosques were set on fire .
The violence stemmed from a citizenship bill that came into law in December 2019 .
It has been criticised for being discriminatory towards Muslims and has triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ > READ ON THE OBSERVERS : Who are India ’ s RSS , the Hindu nationalists accused of violence towards Muslims ?
Many residents decided to flee their homes to escape the violence .
Faced with the lack of a response from the authorities , the Sikh community in the country came together to help victims of rioting .
Since February 25 , gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – in India were declared open to people of all faiths seeking to flee the violence .
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the riots , as well as outside hospitals , where victims ' families and loved ones were waiting .

INDIA
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In New Delhi, Sikh religious groups have been coming to the aid of victims of the sectarian violence that sprung up between Hindus and Muslims on February 23, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds.
Some majority-Muslim areas in the northeast of the Indian capital were targeted by Hindu nationalists between February 23 and 25. Residents were lynched and their homes and mosques were set on fire. The violence stemmed from a citizenship bill that came into law in December 2019. It has been criticised for being discriminatory towards Muslims and has triggered huge protests across the country.
>> READ ON THE OBSERVERS: Who are India’s RSS, the Hindu nationalists accused of violence towards Muslims?
Many residents decided to flee their homes to escape the violence.
Dispatches from Shiv Vihar that has become a ghostly town of sorts. Lane after lane has emptied out. Houses torched. Residents (Muslims) have run away with nothing but just clothes on their back. #DelhiRiot2020 pic.twitter.com/f47nfOrRFl Anubha Bhonsle (@anubhabhonsle) March 1, 2020
Faced with the lack of a response from the authorities, the Sikh community in the country came together to help victims of rioting.
Since February 25, gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – in India were declared open to people of all faiths seeking to flee the violence.
Gurudwaras are open for those in need if anyone faces any issue please DM. Aflatoon Wazir (Gobhi Parantha) (@sanamwazir) February 25, 2020
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) organised food handouts in areas affected by the riots, as well as outside hospitals, where victims' families and loved ones were waiting.
Langar Sewa in Yamuna Vihar Noor Elahi, Delhi pic.twitter.com/UICxZdDkn6 Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) February 27, 2020
"We offer help regardless of religion"
The New Delhi authorities didn't create any emergency humanitarian camp. We simply wanted to be a light in these dark hours of ethnic attacks. All of the langars are open to everyone, regardless of religion or caste. We go into the areas affected by the riots in order to help them, but also to show our concern about the situation.
For Sikh religious leaders, these actions are part of the Sikh custom of the 'langar ', or communal kitchen. Each gurdwara has one, where Sikhs and non-Sikhs can come and eat free vegetarian meals.
In November 1984, anti-Sikh riots in New Delhi resulted in 3,000 deaths, after the prime minister at the time, Indira Gandhi, was murdered by her Sikh bodyguards.
Article by Pierre Hamdi (@PierreHamdi).


france24--2020-03-03--Democrats pull out the stops to woo California’s Hispanic voters

The US is seeing a rise in immigrants applying for citizenship in order to vote .
Some 60 percent of newly naturalised citizens are Hispanic .
In California , the most populous state in the US , 415 delegates are at stake in the Democratic primary on Super Tuesday .
Nearly 40 percent of the state 's population is Hispanic , a vital demographic for victory .
How do the candidates hope to win the all-important Hispanic vote ?
FRANCE 24 ’ s Terry FitzPatrick , Valerie Defert , and Pierrick Leurent report from California .
“ Bernie !
Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Senator Bernie Sanders addresses a rally in Santa Ana in California , promising universal healthcare and to rip up President Donald Trump ’ s immigration reform if he wins the White House .
`` On day one , we will restore the legal status of the 1.8 million young people and their parents ” who are eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program , he says as the mostly young Hispanic crowd breaks out into loud cheers .
“ I can see myself in him , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he believes in .
So I think it ’ s that spark that the youth see , ” Sanders supporter Nicole Gaspar tells FRANCE 24 .
Meanwhile , former vice president Joe Biden ’ s wife , Jill Biden , is hosting a campaign event with members of the Hispanic LGBTQ community in downtown Los Angeles .
“ I ’ ll take all this back to my husband and when he becomes president hopefully he can help make changes , ” she says .
California 's 415 delegates comprise more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates need to win their party 's nomination for president .
Click on the player above to watch the full report prepared by Rebecca Martin .

The US is seeing a rise in immigrants applying for citizenship in order to vote. Some 60 percent of newly naturalised citizens are Hispanic.
In California, the most populous state in the US, 415 delegates are at stake in the Democratic primary on Super Tuesday. Nearly 40 percent of the state's population is Hispanic, a vital demographic for victory. How do the candidates hope to win the all-important Hispanic vote? FRANCE 24's Terry FitzPatrick, Valerie Defert, and Pierrick Leurent report from California.
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“Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” the crowd chants as Senator Bernie Sanders addresses a rally in Santa Ana in California, promising universal healthcare and to rip up President Donald Trump’s immigration reform if he wins the White House.
"On day one, we will restore the legal status of the 1.8 million young people and their parents” who are eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, he says as the mostly young Hispanic crowd breaks out into loud cheers.
“I can see myself in him, like going against the grain, fighting for what he believes in. So I think it’s that spark that the youth see,” Sanders supporter Nicole Gaspar tells FRANCE 24.
Meanwhile, former vice president Joe Biden’s wife, Jill Biden, is hosting a campaign event with members of the Hispanic LGBTQ community in downtown Los Angeles. “I’ll take all this back to my husband and when he becomes president hopefully he can help make changes,” she says.
California's 415 delegates comprise more than 20 percent of the 1,991 total that Democratic candidates need to win their party's nomination for president.
Click on the player above to watch the full report prepared by Rebecca Martin.
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france24--2020-03-03--Kissing goodbye to ‘la bise’? Coronavirus threatens traditional French greeting

French government health officials have advised against greeting people with a kiss amid the coronavirus outbreak .
It is used to greet friends , family and colleagues across France , but the traditional ‘ bise ’ – a kiss on each cheek – may now be a health hazard , with government officials advising against it amid the coronavirus epidemic .
`` I have formally advised against the practice of handshaking , the reduction of social contact in a physical manner , and that would include the practice of 'la bise ' , ” French Health Minister Olivier Véran told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction to the advice has been mixed .
While some have embraced it , others have found the habit of a lifetime difficult to give up .
`` This morning , when I went to kiss a colleague , he said ‘ no , we ca n't shake hands anymore ’ .
I did n't shake his hand , but I kissed him anyway , ” one Parisian office worker , Gaëlle Fessler , told AFP .
France has so far seen a total of 204 confirmed coronavirus cases with four deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full report .

It is used to greet friends, family and colleagues across France, but the traditional ‘bise’ – a kiss on each cheek – may now be a health hazard, with government officials advising against it amid the coronavirus epidemic.
French government health officials have advised against greeting people with a kiss amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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"I have formally advised against the practice of handshaking, the reduction of social contact in a physical manner, and that would include the practice of 'la bise',” French Health Minister Olivier Véran told a press conference on Saturday.
The reaction to the advice has been mixed. While some have embraced it, others have found the habit of a lifetime difficult to give up.
"This morning, when I went to kiss a colleague, he said ‘no, we can't shake hands anymore’. I didn't shake his hand, but I kissed him anyway,” one Parisian office worker, Gaëlle Fessler, told AFP.
France has so far seen a total of 204 confirmed coronavirus cases with four deaths.
Click on the player above to watch the full report.
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