france24--2020-05-06--Hammered by Covid-19 crisis, Airbnb slashes a quarter of its workforce

Airbnb is cutting some 1,900 jobs worldwide to cope with the impact of the pandemic on travel Airbnb says it is laying off 25 % of its workforce as it confronts a steep decline in global travel due to the new coronavirus pandemic .
It 's a serious setback for the 12-year-old home-sharing company , which just a few months ago was valued at $ 31 billion and planning a hotly anticipated IPO .
Airbnb lists around 7 million properties on its web site .
In a letter to employees , CEO Brian Chesky said the San Francisco-based company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cutting businesses that don ’ t directly support home-sharing .
Those include its investments in hotels , air transportation and movie production .
“ We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime , ” Chesky wrote .
Chesky said Airbnb expects its revenue to drop by more than half this year .
The company is privately held , so it doesn ’ t release financial figures .
But AirDNA , a company that monitors bookings and rental fees for Airbnb hosts and others , said new U.S. bookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and April 13 .
Some places , like the United Kingdom , have restricted non-essential travel or are only letting medical workers book stays with Airbnb .
Chesky said travel will eventually return , but will look different .
Airbnb expects travelers will want options that are closer to home and more affordable , for example .
The company is scaling back its investments in luxury properties as a result .
“ We need to make fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't entirely unexpected .
Last month , two private equity firms — Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners — invested $ 1 billion in debt and equity in Airbnb .
The deal may have included a commitment to reduce costs .
Chesky recently angered many of Airbnb 's hosts when he told guests they could cancel their stays without penalties as coronavirus lockdowns scuttled their travel plans .
In early April , Airbnb agreed to pay hosts $ 250 million to make up for some of the money lost to cancellations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to check in by June 15 to cancel without penalties .
Chesky said departing employees will receive at least 14 weeks of their base pay .
U.S. employees will continue to receive health care coverage for a year ; in other countries , employees will keep their health coverage through the end of this year .

Airbnb says it is laying off 25% of its workforce as it confronts a steep decline in global travel due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Airbnb is cutting some 1,900 jobs worldwide to cope with the impact of the pandemic on travel
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It's a serious setback for the 12-year-old home-sharing company, which just a few months ago was valued at $31 billion and planning a hotly anticipated IPO. Airbnb lists around 7 million properties on its web site.
In a letter to employees, CEO Brian Chesky said the San Francisco-based company is letting 1,900 of its 7,500 workers go and cutting businesses that don’t directly support home-sharing. Those include its investments in hotels, air transportation and movie production.
“We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime,” Chesky wrote.
Chesky said Airbnb expects its revenue to drop by more than half this year. The company is privately held, so it doesn’t release financial figures. But AirDNA, a company that monitors bookings and rental fees for Airbnb hosts and others, said new U.S. bookings fell by 53% between Feb. 3 and April 13. Some places, like the United Kingdom, have restricted non-essential travel or are only letting medical workers book stays with Airbnb.
Chesky said travel will eventually return, but will look different. Airbnb expects travelers will want options that are closer to home and more affordable, for example. The company is scaling back its investments in luxury properties as a result.
“We need to make fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy," Chesky said.
The move isn't entirely unexpected. Last month, two private equity firms — Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners — invested $1 billion in debt and equity in Airbnb. The deal may have included a commitment to reduce costs.
Chesky recently angered many of Airbnb's hosts when he told guests they could cancel their stays without penalties as coronavirus lockdowns scuttled their travel plans. In early April, Airbnb agreed to pay hosts $250 million to make up for some of the money lost to cancellations. Airbnb is now letting people who were planning to check in by June 15 to cancel without penalties.
Chesky said departing employees will receive at least 14 weeks of their base pay. U.S. employees will continue to receive health care coverage for a year; in other countries, employees will keep their health coverage through the end of this year.
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Covid-19: Doctor speaks out about Iran's handling of pandemic

Covid-19 : Doctor speaks out about Iran 's handling of pandemic We continue our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Middle East .
Iran is one of the worst-hit countries in the region – authorities there have reported more than 6,000 deaths .
But observers and health experts say the numbers are in reality much higher .
After weighing up economic risks against health ones , the country 's leadership decided to reopen businesses in late April , followed by schools and mosques .
We speak to a doctor from Tehran , who has been on the frontlines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for his identity to be concealed .
Meanwhile in Israel , a medical centre in Tel Aviv is taking care of pregnant women who have contracted the coronavirus .
The mothers-to-be are considered a high-risk group for other respiratory illnesses .
Our correspondents Irris Makler , Antoine Mariotti and Cécile Galluccio report .
Finally , with limited online content in Arabic , young children on lockdown in the Middle East are finding it a challenge to stay entertained .
Reem Ali Adeeb , an animation artist in LA , and her sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have stepped in by creating a new YouTube channel .
We tell you more .
Take international news everywhere with you !
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Covid-19: Doctor speaks out about Iran's handling of pandemic
12:39 MIDDLE EAST MATTERS © FRANCE 24
We continue our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Middle East. Iran is one of the worst-hit countries in the region – authorities there have reported more than 6,000 deaths. But observers and health experts say the numbers are in reality much higher. After weighing up economic risks against health ones, the country's leadership decided to reopen businesses in late April, followed by schools and mosques. We speak to a doctor from Tehran, who has been on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19. He has asked for his identity to be concealed.


france24--2020-05-05--Grounded? Air travel after Covid-19

Grounded? Air travel after Covid-19

Will air travel ever be the same ?
With Covid-19 stay-at-home orders killing business travel and tourism while authorities scramble @ @ @ @ @ flying safe again , when will the industry recover from what may turn out to @ @ @ @ @ ?
Even if a vaccine and a treatment come sooner rather than later , will @ @ @ @ @ same ?
Will we still hop on a jet for a board meeting or take @ @ @ @ @ a whim ?
François Picard 's panel reflect on whether humanity will have learned to @ @ @ @ @ avoid taking unnecessary flights , and whether manufacturers and airlines will use the crisis to @ @ @ @ @ for all .
> > France to limit international travel this summer , Macron says @ @ @ @ @ you !
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Grounded? Air travel after Covid-19
40:04 THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24
Will air travel ever be the same? With Covid-19 stay-at-home orders killing business travel and tourism while authorities scramble to find ways to make flying safe again, when will the industry recover from what may turn out to be its worst crisis ever? Even if a vaccine and a treatment come sooner rather than later, will globalisation itself ever be the same? Will we still hop on a jet for a board meeting or take that cheap package holiday on a whim?
Advertising François Picard's panel reflect on whether humanity will have learned to slow down during confinement and avoid taking unnecessary flights, and whether manufacturers and airlines will use the crisis to make air travel more sustainable for all. >> France to limit international travel this summer, Macron says Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-05-06--Trump calls for economy to reopen as he tours Arizona face-mask factory without a mask

U.S. President Donald Trump watches workers on the assembly line manufacturing protective masks for the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak during a tour of a Honeywell manufacturing facility in Phoenix , Arizona , U.S. , May 5 , 2020 .
Without wearing a face-covering himself , President Donald Trump toured a new medical mask factory in Arizona on Tuesday , taking a rare trip out of Washington to visit a state he hopes to win in the November election even as Americans avoid travel to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Touching down in Phoenix in midafternoon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making N95 face masks for healthcare workers .
The facility was rushed into service in less than five weeks because of a shortage of the protective equipment and is producing face masks for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The president wore safety goggles during the factory tour but did not wear a mask , even though production workers at the facility did and a sign was visible that read : `` Attention : Face Mask Required in this Area .
Thank You ! ''
Honeywell Chief Executive Officer Darius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Meadows and some other visiting dignitaries also did not wear masks .
Trump told reporters as he left the White House earlier on Tuesday that he would likely wear a mask at the facility .
The federal government has encouraged Americans since early April to wear masks to avoid spreading the virus even when not feeling any symptoms of COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory disease it causes .
Trump has so far declined to wear a mask himself .
Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday he erred in not wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
His decision not to wear the mask had drawn widespread criticism .
The White House did not immediately respond to a query on why Trump did not wear a face mask at the Honeywell plant .
Trump has sought to give an optimistic view about the country 's ability to recover from the virus and is eager for states to reopen businesses whose lockdown closings have crushed the economy and left millions unemployed .
The virus is known to have infected more than 1.2 million people in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died , according to a Reuters tally .
In Arizona , Trump also participated in a discussion about supporting Native Americans .
He took the opportunity to argue that the U.S. economy should be reopened quickly .
`` Will some people be affected ?
Yes .
Will some people be affected badly ?
Yes .
But we have to get our country open and we have to get it open soon , '' Trump said .
The Republican president confirmed his administration 's plans to wind down the White House 's coronavirus task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase , the aftermath of the pandemic .
Asked if he would receive a coronavirus vaccine as soon as one is developed , Trump said he would but also might decide not to if that were deemed better for the country .
`` If there 's a vaccine and they wanted me to be first in line , I 'd be first in line or I 'd be last in line , or I would n't take it at all , whatever 's best for the country , '' Trump said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Washington in weeks was not coincidental .
Trump won Arizona in the 2016 election against Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , but opinion polls show him currently trailing the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden , in the Southwestern state .

Without wearing a face-covering himself, President Donald Trump toured a new medical mask factory in Arizona on Tuesday, taking a rare trip out of Washington to visit a state he hopes to win in the November election even as Americans avoid travel to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
U.S. President Donald Trump watches workers on the assembly line manufacturing protective masks for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak during a tour of a Honeywell manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., May 5, 2020.
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Touching down in Phoenix in midafternoon, Trump visited a Honeywell International Inc factory making N95 face masks for healthcare workers.
The facility was rushed into service in less than five weeks because of a shortage of the protective equipment and is producing face masks for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The president wore safety goggles during the factory tour but did not wear a mask, even though production workers at the facility did and a sign was visible that read: "Attention: Face Mask Required in this Area. Thank You!"
Honeywell Chief Executive Officer Darius Adamczyk, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and some other visiting dignitaries also did not wear masks.
Trump told reporters as he left the White House earlier on Tuesday that he would likely wear a mask at the facility.
The federal government has encouraged Americans since early April to wear masks to avoid spreading the virus even when not feeling any symptoms of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease it causes. Trump has so far declined to wear a mask himself.
Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday he erred in not wearing a face mask to the Mayo Clinic last month. His decision not to wear the mask had drawn widespread criticism.
The White House did not immediately respond to a query on why Trump did not wear a face mask at the Honeywell plant.
Trump has sought to give an optimistic view about the country's ability to recover from the virus and is eager for states to reopen businesses whose lockdown closings have crushed the economy and left millions unemployed.
The virus is known to have infected more than 1.2 million people in the United States, including at least 70,000 who have died, according to a Reuters tally.
In Arizona, Trump also participated in a discussion about supporting Native Americans. He took the opportunity to argue that the U.S. economy should be reopened quickly.
"Will some people be affected? Yes. Will some people be affected badly? Yes. But we have to get our country open and we have to get it open soon," Trump said.
The Republican president confirmed his administration's plans to wind down the White House's coronavirus task force as it focuses on a new phase, the aftermath of the pandemic.
Stump tour
Asked if he would receive a coronavirus vaccine as soon as one is developed, Trump said he would but also might decide not to if that were deemed better for the country.
"If there's a vaccine and they wanted me to be first in line, I'd be first in line or I'd be last in line, or I wouldn't take it at all, whatever's best for the country," Trump said.
The location of Trump's first trip out of Washington in weeks was not coincidental.
Trump won Arizona in the 2016 election against Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but opinion polls show him currently trailing the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, in the Southwestern state.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-06--S. Korea returns largely to normal as Covid-19 cases slow to a trickle

Visitors wearing face masks wait in line to enter an exhibition hall at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on May 6 , 2020 .
- South Korea returned largely to normal on May 6 as workers went back to offices , and museums and libraries reopened under eased social distancing rules after new coronavirus cases dropped to a trickle .
South Korea returned largely to normal Wednesday as workers went back to offices , and museums and libraries reopened under eased social distancing rules after new coronavirus cases dropped to a trickle .
The South endured one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside China and while it never imposed a compulsory lockdown , strict social distancing had been widely observed since March .
Employees were urged to work from home where possible while the new school term was postponed from its March start .
Scores of events -- from K-pop concerts to sports seasons -- were delayed or cancelled , while museums and galleries were closed and religious services suspended .
But the South appears to have brought its outbreak under control thanks to an extensive `` trace , test and treat '' programme that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population of 51 million , its death toll is little more than 250 , and new cases have slowed to just a handful -- 13 in the past three days , all of them arriving international passengers .
More than 90 of the South 's imported cases are returning citizens .
At least 100 people visited the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on Wednesday morning , and the first visitors of the day -- a married couple -- were given a bouquet of flowers by staff .
`` Many of our colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we are very excited about the reopening , we are very happy , '' museum spokeswoman Lee Hyun-ju told AFP .
Some workers were bittersweet about going back to the office .
`` I wanted to go home as soon as I sat down at my desk in the office today .
But there is also this weird sense of stability , '' wrote one Twitter poster .
Another tweeted : `` I feel like my holidays are now over . ''
The South reported two new infections on Wednesday , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control said .
Some professional sports , including baseball and soccer , are starting their new seasons this week after being postponed over virus fears , although the matches will be played behind closed doors .
Schools are to reopen in stages starting from May 13 .
Under what Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun referred to as `` everyday life quarantine '' , South Koreans are still encouraged to wear face masks and wash their hands frequently , among other recommendations .

South Korea returned largely to normal Wednesday as workers went back to offices, and museums and libraries reopened under eased social distancing rules after new coronavirus cases dropped to a trickle.
Visitors wearing face masks wait in line to enter an exhibition hall at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on May 6, 2020. - South Korea returned largely to normal on May 6 as workers went back to offices, and museums and libraries reopened under eased social distancing rules after new coronavirus cases dropped to a trickle.
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The South endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside China and while it never imposed a compulsory lockdown, strict social distancing had been widely observed since March.
Employees were urged to work from home where possible while the new school term was postponed from its March start.
Scores of events -- from K-pop concerts to sports seasons -- were delayed or cancelled, while museums and galleries were closed and religious services suspended.
But the South appears to have brought its outbreak under control thanks to an extensive "trace, test and treat" programme that has drawn widespread praise. In a population of 51 million, its death toll is little more than 250, and new cases have slowed to just a handful -- 13 in the past three days, all of them arriving international passengers. More than 90 of the South's imported cases are returning citizens.
At least 100 people visited the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on Wednesday morning, and the first visitors of the day -- a married couple -- were given a bouquet of flowers by staff.
"Many of our colleagues also came back to work today, so we are very excited about the reopening, we are very happy," museum spokeswoman Lee Hyun-ju told AFP.
Some workers were bittersweet about going back to the office.
"I wanted to go home as soon as I sat down at my desk in the office today. But there is also this weird sense of stability," wrote one Twitter poster.
Another tweeted: "I feel like my holidays are now over."
The South reported two new infections on Wednesday, taking the total to 10,806, the Korea Centers for Disease Control said.
Some professional sports, including baseball and soccer, are starting their new seasons this week after being postponed over virus fears, although the matches will be played behind closed doors.
Schools are to reopen in stages starting from May 13.
Under what Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun referred to as "everyday life quarantine", South Koreans are still encouraged to wear face masks and wash their hands frequently, among other recommendations.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalised for gallbladder condition

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg participates in a discussion hosted by the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , September 12 , 2019 .
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who has had a series of health scares , underwent non-surgical treatment for a gallbladder condition on Tuesday and is `` resting comfortably , '' a court spokeswoman said .
Ginsburg , 87 , had a gallstone that had caused an infection and was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore , spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said in a statement .
Ginsburg is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oral arguments on Wednesday remotely from the hospital .
Tests following the court 's oral arguments on Monday morning showed that Ginsburg was suffering from a gallstone that had migrated to her cystic duct , a tube that empties the gall bladder , blocking it and causing an infection , Arberg said .
Ginsburg is expected to stay in the hospital for a day or two , she said .
The court 's oldest justice has had a host of health issues in recent years .
In November 2018 , she broke three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests led to treatment for lung cancer that caused her to miss oral arguments in January 2019 .
She returned to the bench , but said in August that she had received radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer .
Most recently , Ginsburg was admitted to a hospital in November for two nights suffering from a fever and chills , but returned to work at the court the day after being released .
The health of the liberal justice is closely watched because a Supreme Court vacancy would give Republican President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nine-member court and prod it further to the right .
The court currently has a 5-4 conservative majority .
The Supreme Court this week has been hearing oral arguments by teleconference for the first time in its history in response to health concerns raised by the coronavirus pandemic .

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has had a series of health scares, underwent non-surgical treatment for a gallbladder condition on Tuesday and is "resting comfortably," a court spokeswoman said.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg participates in a discussion hosted by the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 12, 2019.
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Ginsburg, 87, had a gallstone that had caused an infection and was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said in a statement.
Ginsburg is expected to participate in the court's oral arguments on Wednesday remotely from the hospital.
Tests following the court's oral arguments on Monday morning showed that Ginsburg was suffering from a gallstone that had migrated to her cystic duct, a tube that empties the gall bladder, blocking it and causing an infection, Arberg said.
Ginsburg is expected to stay in the hospital for a day or two, she said.
The court's oldest justice has had a host of health issues in recent years.
In November 2018, she broke three ribs in a fall. Subsequent medical tests led to treatment for lung cancer that caused her to miss oral arguments in January 2019. She returned to the bench, but said in August that she had received radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer.
Most recently, Ginsburg was admitted to a hospital in November for two nights suffering from a fever and chills, but returned to work at the court the day after being released.
The health of the liberal justice is closely watched because a Supreme Court vacancy would give Republican President Donald Trump the opportunity to appoint a third justice to the nine-member court and prod it further to the right. The court currently has a 5-4 conservative majority.
The Supreme Court this week has been hearing oral arguments by teleconference for the first time in its history in response to health concerns raised by the coronavirus pandemic.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-06--Boko Haram jihadists in deadly clash with army in southwestern Niger

Soldiers from Niger following an attack carried out by Boko Haram in Bosso on June 17 2016 .
Boko Haram fighters clashed with government forces on Sunday in Diffa , the largest city in southwestern Niger , in what the jihadists said was a successful attack on a military camp .
Conflicting versions of the outcome emerged on Tuesday , with the Islamists claiming to have overrun the site but local residents telling AFP that the assailants had been repelled .
A propaganda video released by the Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP ) , a Boko Haram splinter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , purports to show heavily-armed insurgents storm an army camp following sustained fighting and heavy weapons fire .
A soldier is seen lying face-down on the ground , either dead or unconscious , and being shot twice .
The assailants then leave the camp with military vehicles and weapons to the cries of Allahu Akbar ( God is greatest ) .
The area around Diffa , a city of around 200,000 people located near the Nigerian border , has been repeatedly attacked by the jihadist group , which emerged in Nigeria in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sound of heavy fighting .
`` We heard gunfire , especially heavy weapons , between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm on the southern side of the city , '' Lawan Boukar , a local resident , said .
`` It was an audacious infiltration attempt by Boko Haram , who were then forced back to the bridge at Doutchi , '' he said , referring to a cross-border bridge about 30 kilometres ( 18 miles ) away .
Another resident said the attackers `` came over from the Nigerian side in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to break -- they were obviously hoping to catch our soldiers unawares . ''
A security source confirmed `` the attack '' but did not give details .
The defence ministry , contacted by AFP , said it would release a statement later .
Boko Haram 's insurgency has claimed more than 36,000 lives since it began in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 and displaced nearly two million from their homes .
The violence spilt over into neighbouring countries in the Sahel in 2015 , especially in the Lake Chad region , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niger and Nigeria converge .
The Diffa region is home to 120,000 refugees from Nigeria as well as 110,000 people internally displaced within Niger , according to UN data released in October .
Sunday 's attack came after an air-and-ground offensive against the group by Chad following a brazen attack in which nearly 100 soldiers were killed .
Chad claims it killed a thousand jihadists and lost 52 of its men , and drove the jihadists out of its territory .
In late March , Niger 's defence ministry claimed that a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibrahim Fakoura , had been killed in an operation in the Lake Chad region .
In 2015 , heavy fighting broke out between Niger soldiers and Boko Haram fighters around the strategic bridge at Doutchi and near Damasak , a Nigerian border village which the jihadists seized in October 2014 .
Damasak was retaken later by the Niger army , backed by Chadian soldiers .
Niger is also facing attacks from jihadists in the west of the country , coming from Mali .
Around 4,000 people were killed in Mali , Niger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is often intertwined with inter-community tensions , according to a UN estimate .

Boko Haram fighters clashed with government forces on Sunday in Diffa, the largest city in southwestern Niger, in what the jihadists said was a successful attack on a military camp.
Soldiers from Niger following an attack carried out by Boko Haram in Bosso on June 17 2016.
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Conflicting versions of the outcome emerged on Tuesday, with the Islamists claiming to have overrun the site but local residents telling AFP that the assailants had been repelled.
A propaganda video released by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group affiliated to the so-called Islamic State, purports to show heavily-armed insurgents storm an army camp following sustained fighting and heavy weapons fire.
A soldier is seen lying face-down on the ground, either dead or unconscious, and being shot twice.
The assailants then leave the camp with military vehicles and weapons to the cries of Allahu Akbar (God is greatest).
The area around Diffa, a city of around 200,000 people located near the Nigerian border, has been repeatedly attacked by the jihadist group, which emerged in Nigeria in 2009.
Local people testified that they heard the sound of heavy fighting.
"We heard gunfire, especially heavy weapons, between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm on the southern side of the city," Lawan Boukar, a local resident, said.
"It was an audacious infiltration attempt by Boko Haram, who were then forced back to the bridge at Doutchi," he said, referring to a cross-border bridge about 30 kilometres (18 miles) away.
Another resident said the attackers "came over from the Nigerian side in late afternoon, when the Ramadan fast was about to break -- they were obviously hoping to catch our soldiers unawares."
A security source confirmed "the attack" but did not give details. The defence ministry, contacted by AFP, said it would release a statement later.
Troubled region
Boko Haram's insurgency has claimed more than 36,000 lives since it began in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 and displaced nearly two million from their homes.
The violence spilt over into neighbouring countries in the Sahel in 2015, especially in the Lake Chad region, where the borders of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria converge.
The Diffa region is home to 120,000 refugees from Nigeria as well as 110,000 people internally displaced within Niger, according to UN data released in October.
Sunday's attack came after an air-and-ground offensive against the group by Chad following a brazen attack in which nearly 100 soldiers were killed.
Chad claims it killed a thousand jihadists and lost 52 of its men, and drove the jihadists out of its territory.
In late March, Niger's defence ministry claimed that a "leading figure" in Boko Haram, Ibrahim Fakoura, had been killed in an operation in the Lake Chad region.
In 2015, heavy fighting broke out between Niger soldiers and Boko Haram fighters around the strategic bridge at Doutchi and near Damasak, a Nigerian border village which the jihadists seized in October 2014.
Damasak was retaken later by the Niger army, backed by Chadian soldiers.
Niger is also facing attacks from jihadists in the west of the country, coming from Mali.
Around 4,000 people were killed in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso last year in jihadist violence, which is often intertwined with inter-community tensions, according to a UN estimate.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Poland postpones May 10 presidential election over Covid-19 fears

( FILE PHOTO ) Jaroslaw Kaczynski , the powerful leader of the governing Law and Justice ( PiS ) .
Poland 's governing parties said on Wednesday they had agreed to postpone the country 's May 10 presidential election after a failed attempt to hold it via a postal vote due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Jaroslaw Kaczynski , the powerful leader of the governing Law and Justice ( PiS ) , said on the party 's official Twitter account that `` the Speaker of Parliament will announce new presidential elections as soon as possible '' after the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 10 void .
A new date was not immediately clear .
There had been mounting pressure from the opposition and from within the ranks of the PiS itself to postpone the ballot and it became clear this week that holding it via a postal vote would be impossible from both a technical and legal standpoint .
With even some PiS lawmakers opposed , it appeared the government would fail to scrape together enough votes to pass last-minute legislation for a postal vote .
Failure would also see the PiS lose its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that PiS-allied incumbent President Andrzej Duda could capture more than 50 percent of the vote for a first-round victory .
Arguing that a free , fair and safe ballot is impossible under the ongoing coronavirus lockdown , the opposition had demanded a delay .
Critics also pointed to the absence of a democratic debate and an electoral campaign due to the pandemic .
Opposition candidates were unable to meet with voters due to the restrictions , while President Duda was effectively able to carry on campaiging while performing his official duties .

Poland's governing parties said on Wednesday they had agreed to postpone the country's May 10 presidential election after a failed attempt to hold it via a postal vote due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(FILE PHOTO) Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of the governing Law and Justice (PiS).
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Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful leader of the governing Law and Justice (PiS), said on the party's official Twitter account that "the Speaker of Parliament will announce new presidential elections as soon as possible" after the country's supreme court had declared the planned vote on May 10 void.
A new date was not immediately clear.
There had been mounting pressure from the opposition and from within the ranks of the PiS itself to postpone the ballot and it became clear this week that holding it via a postal vote would be impossible from both a technical and legal standpoint.
With even some PiS lawmakers opposed, it appeared the government would fail to scrape together enough votes to pass last-minute legislation for a postal vote.
Failure would also see the PiS lose its already thin majority.
Opinion polls suggest that PiS-allied incumbent President Andrzej Duda could capture more than 50 percent of the vote for a first-round victory.
Arguing that a free, fair and safe ballot is impossible under the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, the opposition had demanded a delay.
Critics also pointed to the absence of a democratic debate and an electoral campaign due to the pandemic.
Opposition candidates were unable to meet with voters due to the restrictions, while President Duda was effectively able to carry on campaiging while performing his official duties.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--France records 278 Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours, hospitalisations continue to fall

France on Wednesday recorded 278 deaths in 24 hours , down from 330 the previous day , taking the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 to 25,809 .
The total number of Covid-19 cases in ICUs across France reached 3,147 on Wednesday , 283 less than the day before , according to French health officials .
France is set to begin easing its lockdown on May 11 , when people will be allowed to move up to 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) around their residence without a justification form .
Movement beyond 100 kms will still need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has called for caution and “ pragmatism ” regarding travel outside the 100-kilometre zone to avoid accelerating the spread of the virus into low infection zones .
France released a colour-coded map last week , dividing the country into zones ranging from red for high infection areas to green for low infection zones .
The map is designed to serve as a reference for lockdown easing measures .
The French government ’ s lockdown easing measures have drawn fire from critics who say they are confusing and the country is not ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other protective measures that will be required after May 11 to avoid a flare-up of the epidemic .
But the government has defended its timetable with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Monday asserting that , `` economic life must resume imperatively and quickly '' .

France on Wednesday recorded 278 deaths in 24 hours, down from 330 the previous day, taking the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 to 25,809.
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The total number of Covid-19 cases in ICUs across France reached 3,147 on Wednesday, 283 less than the day before, according to French health officials.
Hospitalisations also fell, continuing a now uninterrupted three-week fall.
Lockdown easing starts May 11
France is set to begin easing its lockdown on May 11, when people will be allowed to move up to 100 kilometres (60 miles) around their residence without a justification form. Movement beyond 100 kms will still need a justification form.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for caution and “pragmatism” regarding travel outside the 100-kilometre zone to avoid accelerating the spread of the virus into low infection zones.
France released a colour-coded map last week, dividing the country into zones ranging from red for high infection areas to green for low infection zones. The map is designed to serve as a reference for lockdown easing measures.
The French government’s lockdown easing measures have drawn fire from critics who say they are confusing and the country is not ready to cope with the strict social distancing and other protective measures that will be required after May 11 to avoid a flare-up of the epidemic.
But the government has defended its timetable with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Monday asserting that, "economic life must resume imperatively and quickly".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-06--Iraq parliament approves PM Kadhimi's new cabinet after months of deadlock

The speaker of Iraq 's parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi meets with Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi before the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad , Iraq , May 6 , 2020 .
Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Wednesday after six months without one as parties squabbled until the last minute over Cabinet seats in backroom deals .
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , Iraq 's intelligence chief and a former journalist , will head the new government .
He will begin his term without a full Cabinet , however , after several ministerial candidates were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahdi , who has been leading a caretaker government , resigned last year as anti-government protesters took to the streets in their thousands , demanding jobs and the departure of Iraq 's ruling elite .
They accuse the political class that took over after the 2003 U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein of corruption that has driven the country into dysfunction and economic ruin .
The battle over government portfolios since Abdul Mahdi 's resignation in November prevented two previous nominees for prime minister from forming a Cabinet .
Kadhimi 's candidates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance and electricity passed with votes from a majority of lawmakers present .
Voting on the oil and foreign ministries was delayed as the parties failed to agree on candidates .
They rejected the incoming premier 's picks for justice , agriculture and trade .
`` The security , stability and blossoming of Iraq is our path , '' Kadhimi wrote on his Twitter account after parliament voted for his Cabinet .
He said he would make tackling the coronavirus pandemic , of which Iraq has suffered more than 2,000 cases and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold to account those who had killed protesters in previous months of anti-government unrest .
Iraqi officials say Kadhimi is acceptable to both the United States and Iran , whose battle for influence over Iraq has boiled into open confrontation in the past year .
The United States killed Iranian military mastermind Qassem Soleimani and his close ally the Iraqi paramilitary leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike next to Baghdad International Airport in January .
Iran responded with its first ever direct missile attack against U.S. forces at a base in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not kill anyone .
Washington accuses paramilitary groups backed by Tehran of carrying out a series of rocket attacks on other bases in recent months , one of which killed three troops in the U.S.-led military coalition based in Iraq .
Rockets have regularly been fired near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad .
None of the rocket attacks have been claimed by known Iran-backed groups .
Kadhimi 's government must deal with an impending economic crisis precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic , which has caused the prices of oil - Iraq 's principle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also faces a growing Islamic State insurgency as the extremist group steps up attacks on government troops from hideouts in remote areas of northern Iraq .
Iraq risks being caught up in any regional conflagration between Washington and Tehran , as militia groups vow revenge for the killing of Soleimani and Muhandis and President Donald Trump continues his bellicose rhetoric against Iran .

Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Wednesday after six months without one as parties squabbled until the last minute over Cabinet seats in backroom deals.
The speaker of Iraq's parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi meets with Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi before the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 6, 2020.
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Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraq's intelligence chief and a former journalist, will head the new government. He will begin his term without a full Cabinet, however, after several ministerial candidates were rejected.
Former prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who has been leading a caretaker government, resigned last year as anti-government protesters took to the streets in their thousands, demanding jobs and the departure of Iraq's ruling elite.
They accuse the political class that took over after the 2003 U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein of corruption that has driven the country into dysfunction and economic ruin.
The battle over government portfolios since Abdul Mahdi's resignation in November prevented two previous nominees for prime minister from forming a Cabinet.
Kadhimi's candidates for Cabinet posts including interior, defence, finance and electricity passed with votes from a majority of lawmakers present.
Voting on the oil and foreign ministries was delayed as the parties failed to agree on candidates. They rejected the incoming premier's picks for justice, agriculture and trade.
"The security, stability and blossoming of Iraq is our path," Kadhimi wrote on his Twitter account after parliament voted for his Cabinet.
He said he would make tackling the coronavirus pandemic, of which Iraq has suffered more than 2,000 cases and more than 100 deaths, a priority and hold to account those who had killed protesters in previous months of anti-government unrest.
Iraqi officials say Kadhimi is acceptable to both the United States and Iran, whose battle for influence over Iraq has boiled into open confrontation in the past year.
Multiple challenges
The United States killed Iranian military mastermind Qassem Soleimani and his close ally the Iraqi paramilitary leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike next to Baghdad International Airport in January.
Iran responded with its first ever direct missile attack against U.S. forces at a base in Western Iraq several days later but did not kill anyone.
Washington accuses paramilitary groups backed by Tehran of carrying out a series of rocket attacks on other bases in recent months, one of which killed three troops in the U.S.-led military coalition based in Iraq.
Rockets have regularly been fired near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. None of the rocket attacks have been claimed by known Iran-backed groups.
Kadhimi's government must deal with an impending economic crisis precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the prices of oil - Iraq's principle source of revenue - to plummet.
It also faces a growing Islamic State insurgency as the extremist group steps up attacks on government troops from hideouts in remote areas of northern Iraq.
Iraq risks being caught up in any regional conflagration between Washington and Tehran, as militia groups vow revenge for the killing of Soleimani and Muhandis and President Donald Trump continues his bellicose rhetoric against Iran.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Trump vetoes Congress resolution to limit his right to war with Iran

US President Donald Trump has vetoed a bipartisan congressional measure that sought to limit his war powers with respect to Iran US President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed what he called a `` very insulting '' congressional resolution seeking to limit his war powers in Iran .
In a statement , Trump said he had used his veto because the resolution -- a rare bipartisan rebuke to the president approved in March -- was based on `` misunderstandings of facts and law . ''
The measure stemmed from fears among both Trump 's Republicans and Democrats that the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republic .
In the statement , Trump says Congress misinterpreted his constitutional authority as being limited to `` defense of the United States and its forces against imminent attack . ''
`` That is incorrect , '' he said .
`` We live in a hostile world of evolving threats , and the Constitution recognizes that the President must be able to anticipate our adversaries ' next moves and take swift and decisive action in response .
That 's what I did ! ''
Supporters of the resolution said they wanted to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare war , as outlined in the US Constitution .
Trump has preached the need for a drawdown of American military entanglements abroad , but has ramped up a hostile relationship with Iran .
His administration has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran .
In January , Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iran 's most powerful general , Qassem Soleimani , at the Baghdad airport .

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed what he called a "very insulting" congressional resolution seeking to limit his war powers in Iran.
US President Donald Trump has vetoed a bipartisan congressional measure that sought to limit his war powers with respect to Iran
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In a statement, Trump said he had used his veto because the resolution -- a rare bipartisan rebuke to the president approved in March -- was based on "misunderstandings of facts and law."
The measure stemmed from fears among both Trump's Republicans and Democrats that the White House was stumbling into war with the Islamic republic.
In the statement, Trump says Congress misinterpreted his constitutional authority as being limited to "defense of the United States and its forces against imminent attack."
"That is incorrect," he said.
"We live in a hostile world of evolving threats, and the Constitution recognizes that the President must be able to anticipate our adversaries' next moves and take swift and decisive action in response. That's what I did!"
Supporters of the resolution said they wanted to ensure that Congress has the unique power to declare war, as outlined in the US Constitution.
Trump has preached the need for a drawdown of American military entanglements abroad, but has ramped up a hostile relationship with Iran.
His administration has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran. In January, Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iran's most powerful general, Qassem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Exiled Parisians face bittersweet homecoming as France eases Covid-19 lockdown

Like the city 's other gardens and parks , the Jardin du Palais Royal in central Paris has been shut since the start of the lockdown .
Fugitive Parisians were roasted for helping to spread the coronavirus when they raced for the countryside at the start of France ’ s lockdown .
While some are now itching to go back , others are reluctant to surrender their bucolic havens for a return to urban life in the age of Covid-19 .
Forget the garden frolicking , the chirping birds and the indulgent meditations on burgeoning flowers : time ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the countryside on the eve of France ’ s nationwide lockdown .
Two months ago , some 1.2 million people fled the Paris region in a reverse rural flight that prompted howls of protests from countryfolk fearful of the spreading coronavirus .
Now , residents of the French capital and its suburbs have been told they can head back the other way as the country prepares to end its lockdown on May 11 .
Already , the logistics of their return from exile is a headache for the SNCF , France ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running a limited service and can only fill 50 % of seats to comply with social distancing rules .
But the government has pledged to let all Parisians return home , provided they carry a justification form required of all travellers who plan to cover a distance of more than 100 kilometres once the lockdown is lifted .
“ When they left [ their homes ] , they had the right to do so , ” Christophe Castaner , the interior minister , explained on LCI this week .
“ Now we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume their jobs and put their children back in school.
” The prospect of returning soon is a relief for Jean-Christophe , a television producer based in Paris .
He says he feared reprisals when he “ slipped away ” to a rental home in Normandy with his wife and daughter , one month into the lockdown .
“ Parisians were very judgemental of those who left ( ... ) .
It ’ s true we had a feeling that we were jumping ship , ” he says .
After weeks of juggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to office routine has become indispensable for Jean-Christophe , whose wife , a press officer , “ spends 12 hours a day on conference call ” .
“ I need to be more efficient , re-establish physical contact and get the engine revving again , ” he says .
“ And above all , our babysitter has confirmed she ’ s back at work !
” Finding someone to look after her two children is a challenge for Alix , who spent the lockdown with her family in western France .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decoration business , “ before it goes bust ” .
Her husband has also been summoned back to his architecture firm .
But the couple still have no guarantee their children will find a place at the nursery school .
Though French schools are due to reopen on May 11 , their capacity will be severely reduced in line with sanitation guidelines .
In Paris , priority will be given to the children of medical staff and other key workers .
When she ’ s not applying for financial help for her business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to put [ her ] boys on their priority lists.
” The uncertainty surrounding the return to school — along with other aspects of France ’ s lockdown exit plan — has led some Parisians to choose to prolong their exile , provided their work allows it .
Clémence , a decorator , says she consulted with her son ’ s teacher before deciding to stay on at her country home in Normandy .
Like many colleagues across France , the teacher expressed concern about the decision to send children back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Home-schooling is not a problem for us , so I decided to leave my son ’ s place to those who really need it , ” says Clémence , who has no plans to return to Paris before September .
“ Why would we go back ?
If school resumes , it won ’ t be every day and the logistics will be complicated .
Besides , we don ’ t have a courtyard in Paris and children will have only limited access to parks and gardens , ” she explains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re in contact with nature.
” For Clémence and other exiled urbanites , the lockdown has been a chance to taste a different kind of living .
All of them evoke a more “ gentle way of life ” , immersed in nature and far from the stress of the big city .
“ We would ’ ve gone nuts in Paris , ” says Clémence , summing up a sentiment that has inspired some fugitive Parisians to flee the capital for good .
That ’ s the conclusion Benjamin and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the idea for some time now , the Parisian couple have finally decided to quit the capital , definitively , after spending the lockdown in Brittany with their two boys aged 1 and 4 .
Right now , Benjamin has no desire to go back to Paris , “ where everything will be bleak : obligatory masks , no socialising , no room in schools.
” Nor does the current economic gloom offer him any incentive to return to his work as an advertising producer .
“ For the time being there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he explains .
“ We ’ ve got to be realistic .
In our profession , social distancing is simply not an option.
” > > Two adults , two kids , one square metre each : trapped in a shoebox under lockdown Rather than rush to Paris to save the company he co-founded , Benjamin sees this crisis has a chance for a new beginning .
“ Paris is magnificent , dynamic and intense .
But it ’ s not the right place to raise my children , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you only need to look at them to realise this .
And I ’ ve had plenty of time to do so lately .
So I prefer to give them this healthier environment and put my career aside for now.
” Damned when they left , damned when they return Ironically , those left behind in Paris have enjoyed their own “ healthier environment ” while others fled the city .
For them too , the end of lockdown carries a bittersweet taste : they know the city ’ s unprecedented peace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning “ deserters ” .
“ One soon gets used to the silence , ” says Pierre , a photographer , standing content at his window overlooking the normally bustling Boulevard Beaumarchais , near Bastille in the French capital ’ s east .
Paris in lockdown has “ everything ” he needs .
Anne Hidalgo , the city ’ s ecology-minded mayor , has vowed not to let cars reconquer the city after May 11 , speeding up her efforts to turn the French capital into a cycling hub .
But with many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s notoriously congested public transport amid the pandemic , there are growing fears that traffic mayhem and high pollution levels will rapidly be the norm again .
“ Paris has never been this pleasant before ; it ’ s the end of the lockdown that will be unpleasant , ” warns Lucas , a journalist who ’ s been whizzing across a deserted Paris on his bicycle to get to work each day .
He says the Parisians who stayed behind are already experiencing “ a form of Stockholm syndrome , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has forced upon the city .
He adds : “ It ’ s a kind of , ‘ We ’ re happy as things are , please don ’ t come and ruin it all ’ .
” This article has been translated from the original in French .

Fugitive Parisians were roasted for helping to spread the coronavirus when they raced for the countryside at the start of France’s lockdown. While some are now itching to go back, others are reluctant to surrender their bucolic havens for a return to urban life in the age of Covid-19.
Like the city's other gardens and parks, the Jardin du Palais Royal in central Paris has been shut since the start of the lockdown.
Advertising Read more
Forget the garden frolicking, the chirping birds and the indulgent meditations on burgeoning flowers: time’s up for the exiled Parisians who scrambled to the countryside on the eve of France’s nationwide lockdown.
Two months ago, some 1.2 million people fled the Paris region in a reverse rural flight that prompted howls of protests from countryfolk fearful of the spreading coronavirus. Now, residents of the French capital and its suburbs have been told they can head back the other way as the country prepares to end its lockdown on May 11.
Already, the logistics of their return from exile is a headache for the SNCF, France’s national train operator, which is running a limited service and can only fill 50% of seats to comply with social distancing rules.
But the government has pledged to let all Parisians return home, provided they carry a justification form required of all travellers who plan to cover a distance of more than 100 kilometres once the lockdown is lifted.
“When they left [their homes], they had the right to do so,” Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, explained on LCI this week. “Now we will not prevent people from returning home to resume their jobs and put their children back in school.”
Childcare conundrum
The prospect of returning soon is a relief for Jean-Christophe, a television producer based in Paris. He says he feared reprisals when he “slipped away” to a rental home in Normandy with his wife and daughter, one month into the lockdown.
“Parisians were very judgemental of those who left (...). It’s true we had a feeling that we were jumping ship,” he says.
After weeks of juggling working from home and childcare, a return to office routine has become indispensable for Jean-Christophe, whose wife, a press officer, “spends 12 hours a day on conference call”.
“I need to be more efficient, re-establish physical contact and get the engine revving again,” he says. “And above all, our babysitter has confirmed she’s back at work!”
Finding someone to look after her two children is a challenge for Alix, who spent the lockdown with her family in western France. She needs to get back to her floral decoration business, “before it goes bust”. Her husband has also been summoned back to his architecture firm. But the couple still have no guarantee their children will find a place at the nursery school.
Though French schools are due to reopen on May 11, their capacity will be severely reduced in line with sanitation guidelines. In Paris, priority will be given to the children of medical staff and other key workers.
When she’s not applying for financial help for her business, Alix is “busy pleading with schools to put [her] boys on their priority lists.”
‘We would’ve gone nuts in Paris’
The uncertainty surrounding the return to school — along with other aspects of France’s lockdown exit plan — has led some Parisians to choose to prolong their exile, provided their work allows it.
Clémence, a decorator, says she consulted with her son’s teacher before deciding to stay on at her country home in Normandy. Like many colleagues across France, the teacher expressed concern about the decision to send children back to school while Covid-19 remains a threat.
“Home-schooling is not a problem for us, so I decided to leave my son’s place to those who really need it,” says Clémence, who has no plans to return to Paris before September.
“Why would we go back? If school resumes, it won’t be every day and the logistics will be complicated. Besides, we don’t have a courtyard in Paris and children will have only limited access to parks and gardens,” she explains. “Here, at least, we’re in contact with nature.”
For Clémence and other exiled urbanites, the lockdown has been a chance to taste a different kind of living. All of them evoke a more “gentle way of life”, immersed in nature and far from the stress of the big city.
“We would’ve gone nuts in Paris,” says Clémence, summing up a sentiment that has inspired some fugitive Parisians to flee the capital for good.
Adieu Paris
That’s the conclusion Benjamin and his partner have come to. Having toyed with the idea for some time now, the Parisian couple have finally decided to quit the capital, definitively, after spending the lockdown in Brittany with their two boys aged 1 and 4.
Right now, Benjamin has no desire to go back to Paris, “where everything will be bleak: obligatory masks, no socialising, no room in schools.” Nor does the current economic gloom offer him any incentive to return to his work as an advertising producer.
“For the time being there will be no productions, no shootings,” he explains. “We’ve got to be realistic. In our profession, social distancing is simply not an option.”
>> Two adults, two kids, one square metre each: trapped in a shoebox under lockdown
Rather than rush to Paris to save the company he co-founded, Benjamin sees this crisis has a chance for a new beginning.
“Paris is magnificent, dynamic and intense. But it’s not the right place to raise my children,” he explains. “Children need nature, you only need to look at them to realise this. And I’ve had plenty of time to do so lately. So I prefer to give them this healthier environment and put my career aside for now.”
Damned when they left, damned when they return
Ironically, those left behind in Paris have enjoyed their own “healthier environment” while others fled the city. For them too, the end of lockdown carries a bittersweet taste: they know the city’s unprecedented peace and quiet will soon be shattered by the returning “deserters”.
“One soon gets used to the silence,” says Pierre, a photographer, standing content at his window overlooking the normally bustling Boulevard Beaumarchais, near Bastille in the French capital’s east. Paris in lockdown has “everything” he needs.
Anne Hidalgo, the city’s ecology-minded mayor, has vowed not to let cars reconquer the city after May 11, speeding up her efforts to turn the French capital into a cycling hub.
But with many commuters likely to shun the city’s notoriously congested public transport amid the pandemic, there are growing fears that traffic mayhem and high pollution levels will rapidly be the norm again.
“Paris has never been this pleasant before; it’s the end of the lockdown that will be unpleasant,” warns Lucas, a journalist who’s been whizzing across a deserted Paris on his bicycle to get to work each day.
He says the Parisians who stayed behind are already experiencing “a form of Stockholm syndrome,” a yearning for the tranquility that the lockdown has forced upon the city.
He adds: “It’s a kind of, ‘We’re happy as things are, please don’t come and ruin it all’.”
This article has been translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-05-06--Israel’s top court green lights Netanyahu-Gantz deal

Israel 's Supreme Court on May 6 , 2020 approved a coalition deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz .
Israel 's Supreme Court on Wednesday approved a coalition deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz .
Israel 's top court made the announcement shortly after Netanyahu and Gantz said their new coalition government would be sworn in on May 13 , putting an end to Israel 's longest political crisis .
After battling out three inconclusive elections , Netanyahu and Gantz announced their “ emergency ” government last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivalry to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis .
But critics and good-government groups said their deal was illegal and challenged it in the Supreme Court .
In particular , they objected to the creation of a new position of “ alternate prime minister , ” a post that will allow Netanyahu to remain in office throughout his corruption trial .
Over two days this week , the court looked at two questions : whether an indicted politician can be given authority to form a new government , and whether their power-sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was legal .
In its decision , the 11-judge panel rejected all of the challenges .
The judges ruled that while the coalition deal presents significant legal difficulties , the court would not interfere in its contents following changes submitted by Netanyahu and Gantz .

Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday approved a coalition deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz.
Israel's Supreme Court on May 6, 2020 approved a coalition deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz.
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Israel's top court made the announcement shortly after Netanyahu and Gantz said their new coalition government would be sworn in on May 13, putting an end to Israel's longest political crisis.
After battling out three inconclusive elections, Netanyahu and Gantz announced their “emergency” government last month, saying they would put aside their rivalry to steer the country through the coronavirus crisis.
But critics and good-government groups said their deal was illegal and challenged it in the Supreme Court. In particular, they objected to the creation of a new position of “alternate prime minister, ” a post that will allow Netanyahu to remain in office throughout his corruption trial.
Over two days this week, the court looked at two questions: whether an indicted politician can be given authority to form a new government, and whether their power-sharing deal — which includes new legislation — was legal.
In its decision, the 11-judge panel rejected all of the challenges.
The judges ruled that while the coalition deal presents significant legal difficulties, the court would not interfere in its contents following changes submitted by Netanyahu and Gantz.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-05-06--China refuses international probe on Covid-19 source until ‘final victory’ over disease

China will not invite international experts to investigate the source of Covid-19 until after securing the `` final victory '' over the virus , Beijing 's UN ambassador in Geneva said Wednesday despite mounting calls for an independent probe into China ’ s handling of the outbreak .
China 's priority is first beating the pandemic -- and then countering what Chen Xu called the `` absurd and ridiculous '' US politicisation of the coronavirus crisis , he added in an online press briefing .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) says it is waiting on an invitation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the animal origins of the virus , first reported in the city of Wuhan in December .
The revelation came amid a growing international backlash against China ’ s “ wolf warrior ” diplomats , who have launched an aggressive push-back against governments calling for an independent investigation into the outbreak that has killed more than 250,000 people across the world and plunged economies into a global recession .
> > Read more : The unmasking of China 's 'mask diplomacy' On Wednesday , when Chen was asked when the WHO could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , China ’ s UN ambassador in Geneva replied : `` The top priority , for the time being , is to focus on the fight against the pandemic until we win the final victory .
`` It 's not that we are allergic to any kind of investigations , inquiries or evaluations , '' he said , as they could aid international efforts to prepare for future public health emergencies .
`` For whether or how the invitation will take place , we need to have the right priority setting at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we need the right atmosphere . ''
Chen said the atmosphere had been soured by `` politically-motivated '' accusations against China , `` smearing , demonising '' its handling of the initial outbreak .
US President Donald Trump has been increasingly critical , saying last week he had seen evidence linking Covid-19 to a maximum-security virology lab in Wuhan and threatening new trade tariffs .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed criticism of Beijing ’ s handling of the outbreak .
`` China could have spared the world a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a choice but instead – instead - China covered up the outbreak in Wuhan , '' Pompeo told reporters .
`` China is still refusing to share the information we need to keep people safe , '' Pompeo added .
Over the weekend , Pompeo maintained that there was `` enormous evidence '' showing that the new coronavirus originated in the Wuhan lab .
China on Wednesday once again hit back at Pompeo ’ s claims , saying he `` does n't have any '' evidence .
`` I think this matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals , and not politicians who lie for their own domestic political ends , '' said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing in Beijing .
In his comments on Wednesday , Chen echoed the official statement from Beijing , noting that , `` some of the American politicians , the mindset is a constant problem .
They adopted an approach that is against anything from China .
We can not allow this kind of political virus to spread freely without any curbing , ” he said .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China and of having mismanaged and covered up the spread of the virus .
Chen offered full support to the UN health agency and insisted there was no question of its director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus having been `` influenced by China '' .
His claim has been refuted by Taiwan , a democratic island nation that is excluded from the WHO , due to China ’ s objections since Beijing considers Taiwan one of its provinces .
Taiwan responded early to the virus at the end of last year before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak from Wuhan .
Taipei has been lobbying to attend , as an observer , a May 17 meeting of the WHO ’ s decision-making body , the World Health Assembly ( WHA ) , although government and diplomatic sources say China will block the move .

China will not invite international experts to investigate the source of Covid-19 until after securing the "final victory" over the virus, Beijing's UN ambassador in Geneva said Wednesday despite mounting calls for an independent probe into China’s handling of the outbreak.
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China's priority is first beating the pandemic -- and then countering what Chen Xu called the "absurd and ridiculous" US politicisation of the coronavirus crisis, he added in an online press briefing.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is waiting on an invitation from China to take part in its investigations into the animal origins of the virus, first reported in the city of Wuhan in December.
The revelation came amid a growing international backlash against China’s “wolf warrior” diplomats, who have launched an aggressive push-back against governments calling for an independent investigation into the outbreak that has killed more than 250,000 people across the world and plunged economies into a global recession.
>> Read more: The unmasking of China's 'mask diplomacy'
On Wednesday, when Chen was asked when the WHO could expect an invitation to conduct a probe, China’s UN ambassador in Geneva replied: "The top priority, for the time being, is to focus on the fight against the pandemic until we win the final victory.
"It's not that we are allergic to any kind of investigations, inquiries or evaluations," he said, as they could aid international efforts to prepare for future public health emergencies.
"For whether or how the invitation will take place, we need to have the right priority setting at this moment, and on the other hand, we need the right atmosphere."
US focus on Wuhan lab
Chen said the atmosphere had been soured by "politically-motivated" accusations against China, "smearing, demonising" its handling of the initial outbreak.
US President Donald Trump has been increasingly critical, saying last week he had seen evidence linking Covid-19 to a maximum-security virology lab in Wuhan and threatening new trade tariffs.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed criticism of Beijing’s handling of the outbreak.
"China could have spared the world a descent into global economic malaise. They had a choice but instead – instead - China covered up the outbreak in Wuhan," Pompeo told reporters.
"China is still refusing to share the information we need to keep people safe," Pompeo added.
Over the weekend, Pompeo maintained that there was "enormous evidence" showing that the new coronavirus originated in the Wuhan lab.
China on Wednesday once again hit back at Pompeo’s claims, saying he "doesn't have any" evidence.
"I think this matter should be handed to scientists and medical professionals, and not politicians who lie for their own domestic political ends," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
Taiwan asks to attend WHO meeting
In his comments on Wednesday, Chen echoed the official statement from Beijing, noting that, "some of the American politicians, the mindset is a constant problem. They adopted an approach that is against anything from China. We cannot allow this kind of political virus to spread freely without any curbing,” he said.
Trump has accused the WHO of being too close to China and of having mismanaged and covered up the spread of the virus.
Chen offered full support to the UN health agency and insisted there was no question of its director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus having been "influenced by China".
His claim has been refuted by Taiwan, a democratic island nation that is excluded from the WHO, due to China’s objections since Beijing considers Taiwan one of its provinces.
Taiwan responded early to the virus at the end of last year before the WHO put out international directives on the outbreak from Wuhan. Taipei has been lobbying to attend, as an observer, a May 17 meeting of the WHO’s decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA), although government and diplomatic sources say China will block the move.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-06--Kraftwerk founder Florian Schneider dies aged 73

The co-founder of electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk , Florian Schneider , has died at the age of 73 from cancer , the managers of the group announced Wednesday .
The band , which he set up with co-founder Ralf Hutter in 1970 , changed electronic music , laying down the foundations for hip-hop , synth-pop , techno and house .
`` Florian Schneider died after a short cancer , just a few days after his 73rd birthday , '' one of the group 's managers , Alexandra Greenberg , told AFP , quoting comments from Hutter .
Born in Ohningen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schneider started collaborating with Hutter in 1968 .
The pair combined their German mother tongue with synthesisers and drum machines to create `` krautrock '' , a major contrast to the Anglo-Saxon pop brought in by the British and American troops in Germany .
Some have placed Kraftwerk 's influence on pop music on a par with that of The Beatles .
Their music , with its distorted vocals , haunting basslines mixed with the synthesizer pads and drum machine , won over many audiences and artists , from David Bowie and Madonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1976 Bowie told Rolling Stone magazine : `` My favourite group is a German band called Kraftwerk - it plays noise music to 'increase productivity ' .
I like that idea , if you have to play music . ''
Their words , in German then in Spanish , Russian , Polish or Japanese , also made them pioneers .
From the 1970s , they tapped into the ubiquity of machines and the growing role of technology in everyday life .
An avant-garde group and influential protagonists of contemporary art , Kraftwerk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their albums `` Autobahn '' ( 1974 ) , `` Radioactivity '' ( 1975 ) , `` Trans-Europe Express '' ( 1977 ) , `` The Man Machine '' ( 1978 ) and even the later `` Tour de France Soundtracks '' ( 2003 ) .
Florian Schneider left the group at the end of 2008 , apparently following a dispute with Hutter over a bicycle pump .
The pair rarely spoke afterwards but in 2014 , the band , including Schneider , received the prestigious lifetime achievement Grammy .

The co-founder of electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk, Florian Schneider, has died at the age of 73 from cancer, the managers of the group announced Wednesday.
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The band, which he set up with co-founder Ralf Hutter in 1970, changed electronic music, laying down the foundations for hip-hop, synth-pop, techno and house.
"Florian Schneider died after a short cancer, just a few days after his 73rd birthday," one of the group's managers, Alexandra Greenberg, told AFP, quoting comments from Hutter.
Born in Ohningen in West Germany in April 1947, Schneider started collaborating with Hutter in 1968.
The pair combined their German mother tongue with synthesisers and drum machines to create "krautrock", a major contrast to the Anglo-Saxon pop brought in by the British and American troops in Germany.
Some have placed Kraftwerk's influence on pop music on a par with that of The Beatles.
Their music, with its distorted vocals, haunting basslines mixed with the synthesizer pads and drum machine, won over many audiences and artists, from David Bowie and Madonna to Daft Punk and Kanye West.
In 1976 Bowie told Rolling Stone magazine: "My favourite group is a German band called Kraftwerk - it plays noise music to 'increase productivity'. I like that idea, if you have to play music."
David Bowie titled his "Heroes" instrumental track "V-2 Schneider" after Florian Schneider.
Their words, in German then in Spanish, Russian, Polish or Japanese, also made them pioneers. From the 1970s, they tapped into the ubiquity of machines and the growing role of technology in everyday life.
An avant-garde group and influential protagonists of contemporary art, Kraftwerk had a string of global successes with their albums "Autobahn" (1974), "Radioactivity" (1975), "Trans-Europe Express" (1977), "The Man Machine" (1978) and even the later "Tour de France Soundtracks" (2003).
Florian Schneider left the group at the end of 2008, apparently following a dispute with Hutter over a bicycle pump.
The pair rarely spoke afterwards but in 2014, the band, including Schneider, received the prestigious lifetime achievement Grammy.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Macron announces extra aid for French arts sector battered by Covid-19 crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron at a video conference May 6 , 2020 with representatives of the culture and finance ministries .
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was looking into more financial aid for the country 's arts and culture sectors that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
Macron said he also wanted to `` defend European creativity '' in the face of competition from areas such as the US and China .
As part of the support measures , the French president called for a 12-month extension to France 's special unemployment benefits for actors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme designed to protect them in the downtime between jobs .
The generous scheme helps sustain an industry that employs 1.3 million people across France — many of whom have been put out of work by the pandemic , which has forced the closure of museums and the postponement of major events .
Macron said small companies and independent workers that are most vulnerable to the crisis are eligible for a special 7-billion-euro support fund set up by the government for the months of March , April and May .
The president also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Centre for Music ( CNM ) , founded earlier this year , would benefit from a supplementary 50-million-euro investment .
“ Cultural venues must be brought back to life , artists must be able to create again and to work together to reach audiences , even if , during this intermediary period , we 're going to have to rethink a new sort of relationship with audiences , ” said Macron .
An open letter to the goverment Macron ’ s government had been under pressure to help those known collectively in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” or temporary performing arts workers , who include dancers , comedians , set designers , filmmakers and festival creators , explained FRANCE 24 ’ s culture correspondent Olivia Salazar-Winspear .
“ Last week , a number of high-profile French artists especially from the performing arts sector demanded that the government come up with a clear plan , they want news , they want indications for people working in the sector , ” said Salazar-Winspear .
“ They signed an open letter , a sort of op-ed in Le Monde newspaper saying culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did remind readers that while we all have been at home in confinement reading books , listening to music , watching films , the people creating that content had no real idea about the future of their industry.
” France 's “ intermittents du spectacle ” workers benefit from a special unemployment insurance scheme which sees them receive a monthly stipend paid by the state providing they work 507 hours over a 12-month period .
Cinemas , theatres to remain shut after May 11 But the intermittents say their year has been wiped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France has forced the closure of theatres , concert halls and cinemas , as well as the cancellation of festivals .
`` Many intermittents can not make up their hours , '' Macron said after a video conference call with their representatives and his finance and culture ministers .
Macron said he wanted the government to commit to a 12-month extension to the current payments from the end of August .
Even as France looks to emerge slowly from the lockdown from Monday , May , 11 , cinemas , theatres and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cultural events that bring more than 5,000 people together will not take place until at least September .
Covid-19 has killed more than 25,500 people in France , the world ’ s fifth highest toll behind the United States , Britain , Italy and Spain .

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was looking into more financial aid for the country's arts and culture sectors that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
French President Emmanuel Macron at a video conference May 6, 2020 with representatives of the culture and finance ministries.
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Macron said he also wanted to "defend European creativity" in the face of competition from areas such as the US and China.
As part of the support measures, the French president called for a 12-month extension to France's special unemployment benefits for actors, performers, musicians and technicians, a scheme designed to protect them in the downtime between jobs.
The generous scheme helps sustain an industry that employs 1.3 million people across France — many of whom have been put out of work by the pandemic, which has forced the closure of museums and the postponement of major events.
Macron said small companies and independent workers that are most vulnerable to the crisis are eligible for a special 7-billion-euro support fund set up by the government for the months of March, April and May.
The president also announced that the "particularly hard-hit" National Centre for Music (CNM), founded earlier this year, would benefit from a supplementary 50-million-euro investment.
“Cultural venues must be brought back to life, artists must be able to create again and to work together to reach audiences, even if, during this intermediary period, we're going to have to rethink a new sort of relationship with audiences,” said Macron.
00:32
An open letter to the goverment
Macron’s government had been under pressure to help those known collectively in France as “intermittents du spectacle,” or temporary performing arts workers, who include dancers, comedians, set designers, filmmakers and festival creators, explained FRANCE 24’s culture correspondent Olivia Salazar-Winspear.
“Last week, a number of high-profile French artists especially from the performing arts sector demanded that the government come up with a clear plan, they want news, they want indications for people working in the sector,” said Salazar-Winspear. “They signed an open letter, a sort of op-ed in Le Monde newspaper saying culture had been forgotten or abandoned. They did remind readers that while we all have been at home in confinement reading books, listening to music, watching films, the people creating that content had no real idea about the future of their industry.”
France's “intermittents du spectacle” workers benefit from a special unemployment insurance scheme which sees them receive a monthly stipend paid by the state providing they work 507 hours over a 12-month period.
Cinemas, theatres to remain shut after May 11
But the intermittents say their year has been wiped out by the coronavirus lockdown, which in France has forced the closure of theatres, concert halls and cinemas, as well as the cancellation of festivals.
"Many intermittents cannot make up their hours," Macron said after a video conference call with their representatives and his finance and culture ministers.
Macron said he wanted the government to commit to a 12-month extension to the current payments from the end of August.
Even as France looks to emerge slowly from the lockdown from Monday, May, 11, cinemas, theatres and concert halls will remain closed for longer.
Cultural events that bring more than 5,000 people together will not take place until at least September.
Covid-19 has killed more than 25,500 people in France, the world’s fifth highest toll behind the United States, Britain, Italy and Spain.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-06--Down the drain for 10 million litres of French beer not consumed due to lockdown

Lockdowns have hit France 's brewers , who depend on bars , restaurants and events , hard .
France will discard 10 million litres of beer -- four Olympic-sized swimming pools full -- due to expire , undrunk , with consumers in coronavirus lockdown , the national brewers ' association said Wednesday .
Most of the wasted brew is craft beer , which is often unpasteurised unlike traditional blonde lagers , and quicker to spoil , said the Brasseurs de France .
`` These are very hoppy beers , and if they are kept for too long , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in storage , the olfactory and taste effects , the aroma , disappears , '' brewery association boss Maxime Costilhes told AFP .
The body blamed the closure of cafes and restaurants , an abrupt halt to tourism and the cancellation of festivals and expos under France 's strict epidemic lockdown for leaving more than 10 million litres of beer unconsumed , most still in casks .
The number was compiled from the association 's 300-odd members , which represent 98 percent of beer production in France .
It represents but a drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beer the country is set to produce in 2020 , but nevertheless comes at a loss of millions of euros to producers .
The country , better known for its wine , has seen beer sales soar in recent years , spurred by an increase in craft brewing .
`` The destruction of this beer will have come at a significant cost for businesses , '' said the association , appealing for public aid to compensate for the bitter loss .
`` We are a very indebted sector since we invested 241 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development in 2019 -- a significant figure for a turnover of just over four billion euros , '' said Costilhes .
About a quarter of French brewers are out of action under the country 's virus-busting confinement measures , with home consumption failing to make up for sales lost with France 's vital hospitality industry at a near standstill .
About 70 percent of brewers have reported losing half their turnover or more since mid-March , said the association .
France is to start emerging from two months of lockdown , put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , next Monday .
But many people will continue working from home , and cafes and restaurants -- an essential part of the French social fabric -- will remain shuttered at first .
About a quarter of French brewers have benefited from a solidarity fund set up to help companies in the grips of the worst economic crisis in decades .

France will discard 10 million litres of beer -- four Olympic-sized swimming pools full -- due to expire, undrunk, with consumers in coronavirus lockdown, the national brewers' association said Wednesday.
Lockdowns have hit France's brewers, who depend on bars, restaurants and events, hard.
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Most of the wasted brew is craft beer, which is often unpasteurised unlike traditional blonde lagers, and quicker to spoil, said the Brasseurs de France.
"These are very hoppy beers, and if they are kept for too long, when they spend more than two to three months in storage, the olfactory and taste effects, the aroma, disappears," brewery association boss Maxime Costilhes told AFP.
The body blamed the closure of cafes and restaurants, an abrupt halt to tourism and the cancellation of festivals and expos under France's strict epidemic lockdown for leaving more than 10 million litres of beer unconsumed, most still in casks.
The number was compiled from the association's 300-odd members, which represent 98 percent of beer production in France.
It represents but a drop of the estimated 22.5 million hectolitres of beer the country is set to produce in 2020, but nevertheless comes at a loss of millions of euros to producers.
The country, better known for its wine, has seen beer sales soar in recent years, spurred by an increase in craft brewing.
Significant cost for businesses
"The destruction of this beer will have come at a significant cost for businesses," said the association, appealing for public aid to compensate for the bitter loss.
"We are a very indebted sector since we invested 241 million euros ($260 million) in development in 2019 -- a significant figure for a turnover of just over four billion euros," said Costilhes.
About a quarter of French brewers are out of action under the country's virus-busting confinement measures, with home consumption failing to make up for sales lost with France's vital hospitality industry at a near standstill.
About 70 percent of brewers have reported losing half their turnover or more since mid-March, said the association.
France is to start emerging from two months of lockdown, put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, next Monday.
But many people will continue working from home, and cafes and restaurants -- an essential part of the French social fabric -- will remain shuttered at first.
About a quarter of French brewers have benefited from a solidarity fund set up to help companies in the grips of the worst economic crisis in decades.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-06--Locked up with Covid-19: UN warns of ‘disastrous’ conditions in Latin America’s jails

The UN has warned that overcrowding and poor conditions in Latin American jails is leading to the rapid spread of Covid-19 among inmates .
Protests and riots have hit prisons across South America in recent weeks over fears of the spread of Covid-19 within their walls .
Now , the UN is warning that overcrowding , unsanitary conditions and lack of access to health care is causing the “ rapid spread ” of the virus in detention facilities throughout Latin America .
“ It is an absolutely chronic situation and this is because the overcrowding in some of the countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re talking about in some places , like 500 percent over the limit of what the crowding should be in prison , ” said Rupert Colville , spokesman for the UN office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights .
In several countries , tensions over conditions have led to deadly riots .
In Bogota , Colombia , 23 inmates were killed in a riot in a crowded prison in March , while at least nine were killed when a riot broke out at a prison in Peru last month , after two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was housing some 5,500 inmates despite an official capacity of just 2,140 .
But it is not just in Latin America where overcrowded prisons have become a breeding ground for Covid-19 .
In the US , testing of prisoners has shown the virus is rampant among some inmate populations .
At one Ohio prison more than 2,000 of 2,500 inmates tested positive for coronavirus .

Protests and riots have hit prisons across South America in recent weeks over fears of the spread of Covid-19 within their walls. Now, the UN is warning that overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and lack of access to health care is causing the “rapid spread” of the virus in detention facilities throughout Latin America.
The UN has warned that overcrowding and poor conditions in Latin American jails is leading to the rapid spread of Covid-19 among inmates.
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“It is an absolutely chronic situation and this is because the overcrowding in some of the countries was massive, I mean you’re talking about in some places, like 500 percent over the limit of what the crowding should be in prison,” said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In several countries, tensions over conditions have led to deadly riots.
In Bogota, Colombia, 23 inmates were killed in a riot in a crowded prison in March, while at least nine were killed when a riot broke out at a prison in Peru last month, after two inmates died from Covid-19.
That prison was housing some 5,500 inmates despite an official capacity of just 2,140.
But it is not just in Latin America where overcrowded prisons have become a breeding ground for Covid-19.
In the US, testing of prisoners has shown the virus is rampant among some inmate populations.
At one Ohio prison more than 2,000 of 2,500 inmates tested positive for coronavirus.
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france24--2020-05-06--Film show: How is Covid-19 impacting the French cinema industry?

Film show : How is Covid-19 impacting the French cinema industry ?
With 6,000 cinemas closed , 200 film shoots @ @ @ @ @ than €150 million already lost and more than half of the population signed up to @ @ @ @ @ critic Lisa Nesselson speaks to Eve Jackson about the effect of the coronavirus on the @ @ @ @ @ also talk about the revival of the drive-in in these social distancing times and the @ @ @ @ @ `` A Hidden Life '' on VOD .

Film show: How is Covid-19 impacting the French cinema industry?
12:16 ENCORE! © FRANCE 24
With 6,000 cinemas closed, 200 film shoots stopped in March, more than €150 million already lost and more than half of the population signed up to a streaming service, film critic Lisa Nesselson speaks to Eve Jackson about the effect of the coronavirus on the French film industry. They also talk about the revival of the drive-in in these social distancing times and the release of Terrence Mallick's "A Hidden Life" on VOD.


france24--2020-05-07--Covid-19: France's small-scale farmers see 'glimmer of hope'

French farmer Damien Hahusseau has seen more clients visiting his farm during the country 's Covid-19 lockdown .
For many @ @ @ @ @ has been brutal with large orders cancelled and revenue plunging .
But some small-scale farmers @ @ @ @ @ direct sales .
FRANCE 24 's Catherine Norris-Trent reports .
Damien Hahusseau , who runs @ @ @ @ @ cows and some vineyards in central France , told FRANCE 24 that the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ ’ buying habits .
“ We ’ ve had many more clients , people coming @ @ @ @ @ got a lot more free time in the day .
They ’ re not in @ @ @ @ @ want local produce.
” Hahusseau is developing the farm 's online presence and contacting individual @ @ @ @ @ to their doors .
`` We did n't do this before .
It helps us @ @ @ @ @ lot recently , with restaurants and the schools no longer placing any orders . ''
@ @ @ @ @ above to watch FRANCE 24 's report .

For many farmers, the Covid-19 pandemic has been brutal with large orders cancelled and revenue plunging. But some small-scale farmers have noticed a rise in direct sales. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent reports.
French farmer Damien Hahusseau has seen more clients visiting his farm during the country's Covid-19 lockdown.
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Damien Hahusseau, who runs a family farm with 100 cows and some vineyards in central France, told FRANCE 24 that the country’s lockdown has affected consumers’ buying habits. “We’ve had many more clients, people coming on foot who’ve got a lot more free time in the day. They’re not in a hurry, and they want local produce.”
Hahusseau is developing the farm's online presence and contacting individual consumers, and even delivering to their doors. "We didn't do this before. It helps us because we've lost a lot recently, with restaurants and the schools no longer placing any orders."
Click on the video player above to watch FRANCE 24's report.
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