France is struggling to contain the widespread of the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> and the hospitals are facing the effect of it.

Coronavirus hospitals in Paris are running up to their full capacity, leading to a massive shortage of beds, especially in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Considering this, France's government announced plans to evacuate nearly 100 coronavirus patients from the ICUs of Paris hospitals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-probe-points-to-wuhan-wet-market-as-source-of-novel-coronavirus-370111" hreflang="en">WHO probe points to Wuhan wet market as source of novel coronavirus</a>

The government is hoping to avoid another lockdown through these transfers, while the officials prepare to speed up the vaccination programme.

"By the end of this week, probably around 100 patients will have been evacuated from the Ile-de-France region," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said.&nbsp;

Starting with the process, two patients of age 33 and 70 were airlifted to the southwestern city of Bordeaux.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-has-increased-social-inequality-in-uk-survey-369696" hreflang="en">Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey</a>

Attal also reported that two specially equipped trains will transfer "several dozens of patients to regions that today are under less strain" from the coronavirus pandemic.

While the government is starting the process of evacuating patients from Paris, people are worried if the capital city will undergo another lockdown.

"We are doing everything we can to not have to take more difficult, more restrictive measures," Attal said.&nbsp;

However, he also was careful to not dismiss the idea of lockdown completely. "We will always take whatever decisions are necessary," he said.

A weekend lockdown has already been ordered in the northern Pas-de-Calais region where COVID patients were being transferred from the more crowded area.

France is struggling to contain the widespread of the deadly coronavirus and the hospitals are facing the effect of it. Coronavirus hospitals in Paris are running up to their full capacity, leading to a massive shortage of beds, especially in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

France is struggling to contain the widespread of the deadly coronavirus and the hospitals are facing the effect of it. Coronavirus hospitals in Paris are running up to their full capacity, leading to a massive shortage of beds, especially in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Considering this, France's government announced plans to evacuate nearly 100 coronavirus patients from the ICUs of Paris hospitals. Also read | WHO probe points to Wuhan wet market as source of novel coronavirus The government is hoping to avoid another lockdown through these transfers, while the officials prepare to speed up the vaccination programme. "By the end of this week, probably around 100 patients will have been evacuated from the Ile-de-France region," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said. Starting with the process, two patients of age 33 and 70 were airlifted to the southwestern city of Bordeaux. Also read | Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey Attal also reported that two specially equipped trains will transfer "several dozens of patients to regions that today are under less strain" from the coronavirus pandemic. While the government is starting the process of evacuating patients from Paris, people are worried if the capital city will undergo another lockdown. "We are doing everything we can to not have to take more difficult, more restrictive measures," Attal said. However, he also was careful to not dismiss the idea of lockdown completely. "We will always take whatever decisions are necessary," he said. A weekend lockdown has already been ordered in the northern Pas-de-Calais region where COVID patients were being transferred from the more crowded area.

Beds' shortage forces France to evacuate over 100 COVID patients from Paris

Balmain models took to plane runways to display the Fall-Winter 2021 collection, in a video that was released on Monday (March 8) night.

Balmain turns to airport runway in escapist collection for Fall-Winter 2021

Ski lifts may be closed in France due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Chanel recreated a winter resort ambience on Tuesday (March 9) with a collection featuring quilted salopettes and faux fur boots fit for a night out after hitting the slopes.

Chanel parties it up in ski salopettes for fashion week

Farmers take to the streets of France over the conditions of the countries agricultural industry. Protesters highlighted the issue of rising farmers suicide in Paris. The demonstrations intensified after the authority cancelled the agricultural fairs.

Protest intensifies as France cancels agriculture fair

The rescheduled Tokyo Olympics European boxing qualifier will be held in Paris from June 4-8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Boxing Task Force (BTF) has said.

Paris is replacing London, where the event began last March before being suspended amid the COVID-19 crisis. The BTF decided to move the event from London in January following a surge of cases in the country.

The BTF said that Paris had been selected "as part of its initial commitment to organise its events in the host countries of recent or upcoming Olympic Games, and because of the opportunity to continue to benefit from its already established relationship with the Local Organising Committee, which was originally entrusted to organise the now-cancelled final world qualifier."

The BTF said last month that the world Olympic boxing qualifier, which was due to take place in Paris in June, had been cancelled.

It insisted, however, that changes to the qualification system ensured athletes from all regions had an equal chance to qualify for the Games.

The BTF has been responsible for the qualifiers and the boxing tournament at the Tokyo Games after the IOC suspended the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) Olympic recognition over issues surrounding its finances and governance.

The rescheduled Tokyo Olympics European boxing qualifier will be held in Paris from June 4-8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Boxing Task Force (BTF) has said.

The rescheduled Tokyo Olympics European boxing qualifier will be held in Paris from June 4-8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Boxing Task Force (BTF) has said. Paris is replacing London, where the event began last March before being suspended amid the COVID-19 crisis. The BTF decided to move the event from London in January following a surge of cases in the country. The BTF said that Paris had been selected "as part of its initial commitment to organise its events in the host countries of recent or upcoming Olympic Games, and because of the opportunity to continue to benefit from its already established relationship with the Local Organising Committee, which was originally entrusted to organise the now-cancelled final world qualifier." The BTF said last month that the world Olympic boxing qualifier, which was due to take place in Paris in June, had been cancelled. It insisted, however, that changes to the qualification system ensured athletes from all regions had an equal chance to qualify for the Games. The BTF has been responsible for the qualifiers and the boxing tournament at the Tokyo Games after the IOC suspended the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) Olympic recognition over issues surrounding its finances and governance.

Paris to host rescheduled Tokyo Olympic boxing qualifier

Canaries, parakeets and zebra finches will no longer chirp from small cages in the shadow of Notre Dame cathedral, after Paris voted to close its 19th-century bird market, deeming it inappropriate for this day and age. 
 
Held on Sundays, the market on the Ile de la Cite island in the Seine river has been a magnet for tourists and Parisians with children for decades, but an animal rights group`s campaign against it and plans to renovate the site led to a city council decision to close it. 
 
"The market had become the epicenter of bird trafficking in the Paris region, including of endangered birds," Paris deputy mayor Christophe Najdovksi told Reuters. 
 
"A second reason for closing it is that the conditions in which the birds are presented are no longer acceptable," he said. 
 
Dating from 1808, the bird market is expected to close when the city completes renovation of the flower market hall, with historical cast-iron awnings, on the same spot in 2023-25. 
 
Until then, bird lovers can still buy a parakeet for 10 euros ($12) or canaries and other songbirds for 25 euros. 
 
The city said 13 people have a licence to sell birds at the market but only seven use it and most of them also sell other things like pet supplies. 
 
"In coming months, we will help the bird sellers transition towards a new business model," Najdowski said. 
 
Albert Badalamenti, who has been selling birds on the market for 38 years, acknowledged that some sellers were not respecting the rules but said it was up to police to enforce those. 
 
"They said they would recycle us, find us another job. What I fear is bankruptcy. What are we going to do with all this stock?" he said, pointing at outdoor aviaries holding hundreds of birds at his breeding station north of Paris. 
 
Animal rights activist Amandine Sanvisens of Paris Animaux Zoopolis said the bird market closure is long over due. 
 
"Animals are not merchandise. They should not be sold like shoes or handbags." 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Canaries, parakeets and zebra finches will no longer chirp from small cages in the shadow of Notre Dame cathedral, after Paris voted to close its 19th-century bird market, deeming it inappropriate for this day and age.

Canaries, parakeets and zebra finches will no longer chirp from small cages in the shadow of Notre Dame cathedral, after Paris voted to close its 19th-century bird market, deeming it inappropriate for this day and age. Held on Sundays, the market on the Ile de la Cite island in the Seine river has been a magnet for tourists and Parisians with children for decades, but an animal rights group`s campaign against it and plans to renovate the site led to a city council decision to close it. "The market had become the epicenter of bird trafficking in the Paris region, including of endangered birds," Paris deputy mayor Christophe Najdovksi told Reuters. "A second reason for closing it is that the conditions in which the birds are presented are no longer acceptable," he said. Dating from 1808, the bird market is expected to close when the city completes renovation of the flower market hall, with historical cast-iron awnings, on the same spot in 2023-25. Until then, bird lovers can still buy a parakeet for 10 euros ($12) or canaries and other songbirds for 25 euros. The city said 13 people have a licence to sell birds at the market but only seven use it and most of them also sell other things like pet supplies. "In coming months, we will help the bird sellers transition towards a new business model," Najdowski said. Albert Badalamenti, who has been selling birds on the market for 38 years, acknowledged that some sellers were not respecting the rules but said it was up to police to enforce those. "They said they would recycle us, find us another job. What I fear is bankruptcy. What are we going to do with all this stock?" he said, pointing at outdoor aviaries holding hundreds of birds at his breeding station north of Paris. Animal rights activist Amandine Sanvisens of Paris Animaux Zoopolis said the bird market closure is long over due. "Animals are not merchandise. They should not be sold like shoes or handbags."

Last songs - Paris to close its historical bird market

A painting of a Paris street scene by Vincent Van Gogh is to be shown to the public for the first time, after spending more than a century behind closed doors in the private collection of a French family.

Van Gogh painting to be shown in public for first time

Exiled journalists, human rights activists, and Uyghurs on Tuesday gathered at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) headquarters in Paris to persuade the anti-terror financing organisation to place Pakistan on the blacklist.&nbsp;

"We have gathered here outside the FATF building as it will be meeting next week to discuss and review the case of Pakistan to make it remain under grey list or put it in the black-list. The idea of protest was to gather dissidents from Balochistan, Pashtun areas, Tibet, Hong Kong and Uyghur community to build a united front and to remind people of Pakistan-China nexus," said Taha Siddiqui, Pakistani journalist in exile and editor of South Asia press.&nbsp;

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"Pakistan should be held accountable for its continued support to terror groups and terror financing. We're here to remind FATF News and its members to not come under China's pressure when they meet this week," tweeted South Asia Press responding to Taha Siddiqui's statement.&nbsp;

Fazal Rehman Afridi, Pashtun Rights Activist said, "It's very important for the international community. Look at the case of Daniel Pearl, the terrorist who murdered him, Omar Sheikh, who has recently been released by Sindh High Court. The human rights activists, who are working for the rights of the people, are languishing in jails. So, it shows Pakistan's duplicity, what the government is saying to the world and what actually is happening. Even if they promulgate laws against terrorism, they will not act upon it, because the judiciary of Pakistan has compromised its working on the dictates of the military establishment - it is involved in terror-training, terror-financing, not only in Pakistan but in the region and around the world."&nbsp;

"We request the international community, particularly the EU to look into the matter of GSP Plus, because Pakistan is a state that is financing terrorism, violating the human rights of its own people. Pakistani Army is involved in human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It should be made accountable," added Afridi.&nbsp;

Exiled journalists, human rights activists, and Uyghurs on Tuesday gathered at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) headquarters in Paris to persuade the anti-terror financing organisation to place Pakistan on the blacklist.

Exiled journalists, human rights activists, and Uyghurs on Tuesday gathered at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) headquarters in Paris to persuade the anti-terror financing organisation to place Pakistan on the blacklist. "We have gathered here outside the FATF building as it will be meeting next week to discuss and review the case of Pakistan to make it remain under grey list or put it in the black-list. The idea of protest was to gather dissidents from Balochistan, Pashtun areas, Tibet, Hong Kong and Uyghur community to build a united front and to remind people of Pakistan-China nexus," said Taha Siddiqui, Pakistani journalist in exile and editor of South Asia press. × "Pakistan should be held accountable for its continued support to terror groups and terror financing. We're here to remind FATF News and its members to not come under China's pressure when they meet this week," tweeted South Asia Press responding to Taha Siddiqui's statement. Fazal Rehman Afridi, Pashtun Rights Activist said, "It's very important for the international community. Look at the case of Daniel Pearl, the terrorist who murdered him, Omar Sheikh, who has recently been released by Sindh High Court. The human rights activists, who are working for the rights of the people, are languishing in jails. So, it shows Pakistan's duplicity, what the government is saying to the world and what actually is happening. Even if they promulgate laws against terrorism, they will not act upon it, because the judiciary of Pakistan has compromised its working on the dictates of the military establishment - it is involved in terror-training, terror-financing, not only in Pakistan but in the region and around the world." "We request the international community, particularly the EU to look into the matter of GSP Plus, because Pakistan is a state that is financing terrorism, violating the human rights of its own people. Pakistani Army is involved in human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It should be made accountable," added Afridi.

Activists protest in Paris to ensure Pak gets placed on FATF blacklist

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics.

A similar urban exodus has been seen in the United States during the pandemic, with affluent New Yorkers retreating to second homes and Silicon Valley techies scattering across the country. The phenomenon might be even more pronounced in the United States than in Europe.

Watch |&nbsp;

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“Broadly speaking, place loyalty in Europe is significantly higher than in the U.S.,” Rode said, pointing to past studies showing that even among cities in economic decline, those in Europe suffered relatively less population loss. “A lot of these places have very deep histories, very deep culture.”

Nevertheless, many European cities are introducing features like pedestrian and cycle-friendly commuting options and expanded green spaces. Milan, hit hard by the first wave of the virus, has designated more than 20 miles of cycling lanes as well as “parklets” in former parking lots.

London officials began a “Streetspace” project last year, creating temporary bike lanes and widening pedestrian zones as commuters tried to avoid the dangers of crowded subways and buses. Paris and Barcelona have taken similar steps.

Changes like these, which typically would take years, are being made practically overnight, British engineering firm Arup found. (And the pace of London’s program has prompted legal battles.)

But Léan Doody, who leads the integrated cities and planning network for Europe for Arup, is optimistic about the changes. He said that although the pandemic had highlighted some of the deeper problems with urban life, it could actually prompt a push for improvement.

“There is an opportunity” as the pandemic fades from view, to “introduce new behaviors,” she said.

“Perhaps city authorities, transport authorities and employers could think about policies to make a vision of the future that actually works for everyone,” she said.

Quantifying precisely how many people have left Europe’s cities is difficult, because the pandemic has complicated data collection. But a study published earlier this month estimated that nearly 700,000 people left London in the last year, mostly foreign-born workers who may also have been reacting to Brexit.

However, London could be an outlier. A survey from Arup found that some 41% of Londoners had moved out of the city at some point in the pandemic, compared to around 10% in Madrid, Milan and Berlin and 20% in Paris. Real estate company Century 21 said over the summer that it had recorded a spike in interest in leaving Paris, but no “mass exodus.”

Property reports revealed tech workers left Dublin en masse last year as remote work became widespread.

Unaffordable housing was a pain point in many European cities even before the pandemic, which has both exposed and deepened inequality. But remote working is “loosening the link” between housing and employment, Doody said.

Property prices in Dublin have exploded in recent years after a housing-market collapse in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; a steep drop in supply has met with overwhelming demand, worsened by a rise in short-term rentals.

Doody said plans by the Irish government to create a legal right for employees to request remote work could make strides toward easing the housing strains on Dublin while distributing high-earning workers elsewhere.

Brendan McLoughlin, 29, a business analyst for Ireland’s national postal service, is among many whose job will remain at least partially remote; he plans to relocate from shared accommodation in Dublin to his own house in a port town north of the city this summer.

“I think it’s forced this reevaluation of what matters in your setting and your home life,” he said.

There is a strong view among social scientists and economists that the pandemic has only accelerated changes already underway in cities, deepening a “doughnut effect” in which high prices drive residents to the outskirts and turbocharging a formerly meandering trend toward remote work.

But the more rapid shifts have focused the attention of urban authorities, who are increasingly addressing long-standing complaints about noise, air pollution, cramped apartments and stratospheric rents.

In Paris, which was losing residents even before the pandemic, Mayor Anne Hidalgo had already been advocating the idea of the “15-minute city” — a vision of a future for neighborhoods that would assure all necessary amenities existed a short walk from people’s front doors. She made strides to cut car traffic in the city center and promote more green space.

When the pandemic created a new urgency, Paris quickly turned the Rue de Rivoli, a main thoroughfare, into a multilane biking highway, cut traffic near schools to improve air quality and turned parking spaces into extended cafe seating. The city is now vowing to make some of its pandemic designs permanent.

But finding the political will for lasting change will be a challenge, Rode said, and would depend to a great extent on the level of public engagement and acceptance.

Malcolm Smith, an urban design fellow with Arup, argued in a recent report that the pandemic had already brought cities closer to the vision of the 15-minute city, and that there was now the potential to make less traffic, cleaner air and more time with family into more permanent features of urban life.

“It has shone a light on the importance of developing cities in smaller modules, with essential services concentrated around community hubs,” he wrote. “In the 19th century, the response to cholera in London brought big infrastructure, the sewer network. I hope COVID-19 will lead to lots of smaller scale but widespread interventions.” 
&nbsp;

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics.

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics. A similar urban exodus has been seen in the United States during the pandemic, with affluent New Yorkers retreating to second homes and Silicon Valley techies scattering across the country. The phenomenon might be even more pronounced in the United States than in Europe. Watch | “Broadly speaking, place loyalty in Europe is significantly higher than in the U.S.,” Rode said, pointing to past studies showing that even among cities in economic decline, those in Europe suffered relatively less population loss. “A lot of these places have very deep histories, very deep culture.” Nevertheless, many European cities are introducing features like pedestrian and cycle-friendly commuting options and expanded green spaces. Milan, hit hard by the first wave of the virus, has designated more than 20 miles of cycling lanes as well as “parklets” in former parking lots. London officials began a “Streetspace” project last year, creating temporary bike lanes and widening pedestrian zones as commuters tried to avoid the dangers of crowded subways and buses. Paris and Barcelona have taken similar steps. Changes like these, which typically would take years, are being made practically overnight, British engineering firm Arup found. (And the pace of London’s program has prompted legal battles.) But Léan Doody, who leads the integrated cities and planning network for Europe for Arup, is optimistic about the changes. He said that although the pandemic had highlighted some of the deeper problems with urban life, it could actually prompt a push for improvement. “There is an opportunity” as the pandemic fades from view, to “introduce new behaviors,” she said. “Perhaps city authorities, transport authorities and employers could think about policies to make a vision of the future that actually works for everyone,” she said. Quantifying precisely how many people have left Europe’s cities is difficult, because the pandemic has complicated data collection. But a study published earlier this month estimated that nearly 700,000 people left London in the last year, mostly foreign-born workers who may also have been reacting to Brexit. However, London could be an outlier. A survey from Arup found that some 41% of Londoners had moved out of the city at some point in the pandemic, compared to around 10% in Madrid, Milan and Berlin and 20% in Paris. Real estate company Century 21 said over the summer that it had recorded a spike in interest in leaving Paris, but no “mass exodus.” Property reports revealed tech workers left Dublin en masse last year as remote work became widespread. Unaffordable housing was a pain point in many European cities even before the pandemic, which has both exposed and deepened inequality. But remote working is “loosening the link” between housing and employment, Doody said. Property prices in Dublin have exploded in recent years after a housing-market collapse in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; a steep drop in supply has met with overwhelming demand, worsened by a rise in short-term rentals. Doody said plans by the Irish government to create a legal right for employees to request remote work could make strides toward easing the housing strains on Dublin while distributing high-earning workers elsewhere. Brendan McLoughlin, 29, a business analyst for Ireland’s national postal service, is among many whose job will remain at least partially remote; he plans to relocate from shared accommodation in Dublin to his own house in a port town north of the city this summer. “I think it’s forced this reevaluation of what matters in your setting and your home life,” he said. There is a strong view among social scientists and economists that the pandemic has only accelerated changes already underway in cities, deepening a “doughnut effect” in which high prices drive residents to the outskirts and turbocharging a formerly meandering trend toward remote work. But the more rapid shifts have focused the attention of urban authorities, who are increasingly addressing long-standing complaints about noise, air pollution, cramped apartments and stratospheric rents. In Paris, which was losing residents even before the pandemic, Mayor Anne Hidalgo had already been advocating the idea of the “15-minute city” — a vision of a future for neighborhoods that would assure all necessary amenities existed a short walk from people’s front doors. She made strides to cut car traffic in the city center and promote more green space. When the pandemic created a new urgency, Paris quickly turned the Rue de Rivoli, a main thoroughfare, into a multilane biking highway, cut traffic near schools to improve air quality and turned parking spaces into extended cafe seating. The city is now vowing to make some of its pandemic designs permanent. But finding the political will for lasting change will be a challenge, Rode said, and would depend to a great extent on the level of public engagement and acceptance. Malcolm Smith, an urban design fellow with Arup, argued in a recent report that the pandemic had already brought cities closer to the vision of the 15-minute city, and that there was now the potential to make less traffic, cleaner air and more time with family into more permanent features of urban life. “It has shone a light on the importance of developing cities in smaller modules, with essential services concentrated around community hubs,” he wrote. “In the 19th century, the response to cholera in London brought big infrastructure, the sewer network. I hope COVID-19 will lead to lots of smaller scale but widespread interventions.”

The pandemic emptied Europe's cities. What will bring people back?

A woman has revealed that she was raped by 20 firefighters when she was between 13 and 15 years old. Following this revelation, locals of France have come out in support of her.

The victim's case is being examined in France's highest court for the allegations made by the girl.&nbsp;

She has accused the firefighters of raping her over a period of two years, while she was a minor. However, three of the accused have agreed to have sex with her, but have claimed it was consensual, and not rape.

However, the victim's journal — which was written shortly after the incidents — she says she was "terrified and paralysed with fear".

She has accused a firefighter, Pierre, from the Bourg-la-Reine fire station in Paris of sending her "affectionate messages" after getting her number from her medical file. She further revealed that he had asked her to undress in front of the webcam, and then passed around her number to his colleagues when she agreed. She has also accused the other firefighters of demanding the same from her. "

Pierre had known the girl as he had helped her battle severe anxiety seizures back in 2008 when she was 13 years old. This has come as a shock for her mother too who said she used to bake cakes for the firemen as a thank you for helping her daughter through the seizures — which had severely increased after the assaults, leading to firefighters visiting her house to "help" her nearly 130 times in two years. &nbsp;

"I thought he was the last person to do such a thing because he had helped her so many times and saw how vulnerable she was," said the victim's mother.

The victim has also confessed that Pierre had taken her to his apartment while in his full uniform and had raped her. Two of his colleagues later came to his apartment and she was subjected to gang rape. This had taken place in November 2009, when was 14 years old.

Two of the accused admitted to having "group sex" with the victim while on duty and in their full uniforms. Another one admitted to having engaged in sexual activity in the cubicle of a Paris hospital's toilet but denied having spotted any signs of restraint or vulnerability from the minor girl.

What has fueled Parisians with anger is that out of the 20 accused, only three have been charged with "sexual violation" as of now, but none have been charged for rape. In France, the maximum sentence for sexual violation is seven years, which is much less when compared to 20 years for rape.

"Every stereotype about rape is in this case: the judges and the psychiatrist say Julie is a liar, that she consented to sex with all those men, and that she is lying about being raped because she is ashamed," said Marjolaine Vignola, the victim's advocate.

Several feminist groups are now joining hands and marching on the streets of Paris demanding justice for the victim who has been fighting to prove her accusations true for nearly 10 years.

"For 10 years they were fighting alone, now thousands of feminists from all over France are joining them," said Marguerite Stern, from a feminist group l’Amazone. "We are demanding that the firefighters be tried for rape and not ‘sexual violation’. This culture of misogyny in our courts must end."

A woman has revealed that she was raped by 20 firefighters when she was between 13 and 15 years old. Following this revelation, locals of France have come out in support of her.

A woman has revealed that she was raped by 20 firefighters when she was between 13 and 15 years old. Following this revelation, locals of France have come out in support of her. The victim's case is being examined in France's highest court for the allegations made by the girl. She has accused the firefighters of raping her over a period of two years, while she was a minor. However, three of the accused have agreed to have sex with her, but have claimed it was consensual, and not rape. However, the victim's journal — which was written shortly after the incidents — she says she was "terrified and paralysed with fear". She has accused a firefighter, Pierre, from the Bourg-la-Reine fire station in Paris of sending her "affectionate messages" after getting her number from her medical file. She further revealed that he had asked her to undress in front of the webcam, and then passed around her number to his colleagues when she agreed. She has also accused the other firefighters of demanding the same from her. " Pierre had known the girl as he had helped her battle severe anxiety seizures back in 2008 when she was 13 years old. This has come as a shock for her mother too who said she used to bake cakes for the firemen as a thank you for helping her daughter through the seizures — which had severely increased after the assaults, leading to firefighters visiting her house to "help" her nearly 130 times in two years. "I thought he was the last person to do such a thing because he had helped her so many times and saw how vulnerable she was," said the victim's mother. The victim has also confessed that Pierre had taken her to his apartment while in his full uniform and had raped her. Two of his colleagues later came to his apartment and she was subjected to gang rape. This had taken place in November 2009, when was 14 years old. Two of the accused admitted to having "group sex" with the victim while on duty and in their full uniforms. Another one admitted to having engaged in sexual activity in the cubicle of a Paris hospital's toilet but denied having spotted any signs of restraint or vulnerability from the minor girl. What has fueled Parisians with anger is that out of the 20 accused, only three have been charged with "sexual violation" as of now, but none have been charged for rape. In France, the maximum sentence for sexual violation is seven years, which is much less when compared to 20 years for rape. "Every stereotype about rape is in this case: the judges and the psychiatrist say Julie is a liar, that she consented to sex with all those men, and that she is lying about being raped because she is ashamed," said Marjolaine Vignola, the victim's advocate. Several feminist groups are now joining hands and marching on the streets of Paris demanding justice for the victim who has been fighting to prove her accusations true for nearly 10 years. "For 10 years they were fighting alone, now thousands of feminists from all over France are joining them," said Marguerite Stern, from a feminist group l’Amazone. "We are demanding that the firefighters be tried for rape and not ‘sexual violation’. This culture of misogyny in our courts must end."

Paris: 20 firefighters accused of raping minor for 2 years; France rallies in support of victim

Workers across France took to the streets on Thursday (February 4) to ask for better salaries and more job protection. Since the start of the pandemic, a year ago in France, many sectors have suffered closures and lockdowns in a hit to the economy.

'Social issues before economic ones': Workers, cultural sector, students march in France

In what could further poison already tense relations between Tehran and European capitals, a Belgian court convicted an Iranian diplomat on Thursday for plotting a thwarted 2018 bombing of an opposition rally outside Paris and ordered him to be jailed for 20 years.&nbsp;

The trial was conducted under tight security in the Belgian port of Antwerp. The terrorism conviction was also claimed as a victory by the exiled National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI), the opposition group that was targeted for attack.&nbsp;

Assadollah Assadi, now 49, was attached to the Iranian mission in Austria when he supplied explosives for an attack that was planned for a June 30, 2018 NCRI rally in France.&nbsp;

Belgian officers foiled the attack when they intercepted a car carrying the device, and Assadi was arrested the next day in Germany, where he was deemed unable to claim diplomatic immunity.&nbsp;

Three of his accomplices, dual Iranian-Belgians, were also arrested and on Thursday, they were given jail terms of between 15 and 18 years and stripped of their Belgian citizenship.&nbsp;

The 2018 gathering in Villepinte, near Paris, included senior NCRI leaders and some high-profile supporters, including former US president Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. &nbsp;

The case has shone a light on Tehran's international operations just as it hopes the arrival of new US President Joe Biden will herald a loosening of sanctions re-imposed by Trump.&nbsp;

Assadi was charged with 'attempted murders of a terrorist nature' and 'taking part in the activity of a terrorist group'.&nbsp;

Iran had warned even before the conviction that it would not recognise the trial or the verdict, denying any official role in the plot and insisting Assadi ought to have enjoyed immunity from prosecution. But investigators concluded that he was an Iranian agent working under diplomatic cover.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In what could further poison already tense relations between Tehran and European capitals, a Belgian court convicted an Iranian diplomat on Thursday for plotting a thwarted 2018 bombing of an opposition rally outside Paris and ordered him to be jailed for 20 years.

In what could further poison already tense relations between Tehran and European capitals, a Belgian court convicted an Iranian diplomat on Thursday for plotting a thwarted 2018 bombing of an opposition rally outside Paris and ordered him to be jailed for 20 years. The trial was conducted under tight security in the Belgian port of Antwerp. The terrorism conviction was also claimed as a victory by the exiled National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI), the opposition group that was targeted for attack. Assadollah Assadi, now 49, was attached to the Iranian mission in Austria when he supplied explosives for an attack that was planned for a June 30, 2018 NCRI rally in France. Belgian officers foiled the attack when they intercepted a car carrying the device, and Assadi was arrested the next day in Germany, where he was deemed unable to claim diplomatic immunity. Three of his accomplices, dual Iranian-Belgians, were also arrested and on Thursday, they were given jail terms of between 15 and 18 years and stripped of their Belgian citizenship. The 2018 gathering in Villepinte, near Paris, included senior NCRI leaders and some high-profile supporters, including former US president Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. The case has shone a light on Tehran's international operations just as it hopes the arrival of new US President Joe Biden will herald a loosening of sanctions re-imposed by Trump. Assadi was charged with 'attempted murders of a terrorist nature' and 'taking part in the activity of a terrorist group'. Iran had warned even before the conviction that it would not recognise the trial or the verdict, denying any official role in the plot and insisting Assadi ought to have enjoyed immunity from prosecution. But investigators concluded that he was an Iranian agent working under diplomatic cover.

Iran diplomat gets 20-year jail for Paris bomb plot in Belgium

Classic and vintage cars brought a touch of extra style and nostalgia to Paris on Sunday (January 31).

Vintage car enthusiasts take trip down memory lane in Paris

Hollywood actress Demi Moore and model Kate Moss and her daughter were among the famous faces walking down the Fendi catwalk at Paris Haute Couture Week on Wednesday (January 27) where the Italian luxury label presented an array of flowing gowns, beaded capes and oversized earrings.

Demi Moore, Kate Moss and daughter walk down the Fendi catwalk

French fashion designer Julien Fournie first learned to wield a pair of scissors, then to design a dress on an iPad. Now, the global pandemic has forced him to pick up a new skill - as movie director.

In depths of pandemic, one fashion designer turns hand to being a movie director

Kim Jones, the man at the helm of Dior, collaborated with artist Peter Doig on the latest collection from the French fashion house.

Designer Kim Jones presents Winter 2021 collection for French fashion house Dior

A group of Republican senators on Wednesday called on newly sworn-in President Joe Biden to submit his plan to re-engage the United States in the Paris climate agreement to lawmakers for "review and consideration," moments after Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the accord.

Republicans call for Senate review before US re-enters Paris climate deal

Paris's famous Rodin Museum sculpture garden has reopened to visitors. Visitors queued for entry on Sunday, a day after France instituted a tightened nationwide coronavirus curfew on Saturday.

Paris' Rodin Museum sky garden reopens

Demonstrations against the controversial security bills continue to take place in Paris despite the heavy snowfall and COVID restrictions. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Saturday carrying banners with slogans.

Thousands take to streets in France against controversial Security Bill

As Christmas nears, Parisians said their spirits were lifted by festive lights and street decorations on Tuesday (December 22) despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Christmas in Paris: City of Light - locals feel festive despite COVID-19

France authorities have arrested four people linked to a September 25 meat cleaver attack in Paris, outside he former offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly that wounded two people.

Paris: 4 linked to meat cleaver attack arrested

Paris has been fined for appointing 'too many women' to top posts in the city hall. The city hall has been slapped with a fine of 90,000 Euros. How absurd is that?

Gravitas: Paris city hall fined for appointing too many women

Police deployed a water cannon at protesters in Paris on Saturday (December 12) at a tense demonstration against a draft law that would curb rules for filming police officers.

Police fire water cannon at tense Paris 'security bill' protest

Players walked out of the football pitch during a Champions League game on Tuesday after a referee allegedly made a racist remark about a coach.

Gravitas: Football players walk out of a match in Paris

Violence erupted second straight week as people continue to protest against controversial security law. Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with Police and the situation turned unmanageable as violence fled up.

Paris protesters clash with police, vandalise property

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the&nbsp;planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron.

A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law. The protests started as peaceful demonstrations, but as the crowd grew thicker, the local police departments imposed stricter rules and the protests soon turned into a warn zone-like situation.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-clash-with-police-in-paris-over-security-law-347788">Protesters clash with police in Paris over security law</a>

After day-long protest, the French police arrested 95 people across the country. While the protestors accused the police of extreme violence, the French police reported 67 of their officers have suffered injuries while trying to control the demonstrations,&nbsp;Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin told reporters on Sunday.

In Paris alone, 48 police officers were injured. In addition to this, a firefighter, too, was injured after he was hit by a projectile while serving his duty at the site of the demonstrations. The Paris Police Department arrested 25 people, out which two were identified as minors.

This was the second weekend of such protests, however, the intensity of these demonstrations was higher this weekend. When people took to streets with boards in hands and anti-government slogans, nobody was expecting such a violent clash between the locals and the police officers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paris-protesters-clash-with-police-vandalise-property-347812">WATCH|</a>

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However, as the day progressed, vehicles were lit on fire, several disputes broke off and windows of local shops and showrooms were smashed. The French police, in return,&nbsp;fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators.

The numbers demonstrating on Saturday were significantly down, with the nationwide figure at 52,350 against 133,000 a week earlier, the interior ministry said. Around 5,000 people demonstrated in Paris against 46,000 last week, it added. A police source on Saturday blamed the violence on 400 to 500 radical elements.

Meanwhile, Macron and his administration have decided to rewrite the draft.&nbsp;According to the controversial article 24, the plan deemed sharing of images of police with "obvious intention to harm" punishable by a year in prison and $54,000 fine. The protestors argue this will be a major breach of human rights.

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron. A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law.

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron. A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law. The protests started as peaceful demonstrations, but as the crowd grew thicker, the local police departments imposed stricter rules and the protests soon turned into a warn zone-like situation. Also read| Protesters clash with police in Paris over security law After day-long protest, the French police arrested 95 people across the country. While the protestors accused the police of extreme violence, the French police reported 67 of their officers have suffered injuries while trying to control the demonstrations, Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin told reporters on Sunday. In Paris alone, 48 police officers were injured. In addition to this, a firefighter, too, was injured after he was hit by a projectile while serving his duty at the site of the demonstrations. The Paris Police Department arrested 25 people, out which two were identified as minors. This was the second weekend of such protests, however, the intensity of these demonstrations was higher this weekend. When people took to streets with boards in hands and anti-government slogans, nobody was expecting such a violent clash between the locals and the police officers. WATCH| × However, as the day progressed, vehicles were lit on fire, several disputes broke off and windows of local shops and showrooms were smashed. The French police, in return, fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators. The numbers demonstrating on Saturday were significantly down, with the nationwide figure at 52,350 against 133,000 a week earlier, the interior ministry said. Around 5,000 people demonstrated in Paris against 46,000 last week, it added. A police source on Saturday blamed the violence on 400 to 500 radical elements. Meanwhile, Macron and his administration have decided to rewrite the draft. According to the controversial article 24, the plan deemed sharing of images of police with "obvious intention to harm" punishable by a year in prison and $54,000 fine. The protestors argue this will be a major breach of human rights.

France: Police arrest 95 demonstrators amid protests against national security law

Her mysterious smile has allured millions over centuries. Experts fight to this day to really decipher the iconic painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. For each eye, Mona Lisa seemingly opens new realms of appreciation. The famed painting is one of the major attractions in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

But for the majority of us, Mona Lisa smiles from beyond a protective glass. Flash photography is strictly prohibited.

But what if the painting is uncased and brought forward just for you to observe its timeless glory with your own eyes? This will be a great Parisian date indeed.

If you want to take a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime experience then the Louvre Museum has some plans for you.

The museum is carrying an auction for this priceless experience. If you are the winning bidder, you will be invited for the uncasing of Mona Lisa painting. The uncasing is done once a year to inspect the state of the painting.

Imagine being there, basking in the beauty of the painting in a way only Leonardo Da Vinci did.

This is not all, the winner of the auction will be taken for an exclusive private tour of the museum by none other than the president of the museum.

Good things don't stop here. Luxury brands Cartier and Dior have partnered with the museum for this curated experience.

Cartier has donated one of its Panthère de Cartier bracelet for this. The bracelet will be presented to the winner during his/her private tour. The winner will also be taken to secret Cartier jewellery workshops in Paris.

Interested?

Her mysterious smile has allured millions over centuries. Experts fight to this day to really decipher the iconic painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. For each eye, Mona Lisa seemingly opens new realms of appreciation.

Her mysterious smile has allured millions over centuries. Experts fight to this day to really decipher the iconic painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. For each eye, Mona Lisa seemingly opens new realms of appreciation. The famed painting is one of the major attractions in the Louvre Museum in Paris. But for the majority of us, Mona Lisa smiles from beyond a protective glass. Flash photography is strictly prohibited. But what if the painting is uncased and brought forward just for you to observe its timeless glory with your own eyes? This will be a great Parisian date indeed. If you want to take a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime experience then the Louvre Museum has some plans for you. The museum is carrying an auction for this priceless experience. If you are the winning bidder, you will be invited for the uncasing of Mona Lisa painting. The uncasing is done once a year to inspect the state of the painting. Imagine being there, basking in the beauty of the painting in a way only Leonardo Da Vinci did. This is not all, the winner of the auction will be taken for an exclusive private tour of the museum by none other than the president of the museum. Good things don't stop here. Luxury brands Cartier and Dior have partnered with the museum for this curated experience. Cartier has donated one of its Panthère de Cartier bracelet for this. The bracelet will be presented to the winner during his/her private tour. The winner will also be taken to secret Cartier jewellery workshops in Paris. Interested?

Want an exclusive date with THE Mona Lisa? This might help

As a second lockdown appeared inevitable amid skyrocketing coronavirus infections, the scientists advising the French government in October warned that keeping students in their classrooms meant it would take longer to tame the surge.

The government kept the schools open anyway, even as the country became an epicenter of the second wave of the coronavirus in Europe. French leaders decided that they would try to subdue the surge, while also trying to minimize economic and academic damage by keeping children learning where they do it best: in school.

Five weeks into a second nationwide lockdown, France, like much of Europe, has proved that it is possible to bring the rate of known infections down, even with schools open.

It is a lesson that has been taken up late in the United States, where Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and other cities, have made it a priority to keep bars and restaurants open — though not necessarily for indoor service or at full capacity — even as they have closed their schools.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-thought-it-could-reverse-globalisation-but-its-still-bleeding-jobs-346524">France thought it could reverse globalisation, but it’s still bleeding jobs</a>

Many European countries, including France, have made the opposite choice: keeping schools open but closing restaurants and bars.

In France, 11% of coronavirus tests are coming back positive but students have kept going to school, while New York City shut its public schools on Nov. 19, after the positive test rate reached 3%.

But recent studies have shown that young children, at least, are low transmitters of the virus, and at least some U.S. officials are reconsidering their approach: Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York abruptly decided Sunday to reopen elementary schools while keeping upper grades closed, and other districts around the country have made or announced similar moves.

Allowing schools to remain open has been one of the most significant departures from Europe’s initial lockdowns last spring.

“The first lockdown was horrible,” said Marine Huguenin, who was watching her two daughters play at a Paris park, which was filled with strollers and masked parents after school on a recent afternoon.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-in-europe-crosses-400000-as-germany-mulls-extending-partial-lockdown-till-early-spring-346074">Coronavirus death toll in Europe crosses 400,000 as Germany mulls extending partial lockdown till early spring</a>

During the earlier lockdown, the entire family was stuck inside, she said, with Huguenin and her husband looking after their children during the day, then catching up on work between 9:30 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The numbers tell the story of France’s progress so far. In early November, the number of new cases in France in a seven-day period soared to more than 80 per 100,000 people; as of Sunday it had dropped to 17 per 100,000.

“Obviously, the decline has been slower because schools are open, but we had to find a middle ground,” said Yazdan Yazdanpanah, an infectious disease specialist and a member of France’s Scientific Council, which advises the government on the pandemic. But, he added, the slower drop in infections has been offset by positive effects on education, mental health and the economy.

The trade-off has been generally well-accepted in an otherwise contentious lockdown during which an increasing number of people have challenged restrictions on movement and business.

In Paris, keeping schools open has shifted the mood in a city that lived through one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in the spring.

At the time, Paris felt like a ghost town, with every inch of the city — from small residential streets to the Champs-Élysées — deserted. This time, things seem much nearer to normal. Chairs are stacked inside closed cafes and restaurants. But neighborhoods come to life in the mornings and afternoons as parents take their children to and from school, and older students linger on sidewalks with studied indifference.

Clusters have appeared in schools throughout France, though not in “worrying numbers,” said Yazdanpanah, the infectious disease specialist.

With classrooms open, parents have been able to focus on work at home or commute to their workplaces, which has helped blunt the second lockdown’s blow to the economy.

The Bank of France estimated that economic activity in November would be 12% below normal — far less than the 31% drop experienced in April.

Most European countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Spain, have kept schools open even as the continent remains among the worst-hit. A few countries, like Austria, the Czech Republic and Italy, have closed schools, in part or in full.

In France, as in much of the world, schools shut down during the first wave in the spring as scientists tried to figure out what role children played in transmitting the virus.

The country’s 12 million students in primary and secondary schools engaged in online learning, but soon, teachers and education officials warned that many children had fallen behind.

“It reinforced our conviction to keep the schools open, for education and social reasons,” said Sophie Vénétitay, a teacher and union official.

Meanwhile, new studies suggested that despite early fears, keeping schools open, while not without risk, could be relatively safe so long as rules to limit the spread of the virus were in place.

In August, a report released by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said evidence “indicates that closures of child care and educational institutions are unlikely to be an effective single control measure for community transmission of COVID-19.”

Most studies on transmission now suggest that children younger than 10 spread the virus less efficiently than adults do, but that teenagers become infected and spread the virus just as much as adults. So keeping high schools open safely is trickier, especially if community transmission is high — making social distancing rules even more important.

After reining in the first wave of the epidemic, France saw infections begin rising again in August as people resumed socializing and the government failed to effectively carry out public health measures of testing, tracing and isolating.

By October, infections were skyrocketing across most of Europe.

But even after a warning from his scientific advisers, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France’s schools would remain open, as nonessential businesses were ordered closed. “Our children cannot be permanently deprived of instruction, education, contact with the school system,” he said.

As a second lockdown appeared inevitable amid skyrocketing coronavirus infections, the scientists advising the French government in October warned that keeping students in their classrooms meant it would take longer to tame the surge.

As a second lockdown appeared inevitable amid skyrocketing coronavirus infections, the scientists advising the French government in October warned that keeping students in their classrooms meant it would take longer to tame the surge. The government kept the schools open anyway, even as the country became an epicenter of the second wave of the coronavirus in Europe. French leaders decided that they would try to subdue the surge, while also trying to minimize economic and academic damage by keeping children learning where they do it best: in school. Five weeks into a second nationwide lockdown, France, like much of Europe, has proved that it is possible to bring the rate of known infections down, even with schools open. It is a lesson that has been taken up late in the United States, where Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and other cities, have made it a priority to keep bars and restaurants open — though not necessarily for indoor service or at full capacity — even as they have closed their schools. Also read| France thought it could reverse globalisation, but it’s still bleeding jobs Many European countries, including France, have made the opposite choice: keeping schools open but closing restaurants and bars. In France, 11% of coronavirus tests are coming back positive but students have kept going to school, while New York City shut its public schools on Nov. 19, after the positive test rate reached 3%. But recent studies have shown that young children, at least, are low transmitters of the virus, and at least some U.S. officials are reconsidering their approach: Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York abruptly decided Sunday to reopen elementary schools while keeping upper grades closed, and other districts around the country have made or announced similar moves. Allowing schools to remain open has been one of the most significant departures from Europe’s initial lockdowns last spring. “The first lockdown was horrible,” said Marine Huguenin, who was watching her two daughters play at a Paris park, which was filled with strollers and masked parents after school on a recent afternoon. Also read| Coronavirus death toll in Europe crosses 400,000 as Germany mulls extending partial lockdown till early spring During the earlier lockdown, the entire family was stuck inside, she said, with Huguenin and her husband looking after their children during the day, then catching up on work between 9:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. The numbers tell the story of France’s progress so far. In early November, the number of new cases in France in a seven-day period soared to more than 80 per 100,000 people; as of Sunday it had dropped to 17 per 100,000. “Obviously, the decline has been slower because schools are open, but we had to find a middle ground,” said Yazdan Yazdanpanah, an infectious disease specialist and a member of France’s Scientific Council, which advises the government on the pandemic. But, he added, the slower drop in infections has been offset by positive effects on education, mental health and the economy. The trade-off has been generally well-accepted in an otherwise contentious lockdown during which an increasing number of people have challenged restrictions on movement and business. In Paris, keeping schools open has shifted the mood in a city that lived through one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in the spring. At the time, Paris felt like a ghost town, with every inch of the city — from small residential streets to the Champs-Élysées — deserted. This time, things seem much nearer to normal. Chairs are stacked inside closed cafes and restaurants. But neighborhoods come to life in the mornings and afternoons as parents take their children to and from school, and older students linger on sidewalks with studied indifference. Clusters have appeared in schools throughout France, though not in “worrying numbers,” said Yazdanpanah, the infectious disease specialist. With classrooms open, parents have been able to focus on work at home or commute to their workplaces, which has helped blunt the second lockdown’s blow to the economy. The Bank of France estimated that economic activity in November would be 12% below normal — far less than the 31% drop experienced in April. Most European countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Spain, have kept schools open even as the continent remains among the worst-hit. A few countries, like Austria, the Czech Republic and Italy, have closed schools, in part or in full. In France, as in much of the world, schools shut down during the first wave in the spring as scientists tried to figure out what role children played in transmitting the virus. The country’s 12 million students in primary and secondary schools engaged in online learning, but soon, teachers and education officials warned that many children had fallen behind. “It reinforced our conviction to keep the schools open, for education and social reasons,” said Sophie Vénétitay, a teacher and union official. Meanwhile, new studies suggested that despite early fears, keeping schools open, while not without risk, could be relatively safe so long as rules to limit the spread of the virus were in place. In August, a report released by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said evidence “indicates that closures of child care and educational institutions are unlikely to be an effective single control measure for community transmission of COVID-19.” Most studies on transmission now suggest that children younger than 10 spread the virus less efficiently than adults do, but that teenagers become infected and spread the virus just as much as adults. So keeping high schools open safely is trickier, especially if community transmission is high — making social distancing rules even more important. After reining in the first wave of the epidemic, France saw infections begin rising again in August as people resumed socializing and the government failed to effectively carry out public health measures of testing, tracing and isolating. By October, infections were skyrocketing across most of Europe. But even after a warning from his scientific advisers, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France’s schools would remain open, as nonessential businesses were ordered closed. “Our children cannot be permanently deprived of instruction, education, contact with the school system,” he said.

Positive test rate of 11%? France’s schools remain open.

An award-winning Syrian photojournalist, who was wounded in a Paris protest against police brutality said on Sunday that his ordeal reminded him of the civil war in his home country.

Ameer al-Halbi, a freelance photographer who has previously worked for AFP, was trapped for several hours after getting hurt. He was unable to go to hospital despite receiving head wounds.

AFP quoted a police source tp say that an internal administrative inquiry had been opened to determine the circumstances under which al-Halbi was hurt in the protests.

"I am better this morning," said al-Halbi, who won several international awards for his coverage of the Syrian conflict in his home city of Aleppo for AFP.

"But the shock was very heavy, especially yesterday when I found myself wounded, bleeding heavily in my face and stuck for two hours in the demonstration -- wedged between demonstrators and the police who did not want to let us out to get to hospital," he told AFP.

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"Images of Syria surged back into my head... I was aged 15 when I found myself blocked in a demonstration in Aleppo, wounded by two bullets in my hand. It was Aleppo that came back to me last (Saturday) night."

He said that when police had began a charge to disperse the crowds in Paris he was in a group of four to five photographers who were "clearly recognisable" as such.

Al-Halbi, who has also worked for Polka magazine, was seen with a bruised face and much of his head covered in bandages in AFP photos.

Christophe Deloire, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, tweeted that the 24-year-old had been wounded at Place de la Bastille by "a police baton".

Polka Magazine and AFP both condemned the incident in statements Sunday.

"We are shocked by the injuries suffered by our colleague Ameer al-Halbi and condemn the unprovoked violence," said Phil Chetwynd, AFP's global news director, demanding that the police investigate the incident.

A statement from Polka magazine also condemned the "police aggression" against Alhalbi.

The magazine's Director of Publication Alain Genestar said the incident was "all the more shocking and reprehensible" because he was clearly identified as a press photographer.

Al-Halbi won second prize in the "Spot News" category for the World Press Photo in 2017.

(With AFP inputs)

An award-winning Syrian photojournalist, who was wounded in a Paris protest against police brutality said on Sunday that his ordeal reminded him of the civil war in his home country.

An award-winning Syrian photojournalist, who was wounded in a Paris protest against police brutality said on Sunday that his ordeal reminded him of the civil war in his home country. Ameer al-Halbi, a freelance photographer who has previously worked for AFP, was trapped for several hours after getting hurt. He was unable to go to hospital despite receiving head wounds. AFP quoted a police source tp say that an internal administrative inquiry had been opened to determine the circumstances under which al-Halbi was hurt in the protests. "I am better this morning," said al-Halbi, who won several international awards for his coverage of the Syrian conflict in his home city of Aleppo for AFP. "But the shock was very heavy, especially yesterday when I found myself wounded, bleeding heavily in my face and stuck for two hours in the demonstration -- wedged between demonstrators and the police who did not want to let us out to get to hospital," he told AFP. × "Images of Syria surged back into my head... I was aged 15 when I found myself blocked in a demonstration in Aleppo, wounded by two bullets in my hand. It was Aleppo that came back to me last (Saturday) night." He said that when police had began a charge to disperse the crowds in Paris he was in a group of four to five photographers who were "clearly recognisable" as such. Al-Halbi, who has also worked for Polka magazine, was seen with a bruised face and much of his head covered in bandages in AFP photos. Christophe Deloire, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, tweeted that the 24-year-old had been wounded at Place de la Bastille by "a police baton". Polka Magazine and AFP both condemned the incident in statements Sunday. "We are shocked by the injuries suffered by our colleague Ameer al-Halbi and condemn the unprovoked violence," said Phil Chetwynd, AFP's global news director, demanding that the police investigate the incident. A statement from Polka magazine also condemned the "police aggression" against Alhalbi. The magazine's Director of Publication Alain Genestar said the incident was "all the more shocking and reprehensible" because he was clearly identified as a press photographer. Al-Halbi won second prize in the "Spot News" category for the World Press Photo in 2017. (With AFP inputs)

Paris: Wounded photographer says protests brought back Syria memories

Photos show Alhalbi’s face appears bruised with much of his head covered in bandages.

Syrian journalist wounded by police during Paris protest

Police and demonstrators have clashed in Paris as tens of thousands took the streets to protest against new security law.

France: Protesters clash with police over 'global security' law

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