News Review - April 18 to 25, 2020

Transcription

Hello,
 
Welcome to the HelloFrench news review, the podcast that immerses you in the week's news to help you improve your French.
 
Headlines for the week of April 18 to 25, 2020:

• At least 23 dead in a mass shooting in Canada.
• Gradual easing of lockdown in some countries: an update on the situation.
• Ramadan has just begun this Friday in France under exceptional circumstances.
• 70% of lily of the valley production for May 1st could be lost this year.
• Bulgaria, New Zealand, and Austria: ministers and members of parliament donating their salaries to fight the epidemic.
• The state of New York authorizes video conference weddings.

Shootings committed by a man and five houses set on fire last weekend in Canada have killed at least 23 people. The attacker, a 51-year-old dental technician, was dressed in a Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform and was driving a fake police car. He had first violently attacked his partner, who managed to escape. This is the worst mass shooting the country has ever known. The man was shot dead by police at a gas station, after a 13-hour manhunt. While some of the victims were known to the killer, his motives remain unknown.

Lockdown measures that have borne fruit. This is notably the case in Germany, which is gradually beginning to ease restrictions on its population. Last Monday, the government authorized the reopening of shops smaller than 800 square meters. A great relief for small German shopkeepers. About ten days earlier, schools had also reopened their doors. The government remains on its guard, however, and does not want to rush things. Businesses are also gradually reopening in Italy, and the lockdown should be eased starting in early May. The same goes for Belgium, which will begin its easing of restrictions on May 4. Belgians will again be able to exercise in pairs, shops will reopen from May 11, and schools on May 18. Face masks will, however, be mandatory on public transport for anyone over 12. Spain, France, and the United States, for their part, are considering gradually implementing easing measures starting May 11. These measures, however, are not yet known.

The month of Ramadan begins in the middle of lockdown, this Friday, April 24, in France. Muslims are beginning the fast under unprecedented conditions, with mosques that still cannot reopen and family or social gatherings banned with people not living under the same roof. The Covid-19 crisis imposes a daily breaking of the fast that is less convivial and festive than usual. Emmanuel Macron does not plan to reopen places of worship before June. The French Muslim community is today the largest in Europe, with 6 million Muslims.

Huge loss for florists in France. Every year, the sale of lily of the valley for May 1st represents between 20 and 30 million in revenue. Indeed, 70% of lily of the valley production could be lost, producers estimate. Florists will remain closed and street selling of lily of the valley will be forbidden. The only places to get some? Food shops that remain open, such as supermarkets, bakeries, or butcher shops that wish to sell it. Today in France, the horticultural sector is one of the most indirectly affected by the Covid-19 crisis and the lockdown. 

A great gesture of solidarity from Austrian ministers. The members of the government have decided to donate one month of their salary to organizations fighting the epidemic. Each minister will donate their salary to the organization of their choice. In Austria, more than 10% of the population finds itself on partial unemployment and must tighten their belts. In Bulgaria, ministers and members of parliament are doing the same: they have been donating their salary since April 1st to the healthcare system, and will continue to do so until the end of the lockdown, normally scheduled for May 13. In New Zealand, a similar decision was made: as a gesture of solidarity, government members are reducing their salary by 20% for the next six months.

Wedding ceremonies that no one would have imagined just a few months ago. Circumstances require it - weddings can now take place via video conference in the state of New York. While lovers can exchange rings, they still cannot gather their friends and family. In this state particularly affected by the crisis, the lockdown is planned at least until May 15. But coronavirus or not, love always prevails.

Vocabulary of the week

Expand your French vocabulary - download our list of key words (explanation in French and English translation) from the week of April 18 to 25, 2020.

L'objectif (the goal)	The target to reach, the aim to achieve.
Lutter contre (to fight against)	To oppose something.
L'épidémie (epidemic)	A disease that spreads, that diffuses.
Pauvre (adjective - poor)	Not rich, not having much money.
Vulnérable (adjective - vulnerable)	Quite fragile, who can easily be hurt by a situation or someone.
Défavorisé (adjective - disadvantaged)	Not rich, not having much money. Not having many resources to live on.
Tous les coups sont permis (anything goes)	Everything is allowed, there is no more justice.
Le masque (mask)	Something you put on your face to disguise yourself, to hide it, or to protect yourself. You can wear a mask for carnival or a protective mask to avoid catching a disease.
Le tarmac (tarmac)	The ground at the airport, the area where planes land.
En liquide (in cash)	In cash, in cash money.
La pratique (the practice)	The act of doing something, the way of doing something.
Le parcours du combattant (obstacle course/ordeal)	Very complicated, very difficult procedures.
Limiter les risques (to limit risks)	To prevent something bad from happening, something that could hurt people or prevent success.
Le vol (theft)	Taking something from someone that does not belong to us.
Rouvrir (verb - to reopen)	To open again. Something had been closed and is now open again.
Le respirateur (ventilator)	A device in hospitals that helps people who have trouble breathing. This apparatus allows the patient to breathe artificially.
L'industriel (industrialist)	The owner of a factory, a brand that owns factories.
La visière (visor)	The front of a cap, the part that protects the eyes.
Le soignant (healthcare worker)	The person who treats us, medical staff. For example, a doctor or a nurse.
L'annulation (cancellation)	Something or an event is cancelled. For example: "My train was cancelled again this morning. I keep having cancellations lately."
Le report (postponement)	An event is not cancelled but it is postponed, it will be organized at a different time.
Le couteau (knife)	A cutting tool used for eating with a fork. It can also be used as a weapon to hurt people.
Le réfugié (refugee)	Someone who had to leave their country because their life is in danger due to their ideas, their ethnicity... They are therefore a refugee in another country.
Tuer (verb - to kill)	To cause someone to die, to make them lose their life.
Les enquêteurs (investigators)	Police officers working on an investigation, searching for the truth about an event.
L'assaillant (the assailant)	The person who attacks, the attacker.