# France

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MARIETTE LE ROUX (FILES) This file photo taken on December 6, 2008 shows a prostitute, waiting for clients behind her window in the red light district of Amsterdam. Dutch prostitute Terry van der Zijden proudly points to a photo she took of the bedroom in which she plies her trade; a sexless still-life neatly mounted on the wall of an Amsterdam art gallery. "There is my bed, that is my bureau" she states matter-of-factly in front of a picture of a room with tranquil green linen, scatter cushions and potted flowers -- part of an exhibition entitled "This is my workplace" by sex workers who completed a photography course in June. AFP PHOTO/ANOEK DE GROOT (Photo by ANOEK DE GROOT / AFP)
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MARIETTE LE ROUX […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Video, Video 3D

Sex workers’ hands tied under virus lockdowns

Across Europe, the coronavirus pandemic has forced many sex workers to rely on hardship funds and online platforms to make ends meet with many worried about the future after lockdowns are lifted
4 days ago
Customers exercise at the "Crossfit Trastevere" gym in the Trastevere district of Rome, on May 25, 2020 as the country eases its lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. - Swimming pools, gyms and fitness clubs reopened in Italy on May 25, 2020, marking a new stage in the deconfinement that begun three weeks ago. (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)
Customers exercise at the "Crossfit Tras […]
coronavirus, Health, Infographic, Video

European pools and gyms slowly reopen but seniors wary

European gyms and pools have begun reopening as the coronavirus lockdown eases in Germany, Iceland, Italy and Spain, but some elderly patrons remain wary of taking the plunge
6 days ago
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives to address a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, who attends via video link, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on May 18, 2020 on the effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Kay NIETFELD / POOL / AFP)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Health, Infographic, Video 3D

French-German recovery plan faces tough Brussels test

The road to clinch an EU recovery plan remains difficult, officials have warned, despite the surprise entente between Berlin and Paris to back a 500 billion euro rescue
2 weeks ago
Two African migrants on board the Aita Mari rescue boat watch a new group of migrants from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan wait to be rescued by members of the Spanish NGO Maydayterraneo in Mediterranean international waters off the Libyan coast on February 10, 2020. Photo: Pablo Garcia / AFP
Two African migrants on board the Aita M […]
coronavirus, Health, Migrants, Infographic

Fears mount over migrants dying ‘out of sight’ in Mediterranean

As the coronavirus dominates headlines, activists fear the Mediterranean is the scene of an overlooked tragedy as more migrants try to cross, Europe closes its ports and rescue ships cease to function
2 weeks ago
People sunbathe at the Barceloneta beach in Barcelona on May 20, 2020 during the hours allowed by the government to exercise, amid the national lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. - Barcelona opened its beaches and parks for walks, in a slight relaxation of lockdown measures. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
People sunbathe at the Barceloneta beach […]
coronavirus, Health, Infographic, Video, Video 3D

How will European tourism survive the virus?

Tourism is a key component in the European economy, accounting for 10 percent of all activity but it now faces its greatest challenge -- how will it survive the coronavirus pandemic?
2 weeks ago
(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 11, 2020 Cyclists ride their bicycles on The Mall road, outside Buckingham Palace in central London on April 11, 2020, as life in Britain continues over the Easter break, during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. - The risk of contagion from the Covid-19 disease, which is hitting the UK hard, has seen the British abandon public transport as far as possible to get back in the saddle with bicycle retailers signalling an uptick in customers. The same trend has been seen around Europe as the coronavirus lockdown is eased and people move around more whilst still seeking to avoid close contact with others. (Photo by Niklas HALLE'N / AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on Apri […]
coronavirus, Health, Transportation and mobility, Infographic, Video

Europe gets on its bike as virus lockdown eases

Across Europe, the risk of contagion from Covid-19 has seen people abandon public transport to get back in the saddle, with bicycle retailers signalling an uptick in customers
2 weeks ago
Primary school students arrive at school in The Hague, on May 11, 2020, as primaries, playgroups and childcare reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Sem van der Waal / ANP / AFP
Primary school students arrive at school […]
coronavirus, Europe's Youth, Health, Infographic, Video

Cheers and tears as Europe’s kids go back to school

Excited children greeted their friends and weary parents got used to early starts again as schools in several European countries reopened after a nearly two-month coronavirus break
3 weeks ago
Israeli pupils attend a class at the Sadot Elementary School in the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur in central Israel on May 3, 2020 as the country eases coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Photo: Jack Guez / AFP
Israeli pupils attend a class at the Sad […]
coronavirus, Europe's Youth, Health, Video

Back to school? Officials move warily as challenges loom

Authorities worldwide face the challenge of returning millions of children to schools shut due to the coronavirus, weighing the need to limit educational damage against the risk of a surge in cases
3 weeks ago