>> hello. i'm annette young. welcome back to the news room. italy is coming further out of lockdown today with spain already on its way. it's a week before frfrance followows suit and b begins th process o of ending confinement. this as s all three european countries registered their lowest daily death tolls for weeks. >> i hope peoeople will have common senense a and understandt even if we can move around, we still have to be cautious and we must act in a responsible way. i think that everything should slowlyly restart. because it's worse if we remain

shut down for a long time. >> i'm really placing mymy hopen people's sense of civic responsibilility. and host: that in the coming weeks ththere will be no surge infections. anand that we will not go back into lockdown. annette: joining me now from rome is a professor in contemporary history. as someone who's been living in the world's longest lockdown, what has it been like for you? >> well, it was kind of a -- well, a little bit like being in prison. because the lockdown was very hard. it was not like in other countries that, let's say movements were possible. we were really restricted to staying home a and for any kindf getting out, anany kind of gettg arouound for just, let's say, buying a couple things sore, we needed a passport. or a module. which inindicated the r rson wh

we havave to go o out. otheherwise it wasn't possible. so basically, yes, we were staying for two months really in the house. that starts -- well, at the beginning it was a little bit -- we could take it with ease, with some jokes. but in the last weeks it became more heavy and it is good that now let's say we come to an and we the situation can get out. i felt really the relief of people who could now go out a bit more. still we're wearing masks. still you need a module that certifies the reason why you are around. but i have the impression that more shops are open, that people feel really relieved after two months. it couldn't have gone much longer. annette: the country has paid a heavy price, hasn't it? especially as it was already suffering from s serious econom problems.

>> that's the main problem of the country, of course. it was in economic trouble. it will be in much, much deeper economic trouble in the aftermath of the crisis. and this of course hits t the country very hard. we have all followed the discussions also about european aid, european help going to italy and italy was insisting very much on the so-o-called corona bononds. that means a commomon solidarit of all countries that will step in, in a crisis, which for the first time now is really felt as not being caused by the italians but they're not guilty for it. for any previous situation, there was always a a sense of maybe the italians themsmselves are responsible for what happened. this time we cannot say it and the italians are very proud. they say, well, this time we're realally deseserve some solidar some help in order to overcome the situation. also, weighing the death toll of

the corona crisis, and the eventual consequences of thehe restart ofof the ecoconomy, at price of maybe even going higher risk in society and contacting people, starts to shift from a responsibility more to a sense of saying, ok, we have to risk it, we need to try and go on because otherwise the country is literally dying, starving. this is something that places economic consequences on same level as the death toll of a pandemic. annette: we're going to have to leave it there. thank you. >> thank you very much. annette: germany's schools will begin reopening today in a further lifting of measures. hair dressers are also going to be able to o open their doooors afafter being closed for almost two months as part of those lockdown measures imposed by the government. nick spicer of berlin has more.

reportrter: step by step life he in berlin is gegetting back to normal. if you see the balloons here at thisis shop, they're really the measure of the happiness of the -- that's really the m measurer the happiness of the owner. also happenry pi are people who own hair salons, people who work in zoos, places of worship. they're all opepen again today life slowly opens up again. schools have been open for a little while for the students who are about to graduate this year. it's going to be extended to around a quarter of the german high school and primary school student population over the coming days. however, social distancing remains in place and restaurants are not allowed to open. the federal government and regional governments will be meeting later this week to look at further steps in terms of lifting lockdowns. however, there is a significant fear of a second wave of infections. there was one point last week where it likeked -- looked like that famous curvee might be goig back upwards. jerpens don't want to see that

happen. pan poll suggests one half of germ -- an opinion poll suggests one half of germans think things are moving too quickly. annette: portugal is also beginning to ease its lockdown this monday. small shops, hair dressing salons and car dealers resuming operations as the state of emergency is lifted after more than six weeks. wearing of facemasks in stores and d on public transport is no compulsery. this monday markiking the launc of a worldwide drive to raise funds for a vaccine and medication to prevent and treat covid-19. the e.u. andnd several global organizations to host a pledge marathon aimed at raising $7.5 billion euros for the effort. yan quinn has the details. reporter: a global response for a global pandemic. onononday the e european ununio wi h host a worldwide pledging marathon aimed at funding research into a vaccine and medication for covid-19.

>> we know we can only defeat the virus with a vaccine. and for that, we need a global coordination. not only the research for the vaccine, but also when we haha it, the manufacturing so capacities have to be built up. reporter: the event aims to raise some $7.5 billion euros in initial funding via donations from individual countrtries, organizations and business foundations. that money to be channeled to a global pandemic board with three main subgroups for diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. the e.u. is joined in its efforts by partners like the world bank, the bill and melinda gates foundation and the world health organization. whicich put forth the call to action last week with french president emanual macron. macron and other e.u. leaders have given their strong backing to the w.h.o. which has come under harsh criticism frorom th trumump administstration as it s to cut off u.s. funding to the organization. calling it, quote, very

china-centric. any rapid medical solutions for covid-19 face significant technical hurdles. even the most optimistic estimates for a new vaccine put it at 12 to 18 months away. but with some 0 candidates currently in -- 90 candidates currently in development, hopes are e high that even that timele can be further accelerated. equitable distribution will be key. with affordability in developing nations a particular concern.n. annette: after an interview with fox news, u.s. president donald trump says as many as 100,000 americans could ultimately die from covid-19. he also said he believes that a vaccine for the virus would be developed d by thehe end of thi yearar, a much more optimistic time frame than we're heaearing from infectiouous diseases specialists. douglas herbert, ouour international affairs commentator, has more.e. >> he's jujust held whatat is essesentially a v virtual rally using ththe l lincoln memorial, of the most iconic wasashington d.c., mononuments as a baback d

fofor a virtual l town hall mee. it was supposed to be really centntered on the coronavirus a the administratition andnd dona trtrump's response to the pandemic. but it really devolved as aa lo of thehese types of events do wn donald trump holds a rally into a lot of boasting about his own self-perceived accomplplishment in thihis case, saying that he d -- as he said in the past, he's donene more than n any presiden u.s. history. obviouslsly a reference to his hahandling of the papandemic. this is where the problem arisises. when donald trump announce that he w was running for re-electio last summer, his slogan was a littlele modified. it was keep america great. he and his team were relatively confident that he would cruise toto re-election on the heels oa bobooming amamerican economymy then, dd stock markets which were a at the time at t record highs. we know w what's happened since then. the rest is s history, as they say. donald trump has come under fierce c cticism, eveven from se within his own camp, o of

perceived fumbling of his rerl he -- early response to this crisis. the strategy of the trump team has been to try to shift the blame,e, try to blblame everyont donanald trump himself. for thee botched handlining, fo thsisituatn ththat has made the pandememic much worsthan a lot of expererts, scientists, medic experts sayy it should have bee in the united stateses, the world'bibiggest ecoconomy, greate m military powewer. that it should have been more prepared. annette: in brazil, the number of people infected with the virus has passed 100,000. yett the president there keeps criticizing the lockdown meant to slow down the spread of the disease. on sunday he greeted hundreds of people protesting against lockdown. reporter: brazilian president is still staunchly opposed to the lockdown.

reporter: although the president continues to minimize the disease, this time he chose not to get too close to the anti-lockdown protesters greeted outside the presidential palace. with some exceptions. this demonstration took place as the number of infected pazed the 100,000 figure. the number of dead passing the 7,000 victims. experts say the real figure could be 10 or 15 times higher. that's why brazil states decided to impose the lockdown. to slow down the spread of the disease. and why they say his criticism is dangerous. many residents back the lockdown. reporter: schools and businesses will remain closed at least

until may 11. and to encourage residents to keep their distances and abide by the rules, the city of rio de janeiro symbolically lit the statue of christ redeememer wita mamask on his face. annette: ventilators says it's foiled a terrorist attack by colombian mercenaries who planned a coup to bring down the maduro government. the colombian government denying the allegation. while ventilators' opposition says it's another -- venezuela's opposition says it's another attempt to chris credit thohose criticizizing the maduro regime. professional sniffer dogs are known for their ability to detect explosives, drugs and even cancer. but what if they could sniff out people infnfected with covid-19? a team of researchers here in france is hoping to train dogs to detect the virus through smell alone. which could be a game changer for tracking those infected. reporter: oslo's day job is

sniffing out explosives. but today presents a new challenge. can he also detect the new coronavirus? dogs are already used to sniff out cancer and even diabetes, with an average 98% success rate. could that t also be true for covid-19? reporter: just t west of paris, veterinary school h has joined forces with a local hospital to carry out a series of tests. first, oslo is presented with a sweat sample of an infected patient. and then thrown a treat. he then has to pick it out again from three possible options.

it's the one in the middle. if oslo gets it right, he knows o sit down in front of it. success, which means he'll be enlisted for several training sessions a day for the next three weeks. reporter: covid-19 sniffer dogs could be used not only to test samples but also to detect infected individuals in places like airports and train stations. this ambitious program hopes to get some 100 dogs ready for active service by the end of may. annette: that's it for this edition on "france 24."

>> the volcanic landscape in the far, far e east of russisia. virgin terriritory, barely toucd by tourism. but a few years ago, a travel started bringing troops by helicopter to admire the peninsula's scenic highlights and fauna. >> t ts is the area -- [indiscernible] -- >> now we are here. this is a especiaially protecte area and peoeople want to visit this area because around 1,000 bears live around it. three bears, four bears.

reporter: these toururists have traveled from china, korea, the czech republic and even brazil to see the bears up close. >> it caught a fish. >> yeah. >> it caught a fish. the right one. >> it's so lovely. i only saw w ars in a zoo. ot in a wildld area. reporter: to see the bears in e euros they paid $600 each for the o one-day helicopt trip. theyey say it wawas worth every cent. >> we posted a lot of pictures and a lot of friends saw the pictures and they want to try to come here next summer. >> i'm sure more and more chinese tourists will come. i think local markets should be prepared.

reporter: could it be the world's next tourist hot spot? that's one part of vladimir putin's grand plan to o make us of the 41% of russian territory that's home to only 6% of its population. he far e et. a federal district that the russian president has now expanded to include two additional regions while the oving its capital. since 2015, one of the highlights of the year here has been the annual eastern economic orums. deputy director of the far east investment and export agency is a busy man. right now in a short space of time we have to get signatures on 15 important contracts.

reporter: with top state officials present, chasing investors is his team's job. their task is to ensure that every ruble of public money spent on the far east brings in 10 rubles in private investment. >> 3.4 trillion rubles worth of contracts. we've been preparing for this all year and now we're signing. reporter: a good deal of ceremonial pomp. >> there's's a certain kinind o invester in russia and in n the world who is willing to deal with the difficulties here in the far east. we have a remote environment, low population density, insufficient roads and infrastructure. for projects here can really pay off. investors of this category are active i in russia, canada, australia and new zealand and feel good in these kind of

laces. reporter: 270 contracts with a total of $47 billion euros. for the rush yab agencies charged with promoting the far east, it's a success. but the signature on a p piece paper doesn't necessarily mean the investment will materialize. most of these are framework contracts, nonbinding for the investors. the forum is about projecting an image more than anything else. >> ladadies and gentlemen, we he set grand goals for the development of the far east and these big important goals can only be achieved through partnerships and collective efforts. reporter: the businessman still have to be persuadeded to follo through. this is what this man has come here for. he's on the way to meet a representative of a chinese

investors who wants to build a resort here. >> i've come here to discuss the next steps with the project's director. our aim is to increase the share of tourism and g.d.p. and in the regions, income specifically. up to a respectable level. >> well, look at this place. >> this is part of your land. >> how beautiful. >> it's magnificent. really beautiful. >> this hong g kong-based businemaman is eyeining an area here for hotels, retail and leer cenenters. >> if i understand correctly, the chinese absolutely need to have an infrastructure that allows them to have fun, spend mund and buy souvenirs, as well as food and drink -- >> the price tag, more than a billion euros.s. >> this wouould be the largest scale project evever i ithe historory of here or anywhere i

the far east. the stakes for us are very high. >> it's a pioneer project. >> yeses. crucial inin termsms of its imimportance tththe sectotos develolopment. >> the hope is thahat this projt will a attract other investors turn. the lack of infrastructcture ha so far been a turnoff, though. the russian n state is offering mouth watering incentives, near total tax exemption for five years and not only that. >> the f far east developmenent corporation, using public money, will c connect theheto the electricity g grid and to therm wawater s srces. landnd belonging t tthe state i being made available i in recor time. at t tiny prices comompared to market rates for land sales and rental here. >> but still, the investstor is hesitating. 55 billion euros in state-aided investments announced in the far east, only 16% have so far beee

carried out. anand the region is losing 17,0 inhabitantnts each year onon average. another ststate plan a aims to reverse the e edus. >> this is my trusty steed. i've driven more thahan 10,000 kilometers in this car, all tht way from moscow. i had a trailer with my things in it. when i got he, there was nothing. just nature.e. >> maxim is a geography. he left his job in the capital to t take advantagage of a prog offering o one free hector of ld in the far east to any rusussia tizen. >> t this is w where my firsrst building will be. i'planning tbuild aa house r guests. but first t i have tolear the forest. and to cut d down all these tre, i have to pay huge sums of money.

>> as much as 30 euros per tree, in fact. that's the ratee set by the municipal authorities in accordance with established forestry laws. and there are no exceptions for maxim, nor for other participants in the program in this area. >> ied ask the officials in charge of the land distribution prprogram about this before i tk the site. everyone told me, no problem. you cut the trees down, use the land. but when i arrive i fouound mysf haviving to pay $2,000 to $4,00 rubles for frees. i don't plan to make money by chopping wood. but i can't't stop my -- start project while ththis forest is the way. and that's the problem. >> while the state hands out unusable land, others are making ig profits from defefestation.

4,500,000 cubic meters of wood are chopped down each year in a region alone. big business. but it's actually an obstacle to development. >> this train over there loaded with wood is going to china. the logs are on open carriages. but the precut planks are in closed ones. >> a lawyer specializing in land rights i is among thosose proteg the fact that 90% of cut wood from this region is exported to china. >> legally, on papepe this wood still belongs to a russian company. but de facto it's alreready beb bought by the chinese. obviously if we use this wood to make furniture, house kits, paper or all kinds of other things, , its value wowould be multiplilied 10-fold. . but we just sell it as raw material and thereby serve chinese industry.y.

so whyhy would the chinesese in in r russia whwhen they're d dn just fine milking us for our raw mateterials? >> there are barely any wood treatment plants in the far ast. but one is just about to open. it will be the region's first wooden slats factory. the boss is just making a few inal checks. >> the least we can say that the government's attempts to popularize the far east have boosted both property prices and investor appetites i in this sector. and the lack of competition means thehe are really good prospects for those who are not afraid to try and develop something here. >> but therere's a problem. he can't getet the state to giv

him the 120,000 cubic meters of wood he needs for hiss production. he has to buy it and at inflated prices b because o of the deman frfr china. >> we started buying wood a year ago. bearing in mind that the logging companies sell most of their produce to china at prices that are double or even triple the average on the russia markets. in a year we managed to stockpile 10,000 cubic meters of wood. >> 10,000 cubic meters will be just e enough to k keep the fac running for a month and a half. afterwards it will have to stop for lack of raw materials. >> with the only investor in the far east, that's not just making prosecute prices on papaper. with numbers and nonexistent fafactories. they've actually build a -- built a plant and vested a billion rubles. >> assssuming it can get the wo supppply it needs, this factory will operate tax-free for five years.

like most new investments in the region. notwithstanding the various hiccups, the russian state is lavishing ever more money on the far east. it plans to invest

man: the islamic state's brutal reign of terror in raqqa may be at an end. woman: raqqa is now almost fully under the control of coalition forces. man: the liberation of the syrian city is celebrated in the streets. a shadow of the group remains. man 2: hi. i'm stuart ramsay in raqqa and this is "hotspots." tonight, we're gonna take you behind the scenes of the world's biggest and hardest-hitting stories. we come face to face with cops playing for keeps. from america's south, the teenagers being sold for sex. woman: women are being trafficked. children are being trafficked. ramsay: and we meet the