these are the headlines. at 10:00 p.m. paris time. the army's takeover in myanmar. generals shut down wireless services, after the leader is charged with violating the country's colonial era official secrets law. who, criticizing europe's vaccination efforts against the coronavirus as being unacceptably slow. drug manufacturing needs to be sped up, and everything will

vial in stock needs to be used. -- every single vial needs to be used. cuba is the smallest country developing its own vaccine. we have reports from the communist island. ♪ it is now two months since army generals in myanmar seized the reins of power, intern turn triggering a violent crackdown. the military's heavy handedness has left at least 535 people dead. this thursday, fears of the crop down -- crackdown could be intensifying, with wireless

internet services order to be shut down. a candlelit vigil has been held after the ousted civilian leader was handed the most serious charge to date. we have reports. reporter: from a yet unknown location, she made her remote court appearance once again. her defense team says she appears to be in good health. she seems to be in good condition. reporter: after being charged with minor offenses such as illegally importing walkie-talkies and breaking covid-19 protocols, the leader now faces an additional, more serious one. violating myanmar's official secrets act. created by the british colonial government in 1923 to criminalize the sharing of almost any kind of government

information. it is punishable by almost 14 years in prison. her australian economic advisor as well as three of her cabinet ministers have also been charged with the same crime. during thursday's hearing, she asked the court to allow her to meet her lawyers in private without the presence of police or army officers. the survey linley are also hoped her fellow citizens -- the civilian leader also hoped her fellow citizens would stay healthy. >> [speaking native language] reporter: more than 500 people have died in the military's brutal crackdown across myanmar, but protests continue. >> for more, we can bring in an associate fellow at chatham

house's asia program, joining us from london. thank you for being with us on france tony for. -- france 24. i would like to talk about the leader in this most new serious charge she now faces. where does this leave her and the movement in myanmar? >> sorry, i could not hear your question very well. was it about the charges against her? >> let me repeat it for you. i was asking you about the leader and the serious charge she faces, and where in your opinion it leaves her and the flame of the pro-democracy movement. >> absolutely. the movement has reached a pivotal point, in terms of mobilization by the perlman terrien -- by the

parliantarians in exile. as well as the charges. the need to really clampdown on the leader and ensure she remains an arrest -- in arrest, it is entirely unlawful. these laws in place should be repealed. but unfortunately, have not been repealed. this escalation in terms of the slapping of new charges on the leader has to be seen in light of what is happening behind the scenes, indeed by the pro-democracy and parliamentarians. who launched this charter and are reaching out to armed groups in order to form an -- to foment a more sustained opposition to the military, which would genuinely lead to a civil war.

>> we are also seeing the military throw another blanket of internet shutdowns across the country, sparking fears of a deeper crackdown. what is the military actually trying to achieve, do you think? >> by not allowing people to commicate, that is the first weapon they have, in terms of really clamping down and mobilization. the fact people will not be able to commit it with each other and get out on the streets, and to be able to inform each other of what's happening, will really weaponize the military's assault. that is the first thing. the second is this sort of leveling a very strong messages, that no dissidents will be tolerated. -- a very rong message, that no dissidents ll be tolerated. >> it's now of course two months

since the army took power in nearly -- and nearly a week since the deadliest of this crackdown in men landmark -- in myanmar. why haven't we seen tough action from the international community ? >> i think there are bilateral actions which have been quite tough. e u.s. has imposed trade the u.k. led the way inerms of e sanctis impose other countes have al followed suit. they have been stron statents by the defense establishment to the myanmar militar as well. what we are not yet seeing is a concerted action at the security counsel. this is because the last attempt at issuing united statement at the security counsel was vetoed by china and despite the call by the u.n callinfor concted action --r

u.s. envoyn myanmar calling for concerted action, with because of the release of the leader, despite that, we see very strong action by china behind-the-scenes and not alwing a resolution to take place. -- in not allowing a resolution to take place. >> thank you for being with us. thank you very much. just 10% of europeans have had their first job of a covid-19 vaccine. only 4% have completed their cause. -- course. the who has called the rollout in europe as an actively slow.

they say they need to put their feet on the excellent reader pedal now. -- accelerator pedal now. we explain. reporter: jab after jab, covid-19 vaccines are taking the world close to the end of the pandemic. but the rollout is slow in europe. calling the current pace and acceptable, they who -- the who asked governments not to be complacent. >> the risk is considerable. that carries a danger. we must speed up the process by ramping up many fracturing, reducing barriers to a ministering vaccines, and using everything -- every single vial we have in stock now. reporter: the french president announced title restrictions nationwide, and at the same time sounded optimistic about a gradual reopening starting the month -- starting

next month. >> [speaking french] reporter: macron said more than 8 million people had received the festivals of the covenant in vaccine and 3 million had got two jabs. it will start giving shots to people age 60 to 69 in mid april, then eventually to all adults in mid-june. the who says only 10% of europe's total population received any dose and just 4% has been fully vaccinated. the figures are slightly higher among eu nations. at 13.4% and 5.6 respectfully. further complicated the region's vaccination efforts, germany suspended the use of astrazeneca's vaccine for people under 60. the spanish capital madrid has caused mass vaccination paused -- has paused mass vaccination

for days because of the holidays. >> it's been described by one opposition lawmaker as being a symbol of the arrogance with which the president and his government has wrapped itself up in. french mps have held a symbolic vote thursday on the thi national lockdown. a lockdown which comes into force this saturday. over 50,600 new cases of covid-19 have been confirmed in the latest 24 hours, along with 308 more deaths in hospitals. authorities have also announced more than 8 million 800 people have now had their first dose of the vaccine, with the health minister expecting a peak in the third wave of infections in seven to 10 days time. we have more. reporter: it is the penultimate day for in-person classes for these children in france. online learning is making a comeback next monday, followed by two weeks of spring holiday.

educators, parents, and students are preparing for another national lockdown. >> [speaking french] >> [speaking french] reporter: france's scientific council called for a national lockdown in january, advice the government chose to ignore. instead of attempts to aluminate covid-19 with drastic measures on the economy, french leaders have chosen to continue with their stop and go strategy, opening and closing part of the country and parts of the economy when they see fit. after a year of such measures, some people are growing weary. >> [speaking french] >> [speaking french]

reporter: in the past week, 265 people died on average every day due to covid-19 in france. >> the head of cuba's state run by corporation says before this year is up, the population there will be human asked with the homegrown vaccines being developed. the daily covid-19 slope hit a new record, with over 1000 earlier this week, bringing the total number of infections to more than 75,000. our team on the ground put together this special report. reporter: it is a big day for this young doctor in havana. >> [speaking spanish] reporter: did it hurt? >> no.

[speaking spanish] reporter: what happens next? >> [speaking spanish] reporter: cuba's vaccines have not yet been approved by the country's regular. nevertheless, workers are receiving their jabs. >> [speaking spanish] reporter: vaccinations cannot come soon enough. the pandemic has eliminated tourism, reduced money for imports come and -- reduced money for imports, and has caused larger queues. of the many vaccines around the rld, two are cuban. >> [indiscernible] this can be considered

incredible. reporter: over one million doses have been manufactured so far. but the clock is ticking. will every cuban get the jab thisear? >> [speaking spanish] reporter: that is until herd immunity is reached. young doctors like marcos will continue to be drafted into the battle against covid. >> it is time now for some business news with our business editor in the studio. we are starting with egypt. days after the suez canal was unblocked, authorities are seeking financial compensation? >> they are saying they could ask for up to $1 billion in damages. that figure includes the country's lost toll revenue for the weeklong blockage and the cost of equipment and manpower to free the ever given. what is less clear is who could be asked to foot the bill. the cargo ship was stuck for six days is owned by a japanese company, registered in panama,

with german operators and an indian group. that sets the stage for a complicated high-stakes battle. a ceremony was held to thank the 800 egyptian workers who freed the ship, meanwhile. traffic was once again flowing. >> so far, 194 ships with 12 million tons have crossed the suez canal from monday evening to wednesday. thursday, 87 ships were scheduled to pass. >> that is today's trading action. a strong close for wall street on the last reading day of the week. the tech heavy nasdaq, leading gains. it closed up about one and three quarters of a percentage point. the s&p across the 4000 threshold for the first time. strong many fracturing data for the eurozone. -- strong manufacturing data for the eurozone.

the worst ever market debut in london's history. moving on, the number of americans applying front implement benefits rose slightly last week to 719,000. 658,000 initial claims was the lowest at the start of the pandemic last week. it's now been one year since claims peaked at an all-time high and 6.9 million an ethical week. -- at 6.9 million in a single week. opec and allies agreed to boost oil production as goebel demand begins to recover. the cartel and nonmember russia will take steps to add about 2 million barrels of oil from may to july a day. the pandemic ground global travel for many and shipping to a halt. -- manufacturing and shipping to a halt. taiwan's semi conductor many factoring company said it is aiming to meet soaring demand

amid a global shortage of ships, affecting industries from cars to smartphones. the french government says this evening at spent 26 billion euros to support the tourism industry since a beginning of the pandemic but is now facing calls for more financial aid, as a latest lockdown measures force a wave of cancellations for the easter weekend. foretells and tour operators are reeling from their losses in 2020. we have reports. reporter: the easter holiday is usually a busy time for france's tourism industry, but the lockdown could cause the travel sector 4 billion euros. it is calling for more government aid to cover the losses. this souvenir shop will have to close on sunday. >> [speaking french] reporter: before the pandemic, this hotel was always fully booked for easter. but only nine out of 27 rooms have been reserved this weekend.

>> [speaking french] reporter: downed down the road, this director is trying to stay optimistic -- down the road, this director is trying to stay optimistic. >> [speaking french] reporter: with the travel sector still struggling after last year's setbacks, many in the industry will be pinning their hopes on the summer season. >> italy is once again trying to ban cruise ships and container vessels from venice. the government oped public

consultations on building a terminal for outside the lagoon, far away from the city's historic center. it's told large boats they must nouse an isolated industrial dock in the meantime. past efforts have been overturned by local ports and heavily protest by tour operators. it's not yet clear if the latest degree will in fact to be successful. this really came to a head back in 2019 when a cruise ship actually collided with a dock and tourist vote in venice. -- boat in venice. >> thank you very much. today's focus segment takes us to the u.s., where the trial of the former police officer, derek chauvin continues -- derek chauvin, continues. he's accused of murder and manslaughter over the death of george floyd last may. george floyd's girlfriend gave testimony in the trial. we have put together this next

repo. reporter: thomas is george floyd's eldest cousin, 10 months after the tragedy, he still coming to terms with the impact of his cousins death. -- cousin's death. >> to know that the world is talking about my cousin, it is an unusual feeling, but it makes me proud to know that everybody recognizes his death is not going to be for nothing. reporter: floyd's death may have triggered a racial reckoning around the world, but thomas believes real change in the u.s. can only come if the officer charged with his murder, derek chauvin, is convicted. >> what we are looking for is a speedy trial with a guilty verdict. because we have seen a constant rhetoric of people dying at the hands of police officers, especially unarmed people, then there needs to be some change to the way the police and citizens still with each other. the motto of the police is to protect and serve, not to cost

and kill -- a cost and kill. -- accost and kill. reporter: minneapolis, new york, washington, portland, throughout the summer of 2020, americans of all races took to the streets to call for justice and police reform. >> it is terrorism! reporter: some have decided to take matters into their own hands, setting up malicious to protect their own communities, like the minneapolis freedom fighters. this neighborhood in south minneapolis is where floyd took his final breath with c hauvin's knee on his neck. >> we need a spot where we can hunker down, de-escalate, and then remove. reporter: he is their commander.

this 43-year-old father is a teacher and basketball coach, but when needed, he becomes a security presence meant to replace the police and prevent attacks from hostile groups. >> part of our mission as a freedom fighters is to protect from within. so if our committee calls us and asks us to be present forhe security of the event, as long as we are able to, then we will. reporter: the freedom fighters have high hopes for this trial. chauvin is facing three charges, two for murder, and up to 40 years in prison. >> i would like to see a conviction. i would like to see some true police reform. that changes the dynams an paradigm -- and the paradigm with which our police operate the streets d commiees. erere going t be people who win and lose on both sides unfortunately, and right now, we are in very tense -- a very tense racialtate in our country.

we are anticipating one side or another, there are going to be some angry folks that want to demonstrate their anger. reporter: in the state of minnesota, a white police officer has never bn prosecuted, let alone convicted for the killing of a black man. according to several tallies, african-americans represent about 25% of police involved deaths in the past 20 years, despite making barely 8% of the states population -- the state's population. >> the criminal justice system in this country is precisely greeted to only target people of color. when white people get into it, it i almost -- the entire system becomes apathetic. >> i don't want to live like this anymore. i n't want to live under a police state. i don't want to live with a bunch of white men or black men who have licensed to kill me if they deem i violated the law. >> for many civil-rights activists, like her, change can only come through an overhaul of

the entire system, starting with the real reform of the police. >> in minneapolis and across the state, if we are serious, we are going to critically examine the role of police, not just say this was one bad apple, and maybe three more. so nothing us to see here, folks --n o -- no, this is a part of what's premises that has allowed for officers to feel come to will to do what they do. >> this institution began on the backs of black people in the aftermath of slavery. it's hard to be optimistic that this institution can be reformed. i think it needs to be completely overhauled. reporter: both the defense and prosecution have decided to call in dozens of witnesses to convin the carullyelected jury. the trial will last between 2-4 weeks before the 12 jurors deliver one of the most highly anticipated verdicts in years. . >> it is time now for a quick

break. do stay with us. live from paris continues here on france 24. ♪ [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

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[captioning made possible by democracy now!] ♪ amy: from new york, this is democracy now! >> stood out to you about what mr. floyd was saying when you saw him on the ground. >> he said i can't breathe. he said mama, they are killing me. amy: jurors in minneapolis have