catherine nicholson, france 24 and france .4.com. ♪ >> france announces new measures to combat the alarming spread of the omicron variant including bringing forward booster shots and -- >> united kingdom records its highest number ever of daily covid infections. research fueled by the rapid spread of omicron. they appeal for urgent aid as a struggle to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

the indian ocean island has refused another lockdown. you are watching france 24, it is good to have you with us. beginning with our friendship prime minister jean castex who has announced measures to counter the spread of the omicron variant. the army will be called in to accelerate the vaccination drive and the time between the second covid shot in the booster will be reduced from five months to four. to increase pressure on the unvaccinated the government will present a bill to replace the current health pass with a vaccination pass. people have to be inoculated to enter restaurants in many public cases. >> we accept that this is a major constraint for unvaccinated people, but it is needed because the beds and our

emergency services and intensive care in its are for the most part taken up by people who have not been vaccinated. unauthorized gatherings and alcohol consumption will be banned on new year's eve and willfully asking local councils not to organize large-scale events. >> we spoke with dr. pierre as -- head of the infectious disease department. the measures announced today. >> we will need to have a few weeks between the end of the fifth wave that we are currently experiencing with the delta variant and the onset of the wave that will certainly come in france with the macron variant -- omicron variant. with a few weeks we hope to

avoid too much cases in the hospital it is to decrease the contamination here and increase our protection with the vaccine. host: there has been some controversy about the vaccination of children. is it useful to vaccinate young children between the ages of five and 11. >> this population is not one that suffers the most of the virus. they can suffer and play big part in the transmission of the virus to their parents, grandparents so it makes sense especially now that we know the safety of the vaccination in this age group is quite good. as been shown in the u.s. and israel. even if -- the vaccination ratio seems to be good. host: should be -- we be worried about the omicron variant? we have heard reports that is milder than delta.

are we panicking? >> we should not be panicking. the infected person is not as bad as the previous one. the number is so big that we had to be prepared and do everything we can to decrease the pandemic. >> a 2 million-year-old -- a couple has been detained as part a much wider network of fraudsters. an estimated 110,000 based -- fake health passes are in circulation. host: for the fourth consecutive day the u.k. has broken its record for coronavirus

infections. fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant. as it sweeps through the nation fears are nouns - mounting about the impact on the health system as well as the hospitality sector during the crucial holiday season. we get an update on the current situation. >> it is predicted, it is nevertheless worrying. a record number of daily reported across the u.k. for the third day in a row and there is a surge in infections driven by the omicron variant. 93,000 confirmed covid cases reported today. nearly 5000 more than on thursday. to put that on context, according to government figures the number of covid cases have increased by nearly 103,000 or 35% compared to the previous

week. death remained stable, but there is a lag between infection and severe illness developing. london, the british capital, has seen a rapid spread of the omicron variant and it is dominant here as it is in scotland. 65 patients we know are in english hospitals with omicron. all and all covid related cases in u.k. hospitals are 7600 and 11. the worrying thing is although another record was broken today we expect more to be broken in the coming days. that is the warning from the top scientists. hospitality businesses are really hurting. they are losing many many bookings, cancellations flooding in on what would be the busiest time of the year. the chancellor who has flown back from a business trip in the u.s. has been meeting business

leaders for crisis talks with many in the sector asking and begging for financial support. it is not just pubs, clubs, restaurants. we wait to see if they will announce any financial support. host: this record of new cases, as boris johnson's conservative party suffers a historic defeat. the liberal democrats winning a seat that the tories had held for almost 200 years. >> clearly the voting was a very disappointing result and i totally understand people's frustrations. of course i understand what voters want to us as a government to do at all times is to focus on them and their priorities. my job is prime minister's to get the focus on the stuff that

really matters to all of us. host: next mauritius has appealed for urgent aid as it struggles to fight the coronavirus outbreak. the indian ocean island has refused to impose another lockdown. france 24 reports. >> despite 7% of its population being fully vaccinated, mauritius was unable to present another wave of covid-19 infections. health services are under high pressure. >> we are facing a acute shortage of north -- nurses. some are testing positive and some are on isolation. this has led to a reduced number of nurses in our hospital. >> this demonstration is limited to just 10 people in order to comply with the country's law. protesters have been calling for

a nationwide lockdown as soon as a new outbreak began. a stance that is shared by the main opposition party. >> we are asking for 15 days of lockdown because at that time there are too many cases and the number of deaths are increasing day by day. one death per hour. reporter: the demands were rejected by the government which called the neighboring island to help and send liquid oxygen, ventilators, specialized personnel. >> the request was made in november and covered several goals including bringing arts -- perts to support the icu team on the oncoming wave of covid infections. reporter: the reunion island delivered 100 tons of medical oxygen. authorities are 1 -- worried about the upcoming season. >> because of the festivals,

that is why we have called for help from our neighboring countries. reporter: mauritius has triggered the emergency recruitment of 100 indian nurses and doctors and asked new delhi to send teams as soon as possible. host: this friday marks the 10th anniversary of the death of north korea's second supreme leader kim jong-il. hundreds flock to pyongyang to place flowers at the for the statue. reporter: bearing the cold and flowers in hand, north koreans have been gathering at the monument and pyongyang for the 10th death anniversary for the second supreme leader. citizens flock to play tribute. placing bouquets at his feet. >> as i, pure and see the image

of our great general with his smile i cannot stop my tears. the old saying is that time moves on and everything changes. even though time goes on, we still miss our general. reporter: the day also marks tended -- 10 years of his son and absolute power. he inherited leadership aged 27. he has been accused of removing all potential rivals including his half-brother by nerve agent and his uncle for treason. he is the first ruler to hold a summit with the u.s. president meeting with president trump and 2018. the relations with the u.s. have not since developed. they have seen rapid progress in nuclear arsenal in the last decade. defying the un security council to develop missiles that could reach the whole of the u.s. mainline -- mainland.

>> we need to have north korea opt for denuclearization of its own well by making it seen that possessing nuclear weapons is detrimental to security and economy. reporter: it is commonly considered when the most isolated and secretive nations in the world. while dependent on trade with china it has closed its borders tighter since the pandemic and taking a toll on the already troubled economy. food shortages are compared to the phantoms -- famine of the 1990's. host: the lira plunged 8% over fears of an inflationary spiral. to unpack all of that for us is sharon from france 24 busied us -- desk. she is been taking a look at the turkish lira. >> the stock exchange

experience's worst day since last march after announcing to so-called circuit breakers. it came as a lira fell by 8% to meet -- reach another record low. deepening concerns that interest rate cuts could cause a inflationary spiral and see the country forced to implement capital controls. the central bank has signaled a cause -- pause in the rate slashing cycle. in a rare public criticism, the head of instability chamber of -- istanbul table of industry said he was astonished to see the/. the currency has hapten value so far this year due to the rate cuts and as president erdogan exerts increasingly closer control over the central bank economist on warning that local businesses are being hit hard. >> what turkey expenses today

cannot be called high volatility any longer, but depreciation in the value of the turkish lira. companies are not able to determine the cost levels therefore they are not able to run their operation smoothly. it is impossible for them to set prices even for a couple of our -- hours on the sale. it means that operations are under the threat of being frozen. >> how has all of this affected or know people? >> the knocked down effects have been fasted naval as people watch their savings and earnings dissolve. it affects 6 million workers particular those that are only wearing -- earning minimum wage. restaurant owners already say they are struggling with steep

price -- price hikes and had to pass it on to customers. >> we have to increase our prices by 50% because of the jump in the minimum wage. how would our customers be able to afford our products? that is what we are asking ourselves. we have to find a way to reflect the rise in the minimum wage in our prices. if it continues like this we will have to downsize or let people go. we are waiting for the new year. host: the situation is even more warring for businesses that borrowed in foreign currency and there also concerns that turkish depositors will pull their cost -- cash and out of the bacon system -- banking system. >> that is it for us the newsroom there is more coming up next. ♪ >> with all the main european

news, debates between representatives of the best and worst performing eu states. >> talking europe. presented by catherine nicholson. france 24 and france 24.com. ♪ olivia: his photos put humanity front and center. his image of a young afghan girl made the cover of national geographic in the 1980's catapulting him to fame and bring the conflict they are world's attention. since then the photojournalist has captured from across the globe and now the miles museum

is paying tribute to the when the great image makers of our time and exposition called the world of steve mccurry. >> hello. this retrospective covers decades, continents, a whole range of humans experience. when you look at it this way, is there something that becomes a parent or an element that six out to you? steve: looking at the pictures i see more of this credible world that we live in. this planet and this common humanity that we share. whether you are in myanmar or jordan, i alwayseel like we are kind of one race. i marvel at the variety. for me it has been an incredible experience to go to these places and learn about the cultures and

meet different people. i thought what better way to use my time in this world than to travel and see the world. i cannot imagine anything more, sort of, inspiring or anything more that gives my life meaning or fulfillment. olivia: some of the first images that we see in this exposition are from afghanistan. you crossed into the country in 1979 just before the soviets invaded. you won an award for your reporting and at one international attention. at that time what prompted you to make that very dangerous trip? was it curiosity or an instinct for a big story? steve: i was in a hotel in northern pakistan. it was a one dollar to dollar a night room. there was some afghan registrant

-- refugees living in the next room and we had lunch together. they were telling me about this war and fight that was happening across the border. they say you are a photographer, you should come in and tell our we want to take you in and show you what is happening. i was reluctant, i have never been to an area of conflict, this was probably not safe. they kept insisting. i thought this is an important story. these farmers and shoppers -- shepherds fighting for their way of life and their country against the government. i was young. i had a sense of adventure. i thought this was something i should probably do. i agreed and i went in. as i was going from village to village going in homes and getting to know them, they had a great sense of humor.

the story, i got attached to the story and i went back over and over again for the next three years. olivia: a few years after that your portrait became a icon of late 20th century photography. that national geographic cover change your life and hers. she was only 13 years old when you photographed her in a refugee camp in pakistan. how did you think that image changed people's perception of what it was or is to be a refugee. steve: at that time the afghans were desperate for help. i think the world was very sympathetic to their cause. they wanted food, tents, clothing. the fighters wanted weapons. people saw in her face a little girl who had dignity and holding

her head high. there was a sense of perseverance, fortitude, somehow she was not going to yield to this fight. she was obviously poor, and if your shawl was ripped, she had dirt on her face. i think there was a genuine quality to the picture which people connected with and that powerful gaze that i am going to survive and somehow i am going to endure. olivia: you reconnected almost 20 years after the photograph was taken and she moved back to afghanistan. she was recently forced to leave again seeking as -- asylum in italy. that story of forced exile is one many afghans share. when she teach you about women in afghan society? steve: it is a very conservative

culture. i think just the fact that she has been able to survive with her family, as we know her husband passed away. she still has that strength to carry on. i think that life can be very difficult, but the only thing we can really do is move forward. in a positive way. she is an example of somebody who is just going to press forward and under the circumstance to the best she can. olivia: as you mentioned afghanistan became a hugely important part of your work and life. you made many trips there in the last 40 years. when you saw the taliban take over did you see that as inevitable? steve: i knew that it was inevitable that the taliban would take over 10 years ago. in the beginning, bk in 2002

it look like this was a new chapter in afghanistan was finally coming out of this dark. as time went on it s clear that the people in the countryside were not on board. a lot of corruption. the haves and have-nots. there was a big huge gap. there was a lot of people upset about the drones. people kicking in their doors at 2:00 in the morning. i think it was clear -- the thing that was a shock that is -- it happened so quickly. there was a sense that once the americans pulled out that they realize the party was over. no support, no money, and i think the thing came unraveled in just a matter of days. your heart goes out to people

who, had during that. helped whenever foreign people were there. they were just trying to make ends meet. is a sad, tragic, heartbreaking situation. the next step, is the international community can help, step away? hopefully some of the mon being tied up will be freed because this is only hurting ordinary afghans. i think there is going to be a lot of individual effort that will have to take place and i'm not sure we can rely so much on our governments because they have not done a good job in the past. olivia: your photographs often show the triumph of the human spirit. dignity, determination, resilience, often in the harshest circumstances. i wonder where this optimism comes from. how you managed to convey this

optimism and the people you meet and the places you go to. steve: when you are in a difficult situation, and i am thinking about being under fire in afghanistan and how you are there and sometimes the strangest things is the acts of kindness and humor. they will occur at the oddest times. i think that, for me it is always such a rprise when in a difficult situation, the human situate -- spirit is being crushed somebody will step forward and bring a bit of lightness to the situation. i guess i am looking for these glimmers of hope and optimism, sometimes at the worst possible circumstances. olivia: children are often the most memorable figures in your photography. your recent book is portraits of innocence. what is about children that make them so photogenic?

steve: they are spontaneous and innocent. uncontrollable. they are so free and uninhibited. any other cure out -- curiosity and they are free spirits. i know with my daughter, sometimes she wants to be photographed and sometimes she does not. she is always doing something that is so much fun. i would say though that there are children the war -- walled that are much lessortunate and i show child labor in children who are refugees. you think of this time in this day and age where people should be able to do better for these children and they should be given a normal childhood. not sent to workaday factory at 10 years old. olivia: you have covered asia,

africa, south america. what is calling your name? steve: i like to go back to the same places over and over again. i was planning to go back to myanmar in february, but that does not look like it will happen because of the pandemic and also this unrest that is happening. i have a number of friends and myanmar that want to go back and see them, see what we could do to help in this sort of very desperate time. so much of the world is closed. africa, much of asia, south america. i will probably end up doing something in my own neighborhood at home. olivia: thank you very much. steve: it was a pleasure. ♪

>> hello i am annette the host of the 51% and this week special edition we are coming from spain which is one of the worlds top 15 countries in fighting gender discrimination. how did this one -- once traditional catholic society that spent decades under a dictatorship now become a level leader inequality? we are about to find out. >> the 51%, on to france 24 and friends 24.com -- france 24.com. ♪

12/17/21 12/17/21 [captioning made possible by democracy now!] amy: from new york, this is democracy now! >> we just want accountability because we could never have justice because we could never get george fact. amy: former minneapolis police officer derek chauvin has switched his plea to guilty of violating george floyd's civil rights, marking the first time he has publicly admitted to his role in