france24--2020-02-23--Nevada caucus strengthens Bernie Sanders' status as Democratic front-runner

U.S. 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders lifts his fist at a campaign rally in San Antonio , Texas , U.S. February 22 , 2020 .
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has cemented his front-runner status in the race to choose the Democratic nominee who will face President Donald Trump in November 's presidential election .
Sanders is projected to win the Nevada caucuses by a wide margin .
The Vermont senator gave a victory speech at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio , Texas , on Saturday evening .
`` In Nevada we have just put together a multi-generational , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to win in Nevada , it 's going to sweep this country , '' Sanders told his cheering supporters .
He said that he is feeling confident about his chances in Texas too – one of the 14 states that votes on Super Tuesday , which will fall on March 3 .
The win in Nevada will further boost the front-running candidacy of Sanders after his strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month .
Sanders had 47 % of the county convention delegates in Nevada with about 43 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a distant second to Sanders with 21 % but ahead of former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend , Indiana , in third place with 15 % .
`` The press is ready to declare people dead quickly , but we ’ re alive and we ’ re coming back and we ’ re gon na win , '' Biden told supporters in Las Vegas .
The two female US senators in the running , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar , trailed behind , with Warren winning 9 % and Klobuchar matching billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speaking late Saturday at a large rally in Washington state – which votes on March 10 – pledged to stay in the fight despite a third straight mediocre showing .
She repeated her attacks on Bloomberg , accusing him of seeking to `` buy this election '' .
Buttigieg cautioned Democrats about nominating Sanders , a self-identified Democratic Socialist that he portrayed as an ideologue .
`` We can prioritise either ideological purity or inclusive victory .
We can either call people names online or we can call them into our movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hardcore base or open the tent to a new , broad , big-hearted American coalition , '' Buttigieg told supporters in Las Vegas .
In Nevada , Latinos make up about 19 percent of eligible voters .
Entrance polls showed that just over half of them backed Sanders , or “ Tio Bernie ” as he has been nicknamed .
Sanders ’ progressive policy platform speaks to Latinos ’ core interests : Medicare for all , a $ 15 minimum wage , immigration reform and the elimination of student debt .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the famed Bellagio hotel on the Las Vegas strip , Sanders finished with 76 votes and Biden with 45 .
No other candidate ended with a vote .
Workers at the Bellagio , who are members of the Culinary Workers Union , streamed out of the caucus after backing Sanders despite their leadership expressing reservations about his healthcare plan .
`` I went for Bernie .
I 'm not big into politics , but I like the things he 's going for : student loan debt , schools , free healthcare , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housekeeper at the Bellagio .
Larger turnout than for Obama in 2008 ?
Four days of early voting in Nevada this week drew more than 75,000 Democrats , more than half first-time voters , putting the party in position to surpass the turnout record of 118,000 in 2008 , when Barack Obama 's candidacy electrified the party .
But those early votes had to be counted along with those cast on Saturday , complicating the process .
Biden is counting on a strong showing in South Carolina , which has a large bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday states will bring former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg – who has not been competing in the four early voting states but has been rising in polls – into the race .
`` The Nevada results reinforce the reality that this fragmented field is putting Bernie Sanders on pace to amass an insurmountable delegate lead , '' Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement .
On Twitter , Trump appeared to be enjoying the Democratic race .
`` Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak , & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in history of Presidential Debates .
Congratulations Bernie , & don ’ t let them take it away from you ! ''
Trump wrote , using the moniker `` Mini Mike '' as a reference to Bloomberg .
Nevada caucus officials and voters at multiple sites on Saturday reported voting rules confusion , calculation glitches and delays in reporting tallies – despite efforts to avoid the issues that plagued Iowa 's caucuses earlier this month .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first to reflect the kind of diverse electorate that will vote across 14 states on Super Tuesday .
If Sanders comes out of Super Tuesday with a sizable delegate lead , it will become very difficult for any of the other candidates to catch up .

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has cemented his front-runner status in the race to choose the Democratic nominee who will face President Donald Trump in November's presidential election.
U.S. 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders lifts his fist at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. February 22, 2020.
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Sanders is projected to win the Nevada caucuses by a wide margin.
The Vermont senator gave a victory speech at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday evening.
"In Nevada we have just put together a multi-generational, multi-racial coalition, which is not only going to win in Nevada, it's going to sweep this country," Sanders told his cheering supporters.
He said that he is feeling confident about his chances in Texas too – one of the 14 states that votes on Super Tuesday, which will fall on March 3.
Don't tell @realDonaldTrump this because he'll get very nervous—we're going to beat him in Texas. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 23, 2020
The win in Nevada will further boost the front-running candidacy of Sanders after his strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month.
01:33
Biden in second place
Sanders had 46% of the county convention delegates in Nevada with about 60% of the precincts reporting.
Biden was a distant second to Sanders with 19.6% but ahead of former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, in third place with 15.3%.
"The press is ready to declare people dead quickly, but we’re alive and we’re coming back and we’re gonna win," Biden told supporters in Las Vegas.
Despite what the press said this week, we’re alive, we’re coming back, and we’re gonna win! pic.twitter.com/qcwiLvJ43x — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) February 23, 2020
The two female US senators in the running, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, trailed behind, with Warren winning 10.1% and Klobuchar matching billionaire Tom Steyer's 4%.
Warren, speaking late Saturday at a large rally in Washington state – which votes on March 10 – pledged to stay in the fight despite a third straight mediocre showing.
She repeated her attacks on Bloomberg, accusing him of seeking to "buy this election".
Buttigieg goes after Sanders
Buttigieg cautioned Democrats about nominating Sanders, a self-identified Democratic Socialist that he portrayed as an ideologue.
"We can prioritise either ideological purity or inclusive victory. We can either call people names online or we can call them into our movement. We can either tighten a narrow and hardcore base or open the tent to a new, broad, big-hearted American coalition," Buttigieg told supporters in Las Vegas.
We can prioritize either ideological purity or inclusive victory. We can either call people names online or we can call them into our movement. We can either tighten a narrow and hardcore base or open the tent to a new, broad, big-hearted American coalition. — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 23, 2020
Latino voters support Sanders
In Nevada, Latinos make up about 19 percent of eligible voters. Entrance polls showed that just over half of them backed Sanders, or “Tio Bernie” as he has been nicknamed.
Sanders’ progressive policy platform speaks to Latinos’ core interests: Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, immigration reform and the elimination of student debt.
Sanders wins largest share of union vote
In the final result of a caucus at the famed Bellagio hotel on the Las Vegas strip, Sanders finished with 76 votes and Biden with 45. No other candidate ended with a vote.
Workers at the Bellagio, who are members of the Culinary Workers Union, streamed out of the caucus after backing Sanders despite their leadership expressing reservations about his healthcare plan.
"I went for Bernie. I'm not big into politics, but I like the things he's going for: student loan debt, schools, free healthcare," said Aleiza Smith, 22, a housekeeper at the Bellagio.
Larger turnout than for Obama in 2008?
Four days of early voting in Nevada this week drew more than 75,000 Democrats, more than half first-time voters, putting the party in position to surpass the turnout record of 118,000 in 2008, when Barack Obama's candidacy electrified the party.
But those early votes had to be counted along with those cast on Saturday, complicating the process.
Bloomberg looms in race
Biden is counting on a strong showing in South Carolina, which has a large bloc of black voters, while the Super Tuesday states will bring former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg – who has not been competing in the four early voting states but has been rising in polls – into the race.
"The Nevada results reinforce the reality that this fragmented field is putting Bernie Sanders on pace to amass an insurmountable delegate lead," Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement.
On Twitter, Trump appeared to be enjoying the Democratic race.
"Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!" Trump wrote, using the moniker "Mini Mike" as a reference to Bloomberg.
Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2020
Nevada caucus officials and voters at multiple sites on Saturday reported voting rules confusion, calculation glitches and delays in reporting tallies – despite efforts to avoid the issues that plagued Iowa's caucuses earlier this month.
The third state on the primary calendar was the first to reflect the kind of diverse electorate that will vote across 14 states on Super Tuesday.
If Sanders comes out of Super Tuesday with a sizable delegate lead, it will become very difficult for any of the other candidates to catch up.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-02-23--Several feared dead in Turkey after 5.7-magnitude quake strikes near border with Iran

Location of the magnitude-5.7 earthquake in Turkey that struck near the border with Iran on February 23 , 2020 .
Seven people died and others were stuck under collapsed buildings in southeastern Turkey on Sunday after a magnitude-5.7 earthquake struck near the border with Iran , the Turkish interior minister said as rescue teams arrived in villages .
Three of those killed in the shallow tremor were children and five people were reported injured , according to Minister Suleyman Soylu .
He added that some 1,066 buildings collapsed .
Turkish TV footage showed people digging through rubble with shovels as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cracks in roads and residents outside in the snow .
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre ( EMSC ) said the quake had a depth of 5 km ( 3.1 miles ) .
Iranian officials said it had been felt in Iran but that there were no immediate reports of deaths .
Turkish public broadcaster TRT World said the quake affected about 43 villages in Turkey , which has a history of powerful earthquakes .
There were also reports of building collapses in the Turkish city of Van .
The Disaster and Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soylu said .
Crisscrossed by major fault lines , Iran and Turkey are among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world .
An earthquake last month in eastern Turkey killed more than 40 people while another in Iran did structural damage to homes without causing any fatalities .
An Iranian official told state TV that rescue teams had been dispatched to the area .
“ So far , we ’ ve had no reports of damage or fatalities in the area , which is not a populated area in Iran ’ s West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But another local official said “ it is very likely that there will be casualties and damage ” , Iran ’ s state TV reported .
The official said the earthquake was felt in several towns including Khoy , Urmiah and Salmas .
He said about 43 villages in Iran were affected .
“ Some 43 villages in the area suffered 10 % to 100 % damage , But we had no reports of deaths , only injuries , ” he told state TV .

Nine people died and hundreds of buildings collapsed in southeastern Turkey on Sunday after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck near the border with Iran, injuring dozens in villages and towns in both countries, government officials said.
Baskale in Van province, Turkey, after a magnitude 5.7-magnitude earthquake in northwestern Iran killed at least nine people in neighbouring Turkey and injured dozens more on both sides of the border.
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Three of those killed were children and 37 Turks were injured, including nine critically, Turkey’s health ministry said.
The shallow tremor caused more than 1,000 buildings to collapse in Turkey, prompting a brief rescue effort to find those trapped under rubble.
The quake damaged buildings some 90 km (56 miles) to the west in the Turkish city of Van, and to the east in dozens of villages in Iran, where state TV said 75 people were injured including six in hospital, though there were no fatalities.
Crisscrossed by major fault lines, Iran and Turkey are among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
Turkish TV footage showed people digging with shovels and their hands in the rubble, as well as furniture and belongings strewn on cracked and snowy roads.
In one village the ground cratered under several buildings, while in others residents were wrapped in blankets outside homes with crumbled and cracked exterior walls, fallen metal roofs and twisted wiring.
At least seven Turkish citizens were killed in a 5.7 magnitude earthquake at 05:52 GMT on Sunday in eastern Turkey near the border with Iran, Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs Suleiman Soilu said on Sunday. Iran has not yet reported injuries or fatalities. pic.twitter.com/r4FZP3V0TI — Daniel Rád (@DanielKRad) February 23, 2020
“The damage caused loss of life,” the governor of Van, Mehmet Bilmez, told reporters standing in front of a pile of cinder blocks and sheet metal. “There is destruction in all four villages” he visited on Sunday morning, he added.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the quake, which hit at 8:53 a.m. local time (05:53 GMT), had a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles).
Dozens of villages rattled
Broadcasters and government officials said dozens of villages were rattled in Turkey, which like Iran has a history of powerful earthquakes. Nearly 150 tents were sent to shelter families in the region, where several schools in the districts of Baskale, Saray and Gurpinar sustained minor damage.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has begun rescue work in villages including in Ozpinar, about 25 km south of the epicentre, said Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. AFAD measured the tremor at 5.9 magnitude.
The U.S. Geological Survey put the epicentre 47 km west of the Iranian city of Khoy, where people felt the tremor, according to state TV.
An earthquake last month in eastern Turkey killed more than 40 people while another in Iran did structural damage to homes without causing any fatalities.
An Iranian official told state TV that rescue teams had been dispatched to the area in Iran’s West Azarbaijan province.
Another local official said the earthquake was felt in several towns including Urmiah and Salmas, and many villages including some that suffered "100% damage", state TV reported.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-23--Iran reports highest coronavirus death toll outside of China

Iranians , some wearing protective masks , wait to cross a street in the capital Tehran on February 22 , 2020 .
Iran ’ s health ministry raised Sunday the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the Middle Eastern country , amid concerns that clusters there , as well as in Italy and South Korea , could signal a serious new stage in its global spread .
Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told state TV that there were now 43 confirmed cases of the illness in Iran .
The outbreak in Iran has centered on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say travellers from China brought the new coronavirus .
Iran reported its first case of the virus last Wednesday .
Jahanpour added that the 15 newly confirmed cases included 7 in Qom , four in the capital , Tehran , two in the northern Gilan province , one in the central Markazi province , and one from town of Tonekabon in the northern Mazandaran province , who died of the illness .
Earlier on Sunday , Iran ’ s health minister acknowledged that travel from China brought the new virus to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus came from China to the holy city of Qom in central Iran .
He said that one the Iranian dead from the virus was a merchant who regularly shuttled between the two countries using indirect flights in recent weeks , after Iran stopped direct passenger flights to China .
Namaki also defended the government ’ s handling of the outbreak , saying it was being “ transparent.
” He said it would help make face-masks and sanitizers available for Iranians , amid concerns that stocks were running low in the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing kits for diagnosis of the infection , he added .
Namaki urged people not to visit Qom , which is a major destination for Shiite pilgrims .
“ We obviously do not recommend traveling to Qom and other pilgrimage cities , ” Namaki said .
The government has closed down schools and religious seminaries in the holy city of Qom , where the virus first killed two elderly patients last week .
Schools in Tehran and four other cities were closed as well , starting Sunday for two days .
Iran has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ports of entry to the country to check for possibly infected travellers , he added .
Iraq and Pakistan , which share borders with Iran , have already taken preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus from Iranian travellers .
Officials in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan , which shares a long frontier with Iran , have declared an emergency as they seek to stop the spread of the virus via the Taftan border crossing with Iran .
Infected travellers from Iran already have been discovered in Lebanon and Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new virus was discovered on a flight from the Iranian city of Qom this week .
Saudi Arabia has ordered anyone traveling from Iran to wait at least 14 days before entering the kingdom as it seeks to prevent the spread of the virus to the Muslim pilgrimage sites of Mecca and Medina .

Iran’s health ministry raised Sunday the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the Middle Eastern country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread.
Iranians, some wearing protective masks, wait to cross a street in the capital Tehran on February 22, 2020.
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Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told state TV that there were now 43 confirmed cases of the illness in Iran.
The outbreak in Iran has centered on the holy city of Qom, where officials say travellers from China brought the new coronavirus.
Iran reported its first case of the virus last Wednesday.
Jahanpour added that the 15 newly confirmed cases included 7 in Qom, four in the capital, Tehran, two in the northern Gilan province, one in the central Markazi province, and one from town of Tonekabon in the northern Mazandaran province, who died of the illness.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s health minister acknowledged that travel from China brought the new virus to the country.
Saeed Namaki told state TV that the virus came from China to the holy city of Qom in central Iran. He said that one the Iranian dead from the virus was a merchant who regularly shuttled between the two countries using indirect flights in recent weeks, after Iran stopped direct passenger flights to China.
Namaki also defended the government’s handling of the outbreak, saying it was being “transparent.” He said it would help make face-masks and sanitizers available for Iranians, amid concerns that stocks were running low in the capital’s pharmacies.
Iran is also producing kits for diagnosis of the infection, he added.
Namaki urged people not to visit Qom, which is a major destination for Shiite pilgrims.
“We obviously do not recommend traveling to Qom and other pilgrimage cities,” Namaki said.
Schools and religious seminaries closed
The government has closed down schools and religious seminaries in the holy city of Qom, where the virus first killed two elderly patients last week. Schools in Tehran and four other cities were closed as well, starting Sunday for two days.
Iran has also set up 36 screening stations at different ports of entry to the country to check for possibly infected travellers, he added.
Iraq and Pakistan, which share borders with Iran, have already taken preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus from Iranian travellers.
Officials in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan, which shares a long frontier with Iran, have declared an emergency as they seek to stop the spread of the virus via the Taftan border crossing with Iran.
Infected travellers from Iran already have been discovered in Lebanon and Canada.
Lebanon’s first case of the new virus was discovered on a flight from the Iranian city of Qom this week.
Saudi Arabia has ordered anyone traveling from Iran to wait at least 14 days before entering the kingdom as it seeks to prevent the spread of the virus to the Muslim pilgrimage sites of Mecca and Medina.
(AP)
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france24--2020-02-23--Iran neighbours close their borders as coronavirus toll rises

Iran ’ s confirmed death toll from the new coronavirus rose to eight on Sunday , the highest outside China , sending neighbouring countries scrambling to contain the outbreak .
Four immediate neighbours of the Islamic republic—Turkey , Pakistan , Afghanistan and Armenia—said on Sunday they would close land borders , while three imposed restrictions on air traffic , amid growing regional concerns about the spread of the virus .
Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities have already banned travel to and from Iran .
Lebanon has confirmed its first case—a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who had travelled from Qom in Iran—and Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school pupils who came into contact with South Korean tourists who contracted the virus .
Iran reported three more novel coronavirus deaths Sunday among 15 new cases in the past 24 hours , taking its total number of fatalities to eight and infections to 43 .
Four new COVID-19 cases surfaced in Tehran , seven in the holy city of Qom , two in Gilan and one each in Markazi and Tonekabon , health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said .
Authorities have ordered the closure of schools , universities and other educational centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ preventive measure ” .
Art events , concerts and film shows have been banned for a week .
“ We are on the frontlines , we need help , ” the head of Qom ’ s medical sciences university , Mohammadreza Ghadir , said on state television .
‘ Major implications ’ “ To prevent the spread of the novel # coronavirus and protect the public , Afghanistan suspends all passenger movement ( air and ground ) to and from Iran , ” the office of the National Security Council of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan and the nation ’ s Frontier Corps , for their part , confirmed the country had sealed the land border with Iran .
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan share long , porous borders with Iran that are often used by smugglers and human traffickers , while millions of Afghan refugees live in the Islamic republic—raising fears that the virus could easily spread over the border .
Turkey said it would “ temporarily ” close its land border with Iran , while air traffic from Iran would be halted but departures to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian announced his country was both suspending flights and entry via the sole land border checkpoint with Iran .
China—the epicentre of the outbreak—reported another 97 deaths in its daily update Sunday , taking its total to 2,442 , plus 648 new infections .
Nearly 80,000 people have been infected worldwide , the vast majority in China .
But official figures indicate the death rate is proportionately much higher in Iran than China , standing at nearly one in five of the confirmed infections .
Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 cases would be free .
“ In every city , one hospital will be dedicated to treating coronavirus cases , ” he said , adding that this number would be greater in bigger cities like Tehran .
But academics expressed concern over the ability of Iran—currently grappling with a major economic crisis and hit by swingeing US sanctions—to contain the outbreak .
“ It is unlikely that Iran will have the resources and facilities to adequately identify cases and adequately manage them if case numbers are large , ” said Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s University of East Anglia .
He also noted that the region was already grappling with multiple conflicts .
“ During armed conflicts , borders between countries become porous ... and health care facilities are often targeted and destroyed , ” he said .
Other regional countries on Sunday also took major precautionary measures to counter the virus potentially spreading from Iran .
Jordan said it would bar entry to citizens of China , Iran and South Korea and other foreigners travelling from those countries .

Iran’s confirmed death toll from the new coronavirus rose to eight on Sunday, the highest outside China, sending neighbouring countries scrambling to contain the outbreak.
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Four immediate neighbours of the Islamic republic—Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Armenia—said on Sunday they would close land borders, while three imposed restrictions on air traffic, amid growing regional concerns about the spread of the virus.
Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities have already banned travel to and from Iran.
In the holy city of Qom where the first cases of #CoronavirusOutbreak reported in Iran people smoke Peganuma harmala seeds as a disinfectant agent to fight the virus infection. Not sure about its effectiveness but this
photo shows the entrance of Qom main market. #covid19iran pic.twitter.com/NXKBfShxDG — Mohammad Hashemi (@mo_hashemi) February 23, 2020
Lebanon has confirmed its first case—a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who had travelled from Qom in Iran—and Israel on Sunday quarantined at home nearly 200 school pupils who came into contact with South Korean tourists who contracted the virus.
Iran reported three more novel coronavirus deaths Sunday among 15 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total number of fatalities to eight and infections to 43.
Four new COVID-19 cases surfaced in Tehran, seven in the holy city of Qom, two in Gilan and one each in Markazi and Tonekabon, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said.
Authorities have ordered the closure of schools, universities and other educational centres in 14 provinces across the country as a “preventive measure”.
Art events, concerts and film shows have been banned for a week.
“We are on the frontlines, we need help,” the head of Qom’s medical sciences university, Mohammadreza Ghadir, said on state television.
‘Major implications’
“To prevent the spread of the novel #coronavirus and protect the public, Afghanistan suspends all passenger movement (air and ground) to and from Iran,” the office of the National Security Council of Afghanistan tweeted.
A provincial official in Pakistan and the nation’s Frontier Corps, for their part, confirmed the country had sealed the land border with Iran.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan share long, porous borders with Iran that are often used by smugglers and human traffickers, while millions of Afghan refugees live in the Islamic republic—raising fears that the virus could easily spread over the border.
Turkey said it would “temporarily” close its land border with Iran, while air traffic from Iran would be halted but departures to the country continue.
Late on Sunday, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian announced his country was both suspending flights and entry via the sole land border checkpoint with Iran.
China—the epicentre of the outbreak—reported another 97 deaths in its daily update Sunday, taking its total to 2,442, plus 648 new infections.
Nearly 80,000 people have been infected worldwide, the vast majority in China.
But official figures indicate the death rate is proportionately much higher in Iran than China, standing at nearly one in five of the confirmed infections.
Iran’s Health Minister Saeed Namaki said the treatment of COVID-19 cases would be free.
“In every city, one hospital will be dedicated to treating coronavirus cases,” he said, adding that this number would be greater in bigger cities like Tehran.
But academics expressed concern over the ability of Iran—currently grappling with a major economic crisis and hit by swingeing US sanctions—to contain the outbreak.
“It is unlikely that Iran will have the resources and facilities to adequately identify cases and adequately manage them if case numbers are large,” said Paul Hunter, a medical professor at Britain’s University of East Anglia.
He also noted that the region was already grappling with multiple conflicts.
“During armed conflicts, borders between countries become porous... and health care facilities are often targeted and destroyed,” he said.
Other regional countries on Sunday also took major precautionary measures to counter the virus potentially spreading from Iran.
Jordan said it would bar entry to citizens of China, Iran and South Korea and other foreigners travelling from those countries.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-23--Italy cuts short Venice carnival over coronavirus fears

Scrambling to contain rapidly rising number of new coronavirus infections in Italy , the largest amount outside Asia , authorities on Sunday stepped up measures to ban public gatherings , including stopping Venice ’ s famed carnival events .
“ The ordinance is immediately operative and will go into effect at midnight , ” announced Veneto regional Gov .
Luca Zaia , whose area includes Venice .
Carnival , which draws tens of thousands of visitors to the lagoon city , would have run through Tuesday .
Buses , trains and other forms of public transport — including boats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
Authorities said three people in Venice have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus , all of them in their late 80s and who are hospitalized in critical condition .
Nearly all of Italy ’ s 133 cases are clustered in the north , at least 25 of them in the Veneto region .
Authorities expressed frustration they haven ’ t been able to track down the source of the virus spread in the north , which surfaced last week when an Italian man in Codogno in his late 30s became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been yet able to pinpoint Patient Zero , ” Angelo Borrelli , head of the national Civil Protection agency , told reporters in Rome .
At first , it was widely presumed that the man was infected by an Italian friend he dined with and who recently returned from his job , based in Shanghai .
When the friend tested negative for the virus , attention turned to several Chinese who live in town and who frequent the same cafe visited by the stricken man .
But Lombardy Gov .
Attilio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested negative , too .
In Lombardy , with 90 cases , so far the hardest-hit region , schools and universities were ordered to stay closed in the coming days , and sporting events were canceled .
Lombardy ’ s ban on public events also extended to Masses in churches in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation .
But in the south , thousands turned out in the port city of Bari for a Mass by visiting Pope Francis , who shook hands with the faithful during his public appearance .
Museums , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be shut as well in Venice and the rest of Veneto .
The shutdown is expected to last at least through March 1 .
In Turin , the main city of the northern Piedmont region , three cases were diagnosed , and a family of three were being tested for possible contagion , authorities said .
That region also announced closure of all schools and universities .
The biggest jump in cases of confirmed COVID-19 was reported by authorities in Lombardy , a populous region which includes the country ’ s financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were in the countryside , mainly in Codogno and neighboring towns , where only grocery stores and pharmacies were apparently allowed to stay open .
People were urged to stay indoors in Lombardy and Veneto .
But while a lock-down of many small towns had been announced on Saturday , police at the entrance to Codogno , one of the hardest-hit towns , weren ’ t stopping cars entering or leaving .
Italians ’ cherished Sunday routines – from soccer to church-going – were being touched by the spread of the contagion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sports events in the affected northern areas , including local kids ’ sports team practices to three Serie A ( top major league ) soccer matches , were canceled .
Italy ’ s first cases — that of a married Chinese couple who were on vacation in Rome — surfaced in early February .
To date , three deaths — of elderly persons in the north — have been reported among the 133 cases .
Bishops in several dioceses in northern Italy issued directives that holy water fonts be kept empty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands of the faithful and not directly into their mouths by priests celebrating Mass and that congregants refrain from shaking hands or exchanging kisses during the symbolic Sign of the Peace ritual .
In a coincidence , the Vatican official in charge of the office dealing with propagating the faith hails from Codogno .
Archbishop Rino Fisichella , whose siblings live in the town , declined to dramatize the measures .
“ It ’ s obvious that we need to use all necessary prudence ” to avoid spreading the virus among the faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that authorities were getting ready for a possible outbreak in France of the new virus .
In an interview published Sunday in French newspaper Le Parisien , he said he was monitoring very closely the “ very serious ” situation , including in neighboring Italy .
France reported earlier this month the first death outside Asia of a person infected with the virus , an 80-year-old Chinese tourist .

Scrambling to contain rapidly rising number of new coronavirus infections in Italy, the largest amount outside Asia, authorities on Sunday stepped up measures to ban public gatherings, including stopping Venice’s famed carnival events.
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“The ordinance is immediately operative and will go into effect at midnight,” announced Veneto regional Gov. Luca Zaia, whose area includes Venice. Carnival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors to the lagoon city, would have run through Tuesday. Buses, trains and other forms of public transport — including boats in Venice — were being disinfected, Zaia told reporters.
Authorities said three people in Venice have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, all of them in their late 80s and who are hospitalized in critical condition.
Nearly all of Italy’s 133 cases are clustered in the north, at least 25 of them in the Veneto region.
Authorities expressed frustration they haven’t been able to track down the source of the virus spread in the north, which surfaced last week when an Italian man in Codogno in his late 30s became critically ill.
After Italy confirms 120+ cases of #Coronoavirus, Venice Carnival cancelled. La Scala closed. Schools closed in Lombardy & Veneto regions. 50,000 people on lockdown. Origins of the outbreak are still unknown. But is this response smart or an overreaction? https://t.co/qeerck3bxK — Rachel Donadio (@RachelDonadio) February 23, 2020
“The health officials haven’t been yet able to pinpoint Patient Zero,” Angelo Borrelli, head of the national Civil Protection agency, told reporters in Rome.
At first, it was widely presumed that the man was infected by an Italian friend he dined with and who recently returned from his job, based in Shanghai. When the friend tested negative for the virus, attention turned to several Chinese who live in town and who frequent the same cafe visited by the stricken man. But Lombardy Gov. Attilio Fontana told reporters all of those Chinese have tested negative, too.
In Lombardy, with 90 cases, so far the hardest-hit region, schools and universities were ordered to stay closed in the coming days, and sporting events were canceled. Lombardy’s ban on public events also extended to Masses in churches in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
But in the south, thousands turned out in the port city of Bari for a Mass by visiting Pope Francis, who shook hands with the faithful during his public appearance.
Museums, schools, universities and other public venues will be shut as well in Venice and the rest of Veneto. The shutdown is expected to last at least through March 1.
In Turin, the main city of the northern Piedmont region, three cases were diagnosed, and a family of three were being tested for possible contagion, authorities said. That region also announced closure of all schools and universities.
The biggest jump in cases of confirmed COVID-19 was reported by authorities in Lombardy, a populous region which includes the country’s financial capital, Milan. Nearly all the cases were in the countryside, mainly in Codogno and neighboring towns, where only grocery stores and pharmacies were apparently allowed to stay open.
People were urged to stay indoors in Lombardy and Veneto. But while a lock-down of many small towns had been announced on Saturday, police at the entrance to Codogno, one of the hardest-hit towns, weren’t stopping cars entering or leaving .
Italians’ cherished Sunday routines – from soccer to church-going – were being touched by the spread of the contagion, almost entirely based in the north. Sports events in the affected northern areas, including local kids’ sports team practices to three Serie A (top major league) soccer matches, were canceled.
Italy’s first cases — that of a married Chinese couple who were on vacation in Rome — surfaced in early February.
To date, three deaths — of elderly persons in the north — have been reported among the 133 cases. Bishops in several dioceses in northern Italy issued directives that holy water fonts be kept empty, that communion wafers be placed in the hands of the faithful and not directly into their mouths by priests celebrating Mass and that congregants refrain from shaking hands or exchanging kisses during the symbolic Sign of the Peace ritual.
In a coincidence, the Vatican official in charge of the office dealing with propagating the faith hails from Codogno. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, whose siblings live in the town, declined to dramatize the measures. “It’s obvious that we need to use all necessary prudence” to avoid spreading the virus among the faithful, he said.
Elsewhere in Europe, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that authorities were getting ready for a possible outbreak in France of the new virus. In an interview published Sunday in French newspaper Le Parisien, he said he was monitoring very closely the “very serious” situation, including in neighboring Italy.
France reported earlier this month the first death outside Asia of a person infected with the virus, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-02-23--Iran's parliamentary elections see lowest turnout since 1979 revolution

Voter turnout in Friday 's parliamentary elections was 42.57 % , the lowest since since the country 's 1979 Islamic Revolution , Iran ’ s interior ministry said on Sunday – another possible sign of widespread dissatisfaction with the leadership and the state of the economy .
In comparison , turnout was nearly 62 % in the 2016 elections .
Turnout has consistently been above 50 % since the country 's Islamic Revolution more than four decades ago .
But voters had limited options on Friday 's ballot , as more than 7,000 potential candidates had been disqualified , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those disqualified were 90 sitting members of Iran 's 290-seat parliament who had wanted to run for re-election .
Iran 's supreme leader and other senior officials had urged people to cast their ballots Friday as a show of resistance in the face of US sanctions that have plunged the economy into recession .
Reporting from Tehran , FRANCE 24 ’ s Reza Sayah said the Guardian Council 's decision to bar around 90 sitting moderate or reformist lawmakers has led many Iranians to question whether Friday ’ s vote was a legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent purge of reformists is an indication that Iran ’ s establishment is reshaping the government from one that was led by the moderates and reformists who wanted to open relations with the West , who wanted the [ 2015 ] nuclear deal , to one that now will be dominated by conservatives and hardliners who are going to take a much more firm stance against the US , implementing more anti-US policies , which doesn ’ t bode well for what ’ s left of the nuclear deal and improved relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranians have seen the price of basic goods skyrocket , inflation and unemployment rise and the local currency plummet since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and imposed tough sanctions .
Wary of the growing frustration on the streets , Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had urged Iranians to vote .
Speaking to reporters shortly after he cast his ballot in Tehran Friday , Khamenei noted that , “ Anyone who cares about Iran 's national interests should participate in the election . ''
'People are not hopeful' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed as a critical test of the legitimacy of Iran 's democratic process with the state unleashing all stops to encourage Iranians to vote .
On the eve of the elections , state media aired a short clip showing votes transforming into torpedoes hitting enemy navy ships closing in on Iran .
Hessameddin Ashena , a senior adviser to President Hassan Rouhani , warned on Twitter that abstention `` increases ( among other things ) the possibility of a military aggression '' .
The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many voters , however , voiced disinterest .
`` We voted for Mr Rouhani with a dream , and then we did n't achieve anything .
So , in my opinion , people are not hopeful any more , '' said Mohammed , who spoke from his carpet shop and only gave one name .
`` I honestly do n't want to vote , because it wo n't fix our problems and is of no use , and this election is only a formality just so they can show to the world that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while it is not so , '' said Pari Aghazadeh , a fashion designer .
Apart from the parliament , voters were also called upon to choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts , a 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader .

Voter turnout in Friday's parliamentary elections was 42.57%, the lowest since since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s interior ministry said on Sunday – another possible sign of widespread dissatisfaction with the leadership and the state of the economy.
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In comparison, turnout was nearly 62% in the 2016 elections. Turnout has consistently been above 50% since the country's Islamic Revolution more than four decades ago.
But voters had limited options on Friday's ballot, as more than 7,000 potential candidates had been disqualified, most of them reformists and moderates. Among those disqualified were 90 sitting members of Iran's 290-seat parliament who had wanted to run for re-election.
Iran's hard-liners won all 30 parliamentary seats in Tehran, state TV reported.
Iran's supreme leader and other senior officials had urged people to cast their ballots Friday as a show of resistance in the face of US sanctions that have plunged the economy into recession.
Reporting from Tehran, FRANCE 24’s Reza Sayah said the Guardian Council's decision to bar around 90 sitting moderate or reformist lawmakers has led many Iranians to question whether Friday’s vote was a legitimate democratic exercise.
“Analysts say this apparent purge of reformists is an indication that Iran’s establishment is reshaping the government from one that was led by the moderates and reformists who wanted to open relations with the West, who wanted the [2015] nuclear deal, to one that now will be dominated by conservatives and hardliners who are going to take a much more firm stance against the US, implementing more anti-US policies, which doesn’t bode well for what’s left of the nuclear deal and improved relations with the West,” noted Sayah.
Iranians have seen the price of basic goods skyrocket, inflation and unemployment rise and the local currency plummet since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and imposed tough sanctions.
Wary of the growing frustration on the streets, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had urged Iranians to vote.
Speaking to reporters shortly after he cast his ballot in Tehran Friday, Khamenei noted that, “Anyone who cares about Iran's national interests should participate in the election."
>> Read more: Moderates sidelined in Iran's elections
01:10
'People are not hopeful'
Turnout in Friday's elections is widely viewed as a critical test of the legitimacy of Iran's democratic process with the state unleashing all stops to encourage Iranians to vote.
On the eve of the elections, state media aired a short clip showing votes transforming into torpedoes hitting enemy navy ships closing in on Iran.
Hessameddin Ashena, a senior adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, warned on Twitter that abstention "increases (among other things) the possibility of a military aggression".
01:14
The Guardian Council said it expected at least 50 percent of registered voters to cast ballots.
Many voters, however, voiced disinterest.
"We voted for Mr Rouhani with a dream, and then we didn't achieve anything. So, in my opinion, people are not hopeful any more," said Mohammed, who spoke from his carpet shop and only gave one name.
"I honestly don't want to vote, because it won't fix our problems and is of no use, and this election is only a formality just so they can show to the world that they are chosen by the nation, while it is not so," said Pari Aghazadeh, a fashion designer.
Apart from the parliament, voters were also called upon to choose replacements for deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, a 88-strong clerical body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-02-23--England beat Ireland 24-12 to revive Six Nations hopes

Ireland 's wing Jacob Stockdale ( C ) is tackled by England 's wing Jonny May ( L ) during the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and Ireland at the Twickenham , west London , on February 23 , 2020 England finally turned up in the Six Nations and denied Ireland at least the triple crown and grand slam in an impressive 24-12 victory at Twickenham on Sunday .
Hyping itself before the tournament to become the greatest rugby team ever , England was humbled by France and barely subdued Scotland .
England sought a statement win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered its best performance since the Rugby World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand in October .
With 10 minutes to go , coach Eddie Jones made his own statement by going to the field and shaking the hands of all the starters he ’ d replaced .
England so utterly dominated that the scoreline flattered Ireland .
The outcome was as good as certain by halftime , when England led 17-0 .
England finished with three tries to two but was tactically and technically in another class .
“ If it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at halftime , ” Jones told BBC Radio .
He added , “ They were outstanding in that first 40 minutes .
We put Ireland to the sword.
” The result meant England remained in the title hunt , as did Ireland , which came to Twickenham with high hopes after beating Scotland and Wales .
England will have a triple crown shot , instead , with Wales next in two weeks followed by Italy .
England captain Owen Farrell said their lackluster start to the championship only frustrated them .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Farrell said .
“ We are unbelievably happy with how it is going in-house .
We feel we are getting better and couldn ’ t wait to get out against a proper opponent like Ireland.
” Ireland didn ’ t learn from the thrashings it took from England last year at Lansdowne Road ( 32-20 ) and Twickenham ( 57-15 ) .
Three times in a row , England has been out of the blocks quicker and outmuscled and outsmarted them .
Ireland has Italy next , then France , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the new championship favorite .
England suffocated Ireland by dominating the gainline , its line speed making Ireland backpedal and forcing errors .
England pressure in the air initially , then on the ground , stressed the Irish to the point they cracked , and halftime came as a relief .
Tadhg Furlong , rated the world ’ s best tighthead , conceded a scrum penalty to England ’ s Joe Marler , propping for the absent Mako Vunipola .
Without a platform from their pack , veteran halves Conor Murray and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray , so accurate in the first two rounds , made two aimless box kicks and had a third charged down .
It was no surprise when he was the first Irish player to be an unforced substitution .
Sexton always had white shirts in his face , his kicking was awful , and he gave away a try and penalty to England .
The first half couldn ’ t have gone any better for the home side , and it was no surprise England scored first , second and third .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from kicks they appeared to have safely covered .
An expert grubber by scrumhalf Ben Youngs from a ruck on the Ireland 22 bounced wickedly , Sexton bobbled it in goal , and the chasing George Ford only had to press it down .
Then a Ford chip was allowed to bounce in the in-goal by Jacob Stockdale , and Elliot Daly shoved him aside to reach the ball first .
With Farrell ’ s conversions , England was 14-0 up after 25 minutes .
Sexton ’ s penalty conceded just before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England was in total control .
Ireland had spent only 31 seconds in the England 22 .
Ireland coach Andy Farrell didn ’ t make any changes at halftime .
He urged the players to have “ some proper belief .
» They used a penalty against Farrell to continue an attack which finished with center Robbie Henshaw burrowing over between Farrell and Tom Curry .
But England quickly restored its mastery of the match , destroyed an Ireland scrum to regain possession , and set up a lineout maul from which replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland finished with a converted try for replacement prop Andrew Porter , his first in test rugby , in injury time , but it was small consolation .
“ As disappointed as we are , we ’ re still in with a chance to win the competition , ” Andy Farrell said .
“ We dust ourselves down , we don ’ t feel sorry for ourselves for too long , and see what we can do against Italy .
If we perform well then maybe we can take it to the last @ @ @

England finally turned up in the Six Nations and denied Ireland at least the triple crown and grand slam in an impressive 24-12 victory at Twickenham on Sunday.
Ireland's wing Jacob Stockdale (C) is tackled by England's wing Jonny May (L) during the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and Ireland at the Twickenham, west London, on February 23, 2020
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Hyping itself before the tournament to become the greatest rugby team ever, England was humbled by France and barely subdued Scotland. England sought a statement win in its first appearance at home and delivered its best performance since the Rugby World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand in October.
With 10 minutes to go, coach Eddie Jones made his own statement by going to the field and shaking the hands of all the starters he’d replaced.
England so utterly dominated that the scoreline flattered Ireland. The outcome was as good as certain by halftime, when England led 17-0. England finished with three tries to two but was tactically and technically in another class.
“If it was a cricket match we would have declared at halftime,” Jones told BBC Radio.
That's it for Round Three in the 2020 #SixNations.
France take their Grand Slam bid to Scotland next.
But should they falter, England and Ireland still retain hopes of winning this year's championship.#bbcrugby pic.twitter.com/Mii2vGJ8JF — BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) February 23, 2020
He added, “They were outstanding in that first 40 minutes. We put Ireland to the sword.”
The result meant England remained in the title hunt, as did Ireland, which came to Twickenham with high hopes after beating Scotland and Wales.
England will have a triple crown shot, instead, with Wales next in two weeks followed by Italy.
England captain Owen Farrell said their lackluster start to the championship only frustrated them.
“We know what we are capable of,” Farrell said. “We are unbelievably happy with how it is going in-house. We feel we are getting better and couldn’t wait to get out against a proper opponent like Ireland.”
Ireland didn’t learn from the thrashings it took from England last year at Lansdowne Road (32-20) and Twickenham (57-15). Three times in a row, England has been out of the blocks quicker and outmuscled and outsmarted them.
Ireland has Italy next, then France, which was the only unbeaten team after three rounds and the new championship favorite.
England suffocated Ireland by dominating the gainline, its line speed making Ireland backpedal and forcing errors. England pressure in the air initially, then on the ground, stressed the Irish to the point they cracked, and halftime came as a relief.
“Looked a bit silly at times,” Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton conceded.
Tadhg Furlong, rated the world’s best tighthead, conceded a scrum penalty to England’s Joe Marler, propping for the absent Mako Vunipola.
Without a platform from their pack, veteran halves Conor Murray and Sexton struggled merely to be ordinary.
Murray, so accurate in the first two rounds, made two aimless box kicks and had a third charged down. It was no surprise when he was the first Irish player to be an unforced substitution. Sexton always had white shirts in his face, his kicking was awful, and he gave away a try and penalty to England.
The first half couldn’t have gone any better for the home side, and it was no surprise England scored first, second and third.
But the Irish were angered that both tries came from kicks they appeared to have safely covered.
An expert grubber by scrumhalf Ben Youngs from a ruck on the Ireland 22 bounced wickedly, Sexton bobbled it in goal, and the chasing George Ford only had to press it down.
Then a Ford chip was allowed to bounce in the in-goal by Jacob Stockdale, and Elliot Daly shoved him aside to reach the ball first.
With Farrell’s conversions, England was 14-0 up after 25 minutes.
Sexton’s penalty conceded just before the break was slotted by Farrell and England was in total control.
Ireland had spent only 31 seconds in the England 22.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell didn’t make any changes at halftime. He urged the players to have “some proper belief. » They used a penalty against Farrell to continue an attack which finished with center Robbie Henshaw burrowing over between Farrell and Tom Curry.
But England quickly restored its mastery of the match, destroyed an Ireland scrum to regain possession, and set up a lineout maul from which replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie was carried over.
Ireland finished with a converted try for replacement prop Andrew Porter, his first in test rugby, in injury time, but it was small consolation.
“As disappointed as we are, we’re still in with a chance to win the competition,” Andy Farrell said. “We dust ourselves down, we don’t feel sorry for ourselves for too long, and see what we can do against Italy. If we perform well then maybe we can take it to the last weekend.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-02-24--Facing extradition, whistleblower Assange returns to spotlight

A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange demonstrates against his extradition in London on February 22 , 2020 .
A fearless campaigner for democratic openness , or a criminal trying to avoid justice : WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a highly polarising figure who finds himself once again at the centre of global attention .
The 48-year-old Australian is the figurehead of the whistleblowing website that exposed government secrets worldwide , notably the explosive leak of US military and diplomatic files .
But he has spent most of the past decade either in custody or holed up in Ecuador ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid extradition—first to Sweden and then to the United States .
Now , he will finally get his day in court as a British judge will this week hear the case for sending him to the US to face charges relating to his WikiLeaks work .
If found guilty of the espionage charges filed there , Assange could be jailed for 175 years .
Transparency and anti-war campaigners have hailed him for revealing the deaths of civilians , torture and clandestine military operations with the release of 500,000 US documents on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its allies have accused him of risking lives by sharing information on sources , intelligence techniques and key infrastructure sites .
He has been held at the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London since he was dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy ten months ago .
His team have repeatedly warned about his health and an independent UN rights expert said in November that his continued detention was putting his life at risk .
Meanwhile , the Council of Europe rights group was last week the latest such organisation to warn that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ chilling effect ” on press freedoms .
The saga began in 2010 when Assange faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden , which he always denied , saying they were a pretext and the ultimate goal was to transfer him to the US .
He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuador ’ s embassy in London .
For seven years he lived in the small apartment in the embassy , exercising on a treadmill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the lack of natural light in a situation he compared to living in a space station .
But after a change of government in Quito , Ecuador lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April .
He was arrested for jumping bail and jailed .
After his arrest it was revealed that the US were charging him with violating the US Espionage Act with the 2010 leaks , and he is now fighting extradition .
However , Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ credible ” account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed .
Assange was initially supported by human rights groups and newspapers that once worked with him to edit and publish the war logs .
But many were horrified when WikiLeaks dumped unredacted documents online , including the names of informants .
When a UN panel declared in 2016 that Assange had been detained arbitrarily , one of his previous media partners , the Guardian , dismissed the idea and said he should face justice .
There have since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller ’ s probe into interference in the 2016 US presidential election found that Russian government actors hacked candidate Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign “ and publicly disseminated those materials through various intermediaries , including WikiLeaks ” .
In a preliminary court hearing in London last week , Assange ’ s lawyer alleged US President Donald Trump had promised a pardon if he denied that Russia leaked the emails that damaged his rival , Clinton .
Born in Townsville , Queensland , in 1971 , Assange has described a nomadic childhood and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settling in Melbourne .
As a teenager , he discovered a talent for computer hacking and although he has since pleaded guilty to 25 such offences he has never been jailed .
He has only ever walked away with fines .
He created WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information .
A confident speaker , he became its figurehead and a lightning rod for criticism .
The most damaging leaks emerged in 2010 , beginning with a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians on a Baghdad street in 2007 .
It was followed by more than 90,000 classified US military files from the Afghan war , 400,000 from Iraq , and in November that year , around 250,000 US diplomatic cables covering almost every country in the world .

A fearless campaigner for democratic openness, or a criminal trying to avoid justice: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a highly polarising figure who finds himself once again at the centre of global attention.
A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange demonstrates against his extradition in London on February 22, 2020.
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The 48-year-old Australian is the figurehead of the whistleblowing website that exposed government secrets worldwide, notably the explosive leak of US military and diplomatic files.
But he has spent most of the past decade either in custody or holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy as he has tried to avoid extradition—first to Sweden and then to the United States.
Now, he will finally get his day in court as a British judge will this week hear the case for sending him to the US to face charges relating to his WikiLeaks work.
If found guilty of the espionage charges filed there, Assange could be jailed for 175 years.
Transparency and anti-war campaigners have hailed him for revealing the deaths of civilians, torture and clandestine military operations with the release of 500,000 US documents on the Iraq and Afghan wars.
Global Protests to mark the beginning of Julian Assange's Extradition Hearing - February 24 2020#DontExtraditeAssange #AssangeCase pic.twitter.com/NOqgaDGQPT — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) February 23, 2020
But Washington and its allies have accused him of risking lives by sharing information on sources, intelligence techniques and key infrastructure sites.
He has been held at the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London since he was dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy ten months ago.
His team have repeatedly warned about his health and an independent UN rights expert said in November that his continued detention was putting his life at risk.
Meanwhile, the Council of Europe rights group was last week the latest such organisation to warn that Assange’s extradition would have a “chilling effect” on press freedoms.
Space station life
The saga began in 2010 when Assange faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he always denied, saying they were a pretext and the ultimate goal was to transfer him to the US.
He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuador’s embassy in London.
For seven years he lived in the small apartment in the embassy, exercising on a treadmill and using a sun lamp to make up for the lack of natural light in a situation he compared to living in a space station.
But after a change of government in Quito, Ecuador lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April. He was arrested for jumping bail and jailed.
On the eve of the start of Julian #Assange’s extradition hearing, an RSF team is outside #Belmarsh prison, in London, where he has been held since 12 April 2019.#FreeAssange #Live pic.twitter.com/rQuF16jM1b — RSF (@RSF_inter) February 23, 2020
After his arrest it was revealed that the US were charging him with violating the US Espionage Act with the 2010 leaks, and he is now fighting extradition.
However, Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a “credible” account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Ties with Russia?
Assange was initially supported by human rights groups and newspapers that once worked with him to edit and publish the war logs.
But many were horrified when WikiLeaks dumped unredacted documents online, including the names of informants.
When a UN panel declared in 2016 that Assange had been detained arbitrarily, one of his previous media partners, the Guardian, dismissed the idea and said he should face justice.
There have since been questions about his relationship with Russia.
Robert Mueller’s probe into interference in the 2016 US presidential election found that Russian government actors hacked candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign “and publicly disseminated those materials through various intermediaries, including WikiLeaks”.
In a preliminary court hearing in London last week, Assange’s lawyer alleged US President Donald Trump had promised a pardon if he denied that Russia leaked the emails that damaged his rival, Clinton.
The White House denied the claim.
War logs exposed
Born in Townsville, Queensland, in 1971, Assange has described a nomadic childhood and claims to have attended 37 schools before settling in Melbourne.
As a teenager, he discovered a talent for computer hacking and although he has since pleaded guilty to 25 such offences he has never been jailed. He has only ever walked away with fines.
He created WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information.
A confident speaker, he became its figurehead and a lightning rod for criticism.
The most damaging leaks emerged in 2010, beginning with a video showing a US military Apache helicopter firing on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians on a Baghdad street in 2007.
It was followed by more than 90,000 classified US military files from the Afghan war, 400,000 from Iraq, and in November that year, around 250,000 US diplomatic cables covering almost every country in the world.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-24--China 'comprehensively bans' wildlife trade over coronavirus

A woman wearing a protective face mask shops in a fresh food market in Hong Kong on February 8 , 2020 , as a preventative measure after the coronavirus outbreak that began in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
China on Monday declared an immediate and “ comprehensive ” ban on the trade and consumption of wild animals , a practice believed responsible for the deadly coronavirus outbreak .
The country ’ s top legislative committee approved a proposal “ prohibiting the illegal wildlife trade , abolishing the bad habit of overconsumption of wildlife , and effectively protecting the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state television reported .
Previous temporary bans have been put in place , including after the SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ) virus killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03 and was also traced to wild animal consumption .
That prohibition was short-lived , however , and conservationists have long accused China of tolerating a cruel trade in wild animals as exotic menu items or for use in traditional medicines whose efficacy is not confirmed by science .
The decision was made by the Standing Committee of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , which oversees the country ’ s rubber-stamp legislature .
The coronavirus epidemic had highlighted “ the prominent problem of excessive consumption of wild animals , and the huge hidden dangers to public health and safety , ” said the report by China Central Television ( CCTV ) .
Chinese health officials have said the virus likely emerged from a market in the central city of Wuhan that sold wild animals as food .
The coronavirus has killed 2,592 people in China , infected some 77,000 others and paralysed the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in at least two dozen other countries , killing nearly 30 , and its rapid global spread has raised fears of a full-blown pandemic .
The committee also on Monday decided to postpone this year ’ s NPC session—scheduled to begin in early March—which will delay any legal revisions on wildlife trade .
As a result , the Standing Committee issued a full ban immediately until final legislation can be passed , CCTV said .
There already are laws in place against the wildlife trade , but conservationists say they are full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that enforcement is episodic or just plain lax .
After the epidemic began exploding across the country , China late last month ordered a temporary ban “ until the national epidemic situation is over ” .
But conservationists and virologists said a temporary ban was not enough , calling for a permanent prohibition with tough enforcement .
Health experts warn that transporting , butchering and consuming wild species poses a significant and growing public health risk by exposing humans to dangerous animal-borne pathogens .
Conservationists say China is the single biggest country driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that animals are routinely subjected to horrible conditions and cruel treatment .
The exact source of the coronavirus remains unconfirmed , with scientists variously speculating it originated in bats , pangolins , or some other mammal .
Scientists say SARS likely originated in bats , later reaching humans via civets .
According to a price list that circulated on China ’ s internet , one of the merchants at the Wuhan market at the virus epicentre sold a vast menagerie of animals including civets , rats , snakes , giant salamanders and live @ @ @

China on Monday declared an immediate and “comprehensive” ban on the trade and consumption of wild animals, a practice believed responsible for the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
A woman wearing a protective face mask shops in a fresh food market in Hong Kong on February 8, 2020, as a preventative measure after the coronavirus outbreak that began in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
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The country’s top legislative committee approved a proposal “prohibiting the illegal wildlife trade, abolishing the bad habit of overconsumption of wildlife, and effectively protecting the lives and health of the people,” state television reported.
Previous temporary bans have been put in place, including after the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03 and was also traced to wild animal consumption.
That prohibition was short-lived, however, and conservationists have long accused China of tolerating a cruel trade in wild animals as exotic menu items or for use in traditional medicines whose efficacy is not confirmed by science.
The decision was made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), which oversees the country’s rubber-stamp legislature.
The coronavirus epidemic had highlighted “the prominent problem of excessive consumption of wild animals, and the huge hidden dangers to public health and safety,” said the report by China Central Television (CCTV).
Chinese health officials have said the virus likely emerged from a market in the central city of Wuhan that sold wild animals as food.
The coronavirus has killed 2,592 people in China, infected some 77,000 others and paralysed the country’s economy.
It has also infected people in at least two dozen other countries, killing nearly 30, and its rapid global spread has raised fears of a full-blown pandemic.
The committee also on Monday decided to postpone this year’s NPC session—scheduled to begin in early March—which will delay any legal revisions on wildlife trade.
As a result, the Standing Committee issued a full ban immediately until final legislation can be passed, CCTV said.
There already are laws in place against the wildlife trade, but conservationists say they are full of loopholes regarding many species, and that enforcement is episodic or just plain lax.
After the epidemic began exploding across the country, China late last month ordered a temporary ban “until the national epidemic situation is over”.
But conservationists and virologists said a temporary ban was not enough, calling for a permanent prohibition with tough enforcement.
Public health risk
Health experts warn that transporting, butchering and consuming wild species poses a significant and growing public health risk by exposing humans to dangerous animal-borne pathogens.
Conservationists say China is the single biggest country driving consumption of many threatened species, and that animals are routinely subjected to horrible conditions and cruel treatment.
The exact source of the coronavirus remains unconfirmed, with scientists variously speculating it originated in bats, pangolins, or some other mammal.
Scientists say SARS likely originated in bats, later reaching humans via civets.
According to a price list that circulated on China’s internet, one of the merchants at the Wuhan market at the virus epicentre sold a vast menagerie of animals including civets, rats, snakes, giant salamanders and live wolf pups.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-24--Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé wins fourth term

A supporter of Pesident Faure Gnassingbé and presidential candidate of UNIR attends a rally in Lome , Togo , February 20 , 2020 .
Togo President Faure Gnassingbe has won a fourth term in power , the national electoral commission declared on Monday , as his main rival accused authorities of fraud .
The incumbent leader took 72 percent of the vote share in the first round of the presidential election , the commission said , far ahead of former prime minister Agbeyome Kodjo , with 18 percent .
The widely expected win extends more than a half century of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gnassingbe 's family despite broad disillusionment over its failure to drag many out of poverty .
Gnassingbe has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema , who ruled with an iron fist for 38 years .
In May , he oversaw an overhaul of the constitution that allowed him to run this year -- and potentially remain in office until 2030 .
Gilbert Barawa , minister of public functions and a strong supporter of the president , described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the president , who was elected with 58 percent of the vote five years ago .
`` Faure Gnassingbe has made a great breakthrough in formerly difficult areas , '' he said .
Hours before the official results were announced , Kodjo , who was prime minister under Gnassingbe 's father , had declared his own victory as `` democratically elected president '' with between 57 and 61 percent of the vote .
He promised to form his own `` inclusive government in the coming days '' , accusing authorities of using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skew the results in the incumbent 's favour .
Kodjo had emerged as a dark horse challenger in the race after winning the backing of an influential former Catholic archbishop .
The authorities banned hundreds of local observers from monitoring Saturday 's election and cancelled the system of electronic security at the last moment .
Some 300 international observers were deployed , mainly from the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) and the African Union , with many African states supporting the incumbent .
Six opposition challengers had suggested they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win an outright majority and the election had proceeded to a second round .
In 2017 and 2018 , Togolese authorities faced major protests demanding an end to the family 's five-decade rule .
Despite economic growth of around five percent , around half of Togo lives on less than $ 1.90 per day .
But the demonstrations faded in the face of government repression and squabbles among the opposition .
Stability and security were central to the president 's message as jihadist violence rocks northern neighbour Burkina Faso .
Togo has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spilling over and its army and intelligence service are considered to be among the most effective in the region .

Togo President Faure Gnassingbe has won a fourth term in power, the national electoral commission declared on Monday, as his main rival accused authorities of fraud.
A supporter of Pesident Faure Gnassingbé and presidential candidate of UNIR attends a rally in Lome, Togo, February 20, 2020.
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The incumbent leader took 72 percent of the vote share in the first round of the presidential election, the commission said, far ahead of former prime minister Agbeyome Kodjo, with 18 percent.
The widely expected win extends more than a half century of dynastic rule over the former French colony by Gnassingbe's family despite broad disillusionment over its failure to drag many out of poverty.
Gnassingbe has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled with an iron fist for 38 years.
In May, he oversaw an overhaul of the constitution that allowed him to run this year -- and potentially remain in office until 2030.
Gilbert Barawa, minister of public functions and a strong supporter of the president, described the result as "an unprecedented score" for the president, who was elected with 58 percent of the vote five years ago.
"Faure Gnassingbe has made a great breakthrough in formerly difficult areas," he said.
Hours before the official results were announced, Kodjo, who was prime minister under Gnassingbe's father, had declared his own victory as "democratically elected president" with between 57 and 61 percent of the vote.
He promised to form his own "inclusive government in the coming days", accusing authorities of using ballot stuffing and fake polling stations to skew the results in the incumbent's favour.
Kodjo had emerged as a dark horse challenger in the race after winning the backing of an influential former Catholic archbishop.
Stability and security
The authorities banned hundreds of local observers from monitoring Saturday's election and cancelled the system of electronic security at the last moment.
Some 300 international observers were deployed, mainly from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with many African states supporting the incumbent.
Six opposition challengers had suggested they would unite against Gnassingbe if he failed to win an outright majority and the election had proceeded to a second round.
In 2017 and 2018, Togolese authorities faced major protests demanding an end to the family's five-decade rule.
Despite economic growth of around five percent, around half of Togo lives on less than $1.90 per day.
But the demonstrations faded in the face of government repression and squabbles among the opposition.
Stability and security were central to the president's message as jihadist violence rocks northern neighbour Burkina Faso.
Togo has so far managed to prevent the bloodshed spilling over and its army and intelligence service are considered to be among the most effective in the region.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-24--Invader's 'Rubik Mona Lisa' shatters estimate at Paris modern art auction

A man walks by the Rubik Mona Lisa ( 2005 ) by French street artist Invader displayed at ArtCurial in Paris , France , on February 3 , 2020 .
A French street artist ’ s interpretation of the Mona Lisa made of 330 Rubik ’ s Cubes sold for 480,200 euros ( $ 520,680 ) on Sunday at a modern art auction in Paris , well above presale estimates of up to 150,000 euros , organisers Artcurial said .
The 2005 artwork by anonymous street artist Invader uses the plastic puzzles ’ squares to create a mosaic of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garish colours .
The sale coincided with the closure of a blockbuster Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the nearby Louvre museum , the home of the real Mona Lisa .
That show marked the 500th anniversary of the death of the Renaissance master .
Invader is known for his mosaic tile works featuring pixelated versions of the 1978 Space Invaders video game characters , which “ invade ” cities around the world .
The Rubik Mona Lisa was created in 2005 and is the first in Invader ’ s “ Rubikcubism ” series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Master works .
Invader , who defines himself as an UFA , an Unidentified Free Artist , wears a mask and insists on his face being pixilated for his rare appearances on camera .
He has a large following of fans who use a Smartphone app , “ Flash Invaders ” , to snap pictures of his mosaics if they ’ re authentically his , rack up points and compete with other players .

A French street artist’s interpretation of the Mona Lisa made of 330 Rubik’s Cubes sold for 480,200 euros ($520,680) on Sunday at a modern art auction in Paris, well above presale estimates of up to 150,000 euros, organisers Artcurial said.
A man walks by the Rubik Mona Lisa (2005) by French street artist Invader displayed at ArtCurial in Paris, France, on February 3, 2020.
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The 2005 artwork by anonymous street artist Invader uses the plastic puzzles’ squares to create a mosaic of the Mona Lisa and her famous smile in garish colours.
The sale coincided with the closure of a blockbuster Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the nearby Louvre museum, the home of the real Mona Lisa. That show marked the 500th anniversary of the death of the Renaissance master.
Invader is known for his mosaic tile works featuring pixelated versions of the 1978 Space Invaders video game characters, which “invade” cities around the world.
The Rubik Mona Lisa was created in 2005 and is the first in Invader’s “Rubikcubism” series, in which he recreates well-known Old Master works.
Invader, who defines himself as an UFA, an Unidentified Free Artist, wears a mask and insists on his face being pixilated for his rare appearances on camera.
He has a large following of fans who use a Smartphone app, “Flash Invaders”, to snap pictures of his mosaics if they’re authentically his, rack up points and compete with other players.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-24--South Korea coronavirus cases jump as China tallies 150 more deaths

An employee from a disinfection service company sanitises the floor of a market in Seoul , South Korea , on February 24 , 2020 .
South Korea reported another large jump in new virus cases Monday a day after the president called for “ unprecedented , powerful ” steps to combat the outbreak that is increasingly confounding attempts to stop the spread .
The 161 new cases bring South Korea ’ s total to 763 cases , and two more deaths raise its toll to seven .
China also Monday reported 409 new cases , raising the mainland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of increases in recent days .
The 150 new deaths from the COVID-19 illness raised China ’ s total to 2,592 and showed a spike after hovering around 100 for four days .
All but one death were in Hubei province , where the outbreak emerged in December .
Significant jumps in cases outside China have raised concern of the outbreak getting out of control .
South Korea has the third-highest national total behind China and Japan , and cases have rapidly increased in Italy and Iran in just a few days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Diamond Princess cruise ship , where nearly one-fifth of its 3,711 passengers and crew became infected .
More than 140 of South Korea ’ s new cases were in and near Daegu , the city of 2.5 million people where most of the country ’ s infections have occurred .
Five of the seven deaths were linked to a hospital in Cheongdo , near Daegu , where a slew of infections were confirmed among patients in a mental ward .
While officials have expressed hope they could contain the outbreak to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted signs of the virus circulating nationwide , pointing to a number of cases in the capital , Seoul , and elsewhere that weren ’ t immediately traceable .
“ In Daegu , the number of new cases that are being confirmed by tests is quite large , and if we fail to effectively stem community transmissions in this area , there would be a large possibility [ that the illness ] spreads nationwide , ” South Korean Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said in a briefing , saying that the government aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four weeks .
He said that health officials plan to test all of the city ’ s residents exhibiting cold-like symptoms , which he said would be about 28,000 people .
Health workers are also screening some 9,000 followers of the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , where a woman in her 60s attended two services before testing positive for the virus .
Of the country ’ s 161 new cases , 129 were related to the church .
Officials are also investigating a possible link between churchgoers and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby Cheongdo .
The national government has shuttered schools , cancelled events , and asked companies to scatter working hours and keep employees at home if they experience coughs or other respiratory symptoms .
It advised people to avoid crowded indoor spaces and pleaded that those who recently visited Daegu or nearby areas stay at home if possible for two weeks , asking reporters to exercise the same caution .
Seoul ’ s Mayor Park Won-soon scattered the working hours of some 40,000 city employees to ease transit congestion and warned of sterner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on rallies in major downtown areas that was meant to stop the spread of the virus .
Far from where the illness first emerged , authorities in Italy battled to contain Europe ’ s first major outbreak and Iran reported eight deaths — the highest toll outside of China .
Some of the clusters in recent days have no link to China , a worrying sign of the virus spread .
The Iranian health ministry has confirmed 43 cases in the country after reporting its first case on Wednesday .
United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A number of countries have closed their borders with Iran or effectively barred travelers from there , a similar step to the actions numerous countries have taken to ward off the spread of the illness from China .
In Italy ’ s northern Lombardy region , which includes the nation ’ s financial capital , Milan , the governor announced Sunday that the number of confirmed cases stood at 110 .
Italy now has 152 cases , the largest number outside of Asia , including three deaths .
Venice , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported its first two cases , said Veneto Gov .
Luca Zaia , whose region includes the lagoon city .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if the two infected had participated in Carnival festivities .
As Italy scrambled to check the spread of the virus , authorities announced that all Carnival events had been called off as well as major league soccer matches in the stricken region .
Cinemas and theaters were also ordered shuttered , including Milan ’ s legendary La Scala .
Warning that China ’ s virus epidemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to stop the outbreak , revive industry and prevent the disease from disrupting spring planting of crops .
Xi defended the ruling Communist Party ’ s response as “ timely and effective ” in a video conference with officials in charge of anti-disease work , according to the official Xinhua News Agency .
Meanwhile , a diplomatic row erupted after Israel turned back a South Korean airliner , underscoring fear and tensions over the outbreak .
A Korean Air flight with 188 passengers that landed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday evening was taxied away from the terminal while authorities allowed only 11 Israelis to enter the country .
The plane returned to South Korea with the rest of the passengers on Sunday .
Seoul ’ s Foreign Ministry said it was closely monitoring the incident and will evacuate South Korean tourists from Israel if necessary .
Yonhap news agency cited South Korea ’ s Foreign Ministry as registering a strong protest with the Israeli government .
Israel ’ s Foreign Ministry issued travel warnings to South Korea and Japan due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israelis returning from those countries to remain in home quarantine , as previously ordered for those returning from Hong Kong , China , Macau , Thailand and Singapore .

South Korea reported another large jump in new virus cases Monday a day after the president called for “unprecedented, powerful” steps to combat the outbreak, while Italy confirmed its seventh death from the virus amid a surge in infections.
An employee from a disinfection service company sanitises the floor of a market in Seoul, South Korea, on February 24, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The 161 new cases bring South Korea’s total to 763 cases, and two more deaths raise its toll to seven.
China also Monday reported 409 new cases, raising the mainland’s total to 77,150 after a zigzag pattern of increases in recent days. The 150 new deaths from the COVID-19 illness raised China’s total to 2,592 and showed a spike after hovering around 100 for four days. All but one death were in Hubei province, where the outbreak emerged in December.
Significant jumps in cases outside China have raised concern of the outbreak getting out of control. South Korea has the third-highest national total behind China and Japan, and cases have rapidly increased in Italy and Iran in just a few days.
Most of Japan’s cases were from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where nearly one-fifth of its 3,711 passengers and crew became infected.
More than 140 of South Korea’s new cases were in and near Daegu, the city of 2.5 million people where most of the country’s infections have occurred. Five of the seven deaths were linked to a hospital in Cheongdo, near Daegu, where a slew of infections were confirmed among patients in a mental ward.
While officials have expressed hope they could contain the outbreak to the region surrounding Daegu, some experts noted signs of the virus circulating nationwide, pointing to a number of cases in the capital, Seoul, and elsewhere that weren’t immediately traceable.
“In Daegu, the number of new cases that are being confirmed by tests is quite large, and if we fail to effectively stem community transmissions in this area, there would be a large possibility [that the illness] spreads nationwide,” South Korean Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said in a briefing, saying that the government aims to stabilize Daegu’s situation in four weeks.
He said that health officials plan to test all of the city’s residents exhibiting cold-like symptoms, which he said would be about 28,000 people. Health workers are also screening some 9,000 followers of the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, where a woman in her 60s attended two services before testing positive for the virus.
Good to welcome Kyung-wha Kang, Minister @MOFAkr_eng 🇰🇷, to @WHO. Republic of #Korea has vast experience & expertise in health security & I am confident they are doing everything to tackle the serious challenge of #COVID19. We welcome 🇰🇷's support for the global response. pic.twitter.com/jmewh6mG6W — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 23, 2020
Of the country’s 161 new cases, 129 were related to the church. Officials are also investigating a possible link between churchgoers and the spike in infections at a hospital in nearby Cheongdo.
The national government has shuttered schools, cancelled events, and asked companies to scatter working hours and keep employees at home if they experience coughs or other respiratory symptoms. It advised people to avoid crowded indoor spaces and pleaded that those who recently visited Daegu or nearby areas stay at home if possible for two weeks, asking reporters to exercise the same caution.
Seoul’s Mayor Park Won-soon scattered the working hours of some 40,000 city employees to ease transit congestion and warned of sterner action against protesters who defied a ban on rallies in major downtown areas that was meant to stop the spread of the virus.
Italy worst hit outside Asia
Far from where the illness first emerged, authorities in Italy battled to contain Europe’s first major outbreak and Iran reported eight deaths — the highest toll outside of China. Some of the clusters in recent days have no link to China, a worrying sign of the virus spread.
The Iranian health ministry has confirmed 43 cases in the country after reporting its first case on Wednesday. United Arab Emirates said new cases there included Iranian tourists. A number of countries have closed their borders with Iran or effectively barred travelers from there, a similar step to the actions numerous countries have taken to ward off the spread of the illness from China.
Italy now has more than 200 cases, the largest number outside of Asia, including seven deaths. Most infections have been reported in a cluster of small towns and villages in the northern Lombardy region, which includes the nation's financial capital, Milan.
Venice, which is full of tourists for Carnival events, reported its first two cases, said Veneto Gov. Luca Zaia, whose region includes the lagoon city. It wasn’t immediately known if the two infected had participated in Carnival festivities.
01:31
As Italy scrambled to check the spread of the virus, authorities announced that all Carnival events had been called off as well as major league soccer matches in the stricken region. Cinemas and theaters were also ordered shuttered, including Milan’s legendary La Scala.
Warning that China’s virus epidemic is “still grim and complex,” President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to stop the outbreak, revive industry and prevent the disease from disrupting spring planting of crops. Xi defended the ruling Communist Party’s response as “timely and effective” in a video conference with officials in charge of anti-disease work, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic row erupted after Israel turned back a South Korean airliner, underscoring fear and tensions over the outbreak.
A Korean Air flight with 188 passengers that landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport Saturday evening was taxied away from the terminal while authorities allowed only 11 Israelis to enter the country. The plane returned to South Korea with the rest of the passengers on Sunday.
Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said it was closely monitoring the incident and will evacuate South Korean tourists from Israel if necessary. Yonhap news agency cited South Korea’s Foreign Ministry as registering a strong protest with the Israeli government.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued travel warnings to South Korea and Japan due to the coronavirus, and the Health Ministry ordered Israelis returning from those countries to remain in home quarantine, as previously ordered for those returning from Hong Kong, China, Macau, Thailand and Singapore.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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