france24--2020-03-24--Quiet and confusion as UK begins three-week 'virtual lockdown'

Boris Johnson delivers a press briefing in London on March 16 , 2020 , on developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus .
Confusion rippled through Britain Tuesday , a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a three-week virtual lockdown halting all non-essential activity to fight the spread of the new coronavirus .
The measures came into force as the UK recorded its biggest daily rise in COVID-19 deaths so far .
Roads were much quieter than usual but London Underground trains were crammed with people and streets were far from deserted .
Some workers were also still mingling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the virtual lockdown on Monday evening in which he ordered people to stay at home and banned social gatherings .
The measures came into force as the UK on Tuesday recorded its biggest daily rise in deaths caused by the coronavirus with the number of confirmed cases increasing rapidly , underlining the urgency behind the government 's move to lock down the country .
The death toll across Britain rose by 87 on Tuesday to 422 , a 26 percent increase in the day , the health ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,650 , a 21 percent rise that followed a couple of days in which the rate of increase appeared to have tailed off somewhat .
Under the new restrictions imposed by the Johnson administration , people can leave their homes only for very limited reasons such as going to supermarkets for vital supplies or for exercise once a day .
The unprecedented peacetime restrictions , which will last at least three weeks , are intended to stop the state-run National Health Service ( NHS ) being overwhelmed .
But social media images showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commuters .
There were also complaints that the advice was confusing or did not go far enough .
Julia Harris , a London nurse , said her morning train to work was full .
“ I worry for my health more on my commute than actually being in the hospital , '' she said .
Many building sites remained open , with construction workers among those crowding onto early-morning subways .
Electrician Dan Dobson said construction workers felt “ angry and unprotected ” , but felt they had to keep working .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , everyone is worried about taking it home to their families , ” he said .
`` But they still have bills to pay , they still have rent to pay , they still have to buy food.
” British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak defended keeping construction sites open , insisting it could be done safely .
But London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted : “ I can not say this more strongly : we must stop all non-essential use of public transport now .
Employers : please support your staff to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ignoring these rules means more lives lost.
” Many families were also confused by the new rules .
After Johnson said people should not mingle outside of their household units , separated parents asked whether their children could still travel between their homes .
In a series of television and radio interviews , Cabinet minister Michael Gove initially said children should not move between households , before clarifying that it was permitted .
Earlier advice for Britons to avoid gatherings was widely ignored , with people flocking to parks and beauty spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than two people , and social events such as weddings - but not funerals - will be stopped .
Gove said stronger measures than 30-pound ( $ 35 ) fines for people who flouted the new restrictions could be introduced .
A snap YouGov poll found that 93 percent of Britons supported the measures , but were split on whether fines would be a sufficient deterrent .
The survey found 66 percent thought the rules would be very easy or fairly easy to follow .
Supermarkets said they had begun limiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any one time and installing screens at checkouts to protect staff .
Sports Direct , a sports clothing chain owned by Frasers Group , initially indicated it would defy the order to close but later said it had asked the government for permission to open stores .
Gove said Sports Direct was not an essential shop and should close .
There was also ambiguity regarding what powers police had to enforce the new guidance .
The government said police would have powers to break up illegal gatherings and fine people who flout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the lockdown could be enforced .
Britain has lost thousands of police officers during a decade of public spending and while Johnson has promised to recruit 20,000 more police officers , those efforts are still in the early stages .
Unlike some other European countries , Britons do not carry ID cards , another factor complicating enforcement efforts .
Johnson has also warned that the National Health Service could be overwhelmed within weeks unless people took the lockdown seriously .
Britain 's economy was now shrinking at a record pace , faster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses across the services sector are shut , according to a survey .
The government has promised hundreds of billions of pounds in loan guarantees , grants and said it will pay wages .
Finance minister Rishi Sunak was expected to announce new measures later on Tuesday to help the self-employed .

Confusion rippled through Britain Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a three-week virtual lockdown halting all non-essential activity to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The measures came into force as the UK recorded its biggest daily rise in COVID-19 deaths so far.
Boris Johnson delivers a press briefing in London on March 16, 2020, on developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
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Roads were much quieter than usual but London Underground trains were crammed with people and streets were far from deserted.
Some workers were also still mingling close together after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the virtual lockdown on Monday evening in which he ordered people to stay at home and banned social gatherings.
The measures came into force as the UK on Tuesday recorded its biggest daily rise in deaths caused by the coronavirus with the number of confirmed cases increasing rapidly, underlining the urgency behind the government's move to lock down the country.
The death toll across Britain rose by 87 on Tuesday to 422, a 26 percent increase in the day, the health ministry said in a statement.
Confirmed cases rose to 8,077 from 6,650, a 21 percent rise that followed a couple of days in which the rate of increase appeared to have tailed off somewhat.
Under the new restrictions imposed by the Johnson administration, people can leave their homes only for very limited reasons such as going to supermarkets for vital supplies or for exercise once a day.
The unprecedented peacetime restrictions, which will last at least three weeks, are intended to stop the state-run National Health Service (NHS) being overwhelmed.
Packed trains
But social media images showed London Underground railway trains were packed with commuters. There were also complaints that the advice was confusing or did not go far enough.
Julia Harris, a London nurse, said her morning train to work was full.
“I worry for my health more on my commute than actually being in the hospital," she said.
Many building sites remained open, with construction workers among those crowding onto early-morning subways.
Electrician Dan Dobson said construction workers felt “angry and unprotected”, but felt they had to keep working.
"None of them want to go to work, everyone is worried about taking it home to their families,” he said. "But they still have bills to pay, they still have rent to pay, they still have to buy food.”
British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak defended keeping construction sites open, insisting it could be done safely.
But London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “I cannot say this more strongly: we must stop all non-essential use of public transport now. Employers: please support your staff to work from home unless it's absolutely necessary. Ignoring these rules means more lives lost.”
Families confused
Many families were also confused by the new rules.
After Johnson said people should not mingle outside of their household units, separated parents asked whether their children could still travel between their homes. In a series of television and radio interviews, Cabinet minister Michael Gove initially said children should not move between households, before clarifying that it was permitted.
Earlier advice for Britons to avoid gatherings was widely ignored, with people flocking to parks and beauty spots. Police will now break up gatherings of more than two people, and social events such as weddings - but not funerals - will be stopped.
Gove said stronger measures than 30-pound ($35) fines for people who flouted the new restrictions could be introduced.
A snap YouGov poll found that 93 percent of Britons supported the measures, but were split on whether fines would be a sufficient deterrent. The survey found 66 percent thought the rules would be very easy or fairly easy to follow.
Supermarkets said they had begun limiting the number of shoppers in stores at any one time and installing screens at checkouts to protect staff.
Sports Direct, a sports clothing chain owned by Frasers Group, initially indicated it would defy the order to close but later said it had asked the government for permission to open stores.
Gove said Sports Direct was not an essential shop and should close.
Police powers
There was also ambiguity regarding what powers police had to enforce the new guidance.
The government said police would have powers to break up illegal gatherings and fine people who flout the rules. But some expressed doubts about whether the lockdown could be enforced.
Britain has lost thousands of police officers during a decade of public spending and while Johnson has promised to recruit 20,000 more police officers, those efforts are still in the early stages. Unlike some other European countries, Britons do not carry ID cards, another factor complicating enforcement efforts.
Johnson has also warned that the National Health Service could be overwhelmed within weeks unless people took the lockdown seriously.
Britain's economy was now shrinking at a record pace, faster than during the 2008-09 financial crisis as businesses across the services sector are shut, according to a survey.
The government has promised hundreds of billions of pounds in loan guarantees, grants and said it will pay wages.
Finance minister Rishi Sunak was expected to announce new measures later on Tuesday to help the self-employed.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-24--PM Modi orders 21-day 'total lockdown' in India

People walk past closed shops in a nearly deserted wholesale market during lockdown by the authorities to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , in the old quarters of Delhi , India , March 24 , 2020 .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a 21-day lockdown of the world 's second most populous country on Tuesday , following China 's example to halt the spread of coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands across the world .
Modi , the powerful leader of the world 's biggest democracy went further , saying nobody will be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks beginning midnight Tuesday .
`` To save India , to save its every citizen , you , your family ... every street , every neighbourhood is being put under lockdown . ''
India has lagged behind other nations in the number of COVID-19 cases , but there has been a sharp increase in recent days to 519 infections , including 10 deaths , according to the government .
Health researchers have warned that more than a million people in India could be infected with the coronavirus by mid-May , prompting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train travel , businesses and schools .
Already health officials said the virus was spreading out of big Indian cities where it first appeared into the small towns that dot the landscape .
Alarm is growing across the region about prospects for its spread into impoverished communities and the ability of resource-starved public health sectors to cope .
`` India is today at such a stage , where our actions today will determine our ability to reduce the impact of this disaster , '' Modi said , citing health officals and experts including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his dire warnings .
More than 377,300 people have been infected by the coronavirus globally and 16,520 have died since it emerged in China , according to a Reuters tally .
China 's Wuhan where the virus emerged imposed a two-month lockdown which is only now being eased .
Across South Asia , home to a quarter of the world 's population , authorities are scrambling to raise their defences as the virus spreads .

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a 21-day lockdown of the world's second most populous country on Tuesday, following China's example to halt the spread of coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands across the world.
People walk past closed shops in a nearly deserted wholesale market during lockdown by the authorities to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the old quarters of Delhi, India, March 24, 2020.
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Modi, the powerful leader of the world's biggest democracy went further, saying nobody will be allowed to leave their homes for the next three weeks beginning midnight Tuesday.
"To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family... every street, every neighbourhood is being put under lockdown."
India has lagged behind other nations in the number of COVID-19 cases, but there has been a sharp increase in recent days to 519 infections, including 10 deaths, according to the government.
Health researchers have warned that more than a million people in India could be infected with the coronavirus by mid-May, prompting the government to shut down all air and train travel, businesses and schools.
Already health officials said the virus was spreading out of big Indian cities where it first appeared into the small towns that dot the landscape.
Alarm is growing across the region about prospects for its spread into impoverished communities and the ability of resource-starved public health sectors to cope.
"India is today at such a stage, where our actions today will determine our ability to reduce the impact of this disaster," Modi said, citing health officals and experts including the World Health Organization (WHO) for his dire warnings.
More than 377,300 people have been infected by the coronavirus globally and 16,520 have died since it emerged in China, according to a Reuters tally.
China's Wuhan where the virus emerged imposed a two-month lockdown which is only now being eased.
Across South Asia, home to a quarter of the world's population, authorities are scrambling to raise their defences as the virus spreads.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AFP)
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france24--2020-03-24--Japan PM Abe agrees with IOC to delay Olympics until summer 2021 at latest

FILE PHOTO : Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike , Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori , International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) President Thomas Bach and Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend the 'One Year to Go ' ceremony celebrating one year out from the start of the summer games at Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo , Japan July 24 , 2019 .
Japan will hold the Summer Olympic Games by the summer of 2021 at the latest , Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday , following a call with International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with IOC President Thomas Bach , Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the July 24-Aug 9 event would be rescheduled for the summer of 2021 at the latest as proof of victory over the coronavirus .
`` We asked President Bach to consider postponement of about one year to make it possible for athletes to play in the best condition , and to make the event a safe and secure one for spectators , '' Abe said .
`` President Bach said he is in agreement 100 percent . ''
Japan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay this year 's Tokyo Games into 2021 as the coronavirus crisis obliterated the world 's last major imminent sporting event .
Bach later on Tuesday said that the precise dates for the new Games had not yet been determined .
`` About two hours after my phone call I can not give you a definite answer .
`` These are the reasons why we had decided we need at least four weeks to assess all these questions ...
These are not the only ones , '' Bach added on a phone call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in the Olympics ' 124-year history that they had been postponed , though they were cancelled outright several times during the two 20th century World Wars .
Athletes were sad but relieved after weeks of worrying and struggling to train as the world headed into virtual lockdown from the virus that has claimed more than 16,500 lives .
`` I compete in a little bike race , which is nothing compared to what is going on in the world right now , '' American Olympic BMX champion Connor Fields said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means more people might potentially die from this . ''
Pressure on the IOC and its powerful president Bach had been accelerating fast in recent days , with Canada and Australia refusing to participate if the Games went ahead in the summer .
Athletes wholeheartedly endorsed the delay , given health risks and disruption to their training as gyms , stadia and swimming pools shut down around the world .
`` To be honest , I 'm left reeling and feeling a little lost .
But the goal posts have n't disappeared - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recalibrate and fire up for the next challenge , '' said Australia 's two-time Olympic champion swimmer , Cate Campbell .
The coronavirus outbreak has raged around the world since early this year , infecting nearly 380,000 people and wrecking sports events from the soccer Euros to Formula One .
Postponement is a massive logistical headache for hosts Japan , which has pumped in more than $ 12 billion of investment .
But a poll showed about 70 % of the Japanese agree with a delay .
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Tokyo 2020 '' .

Japan will hold the Summer Olympic Games by the summer of 2021 at the latest, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday, following a call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach.
FILE PHOTO : Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend the 'One Year to Go' ceremony celebrating one year out from the start of the summer games at Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan July 24, 2019.
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After the call with IOC President Thomas Bach, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the July 24-Aug 9 event would be rescheduled for the summer of 2021 at the latest as proof of victory over the coronavirus.
"We asked President Bach to consider postponement of about one year to make it possible for athletes to play in the best condition, and to make the event a safe and secure one for spectators," Abe said. "President Bach said he is in agreement 100 percent."
Japan and the Olympics movement decided on Tuesday to delay this year's Tokyo Games into 2021 as the coronavirus crisis obliterated the world's last major imminent sporting event.
Bach later on Tuesday said that the precise dates for the new Games had not yet been determined.
"About two hours after my phone call I cannot give you a definite answer.
"These are the reasons why we had decided we need at least four weeks to assess all these questions... These are not the only ones," Bach added on a phone call with journalists.
It was the first time in the Olympics' 124-year history that they had been postponed, though they were cancelled outright several times during the two 20th century World Wars.
Athletes were sad but relieved after weeks of worrying and struggling to train as the world headed into virtual lockdown from the virus that has claimed more than 16,500 lives.
"I compete in a little bike race, which is nothing compared to what is going on in the world right now," American Olympic BMX champion Connor Fields said. "No sport is more important if it means more people might potentially die from this."
'Time to recalibrate'
Pressure on the IOC and its powerful president Bach had been accelerating fast in recent days, with Canada and Australia refusing to participate if the Games went ahead in the summer.
Athletes wholeheartedly endorsed the delay, given health risks and disruption to their training as gyms, stadia and swimming pools shut down around the world.
"To be honest, I'm left reeling and feeling a little lost. But the goal posts haven't disappeared - just shifted. It's time to recalibrate and fire up for the next challenge," said Australia's two-time Olympic champion swimmer, Cate Campbell.
The coronavirus outbreak has raged around the world since early this year, infecting nearly 380,000 people and wrecking sports events from the soccer Euros to Formula One.
Postponement is a massive logistical headache for hosts Japan, which has pumped in more than $12 billion of investment.
But a poll showed about 70% of the Japanese agree with a delay.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters the delayed Games would still be branded "Tokyo 2020".
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AFP)
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france24--2020-03-24--Scores of Nigerian soldiers killed in jihadist ambush, security sources say

Nigerian soldiers on patrol along the border between Nigeria and Mali .
At least 70 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a jihadist ambush , military and security sources said Tuesday .
Insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at a lorry carrying troops as it travelled near Gorgi village in Borno state on Monday , two military officers told AFP without giving their names .
`` It was a huge loss , at least 70 soldiers have perished in the ambush , '' one of the officers said .
`` The terrorists specifically targeted a truck loaded with soldiers with RPGs and incinerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' a second officer said .
`` So far 70 bodies have been recovered but the toll is certainly more than that as rescue operation is still underway . ''
Several soldiers were injured and some others taken captive by the jihadists , the two officers said .
A spokesman for the Nigerian army told AFP that he was unable to comment on the reported attack .
The convoy had left regional capital Maiduguri on its way to launch an offensive on a camp belonging to jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a government-backed militia fighting the insurgents told AFP .
The Islamic State West Africa Province faction split from Boko Haram insurgents in 2016 and has focused on attacking troops , raiding bases and laying ambush on military convoys .
The group has been accused of increasing attacks on civilians and taking hostages at bogus checkpoints on main roads in the region .
The decade-long conflict has killed 36,000 people and displaced 1.8 million in the northeast of Nigeria .
Fighting has also spilt over the border into neighbouring countries , prompting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight the insurgents .

At least 70 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a jihadist ambush, military and security sources said Tuesday.
Nigerian soldiers on patrol along the border between Nigeria and Mali.
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Insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at a lorry carrying troops as it travelled near Gorgi village in Borno state on Monday, two military officers told AFP without giving their names.
"It was a huge loss, at least 70 soldiers have perished in the ambush," one of the officers said.
"The terrorists specifically targeted a truck loaded with soldiers with RPGs and incinerated the vehicle, killing all on board," a second officer said.
"So far 70 bodies have been recovered but the toll is certainly more than that as rescue operation is still underway."
Several soldiers were injured and some others taken captive by the jihadists, the two officers said.
A spokesman for the Nigerian army told AFP that he was unable to comment on the reported attack.
The convoy had left regional capital Maiduguri on its way to launch an offensive on a camp belonging to jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State group in the area, a member of a government-backed militia fighting the insurgents told AFP.
The Islamic State West Africa Province faction split from Boko Haram insurgents in 2016 and has focused on attacking troops, raiding bases and laying ambush on military convoys.
The group has been accused of increasing attacks on civilians and taking hostages at bogus checkpoints on main roads in the region.
The decade-long conflict has killed 36,000 people and displaced 1.8 million in the northeast of Nigeria.
Fighting has also spilt over the border into neighbouring countries, prompting the formation of a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-24--Coronavirus: Authorities across Africa brace for pandemic

Authorities across Africa are bracing for the coronavirus pandemic to hit home .
We take a closer look at the situation in South Africa , where a three-week lockdown has been announced .
In Madagascar , the army is enforcing strict confinement measures .
And in Senegal , authorities in the capital Dakar have destroyed an informal market in a bid to curb the COVID-19 outbreak .
Though Africa has been less affected by COVID-19 compared to Asia or Europe , the number of cases is on the rise .
More than 1,600 people have been tested positive , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded fatalities - the latest being Nigeria , the Gambia and Zimbabwe .
A three-week lockdown has been announced in South Africa .
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the measures will begin at midnight on Thursday , requiring people to stay at home except for essential purposes .
The country has the highest number of recorded cases on the continent , with more than 400 people infected .
Our Cape Town correspondent Jane Flanagan tells us more .
We also hear from our correspondent in Madagascar , where the army has been called in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where authorities face the challenge of ensuring vulnerable people have enough food to stay at home .
Finally , authorities in the Senegalese capital Dakar have destroyed an informal market in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak .
We report on locals ' reactions .
> > Coronavirus : Curfews in Senegal and Ivory Coast , lockdown in South Africa

Authorities across Africa are bracing for the coronavirus pandemic to hit home. We take a closer look at the situation in South Africa, where a three-week lockdown has been announced. In Madagascar, the army is enforcing strict confinement measures. And in Senegal, authorities in the capital Dakar have destroyed an informal market in a bid to curb the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Though Africa has been less affected by COVID-19 compared to Asia or Europe, the number of cases is on the rise. More than 1,600 people have been tested positive, and south of the Sahara seven countries have recorded fatalities - the latest being Nigeria, the Gambia and Zimbabwe.
A three-week lockdown has been announced in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the measures will begin at midnight on Thursday, requiring people to stay at home except for essential purposes. The country has the highest number of recorded cases on the continent, with more than 400 people infected. Our Cape Town correspondent Jane Flanagan tells us more.
We also hear from our correspondent in Madagascar, where the army has been called in to enforce strict confinement measures, but where authorities face the challenge of ensuring vulnerable people have enough food to stay at home.
Finally, authorities in the Senegalese capital Dakar have destroyed an informal market in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak. We report on locals' reactions.
>> Coronavirus: Curfews in Senegal and Ivory Coast, lockdown in South Africa
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france24--2020-03-24--'Soldier of Love': Artist Billie Zangewa enlists in the fight for compassion

Her portraits and still lifes are painted less with brushes and more with stitches , offcuts and textured fabrics .
Billie Zangewa tells us why working with textiles was a way to subvert traditional attitudes towards craft , and why , as an introvert , revealing her vulnerability is a way to build bridges with others .
As a South African and Malawian artist , Zangewa tells us about the quirks and contradictions of showing her work outside its home culture , why her generation is looking beyond the scars of apartheid and why radical empathy could provide a solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems .
From personal portraits painted in stitches , to offcuts , embroidery and all sorts of textiles , Billie Zangewa creates multi-layered luminous images that tell quietly compelling stories .
The artist has swapped her studio in South Africa for our studio in Paris to tell us more about her new collection of work .
`` I called the show 'Soldier of Love ' because I feel that we live in very , very difficult times , where there is a lot of pain and suffering that people are inflicting against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like we 've forgotten the basics , which is love : love of self , love of humanity , love of the world , '' she told FRANCE 24 's Olivia Salazar-Winspear .
The artist added : `` People are a bit jaded and there 's this idea that considering love is the answer to all of man 's sufferings is idealisic .
And I do n't believe that 's true .
I actually believe that it is possible that if we all focused on first loving ourselves and then giving that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suffering that we 're experiencing today would go away . ''

Her portraits and still lifes are painted less with brushes and more with stitches, offcuts and textured fabrics. Billie Zangewa tells us why working with textiles was a way to subvert traditional attitudes towards craft, and why, as an introvert, revealing her vulnerability is a way to build bridges with others. As a South African and Malawian artist, Zangewa tells us about the quirks and contradictions of showing her work outside its home culture, why her generation is looking beyond the scars of apartheid and why radical empathy could provide a solution to many of the world’s problems.
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From personal portraits painted in stitches, to offcuts, embroidery and all sorts of textiles, Billie Zangewa creates multi-layered luminous images that tell quietly compelling stories. The artist has swapped her studio in South Africa for our studio in Paris to tell us more about her new collection of work.
"I called the show 'Soldier of Love' because I feel that we live in very, very difficult times, where there is a lot of pain and suffering that people are inflicting against each other all over the world and I feel like we've forgotten the basics, which is love: love of self, love of humanity, love of the world," she told FRANCE 24's Olivia Salazar-Winspear.
The artist added: "People are a bit jaded and there's this idea that considering love is the answer to all of man's sufferings is idealisic. And I don't believe that's true. I actually believe that it is possible that if we all focused on first loving ourselves and then giving that love out, that a lot of the suffering that we're experiencing today would go away."
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france24--2020-03-25--Top French hospital executive says coronavirus toll higher than official tally

A French rescue team transfers a patient infected with coronavirus from Strasbourg University hospital to Pforzheim in Germany on March 24 , 2020 .
The death toll in France from coronavirus is much higher than the daily government tally , which only accounts for those dying in hospitals , a senior French health official said on Wednesday .
France reported a cumulative 1,100 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday , up from 91 on March 14 , a more than tenfold increase in 11 days and an average increase of 28 % per day , data tracked by Reuters shows .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , '' Frederic Valletoux , president of the French Hospitals Federation , said on France Info radio .
`` The increase in the official data is already major , but the absolute numbers would no doubt be effectively much higher if we aggregated what is happening in retirement homes as well as the people who die at home or who are not counted.
” Health agency chief Jérôme Salomon said on Tuesday that authorities would soon be able to tally retirement home deaths , which is likely to result in a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reported dozens of coronavirus fatalities in retirement homes , with up to 15 dead in just one institution in eastern France .
Le Monde reported 39 deaths in retirement homes in the Ile-de-France region around Paris on Monday and said that privately run homes were reluctant to report data .
'Still in the ascending phase' Valletoux said it was difficult to say when the growth rate of new infections and deaths would slow down and whether France was indeed running about eight days behind Italy , the country with the highest death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and testing procedures are very different in the two countries , even between regions in Italy , '' he said .
In France , which instituted a nationwide lockdown on March 17 , the number of new infections grew at an average rate of 26 % per day throughout March , but on Tuesday the rate has slowed down to an average 15 % .
`` We do not know when the peak will come , but we are still in the ascending phase , '' Valletoux said .
He also said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with other countries as France does not test as many people as neighbouring countries .
`` We do n't have the means to test everyone ... Italy tests way more people , and the Germans test 10 to 20 times more people than us , '' he said .

The death toll in France from coronavirus is much higher than the daily government tally, which only accounts for those dying in hospitals, a senior French health official said on Wednesday.
A French rescue team transfers a patient infected with coronavirus from Strasbourg University hospital to Pforzheim in Germany on March 24, 2020.
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France reported a cumulative 1,100 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, up from 91 on March 14, a more than tenfold increase in 11 days and an average increase of 28% per day, data tracked by Reuters shows.
"We only know the data provided by hospitals," Frederic Valletoux, president of the French Hospitals Federation, said on France Info radio.
"The increase in the official data is already major, but the absolute numbers would no doubt be effectively much higher if we aggregated what is happening in retirement homes as well as the people who die at home or who are not counted.”
Health agency chief Jérôme Salomon said on Tuesday that authorities would soon be able to tally retirement home deaths, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities.
French media have reported dozens of coronavirus fatalities in retirement homes, with up to 15 dead in just one institution in eastern France. Le Monde reported 39 deaths in retirement homes in the Ile-de-France region around Paris on Monday and said that privately run homes were reluctant to report data.
'Still in the ascending phase'
Valletoux said it was difficult to say when the growth rate of new infections and deaths would slow down and whether France was indeed running about eight days behind Italy, the country with the highest death tally from the virus.
"Confinement and testing procedures are very different in the two countries, even between regions in Italy," he said.
In France, which instituted a nationwide lockdown on March 17, the number of new infections grew at an average rate of 26% per day throughout March, but on Tuesday the rate has slowed down to an average 15%.
"We do not know when the peak will come, but we are still in the ascending phase," Valletoux said.
He also said the number of infections was hard to compare with other countries as France does not test as many people as neighbouring countries.
"We don't have the means to test everyone...Italy tests way more people, and the Germans test 10 to 20 times more people than us," he said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--France to support start-ups with €4 billion plan amid coronavirus crisis

Station F , a start-up hup and resource center in Paris , France .
The money injected by venture capital funds into French start-ups jumped 30 percent over the first three quarters of 2019 from a year earlier to €3.9 billion .
France will roll out a 4 billion euro ( $ 4.33 billion ) liquidity support plan for start-ups in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak , junior minister Cédric O said on Wednesday .
Investments in early stage digital companies have boomed in France in recent years , helped by tax cuts and business-friendly measures put in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed to turn the country into a `` start-up nation ” .
`` We 're announcing a specific plan to support the liquidity of start-ups , '' O told French radio station Radio Classique .
`` In total it will be a plan for 4 billion ( euros ) .
” The money injected by venture capital funds into French start-ups jumped 30 % over the first three quarters of 2019 from a year earlier to 3.9 billion euros , according to Dealroom , a data provider .
The French government 's liquidity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme ( 160 million euros ) , the early payment of some tax credits ( 1.5 billion ) , the accelerated payment of already-planned investments in the sector ( 150 million ) and guarantees over cash flow costs ( 2 billion ) .
`` Given the global economic situation , there 's a risk that some investors may become wary , '' O said , adding that he would meet some venture capital funds this week in a bid to shore up their support for French startups .
( $ 1 = 0.9244 @ @

France will roll out a 4 billion euro ($4.33 billion) liquidity support plan for start-ups in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, junior minister Cédric O said on Wednesday.
Station F, a start-up hup and resource center in Paris, France. The money injected by venture capital funds into French start-ups jumped 30 percent over the first three quarters of 2019 from a year earlier to €3.9 billion.
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Investments in early stage digital companies have boomed in France in recent years, helped by tax cuts and business-friendly measures put in place by President Emmanuel Macron, who has vowed to turn the country into a "start-up nation”.
"We're announcing a specific plan to support the liquidity of start-ups," O told French radio station Radio Classique. "In total it will be a plan for 4 billion (euros).”
The money injected by venture capital funds into French start-ups jumped 30% over the first three quarters of 2019 from a year earlier to 3.9 billion euros, according to Dealroom, a data provider.
The French government's liquidity plan for start-ups includes a short-term refinancing scheme (160 million euros), the early payment of some tax credits (1.5 billion), the accelerated payment of already-planned investments in the sector (150 million) and guarantees over cash flow costs (2 billion).
"Given the global economic situation, there's a risk that some investors may become wary," O said, adding that he would meet some venture capital funds this week in a bid to shore up their support for French startups. ($1 = 0.9244 euros)
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--South Africa prepares to go into lockdown as coronavirus cases top 700

Shoppers queue to stock up on groceries at a Pick n Pay store in Johannesburg , South Africa , on March 24 , 2020 , ahead of a nationwide lockdown of 21 days to try to contain the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak .
South Africa 's coronavirus cases jumped again to 709 , the health minister said Wednesday , as the country with the most cases in Africa prepared to go into lockdown first thing Friday .
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on state television pointed out “ intense local spread ” in Free State province among attendees of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
All five in people who had recently traveled abroad .
Now almost 30 cases have been recorded .
Cases across Africa are now well above 2,400 .
With Libya announcing its first case , 44 of the continent 's 54 countries now have the virus .
Those that have not recorded cases are Mali , Guinea-Bissau , Sierra Leone , South Sudan , Burundi , Malawi , Botswana , Comoros , Lesotho and Sao Tome and Principe , according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Some have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continent .
Congo became the latest country to close its borders while reporting its third death .
The sprawling nation has one of Africa 's weakest health systems and has been battling another global health emergency , a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the east .
While that outbreak now appears to be within days of being declared over , Congo also faces a large measles outbreak .
As more countries across Africa impose restrictions on gatherings and travel , many informal workers are suffering .
Ethiopia 's government in a proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said Africa needs a $ 150 billion emergency financing package because “ COVID-19 poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

South Africa's coronavirus cases jumped again to 709, the health minister said Wednesday, as the country with the most cases in Africa prepared to go into lockdown first thing Friday.
Shoppers queue to stock up on groceries at a Pick n Pay store in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 24, 2020, ahead of a nationwide lockdown of 21 days to try to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
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Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on state television pointed out “intense local spread” in Free State province among attendees of a church gathering where five cases were reported. All five in people who had recently traveled abroad. Now almost 30 cases have been recorded.
Cases across Africa are now well above 2,400. With Libya announcing its first case, 44 of the continent's 54 countries now have the virus.
Those that have not recorded cases are Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho and Sao Tome and Principe, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some have the most fragile health systems on the continent.
Congo became the latest country to close its borders while reporting its third death. The sprawling nation has one of Africa's weakest health systems and has been battling another global health emergency, a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the east.
While that outbreak now appears to be within days of being declared over, Congo also faces a large measles outbreak.
As more countries across Africa impose restrictions on gatherings and travel, many informal workers are suffering. Ethiopia's government in a proposal to the Group of 20 major industrialized nations has said Africa needs a $150 billion emergency financing package because “COVID-19 poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries.”
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Negotiators reach agreement on bailout for virus-hit US economy, says Trump aide

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin walks to a meeting during negotiations on a coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) relief package on Capitol in Washington , U.S. , March 24 , 2020 .
U.S. senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on a massive economic stimulus bill to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak , White House official Eric Ueland said early on Wednesday .
`` We have a deal , '' Ueland told reporters after days of negotiations on a stimulus package .
US lawmakers worked deep into Tuesday night trying to seal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving roughly $ 2 trillion to hospitals , businesses and ordinary Americans buckling under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic .
The historically large measure aims to put cash directly into the hands of Americans hard hit by the crisis , inject billions of dollars into hospitals desperate for medical equipment , provide grants to small businesses and loans for larger corporations , and expand unemployment benefits .
After days of vicious partisan infighting over what to include , in what ultimately may be the largest emergency rescue package lawmakers have ever passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still pass .
Mnuchin , shuttling between the Capitol offices of Schumer and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as they hammered out the language of the bill , said they were `` getting closer '' to a final product .
The Senate failed on multiple occasions in recent days to advance a massive but controversial Republican-led proposal , and pressure has soared to swiftly reach a compromise that provides relief for hundreds of millions of Americans .
President Donald Trump called for an immediate resolution to the stalemate .
`` Congress must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonsense , today , '' he said on Twitter .
`` The longer it takes , the harder it will be to start up our economy .
Our workers will be hurt ! ''
US stocks soared -- the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 11.4 percent -- on the prospects of a stimulus that could send checks to Americans potentially amounting to more than $ 3,000 for a family-of-four .
Democrats rejected the original Republican package , arguing it put corporations ahead of workers , including health professionals on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has infected 55,000 people and killed nearly 800 in the US alone .
As the hours ticked away without a deal , several lawmakers voiced their anxiety .
`` Pass the damn bill .
Stop negotiating .
Enough is enough , '' a visibly angry Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on the floor , after accusing Democrats of `` nickeling and diming at a time people are dying . ''
Any relief package that passes the Senate will need to clear the Democratic-led House too before going to the president 's desk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate deal could be done soon .
`` We 're in the red zone and hopefully we can get it over the finish line , '' the powerful California Democrat told CNN .
She suggested the measure might even pass the House by unanimous consent .
But getting 435 lawmakers to swallow a gargantuan rescue package without debate could be an uphill proposition in a sharply divided chamber .
McConnell 's opening bid included one-time `` recovery rebates '' of up to $ 1,200 for most adults , and hundreds of billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the crisis , including airlines , and grants to small businesses .
Democrats fumed that the measure did not mandate that companies keep their employees on payroll .
They also argued it provided insufficient oversight on corporations receiving the infusions , and needed more aid for hospitals in dire need of equipment like protective gear , intensive care beds and ventilators .
Those shortcomings were addressed in the compromise , according to Democratic leaders .
Schumer said it will almost certainly include a guarantee that the federal government will broaden eligibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months to workers sickened by or laid off due to the pandemic .
Pelosi meanwhile unveiled a more generous , roughly $ 2.5 trillion counterproposal that included ambitious elements like guaranteed paid and family medical leave , student loan forgiveness and oversight of the $ 500 billion earmarked for corporations .
`` Much of what we have in our bill is reflected in this supposed agreement , what we 've seen so far , '' Pelosi said .

U.S. senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on a massive economic stimulus bill to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, White House official Eric Ueland said early on Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin walks to a meeting during negotiations on a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) relief package on Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 24, 2020.
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"We have a deal," Ueland told reporters after days of negotiations on a stimulus package.
US lawmakers worked deep into Tuesday night trying to seal the deal that buttresses the teetering economy by giving roughly $2 trillion to hospitals, businesses and ordinary Americans buckling under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
The historically large measure aims to put cash directly into the hands of Americans hard hit by the crisis, inject billions of dollars into hospitals desperate for medical equipment, provide grants to small businesses and loans for larger corporations, and expand unemployment benefits.
After days of vicious partisan infighting over what to include, in what ultimately may be the largest emergency rescue package lawmakers have ever passed, optimism remained that the package could still pass.
Mnuchin, shuttling between the Capitol offices of Schumer and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as they hammered out the language of the bill, said they were "getting closer" to a final product.
The Senate failed on multiple occasions in recent days to advance a massive but controversial Republican-led proposal, and pressure has soared to swiftly reach a compromise that provides relief for hundreds of millions of Americans.
President Donald Trump called for an immediate resolution to the stalemate.
"Congress must approve the deal, without all of the nonsense, today," he said on Twitter.
"The longer it takes, the harder it will be to start up our economy. Our workers will be hurt!"
US stocks soared -- the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 11.4 percent -- on the prospects of a stimulus that could send checks to Americans potentially amounting to more than $3,000 for a family-of-four.
Democrats rejected the original Republican package, arguing it put corporations ahead of workers, including health professionals on the front lines of the battle against a pandemic that has infected 55,000 people and killed nearly 800 in the US alone.
As the hours ticked away without a deal, several lawmakers voiced their anxiety.
"Pass the damn bill. Stop negotiating. Enough is enough," a visibly angry Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on the floor, after accusing Democrats of "nickeling and diming at a time people are dying."
'Finish line'
Any relief package that passes the Senate will need to clear the Democratic-led House too before going to the president's desk.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence the Senate deal could be done soon.
"We're in the red zone and hopefully we can get it over the finish line," the powerful California Democrat told CNN.
She suggested the measure might even pass the House by unanimous consent.
But getting 435 lawmakers to swallow a gargantuan rescue package without debate could be an uphill proposition in a sharply divided chamber.
McConnell's opening bid included one-time "recovery rebates" of up to $1,200 for most adults, and hundreds of billions of dollars in loan guarantees to industries hit by the crisis, including airlines, and grants to small businesses.
Democrats fumed that the measure did not mandate that companies keep their employees on payroll.
They also argued it provided insufficient oversight on corporations receiving the infusions, and needed more aid for hospitals in dire need of equipment like protective gear, intensive care beds and ventilators.
Those shortcomings were addressed in the compromise, according to Democratic leaders.
Schumer said it will almost certainly include a guarantee that the federal government will broaden eligibility of unemployment insurance and pay full wages for four months to workers sickened by or laid off due to the pandemic.
Pelosi meanwhile unveiled a more generous, roughly $2.5 trillion counterproposal that included ambitious elements like guaranteed paid and family medical leave, student loan forgiveness and oversight of the $500 billion earmarked for corporations.
"Much of what we have in our bill is reflected in this supposed agreement, what we've seen so far," Pelosi said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Lockdown eased in Hubei province despite doubling of new coronavirus cases in China

Medical workers from outside Wuhan stand behind a banner with their suitcases as they listen to a speech at the Wuhan Railway Station before leaving the epicentre of the novel coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , in Hubei province , China March 17 , 2020 .
Picture taken March 17 , 2020 .
China 's Hubei province where the coronavirus pandemic originated will lift travel restrictions on people leaving the region as the epidemic there eases , but other regions will tighten controls as new cases double due to imported infections .
The Hubei Health Commission announced it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 , provided they had a health clearance code .
The provincial capital Wuhan , where the virus first appeared and which has been in total lockdown since since Jan. 23 , will see its travel restrictions lifted on April 8 .
However , the risk from overseas infections appears to be on the rise , prompting tougher screening and quarantine measures in major cities such as the capital Beijing .
China had 78 new cases on Monday , the National Health Commission said , a two-fold increase from Sunday .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from 39 imported cases a day earlier .
The Chinese capital Beijing was the hardest-hit , with a record 31 new imported cases , followed by southern Guangdong province with 14 and the financial hub of Shanghai with nine .
The total number of imported cases stood at 427 as of Monday .
Only four new cases were local transmissions .
One was in Wuhan which had not reported a new infection in five days .
Wuhan residents will soon be allowed to leave with a health tracking code , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual 's health status linked to it .
In other parts of the country , authorities have continued to impose tougher screening and quarantine and have diverted international flights from Beijing to other Chinese cities , but that has not stemmed the influx of Chinese nationals , many of whom are students returning home from virus-hit countries .
Beijing 's city government tightened quarantine rules for individuals arriving from overseas , saying on Tuesday that everyone entering the city will be subject to centralised quarantine and health checks .
The southern city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all arrivals and the Chinese territory of Macau will ban visitors from the mainland , Hong Kong and Taiwan .
The number of local infections from overseas arrivals - the first of which was reported in the southern travel hub of Guangzhou on Saturday - remains very small .
On Monday , Beijing saw its first case of a local person being infected by an international traveller arriving in China .
Shanghai reported a similar case , bringing the total number of such infections to three so far .
Concerns about new wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the lifting of restrictions in some cities to allow people to return to work and kickstart the battered Chinese economy has raised concerns of a second wave of infections .
A private survey on Tuesday suggested that a 10-11 % contraction in first-quarter gross domestic product in the world 's second largest economy `` is not unreasonable '' .
The epidemic has hammered all sectors of the economy - from manufacturing to tourism .
To persuade businesses to reopen , policymakers have promised loans , aids and subsidies .
In the impoverished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each required to spend at least 200 yuan ( $ 28.25 ) a week to spur the recovery of the local catering industry .
The official China Daily warned in an editorial on Tuesday that maintaining stringent restrictions on people 's movements would `` now do more harm than good '' .

China's Hubei province where the coronavirus pandemic originated will lift travel restrictions on people leaving the region as the epidemic there eases, but other regions will tighten controls as new cases double due to imported infections.
Medical workers from outside Wuhan stand behind a banner with their suitcases as they listen to a speech at the Wuhan Railway Station before leaving the epicentre of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Hubei province, China March 17, 2020. Picture taken March 17, 2020.
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The Hubei Health Commission announced it would lift curbs on outgoing travellers starting March 25, provided they had a health clearance code.
The provincial capital Wuhan, where the virus first appeared and which has been in total lockdown since since Jan. 23, will see its travel restrictions lifted on April 8.
However, the risk from overseas infections appears to be on the rise, prompting tougher screening and quarantine measures in major cities such as the capital Beijing.
China had 78 new cases on Monday, the National Health Commission said, a two-fold increase from Sunday. Of the new cases, 74 were imported infections, up from 39 imported cases a day earlier.
The Chinese capital Beijing was the hardest-hit, with a record 31 new imported cases, followed by southern Guangdong province with 14 and the financial hub of Shanghai with nine. The total number of imported cases stood at 427 as of Monday.
Only four new cases were local transmissions. One was in Wuhan which had not reported a new infection in five days.
Wuhan residents will soon be allowed to leave with a health tracking code, a QR code, which will have an individual's health status linked to it.
In other parts of the country, authorities have continued to impose tougher screening and quarantine and have diverted international flights from Beijing to other Chinese cities, but that has not stemmed the influx of Chinese nationals, many of whom are students returning home from virus-hit countries.
Beijing's city government tightened quarantine rules for individuals arriving from overseas, saying on Tuesday that everyone entering the city will be subject to centralised quarantine and health checks.
The southern city of Shenzhen said on Tuesday it will test all arrivals and the Chinese territory of Macau will ban visitors from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The number of local infections from overseas arrivals - the first of which was reported in the southern travel hub of Guangzhou on Saturday - remains very small.
On Monday, Beijing saw its first case of a local person being infected by an international traveller arriving in China. Shanghai reported a similar case, bringing the total number of such infections to three so far.
Concerns about new wave of infections
The rise in imported cases and the lifting of restrictions in some cities to allow people to return to work and kickstart the battered Chinese economy has raised concerns of a second wave of infections.
A private survey on Tuesday suggested that a 10-11% contraction in first-quarter gross domestic product in the world's second largest economy "is not unreasonable".
The epidemic has hammered all sectors of the economy - from manufacturing to tourism. To persuade businesses to reopen, policymakers have promised loans, aids and subsidies.
In the impoverished province of Gansu, government officials are each required to spend at least 200 yuan ($28.25) a week to spur the recovery of the local catering industry.
The official China Daily warned in an editorial on Tuesday that maintaining stringent restrictions on people's movements would "now do more harm than good".
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-24--France’s coronavirus death toll tops 1,000, lockdown likely to be extended

A deserted Champ de Mars in Paris as France enters the second week of a lockdown to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak .
France on Tuesday reported a daily coronavirus death toll rise of 240 , taking the total number of fatalities from the outbreak to 1,100 , according to health officials .
The increase makes France the fifth country to cross the 1,000 death toll mark since the epidemic began in China late last year .
France now has 22,300 confirmed coronavirus cases , including an increase of 2,444 in the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health , Jérôme Salomon , at a news briefing Tuesday .
Across the country , 10,176 people were hospitalised for coronavirus , including 2,516 in a serious condition , said Salomon .
Tuesday ’ s death toll rise made France the fifth country to exceed a grim 1,000 fatalities milestone after Italy , China , Spain and Iran .
The spike in coronavirus cases and deaths came after the country ’ s scientific council , which advises French President Emmanuel Macron on the coronavirus crisis , said a lockdown to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks since it was put in place .
France has been under a strict lockdown since March 17 , when Macron announced restrictive measures , including fines for people violating the rules .
The lockdown was initially expected to last 15 days .
In its statement , France ’ s scientific council said the lockdown was at present the only really efficient strategy .
The council also said it was “ necessary to strengthen ” the containment measures without providing details .
Responding to the council ’ s lockdown recommendations , French Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to put a clear time frame just yet .
“ The members of the scientific council aren ’ t able to say with precision if the confinement should be for such a set duration .
They said , maybe we need to prepare for the confinement to last longer .
Beyond 15 days we know , but perhaps it could extend past that – another five or six weeks , ” he said .
“ It will only end when the epidemic curve allows it , this is the basic principle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French people .
It will last as long as it has to last.
” Noting that three weeks were needed to obtain an initial estimate of the impact of the lockdown , the council said , “ Containment is currently the only truly operational strategy , as the alternative policy of large-scale screenings and isolation of those detected is not currently feasible on a national scale.
” A decision to end the lockdown “ could be taken on the basis of epidemiological indicators .
in particular the saturation of hospital services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government will also have to ensure that the elements of a post-confinement strategy are operational , the council added .
Members of the council also issued an “ alert ” on `` the real or perceived shortage of various types of equipment , starting with essential health protection equipment ” .
They recommended that the government “ provide full transparency and clarity ” to answer questions from hospitals and health care providers about existing stocks and how services will be supplied .

France on Tuesday reported a daily coronavirus death toll rise of 240, taking the total number of fatalities from the outbreak to 1,100, according to health officials. The increase makes France the fifth country to cross the 1,000 death toll mark since the epidemic began in China late last year.
A deserted Champ de Mars in Paris as France enters the second week of a lockdown to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
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France now has 22,300 confirmed coronavirus cases, including an increase of 2,444 in the past 24 hours, said the country’s Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon, at a news briefing Tuesday.
Across the country, 10,176 people were hospitalised for coronavirus, including 2,516 in a serious condition, said Salomon.
Tuesday’s death toll rise made France the fifth country to exceed a grim 1,000 fatalities milestone after Italy, China, Spain and Iran.
The spike in coronavirus cases and deaths came after the country’s scientific council, which advises French President Emmanuel Macron on the coronavirus crisis, said a lockdown to contain the epidemic should last a total of six weeks since it was put in place.
France has been under a strict lockdown since March 17, when Macron announced restrictive measures, including fines for people violating the rules. The lockdown was initially expected to last 15 days.
In its statement, France’s scientific council said the lockdown was at present the only really efficient strategy.
The council also said it was “necessary to strengthen” the containment measures without providing details.
Responding to the council’s lockdown recommendations, French Health Minister Olivier Véran said it was not possible to put a clear time frame just yet.
“The members of the scientific council aren’t able to say with precision if the confinement should be for such a set duration. They said, maybe we need to prepare for the confinement to last longer. Beyond 15 days we know, but perhaps it could extend past that – another five or six weeks,” he said.
“It will only end when the epidemic curve allows it, this is the basic principle. Confinement has a purpose, to protect the French people. It will last as long as it has to last.”
‘Only truly operational strategy’
Noting that three weeks were needed to obtain an initial estimate of the impact of the lockdown, the council said, “Containment is currently the only truly operational strategy, as the alternative policy of large-scale screenings and isolation of those detected is not currently feasible on a national scale.”
A decision to end the lockdown “could be taken on the basis of epidemiological indicators. in particular the saturation of hospital services and especially of intensive care units”. The government will also have to ensure that the elements of a post-confinement strategy are operational, the council added.
‘Full transparency’ on medical equipment
Members of the council also issued an “alert” on "the real or perceived shortage of various types of equipment, starting with essential health protection equipment”.
They recommended that the government “provide full transparency and clarity” to answer questions from hospitals and health care providers about existing stocks and how services will be supplied.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--Gunmen attack Sikh religious complex in Kabul, Afghan MP says

An Afghan policeman stands guard near the site of an attack in Kabul , Afghanistan March 25 , 2020 .
Unidentified gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a Sikh religious complex in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday , and up to 200 people were believed to be trapped inside , a member of parliament said .
Afghan security forces had blocked off the area and were battling the attackers , and had killed two of them , Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said in a message to journalists .
`` The majority of people were rescued , unfortunately there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that defence forces would take some time to entirely secure the area as they were moving slowly to prevent civilian casualties .
It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were or who they were .
A Ministry of Health spokesman said one child had been killed and 15 people wounded but the toll could rise .
Sikhs have been the target of attack by Islamist militants before in South Asia .
A Taliban spokesman , in a message on Twitter , denied responsibility for the attack .
Narender Singh Khalsa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tiny Sikh community , said he had reports that four people had been killed and up to 200 people trapped inside the temple in the early morning attack .
`` Three suicide bombers entered a dharamsala , '' he said , referring to a sanctuary area in a temple compound .
`` The gunmen started their attack at a time when the dharamsala was full of worshippers , '' he said .
The attack comes a day after the United States said it would cut its aid to the government by $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders could not reach an agreement and form a team to negotiate with the Taliban .
A NATO Resolute Support defence official said the response to the attack had been led and executed by Afghan forces , but received some advice and assistance from NATO .
Sikhs are a small religious minority in Afghanistan numbering fewer than 300 families .
They are among the persecuted minorities eligible for citizenship in India under a citizenship law backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party , which has drawn backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anarkali Kaur Honaryar , a member of the Sikh community and an Afghan senator , said the Sikh complex in Kabul contained places of worship and areas where families live .
`` Gunmen are spread in the whole complex , there is fear that the attackers entered the main praying place and fear of large casualties is there too , '' he said .
Human rights activists condemned the attack .
Amnesty International South Asia tweeted : `` We are shocked and disheartened ... the authorities have a responsibility to protect minorities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , a suicide bombing targeting the Sikh community and claimed by the Islamic State militant group killed more than a dozen people in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad .
The United States last month struck a deal with the Taliban on the withdrawal of U.S.-led international troops but the agreement does not include Islamic State militants .

Unidentified gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a Sikh religious complex in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, and up to 200 people were believed to be trapped inside, a member of parliament said.
An Afghan policeman stands guard near the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan March 25, 2020.
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Afghan security forces had blocked off the area and were battling the attackers, and had killed two of them, Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said in a message to journalists.
"The majority of people were rescued, unfortunately there are casualties," he said, adding that defence forces would take some time to entirely secure the area as they were moving slowly to prevent civilian casualties.
It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were or who they were.
A Ministry of Health spokesman said one child had been killed and 15 people wounded but the toll could rise.
Sikhs have been the target of attack by Islamist militants before in South Asia. A Taliban spokesman, in a message on Twitter, denied responsibility for the attack.
Narender Singh Khalsa, a member of parliament who represents the tiny Sikh community, said he had reports that four people had been killed and up to 200 people trapped inside the temple in the early morning attack.
"Three suicide bombers entered a dharamsala," he said, referring to a sanctuary area in a temple compound.
"The gunmen started their attack at a time when the dharamsala was full of worshippers," he said.
The attack comes a day after the United States said it would cut its aid to the government by $1 billion over frustrations that feuding political leaders could not reach an agreement and form a team to negotiate with the Taliban.
A NATO Resolute Support defence official said the response to the attack had been led and executed by Afghan forces, but received some advice and assistance from NATO.
Small religious minority
Sikhs are a small religious minority in Afghanistan numbering fewer than 300 families. They are among the persecuted minorities eligible for citizenship in India under a citizenship law backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which has drawn backlash because it does not include Muslims.
Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a member of the Sikh community and an Afghan senator, said the Sikh complex in Kabul contained places of worship and areas where families live.
"Gunmen are spread in the whole complex, there is fear that the attackers entered the main praying place and fear of large casualties is there too," he said.
Human rights activists condemned the attack. Amnesty International South Asia tweeted: "We are shocked and disheartened...the authorities have a responsibility to protect minorities and their places of worship in Afghanistan.”
In 2018, a suicide bombing targeting the Sikh community and claimed by the Islamic State militant group killed more than a dozen people in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.
The United States last month struck a deal with the Taliban on the withdrawal of U.S.-led international troops but the agreement does not include Islamic State militants.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--DR Congo president imposes state of emergency to contain coronavirus outbreak

A state of emergency was imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 24 , 2020 to contain the country ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo closed the country ’ s borders and imposed a state of emergency on Tuesday to contain the coronavirus outbreak , following other African nations that have imposed strict measures in recent days .
The virus is spreading quickly across Africa , infecting more than 1,700 people across 45 countries , challenging already fragile healthcare systems .
Senegal and Ivory Coast on Monday declared their own states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on their populations .
Over 40 people have contracted the virus in the DRC and three have been killed , raising concerns of a widespread outbreak , especially in the crowded capital Kinshasa where social distancing is an alien phenomenon .
`` Coronavirus does not need a passport , visa or voter 's card to circulate in our house , '' President Felix Tshisekedi said in a speech to the nation on Tuesday .
`` We find ourselves at war with an invisible adversary.
” The president banned internal passenger flights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where all 45 of the known cases have been found .
Last week , he suspended commercial flights from other countries with the virus , banned large gatherings and closed clubs , restaurants and bars .

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo closed the country’s borders and imposed a state of emergency on Tuesday to contain the coronavirus outbreak, following other African nations that have imposed strict measures in recent days.
A state of emergency was imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 24, 2020, to contain the country’s coronavirus outbreak.
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The virus is spreading quickly across Africa, infecting more than 1,700 people across 45 countries, challenging already fragile healthcare systems. Senegal and Ivory Coast on Monday declared their own states of emergency, imposing curfews and travel restrictions on their populations.
Over 40 people have contracted the virus in the DRC and three have been killed, raising concerns of a widespread outbreak, especially in the crowded capital Kinshasa where social distancing is an alien phenomenon.
"Coronavirus does not need a passport, visa or voter's card to circulate in our house," President Félix Tshisekedi said in a speech to the nation on Tuesday. "We find ourselves at war with an invisible adversary.”
02:04
The president banned internal passenger flights and river transport to and from Kinshasa, where all 45 of the known cases have been found. Last week, he suspended commercial flights from other countries with the virus, banned large gatherings and closed clubs, restaurants and bars.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--Bolsonaro urges Brazilians to get back to work, says concern over coronavirus overblown

Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro adjusts his protective face mask at a press statement during the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak in Brasilia , Brazil , March 20 , 2020 .
Picture taken March 20 , 2020 .
As Brazil 's largest city went into lockdown , President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday took aim at the `` hysteria '' over the coronavirus and urged that life must continue and jobs be preserved .
In an address to the nation , Bolsonaro urged mayors and state governors to roll back lockdown measures that have brought Rio de Janeiro and Sao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must return to normality , '' he said .
`` The few states and city halls should abandon their scorched-earth policies . ''
Bolsonaro has faced increasing criticism for his cavalier attitude toward the virus , which he has dismissed as a `` fantasy '' and a `` small flu '' despite its infecting over 300,000 people worldwide and killing tens of thousands .
During his address Tuesday night , people banged pots and pans in a traditional form of protest in Sao Paulo and Brasilia .
Opinion polls have shown Bolsonaro 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation in Italy would not be repeated in Brazil because of the Latin American country 's younger population and warmer climate .
Italy has had more people die of the coronavirus than any other country , with the death toll rising to 6,820 on Tuesday .
Most people , including himself , had nothing to fear , Bolsonaro said .
`` In my particular case , with my history as an athlete , if I were infected with the virus , I would have no reason to worry , I would feel nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a little flu , '' he said .
Coronavirus deaths in Brazil on Tuesday rose to 46 from 34 , and the number of cases rose to 2,201 from 1,891 , according to government figures .
Wanderson de Oliveira , a Health Ministry official , told reporters Brazil would vastly expand testing in the coming days .
Economic prospects for Brazil , Latin America 's largest economy , are worsening amid the pandemic .
Data showed consumer confidence fell to a three-year low in March , and retail sales in January declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , indicating consumer spending was off to a weak start in 2020 , even before the coronavirus outbreak .
Two of Brazil 's top airlines said they would cut more than 90 % of their domestic flights until at least May .
The slowdown is set to worsen as Sao Paulo , Brazil 's largest city , began a two-week lockdown on Tuesday .
The state government ordered all non-essential services and businesses to close .
The city 's usually gridlocked streets were quiet .
Buses still ran and construction was allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete economic collapse in the country 's economic powerhouse .
Restaurants were open for takeout and delivery workers whizzed through the thinning traffic on bikes and scooters .
`` Everyone is scared , '' said Gidalva do Santo , 50 , who had left home briefly to visit the doctor .
`` Everyone has to look after themselves , taking hygiene seriously , washing their hands . ''
Sao Paulo , which recorded the first cases , has been the hardest hit .
Waiting for a train in a usually packed station , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worried about the impact on his small construction business .
`` It 's a constant worry , because we have workers to pay .
If it is halted and there 's no financial solution , companies will go bust , '' he said .
Earlier on Tuesday , Bolsonaro patched up a diplomatic spat with China , agreeing in a call with President Xi Jinping to fight the spread of the coronavirus together .
The dispute began last week when Bolsonaro 's son blamed Chinese authoritarianism for preventing faster action against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included discussion of cooperation in medical supplies , Chinese Ambassador Yang Wanming said on Twitter , without providing details .
A Chinese diplomatic source said the country , which has seen some success in taming the virus through severe lockdown measures , would provide Brazil `` with material and technical assistance to the best of its ability . ''

As Brazil's largest city went into lockdown, President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday took aim at the "hysteria" over the coronavirus and urged that life must continue and jobs be preserved.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro adjusts his protective face mask at a press statement during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Brasilia, Brazil, March 20, 2020. Picture taken March 20, 2020.
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In an address to the nation, Bolsonaro urged mayors and state governors to roll back lockdown measures that have brought Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to near standstills.
"We must return to normality," he said. "The few states and city halls should abandon their scorched-earth policies."
Bolsonaro has faced increasing criticism for his cavalier attitude toward the virus, which he has dismissed as a "fantasy" and a "small flu" despite its infecting over 300,000 people worldwide and killing tens of thousands.
During his address Tuesday night, people banged pots and pans in a traditional form of protest in Sao Paulo and Brasilia. Opinion polls have shown Bolsonaro's popularity slipping.
He said the terrible situation in Italy would not be repeated in Brazil because of the Latin American country's younger population and warmer climate.
Italy has had more people die of the coronavirus than any other country, with the death toll rising to 6,820 on Tuesday.
Most people, including himself, had nothing to fear, Bolsonaro said.
"In my particular case, with my history as an athlete, if I were infected with the virus, I would have no reason to worry, I would feel nothing, or it would be at most just a little flu," he said.
Coronavirus deaths in Brazil on Tuesday rose to 46 from 34, and the number of cases rose to 2,201 from 1,891, according to government figures. Wanderson de Oliveira, a Health Ministry official, told reporters Brazil would vastly expand testing in the coming days.
Economic prospects for Brazil, Latin America's largest economy, are worsening amid the pandemic. Data showed consumer confidence fell to a three-year low in March, and retail sales in January declined at the fastest rate in over a year, indicating consumer spending was off to a weak start in 2020, even before the coronavirus outbreak.
Two of Brazil's top airlines said they would cut more than 90% of their domestic flights until at least May.
The slowdown is set to worsen as Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, began a two-week lockdown on Tuesday. The state government ordered all non-essential services and businesses to close.
The city's usually gridlocked streets were quiet. Buses still ran and construction was allowed to continue in a bid to avoid complete economic collapse in the country's economic powerhouse. Restaurants were open for takeout and delivery workers whizzed through the thinning traffic on bikes and scooters.
"Everyone is scared," said Gidalva do Santo, 50, who had left home briefly to visit the doctor. "Everyone has to look after themselves, taking hygiene seriously, washing their hands."
Sao Paulo, which recorded the first cases, has been the hardest hit.
Waiting for a train in a usually packed station, Antonio Lima, 50, said he was worried about the impact on his small construction business.
"It's a constant worry, because we have workers to pay. If it is halted and there's no financial solution, companies will go bust," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bolsonaro patched up a diplomatic spat with China, agreeing in a call with President Xi Jinping to fight the spread of the coronavirus together.
The dispute began last week when Bolsonaro's son blamed Chinese authoritarianism for preventing faster action against the coronavirus.
Xi and Bolsonaro's conversation included discussion of cooperation in medical supplies, Chinese Ambassador Yang Wanming said on Twitter, without providing details.
A Chinese diplomatic source said the country, which has seen some success in taming the virus through severe lockdown measures, would provide Brazil "with material and technical assistance to the best of its ability."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--Boko Haram kills almost 100 soldiers in seven-hour attack in Chad

Boko Haram jihadists have killed nearly 100 Chadian soldiers in a seven-hour attack on an island army base , in their deadliest assault yet on the country 's armed forces .
President Idriss Deby told Chad television he travelled to the scene of the attack on Tuesday to pay tribute to the 92 dead soldiers , saying it was the first time so many troops had been lost .
The attack early Monday morning in Boma , Lac province , is part of an expanding jihadist campaign in the vast , marshy Lake Chad area , where the borders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ converge .
Boko Haram launched an insurgency in Nigeria in 2009 before beginning incursions in its neighbouring countries to the east .
`` We lost 92 of our soldiers , non-commissioned officers and officers , '' in the attack in Boma , the president said .
`` It 's the first time we have lost so many men , '' he said .
The attack on soldiers on the Boma peninsula lasted at least seven hours , and reinforcements sent to help became bogged down and were also targeted , several military sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an island where the ways in were controlled by Boko Haram fighters , they were able to leave as they wanted and without being forced out by the army , '' one security official said .
`` The enemy has hit at our defences hard in this zone , '' the senior officer said .
One military official said army vehicles were destroyed , including armoured vehicles , and captured military arms were carried off in speedboats by Boko Haram .
The base was taken by surprise by the 5:00 am attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stepped up its attacks in recent months on the islands of the Lake Chad basin where it takes advantage of the vast terrain to launch assaults .
Boko Haram 's insurgency has killed 36,000 people and displaced nearly two million in northeastern Nigeria since it began , according to the UN .
Since 2015 , countries in the region have cooperated in the Multinational Joint Force , a regional coalition engaged around Lake Chad with the help of local residents formed into vigilante groups .
But the regional militaries are struggling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameroon , violence increased in 2019 and early 2020 .
In Cameroon 's Far North , 275 people were killed by jihadist attacks in 2019 , most of them civilians , according to a report published by Amnesty International in December .
In Niger , 174 soldiers were killed in three attacks in January and December .

Boko Haram jihadists have killed nearly 100 Chadian soldiers in a seven-hour attack on an island army base, in their deadliest assault yet on the country's armed forces.
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President Idriss Deby told Chad television he travelled to the scene of the attack on Tuesday to pay tribute to the 92 dead soldiers, saying it was the first time so many troops had been lost.
The attack early Monday morning in Boma, Lac province, is part of an expanding jihadist campaign in the vast, marshy Lake Chad area, where the borders of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria converge.
Boko Haram launched an insurgency in Nigeria in 2009 before beginning incursions in its neighbouring countries to the east.
"We lost 92 of our soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers," in the attack in Boma, the president said.
"It's the first time we have lost so many men," he said.
The attack on soldiers on the Boma peninsula lasted at least seven hours, and reinforcements sent to help became bogged down and were also targeted, several military sources told AFP.
"The camp is on an island where the ways in were controlled by Boko Haram fighters, they were able to leave as they wanted and without being forced out by the army," one security official said.
"The enemy has hit at our defences hard in this zone," the senior officer said.
One military official said army vehicles were destroyed, including armoured vehicles, and captured military arms were carried off in speedboats by Boko Haram.
The base was taken by surprise by the 5:00 am attack, the official said.
Boko Haram has stepped up its attacks in recent months on the islands of the Lake Chad basin where it takes advantage of the vast terrain to launch assaults.
Boko Haram's insurgency has killed 36,000 people and displaced nearly two million in northeastern Nigeria since it began, according to the UN.
Since 2015, countries in the region have cooperated in the Multinational Joint Force, a regional coalition engaged around Lake Chad with the help of local residents formed into vigilante groups.
But the regional militaries are struggling to cope with the jihadist insurgency.
In Cameroon, violence increased in 2019 and early 2020. In Cameroon's Far North, 275 people were killed by jihadist attacks in 2019, most of them civilians, according to a report published by Amnesty International in December.
In Niger, 174 soldiers were killed in three attacks in January and December.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Cannes Film Festival venue opens doors to homeless during France's lockdown

A security guard stands by beds installed inside the Palais des Festivals on March 24 , 2020 as Cannes Mayor David Lisnard decided to open a part of the palace to welcome the needy and homeless during a lockdown in France intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) .
The Palais des Festivals should be preparing to welcome the hottest names in cinema onto its red carpet .
Instead the Cannes Film Festival venue is opening its doors to the town 's homeless who have nowhere to go during the coronavirus lockdown .
The annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort had been due to take place from May 12-23 but last week organisers postponed the event until late June .
The festival hall opened its doors to the destitute on Friday .
`` We have between 50 and 70 people here every night , '' said Dominique Aude-Lasset , an official at Cannes Town Hall .
Eight days ago , President Emmanuel Macron told France 's 67 million people to stay at home to protect themselves from the pandemic , and to slow its spread .
That 's a big problem for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on the streets .
There is concern the coronavirus could have an outsized impact on the homeless who often live without access to proper sanitation and sometimes suffer underlying illnesses .
Many rely on handouts from a public now confined indoors .
At the entrance , a worker in a face mask takes the temperature of each homeless person each time they enter the site .
Inside , there is an eating area , shower block and communal space with television and games .
In a cavernous , low-ceiling room , camp-beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are also four kennels to house man 's best friend .
`` We know dogs are precious for people living on the streets , '' Aude-Lasset said .

The Palais des Festivals should be preparing to welcome the hottest names in cinema onto its red carpet. Instead the Cannes Film Festival venue is opening its doors to the town's homeless who have nowhere to go during the coronavirus lockdown.
A security guard stands by beds installed inside the Palais des Festivals on March 24, 2020 as Cannes Mayor David Lisnard decided to open a part of the palace to welcome the needy and homeless during a lockdown in France intended to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
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The annual film festival in the palm-fringed French Riviera resort had been due to take place from May 12-23 but last week organisers postponed the event until late June. The festival hall opened its doors to the destitute on Friday.
"We have between 50 and 70 people here every night," said Dominique Aude-Lasset, an official at Cannes Town Hall.
Eight days ago, President Emmanuel Macron told France's 67 million people to stay at home to protect themselves from the pandemic, and to slow its spread. That's a big problem for the country's estimated 12,000 homeless who live on the streets.
There is concern the coronavirus could have an outsized impact on the homeless who often live without access to proper sanitation and sometimes suffer underlying illnesses. Many rely on handouts from a public now confined indoors.
At the entrance, a worker in a face mask takes the temperature of each homeless person each time they enter the site. Inside, there is an eating area, shower block and communal space with television and games. In a cavernous, low-ceiling room, camp-beds are set up in three long lines.
There are also four kennels to house man's best friend.
"We know dogs are precious for people living on the streets," Aude-Lasset said.
(REUTERS)
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