france24--2020-03-21--Country music legend Kenny Rogers dies at 81

Grammy-winning country singer Kenny Rogers died late on Friday night at the age of 81 , his family said on @ @ @ @ @ `` passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and @ @ @ @ @ '' a statement on the singer 's website said .
`` The family is planning @ @ @ @ @ this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency . ''
Rogers embarked on @ @ @ @ @ 2016 but in April 2018 he canceled the last few shows citing `` a series @ @ @ @ @ Rogers , a three-time Grammy winner and a Country Music Hall of Famer , was @ @ @ @ @ `` The Gambler '' and his 1983 duet with Dolly Parton `` Islands in the @ @ @ @ @ his career in the 1950s with a jazz group , Rogers went solo in the @ @ @ @ @ single `` Lucille '' in 1977 .

Grammy-winning country singer Kenny Rogers died late on Friday night at the age of 81, his family said on Saturday.
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The American singer "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family," a statement on the singer's website said.
"The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency."
The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. https://t.co/adxAgiMW2s pic.twitter.com/nggWiiotMT — Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) March 21, 2020
Rogers embarked on a world farewell tour in 2016 but in April 2018 he canceled the last few shows citing "a series of health challenges."
Rogers, a three-time Grammy winner and a Country Music Hall of Famer, was best known for songs like "The Gambler" and his 1983 duet with Dolly Parton "Islands in the Stream."
After beginning his career in the 1950s with a jazz group, Rogers went solo in the 1970s and released his break-through single "Lucille" in 1977.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--North Korea fires 'ballistic missiles' into sea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guides artillery fire in an image released by North Korea 's Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ) on March 20 , 2020 .
North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Saturday , the latest in a series of such launches by Pyongyang as the world struggles with the coronavirus pandemic .
The South Korean military condemned the launches as `` extremely inappropriate given the difficult situation the world is experiencing due to COVID-19 ... We urge them to stop immediately . ''
North Korea has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has turned into a major crisis with 11,300 deaths and more than 270,000 infections worldwide .
There has been widespread speculation , however , that the virus has reached the isolated nation , and health experts have warned that it could devastate the country given its weak medical infrastructure and widespread malnutrition .
For decades , North Korea 's leadership has faced international criticism for prioritising spending on its military and nuclear weapons programme instead of providing for the population -- even during times of famine .
Pyongyang considers its military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what it describes as American aggression .
North Korea is under multiple sets of punishing sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes .
Hopes for a thaw after meetings between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump were dented as they failed to produce any substantial progress on denuclearising the Korean peninsula , and Pyongyang has since continued to refine its military capabilities , analysts say .
With the latest launch Pyongyang `` continues an international strategy of trying to normalise its missile tests '' , Leif-Eric Easley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul , told AFP .
Shortly before the launch , North Korea 's official news agency KCNA reported that the rubber-stamp parliament , the Supreme People 's Assembly , would convene on April 10 .
The event would involve gathering nearly 700 officials in one place , analysts said .
Such events have been banned in many parts of the world to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
`` North Korea would not risk holding such a large-scale national political event if the regime was not confident about preventing or containing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minyoung Lee , a senior analyst at specialist website NK News , told AFP .
Earlier this month , Kim Jong Un sent a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in , offering `` comfort '' as Seoul battled what was the worst outbreak of the virus outside China at the time .
South Korea has since largely brought the outbreak under control .
Despite North Korea insisting it does not have a single case of COVID-19 , Pyongyang 's `` draconian restrictions on movement , mask-wearing propaganda , public punishment of 'corrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rush to build medical facilities suggest COVID-19 has penetrated the country , '' Ewha University 's Easley said .
`` Pyongyang is likely struggling with a coronavirus crisis on a national scale . ''
With fears swirling about a COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea , the UN 's special rapporteur on human rights Tomas Ojea Quintana earlier this month called for Pyongyang to provide access to outside medical experts and humanitarian assistance .
The UN Security Council said last month that it would make humanitarian exemptions to sanctions on North Korea to help @ @ @ @ @

North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Saturday, the latest in a series of such launches by Pyongyang as the world struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guides artillery fire in an image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 20, 2020.
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The South Korean military condemned the launches as "extremely inappropriate given the difficult situation the world is experiencing due to COVID-19... We urge them to stop immediately."
North Korea has not reported any cases of the coronavirus, which has turned into a major crisis with 11,300 deaths and more than 270,000 infections worldwide.
There has been widespread speculation, however, that the virus has reached the isolated nation, and health experts have warned that it could devastate the country given its weak medical infrastructure and widespread malnutrition.
Japan's defence ministry also confirmed the North Korean launches.
For decades, North Korea's leadership has faced international criticism for prioritising spending on its military and nuclear weapons programme instead of providing for the population -- even during times of famine.
Pyongyang considers its military development necessary for security in the face of what it describes as American aggression. North Korea is under multiple sets of punishing sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.
Hopes for a thaw after meetings between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump were dented as they failed to produce any substantial progress on denuclearising the Korean peninsula, and Pyongyang has since continued to refine its military capabilities, analysts say.
With the latest launch Pyongyang "continues an international strategy of trying to normalise its missile tests", Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told AFP.
'Draconian restrictions'
Shortly before the launch, North Korea's official news agency KCNA reported that the rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly, would convene on April 10.
The event would involve gathering nearly 700 officials in one place, analysts said. Such events have been banned in many parts of the world to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"North Korea would not risk holding such a large-scale national political event if the regime was not confident about preventing or containing the spread of the virus," Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior analyst at specialist website NK News, told AFP.
Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un sent a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, offering "comfort" as Seoul battled what was the worst outbreak of the virus outside China at the time.
South Korea has since largely brought the outbreak under control.
Despite North Korea insisting it does not have a single case of COVID-19, Pyongyang's "draconian restrictions on movement, mask-wearing propaganda, public punishment of 'corrupt' elites violating quarantine efforts, and rush to build medical facilities suggest COVID-19 has penetrated the country," Ewha University's Easley said.
"Pyongyang is likely struggling with a coronavirus crisis on a national scale."
With fears swirling about a COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights Tomas Ojea Quintana earlier this month called for Pyongyang to provide access to outside medical experts and humanitarian assistance.
The UN Security Council said last month that it would make humanitarian exemptions to sanctions on North Korea to help it fight the coronavirus.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-21--France records 112 coronavirus deaths in a day as death toll reaches 562

FILE PHOTO : French SAMU rescue team and firefighters wearing protective suits evacuate a patient in a street in Paris as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) March 20 , 2020 .
France has recorded 112 coronavirus deaths in a day , taking its total to 562 , the health ministry said on Saturday .
There have been 14,459 confirmed cases , the ministry said in a statement .
It said 1,525 people were in severe condition out of the 6,172 who were currently in hospital .
Half the severe cases were people aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country experienced the fifth day of a lockdown , with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures , with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work , shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment .
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected 297,090 people across the world and caused 12,755 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University , triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus have died across the UK .
There have been 56 new deaths , including 53 in England .
The UK Department of Health said 5,018 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday –up from 3,983 on Friday .
A total of 73,000 people have been tested so far with 67,800 negative results .
In Italy the death toll leapt by 793 , officials said on Saturday , an increase of 19.6 % -- by far the largest daily rise in absolute terms since the contagion emerged a month ago .
Italy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register most deaths from the highly contagious virus .
It brought the total number of cases in Italy , the European country hardest hit by the virus , to 53,578 from a previous 47,021 , an increase of 13.9 % , the Civil Protection Agency said .

France has recorded 112 coronavirus deaths in a day, taking its total to 562, the health ministry said on Saturday.
FILE PHOTO: French SAMU rescue team and firefighters wearing protective suits evacuate a patient in a street in Paris as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) March 20, 2020.
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There have been 14,459 confirmed cases, the ministry said in a statement.
It said 1,525 people were in severe condition out of the 6,172 who were currently in hospital. Half the severe cases were people aged under 60.
The spike came as the country experienced the fifth day of a lockdown, with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures, with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work, shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment.
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected 297,090 people across the world and caused 12,755 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two.
A total of 233 people with coronavirus have died across the UK. There have been 56 new deaths, including 53 in England.
The UK Department of Health said 5,018 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday –up from 3,983 on Friday.
A total of 73,000 people have been tested so far with 67,800 negative results.
In Italy the death toll leapt by 793, officials said on Saturday, an increase of 19.6% -- by far the largest daily rise in absolute terms since the contagion emerged a month ago.
Italy on Thursday overtook China as the country to register most deaths from the highly contagious virus.
It brought the total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, to 53,578 from a previous 47,021, an increase of 13.9%, the Civil Protection Agency said.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--‘Two minutes maximum’: Countries race to expand drive-through virus testing

A US healthcare worker takes a swab from a patient at a drive-through site in Arlington , Virginia , on @ @ @ @ @ From Israel to South Africa , countries around the world are rushing to set up @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus , copying a model that has proven effective in South Korea .
@ @ @ @ @ were the first to open drive-through test sites in late February , offering quick , @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus .
The drive-through hubs have been credited with helping the country to @ @ @ @ @ at one point the world ’ s second-worst after China – under control .
The @ @ @ @ @ to drive-throughs , is now playing catch-up , racing to open sites in some of @ @ @ @ @ New York .
France and Spain have also begun opening drive-through testing centres , while @ @ @ @ @ facility in the country 's largest stadium in Dublin .
Click on the player above @ @ @ @ @

From Israel to South Africa, countries around the world are rushing to set up drive-through hubs to test people for the coronavirus, copying a model that has proven effective in South Korea.
A US healthcare worker takes a swab from a patient at a drive-through site in Arlington, Virginia, on March 19, 2020.
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Health officials in South Korea were the first to open drive-through test sites in late February, offering quick, safe and free testing for the novel coronavirus.
The drive-through hubs have been credited with helping the country to bring its virus outbreak – at one point the world’s second-worst after China – under control.
The US, a country long-accustomed to drive-throughs, is now playing catch-up, racing to open sites in some of its hardest-hit areas, like New York.
France and Spain have also begun opening drive-through testing centres, while Ireland has opened one such facility in the country's largest stadium in Dublin.
Click on the player above to watch the report.
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france24--2020-03-21--Ideas to keep you culturally engaged during confinement

The Metropolitan Opera House , Lincoln Center , in New York , before it canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic .
You ’ re cooped up at home .
Restless .
Bored .
It ’ s springtime and sunny and all you want to do is go outside , but you can ’ t .
Don ’ t despair .
There is a world at the other end of your internet connection and in it are plenty of ways to keep yourself active , both physically and mentally .
Now that you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you need to get yourself off your couch and mingle – virtually , of course – with other people .
How can you do that ?
Join an internet dance party .
Austin-based Mel Cavaricci , known as DJ Mel , blew up the web last week with his Living Room Dance Party , streamed live on Facebook .
“ Put away the hand sanitizer , move the furniture , and tune in !
” he posted on social media .
More than a million people did .
Lucky for us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 21 , and every Saturday going forward , starting at midnight CET* .
DJ Mel isn ’ t the only DJ throwing parties .
Lady Gaga ’ s former backup dancer Mark Kanemura is hosting one daily on his Instagram page at 11 pm CET* .
If you can ’ t make it at the appointed hour , he keeps each day ’ s party up for 24 hours in his story ( click on “ Live Video ” ) , which also includes videos that people have sent in of themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costume .
Kanemura dances on camera so you can follow along , but if you want to go freeform and need better moves , well , there ’ s a live stream for that , too .
Emmy and Tony Award-winning Debbie Allen , who both choreographed and acted in the TV series “ Fame ” gave a free dance class on her Instagram page , which is still accessible , and has one for kids planned for 7 pm CET March 21 .
Hopefully there will be more .
Set up your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for every musical taste .
This is an amazing time for lovers of classical music , because nearly every major philharmonic orchestra has a virtual offering , whether live or recorded .
The Berliner Philharmoniker is offering a voucher code to allow fans to access all the concerts and films in its Digital Concert Hall for free .
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is broadcasting concerts every Monday , Wednesday and Friday ; the Budapest Festival Orchestra has launched a Quarantine Soirées series with new offerings every evening at 7:45 pm CET* and starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nightly concert at 8:30 pm* .
There ’ s something for opera lovers too .
The National Opera of Paris has put performances online and you can watch a new Metropolitan Opera performance each day on its website .
Here and here are more extensive lists of classical music and opera events available online .
If your tastes are more contemporary , check out the # TogetherAtHome virtual concert series being hosted on the Instagram page of Global Citizen in partnership with the World Health Organization .
John Legend , Hozier and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L Devine is having a URL Tour and Jewel will be performing a “ Live From San Quarantine ” concert today at 8 pm ET ( 1 am March 22 CET ) on her Facebook and Instagram pages .
Christine and the Queens is performing every night at 6 pm CET from a Paris recording studio – in part to fight her own boredom .
She ’ s streaming the sessions on her Instagram page .
An updating list of upcoming concerts can be found here .
Now is the time to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to see – virtually , of course .
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid reminds would-be visitors that “ the museum remains open online ” .
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is inviting people to “ Experience the Met , Anywhere , ” The Louvre is offering its usual online tours and the Chateau de Versailles virtual exhibitions .
Or take a 5-hour one-take video tour of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg , Russia .
That ’ ll while away an afternoon .
Most of these museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Arts and Culture app or website .
Not happy with your virtual exhibition visits ?
Soon you ’ ll be able to curate your own .
The non-profit group Art UK is in the process of making public its online database of every publicly owned oil painting and sculpture and will invite people to put together their own online shows – in much the way that Spotify allows one to build playlists .
Sadly , the tool won ’ t be ready until May .
None of this suit your fancy ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more ideas .
* Keep in mind that the clocks in Europe move forward on March 29 .

You’re cooped up at home. Restless. Bored. It’s springtime and sunny and all you want to do is go outside, but you can’t. Don’t despair. There is a world at the other end of your internet connection and in it are plenty of ways to keep yourself active, both physically and mentally.
The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, in New York, before it canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Here’s a sampling:
DANCE:
Now that you’ve binge-watched every TV show on your list, you need to get yourself off your couch and mingle – virtually, of course – with other people. How can you do that? Join an internet dance party. Austin-based Mel Cavaricci, known as DJ Mel, blew up the web last week with his Living Room Dance Party, streamed live on Facebook. “Put away the hand sanitizer, move the furniture, and tune in!” he posted on social media. More than a million people did. Lucky for us, there’s another one tonight, March 21, and every Saturday going forward, starting at midnight CET*.
DJ Mel isn’t the only DJ throwing parties. Lady Gaga’s former backup dancer Mark Kanemura is hosting one daily on his Instagram page at 11 pm CET*. If you can’t make it at the appointed hour, he keeps each day’s party up for 24 hours in his story (click on “Live Video”), which also includes videos that people have sent in of themselves dancing along with him – some in costume.
Kanemura dances on camera so you can follow along, but if you want to go freeform and need better moves, well, there’s a live stream for that, too. Emmy and Tony Award-winning Debbie Allen, who both choreographed and acted in the TV series “Fame” gave a free dance class on her Instagram page, which is still accessible, and has one for kids planned for 7 pm CET March 21. Hopefully there will be more.
MUSIC
Set up your speakers: There is an online concert for every musical taste. This is an amazing time for lovers of classical music, because nearly every major philharmonic orchestra has a virtual offering, whether live or recorded.
The Berliner Philharmoniker is offering a voucher code to allow fans to access all the concerts and films in its Digital Concert Hall for free. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is broadcasting concerts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; the Budapest Festival Orchestra has launched a Quarantine Soirées series with new offerings every evening at 7:45 pm CET* and starting Monday, the Paris Philharmonic will broadcast a nightly concert at 8:30 pm*.
There’s something for opera lovers too. The National Opera of Paris has put performances online and you can watch a new Metropolitan Opera performance each day on its website.
Here and here are more extensive lists of classical music and opera events available online.
If your tastes are more contemporary, check out the #TogetherAtHome virtual concert series being hosted on the Instagram page of Global Citizen in partnership with the World Health Organization.
John Legend, Hozier and Chris Martin have already taken part. L Devine is having a URL Tour and Jewel will be performing a “Live From San Quarantine” concert today at 8 pm ET (1 am March 22 CET) on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Christine and the Queens is performing every night at 6 pm CET from a Paris recording studio – in part to fight her own boredom. She’s streaming the sessions on her Instagram page.
An updating list of upcoming concerts can be found here.
VISUAL ARTS
Now is the time to visit all those museums you’ve always wanted to see – virtually, of course. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid reminds would-be visitors that “the museum remains open online”. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is inviting people to “Experience the Met, Anywhere,” The Louvre is offering its usual online tours and the Chateau de Versailles virtual exhibitions. Or take a 5-hour one-take video tour of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. That’ll while away an afternoon.
Most of these museums and many more are accessible through the Google Arts and Culture app or website.
Not happy with your virtual exhibition visits? Soon you’ll be able to curate your own. The non-profit group Art UK is in the process of making public its online database of every publicly owned oil painting and sculpture and will invite people to put together their own online shows – in much the way that Spotify allows one to build playlists. Sadly, the tool won’t be ready until May.
None of this suit your fancy? Check out #dostuffathome on Twitter for more ideas.
* Keep in mind that the clocks in Europe move forward on March 29.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-03-21--Germany to treat critically ill from virus hotspot in eastern France

French SMUR rescue team wearing protective suits carry a patient at Strasbourg University hospital as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , March 16 , 2020 .
Hospitals in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg have offered to treat some critically ill coronavirus patients from the neighboring Alsace region in France , which is struggling to cope with a rising number of cases .
Four teaching hospitals and an army hospital in the south-western German state will take in 10 French patients requiring ventilation , and the state is checking with other hospitals for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baden-Wuerttemberg 's science and research ministry said in a statement on Saturday .
Doctors in the eastern French cities of Mulhouse and Colmar have warned that the healthcare system is at breaking point .
The crisis in the east of the country led the French army to transfer six patients in critical condition due to coronavirus to a military facility on Wednesday .
`` We are sending a sign of solidarity to our French neighbours , '' state science minister Theresia Bauer said in the statement .
The ministry added , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hospital capacity and that help would be for as long as intensive-care beds were not needed by patients in closer vicinity .
It said that critically ill coronavirus patients needed ventilation for an average of three to seven days .
The French government on Tuesday put its 67 million people under lockdown , in an unprecedented act during peacetime , after an almost 20 % rise in deaths and reported cases in just 24 hours , with eastern France the worst-hit region .

Hospitals in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg have offered to treat some critically ill coronavirus patients from the neighbouring Alsace region in France, which is struggling to cope with a rising number of cases.
French rescue workers wearing protective suits carry a patient at Strasbourg University hospital on March 16, 2020, as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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Four teaching hospitals and an army hospital in the south-western German state will take in 10 French patients requiring ventilation, and the state is checking with other hospitals for more spare beds in intensive care units, Baden-Wuerttemberg's science and research ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Doctors in the eastern French cities of Mulhouse and Colmar have warned that the healthcare system is at breaking point.
The crisis in the east of the country led the French army to transfer six patients in critical condition due to coronavirus to a military facility on Wednesday.
"We are sending a sign of solidarity to our French neighbours," state science minister Theresia Bauer said in the statement.
The ministry added, however, that there were limits to the state's hospital capacity and that help would be for as long as intensive-care beds were not needed by patients in closer vicinity.
It said that critically ill coronavirus patients needed ventilation for an average of three to seven days.
The French government on Tuesday put its 67 million people under lockdown, in an unprecedented act during peacetime, after an almost 20% rise in deaths and reported cases in just 24 hours, with eastern France the worst-hit region.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--Amazon to cease shipping non-essential items to France and Italy

FILE PHOTO : Amazon workers perform their jobs inside of an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville , New Jersey , U.S. , December 2 , 2019 .
Amazon.com will stop shipping non-essential products to consumers in Italy and France , the company said on Saturday , representing an escalation in the e-commerce giant 's response in regions hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak .
An Amazon spokesman said the company made the decision due to a spike in orders and the need to respect anti-coronavirus safety measures in the workplaces .
`` We will temporarily stop taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Amazon.fr , '' Amazon.com said in a statement .
`` This lets fulfillment center associates focus on receiving and shipping the products customers need most at this time . ''
Amazon considers baby products ; health and household items ; beauty and personal care ; groceries ; and industrial , scientific , and pet supplies as essential products .
The world 's largest online retailer said consumers in Italy and France can still order non-essential products from sellers on Amazon who do not use Amazon logistics to fulfill and ship orders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 274,800 people have been infected with coronavirus across the world and 11,389 have died , according to a Reuters tally .
In Italy , the death toll rose by 18.4 % on Friday , reaching 4,032 .
France reported 78 new deaths on Friday , reaching a total of 450 .
Both countries have announced lock down orders to slow the spread of the virus .
The move comes on the heels of actions Amazon took on Tuesday when it said it will only receive vital supplies at its U.S. and UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free up inventory space for medical and household goods .
`` Effective immediately , Amazon will stop receiving FBA ( fulfillment by Amazon ) orders from customers on non-essential products on its Italy ( Amazon.it ) and France ( Amazon.fr ) site , so that operations employees can focus on fulfilling and delivering on the orders that consumers need the most now , '' according to a message Amazon.com sent to Chinese sellers over the WeChat social media platform .
The announcement was made to China-based sellers who may see their businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 45 % of active sellers on Amazon.fr , and 44 % on Amazon.it , according to data from Marketplace Pulse , an e-commerce research firm .

Amazon.com will stop shipping non-essential products to consumers in Italy and France, the company said on Saturday, representing an escalation in the e-commerce giant's response in regions hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
FILE PHOTO: Amazon workers perform their jobs inside of an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S., December 2, 2019.
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An Amazon spokesman said the company made the decision due to a spike in orders and the need to respect anti-coronavirus safety measures in the workplaces.
"We will temporarily stop taking orders on some non-essential products on Amazon.it and Amazon.fr," Amazon.com said in a statement. "This lets fulfillment center associates focus on receiving and shipping the products customers need most at this time."
Amazon considers baby products; health and household items; beauty and personal care; groceries; and industrial, scientific, and pet supplies as essential products.
The world's largest online retailer said consumers in Italy and France can still order non-essential products from sellers on Amazon who do not use Amazon logistics to fulfill and ship orders, but deliveries could take longer.
More than 274,800 people have been infected with coronavirus across the world and 11,389 have died, according to a Reuters tally. In Italy, the death toll rose by 18.4% on Friday, reaching 4,032. France reported 78 new deaths on Friday, reaching a total of 450.
Both countries have announced lock down orders to slow the spread of the virus.
The move comes on the heels of actions Amazon took on Tuesday when it said it will only receive vital supplies at its U.S. and UK and other European warehouses until April 5 to free up inventory space for medical and household goods.
"Effective immediately, Amazon will stop receiving FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) orders from customers on non-essential products on its Italy (Amazon.it) and France (Amazon.fr) site, so that operations employees can focus on fulfilling and delivering on the orders that consumers need the most now," according to a message Amazon.com sent to Chinese sellers over the WeChat social media platform.
The announcement was made to China-based sellers who may see their businesses taking a hit. Chinese sellers account for 45% of active sellers on Amazon.fr, and 44% on Amazon.it, according to data from Marketplace Pulse, an e-commerce research firm.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--Airbus to begin 'partial' production after coronavirus shutdown, unions say

Planes are seen at the plant of Airbus during the outbreak of coronavirus disease ( COVID19 ) in Hamburg , Germany , March 16 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Airbus will resume production on Monday at a slower than normal rate after halting French and Spanish plants for several days to adapt to coronavirus restrictions , unions said on Saturday .
Reuters reported last week that the planemaker hoped to restart on March 23 after a temporary `` stop and fix '' shutdown to deep-clean factories and adjust working practices to the need for greater distancing between staff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be `` very partial '' .
Airbus aims to continue producing at a reduced rate but faces the risk of shortages in the supply chain that could cause some disruption , sources have said .
Some unions had urged Airbus to carry out a full shutdown , saying the continuance of plane building was a threat to the safety of staff .
An agreement between Airbus and unions reached late in the week allows for a slow pace of production under maximum health precautions , but figures were not available .
Airbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month .
For its part , the CFE-CGC said it will wait to give its advisory opinion .
`` We will wait until Monday evening to receive the return of our representatives in the health and safety committees and the management 's point of view , '' said Françoise Vallin , a CFE union official .
`` We will then give our opinion on whether or not it is possible to ensure business continuity . ''

Airbus will resume production on Monday at a slower than normal rate after halting French and Spanish plants for several days to adapt to coronavirus restrictions, unions said on Saturday.
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Reuters reported last week that the planemaker hoped to restart on March 23 after a temporary "stop and fix" shutdown to deep-clean factories and adjust working practices to the need for greater distancing between staff.
The CFE-CGC union said the return to production would be "very partial".
Airbus aims to continue producing at a reduced rate but faces the risk of shortages in the supply chain that could cause some disruption, sources have said.
Some unions had urged Airbus to carry out a full shutdown, saying the continuance of plane building was a threat to the safety of staff.
An agreement between Airbus and unions reached late in the week allows for a slow pace of production under maximum health precautions, but figures were not available. Airbus has been producing about 58 single-aisle planes a month.
For its part, the CFE-CGC said it will wait to give its advisory opinion.
"We will wait until Monday evening to receive the return of our representatives in the health and safety committees and the management's point of view," said Françoise Vallin, a CFE union official.
"We will then give our opinion on whether or not it is possible to ensure business continuity."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--Bolivia delays presidential elections, mandates 14-day quarantine against virus

People walk past an electronic sign on the Bolivia 's government building displaying the message `` Stay at home , do it for your family '' and `` For my community '' , as the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak continues , in downtown La Paz , Bolivia March 20 , 2020 .
Bolivia 's interim government announced on Saturday it would postpone presidential elections originally slated for May 3 and institute a mandatory countrywide quarantine for 14 days as coronavirus spread across the Andean nation .
The country 's electoral authority said in a statement it would `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to match the quarantine , but did not set a new date for the vote .
The tribunal said it would work together with all of the country´s political parties and organizations to determine when to hold the election .
Interim president Jeanine Anez earlier in the day told reporters the quarantine measure would begin Sunday and extend until April 4 .
Bolivia earlier this week closed its borders and canceled all international flights .
Anez said supermarkets , hospitals , banks and pharmacies would continue to operate as normal during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to needy families with children beginning in April , she said .

Bolivia's interim government announced on Saturday it would postpone presidential elections originally slated for May 3 and institute a mandatory countrywide quarantine for 14 days as coronavirus spread across the Andean nation.
People walk past an electronic sign on the Bolivia's government building displaying the message "Stay at home, do it for your family" and "For my community", as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in downtown La Paz, Bolivia March 20, 2020.
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The country's electoral authority said in a statement it would "suspend the elections calendar" for 14 days to match the quarantine, but did not set a new date for the vote.
The tribunal said it would work together with all of the country´s political parties and organizations to determine when to hold the election.
Interim president Jeanine Anez earlier in the day told reporters the quarantine measure would begin Sunday and extend until April 4. Bolivia earlier this week closed its borders and canceled all international flights.
Anez said supermarkets, hospitals, banks and pharmacies would continue to operate as normal during the quarantine. The government would provide cash payments to needy families with children beginning in April, she said.
Bolivia has confirmed 19 cases of coronavirus.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-21--As coronovirus spreads in Africa, number of cases exceeds 1,000

A man disinfects his hands against the spread of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) at State House in Harare , Zimbabwe , on March 19 , 2020 .
Africa ’ s cases of the coronavirus rose above 1,000 on Saturday while two heads of state appeared to defy their own travel restrictions to attend another president ’ s inauguration .
Angola announced its first cases , meaning at least 40 of Africa ’ s 54 countries are now affected .
Congo reported its first death ; Burkina Faso reported two new ones .
Somalia said it was lifting its ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stranded citizens could come home .
And Ethiopia ’ s electoral authorities discussed the virus ’ effect on a major national election later this year .
Angola closed its air , land and sea borders this week , but Namibian media showed Angola 's President Joao Lourenco at the inauguration of Namibian President Hage Geingob .
Also in attendance was President Mokgweetsi Masisi of neighboring Botswana , which this week suspended international travel by all government employees .
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also was there .
He announced a national disaster even before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
On Saturday , his country announced the first case in the capital , Harare .
Burkina Faso now has the most virus deaths of any country in sub-Saharan Africa .
The West African nation has one of the highest caseloads on the continent with 64 .
Several government ministers in Burkina Faso have tested positive , including the minister of foreign affairs .
On Friday , President Roch Marc Christian Kabore announced the country 's two international airports would close for two weeks with the exception of military and cargo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most fragile states with a growing humanitarian crisis caused by attacks linked to Islamic extremists .
More than 130 health centers have closed , affecting more than 1.5 million people , the government and aid groups say .
According to a government response plan seen by The Associated Press , emergency teams are n't trained for a respiratory disease outbreak and do n't have appropriate protective gear .
There 's also insufficient screening at borders .
None of Burkina Faso ’ s 44 high-flow entry points have the needed personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus screening devices .
Jerry-Jonas Mbasha , cluster coordinator for the World Health Organization in Burkina Faso , said he was “ much worried about what might happen in the next one week , two weeks from now.
” Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks , but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well .
It can cause severe illness , including pneumonia , in some patients , particularly those with underlying health problems .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including over 11,000 deaths , according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University .
At least 88,000 people have recovered .
In Nigeria , which just three weeks ago announced the first coronavirus case in sub-Saharan Africa , authorities said that first patient , a man who had traveled from Italy , was now fit to go home .
Meanwhile , Africa 's most populous country said it now had cases in the capital , Abuja .
In Kenya , health officials continued to disinfect crowded markets in the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ spread .
“ It ’ s for the sake of us , it ’ s for the sake of the country , ” said Simon Kimani , public health council chairman .

Africa’s cases of the coronavirus rose above 1,000 on Saturday while two heads of state appeared to defy their own travel restrictions to attend another president’s inauguration.
A man disinfects his hands against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, on March 19, 2020.
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Angola announced its first cases, meaning at least 40 of Africa’s 54 countries are now affected. Congo reported its first death; Burkina Faso reported two new ones. Somalia said it was lifting its ban on international flights for two days so stranded citizens could come home. And Ethiopia’s electoral authorities discussed the virus’ effect on a major national election later this year.
Angola closed its air, land and sea borders this week, but Namibian media showed Angola's President Joao Lourenco at the inauguration of Namibian President Hage Geingob. Also in attendance was President Mokgweetsi Masisi of neighboring Botswana, which this week suspended international travel by all government employees.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also was there. He announced a national disaster even before his country confirmed its first virus case on Friday. On Saturday, his country announced the first case in the capital, Harare.
Burkina Faso now has the most virus deaths of any country in sub-Saharan Africa. The West African nation has one of the highest caseloads on the continent with 64.
Several government ministers in Burkina Faso have tested positive, including the minister of foreign affairs. On Friday, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore announced the country's two international airports would close for two weeks with the exception of military and cargo.
Burkina Faso is one of Africa’s most fragile states with a growing humanitarian crisis caused by attacks linked to Islamic extremists. More than 130 health centers have closed, affecting more than 1.5 million people, the government and aid groups say.
Insufficient screenings
According to a government response plan seen by The Associated Press, emergency teams aren't trained for a respiratory disease outbreak and don't have appropriate protective gear.
There's also insufficient screening at borders. None of Burkina Faso’s 44 high-flow entry points have the needed personal protective equipment, and only 23% have coronavirus screening devices.
Jerry-Jonas Mbasha, cluster coordinator for the World Health Organization in Burkina Faso, said he was “much worried about what might happen in the next one week, two weeks from now.”
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks, but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, in some patients, particularly those with underlying health problems.
More than 275,000 cases have been confirmed globally, including over 11,000 deaths, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. At least 88,000 people have recovered.
In Nigeria, which just three weeks ago announced the first coronavirus case in sub-Saharan Africa, authorities said that first patient, a man who had traveled from Italy, was now fit to go home. Meanwhile, Africa's most populous country said it now had cases in the capital, Abuja.
In Kenya, health officials continued to disinfect crowded markets in the capital, Nairobi, trying to stop the virus’ spread.
“It’s for the sake of us, it’s for the sake of the country,” said Simon Kimani, public health council chairman.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-21--Hundreds of millions under lockdown as WHO says young people 'not invincible'

Belgium is among several European countries to have imposed strict lockdown measures on its population .
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide kicked off the weekend under a coronavirus lockdown , as the global death toll accelerated sharply and the World Health Organization warned the young they were `` not invincible '' .
The pandemic has completely upended lives across the planet , sharply restricting the movement of huge populations , shutting down schools and businesses , and forcing millions to work from home – while many have lost their livelihoods entirely .
While President Donald Trump insisted the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the virus , individual states dramatically ramped up restrictions , with New York and Illinois joining California in ordering residents to stay home .
The virus death toll surged past 11,000 worldwide , with 4,000 alone in worst-hit Italy where the daily number of fatalities has shot up relentlessly over the past week .
While the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions are the hardest hit by the virus , WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that young people were also vulnerable .
`` Today I have a message for young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This virus could put you in hospital for weeks – or even kill you , '' Tedros said .
`` Even if you do n't get sick , the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else . ''
China on Saturday reported no new local infections for a third straight day , and the WHO said the central Chinese city of Wuhan , where the virus emerged late last year , offered a glimmer of `` hope for the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns of a new wave of `` imported '' infections in the region , with Hong Kong reporting 48 suspected cases on Friday – its biggest daily jump since the crisis began .
Many of them have a recent history of travel to or from Europe .
Across Europe , governments continued to rigorously enforce lockdown measures as the continent 's most celebrated boulevards and squares remained silent and empty even as warmer spring weather arrived .
Italy reported its worst single day , adding another 627 fatalities and taking its reported total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread .
The nation of 60 million now accounts for 36 percent of the world 's coronavirus deaths and its death rate of 8.6 percent among confirmed infections is significantly higher than in most other countries .
France , Italy , Spain and other European countries have told people to stay at home , threatening fines in some cases , while Bavaria became the first region in Germany to order a lockdown .
Britain , falling in line with its neighbours in the European Union , also announced tougher restrictions , telling pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promising to help cover the wages of affected workers .
With virus fears gripping the United States , its largest state California – with over 1,000 cases and 19 deaths – told its 40 million residents to stay at home .
New York state , which has reported over 7,000 cases and 39 deaths , followed suit on Friday , ordering its nearly 20 million residents to do the same from Sunday evening .
Trump applauded the New York and California decisions , but said he did not think a nationwide lockdown was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotbeds , '' he said .
`` I do n't think we 'll ever find ( a US-wide lockdown ) necessary . ''
Shortly after the president spoke , the governor of Illinois ordered residents of the midwestern state to stay at home and the Connecticut governor did the same .
The restrictions so far imposed in seven states cover around 100 million people , with the country 's three most populous cities – New York , Los Angeles and Chicago – under lockdown .
Trump also announced Friday that the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across their border beginning on Saturday .
Meanwhile a staffer in the office of US Vice President Mike Pence , the pointman for Washington 's response to the outbreak , tested positive for the coronavirus .
The family of country music legend Kenny Rogers , who died aged 81 , said Friday they would hold a small private service `` out of concern '' for the virus emergency .
France said more than 4,000 people were fined on the first day of confinement and ministers described those breaking the rules as `` idiots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ template set by China , as a lockdown imposed in Hubei province , of which Wuhan is the capital , appeared to have paid off .
Europe now accounts for more than half of the world 's fatalities linked to COVID-19 .
Accurate figures are difficult to come by , however , as many of those who die suffer from other illnesses and infection rates are uncertain because of a lack of testing in many countries .
The shadow of the virus is lengthening across Africa and the Middle East too .
Gabon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with reported cases across Africa standing at more than 900 and rising fast .
In Iran , both supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani promised the country would overcome the outbreak – but still refused to join the rest of the world in imposing heavy restrictions .
In Latin America , Cuba and Bolivia both announced they were closing their borders , and Colombia said it would begin mandatory isolation from Tuesday .
The pandemic has sparked fears of a global recession , battering the world 's stock markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to limit the damage .
Rio de Janeiro 's beaches will be off-limits to sunseekers from Saturday , leaving street vendors worried how they will survive with limited government support .
`` As long as I can , I will continue to come here and try to sell cocktails .
I still have not thought about what I will do when it is no longer possible , '' said Jorge Martins on Ipanema beach .

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide kicked off the weekend under a coronavirus lockdown, as the global death toll accelerated sharply and the World Health Organization warned the young they were "not invincible".
Belgium is among several European countries to have imposed strict lockdown measures on its population.
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The pandemic has completely upended lives across the planet, sharply restricting the movement of huge populations, shutting down schools and businesses, and forcing millions to work from home – while many have lost their livelihoods entirely.
While President Donald Trump insisted the United States was "winning" the war against the virus, individual states dramatically ramped up restrictions, with New York and Illinois joining California in ordering residents to stay home.
The virus death toll surged past 11,000 worldwide, with 4,000 alone in worst-hit Italy where the daily number of fatalities has shot up relentlessly over the past week.
While the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions are the hardest hit by the virus, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that young people were also vulnerable.
"Today I have a message for young people: you are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks – or even kill you," Tedros said.
"Even if you don't get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else."
China on Saturday reported no new local infections for a third straight day, and the WHO said the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus emerged late last year, offered a glimmer of "hope for the rest of the world".
But there are growing concerns of a new wave of "imported" infections in the region, with Hong Kong reporting 48 suspected cases on Friday – its biggest daily jump since the crisis began. Many of them have a recent history of travel to or from Europe.
Across Europe, governments continued to rigorously enforce lockdown measures as the continent's most celebrated boulevards and squares remained silent and empty even as warmer spring weather arrived.
Italy reported its worst single day, adding another 627 fatalities and taking its reported total to 4,032 despite efforts to stem the spread.
The nation of 60 million now accounts for 36 percent of the world's coronavirus deaths and its death rate of 8.6 percent among confirmed infections is significantly higher than in most other countries.
France, Italy, Spain and other European countries have told people to stay at home, threatening fines in some cases, while Bavaria became the first region in Germany to order a lockdown.
Britain, falling in line with its neighbours in the European Union, also announced tougher restrictions, telling pubs, restaurants and theatres to close and promising to help cover the wages of affected workers.
US 'hotbeds'
With virus fears gripping the United States, its largest state California – with over 1,000 cases and 19 deaths – told its 40 million residents to stay at home.
New York state, which has reported over 7,000 cases and 39 deaths, followed suit on Friday, ordering its nearly 20 million residents to do the same from Sunday evening.
Trump applauded the New York and California decisions, but said he did not think a nationwide lockdown was needed.
"Those are really two hotbeds," he said. "I don't think we'll ever find (a US-wide lockdown) necessary."
Shortly after the president spoke, the governor of Illinois ordered residents of the midwestern state to stay at home and the Connecticut governor did the same.
The restrictions so far imposed in seven states cover around 100 million people, with the country's three most populous cities – New York, Los Angeles and Chicago – under lockdown.
Trump also announced Friday that the US and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across their border beginning on Saturday.
Meanwhile a staffer in the office of US Vice President Mike Pence, the pointman for Washington's response to the outbreak, tested positive for the coronavirus.
The family of country music legend Kenny Rogers, who died aged 81, said Friday they would hold a small private service "out of concern" for the virus emergency.
'Idiots'
France said more than 4,000 people were fined on the first day of confinement and ministers described those breaking the rules as "idiots".
The strict measures follow the template set by China, as a lockdown imposed in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, appeared to have paid off.
Europe now accounts for more than half of the world's fatalities linked to COVID-19.
Accurate figures are difficult to come by, however, as many of those who die suffer from other illnesses and infection rates are uncertain because of a lack of testing in many countries.
The shadow of the virus is lengthening across Africa and the Middle East too.
Gabon confirmed sub-Saharan Africa's second known death, with reported cases across Africa standing at more than 900 and rising fast.
In Iran, both supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani promised the country would overcome the outbreak – but still refused to join the rest of the world in imposing heavy restrictions.
In Latin America, Cuba and Bolivia both announced they were closing their borders, and Colombia said it would begin mandatory isolation from Tuesday.
The pandemic has sparked fears of a global recession, battering the world's stock markets and prompting governments to push huge spending plans to limit the damage.
Rio de Janeiro's beaches will be off-limits to sunseekers from Saturday, leaving street vendors worried how they will survive with limited government support.
"As long as I can, I will continue to come here and try to sell cocktails. I still have not thought about what I will do when it is no longer possible," said Jorge Martins on Ipanema beach.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-22--'We hope Plaquenil will save some people,' says Sanofi's Olivier Bogillot

'We hope Plaquenil will save some people , ' says Sanofi 's Olivier Bogillot As the world faces the biggest @ @ @ @ @ century , researchers are exploring whether the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be used effectively @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
This follows encouraging early results in both France and China .
French @ @ @ @ @ was ready to offer the French government millions of doses of hydroxychoroquine , sold under @ @ @ @ @ FRANCE 24 Annette Young speaks to Olivier Bogillot , president of Sanofi France .

As the world faces the biggest public health crisis in a century, researchers are exploring whether the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be used effectively to treat the symptoms of the coronavirus. This follows encouraging early results in both France and China. French pharmaceutical company Sanofi said it was ready to offer the French government millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine, sold under its brand name Plaquenil. FRANCE 24's Annette Young spoke to Olivier Bogillot, president of Sanofi France.
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Sanofi's Olivier Bogillot expressed hope that Plaquenil, the company's brand name for the drug hydroxychloroquine, would save people from the coronavirus. "We will start probably tomorrow to give the drug to the patients. Probably we will have results in the coming weeks. Once we have the results, we will be in a position to produce and deliver a huge number of doses. I hope, like you and probably most of the people listening to us, that Plaquenil will be effective enough and will treat and save some people," he said.
Bogillot also addressed the wider lessons the pharmaceutical industry can learn from this pandemic. "We have to think in the future (...) at least in Europe, because we considered that locating most of our production elsewhere was a good solution, because we had a lot of pressure from the healthcare system to reduce the price, this crisis shows that it was probably not the right thing to do," he explained. "In the future, we have to change the rules: when you produce in Europe, you have to be rewarded," he told FRANCE 24’s Annette Young.
>> Will an old malaria drug help fight the coronavirus?
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france24--2020-03-22--Air quality is improving in countries under coronavirus quarantine

The reduction in air pollution is confirmed in this image from the European Space Agency , posted on Twitter on March 18 2020 .
Air quality is picking up in countries that remain under coronavirus quarantine , experts say .
But it is far too early to speak of long-term change .
Images by the US space agency NASA are clear , in February the concentration of nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ) fell dramatically in Wuhan , China , the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic , passing from an indicator that was red/orange to blue .
NO2 is mainly produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power stations .
As China moves past the peak of its crisis , however , recent images by the European Space Agency ( ESA ) show a resurgence in NO2 emissions .
A striking reduction has also been observed by the ESA in northern Italy , which has been locked down to fight a spread of the novel coronavirus , which causes COVID-19 .
The European Environment Agency ( EEA ) reports a similar change in Barcelona and Madrid , where Spanish authorities issued confinement orders in mid March .
`` NO2 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the atmosphere of about one day , '' said Vincent-Henri Peuch , from the EU earth surveillance programme Copernicus .
`` As a result , this pollutant stays near the emissions sources and can be used as a proxy of the intensity of activity in different sectors , '' he told AFP .
Fei Liu , an air quality researcher at NASA 's Goddard Space Flight Center , noted the change in China , saying : `` This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Even during the economic crisis more than a decade ago , the decrease in NO2 levels `` was more continuous in time , '' according to EEA air quality specialist Alberto Gonzalez Ortiz .
In northern Italy , `` average NO2 concentration levels have been almost halved on average , '' Peuch remarked .
The pollutant can provoke serious inflammation of the respiratory system .
As for other countries or regions that have told inhabitants to remain confined at home , notably Argentina , Bavaria , Belgium , California , France and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data to see if the trend is similar .
Meanwhile , less NO2 does not necessarily mean purer air .
Beijing experienced episodes of pollution owing to fine particles in February , NASA 's Earth Observatory reported .
The air in Paris was also rated as moderately polluted Friday owing to the presence of fine particles and NO2 even though the population had already been confined at home for three days .
Peuch explained that the concentration of polluting matter can vary with the weather .
`` Some emissions sources , like energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely not to be decreasing markedly when more people have to stay at home , '' he noted .
The concentration of so-called PM2.5 and PM10 particles and carbon monoxide ( CO ) are `` also expected to be reducing over time , '' Peuch said .
These are a mixture of minute solid particles and liquid droplets present in the atmosphere with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometres ( microns ) .
So what should we expect in terms of improvements to health , given that air pollution provokes around 8.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent study ?
Fine particles irritate the eyes and throat and inhibit breathing .
In extreme cases , elderly people and those who suffer from asthma risk death if not properly treated .
In the longer term , air pollution can cause chronic respiratory or cardiac problems or lung cancer .
`` Less pollution is always good , '' notes Gonzalez Ortiz .
Confinement measures thus protect in two ways , by reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and by easing pollution from road traffic , according to a group of French doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to know how much benefit the world 's population will actually experience because , according to the health experts , `` what will have more impact is the long term exposure , '' Gonzalez Ortiz said .

Air quality is picking up in countries that remain under coronavirus quarantine, experts say. But it is far too early to speak of long-term change.
The reduction in air pollution is confirmed in this image from the European Space Agency, posted on Twitter on March 18 2020.
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Images by the US space agency NASA are clear, in February the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fell dramatically in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, passing from an indicator that was red/orange to blue.
NO2 is mainly produced by vehicles, industrial sites and thermal power stations.
As China moves past the peak of its crisis, however, recent images by the European Space Agency (ESA) show a resurgence in NO2 emissions.
A striking reduction has also been observed by the ESA in northern Italy, which has been locked down to fight a spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) reports a similar change in Barcelona and Madrid, where Spanish authorities issued confinement orders in mid March.
Breathing better in 🇮🇹 — the irony of a respiratory illness
Northern Italy’s air quality notably improved from the Coronavirus lockdown, as people stayed home. Here are the NOX emissions seen from space.
From the @ESA #Sentinel5P satellite, showing the first 10 weeks of 2020. pic.twitter.com/BFQk2wuech — Steve Jurvetson (@FutureJurvetson) March 14, 2020
'Dramatic drop off'
"NO2 is a short-lived pollutant, with a lifetime in the atmosphere of about one day," said Vincent-Henri Peuch, from the EU earth surveillance programme Copernicus.
"As a result, this pollutant stays near the emissions sources and can be used as a proxy of the intensity of activity in different sectors," he told AFP.
Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, noted the change in China, saying: "This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event."
Even during the economic crisis more than a decade ago, the decrease in NO2 levels "was more continuous in time," according to EEA air quality specialist Alberto Gonzalez Ortiz.
In northern Italy, "average NO2 concentration levels have been almost halved on average," Peuch remarked.
The pollutant can provoke serious inflammation of the respiratory system.
Long-term exposure
As for other countries or regions that have told inhabitants to remain confined at home, notably Argentina, Bavaria, Belgium, California, France and Tunisia, specialists are poring over the data to see if the trend is similar.
Meanwhile, less NO2 does not necessarily mean purer air.
Beijing experienced episodes of pollution owing to fine particles in February, NASA's Earth Observatory reported.
Recent data have shown a decline of air pollution over northern Italy coinciding with a nationwide lockdown to prevent spread of the #coronavirus. This new map shows variation in NO2 emissions over China (Dec-Mar), as seen by @CopernicusEU #Sentinel5P 👉 https://t.co/nDtznxjLkM pic.twitter.com/qV0yS1d6X2 — ESA (@esa) March 19, 2020
The air in Paris was also rated as moderately polluted Friday owing to the presence of fine particles and NO2 even though the population had already been confined at home for three days.
Peuch explained that the concentration of polluting matter can vary with the weather.
"Some emissions sources, like energy production and residential use of energy are likely not to be decreasing markedly when more people have to stay at home," he noted.
The concentration of so-called PM2.5 and PM10 particles and carbon monoxide (CO) are "also expected to be reducing over time," Peuch said.
These are a mixture of minute solid particles and liquid droplets present in the atmosphere with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometres (microns).
So what should we expect in terms of improvements to health, given that air pollution provokes around 8.8 million premature deaths each year according to a recent study?
Fine particles irritate the eyes and throat and inhibit breathing. In extreme cases, elderly people and those who suffer from asthma risk death if not properly treated.
In the longer term, air pollution can cause chronic respiratory or cardiac problems or lung cancer.
"Less pollution is always good," notes Gonzalez Ortiz.
Confinement measures thus protect in two ways, by reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and by easing pollution from road traffic, according to a group of French doctors known as Air-Sante-Climat.
It is nonetheless hard to know how much benefit the world's population will actually experience because, according to the health experts, "what will have more impact is the long term exposure," Gonzalez Ortiz said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-22--Coronavirus: French National Assembly greenlights 'public health emergency' bill

French members of Parliament take part in a debate about the state of health emergency bill at the National Assembly on March 21 , 2020 , in Paris , as a strict lockdown comes into effect to stop the spread of the COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus in the country .
France 's National Assembly , in a select committee , voted at dawn on Sunday for an emergency bill to give the government special powers to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
The text of the new bill allows the government to restrict people ’ s freedom of movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods and services , over a period of two months .
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hardest hit by the virus outbreak .
It comes the day after France recorded a spike in coronavirus-related deaths , 112 in one day , taking its total to 562 on Saturday .
There have been 14,459 confirmed cases , the health ministry said in a statement .
'Up to six months in prison' In concrete terms , the state of health emergency allows the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health , to immediately implement a set of restrictive measures that apply throughout the country .
This includes the restrictions of movement and a potential ban on meetings and business .
Other measures allow the state to requisition any goods or services to combat the health crisis .
This would include taxis to transport hospital staff .
It is specified in the bill , however , that measures taken under this state of health emergency cease as soon as they are no longer necessary .
In the version amended by the assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties for French nationals who fail to comply with the confinement .
The first fine for violating the rules is €135 .
This could go up to €1,500 in the event of a repeat offence `` within 15 days '' .
In the case of `` four violations within 30 days '' , the offence will be `` punishable by a fine of €3,700 and a maximum of six months in prison '' .
The new law also postpones the second round of municipal elections until June at the latest .
Parliament will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .

France's National Assembly, in a select committee, voted at dawn on Sunday for an emergency bill to give the government special powers to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
French members of Parliament take part in a debate about the state of health emergency bill at the National Assembly on March 21, 2020, in Paris, as a strict lockdown comes into effect to stop the spread of the COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus in the country.
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The text of the new bill allows the government to restrict people’s freedom of movement and rule by decree to requisition certain goods and services, over a period of two months.
The bill also empowers the government to take special measures in support of French companies hardest hit by the virus outbreak.
It comes the day after France recorded a spike in coronavirus-related deaths, 112 in one day, taking its total to 562 on Saturday. There have been 14,459 confirmed cases, the health ministry said in a statement.
'Up to six months in prison'
In concrete terms, the state of health emergency allows the prime minister, on the advice of the minister of health, to immediately implement a set of restrictive measures that apply throughout the country.
This includes the restrictions of movement and a potential ban on meetings and business.
Other measures allow the state to requisition any goods or services to combat the health crisis. This would include taxis to transport hospital staff.
It is specified in the bill, however, that measures taken under this state of health emergency cease as soon as they are no longer necessary.
France votes a state of emergency - again - for “public health emergency”. It was adopted by manual vote, the exact count is not yet known. Art 5 plans for “restriction to fundamental liberties according to proportionality and necessity” https://t.co/PHdQNsPss5 — Sarah Kay (@K_interarma) March 21, 2020
In the version amended by the assembly, the bill also provides for tougher penalties for French nationals who fail to comply with the confinement.
The first fine for violating the rules is €135. This could go up to €1,500 in the event of a repeat offence "within 15 days". In the case of "four violations within 30 days", the offence will be "punishable by a fine of €3,700 and a maximum of six months in prison".
The new law also postpones the second round of municipal elections until June at the latest.
Parliament will sit again in a reduced session on Sunday.
(FRANCE 24)
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france24--2020-03-22--'The worst is yet to come' says Spanish govt as coronavirus deaths pass 1,300

A health worker pushes a woman on a wheelchair outside the Burgos Hospital ( UBU ) on March 21 , 2020 , in Burgos , in northern Spain .
The Spanish government said on Saturday it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that `` the worst is yet to come '' after the national toll surpassed 1,300 deaths and reached close to 25,000 cases .
The second-worst outbreak in Europe showed no sign of slowing as the death toll jumped by more than 300 from the previous day .
Intensive care units are filling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have yet to receive the impact of the strongest , most damaging wave , which will test our material and moral capacities to the limit , as well as our spirit as a society , '' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a news briefing on Saturday .
Sanchez said Spain had not lived through such a dramatic situation since its 1936-39 civil war , in which around half a million people died .
Drawing parallels to a war economy , he said his government was working on plans to produce in Spain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as masks .
His leftist government a week ago declared a 15-day state of emergency nationwide barring people from all but essential outings .
Sanchez praised the `` exemplary '' response and said he had no plans to strengthen the restrictions , which he called the toughest in Europe .
The prime minister also made no mention of extending the state of emergency , though he warned of tough weeks ahead .
Spain 's death toll jumped to 1,326 from 1,002 the day before , according to Health Ministry data released on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24,926 from 19,980 .
The death rate from the current data is around 5 % , Maria Jose Sierra , a top official at Spain 's health emergency committee , said at an earlier briefing .
But she suggested the real rate is lower as testing has mostly been conducted on people in hospital , meaning there are likely far more cases .
Testing is set to increase - the government announced on Saturday it had acquired more than 640,000 testing devices and said that number could quickly reach a million .
Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , Sanchez said .
Raquel Yotti , director of Carlos III Public Health Institute , earlier said the first devices were being distributed on Saturday and added the government was working on acquiring four robots that could bring the number of daily tests to 80,000 .
That would be up from 15,000-20,000 a day at the moment .
Robots are helpful as they can conduct automated testing , she said .
Authorities also said they were acquiring more medical equipment , including 700 ventilators .
Around 1.3 million protective masks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and patients .
There is growing concern about overcrowding at hospitals and complaints that facilities could be running short of equipment , such as masks .
Some 1,612 patients are currently in intensive care units .
Ricard Ferrer , chairman of Spain 's intensive medicine society , told public television channel TVE that he expected than in eight to 10 weeks around 10,000 patients would be in intensive care units .
Ferrer said Spain had the capacity to deal with that number , but added that he hoped that from Monday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the number of cases .
On Friday evening military personnel moved patients from hospitals in Madrid to others with more space .
The military is also building a giant makeshift hospital at a conference centre in the Spanish capital and will disinfect nursing homes in Madrid , which have seen large numbers of deaths , Prime Minister Sanchez said .
Of the 17 Spanish regions , Madrid has been the worst hit , with 60 % of the country 's deaths .

Spain's government will seek parliamentary approval to extend a two-week state of emergency by a further 15 days in an effort to combat the coronavirus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a news conference Sunday.
A health worker pushes a woman on a wheelchair outside the Burgos Hospital (UBU) on March 21, 2020, in Burgos, in northern Spain.
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Speaking after a meeting with regional government heads, Sanchez said his government wanted to prolong restrictions on movement that were introduced on March 14, which prevent Spaniards from leaving their houses for all but essential trips, until April 11.
He added that he would ask the EU for an investment programme along the lines of the Marshall Plan, an aid package provided by the US to the economies of Western Europe following the devastation of World War II.
The government said Saturday that it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that "the worst is yet to come" after Spain recorded a spike in the number of deaths and infections.
By Sunday, the national toll had surpassed 1,700 deaths and reached more than 28,000 confirmed cases.
The second-worst outbreak in Europe has showed no sign of slowing and intensive care units are filling up in some hospitals.
"We have yet to receive the impact of the strongest, most damaging wave, which will test our material and moral capacities to the limit, as well as our spirit as a society," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a news briefing on Saturday.
Sanchez said Spain had not lived through such a dramatic situation since its 1936-39 civil war, in which around half a million people died. Drawing parallels to a war economy, he said his government was working on plans to produce in Spain the equipment needed to battle coronavirus, such as masks.
His leftist government a week ago declared a 15-day state of emergency nationwide barring people from all but essential outings. Sanchez praised the "exemplary" response and said he had no plans to strengthen the restrictions, which he called the toughest in Europe.
The death rate from the current data is around 5%, Maria Jose Sierra, a top official at Spain's health emergency committee, said at an earlier briefing. But she suggested the real rate is lower as testing has mostly been conducted on people in hospital, meaning there are likely far more cases.
More testing
Testing is set to increase – the government announced on Saturday it had acquired more than 640,000 testing devices and said that number could quickly reach a million. Six million more devices could also be on the way, Sanchez said.
Raquel Yotti, director of Carlos III Public Health Institute, earlier said the first devices were being distributed on Saturday and added the government was working on acquiring four robots that could bring the number of daily tests to 80,000. That would be up from 15,000-20,000 a day at the moment.
Robots are helpful as they can conduct automated testing, she said.
Authorities also said they were acquiring more medical equipment, including 700 ventilators. Around 1.3 million protective masks were distributed on Saturday across Spain for healthcare staff and patients.
There is growing concern about overcrowding at hospitals and complaints that facilities could be running short of equipment, such as masks. Some 1,612 patients are currently in intensive care units.
Ricard Ferrer, chairman of Spain's intensive medicine society, told public television channel TVE that he expected than in eight to 10 weeks around 10,000 patients would be in intensive care units.
Ferrer said Spain had the capacity to deal with that number, but added that he hoped that from Monday the confinement measures would start having an impact on the number of cases.
On Friday evening military personnel moved patients from hospitals in Madrid to others with more space.
The military is also building a giant makeshift hospital at a conference centre in the Spanish capital and will disinfect nursing homes in Madrid, which have seen large numbers of deaths, Prime Minister Sanchez said.
Of the 17 Spanish regions, Madrid has been the worst hit, with 60% of the country's deaths.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--Magnitude 5.3 earthquake strikes Croatia, damaging buildings

A damaged car is seen following an earthquake in Zagreb , Croatia , March 22 , 2020 .
An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck north of Zagreb , Croatia on Sunday , GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences said , damaging buildings and sending many people into the streets .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
GFZ said the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres and it downgraded the magnitude of the quake from an initial reading of 6.0 .
`` It lasted over 10 seconds .
By far the strongest I have ever felt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was followed by several aftershocks .
Croatia 's seismologist Ines Ivancic said the tremor was strong but the immediate damage could not be assessed .
She added that the internet was down in some areas .
A Reuters reporter on the scene saw a church bell tower damaged and people taking to the streets .
Croatia 's Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic appealed via his Twitter account to people in the streets to keep social distance among themselves as the country struggles to the contain coronavirus spread .
So far , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one death .
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured 5.4 , while European Mediterranean Seismological Centre ( EMSC ) also reported 5.3 magnitude , followed by another 5.1 magnitude earthquake .

An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck north of Zagreb, Croatia on Sunday, GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences said, damaging buildings and sending many people into the streets.
A damaged car is seen following an earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia, March 22, 2020.
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There were no immediate reports of injuries. GFZ said the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres and it downgraded the magnitude of the quake from an initial reading of 6.0.
"It lasted over 10 seconds. By far the strongest I have ever felt," one witness said, adding that it was followed by several aftershocks.
Two massive earthquakes (5.3 & 5.1) have just struck Croatia's capital #Zagreb during nationwide lockdown. No fatalities, massive damage, incl. Zagreb Cathedral spire. Thousands in the streets, trying bravely & desperately to keep distance as much as they can. Mom & sisters safe. pic.twitter.com/vd8K5H5Jsg — COVID's Metamorphoses (@rokorumora) March 22, 2020
Croatia's seismologist Ines Ivancic said the tremor was strong but the immediate damage could not be assessed. She added that the internet was down in some areas.
A Reuters reporter on the scene saw a church bell tower damaged and people taking to the streets.
The Maternity Hospital in Zagreb this morning. 😢 https://t.co/pEI5pLMKwr — Nedad Memić (@NedadMemic) March 22, 2020
Croatia's Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic appealed via his Twitter account to people in the streets to keep social distance among themselves as the country struggles to the contain coronavirus spread. So far, the country has reported 206 cases of coronavirus and one death.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured 5.4, while European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also reported 5.3 magnitude, followed by another 5.1 magnitude earthquake.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--Italy shuts all non-essential businesses until April 3 over coronavirus

A group of nurses wearing protective gear pose for a group photo prior to their night shift on March 13 , 2020 at the Cremona hospital , southeast of Milan , Lombardy .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Saturday that all Italian businesses must close until April 3 , with the exception of those essential to maintaining the country 's supply chain , in the latest desperate effort to halt the coronavirus epidemic .
Italy recorded a jump in deaths from the virus of almost 800 on Saturday , taking the death toll in the world 's hardest-hit country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most difficult crisis in our post-war period , '' Conte said in a video posted on Facebook , adding that `` only production activities deemed vital for national production will be allowed '' .
Supermarkets , pharmacies , postal and banking services will remain open , Conte said , and essential public services including transport will be ensured .
`` We are slowing down the country 's production engine but we are not stopping it , '' he said .
The government is expected to publish an emergency decree on Sunday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Saturday that all Italian businesses must close until April 3, with the exception of those essential to maintaining the country's supply chain, in the latest desperate effort to halt the coronavirus epidemic.
Nurses wearing protective gear pose for a group photo before their night shift on March 13, 2020 at the Cremona hospital, southeast of Milan, in the Lombardy region of Italy.
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Italy recorded a jump in deaths from the virus of almost 800 on Saturday, taking the death toll in the world's hardest-hit country to almost 5,000.
"It is the most difficult crisis in our post-war period," Conte said in a video posted on Facebook, adding that "only production activities deemed vital for national production will be allowed".
00:31
Supermarkets, pharmacies, postal and banking services will remain open, Conte said, and essential public services including transport will be ensured.
"We are slowing down the country's production engine but we are not stopping it," he said.
The government is expected to publish an emergency decree on Sunday to make the latest crackdown immediately effective.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--India launches day-time curfew to fight spread of coronavirus

Roads are deserted during a one-day Janata ( civil ) curfew imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus , in New Delhi on March 22 , 2020 .
India launched a 14-hour long curfew on Sunday to limit the fast-spreading coronavirus epidemic in the country , where 315 people have so far been found to have contracted the disease .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation last week urged citizens to stay indoors from 0130 GMT to 1530 GMT – a move that he said would be a crucial test for a country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Let us all be a part of this curfew , which will add tremendous strength to the fight against the COVID-19 menace , '' Modi tweeted minutes before the curfew commenced .
`` The steps we take now will help in the times to come , '' he said in the tweet .
Health experts said India 's cases have been growing at a rate seen during the early stages of the outbreak in other countries , which subsequently reported exponential increases in infections .
Several Indian states announced measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities in Modi 's home state of Gujarat have declared a complete shutdown until March 25 .
Its neighbouring desert state Rajasthan ordered a shutdown until March 31 , while eastern and central states suspended inter-state bus operations to prevent an exodus of daily wage earners from urban centres to villages .
State leaders urged citizens not to rush to villages , avoid crowding trains and buses to prevent the virus spread .
Tensions have mounted , however , with angry labourers protesting at some bus stations against sudden closures of basic transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weddings , and local elections were cancelled .
The federal government was accelerating the production of masks and allowed deodorant manufacturers to produce sanitisers .
Modi has requested citizens to stand at balconies and near windows on Sunday evening to clap , ring bells to admire the emergency personnel and sanitation workers who are at the frontline in the fight against coronavirus .

India launched a 14-hour long curfew on Sunday to limit the fast-spreading coronavirus epidemic in the country, where 315 people have so far been found to have contracted the disease.
Roads are deserted during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on March 22, 2020.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation last week urged citizens to stay indoors from 0130 GMT to 1530 GMT – a move that he said would be a crucial test for a country to assess its abilities to fight the pandemic.
"Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against the COVID-19 menace," Modi tweeted minutes before the curfew commenced. "The steps we take now will help in the times to come," he said in the tweet.
In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences.
Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come.
Stay indoors and stay healthy. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/11HJsAWzVf — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2020
Health experts said India's cases have been growing at a rate seen during the early stages of the outbreak in other countries, which subsequently reported exponential increases in infections.
Several Indian states announced measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Four cities in Modi's home state of Gujarat have declared a complete shutdown until March 25.
Its neighbouring desert state Rajasthan ordered a shutdown until March 31, while eastern and central states suspended inter-state bus operations to prevent an exodus of daily wage earners from urban centres to villages.
Have seen this view many times from my hotel room over the years but not with less than 1000 cars on it........#India is having a curfew today for 14 hours to fight #covid_19 it’s looks like it’s being followed 🙏🙏🙏
.
.#jantacurfew #modi #stayathome #corona #covid_19 #seagate pic.twitter.com/KsY5adOjQX — Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) March 22, 2020
State leaders urged citizens not to rush to villages, avoid crowding trains and buses to prevent the virus spread. Tensions have mounted, however, with angry labourers protesting at some bus stations against sudden closures of basic transport services.
Private events, such as weddings, and local elections were cancelled. The federal government was accelerating the production of masks and allowed deodorant manufacturers to produce sanitisers.
Modi has requested citizens to stand at balconies and near windows on Sunday evening to clap, ring bells to admire the emergency personnel and sanitation workers who are at the frontline in the fight against coronavirus.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-22--France coronavirus deaths jump by 112 in a day as death toll reaches 674

France 's director general of health Jerome Salomon holds a press conference on Sunday March 22 , 2020 , to announce the latest developments in the fight against coronavirus .
France reported a daily jump of 112 coronavirus deaths on Sunday taking the nationwide death toll since the start of the pandemic to 674 .
The French director general of health Jérôme Salomon on Sunday evening told a press conference that the number of confirmed infections in France now stood at 16,018 , compared to 14,459 from the previous day .
`` The virus kills and it is continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confirmed coronavirus cases , 7,240 have been hospitalised , of whom 1,746 were in intensive care with 35 percent of these aged under 65 .
Late on Sunday the French Parliament adopted a bill allowing the establishment of a `` state of health emergency '' granting additional powers to the government to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
France went into lockdown on March 17 with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures , with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessities or getting medical treatment .
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected 328,275 people across the world and caused 14,366 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University , triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two .
On Sunday , Italy said that 5,476 people had died from the virus there , a third of the world 's total as the number of COVID-19 infections neared 60,000 .
Italian health officials voiced cautious hope after daily deaths edged back from Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startling 651 .
The Italian government announced Sunday that it would ban travel within the country in yet another attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Spain recorded 394 new deaths from the disease taking its death toll to 1,756 .
The UK government said it would introduce 'shielding measures ' to protect 1.5 million who are most at risk from the virus because of underlying health conditions .
The number of cases in the country has reached 5,683 , with 281 deaths .
Coronavirus is now affecting more than 160 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organisation ( WHO ) it took more than three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases globally , but only 12 days to reach the next 100,000 .

France reported a daily jump of 112 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, taking the nationwide death toll since the start of the pandemic to 674.
France's director general of health Jerome Salomon holds a press conference on Sunday March 22, 2020, to announce the latest developments in the fight against coronavirus.
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The French Director General of Health Jérôme Salomon on Sunday evening told a press conference that the number of confirmed infections in France now stood at 16,018, compared to 14,459 from the previous day.
"The virus kills and it is continuing to kill," said Salomon.
Among the confirmed coronavirus cases, 7,240 have been hospitalised, of whom 1,746 were in intensive care with 35 percent of these aged under 65.
Late on Sunday the French Parliament adopted a bill allowing the establishment of a "state of health emergency" granting additional powers to the government to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
France went into lockdown on March 17 with around 100,000 police and gendarmes deployed across the country to enforce the new measures, with people only allowed to leave home for officially sanctioned reasons such as going to work, shopping for necessities or getting medical treatment.
The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in China has now infected 328,275 people across the world and caused 14,366 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, triggering emergency lockdowns and injections of cash unseen since World War Two.
On Sunday, Italy said that 5,476 people had died from the virus there, a third of the world's total as the number of COVID-19 infections neared 60,000.
Italian health officials voiced cautious hope after daily deaths edged back from Saturday's grisly 793 to a slightly less startling 651. The Italian government announced Sunday that it would ban travel within the country in yet another attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Spain recorded 394 new deaths from the disease taking its death toll to 1,756.
The UK government said it would introduce 'shielding measures' to protect 1.5 million who are most at risk from the virus because of underlying health conditions. The number of cases in the country has reached 5,683, with 281 deaths.
Coronavirus is now affecting more than 160 countries.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) it took more than three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases globally, but only 12 days to reach the next 100,000.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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