france24--2020-03-03--Iran to mobilise army against coronavirus as death toll tops 75

Iran 's supreme leader put the Islamic Republic on war footing Tuesday against the new coronavirus by ordering its armed forces to assist health officials in combating the outbreak , which authorities say has killed 77 people , the highest toll outside China .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Iran 's upcoming arbor day , showing how concern about the virus now reaches up to the top of the country 's Shiite theocracy .
Iranian media reported that 23 members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did the head of the country 's emergency services .
`` Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin , ” Khamenei said .
After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week , Iranian authorities said Tuesday they had plans to potentially mobilise 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus .
It was n't clear if Khamenei 's order would set them in motion helping sanitise streets , direct traffic and track possible contacts those ill with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested .
There are now over 2,530 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast .
Of those outside Iran in the region , most link back to the Islamic Republic .
Yet experts worry Iran ’ s percentage of deaths to infections , now around 3.3 % , is much higher than in other countries , suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show .
Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government , even compared to hard-hit China , the epicentre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Iran ’ s leadership to be killed by the virus .
State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei .
The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi , Iran ’ s former ambassador to the Vatican , as well as a recently elected member of parliament .
Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar , better known as “ Sister Mary , ” the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reported .
Also sick is Iraj Harirchi , the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. On Tuesday , lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television ’ s Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus .
He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public .
“ These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country , which may create a new virus , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their relationship with the public for now , '' Mesri said .
The semiofficial ILNA and Tasnim news agencies in Iran also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand , the head of the country 's emergency services , had come down with the new illness .
They offered no other immediate details .

Iran's supreme leader put the Islamic Republic on war footing Tuesday against the new coronavirus by ordering its armed forces to assist health officials in combating the outbreak, which authorities say has killed 77 people, the highest toll outside China.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's decision was announced after state media broadcast images of the 80-year-old leader planting a tree wearing disposable gloves ahead of Iran's upcoming arbor day, showing how concern about the virus now reaches up to the top of the country's Shiite theocracy.
Iranian media reported that 23 members of parliament now had the virus, as did the head of the country's emergency services.
"Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin,” Khamenei said.
After downplaying the coronavirus as recently as last week, Iranian authorities said Tuesday they had plans to potentially mobilise 300,000 soldiers and volunteers to confront the virus. It wasn't clear if Khamenei's order would set them in motion helping sanitise streets, direct traffic and track possible contacts those ill with the virus had with others, as initially suggested.
There are now over 2,530 cases of the new coronavirus across the Mideast. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic.
Yet experts worry Iran’s percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3%, is much higher than in other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show.
Top brass affected
Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicentre of the outbreak.
The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Iran’s leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei.
The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran’s former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament.
Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as “Sister Mary,” the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis, state media reported.
Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill.
On Tuesday, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television’s Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus. He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public.
“These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now," Mesri said.
The semiofficial ILNA and Tasnim news agencies in Iran also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the country's emergency services, had come down with the new illness. They offered no other immediate details.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-03-04--‘He’s Alive’: Biden’s Super Tuesday success

IN THE PAPERS – Wednesday , 04.03.2020 : We take a look at the incoming results from Super Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ covering one of the most important days for Democratic candidates .
We see how a @ @ @ @ @ is unfolding and how Joe Biden is , for some , `` the comeback kid @ @ @ @ @ note , we find out from The Conversation why Biden 's pet dog , Major @ @ @ @ @ baggage '' and why , according to the website , candidates without dogs can not @ @ @

‘He’s Alive’: Biden’s Super Tuesday success
06:38 IN THE PAPERS © FRANCE 24
IN THE PAPERS – Wednesday, 04.03.2020: We take a look at the incoming results from Super Tuesday and how the American press is covering one of the most important days for Democratic candidates. We see how a two-man race for the nomination is unfolding and how Joe Biden is, for some, "the comeback kid". On a lighter note, we find out from The Conversation why Biden's pet dog, Major, carries his own "baggage" and why, according to the website, candidates without dogs cannot be trusted.


france24--2020-03-04--Biden triumphs on Super Tuesday just a week after trailing far behind Sanders

Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden waves with his wife Jill at his Super Tuesday night rally in Los Angeles , California , on March 3 , 2020 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to win at least eight states on Super Tuesday , with his main rival Bernie Sanders expected to pick up four , including California , the biggest prize of the night .
Super Tuesday , one of the more decisive dates in the US election calendar , is the day 14 US states , the territory of American Samoa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Candidates need 1,991 delegates to make the democratic ticket .
On Tuesday ’ s vote , a total of 1,357 delegate votes were in the offing – about a third of the national total .
With votes still being counted across the country , an AP projection has allocated 362 delegates to Biden , 285 to Sanders , 30 to Bloomberg , 20 to Warren and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard .
The numbers are expected to shift dramatically throughout the night as new states , none bigger than California , report their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a formidable contender to Sanders .
Until a week ago , Sanders was the star Democratic candidate .
Then , after a much-lauded performance in the South Carolina debate , Biden caught his second wind , picking up 36 delegates to Sanders ’ 11 .
Biden gained even more momentum on the eve of Tuesday ’ s voting as moderate presidential rivals Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , endorsed Biden after withdrawing from the race .
All eyes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most closely watched states because of its 415 delegates .
Sanders was hoping to drive up big margins and amass an unsurmountable lead in delegates , while Biden was hoping to remain close enough to prevent a blowout .
The polls closed at 11 pm EST ( 0400 GMT Wednesday ) but voters who were in line were still allowed to vote .
Sanders ' campaign requested an emergency injunction asking for polls in Los Angeles County to stay open for an extra two hours after reports of delays and long lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked in a tight race in Texas , the night 's second-biggest prize , with votes still being counted early Wednesday .
Perhaps the first shock of the evening was Biden winning Minnesota , a state where Sanders had been expected to win easily .
Then , defying even bigger odds , the former vice-president took Massachusetts , defeating both Sanders and the state ’ s own senator , Elizabeth Warren .
Biden , 77 , was also projected to win in Virginia , North Carolina , Alabama , Oklahoma , Tennessee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-described democratic socialist with a fervent voter base , who aims to reshape America 's economy , was projected to win as expected in his home state of Vermont , Colorado and Utah .
In a defiant speech , Sanders tore into Trump , calling him “ the most dangerous president in the history of this country.
” But he also tore into Biden for having voted in favor of the invasion of Iraq and painting him as tarnished by billionaire contributors .
“ We ’ re taking on the political establishment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not beat Trump with the same-old , same-old kind of politics.
” There was good news for critics of America ’ s campaign finance regulations , who for decades have argued that endless money spent equaled endless political influence .
So far in the 2020 Democratic campaign , money does not seem to translate into delegate votes .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg had made a calculated bet on going after the biggest bang for his buck by spending more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from moderates .
He didn ’ t even attempt to register for the four previous qualifying events in Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada , and South Carolina .
Biden ’ s continued turnaround would be all the more surprising because Super Tuesday was supposed to be about monster fundraising and strong political organisation across such a large swath of the country .
Biden largely had neither .
He spent a mere $ 60 million on his campaign .
Sanders argued that the party ’ s elders were scrambling to block him from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could run away with .
“ The political establishment has made their choice : Anybody but Bernie Sanders , ” Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir wrote in a fundraising message Tuesday .
“ The truth is , we ’ ve always known we were taking on the entire damn 1 percent of this country , ” Shakir added .
“ But we have something they do not have : People .
Lots and lots of people.
” In the 2016 presidential campaign , Sanders had struggled to connect with black voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a concerted effort to improve his standing with minorities nationwide .
According to Edison Research exit polling , African Americans , older people and college graduates largely supported Biden in the 14 nominating contests , helping him win at least eight states .
The pace of the Democratic race begins to accelerate after Super Tuesday , with 11 more states voting by the end of March .
By then , nearly two-thirds of the delegates will have been allotted .

Former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to win at least eight states on Super Tuesday, with his main rival Bernie Sanders expected to pick up four, including California, the biggest prize of the night.
Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden waves with his wife Jill at his Super Tuesday night rally in Los Angeles, California, on March 3, 2020.
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Super Tuesday, one of the more decisive dates in the US election calendar, is the day 14 US states, the territory of American Samoa, and Democrats abroad hold their primaries. Candidates need 1,991 delegates to make the democratic ticket. On Tuesday’s vote, a total of 1,357 delegate votes were in the offing – about a third of the national total.
With votes still being counted across the country, an AP projection has allocated 362 delegates to Biden, 285 to Sanders, 30 to Bloomberg, 20 to Warren and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The numbers are expected to shift dramatically throughout the night as new states, none bigger than California, report their numbers.
The evening showed that Biden was a formidable contender to Sanders. Until a week ago, Sanders was the star Democratic candidate. Then, after a much-lauded performance in the South Carolina debate, Biden caught his second wind, picking up 36 delegates to Sanders’ 11.
Biden gained even more momentum on the eve of Tuesday’s voting as moderate presidential rivals Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, endorsed Biden after withdrawing from the race.
All eyes on California and Texas
California was one of the most closely watched states because of its 415 delegates. Sanders was hoping to drive up big margins and amass an unsurmountable lead in delegates, while Biden was hoping to remain close enough to prevent a blowout.
The polls closed at 11 pm EST (0400 GMT Wednesday) but voters who were in line were still allowed to vote. Sanders' campaign requested an emergency injunction asking for polls in Los Angeles County to stay open for an extra two hours after reports of delays and long lines.
Meanwhile, Sanders and Biden were locked in a tight race in Texas, the night's second-biggest prize, with votes still being counted early Wednesday.
01:44
Biggest surprises
Perhaps the first shock of the evening was Biden winning Minnesota, a state where Sanders had been expected to win easily. Then, defying even bigger odds, the former vice-president took Massachusetts, defeating both Sanders and the state’s own senator, Elizabeth Warren.
Biden, 77, was also projected to win in Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas.
The 78-year-old Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist with a fervent voter base, who aims to reshape America's economy, was projected to win as expected in his home state of Vermont, Colorado and Utah.
Bernie is going HARD against Biden in his Super Tuesday speech. Highlights their differences on the Iraq War, trade, Social Security cuts, and the bankruptcy bill. #SuperTuesday — Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) March 4, 2020
In a defiant speech, Sanders tore into Trump, calling him “the most dangerous president in the history of this country.” But he also tore into Biden for having voted in favor of the invasion of Iraq and painting him as tarnished by billionaire contributors.
“We’re taking on the political establishment,” he said. “You cannot beat Trump with the same-old, same-old kind of politics.”
Money doesn’t buy everything
There was good news for critics of America’s campaign finance regulations, who for decades have argued that endless money spent equaled endless political influence. So far in the 2020 Democratic campaign, money does not seem to translate into delegate votes.
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg had made a calculated bet on going after the biggest bang for his buck by spending more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an unorthodox and untested method of securing support from moderates. He didn’t even attempt to register for the four previous qualifying events in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.
One potential loser tonight is campaigns. Like, in general.
Joe Biden had ONE field office in Virginia. Was outspent 7-to-1 by Sanders and almost 100-to-1 by Bloomberg in all super Tuesday States. Had barely campaigned in any states. And yet... — Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) March 4, 2020
Biden’s continued turnaround would be all the more surprising because Super Tuesday was supposed to be about monster fundraising and strong political organisation across such a large swath of the country. Biden largely had neither. He spent a mere $60 million on his campaign.
Sanders defiant
Sanders argued that the party’s elders were scrambling to block him from a nomination it appeared just last week he could run away with.
“The political establishment has made their choice: Anybody but Bernie Sanders,” Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir wrote in a fundraising message Tuesday.
“The truth is, we’ve always known we were taking on the entire damn 1 percent of this country,” Shakir added. “But we have something they do not have: People. Lots and lots of people.”
In the 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders had struggled to connect with black voters. During this 2020 campaign, Sanders has made a concerted effort to improve his standing with minorities nationwide.
According to Edison Research exit polling, African Americans, older people and college graduates largely supported Biden in the 14 nominating contests, helping him win at least eight states.
Latinos, millennials and white men largely backed Sanders.
The pace of the Democratic race begins to accelerate after Super Tuesday, with 11 more states voting by the end of March. By then, nearly two-thirds of the delegates will have been allotted.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday: Live results from the primaries

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france24--2020-03-03--As it happened: Texas win seals stunning Super Tuesday comeback for Joe Biden

A voter walks into the Madison Community Center to cast his ballot in the Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ in Arlington , VA. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots @ @ @ @ @ Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday .

A voter walks into the Madison Community Center to cast his ballot in the Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday on March 3, 2020 in Arlington, VA. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots in 14 states and American Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday.
© Samuel Corum, AFP


france24--2020-03-04--Pension reform: French government survives two no-confidence votes

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe speaks during a debate at the National assembly in Paris .
French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s government faced down not just one , but two no-confidence votes , allowing it to force an overhaul of the retirement system through the lower house of parliament early Wednesday despite months of protests .
Thousands of people took to the streets of Paris and other cities Tuesday to denounce the pension changes , which they fear will oblige people to work longer for less money .
Currently the eligibility age for a full pension is 62 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron of “ dictatorial ” behavior in a debate that started Tuesday and lasted past midnight , protesters illuminated the Champs-Elysees with red flares and intoned the national anthem , the Marseillaise .
The pension reform prompted France ’ s worst strikes in decades throughout December and January , hobbling public transportation and disrupting schools , hospitals , courthouses and even opera houses .
Now , demonstrators are angry at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe ’ s decision last week to use a special constitutional power to push the retirement bill through the Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complex legislative process after the damaging strikes .
In response , opposition lawmakers from the left and from the right called two no-confidence votes Tuesday against Macron ’ s centrist government .
Despite all the public criticism Macron has faced , his Republic on the Move party has a large majority in the National Assembly , and the votes both fell far short of the 289 votes needed to pass .
That means the bill has now cleared the lower house , and goes next to the Senate , where conservatives have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrap the reform , fearing it weakens France 's welfare state and will force workers to rely on private pension funds , while some lawmakers on the right say it isn ’ t bold enough .
The prime minister defended his decision to force the bill through , and insisted the retirement reform was the only way to save France ’ s welfare system as the population gets older and life expectancy lengthens .
“ This model is our most precious asset , it ’ s our national treasure , ” Philippe told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it is not working , to be able to pass it on to our children.
” The government hopes to pass the law by summer .
But debates on the bill in the lower house were slowed by a record 41,000 amendments proposed by the opposition .
New strikes and protests are planned March 31 .
The bill itself doesn ’ t directly touch the pension age .
But in parallel , the government is holding a three-month discussion with unions about financing the pension system , including potential measures to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-left CGT and FO unions oppose those measures and quit the talks .
The pension overhaul was a key promise in Macron ’ s 2017 presidential campaign .
Macron argues the new system , which aims to unify 42 state-funded pension regimes , will be fairer and more sustainable .
The changes would end some specific pension schemes under which certain people , like railway workers , are allowed to retire as early as their 50s , and others , like lawyers , pay less taxes .

French President Emmanuel Macron’s government faced down not just one, but two no-confidence votes, allowing it to force an overhaul of the retirement system through the lower house of parliament early Wednesday despite months of protests.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe speaks during a debate at the National assembly in Paris.
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Thousands of people took to the streets of Paris and other cities Tuesday to denounce the pension changes, which they fear will oblige people to work longer for less money. Currently the eligibility age for a full pension is 62.
As lawmakers in the National Assembly accused Macron of “dictatorial” behavior in a debate that started Tuesday and lasted past midnight, protesters illuminated the Champs-Elysees with red flares and intoned the national anthem, the Marseillaise.
The pension reform prompted France’s worst strikes in decades throughout December and January, hobbling public transportation and disrupting schools, hospitals, courthouses and even opera houses.
Now, demonstrators are angry at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s decision last week to use a special constitutional power to push the retirement bill through the Assembly without a vote, to speed up the complex legislative process after the damaging strikes.
In response, opposition lawmakers from the left and from the right called two no-confidence votes Tuesday against Macron’s centrist government.
Despite all the public criticism Macron has faced, his Republic on the Move party has a large majority in the National Assembly, and the votes both fell far short of the 289 votes needed to pass.
That means the bill has now cleared the lower house, and goes next to the Senate, where conservatives have the majority.
‘National treasure’
The left wants to scrap the reform, fearing it weakens France's welfare state and will force workers to rely on private pension funds, while some lawmakers on the right say it isn’t bold enough.
The prime minister defended his decision to force the bill through, and insisted the retirement reform was the only way to save France’s welfare system as the population gets older and life expectancy lengthens.
“This model is our most precious asset, it’s our national treasure,” Philippe told lawmakers. “We must fix it when it is not working, to be able to pass it on to our children.”
The government hopes to pass the law by summer. But debates on the bill in the lower house were slowed by a record 41,000 amendments proposed by the opposition.
New strikes and protests are planned March 31.
The bill itself doesn’t directly touch the pension age. But in parallel, the government is holding a three-month discussion with unions about financing the pension system, including potential measures to raise taxes or the retirement age. The hard-left CGT and FO unions oppose those measures and quit the talks.
The pension overhaul was a key promise in Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign. Macron argues the new system, which aims to unify 42 state-funded pension regimes, will be fairer and more sustainable.
The changes would end some specific pension schemes under which certain people, like railway workers, are allowed to retire as early as their 50s, and others, like lawyers, pay less taxes.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-04--Coronavirus crisis ebbs in China, as fear spreads across the West

People wear masks in Beijing , China , on March 3 , 2020 .
There has been optimism in the country as thousands of recovered patients have been going home and the number of new infections has been dropping .
The coronavirus epidemic shifted increasingly westward toward the Middle East , Europe and the United States on Tuesday , with governments taking emergency steps to ease shortages of masks and other supplies for front-line doctors and nurses .
“ We are concerned that countries ' abilities to respond are being compromised by the severe and increasing disruption to the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by rising demand , hoarding and misuse , ” said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ We ca n't stop COVID-19 without protecting our health workers.
” Deaths in Italy surged to 79 , making it the deadliest reported outbreak outside China .
Twenty-three members of Iran 's Parliament and the head of the country 's emergency services were reported infected .
South Korea expanded drive-thru testing and confirmed hundreds of new cases .
And in Spain 's Basque region , at least five doctors and nurses were infected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in isolation .
The mushrooming outbreaks contrasted with optimism in China , where thousands of recovered patients were going home and the number of new infections has been dropping .
Worldwide , more than 93,000 people have been infected and over 3,100 have died , the vast majority of them in China .
The number of countries hit by the virus exceeded 70 , with Ukraine and Morocco reporting their first cases .
Virus clusters in the United States led schools and subways to sanitize and spread fears among nursing home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of the infections in the U.S. topped 100 and the death toll climbed to nine .
All of the deaths were in Washington state , and most of them were residents of a Seattle-area nursing home .
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to counter the expected damage to the economy , and stocks rose briefly on Wall Street in reaction before slumping again .
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the virus “ will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seven countries appeared reluctant to follow suit with their own cuts , probably because many of their interest rates are already near or below zero .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave health care workers the OK to use an industrial type of respirator mask often used to protect construction workers from dust and debris .
Iran 's supreme leader ordered the military to assist health officials in fighting the virus , which authorities said has killed 77 people .
Among the dead are a confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a recently elected member of Parliament .
Iran ’ s judiciary chief , Ebrahim Raisi , said some people are stockpiling medical supplies for profit and urged prosecutors to show no mercy .
“ Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people ’ s lives , and it is not ignorable , ” he said .
France 's president announced the government would take control of current and future stocks of face masks to ensure they could go to health workers and coronavirus patients , and the finance minister warned that binge-shopping for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country reported a total of more than 200 cases and four deaths .
“ In this period we ’ re going through – we have entered a phase that will last weeks and , undoubtedly , months – it is indispensable to have clarity , resilience , sangfroid and determination to stop the epidemic , ” French President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to the government 's virus crisis center .
South Korea confirmed another 142 cases Wednesday morning , raising its total to 5,328 , the second-highest in the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressed head-to-toe in white protective suits leaned into cars with mouth swabs to check for the virus .
Troops sprayed disinfectant on streets and alleys across the city .
In China , the count of new cases dropped again Wednesday , with just 119 reported .
It is still by far the hardest-hit country , with over 80,000 infections and about 95 % of the world 's deaths .
“ We scrutinized this data and we believe this decline is real , ” said WHO outbreak expert Maria Van Kerkhove , who traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the U.N. agency .
She said the extraordinary measures taken there , including the lockdown of more than 60 million people , had a significant effect on the direction of the outbreak .
“ We believe that a reduction of cases in other countries , including Italy , Korea , Iran , everywhere , that this is possible , ” she said .
China 's ambassador to the United Nations said the country is winning its battle against COVID-19 .
“ We are not far from the coming of the victory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , questions continued to build about the fate of the Olympics .
The country 's Olympic minister , Seiko Hashimoto , said Japan is “ making the utmost effort ” to proceed with the games ' opening on July 24 in Tokyo .
But she told Parliament that the country 's contract with the International Olympic Committee specifies only that the games be held in 2020 , meaning they could be postponed to later in the year if necessary .

The coronavirus epidemic shifted increasingly westward toward the Middle East, Europe and the United States on Tuesday, with governments taking emergency steps to ease shortages of masks and other supplies for front-line doctors and nurses.
People wear masks in Beijing, China, on March 3, 2020. There has been optimism in the country as thousands of recovered patients have been going home and the number of new infections has been dropping.
Advertising Read more
“We are concerned that countries' abilities to respond are being compromised by the severe and increasing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment, caused by rising demand, hoarding and misuse,” said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We can't stop COVID-19 without protecting our health workers.”
Deaths in Italy surged to 79, making it the deadliest reported outbreak outside China. Twenty-three members of Iran's Parliament and the head of the country's emergency services were reported infected. South Korea expanded drive-thru testing and confirmed hundreds of new cases. And in Spain's Basque region, at least five doctors and nurses were infected and nearly 100 health care workers were being held in isolation.
The mushrooming outbreaks contrasted with optimism in China, where thousands of recovered patients were going home and the number of new infections has been dropping.
Worldwide, more than 93,000 people have been infected and over 3,100 have died, the vast majority of them in China. The number of countries hit by the virus exceeded 70, with Ukraine and Morocco reporting their first cases.
Virus clusters in the United States led schools and subways to sanitize and spread fears among nursing home residents, who are especially vulnerable. The number of the infections in the U.S. topped 100 and the death toll climbed to nine. All of the deaths were in Washington state, and most of them were residents of a Seattle-area nursing home.
Biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to counter the expected damage to the economy, and stocks rose briefly on Wall Street in reaction before slumping again. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the virus “will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad for some time.”
Other Group of Seven countries appeared reluctant to follow suit with their own cuts, probably because many of their interest rates are already near or below zero.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave health care workers the OK to use an industrial type of respirator mask often used to protect construction workers from dust and debris.
Iran's supreme leader ordered the military to assist health officials in fighting the virus, which authorities said has killed 77 people. Among the dead are a confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s former ambassador to the Vatican and a recently elected member of Parliament.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, said some people are stockpiling medical supplies for profit and urged prosecutors to show no mercy. “Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people’s lives, and it is not ignorable,” he said.
France's president announced the government would take control of current and future stocks of face masks to ensure they could go to health workers and coronavirus patients, and the finance minister warned that binge-shopping for household essentials could trigger shortages. The country reported a total of more than 200 cases and four deaths.
“In this period we’re going through – we have entered a phase that will last weeks and, undoubtedly, months – it is indispensable to have clarity, resilience, sangfroid and determination to stop the epidemic,” French President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to the government's virus crisis center.
New cases drop in China
South Korea confirmed another 142 cases Wednesday morning, raising its total to 5,328, the second-highest in the world. At drive-thru virus testing centers, workers dressed head-to-toe in white protective suits leaned into cars with mouth swabs to check for the virus. Troops sprayed disinfectant on streets and alleys across the city.
In China, the count of new cases dropped again Wednesday, with just 119 reported. It is still by far the hardest-hit country, with over 80,000 infections and about 95% of the world's deaths.
“We scrutinized this data and we believe this decline is real,” said WHO outbreak expert Maria Van Kerkhove, who traveled to China as part of a team from the U.N. agency. She said the extraordinary measures taken there, including the lockdown of more than 60 million people, had a significant effect on the direction of the outbreak.
“We believe that a reduction of cases in other countries, including Italy, Korea, Iran, everywhere, that this is possible,” she said.
China's ambassador to the United Nations said the country is winning its battle against COVID-19. “We are not far from the coming of the victory,” Zhang Jun said.
In Japan, questions continued to build about the fate of the Olympics.
The country's Olympic minister, Seiko Hashimoto, said Japan is “making the utmost effort” to proceed with the games' opening on July 24 in Tokyo. But she told Parliament that the country's contract with the International Olympic Committee specifies only that the games be held in 2020, meaning they could be postponed to later in the year if necessary.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-04--France to regulate price of hand sanitisers amid coronavirus outbreak

The French government will publish a decree regulating the price of antibacterial gel .
France will put a cap on antibacterial gel prices after pharmacists and consumers reported a steep increase since the start of the coronavirus outbreak , Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday .
A decree regulating the price would be published during the day , Le Maire told French BFM Business radio .
A pharmacists ’ union on Wednesday told Franceinfo radio that the price rise was unacceptable , and called for government intervention .
On Tuesday , President Emmanuel Macron said the government would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of face masks to ensure they could go to health workers and coronavirus patients .
“ In this period we ’ re going through – we have entered a phase that will last weeks and , undoubtedly , months – it is indispensable to have clarity , resilience , sangfroid and determination to stop the epidemic , ” Macron said during a visit to the government 's virus crisis center .
Le Maire has urged the French public to refrain from panic-buying amid fears over the virus ’ s spread , warning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
France is Europe ’ s second-most affected country , with health officials reporting a total of more than 200 cases and four deaths .

France will put a cap on antibacterial gel prices after pharmacists and consumers reported a steep increase since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday.
The French government will publish a decree regulating the price of antibacterial gel.
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A decree regulating the price would be published during the day, Le Maire told French BFM Business radio.
A pharmacists’ union on Wednesday told Franceinfo radio that the price rise was unacceptable, and called for government intervention.
On Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron said the government would take control of current and future stocks of face masks to ensure they could go to health workers and coronavirus patients.
“In this period we’re going through – we have entered a phase that will last weeks and, undoubtedly, months – it is indispensable to have clarity, resilience, sangfroid and determination to stop the epidemic,” Macron said during a visit to the government's virus crisis center.
Sidenote 2: France says it will regulate hand sanitizer prices starting today https://t.co/8GuRMgPlMl — Maria Tadeo (@mariatad) March 4, 2020
Le Maire has urged the French public to refrain from panic-buying amid fears over the virus’s spread, warning that binge-shopping for household essentials could trigger shortages.
France is Europe’s second-most affected country, with health officials reporting a total of more than 200 cases and four deaths.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-03--India’s Sikhs offer help to Muslim victims of New Delhi ethnic violence

In New Delhi , Sikh religious groups have been coming to the aid of victims of the sectarian violence that sprung up between Hindus and Muslims on February 23 , killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds .
Some majority-Muslim areas in the northeast of the Indian capital were targeted by Hindu nationalists between February 23 and 25 .
Residents were lynched and their homes and mosques were set on fire .
The violence stemmed from a citizenship bill that came into law in December 2019 .
It has been criticised for being discriminatory towards Muslims and has triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ > READ ON THE OBSERVERS : Who are India ’ s RSS , the Hindu nationalists accused of violence towards Muslims ?
Many residents decided to flee their homes to escape the violence .
Faced with the lack of a response from the authorities , the Sikh community in the country came together to help victims of rioting .
Since February 25 , gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – in India were declared open to people of all faiths seeking to flee the violence .
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the riots , as well as outside hospitals , where victims ' families and loved ones were waiting .

INDIA
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In New Delhi, Sikh religious groups have been coming to the aid of victims of the sectarian violence that sprung up between Hindus and Muslims on February 23, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds.
Some majority-Muslim areas in the northeast of the Indian capital were targeted by Hindu nationalists between February 23 and 25. Residents were lynched and their homes and mosques were set on fire. The violence stemmed from a citizenship bill that came into law in December 2019. It has been criticised for being discriminatory towards Muslims and has triggered huge protests across the country.
>> READ ON THE OBSERVERS: Who are India’s RSS, the Hindu nationalists accused of violence towards Muslims?
Many residents decided to flee their homes to escape the violence.
Dispatches from Shiv Vihar that has become a ghostly town of sorts. Lane after lane has emptied out. Houses torched. Residents (Muslims) have run away with nothing but just clothes on their back. #DelhiRiot2020 pic.twitter.com/f47nfOrRFl Anubha Bhonsle (@anubhabhonsle) March 1, 2020
Faced with the lack of a response from the authorities, the Sikh community in the country came together to help victims of rioting.
Since February 25, gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – in India were declared open to people of all faiths seeking to flee the violence.
Gurudwaras are open for those in need if anyone faces any issue please DM. Aflatoon Wazir (Gobhi Parantha) (@sanamwazir) February 25, 2020
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) organised food handouts in areas affected by the riots, as well as outside hospitals, where victims' families and loved ones were waiting.
Langar Sewa in Yamuna Vihar Noor Elahi, Delhi pic.twitter.com/UICxZdDkn6 Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) February 27, 2020
"We offer help regardless of religion"
The New Delhi authorities didn't create any emergency humanitarian camp. We simply wanted to be a light in these dark hours of ethnic attacks. All of the langars are open to everyone, regardless of religion or caste. We go into the areas affected by the riots in order to help them, but also to show our concern about the situation.
For Sikh religious leaders, these actions are part of the Sikh custom of the 'langar ', or communal kitchen. Each gurdwara has one, where Sikhs and non-Sikhs can come and eat free vegetarian meals.
In November 1984, anti-Sikh riots in New Delhi resulted in 3,000 deaths, after the prime minister at the time, Indira Gandhi, was murdered by her Sikh bodyguards.
Article by Pierre Hamdi (@PierreHamdi).


france24--2020-03-04--Coronavirus: Italy closes schools, universities until March 15 as death toll tops 100

Italy has closed schools and universities until March 15 over coronavirus fears .
Italy on Wednesday closed all schools and universities until March 15 as the number of deaths from the new coronavirus in the Mediterranean country hit 107 .
The measure is the most restrictive response to COVID-19 of any European nation and tougher than the closure of schools—but not universities—taken by fellow Group of Seven ( G7 ) member Japan .
Italy reported 28 more deaths on Wednesday—the highest single day total to date .
The nation of 60 million people has now recorded over 3,000 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities .
The government ’ s other measures included an unpopular month-long nationwide ban on fan attendance at football matches and other major sporting events .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the nation that Italy was able to handle the current number of cases but needed a firmer response to keep things from spiralling out of control .
“ As long as the numbers are low , the health system can assist ( people ) effectively , ” Conte said in a video message posted on Facebook .
“ But in case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other country in the world would not be able to manage the situation.
” Italy has borne the brunt in Europe of a disease that is now spreading across the world faster than it is in the central Chinese region where it was first detected late last year .
The problem for the Italian government is that existing restrictions—including a quarantine of 11 towns with 50,000 people in the north—have failed to stop the outbreak .
The overwhelming majority of the fatalities have occurred in Milan ’ s Lombardy region and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bologna and Venice .
But 21 of the 22 regions have now had cases and infections are slowly reaching Italy ’ s less wealthy and developed south .
The government reported the first death south of Rome on Wednesday .
It came in the Puglia region that surrounds the city of Bari in the heel of the Italian boot on the map .
Top government minister spent hours huddling Wednesday to chart a way out of a health crisis that threatens to tip Italy ’ s wheezing economy into recession and overwhelm hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to avoid crowds and keep people from coming in contact with each other outdoors .
The new instructions urge people to stay at least a metre ( three feet ) apart and to avoid crowded places whenever possible .
Traditional greetings of kissing on the cheeks or shaking hands are strongly discouraged .
Exhibits and shows will be rescheduled—a measure that will be especially painful for Italy ’ s already hard-hit hotel and restaurant industry .
Some of the government ’ s more mundane and common-sense measures include advice to cough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in contact with “ respiratory secretions ” .
Italians are also being urged to avoid sharing bottles and not to drink from the same cups and glasses .
The crowd-control measures will most directly affect football matches and could cause the most resentment in the sports-mad nation .
Italy ’ s Serie A has already been thrown into disarray by two weeks of postponements that have seen some clubs not play at all and others play multiple matches in a week .
Fans are even being prohibited from attending the training sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Juventus in Turin .
The government also recommended to those over 75 to stay indoors and to avoid public places .
The advice extends to those who are at least 65 and suffer from other ailments .
A top civil protection official told AFP that most of those who have died in the past few days were in their 80s and 90s and were already suffering from other pathologies .
All these measures are meant to stay in place for a month and be reviewed and possibly fine-tuned after two weeks @

Italy on Wednesday closed all schools and universities until March 15 as the number of deaths from the new coronavirus in the Mediterranean country hit 107.
Italy has closed schools and universities until March 15 over coronavirus fears.
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The measure is the most restrictive response to COVID-19 of any European nation and tougher than the closure of schools—but not universities—taken by fellow Group of Seven (G7) member Japan.
Italy reported 28 more deaths on Wednesday—the highest single day total to date. The nation of 60 million people has now recorded over 3,000 cases and only trails China in terms of total fatalities.
The government’s other measures included an unpopular month-long nationwide ban on fan attendance at football matches and other major sporting events.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the nation that Italy was able to handle the current number of cases but needed a firmer response to keep things from spiralling out of control.
“As long as the numbers are low, the health system can assist (people) effectively,” Conte said in a video message posted on Facebook.
“But in case of exponential growth, not just Italy but any other country in the world would not be able to manage the situation.”
First death in south
Italy has borne the brunt in Europe of a disease that is now spreading across the world faster than it is in the central Chinese region where it was first detected late last year.
The problem for the Italian government is that existing restrictions—including a quarantine of 11 towns with 50,000 people in the north—have failed to stop the outbreak.
The overwhelming majority of the fatalities have occurred in Milan’s Lombardy region and the neighbouring northern area around the cities of Bologna and Venice.
But 21 of the 22 regions have now had cases and infections are slowly reaching Italy’s less wealthy and developed south.
The government reported the first death south of Rome on Wednesday. It came in the Puglia region that surrounds the city of Bari in the heel of the Italian boot on the map.
Top government minister spent hours huddling Wednesday to chart a way out of a health crisis that threatens to tip Italy’s wheezing economy into recession and overwhelm hospitals.
Most of the steps adopted involve ways to avoid crowds and keep people from coming in contact with each other outdoors.
Crowd control
The new instructions urge people to stay at least a metre (three feet) apart and to avoid crowded places whenever possible.
Traditional greetings of kissing on the cheeks or shaking hands are strongly discouraged.
Exhibits and shows will be rescheduled—a measure that will be especially painful for Italy’s already hard-hit hotel and restaurant industry.
Some of the government’s more mundane and common-sense measures include advice to cough and sneeze in a handkerchief to avoid hands coming in contact with “respiratory secretions”.
Italians are also being urged to avoid sharing bottles and not to drink from the same cups and glasses.
The crowd-control measures will most directly affect football matches and could cause the most resentment in the sports-mad nation.
Italy’s Serie A has already been thrown into disarray by two weeks of postponements that have seen some clubs not play at all and others play multiple matches in a week.
Fans are even being prohibited from attending the training sessions of top teams such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in Turin.
The government also recommended to those over 75 to stay indoors and to avoid public places. The advice extends to those who are at least 65 and suffer from other ailments.
A top civil protection official told AFP that most of those who have died in the past few days were in their 80s and 90s and were already suffering from other pathologies.
All these measures are meant to stay in place for a month and be reviewed and possibly fine-tuned after two weeks.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-04--Resolving migrant border crisis is contingent on EU help in Syria, Erdogan says

Turkey demanded European Union help on Wednesday for its mission in Syria as the price of resolving a fresh migrant crisis on its border with Greece , but rejected European accusations that it was ‘ blackmailing ’ the bloc .
Clashes have broken out between police and refugees at the Turkey-Greece border where thousands of migrants have gathered since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave them the green light to leave for Europe last week .
Erdogan ’ s move came after Russian-backed Syrian forces killed 34 Turkish troops in northern Syria , prompting him to seek greater assistance from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear a repeat of the migrant crisis of 2015-16 , when more than one million migrants crossed into the EU .
With mounting tensions around the border crossing at Pazarkule , a Turkish official claimed one migrant had been killed and five injured by live fire from the Greek side .
Athens strongly denied the claim , but an AFP photographer earlier saw a migrant shot in the leg—it was not clear whether by a live round or a rubber bullet—as a group of refugees tried to cut their way through fencing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek police , who responded with tear gas , while multiple shots and cries could be heard .
Athens released a video apparently showing Turkish police firing tear gas at Greek border guards , which could not be immediately verified .
Speaking in Ankara , Erdogan said Europe had to support Turkey ’ s “ political and humanitarian solutions in Syria ” if it wanted to resolve the situation .
“ Our objective by opening the doors was not to create an artificial crisis , to place political pressure or to serve our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s capacity “ has a limit ” .
Turkey already hosts some four million refugees , most of them Syrians , and has been fighting the Syrian government in a bid to prevent another influx from Idlib , the jihadist-dominated region that has been under attack by Damascus since December .
Close to one million people in Idlib have been displaced by the government assault , which is backed by Russian air power .
Those fleeing are currently blocked from entering Turkey .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ankara on Wednesday , pledging an additional 170 million euros ( $ 189 million ) in aid for vulnerable groups in Syria .
But Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin later on Wednesday urged the EU to produce a “ road map ” of the management of the funds .
Borrell said the EU recognised the “ difficult situation Turkey is facing ” but that Turkey ’ s green light to migrants could “ only make the situation worse ” .
France took a firmer line .
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we will ensure they stay closed ” .
Despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war in Syria , NATO-member Turkey and Russia have kept lines of communication open .
But the relationship has been heavily strained , with more than 50 Turkish soldiers killed in Idlib in recent weeks , and three more reported deaths on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Erdogan said he hoped a ceasefire would be `` swiftly established '' when he meets his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday .
Ankara officially announced an offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding they pull back behind lines agreed under the 2018 Sochi deal with Russia .
It killed nine government troops in drone strikes , a monitor said Wednesday .
“ We expect Russia to fulfil its promises as a guarantor country and stop the regime ’ s attacks and to use its influence to ensure the regime adheres to the Sochi deal ’ s borders , ” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said , according to broadcaster NTV .
But many say Russia is determined to see the Syrian government regain full control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a ceasefire announced after the talks between Putin and Erdogan , but it ’ ll be for show , ” a Western diplomat told AFP .
The EU has scrambled to respond to the surge of migrants at the Greek border , where authorities say some 24,000 were stopped from entering between Saturday and Monday .
Turkey agreed in 2016 to stop the flow of refugees in exchange for billions of euros , but says the EU failed to honour other parts of the deal , such as visa liberalisation and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek response , saying : “ The Greeks—who are resorting to any means to stop refugees coming into their country , even drowning them or killing them with live ammunition—they shouldn ’ t forget they might need this same mercy one day.
” Meanwhile , Greece sent a navy ship to the island of Lesbos to house some 500 people , many of them families with small children , who managed to reach its shores over the weekend .

Turkey demanded European Union help on Wednesday for its mission in Syria as the price of resolving a fresh migrant crisis on its border with Greece, but rejected European accusations that it was ‘blackmailing’ the bloc.
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Clashes have broken out between police and refugees at the Turkey-Greece border where thousands of migrants have gathered since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave them the green light to leave for Europe last week.
Erdogan’s move came after Russian-backed Syrian forces killed 34 Turkish troops in northern Syria, prompting him to seek greater assistance from the international community.
But EU leaders now fear a repeat of the migrant crisis of 2015-16, when more than one million migrants crossed into the EU.
01:31
With mounting tensions around the border crossing at Pazarkule, a Turkish official claimed one migrant had been killed and five injured by live fire from the Greek side.
Athens strongly denied the claim, but an AFP photographer earlier saw a migrant shot in the leg—it was not clear whether by a live round or a rubber bullet—as a group of refugees tried to cut their way through fencing.
The group then threw stones at the Greek police, who responded with tear gas, while multiple shots and cries could be heard.
Athens released a video apparently showing Turkish police firing tear gas at Greek border guards, which could not be immediately verified.
Speaking in Ankara, Erdogan said Europe had to support Turkey’s “political and humanitarian solutions in Syria” if it wanted to resolve the situation.
Government spokesman Ibrahim Kalin denied this was blackmail.
“Our objective by opening the doors was not to create an artificial crisis, to place political pressure or to serve our interests,” he said, but Turkey’s capacity “has a limit”.
Turkey already hosts some four million refugees, most of them Syrians, and has been fighting the Syrian government in a bid to prevent another influx from Idlib, the jihadist-dominated region that has been under attack by Damascus since December.
Close to one million people in Idlib have been displaced by the government assault, which is backed by Russian air power. Those fleeing are currently blocked from entering Turkey.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Council President Charles Michel met with Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, pledging an additional 170 million euros ($189 million) in aid for vulnerable groups in Syria.
But Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin later on Wednesday urged the EU to produce a “road map” of the management of the funds.
Borrell said the EU recognised the “difficult situation Turkey is facing” but that Turkey’s green light to migrants could “only make the situation worse”.
France took a firmer line. Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the EU’s borders were “closed, and we will ensure they stay closed”.
Ceasefire?
Despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war in Syria, NATO-member Turkey and Russia have kept lines of communication open.
But the relationship has been heavily strained, with more than 50 Turkish soldiers killed in Idlib in recent weeks, and three more reported deaths on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Erdogan said he hoped a ceasefire would be "swiftly established" when he meets his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.
Ankara officially announced an offensive against Syrian forces over the weekend, demanding they pull back behind lines agreed under the 2018 Sochi deal with Russia. It killed nine government troops in drone strikes, a monitor said Wednesday.
“We expect Russia to fulfil its promises as a guarantor country and stop the regime’s attacks and to use its influence to ensure the regime adheres to the Sochi deal’s borders,” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said, according to broadcaster NTV.
But many say Russia is determined to see the Syrian government regain full control of its territory.
“There might be a ceasefire announced after the talks between Putin and Erdogan, but it’ll be for show,” a Western diplomat told AFP.
‘Mercy’
The EU has scrambled to respond to the surge of migrants at the Greek border, where authorities say some 24,000 were stopped from entering between Saturday and Monday.
Turkey agreed in 2016 to stop the flow of refugees in exchange for billions of euros, but says the EU failed to honour other parts of the deal, such as visa liberalisation and an improved customs agreement.
Erdogan criticised the Greek response, saying: “The Greeks—who are resorting to any means to stop refugees coming into their country, even drowning them or killing them with live ammunition—they shouldn’t forget they might need this same mercy one day.”
Meanwhile, Greece sent a navy ship to the island of Lesbos to house some 500 people, many of them families with small children, who managed to reach its shores over the weekend.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-04--French court rules against Uber to class drivers as employees, not independent contractors

An advert for the Uber ride-sharing service is seen on a bus stop in Paris , France , March 11 , 2016 .
France ’ s top civil court dealt ride-hailing giant Uber a setback on Wednesday with a ruling that it had effectively employed one of its drivers .
Uber has long argued that it is merely a platform linking self-employed drivers with riders , a model which allows it to avoid paying certain taxes and social charges as well as provide paid vacations .
However that practice , which underpins the gig economy , has increasingly come under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday ’ s ruling , the French Court of Cassation rejected Uber ’ s appeal against a 2019 decision that found a former driver who sued the firm effectively had a work contract .
The court found that Uber BV had control over the driver by his connection to the app which directs him to clients , and thus should not be considered an independent contractor but an employee .
“ This is a first and it will impact all platforms inspired by Uber ’ s model , ” said Fabien Masson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ruling does not force Uber to automatically sign contracts , and drivers will be forced to go to court to obtain requalification as employees .
But for the estimated 150 Uber drivers who have already filed cases , “ these drivers will benefit from this ruling ” , said Masson .
Another lawyer who represents a dozen Uber drivers , Kevin Mention , said the ruling will eventually put the gig economy model at risk in France as it clearly described practices that are common to all firms that use it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their model today they are heading straight for the wall as it is certain qualification ” for those who challenge their status as contractors .
Uber , for its part , said the ruling missed many of the changes it has made .
“ During the past two years we have made many changes that give drivers more control over how they use the app as well as better social protection , ” said a spokeswoman .
She said drivers choose Uber for the independence and flexibility it allows them and noted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions that said without an obligation to work their was not effective employment .
In the French case , the driver , who stopped working for Uber in 2016 after providing some 4,000 trips in under two years , sued to have his “ commercial accord ” reclassified as an employment contract .
He was seeking reimbursement for holidays and expenses as well as payment for “ undeclared work ” and unfair contract termination .
The former driver sued after Uber deactivated his account , “ depriving him of the possibility to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .

France’s top civil court dealt ride-hailing giant Uber a setback on Wednesday with a ruling that it had effectively employed one of its drivers.
An advert for the Uber ride-sharing service is seen on a bus stop in Paris, France, March 11, 2016.
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Uber has long argued that it is merely a platform linking self-employed drivers with riders, a model which allows it to avoid paying certain taxes and social charges as well as provide paid vacations.
However that practice, which underpins the gig economy, has increasingly come under legal attack in many countries.
In Wednesday’s ruling, the French Court of Cassation rejected Uber’s appeal against a 2019 decision that found a former driver who sued the firm effectively had a work contract.
The court found that Uber BV had control over the driver by his connection to the app which directs him to clients, and thus should not be considered an independent contractor but an employee.
“This is a first and it will impact all platforms inspired by Uber’s model,” said Fabien Masson, the lawyer for the former driver.
The ruling does not force Uber to automatically sign contracts, and drivers will be forced to go to court to obtain requalification as employees.
But for the estimated 150 Uber drivers who have already filed cases, “these drivers will benefit from this ruling”, said Masson.
Gig economy at risk
Another lawyer who represents a dozen Uber drivers, Kevin Mention, said the ruling will eventually put the gig economy model at risk in France as it clearly described practices that are common to all firms that use it.
“If they don’t change their model today they are heading straight for the wall as it is certain qualification” for those who challenge their status as contractors.
Uber, for its part, said the ruling missed many of the changes it has made.
“During the past two years we have made many changes that give drivers more control over how they use the app as well as better social protection,” said a spokeswoman.
She said drivers choose Uber for the independence and flexibility it allows them and noted the Court of Cassation ruling contradicted its earlier decisions that said without an obligation to work their was not effective employment.
In the French case, the driver, who stopped working for Uber in 2016 after providing some 4,000 trips in under two years, sued to have his “commercial accord” reclassified as an employment contract.
He was seeking reimbursement for holidays and expenses as well as payment for “undeclared work” and unfair contract termination.
The former driver sued after Uber deactivated his account, “depriving him of the possibility to get new reservations”, according to the court.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-04--‘Real battle’ ahead after Biden overtakes Sanders as Democratic front-runner

US Democratic presidential candidates Senator Bernie Sanders , left , and former Vice President Joe Biden talk at the 10th Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston , South Carolina .
The Super Tuesday Democratic primary results – with Joe Biden winning nine states and Bernie Sanders winning just three but also likely to take California , the state with the most delegates – have cemented the Democratic contest as a two-horse race and set the stage for a drawn-out tussle for the 2020 presidential nomination .
Sanders , the left-wing Vermont senator , was the unquestionable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , by winning the California primary , he showed that he remains a formidable contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
But Biden pulled off a powerful upset even before Super Tuesday with his landslide victory in South Carolina last weekend , which turbocharged his campaign after drubbings in the first three primary contests .
The battle between their two divergent visions for the Democratic Party and the United States was centre stage on the most crucial day of the US presidential primaries , with 14 states , American Samoa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delegates .
On the one hand is Sanders ’ advocacy of wide-reaching change to reorder American society along left-wing lines , including universal healthcare and offering workers an ownership stake in corporations .
On the other is Biden ’ s incrementalist approach , demonstrated by his 36-year record as a senator known for being able to work with Republicans to advance centre-left priorities .
These two leading candidates imposed themselves on Super Tuesday amid humiliating performances for the alternative candidates on both wings of the party .
New York ’ s former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a billion dollars of his own fortune at Super Tuesday , banking on Biden continuing to flounder as he did in Iowa and New Hampshire .
This strategy bombed : The centrist ex-Republican only won the US territory of American Samoa .
As a result , on Wednesday Bloomberg announced he was dropping out of the race and subsequently endorsed Biden .
In Sanders ’ lane , left-wing Senator Elizabeth Warren came a distant third in her home state of Massachusetts .
“ It ’ s now a question of when , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Robert Singh , a professor of American politics at Birkbeck , University of London .
Biden ’ s victory in Warren ’ s home state was arguably the most striking manifestation of the former vice president ’ s resurgence .
Massachusetts is one of the most liberal states in the country , and Sanders was riding high in polls there in the run-up to the vote while the former vice president was not even seen as much of a contender .
“ It ’ s a remarkable achievement , ” Singh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s former vice president also pulled off unexpected victories in Oklahoma and Minnesota – two states Sanders won in his 2016 battle against Hillary Clinton .
Less surprisingly , Biden swept through his stronghold in the South , where his core constituency of moderates and African-Americans comprise a large part of the Democratic electorate .
Biden took Virginia , North Carolina , Alabama , Arkansas and Tennessee , as well as eking out a victory in Texas , the second-most-populous state and one of its most heterogeneous .
Exit polls showed that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest beneficiary of voters who made up their minds over the last few days .
“ It ’ s very significant that Biden won hugely among these voters , ” said Iwan Morgan , a professor of American politics at University College London .
“ While moderates were divided , Sanders was able to capitalise on his clear leadership of a large part of the party , but the fact that centrists Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg withdrew over recent days and swung support to Biden proved crucial.
” “ Suburban , white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden because many of them see him as more electable against Trump , and I suspect that elements of that constituency also see Sanders as too left-wing , as having a programme like that of [ British Labour party leader ] Jeremy Corbyn – lots of spending without explaining where the money would come from , ” Singh added .
Nevertheless , Super Tuesday showed that Sanders continues to perform well with Latino voters , a major factor behind his victories in California and Colorado , not to mention his previous triumph in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as Utah and his home state of Vermont – the self-proclaimed democratic socialist also showed his undiminished strength among the young , white voters who have been the bedrock of his support since the 2016 primaries .
Not only are they relying on different segments of the electorate , but the two leading candidates can be expected to draw on divergent strengths when it comes to the nitty-gritty of campaigning as they head towards a gruelling series of contests – including six primaries on March 10 , in Idaho , Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Washington .
“ Biden does well with the establishment ground game , getting endorsements , getting the support of establishment machines , ” noted Scott Lucas , an expert on US politics at Birmingham University .
“ Sanders ’ real advantage is committed activists : He ’ s got a lot of people to go out with posters and flyers , using social media.
” When it comes to getting the money to pay for these campaigns , Biden enjoyed a big boost after South Carolina in the wake of a disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president raised $ 15 million in three days .
Yet the ability to garner huge sums from a plethora of small donations remains one of Sanders ’ greatest strengths – as demonstrated by the record $ 46.5 billion his campaign raised in February from more than 2.2 million donations after months of out-raising his opponents .
“ Biden has clearly got political momentum , but when it comes to things like fundraising , Sanders is clearly playing it a lot better , ” Singh said .
“ The media are all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t write Sanders off.
” Given the respective strengths of both contenders , it is possible that neither Sanders nor Biden will have won a majority of delegates by the time of the Democratic convention in July .
“ A contested convention is not something that could easily be ruled out , ” Singh pointed out .
“ In light of the ferocity and zealotry of Sanders ’ base , you could see a real battle going on there .
It ’ s also possible that if one candidate wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rises again – especially if Biden wins when you ’ ve got a large part of the Democratic base supporting Sanders that is much further left than it was under Obama .
”

The Super Tuesday Democratic primary results – with Joe Biden winning nine states and Bernie Sanders winning just three but also likely to take California, the state with the most delegates – have cemented the Democratic contest as a two-horse race and set the stage for a drawn-out tussle for the 2020 presidential nomination.
US Democratic presidential candidates Senator Bernie Sanders, left, and former Vice President Joe Biden talk at the 10th Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Sanders, the left-wing Vermont senator, was the unquestionable front-runner ahead of Super Tuesday – and now, by winning the California primary, he showed that he remains a formidable contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
But Biden pulled off a powerful upset even before Super Tuesday with his landslide victory in South Carolina last weekend, which turbocharged his campaign after drubbings in the first three primary contests.
The battle between their two divergent visions for the Democratic Party and the United States was centre stage on the most crucial day of the US presidential primaries, with 14 states, American Samoa and American voters abroad awarding around one-third of the delegates.
On the one hand is Sanders’ advocacy of wide-reaching change to reorder American society along left-wing lines, including universal healthcare and offering workers an ownership stake in corporations. On the other is Biden’s incrementalist approach, demonstrated by his 36-year record as a senator known for being able to work with Republicans to advance centre-left priorities.
Biden’s ‘remarkable achievement’
These two leading candidates imposed themselves on Super Tuesday amid humiliating performances for the alternative candidates on both wings of the party.
New York’s former mayor Mike Bloomberg threw more than half a billion dollars of his own fortune at Super Tuesday, banking on Biden continuing to flounder as he did in Iowa and New Hampshire. This strategy bombed: The centrist ex-Republican only won the US territory of American Samoa. As a result, on Wednesday Bloomberg announced he was dropping out of the race and subsequently endorsed Biden.
In Sanders’ lane, left-wing Senator Elizabeth Warren came a distant third in her home state of Massachusetts. “It’s now a question of when, not if ... Warren leaves the race,” said Robert Singh, a professor of American politics at Birkbeck, University of London.
Biden’s victory in Warren’s home state was arguably the most striking manifestation of the former vice president’s resurgence. Massachusetts is one of the most liberal states in the country, and Sanders was riding high in polls there in the run-up to the vote while the former vice president was not even seen as much of a contender. “It’s a remarkable achievement,” Singh said.
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Former president Barack Obama’s former vice president also pulled off unexpected victories in Oklahoma and Minnesota – two states Sanders won in his 2016 battle against Hillary Clinton. Less surprisingly, Biden swept through his stronghold in the South, where his core constituency of moderates and African-Americans comprise a large part of the Democratic electorate. Biden took Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as eking out a victory in Texas, the second-most-populous state and one of its most heterogeneous.
Exit polls showed that in many Super Tuesday states Biden was the biggest beneficiary of voters who made up their minds over the last few days. “It’s very significant that Biden won hugely among these voters,” said Iwan Morgan, a professor of American politics at University College London. “While moderates were divided, Sanders was able to capitalise on his clear leadership of a large part of the party, but the fact that centrists Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg withdrew over recent days and swung support to Biden proved crucial.”
“Suburban, white, university-educated Democrats seemed to go for Biden because many of them see him as more electable against Trump, and I suspect that elements of that constituency also see Sanders as too left-wing, as having a programme like that of [British Labour party leader] Jeremy Corbyn – lots of spending without explaining where the money would come from,” Singh added.
‘You can’t write Sanders off’
Nevertheless, Super Tuesday showed that Sanders continues to perform well with Latino voters, a major factor behind his victories in California and Colorado, not to mention his previous triumph in Nevada. In capturing those states – as well as Utah and his home state of Vermont – the self-proclaimed democratic socialist also showed his undiminished strength among the young, white voters who have been the bedrock of his support since the 2016 primaries.
Not only are they relying on different segments of the electorate, but the two leading candidates can be expected to draw on divergent strengths when it comes to the nitty-gritty of campaigning as they head towards a gruelling series of contests – including six primaries on March 10, in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington.
“Biden does well with the establishment ground game, getting endorsements, getting the support of establishment machines,” noted Scott Lucas, an expert on US politics at Birmingham University. “Sanders’ real advantage is committed activists: He’s got a lot of people to go out with posters and flyers, using social media.”
When it comes to getting the money to pay for these campaigns, Biden enjoyed a big boost after South Carolina in the wake of a disappointing start. Following his comeback, the former vice president raised $15 million in three days. Yet the ability to garner huge sums from a plethora of small donations remains one of Sanders’ greatest strengths – as demonstrated by the record $46.5 billion his campaign raised in February from more than 2.2 million donations after months of out-raising his opponents.
“Biden has clearly got political momentum, but when it comes to things like fundraising, Sanders is clearly playing it a lot better,” Singh said. “The media are all over Biden at the moment, but you can’t write Sanders off.”
Given the respective strengths of both contenders, it is possible that neither Sanders nor Biden will have won a majority of delegates by the time of the Democratic convention in July.
“A contested convention is not something that could easily be ruled out,” Singh pointed out.
“In light of the ferocity and zealotry of Sanders’ base, you could see a real battle going on there. It’s also possible that if one candidate wins a narrow majority, the legitimacy issue rises again – especially if Biden wins when you’ve got a large part of the Democratic base supporting Sanders that is much further left than it was under Obama.”
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france24--2020-03-04--Bloomberg drops out of Democratic presidential primary race, endorses Biden

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden .
It was a stunning collapse for the former New York City mayor , who had his 2020 hopes on the Super Tuesday states and drained more than $ 500 million of his own fortune into the campaign .
Bloomberg announced his departure from the race after a disappointing finish on Super Tuesday in the slate of states that account for almost one-third of the total delegates available in the Democratic nominating contest .
He won only the territory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen delegates elsewhere .
Biden , meanwhile , won big in Southern states where Bloomberg had poured tens of millions of dollars and even cautiously hoped for a victory .
Two of his former Democratic rivals , Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg , dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden as the moderate alternative to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders just the day before Super Tuesday .
Bloomberg ran an unprecedented campaign from the start .
His late entrance into the race in November prompted him to skip campaigning in the first four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nevada and South Carolina .
He hung his success on Super Tuesday , spending at least $ 180 million on advertising in those states , but had planned to continue deep into the primary calendar , already spending millions on advertising in states like Florida , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
Before results poured in on Tuesday , he projected confidence while campaigning in Florida , only to have his aides say the campaign would reassess the next day .
Voters ultimately rejected Bloomberg ’ s argument that he was the candidate best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
The president , for his part , had paid close attention to the Democratic nominating contest and had been especially fixated on Bloomberg .
Trump regularly railed against his fellow New Yorker on Twitter , mocking his short stature by calling him “ Mini Mike ” and claiming Bloomberg was the candidate he wanted to run against .
On Tuesday , he called the results a “ complete destruction ” of Bloomberg ’ s reputation .
One of the world 's richest men Bloomberg , 78 , is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated $ 61 billion .
His fortune flows from the financial data and media company that bears his name , which he started in the 1980s .
In addition to serving 12 years as New York mayor , he endeared himself to progressive groups by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into fighting climate change and curbing gun violence .
In the early weeks of his campaign , he used his vast fortune to introduce himself to voters outside New York on his own terms , and his rivals accused him of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination and the White House .
As voting drew closer , the former Republican was forced to confront his Democratic rivals head on by appearing alongside them on a debate stage .
His first performance was shaky and uneven and caused voters to view him with a more critical eye .
He proved unable to overcome consistent criticism of New York ’ s use of the stop-and-frisk police practice under his tenure as mayor , which disproportionately targeted young black and Latino men for searches aimed at finding weapons .
The practice ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Bloomberg apologized for using it weeks before announcing his presidential run .
He similarly faced pointed criticism — primarily from rival Elizabeth Warren — about the treatment of women at his company , Bloomberg LP .
Under pressure from Warren , he said in mid-February he would release three women who sued him for harassment or discrimination complaints from confidentiality agreements .
Women who worked for Bloomberg were featured in a commercial praising Bloomberg ’ s and the company ’ s treatment of women , and his longtime partner Diana Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bloomberg was dogged by accusations he was trying to buy the Democratic presidential nomination .
His vast fortune proved a perfect foil for Sanders , who has said billionaires should not exist at all .
Indeed , Bloomberg had a vast circle of influence from his spending on key causes like gun control as well as his philanthropic efforts to boost American cities and provide leadership training for mayors .
Dozens of prominent mayors rallied behind his candidacy .
That , combined with Biden ’ s resurgence in South Carolina and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wing behind him , doomed Bloomberg ’ s case that he was the best candidate to take on both Sanders and Trump .
What ’ s next for Bloomberg is unclear .
He ’ d pledged to keep campaign offices open in key general election battleground states to help the Democrats defeat Trump even if he lost the party ’ s nomination .
But Sanders ’ campaign has said they do not want the help .

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. It was a stunning collapse for the former New York City mayor, who had his 2020 hopes on the Super Tuesday states and drained more than $500 million of his own fortune into the campaign.
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Bloomberg announced his departure from the race after a disappointing finish on Super Tuesday in the slate of states that account for almost one-third of the total delegates available in the Democratic nominating contest. He won only the territory of American Samoa, and picked up several dozen delegates elsewhere. Biden, meanwhile, won big in Southern states where Bloomberg had poured tens of millions of dollars and even cautiously hoped for a victory.
Two of his former Democratic rivals, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden as the moderate alternative to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders just the day before Super Tuesday.
Bloomberg ran an unprecedented campaign from the start. His late entrance into the race in November prompted him to skip campaigning in the first four voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. He hung his success on Super Tuesday, spending at least $180 million on advertising in those states, but had planned to continue deep into the primary calendar, already spending millions on advertising in states like Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Before results poured in on Tuesday, he projected confidence while campaigning in Florida, only to have his aides say the campaign would reassess the next day.
Voters ultimately rejected Bloomberg’s argument that he was the candidate best poised to take on Republican President Donald Trump. The president, for his part, had paid close attention to the Democratic nominating contest and had been especially fixated on Bloomberg. Trump regularly railed against his fellow New Yorker on Twitter, mocking his short stature by calling him “Mini Mike” and claiming Bloomberg was the candidate he wanted to run against. On Tuesday, he called the results a “complete destruction” of Bloomberg’s reputation.
One of the world's richest men
Bloomberg, 78, is one of the world’s richest men, worth an estimated $61 billion. His fortune flows from the financial data and media company that bears his name, which he started in the 1980s. In addition to serving 12 years as New York mayor, he endeared himself to progressive groups by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into fighting climate change and curbing gun violence.
In the early weeks of his campaign, he used his vast fortune to introduce himself to voters outside New York on his own terms, and his rivals accused him of trying to buy the party’s nomination and the White House. As voting drew closer, the former Republican was forced to confront his Democratic rivals head on by appearing alongside them on a debate stage. His first performance was shaky and uneven and caused voters to view him with a more critical eye.
He proved unable to overcome consistent criticism of New York’s use of the stop-and-frisk police practice under his tenure as mayor, which disproportionately targeted young black and Latino men for searches aimed at finding weapons. The practice ended after a federal judge declared it unconstitutional, and Bloomberg apologized for using it weeks before announcing his presidential run.
He similarly faced pointed criticism — primarily from rival Elizabeth Warren — about the treatment of women at his company, Bloomberg LP. Under pressure from Warren, he said in mid-February he would release three women who sued him for harassment or discrimination complaints from confidentiality agreements. Women who worked for Bloomberg were featured in a commercial praising Bloomberg’s and the company’s treatment of women, and his longtime partner Diana Taylor defended him as a champion of women.
Bloomberg was dogged by accusations he was trying to buy the Democratic presidential nomination. His vast fortune proved a perfect foil for Sanders, who has said billionaires should not exist at all. Indeed, Bloomberg had a vast circle of influence from his spending on key causes like gun control as well as his philanthropic efforts to boost American cities and provide leadership training for mayors. Dozens of prominent mayors rallied behind his candidacy.
That, combined with Biden’s resurgence in South Carolina and the rallying of the party’s moderate wing behind him, doomed Bloomberg’s case that he was the best candidate to take on both Sanders and Trump.
What’s next for Bloomberg is unclear. He’d pledged to keep campaign offices open in key general election battleground states to help the Democrats defeat Trump even if he lost the party’s nomination. But Sanders’ campaign has said they do not want the help.
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-04--Israel adds travelers from five European countries to coronavirus quarantine list

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( left ) and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman give a joint press conference regarding preparations and new regulations for the coronavirus , in Jerusalem on March 4 , 2020 .
Israel on Wednesday ordered a two-week quarantine on people arriving from France , Germany , Spain , Austria and Switzerland over coronavirus fears , after imposing similar measures on Italy and several Asian states .
“ We are at the peak of a global epidemic , ” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his announcement of the latest travel bans .
“ We are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... we have taken strict , very strict measures , to slow the spread of the virus , ” he added .
Israel currently has 15 confirmed cases of the virus but no deaths , with some 7,000 others already in home-quarantine .
The Jewish state previously issued quarantine instructions for all arrivals from mainland China , Hong Kong , Thailand , Singapore , Macau , South Korea , Japan and Italy .
In elections on Monday , thousands of people under quarantine voted at special polling stations staffed by officials in full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday ordered a ban on public gatherings of more than 5,000 people .

Israel on Wednesday ordered a two-week quarantine on people arriving from France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland over coronavirus fears, after imposing similar measures on Italy and several Asian states.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman give a joint press conference regarding preparations and new regulations for the coronavirus, in Jerusalem on March 4, 2020.
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“We are at the peak of a global epidemic,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his announcement of the latest travel bans.
“We are in a better situation than other countries because... we have taken strict, very strict measures, to slow the spread of the virus,” he added.
Israel currently has 15 confirmed cases of the virus but no deaths, with some 7,000 others already in home-quarantine.
The Jewish state previously issued quarantine instructions for all arrivals from mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Macau, South Korea, Japan and Italy.
In elections on Monday, thousands of people under quarantine voted at special polling stations staffed by officials in full protective gear.
The health ministry on Wednesday ordered a ban on public gatherings of more than 5,000 people.
(AFP)
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