france24--2020-03-12--Mayoral candidates fish for votes, credibility in Marseille’s abandoned north

Carved up by highways and dominated by huge concrete blocks , Marseille 's deprived northern neighbourhoods are home to a quarter of the city 's population .
Blighted by chronic joblessness and poverty , the northern districts of Marseille have earned an unwanted reputation as France ’ s crime capital .
Ahead of Sunday ’ s municipal elections , candidates are struggling to persuade the area ’ s long-neglected residents that this time real change is afoot .
Days ahead of the March 15 vote , a handful of youths and community activists are gathered in an apartment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concrete estate in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille .
They ’ re here to listen to Saïd Ahamada , the local MP , who is hoping to claim the mayoral seat on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron ’ s ruling LREM party .
Hemmed in by motorways , steep hills and one of the Mediterranean ’ s busiest ports , the area is one of four districts , or arrondissements , that make up the city ’ s notorious quartiers nord .
It is home to one of France ’ s most diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribute to in a fiery speech delivered three years ago on the campaign trail .
“ I see Armenians , Comorians , Italians , Algerians , Moroccans , Tunisians , Malians , Senegalese , Ivorians , ” he bellowed at the time , his voice hoarse .
“ But what do I see ?
I see citizens of Marseille , I see citizens of France.
” Ahamada , who was born to a Comorian father in the French overseas territory of La Réunion , is well aware that the latter part of Macron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inhabitants of Marseille ’ s most deprived neighbourhoods .
Those who hail from the quartiers nord “ are not treated like full-blown French citizens ” , he acknowledges , accusing politicians of having turned the northern districts into a ghetto .
Ahamada has showed up with a guest star , retired footballer Mamadou Niang , a former captain of the all-important club Olympique de Marseille , who is on the LREM ticket in Sunday ’ s mayoral contest .
“ When I see the state of our sports facilities , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skipper .
“ This is France ’ s second-biggest city and yet nothing is done for the kids , their hopes and dreams are snatched from them .
[ … ] By the time they ’ re 13 or 14 they start dealing drugs to make a little cash .
It ’ s a real problem.
” Addressing Niang , a young woman in the audience notes the lack of swimming pools in the quartiers nord .
She says , “ I love football , but there are kids here who don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ‘ We called the police , but they never came .
So we went to the dealers ’ Long a bastion of the left , northern Marseille is now a prime target for the far-right Rassemblement National ( RN ) , formerly known as the National Front .
At the last municipal elections , in 2014 , Marine Le Pen ’ s party secured its first ever win here , snatching the mayoral seat for the city ’ s 13th and 14th arrondissements , with 35 percent of votes cast ( against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and right ) .
According to Jean-Marc Coppola , the local candidate for the Printemps marseillais ( Marseille Spring ) , a coalition of left-wing parties , the far-right ’ s success in the northern districts is a direct result of decades of neglect by Marseille ’ s central town hall , which wields most of the power .
This sense of abandonment translates into record-high abstention levels , which typically favour the far right and its anti-establishment pitch .
At a campaign meeting in Coppola ’ s headquarters , his running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lyrical when describing the decrepit state of her school in the cité de la Castellane , best known as the birthplace of French football legend Zinedine Zidane .
Rats abound , roofs are collapsing , and “ a guy wielding a sword walked into the building four times ” , Hamadi says .
“ We called the police , but they never came .
So we went to the local dealers and the guy never showed up again , ” she sigh , her audience barely blinking .
Hamadi says her pupils are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ whether or not they wear a Muslim veil ” .
But she laments the fact that many of the kids have never even been to the Vieux-Port , the city ’ s cherished old port , a mere 20-minute drive away – but an hour-long journey by public transport .
Unlike in Paris , where the poorest communities have been pushed out into the suburbs , the most deprived areas of Marseille are still within the city , starting just north of its centre .
But the quartiers nord might just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such is the lack of basic infrastructure , including public transport and functioning schools .
“ Schools should be the number one priority , ” adds Coppola , noting that they fall under the central town hall ’ s remit .
He accuses Marseille ’ s long-time conservative mayor of abandoning public services and allowing “ the privatisation of all sectors , particularly education ” .
The fact that Coppola enjoys the support of several left-wing parties , from the Socialists to the Greens , marks a rare success for Marseille ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has rallied behind the Printemps marseillais – starting with the incumbent mayor for the 15th and 16th arrondissements , firebrand Senator Samia Ghali .
A fixture of local politics and a longtime maverick in the Socialist Party , Ghali made national headlines in 2012 when she called for the French army to be deployed in Marseille ’ s quartiers nord amid a spike in gang killings .
Eight years on , she maintains it was the right call to make .
“ It was my duty to speak out .
Basements were stashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the police were being complacent , ” she explains .
“ Today there are still murders , but what worries me most is how amorphous youths are .
They ’ re disillusioned .
It ’ s a frightening situation when you have a youth that has no faith in the Republic.
” Ghali ’ s dissident campaign has suffered a number of setbacks , not least with the defection of her former deputy , Roger Ruzé .
Two other councillors have also jumped ship , throwing their support behind LREM ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her fighting spirit , railing against her opponents on the left .
“ I got them elected , every one of them , ” she lashes out , her broken wrist resting on a shoulder strap .
“ The pseudo left that has never worked in the field , they have a right to be candidates , this is a democracy , but I ’ m the only one to have defeated the National Front.
” Far right on the prowl While the Socialist senator held on to her mayoral seat in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the neighbouring 13th and 14th arrondissements gave Marine Le Pen ’ s party control over its very first constituency with a population above 100,000 .
It ’ s a success both Coppola and Ahamada are keen to downplay , blaming record-high abstention levels – 55 percent in the quartiers nord in 2014 – for allowing the former National Front to slip through .
Stéphane Ravier , the man who has led the far right in Marseille for the past two decades , has scarcely changed his tactics since his stunning victory six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to boast about in terms of concrete results , his mairie de secteur ( the 13th and 14th arrondissements are grouped under one sector ) having only limited powers compared to Marseille ’ s central town hall .
So he has stuck to his outsider pitch , railing against a rigged “ system ” .
On a tour of local shops , Ravier rants against taxes and “ those who team up to fill their pockets ” .
His opponents “ will resort to any means to hold on to power ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral fraud , “ a scourge that is typical of elections in Marseille ” .
And when a bystander mutters , “ All you politicians make me sick ” , Ravier replies : “ With the others nothing will ever change , but with us there ’ s a real risk of change.
” Even as he plays the man-of-the-people card , the far-right candidate has called for an end to the construction of social housing… in the name of ecology .
“ Social housing means pouring concrete all over Marseille , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he explains .
“ Our parks and gardens are pillaged under the pretext that we need more public housing.
” Ravier argues that residents of the quartiers nord no longer want to live in their drab concrete cités , even if their upkeep is improved or metro links are finally provided .
He adds : “ People don ’ t want to stay there because there ’ s too much crime linked to drug dealing and Islamist radicalism .
There are plenty of empty dwellings already , so before we build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order.
” If there ’ s one thing all candidates in the quartiers nord agree on , it ’ s their damning verdict on the “ 25 years of inaction ” by Jean-Claude Gaudin , Marseille ’ s outgoing mayor , who has governed France ’ s second largest city since 1995 , consistently favouring its wealthier southern constituents .
Even Moussa Maaskri , the local conservative candidate , concedes that the residents of Marseille ’ s four northern arrondissements have every reason to be angry .
“ The people are right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been spurned and neglected , ” says the former actor , who is standing for Gaudin ’ s designated successor , Martine Vassal , in the 15th and 16th arrondissements .
Maaskri , who was raised by Algerian parents in a cité of Marseille , promises that this time “ we will really take care of the quartiers ” .
But residents of Marseille ’ s deprived north have heard many such promises before , most of them empty , and the steadily declining turnout suggests they ’ ve run out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Marseille to be with us , to have faith , because they are the ones who can bring about change , ” says LREM ’ s Ahamada , honing his “ Macronian ” pitch .
“ We ’ re at a crossroads , ” adds his rival in the Printemps marseillais .
“ Either we bring about real change , or we will sink deeper into ghettos and lose all control.
” This article was adapted from the original in French .

French Local Elections
Blighted by chronic joblessness and poverty, the northern districts of Marseille have earned an unwanted reputation as France’s crime capital. Ahead of Sunday’s municipal elections, candidates are struggling to persuade the area’s long-neglected residents that this time real change is afoot.
Carved up by highways and dominated by huge concrete blocks, Marseille's deprived northern neighbourhoods are home to a quarter of the city's population.
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Days ahead of the March 15 vote, a handful of youths and community activists are gathered in an apartment in the Cité de la Viste, a sprawling concrete estate in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille. They’re here to listen to Saïd Ahamada, the local MP, who is hoping to claim the mayoral seat on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling LREM party.
Hemmed in by motorways, steep hills and one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports, the area is one of four districts, or arrondissements, that make up the city’s notorious quartiers nord. It is home to one of France’s most diverse populations, a melting pot Macron paid tribute to in a fiery speech delivered three years ago on the campaign trail.
“I see Armenians, Comorians, Italians, Algerians, Moroccans, Tunisians, Malians, Senegalese, Ivorians,” he bellowed at the time, his voice hoarse. “But what do I see? I see citizens of Marseille, I see citizens of France.”
Ahamada, who was born to a Comorian father in the French overseas territory of La Réunion, is well aware that the latter part of Macron’s speech rings hollow to many inhabitants of Marseille’s most deprived neighbourhoods.
Those who hail from the quartiers nord “are not treated like full-blown French citizens”, he acknowledges, accusing politicians of having turned the northern districts into a ghetto.
Saïd Ahamada, the candidate for France's ruling LREM party, acknowledges that residents of Marseille's northern districts have been discriminated again. © David Gormezano, FRANCE 24
Ahamada has showed up with a guest star, retired footballer Mamadou Niang, a former captain of the all-important club Olympique de Marseille, who is on the LREM ticket in Sunday’s mayoral contest.
“When I see the state of our sports facilities, I’m shocked,” says the former Marseille skipper. “This is France’s second-biggest city and yet nothing is done for the kids, their hopes and dreams are snatched from them. […] By the time they’re 13 or 14 they start dealing drugs to make a little cash. It’s a real problem.”
Addressing Niang, a young woman in the audience notes the lack of swimming pools in the quartiers nord. She says, “I love football, but there are kids here who don’t even know how to swim!”
‘We called the police, but they never came. So we went to the dealers’
Long a bastion of the left, northern Marseille is now a prime target for the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), formerly known as the National Front. At the last municipal elections, in 2014, Marine Le Pen’s party secured its first ever win here, snatching the mayoral seat for the city’s 13th and 14th arrondissements, with 35 percent of votes cast (against 32 percent each for the mainstream left and right).
According to Jean-Marc Coppola, the local candidate for the Printemps marseillais (Marseille Spring), a coalition of left-wing parties, the far-right’s success in the northern districts is a direct result of decades of neglect by Marseille’s central town hall, which wields most of the power. This sense of abandonment translates into record-high abstention levels, which typically favour the far right and its anti-establishment pitch.
At a campaign meeting in Coppola’s headquarters, his running mate Farida Hamadi, a teacher, waxes lyrical when describing the decrepit state of her school in the cité de la Castellane, best known as the birthplace of French football legend Zinedine Zidane.
Rats abound, roofs are collapsing, and “a guy wielding a sword walked into the building four times”, Hamadi says. “We called the police, but they never came. So we went to the local dealers and the guy never showed up again,” she sigh, her audience barely blinking.
Teacher Farida Hamadi addresses a meeting of the left-wing Printemps marseillais platform, led by Jean-Marc Coppola. © David Gormezano
Hamadi says her pupils are mostly well-behaved and their parents are dedicated, “whether or not they wear a Muslim veil”. But she laments the fact that many of the kids have never even been to the Vieux-Port, the city’s cherished old port, a mere 20-minute drive away – but an hour-long journey by public transport.
Unlike in Paris, where the poorest communities have been pushed out into the suburbs, the most deprived areas of Marseille are still within the city, starting just north of its centre. But the quartiers nord might just as well be in a different world such is the lack of basic infrastructure, including public transport and functioning schools.
“Schools should be the number one priority,” adds Coppola, noting that they fall under the central town hall’s remit. He accuses Marseille’s long-time conservative mayor of abandoning public services and allowing “the privatisation of all sectors, particularly education”.
A disillusioned youth
The fact that Coppola enjoys the support of several left-wing parties, from the Socialists to the Greens, marks a rare success for Marseille’s notoriously fractured left. But not everyone has rallied behind the Printemps marseillais – starting with the incumbent mayor for the 15th and 16th arrondissements, firebrand Senator Samia Ghali.
A fixture of local politics and a longtime maverick in the Socialist Party, Ghali made national headlines in 2012 when she called for the French army to be deployed in Marseille’s quartiers nord amid a spike in gang killings. Eight years on, she maintains it was the right call to make.
“It was my duty to speak out. Basements were stashed with assault weapons and the feedback was that the police were being complacent,” she explains. “Today there are still murders, but what worries me most is how amorphous youths are. They’re disillusioned. It’s a frightening situation when you have a youth that has no faith in the Republic.”
A poster for Senator Samia Ghali, who has refused to join other left-wingers in a common platform. © David Gormezano, FRANCE 24
Ghali’s dissident campaign has suffered a number of setbacks, not least with the defection of her former deputy, Roger Ruzé. Two other councillors have also jumped ship, throwing their support behind LREM’s Ahamada. But Ghali has lost none of her fighting spirit, railing against her opponents on the left.
“I got them elected, every one of them,” she lashes out, her broken wrist resting on a shoulder strap. “The pseudo left that has never worked in the field, they have a right to be candidates, this is a democracy, but I’m the only one to have defeated the National Front.”
Far right on the prowl
While the Socialist senator held on to her mayoral seat in 2014, the far-right’s victory in the neighbouring 13th and 14th arrondissements gave Marine Le Pen’s party control over its very first constituency with a population above 100,000.
It’s a success both Coppola and Ahamada are keen to downplay, blaming record-high abstention levels – 55 percent in the quartiers nord in 2014 – for allowing the former National Front to slip through.
Stéphane Ravier, the man who has led the far right in Marseille for the past two decades, has scarcely changed his tactics since his stunning victory six years ago. The 50-year-old has little to boast about in terms of concrete results, his mairie de secteur (the 13th and 14th arrondissements are grouped under one sector) having only limited powers compared to Marseille’s central town hall. So he has stuck to his outsider pitch, railing against a rigged “system”.
On a tour of local shops, Ravier rants against taxes and “those who team up to fill their pockets”. His opponents “will resort to any means to hold on to power”, he warns, raising the spectre of electoral fraud, “a scourge that is typical of elections in Marseille”. And when a bystander mutters, “All you politicians make me sick”, Ravier replies: “With the others nothing will ever change, but with us there’s a real risk of change.”
Stéphane Ravier, the far-right candidate, is hoping to build on his surprise success six years ago. © David Gormezano, FRANCE 24
Even as he plays the man-of-the-people card, the far-right candidate has called for an end to the construction of social housing… in the name of ecology.
“Social housing means pouring concrete all over Marseille, when the city is already out of breath,” he explains. “Our parks and gardens are pillaged under the pretext that we need more public housing.”
Ravier argues that residents of the quartiers nord no longer want to live in their drab concrete cités, even if their upkeep is improved or metro links are finally provided.
He adds: “People don’t want to stay there because there’s too much crime linked to drug dealing and Islamist radicalism. There are plenty of empty dwellings already, so before we build some more let’s restore law and order.”
Broken promises
If there’s one thing all candidates in the quartiers nord agree on, it’s their damning verdict on the “25 years of inaction” by Jean-Claude Gaudin, Marseille’s outgoing mayor, who has governed France’s second largest city since 1995, consistently favouring its wealthier southern constituents.
Even Moussa Maaskri, the local conservative candidate, concedes that the residents of Marseille’s four northern arrondissements have every reason to be angry.
“The people are right to be cross, because they’ve been spurned and neglected,” says the former actor, who is standing for Gaudin’s designated successor, Martine Vassal, in the 15th and 16th arrondissements. Maaskri, who was raised by Algerian parents in a cité of Marseille, promises that this time “we will really take care of the quartiers”.
But residents of Marseille’s deprived north have heard many such promises before, most of them empty, and the steadily declining turnout suggests they’ve run out of patience.
“We need the people of Marseille to be with us, to have faith, because they are the ones who can bring about change,” says LREM’s Ahamada, honing his “Macronian” pitch.
“We’re at a crossroads,” adds his rival in the Printemps marseillais. “Either we bring about real change, or we will sink deeper into ghettos and lose all control.”
Moussa Maaskri, the conservative candidate, says voters in the northern districts of Marseille have every reason to be angry. © David Gormezano, FRANCE 24
This article was adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-03-12--Spain's coronavirus toll surges as Real Madrid go into quarantine, La Liga suspended

Real Madrid players during the warm up before the match against Real Betis , March 8 , 2020 .
Spanish football team Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday as La Liga announced the country 's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks over the coronavirus , as Spain 's toll from the disease has soared to nearly 3,000 cases – quadrupling in more than three days –- with 87 deaths .
A cabinet member is among those infected .
La Liga authorities made the decision after Real Madrid confirmed its senior football team is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basketball players tested positive for the virus .
Real Madrid 's football and basketball players share facilities at Ciudad Real Madrid , the club 's training ground in Valdebebas .
A club statement read : `` A player from our basketball first team has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus .
`` Since then , the recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team , given that the two squads share facilities in Ciudad Real Madrid .
`` Likewise , it has been decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who work there remain in quarantine . ''
La Liga has also followed Italy 's Serie A in suspending its matches , after a meeting on Thursday with the Spanish Football Federation and the Spanish Players Union ( AFE ) .
It had been decided on Tuesday that games in Spain 's top two divisions would be held behind closed doors but those fixtures over the next 14 days will now be suspended .
Real 's second leg away to Manchester City in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for next Tuesday , is also in serious doubt .
Barcelona have already confirmed their tie against Napoli at Camp Nou on Wednesday will be played without fans , although UEFA is facing mounting pressure to postpone completely both the Champions League and Europa League .
Domestic league matches in France , Germany and Portugal have been put behind closed doors while Serie A in Italy has been suspended until April 3 .
A La Liga statement read : `` In view of the circumstances known this morning , referring to the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive tests from players at other clubs , La Liga considers that the circumstances now exist to continue with the next phase of action against COVID-19 . ''
`` La Liga agrees to suspend at least the next two matchdays , '' the statement added .
`` This decision will be re-evaluated after the quarantine at affected clubs and other possible situations that could occur have ended . ''
And not just sport The suspension of Spain ’ s iconic football league comes as equality minister Irene Montero tested positive for coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias , on Thursday .
`` This morning , all members of the government will undergo testing , '' the government ’ s statement added , indicating the results would be published later in the day .
Spain 's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will hold all meetings via video conference in response to Montero ’ s infection .
Sanchez will head a reduced cabinet meeting on Thursday only attended by the ministers whose presence is needed to approve new measures against coronavirus spreading .

Spanish football team Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday as La Liga announced the country's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks over the coronavirus, as Spain's toll from the disease has soared to nearly 3,000 cases – quadrupling in more than three days –- with 87 deaths. A cabinet member is among those infected.
Real Madrid players during the warm up before the match against Real Betis, March 8, 2020.
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La Liga authorities made the decision after Real Madrid confirmed its senior football team is in quarantine after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for the virus. Real Madrid's football and basketball players share facilities at Ciudad Real Madrid, the club's training ground in Valdebebas.
A club statement read: "A player from our basketball first team has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
"Since then, the recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team, given that the two squads share facilities in Ciudad Real Madrid.
"Likewise, it has been decided to close the facilities at our training ground and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who work there remain in quarantine."
La Liga has also followed Italy's Serie A in suspending its matches, after a meeting on Thursday with the Spanish Football Federation and the Spanish Players Union (AFE).
It had been decided on Tuesday that games in Spain's top two divisions would be held behind closed doors but those fixtures over the next 14 days will now be suspended.
Real's second leg away to Manchester City in the Champions League last 16, scheduled for next Tuesday, is also in serious doubt.
Barcelona have already confirmed their tie against Napoli at Camp Nou on Wednesday will be played without fans, although UEFA is facing mounting pressure to postpone completely both the Champions League and Europa League.
Domestic league matches in France, Germany and Portugal have been put behind closed doors while Serie A in Italy has been suspended until April 3.
A La Liga statement read: "In view of the circumstances known this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible positive tests from players at other clubs, La Liga considers that the circumstances now exist to continue with the next phase of action against COVID-19."
"La Liga agrees to suspend at least the next two matchdays," the statement added. "This decision will be re-evaluated after the quarantine at affected clubs and other possible situations that could occur have ended."
And not just sport
The suspension of Spain’s iconic football league comes as equality minister Irene Montero tested positive for coronavirus and was quarantined along with her boyfriend, deputy prime minister and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, on Thursday.
"This morning, all members of the government will undergo testing," the government’s statement added, indicating the results would be published later in the day.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will hold all meetings via video conference in response to Montero’s infection.
Sanchez will head a reduced cabinet meeting on Thursday only attended by the ministers whose presence is needed to approve new measures against coronavirus spreading.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Americans in Europe rush to get back after Trump coronavirus order

Travellers wearing protective face masks line up at the Delta Air Lines ticketing desk inside Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in Roissy , after the U.S. banned travel from Europe , as France grapples with an outbreak of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , March 12 , 2020 .
Bleary-eyed and stressed , travellers scrambled at European airports to board flights to the United States on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping travel restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus .
The 30-day travel order will apply to citizens of 26 European countries but exclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens .
They take effect from midnight on Friday .
Trump 's announcement has disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of people and hit airlines already reeling from the coronavirus outbreak , which has now been branded a pandemic and has killed more than 4,600 people worldwide .
`` It caused a mass panic , '' said 20-year-old Anna Grace , a U.S. student at Suffolk University who was on her first trip to Europe and swiftly changed her booking to fly back home from Madrid 's Barajas airport instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cristina Elvira , a pensioner travelling to Miami felt relieved to leave Spain , where new cases have increased exponentially over the past days to make it the most badly affected European country after Italy and France .
`` We are lucky to be able to leave Europe , '' Elvira said as she checked in for her flight , one of around 20 from Spain to the United States scheduled for Thursday .
Some , however , were worried about what to expect when they arrive in the United States .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bring the trip forward because , if not , I would have found the border closed , '' said Miguel Paracuellos , a Spaniard who works in the United States .
`` It is a measure that Trump has taken because as he is inept and has not been able to take any action there , he is somewhat blaming the external enemy , in this case Europe . ''
Trump said he had to act because the European Union had failed to take adequate measures to halt the spread of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roissy Charles de Gaulle , Jon Lindfors echoed the criticism of Trump , who had triggered confusion by initially suggesting that `` trade and cargo '' from Europe would also be banned .
He later clarified in a tweet that `` trade will in no way be affected '' .
`` It was n't clear what Trump meant .
It was a poorly planned , poorly worded statement , '' said Lindfors , who works for an hydraulic equipment firm and had been due to fly home on Saturday at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Trump said that it 's not a health crisis but it is , that it 's not an economic crisis but it is .
We do n't believe what Trump says anymore . ''
A Delta crew member said Trump ’ s travel ban had caught the airline off-guard .
`` It 's going to be a big mess , ” said the crew member , who asked not to be named .
`` We were not expecting something like that .
We do n't have all the details to know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company . ''

Bleary-eyed and stressed, travellers scrambled at European airports to board flights to the United States on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping travel restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Travellers wearing protective face masks line up at the Delta Air Lines ticketing desk inside Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in Roissy, after the U.S. banned travel from Europe, as France grapples with an outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), March 12, 2020.
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The 30-day travel order will apply to citizens of 26 European countries but exclude Britain and Ireland as well as American citizens. They take effect from midnight on Friday.
Trump's announcement has disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of people and hit airlines already reeling from the coronavirus outbreak, which has now been branded a pandemic and has killed more than 4,600 people worldwide.
"It caused a mass panic," said 20-year-old Anna Grace, a U.S. student at Suffolk University who was on her first trip to Europe and swiftly changed her booking to fly back home from Madrid's Barajas airport instead of going on to France.
Nearby, Cristina Elvira, a pensioner travelling to Miami felt relieved to leave Spain, where new cases have increased exponentially over the past days to make it the most badly affected European country after Italy and France.
"We are lucky to be able to leave Europe," Elvira said as she checked in for her flight, one of around 20 from Spain to the United States scheduled for Thursday.
'Inept'
Some, however, were worried about what to expect when they arrive in the United States.
"I have had to change my ticket and bring the trip forward because, if not, I would have found the border closed," said Miguel Paracuellos, a Spaniard who works in the United States.
"It is a measure that Trump has taken because as he is inept and has not been able to take any action there, he is somewhat blaming the external enemy, in this case Europe."
Trump said he had to act because the European Union had failed to take adequate measures to halt the spread of coronavirus.
At Paris's main international airport, Roissy Charles de Gaulle, Jon Lindfors echoed the criticism of Trump, who had triggered confusion by initially suggesting that "trade and cargo" from Europe would also be banned. He later clarified in a tweet that "trade will in no way be affected".
"It wasn't clear what Trump meant. It was a poorly planned, poorly worded statement," said Lindfors, who works for an hydraulic equipment firm and had been due to fly home on Saturday at the end of a seven-day visit to France.
"Trump said that it's not a health crisis but it is, that it's not an economic crisis but it is. We don't believe what Trump says anymore."
A Delta crew member said Trump’s travel ban had caught the airline off-guard.
"It's going to be a big mess,” said the crew member, who asked not to be named. "We were not expecting something like that. We don't have all the details to know what it means for us and for the company."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Trump suspends travel to US from 26 European countries for 30 days over coronavirus

US President Donald Trump speaks about the US response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic during an address to the nation in Washington , DC , US , March 11 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed sweeping restrictions to prevent people from 26 European countries from travelling to the United States for a month as he responded to mounting pressure to take action against the spread of the coronavirus .
The president took the dramatic step in a somber Oval Office speech as he battled to address the health and economic shocks to Americans from the sometimes fatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not taken the threat seriously enough .
The travel order does not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland , and does not apply to American citizens .
Trump also announced several economic steps aimed at cushioning the blow to American businesses struggling with a sudden loss of consumer demand .
`` This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history , '' he said .
`` I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures , we will significantly reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus . ''
After triggering confusion by suggesting that “ trade and cargo ” from Europe would also be banned , Trump was forced to clarify his statement with a tweet moments after the speech that “ trade will in no way be affected ” by the travel restriction .
`` The restriction stops people not goods , '' he said in the tweet .
For its part the EU expressed opposition to Trump ’ s decision .
`` The European Union disapproves of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation , '' the statement said , adding that the EU is taking `` strong '' measures to limit the spread of the virus .
European markets reacted badly to the news from Washington .
Shortly after they opened , London 's benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 5.3 percent , Frankfurt 's DAX 30 plunged 5.8 percent , the Paris CAC 40 tumbled 5.1 percent and Madrid 's stock exchange down by 5.5 percent .
Switzerland 's bourse got off a little more lightly , falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slid too , as the president spoke , down more than 4 percent and signaling another day of losses awaits Wall Street .
Trump , whose re-election bid on November 3 could hinge on how well he responds to a crisis that has suddenly enveloped his presidency , stopped short of declaring a national emergency .
The president used the Oval Office for the speech , a venue he has largely avoided in favour of free-wheeling , unscripted remarks elsewhere , and he did not appear entirely comfortable in the setting , reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expletive in an off-mic moment .
His goal was to show he is on top of the situation after facing criticism from Democrats for not moving quickly enough to provide coronavirus testing for Americans .
But he failed to mention other pressing issues such as accelerating the production of testing kits and face masks .
Trump pulled no punches in saying Europe was partly to blame for the virus ' spread in the United States , where it has killed at least 37 people and infected 1,281 .
His travel restrictions on Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel from China earlier this year when the illness was spreading wildly there .
“ The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hot spots .
As a result , a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travellers from Europe , '' he said .
Trump signed an order that suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austria , Belgium , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Iceland , Italy , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden and Switzerland , the Homeland Security Department said .
The order did not apply to American citizens , legal permanent residents of the United States , immediate family members of US citizens and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conditions on the ground .
The US State Department issued a travel advisory on its website on Wednesday , advising US citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
As the US stock market took another hit from the virus on Wednesday , Trump said he would take emergency action to provide financial relief for workers who are ill , quarantined or caring for others due to the illness .
He said he was instructing the Treasury Department to defer tax payments without interest or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump added he was also instructing the Small Business Administration to provide capital and liquidity to firms affected by the virus .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed sweeping restrictions to prevent people from 26 European countries from travelling to the United States for a month as he responded to mounting pressure to take action against the spread of the coronavirus.
US President Donald Trump speaks about the US response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic during an address to the nation in Washington, DC, US, March 11, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The president took the dramatic step in a somber Oval Office speech as he battled to address the health and economic shocks to Americans from the sometimes fatal virus and responded to criticism he has not taken the threat seriously enough.
The travel order does not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and does not apply to American citizens.
Trump also announced several economic steps aimed at cushioning the blow to American businesses struggling with a sudden loss of consumer demand.
"This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history," he said.
"I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures, we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens, and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus."
European stocks react badly
After triggering confusion by suggesting that “trade and cargo” from Europe would also be banned, Trump was forced to clarify his statement with a tweet moments after the speech that “trade will in no way be affected” by the travel restriction. "The restriction stops people not goods," he said in the tweet.
For its part the EU expressed opposition to Trump’s decision. "The European Union disapproves of the fact that the US decision to improve a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation," the statement said, adding that the EU is taking "strong" measures to limit the spread of the virus.
European markets reacted badly to the news from Washington. Shortly after they opened, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 5.3 percent, Frankfurt's DAX 30 plunged 5.8 percent, the Paris CAC 40 tumbled 5.1 percent and Madrid's stock exchange down by 5.5 percent. Switzerland's bourse got off a little more lightly, falling by 4.8 percent.
Hoping to get the payroll tax cut approved by both Republicans and Democrats, and please remember, very important for all countries & businesses to know that trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe. The restriction stops people not goods. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2020
US stock futures slid too, as the president spoke, down more than 4 percent and signaling another day of losses awaits Wall Street.
Trump, whose re-election bid on November 3 could hinge on how well he responds to a crisis that has suddenly enveloped his presidency, stopped short of declaring a national emergency.
The president used the Oval Office for the speech, a venue he has largely avoided in favour of free-wheeling, unscripted remarks elsewhere, and he did not appear entirely comfortable in the setting, reading through his speech quickly and uttering an expletive in an off-mic moment.
His goal was to show he is on top of the situation after facing criticism from Democrats for not moving quickly enough to provide coronavirus testing for Americans.
But he failed to mention other pressing issues such as accelerating the production of testing kits and face masks.
European precautions not enough
Trump pulled no punches in saying Europe was partly to blame for the virus' spread in the United States, where it has killed at least 37 people and infected 1,281.
His travel restrictions on Europe were similar to what he declared on travel from China earlier this year when the illness was spreading wildly there.
02:31
“The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hot spots. As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travellers from Europe," he said.
Trump signed an order that suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States.
The list of countries included Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, the Homeland Security Department said.
The order did not apply to American citizens, legal permanent residents of the United States, immediate family members of US citizens and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.
Trump said the restrictions will be adjusted subject to conditions on the ground.
The US State Department issued a travel advisory on its website on Wednesday, advising US citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
As the US stock market took another hit from the virus on Wednesday, Trump said he would take emergency action to provide financial relief for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to the illness.
He said he was instructing the Treasury Department to defer tax payments without interest or penalties for certain businesses and individuals affected.
Trump added he was also instructing the Small Business Administration to provide capital and liquidity to firms affected by the virus.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Coronavirus in Italy: From Florence to Palermo, tourism and economy grind to a halt

Coronavirus in Italy : From Florence to Palermo , tourism and economy grind to a halt As Italy reels from @ @ @ @ @ 827 dead and nearly 12,500 cases , the entire country is under quarantine .
From @ @ @ @ @ , to the Sicilian capital Palermo , to the large port of Genoa , our @ @ @ @ @ of the virus on tourism and the Italian economy .
Their report was filmed just @ @ @ @ @ into force , closing all stores except for pharmacies and food shops .

Coronavirus in Italy: From Florence to Palermo, tourism and economy grind to a halt
05:54 FOCUS © FRANCE 24
By: Natalia MENDOZA | Danilo ARNONE | Charlotte DAVAN WETTON
As Italy reels from the coronavirus pandemic, with 827 dead and nearly 12,500 cases, the entire country is under quarantine. From the Tuscan city of Florence, to the Sicilian capital Palermo, to the large port of Genoa, our correspondents measured the catastrophic impact of the virus on tourism and the Italian economy. Their report was filmed just before further restrictive measures came into force, closing all stores except for pharmacies and food shops.


france24--2020-03-12--China coronavirus epicentre records single-digit cases as restrictions eased

China had eight new coronavirus infections in Hubei province , the first time the epicentre of the pandemic recorded a daily tally in single-digits , as more businesses reopened with local authorities cautiously easing strict containment measures .
As the spread of the virus continues to slow , Hubei province announced on Thursday a further loosening of travel restrictions and will also allow some industries to resume production in two of its cities and two counties .
Hubei 's economy , driven by manufacturing and trade , including a sizable auto sector in the provincial capital Wuhan , had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading quickly globally , its progress in China has slowed markedly in the past seven days , a result of weeks of strict measures imposed to control the movement of people and traffic , including the virtual lockdown of Wuhan , a city of 11 million people .
Wuhan reported all of the new cases on Wednesday , the National Health Commission said on Thursday .
Outside of Hubei , mainland China had seven new cases , including six cases imported from abroad .
Of the six imported cases , Guangdong province accounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henan province were responsible for two and one , respectively .
Overall , the 15 new confirmed cases in mainland China on Wednesday was a drop from 24 cases a day earlier .
That brings the total number of confirmed cases recorded in mainland China to 80,793 .
As of Tuesday , 62,793 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital , or nearly 80 % of the overall infections .
As of the end of Wednesday , the death toll in mainland China had reached 3,169 , up by 11 from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new deaths , including seven in Wuhan .
The ruling Communist Party newspaper , the People 's Daily , warned in an editorial that while the number of new virus cases in China is falling , conditions were still difficult and there were risks of further outbreaks .
China is focusing on restarting factories and businesses hit by strict containment policies which prevented millions of people from travelling and returning to work after extended China Lunar New Year holidays .
Factory activity plunged to its worst level on record in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks as containment measures are eased , analysts do not expect activity to return to normal levels till April .
Airlines were hit particularly hard during the last several weeks , with Chinese airlines reporting a total loss of 20.96 billion yuan in February .
The total number of airline passengers last month fell 84.5 % year-on-year in comparison to the same time last year , China 's aviation regulator said Thursday .
Local governments must do their utmost to ensure people return to work as soon as possible , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many businesses are still facing labour shortages and supply-chain disruptions , the China Daily said .
`` The epidemic control measures have put an enormous strain on China 's enterprises , especially the small and medium-sized ones in the service sector , '' it said .
`` Any further delay in their return to normal operations will entail widespread bankruptcies and job losses , which will threaten social stability . ''
The Hubei government on Wednesday said Wuhan will allow some key industries to resume work .
On Thursday it said further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cities of Qianjian and Shishou , the counties of Gongan and Zhuxi , and vary according to local conditions .
In Zhuxi county some industries are allowed to return to work , but service-related industries like cinemas , bars and restaurants remain barred from work resumption .
In Qianjiang , a city of 1 million , the government said that it will arrange for special transports for people to return to their jobs , or if they 're from other provinces , and will be allowed to travel within the province .

China had eight new coronavirus infections in Hubei province, the first time the epicentre of the pandemic recorded a daily tally in single-digits, as more businesses reopened with local authorities cautiously easing strict containment measures.
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As the spread of the virus continues to slow, Hubei province announced on Thursday a further loosening of travel restrictions and will also allow some industries to resume production in two of its cities and two counties.
Hubei's economy, driven by manufacturing and trade, including a sizable auto sector in the provincial capital Wuhan, had been virtually shuttered.
While the virus is spreading quickly globally, its progress in China has slowed markedly in the past seven days, a result of weeks of strict measures imposed to control the movement of people and traffic, including the virtual lockdown of Wuhan, a city of 11 million people.
Wuhan reported all of the new cases on Wednesday, the National Health Commission said on Thursday. Outside of Hubei, mainland China had seven new cases, including six cases imported from abroad.
Of the six imported cases, Guangdong province accounted for three, while Gansu province and Henan province were responsible for two and one, respectively.
Overall, the 15 new confirmed cases in mainland China on Wednesday was a drop from 24 cases a day earlier.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases recorded in mainland China to 80,793. As of Tuesday, 62,793 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital, or nearly 80% of the overall infections.
As of the end of Wednesday, the death toll in mainland China had reached 3,169, up by 11 from the previous day. Hubei accounted for 10 of the new deaths, including seven in Wuhan.
The ruling Communist Party newspaper, the People's Daily, warned in an editorial that while the number of new virus cases in China is falling, conditions were still difficult and there were risks of further outbreaks.
Focus on production restarts
China is focusing on restarting factories and businesses hit by strict containment policies which prevented millions of people from travelling and returning to work after extended China Lunar New Year holidays.
Factory activity plunged to its worst level on record in February, and while more businesses have reopened in recent weeks as containment measures are eased, analysts do not expect activity to return to normal levels till April.
Airlines were hit particularly hard during the last several weeks, with Chinese airlines reporting a total loss of 20.96 billion yuan in February. The total number of airline passengers last month fell 84.5% year-on-year in comparison to the same time last year, China's aviation regulator said Thursday.
Local governments must do their utmost to ensure people return to work as soon as possible, the official China Daily said in an editorial.
Many businesses are still facing labour shortages and supply-chain disruptions, the China Daily said.
"The epidemic control measures have put an enormous strain on China's enterprises, especially the small and medium-sized ones in the service sector," it said.
"Any further delay in their return to normal operations will entail widespread bankruptcies and job losses, which will threaten social stability."
The Hubei government on Wednesday said Wuhan will allow some key industries to resume work.
On Thursday it said further easings of containment measures will apply to the cities of Qianjian and Shishou, the counties of Gongan and Zhuxi, and vary according to local conditions.
In Zhuxi county some industries are allowed to return to work, but service-related industries like cinemas, bars and restaurants remain barred from work resumption.
In Qianjiang, a city of 1 million, the government said that it will arrange for special transports for people to return to their jobs, or if they're from other provinces, and will be allowed to travel within the province.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Violence as Chile marks right-winger Pinera's two years in power

A demonstrator with a placard that reads `` Get out Pinera '' takes part in a protest against Chile 's government in Santiago , Chile , March 11 , 2020 .
Students clashed with riot police in Chile 's capital Santiago during protests that marked the second anniversary of conservative President Sebastian Pinera taking office on Wednesday .
The protests coincided with the 30th anniversary of Chile 's return to democracy after Augusto Pinochet 's 1973-1990 dictatorship .
During a ceremony in Santiago , Pinera said that 30 years of democratic rule in Chile had been a `` fertile '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of poverty .
But he also recognized shortcomings and inequalities that hurt `` the soul of our nation . ''
`` We have not sufficiently taken into account the fears and shortcomings of our middle class .
We have not progressed strongly enough towards full equality between men and women .
We have not fought with sufficient will against the abuses and the privileges of others , '' said Pinera .
Fueled by outrage at Pinera and the Chilean elite that controls most of the country 's wealth , the South American nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest since the transition to democracy in 1990 .
Thirty people have been killed in the protests , many as a result of a heavy-handed police response condemned as repressive by UN investigators .
Thousands have been wounded .
The main aim of the continuing protests is to pressure Pinera to expand social reforms he has already proposed .
The most serious of Wednesday 's disturbances occurred outside the landmark National Institute school in the center of Santiago , just a few blocks from the presidential palace , where police fired tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The demonstration gained momentum through the afternoon , when other protesters joined the students .
`` Before , we protested in Plaza Italia , and now we are here , '' said Rodrigo Lagos , a teacher , referring to the square where most of the protests have begun .
`` If ( Pinera ) does n't leave the easy way , he 's going to have to leave the hard way , '' added the 46-year-old .
The clashes disrupted traffic through the center of Santiago for several hours .
Similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as demonstrators responded to social media appeals to protest against Pinera .
Several metro stations were shut because of the violence , and some transport routes to the south of the city were suspended .

Students clashed with riot police in Chile's capital Santiago during protests that marked the second anniversary of conservative President Sebastian Pinera taking office on Wednesday.
A demonstrator with a placard that reads "Get out Pinera" takes part in a protest against Chile's government in Santiago, Chile, March 11, 2020.
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The protests coincided with the 30th anniversary of Chile's return to democracy after Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship.
During a ceremony in Santiago, Pinera said that 30 years of democratic rule in Chile had been a "fertile" period that dragged eight million Chileans out of poverty.
But he also recognized shortcomings and inequalities that hurt "the soul of our nation."
"We have not sufficiently taken into account the fears and shortcomings of our middle class. We have not progressed strongly enough towards full equality between men and women. We have not fought with sufficient will against the abuses and the privileges of others," said Pinera.
Fueled by outrage at Pinera and the Chilean elite that controls most of the country's wealth, the South American nation has seen since October its worst social unrest since the transition to democracy in 1990.
Thirty people have been killed in the protests, many as a result of a heavy-handed police response condemned as repressive by UN investigators. Thousands have been wounded.
The main aim of the continuing protests is to pressure Pinera to expand social reforms he has already proposed.
The most serious of Wednesday's disturbances occurred outside the landmark National Institute school in the center of Santiago, just a few blocks from the presidential palace, where police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse stone-throwing students.
The demonstration gained momentum through the afternoon, when other protesters joined the students.
"Before, we protested in Plaza Italia, and now we are here," said Rodrigo Lagos, a teacher, referring to the square where most of the protests have begun.
"If (Pinera) doesn't leave the easy way, he's going to have to leave the hard way," added the 46-year-old.
The clashes disrupted traffic through the center of Santiago for several hours.
Similar incidents took place elsewhere in the capital, as demonstrators responded to social media appeals to protest against Pinera.
Several metro stations were shut because of the violence, and some transport routes to the south of the city were suspended.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-12--Courtroom dispatch: Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex crimes

Harvey Weinstein watches as Jessica Mann makes a statement during the sentencing following his conviction on sexual assault and rape charges in New York City , New York , USA , March 11 , 2020 , in this courtroom sketch .
Former Hollywood power broker Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday following his sexual assault and rape conviction two weeks ago .
Weinstein , who turns 68 next week , will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars .
There were gasps in the New York courtroom after Judge James Burke , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence .
First the judge reminded Weinstein he would have to register as a sex offender .
Then he handed him close to the maximum sentence available – 20 years for a first-degree criminal sexual assault and three years for third-degree rape to run consecutively .
The six women who testified against him – Miriam Haley , Jessica Mann , Annabella Sciorra , Tarale Wulff , Dawn Dunning , and Lauren Young – were sitting in the front row of the courtroom , a sisterhood of solidarity .
Several of them let out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Weinstein , who has been suffering from health problems , was handcuffed to his wheelchair and rolled out of the courtroom .
He was taken to Rikers Island jail but shortly thereafter he was transferred again to Bellevue Hospital after complaining of chest pains .
Weinstein 's lawyers said they will appeal the sentence .
It came after the verdict , delivered on February 24 , by a 12-person jury that found him guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of the most serious charges of predatory sexual assault .
During her court testimony about the attack , Haley had described harrowing details like the children ’ s drawings on the wall of the bedroom in Weinstein ’ s Manhattan apartment where he abused her .
Both Haley and Mann addressed the court on Wednesday ahead of the sentencing .
Haley said that Weinstein had crushed a part of her spirit : `` If he was not convicted of rape and sexual assault by this jury , it would have happened again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant began to cry as she described how `` excruciatingly stressful '' the whole experience of testifying had been for her .
She said Weinstein had stripped her of her dignity as a human being and as a woman .
She described her trauma , saying , `` It scarred me deeply , mentally and emotionally , perhaps irreparably , perhaps forever . ''
Jessica Mann , who was wearing a jumper that said ‘ Give me love ’ , spoke at times in a shaky voice .
She described the suffering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just one moment of penetration – it is forever . ''
`` It is time people who rape other people pay with their life and the life they took , '' Mann told the court .
`` I have found my voice and I hope for a future where monsters no longer hide in our closet . ''
Weinstein , who opted not to testify during his sexual assault trial , addressed the judge ahead of his sentencing in a low and sometimes unintelligible voice .
This came as a surprise as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken out loud in the courtroom over the course of the entire trial .
He said he felt “ remorse for this situation ” but at no point in his rambling monologue did he actually apologise to his victims .
This sense of regret rather , it transpired , was mainly for the other `` thousands of men '' who he said were losing due process .
Men who are also accused and could perhaps be convicted of sex crimes .
`` I ’ m totally confused , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues . ''
Mann ’ s case was complicated because she had maintained a years ' long relationship with Weinstein that included consensual oral sex .
But the jurors agreed Mann had not consented to sex at the DoubleTree Hotel in March 2013 .
They decided however that what had happened was not first-degree rape , because no force had been used .
There are three types of rape under New York law .
Rape in the third degree is when an abuser engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testified against Weinstein left the courtroom on Wednesday , reporters and members of the public in the corridor outside applauded them .
Jessica Mann looked overwhelmed with emotion as she walked down the hallway smiling with tears in her eyes , clutching the hand of Lauren Young – another of Weinstein ’ s accusers .
Young ’ s allegation that Weinstein sexually assaulted her at a Beverly Hills hotel is the basis for one of the criminal charges brought by the Los Angeles District Attorney ’ s office .
Just hours after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles said that they have started the process of extraditing Weinstein to California to face sexual assault charges that were filed in January .
More than 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades .
Accusations against him sparked the # MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment .
Following Weinstein ’ s sentencing on Wednesday the Silence Breakers – a group of 24 women , who say they were abused by the former producer – released a statement saying that `` no amount of jail time will repair the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the careers he destroyed , or the damage he has caused . ''
They added that the would continue their `` crusade for cultural change , justice and to have our voices heard '' .

Former Hollywood power broker Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday following his sexual assault and rape conviction two weeks ago.
Harvey Weinstein watches as Jessica Mann makes a statement during the sentencing following his conviction on sexual assault and rape charges in New York City, New York, USA, March 11, 2020, in this courtroom sketch.
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Weinstein, who turns 68 next week, will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
There were gasps in the New York courtroom after Judge James Burke, who presided over the trial, delivered the sentence.
First the judge reminded Weinstein he would have to register as a sex offender. Then he handed him close to the maximum sentence available – 20 years for a first-degree criminal sexual assault and three years for third-degree rape to run consecutively.
The six women who testified against him – Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann, Annabella Sciorra, Tarale Wulff, Dawn Dunning, and Lauren Young – were sitting in the front row of the courtroom, a sisterhood of solidarity. Several of them let out sobs of relief upon hearing the sentence.
Weinstein, who has been suffering from health problems, was handcuffed to his wheelchair and rolled out of the courtroom. He was taken to Rikers Island jail but shortly thereafter he was transferred again to Bellevue Hospital after complaining of chest pains.
Weinstein's lawyers said they will appeal the sentence.
Children's drawings on the wall
It came after the verdict, delivered on February 24, by a 12-person jury that found him guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013, but not guilty of the most serious charges of predatory sexual assault.
During her court testimony about the attack, Haley had described harrowing details like the children’s drawings on the wall of the bedroom in Weinstein’s Manhattan apartment where he abused her.
Both Haley and Mann addressed the court on Wednesday ahead of the sentencing.
Haley said that Weinstein had crushed a part of her spirit: "If he was not convicted of rape and sexual assault by this jury, it would have happened again and again."
The former production assistant began to cry as she described how "excruciatingly stressful" the whole experience of testifying had been for her. She said Weinstein had stripped her of her dignity as a human being and as a woman. She described her trauma, saying, "It scarred me deeply, mentally and emotionally, perhaps irreparably, perhaps forever."
Jessica Mann, who was wearing a jumper that said ‘Give me love’, spoke at times in a shaky voice. She described the suffering of a rape victim: "Rape is not just one moment of penetration – it is forever."
"It is time people who rape other people pay with their life and the life they took," Mann told the court. "I have found my voice and I hope for a future where monsters no longer hide in our closet."
Weinstein spoke for first time
Weinstein, who opted not to testify during his sexual assault trial, addressed the judge ahead of his sentencing in a low and sometimes unintelligible voice. This came as a surprise as it was the first time he had spoken out loud in the courtroom over the course of the entire trial. He said he felt “remorse for this situation” but at no point in his rambling monologue did he actually apologise to his victims.
This sense of regret rather, it transpired, was mainly for the other "thousands of men" who he said were losing due process. Men who are also accused and could perhaps be convicted of sex crimes. "I’m totally confused," he said. "I think men are confused about these issues."
Mann’s case was complicated because she had maintained a years' long relationship with Weinstein that included consensual oral sex. But the jurors agreed Mann had not consented to sex at the DoubleTree Hotel in March 2013. They decided however that what had happened was not first-degree rape, because no force had been used.
There are three types of rape under New York law. Rape in the third degree is when an abuser engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent.
LA sexual assault charges to come
As the women who testified against Weinstein left the courtroom on Wednesday, reporters and members of the public in the corridor outside applauded them.
Jessica Mann looked overwhelmed with emotion as she walked down the hallway smiling with tears in her eyes, clutching the hand of Lauren Young – another of Weinstein’s accusers.
Young’s allegation that Weinstein sexually assaulted her at a Beverly Hills hotel is the basis for one of the criminal charges brought by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.
Just hours after the sentencing in Manhattan, prosecutors in Los Angeles said that they have started the process of extraditing Weinstein to California to face sexual assault charges that were filed in January.
More than 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades. Accusations against him sparked the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment.
Following Weinstein’s sentencing on Wednesday the Silence Breakers – a group of 24 women, who say they were abused by the former producer – released a statement saying that "no amount of jail time will repair the lives he (Weinstein) ruined, the careers he destroyed, or the damage he has caused."
They added that the would continue their "crusade for cultural change, justice and to have our voices heard".
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france24--2020-03-12--Italy ramps up lockdown, orders all shops to close other than supermarkets, chemists

A fish market is virtually deserted after a decree orders the whole of Italy to be on lockdown in an unprecedented clampdown aimed at beating the coronavirus , in Catania , Italy , March 10 , 2020 .
Italy added new restrictions on Wednesday to a lockdown imposed to fight the coronavirus , ordering bars , restaurants and beauty parlors to close after the highest daily increase in deaths of any country since the outbreak began .
In a televised address to the nation , Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said all shops would be shuttered except supermarkets , food stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all non-essential departments .
`` We will only be able to see the effects of this great effort in a couple of weeks , '' he said , referring to the daily bulletins announcing the number of new cases and fatalities .
On Wednesday the death toll in Europe 's worst affected country jumped by 196 in 24 hours to 827 .
Confirmed cases across Italy rose to 12,462 from a previous 10,149 .
Company canteens can remain open if they are able to guarantee a distance of at least 1 metre ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest measures will take effect from Thursday and run until March 25 , the prime minister 's office said .
`` The country needs responsibility from all of us , the responsibility of 60 million Italians that are making small and large sacrifices every day , '' Conte said .
His brief , sombre address echoed the words he used just two days ago when he widened a lockdown in the worst-hit northern regions to the whole of the country , banning all non-essential travel and public gatherings until April 3 , halting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Under the latest measures , trains and urban public transport will remain open , as will services considered essential such as plumbers , mechanics and petrol stations .
Such measures are taking a heavy toll on Italy 's economy , and Conte announced earlier that he would ramp up spending to soften the economic blow from the virus , allocating 25 billion euros ( $ 28.3 billion ) to support firms and families .
Only a week ago , he estimated it would need just 7.5 billion euros .
Economy Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant contraction '' in gross domestic product this year .
The extra spending announced on Wednesday means Italy 's 2020 budget deficit looks certain to climb above 3 % of national output , a ceiling set by EU rules .
An emergency decree to be approved this week will hike the deficit target initially to 2.7 % from the current 2.2 % goal , Gualtieri said in a letter to the European Commission .
Elderly people are particularly susceptible to the virus and Italy has the oldest population in Europe , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts say this might be the reason why the fatality rate here is 6.6 % - significantly higher than elsewhere .
Most Italians appear to be respecting the most severe controls placed on a Western nation since World War Two , with traffic much quieter than usual in major cities , many shops and restaurants already closed and only a few flights operating .
Russia and Slovenia became the latest countries to curb travel from Italy , which is increasingly isolated from the outside world .
An opinion poll by the Ixe agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities ' draconian measures , with 78 % saying they would support even tougher steps , even though 76 % thought the existing ones would have a `` grave '' impact on the economy .
Highlighting the human cost of the outbreak , the government said the head of the medical association in the northern city of Varese , 67-year-old Roberto Stella , had died of the virus .

Italy added new restrictions on Wednesday to a lockdown imposed to fight the coronavirus, ordering bars, restaurants and beauty parlors to close after the highest daily increase in deaths of any country since the outbreak began.
A fish market is virtually deserted after a decree orders the whole of Italy to be on lockdown in an unprecedented clampdown aimed at beating the coronavirus, in Catania, Italy, March 10, 2020.
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In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said all shops would be shuttered except supermarkets, food stores and chemists, and companies must close all non-essential departments.
"We will only be able to see the effects of this great effort in a couple of weeks," he said, referring to the daily bulletins announcing the number of new cases and fatalities.
On Wednesday the death toll in Europe's worst affected country jumped by 196 in 24 hours to 827. Confirmed cases across Italy rose to 12,462 from a previous 10,149.
01:48
Company canteens can remain open if they are able to guarantee a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) between customers.
The latest measures will take effect from Thursday and run until March 25, the prime minister's office said.
"The country needs responsibility from all of us, the responsibility of 60 million Italians that are making small and large sacrifices every day," Conte said.
His brief, sombre address echoed the words he used just two days ago when he widened a lockdown in the worst-hit northern regions to the whole of the country, banning all non-essential travel and public gatherings until April 3, halting sports events and extending a shutdown of schools.
Under the latest measures, trains and urban public transport will remain open, as will services considered essential such as plumbers, mechanics and petrol stations.
Such measures are taking a heavy toll on Italy's economy, and Conte announced earlier that he would ramp up spending to soften the economic blow from the virus, allocating 25 billion euros ($28.3 billion) to support firms and families.
Only a week ago, he estimated it would need just 7.5 billion euros.
Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri warned there may be a "significant contraction" in gross domestic product this year.
The extra spending announced on Wednesday means Italy's 2020 budget deficit looks certain to climb above 3% of national output, a ceiling set by EU rules.
An emergency decree to be approved this week will hike the deficit target initially to 2.7% from the current 2.2% goal, Gualtieri said in a letter to the European Commission.
Elderly people are particularly susceptible to the virus and Italy has the oldest population in Europe, with 23% aged 65 or above. Experts say this might be the reason why the fatality rate here is 6.6% - significantly higher than elsewhere.
Most Italians appear to be respecting the most severe controls placed on a Western nation since World War Two, with traffic much quieter than usual in major cities, many shops and restaurants already closed and only a few flights operating.
Russia and Slovenia became the latest countries to curb travel from Italy, which is increasingly isolated from the outside world.
An opinion poll by the Ixe agency showed 89% of Italians backed their authorities' draconian measures, with 78% saying they would support even tougher steps, even though 76% thought the existing ones would have a "grave" impact on the economy.
Highlighting the human cost of the outbreak, the government said the head of the medical association in the northern city of Varese, 67-year-old Roberto Stella, had died of the virus.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--PSG sink Dortmund in empty football stadium to reach Champions League quarters

Paris St Germain 's Presnel Kimpembe , Juan Bernat and Marquinhos celebrate their victory with their fans outside the stadium after the match vs Borussia Dortmund , Paris , France , on March 11 , 2020 .
Paris St Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in an empty stadium due to coronavirus fears on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 3-2 on aggregate .
Neymar and Juan Bernat scored before halftime to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and send the French champions into the last eight for the first time since 2016 as Dortmund finished with 10 men after Emre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
PSG made it past the last 16 after painful exits at the same stage in the last two years .
They let slip a 4-0 advantage in a 6-5 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in 2017 and lost to Manchester United on away goals after beating the English side 2-0 at Old Trafford 12 months ago .
Over 3,000 ultra fans gathered near the Parc des Princes before kickoff after being granted authorisation by the police - demonstrations being considered an exemption to the ban of gatherings of more than 1,000 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has infected 2,281 people and killed 48 .

Paris St Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in an empty stadium due to coronavirus fears on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 3-2 on aggregate.
Paris St Germain's Presnel Kimpembe, Juan Bernat and Marquinhos celebrate their victory with their fans outside the stadium after the match vs Borussia Dortmund, Paris, France, on March 11, 2020.
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Neymar and Juan Bernat scored before halftime to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and send the French champions into the last eight for the first time since 2016 as Dortmund finished with 10 men after Emre Can was sent off in the dying minutes.
PSG made it past the last 16 after painful exits at the same stage in the last two years. They let slip a 4-0 advantage in a 6-5 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in 2017 and lost to Manchester United on away goals after beating the English side 2-0 at Old Trafford 12 months ago.
Over 3,000 ultra fans gathered near the Parc des Princes before kickoff after being granted authorisation by the police - demonstrations being considered an exemption to the ban of gatherings of more than 1,000 as French authorities try to contain the coronavirus, which has infected 2,281 people and killed 48.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Juventus footballer tests positive for coronavirus ahead of Lyon clash

Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani on March 11 , 2020 , became the first Serie A footballer to test positive for coronavirus , the Italian champions confirmed .
Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani on Wednesday became the first Serie A footballer to test positive for coronavirus , the Italian champions confirmed .
The 25-year-old `` is currently asymptomatic , '' the Turin giants said , but the club is `` currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law , including those who have had contact with him . ''
Rugani is the first top-flight footballer to fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 827 in Italy and infected 12,000 people , including several Serie C players .
Rugani has spent the last seven years at Juventus apart from a two-year loan spell at Empoli .
He has played just three league games this season , most recently against Brescia on February 16 and SPAL on February 22 .
He was on the bench in Lyon for the Champions League last 16 , first leg clash on February 26 in France and the team 's last game against Inter Milan in Serie A on March 8 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities have been suspended until further notice '' as a result of Rugani 's positive test .
`` The club is currently taking steps to put all the necessary procedures into place , '' the Milan club said .
Juventus are due to host Lyon in their Champions League return fixture behind closed doors in Turin next Tuesday .
All sports in Italy have been suspended until April 3 , including Serie A football , but Champions League and Europa League matches are under the jurisdiction of UEFA .
UEFA called off two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Spanish teams .
Inter Milan were set to host Getafe with Roma due to travel to Sevilla .
In the Champions League , Barcelona are also due to host Italian club Napoli next Wednesday .
Many Serie A clubs had suspended training until next week but Juventus continued to train ahead of their planned Champions League tie .
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in Portugal with his mother who suffered a stroke .
`` Cristiano Ronaldo did not train and remains in Madeira pending developments related to the current health emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Italy 's 60 million residents are in lockdown in a desperate bid to halt the spread of a virus which claimed 196 lives in the last 24 hours .
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Wednesday that all stores except for pharmacies and food shops would now be shut .

Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani on Wednesday became the first Serie A footballer to test positive for coronavirus, the Italian champions confirmed.
Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani on March 11, 2020, became the first Serie A footballer to test positive for coronavirus, the Italian champions confirmed.
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The 25-year-old "is currently asymptomatic," the Turin giants said, but the club is "currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."
Rugani is the first top-flight footballer to fall victim to the virus which has killed 827 in Italy and infected 12,000 people, including several Serie C players.
Rugani has spent the last seven years at Juventus apart from a two-year loan spell at Empoli.
He has played just three league games this season, most recently against Brescia on February 16 and SPAL on February 22.
He was on the bench in Lyon for the Champions League last 16, first leg clash on February 26 in France and the team's last game against Inter Milan in Serie A on March 8.
Inter said Wednesday that "all competitive activities have been suspended until further notice" as a result of Rugani's positive test.
"The club is currently taking steps to put all the necessary procedures into place," the Milan club said.
Juventus are due to host Lyon in their Champions League return fixture behind closed doors in Turin next Tuesday.
All sports in Italy have been suspended until April 3, including Serie A football, but Champions League and Europa League matches are under the jurisdiction of UEFA.
UEFA called off two Europa League games on Thursday between Italian and Spanish teams. Inter Milan were set to host Getafe with Roma due to travel to Sevilla.
In the Champions League, Barcelona are also due to host Italian club Napoli next Wednesday.
Many Serie A clubs had suspended training until next week but Juventus continued to train ahead of their planned Champions League tie.
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in Portugal with his mother who suffered a stroke.
"Cristiano Ronaldo did not train and remains in Madeira pending developments related to the current health emergency," the team said earlier Wednesday.
Italy's 60 million residents are in lockdown in a desperate bid to halt the spread of a virus which claimed 196 lives in the last 24 hours.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Wednesday that all stores except for pharmacies and food shops would now be shut.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-12--Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive for coronavirus in Australia

Actor Tom Hanks poses with his wife , actress Rita Wilson , as they arrive for a film premiere in Hollywood , California , October 24 , 2012 .
Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife , actress Rita Wilson , have both tested positive for coronavirus in Australia , the actor said on Twitter .
Hanks said that he and Wilson , who are both 63 , were tested in Australia , where he is working on a film , after they felt tired and achy with slight fevers .
`` To play things right , as is needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive , '' Hanks said in the tweet .
The film star said that he and Wilson would be `` tested , observed and isolated '' for as long as required .
The couple are the first major U.S. celebrities known to have contracted COVID-19 .
The coronavirus has infected more than 1,000 people in the United States .
`` Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach , no ?
We 'll keep the world posted and updated , '' Hanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin filming an upcoming movie about Elvis Presley .
He is set to play Presley 's manager , Colonel Tom Parker , in the Warner Bros production .
`` We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film , which is currently in pre-production in The Gold Coast , Australia , has tested positive for COVID-19 , '' Warner Bros said in a statement , without naming the person .
`` We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the individual .
`` The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority , and we are taking precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world , '' the studio said .
The Warner Bros statement did not mention Hanks .
It was not immediately clear if filming on the project would be postponed due to the actor 's illness .
The couple 's son Chet took to Instagram to say he had spoken with his parents on the phone and that both were fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern .
`` Yeah , it 's true , my parents got coronavirus .
Crazy , '' he said in a video message .
`` They 're not even that sick .
They 're not worried about it , they 're not trippin but they 're going through the necessary health precautions obviously . ''
Hanks won best actor Academy Awards for his role in 1994 's `` Philadelphia '' , in which he plays a man stricken with AIDS , and `` Forrest Gump '' the following year .
Wilson has appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle '' and `` Runaway Bride '' .
The coronavirus has infected more than 121,000 people in 118 countries while over 4,300 people have died due to the virus , according to a Reuters tally .
In the United States at least 37 people have died from the respiratory illness .

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, have both tested positive for coronavirus in Australia, the actor said on Twitter.
Actor Tom Hanks poses with his wife, actress Rita Wilson, as they arrive for a film premiere in Hollywood, California, October 24, 2012.
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Hanks said that he and Wilson, who are both 63, were tested in Australia, where he is working on a film, after they felt tired and achy with slight fevers.
"To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive," Hanks said in the tweet.
The film star said that he and Wilson would be "tested, observed and isolated" for as long as required.
The couple are the first major U.S. celebrities known to have contracted COVID-19. The coronavirus has infected more than 1,000 people in the United States.
"Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We'll keep the world posted and updated," Hanks tweeted.
Hanks had traveled to Australia to begin filming an upcoming movie about Elvis Presley. He is set to play Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in the Warner Bros production.
"We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production in The Gold Coast, Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19," Warner Bros said in a statement, without naming the person.
"We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual.
"The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority, and we are taking precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world," the studio said.
The Warner Bros statement did not mention Hanks.
It was not immediately clear if filming on the project would be postponed due to the actor's illness.
The couple's son Chet took to Instagram to say he had spoken with his parents on the phone and that both were fine and there was no cause for major concern.
"Yeah, it's true, my parents got coronavirus. Crazy," he said in a video message. "They're not even that sick. They're not worried about it, they're not trippin but they're going through the necessary health precautions obviously."
Hanks won best actor Academy Awards for his role in 1994's "Philadelphia", in which he plays a man stricken with AIDS, and "Forrest Gump" the following year. Wilson has appeared in such films as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Runaway Bride".
The coronavirus has infected more than 121,000 people in 118 countries while over 4,300 people have died due to the virus, according to a Reuters tally. In the United States at least 37 people have died from the respiratory illness.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-12--Holders Liverpool dumped out of Champions League by Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid 's Alvaro Morata scores their third goal of the night against Liverpool at Anfield , Liverpool , UK , March 11 , 2020 .
Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after Atletico Madrid scored three goals in extra time to earn a shock 3-2 victory at Anfield on Wednesday that sent them through 4-2 on aggregate .
After falling 2-0 down on the night , substitute Marcos Llorente struck twice in extra time and Alvaro Morata added a late third to ensure a famous victory for Diego Simeone 's side against a Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games in European competition .
Premier League leaders Liverpool enjoyed the greater possession , created more chances , drew a series of saves from Atletico keeper Jan Oblak and scored through Georginino Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino .
Yet after last season 's memorable comeback by Liverpool against Barcelona in the semi-finals , it was the Spaniards who turned the tables this time .
Simeone 's Atletico are famed for their defensive solidity and their superb organisation and those qualities were on full display , but it was their clinical finishing and remarkable spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't know where our limit is , '' said Llorente who had only scored once for Atletico before this game .
`` We all defended until the death and when a team all digs in like this , things like this happen .
I can not describe this feeling , '' he said .
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was not impressed with Atletico 's approach , however .
`` I don ’ t understand with the quality they have the football they play .
They could play proper football but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said the German .
`` We accept it of course but it doesn ’ t feel right tonight , '' he said .
After allowing an early chance for Diego Costa , which the former Chelsea forward drove into the side-netting , Liverpool , trailing 1-0 from the first leg , laid siege to the Atletico goal .
They powered forward in waves of attacks but Atletico were resilient with central defenders Stefan Savic and Felipe foiling everything Klopp 's side threw at them .
The home team broke through two minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the byline and pulled back a cross to Wijnaldum who powered an angled header into the bottom corner .
A second half like the first half There was little change to the pattern of the game after the interval with Liverpool peppering Oblak 's goal but the Slovenian proved himself up to the task , denying efforts from Mohamed Salah , Firmino and Sadio Mane while Andy Robertson headed against the bar .
Atletico thought they had grabbed a stoppage-time winner when Saul Niguez headed in a Renan Lodi cross but the effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game went to extra time .
It took just four minutes for Liverpool to take the lead in the tie with Firmino heading against the post and driving home the loose ball as Anfield got ready for a night of celebration .
Yet then it all went wrong for Klopp 's side .
Goalkeeper Adrian , standing in for the injured Alisson Becker , passed the ball out straight to Joao Felix who fed Llorente and the substitute punished the Spanish keeper with a precise shot into the far corner .
Llorente @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the counter from Morata to end Liverpool 's hopes of defending their European crown .
Morata put the icing on the cake in the final moments with a cool finish after Liverpool had thrown all their players forward .
The pain of this exit will surely ease for Liverpool , who are 25 points clear in the Premier League and will soon win their first domestic league title for 30 years .
But for Atletico , who have never won Europe 's premier club competition , this was a triumph which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This will go down in our history , '' said Simeone .
`` It fills us with pride as a club , to be once more one of the top eight clubs in Europe . ''

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after Atletico Madrid scored three goals in extra time to earn a shock 3-2 victory at Anfield on Wednesday that sent them through 4-2 on aggregate.
Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata scores their third goal of the night against Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool, UK, March 11, 2020.
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After falling 2-0 down on the night, substitute Marcos Llorente struck twice in extra time and Alvaro Morata added a late third to ensure a famous victory for Diego Simeone's side against a Liverpool team unbeaten in their last 25 home games in European competition.
Premier League leaders Liverpool enjoyed the greater possession, created more chances, drew a series of saves from Atletico keeper Jan Oblak and scored through Georginino Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.
Yet after last season's memorable comeback by Liverpool against Barcelona in the semi-finals, it was the Spaniards who turned the tables this time.
Simeone's Atletico are famed for their defensive solidity and their superb organisation and those qualities were on full display, but it was their clinical finishing and remarkable spirit that proved the key elements.
"We don't know where our limit is," said Llorente who had only scored once for Atletico before this game.
"We all defended until the death and when a team all digs in like this, things like this happen. I cannot describe this feeling," he said.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was not impressed with Atletico's approach, however.
"I don’t understand with the quality they have the football they play. They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter attacks," said the German.
"We accept it of course but it doesn’t feel right tonight," he said.
After allowing an early chance for Diego Costa, which the former Chelsea forward drove into the side-netting, Liverpool, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, laid siege to the Atletico goal.
They powered forward in waves of attacks but Atletico were resilient with central defenders Stefan Savic and Felipe foiling everything Klopp's side threw at them.
The home team broke through two minutes before halftime when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain burst to the byline and pulled back a cross to Wijnaldum who powered an angled header into the bottom corner.
A second half like the first half
There was little change to the pattern of the game after the interval with Liverpool peppering Oblak's goal but the Slovenian proved himself up to the task, denying efforts from Mohamed Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane while Andy Robertson headed against the bar.
Atletico thought they had grabbed a stoppage-time winner when Saul Niguez headed in a Renan Lodi cross but the effort was rightly flagged for offside, ensuring the game went to extra time.
It took just four minutes for Liverpool to take the lead in the tie with Firmino heading against the post and driving home the loose ball as Anfield got ready for a night of celebration.
Yet then it all went wrong for Klopp's side.
Goalkeeper Adrian, standing in for the injured Alisson Becker, passed the ball out straight to Joao Felix who fed Llorente and the substitute punished the Spanish keeper with a precise shot into the far corner.
Llorente produced a carbon-copy finish following good work on the counter from Morata to end Liverpool's hopes of defending their European crown.
Morata put the icing on the cake in the final moments with a cool finish after Liverpool had thrown all their players forward.
The pain of this exit will surely ease for Liverpool, who are 25 points clear in the Premier League and will soon win their first domestic league title for 30 years.
But for Atletico, who have never won Europe's premier club competition, this was a triumph which will have them dreaming of even greater things.
"This will go down in our history," said Simeone.
"It fills us with pride as a club, to be once more one of the top eight clubs in Europe."
(REUTERS)
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