france24--2020-03-25--Macron launches army Operation Resilience to support fight against coronavirus

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech after his visit to the military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse , eastern France , March 25 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced the launch of army Operation Resilience to provide support in the fight against COVID-19 along with `` massive investments '' in the country 's public health system as France ’ s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,331 with 25,233 confirmed cases .
Addressing a news conference from the coronavirus-wracked eastern French city of Mulhouse , where a military field hospital has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised comprehensive short- and long-term policy measures to tackle the crisis .
As part of the new Operation Resilience , the army will be deployed to help with logistics and medical support .
France is also deploying helicopter carriers to help transport patients in overseas French territories in the Caribbean , South America and the Indian Ocean , Macron announced .
This new operation `` will be entirely devoted to aid and support for the population , as well as support for public services to deal with the epidemic ” , said Macron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in health and logistical operations since the latest health crisis struck the country .
The military ’ s health service have carried out three air rotations to evacuate patients from the hard-hit eastern region of France to areas less saturated with coronavirus patients .
Besides the military field hospital in Mulhouse , the military has also done naval transfers of serious coronavirus cases from the French Mediterranean island of Corsica to the mainland .
Hours after Macron ’ s address Wednesday night , the country ’ s Armed Forces Ministry said France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` France has taken the decision to repatriate until further notice its personnel deployed in Operation Chammal in Iraq , '' the ministry said , adding that it involved around 100 soldiers .
The army said it would continue air operations against the Islamic State ( IS ) group .
Macron also promised a “ massive ” new investment plan for public hospitals , after years of cuts in the country ’ s renowned health care system that have complicated efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Once this crisis is over , a massive investment plan and an upgrade of the career paths will be put in place for our hospital system , '' said Macron .
Facing criticism that his government was too slow to lock down the country as the virus spread , Macron called for national unity and castigated those “ who would fracture the country , when we should have one obsession : to be united to fight the virus ” .
Reiterating that France is at “ war ” with the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the beginning .
But we will make it through , because we will not surrender , because we have the strength.
” Macron 's speech came as French health authorities on Wednesday reported 231 new deaths from coronavirus , taking the total to 1,331 .
The rise in the number of deaths from coronavirus represents a daily increase in France of 21 percent , a slight slowing from the previous two days with the country now in its second week of lockdown .
France 's health agency director Jérôme Salomon said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 25,233 , a rise of about 13 percent in 24 hours .
Salomon added that 2,827 people were in a serious condition , needing life support , up 12 percent compared to Tuesday and meaning that more than one third of France 's 8,000 beds equipped with ventilation gear are occupied .

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced the launch of army Operation Resilience to provide support in the fight against COVID-19 along with "massive investments" in the country's public health system as France’s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,331 with 25,233 confirmed cases.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech after his visit to the military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse, eastern France, March 25, 2020.
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Addressing a news conference from the coronavirus-wracked eastern French city of Mulhouse, where a military field hospital has been set up by the army, Macron promised comprehensive short- and long-term policy measures to tackle the crisis.
As part of the new Operation Resilience, the army will be deployed to help with logistics and medical support. France is also deploying helicopter carriers to help transport patients in overseas French territories in the Caribbean, South America and the Indian Ocean, Macron announced.
This new operation "will be entirely devoted to aid and support for the population, as well as support for public services to deal with the epidemic”, said Macron.
03:55
The French military has been actively engaged in health and logistical operations since the latest health crisis struck the country. The military’s health service have carried out three air rotations to evacuate patients from the hard-hit eastern region of France to areas less saturated with coronavirus patients. Besides the military field hospital in Mulhouse, the military has also done naval transfers of serious coronavirus cases from the French Mediterranean island of Corsica to the mainland.
French troops to withdraw from Iraq
Hours after Macron’s address Wednesday night, the country’s Armed Forces Ministry said France will withdraw all troops it has stationed in Iraq until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"France has taken the decision to repatriate until further notice its personnel deployed in Operation Chammal in Iraq," the ministry said, adding that it involved around 100 soldiers.
The army said it would continue air operations against the Islamic State (IS) group.
‘Massive’ new investment plan
Macron also promised a “massive” new investment plan for public hospitals, after years of cuts in the country’s renowned health care system that have complicated efforts to stem the spread of the virus.
"Once this crisis is over, a massive investment plan and an upgrade of the career paths will be put in place for our hospital system," said Macron.
Facing criticism that his government was too slow to lock down the country as the virus spread, Macron called for national unity and castigated those “who would fracture the country, when we should have one obsession: to be united to fight the virus”.
Call for national unity
Reiterating that France is at “war” with the virus, Macron warned: “We are just at the beginning. But we will make it through, because we will not surrender, because we have the strength.”
Macron's speech came as French health authorities on Wednesday reported 231 new deaths from coronavirus, taking the total to 1,331.
The rise in the number of deaths from coronavirus represents a daily increase in France of 21 percent, a slight slowing from the previous two days with the country now in its second week of lockdown.
France's health agency director Jérôme Salomon said the total number of coronavirus cases had risen to 25,233, a rise of about 13 percent in 24 hours.
Salomon added that 2,827 people were in a serious condition, needing life support, up 12 percent compared to Tuesday and meaning that more than one third of France's 8,000 beds equipped with ventilation gear are occupied.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--Newly-minted Kosovo government ousted over coronavirus policy dispute

Armend Nimani , AFP | The Leader of the Vetevendosje Party and parliamentary elections candidate for Prime Minister Albin Kurti ( C ) addresses his supporters as they celebrate their victory in Pristina on October 6 , 2019 .
Kosovo lawmakers dismissed the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti in a no-confidence vote triggering a political crisis as the Balkan country is trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
With 82 votes against it in the 120-seat parliament , the Cabinet did not survive the vote initiated by coalition partner the Democratic League of Kosovo ( LDK ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government took power .
It remains unclear how the government will continue its work as the country can not hold snap elections because of the spread of the respiratory disease .
The government was dismissed after a dispute over whether to declare a state of emergency to combat the coronavirus when the LDK filed a motion for a no-confidence vote after Kurti sacked LDK member Agim Veliu as interior minister .
Veliu had supported calls by Kosovo 's president for a state of emergency to be declared to combat the coronavirus .
Kurti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified .
`` By firing the LDK minister without any consultation , the prime minister broke the governing coalition , '' said Arben Gashi , a member of the LDK .
Kosovo has reported 71 coronavirus cases .
One person died after contracting the respiratory disease .
The removal of the interior minister followed other disagreements , notably on whether a tariff of 100 % on goods produced in Balkan rival Serbia should be abolished .
Kosovo introduced the tariff in November 2018 , saying it would be abolished once Serbia recognised Kosovo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations between Belgrade and Pristina and angered the European Union and the United States , which backed Kosovo 's declaration of independence in 2008 following the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia .
Kurti decided to partially remove the tariffs , prompting the United States to halt $ 50 million in aid .
Kurti said the reason behind his government 's dismissal was to remove an obstacle to allowing Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart , Aleksandar Vucic , to swap territories as part of the final deal between Pristina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vucic signaled that they might agree to a land swap to resolve territorial claims the two countries have against each other , but both faced strong opposition to the idea domestically and abroad .
“ The reason to dismiss my government is to allow the signing of an already reached deal to swap territories between Kosovo and Serbia , ” Kurti told MPs before the vote .

Kosovo lawmakers dismissed the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti in a no-confidence vote triggering a political crisis as the Balkan country is trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti delivers a speech during a parliament session in Pristina, Kosovo, on February 3, 2020.
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With 82 votes against it in the 120-seat parliament, the Cabinet did not survive the vote initiated by coalition partner the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), less than two months after the government took power.
It remains unclear how the government will continue its work as the country cannot hold snap elections because of the spread of the respiratory disease.
The government was dismissed after a dispute over whether to declare a state of emergency to combat the coronavirus when the LDK filed a motion for a no-confidence vote after Kurti sacked LDK member Agim Veliu as interior minister.
Veliu had supported calls by Kosovo's president for a state of emergency to be declared to combat the coronavirus. Kurti said such a drastic move was not justified.
"By firing the LDK minister without any consultation, the prime minister broke the governing coalition," said Arben Gashi, a member of the LDK.
Kosovo has reported 71 coronavirus cases. One person died after contracting the respiratory disease.
Disagreement over Serbia tariff
The removal of the interior minister followed other disagreements, notably on whether a tariff of 100% on goods produced in Balkan rival Serbia should be abolished.
Kosovo introduced the tariff in November 2018, saying it would be abolished once Serbia recognised Kosovo.
The move halted dialogue on normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina and angered the European Union and the United States, which backed Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008 following the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia.
Kurti decided to partially remove the tariffs, prompting the United States to halt $50 million in aid.
Kurti said the reason behind his government's dismissal was to remove an obstacle to allowing Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, to swap territories as part of the final deal between Pristina and Belgrade.
In 2018, Thaci and Vucic signaled that they might agree to a land swap to resolve territorial claims the two countries have against each other, but both faced strong opposition to the idea domestically and abroad.
“The reason to dismiss my government is to allow the signing of an already reached deal to swap territories between Kosovo and Serbia,” Kurti told MPs before the vote.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--‘I make my own masks at home’: Cashiers brave the front line in virus-wracked France

While the French public has been ordered to stay home amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic , the vast majority of supermarket cashiers , most of them women on meagre salaries , have continued to work the tills – performing a vital role even as their health is put at risk .
By the time President Emmanuel Macron had declared France “ at war ” with coronavirus in a sombre address last Monday , 40-year-old Joanna , a cashier at a supermarket in Brittany , had already braved the “ invisible enemy ’ s ” first assaults .
In the hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as rumours of an impending lockdown swirled across the country , supermarkets like Joanna ’ s had been stormed by wave after wave of anxious shoppers on a panic-buying spree , stripping shelves of most supplies from toilet paper to rice and pasta .
“ It was almost impossible to walk down the aisles , and then people had to queue for an hour before reaching the till , ” she tells FRANCE 24 , recalling a long queue that meandered along the full stretch of the store .
“ By the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been completely emptied.
” Along with other colleagues , Joanna had volunteered to work that day , anticipating the rush .
She worked longer hours , cut her lunch break to the bare minimum and then volunteered for the next day as well – even as Macron ordered a nationwide lockdown in an increasingly frantic effort to stave off a rapidly worsening pandemic .
Although the French government has ordered the public to stay at home , stopping work is not an option for cashiers who generally live on the minimum wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work from home .
As is often the case in such crises , the strain and the risk fall disproportionately on those employees with the most precarious jobs –professions that are routinely belittled , until governments and the public realise they are in fact “ essential ” .
In the case of supermarket cashiers , a sector that accounts for 150,000 full-time equivalent workers , 90 percent are women .
At Joanna ’ s workplace , a Super U located near the city of Rennes , workers with young children have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-existing conditions are on paid sick leave .
But elsewhere in France , there have been reports of staff on short-term contracts being ordered to return to work no matter what .
“ Our manager is conscious of the risks and has tried hard to get us protection , ” says Joanna , whose children , aged 10 and 11 , are old enough to stay alone at home while she and her husband are out working , though she has to get their home-schooling ready before setting off .
She notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since that manic Monday .
The store now closes an hour earlier and measures are in place to ease crowding .
A security guard organises people in well-spaced queues outside the premises , with priority access given to the elderly , disabled and healthcare workers .
The day after Macron ’ s address , plexiglass shields were in place to protect Joanna and her colleagues .
Gloves and hand gels were also available , but it would take another four days for the first supplies of face masks to arrive , amid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerously exposed .
“ I ’ ve been making my masks from home because those handed out by the company are painful to wear , ” says Joanna .
“ They only last two hours , but I keep a box with me so that I can change them when needed.
” Colleagues who restock shelves have also been handed protective gear , “ but many don ’ t wear them because the gloves soon tear and the masks make it hard to breathe , ” she adds .
“ This week they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so that they are no longer in contact with customers.
” Despite the protective measures , Joanna is well aware of the threat of contagion she and her colleagues are exposed to .
“ Stopping certain habits , such as scratching my face or flicking aside unruly hair strands , hardly comes naturally , ” she explains , noting that she now keeps her hair tied in a bun at all times .
Developing such reflexes –known in France as “ barrier gestures ” – is especially hard when the work is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe distances also involves a rethink of the way cashiers ’ stations are aligned .
“ One of my colleagues refused to work with staggered back-to-back stations , whereby customers walk just behind our backs , ” Joanna says .
“ So we reduced the number of tills to ensure they are spaced out and all face the same way.
” At other supermarkets , where protective measures are dangerously lacking , cashiers have been forced to erect cardboard barriers or wrap their stations in cling film .
Sometimes , mindless shoppers peer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thereby defeating their very purpose .
Changing customers ’ habits in the age of coronavirus is a whole different challenge , Joanna notes .
“ There are clearly two types of customers .
Those who are conscious of the risks and shop only once for the whole week and those who just come to spend time at the store , ” she says .
“ Some come every day , or several times a day , each time for a trifle .
I had someone buy just two sticks of butter this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am I to tell them to stay home ?
What would really be effective is having police patrols who hand out fines to those who don ’ t buy food for several days.
” ‘ For months , doctors were teargassed in the streets .
Today they are heroes' Since the start of the lockdown , Joanna and her colleagues have received numerous words of encouragement and thanks from customers , a heartwarming change for a profession that is particularly exposed to indifference .
“ Sometimes , through these exchanges , we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can thank them too , ” she says , citing doctors , hauliers , street cleaners and “ those who simply shop for a relative or a neighbour who is housebound ” .
The Super U management has thanked staff in a Facebook post that was later printed out and taped on the supermarket ’ s walls , but has offered little else in terms of gratitude and appreciation .
Joanna , who has worked at the shop for 15 years and earns the minimum wage for a 30-hour working week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will benefit from a €1,000 bonus announced by other supermarket chains , after the government encouraged companies to hand out one-off bonuses free of tax .
“ When it comes to the government , I don ’ t feel like thanking them , ” Joanna adds .
“ They knew what was coming and yet they failed to anticipate it .
And , above all , they sent contradictory messages , like ‘ stay at home , but don ’ t forget to go working ’ .
” Her thoughts go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is being saluted – “ and rightly so ” – across France .
“ Only a few months ago they were teargassed for daring to rally in the streets , ” she says , referring to recent strikes and protests by doctors at France ’ s cash-strapped hospitals .
“ But today they are our heroes .
”

While the French public has been ordered to stay home amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic, the vast majority of supermarket cashiers, most of them women on meagre salaries, have continued to work the tills – performing a vital role even as their health is put at risk.
Advertising Read more
By the time President Emmanuel Macron had declared France “at war” with coronavirus in a sombre address last Monday, 40-year-old Joanna, a cashier at a supermarket in Brittany, had already braved the “invisible enemy’s” first assaults.
In the hours preceding Macron’s March 16 address, as rumours of an impending lockdown swirled across the country, supermarkets like Joanna’s had been stormed by wave after wave of anxious shoppers on a panic-buying spree, stripping shelves of most supplies from toilet paper to rice and pasta.
“It was almost impossible to walk down the aisles, and then people had to queue for an hour before reaching the till,” she tells FRANCE 24, recalling a long queue that meandered along the full stretch of the store. “By the end of the day, most shelves had been completely emptied.”
Along with other colleagues, Joanna had volunteered to work that day, anticipating the rush. She worked longer hours, cut her lunch break to the bare minimum and then volunteered for the next day as well – even as Macron ordered a nationwide lockdown in an increasingly frantic effort to stave off a rapidly worsening pandemic.
Who’s essential now?
Although the French government has ordered the public to stay at home, stopping work is not an option for cashiers who generally live on the minimum wage – nor is it possible for them to work from home.
As is often the case in such crises, the strain and the risk fall disproportionately on those employees with the most precarious jobs –professions that are routinely belittled, until governments and the public realise they are in fact “essential”. In the case of supermarket cashiers, a sector that accounts for 150,000 full-time equivalent workers, 90 percent are women.
At Joanna’s workplace, a Super U located near the city of Rennes, workers with young children have been allowed to stay home and those with pre-existing conditions are on paid sick leave. But elsewhere in France, there have been reports of staff on short-term contracts being ordered to return to work no matter what.
“Our manager is conscious of the risks and has tried hard to get us protection,” says Joanna, whose children, aged 10 and 11, are old enough to stay alone at home while she and her husband are out working, though she has to get their home-schooling ready before setting off.
She notes that conditions at the store have changed significantly since that manic Monday. The store now closes an hour earlier and measures are in place to ease crowding. A security guard organises people in well-spaced queues outside the premises, with priority access given to the elderly, disabled and healthcare workers.
The day after Macron’s address, plexiglass shields were in place to protect Joanna and her colleagues. Gloves and hand gels were also available, but it would take another four days for the first supplies of face masks to arrive, amid a nationwide shortage that has also left doctors dangerously exposed.
“I’ve been making my masks from home because those handed out by the company are painful to wear,” says Joanna. “They only last two hours, but I keep a box with me so that I can change them when needed.”
Colleagues who restock shelves have also been handed protective gear, “but many don’t wear them because the gloves soon tear and the masks make it hard to breathe,” she adds. “This week they’ve been moved to evening shifts, so that they are no longer in contact with customers.”
Cling-film barriers
Despite the protective measures, Joanna is well aware of the threat of contagion she and her colleagues are exposed to.
“Stopping certain habits, such as scratching my face or flicking aside unruly hair strands, hardly comes naturally,” she explains, noting that she now keeps her hair tied in a bun at all times. Developing such reflexes –known in France as “barrier gestures” – is especially hard when the work is both physically and mentally draining.
Respecting safe distances also involves a rethink of the way cashiers’ stations are aligned.
“One of my colleagues refused to work with staggered back-to-back stations, whereby customers walk just behind our backs,” Joanna says. “So we reduced the number of tills to ensure they are spaced out and all face the same way.”
At other supermarkets, where protective measures are dangerously lacking, cashiers have been forced to erect cardboard barriers or wrap their stations in cling film. Sometimes, mindless shoppers peer over the makeshift barriers to address staff, thereby defeating their very purpose.
Coronavirus : pas de masques, mais un habillage en cellophane pour les caissières de ce supermarché du Puy-de-Dôme
➡https://t.co/Em4jkGzTAl pic.twitter.com/b11BfGC5Nz — La Montagne (@lamontagne_fr) March 17, 2020
Changing customers’ habits in the age of coronavirus is a whole different challenge, Joanna notes.
“There are clearly two types of customers. Those who are conscious of the risks and shop only once for the whole week and those who just come to spend time at the store,” she says. “Some come every day, or several times a day, each time for a trifle. I had someone buy just two sticks of butter this morning.”
She adds: “Who am I to tell them to stay home? What would really be effective is having police patrols who hand out fines to those who don’t buy food for several days.”
‘For months, doctors were teargassed in the streets. Today they are heroes'
Since the start of the lockdown, Joanna and her colleagues have received numerous words of encouragement and thanks from customers, a heartwarming change for a profession that is particularly exposed to indifference.
“Sometimes, through these exchanges, we get to know other people’s jobs and can thank them too,” she says, citing doctors, hauliers, street cleaners and “those who simply shop for a relative or a neighbour who is housebound”.
The Super U management has thanked staff in a Facebook post that was later printed out and taped on the supermarket’s walls, but has offered little else in terms of gratitude and appreciation.
Joanna, who has worked at the shop for 15 years and earns the minimum wage for a 30-hour working week, is waiting to hear whether she too will benefit from a €1,000 bonus announced by other supermarket chains, after the government encouraged companies to hand out one-off bonuses free of tax.
“When it comes to the government, I don’t feel like thanking them,” Joanna adds. “They knew what was coming and yet they failed to anticipate it. And, above all, they sent contradictory messages, like ‘stay at home, but don’t forget to go working’.”
Her thoughts go to the health workers whose struggle against the worsening pandemic is being saluted – “and rightly so” – across France.
“Only a few months ago they were teargassed for daring to rally in the streets,” she says, referring to recent strikes and protests by doctors at France’s cash-strapped hospitals. “But today they are our heroes.”
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france24--2020-03-25--The race to save jobs: European governments step in to pay wages

Cars parked at the Vauxhall factory in Ellesmere Port , England , after French owner PSA announced the shutdown of all its factories in Europe due to the coronavirus .
Tens of millions of jobs are now at risk from the coronavirus pandemic , with entire industries being shut down to keep the virus from spreading .
Governments across Europe are spending billions on wage subsidies in a desperate effort to save jobs and cushion the economic blow .
A spike in unemployment is a triple threat to a country ’ s economy : consumer spending and tax revenues drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The International Labour Organization estimates that almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Governments across Europe are using public money to try to secure jobs through the crisis by paying or reimbursing companies that have seen their revenues dry up .
Their goal : to keep employees on the payroll so they can resume working when businesses re-open .
Here are some of the plans to help individuals that have been announced so far .
As the number of cases of the virus began to rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of chômage partiel , or partial unemployment .
When a company is forced to reduce or suspend work , it can apply for state funding of 70 percent of an employee ’ s gross salary , to a maximum of €6,927 per month .
As of March 24 , 730,000 workers were being paid under this scheme .
The finance ministry has already set aside €8.5 billion in funding but that amount is expected to rise .
With schools and crèches ( nurseries ) closed , the French government is also giving paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home and who are responsible for children younger than 16 .
The annual winter embargo on evicting tenants from residential properties has also been extended to May 31 .
Berlin has expanded its short-time allowance , or Kurzarbeitergeld , to include companies that cut working hours as a result of the coronavirus .
It pays at the same level as unemployment benefits : Up to 67 percent of net wages lost due to shorter hours , to a maximum of €6,700 per month .
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , although back rent will be owed when the economic situation improves .
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will see the UK government reimburse companies for 80 percent of gross salaries up to a maximum of £2,500 ( €2,714 ) per month .
This can be backdated to March 1 , with the system in place initially for three months .
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “ placing no limit on the amount of funding available for the scheme ” .
A new temporary wage subsidy will allow affected companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salaries from the Irish government to maintain current employment levels , with a maximum of €410 per week ( €1,777 net per month ) .
Special arrangements have been made for the childcare sector , which include the state paying all the wages of crèche workers as well as contributing to other running costs .
The aim is for parents to be able to stop paying fees and still be guaranteed a place when the crèche reopens .
As part of the economic package adopted on March 16 , Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ social shock absorbers ” .
They include paying up to 80 percent of an employee ’ s salary for a period of nine weeks to a maximum of €1,130 net per month .
Self-employed people have also been awarded a one-off payment of €600 .
The existing provision for temporary layoffs , known as ERTE , has been expanded to cover businesses affected by the virus .
Up to 70 percent of salaries will be paid , with a maximum of €1,412 per month .
The Spanish government has also ordered utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable ” households , even if they are unable to pay their bills .
These temporary packages come at a steep cost to the taxpayer but , if successful , they will help economies recover more quickly when the outbreak recedes .
Economists are nonetheless warning of a deep recession to come .
A key economic survey published by IHS Markit on Tuesday showed the largest collapse in eurozone business activity on record .
And despite the quick moves to shore up economies , some warn it may not be enough .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date have failed to brighten the darkening picture ” , said IHS Markit chief business economist Chris Williamson , in a statement accompanying the survey results .
Steven Bell , of BMO Global Asset Management , wrote in an economic update on Tuesday that government measures “ will do no more than blunt the blow to economies and families ” .

Tens of millions of jobs are now at risk from the coronavirus pandemic, with entire industries being shut down to keep the virus from spreading. Governments across Europe are spending billions on wage subsidies in a desperate effort to save jobs and cushion the economic blow.
Cars parked at the Vauxhall factory in Ellesmere Port, England, after French owner PSA announced the shutdown of all its factories in Europe due to the coronavirus.
Advertising Read more
A spike in unemployment is a triple threat to a country’s economy: consumer spending and tax revenues drop, while social welfare costs skyrocket.
The International Labour Organization estimates that almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Governments across Europe are using public money to try to secure jobs through the crisis by paying or reimbursing companies that have seen their revenues dry up. Their goal: to keep employees on the payroll so they can resume working when businesses re-open.
Here are some of the plans to help individuals that have been announced so far.
France
As the number of cases of the virus began to rise, the French government extended its system of chômage partiel, or partial unemployment.
When a company is forced to reduce or suspend work, it can apply for state funding of 70 percent of an employee’s gross salary, to a maximum of €6,927 per month.
As of March 24, 730,000 workers were being paid under this scheme. The finance ministry has already set aside €8.5 billion in funding but that amount is expected to rise.
With schools and crèches (nurseries) closed, the French government is also giving paid leave to parents who cannot work from home and who are responsible for children younger than 16.
The annual winter embargo on evicting tenants from residential properties has also been extended to May 31.
>> France announces €45 billion aid package to help businesses fight pandemic
Germany
Berlin has expanded its short-time allowance, or Kurzarbeitergeld, to include companies that cut working hours as a result of the coronavirus.
It pays at the same level as unemployment benefits: Up to 67 percent of net wages lost due to shorter hours, to a maximum of €6,700 per month.
Tenants who are unable to pay their rent will be protected from eviction until September 30, although back rent will be owed when the economic situation improves.
United Kingdom
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will see the UK government reimburse companies for 80 percent of gross salaries up to a maximum of £2,500 (€2,714) per month.
This can be backdated to March 1, with the system in place initially for three months.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “placing no limit on the amount of funding available for the scheme”.
Ireland
A new temporary wage subsidy will allow affected companies to recoup up to 70 percent of salaries from the Irish government to maintain current employment levels, with a maximum of €410 per week (€1,777 net per month).
Special arrangements have been made for the childcare sector, which include the state paying all the wages of crèche workers as well as contributing to other running costs. The aim is for parents to be able to stop paying fees and still be guaranteed a place when the crèche reopens.
Italy
As part of the economic package adopted on March 16, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government extended a series of “social shock absorbers”.
They include paying up to 80 percent of an employee’s salary for a period of nine weeks to a maximum of €1,130 net per month.
Self-employed people have also been awarded a one-off payment of €600.
Spain
The existing provision for temporary layoffs, known as ERTE, has been expanded to cover businesses affected by the virus. Up to 70 percent of salaries will be paid, with a maximum of €1,412 per month.
The Spanish government has also ordered utility companies to maintain services to all “vulnerable” households, even if they are unable to pay their bills.
Trouble ahead
These temporary packages come at a steep cost to the taxpayer but, if successful, they will help economies recover more quickly when the outbreak recedes.
Economists are nonetheless warning of a deep recession to come. A key economic survey published by IHS Markit on Tuesday showed the largest collapse in eurozone business activity on record.
And despite the quick moves to shore up economies, some warn it may not be enough.
So far, “policymakers’ efforts to date have failed to brighten the darkening picture”, said IHS Markit chief business economist Chris Williamson, in a statement accompanying the survey results.
Steven Bell, of BMO Global Asset Management, wrote in an economic update on Tuesday that government measures “will do no more than blunt the blow to economies and families”.
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france24--2020-03-25--UN urges prisoner releases to stem spread of coronavirus

Countries must protect people in detention from the COVID-19 pandemic by releasing vulnerable prisoners , UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday .
`` Covid-19 has begun to strike prisons , jails and immigration detention centres , as well as residential care homes and psychiatric hospitals , and risks rampaging through such institutions ' extremely vulnerable populations , '' Bachelet said in a statement .
`` Authorities should examine ways to release those particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 , among them older detainees and those who are sick , as well as low-risk offenders . ''
Bachelet pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are severely overcrowded , making detainees and staff particularly vulnerable to catching the deadly new coronavirus .
`` People are often held in unhygienic conditions and health services are inadequate or even non-existent .
Physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible , '' she noted .
Bachelet recognised that governments are currently facing huge demands on resources , but urged them `` not to forget those behind bars , or those confined in places such as closed mental health facilities , nursing homes and orphanages '' .
`` The consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she warned .
Thousands of prisoner releases across the world A number of countries and local authorities have already begun releasing prisoners in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has killed more than 19,000 people across the globe .
The pandemic has piled pressure on criminal justice systems globally and has led to a flood of prisoner releases , with the US , Canada and Germany joining Iran in releasing thousands of detainees .
Germany 's most populous state , North-Rhine Westphalia , announced on Wednesday it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the end of their sentences , with sex offenders and violent inmates excluded from the list .
The aim is to free up cells so that quarantined areas can be set up for inmates that contract the disease , with many expected to do so given the tight confinement in any prison facility and the ease with which the virus spreads .
In Canada , 1,000 inmates in the state of Ontario were released last week , and lawyers are working with prosecutors to free many more from provincial jails by accelerating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The concern is that a jail sentence can potentially become a death sentence for those that are there , '' said Daniel Brown , a Toronto lawyer .
The US state of New Jersey plans to temporarily release around 1,000 low-risk inmates , and New York City 's Board of Corrections , an independent oversight body , has called on the mayor to release around 2,000 .
Similar steps are being taken in Britain , Poland and Italy , with authorities set to closely monitor those who are released to ensure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal activity or fuel social unrest at a time of national unease .
But while such measures are possible in many developed countries , they pose serious challenges in other parts of the world .
In Iran , where around 190,000 people are incarcerated and the coronavirus has infected 25,000 people , the government has announced it will temporarily release 85,000 prisoners , with 10,000 of them being granted pardons .
Depending on how long the crisis lasts – and Iran is already talking about a second wave of infections – criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage a large number of freed prisoners or reincarcerate them .
`` The longer this goes on and the more desperate the situation becomes , it may lead to bolder decisions that lead to the release of more violent or more dangerous criminals , '' said Keith Ditcham , a senior research fellow in organised crime and policing at Britain 's Royal United Services Institute .
`` What do you do when things return to normality ?
You have a number of undesirables either in your country or travelling globally ...
It puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant margin . ''
In some countries , the fear is that inmates wo n't be released .
In Venezuela , human rights groups are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 among a prison population of 110,000 in conditions that are already highly unsanitary .
In Bogota , Colombia , a prison riot over coronavirus left 23 prisoners dead and scores injured , and similar unrest has struck detention facilities from Italy to Sri Lanka .
Sudan announced it was releasing more than 4,000 prisoners as a precaution against the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from four facilities last week ahead of a lockdown over coronavirus , with only around 600 recaptured so far , authorities said .
Even those calling for prisoners to be freed in the hope it will prevent deaths have faced problems .
In Egypt , four women were detained a week ago after demonstrating for releases .
They themselves were released after questioning .
`` What we 're seeing is quite a seismic change in how law enforcement goes about its business in the coming months , '' said RUSI 's Ditcham .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be to release all but the most violent and dangerous criminals . ''

Countries must protect people in detention from the COVID-19 pandemic by releasing vulnerable prisoners, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday.
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"Covid-19 has begun to strike prisons, jails and immigration detention centres, as well as residential care homes and psychiatric hospitals, and risks rampaging through such institutions' extremely vulnerable populations," Bachelet said in a statement.
"Authorities should examine ways to release those particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, among them older detainees and those who are sick, as well as low-risk offenders."
Bachelet pointed out that detention facilities in many countries are severely overcrowded, making detainees and staff particularly vulnerable to catching the deadly new coronavirus.
"People are often held in unhygienic conditions and health services are inadequate or even non-existent. Physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible," she noted.
Bachelet recognised that governments are currently facing huge demands on resources, but urged them "not to forget those behind bars, or those confined in places such as closed mental health facilities, nursing homes and orphanages".
"The consequences of neglecting them are potentially catastrophic," she warned.
Thousands of prisoner releases across the world
A number of countries and local authorities have already begun releasing prisoners in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has killed more than 19,000 people across the globe.
The pandemic has piled pressure on criminal justice systems globally and has led to a flood of prisoner releases, with the US, Canada and Germany joining Iran in releasing thousands of detainees.
Germany's most populous state, North-Rhine Westphalia, announced on Wednesday it would release 1,000 prisoners who are close to the end of their sentences, with sex offenders and violent inmates excluded from the list.
The aim is to free up cells so that quarantined areas can be set up for inmates that contract the disease, with many expected to do so given the tight confinement in any prison facility and the ease with which the virus spreads.
In Canada, 1,000 inmates in the state of Ontario were released last week, and lawyers are working with prosecutors to free many more from provincial jails by accelerating bail hearings, among other steps.
"The concern is that a jail sentence can potentially become a death sentence for those that are there," said Daniel Brown, a Toronto lawyer.
The US state of New Jersey plans to temporarily release around 1,000 low-risk inmates, and New York City's Board of Corrections, an independent oversight body, has called on the mayor to release around 2,000.
Challenges in countries like Iran
Similar steps are being taken in Britain, Poland and Italy, with authorities set to closely monitor those who are released to ensure it does not lead to a surge in criminal activity or fuel social unrest at a time of national unease.
But while such measures are possible in many developed countries, they pose serious challenges in other parts of the world.
In Iran, where around 190,000 people are incarcerated and the coronavirus has infected 25,000 people, the government has announced it will temporarily release 85,000 prisoners, with 10,000 of them being granted pardons.
Depending on how long the crisis lasts – and Iran is already talking about a second wave of infections – criminal justice experts say it may prove difficult to manage a large number of freed prisoners or reincarcerate them.
"The longer this goes on and the more desperate the situation becomes, it may lead to bolder decisions that lead to the release of more violent or more dangerous criminals," said Keith Ditcham, a senior research fellow in organised crime and policing at Britain's Royal United Services Institute.
"What do you do when things return to normality? You have a number of undesirables either in your country or travelling globally ... It puts the whole law enforcement effort back by a significant margin."
Inside or outside?
In some countries, the fear is that inmates won't be released. In Venezuela, human rights groups are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 among a prison population of 110,000 in conditions that are already highly unsanitary.
In Bogota, Colombia, a prison riot over coronavirus left 23 prisoners dead and scores injured, and similar unrest has struck detention facilities from Italy to Sri Lanka.
Sudan announced it was releasing more than 4,000 prisoners as a precaution against the disease.
In Brazil, some 1,400 prisoners escaped from four facilities last week ahead of a lockdown over coronavirus, with only around 600 recaptured so far, authorities said.
Even those calling for prisoners to be freed in the hope it will prevent deaths have faced problems. In Egypt, four women were detained a week ago after demonstrating for releases. They themselves were released after questioning.
"What we're seeing is quite a seismic change in how law enforcement goes about its business in the coming months," said RUSI's Ditcham. "The lesser of two evils may be to release all but the most violent and dangerous criminals."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--Italy records 683 coronavirus deaths in a day

A man prays in front of an empty St. Peter 's Square as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in Rome , Italy , March 25 , 2020 .
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has grown by 683 to 7,503 , the Civil Protection Agency said on Wednesday , a decline in the daily tally of fatalities following a spike the day before .
On Tuesday 743 people died .
That followed 602 deaths on Monday , 650 on Sunday and a record of 793 on Saturday -- the highest daily figure since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 74,386 from a previous 69,176 , the Civil Protection Agency said .
The head of the agency , Angelo Borrelli , was not present at the customary news conference to illustrate the data because he came down with a fever on Wednesday and was himself being tested for coronavirus .
Of those originally infected nationwide , 9,362 had fully recovered on Wednesday compared to 8,326 the day before .
There were 3,489 people in intensive care against a previous 3,396 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp fall in the number of deaths compared with the day before , but remained in a critical situation , with a total of 4,474 deaths and 32,346 cases .
That compared with 4,178 deaths and 30,703 cases reported up to Tuesday .

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has grown by 683 to 7,503, the Civil Protection Agency said on Wednesday, a decline in the daily tally of fatalities following a spike the day before.
A man prays in front of an empty St. Peter's Square as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in Rome, Italy, March 25, 2020.
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On Tuesday 743 people died. That followed 602 deaths on Monday, 650 on Sunday and a record of 793 on Saturday -- the highest daily figure since the contagion came to light on Feb. 21.
The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 74,386 from a previous 69,176, the Civil Protection Agency said. The head of the agency, Angelo Borrelli, was not present at the customary news conference to illustrate the data because he came down with a fever on Wednesday and was himself being tested for coronavirus.
Of those originally infected nationwide, 9,362 had fully recovered on Wednesday compared to 8,326 the day before. There were 3,489 people in intensive care against a previous 3,396.
The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy reported a sharp fall in the number of deaths compared with the day before, but remained in a critical situation, with a total of 4,474 deaths and 32,346 cases.
That compared with 4,178 deaths and 30,703 cases reported up to Tuesday.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--China: The slow return to normality

China: The slow return to normality

The Great Wall of China partially re-opened on Tuesday , March 24 , 2020 .
The Great Wall of China @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , two months after closing amid the coronavirus pandemic .
It was the latest @ @ @ @ @ is slowly starting to return to normal .
Beijing Zoo also re-opened its doors on @ @ @ @ @ streets of major cities crowds and traffic are slowly returning as restaurants , businesses and @ @ @ @ @ global cases of the virus continue to rise and countries around the world go into @ @ @ @ @ restrictions including in Hubei province , once the epicentre of the outbreak where a two-month @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , Restrictions in Hubei ’ s capital Wuhan , where the virus first @ @ @ @ @ be lifted on April 8 .
China has recorded over 80,000 coronavirus cases and more @ @ @ @ @ the number of new cases has fallen drastically in recent weeks .
Now the country @ @ @ @ @ new imported cases arriving from abroad .

The Great Wall of China partially re-opened to visitors on Tuesday, two months after closing amid the coronavirus pandemic. It was the latest sign that life in China is slowly starting to return to normal.
The Great Wall of China partially re-opened on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
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Beijing Zoo also re-opened its doors on Tuesday, while on the streets of major cities crowds and traffic are slowly returning as restaurants, businesses and public spaces re-open.
As global cases of the virus continue to rise and countries around the world go into lockdown, China is lifting restrictions including in Hubei province, once the epicentre of the outbreak where a two-month lockdown came to an end on Wednesday,
Restrictions in Hubei’s capital Wuhan, where the virus first emerged, are set to be lifted on April 8.
China has recorded over 80,000 coronavirus cases and more than 3,200 deaths.
But the number of new cases has fallen drastically in recent weeks.
Now the country is taking measures to prevent new imported cases arriving from abroad.
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france24--2020-03-25--Putin delays vote enabling him to stay in power due to coronavirus crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation on the coronavirus outbreak in a televised speech in Moscow , Russia March 25 , 2020 .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday postponed a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in power .
Putin did n't set a new date for the plebiscite originally set for April 22 , saying Wednesday that it would depend on how the new coronavirus pandemic develops .
He also announced during a televised address to the nation that the government does n't want Russians except those working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
He said that stores , pharmacies and banks will stay open .
“ Health , life and safety of the people is an absolute priority for us , ” Putin said .
Russian authorities reported 163 more virus cases in the country since the day before , bringing the national total to 658 on Wednesday .
That marked a significantly bigger daily increase from previous days , when the number of new infections grew only by several dozens .
Russia 's comparatively low caseload given its size and shared border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Putin that the low number of cases in Russia could reflect insufficient screening rather than the actual scale of the epidemic and said the situation was “ serious.
” Denis Protsenko , chief doctor of the top Moscow hospital treating COVID-19 patients , echoed the mayor 's sentiment and later told Putin that Russia needed to “ prepare for the Italian scenario .
”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday postponed a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek another term in power.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation on the coronavirus outbreak in a televised speech in Moscow, Russia March 25, 2020.
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Putin didn't set a new date for the plebiscite originally set for April 22, saying Wednesday that it would depend on how the new coronavirus pandemic develops.
He also announced during a televised address to the nation that the government doesn't want Russians except those working in essential sectors to come to work next week. He said that stores, pharmacies and banks will stay open.
“Health, life and safety of the people is an absolute priority for us,” Putin said.
Russian authorities reported 163 more virus cases in the country since the day before, bringing the national total to 658 on Wednesday. That marked a significantly bigger daily increase from previous days, when the number of new infections grew only by several dozens.
Russia's comparatively low caseload given its size and shared border with China have aroused doubts. On Tuesday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Putin that the low number of cases in Russia could reflect insufficient screening rather than the actual scale of the epidemic and said the situation was “serious.”
Denis Protsenko, chief doctor of the top Moscow hospital treating COVID-19 patients, echoed the mayor's sentiment and later told Putin that Russia needed to “prepare for the Italian scenario.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-03-25--French court releases Malian singer Traore, but backs extradition in custody case

A Paris appeals court on Wednesday granted Malian musician Rokia Traore conditional release despite ruling she could be extradited to Belgium over a child custody dispute – a decision her lawyer vowed to contest .
Singer and guitarist Traore was arrested on a European arrest warrant issued over a child custody battle when she arrived from Bamako at Paris ' Charles de Gaulle airport earlier this month .
This followed a Belgian court ruling last year ordering her to return her five-year-old daughter to the child 's Belgian father , from whom Traore is separated .
`` Under the circumstance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's transfer to the Belgian authorities , '' said the court 's advocate general , who advises the court , said at a hearing .
He was referring to the strict travel restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Obviously we will appeal to the supreme court and then the European Court of Human Rights if we have to , '' her lawyer Kenneth Feliho told AFP .
Traore herself had addressed the court by videoconference from the prison where she is being held .
`` Even though I live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgian legal authorities , '' she said .
Dressed in a grey sweater , she also said that she had begun a hunger strike .
An award-winning musician , Traore is also known for her advocacy work for refugees , and was made a UN ambassador for refugees in 2016 .
Mali 's authorities have expressed their `` solidarity '' with Traore and said they had mobilised diplomatic and consular services to try to resolve the custody dispute .

A Paris appeals court on Wednesday granted Malian musician Rokia Traore conditional release despite ruling she could be extradited to Belgium over a child custody dispute – a decision her lawyer vowed to contest.
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Singer and guitarist Traore was arrested on a European arrest warrant issued over a child custody battle when she arrived from Bamako at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport earlier this month.
This followed a Belgian court ruling last year ordering her to return her five-year-old daughter to the child's Belgian father, from whom Traore is separated.
"Under the circumstance, we cannot organise Ms Traore's transfer to the Belgian authorities," said the court's advocate general, who advises the court, said at a hearing. He was referring to the strict travel restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
"Obviously we will appeal to the supreme court and then the European Court of Human Rights if we have to," her lawyer Kenneth Feliho told AFP.
Traore herself had addressed the court by videoconference from the prison where she is being held.
"Even though I live in Mali, I have always responded to Belgian legal authorities," she said. Dressed in a grey sweater, she also said that she had begun a hunger strike.
An award-winning musician, Traore is also known for her advocacy work for refugees, and was made a UN ambassador for refugees in 2016.
Mali's authorities have expressed their "solidarity" with Traore and said they had mobilised diplomatic and consular services to try to resolve the custody dispute.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Spain overtakes China’s coronavirus toll with 3,434 deaths

Healthcare workers are pictured at the emergency unit at La Paz hospital during the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak in Madrid , Spain , March 23 , 2020 .
Spain 's coronavirus toll overtook that of China on Wednesday , rising to 3,434 after another 738 people died as Madrid announced a multi-million-euro deal with Beijing for critical supplies .
The spike in fatalities means that across the globe , only Italy now has a higher death toll than Spain .
In China , where the virus emerged late last year , the COVID-19 epidemic has claimed 3,281 lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the deadly coronavirus outbreak that has now infected 47,610 people , the health ministry said .
The surge in numbers has brought the medical system to the brink of collapse , with Spain struggling with a lack of medical supplies for testing , treatment and the protection of frontline workers , and a growing number of cases among healthcare personnel with more than 5,400 infected .
To address the shortages , Health Minister Salvador Illa said the government had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Worth some 432 million euros ( $ 467 million ) , the deal will cover 550 million masks , 5.5 million rapid test kits , 950 respirators and 11 million pairs of gloves , he told a televised news conference .
`` We have secured entire production chains ( in China ) which will be working solely for the Spanish government , '' he said .
The supplies will be delivered `` on a staggered basis , every week , with the first -- a major delivery -- arriving at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also said Spain would continue producing its own materials on a national level .
The announcement came a day after Spain 's armed forces asked NATO for humanitarian assistance to secure supplies to help curb the spread of the virus both in the military and in the civilian population .
The request specified 450,000 respirators , 500,000 rapid testing kits , 500 ventilators and 1.5 million surgical masks .
Despite the national lockdown imposed on March 14 , which is to be extended until April 11 , both deaths and infections have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week would be particularly bad .
`` We are approaching the peak , '' the ministry 's emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said in announcing the figures .
Health authorities are hoping it will soon become clear whether the lockdown is having the desired effect .
The Madrid region has suffered the brunt of the epidemic with 14,597 infections -- just under a third of the total -- and 1,825 deaths , or 53 percent of the national figure .
With hospitals on the brink of collapse , troops have set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IFEMA exhibition centre which currently has 1,500 beds but which could be expanded to take in up to 5,500 people -- making it the largest hospital in Spain .
And with the city 's funeral services overwhelmed , officials have commandeered the Palacio de Hielo ice skating rink to serve as a temporary morgue .
In a separate development , unions have been up in arms over a decision by Airbus to resume production in Spain , despite the outbreak , saying it endangered workers ' lives .
So far , a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus with hundreds more in quarantine , but the European plane-maker has insisted it would resume production on Monday , prompting unions to call an indefinite strike .

Spain's coronavirus toll overtook that of China on Wednesday, rising to 3,434 after another 738 people died as Madrid announced a multi-million-euro deal with Beijing for critical supplies.
Healthcare workers are pictured at the emergency unit at La Paz hospital during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain, March 23, 2020.
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The spike in fatalities means that across the globe, only Italy now has a higher death toll than Spain.
In China, where the virus emerged late last year, the COVID-19 epidemic has claimed 3,281 lives.
The latest figures were announced as Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the deadly coronavirus outbreak that has now infected 47,610 people, the health ministry said.
The surge in numbers has brought the medical system to the brink of collapse, with Spain struggling with a lack of medical supplies for testing, treatment and the protection of frontline workers, and a growing number of cases among healthcare personnel with more than 5,400 infected.
To address the shortages, Health Minister Salvador Illa said the government had inked a major deal with China.
Worth some 432 million euros ($467 million), the deal will cover 550 million masks, 5.5 million rapid test kits, 950 respirators and 11 million pairs of gloves, he told a televised news conference.
"We have secured entire production chains (in China) which will be working solely for the Spanish government," he said.
The supplies will be delivered "on a staggered basis, every week, with the first -- a major delivery -- arriving at the end of this week," he said.
He also said Spain would continue producing its own materials on a national level.
NATO help sought
The announcement came a day after Spain's armed forces asked NATO for humanitarian assistance to secure supplies to help curb the spread of the virus both in the military and in the civilian population.
The request specified 450,000 respirators, 500,000 rapid testing kits, 500 ventilators and 1.5 million surgical masks.
Despite the national lockdown imposed on March 14, which is to be extended until April 11, both deaths and infections have continued to mount, with officials warning this week would be particularly bad.
"We are approaching the peak," the ministry's emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said in announcing the figures.
Health authorities are hoping it will soon become clear whether the lockdown is having the desired effect.
The Madrid region has suffered the brunt of the epidemic with 14,597 infections -- just under a third of the total -- and 1,825 deaths, or 53 percent of the national figure.
Airbus to resume production
With hospitals on the brink of collapse, troops have set up a massive field hospital in Madrid's vast IFEMA exhibition centre which currently has 1,500 beds but which could be expanded to take in up to 5,500 people -- making it the largest hospital in Spain.
And with the city's funeral services overwhelmed, officials have commandeered the Palacio de Hielo ice skating rink to serve as a temporary morgue.
In a separate development, unions have been up in arms over a decision by Airbus to resume production in Spain, despite the outbreak, saying it endangered workers' lives.
So far, a total of 138 employees have tested positive for the virus with hundreds more in quarantine, but the European plane-maker has insisted it would resume production on Monday, prompting unions to call an indefinite strike.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Britain's Prince Charles, heir to the throne, tests positive for coronavirus

In this photo taken on February 4 , 2020 , Britain 's Prince Charles leaves after visiting the TK Maxx Tooting store in London , Britain .
Prince Charles , the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II , is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but `` otherwise remains in good health '' , his office said on Wednesday .
The 71-year-old and his wife Camilla – who does not have COVID-19 – are currently self-isolating in Scotland , Clarence House said .
`` The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus , '' it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title .
`` He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual .
`` The Duchess of Cornwall ( Camilla ) has also been tested but does not have the virus .
`` In accordance with government and medical advice , the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland . ''
The couple were tested by the state-run National Health Service ( NHS ) in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland , it said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks , '' it added .
Queen Elizabeth II , 93 , and her husband Prince Philip , 98 , retired to Windsor Castle , outside London , on March 19 .
They brought forward their Easter break by a week because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Britain has more than 8,000 confirmed cases of the disease , and 422 people have died .

Prince Charles, the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but "otherwise remains in good health", his office said on Wednesday.
In this photo taken on February 4, 2020, Britain's Prince Charles leaves after visiting the TK Maxx Tooting store in London, Britain.
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The 71-year-old and his wife Camilla – who does not have COVID-19 – are currently self-isolating in Scotland, Clarence House said.
"The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus," it said in a statement, using his official title.
"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.
"The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) has also been tested but does not have the virus.
"In accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland."
The couple were tested by the state-run National Health Service (NHS) in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland, it said.
"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks," it added.
01:46
Queen Elizabeth II, 93, and her husband Prince Philip, 98, retired to Windsor Castle, outside London, on March 19.
They brought forward their Easter break by a week because of the coronavirus outbreak. Britain has more than 8,000 confirmed cases of the disease, and 422 people have died.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-25--Trapped at home: Domestic violence victims at high risk in coronavirus confinement

A sign reading , `` Break the Silence '' is brandished at a protest against domestic violence on September 18 , 2019 , in Le Havre in the French region of Normandy .
For many French women and families suffering from domestic violence , being confined at home with an abusive partner due to the coronavirus is set to become a living nightmare .
Paris-based psychiatrist Marie-France Hirigoyen recently recounted the plight of one woman stuck at home with a partner prone to violence .
“ When her husband drinks , the effects are already terrible – she frequently suffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Hirigoyen , who counsels a number of domestic violence victims .
“ But with the lockdown , that risk has increased .
She just called me saying he went out to do some shopping and buy alcohol ; she 's terrified of when he returns . ''
France has been in lockdown since March 17 – a situation that could last for weeks and possibly months .
It is an unprecedented scenario that could have enormous repercussions for the safety of those confined with an abusive partner .
Since the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls and messages from patients fearing for their safety .
“ Domestic violence perpetrators are already fragile individuals who can not bear frustration , so the confinement will only worsen the situation , ” she told FRANCE 24 .
Domestic violence is a serious problem in France : It is estimated that a woman is murdered by a partner or ex-partner every two to three days .
Last November , the government unveiled a series of nationwide measures in an attempt to address the issue .
Among the raft of recommendations were increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender-based violence ; hiring more specialised social workers at police stations ; and working with doctors to ease confidentiality rules so they can flag potential domestic abuse cases to authorities .
With the whole of France now on lockdown , activists , women ’ s groups and health workers need only look at what happened in China at the height of the coronavirus epidemic .
Attacks in China tripled in February compared to the same period the previous year , according to a former police officer from Hubei province who has founded an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report earlier this month that looked at the impact of coronavirus on women , Human Rights Watch cited local Chinese media reports on the uptick in domestic abuse .
It noted the lockdown had triggered a “ greater incidence of domestic violence for reasons including increased stress , cramped and difficult living conditions , and breakdowns in community support mechanisms ” .
“ Crises can often further limit women ’ s ability to get away from abuse , and place victims in an environment without appropriate access to services , such as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for abuse , ” Human Rights Watch wrote .
> > Gender and the coronavirus : Why are more men dying than women ?
There was much concern among French NGOs working with sufferers of domestic abuse when the French government announced the lockdown .
“ Times of crisis are always conducive to a rise in violence , ” said Caroline De Haas , a member of the French feminist collective Nous Toutes ( All of us ) .
“ For those suffering at home , it can quickly go from psychological abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe even lead to femicide.
” In response , Marlène Schiappa , the French minister for gender equality , said the emergency hotline for victims ( 3919 ) would remain open during this period .
However , FRANCE 24 's attempts to call the hotline this week were unsuccessful .
Officials later told us that calls to the hotline are “ in the process of being transferred to the numbers of other associations ” .
Those working on the front line are extremely worried that their phones are not ringing .
“ Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no calls ; usually it 's four to seven calls per week , '' said Delphine Zoughebi , a lawyer in Paris who specialises in defending domestic violence victims .
Zoughebi said one client has not been in contact since the court summoned her abusive partner several days ago .
“ The situation is very worrying , I know that spouses often look at their partners ’ cell phones , ” she said .
“ My client is a mother who lives with her child under the same roof as her spouse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been locked up with him.
” Urgent court hearings are still being held despite the lockdown , allowing judges to issue emergency protection orders so the accused is no longer permitted to live with the affected partner or the family .
But these hearings are limited in number .
Nowhere to go The question remains as to what options women have when everyone is under government order to stay home .
As Pauline Baron from Nous Toutes explained : “ Currently , they can not go to a hotel , can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really have no other solution.
” France is already lacking adequate emergency housing to accommodate these women and their families .
In 2018 , the country ’ s High Council for Gender Equality declared that 11,000 additional places were needed for emergency shelters .
The government announced last November that just an additional 1,000 places would be created .
Zoughebi said there was one remaining line of defence that does not require additional government resources : “ Solidarity between neighbours .
If you hear furniture falling , chairs being thrown , angry shouting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening or alert the police .
That is the best thing to do in these times of confinement.
” “ These women who often turn to associations to… seek help , are not able to , since so many of them are currently operating with far less staff .
This situation could be catastrophic , so we must be vigilant , ” she added .
France does not have to look far for a model of how to deal with domestic violence in the era of coronavirus .
Neighbouring Spain , the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 after Italy , has already implemented innovative measures to combat domestic violence .
Madrid has established an instant messaging service with a geolocation function and offers an online chat room that provides immediate psychological support to victims .

For many French women and families suffering from domestic violence, being confined at home with an abusive partner due to the coronavirus is set to become a living nightmare.
A sign reading, "Break the Silence" is brandished at a protest against domestic violence on September 18, 2019, in Le Havre in the French region of Normandy.
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Paris-based psychiatrist Marie-France Hirigoyen recently recounted the plight of one woman stuck at home with a partner prone to violence.
“When her husband drinks, the effects are already terrible – she frequently suffers from psychological and physical violence," said Hirigoyen, who counsels a number of domestic violence victims. “But with the lockdown, that risk has increased. She just called me saying he went out to do some shopping and buy alcohol; she's terrified of when he returns."
France has been in lockdown since March 17 – a situation that could last for weeks and possibly months. It is an unprecedented scenario that could have enormous repercussions for the safety of those confined with an abusive partner.
Since the start of the lockdown, Hirigoyen has received several calls and messages from patients fearing for their safety.
“Domestic violence perpetrators are already fragile individuals who cannot bear frustration, so the confinement will only worsen the situation,” she told FRANCE 24.
Measures to address the problem
Domestic violence is a serious problem in France: It is estimated that a woman is murdered by a partner or ex-partner every two to three days. Last November, the government unveiled a series of nationwide measures in an attempt to address the issue.
Among the raft of recommendations were increasing school programmes designed to raise awareness of gender-based violence; hiring more specialised social workers at police stations; and working with doctors to ease confidentiality rules so they can flag potential domestic abuse cases to authorities.
With the whole of France now on lockdown, activists, women’s groups and health workers need only look at what happened in China at the height of the coronavirus epidemic.
Attacks in China tripled in February compared to the same period the previous year, according to a former police officer from Hubei province who has founded an association combatting domestic violence.
In a report earlier this month that looked at the impact of coronavirus on women, Human Rights Watch cited local Chinese media reports on the uptick in domestic abuse.
It noted the lockdown had triggered a “greater incidence of domestic violence for reasons including increased stress, cramped and difficult living conditions, and breakdowns in community support mechanisms”.
“Crises can often further limit women’s ability to get away from abuse, and place victims in an environment without appropriate access to services, such as a safe shelter away from abusers and accountability for abuse,” Human Rights Watch wrote.
>> Gender and the coronavirus: Why are more men dying than women?
A worrying silence
There was much concern among French NGOs working with sufferers of domestic abuse when the French government announced the lockdown.
“Times of crisis are always conducive to a rise in violence,” said Caroline De Haas, a member of the French feminist collective Nous Toutes (All of us).
“For those suffering at home, it can quickly go from psychological abuse to physical, sexual violence, and maybe even lead to femicide.”
In response, Marlène Schiappa, the French minister for gender equality, said the emergency hotline for victims (3919) would remain open during this period.
However, FRANCE 24's attempts to call the hotline this week were unsuccessful. Officials later told us that calls to the hotline are “in the process of being transferred to the numbers of other associations”.
Those working on the front line are extremely worried that their phones are not ringing.
“Since March 17, we have had practically no calls; usually it's four to seven calls per week," said Delphine Zoughebi, a lawyer in Paris who specialises in defending domestic violence victims.
Zoughebi said one client has not been in contact since the court summoned her abusive partner several days ago.
“The situation is very worrying, I know that spouses often look at their partners’ cell phones,” she said. “My client is a mother who lives with her child under the same roof as her spouse. For the last few days, she has been locked up with him.”
Urgent court hearings are still being held despite the lockdown, allowing judges to issue emergency protection orders so the accused is no longer permitted to live with the affected partner or the family. But these hearings are limited in number.
Nowhere to go
The question remains as to what options women have when everyone is under government order to stay home. As Pauline Baron from Nous Toutes explained: “Currently, they cannot go to a hotel, can’t take refuge with relatives; they really have no other solution.”
France is already lacking adequate emergency housing to accommodate these women and their families. In 2018, the country’s High Council for Gender Equality declared that 11,000 additional places were needed for emergency shelters. The government announced last November that just an additional 1,000 places would be created.
Zoughebi said there was one remaining line of defence that does not require additional government resources: “Solidarity between neighbours. If you hear furniture falling, chairs being thrown, angry shouting, you need to see what is happening or alert the police. That is the best thing to do in these times of confinement.”
“These women who often turn to associations to… seek help, are not able to, since so many of them are currently operating with far less staff. This situation could be catastrophic, so we must be vigilant,” she added.
France does not have to look far for a model of how to deal with domestic violence in the era of coronavirus. Neighbouring Spain, the second European country to be hard hit by COVID-19 after Italy, has already implemented innovative measures to combat domestic violence. Madrid has established an instant messaging service with a geolocation function and offers an online chat room that provides immediate psychological support to victims.
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france24--2020-03-25--Istanbul prosecutor indicts two top Saudi officials in Khashoggi's murder

A protester holds a poster with a photo of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi outside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul , Turkey .
Istanbul prosecutors said on Wednesday they had prepared an indictment against a close aide to Saudi Arabia 's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a former deputy head of general intelligence over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
The prosecutor 's office accused the two men of instigating Khashoggi ’ s murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and named 18 suspects it said actually carried out the killing , which caused a global uproar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulate on Oct. 2 , 2018 , where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding .
Turkish officials said his body was dismembered and removed from the building , but his remains have not been found .
Some Western governments , as well as the CIA , said they believed Prince Mohammed had ordered the killing – an accusation Saudi officials have denied .
The indictment accuses former deputy head of Saudi Arabia 's general intelligence Ahmed al-Asiri and former royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani of having `` instigated premeditated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor 's office said .
It says the others suffocated Khashoggi , a columnist for the Washington Post who had grown increasingly critical of Prince Mohammed 's actions , after agreeing in advance that he should be killed if he did not return to Saudi Arabia with them .
The list of 18 suspected killers includes a 15-strong team which flew to Turkey to carry out the operation , and three intelligence officials .
Saudi Arabia 's media ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Both Qahtani and Asiri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's killing .
Asiri was subsequently tried in Saudi Arabia but released due to insufficient evidence , a Saudi prosecutor said .
Qahtani was investigated but was not charged .
Sources have said he remained active in state matters .
In December a Saudi court sentenced five people to death and three to jail for Khashoggi 's killing in a trial which a U.N. rapporteur described as a mockery of justice because it did not target those she described as the masterminds of the operation .
The court did not identify those sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on analysis of suspects ' phone records , their entry and exit into Turkey and presence at the consulate , witness statements and analysis of Khashoggi 's phone and computers , the prosecutor 's office said .
Khashoggi 's killing , which Turkey 's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said was ordered at the `` highest levels '' of the Saudi government , has strained ties between Ankara and Riyadh .
Turkey accused Saudi officials of obstructing investigations at the consulate , while the Saudis have repeatedly said the Istanbul prosecutor has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prince Mohammed has denied ordering the killing but said he bore ultimate responsibility as the kingdom ’ s de facto leader .
Saudi Arabia initially denied any involvement in or knowledge of Khashoggi ’ s death but later changed its position multiple times .

Istanbul prosecutors said on Wednesday they had prepared an indictment against a close aide to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a former deputy head of general intelligence over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
A protester holds a poster with a photo of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi outside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
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The prosecutor's office accused the two men of instigating Khashoggi’s murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and named 18 suspects it said actually carried out the killing, which caused a global uproar.
Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on Oct. 2, 2018, where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding. Turkish officials said his body was dismembered and removed from the building, but his remains have not been found.
Some Western governments, as well as the CIA, said they believed Prince Mohammed had ordered the killing – an accusation Saudi officials have denied.
The indictment accuses former deputy head of Saudi Arabia's general intelligence Ahmed al-Asiri and former royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani of having "instigated premeditated murder with monstrous intent", the prosecutor's office said.
It says the others suffocated Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post who had grown increasingly critical of Prince Mohammed's actions, after agreeing in advance that he should be killed if he did not return to Saudi Arabia with them.
The list of 18 suspected killers includes a 15-strong team which flew to Turkey to carry out the operation, and three intelligence officials.
Saudi Arabia's media ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Suspects still free
Both Qahtani and Asiri were dismissed from their positions after Khashoggi's killing. Asiri was subsequently tried in Saudi Arabia but released due to insufficient evidence, a Saudi prosecutor said. Qahtani was investigated but was not charged. Sources have said he remained active in state matters.
In December a Saudi court sentenced five people to death and three to jail for Khashoggi's killing in a trial which a U.N. rapporteur described as a mockery of justice because it did not target those she described as the masterminds of the operation.
The court did not identify those sentenced to death.
Wednesday's indictment was based on analysis of suspects' phone records, their entry and exit into Turkey and presence at the consulate, witness statements and analysis of Khashoggi's phone and computers, the prosecutor's office said.
Khashoggi's killing, which Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said was ordered at the "highest levels" of the Saudi government, has strained ties between Ankara and Riyadh.
Turkey accused Saudi officials of obstructing investigations at the consulate, while the Saudis have repeatedly said the Istanbul prosecutor has not complied with their requests to share information.
Prince Mohammed has denied ordering the killing but said he bore ultimate responsibility as the kingdom’s de facto leader. Saudi Arabia initially denied any involvement in or knowledge of Khashoggi’s death but later changed its position multiple times.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-25--France records 231 coronavirus deaths in a day bringing total to 1,331

Medical workers wearing protective masks and suits are seen at the pulmonology unit at the hospital in Vannes where patients suffering from coronavirus are treated , France , March 20 , 2020 .
French health authorities reported 231 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday , taking the total to 1,331 .
The rise in the number of deaths from coronavirus represents a daily increase in France of 21 % , a slight slowing from the previous two days with the country now in its second week of lockdown .
This daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to compile data on deaths in retirement homes , which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities .
During a press conference , health agency director Jerome Salomon added that the number of cases had risen to 25,233 , a rise of about 13 % in 24 hours .
Salomon said 2,827 people were in a serious condition , needing life support , up 12 % compared to Tuesday and meaning that more than one third of France 's 8,000 beds equipped with ventilation gear are occupied .

French health authorities reported 231 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 1,331.
Medical workers wearing protective masks and suits are seen at the pulmonology unit at the hospital in Vannes where patients suffering from coronavirus are treated, France, March 20, 2020.
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The rise in the number of deaths from coronavirus represents a daily increase in France of 21%, a slight slowing from the previous two days with the country now in its second week of lockdown.
This daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital but authorities said they would soon be able to compile data on deaths in retirement homes, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities.
During a press conference, health agency director Jerome Salomon added that the number of cases had risen to 25,233, a rise of about 13% in 24 hours.
Salomon said 2,827 people were in a serious condition, needing life support, up 12% compared to Tuesday and meaning that more than one third of France's 8,000 beds equipped with ventilation gear are occupied.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-03-26--French military to support public services as country’s coronavirus toll rises

French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse , eastern France on March 25 , 2020 during a strict lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) .
The French military will support public services strained by the coronavirus epidemic , President Emmanuel Macron has said , as the country 's death toll topped 1,300 .
France like other nations has already imposed a nationwide ban on non-essential movement and closed schools and restaurants in a bid to stop the spread of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , will focus on `` aiding and supporting the population , as well as helping public services face the epidemic in mainland France and overseas '' , Macron said on Wednesday .
`` Unity and courage will allow us to overcome this , we are only at the beginning , but we will hold out , '' Macron added , declaring that France was `` at war '' .
The comments came after the president visited a military field hospital set up by the army in the eastern Mulhouse region which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The whole nation has been mobilised '' in the fight against the disease , said a masked Macron , who also promised more investment for hospitals .
Officials said on Wednesday that Paris would also cut metro and train services to a minimum in the capital and its suburbs and close two of its airports as the country expands the lockdown measures .
Operators said the goal was to keep just enough trains running for health workers and others who need to get to work during the coronavirus crisis .
Police are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary travel , not least by people hoping to escape confinement in large cities .
Also Wednesday , Paris airports operator ADP said it would temporarily shut Orly airport , the main domestic hub , to commercial flights because of the `` significant and sudden '' drop-off in passenger traffic because of coronavirus travel restrictions .
`` Yesterday passenger traffic at Orly was down 92 percent and down 89 percent at Charles de Gaulle , '' the main Paris international hub , ADP 's managing director Edward Arkwright told journalists .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airports as airlines slashed flights .
France has reported 1,331 official coronavirus deaths since the first case was reported in January .
More than 11,500 people have tested positive for the virus .
The government will announce over the coming days for how long the country 's lockdown measures would continue , spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said .

The French military will support public services strained by the coronavirus epidemic, President Emmanuel Macron has said, as the country's death toll topped 1,300.
French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the military field hospital outside the Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse, eastern France on March 25, 2020 during a strict lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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France like other nations has already imposed a nationwide ban on non-essential movement and closed schools and restaurants in a bid to stop the spread of the pandemic.
The military operation, named "Resilience", will focus on "aiding and supporting the population, as well as helping public services face the epidemic in mainland France and overseas", Macron said on Wednesday.
"Unity and courage will allow us to overcome this, we are only at the beginning, but we will hold out," Macron added, declaring that France was "at war".
The comments came after the president visited a military field hospital set up by the army in the eastern Mulhouse region which has been badly hit by the coronavirus.
"The whole nation has been mobilised" in the fight against the disease, said a masked Macron, who also promised more investment for hospitals.
Paris to reduce metro, train services
Officials said on Wednesday that Paris would also cut metro and train services to a minimum in the capital and its suburbs and close two of its airports as the country expands the lockdown measures.
Operators said the goal was to keep just enough trains running for health workers and others who need to get to work during the coronavirus crisis.
Police are carrying out checks at stations to prevent unnecessary travel, not least by people hoping to escape confinement in large cities.
France's main domestic airport to shut
Also Wednesday, Paris airports operator ADP said it would temporarily shut Orly airport, the main domestic hub, to commercial flights because of the "significant and sudden" drop-off in passenger traffic because of coronavirus travel restrictions.
"Yesterday passenger traffic at Orly was down 92 percent and down 89 percent at Charles de Gaulle," the main Paris international hub, ADP's managing director Edward Arkwright told journalists.
The group had already shut several terminals at both airports as airlines slashed flights.
France has reported 1,331 official coronavirus deaths since the first case was reported in January. More than 11,500 people have tested positive for the virus.
The government will announce over the coming days for how long the country's lockdown measures would continue, spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-03-26--French economy operating at about 65 percent due to coronavirus outbreak

Local residents take pictures of mock stores in the Montmartre district in Paris , France , on March 25 , 2020 .
The coronavirus lockdown has left one Parisian street stuck in a time warp after the makers of a film that takes place during World War II were forced to abandon their set .
French economic activity and household spending are running at about 65 % of normal levels due to the coronavirus outbreak , the INSEE official statistics agency said on Thursday .
INSEE gave the first picture of the impact of the nationwide lockdown as it published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw its biggest single drop since records began in 1980 .
The index fell to 95 points from 105 points in February with even steeper declines seen in the services and retail sectors , INSEE said .
The French government has prepared a 45 billion euro ( $ 49.1 billion ) package – 2 % of GDP – of crisis measures made up mainly of deferred taxes and payroll charges for companies , and payments to companies who put workers on reduced schedules .
Additionally , the government is guaranteeing up to 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – of corporate borrowing from commercial banks to keep credit flowing to the economy .
INSEE said it was too early to try to forecast how deep the downturn would be , but it estimated that each month of confinement would reduce economic activity by 12 percentage points on a quarterly basis and 3 percentage points on an annual basis .
With vast swathes of the economy in lockdown , the government estimated last week in an emergency update to the budget law that the economy would contract 1 % this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously forecast .
However , Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has since warned that the downturn was likely to be much worse , comparing it to the Great Depression of 1929 .

French economic activity and household spending are running at about 65% of normal levels due to the coronavirus outbreak, the INSEE official statistics agency said on Thursday.
Local residents take pictures of mock stores in the Montmartre district in Paris, France, on March 25, 2020. The coronavirus lockdown has left one Parisian street stuck in a time warp after the makers of a film that takes place during World War II were forced to abandon their set.
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INSEE gave the first picture of the impact of the nationwide lockdown as it published its monthly business confidence index, which saw its biggest single drop since records began in 1980.
The index fell to 95 points from 105 points in February with even steeper declines seen in the services and retail sectors, INSEE said.
The French government has prepared a 45 billion euro ($49.1 billion) package – 2% of GDP – of crisis measures made up mainly of deferred taxes and payroll charges for companies, and payments to companies who put workers on reduced schedules.
Additionally, the government is guaranteeing up to 300 billion euros – 15% of GDP – of corporate borrowing from commercial banks to keep credit flowing to the economy.
INSEE said it was too early to try to forecast how deep the downturn would be, but it estimated that each month of confinement would reduce economic activity by 12 percentage points on a quarterly basis and 3 percentage points on an annual basis.
With vast swathes of the economy in lockdown, the government estimated last week in an emergency update to the budget law that the economy would contract 1% this year, instead of the 1.3% growth it had previously forecast.
However, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has since warned that the downturn was likely to be much worse, comparing it to the Great Depression of 1929.
(REUTERS)
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