and france24.com. anchor: you are watching france 24 live from paris. french president emmanuel macron takes to the airwaves to announce new coronavirus restrictions. schools will close their doors for three weeks and there will be a month-long ban on the mystic travel. -- on domestic travel. international concern over the violence in myanmar. the deadly violence inflicted by the military junta starting with a coup on for jury first. -- on february 1. an attempted coup just two days

before the newly elected president is set to be sworn into office. thank you for joining us. we begin here in france, where president emmanual macron has announced a nationwide closure of schools to combat rising numbers of coronavirus infections. it is the most of the for can change to the current restrictions already in place. there will be a ban on domestic travel for one month. macron warned the virus is accelerating and deaths could soon reach 100,000. he also said that there is light at the end of the tunnel and there could be a gradual reopening starting in mid-may. >> [speaking french]

>> the centers are ready to vaccinate all citizens over 17 years old. april 16, first appointments will be given to those between 60 and 70 years old. from may 15, appointments will be open to those between 50 and 60 years old. from mid june, appointments will be available for all citizens under the age of 50. anchor: earlier, we heard from our french politics editor who explained more about the political calculation that macron decided to make. >> emmanuel macron decided at the end of january not to impose a new lockdown. he had made this bet that there would be enoughime to have the vaccination campaign ramp-up and avoid the british variant, as it

is known here, to overtake the initial variant and essentially swell the hospitals, icus. but he lost that campaign and he was forced to acknowledge this. he said, we took the right decision. we gained a month of freedom, schooling, work. but, clearly, the bill has just arrived. in the bill is a tough one because some of the measures imposed in the paris region is now imposed nationally. 7:00 p.m. curfew to travel from one region to another. the only main difference with a year ago is that you are essentially encouraged to go outside with no limits in terms of the time you spend outside within 10 kilometers from your home. clearly, there is one big

promise that macron had made, that he would not be forced to close schools. he has said repeatedly that france has done well. well, he was forced to back down . he decided to essentially take advantage of the two-week easter period to decide that schools would close one week in advance. for primary schools, it will reopen on april 26. for secondary schools, where we know that the virus circulates much more, schoolchildren will come back only on may 3. four weeks where the french are asked to tighten their belts for the last time, hoping the vaccination will be the light at the end of the tunnel. anchor: yemen has received its

first coronavirus vaccines. the world health organization said the 360,000 shots will be a game changer for the country. yemen is still reeling from an ongoing civil war and what is considered the worst humanitarian crisis of the world. reporter: this is the first shipment of covid-19 vaccines arriving in the port city, and it comes after the coronavirus commission -- seven years on, it remains a fierce arena for the proxy war between iran and saudi arabia. local communities have been displaced by deadly floods. according to ngo's, children are bearing the brunt of intensive -- of intensifying violence. >> in the background, there are other diseases that are not

receiving treatment such as cholera, pneumonia diphtheria, which have always existed in yemen. now we are talking about 2 million yemeni children at risk of malnutrition this year. reporter: in an interview with france 24, save the children said the international community has failed to intervene. local ngos have been launching awareness raising campaigns. >> i think it is very important to have these campaigns. we get instant feedback from the people on the grnd. we understand the situation better. people are still sharing information, whatsapp and other applications. we can tackle this information on these platforms. it a little help. but a lot of yemenis are now on social media. reporter: the who said the

vaccine shipment was a significant step forward but it remains to be seen how much. the houthi's inside the country have been accused of concealing the extent of the crisis at public hospitals. anchor: now to myanmar where there is growing national concern about the situation. the un security council met today to discuss the deadly violence inflicted by the military junta following a coup on february 1. protesters have been killed and a number of ethnic groups are threatening to join the fight against the military. lawyers for ousted leader aung san suu kyi says she appears to be in good health despite two months of detention. reporter: wounded civilians from eastern myanmar have found refuge on the thai side of the border. the army has bombed the region. a major escalation in the

ongoing conflict between local rebels and central authorities. >> when i got hit, i could not walk. i had to climb to hide. my mother and father ran away into the jungle. the people who are not seriously injured are hiding in the jungle still. reporter: since it seized power two months ago, houston aung san suu kyi -- ousting >> [speaking -- ousting aung san suu kyi, the army has led a crackdown on protesters. in this state, rebels said they expect a major military offensive. some have accused thailand of pushing civilians back into myanmar, which thailand denies. >> we have discussed with those who entered thailand, we asked if they had any problem. when they said no problem, we asked them to return to their

land first. reporter: the thai prime minister said that if the situation worsens, the kingdom would step in to help civilians from myanmar and not turn them away. anchor: for more, we are joined by the spokesperson of the swedish rowing association. -- the swedish rohingya association. the u.s. has moved to target sanctions in myanmar. do youhink this has any chance of success and is the international community doing enough? >> myanmar has already faced two coups and aung san suu kyi has been under house arrest. it was the sanctions imposed by

the international community which has brought the military to its knees. that is what we have seen in 2010, leading to 2015, elections and aung san suu kyi indeed enjoying a little bit of power in myanmar. so sanctions do rk. every little action -- it should be coordinated and it should begin with a global arm embargo. we cannot allow the myanmar military to kill innocent civilians who only expire -- only aspire to live free under democratic reforms. anchor: you are with the swedish rohingya association. what does this military coup on

february 1 mean for the rohingya muslims inyanmar? >> if the old country is in hell, the rohingyas are at the bottom of the hell. we have lesshan half million rohingya completely isolated from the international community. anchor: we know that 520 or so peaceful protesters have been killed so far. can you talk more about the human toll unfolding? >> this is an illegitimate military government trying to stay in power, trying to increase its wealth. it has no value for democratic reforms. no value for its citizens. not only forhe acting majority

but -- but it's minority citizens. whether it be a child, pregnant lady come or even medics. students. it sees them as targets. we have seen in the last two months, human casualties. the people will not give up easily. they are angry. this is an opportunity for all of the ethnic minorities including the majority to put aside our differences and fight the criminal, illegitimate military junta, especially min aung hlaing, who should already belong behind bars. anchor: thank you so much for your time. now, to niger, where the

government says it has foiled an attempted coup. the government says a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace. this comes just two days before the newly elected president is sworn -- is set to be sworn into office. reporter: this district in niger 's capital may be calm now but in the early hours thursday, residents said they heard gunfire -- gunpowder -- gunfire. it came from the presidential palace. >> [speaking a foreign language] reporter: several members of the army have been arrested in

connection to the alleged coup attempt. it comes days ahead of the newly elected president mohamed bazoum 's inauguration. it has been disputed by the opposition leader, mahamane ousmane. this will be the first transition for niger since it gained independence. niger has a long history of the military season government by force -- seizing the government by force. anchor: time for business with kate moody. we know that emmanuel macron announced these restrictions. what kind of effect will this have on the economy? kate: the french finance ministry said that these new lockdowns will see 150,000 businesses closed nationwide.

economic activity could slump by around 18%. in terms of financial aid, french parents who will have to look after their children and cannot work from home will be helped by the government's ongoing furlough scheme, which has been paying salaries into a number of badly affected sectors for over a year. other plans include stick-back loans, grants from a solidarity fund, delay in some payroll taxes, and those furlough payments. earlier this week, 200 million euros in aid for businesses in the clothings, shoes sectors, those that are deemed unessential and will not be able to open for months across france. u.s. president joe biden is unveiling a sweeping inter-structure plan to investing community and workers.

so what is the state of the u.s. and restructure? reporter: -- infrastructure? reporter: it is the largest economy in the world but experts say it's infrastructure is crumbling. the population of the united states has more than doubled since 1960, when most of the infrastructure was designed. today, one in four bridges is deemed deficient. the organization gives the u.s. a mediocre c- overall. >> families are losing thousands of dollars a year in disposable income as a result of cities having to fix potholes, people getting stuck in traffic, when a water line breaks or the energy grid goes down. rerter: the dire situation of the electrical grid was highlighted by the recent situation in texas. extreme winter storms caused

mass blackouts, leaving millions without power or water for days, as well as posing a safety risk, infrastructure undermines the economy. the world economic forum ranks the united states 18th worldwide in broadband coverage. with the rural areas poorly served, handicapping businesses. the u.s. transport association -- airports alone cost the u.s. around $35 billion per year. kate: it was supposed to be the next big player on the london stock exchange but the food delivery platform diveroo has not impressed. settling down a whopping 26%, the biggest first day slump for a major london debut on record. major firms decided against investing in the ipo, citing

concerns about working conditions and the gig economy business model. let's look at the rest of the day's trading action. stocks in london losing about 0.8% at the close. the dax, fairly flat in frankfurt as inflation in the euro zone rose in march. the nasdaq getting about 1.5% at the close. the s&p 500 index hit a new high. the dow jones closing just in the red. u.s. private sector firms, the fastest growth since september. h&m has reported losses in a three-month period from december to february. what is really making waves is the swedish retailer's statement about china. it even saw some of its shops shuttered this past weekend over the weaker muslim -- over the

uighyur muslim minority. on wednesday, h&m addressed the backlash, saying it remained committed in the long term to china which he described as a very important market. the statement continued, "we want to be a responsible buyer in china and elsewhere and we are actively working on the next steps with regard to material sourcing." not mentioning xinjiang or the uyghurs in response to a more statement. beijing of course denies any maltreatment of uyghurs. anchor: time for our focus report. we take a closer look at the animal rights movement here in france. plenty of those in the movement say they do not approve of violent tactics and are instead

focused on freeing animals from factory farms. blocking slaughterhouses and filming the conditions in which animals are kept. ♪ reporter: it is almost midnight. the group is rehearsing its mission before heading out. >> tonight, we are going back to the same place as last week. reporter: they say animals need to be saved from the conditions. >> we will just have to go around here to the buildings. >> they have already carried out about 20 campaigns. illegal and carefully planned. >> a lot of excitement, a bit of nervousness. there are many things to handle.

it is not a game. reporter: worst-case scenario, we will be taken into custody and come out alive. but if our mission fails, the two little ones we are looking to save will be sent to the slaughterhouse. reporter: they are headed to a farm. >> i don't believe farmers when they say they love their animals. my parents did not raise me to kill me in the end. reporter: we are going to follow the path into the buildings. and when they arrive. clearly, this is an example of what is known as thumping, when the peas are deemed to week by

the farmers and they slam their heads against the floor. they put on their gear and t-shirts from the organization, and had to maternity wards. the looks in the eyes, they are full of sadness. they are locked in these cages 24/7. that is why we must do something against this. it is our duty to act against something that is unjust, immoral, and unfortunately legal. >> a bit further away.

>> put him in the box. let's go. we have space for two so we are saving two. reporter: in french law, this type of theft can be punished by up to 10 years imprisonment. >> you can see it as theft but that is because we see these animals as consumer goods. reporter: the piglets will be taken to a refuge that often takes in farmed animals. another organization has taken out 30 direct action campaigns over the past five years. like this blockade at a slaughterhouse in central france.

six of the 58 activists who took part have been taken to court. the head of the organization did not take part in this particular blockade but she is accused of inspiring the activists. it is her 25th lawsuit. she has already received a suspended jail sentence and if convicted she could end up behind bars. >> there is always a bit of aberration -- apprehension. reporter: the verdict is expected to be delivered in april. as well as the jail sentence, they risk a $38,000 fine. >> the court has hurt us and they are satisfied. they have done their job and that is all i have to say. i will leave it there. >> i don't have any regrets. i take full responsibility.

it is the system that exploits living beings. today more than ever, we know it is essentially a political struggle. not just about loving cats and dogs. i hope they get that. reporter: bruno is continuing a family trait. farming has been running in the family for six generations. >> this is true cattle farming. we don't like letting go of them even if it is difficult. we never know how it will turn out, if some are ill. you can't give up. it is for those who enjoy it. reporter: eight months ago, he discovered graffiti linking farming to pandemics. >> it is hatred. they don't want farming to exist anymore. they are different to us, i don't know. they want to change the world.

reporter: he has filed a complaint even though he is doubtful this will lead to any arrests. >> if they don't want to eat meat, don't eat meat. but they should leave others alone. reporter: she settles in the east of france where she runs a small shelter. they have welcomed 40 rescued animals. >> you have got water, wheat, go and eat now. it is not a party every day. we have two cows that came from laboratories, sheep that were going to be sent to the slaughterhse. this is how we should see animals, not like pieces of meat. reporter: donations and help from volunteers keep the sanctuary going despite the lawsuits. >> even though we have court

cases against us in belgium, switzerland, and italy, we still manage to carry out campaigns there. as income of the group. when i say we, i mean everybody of course. >> activists are in it for life. whether it is in france or abroad, they can do things they might never talk about. reporter: in the long term, the pair plan to leave france to continue their struggle abroad. anchor: that is it for now. stay tuned for more world news here on france 24. ♪ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■g■■zñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■ñ■z

[captioning made possible by democracy now! amy: from new york, this is democracy now! >> they're not back home -- they're not going to surrender, not going back home. amy: restistance to the military coup in burma continues despite a bloody crackdown. more than 500 people killed during two months of