News in brief

Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed in principle Thursday to lead a 23-nation coalition in massive oil-production cuts after a monthlong feud and a drop in demand due to the coronavirus crisis devastated oil prices. But following more than 11 hours of negotiations, Mexico abruptly exited the talks, jeopardizing a final pact.
Delegates said the talks would continue at a Group of 20 meeting of energy ministers set for today.

Governments from the 19 countries that use the euro agreed on Thursday on a package of measures that could provide more than a half-trillion euros ($550 billion) for companies, workers and health systems to cushion the economic impact of the virus outbreak.
The deal struck Thursday did not, however, include more far-reaching cooperation in the form of shared borrowing guaranteed by all member countries, leaving the issue open as leaders look forward to a further discussion about a fund to support the economic recovery in the longer term.
Borrowing together to pay for the costs of the crisis was a key demand from Italy, whose already heavy debt load is expected to increase because of the recession caused by the virus outbreak. But it was rejected by Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
Mario Centeno, who heads the finance ministers’ group from euro countries, called the package of measures agreed upon “totally unprecedented… Tonight Europe has shown it can deliver when the will is there.”
The ministers agreed that hard-pressed governments such as Spain and Italy could quickly tap the eurozone’s bailout fund for up to 240 billion euros ($260 billion), with the condition that the money is spent on their healthcare systems and the credit line expires after the outbreak is over.
The agreement also provides for up to 200 billion euros in credit guarantees through the European Investment Bank to keep companies afloat and 100 billion euros to make up lost wages for workers put on shorter hours.

The Greek government was putting the final touches to a new plan to tighten controls even further to curb so-called unnecessary travel over Easter Week amid mounting concern among officials that many civilians may seek to flout restrictions and try to move from urban centers to the countryside or coastal areas, where they have holiday homes.
Since the beginning of the week, senior officials have been fleshing out the new plan. Apart from the doubling of the fines announced on Wednesday, the new measures will entail a gradual increase of police presence at toll stations on national highways. According to police sources, roadside inspections will also be intensified on roads off the main highway networks.
What’s more, if necessary, police will also deploy surveillance aids such as drones or helicopters to better monitor the road network.

Authorities on Thursday night put a Roma settlement in Larissa, central Greece, under strict lockdown after several residents tested positive for the highly contagious novel coronavirus.
The settlement, which has an estimated population of around 3,000, was placed under quarantine on the orders of the deputy minister for civil protection, Nikos Hardalias, at 11 p.m. on Thursday.

The global death toll passed 95,000 and confirmed cases grew to over 1.6 million, according to Johns Hopkins University figures. At least 95,699 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic so far. There are 1,601,984 confirmed cases worldwide.

The UN chief warned coronavirus threatens global peace and security. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the UN Security Council on Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic is threatening international peace and security, potentially leading to an increase in social unrest and violence.

Supermarkets and other food stores will remain open next week from 7am to 9pm and on Holy Saturday from 7am to 8 pm. This coming Sunday they will be open from 10 am to 8 pm.

And the weather forecast…
Sunny in Attica today with the temperature expected to reach a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius.