Wild animals reclaim cities deserted by coronavirus
26/03/2020

IN THE PAPERS © FRANCE 24

By:Dheepthika LAURENT

IN THE PAPERS - Thursday, March 26: We take a look at wild animals reclaiming deserted cities and anger in the Spanish press as the death toll from coronavirus rises.

There's anger in the Spanish papers as the death toll from coronavirus surpasses that of China with over 3,400 mortalities. After 738 deaths were recorded on Wednesday, the Spanish daily ABC says the government knew about the risk of the virus in late February but continued to allow public events. Now, it says, they must be held responsible for their "mistakes and abuses".

The US Senate, meanwhile, approved an historic $2 trillion stimulus package to help struggling businesses impacted by coronavirus. But not everyone's approving. One columnist for the Washington Post is pretty critical of the move, calling it a make-believe world to think the government can help everyone and saying it marks the US’s move from free market capitalism to democratic socialism.

Finally, French daily Libération looks at how wild animals have reclaimed deserted cities. A puma was spotted roaming in the Chilean capital of Santiago recently. In Italy and Spain, wild boars have returned; on the Italian island of Sardinia, dolphins have come back in the absence of ferries and in the empty French ski resort of Courchevel, a wolf was recently spotted. Proof that humans' misfortune is an opportunity for animals!