france24--2020-06-23--UNESCO warns coronavirus is exacerbating education inequality in the world

Children from poorer communities as well as girls , the disabled , immigrants and ethnic minorities are at a distinct educational disadvantage in many countries , UNESCO says .
Nearly 260 million children had no access to schooling in 2018 , the United Nations education agency said in a report Tuesday that blamed poverty and discrimination for educational inequalities that are being exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak .
Children from poorer communities as well as girls , the disabled , immigrants and ethnic minorities were at a distinct educational disadvantage in many countries , the UN 's Paris-based education body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 258 million children and youth were entirely excluded from education , with poverty as the main obstacle to access , '' the report found .
This represented 17 percent of all school-age children , most of them in south and central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa .
The disparities worsened with the arrival of the coronavirus crisis , which saw over 90 percent of the global student population affected by school closures , the report said .
And while children from families with means could continue schooling from home using laptops , mobile phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cut off entirely .
`` Lessons from the past — such as with Ebola — have shown that health crises can leave many behind , in particular the poorest girls , many of whom may never return to school , '' UNESCO 's director general Audrey Azoulay wrote in a foreword .
The report noted that in low- and middle-income countries , adolescents from the richest 20 percent of households were three times more likely to complete the first portion of secondary school — up to age 15 — than those from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 percent less likely to achieve minimum reading proficiency in 10 of these nations .
In 20 poor countries , mainly in sub-Saharan Africa , hardly any rural girls complete secondary school , UNESCO said .
And in richer nations , 10-year-olds taught in a language other than their mother tongue scored 34 percent lower than native speakers in reading tests .
In the United States , LGBTI students were almost three times more likely to have stayed home from school because they felt unsafe .
`` Unfortunately , disadvantaged groups are kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through more or less subtle decisions leading to exclusion from curricula , irrelevant learning objectives , stereotyping in textbooks , discrimination in resource allocation and assessments , tolerance of violence and neglect of needs , '' the report said .
Two African countries still ban pregnant girls from school , 117 countries allow child marriages , and 20 have yet to ratify an international convention that bans child labour .
Some 335 million girls attended schools that did not provide them with the water , sanitation and hygiene services they need to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central and eastern European countries , Roma children are segregated in mainstream schools .
And in Asia , displaced people such as the Rohingya are taught in separate systems .
`` Many countries still practice education segregation , which reinforces stereotyping , discrimination and alienation , '' the report said .
`` Just 41 countries worldwide officially recognised sign language and , globally , schools were more eager to get internet access than to cater for learners with disabilities , '' it said .
UNESCO urged countries to focus on disadvantaged children when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To rise to the challenges of our time , a move towards more inclusive education is imperative , '' Azoulay said .
`` Failure to act will hinder the progress of societies . ''

Nearly 260 million children had no access to schooling in 2018, the United Nations education agency said in a report Tuesday that blamed poverty and discrimination for educational inequalities that are being exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak.
Children from poorer communities as well as girls, the disabled, immigrants and ethnic minorities are at a distinct educational disadvantage in many countries, UNESCO says.
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Children from poorer communities as well as girls, the disabled, immigrants and ethnic minorities were at a distinct educational disadvantage in many countries, the UN's Paris-based education body UNESCO said.
In 2018, "258 million children and youth were entirely excluded from education, with poverty as the main obstacle to access," the report found.
This represented 17 percent of all school-age children, most of them in south and central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The disparities worsened with the arrival of the coronavirus crisis, which saw over 90 percent of the global student population affected by school closures, the report said.
JUST RELEASED!
The new @GEMReport says fewer than 10% of countries have laws that help ensure full inclusion in education!https://t.co/TBl7IfMVvb #AllmeansALL pic.twitter.com/ydcKd0Qp7Y — UNESCO (@UNESCO) June 23, 2020
And while children from families with means could continue schooling from home using laptops, mobile phones and the internet, millions of others were cut off entirely.
"Lessons from the past — such as with Ebola — have shown that health crises can leave many behind, in particular the poorest girls, many of whom may never return to school," UNESCO's director general Audrey Azoulay wrote in a foreword.
'Pushed out'
The report noted that in low- and middle-income countries, adolescents from the richest 20 percent of households were three times more likely to complete the first portion of secondary school — up to age 15 — than those from poor homes.
Children with disabilities were 19 percent less likely to achieve minimum reading proficiency in 10 of these nations.
In 20 poor countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, hardly any rural girls complete secondary school, UNESCO said.
And in richer nations, 10-year-olds taught in a language other than their mother tongue scored 34 percent lower than native speakers in reading tests.
In the United States, LGBTI students were almost three times more likely to have stayed home from school because they felt unsafe.
"Unfortunately, disadvantaged groups are kept out or pushed out of education systems through more or less subtle decisions leading to exclusion from curricula, irrelevant learning objectives, stereotyping in textbooks, discrimination in resource allocation and assessments, tolerance of violence and neglect of needs," the report said.
'Education segregation'
Two African countries still ban pregnant girls from school, 117 countries allow child marriages, and 20 have yet to ratify an international convention that bans child labour.
Some 335 million girls attended schools that did not provide them with the water, sanitation and hygiene services they need to stay in class while menstruating.
In several central and eastern European countries, Roma children are segregated in mainstream schools.
And in Asia, displaced people such as the Rohingya are taught in separate systems.
"Many countries still practice education segregation, which reinforces stereotyping, discrimination and alienation," the report said.
"Just 41 countries worldwide officially recognised sign language and, globally, schools were more eager to get internet access than to cater for learners with disabilities," it said.
UNESCO urged countries to focus on disadvantaged children when schools reopen after coronavirus lockdowns.
"To rise to the challenges of our time, a move towards more inclusive education is imperative," Azoulay said. "Failure to act will hinder the progress of societies."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Trump to extend restrictions on foreign workers until 2021

US President Donald Trump has made a hard line on immigration a cornerstone of his campaign for a second term .
US President Donald Trump will prolong a ban on US employment permits to year-end and broaden it to include H-1B visas used widely in the tech industry , the White House said Monday .
A senior administration official told journalists the move would affect 525,000 jobs in the US , which is currently reeling from a high unemployment rate caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump had repeatedly touted a strong economy , but now finds himself desperate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
The executive order , signed Monday afternoon , will extend and widen the 60-day freeze Trump placed on new work permits for non-US citizens two months ago .
The administration official said the new order would extend to the end of 2020 and include H-1B visas provided to 85,000 workers each year with special skills , many of them joining the US technology industry .
It will also cover most J visas , common for academics and researchers , and L visas used by companies to shift workers based overseas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pichai — whose company has been a leading beneficiary of the H1-B visa system — said he was `` disappointed '' by the announcement .
`` Immigration has contributed immensely to America 's economic success , making it a global leader in tech , '' he wrote on Twitter .
The move comes as Trump feuds with Silicon Valley after tech titans Twitter and Snapchat censored or hid posts by the president they claimed incited violence or were misleading .
Last month Trump signed an order seeking to strip social media giants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a move slammed by his critics as a legally dubious act of political revenge .
The official said the order was necessary to respond to soaring unemployment that resulted from the Covid-19 shutdown .
The official also stressed the H-1B visa freeze was temporary while the program is restructured , shifting from an annual lottery that feeds coders and other specialists to Silicon Valley to a system that gives priority to those foreign workers with the most value .
Trump `` is going to prioritize those workers who are offered the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can add more value to the US economy , the official said .
`` It will eliminate competition with Americans ... in these industries at the entry level , and will do more to get the best and the brightest . ''
The move also freezes most H-2B visas — used each year for about 66,000 short-term , low-skilled jobs in landscaping , food and hospitality industries — and H-4 visas , which allow spouses of other visa holders to work .
Exemptions will apply to seafood processing plants and to au @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like childcare .
In addition , the official said the government is issuing new regulations that will make it much harder for tens of thousands of asylum seekers waiting for their court hearings to work legally in the meanwhile .
With often a two-year wait for a case to be reviewed , the administration sees many people apply for asylum mainly to be able to acquire work permits .
South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham , normally a firm Trump supporter , criticized the decision and tweeted : `` Those who believe legal immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the American worker do not understand the American economy . ''
He added that he feared the president 's decision `` will create a drag on our economic recovery '' .
Layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the US passed 45.7 million last week , and although many jobs will come back as the country reopens , there are worries that some have been irrevocably lost by the heavy financial impact on businesses and local governments .
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned earlier this month that unemployment could still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , an improvement from the current 13.3 percent but still devastatingly high .

US President Donald Trump will prolong a ban on US employment permits to year-end and broaden it to include H-1B visas used widely in the tech industry, the White House said Monday.
US President Donald Trump has made a hard line on immigration a cornerstone of his campaign for a second term.
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A senior administration official told journalists the move would affect 525,000 jobs in the US, which is currently reeling from a high unemployment rate caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump had repeatedly touted a strong economy, but now finds himself desperate for a political boost ahead of the November election.
The executive order, signed Monday afternoon, will extend and widen the 60-day freeze Trump placed on new work permits for non-US citizens two months ago.
The administration official said the new order would extend to the end of 2020 and include H-1B visas provided to 85,000 workers each year with special skills, many of them joining the US technology industry.
It will also cover most J visas, common for academics and researchers, and L visas used by companies to shift workers based overseas to their US offices.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai — whose company has been a leading beneficiary of the H1-B visa system — said he was "disappointed" by the announcement.
"Immigration has contributed immensely to America's economic success, making it a global leader in tech," he wrote on Twitter.
The move comes as Trump feuds with Silicon Valley after tech titans Twitter and Snapchat censored or hid posts by the president they claimed incited violence or were misleading.
Last month Trump signed an order seeking to strip social media giants of legal immunity for content on their platforms in a move slammed by his critics as a legally dubious act of political revenge.
'Prioritize' valuable workers
The official said the order was necessary to respond to soaring unemployment that resulted from the Covid-19 shutdown.
The official also stressed the H-1B visa freeze was temporary while the program is restructured, shifting from an annual lottery that feeds coders and other specialists to Silicon Valley to a system that gives priority to those foreign workers with the most value.
Trump "is going to prioritize those workers who are offered the highest wages," as an indicator that they can add more value to the US economy, the official said.
"It will eliminate competition with Americans... in these industries at the entry level, and will do more to get the best and the brightest."
The move also freezes most H-2B visas — used each year for about 66,000 short-term, low-skilled jobs in landscaping, food and hospitality industries — and H-4 visas, which allow spouses of other visa holders to work.
Exemptions will apply to seafood processing plants and to au pairs, who offer families household help like childcare.
In addition, the official said the government is issuing new regulations that will make it much harder for tens of thousands of asylum seekers waiting for their court hearings to work legally in the meanwhile.
With often a two-year wait for a case to be reviewed, the administration sees many people apply for asylum mainly to be able to acquire work permits.
South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, normally a firm Trump supporter, criticized the decision and tweeted: "Those who believe legal immigration, particularly work visas, are harmful to the American worker do not understand the American economy."
This decision, in my view, will have a chilling effect on our economic recovery at a time we should be doing all we can to restore the economy. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 22, 2020
He added that he feared the president's decision "will create a drag on our economic recovery".
Layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the US passed 45.7 million last week, and although many jobs will come back as the country reopens, there are worries that some have been irrevocably lost by the heavy financial impact on businesses and local governments.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned earlier this month that unemployment could still be 9.3 percent nationwide at the end of the year, an improvement from the current 13.3 percent but still devastatingly high.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--China, EU exchange threats over proposed new security law in Hong Kong

( FILE PHOTO ) Picture taken on August 3 , 2019 shows Nok ( C ) , a volunteer medic , reacting as tear gas is fired towards protesters in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong 's Kowloon district The European Union told China on Monday to make good on a promise to open up its economy and warned of `` very negative consequences '' if Beijing goes ahead with a new security law on Hong Kong that the West says will curtail basic rights .
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their `` grave concern '' over the new law , which critics say will curb the financial hub 's autonomy and freedoms .
The stern message , delivered during a video summit on Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang , adds to a chorus of international concern over Hong Kong , though Beijing has shown no sign of backing down on a law it says is necessary to maintain order .
`` We expressed our grave concerns about the proposed national security law for Hong Kong , '' Michel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We called on China to follow the promises made to the people of Hong Kong and the international community regarding Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy and guaranteed freedoms . ''
In response to the EU comments , China 's foreign ministry said Tuesday that matters relating to Hong Kong were a `` domestic affair '' .
`` We oppose any foreign interference in this matter , '' ministry spokesman Wang Lutong told reporters at a briefing , saying that Chinese leaders had `` expressed our position '' at the video summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's state news agency Xinhua made no mention of Hong Kong but said Xi had stressed his country wanted `` peace without hegemony '' .
Foreign ministers from the G7 group of industrialised nations last week urged Beijing to reconsider the proposed law , which has raised concerns it will end Hong Kong 's relative freedoms and open the door to the kind of repression seen in mainland China .
Echoing the language of the G7 statement , von der Leyen said they had made it clear to the Chinese that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security law breaches Beijing 's international commitments .
`` The national security law risks seriously undermining the 'one country , two systems ' principle and Hong Kong 's high degree of autonomy , which we wish to see stay in place . ''
Von der Leyen said she had warned the Chinese leaders that Hong Kong owes its economic success to its relative autonomy from Beijing .
`` So we also conveyed that China risks very negative consequences if it goes forward with imposing this law , '' she said .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement made before Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997 , Beijing agreed to let Hong Kong maintain certain liberties until 2047 -- including legislative and judicial independence and freedom of speech .
But after a year of huge and often violent rallies that have morphed into a popular call for democracy and police accountability , Beijing says the new law is needed to end unrest and restore stability .
China and the EU both profess to want to strengthen ties , but the relationship is tangled in a thicket of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment rules to human rights and national security .
And Monday 's talks came against a backdrop of rising tensions and increasing mistrust between Brussels and Beijing .
The EU has been angered by what it says is a significant Chinese campaign of disinformation around the coronavirus pandemic , which originated in China .
`` We have seen cyber attacks on hospitals and dedicated computing centres .
Likewise we 've seen a rise on online disinformation , and we pointed out clearly that this can not be tolerated , '' von der Leyen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months sought to tread a delicate path with China , characterising it as a `` systemic rival '' and competitor but also as a partner on some issues .
But Monday 's statements were sharper and more critical in tone .
Up to now the EU 's efforts to stand up to Xi 's increasingly assertive China have been stymied by a lack of unity among its 27 member states , many of which have been courted assiduously by the Asian giant .
Going into the summit , Chinese officials grumbled about proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms backed by heavy state subsidies do not distort competition in Europe .
There is particular concern about Chinese companies swooping in to buy European companies weakened by the coronavirus-triggered recession .
According to Xinhua , Xi said the economies of China and Europe should become a `` dual engine of the world economy '' to promote recovery after the pandemic .

The European Union told China on Monday to make good on a promise to open up its economy and warned of "very negative consequences" if Beijing goes ahead with a new security law on Hong Kong that the West says will curtail basic rights.
(FILE PHOTO) Picture taken on August 3, 2019 shows Nok (C), a volunteer medic, reacting as tear gas is fired towards protesters in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong's Kowloon district
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European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel told China's top leaders of their "grave concern" over the new law, which critics say will curb the financial hub's autonomy and freedoms.
The stern message, delivered during a video summit on Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, adds to a chorus of international concern over Hong Kong, though Beijing has shown no sign of backing down on a law it says is necessary to maintain order.
"We expressed our grave concerns about the proposed national security law for Hong Kong," Michel told reporters after the talks.
"We called on China to follow the promises made to the people of Hong Kong and the international community regarding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and guaranteed freedoms."
In response to the EU comments, China's foreign ministry said Tuesday that matters relating to Hong Kong were a "domestic affair".
"We oppose any foreign interference in this matter," ministry spokesman Wang Lutong told reporters at a briefing, saying that Chinese leaders had "expressed our position" at the video summit.
A report of the summit by China's state news agency Xinhua made no mention of Hong Kong but said Xi had stressed his country wanted "peace without hegemony".
Foreign ministers from the G7 group of industrialised nations last week urged Beijing to reconsider the proposed law, which has raised concerns it will end Hong Kong's relative freedoms and open the door to the kind of repression seen in mainland China.
Echoing the language of the G7 statement, von der Leyen said they had made it clear to the Chinese that the EU believes the imposition of the national security law breaches Beijing's international commitments.
'Very negative consequences'
"The national security law risks seriously undermining the 'one country, two systems' principle and Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, which we wish to see stay in place."
Von der Leyen said she had warned the Chinese leaders that Hong Kong owes its economic success to its relative autonomy from Beijing.
"So we also conveyed that China risks very negative consequences if it goes forward with imposing this law," she said.
Under the "One Country, Two Systems" agreement made before Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997, Beijing agreed to let Hong Kong maintain certain liberties until 2047 -- including legislative and judicial independence and freedom of speech.
But after a year of huge and often violent rallies that have morphed into a popular call for democracy and police accountability, Beijing says the new law is needed to end unrest and restore stability.
China and the EU both profess to want to strengthen ties, but the relationship is tangled in a thicket of disagreements on topics ranging from trade and investment rules to human rights and national security.
And Monday's talks came against a backdrop of rising tensions and increasing mistrust between Brussels and Beijing.
Cyber complaints
The EU has been angered by what it says is a significant Chinese campaign of disinformation around the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in China.
"We have seen cyber attacks on hospitals and dedicated computing centres. Likewise we've seen a rise on online disinformation, and we pointed out clearly that this cannot be tolerated," von der Leyen said.
The EU has in recent months sought to tread a delicate path with China, characterising it as a "systemic rival" and competitor but also as a partner on some issues.
But Monday's statements were sharper and more critical in tone.
Up to now the EU's efforts to stand up to Xi's increasingly assertive China have been stymied by a lack of unity among its 27 member states, many of which have been courted assiduously by the Asian giant.
Going into the summit, Chinese officials grumbled about proposed new EU legislation aimed at ensuring foreign firms backed by heavy state subsidies do not distort competition in Europe.
There is particular concern about Chinese companies swooping in to buy European companies weakened by the coronavirus-triggered recession.
According to Xinhua, Xi said the economies of China and Europe should become a "dual engine of the world economy" to promote recovery after the pandemic.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Palestinians protest Trump plan that includes Israel's annexation of parts of West Bank

Palestinians protest against Israel 's West Bank annexation plan in Jericho on June 22 , 2020 .
Thousands of Palestinians on Monday demonstrated against US President Donald Trump 's plan for the Middle East that includes Israel 's annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank .
The protest in Jericho , in the south of the Jordan Valley , came in response to a call by Fatah , the party of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas , AFP reporters said .
It was the largest rally of its kind since Trump in January unveiled his controversial plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to annex West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to announce as soon as July 1 his strategy to implement Trump 's plan .
The Palestinians have rejected the plan and have been trying to rally international support against it .
`` If Israel annexes there wo n't be any land left for a Palestinian state , '' said protester Mohammed Ishloon , 47 , who came to the demonstration from the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp outside Jericho .
`` We will not let Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamal Said .
Israel 's annexation plan envisions the creation of a Palestinian state , but on reduced territory and without meeting the key Palestinian demand of having its capital in east Jerusalem .
Protesters in Jericho held up signs that said `` Palestine is not for sale '' and `` No Palestinian state without the Jordan Valley '' .
The UN 's special Middle East envoy , Nickolay Mladenov , joined the protest and criticised Israel 's US-backed annexation plan , saying it could `` kill '' peace and Palestinian statehood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ international law , '' Mladenov said .
`` If it happens it might kill the very idea that peace and statehood for the Palestinian people can be achieved through negotiations , '' he added .
Mladenov urged the Palestinians to oppose the Israeli plan by peaceful means .
`` People of Palestine do not despair ... do not stray away from the path of non-violence , '' Mladenov said .
`` You 're not renting a home , this is your home .
Do not lose sight of the goal of a free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
The West Bank , which Israel occupied in 1967 , is home to 450,000 Israeli settlers and 2.7 million Palestinians .
Israel controls all access to the territory where Abbas 's government is based .
Jordan , which has a peace treaty with Israel , has warned if could review its ties with the Jewish state if it goes with annexation and other Arab countries have voiced opposition to the plan .
European Union countries have also voiced concern over any unilateral move by Israel to annex occupied Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian , European Union and Japanese diplomats also took part in the protest , AFP reporters said .
Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat told AFP that a `` large international coalition '' including Arab , African and European countries back the Palestinians against Israel 's annexation plan .

Thousands of Palestinians on Monday demonstrated against US President Donald Trump's plan for the Middle East that includes Israel's annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians protest against Israel's West Bank annexation plan in Jericho on June 22, 2020.
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The protest in Jericho, in the south of the Jordan Valley, came in response to a call by Fatah, the party of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, AFP reporters said.
It was the largest rally of its kind since Trump in January unveiled his controversial plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, which gives Israel a green light to annex West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to announce as soon as July 1 his strategy to implement Trump's plan.
The Palestinians have rejected the plan and have been trying to rally international support against it.
"If Israel annexes there won't be any land left for a Palestinian state," said protester Mohammed Ishloon, 47, who came to the demonstration from the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp outside Jericho.
"We will not let Israel steal our lands," added demonstrator Kamal Said.
As Palestinians hold protests in the city of Jericho, Catholic and Protestant leaders in Jerusalem express concern about Israel’s plans to annex portions of the occupied West Bank.https://t.co/1lMJcebD0c — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) June 22, 2020
'Not for sale'
Israel's annexation plan envisions the creation of a Palestinian state, but on reduced territory and without meeting the key Palestinian demand of having its capital in east Jerusalem.
Protesters in Jericho held up signs that said "Palestine is not for sale" and "No Palestinian state without the Jordan Valley".
The UN's special Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, joined the protest and criticised Israel's US-backed annexation plan, saying it could "kill" peace and Palestinian statehood.
Today, I joined #EU, #Russia, #China, #Japan, #Jordan to express support to the #Palestinian people. My message was simple— do not stray away from the path of non violence, do not lose hope for a Palestinian state living side-by-side and in peace with #Israel. — Nickolay E. MLADENOV (@nmladenov) June 22, 2020
"The UN believes annexation is against international law," Mladenov said.
"If it happens it might kill the very idea that peace and statehood for the Palestinian people can be achieved through negotiations," he added.
Mladenov urged the Palestinians to oppose the Israeli plan by peaceful means.
"People of Palestine do not despair... do not stray away from the path of non-violence," Mladenov said.
"You're not renting a home, this is your home. Do not lose sight of the goal of a free Palestinian state... next to Israel," he added.
The West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967, is home to 450,000 Israeli settlers and 2.7 million Palestinians.
Israel controls all access to the territory where Abbas's government is based.
Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel, has warned if could review its ties with the Jewish state if it goes with annexation and other Arab countries have voiced opposition to the plan.
European Union countries have also voiced concern over any unilateral move by Israel to annex occupied Palestinian territory.
On Monday, Chinese, Russian, European Union and Japanese diplomats also took part in the protest, AFP reporters said.
Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat told AFP that a "large international coalition" including Arab, African and European countries back the Palestinians against Israel's annexation plan.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Afghanistan reports 'deadliest' week in its 19 years of conflict

FILE PHOTO : Afghan security forces arrive at the site of the attack in Kabul , on May 12 , 2020 .
The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week , a top government official said Monday , accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks .
The previous week was the `` deadliest '' in the country 's 19 years of conflict , said Javid Faisal , spokesman for the National Security Council , even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures .
The Taliban carried out 422 attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing 291 security force personnel and wounding 550 others , Faisal said on Twitter .
`` Taliban 's commitment to reduce violence is meaningless , and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace , '' he said .
`` The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan talks by releasing such false reports , '' Zabihullah Mujahid , the Taliban 's spokesman in Afghanistan , told AFP .
`` We did have some attacks last week , but they were mostly in defence . ''
In a cabinet meeting Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he blamed on the Taliban .
The government sees the violence `` as running against the spirit of commitment for peace '' , Ghani said .
In an attack on Monday , gunmen shot dead two prosecutors and three other employees of the attorney general 's office .
The attack happened on the outskirts of Kabul , when gunmen opened fire on the car in which they were travelling , the attorney general 's office and the interior ministry said .
It was unclear who the attackers were , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemnation from US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad , who led negotiations with the Taliban ahead of a deal signed in February .
He said the legal team had been working on a prisoner exchange that is considered vital before the Kabul government and the Taliban can start peace talks .
`` This attack underscores what we all know : Spoilers ( both domestic and foreign ) are trying to disrupt and delay '' the peace process , Khalilzad said on Twitter .
`` Both sides should not be deterred , and push forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intra-Afghan negotiation '' .
Violence had dropped across much of Afghanistan since the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on May 24 to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday , but officials have accused the insurgents of stepping up attacks in recent weeks .
Ghani has vowed to complete the Taliban prisoner release .
Afghan authorities have already freed about 3,000 Taliban prisoners , and plan to further release 2,000 as stipulated in the insurgents ' deal with Washington .
The Taliban have said they are ready for peace talks but only after the release @ @ @ @ @ @

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks.
FILE PHOTO: Afghan security forces arrive at the site of the attack in Kabul, on May 12, 2020.
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The previous week was the "deadliest" in the country's 19 years of conflict, said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures.
The Taliban carried out 422 attacks in 32 provinces during that time, killing 291 security force personnel and wounding 550 others, Faisal said on Twitter.
"Taliban's commitment to reduce violence is meaningless, and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace," he said.
The Taliban rejected the latest government figures.
"The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan talks by releasing such false reports," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesman in Afghanistan, told AFP.
"We did have some attacks last week, but they were mostly in defence."
In a cabinet meeting Monday, President Ashraf Ghani condemned the violence, which he blamed on the Taliban.
The government sees the violence "as running against the spirit of commitment for peace", Ghani said.
In an attack on Monday, gunmen shot dead two prosecutors and three other employees of the attorney general's office.
The attack happened on the outskirts of Kabul, when gunmen opened fire on the car in which they were travelling, the attorney general's office and the interior ministry said.
It was unclear who the attackers were, and the Taliban denied involvement.
The incident drew condemnation from US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who led negotiations with the Taliban ahead of a deal signed in February.
He said the legal team had been working on a prisoner exchange that is considered vital before the Kabul government and the Taliban can start peace talks.
"This attack underscores what we all know: Spoilers (both domestic and foreign) are trying to disrupt and delay" the peace process, Khalilzad said on Twitter.
"Both sides should not be deterred, and push forward to take the steps necessary to reach intra-Afghan negotiation".
Violence had dropped across much of Afghanistan since the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on May 24 to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but officials have accused the insurgents of stepping up attacks in recent weeks.
Ghani has vowed to complete the Taliban prisoner release. Afghan authorities have already freed about 3,000 Taliban prisoners, and plan to further release 2,000 as stipulated in the insurgents' deal with Washington.
The Taliban have said they are ready for peace talks but only after the release of the remaining 2,000 insurgents.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-23--Yemen's Saudi-backed government, southern separatists agree on ceasefire

Yemen 's Saudi-backed government and southern separatist forces have agreed on a ceasefire and will begin talks in Saudi Arabia on implementing a peace deal , the Saudi-led coalition said on Monday .
The government , based in the southern port of Aden , and the separatists are nominal allies in the Saudi-led coalition , which has been at war against the Iran-aligned Houthis that have controlled the capital since 2014 .
However , the separatist Southern Transitional Council ( STC ) declared self rule in April , and the two sides have been fighting in the south , complicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the overall conflict .
Tensions escalated over the weekend after the STC seized control of Socotra , a Yemeni island in the Arabian Sea , deposing its governor and driving out forces of the government .
The two sides have now agreed to a ceasefire in Abyan province along the coast east of Aden , as well as de-escalation of tensions in Socotra and other regions , and the start of talks , a statement from the Saudi-led coalition said .
`` The Coalition calls on all Yemeni political , social and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties ’ response to convene a meeting in Riyadh , and work diligently to implement the Agreement , '' the statement added .
The Coalition will deploy observers in Abyan to observe the ceasefire and separation of forces , it said .
Riyadh wants to prevent another front developing among its allies in Yemen ’ s multifaceted war , which has been locked in military stalemate for years .
More than 100,000 people have been killed , mostly civilians , and millions depend on international food aid in what the United Nations describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Yemen's Saudi-backed government and southern separatist forces have agreed on a ceasefire and will begin talks in Saudi Arabia on implementing a peace deal, the Saudi-led coalition said on Monday.
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The government, based in the southern port of Aden, and the separatists are nominal allies in the Saudi-led coalition, which has been at war against the Iran-aligned Houthis that have controlled the capital since 2014.
However, the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self rule in April, and the two sides have been fighting in the south, complicating U.N. efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire to the overall conflict.
Tensions escalated over the weekend after the STC seized control of Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Arabian Sea, deposing its governor and driving out forces of the government.
The two sides have now agreed to a ceasefire in Abyan province along the coast east of Aden, as well as de-escalation of tensions in Socotra and other regions, and the start of talks, a statement from the Saudi-led coalition said.
"The Coalition calls on all Yemeni political, social and media components and powers to support the parties’ response to convene a meeting in Riyadh, and work diligently to implement the Agreement," the statement added.
The Coalition will deploy observers in Abyan to observe the ceasefire and separation of forces, it said.
Riyadh wants to prevent another front developing among its allies in Yemen’s multifaceted war, which has been locked in military stalemate for years.
More than 100,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, and millions depend on international food aid in what the United Nations describes as the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-24--Rayshard Brooks, murdered by police, mourned at church where Martin Luther King preached

A woman holds an American flag and a bible outside the funeral for Rayshard Brooks , the Black man shot dead by an Atlanta police officer , at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , Georgia , U.S. June 23 , 2020 .
With tears , some laughter and memories of a generous young man who liked cowboy boots and cracking jokes , more than 200 friends and family members filled the pews of an historic Atlanta church on Tuesday for the funeral of Rayshard Brooks .
The death of Brooks , a Black man who was shot twice in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-food restaurant on June 12 , heightened tensions over police brutality and racism that have raged since the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 .
All wearing masks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic , mourners sat mostly together in the center of the cavernous Ebenezer Baptist Church , which limited attendance to allow for some measure of social distancing .
Dressed in white , Brooks ' widow , Tomika Miller , sat in the front pew with her daughter on her lap as the Martin Luther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem `` Perfect Peace . ''
Preachers and loved ones called for healing and change .
Ambrea Mikolajczyk , a colleague and friend , described Brooks as a loving family man who looked out for others in the community , and that she believed his death would help pave the way for police reforms .
`` There is a movement , a shift in the atmosphere .
For this will be his legacy , '' Mikolajczyk said .
`` You can never dim his light .
It will forever shine so very bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a testament to the gravity of the moment .
Ebenezer Baptist was where Martin Luther King Jr. , the leader of the Black civil rights movement , once preached until his assassination in 1968 .
King 's daughter , Bernice King , implored demonstrators to keep marching `` until white supremacist policies and practices are no longer the order of the day '' , and called for the payment of reparations to African Americans to atone for slavery .
`` Rayshard Brooks ' death will not be in vain because justice will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mighty stream , '' she said , invoking a line from her father 's `` I Have a Dream '' speech at the August 1963 March on Washington .
A crowd of dozens outside the church watched the service on a Jumbotron in the June heat and occasional rain .
Alec Summerfield , 27 , a labor law attorney , from Baltimore , stood with a sign that read `` # Justice for Rayshard Brooks . ''
`` The family does n't know me and they 're never going to know me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` This is part of history , part of the struggle for justice . ''
While some police supporters have called the shooting justified , citing video appearing to show Brooks firing a Taser at an officer before being shot , Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has pursued the case aggressively .
Howard has argued that Brooks was not a threat .
The Atlanta police officer who shot Brooks , Garrett Rolfe , 27 , was fired and charged with murder , and he remains in jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Devin Brosnan , 26 , was placed on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault .
The city 's police chief resigned .
At the funeral , Jymaco Brooks said he and his cousin had grown up poor but happy , with Rayshard showering those around him with love .
He reminisced fondly about how Rayshard could irritate his wife , but be able to defuse tough situations through laughter .
`` All he wanted to do was smile and crack jokes , dance a little bit , '' said Brooks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't live that way . ''

With tears, some laughter and memories of a generous young man who liked cowboy boots and cracking jokes, more than 200 friends and family members filled the pews of an historic Atlanta church on Tuesday for the funeral of Rayshard Brooks.
A woman holds an American flag and a Bible outside the funeral for Rayshard Brooks, the Black man shot dead by an Atlanta police officer, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, US on June 23, 2020.
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The death of Brooks, a Black man who was shot twice in the back by Atlanta police outside of a fast-food restaurant on June 12, heightened tensions over police brutality and racism that have raged since the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
All wearing masks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, mourners sat mostly together in the center of the cavernous Ebenezer Baptist Church, which limited attendance to allow for some measure of social distancing.
Dressed in white, Brooks' widow, Tomika Miller, sat in the front pew with her daughter on her lap as the Martin Luther King, Sr. Choir performed the gospel anthem "Perfect Peace." Preachers and loved ones called for healing and change.
Ambrea Mikolajczyk, a colleague and friend, described Brooks as a loving family man who looked out for others in the community, and that she believed his death would help pave the way for police reforms.
"There is a movement, a shift in the atmosphere. For this will be his legacy," Mikolajczyk said. "You can never dim his light. It will forever shine so very bright."
The site of the funeral was a testament to the gravity of the moment. Ebenezer Baptist was where Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the Black civil rights movement, once preached until his assassination in 1968.
King's daughter, Bernice King, implored demonstrators to keep marching "until white supremacist policies and practices are no longer the order of the day", and called for the payment of reparations to African Americans to atone for slavery.
"Rayshard Brooks' death will not be in vain because justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream," she said, invoking a line from her father's "I Have a Dream" speech at the August 1963 March on Washington.
'I wanted to be here'
A crowd of dozens outside the church watched the service on a Jumbotron in the June heat and occasional rain.
Alec Summerfield, 27, a labor law attorney, from Baltimore, stood with a sign that read "#Justice for Rayshard Brooks."
"The family doesn't know me and they're never going to know me, but I wanted to be here," he said. "This is part of history, part of the struggle for justice."
While some police supporters have called the shooting justified, citing video appearing to show Brooks firing a Taser at an officer before being shot, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has pursued the case aggressively. Howard has argued that Brooks was not a threat.
The Atlanta police officer who shot Brooks, Garrett Rolfe, 27, was fired and charged with murder, and he remains in jail without bond. A second officer, Devin Brosnan, 26, was placed on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault. The city's police chief resigned.
At the funeral, Jymaco Brooks said he and his cousin had grown up poor but happy, with Rayshard showering those around him with love. He reminisced fondly about how Rayshard could irritate his wife, but be able to defuse tough situations through laughter.
"All he wanted to do was smile and crack jokes, dance a little bit," said Brooks. "Throw away your grudges. My cousin didn't live that way."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-23--Twitter labels new Trump tweet 'offensive', hides it from public view

U.S. President Donald Trump taps the screen on a mobile phone at the approximate time a controversial tweet was released from his Twitter account , during a roundtable discussion on the reopening of small businesses in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , June 18 , 2020 .
Twitter Inc said on Tuesday it had placed a warning notice on a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump for violating its policy against abusive behavior .
`` There will never be an `` Autonomous Zone '' in Washington , D.C. , as long as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try they will be met with serious force ! ''
the president 's tweet read .
In a tweet , the company said it had hidden Trump 's tweet behind its `` public interest '' notice because there was a threat of harm against an identifiable group .
Anti-racism protesters on Monday declared a Black House Autonomous Zone - referencing a Seattle area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest ( CHOP ) zone or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone - near the White House in front of St. John 's Church .

Twitter Inc said on Tuesday it had placed a warning notice on a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump for violating its policy against abusive behavior.
U.S. President Donald Trump taps the screen on a mobile phone at the approximate time a controversial tweet was released from his Twitter account, during a roundtable discussion on the reopening of small businesses in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 18, 2020.
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"There will never be an "Autonomous Zone" in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!" the president's tweet read.
In a tweet, the company said it had hidden Trump's tweet behind its "public interest" notice because there was a threat of harm against an identifiable group.
Anti-racism protesters on Monday declared a Black House Autonomous Zone - referencing a Seattle area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone - near the White House in front of St. John's Church.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-23--Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19, 'deeply sorry' for hosting tennis event

Novak Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic congratulate each other by performing a 'chest bump ' during a charity exhibition doubles match in Belgrade , June 12 2020 .
Novak Djokovic on Tuesday said he was `` deeply sorry '' after becoming the fourth tennis player to test positive for coronavirus following an exhibition tournament he hosted in the Balkans , admitting he and organisers `` were wrong '' to go ahead with the event .
The final leg of the Adria Tour in Bosnia has been cancelled and serious questions are being raised about the sport 's planned official return in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing any symptoms , joined fellow players Grigor Dimitrov , Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki in testing positive for COVID-19 during the second leg of the event where social distancing was minimal , players were filmed dancing bare-top in a nightclub and embracing each other over the net .
World number one Djokovic said his wife Jelena also tested positive while the results of their children were negative .
`` I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm , '' the 33-year-old Serb , who has said he would be against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a requirement for tennis players to travel to tournaments , wrote on Twitter .
`` We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons , '' the 17-time Grand Slam winner said , adding that he would now go into self-isolation for the next 14 days .
`` We were wrong and it was too soon . ''
Bulgaria 's Dimitrov , the world number 19 , announced on Sunday he had tested positive after pulling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tennis season was halted because of a pandemic that has killed over 470,000 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year .
Croatia 's Coric and Troicki of Serbia followed suit on Monday , revealing they also had tested positive .
The final in the Croatian coastal town of Zadar was also cancelled Sunday .
The outbreak raises the question on how the ATP and WTA can best manage the restart of their tours scheduled for August .
It has already been established that the US Open in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under strict health protocols which Djokovic , to much criticism , described as `` extreme '' and `` impossible '' .
`` Yikes ... this is not good and it 's a pattern ... '' tweeted female tennis legend Martina Navratilova after news of Djokovic 's positive test .
`` Hope Novak will be ok of course !
What now , US Open ?
Roland Garros ?
We have a lot of work to do ... '' The ATP , while wishing those infected a swift recovery , said Tuesday that it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate risks through a variety of precautions and protocols to be implemented at ATP events '' .
`` We continue to plan and adjust these precautions and protocols according to latest medical information and prioritise safety in assessing every decision . ''
The cancellation of the Serbian star 's Adria Tour has come on the back of a number of gaffes for Djokovic , who is the president of the ATP Player Council .
First criticised for breaking lockdown rules to train in Spain , he then invited derision for insisting emotions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost simultaneously insisting that he would not be prepared to vaccinate against coronavirus .
The Adria Tour 's first stop had been played out to a daily crowd of 4,000 fans at Djokovic 's tennis centre on the banks of the Danube in Belgrade last week , while a similar crowd attended the Zadar event .
Feliks Lukas , director of the WTA Croatia Bol Open , had warned against `` incredibly bad '' organisation in Zadar .
And local media reported that social distancing measures were respected by neither fans nor players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing basketball with Dimitrov and also embracing other players in the tournament .
Djokovic and other players including Belgrade winner Dominic Thiem were also seen partying at a packed night spot in the Serbian capital .
Thiem has since travelled to the south of France to play in another exhibition tournament in Nice , where his test came back negative .
Commenting on social distancing measures during the Belgrade leg , Djokovic argued that both Serbia and the region had been relatively successful in containing the virus .
But the Adria Tour had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned Montenegro leg of the four-nation tournament was cancelled when it became apparent Serbia 's health requirements did not match up to those of Montenegro .
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios called it a `` boneheaded decision to go ahead with the 'exhibition ' '' , while Britain 's Andy Murray called it `` a lesson for all of us '' .

Novak Djokovic on Tuesday said he was "deeply sorry" after becoming the fourth tennis player to test positive for coronavirus following an exhibition tournament he hosted in the Balkans, admitting he and organisers "were wrong" to go ahead with the event.
Novak Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic congratulate each other by performing a 'chest bump' during a charity exhibition doubles match in Belgrade, June 12 2020.
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The final leg of the Adria Tour in Bosnia has been cancelled and serious questions are being raised about the sport's planned official return in August.
Djokovic, who was not showing any symptoms, joined fellow players Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki in testing positive for COVID-19 during the second leg of the event where social distancing was minimal, players were filmed dancing bare-top in a nightclub and embracing each other over the net.
World number one Djokovic said his wife Jelena also tested positive while the results of their children were negative.
"I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm," the 33-year-old Serb, who has said he would be against a compulsory coronavirus vaccination if it became a requirement for tennis players to travel to tournaments, wrote on Twitter.
"We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons," the 17-time Grand Slam winner said, adding that he would now go into self-isolation for the next 14 days.
"We were wrong and it was too soon."
Tournament cancelled
Bulgaria's Dimitrov, the world number 19, announced on Sunday he had tested positive after pulling out of the event, the biggest since the tennis season was halted because of a pandemic that has killed over 470,000 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year.
Croatia's Coric and Troicki of Serbia followed suit on Monday, revealing they also had tested positive.
The final in the Croatian coastal town of Zadar was also cancelled Sunday.
The outbreak raises the question on how the ATP and WTA can best manage the restart of their tours scheduled for August.
It has already been established that the US Open in New York will be played behind closed doors and under strict health protocols which Djokovic, to much criticism, described as "extreme" and "impossible".
"Yikes... this is not good and it's a pattern..." tweeted female tennis legend Martina Navratilova after news of Djokovic's positive test.
"Hope Novak will be ok of course! What now, US Open? Roland Garros? We have a lot of work to do..."
Yikes... this is not good and it’s a pattern... Hope Novak will be ok of course! What now, US Open? Roland Garros? We have a lot of work to do... https://t.co/soyghND0Li — Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 23, 2020
The ATP, while wishing those infected a swift recovery, said Tuesday that it and other stakeholders had "made exhaustive plans to mitigate risks through a variety of precautions and protocols to be implemented at ATP events".
"We continue to plan and adjust these precautions and protocols according to latest medical information and prioritise safety in assessing every decision."
No social distancing
The cancellation of the Serbian star's Adria Tour has come on the back of a number of gaffes for Djokovic, who is the president of the ATP Player Council.
First criticised for breaking lockdown rules to train in Spain, he then invited derision for insisting emotions can change the quality of water while almost simultaneously insisting that he would not be prepared to vaccinate against coronavirus.
The Adria Tour's first stop had been played out to a daily crowd of 4,000 fans at Djokovic's tennis centre on the banks of the Danube in Belgrade last week, while a similar crowd attended the Zadar event.
Feliks Lukas, director of the WTA Croatia Bol Open, had warned against "incredibly bad" organisation in Zadar.
And local media reported that social distancing measures were respected by neither fans nor players in either venue. Djokovic was pictured playing basketball with Dimitrov and also embracing other players in the tournament.
Djokovic and other players including Belgrade winner Dominic Thiem were also seen partying at a packed night spot in the Serbian capital.
Thiem has since travelled to the south of France to play in another exhibition tournament in Nice, where his test came back negative.
Commenting on social distancing measures during the Belgrade leg, Djokovic argued that both Serbia and the region had been relatively successful in containing the virus.
But the Adria Tour had already suffered an embarrassing setback when the planned Montenegro leg of the four-nation tournament was cancelled when it became apparent Serbia's health requirements did not match up to those of Montenegro.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios called it a "boneheaded decision to go ahead with the 'exhibition'", while Britain's Andy Murray called it "a lesson for all of us".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--EU considering blocking US tourists over botched Covid-19 containment: US media

( FILE PHOTO ) The Roman Coliseum in Rome re-opened June 1 , 2020 after three months of lockdown .
EU nations may close their borders to US travelers as they seek to reopen their economies to tourism because of how Washington has handled the pandemic , The New York Times reported Tuesday , citing unnamed European officials .
One official involved in talks among European Union members about who should be allowed to visit the bloc shared draft lists of acceptable travelers -- Americans were not on them .
A second official involved in the talks confirmed the lists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and two others confirmed their content .
It was not clear if US officials were made aware in advance of the fact that Americans would be excluded when the EU progressively reopens to those outside the bloc from July 1 .
Both draft lists would allow travelers from China , where the virus emerged late last year , but exclude Americans , as well as Brazilians and Russians .
The officials interviewed by the Times said the United States could later be added to the list of acceptable travelers if the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those officials said it was `` highly unlikely '' that an exception would initially be made for the United States , the Times reported .
The report also makes clear that the composition of the lists is still in flux and could be changed before the deadline .
The US is by far the nation hardest hit by the deadly novel coronavirus , with more than 2.3 million cases and more than 120,000 deaths confirmed .
EU countries have largely been closed to all non-bloc citizens , except in cases of `` essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United States closed its borders to most European nationals around the same time .
Spikes in infection rates in several US states have worried European officials about the possibility that travelers could spark a second wave of infections on the continent .
But barring US tourists could mean millions of dollars in lost tourism revenue for countries trying to get back on their feet economically after months of lockdowns .
Indeed , some EU countries have already opened their borders to non-EU visitors .

EU nations may close their borders to US travelers as they seek to reopen their economies to tourism because of how Washington has handled the pandemic, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing unnamed European officials.
(File Photo) The Roman Coliseum in Rome re-opened on June 1, 2020 after three months of lockdown.
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One official involved in talks among European Union members about who should be allowed to visit the bloc shared draft lists of acceptable travelers -- Americans were not on them.
A second official involved in the talks confirmed the lists, which have not been made public, and two others confirmed their content.
It was not clear if US officials were made aware in advance of the fact that Americans would be excluded when the EU progressively reopens to those outside the bloc from July 1.
Both draft lists would allow travelers from China, where the virus emerged late last year, but exclude Americans, as well as Brazilians and Russians.
The officials interviewed by the Times said the United States could later be added to the list of acceptable travelers if the country's coronavirus case numbers drop.
But those officials said it was "highly unlikely" that an exception would initially be made for the United States, the Times reported.
The report also makes clear that the composition of the lists is still in flux and could be changed before the deadline.
Concern about possible second wave in Europe
The US is by far the nation hardest hit by the deadly novel coronavirus, with more than 2.3 million cases and more than 120,000 deaths confirmed.
EU countries have largely been closed to all non-bloc citizens, except in cases of "essential travel," since mid-March.
Similarly, the United States closed its borders to most European nationals around the same time.
Spikes in infection rates in several US states have worried European officials about the possibility that travelers could spark a second wave of infections on the continent.
But barring US tourists could mean millions of dollars in lost tourism revenue for countries trying to get back on their feet economically after months of lockdowns.
Indeed, some EU countries have already opened their borders to non-EU visitors.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-24--French parliament statue of ‘Black Code’ author defaced in anti-racism protest

The statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert , located in front of France 's National Assembly , had been put under police protection earlier this month .
A statue in front of the French parliament building honouring Jean-Baptiste Colbert was covered in graffiti on Tuesday amid a global push by anti-racism activists to take down monuments to historical figures tied to slavery or colonialism .
A prominent figure under `` Sun King '' Louis XIV , Colbert was a 17th-century royal minister who wrote rules governing slaves in France ’ s overseas colonies .
His statue stands in front of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seine River in Paris .
Paris police said one person was detained after “ state negrophobia ” was scrawled in red paint on the statue ’ s pedestal and pink paint was splattered on Colbert ’ s likeness .
A group called the Anti-Negrophobia Brigade posted photos online of the graffiti and one of its activists in a police van at the site .
The group has called for a national debate about such monuments and what it calls institutionalized anti-Black racism in France .
It is the most prominent monument in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US galvanized action in many countries against racial injustice and police violence .
The statue was put under police protection earlier this month amid growing calls to rethink such historical figures .
Colbert is celebrated in France for an economic doctrine known as “ colbertism ” , which relies on the idea that state intervention is needed to serve the country ’ s economy and wealth .
Controversially , Colbert also drafted the Code Noir ( “ Black Code ” ) , promulgated two years after his death , which regulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion and treatment of slaves by their masters .
No statues in France have been taken down as they have in the US or other countries , but several have been vandalized in recent weeks .
On Monday , two statues adjacent to the nearby Invalides monument , where Napoleon is buried , were found drenched in red paint .
One of the statues was of Voltaire , a leading thinker and writer of the French Enlightenment , who owed part of his fortune to colonial-era trade .
The other honours Hubert Lyautey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served in Morocco , Algeria , Madagascar and Indochina when they were under French control , and later was France ’ s minister of war during World War I .

A statue in front of the French parliament building honouring Jean-Baptiste Colbert was covered in graffiti on Tuesday amid a global push by anti-racism activists to take down monuments to historical figures tied to slavery or colonialism.
The statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, located in front of France's National Assembly, had been put under police protection earlier this month.
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A prominent figure under "Sun King" Louis XIV, Colbert was a 17th-century royal minister who wrote rules governing slaves in France’s overseas colonies. His statue stands in front of the National Assembly, a prominent landmark overlooking the Seine River in Paris.
Paris police said one person was detained after “state negrophobia” was scrawled in red paint on the statue’s pedestal and pink paint was splattered on Colbert’s likeness.
Un membre de la Brigade Anti-Négrophobie a été arrêté ce soir par les gendarmes de l’Assemblée Nationale. Il venait de taguer « négrophobie d’État » sur la statue de Colbert, ce ministre concepteur du Code noir au 17ème siècle. pic.twitter.com/s7HiIPKUFj — Sihame Assbague (@s_assbague) June 23, 2020
A group called the Anti-Negrophobia Brigade posted photos online of the graffiti and one of its activists in a police van at the site. The group has called for a national debate about such monuments and what it calls institutionalized anti-Black racism in France.
It is the most prominent monument in France targeted since George Floyd’s death in the US galvanized action in many countries against racial injustice and police violence. The statue was put under police protection earlier this month amid growing calls to rethink such historical figures.
Colbert is celebrated in France for an economic doctrine known as “colbertism”, which relies on the idea that state intervention is needed to serve the country’s economy and wealth.
Controversially, Colbert also drafted the Code Noir (“Black Code”), promulgated two years after his death, which regulated the life, death, purchase, religion and treatment of slaves by their masters.
No statues in France have been taken down as they have in the US or other countries, but several have been vandalized in recent weeks.
Colbert, Gallieni, De Gaulle… The figures at the centre of France’s statue debate https://t.co/zKkAo8ODUv pic.twitter.com/kt2Z1CGcwD — FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) June 18, 2020
On Monday, two statues adjacent to the nearby Invalides monument, where Napoleon is buried, were found drenched in red paint.
One of the statues was of Voltaire, a leading thinker and writer of the French Enlightenment, who owed part of his fortune to colonial-era trade. The other honours Hubert Lyautey, a general and colonial administrator who served in Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar and Indochina when they were under French control, and later was France’s minister of war during World War I.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-06-24--US health official Fauci warns of ‘historic’ Covid-19 challenges but upbeat on vaccine

Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci takes off his face mask prior to testifying before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the Trump Administration 's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington , DC on June 23 , 2020 .
US government health experts led by Anthony Fauci warned Congress Tuesday that the country faces `` historic '' challenges with the coronavirus and that Americans should brace for a lengthy battle against the pandemic .
Fauci , testifying in the wake of Donald Trump 's comments that he had urged health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus , also insisted the president never issued such an order to him .
But the government 's top infectious diseases expert raised the alarm over rising case trends , telling lawmakers that several states were experiencing `` a disturbing surge of infections . ''
The coming two weeks , Fauci added , will be `` critical to our ability to address those surgings '' in states like Florida , Texas and Arizona .
The US is the nation hardest hit by the virus , with more than 120,000 deaths , new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government showing little ability to stem the spread .
Fauci led a witness panel that stressed it was difficult to predict how long the coronavirus will remain a threat .
`` COVID-19 activity will likely continue for some time , '' the experts said in prepared testimony attributed to all of them , including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) director Robert Redfield .
`` These challenges are many , and they are historic , '' they told the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing .
But Fauci himself said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pace of vaccine testing and reiterated his hope that broad production and use of a vaccine could come by `` the end of this calendar year '' or early 2021 .
Redfield made clear that boosting testing was a `` critical underpinning '' of virus mitigation , joining Fauci in saying Trump has never urged them to curb it .
`` None of us have ever been told to slow down on testing , '' Fauci told the panel .
`` It 's the opposite .
We 're going to be doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has faced criticism for telling a Saturday campaign rally -- where most attendees did not wear masks , ignoring CDC recommendations -- that he wanted to slow coronavirus testing .
White House aides said the president 's remarks were in jest , but on Tuesday , Trump doubled down .
`` I do n't kid , '' he told reporters before praising the US testing scheme as the best in the world .
`` By having more tests , we find more cases , '' Trump said , even suggesting the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during an election year .
`` By having more cases , it sounds bad , '' he said .
`` But actually what it is is we 're finding people . ''
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at criticism of his handling of the pandemic , and he remained defiant Tuesday that his early action -- including banning flights from China , where the virus first emerged -- helped prevent a catastrophe .
`` We did a great job on CoronaVirus , '' Trump tweeted .
`` We saved millions of US lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrat Joe Biden , has accused the president of gross incompetence during the crisis and chastised him Tuesday for `` intentionally slowing '' testing of coronavirus .
`` It 's pretty simple : If we want to save people 's jobs and save people 's lives , we need more testing -- and we need it faster , '' Biden posted on Twitter .
While the nation 's former virus epicenters New York and New Jersey have largely controlled their outbreaks , the number of cases is now increasing in 20 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that surpassed 100,000 cases on Monday , according to local health officials .
Brett Giroir , the administration 's testing coordinator , told the House panel that 27 million tests have been administered to date .
About 500,000 are now being conducted daily , and Giroir said he expects the country will be able to test 40-50 million people per month by autumn .
Experts warned that any potential `` second wave '' of virus cases could be compounded in the autumn and winter , when the typical American flu is more rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular African Americans , are dying from COVID-19 at higher rates than whites .
In an effort to address that inequality , Giroir announced the launch of a $ 40 million initiative to fight COVID-19 among ethnic minorities and other vulnerable communities .

US government health experts led by Anthony Fauci warned Congress Tuesday that the country faces "historic" challenges with the coronavirus and that Americans should brace for a lengthy battle against the pandemic.
Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci takes off his face mask prior to testifying before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the Trump Administration's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington, DC on June 23, 2020.
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Fauci, testifying in the wake of Donald Trump's comments that he had urged health officials to "slow the testing" for coronavirus, also insisted the president never issued such an order to him.
But the government's top infectious diseases expert raised the alarm over rising case trends, telling lawmakers that several states were experiencing "a disturbing surge of infections."
The coming two weeks, Fauci added, will be "critical to our ability to address those surgings" in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona.
The US is the nation hardest hit by the virus, with more than 120,000 deaths, new outbreaks across the country, and a government showing little ability to stem the spread.
Fauci led a witness panel that stressed it was difficult to predict how long the coronavirus will remain a threat.
"COVID-19 activity will likely continue for some time," the experts said in prepared testimony attributed to all of them, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield.
"These challenges are many, and they are historic," they told the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing.
But Fauci himself said he feels "cautiously optimistic" about the pace of vaccine testing and reiterated his hope that broad production and use of a vaccine could come by "the end of this calendar year" or early 2021.
Redfield made clear that boosting testing was a "critical underpinning" of virus mitigation, joining Fauci in saying Trump has never urged them to curb it.
"None of us have ever been told to slow down on testing," Fauci told the panel. "It's the opposite. We're going to be doing more testing, not less."
'I don't kid'
Trump has faced criticism for telling a Saturday campaign rally -- where most attendees did not wear masks, ignoring CDC recommendations -- that he wanted to slow coronavirus testing.
White House aides said the president's remarks were in jest, but on Tuesday, Trump doubled down.
"I don't kid," he told reporters before praising the US testing scheme as the best in the world.
"By having more tests, we find more cases," Trump said, even suggesting the high number is a political liability for him during an election year.
"By having more cases, it sounds bad," he said. "But actually what it is is we're finding people."
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at criticism of his handling of the pandemic, and he remained defiant Tuesday that his early action -- including banning flights from China, where the virus first emerged -- helped prevent a catastrophe.
"We did a great job on CoronaVirus," Trump tweeted. "We saved millions of US lives!"
We did a great job on CoronaVirus, including the very early ban on China, Ventilator production, and Testing, which is by far the most, and best, in the World. We saved millions of U.S. lives.! Yet the Fake News refuses to acknowledge this in a positive way. But they do give.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Trump's November election rival, Democrat Joe Biden, has accused the president of gross incompetence during the crisis and chastised him Tuesday for "intentionally slowing" testing of coronavirus.
"It's pretty simple: If we want to save people's jobs and save people's lives, we need more testing -- and we need it faster," Biden posted on Twitter.
While the nation's former virus epicenters New York and New Jersey have largely controlled their outbreaks, the number of cases is now increasing in 20 states.
Florida is a potential new hotspot that surpassed 100,000 cases on Monday, according to local health officials.
Brett Giroir, the administration's testing coordinator, told the House panel that 27 million tests have been administered to date.
About 500,000 are now being conducted daily, and Giroir said he expects the country will be able to test 40-50 million people per month by autumn.
Experts warned that any potential "second wave" of virus cases could be compounded in the autumn and winter, when the typical American flu is more rampant.
Data shows minority groups, in particular African Americans, are dying from COVID-19 at higher rates than whites.
In an effort to address that inequality, Giroir announced the launch of a $40 million initiative to fight COVID-19 among ethnic minorities and other vulnerable communities.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-24--Paris’s Orly airport to reopen this week after three-month shutdown

An information board for travellers at Orly Airport pictured ahead of the airport 's reopening on June 23 , 2020 .
Orly airport south of Paris is to reopen Friday after shutting down on March 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic , but with just a fraction of its normal flights .
A plane to Porto , Portugal is scheduled to take off at 6:00am ( 0400 GMT ) , and around 25 destinations are to be served via 70 takeoffs and landings , compared with 600 a day before the virus crisis grounded aircraft worldwide .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Orly , less than 10 percent of the daily average of around 90,000 .
Only the third of Orly 's four terminals will reopen at first .
Increased traffic in July will depend on whether Algeria , Morocco and Tunisia reopen their borders .
`` We are facing an extremely brutal and long crisis , and we are bracing for a resumption that will be somewhat long , if not extremely long , '' Alain Battisti , head of France 's federation of commercial aviation ( Fnam ) said Tuesday .
Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vueling and Air Caraïbes account for most of the traffic at Orly , flying to the Caribbean , Reunion Island , Italy , Spain , Portugal , Iceland and Croatia , among other destinations .
As part of new safety measures , Orly 's operator Aéroports de Paris ( ADP ) has installed 137 Plexiglas screens at counters and 150 sanitiser dispensers , along with more than 7,000 posters and stickers to ensure social distancing .
Thermal cameras will screen travellers upon arrival to help detect potential coronavirus cases .
Orly is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles de Gaulle airport ( CDG ) north of Paris .
Charles de Gaulle remained open throughout the country 's Covid-19 lockdown , though traffic collapsed by almost 98 percent in the month of May .

Orly airport south of Paris is to reopen Friday after shutting down on March 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with just a fraction of its normal flights.
An information board for travellers at Orly Airport pictured ahead of the airport's reopening on June 23, 2020.
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A plane to Porto, Portugal is scheduled to take off at 6:00am (0400 GMT), and around 25 destinations are to be served via 70 takeoffs and landings, compared with 600 a day before the virus crisis grounded aircraft worldwide.
On Friday, officials expect around 8,000 passengers to pass through Orly, less than 10 percent of the daily average of around 90,000. Only the third of Orly's four terminals will reopen at first.
Increased traffic in July will depend on whether Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia reopen their borders.
"We are facing an extremely brutal and long crisis, and we are bracing for a resumption that will be somewhat long, if not extremely long," Alain Battisti, head of France's federation of commercial aviation (Fnam) said Tuesday.
Airlines including Air France, Transavia, easyJet, Vueling and Air Caraïbes account for most of the traffic at Orly, flying to the Caribbean, Reunion Island, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Croatia, among other destinations.
As part of new safety measures, Orly's operator Aéroports de Paris (ADP) has installed 137 Plexiglas screens at counters and 150 sanitiser dispensers, along with more than 7,000 posters and stickers to ensure social distancing.
Thermal cameras will screen travellers upon arrival to help detect potential coronavirus cases.
Orly is the French capital's second-largest hub after Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) north of Paris. Charles de Gaulle remained open throughout the country's Covid-19 lockdown, though traffic collapsed by almost 98 percent in the month of May.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-24--UK health leaders urge review of preparations for possible Covid-19 second wave

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends the last of the daily remote press conferences to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic on June 23 , 2020 .
A second coronavirus wave is a real risk for the United Kingdom and local flare-ups are likely , major health bodies said on Wednesday , in one of the strongest warnings yet to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he eases lockdown measures to help the economy .
The United Kingdom has one of the world 's highest death tolls from Covid-19 but , with infections falling , plans to lift many restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing the deepest contraction in three centuries .
A major second spike is the nightmare for leaders across the world as they would face blame for more deaths and may have to shutter economies again .
Some of Britain 's most eminent health leaders , though , want urgent preparations for such a scenario .
`` While the future shape of the pandemic in the UK is hard to predict , the available evidence indicates that local flare-ups are increasingly likely and a second wave a real risk , '' the medics said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal .
It was signed by 15 of the most eminent health professional groups and trade unions including the heads of the Royal College of Surgeons , the Royal College of Physicians , the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the British Medical Association .
`` Many elements of the infrastructure needed to contain the virus are beginning to be put in place , but substantial challenges remain , '' they wrote .
European nations emerging from painful shutdowns are nervously watching a new outbreak at a meatpacking plant in Germany , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Announcing that England was rising from `` hibernation '' , Johnson is letting pubs , restaurants and hotels reopen from July 4 .
`` While we remain vigilant , we do not believe that there is currently a risk of a second peak of infections that might overwhelm the NHS , '' he said on Tuesday .
The United Kingdom on Monday reported the lowest daily increase in deaths since lockdown in mid-March – just 15 – though the suspected overall toll has hit 54,139 , the second highest after the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care for Covid-19 complications , has faced criticism from opposition parties for imposing the lockdown too late , failing to supply enough protective equipment and dithering over a test-and-trace system .
The medics ' letter called for a review focusing on `` areas of weakness '' to prevent a second wave in the interests of protecting lives and restoring the economy as fast as possible .
Other signatories included Anne Marie Rafferty , president of the Royal College of Nursing , Maggie Rae , president of the Faculty of Public Health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lancet .
`` We need to understand how best to learn from other countries which seem to have managed the crisis differently and perhaps managed it better than we have in the UK , '' Martin Marshall , president of the Royal College of General Practitioners , told the BBC .

A second coronavirus wave is a real risk for the United Kingdom and local flare-ups are likely, major health bodies said on Wednesday, in one of the strongest warnings yet to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he eases lockdown measures to help the economy.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends the last of the daily remote press conferences to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic on June 23, 2020.
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The United Kingdom has one of the world's highest death tolls from Covid-19 but, with infections falling, plans to lift many restrictions from July 4 to help an economy facing the deepest contraction in three centuries.
A major second spike is the nightmare for leaders across the world as they would face blame for more deaths and may have to shutter economies again. Some of Britain's most eminent health leaders, though, want urgent preparations for such a scenario.
"While the future shape of the pandemic in the UK is hard to predict, the available evidence indicates that local flare-ups are increasingly likely and a second wave a real risk," the medics said in a letter in the British Medical Journal.
It was signed by 15 of the most eminent health professional groups and trade unions including the heads of the Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the British Medical Association.
"Many elements of the infrastructure needed to contain the virus are beginning to be put in place, but substantial challenges remain," they wrote.
European nations emerging from painful shutdowns are nervously watching a new outbreak at a meatpacking plant in Germany, where two municipalities have regressed to lockdown.
Johnson under pressure
Announcing that England was rising from "hibernation", Johnson is letting pubs, restaurants and hotels reopen from July 4. "While we remain vigilant, we do not believe that there is currently a risk of a second peak of infections that might overwhelm the NHS," he said on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom on Monday reported the lowest daily increase in deaths since lockdown in mid-March – just 15 – though the suspected overall toll has hit 54,139, the second highest after the United States.
Johnson, who was treated in intensive care for Covid-19 complications, has faced criticism from opposition parties for imposing the lockdown too late, failing to supply enough protective equipment and dithering over a test-and-trace system.
The medics' letter called for a review focusing on "areas of weakness" to prevent a second wave in the interests of protecting lives and restoring the economy as fast as possible.
Other signatories included Anne Marie Rafferty, president of the Royal College of Nursing, Maggie Rae, president of the Faculty of Public Health, and Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet.
"We need to understand how best to learn from other countries which seem to have managed the crisis differently and perhaps managed it better than we have in the UK," Martin Marshall, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told the BBC.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-24--Poland’s President Duda seeks pre-election boost from White House visit

Poland 's President Andrzej Duda , pictured with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last year , has developed a close rapport with the Trump administration .
Polish President Andrzej Duda will be hoping for a pre-election windfall from a trip to Washington on Wednesday that comes just four days ahead of his country 's presidential election .
The visit by Duda – a populist closely allied with Donald Trump – will be the US president 's first meeting with a foreign leader since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March , and both delegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks .
The central expectation on the Polish side is that Trump will announce extra US military assistance for Poland – a constant demand from Warsaw , particularly in the wake of Russia 's annexation of Crimea in 2014 .
The US could boost the number of its troops deployed in Poland as well as provide fighter jets and military transport planes , according to Polish media reports , though one senior US official has cautioned that it would be `` premature '' to speak of specific numbers .
Poland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duda a decisive boost ahead of Sunday ’ s vote , said FRANCE 24 ’ s Warsaw correspondent Gulliver Cragg , noting that “ military cooperation with the United States is one of the few issues in Poland that has support across the political spectrum.
” Cragg added : “ No-one here seems to be under any illusions as to whether this is an attempt by the US to influence the Polish election.
” Michal Baranowski , director of the Warsaw office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duda 's electorate and even help boost support for Trump among Polish American communities in swing states ahead of the US election in November .
`` President Duda will have an opportunity to look very presidential and that 's , I think , a big part of this , '' he said .
The hastily arranged visit is expected to be accompanied by protests by gay rights campaigners against Duda , a right-winger who has railed against `` LGBT ideology '' , comparing it to communism .
Duda , who is backed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the current frontrunner in the election but the centrist europhile opposition candidate Rafal Trzaskowski has been catching up in the polls .
Commentator Boguslaw Chrabota , writing in the Rzeczpospolita daily , said Duda was `` desperately looking for a triumphant ending '' to his campaign , though warning that the meeting with Trump carried `` considerable risk '' .
Chrabota cited the risk in promising large amounts of Polish taxpayers ' money to pay for US hardware .
In recent years , Poland has agreed to buy US rocket launchers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has closely aligned itself with Trump – to the consternation of some of its EU and NATO partners .
Rzeczpospolita said there was also concern within the Law and Justice party that Trump could `` make an unpredictable move or comment '' that could end up damaging Duda , whose eagerness to oblige Trump has been widely mocked by his opponents in Poland .
Poland will also have to tread carefully following Trump 's announcement earlier this month of a large-scale withdrawal of US troops from Germany so as not to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally .
A report in Poland 's Dziennik Gazeta Prawna said that 30 US F-16 fighter jets currently based in Germany could be transferred to Poland .
The report also said the US could send up to 2,000 extra troops to Poland and transfer the command of the Fifth US Army Corps from Kentucky to Poland .
NATO promised Russia in 1997 not to set up permanent bases in the former eastern bloc .
As tensions have grown however , the alliance has instead rotated troops through front-line countries .
Even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any scenario , Polish officials have raised the prospect of a more permanent US presence – perhaps in a facility paid for by Warsaw dubbed `` Fort Trump '' .
That prospect was dampened this week by the release of former national security advisor John Bolton 's book `` The Room Where It Happened '' , which mentions one particular White House meeting during which Trump appeared to forget he had agreed in principle to a `` Fort Trump '' .
`` Do we really want Fort Trump ? ''
the US president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tome , which Trump has dismissed as `` fiction '' .

Polish President Andrzej Duda will be hoping for a pre-election windfall from a trip to Washington on Wednesday that comes just four days ahead of his country's presidential election.
Poland's President Andrzej Duda, pictured with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last year, has developed a close rapport with the Trump administration.
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The visit by Duda – a populist closely allied with Donald Trump – will be the US president's first meeting with a foreign leader since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March, and both delegations will be tested for the disease before the talks.
The central expectation on the Polish side is that Trump will announce extra US military assistance for Poland – a constant demand from Warsaw, particularly in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The US could boost the number of its troops deployed in Poland as well as provide fighter jets and military transport planes, according to Polish media reports, though one senior US official has cautioned that it would be "premature" to speak of specific numbers.
Poland’s opposition fears any such promise could give Duda a decisive boost ahead of Sunday’s vote, said FRANCE 24’s Warsaw correspondent Gulliver Cragg, noting that “military cooperation with the United States is one of the few issues in Poland that has support across the political spectrum.”
Cragg added: “No-one here seems to be under any illusions as to whether this is an attempt by the US to influence the Polish election.”
Michal Baranowski, director of the Warsaw office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the visit could help "mobilise" Duda's electorate and even help boost support for Trump among Polish American communities in swing states ahead of the US election in November.
"President Duda will have an opportunity to look very presidential and that's, I think, a big part of this," he said.
'Considerable risk'
The hastily arranged visit is expected to be accompanied by protests by gay rights campaigners against Duda, a right-winger who has railed against "LGBT ideology", comparing it to communism.
Duda, who is backed by the governing Law and Justice party, is the current frontrunner in the election but the centrist europhile opposition candidate Rafal Trzaskowski has been catching up in the polls.
Commentator Boguslaw Chrabota, writing in the Rzeczpospolita daily, said Duda was "desperately looking for a triumphant ending" to his campaign, though warning that the meeting with Trump carried "considerable risk".
Chrabota cited the risk in promising large amounts of Polish taxpayers' money to pay for US hardware.
In recent years, Poland has agreed to buy US rocket launchers, fighter jets and a Patriot anti-missile system and has closely aligned itself with Trump – to the consternation of some of its EU and NATO partners.
Rzeczpospolita said there was also concern within the Law and Justice party that Trump could "make an unpredictable move or comment" that could end up damaging Duda, whose eagerness to oblige Trump has been widely mocked by his opponents in Poland.
‘Fort Trump’
Poland will also have to tread carefully following Trump's announcement earlier this month of a large-scale withdrawal of US troops from Germany so as not to be seen as taking advantage of a NATO ally.
A report in Poland's Dziennik Gazeta Prawna said that 30 US F-16 fighter jets currently based in Germany could be transferred to Poland.
The report also said the US could send up to 2,000 extra troops to Poland and transfer the command of the Fifth US Army Corps from Kentucky to Poland.
NATO promised Russia in 1997 not to set up permanent bases in the former eastern bloc. As tensions have grown however, the alliance has instead rotated troops through front-line countries.
Even though the US troops would still be rotated under any scenario, Polish officials have raised the prospect of a more permanent US presence – perhaps in a facility paid for by Warsaw dubbed "Fort Trump".
That prospect was dampened this week by the release of former national security advisor John Bolton's book "The Room Where It Happened", which mentions one particular White House meeting during which Trump appeared to forget he had agreed in principle to a "Fort Trump".
"Do we really want Fort Trump?" the US president is quoted as saying in the tell-all tome, which Trump has dismissed as "fiction".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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