france24--2020-07-11--Widow of French bus driver beaten to death over masks says family is 'destroyed'

A picture of Veronique Monguillot and Philippe Monguillot , a bus driver declared brain dead after being attacked for refusing to let aboard a group of people who were not wearing face masks , is displayed during a white march in Bayonne , southwestern France , on July 8 , 2020 .
The wife of a French bus driver savagely beaten after he asked four passengers to wear face masks aboard his vehicle called Saturday for “ exemplary punishment ” after he died of his injuries .
The assault on Philippe Monguillot has scandalized France .
President Emmanuel Macron on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driver 's widow after his death was announced Friday .
He had been hospitalized in critical condition .
Veronique Monguillot said she told the minister , Gerald Darmanin , that she and their three daughters were “ destroyed ” by the July 5 attack on her husband at a bus stop in Bayonne , southwest France .
“ We must bang a fist on the table , so this never happens again , ” she said .
“ It 's barbaric , not normal .
We must stop this massacre . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he asked four passengers on his No .
810 bus to wear face masks , which are required aboard French public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic .
He was insulted , pushed off the bus and violently beaten and kicked in the head , the prosecutor said .
Four people are in custody .
“ This bus driver was only doing his job , ” Darmanin said .
`` He left his home in the morning and did not come back , leaving a widow and three orphan girls .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France has had over 208,000 confirmed infections and over 30,000 virus-related deaths , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Experts say the true toll is higher , due to testing limitations and missed mild cases .

The wife of a French bus driver savagely beaten after he asked four passengers to wear face masks aboard his vehicle called Saturday for “exemplary punishment” after he died of his injuries.
A picture of Veronique Monguillot and Philippe Monguillot, a bus driver declared brain dead after being attacked for refusing to let aboard a group of people who were not wearing face masks, is displayed during a white march in Bayonne, southwestern France, on July 8, 2020.
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The assault on Philippe Monguillot has scandalized France. President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday dispatched the interior minister to meet the driver's widow after his death was announced Friday. He had been hospitalized in critical condition.
Veronique Monguillot said she told the minister, Gerald Darmanin, that she and their three daughters were “destroyed” by the July 5 attack on her husband at a bus stop in Bayonne, southwest France.
“We must bang a fist on the table, so this never happens again,” she said. “It's barbaric, not normal. We must stop this massacre."
Philippe Monguillot is dead, beaten up for asking his passengers to validate a bus ticket. The face of France who works hard, who respects basic rules, who knows the value of civility - and who silently suffers from the impoverishment of society. https://t.co/CcfmRn9XLr — Boštjan M. Zupančič (@bmz9453) July 10, 2020
The Bayonne prosecutor said Monguillot was assaulted after he asked four passengers on his No. 810 bus to wear face masks, which are required aboard French public transport because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was insulted, pushed off the bus and violently beaten and kicked in the head, the prosecutor said.
Four people are in custody.
“This bus driver was only doing his job,” Darmanin said. "He left his home in the morning and did not come back, leaving a widow and three orphan girls. It is an absolutely odious act."
France has had over 208,000 confirmed infections and over 30,000 virus-related deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Experts say the true toll is higher, due to testing limitations and missed mild cases.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-11--LGBT rights at heart of Poland presidential-election fight

People protest against Polish President Andrzej Duda 's comments relating to the LGBT community during his election rally in Lublin , Poland on June 15 , 2020 .
While campaigning for re-election ahead of Sunday ’ s final-round vote , Poland ’ s President Andrzej Duda has used harmful rhetoric and called for policies that deny human rights to LGBT people .
But longtime activists see Polish attitudes changing , and are pushing back .
During his re-election campaign , Duda has compared what he calls “ LGBT ideology ” to Communism .
He does not support the right of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form civil unions , and believes that schools should not teach classes on gay rights .
His anti-LGBT rhetoric echoes the comments of Jaroslaw Kaczynski , the leader of Poland ’ s ruling Law and Justice party , who in September 2019 said that “ the family as we know it is under attack ” .
In the same month , Marek Jedraszewski , the archbishop of Krakow , linked totalitarian regimes and their “ systems for destroying people ” with “ gender ideology and LGBT ideology ” .
Duda ’ s opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski , signed a resolution in February 2019 declaring his city a welcoming place for LGBT people , and attended Warsaw ’ s Pride parade later that year .
He supports same-sex civil unions and has also promised to prevent Law and Justice , which controls Poland ’ s parliament , from further restricting abortion rights .
The stakes for LGBT people in Poland in the election are high .
As of late June , approximately 100 Polish municipalities had adopted resolutions declaring themselves “ LGBT-free zones ” , a movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT rights in Warsaw .
At Pride marches in Poland in 2019 , participants suffered verbal abuse and physical attacks , and two people were sentenced to a year in jail for bringing explosives to an event in Lublin .
There has also been plenty of evidence that Poles are rejecting discrimination and violence .
After an Equality march in Bialystok last July that suffered violent attacks from anti-LGBT demonstrators , event organisers told FRANCE 24 that they received donations that allowed them to rent office space for the first time .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September parade in Katowice , a middle-aged woman who identified as a straight ally shared a message with FRANCE 24 at the scene : “ I ’ d like to apologise to the whole of Europe for the fact that scenes like this are happening here.
” This past February , after Saint-Jean-de-Braye , a small town in the centre of France , cut its sister-city relationship with Tuchow , a Polish town that adopted an anti-LGBT resolution , AP reported that Tuchow ’ s mayor regretted the move and said that numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town ’ s council spoke for them .
Duda prevailed in the 2020 election ’ s first round with 43.5 percent of the vote , with Tzsaskowski finishing second with 30.46 percent , setting the two up for Sunday ’ s run-off .
A recent poll released by Kantar and cited by Euronews shows the two candidates in almost a dead heat .
As Poland votes , Europe is watching .
In a June 29 interview with FRANCE 24 , Helena Dalli , the European Commissioner for Equality – a new EU position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU funds in accordance with anti-LBGT policy , the allocations “ will have to be revisited ” .
Dalli also said labour discrimination based on sexual or gender identity in so-called “ LBGT-free zones ” would be “ unacceptable ” .
While some Polish LBGT activists told FRANCE24 they aren ’ t happy with parts of Trzaskowski ’ s platform – for instance , his support for civil unions falls short of marriage equality – they support him nonetheless , and their work has brought them into the street and onto the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Magdalena Dropek , 37 , travelled from her home in Krakow to a rally for Duda in the nearby town of Olkusz .
She and fellow protesters shouted “ Enough !
” and waved rainbow and EU flags as the president ’ s supporters held red-and-white “ Duda 2020 ” signs .
Dropek , who has co-organised Krakow ’ s annual Equality March since 2012 and sits on the board of the Equality.org.pl Foundation , said she heard calls of “ traitor ” and `` pervert ” at the rally .
But she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised that “ so many young , diverse people came … to show their disagreement for Duda ’ s actions and words ” .
Speaking the night before the event , Dropek said that LGBT activists in Poland have had to “ constantly defend ” themselves since early 2019 , when Law and Justice , which holds a parliamentary majority , began casting them as a threat to traditional Polish values .
It has made it difficult for activists to focus on developing their organisations , she said .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although she planned to attend a protest of a recent beating that occurred outside an LGBT club in Krakow on Friday .
She has seen three prominent activist organisations mount online efforts to discourage Polish voters from supporting Duda .
One , the Stonewall Project , has exhorted visitors to its Facebook page to vote for Trzaskowski , whereas the Campaign Against Homophobia and Love Does Not Exclude have stated the need for “ an open , tolerant Poland ” rather than naming a preferred candidate , she said .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as straight , Dropek said , which for her reflects a truth she thinks more Poles have come to understand : LGBT phobia and hate crimes affect all of society .
She has noticed a shift in the five years since Law and Justice came to power .
“ [ At ] many protests and rallies , there were also LGBT people , the rainbow flags , ” she said .
“ At the beginning , it was a problem .
There were cities where this rainbow flag was not welcome .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s obvious now , you can ’ t defend democracy without defending minority rights.
” Marek Szolc , 28 , won election to the Warsaw city council in 2018 and is a member of a party in coalition with Trzaskowski ’ s centrist Civic Platform .
He told FRANCE 24 that he planned to spend Friday passing out campaign leaflets in his city , which he described as relatively “ friendly ” territory for such an activity .
But he said that anti-LGBT violence is “ visible on the streets ” of Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child who recently put a rainbow flag in her window found vulgar graffiti on the outer wall of her building the next morning .
“ When I saw this , what I immediately associated it with was the graffiti that were drawn in Berlin in ( the ) 1930s just before the Kristallnacht … when Jewish flats were attacked this way , ” Szolc said .
“ This is the level of violence we ( have ) right now , this is the level of emotion , ” he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organise Warsaw ’ s Pride parade before entering local politics , said that much of the LGBT campaign-related activism he ’ s seen has been online , but he ’ s also noticed “ active involvement ” in help centres , clubs and bars .
He also appreciates the work that activist groups have been doing to educate Poles on the danger that LGBT people face in the country .
“ They ’ ve managed to create this feeling that is extremely important in this context : this feeling of empathy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s largely thanks to them that many people realised that using hate language … is simply unacceptable .
”

While campaigning for re-election ahead of Sunday’s final-round vote, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has used harmful rhetoric and called for policies that deny human rights to LGBT people. But longtime activists see Polish attitudes changing, and are pushing back.
People protest against Polish President Andrzej Duda's comments relating to the LGBT community during his election rally in Lublin, Poland on June 15, 2020.
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During his re-election campaign, Duda has compared what he calls “LGBT ideology” to Communism. He does not support the right of same-sex couples in Poland to marry or form civil unions, and believes that schools should not teach classes on gay rights.
His anti-LGBT rhetoric echoes the comments of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party, who in September 2019 said that “the family as we know it is under attack”. In the same month, Marek Jedraszewski, the archbishop of Krakow, linked totalitarian regimes and their “systems for destroying people” with “gender ideology and LGBT ideology”.
Duda’s opponent in Sunday’s vote, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, signed a resolution in February 2019 declaring his city a welcoming place for LGBT people, and attended Warsaw’s Pride parade later that year. He supports same-sex civil unions and has also promised to prevent Law and Justice, which controls Poland’s parliament, from further restricting abortion rights.
The stakes for LGBT people in Poland in the election are high. As of late June, approximately 100 Polish municipalities had adopted resolutions declaring themselves “LGBT-free zones”, a movement that began after Trzaskowski committed to support LGBT rights in Warsaw. At Pride marches in Poland in 2019, participants suffered verbal abuse and physical attacks, and two people were sentenced to a year in jail for bringing explosives to an event in Lublin.
There has also been plenty of evidence that Poles are rejecting discrimination and violence. After an Equality march in Bialystok last July that suffered violent attacks from anti-LGBT demonstrators, event organisers told FRANCE 24 that they received donations that allowed them to rent office space for the first time. When counter-protesters shouted a homophobic slur at a September parade in Katowice, a middle-aged woman who identified as a straight ally shared a message with FRANCE 24 at the scene: “I’d like to apologise to the whole of Europe for the fact that scenes like this are happening here.”
This past February, after Saint-Jean-de-Braye, a small town in the centre of France, cut its sister-city relationship with Tuchow, a Polish town that adopted an anti-LGBT resolution, AP reported that Tuchow’s mayor regretted the move and said that numerous locals didn’t feel that the town’s council spoke for them.
Duda prevailed in the 2020 election’s first round with 43.5 percent of the vote, with Tzsaskowski finishing second with 30.46 percent, setting the two up for Sunday’s run-off. A recent poll released by Kantar and cited by Euronews shows the two candidates in almost a dead heat.
As Poland votes, Europe is watching. In a June 29 interview with FRANCE 24, Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner for Equality – a new EU position – said that if Polish towns use EU funds in accordance with anti-LBGT policy, the allocations “will have to be revisited”. Dalli also said labour discrimination based on sexual or gender identity in so-called “LBGT-free zones” would be “unacceptable”.
While some Polish LBGT activists told FRANCE24 they aren’t happy with parts of Trzaskowski’s platform – for instance, his support for civil unions falls short of marriage equality – they support him nonetheless, and their work has brought them into the street and onto the campaign trail.
Fighting hate, and fatigue
On Thursday, LGBT activist Magdalena Dropek, 37, travelled from her home in Krakow to a rally for Duda in the nearby town of Olkusz. She and fellow protesters shouted “Enough!” and waved rainbow and EU flags as the president’s supporters held red-and-white “Duda 2020” signs.
Dropek, who has co-organised Krakow’s annual Equality March since 2012 and sits on the board of the Equality.org.pl Foundation, said she heard calls of “traitor” and "pervert” at the rally. But she also told FRANCE 24 that she was surprised that “so many young, diverse people came … to show their disagreement for Duda’s actions and words”.
Speaking the night before the event, Dropek said that LGBT activists in Poland have had to “constantly defend” themselves since early 2019, when Law and Justice, which holds a parliamentary majority, began casting them as a threat to traditional Polish values. It has made it difficult for activists to focus on developing their organisations, she said.
“We’re burned out,” Dropek said, although she planned to attend a protest of a recent beating that occurred outside an LGBT club in Krakow on Friday.
She has seen three prominent activist organisations mount online efforts to discourage Polish voters from supporting Duda. One, the Stonewall Project, has exhorted visitors to its Facebook page to vote for Trzaskowski, whereas the Campaign Against Homophobia and Love Does Not Exclude have stated the need for “an open, tolerant Poland” rather than naming a preferred candidate, she said.
One of the victims of the beating in Krakow identifies as straight, Dropek said, which for her reflects a truth she thinks more Poles have come to understand: LGBT phobia and hate crimes affect all of society. She has noticed a shift in the five years since Law and Justice came to power.
“[At] many protests and rallies, there were also LGBT people, the rainbow flags,” she said. “At the beginning, it was a problem. There were cities where this rainbow flag was not welcome. But … for many people, it’s obvious now, you can’t defend democracy without defending minority rights.”
‘This feeling of empathy’
Marek Szolc, 28, won election to the Warsaw city council in 2018 and is a member of a party in coalition with Trzaskowski’s centrist Civic Platform. He told FRANCE 24 that he planned to spend Friday passing out campaign leaflets in his city, which he described as relatively “friendly” territory for such an activity.
But he said that anti-LGBT violence is “visible on the streets” of Poland – even in Warsaw. Szolc said a child who recently put a rainbow flag in her window found vulgar graffiti on the outer wall of her building the next morning.
“When I saw this, what I immediately associated it with was the graffiti that were drawn in Berlin in (the) 1930s just before the Kristallnacht … when Jewish flats were attacked this way,” Szolc said.
“This is the level of violence we (have) right now, this is the level of emotion,” he said.
The openly gay councilman, who began helping to organise Warsaw’s Pride parade before entering local politics, said that much of the LGBT campaign-related activism he’s seen has been online, but he’s also noticed “active involvement” in help centres, clubs and bars.
He also appreciates the work that activist groups have been doing to educate Poles on the danger that LGBT people face in the country.
“They’ve managed to create this feeling that is extremely important in this context: this feeling of empathy,” Szolc said. “I think it’s largely thanks to them that many people realised that using hate language … is simply unacceptable.”
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france24--2020-07-11--Jack Charlton, icon of English and Irish football alike, dies at 85

Few players or managers have enjoyed World Cup glory with two countries but Jack Charlton , who has died aged 85 , was held in rare affection by English and Irish football supporters .
The World Cup may have brought the best remembered moments of his career but Charlton had no shortage of success at club level during nearly 45 years as a player and manager .
Charlton , a tall , no-nonsense central defender , was part of Alf Ramsey 's England team which won the World Cup in 1966 , playing in the same side as his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took Ireland to their first World Cup , in Italy in 1990 and led them to the quarter-finals of the tournament , which remains the country 's best performance .
Awarded an OBE in 1974 and given honorary Irish citizenship in 1996 , after his death was announced in a family statement on Saturday , Charlton was described by the country 's former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as `` Ireland 's most loved Englishman '' .
He was a proud Northumbrian , from the mining village of Ashington , but spent his entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a central part of the Yorkshire club 's golden era in the 1960s and 70s under Don Revie , winning trophies at home and abroad and making a club record 773 appearances .
His popularity crossed generations and football loyalties , with many Northern English school kids in the 1970s enjoying his passionate and unscripted coaching in the Tyne-Tees television series `` Play Soccer - Jack Charlton 's Way '' .
After leaving school , Charlton had briefly worked , like his father , in the mines at Linton colliery but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the brink of joining the police force when he went to Leeds United in 1952 .
Despite his boyhood affection for Newcastle United , Leeds was an obvious choice given his uncle Jimmy Milburn played for the club at the time and two other uncles , Jack and George Milburn , had also played for the club .
His early years , with Leeds in the second division and Charlton sometimes asked to play at centre-forward , offered little sign of the glory that was to come under Revie .
At one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Busby to discuss a transfer which would have seen him team up with his brother at Old Trafford .
But he stayed with Leeds until he retired from playing in 1973 and , with his rugged defending and leadership role on the field , was part of the team which won the English league title in 1969 and FA Cup in 1972 .
He also enjoyed success in European football as Leeds won the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup , later the UEFA Cup and now the Europa League , in 1968 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively late .
He was almost 30 when he made his debut against Scotland at Wembley in 1965 but , as with his tackling , the timing was perfect .
Just over a year later , playing alongside captain Bobby Moore and with his brother in midfield , Charlton became a World Cup winner as hosts England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final .
He retired from international duty after the 1970 World Cup and following three more seasons with Leeds he ended his playing career and moved into management with second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge , 'Boro won the title by 15 points earning promotion to the top flight where Charlton established them before leaving in 1977 .
He applied for the England job after Revie 's departure but said he never received an answer to his application .
Charlton dropped into the third division to manage Sheffield Wednesday and it was there that he adopted the direct , physical style that was to prove so effective later with Ireland .
The Owls won promotion in 1980 but , despite a run to the FA Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to the top flight and left in 1983 for a short spell at Newcastle .
Taking over the Irish national side in 1986 , Charlton secured qualification for the 1988 European Championship , the first time the country had reached an international tournament although they failed to get out of the group stage .
Then came their first World Cup in 1990 , after Ireland had beaten Spain , Malta , Hungary and Northern Ireland to qualify for the biggest stage for the first time .
Despite drawing all their games in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland went through to meet Romania in the last 16 , beating them on penalties after a goalless draw before losing 1-0 to Italy in the quarter-finals .
The team - and their manager - captured the imagination of the Irish public and four years later , in the United States , they did so again , this time beating Italy in the group stage before losing 2-0 to the Netherlands in the last 16 .
`` He changed everything about Irish football ... Jack came in and changed that mentality ... His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said midfielder Ray Houghton .
Those who knew Charlton certainly have no shortage of stories about his humour and forthright opinions which made him one of the great characters of the game .

Few players or managers have enjoyed World Cup glory with two countries but Jack Charlton, who has died aged 85, was held in rare affection by English and Irish football supporters.
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The World Cup may have brought the best remembered moments of his career but Charlton had no shortage of success at club level during nearly 45 years as a player and manager.
Charlton, a tall, no-nonsense central defender, was part of Alf Ramsey's England team which won the World Cup in 1966, playing in the same side as his brother Bobby.
As a manager, he took Ireland to their first World Cup, in Italy in 1990 and led them to the quarter-finals of the tournament, which remains the country's best performance.
Awarded an OBE in 1974 and given honorary Irish citizenship in 1996, after his death was announced in a family statement on Saturday, Charlton was described by the country's former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as "Ireland's most loved Englishman".
All of Ireland is sad to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton. He lifted the nation and gave us some truly incredible memories through those wonderful summers of 88, 90 and 94. #ThankyouJack — Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 11, 2020
He was a proud Northumbrian, from the mining village of Ashington, but spent his entire club career with Leeds United.
Loyal to Leeds
Charlton was a central part of the Yorkshire club's golden era in the 1960s and 70s under Don Revie, winning trophies at home and abroad and making a club record 773 appearances.
His popularity crossed generations and football loyalties, with many Northern English school kids in the 1970s enjoying his passionate and unscripted coaching in the Tyne-Tees television series "Play Soccer - Jack Charlton's Way".
After leaving school, Charlton had briefly worked, like his father, in the mines at Linton colliery but it was not for him and he was on the brink of joining the police force when he went to Leeds United in 1952.
Despite his boyhood affection for Newcastle United, Leeds was an obvious choice given his uncle Jimmy Milburn played for the club at the time and two other uncles, Jack and George Milburn, had also played for the club.
Rest in peace Jack pic.twitter.com/Z6iIuIAzIE — Leeds United (@LUFC) July 11, 2020
His early years, with Leeds in the second division and Charlton sometimes asked to play at centre-forward, offered little sign of the glory that was to come under Revie.
At one point Charlton met with Manchester United manager Matt Busby to discuss a transfer which would have seen him team up with his brother at Old Trafford.
But he stayed with Leeds until he retired from playing in 1973 and, with his rugged defending and leadership role on the field, was part of the team which won the English league title in 1969 and FA Cup in 1972.
He also enjoyed success in European football as Leeds won the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, later the UEFA Cup and now the Europa League, in 1968 and 1971.
England career
Charlton's England career began relatively late. He was almost 30 when he made his debut against Scotland at Wembley in 1965 but, as with his tackling, the timing was perfect.
Just over a year later, playing alongside captain Bobby Moore and with his brother in midfield, Charlton became a World Cup winner as hosts England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final.
He retired from international duty after the 1970 World Cup and following three more seasons with Leeds he ended his playing career and moved into management with second division Middlesbrough.
A legend of the game.
Rest in peace, Jack. — England (@England) July 11, 2020
In his first season in charge, 'Boro won the title by 15 points earning promotion to the top flight where Charlton established them before leaving in 1977.
He applied for the England job after Revie's departure but said he never received an answer to his application.
Charlton dropped into the third division to manage Sheffield Wednesday and it was there that he adopted the direct, physical style that was to prove so effective later with Ireland.
The Owls won promotion in 1980 but, despite a run to the FA Cup semi-finals, he was unable to take them to the top flight and left in 1983 for a short spell at Newcastle.
Managing the Irish team
Taking over the Irish national side in 1986, Charlton secured qualification for the 1988 European Championship, the first time the country had reached an international tournament although they failed to get out of the group stage.
Then came their first World Cup in 1990, after Ireland had beaten Spain, Malta, Hungary and Northern Ireland to qualify for the biggest stage for the first time.
Despite drawing all their games in the group stage at the finals, Ireland went through to meet Romania in the last 16, beating them on penalties after a goalless draw before losing 1-0 to Italy in the quarter-finals.
The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jack Charlton, the manager who changed Irish football forever.
Our thoughts are with Pat and the family at this sad time.#RIP pic.twitter.com/PonuRtW9fu — FAIreland ⚽🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 11, 2020
The team - and their manager - captured the imagination of the Irish public and four years later, in the United States, they did so again, this time beating Italy in the group stage before losing 2-0 to the Netherlands in the last 16.
"He changed everything about Irish football... Jack came in and changed that mentality... His legacy within Ireland is absolutely huge," said midfielder Ray Houghton.
Those who knew Charlton certainly have no shortage of stories about his humour and forthright opinions which made him one of the great characters of the game.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-12--Oromos say Ethiopia has become a ‘dangerous country for us’ at Paris rally

As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital , in the east of the city near the ultimate symbol of protest , the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear .
Placards and banners read “ Free all political prisoners ” , “ Abiy Ahmed , dictator ” and “ Justice for Hachulu ” .
Ethiopia has seen deadly unrest since Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead at the end of June , with Oromos denouncing their marginalisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying is becoming an authoritarian regime once more – despite the election of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018 .
Oromos in Paris gathered to protest on Monday .
As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital , near the ultimate symbol of protest , the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear .
Placards and banners read “ Free all political prisoners ” , “ Abiy Ahmed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The demonstration was organised in response to the killing of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa , who was seen as a crucial voice for the Oromo people in Ethiopian politics .
The day after he was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa , crowds of demonstrators converged on several big cities – especially in the Oromia region , which surrounds the capital .
Violence soon flared , with at least 239 people killed in the protests that shook Ethiopia last week , according to the country ’ s police .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security crackdown while other were killed in clashes between different ethnic groups .
More than 3,500 suspects were arrested .
The Oromo demonstrating in Paris were worried about this crackdown and expressed support for sweeping political change .
“ We need equality and justice in our country , ” said Mussa , a 25 year-old migrant from Ethiopia .
Notably , a statement from the association organising the demonstration said that Hundessa was murdered “ on government orders ” , motivated by the fact that “ He was Oromo ” .
Since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
On Friday , Ethiopian Attorney-General Abebech Abbebe said that “ the assassination was intended to be a cover to take power from the incumbent by force ” , without providing details .
Abiy Ahmed is himself an Oromo .
But the community is divided .
“ There ’ s a civil war going on within the Oromo group at the moment , ” said Ethiopia specialist René Lefort .
“ Oromo are fighting against other Oromo ; there are those who support Ahmed and those who have taken up arms against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Place de la République , one protester who gave her name as Duniya argued that Ahmed has not done enough for the Oromo : “ We thought that Abiy Ahmed supported our cause because he is Oromo , but over the past year Ethiopia has became a dangerous country for us , ” she said .
This is part of a broader “ repression of human rights , which affects everyone in the country ” , added Fisseha Tekle , an Amnesty International Researcher on Ethiopia .
Ethiopia is becoming “ more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lefort said .
He noted in particular the “ thousands of political prisoners locked up all over the country ” and “ a press that ’ s starting to censor itself ” .
The demonstrators in Paris also denounced these abuses .
“ The internet has been cut off in Ethiopia since June 30 ; we don ’ t know how our families are , ” Mussa said .
“ We don ’ t know what ’ s going on in Ethiopia from day to day , ” Duniya added .
Ahmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In April 2018 , his electoral victory was seen as heralding a brave new world – with the release of thousands of prisoners , the lifting of bans on hitherto repressed opposition parties and the repeal of illiberal laws .
To cap it all off , Abiy was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for creating a peace deal to end longstanding conflict with neighbouring Eritrea .
But modern Ethiopia ’ s first-ever Oromo leader has failed to maintain the soaring popularity that characterised his honeymoon period , especially amongst the Oromo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to stop the country from being torn apart by inter-ethnic conflicts , ” Lefort said .
“ His main objective is to assert his power.
” This article was translated from the original in French .

Ethiopia has seen deadly unrest since Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead at the end of June, with Oromos denouncing their marginalisation within a country that many experts are saying is becoming an authoritarian regime once more – despite the election of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Oromos in Paris gathered to protest on Monday.
As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, in the east of the city near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu”.
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As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu”.
The demonstration was organised in response to the killing of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was seen as a crucial voice for the Oromo people in Ethiopian politics. The day after he was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa, crowds of demonstrators converged on several big cities – especially in the Oromia region, which surrounds the capital.
Violence soon flared, with at least 239 people killed in the protests that shook Ethiopia last week, according to the country’s police. Authorities said some people were killed during the security crackdown while other were killed in clashes between different ethnic groups. More than 3,500 suspects were arrested.
The Oromo demonstrating in Paris were worried about this crackdown and expressed support for sweeping political change. “We need equality and justice in our country,” said Mussa, a 25 year-old migrant from Ethiopia.
Notably, a statement from the association organising the demonstration said that Hundessa was murdered “on government orders”, motivated by the fact that “He was Oromo”. Since then there has been a twist in the case. On Friday, Ethiopian Attorney-General Abebech Abbebe said that “the assassination was intended to be a cover to take power from the incumbent by force”, without providing details.
Intra-Oromo ‘civil war’
Abiy Ahmed is himself an Oromo. But the community is divided. “There’s a civil war going on within the Oromo group at the moment,” said Ethiopia specialist René Lefort. “Oromo are fighting against other Oromo; there are those who support Ahmed and those who have taken up arms against the government,” Lefort said.
At Place de la République, one protester who gave her name as Duniya argued that Ahmed has not done enough for the Oromo: “We thought that Abiy Ahmed supported our cause because he is Oromo, but over the past year Ethiopia has became a dangerous country for us,” she said.
This is part of a broader “repression of human rights, which affects everyone in the country”, added Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International Researcher on Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is becoming “more and more of an authoritarian regime”, Lefort said. He noted in particular the “thousands of political prisoners locked up all over the country” and “a press that’s starting to censor itself”.
The demonstrators in Paris also denounced these abuses. “The internet has been cut off in Ethiopia since June 30; we don’t know how our families are,” Mussa said. “We don’t know what’s going on in Ethiopia from day to day,” Duniya added.
Ahmed was not always such a divisive figure. In April 2018, his electoral victory was seen as heralding a brave new world – with the release of thousands of prisoners, the lifting of bans on hitherto repressed opposition parties and the repeal of illiberal laws. To cap it all off, Abiy was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for creating a peace deal to end longstanding conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
But modern Ethiopia’s first-ever Oromo leader has failed to maintain the soaring popularity that characterised his honeymoon period, especially amongst the Oromo ethnic group. “Ahmed has done nothing to stop the country from being torn apart by inter-ethnic conflicts,” Lefort said. “His main objective is to assert his power.”
This article was translated from the original in French.
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france24--2020-07-12--Malian president dissolves constitutional court in bid to calm deadly unrest

Protesters set barricades to block the Martyrs bridge in Bamako , Mali on July 11 , 2020 .
Mali 's embattled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced the dissolution of the constitutional court late Saturday in an attempt to calm the deadly civil unrest gripping the vulnerable African country , as more opposition leaders were arrested .
The court has been at the centre of controversy in Mali after it overturned provisional results for a parliamentary poll earlier this year , triggering protests in several cities that on Friday descended into violence .
Keita said he had repealed the licences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that new judges could be appointed from next week .
`` The reformed court can quickly help us find solutions to the disputes arising from the legislative elections , '' he said in an evening television address .
Following a long-delayed parliamentary poll in March – which Keita 's party won – the court overturned the provisional results for about 30 seats , a move that saw several members of Keita 's party elected and is widely viewed as having ignited the latest crisis .
Clashes raged again in the capital Bamako @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-running jihadist conflict , economic woes and perceived government corruption – demanded Keita ’ s resignation .
Four people , including two teenagers , were killed in violence that raged in Bamako on Saturday and through the night , according to a hospital official .
`` Among the four dead civilians we have two minors aged 15 and 17 , '' a senior emergency room official told AFP on condition of anonymity .
Meanwhile Mali ’ s opposition coalition said security forces detained two leaders of anti-government protests and raided its headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Choguel Kokala Maiga and Mountaga Tall , two senior figures in the movement , were detained along with other activists on Saturday .
Another protest leader , Issa Kaou Djim , was arrested Friday .
In addition , security forces `` came and attacked and ransacked our headquarters '' , M5-RFP spokesman Nouhoum Togo said .
The arrests represent a new low in relations between the opposition and the authorities , who did not crack down after two large-scale , peaceful protests against the president in June .
Authorities say six opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the government cracks down on an alliance known as the June 5 Movement .
During a visit to a Bamako hospital Saturday , Prime Minister Boubou Cissé called for calm .
`` The president and I remain open to dialogue , '' Cissé said , adding that he would quickly form a government ready to deal with the country 's problems .
But almost as he spoke , a June 5 Movement spokesman told reporters that gendarmes had arrested Maiga and Tall .
Later Saturday , security forces turned up at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kadiatou Sow , but were unable to find him , said a member of his family who did not want to be named .
Led by influential imam Mahmoud Dicko , the movement is channelling deep-seated frustrations in the West African country .
Friday 's protest was the third such demonstration in less than two months , significantly escalating pressure on the president .
As flaming roadblocks appeared around Bamako on Saturday , the atmosphere was electric around the mosque where Dicko preaches , with his supporters seemingly afraid that the imam would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammunition as clashes broke out , seriously wounding several men , according to associates of Dicko who published photos of the injuries .
Keita warned Saturday that security would be maintained `` with no signs of weakness '' , while indicating his willingness `` to do everything possible to calm the situation '' .
Meanwhile the alliance called on the public `` to maintain and step up this mobilisation until the aim is achieved , which is the resignation of the president '' .
The opposition 's call for civil disobedience includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state buildings .
Demonstrators attacked parliament and ransacked the national television station on Friday , only dispersing when the security forces opened fire .
This level of violence is rare in Bamako , which has been spared much of the unrest that is routine across swathes of Mali .
The country has struggled to contain an Islamist insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 , before spreading to the centre of the country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger .
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their homes .

Mali's embattled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced the dissolution of the constitutional court late Saturday in an attempt to calm the deadly civil unrest gripping the vulnerable African country, as more opposition leaders were arrested.
Protesters set barricades to block the Martyrs bridge in Bamako, Mali on July 11, 2020.
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The court has been at the centre of controversy in Mali after it overturned provisional results for a parliamentary poll earlier this year, triggering protests in several cities that on Friday descended into violence.
Keita said he had repealed the licences of all remaining members of the constitutional court so that new judges could be appointed from next week.
"The reformed court can quickly help us find solutions to the disputes arising from the legislative elections," he said in an evening television address.
Following a long-delayed parliamentary poll in March – which Keita's party won – the court overturned the provisional results for about 30 seats, a move that saw several members of Keita's party elected and is widely viewed as having ignited the latest crisis.
Teens killed in clashes, opposition leaders arrested
Clashes raged again in the capital Bamako on Saturday as demonstrators – angered by a long-running jihadist conflict, economic woes and perceived government corruption – demanded Keita’s resignation.
Four people, including two teenagers, were killed in violence that raged in Bamako on Saturday and through the night, according to a hospital official.
02:47
"Among the four dead civilians we have two minors aged 15 and 17," a senior emergency room official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile Mali’s opposition coalition said security forces detained two leaders of anti-government protests and raided its headquarters on Saturday.
The opposition coalition M5-RFP said Choguel Kokala Maiga and Mountaga Tall, two senior figures in the movement, were detained along with other activists on Saturday. Another protest leader, Issa Kaou Djim, was arrested Friday.
In addition, security forces "came and attacked and ransacked our headquarters", M5-RFP spokesman Nouhoum Togo said.
The arrests represent a new low in relations between the opposition and the authorities, who did not crack down after two large-scale, peaceful protests against the president in June.
Authorities say six opposition figures have been detained in two days as the government cracks down on an alliance known as the June 5 Movement.
'Open to dialogue'
During a visit to a Bamako hospital Saturday, Prime Minister Boubou Cissé called for calm. "The president and I remain open to dialogue," Cissé said, adding that he would quickly form a government ready to deal with the country's problems.
But almost as he spoke, a June 5 Movement spokesman told reporters that gendarmes had arrested Maiga and Tall.
Later Saturday, security forces turned up at the house of another opposition leader, Sy Kadiatou Sow, but were unable to find him, said a member of his family who did not want to be named.
Fears of influential imam's arrest
Led by influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, the movement is channelling deep-seated frustrations in the West African country.
Friday's protest was the third such demonstration in less than two months, significantly escalating pressure on the president.
As flaming roadblocks appeared around Bamako on Saturday, the atmosphere was electric around the mosque where Dicko preaches, with his supporters seemingly afraid that the imam would be arrested.
Security forces used live ammunition as clashes broke out, seriously wounding several men, according to associates of Dicko who published photos of the injuries.
'Step up' pressure
Keita warned Saturday that security would be maintained "with no signs of weakness", while indicating his willingness "to do everything possible to calm the situation".
Meanwhile the alliance called on the public "to maintain and step up this mobilisation until the aim is achieved, which is the resignation of the president".
The opposition's call for civil disobedience includes the non-payment of fines and blocking entry to state buildings.
Demonstrators attacked parliament and ransacked the national television station on Friday, only dispersing when the security forces opened fire.
This level of violence is rare in Bamako, which has been spared much of the unrest that is routine across swathes of Mali.
The country has struggled to contain an Islamist insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012, before spreading to the centre of the country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-12--Trump finally wears face mask in public during hospital visit

US President Donald Trump wears a mask as he visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland on July 11 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump finally yielded to pressure and wore a face mask in public for the first time on Saturday as the US posted another daily record for coronavirus cases , while Disney World reopened in a state hit hard by the pandemic .
White House experts leading the national fight against the contagion have recommended wearing face coverings in public to prevent transmission of the illness .
But Trump had repeatedly avoided wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House tested positive for the virus and as more aides have taken to wearing them .
Trump flew by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington to meet wounded service members and health care providers caring for Covid-19 patients .
As he left the White House , he told reporters : “ When you 're in a hospital , especially ...
I think it ’ s a great thing to wear a mask . ''
Trump was wearing a mask in Walter Reed 's hallway as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing one when he stepped off the helicopter at the facility .
`` I 've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place , '' he told reporters at the White House before leaving for Walter Reed hospital .
The president was a latecomer to wearing a mask during the pandemic , which has raged across the US since March and infected more than 3.2 million and killed at least 134,000 .
Most prominent Republicans , including Vice President Mike Pence , endorsed wearing masks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican governors have been moving toward requiring or encouraging the use of masks as the pandemic has grown more serious in some states in the South and West .
Trump is trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the polls ahead of a November election and surveys show most Americans are unhappy with how he has handled the public health crisis .
But the president has continued to praise his own response to the pandemic despite a cascade of figures showing the extent of the disease 's spread across the US .
The country posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday night , with 66,528 new infections , while the death toll rose by almost 800 to nearly 135,000 .
In Florida , where nearly one in six of those new infections were recorded , the Walt Disney World theme park partially reopened after four months of shutdown prompted by the virus .
Hundreds of people queued to enter the park in Orlando , some sporting Mickey ears but all wearing face masks , with social distancing and other hygiene precautions also in place .
Days earlier , top US infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun reopening before meeting the criteria that would have enabled it to do so safely .
The coronavirus pandemic has infected nearly 13 million people across the world and killed over 560,000 .
The pandemic has triggered massive economic damage since the disease was first detected in China late last year .
The US is the country worst hit by the illness , followed by Brazil -- which surpassed 70,000 deaths on Friday .
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to adopt an aggressive approach to tackling the virus , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea and elsewhere .
`` Across all walks of life , we are all being tested to the limit , '' he told a virtual news conference in Geneva on Friday .
`` Only aggressive action combined with national unity and global solidarity can turn this pandemic around , '' he added .
Elsewhere , French officials warned of rising cases in metropolitan France as the death toll there topped 30,000 .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted a decision to allow bars and other businesses to reopen may have come `` too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record 1,500 new infections on Friday .
Australian authorities said they would slash by half the number of people allowed to return from overseas each day after a fresh surge in cases that saw a lockdown imposed on Melbourne , the country 's second-largest city .
In Hong Kong , a spike has marked a setback for the city after daily life had largely returned to normal , with restaurants and bars resuming regular business and cultural attractions reopening .
Schools in the city will be closed from Monday after the city recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .

President Donald Trump finally yielded to pressure and wore a face mask in public for the first time on Saturday as the US posted another daily record for coronavirus cases, while Disney World reopened in a state hit hard by the pandemic.
US President Donald Trump wears a mask as he visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on July 11, 2020.
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White House experts leading the national fight against the contagion have recommended wearing face coverings in public to prevent transmission of the illness.
But Trump had repeatedly avoided wearing a mask, even after staffers at the White House tested positive for the virus and as more aides have taken to wearing them.
Trump flew by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington to meet wounded service members and health care providers caring for Covid-19 patients. As he left the White House, he told reporters: “When you're in a hospital, especially ... I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask."
00:16
Trump was wearing a mask in Walter Reed's hallway as he began his visit. He was not wearing one when he stepped off the helicopter at the facility. "I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place," he told reporters at the White House before leaving for Walter Reed hospital.
The president was a latecomer to wearing a mask during the pandemic, which has raged across the US since March and infected more than 3.2 million and killed at least 134,000.
Most prominent Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence, endorsed wearing masks as the coronavirus gained ground this summer. Republican governors have been moving toward requiring or encouraging the use of masks as the pandemic has grown more serious in some states in the South and West.
Trailing in polls
Trump is trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the polls ahead of a November election and surveys show most Americans are unhappy with how he has handled the public health crisis.
But the president has continued to praise his own response to the pandemic despite a cascade of figures showing the extent of the disease's spread across the US.
The country posted yet another daily record of confirmed cases on Saturday night, with 66,528 new infections, while the death toll rose by almost 800 to nearly 135,000.
In Florida, where nearly one in six of those new infections were recorded, the Walt Disney World theme park partially reopened after four months of shutdown prompted by the virus.
Hundreds of people queued to enter the park in Orlando, some sporting Mickey ears but all wearing face masks, with social distancing and other hygiene precautions also in place.
Days earlier, top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said that Florida had begun reopening before meeting the criteria that would have enabled it to do so safely.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected nearly 13 million people across the world and killed over 560,000. The pandemic has triggered massive economic damage since the disease was first detected in China late last year.
The US is the country worst hit by the illness, followed by Brazil -- which surpassed 70,000 deaths on Friday.
Case spikes from France to Hong Kong
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on countries to adopt an aggressive approach to tackling the virus, citing successful mitigation efforts in Italy, South Korea and elsewhere.
"Across all walks of life, we are all being tested to the limit," he told a virtual news conference in Geneva on Friday.
"Only aggressive action combined with national unity and global solidarity can turn this pandemic around," he added.
Elsewhere, French officials warned of rising cases in metropolitan France as the death toll there topped 30,000.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted a decision to allow bars and other businesses to reopen may have come "too soon" after his country reported a record 1,500 new infections on Friday.
Australian authorities said they would slash by half the number of people allowed to return from overseas each day after a fresh surge in cases that saw a lockdown imposed on Melbourne, the country's second-largest city.
In Hong Kong, a spike has marked a setback for the city after daily life had largely returned to normal, with restaurants and bars resuming regular business and cultural attractions reopening.
Schools in the city will be closed from Monday after the city recorded "exponential growth" in locally transmitted infections.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-07-12--Ubisoft senior staff leave over sexual misconduct probe at French gaming giant

Ubisoft is one of the world 's largest gaming companies French gaming giant Ubisoft is parting ways with its creative director and two other executives and promising zero tolerance for “ toxic '' staff behavior following an internal investigation of misconduct and media reports of sexual harassment .
In a statement released Sunday , Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said the developer of “ Assassin ’ s Creed ” and other games “ has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees ” .
“ This is unacceptable , as toxic behaviors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never compromised — and never will , ” Guillemot said .
Ubisoft announced the immediate resignation of Serge Hascoet as chief creative officer .
The director of Ubisoft ’ s Canadian studios , Yannis Mallat , is also leaving immediately , because “ recent allegations that have come to light in Canada against multiple employees make it impossible for him to continue in this position ” , the statement said .
Cecile Cornet is being replaced as Ubisoft 's global head of human resources .
The management shake-up follows Ubisoft 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an apology “ to everyone affected by this ” .
“ We must do better , ” it said then .
Ubisoft , which counts 18,000 employees worldwide , is the latest video game company to face sexual harassment allegations .
The global game industry has been dogged by criticism over its treatment of women in both games and real life .
This was encapsulated in the so-called `` gamergate '' controversy in the US in 2014 , which saw critics of the way women were depicted in games receive death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ubisoft on Twitter last month accused managers in the company 's Toronto and Montreal studios of sexual misconduct , and denounced an allegedly toxic work environment for women .
Accusations also targeted managers in Brazil , Bulgaria and the US , with some of the alleged incidents going back years .
Some named the alleged perpetrators , and many accused the company of failing to respond to staff complaints and even promoting those accused of wrongdoing .
`` I am a former employee and they swept every claim of sexual harassment under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alleged incidents include a creative director licking the face of a female co-worker during an office party , and a manager demanding oral sex from a colleague .
`` Moving forward , as we collectively embark on a path leading to a better Ubisoft , it is my expectation that leaders across the company manage their teams with the utmost respect , '' Guillemot said on Sunday .

French gaming giant Ubisoft is parting ways with its creative director and two other executives and promising zero tolerance for “toxic" staff behavior following an internal investigation of misconduct and media reports of sexual harassment.
Ubisoft is one of the world's largest gaming companies
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In a statement released Sunday, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said the developer of “Assassin’s Creed” and other games “has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees”.
“This is unacceptable, as toxic behaviors are in direct contrast to values on which I have never compromised — and never will,” Guillemot said.
Ubisoft announced the immediate resignation of Serge Hascoet as chief creative officer.
The director of Ubisoft’s Canadian studios, Yannis Mallat, is also leaving immediately, because “recent allegations that have come to light in Canada against multiple employees make it impossible for him to continue in this position”, the statement said.
Cecile Cornet is being replaced as Ubisoft's global head of human resources.
The management shake-up follows Ubisoft's announcement in June of an internal investigation and an apology “to everyone affected by this”.
“We must do better,” it said then.
Industry dogged by sexual harassment accusations
Ubisoft, which counts 18,000 employees worldwide, is the latest video game company to face sexual harassment allegations.
The global game industry has been dogged by criticism over its treatment of women in both games and real life.
This was encapsulated in the so-called "gamergate" controversy in the US in 2014, which saw critics of the way women were depicted in games receive death and rape threats.
The allegations made against Ubisoft on Twitter last month accused managers in the company's Toronto and Montreal studios of sexual misconduct, and denounced an allegedly toxic work environment for women.
Accusations also targeted managers in Brazil, Bulgaria and the US, with some of the alleged incidents going back years.
Some named the alleged perpetrators, and many accused the company of failing to respond to staff complaints and even promoting those accused of wrongdoing.
"I am a former employee and they swept every claim of sexual harassment under the rug," read one tweet.
Alleged incidents include a creative director licking the face of a female co-worker during an office party, and a manager demanding oral sex from a colleague.
"Moving forward, as we collectively embark on a path leading to a better Ubisoft, it is my expectation that leaders across the company manage their teams with the utmost respect," Guillemot said on Sunday.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-07-12--‘Lives will be lost,’ warn aid groups as UN resolution leaves single Syria border crossing open

File photo of displaced Syrians receiving aid in Oct. 2019 , in Tal Tamr in the countryside of Syria 's northeastern Hasakeh province .
A UN Security Council resolution passed Saturday that leaves only one of two border crossings open for aid deliveries from Turkey into rebel-held northwestern Syria will cost lives and intensify the suffering of 1.3 million people living there , aid agencies warned .
Western states had pressed for aid access to northwestern Syria to continue through two crossings at the Turkish border .
But Russia -- President Bashar al-Assad 's main ally -- and China vetoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Following a week of division and intense negotiations , the Security Council passed a proposal submitted by Germany and Belgium allowing the use of the Bab al-Hawa crossing point for one year .
Saturday ’ s vote capped a week of high-stakes rivalry between Russia and China , and the 13 other council members who voted twice to maintain the two crossings from Turkey that were in operation until their mandate ended Friday .
Both times , Russia and China vetoed the resolutions — the 15th and 16th veto by Russia of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 and the ninth and 10th by China .
While expressing relief over the extension of one border crossing , German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass admitted that , `` We can not and do not want to conceal that we believe more crossings are necessary . ''
Humanitarian agencies once again warned that power wrangling in the region had denied aid to more than a million Syrians in need .
`` In northwest Syria , where a vital cross-border lifeline has been closed ... it will be harder to reach an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine delivered by the UN cross-border , '' aid agencies operating in Syria said in a joint statement .
`` Many will now not receive the help they need .
Lives will be lost .
Suffering will intensify , '' the statement noted adding , `` With the first case of Covid-19 confirmed in Idlib , an area with a severely weakened health infrastructure , this is a devastating blow . ''
In January , Russia used its veto threat to force the Security Council to adopt a resolution reducing the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two , from Turkey to the northwest .
It also cut in half the year-long mandate that had been in place since cross-border deliveries began in 2014 to six months .
Before adopting the resolution Saturday , the council rejected two amendments proposed by Russia , including one suggesting that US and EU sanctions on Syria were impeding humanitarian aid .
That contention was vehemently rejected by the Trump administration and the EU , which noted their sanctions include exemptions for humanitarian deliveries .
It also rejected an amendment from China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Polyansky , said after the vote that from the beginning Moscow had proposed one crossing — from Bab al-Hawa to Idlib — and that Saturday ’ s resolution could have been adopted weeks ago .
He said Russia abstained in the vote because negotiations over the resolution were marred by “ clumsiness , disrespect ” .
He said cross-border aid to Syria ’ s northwest doesn ’ t comply with international law because the UN has no presence in the region , which he described as being controlled “ by international terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control and monitor who gets aid .
Aid agencies however maintain they are trying to reach vulnerable civilian populations .
In a separate statement , Physicians for Human Rights said Saturday 's resolution had shut down `` direct routes to hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians in dire need of food and medicine '' .

A UN Security Council resolution passed Saturday that leaves only one of two border crossings open for aid deliveries from Turkey into rebel-held northwestern Syria will cost lives and intensify the suffering of 1.3 million people living there, aid agencies warned.
File photo of displaced Syrians receiving aid in Oct. 2019, in Tal Tamr in the countryside of Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province.
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Western states had pressed for aid access to northwestern Syria to continue through two crossings at the Turkish border. But Russia -- President Bashar al-Assad's main ally -- and China vetoed a last-ditch effort to keep both open.
Following a week of division and intense negotiations, the Security Council passed a proposal submitted by Germany and Belgium allowing the use of the Bab al-Hawa crossing point for one year.
Saturday’s vote capped a week of high-stakes rivalry between Russia and China, and the 13 other council members who voted twice to maintain the two crossings from Turkey that were in operation until their mandate ended Friday.
Both times, Russia and China vetoed the resolutions — the 15th and 16th veto by Russia of a Syria resolution since the conflict began in 2011 and the ninth and 10th by China.
While expressing relief over the extension of one border crossing, German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass admitted that, "We cannot and do not want to conceal that we believe more crossings are necessary."
„Ultimately, we proposed a compromise to preserve the mechanism for cross-border humanitarian aid. We cannot and do not want to conceal that we believe more crossings are necessary“ - Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas continues. #GERinUNSC (2/2). — GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) July 12, 2020
Humanitarian agencies once again warned that power wrangling in the region had denied aid to more than a million Syrians in need. "In northwest Syria, where a vital cross-border lifeline has been closed ... it will be harder to reach an estimated 1.3 million people dependent on food and medicine delivered by the UN cross-border," aid agencies operating in Syria said in a joint statement.
"Many will now not receive the help they need. Lives will be lost. Suffering will intensify," the statement noted adding, "With the first case of Covid-19 confirmed in Idlib, an area with a severely weakened health infrastructure, this is a devastating blow."
Russia blasts 'clumsiness, disrespect'
In January, Russia used its veto threat to force the Security Council to adopt a resolution reducing the number of crossing points for aid deliveries from four to two, from Turkey to the northwest.
It also cut in half the year-long mandate that had been in place since cross-border deliveries began in 2014 to six months.
Before adopting the resolution Saturday, the council rejected two amendments proposed by Russia, including one suggesting that US and EU sanctions on Syria were impeding humanitarian aid.
That contention was vehemently rejected by the Trump administration and the EU, which noted their sanctions include exemptions for humanitarian deliveries. It also rejected an amendment from China.
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, said after the vote that from the beginning Moscow had proposed one crossing — from Bab al-Hawa to Idlib — and that Saturday’s resolution could have been adopted weeks ago.
He said Russia abstained in the vote because negotiations over the resolution were marred by “clumsiness, disrespect”.
He said cross-border aid to Syria’s northwest doesn’t comply with international law because the UN has no presence in the region, which he described as being controlled “by international terrorists and fighters” that make it impossible to control and monitor who gets aid.
Aid agencies however maintain they are trying to reach vulnerable civilian populations.
In a separate statement, Physicians for Human Rights said Saturday's resolution had shut down "direct routes to hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians in dire need of food and medicine".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-12--Poland votes in tight, high-stakes presidential run-off

A voter casts her ballot on July 12 , 2020 in Gdansk , Poland , during the second round of Poland 's presidential election .
Poles vote on Sunday in a knife-edge presidential election that may shape the country 's future relations with the European Union , which have been frayed by the bloc 's concerns over the rule of law .
Incumbent Andrzej Duda , an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice ( PiS ) , takes on liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski after a campaign that has shown sharply contrasting visions for the future and exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is crucial if PiS is to deepen judicial reforms that the European Union says increase political control over the courts .
The president holds the power of veto and Trzaskowski has said he will block legislation that he believes would undermine democratic norms .
Given that Poland 's president holds few executive powers , it is unlikely Trzaskowski could bring about significant change if he won .
But with the presidency as well as the upper house of parliament in opposition hands , PiS 's ability to implement its agenda would be hampered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a first round on June 28 .
Polling stations open at 0500 GMT and close at 1900 GMT , at which point the results of an exit poll will be announced .
Duda has painted himself as a defender of Poland 's Catholic values and the generous social benefit programmes that have transformed life for many , especially in the poorer rural regions of the country , the EU 's largest post-communist member .
`` I believe we can build the Poland we dream of , a fair Poland , a rich Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can protect the weak and does n't have to fear the strong , '' Duda told supporters on Friday , asking them to compare their standard of living now with what it was before he took office .
However , while Duda vows to stand on the side of the weak , critics say his campaign has also drawn on homophobia and anti-Semitism .
> > Read more : LGBT rights at the heart of Poland 's presidential poll fight He has compared what he calls LGBT `` ideology '' to Soviet-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mouthpiece of the government , has used the sensitive issue of Jewish property restitution to attack Trzaskowski .
`` There are very energetic attempts , and at the centre of these attempts is Mr Trzaskowski , to see to it that in Poland different kinds of minorities can ... terrorise the rest , '' said Jaroslaw Kaczynski , the leader of PiS and Poland 's de-facto ruler .
Trzaskowski became a target for religious conservatives for promoting gay rights after he took part in pride marches and pledged to introduce sex education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he seeks a more open , tolerant Poland and has criticised PiS 's rhetoric , while vowing to abolish state news channel TVP Info .
`` Have you ever heard such homophobia , such anti-Semitism , such attacks on everybody who is brave enough to say 'we have had enough ' , '' he asked supporters on Friday , contrasting PiS 's use of language with that of opposition politicians .
But while vowing to block PiS 's judicial reforms and condemning attacks on minorities , Trzaskowski has stressed that he would leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not seek to raise the retirement age .
Trzaskowski has tried to portray himself as someone who can unite a divided nation , but many observers say a period of bitter conflict between the PiS dominated parliament and the presidential palace awaits if he wins .
For Adam Schulz , a 36-year-old office worker enjoying an ice-cream in the central Warsaw sunshine , it is this deep division that could drive Sunday 's turnout to record levels .
`` As the years go by polarisation on the political scene means that more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions ... that is why I think there is more interest , '' he said .
`` There is no conversation between these sides . ''

Poles vote on Sunday in a knife-edge presidential election that may shape the country's future relations with the European Union, which have been frayed by the bloc's concerns over the rule of law.
A voter casts her ballot on July 12, 2020 in Gdansk, Poland, during the second round of Poland's presidential election.
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Incumbent Andrzej Duda, an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS), takes on liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski after a campaign that has shown sharply contrasting visions for the future and exposed deep political divisions.
Duda's re-election is crucial if PiS is to deepen judicial reforms that the European Union says increase political control over the courts.
01:25
The president holds the power of veto and Trzaskowski has said he will block legislation that he believes would undermine democratic norms.
Given that Poland's president holds few executive powers, it is unlikely Trzaskowski could bring about significant change if he won. But with the presidency as well as the upper house of parliament in opposition hands, PiS's ability to implement its agenda would be hampered.
The election is a run-off after a first round on June 28.
Polling stations open at 0500 GMT and close at 1900 GMT, at which point the results of an exit poll will be announced.
Duda has painted himself as a defender of Poland's Catholic values and the generous social benefit programmes that have transformed life for many, especially in the poorer rural regions of the country, the EU's largest post-communist member.
"I believe we can build the Poland we dream of, a fair Poland, a rich Poland, a strong Poland... a Poland that can protect the weak and doesn't have to fear the strong," Duda told supporters on Friday, asking them to compare their standard of living now with what it was before he took office.
However, while Duda vows to stand on the side of the weak, critics say his campaign has also drawn on homophobia and anti-Semitism.
>> Read more: LGBT rights at the heart of Poland's presidential poll fight
He has compared what he calls LGBT "ideology" to Soviet-era communist indoctrination, while state TV, the mouthpiece of the government, has used the sensitive issue of Jewish property restitution to attack Trzaskowski.
"There are very energetic attempts, and at the centre of these attempts is Mr Trzaskowski, to see to it that in Poland different kinds of minorities can... terrorise the rest," said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of PiS and Poland's de-facto ruler.
Trzaskowski became a target for religious conservatives for promoting gay rights after he took part in pride marches and pledged to introduce sex education classes in Warsaw schools.
More tolerant Poland
Trzaskowski says he seeks a more open, tolerant Poland and has criticised PiS's rhetoric, while vowing to abolish state news channel TVP Info.
"Have you ever heard such homophobia, such anti-Semitism, such attacks on everybody who is brave enough to say 'we have had enough'," he asked supporters on Friday, contrasting PiS's use of language with that of opposition politicians.
But while vowing to block PiS's judicial reforms and condemning attacks on minorities, Trzaskowski has stressed that he would leave PiS's popular social benefit programmes intact and not seek to raise the retirement age.
Trzaskowski has tried to portray himself as someone who can unite a divided nation, but many observers say a period of bitter conflict between the PiS dominated parliament and the presidential palace awaits if he wins.
For Adam Schulz, a 36-year-old office worker enjoying an ice-cream in the central Warsaw sunshine, it is this deep division that could drive Sunday's turnout to record levels.
"As the years go by polarisation on the political scene means that more and more people want to express their opinions... that is why I think there is more interest," he said. "There is no conversation between these sides."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-12--Florida sets state record for daily Covid-19 infections

Tara Hill ( C ) and the 33 & Melt restaurant owner during the reopen Florida `` maskless '' rally in Windermere , Florida , U.S. July 11 , 2020 .
Florida reported a record increase of more than 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours on Sunday , as the Trump administration renewed its push for schools to reopen and anti-mask protests were planned in Michigan and Missouri .
If Florida were a country , it would rank fourth in the world for the most new cases in a day behind the United States , Brazil and India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida 's daily increases in cases have already surpassed the highest daily tally reported by any European country during the height of the pandemic there .
It has also broken New York state 's record of 12,847 new cases on April 10 when it was the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak .
The latest rise was reported a day after Walt Disney World in Orlando reopened with a limited number of guests who were welcomed with a host of safety measures , including masks and temperature checks .
Anti-mask activists in several states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized protests against local mandates , arguing that the measures infringe upon individual freedom .
Coronavirus infections are rising in about 40 states , according to a Reuters analysis of cases for the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks .
Nationally , the United States has broken global records by registering about 60,000 new cases a day for the last four days in a row , according to a Reuters tally .
Hospitalizations and positive test rates are also rising in Arizona , California , Florida and Texas .
Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with nearly 143,000 results announced on Sunday compared with an average of 68,000 for the prior seven days .
Facing a battered economy as he seeks re-election in November , President Donald Trump has pressured states to reopen shuttered businesses and schools .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said on Sunday that her department did not have its own safe reopening plans to promote , and each school district and state must devise their own plans based on their local coronavirus infection rates .
Health officials have pleaded with the public to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the issue has become politically divisive in the United States unlike many other countries that have seen far lower rates of infection and death .
Seven months into the pandemic , Trump wore a mask for the first time in public when he visited a Washington D.C.-area military medical center on Saturday .
He had previously refused to wear a mask in public or ask Americans to wear face coverings , saying it was a personal choice .
Many Americans still refuse to wear a mask , which health experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has killed more than 134,000 Americans .
Anti-mask activists organized a protest on Saturday at a grilled cheese restaurant and bar in Windermere , Florida , which is in Orange County about 12 miles ( 19 km ) from Walt Disney World .
The restaurant , 33 & Melt , has become a focal point of tension after owner Carrie Hudson said she was not requiring customers to wear masks .
County officials have mandated the use of masks in public since June 20 .
During Saturday 's protest , no customers wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the state 's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco arrived during the rally and served Hudson with a warning , according to a video .
`` This is a virus that is very well contained , '' said one of the demonstrators , anti-mask activist Tara Hill .
`` Everyone is responsible for their own health care decisions ... We want our choices respected as well . ''
In addition to a record 15,000 new cases on Sunday , more than four dozen hospitals in Florida reported that their intensive care units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients .
Hundreds were expected to attend a demonstration at the Michigan state capitol on Sunday afternoon , according to a Facebook event , to protest against Governor Gretchen Whitmer 's order that everyone must wear a mask in public , except when outdoors and able to maintain social distance .
Protesters were also planning to gather outside city hall in Springfield , Missouri on Monday , where the city council was due to vote on a mask mandate in response to rising cases and a more than fourfold increase in Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .

Florida reported a record increase of more than 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours on Sunday, as the Trump administration renewed its push for schools to reopen and anti-mask protests were planned in Michigan and Missouri.
Tara Hill (C) and the 33 & Melt restaurant owner during the reopen Florida "maskless" rally in Windermere, Florida, U.S. July 11, 2020.
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If Florida were a country, it would rank fourth in the world for the most new cases in a day behind the United States, Brazil and India, according to a Reuters analysis.
Florida's daily increases in cases have already surpassed the highest daily tally reported by any European country during the height of the pandemic there. It has also broken New York state's record of 12,847 new cases on April 10 when it was the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.
The latest rise was reported a day after Walt Disney World in Orlando reopened with a limited number of guests who were welcomed with a host of safety measures, including masks and temperature checks.
Anti-mask activists in several states, including Florida and Michigan, have organized protests against local mandates, arguing that the measures infringe upon individual freedom.
Coronavirus infections are rising in about 40 states, according to a Reuters analysis of cases for the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks. Nationally, the United States has broken global records by registering about 60,000 new cases a day for the last four days in a row, according to a Reuters tally. Hospitalizations and positive test rates are also rising in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.
Florida reported a record amount of testing, with nearly 143,000 results announced on Sunday compared with an average of 68,000 for the prior seven days.
Trump dons a mask
Facing a battered economy as he seeks re-election in November, President Donald Trump has pressured states to reopen shuttered businesses and schools.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said on Sunday that her department did not have its own safe reopening plans to promote, and each school district and state must devise their own plans based on their local coronavirus infection rates.
Health officials have pleaded with the public to wear masks to limit the spread of the virus, but the issue has become politically divisive in the United States unlike many other countries that have seen far lower rates of infection and death.
Seven months into the pandemic, Trump wore a mask for the first time in public when he visited a Washington D.C.-area military medical center on Saturday. He had previously refused to wear a mask in public or ask Americans to wear face coverings, saying it was a personal choice.
Many Americans still refuse to wear a mask, which health experts say help stop transmission of the virus that has killed more than 134,000 Americans.
Anti-mask activists organized a protest on Saturday at a grilled cheese restaurant and bar in Windermere, Florida, which is in Orange County about 12 miles (19 km) from Walt Disney World.
The restaurant, 33 & Melt, has become a focal point of tension after owner Carrie Hudson said she was not requiring customers to wear masks. County officials have mandated the use of masks in public since June 20.
During Saturday's protest, no customers wore face coverings inside the restaurant. Agents from the state's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco arrived during the rally and served Hudson with a warning, according to a video.
"This is a virus that is very well contained," said one of the demonstrators, anti-mask activist Tara Hill. "Everyone is responsible for their own health care decisions ... We want our choices respected as well."
In addition to a record 15,000 new cases on Sunday, more than four dozen hospitals in Florida reported that their intensive care units are full due to a surge in COVID-19 patients.
Hundreds were expected to attend a demonstration at the Michigan state capitol on Sunday afternoon, according to a Facebook event, to protest against Governor Gretchen Whitmer's order that everyone must wear a mask in public, except when outdoors and able to maintain social distance.
Protesters were also planning to gather outside city hall in Springfield, Missouri on Monday, where the city council was due to vote on a mask mandate in response to rising cases and a more than fourfold increase in Greene County's COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last month.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-12--Poland's Duda holds slim lead in neck-to neck presidential election - exit poll

Polish President and presidential candidate Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda cast a ballot at a polling station during the second round of a presidential election in Krakow , Poland July 12 , 2020 .
Incumbent Andrzej Duda was only marginally ahead in Poland 's presidential election on Sunday , an exit poll found , in a result seen as likely to have profound implications for its relations with the rest of the European Union .
The re-election of Duda , an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice ( PiS ) , is crucial if the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda , including judicial reforms that the European Union says undermine the rule of law .
`` I want to thank everyone that voted for me , also the critics , '' Duda told supporters after the exit poll was announced .
Duda got 50.4 % of the vote , the exit poll showed , while Rafal Trzaskowski , the liberal mayor of Warsaw and preferred candidate of the main opposition party , the centrist Civic Platform ( PO ) had 49.6 % .
The exit poll has a margin of error of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollster Ipsos said .
Partial official results are expected on Monday .
Opinion polls before the election had shown the candidates neck and neck , with Trzaskowski having closed the gap on Duda who had initially looked like a clear favourite .
During an acrimonious campaign , Duda had painted himself as a defender of Catholic values and of the government 's generous social benefit programmes that have transformed life for many , especially in the poorer rural regions of the country , the EU 's largest post-communist member .
He also championed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create jobs and boost the country 's autonomy and international standing .
While Poland 's president has limited executive power , Trzaskowski has pledged to use the presidential veto if he wins to stop any further court reforms that could erode democratic norms .
For many religious conservatives in Poland , Trzaskowski came to represent the threats facing traditional values when he pledged to introduce education about LGBT rights in the city 's schools .

Incumbent Andrzej Duda was only marginally ahead in Poland's presidential election on Sunday, an exit poll found, in a result seen as likely to have profound implications for its relations with the rest of the European Union.
Polish President and presidential candidate Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda cast a ballot at a polling station during the second round of a presidential election in Krakow, Poland July 12, 2020.
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The re-election of Duda, an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS), is crucial if the government is to implement in full its conservative agenda, including judicial reforms that the European Union says undermine the rule of law.
"I want to thank everyone that voted for me, also the critics," Duda told supporters after the exit poll was announced.
01:49
Duda got 50.4% of the vote, the exit poll showed, while Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and preferred candidate of the main opposition party, the centrist Civic Platform (PO) had 49.6%.
The exit poll has a margin of error of two percentage points for each candidate, pollster Ipsos said.
Partial official results are expected on Monday.
Opinion polls before the election had shown the candidates neck and neck, with Trzaskowski having closed the gap on Duda who had initially looked like a clear favourite.
During an acrimonious campaign, Duda had painted himself as a defender of Catholic values and of the government's generous social benefit programmes that have transformed life for many, especially in the poorer rural regions of the country, the EU's largest post-communist member.
He also championed large infrastructure projects which he says will create jobs and boost the country's autonomy and international standing.
While Poland's president has limited executive power, Trzaskowski has pledged to use the presidential veto if he wins to stop any further court reforms that could erode democratic norms.
For many religious conservatives in Poland, Trzaskowski came to represent the threats facing traditional values when he pledged to introduce education about LGBT rights in the city's schools.
(REUTERS)
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