france24--2020-07-04--‘Our pride is political’: Thousands march in Paris for LGBT rights

People attend an LGBT rights march despite social distancing restrictions forbidding gatherings of more than 10 people in Paris , France on July 4 , 2020 .
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people turned out Saturday in Paris for a politically engaged Gay Pride march , a week after the officially scheduled event was cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions .
A young , multicultural crowd marched behind a lorry bearing a banner declaring `` our pride is political '' , carrying rainbow flags , coloured hair and some dressed in drag .
Among the banners were ones calling for `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The official Gay Pride march due to take place on June 27 was cancelled because of restrictions on large gatherings as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
It is now due to go ahead on November 7 .
But Emma Vallee-Guillard said Saturday 's rally was in response to a call made by several LGBT groups and it was important to mark the event .
`` Pride , in the beginning , was a riot , '' she said .
The first Gay Pride march was held in 1970 in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's Stonewall riots , a landmark event in the gay rights struggle , sparked by a police raid on a gay bar .
This year marks the 50th anniversary of that first Gay Pride march .
`` The danger of rolling back our fundamental rights is very present and the epidemic has revealed multiple factors of exclusion , discrimination and violence , '' Giovanna Rincon , director of the association Acceptess-T , which defends transgender people , told AFP .
Many Gay Pride events around the world went online this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people turned out Saturday in Paris for a politically engaged Gay Pride march, a week after the officially scheduled event was cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions.
People attend an LGBT rights march despite social distancing restrictions forbidding gatherings of more than 10 people in Paris, France on July 4, 2020.
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A young, multicultural crowd marched behind a lorry bearing a banner declaring "our pride is political", carrying rainbow flags, coloured hair and some dressed in drag.
Among the banners were ones calling for "a radical pride" and others denouncing transphobia.
The official Gay Pride march due to take place on June 27 was cancelled because of restrictions on large gatherings as a result of the coronavirus crisis. It is now due to go ahead on November 7.
But Emma Vallee-Guillard said Saturday's rally was in response to a call made by several LGBT groups and it was important to mark the event.
"Pride, in the beginning, was a riot," she said.
The first Gay Pride march was held in 1970 in New York to mark the first anniversary of the city's Stonewall riots, a landmark event in the gay rights struggle, sparked by a police raid on a gay bar.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of that first Gay Pride march.
>> France reports 36 percent rise in victims of anti-LGBT attacks, offences
"The danger of rolling back our fundamental rights is very present and the epidemic has revealed multiple factors of exclusion, discrimination and violence," Giovanna Rincon, director of the association Acceptess-T, which defends transgender people, told AFP.
Many Gay Pride events around the world went online this year, to get around restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-04--Hong Kong libraries pull books by territory’s pro-democracy activists in wake of China security law

A woman looks at books in a public library in Hong Kong , China on July 4 , 2020 .
Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have started to disappear from the territory 's libraries , online records show , days after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the finance hub .
Among the authors whose titles are no longer available are Joshua Wong , one of the territory 's most prominent young activists , and Tanya Chan , a well known pro-democracy lawmaker .
Beijing 's new national security law was imposed on Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the semi-autonomous territory is run since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 .
China 's authoritarian leaders say the powers will restore stability after a year of pro-democracy protests , will not stifle freedoms and will only target a `` very small minority '' .
But it has already sent fear coursing through the territory used to speaking openly , with police arresting people for possessing slogans pushing independence or greater autonomy and businesses scrambling to remove protest displays .
Wong said he believed the removal of the books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` White terror continues to spread , the national security law is fundamentally a tool to incriminate speech , '' he wrote on Facebook , using a phrase that refers to political persecution .
Searches on the public library website showed at least three titles by Wong , Chan and local scholar Chin Wan are no longer available for lending at any of dozens of outlets across the territory .
An AFP reporter was unable to find the titles at a public library in the district of Wong Tai Sin on Saturday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Department , which runs libraries , said books had been removed while it is determined whether they violate the national security law .
`` In the process of the review the books will not be available for borrowing and reference , '' it said .
The law targets acts of subversion , secession , terrorism and colluding with foreign forces .
China says it will have jurisdiction in some cases and empowered its security apparatus to set up shop openly in Hong Kong for the first time , ending the legal firewall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal analysts say the broad wording of the law -- which was kept secret until it was enacted -- outlaws certain political views , even if expressed peacefully .
Any promotion of independence or greater autonomy appears to be banned by the legislation .
Another vaguely worded provision bans inciting hatred towards the Chinese or Hong Kong government .
On the authoritarian mainland , similar national security laws are routinely used to crush dissent .
The new security law and the removal of books raises questions of whether academic freedom still exists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ best universities and a campus culture where topics that would be taboo on the mainland are still discussed and written about .
But Beijing has made clear it wants education in the territory to become more `` patriotic '' especially after a year of huge , often violent and largely youth-led pro-democracy protests .

Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have started to disappear from the territory's libraries, online records show, days after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the finance hub.
A woman looks at books in a public library in Hong Kong, China on July 4, 2020.
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Among the authors whose titles are no longer available are Joshua Wong, one of the territory's most prominent young activists, and Tanya Chan, a well known pro-democracy lawmaker.
Beijing's new national security law was imposed on Tuesday and is the most radical shift in how the semi-autonomous territory is run since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.
China's authoritarian leaders say the powers will restore stability after a year of pro-democracy protests, will not stifle freedoms and will only target a "very small minority".
But it has already sent fear coursing through the territory used to speaking openly, with police arresting people for possessing slogans pushing independence or greater autonomy and businesses scrambling to remove protest displays.
Wong said he believed the removal of the books was sparked by the security law.
"White terror continues to spread, the national security law is fundamentally a tool to incriminate speech," he wrote on Facebook, using a phrase that refers to political persecution.
Searches on the public library website showed at least three titles by Wong, Chan and local scholar Chin Wan are no longer available for lending at any of dozens of outlets across the territory.
An AFP reporter was unable to find the titles at a public library in the district of Wong Tai Sin on Saturday afternoon.
Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs libraries, said books had been removed while it is determined whether they violate the national security law.
"In the process of the review the books will not be available for borrowing and reference," it said.
'Patriotic' education
The law targets acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.
China says it will have jurisdiction in some cases and empowered its security apparatus to set up shop openly in Hong Kong for the first time, ending the legal firewall between the two.
Rights groups and legal analysts say the broad wording of the law -- which was kept secret until it was enacted -- outlaws certain political views, even if expressed peacefully.
Any promotion of independence or greater autonomy appears to be banned by the legislation. Another vaguely worded provision bans inciting hatred towards the Chinese or Hong Kong government.
On the authoritarian mainland, similar national security laws are routinely used to crush dissent.
The new security law and the removal of books raises questions of whether academic freedom still exists.
Hong Kong has some of Asia's best universities and a campus culture where topics that would be taboo on the mainland are still discussed and written about.
But Beijing has made clear it wants education in the territory to become more "patriotic" especially after a year of huge, often violent and largely youth-led pro-democracy protests.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-05--US marks polarised July 4 as Trump vows to defeat ‘radical left’ protesters

US President Donald Trump looks on as he hosts the 2020 'Salute to America ' event in honour of Independence Day on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington , D.C. , July 4 , 2020 .
US President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to defeat the “ radical left ” and downplayed Covid-19 risks , in an Independence Day speech at the White House that condemned recent protests against monuments to historical figures as attempts to destroy the United States .
Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America , greeted his audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in responding to the coronavirus pandemic , and opened up on those who “ slander ” him and disrespect the country ’ s past .
“ We are now in the process of defeating the radical left , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters , and the people who , in many instances , have absolutely no clue what they are doing , ” he said .
“ We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues , erase our history , indoctrinate our children .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the ] American way of life , which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.
” Trump claimed without evidence that 99 percent of coronavirus cases in the United States were “ totally harmless ” .
In fact , many states marked a record number of new Covid-19 cases .
In Texas alone , 238 new patients were admitted to hospital over the past 24 hours , giving a total of 7,890 hospitalisations across the state .
Trump , who has faced criticism over his handling of the pandemic , said China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to contain the disease .
The administration held a fireworks display over the National Mall as night fell after Trump ’ s speech , despite Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ’ s warnings that the mass spectator event would defy health officials ’ guidance during the pandemic .
Just steps from where Trump spoke , peaceful protesters marched down blocked-off streets around the White House , Black Lives Matter Plaza and the Lincoln Memorial .
They were confronted by counter-protesters chanting , “ USA !
USA !
” but there were no reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday in New York , Chicago , Nashville , Boston , Oakland and other cities .
In Baltimore , protesters pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the city ’ s Inner Harbor on Saturday night .
Millions of Americans have been demonstrating against police brutality and racial inequality since the May 25 killing of George Floyd , a 46-year-old Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
In addition to achieving police reforms in some cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other symbols of America ’ s legacy of slavery .
“ There have always been those who seek to lie about the past in order to gain power in the present , those that are lying about our history , those who want us to be ashamed of who we are , ” Trump said on Saturday .
“ Their goal is demolition.
” Trump ’ s Fourth of July remarks doubled down on his speech the previous evening at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota where he accused “ angry mobs ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a bulwark against left-wing extremism .
Just months before November ’ s presidential election , opinion polls in key states show Trump trailing his Democratic rival , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Biden wrote a Fourth of July opinion piece that struck a contrasting note with the Republican president and accused him of finding “ new ways to tarnish and dismantle our democracy ” every day .
In a separate letter to donors , Biden said : “ We have a chance now to give the marginalized , the demonized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full share of the American dream.
” Trump , in his speech , also said the United States would have a vaccine or therapeutic solution to the virus “ long before ” the end of 2020 .
Such a success could help the US economy and Trump ’ s chances of re-election .
On Thursday , a top US health official said he was optimistic the Trump administration ’ s vaccine-acceleration programme “ Operation Warp Speed ” will generate a safe and effective vaccine for Covid-19 by year-end .
Apart from fireworks spectators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also appeared willing to disregard health warnings .
Roar of the Deplorables , a bikers group , said via social media that they planned to gather to protest against what they call “ the anti-Trump regime ” and celebrate the nation ’ s birthday .
Freedom Fighters DC , a new activist group that seeks to rally ethnically diverse supporters , especially the Black population of Washington , is one of the anti-racism groups ignoring the mayor ’ s heed to refrain from gathering .
“ Black folks are not free from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get to truly celebrate Independence Day , ” said Kerrigan Williams , 22 , one of the founders of the group , which was set to host a march and an arts demonstration on Saturday afternoon .
“ We ’ re marching today to showcase that Black folks are still fighting for the simple liberties that the Constitution is said to provide .
”

US President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to defeat the “radical left” and downplayed Covid-19 risks, in an Independence Day speech at the White House that condemned recent protests against monuments to historical figures as attempts to destroy the United States.
US President Donald Trump looks on as he hosts the 2020 'Salute to America' event in honour of Independence Day on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2020.
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Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America, greeted his audience of front-line medical workers and others central in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, and opened up on those who “slander” him and disrespect the country’s past.
“We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters, and the people who, in many instances, have absolutely no clue what they are doing,” he said. “We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children.
“And we will defend, protect and preserve [the] American way of life, which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.”
Trump claimed without evidence that 99 percent of coronavirus cases in the United States were “totally harmless”. In fact, many states marked a record number of new Covid-19 cases. In Texas alone, 238 new patients were admitted to hospital over the past 24 hours, giving a total of 7,890 hospitalisations across the state.
Trump, who has faced criticism over his handling of the pandemic, said China must be “held accountable” for failing to contain the disease.
01:30
The administration held a fireworks display over the National Mall as night fell after Trump’s speech, despite Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser’s warnings that the mass spectator event would defy health officials’ guidance during the pandemic.
Just steps from where Trump spoke, peaceful protesters marched down blocked-off streets around the White House, Black Lives Matter Plaza and the Lincoln Memorial. They were confronted by counter-protesters chanting, “USA! USA!” but there were no reports of violence.
Protests also took place Saturday in New York, Chicago, Nashville, Boston, Oakland and other cities. In Baltimore, protesters pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the city’s Inner Harbor on Saturday night.
Protesters just took down the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore’s Little Italy. pic.twitter.com/ViPk5eKOtz — Louis Krauss (@louiskraussnews) July 5, 2020
Millions of Americans have been demonstrating against police brutality and racial inequality since the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. In addition to achieving police reforms in some cities, some protesters have removed Confederate statues and other symbols of America’s legacy of slavery.
“There have always been those who seek to lie about the past in order to gain power in the present, those that are lying about our history, those who want us to be ashamed of who we are,” Trump said on Saturday. “Their goal is demolition.”
Trump’s Fourth of July remarks doubled down on his speech the previous evening at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota where he accused “angry mobs” of trying to erase history and painted himself as a bulwark against left-wing extremism.
Just months before November’s presidential election, opinion polls in key states show Trump trailing his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden wrote a Fourth of July opinion piece that struck a contrasting note with the Republican president and accused him of finding “new ways to tarnish and dismantle our democracy” every day.
In a separate letter to donors, Biden said: “We have a chance now to give the marginalized, the demonized, the isolated, the oppressed, a full share of the American dream.”
Trump, in his speech, also said the United States would have a vaccine or therapeutic solution to the virus “long before” the end of 2020. Such a success could help the US economy and Trump’s chances of re-election.
On Thursday, a top US health official said he was optimistic the Trump administration’s vaccine-acceleration programme “Operation Warp Speed” will generate a safe and effective vaccine for Covid-19 by year-end.
Apart from fireworks spectators in Washington, activists of different stripes also appeared willing to disregard health warnings.
Roar of the Deplorables, a bikers group, said via social media that they planned to gather to protest against what they call “the anti-Trump regime” and celebrate the nation’s birthday.
Freedom Fighters DC, a new activist group that seeks to rally ethnically diverse supporters, especially the Black population of Washington, is one of the anti-racism groups ignoring the mayor’s heed to refrain from gathering.
“Black folks are not free from the chains of oppression, so we don’t get to truly celebrate Independence Day,” said Kerrigan Williams, 22, one of the founders of the group, which was set to host a march and an arts demonstration on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re marching today to showcase that Black folks are still fighting for the simple liberties that the Constitution is said to provide.”
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Mexico Covid-19 deaths exceed 30,000, making it fifth-hardest hit country

Amenities and businesses were shut for the second time this weekend due to overcrowding over the last few days , as the Covid-19 outbreak continues in Mexico City , Mexico , July 4 , 2020 .
Mexico topped 30,000 Covid-19 deaths Saturday , overtaking France as the country with the fifth-highest death toll since the coronavirus outbreak began .
Officials reported 523 more confirmed coronavirus deaths for the day , bringing the nation ’ s total to 30,366 for the pandemic .
Mexico ’ s total confirmed infections rose by almost 6,000 to 251,165 , about on par with Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , about 200 street vendors briefly blocked several major avenues in downtown Mexico City on Saturday to demand they be allowed to sell again amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The sidewalks of the colonial-era downtown are usually crowded with vendors who lay out their wares on wire racks or blankets .
But since March , the city has banned such informal commerce and closed most established businesses in the district to stem the spread of the new coronavirus .
Protesting vendors carried signs and chanted slogans claiming they could no longer bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance , and after three months of not selling many are growing desperate .
Officials had allowed a partial reopening of downtown this week although virus cases continue to climb , but they reversed course Friday after a lack of sanitary measures were reported at some stores .
While most customers and employees wore some form of face mask , many stores didn ’ t reduce the number of clients allowed in or provide the required foot-wiping pads or sanitizer gel .
The joint reopening plan required the active participation of the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said it would now be rethought .
Reopening plans in other parts of the city were not affected by the reversal on the downtown area .

Mexico topped 30,000 Covid-19 deaths Saturday, overtaking France as the country with the fifth-highest death toll since the coronavirus outbreak began.
Amenities and businesses were shut for the second time this weekend due to overcrowding over the last few days, as the Covid-19 outbreak continues in Mexico City, Mexico, July 4, 2020.
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Officials reported 523 more confirmed coronavirus deaths for the day, bringing the nation’s total to 30,366 for the pandemic. Mexico’s total confirmed infections rose by almost 6,000 to 251,165, about on par with Spain, the eighth highest caseload.
Also Saturday, about 200 street vendors briefly blocked several major avenues in downtown Mexico City on Saturday to demand they be allowed to sell again amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The sidewalks of the colonial-era downtown are usually crowded with vendors who lay out their wares on wire racks or blankets. But since March, the city has banned such informal commerce and closed most established businesses in the district to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Protesting vendors carried signs and chanted slogans claiming they could no longer bear the lockdown. Most have no unemployment insurance, and after three months of not selling many are growing desperate.
Officials had allowed a partial reopening of downtown this week although virus cases continue to climb, but they reversed course Friday after a lack of sanitary measures were reported at some stores. While most customers and employees wore some form of face mask, many stores didn’t reduce the number of clients allowed in or provide the required foot-wiping pads or sanitizer gel.
The joint reopening plan required the active participation of the government, the public and store owners, and Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said it would now be rethought.
Reopening plans in other parts of the city were not affected by the reversal on the downtown area.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Green, left-wing Michèle Rubirola becomes Marseille’s first woman mayor

Michèle Rubirola , head of the green-left coalition Printemps Marseillais , arrives at Marseille city hall on July 4 , @ @ @ @ @ latest French municipality to elect a Green mayor on Saturday , in a wave that @ @ @ @ @ local elections at the end of last month .
Michèle Rubirola , the first female @ @ @ @ @ second city , won the most votes from city councillors , ending almost a week @ @ @ @ @ 28 poll that failed to give her slate an absolute majority .
Rubirola , of @ @ @ @ @ will succeed Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin , who made the city a conservative stronghold in his @ @ @ @ @

Marseille became the latest French municipality to elect a Green mayor on Saturday, in a wave that has swept the country since local elections at the end of last month.
Michèle Rubirola, head of the green-left coalition Printemps Marseillais, arrives at Marseille city hall on July 4, 2020.
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Michèle Rubirola, the first female leader of France’s second city, won the most votes from city councillors, ending almost a week of suspense after the June 28 poll that failed to give her slate an absolute majority.
Rubirola, of the left-wing Printemps coalition, will succeed Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin, who made the city a conservative stronghold in his 25 years in office.
FRANCE 24’s Yinka Oyetade reports.
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france24--2020-07-05--Italy could transfer migrants from Ocean Viking rescue ship on Monday

People rescued at sea sit on the deck of the Ocean Viking rescue ship , operated by French NGO SOS Mediterranee in the Mediterranean Sea on July 4 , 2020 .
Italy is carrying out tests on 180 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean with a view to transferring them to a quarantine vessel in Sicily , an interior ministry source said Saturday .
The migrants have been on the Ocean Viking ship operated by SOS Mediterranee for over a week , with fights and suicide attempts on board prompting the charity to declare a state of emergency on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pozzallo , Sicily “ ascertained the absence of particular health problems and also reported that some tensions that had been registered on the ship are being overcome ” , the ministry source said .
The medical team is testing the migrants for the Covid-19 virus after which they will be transferred to a quarantine ship currently in Porto Empedocle , also in Sicily .
“ The situation is carefully monitored in view of the transhipment of migrants , scheduled for Monday 6 July , on the Moby Zaza ship , ” the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been in limbo in the Mediterranean south of Sicily , has been waiting for permission from Italy or Malta to offload the migrants at a safe port .
Tensions have risen in the past week , as witnessed by an AFP reporter aboard the boat , as migrants have become increasingly desperate to reach land .
Others have become distraught at not being able to telephone their families to let them know they were safe .
SOS Mediteranee said in a statement on Saturday that “ the only assistance proposed has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cultural mediator who spoke to the survivors but are not in a position to present a solution for their disembarkation.
” The migrants , which include Pakistanis , North Africans , Eritreans , Nigerians and others , were picked up after fleeing Libya in four separate rescues by the Ocean Viking on June 25 and 30 .
The migrants include 25 minors , most of whom are unaccompanied by adults , and two women , one of whom is pregnant .
More than 100,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt , according to the International Organisation for Migration .
The arrival of summer and more favourable conditions at sea may lead to an increase of attempts to cross the Mediterranean with the hope of arriving in Europe .

Italy has authorised charity vessel Ocean Viking to disembark 180 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean in Sicily, ship operator SOS Mediterranee said on Sunday.
People rescued at sea sit on the deck of the Ocean Viking rescue ship, operated by French NGO SOS Mediterranee in the Mediterranean Sea on July 4, 2020.
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"We have received instructions from the Italian maritime authorities to disembark those on board in Porto Empedocle," a spokesman for the charity told AFP, which has a correspondent on board.
The Ocean Viking is now heading for the port where it expects to arrive by Monday.
Italy was carrying out tests on the migrants with a view to transferring them to a quarantine vessel, an interior ministry source said Saturday.
The migrants have been on the Ocean Viking ship operated by SOS Mediterranee for over a week, with fights and suicide attempts on board prompting the charity to declare a state of emergency on Friday.
A medical team sent by authorities in Pozzallo, Sicily “ascertained the absence of particular health problems and also reported that some tensions that had been registered on the ship are being overcome”, the ministry source said.
The quarantine ship where they will be transferred is currently in Porto Empedocle, which is also in Sicily.
“The situation is carefully monitored in view of the transhipment of migrants, scheduled for Monday 6 July, on the Moby Zaza ship,” the ministry said.
The Ocean Viking, which has been in limbo in the Mediterranean south of Sicily, had been waiting for permission from Italy or Malta to offload the migrants at a safe port.
03:17
Tensions have risen in the past week, as witnessed by the AFP reporter aboard the boat, as migrants have become increasingly desperate to reach land. Others have become distraught at not being able to telephone their families to let them know they were safe.
SOS Mediteranee said in a statement on Saturday that “the only assistance proposed has been a visit by a medical doctor and a cultural mediator who spoke to the survivors but are not in a position to present a solution for their disembarkation”.
The migrants, which include Pakistanis, North Africans, Eritreans, Nigerians and others, were picked up after fleeing Libya in four separate rescues by the Ocean Viking on June 25 and 30.
"How long is it going to take?", Emmanuel, survivor on #OceanViking, asked today.
"Most of us are not used to the sea. I couldn't sleep last night because of the waves. I see no signs of a solution. The doctor yesterday came to make a statement but didn't give us a solution." pic.twitter.com/AcXPaMLdJU — SOS MEDITERRANEE (@SOSMedIntl) July 5, 2020
The migrants include 25 minors, most of whom are unaccompanied by adults, and two women, one of whom is pregnant.
More than 100,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year with more than 1,200 dying in the attempt, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
The arrival of summer and more favourable conditions at sea may lead to an increase of attempts to cross the Mediterranean with the hope of arriving in Europe.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Croatia's ruling conservatives win parliamentary vote

Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union ( HDZ ) Andrej Plenkovic gestures after the results were announced during parliamentary election , amid the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , in Zagreb , Croatia , July 5 , 2020 .
Croatia 's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic hailed a `` great '' re-election victory for his conservative HDZ party as officials results showed them leading parliamentary elections on Sunday .
`` Our victory is not only great but binding , '' he said of the government 's task to `` work with all our hearts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course to win 68 seats of the 151-member assembly , ahead of the 42 seats won by their main rivals , a Social Democrat-led coalition , according to official results with nearly 90 percent of the ballots counted .
Nationalist and eurosceptic bloc Domovinski Pokret ( Homeland Movement ) , led by popular singer Miroslav Skoro , came third with 15 seats followed by the conservative Most ( Bridge ) party with eight seats and leftist Mozemo ( We can ) with six seats .
The HDZ will now seek partners to form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be too difficult given their strong performance .
`` They have a pretty comfortable position now as they may be able to choose their partners and may not need to negotiate with their opponents on the right-wing spectrum of the political scene , '' political analyst Berto Salaj told state television .
The HDZ leader and incumbent Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the victory brought with it an obligation to work hard .
`` Croatia is facing serious challenges which require from us responsibility , knowledge and experience .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Croatian voters , '' he said addressing his party supporters .
The new government will have an uphill task to keep a grip on the coronavirus while trying to restore the economy , which is expected to shrink about 10 % this year .
Tourism revenues are forecast to slump 70 % .
Croatia has reported a relatively small number of COVID-19 infections - a little over 3,000 cases and some 100 deaths so far - but infections have accelerated in the past two weeks , with the daily number of new cases @ @ @ @ @

Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic hailed a "great" re-election victory for his conservative HDZ party as official results showed them leading parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Andrej Plenkovic gestures after the results were announced during parliamentary election in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 5, 2020.
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"Our victory is not only great but binding," he said of the government's task to "work with all our hearts for Croatia".
His party was on course to win 68 seats of the 151-member assembly, ahead of the 42 seats won by their main rivals, a Social Democrat-led coalition, according to official results with nearly 90 percent of the ballots counted.
Nationalist and eurosceptic bloc Domovinski Pokret (Homeland Movement), led by popular singer Miroslav Skoro, came third with 15 seats followed by the conservative Most (Bridge) party with eight seats and leftist Mozemo (We can) with six seats.
The HDZ will now seek partners to form yet another ruling coalition which analysts believe should not be too difficult given their strong performance.
"They have a pretty comfortable position now as they may be able to choose their partners and may not need to negotiate with their opponents on the right-wing spectrum of the political scene," political analyst Berto Salaj told state television.
Plenkovic said the victory brought with it an obligation to work hard.
"Croatia is facing serious challenges which require from us responsibility, knowledge and experience. That is exactly what we have offered to the Croatian voters," he said addressing his party supporters.
The new government will have an uphill task to keep a grip on the coronavirus while trying to restore the economy, which is expected to shrink about 10 percent this year. Tourism revenues are forecast to slump 70 percent.
Croatia has reported a relatively small number of Covid-19 infections – a little over 3,000 cases and some 100 deaths so far – but infections have accelerated in the past two weeks, with the daily number of new cases peaking at about 80.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-07-03--How Covid-19 contaminated French tourism

Just like the rest of the world , France is facing one of the side-effects of the Covid-19 crisis – namely a massive drop in tourism .
The setback has dashed the French government ’ s pre-pandemic hopes of seeing foreign visitors reach the 100 million mark for the first time in 2020 — a challenge the country had seemed so close to attaining .
With the current restrictions on foreign travel and widespread preference for domestic trips , it seems that the whole of France is looking to the past to adapt its style of holiday-making .
So having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and adapted to a new style of accommodation , the `` million sestertii question '' becomes where to go ?
Each hoping to be the answer and make up for lost business , France ’ s 13 mainland regions have pulled out all the stops to attract as many new visitors as possible .
From massive advertising campaigns , to gifting holiday money , here ’ s more on the country 's `` vacation wars '' .
This report is by Nadia Charbit , Stéphanie Cheval , Sonia Baritello and Joanna Cockerell @

Just like the rest of the world, France is facing one of the side-effects of the Covid-19 crisis – namely a massive drop in tourism. The setback has dashed the French government’s pre-pandemic hopes of seeing foreign visitors reach the 100 million mark for the first time in 2020 — a challenge the country had seemed so close to attaining.
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With the current restrictions on foreign travel and widespread preference for domestic trips, it seems that the whole of France is looking to the past to adapt its style of holiday-making. So having decided on an alternative mode of transportation, and adapted to a new style of accommodation, the "million sestertii question" becomes where to go? Each hoping to be the answer and make up for lost business, France’s 13 mainland regions have pulled out all the stops to attract as many new visitors as possible. From massive advertising campaigns, to gifting holiday money, here’s more on the country's "vacation wars".
This report is by Nadia Charbit, Stéphanie Cheval, Sonia Baritello and Joanna Cockerell.
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france24--2020-07-05--Italy permits migrants aboard Ocean Viking rescue vessel to disembark on Monday

People rescued at sea sit on the deck of the Ocean Viking rescue ship , operated by French NGO SOS Mediterranee in the Mediterranean Sea on July 4 , 2020 .
Italy has authorised charity vessel Ocean Viking to disembark 180 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean in Sicily , ship operator SOS Mediterranee said on Sunday .
`` We have received instructions from the Italian maritime authorities to disembark those on board in Porto Empedocle , '' a spokesman for the charity told AFP , which has a correspondent on board .
The Ocean Viking is now heading for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Italy was carrying out tests on the migrants with a view to transferring them to a quarantine vessel , an interior ministry source said Saturday .
The migrants have been on the Ocean Viking ship operated by SOS Mediterranee for over a week , with fights and suicide attempts on board prompting the charity to declare a state of emergency on Friday .
A medical team sent by authorities in Pozzallo , Sicily “ ascertained the absence of particular health problems and also reported that some tensions that had been registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ministry source said .
The quarantine ship where they will be transferred is currently in Porto Empedocle , which is also in Sicily .
“ The situation is carefully monitored in view of the transhipment of migrants , scheduled for Monday 6 July , on the Moby Zaza ship , ” the ministry said .
The Ocean Viking , which has been in limbo in the Mediterranean south of Sicily , had been waiting for permission from Italy or Malta to offload the migrants at a safe port .
Tensions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnessed by the AFP reporter aboard the boat , as migrants have become increasingly desperate to reach land .
Others have become distraught at not being able to telephone their families to let them know they were safe .
SOS Mediteranee said in a statement on Saturday that “ the only assistance proposed has been a visit by a medical doctor and a cultural mediator who spoke to the survivors but are not in a position to present a solution for their disembarkation ” .
The migrants , which include Pakistanis , North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were picked up after fleeing Libya in four separate rescues by the Ocean Viking on June 25 and 30 .
The migrants include 25 minors , most of whom are unaccompanied by adults , and two women , one of whom is pregnant .
More than 100,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year with more than 1,200 dying in the attempt , according to the International Organisation for Migration .
The arrival of summer and more favourable conditions at sea may lead to an increase of attempts to cross the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe .


france24--2020-07-05--Iran reports its highest one-day Covid-19 death toll, topping record set earlier in week

Iranians wearing protective masks walk along a street in the capital Tehran on July 1 , 2020 .
Iranian health authorities on Sunday announced 163 new deaths due to the COVID-19 disease , the country 's highest official one-day toll since the outbreak began in February .
The previous record of 162 deaths was announced on Monday in the Islamic republic , which has been battling the Middle East 's deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
The new deaths bring the total toll in Iran to 11,571 , health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on state television .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,560 people have tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the total number of infections to 240,438 , '' Lari added .
Official figures have shown a rising trajectory in fatalities and new confirmed cases since Iran reported a near-two month low in daily recorded infections in early May .
The increase has prompted the government to make the wearing of masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces , with some officials and state television anchors wearing masks on camera as part of a campaign to encourage their use .
Authorities have repeatedly urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reining in the outbreak .
But footage on state television showed people still travelling without face coverings on public transport , where masks have been obligatory for more than two months .
The Islamic republic has not imposed a full-scale lockdown but has introduced restrictions , including on religious and commercial sites .
But with its US sanctions-strapped economy in crisis , the country had progressively lifted measures from April , as infection numbers had declined .
Official figures show that the virus has rebounded since then .
Lari said almost a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` red '' , the highest category in the country 's virus risk ranking .
Authorities say infections in the nine provinces , all on Iran 's borders , have yet to peak .

Iranian health authorities on Sunday announced 163 new deaths due to the COVID-19 disease, the country's highest official one-day toll since the outbreak began in February.
Iranians wearing protective masks walk along a street in the capital Tehran on July 1, 2020.
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The previous record of 162 deaths was announced on Monday in the Islamic republic, which has been battling the Middle East's deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
The new deaths bring the total toll in Iran to 11,571, health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on state television.
"In the past 24 hours, 2,560 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 240,438," Lari added.
Official figures have shown a rising trajectory in fatalities and new confirmed cases since Iran reported a near-two month low in daily recorded infections in early May.
The increase has prompted the government to make the wearing of masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces, with some officials and state television anchors wearing masks on camera as part of a campaign to encourage their use.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the public to respect hygiene rules aimed at reining in the outbreak.
But footage on state television showed people still travelling without face coverings on public transport, where masks have been obligatory for more than two months.
Nine provinces at highest risk
The Islamic republic has not imposed a full-scale lockdown but has introduced restrictions, including on religious and commercial sites.
But with its US sanctions-strapped economy in crisis, the country had progressively lifted measures from April, as infection numbers had declined.
Official figures show that the virus has rebounded since then.
Lari said almost a third of Iran's 31 provinces were classed "red", the highest category in the country's virus risk ranking.
Authorities say infections in the nine provinces, all on Iran's borders, have yet to peak.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Algeria buries repatriated skulls of resistance fighters as it marks independence from France

An Algerian salutes the coffins of 24 resistance fighters killed during the French colonisation of Algeria on July 4 , 2020 in Algiers .
The fighters ’ remains had been repatriated from France the day before .
Algeria on Sunday buried the remains of 24 resistance fighters returned from Paris after more than a century and a half as it marked the 58th anniversary of its independence from France .
The skulls of the fighters , shot and decapitated in the early years of the French occupation , were laid to rest during an emotional ceremony at El Alia cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag were lowered into freshly dug graves in the martyr 's square of Algeria 's largest burial ground , alongside national heroes such as top revolt leader Emir Abdelkader .
An elite unit of the Republican Guard presented arms while a funeral march played in the background , an AFP correspondent reported .
`` This for me is a big day -- a real independence day , '' said Yamina , the 84-year-old great grand-daughter of one of the fighters , Mokhtar ben Kouider El Titraoui .
`` These remains are of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country .
Without them we would not be here today , '' she added .
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune , who took part in the ceremony alongside military and civilian figures , has called on France to apologise for its colonial past .
`` We have already had half-apologies .
The next step is needed ... we await it , '' he told news channel France 24 in an interview Saturday .
An apology was necessary to `` face the problem of memory that jeopardises many things in the relations between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frosty , Tebboune said .
It would `` make it possible to cool tensions and create a calmer atmosphere for economic and cultural relations '' , especially for the more than six million Algerians who live in France , he added .
On Sunday , Tebboune handed over the flags that draped the coffins to young cadets from military academies , akin to the `` passing of a baton '' to keep the memories of the slain fighters alive among younger generations , an official said .
The skulls , once viewed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were flown into Algiers international airport on Friday and then moved to the Palace of Culture where they were placed on display .
Despite stifling heat , a long queue formed outside the palace and some men and women , waiting to pay their respects , wept , according to footage broadcast by several television stations .
`` I came as a fighter , as an invalid from the war of liberation , as a citizen who loves his country , '' said Ali Zemlat .
The 85-year-old fought in the brutal 1954-1962 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of colonial rule in Algeria .
The skulls had been stored since the 19th century in the vaults of the Musee de l'Homme in Paris , which specialises in anthropology .
Among the remains were those of revolt leader Sheikh Bouzian , who was captured in 1849 by the French , shot and decapitated , and those of his comrades who had met the same fate .
Algeria had officially asked for their return in 2018 , as well as requesting the handover of colonial archives .
The restitution of the skulls has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thaw in relations between Algeria and the former colonial power , marked since independence by recurrent tensions .
The French presidency , in a statement to AFP , said the return of the remains was a gesture of `` friendship '' and part of efforts to `` reconcile the memories of the French and Algerian people '' .
The repatriation comes amid a global reexamination of the legacy of colonialism , sparked by the May killing of unarmed African American George Floyd by a white police officer in the US .
His murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has urged countries to make amends for `` centuries of violence and discrimination '' .
Emmanuel Macron , the first French president to be born after the 1954-62 independence war in which 1.5 million Algerians died , made his first official visit to Algiers in December 2017 .
At the time , he told news website Tout sur l'Algerie that he was `` ready '' to see his country hand back the skulls .
During his presidential election campaign , Macron had created a storm by calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime against humanity ” .

Algeria on Sunday buried the remains of 24 resistance fighters returned from Paris after more than a century and a half as it marked the 58th anniversary of its independence from France.
An Algerian salutes the coffins of 24 resistance fighters killed during the French colonisation of Algeria on July 4, 2020 in Algiers. The fighters’ remains had been repatriated from France the day before.
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The skulls of the fighters, shot and decapitated in the early years of the French occupation, were laid to rest during an emotional ceremony at El Alia cemetery.
The coffins draped with the national flag were lowered into freshly dug graves in the martyr's square of Algeria's largest burial ground, alongside national heroes such as top revolt leader Emir Abdelkader.
An elite unit of the Republican Guard presented arms while a funeral march played in the background, an AFP correspondent reported.
"This for me is a big day -- a real independence day," said Yamina, the 84-year-old great grand-daughter of one of the fighters, Mokhtar ben Kouider El Titraoui.
"These remains are of the first Algerians who sacrificed their lives for this country. Without them we would not be here today," she added.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who took part in the ceremony alongside military and civilian figures, has called on France to apologise for its colonial past.
"We have already had half-apologies. The next step is needed... we await it," he told news channel France 24 in an interview Saturday.
An apology was necessary to "face the problem of memory that jeopardises many things in the relations between the two countries", which had often been frosty, Tebboune said.
It would "make it possible to cool tensions and create a calmer atmosphere for economic and cultural relations", especially for the more than six million Algerians who live in France, he added.
On Sunday, Tebboune handed over the flags that draped the coffins to young cadets from military academies, akin to the "passing of a baton" to keep the memories of the slain fighters alive among younger generations, an official said.
The skulls, once viewed as war trophies by French colonial officers, were flown into Algiers international airport on Friday and then moved to the Palace of Culture where they were placed on display.
‘Reconciling memories’
Despite stifling heat, a long queue formed outside the palace and some men and women, waiting to pay their respects, wept, according to footage broadcast by several television stations.
"I came as a fighter, as an invalid from the war of liberation, as a citizen who loves his country," said Ali Zemlat.
The 85-year-old fought in the brutal 1954-1962 war that ended France's 132 years of colonial rule in Algeria.
The skulls had been stored since the 19th century in the vaults of the Musee de l'Homme in Paris, which specialises in anthropology.
Among the remains were those of revolt leader Sheikh Bouzian, who was captured in 1849 by the French, shot and decapitated, and those of his comrades who had met the same fate.
Algeria had officially asked for their return in 2018, as well as requesting the handover of colonial archives.
The restitution of the skulls has been seen as a sign of a thaw in relations between Algeria and the former colonial power, marked since independence by recurrent tensions.
The French presidency, in a statement to AFP, said the return of the remains was a gesture of "friendship" and part of efforts to "reconcile the memories of the French and Algerian people".
The repatriation comes amid a global reexamination of the legacy of colonialism, sparked by the May killing of unarmed African American George Floyd by a white police officer in the US.
His murder sparked protests across the world, and UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has urged countries to make amends for "centuries of violence and discrimination".
Emmanuel Macron, the first French president to be born after the 1954-62 independence war in which 1.5 million Algerians died, made his first official visit to Algiers in December 2017.
At the time, he told news website Tout sur l'Algerie that he was "ready" to see his country hand back the skulls.
During his presidential election campaign, Macron had created a storm by calling France's colonisation of Algeria a "crime against humanity”.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Formula One drivers all wear ‘End Racism’ T-shirts at season-opening Austrian Grand Prix

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton ( C ) takes a knee along with several other drivers at the Austrian Grand Prix .
Valtteri Bottas kneeled holding the winners ’ trophy at Formula One 's season-opening Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday , where the podium trio held up a black T-shirt with “ End Racism ” written on it .
That message was said before the race , too , when all drivers wore that T-shirt .
World champion Lewis Hamilton , the only black driver in F1 , had Black Lives Matter on the front and End Racism on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not join Hamilton and 13 others in taking the knee : Kimi Raikkonen , Max Verstappen , Daniil Kvyat , Antonio Giovinazzi , Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc — who finished in second place .
Hamilton , who knelt alongside Sebastian Vettel , at one point bowed his head pensively while Kvyat pointed to the anti-racism message on his T-shirt .
Hamilton has spoken widely about racism in recent weeks following the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd — a handcuffed and unarmed Black man — after a police officer pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearly nine minutes in May .
Hamilton attended a Black Lives Matter march in London and is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport .
Soccer players on fields in England and Germany have taken the knee together simultaneously before games in support of the Black Lives Matter movement , and F1 drivers discussed what they should do during a drivers ’ briefing on Friday evening .
Leclerc and Verstappen wrote on Twitter before the race why they chose not to kneel .
“ I believe that what matters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries , ” Leclerc said .
“ I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.
” “ I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism .
But I believe everyone has the right to express themselves at a time and in a way that suits them , '' the Dutch driver said .
`` I will not take the knee today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every driver makes.
” ‘ There is still some silence ’ Hamilton called out other F1 teams on Thursday for not doing enough to combat racism and said the sport still needs to push for more diversity .
Mercedes is competing in an all-black car instead of the usual silver , while Hamilton and Bottas have “ End Racism ” written on the car ’ s halo .
Hamilton praised some drivers for speaking out against racism , but he still feels others need to do more and he raised that in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There still is some silence in some cases , ” he said on Saturday .
`` There are people who still don ’ t fully understand exactly what is happening and what ( is ) the reason for these protests.
” Motorsport 's governing body FIA is donating one million euros ( $ 1.12 million ) to improve diversity in motorsport .

Valtteri Bottas kneeled holding the winners’ trophy at Formula One's season-opening Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, where the podium trio held up a black T-shirt with “End Racism” written on it.
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton (C) takes a knee along with several other drivers at the Austrian Grand Prix.
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That message was said before the race, too, when all drivers wore that T-shirt. World champion Lewis Hamilton, the only black driver in F1, had Black Lives Matter on the front and End Racism on the back of his.
But six did not join Hamilton and 13 others in taking the knee: Kimi Raikkonen, Max Verstappen, Daniil Kvyat, Antonio Giovinazzi, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc — who finished in second place.
Hamilton, who knelt alongside Sebastian Vettel, at one point bowed his head pensively while Kvyat pointed to the anti-racism message on his T-shirt.
Hamilton has spoken widely about racism in recent weeks following the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd — a handcuffed and unarmed Black man — after a police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes in May. Hamilton attended a Black Lives Matter march in London and is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport.
Soccer players on fields in England and Germany have taken the knee together simultaneously before games in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and F1 drivers discussed what they should do during a drivers’ briefing on Friday evening.
Leclerc and Verstappen wrote on Twitter before the race why they chose not to kneel.
“I believe that what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries,” Leclerc said. “I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.”
Verstappen explained his choice.
“I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism. But I believe everyone has the right to express themselves at a time and in a way that suits them," the Dutch driver said. "I will not take the knee today but respect and support the personal choices every driver makes.”
‘There is still some silence’
Hamilton called out other F1 teams on Thursday for not doing enough to combat racism and said the sport still needs to push for more diversity. Mercedes is competing in an all-black car instead of the usual silver, while Hamilton and Bottas have “End Racism” written on the car’s halo.
Hamilton praised some drivers for speaking out against racism, but he still feels others need to do more and he raised that in their briefing.
“Silence is generally complicit. There still is some silence in some cases,” he said on Saturday. "There are people who still don’t fully understand exactly what is happening and what (is) the reason for these protests.”
Motorsport's governing body FIA is donating one million euros ($1.12 million) to improve diversity in motorsport.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Death toll in Ethiopia passes 150 from protests following killing of singer

Ethiopian military ride on a pick-up truck as they patrol the streets following protests in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia on July 2 , 2020 .
At least 166 people have died during violent demonstrations that roiled Ethiopia in the days following the murder of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa , police said Saturday .
Pop star Hachalu , a member of the Oromo ethnic group , Ethiopia 's largest , was shot dead by unknown attackers in Addis Ababa on Monday night , fuelling ethnic tensions threatening the country 's democratic transition .
`` In the aftermath of Hachalu 's death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their lives in the unrest in the region , '' said Girma Gelam , deputy police commissioner of Oromia region , in a statement on the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate .
Another 10 are known to have died in the capital Addis Ababa .
Girma said that a further 167 had `` sustained serious injuries '' and that 1,084 people had been arrested .
Officials have attributed the deaths to a combination of lethal force by security officers and inter-ethnic violence .
Girma added that the violent unrest had now `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave voice to Oromos ' widespread sense of economic and political marginalisation during years of anti-government protests that swept Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power in 2018 .

At least 166 people have died during violent demonstrations that roiled Ethiopia in the days following the murder of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa, police said Saturday.
Ethiopian military ride on a pick-up truck as they patrol the streets following protests in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 2, 2020.
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Pop star Hachalu, a member of the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest, was shot dead by unknown attackers in Addis Ababa on Monday night, fuelling ethnic tensions threatening the country's democratic transition.
"In the aftermath of Hachalu's death, 145 civilians and 11 security forces have lost their lives in the unrest in the region," said Girma Gelam, deputy police commissioner of Oromia region, in a statement on the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
Another 10 are known to have died in the capital Addis Ababa.
Girma said that a further 167 had "sustained serious injuries" and that 1,084 people had been arrested.
Officials have attributed the deaths to a combination of lethal force by security officers and inter-ethnic violence.
Girma added that the violent unrest had now "completely stopped".
Hachalu's music gave voice to Oromos' widespread sense of economic and political marginalisation during years of anti-government protests that swept Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power in 2018.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-05--Japan flooding leaves dozens dead and missing

Rescuers are searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region on Japan 's southwestern island of Kyushu .
About 34 people are either confirmed or feared dead — including 14 at a nursing home — after torrential rain in Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides , authorities said Sunday .
Rescuers were searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region of Japan on the southwestern island of Kyushu , destroying houses , sweeping away vehicles and causing bridges to collapse .
The regional government confirmed 18 people had died , while another 16 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” —a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death .
Fourteen of the victims were at a nursing home that was inundated when local rivers broke their banks .
Emergency services rescued 50 people from the facility .
More than 200,000 people have been urged to evacuate as authorities request those in emergency shelters to wash their hands , wear masks and maintain social distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
“ We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of the infection and make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their home as comfortable as possible , ” Disaster Management Minister Ryota Takeda told reporters after visiting a gymnasium in Hitoyoshi city where 600 residents are sheltering .
At a cabinet-level meeting in Tokyo on the disaster , Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to offer financial support , while warning residents in Kumamoto to brace for more rain .
“ As we speak , more than 40,000 personnel from police , fire , coast guard and Self-Defence troops are conducting search and rescue operations which will continue through the night , ” Abe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region through Monday , Abe added .
“ We must remain vigilant , ” he said , warning residents to monitor news for further risks associated with flooding and landslides .
Communities along the Kuma River , which passes through Hitoyoshi , have been hit hard by the floodwaters .
Although the rain had eased in Kumamoto by Sunday morning , collapsed bridges and blocked roads due to flooding and mudslides have left many isolated in the region .
A large “ SOS ” sign was created on the grounds of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yatsushiro city , where about 10 people waved white towels at rescue and media helicopters .
Rescue workers and troops from the Self-Defense Forces used boats and helicopters to reach those stranded .
Japan is currently in its rainy season , which often causes floods and landslides and prompts local authorities to issue evacuation orders .
In 2018 , flooding in western Japan killed more than 200 people .

About 34 people are either confirmed or feared dead — including 14 at a nursing home — after torrential rain in Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides, authorities said Sunday.
Rescuers are searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu.
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Rescuers were searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region of Japan on the southwestern island of Kyushu, destroying houses, sweeping away vehicles and causing bridges to collapse.
The regional government confirmed 18 people had died, while another 16 were in a state of “cardio-respiratory arrest”—a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death.
Fourteen of the victims were at a nursing home that was inundated when local rivers broke their banks. Emergency services rescued 50 people from the facility.
More than 200,000 people have been urged to evacuate as authorities request those in emergency shelters to wash their hands, wear masks and maintain social distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of the infection and make the lives of those who had to flee their home as comfortable as possible,” Disaster Management Minister Ryota Takeda told reporters after visiting a gymnasium in Hitoyoshi city where 600 residents are sheltering.
At a cabinet-level meeting in Tokyo on the disaster, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to offer financial support, while warning residents in Kumamoto to brace for more rain.
“As we speak, more than 40,000 personnel from police, fire, coast guard and Self-Defence troops are conducting search and rescue operations which will continue through the night,” Abe said.
“Saving lives is our priority.”
Heavy rain is expected in the region through Monday, Abe added.
“We must remain vigilant,” he said, warning residents to monitor news for further risks associated with flooding and landslides.
Communities along the Kuma River, which passes through Hitoyoshi, have been hit hard by the floodwaters.
Although the rain had eased in Kumamoto by Sunday morning, collapsed bridges and blocked roads due to flooding and mudslides have left many isolated in the region.
A large “SOS” sign was created on the grounds of what used to be an elementary school in Yatsushiro city, where about 10 people waved white towels at rescue and media helicopters.
Rescue workers and troops from the Self-Defense Forces used boats and helicopters to reach those stranded.
Japan is currently in its rainy season, which often causes floods and landslides and prompts local authorities to issue evacuation orders.
In 2018, flooding in western Japan killed more than 200 people.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--‘A more intimate experience’: Louvre museum reopens after 16-week shutdown

The Louvre has lost more than €40 million in ticket sales during the near-four-month lockdown .
The world 's most visited museum reopens on Monday after a 16-week coronavirus closure , but with nearly a third of its galleries still shut .
The vast palace that was once home to France 's monarchs has lost more than €40 million ( $ 45 million ) in ticket sales during almost four months of lockdown , and director Jean-Luc Martinez admitted it could have a few more lean years ahead as the world adapts to the virus .
Although most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` Mona Lisa '' and its vast antiquities collection , will be fully accessible , other galleries where social distancing is more difficult will remain closed .
Nor will there be any crowding in front of Leonardo da Vinci 's masterpiece for a selfie , with visitors warned that they will have to stick to standing on well-distanced spots marked on the floor .
`` If you 're an art buff , if you 're in Paris , now is the time to come to the Louvre , for a more intimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nadia Massih , standing outside the museum 's iconic glass Pyramid .
To avoid bottlenecks , arrows will guide visitors through the labyrinth of galleries , with doubling back banned , the museum said .
Some 70 percent of the Louvre 's 9.6 million visitors last year were from overseas , and with tourism at a standstill , Martinez told AFP that numbers could drop sharply .
`` We are losing 80 percent of our public , '' he said .
`` We are going to be at best 20 to 30 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 10,000 visitors a day , '' he estimated .
The museum hopes to attract more French visitors to fill the gap as it embarks on a campaign to shake off its elitist image before the Paris Olympics in four years ' time .
Martinez , who comes from a working-class background , said he wanted to build on the outreach success of the Louvre 's outpost museum in Lens , a poor former mining town in northern France .
He said sometimes the Louvre can `` intimidate '' certain demographics and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collections are also for them with improved presentation , labelling and curation .

The world's most visited museum reopens on Monday after a 16-week coronavirus closure, but with nearly a third of its galleries still shut.
The Louvre has lost more than €40 million in ticket sales during the near-four-month lockdown.
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The vast palace that was once home to France's monarchs has lost more than €40 million ($45 million) in ticket sales during almost four months of lockdown, and director Jean-Luc Martinez admitted it could have a few more lean years ahead as the world adapts to the virus.
Although most of the museum's most popular draws, like the "Mona Lisa" and its vast antiquities collection, will be fully accessible, other galleries where social distancing is more difficult will remain closed.
Nor will there be any crowding in front of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece for a selfie, with visitors warned that they will have to stick to standing on well-distanced spots marked on the floor.
"If you're an art buff, if you're in Paris, now is the time to come to the Louvre, for a more intimate experience," said FRANCE 24's Nadia Massih, standing outside the museum's iconic glass Pyramid.
03:20
To avoid bottlenecks, arrows will guide visitors through the labyrinth of galleries, with doubling back banned, the museum said.
Some 70 percent of the Louvre's 9.6 million visitors last year were from overseas, and with tourism at a standstill, Martinez told AFP that numbers could drop sharply.
"We are losing 80 percent of our public," he said.
"We are going to be at best 20 to 30 percent down on last summer — between 4,000 and 10,000 visitors a day," he estimated.
The museum hopes to attract more French visitors to fill the gap as it embarks on a campaign to shake off its elitist image before the Paris Olympics in four years' time.
Martinez, who comes from a working-class background, said he wanted to build on the outreach success of the Louvre's outpost museum in Lens, a poor former mining town in northern France.
He said sometimes the Louvre can "intimidate" certain demographics and the museum needs to reassure people that its collections are also for them with improved presentation, labelling and curation.
Visiting the #Louvre - space and compulsory masks pic.twitter.com/Ec9pkE0BTT — Clea Caulcutt (@cleacaulcuttBBC) July 6, 2020
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Covid-19 pushes US hospitals to the brink as cases in India soar

Health workers check the temperature of residents during a coronavirus detection campaign in Mumbai , India , on July 4 , 2020 .
Officials warned on Sunday that US hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by the upsurge in coronavirus cases as India saw its tally of confirmed cases soar to almost 700,000 .
The US has struggled to respond to the devastation wrought by the virus , with its national death toll rising to near 130,000 out of 2.8 million confirmed cases , and many states hit by increasing infections after lockdowns were eased .
Hospital beds are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for fresh stay-at-home orders are growing .
Some mayors say their cities reopened too early , as President Donald Trump tries to downplay the disease that has gripped much of the country .
India faces similar challenges as it clocked a record daily number of cases across a vast nation where medical facilities are uneven and many Covid-19 infections are likely to be undiagnosed .
The pandemic has killed at least 531,789 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year , according to an AFP tally on Sunday based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been infected in 196 countries and territories .
After the United States , Brazil is the hardest-hit country with 64,867 deaths , followed by Britain , Italy and Mexico .
Across the US , the annual July 4 holiday weekend was overshadowed by growing evidence that the country ’ s fractured response has exacted a heavy price across the south and west , after previous hotspots such as New York emerged from the worst of the virus .
`` Our hospitals here in Harris County , Houston , and 33 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So their operational beds are taken up , '' said Lina Hidalgo , chief executive of Harris County , which includes Houston , Texas .
`` Restaurants are still open .
Indoor events can take place no matter the size , '' she told the ABC TV channel .
`` What we need right now is to do what works , which is a stay-home order . ''
Steve Adler , the mayor of Austin , Texas , also expressed concern that the healthcare system could buckle as the disease spreads rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trajectory , then I am within two weeks of having our hospitals overrun .
And in our ICUs , I could be 10 days away from that , '' he told CNN .
Phoenix city mayor Kate Gallego said , `` We opened way too early in Arizona '' state .
She suggested that a new stay-at-home order should be issued .
The US is now recording 40,000 new cases a day , with a peak of 57,000 on Friday alone .
In India , the health ministry announced on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise of 24,000 in 24 hours , taking it past Russia to become the third-hardest-hit nation in the global pandemic .
India 's tally is not expected to peak for several more weeks and experts predict the one million figure will be passed this month .
The country has registered 19,963 deaths from the virus , a much lower number than many other badly hit countries .
India 's major cities have been worst hit by the pandemic .
New Delhi and Mumbai each have about 100,000 cases , with 3,000 dead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New Delhi has opened a new 10,000-bed temporary virus hospital while other cities are tightening restrictions on movement to head off a new surge in cases .
The Kerala state capital , Thiruvananthapuram , imposed a new lockdown from Monday with public transport shut and only pharmacies allowed to open .
The clampdown came after hundreds of new cases were reported across the state , which had been praised for its action to curtail the pandemic .
One high-profile victim of the global shutdown – the Taj Mahal – will remain closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allege India is conducting very few tests , leaving the true scale of the pandemic unknown .
Other countries are also battling a resurgence of the virus , including South Africa , where dozens of military medics were deployed on Sunday after a surge in infections in East Cape province .
Like India , South Africa imposed some of the strictest stay-at-home measures in the world in late March in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19 , but the number of infections is rising daily as the lockdown rules are gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country 's highest official one-day toll since the outbreak began , while Morocco discovered an outbreak in a fish-canning factory , with 300,000 inhabitants placed under lockdown .
And Latin America continued its grim battle with the virus , with Chile passing 10,000 deaths on Sunday , while Mexico has had 30,000 fatalities .

Officials warned on Sunday that US hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by the upsurge in cases as countries around the world are battling surges in the coronavirus, with more than 11 million people now infected in 196 countries and territories.
A medical worker puts on protective equipment as hospital staff treat Covid-19 patients at United Memorial Medical Center's coronavirus disease intensive care unit in Houston, Texas, US, June 29, 2020.
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The US has struggled to respond to the devastation wrought by the virus, with its national death toll rising to near 130,000 out of 2.8 million confirmed cases, and many states hit by increasing infections after lockdowns were eased.
Hospital beds are full in parts of Texas, while calls for fresh stay-at-home orders are growing. Some mayors say their cities reopened too early, as President Donald Trump tries to downplay the disease that has gripped much of the country.
Across the US, the annual July 4 holiday weekend was overshadowed by growing evidence that the country’s fractured response has exacted a heavy price across the south and west, after previous hotspots such as New York emerged from the worst of the virus.
"Our hospitals here in Harris County, Houston, and 33 other cities... they're into surge capacities. So their operational beds are taken up," said Lina Hidalgo, chief executive of Harris County, which includes Houston, Texas.
"Restaurants are still open. Indoor events can take place no matter the size," she told the ABC TV channel. "What we need right now is to do what works, which is a stay-home order."
Steve Adler, the mayor of Austin, Texas, also expressed concern that the healthcare system could buckle as the disease spreads rapidly.
"If we don't change the trajectory, then I am within two weeks of having our hospitals overrun. And in our ICUs, I could be 10 days away from that," he told CNN.
Phoenix city mayor Kate Gallego said, "We opened way too early in Arizona" state. She suggested that a new stay-at-home order should be issued.
The US is now recording 40,000 new cases a day, with a peak of 57,000 on Friday alone.
The pandemic has killed at least 531,789 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally on Sunday based on official sources.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Italy’s Ennio Morricone, Oscar-winning composer for the movies, dies at 91

Ennio Morricone performing on stage at the 02 Arena in London , on February 16 , 2016 .
Ennio Morricone , the Italian composer whose haunting scores to Spaghetti Westerns like `` A Fistful of Dollars '' and `` The Good , the Bad and the Ugly '' helped define a cinematic era , has died .
He was 91 .
Morricone wrote scores for some 400 films but his name was most closely linked with the director Sergio Leone , with whom he worked on the now-classic Spaghetti Westerns as well as `` Once Upon a Time in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer and family friend Giorgio Assuma said Morricone `` passed away in the early hours of July 6 with the comfort of his faith '' .
He remained `` fully lucid and with great dignity right until the end , '' the statement said .
The composer had broken his femur some days ago , said Italian news agency ANSA .
Born in Rome in 1928 , Morricone worked in almost all film genres — from horror to comedy — and some of his melodies are perhaps more famous than the films he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being snubbed at the Oscars , he finally won an Academy Award in 2016 for his soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino 's `` The Hateful Eight '' .
Embarrassed that such a talent had not been recognised sooner , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with a lifetime achievement award in 2007 .
Morricone 's previous Oscar nominations were for `` Days of Heaven '' ( 1978 ) , `` The Mission '' ( 1986 ) , `` The Untouchables '' ( 1987 ) , `` Bugsy '' ( 1991 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Although he is most closely associated in the public mind with Leone 's westerns starring Clint Eastwood , Morricone 's composition for Roland Joffe 's Jesuit drama `` The Mission '' is considered by many critics to be his cinematic masterpiece , an epic and eclectic reflection of South America 's musical melting pot .

Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer whose haunting scores to Spaghetti Westerns like "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" helped define a cinematic era, has died. He was 91.
Ennio Morricone performing on stage at the 02 Arena in London, on February 16, 2016.
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Morricone wrote scores for some 400 films but his name was most closely linked with the director Sergio Leone, with whom he worked on the now-classic Spaghetti Westerns as well as "Once Upon a Time in America".
A statement issued by the lawyer and family friend Giorgio Assuma said Morricone "passed away in the early hours of July 6 with the comfort of his faith".
He remained "fully lucid and with great dignity right until the end," the statement said.
The composer had broken his femur some days ago, said Italian news agency ANSA.
Born in Rome in 1928, Morricone worked in almost all film genres — from horror to comedy — and some of his melodies are perhaps more famous than the films he wrote them for.
After decades of being snubbed at the Oscars, he finally won an Academy Award in 2016 for his soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight".
Embarrassed that such a talent had not been recognised sooner, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with a lifetime achievement award in 2007.
Morricone's previous Oscar nominations were for "Days of Heaven" (1978), "The Mission" (1986), "The Untouchables" (1987), "Bugsy" (1991) and "Malena" (2000).
Although he is most closely associated in the public mind with Leone's westerns starring Clint Eastwood, Morricone's composition for Roland Joffe's Jesuit drama "The Mission" is considered by many critics to be his cinematic masterpiece, an epic and eclectic reflection of South America's musical melting pot.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-06--France's new Prime Minister Jean Castex to unveil reshuffled cabinet

Newly appointed French Prime Minister Jean Castex arrives at Hotel Matignon , the French prime minister 's official residence , in Paris on July 3 , 2020 .
France 's new Prime Minister Jean Castex was on Monday expected to unveil a reshuffled government tasked with helping the economy brave its worst crisis since World War II and injecting fresh momentum into the presidency of Emmanuel Macron .
Castex , a senior bureaucrat and provincial mayor almost completely unknown to the French before his appointment Friday , is seeking to move quickly and decisively to convince sceptics he is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55-year old was appointed by Macron in place of Edouard Philippe as the president seeks a fresh start for the final two years of his mandate ahead of 2022 presidential elections .
France 's economy has been battered into a historic recession by the coronavirus crisis while Macron 's Republic on the Move ( LREM ) party is reeling from its drubbing in local elections late last month .
Macron wrote on Twitter Sunday that a `` new path '' was needed , listing the new government 's priorities as `` reviving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social protection and the environment , re-establishing a fair republican order and defending European sovereignty '' .
The failure of LREM -- founded in the run-up to Macron 's presidential bid in 2017 -- in local elections again showed up its lack of a grassroots base .
Analysts have said that by appointing a low-profile figure in place of Philippe -- whose popularity was outstripping Macron 's -- the president wants to tighten his grip on the reins of government ahead of 2022 .
French parliament speaker Richard Ferrand said he expected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning after an intense weekend of exchanges between Castex and Macron .
An aide to Macron , who asked not to be named , said there would be `` new talent '' and `` people who have come from different horizons '' .
However few details have leaked over what changes there will be to the government , which under the centrist Macron has always been a delicate balancing act between left and right .
Castex , who drew up the plan for France to come out of its coronavirus lockdown , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans ( LR ) but confirmed he has now handed in his party card .
One job on the line is that of interior minister Christophe Castaner , criticised both by Black Lives Matter protesters over alleged racism in the police force but also by officers for a perceived lack of support .
But it is far from clear if those holding the key ministries of state -- ex-right winger Bruno Le Maire at economy and former Socialists Jean-Yves Le Drian and Florence Parly at foreign affairs and defence -- will be moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future of the environment ministry , a troubled domain for Macron after the sensational resignation from the post of popular campaigner Nicolas Hulot in 2018 on the grounds that it was impossible to get anything done .
Castex , not so far known for his green credentials , has said `` ecology is not an option but an obligation '' , following a strong performance by the Greens in municipal polls .
But Yannick Jadot , an MEP and key figure in the EELV green party , retorted that there was `` perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , saying neither `` had ever shown any kind of interest in the climate or biodiversity '' .
Philippe meanwhile has returned to the relative peace of his old job as mayor of the Normandy port of Le Havre .
Opinion divided over whether he would fade into the background or could one day pose a challenge to Macron .

France's new Prime Minister Jean Castex was on Monday expected to unveil a reshuffled government tasked with helping the economy brave its worst crisis since World War II and injecting fresh momentum into the presidency of Emmanuel Macron.
Newly appointed French Prime Minister Jean Castex arrives at Hotel Matignon, the French prime minister's official residence, in Paris on July 3, 2020.
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Castex, a senior bureaucrat and provincial mayor almost completely unknown to the French before his appointment Friday, is seeking to move quickly and decisively to convince sceptics he is the right choice for the job.
The 55-year old was appointed by Macron in place of Edouard Philippe as the president seeks a fresh start for the final two years of his mandate ahead of 2022 presidential elections.
France's economy has been battered into a historic recession by the coronavirus crisis while Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party is reeling from its drubbing in local elections late last month.
Macron wrote on Twitter Sunday that a "new path" was needed, listing the new government's priorities as "reviving the economy, continuing an overhaul of our social protection and the environment, re-establishing a fair republican order and defending European sovereignty".
The failure of LREM -- founded in the run-up to Macron's presidential bid in 2017 -- in local elections again showed up its lack of a grassroots base.
Analysts have said that by appointing a low-profile figure in place of Philippe -- whose popularity was outstripping Macron's -- the president wants to tighten his grip on the reins of government ahead of 2022.
04:40
'New talent'
French parliament speaker Richard Ferrand said he expected the new government to be announced on Monday morning after an intense weekend of exchanges between Castex and Macron.
An aide to Macron, who asked not to be named, said there would be "new talent" and "people who have come from different horizons".
However few details have leaked over what changes there will be to the government, which under the centrist Macron has always been a delicate balancing act between left and right.
02:50
Castex, who drew up the plan for France to come out of its coronavirus lockdown, was himself a member of the right-wing The Republicans (LR) but confirmed he has now handed in his party card.
One job on the line is that of interior minister Christophe Castaner, criticised both by Black Lives Matter protesters over alleged racism in the police force but also by officers for a perceived lack of support.
But it is far from clear if those holding the key ministries of state -- ex-right winger Bruno Le Maire at economy and former Socialists Jean-Yves Le Drian and Florence Parly at foreign affairs and defence -- will be moved on.
02:08
'Not an option'
Much attention is on the future of the environment ministry, a troubled domain for Macron after the sensational resignation from the post of popular campaigner Nicolas Hulot in 2018 on the grounds that it was impossible to get anything done.
Castex, not so far known for his green credentials, has said "ecology is not an option but an obligation", following a strong performance by the Greens in municipal polls.
But Yannick Jadot, an MEP and key figure in the EELV green party, retorted that there was "perfect continuity between Jean Castex and Edouard Philippe", saying neither "had ever shown any kind of interest in the climate or biodiversity".
Philippe meanwhile has returned to the relative peace of his old job as mayor of the Normandy port of Le Havre. Opinion divided over whether he would fade into the background or could one day pose a challenge to Macron.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Australia closes state border for first time in 100 years to stop Covid-19 spread

People in hazardous material overalls are seen on July 6 , 2020 , outside of a public housing tower in Melbourne , Australia , that was placed under lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak .
The border between Australia 's two most populous states will close from Tuesday for an indefinite period , Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday , following an outbreak of the coronavirus in his state .
The decision marks the first time the border with neighbouring New South Wales has been shut in 100 years – officials last blocked movement between the two states in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of Covid-19 cases in Melbourne , Victoria 's capital , has surged in recent days , prompting authorities to enforce strict social-distancing orders in 30 suburbs and put nine public housing towers into complete lockdown .
The state reported 127 new Covid-19 infections overnight , its biggest one-day spike since the pandemic began .
It also reported one death , the first nationally in more than two weeks , taking the country 's total tally to 105 .
`` It is the smart call , the right call at this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in containing this virus , '' Andrews told reporters in Melbourne as he announced the border closure .
The closure will , however , likely be a blow to Australia 's economic recovery as it heads into its first recession in nearly three decades .
Andrews said the decision to close the border , effective from 11.59 p.m. local time on Tuesday , was made jointly with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian .
Victoria 's only other internal border , with South Australia state , is already closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coronavirus pandemic , with just short of 8,500 cases so far , but the Melbourne outbreak has raised alarm bells .
The country has reported an average of 109 cases daily over the past week , compared with an average of just 9 cases daily over the first week of June .

The border between Australia's two most populous states will close from Tuesday for an indefinite period, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday, following an outbreak of the coronavirus in his state.
People in hazardous material overalls are seen on July 6, 2020, outside of a public housing tower in Melbourne, Australia, that was placed under lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
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The decision marks the first time the border with neighbouring New South Wales has been shut in 100 years – officials last blocked movement between the two states in 1919 during the Spanish flu pandemic.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Melbourne, Victoria's capital, has surged in recent days, prompting authorities to enforce strict social-distancing orders in 30 suburbs and put nine public housing towers into complete lockdown.
The state reported 127 new Covid-19 infections overnight, its biggest one-day spike since the pandemic began. It also reported one death, the first nationally in more than two weeks, taking the country's total tally to 105.
"It is the smart call, the right call at this time, given the significant challenges we face in containing this virus," Andrews told reporters in Melbourne as he announced the border closure.
The closure will, however, likely be a blow to Australia's economic recovery as it heads into its first recession in nearly three decades.
Andrews said the decision to close the border, effective from 11.59 p.m. local time on Tuesday, was made jointly with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Victoria's only other internal border, with South Australia state, is already closed.
Australia has fared better than many countries in the coronavirus pandemic, with just short of 8,500 cases so far, but the Melbourne outbreak has raised alarm bells. The country has reported an average of 109 cases daily over the past week, compared with an average of just 9 cases daily over the first week of June.
(REUTERS)
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