france24--2020-06-12--Week in Review: Anti-police protests spread to France and Alice Cooper rocks Covid-19

From left to right : A George Floyd memorial , the Canal-Saint-Martin in Paris , and rock legend Alice Cooper .
As anti-racism protests spread across the globe , Martin Luther King III tells FRANCE 24 that he has `` never seen anything like this '' .
Meanwhile , environmental activists warn of a “ plastic pandemic ” as masks and gloves are discarded en masse , rock legend Alice Cooper gives the coronavirus the shock-rock treatment and George Floyd 's uncle says his nephew had a `` big heart '' .
In the wake of George Floyd 's killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding Just a few weeks ago , calls to defund police departments circulated primarily among activists .
Today , increasing numbers of cities are taking measures to do so , and experts are waiting to see if a similar movement might take hold in Europe and elsewhere .
The commercialisation of George Floyd : US firms look to capitalise on a movement As protests against racism and police brutality have erupted across the United States and the world , many US companies have sought to capitalise on the moment by pledging solidarity with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
But some point out that firms have to go further to ensure equality within their own ranks .
Leaked comments from a private Facebook group for police officers have fuelled outrage over racism among French law enforcement , prompting Paris prosecutors to open an investigation .
As George Floyd outrage spreads , France confronts its own demons The global outrage triggered by George Floyd ’ s killing in the US has reignited a debate about policing in France ’ s ethnically diverse suburbs , where protesters say it is time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy of abuse and impunity .
Is Germany ’ s ‘ colossal ’ recovery plan a role model for other coronavirus-hit economies ?
Germany became the first European country to announce a post-coronavirus economic stimulus package last week , allocating €130 billion that follows an initial roll-out of emergency measures to save the economy from the fallout of the pandemic .
The ambitious plan could inspire other eurozone nations also desperate for a reboot .
Pro-Haftar powers ‘ looking for alternatives ’ after opponents seize all of western Libya In seizing all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Accord put a stop to rebel commander Khalifa Haftar ’ s offensive .
Haftar 's international allies now favour a diplomatic solution , and there are signs that they are looking for an alternative partner in eastern Libya .
From ‘ under control ’ to ‘ critical ’ : Four potential scenarios for Covid-19 in France France ’ s national Scientific Council has envisioned four likely futures for the country ’ s Covid-19 epidemic , from a situation where the virus remains “ under control ” to a “ critical ” health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the possible scenarios .
China revels in US protests , sees unrest as PR opportunity The unrest in the US over George Floyd ’ s death in custody has been seized by China and renewed discourse on “ the end of the American era ” .
But Hong Kong ’ s defiant demonstration this week suggests Washington ’ s fall may not be Beijing ’ s gain .
‘ A new type of pollution ’ : Covid-19 waste ending up in world ’ s oceans The Covid-19 crisis is leading to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment ( PPE ) , such as gloves and facemasks , makes its way into the world ’ s seas and oceans , a French environmental group has warned .
The pangolin , the animal some believe may have played a role in the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus , will no longer be authorised for use in traditional Chinese medicine , offering a vital lifeline to the rare and endangered species .
Martin Luther King Jr 's son on George Floyd protests : ' I 've never seen anything like this' Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Luther King Jr , recounted the anger and frustration he felt upon learning about the death of George Floyd , an unarmed African American suffocated by a white police officer .
King said that while his was one on a long list of such killings , Floyd 's murder has galvanised the nation and the world in a way he has never witnessed before .
Protests against the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25 have erupted across the United States and around the world .
But it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born and where much of his family has lived for generations .
His uncle Roger Floyd agreed to sit down with FRANCE 24 in a quiet hotel room away from the protests .
Racial violence in the US : A never-ending story ?
This week , Inside the Americas focuses on the conversation ignited in the United States by George Floyd 's death while in police custody .
The 46-year-old unarmed African American was killed after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Footage of Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an end to police brutality and systemic racism .
Why the Covid-19 crisis is exacerbating racial inequality The global protests following the death of George Floyd have put a spotlight on racial disparities in the United States and around the world .
We take a closer look at the economic inequalities faced by African Americans and how Covid-19 has affected different communities in different ways .
We also discuss the situation in France , where studies have found evidence of discrimination in hiring practices .
'La ' Covid-19 : How coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-term impact on French society , starting with the language .
According to the Académie française , the official guard dog of the French language , Covid-19 is feminine .
What other new words and expressions have popped up in the wake of the pandemic ?
Meanwhile , as cafés and restaurants cautiously re-open , many French people are thrilled to return to a semblance of normalcy .
Designed to shield us from the health crisis , the number of masks and gloves discarded in public spaces are contributing to another epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled fines for littering face masks from €68 to €135 .
This comes after disheartening underwater images of surgical masks and latex gloves on the Mediterranean seabed .
C is for Covid-19 : The children 's books getting us through a pandemic From Oscar-winning actor Donald Sutherland narrating the new children 's book `` Rainbows in Windows '' that explains the global pandemic , to Dolly Parton reading weekly bedtime stories to give parents a break from home-schooling , children 's books have become more important than ever in recent months .
Comics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach kids about Covid-19 but also to help them escape from the real world .
Shock rocker Alice Cooper takes on the coronavirus in his new song Whether it was cutting off his own head on stage with a guillotine or false rumours that he bit the head of a live chicken on stage , his theatrical shows caused a scandal in the early 1970s .
Thirty albums later and with 50 million records sold – first as the Alice Cooper band and later as a solo act – he 's given us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eighteen '' , `` School 's Out '' and `` Billion Dollar Babies '' .
Alice Cooper speaks about his rallying anthem `` Do n't Give Up '' , how he has shock-rocked audiences for five decades – and that chicken incident .
YOU ARE HERE France is packed with legends .
In the southern Hérault region , the miraculous fountain of Lunas is believed to have a healing effect on the eyes and those who come regularly , equipped with handkerchiefs , make a ritual of it .
Meanwhile , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metres ) , the Arrée Mountains are populated by strange-looking creatures : the Korrigans .
Inaugurated in 1825 , the Canal Saint-Martin stretches over five districts of eastern Paris .
Once essential for transporting goods , it 's mainly used today by tour boats and pleasure cruises .
Along its four kilometres , the canal lets both Parisians and tourists discover the French capital from a different perspective .
Pointing the finger : Why are women blamed for everything ?
We take a look at why women are consistently blamed for the crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic Jessica Taylor , who has written a book on that very subject .
Also , how women seeking an abortion in Turkey face considerable risks and many hurdles despite the procedure being legal .
Fashion prizes in the time of Covid-19 Fashion prizes have long given young designers a chance to prove their worth .
The prestigious Open My Med award , financed by the Maison Mode Méditerranée , offers designers the opportunity for mentoring and exposure .
But things are very different in the time of Covid-19 .
Among this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Langlade in Marseille and Romzy in Dakar are making the best of a bad situation , while Quoï Alexander in Paris is questioning whether he still has a future in fashion .

WEEK IN REVIEW
As anti-racism protests spread across the globe, Martin Luther King III tells FRANCE 24 that he has "never seen anything like this". Meanwhile, environmental activists warn of a “plastic pandemic” as masks and gloves are discarded en masse, rock legend Alice Cooper gives the coronavirus the shock-rock treatment and George Floyd's uncle says his nephew had a "big heart".
From left to right: A George Floyd memorial, the Canal-Saint-Martin in Paris, and rock legend Alice Cooper.
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ARTICLES
In the wake of George Floyd's killing, a growing chorus to cut police funding
Just a few weeks ago, calls to defund police departments circulated primarily among activists. Today, increasing numbers of cities are taking measures to do so, and experts are waiting to see if a similar movement might take hold in Europe and elsewhere.
The commercialisation of George Floyd: US firms look to capitalise on a movement
As protests against racism and police brutality have erupted across the United States and the world, many US companies have sought to capitalise on the moment by pledging solidarity with the protesters and speaking out against systemic racism. But some point out that firms have to go further to ensure equality within their own ranks.
French police under investigation for leaked racist comments
Leaked comments from a private Facebook group for police officers have fuelled outrage over racism among French law enforcement, prompting Paris prosecutors to open an investigation.
As George Floyd outrage spreads, France confronts its own demons
The global outrage triggered by George Floyd’s killing in the US has reignited a debate about policing in France’s ethnically diverse suburbs, where protesters say it is time the country wakes up to its own unspoken legacy of abuse and impunity.
A protester wears a protective mask reading "I can't breathe" at a rally in Paris on June 2, 2020. © Gonzalo Fuentes, REUTERS
Is Germany’s ‘colossal’ recovery plan a role model for other coronavirus-hit economies?
Germany became the first European country to announce a post-coronavirus economic stimulus package last week, allocating €130 billion that follows an initial roll-out of emergency measures to save the economy from the fallout of the pandemic. The ambitious plan could inspire other eurozone nations also desperate for a reboot.
Pro-Haftar powers ‘looking for alternatives’ after opponents seize all of western Libya
In seizing all of western Libya, the UN-recognised Government of National Accord put a stop to rebel commander Khalifa Haftar’s offensive. Haftar's international allies now favour a diplomatic solution, and there are signs that they are looking for an alternative partner in eastern Libya.
From ‘under control’ to ‘critical’: Four potential scenarios for Covid-19 in France
France’s national Scientific Council has envisioned four likely futures for the country’s Covid-19 epidemic, from a situation where the virus remains “under control” to a “critical” health crisis. FRANCE 24 takes a look at the possible scenarios.
China revels in US protests, sees unrest as PR opportunity
The unrest in the US over George Floyd’s death in custody has been seized by China and renewed discourse on “the end of the American era”. But Hong Kong’s defiant demonstration this week suggests Washington’s fall may not be Beijing’s gain.
A protester raises a fist near a fire during a demonstration outside the White House over the death of George Floyd on May 31, 2020. © Samuel Corum, AFP
VIDEO REPORTS
‘A new type of pollution’: Covid-19 waste ending up in world’s oceans
The Covid-19 crisis is leading to a new source of pollution as personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and facemasks, makes its way into the world’s seas and oceans, a French environmental group has warned.
China removes pangolins from traditional medicine list
The pangolin, the animal some believe may have played a role in the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, will no longer be authorised for use in traditional Chinese medicine, offering a vital lifeline to the rare and endangered species.
A pangolin in a cage in Surabaya, Indonesia, on March 27, 2019. © AFP / FRANCE 24
TV SHOWS ONLINE
THE INTERVIEW
Martin Luther King Jr's son on George Floyd protests: 'I've never seen anything like this'
Martin Luther King III, the son of Martin Luther King Jr, recounted the anger and frustration he felt upon learning about the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African American suffocated by a white police officer. King said that while his was one on a long list of such killings, Floyd's murder has galvanised the nation and the world in a way he has never witnessed before.
THE INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
George Floyd had a ‘big heart’, his uncle tells FRANCE 24
Protests against the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25 have erupted across the United States and around the world. But it is in North Carolina that George Floyd was born and where much of his family has lived for generations. His uncle Roger Floyd agreed to sit down with FRANCE 24 in a quiet hotel room away from the protests.
Roger Floyd © France 24
INSIDE THE AMERICAS
Racial violence in the US: A never-ending story?
This week, Inside the Americas focuses on the conversation ignited in the United States by George Floyd's death while in police custody. The 46-year-old unarmed African American was killed after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Footage of Floyd's death sparked protests around the world calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism.
Rosa Parks in 1955. She became a key figure of the civil rights movement for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus. © FRANCE 24
PEOPLE & PROFIT
Why the Covid-19 crisis is exacerbating racial inequality
The global protests following the death of George Floyd have put a spotlight on racial disparities in the United States and around the world. We take a closer look at the economic inequalities faced by African Americans and how Covid-19 has affected different communities in different ways. We also discuss the situation in France, where studies have found evidence of discrimination in hiring practices.
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
'La' Covid-19: How coronavirus has affected the French language
Covid-19 may have a long-term impact on French society, starting with the language. According to the Académie française, the official guard dog of the French language, Covid-19 is feminine. What other new words and expressions have popped up in the wake of the pandemic? Meanwhile, as cafés and restaurants cautiously re-open, many French people are thrilled to return to a semblance of normalcy.
DOWN TO EARTH
Masks: The new plastic epidemic
Designed to shield us from the health crisis, the number of masks and gloves discarded in public spaces are contributing to another epidemic: plastic pollution. France has just doubled fines for littering face masks from €68 to €135. This comes after disheartening underwater images of surgical masks and latex gloves on the Mediterranean seabed.
Down to Earth © FRANCE 24
ENCORE!
C is for Covid-19: The children's books getting us through a pandemic
From Oscar-winning actor Donald Sutherland narrating the new children's book "Rainbows in Windows" that explains the global pandemic, to Dolly Parton reading weekly bedtime stories to give parents a break from home-schooling, children's books have become more important than ever in recent months. Comics and cartoons are a powerful way to teach kids about Covid-19 but also to help them escape from the real world.
Shock rocker Alice Cooper takes on the coronavirus in his new song
Whether it was cutting off his own head on stage with a guillotine or false rumours that he bit the head of a live chicken on stage, his theatrical shows caused a scandal in the early 1970s. Thirty albums later and with 50 million records sold – first as the Alice Cooper band and later as a solo act – he's given us classic rock anthems like "I'm Eighteen", "School's Out" and "Billion Dollar Babies". Alice Cooper speaks about his rallying anthem "Don't Give Up", how he has shock-rocked audiences for five decades – and that chicken incident.
Alice Cooper speaks to FRANCE 24 about his rallying anthem "Don't Give Up". © FRANCE 24
YOU ARE HERE
A glimpse of France's fables and legends
France is packed with legends. In the southern Hérault region, the miraculous fountain of Lunas is believed to have a healing effect on the eyes and those who come regularly, equipped with handkerchiefs, make a ritual of it. Meanwhile, at the highest point of Brittany (altitude 385 metres), the Arrée Mountains are populated by strange-looking creatures: the Korrigans.
Discovering Paris's Canal Saint-Martin
Inaugurated in 1825, the Canal Saint-Martin stretches over five districts of eastern Paris. Once essential for transporting goods, it's mainly used today by tour boats and pleasure cruises. Along its four kilometres, the canal lets both Parisians and tourists discover the French capital from a different perspective.
Canal Saint Martin © Screen grab, France 24
THE 51 PERCENT
Pointing the finger: Why are women blamed for everything?
We take a look at why women are consistently blamed for the crimes committed against them and speak to British academic Jessica Taylor, who has written a book on that very subject. Also, how women seeking an abortion in Turkey face considerable risks and many hurdles despite the procedure being legal.
FASHION
Fashion prizes in the time of Covid-19
Fashion prizes have long given young designers a chance to prove their worth. The prestigious Open My Med award, financed by the Maison Mode Méditerranée, offers designers the opportunity for mentoring and exposure. But things are very different in the time of Covid-19. Among this year’s winners, Flore Girard de Langlade in Marseille and Romzy in Dakar are making the best of a bad situation, while Quoï Alexander in Paris is questioning whether he still has a future in fashion.
Romzy in Dakar is among the winners of this year's Open My Med award. © mediatv / ROMZY
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france24--2020-06-12--Coronavirus crisis pushing millions of children into underage labor, UN warns

In Jharkhand , one of India 's poorest states , children sort mica .
Child labour is still one of the main sources of labour in the production of mica , a mineral coveted by many industries for its incandescent qualities .
The coronavirus pandemic has put millions of children at risk of being pushed into underage labor , reversing two decades of work to combat the practice and potentially marking the first rise in child labor since 2000 , the United Nations warned on Friday .
As the pandemic pummels the global economy , pushing millions of people into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put their children to work for survival , the U.N. said , marking the World Day Against Child Labour .
`` As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes , without support , many could resort to child labour , '' said Guy Ryder , director-general of the International Labour Organization ( ILO ) , a U.N. agency , in a statement .
`` Social protection is vital in times of crisis , as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable . ''
Due to global shutdowns , the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , according to a Reuters poll of more than 250 economists .
Forecasts for global economic growth had tended to range from 2.3 % to 3.6 % before the pandemic struck .
The number of child laborers worldwide has dropped significantly to 152 million children from 246 million in 2000 , according to the ILO .
To prevent a rise in exploitation , the U.N. called upon governments to integrate child labour concerns into broader pieces of legislation , including policy on education , labour markets and human rights protections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This month , Brazilian labor authorities launched a national campaign to help combat potential child labour , commissioning a song about child slavery to be written by well-known rappers Emicida and Drik Barbosa .
The recent death of an 8-year-old maid in Pakistan prompted the government to propose legislative changes to make it illegal for children to do domestic work .
Advocates also warn that children are susceptible to being put to work while schools are closed in the effort to stop the spread of coronavirus .
`` As poverty rises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services decreases , more children are pushed into the workforce , '' said Henrietta Fore , executive director of UNICEF , the U.N. children 's agency .
A nonprofit group in Ethiopia launched a novel way to keep thousands of children reading while school was out of session - deploying camels carrying wooden boxes filled with storybooks .

The coronavirus pandemic has put millions of children at risk of being pushed into underage labor, reversing two decades of work to combat the practice and potentially marking the first rise in child labor since 2000, the United Nations warned on Friday.
In Jharkhand, one of India's poorest states, children sort mica. Child labour is still one of the main sources of labour in the production of mica, a mineral coveted by many industries for its incandescent qualities.
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As the pandemic pummels the global economy, pushing millions of people into poverty, families may be under pressure to put their children to work for survival, the U.N. said, marking the World Day Against Child Labour.
"As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labour," said Guy Ryder, director-general of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a U.N. agency, in a statement.
"Social protection is vital in times of crisis, as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable."
Due to global shutdowns, the world economy is forecast to shrink 3.2% this year, according to a Reuters poll of more than 250 economists.
Forecasts for global economic growth had tended to range from 2.3% to 3.6% before the pandemic struck.
The number of child laborers worldwide has dropped significantly to 152 million children from 246 million in 2000, according to the ILO.
To prevent a rise in exploitation, the U.N. called upon governments to integrate child labour concerns into broader pieces of legislation, including policy on education, labour markets and human rights protections.
Some countries have begun to do so.
This month, Brazilian labor authorities launched a national campaign to help combat potential child labour, commissioning a song about child slavery to be written by well-known rappers Emicida and Drik Barbosa.
The recent death of an 8-year-old maid in Pakistan prompted the government to propose legislative changes to make it illegal for children to do domestic work.
Advocates also warn that children are susceptible to being put to work while schools are closed in the effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.
"As poverty rises, schools close and the availability of social services decreases, more children are pushed into the workforce," said Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF, the U.N. children's agency.
A nonprofit group in Ethiopia launched a novel way to keep thousands of children reading while school was out of session - deploying camels carrying wooden boxes filled with storybooks.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-12--Global markets tumble on fears of second US Covid-19 wave

FILE PHOTO : FILE PHOTO : FILE PHOTO : A man wears a protective mask as he walks past the New York Stock Exchange on the corner of Wall and Broad streets during the coronavirus outbreak in New York City , New York , U.S. , March 13 , 2020 .
About half a dozen states including Texas and Arizona are grappling with a rising number of coronavirus patients filling hospital beds , fanning concerns that the reopening of the U.S. economy may spark a second wave of infections .
The rally in global stocks came crashing down on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last time the S & P 500 and Dow fell as much in one day was in March , when U.S. coronavirus cases began surging .
A recent spike in cases in about a dozen states partially reflects increased testing .
But many of those states are also seeing rising hospitalizations and some are beginning to run short on intensive care unit ( ICU ) beds .
Texas has seen record hospitalizations for three days in a row , and in North Carolina only 13 % of the state 's ICU beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Houston 's mayor said the city was ready to turn its NFL stadium into a make-shift hospital if necessary .
Arizona has seen a record number of hospitalizations at 1,291 .
The state health director told hospitals this week to activate emergency plans and increase ICU capacity .
About three-quarters of the state 's ICU beds are filled , according to the state website .
“ You ’ re really crossing a threshold in Arizona , '' said Jared Baeten , an epidemiologist at the University of Washington .
`` The alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise in places that have clearly already peaked and are on their downtrend , '' he said , referring to New York and other Northeastern states where new cases and deaths have plummeted .
Health experts worry there could be a further rise in infections from nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality that packed people together starting two weeks ago .
Arizona , Utah and New Mexico all posted rises in new cases of 40 % or higher for the week ended June 7 , compared with the prior seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New cases rose in Florida , Arkansas , South Carolina and North Carolina by more than 30 % in the past week .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top U.S. infectious disease official , told Canada 's CBC news that more cases are inevitable as restrictions are lifted .
`` We also as a whole have been going down with cases , '' Fauci said .
`` But I think what you mentioned about some states now having an increase in the number of cases makes one pause and be a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not overwhelmed by coronavirus cases , more hospitalizations mean more deaths in the coming weeks and months , said Spencer Fox , research associate at the University of Texas at Austin .
`` We are starting to see very worrying signs about the course the pandemic is taking in cities and states in the U.S. and around the world , '' he said .
`` When you start seeing those signs , you need to act fairly quickly . ''
Total U.S. coronavirus deaths are now over 113,000 , by far the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could exceed 200,000 at some point in September , Ashish Jha , the head of Harvard 's Global Health Institute , told CNN .
Jha said the United States was the only major country to reopen without getting its case growth to a controlled level - defined as a rate of people testing positive for the coronavirus remaining at 5 % or lower for at least 14 days .
Nationally , that figure has been between 4 % and 7 % in recent weeks , according to a Reuters analysis .
Health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and keeping physically apart can greatly reduce transmissions , but many states have not required masks .
`` I want the reopening to be successful , '' Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo , the top executive for the county that encompasses Houston , told reporters .
`` But I 'm growing increasingly concerned that we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster . ''

About half a dozen states including Texas and Arizona are grappling with a rising number of coronavirus patients filling hospital beds, fanning concerns that the reopening of the U.S. economy may spark a second wave of infections.
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A man wears a protective mask as he walks past the New York Stock Exchange on the corner of Wall and Broad streets during the coronavirus outbreak in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2020.
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The rally in global stocks came crashing down on Thursday over worries of a pandemic resurgence. The last time the S&P 500 and Dow fell as much in one day was in March, when U.S. coronavirus cases began surging.
A recent spike in cases in about a dozen states partially reflects increased testing. But many of those states are also seeing rising hospitalizations and some are beginning to run short on intensive care unit (ICU) beds.
Texas has seen record hospitalizations for three days in a row, and in North Carolina only 13% of the state's ICU beds are available due to severe COVID-19 cases. Houston's mayor said the city was ready to turn its NFL stadium into a make-shift hospital if necessary.
Arizona has seen a record number of hospitalizations at 1,291. The state health director told hospitals this week to activate emergency plans and increase ICU capacity. About three-quarters of the state's ICU beds are filled, according to the state website.
“You’re really crossing a threshold in Arizona," said Jared Baeten, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington. "The alarming thing would be if the numbers start to rise in places that have clearly already peaked and are on their downtrend," he said, referring to New York and other Northeastern states where new cases and deaths have plummeted.
Health experts worry there could be a further rise in infections from nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality that packed people together starting two weeks ago.
States with rising cases
Arizona, Utah and New Mexico all posted rises in new cases of 40% or higher for the week ended June 7, compared with the prior seven days, according to a Reuters analysis. New cases rose in Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina and North Carolina by more than 30% in the past week.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease official, told Canada's CBC news that more cases are inevitable as restrictions are lifted.
"We also as a whole have been going down with cases," Fauci said. "But I think what you mentioned about some states now having an increase in the number of cases makes one pause and be a little bit concerned."
Even if hospitals are not overwhelmed by coronavirus cases, more hospitalizations mean more deaths in the coming weeks and months, said Spencer Fox, research associate at the University of Texas at Austin.
"We are starting to see very worrying signs about the course the pandemic is taking in cities and states in the U.S. and around the world," he said. "When you start seeing those signs, you need to act fairly quickly."
Total U.S. coronavirus deaths are now over 113,000, by far the most in the world. That figure could exceed 200,000 at some point in September, Ashish Jha, the head of Harvard's Global Health Institute, told CNN.
Jha said the United States was the only major country to reopen without getting its case growth to a controlled level - defined as a rate of people testing positive for the coronavirus remaining at 5% or lower for at least 14 days. Nationally, that figure has been between 4% and 7% in recent weeks, according to a Reuters analysis.
Health officials have stressed that wearing masks in public and keeping physically apart can greatly reduce transmissions, but many states have not required masks.
"I want the reopening to be successful," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top executive for the county that encompasses Houston, told reporters. "But I'm growing increasingly concerned that we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--Kamala Harris emerges as top contender for Biden's V.P. slot as protests rage

Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by US Senator Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Detroit , Michigan , USA , March 9 , 2020 .
Amid the nationwide protests over racism and police brutality , U.S .
Senator Kamala Harris may have found the powerful and lasting moment that eluded her failed presidential bid but could now land her the No .
2 spot on the Democratic ticket .
Harris , the only black woman serving in the U.S. Senate , has marched in the streets and sponsored new police reform legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a forceful proponent of sweeping social change and a fierce critic of President Donald Trump .
The 55-year-old senator from California also has become a key ally for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , poised to challenge the Republican president in the Nov. 3 U.S. election , at a time when race has been thrust to the forefront of the campaign .
With Biden , 77 , facing pressure within his party to choose a black woman as his running mate , Democratic donors , strategists and those close to his campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likely pick .
The day after Biden flew to Houston and met with the family of George Floyd , the African-American man whose death last month in Minneapolis police custody spurred the civil unrest , Harris chaired an online fundraiser that netted Biden $ 3.5 million .
`` She understands the moment , '' said Marc Lasry , Avenue Capital Group chairman and a member of Biden 's national finance committee .
`` They want someone who will galvanize people .
She seems to be that person . ''
A Democratic strategist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more blunt , saying recent events all but required Biden to pick a black woman – and that Harris is the most practical choice .
`` It 's going to be Harris .
It was always going to be Harris .
It was going to be Harris even when Joe Biden did n't think it was going to be Harris , '' said the strategist , speaking on condition of anonymity .
`` At some point , he was trying to convince himself black people like him so much that he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar , a U.S. senator from Minnesota who is white , has seen her vice presidential prospects damaged as some black activists call her record as a former prosecutor on police misconduct in the county where Floyd died disqualifying .
Harris also is a tougher sell for Democrats in the party 's left wing , who have criticized her record as a former prosecutor and attorney general in California including what they viewed as a failure to crack down on police misconduct .
Skeptics remained after Harris co-sponsored a Democratic bill this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal protection for police officers .
`` She has a history that by some accounts is not good , but we want to see where she wants to move to , '' said Judith Browne Dianis , executive director of Advancement Project , a multi-racial liberal advocacy group .
Laurie Levenson , a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who has been critical of Harris , said she has seen a new confidence and idealism in the senator since her presidential run ended last December .
`` She 's found her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She 's part of a movement . ''
Biden and Harris had some spiky exchanges last year during the Democratic presidential race .
Harris slammed him at a debate for his record on mandated busing as a means to desegregate schools .
Some Biden advisers have told Reuters the attacks made them question whether she would be loyal because of her political ambitions .
Tom Sacks-Wilner , who serves on Biden 's finance committee , called that `` water under the bridge '' and said Democratic donors he knows are increasingly getting behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither Biden nor Harris ' offices would comment .
Biden has said he hopes to announce his vice presidential choice by Aug. 1 .
Harris has said Biden should select whoever can help him beat Trump .
During Tuesday 's fundraiser , Biden said the two former rivals now talk often .
`` She 's been a fighter and a principled leader , '' Biden said .
Their main connection had been through Biden 's son Beau , who served as Delaware 's attorney general when Harris held the same post in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of brain cancer in 2015 , and Harris worked on a number of issues together .
At the fundraiser , Biden spoke of a moment when he ran into Harris in Philadelphia after Beau 's death and she gave the former vice president a hug and told him , `` I love you , and I loved Beau . ''
Other black women under consideration by Biden include Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Representative Val Demings of Florida .
Both lack Harris ' deep background in public office and politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and politics at New York University Law School 's Brennan Center for Justice , said , `` For those who still doubt her abilities or dislike her , I 'm not sure there is much that can win them over .
But for everyone else that Democrats will need to win the White House , I think her stock has increased . ''

Amid the nationwide protests over racism and police brutality, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris may have found the powerful and lasting moment that eluded her failed presidential bid but could now land her the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.
Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by US Senator Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Detroit, Michigan, USA, March 9, 2020.
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Harris, the only black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, has marched in the streets and sponsored new police reform legislation on Capitol Hill. She has been a forceful proponent of sweeping social change and a fierce critic of President Donald Trump.
The 55-year-old senator from California also has become a key ally for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, poised to challenge the Republican president in the Nov. 3 U.S. election, at a time when race has been thrust to the forefront of the campaign.
With Biden, 77, facing pressure within his party to choose a black woman as his running mate, Democratic donors, strategists and those close to his campaign said in interviews they think Harris is increasingly the likely pick.
The day after Biden flew to Houston and met with the family of George Floyd, the African-American man whose death last month in Minneapolis police custody spurred the civil unrest, Harris chaired an online fundraiser that netted Biden $3.5 million.
"She understands the moment," said Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital Group chairman and a member of Biden's national finance committee. "They want someone who will galvanize people. She seems to be that person."
A Democratic strategist with relationships in Biden's circle was even more blunt, saying recent events all but required Biden to pick a black woman – and that Harris is the most practical choice.
"It's going to be Harris. It was always going to be Harris. It was going to be Harris even when Joe Biden didn't think it was going to be Harris," said the strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity. "At some point, he was trying to convince himself black people like him so much that he could pick someone like Amy Klobuchar."
Klobuchar, a U.S. senator from Minnesota who is white, has seen her vice presidential prospects damaged as some black activists call her record as a former prosecutor on police misconduct in the county where Floyd died disqualifying.
Harris also is a tougher sell for Democrats in the party's left wing, who have criticized her record as a former prosecutor and attorney general in California including what they viewed as a failure to crack down on police misconduct.
Skeptics remained after Harris co-sponsored a Democratic bill this week that would ban chokeholds and remove some legal protection for police officers.
"She has a history that by some accounts is not good, but we want to see where she wants to move to," said Judith Browne Dianis, executive director of Advancement Project, a multi-racial liberal advocacy group.
'She's found her voice'
Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who has been critical of Harris, said she has seen a new confidence and idealism in the senator since her presidential run ended last December.
"She's found her voice," Levenson said. "She's part of a movement."
Biden and Harris had some spiky exchanges last year during the Democratic presidential race. Harris slammed him at a debate for his record on mandated busing as a means to desegregate schools. Some Biden advisers have told Reuters the attacks made them question whether she would be loyal because of her political ambitions.
Tom Sacks-Wilner, who serves on Biden's finance committee, called that "water under the bridge" and said Democratic donors he knows are increasingly getting behind the idea of Harris joining the ticket.
Neither Biden nor Harris' offices would comment. Biden has said he hopes to announce his vice presidential choice by Aug. 1. Harris has said Biden should select whoever can help him beat Trump.
During Tuesday's fundraiser, Biden said the two former rivals now talk often. "She's been a fighter and a principled leader," Biden said.
Their main connection had been through Biden's son Beau, who served as Delaware's attorney general when Harris held the same post in California. Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015, and Harris worked on a number of issues together.
At the fundraiser, Biden spoke of a moment when he ran into Harris in Philadelphia after Beau's death and she gave the former vice president a hug and told him, "I love you, and I loved Beau."
"I won't forget that," Biden said.
Other black women under consideration by Biden include Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Representative Val Demings of Florida. Both lack Harris' deep background in public office and politics.
Theodore Johnson, an analyst on race and politics at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice, said, "For those who still doubt her abilities or dislike her, I'm not sure there is much that can win them over. But for everyone else that Democrats will need to win the White House, I think her stock has increased."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-12--Meeting Syrian doctors on the Covid-19 frontline in France

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic , when the French hospital system faced an unprecedented health crisis and medical workers were overwhelmed , many foreign medics volunteered to support their French colleagues .
Our reporters went to meet Syrian doctors living in France , who are committed to helping their host country – sometimes at the risk of their own lives – and whose skills in warzone medicine proved a valuable asset .
Back in early March , France 's eastern region found itself at the centre of the Covid-19 health crisis .
In the hospitals of Mulhouse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verdun and Bar-le-Duc , our reporters followed Hassan , an ER doctor specialised in warzone medicine ; Basma , a gerontologist ; Haytham , a paediatrician ; Mohammed , a cardiologist and Jubran ; a vascular surgeon .
These Syrian doctors , who had often witnessed war in their home country and taken refuge in France , found themselves on the medical frontline once again .
In hospitals overcrowded with Covid-19 patients and with overwhelmed resuscitation teams , the Syrian doctors were noted for their composure and their ability to adapt quickly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While in Syria , Jubran , a vascular surgeon , treated the wounded from bombings .
When the hospital where he worked in the northwestern city of Maarat al-Numan was bombed , he lost seven colleagues .
For his part , Basma , a gerontologist , saw his hospital in the suburbs of the capital Damascus destroyed by the regime .
Having found refuge in France , where they now practise , these doctors often saw their painful wartime memories resurface when Covid-19 struck their hospitals .
The war in Syria is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps Jubran 's parents in a refugee camp in the northwestern Idlib region .
While on the frontline in France , these doctors also remain mobilised to help their home country .
Hassan , the ER doctor , founded the NGO SOS Syria , which brings aid and medical supplies to refugee camps .
Jubran and Mohammed , meanwhile , provide medical support from a distance and , thanks to social media , try to educate people about Covid-19 hygiene measures .
All of them hope that one day , Syria will find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to practise in the country 's hospitals .

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the French hospital system faced an unprecedented health crisis and medical workers were overwhelmed, many foreign medics volunteered to support their French colleagues. Our reporters went to meet Syrian doctors living in France, who are committed to helping their host country – sometimes at the risk of their own lives – and whose skills in warzone medicine proved a valuable asset.
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Back in early March, France's eastern region found itself at the centre of the Covid-19 health crisis. In the hospitals of Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Metz-Thionville, via those of Verdun and Bar-le-Duc, our reporters followed Hassan, an ER doctor specialised in warzone medicine; Basma, a gerontologist; Haytham, a paediatrician; Mohammed, a cardiologist and Jubran; a vascular surgeon. These Syrian doctors, who had often witnessed war in their home country and taken refuge in France, found themselves on the medical frontline once again.
In hospitals overcrowded with Covid-19 patients and with overwhelmed resuscitation teams, the Syrian doctors were noted for their composure and their ability to adapt quickly in critical situations.
And with good reason. While in Syria, Jubran, a vascular surgeon, treated the wounded from bombings. When the hospital where he worked in the northwestern city of Maarat al-Numan was bombed, he lost seven colleagues. For her part, Basma, a gerontologist, saw her hospital in the suburbs of the capital Damascus destroyed by the regime. Having found refuge in France, where they now practise, these doctors often saw their painful wartime memories resurface when Covid-19 struck their hospitals.
The war in Syria is what drove them into exile and what keeps Jubran's parents in a refugee camp in the northwestern Idlib region. While on the frontline in France, these doctors also remain mobilised to help their home country. Hassan, the ER doctor, founded the NGO SOS Syria, which brings aid and medical supplies to refugee camps. Jubran and Mohammed, meanwhile, provide medical support from a distance and, thanks to social media, try to educate people about Covid-19 hygiene measures. All of them hope that one day, Syria will find peace so that they can return home to practise in the country's hospitals.
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france24--2020-06-12--‘We feel insulted’: French police protest against chokehold ban

Police in France protested this week over a government ban on using chokeholds to restrain suspects , with the technique coming under scrutiny following the deaths of George Floyd in the US and a string of similar incidents in France .
In cities across France on Thursday police threw down their handcuffs to show their anger over the ban , announced by French interior minister Christophe Castaner on Monday .
“ Today colleagues feel insulted , they are angry .
That ’ s why they decided to go out with handcuffs on the ground , to show their displeasure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative , told AFP at a protest in Lille .
More protests were held in Paris on Friday , with a procession of police in vehicles and on foot along the Champs-Élysées .
The use by law enforcement of chokeholds , where pressure is applied to the neck to cut off the supply of blood or air , has long been controversial .
But the death of Floyd , who was killed after an officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes , has brought the issue back into sharp focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests across the US and around the world .
In France , demonstrations have also been fuelled by anger over the death of Adama Traoré who died while being restrained in police custody in 2016 .
“ What ’ s happening in the United States today echoes with France .
What ’ s happening in the United States has unfortunately brought to light what ’ s happening in France , ” Assa Traoré , Adama Traoré ’ s sister , told a rally in Paris on June 2 .
“ They were both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight of three policemen on him , George Floyd took the weight of three policemen on him .
They had the same words : “ I can ’ t breathe .
I can ’ t breathe .
I can ’ t breathe.
” Chokeholds have been banned in several European countries and a number of US cities , including Los Angeles and New York .
But in France the technique was used 2,350 times in 2019 alone , equal to six times a day and a rise of 30 percent on the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited as a factor of numerous deaths in France in recent years , including that of Cédric Chouviat , a delivery man who died after being restrained by police in Paris in January .
But French police argue chokeholds are a vital tool in carrying out arrests .
“ Head restraint is very important during handcuffing .
We ’ re not going to hold him down for eight minutes , we ’ re going to hold him down just for the handcuffing , ” Leveau said at Thursday ’ s protest .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substitute technique .
So they need to explain to us what we ’ re supposed to do .
”

Police in France protested this week over a government ban on using chokeholds to restrain suspects, with the technique coming under scrutiny following the deaths of George Floyd in the US and a string of similar incidents in France.
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In cities across France on Thursday police threw down their handcuffs to show their anger over the ban, announced by French interior minister Christophe Castaner on Monday.
“Today colleagues feel insulted, they are angry. That’s why they decided to go out with handcuffs on the ground, to show their displeasure,” Xavier Leveau, a police union representative, told AFP at a protest in Lille.
More protests were held in Paris on Friday, with a procession of police in vehicles and on foot along the Champs-Élysées.
The use by law enforcement of chokeholds, where pressure is applied to the neck to cut off the supply of blood or air, has long been controversial. But the death of Floyd, who was killed after an officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes, has brought the issue back into sharp focus.
Floyd’s death has sparked protests across the US and around the world. In France, demonstrations have also been fuelled by anger over the death of Adama Traoré who died while being restrained in police custody in 2016.
“What’s happening in the United States today echoes with France. What’s happening in the United States has unfortunately brought to light what’s happening in France,” Assa Traoré, Adama Traoré’s sister, told a rally in Paris on June 2.
“They were both put in chokeholds, Adama took the weight of three policemen on him, George Floyd took the weight of three policemen on him. They had the same words: “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”
Chokeholds have been banned in several European countries and a number of US cities, including Los Angeles and New York.
But in France the technique was used 2,350 times in 2019 alone, equal to six times a day and a rise of 30 percent on the year before.
Such restraint techniques have been cited as a factor of numerous deaths in France in recent years, including that of Cédric Chouviat, a delivery man who died after being restrained by police in Paris in January.
But French police argue chokeholds are a vital tool in carrying out arrests.
“Head restraint is very important during handcuffing. We’re not going to hold him down for eight minutes, we’re going to hold him down just for the handcuffing,” Leveau said at Thursday’s protest.
“And today we don’t have a substitute technique. So they need to explain to us what we’re supposed to do.”
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france24--2020-06-12--Prince Charles to host Macron to mark de Gaulle wartime broadcast

Britain ’ s Prince Charles will host French President Emmanuel Macron for a special celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Gen. Charles de Gaulle ’ s defiant appeal to the French people to resist the Nazis during World War II .
Charles and his wife , the Duchess of Cornwall , will receive Macron at his Clarence House home with a Guard of Honor formed by Number 7 Company of the Coldstream Guards and their band .
The event on Thursday commemorates de Gaulle ’ s “ Apel ’ ’ via a BBC broadcast to his countrymen on June 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
The speech is widely considered to be the moment that gave birth to the French Resistance .
“ I , General de Gaulle , currently in London , call upon the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here , with their weapons or without their weapons ... to get in touch with me , ” De Gaulle said .
“ Whatever happens , the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.
” The moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is his first trip abroad since the lockdown of the country in the pandemic , and he is eager to associate his presidency with the wartime leader .
On May 17 , as France was just starting to ease virus-related restrictions , Macron went to northern France at the site of a battle , lost to Nazi Germany in 1940 , in which de Gaulle took part .
A visit to Colombey-les-deux-Eglises , the home of de Gaulle in eastern France , is also scheduled in November .
The year 2020 also marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s birth and 50 years after his death .

Britain’s Prince Charles will host French President Emmanuel Macron for a special celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Gen. Charles de Gaulle’s defiant appeal to the French people to resist the Nazis during World War II.
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Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will receive Macron at his Clarence House home with a Guard of Honor formed by Number 7 Company of the Coldstream Guards and their band.
The event on Thursday commemorates de Gaulle’s “Apel’’ via a BBC broadcast to his countrymen on June 18, 1940, urging them to fight on. The speech is widely considered to be the moment that gave birth to the French Resistance.
“I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, call upon the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here, with their weapons or without their weapons ... to get in touch with me,” De Gaulle said. “Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.”
The moment has huge significance for Macron. It is his first trip abroad since the lockdown of the country in the pandemic, and he is eager to associate his presidency with the wartime leader.
On May 17, as France was just starting to ease virus-related restrictions, Macron went to northern France at the site of a battle, lost to Nazi Germany in 1940, in which de Gaulle took part.
Macron then celebrated France's “spirit of resistance."
A visit to Colombey-les-deux-Eglises, the home of de Gaulle in eastern France, is also scheduled in November.
The year 2020 also marks the 130th anniversary of de Gaulle’s birth and 50 years after his death.
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-12--France calls on US to withdraw sanctions targeting ICC staff

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has called on the US to withdraw sanctions targeting ICC staff investigating the US campaign in Afghanistan .
France on Friday called on the US to withdraw sanctions against employees of the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) , calling the decision an attack on states party to the Rome Statute , the treaty that established the court .
“ France is dismayed to learn of the June 11 , 2020 executive order of the United States government authorising the imposition of sanctions against personnel of the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern state agents , ” said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in a statement in French .
“ This decision represents a serious attack against the court and the states party to the Rome Statute and , beyond that , a challenge to multilateralism and the independence of the judiciary , ” the statement added .
The French response came a day after President Donald Trump authorised US economic and travel sanctions against ICC employees involved in an investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan .
`` We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our people are threatened by a kangaroo court , '' said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , announcing the move Thursday .
`` I have a message to many close allies in the world .
Your people could be next , especially those from NATO countries who fight terrorism in Afghanistan right alongside us , '' he said .
France , a NATO member , is one of 123 states party to the Rome Statute , the 1998 treaty establishing the ICC .
Trump ’ s move has been met with widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICC .
In a statement released early Friday , the Hague-based court said it “ stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging , independently and impartially , the mandate ” laid down in its founding treaty .
It said an attack on the ICC also constitutes “ an attack against the interests of victims of atrocity crimes , for many of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice '' .
The UN also expressed regret over Trump ’ s latest move .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to operate without interference must be guaranteed so that it can decide matters without any improper influence , inducement , pressures , threats or interference , direct or indirect , from any quarter or for any reasons , '' UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a UN briefing in Geneva Friday .
`` Victims of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law and their families have the right to redress and the truth , '' he added .

France on Friday called on the US to withdraw sanctions against employees of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the decision an attack on states party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has called on the US to withdraw sanctions targeting ICC staff investigating the US campaign in Afghanistan.
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“France is dismayed to learn of the June 11, 2020 executive order of the United States government authorising the imposition of sanctions against personnel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) or persons cooperating with it, which could concern state agents,” said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in a statement in French.
“This decision represents a serious attack against the court and the states party to the Rome Statute and, beyond that, a challenge to multilateralism and the independence of the judiciary,” the statement added.
The French response came a day after President Donald Trump authorised US economic and travel sanctions against ICC employees involved in an investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.
"We cannot, we will not stand by as our people are threatened by a kangaroo court," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, announcing the move Thursday. "I have a message to many close allies in the world. Your people could be next, especially those from NATO countries who fight terrorism in Afghanistan right alongside us," he said.
France, a NATO member, is one of 123 states party to the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty establishing the ICC.
ICC, UN slam Trump’s decision
Trump’s move has been met with widespread criticism, including a condemnation by the ICC.
In a statement released early Friday, the Hague-based court said it “stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging, independently and impartially, the mandate” laid down in its founding treaty.
It said an attack on the ICC also constitutes “an attack against the interests of victims of atrocity crimes, for many of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice".
The UN also expressed regret over Trump’s latest move.
"The independence of the ICC and its ability to operate without interference must be guaranteed so that it can decide matters without any improper influence, inducement, pressures, threats or interference, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reasons," UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a UN briefing in Geneva Friday.
"Victims of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law and their families have the right to redress and the truth," he added.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-12--UK formally rejects post-Brexit transition delay

Britain 's Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove at the House of Commons , UK .
Britain on Friday formally told the European Union that it would not extend the post-Brexit transition , raising the alarming prospect of a disorderly split in six months .
London and Brussels have made very little progress in agreeing a new trade deal for when Britain leaves the EU 's single market and customs union on December 31 .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson rose to power last year on a pledge to `` get Brexit done '' , with the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brussels -- ever since Britons voted to leave the bloc by a narrow margin in 2016 .
His government had until July 1 to ask for more time , which Brussels was willing to give .
`` That 's it , '' senior minister Michael Gove told British television after finishing online talks with his EU counterparts .
`` We are leaving the European Union on December 31 . ''
In Brussels , EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic said Gove `` could n't be clearer '' .
`` I take this as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sefcovic said .
EU officials were ready to extend talks for up to two years , until 2023 , to help businesses cope with the fundamental change in links which have been in place for nearly 50 years .
But Britain conceded Friday that the added economic pressures of the coronavirus crisis -- the UK economy shrank by a fifth between March and April , according to new data -- meant that businesses needed some temporary relief .
To help , London said it would allow UK companies to delay submitting customs declarations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to EU nations for up to six months , until July 2021 .
EU officials announced no reciprocal reprieve for exports from the 27 member states to Britain .
British officials said they would only consider extending the declarations and payments delay even further if a second wave of the pandemic paralysed economic activity well into next year .
`` These are unprecedented times , '' Johnson 's spokesman said .
Britain formally left the EU on January 31 , ending an excruciating process that required repeated delays , and eventually cost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Theresa May .
London and Brussels have reported making some process on less divisive issues such as security cooperation and data protection rules .
But much more sensitive subjects such as fishing rights -- an issue the pro-Brexit camp rallied around four years ago -- and Britain 's acceptance of EU environmental , health , safety and state aid rules remain largely unresolved .
The bloc worries that Britain 's rejection of basic EU standards and regulations would create unfair competition , allowing UK exporters to undercut their European competitors .
Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole point of Brexit , and that it is ready to walk away if Brussels does not want a basic deal removing barriers to trade .
It also says that asking for more time would not help bridge this fundamental divide , since the sides are not negotiating the finer details of tariffs on specific goods .

Britain on Friday formally told the European Union that it would not extend the post-Brexit transition, raising the alarming prospect of a disorderly split in six months.
Britain's Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove at the House of Commons, UK.
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London and Brussels have made very little progress in agreeing a new trade deal for when Britain leaves the EU's single market and customs union on December 31.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson rose to power last year on a pledge to "get Brexit done", with the issue roiling UK politics -- and consuming time in Brussels -- ever since Britons voted to leave the bloc by a narrow margin in 2016.
His government had until July 1 to ask for more time, which Brussels was willing to give.
"That's it," senior minister Michael Gove told British television after finishing online talks with his EU counterparts.
"We are leaving the European Union on December 31."
In Brussels, EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic said Gove "couldn't be clearer".
"I take this as a definite conclusion of this discussion," Sefcovic said.
A delay, of sorts
EU officials were ready to extend talks for up to two years, until 2023, to help businesses cope with the fundamental change in links which have been in place for nearly 50 years.
But Britain conceded Friday that the added economic pressures of the coronavirus crisis -- the UK economy shrank by a fifth between March and April, according to new data -- meant that businesses needed some temporary relief.
To help, London said it would allow UK companies to delay submitting customs declarations and making tariff payments on their exports to EU nations for up to six months, until July 2021.
EU officials announced no reciprocal reprieve for exports from the 27 member states to Britain.
British officials said they would only consider extending the declarations and payments delay even further if a second wave of the pandemic paralysed economic activity well into next year.
"These are unprecedented times," Johnson's spokesman said.
Fundamental divide
Britain formally left the EU on January 31, ending an excruciating process that required repeated delays, and eventually cost the job of Johnson's Conservative government predecessor, Theresa May.
London and Brussels have reported making some process on less divisive issues such as security cooperation and data protection rules.
But much more sensitive subjects such as fishing rights -- an issue the pro-Brexit camp rallied around four years ago -- and Britain's acceptance of EU environmental, health, safety and state aid rules remain largely unresolved.
The bloc worries that Britain's rejection of basic EU standards and regulations would create unfair competition, allowing UK exporters to undercut their European competitors.
Johnson's government counters that such freedom was the whole point of Brexit, and that it is ready to walk away if Brussels does not want a basic deal removing barriers to trade.
It also says that asking for more time would not help bridge this fundamental divide, since the sides are not negotiating the finer details of tariffs on specific goods.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-12--France grants researcher access to Mitterrand’s archive on Rwandan genocide

File photo taken December 2017 of researcher François Graner ( R ) at the Francois Mitterrand Institute in Paris with a wooden key symbolising their demand to have access to the archives on the Rwanda conflict .
France 's top administrative court ruled Friday that a researcher could consult the archives of former president François Mitterrand concerning the 1994 genocide in Rwanda , ending a long legal battle over access .
The State Council said the documents would allow the researcher , François Graner , `` to shed light on a debate that is a matter of public interest '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle by Graner and members of the association , Survive , to gain access to archives on the Rwandan genocide .
In April 2015 , the French presidency announced that its archives on Rwanda for 1990-1995 would be declassified .
Graner then requested access to the Mitterrand archives .
But in September 2017 , France 's top constitutional authority said the presidential archive should remain secret since , under French law , the archives of a president or minister can remain secret for 25 years after that person 's death .
Mitterrand died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1995 tenure as president .
Rwanda has long accused France of complicity in the genocide , which was triggered after the 1994 death of the former Rwandan dictator , Juvenal Habyarimana when his plane was shot down .
Around 800,000 people – mostly Tutsis – were killed .
France has denied any involvement in the killings , but successive French presidents have attempted to address the thorny issue , which has strained bilateral relations .
In April 2019 , French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a panel of experts to investigate France 's actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers and historians are `` tasked with consulting all France 's archives relating to the genocide [ ... ] in order to analyse the role and engagement of France during that period '' , the presidency said in a statement .

France's top administrative court ruled Friday that a researcher could consult the archives of former president François Mitterrand concerning the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, ending a long legal battle over access.
File photo taken December 2017 of researcher François Graner (R) at the Francois Mitterrand Institute in Paris with a wooden key symbolising their demand to have access to the archives on the Rwanda conflict.
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The State Council said the documents would allow the researcher, François Graner, "to shed light on a debate that is a matter of public interest".
The ruling ended a long legal battle by Graner and members of the association, Survive, to gain access to archives on the Rwandan genocide.
In April 2015, the French presidency announced that its archives on Rwanda for 1990-1995 would be declassified.
Graner then requested access to the Mitterrand archives. But in September 2017, France's top constitutional authority said the presidential archive should remain secret since, under French law, the archives of a president or minister can remain secret for 25 years after that person's death.
Mitterrand died in January 1996 following his 1981 to 1995 tenure as president.
Troubled history
Rwanda has long accused France of complicity in the genocide, which was triggered after the 1994 death of the former Rwandan dictator, Juvenal Habyarimana when his plane was shot down. Around 800,000 people – mostly Tutsis – were killed.
France has denied any involvement in the killings, but successive French presidents have attempted to address the thorny issue, which has strained bilateral relations.
In April 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a panel of experts to investigate France's actions in Rwanda.
The commission of eight researchers and historians are "tasked with consulting all France's archives relating to the genocide [...] in order to analyse the role and engagement of France during that period", the presidency said in a statement.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-12--Burundi court rules president-elect to take power after Nkurunziza’s death

File photo taken May 28 , 2020 of late Burundian president , Pierre Nkurunziza ( R ) and his hand-picked successor , Evariste Ndayishimiye ( L ) at a prayer event in Gitega , Burundi .
Burundi 's constitutional court on Friday ruled that the country 's newly elected leader Evariste Ndayishimiye be sworn in following the sudden death of former leader Pierre Nkurunziza earlier this week .
`` No interim necessary , the president-elect ... must be sworn in as soon as possible , '' presidential advisor Willy Nyamitwe wrote on Twitter of the court 's announcement , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's information secretary .
Nkurunziza , who died on Monday aged 55 , had been due to step down as Burundi 's president in August after his surprise decision not to run in an election last month won by the ruling party 's handpicked successor .
Under the country 's constitution , the speaker of the National Assembly , Pascal Nyabenda , should take over in the event of the president dying .
However Nkurunziza 's sudden death put Burundi in an unusual situation , sparking rumours and fears of renewed violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council of ministers on Thursday decided to ask the constitutional court for guidance .
Burundi 's economy is mired in poverty and cut off by international donors after the UN documented the widespread rape , torture and murder of political opponents by ruling party activists and state security forces .
Nkurunziza was elected by parliament as president in 2005 and re-elected in a general election in 2010 .
His final years in office saw the country placed under sanctions and cut off by western donors , with Burundi ranked by the World Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorest countries .

Burundi's constitutional court on Friday ruled that the country's newly elected leader Evariste Ndayishimiye be sworn in following the sudden death of former leader Pierre Nkurunziza earlier this week.
File photo taken May 28, 2020 of late Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza (R) and his hand-picked successor, Evariste Ndayishimiye (L) at a prayer event in Gitega, Burundi.
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"No interim necessary, the president-elect... must be sworn in as soon as possible," presidential advisor Willy Nyamitwe wrote on Twitter of the court's announcement, which was also confirmed by the ruling party's information secretary.
La Cour Constitutionnelle vient de rendre public son arrêt à la saisine du @BurundiGov: Pas d'interimat, il faut le plus tôt possible, la prestation de serment du Président élu #Burundi #Elections2020 @GeneralNeva pic.twitter.com/5RHU1I3maD — Hon Evelyne Butoyi (@ButoyiEvelyne) June 12, 2020
Nkurunziza, who died on Monday aged 55, had been due to step down as Burundi's president in August after his surprise decision not to run in an election last month won by the ruling party's handpicked successor.
Under the country's constitution, the speaker of the National Assembly, Pascal Nyabenda, should take over in the event of the president dying.
However Nkurunziza's sudden death put Burundi in an unusual situation, sparking rumours and fears of renewed violence in the troubled East African nation.
The council of ministers on Thursday decided to ask the constitutional court for guidance.
Iron rule
Burundi's economy is mired in poverty and cut off by international donors after the UN documented the widespread rape, torture and murder of political opponents by ruling party activists and state security forces.
Nkurunziza was elected by parliament as president in 2005 and re-elected in a general election in 2010.
His final years in office saw the country placed under sanctions and cut off by western donors, with Burundi ranked by the World Bank as one of the world's three poorest countries.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-12--Italian prosecutors question PM Conte over Covid-19 response

File picture of Italian PM Giuseppe Conte leaving the Senate in Rome on May 20 , 2020 .
Prosecutors questioned Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte for about three hours on Friday over his handling of the coronavirus emergency , his office confirmed .
Prosecutors from Bergamo , the city in the northern Lombardy region worst hit by the virus , have launched an investigation into why two cities were not designated so-called `` red zones '' earlier on in the crisis .
The epidemic has killed over 34,000 in Italy , one of the hardest hit countries in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chief prosecutor Maria Cristina Rota and her team are trying to find out why a lockdown was not enforced early in the health emergency around the towns of Nembro and Alzano in the province of Bergamo .
Health experts say had the area been quarantined , many lives would have been saved .
The team has already met with senior officials in Lombardy , who say it was up to Rome to decide whether certain areas should be shut .
Conte has countered that regions had full discretion to close certain areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late February and early March .
`` If Lombardy had wanted to , it could have made Alzano and Nembro red zones , '' he has said .
The first town in Italy to be quarantined was Codogno , about an hour south of Nembro and Alzano , on February 21 .
Another nine towns around Codogno were subsequently locked down before the entire region of Lombardy and 14 provinces in neighbouring regions of Veneto , Piedmont and Emilia Romagna were quarantined on March 8 .
On Thursday , Conte said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at all worried '' .
`` I will conscientiously set out all the facts of which I have knowledge , '' he said .
`` All investigations are welcome .
The citizens have the right to know and we have the right to reply . ''
Italy 's health minister Roberto Speranza and Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese were also heard on Friday by Bergamo prosecutors .
Separate from the investigation led by Rota , about 50 family members of coronavirus victims in the province of Bergamo filed complaints on Wednesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over the handling of the crisis .

Prosecutors questioned Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte for about three hours on Friday over his handling of the coronavirus emergency, his office confirmed.
File picture of Italian PM Giuseppe Conte leaving the Senate in Rome on May 20, 2020.
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Prosecutors from Bergamo, the city in the northern Lombardy region worst hit by the virus, have launched an investigation into why two cities were not designated so-called "red zones" earlier on in the crisis.
The epidemic has killed over 34,000 in Italy, one of the hardest hit countries in the world, mostly in the country's north.
Chief prosecutor Maria Cristina Rota and her team are trying to find out why a lockdown was not enforced early in the health emergency around the towns of Nembro and Alzano in the province of Bergamo.
Health experts say had the area been quarantined, many lives would have been saved.
The team has already met with senior officials in Lombardy, who say it was up to Rome to decide whether certain areas should be shut.
Conte has countered that regions had full discretion to close certain areas where the virus had begun to flare in late February and early March.
"If Lombardy had wanted to, it could have made Alzano and Nembro red zones," he has said.
The first town in Italy to be quarantined was Codogno, about an hour south of Nembro and Alzano, on February 21.
Another nine towns around Codogno were subsequently locked down before the entire region of Lombardy and 14 provinces in neighbouring regions of Veneto, Piedmont and Emilia Romagna were quarantined on March 8.
Conte imposed a nationwide quarantine on March 10.
On Thursday, Conte said he welcomed the Bergamo investigation and was "not at all worried".
"I will conscientiously set out all the facts of which I have knowledge," he said.
"All investigations are welcome. The citizens have the right to know and we have the right to reply."
Italy's health minister Roberto Speranza and Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese were also heard on Friday by Bergamo prosecutors.
Separate from the investigation led by Rota, about 50 family members of coronavirus victims in the province of Bergamo filed complaints on Wednesday, the first such legal group action in Italy, over the handling of the crisis.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-12--Anti-racism activists behind Seattle’s unpoliced zone spark bitter Trump-mayor dispute

People create a Black Lives Matter mural on a street within the unpoliced Capital Hill Autonomous Zone , or CHAZ , in Seattle , Washington , US on June 11 , 2020 .
Anti-racism protesters who since have Monday set up and occupied an autonomous , unpoliced zone in the US city of Seattle are at the centre of a verbal slanging match between President Donald Trump and the city ’ s mayor .
Seattle 's mayor told Donald Trump to `` Go back to your bunker '' Thursday , escalating a spat after the president threatened to intervene over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the western US city .
The reference to a `` bunker '' was a nod to reports Trump was rushed by Secret Service agents to a secure area in the White House as demonstrations against racism and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd reached the president 's residence .
Trump sparked the spat when he threatened to intervene in the neighborhood in Seattle dubbed `` Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone , '' or CHAZ , which was agreed upon by demonstrators and the city 's police department .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do n't do it , I will , '' Trump warned mayor Jenny Durkan and Washington state governor Jay Inslee – both Democrats – in a tweet late Wednesday , calling the protesters `` domestic terrorists '' who have taken over Seattle .
`` This is not a game .
These ugly Anarchists must be stooped ( sic ) IMMEDIATELY .
MOVE FAST , '' he continued in another tweet .
Mayor Jenny Durkan replied , urging Trump to `` make us all safe .
Go back to your bunker '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump .
`` A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state 's business .
'Stoop ' tweeting , '' Inslee wrote .
Protests have taken place across the country following the death of Floyd , an unarmed black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 .
Officials in Seattle have denied reports that left-wing activists are behind the autonomous zone , which was set up after police on Monday moved street barricades and abandoned their East Precinct station to reduce tensions .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with supplies for volunteer medics as well as free gourmet food donated by local restaurants , along with fruit , snacks , and water bottles for the taking .
The sunny afternoon gathering had a relaxed air , with people of all ages , including mothers with children , milling around the car-free streets .
At one point a crowd locked arms and prevented two police officers from reaching a boarded up police station in the area .
The officers failed to break in when they tried to enter through a different road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hell , '' said a demonstrator who identified herself as Jahtia B .
She wondered aloud what Trump meant by tweeting `` take back the city . ''
`` This is our city .
I was born and raised in this damn city .
Let 's give it to the people , the people who live in Seattle and have been thriving here , '' she told AFP .
An African-American demonstrator , Rich Brown , said he was scared on Sunday when police used tear gas and flash bang grenades in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Today I feel supported , welcomed , '' he said .
`` We 're able to speak , it 's what we 've been wanting to do this whole time , without intimidation , without fear . ''

Anti-racism protesters who since Monday have set up and occupied an autonomous, unpoliced zone in the US city of Seattle are at the centre of a verbal slanging match between President Donald Trump and the city’s mayor.
People create a Black Lives Matter mural on a street within the unpoliced Capital Hill Autonomous Zone, or CHAZ, in Seattle, Washington, US on June 11, 2020.
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Seattle's mayor told Donald Trump to "Go back to your bunker" Thursday, escalating a spat after the president threatened to intervene over a police-free autonomous zone protesters have set up in the western US city.
The reference to a "bunker" was a nod to reports Trump was rushed by Secret Service agents to a secure area in the White House as demonstrations against racism and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd reached the president's residence.
Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/H3TXduhlY4 — Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 11, 2020
Trump sparked the spat when he threatened to intervene in the neighborhood in Seattle dubbed "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone," or CHAZ, which was agreed upon by demonstrators and the city's police department.
"Take back your city NOW. If you don't do it, I will," Trump warned mayor Jenny Durkan and Washington state governor Jay Inslee – both Democrats – in a tweet late Wednesday, calling the protesters "domestic terrorists" who have taken over Seattle.
"This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped (sic) IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST," he continued in another tweet.
Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stopped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
Mayor Jenny Durkan replied, urging Trump to "make us all safe. Go back to your bunker", with Inslee joining in the Twitter mockery of Trump.
"A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business. 'Stoop' tweeting," Inslee wrote.
Protests have taken place across the country following the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Officials in Seattle have denied reports that left-wing activists are behind the autonomous zone, which was set up after police on Monday moved street barricades and abandoned their East Precinct station to reduce tensions.
'Peaceful as hell'
In the CHAZ area Thursday there were tents with supplies for volunteer medics as well as free gourmet food donated by local restaurants, along with fruit, snacks, and water bottles for the taking.
The sunny afternoon gathering had a relaxed air, with people of all ages, including mothers with children, milling around the car-free streets.
At one point a crowd locked arms and prevented two police officers from reaching a boarded up police station in the area. The officers failed to break in when they tried to enter through a different road.
A masterpiece was created in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone today #BlackLivesMatter #CHAZ pic.twitter.com/augbcA6Cqg — Kyle Kotajarvi (@kylekotajarvi) June 12, 2020
"The scene here is peaceful as hell," said a demonstrator who identified herself as Jahtia B.
She wondered aloud what Trump meant by tweeting "take back the city."
"This is our city. I was born and raised in this damn city. Let's give it to the people, the people who live in Seattle and have been thriving here," she told AFP.
An African-American demonstrator, Rich Brown, said he was scared on Sunday when police used tear gas and flash bang grenades in an attempt to clear the area.
"Today I feel supported, welcomed," he said. "We're able to speak, it's what we've been wanting to do this whole time, without intimidation, without fear."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-12--France after lockdown: Social distancing at the café

France after lockdown : Social distancing at the café France is continuing to cautiously open up following a nearly two-month @ @ @ @ @ there 's a welcome sense of normalcy as people once again fill the capital 's @ @ @ @ @ Godula and Florence Villeminot explore how that works with social distancing rules .
Also , @ @ @ @ @ are getting ready to re-open , but strict hygiene rules will apply there too .
@ @ @ @ @ be able to celebrate the cherished Fête de la musique music festival ?
Find out @ @ @ @ @ Connections .

France after lockdown: Social distancing at the café
05:58 FRENCH CONNECTIONS © FRANCE 24
France is continuing to cautiously open up following a nearly two-month lockdown. In Paris, there's a welcome sense of normalcy as people once again fill the capital's famous café terraces. Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot explore how that works with social distancing rules. Also, the Eiffel Tower and cinemas are getting ready to re-open, but strict hygiene rules will apply there too. Finally, will the French be able to celebrate the cherished Fête de la musique music festival? Find out in this edition of French Connections.