france24--2020-06-22--France must tackle ‘systemic’ discrimination, says rights watchdog

Protesters hold up placards calling for an end to racism and other forms of discrimination at a rally in Paris on June 21 , 2020 .
France 's human rights ombudsman said Monday that authorities needed to take measures to halt racial discrimination that has become a `` systemic element '' of French society , calling for an `` ambitious '' public policy response .
`` People with foreign origins , or perceived as having them , are disadvantaged in terms of access to jobs or housing , '' according to a new report from the government 's Défenseur des @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Jacques Toubon , a former justice minister .
`` They are more exposed to joblessness , poverty , poor housing , police ID checks , poor health and educational inequality , '' it said .
The report came as France has seen a series of rallies against racism in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States sparked by the killing of Floyd George by a white police officer .
> > ‘ Black and treated as such ’ : France ’ s anti-racism protests expose myth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most recent , that found that 11 percent of respondents reported incidents of discrimination because of their skin colour over the previous five years , up from six percent in 2008 .
`` Discrimination is not the result of individual responses , a few human resource directors who refuse to hire blacks or Arabs , '' Toubon wrote .
`` It 's the entire system that is to blame . ''
He called for the creation of a `` discrimination observatory '' to better document alleged cases , and national `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in employment and housing markets .
Legal authorities should make it easier to prove discrimination cases in court and ensure that penalties are `` genuinely dissuasive '' , he added .
Toubon 's warning comes two weeks after he raised the alarm over a `` crisis of public confidence in the security forces '' , urging a reversal of what he described as a `` warring mentality '' in law enforcement .
It comes after Human Rights Watch said this month that French police have `` overly broad '' powers `` to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab boys and men '' , leaving too much room for arbitrary and biased decisions .
A 2009 study by France 's National Centre for Scientific Research showed that blacks were 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites , and those of Arab origin seven times more likely .
President Emmanuel Macron vowed an `` uncompromising '' fight against racism in a televised address this month , acknowledging that `` the name , the address , the colour of the skin '' can affect a person 's chances in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has prohibited the collection of data on a person 's race , ethnicity , or political or religious opinions for the national census or other surveys .
Critics say the policy , meant to underscore equality before the law , prevents the country from having a better understanding of the inequalities faced by many of its citizens .
Speaking ahead of Macron ’ s address , government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye — a close Macron ally and the most prominent black figure in current French politics — wrote an unusually personal op-ed in Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colour-blind doctrine , which aims at encouraging equality by ignoring race altogether .
“ We must not hesitate to name things , to say that a skin colour is not neutral , ” she wrote .
Ndiaye called on the French to “ confront our memories ” about their history and find a “ shared narrative ” with former colonies .

France's human rights ombudsman said Monday that authorities needed to take measures to halt racial discrimination that has become a "systemic element" of French society, calling for an "ambitious" public policy response.
Protesters hold up placards calling for an end to racism and other forms of discrimination at a rally in Paris on June 21, 2020.
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"People with foreign origins, or perceived as having them, are disadvantaged in terms of access to jobs or housing," according to a new report from the government's Défenseur des Droits (Rights Defender) agency led by Jacques Toubon, a former justice minister.
"They are more exposed to joblessness, poverty, poor housing, police ID checks, poor health and educational inequality," it said.
The report came as France has seen a series of rallies against racism in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States sparked by the killing of Floyd George by a white police officer.
>> ‘Black and treated as such’: France’s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic
It cited surveys from 2016, the most recent, that found that 11 percent of respondents reported incidents of discrimination because of their skin colour over the previous five years, up from six percent in 2008.
"Discrimination is not the result of individual responses, a few human resource directors who refuse to hire blacks or Arabs," Toubon wrote. "It's the entire system that is to blame."
He called for the creation of a "discrimination observatory" to better document alleged cases, and national "testing" operations to uncover racial biases in employment and housing markets.
Legal authorities should make it easier to prove discrimination cases in court and ensure that penalties are "genuinely dissuasive", he added.
‘Skin colour is not neutral’
Toubon's warning comes two weeks after he raised the alarm over a "crisis of public confidence in the security forces", urging a reversal of what he described as a "warring mentality" in law enforcement.
It comes after Human Rights Watch said this month that French police have "overly broad" powers "to conduct discriminatory and abusive checks on black and Arab boys and men", leaving too much room for arbitrary and biased decisions.
A 2009 study by France's National Centre for Scientific Research showed that blacks were 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites, and those of Arab origin seven times more likely.
President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "uncompromising" fight against racism in a televised address this month, acknowledging that "the name, the address, the colour of the skin" can affect a person's chances in life.
But since 1978, France has prohibited the collection of data on a person's race, ethnicity, or political or religious opinions for the national census or other surveys.
Critics say the policy, meant to underscore equality before the law, prevents the country from having a better understanding of the inequalities faced by many of its citizens.
Speaking ahead of Macron’s address, government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye — a close Macron ally and the most prominent black figure in current French politics — wrote an unusually personal op-ed in Le Monde calling for France to rethink its colour-blind doctrine, which aims at encouraging equality by ignoring race altogether.
“We must not hesitate to name things, to say that a skin colour is not neutral,” she wrote. Ndiaye called on the French to “confront our memories” about their history and find a “shared narrative” with former colonies.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--Unfazed by virus, Parisians throw off their masks for mid-summer music festival

Revelers dance during the Fête de la musique in Paris on June 21 , 2020 .
Social distancing and face masks were largely forgotten as thousands of French people danced and partied well into Monday in the first big blow out since the coronavirus lockdown .
The annual midsummer Festival of Music usually brings millions of people out onto the streets across the country for impromptu concerts in cafes and on street corners that go on long into the night .
And despite emergency measures that ban gatherings of more than 10 people , thousands thronged the trendy Canal Saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Sunday to dance and sing along to bands and DJs .
Not even heavy showers could dampen spirits , with few beyond those serving spicey merguez sausages from street stalls bothering to wear masks .
“ The Festival of Music is important , it 's a national event , ” 28-year-old reveller Violette told AFP as she boogied to a band in northern Paris .
And she laughed at the idea that people would be strictly respecting social distancing .
“ Not at all , ” she said .
But many who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrified , taking to social media to voice fears of a second wave of infections .
“ What a brilliant idea !
A Festival of Music just as we are going out of a major health emergency , ” one Twitter user commented .
Although none of the usual big set-piece extravaganzas were held beyond what French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre had billed as the world 's first live virtual “ avatar ” concert , many felt the authorities had been too lax .
A senior doctor at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still being treated , criticised the decision to let the festival go ahead .
“ This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like , ” said Dr. Gilbert Deray .
“ I understand that the Festival of Music is something of a liberation , but did we really have to have it this year ?
” Cinemas also reopened in France on Monday for the first time since the lockdown began in March .
The 5 Caumartin cinema in Paris opened one minute after midnight for a red-carpet champagne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French comedy , “ Les Parfums ” ( The Perfumes ) , about a prima donna perfume “ nose ” , who comes up with new fragrances .
“ There are no words to describe what I feel .
I have been waiting for this for 99 days , ” cinema manager Louis Merle told the 120 people who had queued up for their first big-screen experience since March 17 .
“ Watching series on Netflix is one thing , but the cinema is something else , ” said the film 's star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened , they are far from back to normal .
The authorities insist that screenings can never be more than half full with a free seat either side of each filmgoer .
And everyone must wear masks as they queue for tickets and in the corridors .
Even so , pollsters estimate that 18.7 million French people – almost a third of the population – plan to go see a film in the next month .

Social distancing and face masks were largely forgotten as thousands of French people danced and partied well into Monday in the first big blow out since the coronavirus lockdown.
Revelers dance during the Fête de la musique in Paris on June 21, 2020.
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The annual midsummer Festival of Music usually brings millions of people out onto the streets across the country for impromptu concerts in cafes and on street corners that go on long into the night.
And despite emergency measures that ban gatherings of more than 10 people, thousands thronged the trendy Canal Saint Martin and the Marais districts of Paris late Sunday to dance and sing along to bands and DJs.
Not even heavy showers could dampen spirits, with few beyond those serving spicey merguez sausages from street stalls bothering to wear masks.
“The Festival of Music is important, it's a national event,” 28-year-old reveller Violette told AFP as she boogied to a band in northern Paris.
And she laughed at the idea that people would be strictly respecting social distancing.
“Not at all,” she said.
Authorities ‘too lax’
But many who watched the crowds on the streets were horrified, taking to social media to voice fears of a second wave of infections.
“What a brilliant idea! A Festival of Music just as we are going out of a major health emergency,” one Twitter user commented.
Although none of the usual big set-piece extravaganzas were held beyond what French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre had billed as the world's first live virtual “avatar” concert, many felt the authorities had been too lax.
A senior doctor at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris, where many Covid-19 sufferers are still being treated, criticised the decision to let the festival go ahead.
“This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like,” said Dr. Gilbert Deray.
“I understand that the Festival of Music is something of a liberation, but did we really have to have it this year?”
Cinemas reopen
Cinemas also reopened in France on Monday for the first time since the lockdown began in March.
The 5 Caumartin cinema in Paris opened one minute after midnight for a red-carpet champagne and popcorn sneak preview of the upcoming French comedy, “Les Parfums” (The Perfumes), about a prima donna perfume “nose”, who comes up with new fragrances.
“There are no words to describe what I feel. I have been waiting for this for 99 days,” cinema manager Louis Merle told the 120 people who had queued up for their first big-screen experience since March 17.
“Watching series on Netflix is one thing, but the cinema is something else,” said the film's star Emmanuelle Devos.
Even though cinemas have reopened, they are far from back to normal.
The authorities insist that screenings can never be more than half full with a free seat either side of each filmgoer.
And everyone must wear masks as they queue for tickets and in the corridors.
Even so, pollsters estimate that 18.7 million French people – almost a third of the population – plan to go see a film in the next month.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--Farm on a Paris rooftop: Urban farm aims to be Europe’s largest

The first phase of a vast urban farming project in Paris is now under way following a two-month delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Set on a Paris rooftop , the farm is set to grow over the next two years to become the largest urban farm in Europe .
The farm , on a rooftop of the Paris Exhibition Centre in the south-west of the city , currently covers an area of 4,000m² , but those behind the project plan to expand the agricultural space to 14,000m² by 2022 .
They hope to be able produce around 1,000kg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high season thanks to a team of around 20 farmers while providing a global model for sustainable farming where produce is grown locally and according to the seasons .
“ The goal is to locally supply healthy , pesticide-free products to local businesses , company restaurants , and to farming associations in a nearby area , ” Agripolis president Pascal Hardy told AFP .
Along with commercial farming , locals are able to rent space on the rooftop to grow their own fruit and veg , while visitors can sample the produce at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of what appears to be a growing trend in the French capital to produce and consume food locally , with a number of urban farming projects springing up around the city in recent years , while Paris City Hall has committed to creating 30 hectares of urban farming space in the city in 2020 .
“ The real trend today is towards quality local products , more so than organic , ” said Hardy .
“ We ’ re at the top of the organic wave , but we ’ re on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is to be able to show how the products were generated , and also to show that they don ’ t come from the other side of the planet , like beans from Kenya , for example , or from deep in Spain with farming practices that are not very virtuous .
”

The first phase of a vast urban farming project in Paris is now under way following a two-month delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Set on a Paris rooftop, the farm is set to grow over the next two years to become the largest urban farm in Europe.
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The farm, on a rooftop of the Paris Exhibition Centre in the south-west of the city, currently covers an area of 4,000m², but those behind the project plan to expand the agricultural space to 14,000m² by 2022.
They hope to be able produce around 1,000kg of fruit and vegetables every day in high season thanks to a team of around 20 farmers while providing a global model for sustainable farming where produce is grown locally and according to the seasons.
“The goal is to locally supply healthy, pesticide-free products to local businesses, company restaurants, and to farming associations in a nearby area,” Agripolis president Pascal Hardy told AFP.
Along with commercial farming, locals are able to rent space on the rooftop to grow their own fruit and veg, while visitors can sample the produce at an on-site restaurant.
The farm is part of what appears to be a growing trend in the French capital to produce and consume food locally, with a number of urban farming projects springing up around the city in recent years, while Paris City Hall has committed to creating 30 hectares of urban farming space in the city in 2020.
“The real trend today is towards quality local products, more so than organic,” said Hardy.
“We’re at the top of the organic wave, but we’re on the way down, and the challenge now is to be able to show how the products were generated, and also to show that they don’t come from the other side of the planet, like beans from Kenya, for example, or from deep in Spain with farming practices that are not very virtuous.”
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france24--2020-06-22--Colombian soldiers kill a farmer and try to frame him as a guerilla

`` The farmer Ariolfo Sánchez Ruíz was executed by the Colombian army in Anorí , Antioquia .
The community prevented the soldiers from taking away the lifeless body .
Were they going to set him up as a “ false positive ” and pretend that he had been killed in battle ?
” wonders this social media user .
This video shows the same crowd gathering around the body , but it is shot from a closer angle .
You can hear the same woman cry out , “ We won ’ t let you take him !
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body .
Soldiers use this kind of signal to help military helicopters know where to land .
José David Hernández sent our team this video .
José David Hernández filmed this video the day that Sánchez was buried in Anorí .
José David Hernández took these photos the day that Sánchez was buried in Anorí .
Photo 1 : `` Not one more , no more false positives , farmers must be respected.
” Photo 2 : `` Murdering a farmer is a state crime.
” Photo 3 : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were created to defend and protect our primary right , which is life , and not to take it away from us.
” The army says it is looking into the incident Alejandro ( not his real name ) is a local farmer .
He wanted to use a pseudonym because he fears for his safety .
He confirms the fact that locals found out that the two farmers had been arrested and only later discovered that Sánchez had been killed.Several videos posted on social media show soldiers and farmers surrounding a body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can hear a woman cry out , “ We know that you killed a farmer , why are you [ ... ] ?
You were going to pretend he was a guerilla !
But he ’ s not a guerilla and we won ’ t let you pretend that he was !
We won ’ t let you take him !
” You can also hear the sound of a helicopter .
The wrapped body is visible starting at three seconds into the video.Alejandro described the scene : Alejandro is referencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army carried out in the early 2000s , which became known as the “ false positive ” scandal .
The army killed thousands of innocent civilians and framed them as guerillas killed in battle in an attempt to prove how efficient they were in the anti-guerilla fight .
Higher numbers would earn soldiers bonuses or a few days of leave.The army finally handed over Sánchez ’ s body the next day .
Representatives from the Anorí office of Personería , a government unit tasked with upholding human rights , were present .
Sánchez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later.In a tweet posted on May 20 , Juan Carlos Ramírez Trujillo , the commander of troops in Anorí , said that the events that occurred “ during a military operation ” were under investigation .
The France 24 Observers team contacted him , but but he has not responded for the time being .
We will update this article if he does respond.Even before Sánchez was killed , relations between the army and local farmers had already been tense since May 9 , when soldiers started to destroy coca crops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs counter to the peace deal signed in 2016 , which included a plan to get farmers to swap their coca , marijuana and other illegal crops for something else .

COLOMBIA
Soldiers killed Oriolfo Sánchez on May 20 near Anorí in Antioquia, Colombia. The photo on the left was taken the day he was killed. The image at the right was taken the day he was buried.
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Soldiers killed a farmer near the village of Anorí in northwest Colombia on May 20. After the murder, local people confronted the soldiers, accusing them of trying to frame the farmer as a guerilla. There is a real basis for these fears: in the 2000s, the army executed thousands of civilians and claimed they were guerillas, all in an attempt to inflate the numbers killed in their war on guerilla factions.
UPDATE (June 26, 2020): Response from the Colombian Army added to the end of the article.
Oriolfo Sánchez, who was in his forties, was killed in the rural zone of Tacamocho near the town of Anorí in the department of Antioquia.
"He went out of his house and was shot a few dozens metres from there"
José David Hernández is a representative for a peasant’s association in northern Antioquia. He is also the departmental representative for a national organization of coca, poppy and marijuana farmers . He was in the village of Anorí when Sánchez was killed:
I found out sometime in the late morning that soldiers had arrested two farmers for vague reasons. The soldiers had allegedly compared the men to a photo of the man known as "Cabuyo", who leads a group of dissidents in the FARC's 36th Front. [Editor’s note: The FARC is an acronym for the Spanish name for The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a guerilla movement that fought for decades in Colombia. The government signed a peace deal with the FARC in 2016 but groups of dissidents took their arms back up in 2019.] In fact, soldiers have been in the area for the past few days, hunting for "Cabuyo". Then, later in the day, I learned that Sánchez had been killed, near where the two farmers had been arrested. He left his home around 10am to go work and was shot several dozen meters from there. Another worker then left the house. The soldiers fired at him, too, but, luckily, the bullets just hit the roof of the house. A few minutes later, soldiers came up to the house and said that they had just killed "Cabuyo". The other worker as well as a woman who was also present said that Sánchez was just a farmer and not "Cabuyo". The soldiers had made a major mistake
José David Hernández sent our team this video, which shows the place where Sánchez was killed, right by a house.
The person filming this video explains that a bullet hit his house. The footage was sent to our team by José David Hernández.
"We asked the soldiers why they wanted to take his body"
Alejandro (not his real name) is a local farmer. He wanted to use a pseudonym because he fears for his safety. He confirms the fact that locals found out that the two farmers had been arrested and only later discovered that Sánchez had been killed.
We initially went to see the soldiers to demand that they liberate the two farmers. But when we got there around 5pm, the two men had just been freed. However, the two farmers told us that Sánchez had been killed earlier in the day. Then we saw a group of soldiers a short distance away. They were carrying a stretcher, with a wrapped up body on it. We approached them and asked why they had killed Sánchez and why they had taken his body. They said that it was the man known as "Cabuyo". We said that it wasn’t him and we were going to report this to city hall [Editor’s note: Alejandro specifically said that they would speak to "Personería" and "Defensoría del Pueblo" of Anorí, two government units set up to defend human rights]. The soldiers had moved the body about 400-500 metres from where Sánchez had been killed, to a location where a helicopter could pick it up.
Several videos posted on social media show soldiers and farmers surrounding a body wrapped up in white.
In the video below, you can hear a woman cry out, “We know that you killed a farmer, why are you [...]? You were going to pretend he was a guerilla! But he’s not a guerilla and we won’t let you pretend that he was! We won’t let you take him!”
You can also hear the sound of a helicopter. The wrapped body is visible starting at three seconds into the video.
El campesino Ariolfo Sánchez Ruíz fue ejecutado por el @COL_EJERCITO en Anorí Antioquia
La comunidad impidió que los militares se llevarán el cuerpo sin vida.
Lo iban hacer pasar por un falso positivo, una baja en combate?
Favor compartir pic.twitter.com/Cjh1GjEWgP Gener Usuga (@gener_usuga) May 23, 2020
"The farmer Ariolfo Sánchez Ruíz was executed by the Colombian army in Anorí, Antioquia. The community prevented the soldiers from taking away the lifeless body. Were they going to set him up as a “false positive” and pretend that he had been killed in battle?” wonders this social media user.
Las organizaciones manifiestan que desde el 8 de mayo solicitaron garantías para que las comunidades que denuncian el incumplimiento a la implementación de los acuerdos del Programa Nacional de Sustitución Voluntaria de Cultivos de Uso Ilícito (PNIS) pudieran protestar. pic.twitter.com/QyZoqb5YN7 Gener Usuga (@gener_usuga) May 23, 2020
This video shows the same crowd gathering around the body, but it is shot from a closer angle. You can hear the same woman cry out, “We won’t let you take him!”
Alejandro described the scene:
The attitude of the soldiers was really bizarre. I think that they knew from the beginning that they hadn’t killed the man known as "Cabuyo". So we were all thinking that Oriolfo Sánchez was going to be another “false positive.”
Alejandro is referencing a particularly gruesome practice that the Colombian army carried out in the early 2000s, which became known as the “false positive” scandal. The army killed thousands of innocent civilians and framed them as guerillas killed in battle in an attempt to prove how efficient they were in the anti-guerilla fight. Higher numbers would earn soldiers bonuses or a few days of leave.
A yellow smoke signal billows next to Sánchez’s body. Soldiers use this kind of signal to help military helicopters know where to land. José David Hernández sent our team this video.
The army finally handed over Sánchez’s body the next day. Representatives from the Anorí office of Personería, a government unit tasked with upholding human rights, were present. Sánchez was buried in the village a few days later.
José David Hernández filmed this video the day that Sánchez was buried in Anorí.
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José David Hernández took these photos the day that Sánchez was buried in Anorí. Photo 1: "Not one more, no more false positives, farmers must be respected.” Photo 2: "Murdering a farmer is a state crime.” Photo 3: "The government and its [armed] forces were created to defend and protect our primary right, which is life, and not to take it away from us.”
The army says it is looking into the incident
In a tweet posted on May 20, Juan Carlos Ramírez Trujillo, the commander of the Army’s 7th Division, which is present in Anorí, said that the events that occurred “during a military operation” were under investigation.
The France 24 Observers team contacted him with several questions when writing this article. He sent us this response several days after the article was published: "This operation [...] took place in an area under the supervision of the Army’s 7th Division, but it was conducted by special units reporting to the General Commander of Military Forces and by the police. Troops from the 7th Division didn’t participate in this action." He also sent us a statement from the army, that said that the aim of the operation was to "locate and disband an armed group", and that "a person lost his life" during the operation, in "circumstances that are under investigation by the Attorney General".
Even before Sánchez was killed, relations between the army and local farmers had already been tense since May 9, when soldiers started to destroy coca crops in the area. This kind of action runs counter to the peace deal signed in 2016, which included a plan to get farmers to swap their coca, marijuana and other illegal crops for something else.
Article by Chloé Lauvergnier (@clauvergnier).


france24--2020-06-23--An uphill battle for Macron’s party in France’s upcoming municipal elections

Agnes Buzyn , La République en Marche 's candidate for mayor in Paris , during her campaign in the capital on June 23 , 2020 , five days ahead of the second round of nationwide municipal elections .
As candidates in the second round of France ’ s municipal elections wrap up a campaign period severely affected by Covid-19 restrictions , all eyes are on the party of President Emmanuel Macron and on the race in Paris .
Runoff elections will be held on June 28 in 4,827 cities and towns around France where the first round of votes was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults eligible to participate .
In many of those municipalities , Macron 's party , La République en Marche , is fighting a losing battle .
A defeat for LREM would deal a blow to the French president ’ s bid to chart a fresh course for the remaining two years of his term in the wake of the coronavirus crisis , while his personal popularity has slipped again .
Efforts by LREM to build up grassroots support have gone nowhere in the three years since Macron swept into the top job with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vast majority of its candidates failed to make it past the first round of voting on March 15 , two days before Macron announced a coronavirus lockdown only now being lifted .
Paris , Marseille and other key cities are widely expected to remain in Socialist or right-wing hands , forcing the centrists into conflicting alliances to obtain at least some local seats .
Their goal is to have 10,000 municipal councillors nationwide .
`` LREM still has n't taken root locally , and is struggling to prove that it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garrigues , a political historian at the University of Orleans .
Even Prime Minister Edouard Philippe , whose popularity has soared on his perceived steady hand during the Covid-19 outbreak , faces a close fight to regain his mayor 's seat in the port of Le Havre .
An Ifop poll released Sunday saw Philippe 's approval ratings rise to 50 percent while Macron 's dropped further to 38 percent .
It may be no coincidence that Philippe has refused to become a card-carrying LREM member , after leaving the right-wing Les Républicains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss by Philippe would almost certainly force Macron into a broad reshuffle of his cabinet , and even if he wins at least some ministers are widely expected to be replaced soon .
In Paris , Socialist incumbent Anne Hidalgo stands as the favourite to win the run-off for a second 6-year term , having topped the first round with 29.33 percent of the votes , trailed by conservative candidate Rachida Dati , who won 22.72 percent and the LREM candidate , Agnès Buzyn , who got 17.26 percent .
Hidalgo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alliance with greens leader David Belliard , the Europe Écologie-Les Verts candidate , who finished fourth on March 15 with 10.79 percent of the vote .
The alliance was not unexpected – the incumbent Socialist governed together with the greens during her first term .
The agreement sees Hidalgo become the sole candidate remaining on the left and the torchbearer for green issues .
Buzyn trailed well behind Hidalgo and Dati in March , having joined the race late after stepping down as health minister in February , in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin Griveaux as the party 's candidate for Paris City Hall .
LREM had found itself without a flagbearer after Griveaux , a longtime Macron ally , suddenly withdrew from the race over sex tape allegations .
After the March 15 ballot , Buzyn dropped off the radar for weeks , having called the campaign a `` masquerade '' amid the worsening coronavirus outbreak .
She eventually returned to the spotlight in late May , to confirm she would stay on as the party ’ s candidate for Paris in the second round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the government , with a vast mailing campaign targeting half the city 's households .
`` Anne Hidalgo and Rachida Dati systematically criticise the government 's actions .
All Parisians who think the government is acting to protect our economy and vulnerable people must mobilise '' for Buzyn 's candidates , said spokesman Pierre-Yves Bournazel .
Dati , who came in second in March , hopes to beat Hidalgo by luring away those who voted for Buzyn in the first round : A recent Ifop-Fiducial poll indicates Hidalgo will get 44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent for Dati and 20 percent for Buzyn .
Dati reasons that more than half of voters want to give their say to someone other than the incumbent .
> > Hidalgo , Dati , Buzyn : Three women , three strategies in race for Paris City Hall Macron appears barely concerned by the all-but-certain rout , analysts say , reflecting a disdain of party politics that could prove risky as he seeks to revive his reform drive .
`` When you have a very vertical conception of power , basically a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he does n't want to have a party that weighs him down , '' said Chloe Morin , a political scientist at the Fondation Jean-Jaures think-tank .
The go-it-alone approach proved its limits , however , with the unexpectedly fierce `` yellow vest '' rebellion of 2018-19 , which saw furious protesters accuse the former investment banker of being cut off from the day-to-day struggles of millions .
More recently , a decision to push through a hotly contested pension reform by decree , overriding opposition from unions and even from lawmakers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political capital .
`` This vision that parties are n't good for anything , or that unions can be bypassed , is dangerous because that 's how you end up with the yellow vests , '' Morin said .
Adding to Macron 's headaches , several LREM lawmakers have defected in recent weeks , depriving him of an outright majority in the National Assembly .
An electoral debacle on Sunday could prompt others to abandon ship , providing grist for opponents hoping to position themselves as compelling rivals for the 2022 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record-high abstention rate .
In the first round of elections , the abstention rate was 54.5 percent , the highest rate for this type of election since the founding of France 's Fifth Republic in 1958 .
The president refused to postpone that vote even though the government had banned mass gatherings and closed all schools — which often serve as polling stations — just days before .
The second round was postponed because of the crisis and lockdown , and candidates were forced to mount remote campaigns , unable to meet face-to-face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets , canvas door to door or shake hands .
Instead , they campaigned digitally and by simply phoning potential voters .
Over three months later , voters seem just as reluctant to head to the ballot box .
In a survey by the Ifop polling firm released June 15 , only 38 percent of those called to the polls said they were planning to vote , with 29 percent attributing their reticence `` solely to the risk of being affected by coronavirus '' .
Whatever the outcome on Sunday , analysts expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift the narrative , urging unity in the face of France 's daunting coronavirus challenges .
His office has already said a `` first response '' will be announced on June 29 , the day after the vote , to dozens of proposals tabled last week by his Citizens ' Council on Climate .
The grouping was formed in response to demands for more `` direct democracy '' in the wake of the yellow vest protests , and calls have emerged for Macron to hold a referendum on the proposals .
The measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rethink France 's economy as the state tries to limit the fallout from a recession that is expected to see a wave of business closures and layoffs over the coming months .
`` Expectations are running very high , so the chances that people could be disappointed are high as well , '' Garrigues said .

As candidates in the second round of France’s municipal elections wrap up a campaign period severely affected by Covid-19 restrictions, all eyes are on the party of President Emmanuel Macron and on the mayoral race in Paris.
Agnes Buzyn, La République en Marche's candidate for mayor in Paris, during her campaign in the capital on June 23, 2020, five days ahead of the second round of nationwide municipal elections.
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Runoff elections will be held on June 28 in 4,827 cities and towns around France where the first round of votes was not decisive, with some 16.5 million adults eligible to participate. In many of those municipalities, Macron's party, La République en Marche, is fighting a losing battle.
A defeat for LREM would deal a blow to the French president’s bid to chart a fresh course for the remaining two years of his term in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, while his personal popularity has slipped again.
Efforts by LREM to build up grassroots support have gone nowhere in the three years since Macron swept into the top job with a pledge to end politics as usual. The vast majority of its candidates failed to make it past the first round of voting on March 15, two days before Macron announced a coronavirus lockdown only now being lifted.
Paris, Marseille and other key cities are widely expected to remain in Socialist or right-wing hands, forcing the centrists into conflicting alliances to obtain at least some local seats.
Their goal is to have 10,000 municipal councillors nationwide.
"LREM still hasn't taken root locally, and is struggling to prove that it's a viable force," said Jean Garrigues, a political historian at the University of Orleans.
Even Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, whose popularity has soared on his perceived steady hand during the Covid-19 outbreak, faces a close fight to regain his mayor's seat in the port of Le Havre.
An Ifop poll released Sunday saw Philippe's approval ratings rise to 50 percent while Macron's dropped further to 38 percent.
It may be no coincidence that Philippe has refused to become a card-carrying LREM member, after leaving the right-wing Les Républicains to become head of government.
A loss by Philippe would almost certainly force Macron into a broad reshuffle of his cabinet, and even if he wins at least some ministers are widely expected to be replaced soon.
The race for Paris
In Paris, Socialist incumbent Anne Hidalgo stands as the favourite to win the run-off for a second 6-year term, having topped the first round with 29.33 percent of the votes, trailed by conservative candidate Rachida Dati, who won 22.72 percent and the LREM candidate, Agnès Buzyn, who got 17.26 percent.
Hidalgo’s comfortable advance grew further after she sealed an alliance with greens leader David Belliard, the Europe Écologie-Les Verts candidate, who finished fourth on March 15 with 10.79 percent of the vote.
The alliance was not unexpected – the incumbent Socialist governed together with the greens during her first term. The agreement sees Hidalgo become the sole candidate remaining on the left and the torchbearer for green issues.
Buzyn trailed well behind Hidalgo and Dati in March, having joined the race late after stepping down as health minister in February, in the middle of the global coronavirus crisis, to replace Benjamin Griveaux as the party's candidate for Paris City Hall.
LREM had found itself without a flagbearer after Griveaux, a longtime Macron ally, suddenly withdrew from the race over sex tape allegations.
After the March 15 ballot, Buzyn dropped off the radar for weeks, having called the campaign a "masquerade" amid the worsening coronavirus outbreak. She eventually returned to the spotlight in late May, to confirm she would stay on as the party’s candidate for Paris in the second round.
Buzyn is betting on Parisians' support of the government, with a vast mailing campaign targeting half the city's households. "Anne Hidalgo and Rachida Dati systematically criticise the government's actions. All Parisians who think the government is acting to protect our economy and vulnerable people must mobilise" for Buzyn's candidates, said spokesman Pierre-Yves Bournazel.
Dati, who came in second in March, hopes to beat Hidalgo by luring away those who voted for Buzyn in the first round: A recent Ifop-Fiducial poll indicates Hidalgo will get 44 percent of the vote, versus 33 percent for Dati and 20 percent for Buzyn. Dati reasons that more than half of voters want to give their say to someone other than the incumbent.
>> Hidalgo, Dati, Buzyn: Three women, three strategies in race for Paris City Hall
‘Dangerous vision’
Macron appears barely concerned by the all-but-certain rout, analysts say, reflecting a disdain of party politics that could prove risky as he seeks to revive his reform drive.
"When you have a very vertical conception of power, basically a very personal one, you can imagine why he doesn't want to have a party that weighs him down," said Chloe Morin, a political scientist at the Fondation Jean-Jaures think-tank.
The go-it-alone approach proved its limits, however, with the unexpectedly fierce "yellow vest" rebellion of 2018-19, which saw furious protesters accuse the former investment banker of being cut off from the day-to-day struggles of millions.
More recently, a decision to push through a hotly contested pension reform by decree, overriding opposition from unions and even from lawmakers in his own party, has further depleted his political capital.
"This vision that parties aren't good for anything, or that unions can be bypassed, is dangerous because that's how you end up with the yellow vests," Morin said.
Adding to Macron's headaches, several LREM lawmakers have defected in recent weeks, depriving him of an outright majority in the National Assembly.
An electoral debacle on Sunday could prompt others to abandon ship, providing grist for opponents hoping to position themselves as compelling rivals for the 2022 presidential contest.
Abstention risks
Macron also risks seeing another record-high abstention rate.
In the first round of elections, the abstention rate was 54.5 percent, the highest rate for this type of election since the founding of France's Fifth Republic in 1958.
The president refused to postpone that vote even though the government had banned mass gatherings and closed all schools — which often serve as polling stations — just days before.
The second round was postponed because of the crisis and lockdown, and candidates were forced to mount remote campaigns, unable to meet face-to-face with their teams, distribute leaflets in markets, canvas door to door or shake hands. Instead, they campaigned digitally and by simply phoning potential voters.
Over three months later, voters seem just as reluctant to head to the ballot box. In a survey by the Ifop polling firm released June 15, only 38 percent of those called to the polls said they were planning to vote, with 29 percent attributing their reticence "solely to the risk of being affected by coronavirus".
Whatever the outcome on Sunday, analysts expect Macron will move quickly to try to shift the narrative, urging unity in the face of France's daunting coronavirus challenges.
His office has already said a "first response" will be announced on June 29, the day after the vote, to dozens of proposals tabled last week by his Citizens' Council on Climate.
The grouping was formed in response to demands for more "direct democracy" in the wake of the yellow vest protests, and calls have emerged for Macron to hold a referendum on the proposals.
The measures could be incorporated into Macron's call to rethink France's economy as the state tries to limit the fallout from a recession that is expected to see a wave of business closures and layoffs over the coming months.
"Expectations are running very high, so the chances that people could be disappointed are high as well," Garrigues said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Germany reimposes local lockdowns after regional coronavirus outbreak

An employee of abattoir company Toennies receives groceries under quarantine at his residence in Suerenheide of Verl , Germany on June 22 , 2020 .
The governor of Germany ’ s most populous state on Tuesday put two municipalities back into lockdown until June 30 after a regional outbreak had seen a large increase in Covid-19 cases .
German authorities on Tuesday ordered new lockdowns for two districts in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia , the first since easing coronavirus restrictions and a major setback for hopes of a swift return to normality .
The move came after a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,500 workers .
`` For the first time in Germany , we will return an entire district to the measures that applied several weeks ago , '' said Armin Laschet , state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia .
He said the lockdown would affect 360,000 people in the district of Gutersloh , and would stay in place until at least June 30 .
A second neighbouring district was placed under lockdown just hours after restrictions were re-imposed for Gutersloh .
`` In order to protect the population , we are now launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively combat the spread of the virus , '' North Rhine-Westphalia health minister Karl-Josef Laumann said on Tuesday , ordering a lockdown for the district of Warendorf .
The new outbreak occurred at a slaughterhouse in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrueck that employs nearly 7,000 people .
As of Sunday , 21 people were being treated in hospital , six of them in intensive care .
The outbreak in Germany 's most populous state is the biggest since the country began lifting the lockdown in early May .
Local authorities across Germany agreed then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reimpose social curbs if the infection rate rises above 50 cases per 100,000 residents over a week in a particular district .
The rate in Gutersloh has soared well above that , sitting at 263 cases per 100,000 residents on Monday .
The new lockdown means a return to measures first introduced in March , with cinemas , museums , concert halls , bars , gyms , indoor swimming pools and saunas shut down , Laschet said .
Schools and kindergartens have also been closed ahead of school holidays which will start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and the rest of the EU begin taking steps towards getting tourism up and running again , with many European borders reopening just last week .
Several planeloads of German tourists have flown to Spain 's Mallorca island to take part in a test of plans to reopen the popular destination as the country emerges from its coronavirus lockdown .
But the latest flareup in Gutersloh prompted authorities in the German island of Usedom to turn away a couple who had travelled from the affected district .
Several COVID-19 outbreaks at slaughterhouses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France , have put a spotlight on the working and housing conditions facing the workers -- many of whom come from Romania or Bulgaria .
The German government has responded by banning the use of subcontractors in the meat industry in a bid to curb the controversial practice of companies using middlemen to supply workers from abroad who are more vulnerable to abuses .
But Germany has also seen new coronavirus clusters in residential buildings in Lower Saxony and in Berlin , where 370 families living in high-rise flats were placed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the new outbreaks , the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) disease control centre remained optimistic on Tuesday that the virus remains under control in Germany .
`` If we are able to keep the number of cases low the whole time , then we will be able to contain and end outbreaks locally , and that will remain the case , '' RKI head Lothar Wieler said .
With new infection rates sharply down from highs in March and a death toll significantly lower than those of its neighbours , Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin easing virus restrictions about seven weeks ago .
The government has noted that rules to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres ( five feet ) as well as requirements to cover up noses and mouths in closed public spaces have helped in the fight against new transmissions .
It is now counting on contact tracing -- both through human trackers as well as through a new app -- to ensure that any new infections are isolated .
Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly warned against complacency before a viable vaccine is found @

The governor of Germany’s most populous state on Tuesday put two municipalities back into lockdown until June 30 after a regional outbreak had seen a large increase in Covid-19 cases.
An employee of abattoir company Toennies receives groceries under quarantine at his residence in Suerenheide of Verl, Germany on June 22, 2020.
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German authorities on Tuesday ordered new lockdowns for two districts in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the first since easing coronavirus restrictions and a major setback for hopes of a swift return to normality.
The move came after a coronavirus outbreak at a slaughterhouse that has infected more than 1,500 workers.
"For the first time in Germany, we will return an entire district to the measures that applied several weeks ago," said Armin Laschet, state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia.
He said the lockdown would affect 360,000 people in the district of Gutersloh, and would stay in place until at least June 30.
A second neighbouring district was placed under lockdown just hours after restrictions were re-imposed for Gutersloh.
"In order to protect the population, we are now launching a further safety and security package to effectively combat the spread of the virus," North Rhine-Westphalia health minister Karl-Josef Laumann said on Tuesday, ordering a lockdown for the district of Warendorf.
Biggest outbreak since early May
The new outbreak occurred at a slaughterhouse in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrueck that employs nearly 7,000 people.
As of Sunday, 21 people were being treated in hospital, six of them in intensive care.
The outbreak in Germany's most populous state is the biggest since the country began lifting the lockdown in early May.
Local authorities across Germany agreed then to pull an "emergency brake" and reimpose social curbs if the infection rate rises above 50 cases per 100,000 residents over a week in a particular district.
The rate in Gutersloh has soared well above that, sitting at 263 cases per 100,000 residents on Monday.
The new lockdown means a return to measures first introduced in March, with cinemas, museums, concert halls, bars, gyms, indoor swimming pools and saunas shut down, Laschet said.
Schools and kindergartens have also been closed ahead of school holidays which will start this weekend.
The move comes as Germany and the rest of the EU begin taking steps towards getting tourism up and running again, with many European borders reopening just last week.
Several planeloads of German tourists have flown to Spain's Mallorca island to take part in a test of plans to reopen the popular destination as the country emerges from its coronavirus lockdown.
But the latest flareup in Gutersloh prompted authorities in the German island of Usedom to turn away a couple who had travelled from the affected district.
Under control
Several COVID-19 outbreaks at slaughterhouses, not just in Germany but also in France, have put a spotlight on the working and housing conditions facing the workers -- many of whom come from Romania or Bulgaria.
The German government has responded by banning the use of subcontractors in the meat industry in a bid to curb the controversial practice of companies using middlemen to supply workers from abroad who are more vulnerable to abuses.
But Germany has also seen new coronavirus clusters in residential buildings in Lower Saxony and in Berlin, where 370 families living in high-rise flats were placed under quarantine in one neighbourhood last week.
Despite the new outbreaks, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) disease control centre remained optimistic on Tuesday that the virus remains under control in Germany.
"If we are able to keep the number of cases low the whole time, then we will be able to contain and end outbreaks locally, and that will remain the case," RKI head Lothar Wieler said.
With new infection rates sharply down from highs in March and a death toll significantly lower than those of its neighbours, Germany became the first major EU country to begin easing virus restrictions about seven weeks ago.
The government has noted that rules to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres (five feet) as well as requirements to cover up noses and mouths in closed public spaces have helped in the fight against new transmissions.
It is now counting on contact tracing -- both through human trackers as well as through a new app -- to ensure that any new infections are isolated.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly warned against complacency before a viable vaccine is found.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--‘I’m suffocating’: French police investigated over death of delivery driver

French police tactics , including the use of `` chokehold '' restraining techniques , have come under growing criticism .
French investigators have questioned four police officers over the January arrest of a Paris delivery driver who died from asphyxia after they pinned him to the ground as he repeatedly shouted `` I 'm suffocating '' , sources said Monday .
France has been shaken by a wave of demonstrations in recent weeks against brutality and racism by the police , a controversy that has gained resonance since protests erupted in the United States over the killing by police of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had been stopped by police close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris on January 3 for a seemingly banal traffic control that quickly got out of hand .
In video footage collected by investigators , he can be heard saying `` I 'm suffocating '' seven times in 22 seconds as police hold him down , according to a report on the incident written in April and revealed this week by newspaper Le Monde and website Mediapart .
Video footage appears to show Chouviat with the weight of the police on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delivery driver was held in a chokehold , a controversial restraining technique that has been blamed for past deaths .
`` Apart from the arrest , we did not notice any flagrantly violent words or noises , '' said an expert who analysed footage of the incident .
> > As George Floyd outrage spreads , France confronts its own demons '' The exchange is relatively civil , even if we can sense a form of 'provocation ' or 'defiance ' in [ Chouviat 's ] words , '' the expert added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chouviat calls the policemen 'clowns ' and one of them a 'loser ' and tells them several times not to touch him .
`` At 11 minutes 16 seconds [ Chouviat ] tells the policeman that he 's a 'fool ' .
The officer decides to arrest him , '' said the expert .
`` In the next 22 seconds we can hear different sounds we can not identify .
The arrested person says several times ' I 'm suffocating ' .
And we can hear one of the policemen say 'All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
'' Chouviat , a father of five , died in hospital from asphyxia two days after the arrest , with `` a fracture to the larynx '' , according to elements of the autopsy released by Paris prosecutors .
None of the policemen involved has been suspended , and their lawyer Thibault de Montbrial declined to comment .
The police watchdog in charge of the investigation has transferred its findings to investigating magistrates who will now decide whether the four officers will be charged .
Chouviat 's family has condemned what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence caused by what they said were `` dangerous '' restraint techniques .
Chouviat ’ s last words echoed Floyd 's dying plea `` I ca n't breathe '' , which has rallied protesters across the world .
The same plea was made by 24-year-old Adama Traoré , who died while in police custody in July 2016 after he was similarly pinned to the ground with the combined body weight of three arresting officers , according to the testimony of one of them .
Spurred into action by the recent demonstrations against police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men say is often directed at them , the French government this month announced it would ban the controversial chokehold technique .
> > France vows ‘ zero tolerance ’ of police racism after wave of protests But a few days later , the government backtracked after a backlash by police unions , who demonstrated across France , throwing their handcuffs on the ground in protest .
In the days following Chouviat 's death , Interior Minister Christophe Castaner promised sanctions against officers `` if wrongdoings are established '' .

French investigators have questioned four police officers over the January arrest of a Paris delivery driver who died from asphyxia after they pinned him to the ground as he repeatedly shouted "I'm suffocating", sources said Monday.
French police tactics, including the use of "chokehold" restraining techniques, have come under growing criticism.
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France has been shaken by a wave of demonstrations in recent weeks against brutality and racism by the police, a controversy that has gained resonance since protests erupted in the United States over the killing by police of George Floyd.
Cedric Chouviat, 42, had been stopped by police close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris on January 3 for a seemingly banal traffic control that quickly got out of hand.
In video footage collected by investigators, he can be heard saying "I'm suffocating" seven times in 22 seconds as police hold him down, according to a report on the incident written in April and revealed this week by newspaper Le Monde and website Mediapart.
Video footage appears to show Chouviat with the weight of the police on his torso. According to two witnesses, the delivery driver was held in a chokehold, a controversial restraining technique that has been blamed for past deaths.
"Apart from the arrest, we did not notice any flagrantly violent words or noises," said an expert who analysed footage of the incident.
>> As George Floyd outrage spreads, France confronts its own demons
'Involuntary homicide'
"The exchange is relatively civil, even if we can sense a form of 'provocation' or 'defiance' in [Chouviat's] words," the expert added.
According to analysis of the footage, Chouviat calls the policemen 'clowns' and one of them a 'loser' and tells them several times not to touch him.
"At 11 minutes 16 seconds [Chouviat] tells the policeman that he's a 'fool'. The officer decides to arrest him," said the expert.
"In the next 22 seconds we can hear different sounds we cannot identify. The arrested person says several times 'I'm suffocating'. And we can hear one of the policemen say 'All good, all good, cuffs on.'"
Chouviat, a father of five, died in hospital from asphyxia two days after the arrest, with "a fracture to the larynx", according to elements of the autopsy released by Paris prosecutors.
Prosecutors have opened a case for "involuntary homicide".
None of the policemen involved has been suspended, and their lawyer Thibault de Montbrial declined to comment.
Police revolt
The police watchdog in charge of the investigation has transferred its findings to investigating magistrates who will now decide whether the four officers will be charged.
Chouviat's family has condemned what they term an act of unjustified police violence caused by what they said were "dangerous" restraint techniques and on Tuesday demanded answers about his death from President Emmanuel Macron.
"He was shouting out, 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't breathe'," Christian Chouviat told reporters about his son at a news conference organised by the family.
"I am addressing myself directly to President Macron," added Chouviat's daughter Sofia. "We want answers."
Chouviat’s last words echoed Floyd's dying plea, which has rallied protesters across the world. The same plea was made by 24-year-old Adama Traoré, who died while in police custody in July 2016 after he was similarly pinned to the ground with the combined body weight of three arresting officers, according to the testimony of one of them.
Spurred into action by the recent demonstrations against police brutality, which young black and Arab men say is often directed at them, the French government this month announced it would ban the controversial chokehold technique.
>> France vows ‘zero tolerance’ of police racism after wave of protests
But a few days later, the government backtracked after a backlash by police unions, who demonstrated across France, throwing their handcuffs on the ground in protest.
In the days following Chouviat's death, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner promised sanctions against officers "if wrongdoings are established".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Russian authorities wage war on 'fake news' amid Covid-19 pandemic

The Russian parliament fast-tracked a law against `` fake news '' at the end of March amid the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ proceedings for the authors of false information published in the media and is backed up @ @ @ @ @ as well as an army of cyber activists who are tasked with trawling through the @ @ @ @ @ society groups say the law is an attack on civil liberties and that its real @ @ @ @ @ voices critical of the authorities ' handling of the health crisis .
Our correspondents report @

Russian authorities wage war on 'fake news' amid Covid-19 pandemic
05:45 FOCUS © FRANCE 24
By: Elena VOLOCHINE | Nigina BEROEVA | Pavel SERGUEEV
The Russian parliament fast-tracked a law against "fake news" at the end of March amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The legislation introduces criminal proceedings for the authors of false information published in the media and is backed up by an artificial intelligence system as well as an army of cyber activists who are tasked with trawling through the web. But Russian civil society groups say the law is an attack on civil liberties and that its real function is to silence dissident voices critical of the authorities' handling of the health crisis. Our correspondents report.


france24--2020-06-23--France's Covid-19 tracing app fails to engage, chalking up roughly 1.5 million users

A screenshot showing the tracking application StopCovid is seen on a mobile phone in this illustration picture taken in Nantes , France June 2 , 2020 .
France 's much-heralded new phone app for tracking coronavirus cases has only alerted 14 people that they were at risk of infection since its launch three weeks ago , the digital affairs minister said Tuesday , while almost half a million chose to uninstall the app .
The StopCovid app keeps track of users who have been in close proximity of one another over a two-week period .
If any become infected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others .
French officials defended the app as a vital tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19 , although critics expressed data privacy concerns .
Since its launch , 68 people informed the platform they had been infected and only 14 users were alerted that they were now at risk because of their contacts with these people , digital affairs minister Cedric O said at a press conference .
The minister nevertheless defended the usefulness of the app , arguing that the numbers reflected a decrease in the virus ' prevalence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France paled in comparison with Germany , where 10 million people downloaded the app versus almost 2 million in France .
And in France , 460,000 then uninstalled the app , leaving around 1.5 million users across the whole country .
The difference with Germany is n't to do with the app itself , said Cedric O .
`` It 's probably more to do with our cultural differences and differing attitudes to the coronavirus , '' he said .
`` And potentially , it may be linked to a difference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , '' he added .
The minister said he had no regrets over the choices made regarding the app , which he said would be very useful if there was a new spike in cases .
The app will cost between 80,000 and 120,000 euros ( $ 91,000-13,600 ) a month for expenses related to hosting and development and maintenance work , a cost that would increase if there were to be a spike in cases , Cedric O said .
Testing apps , touted by some as the best solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus relents , have had tricky births across Europe .
Britain was due to start unrolling its own app in early June , but those plans were shelved after an initial testing phase revealed major problems .
In a major U-turn , the British government said on Thursday that it was ditching its current coronavirus-tracing app works and shifting to a model based on technology developed by Apple and Google .

France's much-heralded new phone app for tracking coronavirus cases has only alerted 14 people that they were at risk of infection since its launch three weeks ago, the digital affairs minister said Tuesday, while almost half a million chose to uninstall the app.
A screenshot showing the tracking application StopCovid is seen on a mobile phone in this illustration picture taken in Nantes, France June 2, 2020.
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The StopCovid app keeps track of users who have been in close proximity of one another over a two-week period. If any become infected, they inform the platform, which alerts the others.
French officials defended the app as a vital tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19, although critics expressed data privacy concerns.
Since its launch, 68 people informed the platform they had been infected and only 14 users were alerted that they were now at risk because of their contacts with these people, digital affairs minister Cedric O said at a press conference.
The minister nevertheless defended the usefulness of the app, arguing that the numbers reflected a decrease in the virus' prevalence.
But he admitted the number of downloads in France paled in comparison with Germany, where 10 million people downloaded the app versus almost 2 million in France.
And in France, 460,000 then uninstalled the app, leaving around 1.5 million users across the whole country.
'Cultural difference and differing attitudes'
The difference with Germany isn't to do with the app itself, said Cedric O.
"It's probably more to do with our cultural differences and differing attitudes to the coronavirus," he said.
"And potentially, it may be linked to a difference in perspective towards respective governments' behaviour during the pandemic," he added.
The minister said he had no regrets over the choices made regarding the app, which he said would be very useful if there was a new spike in cases.
The app will cost between 80,000 and 120,000 euros ($91,000-13,600) a month for expenses related to hosting and development and maintenance work, a cost that would increase if there were to be a spike in cases, Cedric O said.
Testing apps, touted by some as the best solution to returning life to normal as the virus relents, have had tricky births across Europe.
Britain was due to start unrolling its own app in early June, but those plans were shelved after an initial testing phase revealed major problems.
In a major U-turn, the British government said on Thursday that it was ditching its current coronavirus-tracing app works and shifting to a model based on technology developed by Apple and Google.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-06-23--Turkey blames France for 'dragging Libya into chaos'

French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Libyan Commander Khalifa Haftar before the start of the summit on Libya in Berlin , Germany , on January 19 , 2020 .
A Turkish government spokesman shot back at French President Emmanuel Macron and accused France on Tuesday for allegedly “ dragging Libya into chaos.
” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy accused Macron of “ losing reason ” and of making unfounded accusations against Turkey a day after the French leader said Ankara was involved in a “ dangerous game ” in Libya .
Macron also urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict-torn country .
“ Due to the support it has given to illegitimate structures for years , France has an important responsibility in dragging Libya into chaos , and in this respect , it is France that plays a dangerous game in Libya , ” Aksoy said in a statement .
The comments referred to France ’ s support of Libya ’ s eastern-based forces , which under Khalifa Hifter launched an April 2019 offensive to try to take the capital of Tripoli .
Turkey backs the U.N.-recognized Tripoli-based administration in Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Turkish military support , gained the upper hand in the war this month after retaking the capital ’ s airport , all main entrance and exit points to the city and a string of key nearby towns .
Aksoy added , “ The people of Libya will never forget the damages France has inflicted on this country.
” The ministry spokesman also called on France to end steps that he said “ put the security and future of Libya , Syria and the eastern Mediterranean under risk ” and to enter into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally .
Tensions between France and Turkey escalated following a June 10 incident between Turkish warships and a French naval vessel in the Mediterranean , which France considers a hostile act under NATO ’ s rules of engagement .
Turkey has denied harassing the French frigate .
France accused Ankara of repeated violations of the U.N. arms embargo on Libya .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a NATO-backed uprising toppled leader Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .

A Turkish government spokesman shot back at French President Emmanuel Macron and accused France on Tuesday for allegedly “dragging Libya into chaos.”
French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Libyan Commander Khalifa Haftar before the start of the summit on Libya in Berlin, Germany, on January 19, 2020.
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Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy accused Macron of “losing reason” and of making unfounded accusations against Turkey a day after the French leader said Ankara was involved in a “dangerous game” in Libya.
Macron also urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to end Turkey's activities in the conflict-torn country.
“Due to the support it has given to illegitimate structures for years, France has an important responsibility in dragging Libya into chaos, and in this respect, it is France that plays a dangerous game in Libya,” Aksoy said in a statement.
The comments referred to France’s support of Libya’s eastern-based forces, which under Khalifa Hifter launched an April 2019 offensive to try to take the capital of Tripoli.
Turkey backs the U.N.-recognized Tripoli-based administration in Libya. The Tripoli administration's forces, with Turkish military support, gained the upper hand in the war this month after retaking the capital’s airport, all main entrance and exit points to the city and a string of key nearby towns.
Aksoy added, “The people of Libya will never forget the damages France has inflicted on this country.”
The ministry spokesman also called on France to end steps that he said “put the security and future of Libya, Syria and the eastern Mediterranean under risk” and to enter into a dialogue with Turkey, a NATO ally.
Tensions between France and Turkey escalated following a June 10 incident between Turkish warships and a French naval vessel in the Mediterranean, which France considers a hostile act under NATO’s rules of engagement. Turkey has denied harassing the French frigate.
France accused Ankara of repeated violations of the U.N. arms embargo on Libya.
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising toppled leader Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed.
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Russia's President Putin announces post-coronavirus tax hike for high earners

President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia will from next year increase taxes on high earners , the first hike in decades , as he laid out measures to tackle the economic fallout of the coronavirus .
Putin said that from January 1 , 2021 the tax rate will rise from 13 percent to 15 percent on income over five million rubles ( $ 73,000 ) , in Russia 's first move away from a flat tax rate introduced in 2001 .
Addressing Russians in a lengthy televised speech , Putin said the country is facing huge economic challenges after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .
`` Since 2001 we have had a flat tax .
Its introduction at the time allowed us to take incomes out of the shadows , to make taxation easier , '' he said .
`` But now with a better quality of administration and the introduction of digital technologies , we can spread the tax burden in a differential way and direct the additional funds towards solving specific and important issues , '' he said .
The extra revenues would be used for `` treating children with severe rare diseases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgeries , Putin said .
`` The past months have been a time of massive challenges and difficult trials , '' he said , outlining other measures to boost Russia 's economic recovery .

President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia will from next year increase taxes on high earners, the first hike in decades, as he laid out measures to tackle the economic fallout of the coronavirus.
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Putin said that from January 1, 2021 the tax rate will rise from 13 percent to 15 percent on income over five million rubles ($73,000), in Russia's first move away from a flat tax rate introduced in 2001.
Addressing Russians in a lengthy televised speech, Putin said the country is facing huge economic challenges after the coronavirus epidemic and associated restrictions on business.
"Since 2001 we have had a flat tax. Its introduction at the time allowed us to take incomes out of the shadows, to make taxation easier," he said.
"But now with a better quality of administration and the introduction of digital technologies, we can spread the tax burden in a differential way and direct the additional funds towards solving specific and important issues," he said.
The extra revenues would be used for "treating children with severe rare diseases," buying expensive medication and funding complicated surgeries, Putin said.
"The past months have been a time of massive challenges and difficult trials," he said, outlining other measures to boost Russia's economic recovery.
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Global coronavirus cases top 9 million as WHO laments 'lack of global solidarity and leadership'

People receive a nucleic acid test at a makeshift testing site in Beijing on June 23 , following a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the Chinese capital .
Global coronavirus infections topped 9 million as the World Health Organization blamed a `` lack of global solidarity and leadership '' for allowing the pandemic to spread and Saudi Arabia announced it would scale back the Hajj Islamic pilgrimage next month .
Many parts of the world , including Latin America and South Asia , are only beginning to feel the full force of the pandemic , while other regions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hit with second waves .
China , Germany , South Korea and Japan are battling new outbreaks , with some reintroducing containment measures .
Europe has steadily eased its travel lockdowns in recent weeks , and France took its biggest step back to normality on Monday by allowing millions of children to return to school .
`` The pandemic is still accelerating , '' the WHO 's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual health forum organised in the United Arab Emirates later that day .
Tedros said the greatest threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has now killed over 470,000 people , but `` the lack of global solidarity and global leadership . ''
`` We can not defeat this pandemic with a divided world , '' he said .
`` The politicisation of the pandemic has exacerbated it . ''
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is one of the leaders to have repeatedly played down the threat , comparing the virus to a `` little flu '' and arguing the economic impact of shutdowns is worse than the virus itself .
More than 50,000 people have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil , with the true number believed to be far higher .
Brazil 's homeless are at especially high risk .
Brazil 's official death toll is second only to the United States , which has recorded 120,000 fatalities , and President Donald Trump 's handling of the crisis has been widely criticised as erratic and chaotic .
Trump on Monday said the American toll could surpass 150,000 , as two more members of his team that helped organise a controversial weekend rally for him in Oklahoma tested positive .
Mexico , Peru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with crises — Mexico City being forced to delay plans for a broad reopening of the economy as the country 's death toll raced past 20,000 .
With a vaccine still far away , the WHO has called for a rapid increase in production of the steroid dexamethasone , which has been shown to have life-saving potential .
Saudi Arabia said it would allow a `` very limited '' number of pilgrims to its annual Hajj ritual , which last year drew 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world .
The Hajj , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once in their lifetime , represents a potentially major source of contagion .
Authorities said a hajj only involving pilgrims already in the kingdom would be permitted .
In Europe however , countries continued to ease their restrictions .
Thousands of French people danced and partied in the streets well into Monday for an annual music festival in the first big blowout since the lockdown , leading to criticism of the authorities for being too lax .
`` This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Festival of Music ( Fête de la musique ) is something of a liberation , but did we really have to have it this year ? ''
In England authorities said cinemas , museums and galleries would reopen on July 4 in the next phase of easing lockdowns as infection rates there also slow .
But illustrating the persisting risks , Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa said restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people would be reimposed and cafes and shops ordered to close at 8pm in Lisbon .
Australians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the country 's second-biggest city tightened restrictions over fears of an upsurge in cases .
Meanwhile , the sports world has been slowly re-emerging from the virus darkness , although for every step forward it seems to take one back .
Three of the world 's top male tennis players tested positive after taking part in a tournament in the Balkans featuring world number one Novak Djokovic , raising questions over the sport 's planned return in August .

Global coronavirus infections topped 9 million as the World Health Organization blamed a "lack of global solidarity and leadership" for allowing the pandemic to spread and Saudi Arabia announced it would scale back the Hajj Islamic pilgrimage next month.
People receive a nucleic acid test at a makeshift testing site in Beijing on June 23, following a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the Chinese capital.
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Many parts of the world, including Latin America and South Asia, are only beginning to feel the full force of the pandemic, while other regions that appeared to have vanquished the virus are being hit with second waves. China, Germany, South Korea and Japan are battling new outbreaks, with some reintroducing containment measures.
Europe has steadily eased its travel lockdowns in recent weeks, and France took its biggest step back to normality on Monday by allowing millions of children to return to school.
"The pandemic is still accelerating," the WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual health forum organised in the United Arab Emirates later that day.
Tedros said the greatest threat was not the virus itself, which has now killed over 470,000 people, but "the lack of global solidarity and global leadership."
"We cannot defeat this pandemic with a divided world," he said. "The politicisation of the pandemic has exacerbated it."
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is one of the leaders to have repeatedly played down the threat, comparing the virus to a "little flu" and arguing the economic impact of shutdowns is worse than the virus itself.
More than 50,000 people have been confirmed to have died from the virus in Brazil, with the true number believed to be far higher.
Brazil's homeless are at especially high risk.
02:02
Brazil's official death toll is second only to the United States, which has recorded 120,000 fatalities, and President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis has been widely criticised as erratic and chaotic.
Trump on Monday said the American toll could surpass 150,000, as two more members of his team that helped organise a controversial weekend rally for him in Oklahoma tested positive.
Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina are also coping with crises — Mexico City being forced to delay plans for a broad reopening of the economy as the country's death toll raced past 20,000.
With a vaccine still far away, the WHO has called for a rapid increase in production of the steroid dexamethasone, which has been shown to have life-saving potential.
'Very limited' Hajj
Saudi Arabia said it would allow a "very limited" number of pilgrims to its annual Hajj ritual, which last year drew 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world.
The Hajj, a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, represents a potentially major source of contagion.
Authorities said a Hajj only involving pilgrims already in the kingdom would be permitted.
In Europe however, countries continued to ease their restrictions.
Thousands of French people danced and partied in the streets well into Monday for an annual music festival in the first big blowout since the lockdown, leading to criticism of the authorities for being too lax.
"This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like," said Dr Gilbert Deray.
"I understand that the Festival of Music (Fête de la musique) is something of a liberation, but did we really have to have it this year?"
In England authorities said cinemas, museums and galleries would reopen on July 4 in the next phase of easing lockdowns as infection rates there also slow.
But illustrating the persisting risks, Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa said restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people would be reimposed and cafes and shops ordered to close at 8pm in Lisbon.
Australians were warned to avoid travelling to Melbourne as the country's second-biggest city tightened restrictions over fears of an upsurge in cases.
Meanwhile, the sports world has been slowly re-emerging from the virus darkness, although for every step forward it seems to take one back.
Three of the world's top male tennis players tested positive after taking part in a tournament in the Balkans featuring world number one Novak Djokovic, raising questions over the sport's planned return in August.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-23--Cristoli virus: New virus discovered in Paris using coronavirus technique

Researchers in France say they have discovered a new virus using the same method used to identify the coronavirus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic .
French scientists have discovered a new virus in a hospital just outside of Paris using the same technique used to identify the coronavirus behind the Covid-19 pandemic , though they say there is no reason to suspect it will lead to a similar health crisis .
The virus was discovered in a 58-year-old woman from Paris who died of encephalitis – a swelling of the brain - in 2019 and has been named “ Cristoli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Créteil where it was identified .
But researchers say it is too early to tell to what extent the virus was responsible as the patient had several severe underlying conditions .
“ What is important to note is that this encephalitis occurred in someone very immunocompromised , it was a person who was very sick and had other pathologies , ” Professor Jean-Michel Pawlotsky , head of medical biology at the Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil , where the discovery was made , ” told AFP .
“ At the moment , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if other cases are diagnosed in the future , we will be able to have a slightly more precise idea of the clinical picture associated with this disease .
“ The new virus is a type of orthobunyavirus , a family of pathogens commonly spread by mosquitoes .
It was discovered using a technique known as metagenomics , which was also used by Chinese researchers to identify the Covid-19 virus when it first emerged in Wuhan last year .
Scientists take a sample of body fluid or tissue – in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sequence any DNA present .
This allows them to identify all organisms in the sample at once .
But beyond the method of discovery , there is little to link the new virus with the Covid-19 coronavirus , say the researchers .
“ The mode of transmission of this disease has nothing to do with coronavirus .
With coronavirus , it ’ s a direct human-to-human transmission with droplets and therefore a possibility of epidemic spread which is very important , ” said Professor Pawlotsky .
“ We are dealing with something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not know today how this patient caught this disease , how she caught this virus .
We suspect it ’ s through insects because insects transmit this type of viral infection but we have absolutely no proof of that today.
” The identification of another new virus shortly after coronavirus is in fact a sign of improving methods of detection , say the researchers , something they expect to lead to increasing numbers of new pathogens being found in the future .
“ It ’ s not worrying , the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the story of life in general , ” Dr Christophe Rodriguez , of the hospital ’ s virology department told AFP .
“ We ’ ve always had new micro-organisms and new viruses especially through the ages .
It ’ s just that in previous years we just weren ’ t able to detect them .
The whole point of being able to detect them now is to be able to prevent them and also design programs to treat them later .
”

French scientists have discovered a new virus in a hospital just outside of Paris using the same technique used to identify the coronavirus behind the Covid-19 pandemic, though they say there is no reason to suspect it will lead to a similar health crisis.
Researchers in France say they have discovered a new virus using the same method used to identify the coronavirus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The virus was discovered in a 58-year-old woman from Paris who died of encephalitis – a swelling of the brain - in 2019 and has been named “Cristoli virus” after the Paris suburb of Créteil where it was identified.
But researchers say it is too early to tell to what extent the virus was responsible as the patient had several severe underlying conditions.
“What is important to note is that this encephalitis occurred in someone very immunocompromised, it was a person who was very sick and had other pathologies,” Professor Jean-Michel Pawlotsky, head of medical biology at the Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil, where the discovery was made,” told AFP.
“At the moment, we have only one case to describe. Obviously, if other cases are diagnosed in the future, we will be able to have a slightly more precise idea of the clinical picture associated with this disease. “
The new virus is a type of orthobunyavirus, a family of pathogens commonly spread by mosquitoes.
It was discovered using a technique known as metagenomics, which was also used by Chinese researchers to identify the Covid-19 virus when it first emerged in Wuhan last year.
Scientists take a sample of body fluid or tissue – in this case from the patient’s brain – and sequence any DNA present. This allows them to identify all organisms in the sample at once.
But beyond the method of discovery, there is little to link the new virus with the Covid-19 coronavirus, say the researchers.
“The mode of transmission of this disease has nothing to do with coronavirus. With coronavirus, it’s a direct human-to-human transmission with droplets and therefore a possibility of epidemic spread which is very important,” said Professor Pawlotsky.
“We are dealing with something very different and, frankly, we do not know today how this patient caught this disease, how she caught this virus. We suspect it’s through insects because insects transmit this type of viral infection but we have absolutely no proof of that today.”
The identification of another new virus shortly after coronavirus is in fact a sign of improving methods of detection, say the researchers, something they expect to lead to increasing numbers of new pathogens being found in the future.
“It’s not worrying, the fact that we have new viruses, because that’s the story of life in general,” Dr Christophe Rodriguez, of the hospital’s virology department told AFP.
“We’ve always had new micro-organisms and new viruses especially through the ages. It’s just that in previous years we just weren’t able to detect them. The whole point of being able to detect them now is to be able to prevent them and also design programs to treat them later.”
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france24--2020-06-23--Trump administration faces fresh scrutiny with release of Bolton’s tell-all book

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton 's tell-all memoir is set for release June 23 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump is facing another round of revelations with the publication of a tell-all book by former national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday after Trump 's efforts to block the book release failed in a US court .
Bolton ’ s book , “ The Room Where It Happened ” , is an account of his 17 months serving as national security advisor that paints the US president as not `` fit for office '' .
Reporting from Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kethevane Gorjestani said the book release places Trump ’ s way of governing under intense scrutiny .
“ John Bolton is really painting a very bleak and not positive picture of the US president .
He paints the president as someone who is uninformed and ignorant ; he doesn ’ t know whether Finland is part of Russia or not , ” said Gorjestani .
“ He also shows a side of Donald Trump that was in question during the impeachment process that basically shows the US president , according to John Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind – that he wanted to be re-elected.
” The withering portrayal also accuses Trump of explicitly seeking Chinese President Xi Jinping 's help to win re-election .
The book release follows an unsuccessful attempt by the Trump administration to block publication when US District Judge Royce Lamberth last week ruled in Bolton ’ s favour citing his core First Amendment right to free speech .
But the judge also ruled that Bolton had “ gambled with the national security of the United States ” by opting out of a prepublication review process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified secrets in memoirs they publish .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday compared Bolton 's revelations to Edward Snowden 's disclosure of state-backed mass surveillance of US citizens .
Snowden is a former US intelligence contractor who revealed in 2013 that the US National Security Agency was carrying out widespread surveillance on US citizens .
`` Frankly , the information he has released puts criminal liability squarely on him , '' the top US diplomat told Fox News .
`` We all saw what 's happened when people leak classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton did here is not dissimilar to that , '' Pompeo said .
Snowden has been living in exile in Russia since his revelations .
He has been charged in the US with espionage and theft of state secrets and faces up to 30 years in prison .
`` This kind of information getting out , it presents real risk and real harm to the United States of America , '' Pompeo added .
Over the past few days , Trump and his team , including Pompeo , have vacillated between two courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` fiction , '' but also claiming it is full of highly sensitive , classified information .

President Donald Trump is facing another round of revelations with the publication of a tell-all book by former national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday after Trump's efforts to block the book release failed in a US court.
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Bolton’s book, “The Room Where It Happened”, is an account of his 17 months serving as national security advisor that paints the US president as not "fit for office".
Reporting from Washington, DC, FRANCE 24’s Kethevane Gorjestani said the book release places Trump’s way of governing under intense scrutiny. “John Bolton is really painting a very bleak and not positive picture of the US president. He paints the president as someone who is uninformed and ignorant; he doesn’t know whether Finland is part of Russia or not,” said Gorjestani.
“He also shows a side of Donald Trump that was in question during the impeachment process that basically shows the US president, according to John Bolton, as having only one thing in mind – that he wanted to be re-elected.”
04:52
The withering portrayal also accuses Trump of explicitly seeking Chinese President Xi Jinping's help to win re-election.
The book release follows an unsuccessful attempt by the Trump administration to block publication when US District Judge Royce Lamberth last week ruled in Bolton’s favour citing his core First Amendment right to free speech. But the judge also ruled that Bolton had “gambled with the national security of the United States” by opting out of a prepublication review process meant to prevent government officials from spilling classified secrets in memoirs they publish.
04:52
Pompeo compares Bolton to Snowden
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday compared Bolton's revelations to Edward Snowden's disclosure of state-backed mass surveillance of US citizens.
Snowden is a former US intelligence contractor who revealed in 2013 that the US National Security Agency was carrying out widespread surveillance on US citizens.
"Frankly, the information he has released puts criminal liability squarely on him," the top US diplomat told Fox News.
"We all saw what's happened when people leak classified information like Edward Snowden. What John Bolton did here is not dissimilar to that," Pompeo said.
Snowden has been living in exile in Russia since his revelations. He has been charged in the US with espionage and theft of state secrets and faces up to 30 years in prison.
"This kind of information getting out, it presents real risk and real harm to the United States of America," Pompeo added.
Over the past few days, Trump and his team, including Pompeo, have vacillated between two courses of action: denouncing the book as "fiction," but also claiming it is full of highly sensitive, classified information.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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