france24--2020-07-10--US sees latest record surge in virus cases amid wrangling over lockdown measures

An empty playground surrounded by caution tape in Searbrook , Texas , one of the worst-hit US states , pictured on July 8 , 2020 .
More than 60,500 new Covid-19 infections were reported across the United States on Thursday , according to a Reuters tally , setting yet another one-day record as weary Americans were told to take new precautions and the pandemic becomes increasingly politicised .
The total represents a slight rise from Wednesday , when there were 60,000 new cases , and marks the largest one-day increase by any country since the pandemic emerged in China last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world by the pandemic , has a total caseload of more than 3.1 million , with 133,195 deaths .
The Johns Hopkins University , which has been recording daily figures for the US and other countries since the start of the pandemic , gave an even higher increase of 65,551 new coronavirus cases for Thursday alone .
As infections rose in 41 of the 50 states over the last two weeks , Americans have become increasingly divided on issues such as the reopening of schools and businesses .
Orders by governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become particularly divisive .
`` It 's just disheartening because the selfishness of ( not wearing a mask ) versus the selflessness of my staff and the people in this hospital who are putting themselves at risk , and I got Covid-19 from this , '' said Dr. Andrew Pastewski , ICU medical director at Jackson South Medical Center in Miami .
`` You know , we 're putting ourselves at risk and other people are n't willing to do anything and in fact go the other way and be aggressive to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's really hard , '' he said .
Stephanie Porta , 41 , a lifelong Orlando , Florida , resident , said only about half the shoppers at her grocery store wore masks , though that was more than she saw two weeks ago .
`` They 're trying to make everything seem normal , when it 's not .
People are dying , people are getting sick .
It 's insane , '' she said .
Florida on Thursday announced nearly 9,000 new cases and 120 new coronavirus deaths , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Ron DeSantis called the rising cases a `` blip '' and urged residents not to be afraid .
`` I know we 've had a lot of different blips , '' DeSantis said .
`` We 're now at a higher blip than where we were in May and the beginning of June . ''
Florida is one of the few states that does not disclose the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients .
But more than four dozen Florida hospitals reported their intensive care units reached full capacity earlier this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sued Governor Greg Abbott , a Republican , saying his June 26 order closing them down violates the state constitution , the Dallas Morning News reported .
Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Thursday that keeping schools closed would be a greater risk to children 's health than reopening them .
California and Texas , the two most populous states , announced record increases in Covid-19 deaths on Wednesday .
California has seen cases and hospitalisations surge , even though it imposed one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers and staffers at the state Capitol in Sacramento were infected , lawmakers said the legislature would not return from summer break until July 27 .
Riverside University Health System , east of Los Angeles , expanded its 44-bed intensive care unit after it filled up with patients .
`` It 's been very consistent every day in the last couple of weeks .
Every day has been like a full moon , '' Riverside emergency room physician Stephanie Loe said , referring to doctors ' beliefs that a full moon brings more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , Florida and Texas have either ruled out forced business closures and quarantines or called them a last resort .
But Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned he would impose a new stay-at-home order in two weeks if the latest surge did not ease .
The rise in infections also weighed on the stock market Thursday with fears of new lockdowns , which would take a toll on the economic recovery .
The Dow and the S & P 500 ended down about 1 % .

More than 60,500 new Covid-19 infections were reported across the United States on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, setting yet another one-day record as weary Americans were told to take new precautions and the pandemic becomes increasingly politicised.
An empty playground surrounded by caution tape in Searbrook, Texas, one of the worst-hit US states, pictured on July 8, 2020.
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The total represents a slight rise from Wednesday, when there were 60,000 new cases, and marks the largest one-day increase by any country since the pandemic emerged in China last year.
The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic, has a total caseload of more than 3.1 million, with 133,195 deaths.
The Johns Hopkins University, which has been recording daily figures for the US and other countries since the start of the pandemic, gave an even higher increase of 65,551 new coronavirus cases for Thursday alone.
As infections rose in 41 of the 50 states over the last two weeks, Americans have become increasingly divided on issues such as the reopening of schools and businesses. Orders by governors and local leaders mandating face masks have become particularly divisive.
"It's just disheartening because the selfishness of (not wearing a mask) versus the selflessness of my staff and the people in this hospital who are putting themselves at risk, and I got Covid-19 from this," said Dr. Andrew Pastewski, ICU medical director at Jackson South Medical Center in Miami.
"You know, we're putting ourselves at risk and other people aren't willing to do anything and in fact go the other way and be aggressive to promote the disease. It's really, it's really hard," he said.
Stephanie Porta, 41, a lifelong Orlando, Florida, resident, said only about half the shoppers at her grocery store wore masks, though that was more than she saw two weeks ago.
"They're trying to make everything seem normal, when it's not. People are dying, people are getting sick. It's insane," she said.
Florida on Thursday announced nearly 9,000 new cases and 120 new coronavirus deaths, a record daily increase in lives lost.
Governor Ron DeSantis called the rising cases a "blip" and urged residents not to be afraid.
"I know we've had a lot of different blips," DeSantis said. "We're now at a higher blip than where we were in May and the beginning of June."
Texas bar owners sue governor
Florida is one of the few states that does not disclose the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients. But more than four dozen Florida hospitals reported their intensive care units reached full capacity earlier this week.
In Texas a group of bar owners sued Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, saying his June 26 order closing them down violates the state constitution, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Thursday that keeping schools closed would be a greater risk to children's health than reopening them.
California and Texas, the two most populous states, announced record increases in Covid-19 deaths on Wednesday.
California has seen cases and hospitalisations surge, even though it imposed one of the strictest lockdowns. After several lawmakers and staffers at the state Capitol in Sacramento were infected, lawmakers said the legislature would not return from summer break until July 27.
Riverside University Health System, east of Los Angeles, expanded its 44-bed intensive care unit after it filled up with patients.
"It's been very consistent every day in the last couple of weeks. Every day has been like a full moon," Riverside emergency room physician Stephanie Loe said, referring to doctors' beliefs that a full moon brings more patients to the emergency room.
Governors in California, Florida and Texas have either ruled out forced business closures and quarantines or called them a last resort. But Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned he would impose a new stay-at-home order in two weeks if the latest surge did not ease.
The rise in infections also weighed on the stock market Thursday with fears of new lockdowns, which would take a toll on the economic recovery. The Dow and the S&P 500 ended down about 1%.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-09--Seoul's mayor found dead in presumed suicide after #MeToo allegation

Police officers stand guard in front of the residence of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon as rescue workers conduct a search operation in Seoul , South Korea , July 10 , 2020 .
The mayor of Seoul , a former human rights lawyer and potential South Korean presidential candidate , died in an apparent suicide a day after being accused of sexual harassment .
The death of Park Won-soon , whose body was recovered early Friday on a mountain in the capital , is by far the most dramatic end to a # MeToo case in South Korea , a highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has brought down scores of prominent men in multiple fields .
If Park does prove to have killed himself he would be the highest-profile South Korean politician to do so since former president Roh Moo-hyun , who jumped off a cliff in 2009 after being questioned over corruption allegations involving family members .
There were no signs of foul play , police said , and according to Yonhap news agency Park was presumed to have taken his own life .
He had been reported missing by his daughter on Thursday , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message that sounded like `` last words '' .
A heavyweight figure in the ruling centre-left Democratic party , Park ran South Korea 's sprawling capital -- home to almost a fifth of the national population -- for nearly a decade .
He won three elections while promoting gender and social equality , and did not shy away from expressing his ambitions to replace incumbent President Moon Jae-in in 2022 .
But his death came a day after his former secretary filed a police complaint -- said to involve sexual harassment -- against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its economic and technological advances , but the country has seen a widespread # MeToo movement in the last two years , sparked by a prosecutor who publicly accused a superior of groping her at a funeral .
The perpetrators have included a former provincial governor who sought the presidency in 2017 but was jailed last year for sexual intercourse by abuse of authority after his female assistant accused him of repeatedly raping her .
According to a document purporting to be the statement of Park 's victim , who worked as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sexual harassment and inappropriate gestures during work hours '' , including insisting she hug him in the bedroom adjoining his office .
After work , she said , he sent her `` selfies of himself in his underwear and lewd comments '' on a messenger app .
`` I brainwashed myself , bearing tremendous fear and humiliation , that all of this was in the interest of Seoul City , myself , and mayor Park , '' she said , according to the document .
The police confirmed a complaint had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Park 's death means the investigation will automatically be closed .
Park was a student activist in the days of South Korea 's military dictatorship -- he was jailed for taking part in a rally against then-president Park Chung-hee -- and later became a human rights lawyer .
He defended many political activists and in the 1990s won South Korea 's first sexual harassment conviction , in a landmark judgement .
He helped launch the People 's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy , an influential NGO pushing to reform the conglomerates that dominate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Beautiful Foundation -- a philanthropic group that promotes volunteerism and community service .
It grew into one of the largest non-profit organisations in South Korea and launched the Beautiful Stores , a chain of charity shops modelled after Britain 's Oxfam shops .
Reactions were mixed on Friday , including both condolences and criticism that he killed himself to avoid punishment .
There was an outpouring of grief from his supporters , some of whom wailed at Seoul National University Hospital as his body was brought in .
`` Mayor Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one poster wrote on Daum , the country 's second-largest portal site .
`` But a twist of fate put an end to your journey .
I hope you are at ease in heaven . ''
Others were more critical of the 64-year-old , accusing him of exploiting his power to harass a subordinate and then taking his own life to `` avoid the fallout '' .
`` The victim must have had painful times in the run-up to the filing of the complaint , '' wrote one user .
`` I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the afterlife . ''
The Seoul city government said a memorial altar will be set up in front of the city hall for citizens to pay respects .

The mayor of Seoul, a former human rights lawyer and potential South Korean presidential candidate, died in an apparent suicide a day after being accused of sexual harassment.
Police officers stand guard in front of the residence of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon as rescue workers conduct a search operation in Seoul, South Korea, July 10, 2020.
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The death of Park Won-soon, whose body was recovered early Friday on a mountain in the capital, is by far the most dramatic end to a #MeToo case in South Korea, a highly patriarchal society where the women's movement has brought down scores of prominent men in multiple fields.
If Park does prove to have killed himself he would be the highest-profile South Korean politician to do so since former president Roh Moo-hyun, who jumped off a cliff in 2009 after being questioned over corruption allegations involving family members.
There were no signs of foul play, police said, and according to Yonhap news agency Park was presumed to have taken his own life.
He had been reported missing by his daughter on Thursday, who said he had been unreachable after leaving a message that sounded like "last words".
A heavyweight figure in the ruling centre-left Democratic party, Park ran South Korea's sprawling capital -- home to almost a fifth of the national population -- for nearly a decade.
He won three elections while promoting gender and social equality, and did not shy away from expressing his ambitions to replace incumbent President Moon Jae-in in 2022.
But his death came a day after his former secretary filed a police complaint -- said to involve sexual harassment -- against him.
South Korea remains male-dominated despite its economic and technological advances, but the country has seen a widespread #MeToo movement in the last two years, sparked by a prosecutor who publicly accused a superior of groping her at a funeral.
The perpetrators have included a former provincial governor who sought the presidency in 2017 but was jailed last year for sexual intercourse by abuse of authority after his female assistant accused him of repeatedly raping her.
According to a document purporting to be the statement of Park's victim, who worked as his personal secretary from 2015, he committed "sexual harassment and inappropriate gestures during work hours", including insisting she hug him in the bedroom adjoining his office.
After work, she said, he sent her "selfies of himself in his underwear and lewd comments" on a messenger app.
"I brainwashed myself, bearing tremendous fear and humiliation, that all of this was in the interest of Seoul City, myself, and mayor Park," she said, according to the document.
The police confirmed a complaint had been filed but declined to confirm the details.
Park's death means the investigation will automatically be closed.
Jailhouse to courthouse
Park was a student activist in the days of South Korea's military dictatorship -- he was jailed for taking part in a rally against then-president Park Chung-hee -- and later became a human rights lawyer.
He defended many political activists and in the 1990s won South Korea's first sexual harassment conviction, in a landmark judgement.
He helped launch the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, an influential NGO pushing to reform the conglomerates that dominate South Korean business.
Park also founded the Beautiful Foundation -- a philanthropic group that promotes volunteerism and community service.
It grew into one of the largest non-profit organisations in South Korea and launched the Beautiful Stores, a chain of charity shops modelled after Britain's Oxfam shops.
Reactions were mixed on Friday, including both condolences and criticism that he killed himself to avoid punishment.
There was an outpouring of grief from his supporters, some of whom wailed at Seoul National University Hospital as his body was brought in.
"Mayor Park, you were an excellent politician," one poster wrote on Daum, the country's second-largest portal site.
"But a twist of fate put an end to your journey. I hope you are at ease in heaven."
Others were more critical of the 64-year-old, accusing him of exploiting his power to harass a subordinate and then taking his own life to "avoid the fallout".
"The victim must have had painful times in the run-up to the filing of the complaint," wrote one user. "I hope Park reflects on his misdeeds and atones in the afterlife."
The Seoul city government said a memorial altar will be set up in front of the city hall for citizens to pay respects.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-10--France investigates report of bodies 'left to rot' at Paris research centre

Paris-Descartes University , in the French capital , has been accused of `` serious ethical breaches '' .
French investigating magistrates will probe claims that human corpses donated for science were left to rot and be eaten by rats at a university research facility , the Paris prosecutor 's office said Thursday .
A probe into `` violations of the integrity of a corpse '' was handed over to the magistrates by prosecutors who handled the initial phase of the investigation after l'Express magazine reported the scandal last November .
The newspaper said the remains of thousands of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in abhorrent conditions at the Centre for Body Donations ( CDC ) of the Paris-Descartes University in the French capital .
Bodies were strewn around naked , dismembered , piled one on top of the other , with even a severed head lying on the floor , l'Express reported , describing the scene photographed in 2016 as resembling a mass grave .
Some body parts were decomposing , others lay there chewed by rats amid overflowing garbage bags containing pieces of flesh .
`` This is very good news , '' Frederic Douchez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , said of Thursday 's announcement by the Paris prosecutor 's office .
Investigating magistrates , he said , have much wider powers to get to the bottom of the affair .
Nearly 80 complaints have so far been lodged .
The revelations caused the French government to order the shuttering of the centre and an administrative inspection by a panel which said in June the university was guilty of `` serious ethical breaches '' in its management of the CDC .
The centre , opened in 1953 , was the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until its closure , received hundreds of donated bodies every year .

French investigating magistrates will probe claims that human corpses donated for science were left to rot and be eaten by rats at a university research facility, the Paris prosecutor's office said Thursday.
Paris-Descartes University, in the French capital, has been accused of "serious ethical breaches".
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A probe into "violations of the integrity of a corpse" was handed over to the magistrates by prosecutors who handled the initial phase of the investigation after l'Express magazine reported the scandal last November.
The newspaper said the remains of thousands of people who donated their bodies for research were discovered in abhorrent conditions at the Centre for Body Donations (CDC) of the Paris-Descartes University in the French capital.
Bodies were strewn around naked, dismembered, piled one on top of the other, with even a severed head lying on the floor, l'Express reported, describing the scene photographed in 2016 as resembling a mass grave.
Some body parts were decomposing, others lay there chewed by rats amid overflowing garbage bags containing pieces of flesh.
Sept mois après les révélations de L'Express sur le fonctionnement du centre du don des corps de l'université #ParisDescartes, "le charnier de Paris-Descartes", une #enquete de l'Inspection générale des affaires sociales a été publiée mi-juin pic.twitter.com/fNQdyJSmGE — FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) June 18, 2020
"This is very good news," Frederic Douchez, a lawyer for families who pressed charges, said of Thursday's announcement by the Paris prosecutor's office.
Investigating magistrates, he said, have much wider powers to get to the bottom of the affair.
Nearly 80 complaints have so far been lodged.
The revelations caused the French government to order the shuttering of the centre and an administrative inspection by a panel which said in June the university was guilty of "serious ethical breaches" in its management of the CDC.
The centre, opened in 1953, was the largest of its kind in Europe and, until its closure, received hundreds of donated bodies every year.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-10--Merkel press office staffer 'worked for years for Egyptian intelligence'

The suspect is being described as a mid-level employee of the German chancellor 's press office .
A former employee of German Chancellor Angela Merkel 's press office was discharged in December last year on suspicions that he was spying for Egypt , according to a government report seen by German media on Thursday .
Police carried out `` executive measures '' against the man in December 2019 after he was found to have `` worked for years for an Egyptian intelligence service '' , according to the report .
The Federal Public Prosecutor confirmed that the man was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation is ongoing .
Local newspaper Bild said the man worked for the visitor service of the federal government press office ( BPA ) , headed by Merkel 's spokesman Steffen Seibert He was a mid-level employee , meaning he would have completed an exam and at least two years of vocational training .
The premises of the visitor service were searched as part of the investigation , Bild reported .
A spokesman for the BPA told AFP it would not comment on ongoing investigations or personnel matters .
The main tasks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering information about members of groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood , according to the government report .
They are also interested in members of the Coptic Christian community and in recruiting Egyptian nationals as spies , it said .
`` There are indications that Egyptian services are trying to recruit Egyptians living in Germany for intelligence purposes through their visits to Egyptian diplomatic missions in Germany and their trips to Egypt , '' the report said .
Aside from a brief interlude following the popular uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military since 1952 .
The army is highly visible in Egypt 's public life , with former top brass currently serving as ministers and heading governorates .
Current President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi led the army 's overthrow of elected president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 following mass protests against the Islamist leader 's rule .

A former employee of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's press office was discharged in December last year on suspicions that he was spying for Egypt, according to a government report seen by German media on Thursday.
The suspect is being described as a mid-level employee of the German chancellor's press office.
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Police carried out "executive measures" against the man in December 2019 after he was found to have "worked for years for an Egyptian intelligence service", according to the report.
The Federal Public Prosecutor confirmed that the man was charged on suspicion of espionage and that the investigation is ongoing.
Local newspaper Bild said the man worked for the visitor service of the federal government press office (BPA), headed by Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert
He was a mid-level employee, meaning he would have completed an exam and at least two years of vocational training.
The premises of the visitor service were searched as part of the investigation, Bild reported.
A spokesman for the BPA told AFP it would not comment on ongoing investigations or personnel matters.
An employee of Germany's Federal Press Office was found to have worked for an Egyptian secret service for years. https://t.co/888CfnCGsC — DW News (@dwnews) July 10, 2020
The main tasks of Egyptian secret service agents in Germany include gathering information about members of groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, according to the government report.
They are also interested in members of the Coptic Christian community and in recruiting Egyptian nationals as spies, it said.
"There are indications that Egyptian services are trying to recruit Egyptians living in Germany for intelligence purposes through their visits to Egyptian diplomatic missions in Germany and their trips to Egypt," the report said.
Aside from a brief interlude following the popular uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in 2011, Egypt has been ruled by the military since 1952.
The army is highly visible in Egypt's public life, with former top brass currently serving as ministers and heading governorates.
Current President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi led the army's overthrow of elected president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 following mass protests against the Islamist leader's rule.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-10--Serbia drops plans for reimposed lockdown after days of violent protests

Protesters light flares as they attend a rally against the government 's lockdown measures , amid the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , in front of the parliament in Belgrade , Serbia , July 9 , 2020 .
Thousands staged a sit-down rally in Belgrade on Thursday to object to any reimposition of coronavirus curbs and to voice opposition to the government , an even-tempered protest that contrasted sharply with riots in the past two days .
Similar protests were also held in several Serbian cities and came hours after authorities dropped plans for a weekend lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus .
A government crisis group decided instead on a more limited ban on outdoor and indoor public gatherings of more than 10 people .
It also shortened working hours at indoor restaurants and cafes .
`` Sit down , sit down , '' protesters chanted as a small group of young men in black face masks lit a signal flare and briefly clashed with others in the crowd before they were forced to leave .
Police did not react .
`` We do not need violence , we simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repression , '' said Milica , 21 , a student .
Prime Minister Ana Brnabic who previously warned more weekend lockdowns are possible if new measures fail and that Belgrade 's healthcare system was breaking down , said she `` had nothing '' against peaceful protests .
`` Such gatherings are a ( health ) risk , but as long as they ( protesters ) wear face masks ... and if protests are peaceful - it is all well , '' she told state-run RTS TV .
At the protest in Belgrade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on stairs behind the parliament building , away from protesters .
`` We are also enjoying the afternoon , as long as protesters are calm , we will keep on enjoying it , '' a policeman said .
Protests were sparked earlier in the week after President Aleksandar Vucic announced that a weekend lockdown would be necessary .
The demonstrations were at first driven by anger and frustration over economically-stifling measures to contain the pandemic but quickly evolved into anti-government rallies with participants demanding Vucic 's resignation .
Serbia , a country of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17,342 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 352 deaths .
Critics say government decisions to allow soccer matches , religious festivities , parties , and private gatherings to resume in May , and a June 21 parliamentary vote , are to blame for the new surge in infections .
The government blames a lack of sanitary discipline among the public , especially in nightclubs .

Thousands staged a sit-down rally in Belgrade on Thursday to object to any reimposition of coronavirus curbs and to voice opposition to the government, an even-tempered protest that contrasted sharply with riots in the past two days.
Protesters light flares as they attend a rally against the government's lockdown measures, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in front of the parliament in Belgrade, Serbia, July 9, 2020.
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Similar protests were also held in several Serbian cities and came hours after authorities dropped plans for a weekend lockdown in the capital to curb a new spread of the coronavirus.
A government crisis group decided instead on a more limited ban on outdoor and indoor public gatherings of more than 10 people. It also shortened working hours at indoor restaurants and cafes.
"Sit down, sit down," protesters chanted as a small group of young men in black face masks lit a signal flare and briefly clashed with others in the crowd before they were forced to leave. Police did not react.
"We do not need violence, we simply want to sit here and protest against repression," said Milica, 21, a student.
Prime Minister Ana Brnabic who previously warned more weekend lockdowns are possible if new measures fail and that Belgrade's healthcare system was breaking down, said she "had nothing" against peaceful protests.
"Such gatherings are a (health) risk, but as long as they (protesters) wear face masks ... and if protests are peaceful - it is all well," she told state-run RTS TV.
At the protest in Belgrade, riot police clad in full gear sat on stairs behind the parliament building, away from protesters.
"We are also enjoying the afternoon, as long as protesters are calm, we will keep on enjoying it," a policeman said.
Protests were sparked earlier in the week after President Aleksandar Vucic announced that a weekend lockdown would be necessary.
The demonstrations were at first driven by anger and frustration over economically-stifling measures to contain the pandemic but quickly evolved into anti-government rallies with participants demanding Vucic's resignation.
Serbia, a country of 7 million, has so far reported 17,342 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 352 deaths.
Critics say government decisions to allow soccer matches, religious festivities, parties, and private gatherings to resume in May, and a June 21 parliamentary vote, are to blame for the new surge in infections.
The government blames a lack of sanitary discipline among the public, especially in nightclubs.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-10--French César awards announce changes in response to Polanski #MeToo row

Feminist activists hold a banner reading `` Polanski : Best rapist 2020 award '' during a demonstration outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris as guests arrive for the 45th edition of the César Film Awards ceremony on February 28 , 2020 .
The French equivalent of the Oscars announced changes to ensure gender equality on Thursday , five months after its entire board resigned amid accusations of sexism and calls for far-reaching-reform .
More than 200 actors , producers , directors and movie personalities had accused the Cesar Academy of being out of touch , with the body already under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nominations for this year 's awards , leading to the board 's resignation .
Two weeks later , the glitzy award ceremony on February 28 turned into a fiasco when Polanski -- who is wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 –- won best director and best adapted screenplay , prompting French actress Adele Haenel to walk out shouting `` Shame ! ''
`` Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims , '' Haenel had said in the run-up to the Cesars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now on there would be gender parity in all its decision-making chambers , including the presidency where a woman and man would share the role .
The Academy also announced that all 4,313 members who vote for the awards could be candidates to the General Assembly and would be able to choose their representatives in elections scheduled for September .
The institution 's new organisation is a response to the criticism by offering `` more diversity , more gender equality and more democracy , '' interim president Margaret Menegoz told AFP .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's resignation , over 200 stars from the French film industry denounced the `` dysfunction '' at the academy , the `` opaqueness '' in its accounts and the lack of change to its founding statutes .
And on the eve of the dramatic awards night , 30 cinema figures from minority backgrounds lashed out at the lip service they claimed the French industry pays to inclusion , saying black , North African and Asian-origin performers are mostly confined to stereotypical parts .
Over the years the Cesar awards have been dogged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been popular among French audiences in favour of more supposedly high-brow offerings .

The French equivalent of the Oscars announced changes to ensure gender equality on Thursday, five months after its entire board resigned amid accusations of sexism and calls for far-reaching-reform.
Feminist activists hold a banner reading "Polanski: Best rapist 2020 award" during a demonstration outside the Salle Pleyel in Paris as guests arrive for the 45th edition of the César Film Awards ceremony on February 28, 2020.
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More than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities had accused the Cesar Academy of being out of touch, with the body already under fire after Roman Polanski topped the list of nominations for this year's awards, leading to the board's resignation.
Two weeks later, the glitzy award ceremony on February 28 turned into a fiasco when Polanski -- who is wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 –- won best director and best adapted screenplay, prompting French actress Adele Haenel to walk out shouting "Shame!"
"Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims," Haenel had said in the run-up to the Cesars.
"It means raping women isn't that bad."
The Cesar Academy said that from now on there would be gender parity in all its decision-making chambers, including the presidency where a woman and man would share the role.
The Academy also announced that all 4,313 members who vote for the awards could be candidates to the General Assembly and would be able to choose their representatives in elections scheduled for September.
The institution's new organisation is a response to the criticism by offering "more diversity, more gender equality and more democracy," interim president Margaret Menegoz told AFP.
In the open letter which prompted the board's resignation, over 200 stars from the French film industry denounced the "dysfunction" at the academy, the "opaqueness" in its accounts and the lack of change to its founding statutes.
And on the eve of the dramatic awards night, 30 cinema figures from minority backgrounds lashed out at the lip service they claimed the French industry pays to inclusion, saying black, North African and Asian-origin performers are mostly confined to stereotypical parts.
Over the years the Cesar awards have been dogged by accusations of elitism, often snubbing films that have been popular among French audiences in favour of more supposedly high-brow offerings.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-09--Bolivia's interim president Anez tests positive for Covid-19

Bolivian President Jeanine Anez waves , while wearing a face mask , after attending a Corpus Christi procession at the Plaza de Armas in front of the government palace in La Paz , on June 11 , 2020 , amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic .
Bolivia 's President Jeanine Anez said on Thursday that she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
Anez said in a tweet she was `` well '' and continuing to work while in isolation .
`` Together , we will come out of this , '' she said .
The Bolivian government confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health minister , had tested positive and were either undergoing treatment or recuperating at home .
Anez said she had conducted a test given that many of her team had fallen ill. '' I feel well , I feel strong , I am going to keep working remotely from my isolation , and I want to thank all the Bolivians who are working to help us in this health crisis , '' she said .
Bolivia is due to hold general elections on Sept. 6 .
The elections were originally planned for May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Political turmoil gripped the country last October when a disputed election led to widespread protests that eventually toppled longtime leftist leader Evo Morales .
Anez , a conservative former senator , assumed the interim president role in the political vacuum and initially said she would not run for full office , but later threw her hat in the ring .
Rival candidate and former President Jorge Tuto Quiroga , who is running again , said it was `` indispensable '' for Anez to be in full health and working towards the democratic transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contracted the virus .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , 55 , spent three days in intensive care sick with COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Wednesday he had tested positive .
Bolivia , a landlocked Andean nation of over 11.5 million people has registered more than 42,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 1,500 deaths and is one of the worst affected countries per capita in the world .

Bolivia's President Jeanine Anez said on Thursday that she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Bolivian President Jeanine Anez waves, while wearing a face mask, after attending a Corpus Christi procession at the Plaza de Armas in front of the government palace in La Paz, on June 11, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
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Anez said in a tweet she was "well" and continuing to work while in isolation. "Together, we will come out of this," she said.
The Bolivian government confirmed that at least seven ministers, including its health minister, had tested positive and were either undergoing treatment or recuperating at home.
Anez said she had conducted a test given that many of her team had fallen ill.
"I feel well, I feel strong, I am going to keep working remotely from my isolation, and I want to thank all the Bolivians who are working to help us in this health crisis," she said.
Bolivia is due to hold general elections on Sept. 6. The elections were originally planned for May but delayed due to the pandemic.
Political turmoil gripped the country last October when a disputed election led to widespread protests that eventually toppled longtime leftist leader Evo Morales.
Anez, a conservative former senator, assumed the interim president role in the political vacuum and initially said she would not run for full office, but later threw her hat in the ring.
Rival candidate and former President Jorge Tuto Quiroga, who is running again, said it was "indispensable" for Anez to be in full health and working towards the democratic transition.
Other leaders around the world also have contracted the virus. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 55, spent three days in intensive care sick with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Wednesday he had tested positive.
Bolivia, a landlocked Andean nation of over 11.5 million people has registered more than 42,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 1,500 deaths and is one of the worst affected countries per capita in the world.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-10--Erdogan reopens Hagia Sophia for Muslim worship, angering Christian leaders

Hagia Sophia , the sixth-century Istanbul building that was formerly a cathedral and a mosque , has been a museum since 1935 , open to believers of all faiths .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Friday that the Hagia Sophia , one of the architectural wonders of the world , would be reopened for Muslim worship , sparking fury among Christian leaders and in neighbouring Greece .
His declaration came after a top Turkish court revoked the sixth-century Byzantine monument 's status as a museum , clearing the way for it to be turned back into a mosque .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a magnet for tourists worldwide , was first constructed as a cathedral in the Christian Byzantine Empire but was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 .
The Council of State , Turkey 's highest administrative court , unanimously cancelled a 1934 cabinet decision and said Hagia Sophia was registered as a mosque in its property deeds , in its detailed reasoning seen by AFP .
Greece branded Turkey ’ s move an “ open provocation to the civilised world ” .
“ The nationalism displayed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries , ” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement .
The Russian Orthodox Church said Turkey had ignored “ millions of Christians ” with its move .
Hagia Sophia has been a museum since 1935 and open to believers of all faiths .
Transforming it from a mosque was a key reform under the new republic born out of the ashes of the Ottoman Empire .
The landmark ruling will inflame tensions not just with the West and its historic foe Greece but also Russia , with which Erdogan has forged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States has also urged against altering its status .
UNESCO said on Friday its World Heritage Committee would review Hagia Sophia 's status and that Turkey 's decision raised questions about the impact on its universal value as a site of importance transcending borders and generations .
Ahead of the court decision , Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul shared a picture of Hagia Sophia on his official Twitter account , with a message : “ Have a good Friday.
” Finance Minister Berat Albayrak , Erdogan ’ s son-in-law , tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim worship “ sooner or later ” , referring to a quote from Turkish poet Necip Fazil Kisakurek .
The Council of State had on July 2 debated a case brought by a Turkish group -- the Association for the Protection of Historic Monuments and the Environment , which demanded Hagia Sophia be reopened for Muslim prayers .
Since 2005 , there have been several attempts to change the building 's status .
In 2018 , the Constitutional Court rejected one application .
Despite occasional protests outside the site by Islamic groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break and open Hagia Sophia ” for Muslim prayers , authorities had until now kept the building as a museum .

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Friday that the Hagia Sophia, one of the architectural wonders of the world, would be reopened for Muslim worship, sparking fury among Christian leaders and in neighbouring Greece.
Hagia Sophia, the sixth-century Istanbul building that was formerly a cathedral and a mosque, has been a museum since 1935, open to believers of all faiths.
Advertising Read more
His declaration came after a top Turkish court revoked the sixth-century Byzantine monument's status as a museum, clearing the way for it to be turned back into a mosque.
The UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul, a magnet for tourists worldwide, was first constructed as a cathedral in the Christian Byzantine Empire but was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
The Council of State, Turkey's highest administrative court, unanimously cancelled a 1934 cabinet decision and said Hagia Sophia was registered as a mosque in its property deeds, in its detailed reasoning seen by AFP.
Greece branded Turkey’s move an “open provocation to the civilised world”.
“The nationalism displayed by Erdogan... takes his country back six centuries,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement.
The Russian Orthodox Church said Turkey had ignored “millions of Christians” with its move.
Hagia Sophia has been a museum since 1935 and open to believers of all faiths.
Transforming it from a mosque was a key reform under the new republic born out of the ashes of the Ottoman Empire.
01:36
‘Let the chains break’
The landmark ruling will inflame tensions not just with the West and its historic foe Greece but also Russia, with which Erdogan has forged an increasingly close partnership in recent years.
The United States has also urged against altering its status.
UNESCO said on Friday its World Heritage Committee would review Hagia Sophia's status and that Turkey's decision raised questions about the impact on its universal value as a site of importance transcending borders and generations.
Ahead of the court decision, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul shared a picture of Hagia Sophia on his official Twitter account, with a message: “Have a good Friday.”
Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Erdogan’s son-in-law, tweeted that Hagia Sophia would be reopened to Muslim worship “sooner or later”, referring to a quote from Turkish poet Necip Fazil Kisakurek.
The Council of State had on July 2 debated a case brought by a Turkish group -- the Association for the Protection of Historic Monuments and the Environment, which demanded Hagia Sophia be reopened for Muslim prayers.
Since 2005, there have been several attempts to change the building's status. In 2018, the Constitutional Court rejected one application.
Despite occasional protests outside the site by Islamic groups, often shouting, “Let the chains break and open Hagia Sophia” for Muslim prayers, authorities had until now kept the building as a museum.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-10--Mali protesters demand president's resignation over jihadist conflict, economy

Protesters demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on July 10 , 2020 , in Bamako , Mali .
A mass protest in Mali against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita descended into violence on Friday as protesters blocked main thoroughfares , attacked the parliament and stormed the premises of a state broadcaster .
One person was killed during the protest in the capital Bamako , officials said .
The protest , organised by a new opposition coalition , is the third such demonstration in two months – significantly escalating pressure on the embattled president .
Thousands initially gathered in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the country 's long-running jihadist conflict and economic woes .
They then rallied outside the parliament and in the courtyard of a state broadcaster .
The anti-Keita protest has alarmed the international community , which is keen to avoid the fragile West African state sliding into chaos .
Led by influential imam Mahmoud Dicko , the so-called June 5 movement is channelling deep-seated frustrations , heaping pressure on Keita , who unsuccessfully floated political reforms this week in a bid to appease opponents .
Many protesters on Friday carried placards bearing anti-government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters saw .
`` We do n't want this regime any more , '' said one of the demonstrators , Sy Kadiatou Sow .
Protesters later erected barricades and set tyres alight on two of the main bridges across the river Niger that runs through Bamako , according to AFP journalists , and entered the courtyard of state broadcaster ORTM .
National guardsmen also fired tear gas at protesters hurling stones at the parliament building .
Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger .
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed , and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes .
Friday 's demonstration follows an attempt by Keita on Wednesday to appease growing opposition to his government by offering to appoint new judges to the constitutional court .
The court has been at the centre of controversy in Mali since April 29 , when it overturned the provisional results for March 's parliamentary poll for about 30 seats .
That move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected to the parliament and triggered protests in several cities .
It is also widely seen as having ignited the country 's latest political crisis .
Keita suggested on Wednesday that appointing new judges would mean that the constitutional court could revisit its earlier decision .
However , opposition leaders had been demanding that the 75-year-old dissolve the parliament and form a transition government .

A mass protest in Mali against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita descended into violence on Friday as protesters blocked main thoroughfares, attacked the parliament and stormed the premises of a state broadcaster.
Protesters demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on July 10, 2020, in Bamako, Mali.
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One person was killed during the protest in the capital Bamako, officials said.
The protest, organised by a new opposition coalition, is the third such demonstration in two months – significantly escalating pressure on the embattled president.
Thousands initially gathered in a central square to demand the president resign over the country's long-running jihadist conflict and economic woes.
They then rallied outside the parliament and in the courtyard of a state broadcaster.
The anti-Keita protest has alarmed the international community, which is keen to avoid the fragile West African state sliding into chaos.
Led by influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, the so-called June 5 movement is channelling deep-seated frustrations, heaping pressure on Keita, who unsuccessfully floated political reforms this week in a bid to appease opponents.
Many protesters on Friday carried placards bearing anti-government slogans and blowing vuvuzela horns, AFP reporters saw.
"We don't want this regime any more," said one of the demonstrators, Sy Kadiatou Sow.
Protesters later erected barricades and set tyres alight on two of the main bridges across the river Niger that runs through Bamako, according to AFP journalists, and entered the courtyard of state broadcaster ORTM.
National guardsmen also fired tear gas at protesters hurling stones at the parliament building.
Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012, before spreading to the centre of the country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes.
New judges
Friday's demonstration follows an attempt by Keita on Wednesday to appease growing opposition to his government by offering to appoint new judges to the constitutional court.
The court has been at the centre of controversy in Mali since April 29, when it overturned the provisional results for March's parliamentary poll for about 30 seats.
That move saw several members of Keita's party elected to the parliament and triggered protests in several cities.
It is also widely seen as having ignited the country's latest political crisis.
Keita suggested on Wednesday that appointing new judges would mean that the constitutional court could revisit its earlier decision.
However, opposition leaders had been demanding that the 75-year-old dissolve the parliament and form a transition government.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-10--The many lives of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s ‘wonder of wonders’

An architectural jewel and witness to history ’ s about-turns , Hagia Sophia , the sixth century Byzantine cathedral at the junction between Europe and Asia once again faces its fate as a Turkish court is set to rule Friday on a 1934 presidential decree converting the site into a museum .
An architectural icon at the junction between Asia and Europe , Hagia Sophia became a museum in 1934 and is at the centre of a very political decision concerning its status .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s move to convert the Istanbul landmark into a mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning that status changes could trigger a heritage review and Moscow reiterating that the building was a `` world masterpiece '' that has `` sacred value '' for Russians .
It ’ s the latest episode in the rich history of this sixth century Byzantine edifice that has overseen the rampages of wars , conquests and attempts to appropriate its symbolic power .
Construction of the current cathedral began in 532 with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian entrusting architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles with a mission to build the largest Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed too demanding or too much to fulfill this mission : hundred Hellenistic columns from the temple of Artemis in Ephesus , green marble from Thessaly , white marble from Marmara , pink marble from Synada , yellow marble from Africa , black marble from the Pyrenees , black stones from the Bosphorus region ... building materials were shipped in from across the world .
The largest dome in the world '' Justinian had a breathtaking basilica built , '' said Frédéric Hitzel , a researcher and specialist in Ottoman history at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scientific Research ) .
“ Visitors are impressed by its dimensions , in particular by its dome , which was the largest in the world at the time ( 55 metres high , 30 metres in diameter ) and which remained so until the construction of Saint Peter 's in Rome a thousand years later '' .
It took a total of just under six years for the more than 10,000 workers and 100 master builders to build Hagia Sophia , which in ancient Greek means `` divine wisdom '' .
After its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seat of the Orthodox patriarchate and hosted the coronation of Byzantine emperors .
It has a long and distinguished history .
Partly destroyed by numerous earthquakes , it was systematically rebuilt .
But it was also plundered by the Crusaders during the sack of Constantinople in 1204 .
Its riches , especially the precious materials of its altar , were much soughtafter .
The basilica then became a Roman Catholic cathedral until the departure of the occupants in 1261 .
In 1453 , Constantinople fell to the Ottomans .
While most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sultan Mehmed II ordered that Hagia Sophia be preserved and then transformed into a mosque .
This marked the beginning of a new era for the basilica , to which a minaret was added .
`` Mehmed II had the imperial palace of Topkapi built nearby and thus went to prayer every Friday in procession , '' said Hitzel .
“ Hagia Sophia then served as a model for the construction of other mosques , such as the Suleymaniye Mosque built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mosque , inaugurated in 1616 . ''
Over the centuries , three more minarets were added to Hagia Sophia and the Christian mosaics , which Mehmed II had left untouched , were eventually covered with plaster from 1750 onward .
Numerous restorations were undertaken to keep the building standing , such as between 1847 and 1849 , under Sultan Abdulmecid , who had the dome and vaults consolidated and revised the interior and exterior decoration .
Part of the thick whitewash that covered the mosaics was then removed .
The tumultuous history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1934 when the founder of the modern Turkish republic , Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , decided to `` offer it to humanity '' by turning the mosque into a museum .
Its restoration , between 1930 and 1935 , uncovered the mosaics , considered the epitome of Byzantine art .
`` Atatürk , who was very secular , wanted to see his country enter into modernity and for him , this meant the symbol of a country open and ready to welcome the Christians of the world , '' explained Hitzel .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sophia a museum helped to attract foreign visitors and investors , to Istanbul .
Today , Hagia Sophia is still a museum visited by millions of tourists every year .
Last year , it was the most visited tourist attraction in Turkey , with 3.8 million people viewing the site .
Nevertheless , Hagia Sophia has been the scene of several activities related to Islam in recent years .
Since Erdogan came to power in 2003 , these activities have multiplied inside Hagia Sophia , including Koran reading sessions and collective prayers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , Erdogan himself read a verse from the Koran there .
Since 2005 , associations have repeatedly taken legal action to demand a return to the status of a mosque , without success so far .
This article is a translation of the original in French .

An architectural jewel and witness to history’s about-turns, Hagia Sophia, the sixth century Byzantine cathedral at the junction between Europe and Asia once again faces its fate as a Turkish court is set to rule Friday on a 1934 presidential decree converting the site into a museum.
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An architectural icon at the junction between Asia and Europe, Hagia Sophia became a museum in 1934 and is at the centre of a very political decision concerning its status.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s move to convert the Istanbul landmark into a mosque has sparked international concerns, with UNESCO warning that status changes could trigger a heritage review and Moscow reiterating that the building was a "world masterpiece" that has "sacred value" for Russians.
It’s the latest episode in the rich history of this sixth century Byzantine edifice that has overseen the rampages of wars, conquests and attempts to appropriate its symbolic power.
Construction of the current cathedral began in 532 with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian entrusting architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles with a mission to build the largest Christian edifice in the world. Nothing was deemed too demanding or too much to fulfill this mission: hundred Hellenistic columns from the temple of Artemis in Ephesus, green marble from Thessaly, white marble from Marmara, pink marble from Synada, yellow marble from Africa, black marble from the Pyrenees, black stones from the Bosphorus region...building materials were shipped in from across the world.
The largest dome in the world
"Justinian had a breathtaking basilica built," said Frédéric Hitzel, a researcher and specialist in Ottoman history at the Paris-based CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). “Visitors are impressed by its dimensions, in particular by its dome, which was the largest in the world at the time (55 metres high, 30 metres in diameter) and which remained so until the construction of Saint Peter's in Rome a thousand years later".
It took a total of just under six years for the more than 10,000 workers and 100 master builders to build Hagia Sophia, which in ancient Greek means "divine wisdom". After its inauguration in 537, the church became the seat of the Orthodox patriarchate and hosted the coronation of Byzantine emperors.
It has a long and distinguished history. Partly destroyed by numerous earthquakes, it was systematically rebuilt. But it was also plundered by the Crusaders during the sack of Constantinople in 1204. Its riches, especially the precious materials of its altar, were much soughtafter. The basilica then became a Roman Catholic cathedral until the departure of the occupants in 1261.
The fall of Constantinople
In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. While most of the city's Christian sites were looted, Sultan Mehmed II ordered that Hagia Sophia be preserved and then transformed into a mosque. This marked the beginning of a new era for the basilica, to which a minaret was added.
"Mehmed II had the imperial palace of Topkapi built nearby and thus went to prayer every Friday in procession," said Hitzel. “Hagia Sophia then served as a model for the construction of other mosques, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan and the Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, inaugurated in 1616."
Over the centuries, three more minarets were added to Hagia Sophia and the Christian mosaics, which Mehmed II had left untouched, were eventually covered with plaster from 1750 onward. Numerous restorations were undertaken to keep the building standing, such as between 1847 and 1849, under Sultan Abdulmecid, who had the dome and vaults consolidated and revised the interior and exterior decoration. Part of the thick whitewash that covered the mosaics was then removed.
Ataturk makes an offering ‘to mankind’
The tumultuous history of Hagia Sophia took a new turn in 1934 when the founder of the modern Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, decided to "offer it to humanity" by turning the mosque into a museum. Its restoration, between 1930 and 1935, uncovered the mosaics, considered the epitome of Byzantine art.
"Atatürk, who was very secular, wanted to see his country enter into modernity and for him, this meant the symbol of a country open and ready to welcome the Christians of the world," explained Hitzel. During the Great Depression of 1929, making Hagia Sophia a museum helped to attract foreign visitors and investors, to Istanbul.
Today, Hagia Sophia is still a museum visited by millions of tourists every year. Last year, it was the most visited tourist attraction in Turkey, with 3.8 million people viewing the site.
Nevertheless, Hagia Sophia has been the scene of several activities related to Islam in recent years. Since Erdogan came to power in 2003, these activities have multiplied inside Hagia Sophia, including Koran reading sessions and collective prayers in the square in front of the monument. In 2018, Erdogan himself read a verse from the Koran there.
Since 2005, associations have repeatedly taken legal action to demand a return to the status of a mosque, without success so far.
This article is a translation of the original in French.
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france24--2020-07-10--Serbia, Kosovo resume ‘very difficult’ talks on normalising ties

Newly elected Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti , left , in Pristina , Kosovo , on June 3 , 2020 , and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade , Serbia , on June 21 , 2020 .
The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo on Friday held their first talks in 18 months on resolving one of Europe 's most intractable territorial disputes , agreeing to a face-to-face meeting next week on the “ very difficult ” process .
Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo 's unilateral declaration of independence after the province broke away in the bloody 1998-99 war that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign against Serb troops .
Kosovo ’ s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a video summit that was also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
These discussions will be followed by more online talks on Sunday between Hoti and Vucic as well as EU officials , and then their meeting in Brussels on Thursday , Macron and Merkel said in a joint statement after the talks .
They encouraged Hoti and Vucic to “ achieve substantial progress in the negotiations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There are very difficult perspectives for the outcome of this dialogue , but there is a commitment by everyone to proceed step by step , ” added a French presidential official , who asked not to be named .
Both Kosovo and Serbia have been facing mounting pressure from the West to resolve the impasse , which is seen as crucial to either side joining the EU .
“ The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for the security and stability of the region and of great importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU , ” the statement by the French and German leaders said .
A senior EU official in Brussels who followed the talks echoed the sentiment that significant challenges remained , saying “ This is the beginning of the story.
” Hoti told the online summit that the normalisation of relations “ can be achieved only if Kosovo and Serbia respect each other 's statehood , ” his office said .
More than 13,000 people died in the war , mostly Kosovo Albanians , who form a majority in the former province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major crisis at home after protests over a new coronavirus lockdown in Serbia , had warned ahead of the talks that he did not expect a smooth ride and that “ no one is going to cuddle us or give us a present.
” The new push comes after Kosovo ’ s President Hashim Thaci was charged last month with war crimes by prosecutors in The Hague .
Thaci 's indictment led to the postponement of a White House summit between Serbia and Kosovo due to be held at the end of June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US initiative to deal with Thaci on its own -- a strategy now torpedoed by the indictment -- and the EU now appears newly determined to resolve the issue .
The French official acknowledged that this issue was a “ test of European leadership.
” Peter Stano , spokesman for EU on foreign affairs , denied that the issue was a “ beauty contest ” , with the EU and US competing .
But he added : “ The European Union has been there for Kosovo since the start , facilitating the dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war , Thaci was the political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army ( KLA ) , but prosecutors in The Hague suspect him of being behind nearly 100 murders , as well as numerous cases of persecution and torture .
Thaci , who has denied the charges , has said he would be interviewed by prosecutors in The Hague next week .
With Thaci focused on his legal defence , the EU official said it was clear the main point of contact for Kosovo was now Hoti .
“ Our choice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interlocutor in Pristina , ” the official said .
Kosovo is now recognised by more than 100 other states but the EU is not unified on the issue , with 22 out of the 27 bloc members recognising its independence .
The EU official said the holdouts in the bloc -- who notably include Spain -- `` will have no reason not to recognise Kosovo '' once there is a legally binding agreement between the two sides .

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo on Friday held their first talks in 18 months on resolving one of Europe's most intractable territorial disputes, agreeing to a face-to-face meeting next week on the “very difficult” process.
Newly elected Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, left, in Pristina, Kosovo, on June 3, 2020, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, on June 21, 2020.
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Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence after the province broke away in the bloody 1998-99 war that was ended only by a NATO bombing campaign against Serb troops.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a video summit that was also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
These discussions will be followed by more online talks on Sunday between Hoti and Vucic as well as EU officials, and then their meeting in Brussels on Thursday, Macron and Merkel said in a joint statement after the talks.
They encouraged Hoti and Vucic to “achieve substantial progress in the negotiations in the coming months,” the statement said.
“There are very difficult perspectives for the outcome of this dialogue, but there is a commitment by everyone to proceed step by step,” added a French presidential official, who asked not to be named.
Both Kosovo and Serbia have been facing mounting pressure from the West to resolve the impasse, which is seen as crucial to either side joining the EU.
“The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for the security and stability of the region and of great importance if the two countries are to join the EU,” the statement by the French and German leaders said.
A senior EU official in Brussels who followed the talks echoed the sentiment that significant challenges remained, saying “This is the beginning of the story.”
Hoti told the online summit that the normalisation of relations “can be achieved only if Kosovo and Serbia respect each other's statehood,” his office said.
‘Leadership test’
More than 13,000 people died in the war, mostly Kosovo Albanians, who form a majority in the former province.
Vucic, who is facing a major crisis at home after protests over a new coronavirus lockdown in Serbia, had warned ahead of the talks that he did not expect a smooth ride and that “no one is going to cuddle us or give us a present.”
The new push comes after Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci was charged last month with war crimes by prosecutors in The Hague.
Thaci's indictment led to the postponement of a White House summit between Serbia and Kosovo due to be held at the end of June.
European officials had bristled at the US initiative to deal with Thaci on its own -- a strategy now torpedoed by the indictment -- and the EU now appears newly determined to resolve the issue.
The French official acknowledged that this issue was a “test of European leadership.”
Peter Stano, spokesman for EU on foreign affairs, denied that the issue was a “beauty contest”, with the EU and US competing.
But he added: “The European Union has been there for Kosovo since the start, facilitating the dialogue since it started in 2011.”
‘Valid interlocutor’
During the war, Thaci was the political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), but prosecutors in The Hague suspect him of being behind nearly 100 murders, as well as numerous cases of persecution and torture.
Thaci, who has denied the charges, has said he would be interviewed by prosecutors in The Hague next week.
With Thaci focused on his legal defence, the EU official said it was clear the main point of contact for Kosovo was now Hoti.
“Our choice is to talk to a valid, workable interlocutor in Pristina,” the official said.
Kosovo is now recognised by more than 100 other states but the EU is not unified on the issue, with 22 out of the 27 bloc members recognising its independence.
The EU official said the holdouts in the bloc -- who notably include Spain -- "will have no reason not to recognise Kosovo" once there is a legally binding agreement between the two sides.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-10--Instagram to block all content promoting LGBT ‘conversion therapy’

Instagram announced on July 10 , 2020 , that it would block content promoting so-called conversion therapy , which aims to alter a person 's sexual orientation or gender identity .
Instagram said on Friday it would block content that promotes so-called conversion therapy , which aims to alter a person 's sexual orientation or gender identity , as pressure to ban the practice grows .
The social media giant announced earlier this year it would no longer allow adverts for conversion therapy services , which can range from counselling and `` praying away the gay '' to electric shocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity , '' Tara Hopkins , Instagram 's public policy director for Europe , Middle East and Africa said in an emailed statement .
`` ( We ) are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services . ''
A spokesman for Instagram , which is owned by Facebook , said it would take time to update all policies and content flagged by users may not be removed immediately .
The United Nations independent expert on sexual orientation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global ban on conversion therapy , describing it as `` cruel , inhumane and degrading '' .
A growing number of countries – including the United States , Canada , Chile and Mexico – are reviewing their laws .
Brazil , Ecuador and Malta have nationwide bans on conversion therapy , while Germany outlawed the treatment for minors in May .
'Step in the right direction' Instagram 's move is `` a step in the right direction , but we 'd have to wait and see exactly what kind of actions they take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign group Ban Conversion Therapy , told the Thomson Reuters Foundation .
Ban Conversion Therapy sent an open letter yesterday to Britain 's Equalities Minister Liz Truss , urging her `` to introduce a truly effective ban on conversion therapy for all lesbian , gay , bi , trans and gender diverse people in the UK '' .
Among those who signed the letter were musicians Elton John and Dua Lipa and writer and actor Stephen Fry .
Truss pledged in May to ban conversion therapy for sexual orientation .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy published by the United Nations in May , 46 % identified the perpetrators as being medical and mental health providers , while 19 % were religious authorities and traditional healers .
Bisi Alimi , a Nigerian LGBT+ activist who underwent conversion therapy aged 16 , welcomed the ban but said it had been `` a long time coming '' .
`` What is missing for me in all of this conversation is the face of it , the horror of it .
And I do n't care how terrible it is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real human beings sharing their story in public , '' he said .

Instagram said on Friday it would block content that promotes so-called conversion therapy, which aims to alter a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, as pressure to ban the practice grows.
Instagram announced on July 10, 2020, that it would block content promoting so-called conversion therapy, which aims to alter a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
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The social media giant announced earlier this year it would no longer allow adverts for conversion therapy services, which can range from counselling and "praying away the gay" to electric shocks and sexual violence.
"We don't allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity," Tara Hopkins, Instagram's public policy director for Europe, Middle East and Africa said in an emailed statement.
"(We) are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services."
A spokesman for Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, said it would take time to update all policies and content flagged by users may not be removed immediately.
The United Nations independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity called last month for a global ban on conversion therapy, describing it as "cruel, inhumane and degrading".
A growing number of countries – including the United States, Canada, Chile and Mexico – are reviewing their laws. Brazil, Ecuador and Malta have nationwide bans on conversion therapy, while Germany outlawed the treatment for minors in May.
'Step in the right direction'
Instagram's move is "a step in the right direction, but we'd have to wait and see exactly what kind of actions they take," Harry Hitchens, co-founder of the campaign group Ban Conversion Therapy, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Ban Conversion Therapy sent an open letter yesterday to Britain's Equalities Minister Liz Truss, urging her "to introduce a truly effective ban on conversion therapy for all lesbian, gay, bi, trans and gender diverse people in the UK".
Among those who signed the letter were musicians Elton John and Dua Lipa and writer and actor Stephen Fry.
Truss pledged in May to ban conversion therapy for sexual orientation.
In a global survey of 1,641 survivors of conversion therapy published by the United Nations in May, 46% identified the perpetrators as being medical and mental health providers, while 19% were religious authorities and traditional healers.
Bisi Alimi, a Nigerian LGBT+ activist who underwent conversion therapy aged 16, welcomed the ban but said it had been "a long time coming".
"What is missing for me in all of this conversation is the face of it, the horror of it. And I don't care how terrible it is, people need to see it and see real human beings sharing their story in public," he said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-10--UK travellers hope to salvage holidays as government eases quarantine rules

Passengers arrive at Gatwick Airport near London on July 10 , 2020 , as travel restrictions are eased following the coronavirus disease ( Covid-19 ) outbreak .
The traditional British summer getaway to the sun-soaked beaches of the Mediterranean Sea is set to pick up steam Friday as U.K. quarantine restrictions are removed from dozens of countries , including France , Greece and Italy .
But with many flights still canceled , holiday resorts still working on ensuring that they are Covid-safe and many potential holidaymakers reluctant to make a trip abroad in light of the pandemic , Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be in any other year .
However , last week ’ s announcement by the British government to ease its quarantine requirements for anyone arriving back in England has given some enough of a nudge to take the plunge .
“ We probably would have gone later , ” said Ray Gordge , 64 , at Gatwick Airport ’ s North Terminal , south of London .
“ It ’ s exciting , I ’ m pleased the quarantine has been lifted to be honest , ” said Gordge , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his daughter for the first time in six months , and meet his new grandson , born last week .
As of Friday , anyone arriving back in England from around 75 countries and territories won ’ t have to self-isolate for 14 days .
The aviation and travel industries are hoping that the new rules will help them salvage part of the summer holiday booking season that has been so battered by the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic – thousands of people have lost their jobs as business ground to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this month after schools formally close for the summer and travel companies and airlines start ramping up operations .
Confidence is key , though , and is susceptible to any new outbreaks that may start appearing over the coming weeks .
Gatwick Chief Executive Stewart Wingate said the relaxation of the rules can make a “ massive difference , ” given that around three-quarters of the destinations the airport serves are now free from quarantine requirements .
“ From a consumer point of view , what we ’ re hoping is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flights , ” he said .
Wingate said that there would be around 50 flights at the airport on Friday , rising to around 100 by the end of the month and possibly to around 400 later in the summer – way below the 900 or so the airport normally handles in the peak season .
The list does not include the United States , which is still considered high-risk .
Portugal , another popular destination for British holidaymakers , also is n't on the list , though discussions between the respective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the list but was removed on Friday because of a spike in coronavirus infections in the country .
One of the major changes that will greet holidaymakers is the necessity to wear face coverings at the airport and on the plane .
“ I think it ’ s going to be difficult to maintain social distancing , but I also think the chances of coming into contact with someone with Covid is pretty low and they seem pretty on the ball with masks and things , ” Eoin Burgin , a 21-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gatwick .
Burgin said he was “ very excited ” to be heading to Basel in Switzerland to see his girlfriend for the first time in about five months but that he wouldn ’ t have been going if the quarantine changes had not been announced .
The getaway will gather pace over coming days as more holidays and flights come on stream .
TUI U.K. , the country 's biggest travel company , for example , is due to restart its summer program on Saturday , with flights to eight destinations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Canaries , from three airports .
TUI has said it plans to add more flights and destinations by the end of July to offer a total of 19 destinations from five U.K. airports .
Scotland ’ s list of countries is slightly different to that for England , Wales and Northern Ireland .
It still requires people from Spain to quarantine , for example .

The traditional British summer getaway to the sun-soaked beaches of the Mediterranean Sea is set to pick up steam Friday as U.K. quarantine restrictions are removed from dozens of countries, including France, Greece and Italy.
Passengers arrive at Gatwick Airport near London on July 10, 2020, as travel restrictions are eased following the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
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But with many flights still canceled, holiday resorts still working on ensuring that they are Covid-safe and many potential holidaymakers reluctant to make a trip abroad in light of the pandemic, Britain's airports are much less busy than they would be in any other year.
However, last week’s announcement by the British government to ease its quarantine requirements for anyone arriving back in England has given some enough of a nudge to take the plunge.
“We probably would have gone later,” said Ray Gordge, 64, at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal, south of London.
“It’s exciting, I’m pleased the quarantine has been lifted to be honest,” said Gordge, who was on his way to Paris to see his daughter for the first time in six months, and meet his new grandson, born last week.
As of Friday, anyone arriving back in England from around 75 countries and territories won’t have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Boost for travel industry
The aviation and travel industries are hoping that the new rules will help them salvage part of the summer holiday booking season that has been so battered by the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic – thousands of people have lost their jobs as business ground to a halt.
The crucial period will be later this month after schools formally close for the summer and travel companies and airlines start ramping up operations. Confidence is key, though, and is susceptible to any new outbreaks that may start appearing over the coming weeks.
Gatwick Chief Executive Stewart Wingate said the relaxation of the rules can make a “massive difference,” given that around three-quarters of the destinations the airport serves are now free from quarantine requirements.
“From a consumer point of view, what we’re hoping is that will persuade people to take advantage of the flights,” he said.
Wingate said that there would be around 50 flights at the airport on Friday, rising to around 100 by the end of the month and possibly to around 400 later in the summer – way below the 900 or so the airport normally handles in the peak season.
Masks compulsory
The list does not include the United States, which is still considered high-risk. Portugal, another popular destination for British holidaymakers, also isn't on the list, though discussions between the respective governments are ongoing. Serbia was originally on the list but was removed on Friday because of a spike in coronavirus infections in the country.
One of the major changes that will greet holidaymakers is the necessity to wear face coverings at the airport and on the plane.
“I think it’s going to be difficult to maintain social distancing, but I also think the chances of coming into contact with someone with Covid is pretty low and they seem pretty on the ball with masks and things,” Eoin Burgin, a 21-year-old student at Edinburgh University, said at Gatwick.
Burgin said he was “very excited” to be heading to Basel in Switzerland to see his girlfriend for the first time in about five months but that he wouldn’t have been going if the quarantine changes had not been announced.
The getaway will gather pace over coming days as more holidays and flights come on stream. TUI U.K., the country's biggest travel company, for example, is due to restart its summer program on Saturday, with flights to eight destinations in Greece, Spain’s Balearic Islands and the Canaries, from three airports. TUI has said it plans to add more flights and destinations by the end of July to offer a total of 19 destinations from five U.K. airports.
Scotland’s list of countries is slightly different to that for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It still requires people from Spain to quarantine, for example.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-10--WHO special envoy on Covid-19 'extremely worried' about rise in cases worldwide

In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Dr. David Nabarro , the World Health Organization 's special envoy on coronavirus , said he was `` extremely worried '' about the rising number of Covid-19 cases worldwide .
Nabarro urged world leaders to `` take this virus seriously '' and said it was `` hard to understand '' why the Trump administration had decided to pull the US out of the WHO in the midst of the pandemic .
The World Health Organization 's special envoy on coronavirus said he was `` extremely worried '' about the rising number of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Asia and Africa as areas of major concern .
He said that while the numbers were down in Western Europe , a rebound was expected there too .
Nabarro urged world leaders to `` take this virus seriously '' and ensure it be dealt with head-on .
He lamented the fact that world leaders like US President Donald Trump or his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro were sending the wrong message by downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic .
He hailed the quick reaction of countries such as Singapore or Germany that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small outbreaks and noted that Australia had also taken much-needed drastic steps by locking down its second-largest city of Melbourne .
The top WHO official said it was `` hard to understand '' why the Trump administration had decided to pull the US out of the WHO in the midst of the pandemic , adding that the country should instead see the Organization as a platform allowing crucial public health information to be shared .
Finally , he said the claims by scientists that the WHO had neglected the possibility of airborne transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing that the WHO was in fact looking into this possibility .
But he stressed that the virus is by and large mostly transmitted through droplets when people cough or sneeze .
> > Covid-19 pandemic accelerating and global peak still to come , WHO says

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Dr. David Nabarro, the World Health Organization's special envoy on coronavirus, said he was "extremely worried" about the rising number of Covid-19 cases worldwide. Nabarro urged world leaders to "take this virus seriously" and said it was "hard to understand" why the Trump administration had decided to pull the US out of the WHO in the midst of the pandemic.
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The World Health Organization's special envoy on coronavirus said he was "extremely worried" about the rising number of Covid-19 cases worldwide, pointing to the Americas, South Asia and Africa as areas of major concern. He said that while the numbers were down in Western Europe, a rebound was expected there too.
Nabarro urged world leaders to "take this virus seriously" and ensure it be dealt with head-on. He lamented the fact that world leaders like US President Donald Trump or his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro were sending the wrong message by downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic. He hailed the quick reaction of countries such as Singapore or Germany that were able to quickly detect and trace small outbreaks and noted that Australia had also taken much-needed drastic steps by locking down its second-largest city of Melbourne.
The top WHO official said it was "hard to understand" why the Trump administration had decided to pull the US out of the WHO in the midst of the pandemic, adding that the country should instead see the Organization as a platform allowing crucial public health information to be shared.
Finally, he said the claims by scientists that the WHO had neglected the possibility of airborne transmission of the virus were not warranted, arguing that the WHO was in fact looking into this possibility. But he stressed that the virus is by and large mostly transmitted through droplets when people cough or sneeze.
>> Covid-19 pandemic accelerating and global peak still to come, WHO says
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france24--2020-07-10--Decades on, 'hidden children' forced into orphanages of colonial France remain traumatised

During the French colonisation of West Africa , several thousand children born of relations between French colonialists and African women were abandoned by their father and taken from their mother .
Owing to a decision by the Governor General of French West Africa , these mixed-race children were separated from the rest of society and placed in orphanages .
Through a series of exclusive testimonies on what was long a taboo subject , FRANCE 24 retraces the forgotten history of these hidden children of France , deprived of their parentage and demanding recognition .
It all started in 1903 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French West Africa , decided to create dedicated orphanages for children born to French fathers and `` indigenous '' mothers , youngsters sometimes known as the `` bastards of the republic '' .
In what was then the colony of Ivory Coast , the `` Mixed-race Home '' was set up in the majestic former Governor 's Palace in Bingerville .
One of the first residents was André Manket , now 90 .
He has tears in his eyes when recounting his kidnapping .
`` They came to look for me in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by force .
I was seven years old .
My auntie was crying , '' the old man told us .
He remembers arriving in Bingerville surrounded by two colonial guards .
They said , `` Guerard , the name of your father , is finished .
From now on , you will take the name of your mother . ''
André was also given a number : the 39th .
This meant that before him there were 38 boys and girls , whose only thing in common was the colour of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berthet , he still does not understand .
He is not French , but he owns land in France that he inherited from his father .
`` My father never abandoned me !
But he did n't know what to do .
He cut wood and lived in the forest , '' he explained .
They may be over 80 , but the trauma is still very much alive .
`` We were everyone 's laughing stock .
Our mothers were treated like prostitutes , '' recalled Monique Yace .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meyer .
`` They knew what they were doing .
They had legalised a system : have children , then send them to the home . ''
All of these `` hidden children '' today see themselves as `` victims of colonisation '' .
Ivorians now want France to be inspired by Belgium , which in April 2019 officially apologised to mixed-race children born in its former colonies .
Auguste Miremont , a former communications minister to longtime Ivorian president Félix Houphouët-Boigny and who also grew up in the Mixed-race Home , believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put this debate on the table '' .
> > Watch our special edition : African advancement and the consequences of colonialism

During the French colonisation of West Africa, several thousand children born of relations between French colonialists and African women were abandoned by their father and taken from their mother. Owing to a decision by the Governor General of French West Africa, these mixed-race children were separated from the rest of society and placed in orphanages. Through a series of exclusive testimonies on what was long a taboo subject, FRANCE 24 retraces the forgotten history of these hidden children of France, deprived of their parentage and demanding recognition.
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It all started in 1903, when Governor Ernest Roume, head of French West Africa, decided to create dedicated orphanages for children born to French fathers and "indigenous" mothers, youngsters sometimes known as the "bastards of the republic". In what was then the colony of Ivory Coast, the "Mixed-race Home" was set up in the majestic former Governor's Palace in Bingerville.
One of the first residents was André Manket, now 90. He has tears in his eyes when recounting his kidnapping. "They came to look for me in my fishing village of Anono and took me by force. I was seven years old. My auntie was crying," the old man told us. He remembers arriving in Bingerville surrounded by two colonial guards. They said, "Guerard, the name of your father, is finished. From now on, you will take the name of your mother."
André was also given a number: the 39th. This meant that before him there were 38 boys and girls, whose only thing in common was the colour of their skin: mixed-race.
Trauma
As for Maurice Berthet, he still does not understand. He is not French, but he owns land in France that he inherited from his father. "My father never abandoned me! But he didn't know what to do. He cut wood and lived in the forest," he explained.
They may be over 80, but the trauma is still very much alive. "We were everyone's laughing stock. Our mothers were treated like prostitutes," recalled Monique Yace.
"We were treated like bastards," added Philippe Meyer. "They knew what they were doing. They had legalised a system: have children, then send them to the home."
All of these "hidden children" today see themselves as "victims of colonisation".
Ivorians now want France to be inspired by Belgium, which in April 2019 officially apologised to mixed-race children born in its former colonies. Auguste Miremont, a former communications minister to longtime Ivorian president Félix Houphouët-Boigny and who also grew up in the Mixed-race Home, believes "it's now time to calmly put this debate on the table".
[Editor's note: It is with great sadness that we learned, after filming our report, that André Manket passed away. FRANCE 24 sends its sincerest condolences to his family and friends.]
>> Watch our special edition: African advancement and the consequences of colonialism
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