france24--2020-06-11--Iraq, US launch strategic talks to reset ties after tense stretch

US troops from the Combined Joint Task Force pose for a picture at a presidential palace turned into an Iraqi base where some forces of the coalition were stationed in Mosul in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh during a handover ceremony to Iraqi forces on March 30 , 2020 .
After months of tensions , Baghdad and Washington are poised to launch strategic talks Thursday to reset ties – but even with a new US-friendly Iraqi premier , a major breakthrough is unlikely .
Due to coronavirus travel restrictions , top-level talks expected to take place in Baghdad have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session , as Iraq faces a spike in cases as well as a looming financial crisis .
That has tempered expectations for the first strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US in a decade , which will chiefly address the fate of the US-led military coalition , as well as economic and cultural ties .
`` The entire US-Iraq bilateral relationship will not be fixed in a single day , '' said Robert Ford , an analyst at the Middle East Institute and a US diplomat in Baghdad during the last round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the US drawdown from the occupation that began after the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein .
`` But for once , we seem to have the right people in the right place at the right time , '' he said .
Bilateral ties had been at their `` coldest '' in years , Iraqi and US officials said , following deadly rocket attacks on American military and diplomatic sites since last year .
Tensions skyrocketed following a US strike on Baghdad in January that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to vote in favour of ousting all foreign troops .
Washington threatened crippling sanctions and , according to US military sources , began planning a vast bombing spree against groups blamed for the rockets .
But the tensions have calmed substantially since Mustafa Kadhemi – an ex-spy chief with close ties to the US and its allies in the region – took the reins as Iraq 's premier in May .
Two Iraqi officials said Kadhemi has been invited to the White House this year , a diplomatic olive branch his predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There was a lack of confidence in the relationship with the previous government , and we 're not there anymore , '' one of the officials said .
The launching session , planned for 1300 GMT , includes a range of diplomatic , military and economic staff from both countries that will split into follow-up committees .
The main event will be the fate of US-led troops , deployed in Iraq from 2014 to head a military coalition fighting the Islamic State group .
`` Whatever comes out of the dialogue is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic relationship , '' a top American official from the coalition told AFP .
`` Am I still going to fly surveillance drones or not ?
Do you still want our intelligence ? ''
he added .
The coalition has already consolidated to just three bases in recent months , down from a dozen , and the talks would likely bring a further drawdown .
`` There are no details yet on troop levels , but the US draft on a joint statement mentions a 'reduction of US forces ' , '' one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dramatic or sudden drop could hamper the coalition 's efforts to back an Iraqi fightback against IS sleeper cells , which have escalated attacks in recent weeks .
Other coalition countries are watching from the sidelines , with no formal role in the negotiations .
`` The ability of non-US members of the coalition to be in Iraq depends on whether the US can stay .
We 're tied down by this dialogue , too , '' a Western diplomat told AFP .
Iran and its allies in Iraq , which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also keeping a close eye on the talks .
Many reiterated calls for foreign forces to leave , with the spokesman for the pro-Iran Fatah bloc , Ahmad al-Assadi , insisting on a six-month deadline for their departure .
On Monday and Wednesday , two rockets hit near Baghdad airport and the American Embassy , after weeks of calm .
But the rhetoric was more tempered than usual , with even the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah saying it would take a formal stance on the talks only after the first session .
`` These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some space with the Americans , '' said Ford .
One area where Iraq may see only limited progress is help for its collapsing economy , which relies almost exclusively on oil exports .
Faltering prices and low demand have drastically shrunk Iraq 's monthly revenues , leaving Baghdad scrambling to pay wages , pensions and welfare to eight million Iraqis .
A US waiver protecting it from American sanctions as it imports gas from neighbouring Iran for its dilapidated power sector is due to expire in late September .
Thursday 's talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like infrastructure upgrades using American energy companies and US endorsements for aid from Gulf countries , the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund .
But Iraq needs an immediate crutch .
`` The US wo n't provide all kinds of cash .
They can just offer not to apply sanctions , '' said Ford .
`` That does n't fix Kadhemi 's single biggest problem , '' he said – a lack of hard cash .

After months of tensions, Baghdad and Washington are poised to launch strategic talks Thursday to reset ties – but even with a new US-friendly Iraqi premier, a major breakthrough is unlikely.
US troops from the Combined Joint Task Force pose for a picture at a presidential palace turned into an Iraqi base where some forces of the coalition were stationed in Mosul in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh during a handover ceremony to Iraqi forces on March 30, 2020.
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Due to coronavirus travel restrictions, top-level talks expected to take place in Baghdad have been demoted to a brief online kick-off session, as Iraq faces a spike in cases as well as a looming financial crisis.
That has tempered expectations for the first strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US in a decade, which will chiefly address the fate of the US-led military coalition, as well as economic and cultural ties.
"The entire US-Iraq bilateral relationship will not be fixed in a single day," said Robert Ford, an analyst at the Middle East Institute and a US diplomat in Baghdad during the last round of strategic talks in 2008, which ironed out the US drawdown from the occupation that began after the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.
"But for once, we seem to have the right people in the right place at the right time," he said.
.@SecPompeo: The Government of Iraq has agreed to the Strategic Dialogue proposed in April. The Dialogue will cover all of the areas of interest between our two countries: politics, economics, security, culture and energy. pic.twitter.com/1hiPIePLwm — Department of State (@StateDept) June 11, 2020
Bilateral ties had been at their "coldest" in years, Iraqi and US officials said, following deadly rocket attacks on American military and diplomatic sites since last year.
Tensions skyrocketed following a US strike on Baghdad in January that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, prompting Iraqi lawmakers to vote in favour of ousting all foreign troops.
Washington threatened crippling sanctions and, according to US military sources, began planning a vast bombing spree against groups blamed for the rockets.
But the tensions have calmed substantially since Mustafa Kadhemi – an ex-spy chief with close ties to the US and its allies in the region – took the reins as Iraq's premier in May.
Two Iraqi officials said Kadhemi has been invited to the White House this year, a diplomatic olive branch his predecessor Adel Abdel Mahdi had never received.
"There was a lack of confidence in the relationship with the previous government, and we're not there anymore," one of the officials said.
Troops in the balance
The launching session, planned for 1300 GMT, includes a range of diplomatic, military and economic staff from both countries that will split into follow-up committees.
The main event will be the fate of US-led troops, deployed in Iraq from 2014 to head a military coalition fighting the Islamic State group.
"Whatever comes out of the dialogue is going to set the future of our strategic relationship," a top American official from the coalition told AFP.
"Am I still going to fly surveillance drones or not? Do you still want our intelligence?" he added.
The coalition has already consolidated to just three bases in recent months, down from a dozen, and the talks would likely bring a further drawdown.
"There are no details yet on troop levels, but the US draft on a joint statement mentions a 'reduction of US forces'," one senior Iraqi official told AFP.
But a dramatic or sudden drop could hamper the coalition's efforts to back an Iraqi fightback against IS sleeper cells, which have escalated attacks in recent weeks.
Other coalition countries are watching from the sidelines, with no formal role in the negotiations.
"The ability of non-US members of the coalition to be in Iraq depends on whether the US can stay. We're tied down by this dialogue, too," a Western diplomat told AFP.
CG Fagin spoke with Hassan Ahmed, head of Antiquities Dept. in #Duhok, to underscore USG support for protecting and promoting cultural heritage in IKR, #Ninewa and other post-ISIS liberated areas. In highlighting importance of cultural heritage to the US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, pic.twitter.com/zZxJD23yZW — U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USConGenErbil) June 11, 2020
Iran and its allies in Iraq, which have vowed to oust US troops, are also keeping a close eye on the talks.
Many reiterated calls for foreign forces to leave, with the spokesman for the pro-Iran Fatah bloc, Ahmad al-Assadi, insisting on a six-month deadline for their departure.
On Monday and Wednesday, two rockets hit near Baghdad airport and the American Embassy, after weeks of calm.
But the rhetoric was more tempered than usual, with even the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah saying it would take a formal stance on the talks only after the first session.
"These groups are retrenching, which gives Kadhemi some space with the Americans," said Ford.
It's the economy
One area where Iraq may see only limited progress is help for its collapsing economy, which relies almost exclusively on oil exports.
Faltering prices and low demand have drastically shrunk Iraq's monthly revenues, leaving Baghdad scrambling to pay wages, pensions and welfare to eight million Iraqis.
A US waiver protecting it from American sanctions as it imports gas from neighbouring Iran for its dilapidated power sector is due to expire in late September.
Thursday's talks are geared to produce long-term support, like infrastructure upgrades using American energy companies and US endorsements for aid from Gulf countries, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
But Iraq needs an immediate crutch.
"The US won't provide all kinds of cash. They can just offer not to apply sanctions," said Ford.
"That doesn't fix Kadhemi's single biggest problem," he said – a lack of hard cash.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-11--German airline Lufthansa to cut 22,000 jobs amid Covid-19 downturn

German airline Lufthansa said Thursday that it would have to slash 22,000 full-time jobs as it predicts a muted recovery in demand for travel following the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The recovery in demand in the air transport sector will be slow in the foreseeable future , '' the airline said .
The group will operate about 100 less aircraft after the crisis , leading to `` a total of 22,000 fewer full-time positions in the Lufthansa Group , half of them in Germany '' .
The posts make up 16 percent of the Lufthansa Group 's total workforce of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would look at how it could use schemes for shorter work hours and other crisis arrangements to avoid outright redundancies .
Lufthansa , like its peers , has been brought to its knees by restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Around 700 of the group 's 763 aircraft were grounded at the peak of the lockdowns and it was forced to place 87,000 workers on government-backed shorter hours schemes .
Lufthansa 's supervisory board last week approved a nine-billion-euro bailout deal from the German government after the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion euros ( $ 2.3 billion ) .
The bailout will see the German government take a 20-percent stake in the group , with an option on a further five percent plus one share to block hostile takeovers .
The airline has also lost its place on Frankfurt 's Dax 30 index after its share price collapsed .
`` Without a significant reduction in personnel costs during the crisis , we will miss the opportunity of a better restart from the crisis and risk the Lufthansa Group emerging from the crisis significantly weakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads the airline 's human resources and legal affairs departments .

German airline Lufthansa said Thursday that it would have to slash 22,000 full-time jobs as it predicts a muted recovery in demand for travel following the coronavirus pandemic.
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"The recovery in demand in the air transport sector will be slow in the foreseeable future," the airline said.
The group will operate about 100 less aircraft after the crisis, leading to "a total of 22,000 fewer full-time positions in the Lufthansa Group, half of them in Germany".
The posts make up 16 percent of the Lufthansa Group's total workforce of 135,000.
The airline said however that it would look at how it could use schemes for shorter work hours and other crisis arrangements to avoid outright redundancies.
Lufthansa, like its peers, has been brought to its knees by restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Around 700 of the group's 763 aircraft were grounded at the peak of the lockdowns and it was forced to place 87,000 workers on government-backed shorter hours schemes.
Lufthansa's supervisory board last week approved a nine-billion-euro bailout deal from the German government after the company posted a first-quarter net loss of 2.1 billion euros ($2.3 billion).
The bailout will see the German government take a 20-percent stake in the group, with an option on a further five percent plus one share to block hostile takeovers.
The airline has also lost its place on Frankfurt's Dax 30 index after its share price collapsed.
"Without a significant reduction in personnel costs during the crisis, we will miss the opportunity of a better restart from the crisis and risk the Lufthansa Group emerging from the crisis significantly weakened," said Michael Niggemann, who heads the airline's human resources and legal affairs departments.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-11--Sao Paulo reopens after lockdown despite Brazil's surging Covid-19 death toll

People walk along a commercial street after it reopened , in downtown Sao Paulo , Brazil , on June 10 , 2020 .
Brazil 's most populous state Sao Paulo reported a record number of Covid-19 deaths for the second day running on Wednesday even as its homonymous metropolis allowed shops to resume business and prepared to reopen its malls .
The state , the epicenter of the pandemic in Brazil , recorded 340 new deaths in the last 24 hours , raising its confirmed death toll to 9,862 , a fourth of the country 's total fatalities , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stop shoppers flocking to the 25 de Março shopping district in Sao Paulo city , where around half of the businesses were open on Wednesday .
Although stores considered essential , such as supermarkets and pharmacies , have remained open , most shops in Sao Paulo have been shut since March .
Shoppers packed the streets .
Stores allowed in only people wearing masks and provided alcohol gel .
Some took the temperature of shoppers at the entrance .
`` I 'm afraid because the virus is growing , but at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and buy things to sell , though always protected by a mask , '' said Vanessa Pereira , a saleswoman .
The city 's malls will reopen on Thursday for four hours a day after agreeing with authorities on reducing public access as a precaution against the contagion .
In Rio de Janeiro , the second hardest hit Brazilian city , the mayor announced malls will also reopen on Thursday as part of a scheduled easing of restrictions .
The decisions to reopen shops has been advocated by Brazil 's far-right President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus outbreak and dismissed warnings by public health experts that the contagion is still surging .
Brazil has 772,416 confirmed cases of infection , as the world 's worst outbreak after the United States continues to surge .
At least 39,680 people have died , the third highest death toll after the United States and Britain .

Brazil's most populous state Sao Paulo reported a record number of Covid-19 deaths for the second day running on Wednesday even as its homonymous metropolis allowed shops to resume business and prepared to reopen its malls.
People walk along a commercial street after it reopened, in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 10, 2020.
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The state, the epicenter of the pandemic in Brazil, recorded 340 new deaths in the last 24 hours, raising its confirmed death toll to 9,862, a fourth of the country's total fatalities, the governor's office said.
That did not stop shoppers flocking to the 25 de Março shopping district in Sao Paulo city, where around half of the businesses were open on Wednesday. Although stores considered essential, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, have remained open, most shops in Sao Paulo have been shut since March.
Shoppers packed the streets. Stores allowed in only people wearing masks and provided alcohol gel. Some took the temperature of shoppers at the entrance.
"I'm afraid because the virus is growing, but at the same time we have to go to work and buy things to sell, though always protected by a mask," said Vanessa Pereira, a saleswoman.
The city's malls will reopen on Thursday for four hours a day after agreeing with authorities on reducing public access as a precaution against the contagion.
In Rio de Janeiro, the second hardest hit Brazilian city, the mayor announced malls will also reopen on Thursday as part of a scheduled easing of restrictions.
The decisions to reopen shops has been advocated by Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who has minimized the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak and dismissed warnings by public health experts that the contagion is still surging.
Brazil has 772,416 confirmed cases of infection, as the world's worst outbreak after the United States continues to surge. At least 39,680 people have died, the third highest death toll after the United States and Britain.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--Going, Going, Gone with the Wind? Pop culture grapples with racism in past work

IN THE PAPERS – Thursday , June 11 : We look at reactions to HBO Max 's decision to pull `` Gone with the Wind '' from its catalogue temporarily over concerns about racism .
But it 's not just Hollywood – comedians around the world have seen their work pulled for racial stereotyping .
Should they remain as a relic of history or should we move ahead with the times ?
Should `` Gone with the Wind '' be viewed with modern-day attitudes towards racism ?
That 's the big question dividing the papers after streaming platform HBO Max @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it could add historical context .
The film has been attacked for its depiction of slavery and its glorification of the pre-war South .
The conservative US magazine National Review argues that the film should stay because it is `` an interesting if not offensive relic of old Hollywood '' .
Furthermore , it says trying to stop people from viewing problematic images rather than pointing out their flaws is destructive .
The LA Times , meanwhile , argues that banishing the film and other works does not pass for change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entertainment industry of racial bias and inequity '' .
Hollywood companies would be better off working harder to diversify their executive ranks , the writer argues .
And it is not just Hollywood that is facing a reckoning with its past work .
The British tabloid Daily Star reports that British comedians Ant and Dec have apologised for their previous skits impersonating people of colour .
Netflix has , for its part , removed series like `` Little Britain '' and Australian comedian Chris Lilley 's satirical shows over their depictions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spectator says that in the case of Lilley 's shows , his non-white characters were in fact rounded and movingly sympathetic .
The conservative magazine slams the `` madness '' of `` cancel culture '' and the `` kangaroo court of correct thinking '' .
Speaking of madness , Fox News host Tucker Carlson went on a `` bonkers '' rant against Sesame Street this week , according to the Huffington Post .
The children 's show featured a sketch of Elmo and his father discussing the anti-racism protests in the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of decades of `` relentless propaganda '' .

IN THE PAPERS – Thursday, June 11: We look at reactions to HBO Max's decision to pull "Gone with the Wind" from its catalogue temporarily over concerns about racism. But it's not just Hollywood – comedians around the world have seen their work pulled for racial stereotyping. Should they remain as a relic of history or should we move ahead with the times?
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Should "Gone with the Wind" be viewed with modern-day attitudes towards racism? That's the big question dividing the papers after streaming platform HBO Max pulled the 1939 film from its catalogue so it could add historical context. The film has been attacked for its depiction of slavery and its glorification of the pre-war South.
The conservative US magazine National Review argues that the film should stay because it is "an interesting if not offensive relic of old Hollywood". Furthermore, it says trying to stop people from viewing problematic images rather than pointing out their flaws is destructive.
The LA Times, meanwhile, argues that banishing the film and other works does not pass for change, nor does it "cleanse Hollywood or the entertainment industry of racial bias and inequity". Hollywood companies would be better off working harder to diversify their executive ranks, the writer argues.
And it is not just Hollywood that is facing a reckoning with its past work. The British tabloid Daily Star reports that British comedians Ant and Dec have apologised for their previous skits impersonating people of colour.
Netflix has, for its part, removed series like "Little Britain" and Australian comedian Chris Lilley's satirical shows over their depictions of race. The British conservative magazine The Spectator says that in the case of Lilley's shows, his non-white characters were in fact rounded and movingly sympathetic. The conservative magazine slams the "madness" of "cancel culture" and the "kangaroo court of correct thinking".
Speaking of madness, Fox News host Tucker Carlson went on a "bonkers" rant against Sesame Street this week, according to the Huffington Post. The children's show featured a sketch of Elmo and his father discussing the anti-racism protests in the US, but for Carlson it was yet another example of decades of "relentless propaganda".
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france24--2020-06-11--Confirmed US coronavirus cases surpass 2 million mark

New York City enters `` Phase 1 '' of a four-part reopening plan after spending more than two months under lockdown due to the coronavirus .
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the United States topped 2 million on Wednesday , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 112,900 people in the United States , which leads the world in the number of confirmed infections with 2,000,464 , according to the latest count from the university , based in Baltimore , Maryland .
The US continues to record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and is struggling to come down from that plateau as the level of infections wax and wane in different parts of the country .
In Texas and North Carolina , for example , there are currently more Covid-19 patients hospitalised than there were a month ago .
With half a million tests performed per day , the country is the world champion in screening per capita .
According to an average of 11 epidemiological models conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts , the number of Covid-19 deaths in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , Independence Day .

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the United States topped 2 million on Wednesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
New York City enters "Phase 1" of a four-part reopening plan after spending more than two months under lockdown due to the coronavirus.
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The pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 112,900 people in the United States, which leads the world in the number of confirmed infections with 2,000,464, according to the latest count from the university, based in Baltimore, Maryland.
The US continues to record around 20,000 new cases of Covid-19 every day and is struggling to come down from that plateau as the level of infections wax and wane in different parts of the country.
In Texas and North Carolina, for example, there are currently more Covid-19 patients hospitalised than there were a month ago.
Texas is reporting 2,504 new cases of coronavirus today, a record high.
The state has also reported a record number of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus for three days in a row. https://t.co/dgTIxTxZ4X pic.twitter.com/YZAMybErv5 — Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) June 10, 2020
With half a million tests performed per day, the country is the world champion in screening per capita.
According to an average of 11 epidemiological models conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts, the number of Covid-19 deaths in the US is expected to approach 130,000 by July 4, Independence Day.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-10--Called to order? Pressure for police reform goes global

Called to order ?
Pressure for police reform goes global How did we go from more cops on the beat @ @ @ @ @ France has felt the outrage over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and racial profiling .
Now , the government has announced measures that include @ @ @ @ @ the immediate suspension from active duty of officers suspected of wrongdoing .
How to build @ @ @ @ @ enforcement and citizens ?

Called to order? Pressure for police reform goes global
THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24
How did we go from more cops on the beat to defund the police? France has felt the outrage over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the calls for an end to police brutality and racial profiling. Now, the government has announced measures that include a ban on chokeholds and the immediate suspension from active duty of officers suspected of wrongdoing. How to build a better relationship between law enforcement and citizens?


france24--2020-06-11--Charity boats resume Mediterranean migrant rescue after two-month Covid-19 break

Migrants abaord the German rescue boat the Sea Watch arrive at Syracuse , Italy , on January 27 , 2019 .
Two charity boats have headed back to the Mediterranean after a two-month hiatus in migrant rescue operations , as humanitarian groups await a new wave of arrivals .
Italian NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans said on Tuesday night that its chartered boat , Mare Jonio , had left the Sicilian port of Trapani to patrol the central Mediterranean on its eighth mission .
It joins the Sea Watch 3 , operated by Germany 's Sea Watch , which left Messina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is finally back at sea to monitor and denounce the human rights violations that are constantly taking place in the central Mediterranean , '' the charity tweeted on Wednesday .
`` The Mare Jonio is going back where it belongs , where help and humanity are needed . ''
It was the first time the boat had left for a rescue operation since March 20 , when it suspended its operations at sea due to the coronavirus crisis .
Hundreds of thousands of migrants have landed on Italy 's shores in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry for migrants seeking refuge from Africa and the Middle East .
Italy , along with Malta , closed its ports in April to curb the spread of Covid-19 , a month after a nationwide lockdown .
At the time , rescue groups accused Rome and Valletta of using the crisis as an excuse to stop taking in migrants .
Corriere della Sera daily , citing intelligence sources , reported on Monday that 20,000 people were prepared to depart Libya by boat to risk the journey to Italy .
Migrant departures from Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year between January and the end of April , compared to the same period in 2019 , according to the UN Refugee Agency .
Malta has also sounded the alarm on incoming refugees , denouncing the lack of solidarity from other European countries and saying it has taken in a disproportionate share .
The question of migrants reaching Italy 's shores flared up last summer , as the then interior minister Matteo Salvini blocked entry to rescue boats .
Salvini , who leads the far-right League party , faces trial in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spain , Greece , Malta and Cyprus presented the European Commission earlier this month with a proposal for `` a new common and united strategy on immigration and asylum '' , according to Italy 's interior ministry .
The proposal , which includes `` mandatory relocation '' of migrants between all EU member states , also seeks to reduce the burden on `` first entry countries , where migrants first land '' .

Two charity boats have headed back to the Mediterranean after a two-month hiatus in migrant rescue operations, as humanitarian groups await a new wave of arrivals.
Migrants abaord the German rescue boat the Sea Watch arrive at Syracuse, Italy, on January 27, 2019.
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Italian NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans said on Tuesday night that its chartered boat, Mare Jonio, had left the Sicilian port of Trapani to patrol the central Mediterranean on its eighth mission.
It joins the Sea Watch 3, operated by Germany's Sea Watch, which left Messina in Sicily on Monday.
"Mediterranea is finally back at sea to monitor and denounce the human rights violations that are constantly taking place in the central Mediterranean," the charity tweeted on Wednesday.
"The Mare Jonio is going back where it belongs, where help and humanity are needed."
It was the first time the boat had left for a rescue operation since March 20, when it suspended its operations at sea due to the coronavirus crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of migrants have landed on Italy's shores in recent years, as the primary European port of entry for migrants seeking refuge from Africa and the Middle East.
Italy, along with Malta, closed its ports in April to curb the spread of Covid-19, a month after a nationwide lockdown.
Reports of fresh departures from Libya
At the time, rescue groups accused Rome and Valletta of using the crisis as an excuse to stop taking in migrants.
Corriere della Sera daily, citing intelligence sources, reported on Monday that 20,000 people were prepared to depart Libya by boat to risk the journey to Italy.
Migrant departures from Libya's coast increased by nearly 300 percent this year between January and the end of April, compared to the same period in 2019, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
Malta has also sounded the alarm on incoming refugees, denouncing the lack of solidarity from other European countries and saying it has taken in a disproportionate share.
The question of migrants reaching Italy's shores flared up last summer, as the then interior minister Matteo Salvini blocked entry to rescue boats. Salvini, who leads the far-right League party, faces trial in one of those cases.
EU members Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus presented the European Commission earlier this month with a proposal for "a new common and united strategy on immigration and asylum", according to Italy's interior ministry.
The proposal, which includes "mandatory relocation" of migrants between all EU member states, also seeks to reduce the burden on "first entry countries, where migrants first land".
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-11--UK's Johnson plans to scrap two metre distancing rule by September: media

Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds the daily Covid-19 digital press conference at 10 Downing Street in London , UK , on May 11 , 2020 .
( File photo ) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to scrap the two metres distancing rule latest by September for schools to reopen fully for the start of the new school year , the Telegraph newspaper reported .
Johnson has indicated to ministers that he is prepared to change the rule within weeks , the newspaper reported .
Earlier on Wednesday , Johnson defended what he called Britain 's `` astonishing '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations that with Europe 's worst death toll , his response to the health crisis was badly lacking .
But a top scientist who had advised the government said the death toll could have been halved had lockdown measures been introduced a week sooner .
More than 40,000 people are confirmed to have died from Covid-19 in Britain 's outbreak so far , although the figure rises to more than 50,000 when suspected cases are included .
On either measure , the toll is second only to that of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lag times – and the pandemic is far from over .
In a testy exchange with his opponents in parliament , Johnson cited the `` astonishing achievement '' by the state-run National Health Service in building a string of emergency field hospitals – many of which were barely used .
`` It was an astonishing thing this country came together to drive down , to follow the social distancing rules ... to get the epidemic under control in the way we have , '' he said .
But an Imperial College London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis response team after being caught breaking social distancing rules in May , said thousands of lives could have been saved had a lockdown been imposed earlier .
`` The epidemic was doubling every three to four days before lockdown interventions were introduced , '' Neil Ferguson told a parliamentary science and technology committee hearing .
`` So , had we introduced lockdown measures a week earlier , we would have reduced the final death toll by at least a half . ''
On March 13 , the government 's scientific advisory team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lockdown such as that introduced in China at the time `` will cause a second peak '' .
Asked about Ferguson 's comments , Johnson said it was premature to reach definitive conclusions .
`` There is still too much we do not know , '' he told reporters .
Pushing ahead with his gradual lockdown easing , Johnson confirmed that all remaining shops would reopen starting next week and that single adults could form a `` support bubble '' with one other household .
But his decision to reopen zoos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to ensure the immediate return of children to school in England before the summer holidays in July , faced ridicule across the political spectrum .
`` What we will be doing is a huge amount of catch-up for our students in the summer months , '' Johnson told reporters , after being asked why children would be allowed to see lions but not schoolteachers .
`` We do fully intend to bring all the children back to school in September provided the progress we are making continues , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters in the right-wing media lamented the government 's handling of the crisis , with The Daily Telegraph asking `` how we can continue to justify keeping ( schools ) closed '' .
`` Parents have lost confidence in the government 's approach , '' opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer said .
Runnymede Trust race equality think-tank director Zubaida Haque told a parliamentary hearing that home lessons were hurting disadvantaged children the most because they often lack access to computers or go to schools with less developed online programmes .
`` Disadvantaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of remote learning throughout the last couple of months , '' Haque said .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to scrap the two metres distancing rule latest by September for schools to reopen fully for the start of the new school year, the Telegraph newspaper reported.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds the daily Covid-19 digital press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, UK, on May 11, 2020. (File photo)
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Johnson has indicated to ministers that he is prepared to change the rule within weeks, the newspaper reported.
Earlier on Wednesday, Johnson defended what he called Britain's "astonishing" efforts to tackle the coronavirus, rejecting accusations that with Europe's worst death toll, his response to the health crisis was badly lacking.
But a top scientist who had advised the government said the death toll could have been halved had lockdown measures been introduced a week sooner.
More than 40,000 people are confirmed to have died from Covid-19 in Britain's outbreak so far, although the figure rises to more than 50,000 when suspected cases are included.
On either measure, the toll is second only to that of the United States, although each country has different reporting methods and lag times – and the pandemic is far from over.
In a testy exchange with his opponents in parliament, Johnson cited the "astonishing achievement" by the state-run National Health Service in building a string of emergency field hospitals – many of which were barely used.
"It was an astonishing thing this country came together to drive down, to follow the social distancing rules... to get the epidemic under control in the way we have," he said.
'Summer of catch-up'
But an Imperial College London epidemiologist, who quit the government's crisis response team after being caught breaking social distancing rules in May, said thousands of lives could have been saved had a lockdown been imposed earlier.
"The epidemic was doubling every three to four days before lockdown interventions were introduced," Neil Ferguson told a parliamentary science and technology committee hearing.
"So, had we introduced lockdown measures a week earlier, we would have reduced the final death toll by at least a half."
On March 13, the government's scientific advisory team concluded with "near certainty" that a lockdown such as that introduced in China at the time "will cause a second peak".
Asked about Ferguson's comments, Johnson said it was premature to reach definitive conclusions.
"There is still too much we do not know," he told reporters.
Pushing ahead with his gradual lockdown easing, Johnson confirmed that all remaining shops would reopen starting next week and that single adults could form a "support bubble" with one other household.
But his decision to reopen zoos and wildlife parks from next Monday, and failure to ensure the immediate return of children to school in England before the summer holidays in July, faced ridicule across the political spectrum.
"What we will be doing is a huge amount of catch-up for our students in the summer months," Johnson told reporters, after being asked why children would be allowed to see lions but not schoolteachers.
"We do fully intend to bring all the children back to school in September provided the progress we are making continues," he added.
But even some of Johnson's strongest supporters in the right-wing media lamented the government's handling of the crisis, with The Daily Telegraph asking "how we can continue to justify keeping (schools) closed".
"Parents have lost confidence in the government's approach," opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer said.
Runnymede Trust race equality think-tank director Zubaida Haque told a parliamentary hearing that home lessons were hurting disadvantaged children the most because they often lack access to computers or go to schools with less developed online programmes.
"Disadvantaged students have considerably lost out in terms of remote learning throughout the last couple of months," Haque said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--Trump authorises ICC sanctions over investigation of US war crimes in Afghanistan

FILE PHOTO : U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to U.S. troops , with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani standing behind him , during an unannounced visit to Bagram Air Base , Afghanistan , November 28 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump on Thursday authorized U.S. economic and travel sanctions against International Criminal Court employees involved in an investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan .
In announcing the president 's executive order , Trump administration officials said the Hague-based tribunal threatens to infringe on U.S. national sovereignty and accused Russia of manipulating it to serve Moscow 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will not stand by as our people are threatened by a kangaroo court , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in announcing the move .
`` I have a message to many close allies in the world .
Your people could be next , especially those from NATO countries who fight terrorism in Afghanistan right alongside us , '' he said .
Foreign Minister Stef Blok of the Netherlands , a member of the Western security alliance , wrote on Twitter he was `` very disturbed '' by the U.S. stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he described as `` crucial in the fight against impunity . ''
The sanctions that can be imposed under the order include freezing the U.S. assets of those who help the ICC investigate or prosecute American citizens without U.S. consent as well as barring them and their families from visiting the United States .
Neither Pompeo nor any of the top officials who were present at the announcement - Defense Secretary Mark Esper , national security adviser Robert O'Brien and Attorney General William Barr - took questions from reporters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement .
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda wants to investigate possible crimes committed between 2003 and 2014 , including alleged mass killings of civilians by the Taliban , as well as the alleged torture of prisoners by Afghan authorities and , to a lesser extent , by U.S. forces and the CIA .
The ICC investigation was given the go-ahead in March .
The ICC decided to investigate after a preliminary examination by prosecutors in 2017 found reasonable grounds to believe war crimes were committed in Afghanistan and that the court has jurisdiction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrea Prasow , the Washington director for Human Rights Watch , said the action `` demonstrates contempt for the global rule of law '' and represents a `` blatant attempt at obstruction . ''
The ICC was established in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes , genocide and crimes against humanity .
It has jurisdiction only if a member state is unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities itself .
The United States has never been a member of the court .
The U.S. action is the latest under Trump taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has promoted an `` America First '' policy , late last month said he would end the U.S. relationship with the World Health Organization .
Afghanistan is a member of the ICC , though Kabul has argued that any war crimes should be prosecuted locally .
Speaking at the U.S. announcement , Barr , the chief U.S. law enforcement officer , said the Justice Department `` has received substantial credible information that raises serious concerns about a long history of financial corruption and malfeasance '' in the ICC prosecutor 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said the court was being manipulated by Russia , but did not elaborate on how .
John Bellinger , the State Department 's former top lawyer under Republican former President George W. Bush , said the two sides could have avoided the conflict but chose not to .
`` It 's unfortunate that the long-running U.S. dispute with the ICC has reached this new low point .
...
It 's not surprising that the Trump administration has reacted forcefully with threatened sanctions , especially in an election year , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other sanctions against ICC employees a year ago .

President Donald Trump authorized sanctions against International Criminal Court employees investigating the actions of US forces in Afghanistan on Thursday in a move ICC chief O-Gon Kwon said would "undermine our common endeavor to fight impunity and to ensure accountability for mass atrocities".
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to U.S. troops, with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani standing behind him, during an unannounced visit to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, November 28, 2019.
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President Donald Trump on Thursday authorized U.S. economic and travel sanctions against International Criminal Court employees involved in an investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.
In announcing the president's executive order, Trump administration officials said the Hague-based tribunal threatens to infringe on U.S. national sovereignty and accused Russia of manipulating it to serve Moscow's ends.
"We cannot, we will not stand by as our people are threatened by a kangaroo court," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in announcing the move.
"I have a message to many close allies in the world. Your people could be next, especially those from NATO countries who fight terrorism in Afghanistan right alongside us," he said.
In a statement, the ICC said Washington's move was the "latest in a series of unprecedented attacks on the court."
"These attacks constitute an escalation and an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court's judicial proceedings," the ICC said.
Foreign Minister Stef Blok of the Netherlands, a member of the Western security alliance, wrote on Twitter he was "very disturbed" by the U.S. stance, saying his nation supported the ICC, which he described as "crucial in the fight against impunity."
Very disturbed by the United States’ measures against the @IntlCrimCourt. We call on the US not to sanction ICC staff. The Netherlands fully supports the ICC and will continue to do so. The ICC is crucial in the fight against impunity and in upholding international rule of law. — Stef Blok (@ministerBlok) June 11, 2020
The sanctions that can be imposed under the order include freezing the U.S. assets of those who help the ICC investigate or prosecute American citizens without U.S. consent as well as barring them and their families from visiting the United States.
Neither Pompeo nor any of the top officials who were present at the announcement - Defense Secretary Mark Esper, national security adviser Robert O'Brien and Attorney General William Barr - took questions from reporters.
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda wants to investigate possible crimes committed between 2003 and 2014, including alleged mass killings of civilians by the Taliban, as well as the alleged torture of prisoners by Afghan authorities and, to a lesser extent, by U.S. forces and the CIA. The ICC investigation was given the go-ahead in March.
The ICC decided to investigate after a preliminary examination by prosecutors in 2017 found reasonable grounds to believe war crimes were committed in Afghanistan and that the court has jurisdiction.
Rights activists assailed Trump's move. Andrea Prasow, the Washington director for Human Rights Watch, said the action "demonstrates contempt for the global rule of law" and represents a "blatant attempt at obstruction."
01:12
'Low point'
The ICC was established in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. It has jurisdiction only if a member state is unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities itself. The United States has never been a member of the court.
The U.S. action is the latest under Trump taking aim at an international body. Trump, who has promoted an "America First" policy, late last month said he would end the U.S. relationship with the World Health Organization.
Afghanistan is a member of the ICC, though Kabul has argued that any war crimes should be prosecuted locally.
Speaking at the U.S. announcement, Barr, the chief U.S. law enforcement officer, said the Justice Department "has received substantial credible information that raises serious concerns about a long history of financial corruption and malfeasance" in the ICC prosecutor's office. He provided no details.
He also said the court was being manipulated by Russia, but did not elaborate on how.
John Bellinger, the State Department's former top lawyer under Republican former President George W. Bush, said the two sides could have avoided the conflict but chose not to.
"It's unfortunate that the long-running U.S. dispute with the ICC has reached this new low point. ... It's not surprising that the Trump administration has reacted forcefully with threatened sanctions, especially in an election year," he said.
The Trump administration imposed travel restrictions and other sanctions against ICC employees a year ago.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--UN horrified by reports of at least eight mass graves discovered in Libya

A member of security forces affiliated with the GNA 's Interior Ministry surveyed the reported site of a mass grave in the town of Tarhuna , southeast of the capital Tripoli , Libya , June 2020 .
The United Nations voiced `` horror '' after reports of the discovery of eight mass graves in an area recently seized by the unity government after forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar withdrew .
`` UNSMIL notes with horror reports on the discovery of at least eight mass graves in past days , the majority of them in Tarhuna , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
`` International law requires that the authorities conduct prompt , effective & transparent investigations into all alleged cases of unlawful deaths , '' it added .
Several presumed mass graves have been discovered near Tarhuna , southeast of the capital Tripoli , since it was seized back by forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord on June 5 .
An AFP journalist on Thursday was granted access to a site where several bodies had been discovered and exhumed by the Libyan Red Crescent for identification the day before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ site near graves covered with fresh soil .
The director of Tarhuna 's public hospital , Aburawi al-Buzeidi , said 160 bodies were discovered in the morgue by GNA forces upon their arrival in the city .
The bodies `` were transferred to Tripoli and Misrata by the Red Crescent , '' he told journalists , giving no further details on the bodies .
UNSMIL also welcomed a decision on Thursday by the justice minister to establish a committee to investigate the finds .
`` We call on its members to promptly undertake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graves , identifying the victims , establishing causes of death & returning the bodies to next of kin , '' it said .
Tarhuna was the main rear base for a devastating year-long offensive by eastern-based Haftar 's forces to seize the capital from the unity government .
Pro-Haftar forces , backed by Russia , Egypt and the United Arab Emirates , had been battling since April in fighting that has left hundreds dead and forced 200,000 to flee their homes .
In recent weeks GNA forces , reinforced with Turkish drones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter-attack to regain control of the whole of the country 's northwest .
Haftar 's forces this month abandoned their remaining positions in the southern suburbs to advancing government troops .
The US , EU and other foreign powers have called for a ceasefire following Haftar 's losses in Tripoli .
But the resurgent GNA has vowed to push on for Sirte , Kadhafi 's hometown and the last major settlement before the traditional boundary between western Libya and Haftar 's stronghold in the east .
The GNA 's counter-assault is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the 2011 toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a Western-backed uprising .

The United Nations voiced "horror" after reports of the discovery of eight mass graves in an area recently seized by the unity government after forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar withdrew.
A member of security forces affiliated with the GNA's Interior Ministry surveyed the reported site of a mass grave in the town of Tarhuna, southeast of the capital Tripoli, Libya, June 2020.
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"UNSMIL notes with horror reports on the discovery of at least eight mass graves in past days, the majority of them in Tarhuna," the UN mission said in a statement on Twitter.
"International law requires that the authorities conduct prompt, effective & transparent investigations into all alleged cases of unlawful deaths," it added.
Several presumed mass graves have been discovered near Tarhuna, southeast of the capital Tripoli, since it was seized back by forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord on June 5.
1/3 UNSMIL notes with horror reports on the discovery of at least eight mass graves in past days, the majority of them in Tarhuna. International law requires that the authorities conduct prompt, effective & transparent investigations into all alleged cases of unlawful deaths. pic.twitter.com/cQY7dTNhzI — UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) June 11, 2020
An AFP journalist on Thursday was granted access to a site where several bodies had been discovered and exhumed by the Libyan Red Crescent for identification the day before.
Scraps of clothing were scattered around the site near graves covered with fresh soil.
The director of Tarhuna's public hospital, Aburawi al-Buzeidi, said 160 bodies were discovered in the morgue by GNA forces upon their arrival in the city.
The bodies "were transferred to Tripoli and Misrata by the Red Crescent," he told journalists, giving no further details on the bodies.
UNSMIL also welcomed a decision on Thursday by the justice minister to establish a committee to investigate the finds.
"We call on its members to promptly undertake the work aimed at securing the mass graves, identifying the victims, establishing causes of death & returning the bodies to next of kin," it said.
Pounding counter-attack
Tarhuna was the main rear base for a devastating year-long offensive by eastern-based Haftar's forces to seize the capital from the unity government.
Pro-Haftar forces, backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, had been battling since April in fighting that has left hundreds dead and forced 200,000 to flee their homes.
In recent weeks GNA forces, reinforced with Turkish drones and air defences, have staged a pounding counter-attack to regain control of the whole of the country's northwest.
Haftar's forces this month abandoned their remaining positions in the southern suburbs to advancing government troops.
The US, EU and other foreign powers have called for a ceasefire following Haftar's losses in Tripoli.
But the resurgent GNA has vowed to push on for Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown and the last major settlement before the traditional boundary between western Libya and Haftar's stronghold in the east.
The GNA's counter-assault is the latest round of fighting in years of violence following the 2011 toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a Western-backed uprising.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-11--Top US military general Milley apologises for escorting Trump to church photo op

Gen. Mark Milley speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington , Virginia , US , April 14 , 2020 .
The top U.S. military officer on Thursday said he should not have joined President Donald Trump as he walked from the White House to a nearby church for a photo opportunity after authorities cleared the way of protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets .
`` I should not have been there , '' Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley said of his appearance at the politically charged event on June 1 .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics , '' he said in a prerecorded video commencement address to the National Defense University .
Milley 's remarks followed a rare outpouring of condemnation from retired U.S. generals and even former defense secretary Jim Mattis for taking part in the event , given that the U.S. military is meant to be apolitical and is sworn to defend the U.S. constitution , which protects the right to peaceful protest .
Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper had joined Trump to pay a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Church , during which the president held up a Bible for photographers .
Minutes before the visit , law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse mostly peaceful protesters occupying the square between the White House and the church in a demonstration against the police killing of George Floyd , drawing condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans .
The National Guard supported law enforcement at the site .
`` As a commissioned uniformed officer , it was a mistake that I have learned from , and I sincerely hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Milley said , but stopped short of apologizing outright .
As authorities were clearing the square , Trump delivered a speech at the White House condemning `` acts of domestic terror '' and saying the United States was in the grips of professional anarchists , violent mobs , arsonists , looters , criminals and others .
He promised the mobilization of thousands of U.S. troops and told U.S. governors that same day he was putting Milley `` in charge '' of the protest response .
Milley later seemed to reinforce Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that evening in camouflage fatigues .
The protests following Floyd 's killing in Minneapolis , Minnesota , have been largely peaceful .
Floyd , who was black , died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes on May 25 .
Milley has not appeared in public to answer questions since the walk with Trump .
His decision to deliver his remarks in a prerecorded message , as opposed to a news conference , precluded the possibility of taking questions , including about any split with the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference more than a week ago that he regretted using the word `` battlespace '' to describe protest sites around the United States and said he was unaware that the church visit was going to be a `` photo op . ''
He also publicly stated that he did not support the use of the Insurrection Act , which would allow Trump to mobilize active duty troops to crack down on protests .
Reuters has reported that Trump came closer to deploying active duty troops than thought and yelled at Esper after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Milley stressed the need for members of the military to stay out of politics .
`` We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation and we must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic , '' he said .

The top U.S. military officer on Thursday said he should not have joined President Donald Trump as he walked from the White House to a nearby church for a photo opportunity after authorities cleared the way of protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets.
Gen. Mark Milley speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US, April 14, 2020.
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"I should not have been there," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley said of his appearance at the politically charged event on June 1.
"My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics," he said in a prerecorded video commencement address to the National Defense University.
01:36
Milley's remarks followed a rare outpouring of condemnation from retired U.S. generals and even former defense secretary Jim Mattis for taking part in the event, given that the U.S. military is meant to be apolitical and is sworn to defend the U.S. constitution, which protects the right to peaceful protest.
BREAKING: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Mark Milley, just apologized for taking part in Trump’s ridiculous photo op. Trump’s gonna be furious!! pic.twitter.com/6Hr77yoryj — Black Lives Matter (@HKrassenstein) June 11, 2020
Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper had joined Trump to pay a surprise visit to the historic Saint John’s Church, during which the president held up a Bible for photographers.
Minutes before the visit, law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse mostly peaceful protesters occupying the square between the White House and the church in a demonstration against the police killing of George Floyd, drawing condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans.
The National Guard supported law enforcement at the site.
"As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it," Milley said, but stopped short of apologizing outright.
As authorities were clearing the square, Trump delivered a speech at the White House condemning "acts of domestic terror" and saying the United States was in the grips of professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals and others.
He promised the mobilization of thousands of U.S. troops and told U.S. governors that same day he was putting Milley "in charge" of the protest response.
Milley later seemed to reinforce Trump's comments by appearing in downtown Washington D.C. that evening in camouflage fatigues.
The protests following Floyd's killing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have been largely peaceful. Floyd, who was black, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes on May 25.
Milley has not appeared in public to answer questions since the walk with Trump. His decision to deliver his remarks in a prerecorded message, as opposed to a news conference, precluded the possibility of taking questions, including about any split with the Republican president.
Esper told a Pentagon news conference more than a week ago that he regretted using the word "battlespace" to describe protest sites around the United States and said he was unaware that the church visit was going to be a "photo op."
He also publicly stated that he did not support the use of the Insurrection Act, which would allow Trump to mobilize active duty troops to crack down on protests. Reuters has reported that Trump came closer to deploying active duty troops than thought and yelled at Esper after that news conference.
In his address on Thursday, Milley stressed the need for members of the military to stay out of politics.
"We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation and we must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic," he said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--Kamala Harris advances as top contender for Biden's Vice President

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

Amid the nationwide protests over racism and police brutality, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris may have found the powerful and lasting moment that eluded her failed presidential bid but could now land her the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.
Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by US Senator Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Detroit, Michigan, USA, March 9, 2020.
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Harris, the only black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, has marched in the streets and sponsored new police reform legislation on Capitol Hill. She has been a forceful proponent of sweeping social change and a fierce critic of President Donald Trump.
The 55-year-old senator from California also has become a key ally for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, poised to challenge the Republican president in the Nov. 3 U.S. election, at a time when race has been thrust to the forefront of the campaign.
With Biden, 77, facing pressure within his party to choose a black woman as his running mate, Democratic donors, strategists and those close to his campaign said in interviews they think Harris is increasingly the likely pick.
The day after Biden flew to Houston and met with the family of George Floyd, the African-American man whose death last month in Minneapolis police custody spurred the civil unrest, Harris chaired an online fundraiser that netted Biden $3.5 million.
"She understands the moment," said Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital Group chairman and a member of Biden's national finance committee. "They want someone who will galvanize people. She seems to be that person."
A Democratic strategist with relationships in Biden's circle was even more blunt, saying recent events all but required Biden to pick a black woman – and that Harris is the most practical choice.
"It's going to be Harris. It was always going to be Harris. It was going to be Harris even when Joe Biden didn't think it was going to be Harris," said the strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity. "At some point, he was trying to convince himself black people like him so much that he could pick someone like Amy Klobuchar."
Klobuchar, a U.S. senator from Minnesota who is white, has seen her vice presidential prospects damaged as some black activists call her record as a former prosecutor on police misconduct in the county where Floyd died disqualifying.
Harris also is a tougher sell for Democrats in the party's left wing, who have criticized her record as a former prosecutor and attorney general in California including what they viewed as a failure to crack down on police misconduct.
Skeptics remained after Harris co-sponsored a Democratic bill this week that would ban chokeholds and remove some legal protection for police officers.
"She has a history that by some accounts is not good, but we want to see where she wants to move to," said Judith Browne Dianis, executive director of Advancement Project, a multi-racial liberal advocacy group.
'She's found her voice'
Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who has been critical of Harris, said she has seen a new confidence and idealism in the senator since her presidential run ended last December.
"She's found her voice," Levenson said. "She's part of a movement."
Biden and Harris had some spiky exchanges last year during the Democratic presidential race. Harris slammed him at a debate for his record on mandated busing as a means to desegregate schools. Some Biden advisers have told Reuters the attacks made them question whether she would be loyal because of her political ambitions.
Tom Sacks-Wilner, who serves on Biden's finance committee, called that "water under the bridge" and said Democratic donors he knows are increasingly getting behind the idea of Harris joining the ticket.
Neither Biden nor Harris' offices would comment. Biden has said he hopes to announce his vice presidential choice by Aug. 1. Harris has said Biden should select whoever can help him beat Trump.
During Tuesday's fundraiser, Biden said the two former rivals now talk often. "She's been a fighter and a principled leader," Biden said.
Their main connection had been through Biden's son Beau, who served as Delaware's attorney general when Harris held the same post in California. Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015, and Harris worked on a number of issues together.
At the fundraiser, Biden spoke of a moment when he ran into Harris in Philadelphia after Beau's death and she gave the former vice president a hug and told him, "I love you, and I loved Beau."
"I won't forget that," Biden said.
Other black women under consideration by Biden include Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Representative Val Demings of Florida. Both lack Harris' deep background in public office and politics.
Theodore Johnson, an analyst on race and politics at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice, said, "For those who still doubt her abilities or dislike her, I'm not sure there is much that can win them over. But for everyone else that Democrats will need to win the White House, I think her stock has increased."
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-11--The commercialisation of George Floyd: US firms look to capitalise on a movement

As protests against racism and police brutality have erupted across the United States and the world , many US companies have sought to capitalise on the moment by pledging solidarity with the protesters and speaking out against systemic racism .
But some point out that firms have to go further to ensure equality within their own ranks .
Microsoft has posted powerful quotes on Twitter from black employees describing how systemic racism takes a toll on their lives .
One employee , Phil Terrill , talked about the death of George Floyd , the handcuffed black man who pleaded for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee against his neck for nearly nine minutes .
“ It should not take the death of Black people at this magnitude to inspire everyone to be an ally , ” Microsoft quoted Terrill as saying .
And yet only 4.4 percent of Microsoft 's global workforce across all brands – including retail and warehouse workers – identify as black .
Less than 3 percent of its US executives , directors and managers are black , according to the company ’ s 2019 diversity and inclusion report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email to employees that appeared on the company 's blog on June 5 , writing that Microsoft “ must change first ” if it wants to help change the world and pledging to invest in its talent by expanding connections with Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) .
`` In order to be successful as a business in empowering everyone on the planet , we need to reflect the world we serve , '' Nadella said .
Online retail giant Amazon is prominently displaying a post entitled “ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CEO Jeff Bezos has shared on Instagram some of the emails he 's received from consumers who are unhappy with the company for taking a stance .
But Amazon has its own share of inequities .
An AP analysis published on Thursday found that more than 60 percent of Amazon warehouse and delivery workers in most cities are people of colour .
And Amazon ’ s own 2019 workforce data show that only about 8 percent of its managers in the United States are black compared to the nearly 60 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 29 , who sorts packages at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Avenel , New Jersey , said she feels that Amazon ’ s messages supporting justice and equal opportunity for blacks are not entirely genuine .
She noted that most of the employees she works with at the centre are people of colour but that the higher-ups are white .
“ As a black woman , I feel like it is empty words , ” she told AP .
“ They don ’ t help our struggles .
Everyone wants to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people account for 12 percent of the overall US workforce , but fill only 8 percent of management jobs , according to University of Virginia professor Laura Morgan Roberts .
The number of black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies peaked in 2002 with 12 whereas today there are just four .
Roberts ’ research looking at the careers of Harvard Business School graduates found black alumni received fewer prime opportunities , such as global assignments , than white graduates with the same degree .
`` They ’ re saying , 'We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into the inner circle , ' '' said Roberts .
After hitting the streets to protest racial injustice , Sharon Chuter was disillusioned by the number of corporate brands posting “ glossy ” messages spouting support for black lives .
The 33-year-old founder of Uoma Beauty , a cosmetics company that caters to black women , came up with a social-media challenge to test the sincerity of the companies .
She launched the # pulluporshutup campaign on Instagram to push brands to reveal the racial make-up of their corporate workforce and executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , amassing more than 95,000 Instagram followers in a little more than a week .
Chuter said it 's a wake-up call for many businesses who couldn ’ t see or didn ’ t take seriously the silent racism and prejudices that hold black people back .
`` Reflection is painful , '' Chuter said .
`` The truth hurts and I just felt like brands didn ’ t want to do it . ''
As of Thursday , Chuter had posted 91 responses to her request for workforce data on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other companies manufacturing cosmetics and skincare products .
Atop the comments section of each post , Chuter cites the company 's percentages of black management and senior-level employees and then writes , “ Thank you for the transparency ” .
However , some subsequent commenters criticise the numbers as disappointing , potentially misleading or insufficiently clear .
'Get our own house in order' Adidas , which responded to Floyd ’ s death and subsequent protests by displaying the capitalised word “ RACISM ” with a red line through it on its Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing group of employees called out the company for its lack of diversity .
Adidas unveiled several moves to fight racial inequality on Tuesday , including a pledge to fill at least 30 percent of all new US positions at Adidas and Reebok with black and Latino people .
“ The events of the past two weeks have caused all of us to reflect on what we can do to confront the cultural and systemic forces that sustain racism , ” said Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted in a statement .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and our organization and reflect on systems that disadvantage and silence black individuals and communities.
” The Germany-based company did n't provide a breakdown on the race or ethnicity of its workforce .
Its commitment to increase diversity , however , prompted Chuter to mention Adidas on @ pullupforchange while acknowledging that the company had n't shared its data on diversity .
Nike has long been viewed as an “ insider ” brand among black consumers because of its lucrative and high-profile sponsorship deals with prominent African-American athletes .
The Portland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice issue head-on with its ad campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick , who sparked controversy in 2016 by kneeling during the US National Anthem to protest the violent treatment of black people .
Last week Nike revealed a new video advert in response to the protests that bore the words : “ For once , don ’ t do it.
” The ad , a twist on its long-time “ Just do it ” motto , urged viewers not to “ pretend there ’ s not a problem in America ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading the firm 's corporate business shows a disconnect between what the brand projects and how it actually operates .
Though whites make up less than half – 43 percent – of its total US workforce , 77 percent of its high-ranking vice presidents company-wide are white , according to 2019 numbers on representation in its leadership .
Meanwhile , less than 10 percent of its vice presidents are black ( although that is a nearly 2 percent improvement from the previous year ) .
Nike CEO John Donahoe acknowledged that such progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo to employees that its “ most important priority is to get our own house in order ” .
In a video Chuter posted on @ pullupforchange , the cosmetics businesswoman also said people must do more to show they are serious about change .
`` You can not say 'black lives matter ' publicly when you do n't show us black lives matter within your own homes and within your organisations . ''

As protests against racism and police brutality have erupted across the United States and the world, many US companies have sought to capitalise on the moment by pledging solidarity with the protesters and speaking out against systemic racism. But some point out that firms have to go further to ensure equality within their own ranks.
Advertising Read more
Microsoft has posted powerful quotes on Twitter from black employees describing how systemic racism takes a toll on their lives. One employee, Phil Terrill, talked about the death of George Floyd, the handcuffed black man who pleaded for air and subsequently died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee against his neck for nearly nine minutes.
“It should not take the death of Black people at this magnitude to inspire everyone to be an ally,” Microsoft quoted Terrill as saying.
At this time, we will be using our platform to amplify voices from the Black and African American community at Microsoft. pic.twitter.com/hsZ3Am9srK — Microsoft (@Microsoft) June 3, 2020
And yet only 4.4 percent of Microsoft's global workforce across all brands – including retail and warehouse workers – identify as black. Less than 3 percent of its US executives, directors and managers are black, according to the company’s 2019 diversity and inclusion report.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed the issue in an email to employees that appeared on the company's blog on June 5, writing that Microsoft “must change first” if it wants to help change the world and pledging to invest in its talent by expanding connections with historically black colleges and universities.
"In order to be successful as a business in empowering everyone on the planet, we need to reflect the world we serve," Nadella said.
Online retail giant Amazon is prominently displaying a post entitled “Black lives matter” on its homepage, and CEO Jeff Bezos has shared on Instagram some of the emails he's received from consumers who are unhappy with the company for taking a stance.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos posted this email about the company's public anti-racist stance on his Instagram page. © Instagram screen grab
But Amazon has its own share of inequities. An AP analysis published on Thursday found that more than 60 percent of Amazon warehouse and delivery workers in most cities are people of colour. Amazon’s own 2019 workforce data show that only about 8 percent of its managers in the United States are black compared to the nearly 60 percent of managers who are white.
Courtenay Brown, 29, who sorts packages at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Avenel, New Jersey, said she feels that Amazon’s messages supporting justice and equal opportunity for blacks are not entirely genuine. She noted that most of the employees she works with at the centre are people of colour but that the executives are white.
“As a black woman, I feel like it is empty words,” she told AP. “They don’t help our struggles. Everyone wants to join in and profit from us.”
Black people account for 12 percent of the overall US workforce but fill only 8 percent of management jobs, according to University of Virginia professor Laura Morgan Roberts. The number of black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies peaked in 2002 with 12 whereas today there are just four.
Roberts’ research looking at the careers of Harvard Business School graduates found black alumni received fewer prime opportunities, such as global assignments, than white graduates with the same degree.
"They’re saying, 'We’ve got the qualifications but we can't get into the inner circle,'" said Roberts.
'The truth hurts'
After hitting the streets to protest racial injustice, Sharon Chuter was disillusioned by the number of corporate brands posting “glossy” messages spouting support for black lives.
The 33-year-old founder of Uoma Beauty, a cosmetics company that caters to black women, came up with a social-media challenge to test the sincerity of the companies. She launched the #pulluporshutup campaign on Instagram to push brands to reveal the racial makeup of their corporate workforce and executives.
The hashtag has since gone viral, amassing more than 95,000 Instagram followers in a little more than a week. Chuter said it's a wake-up call for many businesses who couldn’t see or didn’t take seriously the silent racism and prejudices that hold black people back.
"Reflection is painful," Chuter said. "The truth hurts and I just felt like brands didn’t want to do it."
As of Thursday, Chuter had posted 91 responses to her request for workforce data on her @pullupforchange Instagram. Most of them came from other companies manufacturing cosmetics and skincare products.
Atop the comments section of each post, Chuter cites the company's percentages of black management and senior-level employees and then writes, “Thank you for the transparency”. However, some subsequent commenters criticise the numbers as disappointing, potentially misleading or insufficiently clear.
Sharon Chuter, the founder of Uoma Beauty, posted Cult Beauty's response to her #pulluporshutup campaign on Instagram. © Instagram screen grab
'Get our own house in order'
Adidas, which responded to Floyd’s death and subsequent protests by displaying the capitalised word “RACISM” with a red line through it on its Instagram account, acknowledged its own shortcomings after a growing group of employees called out the company for its lack of diversity.
Adidas unveiled several moves to fight racial inequality on Tuesday, including a pledge to fill at least 30 percent of all new US positions at Adidas and Reebok with black and Latino people.
“The events of the past two weeks have caused all of us to reflect on what we can do to confront the cultural and systemic forces that sustain racism,” Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted said in a statement. “We have had to look inward to ourselves as individuals and our organization and reflect on systems that disadvantage and silence black individuals and communities.”
The Germany-based company didn't provide a breakdown on the race or ethnicity of its workforce.
Its commitment to increase diversity, however, prompted Chuter to mention Adidas on @pullupforchange while acknowledging that the company hadn't shared its data on diversity.
Nike has long been viewed as an “insider” brand among black consumers because of its lucrative and high-profile sponsorship deals with prominent African-American athletes.
The Portland, Oregon-area company famously took on the racial injustice issue head-on with its ad campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sparked controversy in 2016 by kneeling during the US National Anthem to protest the violent treatment of black people. Last week Nike revealed a new video advertisement in response to the protests that bore the words: “For once, don’t do it.” The ad, a twist on its long-time “Just do it” motto, urged viewers not to “pretend there’s not a problem in America”.
Yet a look at who is leading the firm's corporate business shows a disconnect between what the brand projects and how it operates.
Though whites make up less than half – 43 percent – of its total US workforce, 77 percent of its high-ranking vice presidents company-wide are white, according to 2019 numbers on representation in its leadership. Meanwhile, less than 10 percent of its vice presidents are black (although that is a nearly 2 percent improvement from the previous year).
Hey @Nike, 'Don't pretend there's not a problem in America.' Not one Black person on your executive leadership team: https://t.co/59e7o4DMgx for a company that's made billions out of Black sports people and consumers. Change THAT. #DiversityAndInclusion #UntilWeAllWin — Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) May 30, 2020
Nike CEO John Donahoe acknowledged that such progress wasn't enough, saying in a memo to employees that the company's “most important priority is to get our own house in order”.
In a video she posted on @pullupforchange, Chuter said people must do more to show they are serious about change.
"You cannot say 'black lives matter' publicly when you don't show us black lives matter within your own homes and within your organisations," she said.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-06-11--French President Macron denies reports he might trigger snap election

French President Emmanuel Macron , wearing a protective mask , looks on as he visits a factory of manufacturer Valéo in Etaples , near Le Touquet , France May 26 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron does not plan to step down to prompt a fresh election , a move he reportedly told top party donors he was considering , his office said Thursday .
The Figaro newspaper said Macron had made the shock announcement while speaking via videoconference to a handful of the largest donors to his centrist party who were gathered in London about two weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present .
The goal would be to reinforce his legitimacy as France emerges from its coronavirus lockdown , and to destabilise his opponents -- `` I 'm sure to win because there 's no competition , '' Macron reportedly said .
Macron 's Republic on the Move party lost its absolute majority in parliament last month after several MPs defected to form independent groups , a public reproach that was all the more jarring amid the government 's calls for `` unity '' during the COVID-19 crisis .
But Macron 's office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president never suggested his resignation .
`` He never took part in a videoconference with donors . ''
The Figaro report also cited an unnamed Elysee Palace official , who said : `` We 're entering a phase of reflection and consultations , where everything is being considered . ''
The official added that Macron 's decision could come `` in the coming weeks or months '' .
Macron 's party is bracing for a humiliating setback in a second round of municipal elections set for June 28 , with opinion polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any major city , including Paris .
Even Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is facing a tough battle to recover his seat as mayor of the northern port city of Le Havre .
Speculation has mounted that a cabinet shuffle is in the works as Macron seeks fresh momentum for the final two years of his term .
The coronavirus outbreak has effectively stalled his ambitious policy reforms , including the controversial pensions overhaul that sparked a huge strike last winter .
The president plans a televised national address on Sunday night , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Another address could be made after the June 28 elections , to lay out Macron 's projects through 2022 , his office said Thursday .

French President Emmanuel Macron does not plan to step down to prompt a fresh election, a move he reportedly told top party donors he was considering, his office said Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing a protective mask, looks on as he visits a factory of manufacturer Valéo in Etaples, near Le Touquet, France May 26, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The Figaro newspaper said Macron had made the shock announcement while speaking via videoconference to a handful of the largest donors to his centrist party who were gathered in London about two weeks ago, according to one of the people present.
The goal would be to reinforce his legitimacy as France emerges from its coronavirus lockdown, and to destabilise his opponents -- "I'm sure to win because there's no competition," Macron reportedly said.
Macron's Republic on the Move party lost its absolute majority in parliament last month after several MPs defected to form independent groups, a public reproach that was all the more jarring amid the government's calls for "unity" during the COVID-19 crisis.
But Macron's office said: "We deny this report. The president never suggested his resignation.
"He never took part in a videoconference with donors."
The Figaro report also cited an unnamed Elysee Palace official, who said: "We're entering a phase of reflection and consultations, where everything is being considered."
The official added that Macron's decision could come "in the coming weeks or months".
Bracing for humiliating setback
Macron's party is bracing for a humiliating setback in a second round of municipal elections set for June 28, with opinion polls showing its candidates are unlikely to capture any major city, including Paris.
Even Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is facing a tough battle to recover his seat as mayor of the northern port city of Le Havre.
Speculation has mounted that a cabinet shuffle is in the works as Macron seeks fresh momentum for the final two years of his term.
The coronavirus outbreak has effectively stalled his ambitious policy reforms, including the controversial pensions overhaul that sparked a huge strike last winter.
The president plans a televised national address on Sunday night, his fourth since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Another address could be made after the June 28 elections, to lay out Macron's projects through 2022, his office said Thursday.
(AFP)
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