france24--2020-07-10--Netherlands takes Russia to European court over 2014 downing of Flight MH17

Remains of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 aircraft that was shot down in Ukraine on July 20 , 2014 .
The Dutch government is taking Russia to the European Court of Human Rights for its alleged role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago , the foreign minister announced Friday .
The move is intended to support individual cases being brought to the European court by relatives of some of the 298 people who were killed when a Buk surface-to-air missile fired from territory controlled by pro-Moscow Ukrainian rebels blew the Amsterdam-to-Kuala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 17 , 2014 .
“ Achieving justice for 298 victims of the downing of Flight MH17 is and will remain the government ’ s highest priority , ” Foreign Minister Stef Blok said .
“ By taking this step today ... we are moving closer to this goal.
” By launching the case against Russia , the Dutch authorities can share “ all available and relevant information about the downing of Flight MH17 ” with the Strasbourg-based European court so it can be considered in individual relatives ' cases , the foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly denied involvement in the downing of the Boeing 777 .
An international team of prosecutors investigating the case has , however , charged three Russians and a Ukrainian with involvement in bringing down the plane and the murder of all on board .
The men are on trial in a Dutch court , although none have been extradited to the Netherlands to face justice .
Prosecutors say they have evidence the missile that blew MH17 out of the sky was trucked into Ukraine from a Russian military base and the mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian foreign ministry did n't immediately react .
Konstantin Kosachev , head of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of Russia 's parliament , called the Dutch move “ a strange initiative from every aspect ” in remarks carried by the Interfax news agency .
`` The investigation isn ’ t over yet , there have been no court verdicts on the national level yet and , finally , what does the European Court for Human Rights have to do with it ?
” Kosachev said .
Friday 's move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dutch government , which has long vowed to secure justice for victims and their loved ones .
Separately , the government is pursuing Russia for state responsibility in the downing .
“ The government attaches importance to continuing the meetings with Russia on the matter of state responsibility , ” the foreign ministry said in a statement .
“ The purpose of these meetings is to find a solution that does justice to the enormous suffering and damage caused by the downing of Flight MH17 .
”

The Dutch government is taking Russia to the European Court of Human Rights for its alleged role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago, the foreign minister announced Friday.
Remains of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 aircraft that was shot down in Ukraine on July 20, 2014.
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The move is intended to support individual cases being brought to the European court by relatives of some of the 298 people who were killed when a Buk surface-to-air missile fired from territory controlled by pro-Moscow Ukrainian rebels blew the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur flight out of the sky on July 17, 2014.
“Achieving justice for 298 victims of the downing of Flight MH17 is and will remain the government’s highest priority,” Foreign Minister Stef Blok said. “By taking this step today ... we are moving closer to this goal.”
By launching the case against Russia, the Dutch authorities can share “all available and relevant information about the downing of Flight MH17” with the Strasbourg-based European court so it can be considered in individual relatives' cases, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement in the downing of the Boeing 777. An international team of prosecutors investigating the case has, however, charged three Russians and a Ukrainian with involvement in bringing down the plane and the murder of all on board. The men are on trial in a Dutch court, although none have been extradited to the Netherlands to face justice.
Today, NL submits an inter-State application against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights, for its role in the downing of MH17. By doing this, the government is seeking to offer maximum support to the cases brought by next of kin of MH17 victims. https://t.co/2KXuWRqL3A — Stef Blok (@ministerBlok) July 10, 2020
Prosecutors say they have evidence the missile that blew MH17 out of the sky was trucked into Ukraine from a Russian military base and the mobile launcher was later returned to Russia.
The Russian foreign ministry didn't immediately react. Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of Russia's parliament, called the Dutch move “a strange initiative from every aspect” in remarks carried by the Interfax news agency.
"The investigation isn’t over yet, there have been no court verdicts on the national level yet and, finally, what does the European Court for Human Rights have to do with it?” Kosachev said.
Friday's move is the latest legal maneuver by the Dutch government, which has long vowed to secure justice for victims and their loved ones. Separately, the government is pursuing Russia for state responsibility in the downing.
“The government attaches importance to continuing the meetings with Russia on the matter of state responsibility,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “The purpose of these meetings is to find a solution that does justice to the enormous suffering and damage caused by the downing of Flight MH17.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-10--The people tirelessly restoring Notre-Dame to its former glory

The people tirelessly restoring Notre-Dame to its former glory After months of debate , a French national heritage and architectural @ @ @ @ @ rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral `` as it was '' before being engulfed in a fire last @ @ @ @ @ 's show , we take you inside the monument to see the perilous restoration work @ @ @ @ @ .
Next , we head to the National Monument laboratory where scientists are analysing the @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , we see how some passionate carpenters in Normandy have created an exact @ @ @ @ @ roof structure .

The people tirelessly restoring Notre-Dame to its former glory
12:33 FRANCE IN FOCUS © FRANCE 24
After months of debate, a French national heritage and architectural commission has approved plans to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral "as it was" before being engulfed in a fire last year. In this week's show, we take you inside the monument to see the perilous restoration work that's currently taking place. Next, we head to the National Monument laboratory where scientists are analysing the damaged stones and stained-glass windows. Finally, we see how some passionate carpenters in Normandy have created an exact copy of the famous wooden roof structure.


france24--2020-07-10--Balloons bring internet to Kenya's rural Rift Valley

The world ’ s first ever commercial high-speed internet service to use balloons to connect people to the web was launched in a remote region of Kenya ’ s Rift Valley this week .
Operated by Loon , part of Google parent company Alphabet , the service aims to bring affordable 4G internet to people in rural locations .
The balloons connect with internet ground stations and then communicate with each other to form a network of transmitters in the sky and initially will cover a region of 50,000 sq km , providing internet to 35,000 customers .
“ Loon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first country in the world to commercialise the technology .
This is basically base stations up even beyond where the planes are , ” Joe Mucheru , Kenyan information minister , told Reuters as he launched the service on Wednesday .
Loon ’ s technology has been in development for a while and was first made public in 2013 , but it has not been used commercially until now .
The helium-filled balloons carry a solar panel and battery , and float in the upper atmosphere , high above airplanes and weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California and Puerto Rico and then flown remotely to their destination A total of 35 balloons will be used for the Kenya network , which is being run in partnership with Telkom Kenya .
“ This will help me reach out to people even in the diaspora , because it has really been hard due to poor network around here , ” honey vendor Dorcas Kipteroi told Reuters .
“ We are sometimes left behind when it comes to communication , and you want to send some honey to people but the mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The world’s first ever commercial high-speed internet service to use balloons to connect people to the web was launched in a remote region of Kenya’s Rift Valley this week.
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Operated by Loon, part of Google parent company Alphabet, the service aims to bring affordable 4G internet to people in rural locations.
The balloons connect with internet ground stations and then communicate with each other to form a network of transmitters in the sky and initially will cover a region of 50,000 sq km, providing internet to 35,000 customers.
“Loon is finally in Kenya. Kenya being the first country in the world to commercialise the technology. This is basically base stations up even beyond where the planes are,” Joe Mucheru, Kenyan information minister, told Reuters as he launched the service on Wednesday.
Loon’s technology has been in development for a while and was first made public in 2013, but it has not been used commercially until now.
The helium-filled balloons carry a solar panel and battery, and float in the upper atmosphere, high above airplanes and weather.
They are launched from bases in California and Puerto Rico and then flown remotely to their destination
A total of 35 balloons will be used for the Kenya network, which is being run in partnership with Telkom Kenya.
“This will help me reach out to people even in the diaspora, because it has really been hard due to poor network around here,” honey vendor Dorcas Kipteroi told Reuters.
“We are sometimes left behind when it comes to communication, and you want to send some honey to people but the mode of communication becomes a challenge.”
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france24--2020-07-10--A Confederate flag spotted in the window of police barracks in Paris

A resident of Paris ’ s 17th arrondissement sent our team two photos taken from their window that show an American Confederate flag displayed in the window of the police barracks across the street .
This flag , which was the battle emblem for a slave-holding society and is considered racist , has particular resonance against a backdrop of global Black Lives Matters protests that have sparked discussions in France about its own problem with racist policing .
These photos were taken around 9pm on June 30 .
They clearly show a Confederate flag displayed in a second-floor window of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris .
“ In these two photos , you can see the Confederate flag ( a racist symbol ) on the far left on the second floor .
In my opinion , this symbol has no place in police barracks , ” wrote the person who sent us these photos .
We verified the photos using metadata in the original photo files , which our Observer sent to us by email .
This metadata indicates the precise coordinates of where the photo was taken along with the date , time and mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screengrab shows metadata confirming when and where the photos were taken .
We received the photo about an hour after it was taken .
We went to the location where the photo was taken around noon the next day ( July 1 ) and , by then , the flag had been removed from the window .
A police officer told our team that he was aware of `` this story about the flag , ” although he said that he didn ’ t see it with his own eyes and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
On July 1 , our team contacted the Paris police department to ask about this flag and if the person who had displayed it had been sanctioned in any way .
The police didn ’ t respond to our email , despite several follow-up calls .
We will update this page with their response if they do send one .
The day after the publication of this article , a reader informed us that the Confederate flag has appeared at least one other time in the same window .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the publication of this article , a reader informed us that the Confederate flag has appeared at least one other time in the same window .
You can see it on this Google Street View from an adjacent street in an image capture dated July 2014 .
In image captures in the following years , the flag is missing .
The Confederate flag has a red background , blue lines that come together in an X shape and 13 small white stars .
The stars represent the slave-holding Southern states who seceded during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern states to maintain the institution of slavery .
Today , the Confederate flag is widely seen as a symbol for racist and white supremacist ideology .
It was popular among members of the Ku Klux Klan , a secret white supremacist terrorist organisation founded by former officers of the Confederate Army .
After a white man shot and killed nine Black Americans at a bible study in a church in Charleston , South Carolina in 2015 , many people advocated for the removal of the Confederate flag from public buildings in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nicole Bacharan told the French daily newspaper that the flag was “ widely used by segregationists protesting the civil rights movement in the 1960s [ … ] It ’ s clearly a racist symbol , used by the far right and sometimes by pro-gun groups ” .
, an independent journalist who specialises in the far right .
He says that , in Europe , the Confederate flag is not as well-known as the Nazi swastika and other Nazi symbols , but it is still widely used in nationalist circles .
La Cagoule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image of this drawing called `` White Brother '' on Telegram on March 25 .
It features the Confederate flag on the right , and , on the left , a `` Totenkopf '' , which was the symbol of a division of the Waffen-SS , Nazi military forces .
Noam Anouar is a representative for the Vigi police union and a brigadier in Île-de-France .
He says he wasn ’ t surprised at all to see this flag on display .
In 2011 , when his union was still affiliated with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of France 's major trade unions a unit of the CRS , French riot police , based in Perpignan after they discovered a portrait of on their premises .
The complaint was shelved and the police officer who was responsible was given a warning .
The Confederate flag in other police stations In 2014 and 2019 , photos and videos emerged showing Confederate flags displayed in several different police stations in France .
A photo posted on on October 23 , 2014 showed then-Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visiting a police station in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate flag on display .
In the ensuing debate , the Paris police played down the incident , claiming that the officer who had displayed the flag was just a fan of the United States and that it didn ’ t have any political connotation , according to Paris daily newspaper A TV report that was broadcast on France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine in June 2019 showed a Confederate flag hanging up in a police station in Niort .
In the past few weeks , independent media outlet podcast published some of the anti-semitic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in police Facebook and WhatsApp groups .
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner , who has since been replaced by Gérald Darmanin , called on the Paris public prosecutor to investigate `` unacceptable statements which [ if proved ] would compromise the honour of the police and the national gendarmerie , whose men and women work every day to protect the French people , including against racism and discrimination '' .
.

FRANCE
The recognisable Confederate flag displayed at the second-floor window of a building in the police barracks on Boulevard Bessières in Paris on June 30, 2020.
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A resident of Paris’s 17th arrondissement sent our team two photos taken from their window that show an American Confederate flag displayed in the window of the police barracks across the street. This flag, which was the battle emblem for a slave-holding society and is considered racist, has particular resonance against a backdrop of global Black Lives Matters protests that have sparked discussions in France about its own problem with racist policing.
UPDATED 10/07/2020 : added an image capture from Google Street View dated from July 2014
These photos were taken around 9pm on June 30. They clearly show a Confederate flag displayed in a second-floor window of the police barracks on 46 boulevard Bessières in Paris.
“In these two photos, you can see the Confederate flag (a racist symbol) on the far left on the second floor. In my opinion, this symbol has no place in police barracks,” wrote the person who sent us these photos.
The photo of the Confederate flag on the right was taken in 2010 in Mississippi, which was formerly part of the Confederacy of southern states that fought to uphold the system of slavery in the American Civil War, had the Confederate emblem on its state flag until June 30 when Governor Tate Reeves announced that it would be removed in an attempt to reconcile and move forwards. This change came amid nationwide protests against systemic racism sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Credit: Flickr/edward stojakovic)
We verified the photos using metadata in the original photo files, which our Observer sent to us by email. This metadata indicates the precise coordinates of where the photo was taken along with the date, time and mobile phone model that was used.
This screengrab shows metadata confirming when and where the photos were taken.
We received the photo about an hour after it was taken. We went to the location where the photo was taken around noon the next day (July 1) and, by then, the flag had been removed from the window.
A police officer told our team that he was aware of "this story about the flag,” although he said that he didn’t see it with his own eyes and that he didn’t want to make a statement.
On July 1, our team contacted the Paris police department to ask about this flag and if the person who had displayed it had been sanctioned in any way. The police didn’t respond to our email, despite several follow-up calls. We will update this page with their response if they do send one.
The day after the publication of this article, a reader informed us that the Confederate flag has appeared at least one other time in the same window. You can see it on this Google Street View from an adjacent street in an image capture dated July 2014. In image captures in the following years, the flag is missing.
A racist symbol
The Confederate flag has a red background, blue lines that come together in an X shape and 13 small white stars. The stars represent the slave-holding Southern states who seceded during the American civil war and fought the Northern states to maintain the institution of slavery.
Today, the Confederate flag is widely seen as a symbol for racist and white supremacist ideology. It was popular among members of the Ku Klux Klan, a secret white supremacist terrorist organisation founded by former officers of the Confederate Army.
After a white man shot and killed nine Black Americans at a bible study in a church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015, many people advocated for the removal of the Confederate flag from public buildings in the state. At the time, historian Nicole Bacharan told the French daily newspaper Libération that the flag was “widely used by segregationists protesting the civil rights movement in the 1960s […] It’s clearly a racist symbol, used by the far right and sometimes by pro-gun groups”.
Our team spoke with Sébastien Bourdon, an independent journalist who specialises in the far right. He says that, in Europe, the Confederate flag is not as well-known as the Nazi swastika and other Nazi symbols, but it is still widely used in nationalist circles.
A lot of people who are affiliated with the far right in France hang up Confederate flags in their homes or display them during parties or gatherings. I have never seen one in the premises of these organisations, but there are very few images shared of these places. Members of the French far right have a long history of using the Confederate flag, as do some football hooligans, like those in Nancy. Recently, one of the most well-known French nationalist cartoonists, La Cagoule, included a Confederate flag in a drawing.
La Cagoule, a nationalist artist, posted an image of this drawing called "White Brother" on Telegram on March 25. It features the Confederate flag on the right, and, on the left, a "Totenkopf", which was the symbol of a division of the Waffen-SS, Nazi military forces.
'It’s likely a reaction to the moment'
Noam Anouar is a representative for the Vigi police union and a brigadier in Île-de-France. He says he wasn’t surprised at all to see this flag on display.
This flag was displayed facing the street in a very deliberate way. It’s probably a reaction to the current moment [Editor’s note: Global Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd and discussions of systemic racism]. But what shocked me the most was that, very likely, the person or persons who did this didn’t face any consequences. I very much doubt there was any kind of investigation into this. I myself spoke out against a racist email that was sent by the leadership of the border police, as well as a poster for a show by Dieudonné [Editor’s note: Controversial comedian Dieudonné has been accused of anti-Semitism]that was displayed in a police station in Mesnil-Amelot in 2017, but nothing happened.
In 2011, when his union was still affiliated with the CGT [Editor's note: One of France's major trade unions, they filed a complaint against a unit of the CRS, French riot police, based in Perpignan after they discovered a portrait of Hitler on their premises. The complaint was shelved and the police officer who was responsible was given a warning.
The Confederate flag in other police stations
In 2014 and 2019, photos and videos emerged showing Confederate flags displayed in several different police stations in France.
A photo posted on Twitter on October 23, 2014 showed then-Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visiting a police station in the 14th arrondissement of Paris that had a Confederate flag on display. In the ensuing debate, the Paris police played down the incident, claiming that the officer who had displayed the flag was just a fan of the United States and that it didn’t have any political connotation, according to Paris daily newspaper Le Parisien.
A TV report that was broadcast on France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine in June 2019 showed a Confederate flag hanging up in a police station in Niort.
In the past few weeks, independent media outlet Streetpress and the Arte Radio podcast published some of the anti-semitic, racist, xenophobic and misogynistic messages exchanged in police Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, who has since been replaced by Gérald Darmanin, called on the Paris public prosecutor to investigate "unacceptable statements which [if proved]would compromise the honour of the police and the national gendarmerie, whose men and women work every day to protect the French people, including against racism and discrimination".
.
Article by Liselotte Mas


france24--2020-07-10--Week in Review: Macron revamps cabinet, France rules out new lockdown and Louvre reopens

New French Prime Minister Jean Castex ; Beachgoers in Cannes , France , on July 8 , 2020 ; and the Louvre museum in Paris , which reopened to the public on July 6 , 2020 .
This week FRANCE 24 looked at Emmanuel Macron 's cabinet reshuffle , France 's new PM ruling out a new lockdown if Covid-19 resurges and the 60th anniversary of a wave of independence across Africa .
Critics say choice of Castex as new PM reveals a Macron power grab French President Emmanuel Macron 's choice of low-profile technocrat Jean Castex as his new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centrist leader is consolidating power , even to the point of eclipsing the role of premier altogether .
Turkey challenges allies , enemies in quest for larger role on world stage Turkish foreign policy has taken a hawkish turn in the Middle East and North Africa .
From a diplomatic row with France over a Libyan arms embargo to the deployment of special forces in northern Iraq , Ankara seems willing to take on allies and enemies alike in its pursuit of a larger role on the world stage .
Lebanon was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private enterprise , its failure to close its civil war chapter overlooked in the hopes that prosperity would overcome the weakness of the state .
But now that the current economic crisis has ripped the neo-liberal band-aid , can Lebanon confront the wounds of the past ?
Between January and December of 1960 , no fewer than 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa gained independence from European colonial powers , including 14 former French colonies .
Warning of possible virus resurgence , France rules out another 'total lockdown' The French government on Wednesday warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming months remained a distinct possibility , though it ruled out another nationwide lockdown that would further cripple the country 's economy .
‘ Not your sexual object ’ : Corsicans harness the # IWas movement to challenge a culture of silence A burgeoning movement on the French island of Corsica has harnassed the # IWas hashtag to recount and denounce acts of sexual violence they suffered as minors , challenging a local culture that is more used to victims ' silence .
The hashtag is often simply followed by an age : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spire should be rebuilt in original form France 's incoming culture minister says there is a `` large consensus '' that the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris should be rebuilt as it was before last year 's devastating fire .
A group of volunteer carpenters are hoping to settle the debate over how Paris ’ s fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral should be rebuilt by constructing a replica of part of the structure 's roof entirely by hand using traditional techniques and materials .
Libya : Countries who supported Haftar 'bet on the losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Mohammed Ali Abdallah – a senior adviser to Libya 's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) led by Fayez al-Sarraj – ruled out any negotiation with eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar or anyone close to him .
Algerian President Tebboune says opportunity exists for ‘ appeased relations ’ with France In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 , Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says there is an opportunity to achieve “ appeased relations ” with France .
He believes that French President Emmanuel Macron is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record ” with regard to the colonial past .
Covid-19 : The shifting epicentres of the United States As Covid-19 cases surge in the United States — topping 3 million cases on Wednesday with an 85 percent increase in just two weeks — Inside the Americas brings you a special programme focused on the country 's handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Louvre reopens : A new visitor experience at the world ’ s most popular museum It 's the most visited museum in the world - the biggest jewel in France 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year .
The Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo will once again be on show at Paris ' Louvre which reopens this week after a 16-week shutdown .
Ennio Morricone : The Good , the Great and the Unforgettable We bring you a look at this week 's culture news , starting with the death of a musical great .
Tributes have been flooding in for Oscar-winning Italian composer Ennio Morricone , who 's died at the age of 91 .
We also visit Amsterdam 's Rijksmuseum for the Caravaggio/Bernini : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Musée d ’ Orsay , where the French painter James Tissot is in the spotlight .
YOU ARE HERE The wild , remote beauty of the Cirque de Mafate Located in the middle of Reunion Island , the Cirque de Mafate attracts nearly 100,000 hikers every year .
Listed as a World Heritage Site , it resembles a huge natural amphitheatre cut off from the rest of the world with no roads and only limited access via hiking trails or helicopter .
So how do its 700 inhabitants get by day to day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , Russian Arctic 2020 — these oil spills will forever be remembered as exceptional environmental disasters .
Yet , each year , our waters suffer from oil-based pollution on a smaller scale .
One hairdresser in the south of France is using one of the most overlooked , renewable , natural resources to change things : human hair .
How can hair be used to help save our oceans ?
Every day thousands of people around the world continue to become direct casualties of the Covid-19 .
But there ’ s another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not contracted the virus but are suffering its consequences .
Tune in : Is the music industry taking a `` virtual '' turn ?
From John Legend to Scott Davis , many big names in music are pushing their avatars on stage favouring virtual concerts .
This as Covid-19 continues to stall the comeback of live music.Can technology enhance creativity ?

WEEK IN REVIEW
This week FRANCE 24 looked at Emmanuel Macron's cabinet reshuffle, France's new PM ruling out a new lockdown if Covid-19 resurges and the 60th anniversary of a wave of independence across Africa.
New French Prime Minister Jean Castex; Beachgoers in Cannes, France, on July 8, 2020; and the Louvre museum in Paris, which reopened to the public on July 6, 2020.
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ARTICLES
Critics say choice of Castex as new PM reveals a Macron power grab
French President Emmanuel Macron's choice of low-profile technocrat Jean Castex as his new prime minister has prompted new criticism that the centrist leader is consolidating power, even to the point of eclipsing the role of premier altogether.
Jean Castex at the Élysée presidential palace on July 7, 2020 Ludovic Marin AFP
Turkey challenges allies, enemies in quest for larger role on world stage
Turkish foreign policy has taken a hawkish turn in the Middle East and North Africa. From a diplomatic row with France over a Libyan arms embargo to the deployment of special forces in northern Iraq, Ankara seems willing to take on allies and enemies alike in its pursuit of a larger role on the world stage.
Lebanon’s past throws a spanner in its neo-liberal works
Lebanon was a poster child of the triumph of private enterprise, its failure to close its civil war chapter overlooked in the hopes that prosperity would overcome the weakness of the state. But now that the current economic crisis has ripped the neo-liberal band-aid, can Lebanon confront the wounds of the past?
1960: A wave of independence sweeps across Africa
Between January and December of 1960, no fewer than 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa gained independence from European colonial powers, including 14 former French colonies.
Warning of possible virus resurgence, France rules out another 'total lockdown'
The French government on Wednesday warned that a surge in coronavirus cases in coming months remained a distinct possibility, though it ruled out another nationwide lockdown that would further cripple the country's economy.
‘Not your sexual object’: Corsicans harness the #IWas movement to challenge a culture of silence
A burgeoning movement on the French island of Corsica has harnassed the #IWas hashtag to recount and denounce acts of sexual violence they suffered as minors, challenging a local culture that is more used to victims' silence. The hashtag is often simply followed by an age: #IWas7.
'Consensus' that Notre-Dame spire should be rebuilt in original form
France's incoming culture minister says there is a "large consensus" that the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris should be rebuilt as it was before last year's devastating fire.
Fire engulfs the Gothic spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. AFP/File
VIDEO REPORTS
Notre-Dame Cathedral: Volunteer carpenters aim to settle reconstruction debate
A group of volunteer carpenters are hoping to settle the debate over how Paris’s fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral should be rebuilt by constructing a replica of part of the structure's roof entirely by hand using traditional techniques and materials.
THE INTERVIEW
Libya: Countries who supported Haftar 'bet on the losing horse,' adviser to GNA says
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Mohammed Ali Abdallah – a senior adviser to Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj – ruled out any negotiation with eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar or anyone close to him.
Algerian President Tebboune says opportunity exists for ‘appeased relations’ with France
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says there is an opportunity to achieve “appeased relations” with France. He believes that French President Emmanuel Macron is “honest” and has a “clean record” with regard to the colonial past.
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says there is an opportunity to achieve “appeased relations” with France. © France 24
INSIDE THE AMERICAS
Covid-19: The shifting epicentres of the United States
As Covid-19 cases surge in the United States — topping 3 million cases on Wednesday with an 85 percent increase in just two weeks — Inside the Americas brings you a special programme focused on the country's handling of the coronavirus crisis.
ENCORE
Louvre reopens: A new visitor experience at the world’s most popular museum
It's the most visited museum in the world - the biggest jewel in France's cultural crown with around ten million visitors a year. The Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo will once again be on show at Paris' Louvre which reopens this week after a 16-week shutdown.
Ennio Morricone: The Good, the Great and the Unforgettable
We bring you a look at this week's culture news, starting with the death of a musical great. Tributes have been flooding in for Oscar-winning Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who's died at the age of 91. We also visit Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum for the Caravaggio/Bernini: Baroque in Rome exhibition and Paris's Musée d’Orsay, where the French painter James Tissot is in the spotlight.
ENCORE! © France 24
YOU ARE HERE
The wild, remote beauty of the Cirque de Mafate
Located in the middle of Reunion Island, the Cirque de Mafate attracts nearly 100,000 hikers every year. Listed as a World Heritage Site, it resembles a huge natural amphitheatre cut off from the rest of the world with no roads and only limited access via hiking trails or helicopter. So how do its 700 inhabitants get by day to day?
DOWN TO EARTH
Oil pollution: A 'hairy' situation
Exxon Valdez 1989, Deepwater Horizon 2010, Russian Arctic 2020 — these oil spills will forever be remembered as exceptional environmental disasters. Yet, each year, our waters suffer from oil-based pollution on a smaller scale. One hairdresser in the south of France is using one of the most overlooked, renewable, natural resources to change things: human hair. How can hair be used to help save our oceans?
Located in the middle of Reunion Island, the Cirque de Mafate attracts nearly 100,000 hikers every year. Listed as a World Heritage Site, it resembles a huge natural amphitheatre cut off from the rest of the world with no roads and only limited access via hiking trails or helicopter. © France 24 screengrab
REPORTERS
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france24--2020-07-11--Fury in France as protesters slam Macron’s choice of interior minister accused of rape

Protesters demonstrate against the appointments of French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti in Paris , July 10 , 2020 .
Chanting “ Impunity is Over !
” or dancing against sexual violence , women ’ s rights activists protested Friday in multiple cities in France and abroad against President Emmanuel Macron ’ s appointment of a new interior minister who is accused of rape and a justice minister who has minimized the # MeToo movement .
The actions started Friday morning in Dijon , where new Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Prime Minister Jean Castex were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held out banners and signs condemning Darmanin and rape culture .
Later Friday , in front of Paris City Hall , women staged a flash mob and performed the song and dance “ A Rapist in Your Path `` started by feminists in Chile , which has become an international rallying cry against sexual violence and victim shaming .
The young , diverse crowd - most in masks - demanded Darmanin ’ s resignation and exuded anger at Macron , who had promised to make fighting sexual violence a grand cause of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Victims disdained ” or “ Victims , We See You ” .
One of the speakers , who identified herself only as Margaux , said : “ Without questioning the fundamental right to the presumption of innocence , the nomination of a man accused of rape reminds us how sexual and sexist violence is normalized and minimized , including at the highest levels of the state.
” “ The message sent is very clear : Aggressors , don ’ t be afraid , ” she told the crowd of about 1,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced other actions Friday in other French cities as well as at French embassies or consulates in London , Sydney , Montreal , Berlin , Brussels , Barcelona and Tel Aviv .
The French government said it remains committed to gender equality and defended the new ministers , stressing the presumption of innocence .
Darmanin firmly denies the rape accusation , and an investigation is underway .
New Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti is a lawyer who has defended a government member accused of rape and sexual assault , and has ridiculed women speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MeToo movement .
Activists also expressed concern about LGBTQ rights with Darmanin in charge of French police , because he opposed gay marriage before France legalized it in 2013 .
“ We have the impression we ’ re being treated like idiots , ” said Paris protester Alix Joly , a 25-year-old graduate student .
When she heard about the latest government nominations , she said , “ I laughed , but bitterly.
” The protest came amid a growing investigation into accusations by at least 26 women that a Paris street artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raped or sexually assaulted them .
The artist-photographer says he never raped anyone .
Lawyers for the accusers say he systematically preyed upon teen girls or young women , plied them with alcohol or drugs and took compromising photos so they would be too ashamed to report what happened .

Chanting “Impunity is Over!” or dancing against sexual violence, women’s rights activists protested Friday in multiple cities in France and abroad against President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of a new interior minister who is accused of rape and a justice minister who has minimized the #MeToo movement.
Protesters demonstrate against the appointments of French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti in Paris, July 10, 2020.
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The actions started Friday morning in Dijon, where new Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Prime Minister Jean Castex were meeting with police. A dozen feminists held out banners and signs condemning Darmanin and rape culture.
Later Friday, in front of Paris City Hall, women staged a flash mob and performed the song and dance “ A Rapist in Your Path " started by feminists in Chile, which has become an international rallying cry against sexual violence and victim shaming.
The young, diverse crowd - most in masks - demanded Darmanin’s resignation and exuded anger at Macron, who had promised to make fighting sexual violence a grand cause of his term. Signs read “Darmanin named, Victims disdained” or “Victims, We See You”.
One of the speakers, who identified herself only as Margaux, said: “Without questioning the fundamental right to the presumption of innocence, the nomination of a man accused of rape reminds us how sexual and sexist violence is normalized and minimized, including at the highest levels of the state.”
“The message sent is very clear: Aggressors, don’t be afraid,” she told the crowd of about 1,000 people.
Feminist group Nous Toutes and others announced other actions Friday in other French cities as well as at French embassies or consulates in London, Sydney, Montreal, Berlin, Brussels, Barcelona and Tel Aviv.
The French government said it remains committed to gender equality and defended the new ministers, stressing the presumption of innocence.
Darmanin firmly denies the rape accusation, and an investigation is underway. New Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti is a lawyer who has defended a government member accused of rape and sexual assault, and has ridiculed women speaking out as a result of the #MeToo movement.
Activists also expressed concern about LGBTQ rights with Darmanin in charge of French police, because he opposed gay marriage before France legalized it in 2013.
“We have the impression we’re being treated like idiots,” said Paris protester Alix Joly, a 25-year-old graduate student. When she heard about the latest government nominations, she said, “I laughed, but bitterly.”
The protest came amid a growing investigation into accusations by at least 26 women that a Paris street artist well known in the historic Montmartre neighborhood raped or sexually assaulted them. The artist-photographer says he never raped anyone. Lawyers for the accusers say he systematically preyed upon teen girls or young women, plied them with alcohol or drugs and took compromising photos so they would be too ashamed to report what happened.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-11--Trump commutes prison sentence of longtime friend Roger Stone

President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone , intervening in extraordinary fashion in a criminal case that was central to the Russia investigation and that concerned the president 's own conduct .
The move came Saturday , just days before Stone was to begin serving a 40-month prison sentence for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether Trump 's campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
The action , which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days , underscores the president ’ s lingering rage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation and is part of a continuing effort by the president and his administration to rewrite the narrative of a probe that has shadowed the White House from the outset .
Democrats , already alarmed by the Justice Department 's earlier dismissal of the case against Trump 's first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , denounced the president as further undermining the rule of law .
Stone , 67 , had been set to report to prison on Tuesday after a federal appeals court rejected his bid to postpone his surrender date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump called him Friday evening to tell him he was off the hook .
“ The president told me that he had decided , in an act of clemency , to issue a full commutation of my sentence , and he urged me to vigorously pursue my appeal and my vindication , ” Stone said by phone from Fort Lauderdale , Florida , where he was celebrating with friends .
He said he had to change rooms because there were “ too many people opening bottles of Champagne here.
” Although a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felony convictions , it protects him from serving prison time as a result .
The move marks another extraordinary intervention by Trump in the nation 's justice system and underscores anew his willingness to flout the norms and standards that have governed presidential conduct for decades .
As Trump stares down a coronavirus pandemic that has worsened his chances for reelection , he has been more willing than ever to test the limits of his power .
Democrats denounced Trump 's action .
House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff called it “ offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of justice .
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asked , “ Is there any power Trump won ’ t abuse ?
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , in a statement , called Stone a “ victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media , '' and declared , “ Roger Stone is now a free man ! ''
Stone had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the president ’ s help with a monthslong television and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge , in part by citing the coronavirus .
Trump , who had made clear in recent days that he was inching closer to acting , had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone ’ s case , including just before Stone ’ s sentencing .
That earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general , William Barr , who said the president ’ s comments were “ making it impossible ” for him to do his job .
Barr was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering resigning over the matter .
“ With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else , ” Schiff said .
“ Donald Trump , Bill Barr , and all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law.
” Stone , a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster , was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime Trump friend and informal adviser , Stone boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks ’ plans to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial , did not speak at his sentencing .
His lawyers did not call any witnesses in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve seven to nine years in prison .
But in a highly unusual move , Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment , prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department , with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case .
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump ’ s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision .
Barr has also pointed out that the judge , in imposing a 40-month sentence , had agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was excessive .
Barr has said the prosecution was justified , and the Justice Department did not support Stone ’ s more recent effort to put off his surrender date .
Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn ’ s case , including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview , prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution .
Even so , the commutation will almost certainly contribute to a portrait of a president determined to erase the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of allies .
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system .
Trump went on a clemency spree in February , commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik , financier Michael Milken and several others .
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commentator Dinesh D ’ Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black , a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .
Trump , however , has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson , who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump ’ s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause .
Her story was featured in a Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP he expressed his gratitude to Trump in the phone call .
“ You know , he has a great sense of fairness , ” Stone said .
“ We ’ ve been friends for many , many years , and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons .
”

President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone, intervening in extraordinary fashion in a criminal case that was central to the Russia investigation and that concerned the president's own conduct.
Advertising Read more
The move came Saturday, just days before Stone was to begin serving a 40-month prison sentence for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The action, which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days, underscores the president’s lingering rage over special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and is part of a continuing effort by the president and his administration to rewrite the narrative of a probe that has shadowed the White House from the outset. Democrats, already alarmed by the Justice Department's earlier dismissal of the case against Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, denounced the president as further undermining the rule of law.
Stone, 67, had been set to report to prison on Tuesday after a federal appeals court rejected his bid to postpone his surrender date. But he told The Associated Press that Trump called him Friday evening to tell him he was off the hook.
“The president told me that he had decided, in an act of clemency, to issue a full commutation of my sentence, and he urged me to vigorously pursue my appeal and my vindication,” Stone said by phone from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was celebrating with friends. He said he had to change rooms because there were “too many people opening bottles of Champagne here.”
Although a commutation does not nullify Stone’s felony convictions, it protects him from serving prison time as a result.
The move marks another extraordinary intervention by Trump in the nation's justice system and underscores anew his willingness to flout the norms and standards that have governed presidential conduct for decades. As Trump stares down a coronavirus pandemic that has worsened his chances for reelection, he has been more willing than ever to test the limits of his power.
Democrats denounced Trump's action. House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff called it “offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice. Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asked, “Is there any power Trump won’t abuse?”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, in a statement, called Stone a “victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media," and declared, “Roger Stone is now a free man!"
Stone had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation, appealing for the president’s help with a monthslong television and social media campaign and seeking to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge, in part by citing the coronavirus.
Trump, who had made clear in recent days that he was inching closer to acting, had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone’s case, including just before Stone’s sentencing.
That earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general, William Barr, who said the president’s comments were “making it impossible” for him to do his job. Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter.
“With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else,” Schiff said. “Donald Trump, Bill Barr, and all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law.”
Stone, a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster, was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought during Mueller’s investigation.
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser, Stone boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks’ plans to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee.
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated. He did not take the stand during his trial, did not speak at his sentencing. His lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense.
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in prison. But in a highly unusual move, Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment, prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department, with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case.
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump’s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision. Barr has also pointed out that the judge, in imposing a 40-month sentence, had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive.
Barr has said the prosecution was justified, and the Justice Department did not support Stone’s more recent effort to put off his surrender date. Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn’s case, including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview, prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution.
Even so, the commutation will almost certainly contribute to a portrait of a president determined to erase the impact of the Russia investigation and to intervene on behalf of allies.
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system.
Trump went on a clemency spree in February, commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, financier Michael Milken and several others.
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was awaiting sentencing at the time, conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza, who had been convicted on campaign finance violations, and Conrad Black, a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president.
Trump, however, has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump’s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause. Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad.
Stone told the AP he expressed his gratitude to Trump in the phone call.
“You know, he has a great sense of fairness,” Stone said. “We’ve been friends for many, many years, and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-11--Bosnian Muslims mark 25th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre

Bosnian Muslims on Saturday mark 25 years since the Srebrenica massacre , the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II , with the memorial ceremony sharply reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Organisers said the number of people attending the anniversary -- usually in the tens of thousands -- is likely to be lower than usual because of lockdown measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 .
Proceedings are scheduled to start in the morning .
Then , at 1100 GMT , the remains of nine victims identified over the past year will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Potocari , a village just outside Srebrenica that served as the base for the UN protection force , FORPRONU , during the conflict .
On July 11 , 1995 , after capturing the ill-fated town , Serb forces killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in a few days .
The episode -- labelled as genocide by two international courts -- came at the end of a 1992-1995 war between Bosnia 's Croats , Muslims and Serbs that claimed some 100,000 lives .
So far , the remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified from more than 80 mass graves .
Bosnian Serb wartime military chief general Ratko Mladic , still revered as a hero by many Serbs , was sentenced to life in prison by a UN court in 2017 over war crimes including the Srebrenica genocide .
He is awaiting the decision on his appeal .
Radovan Karadzic , another Bosnian Serb wartime political leader , was also sentenced to life in prison in The Hague .
The Srebrenica massacre is the only episode of the Bosnian conflict to be described as genocide by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bosnian Muslims recognising the scale of the atrocity is a necessity for lasting peace , for most Serbs -- leaders and laypeople in both Bosnia and Serbia -- the use of the word genocide remains unacceptable .
In the run-up to the anniversary , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described Srebrenica as `` something that we should not and can not be proud of '' , but he has never publicly uttered the word `` genocide '' .
Several thousand Serbs and Muslims live side by side in impoverished Srebrenica , a lifeless town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops in its centre .
On Friday , the town 's Serbian mayor Mladen Grujicic -- who was elected in 2016 after a campaign based on genocide denial -- said that `` there is new evidence every day that denies the current presentation of everything that has happened '' .
Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik has also described the massacre as a `` myth '' .
But on Friday , the Muslim member of Bosnia 's joint presidency , Sefik Dzaferovic , said : `` We will tirelessly insist on the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try all those who have committed this crime '' .
`` We will fight against those who deny the genocide and glorify its perpetrators , '' he said at the memorial centre where he attended a collective prayer .
In order to avoid large crowds on Saturday , organisers have invited people to visit the memorial centre over the whole month of July .
A number of different exhibitions are on display , including paintings by Bosnian artist Safet Zec .
Another installation , entitled `` Why Are n't You Here ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprises more than 8,000 cups of coffee spread out on the cemetery 's lawn .
`` We still have n't answered the question why they are no longer here , '' she told AFP .
`` How could this have happened in the heart of Europe , that people were killed in such a terrible way in a UN protected area ?
Not to mention the fact that the genocide is still being denied . ''

Bosnian Muslims on Saturday began marking the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II, with the memorial ceremony sharply reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Proceedings got underway in the morning with many mourners braving the tighter restrictions put in place to stem the spread of Covid-19. World leaders addressed the solemn ceremony by video link, unable to attend because of the coronavirus epidemic.
Grieving families stood by green-draped coffins of nine newly identified victims. They were then laid to rest at the memorial cemetery in Potocari, a village just outside Srebrenica that served as the base for the UN protection force, FORPRONU, during the conflict.
About 1,000 victims of the massacre in the eastern town during Bosnia's 1992-1995 war are still missing.
On July 11, 1995, after capturing the ill-fated town, Serb forces killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in a few days.
The episode - labelled as genocide by two international courts - came at the end of a 1992-1995 war between Bosnia's Croats, Muslims and Serbs that claimed some 100,000 lives.
02:05
So far, the remains of nearly 6,900 victims have been found and identified from more than 80 mass graves.
Bosnian Serb wartime military chief general Ratko Mladic, still revered as a hero by many Serbs, was sentenced to life in prison by a UN court in 2017 over war crimes including the Srebrenica genocide. He is awaiting the decision on his appeal.
Radovan Karadzic, another Bosnian Serb wartime political leader, was also sentenced to life in prison in The Hague.
War against denial
The Srebrenica massacre is the only episode of the Bosnian conflict to be described as genocide by the international community.
And while for Bosnian Muslims recognising the scale of the atrocity is a necessity for lasting peace, for most Serbs - leaders and laypeople in both Bosnia and Serbia - the use of the word genocide remains unacceptable.
In the run-up to the anniversary, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described Srebrenica as "something that we should not and cannot be proud of", but he has never publicly uttered the word "genocide".
Several thousand Serbs and Muslims live side by side in impoverished Srebrenica, a lifeless town in eastern Bosnia with just a few shops in its centre.
On Friday, the town's Serbian mayor Mladen Grujicic - who was elected in 2016 after a campaign based on genocide denial - said that "there is new evidence every day that denies the current presentation of everything that has happened".
Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik has also described the massacre as a "myth".
But on Friday, the Muslim member of Bosnia's joint presidency, Sefik Dzaferovic, said: "We will tirelessly insist on the truth, on justice and on the need to try all those who have committed this crime".
"We will fight against those who deny the genocide and glorify its perpetrators," he said at the memorial centre where he attended a collective prayer.
In order to avoid large crowds on Saturday, organisers have invited people to visit the memorial centre over the whole month of July.
A number of different exhibitions are on display, including paintings by Bosnian artist Safet Zec.
Another installation, entitled "Why Aren't You Here?" by US-Bosnian artist Aida Sehovic, comprises more than 8,000 cups of coffee spread out on the cemetery's lawn.
"We still haven't answered the question why they are no longer here," she told AFP.
"How could this have happened in the heart of Europe, that people were killed in such a terrible way in a UN protected area? Not to mention the fact that the genocide is still being denied."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-11--Malian president urges calm in overnight address after protesters take state TV off air

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita went on national television early Saturday , urging dialogue with his opponents just hours after thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the capital with some pushing their way into state television offices .
Friday 's developments marked a major escalation in the growing movement against Mali 's president , who still has two years left in office in this West African country long destabilized by Islamic extremists .
Earlier in the day , anti-government protesters had barricaded roads and burned tires in the capital , Bamako .
Keita 's overnight address to the nation took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to appease the protesters by promising to revamp the constitutional court whose legislative election results back in April have been disputed by several dozen candidates .
“ I would like once again to reassure our people of my willingness to continue the dialogue and reiterate my readiness to take all measures in my power to calm the situation , ” he said in closing .
The movement against Keita 's government is now known as the June 5 Movement , or M5 , a reflection of when demonstrators first took to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days so far have failed to win favor with the opposition group , which still wants the National Assembly dissolved .
While the group has officially backed down from its calls that Keita leave office , some protesters still want him gone .
Keita came to power in the aftermath of a French-led military operation to oust Islamic extremists from power in northern Mali 's towns in 2013 , winning the first democratic elections organized after a military coup the year before .
Despite the presence of U.N. peacekeepers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the extremist groups have continued to mount attacks .
Last year was particularly deadly for the army as hundreds of soldiers were killed in the north , forcing the military at one point to even close down some of its most remote and vulnerable outposts .
Those losses prompted criticism of how the government was handling the crisis in the north .
Tensions mounted in late April after legislative elections were held , and several dozen candidates disputed the official results issued by Mali 's constitutional court .
A mission from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government re-hold elections in the localities where results are contested .
The last democratically elected leader before Keita , President Amadou Toumani Toure , was overthrown in the 2012 military coup after a decade in power .
The political chaos that ensued has been blamed for creating a power vacuum that allowed the Islamic insurgency to take hold in the northern towns .
Following international pressure , that coup leader later handed over power to a civilian transitional government that organized elections .

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita went on national television early Saturday, urging dialogue with his opponents just hours after thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the capital with some pushing their way into state television offices.
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Friday's developments marked a major escalation in the growing movement against Mali's president, who still has two years left in office in this West African country long destabilized by Islamic extremists. Earlier in the day, anti-government protesters had barricaded roads and burned tires in the capital, Bamako.
Keita's overnight address to the nation took a conciliatory gesture days after he had tried to appease the protesters by promising to revamp the constitutional court whose legislative election results back in April have been disputed by several dozen candidates.
“I would like once again to reassure our people of my willingness to continue the dialogue and reiterate my readiness to take all measures in my power to calm the situation,” he said in closing.
The movement against Keita's government is now known as the June 5 Movement, or M5, a reflection of when demonstrators first took to the streets en masse. Keita's gestures in recent days so far have failed to win favor with the opposition group, which still wants the National Assembly dissolved.
While the group has officially backed down from its calls that Keita leave office, some protesters still want him gone.
Keita came to power in the aftermath of a French-led military operation to oust Islamic extremists from power in northern Mali's towns in 2013, winning the first democratic elections organized after a military coup the year before. Despite the presence of U.N. peacekeepers, and French and regional forces backing Malian troops, the extremist groups have continued to mount attacks.
Last year was particularly deadly for the army as hundreds of soldiers were killed in the north, forcing the military at one point to even close down some of its most remote and vulnerable outposts. Those losses prompted criticism of how the government was handling the crisis in the north.
Tensions mounted in late April after legislative elections were held, and several dozen candidates disputed the official results issued by Mali's constitutional court. A mission from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS has suggested that the government re-hold elections in the localities where results are contested.
The last democratically elected leader before Keita, President Amadou Toumani Toure, was overthrown in the 2012 military coup after a decade in power. The political chaos that ensued has been blamed for creating a power vacuum that allowed the Islamic insurgency to take hold in the northern towns. Following international pressure, that coup leader later handed over power to a civilian transitional government that organized elections.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-11--Hong Kong opposition pushes ahead with primaries under shadow of security law

Jimmy Sham , a candidate of Kowloon West constituency , campaigns during a primary election in Hong Kong on July 11 , 2020 .
Hong Kong 's opposition camp set up polling booths across the Chinese-ruled city on Saturday for primary elections aimed at selecting democracy candidates who stand the best chance of success in Legislative Council elections in September .
The primaries come less than two weeks after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on the Asian financial hub , stoking concerns that wide-ranging freedoms not seen in mainland China will be crushed .
The law punishes what China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism and collusion with foreign forces , with up to life in prison and allows mainland security agents to operate officially in Hong Kong for the first time .
On the eve of the primaries , police searched the office of independent pollster Robert Chung , whose Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute ( HKPORI ) helps organise the election , raising concerns among activists of interference in the poll .
`` The primary election is our first time to let Beijing know Hong Kongers never bow down to China , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening of polling booths at noon ( 0400 GMT ) .
`` We urge the world to put Hong Kong under the global spotlight . ''
While the primaries are only for the opposition camp , observers are watching closely as they say the turnout at the election will serve as a litmus test of broader opposition to the national security law .
The election seeks to bolster the chance for democracy candidates to achieve a 35-plus majority in the 70-seat legislature in polls on September 6 , potentially giving them power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition camp secured a landslide victory in district council elections in November , riding on support for an anti-government protest movement triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial .
Protests that escalated in June last year and evolved into calls for greater democracy have fizzled since police arrested more than 300 people on July 1 , the day after Beijing introduced the national security law .

Hong Kong's opposition camp set up polling booths across the Chinese-ruled city on Saturday for primary elections aimed at selecting democracy candidates who stand the best chance of success in Legislative Council elections in September.
Jimmy Sham, a candidate of Kowloon West constituency, campaigns during a primary election in Hong Kong on July 11, 2020.
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The primaries come less than two weeks after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on the Asian financial hub, stoking concerns that wide-ranging freedoms not seen in mainland China will be crushed.
The law punishes what China describes broadly as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with up to life in prison and allows mainland security agents to operate officially in Hong Kong for the first time.
On the eve of the primaries, police searched the office of independent pollster Robert Chung, whose Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI) helps organise the election, raising concerns among activists of interference in the poll.
00:15
"The primary election is our first time to let Beijing know Hong Kongers never bow down to China," said pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong ahead of the opening of polling booths at noon (0400 GMT).
"We urge the world to put Hong Kong under the global spotlight."
While the primaries are only for the opposition camp, observers are watching closely as they say the turnout at the election will serve as a litmus test of broader opposition to the national security law.
The election seeks to bolster the chance for democracy candidates to achieve a 35-plus majority in the 70-seat legislature in polls on September 6, potentially giving them power to block government proposals.
Hong Kong's opposition camp secured a landslide victory in district council elections in November, riding on support for an anti-government protest movement triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial.
Protests that escalated in June last year and evolved into calls for greater democracy have fizzled since police arrested more than 300 people on July 1, the day after Beijing introduced the national security law.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-11--How Covid-19 can damage the brain

How Covid-19 can damage the brain

A model of SARS-CoV-2 , known as the novel coronavirus , is seen ahead of a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the plan to research , manufacture and distribute a coronavirus vaccine , known as `` Operation Warp Speed '' , on Capitol Hill in Washington , D.C , U.S , July 2 , 2020 .
Not only does Covid-19 damage the lungs , heart and kidneys , it can also cause severe brain damage – with patients suffering neurological conditions including paranoia and hallucinations , a British scientific study has revealed .
Following her discharge from hospital after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 55 year-old British woman started hallucinating , seeing monkeys and lions in her house .
She started suffering from a persecution complex , and was possessed by a compulsion to repeatedly take off and put on her coat .
She was one of 43 patients with severe neurological complications from Covid-19 studied by British scientists , for a study published on July 8 in the neurological publication Brain .
This report reinforced the growing scientific consensus about the severe brain damage the coronavirus can cause .
“ We had to wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China before scientists in Italy could tell us about its neurological effects , ” said Pierre-Marie Lledo , director of the Department of Neuroscience at the Institut Pasteur , the renowned medical research centre in Paris .
At the outset of the pandemic , the first salient finding in this domain was the loss of taste and smell amongst those suffering from the coronavirus .
The new study “ makes it possible to the see more clearly the kind of neurological damage Covid-19 causes ” , Lledo noted .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The British scientists behind the Brain study have found that it can provoke strokes , different types of encephalitis , ADEM ( an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that usually affects children ) , and Guillan Barré syndrome ( a condition that attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis ) .
These complications – which only seem to affect a small number of those infected with the virus – can occur up to six days before and 14 days after the onset of the more common Covid-19 symptoms such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ > For some survivors , coronavirus complications can last a lifetime These findings suggest that Covid-19 has a “ neurotropic inclination , meaning that it attacks neurons ” , Lledo continued .
The best-known neurotropic virus is rabies , which attacks the central nervous system almost exclusively .
The fact that Covid-19 is primarily a respiratory illness in no way prevents it from having this neurological aspect .
“ We know that the receptor which allows Covid-19 to enter cells is present in the respiratory tract , but it is also present in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brain and liver , ” said Nicholas Locker , a professor of virology at the University of Surrey .
“ It ’ s quite common for a virus to be able to migrate , so it ’ s not surprising that Covid-19 causes brain damage , ” he continued .
Covid-19 is not the first case of a virus that attacks the brain .
One of previous pandemics to take the world by storm , the 1918-19 Spanish flu , caused serious neurological complications .
Similarly , the Zika virus , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown to cause forms of brain damage such as microcephaly .
During previous pandemics of coronaviruses – such as SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012 – “ there were signs of repercussions on the brain , although not enough ” for a sufficiently clear picture , Lledo said .
What surprised the British researchers was that , for some of the hospitalised patients , “ the pulmonary symptoms were relatively weak , while the neurological symptoms were severe ” , Lledo said .
This was notably the case for a woman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cognitive decline , who was admitted to the hospital after a series of hallucinations .
The damage to her brain was worse than the damage to her lungs .
However , the British study doesn ’ t give any indications as to whether people who are asymptomatic or are showing only mild symptoms risk developing serious neurological complications .
“ The researchers were looking specifically at what was happening in patients who were already very ill , ” Locker said .
The sample size was also too small to allow scientists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact that some of these patients developed neurological complications up to two weeks after the onset of symptoms of Covid-19 suggests that “ we ’ ll need to monitor patients more closely after they ’ ve hospital to take this risk into account ” , Locker noted .
The study also called for further investigations into the effects of Covid-19 on the brain .
Locker argued that it would be necessary to find out if “ Covid-19 symptoms are worse for people who are likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases ” .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not such people should be included in group sheltered from the virus because of their elevated health risks , such as those with diabetes and respiratory diseases .
The great fear this study raises is the possibility that “ Covid-19 could have chronic neurological consequences ” , Lledo said .
He noted that , “ for reasons that are still mysterious to us , certain symptoms of Covid-19 seem to recur in some people ” .
Notably one of the main risks – currently being examined in pan-European research – is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This article was adapted from the original in French .

Not only does Covid-19 damage the lungs, heart and kidneys, it can also cause severe brain damage – with patients suffering neurological conditions including paranoia and hallucinations, a British scientific study has revealed.
A model of SARS-CoV-2, known as the novel coronavirus, is seen ahead of a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the plan to research, manufacture and distribute a coronavirus vaccine, known as "Operation Warp Speed", on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C, U.S, July 2, 2020.
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Following her discharge from hospital after being treated for symptoms of Covid-19, a 55 year-old British woman started hallucinating, seeing monkeys and lions in her house. She started suffering from a persecution complex, and was possessed by a compulsion to repeatedly take off and put on her coat.
She was one of 43 patients with severe neurological complications from Covid-19 studied by British scientists, for a study published on July 8 in the neurological publication Brain. This report reinforced the growing scientific consensus about the severe brain damage the coronavirus can cause.
“We had to wait for the virus to come over to Europe from China before scientists in Italy could tell us about its neurological effects,” said Pierre-Marie Lledo, director of the Department of Neuroscience at the Institut Pasteur, the renowned medical research centre in Paris. At the outset of the pandemic, the first salient finding in this domain was the loss of taste and smell amongst those suffering from the coronavirus.
‘Repercussions on the brain’
The new study “makes it possible to the see more clearly the kind of neurological damage Covid-19 causes”, Lledo noted. There is a wide variety of problems it creates. The British scientists behind the Brain study have found that it can provoke strokes, different types of encephalitis, ADEM (an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that usually affects children), and Guillan Barré syndrome (a condition that attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis).
These complications – which only seem to affect a small number of those infected with the virus – can occur up to six days before and 14 days after the onset of the more common Covid-19 symptoms such as a dry cough or fever.
>> For some survivors, coronavirus complications can last a lifetime
These findings suggest that Covid-19 has a “neurotropic inclination, meaning that it attacks neurons”, Lledo continued. The best-known neurotropic virus is rabies, which attacks the central nervous system almost exclusively. The fact that Covid-19 is primarily a respiratory illness in no way prevents it from having this neurological aspect.
“We know that the receptor which allows Covid-19 to enter cells is present in the respiratory tract, but it is also present in cells of other organs, such as the brain and liver,” said Nicholas Locker, a professor of virology at the University of Surrey. “It’s quite common for a virus to be able to migrate, so it’s not surprising that Covid-19 causes brain damage,” he continued.
Covid-19 is not the first case of a virus that attacks the brain. One of previous pandemics to take the world by storm, the 1918-19 Spanish flu, caused serious neurological complications. Similarly, the Zika virus, which travels through the blood, has been shown to cause forms of brain damage such as microcephaly. During previous pandemics of coronaviruses – such as SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012 – “there were signs of repercussions on the brain, although not enough” for a sufficiently clear picture, Lledo said.
Possibility of ‘chronic’ consequences
What surprised the British researchers was that, for some of the hospitalised patients, “the pulmonary symptoms were relatively weak, while the neurological symptoms were severe”, Lledo said. This was notably the case for a woman in her sixties, already suffering from symptoms of cognitive decline, who was admitted to the hospital after a series of hallucinations. The damage to her brain was worse than the damage to her lungs.
However, the British study doesn’t give any indications as to whether people who are asymptomatic or are showing only mild symptoms risk developing serious neurological complications. “The researchers were looking specifically at what was happening in patients who were already very ill,” Locker said. The sample size was also too small to allow scientists to make an assessment on this point.
The fact that some of these patients developed neurological complications up to two weeks after the onset of symptoms of Covid-19 suggests that “we’ll need to monitor patients more closely after they’ve hospital to take this risk into account”, Locker noted.
The study also called for further investigations into the effects of Covid-19 on the brain. Locker argued that it would be necessary to find out if “Covid-19 symptoms are worse for people who are likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases”.
In doing so, scientists would determine whether or not such people should be included in group sheltered from the virus because of their elevated health risks, such as those with diabetes and respiratory diseases.
The great fear this study raises is the possibility that “Covid-19 could have chronic neurological consequences”, Lledo said. He noted that, “for reasons that are still mysterious to us, certain symptoms of Covid-19 seem to recur in some people”. Notably one of the main risks – currently being examined in pan-European research – is that the coronavirus can trigger chronic fatigue syndromes.
This article was adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-07-11--Five killed after armed attack on South African church

40 people were arrested , including police officers , when an armed group stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom , South Africa , July 11 2020 .
At least five people were killed and 40 others , including off-duty police officers , arrested Saturday after gunmen stormed a South African church , reportedly over a leadership dispute , the national police commissioner said .
According to a statement by South Africa 's top police officer , General Khehla John Sitole : `` Four people were found shot and burnt to death in a car while a fifth victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatally shot in his car while he was apparently attending this complaint . ''
The unusually violent incident took place early Saturday when an armed group stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom , on the western outskirts of Johannesburg , `` indicating that they were coming to take over the premises , '' police said .
The church has had multiple succession-related clashes that have been widely reported by local media since multimillionaire leader and founder Comforter Glayton Modise died in 2016 .
Sitole said police responded to reports of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and seized more than 34 firearms including five rifles , 16 other guns and 13 pistols .
`` I am certain that the speedy response by the joint security forces has averted what could have been a more severe blood bath '' , Sitole said .
More than 40 suspects , including six taken to hospital , were arrested .
They included members of the South African police , the National Defence Force , the Johannesburg Metro Police and the Department of Correctional Services .
However Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got caught up in the clashes .
`` They were arrested in their capacity as church members , not as officers , '' Naidoo told AFP .
The police commissioner said authorities are investigating `` the possibility that this attack may have been motivated by a feud between conflicted parties of the church , '' which is used to factional struggles .
Local media reported that in November 2018 , a shoot-out between opposing sides wounded three people outside the church headquarters in Zuurbekom .
In 2017 , the warring factions went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million ( $ 6.5 million ) was missing from church coffers .
Believed to be South Africa 's second largest church group , it is estimated to have at least 1.5 million members according to the financial services group Sanlam .

At least five people were killed and 40 others, including off-duty police officers, arrested Saturday after gunmen stormed a South African church, reportedly over a leadership dispute, the national police commissioner said.
40 people were arrested, including police officers, when an armed group stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, South Africa, July 11 2020.
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According to a statement by South Africa's top police officer, General Khehla John Sitole: "Four people were found shot and burnt to death in a car while a fifth victim, a security guard, was also fatally shot in his car while he was apparently attending this complaint."
The unusually violent incident took place early Saturday when an armed group stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, on the western outskirts of Johannesburg, "indicating that they were coming to take over the premises," police said.
The church has had multiple succession-related clashes that have been widely reported by local media since multimillionaire leader and founder Comforter Glayton Modise died in 2016.
Sitole said police responded to reports of "shooting and an alleged hostage situation," and seized more than 34 firearms including five rifles, 16 other guns and 13 pistols.
"I am certain that the speedy response by the joint security forces has averted what could have been a more severe blood bath", Sitole said.
Police among those arrested
More than 40 suspects, including six taken to hospital, were arrested.
They included members of the South African police, the National Defence Force, the Johannesburg Metro Police and the Department of Correctional Services.
However Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that the law enforcement officers arrested were worshippers that got caught up in the clashes.
"They were arrested in their capacity as church members, not as officers," Naidoo told AFP.
The police commissioner said authorities are investigating "the possibility that this attack may have been motivated by a feud between conflicted parties of the church," which is used to factional struggles.
Local media reported that in November 2018, a shoot-out between opposing sides wounded three people outside the church headquarters in Zuurbekom.
In 2017, the warring factions went to court over claims that more than R110 million ($6.5 million) was missing from church coffers.
Believed to be South Africa's second largest church group, it is estimated to have at least 1.5 million members according to the financial services group Sanlam.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-11--Malian anti-government protests continue despite president's call for dialogue

Supporters of Imam Mahmoud Dicko and other opposition political parties protest after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita rejected concessions , aimed at resolving a months-long political stand-off , in Bamako , Mali July 10 , 2020 .
Police fired tear gas Saturday in Mali ’ s capital as scattered groups came out for a second straight day of anti-government protests , defying the president 's latest call for dialogue .
The turnout was far smaller than the thousands who surged through the streets Friday , briefly occupying the state television station and setting fires .
Two more senior figures in Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses and colleagues said to AFP .
Gendarmes arrested Choguel Maiga and Mountaga Tall , both leaders in the June 5 movement , a group spokesman said .
The news came as Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cisse vowed to rapidly form a government `` open to facing the challenges of the day '' .
He added that four people had died in the protests a day earlier , the country 's worst civil unrest in years .
`` The president and I remain open to dialogue .
I will very quickly set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to facing the challenges of the day , '' Cisse said while visiting a hospital on Saturday .
Friday ’ s developments marked a major escalation in the growing movement against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , who still has two years left in office in this West African country long destabilized by Islamic extremists .
His overnight address to the nation took a conciliatory gesture days after he had tried to appease the protesters by promising to revamp the constitutional court whose legislative election results in April have been disputed by several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again to reassure our people of my willingness to continue the dialogue and reiterate my readiness to take all measures in my power to calm the situation , ” he said .
The anti-government movement still wants the National Assembly dissolved .
Its name , the June 5 Movement , or M5 , reflects the day demonstrators first took to the streets en masse .
While the group has officially backed down from its calls that Keita leave office , some protesters still want him gone .
Keita came to power after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists from power in northern Mali ’ s towns in 2013 , winning the first democratic elections organized after a military coup the year before .
Despite the presence of U.N. peacekeepers , and French and regional forces backing Malian troops , extremist groups continue to mount attacks .
Last year was particularly deadly as hundreds of soldiers were killed in the north , forcing the military at one point to close down some of its most remote and vulnerable outposts .
It prompted criticism of how the government was handling the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keita , President Amadou Toumani Toure , was overthrown in the 2012 coup after a decade in power .
The political chaos that ensued has been blamed for creating a power vacuum that allowed the Islamic insurgency to take hold in the north .
Following international pressure , that coup leader later handed over power to a civilian transitional government that organized elections .

Police fired tear gas Saturday in Mali’s capital as scattered groups came out for a second straight day of anti-government protests, defying the president's latest call for dialogue.
Supporters of Imam Mahmoud Dicko and other opposition political parties protest after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita rejected concessions, aimed at resolving a months-long political stand-off, in Bamako, Mali July 10, 2020.
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The turnout was far smaller than the thousands who surged through the streets Friday, briefly occupying the state television station and setting fires.
Two more senior figures in Mali's opposition movement were arrested Saturday, witnesses and colleagues said to AFP.
Gendarmes arrested Choguel Maiga and Mountaga Tall, both leaders in the June 5 movement, a group spokesman said.
The news came as Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cisse vowed to rapidly form a government "open to facing the challenges of the day". He added that four people had died in the protests a day earlier, the country's worst civil unrest in years.
"The president and I remain open to dialogue. I will very quickly set up an executive with the intention of being open to facing the challenges of the day," Cisse said while visiting a hospital on Saturday.
Friday’s developments marked a major escalation in the growing movement against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who still has two years left in office in this West African country long destabilized by Islamic extremists.
His overnight address to the nation took a conciliatory gesture days after he had tried to appease the protesters by promising to revamp the constitutional court whose legislative election results in April have been disputed by several dozen candidates.
“I would like once again to reassure our people of my willingness to continue the dialogue and reiterate my readiness to take all measures in my power to calm the situation,” he said.
Dissolution of National Assembly
The anti-government movement still wants the National Assembly dissolved. Its name, the June 5 Movement, or M5, reflects the day demonstrators first took to the streets en masse.
While the group has officially backed down from its calls that Keita leave office, some protesters still want him gone.
Keita came to power after a French-led military operation to oust Islamic extremists from power in northern Mali’s towns in 2013, winning the first democratic elections organized after a military coup the year before.
Despite the presence of U.N. peacekeepers, and French and regional forces backing Malian troops, extremist groups continue to mount attacks.
Last year was particularly deadly as hundreds of soldiers were killed in the north, forcing the military at one point to close down some of its most remote and vulnerable outposts. It prompted criticism of how the government was handling the crisis.
The last democratically elected leader before Keita, President Amadou Toumani Toure, was overthrown in the 2012 coup after a decade in power. The political chaos that ensued has been blamed for creating a power vacuum that allowed the Islamic insurgency to take hold in the north. Following international pressure, that coup leader later handed over power to a civilian transitional government that organized elections.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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