france24--2020-07-06--Haute couture goes digital as Paris Fashion Week clicks off online

The lookbook for Turkish designer Bora Aksu 's collection is displayed on the London Fashion Week website on June 12 , 2020 .
The first-ever online Paris fashion week clicks off Monday with the world of glitzy runway shows thrown into an existential crisis by the coronavirus .
Paris haute couture and men 's fashion weeks have been rolled into one , with labels making films to showcase their clothes instead of staging sometimes extravagant shows .
The virus has not just made the traditional catwalk format — where a few hundred globetrotters are crammed into an overlit , overheated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily untenable on health grounds .
It has also prompted an unprecedented bout of soul searching within the industry and led usually conflict-averse designers to call for a revolution that puts a brake on its frantic pace .
Some even say that seasons — the frame on which the whole fashion calendar has been anchored — should be swept away altogether .
Gucci 's flamboyant creator Alessandro Michele has slashed his shows from five to two a year while Saint Laurent is pulling out of Paris women 's fashion week later this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set his own rhythm , a hitherto taboo idea which has become a rallying cry for many other creators .
Fellow Belgian Dries Van Noten — the revered `` King of Prints '' — is also heading up one of two broad-based coalitions calling for root-and-branch reform to simplify the industry and make it `` more environmentally and socially sustainable '' .
There is so much rebellion in the air that the venerable French brand Hermes jumped the gun on the men ’ s shows — which do not start until Thursday — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a typically classy offering shot by French theatre director Cyril Teste , the crew and technicians took starring roles along with the models .
Designer Veronique Nichanian is seen adjusting a stripy sky blue jacket , and asking her model to put his hand in his pocket .
Stripes are Hermes ’ big thing for men next spring and summer , as well as its traditional leather of course .
`` I like change , '' said Nichanian , catching the rule-breaking mood of the moment .
`` I am always looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panics me as much as it stimulates me , I prefer that anxiety to doing the same thing over again . ''
Dior has called in the heavy artillery for its haute couture show , which is likely to be Monday 's highlight .
The Italian director Matteo Garrone , who took the glamour out of gangster life in `` Gomorrah '' and `` Dogman '' , may not seem the obvious candidate to make a film about dreamy handmade dresses that can take thousands of hours of painstaking work .
But Dior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to lead the iconic label — told AFP that these were not normal times .
`` Creating this collection was very complex .
From the start , it was clear that a real show would not happen .
So we had to come up something really dense and creative , '' she said .
Fellow Italian Maurizio Galante has also taken a cinematic inspiration for his show earlier on Monday .
`` It 's a great chance for us to get to a wider public , '' he said .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be more concentrated on the images rather than who is sitting in the front row , '' he added dryly .
Haute couture is the preserve of the super rich and film and music stars .
Only the very wealthiest women can afford the intricate , made-to-measure creations , which are only shown in the French capital .
The rising Vietnamese designer Xuan-Thu Nguyen , who has been invited as a guest into the elite couture ranks , told AFP she was using her `` artistic video '' as a teaser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you have nothing , not even electricity , you still can create , '' she said .

The first-ever online Paris fashion week clicks off Monday with the world of glitzy runway shows thrown into an existential crisis by the coronavirus.
The lookbook for Turkish designer Bora Aksu's collection is displayed on the London Fashion Week website on June 12, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Paris haute couture and men's fashion weeks have been rolled into one, with labels making films to showcase their clothes instead of staging sometimes extravagant shows.
The virus has not just made the traditional catwalk format — where a few hundred globetrotters are crammed into an overlit, overheated room and pummelled with thumping music — temporarily untenable on health grounds.
It has also prompted an unprecedented bout of soul searching within the industry and led usually conflict-averse designers to call for a revolution that puts a brake on its frantic pace.
Some even say that seasons — the frame on which the whole fashion calendar has been anchored — should be swept away altogether.
Gucci's flamboyant creator Alessandro Michele has slashed his shows from five to two a year while Saint Laurent is pulling out of Paris women's fashion week later this year.
Its designer Anthony Vaccarello wants to set his own rhythm, a hitherto taboo idea which has become a rallying cry for many other creators.
Fellow Belgian Dries Van Noten — the revered "King of Prints" — is also heading up one of two broad-based coalitions calling for root-and-branch reform to simplify the industry and make it "more environmentally and socially sustainable".
Rebellion
There is so much rebellion in the air that the venerable French brand Hermes jumped the gun on the men’s shows — which do not start until Thursday — by releasing its film on Sunday.
In a typically classy offering shot by French theatre director Cyril Teste, the crew and technicians took starring roles along with the models.
Designer Veronique Nichanian is seen adjusting a stripy sky blue jacket, and asking her model to put his hand in his pocket.
Stripes are Hermes’ big thing for men next spring and summer, as well as its traditional leather of course.
"I like change," said Nichanian, catching the rule-breaking mood of the moment.
"I am always looking to renew things and even if change panics me as much as it stimulates me, I prefer that anxiety to doing the same thing over again."
Dior’s ‘Gomorrah’
Dior has called in the heavy artillery for its haute couture show, which is likely to be Monday's highlight.
The Italian director Matteo Garrone, who took the glamour out of gangster life in "Gomorrah" and "Dogman", may not seem the obvious candidate to make a film about dreamy handmade dresses that can take thousands of hours of painstaking work.
But Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri — the first woman to lead the iconic label — told AFP that these were not normal times.
"Creating this collection was very complex. From the start, it was clear that a real show would not happen. So we had to come up something really dense and creative," she said.
Fellow Italian Maurizio Galante has also taken a cinematic inspiration for his show earlier on Monday.
"It's a great chance for us to get to a wider public," he said.
"And with a film, people are also likely to be more concentrated on the images rather than who is sitting in the front row," he added dryly.
Haute couture is the preserve of the super rich and film and music stars.
Only the very wealthiest women can afford the intricate, made-to-measure creations, which are only shown in the French capital.
The rising Vietnamese designer Xuan-Thu Nguyen, who has been invited as a guest into the elite couture ranks, told AFP she was using her "artistic video" as a teaser to tempt people into her creative universe.
"If you have nothing, not even electricity, you still can create," she said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Desperate search for survivors as dozens feared dead in western Japan floods

Local residents are rescued by Japanese self-defence force soldiers using a boat at a flooding area caused by a heavy rain in Kuma village , Kumamoto prefecture , southern Japan , in this photo taken by Kyodo July 5 , 2020 .
Rescue workers in Japan on Monday combed through the wreckage of houses shattered by deadly floods and landslides in a desperate search for survivors as the death toll rose and more torrential rain loomed .
At least 36 people are feared dead after record rains lashed areas of western Japan in the early hours of Saturday , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions .
`` Rescue workers are tirelessly continuing the search this morning , '' a spokesman for the western Kumamoto prefecture told AFP , with at least 11 people still unaccounted for .
Although the rain has subsided from its peak levels , the floods washed away roads and bridges , leaving many in isolated communities cut off .
Hirokazu Kosaki , a 75-year-old bus driver in the town of Ashikita , told Jiji press : `` It was nothing but water as far as I could see . ''
In one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` rice , water , SOS '' on the ground , while others waved towels and called for rescue and relief goods .
At a nursing home for the elderly , 14 people were feared dead when water from a nearby river inundated the ground floor , leaving those in wheelchairs unable to reach higher ground .
Emergency services , aided by locals in rafts , managed to rescue around 50 staff and residents from the facility , bringing them to safety by boat .
Heavy rain is expected to continue through Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a non-compulsory evacuation order for hundreds of thousands of residents in Kumamoto and neighbouring Kagoshima Prefecture .
Up to 250 millimetres of rain is expected in the 24-hour period through Tuesday morning in the southern part of Kyushu Island , which includes areas hit hard by the flooding , the agency said .
`` It 's such a mess , '' resident Hirotoshi Nishi told public broadcaster NHK as he swept debris from his mud-strewn front room .
`` Many pieces of wood came into my house .
I do n't know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hampered by fears of spreading the coronavirus that has claimed almost 1,000 victims in Japan , with close to 20,000 cases .
Partitions have been set up at evacuation centres to keep distance between families and evacuees are made to wash their hands frequently , sanitise and wear face masks .
Local officials told AFP that 19 people had been confirmed dead from the floods while a further 17 were in a state of `` cardio-respiratory arrest '' -- a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without power as of Monday morning , according to Kyushu Electric Power Co. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday that more than 40,000 personnel from police and fire departments , the coast guard and Self-Defense troops would conduct search and rescue operations throughout the night .

Rescue workers in Japan on Monday combed through the wreckage of houses shattered by deadly floods and landslides in a desperate search for survivors as the death toll rose and more torrential rain loomed.
Local residents are rescued by Japanese self-defence force soldiers using a boat at a flooding area caused by a heavy rain in Kuma village, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 5, 2020.
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At least 36 people are feared dead after record rains lashed areas of western Japan in the early hours of Saturday, causing rivers to break banks and flooding low-lying regions.
"Rescue workers are tirelessly continuing the search this morning," a spokesman for the western Kumamoto prefecture told AFP, with at least 11 people still unaccounted for.
Although the rain has subsided from its peak levels, the floods washed away roads and bridges, leaving many in isolated communities cut off.
Hirokazu Kosaki, a 75-year-old bus driver in the town of Ashikita, told Jiji press: "It was nothing but water as far as I could see."
In one of hardest-hit areas, residents spelled the words "rice, water, SOS" on the ground, while others waved towels and called for rescue and relief goods.
At a nursing home for the elderly, 14 people were feared dead when water from a nearby river inundated the ground floor, leaving those in wheelchairs unable to reach higher ground.
Emergency services, aided by locals in rafts, managed to rescue around 50 staff and residents from the facility, bringing them to safety by boat.
Heavy rain is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a non-compulsory evacuation order for hundreds of thousands of residents in Kumamoto and neighbouring Kagoshima Prefecture.
Up to 250 millimetres of rain is expected in the 24-hour period through Tuesday morning in the southern part of Kyushu Island, which includes areas hit hard by the flooding, the agency said.
"It's such a mess," resident Hirotoshi Nishi told public broadcaster NHK as he swept debris from his mud-strewn front room. "Many pieces of wood came into my house. I don't know what to do."
Evacuation efforts are being hampered by fears of spreading the coronavirus that has claimed almost 1,000 victims in Japan, with close to 20,000 cases.
Partitions have been set up at evacuation centres to keep distance between families and evacuees are made to wash their hands frequently, sanitise and wear face masks.
Local officials told AFP that 19 people had been confirmed dead from the floods while a further 17 were in a state of "cardio-respiratory arrest" -- a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death.
Some 4,640 homes in Kumamoto Prefecture remained without power as of Monday morning, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday that more than 40,000 personnel from police and fire departments, the coast guard and Self-Defense troops would conduct search and rescue operations throughout the night.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Croatia’s ruling conservatives win parliamentary elections, first results show

Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union ( HDZ ) Andrej Plenkovic gestures after the results were announced during parliamentary election in Zagreb , Croatia , on July 5 , 2020 .
Croatia ’ s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic hailed a `` great '' re-election victory for his conservative HDZ party as official results showed them leading parliamentary elections on Sunday .
`` Our victory is not only great but binding , '' he said of the government 's task to `` work with all our hearts for Croatia '' .
His party was on course to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the 42 seats won by their main rivals , a Social Democrat-led coalition , according to official results with nearly 90 percent of the ballots counted .
Nationalist and eurosceptic bloc Domovinski Pokret ( Homeland Movement ) , led by popular singer Miroslav Skoro , came third with 15 seats followed by the conservative Most ( Bridge ) party with eight seats and leftist Mozemo ( We can ) with six seats .
The HDZ will now seek partners to form yet another ruling coalition which analysts believe should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They have a pretty comfortable position now as they may be able to choose their partners and may not need to negotiate with their opponents on the right-wing spectrum of the political scene , '' political analyst Berto Salaj told state television .
Plenkovic said the victory brought with it an obligation to work hard .
`` Croatia is facing serious challenges which require from us responsibility , knowledge and experience .
That is exactly what we have offered to the Croatian voters , '' he said addressing his party supporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ task to keep a grip on the coronavirus while trying to restore the economy , which is expected to shrink about 10 percent this year .
Tourism revenues are forecast to slump 70 percent .
Croatia has reported a relatively small number of Covid-19 infections – a little over 3,000 cases and some 100 deaths so far – but infections have accelerated in the past two weeks , with the daily number of new cases peaking at about 80 .

Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic hailed a "great" re-election victory for his conservative HDZ party as official results showed them leading parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Andrej Plenkovic gestures after the results were announced during parliamentary election in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 5, 2020.
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"Our victory is not only great but binding," he said of the government's task to "work with all our hearts for Croatia".
His party was on course to win 68 seats of the 151-member assembly, ahead of the 42 seats won by their main rivals, a Social Democrat-led coalition, according to official results with nearly 90 percent of the ballots counted.
Nationalist and eurosceptic bloc Domovinski Pokret (Homeland Movement), led by popular singer Miroslav Skoro, came third with 15 seats followed by the conservative Most (Bridge) party with eight seats and leftist Mozemo (We can) with six seats.
The HDZ will now seek partners to form yet another ruling coalition which analysts believe should not be too difficult given their strong performance.
"They have a pretty comfortable position now as they may be able to choose their partners and may not need to negotiate with their opponents on the right-wing spectrum of the political scene," political analyst Berto Salaj told state television.
Plenkovic said the victory brought with it an obligation to work hard.
"Croatia is facing serious challenges which require from us responsibility, knowledge and experience. That is exactly what we have offered to the Croatian voters," he said addressing his party supporters.
The new government will have an uphill task to keep a grip on the coronavirus while trying to restore the economy, which is expected to shrink about 10 percent this year. Tourism revenues are forecast to slump 70 percent.
Croatia has reported a relatively small number of Covid-19 infections – a little over 3,000 cases and some 100 deaths so far – but infections have accelerated in the past two weeks, with the daily number of new cases peaking at about 80.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Brexit talks resume in London after Brussels round leaves ‘serious divergences’

European Union and British flags flutter in front of a chancellery ahead of a visit of then British prime minister Theresa May in Berlin , Germany , April 9 , 2019 .
Britain 's separation talks with the European Union resume Monday with few signs of compromise on a new trade agreement and time running out to avoid a messy split .
London will host EU negotiator Michel Barnier after a round of face-to-face talks ended a day early last week in Brussels because of deep divides in the sides ' approach .
Barnier said after ending the negotiations last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His UK counterpart David Frost said there were `` significant differences '' that meant the sides were still searching for basic `` principles underlying an agreement '' .
And German Chancellor Angela Merkel said upon taking over help of the EU 's rotating presidency Wednesday that both her country and the 27-nation bloc `` should prepare for the case that an agreement is not reached '' .
Britain followed through on the results of a 2016 EU membership referendum and officially pulled out of the bloc in January after nearly half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ends on December 31 allows the UK to effectively function as if it were still a member .
London and Brussels are supposed to agree on new trade terms in the meantime that prevent ties from reverting to the minimum standards – and accompanying high tariffs and quotas – of the World Trade Organisation .
British businesses fear that possibility and want Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give them guidance as soon as possible about whether a trade deal is feasible or not .
This would give them a chance to trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business activity as little as possible .
But EU officials feel much less pressure to strike a quick agreement and are suggesting that one could still be done by late October .
Brussels has shrugged off Johnson 's repeated threats to walk away and accept very distant relations with the bloc that complicated trade but gave Britain broader independence .
The differences between the sides remain vast .
London refuses to accept jurisdiction over trade disputes by the European Court of Justice and wants a much bigger part of fishing waters it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate dispute concerns the degree to which Britain must follow EU rules on state aid to important economic sectors as well as labour and environmental rules .
London argues that the entire point of leaving the bloc was to give Britain a bigger say over its own affairs .
Brussels counters that Britain can not expect to undercut the bloc on price through looser standards and still expect a favourable trade deal .
The talks in London are being held in an intensified format that follows video conference discussion held at the European @ @ @ @ @ @

Britain's separation talks with the European Union resume Monday with few signs of compromise on a new trade agreement and time running out to avoid a messy split.
European Union and British flags flutter in front of a chancellery ahead of a visit of then British prime minister Theresa May in Berlin, Germany, April 9, 2019.
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London will host EU negotiator Michel Barnier after a round of face-to-face talks ended a day early last week in Brussels because of deep divides in the sides' approach.
Barnier said after ending the negotiations last Thursday that "serious divergences remain".
His UK counterpart David Frost said there were "significant differences" that meant the sides were still searching for basic "principles underlying an agreement".
And German Chancellor Angela Merkel said upon taking over help of the EU's rotating presidency Wednesday that both her country and the 27-nation bloc "should prepare for the case that an agreement is not reached".
Britain followed through on the results of a 2016 EU membership referendum and officially pulled out of the bloc in January after nearly half a century.
But a standstill transition period that ends on December 31 allows the UK to effectively function as if it were still a member.
London and Brussels are supposed to agree on new trade terms in the meantime that prevent ties from reverting to the minimum standards – and accompanying high tariffs and quotas – of the World Trade Organisation.
British businesses fear that possibility and want Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give them guidance as soon as possible about whether a trade deal is feasible or not.
This would give them a chance to trigger costly contingency planning aimed at disrupting trade and business activity as little as possible.
But EU officials feel much less pressure to strike a quick agreement and are suggesting that one could still be done by late October.
Litany of disputes
Brussels has shrugged off Johnson's repeated threats to walk away and accept very distant relations with the bloc that complicated trade but gave Britain broader independence.
The differences between the sides remain vast.
London refuses to accept jurisdiction over trade disputes by the European Court of Justice and wants a much bigger part of fishing waters it now shares with the bloc.
A separate dispute concerns the degree to which Britain must follow EU rules on state aid to important economic sectors as well as labour and environmental rules.
London argues that the entire point of leaving the bloc was to give Britain a bigger say over its own affairs.
Brussels counters that Britain cannot expect to undercut the bloc on price through looser standards and still expect a favourable trade deal.
The talks in London are being held in an intensified format that follows video conference discussion held at the European height of the coronavirus crisis.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Economy and defence ministers to remain under new PM Castex, new faces at interior and culture

France 's new Prime Minister Jean Castex during a trip to a police station in La Courneuve , a northern Paris suburb , on July 5 , 2020 , during one of his first official visits following his appointment as head of government on July 3 .
The Élysée Palace announced the makeup of the new government under Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday , tasked with helping the economy brave its worst crisis since World War II and inject fresh momentum into the presidency of Emmanuel Macron .
Some of the top posts will remain unchanged , with Bruno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister after he became a household name during his handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Jean-Michel Blanquer will also stay in his post as education minister while Florence Parly will remain as minister of defence .
Criminal lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti , who has gained fame for his record of winning acquittals , will replace Nicole Belloubet at the justice ministry while Roselyne Bachelot was named culture minister .
Barbara Pompili , 45 , a former member of France 's green party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borne , who will now serve as labour minister .
Pompili will face the uphill task of convincing voters that Macron is serious about the environment after the Europe Ecology-The Greens ( EELV ) , her former party , emerged as the main winners in municipal elections last month that also saw Macron 's party lose ground .
Gérald Darmanin , 37 , will replace Christophe Castaner in the interior minister post , a particularly challenging portfolio amid spiraling allegations of racism and violence among the police .
Darmanin ’ s promotion comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2009 after she sought his help in having a criminal record expunged .
Darmanin has denied the claims and the charges were dismissed in 2018 , but earlier this year appeals judges in Paris ordered that the investigation be reopened .
Olivier Dussopt will move into Darmanin 's former position as minister of public accounts while Eilsabeth Moreno will take over from Marlène Schiappa as gender equality minister .
Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye will also be relinquishing her position , to be replaced by Gabriel Attal .
New Prime Minister Jean Castex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not well known before his appointment to head the government , has said he is seeking to move quickly and decisively to convince sceptics that he was the right choice for the job .
The 55-year-old was chosen by Macron to replace the popular Edouard Philippe as the president seeks a fresh start for the final two years of his mandate ahead of 2022 presidential elections .
France 's economy has been battered into a historic recession by the coronavirus crisis while Macron 's Republic on the Move ( LREM ) party is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late last month .
Macron had announced an impending government reshuffle on Friday .
> > Macron replaces popular PM with low-profile figure after ‘ rivalry over who leads ’ Macron wrote on Twitter Sunday that a `` new path '' was needed , listing the new government 's priorities as `` reviving the economy , continuing an overhaul of our social protection and the environment , re-establishing a fair republican order and defending European sovereignty '' .
The failure of LREM – founded in the run-up to Macron 's presidential bid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections again showed its lack of a grassroots base .
Analysts have said that by appointing a low-profile figure in place of Philippe – whose popularity was outstripping Macron 's in polls – the president wants to tighten his grip on the reins of government ahead of 2022 .
Castex , who drew up the plan for France to come out of its coronavirus lockdown , was himself once a member of the centre-right Les Republicains , as was Philippe .
Philippe has returned , for now , to the relative peace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normandy port of Le Havre .
But opinion remains divided over whether he will quietly fade into the background or may one day pose a political challenge to Macron .

French politics
The Élysée Palace announced the makeup of the new government under Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday, tasked with helping the economy brave its worst crisis since World War II and inject fresh momentum into the presidency of Emmanuel Macron.
France's new Prime Minister Jean Castex during a trip to a police station in La Courneuve, a northern Paris suburb, on July 5, 2020, during one of his first official visits following his appointment as head of government on July 3.
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Some of the top posts will remain unchanged, with Bruno Le Maire remaining as economy minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister after he became a household name during his handling of the coronavirus crisis. Jean-Michel Blanquer will also stay in his post as education minister while Florence Parly will remain as minister of defence.
Criminal lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti, who has gained fame for his record of winning acquittals, will replace Nicole Belloubet at the justice ministry while Roselyne Bachelot was named culture minister.
Barbara Pompili, 45, a former member of France's green party, takes over as environment minister from Elisabeth Borne, who will now serve as labour minister. Pompili will face the uphill task of convincing voters that Macron is serious about the environment after the Europe Ecology-The Greens (EELV), her former party, emerged as the main winners in municipal elections last month that also saw Macron's party lose ground.
Gérald Darmanin, 37, will replace Christophe Castaner in the interior minister post, a particularly challenging portfolio amid spiraling allegations of racism and violence among the police. Darmanin’s promotion comes despite allegations that he raped a woman in 2009 after she sought his help in having a criminal record expunged. Darmanin has denied the claims and the charges were dismissed in 2018, but earlier this year appeals judges in Paris ordered that the investigation be reopened.
Olivier Dussopt will move into Darmanin's former position as minister of public accounts while Eilsabeth Moreno will take over from Marlène Schiappa as gender equality minister.
Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye will also be relinquishing her position, to be replaced by Gabriel Attal.
A 'new path'
New Prime Minister Jean Castex, a senior bureaucrat and provincial mayor not well known before his appointment to head the government, has said he is seeking to move quickly and decisively to convince sceptics that he was the right choice for the job.
The 55-year-old was chosen by Macron to replace the popular Edouard Philippe as the president seeks a fresh start for the final two years of his mandate ahead of 2022 presidential elections.
France's economy has been battered into a historic recession by the coronavirus crisis while Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party is reeling from its drubbing in local elections late last month.
Macron had announced an impending government reshuffle on Friday.
>> Macron replaces popular PM with low-profile figure after ‘rivalry over who leads’
Macron wrote on Twitter Sunday that a "new path" was needed, listing the new government's priorities as "reviving the economy, continuing an overhaul of our social protection and the environment, re-establishing a fair republican order and defending European sovereignty".
The failure of LREM – founded in the run-up to Macron's presidential bid in 2017 – in the June 28 local elections again showed its lack of a grassroots base.
Analysts have said that by appointing a low-profile figure in place of Philippe – whose popularity was outstripping Macron's in polls – the president wants to tighten his grip on the reins of government ahead of 2022.
Castex, who drew up the plan for France to come out of its coronavirus lockdown, was himself once a member of the centre-right Les Republicains, as was Philippe.
Philippe has returned, for now, to the relative peace of his old job as mayor of the Normandy port of Le Havre. But opinion remains divided over whether he will quietly fade into the background or may one day pose a political challenge to Macron.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--US says foreign students whose classes move online due to Covid-19 have to leave

Students and pedestrians walk through the Yard at Harvard University , after the school asked its students not to return to campus after Spring Break and said it would move to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes , in Cambridge , Massachusetts , U.S. , March 10 , 2020 .
The United States said Monday it would not allow foreign students to remain in the country if all of their classes are moved online in the fall because of the coronavirus crisis .
`` Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , '' US Immigration and Custom Enforcement said in a statement .
`` Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures , such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status , '' ICE said .
`` If not , they may face immigration consequences including , but not limited to , the initiation of removal proceedings . ''
ICE said the State Department `` will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall semester nor will US Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States . ''
F-1 students pursue academic coursework and M-1 students pursue `` vocational coursework , '' according to ICE .
Most US colleges and universities have not yet announced their plans for the fall semester .
A number of schools are looking at a hybrid model of in-person and online instruction but some , including Harvard University , have said all classes will be conducted online .
Harvard said 40 percent of undergraduates would be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be online .
There were more than one million international students in the United States for the 2018-19 academic year , according to the Institute of International Education ( IIE ) .
That accounted for 5.5 percent of the total US higher education population , the IIE said , and international students contributed $ 44.7 billion to the US economy in 2018 .
The largest number of international students came from China , followed by India , South Korea , Saudi Arabia and Canada .

The United States said Monday it would not allow foreign students to remain in the country if all of their classes are moved online in the fall because of the coronavirus crisis.
Students and pedestrians walk through the Yard at Harvard University, after the school asked its students not to return to campus after Spring Break and said it would move to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., March 10, 2020.
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"Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States," US Immigration and Custom Enforcement said in a statement.
"Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status," ICE said.
"If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings."
ICE said the State Department "will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will US Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States."
F-1 students pursue academic coursework and M-1 students pursue "vocational coursework," according to ICE.
Most US colleges and universities have not yet announced their plans for the fall semester.
A number of schools are looking at a hybrid model of in-person and online instruction but some, including Harvard University, have said all classes will be conducted online.
Harvard said 40 percent of undergraduates would be allowed to return to campus but their instruction would be online.
There were more than one million international students in the United States for the 2018-19 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).
That accounted for 5.5 percent of the total US higher education population, the IIE said, and international students contributed $44.7 billion to the US economy in 2018.
The largest number of international students came from China, followed by India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Canada.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Migrants leave Ocean Viking rescue ship in Sicily after tense wait

The migrants picked up by the Ocean Viking are hoping for a 'second life ' in Europe Almost 200 migrants rescued by a humanitarian aid boat in the Mediterranean Sea began to leave the vessel in Sicily late on Monday after nine days stuck on the ship .
An AFP journalist aboard the Ocean Viking watched as the migrants , in single file and carrying backpacks , regained dry land at Porto Empedocle on the Italian island 's western coast .
Police escorted them a short distance to another vessel , where they will be quarantined to prevent the possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boat chartered by charity group SOS Mediterranee capped a tense few days onboard marked by migrants jumping overboard , a suicide attempt and bouts of violence .
After being rescued in four separate operations on June 25 and 30 , the migrants waiting on the ship became increasingly agitated , according to SOS Mediterranee , as the charity awaited the go-ahead from either Italy or Malta to dock at a safe port .
However , approval did not arrive until Sunday , after the group declared a state of emergency on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safety of the migrants or the crew .
Soon after 8:00 pm ( 18:00 GMT ) , the Ocean Viking docked at the port directly in front of Italian ferry Moby Zaza , where the migrants will wait out a two-week quarantine period .
Earlier on Monday , a separate group of 169 migrants disembarked from the Moby Zaza after a two-week quarantine .
Thirty of the group -- all of whom were rescued last month by Sea-Watch , another humanitarian group -- tested positive for coronavirus and will remain on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' area .
SOS Mediterranee spent most of Monday waiting roughly four kilometres ( 2.5 miles ) from the coast before being allowed to dock , as it warned that tensions were rising and the long wait was `` amplifying risks on board '' .
From the deck of the Ocean Viking , migrants who have waited for more than a week to disembark could make out both the Sicilian coast and the immense ferry , the Moby Zaza , according to an AFP reporter on board .
The mayor of Porto Empedocle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the migrants ' arrival was too much for the economically suffering community to support .
`` Now that we 're coming back , starting tourism back up , this thing is an incredible blow for us , '' Carmina said , who noted the town had reported no cases of coronavirus during Italy 's health crisis .
The 180 migrants -- from Bangladesh , Pakistan , Eritrea , Nigeria and North African countries -- include 25 minors and two women , one of whom is pregnant .
Rising tension culminated in fights between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their inability to call their families to let them know they were safe .
One migrant tried to hang himself and two others threw themselves overboard , said the charity .
However , the group was overjoyed when they finally saw the safe port .
`` It was very difficult in Libya and I ca n't even explain the joy I 'm feeling today , it 's just incredible , '' Mohammad Irshad , a 22-year-old Pakistani , told AFP .

Almost 200 migrants rescued by a humanitarian aid boat in the Mediterranean Sea began to leave the vessel in Sicily late on Monday after nine days stuck on the ship.
The migrants picked up by the Ocean Viking are hoping for a 'second life' in Europe
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An AFP journalist aboard the Ocean Viking watched as the migrants, in single file and carrying backpacks, regained dry land at Porto Empedocle on the Italian island's western coast.
Police escorted them a short distance to another vessel, where they will be quarantined to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus.
The arrival of the boat chartered by charity group SOS Mediterranee capped a tense few days onboard marked by migrants jumping overboard, a suicide attempt and bouts of violence.
After being rescued in four separate operations on June 25 and 30, the migrants waiting on the ship became increasingly agitated, according to SOS Mediterranee, as the charity awaited the go-ahead from either Italy or Malta to dock at a safe port.
However, approval did not arrive until Sunday, after the group declared a state of emergency on board, adding it could no longer guarantee the safety of the migrants or the crew.
Soon after 8:00 pm (18:00 GMT), the Ocean Viking docked at the port directly in front of Italian ferry Moby Zaza, where the migrants will wait out a two-week quarantine period.
Tensions mount
Earlier on Monday, a separate group of 169 migrants disembarked from the Moby Zaza after a two-week quarantine.
Thirty of the group -- all of whom were rescued last month by Sea-Watch, another humanitarian group -- tested positive for coronavirus and will remain on the ferry in an isolated "red zone" area.
SOS Mediterranee spent most of Monday waiting roughly four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the coast before being allowed to dock, as it warned that tensions were rising and the long wait was "amplifying risks on board".
From the deck of the Ocean Viking, migrants who have waited for more than a week to disembark could make out both the Sicilian coast and the immense ferry, the Moby Zaza, according to an AFP reporter on board.
The mayor of Porto Empedocle, Ida Carmina, told reporters that the migrants' arrival was too much for the economically suffering community to support.
"Now that we're coming back, starting tourism back up, this thing is an incredible blow for us," Carmina said, who noted the town had reported no cases of coronavirus during Italy's health crisis.
'Just incredible'
The 180 migrants -- from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Eritrea, Nigeria and North African countries -- include 25 minors and two women, one of whom is pregnant.
Rising tension culminated in fights between migrants frustrated by the long waiting period and their inability to call their families to let them know they were safe.
One migrant tried to hang himself and two others threw themselves overboard, said the charity.
However, the group was overjoyed when they finally saw the safe port.
"It was very difficult in Libya and I can't even explain the joy I'm feeling today, it's just incredible," Mohammad Irshad, a 22-year-old Pakistani, told AFP.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-07--Brazil's Bolsonaro takes Covid-19 test after showing symptoms

Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro attends the inauguration ceremony of the Main Space Operations Center of the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite in Brasilia , Brazil June 23 , 2020 .
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro , who has long minimized the risks posed by the coronavirus , said Monday he had been tested after showing symptoms including a fever .
Bolsonaro told CNN Brazil that he underwent an X-ray of his lungs at a military hospital as a precaution , and that the virus test results would come on Tuesday .
AFP contacted Bolsonaro 's office for a comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond .
Since the beginning of the virus outbreak , Bolsonaro has minimised the risks of what he initially called `` a little flu '' and flouted social distancing rules and containment measures , such as wearing a mask in public .
Brazil is the second worst-hit country in the world by the pandemic , with more than 65,000 deaths and more than 1.6 million cases .
On Monday , the far-right leader made more changes to weaken a law requiring that face masks be worn in public places in order to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already watered down the bill Friday by vetoing several articles , including ones requiring employers to supply face masks for their staff and another mandating that public authorities should provide face coverings for `` economically vulnerable people . ''
Now he has also vetoed articles requiring masks be worn in prisons and another obliging businesses to provide information on how to wear masks properly .

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he had undergone another test for the novel coronavirus and his lungs were "clean," after local media reported he had symptoms associated with the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends the inauguration ceremony of the Main Space Operations Center of the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite in Brasilia, Brazil June 23, 2020.
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Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the impact of the virus, even as Brazil has suffered one of the world's worst outbreaks, with more than 1.6 million confirmed cases and 65,000 related deaths, according to official data on Monday.
CNN Brasil and newspaper Estado de S.Paulo reported that he had symptoms of the disease, such as a fever.
Bolsonaro told supporters outside the presidential palace that he had just visited the hospital and been tested.
"I can't get very close," he said in comments recorded by Foco do Brasil, a pro-government YouTube channel. "I came from the hospital. I underwent a lung scan. The lung's clean."
The president's office said in a statement that the president is at his home and is "in good health."
The right-wing populist has often defied local guidelines to wear a mask in public, even after a judge ordered him to do so in late June.
Over the weekend, Bolsonaro attended several events and was in close contact with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil during July 4 celebrations. The U.S. embassy in Brasilia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bolsonaro tested negative for the coronavirus after several aides were diagnosed following a visit to U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago, Florida, estate in March.
CNN Brasil reported that Bolsonaro has begun taking the drugs hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, which he touts as a COVID-19 treatment despite little proof of their effectiveness.
Bolsonaro's official events on Tuesday have been canceled, according to CNN Brasil.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-06--Who's who in Macron's revamped cabinet

Who's who in Macron's revamped cabinet

Some top posts remained unchanged , with Bruno Le Maire staying on as economy minister , Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister .
The Élysée Palace on Monday unveiled the full list of names that will serve in the new cabinet under new Prime Minister Jean Castex , who was appointed to the post by French President Emmanuel Macron last week .
Castex and the new government will be responsible for shepherding the economy out of its worst crisis since World War II , with a contraction of 11 percent expected this year largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hoping a revamped government will re-energise his presidency before he faces reelection next year .
Some of the top government posts have remained unchanged , with Bruno Le Maire staying on as economy minister , Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister after his relatively successful handling of the Covid-19 crisis .
Jean-Michel Blanquer will also stay on as education minister and Florence Parly as minister of defence .
But among the shakeups was the key post of interior minister , with Christophe Castaner to be replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Eric Dupont-Moretti will replace Nicole Belloubet as justice minister .
Gabriel Attal will be taking over as government spokesperson from Sibeth Ndiaye .
Below is the full list of cabinet members : • Annick Girardin as minister for the sea • Brigitte Bourguignon as minister for the elderly and social care • Marc Fesneau as minister for relations with parliament • Alain Griset as minister for small and medium-sized businesses > > Read more : Economy and defence ministers to remain under new PM Castex , new faces at interior and culture

Cabinet reshuffle
The Élysée Palace on Monday unveiled the full list of names that will serve in the new cabinet under new Prime Minister Jean Castex, who was appointed to the post by French President Emmanuel Macron last week.
Some top posts remained unchanged, with Bruno Le Maire staying on as economy minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister.
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Castex and the new government will be responsible for shepherding the economy out of its worst crisis since World War II, with a contraction of 11 percent expected this year largely due to the coronavirus. Macron is also hoping a revamped government will re-energise his presidency before he faces reelection next year.
Some of the top government posts have remained unchanged, with Bruno Le Maire staying on as economy minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister and Olivier Véran as health minister after his relatively successful handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Jean-Michel Blanquer will also stay on as education minister and Florence Parly as minister of defence.
But among the shakeups was the key post of interior minister, with Christophe Castaner to be replaced by Gerard Darmanin, while celebrated defence lawyer Eric Dupont-Moretti will replace Nicole Belloubet as justice minister.
Gabriel Attal will be taking over as government spokesperson from Sibeth Ndiaye.
Below is the full list of cabinet members:
Bruno Le Maire as finance and economy minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian as foreign minister
Gérald Darmanin as interior minister
Eric Dupond-Moretti as justice minister
Olivier Véran as health minister
Jean-Michel Blanquer as education minister
Florence Parly as defence minister
Roselyne Bachelot as culture minister
Barbara Pompili as environment minister
Franck Riester as international trade minister
Julien Denormandie as agriculture minister
Jean-Baptiste Djebbari as transport minister
Elisabeth Borne as labour minister
Emmanuelle Wargon as housing minister
Olivier Dussopt as minister of public accounts
Gabriel Attal as government spokesperson
Elisabeth Moreno as gender equality minister
Marlène Schiappa as minister for citizenship
Amélie de Montchalin as minister for public service reform
Sébastien Lecornu as minister for overseas territories
Annick Girardin as minister for the sea
Geneviève Darrieussecq as minister for veterans
Brigitte Bourguignon as minister for the elderly and social care
Roxana Maracineanu as sport minister
Frédérique Vidal as universities minister
Jacqueline Gourault as minister for regional cohesion
Nadia Hai as minister for cities
Marc Fesneau as minister for relations with parliament
Agnès Panier-Runacher as industry minister
Alain Griset as minister for small and medium-sized businesses
Brigitte Klinkert, minister responsible for integration
>> Read more : Economy and defence ministers to remain under new PM Castex, new faces at interior and culture
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france24--2020-07-06--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 .
After Macron 's centrist La République en Marche ( Republic on the Move ) party was trounced in municipal election run-offs on June 28 – relegated to also-rans across the country in races that saw greens win big and Socialist incumbents hold on to major cities like Paris and Lille – it seemed change was afoot .
Expectations were high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his conservative prime minister , the winsome and conspicuously popular Édouard Philippe , it would be to break left and bolster his green bona fides .
Some wondered whether the 42-year-old leader would finally make good on his purported wish , mooted in 2017 , to see only the second woman in French history take charge of a government .
None of that was to be .
Macron ’ s new Prime Minister Jean Castex is a 55-year-old career public servant .
Plucked , like Philippe , from the ranks of the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Élysée Palace aide to right-wing former president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2010 to 2012 .
Like Philippe and Macron , he is a graduate of the École Nationale d'Administration , the elite public service school , after which he became an auditor in the Cour des Comptes , the body that keeps tabs on state and government spending .
Far from a household name , the affable Castex was chief of staff to a conservative minister of health and then of labour , but never served in the cabinet or in parliament himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lilt and the father of four daughters , he was handily re-elected mayor of Prades , a city of 6,000 in the foothills of the Pyrénées , with 76 percent of the vote in the first round in March .
Indeed , until Castex became prime minister on Friday , his most prominent brush with the public eye nationally came only three months ago when he was appointed to draw up France 's strategy for easing its coronavirus lockdown .
Even then , back in April , Philippe presented Castex as `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare world and who is formidably efficient '' – not the sort of ringing endorsement to send hearts aflutter with hopey-changey aspirations for a new prime minister .
After he won the PM job , pundits left , right and centre were quick to agree that the choice of Castex amounted to a power grab by Macron , who has self-assuredly likened his leadership style to Jupiter , the Roman god of the sky and the heavens .
By effectively subsuming the roles of president and prime minister into one , they suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soft institutional coup .
It was a risky move to concentrate power and exposure at the Élysée Palace with an eye , presumably , to winning re-election in 2022 .
Le Monde observed in an editorial that , by naming a `` totally unknown senior official '' with `` no political existence '' to the premiership , Macron `` acknowledges , at least in part , the symbolic erasing of the function of prime minister , reduced to the rank of chief of staff ... '' .
`` There is an error in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' quipped the left-leaning daily Libération .
`` It says the president named Jean Castex as prime minister .
It should actually read , 'The president names Prime Minister ... Emmanuel Macron ' '' .
It continued , `` By naming a man unknown to the public , with no partisan base , lauded for his sense of organisation and people skills , but absent from national political life and therefore devoid of autonomy , the president has named a chief of staff or , as Nicolas Sarkozy used to say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a similar point .
`` The president 's intention is transparent .
He wants a prime minister with no concern or ambition other than making the machinery of state function , '' the conservative daily opined .
`` More of a secretary general than a head of government , '' it said .
Macron `` has decided , in effect , to be his own prime minister for the last two years of his mandate '' , said Mujtaba Rahman , managing director for Europe of the Eurasia Group political risk consultancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calling Castex “ complete unknown quantity politically '' , Rahman said the new PM `` will be the manager and de-facto chief of staff while Macron takes direct control of government in a lightning attempt to create a new record which he can present to the electorate in 2022 '' .
Boosting claims that Macron is micro-managing , the president 's office managed to impose its choice of chief of staff on the new prime minister 's office .
Nicolas Revel , Castex 's new right-hand man at Matignon , worked in tandem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Socialist ex-president François Hollande from 2012 .
The Élysée Palace reportedly tried the same manoeuvre with Philippe in 2017 , but the imposition was declined .
Moreover , although Castex initially announced that he would make the traditional policy speech outlining a new PM 's priorities as early as this week in order to `` get to work as quickly as possible '' , that timeline was disturbed as Macron made it known he would address the nation in some form on Bastille Day , July 14 .
Castex 's speech , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Le Figaro reports that it will now follow Macron 's outing by a day , on July 15 .
The knocks against Castex , however , may be a touch unfair .
The unheralded new premier ’ s CV does tick a number boxes pertinent to this unprecedented moment and the challenges that await .
Naturally , Castex is well-apprised of the coronavirus pandemic , having orchestrated the exit from a strict lockdown , although France and the wider world are not yet out of the woods .
It was reportedly Castex , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and progressive return of schoolchildren to class despite Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer 's vocal push for a full and speedy back-to-school in May .
The experience gained , and that prudent tack , should serve Castex beyond the summer holidays and amid the ever-present danger of a second viral wave .
Castex 's experience as a ministerial chief of staff in the health and labour ministries in the late 2000s and later as an aide on social affairs in the president 's office is also apropos .
After a hiatus amid the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains on the table ; the tricky dossier saw prolonged strike action bring the French capital , in particular , to a virtual standstill in December and January and the issue is poised to return to the agenda in short order .
The pandemic also brought healthcare reform to the fore , with the government pledging to overhaul the hospital system in response to the coronavirus crisis .
The wide-ranging consultations known as the Ségur de la Santé are set to conclude this week .
Castex 's experience at the Cour des Comptes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government poised to negotiate its way through the worst recession since World War II , with the coronavirus crisis expected to see the economy shrink by 11 percent this year .
The new PM can even boast experience pertinent to the panoply of sporting events delayed by the pandemic , having been a coordinator of government planning for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris .
Moreover , the naming of a small-town mayor from the Pyrénées jibes with the push – brought to bear during a pandemic that spread unevenly across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to local actors more closely attuned to local needs .
To hear Castex himself tell it , he might have spent his professional life under the public 's radar , but that does n't mean he 'll be under the president 's thumb in office .
Bristling at the suggestion he was named as `` a subordinate doomed to secondary tasks '' , Castex told the Journal du Dimanche over the weekend , `` When you get to know me , you 'll see that my personality does n't dissolve into the term @ @ @ @

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.
Advertising Read more
After Macron's centrist La République en Marche (Republic on the Move) party was trounced in municipal election run-offs on June 28 – relegated to also-rans across the country in races that saw greens win big and Socialist incumbents hold on to major cities like Paris and Lille – it seemed change was afoot. Expectations were high that, should Macron choose to replace his conservative prime minister, the winsome and conspicuously popular Édouard Philippe, it would be to break left and bolster his green bona fides. Some wondered whether the 42-year-old leader would finally make good on his purported wish, mooted in 2017, to see only the second woman in French history take charge of a government.
None of that was to be.
Macron’s new Prime Minister Jean Castex is a 55-year-old career public servant. Plucked, like Philippe, from the ranks of the conservative Les Républicains party, Castex was an Élysée Palace aide to right-wing former president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2010 to 2012.
Like Philippe and Macron, he is a graduate of the École Nationale d'Administration, the elite public service school, after which he became an auditor in the Cour des Comptes, the body that keeps tabs on state and government spending. Far from a household name, the affable Castex was chief of staff to a conservative minister of health and then of labour, but never served in the cabinet or in parliament himself. A rugby fan with a folksy southwestern lilt and the father of four daughters, he was handily re-elected mayor of Prades, a city of 6,000 in the foothills of the Pyrénées, with 76 percent of the vote in the first round in March.
France picked a prime minister so obscure that this is one of the 30 or so photos that Getty Images has of him. #ProductionProblems pic.twitter.com/i7cfJI5Flj — Ali Walker (@AliWalker24) July 3, 2020
Indeed, until Castex became prime minister on Friday, his most prominent brush with the public eye nationally came only three months ago when he was appointed to draw up France's strategy for easing its coronavirus lockdown. Even then, back in April, Philippe presented Castex as "a senior official who knows perfectly well the healthcare world and who is formidably efficient" – not the sort of ringing endorsement to send hearts aflutter with hopey-changey aspirations for a new prime minister.
'Jupiter' rising
After he won the PM job, pundits left, right and centre were quick to agree that the choice of Castex amounted to a power grab by Macron, who has self-assuredly likened his leadership style to Jupiter, the Roman god of the sky and the heavens. By effectively subsuming the roles of president and prime minister into one, they suggested, Macron had performed a sort of soft institutional coup. It was a risky move to concentrate power and exposure at the Élysée Palace with an eye, presumably, to winning re-election in 2022.
Le Monde observed in an editorial that, by naming a "totally unknown senior official" with "no political existence" to the premiership, Macron "acknowledges, at least in part, the symbolic erasing of the function of prime minister, reduced to the rank of chief of staff...".
"There is an error in the communiqué published by the Elysée Palace," quipped the left-leaning daily Libération. "It says the president named Jean Castex as prime minister. It should actually read, 'The president names Prime Minister ... Emmanuel Macron'". It continued, "By naming a man unknown to the public, with no partisan base, lauded for his sense of organisation and people skills, but absent from national political life and therefore devoid of autonomy, the president has named a chief of staff or, as Nicolas Sarkozy used to say, an 'employee'."
Le Figaro made a similar point. "The president's intention is transparent. He wants a prime minister with no concern or ambition other than making the machinery of state function," the conservative daily opined. "More of a secretary general than a head of government," it said.
Macron "has decided, in effect, to be his own prime minister for the last two years of his mandate", said Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe of the Eurasia Group political risk consultancy, in comments to Agence France-Presse.
Calling Castex “complete unknown quantity politically", Rahman said the new PM "will be the manager and de-facto chief of staff while Macron takes direct control of government in a lightning attempt to create a new record which he can present to the electorate in 2022".
Hand-picked right-hand man
Boosting claims that Macron is micro-managing, the president's office managed to impose its choice of chief of staff on the new prime minister's office. Nicolas Revel, Castex's new right-hand man at Matignon, worked in tandem with Macron when both were aides to Socialist ex-president François Hollande from 2012. The Élysée Palace reportedly tried the same manoeuvre with Philippe in 2017, but the imposition was declined.
Moreover, although Castex initially announced that he would make the traditional policy speech outlining a new PM's priorities as early as this week in order to "get to work as quickly as possible", that timeline was disturbed as Macron made it known he would address the nation in some form on Bastille Day, July 14. Castex's speech, it appears, will have to wait. Le Figaro reports that it will now follow Macron's outing by a day, on July 15.
🇫🇷 President @EmmanuelMacron has named Jean Castex as France's new prime minister as part of an expected cabinet reshuffle
Castex coordinated France’s reopening strategy after almost two months of #Covid19 lockdown@SanamF24 takes a look back at the new PM's political career⤵ pic.twitter.com/XPDEsi5cHH — FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 3, 2020
The knocks against Castex, however, may be a touch unfair. The unheralded new premier’s CV does tick a number boxes pertinent to this unprecedented moment and the challenges that await.
Naturally, Castex is well-apprised of the coronavirus pandemic, having orchestrated the exit from a strict lockdown, although France and the wider world are not yet out of the woods. It was reportedly Castex, for instance, who ensured the gradual and progressive return of schoolchildren to class despite Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer's vocal push for a full and speedy back-to-school in May. The experience gained, and that prudent tack, should serve Castex beyond the summer holidays and amid the ever-present danger of a second viral wave.
Castex's experience as a ministerial chief of staff in the health and labour ministries in the late 2000s and later as an aide on social affairs in the president's office is also apropos. After a hiatus amid the Covid-19 crisis, a hotly debated pension reform remains on the table; the tricky dossier saw prolonged strike action bring the French capital, in particular, to a virtual standstill in December and January and the issue is poised to return to the agenda in short order.
The pandemic also brought healthcare reform to the fore, with the government pledging to overhaul the hospital system in response to the coronavirus crisis. The wide-ranging consultations known as the Ségur de la Santé are set to conclude this week.
#FRANCE - Macron names senior French official Jean Castex new PM
📸 @ludovic_marin pic.twitter.com/HN3PaFDrTp — AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) July 3, 2020
Castex's experience at the Cour des Comptes could also be an asset to a government poised to negotiate its way through the worst recession since World War II, with the coronavirus crisis expected to see the economy shrink by 11 percent this year. The new PM can even boast experience pertinent to the panoply of sporting events delayed by the pandemic, having been a coordinator of government planning for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Moreover, the naming of a small-town mayor from the Pyrénées jibes with the push – brought to bear during a pandemic that spread unevenly across the country – for Paris to entrust more powers to local actors more closely attuned to local needs.
To hear Castex himself tell it, he might have spent his professional life under the public's radar, but that doesn't mean he'll be under the president's thumb in office. Bristling at the suggestion he was named as "a subordinate doomed to secondary tasks", Castex told the Journal du Dimanche over the weekend, "When you get to know me, you'll see that my personality doesn't dissolve into the term 'employee'."
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france24--2020-07-06--Covid-19 pushes US hospitals to the brink

A medical worker puts on protective equipment as hospital staff treat Covid-19 patients at United Memorial Medical Center 's coronavirus disease intensive care unit in Houston , Texas , US , June 29 , 2020 .
Officials warned on Sunday that US hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by the upsurge in cases as countries around the world are battling surges in the coronavirus , with more than 11 million people now infected in 196 countries and territories .
The US has struggled to respond to the devastation wrought by the virus , with its national death toll rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases , and many states hit by increasing infections after lockdowns were eased .
Hospital beds are full in parts of Texas , while calls for fresh stay-at-home orders are growing .
Some mayors say their cities reopened too early , as President Donald Trump tries to downplay the disease that has gripped much of the country .
Across the US , the annual July 4 holiday weekend was overshadowed by growing evidence that the country ’ s fractured response has exacted a heavy price across the south and west , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the worst of the virus .
`` Our hospitals here in Harris County , Houston , and 33 other cities ... they 're into surge capacities .
So their operational beds are taken up , '' said Lina Hidalgo , chief executive of Harris County , which includes Houston , Texas .
`` Restaurants are still open .
Indoor events can take place no matter the size , '' she told the ABC TV channel .
`` What we need right now is to do what works , which is a stay-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor of Austin , Texas , also expressed concern that the healthcare system could buckle as the disease spreads rapidly .
`` If we do n't change the trajectory , then I am within two weeks of having our hospitals overrun .
And in our ICUs , I could be 10 days away from that , '' he told CNN .
Phoenix city mayor Kate Gallego said , `` We opened way too early in Arizona '' state .
She suggested that a new stay-at-home order should be issued .
The US is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a peak of 57,000 on Friday alone .
The pandemic has killed at least 531,789 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year , according to an AFP tally on Sunday based on official sources .

Officials warned on Sunday that US hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by the upsurge in cases as countries around the world are battling surges in the coronavirus, with more than 11 million people now infected in 196 countries and territories.
A medical worker puts on protective equipment as hospital staff treat Covid-19 patients at United Memorial Medical Center's coronavirus disease intensive care unit in Houston, Texas, US, June 29, 2020.
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The US has struggled to respond to the devastation wrought by the virus, with its national death toll rising to near 130,000 out of 2.8 million confirmed cases, and many states hit by increasing infections after lockdowns were eased.
Hospital beds are full in parts of Texas, while calls for fresh stay-at-home orders are growing. Some mayors say their cities reopened too early, as President Donald Trump tries to downplay the disease that has gripped much of the country.
Across the US, the annual July 4 holiday weekend was overshadowed by growing evidence that the country’s fractured response has exacted a heavy price across the south and west, after previous hotspots such as New York emerged from the worst of the virus.
"Our hospitals here in Harris County, Houston, and 33 other cities... they're into surge capacities. So their operational beds are taken up," said Lina Hidalgo, chief executive of Harris County, which includes Houston, Texas.
"Restaurants are still open. Indoor events can take place no matter the size," she told the ABC TV channel. "What we need right now is to do what works, which is a stay-home order."
Steve Adler, the mayor of Austin, Texas, also expressed concern that the healthcare system could buckle as the disease spreads rapidly.
"If we don't change the trajectory, then I am within two weeks of having our hospitals overrun. And in our ICUs, I could be 10 days away from that," he told CNN.
Phoenix city mayor Kate Gallego said, "We opened way too early in Arizona" state. She suggested that a new stay-at-home order should be issued.
The US is now recording 40,000 new cases a day, with a peak of 57,000 on Friday alone.
The pandemic has killed at least 531,789 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally on Sunday based on official sources.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Hong Kong govt orders schools to remove books breaching new security law

A man reads a book at Hong Kong Central Library after democracy activists ' books were taken down due to national security law in Hong Kong , China July 6 , 2020 .
Hong Kong 's government on Monday ordered schools to review and remove any books that might breach a sweeping new security law that Beijing imposed last week on the restless city .
`` In accordance with the four types of offences clearly stipulated in the law , the school management and teachers should review teaching and learning materials in a timely manner , including books , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they find outdated content or content that may concern the four aforementioned offences , they should remove them , '' the bureau added .
Last week China enacted a security law outlawing four national security crimes : subversion , secession , terrorism and colluding with foreign forces .
Authorities promptly declared political views espousing independence or self-autonomy would be viewed as illegal under the new law .
Rights groups and legal analysts have warned the broad wording of the law , which was kept secret until it was passed , would have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semi-autonomous hub .
The order for schools to review and remove any contraband books comes two days after Hong Kong 's libraries said they were also pulling titles deemed to breach the law for a review .
Among those withdrawn from shelves was one by prominent activist Joshua Wong , another by pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan and multiple other titles written by Chin Wan , a scholar who is seen as the godfather of a `` localist '' movement advocating greater self-determination for the city .
Hong Kong has some of Asia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics that would be taboo on the mainland are still discussed and written about .
But Beijing has made clear it wants education in the city to become more `` patriotic '' especially after a year of huge , often violent and largely youth-led pro-democracy protests .

Hong Kong's government on Monday ordered schools to review and remove any books that might breach a sweeping new security law that Beijing imposed last week on the restless city.
A man reads a book at Hong Kong Central Library after democracy activists' books were taken down due to national security law in Hong Kong, China July 6, 2020.
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"In accordance with the four types of offences clearly stipulated in the law, the school management and teachers should review teaching and learning materials in a timely manner, including books," the Education Bureau said.
"If they find outdated content or content that may concern the four aforementioned offences, they should remove them," the bureau added.
Last week China enacted a security law outlawing four national security crimes: subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.
Authorities promptly declared political views espousing independence or self-autonomy would be viewed as illegal under the new law.
Rights groups and legal analysts have warned the broad wording of the law, which was kept secret until it was passed, would have a chilling effect of political freedoms in the semi-autonomous hub.
The order for schools to review and remove any contraband books comes two days after Hong Kong's libraries said they were also pulling titles deemed to breach the law for a review.
Among those withdrawn from shelves was one by prominent activist Joshua Wong, another by pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan and multiple other titles written by Chin Wan, a scholar who is seen as the godfather of a "localist" movement advocating greater self-determination for the city.
Hong Kong has some of Asia's best universities and a campus culture where topics that would be taboo on the mainland are still discussed and written about.
But Beijing has made clear it wants education in the city to become more "patriotic" especially after a year of huge, often violent and largely youth-led pro-democracy protests.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--India surges to third-highest number of global coronavirus cases

Medical personnel take temperatures during a Covid-19 health campaign in Mumbai on July 4 , 2020 .
India became the country with the third-highest coronavirus caseload in the world on Monday , with authorities forced to convert hotels , wedding halls , a spiritual centre and even railway coaches to provide care for coronavirus patients .
The Indian government has gradually lifted virus restrictions to help the battered economy but the number of cases has continued to climb , with 24,000 reported in 24 hours to take the total to nearly 700,000 on Monday , overtaking Russia to become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not expected to peak for several more weeks and experts predict the one million figure will be passed this month .
Critics allege India is conducting very few tests , leaving the true scale of the pandemic unknown .
The country has registered 19,963 deaths from the virus , a much lower number than many other badly hit countries .
India 's major cities have been worst hit by the pandemic .
New Delhi and Mumbai each have about 100,000 cases , with 3,000 dead in the capital and nearly 5,000 in Mumbai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000-bed temporary virus hospital while other cities are tightening restrictions on movement to head off a new surge in cases .
The Kerala state capital , Thiruvananthapuram , imposed a new lockdown from Monday with public transport shut and only pharmacies allowed to open .
The clampdown came after hundreds of new cases were reported across the state , which had been praised for its action to curtail the pandemic .
One high-profile victim of the global shutdown – the Taj Mahal – will remain closed , it was announced Sunday .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , including South Africa , where dozens of military medics were deployed on Sunday after a surge in infections in East Cape province .
South Africa imposed some of the strictest stay-at-home measures in the world in late March in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19 , but the number of infections is rising daily as the lockdown rules are gradually eased .
Iran announced 163 new deaths , the country 's highest official one-day toll since the outbreak began , while Morocco discovered an outbreak in a fish-canning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
And Latin America continued its grim battle with the virus , with Chile passing 10,000 deaths on Sunday , while Mexico has had 30,000 fatalities .

India became the country with the third-highest coronavirus caseload in the world on Monday, with authorities forced to convert hotels, wedding halls, a spiritual centre and even railway coaches to provide care for coronavirus patients.
Medical personnel take temperatures during a Covid-19 health campaign in Mumbai on July 4, 2020.
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The Indian government has gradually lifted virus restrictions to help the battered economy but the number of cases has continued to climb, with 24,000 reported in 24 hours to take the total to nearly 700,000 on Monday, overtaking Russia to become the third-hardest-hit nation.
India's tally is not expected to peak for several more weeks and experts predict the one million figure will be passed this month. Critics allege India is conducting very few tests, leaving the true scale of the pandemic unknown.
The country has registered 19,963 deaths from the virus, a much lower number than many other badly hit countries.
India's major cities have been worst hit by the pandemic. New Delhi and Mumbai each have about 100,000 cases, with 3,000 dead in the capital and nearly 5,000 in Mumbai.
New Delhi has opened a new 10,000-bed temporary virus hospital while other cities are tightening restrictions on movement to head off a new surge in cases.
The Kerala state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, imposed a new lockdown from Monday with public transport shut and only pharmacies allowed to open. The clampdown came after hundreds of new cases were reported across the state, which had been praised for its action to curtail the pandemic.
One high-profile victim of the global shutdown – the Taj Mahal – will remain closed, it was announced Sunday.
Other countries are also battling a resurgence of the virus, including South Africa, where dozens of military medics were deployed on Sunday after a surge in infections in East Cape province. South Africa imposed some of the strictest stay-at-home measures in the world in late March in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19, but the number of infections is rising daily as the lockdown rules are gradually eased.
Iran announced 163 new deaths, the country's highest official one-day toll since the outbreak began, while Morocco discovered an outbreak in a fish-canning factory, with 300,000 inhabitants placed under lockdown.
And Latin America continued its grim battle with the virus, with Chile passing 10,000 deaths on Sunday, while Mexico has had 30,000 fatalities.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-06--Former French intelligence agents go on trial accused of spying for China

The two defendants worked for the DGSE , France 's external intelligence agency .
Two retired French intelligence agents went on trial behind closed doors on Monday accused of having passed on secrets to a foreign power .
The pair are accused of working for China , according to several media reports , with French officials at pains to avoid releasing details of the affair .
Pierre-Marie H. and Henri M. appeared in a special court accused of `` delivering information to a foreign power '' and `` damaging the fundamental interests of the nation '' .
Both men worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DGSE .
They face 15 years in prison if convicted .
The men , now retired , were charged and detained in December 2017 , although Pierre-Marie H. has since been released on bail .
His wife , Laurence H. , also faces trial , accused of `` concealment of property derived from intelligence with a foreign power likely to harm the fundamental interests of the nation '' .
The trial opened behind closed doors owing to the sensitive nature of the case , with the court made up exclusively of professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed in May 2018 , French officials described it as an `` extremely serious '' case .
The then armed forces minister Florence Parly said that the two were suspected of having committed what could be described as `` treasonous '' acts that could have jeopardised national defence secrets .
It was the DGSE itself that detected the leak and presented its findings to prosecutors , said the defence ministry .
Officials have said little about the details of the case or even for which country they were allegedly working .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two men , colleagues at the DGSE in the 1990s , were working for China .
In 1997 , Henri M. was appointed as the DGSE 's man in Beijing , where he was the second secretary at the embassy .
He was recalled early in 1998 after having had an affair with the ambassador 's Chinese interpreter .
He retired a few years later and returned to China in 2003 , where he married the former interpreter , setting up home on Hainan island in southern China .
Pierre-Marie H. , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested at Zurich airport carrying cash after having met a Chinese contact on an Indian Ocean island , according to media reports .
Apart from the China connection , AFP has obtained no independent information linking the two men .
While there have been a number of different theories put forward , both men appear to have been under surveillance for several months before being arrested .
Journalist Franck Renaud covered the Henri M. affair in his book on the French diplomatic service , `` Les Diplomates '' .
During the 1990s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions were running high between China and France , in the wake of China 's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and the 1991 sale of French frigates to Taiwan , he said .
`` It 's an affair that has caused more than a few problems to the DGSE , '' which had to repatriate operatives in China at the time , Renaud told AFP .
The verdict is due to be handed down on July 10 .

Two retired French intelligence agents went on trial behind closed doors on Monday accused of having passed on secrets to a foreign power.
The two defendants worked for the DGSE, France's external intelligence agency.
Advertising Read more
The pair are accused of working for China, according to several media reports, with French officials at pains to avoid releasing details of the affair.
Pierre-Marie H. and Henri M. appeared in a special court accused of "delivering information to a foreign power" and "damaging the fundamental interests of the nation".
Both men worked for France's foreign intelligence service, the DGSE. They face 15 years in prison if convicted.
The men, now retired, were charged and detained in December 2017, although Pierre-Marie H. has since been released on bail.
His wife, Laurence H., also faces trial, accused of "concealment of property derived from intelligence with a foreign power likely to harm the fundamental interests of the nation".
The trial opened behind closed doors owing to the sensitive nature of the case, with the court made up exclusively of professional magistrates.
When the story was finally revealed in May 2018, French officials described it as an "extremely serious" case.
The then armed forces minister Florence Parly said that the two were suspected of having committed what could be described as "treasonous" acts that could have jeopardised national defence secrets.
It was the DGSE itself that detected the leak and presented its findings to prosecutors, said the defence ministry.
Affair with an interpreter
Officials have said little about the details of the case or even for which country they were allegedly working.
According to several media reports, however, the two men, colleagues at the DGSE in the 1990s, were working for China.
In 1997, Henri M. was appointed as the DGSE's man in Beijing, where he was the second secretary at the embassy. He was recalled early in 1998 after having had an affair with the ambassador's Chinese interpreter.
He retired a few years later and returned to China in 2003, where he married the former interpreter, setting up home on Hainan island in southern China.
>> French spy agency seeks 'geeks not Bond' to lead cybersecurity battle
Pierre-Marie H., who had never been posted abroad, was arrested at Zurich airport carrying cash after having met a Chinese contact on an Indian Ocean island, according to media reports.
Apart from the China connection, AFP has obtained no independent information linking the two men.
While there have been a number of different theories put forward, both men appear to have been under surveillance for several months before being arrested.
Journalist Franck Renaud covered the Henri M. affair in his book on the French diplomatic service, "Les Diplomates".
During the 1990s, when Henri M. served in Beijing, tensions were running high between China and France, in the wake of China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and the 1991 sale of French frigates to Taiwan, he said.
"It's an affair that has caused more than a few problems to the DGSE," which had to repatriate operatives in China at the time, Renaud told AFP.
The verdict is due to be handed down on July 10.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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