france24--2020-07-23--France’s interior minister under fire for ‘abuse of influence’ as feminists pursue new legal case

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin looks on during a visit on the theme of the `` learning summer camps '' at Chambord castle , France July 22 , 2020 .
Gerald Darmanin has had a tumultuous first two weeks as France 's interior minister as the country questions whether someone under investigation for rape allegations can and should be its `` top cop '' .
On Wednesday evening , a feminist association piled further pressure on Darmanin by saying they were seeking new legal action against him over alleged abuse of influence while he was mayor of Tourcoing .
Darmanin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accusations and quoted a text message from the plaintiff in Tourcoing dating from the time he was appointed to the government and stating that for her `` the matter is closed '' .
The 37-year-old 's appointment on July 6 drew immediate outrage that has shown no signs of abating - women 's rights campaigners have picketed every one of Darmanin 's public appearances to date .
He is accused by Sophie Patterson-Spatz of raping her in 2009 after she sought his help to have a criminal record expunged while he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the predecessor of France 's main right-wing party , the Republicans .
The case has been thrown out multiple times , but appeals judges in Paris last month ordered a new investigation after Patterson-Spatz approached France 's highest court .
The uproar over Darmanin 's promotion to a key cabinet position just weeks after that ruling seems to have taken the government and President Emmanuel Macron 's centrist party by surprise .
Their defence of Darmanin has focused on the presumption of innocence , even as they appear to have exonerated him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on French television that he had a `` relationship of trust , man-to-man '' with Darmanin , a phrase many criticised for being tone deaf .
A member of Macron 's team defended the appointment by telling AFP the criminal case was evolving `` in the right direction '' and `` presented no obstacle '' to Darmanin 's elevation .
Darmanin himself has complained of a `` manhunt '' and told a regional newspaper this week it was hard for a falsely accused person to explain to their parents `` what happened because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young man 's life '' .
Patterson-Spatz also accuses Darmanin of sexual harassment and abuse of power .
He has filed a libel complaint against her in return .
Even if he is ultimately cleared , critics say the mere hint of impropriety makes Darmanin unsuitable for the interior ministry job , especially as Macron had promised a `` moralisation of public life '' on his watch .
“ It is not certain that we are properly evaluating the damage that this case is causing , '' Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet , an analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said of the political support being drummed up for Darmanin at a time of widespread mistrust in government .
A cabinet minister who asked for anonymity said : `` What is annoying is that this issue will ripple out . ''
In a press interview , Darmanin said he was `` completely at ease , '' but on Tuesday his lawyers warned that he reserved the right to sue over `` any defamatory remarks that stain his honour and esteem . ''
Even within his own ministry , Darmanin 's appointment has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe , it would be by police officers of whom he is now the boss .
And his fellow cabinet members are finding themselves in difficult positions .
Elisabeth Moreno , the new minister for gender equality , said after a `` woman-to-man '' conversation with Darmanin that he deserved the benefit of the doubt , `` but if he is found guilty , we will talk again . ''
One minister told AFP that `` Legally speaking , I think the case falters .
But then follows the moral question : Has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The allegations are not the first against Darmanin - a woman accused him of using his position as mayor of the northern city of Tourcoing to seek sexual favours from 2014 to 2017 , though prosecutors dismissed that case in 2018 .
Women 's rights activists including Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi wrote in Le Monde that Macron 's cabinet shuffle which promoted Darmanin marked an `` anti-feminist political shift . ''
Women 's groups gathering under slogans such as : `` The culture of rape on the move '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Move party - have staged protests in Paris and the rest of France , even in Brussels , since Darmanin 's appointment .

Gérald Darmanin has had a tumultuous first two weeks as France's interior minister as the country questions whether someone under investigation for rape allegations can and should be its "top cop".
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin looks on during a visit on the theme of the "learning summer camps" at Chambord castle, France July 22, 2020.
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On Wednesday evening, a feminist association piled further pressure on Darmanin by saying they were seeking new legal action against him over alleged abuse of influence while he was mayor of Tourcoing.
Darmanin's lawyer, Mathias Chirchportich, rejected the accusations and quoted a text message from the plaintiff in Tourcoing dating from the time he was appointed to the government and stating that for her "the matter is closed".
The 37-year-old's appointment on July 6 drew immediate outrage that has shown no signs of abating - women's rights campaigners have picketed every one of Darmanin's public appearances to date.
He is accused by Sophie Patterson-Spatz of raping her in 2009 after she sought his help to have a criminal record expunged while he was a legal affairs adviser with the UMP, the predecessor of France's main right-wing party, the Republicans.
Darmanin maintains they had consensual sex.
The case has been thrown out multiple times, but appeals judges in Paris last month ordered a new investigation after Patterson-Spatz approached France's highest court.
The uproar over Darmanin's promotion to a key cabinet position just weeks after that ruling seems to have taken the government and President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party by surprise.
Their defence of Darmanin has focused on the presumption of innocence, even as they appear to have exonerated him despite an ongoing inquiry.
Macron explained on French television that he had a "relationship of trust, man-to-man" with Darmanin, a phrase many criticised for being tone deaf.
‘Manhunt’
A member of Macron's team defended the appointment by telling AFP the criminal case was evolving "in the right direction" and "presented no obstacle" to Darmanin's elevation.
Darmanin himself has complained of a "manhunt" and told a regional newspaper this week it was hard for a falsely accused person to explain to their parents "what happened because, it's true, I lived a young man's life".
Patterson-Spatz also accuses Darmanin of sexual harassment and abuse of power. He has filed a libel complaint against her in return.
Even if he is ultimately cleared, critics say the mere hint of impropriety makes Darmanin unsuitable for the interior ministry job, especially as Macron had promised a "moralisation of public life" on his watch.
“It is not certain that we are properly evaluating the damage that this case is causing," Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet, an analyst at the Sciences Po university in Paris, said of the political support being drummed up for Darmanin at a time of widespread mistrust in government.
A cabinet minister who asked for anonymity said: "What is annoying is that this issue will ripple out."
In a press interview, Darmanin said he was "completely at ease," but on Tuesday his lawyers warned that he reserved the right to sue over "any defamatory remarks that stain his honour and esteem."
Even within his own ministry, Darmanin's appointment has raised eyebrows - if questioned in the probe, it would be by police officers of whom he is now the boss.
‘Culture of rape’
And his fellow cabinet members are finding themselves in difficult positions.
Elisabeth Moreno, the new minister for gender equality, said after a "woman-to-man" conversation with Darmanin that he deserved the benefit of the doubt, "but if he is found guilty, we will talk again."
One minister told AFP that "Legally speaking, I think the case falters. But then follows the moral question: Has Darmanin always behaved well towards women?"
The allegations are not the first against Darmanin - a woman accused him of using his position as mayor of the northern city of Tourcoing to seek sexual favours from 2014 to 2017, though prosecutors dismissed that case in 2018.
Women's rights activists including Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi wrote in Le Monde that Macron's cabinet shuffle which promoted Darmanin marked an "anti-feminist political shift."
Women's groups gathering under slogans such as: "The culture of rape on the move" - a play on Macron's Republic on the Move party - have staged protests in Paris and the rest of France, even in Brussels, since Darmanin's appointment.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-23--China launches first-ever mission to Mars in space race with US

The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket , carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission , takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang , Hainan Province , China July 23 , 2020 .
China launched its most ambitious Mars mission ever on Thursday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet .
The Tianwen-1 was launched on a Long March-5 carrier rocket from a launch site on Hainan Island .
It marked the second flight to Mars this week , after a United Arab Emirates orbiter blasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
And the U.S. is aiming to launch Perseverance , its most sophisticated Mars rover ever , from Cape Canaveral , Florida , next week .
China ’ s tandem spacecraft — with both an orbiter and a rover — will take seven months to reach Mars , like the others .
If all goes well , Tianwen-1 , or “ quest for heavenly truth , ” will look for underground water , if it ’ s present , as well as evidence of possible ancient life .
This isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2011 , a Chinese orbiter accompanying a Russian mission was lost when the spacecraft failed to get out of Earth ’ s orbit after launching from Kazakhstan , eventually burning up in the atmosphere .
This time , China is going at it alone .
It also is fast-tracking , launching an orbiter and rover on the same mission instead of stringing them out .
China ’ s secretive space program has developed rapidly in recent decades .
Yang Liwei became the first Chinese astronaut in 2003 , and last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft from any country to land on the far side of the moon .
Conquering Mars would put China in an elite club .
“ There is a whole lot of prestige riding on this , ” said Dean Cheng , an expert on Chinese aerospace programs at the Heritage Foundation in Washington .
Landing on Mars is notoriously difficult .
Only the U.S. has successfully landed a spacecraft on Martian soil , doing it eight times since 1976 .
NASA 's InSight and Curiosity rovers still operate today .
Six other spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American , two European and one from India .
Unlike the two other Mars missions launching this month , China has tightly controlled information about the program — even withholding any name for its rover .
National security concerns led the U.S. to curb cooperation between NASA and China 's space program .
In an article published earlier this month in Nature Astronomy , mission chief engineer Wan Weixing said Tianwen-1 would slip into orbit around Mars in February and look for a landing site on Utopia Planitia — a plain where NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wan died in May from cancer .
The landing would then be attempted in April or May , according to the article .
If all goes well , the 240-kilogram ( 530-pound ) golf cart-sized , solar-powered rover is expected to operate for about three months , and the orbiter for two years .
Though small compared to America 's hulking , car-sized 1,025-kilogram ( 2,260-pound ) Perseverance , it 's almost twice as big as the two rovers China has sent to the moon in 2013 and 2019 .
Perseverance is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
This Mars-launching season — which occurs every 26 months when Earth and Mars are at their closest — is especially busy .
The UAE spacecraft Amal , or Hope , which will orbit Mars but not land , is the Arab world ’ s first interplanetary mission .
NASA 's Perseverance rover is up next .
“ At no other time in our history have we seen anything like what is unfolding with these three unique missions to Mars .
Each of them is a science and engineering marvel , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Thomas Zelibor said in an online panel discussion earlier this week .
China 's road to Mars hit a few bumps : A Long March-5 rocket , nicknamed “ Fat 5 ” because of its bulky shape , failed to launch earlier this year .
The coronavirus pandemic forced scientists to work from home .
In March , when instruments needed to be transported from Beijing to Shanghai , three team members drove 12 hours to deliver them .
While China is joining the U.S. , Russia and Europe in creating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it isn ’ t trying to overtake the U.S. lead in space exploration .
Instead , Cheng of the Heritage Foundation said China is in a “ slow race ” with Japan and India to establish itself as Asia ’ s space power .

China launched its most ambitious Mars mission ever on Thursday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet.
The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission, takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China July 23, 2020.
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The Tianwen-1 was launched on a Long March-5 carrier rocket from a launch site on Hainan Island.
It marked the second flight to Mars this week, after a United Arab Emirates orbiter blasted off on a rocket from Japan on Monday. And the U.S. is aiming to launch Perseverance, its most sophisticated Mars rover ever, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, next week.
China’s tandem spacecraft — with both an orbiter and a rover — will take seven months to reach Mars, like the others. If all goes well, Tianwen-1, or “quest for heavenly truth,” will look for underground water, if it’s present, as well as evidence of possible ancient life.
Just now, China's first Mars probe, Tianwen-1, was launched from Wenchang space launch site in Hainan.
Congratulations on China's another step in space exploration!#Mars2020 pic.twitter.com/Olc5yT2gvU — ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) July 23, 2020
This isn’t China’s first attempt at Mars. In 2011, a Chinese orbiter accompanying a Russian mission was lost when the spacecraft failed to get out of Earth’s orbit after launching from Kazakhstan, eventually burning up in the atmosphere.
This time, China is going at it alone. It also is fast-tracking, launching an orbiter and rover on the same mission instead of stringing them out.
China’s secretive space program has developed rapidly in recent decades. Yang Liwei became the first Chinese astronaut in 2003, and last year, Chang’e-4 became the first spacecraft from any country to land on the far side of the moon.
Joining elite club
Conquering Mars would put China in an elite club.
“There is a whole lot of prestige riding on this,” said Dean Cheng, an expert on Chinese aerospace programs at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.
Landing on Mars is notoriously difficult. Only the U.S. has successfully landed a spacecraft on Martian soil, doing it eight times since 1976. NASA's InSight and Curiosity rovers still operate today. Six other spacecraft are exploring Mars from orbit: three American, two European and one from India.
Unlike the two other Mars missions launching this month, China has tightly controlled information about the program — even withholding any name for its rover. National security concerns led the U.S. to curb cooperation between NASA and China's space program.
In an article published earlier this month in Nature Astronomy, mission chief engineer Wan Weixing said Tianwen-1 would slip into orbit around Mars in February and look for a landing site on Utopia Planitia — a plain where NASA has detected possible evidence of underground ice. Wan died in May from cancer.
The landing would then be attempted in April or May, according to the article. If all goes well, the 240-kilogram (530-pound) golf cart-sized, solar-powered rover is expected to operate for about three months, and the orbiter for two years.
Though small compared to America's hulking, car-sized 1,025-kilogram (2,260-pound) Perseverance, it's almost twice as big as the two rovers China has sent to the moon in 2013 and 2019. Perseverance is expected to operate for at least two years.
Mars-launching season every 26 months
This Mars-launching season — which occurs every 26 months when Earth and Mars are at their closest — is especially busy.
The UAE spacecraft Amal, or Hope, which will orbit Mars but not land, is the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. NASA's Perseverance rover is up next.
“At no other time in our history have we seen anything like what is unfolding with these three unique missions to Mars. Each of them is a science and engineering marvel,” the Space Foundation’s chief executive officer Thomas Zelibor said in an online panel discussion earlier this week.
China's road to Mars hit a few bumps: A Long March-5 rocket, nicknamed “Fat 5” because of its bulky shape, failed to launch earlier this year. The coronavirus pandemic forced scientists to work from home. In March, when instruments needed to be transported from Beijing to Shanghai, three team members drove 12 hours to deliver them.
While China is joining the U.S., Russia and Europe in creating a satellite-based global navigation system, experts say it isn’t trying to overtake the U.S. lead in space exploration.
Instead, Cheng of the Heritage Foundation said China is in a “slow race” with Japan and India to establish itself as Asia’s space power.
(AP)
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france24--2020-07-23--'Help us to help you', France's Foreign Minister Le Drian tells Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab , right , receives French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian , as they do n't shake hands to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus , at the Government House , in Beirut , Lebanon , Thursday , July 23 , 2020 .
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met with Lebanon 's president on Thursday at the start of his two-day visit to the Mediterranean country that is witnessing the worst economic crisis of its modern history .
Le Drian is the first Western official to visit Lebanon since the crisis , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deepened since the government defaulted on its debt , the onset of coronavirus restrictions and stalled talks with the International Monetary Fund over an economic rescue plan .
Le Drian had appealed to Lebanese officials to carry out needed reforms , calling on them “ to help us help you '' during a recent session in France 's Parliament .
France , the former colonial power in Lebanon , is also the leading Western nation involved in planning efforts to help the Lebanese economy out of its dire straits .
Lebanon witnessed nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , as part of efforts to introduce austerity measures , levied new taxes on messaging service WhatsApp .
Protesters accused the government of mismanagement and years of corruption and eventually forced the incumbent prime minister , Saad Hariri , to resign .
A new government , backed by the powerful Hezbollah group and its allies , was formed in January and has since been embattled by domestic rivals and economic power centers on ways to proceed with reform and the IMF talks .
Adding to the domestic tension is the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the U.S. 's campaign against Iran and its allies in the region .
Lebanese officials hope successful IMF talks will open the way for $ 11 billion in aid pledged during a 2018 conference hosted by France .
Le Drian met with President Michel Aoun , then Prime Minister Hassan Diab .
He was scheduled to meet other Lebanese officials before his departure Friday .
The economic crisis has sparked a free-fall in the local currency against the dollar , which had been used interchangeably with the Lebanese pound .
Unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid agencies began wide distribution of food to needy families for the first time since Lebanon 's last devastating war with Israel in 2006 .

France's top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian scolded Lebanon's leadership Thursday for failing to take the measures he said are necessary to save the country from collapse.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, right, receives French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, as they don't shake hands to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, at the Government House, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, July 23, 2020.
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"Help us to help you is the message of my visit," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said after meeting Lebanese leaders in Beirut, adding that Paris stood ready to mobilise support but there must be concrete action on reform.
00:28
Lebanon’s financial crisis, rooted in decades of state corruption and waste, marks the biggest threat to the country’s stability since the 1975-90 civil war. A collapsing currency has led to soaring inflation and poverty, and savers have lost free access to accounts in a paralysed banking system.
Le Drian, on the first such visit of a top foreign politician in months, made no secret of his exasperation with a leadership he described as "passive".
"Concrete actions have been expected for too long," Le Drian said, in a statement to the press after meeting his counterpart Nassif Hitti.
The free-falling economy has sparked mass protests since October against a political class accused of being incompetent and corrupt. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs or part of their income.
After the country defaulted on its debt for the first time in March, the government pledged reforms and two months ago started talks with the International Monetary Fund.
But the negotiations have hit a wall, with two top members of the government's own team resigning, allegedly in frustration at the administration's lack of commitment to reform.
"There is no alternative to an IMF programme to allow Lebanon to exit the crisis," Le Drian warned.
Lebanon's government says it needs more than $20 billion in external funding, which includes $11 billion pledged by donors at a Paris conference in 2018 that was never delivered over lack of promised reforms.
‘How passive the authorities of this country are’
Analysts say a deal with the IMF is key to unlocking any further aid.
"France is ready to fully mobilise at Lebanon's side and to mobilise all its partners, but for that serious and credible recovery measures have to be implemented," the French minister said.
He singled out as an example the loss-making electricity sector, where reforms have been dragging for years.
"I can say clearly that what has been done until now in this field is not encouraging," he said.
Le Drian met Prime Minister Hassan Diab, President Michel Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri in the morning.
But his patience was clearly wearing thin as he dished out more criticism during an afternoon visit to Amel, a charity in southern Beirut that helps some of Lebanon's most vulnerable.
"I was reading in Lebanese newspapers that Lebanon was waiting for Le Drian. No, it's France that's waiting for Lebanon," he said.
"What is striking to us is how passive the authorities of this country are," Le Drian said during a conversation with the head of Amel about soaring poverty levels.
‘Help us help you, dammit’
Le Drian's uncompromising tone echoed an appeal he made in the French Senate earlier this month and which was widely reported in Lebanon: "Help us help you, dammit."
"I said dammit the other day in the Senate so I wouldn't have to use a swear word. It was an affectionate word but it came with a dose of anger," he said.
Dozens of businesses in Lebanon are closing down permanently every day, thousands of people are losing their jobs or suffering massive pay cuts and the suicides of citizens submerged by debt have shocked the nation.
Lebanon is burdened by sovereign debt equivalent to 170 percent of its GDP.
Most traffic lights have stopped working in Beirut, electricity is becoming scarce and a growing number of Lebanese are looking for ways to leave the country.
The slow motion collapse of a state that will celebrate its centenary in just over a month has sparked warnings that sectarian violence could return.
Le Drian said that the rest of Lebanon's international partners were on the same page, as was the protest movement that emerged last year to demand reform and an end to corruption.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--Coronavirus cases in Latin America top 4 million, half of them in Brazil

Yawalapiti chief Aritana , suffering from the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , arrives at Sao Francisco de Assis hospital after being transferred from Canarana to Goiania , amid the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , in Goiania , Brazil , July 22 , 2020 .
Brazil and Argentina registered daily records for confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday , pushing the total number of cases in Latin America past 4 million and underlining the difficulty the region faces in controlling the pandemic .
Brazil registered 67,860 additional cases of the virus on Wednesday , along with 1,284 related deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Latin America 's largest nation to 2,227,514 , while deaths rose to 82,771 .
Neighboring Argentina posted a daily record of 5,782 confirmed cases , the vast majority of them in and around the capital , Buenos Aires , taking the total number infected in the country to 141,900 .
Peru , which has the second-highest number of cases in Latin America behind Brazil , added 3,688 previously uncounted people to its death toll on Wednesday , taking fatalities to nearly 17,500 .
The Andean copper-producing country recorded 4,463 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 366,550 , double the number at the start of June .
The numbers point to the struggles nations across the region have had in containing the pandemic , despite widely varying strategies to combat the outbreak .
In Brazil , right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has consistently played down the seriousness of the pandemic , leaving mayors and state governors to implement a patchwork of quarantine orders that have been progressively relaxed .
On July 7 , the former army captain tested positive for the virus and has since said he is taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted despite little proof of its effectiveness .
He tested positive again on Wednesday , a development that could disrupt a planned trip through Brazil 's northeast this week .
Argentina and Peru adopted strict lockdowns early on , but never managed to eliminate community transmission of the virus , and , as in Brazil , leaders have faced increasing pressure to open up the economy as hunger and unemployment bite .
As the Argentine government has eased lockdown measures in recent weeks , the country 's caseload has increased sharply .
Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new confirmed coronavirus infections and 790 additional fatalities , bringing the total in the country to 362,274 cases and 41,190 deaths .
The Mexican government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases .

Brazil and Argentina registered daily records for confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, pushing the total number of cases in Latin America past 4 million and underlining the difficulty the region faces in controlling the pandemic.
Yawalapiti chief Aritana, suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), arrives at Sao Francisco de Assis hospital after being transferred from Canarana to Goiania, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Goiania, Brazil, July 22, 2020.
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Brazil registered 67,860 additional cases of the virus on Wednesday, along with 1,284 related deaths. That brought the total number of cases in Latin America's largest nation to 2,227,514, while deaths rose to 82,771.
Neighboring Argentina posted a daily record of 5,782 confirmed cases, the vast majority of them in and around the capital, Buenos Aires, taking the total number infected in the country to 141,900.
Peru, which has the second-highest number of cases in Latin America behind Brazil, added 3,688 previously uncounted people to its death toll on Wednesday, taking fatalities to nearly 17,500.
The Andean copper-producing country recorded 4,463 new cases for the day, taking its total to 366,550, double the number at the start of June.
The numbers point to the struggles nations across the region have had in containing the pandemic, despite widely varying strategies to combat the outbreak.
In Brazil, right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has consistently played down the seriousness of the pandemic, leaving mayors and state governors to implement a patchwork of quarantine orders that have been progressively relaxed.
On July 7, the former army captain tested positive for the virus and has since said he is taking hydroxychloroquine, a drug he has consistently promoted despite little proof of its effectiveness.
He tested positive again on Wednesday, a development that could disrupt a planned trip through Brazil's northeast this week.
Argentina and Peru adopted strict lockdowns early on, but never managed to eliminate community transmission of the virus, and, as in Brazil, leaders have faced increasing pressure to open up the economy as hunger and unemployment bite.
As the Argentine government has eased lockdown measures in recent weeks, the country's caseload has increased sharply.
Mexico's Health Ministry reported on Wednesday 6,019 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 790 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 362,274 cases and 41,190 deaths.
The Mexican government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-22--Militarization of US democracy? Trump deploys federal agents to Portland protests

Militarization of US democracy ?
Trump deploys federal agents to Portland protests Why has Donald Trump deployed federal agents in @ @ @ @ @ to the streets of Portland , Oregon ?
The Department of Homeland Security overruled objections @ @ @ @ @ that the forces were there to quell `` lawlessness '' .
François Picard 's panel @ @ @ @ @ the motives of the US president 's move in an election year .
How will @ @ @ @ @ with voters in November ?
Is Trump putting US democracy to the test ?

Militarization of US democracy? Trump deploys federal agents to Portland protests
41:36 THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24
By: François PICARD Follow | Charles WENTE
Why has Donald Trump deployed federal agents in camouflage – many unidentified – to the streets of Portland, Oregon? The Department of Homeland Security overruled objections from local authorities, insisting that the forces were there to quell "lawlessness". François Picard's panel argues over the legality and the motives of the US president's move in an election year. How will this deployment of force play with voters in November? Is Trump putting US democracy to the test?
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france24--2020-07-22--Jihadists in northeast Nigeria execute five abducted humanitarian workers

Jihadists have killed five aid workers abducted last month in restive northeast Nigeria , group Action Against Hunger said Wednesday .
The announcement came after insurgents affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group released a video online purporting to show the execution of the five Nigerian men .
`` It is with profound grief that we confirm the murder of Ishaku Yakubu , Action Against Hunger ( ACF ) staff member from Monguno , and four other aid workers , '' the French-based aid group said .
It said the humanitarian workers `` were taken hostage by a non-state armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on June 8 '' .
`` This unjustifiable killing reflects the immense difficulty faced by independent and impartial humanitarian actors , and the violence we are exposed to every day to fulfil our mission , '' ACF said .
Aid group International Rescue Committee ( IRC ) confirmed that one of its employees was also among those killed .
`` The IRC strongly condemns the senseless execution of our colleague , Luka Filibus , and his fellow humanitarian captives , '' it said .
`` We condemn this barbaric treatment and demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family . ''
Humanitarian workers have been repeatedly targeted by jihadist groups waging a decade-long insurgency in northeast Nigeria .
Nigeria 's President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his sympathy `` for the families of the five aid workers '' and pledged the jihadists would be `` wiped out completely '' .
`` Security agencies in the state will work closely with their organisations to implement measures to ensure that no such kidnapping of staff occurs again , '' a statement from the presidency said .
The 10-year conflict in northeast Nigeria has killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their homes .
Last year fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP ) faction abducted a group of six humanitarian workers -- including a female ACF employee -- in the region .
Five of the hostages were later executed and the ACF worker remains in captivity .
ISWAP splintered from jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016 and swore allegiance to then IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
Aid groups provide a vital lifeline for some 7.9 million people who the United Nations says are in need of urgent assistance @ @ @ @

Jihadists have killed five aid workers abducted last month in restive northeast Nigeria, group Action Against Hunger said Wednesday.
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The announcement came after insurgents affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group released a video online purporting to show the execution of the five Nigerian men.
"It is with profound grief that we confirm the murder of Ishaku Yakubu, Action Against Hunger (ACF) staff member from Monguno, and four other aid workers," the French-based aid group said.
It said the humanitarian workers "were taken hostage by a non-state armed group in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, on June 8".
"This unjustifiable killing reflects the immense difficulty faced by independent and impartial humanitarian actors, and the violence we are exposed to every day to fulfil our mission," ACF said.
Aid group International Rescue Committee (IRC) confirmed that one of its employees was also among those killed.
"The IRC strongly condemns the senseless execution of our colleague, Luka Filibus, and his fellow humanitarian captives," it said.
"We condemn this barbaric treatment and demand the immediate return of his remains to his family."
Humanitarian workers have been repeatedly targeted by jihadist groups waging a decade-long insurgency in northeast Nigeria.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his sympathy "for the families of the five aid workers" and pledged the jihadists would be "wiped out completely".
"Security agencies in the state will work closely with their organisations to implement measures to ensure that no such kidnapping of staff occurs again," a statement from the presidency said.
The 10-year conflict in northeast Nigeria has killed 36,000 people and displaced about two million from their homes.
Last year fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction abducted a group of six humanitarian workers -- including a female ACF employee -- in the region.
Five of the hostages were later executed and the ACF worker remains in captivity.
ISWAP splintered from jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016 and swore allegiance to then IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Aid groups provide a vital lifeline for some 7.9 million people who the United Nations says are in need of urgent assistance in the region.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-23--Extradition to France underway for Chilean accused of murdering Japanese ex-girlfriend

An image grab shows Nicolas Zepeda attending a virtual court on his extradition case in Santiago , on May 27 , 2020 .
After more than three years evading French prosecutors , Chilean police on Wednesday began the extradition to France of Nicolas Zepeda , accused of murdering his Japanese ex-girlfriend in the French city of Besancon in 2016 .
Police escorted the 29-year-old from the seaside resort of Vina del Mar , 120 kilometers ( 75 miles ) west of Santiago , where he had been under house arrest , at 8:41 pm ( 0041 GMT Thursday ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of schedule .
He is expected to be handed over to French authorities at the Santiago international airport , and is due to board an Air France flight at 2:55 pm ( 1855 GMT ) Thursday bound for Paris .
Narumi Kurosaki , then 21 , vanished from her university in Besancon , near the French Alps in December 2016 after eating with Zepeda .
He had returned to Chile by the time her disappearance was reported days later .
French investigators believe he killed Kurosaki in a jealous rage -- but her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searches .
Zepeda has been under house arrest with police surveillance in Vina del Mar .
His extradition will end a legal process in Chile that began in March when authorities finally accepted a request from French prosecutors to hand him over .
The process was delayed and complicated by the novel coronavirus pandemic and the closing of borders .
This will be the third extradition of a Chilean to France , and comes even though French authorities refuse to send former Chilean guerrilla Ricardo Palma Salamanca back to his homeland to stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator Jaime Guzman , who was close to several members of President Sebastian Pinera 's cabinet .
`` The Zepeda case is of a criminal nature and gender violence is not a political trial nor does it compromise the political relations between Chile and France , '' analyst Rene Jara , from Santiago University , told AFP .
`` The priorities have changed and what 's given preference now is maintaining relationships with strategic partners , '' added Jara .
'We will never forgive' The plane is expected to land at the Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am ( 1255 GMT ) on Friday .
Zepeda , the only suspect in the case , will then be transferred to Besancon to stand trial .
`` Three years have passed since my beloved daughter disappeared ...
I pray that Nicolas will be tried in France , I would give my life for this , '' said Kurosaki 's mother Taeko in a moving letter presented to the court in Chile .
`` We will never forgive Nicolas , who took Narumi 's life and her from the whole family . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Besancon at the beginning of December 2016 to see his former girlfriend .
On the evening of December 4 , the pair entered her residence together .
French prosecutors say several students heard `` howls of terror , cries '' that night , but nobody called the police .
Zepeda , the son of a wealthy Chilean family , met Kurosaki in Japan in 2014 .
At the time of her disappearance , the pair had broken up and she was in a new relationship , which prosecutors said angered Zepeda , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later removed .
Investigators said that in the days before her disappearance , Zepeda flew to France , hired a car and drove to Besancon to meet her .
On the way , they said he stopped to buy matches , flammable liquid and bleach at a supermarket .
Zepeda was questioned in April last year by a Chilean judge in the presence of French investigators .
He denies any hand in Kurosaki 's disappearance .
While the case has generated little interest in Chile it has been followed closely in both France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be represented in France by Jacqueline Laffont , who once defended former France president Nicolas Sarkozy in a corruption case .

After more than three years evading French prosecutors, Chilean police on Wednesday began the extradition to France of Nicolas Zepeda, accused of murdering his Japanese ex-girlfriend in the French city of Besancon in 2016.
An image grab shows Nicolas Zepeda attending a virtual court on his extradition case in Santiago, on May 27, 2020.
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Police escorted the 29-year-old from the seaside resort of Vina del Mar, 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Santiago, where he had been under house arrest, at 8:41 pm (0041 GMT Thursday) to begin the journey to the airport ahead of schedule.
He is expected to be handed over to French authorities at the Santiago international airport, and is due to board an Air France flight at 2:55 pm (1855 GMT) Thursday bound for Paris.
Narumi Kurosaki, then 21, vanished from her university in Besancon, near the French Alps in December 2016 after eating with Zepeda.
He had returned to Chile by the time her disappearance was reported days later.
French investigators believe he killed Kurosaki in a jealous rage -- but her body was never found, despite extensive searches.
Zepeda has been under house arrest with police surveillance in Vina del Mar.
His extradition will end a legal process in Chile that began in March when authorities finally accepted a request from French prosecutors to hand him over.
The process was delayed and complicated by the novel coronavirus pandemic and the closing of borders.
This will be the third extradition of a Chilean to France, and comes even though French authorities refuse to send former Chilean guerrilla Ricardo Palma Salamanca back to his homeland to stand trial for the 1991 murder of right-wing senator Jaime Guzman, who was close to several members of President Sebastian Pinera's cabinet.
"The Zepeda case is of a criminal nature and gender violence is not a political trial nor does it compromise the political relations between Chile and France," analyst Rene Jara, from Santiago University, told AFP.
"The priorities have changed and what's given preference now is maintaining relationships with strategic partners," added Jara.
'We will never forgive'
The plane is expected to land at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at 10:55 am (1255 GMT) on Friday.
Zepeda, the only suspect in the case, will then be transferred to Besancon to stand trial.
"Three years have passed since my beloved daughter disappeared ... I pray that Nicolas will be tried in France, I would give my life for this," said Kurosaki's mother Taeko in a moving letter presented to the court in Chile.
"We will never forgive Nicolas, who took Narumi's life and her from the whole family."
According to investigators, Zepeda went to Besancon at the beginning of December 2016 to see his former girlfriend.
On the evening of December 4, the pair entered her residence together.
French prosecutors say several students heard "howls of terror, cries" that night, but nobody called the police.
Zepeda, the son of a wealthy Chilean family, met Kurosaki in Japan in 2014.
At the time of her disappearance, the pair had broken up and she was in a new relationship, which prosecutors said angered Zepeda, who threatened Kurosaki in an online video he later removed.
Investigators said that in the days before her disappearance, Zepeda flew to France, hired a car and drove to Besancon to meet her.
On the way, they said he stopped to buy matches, flammable liquid and bleach at a supermarket.
Zepeda was questioned in April last year by a Chilean judge in the presence of French investigators. He denies any hand in Kurosaki's disappearance.
While the case has generated little interest in Chile it has been followed closely in both France and Japan.
Zepeda is due to be represented in France by Jacqueline Laffont, who once defended former France president Nicolas Sarkozy in a corruption case.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-23--Sudan finds mass grave of Sudanese officers involved in failed 1990 coup

A file photo taken on April 1 , 2019 of former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir .
Sudan has found a mass grave that most likely contains remains of 28 army officers executed in 1990 for plotting an attempted coup against the former President Omar al-Bashir , the public prosecutor office said late on Thursday .
The officers were executed in mysterious circumstances after a quick military trial one year after Bashir himself took the power in a military coup in 1989 .
Their burial site was not disclosed for decades .
`` The public prosecution managed to find a mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely the graveyard where the bodies of the officers who were killed and buried in a brutal manner , '' the public prosecutor said in a statement .
A team of 29 experts reached this result after an effort that lasted for three weeks , and more forensic and investigative measures will be taken in the site , the statement added .
The public prosecutor assured the families of the executed officers that `` such crimes will not pass without a just trial '' .
Bashir appeared in court on Tuesday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military coup that brought him to power in 1989 .
He was ousted by the army in April 2019 , after months of mass protests .
Bashir 's attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment .
Local media reports said earlier this month that prosecutors questioned Bashir over the 1990 executions .
The prosecution has not publicly commented on the matter .
Last month , Sudan 's public prosecutor announced the discovery of a mass grave east of Khartoum suspected to contain the remains of students killed in 1998 as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp .
Bashir already was handed down a two-year sentence by a court in December on corruption charges .
Bashir also faces trials and investigations over the killing of protesters .
He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) , which issued arrest warrants against him in 2009 and 2010 on charges of genocide , war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan ’ s restive Darfur region .

Sudan has found a mass grave that most likely contains remains of 28 army officers executed in 1990 for plotting an attempted coup against the former President Omar al-Bashir, the public prosecutor office said late on Thursday.
A picture taken on June 13, 2020, shows members of a forensic team at a cemetary, where a mass grave of conscripts killed in 1998 was discovered, in the Sahafa neighbourhood, south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum.
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The officers were executed in mysterious circumstances after a quick military trial one year after Bashir himself took the power in a military coup in 1989. Their burial site was not disclosed for decades.
"The public prosecution managed to find a mass grave that data indicates that it is most likely the graveyard where the bodies of the officers who were killed and buried in a brutal manner," the public prosecutor said in a statement.
A team of 29 experts reached this result after an effort that lasted for three weeks, and more forensic and investigative measures will be taken in the site, the statement added.
The public prosecutor assured the families of the executed officers that "such crimes will not pass without a just trial".
Bashir appeared in court on Tuesday at the opening of his trial for leading the military coup that brought him to power in 1989. He was ousted by the army in April 2019, after months of mass protests.
Bashir's attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment.
Local media reports said earlier this month that prosecutors questioned Bashir over the 1990 executions. The prosecution has not publicly commented on the matter.
Last month, Sudan's public prosecutor announced the discovery of a mass grave east of Khartoum suspected to contain the remains of students killed in 1998 as they tried escaping military service at a training camp.
Bashir already was handed down a two-year sentence by a court in December on corruption charges. Bashir also faces trials and investigations over the killing of protesters.
He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants against him in 2009 and 2010 on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s restive Darfur region.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--French soldier killed in combat in Mali

French soldier killed in combat in Mali

In this photo taken on March 26 , 2019 , a French soldier is securing a perimeter during a break in a military convoy trip in Mali .
A French soldier from the army ’ s First Parachute Hussar Regiment was killed in combat in Mali , President Emmanuel Macron 's office said Thursday .
`` This soldier ... was killed in fighting against armed terrorist groups , when an improvised explosive device was triggered next to his armoured vehicle , '' the presidency said in a statement .
France has more than 5,000 troops in the West African Sahel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight Islamist militants in the area .
The news of the French soldier 's death came as leaders of five West African countries were holding a one-day summit in the Malian capital , Bamako , in a bid to resolve the country 's escalating political and security crises .
The presidents of Senegal , Ivory Coast , Ghana , Nigeria and Niger were meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and leaders of a protest movement clamouring for his resignation .
The unrest deeply worries Mali 's neighbours and allies , who fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could slide into chaos .
The impoverished nation of around 20 million people has been struggling to contain an insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 before spreading to its centre , as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger .
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict , and hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes .
France started its military operations in Mali in 2013 , after northern Mali was seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Tuareg rebellion in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous year .
The French military successfully drove extremists from several key towns , but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso .

A French soldier from the army’s First Parachute Hussar Regiment was killed in combat in Mali, President Emmanuel Macron's office said Thursday.
In this photo taken on March 26, 2019, a French soldier is securing a perimeter during a break in a military convoy trip in Mali.
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"This soldier ... was killed in fighting against armed terrorist groups, when an improvised explosive device was triggered next to his armoured vehicle," the presidency said in a statement.
France has more than 5,000 troops in the West African Sahel region as part of international efforts to fight Islamist militants in the area.
The news of the French soldier's death came as leaders of five West African countries were holding a one-day summit in the Malian capital, Bamako, in a bid to resolve the country's escalating political and security crises.
The presidents of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Niger were meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and leaders of a protest movement clamouring for his resignation.
The unrest deeply worries Mali's neighbours and allies, who fear a country bloodied by a jihadist insurgency could slide into chaos.
The impoverished nation of around 20 million people has been struggling to contain an insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 before spreading to its centre, as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict, and hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes.
France started its military operations in Mali in 2013, after northern Mali was seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Tuareg rebellion in the country’s northern desert regions the previous year.
The French military successfully drove extremists from several key towns, but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--West African leaders meet in Mali in bid to ease country’s political crisis

Mali 's Prime Minister Boubou Cisse greets former Nigerian president and Mali crisis mediator Goodluck Jonathan upon his arrival in Bamako on July 23 , 2020 .
West African leaders gathered in Bamako on Thursday in a fresh push to end an escalating political crisis in the fragile state of Mali amid fears it could undermine a regional fight against Islamist militants .
In an exceptional one-day summit , the presidents of Senegal , Ivory Coast , Ghana , Nigeria and Niger were meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and leaders of a protest movement clamouring for his resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours and allies , who fear a country bloodied by a jihadist insurgency could slide into chaos .
A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the airport where Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara , Senegal 's Macky Sall , Nigeria 's Muhammadu Buhari , Niger 's Mahamadou Issoufou and Ghana 's Nana Akufo-Addo were set to arrive for the summit .
`` We 're here to demand IBK 's resignation and ensure our comrades who have been killed are not forgotten , '' said Yaya Sylla , a young protester , using the acronym @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The opposition umbrella group , `` Movement of 5 June – Rally of Patriotic Forces '' ( M5-RPF ) , named after the date anti-government protests began , has tapped into deep anger over Keita 's perceived failure to tackle the dire economy , corruption and the eight-year jihadist revolt .
At least 14 protesters were killed this month in clashes with the police , according to the UN .
The M5-RFP , whose figurehead is Saudi-trained Muslim cleric Mahmoud Dicko , has said it will not quit until Keita steps down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protracted crisis .
`` M5-RFP demands the resignation of Keita or the satisfaction of our demands , '' which include the establishment of a committee of inquiry into civilian deaths and a transitional government , the group 's spokesman Nouhoum Togo told reporters on Thursday .
The summit comes on the heels of a five-day mediation mission from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) , which ended on Sunday without reconciling the two sides .
`` It is this Thursday that the last act is played , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Malian opposition politician who declined to be named .
The West African leaders will weigh on proposed solutions that have been crafted in behind-the-scenes talks between the president and opposition this week .
Keita , who came to power in 2013 , has come under increasing pressure to end Mali 's long-running jihadist conflict .
The impoverished nation of around 20 million people has been struggling to contain an insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 before spreading to its centre , as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the conflict , and hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes .
But much of the current tension was sparked in April , when the constitutional court tossed out 31 results from the parliamentary elections , benefiting Keita 's party and sparking protests .
Tensions then ratcheted up into a crisis on July 10 when an anti-Keita rally organised by the M5-RFP movement turned violent .
Protesters blocked bridges in Bamako , stormed the premises of the state broadcaster and attacked the parliament .
Seeking a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new unity government including opposition members and appointing new constitutional court judges who could potentially re-examine disputed election results .
But Mali 's opposition movement has repeatedly rejected any outcome that did not involve Keita 's departure .
Despite the apparent failure of the ECOWAS mediators , the president 's camp and opposition figures have quietly been talking all week and the M5-RFP notably suspended protests ahead of the forthcoming Eid festival .
Brema Ely Dicko , a sociologist at the University of Bamako , suggested the opposition may be prepared to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Keita 's .
`` The M5-RFP is obliged to keep up the pressure to at least get something , '' he said .
A European diplomat in Bamako who declined to be named said that the opposition may have overplayed its hand in demanding Keita 's departure .
`` Nobody wants to open the door to a period of political instability in Mali , which remains the epicentre of the Sahel security crisis , '' he added .

West African leaders gathered in Bamako on Thursday in a fresh push to end an escalating political crisis in the fragile state of Mali amid fears it could undermine a regional fight against Islamist militants.
Mali's Prime Minister Boubou Cisse greets former Nigerian president and Mali crisis mediator Goodluck Jonathan upon his arrival in Bamako on July 23, 2020.
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In an exceptional one-day summit, the presidents of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Niger were meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and leaders of a protest movement clamouring for his resignation.
The unrest deeply worries Mali's neighbours and allies, who fear a country bloodied by a jihadist insurgency could slide into chaos.
A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the airport where Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Senegal's Macky Sall, Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari, Niger's Mahamadou Issoufou and Ghana's Nana Akufo-Addo were set to arrive for the summit.
"We're here to demand IBK's resignation and ensure our comrades who have been killed are not forgotten," said Yaya Sylla, a young protester, using the acronym by which Mali's leader is known.
The opposition umbrella group, "Movement of 5 June – Rally of Patriotic Forces" (M5-RPF), named after the date anti-government protests began, has tapped into deep anger over Keita's perceived failure to tackle the dire economy, corruption and the eight-year jihadist revolt.
At least 14 protesters were killed this month in clashes with the police, according to the UN.
The M5-RFP, whose figurehead is Saudi-trained Muslim cleric Mahmoud Dicko, has said it will not quit until Keita steps down, raising concerns in neighbouring countries of a protracted crisis.
"M5-RFP demands the resignation of Keita or the satisfaction of our demands," which include the establishment of a committee of inquiry into civilian deaths and a transitional government, the group's spokesman Nouhoum Togo told reporters on Thursday.
'The curtain will fall'
The summit comes on the heels of a five-day mediation mission from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which ended on Sunday without reconciling the two sides.
"It is this Thursday that the last act is played, the curtain will fall," said a Malian opposition politician who declined to be named.
The West African leaders will weigh on proposed solutions that have been crafted in behind-the-scenes talks between the president and opposition this week.
Keita, who came to power in 2013, has come under increasing pressure to end Mali's long-running jihadist conflict.
The impoverished nation of around 20 million people has been struggling to contain an insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 before spreading to its centre, as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict, and hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes.
But much of the current tension was sparked in April, when the constitutional court tossed out 31 results from the parliamentary elections, benefiting Keita's party and sparking protests.
Tensions then ratcheted up into a crisis on July 10 when an anti-Keita rally organised by the M5-RFP movement turned violent.
Protesters blocked bridges in Bamako, stormed the premises of the state broadcaster and attacked the parliament.
Seeking a way out, ECOWAS mediators suggested forming a new unity government including opposition members and appointing new constitutional court judges who could potentially re-examine disputed election results.
But Mali's opposition movement has repeatedly rejected any outcome that did not involve Keita's departure.
Possible compromise?
Despite the apparent failure of the ECOWAS mediators, the president's camp and opposition figures have quietly been talking all week and the M5-RFP notably suspended protests ahead of the forthcoming Eid festival.
Brema Ely Dicko, a sociologist at the University of Bamako, suggested the opposition may be prepared to accept Prime Minister Boubou Cisse's resignation instead of Keita's.
"The M5-RFP is obliged to keep up the pressure to at least get something," he said.
A European diplomat in Bamako who declined to be named said that the opposition may have overplayed its hand in demanding Keita's departure.
"Nobody wants to open the door to a period of political instability in Mali, which remains the epicentre of the Sahel security crisis," he added.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--Bolivian elections postponed again due to Covid-19, this time until October

Salvador Romero , the president of the Bolivia ’ s Supreme Electoral Tribunal ( TSE ) , speaks at a press conference in La Paz on July 23 , 2020 .
Bolivia postponed its general elections on Thursday for a second time because of the coronavirus pandemic , putting it off until October 18 , officials said .
The poll was originally supposed to be held in May but had been rescheduled to September 6 after the country went into lockdown following the virus outbreak .
Salvador Romero , who heads the country 's electoral court , said the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical experts warned that COVID-19 infections would peak in Bolivia in late August or early September .
`` The definitive date for the election gives better conditions for health protection , outside voting facilities and the arrival of international observer missions , '' said Romero .
A second round run-off -- should there be one -- would take place on November 29 , the electoral court chief added .
The Catholic Church joined forces with conservatives earlier Thursday to push for a postponement in response to a rise in coronavirus infections .
Bolivia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over 2,300 deaths from the disease .
The Movement for Socialism party of former president Evo Morales , whose candidate Luis Arce led the most recent opinion polls , insisted that the election should go ahead on the original September date .
But Romero said that `` elections require the maximum possible security . ''
However , he acknowledged that Bolivia was suffering from `` serious polarization '' and that the reasons for Morales 's resignation following a controversial poll he won last October `` have not disappeared . ''
Morales fled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests over his re-election in a poll he was constitutionally barred from standing in .
He had tried to hold on to power but lost the backing of the country 's military after an Organization of American States audit found clear evidence of election fraud .
Morales is currently living in exile in Argentina and is barred from standing in the general election , even as a legislator .
Former conservative Senate vice president Jeanine Anez assumed the interim presidency after Morales left the country but her tenure -- originally intended merely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be organized -- has been criticized for dragging on and lacking legitimacy .

Bolivia postponed its general elections on Thursday for a second time because of the coronavirus pandemic, putting it off until October 18, officials said.
Salvador Romero, the president of the Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), speaks at a press conference in La Paz on July 23, 2020.
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The poll was originally supposed to be held in May but had been rescheduled to September 6 after the country went into lockdown following the virus outbreak.
Salvador Romero, who heads the country's electoral court, said the decision to delay the elections again came after medical experts warned that COVID-19 infections would peak in Bolivia in late August or early September.
"The definitive date for the election gives better conditions for health protection, outside voting facilities and the arrival of international observer missions," said Romero.
A second round run-off -- should there be one -- would take place on November 29, the electoral court chief added.
The Catholic Church joined forces with conservatives earlier Thursday to push for a postponement in response to a rise in coronavirus infections.
Bolivia has recorded more than 64,000 COVID-19 cases and over 2,300 deaths from the disease.
Party of former president Morales wanted September date
The Movement for Socialism party of former president Evo Morales, whose candidate Luis Arce led the most recent opinion polls, insisted that the election should go ahead on the original September date.
But Romero said that "elections require the maximum possible security."
However, he acknowledged that Bolivia was suffering from "serious polarization" and that the reasons for Morales's resignation following a controversial poll he won last October "have not disappeared."
Morales fled the country in November following three weeks of protests over his re-election in a poll he was constitutionally barred from standing in.
He had tried to hold on to power but lost the backing of the country's military after an Organization of American States audit found clear evidence of election fraud.
Morales is currently living in exile in Argentina and is barred from standing in the general election, even as a legislator.
Former conservative Senate vice president Jeanine Anez assumed the interim presidency after Morales left the country but her tenure -- originally intended merely as a stopgap until new elections could be organized -- has been criticized for dragging on and lacking legitimacy.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-07-23--Chinese researcher is sheltering in Beijing’s San Francisco consulate, US says

People attempt to talk to someone at the Chinese consulate in Houston on July 22 , 2020 , the day US authorities gave the consulate three days to close .
A Chinese researcher is sheltering at Beijing ’ s consulate in San Francisco and the FBI has arrested three Chinese nationals for visa fraud , the US Justice Department said Thursday , adding that all four are believed to have been members of China ’ s military posing as researchers .
The FBI has recently interviewed visa holders believed to be members of the Chinese military in more than 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juan Tang , the researcher whom the department believes has taken refuge in the San Francisco consulate , lied about her affiliation to China ’ s Peoples ’ Liberation Army ( PLA ) in a visa application last October in order to work at the University of California , Davis , and lied again during an FBI interview last month , according to a Justice Department criminal complaint that charges her with visa fraud .
Agents found photographs of Tang in a uniform of the PLA ’ s civilian cadre and news articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the FBI interviewed Tang , she denied having served in the military or knowing the significance of the insignia of her uniform .
Agents found more evidence of her military affiliation when they later searched her home , according to the department ’ s criminal complaint .
“ The FBI assesses that , at some point following the search and interview of Tang on June 20 , 2020 , Tang went to the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , where the FBI assesses she has remained , ” prosecutors wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the detention of another Chinese scientist who the Justice Department says lied about his military background to get into the US .
US orders Chinese consulate in Houston to close The allegation comes amid rising US-China tensions .
Earlier this week , the US ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston , and the Justice Department charged two Chinese hackers with targeting firms working on vaccines for the coronavirus .
On Tuesday night , Houston authorities responded to reports of a fire at the Chinese consulate .
Witnesses said that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be trash cans , the Houston Chronicle reported , citing police .
“ The United States will not tolerate [ China ’ s ] violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated ( its ) unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior , ” US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said .
‘ Breaking down the bridge of friendship ’ China on Thursday slammed the “ malicious slander ” behind the consulate closure order , maintaining that its officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the move against the consulate , the first one China opened in the US after the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979 , goes against the basic norms of international relations .
“ This is breaking down the bridge of friendship between the Chinese and American people , ” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing .
He also warned that “ China will surely take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests , ” without providing details .

A Chinese researcher is sheltering at Beijing’s consulate in San Francisco and the FBI has arrested three Chinese nationals for visa fraud, the US Justice Department said Thursday, adding that all four are believed to have been members of China’s military posing as researchers.
People attempt to talk to someone at the Chinese consulate in Houston on July 22, 2020, the day US authorities gave the consulate three days to close.
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The FBI has recently interviewed visa holders believed to be members of the Chinese military in more than 25 US cities, the department said.
Juan Tang, the researcher whom the department believes has taken refuge in the San Francisco consulate, lied about her affiliation to China’s Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) in a visa application last October in order to work at the University of California, Davis, and lied again during an FBI interview last month, according to a Justice Department criminal complaint that charges her with visa fraud.
Agents found photographs of Tang in a uniform of the PLA’s civilian cadre and news articles from China that identified her military affiliation.
When the FBI interviewed Tang, she denied having served in the military or knowing the significance of the insignia of her uniform.
Agents found more evidence of her military affiliation when they later searched her home, according to the department’s criminal complaint.
“The FBI assesses that, at some point following the search and interview of Tang on June 20, 2020, Tang went to the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, where the FBI assesses she has remained,” prosecutors wrote in a July 20 court filing that seeks the detention of another Chinese scientist who the Justice Department says lied about his military background to get into the US.
US orders Chinese consulate in Houston to close
The allegation comes amid rising US-China tensions. Earlier this week, the US ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, and the Justice Department charged two Chinese hackers with targeting firms working on vaccines for the coronavirus.
On Tuesday night, Houston authorities responded to reports of a fire at the Chinese consulate. Witnesses said that people were burning paper in what appeared to be trash cans, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing police.
About 8:25 pm on Tuesday, our officers responded to a meet the firefighter call to the China Consulate General in Houston building at 3417 Montrose Blvd.
Smoke was observed in an outside courtyard area. Officers were not granted access to enter the building. 1/2 — Houston Police (@houstonpolice) July 22, 2020
“The United States will not tolerate [China’s] violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated (its) unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior,” US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.
‘Breaking down the bridge of friendship’
China on Thursday slammed the “malicious slander” behind the consulate closure order, maintaining that its officials never operated outside ordinary diplomatic rules.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the move against the consulate, the first one China opened in the US after the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979, goes against the basic norms of international relations.
“This is breaking down the bridge of friendship between the Chinese and American people,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.
He also warned that “China will surely take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” without providing details.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--‘Intensifying’ rise in French Covid-19 cases as death toll also edges up

Passengers walk past a sign for free Covid-19 testing at the Bordeaux-Merignac Airport in Merignac , southwestern France , on July 23 , 2020 .
France 's public health authority said on Thursday there had been a significant rise in confirmed new cases of people suffering from Covid-19 , as the number of deaths in the country edged up .
The number of deaths in France from Covid-19 rose by 10 from the previous day to 30,182 – the sixth highest casualty toll in the world .
The number of confirmed new cases rose by 1,000 , a 66 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adhered less to social distancing measures and increased testing led to the discovery of new clusters in parts of the country .
The “ increase is intensifying ” , the public health authority said .
The uptick in virus circulation led the French government to issue a decree making masks compulsory in enclosed public places as of Monday with offenders subject to a €135 fine .
While masks are not a political issue in France , unlike in some countries , the new and sudden financial burden of stocking up on the basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail out 40 million masks for 7 million people who the state considers are most in need .

France's public health authority said on Thursday there had been a significant rise in confirmed new cases of people suffering from Covid-19, as the number of deaths in the country edged up.
Passengers walk past a sign for free Covid-19 testing at the Bordeaux-Merignac Airport in Merignac, southwestern France, on July 23, 2020.
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The number of deaths in France from Covid-19 rose by 10 from the previous day to 30,182 – the sixth highest casualty toll in the world.
The number of confirmed new cases rose by 1,000, a 66 percent increase in three weeks, as people adhered less to social distancing measures and increased testing led to the discovery of new clusters in parts of the country.
The “increase is intensifying”, the public health authority said.
The uptick in virus circulation led the French government to issue a decree making masks compulsory in enclosed public places as of Monday with offenders subject to a €135 fine.
While masks are not a political issue in France, unlike in some countries, the new and sudden financial burden of stocking up on the basic protective equipment has led the government to mail out 40 million masks for 7 million people who the state considers are most in need.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-07-23--China is pursuing ‘demographic genocide’ against Uighurs, leading scholar says

In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Adrian Zenz , a German scholar behind a chilling series of revelations about China 's policies against the Uighur minority , said Beijing was pursuing “ demographic genocide ” through the use of mass forced sterilisation campaigns .
Zenz said he had unearthed documents from the Chinese authorities indicating a massive drop in population growth in the western Xinjiang region and precise orders given to the authorities to attain that goal .
He claimed the goal was `` ethnic dilution '' by bringing more ethnic Han into the area while bringing down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Zenz noted that birth suppression being one of the five criteria used by the UN to define genocide , his findings illustrate that `` demographic genocide '' is underway in Xinjiang .
The US-based scholar brushed aside claims in the official Chinese media that he was an extremist Catholic firebrand and a US intelligence asset , stressing that he had become `` a very big problem for Beijing '' precisely because he had drawn his reports from official Chinese data .
He said he was not concerned by reports that China may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not received any direct threats , saying however that he was about to meet the local FBI in that regard .
Zenz said he had noted the beginning of a shift in terms of Western reaction to the situation in Xinjiang , for instance with France 's foreign minister earlier this week condemning the treatment of Uighurs .
But he lamented that Western leaders had failed to personally denounce the abuses , saying they were `` prioritising our own self-interest over the dire human rights situation of another people '' .

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Adrian Zenz, a German scholar behind a chilling series of revelations about China's policies against the Uighur minority, said Beijing was pursuing “demographic genocide” through the use of mass forced sterilisation campaigns.
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Zenz said he had unearthed documents from the Chinese authorities indicating a massive drop in population growth in the western Xinjiang region and precise orders given to the authorities to attain that goal. He claimed the goal was "ethnic dilution" by bringing more ethnic Han into the area while bringing down the birth rate of Uighurs through forced sterilisation.
Zenz noted that birth suppression being one of the five criteria used by the UN to define genocide, his findings illustrate that "demographic genocide" is underway in Xinjiang.
The US-based scholar brushed aside claims in the official Chinese media that he was an extremist Catholic firebrand and a US intelligence asset, stressing that he had become "a very big problem for Beijing" precisely because he had drawn his reports from official Chinese data. He said he was not concerned by reports that China may sue him and added that he had not received any direct threats, saying however that he was about to meet the local FBI in that regard.
Zenz said he had noted the beginning of a shift in terms of Western reaction to the situation in Xinjiang, for instance with France's foreign minister earlier this week condemning the treatment of Uighurs. But he lamented that Western leaders had failed to personally denounce the abuses, saying they were "prioritising our own self-interest over the dire human rights situation of another people".
>> Watch our Reporters show: Surviving China's Uighur camps
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france24--2020-07-23--France dispatches free Covid-19 face masks to 7 million amid hardship concerns

Face masks are mandatory in France as of Monday in closed public spaces with offenders subject to a €135 fine .
And while the fact of donning a mask to stymie the spread of coronavirus is n't the political issue in France that it has become in some countries , the new and sudden financial burden of stocking up on the basic protective equipment has come up for debate .
As a result , 40 million masks are in the mail for seven million whom the state considers most in need .
Consumer groups , anti-poverty associations and left-wing political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the high cost of masking up in France as closed public spaces like shops became inaccessible to anyone unequipped .
Emmanuel Macron addressed the matter on Tuesday , pledging the state would come to the aid of the poorest , but stopping short of footing the bill for everybody .
`` It is not up to the State — and the French taxpayer — to pay for masks ... for everyone , all the time , '' the French president told TF1 on Tuesday .
`` So I think it should remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health Minister Olivier Véran on Wednesday elaborated on the president 's pledge , saying a flurry of masks would be mailed out `` within only a few days '' .
`` We will send out 40 million washable masks for the general public , usable 30 times each , to furnish seven million French people who are on the poverty line ... in such a way as to not have to require any formalities from them , '' Véran said .
`` It is evident that France will leave no one incapable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The minister also noted that two million French people with health vulnerabilities would see their surgical masks `` 100 percent '' reimbursed by public health insurance .
The government had already set an upper limit on the price of surgical masks at €0.95 per masks , a measure that has been extended through to January 2021 .
But this week Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire agreed that `` that can indeed represent a considerable cost for some families '' .
The French daily Le Parisien on Monday published figures underlining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Accounting for two masks per person per day , one month 's supply of surgical masks came to 228 euros .
Using washable masks instead came to 96 euros a month .
Public health players had expressed some concern over the outlay required .
`` The cost of this measure [ making masks mandatory ] , even though it is indispensable , is not negligeable for citizens , '' Jean-Paul Hamon , who heads France 's Federation of Doctors , told L'Express .
As the new rule came into effect on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mélenchon took the opportunity to point out that his party 's lawmakers had proposed a bill to make masks free as early as April 28 .
`` If masks are mandatory , they must be free , '' he tweeted .
`` Come on , LREM , vote usefully for once ! ''
he added , referring to Macron 's majority La République en Marche party .
The CLCV consumer group on Monday issued a call for `` financial aid of 50 euros per month and per person '' to the poorest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks .
`` People should n't have to choose between protecting themselves and feeding themselves .
Mandatory masks , yes !
Free of charge , too ! ''
tweeted Thomas Portes of the Conféderation Nationale du Logement , an anti-poverty group , arguing that free masks `` must be the norm '' given they are a `` public health tool '' .
The president of the scientific panel advising the government on Covid-19 matters has also suggested it is important to help defray the cost of pandemic-fighting measures .
In remarks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the coronavirus `` numbers are not good [ in France ] , they are worrisome '' even though `` none of the indicators is totally in the red . ''
Delfraissy said the new mandatory mask rule was `` indispensable '' , calling it `` striking to see that the French have lost the main notions of distancing , of great precaution . ''
He also said he was worried about the `` most precarious populations '' , noting that the suburbs north of Paris , the dense and less than affluent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected than other departments '' .
He said health authorities were working to `` simplify access to tests '' in order to `` render them easier and totally free of charge '' and said the issue of free masks and tests was a `` discussion that would be put on the table in the days to come '' .
On Wednesday , Valérie Pécresse , the president of the Ile-de-France region ( the greater Paris area , which includes Seine-Saint-Denis ) , outlined plans to provide free masks to charity groups and students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for families to have to buy masks every day .
That 's why the Ile-de-France region is going to ensure free masks for all of the charity associations who are partnered with the region , '' she told France 2 .
`` Moreover , when school starts again , we will take care of high schoolers and provide two [ washable ] fabric masks '' to each of the region 's `` 500,000 high school students '' .
While Macron said Tuesday that it was n't the role of the French taxpayer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all , regardless of their means , the president did suggest there would be plenty of costs for the state to bear in the coming months to stem the coronavirus crisis .
`` Our role , we the French and with the Europeans , is to secure our stocks in the period to come , the production —whether it be of masks for the general public , masks for carers — but also ventilators , pharmaceutical products we need and our capacity to produce a vaccine , '' Macron said .

Face masks are mandatory in France as of Monday in closed public spaces with offenders subject to a €135 fine. And while the fact of donning a mask to stymie the spread of coronavirus isn't the political issue in France that it has become in some countries, the new and sudden financial burden of stocking up on the basic protective equipment has come up for debate. As a result, 40 million masks are in the mail for seven million whom the state considers most in need.
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Consumer groups, anti-poverty associations and left-wing political parties alike sounded the alarm this week over the high cost of masking up in France as closed public spaces like shops became inaccessible to anyone unequipped. Emmanuel Macron addressed the matter on Tuesday, pledging the state would come to the aid of the poorest, but stopping short of footing the bill for everybody. "It is not up to the State — and the French taxpayer — to pay for masks... for everyone, all the time," the French president told TF1 on Tuesday. "So I think it should remain a social-aid policy," he added.
Health Minister Olivier Véran on Wednesday elaborated on the president's pledge, saying a flurry of masks would be mailed out "within only a few days". "We will send out 40 million washable masks for the general public, usable 30 times each, to furnish seven million French people who are on the poverty line... in such a way as to not have to require any formalities from them," Véran said. "It is evident that France will leave no one incapable of equipping themselves with masks," he said. The minister also noted that two million French people with health vulnerabilities would see their surgical masks "100 percent" reimbursed by public health insurance.
Costly for families
The government had already set an upper limit on the price of surgical masks at €0.95 per masks, a measure that has been extended through to January 2021. But this week Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire agreed that "that can indeed represent a considerable cost for some families".
The French daily Le Parisien on Monday published figures underlining the cost for a family of four. Accounting for two masks per person per day, one month's supply of surgical masks came to 228 euros. Using washable masks instead came to 96 euros a month.
#masquesObligatoires : c’est un budget, jusqu’à 228 euros par mois pour une famille >> https://t.co/fFHm3tdBmc pic.twitter.com/3BR67B3nri — Le Parisien Infog (@LeParisienInfog) July 20, 2020
Public health players had expressed some concern over the outlay required. "The cost of this measure [making masks mandatory], even though it is indispensable, is not negligeable for citizens," Jean-Paul Hamon, who heads France's Federation of Doctors, told L'Express.
As the new rule came into effect on Monday, far-left La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon took the opportunity to point out that his party's lawmakers had proposed a bill to make masks free as early as April 28. "If masks are mandatory, they must be free," he tweeted. "Come on, LREM, vote usefully for once!" he added, referring to Macron's majority La République en Marche party.
The CLCV consumer group on Monday issued a call for "financial aid of 50 euros per month and per person" to the poorest of families to meet the need for mandatory face masks.
"People shouldn't have to choose between protecting themselves and feeding themselves. Mandatory masks, yes! Free of charge, too!" tweeted Thomas Portes of the Conféderation Nationale du Logement, an anti-poverty group, arguing that free masks "must be the norm" given they are a "public health tool".
Virus 'numbers are not good'
The president of the scientific panel advising the government on Covid-19 matters has also suggested it is important to help defray the cost of pandemic-fighting measures. In remarks to RMC-BFMTV on Tuesday, Jean-François Delfraissy noted that the coronavirus "numbers are not good [in France], they are worrisome" even though "none of the indicators is totally in the red."
Delfraissy said the new mandatory mask rule was "indispensable", calling it "striking to see that the French have lost the main notions of distancing, of great precaution." He also said he was worried about the "most precarious populations", noting that the suburbs north of Paris, the dense and less than affluent Seine-Saint-Denis department, had been "more affected than other departments". He said health authorities were working to "simplify access to tests" in order to "render them easier and totally free of charge" and said the issue of free masks and tests was a "discussion that would be put on the table in the days to come".
On Wednesday, Valérie Pécresse, the president of the Ile-de-France region (the greater Paris area, which includes Seine-Saint-Denis), outlined plans to provide free masks to charity groups and students. "It is a big budget for families to have to buy masks every day. That's why the Ile-de-France region is going to ensure free masks for all of the charity associations who are partnered with the region," she told France 2. "Moreover, when school starts again, we will take care of high schoolers and provide two [washable] fabric masks" to each of the region's "500,000 high school students".
While Macron said Tuesday that it wasn't the role of the French taxpayer to pick up the tab of free masks for all, regardless of their means, the president did suggest there would be plenty of costs for the state to bear in the coming months to stem the coronavirus crisis. "Our role, we the French and with the Europeans, is to secure our stocks in the period to come, the production —whether it be of masks for the general public, masks for carers — but also ventilators, pharmaceutical products we need and our capacity to produce a vaccine," Macron said.
(with AFP)
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france24--2020-07-23--'Help us to help you', French Foreign Minister Le Drian tells Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab , right , receives French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian , as they do n't shake hands to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus , at the Government House , in Beirut , Lebanon , Thursday , July 23 , 2020 .
France 's top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian scolded Lebanon 's leadership Thursday for failing to take the measures he said are necessary to save the country from collapse .
`` Help us to help you is the message of my visit , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said after meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris stood ready to mobilise support but there must be concrete action on reform .
Lebanon ’ s financial crisis , rooted in decades of state corruption and waste , marks the biggest threat to the country ’ s stability since the 1975-90 civil war .
A collapsing currency has led to soaring inflation and poverty , and savers have lost free access to accounts in a paralysed banking system .
Le Drian , on the first such visit of a top foreign politician in months , made no secret of his exasperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passive '' .
`` Concrete actions have been expected for too long , '' Le Drian said , in a statement to the press after meeting his counterpart Nassif Hitti .
The free-falling economy has sparked mass protests since October against a political class accused of being incompetent and corrupt .
Tens of thousands have lost their jobs or part of their income .
After the country defaulted on its debt for the first time in March , the government pledged reforms and two months ago started talks with the International Monetary Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall , with two top members of the government 's own team resigning , allegedly in frustration at the administration 's lack of commitment to reform .
`` There is no alternative to an IMF programme to allow Lebanon to exit the crisis , '' Le Drian warned .
Lebanon 's government says it needs more than $ 20 billion in external funding , which includes $ 11 billion pledged by donors at a Paris conference in 2018 that was never delivered over lack of promised reforms .
‘ How passive the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with the IMF is key to unlocking any further aid .
`` France is ready to fully mobilise at Lebanon 's side and to mobilise all its partners , but for that serious and credible recovery measures have to be implemented , '' the French minister said .
He singled out as an example the loss-making electricity sector , where reforms have been dragging for years .
`` I can say clearly that what has been done until now in this field is not encouraging , '' he said .
Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Michel Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri in the morning .
But his patience was clearly wearing thin as he dished out more criticism during an afternoon visit to Amel , a charity in southern Beirut that helps some of Lebanon 's most vulnerable .
`` I was reading in Lebanese newspapers that Lebanon was waiting for Le Drian .
No , it 's France that 's waiting for Lebanon , '' he said .
`` What is striking to us is how passive the authorities of this country are , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of Amel about soaring poverty levels .
‘ Help us help you , dammit ’ Le Drian 's uncompromising tone echoed an appeal he made in the French Senate earlier this month and which was widely reported in Lebanon : `` Help us help you , dammit . ''
`` I said dammit the other day in the Senate so I would n't have to use a swear word .
It was an affectionate word but it came with a dose of anger , '' he said .
Dozens of businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , thousands of people are losing their jobs or suffering massive pay cuts and the suicides of citizens submerged by debt have shocked the nation .
Lebanon is burdened by sovereign debt equivalent to 170 percent of its GDP .
Most traffic lights have stopped working in Beirut , electricity is becoming scarce and a growing number of Lebanese are looking for ways to leave the country .
The slow motion collapse of a state that will celebrate its centenary in just over a month has sparked warnings that sectarian violence could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of Lebanon 's international partners were on the same page , as was the protest movement that emerged last year to demand reform and an end to corruption .