Just as France is witnessing a spike in the number of infections in the whole country, Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes as the leader returned from a visit to neighbouring Belgium, as per his office. &nbsp;

For the next 10 days, the French prime minister will carry out activities in isolation, his office said. &nbsp;

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At the prime minister's headquarters, the officials did not elaborate on whether Castex has any symptoms. &nbsp;

One of the Castex's daughters has also tested positive on Monday. &nbsp;

Castex had just met Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo in Brussels. The French PM took two tests and both were positive, his office said. &nbsp;

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According to the De Croo's office, he will be get tested on Tuesday. Till the results come in, de Croo will self-isolate, the Belgian state broadcaster RTBF said. &nbsp;

Although 75% of population in France is vaccinated, the number of virus infections has risen quickly in some weeks. Hospitalisations and deaths linked to the coronavirus are also rising in the nation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Last December, French President Emmanuel Macron had also contracted COVID-19, and other government ministers have also had the virus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Just as France is witnessing a spike in the number of infections in the whole country, Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This comes as the leader returned from a visit to neighbouring Belgium, as per his office.

Just as France is witnessing a spike in the number of infections in the whole country, Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This comes as the leader returned from a visit to neighbouring Belgium, as per his office. For the next 10 days, the French prime minister will carry out activities in isolation, his office said. Also Read: Vaccine fully effective among children after 4 months: Pfizer At the prime minister's headquarters, the officials did not elaborate on whether Castex has any symptoms. One of the Castex's daughters has also tested positive on Monday. Castex had just met Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo in Brussels. The French PM took two tests and both were positive, his office said. Also Read: Russian President Putin gets booster shot, revaccinated with Sputnik Light According to the De Croo's office, he will be get tested on Tuesday. Till the results come in, de Croo will self-isolate, the Belgian state broadcaster RTBF said. Although 75% of population in France is vaccinated, the number of virus infections has risen quickly in some weeks. Hospitalisations and deaths linked to the coronavirus are also rising in the nation. Last December, French President Emmanuel Macron had also contracted COVID-19, and other government ministers have also had the virus. (With inputs from agencies)

France's Prime Minister Jean Castex tests positive for COVID-19   

French Prime Minister Jean Castex condemns days of rioting against Covid-19 restrictions which have taken place in Guadeloupe. The damage from violence remained visible as several buildings and vehicles were left burning.

France: Buildings, cars set ablaze, French Prime Minister Jean Castex condemns Guadeloupe violence

French officials said on Wednesday they had identified health workers suspected of leaking the vaccination status and personal details of President Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron.&nbsp;

The details of his "health pass", a QR code that acts as proof of vaccination or immunity and allows access to cafes and cultural life, has been shared on social media recently.

The health pass shared on social media also showed his full name and date of birth.

The data breach came after a similar mishap befell Prime Minister Jean Castex earlier this month, although his pass was snared using different means.

The national health insurance agency CNAM said the health professionals who had abused their access to&nbsp;Macron's details had been "identified" and they would now be referred to their oversight body for possible sanctions.

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A presidential official who asked not to be named confirmed to AFP the authenticity of the health pass, saying health professionals had consulted the vaccine file of the president and circulated the data "either through negligence or malevolence".

All health professionals have access to the centralised computer system set up as part of the vaccination campaign, the official said.

Castex's QR code was shared on social media last week after internet users managed to scan it from a press photo where the premier was seen presenting his health pass.

Both&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;and Castex have since been given new QR codes.

The presidential spokesman said any citizen whose health pass had been leaked in this way could obtain a new one.&nbsp;

France in July made the health pass compulsory for access to cafes, restaurants and other services from July 21 on the orders of&nbsp;Macron.

Despite weeks of protests by opponents who consider it a violation of civil liberties, the pass is widely seen to have been a success, becoming an accepted part of daily routine and helping nudge the number of first-jabbed in France above 50 million.

French officials said on Wednesday they had identified health workers suspected of leaking the vaccination status and personal details of President Emmanuel Macron.

French officials said on Wednesday they had identified health workers suspected of leaking the vaccination status and personal details of President Emmanuel Macron. The details of his "health pass", a QR code that acts as proof of vaccination or immunity and allows access to cafes and cultural life, has been shared on social media recently. The health pass shared on social media also showed his full name and date of birth. The data breach came after a similar mishap befell Prime Minister Jean Castex earlier this month, although his pass was snared using different means. The national health insurance agency CNAM said the health professionals who had abused their access to Macron's details had been "identified" and they would now be referred to their oversight body for possible sanctions. ALSO READ | Volcanic eruption could last three months in Spain’s Canary Islands, say experts A presidential official who asked not to be named confirmed to AFP the authenticity of the health pass, saying health professionals had consulted the vaccine file of the president and circulated the data "either through negligence or malevolence". All health professionals have access to the centralised computer system set up as part of the vaccination campaign, the official said. Castex's QR code was shared on social media last week after internet users managed to scan it from a press photo where the premier was seen presenting his health pass. Both Macron and Castex have since been given new QR codes. The presidential spokesman said any citizen whose health pass had been leaked in this way could obtain a new one. France in July made the health pass compulsory for access to cafes, restaurants and other services from July 21 on the orders of Macron. Despite weeks of protests by opponents who consider it a violation of civil liberties, the pass is widely seen to have been a success, becoming an accepted part of daily routine and helping nudge the number of first-jabbed in France above 50 million.

Health workers suspected of leaking Emmanuel Macron's vaccination status and personal details

France and Netherlands are set to halt their evacuation operations from Kabul airport after the US and its allies issued terror threat warning at Kabul airport amid the&nbsp;massive airlift operation currently underway at the Hamid Karzai international airport.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said, "We are going to continue until tomorrow evening."

Meanwhile, the Dutch government said it would stop evacuation flights from Kabul&nbsp;after being told by US forces to leave the Afghan capital's airport ahead of the withdrawal of American troops.

"The Netherlands has been informed today by the United States that it has to leave and will in all probability run the last flights later today," the Dutch foreign and defence ministers said in a letter to parliament.

As US&nbsp;President Joe Biden says he’ll stick with his deadline of August&nbsp;31 to totally withdraw troops from America’s longest war, other nations have landed flight after flight onto the single runway at Kabul’s international airport to help those fleeing.

Now some countries have begun to even pull their soldiers and diplomats out, likely signaling the beginning of the end of one of history’s largest airlifts. The Taliban have, so far, honored a pledge not to attack Western forces during the evacuation, but insist the foreign troops must be out by the deadline.

Overnight, new warnings also emerged from Western capitals about a possible threat from Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate, which likely has seen its ranks boosted by the Taliban freeing prisoners across the country. Already, military cargo planes leaving Kabul airport have launched flares to disrupt any potential surface-to-air missile fire as fleeing Afghan troops abandoned heavy weapons and equipment across the country in their collapse following America’s withdrawal of troops.

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Western nations warned their citizens Thursday to immediately leave the surrounds of Kabul airport over a terrorist threat, as thousands of people try to reach a dwindling number of&nbsp;evacuation&nbsp;flights.

Nearly 90,000 Afghans and foreigners have fled Afghanistan via the US-led airlift since the hardline Islamist Taliban movement took control of the country on August 15.

Despite the harrowing scenes, the Taliban have ruled out any extension to next Tuesday's deadline to pull out foreign troops, describing it as "a red line".

"They have planes, they have the airport, they should get their citizens and contractors out of here," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Turkey, which had more than 500 non-combat troops stationed in Afghanistan, said Wednesday it had started pulling out its forces.

The withdrawal signalled an apparent abandonment of the plans it had been negotiating to help secure Kabul's strategic airport after the American departure.

France and Netherlands are set to halt their evacuation operations from Kabul airport after the US and its allies issued terror threat warning at Kabul airport amid the massive airlift operation currently underway at the Hamid Karzai international airport.

France and Netherlands are set to halt their evacuation operations from Kabul airport after the US and its allies issued terror threat warning at Kabul airport amid the massive airlift operation currently underway at the Hamid Karzai international airport. French Prime Minister Jean Castex said, "We are going to continue until tomorrow evening." Meanwhile, the Dutch government said it would stop evacuation flights from Kabul after being told by US forces to leave the Afghan capital's airport ahead of the withdrawal of American troops. "The Netherlands has been informed today by the United States that it has to leave and will in all probability run the last flights later today," the Dutch foreign and defence ministers said in a letter to parliament. As US President Joe Biden says he’ll stick with his deadline of August 31 to totally withdraw troops from America’s longest war, other nations have landed flight after flight onto the single runway at Kabul’s international airport to help those fleeing. Now some countries have begun to even pull their soldiers and diplomats out, likely signaling the beginning of the end of one of history’s largest airlifts. The Taliban have, so far, honored a pledge not to attack Western forces during the evacuation, but insist the foreign troops must be out by the deadline. Overnight, new warnings also emerged from Western capitals about a possible threat from Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate, which likely has seen its ranks boosted by the Taliban freeing prisoners across the country. Already, military cargo planes leaving Kabul airport have launched flares to disrupt any potential surface-to-air missile fire as fleeing Afghan troops abandoned heavy weapons and equipment across the country in their collapse following America’s withdrawal of troops. Western nations warned their citizens Thursday to immediately leave the surrounds of Kabul airport over a terrorist threat, as thousands of people try to reach a dwindling number of evacuation flights. Nearly 90,000 Afghans and foreigners have fled Afghanistan via the US-led airlift since the hardline Islamist Taliban movement took control of the country on August 15. Despite the harrowing scenes, the Taliban have ruled out any extension to next Tuesday's deadline to pull out foreign troops, describing it as "a red line". "They have planes, they have the airport, they should get their citizens and contractors out of here," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Turkey, which had more than 500 non-combat troops stationed in Afghanistan, said Wednesday it had started pulling out its forces. The withdrawal signalled an apparent abandonment of the plans it had been negotiating to help secure Kabul's strategic airport after the American departure.

France, Netherlands to halt evacuation from Kabul airport after dire warning

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism".

The killing of Stephanie Monferme, a 49-year-old mother of three, by a Tunisian national who was then shot dead by police was the latest in a string of Islamist-inspired attacks on French soil in recent years.

France faces a presidential election next year where issues such as militant Islam, immigration and violent crime are expected to dominate the agenda.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India">France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India</a>

"Stephanie was murdered because she represented the French police and the authority of the state. She was murdered because she served France," Castex told a ceremony attended by top government and police officials.

"Islamist terrorism has declared war on us but it is a war led by cowards. Only a coward could attack a woman who, because of her job, did not carry a weapon," he said.

Castex ended the ceremony by posthumously awarding Monferme France's highest medal, the Chevalier de La Legion d'Honneur. A minute of silence was followed by the Marseillaise national anthem.

On Wednesday, draft legislation was submitted to President Emmanuel Macron's government to strengthen counter-terrorism laws by permitting the use of algorithms to detect activity on jihadist and other extremist websites.

The official investigation had shown that Stephanie Monferme's assailant had watched religious videos glorifying acts of jihad just before carrying out his attack on the police worker in the Paris commuter town of Rambouillet.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism".

French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute in a nationally televised ceremony on Friday to an administrative police worker stabbed to death last week at a police station, saying she was victim of "Islamist terrorism". The killing of Stephanie Monferme, a 49-year-old mother of three, by a Tunisian national who was then shot dead by police was the latest in a string of Islamist-inspired attacks on French soil in recent years. France faces a presidential election next year where issues such as militant Islam, immigration and violent crime are expected to dominate the agenda. Also read | France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India "Stephanie was murdered because she represented the French police and the authority of the state. She was murdered because she served France," Castex told a ceremony attended by top government and police officials. "Islamist terrorism has declared war on us but it is a war led by cowards. Only a coward could attack a woman who, because of her job, did not carry a weapon," he said. Castex ended the ceremony by posthumously awarding Monferme France's highest medal, the Chevalier de La Legion d'Honneur. A minute of silence was followed by the Marseillaise national anthem. On Wednesday, draft legislation was submitted to President Emmanuel Macron's government to strengthen counter-terrorism laws by permitting the use of algorithms to detect activity on jihadist and other extremist websites. The official investigation had shown that Stephanie Monferme's assailant had watched religious videos glorifying acts of jihad just before carrying out his attack on the police worker in the Paris commuter town of Rambouillet.

France pays tribute to woman police worker stabbed to death in Islamist-inspired attack

Travel between France and countries outside the European Union will be banned from Sunday, said Prime Minister Jean Castex.

France' PM Jean Castex orders ban on all travelers from outside EU

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced strict measures to combat the virus including bringing forward the night curfew which will now come into effect from 6pm onwards.

Watch:

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The new curfew guidelines will come into effect from Saturday. Castex said schools will remain open however if the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-strain-of-coronavirus-not-from-uk-detected-in-france-355567">infection </a>rates rose he would put the country back in lockdown.

"Our situation of course remains worrying, although it has stabilised in general in recent days. We remain at a high plateau, with a fluctuating daily average of around 16,000 new infections per day," the French PM said.

Castex said the pressure on hospitals in the country remains "stable" but it is at a "high rate".&nbsp;

"We will have to immediately decide for a new lockdown because we have to, as we have incessantly done so from the beginning of this crisis, prepare for all possibilities," Castex asserted.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-confirms-two-clusters-of-uk-coronavirus-variant-355556">France</a> has also decided to tighten border control with all travellers required to show a negative test before departing and to present negative results to board a plane or a boat.

France currently has over 2.9 million coronavirus cases with over 69,4500 fatalities.

Meanwhile, the UK imposed a travel ban on travellers from South American countries and Portugal over concerns of the new COVID-19 variant identified in Brazil.

The ban which came into effect from Friday which includes over ten countries in the South American belt. The new travel ban applies to people who have travelled from, or through, the South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile in the last ten days.

"I've taken the urgent decision... following evidence of a new variant in Brazil," transport secretary Grant Shapps said, adding,"This measure does not apply to British and Irish nationals and third country nationals with residence rights."

PM Boris Johnson has expressed concerns about the Brazilian variant as Britain continues to ramp up efforts to contain the UK variant of the virus in the country.

Britain has been hit hard with the virus with over 3.2 million infections and over 86,160 deaths.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced strict measures to combat the virus including bringing forward the night curfew which will now come into effect from 6pm onwards.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced strict measures to combat the virus including bringing forward the night curfew which will now come into effect from 6pm onwards. Watch: The new curfew guidelines will come into effect from Saturday. Castex said schools will remain open however if the infection rates rose he would put the country back in lockdown. "Our situation of course remains worrying, although it has stabilised in general in recent days. We remain at a high plateau, with a fluctuating daily average of around 16,000 new infections per day," the French PM said. Castex said the pressure on hospitals in the country remains "stable" but it is at a "high rate". "We will have to immediately decide for a new lockdown because we have to, as we have incessantly done so from the beginning of this crisis, prepare for all possibilities," Castex asserted. France has also decided to tighten border control with all travellers required to show a negative test before departing and to present negative results to board a plane or a boat. France currently has over 2.9 million coronavirus cases with over 69,4500 fatalities. Meanwhile, the UK imposed a travel ban on travellers from South American countries and Portugal over concerns of the new COVID-19 variant identified in Brazil. The ban which came into effect from Friday which includes over ten countries in the South American belt. The new travel ban applies to people who have travelled from, or through, the South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile in the last ten days. "I've taken the urgent decision... following evidence of a new variant in Brazil," transport secretary Grant Shapps said, adding,"This measure does not apply to British and Irish nationals and third country nationals with residence rights." PM Boris Johnson has expressed concerns about the Brazilian variant as Britain continues to ramp up efforts to contain the UK variant of the virus in the country. Britain has been hit hard with the virus with over 3.2 million infections and over 86,160 deaths.

France tightens coronavirus border controls; UK bans South American arrivals

French President Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;is showing signs of improvement after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, his office said on Wednesday.

Earlier,&nbsp;Macron took to Twitter to post a video message in French and informed people that he is 'doing well' but is a little tired which has 'slowed down' his daily activities.

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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-claims-he-is-doing-well-from-covid-19-and-concentrating-on-brexit-350846">Emmanuel Macron claims he is 'doing well' from COVID-19 and concentrating on Brexit</a>

Macron, 42, &nbsp;is currently residing in his presidential residence at La Lanterne in Versailles outside Paris. The French president's wife Brigitte Macron,67, tested negative for the virus. Macron had attended an EU summit last week, although it is still unclear how the French president contacted the virus.

On Wednesday, Macron had attended the dinner at a gathering at Elysee which was attended by several leaders Prime Minister&nbsp;Jean Castex, who is now also self-isolating.&nbsp;

Several top EU leaders went into self-isolation after Macron tested positive for the virus as they had come in contact with the French president during the summit including Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, European Council president Charles Michel and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Medical experts have voiced concerns that the Christmas holidays could result in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in&nbsp;France&nbsp;and Europe. Data published on Tuesday showed that&nbsp;France&nbsp;had reported a further 802 related deaths in the last 24 hours, and another 11,795 confirmed cases.

France&nbsp;will reopen its borders to passengers from England on Wednesday, ending a blockade intended to stop the spread of a new coronavirus variant, but which has held up thousands of lorries before Christmas.

Much of the world shut its borders to Britain after a significantly more transmissible mutated coronavirus variant was discovered spreading swiftly across southern England.

With queues of trucks snaking to the horizon in England and some supermarket shelves stripped just days before Christmas, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrambled to get French President Emmanuel Macron to lift a ban on freight from Britain.

French President Emmanuel Macron is showing signs of improvement after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, his office said on Wednesday. Earlier, Macron took to Twitter to post a video message in French and informed people that he is 'doing well' but is a little tired which has 'slowed down' his daily activities.

French President Emmanuel Macron is showing signs of improvement after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, his office said on Wednesday. Earlier, Macron took to Twitter to post a video message in French and informed people that he is 'doing well' but is a little tired which has 'slowed down' his daily activities. pic.twitter.com/MrfTQXpRBW — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 18, 2020 × Also read: Emmanuel Macron claims he is 'doing well' from COVID-19 and concentrating on Brexit Macron, 42, is currently residing in his presidential residence at La Lanterne in Versailles outside Paris. The French president's wife Brigitte Macron,67, tested negative for the virus. Macron had attended an EU summit last week, although it is still unclear how the French president contacted the virus. On Wednesday, Macron had attended the dinner at a gathering at Elysee which was attended by several leaders Prime Minister Jean Castex, who is now also self-isolating. Several top EU leaders went into self-isolation after Macron tested positive for the virus as they had come in contact with the French president during the summit including Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, European Council president Charles Michel and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Medical experts have voiced concerns that the Christmas holidays could result in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in France and Europe. Data published on Tuesday showed that France had reported a further 802 related deaths in the last 24 hours, and another 11,795 confirmed cases. France will reopen its borders to passengers from England on Wednesday, ending a blockade intended to stop the spread of a new coronavirus variant, but which has held up thousands of lorries before Christmas. Much of the world shut its borders to Britain after a significantly more transmissible mutated coronavirus variant was discovered spreading swiftly across southern England. With queues of trucks snaking to the horizon in England and some supermarket shelves stripped just days before Christmas, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrambled to get French President Emmanuel Macron to lift a ban on freight from Britain.

French President Macron showing improvement after coronavirus diagnosis

French Prime Minister&nbsp;Jean Castex on Wednesday defended the anti-extremism bill combatting "radical Islamism" as the ''law of freedom''.

After a spate of attacks, which critics fear risks targeting all Muslims, France argues the legislation is needed to shore up the country's staunchly secular system but the plan has further stirred up social tensions over the consequences for Europe's largest Muslim community.

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"The enemy of the Republic is a political ideology called radical Islamism, which aims to divide the French among themselves," Prime Minister Jean Castex told Wednesday's edition of Le Monde.

France argues&nbsp;that rather than targeting Muslims the anti-extremism bill aims&nbsp;to "free Muslims from the growing grip of radical Islamism".

The legislation will be discussed at a cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace with Castex announcing the outcome in the early afternoon.

It&nbsp;has&nbsp;been criticised by Muslim leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while on Tuesday the US envoy on international religious freedom said he was concerned by the bill.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-gives-ultimatum-to-french-council-of-muslim-faith-344419">France gives ultimatum to French Council of Muslim Faith</a>

"There can be constructive engagements that I think can be helpful and not harmful," Ambassador Sam Brownback told reporters.

"When you get heavy-handed, the situation can get worse," he said.

'Strengthen republican values'

The text was originally titled the "anti-separatism" bill, using a term President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;uses to describe ultra-conservative Muslims withdrawing from mainstream society.&nbsp;

Following criticism of that term, it is now called a "draft law to strengthen republican values", mostly secularism and freedom of expression.

The law was in the pipeline before the murder in October of Samuel Paty, a junior high school teacher who was attacked in the street and beheaded after showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a class.

But the killing, committed by an 18-year old Chechen after a virulent social media campaign against the teacher, gave fresh impetus to the bill, prompted the inclusion of the specific crimes of online hate speech and divulging personal information on the internet.

Paty's death is one in a string of jihadist-inspired attacks in France this year including a knife assault outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and deadly stabbings at a church in the Mediterranean city of Nice.

The draft law sets out stricter criteria for authorising home schooling of children over three years old in a bid to prevent parents taking their children out of public schools and enrolling them in underground Islamic facilities.

Doctors, meanwhile, would be fined or jailed if they performed a virginity test on girls.

Polygamy is already outlawed in France, but the new law would also ban authorities from issuing residency papers to polygamous applicants.

It would also require city hall officials to interview couples separately prior to their wedding to make sure that they were not forced into marriage.

'Open provocation'

Macron has become a figure of hate in some Muslim countries, with some boycotting French products, after saying that the right to blaspheme would always be guaranteed in France and that Islam was "in crisis".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called the draft law an "open provocation", while scholars at Egypt's prestigious Sunni Islamic institution, Al-Azhar, called Macron's views "racist".

Macron has also been forced onto the defensive by critical headlines in influential English-language media, such as the Financial Times and New York Times.

Muslims in France -- the former colonies of which include predominantly Muslim countries in north and west Africa as well as the Middle East -- are estimated at nearly four million, about six percent of the population.

Once, as is expected, the cabinet backs the draft law, it heads to parliament at the start of next year for what promises to be a heated debate.

France's state council, which advises the government and the National Assembly on future laws, has already signalled that some parts of the bill, especially on education, may clash with the principle of freedom of choice enshrined in the French constitution.

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French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Wednesday defended the anti-extremism bill combatting "radical Islamism" as the ''law of freedom''. After a spate of attacks, which critics fear risks targeting all Muslims, France argues the legislation is needed to shore up the country's staunchly secular system but the plan has further stirred up social tensions over the consequences for Europe's largest Muslim community.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Wednesday defended the anti-extremism bill combatting "radical Islamism" as the ''law of freedom''. After a spate of attacks, which critics fear risks targeting all Muslims, France argues the legislation is needed to shore up the country's staunchly secular system but the plan has further stirred up social tensions over the consequences for Europe's largest Muslim community. "The enemy of the Republic is a political ideology called radical Islamism, which aims to divide the French among themselves," Prime Minister Jean Castex told Wednesday's edition of Le Monde. France argues that rather than targeting Muslims the anti-extremism bill aims to "free Muslims from the growing grip of radical Islamism". The legislation will be discussed at a cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace with Castex announcing the outcome in the early afternoon. It has been criticised by Muslim leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while on Tuesday the US envoy on international religious freedom said he was concerned by the bill. Also read: France gives ultimatum to French Council of Muslim Faith "There can be constructive engagements that I think can be helpful and not harmful," Ambassador Sam Brownback told reporters. "When you get heavy-handed, the situation can get worse," he said. 'Strengthen republican values' The text was originally titled the "anti-separatism" bill, using a term President Emmanuel Macron uses to describe ultra-conservative Muslims withdrawing from mainstream society. Following criticism of that term, it is now called a "draft law to strengthen republican values", mostly secularism and freedom of expression. The law was in the pipeline before the murder in October of Samuel Paty, a junior high school teacher who was attacked in the street and beheaded after showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a class. But the killing, committed by an 18-year old Chechen after a virulent social media campaign against the teacher, gave fresh impetus to the bill, prompted the inclusion of the specific crimes of online hate speech and divulging personal information on the internet. Paty's death is one in a string of jihadist-inspired attacks in France this year including a knife assault outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and deadly stabbings at a church in the Mediterranean city of Nice. The draft law sets out stricter criteria for authorising home schooling of children over three years old in a bid to prevent parents taking their children out of public schools and enrolling them in underground Islamic facilities. Doctors, meanwhile, would be fined or jailed if they performed a virginity test on girls. Polygamy is already outlawed in France, but the new law would also ban authorities from issuing residency papers to polygamous applicants. It would also require city hall officials to interview couples separately prior to their wedding to make sure that they were not forced into marriage. 'Open provocation' Macron has become a figure of hate in some Muslim countries, with some boycotting French products, after saying that the right to blaspheme would always be guaranteed in France and that Islam was "in crisis". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called the draft law an "open provocation", while scholars at Egypt's prestigious Sunni Islamic institution, Al-Azhar, called Macron's views "racist". Macron has also been forced onto the defensive by critical headlines in influential English-language media, such as the Financial Times and New York Times. Muslims in France -- the former colonies of which include predominantly Muslim countries in north and west Africa as well as the Middle East -- are estimated at nearly four million, about six percent of the population. Once, as is expected, the cabinet backs the draft law, it heads to parliament at the start of next year for what promises to be a heated debate. France's state council, which advises the government and the National Assembly on future laws, has already signalled that some parts of the bill, especially on education, may clash with the principle of freedom of choice enshrined in the French constitution.

Enemy of the Republic is political ideology called radical Islamism: French PM Castex

The French Prime Minister&nbsp;Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement.

Castex went through a test for COVID-19 after he came in contact with&nbsp;in contact with the boss of Tour de France, who had tested positive for coronavirus.

However, Castex will go through another test after seven days to be sure, as the experts believe it may take time for symptoms to show, in some cases. He will also be self-quarantining himself till then.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-pm-to-have-covid-test-after-contact-at-tour-de-france-326032">Also read:&nbsp;French PM to have COVID test after contact at Tour de France</a>

He&nbsp;"will nevertheless continue to respect the (social distancing) rules, notably by staying at Matignon (office building of the French prime minister) till D+7," his office statement read. He will, however, continue performing his duties while in quarantine.

Castex took the coronavirus test after the&nbsp;Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme and him shared a car ride, before&nbsp;Prudhomme tested positive.

On Tuesday, 6,544 new confirmed infection cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 335,524, while the total deaths since the outbreak of the epidemic went up by 39 to 30,764, according to the data released by the health ministry.

The French Prime Minister Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday. "The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement.

The French Prime Minister Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday. "The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement. Castex went through a test for COVID-19 after he came in contact with in contact with the boss of Tour de France, who had tested positive for coronavirus. However, Castex will go through another test after seven days to be sure, as the experts believe it may take time for symptoms to show, in some cases. He will also be self-quarantining himself till then. Also read: French PM to have COVID test after contact at Tour de France He "will nevertheless continue to respect the (social distancing) rules, notably by staying at Matignon (office building of the French prime minister) till D+7," his office statement read. He will, however, continue performing his duties while in quarantine. Castex took the coronavirus test after the Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme and him shared a car ride, before Prudhomme tested positive. On Tuesday, 6,544 new confirmed infection cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 335,524, while the total deaths since the outbreak of the epidemic went up by 39 to 30,764, according to the data released by the health ministry.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex tests negative for coronavirus

In France, Jean Castex takes over as new Prime Minister amid COVID-19 crisis. Jean Castex has replaced Edouard Philippe as French Prime Minister.

France: Jean Castex takes over as new Prime Minister amid COVID-19 crisis, replaces Edouard Philippe

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