france24--2020-06-03--As George Floyd outrage spreads, France confronts its own demons

The global outrage triggered by George Floyd ’ s killing in the US has reignited a debate about policing in France ’ s ethnically diverse suburbs , where protesters say it is time the country wakes up to its own unspoken legacy of abuse and impunity .
In years of rallying against racism and police brutality , Loom had never seen such a crowd before .
All around him , flooding the area around the Paris courthouse , a sea of protesters rippled with anger and indignation , youthful faces covered in masks .
“ What happened in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same oppression and injustice , ” said the 38-year-old music producer , referring to the George Floyd killing that has sparked massive protests in the US and beyond .
He added : “ The difference is that France pretends it doesn ’ t happen.
” Defying police orders , some 20,000 people gathered outside the French capital ’ s tribunal on Tuesday evening to protest against racism and impunity .
Demonstrators voiced their support for the Black Lives Matter protests and demanded justice for Adama Traoré , a young black man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody in the Paris suburbs in 2016 .
“ This concerns all of us , ” said Loom , who goes by the name he has chosen for his music company .
“ We want justice for the victims of police brutality and we want racism to be punished wherever it takes pace — all racisms , not just a select few.
” While expressing pride in the huge turnout , Loom was disappointed by the lack of journalists at the event , with foreign correspondents appearing to outnumber the French .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent troublemakers , but where ’ s the press to report on this peaceful crowd ?
” he asked .
“ Trust me , they ’ ll only appear if scuffles break out.
” Minor clashes did break out later in the night , duly capturing much of the media ’ s attention .
The government voiced its outrage , warning that “ violence has no place in democracy ” .
But those words will ring hollow to the youths from immigrant-rich suburbs who experience violence on an ordinary basis — and whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy .
Relations between police and residents have long been a fraught issue in France ’ s ethnically diverse suburbs , where men of African and North African origin complain about being routinely stopped and searched simply because of the colour of their skin .
A 2009 study by France 's National Centre for Scientific Research showed that blacks were 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites , and those of Arab origin seven times more likely .
In a depressing cycle of violence and resentment , such routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually riots , an explosive cocktail that threatened to materialise during the country ’ s coronavirus lockdown when a policing incident triggered several nights of unrest in the French capital ’ s deprived suburbs , known as the banlieue .
The chilling video of Floyd ’ s killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis has evoked comparisons with the case of 24-year-old Adama Traoré , whose death while in police custody in July 2016 sparked days of clashes in the suburbs .
Two autopsies and four separate medical examinations have offered conflicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his family maintaining that he suffocated under the weight of the three officers who used a controversial technique to restrain him .
Outside the courthouse on Tuesday , many protesters carried signs reading “ I can ’ t breathe ” — the last words spoken by both Floyd and Traoré .
“ Today , it ’ s no longer the fight of the Traoré family — it ’ s your fight too , ” Assa Traoré , Adama Traoré ’ s sister and one of the march ’ s key organizers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we fight for George Floyd , we fight for Adama Traoré too.
” Hours before the protest , the Paris prefect announced he was banning the event on public health grounds — a move many protesters saw as further evidence of double standards .
“ Even as we speak , the whole of Paris is out on bar terraces .
None of them wear masks , where ’ s the social distancing ?
” asked Loom pointing towards the city centre , where large crowds enjoyed their first evening out after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd instead : everyone wears a mask , everyone is careful , ” he added , glossing over a minority of marchers who left their masks flapping under their chin or carried none .
Several protesters highlighted the contrast between the urgency of their cause and the insouciant revelling just around the corner .
“ The authorities are happy to open bars and shopping malls but they won ’ t let us protest against racism and injustice , ” said 17-year-old Anna Boisnot , who turned up with her friends despite their qualms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re worried of course , particularly for our parents .
But we had to be here , we can ’ t go on living in a world where only coloured people like us are harassed by the police , ” said Marlene Meite , 16 .
“ Racism is implanted in our society , it ’ s become banal , people don ’ t even see it anymore , ” added their friend Raphaël Bavioudy .
The trio were heartened to see many white people in the crowd — including 29-year-old Maxime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of seeing the same cycle of violence , hatred and impunity again and again ” .
“ The vicious cycle just keeps on repeating itself , ” said the Swiss-born photographer , who declined to give his full name .
“ Being white it ’ s often hard to see the racism , the discrimination that is so pervasive .
And the more we get on in life , the less we are likely to see it , because we take such different paths from those who start at a disadvantage.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities were once again exposed during the nationwide lockdown imposed in mid-March to stem the spread of Covid-19 .
On the first day of confinement , the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France ’ s poorest and most immigrant-rich districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown , despite comprising just over two percent of the country ’ s population .
Over the subsequent weeks , videos of heavy-handed and racially-charged arrests circulated widely on French social media , prompting outrage and calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid a disproportionately heavy price .
The combination of large families in cramped quarters and a lack of doctors and hospital beds left the local population particularly exposed to the virus .
And while many Parisians fled to countryside residences or switched to working from home , the capital ’ s poorer suburbs supplied most of the frontline workers who kept the metropolis running .
But for France ’ s proudly egalitarian — and supposedly colour-blind — institutions , the racialised nature of such inequalities simply doesn ’ t exist , neither as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience .
“ All that talk of equality and fraternity , it ’ s bullshit , ” said former journalist Divy Vasanth , slamming the authorities and the media for refusing to engage with minorities and acknowledge racial inequalities .
Vasanth pointed to the case of French singer and actress Camélia Jordana , who recently caused a storm by using the term “ massacre ” to talk of police violence in the suburbs .
The ensuing backlash , he argued , is indicative of a society that ignores people so long as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be grateful and “ shut up ” when they are successful .
“ When Assa Traoré speaks , she ’ s told to shut it because she ’ s from the suburbs .
And when Camélia Jordana says something , she ’ s told she has no reason to complain , ” Vasanth said .
“ They don ’ t listen to what we have to say : they mock the words we use and ignore the substance.
” “ We ’ re black , brown , white etc .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop pretending that blacks and others are not discriminated against , ” said Maelle M. , a 23-year-old student from the Paris suburbs , standing nearby with a sign reading : “ It ’ s not black vs white .
It ’ s everyone vs racists ” .
Maelle and her friend Aline also dithered at length before joining the rally , fearing for their safety .
They carried milk and eye drops in their rucksacks to ease the sting from teargas .
“ Of course France and America are very different countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : racism , ” said Maelle .
“ Nothing will ever change until people are educated about racism .
Starting with the police.
” The antagonism between French police and minority groups in deprived areas reflects a structural reluctance to engage with local communities .
The establishment of community policing , at the turn of the century , marked a short-lived attempt to bridge the gulf with residents of the banlieues .
But the so-called police de proximité ( proximity police ) jarred with the tough “ law and order ” rhetoric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unit after becoming France ’ s interior minister in 2002 .
“ You ’ re not a social worker , ” Sarkozy famously told an officer who had helped organise a football tournament for youths in a poor suburb of Toulouse .
Ever since , left-wing politicians have regularly floated the idea of reintroducing some form of police de proximité .
But former President François Hollande ’ s Socialist government made no such attempt .
Instead , to the dismay of minority youths singled out by police , Hollande ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a form of written receipt for all identity checks carried out by officers — a measure long advocated by campaigners against racial profiling .
Such broken promises have widened the gulf between politicians and minorities , said Loom , lamenting the small number of politicians attending Tuesday ’ s rally .
“ Only the extremes take an interest : the far left to support us and the far right to back the police , ” he quipped .
“ As for the mainstream , they don ’ t care.
” Loom said politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cycle of violence and hatred to drag on instead of addressing its root causes .
Officials should reintroduce community policy and stop deploying rookie officers with no knowledge of the terrain , he argued .
“ When talking about the banlieue , people use the words ‘ gangs ’ and ‘ omertà ’ ( code of silence ) .
But there ’ s far more omertà in the police , ” he said .
“ And they ’ re suffering from this too .
”

The global outrage triggered by George Floyd’s killing in the US has reignited a debate about policing in France’s ethnically diverse suburbs, where protesters say it is time the country wakes up to its own unspoken legacy of abuse and impunity.
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In years of rallying against racism and police brutality, Loom had never seen such a crowd before. All around him, flooding the area around the Paris courthouse, a sea of protesters rippled with anger and indignation, youthful faces covered in masks.
“What happened in the US happens here too, it’s the same oppression and injustice,” said the 38-year-old music producer, referring to the George Floyd killing that has sparked massive protests in the US and beyond.
He added: “The difference is that France pretends it doesn’t happen.”
Defying police orders, some 20,000 people gathered outside the French capital’s tribunal on Tuesday evening to protest against racism and impunity. Demonstrators voiced their support for the Black Lives Matter protests and demanded justice for Adama Traoré, a young black man who, like Floyd, died while in police custody in the Paris suburbs in 2016.
“This concerns all of us,” said Loom, who goes by the name he has chosen for his music company. “We want justice for the victims of police brutality and we want racism to be punished wherever it takes pace — all racisms, not just a select few.”
Huge crowds converged on the Paris courthouse calling for an end to police violence and impunity. © Gonzalo Fuentes, Reuters
While expressing pride in the huge turnout, Loom was disappointed by the lack of journalists at the event, with foreign correspondents appearing to outnumber the French.
“We’re always stigmatised as violent troublemakers, but where’s the press to report on this peaceful crowd?” he asked. “Trust me, they’ll only appear if scuffles break out.”
‘I can’t breathe’
Minor clashes did break out later in the night, duly capturing much of the media’s attention. The government voiced its outrage, warning that “violence has no place in democracy”. But those words will ring hollow to the youths from immigrant-rich suburbs who experience violence on an ordinary basis — and whose voices have so little space in French democracy.
Relations between police and residents have long been a fraught issue in France’s ethnically diverse suburbs, where men of African and North African origin complain about being routinely stopped and searched simply because of the colour of their skin.
A 2009 study by France's National Centre for Scientific Research showed that blacks were 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites, and those of Arab origin seven times more likely. In a depressing cycle of violence and resentment, such routine checks can lead to violent altercations and eventually riots, an explosive cocktail that threatened to materialise during the country’s coronavirus lockdown when a policing incident triggered several nights of unrest in the French capital’s deprived suburbs, known as the banlieue.
The chilling video of Floyd’s killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis has evoked comparisons with the case of 24-year-old Adama Traoré, whose death while in police custody in July 2016 sparked days of clashes in the suburbs. Two autopsies and four separate medical examinations have offered conflicting reasons for Traoré’s death, with his family maintaining that he suffocated under the weight of the three officers who used a controversial technique to restrain him.
Protesters hold up signs reading "Black Lives Matter", "Stop killing us" and "Justice for Adama". © Benjamin Dodman, FRANCE 24
Outside the courthouse on Tuesday, many protesters carried signs reading “I can’t breathe” — the last words spoken by both Floyd and Traoré.
“Today, it’s no longer the fight of the Traoré family — it’s your fight too,” Assa Traoré, Adama Traoré’s sister and one of the march’s key organizers, told the crowd. “Today, when we fight for George Floyd, we fight for Adama Traoré too.”
Vicious cycle
Hours before the protest, the Paris prefect announced he was banning the event on public health grounds — a move many protesters saw as further evidence of double standards.
“Even as we speak, the whole of Paris is out on bar terraces. None of them wear masks, where’s the social distancing?” asked Loom pointing towards the city centre, where large crowds enjoyed their first evening out after an 11-week lockdown.
“Look at our crowd instead: everyone wears a mask, everyone is careful,” he added, glossing over a minority of marchers who left their masks flapping under their chin or carried none.
Several protesters highlighted the contrast between the urgency of their cause and the insouciant revelling just around the corner.
“The authorities are happy to open bars and shopping malls but they won’t let us protest against racism and injustice,” said 17-year-old Anna Boisnot, who turned up with her friends despite their qualms regarding the coronavirus.
“We’re worried of course, particularly for our parents. But we had to be here, we can’t go on living in a world where only coloured people like us are harassed by the police,” said Marlene Meite, 16. “Racism is implanted in our society, it’s become banal, people don’t even see it anymore,” added their friend Raphaël Bavioudy.
The trio were heartened to see many white people in the crowd — including 29-year-old Maxime, who said he was “sick and tired of seeing the same cycle of violence, hatred and impunity again and again”.
“The vicious cycle just keeps on repeating itself,” said the Swiss-born photographer, who declined to give his full name. “Being white it’s often hard to see the racism, the discrimination that is so pervasive. And the more we get on in life, the less we are likely to see it, because we take such different paths from those who start at a disadvantage.”
Inégalité
France’s intersecting social and racial inequalities were once again exposed during the nationwide lockdown imposed in mid-March to stem the spread of Covid-19.
On the first day of confinement, the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France’s poorest and most immigrant-rich districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown, despite comprising just over two percent of the country’s population. Over the subsequent weeks, videos of heavy-handed and racially-charged arrests circulated widely on French social media, prompting outrage and calls for revenge.
Healthwise, Seine-Saint-Denis also paid a disproportionately heavy price. The combination of large families in cramped quarters and a lack of doctors and hospital beds left the local population particularly exposed to the virus. And while many Parisians fled to countryside residences or switched to working from home, the capital’s poorer suburbs supplied most of the frontline workers who kept the metropolis running.
But for France’s proudly egalitarian — and supposedly colour-blind — institutions, the racialised nature of such inequalities simply doesn’t exist, neither as a statistic nor as a distinct social experience.
“All that talk of equality and fraternity, it’s bullshit,” said former journalist Divy Vasanth, slamming the authorities and the media for refusing to engage with minorities and acknowledge racial inequalities.
Vasanth pointed to the case of French singer and actress Camélia Jordana, who recently caused a storm by using the term “massacre” to talk of police violence in the suburbs. The ensuing backlash, he argued, is indicative of a society that ignores people so long as they live in the banlieue and expects them to be grateful and “shut up” when they are successful.
“When Assa Traoré speaks, she’s told to shut it because she’s from the suburbs. And when Camélia Jordana says something, she’s told she has no reason to complain,” Vasanth said. “They don’t listen to what we have to say: they mock the words we use and ignore the substance.”
Police ‘suffering too’
“We’re black, brown, white etc. This is the reality. And we need to stop pretending that blacks and others are not discriminated against,” said Maelle M., a 23-year-old student from the Paris suburbs, standing nearby with a sign reading: “It’s not black vs white. It’s everyone vs racists”.
Maelle and her friend Aline also dithered at length before joining the rally, fearing for their safety. They carried milk and eye drops in their rucksacks to ease the sting from teargas.
“Of course France and America are very different countries, but they have a common enemy: racism,” said Maelle. “Nothing will ever change until people are educated about racism. Starting with the police.”
For Maelle M. (right) and her friend Aline, tackling racism is they key to healing the fraught relationship between police and youths in the suburbs. © Benjamin Dodman, FRANCE 24
The antagonism between French police and minority groups in deprived areas reflects a structural reluctance to engage with local communities.
The establishment of community policing, at the turn of the century, marked a short-lived attempt to bridge the gulf with residents of the banlieues. But the so-called police de proximité (proximity police) jarred with the tough “law and order” rhetoric of conservative firebrand Nicolas Sarkozy, who disbanded the unit after becoming France’s interior minister in 2002.
“You’re not a social worker,” Sarkozy famously told an officer who had helped organise a football tournament for youths in a poor suburb of Toulouse.
Ever since, left-wing politicians have regularly floated the idea of reintroducing some form of police de proximité. But former President François Hollande’s Socialist government made no such attempt. Instead, to the dismay of minority youths singled out by police, Hollande’s administration reneged on a campaign promise to introduce a form of written receipt for all identity checks carried out by officers — a measure long advocated by campaigners against racial profiling.
Such broken promises have widened the gulf between politicians and minorities, said Loom, lamenting the small number of politicians attending Tuesday’s rally.
“Only the extremes take an interest: the far left to support us and the far right to back the police,” he quipped. “As for the mainstream, they don’t care.”
Loom said politicians were not helping the police by allowing the cycle of violence and hatred to drag on instead of addressing its root causes. Officials should reintroduce community policy and stop deploying rookie officers with no knowledge of the terrain, he argued.
“When talking about the banlieue, people use the words ‘gangs’ and ‘omertà’ (code of silence). But there’s far more omertà in the police,” he said. “And they’re suffering from this too.”
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france24--2020-06-03--US bans Chinese passenger airlines in new spat with Beijing

A China Southern Airlines employee wears a surgical mask as a preventive measure in light of the coronavirus outbreak in China , while he attends a customer behind the counter at Benito Juarez international airport in Mexico City , Mexico January 28 , 2020 .
Washington on Wednesday ordered the suspension of all flights by Chinese airlines into and out of the United States after Beijing failed to allow American carriers to resume services to China .
The move adds to a growing friction between the world 's two largest economies amid the coronavirus crisis and in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been fully resolved .
The US action takes effect June 16 but could be implemented sooner if President Donald Trump orders it , the Department of Transportation ( DOT ) said .
The suspension applies to seven Chinese civilian carriers , although only four currently are running services to US cities , including Air China and China Eastern Airlines , the Department of Transportation ( DOT ) said .
`` US carriers have asked to resume passenger service , beginning June 1st .
The Chinese government 's failure to approve their requests is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the department said in a statement .
US air carriers had sharply reduced or suspended service to China amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines submitted applications at the beginning of May to resume flights but have been unable to receive authorization from Civil Aviation Authority of China ( CAAC ) , the DOT said .
The latest spat between Washington and Beijing centers partially on the CAAC deciding to determine the flight limit for foreign airlines based on their activity as of March 12 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that date due to the pandemic -- meaning their cap was calculated to be zero -- while Chinese-flagged flights continued .
The `` arbitrary 'baseline ' date ... effectively precludes US carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to and from China , '' the US order says .
The department also said there are indications Chinese airlines are using charter flights to get around the limit of one flight a week to increase their advantage over US carriers .
`` Our overriding goal is not the perpetuation of this situation , but rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both parties will be able to exercise fully their bilateral rights , '' the order said .
In early January 2020 , before the pandemic struck , US and Chinese carriers operated approximately 325 weekly flights between the two countries .
`` We support and appreciate the US government 's actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness , '' Delta spokesperson Lisa Hanna said .
And Katherine Estep of industry trade group Airlines for America said the order should `` ensure fair and equal opportunity for passenger airlines with respect to service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares jump on Wall Street , with United gaining 12.5 percent in an upbeat market .
The fight over air travel comes after the US imposed restrictions on Chinese telecom giant Huawei and ordered a probe into the actions of Chinese companies listed on American financial markets .
Trump also has blamed China for the US coronavirus outbreak and blasted the country in a fiery speech last week over a new security law in Hong Kong .
China mocked the US stance on Hong Kong in light of civil rights protests across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd , an unarmed African-American man .
`` Racism against ethnic minorities in the US is a chronic disease of American society , '' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said earlier this week .
Meanwhile , American Airlines , which is not planning to resume service to mainland China until late October , saw its debt downgraded Wednesday by S & P Global Ratings due to the company 's precarious situation .
Airlines have been among the hardest hit by the global pandemic as air transport has been virtually shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layoffs .
S & P lowered American 's debt grade a notch to `` B- '' saying the cost-savings measures it has taken `` will be insufficient to offset the effects of sharply lower demand from the impact of the virus on the company 's credit metrics . ''
American is a beneficiary of the government 's Payroll Support Program , under which it will receive $ 5.8 billion through July 2020 , but S & P said the carrier still has a cash shortage .

Washington on Wednesday ordered the suspension of all flights by Chinese airlines into and out of the United States after Beijing failed to allow American carriers to resume services to China.
A China Southern Airlines employee wears a surgical mask as a preventive measure in light of the coronavirus outbreak in China, while he attends a customer behind the counter at Benito Juarez international airport in Mexico City, Mexico January 28, 2020.
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The move adds to a growing friction between the world's two largest economies amid the coronavirus crisis and in the wake of a two-year trade war that has not been fully resolved.
The US action takes effect June 16 but could be implemented sooner if President Donald Trump orders it, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said.
The suspension applies to seven Chinese civilian carriers, although only four currently are running services to US cities, including Air China and China Eastern Airlines, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said.
"US carriers have asked to resume passenger service, beginning June 1st. The Chinese government's failure to approve their requests is a violation of our Air Transport Agreement," the department said in a statement.
US air carriers had sharply reduced or suspended service to China amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines submitted applications at the beginning of May to resume flights but have been unable to receive authorization from Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), the DOT said.
The latest spat between Washington and Beijing centers partially on the CAAC deciding to determine the flight limit for foreign airlines based on their activity as of March 12.
But US carriers had suspended all flights by that date due to the pandemic -- meaning their cap was calculated to be zero -- while Chinese-flagged flights continued.
The "arbitrary 'baseline' date... effectively precludes US carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to and from China," the US order says.
The department also said there are indications Chinese airlines are using charter flights to get around the limit of one flight a week to increase their advantage over US carriers.
"Our overriding goal is not the perpetuation of this situation, but rather an improved environment wherein the carriers of both parties will be able to exercise fully their bilateral rights," the order said.
Downgrade for American
In early January 2020, before the pandemic struck, US and Chinese carriers operated approximately 325 weekly flights between the two countries.
US carriers praised the administration's move
"We support and appreciate the US government's actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness," Delta spokesperson Lisa Hanna said.
And Katherine Estep of industry trade group Airlines for America said the order should "ensure fair and equal opportunity for passenger airlines with respect to service to and from China."
Airline shares jump on Wall Street, with United gaining 12.5 percent in an upbeat market.
The fight over air travel comes after the US imposed restrictions on Chinese telecom giant Huawei and ordered a probe into the actions of Chinese companies listed on American financial markets.
Trump also has blamed China for the US coronavirus outbreak and blasted the country in a fiery speech last week over a new security law in Hong Kong.
China mocked the US stance on Hong Kong in light of civil rights protests across the US following the police killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man.
"Racism against ethnic minorities in the US is a chronic disease of American society," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said earlier this week.
Meanwhile, American Airlines, which is not planning to resume service to mainland China until late October, saw its debt downgraded Wednesday by S&P Global Ratings due to the company's precarious situation.
Airlines have been among the hardest hit by the global pandemic as air transport has been virtually shut down, forcing many to announce massive layoffs.
S&P lowered American's debt grade a notch to "B-" saying the cost-savings measures it has taken "will be insufficient to offset the effects of sharply lower demand from the impact of the virus on the company's credit metrics."
American is a beneficiary of the government's Payroll Support Program, under which it will receive $5.8 billion through July 2020, but S&P said the carrier still has a cash shortage.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-03--Germany unveils 130 billion euro stimulus package to kickstart virus-hit economy

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a news conference after coalition meetings over stimulus measures to reboot post-coronavirus economy , at the Chancellery in Berlin , Germany June 3 , 2020 .
Germany will plough 130 billion euros ( $ 146 billion ) into a stimulus package to kick-start an economy severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic , Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday .
Under the wide-ranging measures outlined in a 15-page document , value-added tax will be temporarily slashed , families will receive 300 euros for each child , while those who purchase electric cars will see a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The size of the package will reach 130 billion euros for 2020 to 2021 , 120 billion of which will be borne by the federal government , '' said Merkel .
`` We have an economic stimulus package , a package for the future and in addition , we 're now dealing with our responsibility for Europe and the international dimension . ''
Noting that millions of employees in Germany have been put on shorter working hours , Merkel said that `` shows how fragile the whole thing is , and why we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push so that jobs can be secured . ''
`` We need to get out of this crisis with an oomph , '' said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz .
The fresh stimulus comes on top of a massive 1.1 trillion euro rescue package already agreed in March , comprising loan guarantees , subsidies and a beefed-up shorter-hours programme to avoid job cuts .
To fund the unprecedented package , parliament had approved new borrowing , marking a sea change in German economic policy , upending a financial-crisis-era constitutional rule drastically limiting budget deficits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept home , and shops and restaurants forced to close to halt transmission of the coronavirus , Germany is headed for the worst recession in its post-war history .
Disruptions to trade and travel have also weighed on the export powerhouse .
Latest data released earlier Wednesday showed that the unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent in May , the equivalent of some 2.8 million people , from 5.8 percent in April .
With new infections sharply dropping , Europe 's biggest economy began easing social restrictions in early May , allowing shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking the first tentative steps .
Factories too are restarting their production lines .
Merkel has said the support programme will help `` the economy to find its feet and grow again '' .
To boost consumer spending , VAT will be cut from 19 to 16 percent from July 1 to December 31 this year .
But a controversial plan for a cash-for-clunkers scheme that also covers petrol and diesel cars did not materialise after noisy environmental protests .
The youth environmental movement `` Fridays for Future '' had organised some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators asked to wear masks and keep their distance in line with coronavirus-fighting measures .
Bavaria state premier Markus Soeder , who had pushed for help to the automobile sector , defended the package , saying the VAT cut will benefit sales of all classes and types of vehicles .
The increased rebate for electric cars is aimed meanwhile at giving consumers the incentive to switch to cleaner vehicles , said Soeder , whose state hosts BMW and Audi .
Meanwhile , companies in sectors hardest hit by the crisis -- including hospitality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` bridging help '' worth 25 billion euros in total from June to August .
Under the measure , restaurants , hotels or event management companies could get up to 80 percent of their fixed operating costs reimbursed if revenues had plunged by more than 70 percent compared to a year ago .

Germany will plough 130 billion euros ($146 billion) into a stimulus package to kick-start an economy severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a news conference after coalition meetings over stimulus measures to reboot post-coronavirus economy, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany June 3, 2020.
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Under the wide-ranging measures outlined in a 15-page document, value-added tax will be temporarily slashed, families will receive 300 euros for each child, while those who purchase electric cars will see a government rebate doubled to 6,000 euros.
"The size of the package will reach 130 billion euros for 2020 to 2021, 120 billion of which will be borne by the federal government," said Merkel.
"We have an economic stimulus package, a package for the future and in addition, we're now dealing with our responsibility for Europe and the international dimension."
Noting that millions of employees in Germany have been put on shorter working hours, Merkel said that "shows how fragile the whole thing is, and why we must succeed in giving the economy a push so that jobs can be secured."
"We need to get out of this crisis with an oomph," said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.
The fresh stimulus comes on top of a massive 1.1 trillion euro rescue package already agreed in March, comprising loan guarantees, subsidies and a beefed-up shorter-hours programme to avoid job cuts.
To fund the unprecedented package, parliament had approved new borrowing, marking a sea change in German economic policy, upending a financial-crisis-era constitutional rule drastically limiting budget deficits.
'Find its feet'
With borders slamming shut, employees kept home, and shops and restaurants forced to close to halt transmission of the coronavirus, Germany is headed for the worst recession in its post-war history.
Disruptions to trade and travel have also weighed on the export powerhouse.
Latest data released earlier Wednesday showed that the unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent in May, the equivalent of some 2.8 million people, from 5.8 percent in April.
With new infections sharply dropping, Europe's biggest economy began easing social restrictions in early May, allowing shops to reopen while restaurants and tourist businesses are taking the first tentative steps.
Factories too are restarting their production lines.
Merkel has said the support programme will help "the economy to find its feet and grow again".
To boost consumer spending, VAT will be cut from 19 to 16 percent from July 1 to December 31 this year.
But a controversial plan for a cash-for-clunkers scheme that also covers petrol and diesel cars did not materialise after noisy environmental protests.
The youth environmental movement "Fridays for Future" had organised some 60 protests nationwide on Tuesday, with demonstrators asked to wear masks and keep their distance in line with coronavirus-fighting measures.
Bavaria state premier Markus Soeder, who had pushed for help to the automobile sector, defended the package, saying the VAT cut will benefit sales of all classes and types of vehicles.
The increased rebate for electric cars is aimed meanwhile at giving consumers the incentive to switch to cleaner vehicles, said Soeder, whose state hosts BMW and Audi.
Meanwhile, companies in sectors hardest hit by the crisis -- including hospitality, tourism and entertainment -- will receive "bridging help" worth 25 billion euros in total from June to August.
Under the measure, restaurants, hotels or event management companies could get up to 80 percent of their fixed operating costs reimbursed if revenues had plunged by more than 70 percent compared to a year ago.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-03--Four officers charged in George Floyd’s death, one with second-degree murder

The death of George Floyd has sparked nationwide protests , including this one in Washington , DC , near the US Capitol on June 3 , 2020 .
The Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on the neck of a black man who later died will now be charged with second-degree murder , and his three colleagues will also face charges , Senator Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday .
The May 25 death of George Floyd – who had been accused of trying to buy cigarettes with a counterfeit bill – has ignited protests across the United States over systemic racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keith Ellison is increasing charges against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree in George Floyd 's murder and also charging other 3 officers , ” Klobuchar tweeted .
“ This is another important step for justice.
” Chauvin was charged last week with third-degree murder , which is roughly akin to manslaughter .
A charge of second-degree murder does not suggest premeditation but carries stiffer penalties .
Court documents show the second-degree murder charge was added to the prior charges .
The three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Floyd 's family described news of the new charges as a `` bittersweet moment . ''
`` This is a significant step forward on the road to justice , and we are gratified that this important action came before George Floyd 's body was laid to rest , '' the statement said .
The statement , issued by family attorney Ben Crump , also said that Ellison would consider elevating the charge to premeditated murder `` if the evidence supports it . ''
The family urged protesters to `` raise their voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied night-time curfews Tuesday in several US cities .
But the demonstrations were largely peaceful , and while there were tense standoffs with law enforcement , the protests did not feature the looting or clashes with police of previous days .

The Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on the neck of a black man who later died will now be charged with second-degree murder, and his three colleagues will also face charges, Senator Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday.
The death of George Floyd has sparked nationwide protests, including this one in Washington, DC, near the US Capitol on June 3, 2020.
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The May 25 death of George Floyd – who had been accused of trying to buy cigarettes with a counterfeit bill – has ignited protests across the United States over systemic racism and police brutality.
“Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is increasing charges against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree in George Floyd's murder and also charging other 3 officers,” Klobuchar tweeted.
“This is another important step for justice.”
Chauvin was charged last week with third-degree murder, which is roughly akin to manslaughter. A charge of second-degree murder does not suggest premeditation but carries stiffer penalties.
Court documents show the second-degree murder charge was added to the prior charges.
00:55
The three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, documents show.
In a statement, Floyd's family described news of the new charges as a "bittersweet moment."
"This is a significant step forward on the road to justice, and we are gratified that this important action came before George Floyd's body was laid to rest," the statement said.
The statement, issued by family attorney Ben Crump, also said that Ellison would consider elevating the charge to premeditated murder "if the evidence supports it."
The family urged protesters to "raise their voices for change in peaceful ways."
Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied night-time curfews Tuesday in several US cities.
But the demonstrations were largely peaceful, and while there were tense standoffs with law enforcement, the protests did not feature the looting or clashes with police of previous days.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-03--Defense Secretary Esper opposes Trump on using military to quell George Floyd protests

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits National Guard officers guarding the White House on June 1 , 2020 , amid nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd .
Breaking with President Donald Trump , Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes using military forces for law enforcement in containing current street protests .
Esper said the Insurrection Act , which would allow Trump to use active-duty military for law enforcement in containing street protests , should be invoked in the United States “ only in the most urgent and dire of situations . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of those situations now.
” Invoking the Insurrection Act has been discussed as Trump has talked about using the military to quell violent protests in U.S. cities .
Esper has authorized the movement of several active-duty Army units to military bases just outside the nation 's capital , but they have not been called to action .
Just before Esper spoke , Trump took credit for a massive deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to the nation ’ s capital , saying it offered a model to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some protests nationwide .
Trump argued that the massive show of force was responsible for protests in Washington and other cities turning more calm in recent days and repeated his criticism of governors who have not deployed their National Guard to the fullest .
“ You have to have a dominant force , ” Trump told Fox New Radio on Wednesday .
“ We need law and order.
” Esper , in his Pentagon remarks , strongly criticized the actions of the Minneapolis police for the incident last week that ignited the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , George Floyd , died after a white officer pressed his knee to Floyd 's neck for several minutes .
Esper called the act “ murder ” and “ a horrible crime.
” Esper has come under fire from critics , including retired senior military officers , for having walked from the White House on Monday evening with Trump and others for a presidential photo opportunity in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , which had previously sustained damage from protesters .
Esper said that while he was aware they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not know what would happen there .
“ I was not aware a photo op was happening , ” he said , adding that he also did not know that police had forcibly moved peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square to clear the way for Trump and his entourage .
Trump put a political spin on his criticism of states with violence .
He said , “ You notice that all of these places that have problems , they ’ re not run by Republicans .
They ’ re run by liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingency plans for deploying active-duty military if needed .
Pentagon documents reviewed by The Associated Press showed plans for soldiers from an Army division to protect the White House and other federal buildings if the security situation in the nation ’ s capital were to deteriorate and the National Guard could not secure the facilities .
But interest in exerting that extraordinary federal authority appeared to be waning in the White House .
Though the crackdown on the Washington demonstrations was praised by some Trump supporters Tuesday , a handful of Republicans expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protesters ’ First Amendment rights .
The situation in Washington had escalated Monday , becoming a potent symbol of Trump ’ s policing tactics and a physical manifestation of the rhetorical culture war he has stoked since before he was elected .
Nearly 30 minutes before a 7 p.m. curfew in Washington , U.S. Park Police repelled protesters with what they said were smoke canisters and pepper balls .
“ D.C .
had no problems last night .
Many arrests .
Great job done by all .
Overwhelming force .
Domination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night in which heavily armed military forces and federal officers swarmed the city .
Trump added , “ ( thank you President Trump ! )
.
” The clampdown followed a weekend of demonstrations outside the White House .
Trump had been furious about images juxtaposing fires set in the park outside the executive mansion with a darkened White House in the background , according to current and former campaign and administration officials .
He was also angry about the news coverage revealing he had been rushed to the White House bunker during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday address in the Rose Garden , he called on governors to ramp up the National Guard presence to tamp down the protests .
If they didn ’ t , Trump said , he would dispatch the military to their states — a step rarely taken in modern American history .
The federal government has provided affected states with a list of National Guard resources available to them , the White House official said .
The official added that Trump ’ s message to governors was that if they don ’ t use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they shouldn ’ t expect a sympathetic response to any request for federal dollars to help with cleanup and recovery down .
On Monday , 715 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in the capital area in case the situation in Washington escalated .
They are stationed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and Fort Belvoir in Virginia .
Two more 82nd Airborne battalions , totaling 1,300 soldiers , are on standby at Fort Bragg in North Carolina , according to documents reviewed by the AP .
The plan is named Operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington area are armed and have riot gear and bayonets .
After the AP first reported the issuing of bayonets Tuesday , orders came down that soldiers would not need the knife-like weapons that can be affixed to rifles , according to two soldiers from the 82nd who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear they would be punished for commenting publicly .
The idea that bayonets could be used in confronting civilians provoked an outcry on social media and among some members of Congress .
Administration officials were privately acknowledging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve the administration well .
Some Republican lawmakers , typically in lockstep with the president or at least refrain from publicly criticizing him , said Trump had gone too far in appearing to use force to clear the way for his visit to the church .
“ There is no right to riot , no right to destroy others ’ property , and no right to throw rocks at police , ” said Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse .
“ But there is a fundamental — a constitutional — right to protest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peaceful protest for a photo op that treats the Word of God as a political prop.
” Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , said of Trump posing for photos holding up a Bible , “ I just wish he opened it once in a while.
” It was Attorney General William Barr who gave the order for law enforcement to clear out the protest before Trump ’ s walk to the church ahead of Washington ’ s 7 p.m. curfew .
A person familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , but had not been executed by the time Barr arrived in Lafayette Park to survey the scene .
He verbally gave the order at that time .
After the demonstrators had been pushed out of the park , Trump emerged from the White House with several officials , including Esper and Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Senior defense officials told reporters Milley was also not aware that the Park Police and law enforcement had made a decision to clear the square or that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They had been in Washington to coordinate with federal law enforcement officials but were diverted to the White House to brief Trump on military preparations , the officials said .

Breaking with President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes using military forces for law enforcement in containing current street protests.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits National Guard officers guarding the White House on June 1, 2020, amid nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd.
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Esper said the Insurrection Act, which would allow Trump to use active-duty military for law enforcement in containing street protests, should be invoked in the United States “only in the most urgent and dire of situations." He declared, “We are not in one of those situations now.”
Invoking the Insurrection Act has been discussed as Trump has talked about using the military to quell violent protests in U.S. cities. Esper has authorized the movement of several active-duty Army units to military bases just outside the nation's capital, but they have not been called to action.
Just before Esper spoke, Trump took credit for a massive deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to the nation’s capital, saying it offered a model to states on how to stop violence accompanying some protests nationwide.
Trump argued that the massive show of force was responsible for protests in Washington and other cities turning more calm in recent days and repeated his criticism of governors who have not deployed their National Guard to the fullest.
“You have to have a dominant force,” Trump told Fox New Radio on Wednesday. “We need law and order.”
Esper, in his Pentagon remarks, strongly criticized the actions of the Minneapolis police for the incident last week that ignited the protests. In their custody, a black man, George Floyd, died after a white officer pressed his knee to Floyd's neck for several minutes. Esper called the act “murder” and “a horrible crime.”
'Not aware a photo op was happening'
Esper has come under fire from critics, including retired senior military officers, for having walked from the White House on Monday evening with Trump and others for a presidential photo opportunity in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which had previously sustained damage from protesters.
Esper said that while he was aware they were heading to St. John's, he did not know what would happen there.
“I was not aware a photo op was happening,” he said, adding that he also did not know that police had forcibly moved peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square to clear the way for Trump and his entourage.
Trump put a political spin on his criticism of states with violence. He said, “You notice that all of these places that have problems, they’re not run by Republicans. They’re run by liberal Democrats.”
The Defense Department has drafted contingency plans for deploying active-duty military if needed. Pentagon documents reviewed by The Associated Press showed plans for soldiers from an Army division to protect the White House and other federal buildings if the security situation in the nation’s capital were to deteriorate and the National Guard could not secure the facilities.
But interest in exerting that extraordinary federal authority appeared to be waning in the White House. Though the crackdown on the Washington demonstrations was praised by some Trump supporters Tuesday, a handful of Republicans expressed concern that law enforcement officers risked violating the protesters’ First Amendment rights.
The situation in Washington had escalated Monday, becoming a potent symbol of Trump’s policing tactics and a physical manifestation of the rhetorical culture war he has stoked since before he was elected. Nearly 30 minutes before a 7 p.m. curfew in Washington, U.S. Park Police repelled protesters with what they said were smoke canisters and pepper balls.
“D.C. had no problems last night. Many arrests. Great job done by all. Overwhelming force. Domination,” Trump tweeted Tuesday, after a night in which heavily armed military forces and federal officers swarmed the city. Trump added, “(thank you President Trump!).”
The clampdown followed a weekend of demonstrations outside the White House. Trump had been furious about images juxtaposing fires set in the park outside the executive mansion with a darkened White House in the background, according to current and former campaign and administration officials. He was also angry about the news coverage revealing he had been rushed to the White House bunker during Friday’s protests.
In a Monday address in the Rose Garden, he called on governors to ramp up the National Guard presence to tamp down the protests. If they didn’t, Trump said, he would dispatch the military to their states — a step rarely taken in modern American history.
The federal government has provided affected states with a list of National Guard resources available to them, the White House official said. The official added that Trump’s message to governors was that if they don’t use all the tools in their arsenal, they shouldn’t expect a sympathetic response to any request for federal dollars to help with cleanup and recovery down.
On Monday, 715 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in the capital area in case the situation in Washington escalated. They are stationed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Two more 82nd Airborne battalions, totaling 1,300 soldiers, are on standby at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, according to documents reviewed by the AP. The plan is named Operation Themis.
The soldiers on standby in the Washington area are armed and have riot gear and bayonets. After the AP first reported the issuing of bayonets Tuesday, orders came down that soldiers would not need the knife-like weapons that can be affixed to rifles, according to two soldiers from the 82nd who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear they would be punished for commenting publicly. The idea that bayonets could be used in confronting civilians provoked an outcry on social media and among some members of Congress.
Administration officials were privately acknowledging that Monday’s events didn’t serve the administration well. Some Republican lawmakers, typically in lockstep with the president or at least refrain from publicly criticizing him, said Trump had gone too far in appearing to use force to clear the way for his visit to the church.
Constitutional right to protest
“There is no right to riot, no right to destroy others’ property, and no right to throw rocks at police,” said Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse. “But there is a fundamental — a constitutional — right to protest, and I’m against clearing out a peaceful protest for a photo op that treats the Word of God as a political prop.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said of Trump posing for photos holding up a Bible, “I just wish he opened it once in a while.”
It was Attorney General William Barr who gave the order for law enforcement to clear out the protest before Trump’s walk to the church ahead of Washington’s 7 p.m. curfew. A person familiar with the matter said the decision was made earlier Monday, but had not been executed by the time Barr arrived in Lafayette Park to survey the scene. He verbally gave the order at that time.
After the demonstrators had been pushed out of the park, Trump emerged from the White House with several officials, including Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior defense officials told reporters Milley was also not aware that the Park Police and law enforcement had made a decision to clear the square or that Trump intended to visit the church. They had been in Washington to coordinate with federal law enforcement officials but were diverted to the White House to brief Trump on military preparations, the officials said.
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-03--Glenn Greenwald on US protests: Trump's push to deploy the military is 'threat' to democracy

In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald reacted to the protests that are spreading in the US and beyond after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd while in police custody .
Greenwald said that although US President Donald Trump was hoping to play the law and order card to win re-election in November , he believed this could backfire .
He also called Trump 's push to send in the military to quell the protests a `` grave threat '' to democratic values , adding that it could `` give a signal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Brazil 's Jair Bolsonaro .
Speaking from Rio de Janeiro , Greenwald blasted Obama-era national security adviser Susan Rice for suggesting the current US protest movement was encouraged and funded by Russia , saying it showed the Democrats preferred such conspiracy theories to asking themselves about their own failures and losing the 2016 election to a `` clown '' like Trump .
He argued that while Russia may have intervened in that election , it was in a `` trivial '' way and similar to what the US has done in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
> > Can Trump 'deploy the military ' to quell protests over George Floyd 's death ?
The award-winning journalist warned that Trump 's threat to deploy the military to control the protests was a threat to democracy in the US and beyond .
He claimed that it would encourage `` other leaders '' with an authoritarian bent to resort to such means .
In Brazil , where Greenwald lives , President Jair Bolsonaro has been openly threatening to bring back military rule .
Greenwald believes democracy is now `` in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family feel under attack from the justice system and media and are touting military rule as a better system than democracy .
> > Watch our Reporters show : Populism and the pandemic , the great divide in Brazil

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald reacted to the protests that are spreading in the US and beyond after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd while in police custody. Greenwald said that although US President Donald Trump was hoping to play the law and order card to win re-election in November, he believed this could backfire. He also called Trump's push to send in the military to quell the protests a "grave threat" to democratic values, adding that it could "give a signal to other leaders around the world", such as Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro.
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Speaking from Rio de Janeiro, Greenwald blasted Obama-era national security adviser Susan Rice for suggesting the current US protest movement was encouraged and funded by Russia, saying it showed the Democrats preferred such conspiracy theories to asking themselves about their own failures and losing the 2016 election to a "clown" like Trump. He argued that while Russia may have intervened in that election, it was in a "trivial" way and similar to what the US has done in Russia and other places around the globe.
>> Can Trump 'deploy the military' to quell protests over George Floyd's death?
The award-winning journalist warned that Trump's threat to deploy the military to control the protests was a threat to democracy in the US and beyond. He claimed that it would encourage "other leaders" with an authoritarian bent to resort to such means. In Brazil, where Greenwald lives, President Jair Bolsonaro has been openly threatening to bring back military rule. Greenwald believes democracy is now "in danger" in Brazil, as Bolsonaro and his family feel under attack from the justice system and media and are touting military rule as a better system than democracy.
>> Watch our Reporters show: Populism and the pandemic, the great divide in Brazil
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-06-03--Covid-19: France records 81 new deaths as number of ICU cases continues to drop

Doctors treat a Covid-19 patient at the Jean Bernard hospital in Valenciennes , France , on May 5 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ toll rose by 81 on Wednesday , or 0.3 percent , to reach 29,021 , @ @ @ @ @ toll in the world .
The rate of increase has decreased compared to Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ percent , and the number of people hospitalised for Covid-19 disease has continued its long-running @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The number of confirmed cases rose to 151,677 from 151,325 @ @ @ @ @ patients continued to dropped to 13,514 on Tuesday , from 14,028 the day before , @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care units went down to 1,210 from 1,253 .
Since the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ were hospitalised , including 18,019 in intensive care , and 69,455 people were discharged from @ @

France's coronavirus death toll rose by 81 on Wednesday, or 0.3 percent, to reach 29,021, which is the fifth-highest death toll in the world.
Doctors treat a Covid-19 patient at the Jean Bernard hospital in Valenciennes, France, on May 5, 2020.
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The rate of increase has decreased compared to Tuesday, when fatalities were up 0.4 percent, and the number of people hospitalised for Covid-19 disease has continued its long-running decline, the health ministry said in a statement.
The number of confirmed cases rose to 151,677 from 151,325. The number of hospitalised patients continued to dropped to 13,514 on Tuesday, from 14,028 the day before, while the number of patients in intensive care units went down to 1,210 from 1,253.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 102,133 people were hospitalised, including 18,019 in intensive care, and 69,455 people were discharged from hospital.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-03--Warring parties resume ceasefire talks in Libya, UN says

Fighters loyal to the UN-recognised Libyan Government of National Accord ( GNA ) gather amid clashes with rival forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar near Tripoli International Airport on June 3 , 2020 .
Military talks on a ceasefire in Libya resumed Wednesday , the United Nations announced , welcoming it as a `` positive '' first step .
The interim UN envoy , Stephanie Williams , met with a five-member delegation representing military commander Khalifa Haftar 's forces , UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said .
A meeting with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord will be held within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Negotiations will continue on the ceasefire agreement and associated arrangements on the basis of the draft presented by the UN mission to both delegations on February 23 this year , ” Dujarric said .
“ The UN mission encourages the parties to de-escalate , consider a truce to enable improved delivery of humanitarian assistance and to refrain from incitement and create an environment conducive for negotiations and building trust between the parties.
” The UN mission in Libya had announced on Tuesday that the rival factions had agreed to resume talks after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fighting has continued , however , notably near the capital Tripoli , which since April 2019 has been the target of an offensive by Haftar 's eastern-based forces .
On Wednesday , the GNA said its forces had retaken Tripoli 's international airport after heavy fighting with troops loyal to Haftar .
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths , including numerous civilians , and displaced more than 200,000 people .
Over the past year , foreign powers have become increasingly involved in the conflict .
The United Arab Emirates , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Turkey has intervened militarily on behalf of the GNA , which has recently scored a series of military victories .
All previous attempts at a ceasefire , most recently in January on the occasion of a conference in Berlin , have failed .
In February , when talks were suspended , the rival camps had agreed to negotiate a “ permanent ceasefire ” under a joint GNA/pro-Haftar military commission .

Military talks on a ceasefire in Libya resumed Wednesday, the United Nations announced, welcoming it as a "positive" first step.
Fighters loyal to the UN-recognised Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) gather amid clashes with rival forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar near Tripoli International Airport on June 3, 2020.
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The interim UN envoy, Stephanie Williams, met with a five-member delegation representing military commander Khalifa Haftar's forces, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
A meeting with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord will be held within the coming days, he added.
“Negotiations will continue on the ceasefire agreement and associated arrangements on the basis of the draft presented by the UN mission to both delegations on February 23 this year,” Dujarric said.
“The UN mission encourages the parties to de-escalate, consider a truce to enable improved delivery of humanitarian assistance and to refrain from incitement and create an environment conducive for negotiations and building trust between the parties.”
The UN mission in Libya had announced on Tuesday that the rival factions had agreed to resume talks after a suspension of more than three months.
Fighting has continued, however, notably near the capital Tripoli, which since April 2019 has been the target of an offensive by Haftar's eastern-based forces.
On Wednesday, the GNA said its forces had retaken Tripoli's international airport after heavy fighting with troops loyal to Haftar.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths, including numerous civilians, and displaced more than 200,000 people.
Over the past year, foreign powers have become increasingly involved in the conflict.
The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia have supported Haftar's camp, while Turkey has intervened militarily on behalf of the GNA, which has recently scored a series of military victories.
All previous attempts at a ceasefire, most recently in January on the occasion of a conference in Berlin, have failed.
In February, when talks were suspended, the rival camps had agreed to negotiate a “permanent ceasefire” under a joint GNA/pro-Haftar military commission.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-03--WHO to resume suspended hydroxychloroquine trials for Covid-19 treatment

The World Health Organization will resume trials of hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for the coronavirus after having suspended them on May 25 to conduct a safety review .
The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine will resume as it searches for potential coronavirus treatments .
On May 25 , the WHO announced it had temporarily suspended the trials to conduct a safety review , which has now concluded there is “ no reason ” to change the way the trials are conducted .
The UN health agency ’ s decision came after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting the drug could increase the risk of death among Covid-19 patients .
The executive group of the so-called Solidarity Trial – in which hundreds of hospitals across the world have enrolled patients to test several possible treatments for the novel coronavirus – took the decision as a precaution .
Hydroxychloroquine is normally used to treat arthritis but public figures including US President Donald Trump have backed the drug for Covid-19 prevention and treatment , prompting governments to bulk-buy .
“ Last week , the executive group of the Solidarity Trial decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm of the trial , because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug , ” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news briefing .
“ This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed .
“ The data safety and monitoring committee of the Solidarity Trial has been reviewing the data .
“ On the basis of the available mortality data , the members of the committee recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol .
“ The executive group received this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Solidarity Trial , including hydroxychloroquine .
“ The executive group will communicate with the principal investigators in the trial about resuming the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial .
“ The data safety and monitoring committee will continue to closely monitor the safety of all therapeutics being tested in the Solidarity Trial.
” More than 3,500 patients have been recruited across 35 countries to take part in the trials .

The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine will resume as it searches for potential coronavirus treatments.
The World Health Organization will resume trials of hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for the coronavirus after having suspended them on May 25 to conduct a safety review.
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On May 25, the WHO announced it had temporarily suspended the trials to conduct a safety review, which has now concluded there is “no reason” to change the way the trials are conducted.
The UN health agency’s decision came after a study published in The Lancet medical journal suggesting the drug could increase the risk of death among Covid-19 patients.
The executive group of the so-called Solidarity Trial – in which hundreds of hospitals across the world have enrolled patients to test several possible treatments for the novel coronavirus – took the decision as a precaution.
Hydroxychloroquine is normally used to treat arthritis but public figures including US President Donald Trump have backed the drug for Covid-19 prevention and treatment, prompting governments to bulk-buy.
“Last week, the executive group of the Solidarity Trial decided to implement a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial, because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news briefing.
“This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed.
“The data safety and monitoring committee of the Solidarity Trial has been reviewing the data.
“On the basis of the available mortality data, the members of the committee recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol.
“The executive group received this recommendation and endorsed continuation of all arms of the Solidarity Trial, including hydroxychloroquine.
“The executive group will communicate with the principal investigators in the trial about resuming the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial.
“The data safety and monitoring committee will continue to closely monitor the safety of all therapeutics being tested in the Solidarity Trial.”
More than 3,500 patients have been recruited across 35 countries to take part in the trials.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-03--Germany to lift travel warning to most European countries from June 15

Travel agents and tourism industry employees demonstrate in front of the lower house of German parliament in Berlin on May 27 , 2020 , demanding financial help from the government , amid the spread of the coronavirus disease .
Germany will lift its blanket travel warning for European nations from June 15 , Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday , as the continent looks to further ease restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus .
Germany introduced an unprecedented warning against all foreign travel in mid-March .
But with new infections sharply down , the government is looking for ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided today that the travel warning for the named circle of countries will not be continued but replaced by travel advice , ” Maas said , referring to EU nations , other Schengen countries and Britain .
The individual advice will be for a total of 31 nations , “ provided that there are no longer any entry bans or large-scale lockdowns in the respective countries ” , he said .
The advice could still include warnings against travel to certain countries , such as Norway and Spain , which still have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be watching contagion data very carefully , Maas added , saying that warnings could be reintroduced if new infections were to reach 50 per 100,000 people in a week in the country concerned .
Germany reported just 342 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday – down from more than 6,000 a day at the height of new infections in March .
Belgium announced on Wednesday that it would reopen its borders to travellers from the European Union , Britain and members of Europe 's passport-free travel zone on June 15 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Belgium emerges from a three-month coronavirus lockdown , adding that bars and restaurants would reopen on June 8 .
`` From June 8 everything will be allowed , with exceptions , '' Wilmes told a news conference after a meeting of the country 's national security council .
`` The virus is still among us , it is still taking victims and will probably take more , and certainly if we are not vigilant , '' she added , saying large gatherings would remain banned until August 31 .
Nightclubs also can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wilmes said cultural activities would continue without spectators until July 1 , when cinemas and other cultural spaces can open with a maximum of 200 people .
Gyms can reopen from Monday , but with no access to changing rooms .
Belgium , where the European Union and NATO are headquartered , imposed its coronavirus lockdown on March 18 .
With 9,522 deaths from the outbreak , including in care homes , densely populated Belgium suffered one of the world 's highest per capital tolls from Covid-19 .
But cases have dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 70 new confirmed infections reported on Tuesday , down from around 700 hospitalisations a day in late March .
The EU set out plans in May for a phased restart of travel this summer , with border controls eventually lifted and measures to minimise the risks of infection , like wearing face masks on shared transport .
Some countries have already started reopening their borders in a bid to revive the embattled tourism industry .
Italy reopened to travellers from Europe on Wednesday , and Austria is lifting restrictions in mid-June with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Slovakia and Hungary .
German tour operator TUI said Wednesday it would be resuming flights to popular holiday destinations , with the first flight scheduled for Portugal on June 17 , according to news site Business Insider ( BI ) .
“ Our main destinations will be the Balearic Islands , Canaries , Greece , Portugal and Cyprus , ” TUI chief executive Marek Andryszak told BI .
However , the German foreign minister , Maas , continued to urge caution .
“ I know that this decision raises great hope and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : travel warnings are not travel bans , and travel advice is not an invitation to travel , ” Maas said .
He also warned that Germany would not be repeating its unprecedented and costly effort to rescue stranded Germans from around the world in the first weeks of the pandemic .
In Berlin , residents were divided over whether lifting the travel warning was a good idea .
“ If I fly somewhere , I will be afraid about coming back again because maybe it will get worse and they will close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident Regina .
Another , Henri , was more optimistic : “ There are masks , so I 'm not afraid .
I mean , I do n't understand what this is all about anyway.
” Germany still has a travel warning in place for Turkey , Ukraine and the Western Balkans .
The government will review this after an expected European Commission decision next week on whether to extend entry restrictions for citizens of third countries , Maas said .

Germany will lift its blanket travel warning for European nations from June 15, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, as the continent looks to further ease restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus.
Travel agents and tourism industry employees demonstrate in front of the lower house of German parliament in Berlin on May 27, 2020, demanding financial help from the government, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease.
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Germany introduced an unprecedented warning against all foreign travel in mid-March. But with new infections sharply down, the government is looking for ways to restart the economy.
“We have decided today that the travel warning for the named circle of countries will not be continued but replaced by travel advice,” Maas said, referring to EU nations, other Schengen countries and Britain.
The individual advice will be for a total of 31 nations, “provided that there are no longer any entry bans or large-scale lockdowns in the respective countries”, he said.
The advice could still include warnings against travel to certain countries, such as Norway and Spain, which still have their own entry restrictions in place.
Germany will be watching contagion data very carefully, Maas added, saying that warnings could be reintroduced if new infections were to reach 50 per 100,000 people in a week in the country concerned.
Germany reported just 342 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday – down from more than 6,000 a day at the height of new infections in March.
Belgium reopens borders to EU travellers
Belgium announced on Wednesday that it would reopen its borders to travellers from the European Union, Britain and members of Europe's passport-free travel zone on June 15.
Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes announced the measure as Belgium emerges from a three-month coronavirus lockdown, adding that bars and restaurants would reopen on June 8.
"From June 8 everything will be allowed, with exceptions," Wilmes told a news conference after a meeting of the country's national security council.
"The virus is still among us, it is still taking victims and will probably take more, and certainly if we are not vigilant," she added, saying large gatherings would remain banned until August 31. Nightclubs also cannot open before the end of August.
Wilmes said cultural activities would continue without spectators until July 1, when cinemas and other cultural spaces can open with a maximum of 200 people. Gyms can reopen from Monday, but with no access to changing rooms.
Belgium, where the European Union and NATO are headquartered, imposed its coronavirus lockdown on March 18. With 9,522 deaths from the outbreak, including in care homes, densely populated Belgium suffered one of the world's highest per capital tolls from Covid-19.
But cases have dropped off dramatically in recent days, with just 70 new confirmed infections reported on Tuesday, down from around 700 hospitalisations a day in late March.
Phased restart
The EU set out plans in May for a phased restart of travel this summer, with border controls eventually lifted and measures to minimise the risks of infection, like wearing face masks on shared transport.
Some countries have already started reopening their borders in a bid to revive the embattled tourism industry.
Italy reopened to travellers from Europe on Wednesday, and Austria is lifting restrictions in mid-June with Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
German tour operator TUI said Wednesday it would be resuming flights to popular holiday destinations, with the first flight scheduled for Portugal on June 17, according to news site Business Insider (BI).
“Our main destinations will be the Balearic Islands, Canaries, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus,” TUI chief executive Marek Andryszak told BI.
However, the German foreign minister, Maas, continued to urge caution.
“I know that this decision raises great hope and expectations but I want to say again: travel warnings are not travel bans, and travel advice is not an invitation to travel,” Maas said.
He also warned that Germany would not be repeating its unprecedented and costly effort to rescue stranded Germans from around the world in the first weeks of the pandemic.
In Berlin, residents were divided over whether lifting the travel warning was a good idea.
“If I fly somewhere, I will be afraid about coming back again because maybe it will get worse and they will close the borders again,” said Berlin resident Regina.
Another, Henri, was more optimistic: “There are masks, so I'm not afraid. I mean, I don't understand what this is all about anyway.”
Germany still has a travel warning in place for Turkey, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.
The government will review this after an expected European Commission decision next week on whether to extend entry restrictions for citizens of third countries, Maas said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-03--French court agrees to transfer Rwanda genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga to UN tribunal

Félicien Kabuga during his first court appearance in Paris on May 20 , 2020 .
A French court on Wednesday ordered Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga be handed over to a United Nations tribunal for trial .
UN prosecutors accuse Kabuga of bankrolling and arming ethnic Hutu militias that killed 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda during a 100-day period in 1994 .
He is indicted for genocide and incitement to commit genocide , among other charges .
Kabuga , whose arrest in Paris in May ended a manhunt that lasted more than two decades , has called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped him avoid arrest as he moved from Rwanda to Switzerland , the former Zaire and Kenya .
His lawyers say he will not receive a fair trial at the UN tribunal , which is based in The Hague and in Arusha , Tanzania .
They also argue his health is too frail for him to be transferred to the African country , particularly during a dangerous pandemic .
But the court said his health was “ not incompatible ” with a transfer .
The 87-year-old is currently being held in a Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN tribunal ’ s chief prosecutor , Serge Brammertz , ahead of Wednesday ’ s ruling , Kabuga 's lawyers urged him to leave the case with France 's judiciary .

A French court on Wednesday ordered Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga be handed over to a United Nations tribunal for trial.
Félicien Kabuga during his first court appearance in Paris on May 20, 2020.
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UN prosecutors accuse Kabuga of bankrolling and arming ethnic Hutu militias that killed 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda during a 100-day period in 1994. He is indicted for genocide and incitement to commit genocide, among other charges.
Kabuga, whose arrest in Paris in May ended a manhunt that lasted more than two decades, has called the charges lies.
His money and connections helped him avoid arrest as he moved from Rwanda to Switzerland, the former Zaire and Kenya.
His lawyers say he will not receive a fair trial at the UN tribunal, which is based in The Hague and in Arusha, Tanzania.
They also argue his health is too frail for him to be transferred to the African country, particularly during a dangerous pandemic.
But the court said his health was “not incompatible” with a transfer. The 87-year-old is currently being held in a Paris prison.
In a letter to the UN tribunal’s chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, ahead of Wednesday’s ruling, Kabuga's lawyers urged him to leave the case with France's judiciary.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-03--As viral photo resurfaces, a reminder that Devonte Hart was victim of reported racial abuse

As protests rage across the United States and elsewhere in the world to protest police brutality , racism and the killing of George Floyd , a photo showing a black boy in tears hugging a white police officer has resurfaced on social media .
The photo is from 2014 – and there ’ s a dark history behind it.The image , which shows 12-year-old Devonte Hart hugging a police officer during a rally in Portland , Oregon , on 25 November , 2014 , went viral at the time .
The rally was to protest yet another police killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson on 9 August , 2014.Devonte Hart was at the rally with his white adoptive mother Jennifer Hart , holding a sign offering ‘ Free hugs ’ .
There are different versions of the interaction with the police officer , but many now regard the incident as having been staged by Jennifer Hart.Four years later , in March 2018 , Jennifer Hart drove her wife , Sarah Hart ( also white ) , and their six adopted black children off a cliff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was never found , but he is presumed dead along with the rest of the family.After their deaths , a history of familial abuse came to light .
Authorities had repeatedly been warned by concerned neighbours , successive schools and family friends that the two Hart women were abusing their children by beating them and withholding food.The Harts had moved states several times prior to the crash , each time asstate child protection agencies began to take an increased interest in the family .
Just days before Jennifer Hart killed them all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency to report physical abuse of the children .
One of Devonte 's sisters had reportedly asked the neighbour for help , saying that her mothers were racist Now , as many protesters take to the streets across America , a new debate about hugging police officers is animating social media.Some protesters vow that they will never hug police officers , saying police officers represent and enforce a system of discrimination and inequality.Others are calling for compassion and respectful interaction between police officers and protesters.Devonte Hart became known as a symbol of reconciliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the divide between African Americans and police , but he was himself the target of racial abuse at home .

UNITED STATES
On the left, a tweet calling for more kindness during the George Floyd protests. On the right, one of the images from that same tweet - photo by Johnny Nguyen.
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As protests rage across the United States and elsewhere in the world to protest police brutality, racism and the killing of George Floyd, a photo showing a black boy in tears hugging a white police officer has resurfaced on social media. The photo is from 2014 – and there’s a dark history behind it.
We need less finger pointing and more of THIS!! It's the only thing that's going to fix it..... ????#FreeHugs #LoveOneAnother pic.twitter.com/DfclRbODxG ????????????????????????????.⋆* (@Car0lina_Queen) May 28, 2020
The image, which shows 12-year-old Devonte Hart hugging a police officer during a rally in Portland, Oregon, on 25 November, 2014, went viral at the time. The rally was to protest yet another police killing of a black American: Michael Brown Jr., who was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson on 9 August, 2014.
Devonte Hart was at the rally with his white adoptive mother Jennifer Hart, holding a sign offering ‘Free hugs’. There are different versions of the interaction with the police officer, but many now regard the incident as having been staged by Jennifer Hart.
Four years later, in March 2018, Jennifer Hart drove her wife, Sarah Hart (also white), and their six adopted black children off a cliff in California. Devonte Hart’s body was never found, but he is presumed dead along with the rest of the family.
After their deaths, a history of familial abuse came to light. Authorities had repeatedly been warned by concerned neighbours, successive schools and family friends that the two Hart women were abusing their children by beating them and withholding food.
The Harts had moved states several times prior to the crash, each time asstate child protection agencies began to take an increased interest in the family. Just days before Jennifer Hart killed them all, a neighbour had called a child welfare agency to report physical abuse of the children. One of Devonte's sisters had reportedly asked the neighbour for help, saying that her mothers were racist.
Now, as many protesters take to the streets across America, a new debate about hugging police officers is animating social media.
Many protesters say they’re going home now. Some protesters and cops hug. pic.twitter.com/ISzYFax61c Kaley Johnson (@KaleyAJohnson) June 2, 2020
Some protesters vow that they will never hug police officers, saying police officers represent and enforce a system of discrimination and inequality.
Do not, under any circumstances, hug a cop, march with a cop, kneel with a cop, or hand a cop your mic. Radio Free Amanda 余美娜 (@catcontentonly) June 1, 2020
Others are calling for compassion and respectful interaction between police officers and protesters.
We need more rational beautiful souls like this man right now. Riots must end. pic.twitter.com/WJn31yQgZn Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 31, 2020
Devonte Hart became known as a symbol of reconciliation between white and black people, bridging the divide between African Americans and police, but he was himself the target of racial abuse at home.


france24--2020-06-03--Russian jets target Syrian rebels for first time since March ceasefire

Northwestern Syria has been ravaged by years of war .
Russian air strikes have hit Syria ’ s last major rebel bastion for the first time since a March ceasefire came into force , a war monitor said on Wednesday .
The Russian strikes on Tuesday evening and at dawn on Wednesday hit an area of the northwest where the boundaries of Hama , Idlib and Latakia provinces meet , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said .
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance ( HTS ) , led by Syria ’ s former Al-Qaeda affiliate , and its hardline allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Britain-based monitoring group added .
Home to some three million people , the Idlib region of the northwest is controlled by HTS and affiliated rebel groups .
A Russian-backed government offensive between December and March displaced nearly a million people in the region .
Some 840,000 of the nearly one million remain displaced , while some 120,000 have returned to their home communities since the ceasefire went into force , according to the United Nations .
The truce , which coincided with the coronavirus crisis , had put a stop to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their Russian allies that killed at least 500 civilians in four months .
The Observatory said the latest strikes were intended to push jihadists away from the key M4 highway in northern Syria , where Turkish and Russian forces often conduct joint patrols as part of the truce agreement .
They were also intended to push HTS and its allies further away from the Sahl al-Ghab area in the north of Hama province , where government and Russian forces are present , it added .
The air strikes triggered a fresh wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jabal al-Zawiya district of neighbouring Idlib , the Observatory added .
Nearly half of the three million people living in the Idlib region have been displaced from other parts of Syria recaptured by the government .
After holding barely a fifth of the country five years ago , Russian intervention has helped the government reclaim control of more than 70 percent of Syria .
In the northwest , HTS and its allies control around half of Idlib province and slivers of territory in the neighbouring provinces of Hama , Latakia and Aleppo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 380,000 people and displaced nearly half of the country 's pre-war population since it started in 2011 .
The month of May saw the lowest civilian death toll since the start of the conflict nine years ago with 71 civilians reported killed , the Observatory said on Tuesday .

Russian air strikes have hit Syria’s last major rebel bastion for the first time since a March ceasefire came into force, a war monitor said on Wednesday.
Northwestern Syria has been ravaged by years of war.
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The Russian strikes on Tuesday evening and at dawn on Wednesday hit an area of the northwest where the boundaries of Hama, Idlib and Latakia provinces meet, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance (HTS), led by Syria’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and its hardline allies enjoy a significant presence in the area, the Britain-based monitoring group added.
Home to some three million people, the Idlib region of the northwest is controlled by HTS and affiliated rebel groups.
A Russian-backed government offensive between December and March displaced nearly a million people in the region.
Some 840,000 of the nearly one million remain displaced, while some 120,000 have returned to their home communities since the ceasefire went into force, according to the United Nations.
The truce, which coincided with the coronavirus crisis, had put a stop to the relentless air strikes by government forces and their Russian allies that killed at least 500 civilians in four months.
The Observatory said the latest strikes were intended to push jihadists away from the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces often conduct joint patrols as part of the truce agreement.
They were also intended to push HTS and its allies further away from the Sahl al-Ghab area in the north of Hama province, where government and Russian forces are present, it added.
New wave of displacement
The air strikes triggered a fresh wave of displacement from Sahl al-Ghab and the Jabal al-Zawiya district of neighbouring Idlib, the Observatory added.
Nearly half of the three million people living in the Idlib region have been displaced from other parts of Syria recaptured by the government.
After holding barely a fifth of the country five years ago, Russian intervention has helped the government reclaim control of more than 70 percent of Syria.
In the northwest, HTS and its allies control around half of Idlib province and slivers of territory in the neighbouring provinces of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.
The war in Syria has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced nearly half of the country's pre-war population since it started in 2011.
The month of May saw the lowest civilian death toll since the start of the conflict nine years ago with 71 civilians reported killed, the Observatory said on Tuesday.
(AFP)
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