france24--2020-06-21--The Nazi massacre of African soldiers in French army, 80 years on

As France crumbled under the Nazi invasion in June 1940 , the German army engaged in a series of massacres against African soldiers in the Lyon region , in the southeast of the country .
After shining a light on these atrocities thanks to the discovery of new photos , historian Julien Fargettas discussed them with FRANCE 24 .
A photo shows the fear on the faces of the Senegalese riflemen fighting for the French army , as German soldiers lead them into a field .
One of eight hitherto unpublished images depicting the Chasselay massacre , it shows some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only had minutes to live , killed by machine-gun fire from Panzers positioned along a road .
These photos are at the centre of Julien Fargettas ’ new work Juin 1940 , combats et massacres en Lyonnais ( “ June 1940 , battles and massacres in the Lyon region ” , not translated into English ) .
They were discovered in an old album bought by a young private collector , Baptiste Garin .
“ What these pictures reveal is that the perpetrators really thought this mass execution through , ” said Fargettas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And when we look at the attitude of the German soldiers , we see that they ’ re showing no emotion.
” This was not the first time Nazis massacred African soldiers .
“ It started at the end of May 1940 , in the Somme region , ” Fargettas explained .
“ There was no order from high up saying that colonial prisoners of war should be killed or even ill-treated .
It was impulsive , but the German military hierarchy did nothing to even try to stop it.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the First World War , Fargettas continued : “ The Germans used them to accuse the Allies of savagery on the battlefield .
The German army had itself been rightly accused of atrocities against civilians , especially in Belgium .
Consequently , in response they used the image of the African sharpshooter as a propaganda weapon.
” The peace settlement adumbrated in the Treaty of Versailles meant that the Ruhr and Rhineland , along Germany ’ s western border , were occupied by France .
Many troops from French colonies were stationed there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very intensive , mendacious propaganda campaign accusing African soldiers of mass rape and kidnapping .
This is what the Germans called the “ black horror on the Rhine ” ; slander which the Nazis would reuse.
” When many Wehrmacht soldiers entered France in May 1940 , they had memories of this propaganda .
African soldiers were abused by the invaders throughout the country .
“ These troops often fought very well , while of course the Germans sustained many losses despite their success in the Battle of France , so that produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already stored up , ” said Fargettas .
On June 19 , 1940 , the violence culminated in the Chasselay massacre .
This was two days after Marshal Philippe Pétain ’ s notorious announcement that he would seek an armistice with the Nazis .
The 25th regiment of Senegalese riflemen was posted to the northwest of Lyon , to delay the enemy ’ s entry into France ’ s third largest city .
“ The Germans expected to seize Lyon quite easily , ” Fargettas recounted .
“ But on the morning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance , in battles lasting for several hours .
After the Wehrmacht won the first battles in the afternoon , they executed French as well as African prisoners .
But on the next day – after the last pockets of resistance were defeated – they divided the prisoners into two : The French on one side , the Africans on the other .
They led the latter down an isolated road .
They were sent to a field and machine-gunned.
” During these massacres , some French soldiers were also executed or wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riflemens ' bodies were left on the ground .
Despite the Germans forbidding it , people from Chasselay buried the remains in a mass grave .
One man then took an interest in their fate : Jean-Baptiste Marchiani , head of the local office for victims of the war .
In the summer of 1940 , he offered to give them a proper burial , suggesting a memorial in the model of an African cemetery using red ochre .
“ At first , he was faced with polite indifference from the Vichy authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s clear why they didn ’ t want a tribute to riflemen massacred by the Germans .
But Marchiani framed it as a potential propaganda tool to show Vichy ’ s attachment to the French Empire.
” On November 8 , 1942 , the project was finished .
Chasselay ’ s Senegalese “ tata ” was inaugurated .
In this “ enclosure of sacred land ” in the Wolof language , the bodies of 188 Senegalese riflemen found in the region are buried .
“ Vichy officials said they were killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the massacres.
” The riflemen who escaped these massacres endured a long period of captivity afterwards .
French soldiers were sent to prisoner of war camps in Germany ; African soldiers were kept in France .
“ The Germans refused to transfer them ; they did not want what they called ‘ racial contamination ’ , ” said Fargettas .
“ Therefore they kept them in the occupied zone , in particular camps they called Frontstalags , where incidents of abuse were common .
Many were then dispatched to work in logging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their fallen comrades were gradually being forgotten .
Contrary to the wishes of Jean-Baptiste Marchiani , the tata did not become a place where thousands of people regularly flocked to pay their respects to the Senegalese riflemen who were massacred , even though an annual ceremony was organised there after the war .
Often , their families , living thousands of miles away , can not make the trip – and some don ’ t even know the fate of their loved ones .
“ Even today , there are dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archives show that there are plenty of soldiers still classed as missing , probably including those buried in Chasselay , ” Fargettas said .
As well as writing books , Fargettas also works to try and find the specific identities of those soldiers killed in 1940 .
His ambition is for a plaque with all of their names to be put on the tata .
This article was adapted from the original in French .

As France crumbled under the Nazi invasion in June 1940, the German army engaged in a series of massacres against African soldiers in the Lyon region, in the southeast of the country. After shining a light on these atrocities thanks to the discovery of new photos, historian Julien Fargettas discussed them with FRANCE 24.
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A photo shows the fear on the faces of the Senegalese riflemen fighting for the French army, as German soldiers lead them into a field. One of eight hitherto unpublished images depicting the Chasselay massacre, it shows some of a group of 40 soldiers who only had minutes to live, killed by machine-gun fire from Panzers positioned along a road.
These photos are at the centre of Julien Fargettas’ new work Juin 1940, combats et massacres en Lyonnais (“June 1940, battles and massacres in the Lyon region”, not translated into English). They were discovered in an old album bought by a young private collector, Baptiste Garin. “What these pictures reveal is that the perpetrators really thought this mass execution through,” said Fargettas. “It’s really disturbing. And when we look at the attitude of the German soldiers, we see that they’re showing no emotion.”
This was not the first time Nazis massacred African soldiers. “It started at the end of May 1940, in the Somme region,” Fargettas explained. “There was no order from high up saying that colonial prisoners of war should be killed or even ill-treated. It was impulsive, but the German military hierarchy did nothing to even try to stop it.”
Senegalese rifleman visit the cemetery commemorating their fallen comrades, September 24,1944 © Archives of the Lyon region, Wikimedia
A history of propaganda
This hatred of black soldiers goes back to the First World War, Fargettas continued: “The Germans used them to accuse the Allies of savagery on the battlefield. The German army had itself been rightly accused of atrocities against civilians, especially in Belgium. Consequently, in response they used the image of the African sharpshooter as a propaganda weapon.”
The peace settlement adumbrated in the Treaty of Versailles meant that the Ruhr and Rhineland, along Germany’s western border, were occupied by France. Many troops from French colonies were stationed there. “In Germany there was a very intensive, mendacious propaganda campaign accusing African soldiers of mass rape and kidnapping. This is what the Germans called the “black horror on the Rhine”; slander which the Nazis would reuse.”
When many Wehrmacht soldiers entered France in May 1940, they had memories of this propaganda. African soldiers were abused by the invaders throughout the country. “These troops often fought very well, while of course the Germans sustained many losses despite their success in the Battle of France, so that produced anger which added to all the resentment already stored up,” said Fargettas.
On June 19, 1940, the violence culminated in the Chasselay massacre. This was two days after Marshal Philippe Pétain’s notorious announcement that he would seek an armistice with the Nazis. The 25th regiment of Senegalese riflemen was posted to the northwest of Lyon, to delay the enemy’s entry into France’s third largest city.
“The Germans expected to seize Lyon quite easily,” Fargettas recounted. “But on the morning of June 19, they faced very strong resistance, in battles lasting for several hours. After the Wehrmacht won the first battles in the afternoon, they executed French as well as African prisoners. But on the next day – after the last pockets of resistance were defeated – they divided the prisoners into two: The French on one side, the Africans on the other. They led the latter down an isolated road. They were sent to a field and machine-gunned.” During these massacres, some French soldiers were also executed or wounded for trying to intervene.
The Senegalese Tata at Chasselay. © Taguelmoust, Wikimedia
‘Sacred land’
The Senegalese riflemens' bodies were left on the ground. Despite the Germans forbidding it, people from Chasselay buried the remains in a mass grave. One man then took an interest in their fate: Jean-Baptiste Marchiani, head of the local office for victims of the war. In the summer of 1940, he offered to give them a proper burial, suggesting a memorial in the model of an African cemetery using red ochre.
“At first, he was faced with polite indifference from the Vichy authorities,” said Fargettas. “It’s clear why they didn’t want a tribute to riflemen massacred by the Germans. But Marchiani framed it as a potential propaganda tool to show Vichy’s attachment to the French Empire.”
On November 8, 1942, the project was finished. Chasselay’s Senegalese “tata” was inaugurated. In this “enclosure of sacred land” in the Wolof language, the bodies of 188 Senegalese riflemen found in the region are buried. “Vichy officials said they were killed in battle, and carefully avoided any mention of the massacres.”
The graveyard inside the tata at Chasselay. © Taguelmoust, Wikimedia
The riflemen who escaped these massacres endured a long period of captivity afterwards. French soldiers were sent to prisoner of war camps in Germany; African soldiers were kept in France. “The Germans refused to transfer them; they did not want what they called ‘racial contamination’,” said Fargettas. “Therefore they kept them in the occupied zone, in particular camps they called Frontstalags, where incidents of abuse were common. Many were then dispatched to work in logging, farms or factories.”
In Chasselay, their fallen comrades were gradually being forgotten. Contrary to the wishes of Jean-Baptiste Marchiani, the tata did not become a place where thousands of people regularly flocked to pay their respects to the Senegalese riflemen who were massacred, even though an annual ceremony was organised there after the war. Often, their families, living thousands of miles away, cannot make the trip – and some don’t even know the fate of their loved ones.
“Even today, there are dozens of graves of unknown soldiers, while the archives show that there are plenty of soldiers still classed as missing, probably including those buried in Chasselay,” Fargettas said.
As well as writing books, Fargettas also works to try and find the specific identities of those soldiers killed in 1940. His ambition is for a plaque with all of their names to be put on the tata.
This article was adapted from the original in French.
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france24--2020-06-21--Brazil hits grim milestone of 50,000 Covid-19 deaths

Brazil , the world 's No .
2 coronavirus hot spot after the United States , officially passed 50,000 coronavirus deaths on Sunday , a blow for a country already grappling with more than 1 million cases , rising political instability and a crippled economy .
Brazil now has a total of 1,085,038 confirmed cases and 50,617 deaths , up from 49,976 on Saturday , the Health Ministry said .
Experts say the true numbers are a lot higher because of a lack of widespread testing .
Latin America 's largest country has typically recorded more than 1,000 deaths a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekends .
Brazil confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus on Feb. 26 and passed 1 million cases on Friday .
Since first arriving in the country , the virus ' rapid spread has eroded support for right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and has raised fears of economic collapse after years of anemic growth .
Bolsonaro , sometimes called the `` Tropical Trump , '' has been widely criticized for his handling of the crisis .
The country still has no permanent health minister after losing two since April , following clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , calling it a job-killing measure more dangerous than the virus itself .
He has also promoted two anti-malarial drugs as remedies , chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine , despite little evidence they work .
On Sunday , Bolsonaro said the military serves the will of the people and its mission is to defend democracy , adding fuel to a raging debate about the armed forces ' role amid rumbling fears of political fragility .
His comments came on the same day his supporters and detractors gathered in cities across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Latin America 's largest country .

Brazil, the world's No. 2 coronavirus hot spot after the United States, officially passed 50,000 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, a blow for a country already grappling with more than 1 million cases, rising political instability and a crippled economy.
Health workers from the city of Melgaco ride a boat ambulance after visiting a small riverside community on Marajo Island, state of Para, Brazil.
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Brazil now has a total of 1,085,038 confirmed cases and 50,617 deaths, up from 49,976 on Saturday, the Health Ministry said. Experts say the true numbers are a lot higher because of a lack of widespread testing. Latin America's largest country has typically recorded more than 1,000 deaths a day, but usually registers fewer on the weekends.
Brazil confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus on Feb. 26 and passed 1 million cases on Friday. Since first arriving in the country, the virus' rapid spread has eroded support for right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and has raised fears of economic collapse after years of anemic growth.
Bolsonaro, sometimes called the "Tropical Trump," has been widely criticized for his handling of the crisis. The country still has no permanent health minister after losing two since April, following clashes with the president.
Bolsonaro has shunned social distancing, calling it a job-killing measure more dangerous than the virus itself. He has also promoted two anti-malarial drugs as remedies, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, despite little evidence they work.
On Sunday, Bolsonaro said the military serves the will of the people and its mission is to defend democracy, adding fuel to a raging debate about the armed forces' role amid rumbling fears of political fragility.
His comments came on the same day his supporters and detractors gathered in cities across the country, in a stark symbol of the polarization in Latin America's largest country.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--Serbia's ruling conservatives set for landslide in general election under lockdown

People celebrate next to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at Serbian Progressive Party ( SNS ) headquarters during a national election , the first in Europe since lockdown due to the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , in Belgrade , Serbia , June 21 , 2020 .
Polls closed after Serbians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe 's first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago , with the ruling conservatives expected to win a comfortable majority .
Serbia 's ruling conservative party led by President Aleksandar Vucic is set for a landslide win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected by Ipsos and CeSID pollsters showed .
The projection shows the Serbian Progressive Party ( SNS ) on track to win 62.4 % of the votes , while the Socialist party - a junior coalition partner in the outgoing government - is seen coming second with 10.7 % of the votes .
The centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance led by former water polo player Aleksandar Sapic is seen in third place with 4.1 % of the votes .
Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for the country 's electorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom were expected to skip voting - partly because of fears of coronavirus infection .
Ipsos and CeSID saw turnout at 48 % compared to 56.7 % in 2016 .
The State Election Commission is due to announce preliminary results including turnout later in the evening .
Turnout was hit by a boycott by some opposition parties , who say the vote will not be free or fair owing to Vucic 's grip on the media .
Voters largely back efforts by Vucic 's ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia and China .
But the future government will face increasing EU and U.S. pressure to recognise the independence of Serbia 's former province of Kosovo , a move seen as key for regional stability .
Mladjan Knezevic , a pensioner from Novi Beograd , said he voted for the status quo : `` I am for things to stay as they were . ''
Vucic himself is not up for re-election , but the opposition parties boycotting the vote accuse him of using his position as president to promote his party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.2 million , has reported 12,894 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 261 deaths .
It was among the first European countries to start opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted .
Analysts and pollsters said that health concerns kept some voters at home , especially among higher-risk groups .
About 1.2 million people on the electoral list have lived abroad for years and are unlikely to vote .
At a polling station in a school in Belgrade 's Zemun municipality , voters and election officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to minimise exposure to the virus .
`` Yes , I am concerned about the coronavirus but had to vote ...
I want t to see SPAS in parliament . ''

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared a landslide victory for his ruling party Sunday in a parliamentary election tarnished by a boycott from much of the opposition, who accuse the leader of burgeoning authoritarianism.
People celebrate next to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) headquarters during a national election, the first in Europe since lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Belgrade, Serbia, June 21, 2020.
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With some 63 percent of the vote, according to Vucic, the centre-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was set to dramatically expand its dominance in the 250-member parliament.
While Vucic did not run for office himself, the 50-year-old tightly controls the party, which has been in power since 2012.
“I am grateful to the people for this historic support,” he said with elation from the SNS headquarters where brass music blasted in celebration.
“We won everywhere,” Vucic continued. “We won in the places where we had never won before.”
The sweeping success was helped by a boycott from the country’s main opposition camp, who decried the elections as neither free nor fair under Vucic’s domineering reign.
But despite their stay-at-home campaign and lingering concerns about the coronavirus, turnout was lower than normal—but not dramatically—at slightly under 50 percent according to the independent election monitor CRTA.
The boycotting opposition slammed the “fake elections” and claimed their movement was victorious.
Either way the ruling party will have few rivals to contend with in the halls of parliament, where they are expected to hold around 189 seats.
Virus bump
In second place was their traditional junior coalition partner, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), predicted to claim 32 seats, according to the IPSOS polling agency.
And next in line was the only opposition party to garner enough votes to pass the three percent threshold to enter parliament: the newly formed Serbian Patrotic Alliance (SPAS) with around a dozen seats.
A slate of ethnic minority parties with a lower bar to entry will also take some 17 spots, according to IPSOS.
Among those who didn’t make the cut was the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party, led by convicted war criminal Vojislav Seselj.
Without a meaningful opposition, the “pyrrhic victory” could ultimately discredit Serbia’s ruling party as it will be viewed as “less legitimate than ever before”, Balkans analyst Florian Bieber commented on Twitter.
But in the short term they will be more powerful than ever, capping Vucic’s eight-year effort to consolidate control over the country’s democracy, first as prime minister and now as president.
He came into this poll riding a fresh wave of popularity for keeping Serbia’s coronavirus situation in check, with around 260 deaths in a country of seven million.
Although the post of president is meant to be ceremonial, he remains Serbia’s top decision-maker and led the country through the health crisis.
Serbian analyst Dusan Spasojevic describes the Balkan state’s elections as a form of “competitive autocracy”.
“There is a competition but participants are not equal,” he explained of a playing field warped by Vucic’s outsized influence.
Watchdogs say Vucic’s power lies in his manipulation of the media, with several outlets effectively serving as SNS propaganda machines.
The US-based Freedom House recently declared the country no longer a democracy but a “hybrid regime”, due to “years of increasing state capture, abuse of power, and strongman tactics”.
Time for Kosovo talks
Yet the Serb leader can count on support from allies across the international stage.
In addition to close ties with Russia and China, he has backing from the West, where he is seen as capable of resolving Serbia’s decades-long territorial dispute with former province Kosovo.
With elections behind him, the president will now face pressure to make progress on talks with Pristina that have been frozen for over a year.
He already has a busy schedule lined up: over the next week he will talk with the European Union’s envoy for Serbia and Kosovo, visit Moscow and meet Kosovo representatives at the White House.
At the heart of the dispute is Belgrade’s rejection of the independence that Kosovo, home to an ethnic Albanian majority, declared after a bloody 1990s war that was halted by a NATO intervention.
The issue is highly emotive for Serbian nationalists but it weighs especially heavily on the Serb minority still living in Kosovo.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--PM Philippe says France could impose new lockdown on French Guiana after Covid-19 spread

PM Philippe says France could impose new lockdown on French Guiana after Covid-19 spread The coronavirus has been spreading faster @ @ @ @ @ in French Guiana and the French government is not ruling out imposing a new lockdown @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Édouard Philippe 's office said on Sunday .
The prime minister 's office @ @ @ @ @ that the government would be stepping up its resources to tackle the virus in the @ @ @ @ @ everywhere with you !
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The coronavirus has been spreading faster in the last 10 days in French Guiana and the French government is not ruling out imposing a new lockdown on the overseas territory, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe's office said on Sunday.
This photograph taken on June 20, 2020 shows a general view of the entrance to a hospital in Cayenne, French Guiana, during a curfew imposed by the prefectural and health authorities to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
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The prime minister's office also said in its statement that the government would be stepping up its resources to tackle the virus in the region, located on the northeastern coast of South America.
Guiana, which has a population of 300,000, has recorded 2,441 confirmed cases so far, including 1,511 patients who have since recovered. The number of cases has risen fourfold over the past two weeks.
A total of 111 Covid-19 patients have been hospitalised in the territory’s main hub, Cayenne, 14 of them in intensive care.
The worsening outbreak has led French authorities to postpone the second round of municipal elections, scheduled for June 28, across Guiana.
Space centre affected
Late on Sunday, Guiana’s Prefect Marc Del Grande, the territory’s top official, said a curfew would be “reinforced” in the town of Kourou, where France’s main space centre is located, amid a spike in infections there.
Kourou’s number of confirmed cases shot to 353 by Saturday evening, up from 69 on June 4. Local news site Guyaweb said those infected included six employees of the space centre, the main launch pad for European satellites.
Kourou now has Guiana’s second-highest per-capita number of cases after the small town of Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, on the border with hard-hit Brazil, where 314 confirmed cases were reported on Saturday evening out of a total population of just 4,220.
Two people have died since June 13 at Kourou’s hospital, which does not have an intensive care unit. Both were aged over 80. The deaths bring Guiana's total number of fatalities from Covid-19 to seven.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--‘Unbelievable scenes’: Hundreds of party-goers clash with police, loot shops in German city

People stand in front of a shop that was plundered during riots in Stuttgart , Germany on June 21 , 2020 .
German authorities expressed shock Sunday over a rampage of an `` unprecedented scale '' overnight in the city centre of Stuttgart , where hundreds of party-goers ran riot , attacking police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows .
Two dozen people , half of them German nationals , were arrested provisionally , as police reported 19 colleagues hurt .
`` They were unbelievable scenes that have left me speechless .
In my 46 years of police service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Stuttgart police chief Frank Lutz .
Tensions built up shortly after midnight when officers carried out checks on a 17-year-old German man suspected of using drugs , said Stuttgart deputy police chief Thomas Berger .
Crowds who were milling around at the city 's biggest square , the Schlossplatz , immediately rallied around the young man and began flinging stones and bottles at police .
The groups of mostly men also used sticks or poles to smash windows of police vehicles parked in the area .
`` I sharply condemn this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against people and things are criminal action that must be forcefully prosecuted and condemned , '' Baden-Wuerttemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann said in a statement .
At the height of the clashes , some 400 to 500 people joined in the battle against police officers and rescue workers .
As officers pushed back against the crowd , they broke up into small groups , carrying on their rampage around the city centre , smashing shop windows and looting stores along nearby Koenigstrasse , a major shopping street .
Videos posted on Twitter showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strewn on the streets .
A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked , according to regional broadcaster SWR .
In all , nine shops were looted while 14 others suffered damage such as broken windows .
As smaller scale clashes had already broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people , officers had already bulked up their deployment overnight with an extra 100-strong team .
But the scale of the violence overwhelmed the officers , forcing them to call in reinforcements from other parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half hours later were they able to quell the violence that has been described as `` civil war-like scenes '' by Social Democrat regional MP Sascha Binder .
Police on Sunday ruled out any political motives for the rampage , describing the perpetrators as people from the `` party scene or events scene '' .
An unusually large number of people were in the city centre to enjoy the summer 's night because discos and clubs are still shut over the coronavirus pandemic , said Stuttgart mayor Fritz Kuhn .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , adding that others may have been driven by `` the addiction of putting a little film on social media ” .
Asked about the nationalities of the 12 non-Germans who were detained , Berger said they stemmed from a range of countries from Croatia and Portugal to Afghanistan and Somalia .
Calling the riots of `` an unprecedented nature ” , interior minister for the region Thomas Strobl vowed to `` use all available means available under the rule of law to go after the rioters ” .

German authorities expressed shock Sunday over a rampage of an "unprecedented scale" overnight in the city centre of Stuttgart, where hundreds of party-goers ran riot, attacking police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows.
People stand in front of a shop that was plundered during riots in Stuttgart, Germany on June 21, 2020.
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Two dozen people, half of them German nationals, were arrested provisionally, as police reported 19 colleagues hurt.
"They were unbelievable scenes that have left me speechless. In my 46 years of police service, I have never experienced this," said Stuttgart police chief Frank Lutz.
Tensions built up shortly after midnight when officers carried out checks on a 17-year-old German man suspected of using drugs, said Stuttgart deputy police chief Thomas Berger.
Crowds who were milling around at the city's biggest square, the Schlossplatz, immediately rallied around the young man and began flinging stones and bottles at police.
The groups of mostly men also used sticks or poles to smash windows of police vehicles parked in the area.
"I sharply condemn this brutal outbreak of violence, these acts against people and things are criminal action that must be forcefully prosecuted and condemned," Baden-Wuerttemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann said in a statement.
At the height of the clashes, some 400 to 500 people joined in the battle against police officers and rescue workers.
As officers pushed back against the crowd, they broke up into small groups, carrying on their rampage around the city centre, smashing shop windows and looting stores along nearby Koenigstrasse, a major shopping street.
'Party scene'
Videos posted on Twitter showed people breaking shop windows, leaving goods strewn on the streets.
A jewellery store was completely emptied and a mobile phone shop wrecked, according to regional broadcaster SWR.
In all, nine shops were looted while 14 others suffered damage such as broken windows.
As smaller scale clashes had already broken out downtown last week between police and groups of young people, officers had already bulked up their deployment overnight with an extra 100-strong team.
But the scale of the violence overwhelmed the officers, forcing them to call in reinforcements from other parts of the state.
Only four and a half hours later were they able to quell the violence that has been described as "civil war-like scenes" by Social Democrat regional MP Sascha Binder.
Police on Sunday ruled out any political motives for the rampage, describing the perpetrators as people from the "party scene or events scene".
An unusually large number of people were in the city centre to enjoy the summer's night because discos and clubs are still shut over the coronavirus pandemic, said Stuttgart mayor Fritz Kuhn.
Some of the rioters were charged up by alcohol, he said, adding that others may have been driven by "the addiction of putting a little film on social media”.
Asked about the nationalities of the 12 non-Germans who were detained, Berger said they stemmed from a range of countries from Croatia and Portugal to Afghanistan and Somalia.
Calling the riots of "an unprecedented nature”, interior minister for the region Thomas Strobl vowed to "use all available means available under the rule of law to go after the rioters”.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--Israeli historian Zeev Sternhell, advocate for Palestinian rights, dies aged 85

Israeli academic Zeev Sternhell poses at home in Jerusalem in this file photo taken on February 2 , 2015 .
Israeli historian and political scientist Zeev Sternhell , a peace activist and one of the leading thinkers of the country 's left , has died aged 85 , Jerusalem 's Hebrew University said Sunday .
Polish-born Sternhell , head of the university 's political science department , was an outspoken champion of Palestinian rights who strongly criticised Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank .
Hebrew University president Asher Cohen hailed Sternhell , a professor emeritus there who was awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 , as `` among the most important researchers '' to emerge from the institution .
`` His innovative political science research , which was translated into many languages , brought a deep change in the academic perception of ideological movements , specifically radical movements , '' Cohen said .
Ayman Odeh , head of the Arab-led Joint List in Israel 's parliament , wrote that `` during his childhood in Poland , Sternhell experienced the terrible results of fascism , and throughout his life had the courage and strength to research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a significant voice for Palestinian human rights and against the occupation in the territories . ''
Born to a Jewish family in 1935 , Sternhell survived the Second World War disguised as a Catholic .
His mother and sister were murdered by the Nazis .
He moved to France after the war , then to Israel upon its creation in 1948 .
Sternhell served as an Israeli soldier in the country 's wars over four decades and believed in the necessity of a Jewish state , despite his opposition to Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a longtime activist in the Israeli Peace Now movement , founding member Janet Aviad told AFP .
`` He was a very strong and credible Zionist whose message was that we have one land for two people , '' she said .
`` That was the message he delivered in very humanistic , egalitarian , universal terms '' .
His academic work also delved into the `` French roots of fascism '' and stirred lively debate and controversy , according to former student Denis Charbit , now a lecturer at the Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very demanding '' professor , but also one `` attentive '' to his best students , Charbit told AFP .
In addition to academic writing and books , he regularly published opinion pieces in Israeli newspapers , most notably Haaretz , many of which were critical of settlers .
On one occasion Sternhell called the settlement movement a `` cancer '' in Israeli society , and in another instance said a settlement should be attacked with tanks .
After receiving the Israel Prize in 2008 , he was wounded the same year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a right-wing extremist .
Sternhell himself said the attack was testimony to the `` fragility '' of Israeli democracy .
In an interview with Haaretz later that year , he warned of the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the condition of Israel `` not respecting the national rights of others '' .
In a 2014 interview with Haaretz , during Israel 's war against Hamas in Gaza , Sternhell warned that the Jewish state 's democracy was `` facing collapse '' .
`` The Israeli democracy is eroding , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Tamar Zandberg , of left-wing party Meretz , said Sternhell 's lasting legacy would be his work towards `` a strong and not occupying Israeli democracy '' .
Communication Minister Yoaz Hendel offered his condolences to the Sternhell family , noting that while he did n't share many of Sternhell 's opinions , `` prominent intellectuals like him , from right and left , are the foundation to our existence as the people of the book '' .
According to Haaretz , Sternhell died as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his wife , two daughters and several grandchildren .

Israeli historian and political scientist Zeev Sternhell, a peace activist and one of the leading thinkers of the country's left, has died aged 85, Jerusalem's Hebrew University said Sunday.
Israeli academic Zeev Sternhell poses at home in Jerusalem in this file photo taken on February 2, 2015.
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Polish-born Sternhell, head of the university's political science department, was an outspoken champion of Palestinian rights who strongly criticised Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Hebrew University president Asher Cohen hailed Sternhell, a professor emeritus there who was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for political science in 2008, as "among the most important researchers" to emerge from the institution.
"His innovative political science research, which was translated into many languages, brought a deep change in the academic perception of ideological movements, specifically radical movements," Cohen said.
Ayman Odeh, head of the Arab-led Joint List in Israel's parliament, wrote that "during his childhood in Poland, Sternhell experienced the terrible results of fascism, and throughout his life had the courage and strength to research and fight it.
"For decades he was a significant voice for Palestinian human rights and against the occupation in the territories."
Survived Second World War
Born to a Jewish family in 1935, Sternhell survived the Second World War disguised as a Catholic. His mother and sister were murdered by the Nazis.
He moved to France after the war, then to Israel upon its creation in 1948.
Sternhell served as an Israeli soldier in the country's wars over four decades and believed in the necessity of a Jewish state, despite his opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
He was a longtime activist in the Israeli Peace Now movement, founding member Janet Aviad told AFP.
"He was a very strong and credible Zionist whose message was that we have one land for two people," she said. "That was the message he delivered in very humanistic, egalitarian, universal terms".
His academic work also delved into the "French roots of fascism" and stirred lively debate and controversy, according to former student Denis Charbit, now a lecturer at the Open University of Israel.
Sternhell was a "very demanding" professor, but also one "attentive" to his best students, Charbit told AFP.
In addition to academic writing and books, he regularly published opinion pieces in Israeli newspapers, most notably Haaretz, many of which were critical of settlers.
On one occasion Sternhell called the settlement movement a "cancer" in Israeli society, and in another instance said a settlement should be attacked with tanks.
'Fragility' of democracy
After receiving the Israel Prize in 2008, he was wounded the same year by a bomb planted outside his house by a right-wing extremist.
Sternhell himself said the attack was testimony to the "fragility" of Israeli democracy.
In an interview with Haaretz later that year, he warned of the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the condition of Israel "not respecting the national rights of others".
In a 2014 interview with Haaretz, during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, Sternhell warned that the Jewish state's democracy was "facing collapse".
"The Israeli democracy is eroding, and the signs (of emerging fascism) exist," he said.
Tamar Zandberg, of left-wing party Meretz, said Sternhell's lasting legacy would be his work towards "a strong and not occupying Israeli democracy".
Communication Minister Yoaz Hendel offered his condolences to the Sternhell family, noting that while he didn't share many of Sternhell's opinions, "prominent intellectuals like him, from right and left, are the foundation to our existence as the people of the book".
According to Haaretz, Sternhell died as a result of complications following surgery.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters and several grandchildren.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--Climate council urges Macron to hold referendum on making destruction of nature a crime

Participants paste portraits as part of the project `` Inside Out '' by the French artist JR on the eve of the 6th Citizens ' Convention for Climate ( Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat ) in Paris , France on March 5 , 2020 .
A citizens ' council set up by President Emmanuel Macron to explore measures for cutting carbon emissions urged the French leader on Sunday to hold a referendum on making the destruction of nature a crime .
The `` ecocide '' proposal topped dozens of ideas presented by the 150 randomly picked members of the Citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inscribing the fight against global warming in the French Constitution .
But participants voted against submitting a broader package of measures to the public as it wound up three days of debate during its final session on Sunday .
The move was a rejection of Macron 's suggestion last week that a referendum could be held on the individual measures , which range from improving home insulation to cutting maximum highway speeds to 110 km/h from 130 km/h ( 80 mph to 70 mph ) .
`` Let 's make this referendum we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the other discussions , '' said Hubert , one of the participants , who like the others was identified by his first name only .
Members gathered in separate rooms at the Palais d'Iena in Paris , while others participated by videoconference , to ensure social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak .
Macron formed the council in response to demands for greater `` direct democracy '' in the wave of the `` yellow vest '' anti-government protests that rocked the country in 2018 and 2019 .
The unexpectedly fierce rebellion was sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at funding the climate-change fight , which critics said unfairly targeted people who have no choice but to rely on their cars .
The council was tasked with finding ways to reduce France 's carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 , compared with the levels of 1990 `` in a spirit of social justice . ''
Work began last October , and was expected to wind up earlier this year before meetings were halted during the coronavirus lockdown .
Macron has already said he will announce a `` first response '' when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Elysee Palace on June 29th .

A citizens' council set up by President Emmanuel Macron to explore measures for cutting carbon emissions urged the French leader on Sunday to hold a referendum on making the destruction of nature a crime.
Participants paste portraits as part of the project "Inside Out" by the French artist JR on the eve of the 6th Citizens' Convention for Climate (Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat) in Paris, France on March 5, 2020.
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The "ecocide" proposal topped dozens of ideas presented by the 150 randomly picked members of the Citizen's Convention on Climate, along with inscribing the fight against global warming in the French Constitution.
But participants voted against submitting a broader package of measures to the public as it wound up three days of debate during its final session on Sunday.
The move was a rejection of Macron's suggestion last week that a referendum could be held on the individual measures, which range from improving home insulation to cutting maximum highway speeds to 110 km/h from 130 km/h (80 mph to 70 mph).
"Let's make this referendum we've decided on the basis for holding all the other discussions," said Hubert, one of the participants, who like the others was identified by his first name only.
Members gathered in separate rooms at the Palais d'Iena in Paris, while others participated by videoconference, to ensure social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.
'Direct democracy' demands
Macron formed the council in response to demands for greater "direct democracy" in the wave of the "yellow vest" anti-government protests that rocked the country in 2018 and 2019.
The unexpectedly fierce rebellion was sparked by a planned fuel tax hike aimed at funding the climate-change fight, which critics said unfairly targeted people who have no choice but to rely on their cars.
The council was tasked with finding ways to reduce France's carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared with the levels of 1990 "in a spirit of social justice."
Work began last October, and was expected to wind up earlier this year before meetings were halted during the coronavirus lockdown.
Macron has already said he will announce a "first response" when he meets with the 150 members at the Elysee Palace on June 29th.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-21--Polls close after Serbians vote in Europe’s first post-lockdown election

A voter wearing a face mask casts a ballot during a national election , the first in Europe since coronavirus lockdowns began , at a polling station in Belgrade , Serbia on June 21 , 2020 .
Polls closed after Serbians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe 's first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago , with the ruling conservatives expected to win a comfortable majority .
Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for use by the country 's electorate of almost 6.6 million , many of whom were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fears of infection .
At 2pm local time ( 1200 GMT ) , turnout was 26.5 percent compared with 29.7 percent at the same stage of voting four years ago , figures released by the state election commission showed .
Turnout could have been affected by a boycott by some opposition parties , who said the vote would not be free or fair owing to President Aleksandar Vucic 's grip over the media .
Voters largely approved of efforts by Vucic 's ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China .
But the future government will face increasing EU and US pressure to recognise the independence of Serbia 's former province of Kosovo , a move seen as key for regional stability .
`` I hope for a good result .
I expect success , '' Vucic said after casting his ballot .
`` I expect a good turnout . ''
According to the latest opinion polls , Vucic 's conservative Serbian Peoples ' Party ( SNS ) was set to win about 50 percent of the vote , boosted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
Vucic 's coalition partner , the Socialist Party , was expected to come in second with about 10 percent .
The opposition centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance ( SPAS ) led by Aleksandar Sapic , the mayor of Novi Beograd , Belgrade 's most populous municipality , was tipped to come in third . '
I am for the things to stay as they were' Mladjan Knezevic , a pensioner from Novi Beograd , said he voted for the status quo : `` I am for things to stay as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not up for re-election , but the opposition parties boycotting the vote accused him of using his position as president to promote his party .
Serbia , which has a population of 7.2 million , has reported 12,894 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 261 deaths .
It was among the first European countries to start opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted .
Analysts and pollsters said that health concerns would keep some voters at home , especially among higher-risk groups .
About 1.2 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years and were unlikely to vote .
At a polling station in a school in Belgrade 's Zemun municipality , voters and election officials in face masks said they were working briskly to minimise exposure to the virus .
`` Yes , I am concerned about the coronavirus but had to vote ...
I want to see SPAS in parliament , '' Milica , a 26-year-old social worker , said through a blue surgical mask .

Polls closed after Serbians voted Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe's first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago, with the ruling conservatives expected to win a comfortable majority.
A voter wearing a face mask casts a ballot during a national election, the first in Europe since coronavirus lockdowns began, at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia on June 21, 2020.
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Polling stations were equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for use by the country's electorate of almost 6.6 million, many of whom were expected to skip voting – partly because of fears of infection.
At 2pm local time (1200 GMT), turnout was 26.5 percent compared with 29.7 percent at the same stage of voting four years ago, figures released by the state election commission showed.
Turnout could have been affected by a boycott by some opposition parties, who said the vote would not be free or fair owing to President Aleksandar Vucic's grip over the media.
Voters largely approved of efforts by Vucic's ruling coalition to push for Serbian membership of the European Union while maintaining strong ties with Russia and China.
But the future government will face increasing EU and US pressure to recognise the independence of Serbia's former province of Kosovo, a move seen as key for regional stability.
"I hope for a good result. I expect success," Vucic said after casting his ballot. "I expect a good turnout."
According to the latest opinion polls, Vucic's conservative Serbian Peoples' Party (SNS) was set to win about 50 percent of the vote, boosted by widespread approval over the government's handling of the pandemic.
Vucic's coalition partner, the Socialist Party, was expected to come in second with about 10 percent.
The opposition centre-right Serbian Patriotic Alliance (SPAS) led by Aleksandar Sapic, the mayor of Novi Beograd, Belgrade's most populous municipality, was tipped to come in third.
'I am for the things to stay as they were'
Mladjan Knezevic, a pensioner from Novi Beograd, said he voted for the status quo: "I am for things to stay as they were."
Vucic himself is not up for re-election, but the opposition parties boycotting the vote accused him of using his position as president to promote his party.
Serbia, which has a population of 7.2 million, has reported 12,894 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 261 deaths. It was among the first European countries to start opening its borders on May 22 and all lockdown curbs have since been lifted.
Analysts and pollsters said that health concerns would keep some voters at home, especially among higher-risk groups. About 1.2 million people on the electoral list have lived abroad for years and were unlikely to vote.
At a polling station in a school in Belgrade's Zemun municipality, voters and election officials in face masks said they were working briskly to minimise exposure to the virus.
"Yes, I am concerned about the coronavirus but had to vote ... I want to see SPAS in parliament," Milica, a 26-year-old social worker, said through a blue surgical mask.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-21--Spain reopens border with France as country further eases Covid-19 restrictions

People walk on the Santiago bridge over the Bidasoa river separating Spain and France as Spain reopens its borders to most European visitors in Irun , Spain on June 21 , 2020 .
Traffic flowed again across Spain 's border with France on Sunday as the last of the strict Spanish coronavirus restrictions introduced in March were eased .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced earlier this month that Madrid would remove border checks with most other EU states from June 21 , when its state of emergency also ended .
Spain has been one of the worst affected countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its economy and especially the key tourist industry devastated .
`` This morning I was the first customer in the Spanish shop where I usually go but there was soon about 10 people behind me , '' said Daniel Angel-Nielleville , a French pensioner who lives in Perpignan near the border but shops in Spain , where it is cheaper .
Madrid and Barcelona and their respective regions were badly hit and remained under the tightest restrictions for longer than elsewhere .
On Sunday , AFP reporters at the Perthus crossing near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing both ways every two or three minutes , with more going from Spain into France .
There were no checks from midnight and the traffic flowed freely .
The Spanish government announced on Saturday that from Sunday EU member state citizens and those from the passport-free Schengen zone would be allowed freely into Spain , with no 14-day quarantines required .
However , Portugal has said it will keep its border with Spain closed until July 1 .
With the state of emergency lifted , Spaniards were also allowed to travel outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the lockdown was imposed on March 14 .
`` I am a little afraid to travel , I remain cautious , '' said Alba Bartolome , 22 , who was waiting for a train to Murcia from Madrid 's main Atocha station .
In the `` new normal '' , Spaniards will have to wear masks in enclosed spaces , maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres ( five feet ) while access to pools , beaches , hotels and restaurants will be limited accordingly .
'We are still vulnerable' About 600 health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check the personal details and temperature of arriving foreign passengers .
Sanchez had warned Spaniards on Saturday not to let their guard down .
`` We are still vulnerable .
We have to be careful and follow strictly the health measures , '' he said .
From July 1 , Spain will fully open all its borders .

Traffic flowed again across Spain's border with France on Sunday as the last of the strict Spanish coronavirus restrictions introduced in March were eased.
People walk on the Santiago bridge over the Bidasoa river separating Spain and France as Spain reopens its borders to most European visitors in Irun, Spain on June 21, 2020.
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Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced earlier this month that Madrid would remove border checks with most other EU states from June 21, when its state of emergency also ended.
Spain has been one of the worst affected countries, suffering more than 28,000 deaths, with its economy and especially the key tourist industry devastated.
"This morning I was the first customer in the Spanish shop where I usually go but there was soon about 10 people behind me," said Daniel Angel-Nielleville, a French pensioner who lives in Perpignan near the border but shops in Spain, where it is cheaper.
01:25
Madrid and Barcelona and their respective regions were badly hit and remained under the tightest restrictions for longer than elsewhere.
On Sunday, AFP reporters at the Perthus crossing near the eastern end of the border saw cars crossing both ways every two or three minutes, with more going from Spain into France.
There were no checks from midnight and the traffic flowed freely.
Spaniards allowed to leave home regions
The Spanish government announced on Saturday that from Sunday EU member state citizens and those from the passport-free Schengen zone would be allowed freely into Spain, with no 14-day quarantines required.
However, Portugal has said it will keep its border with Spain closed until July 1.
With the state of emergency lifted, Spaniards were also allowed to travel outside their home region for the first time since the lockdown was imposed on March 14.
"I am a little afraid to travel, I remain cautious," said Alba Bartolome, 22, who was waiting for a train to Murcia from Madrid's main Atocha station.
In the "new normal", Spaniards will have to wear masks in enclosed spaces, maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres (five feet) while access to pools, beaches, hotels and restaurants will be limited accordingly.
'We are still vulnerable'
About 600 health ministry staff meanwhile will monitor airports to check the personal details and temperature of arriving foreign passengers.
Doctors will examine any suspected cases.
Sanchez had warned Spaniards on Saturday not to let their guard down.
"We are still vulnerable. We have to be careful and follow strictly the health measures," he said.
From July 1, Spain will fully open all its borders.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--Back to school for millions in France as more Covid-19 restrictions lifted

Children wait to enter their classrooms in Strasbourg on June 22 , 2020 , as schools reopen in France .
Millions of French children returned to school on Monday after more than three months at home due to the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Pupils in kindergarten , elementary and secondary schools up to the age of 15 are required to return following a gradual reopening that began in recent weeks .
French schools closed on March 16 , a day before the country ’ s nationwide lockdown began amid the Covid-19 crisis .
Despite the easing that began in mid-May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many schoolchildren have not set foot on school grounds in three months .
“ I cried with joy when I got the confirmation from the teacher that my two children would be going back to school full time , ” Noémie from Nice told AFP .
According to the latest figures from the country ’ s education ministry , only 1.8 million primary school children , out of a total of 6.7 million , have returned to school – and most not on a full-time basis .
The figures for collège , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600,000 out of 3.3 million .
On June 14 , President Emmanuel Macron announced that the return to school on June 22 would be “ obligatory '' and would conform to normal hours of attendance except for France ’ s lycées , or high schools .
The return to the classroom has followed the easing of a strict health protocol initially put in place for schools .
Starting Monday , there are no longer any social distancing rules for kindergarten children within their class groups .
In primary schools , a one-metre social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , when the one-metre distancing is not possible , students will be required to wear a mask .
On Sunday , government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye called on parents to “ have confidence ” in schools .
“ Everything is being done so that their children will be welcomed safely , ” she said .
Last week , Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer , who had said he hoped for a full return to school before the summer holidays , said the aim was to see “ the most pupils possible ” return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a return on Monday represents eight or nine days of class before the summer break .
“ Two weeks isn ’ t nothing , either in educational or psychological terms , ” Blanquer said .
Despite a loosened protocol , some education unions have suggested there will be “ reception problems in some places ” .
“ We are exhausted by this period of demands and counter-demands , ” a school principal in Rennes told AFP .
> > Read more : French teachers scramble to adapt after Macron announces surprise restart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” Even though more children are coming to school , restrictions are being relaxed , ” another principal in Rennes said .
“ It will be okay , even though there is now also the whole back-to-school [ in September ] to prepare , ” she added .
For many parents , worn out by weeks of working from home while attempting to home-school their children , Monday ’ s return to class comes as a relief .
“ At home , it was complicated for three months , ” said Ghyslain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 10 and 11 , who attend school in the southwestern Haute-Garonne , near Toulouse .
“ They are clearly better off at school with their friends , even for two weeks .
It brings back a bit of rigour .
Otherwise it would have been six months of holiday and to recover that afterwards would have been difficult.
” But despite authorities ’ attempts to reassure parents , other families remain nervous and plan to keep their children home on Monday .
While Macron declared the return to school would be mandatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will not be penalties levied against families who decline to send their children back to class before the summer break .

Millions of French children returned to school on Monday after more than three months at home due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Pupils in kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools up to the age of 15 are required to return following a gradual reopening that began in recent weeks.
Children wait to enter their classrooms in Strasbourg on June 22, 2020, as schools reopen in France.
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French schools closed on March 16, a day before the country’s nationwide lockdown began amid the Covid-19 crisis. Despite the easing that began in mid-May and included the gradual reopening of schools, many schoolchildren have not set foot on school grounds in three months.
“I cried with joy when I got the confirmation from the teacher that my two children would be going back to school full time,” Noémie from Nice told AFP.
According to the latest figures from the country’s education ministry, only 1.8 million primary school children, out of a total of 6.7 million, have returned to school – and most not on a full-time basis. The figures for collège, France’s middle schools, are 600,000 out of 3.3 million.
On June 14, President Emmanuel Macron announced that the return to school on June 22 would be “obligatory" and would conform to normal hours of attendance except for France’s lycées, or high schools.
🇫🇷🗝🔊 French schools compulsory once again from today for all pupils up until high school. Relief for parents, but not all teachers happy as our correspondent @cntrentF24 tells me. #France #coronavirus #Covid_19 #F24 pic.twitter.com/tmRtMB2nF7 — Stuart Norval (@StuartNorval) June 22, 2020
The return to the classroom has followed the easing of a strict health protocol initially put in place for schools. Starting Monday, there are no longer any social distancing rules for kindergarten children within their class groups. In primary schools, a one-metre social distancing rule is recommended. In middle schools, when the one-metre distancing is not possible, students will be required to wear a mask.
On Sunday, government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye called on parents to “have confidence” in schools. “Everything is being done so that their children will be welcomed safely,” she said.
'Two weeks isn't nothing'
Last week, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, who had said he hoped for a full return to school before the summer holidays, said the aim was to see “the most pupils possible” return to school.
Depending on the school, a return on Monday represents eight or nine days of class before the summer break.
“Two weeks isn’t nothing, either in educational or psychological terms,” Blanquer said.
Despite a loosened protocol, some education unions have suggested there will be “reception problems in some places”.
“We are exhausted by this period of demands and counter-demands,” a school principal in Rennes told AFP.
>> Read more: French teachers scramble to adapt after Macron announces surprise restart of classes
Others, though, seem pleased.
”Even though more children are coming to school, restrictions are being relaxed,” another principal in Rennes said. “It will be okay, even though there is now also the whole back-to-school [in September] to prepare,” she added.
For many parents, worn out by weeks of working from home while attempting to home-school their children, Monday’s return to class comes as a relief.
“At home, it was complicated for three months,” said Ghyslain Tinarage, a father of two children aged 10 and 11, who attend school in the southwestern Haute-Garonne, near Toulouse.
“They are clearly better off at school with their friends, even for two weeks. It brings back a bit of rigour. Otherwise it would have been six months of holiday and to recover that afterwards would have been difficult.”
But despite authorities’ attempts to reassure parents, other families remain nervous and plan to keep their children home on Monday.
While Macron declared the return to school would be mandatory, the education ministry has implied that there will not be penalties levied against families who decline to send their children back to class before the summer break.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--EU-China summit opens amid tensions over trade, coronavirus and Hong Kong

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ( L ) and European Council President Charles Michel are seen on-screen as they attend an EU video conference in Brussels on June 19 , 2020 .
Chinese and EU leaders will hold a video summit Monday amid tensions over new tariffs on Chinese firms and Beijing 's actions on Hong Kong as well as concerns that Beijing will buy up European companies weakened by the Covid-19 crisis .
The talks come against the backdrop of a rise in bellicose rhetoric toward China from the United States .
Chinese leaders and senior EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions rising over new tariffs targeting Chinese firms and European disquiet at Beijing 's assertiveness on the world stage .
The heads of the EU 's main institutions will discuss the coronavirus with top Chinese leaders , after Brussels infuriated Beijing by accusing it of a campaign of disinformation around the pandemic .
The EU will be represented by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen .
Premier Li Keqiang will be the main Chinese representative and President Xi Jinping is also expected to make a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they want to strengthen ties , but the relationship is tangled in a thicket of disagreements on topics ranging from trade and investment rules to human rights and national security .
Beijing 's ambassador to the EU said last week that Monday 's talks were a chance to make relations `` more productive and substantive by seizing opportunities and addressing challenges '' .
But he rapped Brussels over plans for tougher rules for heavily subsidised foreign companies , which would particularly target Chinese firms , saying the EU was not practising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump has pursued a bruising trade war with China , and warned last week of `` complete decoupling '' while suggesting the novel coronavirus is sometimes called `` Kung Flu '' , in a jibe at China .
The EU has taken a more balanced approach , characterising China as a `` systemic rival '' and competitor but also as a partner on some issues .
The bloc 's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has urged a hard-headed approach .
At talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at forging a common trans-Atlantic front against Beijing -- though he has also stressed the EU must pursue its own interests and not simply toe the American line .
The bloc has sought to challenge China on human rights issues such as Tibet and Hong Kong , where European capitals are extremely concerned about Beijing 's proposed new security law .
On Friday , the EU demanded the immediate release of a Chinese human rights lawyer jailed for `` inciting subversion of state power '' after penning an open letter calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have occasionally irritated Beijing , they have done nothing to alter China 's course and it is not expected to budge on Monday .
Cui Hongjian of the China Institute of International Studies said officials would defend their position on Hong Kong and explain the need for the new law -- as Foreign Minister Wang Yi did in recent talks with EU counterparts .
The EU 's efforts to stand up to President Xi 's increasingly assertive China have been stymied by a lack of unity among its 27 member states , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Asian giant .
A meeting of EU foreign ministers last month dedicated to China highlighted the bloc 's struggles -- Borrell voiced `` grave concern '' at Beijing 's security clampdown in Hong Kong but said sanctions were all but out of the question .
The European Commission , the bloc 's executive arm , has announced plans for new legislation aimed at ensuring foreign firms backed by heavy state subsidies do not distort competition in Europe .
There is particular concern about Chinese companies swooping in to buy European companies weakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's global reach , the EU on Monday last week imposed an unprecedented tariff on Chinese subsidies to exporters , but not those in China itself .
The measure involved EU imports from Egypt of glass-fibre fabrics that were made by subsidiaries of two Chinese firms .
This was the first time the EU took aim at subsidies granted by a country to exporters located in another state .
Meanwhile , talks towards a China-EU investment agreement remain at a standstill , despite a joint pledge to try to get somewhere by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German EU presidency .

Chinese and EU leaders will hold a video summit Monday amid tensions over new tariffs on Chinese firms and Beijing's actions on Hong Kong as well as concerns that Beijing will buy up European companies weakened by the Covid-19 crisis. The talks come against the backdrop of a rise in bellicose rhetoric toward China from the United States.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) and European Council President Charles Michel are seen on-screen as they attend an EU video conference in Brussels on June 19, 2020.
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Chinese leaders and senior EU officials hold a video summit Monday with tensions rising over new tariffs targeting Chinese firms and European disquiet at Beijing's assertiveness on the world stage.
The heads of the EU's main institutions will discuss the coronavirus with top Chinese leaders, after Brussels infuriated Beijing by accusing it of a campaign of disinformation around the pandemic.
The EU will be represented by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.
Premier Li Keqiang will be the main Chinese representative and President Xi Jinping is also expected to make a video statement.
China and the EU both say they want to strengthen ties, but the relationship is tangled in a thicket of disagreements on topics ranging from trade and investment rules to human rights and national security.
Beijing's ambassador to the EU said last week that Monday's talks were a chance to make relations "more productive and substantive by seizing opportunities and addressing challenges".
But he rapped Brussels over plans for tougher rules for heavily subsidised foreign companies, which would particularly target Chinese firms, saying the EU was not practising the openness it preached to others.
US President Donald Trump has pursued a bruising trade war with China, and warned last week of "complete decoupling" while suggesting the novel coronavirus is sometimes called "Kung Flu", in a jibe at China.
The EU has taken a more balanced approach, characterising China as a "systemic rival" and competitor but also as a partner on some issues. The bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has urged a hard-headed approach.
At talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week, Borrell proposed a dialogue with Washington aimed at forging a common trans-Atlantic front against Beijing -- though he has also stressed the EU must pursue its own interests and not simply toe the American line.
Human rights
The bloc has sought to challenge China on human rights issues such as Tibet and Hong Kong, where European capitals are extremely concerned about Beijing's proposed new security law.
On Friday, the EU demanded the immediate release of a Chinese human rights lawyer jailed for "inciting subversion of state power" after penning an open letter calling for constitutional reforms.
But while such calls have occasionally irritated Beijing, they have done nothing to alter China's course and it is not expected to budge on Monday.
Cui Hongjian of the China Institute of International Studies said officials would defend their position on Hong Kong and explain the need for the new law -- as Foreign Minister Wang Yi did in recent talks with EU counterparts.
The EU's efforts to stand up to President Xi's increasingly assertive China have been stymied by a lack of unity among its 27 member states, many of which have been courted assiduously by the Asian giant.
A meeting of EU foreign ministers last month dedicated to China highlighted the bloc's struggles -- Borrell voiced "grave concern" at Beijing's security clampdown in Hong Kong but said sanctions were all but out of the question.
Trade and investment
The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, has announced plans for new legislation aimed at ensuring foreign firms backed by heavy state subsidies do not distort competition in Europe.
There is particular concern about Chinese companies swooping in to buy European companies weakened by the coronavirus-triggered recession.
Specifically targeting China's global reach, the EU on Monday last week imposed an unprecedented tariff on Chinese subsidies to exporters, but not those in China itself.
The measure involved EU imports from Egypt of glass-fibre fabrics that were made by subsidiaries of two Chinese firms.
This was the first time the EU took aim at subsidies granted by a country to exporters located in another state.
Meanwhile, talks towards a China-EU investment agreement remain at a standstill, despite a joint pledge to try to get somewhere by the end of the year during the German EU presidency.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--France repatriates 10 children from Syria, foreign ministry says

The French government said Monday it had repatriated 10 French children of suspected jihadist fighters from a refugee camp in Syria overnight , the latest in a piecemeal repatriation process since the Islamic State group was ousted from its Syrian base in March 2019 .
“ France has carried out the return of 10 French minors , orphans or humanitarian cases , who were in camps in northeast Syria , ” the foreign ministry said in a statement .
“ These children have been turned over to French judicial authorities , are receiving medical treatment and have been taken in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ministry did not provide details on their parents .
Since the Islamic State group was ousted in March 2019 , France has now repatriated a total of 28 children from Syria : Five in March 2019 , 12 in June 2019 and one young girl suffering from a cardiac deformity in April 2020 .
Hundreds of French citizens had gone to fight alongside IS group insurgents as they tried to establish a so-called caliphate .
Rights groups have urged the government to quickly bring home at least the minors who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone or born there during the years of fighting .
But many of the estimated 300 French children being held in the Kurdish-run camps in Syria are with their mothers or fathers , and France has insisted that French nationals must face local justice .
Critics say this stance exposes the families of French fighters to inhumane treatment and psychological trauma .
The foreign ministry said Monday it had “ thanked ” Kurdish leaders for their cooperation in an operation carried out “ because of the particularly vulnerable situation these children were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities ” .
Some 12,000 foreigners – 4,000 women and 8,000 children – are being held at three camps for displaced persons in northeast Syria , most at Al-Hol , where aid groups say they suffer malnutrition and disease .
Kurdish officials have called on countries to take back their detained citizens , warning that they do not have the resources to guard prisoners indefinitely .
According to the CAT terrorism analysis centre , 13 French jihadists including Hayat Boumedienne , the partner of one of the three men who carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , have escaped custody in Syria .

The French government said Monday it had repatriated 10 French children of suspected jihadist fighters from a refugee camp in Syria overnight, the latest in a piecemeal repatriation process since the Islamic State group was ousted from its Syrian base in March 2019.
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“France has carried out the return of 10 French minors, orphans or humanitarian cases, who were in camps in northeast Syria,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“These children have been turned over to French judicial authorities, are receiving medical treatment and have been taken in by social services,” it said.
The ministry did not provide details on their parents.
Since the Islamic State group was ousted in March 2019, France has now repatriated a total of 28 children from Syria: Five in March 2019, 12 in June 2019 and one young girl suffering from a cardiac deformity in April 2020.
Hundreds of French citizens had gone to fight alongside IS group insurgents as they tried to establish a so-called caliphate.
Rights groups have urged the government to quickly bring home at least the minors who were brought by their parents to the conflict zone or born there during the years of fighting.
But many of the estimated 300 French children being held in the Kurdish-run camps in Syria are with their mothers or fathers, and France has insisted that French nationals must face local justice.
Critics say this stance exposes the families of French fighters to inhumane treatment and psychological trauma.
The foreign ministry said Monday it had “thanked” Kurdish leaders for their cooperation in an operation carried out “because of the particularly vulnerable situation these children were in, and with the authorisations provided by local authorities”.
Some 12,000 foreigners – 4,000 women and 8,000 children – are being held at three camps for displaced persons in northeast Syria, most at Al-Hol, where aid groups say they suffer malnutrition and disease.
Kurdish officials have called on countries to take back their detained citizens, warning that they do not have the resources to guard prisoners indefinitely.
According to the CAT terrorism analysis centre, 13 French jihadists including Hayat Boumedienne, the partner of one of the three men who carried out deadly terror attacks in Paris in January 2015, have escaped custody in Syria.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--ICC judges to hear appeal against acquittal of Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo

Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo ( right ) appears before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 6 , 2020 .
The International Criminal Court 's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will try on Monday to overturn last year 's shock acquittal of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo on charges of crimes against humanity .
Gbagbo and his right-hand man Charles Blé Goudé were in January 2019 cleared of allegations of masterminding post-electoral violence in the restive west African nation in 2010-11 , in which around 3,000 people died .
The one-time Ivorian strongman , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the ICC , had spent eight years behind bars in The Hague before his surprise acquittal by the court .
Appeals judges will this week listen to arguments by the ICC 's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda , who says the court erred in letting Gbagbo and Blé Goudé go .
The two-day hearing will be `` partially virtual '' due to the coronavirus pandemic , the ICC said , and it was unclear whether Gbagbo and Blé Goudé would physically be in court or follow hearings remotely .
The ICC last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgium where he was being hosted under strict conditions since his release from the court , but said he must return for the prosecution 's appeal .
The ICC said it `` will make its judgment on this appeal at a later stage '' .
Bensouda appealed the trial judges ' decision in October last year , saying they `` committed legal and procedural errors '' — including that the majority of the judges only issued their written verdict some six months after an oral acquittal .
Judges had also cleared the pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clearly defined standard of proof '' , Bensouda added .
`` In sum , justice was not served in this case .
The acquittals of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé should be reversed and a mistrial declared , '' Bensouda said in her submission .
Gbagbo 's party , the Ivorian Popular Front ( FPI ) , has called on Ivory Coast 's President Alassane Ouattara for `` dialogue '' over his return to the country .
But an association for victims of the violence expressed `` energetic opposition '' against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for tense elections scheduled for October , in which Ouattara will not be running .
Gbagbo technically faces being jailed on his return after being sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term by an Ivorian court last November for the `` looting '' of the local branch of the Central Bank of the West African States ( BCEAO ) during the post-election crisis .
Monday 's hearing comes as Bensouda and her under-fire office fight a string of acquittals and failed cases including that of Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba , acquitted in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also comes at a time when the ICC , set up in 2002 to try the world 's worst crimes , is under assault from the Trump administration because of the tribunal 's probe into crimes committed by US forces during the war in Afghanistan .

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will try on Monday to overturn last year's shock acquittal of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo on charges of crimes against humanity.
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo (right) appears before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 6, 2020.
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Gbagbo and his right-hand man Charles Blé Goudé were in January 2019 cleared of allegations of masterminding post-electoral violence in the restive west African nation in 2010-11, in which around 3,000 people died.
The one-time Ivorian strongman, the first former head of state to be tried by the ICC, had spent eight years behind bars in The Hague before his surprise acquittal by the court.
Appeals judges will this week listen to arguments by the ICC's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who says the court erred in letting Gbagbo and Blé Goudé go.
The two-day hearing will be "partially virtual" due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ICC said, and it was unclear whether Gbagbo and Blé Goudé would physically be in court or follow hearings remotely.
The ICC last month allowed Gbagbo, 75, to leave Belgium where he was being hosted under strict conditions since his release from the court, but said he must return for the prosecution's appeal.
The ICC said it "will make its judgment on this appeal at a later stage".
'Justice was not served'
Bensouda appealed the trial judges' decision in October last year, saying they "committed legal and procedural errors" — including that the majority of the judges only issued their written verdict some six months after an oral acquittal.
Judges had also cleared the pair "without properly articulating and consistently applying a clearly defined standard of proof", Bensouda added.
"In sum, justice was not served in this case. The acquittals of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé should be reversed and a mistrial declared," Bensouda said in her submission.
Gbagbo's party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), has called on Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara for "dialogue" over his return to the country.
But an association for victims of the violence expressed "energetic opposition" against Gbagbo coming home as the country braces for tense elections scheduled for October, in which Ouattara will not be running.
ICC under fire
Gbagbo technically faces being jailed on his return after being sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term by an Ivorian court last November for the "looting" of the local branch of the Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO) during the post-election crisis.
Monday's hearing comes as Bensouda and her under-fire office fight a string of acquittals and failed cases including that of Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba, acquitted in 2018 of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It also comes at a time when the ICC, set up in 2002 to try the world's worst crimes, is under assault from the Trump administration because of the tribunal's probe into crimes committed by US forces during the war in Afghanistan.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--Paris statues of Voltaire and a colonial-era general splashed with red paint

The statue of French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire was discovered daubed in red paint early on Monday .
Two Paris statues related to France ’ s colonial era were found covered in red paint on Monday amid global calls to take down monuments commemorating figures with links to slavery or colonialism .
One of the statues drenched in red was of Voltaire , a leading thinker and writer of the French Enlightenment but who owed part of his fortune to colonial-era trade .
The other honours Hubert Lyautey , a general and colonial administrator who served in Morocco , Algeria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French control , and later was France ’ s minister of war during World War I .
Both statues are located near the gold-domed Invalides monument that houses Napoleon ’ s tomb .
Two other French monuments were targeted over the weekend , including in the northern city of Lille , where the words `` coloniser '' and `` assassin '' were painted over the plinth of a statue of Louis Faidherbe , a 19th century general and former governor of Senegal .
The actions come amid growing demands by anti-racism activists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour prominent historical figures who played a role in the slave trade or colonialism in the wake of global protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in the United States .
The global movement has inspired France 's biggest anti-racism protests in decades , and revived a debate about the country 's colonial legacy and its role in the slave trade .
> > ‘ Black and treated as such ’ : France ’ s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic Touching on the subject during a televised address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron said fighting racism should not lead to a `` hateful '' re-writing of history .
`` I will be very clear tonight , compatriots : The Republic wo n't erase any name from its history .
It will forget none of its artworks , it wo n't take down statues , '' he said .
“ We should look at all of our history together , ” including relations with Africa , with a goal of “ truth ” instead of “ denying who we are ” , Macron added .

Two Paris statues related to France’s colonial era were found covered in red paint on Monday amid global calls to take down monuments commemorating figures with links to slavery or colonialism.
The statue of French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire was discovered daubed in red paint early on Monday.
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One of the statues drenched in red was of Voltaire, a leading thinker and writer of the French Enlightenment but who owed part of his fortune to colonial-era trade.
The other honours Hubert Lyautey, a general and colonial administrator who served in Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar and Indochina when they were under French control, and later was France’s minister of war during World War I.
Both statues are located near the gold-domed Invalides monument that houses Napoleon’s tomb.
Two other French monuments were targeted over the weekend, including in the northern city of Lille, where the words "coloniser" and "assassin" were painted over the plinth of a statue of Louis Faidherbe, a 19th century general and former governor of Senegal.
The actions come amid growing demands by anti-racism activists in several countries to take down monuments that honour prominent historical figures who played a role in the slave trade or colonialism in the wake of global protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in the United States.
The global movement has inspired France's biggest anti-racism protests in decades, and revived a debate about the country's colonial legacy and its role in the slave trade.
>> ‘Black and treated as such’: France’s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic
Touching on the subject during a televised address on June 14, French President Emmanuel Macron said fighting racism should not lead to a "hateful" re-writing of history.
"I will be very clear tonight, compatriots: The Republic won't erase any name from its history. It will forget none of its artworks, it won't take down statues," he said.
“We should look at all of our history together,” including relations with Africa, with a goal of “truth” instead of “denying who we are”, Macron added.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-06-22--Cinemas reopen across France after three-month Covid-19 closure

Cinemas reopened in France on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began in March .
`` I only have one word – finally ! ''
Emmanuel Delesse , one of the directors of cinema chain UGC , told AFP as he prepared to reopen the group 's nearly 400 theatres .
Overnight in Paris , the 5 Caumartin cinema opened one minute after midnight for a red-carpet champagne and popcorn sneak preview of the upcoming French comedy , `` Les Parfums '' ( The Perfumes ) , about a prima donna perfume `` nose '' , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are no words to describe what I feel .
I have been waiting for this for 99 days , '' cinema manager Louis Merle told the 120 people who had queued up for their first big-screen experience since mid-March , when the Covid-19 crisis shuttered projection booths across the country .
`` Watching series on Netflix is one thing , but the cinema is something else , '' said the film 's star Emmanuelle Devos .
Even though cinemas have reopened , however , they are far from back to normal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more than half full with a free seat on either side of each filmgoer and that customers must wear masks as they queue for tickets and in the corridors .
With French as well as Hollywood producers having put back the release of some of their biggest films , there may also be very little new fare to see at first .
Instead , film fans will have to make do with movies like `` De Gaulle '' , a biopic of France 's wartime leader , the release of which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not deter French cinephiles .
“ France is at a real advantage in the world for this reopening because , [ of France ’ s ] 6,000 screens , 40 percent of them are art houses , which means that French people are more than happy to pay for , quote unquote , old films , ” FRANCE 24 Culture Editor Lisa Nesselson said Monday .
A handful of likely Hollywood blockbusters are looming on the horizon for July , led by Christopher Nolan 's thriller `` Tenet '' , about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking out , and Disney 's Chinese historical action epic , `` Mulan '' .
France is one of the most cinephile countries in the world .
A poll earlier this week found that 18.7 million people – almost a third of the population – plan to see a film in the next month .

Cinemas reopened in France on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began in March.
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"I only have one word – finally!" Emmanuel Delesse, one of the directors of cinema chain UGC, told AFP as he prepared to reopen the group's nearly 400 theatres.
Overnight in Paris, the 5 Caumartin cinema opened one minute after midnight for a red-carpet champagne and popcorn sneak preview of the upcoming French comedy, "Les Parfums" (The Perfumes), about a prima donna perfume "nose", who comes up with new fragrances.
"There are no words to describe what I feel. I have been waiting for this for 99 days," cinema manager Louis Merle told the 120 people who had queued up for their first big-screen experience since mid-March, when the Covid-19 crisis shuttered projection booths across the country.
"Watching series on Netflix is one thing, but the cinema is something else," said the film's star Emmanuelle Devos.
02:55
Even though cinemas have reopened, however, they are far from back to normal.
The authorities insist that screenings can never be more than half full with a free seat on either side of each filmgoer and that customers must wear masks as they queue for tickets and in the corridors.
With French as well as Hollywood producers having put back the release of some of their biggest films, there may also be very little new fare to see at first.
Instead, film fans will have to make do with movies like "De Gaulle", a biopic of France's wartime leader, the release of which was interrupted by the lockdown.
But that may not deter French cinephiles. “France is at a real advantage in the world for this reopening because, [of France’s] 6,000 screens, 40 percent of them are art houses, which means that French people are more than happy to pay for, quote unquote, old films,” FRANCE 24 Culture Editor Lisa Nesselson said Monday.
A handful of likely Hollywood blockbusters are looming on the horizon for July, led by Christopher Nolan's thriller "Tenet", about a spy who must stop World War III breaking out, and Disney's Chinese historical action epic, "Mulan".
France is one of the most cinephile countries in the world. A poll earlier this week found that 18.7 million people – almost a third of the population – plan to see a film in the next month.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-22--With coronavirus found in water systems, is it safe to swim this summer?

With traces of the virus responsible for Covid-19 found in human sewage , scientists are studying whether there 's a risk it will spread to beaches and rivers this summer .
How does the virus evolve in a marine environment ?
We take a closer look in this episode of Down to Earth .
Microbiologist Laurent Moulin and his team at French public water authority Eau De Paris have been studying viruses transmitted by water for more than a decade .
So when the Covid-19 outbreak began earlier this year they decided to track the virus , known as SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admits some people might find it surprising that a respiratory virus has been identified in faeces , but in fact traces are often found before patients have symptoms .
The team 's research revealed that the amount of virus present in the sewage correlated with the number of people presenting with Covid-19 in that geographical area .
`` This data is useful for health authorities because it allows them to make decisions .
In the case of a hypothetical second wave , it would make it possible to detect an increase in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick people , and then monitor an epidemic outbreak , '' Moulin explains .
These findings have prompted other scientists to investigate whether the virus may have spread more widely into the natural environment , particularly along the coast .
In the past , other viruses , such as the ones responsible for gastroenteritis , have bypassed treatment facilities and infected entire beaches .
The best way to measure concentrations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the sea is with shellfish .
Soizick Le Guyader , a virologist with the French Research Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular tests on oysters across 24 sites in France .
Oysters act like a filter , incorporating contamination that may be present in the seawater .
For the moment three sets of samples have been negative , meaning there are no signs of the virus and it is safe to swim .
But Le Guyader warns : `` What 's important now is to see how easing lockdown impacts the spread of the virus , especially with summer arriving and people heading to the coast .
So let 's stay alert . ''

With traces of the virus responsible for Covid-19 found in human sewage, scientists are studying whether there's a risk it will spread to beaches and rivers this summer. How does the virus evolve in a marine environment? We take a closer look in this episode of Down to Earth.
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Microbiologist Laurent Moulin and his team at French public water authority Eau De Paris have been studying viruses transmitted by water for more than a decade. So when the Covid-19 outbreak began earlier this year they decided to track the virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, in wastewater treatment centres.
Moulin admits some people might find it surprising that a respiratory virus has been identified in faeces, but in fact traces are often found before patients have symptoms.
The team's research revealed that the amount of virus present in the sewage correlated with the number of people presenting with Covid-19 in that geographical area.
"This data is useful for health authorities because it allows them to make decisions. In the case of a hypothetical second wave, it would make it possible to detect an increase in the number of patients, the number of sick people, and then monitor an epidemic outbreak," Moulin explains.
These findings have prompted other scientists to investigate whether the virus may have spread more widely into the natural environment, particularly along the coast. In the past, other viruses, such as the ones responsible for gastroenteritis, have bypassed treatment facilities and infected entire beaches.
The best way to measure concentrations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the sea is with shellfish.
Soizick Le Guyader, a virologist with the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, is conducting regular tests on oysters across 24 sites in France.
Oysters act like a filter, incorporating contamination that may be present in the seawater.
For the moment three sets of samples have been negative, meaning there are no signs of the virus and it is safe to swim.
But Le Guyader warns: "What's important now is to see how easing lockdown impacts the spread of the virus, especially with summer arriving and people heading to the coast. So let's stay alert."
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