this is g w news line from berlin croatia heads to the polls for parliamentary elections dominated by the coronavirus cases are on the rise in the tourism dependent economy is in crisis and a close race between the incumbent conservatives and opposition center left and you right wing party could play became uncapped also coming out despite a wreck old surgeon coronavirus cases in the u.s. president donald trump praises what he calls progress against the pandemic and another divisive speech to mark independence day.

i'm rebecca richards welcome to the program croatians are voting in parliamentary elections today that could push the a you member state further to the right with the governing conservative coalition democratic union up against the center left social democratic party the poll is taking place amid a new spike in covert 19 cases voters and choosing between leaders who say they can keep infection writes down while reviving the bad economy. none of the main contenders is expected to gain a majority making a coalition government a likely prospect through with some say it's a gamble by the incumbent president under rippling coverage that the ruling party coast early elections to profit from their relatives lisa. excess for handling of

the corona virus pandemic but as a number of covert 9000 cases rises again the center right party is in the spotlight playing golf is just main challenge it is style benediction the social democrat leader is heading a restart coalition made up of small the center left parties he's trying to win over voters by claiming the removal of a dozen government ministers is proof of that incompetence. but. the election comes as the pandemic batters croatia's fight terrorism success but the biggest financial crisis in decades looming the economy is the main issue for many voters is. that a vote for no reason for me as a young mother it is important to have a stable job so my family can be sustained the fire of a bike or the model of the land i love they don't care enough about croatians going abroad on the climb and and the low salaries for young people many simply don't

have a choice we should have more young people. involved in politics. i don't know maybe because they have some thoughtful ideas fresh ideas recent polls put the 2 main political camps neck and neck with only around a quarter of the vote each that could leave room for croatia's right wing homeland movement to join the government. a new nationalist party led by populist sing a mere sloughs choro is picking up votes from the ruling party neutered will buy what it will are there's no clear winner in sight and due to cope at 19 voter turnout is unpredictable as depend as for the 1st time croatia will have an election not only decided by voters but also by a virus. us president donald trump has used independence day to. of his 2nd

divisive speech of the holiday weekend despite a surge in corona virus cases he praised what he described as progress against the pandemic while downplaying its severity trump also talked about the uprising against racism and police brutality using his so-called salute to america to attack black lives matter measurement. it's not the celebration a president would want in an election year amid social unrest and a worsening pandemic trump delivered a speech full of the combativeness often reserved for his rallies. brought presidents and we are now in the process of. defeating the radical left the marxist the anarch is the agitators the looters and people who in many instances have absolutely no clue what they are doing. the holiday comes during

a time of national reckoning of the country's history and legacy of slavery. criticised for his handling of the coronavirus trumps claims of progress is its star college with the country's surging infection right now we have tested almost 40000000 people by so doing we showcases 99 percent of which are totally harmless. the risk was enough to discourage many with only a spouse crowd watching on. the day brought different meaning to those who turned out. to me it's a very important day in it deserves to be celebrated today as a teaching day to know that we can get through a day of independence through what we have to come together the more we actually have to unite different this year that there's no people it doesn't make a difference to me so i'm still here. the event culminated in

a huge fireworks display. fireworks also between opposing protesters the polarization of america on a day intended to unite. turning now to some of the of the stories making news this hour protesters in the u.s. city of baltimore have torn down a statue of christopher columbus as saying in this video that's gone viral on twitter the protest came after president donald trump race columbus india's independence day speech activists say the explorer committed genocide against the indigenous peoples of the americas. us rapper kanye west has taken to twitter to announce his intention to join the 2020 presidential race saying here with his wife reality star kim cut dashin west has been a supporter of republican president donald trump but it's not yet clear how serious west is about his white house run. italy has authorized the rescue vessel

ocean viking to disembark 118 rescued migrants in sicily the ship will arrive in the italian port on monday after the migrants have been tested for the corona virus the decision comes a day after the ship declared an emergency when several migrants attempted to commit suicide. mexico's coronavirus death toll has risen to more than 30000 and the figure puts mexico past france as the country with the world's 5th highest toll the milestone was reached as the capital mexico city returned to strict lockdown after a week of easing precautions against the pandemic. and thousands have turned out for a gay pride. in paris it comes a week after the french capital's official pride parade was postponed until november to prevent the spread of the corona virus the activists demanded more political support for migrants sex workers and other marginalized members of the community. authorities in the australian city of melbourne have reimposed

strict lockdown measures in some areas in an attempt to contain a 2nd wave of coronavirus residents of 9 in a city public housing blocks have been placed under quarantine for 5 days and move caught many tenants by surprise. this is the closest to outside they can get for the next 5 days no going to work no running out to get groceries. police swarmed 9 public housing towers in melbourne on saturday evening blocking driveways and doorways to vent anyone from leaving. it isn't a crime scene the state government says is to avoid an explosive corona virus outbreak there's $27.00 confirmed cases of the virus among the $3000.00 residents of the estates. knowing tale was that of being locked in on the lockdown for at least 4 of those because that is deemed the appropriate period to test everybody

every single resident other than those who have already tested positive across those towers. the authorities insist the lockdown isn't about punishment but protection except some residents say they're being treated like prisoners aid groups have expressed concerns about vulnerable communities inside the units some who have fled war or family violence they are calling for less police officers and more social workers and translators. are down for a moment underestimate how challenging magic in some respects that will be for those $3000.00 residents the state government has offered a 2 week rent freeze and welfare payments to support those in the lockdown but residents say the seriousness of the measures are unfair with many highlighting how other people in lockdown suburbs are still allowed to leave their houses for work or grocery shopping their tenants feel powerless they will spend the next 5 days

waiting for a knock at the door that brings food supplies or a coded 19 test and won't be allowed out until everyone has been tested. pubs in england are welcoming patrons again after a 4 month coronavirus shutdown restaurants and hair salons are also back in business the changes that don't apply to wiles or scotland which has been setting their own timetables for easing restrictions as people hit the pubs the u.k. government is edging them not to get too carried away warning that irresponsible drink has could face jail time. the 1st visit to the pub in more than 3 months the reopening is taking place amid strict measures which even royalty have to observe prince william got his 1st drink in a day early ordinary citizens had to wait till saturday morning for the pubs to open in england and northern ireland the british government fears there could be a mad rush to the drinking establishments the health minister warned his

compatriots not to mess things up saying those who get carried away could be jailed . prime minister boris johnson also called on britons to act responsibly. all these businesses and their workers who put in a horrific effort to prepare their venues for this reopening to work out a way to trade that keeps their customers safe but the success of these businesses the livelihoods of those who rely on that ultimately the economic health of the whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly restrictions have been nice for other businesses as well including hairdressers museum cinemas and restaurants critics say the reopening comes too soon currently there are around 500 new infections

a day but the numbers could soon spike again like they did during an outbreak in leicester earlier this week. the city of $300000.00 residents in the heart of england is still under a local lockdown and the government has warned that it will not hesitate to order the closure of businesses again if there is a fresh corona virus outbreak. but the formula one now women say it is driver valtteri bottas has just won the season opening grand prix in austria but the biggest story was f one drivers taking a major stance against racism before the start of the race defending world champion lewis hamilton led a majority of drivers to take and name many would donning end racism shirts 6 of the 20 drivers including ferrari's fair red bulls max fished up and remained standing but said they support the fight against racial injustice hamilton has the only black driver in formula one has criticised some of his fellow drivers for not

speaking out against racism saying silence is complicit. travel restrictions could pose a major challenge for cyclists in the united states and south america ahead of the 2 to france an organist colombia and the u.s. are on the list of countries banned from travel to the e.u. to to the pandemic that made some of the sports top cyclists like defending champion and now could miss out on the tournament with the band under regular review riders hope they'll be granted special clearance from authorities in time. in football and munich have won the german cup. for 2 to clinch a league and cup double in berlin for the 2nd year running the pandemic meant it was the 1st german cup final to be played before the stands. opened the scoring from just 14 minutes after mabry added

a 2nd go robert levin duffy been made sure of the cup 3rd guy. all of the hour up leverkusen hit back for his friend who scored a powerful header from a corner. despite fats and a light penalty it was bynes day 11 dusty school day a 4th to clinch a number double. the russians looking for a way to cool off from the summer some have hit the ski slopes dozens of scales don't swim suit swim suits from boat for their downhill dash at a western russian resort by the phone the river preparations for the annual event began in february when the snow was jabot and stored away the frozen runs usually last for 3 days but sheet of this is high temperatures organizers say the fun will likely melt away after just one. week.

you're watching data in the news we'll have more headlines at the top of the hour until then don't forget to check out our web site don't call me i'm rebecca races in berlin thank you very much want. a meal and i'm to complete the 2nd season home of. the planet on the brink of disaster we did interview experts about one question how do you change it.