♪ >> you're watching live from paris here on france 24. these are the headlines. emmanuel macron has condemned spying on his german counterpart by the u.s. with the help of embarq. -- of denmark. speaking alongside angela merkel, he said they were awaiting answers from washington and from copenhagen. fears over stalled economic growth forces china to allow families to have three children. the scrapping of the one child policy three years ago has not led to a significant upward surge in the population.

to build a ruling coalition for israel. that means the final curtain is time for benjamin netanyahu as leader but he is fighting back. this is live from paris. thank you very much for being with us. the german government is following up on a report the united states used a partnership with denmark to spy on it officials with neighboring countries. the danish media claims the u.s. national security agency used a partnership with denmark's foreign intelligence unit to spy on senior officials including angela merkel. >> when exactly did denmark know the united states may be spying on european politicians and

leaders? questions have only multiplied since allegations surfaced late at the weekend with those same leaders demanding clarification. >> [speaking foreign language] í@>> similar outrage closer to denmark. sweden's defense minister contacted his counterpart but was unable to get much more information. >> [speaking foreign language] >> u.s. intelligence services eavesdropping on european leaders is nothing new. in a 2013, edward snowden revealed thousands of classified

documents exposing the surveillance put in place after the 9/11 attacks. the documents revealed the country was carrying out widespread tapping worldwide including on chancellor angela merkel's phone. this spying would have been going on at the same time and may have taken advantage of joint u.s.-danish collaboration. angela merkel seemed to seek a moderate tone. >> [speaking foreign language] >> denmark has not yet officially reacted to the reports. the country's defense minister said the government could not get -- could not discuss intelligence matters. >> the reaction from washington

coming shortly. china is to allow families to have as many as three children. it is a move born out of economic pragmatism rather than romance. the question remains if the scrapping of the one child only law six years ago did not boost the population, then why will this? many chinese people are concerned it is too expensive to start a family. >> a major policy shift in the most populous country on earth. china's ruling communist party eased restrictions on the number of children couples can have fromwo to three. this after data showed the population over the past decade grew at its lowest pace since the 1950's. china scrapped its decades old one china policy in 2016. the move failed to result in a surge in the birth rate. the high cost of raising children in chinese cities has

been the main deterrent for starting families. >> [speaking foreign language] >> for 2020, the fertility rate stood at 1.3 children per woman. the new generation is less populous than the previous one and places china on par with aging societies like japan and italy. currently, 264 million people or roughly 18% of china's population is over the age of 60. seniors are living longer and by 2050, will increase to a third of the population. our fears among the ruling party at the number of working age people in china is shrinking too fast. >> [speaking foreign language]

>> currently, the retirement age in china is 60 for men and 55 for women. now that beijing has announced reformed birth control policies, postponing retirement is likely next on the cards. >> next, last call for benjamin netanyahu. israel could be about to have a governing coalition without the current prime minister. netanyahu has laid no time in verbally living into his rivals. a prospect netanyahu has condemned as weak for israel. >> is a clock ticking on benjamin netanyahu's time in power? a centrist politician has until midnight on wednesday to cobble together a coalition to oust him.

he is optimistic about the challenge. >> [speaking foreign language] >> the potential alliance would bring together some unlikely bedfellows including the hard right, who supports jewish settlements in the occupied west bank and on the others of the spectrum, arab-israeli lawmakers. it needs the support of seven disparate parties. >> the new government is a clear anti-netanyahu government. the only common issue that all the potential partners for this government can agree on is they don't want to see netanyahu as prime minister. >> after 12 years in power,

netanyahu is israel's longest-serving prime minister. he calls the proposed unity government a threat to security. a sensitive accusation just days after the recent conflict. while his party took 30 seats in the last election, it was short of a majority and the longtime political survivor may finally have run out of options. >> let's get some wider analysis. thanks for being with us. do you think this is politically speaking, the final curtain for benjamin netanyahu? >> we cannot be sure because i think he will try to first do whatever he can to block this move, to block the establishment of the government. second, he might stay in politics as in opposition leader

or something at least for a while to try to do his best to shorten the life of this new government. i am not sure that his days are over. >> can the opposition make it work? >> they can. right now, the only thing that brings them together is the necessities of politics. but they can do it. it is really politics has become very personalized. it is all about their personal relationship and personal relationship with the leaders of all the other parties that would be members of this government. we have to remember that once they have a government, in order to oust such a government, the other forces need majority of 61 members of the knesset. there will likely be a minority

government that can rule on. i think they can work for a wild. i would not say they are going to work for the whole four years, but they might be able if they will do their best. if they really make an effort, they can survive for two or three years. working on an agenda that is more civil, more about the economy and may be about reforms that are needed in is really regime structure. >> a wise man said to me your enemy's enemy is not necessarily your friend. i am wondering whether the mutual political dislike of netanyahu is enough for them to build on. there need to be more policies, more actual political programs going forward. co. yeah, but you have to remember that probably the main

issue that divides left and right in israel is foreign affairs and security. it is not likely they will be any more -- as long as hamas is ruling gaza. you can put this aside at least until the palestinians come to terms with themselves. i think that if they would not pressure too much about building in the territoriesn the one hand but on the other hand, letting the people that already live there have their lives. finding an equilibrium or status quo, they might be able to put this issue aside. there can be another scenario with netanyahu stepping down and can easily step into government with its allies. we will see a change in

government and we will see a complete right wing government but without netanyahu good this can -- without netanyahu. it all depends on one person, benjamin netanyahu. >> you make it sound like a very fluid situation. it is fascinating to study israeli politics. to bring people into the picture who may be do not have your knowledge and my lesser knowledge, two men from different ends of the political spectrum. coming together for a coalition. if it this -- if this works, what does it mean for the problems of the middle east? you alluded to hamas and the issues with the palestinians. what would a coalition mean for these problems? >> this is a great question. they might continue with what netanyahu has succeeded, to

preserve for the last 12 years. and even more than this. hamas ruling gaza. we have fights from time to time but hamas is there. in the west bank and therefore, you cannot have any progress when it comes to a disagreement or close to it. or they might decide they change their policy. they are going very strong versus hamas. they are becoming more friendly to the plo and this will change the whole game. i am not sure who has the interest in what. the right wing does not like the plo more than it likes hamas, while the left would argue the plo is israel's better option. this is really complicated.

maybe the current equilibrium of hamas, gaza and yelled out the west bank is the best political solution for keeping this coalition for a long time. >> thank you very much for joining us from the hebrew university of jerusalem. the possible new coalition about to take shape of some description in israel. next, the former president will return to the ivory coast on june 17 after 10 years following his acquittal of crimes against humanity during the civil war. announcing the return of the president june 17. these the words of the secretary-general of the popular front already. the party founded to him. he was president of the ivory

coast until 2011. he refused to accept defeat, sparking the civil conflict. he was acquitted of war tight -- war crimes at the hague in 2019. let's bring in our correspondent for more on this. good evening to you. what could this mean for him, for about -- for ivory coast? give this a sense of what this means. >> it is interesting because there have been two months since the international criminal court upheld the acquittal that was made in 2019. it has been interesting. there has been a committee set up between government members and party members and other sympathizers did they have used the last two months to state his homecoming. just the last two weeks, the --

it remains to be seen what this announcement today actually means because they jumped the gun because government was supposed to make the announcement. they could have a smooth transition of him coming back to ivory coast. we have the data. i don't see the government saying he will come back on another date. his lawyer also confirming that date today. of course, he has enjoyed many years of's port -- years of support. they have said things about this not the injustice served. any time were often he refused -- he wants to take part in the reconciliation process and it is up to the ruling party to make some kind of announcement.

he does still face 20 years in jail for charges that were brought against him in ivory coast. that was for looting the local branch of the west african bank. >> back to ivory coast june 17. thank you very much for giving us that sense of what this means for ivory coast. she will keep us up-to-date with all the developments on that story. time for business. anyone for tennis? french open has got underway in paris. you have been looking at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tournament's finances. >> we have seen in the last year, the world of business and sports colliding. a limited number of fans are allowed to attend.

the restrictions still mean a second year of reduced ticket sales at roland garros. >> eager tennis fans lined up to enter the roland garros complex at the french -- as the french grand slam got underway. due to the coronavirus pandemic, strict audience caps have been set ranging from 15 to 35% capacity. that translates into over 5000 spectators a day through june 8 and for the end of the tournament when restrictions are eased further, just over 13,000 visitors a day. the french tennis federation estimates it will sell around hundred 18,000 tickets this year. that is down from a record high of almost 500,000 tickets in 2019 but still much better than at the height of the pandemic in 2020 all of this has taken a massive toll on the tournament's bottom line. the french open provides 80% of the fft's income.

in 2018, ticket sales represented 17% while partnerships and public relations accounted for 20%. the biggest slice coming from broadcast rights at 37%. in 2020, revenues fell just over 50% compared to 2019 to 147 million euros. over the past 10 years, the federation has spent 380 million euros modernizing the tennis complex, adding a retractable roof to the stadium core and additional states and -- additional seats and lighting. the upgrades make the compact -- the complex less the pendant on the weather. -- less dependent on the weather. >> let's check in on the day's trading action. losses here in paris and the dax in frankfurt. german stocks retreating from lester's record highs.

inflation in the euro zone's artist economy hitting two and a half percent. london's ftse 100 was closed for a bank holiday as was wall street for memorial day. moving onto the days of the biggest headlines. the holiday weekend in the united states has seen a boom in domestic travel. some 6 million people were expected to fly. the highest level since the pandemic began. road traffic was up around 60% last year. memorial day kicks off the summer season in the u.s. nestle is reviewing its brands after an internal document labeled 60% of its food and drink product is unhealthy. swiss giant said it is updating its health strategy including reducing sugar and sodium content. top ranking finance offials who have received the covid vaccine will be exempt from hong kong's strict requirements.

the govement says it was trying to ptect itstatus as an international finance center. two begging executives can apply for the free pass a month but they will have to take several covid tests and inform authorities of their schedule. the organization for economic cooperation and development has revised its forecast for this year upwards. the organization expects the global economy to grow 5.8% this year. that is up from 4.2% in december. the u.s. outlook has doubled to six point 9% before slowing down slightly next year and the e.u. is on track to expand 4.3 percent in 2021 and 4.4% in 2022. it warranted that many headwinds persist including the slow pace of vaccination in developing countries. developing economies and the most vulnerable populations lagging behind. >> continued to stay closed,

further hampering train, tourism and jobs. another risk is inequality. the recovery is not only very uneven between countri@@es acros sectors but also across people. we need to collectively help emerging market economies more by boosting the production of vaccines, improving health infrastructure and testing capacities. >> that was a more upbeat note. 16 years of secretary general are coming to an end. he will be replaced the former australian finance minister. he takes office tomorrow. >> thank you very much. a pleasure to see you as always. it is time for focus. a water shortage in california is threatening the main fruit producers. two thirds of fruit americans consume is grown in that state.

fruit trees are being uprooted before they wither into the ground. while the farmers are struggling, so will local residents. >> in may, reservoirs like this one are usually full of water. but ts year, all that is left of it is an empty and cracked pit. john owns this ranch in central california. this past year, several counties have witnessed exceptional drought conditions. the most severe category of dryness. >> i have never had this water source be dry in may. i have not ever seen it myself. every drop of rain that hit the ground was absorbed and none of reservoilike this.lected into a >> there has been half as much rain as usual and very little snow. cows have been struggling to find shade and farmers have had to reduce their herd. >> maybe it is a third of the

normal amount of grass we have because of the lack of feed, we have cold, harder. we have gotten rid of animals. between 20 and 25% of the herd. >> the cattle are thirsty because of the lack of water. this in a valley that is highly dependent on agriculture. trees stretch out in the distance bearing oranges, peaches and pistachios. two thirds of america's fruit are grown here in 80% of the almonds consumed around the world. the past few years -- past few weeks, allman fields have in looking like this. trees are being cut down add an unprecedented rate because of an active -- because of a lack of irrigation. he says there is simply notre. enough water for trees to grow. it breaks my heart. we don't have enough water and we can't keep these trees alive. you would set therees s far back and damage the trees so

much it would not work out to let them go. they would be so damaged they would be irreparable. >> this mhine is cutting down 5000 trees, the equivalent of 15% of the almond production. it is a first for this farm. >> these trees are right in the middle of their lifecycle. their beautiful adults. they are right in middle of when they should be producing food for everybody. >> almond trees require a lot of water. that is why daniel's farm cannot afford to waste any drought. >> there is no pooling of water. water at the exact amount is going to be taken into the soil. >> farmers here have followed hundreds of hectares of land even though irrigation can be costly. the water that flows into this canal from the mountainss reserved for cities. in the valley, farmers have been drilling wells to pump out grand

water. steve arthur has been working in this business since he was 14 years old. >> people are panicking. they are getting excited. they have no water. they got to irrigate their crops shared we have four drill rigs running and three pump trucks running. demand.ot keep upith the >> there are no limits to the amount of wells farmers can build or the amount of water they can pump. steve arthur is always looking deeper in search of more. >> one year the water might stay right there. as sn as you get into another dry year, it keeps slowly dropping. get a wet year, it balances out. it is always going down. >> could farmers and intensive agriculture actually be part of the problem? that is what rebecca fears. she has a local who lives in the middle of endless fields. >> they are taking all the

water. they are causing a crisis. >> there are no restrictions for residents yet but many rely on containers of drinking water because tapwater has been contaminated. >> this is ground zero for the most contaminated water in the county. >> a little water that does proud out of the taps can only be used for washing dishes or showers. pollution, falling water levels, drought, all of this and one of the most fertile valleys in the u.s. >> are a special focus feature in california. for mode -- for more news, do stay with us. you are watching france 24. >> for more than 10 years, the people of nigeria have been the target of the islamist rebels of boko haram.

today, their towns are being rebuilt. one of the people who live in them? the women rejected by their families because they were raped by the enemy. >> they would just cut the heads. we are surrounded with soldiers. boko haram -- >> our reporters have been to meet the nigerians whose future has been put on hold. >> resented by mark owen on france 24 in france 24.com. -- presented by mark owen on france 24 and france 24.com. ♪

05/31/21 05/31/21 [captioning made possible amy: from new york, this is democracy now! >> there is something we need to talk about. three words that summarize the whole history of humanity -- civilizationcolonization, extermination. this is the origin of the ideology of white supremacy. amy: "exterminate all the brutes." that's the title of an epic sweeping new series by raoul peck about colonialism, white supremacy, and genocide. "time magazine" said it "may well be the most politically radical