Page 12 - France

Wall Street stocks up, dollar steady amid turmoil in South Korea, France

UnitedHealth shares gained 0.4 per cent even as Brian Thompson, the CEO of its insurance unit, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning in New York City

No-confidence vote could topple French govt for first time since 1962

France's far-right and left-wing forces are expected to join together Wednesday to oust Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes. If the motion succeeds, it would mark the first time a French government has been toppled this way in more than 60 years. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027 despite growing opposition calls for his departure amid the turmoil. However, Macron will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time this year, further reshaping France's political balance after his party's losses in July's legislative elections. The political drama comes as Macron, currently on a presidential visit to Saudi Arabia, dismissed the threat of a government collapse, according to French media reports Tuesday, saying discussions about his potential removal from office were make-believe politics. I'm here because I've been elected twice by the French people, Macron sai

French lawmakers set to oust PM Barnier in historic no-confidence vote

The impending collapse of the government will leave a hole at the heart of the European Union at a time when Germany is also weakened and in election mode, just weeks ahead of U.S. President-elect Don

France's looming trilemma: No confidence, no government, no budget

Does that mean France is hurtling toward a constitutional crisis? Not exactly. France's Constitution offers several scenarios that could keep the country's affairs more or less in order

French govt on the brink of collapse: Here are the possible futures

France's minority government appeared to be in its final hours Tuesday as opposition lawmakers from the left and the far right vowed to topple Prime Minister Michel Barnier's Cabinet. A no-confidence vote is scheduled Wednesday in parliament in the wake of a divisive budget debate, with a strong chance of being successful. If the motion passes, Barnier's Cabinet would be the shortest-lived government in France's modern history, marking an unprecedented period of political instability. President Emmanuel Macron would be in charge of appointing a new prime minister. Why is the situation so volatile? Following the June-July parliamentary elections, the National Assembly, France's powerful lower house of parliament, is divided into three major blocs: a left-wing coalition known as the New Popular Front, Macron's centrist allies and the far-right National Rally party. None won an outright majority. In September, Macron asked Barnier, a conservative, to form a government dominated by .

French govt faces no-confidence vote over Barnier's austerity budget

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is bracing for a no-confidence vote this week, a political reckoning almost certain to topple his fragile government and send shockwaves across the eurozone. Barnier on Monday invoked a rarely used constitutional mechanism to push through the contentious 2025 budget without parliamentary approval, arguing it was essential to maintain stability amid deep political divisions. The move immediately drew sharp backlash, with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front both filing no-confidence motions in response, setting the stage for a vote as early as Wednesday that could see Barnier's ouster. The looming showdown unfolds against the backdrop of a fractured National Assembly, left in disarray after June's snap elections delivered no clear majority. President Emmanuel Macron had turned to Barnier in September to navigate the impasse and address France's soaring deficit. Yet Barnier's proposed austerity budget slashin

India, France looking at economic ties: French foreign trade minister

After forging close partnership in the defence domain, India and France are now looking at significantly deepening economic and trade ties especially in sectors like clean energy, new technologies and aviation, French foreign trade minister Sophie Primas has said. At the end of her three-day visit to India, Primas said France is looking forward to further negotiations between New Delhi and the European Union for finalisation of a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal that could expand two-way economic engagement. India and the EU restarted negotiations for the ambitious trade deal in June 2022 after a gap of over eight years but the talks have dragged on for a variety of reasons, including the 27-nation bloc's position on carbon tax. "I would also like to add that, at the European Union level, we remain committed to reaching a trade deal between the EU and India, which is mutually beneficial and has ambitious sustainable development goals. We are looking forward to further talks wit

In a first, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West Africans 'massacre'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognised the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities. Macron's move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings in Thiaroye a fishing village on the outskirts of the Senegalese capital of Dakar comes as France's influence is declining in the region, with Paris losing its sway in the former French colonies in West Africa. Between 35 and 400 West African soldiers who fought for the French Army in the Battle of France in 1940 were killed on Dec 1, 1944 by French soldiers after what the French described as a mutiny over unpaid wages. The West Africans were members of the unit called Tirailleurs Senegalais, a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army. According to historians, there were disputes over unpaid wages in the days before the massacre but on that Dec 1, French troops rounded up the West African soldie

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire after 14-month clash: All you need to know

The US and France have managed to mediate a 60-day ceasefire between Israel-Hezbollah. Here's all you need to know about the conflict, casualties, and terms

China expanding visa-free entry to more countries in bid to boost economy

Starting Nov 30, travellers from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia and Japan will be able to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa

France, Germany, other EU nations team up to develop air defence system

Many European countries have ramped up defence spending in recent years, spurred by Russia's war in Ukraine and fears the United States may cut its commitments to protect the continent

French farmers escalate protests against EU-Mercosur trade agreement

French farmers escalated protests on Monday against the European Union-Mercosur trade agreement, citing fears of unfair competition. Backed by their government, they argue the deal would threaten their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards. In Beauvais in northern France, dozens of farmers with about 50 tractors disrupted traffic before walling up a government office tasked with enforcing environmental standards. The protesters dumped manure and tires in front of the building and moved to the local prefecture, where they set up a noisy camp with firecrackers. "The government slept on its agriculture, so we won't let them sleep," said Regis Desrumaux (54), head of the FDSEA Oise farmer's union. "Last year, we protested for the same reasons -- too much paperwork, overly strict norms, not enough help from the state. Now, with unfair competition from South American products boosted with hormones and ..

French farmers mobilise for protests over EU-Mercosur trade agreement

French farmers are mobilising for widespread protests called Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. They argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards. Protests are planned nationwide, including gatherings at prefectures and traffic circles. One group blocked a highway south of Paris on Sunday night with tractors, and scattered actions have been held recently building up to this week's protests. The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached an initial agreement in 2019, but negotiations stumbled due to opposition from farmers and some European governments. The new protests come amid fears the agreement could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on Nov. 18-19, or in the coming weeks. EU farm ministers are also meeting in Brussels on Monday. Leading the charge of the new protests are unions

China urges France to get EU to arrive at palatable EV trade solution

The EU launched an anti-subsidy investigation into imports of Chinese-made battery EVs last year and in October voted for tariffs on those vehicles

France credit rating outlook cut to negative by Moody's on deficit woes

Moody's put the negative outlook on its Aa2 assessment, a rating France shares with South Korea and United Arab Emirates

UK plans to expand pacific fishing patrols in pushback against China

Countries such as the US and France, which each have overseas territories in the South Pacific, have announced similar efforts

L&T locks key contract for world's largest nuclear fusion project in France

While the exact worth of the deal was not disclosed but the order was marked as 'significant', which the L&T uses to describe orders valued between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore

Why are France and Rome fighting over Emily from Emily in Paris?

Emily in Paris, a popular Netflix show, has pitted two countries against one another.

France to provide 100 million-euro aid package to support Lebanon: Macron

France pledged to provide a 100-million euro (USD 108-million) package to support Lebanon at an international conference Thursday, as President Emmanuel Macron said massive aid is needed to support the country where war between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced a million people, killed over 2,500 and deepened an economic crisis. In the immediate term, massive aid is needed for the Lebanese population, both for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war and for the communities hosting them, Macron said in his opening speech at the conference. French organisers hope participants' financial pledges of humanitarian aid will meet the USD 426 million the United Nations says is urgently needed. Italy this week announced new aid of 10 million euros (USD 10.8 million) and Germany on Wednesday pledged an additional 60 million euros (USD 64.7 million) for people in Lebanon. Macron condemned Israel for continuing its military operations in Lebanon, "in the South, in ..

Paris conference aims to get military, humanitarian support for Lebanon

France on Thursday hosts an international conference for Lebanon to rally military and humanitarian aid for the country where war between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced a million people, killed over 2,500 and deepened an economic crisis. Paris also seeks to help restore Lebanon's sovereignty and strengthen its institutions. The country, where Hezbollah effectively operates as a state within a state, has been without a president for two years while political factions fail to agree on a new one. But the international conference comes as critics say French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic approach in the Middle East has been blurred by his apparent evolving approach and sometimes chaotic communication. Still, France's historic links with Lebanon, a former colony, and its influential diplomacy give Paris momentum to coordinate a proper response to the massive challenge that the war in Lebanon now poses, said Middle East expert Rym Montaz, editor in chief of Carnegie