Page 17 - France

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

'Choose France Tour 2024': A chance for Indian students to study in Europe

Currently, France is home to 250,000 international students, including 10,000 from India, according to official data

Demonstrators praise Pilcot's courage in drug and rape trial in France

Women and men demonstrated together Saturday in Paris and other French cities in support of Gisle Plicot and against sexual violence highlighted by the harrowing trial of her ex-husband and dozens of other men being prosecuted for rapes while she was deliberately drugged and knocked unconscious. The demonstrations outside Paris' criminal court, in the southeastern city of Lyon and elsewhere underscored how Plicot's courage in speaking out about her ordeal is inspiring people in France and beyond, even as they've been horrified by the scale and brutality of the abuse she suffered over the course of a decade. Since the September 2 beginning of the extraordinary trial, during which Plicot has faced 51 of her alleged rapists, she has been praised for her composure and decision to keep the hearings public after the court initially suggested that they be held behind closed doors. She has decided to make this an emblematic trial, said Elsa Labouret, one of the Paris demonstrators and a ..

France pledges support for Ukraine's plan to end Russian invasion

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot pledged his support for Ukraine's plan for ending the two and a half-year war with Russia, telling reporters in Kyiv on Saturday that he will work with Ukrainian officials to secure other nations' backing for the proposal. Unveiled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week, Kyiv's so-called victory plan hopes to compel Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine through negotiations. The proposal is being considered by Ukraine's Western partners, whose help is vital for Kyiv to resist its bigger neighbour. A key element would be a formal invitation into NATO, which Western backers have been reluctant to consider until after the war ends. A Russian victory would be a consecration for the law of the strongest and would push the international order toward chaos, Barrot said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha. That is why our exchanges should allow us to make progress on President Zelenskyy's ..

Biden meets with European allies as Trump's new term possibility hangs over

Expected on the agenda of discussions are conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia according to a Biden administration official

France demands release of hostages after Israel eliminates Sinwar

Israel has confirmed the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks last year