Page 20 - France

Left vows to tie wages to inflation, lower retirement age in France

Political parties including the Socialists, Greens, Communists and hard-left Unbowed France (LFI) will form a 'Popular Front' in a bid to challenge the far-right's National Rally

Emmanuel Macron suspends controversial voting reform in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday the suspension of controversial voting reforms in New Caledonia, following a spate of deadly unrest in the French Pacific territory. The reforms, which would have altered voting rights, are feared by the Indigenous Kanak people who say they would have marginalise them further. The issue has caused the worst violence on the archipelago in decades. The violence flared on May 13 in response to attempts by Macron's government to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists in New Caledonia. France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory on May 15 and rushed hundreds of troop reinforcements to help police quell the revolt that included shootings, clashes, looting and arson. Both sides of New Caledonia's bitter divide Indigenous Kanaks, who want independence and those loyal to France erected barricades, either to revolt against authorities or to protect their homes and properties. Pro-independence protesters

Oxfam urges G7 to tap fraction of military spend to resolve hunger, debt

The G7 - comprising the United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Britain - is set to meet in Italy this week where leaders will discuss issues such as climate change, migration, debt

EU Election: Why France’s Macron called for snap elections?

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a snap election after a crushing defeat in elections for the European Parliament. What's happening in the EU elections? Watch the video to find out.

After EU jolt, Macron's decision to snap parliamentary polls shock markets

The euro fell by as much as 0.6 per cent to a one-month low of $1.0733 and hit a 21-month trough against sterling of 84.49 pence

Far-right gains in EU election deal stunning defeat to Macron, Scholz

Voting has ended to elect the European Union's regional lawmakers for the next five-year term after the last remaining polls closed in Italy. Official results were expected any moment after Italian polling stations closed at 11 pm local time (2100GMT), officially ending a marathon election spanning four days across 27 bloc member countries. An initial projection provided by the European Union indicates far-right parties have made big gains at the European Parliament. In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced he was calling early legislative elections after his party suffered a heavy defeat from the far-right National Rally party. Far-right parties made major gains at the European Union parliamentary elections Sunday, dealing stunning defeats to two of the bloc's most important leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In France, the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen dominated the polls to such an extent that Macron immediately dissolved

France enters election mode post far-right win in European Parliament vote

Macron's unexpected decision, which amounts to a roll of the dice on his political future, could hand major political power to the far-right after years on the sidelines

Biden, Macron agree on global affairs, express different views on Gaza war

US President Biden, who is currently on an official state visit to Paris, held meetings with his France counterpart

Macron hosts Biden as two leaders try to overcome past trade tensions

President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday, as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. Biden and Macron attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday. They met separately the following day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris engagements they both used to underscore the urgent need to support Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion. But Macron and Biden have often chafed at the pace of support for Ukraine, especially as the US by far the largest contributor to Kyiv's defence was forced to pause aid shipments for months while congressional Republicans held up an assistance package. The state visit will begin with a welcome ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and a military parade along the Champs-Elysees leading to the Elysee Palace, where the two will hold official meetings and deliver public statements. Later, Macron will ho

Biden to meet Zelenskyy in Paris as Kyiv battles intense Russian offensive

US President Joe Biden was due to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday as Kyiv's army endures its hardest days of fighting since the early weeks of the war with Russia and prepares for what officials say could be a tough summer ahead. The United States is by far Kyiv's biggest supplier of wartime support, and Ukraine is trying to fend off an intense Russian offensive in eastern areas of the country. The push is focused on the Ukrainian border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk but Ukrainian officials say it could spread wider as Russia's bigger army seeks to make its advantage tell. The offensive is seeking to exploit Kyiv's shortages of ammunition and troops along the roughly 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line. That shortfall in weaponry came after US military aid was held up in Congress for six months before Biden in April signed into law a USD 61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Amid Russia's most recent onslaught and with Ukraine's army .

France to provide Mirage fighter jets to fend off Russian attacks: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that France will provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft to be able to defend their country against Russian aggression. Macron said in an interview with French public broadcaster that he will announce on Friday a new cooperation" with Ukraine and the sale of Mirage 2005, the French-made combat aircraft which will allow Ukraine to protect its soil, its airspace against Russian attacks. France will also start training Ukrainian pilots, Macron said. He reiterated that Ukraine should be allowed to use weapons provided by its Western allies to target Russian military targets and neutralise the points from which (the country) is being attacked.

Aukus focus: The strategic pivot to France

Capability asymmetries between India and the US impede joint training

France files charges against teen accused of plan to attack Olympic fans

French authorities on Friday raised preliminary terrorism charges against an 18-year-old accused of a plot targeting spectators attending soccer games at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The interior minister said it was the first such thwarted plot targeting the Games, which start in eight weeks as France is on its highest threat alert level. The man is accused of planning a 'violent action' on behalf of the Islamic State group's jihadist ideology, the national counterterrorism prosecutor's office said in a statement Friday. The man, who was not identified, is being held in custody pending further investigation. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a statement that members of the General Directorate of Internal Security arrested an 18-year-old man from Chechnya on May 22 on suspicion of being behind a plan to attack soccer events that will be held in the southern city of Saint-Etienne. According to the initial investigation, the man was preparing an attack targeting the ...

French security officials foil plan to attack soccer events during Olympics

The French interior minister said Friday that security authorities have foiled a plan to attack soccer events during the Paris Olympics. Gerald Darmanin said in a statement that an 18-year-old man from Chechnya was arrested on May 22 on suspicion of being behind a plan to attack soccer events that will be held in the city of Saint-Etienne, southwest of Lyon. The Paris Olympics will run from July 26-Aug 11. Soccer matches will take place in cities across France before the final in Paris' Stade de France.

French Open introduces head-cams for chair umpires to improve TV experience

From interactions with players to making the correct call at the French Open, TV viewers can now see exactly what the chair umpire is looking at. For the first time, chair umpires at the main Court Philippe Chatrier are wearing small head-cams. Organizers hope the camera footage will provide viewers with an immersive experience. The device "brings viewers even closer to the action, enabling them to discover the umpires' duties, as well as their interactions with players," the French tennis federation said Wednesday. The head-cam footage is part of the international broadcast feed, available to official tournament broadcasters. It's among new features introduced by the French Open this year, including a second retractable roof for the 10,000-seat Court Suzanne Lenglen. The 15,000-seat Philippe Chatrier Court has had a retractable roof since 2020.

India-France negotiations for Rs 50k-cr 26 navy Rafales to start next week

France had submitted its response to India's tender for buying 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers - INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in December itself

France to lift emergency to allow political dialogue in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron decided Monday to lift the state of emergency in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia in a move meant to allow political dialogue following the unrest that left seven people dead and a trail of destruction, his office said. The president's office said in a statement the state of emergency won't be extended for the moment and will therefore end Monday at 8 pm in Paris, which is 5 am Tuesday in New Caledonia. The decision aims at enabling meetings of the various components of pro-independence movement FLNKS, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, and allow elected officials and other local leaders "in a position to call for lifting the barricades to go there and meet with protesters, the statement said. Macron repeatedly pushed for the removal of protesters' barricades with leaders on both sides of New Caledonia's bitter divide Indigenous Kanaks, who want independence, and the pro-Paris leaders, who do not. In the statement, he .

Artistic ironworkers reinstall Notre Dame cathedral cross in Paris

The cross at the apse of Notre-Dame de Paris, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, has been reinstalled atop the cathedral's framework after a meticulous restoration by artistic ironworkers from Normandy. The imposing cross, spanning 12 metres and weighing 1.5 tons, is the only element of the choir roof that resisted the flames. It was reinstalled on Friday. Approximately 250 companies and hundreds of craftsmen, architects and professionals have contributed to the ongoing restoration project, aiming for the cathedral's reopening on December 8, 2024. The fire, which occurred on April 15, 2019, caused the collapse of Notre-Dame's spire and part of its roof. Five years later, the restoration has made significant progress, including the reinstallation of the spire's lead-covered needle. The 2019 fire was a significant blow to the cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site and a symbol of Christianity that welcomed 12 million visitors each year.

Billionaire Peugeot family faces rare revolt by shareholders after losses

Peugeot Invest, controlled by the French clan and headed by eighth-generation scion Robert Peugeot, 74, is likely to face a group of disgruntled minority investors at an annual meeting on Friday

Priority to return to calm amid unrest: Macron in riot-hit New Caledonia

President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday in riot-hit New Caledonia, having crossed the globe by plane in a high-profile show of support for the French Pacific archipelago wracked by deadly unrest and where Indigenous people have long sought independence from France. Macron, who briefly spoke to reporters after his arrival at La Tontouta International Airport, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the New Caledonian capital of Noumea, said he viewed a return to calm as the top priority. He said that his wish, along with that of his ministers and the government, was "to be alongside the people and see a return to peace, calm and security as soon as possible. Macron added he plans to meet with local officials and discuss the resources needed to repair the damage wrought by days of shootings, arson and other violence that has left at least six dead and a broad trail of destruction estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros (dollars). We will discuss questions of economic ...