Page 24 - France

Protesting farmers put France's govt in a bind with tractors and hay bales

Farmers have captured France's attention by showering government offices with manure and besieging Paris with traffic-snarling barricades of tractors and hay bales. The farmers say their protests aren't a moment too soon. Grievances have long been brewing in the European Union's leading agricultural power. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused painful economic shocks, including higher costs, bringing farmers' anger to a head in France and other European countries. Climate change and pressure for more sustainable and more productive agriculture are also squeezing the 500,000 or so French farmers, who already have to compete against counterparts from far afield. Here's a look at the movement, its origins and future: WHY ARE FARMERS PROTESTING? Protesters say it's becoming harder than ever to make a decent living from their fields, greenhouses and herds. For the worst off, it's impossible. Energy costs surged with the February 2022 launch by Russia of full-scale war in Ukraine

Soup thrown at Mona Lisa in Louvre Paris; da Vinci's artwork 'safe'

According to the Louvre museum officials, the artwork, guarded by a glass shield, did not face any damage. The Paris museum plans to lodge a complaint against the protestors

Ready to 'break new ground' to solidify ties with France, says Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to "break new ground" to give a fillip to the China-France ties, days after French President Emmanuel Macron's high-profile visit to India during which the two countries unveiled an ambitious defence roadmap besides intensifying cooperation in the strategic Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. Macron's visit to India also coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. In his message on the occasion, Xi said As today's world is once again at a critical crossroads, China and France should jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity and progress for human development. Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties and he stands ready to work with Macron to take the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an "opportunity to uphold fundamental principles, break new ground, build on past achievements, open up a new future, and make China-France comprehensive ...

French farmers to continue protests despite govt's offer of concessions

French farmers vowed on Saturday to continue protesting, maintaining traffic barricades on some of the country's major roads a day after the government announced a series of measures that they do not fully address their demands. The farmers' movement, seeking better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports has spread in recent days across the country, with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic. They've also dumped stinky agricultural waste at the gates of government offices. While some of the barricades were gradually being lifted on Saturday, highway operator Vinci Autoroutes said the A7, a major highway heading through southern France and into Spain, was still closed. Some other roads were also partially closed, mostly in southern France. Vinci Autoroutes noted that the blockades on two highways leading to Paris have been removed. The highway from Lyon, in eastern France, to Bordeaux, in the .

France will support any Olympic bid by India: Prez Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday assured India that the hosts of the 2024 Olympics will back them to organize the multi-sport event in the country in the near future

India, France agree to intensify cooperation in Southwest Indian Ocean

The two leaders stressed, in particular, the urgent need for the reform of the United Nations Security Council

Comfort of India-France friendship will illuminate path forward: President

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the comfort of the India-France friendship and the strength of "our partnership will illuminate the path forward". Murmu received Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here and hosted a banquet in his honour. Welcoming President Macron, she said the leaders of the two countries being guests of honour in each other's successive National Day parade and celebrations, is a historic moment, and "a symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership". Macron was the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday at Delhi's Kartavya Path. Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of "our partnership for India's Amrit Kaal and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realise this vision". "The president was confident that the comfort of the India-France friendship and the strength of our partnership will illuminate the path

Protesting over poor prices, French farmers block road linking France-Spain

The protests are now affecting traffic trying to cross into France from Spain on the AP-7 highway that runs along the Mediterranean coast from southern Spain to the frontier

India, France in talks for financing mechanism for Jaitapur n-project

India and France are trying to move forward on elements related to putting in place a financing mechanism and localisation component for the 9,900 MWe Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district. Responding to questions on civil nuclear cooperation between India and France and whether the Jaitapur project was put on pause, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the French power company EDF and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) were discussing elements such as a financing mechanism and localisation component of the project. "The two entities on both sides -- EDF and NPCIL -- are essentially trying to move forward on these issues and a whole lot of progress has been made," the foreign secretary said. The first memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Jaitapur nuclear project was inked in 2009 with French nuclear supplier Areva, which went bankrupt. In 2016, the EDF and NPCIL signed a revised MoU, and an "industrial way forward" in the ...

French aerospace giant Thales plans to set up avionics MRO in Delhi

As New Delhi and Paris looked to expand strategic partnership, French defence major Thales on Friday said it is bringing its "trusted" high-tech capabilities to India and plans to set up an avionics MRO in Delhi to provide world class services to its airline customers. Vice President and Country Director of Thales India Ashish Saraf said the company is fully committed and mobilised to support the modernisation and indigenisation efforts that are underway in the Indian aerospace and defence sector. In their talks in Jaipur on Thursday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron resolved to further shore up bilateral strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy. Macron was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path on Friday. Saraf described the decision to set up the avionics MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) in Delhi as a "key initiative" and asserted that Thales would fully .

Qatar's credit rating upgraded by Moody's to match France, UAE, overtake UK

The rating company also changed Qatar's outlook from positive to stable, meaning another upgrade is unlikely in the short term

Macron's Republic Day gift to India: 30,000 students in France by 2030

Republic Day 2024 chief guest: French President Emmanuel Macron is India's main guest in this year's celebrations

French contingent to participate in 75th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi

A 95-member marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent from France will participate in the 75th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi today

Republic Day: French Prez taking part is matter of pride, says PM Modi

PM Modi added that he is elated about the fact that Macron began his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan

Macron joins PM Modi in roadshow, gets Ram temple replica as gift

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met at Jantar Mantar here ahead of their roadshow. Modi reached the observatory from Jaipur airport while Macron came to the site after visiting Amber Fort. The two leaders met there and hugged each other. Later, they visited the observatory. Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories featuring the world's largest stone sundial.

PM Modi explains UPI digital payments system to French President Macron

Prior to visiting Hawa Mahal, PM Modi and French President Macron held a mega roadshow in Jaipur. Earlier in the day, French President arrived in India on a two-day state visit at the invitation of PM

IT giant TCS looks to double staff in France over next three years

TCS is aiming to double staff in France over the next three years as it sees handsome business growth in the European country, a senior official said on Thursday. At present, the largest Indian IT services company employs 1,600 people in France across four major centres in the country. France is among the fastest growing markets in Europe for TCS, growing much faster than the numbers it reports for the continent, its head of European business, Sapthagiri Chapalapalli, told PTI. Chapalapalli said TCS has been present in France for over three decades now and right now, it feels that the bulk of the groundwork is ready for a faster growth of the business going ahead. The business in France will "multiply" from here on by growing at an accelerated pace courtesy building blocks which have been put in place, he said. It has been working with 80 French clients across all major sectors which are key to the local economy and also runs an innovation centre in Paris. A bulk of its 1,600 sta

Republic Day 2024: Here are interesting facts, theme, chief guests and more

Republic Day is celebrated every year on January 26, 2024. All eyes will be on Kartavya Path, where Indian army, navy, air force and paramilitary groups will perform parades

Republic Day 2024 Parade: Check what makes this year's parade special

Apart from the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, many other aspects will make Republic Day 2024 Special. Check here in detail

France, India to discuss accord on nuclear reactors to limit coal reliance

India, the world's third-biggest carbon dioxide emitter, is seeking to rapidly expand its use of nuclear power over the next decade as it aims to both decarbonize and meet rising energy demand