PARIS, France (AFP) — Hard winds lash France’s Atlantic Coast as Storm Gabriel arrives, while heavy snow hits other parts of the country, including the capital. https://youtu.be/MHeEejFqFO0
Tag: France
73-year-old Frenchman wins round-the-world race without modern technology
LES SABLES D’OLONNE, France (AFP) — A 73-year-old Frenchman won the round-the-world Golden Globe race without the help of modern technology on Tuesday after 211 days at sea. Frenchman Jean-Luc van den Heede clinched victory crossing the finish line in the Vendee in the voyage which started in July last year, beating 17 other competitors. The race involves a gruelling 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe in yachts similar to those used in the first […]
10,000 ‘red scarf’ protesters march against ‘yellow vest’ violence
by Marc PRÉEL and Katy LEE Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 10,000 people wearing red scarves marched through Paris on Sunday in protest at “yellow vest” violence during the anti-government demos that have drawn tens of thousands of people to the streets over the past 11 weeks. Since mid-November President Emmanuel Macron has offered concessions and debates seeking to quell the weekly rallies that often end in violent clashes with police […]
Tiny killer threatens giant clam, aquatic emblem of the Med
by Claudine RENAUD Agence France-Presse Villefranche-sur-Mer, France (AFP) — With wing-shaped shells lined with iridescent mother-of-pearl and producing the fibers of rare and delicate sea silk, the noble pen shell clam is one of the most emblematic species in the Mediterranean and a bellwether for marine environmental health. But the giant mollusk, the world’s second biggest, is under mortal threat from a parasite that has ravaged populations since it was identified along Spanish coasts in 2016. Scientists […]
Ghosn resigns as Renault boss, French group enters new era
by Daniel ARONSSOHN / Corentin DAUTREPPE Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Arrested car boss Carlos Ghosn has resigned as chief executive and chairman of Renault, ending his leadership roles in the auto industry and signalling the start of new era for the French manufacturer. Ghosn, the most powerful man in car-making until his sensational arrest last November in Japan on financial misconduct charges, had already been sacked as chairman of Japanese auto groups Nissan […]
France sees Huawei ‘risks’ for 5G networks: foreign minister
PARIS, France (AFP) — French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned Wednesday of “risks” in deploying next-generation 5G wireless networks using equipment from the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. “We are well aware of the risks… from Huawei’s position in major networks, the risks that could stem from Huawei’s extensive work on 5G,” Le Drian told a Senate panel in Paris. “The government will take all necessary measures at the proper time,” he said. France joins […]
Snowboards out as Paris gets first taste of snow
PARIS, France (AFP) — Paris got its first snowfall of the season Tuesday, prompting travel alerts for commuters but giving snowboard enthusiasts a chance to hit impromptu urban slopes. The Eiffel Tower was closed as both tourists and locals made their way carefully along slushy sidewalks. Visitors to the Sacre-Coeur church in Montmartre watched snowboarders tackle the steep lawns running alongside the stairs leading up to the basilica. At least one major road to the […]
France, Germany strengthen treaty ties to tackle EU crisis
by Laurence Benhamou Agence France Presse France and Germany on Tuesdasy signed a new friendship treaty to deepen their alliance at a time of crisis for the EU, drawing fire from the far right whom President Emmanuel Macron slapped down for “spreading lies” about the pact. Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel inked the accord to deepen ties as Britain prepares to leave the European Union and tensions are rising with populist leaders in the […]
Two dead, 25 hurt in French ski resort fire
LYON, France (AFP) — Two people died Sunday and 25 more were injured, four seriously, in a fire at the ski resort of Courchevel in the French Alps, officials said. The pre-dawn blaze forced the evacuation of some 60 resort workers, including foreigners, from a three-storey accommodation building. Firefighters found the two unidentified bodies in a burnt-out area of the building in the upmarket Courchevel 1850 ski station. Three of the four badly injured were […]
Macron’s debate put to test as ‘yellow vests’ stage tenth protest
by Clare BYRNE Agence Franc Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — France’s “yellow vests” took to the streets on Saturday for a 10th straight weekend of anti-government protests, defying attempts by President Emmanuel Macron to channel their anger into a series of town hall debates. A police source said the authorities expected the protests to be “at least as big as last week” when over 80,000 people demonstrated over inequality, the privileges enjoyed by senior public […]
Frenchman killed friend, dumped body parts in drain: prosecutor
PARIS, France (AFP) — A Frenchman who murdered his friend and dumped body parts into a drain said Wednesday he was driven to kill after being refused money for drugs, a prosecutor said. The grisly crime took place in the central town of Issoire, where a plumber was called out last week to a hair salon after a customer reported that the toilets were blocked. On opening a trap door leading to a drain the […]
Japan Olympic chief denies corruption allegations
by Natsuko Fukue Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The head of Japan’s Olympic Committee Tuesday denied involvement in a suspect payment made before Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Games, while apologizing for any possible impact on the hosting of the event. French investigating magistrates have indicted Tsunekazu Takeda as they probe two payments of 2.8 million Singapore dollars ($2.1 million) made before the Japanese capital was chosen to host the Olympics. During […]
