Tag: France
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Paris students protests spread nationally
Student protests that began in the Paris suburbs in September have spread across France, with trade unions, teachers, parents and far-left political groups joining demonstrations earlier today in support of students demanding better conditions in the country’s schools. The movement began on 17 September at a school in Créteil, south-east of Paris, where students and…
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France to deploy its air-defences in Saudi Arabia to defend the Yanbu pipeline
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on French TV that France will be deploying air-defences in Saudi Arabia to defend the East-West Yanbu pipeline. The pipeline was bombed by the Houthis disrupting Saudi Arabian oil exports and kicking up oil above $100 as a result. French troops will also potentially be deployed as the French President…
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President Macron gives his last UNGA speech
French President Emmanuel Macron gave his final speech at the United Nations General Assembly as President of France, delivering an emotional address that summed up much of the foreign policy worldview that has defined the final stage of his presidency. President Macron, who cannot seek a third consecutive presidential term under the French Constitution, used…
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French Presidential candidate Gabriel Attal calls for a United States of Europe
Former French Prime Minister and presidential candidate Gabriel Attal has called for the creation of a United States of Europe in a speech delivered in Reims at the premises of European space startup Latitude. Gabriel Attal argued that Europe has entered an era in which individual nation-states can no longer compete effectively with continental powers…
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France wants sanctions on Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov lifted in exchange for French prisoners
France is pushing the European Union to remove sanctions against Russian-Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov as part of negotiations aimed at securing the release of French nationals imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The French intervention, which has been described as “astonishing” by European diplomats, has contributed to delaying the renewal of EU sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian-linked individuals and…
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Train in France derails after sabotage attack
A train near the town of Cléon, in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy in northwestern France, derailed on Friday evening, injuring 44 people, as authorities investigate the incident. The regional train, which was travelling between Rouen and Caen with 186 passengers on board, derailed at around 7:45pm. An 18-year-old woman was seriously injured and airlifted…
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Paris wants to remain central stage as it dismembers efforts by Kaja Kallas to strengthen EU’s role in foreign and defence
Latest press reports on the European External Action Service and High Representative Kaja Kallas cite the cancellation of a meeting of a new European defence group organised by the High Representative. France and Germany are cited as the countries that blocked the initiative. The meeting was meant to plan to discuss the implementation of Mario…
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More than 200,000 evacuated as wildfires rage across Spain and France
More than 200,000 people have been evacuated in Spain and France as major wildfires made a comeback this month in Europe amid extreme heat, dry vegetation and strong winds. Spain’s central government declared a national emergency under the country’s National Civil Protection System—the first such declaration prompted by wildfires this year. Around 40,000 people in…
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Germany to participate in French nuclear-deterrent exercises
Germany has agreed to participate for the first time in a French nuclear-deterrence exercise as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s “forward deterrence” initiative, which seeks to involve European partners more closely in consultations, training and conventional support surrounding France’s independent nuclear forces. German personnel will participate only with conventional capabilities, while France will retain exclusive…
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Armed Forces of Malta participate in Quatorze Juillet military parade
The Armed Forces of Malta have participated in the military parade at the Champs D’Elysse celebrating France’s national day the Quatorze Juillet along with various other European militaries. The parade also included the Ukrainian Armed Forces along with Britian, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Norway. This is the first time since 2007 that European militaries…
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Armed Forces of Malta to parade with the French military on Bastille Day
The Armed Forces of Malta will today be participating in the military parade at the Champs-Elysées tomorrow, as part of France’s national day, Bastille Day, the Quatorze Juillet. Other foreign armies that will be represented during the parade include Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, UK, Albania, Croatia, Latvia. Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela will also be…
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Coalition of Volunteers meets in Paris to discuss Europe’s anti-ballistic missile system
European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gathered in Paris yesterday to discuss a planned European anti-ballistic missile defence system, which will also be used by Ukraine to counter Russia’s missile attacks against civilians. Ukraine has also received US President Donald Trump’s approval to produce Patriot missiles domestically. The anti-ballistic system has been one of…