US, 17 other countries urge Hamas to release hostages, end Gaza crisis
Washington DC, US Reuters The United States and 17 other countries on Thursday issued an appeal for Hamas to release all of its hostages as a pathway to end the crisis in Gaza, but Hamas vowed not to relent to international pressure. “We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in […]
“Europe could die”: Macron urges stronger defences, economic reforms
Paris, France Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday for stronger, more integrated European defences as he outlined his vision for a more assertive European Union on the global stage. In a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, he also said the continent must not become a vassal of the United States. “There […]
France’s air traffic control strikes ground flights across Europe
Paris, France/London, UK Reuters Delays and flight cancellations were set to impact swathes of Europe on Thursday, after authorities failed to reach a deal with some French air traffic control workers to avert a strike. France’s DGAC civil aviation authority said on Wednesday it had asked airlines to cancel 75 per cent of Thursday’s flights […]
Migrants drown in English Channel hours after UK passes Rwanda policy
Wimereux, France/Dover, UK Reuters Five migrants, including a child, died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain in an overcrowded small boat on Tuesday, hours after Britain passed a bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda in a move to deter the dangerous journeys. The deaths occurred when a boat […]
Ukraine seeks G7, NATO help for battered air defences
Capri, Italy Reuters Ukraine warned foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major powers on Thursday they had to change strategy if they wanted Kyiv to withstand increasingly destructive Russian air assaults. G7 ministers meeting on the island of Capri acknowledged the need to get more air defence systems to Ukraine and applauded Ukrainian Foreign […]
Vatican complains after French court rules in favour of nun dismissed from religious order
Rome, Italy AP The Holy See said Saturday it formally protested to France after a court there ruled that a former high-ranking Vatican official was liable for what the court determined to be the wrongful dismissal of a nun from a religious order. The Lorient tribunal on 3rd April ruled in favour of the nun, […]
Notre-Dame nears re-opening five years after fire
Paris, France Reuters Five years after a devastating fire, the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral is nearing completion as the world’s eyes turn to Paris for the Olympic Games. On the evening of 15th April, 2019, the cathedral’s roof burst into flames. Soon, it had engulfed the spire and almost toppled the main bell towers. Around […]
Swiss climate policy shortcomings violated human rights, top court rules
Strasbourg, France Reuters Europe’s top human rights court ruled on Tuesday that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change. The European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) decision on the case brought by more than 2,000 elderly Swiss women set a precedent that […]
Wow!: Descendants of enslaved, enslavers “break silence” around France’s past
STEPHANE MAHE and CATARINA DEMONY, of Reuters, report on how Dieudonne Boutrin and Pierre Guillon de Prince are working together to raise awareness about slavery and its legacy in today’s society….
France seeks UN Security Council resolution for Gaza truce monitoring
United Nations Reuters France on Monday proposed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that seeks options for possible UN monitoring of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and proposals to help the Palestinian Authority assume responsibilities. “It’s an ambitious project. It will take time,” French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said of the text, […]