The French government on January 17 said the United States risks a proliferation of taxes on tech giants if President Trump rejects new digital companies taxing rules at World Economic Forum.

France urges US to back OECD proposal

After tensions between the US and Iran reached a tipping point leaving West Asia on the boil. The war of words between the several sides have intensified now and there has been a call for de-escalation from several countries. The tensions revolve around the 2015 nuclear agreement. The Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif has hit out at France, Germany and Britain for triggering the dispute mechanism of that nuclear agreement. Watch report:

Fineprint: Iran foreign minister hits out at E3 nations over breach of 2015 nuclear deal

Hours after European allies Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal to curb its nuclear programme, Iran hit back saying the usage of dispute mechanism is a legally baseless and strategic mistake.

Hours after European allies Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal to curb its nuclear programme, Iran hit back saying the usage of dispute mechanism is a legally baseless and strategic mistake. "The usage of the dispute mechanism is legally baseless and a strategic mistake from a political standpoint," Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, according to the Fars news agency. Iran, which denies its nuclear programme is aimed at building a bomb, has gradually rolled back its commitments under the accord since the United States quit. It argues that Washington's actions justify such a course. European allies Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal to curb its nuclear programme. The breach of the nuclear deal would eventually lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the deal. The European allies said they were acting to avoid a crisis over nuclear proliferation adding to an escalating confrontation in the Middle East. However, Russia, another signatory to the pact, said it saw no grounds to trigger the mechanism and Iran dismissed the step as a "strategic mistake." The European allies said they still wanted the nuclear deal with Tehran to succeed and were not joining a "maximum pressure" campaign by Washington which pulled out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran. The countries triggered the deal's "dispute mechanism," which amounts to formally accusing Iran of violating the terms of the agreement.

European powers in nuclear deal using dispute mechanism is a 'strategic mistake', warns Iran foreign minister

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through eastern Paris on Saturday against the French government's overhaul of the pension system, which aims to replace France's myriad of sector-specific pension schemes with a single points-based scheme. #WION #France #EmmanuelMacron

France: March against pension reform, Macron govt temporarily withdraws pivotal age limit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-bite-says-pope-francis-after-agreeing-to-kiss-a-nun-273192">Pope Francis</a> appointed a new ambassador to France on Saturday, following the resignation of an archbishop who has been questioned by police on sexual assault claims.

The new envoy is Italian Archbishop Celestino Migliore, 67, who had been serving as the Holy See's ambassador to Russia, the Vatican said.

Migliore takes up the post left empty by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-scandals-pope-orders-his-diplomats-to-toe-the-line-226905">Luigi Ventura</a>, who resigned in December after reaching the age limit for his post.

He had been stripped of his diplomatic immunity in July in an unprecedented move by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-top-anti-money-laundering-official-leaves-post-263002">Vatican</a>, which is struggling with a wave of allegations of sexual abuse by clerics.

Ventura was interviewed by French investigators in April and in May met with his accusers, a traditional practice in French police inquiries.

He denied the accusations.

A source close to the inquiry told AFP last month that the French probe into the claims remains open.

Ventura faces complaints filed by four men, three for alleged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priests-bishops-sexually-abused-nuns-pope-francis-admits-publicly-195459">sexual assault</a>, including that he repeatedly groped the backside of a junior municipal official at the Paris town hall at a ceremony in January.

Two other people have since come forward to report related incidents involving "similar gestures, hands-on buttocks or thighs" that allegedly took place last year.&nbsp;

There was also a complaint filed in Ottawa by a man who made similar allegations about an incident in 2008 while Ventura was serving in Canada.

Pope Francis appointed a new ambassador to France on Saturday, following the resignation of an archbishop who has been questioned by police on sexual assault claims.

Pope Francis appointed a new ambassador to France on Saturday, following the resignation of an archbishop who has been questioned by police on sexual assault claims. The new envoy is Italian Archbishop Celestino Migliore, 67, who had been serving as the Holy See's ambassador to Russia, the Vatican said. Migliore takes up the post left empty by Luigi Ventura, who resigned in December after reaching the age limit for his post. He had been stripped of his diplomatic immunity in July in an unprecedented move by the Vatican, which is struggling with a wave of allegations of sexual abuse by clerics. Ventura was interviewed by French investigators in April and in May met with his accusers, a traditional practice in French police inquiries. He denied the accusations. A source close to the inquiry told AFP last month that the French probe into the claims remains open. Ventura faces complaints filed by four men, three for alleged sexual assault, including that he repeatedly groped the backside of a junior municipal official at the Paris town hall at a ceremony in January. Two other people have since come forward to report related incidents involving "similar gestures, hands-on buttocks or thighs" that allegedly took place last year. There was also a complaint filed in Ottawa by a man who made similar allegations about an incident in 2008 while Ventura was serving in Canada.

Pope appoints new envoy to France after abuse claims

The start of winter sales in Paris on Wednesday (January 8) - traditionally a big event for French retailers - is unlikely to make up for a dismal Christmas period, store directors and owners bemoaned as shoppers pushed through the doors of high-end department stores such as the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

Winter sales offer little relief for retailers in Paris, worried over continuing strikes

U.S. consumers, companies and workers will pay the biggest price for proposed 100% tariffs on French Champagne and other sparkling wines, cheese, porcelain, enamel cookware and handbags, witnesses told the U.S. government on Tuesday (January 7).

Sour grapes as U.S. wine sellers fear looming luxury tariffs on France

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 07, 2020

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-pension-reforms-protests-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-france-271732">pension overhaul</a> that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought.

Public support appears to be shifting in the government's favour, with just 44 per cent backing the strike in an Ifop poll released Sunday, down seven points from the previous survey on December 19-20.

The reform would eliminate 42 separate pension schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages, mainly to public-sector workers, in favour of a single system.

It would also create a "pivot age" of 64 to benefit from a full pension, penalising those who stop working at the official retirement age of 62 -- one of the lowest in Europe.

The government insists the measure is necessary for ensuring sufficient financing for the deficit-plagued system.&nbsp;

Yet officials have seized on an offer by France's largest union, the moderate CFDT, to hold separate talks on how to finance the plan later, in order to end the impasse over the pivot age.

"That's a very good idea," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday. "Never has a compromise seemed so close."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-pension-reforms-protests-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-france-271732">Anti-pension reforms protests: Police fire tear gas at protesters in France</a>

But the hard-line CGT and Force Ouvriere unions have vowed to derail the plan, urging a new day of mass walkouts against the reform on Thursday, which could see schools shut and public transport even more impacted than usual.

Train operator SNCF says it has lost more than 600 million euros ($670 million) in ticket sales since the strike began on December 5, and Paris commutes have been headaches for millions who rely on the RATP's metro, bus and suburban rail lines.

Watch: Mass demonstration break out at Paris protest against pension reform

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'We have to hold out'

The CGT has stepped up its protest with a four-day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-continues-to-be-on-the-boil-over-proposed-pension-reforms-270795">blockade of refineries and fuel depots</a> starting Tuesday, raising the prospect of petrol shortages.

Nurses, physiotherapists and lawyers, among dozens of professions with their own advantageous pension regimes, have also voted for strike actions this week.

But the number of striking rail and metro workers tapered off over the holidays, and the lost pay could make it hard to keep up the protest.

"It's going to be hard but we have to hold out at least until Friday," Mounir, an RATP employee, said Monday as drivers voted to prolong the strike.

Unions say they are relying on reserve funds and donations to limit the financial hit for strikers, in what has been France's longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s.

President Emmanuel Macron made the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/survivors-tell-of-frances-dirty-war-in-cameroon-independence-270740">pensions overhaul</a> a key plank in his 2017 election campaign, saying a single points-based system would be fairer to&nbsp;women and low-earners in particular.

The government has already made a series of concessions to police and military personnel as well as SNCF workers, allowing them to continue retiring early or keep their separate benefits for several years yet.

But most salaried workers born in 1975 or later would be impacted by the new system, in which people would earn points based on their lifetime earnings, which would be converted into pension payouts upon retirement.

Currently, most pensions are calculated from a worker's 25 best years of earnings -- public workers, however, get payouts based on their last six months of pay, a more favourable base.

An Elabe poll released Monday found that most French (54 percent) support the points-based plan, though two-thirds oppose the pivot age of 64.

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a pension overhaul that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought.

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a pension overhaul that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought. Public support appears to be shifting in the government's favour, with just 44 per cent backing the strike in an Ifop poll released Sunday, down seven points from the previous survey on December 19-20. The reform would eliminate 42 separate pension schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages, mainly to public-sector workers, in favour of a single system. It would also create a "pivot age" of 64 to benefit from a full pension, penalising those who stop working at the official retirement age of 62 -- one of the lowest in Europe. The government insists the measure is necessary for ensuring sufficient financing for the deficit-plagued system. Yet officials have seized on an offer by France's largest union, the moderate CFDT, to hold separate talks on how to finance the plan later, in order to end the impasse over the pivot age. "That's a very good idea," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday. "Never has a compromise seemed so close." Also read: Anti-pension reforms protests: Police fire tear gas at protesters in France But the hard-line CGT and Force Ouvriere unions have vowed to derail the plan, urging a new day of mass walkouts against the reform on Thursday, which could see schools shut and public transport even more impacted than usual. Train operator SNCF says it has lost more than 600 million euros ($670 million) in ticket sales since the strike began on December 5, and Paris commutes have been headaches for millions who rely on the RATP's metro, bus and suburban rail lines. Watch: Mass demonstration break out at Paris protest against pension reform 'We have to hold out' The CGT has stepped up its protest with a four-day blockade of refineries and fuel depots starting Tuesday, raising the prospect of petrol shortages. Nurses, physiotherapists and lawyers, among dozens of professions with their own advantageous pension regimes, have also voted for strike actions this week. But the number of striking rail and metro workers tapered off over the holidays, and the lost pay could make it hard to keep up the protest. "It's going to be hard but we have to hold out at least until Friday," Mounir, an RATP employee, said Monday as drivers voted to prolong the strike. Unions say they are relying on reserve funds and donations to limit the financial hit for strikers, in what has been France's longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s. President Emmanuel Macron made the pensions overhaul a key plank in his 2017 election campaign, saying a single points-based system would be fairer to women and low-earners in particular. The government has already made a series of concessions to police and military personnel as well as SNCF workers, allowing them to continue retiring early or keep their separate benefits for several years yet. But most salaried workers born in 1975 or later would be impacted by the new system, in which people would earn points based on their lifetime earnings, which would be converted into pension payouts upon retirement. Currently, most pensions are calculated from a worker's 25 best years of earnings -- public workers, however, get payouts based on their last six months of pay, a more favourable base. An Elabe poll released Monday found that most French (54 percent) support the points-based plan, though two-thirds oppose the pivot age of 64.

France: Government seeks to end unrest by resuming pension talks

The foreign ministers of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-most-prolific-rapist-convicted-of-150-offences-272720">Britain</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-government-seeks-to-end-unrest-by-resuming-pension-talks-272609">France</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-germans-killed-as-car-hits-pedestrians-in-northern-italy-272318">Germany and Italy</a> along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources.

The British foreign ministry said the talks would cover the fallout from the US killing of a top Iranian general as well as Tehran's latest step back from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The situation in Libya, where strongman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-30-people-killed-in-libya-military-academy-attack-in-tripoli-272302">Khalifa Haftar</a>'s forces have seized the coastal city of Sirte, is also the agenda.

The emergency meeting comes as the EU scrambles for ways to contain the growing tensions in two major flashpoints on its periphery, as Iran threatens revenge for the death of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/assassination-of-qasim-soleimani-what-we-know-so-far-272653">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday.

British foreign minister Dominic Raab will hold a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has warned Iran against retaliating over Soleimani's death, before joining the German and Italian ministers for talks on Libya.

"The foreign secretary is travelling to Brussels today for talks with his European counterparts on the situation in the Middle East following the death of Soleimani and on the escalating conflict in Libya," the British foreign ministry said.

<a>Watch</a>: East Libya to cut ties with Turkey

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"The E3 will then meet to discuss the tensions between the US and Iran with all three pushing for de-escalation," it added, referring to Britain, France and Germany as the three European signatories of the Iran nuclear deal.&nbsp;

"The talks will also cover the nuclear deal following Iran’s latest announcement on Sunday that it is withdrawing from further commitments in the deal."

Timings for the meetings have not yet been announced.

&nbsp;

Targeted killing

European powers on Monday criticised Iran's latest announcement that it was cutting its commitments under the nuclear deal, which has been steadily unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions in May 2018.

But the possible repercussions from Friday's targeted killing of Soleimani - the key player in Iran's network of alliances and proxy groups around the Middle East - will be a more pressing concern.

The US operation took Washington's allies by surprise, and NATO held an urgent meeting of its ruling council on Monday to hear from American officials and discuss the future of the alliance's training mission in Iraq.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Tuesday to say the alliance remains committed to the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) and would resume training activities - suspended after Soleimani's death - as soon as security improves.

In Libya, Haftar's capture of Sirte raised tensions as Turkey said it was deploying troops to the country to protect the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill

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The oil-rich North African country has been plunged into chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that more intense fighting could soon break out around Tripoli and called for a political solution to the crisis.

The new European Commission has vowed to take on a more "geopolitical" role but the EU often finds itself hamstrung on foreign policy by internal differences and it took three days for President Ursula von der Leyen to issue a statement on Soleimani's killing.&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources.

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources. The British foreign ministry said the talks would cover the fallout from the US killing of a top Iranian general as well as Tehran's latest step back from the 2015 nuclear deal. The situation in Libya, where strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces have seized the coastal city of Sirte, is also the agenda. The emergency meeting comes as the EU scrambles for ways to contain the growing tensions in two major flashpoints on its periphery, as Iran threatens revenge for the death of Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. British foreign minister Dominic Raab will hold a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has warned Iran against retaliating over Soleimani's death, before joining the German and Italian ministers for talks on Libya. "The foreign secretary is travelling to Brussels today for talks with his European counterparts on the situation in the Middle East following the death of Soleimani and on the escalating conflict in Libya," the British foreign ministry said. Watch: East Libya to cut ties with Turkey × "The E3 will then meet to discuss the tensions between the US and Iran with all three pushing for de-escalation," it added, referring to Britain, France and Germany as the three European signatories of the Iran nuclear deal. "The talks will also cover the nuclear deal following Iran’s latest announcement on Sunday that it is withdrawing from further commitments in the deal." Timings for the meetings have not yet been announced. Targeted killing European powers on Monday criticised Iran's latest announcement that it was cutting its commitments under the nuclear deal, which has been steadily unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions in May 2018. But the possible repercussions from Friday's targeted killing of Soleimani - the key player in Iran's network of alliances and proxy groups around the Middle East - will be a more pressing concern. The US operation took Washington's allies by surprise, and NATO held an urgent meeting of its ruling council on Monday to hear from American officials and discuss the future of the alliance's training mission in Iraq. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Tuesday to say the alliance remains committed to the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) and would resume training activities - suspended after Soleimani's death - as soon as security improves. In Libya, Haftar's capture of Sirte raised tensions as Turkey said it was deploying troops to the country to protect the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill × The oil-rich North African country has been plunged into chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that more intense fighting could soon break out around Tripoli and called for a political solution to the crisis. The new European Commission has vowed to take on a more "geopolitical" role but the EU often finds itself hamstrung on foreign policy by internal differences and it took three days for President Ursula von der Leyen to issue a statement on Soleimani's killing.

UK, French, German, Italian FMs meeting on Iran, Libya

French anti-terrorist investigators said Saturday they have taken over the probe into an attack by a knife-wielding man who killed one person walking with his wife in a park south of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-police-attacker-had-radical-vision-of-islam-253972">Paris </a>before being shot dead by police.

Police said the man, identified as 22-year-old Nathan C, attacked several people around lunchtime Friday in the suburb of Villejuif and they initially treated the incident as a criminal not terrorist incident.

But in a statement, the French national anti-terrorist investigation body (PNAT) said that while Nathan C&nbsp;was known to have had psychiatric problems, worrying evidence had also emerged about his conversion to Islam and radicalisation.

"Investigations over the past few hours have allowed us to establish that he was certainly radicalised (and to show)... organised preparation for his move towards the act," the statement said.

Additionally, they "showed a murderous path, thought out and chosen, of such a nature as to gravely disturb public order by intimidation or terror," it said.

Earlier a local magistrate told a press conference that Nathan C&nbsp;had shouted the Muslim invocation "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) during the attack.

Nathan C&nbsp;converted to Islam in mid-2017 and is believed to have suffered serious psychiatric problems since he was child, with several spells in hospital. In June stopped treatment he was being given.

Police found literature characterised as Salafist in a bag after the attack, Philippe Bugeaud of the Paris investigative police told the press conference.

There was also a letter "with phrases fairly typical of a Muslim man who self-flagellates and who knows that he may be about to take the plunge," Bugeaud added.

Nathan C's apartment in Paris also bore "every sign that it was going to be no longer lived in," magistrate Laure Beccuau said.

Nathan C&nbsp;apparently spared a first person who said he was a Muslim and had recited a prayer in Arabic, she said.

He then attacked the couple, killing the husband and seriously injuring the wife before wounding a woman jogger in the back.

Beccuau said the two women had now left hospital.

France remains on high alert after being hit by a string of attacks by jihadist extremists since 2015, with more than 250 people killed in total.

French anti-terrorist investigators said Saturday they have taken over the probe into an attack by a knife-wielding man who killed one person walking with his wife in a park south of Paris before being shot dead by police.

French anti-terrorist investigators said Saturday they have taken over the probe into an attack by a knife-wielding man who killed one person walking with his wife in a park south of Paris before being shot dead by police. Police said the man, identified as 22-year-old Nathan C, attacked several people around lunchtime Friday in the suburb of Villejuif and they initially treated the incident as a criminal not terrorist incident. But in a statement, the French national anti-terrorist investigation body (PNAT) said that while Nathan C was known to have had psychiatric problems, worrying evidence had also emerged about his conversion to Islam and radicalisation. "Investigations over the past few hours have allowed us to establish that he was certainly radicalised (and to show)... organised preparation for his move towards the act," the statement said. Additionally, they "showed a murderous path, thought out and chosen, of such a nature as to gravely disturb public order by intimidation or terror," it said. Earlier a local magistrate told a press conference that Nathan C had shouted the Muslim invocation "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) during the attack. Nathan C converted to Islam in mid-2017 and is believed to have suffered serious psychiatric problems since he was child, with several spells in hospital. In June stopped treatment he was being given. Police found literature characterised as Salafist in a bag after the attack, Philippe Bugeaud of the Paris investigative police told the press conference. There was also a letter "with phrases fairly typical of a Muslim man who self-flagellates and who knows that he may be about to take the plunge," Bugeaud added. Nathan C's apartment in Paris also bore "every sign that it was going to be no longer lived in," magistrate Laure Beccuau said. Nathan C apparently spared a first person who said he was a Muslim and had recited a prayer in Arabic, she said. He then attacked the couple, killing the husband and seriously injuring the wife before wounding a woman jogger in the back. Beccuau said the two women had now left hospital. France remains on high alert after being hit by a string of attacks by jihadist extremists since 2015, with more than 250 people killed in total.

Paris knife attack to be treated as terrorist act: Official

Police on Saturday fired tear gas at demonstrators in Paris's busy Gare du Nord station, used by tourists taking the Eurostar service, and at the Gare de l'Est, during demonstrations against plans to reform France's pension system. #France #Paris #EmmanuelMacron #WION

France: Mass demonstration break out at Paris protest against pension reform

French officials met Friday to set out their strategy ahead of fresh talks with unions furious over planned pension overhauls, with labour leaders warning of new strike actions alongside a gruelling transport strike now in its 30th day.

"The government is at work to try to find a way toward a rapid compromise," spokeswoman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-strikes-government-stays-firm-on-pension-reforms-as-mass-protests-to-continue-268724">Sibeth Ndiaye</a> told France 2 television as Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-pension-reforms-protests-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-france-271732">Edouard Philippe</a> gathered ministers for the unscheduled meeting.

Unions have roundly rejected plans to scrap France's 42 separate pension regimes for a single points-based system, which they say could require millions of people to work beyond the official retirement age of 62.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/protest-songs-paris-opera-musicians-chime-in-with-strike-concert-271409">Emmanuel Macron</a> made the reform a key plank of his election campaign, saying it would be more transparent and fairer, in particular to low earners and women.

Yet the government has already announced a series of concessions to certain sectors, such as police officers and military personnel, pilots and rail employees.

Many other public-sector workers are demanding similar exceptions to the new rules, which would set a "pivot age" of 64 which people would have to work until to receive a full pension.

The hard-line <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-continues-to-be-on-the-boil-over-proposed-pension-reforms-270795">CGT union</a> has called for a four-day blockade of the country's fuel refineries and depots starting Tuesday when talks between unions and the government are to resume.

Two unions representing pilots and cabin crew at Air France have called a strike for next week, as having lawyers, physiotherapists and other self-employed workers who have separate and more advantageous pension schemes.

Macron insisted during his traditional New Year's Eve address that he would push ahead with the reform, which will be presented to his cabinet on January 22 ahead of parliamentary debate.

He said the new system is needed because most people are starting their careers later, and are living longer.

But he promised that people with particularly arduous jobs would still be allowed to retire early, the main sticking point in the talks with unions, along with the new "pivot age" of 64 to qualify for a full pension.

Macron is also hoping to win the battle of public opinion, betting that support for the strike will waver the longer the disruptions persist.

Unions have already called for another day of mass demonstration next Thursday, when teachers, hospital workers and others are expected to join the strike.

Although the number of strikers at train operator SNCF and the Paris transport company <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-makes-for-not-so-merry-christmas-travel-in-france-269597">RATP</a> has fallen since the protest began on December 5, travellers continue to suffer from extensive service disruptions.

Most Paris metro lines were operating only at rush hours or with just a few trains every hour, and a third of the country's high-speed TGV trains were cancelled on Friday.

It has become the longest continuous train strike in French history, as well as the longest by Paris Opera dancers and other employees, who also have a separate pension system that allows them to retire early.

So far 63 performances at the Opera's historic Garnier and modern Bastille stages have been cancelled during the strike, costing the company more than 12 million euros ($13.4 million) in lost ticket sales.

French officials met Friday to set out their strategy ahead of fresh talks with unions furious over planned pension overhauls, with labour leaders warning of new strike actions alongside a gruelling transport strike now in its 30th day.

French officials met Friday to set out their strategy ahead of fresh talks with unions furious over planned pension overhauls, with labour leaders warning of new strike actions alongside a gruelling transport strike now in its 30th day. "The government is at work to try to find a way toward a rapid compromise," spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye told France 2 television as Prime Minister Edouard Philippe gathered ministers for the unscheduled meeting. Unions have roundly rejected plans to scrap France's 42 separate pension regimes for a single points-based system, which they say could require millions of people to work beyond the official retirement age of 62. President Emmanuel Macron made the reform a key plank of his election campaign, saying it would be more transparent and fairer, in particular to low earners and women. Yet the government has already announced a series of concessions to certain sectors, such as police officers and military personnel, pilots and rail employees. Many other public-sector workers are demanding similar exceptions to the new rules, which would set a "pivot age" of 64 which people would have to work until to receive a full pension. The hard-line CGT union has called for a four-day blockade of the country's fuel refineries and depots starting Tuesday when talks between unions and the government are to resume. Two unions representing pilots and cabin crew at Air France have called a strike for next week, as having lawyers, physiotherapists and other self-employed workers who have separate and more advantageous pension schemes. Macron insisted during his traditional New Year's Eve address that he would push ahead with the reform, which will be presented to his cabinet on January 22 ahead of parliamentary debate. He said the new system is needed because most people are starting their careers later, and are living longer. But he promised that people with particularly arduous jobs would still be allowed to retire early, the main sticking point in the talks with unions, along with the new "pivot age" of 64 to qualify for a full pension. Macron is also hoping to win the battle of public opinion, betting that support for the strike will waver the longer the disruptions persist. Unions have already called for another day of mass demonstration next Thursday, when teachers, hospital workers and others are expected to join the strike. Although the number of strikers at train operator SNCF and the Paris transport company RATP has fallen since the protest began on December 5, travellers continue to suffer from extensive service disruptions. Most Paris metro lines were operating only at rush hours or with just a few trains every hour, and a third of the country's high-speed TGV trains were cancelled on Friday. It has become the longest continuous train strike in French history, as well as the longest by Paris Opera dancers and other employees, who also have a separate pension system that allows them to retire early. So far 63 performances at the Opera's historic Garnier and modern Bastille stages have been cancelled during the strike, costing the company more than 12 million euros ($13.4 million) in lost ticket sales.

French government huddles as labour leaders vow to harden strike

An international magazine in its annual global retirement index has rated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/malaysia-offers-to-buy-more-imports-from-india-after-threat-of-palm-oil-curbs-256078">Malaysia</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-says-deeply-concerned-about-developments-in-south-china-sea-244942">Vietnam</a> in Asia among the top-10 nations to retire abroad.

The International Living magazine rated Portugal as the top country to retire citing pleasant climate with an "affordable lifestyle" along with quality healthcare, safety rate and "excellent food and wine". The survey also pointed out that "Portugal is the second least expensive country in Europe" making it an ideal country to finally retire.

The magazine ranked Malaysia in number seven due to its "idyllic beaches" with the language being an easy mechanism of communication since English was the "unofficial" first language. Cheap food and low living costs counted in Malaysia's favour with affordable medical care being another factor that helped the country to rank among the best retirement destinations in the world.

Vietnam was last in the list of top-10 with "high-quality healthcare, good roads, and modern conveniences". The low cost of living also added to Vietnam's charm with friendly people and affordable luxuries. The survey found the country to be a great travel hub with several international flights connecting with the country.

Not surprisingly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/venezuela-france-wests-duplicity-196078">France</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-ambassador-to-spain-hurt-in-barcelona-mugging-244352">Spain</a> were picked at ninth and eighth places respectively with Ecuador being a surprise sixth choice in the list due to its weather and fertile valleys. Interestingly, Columbia in Latin America finished among the top-5 with access to an easy retirement visa.

Mexico was ranked number four with Costa Rica with its low cost of living and "top-notch medical care" in no-3 slot.

The survey put Panama which is close to the US with "sunny weather" and exciting food options with benefits and discounts for retirees as the no-2 country to retire.

An international magazine in its annual global retirement index has rated Malaysia and Vietnam in Asia among the top-10 nations to retire abroad. The International Living magazine rated Portugal as the top country to retire citing pleasant climate with an "affordable lifestyle" along with quality healthcare, safety rate and "excellent food and wine".

An international magazine in its annual global retirement index has rated Malaysia and Vietnam in Asia among the top-10 nations to retire abroad. The International Living magazine rated Portugal as the top country to retire citing pleasant climate with an "affordable lifestyle" along with quality healthcare, safety rate and "excellent food and wine". The survey also pointed out that "Portugal is the second least expensive country in Europe" making it an ideal country to finally retire. The magazine ranked Malaysia in number seven due to its "idyllic beaches" with the language being an easy mechanism of communication since English was the "unofficial" first language. Cheap food and low living costs counted in Malaysia's favour with affordable medical care being another factor that helped the country to rank among the best retirement destinations in the world. Vietnam was last in the list of top-10 with "high-quality healthcare, good roads, and modern conveniences". The low cost of living also added to Vietnam's charm with friendly people and affordable luxuries. The survey found the country to be a great travel hub with several international flights connecting with the country. Not surprisingly France and Spain were picked at ninth and eighth places respectively with Ecuador being a surprise sixth choice in the list due to its weather and fertile valleys. Interestingly, Columbia in Latin America finished among the top-5 with access to an easy retirement visa. Mexico was ranked number four with Costa Rica with its low cost of living and "top-notch medical care" in no-3 slot. The survey put Panama which is close to the US with "sunny weather" and exciting food options with benefits and discounts for retirees as the no-2 country to retire.

Portugal best country to retire; Malaysia, Vietnam top in Asia: Study

The French capital’s Opera Bastille has been silent for nearly a month because its orchestra is on strike, but on December 31 the musicians performed on the steps of the opera house to bring attention to their anger at planned pension reforms. #France #FranceMusicians #WION # MusiciansOnStrike

France pension reform strike: Musicians on strike since a month

The French government has confirmed it will deploy 100,000 police officers to secure public spaces for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, amid ongoing strikes across the country and a persistent terror threat. #France #SecurityLockdownFrance #NewYear

France in security lockdown for New Year's Eve celebrations

UK based the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) consultancy's 2020 World Economic League report on Monday said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/indian-economy-not-immune-to-blemishes-of-politicisation-257491">India</a> looks set to surpass Germany to become the fourth-largest economy in 2026 and Japan to become third-largest in 2034.

According to the report India has decisively overtaken both France and the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2019. It is expected to overtake Germany to become fourth-largest in 2026 and Japan to become the third-largest in 2034. India is also set to reach a GDP of $5 trillion by 2026 – 2 years later than the current government target.

Watch: India's Real Estate Outlook- growth, Sustainability &amp; Economy

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In a report issued on December 26, 2019, the CEBR consultancy's 2020 World Economic League Table painted an upbeat view of the global economy, boosted by energy and technology prices.

India's ascent is part of a trend that will see Asian economies increasingly dominate the top 10 largest economies over the next 15 years.

“Despite the rapid ascent of countries such as India and Indonesia, it is striking how little an impact this will have on the US and China’s dominant roles in the global economy, " the report said.

In its previous years' reports the CEBR has also stated that that China is likely to overtake the United States as the world's no.1 economy in 2032.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK based the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) consultancy's 2020 World Economic League report on Monday said that India looks set to surpass Germany to become the fourth-largest economy in 2026 and Japan to become third-largest in 2034.

UK based the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) consultancy's 2020 World Economic League report on Monday said that India looks set to surpass Germany to become the fourth-largest economy in 2026 and Japan to become third-largest in 2034. According to the report India has decisively overtaken both France and the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2019. It is expected to overtake Germany to become fourth-largest in 2026 and Japan to become the third-largest in 2034. India is also set to reach a GDP of $5 trillion by 2026 – 2 years later than the current government target. Watch: India's Real Estate Outlook- growth, Sustainability & Economy × In a report issued on December 26, 2019, the CEBR consultancy's 2020 World Economic League Table painted an upbeat view of the global economy, boosted by energy and technology prices. India's ascent is part of a trend that will see Asian economies increasingly dominate the top 10 largest economies over the next 15 years. “Despite the rapid ascent of countries such as India and Indonesia, it is striking how little an impact this will have on the US and China’s dominant roles in the global economy, " the report said. In its previous years' reports the CEBR has also stated that that China is likely to overtake the United States as the world's no.1 economy in 2032. (With inputs from agencies)

India to surpass Germany and Japan to become world's third largest economy by 2034

Ahead of New Year, France continues to be on the boil over the proposed pension reforms. Violent clashes have been reported between the police and the protesters in many tourist hotspots in Paris.

The police have also used tear gas and baton-charged the crowd on some occasions.

The workers' unions have joined hands with the Yellow Vest protesters and have crippled the transport network in Paris.&nbsp;

The next round of talks between the government and the union leaders is scheduled for January 7th and the fear is that the transport impasse will continue well into the New Year.

The French government has been adamant on pushing ahead with the reform.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that 42 separate state-funded pension plans will be combined into a single points-based system.

The police crackdown has become a matter of worry among the protesters. One prominent Yellow Vest protester -- Jerome Rodriguez ended up taking refuge in a cafe to escape the police.

Rodriguez has faced police brutality more than once...He lost one of his eyes during a demonstration earlier this year.

Ahead of New Year, France continues to be on the boil over the proposed pension reforms. Violent clashes have been reported between the police and the protesters in many tourist hotspots in Paris.

Ahead of New Year, France continues to be on the boil over the proposed pension reforms. Violent clashes have been reported between the police and the protesters in many tourist hotspots in Paris. The police have also used tear gas and baton-charged the crowd on some occasions. The workers' unions have joined hands with the Yellow Vest protesters and have crippled the transport network in Paris. The next round of talks between the government and the union leaders is scheduled for January 7th and the fear is that the transport impasse will continue well into the New Year. The French government has been adamant on pushing ahead with the reform. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that 42 separate state-funded pension plans will be combined into a single points-based system. The police crackdown has become a matter of worry among the protesters. One prominent Yellow Vest protester -- Jerome Rodriguez ended up taking refuge in a cafe to escape the police. Rodriguez has faced police brutality more than once...He lost one of his eyes during a demonstration earlier this year.

France continues to be on the boil over proposed pension reforms

The French government and a key trade union on Sunday exchanged bitter accusations over who was to blame for France's over three-week <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-continues-to-be-on-the-boil-over-proposed-pension-reforms-270795">transport strike against pension reforms</a>, as the stalemate showed little sign of relenting.

Deputy Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari accused the hardline CGT union of a "systematic opposition to any reform" while the union's chief Philippe Martinez charged the government with strewing "chaos" in the conflict.

The strike -- now longer than the notorious 22-day strike of winter 1995 -- has now lasted 25 days and is on course to surpass the longest transport strike in France which lasted for 28 days in 1986 and early 1987.

Aside from two driverless lines, the Paris metro was again almost completely shut down on Sunday while only a fraction of high-speed TGV trains were running.

The government and unions are only due to hold their next talks on January 7, two days ahead of a new day of mass demonstrations against the reform which is championed by President Emmanuel Macron.

In an interview with the Journal de Dimanche newspaper, Djebbari angrily accused the CGT of "attitudes of intimidation, harassment and even aggression" against railway workers who had opted not to down tools.

He accused the CGT of showing a "systematic opposition to any reform, of blocking and sometimes intimidation".

"The CGT wants to make its mark through media stunts. But the French are not going to be duped by the extreme-left politicisation of this movement," he added.

'Like Thatcher'

But in an interview with the same newspaper, Martinez accused the government of trying to ensure the conflict deteriorated further.

"Emmanuel Macron presents himself as a man of a new world but he is imitating Margaret Thatcher," he said, referring to the late British prime minister who sought to break the power of the unions in 1980s standoffs.

"There is real anger. Of course, not being paid for 24 days is tough. But the conflict is the result of two-and-a-half years of suffering," Martinez added.

He said he was awaiting concessions from Macron in a New Year's address Tuesday evening as well as recognition that "most people are not happy and that he (the president) was wrong".

The French president, elected in 2017 on pledges to reform France, has remained virtually silent on the standoff, save for a call for a Christmas truce that went unheeded and a vow not to take a presidential pension.

This will intensify attention on December 31 address, with all eyes on whether Macron offers steps to defuse the conflict or indicates he is ready for a long, grinding standoff.

The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system.

The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors -- including the railways -- lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system.

But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension -- two years beyond the official retirement age.

The French government and a key trade union on Sunday exchanged bitter accusations over who was to blame for France's over three-week transport strike against pension reforms, as the stalemate showed little sign of relenting.

The French government and a key trade union on Sunday exchanged bitter accusations over who was to blame for France's over three-week transport strike against pension reforms, as the stalemate showed little sign of relenting. Deputy Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari accused the hardline CGT union of a "systematic opposition to any reform" while the union's chief Philippe Martinez charged the government with strewing "chaos" in the conflict. The strike -- now longer than the notorious 22-day strike of winter 1995 -- has now lasted 25 days and is on course to surpass the longest transport strike in France which lasted for 28 days in 1986 and early 1987. Aside from two driverless lines, the Paris metro was again almost completely shut down on Sunday while only a fraction of high-speed TGV trains were running. The government and unions are only due to hold their next talks on January 7, two days ahead of a new day of mass demonstrations against the reform which is championed by President Emmanuel Macron. In an interview with the Journal de Dimanche newspaper, Djebbari angrily accused the CGT of "attitudes of intimidation, harassment and even aggression" against railway workers who had opted not to down tools. He accused the CGT of showing a "systematic opposition to any reform, of blocking and sometimes intimidation". "The CGT wants to make its mark through media stunts. But the French are not going to be duped by the extreme-left politicisation of this movement," he added. 'Like Thatcher' But in an interview with the same newspaper, Martinez accused the government of trying to ensure the conflict deteriorated further. "Emmanuel Macron presents himself as a man of a new world but he is imitating Margaret Thatcher," he said, referring to the late British prime minister who sought to break the power of the unions in 1980s standoffs. "There is real anger. Of course, not being paid for 24 days is tough. But the conflict is the result of two-and-a-half years of suffering," Martinez added. He said he was awaiting concessions from Macron in a New Year's address Tuesday evening as well as recognition that "most people are not happy and that he (the president) was wrong". The French president, elected in 2017 on pledges to reform France, has remained virtually silent on the standoff, save for a call for a Christmas truce that went unheeded and a vow not to take a presidential pension. This will intensify attention on December 31 address, with all eyes on whether Macron offers steps to defuse the conflict or indicates he is ready for a long, grinding standoff. The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system. The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors -- including the railways -- lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system. But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension -- two years beyond the official retirement age.

French government, unions exchange barbs in strike deadlock

It was a "dirty war" waged by French colonial troops but it never made headlines and even today goes untold in school history books.

The brutal conflict unfolded in Cameroon, which on January 1 marks its 60th anniversary of independence -&nbsp;the first of 17 African countries that became free from their colonial masters in 1960.

Many decades on, those who witnessed the violence recall events that shaped countless lives in the central African country yet remain unchronicled today.

"My life was overturned," Odile Mbouma, 72, said in the southwestern town of Ekite.

On the night of December 30, 1956, French troops arrived in the town and slaughtered dozens of people, perhaps as many as a hundred, she said.

"We were sitting under a tree when we suddenly heard the crackle of gunfire," she said. "It was everyone for themselves."

Taking to her heels, the seven-year-old found herself jumping over bodies. "They were everywhere."

The troops were looking for independence fighters - members of the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), a nationalist movement established in 1948 that faced repression first by the French and later by Cameroonian soldiers.

French authorities labelled the UPC "communist" and cracked down from 1955, driving the movement underground, though its charismatic founder Ruben Um Nyobe preached non-violence.

Buried in cement&nbsp;

In September 1958, Um Nyobe -&nbsp;nicknamed Mpodol (for "he who brings the word" in the Bassa language) -- was killed by French troops.

"His body was dragged around and displayed so that everybody (saw the corpse) of a man who was considered immortal," said Louis Marie Mang, UPC activist in Eseka, where Um Nyobe is buried in a Protestant graveyard.

"To prevent traditional rites from being held, he was put in a block of cement and buried (without) a coffin."&nbsp;

The conflict continued long beyond independence, for repression of the nationalists continued under Cameroon's first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, who also banned public references to the UPC and to Um Nyobe.

The violence "passed unnoticed, wiped from memories," according to Thomas Deltombe, Manuel Domergue and Jacob Tatsitsa, authors of "La guerre du Cameroun" ("Cameroon's War"), published in 2016.

They estimate that between 1955 and 1964, tens of thousands of people, including civilians as well as UPC members, were killed.

In Ekite, a wreath of flowers lies on the soil of a scrubland field at the end of a dirt track. "The Nation will remember your sacrifice," says a memorial notice.

"This is one of the mass graves where the nationalists were buried," said Jean-Louis Kell, a UPC militant.&nbsp;

A second ditch was apparent a dozen metres (yards) away, and "a third was discovered not long ago," said Benoit Bassemel. He was seven during the French massacre and has tears in his eyes when he tells how his father was murdered.

'Free like the others'&nbsp;

UPC nationalists believe that the independence granted on January 1, 1960 was not what they fought for.

They view the country's two post-independence presidents, Ahidjo and Paul Biya, who has been in office since 1982, as working hand-in-hand with France.

"We wanted to be free like the other countries. We no longer wanted white people to subjugate us," said 80-year-old Mathieu Njassep, in his tiny family apartment in Petit Paris, a poor district of Douala, the economic capital.

In 1960, aged 21, Njassep joined the Cameroon National Liberation Army (ALNK), the UPC's armed wing.

After two years of fighting, he was appointed secretary to Ernest Ouandie, a leading figure in the movement. He was sentenced to death but escaped the firing squad, unlike Ouandie, who was executed in 1971.

"We had almost nothing to wage a war with," Njassep said.&nbsp;

"We carried out ambushes" with machetes, sticks and homemade guns. "If we had had enough weapons, we would have beaten them."

At the time, the ALNK had established its headquarters in the village of Bandenkop, on the land of the main western tribal group, the Bamileke. Fighting was fierce between the nationalists and the French army.

In the rugged valley from which ALNK commanders led operations, there is no sign of human life today and the only sound is that of a bubbling stream.

"This whole zone was regularly bombed" by the French air force, said Michel Eclador Pekoua, a former UPC official.

Pekoua and other nationalists say French planes dropped napalm. France has neither confirmed nor denied the use of the notorious incendiary weapon.

Decapitations&nbsp;

On a road 30 kilometres (19 miles) to the north, in Bafoussam, a roundabout is known as the "crossroads of the guerrillas," for it was where the decapitated heads of nationalists were placed on show, said Theophile Nono, head of a historical association, Memoire 60.

The regime's methods "ranged from the arrest and arbitrary imprisonment of any Cameroonian suspected of 'rebellion' to systematic torture, with extrajudicial summary executions," Nono said.

For many years the conflict mostly remained taboo in Cameroon. It was in the 1990s, when the authorities came under mounting pressure for democratic change, that people began to raise the historic past.

Biya, in a speech in 2010, paid tribute to "people who dreamed of (independence), fought to obtain it and sacrificed their lives for it... Our people should be eternally grateful to them."

After years of French silence, then-president Francois Hollande in 2015 became his country's first head of state to speak of "a repression" of Cameroonian nationalists leading to "tragic episodes".

For many survivors, this is not enough.

"France must accept its responsibility," Nono said.

"It must undertake to compensate victims of the dirty war, which has been carefully concealed by both the French side and the Cameroonian side."

It was a "dirty war" waged by French colonial troops but it never made headlines and even today goes untold in school history books. The brutal conflict unfolded in Cameroon, which on January 1 marks its 60th anniversary of independence - the first of 17 African countries that became free from their colonial masters in 1960.

It was a "dirty war" waged by French colonial troops but it never made headlines and even today goes untold in school history books. The brutal conflict unfolded in Cameroon, which on January 1 marks its 60th anniversary of independence - the first of 17 African countries that became free from their colonial masters in 1960. Many decades on, those who witnessed the violence recall events that shaped countless lives in the central African country yet remain unchronicled today. "My life was overturned," Odile Mbouma, 72, said in the southwestern town of Ekite. On the night of December 30, 1956, French troops arrived in the town and slaughtered dozens of people, perhaps as many as a hundred, she said. "We were sitting under a tree when we suddenly heard the crackle of gunfire," she said. "It was everyone for themselves." Taking to her heels, the seven-year-old found herself jumping over bodies. "They were everywhere." The troops were looking for independence fighters - members of the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), a nationalist movement established in 1948 that faced repression first by the French and later by Cameroonian soldiers. French authorities labelled the UPC "communist" and cracked down from 1955, driving the movement underground, though its charismatic founder Ruben Um Nyobe preached non-violence. Buried in cement In September 1958, Um Nyobe - nicknamed Mpodol (for "he who brings the word" in the Bassa language) -- was killed by French troops. "His body was dragged around and displayed so that everybody (saw the corpse) of a man who was considered immortal," said Louis Marie Mang, UPC activist in Eseka, where Um Nyobe is buried in a Protestant graveyard. "To prevent traditional rites from being held, he was put in a block of cement and buried (without) a coffin." The conflict continued long beyond independence, for repression of the nationalists continued under Cameroon's first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, who also banned public references to the UPC and to Um Nyobe. The violence "passed unnoticed, wiped from memories," according to Thomas Deltombe, Manuel Domergue and Jacob Tatsitsa, authors of "La guerre du Cameroun" ("Cameroon's War"), published in 2016. They estimate that between 1955 and 1964, tens of thousands of people, including civilians as well as UPC members, were killed. In Ekite, a wreath of flowers lies on the soil of a scrubland field at the end of a dirt track. "The Nation will remember your sacrifice," says a memorial notice. "This is one of the mass graves where the nationalists were buried," said Jean-Louis Kell, a UPC militant. A second ditch was apparent a dozen metres (yards) away, and "a third was discovered not long ago," said Benoit Bassemel. He was seven during the French massacre and has tears in his eyes when he tells how his father was murdered. 'Free like the others' UPC nationalists believe that the independence granted on January 1, 1960 was not what they fought for. They view the country's two post-independence presidents, Ahidjo and Paul Biya, who has been in office since 1982, as working hand-in-hand with France. "We wanted to be free like the other countries. We no longer wanted white people to subjugate us," said 80-year-old Mathieu Njassep, in his tiny family apartment in Petit Paris, a poor district of Douala, the economic capital. In 1960, aged 21, Njassep joined the Cameroon National Liberation Army (ALNK), the UPC's armed wing. After two years of fighting, he was appointed secretary to Ernest Ouandie, a leading figure in the movement. He was sentenced to death but escaped the firing squad, unlike Ouandie, who was executed in 1971. "We had almost nothing to wage a war with," Njassep said. "We carried out ambushes" with machetes, sticks and homemade guns. "If we had had enough weapons, we would have beaten them." At the time, the ALNK had established its headquarters in the village of Bandenkop, on the land of the main western tribal group, the Bamileke. Fighting was fierce between the nationalists and the French army. In the rugged valley from which ALNK commanders led operations, there is no sign of human life today and the only sound is that of a bubbling stream. "This whole zone was regularly bombed" by the French air force, said Michel Eclador Pekoua, a former UPC official. Pekoua and other nationalists say French planes dropped napalm. France has neither confirmed nor denied the use of the notorious incendiary weapon. Decapitations On a road 30 kilometres (19 miles) to the north, in Bafoussam, a roundabout is known as the "crossroads of the guerrillas," for it was where the decapitated heads of nationalists were placed on show, said Theophile Nono, head of a historical association, Memoire 60. The regime's methods "ranged from the arrest and arbitrary imprisonment of any Cameroonian suspected of 'rebellion' to systematic torture, with extrajudicial summary executions," Nono said. For many years the conflict mostly remained taboo in Cameroon. It was in the 1990s, when the authorities came under mounting pressure for democratic change, that people began to raise the historic past. Biya, in a speech in 2010, paid tribute to "people who dreamed of (independence), fought to obtain it and sacrificed their lives for it... Our people should be eternally grateful to them." After years of French silence, then-president Francois Hollande in 2015 became his country's first head of state to speak of "a repression" of Cameroonian nationalists leading to "tragic episodes". For many survivors, this is not enough. "France must accept its responsibility," Nono said. "It must undertake to compensate victims of the dirty war, which has been carefully concealed by both the French side and the Cameroonian side."

Survivors tell of France's 'dirty war' in Cameroon independence

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The strike against pension reforms championed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colonialism-was-a-grave-mistake-french-pm-emmanuel-macron-269555">President Emmanuel Macron</a> began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year.

Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn.

The longest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-protests-against-pension-reform-continue-scuffle-breaks-out-at-gare-de-lyon-station-269785">transport strike</a> in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987.

"It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot.

He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word.

"The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez.&nbsp;

No end in sight&nbsp;

The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-makes-for-not-so-merry-christmas-travel-in-france-269597">post-Christmas bargains</a> or preparing for the New Year.

There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7.

Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running.

Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses -&nbsp;which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service -&nbsp;early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said.

The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system.

The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors -&nbsp;including the railways - lose early retirement benefits.&nbsp;

The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system.

But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s. The strike against pension reforms championed by President Emmanuel Macron began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year. Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn. The longest transport strike in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987. "It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot. He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word. "The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez. No end in sight The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking post-Christmas bargains or preparing for the New Year. There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7. Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running. Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses - which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service - early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said. The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system. The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors - including the railways - lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system. But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

Union boss defiant on France's longest strike in decades

A production shutdown started on Sunday at PetroIneos' 210,000-barrels-per-day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-steadies-after-saudi-pledges-to-restore-output-lost-in-attacks-250369">Lavera</a> oil refinery in southern France after CGT union workers voted to stop output as part of protests over pension reform, a union official said.

Emmanuel Lepine, secretary-general of the CGT's oil branch, told sources on Sunday evening that CGT union workers at other refineries in France will vote on Monday whether to halt production at their plants.

The CGT's oil branch had warned on Friday it could step up strike action by stopping production, depending on the outcome of worker votes.

"We gave an ultimatum to the government, it didn't listen, so we're doing exactly what we promised," Lepine said.

"What we are demanding is the withdrawal of the reform."

The hardline <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-cgt-union-threatens-more-protests-over-pensions-plan-268467">CGT union</a> has been at the forefront of a two-week-old industrial action against a planned government reform of France's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-strikes-government-stays-firm-on-pension-reforms-as-mass-protests-to-continue-268724">pension system</a>.

The protests against the reform plan, which would scrap special regimes for sectors like the railways and make people work to 64 to draw a full pension, have crippled train services in the run-up to the Christmas holiday season.

Protests in the oil sector have already disrupted supplies of refined products to petrol stations in some parts of France but production has so far continued at refineries.

CGT workers at three refineries run by Total - Grand Puits, La Mede and Feyzin - would vote on Monday on whether to halt output there, Lepine said.

A production shutdown started on Sunday at PetroIneos' 210,000-barrels-per-day Lavera oil refinery in southern France after CGT union workers voted to stop output as part of protests over pension reform, a union official said.

A production shutdown started on Sunday at PetroIneos' 210,000-barrels-per-day Lavera oil refinery in southern France after CGT union workers voted to stop output as part of protests over pension reform, a union official said. Emmanuel Lepine, secretary-general of the CGT's oil branch, told sources on Sunday evening that CGT union workers at other refineries in France will vote on Monday whether to halt production at their plants. The CGT's oil branch had warned on Friday it could step up strike action by stopping production, depending on the outcome of worker votes. "We gave an ultimatum to the government, it didn't listen, so we're doing exactly what we promised," Lepine said. "What we are demanding is the withdrawal of the reform." The hardline CGT union has been at the forefront of a two-week-old industrial action against a planned government reform of France's pension system. The protests against the reform plan, which would scrap special regimes for sectors like the railways and make people work to 64 to draw a full pension, have crippled train services in the run-up to the Christmas holiday season. Protests in the oil sector have already disrupted supplies of refined products to petrol stations in some parts of France but production has so far continued at refineries. CGT workers at three refineries run by Total - Grand Puits, La Mede and Feyzin - would vote on Monday on whether to halt output there, Lepine said.

French workers vote to halt output at Lavera refinery over pension reform

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - December 23, 2019

On Monday, the French armed forces claimed that it had carried out a drone strike during operations in Mali. It is said to have killed ''40 terrorists''', AFP reported.

Earlier on Saturday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-says-french-forces-neutralise-over-30-terrorists-in-mali-269492">French President Emmanuel Macron</a> had announced that French forces had "neutralised" 33 jihadists in the central Malian region of Mopti. The operation allegedly ran overnight.&nbsp;

The French military's statement claimed that the drone strike happened during a follow-up operation Saturday in which seven more jihadist fighters were killed.

"[French forces] were attacked by a group of terrorists on motorbikes," when they were searching the combat zone in Ouagadou forest, 150 kilometres from the town of Mopti.

A Reaper drone and a French Mirage 2000 patrol opened fire to support the ground troops, the statement said.

"This is the first operational strike by an armed drone," the statement added.

Two days before the strike, the French army had announced that the testing of remotely-piloted drones for armed operations.

It has three drones, based near Niamey, the capital of Niger.

The operation at the weekend was in an area controlled by the Katiba Macina, a ruthless Islamist group founded by radical Mopti preacher Amadou Koufa.

Two Malian gendarmes who had been held hostage were freed, and French troops seized a number of armed vehicles, motorbikes and weaponry, "delivering a very heavy blow" to the jihadists, according to Monday's statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Monday, the French armed forces claimed that it had carried out a drone strike during operations in Mali. It is said to have killed ''40 terrorists''', AFP reported.

On Monday, the French armed forces claimed that it had carried out a drone strike during operations in Mali. It is said to have killed ''40 terrorists''', AFP reported. Earlier on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron had announced that French forces had "neutralised" 33 jihadists in the central Malian region of Mopti. The operation allegedly ran overnight. The French military's statement claimed that the drone strike happened during a follow-up operation Saturday in which seven more jihadist fighters were killed. "[French forces] were attacked by a group of terrorists on motorbikes," when they were searching the combat zone in Ouagadou forest, 150 kilometres from the town of Mopti. A Reaper drone and a French Mirage 2000 patrol opened fire to support the ground troops, the statement said. "This is the first operational strike by an armed drone," the statement added. Two days before the strike, the French army had announced that the testing of remotely-piloted drones for armed operations. It has three drones, based near Niamey, the capital of Niger. The operation at the weekend was in an area controlled by the Katiba Macina, a ruthless Islamist group founded by radical Mopti preacher Amadou Koufa. Two Malian gendarmes who had been held hostage were freed, and French troops seized a number of armed vehicles, motorbikes and weaponry, "delivering a very heavy blow" to the jihadists, according to Monday's statement. (With inputs from agencies)

French army carries out first-ever drone strike during Mali operation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-makes-for-not-so-merry-christmas-travel-in-france-269597">Protests continue to soar</a> in France as demonstrators today got into a scuffle with the police. The events unfolded at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris.&nbsp;

People have been protesting against the plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to change the country's pension system.&nbsp;

According to a French TV station ''BFM'', the riot police got into an altercation with around 30 protesters at one of the busiest stations in Paris.

Watch:&nbsp;France Protests -&nbsp;Protest against pension reforms

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-protests-protest-against-pension-reforms-266756/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Protesters ticked off flares and fireworks, which releases smoke that heaved the whole station.

Due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-macron-to-give-up-presidential-pension-in-reform-gesture-269578">ongoing protests</a>, many stations in Paris have been affected. These include Gare du Nord, which takes care of the Eurostar services to London and Brussels, as well as the Gare de l'Est.

"I understand (the strike) but I am not OK with it as I think all French people are being held hostage and it is difficult for us to understand what the goal is," a commuter told Reuters at the Gare de L'Est station.

France has witnessed two weeks of nationwide industrial action against Macron's pension reform. If the reform is set into motion, &nbsp;special pensions for many public sector staff would be scrapped. This would effectively make people work until 64 to draw a full pension.

French PM Emmanuel Macron recently announced that he would forego a presidential pension payout after stepping down.&nbsp;

France's oil sector workers are also expected to vote in favour of shutting down oil refineries as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-in-france-over-pension-reform-plans-268811">part of the protest</a>.

(With inputs from agencies)

Protests continue to soar in France as demonstrators today got into a scuffle with the police. The events unfolded at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris. People have been protesting against the plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to change the country's pension system.

Protests continue to soar in France as demonstrators today got into a scuffle with the police. The events unfolded at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris. People have been protesting against the plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to change the country's pension system. According to a French TV station ''BFM'', the riot police got into an altercation with around 30 protesters at one of the busiest stations in Paris. Watch: France Protests - Protest against pension reforms Protesters ticked off flares and fireworks, which releases smoke that heaved the whole station. Due to the ongoing protests, many stations in Paris have been affected. These include Gare du Nord, which takes care of the Eurostar services to London and Brussels, as well as the Gare de l'Est. "I understand (the strike) but I am not OK with it as I think all French people are being held hostage and it is difficult for us to understand what the goal is," a commuter told Reuters at the Gare de L'Est station. France has witnessed two weeks of nationwide industrial action against Macron's pension reform. If the reform is set into motion, special pensions for many public sector staff would be scrapped. This would effectively make people work until 64 to draw a full pension. French PM Emmanuel Macron recently announced that he would forego a presidential pension payout after stepping down. France's oil sector workers are also expected to vote in favour of shutting down oil refineries as part of the protest. (With inputs from agencies)

France: Protests against pension reform continue, scuffle breaks out at Gare de Lyon station

Holiday travellers across France scrambled for alternatives Sunday as an 18-day-old transport strike over pension reform saw train services slashed yet again.&nbsp;

President Emmanuel Macron issued an appeal on Saturday for a truce over the holidays but talks between the government and unions this week have failed to ease the standoff and labour leaders called for further mobilisation.

Workers at the SNCF and RATP public rail companies have downed tools to protest at the government's plan to forge a single points-based pension scheme out of 42 existing ones, which would see some public employees lose certain privileges.

As a result, weeks of travel misery worsened on Sunday, when tens of thousands planned to meet up with family and friends for the Christmas break.

Only half of high-speed TGV and a quarter of inter-city trains were running, and the SNCF urged voyagers to cancel or delay planned trips if possible.

In Paris, trains connecting the capital to its suburbs were down to a trickle, and only two out of 16 metro lines provided a service on the last shopping Sunday before Christmas.

Public support dropping 

Macron, on a visit to the Ivory Coast, urged striking workers to embrace a "spirit of responsibility" and for "collective good sense to triumph".

"I believe there are moments in the life of a nation when it is also good to call a truce to respect families and the lives of families," he said in Abidjan.

A poll by the IFOP agency published on Sunday showed public backing for the action dropping slightly by three percentage points, though 51 percent still expressed support or sympathy for the strikers.

Jean Garrigues, a historian with the University of Orleans, told AFP this was likely to change over the holidays -- cherished family time for the French.

"The transport blockage has mostly affected the Parisian region, and we can see that in the coming period, it will also affect people in the rural areas. This will alienate many people from the labour movement. There will certainly be a drop in support," he said.

On Saturday, frustrated traveller Jeffrey Nwutu Ebube was trying to find a way home to Toulouse in the south from the northern port town of Le Havre -- some 850 kilometres (530 miles) away.

"I'm upset, this strike is unbearable... The government must do something," he told AFP.

'Everything is full'

Many stranded travellers have turned to car rental agencies or ride-sharing platforms since the strike began on December 5, but the last-minute surge in demand meant vehicles were hard to come by.

Among those marooned was Jerome Pelletier, who lamented "everything is full, everything is taken."

The government insists a pension overhaul is necessary to crete a fairer, more transparent system.

It would do away with schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages to mainly public-sector workers, not least train drivers who can retire as early as 52.&nbsp;

While some unions support a single system, almost all reject a new proposed "pivot age" of 64 -- beyond the legal retirement age of 62 -- for retiring with a full pension.

Heavy toll on business

Unions are hoping for a repeat of 1995 when the government backed down on pension reform after three weeks of metro and rail stoppages just before Christmas.

The protest is taking a heavy toll on businesses, especially retailers, hotels and restaurants during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Industry associations have reported turnover declines of 30 to 60 percent from a year earlier.

Stormy weather contributed to travellers' woes Sunday, dropping trees on railway lines in the south of France, blocking several routes, as violent winds left 110,000 households in the southwest without electricity.

Holiday travellers across France scrambled for alternatives Sunday as an 18-day-old transport strike over pension reform saw train services slashed yet again. President Emmanuel Macron issued an appeal on Saturday for a truce over the holidays but talks between the government and unions this week have failed to ease the standoff and labour leaders called for further mobilisation.

Holiday travellers across France scrambled for alternatives Sunday as an 18-day-old transport strike over pension reform saw train services slashed yet again. President Emmanuel Macron issued an appeal on Saturday for a truce over the holidays but talks between the government and unions this week have failed to ease the standoff and labour leaders called for further mobilisation. Workers at the SNCF and RATP public rail companies have downed tools to protest at the government's plan to forge a single points-based pension scheme out of 42 existing ones, which would see some public employees lose certain privileges. As a result, weeks of travel misery worsened on Sunday, when tens of thousands planned to meet up with family and friends for the Christmas break. Only half of high-speed TGV and a quarter of inter-city trains were running, and the SNCF urged voyagers to cancel or delay planned trips if possible. In Paris, trains connecting the capital to its suburbs were down to a trickle, and only two out of 16 metro lines provided a service on the last shopping Sunday before Christmas. Public support dropping Macron, on a visit to the Ivory Coast, urged striking workers to embrace a "spirit of responsibility" and for "collective good sense to triumph". "I believe there are moments in the life of a nation when it is also good to call a truce to respect families and the lives of families," he said in Abidjan. A poll by the IFOP agency published on Sunday showed public backing for the action dropping slightly by three percentage points, though 51 percent still expressed support or sympathy for the strikers. Jean Garrigues, a historian with the University of Orleans, told AFP this was likely to change over the holidays -- cherished family time for the French. "The transport blockage has mostly affected the Parisian region, and we can see that in the coming period, it will also affect people in the rural areas. This will alienate many people from the labour movement. There will certainly be a drop in support," he said. On Saturday, frustrated traveller Jeffrey Nwutu Ebube was trying to find a way home to Toulouse in the south from the northern port town of Le Havre -- some 850 kilometres (530 miles) away. "I'm upset, this strike is unbearable... The government must do something," he told AFP. 'Everything is full' Many stranded travellers have turned to car rental agencies or ride-sharing platforms since the strike began on December 5, but the last-minute surge in demand meant vehicles were hard to come by. Among those marooned was Jerome Pelletier, who lamented "everything is full, everything is taken." The government insists a pension overhaul is necessary to crete a fairer, more transparent system. It would do away with schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages to mainly public-sector workers, not least train drivers who can retire as early as 52. While some unions support a single system, almost all reject a new proposed "pivot age" of 64 -- beyond the legal retirement age of 62 -- for retiring with a full pension. Heavy toll on business Unions are hoping for a repeat of 1995 when the government backed down on pension reform after three weeks of metro and rail stoppages just before Christmas. The protest is taking a heavy toll on businesses, especially retailers, hotels and restaurants during one of the busiest periods of the year. Industry associations have reported turnover declines of 30 to 60 percent from a year earlier. Stormy weather contributed to travellers' woes Sunday, dropping trees on railway lines in the south of France, blocking several routes, as violent winds left 110,000 households in the southwest without electricity.

Strike makes for not-so-merry Christmas travel in France

The streets were flooded and the strong wind led to waves in St Mark’s Square. High tides hit Venice weeks after floods led Damage estimated at $1.11 billion.

High tides hit Venice weeks after floods; Damage estimated at $1.11 billion

French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed to transport unions to suspend strikes that threaten travel chaos over the Christmas holidays. #WION #Emmanuel Macron #France

Emmanuel Macron calls on strikers not to ruin Christmas

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colonialism-was-a-grave-mistake-french-pm-emmanuel-macron-269555">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>, whose plans to reform the pension system have run into fierce public opposition, will forego a special presidential pension payout when he eventually steps down, his office said on Sunday.

Under a law dating back to 1955, France's presidents are entitled to draw a pension of about 6,000 euros ($6,650) per month before tax as soon as they leave office.

Macron will waive these pension rights and change the presidential scheme to bring it into line with the wider overhaul of France's retirement system, his office said, confirming an earlier report by French daily Le Parisien.

The 42-year-old president will be years away from France's legal retirement age of 62 when he leaves office even he serves two full five-year terms.

"The President of the Republic will converge ... with the universal points system planned for all French people," Macron's office said.

"It is a question of being exemplary and coherent."

Two weeks of nationwide industrial action against Macron's pension reform, which would scrap special regimes for sectors like the railways and make people work to 64 to draw a full pension, have crippled train services.

Speaking on Saturday during a visit to Ivory Coast, Macron called on transport unions to suspend <a href="http://wionew.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-in-france-over-pension-reform-plans-268811">strikes</a> during the Christmas holidays to avoid disrupting travel for families.

But despite calls by some unions to suspend strikes during the festive season, several rail workers' groups are continuing stoppages as travellers head off on holiday.

National rail operator SNCF continued to run reduced services on Sunday, including half the usual number of its high-speed TGV trains.

But faced with an outcry over the cancellation of holiday services for children travelling without their parents, the SNCF laid on several trains for kids on Sunday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, whose plans to reform the pension system have run into fierce public opposition, will forego a special presidential pension payout when he eventually steps down, his office said on Sunday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, whose plans to reform the pension system have run into fierce public opposition, will forego a special presidential pension payout when he eventually steps down, his office said on Sunday. Under a law dating back to 1955, France's presidents are entitled to draw a pension of about 6,000 euros ($6,650) per month before tax as soon as they leave office. Macron will waive these pension rights and change the presidential scheme to bring it into line with the wider overhaul of France's retirement system, his office said, confirming an earlier report by French daily Le Parisien. The 42-year-old president will be years away from France's legal retirement age of 62 when he leaves office even he serves two full five-year terms. "The President of the Republic will converge ... with the universal points system planned for all French people," Macron's office said. "It is a question of being exemplary and coherent." Two weeks of nationwide industrial action against Macron's pension reform, which would scrap special regimes for sectors like the railways and make people work to 64 to draw a full pension, have crippled train services. Speaking on Saturday during a visit to Ivory Coast, Macron called on transport unions to suspend strikes during the Christmas holidays to avoid disrupting travel for families. But despite calls by some unions to suspend strikes during the festive season, several rail workers' groups are continuing stoppages as travellers head off on holiday. National rail operator SNCF continued to run reduced services on Sunday, including half the usual number of its high-speed TGV trains. But faced with an outcry over the cancellation of holiday services for children travelling without their parents, the SNCF laid on several trains for kids on Sunday.

France's Macron to give up presidential pension in reform gesture

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-emmanuel-macron-to-hold-meeting-on-pensions-as-strike-bites-266909">Emmanuel Macron</a>, the president of France on Saturday referred to colonialism as a ''grave mistake''. Additionally, he spoke about ''turning the page'' on the past while he was visiting Ivory Coast's Abidjan, a former French colony in West Africa.

Macron claimed that "[France was seen as] hegemonistic view and the trappings of colonialism that was a grave mistake and a fault of the Republic."

"I belong to a generation which was not part of the colonial-era'', he said.

"Three-fourths of your country never knew colonialism," he said, addressing Ivorians and called on African youth to "build a new partnership of friendship with France."

Earlier, during his election campaign for the presidency, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-strike-against-macron-reforms-enters-day-two-266522">Macron</a> had referred to French colonisation of Algeria as a ''crime against humanity''.

Looking back at a TV interview in 2017, Macron had referred to eight years of war in Algeria as ''genuinely barbaric, and constitute a part of our past that we have to confront by apologising''. Algeria achieved independence in 1962.

(With inputs from agencies)

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France on Saturday referred to colonialism as a ''grave mistake''. Additionally, he spoke about ''turning the page'' on the past while he was visiting Ivory Coast's Abidjan, a former French colony in West Africa.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France on Saturday referred to colonialism as a ''grave mistake''. Additionally, he spoke about ''turning the page'' on the past while he was visiting Ivory Coast's Abidjan, a former French colony in West Africa. Macron claimed that "[France was seen as] hegemonistic view and the trappings of colonialism that was a grave mistake and a fault of the Republic." "I belong to a generation which was not part of the colonial-era'', he said. "Three-fourths of your country never knew colonialism," he said, addressing Ivorians and called on African youth to "build a new partnership of friendship with France." Earlier, during his election campaign for the presidency, Macron had referred to French colonisation of Algeria as a ''crime against humanity''. Looking back at a TV interview in 2017, Macron had referred to eight years of war in Algeria as ''genuinely barbaric, and constitute a part of our past that we have to confront by apologising''. Algeria achieved independence in 1962. (With inputs from agencies)

Colonialism was a grave mistake: French PM Emmanuel Macron

President Emmanuel Macron said French forces had "neutralised" several dozen terrorists in Mali on Saturday, as he visited West Africa with a pledge to give new force to the battle against Islamist militants in the region.

The operation in the flashpoint city of Mopti in central Mali came just weeks after 13 French soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash as they were hunting down terrorists in the troubled country.

Macron said in a speech to the French community in Ivory Coast that 33 "terrorists" had been "neutralised", a term a source close to the presidency said meant they had been killed.

French soldiers also released two Malian gendarmes being held by terrorists, he said.

"This considerable success shows the commitment of our forces, the support that we bring to Mali, to the region and to our own security," he said.&nbsp;

"We have had losses, we also have victories this morning thanks to the commitment of our soldiers and Operation Barkhane," he said, referring to the France's military operation against Islamist militants in the Sahel.&nbsp;

Last month's crash was the biggest single-day loss for the French military in nearly four decades and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of France's 4,500-member operation.

Macron arrived in Ivory Coast on Friday to celebrate Christmas with French troops but the terrorist&nbsp;insurgency in the region is a top item on Macron's agenda during his 48-hour stay in the region.

'Must not let threat flourish'

Away from weeks of protest strikes gripping France, Macron's personal chef travelled with him to cook dinner for around 1,000 troops at the military base in Port-Bouet, near Abidjan's airport.

"I hope we can give new depth, new commitments, a new force to this operation and win a fight that is key to the stability and security of the Sahel," the French leader told the troops.

"We will keep up the fight against terrorists. We will continue to do so with our African partners and with our European and international partners," he said. "Because if we let the threat flourish, it will impact us too."

Despite the French troop presence and a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali, the conflict that erupted in 2012 has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

The leaders of five Sahel nations are due to attend a summit in Paris on January 13, when Macron said they would clarify the "political and strategic framework" of the operation against the militants.

On Sunday, Macron will pay a flying visit for talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, where terrorist&nbsp;attacks are frequent.

Macron spent Christmas in 2017 with troops deployed to Niger and went last year to Chad.&nbsp;

In Abidjan, he said he wanted to build a new relationship between France and Ivory Coast, in particular helping youth and developing sport.

President Emmanuel Macron said French forces had "neutralised" several dozen terrorists in Mali on Saturday, as he visited West Africa with a pledge to give new force to the battle against Islamist militants in the region.

President Emmanuel Macron said French forces had "neutralised" several dozen terrorists in Mali on Saturday, as he visited West Africa with a pledge to give new force to the battle against Islamist militants in the region. The operation in the flashpoint city of Mopti in central Mali came just weeks after 13 French soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash as they were hunting down terrorists in the troubled country. Macron said in a speech to the French community in Ivory Coast that 33 "terrorists" had been "neutralised", a term a source close to the presidency said meant they had been killed. French soldiers also released two Malian gendarmes being held by terrorists, he said. "This considerable success shows the commitment of our forces, the support that we bring to Mali, to the region and to our own security," he said. "We have had losses, we also have victories this morning thanks to the commitment of our soldiers and Operation Barkhane," he said, referring to the France's military operation against Islamist militants in the Sahel. Last month's crash was the biggest single-day loss for the French military in nearly four decades and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of France's 4,500-member operation. Macron arrived in Ivory Coast on Friday to celebrate Christmas with French troops but the terrorist insurgency in the region is a top item on Macron's agenda during his 48-hour stay in the region. 'Must not let threat flourish' Away from weeks of protest strikes gripping France, Macron's personal chef travelled with him to cook dinner for around 1,000 troops at the military base in Port-Bouet, near Abidjan's airport. "I hope we can give new depth, new commitments, a new force to this operation and win a fight that is key to the stability and security of the Sahel," the French leader told the troops. "We will keep up the fight against terrorists. We will continue to do so with our African partners and with our European and international partners," he said. "Because if we let the threat flourish, it will impact us too." Despite the French troop presence and a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali, the conflict that erupted in 2012 has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The leaders of five Sahel nations are due to attend a summit in Paris on January 13, when Macron said they would clarify the "political and strategic framework" of the operation against the militants. On Sunday, Macron will pay a flying visit for talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, where terrorist attacks are frequent. Macron spent Christmas in 2017 with troops deployed to Niger and went last year to Chad. In Abidjan, he said he wanted to build a new relationship between France and Ivory Coast, in particular helping youth and developing sport.

Macron says French forces 'neutralise' over 30 terrorists in Mali

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