French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday issued a joint statement reaffirming their strong support for the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, from which the US&nbsp;announced its exit this week.

The two countries "reaffirm their strong support for the Paris Agreement, which they consider an irreversible process and a compass for strong action on the climate," the statement said.

The Trump administration has already <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-begins-formal-exit-from-paris-climate-pact-259963">filed paperwork to withdraw</a> the United States from the Paris Agreement on combating climate change.

The US&nbsp;move is the first formal step in a one-year process to exit the global pact, part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump to reduce regulation of American industry.

But scientists and many world governments are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/11000-scientists-caution-against-climate-emergency-warn-of-unavoidable-human-suffering-260246">urging rapid action</a> to combat the worst effects of climate change.

The vast majority of national commitments made in the 2015 Paris Agreement are not enough to prevent serious harm from global warming, scientists said in a new research report issued Tuesday.

China and France pledged at this year's G20 summit to "update" their contributions against climate change beyond their current ones to reflect "their highest possible ambition."

The 2015 Paris climate agreement encourages countries to make stronger pledges if they can.

Macron is travelling with a business delegation of 30 companies.

The French president is visiting China for the second time since he took office. During his last trip last year, he said Beijing's flagship "Belt and Road" project to develop global trade infrastructure should not be "one-way."

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday issued a joint statement reaffirming their strong support for the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, from which the US announced its exit this week.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday issued a joint statement reaffirming their strong support for the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, from which the US announced its exit this week. The two countries "reaffirm their strong support for the Paris Agreement, which they consider an irreversible process and a compass for strong action on the climate," the statement said. The Trump administration has already filed paperwork to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on combating climate change. The US move is the first formal step in a one-year process to exit the global pact, part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump to reduce regulation of American industry. But scientists and many world governments are urging rapid action to combat the worst effects of climate change. The vast majority of national commitments made in the 2015 Paris Agreement are not enough to prevent serious harm from global warming, scientists said in a new research report issued Tuesday. China and France pledged at this year's G20 summit to "update" their contributions against climate change beyond their current ones to reflect "their highest possible ambition." The 2015 Paris climate agreement encourages countries to make stronger pledges if they can. Macron is travelling with a business delegation of 30 companies. The French president is visiting China for the second time since he took office. During his last trip last year, he said Beijing's flagship "Belt and Road" project to develop global trade infrastructure should not be "one-way."

China and France reaffirm support of Paris climate agreement, call it 'irreversible'

A bilateral joint training exercise 'Shakti-2019' between India and France is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges here. 
 
Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rajasthan said, "With the aim of achieving inter-operability, a bilateral joint training exercise between India and France, 'Exercise SHAKTI,' is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, till November 13." 
 
The opening ceremony of the 14-day exercise was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges here on November 1. 
 
The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two armies and further strengthening the military relations between the two countries. 
 
The opening ceremony saw the unfurling of the national flags of both countries amidst playing of the respective national anthems. 
 
The ceremony also witnessed synchronised marching of troops on martial tunes on au fait words of command of the contingent commanders. This was followed by an evocative speech by Reviewing Officers of both countries.

A bilateral joint training exercise 'Shakti-2019' between India and France is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges here. Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rajasthan said, "With the aim of achieving inter-operability, a bilateral joint training exercise between India and France, 'Exercise SHAKTI,' is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, till November 13.

A bilateral joint training exercise 'Shakti-2019' between India and France is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges here. Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rajasthan said, "With the aim of achieving inter-operability, a bilateral joint training exercise between India and France, 'Exercise SHAKTI,' is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, till November 13." The opening ceremony of the 14-day exercise was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges here on November 1. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two armies and further strengthening the military relations between the two countries. The opening ceremony saw the unfurling of the national flags of both countries amidst playing of the respective national anthems. The ceremony also witnessed synchronised marching of troops on martial tunes on au fait words of command of the contingent commanders. This was followed by an evocative speech by Reviewing Officers of both countries.

India-France bilateral training exercise 'Shakti 2019' underway

More than 30 migrants from Pakistan have been found hidden in a lorry in southern France, prosecutors said Saturday.

They said the driver, who was also from Pakistan, was detained.

The discovery came after 39 people, all believed to be Vietnamese nationals, were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain last month, laying bare again the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe.

The group of 31 Pakistani migrants was discovered during a routine check on a motorway near the Italian border on Friday, French prosecutors said.

The migrants, who included three teenagers, were handed over to the Italian authorities in accordance with immigration procedures.

"We will try and establish if we can trace it back to a network and backers as we always do in this type of case," the prosecutors' office in the southeastern city of Nice said.

More than 30 migrants from Pakistan have been found hidden in a lorry in southern France, prosecutors said Saturday. They said the driver, who was also from Pakistan, was detained.

More than 30 migrants from Pakistan have been found hidden in a lorry in southern France, prosecutors said Saturday. They said the driver, who was also from Pakistan, was detained. The discovery came after 39 people, all believed to be Vietnamese nationals, were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain last month, laying bare again the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe. The group of 31 Pakistani migrants was discovered during a routine check on a motorway near the Italian border on Friday, French prosecutors said. The migrants, who included three teenagers, were handed over to the Italian authorities in accordance with immigration procedures. "We will try and establish if we can trace it back to a network and backers as we always do in this type of case," the prosecutors' office in the southeastern city of Nice said.

Over 30 Pakistani migrants found in lorry in France

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH&nbsp;has approached Tiffany &amp; Co with a $14.5 billion acquisition offer, people familiar with the matter said, at a time when the US&nbsp;luxury jeweler grapples with the impact of tariffs on its exports to China.

LVMH, which has for years been looking for ways to expand in the US&nbsp;market, submitted a preliminary, non-binding offer to Tiffany earlier this month, one of the sources said.

LVMH's offer valued Tiffany at about $120 per share, another of the sources added. Tiffany shares ended trading on Friday at $98.55.

Tiffany has hired advisers to review LVMH's offer but has not yet responded to it, and there is no certainty that it will negotiate a deal, according to the sources.

The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. LVMH and Tiffany declined to comment. Bloomberg News reported earlier on Saturday that LVMH was holding talks with Tiffany.

LVMH, which is behind brands such as Fendi, Christian Dior and Givenchy, as well as Veuve Cliquot champagne, has stood out for several years as one of the top performers in the upscale retail sector, where not all labels are benefiting to the same degree from booming Chinese appetite for branded goods.

Tiffany, on the other hand, has not been as resilient. Beyond the tariffs that have been triggered by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-close-to-finalising-part-of-a-phase-one-trade-deal-report-258209">trade war</a> between the United States and China, a lower Chinese domestic sales tax has also contributed to double-digit decreases in its sales to Chinese tourists in the United States and in other destinations.

High-end brands have also long relied on<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-to-clear-rally-258401"> Hong Kong </a>as a major shopping hub drawing visitors from mainland China in particular, and four months of pro-democracy demonstrations are starting to take their toll.

However, earlier this month LVMH, which has a market capitalization of 194 billion euros, beat sales forecasts for the third quarter despite the unrest in Hong Kong. In August, Tiffany reported quarterly earnings that also beat analysts' expectations, thanks to a drop in marketing costs.

Tiffany has been refreshing its offerings with more affordable items such as pendants and earrings, to appeal to millennials who have been gravitating to lower-priced competitors such as Denmark's Pandora&nbsp;and Signet Jewelers.

Paris-headquartered LVMH is controlled by the Arnault family and is led by Bernard Arnault, France's richest man. Based in New York and best known for its diamond engagement rings, Tiffany operates more than 300 retail stores globally.

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH has approached Tiffany & Co with a $14.5 billion acquisition offer, people familiar with the matter said, at a time when the US luxury jeweler grapples with the impact of tariffs on its exports to China.

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH has approached Tiffany & Co with a $14.5 billion acquisition offer, people familiar with the matter said, at a time when the US luxury jeweler grapples with the impact of tariffs on its exports to China. LVMH, which has for years been looking for ways to expand in the US market, submitted a preliminary, non-binding offer to Tiffany earlier this month, one of the sources said. LVMH's offer valued Tiffany at about $120 per share, another of the sources added. Tiffany shares ended trading on Friday at $98.55. Tiffany has hired advisers to review LVMH's offer but has not yet responded to it, and there is no certainty that it will negotiate a deal, according to the sources. The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. LVMH and Tiffany declined to comment. Bloomberg News reported earlier on Saturday that LVMH was holding talks with Tiffany. LVMH, which is behind brands such as Fendi, Christian Dior and Givenchy, as well as Veuve Cliquot champagne, has stood out for several years as one of the top performers in the upscale retail sector, where not all labels are benefiting to the same degree from booming Chinese appetite for branded goods. Tiffany, on the other hand, has not been as resilient. Beyond the tariffs that have been triggered by the trade war between the United States and China, a lower Chinese domestic sales tax has also contributed to double-digit decreases in its sales to Chinese tourists in the United States and in other destinations. High-end brands have also long relied on Hong Kong as a major shopping hub drawing visitors from mainland China in particular, and four months of pro-democracy demonstrations are starting to take their toll. However, earlier this month LVMH, which has a market capitalization of 194 billion euros, beat sales forecasts for the third quarter despite the unrest in Hong Kong. In August, Tiffany reported quarterly earnings that also beat analysts' expectations, thanks to a drop in marketing costs. Tiffany has been refreshing its offerings with more affordable items such as pendants and earrings, to appeal to millennials who have been gravitating to lower-priced competitors such as Denmark's Pandora and Signet Jewelers. Paris-headquartered LVMH is controlled by the Arnault family and is led by Bernard Arnault, France's richest man. Based in New York and best known for its diamond engagement rings, Tiffany operates more than 300 retail stores globally.

French luxury group LVMH offers to buy US jeweler Tiffany & Co: Sources

Mauro Icardi and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kylian-mbappe-proves-his-point-with-champions-league-hat-trick-257688">Kylian Mbappe</a> scored twice each as Paris St Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to eight points with a 4-0 crushing of bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Argentine striker Icardi and France forward Mbappe netted all the goals in the opening half to put PSG on 27 points from 11 games, eight ahead of their nearest challengers Nantes, and leave OM in seventh place on 16 points.

Icardi has now scored seven goals in his last seven games while Mbappe has struck five times in two matches for PSG, who were without the injured Neymar.

OM have not won against PSG in all competitions in their last 20 meetings since 2011, the year Qatar Sports Investment took over in the capital before investing more than a billion euros in transfers.

"We have been hammering you for eight years and it's not over," a banner in the Auteuil curve of the Parc des Princes read.

The banner was spot-on as PSG overwhelmed the visitors, their attacking trio of Mbappe, Icardi and Angel Di Maria proving impossible to handle.

"I'm happy to score those goals, that's why I came here," said the man of the match Icardi.

OM coach Andre Villas-Boas said PSG's players were simply too good.

"The system is not the question, it's their individual qualities that made the difference. There is no shame, I'm proud of my players," he said.

Marseille's Dimitri Payet made his return after a four-match ban for insulting a referee while Mbappe was handed his first start in two months after struggling with injuries.

The 20-year-old, who scored a hat-trick after coming on as a second-half substitute against Club Brugge in the Champions League this week, threatened early on but it was Icardi who found the back of the net first.

Steve Mandanda parried the Argentine's header for Icardi to fire home from point-blank range shortly after Valere Germain had missed a great chance for the visitors.

The French international keeper was beaten by Icardi again in the 27th minute, the striker heading home from Marco Verratti's through ball.

Mbappe made it 3-0 five minutes later, tapping in from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/di-maria-sends-psg-five-points-clear-as-nice-see-red-256983">Di Maria's</a> cross.

The Frenchman was at it again one minute from the break, collecting a defence-splitting pass from Di Maria before curling a 16-metre shot past Mandanda.

PSG took a more casual approach in the second half but came close to adding another, Mbappe missing a sitter from Icardi's pass and the opportunity to become the first player to score a hat trick in the French "classic".

He was replaced by Edinson Cavani as the Uruguay striker made his comeback after a two-month injury layoff.

Earlier, Yann Gboho's last-gasp goal earned Stade Rennais a 3-2 home victory over Toulouse which ended the Brittany side's 10-game winless run in all competitions.

The result lifted Rennes up to ninth in the standings on 15 points, ahead of 12th-placed St Etienne on goal difference after Les Verts were held to a 2-2 home draw by Stade de Reims - the first time they dropped points in the league since coach Claude Puel took over three weeks ago.

Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe scored twice each as Paris St Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to eight points with a 4-0 crushing of bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe scored twice each as Paris St Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to eight points with a 4-0 crushing of bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Argentine striker Icardi and France forward Mbappe netted all the goals in the opening half to put PSG on 27 points from 11 games, eight ahead of their nearest challengers Nantes, and leave OM in seventh place on 16 points. Icardi has now scored seven goals in his last seven games while Mbappe has struck five times in two matches for PSG, who were without the injured Neymar. OM have not won against PSG in all competitions in their last 20 meetings since 2011, the year Qatar Sports Investment took over in the capital before investing more than a billion euros in transfers. "We have been hammering you for eight years and it's not over," a banner in the Auteuil curve of the Parc des Princes read. The banner was spot-on as PSG overwhelmed the visitors, their attacking trio of Mbappe, Icardi and Angel Di Maria proving impossible to handle. "I'm happy to score those goals, that's why I came here," said the man of the match Icardi. OM coach Andre Villas-Boas said PSG's players were simply too good. "The system is not the question, it's their individual qualities that made the difference. There is no shame, I'm proud of my players," he said. Marseille's Dimitri Payet made his return after a four-match ban for insulting a referee while Mbappe was handed his first start in two months after struggling with injuries. The 20-year-old, who scored a hat-trick after coming on as a second-half substitute against Club Brugge in the Champions League this week, threatened early on but it was Icardi who found the back of the net first. Steve Mandanda parried the Argentine's header for Icardi to fire home from point-blank range shortly after Valere Germain had missed a great chance for the visitors. The French international keeper was beaten by Icardi again in the 27th minute, the striker heading home from Marco Verratti's through ball. Mbappe made it 3-0 five minutes later, tapping in from Di Maria's cross. The Frenchman was at it again one minute from the break, collecting a defence-splitting pass from Di Maria before curling a 16-metre shot past Mandanda. PSG took a more casual approach in the second half but came close to adding another, Mbappe missing a sitter from Icardi's pass and the opportunity to become the first player to score a hat trick in the French "classic". He was replaced by Edinson Cavani as the Uruguay striker made his comeback after a two-month injury layoff. Earlier, Yann Gboho's last-gasp goal earned Stade Rennais a 3-2 home victory over Toulouse which ended the Brittany side's 10-game winless run in all competitions. The result lifted Rennes up to ninth in the standings on 15 points, ahead of 12th-placed St Etienne on goal difference after Les Verts were held to a 2-2 home draw by Stade de Reims - the first time they dropped points in the league since coach Claude Puel took over three weeks ago.

Football: Icardi, Mbappe shine as PSG thrash Marseille

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been suspended for six weeks for his red card in their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales last week, World Rugby said on Thursday.

France were leading 19-10 in Oita, Japan when Vahaamahina elbowed Wales forward Aaron Wainwright in the face and was sent off. The French were reduced to 14 men and went on to lose the match 20-19.

Vahaamahina admitted to the act of foul play, accepting that the offence warranted a red card.

"Vahaamahina will miss his next six matches with his club Clermont Auvergne," World Rugby said in a statement. "Therefore the player is free to play again on Dec. 16, 2019."

Although the entry point for punishment was 10 weeks, the committee reduced it by four weeks after Vahaamahina acknowledged his conduct and apologised to Wainwright.

The 28-year-old Vahaamahina announced his international retirement after France were knocked out of the World Cup.

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been suspended for six weeks for his red card in their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales last week, World Rugby said on Thursday.

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been suspended for six weeks for his red card in their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales last week, World Rugby said on Thursday. France were leading 19-10 in Oita, Japan when Vahaamahina elbowed Wales forward Aaron Wainwright in the face and was sent off. The French were reduced to 14 men and went on to lose the match 20-19. Vahaamahina admitted to the act of foul play, accepting that the offence warranted a red card. "Vahaamahina will miss his next six matches with his club Clermont Auvergne," World Rugby said in a statement. "Therefore the player is free to play again on Dec. 16, 2019." Although the entry point for punishment was 10 weeks, the committee reduced it by four weeks after Vahaamahina acknowledged his conduct and apologised to Wainwright. The 28-year-old Vahaamahina announced his international retirement after France were knocked out of the World Cup.

France's Vahaamahina handed six-week ban for Rugby World Cup red card

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched legal proceedings against a French magazine which branded Turkey's president "The Eradicator" after he sent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-pushes-offensive-in-syria-despite-sanctions-and-calls-to-stop-256184">troops into Syria</a> to push back Kurdish forces, media reported Friday.

The complaint was filed against Le Point director Etienne Gernelle and the head of the magazine's international service Romain Gubert, the official Anadolu news agency reported.

On this week's cover, Le Point published a picture of Erdogan giving a military salute with the subtitle "Ethnic cleansing: the Erdogan method", provoking sharp criticism from Turkish government officials.

The cover's headline called Erdogan "The Eradicator" and asked: "Will he be allowed to massacre the Kurds,&nbsp;and threaten Europe?"

In a petition presented to the Ankara prosecutor's office, Erdogan's lawyer Huseyin Aydin said the cover was "publicly insulting" to the president, a crime in Turkey.

"It is a typical example of stupidity from a country whose history is full of dramatic examples of genocide and massacres to attempt to teach something to Mr President... and level baseless accusations," the lawyer said, quoted by Anadolu.

A source in the Ankara public prosecutor's office told AFP that an investigation had been launched after the complaint.

Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin took to Twitter on Thursday, writing in French: "The Kurds are not your agents and will never be. Your days of colonisation are over."

The Turkish army launched a military offensive on October 9 against Kurdish militants in Syria, sparking widespread condemnation from the West -- including France, which saw Kurdish forces as an effective tool in the fight against Islamic State jihadists.

French President Emmanuel Macron this month called for an end to Turkey's offensive which he said risked creating "unbearable humanitarian conditions" while helping IS jihadists "re-emerge in the region".

On Thursday, Erdogan, without referring explicitly to Le Point, lashed out at France for criticising the Turkish military action.

"First look in the mirror, look at yourself at where you are. There is no such thing in our history," he said, referring to France's colonial past.

Last year Le Point said it had suffered harassment and intimidation by Erdogan's supporters after labelling him "The Dictator" on the front cover.

A poster of the cover was targeted at a newspaper kiosk in the town of Valence.

Macron had then rallied behind the magazine calling the harassment "totally unacceptable".

"You cannot put a price on freedom of the press, without it, it's a dictatorship," he tweeted.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched legal proceedings against a French magazine which branded Turkey's president "The Eradicator" after he sent troops into Syria to push back Kurdish forces, media reported Friday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched legal proceedings against a French magazine which branded Turkey's president "The Eradicator" after he sent troops into Syria to push back Kurdish forces, media reported Friday. The complaint was filed against Le Point director Etienne Gernelle and the head of the magazine's international service Romain Gubert, the official Anadolu news agency reported. On this week's cover, Le Point published a picture of Erdogan giving a military salute with the subtitle "Ethnic cleansing: the Erdogan method", provoking sharp criticism from Turkish government officials. The cover's headline called Erdogan "The Eradicator" and asked: "Will he be allowed to massacre the Kurds, and threaten Europe?" In a petition presented to the Ankara prosecutor's office, Erdogan's lawyer Huseyin Aydin said the cover was "publicly insulting" to the president, a crime in Turkey. "It is a typical example of stupidity from a country whose history is full of dramatic examples of genocide and massacres to attempt to teach something to Mr President... and level baseless accusations," the lawyer said, quoted by Anadolu. A source in the Ankara public prosecutor's office told AFP that an investigation had been launched after the complaint. Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin took to Twitter on Thursday, writing in French: "The Kurds are not your agents and will never be. Your days of colonisation are over." The Turkish army launched a military offensive on October 9 against Kurdish militants in Syria, sparking widespread condemnation from the West -- including France, which saw Kurdish forces as an effective tool in the fight against Islamic State jihadists. French President Emmanuel Macron this month called for an end to Turkey's offensive which he said risked creating "unbearable humanitarian conditions" while helping IS jihadists "re-emerge in the region". On Thursday, Erdogan, without referring explicitly to Le Point, lashed out at France for criticising the Turkish military action. "First look in the mirror, look at yourself at where you are. There is no such thing in our history," he said, referring to France's colonial past. Last year Le Point said it had suffered harassment and intimidation by Erdogan's supporters after labelling him "The Dictator" on the front cover. A poster of the cover was targeted at a newspaper kiosk in the town of Valence. Macron had then rallied behind the magazine calling the harassment "totally unacceptable". "You cannot put a price on freedom of the press, without it, it's a dictatorship," he tweeted.

Turkey's Erdogan sues French magazine over 'eradicator' cover

The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that France has persistently exceeded the threshold limit for nitrogen dioxide, a polluting gas from diesel motors that causes major health problems.

France "systematically and persistently exceeded the annual limit value for nitrogen dioxide since Jan. 1, 2010," the court said in a statement.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, referred the matter to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in May 2018 after almost a decade of warnings that went unaddressed.

France is the first of several member states, including Germany and Britain, that the commission has sued in court after it stepped up its anti-pollution fight in the wake of the so-called "Dieselgate" scandal that erupted in 2015.

The motors caught up in the scandal, in which automakers installed special emission-cheating devices into their car engines, are the main emitters of nitrogen oxides that the European Environment Agency says are responsible for 68,000 premature deaths per year in the EU.

Nitrogen dioxide is toxic and can cause significant respiratory problems as one of the main constituents of traffic-jam smog.

Under EU rules, member countries are required to keep the gas to under 40 micrograms per cubic metre&nbsp;but that level is often exceeded in many traffic-clogged European cities.

The judgement opens the way to possible sanctions at a later stage if Paris does nothing to fix the situation.&nbsp;

The case involved 24 areas in France, including the cities of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Strasbourg, but also the alpine Arve Valley, France's lorry-clogged gateway to Italy.&nbsp;

While France does not dispute the violation, it argued that the application of European air quality legislation "must be assessed in the light of the structural difficulties encountered" in applying it, the court said in a statement.

But for the judges, EU law demands that when high pollution is found, the member state concerned is required to draw up an air-quality plan and to ensure that the danger period is "as short as possible".&nbsp;

The court said "France clearly did not adopt, in due time, appropriate measures," noting an "overrun for seven consecutive years".

The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that France has persistently exceeded the threshold limit for nitrogen dioxide, a polluting gas from diesel motors that causes major health problems.

The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that France has persistently exceeded the threshold limit for nitrogen dioxide, a polluting gas from diesel motors that causes major health problems. France "systematically and persistently exceeded the annual limit value for nitrogen dioxide since Jan. 1, 2010," the court said in a statement. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, referred the matter to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in May 2018 after almost a decade of warnings that went unaddressed. France is the first of several member states, including Germany and Britain, that the commission has sued in court after it stepped up its anti-pollution fight in the wake of the so-called "Dieselgate" scandal that erupted in 2015. The motors caught up in the scandal, in which automakers installed special emission-cheating devices into their car engines, are the main emitters of nitrogen oxides that the European Environment Agency says are responsible for 68,000 premature deaths per year in the EU. Nitrogen dioxide is toxic and can cause significant respiratory problems as one of the main constituents of traffic-jam smog. Under EU rules, member countries are required to keep the gas to under 40 micrograms per cubic metre but that level is often exceeded in many traffic-clogged European cities. The judgement opens the way to possible sanctions at a later stage if Paris does nothing to fix the situation. The case involved 24 areas in France, including the cities of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Strasbourg, but also the alpine Arve Valley, France's lorry-clogged gateway to Italy. While France does not dispute the violation, it argued that the application of European air quality legislation "must be assessed in the light of the structural difficulties encountered" in applying it, the court said in a statement. But for the judges, EU law demands that when high pollution is found, the member state concerned is required to draw up an air-quality plan and to ensure that the danger period is "as short as possible". The court said "France clearly did not adopt, in due time, appropriate measures," noting an "overrun for seven consecutive years".

France loses diesel pollution fight in European Union court

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday put forward businessman and former economy minister Thierry Breton as France's candidate for a key <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-brexit-vote-eu-says-done-all-in-our-power-for-orderly-departure-257542">European Commission</a> portfolio after his first choice was shot down by the European Parliament.

Macron proposed Breton to incoming commission head Ursula von der Leyen for the ambitious portfolio covering industrial policy, defence spending, technology and space, an Elysee Palace official said.

The portfolio, which Macron fought hard for, has remained unchanged.

Macron and Von der Leyen had agreed on Breton's "profile," the official said, adding: "If we are proposing this candidate, he is suitable."

Two weeks ago, European Parliament lawmakers voted to reject Macron's first candidate for the Brussels post, Sylvie Goulard, in a rare political defeat for the French leader on the European stage.

A former MEP, Goulard resigned in June 2017 from a short stint as France's defence minister after claims she and other members of the centrist MoDem party were using European parliamentary funds to pay assistants who were actually based in France.

She was questioned by French investigators in September and is also under scrutiny by the EU Anti-Fraud Office, though she has not been charged.

Breton, 64, is credited with a turnaround for the debt-laden former state monopoly France Telecom, now Orange, and leading it to privatisation.

He has served as a director on many boards and led French computer-maker Bull as well as Thomson Multimedia before serving as economy minister under Jacques Chirac from 2005 to 2007.

He now heads digital firm Atos, a group with head offices both outside Paris and in Munich, where he has doubled turnover to more than $13.4 billion&nbsp;and staff numbers to 122,000.

But Atos is an IT service provider to the EU and Breton's nomination has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The vetting process "will be complicated, once again," said Yannick Jadot, a European parliamentarian from France's EELV green party.

"Thierry Breton is the CEO of Atos, it is a digital company that receives European grants, that is a European leader in supercomputers, also with European grants. And in his portfolio, what do we have? Digital."

Another MEP, Manon Aubry of the hard-left France Unbowed party, criticised the candidature of a boss of a listed company "that receives millions of European grants".

But the Elysee insisted Breton was always "rigorous to avoid any conflict of interest" when he moved to government from the business sector.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-vows-unrelenting-fight-against-islamist-terror-after-police-killings-254514">Macron's nominee will be vetted by European lawmakers</a> in the coming weeks.

The Elysee official said Breton "has solid skills in all the areas covered by the portfolio, particularly industry and high tech", adding that he is a "committed European" and "a man of action".

Breton said Thursday that he was "working on preparing for the hearings", adding he was "very honoured" by the trust placed in him.

"For Europe and for all our fellow European citizens, I appreciate the importance of the challenges associated with this portfolio for the future of our country."

The vetting of the EU's 28 commissioners, one for each member country, has taken longer than expected, and the EU executive is now expected to start its work on December 1, a month later than initially planned.

MEPs also rejected the candidates from Hungary and Romania last month.

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday put forward businessman and former economy minister Thierry Breton as France's candidate for a key European Commission portfolio after his first choice was shot down by the European Parliament.

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday put forward businessman and former economy minister Thierry Breton as France's candidate for a key European Commission portfolio after his first choice was shot down by the European Parliament. Macron proposed Breton to incoming commission head Ursula von der Leyen for the ambitious portfolio covering industrial policy, defence spending, technology and space, an Elysee Palace official said. The portfolio, which Macron fought hard for, has remained unchanged. Macron and Von der Leyen had agreed on Breton's "profile," the official said, adding: "If we are proposing this candidate, he is suitable." Two weeks ago, European Parliament lawmakers voted to reject Macron's first candidate for the Brussels post, Sylvie Goulard, in a rare political defeat for the French leader on the European stage. A former MEP, Goulard resigned in June 2017 from a short stint as France's defence minister after claims she and other members of the centrist MoDem party were using European parliamentary funds to pay assistants who were actually based in France. She was questioned by French investigators in September and is also under scrutiny by the EU Anti-Fraud Office, though she has not been charged. Breton, 64, is credited with a turnaround for the debt-laden former state monopoly France Telecom, now Orange, and leading it to privatisation. He has served as a director on many boards and led French computer-maker Bull as well as Thomson Multimedia before serving as economy minister under Jacques Chirac from 2005 to 2007. He now heads digital firm Atos, a group with head offices both outside Paris and in Munich, where he has doubled turnover to more than $13.4 billion and staff numbers to 122,000. But Atos is an IT service provider to the EU and Breton's nomination has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. The vetting process "will be complicated, once again," said Yannick Jadot, a European parliamentarian from France's EELV green party. "Thierry Breton is the CEO of Atos, it is a digital company that receives European grants, that is a European leader in supercomputers, also with European grants. And in his portfolio, what do we have? Digital." Another MEP, Manon Aubry of the hard-left France Unbowed party, criticised the candidature of a boss of a listed company "that receives millions of European grants". But the Elysee insisted Breton was always "rigorous to avoid any conflict of interest" when he moved to government from the business sector. Macron's nominee will be vetted by European lawmakers in the coming weeks. The Elysee official said Breton "has solid skills in all the areas covered by the portfolio, particularly industry and high tech", adding that he is a "committed European" and "a man of action". Breton said Thursday that he was "working on preparing for the hearings", adding he was "very honoured" by the trust placed in him. "For Europe and for all our fellow European citizens, I appreciate the importance of the challenges associated with this portfolio for the future of our country." The vetting of the EU's 28 commissioners, one for each member country, has taken longer than expected, and the EU executive is now expected to start its work on December 1, a month later than initially planned. MEPs also rejected the candidates from Hungary and Romania last month.

After setback, Emmanuel Macron unveils new pick for key EU post

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt.

The site known as the Tomb of the Kings in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem can now be visited during set hours twice per week, but visitors must pre-register online and pay a $3, 2.50 euros, the French consulate said.

Around 30 people,&nbsp;the most allowed at one time due to the sensitivity of the site,&nbsp;visited when the gates opened on Thursday morning, mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews who wanted to pray inside.

Around a dozen other ultra-Orthodox danced and prayed outside the gates while they waited for their turn to visit the 2,000-year-old tomb as police kept a close eye.

"This is a special event," said Yehuda Twerski, a 20-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew from New York studying religion in Jerusalem.

"We're going in there to pray. Perhaps with proper negotiations maybe it will be open more often to the public."

Ultra-Orthodox Jews describe the tomb as a holy burial site of ancient ancestors.

France had attempted to open the site to visitors in June after having kept it closed since 2010, initially due to renovations but later because attempts to contest its ownership complicated its reopening.

It however immediately re-closed the site after a group of more than a dozen ultra-Orthodox tried to enter and pray despite not having signed up as requested, shoving toward the gate.

The site is a remarkable example of a Roman-era tomb, considered among the largest in the region.

Its unique status, Jewish veneration of the burial site and its location in the disputed east of the city added to complications in reopening it.

Archaeological sites in east Jerusalem are often freighted with religious significance and questions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There had been a challenge at Israel's rabbinical court, which rules on matters related to Jewish law and holy sites, over access to the tomb and France's ownership.

Before reopening the site, France sought guarantees from Israel it would not face legal challenges as well as commitments on how visits would be managed.

Visitors are not allowed to descend into the tomb itself and can only visit the exterior, which includes ritual baths and an ancient frieze above its entry.

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt.

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt. The site known as the Tomb of the Kings in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem can now be visited during set hours twice per week, but visitors must pre-register online and pay a $3, 2.50 euros, the French consulate said. Around 30 people, the most allowed at one time due to the sensitivity of the site, visited when the gates opened on Thursday morning, mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews who wanted to pray inside. Around a dozen other ultra-Orthodox danced and prayed outside the gates while they waited for their turn to visit the 2,000-year-old tomb as police kept a close eye. "This is a special event," said Yehuda Twerski, a 20-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew from New York studying religion in Jerusalem. "We're going in there to pray. Perhaps with proper negotiations maybe it will be open more often to the public." Ultra-Orthodox Jews describe the tomb as a holy burial site of ancient ancestors. France had attempted to open the site to visitors in June after having kept it closed since 2010, initially due to renovations but later because attempts to contest its ownership complicated its reopening. It however immediately re-closed the site after a group of more than a dozen ultra-Orthodox tried to enter and pray despite not having signed up as requested, shoving toward the gate. The site is a remarkable example of a Roman-era tomb, considered among the largest in the region. Its unique status, Jewish veneration of the burial site and its location in the disputed east of the city added to complications in reopening it. Archaeological sites in east Jerusalem are often freighted with religious significance and questions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There had been a challenge at Israel's rabbinical court, which rules on matters related to Jewish law and holy sites, over access to the tomb and France's ownership. Before reopening the site, France sought guarantees from Israel it would not face legal challenges as well as commitments on how visits would be managed. Visitors are not allowed to descend into the tomb itself and can only visit the exterior, which includes ritual baths and an ancient frieze above its entry.

France reopens disputed ancient tomb in Jerusalem

French rail services ground to a halt in parts of the country Sunday as workers walked off the job for the third day in a dispute over train staffing levels.

Services in the Paris suburbs, the northeastern Champagne-Ardenne region and the southern Occitanie region, which includes Toulouse and Montpellier, were particularly affected.

The industrial action began on Friday after a train in north-east France slammed into a truck at a level crossing, leaving 11 people injured.

The train driver was himself among those hurt but being the sole employee of state railways company SNCF on board had to help take care of passengers.

Unions said the incident highlighted what they say is a problem of understaffing on trains, notably the absence of ticket inspectors on some lines.

Since Friday, staff have been exercising their "right to withdraw" their labour -- a clause that allows workers to walk off the job in case of "clear and present danger to their life or health."

SNCF's management has accused the workers of abusing that right to indulge in a wildcat strike on a busy weekend for train travel, at the start of the mid-autumn school holidays.

It argues that some train lines have not had ticket inspectors for decades.

French rail services ground to a halt in parts of the country Sunday as workers walked off the job for the third day in a dispute over train staffing levels. Services in the Paris suburbs, the northeastern Champagne-Ardenne region and the southern Occitanie region, which includes Toulouse and Montpellier, were particularly affected.

French rail services ground to a halt in parts of the country Sunday as workers walked off the job for the third day in a dispute over train staffing levels. Services in the Paris suburbs, the northeastern Champagne-Ardenne region and the southern Occitanie region, which includes Toulouse and Montpellier, were particularly affected. The industrial action began on Friday after a train in north-east France slammed into a truck at a level crossing, leaving 11 people injured. The train driver was himself among those hurt but being the sole employee of state railways company SNCF on board had to help take care of passengers. Unions said the incident highlighted what they say is a problem of understaffing on trains, notably the absence of ticket inspectors on some lines. Since Friday, staff have been exercising their "right to withdraw" their labour -- a clause that allows workers to walk off the job in case of "clear and present danger to their life or health." SNCF's management has accused the workers of abusing that right to indulge in a wildcat strike on a busy weekend for train travel, at the start of the mid-autumn school holidays. It argues that some train lines have not had ticket inspectors for decades.

French trains disrupted by wildcat strike

Substitute Ross Moriarty snatched a late winner as Wales floored 14-man France in a breathless World Cup quarter-final with echoes of 2011 on Sunday.

A moment of madness cost France in Oita after lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off for elbowing Aaron Wainwright nine minutes after half-time with his side leading by nine points.

Wales, paced by 10 points from fly-half Dan Biggar's perfect boot, face either South Africa or hosts Japan in the semi-finals next weekend after surviving a scare against the swashbuckling French.

Still haunted by the memory of a stinging 9-8 semi-final loss to France eight years ago, the Six Nations champions looked decidedly uncomfortable until Vahaamahina's rush of blood undid all of France's hard work.

The defeat also brought the curtain down on France coach Jacques Brunel's two-year spell in charge of the three-time World Cup finalists.

Vahaamahina had stunned the Welsh by bundling over from a lineout after just five minutes before France scored one of the tries of the tournament.

Roared on by chants of "Allez, Les Bleus!" flanker Charles Ollivon stormed through to complete a sweeping move involving Virimi Vakatawa, Romain Ntamack and scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

Back came Wales in an electrifying opening 12 minutes as flanker Wainwright pounced on a loose ruck on halfway to race clear for his first Test try.

Biggar slotted a penalty to bring the Six Nations champions to within two points.

But when a high tackle from substitute Ross Moriarty on Gael Fickou resulted in a yellow card, France made Wales pay as Damian Penaud released Vakatawa to grab France's third try on the half-hour mark.

French playmaker Ntamack struck the post with a penalty just before the break but the pendulum swung towards Wales after Vahaamahina's rush of blood.

Caught on camera recklessly swinging his elbow flush into Wainwright's face, it was only ever going to result in a red card.

His dismissal came as an ironic twist as then Welsh captain Sam Warburton received an early red card for a dangerous tip tackle on Vincent Clerc in that 2011 semi-final in Auckland.

Wales, who had won seven of their last eight games against France, were still made to work for it in a nail-biting finish.

But just when France looked like holding out for a famous victory, Moriarty popped up after a monstrous Welsh scrum.

Making up for his earlier indiscretion, the replacement forward bulldozed over six minutes from time before Biggar kicked the conversion that broke French hearts.

Substitute Ross Moriarty snatched a late winner as Wales floored 14-man France in a breathless World Cup quarter-final with echoes of 2011 on Sunday. A moment of madness cost France in Oita after lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off for elbowing Aaron Wainwright nine minutes after half-time with his side leading by nine points.

Substitute Ross Moriarty snatched a late winner as Wales floored 14-man France in a breathless World Cup quarter-final with echoes of 2011 on Sunday. A moment of madness cost France in Oita after lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off for elbowing Aaron Wainwright nine minutes after half-time with his side leading by nine points. Wales, paced by 10 points from fly-half Dan Biggar's perfect boot, face either South Africa or hosts Japan in the semi-finals next weekend after surviving a scare against the swashbuckling French. Still haunted by the memory of a stinging 9-8 semi-final loss to France eight years ago, the Six Nations champions looked decidedly uncomfortable until Vahaamahina's rush of blood undid all of France's hard work. The defeat also brought the curtain down on France coach Jacques Brunel's two-year spell in charge of the three-time World Cup finalists. Vahaamahina had stunned the Welsh by bundling over from a lineout after just five minutes before France scored one of the tries of the tournament. Roared on by chants of "Allez, Les Bleus!" flanker Charles Ollivon stormed through to complete a sweeping move involving Virimi Vakatawa, Romain Ntamack and scrum-half Antoine Dupont. Back came Wales in an electrifying opening 12 minutes as flanker Wainwright pounced on a loose ruck on halfway to race clear for his first Test try. Biggar slotted a penalty to bring the Six Nations champions to within two points. But when a high tackle from substitute Ross Moriarty on Gael Fickou resulted in a yellow card, France made Wales pay as Damian Penaud released Vakatawa to grab France's third try on the half-hour mark. French playmaker Ntamack struck the post with a penalty just before the break but the pendulum swung towards Wales after Vahaamahina's rush of blood. Caught on camera recklessly swinging his elbow flush into Wainwright's face, it was only ever going to result in a red card. His dismissal came as an ironic twist as then Welsh captain Sam Warburton received an early red card for a dangerous tip tackle on Vincent Clerc in that 2011 semi-final in Auckland. Wales, who had won seven of their last eight games against France, were still made to work for it in a nail-biting finish. But just when France looked like holding out for a famous victory, Moriarty popped up after a monstrous Welsh scrum. Making up for his earlier indiscretion, the replacement forward bulldozed over six minutes from time before Biggar kicked the conversion that broke French hearts.

Wales floor 14-man France to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals

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 - October 17th, 2019

Ahead of World Food Day, the World Food Programme (WFP) said more than 800 million people, one in nine people globally, are facing chronic hunger and are unable to meet their basic food requirements. WFP. World Food Day is marked on Wednesday (16 Oct). WFP said, for the most part, the causes of hunger remain the same – conflict, the climate crisis and economic marginalization.

More than 800 million people facing chronic hunger: World Food Programme

France must wait to claim a place at Euro 2020 after the world champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Turkey in a high-octane qualifying game on Monday.

Turkey's Kaan Ayhan equalised eight minutes from time after France substitute Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 76th as the visitors stayed top of Group H with 19 points from eight games, ahead of Les Bleus due to a 2-0 win in Konya last June.

Iceland is third on 15 points after goals by Arnor Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson earned a 2-0 home victory over Andorra, with Albania fourth on 12 points following a 4-0 away win against Moldova.

French police were on high alert after President Emmanuel Macron said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/day-5-of-turkeys-military-operation-in-syria-255702">Turkey's military operation </a>against Kurdish forces in Syria could lead to an “unsustainable humanitarian situation” and threatened to “help the Islamic State group re-emerge in the region".

With up to 40,000 Turkey fans expected at the stadium, some 1,000 police officers were on duty in and around the Stade de France to prevent potential crowd trouble, but the atmosphere remained peaceful throughout the evening.

"We could have avoided that goal," France coach Didier Deschamps said. "We did everything we needed to win that game, we had the chances, they didn't, but it is what it is.

"It's a good point. We'll have to finish the job in November," he added, saying Turkey, who have picked up four points against France, deserved to top the group.

"We are the two best teams in the group. Qualifiers are always complicated, it's a long road. We should have been more efficient. They defended a lot and they deserve to be where they are."

France take on Moldova and Turkey host Iceland in the next round of matches in November.

The world champions were still without injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, striker Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Paul Pogba, and Wissam Ben Yedder started up front in place of Giroud, who paid for his lack of playing time with Chelsea.

France were the most dangerous side as Turkey struggled to cope with the pace of Kingsley Coman but the visiting defence, which had conceded only two goals in qualifying so far, held firm.

France midfielder Moussa Sissoko's low shot was blocked by keeper Mert Gunok and Antoine Griezmann's curled shot went just wide as Les Bleus piled on the pressure.

Turkey, however, created a chance to opening the scoring on the hour only for Burak Yilmaz to sky his attempt over the bar at the end of a quick counter-attack.

With Ben Yedder struggling to find space, Deschamps replaced him with Giroud in the 72nd minute and it the substitute took four minutes to make an impact, heading home Griezmann's corner kick.

The hosts' joy, however, was short-lived as Turkey levelled six minutes later when Ayhan nodded in a free kick.

France must wait to claim a place at Euro 2020 after the world champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Turkey in a high-octane qualifying game on Monday. Turkey's Kaan Ayhan equalised eight minutes from time after France substitute Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 76th as the visitors stayed top of Group H with 19 points from eight games, ahead of Les Bleus due to a 2-0 win in Konya last June.

France must wait to claim a place at Euro 2020 after the world champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Turkey in a high-octane qualifying game on Monday. Turkey's Kaan Ayhan equalised eight minutes from time after France substitute Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 76th as the visitors stayed top of Group H with 19 points from eight games, ahead of Les Bleus due to a 2-0 win in Konya last June. Iceland is third on 15 points after goals by Arnor Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson earned a 2-0 home victory over Andorra, with Albania fourth on 12 points following a 4-0 away win against Moldova. French police were on high alert after President Emmanuel Macron said Turkey's military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria could lead to an “unsustainable humanitarian situation” and threatened to “help the Islamic State group re-emerge in the region". With up to 40,000 Turkey fans expected at the stadium, some 1,000 police officers were on duty in and around the Stade de France to prevent potential crowd trouble, but the atmosphere remained peaceful throughout the evening. "We could have avoided that goal," France coach Didier Deschamps said. "We did everything we needed to win that game, we had the chances, they didn't, but it is what it is. "It's a good point. We'll have to finish the job in November," he added, saying Turkey, who have picked up four points against France, deserved to top the group. "We are the two best teams in the group. Qualifiers are always complicated, it's a long road. We should have been more efficient. They defended a lot and they deserve to be where they are." France take on Moldova and Turkey host Iceland in the next round of matches in November. The world champions were still without injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, striker Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Paul Pogba, and Wissam Ben Yedder started up front in place of Giroud, who paid for his lack of playing time with Chelsea. France were the most dangerous side as Turkey struggled to cope with the pace of Kingsley Coman but the visiting defence, which had conceded only two goals in qualifying so far, held firm. France midfielder Moussa Sissoko's low shot was blocked by keeper Mert Gunok and Antoine Griezmann's curled shot went just wide as Les Bleus piled on the pressure. Turkey, however, created a chance to opening the scoring on the hour only for Burak Yilmaz to sky his attempt over the bar at the end of a quick counter-attack. With Ben Yedder struggling to find space, Deschamps replaced him with Giroud in the 72nd minute and it the substitute took four minutes to make an impact, heading home Griezmann's corner kick. The hosts' joy, however, was short-lived as Turkey levelled six minutes later when Ayhan nodded in a free kick.

Euro 2020 qualifier: Turkey hold world champions France

A French court on Monday sentenced five members of an all-female jihadist cell to between five and 30 years in prison over a failed bid to detonate a car bomb outside Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

The case is the first to involve a group of women attempting to stage an attack in France, which has been repeatedly targeted by jihadists since 2015, causing the loss of 255 lives.

The five women, aged between 22 and 42, were arrested after a car packed with gas cylinders was found parked near the bustling esplanade in front of the cathedral in the heart of the capital on November 4, 2016.

The two main defendants, Ines Madani and Ornella Gilligmann, had doused the car with diesel in the middle of the night and tried but failed to set it alight with a cigarette.

They were sentenced to 30 years and 25 years in prison respectively.

The women are believed to have been acting on the orders of Rachid Kassim, a French Islamic State (IS) propagandist also suspected of ordering the grisly murder of a French police couple at their home in June 2016.

Kassim is believed to have been killed in an air strike near the Iraqi city of Mosul in February 2017.

Madani, 22, was arrested a few days after the failed attack in a Paris suburb along with two other defendants, Sarah Hervouet and Amel Sakaou, who were each sentenced to 20 years.

The three burst out of the apartment to which they had been tracked down by police, brandishing knives.

Hervouet stabbed an officer in the shoulder, while Madani was shot in the leg.

Gilligmann was arrested in southern France.

A fifth woman, Samia Chalel, was also tried for allegedly helping hide Madani. She was sentenced to five years in prison.

The court heard how Madani posed as a male jihadist online to try recruit women for IS and won over Gilligmann in messages exchanged online.

Madani's lawyers described her as a lonely young woman with half-baked attack plans and a death wish -- a far cry from the prosecution's characterisation of a determined gang of would-be killers.

Madani told the court on Monday she regretted her actions.

"At the time all my plans involved death. Today, my plans are about life," she said.

Gilligmann, a married mother of three, spoke emotionally of the "shame" she had brought on her family and asked for forgiveness from the victims of terrorism.

Her lawyers argued she had acted out of love for a fictitious jihadist named Abou Junayd, for whom she left her husband.

A French court on Monday sentenced five members of an all-female jihadist cell to between five and 30 years in prison over a failed bid to detonate a car bomb outside Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

A French court on Monday sentenced five members of an all-female jihadist cell to between five and 30 years in prison over a failed bid to detonate a car bomb outside Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. The case is the first to involve a group of women attempting to stage an attack in France, which has been repeatedly targeted by jihadists since 2015, causing the loss of 255 lives. The five women, aged between 22 and 42, were arrested after a car packed with gas cylinders was found parked near the bustling esplanade in front of the cathedral in the heart of the capital on November 4, 2016. The two main defendants, Ines Madani and Ornella Gilligmann, had doused the car with diesel in the middle of the night and tried but failed to set it alight with a cigarette. They were sentenced to 30 years and 25 years in prison respectively. The women are believed to have been acting on the orders of Rachid Kassim, a French Islamic State (IS) propagandist also suspected of ordering the grisly murder of a French police couple at their home in June 2016. Kassim is believed to have been killed in an air strike near the Iraqi city of Mosul in February 2017. Madani, 22, was arrested a few days after the failed attack in a Paris suburb along with two other defendants, Sarah Hervouet and Amel Sakaou, who were each sentenced to 20 years. The three burst out of the apartment to which they had been tracked down by police, brandishing knives. Hervouet stabbed an officer in the shoulder, while Madani was shot in the leg. Gilligmann was arrested in southern France. A fifth woman, Samia Chalel, was also tried for allegedly helping hide Madani. She was sentenced to five years in prison. The court heard how Madani posed as a male jihadist online to try recruit women for IS and won over Gilligmann in messages exchanged online. Madani's lawyers described her as a lonely young woman with half-baked attack plans and a death wish -- a far cry from the prosecution's characterisation of a determined gang of would-be killers. Madani told the court on Monday she regretted her actions. "At the time all my plans involved death. Today, my plans are about life," she said. Gilligmann, a married mother of three, spoke emotionally of the "shame" she had brought on her family and asked for forgiveness from the victims of terrorism. Her lawyers argued she had acted out of love for a fictitious jihadist named Abou Junayd, for whom she left her husband.

French female jihadist gang sentenced to up to 30 years in jail

France welcomed on Tuesday the "positive momentum" in talks aimed at securing a deal on the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, an aide to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-vows-unrelenting-fight-against-islamist-terror-after-police-killings-254514">President Emmanuel Macron said</a>.

"There is a possibility of an accord, everyone recognises that. We're hoping for a deal but we don't know yet," the adviser said at a briefing for journalists ahead of a last-ditch EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

"We're hoping for a clear assessment tonight so we can know if there will be a deal or not," the adviser added, requesting anonymity to discuss the negotiations underway in Luxembourg.

There are no plans to hold any "technical talks" at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-merkel-and-frances-macron-to-meet-ahead-of-crunch-brexit-summit-254798">European Council meeting in Brussels</a>, which will be "a political moment to take note of the situation," the aide said.

The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said in Luxembourg earlier Tuesday that a deal with Britain could still be reached this week.

"This work has been intense all along the weekend and yesterday because even if the agreement will be difficult, more and more difficult to be frank, it's still possible this week," Barnier said before briefing the other 27 EU states on the state of the closed-door talks.

European diplomats said London has already given ground on customs rules for Northern Ireland, but must go further quickly if a deal is to be done this month, allowing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to fulfil his pledge to lead Britain out on October 31.

France welcomed on Tuesday the "positive momentum" in talks aimed at securing a deal on the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron said.

France welcomed on Tuesday the "positive momentum" in talks aimed at securing a deal on the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron said. "There is a possibility of an accord, everyone recognises that. We're hoping for a deal but we don't know yet," the adviser said at a briefing for journalists ahead of a last-ditch EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. "We're hoping for a clear assessment tonight so we can know if there will be a deal or not," the adviser added, requesting anonymity to discuss the negotiations underway in Luxembourg. There are no plans to hold any "technical talks" at the European Council meeting in Brussels, which will be "a political moment to take note of the situation," the aide said. The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said in Luxembourg earlier Tuesday that a deal with Britain could still be reached this week. "This work has been intense all along the weekend and yesterday because even if the agreement will be difficult, more and more difficult to be frank, it's still possible this week," Barnier said before briefing the other 27 EU states on the state of the closed-door talks. European diplomats said London has already given ground on customs rules for Northern Ireland, but must go further quickly if a deal is to be done this month, allowing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to fulfil his pledge to lead Britain out on October 31.

France sees 'positive momentum' for Brexit deal: Presidential aide

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-fire-main-structure-saved-president-emmanuel-macron-says-will-rebuild-paris-historic-cathedral-210759">Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral</a>, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday.

Of the total, 104 million euros have already been paid over by 350,000 donors, Franck Riester told journalists in Paris.

"It is far too early to say whether the amount will be enough," the minister said, adding "the government will assume its responsibilities; we will not leave Notre-Dame in the lurch."

Riester said the total had reached 922 million euros (just over $1 billion).&nbsp;

Three foundations and France's National Monuments Centre have been charged with raising money for rebuilding the cathedral, which saw a fire tearing through its roof on April 15, toppling its historic spire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-fire-under-control-partially-extinguished-210772">There is no consensus on how the Notre-Dame</a> should look after reconstruction, with some arguing for the spire to be rebuilt exactly as it was, and others making the case for innovation.

On Tuesday, the project's chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the reconstruction can be done within five years if it is re-made to look as it did before.

France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord to firm up a pledge of 200 million euros ($220 million). The signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday.

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday. Of the total, 104 million euros have already been paid over by 350,000 donors, Franck Riester told journalists in Paris. "It is far too early to say whether the amount will be enough," the minister said, adding "the government will assume its responsibilities; we will not leave Notre-Dame in the lurch." Riester said the total had reached 922 million euros (just over $1 billion). Three foundations and France's National Monuments Centre have been charged with raising money for rebuilding the cathedral, which saw a fire tearing through its roof on April 15, toppling its historic spire. There is no consensus on how the Notre-Dame should look after reconstruction, with some arguing for the spire to be rebuilt exactly as it was, and others making the case for innovation. On Tuesday, the project's chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the reconstruction can be done within five years if it is re-made to look as it did before. France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord to firm up a pledge of 200 million euros ($220 million). The signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

Nearly one billion euros raised, pledged for rebuilding Notre-Dame

France said Sunday it was "worried" after Kurdish authorities reported that hundreds of relatives of foreign jihadists had escaped from a displacement camp in northern Syria in an area under Turkish assault.

France said Sunday it was "worried" after Kurdish authorities reported that hundreds of relatives of foreign jihadists had escaped from a displacement camp in northern Syria in an area under Turkish assault. France has been hit by a wave of jihadist attacks since 2015, many claimed or inspired by the Islamic State group, and has expressed concerns that a Turkish assault on Kurdish forces at the helm of the fight against IS in Syria would bolster the radicals. Kurdish authorities and foreign powers have warned repeatedly that fighting could allow jihadists to break out of captivity. "Of course we are worried about what could happen and that is why we want Turkey... to end" the assault "as quickly as possible", government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye told France 3 television. She was reacting to the Kurdish administration in northern Syria announcing that Turkish bombardment near a displaced people's camp had caused nearly 800 relatives of IS members to flee. Kurdish forces also claimed that five IS jihadists escaped Friday from a prison in the northeast. "I do not know, today, who exactly the people are who fled from the camp; it has been a worry for France since the beginning of this armed intervention," said Ndiaye. Families of jihadists in Syria, meanwhile, urged the government Sunday to repatriate French-born fighters and their children, following news of the breakout. A grouping calling itself the "Collective of Unified Families" urged Paris in a statement Sunday "to urgently repatriate the innocent French children trapped in the war in Syria, and for security reasons... to repatriate their parents as well." France, which accounts for the largest number of European jihadists in Syria, insists that jihadists fighting abroad must be tried in the country where they are apprehended but has recently allowed back a handful of adults and several children of jihadists. Paris maintains it will consider the files of citizens held in northeastern Syria on a case-by-case basis, and Ndiaye said Sunday the policy remains unchanged. Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has referred to French-born IS fighters as "enemies" of the nation. 'Humanitarian crisis' The families collective urged the government to act "before the situation gets worse, before innocent children are killed or injured... before the foreign prisoners disperse in the Syrian chaos". Fighting has engulfed northern Syria since Wednesday when Ankara launched a long-threatened offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it considers "terrorists" linked to insurgents in Turkey. US President Donald Trump has been accused of abandoning a loyal ally in the fight against IS after ordering American troops to pull back from the border. Ndiaye said that in a call to Trump on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron had pressed upon him France's concerns about the Turkish offensive, and underlined the need to prevent a resurgence of IS in the region. France and Germany on Saturday suspended arms exports to Turkey. Ndiaye said there were also fears for a "serious humanitarian crisis" in Syria, where the number of people fleeing has soared to 130,000. Following protests by thousands of members of France's Kurdish community on Saturday, some 300 gathered Sunday in the southern city of Toulouse to denounce Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an "assassin" and accuse Europe of doing little to nothing. "If your life is peaceful, if you can sleep well at night, if there are no more attacks around you, it is thanks to the battle of the Kurds" against IS, said the group's spokesman Nafiye Atac.

France 'worried' after nearly 800 IS relatives escape Syrian camp

A delegation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-arrests-four-aides-of-hafiz-saeed-ahead-of-fatf-meet-255068">Pakistani officials</a> on Sunday evening left for Paris to attend a crucial session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the French capital where the global terror financing watchdog is due to announce its decision on the country's 'Grey List' status. 
 
The delegation, headed by Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, comprised Additional Secretary, Finance, Sohail Rajput along with the representatives of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), who will be attending the meeting on October 14 and 15, Geo News reported. 
 
The watchdog had placed Pakistan on its Grey List in June 2018 and came up with a 27-point Action Plan for graduating it within a year period. 
 
It included safeguards against money-laundering and terror-financing by banned outfits and non-government entities through banking and non-banking jurisdictions, capital markets, corporate and non-corporate sectors like chartered accountancy, financial advisory services, cost and management accountancy firm, jewellery and similar related services. 
 
Sources revealed that a compliance report prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan will be scrutinised in the presence of Azhar. 
According to FATF, if Pakistan fails to meet the implementation of the 27-point plan, the country could be blacklisted. 
 
In August 2019, the Asia Pacific Joint Group (APJG) of the FATF had placed Pakistan in the Enhanced Follow up list for failure to meet its standards. This was based on its technical compliance being rated as satisfactory on only 10 points out of 40. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fatf-meet-to-begin-in-paris-today-outcome-to-decide-paks-fate-on-terror-listing-255569">Of the 40 technical compliance parameters, Pakistan was 'non-compliant' on 30 parametres</a>. And, of the 11 effectiveness parametres, Pakistan was adjudged as 'low' on 10. 
 
Diplomatic sources, other than those in India and Pakistan, are abuzz on what to do with Pakistan at the FATF. Pakistan has reached out to all member nations stating that it was progressing in completing its Action Plan and placing it on the Black List would push it into an economic quagmire, slowing down its transactions and trade, which would impact its ability to repay the IMF loans. 
 
Some diplomats, especially from the USA and from Europe, are of the view that blacklisting, if unaccompanied by countermeasures, would not, significantly impact the Pakistani economy, while it would surely push the country to complete the Action Plan must faster. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-prepares-compliance-report-as-fatf-meeting-approaches-254992">Pakistan has been on the Grey List since 2008</a>. Therefore, giving it more time would make a mockery of FATF procedures, especially when Iran is on the verge of being moved to countermeasures. 
 
According to reports, Islamabad has been engaged in hectic lobbying in a last-ditch bid to influence the outcome in its favour. This year, Pakistan's all-weather ally China holds the presidency of the FATF. 
 
It is highly anticipated that Islamabad will ask Beijing to stridently back it at the plenary meeting to prevent it from blacklisting.

A delegation of Pakistani officials on Sunday evening left for Paris to attend a crucial session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the French capital where the global terror financing watchdog is due to announce its decision on the country's 'Grey List' status.

A delegation of Pakistani officials on Sunday evening left for Paris to attend a crucial session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the French capital where the global terror financing watchdog is due to announce its decision on the country's 'Grey List' status. The delegation, headed by Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, comprised Additional Secretary, Finance, Sohail Rajput along with the representatives of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), who will be attending the meeting on October 14 and 15, Geo News reported. The watchdog had placed Pakistan on its Grey List in June 2018 and came up with a 27-point Action Plan for graduating it within a year period. It included safeguards against money-laundering and terror-financing by banned outfits and non-government entities through banking and non-banking jurisdictions, capital markets, corporate and non-corporate sectors like chartered accountancy, financial advisory services, cost and management accountancy firm, jewellery and similar related services. Sources revealed that a compliance report prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan will be scrutinised in the presence of Azhar. According to FATF, if Pakistan fails to meet the implementation of the 27-point plan, the country could be blacklisted. In August 2019, the Asia Pacific Joint Group (APJG) of the FATF had placed Pakistan in the Enhanced Follow up list for failure to meet its standards. This was based on its technical compliance being rated as satisfactory on only 10 points out of 40. Of the 40 technical compliance parameters, Pakistan was 'non-compliant' on 30 parametres. And, of the 11 effectiveness parametres, Pakistan was adjudged as 'low' on 10. Diplomatic sources, other than those in India and Pakistan, are abuzz on what to do with Pakistan at the FATF. Pakistan has reached out to all member nations stating that it was progressing in completing its Action Plan and placing it on the Black List would push it into an economic quagmire, slowing down its transactions and trade, which would impact its ability to repay the IMF loans. Some diplomats, especially from the USA and from Europe, are of the view that blacklisting, if unaccompanied by countermeasures, would not, significantly impact the Pakistani economy, while it would surely push the country to complete the Action Plan must faster. Pakistan has been on the Grey List since 2008. Therefore, giving it more time would make a mockery of FATF procedures, especially when Iran is on the verge of being moved to countermeasures. According to reports, Islamabad has been engaged in hectic lobbying in a last-ditch bid to influence the outcome in its favour. This year, Pakistan's all-weather ally China holds the presidency of the FATF. It is highly anticipated that Islamabad will ask Beijing to stridently back it at the plenary meeting to prevent it from blacklisting.

Pakistan delegation leaves for Paris to attend Financial Action Task Force meeting

One day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/massive-fire-at-notre-dame-cathedral-210794">blaze that scarred Notre-Dame,</a> President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

"We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019.

"And we can do it," he added.

But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated.

Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks.

There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution.

Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction.

It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021.

It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris.

Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year.

The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze.

The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months.

"This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral.

With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building.

"It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church.

He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public.

But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new.

Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible.

"Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans.

Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined.

"We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said.

In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral.

There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised.

But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros.

A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

The consortium of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaires-and-private-donors-mobilise-to-rebuild-notre-dame-210887">fundraising groups behind the drive</a> believes that $890,000&nbsp;can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged.

But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again.

"I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place.

"I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells. "We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019. "And we can do it," he added. But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated. Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks. There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution. Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction. It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021. It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris. Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year. The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze. The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months. "This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral. With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building. "It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church. He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public. But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new. Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible. "Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans. Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined. "We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said. In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral. There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised. But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros. A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October. The consortium of fundraising groups behind the drive believes that $890,000 can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged. But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again. "I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place. "I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

Six months on, Notre-Dame's rebirth still years away

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year.

Both games were in the projected path of the large and powerful typhoon, which currently has a "violent" rating -- the highest category by Japan's weather bureau -- and is due to hit the Tokyo area on Saturday.

Sunday's four games, including the Pool A shoot-out between hosts Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, near Tokyo, remain under review, said tournament director Alan Gilpin.

"We've taken the very difficult decision to cancel certain matches in the affected areas," Gilpin said.&nbsp;

"While it's regrettable, we've made, we believe, the right decision with everyone's safety as the priority," he added.

Tens of thousands of fans, many of the visitors from abroad, will be affected by the cancellations,&nbsp;the first in the tournament's 32-year history. Their tickets will be fully refunded, Gilpin said.

Japan, whose capital Tokyo hosts the Olympics next year, is battered by around 20 typhoons per year and is one of the world's most seismically active countries.

But Gilpin stressed he had "no regrets at all" about bringing the World Cup to Japan, the first Asian country to host the tournament.

"I think what you've all seen over the last three weeks absolutely in every respect vindicates the right decisions to be hosting a World Cup here in Japan," he said.

"We always knew there were going to be risks. It's rare for a typhoon of this magnitude to cause this impact this late in the typhoon season."

He added that World Rugby had looked "pretty exhaustively" at other options for the games, including switching venues, but "we couldn't guarantee consistent contingency plans across all those games safely for all the teams and fans involved".

Seven games were slated for the final weekend of the pool stage, when matches are tightly packed and cannot be rescheduled. Cancelled games are recorded as 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points.

England and France have already qualified from Pool C, with Eddie Jones's men top of the group, but Pool A hangs in the balance ahead of Japan's final game against Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday.

If that game were abandoned, Scotland would be eliminated and Japan would qualify for their first quarter-final as shock group winners, with Ireland runners-up.

Australia's game against Georgia on Friday will go ahead, as will Saturday's match between Ireland and Samoa, which is in Fukuoka in Japan's southwest, out of the predicted path of the storm.

Hagibis, packing maximum gusts of up to 270 kilometres&nbsp;per hour, is currently projected to batter the Tokyo and Yokohama area on Saturday.

The storm "is predicted to be the biggest typhoon of the 2019 season and is highly likely to cause considerable disruption... including likely public transport shutdown and disruption", said Gilpin.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said Hagibis was currently "a large and violent typhoon" and while it will weaken before hitting the mainland, it will "remain very strong" and have a "significant impact over large areas".&nbsp;

Hagibis is currently forecast to clip the southeastern corner of Japan near Tokyo and Yokohama but given its size, the impact will be felt across wide swathes of the country.

Formula One organisers also said they were "closely monitoring" the potential impact of Hagibis ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, southwest of Tokyo.

In 2014, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi crashed in bad weather conditions caused by a typhoon, and remained in a coma until his death the following July.

Many people in Chiba, east of Tokyo, are still recovering from Typhoon Faxai, which struck Japan in early September and caused widespread disruption, leaving two people dead and cutting power to half-a-million homes.

Hagibis is taking a similar trajectory to Faxai but is nearly three times bigger in terms of area.

Organisers received immediate criticism for the cancellations, with former World Cup winner Francois Pienaar telling Sky Sports: "Everybody has worked so hard. Why, if you work that hard and prepare yourself, let weather influence the outcome of the match? It shouldn't."

Simon Learey, a British fan here, said he had flown out for the England-France game after getting the tickets as a birthday present.

"Very disappointed, we're only here four days, only to see that game," said Learey.

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year.

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year. Both games were in the projected path of the large and powerful typhoon, which currently has a "violent" rating -- the highest category by Japan's weather bureau -- and is due to hit the Tokyo area on Saturday. Sunday's four games, including the Pool A shoot-out between hosts Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, near Tokyo, remain under review, said tournament director Alan Gilpin. "We've taken the very difficult decision to cancel certain matches in the affected areas," Gilpin said. "While it's regrettable, we've made, we believe, the right decision with everyone's safety as the priority," he added. Tens of thousands of fans, many of the visitors from abroad, will be affected by the cancellations, the first in the tournament's 32-year history. Their tickets will be fully refunded, Gilpin said. Japan, whose capital Tokyo hosts the Olympics next year, is battered by around 20 typhoons per year and is one of the world's most seismically active countries. But Gilpin stressed he had "no regrets at all" about bringing the World Cup to Japan, the first Asian country to host the tournament. "I think what you've all seen over the last three weeks absolutely in every respect vindicates the right decisions to be hosting a World Cup here in Japan," he said. "We always knew there were going to be risks. It's rare for a typhoon of this magnitude to cause this impact this late in the typhoon season." He added that World Rugby had looked "pretty exhaustively" at other options for the games, including switching venues, but "we couldn't guarantee consistent contingency plans across all those games safely for all the teams and fans involved". Seven games were slated for the final weekend of the pool stage, when matches are tightly packed and cannot be rescheduled. Cancelled games are recorded as 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points. England and France have already qualified from Pool C, with Eddie Jones's men top of the group, but Pool A hangs in the balance ahead of Japan's final game against Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday. If that game were abandoned, Scotland would be eliminated and Japan would qualify for their first quarter-final as shock group winners, with Ireland runners-up. Australia's game against Georgia on Friday will go ahead, as will Saturday's match between Ireland and Samoa, which is in Fukuoka in Japan's southwest, out of the predicted path of the storm. Hagibis, packing maximum gusts of up to 270 kilometres per hour, is currently projected to batter the Tokyo and Yokohama area on Saturday. The storm "is predicted to be the biggest typhoon of the 2019 season and is highly likely to cause considerable disruption... including likely public transport shutdown and disruption", said Gilpin. Japan's Meteorological Agency said Hagibis was currently "a large and violent typhoon" and while it will weaken before hitting the mainland, it will "remain very strong" and have a "significant impact over large areas". Hagibis is currently forecast to clip the southeastern corner of Japan near Tokyo and Yokohama but given its size, the impact will be felt across wide swathes of the country. Formula One organisers also said they were "closely monitoring" the potential impact of Hagibis ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, southwest of Tokyo. In 2014, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi crashed in bad weather conditions caused by a typhoon, and remained in a coma until his death the following July. Many people in Chiba, east of Tokyo, are still recovering from Typhoon Faxai, which struck Japan in early September and caused widespread disruption, leaving two people dead and cutting power to half-a-million homes. Hagibis is taking a similar trajectory to Faxai but is nearly three times bigger in terms of area. Organisers received immediate criticism for the cancellations, with former World Cup winner Francois Pienaar telling Sky Sports: "Everybody has worked so hard. Why, if you work that hard and prepare yourself, let weather influence the outcome of the match? It shouldn't." Simon Learey, a British fan here, said he had flown out for the England-France game after getting the tickets as a birthday present. "Very disappointed, we're only here four days, only to see that game," said Learey.

Two World Cup games axed as super typhoon bears down on Japan

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-officers-killed-in-paris-police-headquarters-attack-report-253539">four Paris police staff stabbed to death </a>last week by a radicalized colleague.

Mickael Harpon, a 45-year-old computer expert in the police intelligence-gathering department, used a kitchen knife and an oyster shucker to kill three male and one female colleague in a 30-minute rampage that ended when an officer shot him in the head.

The attack in the police's inner sanctum caused shock in France, where the government is being pressed to answer how Harpon's radicalisation went unnoticed, despite him having high-level security clearance.

"We will wage an unrelenting fight in the face of Islamist terrorism," Macron vowed at a ceremony at the police headquarters near Notre-Dame cathedral where the attack took place.

Macron said it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that Harpon, who had worked for the police since 2003, had managed to carry out an attack "in the very place where we pursue terrorists and criminals".

He blamed the attack on "a distorted, deadly Islam" which he vowed to eradicate and vowed to build in France a "society in a state of vigilance".

At the same time, he warned against lapsing into a climate of permanent suspicion, assuring: "This is not a fight against a religion but against the distortion of it which leads to terrorism."&nbsp;

Thursday's attack brought to 255 the number of people killed in attacks blamed on, or claimed by Islamist radicals since 2015.

Harpon, a father of two, had converted to Islam about 10 years ago and adopted increasingly radical beliefs.

He had been in close contact with a hardline Salafist imam in the months before his rampage last week, according to investigators.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the four Paris police staff stabbed to death last week by a radicalized colleague.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the four Paris police staff stabbed to death last week by a radicalized colleague. Mickael Harpon, a 45-year-old computer expert in the police intelligence-gathering department, used a kitchen knife and an oyster shucker to kill three male and one female colleague in a 30-minute rampage that ended when an officer shot him in the head. The attack in the police's inner sanctum caused shock in France, where the government is being pressed to answer how Harpon's radicalisation went unnoticed, despite him having high-level security clearance. "We will wage an unrelenting fight in the face of Islamist terrorism," Macron vowed at a ceremony at the police headquarters near Notre-Dame cathedral where the attack took place. Macron said it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that Harpon, who had worked for the police since 2003, had managed to carry out an attack "in the very place where we pursue terrorists and criminals". He blamed the attack on "a distorted, deadly Islam" which he vowed to eradicate and vowed to build in France a "society in a state of vigilance". At the same time, he warned against lapsing into a climate of permanent suspicion, assuring: "This is not a fight against a religion but against the distortion of it which leads to terrorism." Thursday's attack brought to 255 the number of people killed in attacks blamed on, or claimed by Islamist radicals since 2015. Harpon, a father of two, had converted to Islam about 10 years ago and adopted increasingly radical beliefs. He had been in close contact with a hardline Salafist imam in the months before his rampage last week, according to investigators.

Macron vows 'unrelenting fight' against Islamist terror after police killings

The European Union's two most powerful leaders, Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, will meet just days <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-brexit-minister-to-meet-eu-negotiator-thursday-london-254756">before a crunch Brexit summit next week</a> which Britain says is the last chance to secure an orderly departure from the bloc.

As the clock ticks down to the October 31 departure date, Brexit descended into a public row between London and Brussels this week as both sides position for another delay followed by an election or an acrimonious divorce.

After a Downing Street source said a Brexit deal was essentially impossible because German Chancellor Merkel had made unacceptable demands, the EU accused Johnson of playing a "stupid blame game".&nbsp;

Macron will meet Merkel at the Elysee Palace this coming Sunday to discuss European affairs ahead of the October&nbsp;17-18 EU summit and preparations for a Franco-German summit on October&nbsp;16, Macron's office said.

EU diplomats, though, are sceptical about the chances of a deal. Most expect Johnson to be forced to accept a delay to Brexit - a step that could ultimately lead to either a disorderly exit or the reversal of the entire Brexit endeavour.

"There will be no rabbit-out-of-the-hat solutions," one EU official told Reuters. "There will be more talks and more political contacts. But, for the time being, there is no breakthrough to be reported."

Johnson has repeatedly cast the EU summit next week as the last chance for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irish-pm-says-very-difficult-to-secure-brexit-deal-by-next-week-254692">EU to strike a deal or face the disruption of a no-deal Brexit</a> that would divide the West, threaten the unity of the United Kingdom and roil financial markets.

A week ago, he proposed a possible solution to ensure the border between the British-ruled province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland does not become a backdoor into the EU's single market and customs union.

The EU's cool reaction to his proposals indicates that, short of an unexpected last-minute breakthrough, Johnson will have to decide whether to accept another delay or to go for a no-deal Brexit and get around a law demanding the&nbsp;extension.

Johnson's Brexit

The EU's executive agreed on Wednesday with the assessment of the bloc's Brexit negotiator that the British proposals did "not represent a satisfactory solution", the bloc's top budget official, Guenther Oettinger, said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-ready-to-make-major-concession-on-brexit-deal-the-times-newspaper-254717">In the Brexit maelstrom where newspaper reports and contradictory tweets can send sterling into gyrations</a>, EU officials denied a report in The Times that the bloc was preparing a major concession to Britain to secure a Brexit deal.

"Unfortunately, no bold new offer is coming from the EU side at this stage," an EU official said while stressing that the bloc was not closing the door to more talks with Britain.

Britain's Brexit minister Steve Barclay was due to have lunch with EU chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, on Thursday "to check if there is any more flexibility on the UK side to head for a deal. For now, there seems to be none," a diplomat said.

Behind the rhetoric, the Brexit finale will ultimately be decided by Merkel, Macron, Johnson, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar - all of whom say they want an orderly exit.

Johnson and Varadkar could meet later this week.

With chances of a deal receding, the focus was turning back to British domestic politics where Johnson is under intense pressure from opponents to delay Brexit.

Anti-Brexit campaigners claimed victory after Scotland's highest court decided on Wednesday to wait before ruling whether to force Johnson to seek a delay to Britain's EU divorce date if he has not struck a deal in the next ten days.

British government lawyers had told the court that Johnson accepted that he must carry out the requirements of the law demanding a delay, even though he has publicly rejected asking for any further extension.

The European Union's two most powerful leaders, Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, will meet just days before a crunch Brexit summit next week which Britain says is the last chance to secure an orderly departure from the bloc.

The European Union's two most powerful leaders, Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, will meet just days before a crunch Brexit summit next week which Britain says is the last chance to secure an orderly departure from the bloc. As the clock ticks down to the October 31 departure date, Brexit descended into a public row between London and Brussels this week as both sides position for another delay followed by an election or an acrimonious divorce. After a Downing Street source said a Brexit deal was essentially impossible because German Chancellor Merkel had made unacceptable demands, the EU accused Johnson of playing a "stupid blame game". Macron will meet Merkel at the Elysee Palace this coming Sunday to discuss European affairs ahead of the October 17-18 EU summit and preparations for a Franco-German summit on October 16, Macron's office said. EU diplomats, though, are sceptical about the chances of a deal. Most expect Johnson to be forced to accept a delay to Brexit - a step that could ultimately lead to either a disorderly exit or the reversal of the entire Brexit endeavour. "There will be no rabbit-out-of-the-hat solutions," one EU official told Reuters. "There will be more talks and more political contacts. But, for the time being, there is no breakthrough to be reported." Johnson has repeatedly cast the EU summit next week as the last chance for the EU to strike a deal or face the disruption of a no-deal Brexit that would divide the West, threaten the unity of the United Kingdom and roil financial markets. A week ago, he proposed a possible solution to ensure the border between the British-ruled province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland does not become a backdoor into the EU's single market and customs union. The EU's cool reaction to his proposals indicates that, short of an unexpected last-minute breakthrough, Johnson will have to decide whether to accept another delay or to go for a no-deal Brexit and get around a law demanding the extension. Johnson's Brexit The EU's executive agreed on Wednesday with the assessment of the bloc's Brexit negotiator that the British proposals did "not represent a satisfactory solution", the bloc's top budget official, Guenther Oettinger, said. In the Brexit maelstrom where newspaper reports and contradictory tweets can send sterling into gyrations, EU officials denied a report in The Times that the bloc was preparing a major concession to Britain to secure a Brexit deal. "Unfortunately, no bold new offer is coming from the EU side at this stage," an EU official said while stressing that the bloc was not closing the door to more talks with Britain. Britain's Brexit minister Steve Barclay was due to have lunch with EU chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, on Thursday "to check if there is any more flexibility on the UK side to head for a deal. For now, there seems to be none," a diplomat said. Behind the rhetoric, the Brexit finale will ultimately be decided by Merkel, Macron, Johnson, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar - all of whom say they want an orderly exit. Johnson and Varadkar could meet later this week. With chances of a deal receding, the focus was turning back to British domestic politics where Johnson is under intense pressure from opponents to delay Brexit. Anti-Brexit campaigners claimed victory after Scotland's highest court decided on Wednesday to wait before ruling whether to force Johnson to seek a delay to Britain's EU divorce date if he has not struck a deal in the next ten days. British government lawyers had told the court that Johnson accepted that he must carry out the requirements of the law demanding a delay, even though he has publicly rejected asking for any further extension.

Germany's Merkel and France's Macron to meet ahead of crunch Brexit summit

Indian Defence Minister to perform 'Shastra Puja' in France before receiving first Rafale Jet. Basically, 'Shastra Puja' is the tradition of Indian culture to worship the arms before using it. Watch this video to know more.

Indian rituals in France before receiving first Rafale Jet, 'Shastra Puja' to be done

Big Boost For Indian Air Force, India Receives The First Of Its Long-Awaited Rafale Fighter Jets It's a big day for Indian Air Force. India has finally received the first of its long-awaited Rafale fighter jets. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh went to Bordeaux to take the delivery of the jets.

Gravitas: India Gets Its First Rafale Fighter Jet

France to handover first Rafale Jet to India out of 36, Rajnath Singh arrived in France to receive. Watch this video to know more.

France to handover first Rafale Jet to India out of 36, Rajnath Singh arrived in France to recieve

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has taken the official handover of first Indian Rafale jet from France. The defence minister performed a Shastra puja on the aircraf

Rajanth Singh takes his 1st sortie in Rafale jet

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday took "delivery" of the first of the 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from Dassault Aviation for the Indian Air Force in the French town of Bordeaux.

India gets its 1st Rafale aircraft; 4 jets will arrive by May 2020

Rajnath Singh receives first Rafale jet, performs 'Shastra pooja'. Watch video to know more.

Rajnath Singh receives first Rafale jet, performs 'Shastra pooja'

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Arrives At Handover Ceremony Of Rafale Jet. Watch video to know more.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Arrives At Handover Ceremony Of Rafale Jet

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