Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wrote to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-macron-hopes-to-rebuild-notre-dame-in-five-years-211025">French President Emmanuel Macron in the aftermath of the devastating fire in Notre-dame</a> cathedral in Paris.&nbsp;

Expressing shock and sadness over the devastating fire, PM Modi conveyed his solidarity and the solidarity of the people of India with the people of France.

He called the incident a national loss for France and commended the French determination to rebuild the landmark cathedral.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> has conveyed his shock &amp; sadness on devastation caused by the fire at the iconic cathedral in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paris?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/notredame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#notredame</a>. In a letter written to French President <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EmmanuelMacron</a>, PM has expressed India's solidarity with President &amp; people of France on this national loss.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1118147471199408128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier the Indian embassy in France tweeted and called the incident heartbreaking.

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Nous sommes profondément choqués par l'incendie tragique qui a éclaté à la cathédrale historique et emblématique Notre-Dame de Paris. C’est déchirant. Nous sommes aux côtés des Parisiens et des Français pendant ce moment difficile. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a>
— India in France (@Indian_Embassy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Indian_Embassy/status/1117870052718542853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The French envoy to India Alexandre Ziegler in a tweet said that he is "deeply moved by the outpouring of messages sent from all over India after the fire at the Notre-dame. It’s also in such times that one can gauge the value of friendship. Thank you India!" the tweet read.&nbsp;

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Deeply moved by the outpouring of messages sent from all over India after the fire at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> de Paris. It’s also in such times that one can gauge the value of friendship. Thank you India! 🇫🇷🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/jb0ZxkZ2Fa">pic.twitter.com/jb0ZxkZ2Fa</a>
— Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/FranceinIndia/status/1118035757329829894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A massive fire engulfed the iconic cathedral on Monday evening, destroying its roof and causing the spire to fall down. The cathedral has been dominating Paris's skyline with millions of tourist visited it annually.

The scenes of fire engulfing the Paris landmark has shocked Europe and the rest of the world. World leaders from US President Trump to China's Xi Jinping have been expressing their support to France after the mishap. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron in the aftermath of the devastating fire in Notre-dame cathedral in Paris. Expressing shock and sadness over the devastating fire, PM Modi conveyed his solidarity and the solidarity of the people of India with the people of France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron in the aftermath of the devastating fire in Notre-dame cathedral in Paris. Expressing shock and sadness over the devastating fire, PM Modi conveyed his solidarity and the solidarity of the people of India with the people of France. He called the incident a national loss for France and commended the French determination to rebuild the landmark cathedral. PM @narendramodi has conveyed his shock & sadness on devastation caused by the fire at the iconic cathedral in #paris #notredame. In a letter written to French President @EmmanuelMacron, PM has expressed India's solidarity with President & people of France on this national loss. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 16, 2019 × Earlier the Indian embassy in France tweeted and called the incident heartbreaking. Nous sommes profondément choqués par l'incendie tragique qui a éclaté à la cathédrale historique et emblématique Notre-Dame de Paris. C’est déchirant. Nous sommes aux côtés des Parisiens et des Français pendant ce moment difficile. #NotreDame — India in France (@Indian_Embassy) April 15, 2019 × The French envoy to India Alexandre Ziegler in a tweet said that he is "deeply moved by the outpouring of messages sent from all over India after the fire at the Notre-dame. It’s also in such times that one can gauge the value of friendship. Thank you India!" the tweet read. Deeply moved by the outpouring of messages sent from all over India after the fire at #NotreDame de Paris. It’s also in such times that one can gauge the value of friendship. Thank you India! 🇫🇷🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jb0ZxkZ2Fa — Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) April 16, 2019 × A massive fire engulfed the iconic cathedral on Monday evening, destroying its roof and causing the spire to fall down. The cathedral has been dominating Paris's skyline with millions of tourist visited it annually. The scenes of fire engulfing the Paris landmark has shocked Europe and the rest of the world. World leaders from US President Trump to China's Xi Jinping have been expressing their support to France after the mishap.

Notre-Dame fire: Prime Minister Modi writes to French President; expresses solidarity

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-broke-out-in-al-aqsa-mosque-as-notre-dame-cathedral-burned-210982">fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral</a>, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol.

Macron devoted a brief prime-time televised address to Monday's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901"> catastrophic blaze </a>in the heart of the capital, again postponing planned remarks on his response to months of anti-government protests.

"We will rebuild<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaires-and-private-donors-mobilise-to-rebuild-notre-dame-210887"> Notre-Dame</a> even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years, we can do it," Macron said.

"It is up to us to convert this disaster into an opportunity to come together, having deeply reflected on what we have been and what we have to be and become better than we are. It is up to us to find the thread of our national project."

"This is not a time for politics," added Macron, who had cancelled a speech planned on Monday evening on the response to the "yellow vest" protests.

He visited the site of the fire late on Monday and promised then to rebuild the cathedral, parts of which date to the 12th century.

The cathedral spire was destroyed and its roof gutted but the bell towers were still standing and many valuable art works were saved after more than 400 firemen worked to contain the blaze, finally quelling it 14 hours after it began.

As the city and the country grieved for a potent national symbol, billionaires, companies and local authorities were quick to offer donations.

Some 24 hours after the fire started, more than 750 million euros ($845 million) had been pledged, including 500 million from the three billionaire families that own France's giant luxury goods empires: Kering, LVMH and L'Oreal.

Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said there was no obvious indication the fire was arson. Fifty people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, officials said.

The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's oak roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to the spire's timber-framed supports. Police began questioning the workers involved, the prosecutor's office said.

One firefighter was injured but no one else was hurt, with the fire starting at around 6:30 p.m. after the building was closed to the public for the evening.

Firefighters examined the facade, with its spectacular 10-metre filigreed stained-glass rose window still intact. They could be seen walking atop the belfries as police kept the area in lockdown.

Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound.

"Yesterday we thought the whole cathedral would collapse. Yet this morning she is still standing, valiant, despite everything," said Sister Marie Aimee, a nun who had hurried to a nearby church to pray as the flames spread.

"CATHEDRAL OF THE PEOPLE"

Messages of condolence flooded in from around the world.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, was praying for those affected, the Vatican said, adding: "Notre-Dame will always remain - and we have seen this in these hours - a place where believers and non-believers can come together in the most dramatic moments of French history."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth expressed deep sadness while her son and heir Prince Charles said he was "utterly heartbroken". Chancellor Angela Merkel offered German help to rebuild a part of "our common European heritage".

Considered among the finest examples of European Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is visited by more than 13 million people a year. It sits on an island in the Seine, overlooking the Left Bank hangouts of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso.

"Notre-Dame de Paris is the cathedral of the people, of the people of Paris, of the French people, of the people of the world. It is part of those references of our history, of what we have in common, of what we share," said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

It was at Notre-Dame that Henry VI of England was crowned "King of France" in 1431, that Napoleon was made emperor in 1804, and Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc in 1909. Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand were mourned there.

HUMAN CHAIN

The cathedral is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a dispute between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should finance restoration work to collapsed balustrades, crumbling gargoyles and cracked facades.

It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said the heritage charity Fondation du Patrimoine.

Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace of the fire's spread had been stunning.

"We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said.

The company carrying out the renovation works when the blaze broke out said it would cooperate fully with the investigation.

"All I can tell you is that at the moment the fire began none of my employees were on the site. We respected all procedures," Julien Le Bras, a representative of family firm Le Bras Freres.

Many relics and artworks were saved. At one point, firefighters, policemen and municipal workers formed a human chain to remove the treasures, including a centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France.

Gold, silver and gem-inlaid chalices, candelabras and many other artefacts survived the blaze.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol. Macron devoted a brief prime-time televised address to Monday's catastrophic blaze in the heart of the capital, again postponing planned remarks on his response to months of anti-government protests. "We will rebuild Notre-Dame even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years, we can do it," Macron said. "It is up to us to convert this disaster into an opportunity to come together, having deeply reflected on what we have been and what we have to be and become better than we are. It is up to us to find the thread of our national project." "This is not a time for politics," added Macron, who had cancelled a speech planned on Monday evening on the response to the "yellow vest" protests. He visited the site of the fire late on Monday and promised then to rebuild the cathedral, parts of which date to the 12th century. The cathedral spire was destroyed and its roof gutted but the bell towers were still standing and many valuable art works were saved after more than 400 firemen worked to contain the blaze, finally quelling it 14 hours after it began. As the city and the country grieved for a potent national symbol, billionaires, companies and local authorities were quick to offer donations. Some 24 hours after the fire started, more than 750 million euros ($845 million) had been pledged, including 500 million from the three billionaire families that own France's giant luxury goods empires: Kering, LVMH and L'Oreal. Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said there was no obvious indication the fire was arson. Fifty people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, officials said. The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's oak roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to the spire's timber-framed supports. Police began questioning the workers involved, the prosecutor's office said. One firefighter was injured but no one else was hurt, with the fire starting at around 6:30 p.m. after the building was closed to the public for the evening. Firefighters examined the facade, with its spectacular 10-metre filigreed stained-glass rose window still intact. They could be seen walking atop the belfries as police kept the area in lockdown. Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound. "Yesterday we thought the whole cathedral would collapse. Yet this morning she is still standing, valiant, despite everything," said Sister Marie Aimee, a nun who had hurried to a nearby church to pray as the flames spread. "CATHEDRAL OF THE PEOPLE" Messages of condolence flooded in from around the world. Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, was praying for those affected, the Vatican said, adding: "Notre-Dame will always remain - and we have seen this in these hours - a place where believers and non-believers can come together in the most dramatic moments of French history." Britain's Queen Elizabeth expressed deep sadness while her son and heir Prince Charles said he was "utterly heartbroken". Chancellor Angela Merkel offered German help to rebuild a part of "our common European heritage". Considered among the finest examples of European Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is visited by more than 13 million people a year. It sits on an island in the Seine, overlooking the Left Bank hangouts of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. "Notre-Dame de Paris is the cathedral of the people, of the people of Paris, of the French people, of the people of the world. It is part of those references of our history, of what we have in common, of what we share," said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. It was at Notre-Dame that Henry VI of England was crowned "King of France" in 1431, that Napoleon was made emperor in 1804, and Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc in 1909. Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand were mourned there. HUMAN CHAIN The cathedral is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a dispute between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should finance restoration work to collapsed balustrades, crumbling gargoyles and cracked facades. It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said the heritage charity Fondation du Patrimoine. Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace of the fire's spread had been stunning. "We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said. The company carrying out the renovation works when the blaze broke out said it would cooperate fully with the investigation. "All I can tell you is that at the moment the fire began none of my employees were on the site. We respected all procedures," Julien Le Bras, a representative of family firm Le Bras Freres. Many relics and artworks were saved. At one point, firefighters, policemen and municipal workers formed a human chain to remove the treasures, including a centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France. Gold, silver and gem-inlaid chalices, candelabras and many other artefacts survived the blaze.

French President Macron hopes to rebuild Notre-Dame in five years

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday (April 16) told a crowd of thousands in Paris to "be strong and have faith", in the wake of the disastrous blaze at the city's Notre Dame cathedral on Monday. Watch video to know more.

Former US first lady Michelle Obama tells crowd to 'be strong' on Paris book tour

France will invite architects from around the world to submit designs for rebuilding the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901"> spire of Notre-Dame cathedral </a>that was destroyed in a devastating blaze, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Wednesday.

The goal is "to give Notre-Dame a new spire that is adapted to the techniques and the challenges of our era," Philippe said at a press conference in Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron had earlier vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame "even more beautifully" within five years, as all of France's cathedrals prepared to ring their bells on Wednesday to mark 48 hours since the colossal fire began.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/onRN7Mlf15g" width="560"></iframe>

The blaze on Monday gutted the great Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling with shock.

Macron announced the speedy timescale for restoration -- a process some experts had said would take decades -- in an address to the nation where he hailed how the disaster had shown the capacity of France to mobilise and unite.

Pledges worth around 700 million euros ($790 million) have already been made from French billionaires and businesses to restore the Gothic masterpiece.

Macron's announcement of a five-year restoration timeframe indicates he wants the reconstruction to be completed by the time Paris hosts the Olympic Games in 2024.

"We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautifully and I want it to be finished within five years," he said in the speech from the presidential palace. "We can do it."

Macron said that the dramatic fire had brought out the best in a country riven with divisions and since November shaken by sometimes violent protests against his rule.&nbsp;

France will invite architects from around the world to submit designs for rebuilding the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral that was destroyed in a devastating blaze, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Wednesday.

France will invite architects from around the world to submit designs for rebuilding the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral that was destroyed in a devastating blaze, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Wednesday. The goal is "to give Notre-Dame a new spire that is adapted to the techniques and the challenges of our era," Philippe said at a press conference in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron had earlier vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame "even more beautifully" within five years, as all of France's cathedrals prepared to ring their bells on Wednesday to mark 48 hours since the colossal fire began. The blaze on Monday gutted the great Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling with shock. Macron announced the speedy timescale for restoration -- a process some experts had said would take decades -- in an address to the nation where he hailed how the disaster had shown the capacity of France to mobilise and unite. Pledges worth around 700 million euros ($790 million) have already been made from French billionaires and businesses to restore the Gothic masterpiece. Macron's announcement of a five-year restoration timeframe indicates he wants the reconstruction to be completed by the time Paris hosts the Olympic Games in 2024. "We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautifully and I want it to be finished within five years," he said in the speech from the presidential palace. "We can do it." Macron said that the dramatic fire had brought out the best in a country riven with divisions and since November shaken by sometimes violent protests against his rule.

Will invite architects worldwide to submit designs to build Notre-Dame spire: PM Edouard Philippe

Heritage landmarks devastated by fires

Holy Crown of Thorns, sacred relics saved during Notre-Dame fire

The fire that tore through <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-notre-dame-fire-extinguished-says-fire-service-210858">Notre-Dame cathedral</a> was probably caused by accident, French prosecutors said on Tuesday after firefighters doused the last flames in the ruins overnight.

More than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/notre-dame-paris-landmark-and-soul-of-the-french-nation-210788">400 firemen were needed </a>to tame the inferno that consumed the roof and collapsed the spire of the eight-centuries-old cathedral. They worked through the night to bring the fire under control some 14 hours after it began.

"We are favouring the theory of an accident," Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said, adding that 50 people were working on what was expected to be a long and complex investigation.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eAwWGjBZlg8" width="560"></iframe>

One firefighters was injured; no one else was reported hurt in the blaze which began after the building was closed to the public for the evening.

From the outside, the imposing bell towers and outer walls, with their vast flying buttresses, still stood firm, but the insides and the upper structure were eviscerated by the blaze.

Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its stone walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound. Television images showed firefighters atop the towers.

"The fire is fully extinguished," fire service spokesman Gabriel Plus told reporters. "Our job today is to monitor the structure and its movements."

The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's timbered roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to collapsed balustrades and crumbling gargoyles, as well as the spire's wooden frame.

The Paris prosecutor has opened an investigation into "involuntary destruction by fire". Police on Tuesday began questioning the workers involved in the restoration, the prosecutor's office said.

Hundreds of stunned onlookers had lined the banks of the Seine river late into the night as the fire raged, reciting prayers and singing liturgical music in harmony as they stood in vigil.

"It's a symbol of our country that risked being destroyed," Culture Minister Franck Riester said.

Firefighters who entered the burning building saved many of its treasures, Riester said, although some paintings remained inside and risked smoke and water damage.

President Emmanuel Macron promised France would rebuild Notre-Dame, considered among the finest examples of French and European Gothic architecture and visited by more than 13 million people annually.

Notre-Dame is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a years-long row between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should bear the brunt of costs for badly needed restoration work.

It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said Bertrand de Feydeau of the Fondation du Patrimoine, a charity which works to protect French heritage, but it is likely to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Two of France's wealthiest men, Francois-Henri Pinault, chief executive of the Kering group which owns brands including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, and Bernard Arnault, the main shareholder of luxury group LVMH, said they would donate $113 million and 200 million euros respectively. The city of Paris pledged 50 million euros.

Other campaigns were launched in the United States as well-wishers around the world pledged contributions via social media.

Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace at which the fire spread through the cathedral had been stunning.

"We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said.

A centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France, were saved, Notre-Dame's top administrative cleric, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, said.

Copper statues representing the Twelve Apostles and four evangelists were removed by crane last week as part of the restoration work.

American tourist Susan Hargrove said she'd been left breathless by the scale of devastation.

"We are talking of world history, of our Western culture but also of something that is truly universal," Hargrove said. "Notre-Dame means something to everybody."

The fire that tore through Notre-Dame cathedral was probably caused by accident, French prosecutors said on Tuesday after firefighters doused the last flames in the ruins overnight.

The fire that tore through Notre-Dame cathedral was probably caused by accident, French prosecutors said on Tuesday after firefighters doused the last flames in the ruins overnight. More than 400 firemen were needed to tame the inferno that consumed the roof and collapsed the spire of the eight-centuries-old cathedral. They worked through the night to bring the fire under control some 14 hours after it began. "We are favouring the theory of an accident," Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said, adding that 50 people were working on what was expected to be a long and complex investigation. One firefighters was injured; no one else was reported hurt in the blaze which began after the building was closed to the public for the evening. From the outside, the imposing bell towers and outer walls, with their vast flying buttresses, still stood firm, but the insides and the upper structure were eviscerated by the blaze. Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its stone walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound. Television images showed firefighters atop the towers. "The fire is fully extinguished," fire service spokesman Gabriel Plus told reporters. "Our job today is to monitor the structure and its movements." The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's timbered roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to collapsed balustrades and crumbling gargoyles, as well as the spire's wooden frame. The Paris prosecutor has opened an investigation into "involuntary destruction by fire". Police on Tuesday began questioning the workers involved in the restoration, the prosecutor's office said. Hundreds of stunned onlookers had lined the banks of the Seine river late into the night as the fire raged, reciting prayers and singing liturgical music in harmony as they stood in vigil. "It's a symbol of our country that risked being destroyed," Culture Minister Franck Riester said. Firefighters who entered the burning building saved many of its treasures, Riester said, although some paintings remained inside and risked smoke and water damage. President Emmanuel Macron promised France would rebuild Notre-Dame, considered among the finest examples of French and European Gothic architecture and visited by more than 13 million people annually. Notre-Dame is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a years-long row between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should bear the brunt of costs for badly needed restoration work. It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said Bertrand de Feydeau of the Fondation du Patrimoine, a charity which works to protect French heritage, but it is likely to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Two of France's wealthiest men, Francois-Henri Pinault, chief executive of the Kering group which owns brands including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, and Bernard Arnault, the main shareholder of luxury group LVMH, said they would donate $113 million and 200 million euros respectively. The city of Paris pledged 50 million euros. Other campaigns were launched in the United States as well-wishers around the world pledged contributions via social media. Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace at which the fire spread through the cathedral had been stunning. "We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said. A centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France, were saved, Notre-Dame's top administrative cleric, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, said. Copper statues representing the Twelve Apostles and four evangelists were removed by crane last week as part of the restoration work. American tourist Susan Hargrove said she'd been left breathless by the scale of devastation. "We are talking of world history, of our Western culture but also of something that is truly universal," Hargrove said. "Notre-Dame means something to everybody."

Notre-Dame cathedral fire was probably caused by accident, say French prosecutors

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 - April 15th, 2019

In the wake of reports that it granted huge tax waiver to Anil Ambani's French firm, France Saturday said a global settlement was reached between the French tax authorities and the Reliance subsidiary and that it was not subject to any political interference.

Leading French newspaper Le Monde reported that France waived taxes worth 143.7 million euros to a French-registered telecom subsidiary of Ambani's Reliance Communications in 2015, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of India buying 36 Rafale jets.

"A global settlement was reached between the French tax authorities and Reliance Flag, a telecom company, in a tax dispute pertaining to the period 2008-2012," the French embassy said in a statement.

It further said, "This settlement was conducted in full adherence with the legislative and regulatory framework governing this common practice of the tax administration," the embassy said.

It said the settlement was not subject to any political interference whatsoever.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with the then French President Francois Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris.

The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016.

The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal.

The Congress has also been targeting the government over the selection of Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale.

The government has rejected the allegations.

The French newspaper said the company was investigated by French tax authorities and found liable to pay 60 million euros in taxes for the period 2007 to 2010.

However, Reliance offered to pay 7.6 million euros only as a settlement but French tax authorities refused to accept the amount.

The authorities conducted another probe for the period 2010 to 2012 and asked the company to pay an additional 91 million euros in taxes, the report said.

It said by April 2015, the total amount owed by Reliance to the French authorities in taxes was at least 151 million euros.

In October, six months after Modi announced in Paris about the Rafale deal, the French authorities accepted 7.3 million euros from Reliance as a settlement as against the original demand of 151 million euros.

In the wake of reports that it granted huge tax waiver to Anil Ambani's French firm, France Saturday said a global settlement was reached between the French tax authorities and the Reliance subsidiary and that it was not subject to any political interference.

In the wake of reports that it granted huge tax waiver to Anil Ambani's French firm, France Saturday said a global settlement was reached between the French tax authorities and the Reliance subsidiary and that it was not subject to any political interference. Leading French newspaper Le Monde reported that France waived taxes worth 143.7 million euros to a French-registered telecom subsidiary of Ambani's Reliance Communications in 2015, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of India buying 36 Rafale jets. "A global settlement was reached between the French tax authorities and Reliance Flag, a telecom company, in a tax dispute pertaining to the period 2008-2012," the French embassy said in a statement. It further said, "This settlement was conducted in full adherence with the legislative and regulatory framework governing this common practice of the tax administration," the embassy said. It said the settlement was not subject to any political interference whatsoever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with the then French President Francois Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal. The Congress has also been targeting the government over the selection of Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale. The government has rejected the allegations. The French newspaper said the company was investigated by French tax authorities and found liable to pay 60 million euros in taxes for the period 2007 to 2010. However, Reliance offered to pay 7.6 million euros only as a settlement but French tax authorities refused to accept the amount. The authorities conducted another probe for the period 2010 to 2012 and asked the company to pay an additional 91 million euros in taxes, the report said. It said by April 2015, the total amount owed by Reliance to the French authorities in taxes was at least 151 million euros. In October, six months after Modi announced in Paris about the Rafale deal, the French authorities accepted 7.3 million euros from Reliance as a settlement as against the original demand of 151 million euros.

No political interference in tax settlement with Reliance firm: France over Le Monde's Rafale bombshell

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move.

The United States has urged its NATO ally to drop the plan, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning last week that it would hurt both the American firms and the French citizens who use the platforms.

The measure was approved by 55 votes against four in the National Assembly, with five abstentions. It will then be put to vote in the Senate, or upper house, before becoming law.&nbsp;

The legislation, dubbed "Gafa" after Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, comes amid rising public outrage at the minimal tax paid by some of the world's richest firms.

"France is honoured to be leading on such subjects," Le Maire told parliament before the vote, saying that the draft constituted a "step... towards fairer and more efficient taxation for the 21st century."

Responding to the criticism from the United States, Le Maire said France was "determined" to press on with the legislation and would be "sovereign" on fiscal issues.

He said it was "unacceptable" that digital giants could make considerable profits from user data so that the "profits are made in France but the taxes are imposed abroad".

Last month, France unveiled the draft legislation to set a three per cent tax on digital advertising, the sale of personal data and other revenue for any technology company that earns more than 750 million euros ($840 million) worldwide each year.

France is seeking to agree the legislation on a national level after a European Union-wide effort was scuttled by low-tax countries such as Ireland, which have wooed big technology firms.

But Le Maire insisted that a "good solution in the long term will be a multilateral solution," vowing not to let up in efforts for an agreement within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move.

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move. The United States has urged its NATO ally to drop the plan, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning last week that it would hurt both the American firms and the French citizens who use the platforms. The measure was approved by 55 votes against four in the National Assembly, with five abstentions. It will then be put to vote in the Senate, or upper house, before becoming law. The legislation, dubbed "Gafa" after Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, comes amid rising public outrage at the minimal tax paid by some of the world's richest firms. "France is honoured to be leading on such subjects," Le Maire told parliament before the vote, saying that the draft constituted a "step... towards fairer and more efficient taxation for the 21st century." Responding to the criticism from the United States, Le Maire said France was "determined" to press on with the legislation and would be "sovereign" on fiscal issues. He said it was "unacceptable" that digital giants could make considerable profits from user data so that the "profits are made in France but the taxes are imposed abroad". Last month, France unveiled the draft legislation to set a three per cent tax on digital advertising, the sale of personal data and other revenue for any technology company that earns more than 750 million euros ($840 million) worldwide each year. France is seeking to agree the legislation on a national level after a European Union-wide effort was scuttled by low-tax countries such as Ireland, which have wooed big technology firms. But Le Maire insisted that a "good solution in the long term will be a multilateral solution," vowing not to let up in efforts for an agreement within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

French MPs approve digital tax, defying US ire

Arrested former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is set to name the people he believes are responsible for his downfall in Japan, his wife said in an interview on Sunday as she fled Tokyo out of fear she could be detained.

Ghosn was re-arrested last week in the Japanese capital over fresh allegations of financial misconduct which will see him held in custody until at least April 14.&nbsp;

Speaking to the Journal du Dimanche newspaper in France, his wife Carole detailed the latest twists in the extraordinary saga, saying that Ghosn had recorded a video interview in English before his detention.&nbsp;

"He names the people responsible for what has happened to him. The lawyers have it. It will be released soon," she told the newspaper.

Carole added that she had fled Tokyo on a flight to Paris — with support from the French ambassador to Tokyo— because she "felt in danger."

Despite her Lebanese passport being confiscated by Japanese authorities, Carole said she was able to use her American passport to board a flight and was accompanied by the ambassador to the airport.

"He didn't leave me until the plane," she explained. "Up to the last second, I didn't know if they were going to let me fly. It was surreal."&nbsp;

The role of the French ambassador could lead to fresh friction between the countries over the highly sensitive case, which involves Nissan and French car maker Renault, which were both previously run by Ghosn.

Japanese news channel NHK said prosecutors in Tokyo wanted to question Carole on a voluntary basis.

Other reports in Japan say that investigators are looking into allegations that company money allegedly misused by Ghosn could have transited through a business that was run by his wife.

'Different person' 
Carole intends now to try to pressure the French government to do more for her husband whose 108-day imprisonment in Japan between November 19 and March 6 had left him a "different person," she told The Financial Times in a separate interview.

France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday he had raised the case during talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on the sidelines of the meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in the French resort of Dinard.

Le Drian said he had "reminded him of our attachment to the presumption of innocence and the full rights of consular protection."

Japanese authorities are looking into new allegations that Ghosn transferred some $15 million in Nissan funds between late 2015 and mid-2018 to a dealership in Oman.

They suspect around $5 million of these funds were siphoned off for Ghosn's use, including for the purchase of a luxury yacht and financing personal investments.

Prosecutors say Ghosn "betrayed" his duty not to cause losses to Nissan "in order to benefit himself."

Ghosn denies the allegations and says he is also innocent of the three formal charges he faces: two charges of deferring his salary and concealing that in official shareholders' documents, and a further charge related to investment losses.

The man previously seen as the most powerful figure in the global car industry told French channel TF1 last week that he was "a combative man and an innocent man" and vowed to "defend myself to the bitter end".

And he voiced concern that he would not be given a fair hearing in Japan where around 99 percent of trials result in a conviction.

Arrested former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is set to name the people he believes are responsible for his downfall in Japan, his wife said in an interview on Sunday as she fled Tokyo out of fear she could be detained.

Arrested former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is set to name the people he believes are responsible for his downfall in Japan, his wife said in an interview on Sunday as she fled Tokyo out of fear she could be detained. Ghosn was re-arrested last week in the Japanese capital over fresh allegations of financial misconduct which will see him held in custody until at least April 14. Speaking to the Journal du Dimanche newspaper in France, his wife Carole detailed the latest twists in the extraordinary saga, saying that Ghosn had recorded a video interview in English before his detention. "He names the people responsible for what has happened to him. The lawyers have it. It will be released soon," she told the newspaper. Carole added that she had fled Tokyo on a flight to Paris — with support from the French ambassador to Tokyo— because she "felt in danger." Despite her Lebanese passport being confiscated by Japanese authorities, Carole said she was able to use her American passport to board a flight and was accompanied by the ambassador to the airport. "He didn't leave me until the plane," she explained. "Up to the last second, I didn't know if they were going to let me fly. It was surreal." The role of the French ambassador could lead to fresh friction between the countries over the highly sensitive case, which involves Nissan and French car maker Renault, which were both previously run by Ghosn. Japanese news channel NHK said prosecutors in Tokyo wanted to question Carole on a voluntary basis. Other reports in Japan say that investigators are looking into allegations that company money allegedly misused by Ghosn could have transited through a business that was run by his wife. 'Different person' Carole intends now to try to pressure the French government to do more for her husband whose 108-day imprisonment in Japan between November 19 and March 6 had left him a "different person," she told The Financial Times in a separate interview. France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday he had raised the case during talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on the sidelines of the meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in the French resort of Dinard. Le Drian said he had "reminded him of our attachment to the presumption of innocence and the full rights of consular protection." Japanese authorities are looking into new allegations that Ghosn transferred some $15 million in Nissan funds between late 2015 and mid-2018 to a dealership in Oman. They suspect around $5 million of these funds were siphoned off for Ghosn's use, including for the purchase of a luxury yacht and financing personal investments. Prosecutors say Ghosn "betrayed" his duty not to cause losses to Nissan "in order to benefit himself." Ghosn denies the allegations and says he is also innocent of the three formal charges he faces: two charges of deferring his salary and concealing that in official shareholders' documents, and a further charge related to investment losses. The man previously seen as the most powerful figure in the global car industry told French channel TF1 last week that he was "a combative man and an innocent man" and vowed to "defend myself to the bitter end". And he voiced concern that he would not be given a fair hearing in Japan where around 99 percent of trials result in a conviction.

Carlos Ghosn to name names as wife flees Tokyo

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday that it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-says-premature-to-discuss-further-brexit-delay-208150">time for the Brexit crisis to end</a>, saying that it couldn't continue to dominate EU discussions.

"It's time that this situation ended," he told reporters on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in Dinard, northern France.

"We can't live constantly with Brexit. At some point, there needs to be a departure.''

"The British authorities and the British parliament need to understand that the European Union is not going to be able to constantly exhaust itself with the ups and downs of domestic British politics."&nbsp;

"The British need to tell us very quickly how they are going to get out of this crisis," he added.

France has sought to ramp up pressure on British Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of an emergency summit meeting of European leaders in Brussels from Wednesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that her request for an extension of the deadline for Brexit would not automatically be accepted, meaning Britain could crash out of the bloc without a deal.&nbsp;

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday that it was time for the Brexit crisis to end, saying that it couldn't continue to dominate EU discussions.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday that it was time for the Brexit crisis to end, saying that it couldn't continue to dominate EU discussions. "It's time that this situation ended," he told reporters on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in Dinard, northern France. "We can't live constantly with Brexit. At some point, there needs to be a departure.'' "The British authorities and the British parliament need to understand that the European Union is not going to be able to constantly exhaust itself with the ups and downs of domestic British politics." "The British need to tell us very quickly how they are going to get out of this crisis," he added. France has sought to ramp up pressure on British Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of an emergency summit meeting of European leaders in Brussels from Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that her request for an extension of the deadline for Brexit would not automatically be accepted, meaning Britain could crash out of the bloc without a deal.

France on Brexit: 'Time for this situation to end'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday appointed a panel of experts to investigate France's actions in Rwanda during the country's genocide 25 years ago, a subject that has dogged Franco-Rwandan relations since the 1994 massacres.

The commission of eight researchers and historians "will be tasked with consulting all France's archives relating to the genocide... in order to analyse the role and engagement of France during that period," the presidency said in a statement.

The commission will look at the period from 1990 to 1994 to "contribute to a better understanding and knowledge of the genocide of Tutsis," the statement said.

The findings will be used in the material used to teach people in France about the genocide, it added.

Rwanda has accused France of being complicit in the genocide of an estimated 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis through its support for the Hutu-led government of the day.

It also accuses the French forces who were stationed in Rwanda under a UN mandate of having helped some of the perpetrators to escape, with some seeking sanctuary in France.

Paris has consistently denied complicity in the bloodletting, which has cast a long shadow over Franco-Rwandan relations, leading Rwanda at one point to break off ties for three years.

Relations have improved in the past decade.

But Macron caused disappointment among genocide survivors by turning down an invitation to attend this weekend's genocide commemorations in Rwanda.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday appointed a panel of experts to investigate France's actions in Rwanda during the country's genocide 25 years ago, a subject that has dogged Franco-Rwandan relations since the 1994 massacres.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday appointed a panel of experts to investigate France's actions in Rwanda during the country's genocide 25 years ago, a subject that has dogged Franco-Rwandan relations since the 1994 massacres. The commission of eight researchers and historians "will be tasked with consulting all France's archives relating to the genocide... in order to analyse the role and engagement of France during that period," the presidency said in a statement. The commission will look at the period from 1990 to 1994 to "contribute to a better understanding and knowledge of the genocide of Tutsis," the statement said. The findings will be used in the material used to teach people in France about the genocide, it added. Rwanda has accused France of being complicit in the genocide of an estimated 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis through its support for the Hutu-led government of the day. It also accuses the French forces who were stationed in Rwanda under a UN mandate of having helped some of the perpetrators to escape, with some seeking sanctuary in France. Paris has consistently denied complicity in the bloodletting, which has cast a long shadow over Franco-Rwandan relations, leading Rwanda at one point to break off ties for three years. Relations have improved in the past decade. But Macron caused disappointment among genocide survivors by turning down an invitation to attend this weekend's genocide commemorations in Rwanda.

Macron names experts to probe French action during Rwanda genocide

A source in French presidency Friday said that it is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-proposes-brexit-extension-to-end-on-june-30th-pm-theresa-may-to-eu-208119">'premature' to discuss additional delay to Brexit</a>.

France said that London&nbsp;present "a clear plan" that would justify pushing Brexit back again.

France had "taken note" of Britain's formal request Friday for an extension to June 30, the source said, adding: "We are waiting for a credible plan between now and the (EU) summit on April 10, when we will study the request."

"A delay is a tool, but not a solution in itself," the source said.

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union to delay Britain's departure from the bloc until June 30, with the extension ending earlier if parliament approves her Brexit deal.

Earlier an EU official had said Donald Tusk will suggest to member states Friday that they offer Britain a flexible 12-month Brexit delay to allow it time to prepare an orderly withdrawal.

(With inputs from AFP)

A source in French presidency Friday said that it is 'premature' to discuss additional delay to Brexit. France said that London present "a clear plan" that would justify pushing Brexit back again.

A source in French presidency Friday said that it is 'premature' to discuss additional delay to Brexit. France said that London present "a clear plan" that would justify pushing Brexit back again. France had "taken note" of Britain's formal request Friday for an extension to June 30, the source said, adding: "We are waiting for a credible plan between now and the (EU) summit on April 10, when we will study the request." "A delay is a tool, but not a solution in itself," the source said. Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union to delay Britain's departure from the bloc until June 30, with the extension ending earlier if parliament approves her Brexit deal. Earlier an EU official had said Donald Tusk will suggest to member states Friday that they offer Britain a flexible 12-month Brexit delay to allow it time to prepare an orderly withdrawal. (With inputs from AFP)

France says 'premature' to discuss further Brexit delay

Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is almost certainly out of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at La Liga leaders Barcelona after the capital club said in a statement he had sprained his ankle in Tuesday's 2-0 win at home to Girona.

Atletico did not state how long the Spain striker would be sidelined but reports in Spanish media ruled him out of action for two weeks, adding to the team's shortages in attack ahead of the game that could make or break their title ambitions.

Atletico trail Barca by eight points with eight games left but Diego Costa faces a battle to be fit after missing the Girona win with a muscle problem, while France winger Thomas Lemar is not expected back from injury for another two weeks.

The club's top scorer this season Frenchman Antoine Griezmann and Croatian forward Niko Kalinic are coach Diego Simeone's only fit forwards for the trip to the Nou Camp, where Atletico have not won in any competition since 2006.

Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is almost certainly out of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at La Liga leaders Barcelona after the capital club said in a statement he had sprained his ankle in Tuesday's 2-0 win at home to Girona.

Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is almost certainly out of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at La Liga leaders Barcelona after the capital club said in a statement he had sprained his ankle in Tuesday's 2-0 win at home to Girona. Atletico did not state how long the Spain striker would be sidelined but reports in Spanish media ruled him out of action for two weeks, adding to the team's shortages in attack ahead of the game that could make or break their title ambitions. Atletico trail Barca by eight points with eight games left but Diego Costa faces a battle to be fit after missing the Girona win with a muscle problem, while France winger Thomas Lemar is not expected back from injury for another two weeks. The club's top scorer this season Frenchman Antoine Griezmann and Croatian forward Niko Kalinic are coach Diego Simeone's only fit forwards for the trip to the Nou Camp, where Atletico have not won in any competition since 2006.

Alvaro Morata injury adds to Atletico striker woes before Barcelona clash

Britain, France and Germany are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-missile-programme-defensive-after-us-alleges-it-carried-out-missile-test-180909">accusing Iran of developing missile technology</a>, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday.

The European trio cited Iran's launch of a space vehicle and the unveiling of two new ballistic missiles in February as forming "part of trend of increased activity inconsistent" with the resolution, according to the letter sent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — adopted just after the 2015 nuclear deal — calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons."&nbsp;

Tehran insists that its missile program is defensive and that it has no intention of developing a nuclear capability.

The three countries asked Guterres to "report fully and thoroughly on Iranian ballistic missile activity" in his next report, which is expected in June.

The letter from the European countries, which are signatories to the nuclear deal along with the United States and Russia, came nearly a month after the United States made a similar appeal to the council, saying it was time to bring back tougher international restrictions on Tehran.

President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear accord in May last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about missile development among its reasons.

At a council meeting in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for tighter restrictions on Iran to curb its missile program but Russia flatly asserted that there was no proof that Iran's missiles can carry a nuclear payload.

The European countries said the Safir space launch vehicle used for a satellite blastoff on February 6 is based on two other missiles and uses technology closely related to the development of long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On February 7, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards unveiled the Dezful surface-to-surface missile which they claimed had a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to the letter sent on March 25.

During a public display in Tehran on February 4, Iran revealed a variant of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile that the letter said was "potentially an intermediate-range ballistic missile."

Iran reined in most of its nuclear program under the landmark nuclear deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology.

Britain, France and Germany are accusing Iran of developing missile technology, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday.

Britain, France and Germany are accusing Iran of developing missile technology, following recent activities, that they said was inconsistent with a UN resolution, and are calling for a full UN report, according to a letter released Tuesday. The European trio cited Iran's launch of a space vehicle and the unveiling of two new ballistic missiles in February as forming "part of trend of increased activity inconsistent" with the resolution, according to the letter sent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — adopted just after the 2015 nuclear deal — calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." Tehran insists that its missile program is defensive and that it has no intention of developing a nuclear capability. The three countries asked Guterres to "report fully and thoroughly on Iranian ballistic missile activity" in his next report, which is expected in June. The letter from the European countries, which are signatories to the nuclear deal along with the United States and Russia, came nearly a month after the United States made a similar appeal to the council, saying it was time to bring back tougher international restrictions on Tehran. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear accord in May last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about missile development among its reasons. At a council meeting in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for tighter restrictions on Iran to curb its missile program but Russia flatly asserted that there was no proof that Iran's missiles can carry a nuclear payload. The European countries said the Safir space launch vehicle used for a satellite blastoff on February 6 is based on two other missiles and uses technology closely related to the development of long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. On February 7, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards unveiled the Dezful surface-to-surface missile which they claimed had a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to the letter sent on March 25. During a public display in Tehran on February 4, Iran revealed a variant of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile that the letter said was "potentially an intermediate-range ballistic missile." Iran reined in most of its nuclear program under the landmark nuclear deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology.

UK, France, Germany accuse Iran of developing missile technology

The French presidency said Friday that a vote by British lawmakers to reject Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-reject-brexit-deal-for-third-time-206565">Theresa May's EU divorce deal for a third time</a> "increased very strongly the chances of a no deal exit".

"The United Kingdom needs to urgently present an alternative plan in the next few days. Failing this, and it is becoming the most likely (outcome), we will see the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a deal," read a statement issued by the presidential palace.

Parliament voted down May's withdrawal agreement by 344 votes to 286.&nbsp;

The French presidency said Friday that a vote by British lawmakers to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal for a third time "increased very strongly the chances of a no deal exit".

The French presidency said Friday that a vote by British lawmakers to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal for a third time "increased very strongly the chances of a no deal exit". "The United Kingdom needs to urgently present an alternative plan in the next few days. Failing this, and it is becoming the most likely (outcome), we will see the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a deal," read a statement issued by the presidential palace. Parliament voted down May's withdrawal agreement by 344 votes to 286.

France says risk of 'no deal' Brexit increased 'very strongly'

New bid by US to blacklist Azhar at UN; resolution needs 9 votes to pass

France urges China to respect the unity of the European Union

Kylian Mbappe answered his critics with a sterling performance as France thrashed Iceland 4-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday, showing no signs of irritation this time to continue his meteoric rise.

The striker, whose nerves had been pointed out in the 4-1 win against Moldova last Friday, kept his cool throughout to find the back of the net after the break and set up Samuel Umtiti and Antoine Griezmann for the first and fourth goals.

In Chisinau, the Paris St Germain forward often sought individual solutions and was booked for diving, appearing less threatening than usual.

Coach Didier Deschamps, however, was never worried by a player who has now scored 12 and delivered seven assists in 30 games for France.

"There's no problem with Kylian. He's in the game like all the others. If you had been a football player you would understand," Deschamps said at the Stade de France.

The 20-year-old's goal in Paris on Monday meant he became the youngest player to score 12 international goals since Denmark's Harald Nielsen, then 18, in 1960.

"Mbappe? He is a great player, he proves it everyday. He is a phenomenon and sometimes, when you are one, you want to do more," said midfielder Blaise Matuidi.

"He's got character, it's a good thing. He already has a lot of maturity."

Mbappe is set to gain even more maturity as he benefits from Deschamps's full trust, having been fielded in France's last 28 games, the longest series since Patrick Vieira played 44 successive matches between 1999 and 2002.

Deschamps also noted that Mbappe's relationship with fellow striker Griezmann had improved.

"They are efficient. There is a complementary partnership between Antoine and Kylian, and not just when they have the ball. It's also how they occupy space when they don't have it," the coach said.

Kylian Mbappe answered his critics with a sterling performance as France thrashed Iceland 4-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday, showing no signs of irritation this time to continue his meteoric rise.

Kylian Mbappe answered his critics with a sterling performance as France thrashed Iceland 4-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday, showing no signs of irritation this time to continue his meteoric rise. The striker, whose nerves had been pointed out in the 4-1 win against Moldova last Friday, kept his cool throughout to find the back of the net after the break and set up Samuel Umtiti and Antoine Griezmann for the first and fourth goals. In Chisinau, the Paris St Germain forward often sought individual solutions and was booked for diving, appearing less threatening than usual. Coach Didier Deschamps, however, was never worried by a player who has now scored 12 and delivered seven assists in 30 games for France. "There's no problem with Kylian. He's in the game like all the others. If you had been a football player you would understand," Deschamps said at the Stade de France. The 20-year-old's goal in Paris on Monday meant he became the youngest player to score 12 international goals since Denmark's Harald Nielsen, then 18, in 1960. "Mbappe? He is a great player, he proves it everyday. He is a phenomenon and sometimes, when you are one, you want to do more," said midfielder Blaise Matuidi. "He's got character, it's a good thing. He already has a lot of maturity." Mbappe is set to gain even more maturity as he benefits from Deschamps's full trust, having been fielded in France's last 28 games, the longest series since Patrick Vieira played 44 successive matches between 1999 and 2002. Deschamps also noted that Mbappe's relationship with fellow striker Griezmann had improved. "They are efficient. There is a complementary partnership between Antoine and Kylian, and not just when they have the ball. It's also how they occupy space when they don't have it," the coach said.

Kylian Mbappe continues his rise with France in Iceland rout

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-presiden-macron-hails-islamic-state-defeat-as-ending-a-major-danger-for-france-205080">French counterpart Emmanuel Macron</a> met for dinner in the south of France Sunday ahead of official talks with the host leader seeking to forge a united European front to contend with Beijing's advances.

"Very happy to welcome President Xi Jinping and his wife to France," Macron wrote in a tweet. "This visit will strengthen our strategic partnership and affirm the role of France, Europe and China towards a strong multilateralism."

Xi earlier arrived at the resort city of Nice accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan to be welcomed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and an honour guard.

Prior to meeting with Macron, Xi went to the nearby principality of Monaco, where he was received by Prince Albert II and where a government spokesman said talks would "address economic and environmental issues".

Xi, who has made a priority of establishing China as a global player, travelled from Italy, whose government became the first G7 state to sign up to his landmark new "Silk Road" infrastructure project, a massive undertaking to join Asia to Europe.

Washington and some EU states fear the huge project will give China too much sway. But Xi says it would be a two-way street of investment and trade.

Germany criticised Rome over its participation in the new Silk Road project.

"In a world with giants like China, Russia or our partners in the United States, we can only survive if we are united as the EU," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"And if some countries believe that they can do clever business with the Chinese, then they will be surprised when they wake up and find themselves dependent."&nbsp;

The EU's German budget commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, told the Funke newspaper group that Europe should ensure it retains its autonomy and sovereignty when dealing with China.

He expressed concern that already "infrastructure of strategic importance... is no longer in European but in Chinese hands.

Le Drian had remarked Friday that Silk Road cooperation must go "in both directions".

Amid tight security, the Chinese and French first couples enjoyed a private dinner at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Nice, overlooking the Mediterranean.

They were due to have what a Chinese official termed "deep exchange of views on Sino-French, Sino-European relations and international and issues of mutual interest".

Xi's official visit to Paris on Monday will mark 55 years since Charles de Gaulle established diplomatic relations with Beijing.

A series of cooperation deals on nuclear power, aerospace and clean energy initiatives, some involving lucrative contracts, are expected to be signed.

On Tuesday, Macron and Xi will be joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to explore "points of convergence" ahead of an EU-China summit in Brussels next month.

As well as addressing commercial cooperation and strategic issues with Xi, Macron has also been urged to deal with the case of Chinese former Interpol head Meng Hongwei.

Meng's wife has had no news of her husband since his arrest in China nearly six months ago and it emerged Sunday she has written to Macron asking him to bring up his disappearance with Xi.

He is believed to be facing corruption charges.

China as EU 'rival'&nbsp;

But Xi's visit poses a particular challenge for Macron, who wants to deepen EU ties with China while also pushing back against Beijing's growing global clout.

Europe's distrust of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which is poised to become the dominant player in next-generation 5G mobile technology worldwide, is emblematic of the increasingly rocky relationship.

Monaco, which notably is eyeing a share of Chinese luxury tourism and has its own foreign policy, only last year signed an accord with Huawei to make the principality the first country entirely covered by the company's 5G mobile network by year-end.

Macron has lauded the EU's "awakening" to the challenges posed by China, which the bloc now labels a "rival" despite being Europe's biggest trading partner.

"The reality is that the world has changed significantly -- China is not the country it once was, and we are dealing with a very major partner," a Macron aide said ahead of Xi's visit.

The US is pressuring European allies to not use the Huawei technology, saying it creates a security risk by potentially letting Beijing snoop on sensitive communications.

But France has not ruled out using Huawei gear.

Beijing has accused Washington of trying to escalate President Donald Trump's trade battle with China.

'Reality very different'&nbsp;

Despite the many sources of friction, France wants to engage China as a closer partner as Washington makes a pointed withdrawal from global affairs under Trump's "America First" policy.&nbsp;

For example, Macron may seek more Chinese support of the French-backed G5 Sahel force fighting Islamist extremists in Western Africa.

China has been investing heavily in a diplomatic offensive across Africa, promising to help build infrastructure projects as part of the new Silk Road initiative.

Aides say Macron will press Xi to ensure such projects are fair and explore the participation of French companies amid allegations the deals could load African countries with unsustainable debt.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron met for dinner in the south of France Sunday ahead of official talks with the host leader seeking to forge a united European front to contend with Beijing's advances.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron met for dinner in the south of France Sunday ahead of official talks with the host leader seeking to forge a united European front to contend with Beijing's advances. "Very happy to welcome President Xi Jinping and his wife to France," Macron wrote in a tweet. "This visit will strengthen our strategic partnership and affirm the role of France, Europe and China towards a strong multilateralism." Xi earlier arrived at the resort city of Nice accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan to be welcomed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and an honour guard. Prior to meeting with Macron, Xi went to the nearby principality of Monaco, where he was received by Prince Albert II and where a government spokesman said talks would "address economic and environmental issues". Xi, who has made a priority of establishing China as a global player, travelled from Italy, whose government became the first G7 state to sign up to his landmark new "Silk Road" infrastructure project, a massive undertaking to join Asia to Europe. Washington and some EU states fear the huge project will give China too much sway. But Xi says it would be a two-way street of investment and trade. Germany criticised Rome over its participation in the new Silk Road project. "In a world with giants like China, Russia or our partners in the United States, we can only survive if we are united as the EU," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "And if some countries believe that they can do clever business with the Chinese, then they will be surprised when they wake up and find themselves dependent." The EU's German budget commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, told the Funke newspaper group that Europe should ensure it retains its autonomy and sovereignty when dealing with China. He expressed concern that already "infrastructure of strategic importance... is no longer in European but in Chinese hands. Le Drian had remarked Friday that Silk Road cooperation must go "in both directions". Amid tight security, the Chinese and French first couples enjoyed a private dinner at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Nice, overlooking the Mediterranean. They were due to have what a Chinese official termed "deep exchange of views on Sino-French, Sino-European relations and international and issues of mutual interest". Xi's official visit to Paris on Monday will mark 55 years since Charles de Gaulle established diplomatic relations with Beijing. A series of cooperation deals on nuclear power, aerospace and clean energy initiatives, some involving lucrative contracts, are expected to be signed. On Tuesday, Macron and Xi will be joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to explore "points of convergence" ahead of an EU-China summit in Brussels next month. As well as addressing commercial cooperation and strategic issues with Xi, Macron has also been urged to deal with the case of Chinese former Interpol head Meng Hongwei. Meng's wife has had no news of her husband since his arrest in China nearly six months ago and it emerged Sunday she has written to Macron asking him to bring up his disappearance with Xi. He is believed to be facing corruption charges. China as EU 'rival' But Xi's visit poses a particular challenge for Macron, who wants to deepen EU ties with China while also pushing back against Beijing's growing global clout. Europe's distrust of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which is poised to become the dominant player in next-generation 5G mobile technology worldwide, is emblematic of the increasingly rocky relationship. Monaco, which notably is eyeing a share of Chinese luxury tourism and has its own foreign policy, only last year signed an accord with Huawei to make the principality the first country entirely covered by the company's 5G mobile network by year-end. Macron has lauded the EU's "awakening" to the challenges posed by China, which the bloc now labels a "rival" despite being Europe's biggest trading partner. "The reality is that the world has changed significantly -- China is not the country it once was, and we are dealing with a very major partner," a Macron aide said ahead of Xi's visit. The US is pressuring European allies to not use the Huawei technology, saying it creates a security risk by potentially letting Beijing snoop on sensitive communications. But France has not ruled out using Huawei gear. Beijing has accused Washington of trying to escalate President Donald Trump's trade battle with China. 'Reality very different' Despite the many sources of friction, France wants to engage China as a closer partner as Washington makes a pointed withdrawal from global affairs under Trump's "America First" policy. For example, Macron may seek more Chinese support of the French-backed G5 Sahel force fighting Islamist extremists in Western Africa. China has been investing heavily in a diplomatic offensive across Africa, promising to help build infrastructure projects as part of the new Silk Road initiative. Aides say Macron will press Xi to ensure such projects are fair and explore the participation of French companies amid allegations the deals could load African countries with unsustainable debt.

Xi Jinping meets Macron as French president seeks united EU front on China

China's President Xi Jinping & France's President Emmanuel Macron meets for official talks

Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend.

The demonstration in the capital was largely peaceful for most of the day, but later in the afternoon police fired tear gas on protesters near Boulevard de Strasbourg, close to the capital's Gare du Nord and Gare de L'Est railway stations.

Skirmishes also erupted in cities including Lille in northern France, and Toulouse and Montpellier in the south, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

For the first time this Saturday, the government deployed "Operation Sentinelle" military units to back up police after shops on the capital's famous Champs Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised during last weekend's protests.

Protesters were banned from gathering on the Champs Elysees this Saturday, but demonstrators gathered in other parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, they marched from Denfert Rochereau in southern Paris up to the Sacre Coeur church in the north.

A yellow awning was briefly draped across the top of the Sacre Coeur, before being taken down by authorities.

Turnout estimates for this week's demonstrations were due to be announced later on Saturday.

The "yellow vests" protests, named after the high-visibility vests French drivers have to keep in their cars and worn by protesters, began in November after public anger against fuel tax rises.

The movement has morphed into a broader backlash against Macron's government, despite it scrapping the fuel taxes, and it has often been marred by violent clashes and looting.

Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend.

Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend. The demonstration in the capital was largely peaceful for most of the day, but later in the afternoon police fired tear gas on protesters near Boulevard de Strasbourg, close to the capital's Gare du Nord and Gare de L'Est railway stations. Skirmishes also erupted in cities including Lille in northern France, and Toulouse and Montpellier in the south, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. For the first time this Saturday, the government deployed "Operation Sentinelle" military units to back up police after shops on the capital's famous Champs Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised during last weekend's protests. Protesters were banned from gathering on the Champs Elysees this Saturday, but demonstrators gathered in other parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, they marched from Denfert Rochereau in southern Paris up to the Sacre Coeur church in the north. A yellow awning was briefly draped across the top of the Sacre Coeur, before being taken down by authorities. Turnout estimates for this week's demonstrations were due to be announced later on Saturday. The "yellow vests" protests, named after the high-visibility vests French drivers have to keep in their cars and worn by protesters, began in November after public anger against fuel tax rises. The movement has morphed into a broader backlash against Macron's government, despite it scrapping the fuel taxes, and it has often been marred by violent clashes and looting.

Clashes break out in latest French 'yellow vest' protests

French President Emmanuel Macron attempted on Friday to defuse the controversy triggered by his decision to deploy the army as a backup during this weekend's "yellow vest" protests following major riots in Paris a week ago.

Under pressure to prevent a repeat of last weekend's violence on the Champs-Elysees where some 100 shops were torched, looted or damaged, the government announced this week that it would redeploy soldiers from its anti-terrorism force to guard public buildings during the latest round of demonstrations.

To try to prevent any confrontation the authorities also banned the "yellow vests" from gathering in the centre of several flashpoint cities on Saturday.

The move to deploy the military -- aimed at freeing up the police to tackle the anarchists who have infiltrated the movement for greater equality -- drew howls of protest from the opposition, who warned that fielding soldiers against protesters was fraught with risk.

Pressed on the issue in Brussels Friday, where he was attending an EU summit, Macron stressed that the army would "in no way be involved in maintaining law and order".

He pointed out that the Sentinelle anti-terrorism force, which has been patrolling French cities against jihadists since 2015, had already been guarding sensitive sites, such as train stations and places of worship.

The controversy, he said, was being whipped up by "those who play at scaring themselves and scaring others".

But remarks by the military governor of Paris did little to allay the concerns of those worried about the army stepping up.

Speaking on France Info public radio, General Bruno Le Ray said that the soldiers would be entitled to open fire after giving warning shots if "their lives or those of people they are protecting is in jeopardy.

But their orders would be "sufficiently clear for the soldiers not to have to worry" about making that decision, Le Ray assured.

The "yellow vest" ban on Saturday includes the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where hundreds of black-clad demonstrators -- a minority among the 10,000-strong crowd -- ran amok last weekend.

Similar bans have also been ordered in Toulouse and Bordeaux, in southwestern France, and much of the southern city of Nice where Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to meet Macron on Sunday.

'Zero tolerance'

Macron's government drew fierce criticism over its handling of last week's riots, with the police appearing to hang back after being accused of using excessive force during previous such protests over the last four months.

The Paris police chief was fired over the violence.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has ordered his replacement to adopt a "zero tolerance" approach.

On Friday, clean-up operations continued on the Champs-Elysees where shops again battened down the hatches lest demonstrators defy Saturday's protest ban.

A Swarovski crystal store, which was ransacked last week, was being fitted with new windows, and five domed-roof news kiosks that were torched last week have already been replaced.

Sylvain, the team leader of a kiosk repair crew who did not wish to give his full name, backed the use of the army to help restore order.

"Either they do that, or Macron resigns."

"He needs to show the world that the government has a handle on the country and on the capital," he said.

Dwindling public support

The Saturday protests began in rural France on November 17 over fuel tax increases and quickly ballooned into a full-scale anti-government rebellion.

But as time goes on the protesters numbers have dwindled, falling from 282,000 nationwide on the first Saturday to just 32,000 according to last week's police estimates.

Those still on the streets appear more determined than ever to make their presence felt.

The damage caused during the riots rose to 200 million euros ($227 million) last weekend, according to Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire.

Public support for the "yellow vests", who want higher taxes on the rich and a greater say for ordinary people in the running of the country, has fallen, according to a poll published Wednesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron attempted on Friday to defuse the controversy triggered by his decision to deploy the army as a backup during this weekend's "yellow vest" protests following major riots in Paris a week ago.

French President Emmanuel Macron attempted on Friday to defuse the controversy triggered by his decision to deploy the army as a backup during this weekend's "yellow vest" protests following major riots in Paris a week ago. Under pressure to prevent a repeat of last weekend's violence on the Champs-Elysees where some 100 shops were torched, looted or damaged, the government announced this week that it would redeploy soldiers from its anti-terrorism force to guard public buildings during the latest round of demonstrations. To try to prevent any confrontation the authorities also banned the "yellow vests" from gathering in the centre of several flashpoint cities on Saturday. The move to deploy the military -- aimed at freeing up the police to tackle the anarchists who have infiltrated the movement for greater equality -- drew howls of protest from the opposition, who warned that fielding soldiers against protesters was fraught with risk. Pressed on the issue in Brussels Friday, where he was attending an EU summit, Macron stressed that the army would "in no way be involved in maintaining law and order". He pointed out that the Sentinelle anti-terrorism force, which has been patrolling French cities against jihadists since 2015, had already been guarding sensitive sites, such as train stations and places of worship. The controversy, he said, was being whipped up by "those who play at scaring themselves and scaring others". But remarks by the military governor of Paris did little to allay the concerns of those worried about the army stepping up. Speaking on France Info public radio, General Bruno Le Ray said that the soldiers would be entitled to open fire after giving warning shots if "their lives or those of people they are protecting is in jeopardy. But their orders would be "sufficiently clear for the soldiers not to have to worry" about making that decision, Le Ray assured. The "yellow vest" ban on Saturday includes the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where hundreds of black-clad demonstrators -- a minority among the 10,000-strong crowd -- ran amok last weekend. Similar bans have also been ordered in Toulouse and Bordeaux, in southwestern France, and much of the southern city of Nice where Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to meet Macron on Sunday. 'Zero tolerance' Macron's government drew fierce criticism over its handling of last week's riots, with the police appearing to hang back after being accused of using excessive force during previous such protests over the last four months. The Paris police chief was fired over the violence. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has ordered his replacement to adopt a "zero tolerance" approach. On Friday, clean-up operations continued on the Champs-Elysees where shops again battened down the hatches lest demonstrators defy Saturday's protest ban. A Swarovski crystal store, which was ransacked last week, was being fitted with new windows, and five domed-roof news kiosks that were torched last week have already been replaced. Sylvain, the team leader of a kiosk repair crew who did not wish to give his full name, backed the use of the army to help restore order. "Either they do that, or Macron resigns." "He needs to show the world that the government has a handle on the country and on the capital," he said. Dwindling public support The Saturday protests began in rural France on November 17 over fuel tax increases and quickly ballooned into a full-scale anti-government rebellion. But as time goes on the protesters numbers have dwindled, falling from 282,000 nationwide on the first Saturday to just 32,000 according to last week's police estimates. Those still on the streets appear more determined than ever to make their presence felt. The damage caused during the riots rose to 200 million euros ($227 million) last weekend, according to Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire. Public support for the "yellow vests", who want higher taxes on the rich and a greater say for ordinary people in the running of the country, has fallen, according to a poll published Wednesday.

Macron battles to end controversy over use of army against 'yellow vests'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said that a "major danger for France" had been eliminated after US-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State's last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz.

"A huge step has been taken today. A major danger for our country is eliminated," Macron wrote on Twitter.

"But the menace remains and the struggle against terrorist groups must continue," Macron said, while French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly posted on Twitter that "Islamic State no longer has any territory, but it has not disappeared."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said that a "major danger for France" had been eliminated after US-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State's last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said that a "major danger for France" had been eliminated after US-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State's last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz. "A huge step has been taken today. A major danger for our country is eliminated," Macron wrote on Twitter. "But the menace remains and the struggle against terrorist groups must continue," Macron said, while French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly posted on Twitter that "Islamic State no longer has any territory, but it has not disappeared."

French President Macron hails Islamic State defeat as ending a 'major danger' for France

French soldiers will be deployed Saturday to help guard public buildings, allowing police to focus on dealing with "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-must-probe-police-conduct-in-yellow-vest-protests-un-201620">yellow vest</a>" demonstrators in case of renewed violence in Paris and other cities, the government has said.

It was announced separately that Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had decided to put off a planned overseas trip to French Guiana at the weekend to be on hand at home. "Given the special situation concerning public order, the premier decided to postpone his visit," his office said.

Last Saturday, more than 5,000 police officers failed to stop hundreds of violent protesters from rampaging along the Champs-Elysees, burning and looting over 100 businesses in disturbances that lasted more than seven hours.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux Wednesday said the troops will be redeployed from the "Sentinelle" anti-terror operation, which patrols streets and protects airports, train stations, places of worship and other sites.

This will allow police forces to "concentrate on crowd control, along with maintaining law and order," he said.

After Saturday's rioting, the government sacked Paris police chief Michel Delpuech. Two other top police officials, including one of Delpuech's aides, will also be removed from their positions, government sources told AFP.

The deployment of troops is intended to allow riot police to engage more aggressively with the far-left and far-right groups as well as anarchists who have been blamed for much of the violence.

But some police unions have warned that maintaining law and order was not the role of a soldier. 
"I'm worried about how they'll respond in case of attack," said Philippe Capon of the Unsa-Police union.

Troops were originally deployed on the streets in January 2015 after the jihadist massacre at the Charlie Hebdo magazine, and their patrols have become a regular sight in Paris and other cities.

The government has also announced plans to outlaw protests along the famed Champs-Elysees and other key areas if hooligans once again infiltrate the "yellow vest" demonstrations, which have taken place every Saturday since mid-November.&nbsp;

French soldiers will be deployed Saturday to help guard public buildings, allowing police to focus on dealing with "yellow vest" demonstrators in case of renewed violence in Paris and other cities, the government has said.

French soldiers will be deployed Saturday to help guard public buildings, allowing police to focus on dealing with "yellow vest" demonstrators in case of renewed violence in Paris and other cities, the government has said. It was announced separately that Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had decided to put off a planned overseas trip to French Guiana at the weekend to be on hand at home. "Given the special situation concerning public order, the premier decided to postpone his visit," his office said. Last Saturday, more than 5,000 police officers failed to stop hundreds of violent protesters from rampaging along the Champs-Elysees, burning and looting over 100 businesses in disturbances that lasted more than seven hours. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux Wednesday said the troops will be redeployed from the "Sentinelle" anti-terror operation, which patrols streets and protects airports, train stations, places of worship and other sites. This will allow police forces to "concentrate on crowd control, along with maintaining law and order," he said. After Saturday's rioting, the government sacked Paris police chief Michel Delpuech. Two other top police officials, including one of Delpuech's aides, will also be removed from their positions, government sources told AFP. The deployment of troops is intended to allow riot police to engage more aggressively with the far-left and far-right groups as well as anarchists who have been blamed for much of the violence. But some police unions have warned that maintaining law and order was not the role of a soldier. "I'm worried about how they'll respond in case of attack," said Philippe Capon of the Unsa-Police union. Troops were originally deployed on the streets in January 2015 after the jihadist massacre at the Charlie Hebdo magazine, and their patrols have become a regular sight in Paris and other cities. The government has also announced plans to outlaw protests along the famed Champs-Elysees and other key areas if hooligans once again infiltrate the "yellow vest" demonstrations, which have taken place every Saturday since mid-November.

France brings out army ahead of next 'yellow vest' protest

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.

Giroud has not started a Premier League game for Chelsea since the club signed Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain in January.

"The future may be hectic this summer," Giroud told French radio station RTL. "I'm not afraid to go down a level to have more playing time. It could be I end my career in France."

The striker, who won the World Cup with France last year, scored 33 goals in 73 league appearances for Montpellier before moving to Arsenal in 2012, and has attracted interest from Olympique Lyonnais, according to reports in the French media.

The 32-year-old has been used mainly in the Europa League by Sarri and is the competition's top scorer this season with nine goals in nine appearances, but does not believe he can force his way into the Italian coach's Premier League plans.

"Today, I have the impression there's clearly no competition (for places in attack) since January. It's like that, I know that I will only play in the Europa League," Giroud added.

"I try to do what it takes to be as effective and as important as I can for the team."

Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League, three points below the fourth and final Champions League qualification place currently occupied by Arsenal.

Sarri's side could also secure Champions League football for next season by winning the Europa League, where they face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri. Giroud has not started a Premier League game for Chelsea since the club signed Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain in January. "The future may be hectic this summer," Giroud told French radio station RTL. "I'm not afraid to go down a level to have more playing time. It could be I end my career in France." The striker, who won the World Cup with France last year, scored 33 goals in 73 league appearances for Montpellier before moving to Arsenal in 2012, and has attracted interest from Olympique Lyonnais, according to reports in the French media. The 32-year-old has been used mainly in the Europa League by Sarri and is the competition's top scorer this season with nine goals in nine appearances, but does not believe he can force his way into the Italian coach's Premier League plans. "Today, I have the impression there's clearly no competition (for places in attack) since January. It's like that, I know that I will only play in the Europa League," Giroud added. "I try to do what it takes to be as effective and as important as I can for the team." Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League, three points below the fourth and final Champions League qualification place currently occupied by Arsenal. Sarri's side could also secure Champions League football for next season by winning the Europa League, where they face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time

Football pioneers look back as women's World Cup beckons

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Italy, Monaco and France this week, the foreign ministry said Monday, with Rome expected to join his global trade infrastructure programme despite reservations in other European countries.

Xi will pay state visits from March 21 to March 26, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement, without providing more details about his itinerary.

An Italian official said last week that Rome would sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Beijing to officially support Xi's massive $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative, also known as the New Silk Road.

Beijing has financed infrastructure, maritime, rail and road projects in Asia, Africa and Europe, but critics warn that it mainly benefits Chinese firms while setting up a "debt trap" in more financially vulnerable countries.

Following Italy's announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that European Union countries should have a "coordinated approach" regarding China.

"It's a good thing that China is participating in the development of many countries, but I believe in the spirit of equality, reciprocity. The spirit of equality means respecting the sovereignty of nations," Macron said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Italy, Monaco and France this week, the foreign ministry said Monday, with Rome expected to join his global trade infrastructure programme despite reservations in other European countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Italy, Monaco and France this week, the foreign ministry said Monday, with Rome expected to join his global trade infrastructure programme despite reservations in other European countries. Xi will pay state visits from March 21 to March 26, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement, without providing more details about his itinerary. An Italian official said last week that Rome would sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Beijing to officially support Xi's massive $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative, also known as the New Silk Road. Beijing has financed infrastructure, maritime, rail and road projects in Asia, Africa and Europe, but critics warn that it mainly benefits Chinese firms while setting up a "debt trap" in more financially vulnerable countries. Following Italy's announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that European Union countries should have a "coordinated approach" regarding China. "It's a good thing that China is participating in the development of many countries, but I believe in the spirit of equality, reciprocity. The spirit of equality means respecting the sovereignty of nations," Macron said.

China's Xi to visit Italy, France as Rome joins 'New Silk Road'

The French government admitted Sunday its security measures had been "insufficient" to stem an arson and looting rampage by black-clad anarchists during a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-luxury-stores-looted-burned-in-yellow-vest-riots-203768">yellow vest" protest along the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris</a>.

Police appeared overwhelmed Saturday as demonstrators ran amok on the avenue, with retailers there saying some 80 shops and businesses were vandalised.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe acknowledged Sunday there had been security "flaws" which needed to be rectified.

"Analysis of yesterday's events highlights that the measures taken were insufficient to contain the violence and prevent wrongdoing" by the rioters, the premier's office said, adding that Philippe was due to meet President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning.

Already under political pressure, Macron -- who cut short a skiing trip to rush back to the capital for a crisis meeting late Saturday -- has vowed "strong" action.

Retailers have expressed dismay over the 18th consecutive weekend of potent anti-government rallies. Saturday's turnout was characterised by a sharp uptick in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout.

"It feels like this will never end," said Emir Fatnassi whose shop front on the Champs-Elysees was smashed in by rioters.

"You can protest but why destroy everything?... Repairing the windows will cost at least 25,000 euros (£21,000; $28,000), and an important part of merchandise is gone."

'Neither pariahs nor terrorists'

"There's been a surge of violence," said Jean-Noel Reinhardt, head of the Committee Champs-Elysees, a local association with 180 members.

"The authorities must put an end to this situation," he insisted Sunday.

Chaos broke out Saturday when groups of so-called "black bloc" protesters swarmed the Champs-Elysees, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century -- as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp.

Clothing outlets Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Celio were also damaged, as well as a bank, a chocolatier and several newsstands.&nbsp;

Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to repel protesters who gathered at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial, which had already been sacked on December 1.

But for seven hours, they continued to be pelted with paving stones.

"Yellow vest" representatives on Sunday called on Interior Minister Christophe Castaner to quit over the government's failure to contain the black bloc.&nbsp;

They accuse the anarchists of hijacking the peaceful weekly demonstrations.

"We are neither pariahs nor terrorists," Thierry-Paul Valette, co-founder of the "Yellow Vest Citizens" group, said in a statement.&nbsp;

A judicial source said 200 people, including 15 minors, were held in custody after Saturday's events.

Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said she was waiting for "an explanation" from the government, declaring herself "really angry" at the "unprecedented violence".

"We should be able to master a situation like the one we have just witnessed," she told Le Parisien newspaper.

"Enough is enough. And this Saturday went too far!" raged Bernard Stalter, president of CMA France, a national network of chambers of trades and crafts.&nbsp;

'Paris on fire'

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire will on Monday host a meeting with trade and employers groups as well as insurers to discuss the economic impact of the protests, his office said.

Last month, Le Maire estimated the economic impact would slice 0.2 percentage points off France's economic growth.

On Tuesday, Le Maire and Castaner will face questioning from two French Senate committees over Saturday's events.

Questions will focus on "the means put in place to deal with these disorders" and the resulting downgrade in France's trading situation and "economic attractiveness", the Senate said in a statement Sunday.

Back in November, Macron was caught off guard when grassroots protesters began occupying traffic roundabouts over fuel taxes. He has loosened the state's purse strings to the tune of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) to try to defuse the rallies.

But the measures failed to quell the anger of the demonstrators, who accuse the former investment banker of being elitist and favouring the rich.

Opposition parties on Sunday took aim at the government's failure to deal with the violence on the streets.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of shutting down far-right pressure groups while failing to deal with the ultra-left.

Meanwhile, Xavier Bertrand, the leader of France's northern region, said the government should not be afraid "to use force and the force of law."

European parliamentarian Nadine Morano, of the right-wing Republicans party, got in a stinging blow, tweeting about Macron enjoying himself on the ski slopes while "Paris is on fire".

The French government admitted Sunday its security measures had been "insufficient" to stem an arson and looting rampage by black-clad anarchists during a "yellow vest" protest along the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris.

The French government admitted Sunday its security measures had been "insufficient" to stem an arson and looting rampage by black-clad anarchists during a "yellow vest" protest along the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris. Police appeared overwhelmed Saturday as demonstrators ran amok on the avenue, with retailers there saying some 80 shops and businesses were vandalised. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe acknowledged Sunday there had been security "flaws" which needed to be rectified. "Analysis of yesterday's events highlights that the measures taken were insufficient to contain the violence and prevent wrongdoing" by the rioters, the premier's office said, adding that Philippe was due to meet President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning. Already under political pressure, Macron -- who cut short a skiing trip to rush back to the capital for a crisis meeting late Saturday -- has vowed "strong" action. Retailers have expressed dismay over the 18th consecutive weekend of potent anti-government rallies. Saturday's turnout was characterised by a sharp uptick in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout. "It feels like this will never end," said Emir Fatnassi whose shop front on the Champs-Elysees was smashed in by rioters. "You can protest but why destroy everything?... Repairing the windows will cost at least 25,000 euros (£21,000; $28,000), and an important part of merchandise is gone." 'Neither pariahs nor terrorists' "There's been a surge of violence," said Jean-Noel Reinhardt, head of the Committee Champs-Elysees, a local association with 180 members. "The authorities must put an end to this situation," he insisted Sunday. Chaos broke out Saturday when groups of so-called "black bloc" protesters swarmed the Champs-Elysees, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century -- as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp. Clothing outlets Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Celio were also damaged, as well as a bank, a chocolatier and several newsstands. Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to repel protesters who gathered at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial, which had already been sacked on December 1. But for seven hours, they continued to be pelted with paving stones. "Yellow vest" representatives on Sunday called on Interior Minister Christophe Castaner to quit over the government's failure to contain the black bloc. They accuse the anarchists of hijacking the peaceful weekly demonstrations. "We are neither pariahs nor terrorists," Thierry-Paul Valette, co-founder of the "Yellow Vest Citizens" group, said in a statement. A judicial source said 200 people, including 15 minors, were held in custody after Saturday's events. Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said she was waiting for "an explanation" from the government, declaring herself "really angry" at the "unprecedented violence". "We should be able to master a situation like the one we have just witnessed," she told Le Parisien newspaper. "Enough is enough. And this Saturday went too far!" raged Bernard Stalter, president of CMA France, a national network of chambers of trades and crafts. 'Paris on fire' Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire will on Monday host a meeting with trade and employers groups as well as insurers to discuss the economic impact of the protests, his office said. Last month, Le Maire estimated the economic impact would slice 0.2 percentage points off France's economic growth. On Tuesday, Le Maire and Castaner will face questioning from two French Senate committees over Saturday's events. Questions will focus on "the means put in place to deal with these disorders" and the resulting downgrade in France's trading situation and "economic attractiveness", the Senate said in a statement Sunday. Back in November, Macron was caught off guard when grassroots protesters began occupying traffic roundabouts over fuel taxes. He has loosened the state's purse strings to the tune of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) to try to defuse the rallies. But the measures failed to quell the anger of the demonstrators, who accuse the former investment banker of being elitist and favouring the rich. Opposition parties on Sunday took aim at the government's failure to deal with the violence on the streets. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of shutting down far-right pressure groups while failing to deal with the ultra-left. Meanwhile, Xavier Bertrand, the leader of France's northern region, said the government should not be afraid "to use force and the force of law." European parliamentarian Nadine Morano, of the right-wing Republicans party, got in a stinging blow, tweeting about Macron enjoying himself on the ski slopes while "Paris is on fire".

French government admits security 'flaws' in violent Paris riots

Rioters looted and torched shops and businesses on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Saturday, on the 18th weekend of French "yellow vest" protests, characterised by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yellow-vests-burn-bank-building-as-paris-protests-turn-violent-203749">a sharp increase in violence</a> after weeks of dwindling turnout.

President Emmanuel Macron cut short a skiing trip in the Pyrenees to return to Paris for a crisis meeting, as hooded protesters went on the rampage in Paris, leaving a trail of destruction in the touristic heart of the city.

He vowed to take "strong decisions" to prevent further violence, following the emergency talks held at the interior ministry late Saturday.

"There are people today who try by all means... to damage the Republic by breaking, by destroying things at the risk of killing someone," Macron said.

"All those who were there were complicit in" the havoc spread across the Champs-Elysees, he added.

The police appeared overrun as protesters swarmed the Champs-Elysees, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century -- as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp, a bank, another restaurant and several newsstands.

The rioters also looted several clothing stores and set fire to barricades in scenes reminiscent of the worst yellow-vest riots in Paris in December.

"Like the vast majority of French people, I feel very angry today," tweeted French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited the scene.&nbsp;

"Today's actions are not the work of protesters, but of looters, arsonists and criminals. No cause justifies this violence," he added.

In a statement, the national police denounced the "mindless violence, cowardly attacks" and stressed their determination to guarantee public order against &nbsp;"provocateurs and vandals".

Bank blaze

Saturday's turnout was seen a test of the ongoing strength of the movement, which began in November over fuel tax hikes and quickly ballooned into a rebellion against Macron's policies, seen by the protesters as geared towards the rich.

In recent weeks, the protests have dwindled in size. But the interior ministry estimated the turnout in Paris Saturday at 10,000, out of around 32,300 nationwide.

That is a fraction of the 282,000 people they said took part in the inaugural demonstrations across France on November 17, but more than the previous weekend.&nbsp;

Saturday's protests were markedly more violent than in recent weeks. Police said close to 240 people were arrested, while prosecutors said more than 100 had been taken into custody.

The bank set alight was on the ground floor of an apartment building, and fire firefighters had to quickly evacuate the residents, including a nine-month-old baby.

Eleven people suffered minor injuries in the bank blaze, the fire service told AFP.

The violence left 17 members of the police injured, and 42 protesters, said police.

'Ultra-violent' minority

The rally coincides with the end of the public debates called by the president to try take the heat out of the protests and give voters a forum to propose policy changes.

Around half a million people turned out at town hall-style meetings held around the country over the past two months.

But many "yellow vests" dismissed the consultation exercise as a smoke-screen.

On Saturday, the police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to try repel protesters who gathered at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial, which was sacked by protesters on December 1.

But for seven hours they continued to be pelted with paving stones by mostly black-clad demonstrators.

"There are a number of people who have come just to smash things," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, estimating that some 1,500 "ultra-violent" activists had infiltrated the crowd.

"We have been too nice, that's why it's violent today. I'm not in favour (of violence) but we are ruled by corrupt people who dare to lecture us," Jean-Francois Bernard, a landscape gardener who was among the protesters, told AFP.

The presidency later announced that Macron was returning home from La Mongie ski resort where he and his wife Brigitte arrived Thursday to spend the weekend.

'We want results'

Protesters streamed into the capital by train and car for a rally they called an "ultimatum" to the president. Over 5,000 police were deployed, along with several armoured police vehicles.

Macron was caught off guard when grassroots protesters began occupying traffic roundabouts in November over fuel taxes. He has loosened the state's purse strings to the tune of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) to try defuse the protests.

But the measures failed to quell the anger of the demonstrators, who accuse the former investment banker of being elitist and favouring the rich.

The Paris protest was one of several in the capital on Saturday, where tens of thousands of climate campaigners also held a demonstration to demand that the French government uphold its commitments on reducing emissions.

Yellow vest protests also took place in several other French cities. At Bordeaux, in the southwest, police clashed with protesters and a bank was damaged.

Rioters looted and torched shops and businesses on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Saturday, on the 18th weekend of French "yellow vest" protests, characterised by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout.

Rioters looted and torched shops and businesses on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on Saturday, on the 18th weekend of French "yellow vest" protests, characterised by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout. President Emmanuel Macron cut short a skiing trip in the Pyrenees to return to Paris for a crisis meeting, as hooded protesters went on the rampage in Paris, leaving a trail of destruction in the touristic heart of the city. He vowed to take "strong decisions" to prevent further violence, following the emergency talks held at the interior ministry late Saturday. "There are people today who try by all means... to damage the Republic by breaking, by destroying things at the risk of killing someone," Macron said. "All those who were there were complicit in" the havoc spread across the Champs-Elysees, he added. The police appeared overrun as protesters swarmed the Champs-Elysees, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century -- as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp, a bank, another restaurant and several newsstands. The rioters also looted several clothing stores and set fire to barricades in scenes reminiscent of the worst yellow-vest riots in Paris in December. "Like the vast majority of French people, I feel very angry today," tweeted French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited the scene. "Today's actions are not the work of protesters, but of looters, arsonists and criminals. No cause justifies this violence," he added. In a statement, the national police denounced the "mindless violence, cowardly attacks" and stressed their determination to guarantee public order against "provocateurs and vandals". Bank blaze Saturday's turnout was seen a test of the ongoing strength of the movement, which began in November over fuel tax hikes and quickly ballooned into a rebellion against Macron's policies, seen by the protesters as geared towards the rich. In recent weeks, the protests have dwindled in size. But the interior ministry estimated the turnout in Paris Saturday at 10,000, out of around 32,300 nationwide. That is a fraction of the 282,000 people they said took part in the inaugural demonstrations across France on November 17, but more than the previous weekend. Saturday's protests were markedly more violent than in recent weeks. Police said close to 240 people were arrested, while prosecutors said more than 100 had been taken into custody. The bank set alight was on the ground floor of an apartment building, and fire firefighters had to quickly evacuate the residents, including a nine-month-old baby. Eleven people suffered minor injuries in the bank blaze, the fire service told AFP. The violence left 17 members of the police injured, and 42 protesters, said police. 'Ultra-violent' minority The rally coincides with the end of the public debates called by the president to try take the heat out of the protests and give voters a forum to propose policy changes. Around half a million people turned out at town hall-style meetings held around the country over the past two months. But many "yellow vests" dismissed the consultation exercise as a smoke-screen. On Saturday, the police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to try repel protesters who gathered at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial, which was sacked by protesters on December 1. But for seven hours they continued to be pelted with paving stones by mostly black-clad demonstrators. "There are a number of people who have come just to smash things," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, estimating that some 1,500 "ultra-violent" activists had infiltrated the crowd. "We have been too nice, that's why it's violent today. I'm not in favour (of violence) but we are ruled by corrupt people who dare to lecture us," Jean-Francois Bernard, a landscape gardener who was among the protesters, told AFP. The presidency later announced that Macron was returning home from La Mongie ski resort where he and his wife Brigitte arrived Thursday to spend the weekend. 'We want results' Protesters streamed into the capital by train and car for a rally they called an "ultimatum" to the president. Over 5,000 police were deployed, along with several armoured police vehicles. Macron was caught off guard when grassroots protesters began occupying traffic roundabouts in November over fuel taxes. He has loosened the state's purse strings to the tune of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) to try defuse the protests. But the measures failed to quell the anger of the demonstrators, who accuse the former investment banker of being elitist and favouring the rich. The Paris protest was one of several in the capital on Saturday, where tens of thousands of climate campaigners also held a demonstration to demand that the French government uphold its commitments on reducing emissions. Yellow vest protests also took place in several other French cities. At Bordeaux, in the southwest, police clashed with protesters and a bank was damaged.

'Yellow vest' protesters torch shops, businesses in heart of Paris

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