On Tuesday morning, a French police officer shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car.

The incident ignited unrest in the city, prompting shock and anger among residents questioning the readiness of security forces to resort to violence.

The teenager was driving a rental car in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre in the early hours of Tuesday when the police pulled him over for violating road rules, said the prosecutors.

BFM TV broadcast images show clashes breaking out between youths and police on Tuesday evening, as per AFP reports.

The Nanterre prosecutor's office said that the 17-year-old died from the wounds after being shot at by the police.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-takes-away-umbrella-from-woman-leaving-her-walking-in-rain-watch-607665">Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif takes away umbrella from woman, leaving her to walk behind in rain. Watch!</a>

As per various news agencies, a video of the incident being circulated on social media showed two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes AMG, with one shooting as the driver pulled away.

<h2>French policeman detained on homicide charges</h2>

The Nanterre prosecutors' office said that the officer accused of shooting at the teenager has been detained on homicide charges.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told parliament the two police officers were being interrogated and acknowledged that the images posted on social media were "extremely shocking".

He urged people to "respect the grief of the family and the presumption of innocence of the police".

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, in an interview with BFM television, said that the action of the policeman "raises questions", though he said it was possible the officer felt threatened.

The family's lawyer Yassine Bouzrou told BFM TV that while all parties needed to wait for the result of the probe, the images "clearly showed a policeman killing a young man in cold blood".

"This is a long way from any kind of legitimate defence," he said, adding the family had filed a complaint accusing the police of "lying" by initially claiming the car had tried to run down the officers.&nbsp;

The incident sparked anger among residents&nbsp;which led to protests in Nanterre. The demonstrators lit fires, set a car alight, and destroyed bus stops on Tuesday evening.

According to the authorities, nine people were arrested in the confrontations.

Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry said he was "shocked" by the video images and passed his "sincere condolences to the boy's mother".

"He hopes that the investigations opened will make it possible to shed light as quickly as possible on the exact circumstances of this tragedy," his office said.

"It's so sad, he was so young," said AFP quoted Samia Bough, 62, the teenager's former neighbour, who came to lay a bouquet of yellow roses at the scene as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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On Tuesday morning, a French police officer shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car.

On Tuesday morning, a French police officer shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car. The incident ignited unrest in the city, prompting shock and anger among residents questioning the readiness of security forces to resort to violence. The teenager was driving a rental car in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre in the early hours of Tuesday when the police pulled him over for violating road rules, said the prosecutors. BFM TV broadcast images show clashes breaking out between youths and police on Tuesday evening, as per AFP reports. The Nanterre prosecutor's office said that the 17-year-old died from the wounds after being shot at by the police. Also read: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif takes away umbrella from woman, leaving her to walk behind in rain. Watch! As per various news agencies, a video of the incident being circulated on social media showed two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes AMG, with one shooting as the driver pulled away. French policeman detained on homicide charges The Nanterre prosecutors' office said that the officer accused of shooting at the teenager has been detained on homicide charges. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told parliament the two police officers were being interrogated and acknowledged that the images posted on social media were "extremely shocking". He urged people to "respect the grief of the family and the presumption of innocence of the police". Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, in an interview with BFM television, said that the action of the policeman "raises questions", though he said it was possible the officer felt threatened. The family's lawyer Yassine Bouzrou told BFM TV that while all parties needed to wait for the result of the probe, the images "clearly showed a policeman killing a young man in cold blood". "This is a long way from any kind of legitimate defence," he said, adding the family had filed a complaint accusing the police of "lying" by initially claiming the car had tried to run down the officers. The incident sparked anger among residents which led to protests in Nanterre. The demonstrators lit fires, set a car alight, and destroyed bus stops on Tuesday evening. According to the authorities, nine people were arrested in the confrontations. Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry said he was "shocked" by the video images and passed his "sincere condolences to the boy's mother". "He hopes that the investigations opened will make it possible to shed light as quickly as possible on the exact circumstances of this tragedy," his office said. "It's so sad, he was so young," said AFP quoted Samia Bough, 62, the teenager's former neighbour, who came to lay a bouquet of yellow roses at the scene as saying. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

French police officer detained on homicide charges after killing teenager for fleeing traffic stop

For the first time, France tested its home-grown hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can manoeuvre freely and glide at hypersonic speed.

V-Max, the French glider, was launched on Monday from a sounding rocket — which allows precise measurements — from the Biscarosse missile test site on the Bay of Biscay, southwestern France, the country’s defence procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), said.

VMaX stands for Véhicule Manoeuvrant Expérimental or experimental manoeuvring vehicle.

The French HGV has the capacity to exceed Mach 5, or 6,000 kilometres per hour (3,730 mph).

The agency did not give details on the outcome of the test but said an analysis of data collected during the test was underway.

<h2>Few countries developing it</h2>

So far, only a handful of countries possess or are developing this technology that includes China, Russia, and the United States.

“Equipped with many on-board technological innovations, this flight test was an unprecedented technical challenge that prepares the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap,” the DGA commented the day after the test.

“France&nbsp;is one of the only countries in the world to have credible expertise in this field.”&nbsp;

"Its flight test, on a very demanding long-range trajectory, represented an unprecedented technical challenge that will pave the way for the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap," the agency said in a statement.

The contract to make a glide vehicle was given by the French government to aerospace company ArianeGroup in 2019.

<h2>Hypersonic gliders</h2>

Hypersonic gliders are designed to carry a nuclear or conventional warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles whose trajectories are fixed at launch, hypersonic gliders can change direction at high speed, allowing them to zigzag past air defences and take evasive action once targeted by anti-air missiles.

Back in October 2020, French Navy’s (Marine Nationale) Chief of Staff Admiral Pierre Vandier shared some details on the project during&nbsp;a hearing at the French Senate.

“The hypersonic threat is a major consideration for us. Having missiles of this type is essential in the naval combat of today and tomorrow. The Chinese, and to a lesser extent the Russians, have developed a number of hypersonic weapons. China is trying to show that this type of weapon could be effective against aircraft carriers, but, despite significant efforts in strategic communication on their part,&nbsp;there is currently no convincing demonstration.

“We are also working nationally on the subject of hyper-velocity missiles, the DGA having programmed a hypersonic test firing. From the point of view of anti-missile defence, we favour the axis of the modernization of air defence frigates which will be effective in 2027 and 2028.”

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For the first time, France tested its home-grown hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can manoeuvre freely and glide at hypersonic speed.

For the first time, France tested its home-grown hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can manoeuvre freely and glide at hypersonic speed. V-Max, the French glider, was launched on Monday from a sounding rocket — which allows precise measurements — from the Biscarosse missile test site on the Bay of Biscay, southwestern France, the country’s defence procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), said. VMaX stands for Véhicule Manoeuvrant Expérimental or experimental manoeuvring vehicle. The French HGV has the capacity to exceed Mach 5, or 6,000 kilometres per hour (3,730 mph). The agency did not give details on the outcome of the test but said an analysis of data collected during the test was underway. Few countries developing it So far, only a handful of countries possess or are developing this technology that includes China, Russia, and the United States. “Equipped with many on-board technological innovations, this flight test was an unprecedented technical challenge that prepares the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap,” the DGA commented the day after the test. “France is one of the only countries in the world to have credible expertise in this field.” "Its flight test, on a very demanding long-range trajectory, represented an unprecedented technical challenge that will pave the way for the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap," the agency said in a statement. The contract to make a glide vehicle was given by the French government to aerospace company ArianeGroup in 2019. Hypersonic gliders Hypersonic gliders are designed to carry a nuclear or conventional warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles whose trajectories are fixed at launch, hypersonic gliders can change direction at high speed, allowing them to zigzag past air defences and take evasive action once targeted by anti-air missiles. Back in October 2020, French Navy’s (Marine Nationale) Chief of Staff Admiral Pierre Vandier shared some details on the project during a hearing at the French Senate. “The hypersonic threat is a major consideration for us. Having missiles of this type is essential in the naval combat of today and tomorrow. The Chinese, and to a lesser extent the Russians, have developed a number of hypersonic weapons. China is trying to show that this type of weapon could be effective against aircraft carriers, but, despite significant efforts in strategic communication on their part, there is currently no convincing demonstration. “We are also working nationally on the subject of hyper-velocity missiles, the DGA having programmed a hypersonic test firing. From the point of view of anti-missile defence, we favour the axis of the modernization of air defence frigates which will be effective in 2027 and 2028.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE

For first time, France conducts test of hypersonic glider

Riots have reportedly broken out in a Paris suburb after a 17-year-old delivery driver was shot and killed by a police officer on Tuesday in Nanterre. The death unleashed tensions between angry residents setting barricades on fire and police firing tear gas.

Protests and violence in France as police kills a driver in Nanterre

Six days after a massive blast destroyed a 17th-century building in France, injuring 58, a body was found in the rubble on Tuesday. Emergency services, looking for a missing woman after the blast, stumbled upon the body, an AFP report stated.

Six days after a massive blast destroyed a 17th-century building in France, injuring 58, a body was found in the rubble on Tuesday. Emergency services, looking for a missing woman after the blast, stumbled upon the body, an AFP report stated. The missing person was a teacher at the Paris American Academy fashion school on the city's touristy Left Bank. French media reports claimed that she had been teaching at the academy for 20 years and was on the third floor of the building when the blast took place. Apart from the woman, Peter Carman, the head of the academy, is among the worst hurt in the accident. Carman had reportedly rushed to cut off the power supply when the smell of gas spread through the building. Notably, the search operation of the destroyed building was briefly halted over the weekend, while a neighbouring building, which was on the verge of collapse, was stabilised. WATCH | Paris building fire: Ten killed, 30 injured × According to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the incident happened on Rue Saint-Jacques in the fifth arrondissement, close to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and Sorbonne University, just before 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Wednesday (June 21). “We heard an incredible, very loud explosion at around 5 pm, we felt the force of it. We thought this isn’t a storm, this is serious. We heard the fire services. I went out to see if I could help. But it’s all shut-off," a local pharmacist and witness to the accident was quoted as saying by The Guardian. French media reports, citing nearby residents, reported a loud explosion preceding the fire. Meanwhile, French prosecutors said the cause of the fire still remains unknown. They are investigating whether the blast was the result of a failure to observe safety norms or not. Not the first instance Notably, this wasn't the first instance of a building collapsing after an explosion in France. In April this year, a similar incident was reported in the port city of Marseille. A five-floor building, located in an old quarter in the centre of France’s second-largest city collapsed after midnight. Also read | Building collapses after explosion in Marseille, 10 remain missing Several witnesses have said there was a suspicious smell of gas which could have caused the explosion. The accident once again highlighted the city's housing standards with shoddy structures housing thousands while several building codes remain violated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Woman's body found in rubble six days after Paris building blast

Leaked documents show that Andry Rajoelina obtained French nationality in 2014. It has caused a stir on the island. Many are seeing it as an act of betrayal. Why is that? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Did Madagascar's president collude with ex-colonial power France?

World music day on the 21st of June each year, is an initiative that started 41 years ago in France to celebrate the spirit of Music. It has spread worldwide over the years and is called the Fete de la music. Now here is a glimpse of how India celebrated the festival over 14 days with events across different cities organized by the French Cultural Institute in India as we leave you with this story enjoy!

India celebrates Fete de la Musique

Multilateral development banks are expected to unlock $200 billion in extra firepower for emerging economies by running their balance sheets more tightly and taking on more risk, world leaders meeting at a summit in Paris said on Friday.

Many of the around 40 leaders gathered in Paris voiced concerns that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were increasingly outdated for tackling challenges like climate change and post-COVID debt burdens of poor countries.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-temple-visits-on-rise-as-jobless-young-people-seek-spiritual-help-607805">China: Temple visits on rise as jobless young people seek spiritual help</a>

"We ... expect an overall increase of 200 billion (dollars) of MDBs' lending capacity over the next ten years by optimizing their balance sheets and taking more risks," the summit's final statement obtained by Reuters said.

"If these reforms are implemented, MDBs may need more capital," it added.

U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Paris ahead of the summit that efforts to squeeze more lending from the development lenders had to be carried out before considering the possibility of capital increases.

The U.S. is the largest shareholder of the IMF and World Bank.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-combat-ship-to-make-rare-port-call-in-vietnam-amid-south-china-sea-tensions-607798">US combat ship to make rare port call in Vietnam amid South China Sea tensions</a>

The Paris summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered around two dozen leaders from Africa, China's prime minister and Brazil's president had gathered to give impetus to a new global finance agenda.

At the summit, wealthy nations finalised an overdue $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries and created a fund for biodiversity and the protection of forests.

The summit aims to create multifaceted roadmaps that can be used over the next 18-24 months, ranging from debt relief to climate finance. Many of the topics on the agenda take up suggestions from a group of developing countries, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, dubbed the 'Bridgetown Initiative'.

"There is the political consensus that this issue is bigger than each of us and we have to work together and multilateral development banks will have to change how they do business and that is accepted," Mottley said at the summit's final panel.

Watch | Indian PM Modi and US President Biden stress democracy, minority rights in joint press conference

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"We leave Paris not with speeches simply, but a commitment to get down into the granular details to make sure that what we agree here can be executed."

Leaders were also hoping to reform post-war financial institutions and free up funds to tackle climate change by getting consensus on how to promote a number of initiatives struggling in bodies like the G20, COP, IMF-World Bank and United Nations.

The $100 billion pledge falls far short of poor nations' actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries' failure to deliver promised climate funds. This has fuelled mistrust in wider climate negotiations between countries attempting to boost CO2-cutting measures.

"If we can't shape the rules in this time like others before, then we will be accountable for what potentially can be worst reality of mankind," Mottley said.

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&nbsp;

Multilateral development banks are expected to unlock $200 billion in extra firepower for emerging economies by running their balance sheets more tightly and taking on more risk, world leaders meeting at a summit in Paris said on Friday.

Multilateral development banks are expected to unlock $200 billion in extra firepower for emerging economies by running their balance sheets more tightly and taking on more risk, world leaders meeting at a summit in Paris said on Friday. Many of the around 40 leaders gathered in Paris voiced concerns that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were increasingly outdated for tackling challenges like climate change and post-COVID debt burdens of poor countries. Also Read | China: Temple visits on rise as jobless young people seek spiritual help "We ... expect an overall increase of 200 billion (dollars) of MDBs' lending capacity over the next ten years by optimizing their balance sheets and taking more risks," the summit's final statement obtained by Reuters said. "If these reforms are implemented, MDBs may need more capital," it added. U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Paris ahead of the summit that efforts to squeeze more lending from the development lenders had to be carried out before considering the possibility of capital increases. The U.S. is the largest shareholder of the IMF and World Bank. Also Read | US combat ship to make rare port call in Vietnam amid South China Sea tensions The Paris summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered around two dozen leaders from Africa, China's prime minister and Brazil's president had gathered to give impetus to a new global finance agenda. At the summit, wealthy nations finalised an overdue $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries and created a fund for biodiversity and the protection of forests. The summit aims to create multifaceted roadmaps that can be used over the next 18-24 months, ranging from debt relief to climate finance. Many of the topics on the agenda take up suggestions from a group of developing countries, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, dubbed the 'Bridgetown Initiative'. "There is the political consensus that this issue is bigger than each of us and we have to work together and multilateral development banks will have to change how they do business and that is accepted," Mottley said at the summit's final panel. Watch | Indian PM Modi and US President Biden stress democracy, minority rights in joint press conference × "We leave Paris not with speeches simply, but a commitment to get down into the granular details to make sure that what we agree here can be executed." Leaders were also hoping to reform post-war financial institutions and free up funds to tackle climate change by getting consensus on how to promote a number of initiatives struggling in bodies like the G20, COP, IMF-World Bank and United Nations. The $100 billion pledge falls far short of poor nations' actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries' failure to deliver promised climate funds. This has fuelled mistrust in wider climate negotiations between countries attempting to boost CO2-cutting measures. "If we can't shape the rules in this time like others before, then we will be accountable for what potentially can be worst reality of mankind," Mottley said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Development banks can boost lending by $200 bln: World leaders at Paris summit

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred&nbsp;a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter. Here's why it is causing a controversy on social media.

<h2>Here's what happened</h2>

Following his arrival in France, a video shared by his office has sparked a row on social media.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-village-mourns-24-feared-dead-in-greek-migrant-tragedy-607006">Pakistan village mourns 24 feared dead in Greek migrant boat tragedy</a>

In the video which is being widely shared by people on Twitter and other platforms, Sharif can be seen taking an umbrella away from a woman protocol officer who came to receive him in rain.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:

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PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif insisted on holding the umbrella himself when a protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the French president on Thursday. But his “good gesture” left the woman officer walking in the rain. ☔️ <a href="https://t.co/8R50EvHy3j">pic.twitter.com/8R50EvHy3j</a>
— Baker Atyani (@atyanibaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/atyanibaker/status/1671807239437398017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Why is this a big deal?</h2>

 
Upon Shehbaz Sharif's landing and the subsequent arrival at Palais Brogniart to attend the summit, it was raining in Paris.

To receive the Pakistani Prime Minister, a lady protocol officer was waiting for him with an umbrella. Once Sharif exited the car, the two started walking towards the venue.

They can then be seen having a word, following which the Pakistani leader takes the umbrella from the female protocol officer and paces ahead with it. The female officer follows the Pakistan PM, walking in the rain just a few steps behind him.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-new-sc-bench-to-hear-pleas-against-military-trial-of-civilians-after-senior-judge-recuses-himself-607271">Pakistan: New SC bench formed to hear pleas against military trial of civilians after senior judges' concerns</a>

Now, the video has sparked a debate. While some people are calling it a "good gesture", others are calling the behaviour an "embarrassment", yet others have labelled Sharif's conduct as "impolite".

However, many have also jumped to his defence. One user posted a screenshot from the video and wrote, "There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷".

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There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷 <a href="https://t.co/mECnFff9yQ">pic.twitter.com/mECnFff9yQ</a>
— Halima (@HalimaS01) <a href="https://twitter.com/HalimaS01/status/1671854291769004032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another wrote: "Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life."

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Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life.
— BIKKI JHA (@BIKKIJHA13) <a href="https://twitter.com/BIKKIJHA13/status/1671935313864970241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Yet another user pointed out that Sharif may have taken the umbrella from the officer "because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown."

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Because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown
— عمر (@OZK_Speaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OZK_Speaks/status/1672039377558728711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man," said another.

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We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. 
He is such a great man.
— MUHAMMAD ANWER KHAN (@MUHAMMADANWERKH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MUHAMMADANWERKH/status/1671906640520704001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Why is Shehbaz Sharif in France?</h2>

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Paris to attend the two-day summit, on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

As per an Radio Pakistan report, the Pakistani PM earlier met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in a last-ditch effort to get a much-needed loan to aid Pakistan through its financial troubles.

The South Asian nation has also asked the United Stes to play a role in reviving the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, reported IANS. However, the US is reportedly more interested in finding out what Paksitan will do to cope with the economic challenges, in case the IMF funding falls through. 
&nbsp;

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter. Here's why it is causing a controversy on social media. Here's what happened Following his arrival in France, a video shared by his office has sparked a row on social media. Also read | Pakistan village mourns 24 feared dead in Greek migrant boat tragedy In the video which is being widely shared by people on Twitter and other platforms, Sharif can be seen taking an umbrella away from a woman protocol officer who came to receive him in rain. Watch the video here: PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif insisted on holding the umbrella himself when a protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the French president on Thursday. But his “good gesture” left the woman officer walking in the rain. ☔️ pic.twitter.com/8R50EvHy3j — Baker Atyani (@atyanibaker) June 22, 2023 × Why is this a big deal? Upon Shehbaz Sharif's landing and the subsequent arrival at Palais Brogniart to attend the summit, it was raining in Paris. To receive the Pakistani Prime Minister, a lady protocol officer was waiting for him with an umbrella. Once Sharif exited the car, the two started walking towards the venue. They can then be seen having a word, following which the Pakistani leader takes the umbrella from the female protocol officer and paces ahead with it. The female officer follows the Pakistan PM, walking in the rain just a few steps behind him. Also read | Pakistan: New SC bench formed to hear pleas against military trial of civilians after senior judges' concerns Now, the video has sparked a debate. While some people are calling it a "good gesture", others are calling the behaviour an "embarrassment", yet others have labelled Sharif's conduct as "impolite". However, many have also jumped to his defence. One user posted a screenshot from the video and wrote, "There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷". There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷 pic.twitter.com/mECnFff9yQ — Halima (@HalimaS01) June 22, 2023 × Another wrote: "Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life." Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life. — BIKKI JHA (@BIKKIJHA13) June 22, 2023 × Yet another user pointed out that Sharif may have taken the umbrella from the officer "because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown." Because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown — عمر (@OZK_Speaks) June 23, 2023 × "We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man," said another. We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man. — MUHAMMAD ANWER KHAN (@MUHAMMADANWERKH) June 22, 2023 × Why is Shehbaz Sharif in France? Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Paris to attend the two-day summit, on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. As per an Radio Pakistan report, the Pakistani PM earlier met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in a last-ditch effort to get a much-needed loan to aid Pakistan through its financial troubles. The South Asian nation has also asked the United Stes to play a role in reviving the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, reported IANS. However, the US is reportedly more interested in finding out what Paksitan will do to cope with the economic challenges, in case the IMF funding falls through. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif takes away umbrella from woman, leaving her to walk behind in rain. Watch!

In his opening remarks at the climate finance summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of the need for "public finance shock" or a global surge of financing to fight the challenges of climate change and poverty. He said that changes were needed in the global lending system in order to ensure that low-income countries "shouldn't have to choose" between fighting climate change and poverty.

Macron said that the international lending system, of which the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are foundations, has been valuable in previous decades, but now it is "not completely suited" to tackle current challenges before the world.

"We can make it work much better if this money and these liquidities were at the service of progress on the planet and tackling this double challenge that I mentioned: poverty and climate change, (and) biodiversity," Macron said.

Government and international leaders are gathered in Paris for a climate summit aiming to pin down a roadmap for easing the debt burdens of low-income countries while freeing up more funds for climate financing.

Macron added that along with a 'public finance shock', a massive private investment in green technology was needed in order to help the world transition to a low-carbon economy.&nbsp;

"Policymakers and countries shouldn't ever have to choose between reducing poverty and protecting the planet," he told an audience that included dozens of heads of state who have travelled to the French capital for two days of talks.

Macron said that world leaders, international organisations and the private sector needed to act immediately to change how the global financial system worked. If this is not done, all these stakeholders risk losing the trust of the people.

"If we miss the target... trust of our people will be lost," Macron said, adding that the next two years were crucial

"We have to create a collective dynamic and we need much more from the private sector."

(With inputs from agencies)

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In his opening remarks at the climate finance summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of the need for "public finance shock" or a global surge of financing to fight the challenges of climate change and poverty.

In his opening remarks at the climate finance summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of the need for "public finance shock" or a global surge of financing to fight the challenges of climate change and poverty. He said that changes were needed in the global lending system in order to ensure that low-income countries "shouldn't have to choose" between fighting climate change and poverty. Macron said that the international lending system, of which the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are foundations, has been valuable in previous decades, but now it is "not completely suited" to tackle current challenges before the world. "We can make it work much better if this money and these liquidities were at the service of progress on the planet and tackling this double challenge that I mentioned: poverty and climate change, (and) biodiversity," Macron said. Government and international leaders are gathered in Paris for a climate summit aiming to pin down a roadmap for easing the debt burdens of low-income countries while freeing up more funds for climate financing. Macron added that along with a 'public finance shock', a massive private investment in green technology was needed in order to help the world transition to a low-carbon economy. "Policymakers and countries shouldn't ever have to choose between reducing poverty and protecting the planet," he told an audience that included dozens of heads of state who have travelled to the French capital for two days of talks. Macron said that world leaders, international organisations and the private sector needed to act immediately to change how the global financial system worked. If this is not done, all these stakeholders risk losing the trust of the people. "If we miss the target... trust of our people will be lost," Macron said, adding that the next two years were crucial "We have to create a collective dynamic and we need much more from the private sector." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

At climate finance summit, Macron stresses need for 'public finance shock'

French President Emmanuel Macron called on European nations to seek more independence on airspace defense and advocated against relying too much on the US and Israel.

Macron urges Europe to develop its own air defense systems and not rely on US & Israel

World leaders at Paris Climate Summit push for climate finance reform. The summit draws the heads of state, top ministers from about 80 countries, including leading world economies, who are suffering from climate change-related effects.

Countries on front lines of climate change seek new lifeline in Paris

A chilling case of psychopathy, deception and lies has come to light in France where a husband drugged his wife at night in their house and invited at least 51 men to rape her over the course of a decade between 2011 and 2020.

A chilling case of psychopathy, deception and lies has come to light in France where a husband drugged his wife at night in their house and invited at least 51 men to rape her over the course of a decade between 2011 and 2020. The suspect husband identified as Dominique P, a pensioner had been married to his wife Françoise (not her real first name) for more than 50 years and had three adult children. He contacted strangers on an internet forum called “à son insu” (“without him/her knowing”) where members discussed performing sexual acts on their oblivious and obviously non-consensual partners, often drugged. After making contact, Dominique would invite the so-called guests to his home in Mazan, France to carry out reprehensible sexual acts while his wife lay drugged, out of her mind. He anaesthetised his wife by allegedly mixing the anti-anxiety drug Témesta (Lorazepam) into her evening meals, according to The Telegraph. To top off his debauchery, Dominique would record the men raping her wife. It is understood that he kept the assault footage on a USB drive in a folder titled 'ABUSES'. Also read | Explained: The life of Charles Sobhraj also known as the ‘Bikini Killer’ and ‘The Serpent’ 92 cases of rape being probed: Police So far, the authorities have charged 51 men with rape and remanded them in custody. The accused were of all ages - from 26 to 73 and came from different walks of life (prison guard, lorry driver, journalist, IT worker in a bank, municipal councillor). Investigators have identified 92 cases of rape of Françoise by 83 'aggressors' but are yet to identify the remaining alleged assailants. Prosecutors investigating the case said all the men who came to Dominique's house performed the sexual acts out of their free will. He did not coerce them and none of the attackers "gave up going through with sexual acts on his wife given her state". “He insisted that none of the men who came to his house gave up going through with sexual acts on his wife given her state. He never used violence or threats against anyone so that rapes would be committed. Each individual was in possession of his free will to stop these acts and leave,” wrote Avignon prosecutors cited by Le Monde. WATCH | Gravitas: Serial killer severs a crocodile's head × The breakthrough The police first made a breakthrough in the case in 2020 when they learned that Dominique was using a hidden camera to film women in changing rooms. Françoise learned of the attacks after police found the tapes. Medical examinations revealed she had contracted four sexually transmitted infections. After the revelations, she is understood to have gone through episodes of depression and has filed for a divorce. Meanwhile, the demented husband told the investigators that he loved his "saint" wife who was his "first and only love". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

France: Husband accused of 'drugging' wife, inviting 51 strangers to rape her over a decade

According to local officials, at least 30 people have been injured after a supposed gas explosion occurred in the French capital city of Paris, on Wednesday (June 21). The police have also said that seven of those injured are in critical condition after a blast in Rue Saint-Jacques in the historic fifth arrondissement.&nbsp; Two people are missing, who are believed to be buried under the rubble.

<h2>What do we know so far?</h2>

Images and videos show police, and multiple fire and ambulance service vehicles surrounding the facade of one building fallen onto the street, with plumes of black smoke emerging from the debris. At least 230 firefighters were at the site&nbsp;and nine doctors, said the police officials.&nbsp;

According to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the incident happened on Rue Saint-Jacques in the fifth arrondissement, close to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and Sorbonne University and has asked people to stay away from the area and not hinder the massive deployment of firefighters and police.

Similarly, the police have also asked the locals to avoid the Val de Grace church area after the facade of a building collapsed and the fire is said to have spread to neighbouring buildings. The reported blast occurred at around 4:55 pm (local time).

Some two hours later at 6:45 pm (local time) the Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said that the fire is under control and rescue work was continuing. The prosecutors also said that two people were still unaccounted for after the blast and fire.&nbsp;

<h2>What caused the fire?</h2>

French media reports citing nearby residents also reported a loud explosion preceding the fire. Meanwhile, French prosecutors said the cause of the fire remains unknown. Notably, the site of the incident is at the edge of the Latin Quarter which is one of the most prominent tourist areas in Paris.

Paris police spokeswoman Loubna Atta said it was too early to determine the source of the fire and did not confirm reports about the gas explosion. This comes after local deputy mayor, Edouard Civel, said it was a gas explosion which caused the blast in a Twitter post. Additionally, witnesses also told the local media that had been a strong smell of gas moments before the blast.&nbsp;

“I was at home writing…I thought it was a bomb,” an art historian, Monique Mosser told Reuters. Meanwhile, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, as per media reports, said initial checks of camera footage suggested the explosion occurred within the building which was next to the Val de Grace church.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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According to local officials, at least 30 people have been injured after a supposed gas explosion occurred in the French capital city of Paris, on Wednesday (June 21).

According to local officials, at least 30 people have been injured after a supposed gas explosion occurred in the French capital city of Paris, on Wednesday (June 21). The police have also said that seven of those injured are in critical condition after a blast in Rue Saint-Jacques in the historic fifth arrondissement. Two people are missing, who are believed to be buried under the rubble. What do we know so far? Images and videos show police, and multiple fire and ambulance service vehicles surrounding the facade of one building fallen onto the street, with plumes of black smoke emerging from the debris. At least 230 firefighters were at the site and nine doctors, said the police officials. According to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the incident happened on Rue Saint-Jacques in the fifth arrondissement, close to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and Sorbonne University and has asked people to stay away from the area and not hinder the massive deployment of firefighters and police. Similarly, the police have also asked the locals to avoid the Val de Grace church area after the facade of a building collapsed and the fire is said to have spread to neighbouring buildings. The reported blast occurred at around 4:55 pm (local time). Some two hours later at 6:45 pm (local time) the Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said that the fire is under control and rescue work was continuing. The prosecutors also said that two people were still unaccounted for after the blast and fire. What caused the fire? French media reports citing nearby residents also reported a loud explosion preceding the fire. Meanwhile, French prosecutors said the cause of the fire remains unknown. Notably, the site of the incident is at the edge of the Latin Quarter which is one of the most prominent tourist areas in Paris. Paris police spokeswoman Loubna Atta said it was too early to determine the source of the fire and did not confirm reports about the gas explosion. This comes after local deputy mayor, Edouard Civel, said it was a gas explosion which caused the blast in a Twitter post. Additionally, witnesses also told the local media that had been a strong smell of gas moments before the blast. “I was at home writing…I thought it was a bomb,” an art historian, Monique Mosser told Reuters. Meanwhile, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, as per media reports, said initial checks of camera footage suggested the explosion occurred within the building which was next to the Val de Grace church. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France: At least 30 injured, two missing after suspected gas explosion sparks fire in Paris

The French government said Tuesday that it would soon shut down an activist climate group over a series of recent demonstrations including one that led to fierce clashes with police over a controversial irrigation project.

Government spokesman Olivier Veran accused the Uprisings of the Earth (SLT) coalition of encouraging violence at protests in March near Sainte-Soline in western France over irrigation.

"You don't dissolve an association because of its ideas. You dissolve it because there is violence or a risk for public safety," Veran told CNews television.&nbsp;

SLT has vowed to fight the shutdown order, saying on its website: "You cannot dissolve a movement. You cannot dissolve a revolt."

Veran said SLT "whipped up violence at Sainte Soline by inviting rioters, who came from across Europe with metal bars and petanque balls to try and kill police officers".

"The climate question does not justify throwing rocks at police in a field," he said.&nbsp;

SLT is a coalition of several activist associations, which was also behind a recent protest against a sand quarry in western France where protesters tore up fields and equipment at a farm.

The group was also one of several organisers of a banned demonstration at the weekend against a new rail link between the eastern city of Lyon and Turin in Italy.

It is part of a new wave of more radical climate activist groups including Extinction Rebellion which use direct action to underline their warnings about the dangers to the planet.

On Tuesday, prosecutors also said they had detained 14 people for questioning over vandalism at a protest supported by SLT, against a Lafarge cement plant near the southern city of Marseille.&nbsp;

Protesters called the company "one of the most destructive in the world". &nbsp;

<h2>Policing in spotlight</h2>

The dissolution of SLT was officially launched by the interior ministry just after the Sainte-Soline clashes in March, using powers that have been previously used to outlaw far-right and Islamist groups.

The decree is likely to be discussed at the government's weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a source close to the issue said.

France has faced a wave of protests in recent months, mainly over a hotly contested decision to push back the retirement age, which have at times turned violent.

Some of the demonstrators have vandalised buildings and street furniture or thrown rocks at riot police.

Critics accuse authorities of fomenting tensions with heavy-handed policing tactics and aggressive confrontations with demonstrators.

Many in France were shocked by the scenes at Sainte-Soline, where around 5,000 protesters battled with more than 3,000 police officers.

Two protesters were left in a coma afterwards, while around 30 officers were injured.

The demonstrators were protesting against a giant reservoir for storing water pumped up from the underground water table.

Critics say it will penalise smaller farmers and the ecosystem, while benefitting mainly industrial agriculture groups.

France's Human Rights League (FDH) said afterward that "as soon as the demonstrators arrived at the reservoir site, police fired at them with weapons of war: tear gas grenades, stun grenades, explosive sting-ball grenades and rubber bullets".

"The deployment put everyone present at risk of serious harm," it said.

Earlier this month, United Nations experts urged France to review its policing practices, expressing concern at the "reported excessive use of force" against protesters, in particular at Sainte-Soline.

&nbsp;

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The French government said Tuesday that it would soon shut down an activist climate group over a series of recent demonstrations including one that led to fierce clashes with police over a controversial irrigation project.

The French government said Tuesday that it would soon shut down an activist climate group over a series of recent demonstrations including one that led to fierce clashes with police over a controversial irrigation project. Government spokesman Olivier Veran accused the Uprisings of the Earth (SLT) coalition of encouraging violence at protests in March near Sainte-Soline in western France over irrigation. "You don't dissolve an association because of its ideas. You dissolve it because there is violence or a risk for public safety," Veran told CNews television. SLT has vowed to fight the shutdown order, saying on its website: "You cannot dissolve a movement. You cannot dissolve a revolt." Veran said SLT "whipped up violence at Sainte Soline by inviting rioters, who came from across Europe with metal bars and petanque balls to try and kill police officers". "The climate question does not justify throwing rocks at police in a field," he said. SLT is a coalition of several activist associations, which was also behind a recent protest against a sand quarry in western France where protesters tore up fields and equipment at a farm. The group was also one of several organisers of a banned demonstration at the weekend against a new rail link between the eastern city of Lyon and Turin in Italy. It is part of a new wave of more radical climate activist groups including Extinction Rebellion which use direct action to underline their warnings about the dangers to the planet. On Tuesday, prosecutors also said they had detained 14 people for questioning over vandalism at a protest supported by SLT, against a Lafarge cement plant near the southern city of Marseille. Protesters called the company "one of the most destructive in the world". Policing in spotlight The dissolution of SLT was officially launched by the interior ministry just after the Sainte-Soline clashes in March, using powers that have been previously used to outlaw far-right and Islamist groups. The decree is likely to be discussed at the government's weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a source close to the issue said. France has faced a wave of protests in recent months, mainly over a hotly contested decision to push back the retirement age, which have at times turned violent. Some of the demonstrators have vandalised buildings and street furniture or thrown rocks at riot police. Critics accuse authorities of fomenting tensions with heavy-handed policing tactics and aggressive confrontations with demonstrators. Many in France were shocked by the scenes at Sainte-Soline, where around 5,000 protesters battled with more than 3,000 police officers. Two protesters were left in a coma afterwards, while around 30 officers were injured. The demonstrators were protesting against a giant reservoir for storing water pumped up from the underground water table. Critics say it will penalise smaller farmers and the ecosystem, while benefitting mainly industrial agriculture groups. France's Human Rights League (FDH) said afterward that "as soon as the demonstrators arrived at the reservoir site, police fired at them with weapons of war: tear gas grenades, stun grenades, explosive sting-ball grenades and rubber bullets". "The deployment put everyone present at risk of serious harm," it said. Earlier this month, United Nations experts urged France to review its policing practices, expressing concern at the "reported excessive use of force" against protesters, in particular at Sainte-Soline. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

France to shut down climate NGO after vandalism, violence at protest

Eiffel Tower is a majestic sight. It is one of the most visited monuments in the world. Welcoming almost seven million visitors a year. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks. But do you know Eiffel Tower grows taller every year?

What makes the Eiffel Tower grow several inches taller in summer?

A Kylian Mbappe penalty gave France a 1-0 victory over 10-man Greece on Monday that maintained their perfect record in qualifying for Euro 2024.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, and France captain, had his initial kick saved early in the second half but was allowed a second attempt because of encroachment into the area by a Greek defender.

He made no mistake second time around and France could have gone on to win by a greater margin after Greece defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off for barging Randal Kolo Muani to the ground, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bournemouth-appoint-spaniard-andoni-iraola-as-manager-after-sacking-gary-oneil-606222">Bournemouth appoint Spaniard Andoni Iraola as manager after sacking Gary O'Neil</a>

France's win in their last outing this season follows their 3-0 defeat of minnows Gibraltar last Friday and leaves them clear on top of qualifying Group B with 12 points from four games.

They have not conceded a goal so far and are six points clear of Greece, albeit having played a game more.

"It has been a very long season for the players. They have been waiting for their holidays but we did what we needed to do to win the match," coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1.

"This is a team with less experience than six months ago, but there is plenty of quality."

Having already opened their campaign with wins against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in March, last year's World Cup runners-up appear certainties to qualify for next year's finals in Germany.

Their next match is against Ireland in September, by which time it will be clear where Mbappe will be playing his club football next season.

The 24-year-old, who took over as skipper of Les Bleus when Hugo Lloris quit international football following the World Cup, last week confirmed he would not extend his contract at PSG, which expires next year.

That has raised the prospect of the Qatar-backed club selling him in this transfer window, even if he has said he intends to stay with the French champions next season.

Mbappe put the talk of his future to one side to score a penalty against Gibraltar and he was the matchwinner here in what was not a vintage French display.

<h2>Griezmann's bloodied head</h2>

He had been frustrated in the first half before a sell-out Stade de France crowd as Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz dismissed his appeals for a penalty when he went down under a George Baldock challenge.

Kolo Muani and Jules Kounde both came close for the hosts in the first half, with the latter seeing his shot saved by goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos just before the interval.

France got the chance to go in front when Mavropanos caught Antoine Griezmann in the head with a high boot four minutes after the restart.

A spot-kick was awarded and VfB Stuttgart stopper Mavropanos was booked with Griezmann needing his bloodied head bandaged.

Vlachodimos saved Mbappe's penalty the first time but he could not repeat his heroics when a retake was ordered, despite diving the right way.

It was Mbappe's 13th goal in 13 games for France this season, to go with 41 in all competitions for PSG.

He now has 40 goals in 70 games for his country and needs just one more goal to equal Michel Platini's tally in a France shirt.

Greece, the 2004 European champions, have been enjoying something of a revival under their Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet, but their chances of claiming anything from this game died when Mavropanos was dismissed in the 69th minute.

Kolo Muani was sent through on goal by a Kingsley Coman pass only to be bundled over by Mavropanos. Already on a yellow card, this time the defender saw a straight red.

However, France could not add to their lead with the extra man, with substitute Ousmane Dembele just unable to get on the end of Mbappe's low centre.

"This is the hardest match we have had to play since I came here," admitted Poyet, who became Greece coach in February last year.

"The difference between France and us is incredible. I don't like to lose but we learned a lot today."

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A Kylian Mbappe penalty gave France a 1-0 victory over 10-man Greece on Monday that maintained their perfect record in qualifying for Euro 2024. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, and France captain, had his initial kick saved early in the second half but was allowed a second attempt because of encroachment into the area by a Greek defender.

A Kylian Mbappe penalty gave France a 1-0 victory over 10-man Greece on Monday that maintained their perfect record in qualifying for Euro 2024. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, and France captain, had his initial kick saved early in the second half but was allowed a second attempt because of encroachment into the area by a Greek defender. He made no mistake second time around and France could have gone on to win by a greater margin after Greece defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off for barging Randal Kolo Muani to the ground, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Also Read: Bournemouth appoint Spaniard Andoni Iraola as manager after sacking Gary O'Neil France's win in their last outing this season follows their 3-0 defeat of minnows Gibraltar last Friday and leaves them clear on top of qualifying Group B with 12 points from four games. They have not conceded a goal so far and are six points clear of Greece, albeit having played a game more. "It has been a very long season for the players. They have been waiting for their holidays but we did what we needed to do to win the match," coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1. "This is a team with less experience than six months ago, but there is plenty of quality." Having already opened their campaign with wins against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in March, last year's World Cup runners-up appear certainties to qualify for next year's finals in Germany. Their next match is against Ireland in September, by which time it will be clear where Mbappe will be playing his club football next season. The 24-year-old, who took over as skipper of Les Bleus when Hugo Lloris quit international football following the World Cup, last week confirmed he would not extend his contract at PSG, which expires next year. That has raised the prospect of the Qatar-backed club selling him in this transfer window, even if he has said he intends to stay with the French champions next season. Mbappe put the talk of his future to one side to score a penalty against Gibraltar and he was the matchwinner here in what was not a vintage French display. Griezmann's bloodied head He had been frustrated in the first half before a sell-out Stade de France crowd as Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz dismissed his appeals for a penalty when he went down under a George Baldock challenge. Kolo Muani and Jules Kounde both came close for the hosts in the first half, with the latter seeing his shot saved by goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos just before the interval. France got the chance to go in front when Mavropanos caught Antoine Griezmann in the head with a high boot four minutes after the restart. A spot-kick was awarded and VfB Stuttgart stopper Mavropanos was booked with Griezmann needing his bloodied head bandaged. Vlachodimos saved Mbappe's penalty the first time but he could not repeat his heroics when a retake was ordered, despite diving the right way. It was Mbappe's 13th goal in 13 games for France this season, to go with 41 in all competitions for PSG. He now has 40 goals in 70 games for his country and needs just one more goal to equal Michel Platini's tally in a France shirt. Greece, the 2004 European champions, have been enjoying something of a revival under their Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet, but their chances of claiming anything from this game died when Mavropanos was dismissed in the 69th minute. Kolo Muani was sent through on goal by a Kingsley Coman pass only to be bundled over by Mavropanos. Already on a yellow card, this time the defender saw a straight red. However, France could not add to their lead with the extra man, with substitute Ousmane Dembele just unable to get on the end of Mbappe's low centre. "This is the hardest match we have had to play since I came here," admitted Poyet, who became Greece coach in February last year. "The difference between France and us is incredible. I don't like to lose but we learned a lot today." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Mbappe's perfect penalty takes France past Greece

The French police searched the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympics organising committee on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged charges of embezzlement of public funds and favouritism.

French police raid Paris 2024 Olympics headquarters in corruption probe

France captain and Paris Saint-Germain's star player Kylian Mbappe helped his team win 1-0 against Greece in the Euro 2024 Qualifier on Monday. The goal, which came via penalty, also helped Mbappe reach yet another milestone in his already illustrious career.

With the successful penalty, Mbappe eclipsed former France great Just Fontaine for scoring the most goals in a single season for both club and country. Mbappe now has 54 goals for club and country combined in the ongoing season, one more than Fontaine's 53 in the 1957-58 season.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-heat-shift-focus-on-damian-lillard-after-failing-to-get-bradley-beal-606321">NBA: Heat shift focus on Damian Lillard after failing to get Bradley Beal&nbsp;</a>

The goal was also Mbappe's 40th for Les Bleus for whom he has played 70 games so far. The star striker is now fifth on the list of most goals scored for France. Olivier Giroud leads the list with 54 goals in 123 matches for the Les Bleus.

Second on the list is another former great Thierry Henry with 51 goals in 123 matches. The rest two players ahead of Mbappe are Antoine Griezmann (43 goals in 120 matches) and Michel Platini (41 goals in 72 matches).

Among the current international stars, Mbappe drew level with Norway and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland with his 40th goal. The Norwegian star, however, will have a shot at going past Mbappe when his team takes on Cyprus on Tuesday in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifiers.&nbsp;

As for the match, Mbappe had missed the penalty on the first attempt but, the Greek goalkeeper Vlachodimos had left his line too early. The penalty was retaken and Mbappe didn't miss the second time. With the win, France now stand apart in Group B with 12 points, with four wins in four games, six points clear of second-placed Greece.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the main tournament which will be played from June 14 - July 14 in Germany.

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France captain and Paris Saint-Germain's star player Kylian Mbappe helped his team win 1-0 against Greece in the Euro 2024 Qualifier on Monday. The goal, which came via penalty, also helped Mbappe reach yet another milestone in his already illustrious career.

France captain and Paris Saint-Germain's star player Kylian Mbappe helped his team win 1-0 against Greece in the Euro 2024 Qualifier on Monday. The goal, which came via penalty, also helped Mbappe reach yet another milestone in his already illustrious career. With the successful penalty, Mbappe eclipsed former France great Just Fontaine for scoring the most goals in a single season for both club and country. Mbappe now has 54 goals for club and country combined in the ongoing season, one more than Fontaine's 53 in the 1957-58 season. Also Read: NBA: Heat shift focus on Damian Lillard after failing to get Bradley Beal The goal was also Mbappe's 40th for Les Bleus for whom he has played 70 games so far. The star striker is now fifth on the list of most goals scored for France. Olivier Giroud leads the list with 54 goals in 123 matches for the Les Bleus. Second on the list is another former great Thierry Henry with 51 goals in 123 matches. The rest two players ahead of Mbappe are Antoine Griezmann (43 goals in 120 matches) and Michel Platini (41 goals in 72 matches). Among the current international stars, Mbappe drew level with Norway and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland with his 40th goal. The Norwegian star, however, will have a shot at going past Mbappe when his team takes on Cyprus on Tuesday in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifiers. As for the match, Mbappe had missed the penalty on the first attempt but, the Greek goalkeeper Vlachodimos had left his line too early. The penalty was retaken and Mbappe didn't miss the second time. With the win, France now stand apart in Group B with 12 points, with four wins in four games, six points clear of second-placed Greece. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the main tournament which will be played from June 14 - July 14 in Germany. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: Mbappe goes past Just Fontaine with goal against Greece in Euro qualifiers

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee. 
 
In the meeting, it was expected that the French president will seek support from MBS, as he is known widely, in finding a solution to the leadership crisis in Lebanon. 
 
On Wednesday, Lebanese lawmakers failed to elect a new president for the 12th time, as the country faced the risk of a prolonged power vacuum due to bitter divisions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-magnitude-48-hits-france-605344">Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits France</a> 
 
A president's prolonged absence "remains the major obstacle to resolving the country's severe socio-economic crisis", stated the French presidency. 
 
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed by the two leaders. Macron expressed his "profound concern in the face of Russia's war of aggression... its disastrous impact on the civilian populations and its repercussions on food security", his office stated. 
 
The president and Saudi&nbsp;crown prince "also reiterated their shared commitment to security and stability in the Near and Middle East and expressed their desire to pursue their joint efforts to bring about a lasting easing of tensions", it added. 
 
They intended to "develop and deepen the partnership between the two countries", stated Elysee. Paris was also ready "to support Saudi Arabia in strengthening its defence capabilities", the statement read.

WATCH |&nbsp;France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers

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<h2>MBS to attend Paris summit</h2>

The trip of the 37-year-old crown prince has been organised less than a year after he had last visited the Elysee Palace and highlights the warm relationship between Riyadh and Paris that has irked rights activists in the wake of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi's killing that took place in 2018. 
 
The crown prince is likely to stay in France for a long duration as he is also scheduled to attend a Paris summit on a New Global Financing Pact which has been hosted by Macron on June 22-23. 
 
MBS is also set to attend on Monday an official Saudi reception for the candidacy of Riyadh to host Expo 2030, a bid for which France's strong support is being sought by Saudi Arabia. 
 
The entourage of Macron had made it clear he will try to persuade his guest to take a stand on Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia continues to maintain a cautious stance, as it avoids condemning the assault but emphasises the importance of the territorial integrity of Kyiv.&nbsp;

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French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee. In the meeting, it was expected that the French president will seek support from MBS, as he is known widely, in finding a solution to the leadership crisis in Lebanon. On Wednesday, Lebanese lawmakers failed to elect a new president for the 12th time, as the country faced the risk of a prolonged power vacuum due to bitter divisions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents. ALSO READ | Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits France A president's prolonged absence "remains the major obstacle to resolving the country's severe socio-economic crisis", stated the French presidency. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed by the two leaders. Macron expressed his "profound concern in the face of Russia's war of aggression... its disastrous impact on the civilian populations and its repercussions on food security", his office stated. The president and Saudi crown prince "also reiterated their shared commitment to security and stability in the Near and Middle East and expressed their desire to pursue their joint efforts to bring about a lasting easing of tensions", it added. They intended to "develop and deepen the partnership between the two countries", stated Elysee. Paris was also ready "to support Saudi Arabia in strengthening its defence capabilities", the statement read. WATCH | France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers MBS to attend Paris summit The trip of the 37-year-old crown prince has been organised less than a year after he had last visited the Elysee Palace and highlights the warm relationship between Riyadh and Paris that has irked rights activists in the wake of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi's killing that took place in 2018. The crown prince is likely to stay in France for a long duration as he is also scheduled to attend a Paris summit on a New Global Financing Pact which has been hosted by Macron on June 22-23. MBS is also set to attend on Monday an official Saudi reception for the candidacy of Riyadh to host Expo 2030, a bid for which France's strong support is being sought by Saudi Arabia. The entourage of Macron had made it clear he will try to persuade his guest to take a stand on Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia continues to maintain a cautious stance, as it avoids condemning the assault but emphasises the importance of the territorial integrity of Kyiv. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’

For the first time after the Coronavirus pandemic, the Paris Air Show is back. Top French officials and industry representatives from across the globe are witnessing the demonstration of world class aviation and space technology owing to the rapidly evolving global security dynamics.

Paris Air Show back after 4-year break: Day 1 sees biggest-ever airliner order | WION Newspoint

In Pics | World's largest Paris Air Show returns after four years

Residents in France's western region on Saturday (June 18) counted the cost after being hit by a rare earthquake that left dozens of homes damaged. The earthquake of 5.

Residents in France's western region on Saturday (June 18) counted the cost after being hit by a rare earthquake that left dozens of homes damaged. The earthquake of 5.8 magnitude hit large parts of western France on Friday evening with the seismology bureau BCSF calling it "very strong" amid reports of damage to buildings. Seismologists said the quake was the most significant in the region since 1972. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Saturday, cracks appeared in several homes in the Charente-Maritime department just north of Bordeaux, while churches were damaged and inhabitants left in urgent need of resettlement. In La Laigne, many homes were left cracked with stones, tiles on the ground, and tiles looked as though they could tumble at any moment. Local fire service chief Didier Marcaillou told AFP that 135 buildings were affected in La Laigne, and 170 people needed to be relocated. 'I thought it was a plane crash' Cecile Apperce, a baker in the town, was at her bakery's counter on Friday when the earthquake struck. "I thought it was a plane crash, I went outside, everyone was screaming." "The crockery, the cups, the wine, everything crashed down," said Patricia Chardonne, who was in her 200-year-old house at the time. Her husband Pascal said, "All the walls have shifted. We have to relocate but don't know where to go." A queue of 50 people had already formed outside the town hall seeking help. There were no fatalities in Friday's earthquake even though tremors were felt as far as Rennes in Brittany in the north and two aftershocks were recorded on Saturday. 'An unusual earthquake': PM Borne During a visit to northern France, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that Friday's earthquake was unusual and expressed solidarity with people who may have been worried. "We will obviously ensure that everyone has access to rehousing," Prime Minister Borne added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France counts cost after rare earthquake shakes country's western region

An international rail line has triggered a massive uproar in the southeastern French valley of Maurienne.

Activists: Railway project led to drying of local water resources | France

A rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit large parts of western France on Friday evening, with the seismology bureau BCSF calling it "very strong" amid reports of some damage to buildings.

Ecology transition minister Christophe Bechu said it was "one of the strongest quakes registered on the mainland".

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said that a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit France on Friday.

The epicentre of the earthquake was near a commune in the Charente-Maritime region of western France, at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), said GFZ. 
 
AFP news agency said its records show that the last earthquakes of similar strength in France had struck in the early 2000s. 
 
In the Deux-Sevres department one was person was slightly injured and treated on the spot, the prefecture said.

"A series of material damage was reported from the southwest of the department," with stone falling off buildings and cracks appearing in walls, the prefecture's statement said.

Further south in the neighbouring Charente-Maritime department cracks appeared in buildings and a power line came down leaving 1,100 homes in the dark.

The earthquake was felt as far afield as Rennes in the north and Bordeaux in the southwest.

In the city of Tours, on the Loire river, law student Lea Franke told AFP,&nbsp;"I stood up and the whole apartment was shaking ... it lasted for several seconds then stopped."

"I was very frightened, I live on the third floor...I thought the floor was going to cave in," she added. 
 
In the Deux-Sevres department one was person was slightly injured and treated on the spot, the prefecture said.

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Some material damage was reported from the southwest of the department,&nbsp;with stone falling off buildings and cracks appearing in walls, the prefecture's statement said.

In the neighbouring Charente-Maritime department further south cracks appeared in buildings and a power line came down leaving 1,100 homes in the dark.

There was no immediate information on the casualties or destruction caused by the earthquake.

Earlier, the GFZ said that the measurement was 5.5 which was later revised to 4.8.

(With inputs from the agencies)

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A rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit large parts of western France on Friday evening, with the seismology bureau BCSF calling it "very strong" amid reports of some damage to buildings.

A rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit large parts of western France on Friday evening, with the seismology bureau BCSF calling it "very strong" amid reports of some damage to buildings. Ecology transition minister Christophe Bechu said it was "one of the strongest quakes registered on the mainland". The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said that a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit France on Friday. The epicentre of the earthquake was near a commune in the Charente-Maritime region of western France, at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), said GFZ. AFP news agency said its records show that the last earthquakes of similar strength in France had struck in the early 2000s. In the Deux-Sevres department one was person was slightly injured and treated on the spot, the prefecture said. "A series of material damage was reported from the southwest of the department," with stone falling off buildings and cracks appearing in walls, the prefecture's statement said. Further south in the neighbouring Charente-Maritime department cracks appeared in buildings and a power line came down leaving 1,100 homes in the dark. The earthquake was felt as far afield as Rennes in the north and Bordeaux in the southwest. In the city of Tours, on the Loire river, law student Lea Franke told AFP, "I stood up and the whole apartment was shaking ... it lasted for several seconds then stopped." "I was very frightened, I live on the third floor...I thought the floor was going to cave in," she added. In the Deux-Sevres department one was person was slightly injured and treated on the spot, the prefecture said. Some material damage was reported from the southwest of the department, with stone falling off buildings and cracks appearing in walls, the prefecture's statement said. In the neighbouring Charente-Maritime department further south cracks appeared in buildings and a power line came down leaving 1,100 homes in the dark. There was no immediate information on the casualties or destruction caused by the earthquake. Earlier, the GFZ said that the measurement was 5.5 which was later revised to 4.8. (With inputs from the agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits France, cracks appear in buildings

The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour.

The RATP operator's chief executive Jean Castex, a former French prime minister, has asked for an internal investigation to determine the causes of the "exceptional incident", it said.

It said that five trains on the busy line 4 were stuck from 1725 GMT and had to wait underground between stations. 
 
Social media users shared footage of passengers crammed inside the carriages and expressing concern about the wellbeing of babies and the elderly on board.

All the passengers were eventually evacuated, the RATP said, with social media users showing images of them walking through tunnels to the next station.

"The RATP presents its apologies and its deepest regrets for this incident and its consequences for passengers. It is doing everything possible to support them as best it can," the operator said.

Castex "has requested an internal investigation to determine the exact causes of this rare incident," it added.

The Paris Metro is one of the oldest urban transit systems in the world, featuring in numerous iconic films.

But users increasingly complain that overcapacity and outdated infrastructure make commuting a daily trauma, also raising concerns over whether the system will be able to cope with the influx of visitors for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Modernisation efforts are in progress and line 4 is being gradually automated to a system without drivers.

President Emmanuel Macron last year chose Castex, who was premier during much of the Covid-19 pandemic and has a reputation of a troubleshooter, as the chief of the RATP with the aim of fixing its problems. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour.

The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour. The RATP operator's chief executive Jean Castex, a former French prime minister, has asked for an internal investigation to determine the causes of the "exceptional incident", it said. It said that five trains on the busy line 4 were stuck from 1725 GMT and had to wait underground between stations. Social media users shared footage of passengers crammed inside the carriages and expressing concern about the wellbeing of babies and the elderly on board. All the passengers were eventually evacuated, the RATP said, with social media users showing images of them walking through tunnels to the next station. "The RATP presents its apologies and its deepest regrets for this incident and its consequences for passengers. It is doing everything possible to support them as best it can," the operator said. Castex "has requested an internal investigation to determine the exact causes of this rare incident," it added. The Paris Metro is one of the oldest urban transit systems in the world, featuring in numerous iconic films. But users increasingly complain that overcapacity and outdated infrastructure make commuting a daily trauma, also raising concerns over whether the system will be able to cope with the influx of visitors for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Modernisation efforts are in progress and line 4 is being gradually automated to a system without drivers. President Emmanuel Macron last year chose Castex, who was premier during much of the Covid-19 pandemic and has a reputation of a troubleshooter, as the chief of the RATP with the aim of fixing its problems. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Paris Metro passengers blocked underground amid stifling heat in rush hour as glitches halt 5 trains

France is leaving no stone unturned to convince US billionaire Elon Musk to set up Tesla’s next Gigafactory in the country, Digital Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday. Barrot’s statement comes just weeks after he threatened Musk-owned Twitter with a ban over the European Union’s new tech regulations. 
 
France is organising its flagship technology conference Viva Tech Summit this Friday, and top government officials from Paris as well as Elon Musk are likely to be present&nbsp;at the event.

France, over the past few years, has pitched itself as the best destination to produce electric cars, with the country recently opening its first battery manufacturing facility. Paris wants to realise its ambitions of reindustrialising the country and catching up with Chinese manufacturers in the booming sector.

A meeting between Musk and French President Emmanuel Macron is also on the cards.&nbsp;"We're going to talk about artificial intelligence, in which he is involved, social media, regulation framework... And then I'll also talk to him about cars, batteries, to promote French and European attractiveness," Macron told the media on Wednesday.

<h2>Musk actively looking for Gigafactory location in Europe</h2>

Musk is actively hunting for an apt location in Europe to set up Tesla’s next Gigafactory, with manufacturing facilities already present in US, Germany and China.

“It will be great to have a Tesla factory in France, there has been a lot of effort and energy to make sure this is possible and this can happen,” Jean-Noel Barrot was quoted as saying by CNBC. 
 
“We have also invested in an...entire sector of electric batteries so we will try to convince him that France is the best possible place in Europe to establish the next Tesla factory,” Barrot added.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk launches new AI start up

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While showering praises on Musk, France’s digital minister described him as a “great inventor, probably one of the greatest of the beginning of this century.”

<h2>Ongoing tussle between Twitter and Paris</h2>

While Jean-Noel Barrot attempted to cajole Musk into pouring in massive investments in France, his message to the US tycoon in relation to Twitter was strikingly opposite. The minister recently stated that if Twitter fails to adhere to the upcoming Digital Services Act of the European Union (EU), the social media app could be banned in the EU.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musks-tesla-adds-hundreds-of-billions-in-valuation-amid-ai-race-603083">Also read:&nbsp;Elon Musk's Tesla adds hundreds of billions in valuation amid AI race</a>

The Digital Services Act, which comes into effect in August, will require major tech companies, including Twitter, to take more proactive measures in combating illegal content and disinformation on their platforms. Failure to do so could result in significant fines amounting to billions of dollars. Should Twitter fail to comply, it could face sanctions of up to 6% of its global sales. If the company's non-compliance persists, it may be compelled to leave the EU entirely.

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France is leaving no stone unturned to convince US billionaire Elon Musk to set up Tesla’s next Gigafactory in the country, Digital Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday.

France is leaving no stone unturned to convince US billionaire Elon Musk to set up Tesla’s next Gigafactory in the country, Digital Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday. Barrot’s statement comes just weeks after he threatened Musk-owned Twitter with a ban over the European Union’s new tech regulations. France is organising its flagship technology conference Viva Tech Summit this Friday, and top government officials from Paris as well as Elon Musk are likely to be present at the event. France, over the past few years, has pitched itself as the best destination to produce electric cars, with the country recently opening its first battery manufacturing facility. Paris wants to realise its ambitions of reindustrialising the country and catching up with Chinese manufacturers in the booming sector. A meeting between Musk and French President Emmanuel Macron is also on the cards. "We're going to talk about artificial intelligence, in which he is involved, social media, regulation framework... And then I'll also talk to him about cars, batteries, to promote French and European attractiveness," Macron told the media on Wednesday. Musk actively looking for Gigafactory location in Europe Musk is actively hunting for an apt location in Europe to set up Tesla’s next Gigafactory, with manufacturing facilities already present in US, Germany and China. “It will be great to have a Tesla factory in France, there has been a lot of effort and energy to make sure this is possible and this can happen,” Jean-Noel Barrot was quoted as saying by CNBC. “We have also invested in an...entire sector of electric batteries so we will try to convince him that France is the best possible place in Europe to establish the next Tesla factory,” Barrot added. Watch: Elon Musk launches new AI start up × While showering praises on Musk, France’s digital minister described him as a “great inventor, probably one of the greatest of the beginning of this century.” Ongoing tussle between Twitter and Paris While Jean-Noel Barrot attempted to cajole Musk into pouring in massive investments in France, his message to the US tycoon in relation to Twitter was strikingly opposite. The minister recently stated that if Twitter fails to adhere to the upcoming Digital Services Act of the European Union (EU), the social media app could be banned in the EU. Also read: Elon Musk's Tesla adds hundreds of billions in valuation amid AI race The Digital Services Act, which comes into effect in August, will require major tech companies, including Twitter, to take more proactive measures in combating illegal content and disinformation on their platforms. Failure to do so could result in significant fines amounting to billions of dollars. Should Twitter fail to comply, it could face sanctions of up to 6% of its global sales. If the company's non-compliance persists, it may be compelled to leave the EU entirely. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

France requests Musk to set up Tesla factory in country, weeks after threatening to ban Twitter

France was shocked by a gruesome attack on the 8th of June. Four toddlers and two pensioners were stabbed at the picturesque Le Paquier park in the tranquil city of Annecy in the French Alps. Two of the children and an adult are said to be in a life-threatening condition. All the wounded children were aged between 22 months and 3 years. French president, Emmanuel Macron, described the attack "as an act of cowardice". The opposition lawmakers though, have accused his government of being too lax on the issue of law and order. Mohammed Saleh brings you this report.

France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers

A 71-year-old man in France allegedly shot Solaine Thornton, an 11-year-old British girl living next door, while she was playing on a swing in her garden on Saturday evening. According to the prosecutors, Dirk Raats, the neighbour who opened fire through a hedge, is under investigation for murder. The neighbours had been in conflict with the Thornton family over building work on their property.

On Saturday, the suspect fetched one of his guns, returned to the garden and opened fire three or four times through a hedge, BBC reported. However, according to Prosecutor Camille Miansoni, he aimed at Solaine's father and mother. When the neighbour began firing, Solaine and her eight-year-old sister Celeste were playing on the swing, and their parents were tending the barbeque. Celeste ran to another neighbour's house to raise the alarm, shouting, "My sister is dead, my sister is dead." When the cops arrived, they found Rachel holding her dead child in her arms. 
 
Solaine was shot in the heart, while her father, who is currently in a coma, was shot in the head, and her mother was hit in the back and head. They are currently recovering in the hospital. Eight-year-old Celeste is in shock. After the incident, Raats shut himself in his house in Saint-Herbot, Quimper, Brittany. However, he gave himself to the police an hour later. His wife also surrendered half an hour after him. However, the authorities have released her for now. 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-dead-fish-wash-ashore-in-texas-603899">Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Texas</a>

 
Authorities have found two rifles from Raats' house, out of which one is undeclared. Raats and his wife, Marlene van Hook, are Dutch nationals. According to the investigation, he was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. However, the prosecutors said they had no previous convictions, and the mental health assessment found nothing notable. Furthermore, Raats has expressed his regret and is currently under probe.&nbsp;

 
Adrian and Rachel Thronton hail from Oldham. They came to Saint Herbot in 2019 with their two daughters. They were the only English family living in the area. The Thorntons had lived in other parts of France. Solaine was born in Brittany and Celeste in the Massif Central. Their house in Brittany was a square, whitewashed, modern house with a backyard and workhouse, previously a sawmill. Rachel works in social services, and Adrian is a mechanic. Their children attended the local schools. As per the locals, the Thorntons lent their plot for parking at the hamlet's annual September festival. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said they were assisting the British family.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 71-year-old man in France allegedly shot Solaine Thornton, an 11-year-old British girl living next door, while she was playing on a swing in her garden on Saturday evening.

A 71-year-old man in France allegedly shot Solaine Thornton, an 11-year-old British girl living next door, while she was playing on a swing in her garden on Saturday evening. According to the prosecutors, Dirk Raats, the neighbour who opened fire through a hedge, is under investigation for murder. The neighbours had been in conflict with the Thornton family over building work on their property. On Saturday, the suspect fetched one of his guns, returned to the garden and opened fire three or four times through a hedge, BBC reported. However, according to Prosecutor Camille Miansoni, he aimed at Solaine's father and mother. When the neighbour began firing, Solaine and her eight-year-old sister Celeste were playing on the swing, and their parents were tending the barbeque. Celeste ran to another neighbour's house to raise the alarm, shouting, "My sister is dead, my sister is dead." When the cops arrived, they found Rachel holding her dead child in her arms. Solaine was shot in the heart, while her father, who is currently in a coma, was shot in the head, and her mother was hit in the back and head. They are currently recovering in the hospital. Eight-year-old Celeste is in shock. After the incident, Raats shut himself in his house in Saint-Herbot, Quimper, Brittany. However, he gave himself to the police an hour later. His wife also surrendered half an hour after him. However, the authorities have released her for now. ALSO READ | Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Texas Authorities have found two rifles from Raats' house, out of which one is undeclared. Raats and his wife, Marlene van Hook, are Dutch nationals. According to the investigation, he was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. However, the prosecutors said they had no previous convictions, and the mental health assessment found nothing notable. Furthermore, Raats has expressed his regret and is currently under probe. Adrian and Rachel Thronton hail from Oldham. They came to Saint Herbot in 2019 with their two daughters. They were the only English family living in the area. The Thorntons had lived in other parts of France. Solaine was born in Brittany and Celeste in the Massif Central. Their house in Brittany was a square, whitewashed, modern house with a backyard and workhouse, previously a sawmill. Rachel works in social services, and Adrian is a mechanic. Their children attended the local schools. As per the locals, the Thorntons lent their plot for parking at the hamlet's annual September festival. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said they were assisting the British family. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

France: Suspect under probe for shooting 11-year-old British girl; Here's what happened

In yet another violent attack in France, an 11-year-old British girl was shot dead and her father seriously wounded in the garden of her home in a small French village of Brittany, after their Dutch neighbour in the northwestern region of the country allegedly opened fire, the local officials reported on Monday (June 12).&nbsp; 
 
In a press conference, prosecutor Camille Miansoni told a press conference in Brest, said that the accused has been charged with murder.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the incident?</h2>

The family was said to be in the garden of their home in the village of Saint-Herbot near Quimper in Brittany when their Dutch neighbour appeared with a firearm and allegedly shot at them multiple times, said the local prosecutor. The officials have also said that the neighbours had been embroiled in a year-long dispute over a plot of land.&nbsp;

Quimper public prosecutor Carine Halley, in a statement on Sunday, said that the incident took place at around 10:00 pm (local time) and the police intervened sometime after the shooting. According to the magistrate, the 11-year-old girl was found dead at the scene while her father had sustained life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Halley said that the mother’s life was not in danger while the couple’s second child did not sustain any injuries but was “in a state of shock”.&nbsp;The victims were&nbsp;later identified as Solaine Thornton (11) and her father&nbsp;Adrian&nbsp;Thornton.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to a British family following a shooting.

<h2>Dutch national charged with murder</h2>

The statement by the local prosecutor also said that “Initial evidence suggests the victims’ neighbour, a 71-year-old Dutch pensioner, suddenly appeared armed with a firearm and fired several shots in the direction of the victims...before retreating to his home with his wife.”&nbsp; 
 
According to&nbsp;Miansoni, during a search of the&nbsp;Dutch couple's property, the officials also found&nbsp;two rifles, one of which had not been previously declared. The&nbsp;prosecutors also said that both Dutch nationals tested positive for alcohol and cannabis. The duo&nbsp;has&nbsp;no previous convictions.

It has been reported that the shooter only identified as a 71-year-old Dutch pensioner and his wife have surrendered to authorities and been arrested.&nbsp;

A police source told AFP that the neighbour had fired his rifle through a hedge before retreating to his home with his wife. While the motive was not immediately clear and police were still trying to determine the reason, “it would appear that there had been a dispute between the two neighbours for several years over a plot of land adjoining the two properties,” said Halley.&nbsp;

“There were neighbourhood issues, yes, a hedge, a field, but nothing more than that, not that we were aware of,” Regine Guillot, secretary of the nearest town hall in Plonevez-du-Faou told Reuters.&nbsp;

He added, “The village is in shock.” The town official also told the news agency that the British family had lived in the hamlet for five years while the alleged shooter was a private man. Additionally, given the gravity of the case, it was handed to the public prosecutor in Brest.&nbsp;

The incident also comes days after France was left shocked after four preschool children were stabbed mercilessly by a Syrian refugee knifeman in the French town of Annecy, last week. 
 
On Thursday, around 9:45 am (local time), the suspect, wearing a blue-chequered headscarf and sunglasses, armed with a 10-centimetre-long knife, attacked a group of children.

Some even aged around three years old. One of the horrifying videos shows the suspect coming close to a baby in a pram and stabbing the little one multiple times.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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In yet another violent attack in France, an 11-year-old British girl was shot dead and her father seriously wounded in the garden of her home in a small French village of Brittany, after their Dutch neighbour in the northwestern region of the country allegedly opened fire, the local officials reported on Monday (June 12).

In yet another violent attack in France, an 11-year-old British girl was shot dead and her father seriously wounded in the garden of her home in a small French village of Brittany, after their Dutch neighbour in the northwestern region of the country allegedly opened fire, the local officials reported on Monday (June 12). In a press conference, prosecutor Camille Miansoni told a press conference in Brest, said that the accused has been charged with murder. What do we know about the incident? The family was said to be in the garden of their home in the village of Saint-Herbot near Quimper in Brittany when their Dutch neighbour appeared with a firearm and allegedly shot at them multiple times, said the local prosecutor. The officials have also said that the neighbours had been embroiled in a year-long dispute over a plot of land. Quimper public prosecutor Carine Halley, in a statement on Sunday, said that the incident took place at around 10:00 pm (local time) and the police intervened sometime after the shooting. According to the magistrate, the 11-year-old girl was found dead at the scene while her father had sustained life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, Halley said that the mother’s life was not in danger while the couple’s second child did not sustain any injuries but was “in a state of shock”. The victims were later identified as Solaine Thornton (11) and her father Adrian Thornton. Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to a British family following a shooting. Dutch national charged with murder The statement by the local prosecutor also said that “Initial evidence suggests the victims’ neighbour, a 71-year-old Dutch pensioner, suddenly appeared armed with a firearm and fired several shots in the direction of the victims...before retreating to his home with his wife.” According to Miansoni, during a search of the Dutch couple's property, the officials also found two rifles, one of which had not been previously declared. The prosecutors also said that both Dutch nationals tested positive for alcohol and cannabis. The duo has no previous convictions. It has been reported that the shooter only identified as a 71-year-old Dutch pensioner and his wife have surrendered to authorities and been arrested. A police source told AFP that the neighbour had fired his rifle through a hedge before retreating to his home with his wife. While the motive was not immediately clear and police were still trying to determine the reason, “it would appear that there had been a dispute between the two neighbours for several years over a plot of land adjoining the two properties,” said Halley. “There were neighbourhood issues, yes, a hedge, a field, but nothing more than that, not that we were aware of,” Regine Guillot, secretary of the nearest town hall in Plonevez-du-Faou told Reuters. He added, “The village is in shock.” The town official also told the news agency that the British family had lived in the hamlet for five years while the alleged shooter was a private man. Additionally, given the gravity of the case, it was handed to the public prosecutor in Brest. The incident also comes days after France was left shocked after four preschool children were stabbed mercilessly by a Syrian refugee knifeman in the French town of Annecy, last week. On Thursday, around 9:45 am (local time), the suspect, wearing a blue-chequered headscarf and sunglasses, armed with a 10-centimetre-long knife, attacked a group of children. Some even aged around three years old. One of the horrifying videos shows the suspect coming close to a baby in a pram and stabbing the little one multiple times. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

11-year-old British girl shot dead, father critically injured in French village; suspect charged with murder

The world has long-ditched the Cold War&nbsp;era,&nbsp;two-camp approach of foreign policy and is steadily adapting to the realities of an increasingly multi-polar world. The result of this shift is more and more interest-specific groupings. These cooperation and partnerships are often based on narrow and specific interests, unlike across-the-board alliances or treaty-bound partnerships. The reason for traction to this approach is that it allows grounds for engagement and possible cooperation despite existing tensions and conflicts. Recall all those burgeoning acronyms that now populate the diplomatic landscape – AUKUS, BRICS, I2U2, Quad, SCO among plenty of others. This piece attempts to make a case for one more, Japan – India – France, call it JIF (or anything that sounds more pleasant – FIJ? IJF?).

The reason for making a case for a more formalised partnership between two of the major and influential G7 members with a growing economy from Global South, is the inherent bilateral strengths and potential for cooperation between Paris, Tokyo, and New Delhi. In recent decades, there has been a traditional consensus among Tokyo and Paris on most major international issues, the importance of their bilateral diplomatic relationship is mostly under-appreciated and is often surrounded by negative headlines such as troubles around the Renault-Nissan partnership. The underappreciation is also visible in increasingly stronger partnerships between Paris and New Delhi, as well as in the ties between New Delhi and Tokyo. Alignment of mutual interests can be the sustaining force for this trilateral grouping.

For New Delhi, the importance of both partnerships is crystal clear. Indo-Japan partnerships have thrived for years and received significant impetus from personal chemistry between leaders in Abe-Modi era. The Japanese capital and technology are treated as crucial in realising India’s developmental aspirations. For example, the choice of Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed rail technology for India’s first bullet train project aptly captures the significance of the growing role of Japan – both in terms of providing technology as well as capital – in India’s strategic decision-making. 
 
Japan still remains a major source for FDI inflows in India, with annual FDI inflow more than USD 1.3 Bn for almost a decade now, peaking in 2017 at around USD 4.2 Bn. The partnership has only gained momentum with similar vision and concerns in Indo-Pacific and working together in Quad grouping alongside the United States and Australia. For Paris, partnership with India has steadily gained momentum and today it serves as its major diplomatic partner outside of the francosphere. New Delhi is also seen as a crucial partner for Paris’s strategic and defence interests, and an important ally for France’ much desired ‘strategic autonomy’, outside of the European Union, G7, and NATO. 
 
For India, Paris is currently her strongest and most reliable support base in the United Nations Security Council, replacing New Delhi’s traditional reliance on Moscow. While New Delhi’s strategic importance has grown both in London and Washington, the strong presence of anti-India interests in the domestic politics of the US and UK often hinders their reliability from New Delhi’s perspective. For India, Paris is also a crucial partner for defence procurement and technology transfer, given the broader and long-term benefits of diversifying away from Moscow as well as maintaining a strategic distance from Washington as key defence suppliers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-from-homeland-to-refugee-and-back-to-homeland-only-to-become-refugees-once-again-602661">From homeland to refugee, and back to homeland, only to become refugees once again</a>

For Tokyo, stronger and more effective partnerships with major European powers as well as large emerging economy allows for a more independent approach to global affairs. For almost stagnant large economies&nbsp;such as Japan, India fares&nbsp;well as a large and growing market for trade and investment activities. Further, while Quad will continue to remain Tokyo’s Indo-pacific pivot, Paris is undoubtedly a major stakeholder in the region and will add value for both Tokyo and New Delhi, as both countries embark on an ambitious security strategy overhaul. The relative absence of Paris in the current Indo-Pacific discourse is indeed awkward, given France’s vast presence in the region through its overseas territories. It is worthwhile to note that more than 90% of France’s exclusive economic zone lies in the Indo-Pacific and not in the Atlantic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/pm-modis-us-visit-a-new-chapter-to-be-heralded-for-tech-geopolitics-603309">PM Modi’s US visit: A new chapter to be heralded for tech geopolitics</a>

A trilateral partnership with the potential for cooperation across various areas including emerging technologies, trade, security, and defence cooperation would be mutually beneficial for all three major and influential powers in asserting their individual strategic autonomy. For France and Japan, this arrangement will allow for more independent expression of their defence and security concerns outside of their respective European and American security and diplomatic umbrella. And for India, this will allow her to be a more influential voice of the Global South and reinforce a commitment to a multipolar world and no-camp or own-camp diplomacy.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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The world has long-ditched the Cold War era, two-camp approach of foreign policy and is steadily adapting to the realities of an increasingly multi-polar world. The result of this shift is more and more interest-specific groupings.

The world has long-ditched the Cold War era, two-camp approach of foreign policy and is steadily adapting to the realities of an increasingly multi-polar world. The result of this shift is more and more interest-specific groupings. These cooperation and partnerships are often based on narrow and specific interests, unlike across-the-board alliances or treaty-bound partnerships. The reason for traction to this approach is that it allows grounds for engagement and possible cooperation despite existing tensions and conflicts. Recall all those burgeoning acronyms that now populate the diplomatic landscape – AUKUS, BRICS, I2U2, Quad, SCO among plenty of others. This piece attempts to make a case for one more, Japan – India – France, call it JIF (or anything that sounds more pleasant – FIJ? IJF?). The reason for making a case for a more formalised partnership between two of the major and influential G7 members with a growing economy from Global South, is the inherent bilateral strengths and potential for cooperation between Paris, Tokyo, and New Delhi. In recent decades, there has been a traditional consensus among Tokyo and Paris on most major international issues, the importance of their bilateral diplomatic relationship is mostly under-appreciated and is often surrounded by negative headlines such as troubles around the Renault-Nissan partnership. The underappreciation is also visible in increasingly stronger partnerships between Paris and New Delhi, as well as in the ties between New Delhi and Tokyo. Alignment of mutual interests can be the sustaining force for this trilateral grouping. For New Delhi, the importance of both partnerships is crystal clear. Indo-Japan partnerships have thrived for years and received significant impetus from personal chemistry between leaders in Abe-Modi era. The Japanese capital and technology are treated as crucial in realising India’s developmental aspirations. For example, the choice of Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed rail technology for India’s first bullet train project aptly captures the significance of the growing role of Japan – both in terms of providing technology as well as capital – in India’s strategic decision-making. Japan still remains a major source for FDI inflows in India, with annual FDI inflow more than USD 1.3 Bn for almost a decade now, peaking in 2017 at around USD 4.2 Bn. The partnership has only gained momentum with similar vision and concerns in Indo-Pacific and working together in Quad grouping alongside the United States and Australia. For Paris, partnership with India has steadily gained momentum and today it serves as its major diplomatic partner outside of the francosphere. New Delhi is also seen as a crucial partner for Paris’s strategic and defence interests, and an important ally for France’ much desired ‘strategic autonomy’, outside of the European Union, G7, and NATO. For India, Paris is currently her strongest and most reliable support base in the United Nations Security Council, replacing New Delhi’s traditional reliance on Moscow. While New Delhi’s strategic importance has grown both in London and Washington, the strong presence of anti-India interests in the domestic politics of the US and UK often hinders their reliability from New Delhi’s perspective. For India, Paris is also a crucial partner for defence procurement and technology transfer, given the broader and long-term benefits of diversifying away from Moscow as well as maintaining a strategic distance from Washington as key defence suppliers. Also read | From homeland to refugee, and back to homeland, only to become refugees once again For Tokyo, stronger and more effective partnerships with major European powers as well as large emerging economy allows for a more independent approach to global affairs. For almost stagnant large economies such as Japan, India fares well as a large and growing market for trade and investment activities. Further, while Quad will continue to remain Tokyo’s Indo-pacific pivot, Paris is undoubtedly a major stakeholder in the region and will add value for both Tokyo and New Delhi, as both countries embark on an ambitious security strategy overhaul. The relative absence of Paris in the current Indo-Pacific discourse is indeed awkward, given France’s vast presence in the region through its overseas territories. It is worthwhile to note that more than 90% of France’s exclusive economic zone lies in the Indo-Pacific and not in the Atlantic. Also read | PM Modi’s US visit: A new chapter to be heralded for tech geopolitics A trilateral partnership with the potential for cooperation across various areas including emerging technologies, trade, security, and defence cooperation would be mutually beneficial for all three major and influential powers in asserting their individual strategic autonomy. For France and Japan, this arrangement will allow for more independent expression of their defence and security concerns outside of their respective European and American security and diplomatic umbrella. And for India, this will allow her to be a more influential voice of the Global South and reinforce a commitment to a multipolar world and no-camp or own-camp diplomacy. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Making a strong and valid case for Japan-India-France grouping

Ukraine has launched its much-anticipated counteroffensive, Kyiv claims that it has recaptured 7 villages in the Donestk and Zaporizhzhia regions meanwhile French president Emmanuel Macron has said that Ukraine's operations will go on for weeks or months vowing to continue to supply weapons to Ukraine.

Macron re-affirms support to Ukraine

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