United States President Barack Obama has offered full support to Germany in investigating the deadly terror attack that killed 10 people, including the gunman who allegedly shot himself in the head, in a busy shopping mall in Munich. 
 
Nine people, excluding the attacker, were killed in the shooting that began early yesterday evening, with 21 wounded according to the latest official toll. 
 
&quot;Germany is one of our closest allies, so we are going to pledge all the support that they may need in dealing with these circumstances,&quot; Obama said at the White House. 
 
The US condemns in the strongest terms the apparent terrorist attack that has claimed innocent lives in Munich, Germany, said his spokesman, Josh Earnest. 
 
&quot;We still do not know all of the facts, but we do know that this heinous act has killed and injured multiple individuals in the heart of one of Europe&#39;s most vibrant cities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, just as we wish those wounded a full recovery,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;In the midst of this tragedy, the US will work closely with our German partners to whom we will make available any resources that would assist their investigation, as the President pledged. The resolve of Germany, the United States, and the broader international community will remain unshaken in the face of acts of despicable violence such as this,&quot; Earnest said. 
 
State department spokesman John Kirby said the US is in close contact with German officials and stand ready to provide any and all assistance requested by our close friend and ally Germany in this time of crisis. 
 
Senator Mark Kirk asked the Obama Administration to take steps to ensure similar attacks do not happen on American soil. 
 
&quot;This year, it has become increasingly clear that keeping Americans safe from acts of terror must be our number one priority,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;We mourn alongside one of our closest allies tonight for the innocent lives taken by yet another act of terror. Now, more than ever, we must come together as a nation and fight to protect our freedoms. And we must win this fight, providing leadership to combat terrorism that threatens our very way of life,&quot; said Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 
 
&#39;A disgusting terror attack&#39;

French President Francois Hollande today called the&nbsp;deadly shooting in Munich&nbsp;a &quot;disgusting terrorist attack&quot; aimed at stirring up fear in Germany after France was targeted last week.

&quot;The terrorist attack that struck Munich killing many people is a disgusting act that aims to foment fear in Germany after other European countries,&quot; Hollande said in a statement.

&quot;Germany will resist, it can count on France&#39;s friendship and cooperation,&quot; he said, adding that he would speak with German chancellor Angela Merkel today morning.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters, PTI)

Both Obama and Hollande have offered aid and cooperation to assist Germany in the Munich tragedy investigation

United States President Barack Obama has offered full support to Germany in investigating the deadly terror attack that killed 10 people, including the gunman who allegedly shot himself in the head, in a busy shopping mall in Munich. Nine people, excluding the attacker, were killed in the shooting that began early yesterday evening, with 21 wounded according to the latest official toll. "Germany is one of our closest allies, so we are going to pledge all the support that they may need in dealing with these circumstances," Obama said at the White House. The US condemns in the strongest terms the apparent terrorist attack that has claimed innocent lives in Munich, Germany, said his spokesman, Josh Earnest. "We still do not know all of the facts, but we do know that this heinous act has killed and injured multiple individuals in the heart of one of Europe's most vibrant cities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, just as we wish those wounded a full recovery," he said. "In the midst of this tragedy, the US will work closely with our German partners to whom we will make available any resources that would assist their investigation, as the President pledged. The resolve of Germany, the United States, and the broader international community will remain unshaken in the face of acts of despicable violence such as this," Earnest said. State department spokesman John Kirby said the US is in close contact with German officials and stand ready to provide any and all assistance requested by our close friend and ally Germany in this time of crisis. Senator Mark Kirk asked the Obama Administration to take steps to ensure similar attacks do not happen on American soil. "This year, it has become increasingly clear that keeping Americans safe from acts of terror must be our number one priority," he said. "We mourn alongside one of our closest allies tonight for the innocent lives taken by yet another act of terror. Now, more than ever, we must come together as a nation and fight to protect our freedoms. And we must win this fight, providing leadership to combat terrorism that threatens our very way of life," said Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 'A disgusting terror attack' French President Francois Hollande today called the deadly shooting in Munich a "disgusting terrorist attack" aimed at stirring up fear in Germany after France was targeted last week. "The terrorist attack that struck Munich killing many people is a disgusting act that aims to foment fear in Germany after other European countries," Hollande said in a statement. "Germany will resist, it can count on France's friendship and cooperation," he said, adding that he would speak with German chancellor Angela Merkel today morning. (Reuters, PTI)

US, France condemn attack, pledge support to Germany

French President Francois Hollande said on Friday France would supply heavy weapons to Iraqi forces as soon as next month and that there were no plans to deploy troops on the ground there and in Syria, after a fourth security council meeting since the attacks in Nice on Bastille Day. 
 
France has said it would ramp up efforts to fight Islamic State after an attack in the Riviera city of Nice that killed 84 people last week but would not deploy troops on the ground. 
 
&quot;This morning at the defence council, I took the decision as part of the anti-Daesh coalition to make weapons available to Iraqi forces,&quot; Hollande said, using another name for IS. 
 
&quot;They will be there next month,&quot; he said following the meeting with a handful of ministers and the heads of the security forces. 
 
An aide to the president said the weaponry would include artillery batteries and that France would also send military advisors to train Iraqi forces in using them. 
 
Hollande said he would also be sending the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the region &quot;at the end of September&quot;. 
 
The carrier &quot;will allow us to intensify strikes against terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq using our Rafale jets,&quot; he said. 
 
Hollande insisted that the move did not change the nature of France&#39;s military involvement in the region. 
 
&quot;We support our allies in Iraq and Syria but we are not deploying ground troops,&quot; he stressed. 
 
&quot;We have advice to give and training to carry out, but it is not our soldiers fighting on the ground in Syria and Iraq.&quot; 
 
French and American air forces have been conducting strikes on Islamic State strongholds in Syria and Iraq. 
 
Earlier this year, French military advisers and special forces also began operating on the ground in Libya against Islamic State militants in conjunction with Britain and the United States. 
 
(Reuters, AFP) 
&nbsp;

President Francois Hollande says France will send heavy weapons to Iraq in support of the coalition fighting Islamic State

French President Francois Hollande said on Friday France would supply heavy weapons to Iraqi forces as soon as next month and that there were no plans to deploy troops on the ground there and in Syria, after a fourth security council meeting since the attacks in Nice on Bastille Day. France has said it would ramp up efforts to fight Islamic State after an attack in the Riviera city of Nice that killed 84 people last week but would not deploy troops on the ground. "This morning at the defence council, I took the decision as part of the anti-Daesh coalition to make weapons available to Iraqi forces," Hollande said, using another name for IS. "They will be there next month," he said following the meeting with a handful of ministers and the heads of the security forces. An aide to the president said the weaponry would include artillery batteries and that France would also send military advisors to train Iraqi forces in using them. Hollande said he would also be sending the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the region "at the end of September". The carrier "will allow us to intensify strikes against terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq using our Rafale jets," he said. Hollande insisted that the move did not change the nature of France's military involvement in the region. "We support our allies in Iraq and Syria but we are not deploying ground troops," he stressed. "We have advice to give and training to carry out, but it is not our soldiers fighting on the ground in Syria and Iraq." French and American air forces have been conducting strikes on Islamic State strongholds in Syria and Iraq. Earlier this year, French military advisers and special forces also began operating on the ground in Libya against Islamic State militants in conjunction with Britain and the United States. (Reuters, AFP)

France to supply artillery to Iraqi army, rules out troop deployment

French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday he wanted Britain to open talks fast on quitting the European Union and would seek explanation from British Prime Minister Theresa May for any foot-dragging. 
 
Hollande, who is due to meet Theresa May in Paris later on Thursday, told a news conference during a visit to Ireland: &quot;I will meet Theresa May tonight. That will be the opportunity to hear the arguments. What is the interest of delaying? I would like justifications.&quot; 
 
The French leader, who was speaking in Dublin where he and Irish Prime minister Enda Kenny issued a joint statement urging rapid exit talks, also said he would confer with German leader Angela Merkel after his meeting with May. 
 
There should be no pre-negotiations before full and formal exit talks, he said. 
 
Hollande added that Britain should not be able to access the EU`s single market without allowing free movement of EU citizens. 
 
&quot;Access to the single market cannot be guaranteed unless free movement of workers is respected,&quot; Hollande said following talks with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in Dublin. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

French President Francois Hollande insisted that Britain cannot acces EU's single market without allowing free movement of EU citizens

French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday he wanted Britain to open talks fast on quitting the European Union and would seek explanation from British Prime Minister Theresa May for any foot-dragging. Hollande, who is due to meet Theresa May in Paris later on Thursday, told a news conference during a visit to Ireland: "I will meet Theresa May tonight. That will be the opportunity to hear the arguments. What is the interest of delaying? I would like justifications." The French leader, who was speaking in Dublin where he and Irish Prime minister Enda Kenny issued a joint statement urging rapid exit talks, also said he would confer with German leader Angela Merkel after his meeting with May. There should be no pre-negotiations before full and formal exit talks, he said. Hollande added that Britain should not be able to access the EU`s single market without allowing free movement of EU citizens. "Access to the single market cannot be guaranteed unless free movement of workers is respected," Hollande said following talks with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in Dublin. (Reuters)

Hollande urges Britain to open EU exit talks

French health minister Marisol Touraine said today&nbsp;that 18 people, including one child, were still in critical condition&nbsp;after the truck attack&nbsp;in Nice that killed 84.

Touraine said 85 people were still hospitalised, 29 of whom were in intensive care, after the attack claimed by the Islamic State group which turned a night of Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city to horror.

Touraine said that there was now only one person among the injured who had yet to be identified.

Over 300 people received medical care in the wake of the attack carried out by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian who smashed a 19-tonne truck into a crowd that had just finished watching a fireworks display. 
 
(AFP)

85 are still hospitalised, 29 of whom are in intensive care. Only one among the injured yet to be identified

French health minister Marisol Touraine said today that 18 people, including one child, were still in critical condition after the truck attack in Nice that killed 84. Touraine said 85 people were still hospitalised, 29 of whom were in intensive care, after the attack claimed by the Islamic State group which turned a night of Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city to horror. Touraine said that there was now only one person among the injured who had yet to be identified. Over 300 people received medical care in the wake of the attack carried out by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian who smashed a 19-tonne truck into a crowd that had just finished watching a fireworks display. (AFP)

18 still critical after Nice attack: Health minister

Short on the sides and thinning on top, French President Francois Hollande&#39;s hair is kept perfectly groomed at a cost of almost 10,000 Euros a month, the Canard Enchaine weekly reported on Wednesday. 
 
The unpopular leader&#39;s hair has never been the topic of scrutiny, unlike other high-profile male politicians such as US presidential candidate Donald Trump or former London mayor Boris Johnson. 
 
However the publication of the contract of his hairdresser, identified only as Olivier B, by the investigative newspaper had the French public bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president. 
 
&quot;I can understand the questions, I can understand that there are judgements,&quot; said government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, who confirmed the hairdresser&#39;s steep salary of 9,895 Euros ($10,900) a month. 
 
&quot;Everyone has their hair done, don&#39;t they?&quot; added Le Foll, his trademark thick grey mane flopping over his forehead. 
 
A lawmaker with the far-right National Front (FN) referred to Hollande as &quot;his majesty&quot; on Twitter, while other users superimposed afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the president, to &quot;help his hairdresser earn his salary&quot;. 
 
The hashtag #Coiffeurgate was trending on Twitter in France. 
 
Some Twitter users also suggested other balding candidates for the presidency in 2017, such as Alain Juppe of the opposition Republicans, could save taxpayers&#39; money. 
 
An image of Hollande with a beanie photoshopped onto his head was captioned &quot;budget cuts&quot;. 
 
Hollande himself earns an annual wage of 179,000 Euros a year or 14,900 Euros a month. 
 
The Canard Enchaine reported that in addition to his salary, the hairdresser was entitled to a &quot;housing allowance&quot; and other &quot;family benefits&quot;. 
 
He has been employed since 2012 and travels with the president on most of his foreign trips. 
 
The hairdresser&#39;s contract states that he must &quot;maintain absolute secrecy about his work and any information he may have gathered both during and after his contract&quot;. 
 
Hollande&#39;s former partner Valerie Trierweiler denied that the hairdresser had been brought in at her request, as two journalists claimed in a book published in April. 
 
&quot;Let&#39;s be fair: Hollande was not aware of the hairdresser&#39;s salary,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;I can attest to his anger when he learned it later,&quot; she added. 
 
Trierweiler, a journalist, published a bestselling tell-all memoir of her relationship and break-up with Hollande, portraying the French leader as a cold-hearted egotist and champagne socialist, who was contemptuous of the &quot;toothless&quot; poor. 
 
Hollande, who was elected in 2012, has always portrayed himself as &quot;Mr Normal&quot;, in stark contrast to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy whose flashy lifestyle saw him dubbed &quot;President Bling Bling&quot;. 
 
A series of political and personal scandals along with a moribund economy and stubborn unemployment levels have driven Hollande&#39;s popularity rating to the lowest levels ever seen in modern French history. 
 
Critics on the left of his party accuse him of betraying Socialist ideals and cosying up to business with a series of economic and labour reforms, despite stating during campaigning that the world of finance was his &quot;enemy&quot;. 
 
Hollande has said he will decide by the end of the year whether to stand for re-election next year. He has said his decision will depend on his success in cutting unemployment. 
 
(AFP)

The French President himself earns 14,900 Euros a month. Critics on the left of his party have accused him of betraying Socialist ideals

Short on the sides and thinning on top, French President Francois Hollande's hair is kept perfectly groomed at a cost of almost 10,000 Euros a month, the Canard Enchaine weekly reported on Wednesday. The unpopular leader's hair has never been the topic of scrutiny, unlike other high-profile male politicians such as US presidential candidate Donald Trump or former London mayor Boris Johnson. However the publication of the contract of his hairdresser, identified only as Olivier B, by the investigative newspaper had the French public bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president. "I can understand the questions, I can understand that there are judgements," said government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, who confirmed the hairdresser's steep salary of 9,895 Euros ($10,900) a month. "Everyone has their hair done, don't they?" added Le Foll, his trademark thick grey mane flopping over his forehead. A lawmaker with the far-right National Front (FN) referred to Hollande as "his majesty" on Twitter, while other users superimposed afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the president, to "help his hairdresser earn his salary". The hashtag #Coiffeurgate was trending on Twitter in France. Some Twitter users also suggested other balding candidates for the presidency in 2017, such as Alain Juppe of the opposition Republicans, could save taxpayers' money. An image of Hollande with a beanie photoshopped onto his head was captioned "budget cuts". Hollande himself earns an annual wage of 179,000 Euros a year or 14,900 Euros a month. The Canard Enchaine reported that in addition to his salary, the hairdresser was entitled to a "housing allowance" and other "family benefits". He has been employed since 2012 and travels with the president on most of his foreign trips. The hairdresser's contract states that he must "maintain absolute secrecy about his work and any information he may have gathered both during and after his contract". Hollande's former partner Valerie Trierweiler denied that the hairdresser had been brought in at her request, as two journalists claimed in a book published in April. "Let's be fair: Hollande was not aware of the hairdresser's salary," she said. "I can attest to his anger when he learned it later," she added. Trierweiler, a journalist, published a bestselling tell-all memoir of her relationship and break-up with Hollande, portraying the French leader as a cold-hearted egotist and champagne socialist, who was contemptuous of the "toothless" poor. Hollande, who was elected in 2012, has always portrayed himself as "Mr Normal", in stark contrast to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy whose flashy lifestyle saw him dubbed "President Bling Bling". A series of political and personal scandals along with a moribund economy and stubborn unemployment levels have driven Hollande's popularity rating to the lowest levels ever seen in modern French history. Critics on the left of his party accuse him of betraying Socialist ideals and cosying up to business with a series of economic and labour reforms, despite stating during campaigning that the world of finance was his "enemy". Hollande has said he will decide by the end of the year whether to stand for re-election next year. He has said his decision will depend on his success in cutting unemployment. (AFP)

Not much of it, but upkeep of Hollande's hair costs 10,000 euros a month

Short on the sides and thinning on top, French President Francois Hollande`s hair is kept perfectly groomed at a cost of almost 10,000 Euros a month, the Canard Enchaine weekly reported today. 
 
The unpopular leader`s hair has never been the topic of scrutiny, unlike other high-profile male politicians such as US presidential candidate Donald Trump or former London mayor Boris Johnson. 
 
However the publication of the contract of his hairdresser, identified only as Olivier B., by the investigative newspaper had the French bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president. 
 
&quot;I can understand the questions, I can understand that there are judgements,&quot; said government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, who confirmed the hairdresser`s steep salary of 9,895 Euros ($10,900) a month. 
 
&quot;Everyone has their hair done, don`t they?&quot; said Le Foll, his trademark thick grey mane flopping over his forehead. 
 
A lawmaker with the far-right National Front (FN) referred to Hollande as &quot;his majesty&quot; on Twitter, while other users superimposed Afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the president, to &quot;help his hairdresser earn his salary&quot;. 
 
The hashtag #Coiffeurgate was trending on Twitter in France. 
 
Some Twitter users also suggested other balding candidates for the presidency in 2017, such as Alain Juppe of the opposition Republicans, could save taxpayers money. 
 
An image of Hollande with a beanie photoshopped onto his head was captioned &quot;budget cuts&quot;. 
 
Hollande himself earns an annual wage of 179,000 Euros a year or 14,900 Euros a month. 
 
The Canard Enchaine reported that in addition to his salary, the hairdresser was entitled to a &quot;housing allowance&quot; and other &quot;family benefits&quot;. 
 
He has been employed since 2012 and travels with the President on most of his foreign trips. 
 
The hairdresser`s contract states that he must &quot;maintain absolute secrecy about his work and any information he may have gathered both during and after his contract&quot;. 
 
Hollande, who was elected in 2012, has always portrayed himself as &quot;Mr Normal&quot;, in stark contrast to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy whose flashy lifestyle saw him dubbed &quot;President Bling Bling&quot;. 
 
A series of political and personal scandals along with a moribund economy and stubborn unemployment levels have driven Hollande`s popularity rating to the lowest levels ever seen in modern French history. 
 
Critics on the left of his party accuse him of betraying Socialist ideals and cosying up to business with a series of economic and labour reforms, despite stating during campaigning that the world of finance was his &quot;enemy.&quot; 
 
Hollande has said he will decide by the end of the year whether to stand in next year`s presidential election, but he has said a re-election bid would depend on his success in cutting unemployment. 
 
 
(AFP)

Twitter users superimposed Afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the President, to 'help his hairdresser earn his salary'

Short on the sides and thinning on top, French President Francois Hollande`s hair is kept perfectly groomed at a cost of almost 10,000 Euros a month, the Canard Enchaine weekly reported today. The unpopular leader`s hair has never been the topic of scrutiny, unlike other high-profile male politicians such as US presidential candidate Donald Trump or former London mayor Boris Johnson. However the publication of the contract of his hairdresser, identified only as Olivier B., by the investigative newspaper had the French bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president. "I can understand the questions, I can understand that there are judgements," said government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, who confirmed the hairdresser`s steep salary of 9,895 Euros ($10,900) a month. "Everyone has their hair done, don`t they?" said Le Foll, his trademark thick grey mane flopping over his forehead. A lawmaker with the far-right National Front (FN) referred to Hollande as "his majesty" on Twitter, while other users superimposed Afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the president, to "help his hairdresser earn his salary". The hashtag #Coiffeurgate was trending on Twitter in France. Some Twitter users also suggested other balding candidates for the presidency in 2017, such as Alain Juppe of the opposition Republicans, could save taxpayers money. An image of Hollande with a beanie photoshopped onto his head was captioned "budget cuts". Hollande himself earns an annual wage of 179,000 Euros a year or 14,900 Euros a month. The Canard Enchaine reported that in addition to his salary, the hairdresser was entitled to a "housing allowance" and other "family benefits". He has been employed since 2012 and travels with the President on most of his foreign trips. The hairdresser`s contract states that he must "maintain absolute secrecy about his work and any information he may have gathered both during and after his contract". Hollande, who was elected in 2012, has always portrayed himself as "Mr Normal", in stark contrast to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy whose flashy lifestyle saw him dubbed "President Bling Bling". A series of political and personal scandals along with a moribund economy and stubborn unemployment levels have driven Hollande`s popularity rating to the lowest levels ever seen in modern French history. Critics on the left of his party accuse him of betraying Socialist ideals and cosying up to business with a series of economic and labour reforms, despite stating during campaigning that the world of finance was his "enemy." Hollande has said he will decide by the end of the year whether to stand in next year`s presidential election, but he has said a re-election bid would depend on his success in cutting unemployment. (AFP)

Hollande`s hairdresser `paid 10,000 Euros a month`

French President Francois Hollande called on Saturday for international action against an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, warning that the recent losses sustained by the Islamic State group could embolden other jihadist groups. 
 
&quot;Daesh (the Arabic acronym for Islamic State) is in retreat, that is beyond dispute,&quot; Hollande said after a meeting with the leaders of the United States, Germany, Britain, Italy and Ukraine on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Warsaw. 
 
But, Hollande added, &quot;we must also avoid a situation whereby as Daesh becomes weaker, other groups become stronger.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Hollande singled out Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front as particularly standing to benefit from the US-led military campaign against its arch-rival the Islamic State group. 
 
Faced with a barrage of airstrikes and ground offensives by local forces, IS has lost territory in both Syria and Iraq in recent months. 
 
&quot;We must coordinate among ourselves to continue actions against Daesh but also take effective action against Al-Nusra,&quot; Hollande said, directing his appeal at Russia and the US. 
 
On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed in a telephone call to &quot;intensify&quot; military coordination between their two countries in Syria. 
 
Russia had in May proposed joint air strikes with the US against jihadist targets in Syria - a suggestion that was rebuffed by Washington. 
 
The White House reported that the two leaders, in their call this week, &quot;confirmed their commitment to defeating ISIL (IS) and the Al-Nusra Front&quot;. 
 
The two groups are excluded from a broader truce brokered by Moscow and Washington in February.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

'We must also avoid a situation whereby as IS becomes weaker, other groups become stronger,' says the French President

French President Francois Hollande called on Saturday for international action against an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, warning that the recent losses sustained by the Islamic State group could embolden other jihadist groups. "Daesh (the Arabic acronym for Islamic State) is in retreat, that is beyond dispute," Hollande said after a meeting with the leaders of the United States, Germany, Britain, Italy and Ukraine on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Warsaw. But, Hollande added, "we must also avoid a situation whereby as Daesh becomes weaker, other groups become stronger." Hollande singled out Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front as particularly standing to benefit from the US-led military campaign against its arch-rival the Islamic State group. Faced with a barrage of airstrikes and ground offensives by local forces, IS has lost territory in both Syria and Iraq in recent months. "We must coordinate among ourselves to continue actions against Daesh but also take effective action against Al-Nusra," Hollande said, directing his appeal at Russia and the US. On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed in a telephone call to "intensify" military coordination between their two countries in Syria. Russia had in May proposed joint air strikes with the US against jihadist targets in Syria - a suggestion that was rebuffed by Washington. The White House reported that the two leaders, in their call this week, "confirmed their commitment to defeating ISIL (IS) and the Al-Nusra Front". The two groups are excluded from a broader truce brokered by Moscow and Washington in February. (AFP)

Hollande calls for military action against Syrian Qaeda affiliate

Britain&#39;s City of London financial district would have to give up its role in processing Euro currency transactions after it leaves the European Union, French President Francois Hollande warned on Wednesday. 
 
Hollande said other European financial centres should be ready to take over from London, which is home to many banking clearing houses that deal with Euros. 
 
&quot;There is no reason for Europe, and still less the eurozone, to allow a country that is no longer a member of the European Union and has never been a member of the eurozone to continue operations in Euros,&quot; Hollande said after a summit in Brussels. 
 
The French leader added that European financial centres should &quot;prepare to take on a certain number of operations that can no longer be done in Britain&quot;. 
 
In a separate interview with French business daily Les Echos Hollande said France itself should &quot;adapt its regulations, including fiscal (regulations) to make the Paris financial centre more attractive&quot;. 
 
On Tuesday, the president of Paris Europlace, a group that promotes French finance, met with finance minister Michel Spain to suggest ways of boosting the French capital&#39;s ability to woo city bankers. 
 
Britain&#39;s shock vote last week to leave the EU has sparked questions over its role as Europe`s financial capital, with cities like Frankfurt, home of the European Central Bank, and Dublin also hoping to cash in on any move out of London by financial companies. 
 
The issue of whether Euro clearing houses can remain in the British capital is set to be one of the most contentious issues as Britain seeks to negotiate its future trade relationship with the EU after its departure. 
 
Britain has jealously guarded its status and won a recent EU court decision against the European Central Bank in order to keep hosting the Euro deals. 
 
Jonathan Hill, a Briton, was the European Commissioner in charge of the coveted financial services portfolio until his resignation on Saturday following the referendum result. 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

France will adapt its regulations, including fiscal to make the Paris financial centre more attractive to take over operations from London

Britain's City of London financial district would have to give up its role in processing Euro currency transactions after it leaves the European Union, French President Francois Hollande warned on Wednesday. Hollande said other European financial centres should be ready to take over from London, which is home to many banking clearing houses that deal with Euros. "There is no reason for Europe, and still less the eurozone, to allow a country that is no longer a member of the European Union and has never been a member of the eurozone to continue operations in Euros," Hollande said after a summit in Brussels. The French leader added that European financial centres should "prepare to take on a certain number of operations that can no longer be done in Britain". In a separate interview with French business daily Les Echos Hollande said France itself should "adapt its regulations, including fiscal (regulations) to make the Paris financial centre more attractive". On Tuesday, the president of Paris Europlace, a group that promotes French finance, met with finance minister Michel Spain to suggest ways of boosting the French capital's ability to woo city bankers. Britain's shock vote last week to leave the EU has sparked questions over its role as Europe`s financial capital, with cities like Frankfurt, home of the European Central Bank, and Dublin also hoping to cash in on any move out of London by financial companies. The issue of whether Euro clearing houses can remain in the British capital is set to be one of the most contentious issues as Britain seeks to negotiate its future trade relationship with the EU after its departure. Britain has jealously guarded its status and won a recent EU court decision against the European Central Bank in order to keep hosting the Euro deals. Jonathan Hill, a Briton, was the European Commissioner in charge of the coveted financial services portfolio until his resignation on Saturday following the referendum result. (AFP)

France says post-Brexit Britain must relinquish Euro business

The European Union needs a new roadmap that should be devised in consultation with voters and then put to a referendum, France&#39;s Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said today in comments that may further stir tensions with the ruling Socialist Party. 
 
Macron&#39;s talk of a European-wide referendum goes beyond comments made by President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who both said the EU needed to reinvent itself after Britons voted to leave the bloc but made no reference to a popular vote.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We would first build this new project with European peoples and then submit this new roadmap, this new project, to a referendum,&quot; he said ahead of a debate on the fallout from the British referendum. 
 
Macron said voters should be consulted through a series of debates that he called &quot;democratic conventions&quot;. 
 
&quot;It must be done in the right framework,&quot; the minister added. 
 
Macron, a former investment banker, is one of the embattled Socialist government`s most popular ministers among the public. But his launch last month of his own &quot;En Marche&quot; party a year ahead of a presidential election has fueled speculation that he could be eying the Elysee palace as the ratings of Hollande stay rock-bottom. He has said he would not run in the election. 
 
Macron said a knee-jerk referendum must be avoided. 
 
&quot;The idea would not be to have 27 separate referendums,&quot; Macron said during the debate. &quot;We&#39;ve never had the courage to organise a true European referendum in its real sense. This next project must give it that strength.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
In 2005, a proposed EU constitution was blocked by a referendum in France, due mostly to public opposition to an enlarged, free-marketeering Europe. Dutch voters also rejected the constitution in a separate referendum. 
 
(Reuters)

France's Economy Minister said voters should be consulted through a series of debates that he called 'democratic convention'

The European Union needs a new roadmap that should be devised in consultation with voters and then put to a referendum, France's Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said today in comments that may further stir tensions with the ruling Socialist Party. Macron's talk of a European-wide referendum goes beyond comments made by President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who both said the EU needed to reinvent itself after Britons voted to leave the bloc but made no reference to a popular vote. "We would first build this new project with European peoples and then submit this new roadmap, this new project, to a referendum," he said ahead of a debate on the fallout from the British referendum. Macron said voters should be consulted through a series of debates that he called "democratic conventions". "It must be done in the right framework," the minister added. Macron, a former investment banker, is one of the embattled Socialist government`s most popular ministers among the public. But his launch last month of his own "En Marche" party a year ahead of a presidential election has fueled speculation that he could be eying the Elysee palace as the ratings of Hollande stay rock-bottom. He has said he would not run in the election. Macron said a knee-jerk referendum must be avoided. "The idea would not be to have 27 separate referendums," Macron said during the debate. "We've never had the courage to organise a true European referendum in its real sense. This next project must give it that strength." In 2005, a proposed EU constitution was blocked by a referendum in France, due mostly to public opposition to an enlarged, free-marketeering Europe. Dutch voters also rejected the constitution in a separate referendum. (Reuters)

France's Macron wants new European project, and EU-wide referendum

President Francois Hollande said on Sunday it would be incomprehensible if transport strikes were to disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer tournament that opens in France on Friday, raising pressure on the militant &nbsp;Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union to call off the action. 
 
Hollande spoke in a radio interview as an opinion poll showed a majority of French people now opposed the wave of nationwide protests against planned labour law reforms that has disrupted fuel supplies and transport services in recent weeks. 
 
Finance minister Michel Sapin said the stoppages and street demonstrations, which have hit rail services, power stations, oil refineries, ports, and waste treatment plans, were having no significant impact on the economy. 
 
But they have tarnished France&#39;s image with scenes of barricades and picket-line violence just as the eyes of Europe are on the host country of the Euro 2016. 
 
&quot;No one would understand it if trains and planes - I&#39;m thinking of the Air France pilots&#39; dispute - were to prevent fans travelling around easily, even if the competition itself has nothing to fear,&quot; Hollande said on France Inter radio. 
 
Rail services have been roughly halved since the CGT and its allies began an open-ended strike last Wednesday. A new round of talks on a reorganisation on working time are due to be held at the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais (SNCF) state railway today. 
 
Air France pilots have announced plans to strike from Saturday, the second day of the Euros, in a separate dispute over pay cuts. 
 
The Socialist president acknowledged a heightened threat of terrorism during the soccer tournament but said France was taking all possible measures to keep fans safe. Some 130 people were killed in gun and bomb attacks by Islamic State militants in Paris last November. 
 
Hollande said he had decided to maintain the planned fan zones where tens of thousands of spectators without match tickets can gather to watch games on giant screens. The biggest planned zone is next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 
 
Some security officials and commentators have warned the enclosures and queues of fans waiting to enter them could be targets for potential attackers, stretching the resources of police and security firms in charge of protection. 
 
But Hollande said: &quot;I decided not only that the competition must go ahead, (but also) to keep the fan zones and make this into a European festival, a festival of the people, a sporting festival. We have done everything to make it a success.&quot; 
 
A Brul? Ville et Associ?s (BVA) poll showed that many voters were still against the reforms that unions say will strip workers of their rights. A similar poll a month ago showed that a slim majority backed the protests. 
 
&quot;Days before the start of the Euro football tournament, while no solution to the social crisis is in sight, support for the protest movement against the labour reform is dwindling,&quot; Agnes Balle of BVA ( French polling agency) said. 
 
The survey carried out on Thursday and Friday showed that 54 per cent of French people interviewed were against the protests. The same number backed the protests in May. Only 45 per cent currently support the protest movement, BVA said. 
 
The poll showed 29 per cent wanted the government to maintain the bill, which aims to make hiring and firing easier, in an attempt to get stubbornly high unemployment falling, with presidential elections a year away. The same percentage want the bill withdrawn, while 41 per cent want a negotiated solution.

French President Francois Hollande is concerned that rail and air strikes might prevent fans of Euro 2016 travelling around easily

President Francois Hollande said on Sunday it would be incomprehensible if transport strikes were to disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer tournament that opens in France on Friday, raising pressure on the militant Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union to call off the action. Hollande spoke in a radio interview as an opinion poll showed a majority of French people now opposed the wave of nationwide protests against planned labour law reforms that has disrupted fuel supplies and transport services in recent weeks. Finance minister Michel Sapin said the stoppages and street demonstrations, which have hit rail services, power stations, oil refineries, ports, and waste treatment plans, were having no significant impact on the economy. But they have tarnished France's image with scenes of barricades and picket-line violence just as the eyes of Europe are on the host country of the Euro 2016. "No one would understand it if trains and planes - I'm thinking of the Air France pilots' dispute - were to prevent fans travelling around easily, even if the competition itself has nothing to fear," Hollande said on France Inter radio. Rail services have been roughly halved since the CGT and its allies began an open-ended strike last Wednesday. A new round of talks on a reorganisation on working time are due to be held at the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais (SNCF) state railway today. Air France pilots have announced plans to strike from Saturday, the second day of the Euros, in a separate dispute over pay cuts. The Socialist president acknowledged a heightened threat of terrorism during the soccer tournament but said France was taking all possible measures to keep fans safe. Some 130 people were killed in gun and bomb attacks by Islamic State militants in Paris last November. Hollande said he had decided to maintain the planned fan zones where tens of thousands of spectators without match tickets can gather to watch games on giant screens. The biggest planned zone is next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Some security officials and commentators have warned the enclosures and queues of fans waiting to enter them could be targets for potential attackers, stretching the resources of police and security firms in charge of protection. But Hollande said: "I decided not only that the competition must go ahead, (but also) to keep the fan zones and make this into a European festival, a festival of the people, a sporting festival. We have done everything to make it a success." A Brul? Ville et Associ?s (BVA) poll showed that many voters were still against the reforms that unions say will strip workers of their rights. A similar poll a month ago showed that a slim majority backed the protests. "Days before the start of the Euro football tournament, while no solution to the social crisis is in sight, support for the protest movement against the labour reform is dwindling," Agnes Balle of BVA ( French polling agency) said. The survey carried out on Thursday and Friday showed that 54 per cent of French people interviewed were against the protests. The same number backed the protests in May. Only 45 per cent currently support the protest movement, BVA said. The poll showed 29 per cent wanted the government to maintain the bill, which aims to make hiring and firing easier, in an attempt to get stubbornly high unemployment falling, with presidential elections a year away. The same percentage want the bill withdrawn, while 41 per cent want a negotiated solution.

Hollande puts pressure on French trade unions to refrain from strike action during Euro 2016