Does Marine Le Pen stand a chance in French Presidential Elections? In 2017, far-right politician Le Pen lost the race to Emmanuel Macron by a margin of 10 million votes. In 2022 Presidential Elections, the chances of her victory seem more probable

French Presidential Elections: Can Marine Le Pen win the Presidential race?

When President Emmanuel Macron came to power, he had economic reforms on his mind, little did he know that he would face a number of protests during his tenure. Five years ago, Macron became the youngest French leader since Napoleon

French Presidential Elections: Will Macron get a second term?

Now it is D-day in France as ballets will open in a couple of hours from now and people will soon decide who will be the next French President. The choices between two leaders with starkly different ideologies, incumbent president and centrist leader, Emmanuel Macron and on the other hand, far-right leader, Marine Le Pen

French Presidential Elections: Final round of voting France

In France, ballets have opened across the nation and people will soon decide who will be the next French President. The choices between two leaders , incumbent president and centrist leader, Emmanuel Macron and on the other hand, far-right leader, Marine Le Pen. To get more perspective, we're joined by Elijah De Zayas, War correspondent from Paris

French Presidential Elections: Final quest for votes after fiery debate

In France, ballets have opened across the nation and people will soon decide who will be the next French President. The choices between two leaders with starkly different ideologies, incumbent president and centrist leader, Emmanuel Macron and on the other hand, far-right leader, Marine Le Pen

French Presidential Elections: Ballots open for voting across France

In France, after an aggressive pre-election debate, rival presidential candidates are making a final push for votes with just two days to go before Sunday's election runoff, the two are back on the campaign trail.

French Elections 2022: Last leg of campaigning concludes

With just 9 days to go for the final face-off in France, both Emmanuel macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen have hit the campaign trail hard this time.

French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail

Differing from ally US President Joe Biden, French President Emanuel Macron has refused to term the Russian actions in Ukraine as "genocide" during an interview with public broadcaster France 2.

According to CNN, when asked if would use the term "genocide" for describing the killings of Ukrainians, Macron said, “I would be careful with such terms today because these two peoples [Russians and Ukrainians] are brothers.”

The comments are likely to cause consternation in the US administration, as most of the western allies have been acting in tandem to decry the Russian attack on Ukraine.

The French president, who is running for re-election, wondered if such an escalation of “rhetoric” could help in ending the war.

“I want to continue to try, as much as I can, to stop this war and rebuild peace. I am not sure that an escalation of rhetoric serves that cause,” he said.

“What we can say for sure is that the situation is unacceptable and that these are war crimes. We are living through war crimes that are unprecedented on our soil — our European soil,” he added.

The comments come days after Biden, while reacting to the Bucha killings and other civilian killings, said that atrocities being uncovered in Ukraine qualify as genocide, saying "It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-president-biden-accuses-russian-forces-of-committing-genocide-470632">Ukraine war: President Biden accuses Russian forces of committing 'genocide'</a>

Even though such actions don’t entail any legal or economic ramifications, the wording chosen by the Biden was to rally its allies in isolating and punishing Kremlin.

Moscow had severely criticised Biden for accusing Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine, dubbing it "unacceptable".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-russia-destroys-worlds-largest-commercial-airplane-in-ukraine-mriya-468458">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters</a>

"We categorically disagree and consider unacceptable any attempt to distort the situation in this way, especially since it is hardly acceptable for the president of the United States," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine accuses Russia of genocide in Bucha

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-accuses-russia-of-genocide-in-bucha-468404/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

Differing from ally US President Joe Biden, French President Emanuel Macron has refused to term the Russian actions in Ukraine as "genocide" during an interview with public broadcaster France 2.

Differing from ally US President Joe Biden, French President Emanuel Macron has refused to term the Russian actions in Ukraine as "genocide" during an interview with public broadcaster France 2. According to CNN, when asked if would use the term "genocide" for describing the killings of Ukrainians, Macron said, “I would be careful with such terms today because these two peoples [Russians and Ukrainians] are brothers.” The comments are likely to cause consternation in the US administration, as most of the western allies have been acting in tandem to decry the Russian attack on Ukraine. The French president, who is running for re-election, wondered if such an escalation of “rhetoric” could help in ending the war. “I want to continue to try, as much as I can, to stop this war and rebuild peace. I am not sure that an escalation of rhetoric serves that cause,” he said. “What we can say for sure is that the situation is unacceptable and that these are war crimes. We are living through war crimes that are unprecedented on our soil — our European soil,” he added. The comments come days after Biden, while reacting to the Bucha killings and other civilian killings, said that atrocities being uncovered in Ukraine qualify as genocide, saying "It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian." Also read | Ukraine war: President Biden accuses Russian forces of committing 'genocide' Even though such actions don’t entail any legal or economic ramifications, the wording chosen by the Biden was to rally its allies in isolating and punishing Kremlin. Moscow had severely criticised Biden for accusing Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine, dubbing it "unacceptable". Also Read in Pics: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters "We categorically disagree and consider unacceptable any attempt to distort the situation in this way, especially since it is hardly acceptable for the president of the United States," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine accuses Russia of genocide in Bucha (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine war: French President Macron refuses to describe civilian killings as ‘genocide’

France`s incumbent leader Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen will qualify for an April 24 presidential election runoff, initial projections by four pollsters showed after voting closed on Sunday.

Macron led Le Pen in the first round, the separate estimates by Ifop, OpinionWay, Elabe and Ipsos showed. Macron won 28.1-29.5% of votes while Le Pen won 23.3-24.4% of voter support, they projected.

That outcome would set up a duel between an economic liberal with a globalist outlook in Macron and a deeply eurosceptic economic nationalist who, until the Ukraine war, was an open admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Not for two decades has a French president won a second term.

Barely a month ago, Macron appeared near certain to reverse that trend, riding high in polls thanks to strong economic growth, a fragmented opposition and his statesman role in trying to avert war on Europe`s eastern flank.

But he has paid the price for late entry into the campaign during which he eschewed market walkabouts in provincial France in favour of a single big rally outside Paris. A plan to make people work longer has also proved unpopular.

By contrast, Le Pen has for months toured towns and villages across France, focusing on cost-of-living issues that trouble millions and tapping into deep-seated anger towards the distant political elite.

A more than 10 point lead Macron had enjoyed as late as mid-March evaporated and voter surveys ahead of the first round showed his margin of victory in an eventual runoff whittled down to within the margin of error.

"I`m scared of the political extremes," said pensioner Therese Eychenne, 89, after voting for Macron in Paris. "I don`t know what would become of France."

Investor nerves

Investors took note of Le Pen`s surge. The yield on French 5- and 10-year government bonds hit multi-year highs last week.

A Le Pen victory on April 24 would constitute a similar jolt to the establishment as Britain`s Brexit vote to leave the European Union (EU) or Donald Trump`s 2017 entry into the White House.

France, the EU`s second largest economy, would lurch from being a driving force for European integration to being led by a euro-sceptic who is also suspicious of the NATO military alliance.

While Le Pen has ditched past ambitions for a "Frexit" or to haul France out of the euro zone`s single currency, she envisages the EU as a mere alliance of sovereign states.

Who next holds the Elysee Palace will depend on how those who backed Macron and Le Pen`s rivals cast their ballots.

In past elections in 2002 and 2017, voters on the left and right have united to block the far-right from power.

However, surveys suggest that the so-called "republicain front" has crumbled, with many left-wing voters saying they are loathe to endorse a leader they deride as arrogant and a "president of the rich."

"We want change, so why not give her a chance (in round two)?" technician Alex Talcone said in the Paris suburb of Bobigny after voting for hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon.

France`s incumbent leader Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen will qualify for an April 24 presidential election runoff, initial projections by four pollsters showed after voting closed on Sunday.

France`s incumbent leader Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen will qualify for an April 24 presidential election runoff, initial projections by four pollsters showed after voting closed on Sunday. Macron led Le Pen in the first round, the separate estimates by Ifop, OpinionWay, Elabe and Ipsos showed. Macron won 28.1-29.5% of votes while Le Pen won 23.3-24.4% of voter support, they projected. That outcome would set up a duel between an economic liberal with a globalist outlook in Macron and a deeply eurosceptic economic nationalist who, until the Ukraine war, was an open admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Not for two decades has a French president won a second term. Barely a month ago, Macron appeared near certain to reverse that trend, riding high in polls thanks to strong economic growth, a fragmented opposition and his statesman role in trying to avert war on Europe`s eastern flank. But he has paid the price for late entry into the campaign during which he eschewed market walkabouts in provincial France in favour of a single big rally outside Paris. A plan to make people work longer has also proved unpopular. By contrast, Le Pen has for months toured towns and villages across France, focusing on cost-of-living issues that trouble millions and tapping into deep-seated anger towards the distant political elite. A more than 10 point lead Macron had enjoyed as late as mid-March evaporated and voter surveys ahead of the first round showed his margin of victory in an eventual runoff whittled down to within the margin of error. "I`m scared of the political extremes," said pensioner Therese Eychenne, 89, after voting for Macron in Paris. "I don`t know what would become of France." Investor nerves Investors took note of Le Pen`s surge. The yield on French 5- and 10-year government bonds hit multi-year highs last week. A Le Pen victory on April 24 would constitute a similar jolt to the establishment as Britain`s Brexit vote to leave the European Union (EU) or Donald Trump`s 2017 entry into the White House. France, the EU`s second largest economy, would lurch from being a driving force for European integration to being led by a euro-sceptic who is also suspicious of the NATO military alliance. While Le Pen has ditched past ambitions for a "Frexit" or to haul France out of the euro zone`s single currency, she envisages the EU as a mere alliance of sovereign states. Who next holds the Elysee Palace will depend on how those who backed Macron and Le Pen`s rivals cast their ballots. In past elections in 2002 and 2017, voters on the left and right have united to block the far-right from power. However, surveys suggest that the so-called "republicain front" has crumbled, with many left-wing voters saying they are loathe to endorse a leader they deride as arrogant and a "president of the rich." "We want change, so why not give her a chance (in round two)?" technician Alex Talcone said in the Paris suburb of Bobigny after voting for hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Macron, Le Pen seen qualifying for French election runoff: Initial projections

The voter turnout in the first phase of French Presidential Elections was 25.5 per cent by Midday which is below the 28.5 per cent rate during the 2017 polls. Political Analyst Morgane Fert-Malka in conversation with WION said low voter turnout will benefit Marine Le Penn.

French Election 2022: Emmanuel Macron & Marine Le Pen emerge as top candidates

Anti-Semitism debate takes centerstage in the upcoming French Elections. President Emmanuel Macron's political rivals say that he is simply not doing enough to combat Anti-Semitism and the crimes against Jews have increased during his tenure

France Elections 2022: Is Anti-Semitism on the rise in France?

Ahead of Presidential polls in France, Opposition leader Marine Le Pen criticizes President Emmanuel Macron for using private consultants

Presidential polls in France: Opposition rakes up President Macron's consultant scandal

It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”&nbsp;

Seems like French President Emmanuel Macron understood the assignment. Traditionally, the French have been trendsetters, known for their style and fine fashion. However, it appears that the French President is taking style tips from the most fashionable leader in Europe.

With the Russian invasion of his country, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an instantly recognisable figure. Throughout the past three weeks, when he visited the wounded in the hospital, or attended briefings, the leader wore khaki hoodies, jackets, and t-shirts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-man-shocked-as-a-missile-explodes-mere-steps-away-from-him-watch-462368" hreflang="en">Ukrainian man shocked as a missile explodes mere steps away from him: Watch</a>

The Ukrainian comedian turned war leader discarded the suit and tie typically worn by a head of state in favour of more utilitarian clothing as he splits his time between the presidential palace and the streets of war-torn Kyiv. &nbsp;

Now new pictures have emerged in which the French President is supporting a look "inspired" by Zelensky.&nbsp;

<img alt="Zelensky, Macron" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="541b081c-7ffd-4e92-8646-1c242099944b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2816%29_0.jpg" />

Macron - arguably the cleanest-cut figure in the EU who is seldom seen in anything but an immaculately tailored suit, perfectly coiffed hair and a clean shave - now seems to be sporting a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a face full of stubble behind a desk in the Elysee Palace.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-russia-might-be-planning-a-chemical-attack-on-ukraine-us-nato-un-echo-the-concern-462340" hreflang="en">UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern</a>

At first glance, the French leader is almost unrecognisable, his baggy black hoodie a stark contrast to the slim navy jacket he usually wears.

<img alt="Macron, Zelensky" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ffc7e8dc-35a9-4680-bc79-b1361bcfbde0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2817%29_1.jpg" />

Images show Macron seemingly hard at work at his office in Paris' Élysée Palace on Sunday. They bear a striking resemblance to the shots of Zelensky preparing for a media interview or delivering a stirring speech from his Kyiv office.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-russia-optimistic-about-round-4-of-talks-462334/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Soazig De La Moissonnière, Macron's official photographer released the images this morning. The images received an enthusiastic response on social media from her followers, who praised the candid photos of the President.

Others, however, have accused Macron of using the ‘war-room’ style photos as a marketing ploy to piggyback off Zelensky’s popularity and appear more relatable.

<img alt="Zelensky" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a657be45-ef59-4ae9-9adf-4ba1ccb895e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2818%29_0.jpg" />

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Macron decided to turn up to work in a pair of jeans and a French paratroopers hoodie to be more like Zelensky. <a href="https://t.co/pYivvXwOga">pic.twitter.com/pYivvXwOga</a>
— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/samstreetwrites/status/1503377390969495559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Now I’ve seen everything: Macron is cosplaying Zelensky. Nothing bad about that, only confirms a very simple fact: Ukrainian president is now the moral leader of the West. <a href="https://t.co/xsaZbPF76q">pic.twitter.com/xsaZbPF76q</a>
— Anton Shekhovtsov (@A_SHEKH0VTS0V) <a href="https://twitter.com/A_SHEKH0VTS0V/status/1503414966459719680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A month ago it would have been hard to imagine French President Emmanuel Macron trying to copy President Volodymyr Zelensky. 
 
Now it’s the reality we live in. <a href="https://t.co/WbDm1UZhFq">pic.twitter.com/WbDm1UZhFq</a>
— Oleksiy Sorokin (@mrsorokaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrsorokaa/status/1503489529721901061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Zelensky’s getting some high-level fans, and we love to see it. <a href="https://t.co/DE7P5i3Y1C">pic.twitter.com/DE7P5i3Y1C</a>
— Anastasiia Lapatina (@lapatina_) <a href="https://twitter.com/lapatina_/status/1503493654027116546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Macron has long been portrayed as a well-dressed statesman who would never dare be caught off-duty without a suit and tie.&nbsp;

It is almost impossible to find photos of French President Emmanuel Macron where he isn't suited and booted, whether posted by the world's media or his personal photographer.

<img alt="Suits vs sweatshirts" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b413330f-4912-4ea4-9adc-769598374d72" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2820%29.jpg" />

Don't be surprised if Boris Johnson addresses the Commons in a jumper and jeans one of these days, as the war rages on and public admiration for the Ukrainian President grows ever stronger.

(With inputs from agencies)

It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Seems like French President Emmanuel Macron understood the assignment.

It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Seems like French President Emmanuel Macron understood the assignment. Traditionally, the French have been trendsetters, known for their style and fine fashion. However, it appears that the French President is taking style tips from the most fashionable leader in Europe. With the Russian invasion of his country, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an instantly recognisable figure. Throughout the past three weeks, when he visited the wounded in the hospital, or attended briefings, the leader wore khaki hoodies, jackets, and t-shirts. Also read | Ukrainian man shocked as a missile explodes mere steps away from him: Watch The Ukrainian comedian turned war leader discarded the suit and tie typically worn by a head of state in favour of more utilitarian clothing as he splits his time between the presidential palace and the streets of war-torn Kyiv. Now new pictures have emerged in which the French President is supporting a look "inspired" by Zelensky. Macron - arguably the cleanest-cut figure in the EU who is seldom seen in anything but an immaculately tailored suit, perfectly coiffed hair and a clean shave - now seems to be sporting a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a face full of stubble behind a desk in the Elysee Palace. Also read | UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern At first glance, the French leader is almost unrecognisable, his baggy black hoodie a stark contrast to the slim navy jacket he usually wears. Images show Macron seemingly hard at work at his office in Paris' Élysée Palace on Sunday. They bear a striking resemblance to the shots of Zelensky preparing for a media interview or delivering a stirring speech from his Kyiv office. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks Soazig De La Moissonnière, Macron's official photographer released the images this morning. The images received an enthusiastic response on social media from her followers, who praised the candid photos of the President. Others, however, have accused Macron of using the ‘war-room’ style photos as a marketing ploy to piggyback off Zelensky’s popularity and appear more relatable. Macron decided to turn up to work in a pair of jeans and a French paratroopers hoodie to be more like Zelensky. pic.twitter.com/pYivvXwOga — Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) March 14, 2022 × Now I’ve seen everything: Macron is cosplaying Zelensky. Nothing bad about that, only confirms a very simple fact: Ukrainian president is now the moral leader of the West. pic.twitter.com/xsaZbPF76q — Anton Shekhovtsov (@A_SHEKH0VTS0V) March 14, 2022 × A month ago it would have been hard to imagine French President Emmanuel Macron trying to copy President Volodymyr Zelensky. Now it’s the reality we live in. pic.twitter.com/WbDm1UZhFq — Oleksiy Sorokin (@mrsorokaa) March 14, 2022 × Zelensky’s getting some high-level fans, and we love to see it. pic.twitter.com/DE7P5i3Y1C — Anastasiia Lapatina (@lapatina_) March 14, 2022 × Macron has long been portrayed as a well-dressed statesman who would never dare be caught off-duty without a suit and tie. It is almost impossible to find photos of French President Emmanuel Macron where he isn't suited and booted, whether posted by the world's media or his personal photographer. Don't be surprised if Boris Johnson addresses the Commons in a jumper and jeans one of these days, as the war rages on and public admiration for the Ukrainian President grows ever stronger. (With inputs from agencies)

Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery: French President discards suits, dons sweatshirt. Copying Zelensky?

France has decided to withdraw troops from Mali in a coordinated manner. French President Emmanuel Macron issued a warning over Russian mercenary groups. Mali has asked France to pull out its defence forces from the country.

Mali asks France to expedite pulling out of troops from country

French President Emmanuel Macron referred to Boris Johnson as a "clown" in a private chat, according to a French newspaper.

According to the political magazine Le Canard enchaîné, he said: "BoJo talks to me, full speed, everything's going well.

"We have grown-up conversations, but he strikes me before and after as having an inelegant way about him. It's always the same circus."

The president reportedly added: "It's sad to see such a great country, with which we could do so much, led by a clown."

It happened after Macron chastised Johnson for his behaviour during a phone call between the two leaders following the drowning of a refugee boat in the English Channel last Wednesday. 
 
Watch | France cancels UK invitation to migrant crisis talks after Boris Johnson's letter

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-cancels-uk-invitation-to-migrant-crisis-talks-after-boris-johnsons-letter-432143/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

After Johnson posted a letter detailing a five-point plan to address the issue of channel crossings, the French president was enraged.&nbsp;

According to a report by The Gaurdian, Macron said that "I spoke two days ago with prime minister Johnson in a serious way,".&nbsp;

"For my part I continue to do that, as I do with all countries and all leaders. I am surprised by methods when they are not serious. We do not communicate from one leader to another on these issues by tweets and letters that we make public. "

(With inputs from agencies)

French President Emmanuel Macron referred to Boris Johnson as a "clown" in a private chat, according to a French newspaper. According to the political magazine Le Canard enchaîné, he said: "BoJo talks to me, full speed, everything's going well.

French President Emmanuel Macron referred to Boris Johnson as a "clown" in a private chat, according to a French newspaper. According to the political magazine Le Canard enchaîné, he said: "BoJo talks to me, full speed, everything's going well. "We have grown-up conversations, but he strikes me before and after as having an inelegant way about him. It's always the same circus." The president reportedly added: "It's sad to see such a great country, with which we could do so much, led by a clown." It happened after Macron chastised Johnson for his behaviour during a phone call between the two leaders following the drowning of a refugee boat in the English Channel last Wednesday. Watch | France cancels UK invitation to migrant crisis talks after Boris Johnson's letter After Johnson posted a letter detailing a five-point plan to address the issue of channel crossings, the French president was enraged. According to a report by The Gaurdian, Macron said that "I spoke two days ago with prime minister Johnson in a serious way,". "For my part I continue to do that, as I do with all countries and all leaders. I am surprised by methods when they are not serious. We do not communicate from one leader to another on these issues by tweets and letters that we make public. " (With inputs from agencies)

French President reportedly called British PM Boris Johnson a 'clown' amid diplomatic spat

'Need strategies that match the 1.5-degree target,' French President Emmanuel Macron Lays out France's climate plans and edges at the COP26 summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron lays out France's climate plans and edges | COP26

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.

Sarkozy, 66, is unlikely to go to jail. He decided to appeal the sentence, a move that in effect suspends it, and the judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag.

But the second conviction this year for Sarkozy is a stunning fall from grace for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012 and retains influence among conservatives.

The two convictions could force Sarkozy to play a more discreet role in next year's presidential election. He had not planned to be a candidate but, as a popular figure on the right, he would be expected to support his party's candidate.

Sarkozy's conservative party, prosecutors said, spent nearly double the 22.5 million euros (currently $19.2 million) allowed under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies and then hired a friendly public relations agency to hide the cost.

Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing. He said he was not involved in the logistics of his campaign for a second term as president or in how money was spent during the election run-up.

"Can you imagine me going into a meeting to discuss the cost of flags?" he told the court in June. "I had too much to do."

"From the moment I was told things were in order, I had no reason to give it more thought."

But the court said Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it, and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual spending to be responsible.

Second conviction

Several others who faces charges were found guilty of fraud over the campaign financing and sentenced to up to 3-1/2 years in jail and hefty fines.

Sarkozy was found guilty in a separate trial in March of trying to bribe a judge and peddle influence in order to obtain confidential information on a judicial inquiry. He also denied any wrongdoing in that case.

The former president was sentenced to three years in jail in that trial - two of which were suspended - but has not spent time in prison yet, while his appeal is pending.

That did not stop would-be presidential candidates vying for the vote of his supporters.

Conservatives Xavier Bertrand, Valerie Pecresse and Michel Barnier - who all hope to be endorsed as the conservatives' candidate - each sent "a message of friendship" to Sarkozy via Twitter, saying they backed his decision to lodge an appeal.

"He knows he can count on me," said Bertrand, who leads his rivals in opinion polls.

The son of a Hungarian immigrant father, Sarkozy debuted in politics as mayor of the wealthy district of Neuilly outside central Paris, before serving as President Jacques Chirac's finance minister.

As president, Sarkozy's high-energy style and abrasive manner polarised voters. His modest attempts at tax and labour reforms and limited success in creating jobs disenchanted both free-marketeers and centrist voters.

Outside France, he brokered a ceasefire to the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, and in 2011 championed a NATO-led military intervention in Libya to support an uprising against its autocratic leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was handed a one-year prison sentence by a Paris court on Thursday after being found guilty of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid. Sarkozy, 66, is unlikely to go to jail. He decided to appeal the sentence, a move that in effect suspends it, and the judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag. But the second conviction this year for Sarkozy is a stunning fall from grace for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012 and retains influence among conservatives. The two convictions could force Sarkozy to play a more discreet role in next year's presidential election. He had not planned to be a candidate but, as a popular figure on the right, he would be expected to support his party's candidate. Sarkozy's conservative party, prosecutors said, spent nearly double the 22.5 million euros (currently $19.2 million) allowed under electoral law on extravagant campaign rallies and then hired a friendly public relations agency to hide the cost. Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing. He said he was not involved in the logistics of his campaign for a second term as president or in how money was spent during the election run-up. "Can you imagine me going into a meeting to discuss the cost of flags?" he told the court in June. "I had too much to do." "From the moment I was told things were in order, I had no reason to give it more thought." But the court said Sarkozy was made aware of the overspending, that he did not act on it, and that it was not necessary for him to approve each individual spending to be responsible. Second conviction Several others who faces charges were found guilty of fraud over the campaign financing and sentenced to up to 3-1/2 years in jail and hefty fines. Sarkozy was found guilty in a separate trial in March of trying to bribe a judge and peddle influence in order to obtain confidential information on a judicial inquiry. He also denied any wrongdoing in that case. The former president was sentenced to three years in jail in that trial - two of which were suspended - but has not spent time in prison yet, while his appeal is pending. That did not stop would-be presidential candidates vying for the vote of his supporters. Conservatives Xavier Bertrand, Valerie Pecresse and Michel Barnier - who all hope to be endorsed as the conservatives' candidate - each sent "a message of friendship" to Sarkozy via Twitter, saying they backed his decision to lodge an appeal. "He knows he can count on me," said Bertrand, who leads his rivals in opinion polls. The son of a Hungarian immigrant father, Sarkozy debuted in politics as mayor of the wealthy district of Neuilly outside central Paris, before serving as President Jacques Chirac's finance minister. As president, Sarkozy's high-energy style and abrasive manner polarised voters. His modest attempts at tax and labour reforms and limited success in creating jobs disenchanted both free-marketeers and centrist voters. Outside France, he brokered a ceasefire to the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, and in 2011 championed a NATO-led military intervention in Libya to support an uprising against its autocratic leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

France's Sarkozy likely to avoid jail despite new conviction

While visiting Lyon on Monday to promote French gastronomy at an international food expo, French President Emmanuel Macron was pelted with an egg.

Macron was passing through the crowd when an egg bounced off him without breaking, according to a video widely circulated on social media.

Two bodyguards are seen moving closer to the president's shoulders to protect his shoulders. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-from-a-tight-slap-to-macron-to-flying-shoe-at-george-w-bush-when-world-leaders-were-at-the-receiving-end-390283">Watch: From egg, and slap, to Macron to flying shoe at George W Bush — When world leaders were at the receiving end</a>

Other bodyguards are also seen escorting a man away from the area in the footage.

According to reporters on the scene, Macron said, "If he has something to say to me, he can come."&nbsp;

Authorities have not disclosed any information about the man's identification or motivations.

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Slapped in the face: In June, when welcoming the public in a tiny town in southeastern France, Macron was hit in the face by a guy.

He then condemned violence and folly.&nbsp;

Egged in 2017:&nbsp;When Macron was a presidential candidate in 2017, he was previously targeted with an egg.

In that case, the egg shattered on his head.

During a visit to southeastern France in June, he was hit in the face by a man in the crowd while he spoke to the people. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: When world leaders get attacked

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Macron's security team stepped in fast, tackling the individual and dragging the President away from the crowd barrier.&nbsp;

Following the slap, leaders from all political parties showed their support for France's president.

Macron, like his predecessors, enjoys meeting with members of the public in meet-and-greets.

Crowd baths, as they are known in French, have long been a fixture of French politics.

Macron, 43, has not yet announced his reelection run just over six months before France's next presidential election, but is anticipated to do so soon.&nbsp;

Macron is on a charm offensive with voters, with France's presidential elections less than a year away.

His party did poorly in provincial elections in June, which were carefully scrutinised ahead of the presidential race in April.

Political experts, however, acknowledged it was difficult to draw conclusions due to the low voter turnout.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

While visiting Lyon on Monday to promote French gastronomy at an international food expo, French President Emmanuel Macron was pelted with an egg. Macron was passing through the crowd when an egg bounced off him without breaking, according to a video widely circulated on social media.

While visiting Lyon on Monday to promote French gastronomy at an international food expo, French President Emmanuel Macron was pelted with an egg. Macron was passing through the crowd when an egg bounced off him without breaking, according to a video widely circulated on social media. Two bodyguards are seen moving closer to the president's shoulders to protect his shoulders. Watch: From egg, and slap, to Macron to flying shoe at George W Bush — When world leaders were at the receiving end Other bodyguards are also seen escorting a man away from the area in the footage. According to reporters on the scene, Macron said, "If he has something to say to me, he can come." Authorities have not disclosed any information about the man's identification or motivations. × Slapped in the face: In June, when welcoming the public in a tiny town in southeastern France, Macron was hit in the face by a guy. He then condemned violence and folly. Egged in 2017: When Macron was a presidential candidate in 2017, he was previously targeted with an egg. In that case, the egg shattered on his head. During a visit to southeastern France in June, he was hit in the face by a man in the crowd while he spoke to the people. Watch | Gravitas: When world leaders get attacked Macron's security team stepped in fast, tackling the individual and dragging the President away from the crowd barrier. Following the slap, leaders from all political parties showed their support for France's president. Macron, like his predecessors, enjoys meeting with members of the public in meet-and-greets. Crowd baths, as they are known in French, have long been a fixture of French politics. Macron, 43, has not yet announced his reelection run just over six months before France's next presidential election, but is anticipated to do so soon. Macron is on a charm offensive with voters, with France's presidential elections less than a year away. His party did poorly in provincial elections in June, which were carefully scrutinised ahead of the presidential race in April. Political experts, however, acknowledged it was difficult to draw conclusions due to the low voter turnout. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Then a slap, now an egg: French President Emmanuel Macron gets some more 'love' from the public

As France deals with the fallout from Australia's cancellation of a $40 billion French submarine deal, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed co-operating over the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Watch:

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A statement from Macron’s office said, the two leaders held a phone conversation on Tuesday. In the call, they also discussed various issues, such as the crisis in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

PM Modi also tweeted, "Spoke with my friend President&nbsp;@EmmanuelMacron&nbsp;on the situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed closer collaboration between India and France in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on our Strategic Partnership with France, including in the UNSC."

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Spoke with my friend President <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EmmanuelMacron</a> on the situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed closer collaboration between India and France in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on our Strategic Partnership with France, including in the UNSC.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1440293420212260877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensure an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific area. They also looked to promote regional stability and the rule of law, while ruling out any form of hegemony. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/before-trade-talks-eu-seeks-apology-from-australia-over-frances-treatment-in-aukus-row-414641" hreflang="en">Before trade talks, EU seeks apology from Australia over France’s treatment in Aukus row</a>

Macron reiterated France's commitment to contribute in strengthening India's strategic autonomy, including its industrial and technological base, within the framework of a close relationship based on trust and mutual respect between two strategic partners. He said bilateral cooperation in all areas, in particular on the economic front, will be strengthened. &nbsp;

The leaders said the authorities in power in Afghanistan need to sever links with international terror organisations, allow humanitarian organisations to operate throughout the country and respect the fundamental rights of Afghan women and men. Also let the evacuation operations continue unhindered. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-modi-biden-meet-to-focus-on-afghanistan-terrorism-bolstering-indo-us-ties-foreign-secretary-414633" hreflang="en">First Modi-Biden meet to focus on Afghanistan, terrorism, bolstering Indo-US ties: Foreign Secretary</a>

Both the leaders assured to maintain regular exchanges to coordinate upstream of the next deadlines, in particular the G20 and COP 26 on the climate, and will continue their joint actions against the pandemic. Macron welcomed India’s decision to resume deliveries of vaccines to COVAX. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As France deals with the fallout from Australia's cancellation of a $40 billion French submarine deal, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed co-operating over the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday.

As France deals with the fallout from Australia's cancellation of a $40 billion French submarine deal, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed co-operating over the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday. Watch: × A statement from Macron’s office said, the two leaders held a phone conversation on Tuesday. In the call, they also discussed various issues, such as the crisis in Afghanistan. PM Modi also tweeted, "Spoke with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed closer collaboration between India and France in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on our Strategic Partnership with France, including in the UNSC." Spoke with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed closer collaboration between India and France in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on our Strategic Partnership with France, including in the UNSC. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2021 × The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensure an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific area. They also looked to promote regional stability and the rule of law, while ruling out any form of hegemony. Also Read: Before trade talks, EU seeks apology from Australia over France’s treatment in Aukus row Macron reiterated France's commitment to contribute in strengthening India's strategic autonomy, including its industrial and technological base, within the framework of a close relationship based on trust and mutual respect between two strategic partners. He said bilateral cooperation in all areas, in particular on the economic front, will be strengthened. The leaders said the authorities in power in Afghanistan need to sever links with international terror organisations, allow humanitarian organisations to operate throughout the country and respect the fundamental rights of Afghan women and men. Also let the evacuation operations continue unhindered. Also Read: First Modi-Biden meet to focus on Afghanistan, terrorism, bolstering Indo-US ties: Foreign Secretary Both the leaders assured to maintain regular exchanges to coordinate upstream of the next deadlines, in particular the G20 and COP 26 on the climate, and will continue their joint actions against the pandemic. Macron welcomed India’s decision to resume deliveries of vaccines to COVAX. (With inputs from agencies)

In call, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discuss Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan

French President Emmanuel Macron said that French military forces had killed Islamic militant Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Watch this report for more details.

French President Emmanuel Macron says AL-Sahrawi has been killed

In a recent TikTok session over COVID-19 vaccination on Monday, French president Emmanuel Macron ditched his trademark grey suit, white shirt and tie and donned a trendy look with a black and short-sleeved T-shirt. &nbsp;

Although the session was organised to encourage French youngsters to get vaccinated, the netizens seem to somehow got stuck with the meaning of the logo of the Macron’s T-shirt.&nbsp;

The efforts to allay fears about vaccination seem to somehow not pay off as hours after the session, the social media buzz across the country was over the conspiracy theories cooked up about the logo. &nbsp;

Macron’s message, which was shared during the question-and-answer appearance on TikTok, seem to have lost in the midst.&nbsp;

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I see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BohemianClub?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BohemianClub</a> is trending in France because Emmanuel Macron's black T-shirt featured its owl logo — proof, it seems, he belongs to a global secret society. The club, in fact, was founded in San Francisco in the 19th century when the "Bohemian" movement was in vogue.
— Matthew Fraser (@frasermatthew) <a href="https://twitter.com/frasermatthew/status/1422525995018559509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In the speculation over logo design, netizens asked all sorts of questions, such as ‘Was it a bird?’, ‘Is it a subliminal message or a secret sign?’, ‘Or just a logo of an owl on a T-shirt?’, etc.&nbsp;

The Élysée Palace, which is the official residence of the President of the French Republic, has not given any official response to questions about the T-shirt.&nbsp;

The speculation seems to have benefitted only the sales of a similar T-shirt, which was being sold online as 'the Macron Tik-Tok T-shirt' for €19.99. &nbsp;

In a recent TikTok session over COVID-19 vaccination on Monday, French president Emmanuel Macron ditched his trademark grey suit, white shirt and tie and donned a trendy look with a black and short-sleeved T-shirt.

In a recent TikTok session over COVID-19 vaccination on Monday, French president Emmanuel Macron ditched his trademark grey suit, white shirt and tie and donned a trendy look with a black and short-sleeved T-shirt. Although the session was organised to encourage French youngsters to get vaccinated, the netizens seem to somehow got stuck with the meaning of the logo of the Macron’s T-shirt. The efforts to allay fears about vaccination seem to somehow not pay off as hours after the session, the social media buzz across the country was over the conspiracy theories cooked up about the logo. Macron’s message, which was shared during the question-and-answer appearance on TikTok, seem to have lost in the midst. I see #BohemianClub is trending in France because Emmanuel Macron's black T-shirt featured its owl logo — proof, it seems, he belongs to a global secret society. The club, in fact, was founded in San Francisco in the 19th century when the "Bohemian" movement was in vogue. — Matthew Fraser (@frasermatthew) August 3, 2021 × In the speculation over logo design, netizens asked all sorts of questions, such as ‘Was it a bird?’, ‘Is it a subliminal message or a secret sign?’, ‘Or just a logo of an owl on a T-shirt?’, etc. The Élysée Palace, which is the official residence of the President of the French Republic, has not given any official response to questions about the T-shirt. The speculation seems to have benefitted only the sales of a similar T-shirt, which was being sold online as 'the Macron Tik-Tok T-shirt' for €19.99.

T-shirt logo in French president’s TikTok session makes netizens wonder 

An official at Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group said Wednesday that the firm's controversial Pegasus spyware tool was not used to target French President Emmanuel Macron.

The comments came as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urged Israel to suspend exports of the spying technology after heads of state -- including Macron -- and scores of journalists and rights activists featured on a list of alleged targets selected for potential surveillance.

We can "specifically come out and say for sure that the president of France, Macron, was not a target," Chaim Gelfand, chief compliance officer at NSO Group, told the i24 News television network.

But he also alluded to "some cases brought up that we are not so comfortable with", noting that in such circumstances the firm "usually approaches the customer and has a whole long discussion... to try to understand what were his legitimate reasons, if any, to use the system."

Gelfand's comments were broadcast on the same day that RSF head Christophe Deloire called on Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett "to impose an immediate moratorium on surveillance technology exports, until a protective regulatory framework has been established".

Deloire's call came after a list was leaked of some 50,000 phone numbers believed to have been chosen by clients of NSO Group. The numbers purportedly included those of Macron, and 13 other heads of state.

Pegasus can hack into mobile phones without a user knowing, enabling clients to read every message, track a user's location and tap into the phone's camera and microphone.

Contracts with 45 countries

NSO has contracts with 45 countries, and says Israel's defence ministry must approve its deals. The company does not identify its customers.

However, rights group Amnesty International and the Paris-based organisation Forbidden Stories that obtained the list, said NSO's government clients include Bahrain, India, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.

Reporting by media outlets including The Guardian, Le Monde and The Washington Post found that nearly 200 journalists from organisations including AFP were on the list.

"Enabling governments to install spyware that is used in practice to monitor hundreds of journalists and their sources throughout the world poses a major democratic problem," Deloire said.

Spokespeople for Bennett and Defence Minister Benny Gantz did not respond to questions from AFP on Wednesday.

NSO, a giant of Israeli tech, is based in Herzliya north of Tel Aviv, and has 850 employees.

Its CEO Shalev Hulio, 39, denied in an interview with Israel's 103FM radio on Tuesday that his company was engaged in mass surveillance.

He said NSO had "no connection" to the list of thousands of phone numbers.

On Wednesday, Bennett touted Israeli technological prowess at a cyber conference in Tel Aviv.

"Of every $100 invested in cyber defence across the world, $41 of those were invested in Israeli cyber defence firms," he said.

"We as a government, we as a nation, have to defend ourselves," Bennett added.

He suggested global interest in Israeli technology remained robust, saying "dozens of countries" signed memorandums to obtain Israeli tools that defend against cyber attacks.

A further statement on Wednesday by NSO claimed that the firm was a victim of a "vicious and slanderous campaign", and that it would no longer respond to media questions.

"Any claim that a name in the list is necessarily related to a Pegasus target or Pegasus potential target is erroneous and false," it said.

"NSO is a technology company. We do not operate the system, nor do we have access to the data of our customers, yet they are obligated to provide us with such information under investigations," the company added.

On Tuesday, Gantz said Israel approves export of technology only to governments "exclusively for the purposes of preventing and investigating crime and terrorism".

He said Israel is "studying" recent publications on the subject.

An official at Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group said Wednesday that the firm's controversial Pegasus spyware tool was not used to target French President Emmanuel Macron.

An official at Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group said Wednesday that the firm's controversial Pegasus spyware tool was not used to target French President Emmanuel Macron. The comments came as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urged Israel to suspend exports of the spying technology after heads of state -- including Macron -- and scores of journalists and rights activists featured on a list of alleged targets selected for potential surveillance. We can "specifically come out and say for sure that the president of France, Macron, was not a target," Chaim Gelfand, chief compliance officer at NSO Group, told the i24 News television network. But he also alluded to "some cases brought up that we are not so comfortable with", noting that in such circumstances the firm "usually approaches the customer and has a whole long discussion... to try to understand what were his legitimate reasons, if any, to use the system." Gelfand's comments were broadcast on the same day that RSF head Christophe Deloire called on Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett "to impose an immediate moratorium on surveillance technology exports, until a protective regulatory framework has been established". Deloire's call came after a list was leaked of some 50,000 phone numbers believed to have been chosen by clients of NSO Group. The numbers purportedly included those of Macron, and 13 other heads of state. Pegasus can hack into mobile phones without a user knowing, enabling clients to read every message, track a user's location and tap into the phone's camera and microphone. Contracts with 45 countries NSO has contracts with 45 countries, and says Israel's defence ministry must approve its deals. The company does not identify its customers. However, rights group Amnesty International and the Paris-based organisation Forbidden Stories that obtained the list, said NSO's government clients include Bahrain, India, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Reporting by media outlets including The Guardian, Le Monde and The Washington Post found that nearly 200 journalists from organisations including AFP were on the list. "Enabling governments to install spyware that is used in practice to monitor hundreds of journalists and their sources throughout the world poses a major democratic problem," Deloire said. Spokespeople for Bennett and Defence Minister Benny Gantz did not respond to questions from AFP on Wednesday. NSO, a giant of Israeli tech, is based in Herzliya north of Tel Aviv, and has 850 employees. Its CEO Shalev Hulio, 39, denied in an interview with Israel's 103FM radio on Tuesday that his company was engaged in mass surveillance. He said NSO had "no connection" to the list of thousands of phone numbers. On Wednesday, Bennett touted Israeli technological prowess at a cyber conference in Tel Aviv. "Of every $100 invested in cyber defence across the world, $41 of those were invested in Israeli cyber defence firms," he said. "We as a government, we as a nation, have to defend ourselves," Bennett added. He suggested global interest in Israeli technology remained robust, saying "dozens of countries" signed memorandums to obtain Israeli tools that defend against cyber attacks. A further statement on Wednesday by NSO claimed that the firm was a victim of a "vicious and slanderous campaign", and that it would no longer respond to media questions. "Any claim that a name in the list is necessarily related to a Pegasus target or Pegasus potential target is erroneous and false," it said. "NSO is a technology company. We do not operate the system, nor do we have access to the data of our customers, yet they are obligated to provide us with such information under investigations," the company added. On Tuesday, Gantz said Israel approves export of technology only to governments "exclusively for the purposes of preventing and investigating crime and terrorism". He said Israel is "studying" recent publications on the subject.

French President Macron 'was not a target' of spyware, says Pegasus maker NSO 

The verdict is the latest twist in the tumultuous political career of the 66-year-old who ruled France from 2007 to 2012.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy convicted of corruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed condolences over the death of former French President&nbsp;Valery Giscard d'Estaing on Friday. Jinping&nbsp;called the former French President a "remarkable French statesman".&nbsp;

Valery Giscard d'Estaing was aged 94 and died on his estate after losing a battle to the novel coronavirus. Xi expressed "deep condolences" to the Frenc President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron. He also reminisced about how Giscard had always "loved Chinese culture".

He "actively encouraged friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and France, and greatly contributed to the development of relations between the two countries," Jinping said adding, "an important promoter of European integration."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-french-president-giscard-destaing-dies-of-covid-complications-347073">Former French president Giscard d'Estaing dies of Covid complications</a>

Giscard was the leader of the European country from&nbsp;1974 to 1981 and was a centre-right politician. He had been recently admitted to a hospital in&nbsp;Tours after complaints of respiratory problems.&nbsp;

"His state of health had worsened and he died as a consequence of Covid-19," his family reported on the social media platform, Twitter.

Giscard's funeral will take place in a private ceremony,&nbsp;Foundation Valéry Giscard d’Estaing said.&nbsp;"In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will take place in the strictest family intimacy," the foundation tweeted.

The French President Emmanuel Macron also paid respects to the former President saying he was a "servant of the state, a politician of progress and freedom."

Xi's condolences for Giscard were passed on remembering his visit&nbsp;for the first time as president in 1980, just as the country was beginning to open up to the outside world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed condolences over the death of former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing on Friday. Jinping called the former French President a "remarkable French statesman".

Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed condolences over the death of former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing on Friday. Jinping called the former French President a "remarkable French statesman". Valery Giscard d'Estaing was aged 94 and died on his estate after losing a battle to the novel coronavirus. Xi expressed "deep condolences" to the Frenc President Emmanuel Macron. He also reminisced about how Giscard had always "loved Chinese culture". He "actively encouraged friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and France, and greatly contributed to the development of relations between the two countries," Jinping said adding, "an important promoter of European integration." Also read| Former French president Giscard d'Estaing dies of Covid complications Giscard was the leader of the European country from 1974 to 1981 and was a centre-right politician. He had been recently admitted to a hospital in Tours after complaints of respiratory problems. "His state of health had worsened and he died as a consequence of Covid-19," his family reported on the social media platform, Twitter. Giscard's funeral will take place in a private ceremony, Foundation Valéry Giscard d’Estaing said. "In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will take place in the strictest family intimacy," the foundation tweeted. The French President Emmanuel Macron also paid respects to the former President saying he was a "servant of the state, a politician of progress and freedom." Xi's condolences for Giscard were passed on remembering his visit for the first time as president in 1980, just as the country was beginning to open up to the outside world.

China's Xi sends condolences over death of former French president

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that images of a Black man being beaten up by Paris police were "shameful" for France.

He also said he had asked the government to come up with proposals to restore public's confidence in the police and to fight against all forms of discrimination.

French authorities on Friday&nbsp;detained the four police officers suspected of beating and racially abusing a black music producer in Paris.

Video carried by the Loopsider website shows how music producer Michel Zecler was repeatedly beaten by officers for several minutes and subjected to racial abuse as he tried to enter his music studio last weekend.

Macron, in a statement on his Facebook page, called the incident an "unacceptable attack" and asked the French government to come up with proposals to "fight against discrimination".

"France must never allow hate or racism to spread," Macron said.

A presidential official said earlier Friday that Macron was "very shocked" by the images which have sparked fresh accusations of systemic racism in the French police force.

In one of the videos on Loopsider a neighbour who filmed the scene from above said a plainclothes policeman punched a kneeling Zecler in the face "maybe seven times".

The policeman "hit him so hard that his hand hurt", the witness said.

The incident has raised questions over the future of Paris police chief Didier Lallement, already in the spotlight after the controversial forced removal of a migrant camp in Paris earlier in the week.

It also put the government on the back foot as it tries to push through new security legislation that would restrict the right of the media to publish the faces of police officers.

The four officers, all men, were detained for questioning on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-policemen-detained-after-they-beat-black-man-345966">Also read | France: Policemen detained after they beat black man</a>

The officers, who had already been suspended from duty, were being held at the National Police Inspectorate General (IGPN), and prosecutors opened an investigation into violence by a person in authority and false testimony.

Three of the four were being questioned on suspicion of "violence with a racist motive" committed intentionally in a group, prosecutors said. The fourth is being questioned on suspicion of using violence but is not accused of racism.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that images of a Black man being beaten up by Paris police were "shameful" for France. He also said he had asked the government to come up with proposals to restore public's confidence in the police and to fight against all forms of discrimination.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that images of a Black man being beaten up by Paris police were "shameful" for France. He also said he had asked the government to come up with proposals to restore public's confidence in the police and to fight against all forms of discrimination. French authorities on Friday detained the four police officers suspected of beating and racially abusing a black music producer in Paris. Video carried by the Loopsider website shows how music producer Michel Zecler was repeatedly beaten by officers for several minutes and subjected to racial abuse as he tried to enter his music studio last weekend. Macron, in a statement on his Facebook page, called the incident an "unacceptable attack" and asked the French government to come up with proposals to "fight against discrimination". "France must never allow hate or racism to spread," Macron said. A presidential official said earlier Friday that Macron was "very shocked" by the images which have sparked fresh accusations of systemic racism in the French police force. In one of the videos on Loopsider a neighbour who filmed the scene from above said a plainclothes policeman punched a kneeling Zecler in the face "maybe seven times". The policeman "hit him so hard that his hand hurt", the witness said. The incident has raised questions over the future of Paris police chief Didier Lallement, already in the spotlight after the controversial forced removal of a migrant camp in Paris earlier in the week. It also put the government on the back foot as it tries to push through new security legislation that would restrict the right of the media to publish the faces of police officers. The four officers, all men, were detained for questioning on Friday. Also read | France: Policemen detained after they beat black man The officers, who had already been suspended from duty, were being held at the National Police Inspectorate General (IGPN), and prosecutors opened an investigation into violence by a person in authority and false testimony. Three of the four were being questioned on suspicion of "violence with a racist motive" committed intentionally in a group, prosecutors said. The fourth is being questioned on suspicion of using violence but is not accused of racism.

Video images of police beating Black man are 'shameful', says Macron

#BoycottFrenchGoods is trending across West Asia. Protests over the Prophet's cartoons and Macron's remarks are growing across the Arab world. Ghadi Francis tells us what this will mean for the French President. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION

The West Asia Post | #BoycottFrenchGoods trends across West Asia

A 47-year-old man -- believed to have been in contact with the suspected knifeman involved in a terror attack at a church in Nice -- has been detained by the police in France for questioning.

The man was detained on Thursday night after the attack at the city's Notre-Dame basilica by a 21-year-old Tunisian who arrived in France on October 9.

The knife-wielding Tunisian national shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the French city of Nice on Thursday before being shot and taken away by police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-opens-investigation-into-france-terror-attack-suspect-338888">Also read | Tunisia opens investigation into France terror attack suspect</a>

France's anti-terror prosecutor said the attacker, identified as Brahim Aouissaoui, had a copy of the Quran, two phones and three knives when he entered the church in the centre of the Mediterranean city at around 8:30 am.

He slit the throats of a 60-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man who worked at the church, and stabbed a 44-year-old woman who managed to flee but later died of her wounds.

President Emmanuel Macron called it an "Islamist terrorist attack," and the government has placed its terror alert at maximum ahead of the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day on Sunday.

Macron is holding an emergency meeting over the attack with top ministers Friday.

(with inputs)

A 47-year-old man -- believed to have been in contact with the suspected knifeman involved in a terror attack at a church in Nice -- has been detained by the police in France for questioning.

A 47-year-old man -- believed to have been in contact with the suspected knifeman involved in a terror attack at a church in Nice -- has been detained by the police in France for questioning. The man was detained on Thursday night after the attack at the city's Notre-Dame basilica by a 21-year-old Tunisian who arrived in France on October 9. The knife-wielding Tunisian national shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the French city of Nice on Thursday before being shot and taken away by police. Also read | Tunisia opens investigation into France terror attack suspect France's anti-terror prosecutor said the attacker, identified as Brahim Aouissaoui, had a copy of the Quran, two phones and three knives when he entered the church in the centre of the Mediterranean city at around 8:30 am. He slit the throats of a 60-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man who worked at the church, and stabbed a 44-year-old woman who managed to flee but later died of her wounds. President Emmanuel Macron called it an "Islamist terrorist attack," and the government has placed its terror alert at maximum ahead of the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day on Sunday. Macron is holding an emergency meeting over the attack with top ministers Friday. (with inputs)

47-year-old man in police custody over alleged links with Nice church killer

Outrage over the French president's stance on cartoons of Muhammad saw some Iraqis burn the French flag in Baghdad on Wednesday while marking the birth of Islam's most revered prophet.

Iraqis celebrating Mawlid burn French flag

Some Jordanian supermarkets have begun removing French products from their shelves, in protest against the French President's defence of caricatures of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Amman shopkeepers pull French products from shelves

The beheading in France has stunned the world. French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack 'an attempt to strike down the republic'. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how the clash between secularism and Islam cannot be allowed to fester in the name of political correctness.

Gravitas: France Beheading: A clash between secularism and Islam

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have intensified their shelling as French President Emmanuel Macron said jihadist militants had been deployed to Nagorny Karabakh in a "serious" new development.

The West and Moscow renewed calls to halt several days of fighting over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region that has left more than 130 dead and threatened to draw in regional powers Turkey and Russia.

In a joint appeal on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Macron urged the two sides to return to negotiations aimed at resolving their longstanding territorial dispute.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev have both rejected the idea of holding talks, with the Armenian leader stating: "Nagorno-Karabakh cannot disarm, because it would lead to genocide."

"The people who live there face an existential threat," Pashinyan told French newspaper Le Figaro.

But Russia suggested it was making progress in diplomatic efforts with Turkey, a firm supporter of Azerbaijan in the conflict.

It said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu had confirmed they were ready for "close coordination" to stabilise the situation.

In Martuni, a small town in Karabakh around 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the front line, residents took refuge in cellars as heavy shelling by Azerbaijan killed four civilians and wounded 11.

Artak Aloyan, a 54-year-old construction worker sheltering in his basement with an elderly neighbour, vowed to stay despite the worst clashes the contested region has seen for years.

"I built this house with my own hands. I will not go anywhere, that's that," he told AFP after a rocket attack. "I will die here in the last battle."

- 'Crushing strikes' &nbsp;-

The rival Caucasus nations have been locked in a bitter stalemate over Karabakh since the collapse of the Soviet Union when the ethnic Armenian region broke away from Azerbaijan.

In the fiercest clashes in years, 136 people have been confirmed dead in fighting that has raged for five days.

The Armenian defence ministry said fighting had intensified and its troops had repelled Azerbaijani attacks, downing helicopters and destroying drones and armoured vehicles.

It said Azerbaijani forces had fired on two villages inside Armenia, close to Karabakh, killing one civilian.&nbsp;

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan said that 1,280 Azerbaijani troops had been killed and 2,700 wounded since Sunday, with both sides making claims of inflicting heavy casualties.

Azerbaijan's defence ministry said its forces had carried out "crushing artillery strikes" on Armenian troops. It denied claims that one of its helicopters was shot down and had crashed in Iran.

The two sides have accused each other of shelling civilian areas and ignored repeated calls from international leaders to halt the fighting.&nbsp;

Putin, Macron and Trump called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" and urged the warring sides to commit to talks.

- 'Foreign fighters'-

Yerevan is in a military alliance of ex-Soviet countries led by Moscow and has accused Turkey of dispatching mercenaries from northern Syria to bolster Azerbaijan's forces in the Karabakh conflict.

It also claimed earlier this week that a Turkish F-16 fighter jet flying in support of Baku's forces had downed an Armenian SU-25 warplane, but Ankara and Baku denied the claim.

Pashinyan reiterated claims that mercenaries had joined the conflict, saying Azerbaijan and Turkey were fighting "with the help and involvement of foreign terrorist fighters".

"This terrorism equally threatens the United States, Iran, Russia, and France," he added.

His calls were echoed by Macron, who earlier said intelligence reports had established that 300 Syrian fighters drawn from "jihadist groups" from the Syrian city of Aleppo had passed through Turkey en route for Azerbaijan.

The French president said that a "red line has been crossed, which is unacceptable" and demanded an explanation from Ankara.&nbsp;

Azerbaijan's ally, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, has signalled his country's full backing for Baku's military and on Thursday called for Armenian troops to leave Karabakh.

- Civilian casualties -

Armenia has recorded the deaths of 104 soldiers and 13 civilians. Azerbaijan has not reported any military casualties but said 19 civilians were killed after Armenian shelling.&nbsp;

Karabakh's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives, but it is still not recognised as independent by any country, including Armenia.

Armenia and Karabakh declared martial law and military mobilisation Sunday, while Azerbaijan imposed military rule and a curfew in large cities.

Talks to resolve the conflict have largely stalled since a 1994 ceasefire agreement.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have intensified their shelling as French President Emmanuel Macron said jihadist militants had been deployed to Nagorny Karabakh in a "serious" new development.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have intensified their shelling as French President Emmanuel Macron said jihadist militants had been deployed to Nagorny Karabakh in a "serious" new development. The West and Moscow renewed calls to halt several days of fighting over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region that has left more than 130 dead and threatened to draw in regional powers Turkey and Russia. In a joint appeal on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Macron urged the two sides to return to negotiations aimed at resolving their longstanding territorial dispute. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev have both rejected the idea of holding talks, with the Armenian leader stating: "Nagorno-Karabakh cannot disarm, because it would lead to genocide." "The people who live there face an existential threat," Pashinyan told French newspaper Le Figaro. But Russia suggested it was making progress in diplomatic efforts with Turkey, a firm supporter of Azerbaijan in the conflict. It said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu had confirmed they were ready for "close coordination" to stabilise the situation. In Martuni, a small town in Karabakh around 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the front line, residents took refuge in cellars as heavy shelling by Azerbaijan killed four civilians and wounded 11. Artak Aloyan, a 54-year-old construction worker sheltering in his basement with an elderly neighbour, vowed to stay despite the worst clashes the contested region has seen for years. "I built this house with my own hands. I will not go anywhere, that's that," he told AFP after a rocket attack. "I will die here in the last battle." - 'Crushing strikes' - The rival Caucasus nations have been locked in a bitter stalemate over Karabakh since the collapse of the Soviet Union when the ethnic Armenian region broke away from Azerbaijan. In the fiercest clashes in years, 136 people have been confirmed dead in fighting that has raged for five days. The Armenian defence ministry said fighting had intensified and its troops had repelled Azerbaijani attacks, downing helicopters and destroying drones and armoured vehicles. It said Azerbaijani forces had fired on two villages inside Armenia, close to Karabakh, killing one civilian. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan said that 1,280 Azerbaijani troops had been killed and 2,700 wounded since Sunday, with both sides making claims of inflicting heavy casualties. Azerbaijan's defence ministry said its forces had carried out "crushing artillery strikes" on Armenian troops. It denied claims that one of its helicopters was shot down and had crashed in Iran. The two sides have accused each other of shelling civilian areas and ignored repeated calls from international leaders to halt the fighting. Putin, Macron and Trump called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" and urged the warring sides to commit to talks. - 'Foreign fighters'- Yerevan is in a military alliance of ex-Soviet countries led by Moscow and has accused Turkey of dispatching mercenaries from northern Syria to bolster Azerbaijan's forces in the Karabakh conflict. It also claimed earlier this week that a Turkish F-16 fighter jet flying in support of Baku's forces had downed an Armenian SU-25 warplane, but Ankara and Baku denied the claim. Pashinyan reiterated claims that mercenaries had joined the conflict, saying Azerbaijan and Turkey were fighting "with the help and involvement of foreign terrorist fighters". "This terrorism equally threatens the United States, Iran, Russia, and France," he added. His calls were echoed by Macron, who earlier said intelligence reports had established that 300 Syrian fighters drawn from "jihadist groups" from the Syrian city of Aleppo had passed through Turkey en route for Azerbaijan. The French president said that a "red line has been crossed, which is unacceptable" and demanded an explanation from Ankara. Azerbaijan's ally, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, has signalled his country's full backing for Baku's military and on Thursday called for Armenian troops to leave Karabakh. - Civilian casualties - Armenia has recorded the deaths of 104 soldiers and 13 civilians. Azerbaijan has not reported any military casualties but said 19 civilians were killed after Armenian shelling. Karabakh's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives, but it is still not recognised as independent by any country, including Armenia. Armenia and Karabakh declared martial law and military mobilisation Sunday, while Azerbaijan imposed military rule and a curfew in large cities. Talks to resolve the conflict have largely stalled since a 1994 ceasefire agreement.

Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes rage as Macron denounces 'jihadist' deployment

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