The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job. This seems to be on everybody’s mind in France nowadays. &nbsp;

But along with that the statements made recently by Le Pen over Ukraine, the EU and the NATO seem to have also garnered huge attention. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In another recent development, the presidential candidate has also pledged to ban ritual slaughter of animals if voted to power, said reports. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-send-weapons-to-ukraine-look-for-rapprochement-between-nato-russia-after-war-says-frances-le-pen-470834" hreflang="en">Don’t send weapons to Ukraine, look for rapprochement between NATO, Russia after war, says France's Le Pen</a>

She seems to be looking to end the suffering of animals and wants animals to be stunned first. &nbsp;

Several communities, including Muslims and Jews, are concerned with the announcement as they eat meat of animals, which aren't stunned before slaughter for religious reasons. &nbsp;

According to the critics, it seems to be a discriminatory ploy to win votes. It is also hypocritical as she is not opposed to hunting or bull-fighting, said an AP report. &nbsp;

Watch | French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail

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If enacted, some Jews say they would think about leaving France while Muslims say they may revert to illegally slaughtering them in bathroom, the report said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Giving another option to the minorities, Le Pen has said that the meats could also be imported. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This week, the presidential candidate had also said, "I'm not at all going to get rid of halal and kosher butcher shops." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job.

The presidential elections in France seem to be getting tighter day by day. Who will win? French President Emmanuel Macron will get a second term or French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will get the top job. This seems to be on everybody’s mind in France nowadays. But along with that the statements made recently by Le Pen over Ukraine, the EU and the NATO seem to have also garnered huge attention. In another recent development, the presidential candidate has also pledged to ban ritual slaughter of animals if voted to power, said reports. Also Read: Don’t send weapons to Ukraine, look for rapprochement between NATO, Russia after war, says France's Le Pen She seems to be looking to end the suffering of animals and wants animals to be stunned first. Several communities, including Muslims and Jews, are concerned with the announcement as they eat meat of animals, which aren't stunned before slaughter for religious reasons. According to the critics, it seems to be a discriminatory ploy to win votes. It is also hypocritical as she is not opposed to hunting or bull-fighting, said an AP report. Watch | French Elections: Macron, Le Pen on fierce campaign trail × If enacted, some Jews say they would think about leaving France while Muslims say they may revert to illegally slaughtering them in bathroom, the report said. Giving another option to the minorities, Le Pen has said that the meats could also be imported. This week, the presidential candidate had also said, "I'm not at all going to get rid of halal and kosher butcher shops." (With inputs from agencies)

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's pledge to ban ritual slaughter of animals irks Muslims, Jews

A&nbsp;French&nbsp;woman and&nbsp;British&nbsp;man who disappeared while diving off the coast of&nbsp;Malaysia&nbsp;were found safe on Saturday, drifting at&nbsp;sea&nbsp;two&nbsp;and a half&nbsp;days&nbsp;after&nbsp;they went missing, police said.

Four people went missing on Wednesday at around noon on a training dive near Tokong Sanggol, a small island off the southeastern town of Mersing.

The group's instructor, Kristine Grodem, 35, from Norway, was&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;on Thursday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/food-prices-hit-record-high-in-march-un-agency-says-469388">Food prices hit record high in March, UN agency says</a>

Fishermen spotted Alexia Alexandra Molina, 18, from France, and Briton Adrian Peter Chesters, 46, at around 1 a.m. (1700 GMT on Friday) in waters off Pengerang, a considerable distance to the south of where they disappeared, Mersing district police chief Cyril Edward Nuing told reporters.

"Both individuals ... are reported to be in stable condition," he said, adding that marine police had taken them to hospital. He declined to provide&nbsp;more&nbsp;details of the rescue.

Watch |&nbsp;What is driving methane emissions? US government data shows the grim reality

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Rescuers were&nbsp;searching for Chesters' 14-year-old son, Dutch citizen Nathan&nbsp;Renze Chesters, Nuing said.

Grodem told officials the group surfaced about an hour into their dive on Wednesday but could not find their boat.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sea-lions-enter-salmon-farm-refuse-to-leave-even-weeks-after-gorging-on-fish-in-canada-469150">Sea lions enter salmon farm, refuse to leave even weeks after gorging on fish in Canada &nbsp;</a>

She was later separated from the others&nbsp;after&nbsp;being caught in strong currents.

The boat operator who took them to the dive site was detained&nbsp;after&nbsp;testing positive for drugs, police said.

A French woman and British man who disappeared while diving off the coast of Malaysia were found safe on Saturday, drifting at sea two and a half days after they went missing, police said.

A French woman and British man who disappeared while diving off the coast of Malaysia were found safe on Saturday, drifting at sea two and a half days after they went missing, police said. Four people went missing on Wednesday at around noon on a training dive near Tokong Sanggol, a small island off the southeastern town of Mersing. The group's instructor, Kristine Grodem, 35, from Norway, was rescued on Thursday. Also read | Food prices hit record high in March, UN agency says Fishermen spotted Alexia Alexandra Molina, 18, from France, and Briton Adrian Peter Chesters, 46, at around 1 a.m. (1700 GMT on Friday) in waters off Pengerang, a considerable distance to the south of where they disappeared, Mersing district police chief Cyril Edward Nuing told reporters. "Both individuals ... are reported to be in stable condition," he said, adding that marine police had taken them to hospital. He declined to provide more details of the rescue. Watch | What is driving methane emissions? US government data shows the grim reality Rescuers were searching for Chesters' 14-year-old son, Dutch citizen Nathan Renze Chesters, Nuing said. Grodem told officials the group surfaced about an hour into their dive on Wednesday but could not find their boat. Also read | Sea lions enter salmon farm, refuse to leave even weeks after gorging on fish in Canada She was later separated from the others after being caught in strong currents. The boat operator who took them to the dive site was detained after testing positive for drugs, police said.

British, French divers rescued in Malaysia after more than two days at sea

In order to break up a convoy of vehicles, Paris police fired tear gas and issued hundreds of fines. Over 50 people were also arrested. The French authorities have deployed over 7,000 officers in the next three days to stop the demonstrators.

The convoy of vehicles is attempting to block traffic as a protest against coronavirus restrictions and a surge in living costs.&nbsp;

The group of protestors have taken inspiration from the Canadian "Freedom convoy" which has disrupted trade on the US border and occupied streets in Ottawa.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-tolerate-canada-style-freedom-convoys-french-police-ban-paris-protest-452239">Also read |&nbsp;Won't tolerate Canada-style 'Freedom Convoys': French police ban Paris protest</a>

This comes after the French police issued a warning saying that they would prevent 'Freedom convoys' from blockading Paris and banned the protest scheduled for February 11-14. Not just the French police, but also Austria and Belgium have banned such convoys from entering their capitals.&nbsp;

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Inspired by Canadian protests, thousands of French demonstrators converge on Paris.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manifs12Fevrier?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manifs12Fevrier</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GiletsJaunes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GiletsJaunes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Citoyensencol%C3%A9re?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Citoyensencolére</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ConvoidelaLiberte?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ConvoidelaLiberte</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/passvaccinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#passvaccinal</a> 
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Crowd chants “liberté” in Paris, France at the Freedom Convoy protest and police respond with teargas. <a href="https://t.co/0fiA7zeCPn">pic.twitter.com/0fiA7zeCPn</a>
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Similar demonstrations also emerged in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Even after the efforts by police, more than 100 vehicles managed to converge on the Champs-Elysees.&nbsp;

The movement has raised fears of a repeat of the 2018 "yellow vest" anti-government protests that rocked France, only two months before President Emmanuel Macron is expected to seek re-election.

(With inputs from agencies)

In order to break up a convoy of vehicles, Paris police fired tear gas and issued hundreds of fines. Over 50 people were also arrested. The French authorities have deployed over 7,000 officers in the next three days to stop the demonstrators.

In order to break up a convoy of vehicles, Paris police fired tear gas and issued hundreds of fines. Over 50 people were also arrested. The French authorities have deployed over 7,000 officers in the next three days to stop the demonstrators. The convoy of vehicles is attempting to block traffic as a protest against coronavirus restrictions and a surge in living costs. The group of protestors have taken inspiration from the Canadian "Freedom convoy" which has disrupted trade on the US border and occupied streets in Ottawa. Also read | Won't tolerate Canada-style 'Freedom Convoys': French police ban Paris protest This comes after the French police issued a warning saying that they would prevent 'Freedom convoys' from blockading Paris and banned the protest scheduled for February 11-14. Not just the French police, but also Austria and Belgium have banned such convoys from entering their capitals. Inspired by Canadian protests, thousands of French demonstrators converge on Paris.#Manifs12Fevrier #GiletsJaunes #Citoyensencolére #ConvoidelaLiberte #Paris #passvaccinal 📽️@maroc_online pic.twitter.com/PSnUx5Hg80 — Protest News (@ProtestNews_EN) February 12, 2022 × Crowd chants “liberté” in Paris, France at the Freedom Convoy protest and police respond with teargas. pic.twitter.com/0fiA7zeCPn — Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) February 12, 2022 × Similar demonstrations also emerged in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Even after the efforts by police, more than 100 vehicles managed to converge on the Champs-Elysees. The movement has raised fears of a repeat of the 2018 "yellow vest" anti-government protests that rocked France, only two months before President Emmanuel Macron is expected to seek re-election. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: French police fire tear gas as convoy enters Paris; over 50 people arrested

Drake is showing off his four-year-old Son Adonis' language skills! 
 
On Friday, the 35-year-old rapper posted an adorable video of them spending some quality time together.&nbsp; 
 
In the clip, the father-son duo is talking about their height's before Drake's little one shows off his French-speaking abilities.

In cute video, Adonis ask his father if ''he's much bigger than him” to which Drake replies, “Am I gonna be much bigger than you? I don’t think so, you’re pretty tall. You think you’re gonna be bigger than me?” 
 
“Yeah! I’m gonna be, like, old,” Adonis says.&nbsp; 
 
Adonis — whose mother Sophie Brussaux was born and raised in France — tells the&nbsp;little one to teach his Dad how to have this conversation in French. Then they have a cute conversation in French.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-singer-james-blunt-joins-joe-rogans-podcast-protest-threatens-to-release-new-music-on-spotify-448937" hreflang="en">Singer James Blunt joins Joe Rogan's podcast protest, threatens to release new music on Spotify</a>

At the end, Drake asks Adonis to explain what he said in French, "I said, 'When you're older, you're all broken, and you're gonna turn back into space.' " 
 
Take a look:

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Last year in October, The singer celebrated Adonis' fourth birthday and shared&nbsp;a few heartwarming snaps with his son on a special day.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/musicians-and-their-feuds-5-infamous-music-industry-spats-448792" hreflang="en">Musicians and their feuds! 5 infamous music industry spats</a>

“💖TEACHA💖 MORE LIFE KID,” Drake captioned a photo of him and Adonis smiling wide for the camera. In the photo, Drake was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and camo pants and the birthday boy was dressed in an all-black outfit.&nbsp; 
 
The singer is very private about her personal life.&nbsp; 
 
Drake shares Adonis with artist Sophie Brussaux and confirmed that he had a son on his album, 'Scorpion', in June 2018. The rapper first shared photos of his son on social media in March 2020.&nbsp;

Drake is showing off his four-year-old Son Adonis' language skills! On Friday, the 35-year-old rapper posted an adorable video of them spending some quality time together.

Drake is showing off his four-year-old Son Adonis' language skills! On Friday, the 35-year-old rapper posted an adorable video of them spending some quality time together. In the clip, the father-son duo is talking about their height's before Drake's little one shows off his French-speaking abilities. In cute video, Adonis ask his father if ''he's much bigger than him” to which Drake replies, “Am I gonna be much bigger than you? I don’t think so, you’re pretty tall. You think you’re gonna be bigger than me?” “Yeah! I’m gonna be, like, old,” Adonis says. Adonis — whose mother Sophie Brussaux was born and raised in France — tells the little one to teach his Dad how to have this conversation in French. Then they have a cute conversation in French. Also read: Singer James Blunt joins Joe Rogan's podcast protest, threatens to release new music on Spotify At the end, Drake asks Adonis to explain what he said in French, "I said, 'When you're older, you're all broken, and you're gonna turn back into space.' " Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) × Last year in October, The singer celebrated Adonis' fourth birthday and shared a few heartwarming snaps with his son on a special day. Musicians and their feuds! 5 infamous music industry spats “💖TEACHA💖 MORE LIFE KID,” Drake captioned a photo of him and Adonis smiling wide for the camera. In the photo, Drake was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and camo pants and the birthday boy was dressed in an all-black outfit. The singer is very private about her personal life. Drake shares Adonis with artist Sophie Brussaux and confirmed that he had a son on his album, 'Scorpion', in June 2018. The rapper first shared photos of his son on social media in March 2020.

Drake shows off his son Adonis perfect French speaking skills in a new adorable video: Watch

Robbery is on the rise in US. However, instead of jewellery and cash, the thieves have been on the hunt for French bulldogs.

From New York to Los Angeles, and from Miami to Chicago, thefts of the sought-after canines have been on the rise, with many in the local media calling it “the rise of dognapping”.

The latest victim of the robbery was a Los Angeles resident. On January 3, Robert Marinelli was walking his dog Luca in the morning in West Hollywood when a man in a black sedan got out of his car, took the dog and ran.

Marinelli chased after the suspect, but the thief fought him and drove off, according to surveillance camera footage from the crime scene, reports ABC news.

During the chase, Marinelli's shirt was caught in their car door and he was dragged briefly on the ground. The two thieves beat him brutally, leaving him with extensive injuries.

But the most famous case was of singer Lady Gaga. Last year, armed men stole her pet bulldogs Koji and Gustav when an employee of hers was walking them. The thieves opened fire at him, leaving him severely wounded.

The superstar singer had to offer $500,000 reward for their return and eventually got the dogs back. Police made five arrests in the case.

But why are thieves targeting the French bulldogs?

Among other reasons, experts opine that there are two key motives for the thieves to go after the prized breed. Their high resale value — $3,500 to $5,000 or more — and their relative rarity, reported AFP.

“This is not a breed that has large litters... and it can take a while to get one," Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of the American Kennel Club, told AFP.

“Their rise in popularity has led to an increase in thefts,” she said, adding, “The use of violence, however, is new and alarming.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Robbery is on the rise in US. However, instead of jewellery and cash, the thieves have been on the hunt for French bulldogs. From New York to Los Angeles, and from Miami to Chicago, thefts of the sought-after canines have been on the rise, with many in the local media calling it “the rise of dognapping”.

Robbery is on the rise in US. However, instead of jewellery and cash, the thieves have been on the hunt for French bulldogs. From New York to Los Angeles, and from Miami to Chicago, thefts of the sought-after canines have been on the rise, with many in the local media calling it “the rise of dognapping”. The latest victim of the robbery was a Los Angeles resident. On January 3, Robert Marinelli was walking his dog Luca in the morning in West Hollywood when a man in a black sedan got out of his car, took the dog and ran. Marinelli chased after the suspect, but the thief fought him and drove off, according to surveillance camera footage from the crime scene, reports ABC news. During the chase, Marinelli's shirt was caught in their car door and he was dragged briefly on the ground. The two thieves beat him brutally, leaving him with extensive injuries. But the most famous case was of singer Lady Gaga. Last year, armed men stole her pet bulldogs Koji and Gustav when an employee of hers was walking them. The thieves opened fire at him, leaving him severely wounded. The superstar singer had to offer $500,000 reward for their return and eventually got the dogs back. Police made five arrests in the case. But why are thieves targeting the French bulldogs? Among other reasons, experts opine that there are two key motives for the thieves to go after the prized breed. Their high resale value — $3,500 to $5,000 or more — and their relative rarity, reported AFP. “This is not a breed that has large litters... and it can take a while to get one," Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of the American Kennel Club, told AFP. “Their rise in popularity has led to an increase in thefts,” she said, adding, “The use of violence, however, is new and alarming.” (With inputs from agencies)

The curious case of ‘dognapping’: French bulldog thefts on the rise in US

The French president Emmanuel Macron has raised eyebrows with his choice of words about the unvaccinated in his country.

'Want to ‘piss off’ the non-vaccinated,' says French president Emmanuel Macron

In a bid to spread awareness and cut down CO2 emissions, car advertisements in France will include messages encouraging people to consider less-polluting travel alternatives.

In a bid to spread awareness and cut down CO2 emissions, car advertisements in France will include messages encouraging people to consider less-polluting travel alternatives. After COP26, many countries are trying to cut down their CO2 emissions. This was recently confirmed in the government's official journal. The messages say that the drivers should adopt more environmentally responsible options whenever possible. There will be three options that will be given: "Consider carpooling," "For day-to-day use, take public transportation," or "For short trips, opt for walking or cycling." It will also include the hashtag "#SeDeplacerMoinsPolluer", which means move and pollute less. Lionel French Keogh, the head of Hyundai France, while speaking to AFP said, "It means that overall, we have to find alternatives to the automobile. It's the first time we've had such a direct message from the government. We are going to adapt -- moving toward zero-emission vehicles is the course of history. But there is an irony: they make no distinction between the type of motorisation. It's a bit counterproductive to the government's aim of promoting electric vehicles." The ads will also include a vehicle's CO2 emission class. This is a new ranking system that informs the consumers about the environmental impact. Volkswagen, the third-biggest car seller in France said, "We will comply with the legislation and analyse how best to comply with our advertising agency." (With inputs from agencies)

'Consider carpooling': French car ads to contain messages fostering less-polluting alternatives

One of the possible reasons for recovery and GDP hike is the signs of overall increasing investments in India. French firms are increasingly investing in the country, the latest to do that is the engineering firm Egis.

French firm betting big on Indian market, Egis group plans to invest $55 MN in India

France is all set to go for presidential polls in 2022. The country will hold elections in April to elect a new president.

France: Emmanuel Macron announces his candidacy for a second term

French air defense destroyer Chevalier Paul enters Mumbai. It is the most powerful surface combatant that France has ever built. The deployment comes as a part of naval cooperation amid Indian and French navies. WION's principal correspondent Siddhant Sibbal brings in more information.

India: French air defense destroyer Chevalier Paul enters Mumbai

In what is being called by traditionalists as incursion of US-inspired “wokeism”, a French reference dictionary had given official recognition to a gender-inclusive pronoun. The dictionary has now defended its decision. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The everyday use of “iel”, a neologism combining the French words for he and she, has risen and is largely done for anecdotal purposes. The critics deem it to be a linguistic affront, which needs to be stopped. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/decathlon-stops-sale-of-canoes-in-northern-france-to-curb-migrant-crossings-430105" hreflang="en">Decathlon stops sale of canoes in northern France to curb migrant crossings</a>

The Petit Robert dictionary’s move has been denounced by the education minister. The minister supported a lawmaker’s demand that French-language guardians at the Académie Française should chip in. &nbsp;

On Twitter, Jean-Michel Blanquer, said, “Inclusive writing is not the future of the French language. Our students, who are consolidating their basic knowledge, cannot have that as a reference.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-international-day-for-tolerance-observed-429818" hreflang="en">Why is International Day for Tolerance observed?</a>

François Jolivet, lawmaker in French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party seeking the ban by the Académie, wrote, “This type of initiative sullies our language, and ends up dividing its users instead of bringing them together.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

But the Robert’s director denied any activist motive. It said its specialists had noted a rise in the use of “iel” for months.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what is being called by traditionalists as incursion of US-inspired “wokeism”, a French reference dictionary had given official recognition to a gender-inclusive pronoun.

In what is being called by traditionalists as incursion of US-inspired “wokeism”, a French reference dictionary had given official recognition to a gender-inclusive pronoun. The dictionary has now defended its decision. The everyday use of “iel”, a neologism combining the French words for he and she, has risen and is largely done for anecdotal purposes. The critics deem it to be a linguistic affront, which needs to be stopped. Also Read: Decathlon stops sale of canoes in northern France to curb migrant crossings The Petit Robert dictionary’s move has been denounced by the education minister. The minister supported a lawmaker’s demand that French-language guardians at the Académie Française should chip in. On Twitter, Jean-Michel Blanquer, said, “Inclusive writing is not the future of the French language. Our students, who are consolidating their basic knowledge, cannot have that as a reference.” Also Read: Why is International Day for Tolerance observed? François Jolivet, lawmaker in French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party seeking the ban by the Académie, wrote, “This type of initiative sullies our language, and ends up dividing its users instead of bringing them together.” But the Robert’s director denied any activist motive. It said its specialists had noted a rise in the use of “iel” for months. (With inputs from agencies)

French dictionary defends move to recognise a gender-inclusive pronoun

The French bishops recently said that they accepted that the Catholic church bore an "institutional responsibility" in the thousands of child abuse cases which were revealed in a shocking report. In its annual meeting, the Bishops Conference president Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said that the church was guilty of allowing the abuses to become "systemic."

"This responsibility implies a duty to provide justice and reparation," the archbishop said.&nbsp;

The commission has recommended that the church accepts civil and social responsibility for the abuses. Also, it has been said that the financial compensation should be calculated for each individual case based on the severity of abuses suffered.

This comes after an independent inquiry in October revealed that sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and other clergymen has had 216,000 victims between 1950 and 2020. This was called a "massive phenomenon" that was hushed up by a "veil of silence".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-inquiry-reveals-216000-cases-of-paedophilia-by-catholic-priests-since-1950-418328">Also read |&nbsp;France: Inquiry reveals 216,000 cases of paedophilia by Catholic priests since 1950</a>

The annual meeting was not entirely dedicated to the response to the report. However, the 120 bishops from different parts of France have devoted much of their week-long meeting to "the fight against violence and sexual aggression directed at minors".

The abuse victims were invited to join the meeting.

Many victims declined the invite as they were against the decision to make the sexual abuse scandal just one of several topics.&nbsp;

The report was released after an investigation of two and a half years. It was launched after widespread outrage over a string of paedophilia claims and prosecutions against Church officials worldwide.

The report of the inquiry, at nearly 2,500 pages, found that the "vast majority" of victims were pre-adolescent boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds.

"The Catholic Church is, after the circle of family and friends, the environment that has the highest prevalence of sexual violence," the report said.

The French bishops recently said that they accepted that the Catholic church bore an "institutional responsibility" in the thousands of child abuse cases which were revealed in a shocking report.

The French bishops recently said that they accepted that the Catholic church bore an "institutional responsibility" in the thousands of child abuse cases which were revealed in a shocking report. In its annual meeting, the Bishops Conference president Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said that the church was guilty of allowing the abuses to become "systemic." "This responsibility implies a duty to provide justice and reparation," the archbishop said. The commission has recommended that the church accepts civil and social responsibility for the abuses. Also, it has been said that the financial compensation should be calculated for each individual case based on the severity of abuses suffered. This comes after an independent inquiry in October revealed that sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and other clergymen has had 216,000 victims between 1950 and 2020. This was called a "massive phenomenon" that was hushed up by a "veil of silence". Also read | France: Inquiry reveals 216,000 cases of paedophilia by Catholic priests since 1950 The annual meeting was not entirely dedicated to the response to the report. However, the 120 bishops from different parts of France have devoted much of their week-long meeting to "the fight against violence and sexual aggression directed at minors". The abuse victims were invited to join the meeting. Many victims declined the invite as they were against the decision to make the sexual abuse scandal just one of several topics. The report was released after an investigation of two and a half years. It was launched after widespread outrage over a string of paedophilia claims and prosecutions against Church officials worldwide. The report of the inquiry, at nearly 2,500 pages, found that the "vast majority" of victims were pre-adolescent boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds. "The Catholic Church is, after the circle of family and friends, the environment that has the highest prevalence of sexual violence," the report said.

French bishops say church bore 'institutional responsibility' for child abuse

A tunnel has been discovered near French ambassador's residence in Tunisia prompting an anti-terrorism investigation, said Tunisian Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The tunnel was found to have been dug from a house frequented by a known extremist.

French diplomats did not comment immediately.

Tunisian security forces have thwarted most militant plots in recent years and have grown better at responding to those that occur say Western diplomats.

Last such major attack happened in 2015. At the time, militants killed many people in two separate assaults at a museum in Tunis and a beach resort in Sousse.

Residence of the French ambassadorn is located in a walled compound in an upscale compound of La Marsa. There are private houses on both sides.

A tunnel has been discovered near French ambassador's residence in Tunisia prompting an anti-terrorism investigation, said Tunisian Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

A tunnel has been discovered near French ambassador's residence in Tunisia prompting an anti-terrorism investigation, said Tunisian Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The tunnel was found to have been dug from a house frequented by a known extremist. French diplomats did not comment immediately. Tunisian security forces have thwarted most militant plots in recent years and have grown better at responding to those that occur say Western diplomats. Last such major attack happened in 2015. At the time, militants killed many people in two separate assaults at a museum in Tunis and a beach resort in Sousse. Residence of the French ambassadorn is located in a walled compound in an upscale compound of La Marsa. There are private houses on both sides.

Tunisia: Tunnel found near French ambassador's home, anti-terror probe on

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Australian PM Scott Morrison of lying about a submarine contract. France is also engaged in a 'fishing row' with the U.K. Why is Macron picking fights with his allies? Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Macron accuses Scott Morrisson of lying

Britain's environment minister pledged on Friday to retaliate if France carries through on threats to block UK ships from French ports, warning that two can play at that game'' in the worsening dispute rooted in Britain's departure from the European Union.

Britain summoned the French ambassador for a dressing-down after French authorities fined two British fishing vessels and kept one in port overnight Thursday.

Since the UK left the economic orbit of the EU in January, relations between London and Paris have become increasingly frayed as the nations on either side of the English Channel sort out a post-Brexit path.

France has threatened to block British boats and tighten checks on UK vessels unless French vessels get more permits to fish in UK waters.

Watch |&nbsp;Row between UK and France over fishing rights intensifies

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France also suggested it might restrict energy supplies to the Channel Islands, British Crown dependencies that lie off the coast of France.

We will see what they do,&nbsp;Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News. But if they do bring these into place, well, two can play at that game and we reserve the ability to respond in a proportionate way.

The UK government said France's ambassador, Catherine Colonna, would be summoned to the Foreign Office on Friday, in an official sign of displeasure.

We regret the confrontational language that has been consistently used by the French government on this issue, which makes this situation no easier to resolve,&nbsp;the British government said in a statement.

France vehemently protested the decision last month by the UK and the Channel Island of Jersey to refuse dozens of French fishing boats licenses to operate in their territorial waters.

Dozens of other licenses were granted. France says the restrictions are contrary to the post-Brexit agreement that Britain signed when it left the EU.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/girls-night-in-uk-women-boycott-clubs-amid-surge-in-spiking-of-drinks-424932">'Girls night in': UK women boycott clubs amid surge in spiking of drinks</a>

Meanwhile, the European Union's executive said UK authorities withdrew the impounded vessel's license to fish off France on March 1.

But Macduff Shellfish, which operates the impounded scallop vessel Cornelis, hit back in a statement, saying it had access to French waters under the Brexit deal and that its activities were entirely legal,'' and that it would defend itself against all claims. Its statement did not offer specifics on licenses.

It appears our vessel has been caught up in the ongoing dispute between the UK and France on the implementation of the Brexit Fishing Agreement,'' the company statement said.

We are looking to the UK government to defend the rights of the UK fishing fleet and ensure that the fishing rights provided under the Brexit Fishing agreement are fully respected by the EU.''

Britain's environment minister pledged on Friday to retaliate if France carries through on threats to block UK ships from French ports, warning that two can play at that game'' in the worsening dispute rooted in Britain's departure from the European Union.

Britain's environment minister pledged on Friday to retaliate if France carries through on threats to block UK ships from French ports, warning that two can play at that game'' in the worsening dispute rooted in Britain's departure from the European Union. Britain summoned the French ambassador for a dressing-down after French authorities fined two British fishing vessels and kept one in port overnight Thursday. Since the UK left the economic orbit of the EU in January, relations between London and Paris have become increasingly frayed as the nations on either side of the English Channel sort out a post-Brexit path. France has threatened to block British boats and tighten checks on UK vessels unless French vessels get more permits to fish in UK waters. Watch | Row between UK and France over fishing rights intensifies France also suggested it might restrict energy supplies to the Channel Islands, British Crown dependencies that lie off the coast of France. We will see what they do, Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News. But if they do bring these into place, well, two can play at that game and we reserve the ability to respond in a proportionate way. The UK government said France's ambassador, Catherine Colonna, would be summoned to the Foreign Office on Friday, in an official sign of displeasure. We regret the confrontational language that has been consistently used by the French government on this issue, which makes this situation no easier to resolve, the British government said in a statement. France vehemently protested the decision last month by the UK and the Channel Island of Jersey to refuse dozens of French fishing boats licenses to operate in their territorial waters. Dozens of other licenses were granted. France says the restrictions are contrary to the post-Brexit agreement that Britain signed when it left the EU. Also Read | 'Girls night in': UK women boycott clubs amid surge in spiking of drinks Meanwhile, the European Union's executive said UK authorities withdrew the impounded vessel's license to fish off France on March 1. But Macduff Shellfish, which operates the impounded scallop vessel Cornelis, hit back in a statement, saying it had access to French waters under the Brexit deal and that its activities were entirely legal,'' and that it would defend itself against all claims. Its statement did not offer specifics on licenses. It appears our vessel has been caught up in the ongoing dispute between the UK and France on the implementation of the Brexit Fishing Agreement,'' the company statement said. We are looking to the UK government to defend the rights of the UK fishing fleet and ensure that the fishing rights provided under the Brexit Fishing agreement are fully respected by the EU.''

UK pledges retaliation to French fishing threats

Taiwan will continue to play its role as a member of the international community and ensure regional peace and stability, President Tsai Ing-wen told a visiting delegation of French senators on Thursday amid escalating tensions with China.

The four senators, lead by former defence minister Alain Richard, arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday, despite the strong objections of China which views the island as its own territory and is always angered by visits of foreign officials.

The visit by the senators comes after four straight days, beginning last Friday, of massed Chinese air force missions into Taiwan's air defence zone, moves met with concern by Washington and its allies.

Speaking to the senators at the presidential office, Tsai thanked France for its concern about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and support for its international participation.

"We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We also hope to make more contributions to the world along with France," she added.

Richard, head of the French Senate's Taiwan Friendship Group, was the country's defence minister from 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac. Richard has visited Taiwan twice before, in 2015 and 2018.

Tsai said Taiwan was "very moved" Richard decided to come, despite what she described as "pressure" - a reference to China.

In March, the Chinese embassy in Paris warned against lawmakers meeting Taiwanese officials, prompting a rebuff from the French foreign ministry, which said French senators are free to meet whomever they wish when they travel.

Tsai did not directly mention the recent Chinese air force activities.

The senators are not the only senior foreign visitors in Taiwan at the moment.

Later on Thursday, Tsai will meet the visiting former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

Neither France nor Australia have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, like most countries.

Taiwan has been keen to bolster its ties with other democracies as China steps up its pressure campaign, trying to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty.

Taiwan's government has denounced China's moves, and says it will defend the island`s freedom and democracy, and that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Taiwan will continue to play its role as a member of the international community and ensure regional peace and stability, President Tsai Ing-wen told a visiting delegation of French senators on Thursday amid escalating tensions with China.

Taiwan will continue to play its role as a member of the international community and ensure regional peace and stability, President Tsai Ing-wen told a visiting delegation of French senators on Thursday amid escalating tensions with China. The four senators, lead by former defence minister Alain Richard, arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday, despite the strong objections of China which views the island as its own territory and is always angered by visits of foreign officials. The visit by the senators comes after four straight days, beginning last Friday, of massed Chinese air force missions into Taiwan's air defence zone, moves met with concern by Washington and its allies. Speaking to the senators at the presidential office, Tsai thanked France for its concern about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and support for its international participation. "We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We also hope to make more contributions to the world along with France," she added. Richard, head of the French Senate's Taiwan Friendship Group, was the country's defence minister from 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac. Richard has visited Taiwan twice before, in 2015 and 2018. Tsai said Taiwan was "very moved" Richard decided to come, despite what she described as "pressure" - a reference to China. In March, the Chinese embassy in Paris warned against lawmakers meeting Taiwanese officials, prompting a rebuff from the French foreign ministry, which said French senators are free to meet whomever they wish when they travel. Tsai did not directly mention the recent Chinese air force activities. The senators are not the only senior foreign visitors in Taiwan at the moment. Later on Thursday, Tsai will meet the visiting former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott. Neither France nor Australia have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, like most countries. Taiwan has been keen to bolster its ties with other democracies as China steps up its pressure campaign, trying to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty. Taiwan's government has denounced China's moves, and says it will defend the island`s freedom and democracy, and that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Taiwan will ensure regional peace, president tells French senators

Twitter has appealed a French court decision that ordered it to give activists full access to all of its relevant documents on efforts to fight hate speech, lawyers and a judicial source said on Saturday.

In July, a French court ordered Twitter to grant six French anti-discrimination groups full access to all documents relating to the company's efforts to combat hate speech since May 2020. The ruling applied to Twitter's global operation, not just France.

Twitter has appealed the decision and a hearing has been set for December 9, 2021, a judicial source told AFP, confirming information released by the groups' lawyers.

Twitter and its lawyers declined to comment.

The July order said that Twitter must hand over "all administrative, contractual, technical or commercial documents" detailing the resources it has assigned to fight homophobic, racist and sexist discourse on the site, as well as the offence of "condoning crimes against humanity".

It also said Twitter must reveal how many moderators it employs in France to examine posts flagged as hateful, and data on the posts they process.

The July ruling gave the San Francisco-based company two months to comply. Twitter can ask for a suspension pending the appeal.

The six anti-discrimination groups had taken Twitter to court in France last year, accusing the US social media giant of "long-term and persistent" failures in blocking hateful comments from the site.&nbsp;

The groups campaign against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism.

Twitter's hateful conduct policy bans users from promoting violence or threatening or attacking people based on their race, religion, gender identity or disability, among other forms of discrimination.&nbsp;

Like other social media giants it allows users to report posts they believe are hateful, and employs moderators to vet the content.&nbsp;

But anti-discrimination groups have long complained that holes in the policy allow hateful comments to stay online in many cases.

Twitter has appealed a French court decision that ordered it to give activists full access to all of its relevant documents on efforts to fight hate speech, lawyers and a judicial source said on Saturday.

Twitter has appealed a French court decision that ordered it to give activists full access to all of its relevant documents on efforts to fight hate speech, lawyers and a judicial source said on Saturday. In July, a French court ordered Twitter to grant six French anti-discrimination groups full access to all documents relating to the company's efforts to combat hate speech since May 2020. The ruling applied to Twitter's global operation, not just France. Twitter has appealed the decision and a hearing has been set for December 9, 2021, a judicial source told AFP, confirming information released by the groups' lawyers. Twitter and its lawyers declined to comment. The July order said that Twitter must hand over "all administrative, contractual, technical or commercial documents" detailing the resources it has assigned to fight homophobic, racist and sexist discourse on the site, as well as the offence of "condoning crimes against humanity". It also said Twitter must reveal how many moderators it employs in France to examine posts flagged as hateful, and data on the posts they process. The July ruling gave the San Francisco-based company two months to comply. Twitter can ask for a suspension pending the appeal. The six anti-discrimination groups had taken Twitter to court in France last year, accusing the US social media giant of "long-term and persistent" failures in blocking hateful comments from the site. The groups campaign against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism. Twitter's hateful conduct policy bans users from promoting violence or threatening or attacking people based on their race, religion, gender identity or disability, among other forms of discrimination. Like other social media giants it allows users to report posts they believe are hateful, and employs moderators to vet the content. But anti-discrimination groups have long complained that holes in the policy allow hateful comments to stay online in many cases.

Twitter appeals French court ruling on anti-hate speech

Since 1950, around 3,000 paedophiles seem to have operated in Catholic Church in France. &nbsp;

The striking revelation has been made by the head of an independent commission, which is investigating the scandal, to AFP news agency, days ahead of the release of its report. &nbsp;

Due to be released on Tuesday, the report has been made after two-and-a-half years of research, which was based on court, police and church archives, and interviews with witnesses. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-social-democrats-show-signs-of-life-but-france-poses-a-roadblock-417473" hreflang="en">Europe’s social democrats show signs of life, but France poses a roadblock</a>

Commission's chairman Jean-Marc Sauve, said, the research found between 2,900 and 3,200 paedophile priests or other church members. Sauve added that it was "a minimum estimate". &nbsp;

Sauve, who is also a senior French civil servant, said, the report runs into 2,500 pages. It looks to quantify both the number of offenders and victims. &nbsp;

The report looked into "the mechanisms, notably institutional and cultural ones" within the Church, which allowed paedophiles to function. It will also offer 45 proposals. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-rape-accusations-fraternities-face-protests-and-growing-anger-417471" hreflang="en">After rape accusations, fraternities face protests and growing anger</a>

In 2018, the independent commission was set up by the Bishops' Conference of France (CEF). It was formed after a number of scandals shook the Church in France and worldwide. &nbsp;

The commission constitutes 22 legal professionals, doctors, historians, sociologists and theologians. Its objective was to investigate allegations of child sex abuse by clerics since 1950s. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Since 1950, around 3,000 paedophiles seem to have operated in Catholic Church in France. The striking revelation has been made by the head of an independent commission, which is investigating the scandal, to AFP news agency, days ahead of the release of its report.

Since 1950, around 3,000 paedophiles seem to have operated in Catholic Church in France. The striking revelation has been made by the head of an independent commission, which is investigating the scandal, to AFP news agency, days ahead of the release of its report. Due to be released on Tuesday, the report has been made after two-and-a-half years of research, which was based on court, police and church archives, and interviews with witnesses. Also Read: Europe’s social democrats show signs of life, but France poses a roadblock Commission's chairman Jean-Marc Sauve, said, the research found between 2,900 and 3,200 paedophile priests or other church members. Sauve added that it was "a minimum estimate". Sauve, who is also a senior French civil servant, said, the report runs into 2,500 pages. It looks to quantify both the number of offenders and victims. The report looked into "the mechanisms, notably institutional and cultural ones" within the Church, which allowed paedophiles to function. It will also offer 45 proposals. Also Read: After rape accusations, fraternities face protests and growing anger In 2018, the independent commission was set up by the Bishops' Conference of France (CEF). It was formed after a number of scandals shook the Church in France and worldwide. The commission constitutes 22 legal professionals, doctors, historians, sociologists and theologians. Its objective was to investigate allegations of child sex abuse by clerics since 1950s. (With inputs from agencies)

Since 1950, 3,000 paedophiles operated in French Catholic Church, says report  

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been convicted of campaign fraud and handed a one-year sentence. Sarkozy overshot the campaign spending cap in his 2012 re-election bid. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: French ex-President Sarkozy guilty of campaign fraud

Heavy machineries can be seen removing rubble, they are reconstructing a storm-hit valley in French Riviera. Going by the damage, the disaster may look recent but it has been more than a year since the storm ravaged the French coast.

Slow recovery in storm-hit French valley; one year on, houses yet to be rebuilt

If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation. &nbsp;

Belonging to French institutions, these documents reveal that one of the world’s largest cement giants, French Lafarge, constantly informed the French domestic, foreign and military intelligence services about its relationship with Daesh. The relationship was also within the knowledge of the French state. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada says it will uphold the Sharia law in Afghanistan

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In the documents, the company had commercial relations with Daesh, which built shelters for itself with its cement, even after it took over the factory, and it was noted that Daesh also financed itself by selling Lafarge cement. &nbsp;

In the French state documents obtained by the news agency, it is understood that the relationship between Lafarge company and the French intelligence service started with an e-mail sent by the company’s security director Jean Claude Veillard to an address belonging to the Ministry of Interior intelligence on January 22, 2014. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-80-killed-in-fighting-for-the-strategic-yemeni-city-of-marib-sources-411595" hreflang="en">Nearly 80 killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib: Sources</a>

In his e-mail, company official Veillard stated that Lafarge is still active in Syria and needs to establish relations with “local actors” in order to continue its work. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On September 1, 2014, the details of sending cement to Daesh were discussed in the correspondence between Lafarge Security Manager Veillard and the French Ministry of Interior intelligence.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the top court in France on Tuesday overturned a decision by a lower court to dismiss charges brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria's civil war.

The ruling by the Court of Cassation marks a major setback for the cement giant, which is accused of paying nearly 13 millions euros ($15.3 million) to jihadist groups including the Islamic State to keep its cement factory in northern Syria running through the early years of the war.

It has acknowledged that its Syrian subsidiary paid middlemen to negotiate with armed groups to allow the movement of staff and goods inside the war zone.

(With inputs from agencies)

If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation.

If the documents obtained by Anadolu Agency are to be believed, French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh. It also constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organisation. Belonging to French institutions, these documents reveal that one of the world’s largest cement giants, French Lafarge, constantly informed the French domestic, foreign and military intelligence services about its relationship with Daesh. The relationship was also within the knowledge of the French state. Watch: Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada says it will uphold the Sharia law in Afghanistan × In the documents, the company had commercial relations with Daesh, which built shelters for itself with its cement, even after it took over the factory, and it was noted that Daesh also financed itself by selling Lafarge cement. In the French state documents obtained by the news agency, it is understood that the relationship between Lafarge company and the French intelligence service started with an e-mail sent by the company’s security director Jean Claude Veillard to an address belonging to the Ministry of Interior intelligence on January 22, 2014. Also Read | Nearly 80 killed in fighting for the strategic Yemeni city of Marib: Sources In his e-mail, company official Veillard stated that Lafarge is still active in Syria and needs to establish relations with “local actors” in order to continue its work. On September 1, 2014, the details of sending cement to Daesh were discussed in the correspondence between Lafarge Security Manager Veillard and the French Ministry of Interior intelligence. Meanwhile, the top court in France on Tuesday overturned a decision by a lower court to dismiss charges brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria's civil war. The ruling by the Court of Cassation marks a major setback for the cement giant, which is accused of paying nearly 13 millions euros ($15.3 million) to jihadist groups including the Islamic State to keep its cement factory in northern Syria running through the early years of the war. It has acknowledged that its Syrian subsidiary paid middlemen to negotiate with armed groups to allow the movement of staff and goods inside the war zone. (With inputs from agencies)

Cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh, informed French intelligence: Report

In a strange incident, a grieving family saw an unknown mourner at the funeral home in northern France and were then told that the 60-years-old is a friend of the deceased.

In a strange incident, a grieving family saw an unknown mourner at the funeral home in northern France and were then told that the 60-years-old is a friend of the deceased. The family left her to pay her respects at the open coffin. According to the reports by French media, when they came back, the deceased was stripped off her jewellery as her necklace, ring and earrings had all vanished. Also read | Pakistan not responsible for Taliban's actions in Afghanistan: PM Imran Khan Investigations began after the family informed the police. The police got a suspect, a woman living not far from the funeral home, in the town of Liévin. Soon, they were able to link her with the theft of a wallet from the body of a man at the same funeral home, earlier on the same day, Tuesday 24 August. After searching the suspect's home, police found a stack of recent death notices. Included in the notices were the access codes for family members to enter the individual rooms where the coffins of their relatives were reposing.

French woman arrested over jewellery theft from coffin

Some may say that Napoleon Bonaparte divides opinions. For some, he was a master strategist and exceptional general who took France to great heights. For others, he was a ruler with ever-increasing need to bring more countries under French rule.

What brings both these camps together is the fact that Napoleon was a significant personality who has left indelible mark on history. And so, anything Napoleonic garners much interest.

And now his own hat is being auctioned.

Auction house Sotheby's is bringing the singularly important thing to the auction table. The head that wore this hat on military campaigns also wielded the crown of France. &nbsp;

Sotheby describes Napoleon as an Emperor “whose extraordinary destiny continues to fascinate on every continent, 200 years after his passing”.

The characteristically shaped felt bicorne hat that's up for auction was worn by Napoleon during his triumphant campaign against Russia during the first decade of 1800s. Only 19 such hats have been identified as having belonged to Napoleon.

The one that is being auctioned now was acquired in 1814 by Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart. The hat was then handed down generation to generation until now when it is being auctioned.

The hat will be auctioned in the month of September.

So if you want to own a significant historical artifact and have 400,000 t0 600,000 Euros lying around, you should take part in the auction because this is the price range in which Sotheby's thinks it will be picked up.

Some may say that Napoleon Bonaparte divides opinions. For some, he was a master strategist and exceptional general who took France to great heights. For others, he was a ruler with ever-increasing need to bring more countries under French rule.

Some may say that Napoleon Bonaparte divides opinions. For some, he was a master strategist and exceptional general who took France to great heights. For others, he was a ruler with ever-increasing need to bring more countries under French rule. What brings both these camps together is the fact that Napoleon was a significant personality who has left indelible mark on history. And so, anything Napoleonic garners much interest. And now his own hat is being auctioned. Auction house Sotheby's is bringing the singularly important thing to the auction table. The head that wore this hat on military campaigns also wielded the crown of France. Sotheby describes Napoleon as an Emperor “whose extraordinary destiny continues to fascinate on every continent, 200 years after his passing”. The characteristically shaped felt bicorne hat that's up for auction was worn by Napoleon during his triumphant campaign against Russia during the first decade of 1800s. Only 19 such hats have been identified as having belonged to Napoleon. The one that is being auctioned now was acquired in 1814 by Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart. The hat was then handed down generation to generation until now when it is being auctioned. The hat will be auctioned in the month of September. So if you want to own a significant historical artifact and have 400,000 t0 600,000 Euros lying around, you should take part in the auction because this is the price range in which Sotheby's thinks it will be picked up.

Napoleon's hat expected to fetch up to 600,000 Euros in auction

A French woman who killed her rapist husband was spared any more jail time Friday in a case that has become a rallying cause for feminists.

Valerie&nbsp;Bacot, who shot her husband Daniel Polette dead in 2016, was sentenced to a four-year term with three years suspended.&nbsp;

But she walked free from the court in Saone-et-Loire in eastern France as she had already served a year in pre-trial detention.&nbsp;

The verdict was met with thunderous applause in the courtroom, and some of&nbsp;Bacot's friends and family burst into tears.&nbsp;

Announcing the jury's decision, judge Celine Therme said the court had recognised the "terror" that&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;had endured for years.&nbsp;

Prosecutors had told the court that the 40-year-old should not go back to prison, as she was "very clearly a victim" of her tyrannical husband.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chauvin-gets-22-12-years-in-prison-for-george-floyds-death-394037">Also Read |&nbsp;Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death</a>

Bacot&nbsp;was just 12 when Polette, her mother's boyfriend at the time, first raped her.

He was imprisoned after the initial rape but continued to abuse&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;after he was released, and she became pregnant when she was 17.

Bacot's alcoholic mother threw her out of the house and she was forced to live with Polette, who later coerced her into sex work.&nbsp;

Bacot, who confessed to shooting 61-year-old Polette and hiding his body in a forest with the help of two of her children, published a book last month about her experiences, "Everyone Knew".

Her case has become a feminist cause celebre in France at a time when more women are breaking their silence on sexual assault.

"I want to thank the court,"&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;said as she walked free, sounding frail.&nbsp;

"It's a new fight now for all the other women and all the abuse," she said, adding that she felt "empty" rather than relieved. &nbsp;

State prosecutor Eric Jallet earlier told the court: "Valerie&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;should not have taken the life of the person who was terrorising her."&nbsp;

But judges should "uphold the transgression without incarcerating her again", he said.

A visibly fatigued&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;had collapsed upon hearing the prosecutor's request, prompting an intervention of emergency personnel and a brief suspension of the hearing.

'I had nobody'

More than 700,000 people signed a petition demanding that&nbsp;Bacot, who had risked life in prison, be cleared.

She told the court how she had felt trapped into staying with her abuser.&nbsp;

"I wanted to keep my child. I had nobody. Where could I go?" she said.

Polette became increasingly violent, attacking her with a hammer at one point, and forced her to work as a prostitute for truck drivers in the back of a van.

Polette threatened to kill her and the children if she left him, pointing a gun at her many times.&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;described her life as an "extreme hell".

'This has to stop'

When he started questioning their 14-year old daughter Karline about her budding sexuality,&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;said she decided that "this has to stop".

In March 2016, after Polette ordered&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;to undergo yet another sexual humiliation by a client, she shot her husband with his own gun.

Bacot&nbsp;said she wanted to make sure her daughter would not suffer the same fate that she had.

A court-ordered expert evaluation found that&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;was "certain that she needed to commit this act to protect her children".

Bacot&nbsp;hid the body in a forest but in October 2017 she was arrested, and later released on bail.&nbsp;

Her lawyers, Janine Bonaggiunta and Nathalie Tomasini, previously defended Jacqueline Sauvage, a French woman who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing her abusive husband.

Sauvage won a presidential pardon in 2016 after becoming a symbol for the fight to stop violence against women.

Tomasini said that Friday's verdict, while allowing&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;to walk free, was still too harsh.&nbsp;

"How can society ask&nbsp;Valerie&nbsp;Bacot&nbsp;for redress, when it did not know how to protect her?" she said.&nbsp;

Tomasini listed a "chain of dysfunctions" that prevented authorities from protecting&nbsp;Bacot, including the fact that relatives had twice tried to alert the police, in vain.&nbsp;

Violence against women has become an increasingly prominent political issue in France, where cases of women being murdered by their partners have repeatedly grabbed the headlines in recent years.&nbsp;

Hundreds of women staged a protest in Paris on Friday against what they said was government inaction on the issue, carrying signs that read "silence is killing us".&nbsp;

A French woman who killed her rapist husband was spared any more jail time Friday in a case that has become a rallying cause for feminists. Valerie Bacot, who shot her husband Daniel Polette dead in 2016, was sentenced to a four-year term with three years suspended.

A French woman who killed her rapist husband was spared any more jail time Friday in a case that has become a rallying cause for feminists. Valerie Bacot, who shot her husband Daniel Polette dead in 2016, was sentenced to a four-year term with three years suspended. But she walked free from the court in Saone-et-Loire in eastern France as she had already served a year in pre-trial detention. The verdict was met with thunderous applause in the courtroom, and some of Bacot's friends and family burst into tears. Announcing the jury's decision, judge Celine Therme said the court had recognised the "terror" that Bacot had endured for years. Prosecutors had told the court that the 40-year-old should not go back to prison, as she was "very clearly a victim" of her tyrannical husband. Also Read | Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death Bacot was just 12 when Polette, her mother's boyfriend at the time, first raped her. He was imprisoned after the initial rape but continued to abuse Bacot after he was released, and she became pregnant when she was 17. Bacot's alcoholic mother threw her out of the house and she was forced to live with Polette, who later coerced her into sex work. Bacot, who confessed to shooting 61-year-old Polette and hiding his body in a forest with the help of two of her children, published a book last month about her experiences, "Everyone Knew". Her case has become a feminist cause celebre in France at a time when more women are breaking their silence on sexual assault. "I want to thank the court," Bacot said as she walked free, sounding frail. "It's a new fight now for all the other women and all the abuse," she said, adding that she felt "empty" rather than relieved. State prosecutor Eric Jallet earlier told the court: "Valerie Bacot should not have taken the life of the person who was terrorising her." But judges should "uphold the transgression without incarcerating her again", he said. A visibly fatigued Bacot had collapsed upon hearing the prosecutor's request, prompting an intervention of emergency personnel and a brief suspension of the hearing. 'I had nobody' More than 700,000 people signed a petition demanding that Bacot, who had risked life in prison, be cleared. She told the court how she had felt trapped into staying with her abuser. "I wanted to keep my child. I had nobody. Where could I go?" she said. Polette became increasingly violent, attacking her with a hammer at one point, and forced her to work as a prostitute for truck drivers in the back of a van. Polette threatened to kill her and the children if she left him, pointing a gun at her many times. Bacot described her life as an "extreme hell". 'This has to stop' When he started questioning their 14-year old daughter Karline about her budding sexuality, Bacot said she decided that "this has to stop". In March 2016, after Polette ordered Bacot to undergo yet another sexual humiliation by a client, she shot her husband with his own gun. Bacot said she wanted to make sure her daughter would not suffer the same fate that she had. A court-ordered expert evaluation found that Bacot was "certain that she needed to commit this act to protect her children". Bacot hid the body in a forest but in October 2017 she was arrested, and later released on bail. Her lawyers, Janine Bonaggiunta and Nathalie Tomasini, previously defended Jacqueline Sauvage, a French woman who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing her abusive husband. Sauvage won a presidential pardon in 2016 after becoming a symbol for the fight to stop violence against women. Tomasini said that Friday's verdict, while allowing Bacot to walk free, was still too harsh. "How can society ask Valerie Bacot for redress, when it did not know how to protect her?" she said. Tomasini listed a "chain of dysfunctions" that prevented authorities from protecting Bacot, including the fact that relatives had twice tried to alert the police, in vain. Violence against women has become an increasingly prominent political issue in France, where cases of women being murdered by their partners have repeatedly grabbed the headlines in recent years. Hundreds of women staged a protest in Paris on Friday against what they said was government inaction on the issue, carrying signs that read "silence is killing us".

French woman who killed rapist husband spared more jail time

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote. 
 
France's far right performed worse than predicted in Sunday's regional elections, exit polls showed, and the centre-right made a comeback while the vote as a whole was impacted by a high abstention rate. 
 
Asked on France 2 television if Sunday's results were a failure for Macron's party, Darmanin replied: "Of course." 
 
"Democracy means sometimes losing elections. The Presidential majority faced an important hurdle...let us not draw quick conclusions regarding the Presidential elections," he added. 
 
Darmanin also said that Sunday's record low turnout was 'a defeat for all of us' as 'abstention is a message. The French people are telling politicians they do not trust them.' 
 
"No-one can be happy when there is a 70% abstention rate, rising to over 80% among young people," he added. 
 
An IPSOS exit poll showed the centre-right Les Republicains winning 27.2% of the national vote, ahead of the far right on 19.3%, followed by the Green party, the Socialist Party and Macron's La Republique en Marche on 11.2%. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote.

The first round results of France's regional elections marked a form of failure for President Emmanuel Macron's party, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday, although he added it was too soon to draw conclusions for the 2022 Presidential vote. France's far right performed worse than predicted in Sunday's regional elections, exit polls showed, and the centre-right made a comeback while the vote as a whole was impacted by a high abstention rate. Asked on France 2 television if Sunday's results were a failure for Macron's party, Darmanin replied: "Of course." "Democracy means sometimes losing elections. The Presidential majority faced an important hurdle...let us not draw quick conclusions regarding the Presidential elections," he added. Darmanin also said that Sunday's record low turnout was 'a defeat for all of us' as 'abstention is a message. The French people are telling politicians they do not trust them.' "No-one can be happy when there is a 70% abstention rate, rising to over 80% among young people," he added. An IPSOS exit poll showed the centre-right Les Republicains winning 27.2% of the national vote, ahead of the far right on 19.3%, followed by the Green party, the Socialist Party and Macron's La Republique en Marche on 11.2%. (With inputs from agencies)

French regional vote marks failure for Macron's party: Interior minister

Five&nbsp;police&nbsp;officers were injured, two seriously, and a&nbsp;partygoer lost his hand when security forces tried to break up an illegal&nbsp;rave&nbsp;of some 1,500 people in western France, local officials said on Saturday.

TV images showed gendarmes using tear gas and&nbsp;ravers throwing firecrackers, projectiles and petrol bombs as&nbsp;clashes broke out when around 400&nbsp;police&nbsp;officers moved in an effort to disperse the&nbsp;party.

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According to Emmanuel Berthier,&nbsp;police&nbsp;chief for the Ile-et-Vilaine area, a 22-year-old person lost a hand amid the "extreme violence".&nbsp;Clashes lasted for about seven hours, the national gendarmerie said on its Twitter account.

As of Saturday morning, about 1,000 people remain at a horse racing track near Redon in Brittany where the&nbsp;rave&nbsp;was held and officials said they hoped to regain control over the weekend.

"Those present were not there to&nbsp;party, but to fight with the&nbsp;police," Pascal Duchène, the mayor of Redon, told BFM TV.

Five police officers were injured, two seriously, and a partygoer lost his hand when security forces tried to break up an illegal rave of some 1,500 people in western France, local officials said on Saturday.

Five police officers were injured, two seriously, and a partygoer lost his hand when security forces tried to break up an illegal rave of some 1,500 people in western France, local officials said on Saturday. TV images showed gendarmes using tear gas and ravers throwing firecrackers, projectiles and petrol bombs as clashes broke out when around 400 police officers moved in an effort to disperse the party. Also Read | Discovered; Footprints of the very last Dinosaurs to walk on UK ground According to Emmanuel Berthier, police chief for the Ile-et-Vilaine area, a 22-year-old person lost a hand amid the "extreme violence". Clashes lasted for about seven hours, the national gendarmerie said on its Twitter account. As of Saturday morning, about 1,000 people remain at a horse racing track near Redon in Brittany where the rave was held and officials said they hoped to regain control over the weekend. "Those present were not there to party, but to fight with the police," Pascal Duchène, the mayor of Redon, told BFM TV.

French police clash with partygoers at unauthorised rave party

Two years after local emir Djibril Diallo fled his home in northern Burkina Faso following death threats from Islamist militants, he received an unexpected request: to return and take part in peace talks with the same people who wanted him dead.

Adama Ouedraogo, deputy mayor of Diallo's hometown of Thiou, called him in January to help negotiate an end to years of attacks by jihadists against local militias and civilians that forced thousands of people to flee the area.

"I told them that if everyone was sincere, I could return," said Diallo, a traditional chief to Fulani herders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-132-civilians-killed-in-burkina-fasos-worst-attack-in-years-389688">At least 132 civilians killed in Burkina Faso's worst attack in years</a>

For a decade, West African armies and their international allies have fought against militant groups active in the Sahel region, some linked to the al Qaeda and Islamic State networks.

They have had limited success. Attacks on civilians still occur most weeks and large areas remain outside government control. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed since militants first seized control of swathes of Mali in 2012.

Now, in the worst-hit parts of Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali, local leaders are pursuing unofficial talks with militants. The governments do not publicly acknowledge the discussions, but five sources involved in them told Reuters the authorities have been quietly supportive.

Military ally and former colonial power France, which has 5,100 troops in the region supporting local forces, says the militants will exploit truces to regroup, rearm and recruit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-african-countries-in-huddle-over-situation-in-mali-388446">West African countries in huddle over situation in Mali</a>

President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his opposition to talks on Thursday, telling reporters that French troops would not conduct joint operations with countries that "decide to negotiate with groups that ... shoot at our children".

Yet there are tentative signs that the outreach may be helping stem bloodshed in localities where it is happening.

Data collected by the US-based Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data Project (ACLED) for the Nord, Sahel and Boucle de Mouhoun regions show significant reductions in conflict-related fatalities, although other factors, including recent military offensives, could have played a role.

In the Nord, the number of deaths from battles and violence against civilians dropped from 65 in the first quarter of 2020 to 26 in the first quarter of 2021. In the Sahel, they fell from 487 to 191 and in the Boucle de Mouhoun, from 66 to zero.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/burkina-faso-massacre-biggest-attack-in-countrys-history-389698/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Mahamadou Sawadogo, a researcher on security issues and former Burkinabe gendarme, said such truces had led to an easing of violence but cautioned that their scope was limited to specific localities.

A June 4-5 attack on Solhan village near the border with Niger, in which at least 132 people died, underlined how dangerous the region remains. The village was not known to have negotiated an agreement with jihadists.

In Thiou, located on an expanse of arid scrubland about 20 km from the Malian border, Diallo and others struck a truce in February with militants who say they are connected to al Qaeda's regional JNIM affiliate.

Commerce is flowing freely again and thousands of displaced people have returned, Diallo said.

Idrissa Diallo, a restaurant owner in town who is not related to Djibril Diallo but shares a last name common among Fulanis, fled to Ivory Coast in 2019 after the jihadists began clashing with local vigilante groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269">Explainer | What's happening in Mali right now?</a>

He came home following the talks.

"Calm has been restored," he said, shifting small pieces of meat and onions over smouldering charcoals. "I started to work a little, and there are lots of clients who come."

Secret Meetings

The first meetings took place in December in the secrecy of a forest outside Thiou, in Burkina Faso's Nord region, according to deputy mayor Ouedraogo.

They were organised by Ouedraogo, who said he had kept in touch with some people who joined the militants. He was accompanied by the head of a group of volunteer fighters who are backed by the army and oppose the jihadists.

"At the start of the negotiations, it wasn't at all easy," Ouedraogo recalled. "The jihadists came with lots of weapons."

They met seven times before both sides agreed to more formal talks. Ouedraogo informed the mayor, village chiefs and Diallo, an authoritative figure among Fulani herdsmen whom the jihadists considered a worthy interlocutor despite having threatened him.

Diallo joined the process and, after another meeting, jihadists reported back to their superiors, he said.

Thiou's mayor updated the regional governor, a federal government appointee, according to Diallo and two others who participated in the talks but asked not to be named.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-army-chief-protests-un-bias-in-report-over-mali-strikes-386743">France army chief protests UN 'bias' in report over Mali strikes</a>

The mayor declined to comment when asked about the contacts, and the governor did not respond to requests for comment. A government spokesperson said the negotiations were a local initiative and declined to respond to specific questions.

Then, in February, about 400 jihadist fighters, including some from Mali where al Qaeda's powerful JNIM branch is based, came to seal the peace, said Ouedraogo.

The jihadists' main condition was that the volunteer fighters, whom the jihadists accused of stealing motorcycles and cattle and killing civilians suspected of sympathising with the&nbsp;Islamists, cease their patrols.

The negotiators agreed and allowed the jihadists and their family members to trade at the market and receive medical care in town, according to Ouedraogo and Diallo.

The jihadists vowed to cease attacks and to lift blockades.

French Opposition

Authorities have been constrained by French opposition to negotiating with militants, said a source involved in talks in Burkina Faso and Mali, adding that time was of the essence while contact with militants appeared to be bearing fruit.

At a news conference on Thursday where he announced France would end its military operation in the Sahel and incorporate its forces into a broader international campaign, Macron threatened to stop working with countries that negotiate with jihadists.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-announces-major-troop-drawdown-from-sahel-region-in-africa-390703">Macron announces major troop drawdown from Sahel region in Africa</a>

"I don't know how to explain to the parents of a French soldier who fell on the battlefield that I am sending back his brothers in arms to fight alongside an army that has decided to negotiate with his assailants," Macron said.

Decrying "ambiguity" on the matter, Macron said one condition for France to resume joint military operations with Mali's army - suspended after a coup last month - would be a Malian commitment not to negotiate with the militants.

Mali's leaders have publicly endorsed the idea of talks, but they have kept concrete moves to pursue negotiations quiet.

In the Niono Circle in central Mali, representatives of the High Islamic Council (HCI), the country's main Muslim body, led negotiations earlier this year with al Qaeda-linked militants that resulted in a peace deal in March, said Bocary Diallo, one of the HCI negotiators.

Diallo said the organisation was given the go-ahead at a meeting attended by religious leaders and four government ministers, but that the government never officially signed off on it.

Mali's presidency and the ministry of national reconciliation did not respond to requests for comment.

Two years after local emir Djibril Diallo fled his home in northern Burkina Faso following death threats from Islamist militants, he received an unexpected request: to return and take part in peace talks with the same people who wanted him dead.

Two years after local emir Djibril Diallo fled his home in northern Burkina Faso following death threats from Islamist militants, he received an unexpected request: to return and take part in peace talks with the same people who wanted him dead. Adama Ouedraogo, deputy mayor of Diallo's hometown of Thiou, called him in January to help negotiate an end to years of attacks by jihadists against local militias and civilians that forced thousands of people to flee the area. "I told them that if everyone was sincere, I could return," said Diallo, a traditional chief to Fulani herders. Also read | At least 132 civilians killed in Burkina Faso's worst attack in years For a decade, West African armies and their international allies have fought against militant groups active in the Sahel region, some linked to the al Qaeda and Islamic State networks. They have had limited success. Attacks on civilians still occur most weeks and large areas remain outside government control. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed since militants first seized control of swathes of Mali in 2012. Now, in the worst-hit parts of Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali, local leaders are pursuing unofficial talks with militants. The governments do not publicly acknowledge the discussions, but five sources involved in them told Reuters the authorities have been quietly supportive. Military ally and former colonial power France, which has 5,100 troops in the region supporting local forces, says the militants will exploit truces to regroup, rearm and recruit. Also read | West African countries in huddle over situation in Mali President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his opposition to talks on Thursday, telling reporters that French troops would not conduct joint operations with countries that "decide to negotiate with groups that ... shoot at our children". Yet there are tentative signs that the outreach may be helping stem bloodshed in localities where it is happening. Data collected by the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) for the Nord, Sahel and Boucle de Mouhoun regions show significant reductions in conflict-related fatalities, although other factors, including recent military offensives, could have played a role. In the Nord, the number of deaths from battles and violence against civilians dropped from 65 in the first quarter of 2020 to 26 in the first quarter of 2021. In the Sahel, they fell from 487 to 191 and in the Boucle de Mouhoun, from 66 to zero. Mahamadou Sawadogo, a researcher on security issues and former Burkinabe gendarme, said such truces had led to an easing of violence but cautioned that their scope was limited to specific localities. A June 4-5 attack on Solhan village near the border with Niger, in which at least 132 people died, underlined how dangerous the region remains. The village was not known to have negotiated an agreement with jihadists. In Thiou, located on an expanse of arid scrubland about 20 km from the Malian border, Diallo and others struck a truce in February with militants who say they are connected to al Qaeda's regional JNIM affiliate. Commerce is flowing freely again and thousands of displaced people have returned, Diallo said. Idrissa Diallo, a restaurant owner in town who is not related to Djibril Diallo but shares a last name common among Fulanis, fled to Ivory Coast in 2019 after the jihadists began clashing with local vigilante groups. Also read | Explainer | What's happening in Mali right now? He came home following the talks. "Calm has been restored," he said, shifting small pieces of meat and onions over smouldering charcoals. "I started to work a little, and there are lots of clients who come." Secret Meetings The first meetings took place in December in the secrecy of a forest outside Thiou, in Burkina Faso's Nord region, according to deputy mayor Ouedraogo. They were organised by Ouedraogo, who said he had kept in touch with some people who joined the militants. He was accompanied by the head of a group of volunteer fighters who are backed by the army and oppose the jihadists. "At the start of the negotiations, it wasn't at all easy," Ouedraogo recalled. "The jihadists came with lots of weapons." They met seven times before both sides agreed to more formal talks. Ouedraogo informed the mayor, village chiefs and Diallo, an authoritative figure among Fulani herdsmen whom the jihadists considered a worthy interlocutor despite having threatened him. Diallo joined the process and, after another meeting, jihadists reported back to their superiors, he said. Thiou's mayor updated the regional governor, a federal government appointee, according to Diallo and two others who participated in the talks but asked not to be named. Also read | France army chief protests UN 'bias' in report over Mali strikes The mayor declined to comment when asked about the contacts, and the governor did not respond to requests for comment. A government spokesperson said the negotiations were a local initiative and declined to respond to specific questions. Then, in February, about 400 jihadist fighters, including some from Mali where al Qaeda's powerful JNIM branch is based, came to seal the peace, said Ouedraogo. The jihadists' main condition was that the volunteer fighters, whom the jihadists accused of stealing motorcycles and cattle and killing civilians suspected of sympathising with the Islamists, cease their patrols. The negotiators agreed and allowed the jihadists and their family members to trade at the market and receive medical care in town, according to Ouedraogo and Diallo. The jihadists vowed to cease attacks and to lift blockades. French Opposition Authorities have been constrained by French opposition to negotiating with militants, said a source involved in talks in Burkina Faso and Mali, adding that time was of the essence while contact with militants appeared to be bearing fruit. At a news conference on Thursday where he announced France would end its military operation in the Sahel and incorporate its forces into a broader international campaign, Macron threatened to stop working with countries that negotiate with jihadists. Also read | Macron announces major troop drawdown from Sahel region in Africa "I don't know how to explain to the parents of a French soldier who fell on the battlefield that I am sending back his brothers in arms to fight alongside an army that has decided to negotiate with his assailants," Macron said. Decrying "ambiguity" on the matter, Macron said one condition for France to resume joint military operations with Mali's army - suspended after a coup last month - would be a Malian commitment not to negotiate with the militants. Mali's leaders have publicly endorsed the idea of talks, but they have kept concrete moves to pursue negotiations quiet. In the Niono Circle in central Mali, representatives of the High Islamic Council (HCI), the country's main Muslim body, led negotiations earlier this year with al Qaeda-linked militants that resulted in a peace deal in March, said Bocary Diallo, one of the HCI negotiators. Diallo said the organisation was given the go-ahead at a meeting attended by religious leaders and four government ministers, but that the government never officially signed off on it. Mali's presidency and the ministry of national reconciliation did not respond to requests for comment.

With military victory elusive, West African nations quietly back talks with Islamists

A French court on Friday upheld a police ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for Saturday in Paris, but the organisers said they were not cancelling the march.&nbsp;

Police on Thursday banned Saturday's demonstration called over the ongoing conflict with Israel, fearing a repeat of clashes during a similar protest in 2014.&nbsp;

Following Friday's court ruling, the lawyers now say they will appeal to France's top administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat.&nbsp;However, the protest organisers said they had no plans to call off Saturday's action.&nbsp;

"We refuse to silence our solidarity with the Palestinians, and we will not be prevented from demonstrating," the Association of Palestinians in the Ile-de-France capital region and other groups said shortly after the court ban was announced. &nbsp;

Among the 30 groups planning Saturday's action are anti-fascists and the new Anti-Capitalist party.&nbsp;

Earlier, representatives of the association told AFP that France is "the only democratic country to forbid these demonstrations".&nbsp;

Police on Thursday banned Saturday's demonstration called over the ongoing conflict with Israel, fearing a repeat of clashes during a similar protest in 2014.&nbsp;

Following the failure of their initial petition, the lawyers now say they will appeal to France's top administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat.&nbsp;

Sefen Guez Guez, one of the lawyers, had earlier called the police ban 'disproportionate' and 'politically motivated'.&nbsp;

Paris police chief Didier Lallement said allowing the demonstration would risk "a serious disturbance of public order", adding that he feared "acts against synagogues and Israeli interests".&nbsp;

While he referred to violence at the 2014 demonstration, Guez Guez responded that there had been 'no problem at all' at many protests since.&nbsp;

The planned demonstration would target France's government as well as Israel, with organisers saying Paris is too favourable towards the Middle Eastern state.&nbsp;

President Emmanuel Macron's office said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, offering his "condolences for the victims of the rocket fire claimed by Hamas and other terrorist groups".&nbsp;

The statement said Macron urged a return to peace, "and also communicated to his counterpart his concern about the civilian population in Gaza".&nbsp;

French politicians were mostly split along party lines over the protest ban, with Macron's centre-right party and the right-wing opposition supporting the move, while leftists called it an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression.&nbsp;

But Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist, said the government had made a "wise" decision.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday told police chiefs elsewhere in France to keep a close eye on planned demonstrations and also ban them if necessary, and to bolster police protection of the Jewish community.&nbsp;

Worldwide, only Israel and the United States have bigger Jewish populations than France.&nbsp;

Beyond the Paris ban, police in Mediterranean port city Marseille said a march there must be converted into a stationary protest, while Darmanin said another in eastern Strasbourg was also blocked.&nbsp;

Police in Lyon and Bordeaux told AFP that there were no restrictions on rallies there.&nbsp;

Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday following a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, intensifying a conflict that has now claimed at least 141 lives.&nbsp;

A French court on Friday upheld a police ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for Saturday in Paris, but the organisers said they were not cancelling the march.

A French court on Friday upheld a police ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for Saturday in Paris, but the organisers said they were not cancelling the march. Police on Thursday banned Saturday's demonstration called over the ongoing conflict with Israel, fearing a repeat of clashes during a similar protest in 2014. Following Friday's court ruling, the lawyers now say they will appeal to France's top administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat. However, the protest organisers said they had no plans to call off Saturday's action. "We refuse to silence our solidarity with the Palestinians, and we will not be prevented from demonstrating," the Association of Palestinians in the Ile-de-France capital region and other groups said shortly after the court ban was announced. Among the 30 groups planning Saturday's action are anti-fascists and the new Anti-Capitalist party. Earlier, representatives of the association told AFP that France is "the only democratic country to forbid these demonstrations". Police on Thursday banned Saturday's demonstration called over the ongoing conflict with Israel, fearing a repeat of clashes during a similar protest in 2014. Following the failure of their initial petition, the lawyers now say they will appeal to France's top administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat. Sefen Guez Guez, one of the lawyers, had earlier called the police ban 'disproportionate' and 'politically motivated'. Paris police chief Didier Lallement said allowing the demonstration would risk "a serious disturbance of public order", adding that he feared "acts against synagogues and Israeli interests". While he referred to violence at the 2014 demonstration, Guez Guez responded that there had been 'no problem at all' at many protests since. The planned demonstration would target France's government as well as Israel, with organisers saying Paris is too favourable towards the Middle Eastern state. President Emmanuel Macron's office said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, offering his "condolences for the victims of the rocket fire claimed by Hamas and other terrorist groups". The statement said Macron urged a return to peace, "and also communicated to his counterpart his concern about the civilian population in Gaza". French politicians were mostly split along party lines over the protest ban, with Macron's centre-right party and the right-wing opposition supporting the move, while leftists called it an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression. But Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist, said the government had made a "wise" decision. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday told police chiefs elsewhere in France to keep a close eye on planned demonstrations and also ban them if necessary, and to bolster police protection of the Jewish community. Worldwide, only Israel and the United States have bigger Jewish populations than France. Beyond the Paris ban, police in Mediterranean port city Marseille said a march there must be converted into a stationary protest, while Darmanin said another in eastern Strasbourg was also blocked. Police in Lyon and Bordeaux told AFP that there were no restrictions on rallies there. Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday following a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, intensifying a conflict that has now claimed at least 141 lives.

French court bans pro-Palestine demo, organisers defiant 

The chief of France’s “La République En Marche!” Party recently threatened to withdraw support for one of its Muslim candidates after she was spotted wearing a headscarf in a poster. French President Emmanuel Macron also belongs to this party.

Stanislas Guerini helped establish Macron's movement in 2016. Guerini reacted to the poster of Sara Zemmahi wearing a headscarf in a campaign poster. Zemmahi is running for office in the French city of Montpellier.

"Wearing ostentatious religious symbols on a campaign document is not compatible with the values of LREM,"&nbsp; AFP cited Guerini as writing on Monday.

In the poster, Zemmahi was seen smiling wearing a white headscarf along with three colleagues from the party, which translates into “Republic on the Move” in English. She is also an engineer. The candidates are running in elections that are due to take place on 20 and 27 June.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/another-letter-penned-by-soldiers-foretelling-civil-war-in-france-surfaces-384129" hreflang="en">Another letter penned by soldiers foretelling civil war in France surfaces</a>

France’s right-wing party National Rally’s prominent face Jordan Bardella tweeted the image on Monday, drawing a strong reaction from Guerini.

"Either these candidates change their photo, or LREM will withdraw its support”, Guerini added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/open-letter-by-french-soldiers-warning-of-civil-war-angers-macron-government-381049" hreflang="en">Open letter by French soldiers warning of 'civil war' angers Macron government</a>

France practices a strict form of secularism called “laicite” which strikes a balance between the state and the Catholic Church.&nbsp; Religious symbols are banned in French schools. And now many in the country are voicing support to extend such restrictions to all public spheres.

Gabriel Attal, a government spokesperson backed the statement of Geurini on Tuesday during a conversation on France Inter radio.

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of France’s “La République En Marche!” Party recently threatened to withdraw support for one of its Muslim candidates after she was spotted wearing a headscarf in a poster.

The chief of France’s “La République En Marche!” Party recently threatened to withdraw support for one of its Muslim candidates after she was spotted wearing a headscarf in a poster. French President Emmanuel Macron also belongs to this party. Stanislas Guerini helped establish Macron's movement in 2016. Guerini reacted to the poster of Sara Zemmahi wearing a headscarf in a campaign poster. Zemmahi is running for office in the French city of Montpellier. "Wearing ostentatious religious symbols on a campaign document is not compatible with the values of LREM," AFP cited Guerini as writing on Monday. In the poster, Zemmahi was seen smiling wearing a white headscarf along with three colleagues from the party, which translates into “Republic on the Move” in English. She is also an engineer. The candidates are running in elections that are due to take place on 20 and 27 June. Also read: Another letter penned by soldiers foretelling civil war in France surfaces France’s right-wing party National Rally’s prominent face Jordan Bardella tweeted the image on Monday, drawing a strong reaction from Guerini. "Either these candidates change their photo, or LREM will withdraw its support”, Guerini added. Also read: Open letter by French soldiers warning of 'civil war' angers Macron government France practices a strict form of secularism called “laicite” which strikes a balance between the state and the Catholic Church. Religious symbols are banned in French schools. And now many in the country are voicing support to extend such restrictions to all public spheres. Gabriel Attal, a government spokesperson backed the statement of Geurini on Tuesday during a conversation on France Inter radio. (With inputs from agencies)

Head of Macron's party threatens to withdraw support for Muslim candidate over headscarf row

President Emmanuel Macron's plans for bringing France out of the pandemic aren't just about resuscitating long-closed restaurants, boutiques and museums. They are also about preparing his possible campaign for a second term. &nbsp;

A year before the next presidential election, Macron is focusing on saving jobs and reviving the pandemic-battered French economy as his country inches out of its third partial lockdown.&nbsp;

The centrist president's ability to meet the challenge will be significant for his political future and for France, which is among the world's worst-hit nations with the fourth-highest number of reported COVID-19 cases and the eighth-highest death toll at more than 106,000.&nbsp;

While he has not officially declared his candidacy, Macron has made comments suggesting he intends to seek reelection. And he has pushed recent legislation on issues that potential rivals on the right and the left hold dear, from security to climate change.&nbsp;

Pollsters suggest Macron, who four years ago became the youngest president in French history, has a good chance of winning the presidency again in 2022 despite his government's oft-criticised management of the pandemic and earlier challenges to his policies, from activists protesting what they see as social and economic injustice to unions angry over retirement reforms.&nbsp;

The coronavirus reopening strategy Macron unveiled this month calls for most restrictions on public life to be lifted June 30, when half of France's population is expected to have received at least one vaccine shot. With up to 3 million people in France getting vaccinated each week, the government plans to allow outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes, as well as museums and nonessential shops, to resume operating on May 19.&nbsp;

In an interview with French media, Macron said he would visit France's regions over the summer 'to feel the pulse of the country' and to engage with people in a mass consultation aimed at 'turning the page of that moment in the nation's life'. "No individual destiny is worthwhile without a collective project," he said, giving the latest hint about a potential reelection bid.&nbsp;

At the moment, all opinion polls show Macron and Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader he beat in a presidential runoff election in 2017, again reaching the runoff next year. The polls also forecast that Macron would defeat National Rally leader Le Pen again, though by a smaller margin.&nbsp;

President Emmanuel Macron's plans for bringing France out of the pandemic aren't just about resuscitating long-closed restaurants, boutiques and museums. They are also about preparing his possible campaign for a second term.

President Emmanuel Macron's plans for bringing France out of the pandemic aren't just about resuscitating long-closed restaurants, boutiques and museums. They are also about preparing his possible campaign for a second term. A year before the next presidential election, Macron is focusing on saving jobs and reviving the pandemic-battered French economy as his country inches out of its third partial lockdown. The centrist president's ability to meet the challenge will be significant for his political future and for France, which is among the world's worst-hit nations with the fourth-highest number of reported COVID-19 cases and the eighth-highest death toll at more than 106,000. While he has not officially declared his candidacy, Macron has made comments suggesting he intends to seek reelection. And he has pushed recent legislation on issues that potential rivals on the right and the left hold dear, from security to climate change. Pollsters suggest Macron, who four years ago became the youngest president in French history, has a good chance of winning the presidency again in 2022 despite his government's oft-criticised management of the pandemic and earlier challenges to his policies, from activists protesting what they see as social and economic injustice to unions angry over retirement reforms. The coronavirus reopening strategy Macron unveiled this month calls for most restrictions on public life to be lifted June 30, when half of France's population is expected to have received at least one vaccine shot. With up to 3 million people in France getting vaccinated each week, the government plans to allow outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes, as well as museums and nonessential shops, to resume operating on May 19. In an interview with French media, Macron said he would visit France's regions over the summer 'to feel the pulse of the country' and to engage with people in a mass consultation aimed at 'turning the page of that moment in the nation's life'. "No individual destiny is worthwhile without a collective project," he said, giving the latest hint about a potential reelection bid. At the moment, all opinion polls show Macron and Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader he beat in a presidential runoff election in 2017, again reaching the runoff next year. The polls also forecast that Macron would defeat National Rally leader Le Pen again, though by a smaller margin.

Eyeing reelection bid, Macron looks to repair French economy 

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country.&nbsp;

Amjad Ali Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party presented the resolution in the National Assembly with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair.&nbsp;

Technically, it was not an official document as it was moved by a member in his private capacity but it was accepted for discussion.&nbsp;

The resolution condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French magazine Charlie Hebdo in September last year and expressed regret over the French's president 'encouragement of the elements hurting the sentiments of the hundreds of millions of Muslims in the name of freedom of expression'.&nbsp;

"The House condemns the publication of insulting sketches by the controversial French magazine Charlie Hebdo and Muslims around the world had also expressed outrage at the publication of the sketches," the resolution added.&nbsp;

It stated that a debate should be held in the House on the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of caricatures.&nbsp;

"This House also demands that the state should decide matters of international relations and no person, group or party can exert unnecessary illegal pressure," according to the resolution.&nbsp;

It also said that all European countries in general and France in particular should be made aware of the seriousness of this issue of blasphemy. The resolution said that the issue should be raised collectively on international forums while discussing the issue with all Muslim countries.&nbsp;

The main Opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) attended the session but the Pakistan People's Party boycotted it.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country.

A resolution was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament on Tuesday for the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of blasphemous cartoons being published in the European country. Amjad Ali Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party presented the resolution in the National Assembly with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair. Technically, it was not an official document as it was moved by a member in his private capacity but it was accepted for discussion. The resolution condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French magazine Charlie Hebdo in September last year and expressed regret over the French's president 'encouragement of the elements hurting the sentiments of the hundreds of millions of Muslims in the name of freedom of expression'. "The House condemns the publication of insulting sketches by the controversial French magazine Charlie Hebdo and Muslims around the world had also expressed outrage at the publication of the sketches," the resolution added. It stated that a debate should be held in the House on the expulsion of the French ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of caricatures. "This House also demands that the state should decide matters of international relations and no person, group or party can exert unnecessary illegal pressure," according to the resolution. It also said that all European countries in general and France in particular should be made aware of the seriousness of this issue of blasphemy. The resolution said that the issue should be raised collectively on international forums while discussing the issue with all Muslim countries. The main Opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) attended the session but the Pakistan People's Party boycotted it. (With inputs from agencies)

Resolution seeking French ambassador’s expulsion tabled in Pak Parliament  

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