The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell.&nbsp;

Welcome to Dany Hellz Kitchen, the popular Instagram account of a French inmate, who conjures up mouthwatering tagines, tiramisus and pizzas with the few basic utensils he is allowed to keep behind bars.&nbsp;

"You can make everything with nothing," is the motto of this foodie convict, who films himself in action with his phone but does not show his face on camera in order to remain anonymous, phones being banned in French prison cells.&nbsp;

Dany (not his real name) has spent over seven years in jail for trafficking illegal substances (he would not say which).&nbsp;

"After a few years, prison food is so jaded, it always tastes the same, so I try to vary the dishes," he told AFP in a telephone interview.&nbsp;

The centrepiece of his 'hell's kitchen', a nod to British chef Gordon Ramsay's TV series of the same name, is a hot plate that doubles up as an oven when turned upside down and propped up by four cans.&nbsp;

"In the past I had two hot plates meaning I could cook something evenly, sandwich-style, but they took it away from me so now I have to turn the stove around half-way through to distribute the heat," he says.&nbsp;

His videos provide a rare glimpse into prison life, with the light filtering into his cell through the bars on the window and a small TV screen perched high on a wall.&nbsp;

They also underscore the importance attached to food among people struggling with boredom and loneliness.&nbsp;

For Dany, a university graduate of north African origin, cooking is a form of therapy.&nbsp;

"I get up, I set up my equipment and it allows me to concentrate on something I enjoy and that other prisoners also enjoy," he says.&nbsp;

His approach is two-fold: either he takes his prison food tray and reworks the steamed fish or vegetables with olive oil and garlic to add flavour or he creates his own dish from scratch using food and equipment sourced through the prison catalogue.&nbsp;

He also receives food parcels from family and friends. &nbsp;

One of his most recent gifts was a bottle of soy sauce but in the past visitors have also managed to smuggle in fresh goods, including, he says, a leg of lamb on one occasion.&nbsp;

No sharp objects allowed in cells, he chops and peels with a knife with a rounded tip. &nbsp;

Prisoners are also not allowed to have yeast lest they use it to make alcohol, a pet peeve of Dany's but which doesn't stop him making bread.&nbsp;

Like all chefs, he has a secret ingredient he cannot live without -- tomato paste, "which makes an excellent base for lots of different sauces."&nbsp;

As his culinary fame grows, fellow prisoners have begun placing orders for favourite dishes, such as one man's request for loubia, a Moroccan bean stew, which he served with peppers roasted directly on his hot plate.&nbsp;

Dany shares his creations with other inmates during walks in the prison yard as well as with the wider world in videos recorded in a mix of slang-infused French and English. &nbsp;

One video on Instagram, where he has nearly 30,000 followers, shows him making and icing a birthday cake.&nbsp;

"Dude you eating better than me and your in prison," one incredulous follower commented on Instagram. &nbsp;

"Chef, I've tasted your cooking, it's incredible", another follower, with the alias 24-El-Padrino, praises.&nbsp;

Dany is hoping to use his newfound fame to launch his own cannabis cooking oil after his release, expected later this year.&nbsp;

And he has already planned the menu for his prison parting feast -- there will be couscous -- and is salivating at the prospect of his first meal as a newly-free man.&nbsp;

"It'll be a wood-fired pizza, I think."&nbsp;

The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell.

The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell. Welcome to Dany Hellz Kitchen, the popular Instagram account of a French inmate, who conjures up mouthwatering tagines, tiramisus and pizzas with the few basic utensils he is allowed to keep behind bars. "You can make everything with nothing," is the motto of this foodie convict, who films himself in action with his phone but does not show his face on camera in order to remain anonymous, phones being banned in French prison cells. Dany (not his real name) has spent over seven years in jail for trafficking illegal substances (he would not say which). "After a few years, prison food is so jaded, it always tastes the same, so I try to vary the dishes," he told AFP in a telephone interview. The centrepiece of his 'hell's kitchen', a nod to British chef Gordon Ramsay's TV series of the same name, is a hot plate that doubles up as an oven when turned upside down and propped up by four cans. "In the past I had two hot plates meaning I could cook something evenly, sandwich-style, but they took it away from me so now I have to turn the stove around half-way through to distribute the heat," he says. His videos provide a rare glimpse into prison life, with the light filtering into his cell through the bars on the window and a small TV screen perched high on a wall. They also underscore the importance attached to food among people struggling with boredom and loneliness. For Dany, a university graduate of north African origin, cooking is a form of therapy. "I get up, I set up my equipment and it allows me to concentrate on something I enjoy and that other prisoners also enjoy," he says. His approach is two-fold: either he takes his prison food tray and reworks the steamed fish or vegetables with olive oil and garlic to add flavour or he creates his own dish from scratch using food and equipment sourced through the prison catalogue. He also receives food parcels from family and friends. One of his most recent gifts was a bottle of soy sauce but in the past visitors have also managed to smuggle in fresh goods, including, he says, a leg of lamb on one occasion. No sharp objects allowed in cells, he chops and peels with a knife with a rounded tip. Prisoners are also not allowed to have yeast lest they use it to make alcohol, a pet peeve of Dany's but which doesn't stop him making bread. Like all chefs, he has a secret ingredient he cannot live without -- tomato paste, "which makes an excellent base for lots of different sauces." As his culinary fame grows, fellow prisoners have begun placing orders for favourite dishes, such as one man's request for loubia, a Moroccan bean stew, which he served with peppers roasted directly on his hot plate. Dany shares his creations with other inmates during walks in the prison yard as well as with the wider world in videos recorded in a mix of slang-infused French and English. One video on Instagram, where he has nearly 30,000 followers, shows him making and icing a birthday cake. "Dude you eating better than me and your in prison," one incredulous follower commented on Instagram. "Chef, I've tasted your cooking, it's incredible", another follower, with the alias 24-El-Padrino, praises. Dany is hoping to use his newfound fame to launch his own cannabis cooking oil after his release, expected later this year. And he has already planned the menu for his prison parting feast -- there will be couscous -- and is salivating at the prospect of his first meal as a newly-free man. "It'll be a wood-fired pizza, I think."

Crime and cuisine: French prison chef becomes Instagram star 

A French air strike in January killed 19 civilians and three armed men at a wedding in the remote desert of central&nbsp;Mali, United Nations investigators said on Tuesday, contradicting France's account that only Islamist militants were hit.

France immediately rejected the findings, which are likely to fuel domestic criticism of&nbsp;Mali's former colonial master. France has more than 5,000 troops in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;and neighbouring countries to battle groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

The human rights division of the United Nations mission in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;(MINUSMA) said it had visited the village of Bounti where the attack took place on Jan. 3, analysed satellite images and interviewed more than 400 people, including at least 115 in face-to-face, individual sessions.

"MINUSMA is able to confirm that a wedding celebration was held that brought together about 100 civilians at the site of the strike, among whom five armed individuals, presumed members of Katiba Serma, were present," the report said.

Katiba Serma is an armed group affiliated with al Qaeda.

The MINUSMA report said 19 people, including 16 civilians and three of the armed men, were killed immediately in the air attack, while three more civilians died while being transferred to medical care.

In a statement, France's armed forces ministry said the strike followed a "robust targeting process" that identified the targets as militants.

"The only concrete sources on which this report is based are local testimonies. They are never transcribed, the identity of the witnesses is never specified, nor the conditions in which the testimonies were gathered," it said.

"It is therefore impossible to distinguish credible sources from false testimonies by possible terrorist sympathisers or individuals under the influence (including threats) from jihadist groups."

The MINUSMA report said each witness account was verified with other evidence and that some witnesses were relocated to allow them to speak freely.

RULES OF CONFLICT

Its report said forensics experts found no evidence of incinerated motorcycles, weapons or ammunitions that would have suggested the presence of a large number of armed men.

"This strike raises important concerns about the respect of the rules of armed conflict," it said. "MINUSMA recommends that the&nbsp;Malian and French authorities lead an independent, credible and transparent investigation."

Malian officials had no immediate comment.

Local officials in northern&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;accused France's military last week of killing six civilians in another air strike. French forces said they had again struck Islamist militants.

France has been embroiled in&nbsp;Mali's conflict since 2013, when it intervened to push back Islamist militants who were advancing south after seizing the desert north.

The conflict has since spread to neighbouring countries in the West African Sahel region like Burkina Faso and Niger, leading to rising criticism of French forces from local activists and some politicians.

The Jan. 3 air strike came after five French soldiers were killed the previous week in two attacks carried out with improvised explosive devices.

A French air strike in January killed 19 civilians and three armed men at a wedding in the remote desert of central Mali, United Nations investigators said on Tuesday, contradicting France's account that only Islamist militants were hit.

A French air strike in January killed 19 civilians and three armed men at a wedding in the remote desert of central Mali, United Nations investigators said on Tuesday, contradicting France's account that only Islamist militants were hit. France immediately rejected the findings, which are likely to fuel domestic criticism of Mali's former colonial master. France has more than 5,000 troops in Mali and neighbouring countries to battle groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. The human rights division of the United Nations mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said it had visited the village of Bounti where the attack took place on Jan. 3, analysed satellite images and interviewed more than 400 people, including at least 115 in face-to-face, individual sessions. "MINUSMA is able to confirm that a wedding celebration was held that brought together about 100 civilians at the site of the strike, among whom five armed individuals, presumed members of Katiba Serma, were present," the report said. Katiba Serma is an armed group affiliated with al Qaeda. The MINUSMA report said 19 people, including 16 civilians and three of the armed men, were killed immediately in the air attack, while three more civilians died while being transferred to medical care. In a statement, France's armed forces ministry said the strike followed a "robust targeting process" that identified the targets as militants. "The only concrete sources on which this report is based are local testimonies. They are never transcribed, the identity of the witnesses is never specified, nor the conditions in which the testimonies were gathered," it said. "It is therefore impossible to distinguish credible sources from false testimonies by possible terrorist sympathisers or individuals under the influence (including threats) from jihadist groups." The MINUSMA report said each witness account was verified with other evidence and that some witnesses were relocated to allow them to speak freely. RULES OF CONFLICT Its report said forensics experts found no evidence of incinerated motorcycles, weapons or ammunitions that would have suggested the presence of a large number of armed men. "This strike raises important concerns about the respect of the rules of armed conflict," it said. "MINUSMA recommends that the Malian and French authorities lead an independent, credible and transparent investigation." Malian officials had no immediate comment. Local officials in northern Mali accused France's military last week of killing six civilians in another air strike. French forces said they had again struck Islamist militants. France has been embroiled in Mali's conflict since 2013, when it intervened to push back Islamist militants who were advancing south after seizing the desert north. The conflict has since spread to neighbouring countries in the West African Sahel region like Burkina Faso and Niger, leading to rising criticism of French forces from local activists and some politicians. The Jan. 3 air strike came after five French soldiers were killed the previous week in two attacks carried out with improvised explosive devices.

French air strike killed 19 civilians at Mali wedding party: United Nations

The traditional French practice of trapping songbirds with glue is illegal and cannot be authorised by the state, the EU Court of Justice said on Wednesday, handing a victory to bird lovers.&nbsp;

France is the only country in the European Union to allow the catching of birds, in parts of the south, by pasting glue on sticks or tree trunks, or using snares and nets, despite a 1979 EU ban.&nbsp;

"A member state may not authorise a method of capture of birds ... which is likely to cause other than negligible harm to the species concerned," the court said in a statement.&nbsp;

Under a 1989 decree allowing glue trapping as long as it is 'selective, controlled and in limited quantity', France has allowed the practice every year despite protests by bird lovers.&nbsp;

"It's a great victory for the Bird Protection Association, which has been advocating for years" against the practice, the association said in a statement.&nbsp;

The association says glue trapping is a 'cruel and odious' practice from a bygone era and that France should join other EU nations in outlawing it completely.&nbsp;

The injuries suffered by the birds were acknowledged by the EU Court of Justice, which argued that the captured birds can sustain irreparable harm, since the glue can damage feathers.&nbsp;

The French Ecology Ministry is yet to react to the decision. In August 2020, President Emmanuel Macron suspended glue trapping pending a ruling by the court.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The traditional French practice of trapping songbirds with glue is illegal and cannot be authorised by the state, the EU Court of Justice said on Wednesday, handing a victory to bird lovers.

The traditional French practice of trapping songbirds with glue is illegal and cannot be authorised by the state, the EU Court of Justice said on Wednesday, handing a victory to bird lovers. France is the only country in the European Union to allow the catching of birds, in parts of the south, by pasting glue on sticks or tree trunks, or using snares and nets, despite a 1979 EU ban. "A member state may not authorise a method of capture of birds ... which is likely to cause other than negligible harm to the species concerned," the court said in a statement. Under a 1989 decree allowing glue trapping as long as it is 'selective, controlled and in limited quantity', France has allowed the practice every year despite protests by bird lovers. "It's a great victory for the Bird Protection Association, which has been advocating for years" against the practice, the association said in a statement. The association says glue trapping is a 'cruel and odious' practice from a bygone era and that France should join other EU nations in outlawing it completely. The injuries suffered by the birds were acknowledged by the EU Court of Justice, which argued that the captured birds can sustain irreparable harm, since the glue can damage feathers. The French Ecology Ministry is yet to react to the decision. In August 2020, President Emmanuel Macron suspended glue trapping pending a ruling by the court. (With inputs from agencies)

European court outlaws French practice of trapping songbirds with glue  

French patrol boat rescued 36 migrants aboard two boats "in difficulty" in the Channel, seeking to cross to Britain, maritime authorities said Saturday.

The first group of 13 migrants were rescued by a patrol boat after being spotted off&nbsp;the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France.

Later a ferry spotted a boat in trouble in the Channel. The same patrol boat picked up the 23 people on board and brought all 36 migrants back to Calais before handing them over to border police.

Conditions are currently relatively good for such clandestine departures with the waters unusually calm for winter.

Last year, officials recorded a fourfold increase over 2019 in the number of Channel crossings or attempted crossings from France, involving 9,551 people.

Attempts by migrants to make the journey by sea have soared in recent years, despite the risks of hypothermia and accidents in the choppy waters of the busy shipping lane.

A number of migrants also continue to try to stow away on trucks heading across the Channel by ferry or by train through the Channel Tunnel.

Calais continues to attract migrants from the Middle East and Africa who set up makeshift camps along France's northern coast from where they hope to eventually slip across to England unnoticed.

France and Britain signed a new accord in November aimed at shutting down the route&nbsp;through increased patrols and the use of radar and drones to spot boats more quickly.

French patrol boat rescued 36 migrants aboard two boats "in difficulty" in the Channel, seeking to cross to Britain, maritime authorities said Saturday. The first group of 13 migrants were rescued by a patrol boat after being spotted off the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France.

French patrol boat rescued 36 migrants aboard two boats "in difficulty" in the Channel, seeking to cross to Britain, maritime authorities said Saturday. The first group of 13 migrants were rescued by a patrol boat after being spotted off the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. Later a ferry spotted a boat in trouble in the Channel. The same patrol boat picked up the 23 people on board and brought all 36 migrants back to Calais before handing them over to border police. Conditions are currently relatively good for such clandestine departures with the waters unusually calm for winter. Last year, officials recorded a fourfold increase over 2019 in the number of Channel crossings or attempted crossings from France, involving 9,551 people. Attempts by migrants to make the journey by sea have soared in recent years, despite the risks of hypothermia and accidents in the choppy waters of the busy shipping lane. A number of migrants also continue to try to stow away on trucks heading across the Channel by ferry or by train through the Channel Tunnel. Calais continues to attract migrants from the Middle East and Africa who set up makeshift camps along France's northern coast from where they hope to eventually slip across to England unnoticed. France and Britain signed a new accord in November aimed at shutting down the route through increased patrols and the use of radar and drones to spot boats more quickly.

French boats rescue 36 migrants 'in difficulty' in Channel

In October 2020, there was a global backlash against France and President Macron for cracking down on extremism.

Imams, preachers, and world leaders said that Emmanuel Macron was “unfairly” targeting an entire religion. Large scale protests were held against Macron. He was trolled and French morality was questioned, and quickly France was labelled as prejudiced and Islamophobic.

However, there's a difference between fighting extremism and being Islamophobic. Now, French Muslims have spoken. “We must reject attempts to instrumentalise Islam for political ends”, and “mosques are not created to defend foreign regimes”.

These declarations are from a charter of principles adopted by Muslim leaders in France - part of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM).

What is CFCM?

It is body that is the official interlocutor with the French state in the regulation of islamic activities in France.

Representatives of this council recently met president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. They arrived at the Elysee Palace after formally adopting the charter of principles requested by Macron in November. Macron had urged the council to come up with this charter in a bid to eradicate sectarianism and extremism.

Besides the two declarations, the charter mentions a host of other things. It reaffirms the compatibility of the Muslim faith with French values and promotes secularism &amp; commitment to French principles.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/modi-macron-speak-as-indian-pm-extends-support-to-france-in-fight-against-terror-extremism-348206" hreflang="en">Modi-Macron speak as Indian PM extends support to France in fight against terror, extremism</a>

It also denounces the practices of female circumcision, forced marriage, virginity certificates for Muslim brides, and the practice of wearing veils among young Muslim girls. It also explicitly rejects any sort of racism or anti-semitism.

And lastly, it upholds the creation of a national council of imams in a bid to remove imams being sent from Turkey, Morocco and Algeria. At least nine federations of the French council of the Muslim faith have adopted this charter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/macron-targets-radical-islam-in-france-with-massive-and-unprecedented-measures-347310" hreflang="en">Macron targets radical Islam in France with 'massive and unprecedented' measures</a>

Mohammed Moussa-oui - the president of council has put out an important statement. This is a translation from French - “I am against wearing the veil for little girls but we cannot regulate everything with prohibitive laws… This debate on the veil risks polluting a real measure.... That of allowing any child of the republic to be educated in healthy conditions”.

The French interior minister has welcomed these remarks &amp; the charter. “I salute the work started by the french muslim council which clearly condemns political Islam… This is a very significant step forward for French muslims and for the French republic”.

French government drew the line between constitution and religion, and now French Muslims are upholding it.

In October 2020, there was a global backlash against France and President Macron for cracking down on extremism. Imams, preachers, and world leaders said that Emmanuel Macron was “unfairly” targeting an entire religion.

In October 2020, there was a global backlash against France and President Macron for cracking down on extremism. Imams, preachers, and world leaders said that Emmanuel Macron was “unfairly” targeting an entire religion. Large scale protests were held against Macron. He was trolled and French morality was questioned, and quickly France was labelled as prejudiced and Islamophobic. However, there's a difference between fighting extremism and being Islamophobic. Now, French Muslims have spoken. “We must reject attempts to instrumentalise Islam for political ends”, and “mosques are not created to defend foreign regimes”. These declarations are from a charter of principles adopted by Muslim leaders in France - part of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM). What is CFCM? It is body that is the official interlocutor with the French state in the regulation of islamic activities in France. Representatives of this council recently met president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. They arrived at the Elysee Palace after formally adopting the charter of principles requested by Macron in November. Macron had urged the council to come up with this charter in a bid to eradicate sectarianism and extremism. Besides the two declarations, the charter mentions a host of other things. It reaffirms the compatibility of the Muslim faith with French values and promotes secularism & commitment to French principles. Also read: Modi-Macron speak as Indian PM extends support to France in fight against terror, extremism It also denounces the practices of female circumcision, forced marriage, virginity certificates for Muslim brides, and the practice of wearing veils among young Muslim girls. It also explicitly rejects any sort of racism or anti-semitism. And lastly, it upholds the creation of a national council of imams in a bid to remove imams being sent from Turkey, Morocco and Algeria. At least nine federations of the French council of the Muslim faith have adopted this charter. Also read: Macron targets radical Islam in France with 'massive and unprecedented' measures Mohammed Moussa-oui - the president of council has put out an important statement. This is a translation from French - “I am against wearing the veil for little girls but we cannot regulate everything with prohibitive laws… This debate on the veil risks polluting a real measure.... That of allowing any child of the republic to be educated in healthy conditions”. The French interior minister has welcomed these remarks & the charter. “I salute the work started by the french muslim council which clearly condemns political Islam… This is a very significant step forward for French muslims and for the French republic”. French government drew the line between constitution and religion, and now French Muslims are upholding it.

In line with Macron, French Muslims denounce extremism

&nbsp;

In a unique case, a French woman,&nbsp;Jeanne Pouchain, is readying herself to fight legally&nbsp;against a long-running dispute with a former employee who claims Pouchain is dead.

Pouchain was declared dead by an employee of a cleaning company the two worked at years ago. Since then,&nbsp;Pouchain has been trying to prove that she is alive and well since November 2017.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-harry-meghan-markle-to-reunite-with-royals-for-first-time-since-megxit-report-356015" hreflang="en">Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to reunite with royals for first time since 'Megxit': Report</a>

Her existence&nbsp;was confirmed by a news agency, AFP, who sent their reporters to meet&nbsp;Pouchain at her home in the southeastern town of Saint-Joseph, near Lyon, recently.

After the former employee provided information claiming&nbsp;Jeanne Pouchain was dead, the 58-year-old woman's life was in shatters in a moment as all records of her existence were wiped out from the&nbsp;official documents, including&nbsp;her ID card, driver's license, bank account and health insurance.

Pouchain has alleged the former employee of fabricating evidence of her death to win legal damages from her husband and son. The former employee has also twice tried to sue&nbsp;Pouchain but in vain.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-religious-cult-leader-adnan-oktar-jailed-for-1075-years-for-sex-crimes-356054" hreflang="en">Turkish religious cult leader Adnan Oktar jailed for 1,075 years for sex crimes</a>

"It's a crazy story,"&nbsp;Pouchain's lawyer Sylvain Cormier told AFP. "The plaintiff claimed that Mrs Pouchain was dead, without providing any proof, and everyone believed her. No-one checked."

The former employee took a case against Pouchain after losing her job with Pouchain's cleaning company when it lost a big contract in 2000. Later, in 2004, a labour tribunal asked Pouchain to pay&nbsp;14,000 euros ($17,000) in damages. However,&nbsp;Pouchain was saved by that blow as the registered case was against the company, and not her directly.

Some have also claimed that&nbsp;Pouchain faked her own death to avoid litigation against herself. However,&nbsp;Pouchain has repeatedly denied these allegations. "State agencies tell me I am no longer dead, but that I am not yet alive. I'm in the making!," she said.

(With inputs from AFP)

In a unique case, a French woman, Jeanne Pouchain, is readying herself to fight legally against a long-running dispute with a former employee who claims Pouchain is dead.

In a unique case, a French woman, Jeanne Pouchain, is readying herself to fight legally against a long-running dispute with a former employee who claims Pouchain is dead. Pouchain was declared dead by an employee of a cleaning company the two worked at years ago. Since then, Pouchain has been trying to prove that she is alive and well since November 2017. Also read| Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to reunite with royals for first time since 'Megxit': Report Her existence was confirmed by a news agency, AFP, who sent their reporters to meet Pouchain at her home in the southeastern town of Saint-Joseph, near Lyon, recently. After the former employee provided information claiming Jeanne Pouchain was dead, the 58-year-old woman's life was in shatters in a moment as all records of her existence were wiped out from the official documents, including her ID card, driver's license, bank account and health insurance. Pouchain has alleged the former employee of fabricating evidence of her death to win legal damages from her husband and son. The former employee has also twice tried to sue Pouchain but in vain. Also read| Turkish religious cult leader Adnan Oktar jailed for 1,075 years for sex crimes "It's a crazy story," Pouchain's lawyer Sylvain Cormier told AFP. "The plaintiff claimed that Mrs Pouchain was dead, without providing any proof, and everyone believed her. No-one checked." The former employee took a case against Pouchain after losing her job with Pouchain's cleaning company when it lost a big contract in 2000. Later, in 2004, a labour tribunal asked Pouchain to pay 14,000 euros ($17,000) in damages. However, Pouchain was saved by that blow as the registered case was against the company, and not her directly. Some have also claimed that Pouchain faked her own death to avoid litigation against herself. However, Pouchain has repeatedly denied these allegations. "State agencies tell me I am no longer dead, but that I am not yet alive. I'm in the making!," she said. (With inputs from AFP)

French woman, who was declared dead, fights to prove her existence

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks.&nbsp;

The New Year card in question was sent by a police station outside Paris. The cartoon on the card has a white policeman who is asking a black man to come closer. The policeman has a taser in his hands.

"Come closer. My taser is recharging in the cigarette lighter," says the slogan in the cartoon, below which is written, "the commissioner and the police... wish you a very happy 2021."

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that an investigation into the matter had been launched. The police commissioner will be questioned. He has been suspended. Identity of the police commissioner has not been revealed.

The cartoon "shocked a lot of people due to the racist connotations," said an interior ministry official, who asked not to be named. "It is incomprehensible."

French police have been under fire over repeated instances where black or Arab suspects have been roughly arrested or beaten, prompting accusations of institutionalised racism in the force.

The beating of black music producer Michel Zecler in November prompted a storm of controversy, with four police charged over the assault.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks. The New Year card in question was sent by a police station outside Paris. The cartoon on the card has a white policeman who is asking a black man to come closer. The policeman has a taser in his hands. "Come closer. My taser is recharging in the cigarette lighter," says the slogan in the cartoon, below which is written, "the commissioner and the police... wish you a very happy 2021." Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that an investigation into the matter had been launched. The police commissioner will be questioned. He has been suspended. Identity of the police commissioner has not been revealed. The cartoon "shocked a lot of people due to the racist connotations," said an interior ministry official, who asked not to be named. "It is incomprehensible." French police have been under fire over repeated instances where black or Arab suspects have been roughly arrested or beaten, prompting accusations of institutionalised racism in the force. The beating of black music producer Michel Zecler in November prompted a storm of controversy, with four police charged over the assault.

French police officer suspended over 'racist' new year card

The year 2020 has been a year a lot of firsts, some being funny and some sad. However, a first by a French&nbsp;philanthropist has left everyone in shock and awe.

A French man has left a portion of his will to his little furry friends who live in the basement of the&nbsp;State Hermitage Museum, which is home to nearly 50 cats who reside in the basement of the building since years.

The museum,&nbsp;St. Petersburg museum, is known to house nearly three million art pieces by masters, sculptures and artefacts. The cats started living in the museum when the building was owned by the&nbsp;Empress Elizabeth.

Main reason behind letting the cats stay in the building was to keep away&nbsp;rodents from the masterpieces. However, slowly the cats made the museum their home and have stayed there in the basement ever since.

These cats are now looked after by volunteers working at the museum and enjoy separate washing machines, visits from a local veterinarian and more such luxuries through donations made by locals.

Now, a French man has left a portion of his will to these cats.&nbsp;The museum's general director, Mikhail Piotrovsky, said, "Our French friend did a very good thing; this is brilliant PR for both the cats and charity. The sum is not very big but it's very important when the person writes a will, when the French lawyers contact (us) and it's all not a simple (process) but this is all very interesting, isn't it?"

Calling it a nice gesture from the French man, he added, "I think the cats will express their will -- our colleagues are well-versed in communicating with them and understanding their language."

He also reported that the Fench man was not the only admirer or the cats.&nbsp;The former president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Fortov, was a "constant friend" of these museum cats.

The year 2020 has been a year a lot of firsts, some being funny and some sad. However, a first by a French philanthropist has left everyone in shock and awe. A French man has left a portion of his will to his little furry friends who live in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum, which is home to nearly 50 cats who reside in the basement of the building since years.

The year 2020 has been a year a lot of firsts, some being funny and some sad. However, a first by a French philanthropist has left everyone in shock and awe. A French man has left a portion of his will to his little furry friends who live in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum, which is home to nearly 50 cats who reside in the basement of the building since years. The museum, St. Petersburg museum, is known to house nearly three million art pieces by masters, sculptures and artefacts. The cats started living in the museum when the building was owned by the Empress Elizabeth. Main reason behind letting the cats stay in the building was to keep away rodents from the masterpieces. However, slowly the cats made the museum their home and have stayed there in the basement ever since. These cats are now looked after by volunteers working at the museum and enjoy separate washing machines, visits from a local veterinarian and more such luxuries through donations made by locals. Now, a French man has left a portion of his will to these cats. The museum's general director, Mikhail Piotrovsky, said, "Our French friend did a very good thing; this is brilliant PR for both the cats and charity. The sum is not very big but it's very important when the person writes a will, when the French lawyers contact (us) and it's all not a simple (process) but this is all very interesting, isn't it?" Calling it a nice gesture from the French man, he added, "I think the cats will express their will -- our colleagues are well-versed in communicating with them and understanding their language." He also reported that the Fench man was not the only admirer or the cats. The former president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Fortov, was a "constant friend" of these museum cats.

Mewseum gift: French man leaves portion of will to basement cats

French lawmakers on Monday announced that they would undertake a “complete rewrite” of part of a draft law which intended to restrict the filming of police officers.

Recently, the beating of a black man in the French capital had caused outrage. "We know that questions still persist" about the law, the head of Emmanuel Macron’s MPs, Christophe Castaner said at a press conference.

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The French government faced&nbsp;criticism for a law that would make it illegal to disseminate images of police officers in certain circumstances. It would have&nbsp;banned the publication of images of on-duty police officers.

Journalists, human rights activists, opposition leaders have been protesting against the proposed law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/european-union-warns-france-over-press-freedom-as-it-pushes-security-law-344910" hreflang="en">European Union warns France over press freedom as it pushes security law</a>

On Monday, French journalists held a meeting with the interior minister over the law. However, according to them their concerns fell on deaf ears.

"We consider that the French interior minister is no longer the interlocutor of the coordination because he goes too far in his bill proposal, he goes too far in his stubbornness. He is going too far in his stubbornness," Emmanuel Poupard, secretary-general of the SNJ(National Union of Journalists), said.

"The rule of law as we know it, democracy in France, the Republic are endangered by these texts. So we appeal to the prime minister to finally restore things and to tell his minister to stop," Poupard added.

The French police have been filmed clashing with migrants recently, with visuals going viral.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/france-mulls-law-to-ban-pictures-of-police-officials-in-action-345159" hreflang="en">France mulls law to ban pictures of police officials in action</a>

It will also&nbsp;make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern. The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine.

EU spokesman Christian Wigand said "The commission does not comment on draft laws, but it goes without saying that in a period of crisis it is more important than ever that journalists must be able to do their jobs freely and in complete safety."

The European Commission&nbsp;recently referred to France's draft security law by warning that news media must be able to "work freely".

French journalists and press freedom advocates have protested against the planned law, which would limit the right to film or photograph on-duty police officers.

French lawmakers on Monday announced that they would undertake a “complete rewrite” of part of a draft law which intended to restrict the filming of police officers.

French lawmakers on Monday announced that they would undertake a “complete rewrite” of part of a draft law which intended to restrict the filming of police officers. Recently, the beating of a black man in the French capital had caused outrage. "We know that questions still persist" about the law, the head of Emmanuel Macron’s MPs, Christophe Castaner said at a press conference. The French government faced criticism for a law that would make it illegal to disseminate images of police officers in certain circumstances. It would have banned the publication of images of on-duty police officers. Journalists, human rights activists, opposition leaders have been protesting against the proposed law. Also read: European Union warns France over press freedom as it pushes security law On Monday, French journalists held a meeting with the interior minister over the law. However, according to them their concerns fell on deaf ears. "We consider that the French interior minister is no longer the interlocutor of the coordination because he goes too far in his bill proposal, he goes too far in his stubbornness. He is going too far in his stubbornness," Emmanuel Poupard, secretary-general of the SNJ(National Union of Journalists), said. "The rule of law as we know it, democracy in France, the Republic are endangered by these texts. So we appeal to the prime minister to finally restore things and to tell his minister to stop," Poupard added. The French police have been filmed clashing with migrants recently, with visuals going viral. Also read: France mulls law to ban pictures of police officials in action It will also make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern. The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine. EU spokesman Christian Wigand said "The commission does not comment on draft laws, but it goes without saying that in a period of crisis it is more important than ever that journalists must be able to do their jobs freely and in complete safety." The European Commission recently referred to France's draft security law by warning that news media must be able to "work freely". French journalists and press freedom advocates have protested against the planned law, which would limit the right to film or photograph on-duty police officers.

France to 'rewrite' controversial bill which restricted filming police officers

Thousands of people marched in French cities on Saturday to protest a draft law that limits filming of on-duty police officials.

The protesters say that the law will curb press freedom. The biggest gathering took place near Eiffel Tower in Paris. Police were deployed in large numbers. The protesters included media representatives, members of 'yellow vest' and 'extinction rebellion' movements. There were also individuals that waved flags of communist and green parties and trade unions.

French parliament approved an amended "comprehensive security" law last Friday that would criminalise publication of images of on duty police officers with the intent of harming their "physical or psychological integrity".

In practice, the law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while in action.

In many cases an officer's face would have to be blurred.&nbsp;

Journalist unions said that the police may misuse the law to prevent them from doing their job. They further said that it will be harder for them to document excesses committed by members of the security forces.

An amendment clarifies that press freedom should in no way be hindered by the proposed measures.

French media are also concerned about potential rights abuse via the use of drones to watch demonstrations and facial recognition programmes linked to surveillance cameras.

French police have been taken to task in recent years for alleged brutality meted out to protesters and criminal suspects, especially those from black, Arab or other minorities.

In the northern city of Lille, around 1,000 demonstrators turned out, one of whom carried an English-language sign that said "Orwell was right" in a reference to the dystopian novel "1984".

Others marched in the Brittany city of Rennes and in Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast, where some chanted: "Put down your arms and we'll put down our telephones."&nbsp;

Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ($54,000) fine for spreading images that show officers faces or allow them to be identified when such images harm their "physical or psychological integrity".

Social media campaigns that expose individual officers are targets of the proposed legislation.

Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty, and dozens have been injured in clashes with protesters in recent years.

An attack on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures.

Thousands of people marched in French cities on Saturday to protest a draft law that limits filming of on-duty police officials. The protesters say that the law will curb press freedom.

Thousands of people marched in French cities on Saturday to protest a draft law that limits filming of on-duty police officials. The protesters say that the law will curb press freedom. The biggest gathering took place near Eiffel Tower in Paris. Police were deployed in large numbers. The protesters included media representatives, members of 'yellow vest' and 'extinction rebellion' movements. There were also individuals that waved flags of communist and green parties and trade unions. French parliament approved an amended "comprehensive security" law last Friday that would criminalise publication of images of on duty police officers with the intent of harming their "physical or psychological integrity". In practice, the law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while in action. In many cases an officer's face would have to be blurred. Journalist unions said that the police may misuse the law to prevent them from doing their job. They further said that it will be harder for them to document excesses committed by members of the security forces. An amendment clarifies that press freedom should in no way be hindered by the proposed measures. French media are also concerned about potential rights abuse via the use of drones to watch demonstrations and facial recognition programmes linked to surveillance cameras. French police have been taken to task in recent years for alleged brutality meted out to protesters and criminal suspects, especially those from black, Arab or other minorities. In the northern city of Lille, around 1,000 demonstrators turned out, one of whom carried an English-language sign that said "Orwell was right" in a reference to the dystopian novel "1984". Others marched in the Brittany city of Rennes and in Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast, where some chanted: "Put down your arms and we'll put down our telephones." Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ($54,000) fine for spreading images that show officers faces or allow them to be identified when such images harm their "physical or psychological integrity". Social media campaigns that expose individual officers are targets of the proposed legislation. Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty, and dozens have been injured in clashes with protesters in recent years. An attack on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures.

Protests in French cities against new security law

&nbsp;On the stage at the Hebertot theatre in Paris, Trinidad Garcia is re-enacting a scene from her one-woman show, "For you to keep loving yourself," to an audience of zero. 
 
The show premiered in September and was meant to run at the theatre until December before COVID-19 intervened. A nationwide lockdown has forced the closure of the theatre, and the cancellation of the shows. 
 
"There are days when, what weighs on me in this solitude, is the lack of contact with the public," said the 55-year-old, who goes by the stage name Trinidad.

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"I do the play for the people, do be with people, I`ve always done that," she said, reprising for Reuters a performance that she last gave to a live audience of 8 people on Oct. 29, the day before the lockdown came into force. 
 
Nearly a year into the global pandemic, many workplaces have found a way to keep ticking over, but live performance is struggling. The industry`s business model, packing spectators into a confined space, does not sit well with social distancing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-the-crown-mouse-to-got-coffee-mug-guffaw-here-are-most-epic-onscreen-goof-ups-344106" hreflang="en">From 'The Crown' mouse to 'GOT' coffee mug guffaw: Here are most epic onscreen goof-ups</a> 
 
Trinidad receives a stipend from a government insurance scheme for out of work people in the performing arts, of 1,500 euros ($1,780) a month. "At the moment what I get is just enough to pay my rent and my taxes, and my phone. I`ll need to make sacrifices on everything to do with food and other things," she said in her studio apartment in Paris which she shares with a cat called Beau Gosse. 
Trinidad writes her own material, and her work focuses on themes of female empowerment. 
 
She is working on ideas for a new play, about life for women in lockdown, but she is not sure when she will be able to perform it live. 
People are scared to gather together, they have little spare cash, and the financial eco-system of theatre has been disrupted by COVID-19, she said. 
 
"So yes, indeed, how are we going to start all that back up again?"&nbsp;

On the stage at the Hebertot theatre in Paris, Trinidad Garcia is re-enacting a scene from her one-woman show, "For you to keep loving yourself," to an audience of zero.

On the stage at the Hebertot theatre in Paris, Trinidad Garcia is re-enacting a scene from her one-woman show, "For you to keep loving yourself," to an audience of zero. The show premiered in September and was meant to run at the theatre until December before COVID-19 intervened. A nationwide lockdown has forced the closure of the theatre, and the cancellation of the shows. "There are days when, what weighs on me in this solitude, is the lack of contact with the public," said the 55-year-old, who goes by the stage name Trinidad. HBO picks up series adaptation of 'The Last of Us' "I do the play for the people, do be with people, I`ve always done that," she said, reprising for Reuters a performance that she last gave to a live audience of 8 people on Oct. 29, the day before the lockdown came into force. Nearly a year into the global pandemic, many workplaces have found a way to keep ticking over, but live performance is struggling. The industry`s business model, packing spectators into a confined space, does not sit well with social distancing. From 'The Crown' mouse to 'GOT' coffee mug guffaw: Here are most epic onscreen goof-ups Trinidad receives a stipend from a government insurance scheme for out of work people in the performing arts, of 1,500 euros ($1,780) a month. "At the moment what I get is just enough to pay my rent and my taxes, and my phone. I`ll need to make sacrifices on everything to do with food and other things," she said in her studio apartment in Paris which she shares with a cat called Beau Gosse. Trinidad writes her own material, and her work focuses on themes of female empowerment. She is working on ideas for a new play, about life for women in lockdown, but she is not sure when she will be able to perform it live. People are scared to gather together, they have little spare cash, and the financial eco-system of theatre has been disrupted by COVID-19, she said. "So yes, indeed, how are we going to start all that back up again?"

'I miss the audience': a French performer's life in COVID lockdown

Catholics in France on Sunday celebrated the All Saints religious festival under tight security. The tension over the latest terrorist attacks in France did not deter people from going to church in Nice. The authorities allowed exemption during coronavirus lockdown. However, the recent stabbings had had some effect on people.

"I was apprehensive, I was scared of coming," said Claudia, 49, as she went to church, reassured by the presence of heavily armed soldiers. 
"We need to show that we are not scared and we are here," she said, following several other worshippers into the church.

A group of Muslim imams and their families attended a mass on Sunday at the Saint-Esprit de Bagatelle church in Toulouse to create mutual understanding.&nbsp;

"These people, without mind or reason, want to make another (Koran) interpretation," Lahouary Siali from the Al-Rahma mosque said, referring to violent extremists. "We strongly reject it."

He then read a prayer in Arabic in front of the congregation.

Meanwhile the police have made two new arrests in connection with Nice attack.

'Came to kill'

In Nice, authorities are now holding a total of six people for questioning to understand if they were linked to suspected attacker Brahim Issaoui, 21.&nbsp;

The latest people to be detained, aged 25 and 63, were arrested Saturday at the residence of an individual detained earlier in the day, a judicial source told AFP, asking not to be named.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/magazine-like-charlie-hebdo-could-not-exist-in-russia-says-kremlin-339429">Magazine like Charlie Hebdo 'could not exist' in Russia, says Kremlin</a>

Three others detained earlier over suspected links to Issaoui remain in custody, with the probe focusing on two telephones seized from the attacker.

Issaoui was shot by police multiple times and is currently in a serious condition in hospital. Investigators have been unable to question him and sources close to the probe have said his precise motivations remain unclear.

But Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that Issaoui "had clearly gone there (to Nice) to kill".

"Otherwise how can we explain why he armed himself with several knifes having only just arrived?... He clearly did not come just to get his papers," Darmanin told the Voix du Nord newspaper.

Investigators believe Issaoui travelled illegally to Europe via Italy's Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on September 20.&nbsp;

He arrived at the mainland Italian port of Bari on October 9 before coming to Nice just two days before the attack.

Understand 'shock'

France is on edge after the republication in early September of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed by the Charlie Hebdo weekly, which was followed by an attack outside its former offices, the beheading of a teacher and now the attack in Nice.

On Saturday, an attacker armed with a sawn-off shotgun seriously wounded a Greek Orthodox priest in a shooting outside a church in the French city of Lyon.

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&nbsp;

Nikolaos Kakavelaki, 52, was closing his Lyon church mid-afternoon when he was attacked and is now in a serious condition in hospital, said a police source who asked not to be named.

The attacker fled the scene but Lyon's public prosecutor later announced that a suspect had been arrested while adding that the motivation for the attack was not clear.

Macron had vowed after the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty -- who had showed his class a cartoon of the prophet -- that France would never renounce the right to caricature.

This comment prompted a storm of anger in the Muslim world and on Saturday the president gave an interview to Al-Jazeera television saying he understood that people could be "shocked" by the cartoons.

But Macron added he would always defend freedom of speech and lashed out at "lies" -- sometimes spread by political leaders -- that the French state was behind the cartoons.

Charlie Hebdo had republished the cartoons to mark the start of the trial of suspected accomplices in the 2015 massacre of its staff by Islamist gunmen. The trial has been suspended until Wednesday after the primary suspect tested positive for coronavirus.

(With AFP inputs)

Catholics in France on Sunday celebrated the All Saints religious festival under tight security. The tension over the latest terrorist attacks in France did not deter people from going to church in Nice.

Catholics in France on Sunday celebrated the All Saints religious festival under tight security. The tension over the latest terrorist attacks in France did not deter people from going to church in Nice. The authorities allowed exemption during coronavirus lockdown. However, the recent stabbings had had some effect on people. "I was apprehensive, I was scared of coming," said Claudia, 49, as she went to church, reassured by the presence of heavily armed soldiers. "We need to show that we are not scared and we are here," she said, following several other worshippers into the church. A group of Muslim imams and their families attended a mass on Sunday at the Saint-Esprit de Bagatelle church in Toulouse to create mutual understanding. "These people, without mind or reason, want to make another (Koran) interpretation," Lahouary Siali from the Al-Rahma mosque said, referring to violent extremists. "We strongly reject it." He then read a prayer in Arabic in front of the congregation. Meanwhile the police have made two new arrests in connection with Nice attack. 'Came to kill' In Nice, authorities are now holding a total of six people for questioning to understand if they were linked to suspected attacker Brahim Issaoui, 21. The latest people to be detained, aged 25 and 63, were arrested Saturday at the residence of an individual detained earlier in the day, a judicial source told AFP, asking not to be named. Also Read | Magazine like Charlie Hebdo 'could not exist' in Russia, says Kremlin Three others detained earlier over suspected links to Issaoui remain in custody, with the probe focusing on two telephones seized from the attacker. Issaoui was shot by police multiple times and is currently in a serious condition in hospital. Investigators have been unable to question him and sources close to the probe have said his precise motivations remain unclear. But Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that Issaoui "had clearly gone there (to Nice) to kill". "Otherwise how can we explain why he armed himself with several knifes having only just arrived?... He clearly did not come just to get his papers," Darmanin told the Voix du Nord newspaper. Investigators believe Issaoui travelled illegally to Europe via Italy's Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on September 20. He arrived at the mainland Italian port of Bari on October 9 before coming to Nice just two days before the attack. Understand 'shock' France is on edge after the republication in early September of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed by the Charlie Hebdo weekly, which was followed by an attack outside its former offices, the beheading of a teacher and now the attack in Nice. On Saturday, an attacker armed with a sawn-off shotgun seriously wounded a Greek Orthodox priest in a shooting outside a church in the French city of Lyon. × Nikolaos Kakavelaki, 52, was closing his Lyon church mid-afternoon when he was attacked and is now in a serious condition in hospital, said a police source who asked not to be named. The attacker fled the scene but Lyon's public prosecutor later announced that a suspect had been arrested while adding that the motivation for the attack was not clear. Macron had vowed after the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty -- who had showed his class a cartoon of the prophet -- that France would never renounce the right to caricature. This comment prompted a storm of anger in the Muslim world and on Saturday the president gave an interview to Al-Jazeera television saying he understood that people could be "shocked" by the cartoons. But Macron added he would always defend freedom of speech and lashed out at "lies" -- sometimes spread by political leaders -- that the French state was behind the cartoons. Charlie Hebdo had republished the cartoons to mark the start of the trial of suspected accomplices in the 2015 massacre of its staff by Islamist gunmen. The trial has been suspended until Wednesday after the primary suspect tested positive for coronavirus. (With AFP inputs)

French Catholics pray under heavy security on All Saints festival

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people". In an apparent reference to the colonial times, Mohamad justified this 'right' by mentioning ''massacres of the past".

On Thursday, Mahathir Mohamad posted a series of 13 tweets from his personal Twitter handle and aired his opinions on issues ranging from women's clothing in western countries, West's adherence to their 'own religion', gender equality among other things and lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron for not being "civilised" and for being "primitive" for targetting Muslims and Islam.

He started the first tweet with words 'RESPECT OTHERS' but said that he did not approve killing of the French teacher by the Chechen youth.

Mohamad's tweets have come on the day when an attacker killed at least three&nbsp;people including a woman who he beheaded in the French city of Nice. The incident is being treated as a "terrorist" attack. The day also saw a Saudi man getting arrested in Jeddah after he attacked a guard of the French embassy in the city in Saudi Arabia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-knife-attack-live-update-government-raises-alert-to-attack-emergency-level-338782">Click here for latest updates on knife attack in France</a>

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12. Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/chedetofficial/status/1321765587530338304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

In his tweets, the former Malaysian PM has made no reference to Nice attack or the attack in Jeddah.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-man-arrested-in-jeddah-after-attacking-french-consulate-guard-338794">Saudi man arrested in Jeddah after attacking French consulate guard</a>

Beheading of Samuel Paty, the teacher who showed Prophet Mohammed cartoons in school has prompted Emmanuel Macron&nbsp; to promise a crackdown on Islamic extremism. But the move has inflamed tensions, with protests against France erupting in several Muslim countries, with some urging a boycott of French goods.

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Since Paty's killing, French officials have re-asserted the right to display the cartoons, and the images have been widely displayed at marches in solidarity with the killed teacher.

That has prompted anger in parts of the Muslim world, with some governments accusing Macron of pursuing an anti-Islam agenda.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people".

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people". In an apparent reference to the colonial times, Mohamad justified this 'right' by mentioning ''massacres of the past". On Thursday, Mahathir Mohamad posted a series of 13 tweets from his personal Twitter handle and aired his opinions on issues ranging from women's clothing in western countries, West's adherence to their 'own religion', gender equality among other things and lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron for not being "civilised" and for being "primitive" for targetting Muslims and Islam. He started the first tweet with words 'RESPECT OTHERS' but said that he did not approve killing of the French teacher by the Chechen youth. Mohamad's tweets have come on the day when an attacker killed at least three people including a woman who he beheaded in the French city of Nice. The incident is being treated as a "terrorist" attack. The day also saw a Saudi man getting arrested in Jeddah after he attacked a guard of the French embassy in the city in Saudi Arabia. Click here for latest updates on knife attack in France 12. Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past. — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020 × In his tweets, the former Malaysian PM has made no reference to Nice attack or the attack in Jeddah. Also Read | Saudi man arrested in Jeddah after attacking French consulate guard Beheading of Samuel Paty, the teacher who showed Prophet Mohammed cartoons in school has prompted Emmanuel Macron to promise a crackdown on Islamic extremism. But the move has inflamed tensions, with protests against France erupting in several Muslim countries, with some urging a boycott of French goods. × Since Paty's killing, French officials have re-asserted the right to display the cartoons, and the images have been widely displayed at marches in solidarity with the killed teacher. That has prompted anger in parts of the Muslim world, with some governments accusing Macron of pursuing an anti-Islam agenda.

Muslims have right to be angry and kill millions of French people: Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan&nbsp;Monday called on his countrymen&nbsp;to boycott French goods as relations between the NATO allies deteriorated over Paris's hardened stance against radical Islam.

"As it has been said in France, 'don't buy Turkish-labelled goods', I call on my people here. Never give credit to French-labelled goods, don't buy them," Erdogan said during a televised speech in Ankara.

Boycotts of French goods are under way in supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with further calls to spurn French products in Jordan and other states.

France's foreign ministry confirmed that several Middle Eastern nations are calling for a boycott of their&nbsp;products, especially related to food and demonstrating against Paris&nbsp;over Prophet's cartoons, as reported by news agency Reuters.

The relations between Muslim nations and Paris took a hit after beheading of a French teacher by an extremist as he showed the caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in a class.

The incident was sharply condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, as he affirmed that the nation would "not give up cartoons". He also&nbsp;said Samuel Paty, the deceased teacher, "was killed because Islamists want our future".

Erdogan's comments follow his call at the weekend for French President Emmanuel Macron to undergo mental checks, which led to Paris recalling its envoy to Ankara.

Ties between Turkey and the West have been tense following the 2016 failed overthrow of Erdogan.

But ties with France have been further strained in recent years over issues including Libya, Syria and Ankara's gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

Erdogan and Macron have been at loggerheads in recent months especially over France's criticism of Turkey over Ankara's actions in the war-torn countries, and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

But Ankara has been particularly angered by Macron's policies toward Muslims, after the French leader announced a plan earlier this month to "liberate Islam in France from foreign influences".

"European leaders should tell the French president to stop his hate campaign" against Muslims, Erdogan said.

Eighteen months before a presidential election in which Macron fears a challenge from the right, Macron said this month Islam was a religion "in crisis" around the world.

Meanwhile, in his speech,&nbsp;Erdogan also criticised the attacks on mosques in Germany and Australia. "I call on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. What about the freedom of belief you claimed to have there? What about the state protecting religion and the faithful?

"Have you heard such a thing in Turkey? No. Why? Because we have real freedom of religion. But they don't have this," he said at his presidential palace inaugurating a week of celebration for the Prophet Mohamed's birth.

He also accused some Western leaders of acting like fascists and pushing Islamophobia.

"You are in a real sense the links in the chain of Nazism," said Erdogan, without giving any names. "Muslims are now subjected to a lynch campaign similar to that against Jews in Europe before World War II."

(with inputs)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday called on his countrymen to boycott French goods as relations between the NATO allies deteriorated over Paris's hardened stance against radical Islam.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday called on his countrymen to boycott French goods as relations between the NATO allies deteriorated over Paris's hardened stance against radical Islam. "As it has been said in France, 'don't buy Turkish-labelled goods', I call on my people here. Never give credit to French-labelled goods, don't buy them," Erdogan said during a televised speech in Ankara. Boycotts of French goods are under way in supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait, with further calls to spurn French products in Jordan and other states. France's foreign ministry confirmed that several Middle Eastern nations are calling for a boycott of their products, especially related to food and demonstrating against Paris over Prophet's cartoons, as reported by news agency Reuters. The relations between Muslim nations and Paris took a hit after beheading of a French teacher by an extremist as he showed the caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in a class. The incident was sharply condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, as he affirmed that the nation would "not give up cartoons". He also said Samuel Paty, the deceased teacher, "was killed because Islamists want our future". Erdogan's comments follow his call at the weekend for French President Emmanuel Macron to undergo mental checks, which led to Paris recalling its envoy to Ankara. Ties between Turkey and the West have been tense following the 2016 failed overthrow of Erdogan. But ties with France have been further strained in recent years over issues including Libya, Syria and Ankara's gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Erdogan and Macron have been at loggerheads in recent months especially over France's criticism of Turkey over Ankara's actions in the war-torn countries, and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. But Ankara has been particularly angered by Macron's policies toward Muslims, after the French leader announced a plan earlier this month to "liberate Islam in France from foreign influences". "European leaders should tell the French president to stop his hate campaign" against Muslims, Erdogan said. Eighteen months before a presidential election in which Macron fears a challenge from the right, Macron said this month Islam was a religion "in crisis" around the world. Meanwhile, in his speech, Erdogan also criticised the attacks on mosques in Germany and Australia. "I call on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. What about the freedom of belief you claimed to have there? What about the state protecting religion and the faithful? "Have you heard such a thing in Turkey? No. Why? Because we have real freedom of religion. But they don't have this," he said at his presidential palace inaugurating a week of celebration for the Prophet Mohamed's birth. He also accused some Western leaders of acting like fascists and pushing Islamophobia. "You are in a real sense the links in the chain of Nazism," said Erdogan, without giving any names. "Muslims are now subjected to a lynch campaign similar to that against Jews in Europe before World War II." (with inputs)

Erdogan calls for boycott of French goods over Macron's stance against radical Islam

The many English food habits that the French just can not grasp, eating dinner before 8pm is one of them. But with the controversial overnight curfew kicking in to curb Coronavirus infections, the French have no choice but to change age old habits. Watch the report to know more.

Early dinner on the menu for the French; Overnight curfew enforces lifestyle changes

Watch this week's West Asia Post as we talk about Lebanon's growing economic crisis with an exclusive ground report from Beirut. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: Two years on, Khashoggi murder unresolved

The West Asia Post ; Episode 1

A French woman was arrested after she made what was called a 'nude' video at Lakshman Jhoola, a place sacred in Hinduism. The woman is currently out on bail. She was approached by the police on August 27 in Uttarakhand.

Lakshman Jhoola is a Holy bridge crissing the sacred Ganga River. Hindus believe that it was here Lakshmana, the mythical warrior and a deity crossed the river using Jute ropes.

Police have told the media that the woman, identified as Marie-Helene, shot the video on the bridge.

"She shot the video at Lakshman Jhula -- it is considered a holy bridge. She then did an obscene photoshoot at her hotel.The photos she shot were nude and she posted them on Instagram," said senior police officer RK Saklani. He was quoted by the CNN.

It is being reportedt that local followers of the woman's Instagram account alerted the authorities after they spotted the video and photos on Instagram.

Marie-Helene has apologised for her actions. She has been quoted in the media for being sorry for causing "...hurt to the local community". She has added that she was "lacking awareness on cultural specificities" 
&nbsp;

A French woman was arrested after she made what was called a 'nude' video at Lakshman Jhoola, a place sacred in Hinduism. The woman is currently out on bail. She was approached by the police on August 27 in Uttarakhand.

A French woman was arrested after she made what was called a 'nude' video at Lakshman Jhoola, a place sacred in Hinduism. The woman is currently out on bail. She was approached by the police on August 27 in Uttarakhand. Lakshman Jhoola is a Holy bridge crissing the sacred Ganga River. Hindus believe that it was here Lakshmana, the mythical warrior and a deity crossed the river using Jute ropes. Police have told the media that the woman, identified as Marie-Helene, shot the video on the bridge. "She shot the video at Lakshman Jhula -- it is considered a holy bridge. She then did an obscene photoshoot at her hotel.The photos she shot were nude and she posted them on Instagram," said senior police officer RK Saklani. He was quoted by the CNN. It is being reportedt that local followers of the woman's Instagram account alerted the authorities after they spotted the video and photos on Instagram. Marie-Helene has apologised for her actions. She has been quoted in the media for being sorry for causing "...hurt to the local community". She has added that she was "lacking awareness on cultural specificities"

Frenchwoman arrested for making 'nude' video on Lakshman Jhoola, the Holy bridge on river Ganga

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Lebanon is on the risk of civil war if not helped in the crisis. Macron has asked global community to help Lebanon. French Prez has pushed to establish a news government in the country.

Emmanuel Macron says Lebanon on the risk of Civil War if not helped in crisis

A 19th-century oil painting stolen from occupied France during World War II has gone on display in a bid to trace its rightful owners. This happened after it was returned by the son of the German soldier who took it on orders from above.

After 76 years in Germany, the small untitled artwork by French painter Nicolas Rousseau is back in France and exhibited at the World Centre for Peace, Liberty and Human Rights in the northeastern town of Verdun.

Next to it hangs a sign: "If you recognise the landscape or have any information about this painting, we would be grateful if you would let us know."

For the last fortnight, it has hung in the lobby of the centre, which receives around 60,000 visitors a year, in the hope it will nudge someone's memory and lead the painting back to its owners or their heirs.

In the artwork, a figure sits on a river bank under cloudy skies, surrounded by tall trees and with a village off in the distance.

Rousseau was a member of the Barbizon school of painters, who embraced naturalism in art.

Its reported true value goes far beyond its market value of 3,000 to 5,000 euros ($3,580 to $5,970).

In spring 1944, Alfred Forner, an NCO in the German Luftwaffe, was stationed somewhere between France's northern Normandy region and the town of Saint-Omer further up the coast. He was commissioned by a superior to bring the Rousseau painting to Berlin during his leave.

But when he got to the address in the German capital where he had been told to take the canvas, he found the building in ruins.

Forner died in combat some months later, during the summer.

The artwork, which measures 38 x 55 centimetres (15 x 22 inches), hung on the family's living room wall in Berlin for 75 years.

But in January last year, his son Peter Forner contacted the French embassy in Berlin, expressing the wish that the painting be returned and its owners found.

By exhibiting the painting -- a move he said was unprecedented -- they hope to identify the owners but also to carry out the last wishes of Peter Forner, who died in May aged 80.

An official ceremony of restitution is due to be held in October at the World Centre for Peace, housed in an archbishop's palace.

The painting will then join an exhibition on the end of WWII, planned for the close of the year.

A 19th-century oil painting stolen from occupied France during World War II has gone on display in a bid to trace its rightful owners. This happened after it was returned by the son of the German soldier who took it on orders from above.

A 19th-century oil painting stolen from occupied France during World War II has gone on display in a bid to trace its rightful owners. This happened after it was returned by the son of the German soldier who took it on orders from above. After 76 years in Germany, the small untitled artwork by French painter Nicolas Rousseau is back in France and exhibited at the World Centre for Peace, Liberty and Human Rights in the northeastern town of Verdun. Next to it hangs a sign: "If you recognise the landscape or have any information about this painting, we would be grateful if you would let us know." For the last fortnight, it has hung in the lobby of the centre, which receives around 60,000 visitors a year, in the hope it will nudge someone's memory and lead the painting back to its owners or their heirs. In the artwork, a figure sits on a river bank under cloudy skies, surrounded by tall trees and with a village off in the distance. Rousseau was a member of the Barbizon school of painters, who embraced naturalism in art. Its reported true value goes far beyond its market value of 3,000 to 5,000 euros ($3,580 to $5,970). In spring 1944, Alfred Forner, an NCO in the German Luftwaffe, was stationed somewhere between France's northern Normandy region and the town of Saint-Omer further up the coast. He was commissioned by a superior to bring the Rousseau painting to Berlin during his leave. But when he got to the address in the German capital where he had been told to take the canvas, he found the building in ruins. Forner died in combat some months later, during the summer. The artwork, which measures 38 x 55 centimetres (15 x 22 inches), hung on the family's living room wall in Berlin for 75 years. But in January last year, his son Peter Forner contacted the French embassy in Berlin, expressing the wish that the painting be returned and its owners found. By exhibiting the painting -- a move he said was unprecedented -- they hope to identify the owners but also to carry out the last wishes of Peter Forner, who died in May aged 80. An official ceremony of restitution is due to be held in October at the World Centre for Peace, housed in an archbishop's palace. The painting will then join an exhibition on the end of WWII, planned for the close of the year.

Nazi-looted French painting on display in search for rightful owner

French maritime authorities rescued 31 migrants in the English Channel on Sunday. According to the authorities, the rescued include three children and an infant and were trying to cross the English Channel to the British coast in small boats.

French maritime authorities rescued 31 migrants in the English Channel on Sunday. According to the authorities, the rescued include three children and an infant and were trying to cross the English Channel to the British coast in small boats. Also read: India sends team to Mauritius to assist in oil spill On Saturday, two boats carrying a total of nine migrants found themselves in trouble in the bay of Wissant and a ferry spotted another boat, with six more, in difficulty in the access channel to the port of Calais. On the same evening, French Navy patrol vessel rescued 16 migrants after being alerted by a fishing vessel, including the infant and three children, off Dunkirk. Four Sudanese migrants needed medical assistance. French authorities picked up 38 migrants in the Channel on Friday. British government has increased pressure on France to prevent migrants coming into UK waters. (Inputs from AFP)

French authorities rescue 31 migrants in English Channel

Facebook has permanently banned French comedian Dieudonne from its platform and from Instagram. The social networking site said it banned for the convicted anti-Semite for content that mocked Holocaust victims.

It also said some of his posts used "dehumanising terms against Jews".

The comedian had his YouTube channel cut off for similar reasons in June by mother company Google.

"In line with our policy on dangerous individuals and organisations, we have permanently banned Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala from Facebook and Instagram," the company said in a statement, using his full name.

"Banning a person permanently from our services is a decision that we always weigh carefully, but individuals and organisations that attack others on the basis of what they are do not have a place on Facebook or Instagram," it added.

He had about 1.3 million followers on Facebook, and some 400,000 on YouTube.

The comedian has been convicted multiple times, in France and in Belgium, for comments opponents say are bluntly racist while a loyal following champion his right to free speech.

The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism welcomed the ban as a "great victory", saying Dieudonne's posts "have done considerable and irreparable damage among young people."

The performer is infamous for his trademark "quenelle" hand gesture that looks like an inverted Nazi salute but which he insists is merely anti-establishment.

Most recently, Dieudonne was fined 9,000 euros ($10,600) in November for posting a video deemed anti-Semitic by authorities.

He also received a two-month suspended jail term after saying he sympathised with one of the jihadists involved in the January 2015 attack on the Paris offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Last year, Dieudonne was given a two-year jail sentence and a fine for tax fraud and money-laundering, under arrangements that allowed him to perform community service instead.

The French government has tried on several occasions to shut down the shows of Dieudonne who rails against the "Zionist lobby" which he claims controls the world.

Facebook has permanently banned French comedian Dieudonne from its platform and from Instagram. The social networking site said it banned for the convicted anti-Semite for content that mocked Holocaust victims.

Facebook has permanently banned French comedian Dieudonne from its platform and from Instagram. The social networking site said it banned for the convicted anti-Semite for content that mocked Holocaust victims. It also said some of his posts used "dehumanising terms against Jews". The comedian had his YouTube channel cut off for similar reasons in June by mother company Google. "In line with our policy on dangerous individuals and organisations, we have permanently banned Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala from Facebook and Instagram," the company said in a statement, using his full name. "Banning a person permanently from our services is a decision that we always weigh carefully, but individuals and organisations that attack others on the basis of what they are do not have a place on Facebook or Instagram," it added. He had about 1.3 million followers on Facebook, and some 400,000 on YouTube. The comedian has been convicted multiple times, in France and in Belgium, for comments opponents say are bluntly racist while a loyal following champion his right to free speech. The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism welcomed the ban as a "great victory", saying Dieudonne's posts "have done considerable and irreparable damage among young people." The performer is infamous for his trademark "quenelle" hand gesture that looks like an inverted Nazi salute but which he insists is merely anti-establishment. Most recently, Dieudonne was fined 9,000 euros ($10,600) in November for posting a video deemed anti-Semitic by authorities. He also received a two-month suspended jail term after saying he sympathised with one of the jihadists involved in the January 2015 attack on the Paris offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Last year, Dieudonne was given a two-year jail sentence and a fine for tax fraud and money-laundering, under arrangements that allowed him to perform community service instead. The French government has tried on several occasions to shut down the shows of Dieudonne who rails against the "Zionist lobby" which he claims controls the world.

Facebook bans French comedian for anti-Semitism

French movie fans ventured back into cinemas on Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, helped by a new safety feature: minions placed at intervals in the seats to ensure social distancing is observed. 
 
Stuffed toy versions of the yellow, pill-shaped characters were deployed at the MK2 cinema in the south of Paris for a showing of the 2015 movie 'Minions'&nbsp;- a spin-off from the 'Despicable Me'&nbsp;franchise that made them famous.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/dwayne-johnson-to-host-global-citizen-concert-to-aid-marginalised-communities-307703" hreflang="en">Dwayne Johnson to host Global Citizen concert to aid marginalised communities</a> 
 
The minions, dressed in their trademark goggles and dungarees, were placed strategically around the auditorium to enforce a rule that viewers leave at least one place free between them and their neighbours. 
The reopening of cinemas across France on Monday as part of a phased relaxation of the lockdown measures that were imposed in March to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hugh-jackman-in-talks-to-headline-racing-drama-ferrari-307667" hreflang="en">Hugh Jackman in talks to headline racing drama 'Ferrari'</a> 
 
Nathanael Karmitz, chairman of the MK2 cinema chain, said the numbers showing up for matinee screenings on Monday showed how much the French public had missed going to the movies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gerard-butler-to-reunite-with-his-angel-has-fallen-director-for-kandahar-307698" hreflang="en">Gerard Butler to reunite with his 'Angel Has Fallen' director for 'Kandahar'</a> 
 
"They love cinema," he said. "It`s much less risky spending two hours in a cinema than travelling on public transport or taking a train." Monday's cinema outing was not the first time the Minions have been enlisted to help keep people safe from COVID-19. 
 
They featured in a public service announcement, developed in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), encouraging people to wash their hands and keep their distance to stay safe.

French movie fans ventured back into cinemas on Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, helped by a new safety feature: minions placed at intervals in the seats to ensure social distancing is observed.

French movie fans ventured back into cinemas on Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, helped by a new safety feature: minions placed at intervals in the seats to ensure social distancing is observed. Stuffed toy versions of the yellow, pill-shaped characters were deployed at the MK2 cinema in the south of Paris for a showing of the 2015 movie 'Minions' - a spin-off from the 'Despicable Me' franchise that made them famous. Also read: Dwayne Johnson to host Global Citizen concert to aid marginalised communities The minions, dressed in their trademark goggles and dungarees, were placed strategically around the auditorium to enforce a rule that viewers leave at least one place free between them and their neighbours. The reopening of cinemas across France on Monday as part of a phased relaxation of the lockdown measures that were imposed in March to curb the spread of COVID-19. Also read: Hugh Jackman in talks to headline racing drama 'Ferrari' Nathanael Karmitz, chairman of the MK2 cinema chain, said the numbers showing up for matinee screenings on Monday showed how much the French public had missed going to the movies. Also read: Gerard Butler to reunite with his 'Angel Has Fallen' director for 'Kandahar' "They love cinema," he said. "It`s much less risky spending two hours in a cinema than travelling on public transport or taking a train." Monday's cinema outing was not the first time the Minions have been enlisted to help keep people safe from COVID-19. They featured in a public service announcement, developed in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), encouraging people to wash their hands and keep their distance to stay safe.

Minions placed at French cinema to ensure social distancing after COVID-19 re-open

France has decided to end special government powers that were brought in after the country witnessed an outbreak of coronavirus. The powers will end on July 10 but will still be able to curb mass gatherings and freedom of movement for four months, as per Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-marks-one-year-of-pro-democracy-activism-with-fresh-protests-53-arrested-304706" hreflang="en">Hong Kong marks one year of pro-democracy activism with fresh protests, 53 arrested</a>

In March, France witnessed an outbreak of the virus and the state decided to pass "state of health emergency" legislation. This legislation gave government powers to restrict civil liberties by decree without parliamentary approval.

With the coronavirus figures are declining in the European country, France lifted its lockdown on May 11 and now is confident to end emergency powers.&nbsp;

"In view of the positive evolution of the health situation at this stage, the government wishes to put an end to the state of health emergency, which must remain an exceptional case," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office said.

On Wednesday, the French cabinet will pass a new bill that will allow the government to restrict freedom of movement, make face masks compulsory on public transport, shut businesses and ban gatherings for another four months, Prime Minister's office said.

France has the third-highest death-toll (29,296) in Europe, behind the UK and Italy. Shops, holiday resorts and tourist attractions slowly reopening as the country eases its lockdown.

France has decided to end special government powers that were brought in after the country witnessed an outbreak of coronavirus. The powers will end on July 10 but will still be able to curb mass gatherings and freedom of movement for four months, as per Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office.

France has decided to end special government powers that were brought in after the country witnessed an outbreak of coronavirus. The powers will end on July 10 but will still be able to curb mass gatherings and freedom of movement for four months, as per Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office. Also read: Hong Kong marks one year of pro-democracy activism with fresh protests, 53 arrested In March, France witnessed an outbreak of the virus and the state decided to pass "state of health emergency" legislation. This legislation gave government powers to restrict civil liberties by decree without parliamentary approval. With the coronavirus figures are declining in the European country, France lifted its lockdown on May 11 and now is confident to end emergency powers. "In view of the positive evolution of the health situation at this stage, the government wishes to put an end to the state of health emergency, which must remain an exceptional case," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office said. On Wednesday, the French cabinet will pass a new bill that will allow the government to restrict freedom of movement, make face masks compulsory on public transport, shut businesses and ban gatherings for another four months, Prime Minister's office said. France has the third-highest death-toll (29,296) in Europe, behind the UK and Italy. Shops, holiday resorts and tourist attractions slowly reopening as the country eases its lockdown.

France to end special coronavirus health powers on July 10: Prime Minister

As France's coronavirus cases decrease, the country has allowed its citizens to return back to their normal life. This includes sending students back to schools.

Schools are set to welcome students back to the classes from Monday. However, parents fear that the decision might not be good for their kids.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-cross-396-million-death-toll-increases-to-273000-297709">Also read:&nbsp;COVID 19: Cases cross 3.96 million, death toll increases to 273,000</a>

The number of coronavirus cases decreased significantly. Following that, the French government lifted some restrictions on the strict lockdown that had continue for more than eight weeks.

The government, in order to revive its economy, decided to let people return back to their offices and step out of their houses , while maintaining social distancing.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outbreaks-in-germany-south-korea-show-life-beyond-lockdown-isnt-what-people-think-itll-be-297680">Also read:&nbsp;Outbreaks in Germany, S Korea show life after lockdown isn't what people think</a>

The schools have been allowed to start classes. For now, only preschools and elementary schools are set to start. However, only 10 students will be allowed to sit in a preschool class and 15 in other classes. Administrators were told to prioritize instruction for children ages 5, 6 and 10. High schools have not got the green light yet.

The government has made it clear that the attendance will not be compulsory, for now, considering the fear of the spread of coronavirus.

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer estimated that 80% to 85% of France's 50,500 preschools and elementary schools will open this week. Junior high schools in regions with fewer virus cases are expected to reopen on May 18.

While the parents are allowed to send their kids to the school, provided the school can accommodate them, they are worried about keeping their kids safe. A lot of parents fear that the kids might face the danger of getting infected.

Total number of coronavirus cases rose to 174,791 in France, including 25,987 deaths.

As France's coronavirus cases decrease, the country has allowed its citizens to return back to their normal life. This includes sending students back to schools.

As France's coronavirus cases decrease, the country has allowed its citizens to return back to their normal life. This includes sending students back to schools. Schools are set to welcome students back to the classes from Monday. However, parents fear that the decision might not be good for their kids. Also read: COVID 19: Cases cross 3.96 million, death toll increases to 273,000 The number of coronavirus cases decreased significantly. Following that, the French government lifted some restrictions on the strict lockdown that had continue for more than eight weeks. The government, in order to revive its economy, decided to let people return back to their offices and step out of their houses , while maintaining social distancing. Also read: Outbreaks in Germany, S Korea show life after lockdown isn't what people think The schools have been allowed to start classes. For now, only preschools and elementary schools are set to start. However, only 10 students will be allowed to sit in a preschool class and 15 in other classes. Administrators were told to prioritize instruction for children ages 5, 6 and 10. High schools have not got the green light yet. The government has made it clear that the attendance will not be compulsory, for now, considering the fear of the spread of coronavirus. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer estimated that 80% to 85% of France's 50,500 preschools and elementary schools will open this week. Junior high schools in regions with fewer virus cases are expected to reopen on May 18. While the parents are allowed to send their kids to the school, provided the school can accommodate them, they are worried about keeping their kids safe. A lot of parents fear that the kids might face the danger of getting infected. Total number of coronavirus cases rose to 174,791 in France, including 25,987 deaths.

Students in France to return to schools; parents disagree

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures were taken including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and sea ports.

On Feb. 16, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong Il.

The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to the “great satisfaction” of Kim, KCNA said on Saturday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-makes-first-public-appearance-in-22-days-amid-virus-outbreak-280995">North Korea's Kim makes first public appearance in 22 days amid virus outbreak</a>

<div>“Soldiers, who have firmly armed themselves with a-match-for-a-hundred idea of the Party and trained under the simulated conditions of actual battles, reduced a target islet to a sea of flames,” KCNA said.</div>

In a separate dispatch, KCNA said Kim has also convened a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo where a stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” was discussed to prevent the spread of the virus.

“In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences,” Kim was quoted as telling the meeting. “No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.”

He instructed the officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine,” KCNA added.

Also watch:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-reports-2022-positive-cases-of-coronavirus-283277"> South Korea reports 2,022 positive cases of Coronavirus</a>

A plan is under way to evacuate some 60 quarantined foreign diplomats from North Korea, including from Germany, French and Switzerland, CNN reported on Friday, citing an unnamed source inside the country. The report also said other countries with diplomatic missions were seeking to scale down their operations.

KCNA released photographs of Kim presiding over the meeting as well as overseeing the drills without wearing a surgical mask. All of the aides who accompanied Kim on the military inspection had identical black masks, whereas none of the participants at the meeting did.

“Kim’s activities appear to be intended to highlight to his people that his campaign to build a self-reliant economy is business as usual while boosting military morale and also showing they were not affected by the virus,” said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-worst-hit-after-mainland-china-school-exams-postponed-283267">South Korea worst-hit after Mainland China, School exams postponed</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, state media KCNA said, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country. North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures were taken including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and sea ports. On Feb. 16, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong Il. The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to the “great satisfaction” of Kim, KCNA said on Saturday. Also read: North Korea's Kim makes first public appearance in 22 days amid virus outbreak “Soldiers, who have firmly armed themselves with a-match-for-a-hundred idea of the Party and trained under the simulated conditions of actual battles, reduced a target islet to a sea of flames,” KCNA said. In a separate dispatch, KCNA said Kim has also convened a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo where a stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” was discussed to prevent the spread of the virus. “In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences,” Kim was quoted as telling the meeting. “No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.” He instructed the officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine,” KCNA added. Also watch: South Korea reports 2,022 positive cases of Coronavirus A plan is under way to evacuate some 60 quarantined foreign diplomats from North Korea, including from Germany, French and Switzerland, CNN reported on Friday, citing an unnamed source inside the country. The report also said other countries with diplomatic missions were seeking to scale down their operations. KCNA released photographs of Kim presiding over the meeting as well as overseeing the drills without wearing a surgical mask. All of the aides who accompanied Kim on the military inspection had identical black masks, whereas none of the participants at the meeting did. “Kim’s activities appear to be intended to highlight to his people that his campaign to build a self-reliant economy is business as usual while boosting military morale and also showing they were not affected by the virus,” said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul. Also see: South Korea worst-hit after Mainland China, School exams postponed

North Korea's Kim guides military drills, warns 'serious consequences' if virus breaks out: Report

Recent&nbsp;reports claimed that ski resorts in France were closing down simply because there wasn't enough snow.

However, it looks like they've found a short-term and controversial solution.

A ski resort in France used a helicopter to move the snow from higher altitudes to lower places after a spell of mild 'cold' that has rendered the slopes skiless, The Guardian reported.

Luchon-Superbagnères in the Pyrenees took up the challenging task on Friday night while referring to it as ''exceptional''.

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Over the course of two hours, 50 tonnes of snow was dropped over the bare slopes via helicopters.&nbsp; 
Hervé Pounau, the director of the local department council, suggested that the cost of shutting down the resort was much higher than gathering snow.

“It will cost us between €5,000 and €6,000, in the knowledge that over the long term we will get at least 10 times’ return on that investment,” Pounau said in a statement.

With livelihoods of more than 50 to 80 people at stake, the authorities decided to settle for this measure.

“We’re not going to cover the entire ski station in snow, but without it we would have had to close a huge part of the ski domain, and it’s during the holidays that we have the most activity for beginners and the ski schools,” Pounau said.

At ski resorts, the common job profiles are lift operators, ski teachers, childcarers, the staff of the equipment rental shop, and restaurant owners.

Considering the fact that is disrupting the natural flow of snow, or its lack, many critics have called the practice ecologically inept. ''We won't be doing it again... This time we didn't have a choice''.

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Recently, visuals from Antarctica went viral whereby there was a large stretch without snow, highly unusual for the region.

Bastien Ho, a French ecologist told a television channel, ''Instead of adapting to global warming we’re going to end up with a double problem: something that costs a lot of energy, that contributes heavily to global warming and that in addition is only for an elite group of people who can afford it. It is the world upside down”.

France witnesses an influx of tourists during February-March, and makes it the busiest season for mountain resorts in the country.&nbsp;

At the resort where the task was undertaken, only six of its 28 slopes are now operational, owing to the lack of snow.

It's imperative to note here that is not the first time such a task has been undertaken. Similar snow moving operations were undertaken in the Alps.

With the risk of loss of livelihood out of the way, the resort would be able to function minimally. 
&nbsp;

Recent reports claimed that ski resorts in France were closing down simply because there wasn't enough snow. However, it looks like they've found a short-term and controversial solution.

Recent reports claimed that ski resorts in France were closing down simply because there wasn't enough snow. However, it looks like they've found a short-term and controversial solution. A ski resort in France used a helicopter to move the snow from higher altitudes to lower places after a spell of mild 'cold' that has rendered the slopes skiless, The Guardian reported. Luchon-Superbagnères in the Pyrenees took up the challenging task on Friday night while referring to it as ''exceptional''. Over the course of two hours, 50 tonnes of snow was dropped over the bare slopes via helicopters. Hervé Pounau, the director of the local department council, suggested that the cost of shutting down the resort was much higher than gathering snow. “It will cost us between €5,000 and €6,000, in the knowledge that over the long term we will get at least 10 times’ return on that investment,” Pounau said in a statement. With livelihoods of more than 50 to 80 people at stake, the authorities decided to settle for this measure. “We’re not going to cover the entire ski station in snow, but without it we would have had to close a huge part of the ski domain, and it’s during the holidays that we have the most activity for beginners and the ski schools,” Pounau said. At ski resorts, the common job profiles are lift operators, ski teachers, childcarers, the staff of the equipment rental shop, and restaurant owners. Considering the fact that is disrupting the natural flow of snow, or its lack, many critics have called the practice ecologically inept. ''We won't be doing it again... This time we didn't have a choice''. Recently, visuals from Antarctica went viral whereby there was a large stretch without snow, highly unusual for the region. Bastien Ho, a French ecologist told a television channel, ''Instead of adapting to global warming we’re going to end up with a double problem: something that costs a lot of energy, that contributes heavily to global warming and that in addition is only for an elite group of people who can afford it. It is the world upside down”. France witnesses an influx of tourists during February-March, and makes it the busiest season for mountain resorts in the country. At the resort where the task was undertaken, only six of its 28 slopes are now operational, owing to the lack of snow. It's imperative to note here that is not the first time such a task has been undertaken. Similar snow moving operations were undertaken in the Alps. With the risk of loss of livelihood out of the way, the resort would be able to function minimally.

'Mild weather': French ski resort airlifts snow to avoid closure during peak season

Five British nationals including a child have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in France, after staying in the same ski chalet with a person who had been in Singapore, French health officials said on Saturday.

Five British nationals including a child have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in France, after staying in the same ski chalet with a person who had been in Singapore, French health officials said on Saturday. The new cases emerged after authorities began to retrace the recent travels of one British citizen confirmed by Britain to have contracted the virus in recent days, senior health official Jerome Salomon told a news conference. Agnes Buzyn, France's health minister, added that the group of people newly infected with the virus were not in a serious condition. They had formed "a cluster, a grouping around one original case", she said, after staying in the same chalet, in the Contamines-Montjoie resort in Savoie in eastern France. Contamines is in the French Alps, close to the Swiss city of Geneva. Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Super Spreaders, a new nightmare for doctors "That original case was brought to our attention last night, it is a British national who had returned from Singapore where he had stayed between January 20 and 23, and he arrived in France on January 24 for four days," Buzyn said. Two of the apartments in the ski chalet were being examined, health officials said, adding that no other people had been affected by the outbreak in the resort. The infected Britons had been hospitalised overnight in the region, in the cities of Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne, the ministry added. The total number of people infected with the virus in France has now reached 11. The six others include one man in a serious condition, while the others have shown signs of improvement in recent days, according to medical officials. Also Watch: Why coronavirus' death toll still on rise? | Ground Report from Hong Kong The French government had been in touch with Singapore and Britain, and Singaporean authorities were looking into a business congress that took place in a hotel there on January 20-23 and was attended by 94 foreigners, they said. The British man now known to be at the origin of the latest French outbreak had travelled to that meeting, according to health officials in Singapore.

Five British nationals four adults one child infected at French ski resort

Alain Robert, the so-called French Spiderman who scales the world's tallest buildings, climbed Total's skyscraper in Paris' La Défense district on Monday to call attention on the retirement protests.

French Spiderman backs pension protesters

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-pension-reforms-protests-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-france-271732">pension overhaul</a> that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought.

Public support appears to be shifting in the government's favour, with just 44 per cent backing the strike in an Ifop poll released Sunday, down seven points from the previous survey on December 19-20.

The reform would eliminate 42 separate pension schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages, mainly to public-sector workers, in favour of a single system.

It would also create a "pivot age" of 64 to benefit from a full pension, penalising those who stop working at the official retirement age of 62 -- one of the lowest in Europe.

The government insists the measure is necessary for ensuring sufficient financing for the deficit-plagued system.&nbsp;

Yet officials have seized on an offer by France's largest union, the moderate CFDT, to hold separate talks on how to finance the plan later, in order to end the impasse over the pivot age.

"That's a very good idea," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday. "Never has a compromise seemed so close."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-pension-reforms-protests-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-france-271732">Anti-pension reforms protests: Police fire tear gas at protesters in France</a>

But the hard-line CGT and Force Ouvriere unions have vowed to derail the plan, urging a new day of mass walkouts against the reform on Thursday, which could see schools shut and public transport even more impacted than usual.

Train operator SNCF says it has lost more than 600 million euros ($670 million) in ticket sales since the strike began on December 5, and Paris commutes have been headaches for millions who rely on the RATP's metro, bus and suburban rail lines.

Watch: Mass demonstration break out at Paris protest against pension reform

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'We have to hold out'

The CGT has stepped up its protest with a four-day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-continues-to-be-on-the-boil-over-proposed-pension-reforms-270795">blockade of refineries and fuel depots</a> starting Tuesday, raising the prospect of petrol shortages.

Nurses, physiotherapists and lawyers, among dozens of professions with their own advantageous pension regimes, have also voted for strike actions this week.

But the number of striking rail and metro workers tapered off over the holidays, and the lost pay could make it hard to keep up the protest.

"It's going to be hard but we have to hold out at least until Friday," Mounir, an RATP employee, said Monday as drivers voted to prolong the strike.

Unions say they are relying on reserve funds and donations to limit the financial hit for strikers, in what has been France's longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s.

President Emmanuel Macron made the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/survivors-tell-of-frances-dirty-war-in-cameroon-independence-270740">pensions overhaul</a> a key plank in his 2017 election campaign, saying a single points-based system would be fairer to&nbsp;women and low-earners in particular.

The government has already made a series of concessions to police and military personnel as well as SNCF workers, allowing them to continue retiring early or keep their separate benefits for several years yet.

But most salaried workers born in 1975 or later would be impacted by the new system, in which people would earn points based on their lifetime earnings, which would be converted into pension payouts upon retirement.

Currently, most pensions are calculated from a worker's 25 best years of earnings -- public workers, however, get payouts based on their last six months of pay, a more favourable base.

An Elabe poll released Monday found that most French (54 percent) support the points-based plan, though two-thirds oppose the pivot age of 64.

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a pension overhaul that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought.

French officials prepared to restart talks with unions Tuesday over a pension overhaul that has sparked the country's longest transport strikes in decades, which labour leaders say could force millions of people to retire later than they thought. Public support appears to be shifting in the government's favour, with just 44 per cent backing the strike in an Ifop poll released Sunday, down seven points from the previous survey on December 19-20. The reform would eliminate 42 separate pension schemes that offer early retirement and other advantages, mainly to public-sector workers, in favour of a single system. It would also create a "pivot age" of 64 to benefit from a full pension, penalising those who stop working at the official retirement age of 62 -- one of the lowest in Europe. The government insists the measure is necessary for ensuring sufficient financing for the deficit-plagued system. Yet officials have seized on an offer by France's largest union, the moderate CFDT, to hold separate talks on how to finance the plan later, in order to end the impasse over the pivot age. "That's a very good idea," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday. "Never has a compromise seemed so close." Also read: Anti-pension reforms protests: Police fire tear gas at protesters in France But the hard-line CGT and Force Ouvriere unions have vowed to derail the plan, urging a new day of mass walkouts against the reform on Thursday, which could see schools shut and public transport even more impacted than usual. Train operator SNCF says it has lost more than 600 million euros ($670 million) in ticket sales since the strike began on December 5, and Paris commutes have been headaches for millions who rely on the RATP's metro, bus and suburban rail lines. Watch: Mass demonstration break out at Paris protest against pension reform 'We have to hold out' The CGT has stepped up its protest with a four-day blockade of refineries and fuel depots starting Tuesday, raising the prospect of petrol shortages. Nurses, physiotherapists and lawyers, among dozens of professions with their own advantageous pension regimes, have also voted for strike actions this week. But the number of striking rail and metro workers tapered off over the holidays, and the lost pay could make it hard to keep up the protest. "It's going to be hard but we have to hold out at least until Friday," Mounir, an RATP employee, said Monday as drivers voted to prolong the strike. Unions say they are relying on reserve funds and donations to limit the financial hit for strikers, in what has been France's longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s. President Emmanuel Macron made the pensions overhaul a key plank in his 2017 election campaign, saying a single points-based system would be fairer to women and low-earners in particular. The government has already made a series of concessions to police and military personnel as well as SNCF workers, allowing them to continue retiring early or keep their separate benefits for several years yet. But most salaried workers born in 1975 or later would be impacted by the new system, in which people would earn points based on their lifetime earnings, which would be converted into pension payouts upon retirement. Currently, most pensions are calculated from a worker's 25 best years of earnings -- public workers, however, get payouts based on their last six months of pay, a more favourable base. An Elabe poll released Monday found that most French (54 percent) support the points-based plan, though two-thirds oppose the pivot age of 64.

France: Government seeks to end unrest by resuming pension talks

Massive protests are taking place across 30 cities in France. French police deployed tear gas and used pepper spray on protesters and black blocs as a pensions reform protest in Paris turned rowdy. Watch this video to know more.

France: Massive protests across 30 cities

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