French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he would raise the killing of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-imposes-sanctions-against-saudi-nationals-allegedly-linked-to-khashoggis-murder-180300">journalist Jamal Khashoggi </a>with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

"I will no doubt have the opportunity to mention it with the crown prince on the margins of the summit," Macron told journalists in Buenos Aires.

Macron also said he had called a meeting to coordinate the views of European G20 leaders on policy challenges ahead of the summit, which begins Friday.&nbsp;

In a tweet later, he said they would also discuss the fallout from Khashoggi's murder.&nbsp;

"I have always been clear with Saudi Arabia. It will be one of the subjects we will talk about among Europeans. I wanted us to have a coordination meeting before the opening of the G20 on this subject and all the challenges at the summit."

The de facto Saudi ruler arrived in Argentina on Wednesday, bidding to shrug off international outrage over the October 2 murder in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he would raise the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he would raise the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 summit. "I will no doubt have the opportunity to mention it with the crown prince on the margins of the summit," Macron told journalists in Buenos Aires. Macron also said he had called a meeting to coordinate the views of European G20 leaders on policy challenges ahead of the summit, which begins Friday. In a tweet later, he said they would also discuss the fallout from Khashoggi's murder. "I have always been clear with Saudi Arabia. It will be one of the subjects we will talk about among Europeans. I wanted us to have a coordination meeting before the opening of the G20 on this subject and all the challenges at the summit." The de facto Saudi ruler arrived in Argentina on Wednesday, bidding to shrug off international outrage over the October 2 murder in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.

Will meet Saudi crown prince Salman at G20 summit: Macron

By Sophie Hunter

Emmanuel Macron has just confirmed once again that he has the best interests of the wealthy at heart. A most recent example is the lower middle class-led protests that began on Saturday, November 17. Since then, demonstrators in yellow high visibility vests have been blocking roads, oil refineries, motorway tolls and major supermarket warehouses across France, especially at the periphery of major cities. The root of their discontent is not solely the new tax increase and a rise in fuel costs, which Macron justifies in the name of an ecological transition to a low-carbon economy. Instead, the French have erupted in fury and have marched down the Champs-Élysées because the latest tax hike is shrinking the buying power of the middle and lower classes.

Some analysts doubt whether the movement will gain momentum. Others believe differently. They think that the latest tax hike will rally people from various backgrounds and regions who are united by their disappointment with the president. Since his election in 2017, Emmanuel Macron has introduced or increased a variety of taxes. In March, thousands of pensioners marched through Paris in protest over higher social security taxes. While &nbsp;Macron has scrapped a wealth tax and cut corporate tax, he is taxing the poor more and slashing their benefits. Unsurprisingly, the former investment banker has earned the epithet “president of the rich.”

Since April, Macron’s popularity has been declining. His labour-market reforms led to prolonged strikes by railway unions. Then, the young president chose to attack the French social model for higher education. Currently, French students who pass the baccalaureate exam have the right to attend university in their area. Macron’s reform allows universities to select students on merit. Sit-ins and protests broke out across the country just before the end-of-year exams. After the latest fuel hike protests, the so-called Macronmania is in free fall. Macron’s popularity has crashed to a new low record of 25%. It is clear that the “Macron honeymoon” is over and has been replaced by disillusionment.

Tearing up the social contract

Macron’s policies and reforms are informed by a simple calculus: He wants to make France more dynamic, just like the US and the UK. Curiously, he is doing so at a time when the Anglo-Saxon economic model stands discredited and weakened by the uncertainty of Brexit. No less than a fifth of the UK population now lives in poverty. Children and pensioners are experiencing the worst decline in living conditions in decades. UN special rapporteur, Philip Alston, found 14 million Brits living in poverty, many unable to break its vicious cycle.

Macron has decided that cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy is the best way to attract investment in France. This investment, combined with privatization of state-owned assets, should bring innovation, jobs and better growth. To achieve this, he must rip up France’s existing social contract and cut costs on its rather generous welfare state. As Owen Jones writes in The Guardian, Macron’s “policies have shifted the workplace balance of power from workers to bosses.” While this comes as no surprise, voters seem to be suffering from memory loss. As economy minister under François Hollande, Macron pushed hard for unpopular policies aimed at unlocking economic growth. Today, as president, he is turning them into reality.

To be fair, the French social model has been under strain for a long time. The 2017 elections demonstrated deepening divisions in French society. The two candidates left standing in the final round were Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It was clear that the French, young and old, were willing to shake up the system. Out went the traditional parties on the left and the right. In came two populists, one so-called centrist and the other from the far right. Macron owes his throne to the divisions in France, demonstrating that the center has moved to the right.

A very French Schizophrenia

The very students who now oppose Macron were his greatest supporters who helped elect him in 2017 — he was the preferred candidate for millennial voters from all social strata. He was young, good looking, telegenic, energetic and charismatic. The country of Napoleon likes flair, and Macron had a charming love story that sold well. His high school teacher, 25 years his senior, had fallen in love with him, abandoning her husband to marry her precocious student. This cool new Pied Piper seduced millennials with even greater ease than he had seduced his wife. For the young, Macron was their man.

Unfortunately, young French voters forgot to observe that Macron was an establishment man. He is an énarque, a graduate of the elitist National School of Administration (L’ENA). Last year, French businessman Alain Minc told the Financial Times that Macron was the “perfect product of the French Republican monarchy.” This high flier graduated as an inspecteur des finances — an elite corps of the very highest-ranking graduates from L’ENA. At the height of the global financial crisis in 2008, Macron jetted off to Rothschild, eventually “earning €2.9m and a nickname — ‘the Mozart of finance’ — for his role advising Nestlé on its $12bn acquisition of a unit of Pfizer in 2012.” According to the Financial Times, the Mozart of finance made his fortune because he “mastered the art of networking and navigated around the numerous conflicts of interest that arise in close-knit Parisian business circles.” In other words, Macron was hardly the rebel or the outsider that French millennials imagined him to be.

Macron captures a very French schizophrenia among the young. On the one hand, they are still intoxicated by the memory of the heady days of 1968. They identify with socialist and radical culture. On the other hand, young people still imagine themselves to be important in the world. They might be disillusioned, but they still have both illusions and delusions of grandeur. It is this contradiction that made Macron attractive to them.

Macron’s image appealed to the radical counterculture of May 1968. At the same time, he was promising to modernize the country and put France center stage. His party, La République En Marche! (Republic on the Move!) promised change but never really defined it. He called himself a centrist, but no one asked him what that really meant. He never disclosed who funded his slick campaign. Yet what is indisputable is that Macron did run a brilliant campaign with meticulous attention to branding, marketing and messaging, which was especially successful in seducing millennials. The fact that these two impulses or desires of preserving the legacy of 1968 and of making the country hip in 2017 might ever be contradictory never occurred to Macron’s enthusiastic supporters.

Hyperreality

French youngsters simply fail to realize that la grande nation is no longer the center of the world. They don’t see that time has passed France by. Paris is no London, New York, Singapore or Shanghai. France’s incestuous elite and infamous red tape continue to drive away talent. Yet most French youngsters overlook reality and stick to a perception of France that is nostalgic, wooly and even smug. They don’t think deeply, debate passionately or explore widely.

Admittedly, this situation is not unique to France. Not only the young but also the old in many parts of the world fail to discern the difference between reality and perception. Peter Isackson has written consistently about this new world of hyperreality, where image matters more than substance, where perception overrides reality. In this hyperreal world, the young have lost their ability to think critically. They no longer challenge established norms or institutions. They are ultra sensitive and shy away from debate. They fail to realize that anything meaningful or substantive is controversial, painful and unsafe.

In France and elsewhere, the young mouth platitudes to diversity, but remain slaves to conformity. There are few discussions or debates about immigration, inequality, social mobility, alternative economic models or even education. Paradoxically, as foreshadowed by the Dalai Lama in his “Paradox of Our Times,” this much celebrated millennial generation has wider access to information, greater opportunities to travel and enormous potential to learn, but it is far less accepting of differences than earlier generations. Therefore, it is far more vulnerable to the hyperreality peddled by snake-oil salesmen.

(Sophie Hunter is a French law graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-political-discourse-desperately-needs-a-course-correction-2689959">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By Sophie Hunter Emmanuel Macron has just confirmed once again that he has the best interests of the wealthy at heart. A most recent example is the lower middle class-led protests that began on Saturday, November 17.

By Sophie Hunter Emmanuel Macron has just confirmed once again that he has the best interests of the wealthy at heart. A most recent example is the lower middle class-led protests that began on Saturday, November 17. Since then, demonstrators in yellow high visibility vests have been blocking roads, oil refineries, motorway tolls and major supermarket warehouses across France, especially at the periphery of major cities. The root of their discontent is not solely the new tax increase and a rise in fuel costs, which Macron justifies in the name of an ecological transition to a low-carbon economy. Instead, the French have erupted in fury and have marched down the Champs-Élysées because the latest tax hike is shrinking the buying power of the middle and lower classes. Some analysts doubt whether the movement will gain momentum. Others believe differently. They think that the latest tax hike will rally people from various backgrounds and regions who are united by their disappointment with the president. Since his election in 2017, Emmanuel Macron has introduced or increased a variety of taxes. In March, thousands of pensioners marched through Paris in protest over higher social security taxes. While Macron has scrapped a wealth tax and cut corporate tax, he is taxing the poor more and slashing their benefits. Unsurprisingly, the former investment banker has earned the epithet “president of the rich.” Since April, Macron’s popularity has been declining. His labour-market reforms led to prolonged strikes by railway unions. Then, the young president chose to attack the French social model for higher education. Currently, French students who pass the baccalaureate exam have the right to attend university in their area. Macron’s reform allows universities to select students on merit. Sit-ins and protests broke out across the country just before the end-of-year exams. After the latest fuel hike protests, the so-called Macronmania is in free fall. Macron’s popularity has crashed to a new low record of 25%. It is clear that the “Macron honeymoon” is over and has been replaced by disillusionment. Tearing up the social contract Macron’s policies and reforms are informed by a simple calculus: He wants to make France more dynamic, just like the US and the UK. Curiously, he is doing so at a time when the Anglo-Saxon economic model stands discredited and weakened by the uncertainty of Brexit. No less than a fifth of the UK population now lives in poverty. Children and pensioners are experiencing the worst decline in living conditions in decades. UN special rapporteur, Philip Alston, found 14 million Brits living in poverty, many unable to break its vicious cycle. Macron has decided that cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy is the best way to attract investment in France. This investment, combined with privatization of state-owned assets, should bring innovation, jobs and better growth. To achieve this, he must rip up France’s existing social contract and cut costs on its rather generous welfare state. As Owen Jones writes in The Guardian, Macron’s “policies have shifted the workplace balance of power from workers to bosses.” While this comes as no surprise, voters seem to be suffering from memory loss. As economy minister under François Hollande, Macron pushed hard for unpopular policies aimed at unlocking economic growth. Today, as president, he is turning them into reality. To be fair, the French social model has been under strain for a long time. The 2017 elections demonstrated deepening divisions in French society. The two candidates left standing in the final round were Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It was clear that the French, young and old, were willing to shake up the system. Out went the traditional parties on the left and the right. In came two populists, one so-called centrist and the other from the far right. Macron owes his throne to the divisions in France, demonstrating that the center has moved to the right. A very French Schizophrenia The very students who now oppose Macron were his greatest supporters who helped elect him in 2017 — he was the preferred candidate for millennial voters from all social strata. He was young, good looking, telegenic, energetic and charismatic. The country of Napoleon likes flair, and Macron had a charming love story that sold well. His high school teacher, 25 years his senior, had fallen in love with him, abandoning her husband to marry her precocious student. This cool new Pied Piper seduced millennials with even greater ease than he had seduced his wife. For the young, Macron was their man. Unfortunately, young French voters forgot to observe that Macron was an establishment man. He is an énarque, a graduate of the elitist National School of Administration (L’ENA). Last year, French businessman Alain Minc told the Financial Times that Macron was the “perfect product of the French Republican monarchy.” This high flier graduated as an inspecteur des finances — an elite corps of the very highest-ranking graduates from L’ENA. At the height of the global financial crisis in 2008, Macron jetted off to Rothschild, eventually “earning €2.9m and a nickname — ‘the Mozart of finance’ — for his role advising Nestlé on its $12bn acquisition of a unit of Pfizer in 2012.” According to the Financial Times, the Mozart of finance made his fortune because he “mastered the art of networking and navigated around the numerous conflicts of interest that arise in close-knit Parisian business circles.” In other words, Macron was hardly the rebel or the outsider that French millennials imagined him to be. Macron captures a very French schizophrenia among the young. On the one hand, they are still intoxicated by the memory of the heady days of 1968. They identify with socialist and radical culture. On the other hand, young people still imagine themselves to be important in the world. They might be disillusioned, but they still have both illusions and delusions of grandeur. It is this contradiction that made Macron attractive to them. Macron’s image appealed to the radical counterculture of May 1968. At the same time, he was promising to modernize the country and put France center stage. His party, La République En Marche! (Republic on the Move!) promised change but never really defined it. He called himself a centrist, but no one asked him what that really meant. He never disclosed who funded his slick campaign. Yet what is indisputable is that Macron did run a brilliant campaign with meticulous attention to branding, marketing and messaging, which was especially successful in seducing millennials. The fact that these two impulses or desires of preserving the legacy of 1968 and of making the country hip in 2017 might ever be contradictory never occurred to Macron’s enthusiastic supporters. Hyperreality French youngsters simply fail to realize that la grande nation is no longer the center of the world. They don’t see that time has passed France by. Paris is no London, New York, Singapore or Shanghai. France’s incestuous elite and infamous red tape continue to drive away talent. Yet most French youngsters overlook reality and stick to a perception of France that is nostalgic, wooly and even smug. They don’t think deeply, debate passionately or explore widely. Admittedly, this situation is not unique to France. Not only the young but also the old in many parts of the world fail to discern the difference between reality and perception. Peter Isackson has written consistently about this new world of hyperreality, where image matters more than substance, where perception overrides reality. In this hyperreal world, the young have lost their ability to think critically. They no longer challenge established norms or institutions. They are ultra sensitive and shy away from debate. They fail to realize that anything meaningful or substantive is controversial, painful and unsafe. In France and elsewhere, the young mouth platitudes to diversity, but remain slaves to conformity. There are few discussions or debates about immigration, inequality, social mobility, alternative economic models or even education. Paradoxically, as foreshadowed by the Dalai Lama in his “Paradox of Our Times,” this much celebrated millennial generation has wider access to information, greater opportunities to travel and enormous potential to learn, but it is far less accepting of differences than earlier generations. Therefore, it is far more vulnerable to the hyperreality peddled by snake-oil salesmen. (Sophie Hunter is a French law graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

For France, the Macron Honeymoon is over

Watch: WION Fineprint, 27th November, 2018

Emmanuel Macron refuses to slash fuel tax in France

Donald Trump piled pressure on Emmanuel Macron Sunday, pushing for resolutions to disputes on trade and defense spending, as he weighed in on the mass protests against his French counterpart's government.

Writing on Twitter, Trump showed he had been keeping an eye on Saturday's demonstrations across France and refrained from showing sympathy for the beleaguered Macron, whose once cozy ties with the US president have chilled.

"The large and violent French protests don't take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection," said Trump.

"Both of these topics must be remedied soon."

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The large and violent French protests don’t take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection. Both of these topics must be remedied soon.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1066682146683846657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Around 130 people were arrested in France on Saturday during the nationwide protests, while 24 people were injured, five of them police officers.

The protesters -- dubbed "yellow vests" for the high-visibility jackets that are widely worn at the demonstrations -- are drawn mainly from rural areas and have vented their fury at policies they see as being pushed through by a Parisian elite deaf to their concerns.

Some of their arguments carry echoes of Trump's rallying call to "Make America Great Again" and his denunciation of "The Swamp" in Washington, including the anger that they voice at globalization. 
Trump's once-close relations with Macron have been strained in recent weeks, with the US president criticizing his French counterpart on everything from his touting of a European army to his continued backing for a nuclear deal with Iran that the US has already ditched.

Trump has frequently criticized other NATO countries, including France, over their levels of defense spending and says the European Union has treated the US "very unfairly" on a range of trade issues.

Donald Trump piled pressure on Emmanuel Macron Sunday, pushing for resolutions to disputes on trade and defense spending, as he weighed in on the mass protests against his French counterpart's government.

Donald Trump piled pressure on Emmanuel Macron Sunday, pushing for resolutions to disputes on trade and defense spending, as he weighed in on the mass protests against his French counterpart's government. Writing on Twitter, Trump showed he had been keeping an eye on Saturday's demonstrations across France and refrained from showing sympathy for the beleaguered Macron, whose once cozy ties with the US president have chilled. "The large and violent French protests don't take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection," said Trump. "Both of these topics must be remedied soon." The large and violent French protests don’t take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection. Both of these topics must be remedied soon. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 25, 2018 × Around 130 people were arrested in France on Saturday during the nationwide protests, while 24 people were injured, five of them police officers. The protesters -- dubbed "yellow vests" for the high-visibility jackets that are widely worn at the demonstrations -- are drawn mainly from rural areas and have vented their fury at policies they see as being pushed through by a Parisian elite deaf to their concerns. Some of their arguments carry echoes of Trump's rallying call to "Make America Great Again" and his denunciation of "The Swamp" in Washington, including the anger that they voice at globalization. Trump's once-close relations with Macron have been strained in recent weeks, with the US president criticizing his French counterpart on everything from his touting of a European army to his continued backing for a nuclear deal with Iran that the US has already ditched. Trump has frequently criticized other NATO countries, including France, over their levels of defense spending and says the European Union has treated the US "very unfairly" on a range of trade issues.

Trump ups pressure on Macron as weighs in on French demonstration

France fuel protests continue; Police fires tear gas

Emmanuel Macron’s popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president’s economic reforms.

Only 25 per cent of those questioned in an Ifop poll between November 9 and 17 said they were satisfied with Macron, down from 29 percent in October, according to the survey of almost 2,000 people published in the Journal du Dimanche (JDD).

Macron, who came to power 18 months ago vowing to reshape the economy and overhaul institutions, has brushed off slumping ratings to push through a series of reforms, including a loosening of laws governing hiring and firing.

His government introduced fuel tax hikes to encourage drivers to embrace less-polluting cars, touching a nerve with voters in rural areas in particular as the extra cost began to bite in October when global oil prices surged.

Angry motorists and other demonstrators, many accusing Macron of being out of touch with ordinary people, blocked roads across France on Saturday in a grassroots campaign dubbed the “Yellow Vests” that drew nearly 288,000 protesters.

Some were still maintaining blockades on highway sliproads, tolls and roundabouts on Sunday.

Saturday’s demonstrations sparked run-ins with frustrated drivers trying to get around stoppages, and more than 400 people were injured, 14 of them seriously, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said.

A woman protester died when she was accidentally hit by a panicked driver at one blockade. At least 157 people were taken into police custody.

In a separate Ifop poll in the JDD on Sunday, 62 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize policies to help household incomes even if it meant advancing more slowly in an environmentally friendly energy transition plan.

Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said the government, which last week sought to placate motorists with subsidies for the worst off, would not back down on its fuel tax plans. These are set for another hike in January including on diesel, the most commonly used fuel in France.

“I would prefer to announce tax cuts but we need levers to fight climate change,” he told Europe 1 radio and CNews television in a joint interview on Sunday.

Macron’s popularity has sunk to as low as 21 per cent in other polls recently, after a torrid summer marked by a scandal over the violent conduct of the president’s former security adviser and the departure of several ministers.

Emmanuel Macron’s popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president’s economic reforms.

Emmanuel Macron’s popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president’s economic reforms. Only 25 per cent of those questioned in an Ifop poll between November 9 and 17 said they were satisfied with Macron, down from 29 percent in October, according to the survey of almost 2,000 people published in the Journal du Dimanche (JDD). Macron, who came to power 18 months ago vowing to reshape the economy and overhaul institutions, has brushed off slumping ratings to push through a series of reforms, including a loosening of laws governing hiring and firing. His government introduced fuel tax hikes to encourage drivers to embrace less-polluting cars, touching a nerve with voters in rural areas in particular as the extra cost began to bite in October when global oil prices surged. Angry motorists and other demonstrators, many accusing Macron of being out of touch with ordinary people, blocked roads across France on Saturday in a grassroots campaign dubbed the “Yellow Vests” that drew nearly 288,000 protesters. Some were still maintaining blockades on highway sliproads, tolls and roundabouts on Sunday. Saturday’s demonstrations sparked run-ins with frustrated drivers trying to get around stoppages, and more than 400 people were injured, 14 of them seriously, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said. A woman protester died when she was accidentally hit by a panicked driver at one blockade. At least 157 people were taken into police custody. In a separate Ifop poll in the JDD on Sunday, 62 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize policies to help household incomes even if it meant advancing more slowly in an environmentally friendly energy transition plan. Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said the government, which last week sought to placate motorists with subsidies for the worst off, would not back down on its fuel tax plans. These are set for another hike in January including on diesel, the most commonly used fuel in France. “I would prefer to announce tax cuts but we need levers to fight climate change,” he told Europe 1 radio and CNews television in a joint interview on Sunday. Macron’s popularity has sunk to as low as 21 per cent in other polls recently, after a torrid summer marked by a scandal over the violent conduct of the president’s former security adviser and the departure of several ministers.

Macron's popularity dips as French fuel tax revolt simmers

Protester killed in accident during French road blockades

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it. &nbsp;This may have been both fundamentally practical, given the potency of nationalism, but also a folly that is now panning out in the Union.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The aspiration to tame nationalism might have been practical because the historical memory of the concept was fresh in Europe; it then could on have been erased and banishing it might even have meant its recrudescence. Through functional integration and gradualism, the aspiration might have morphed into taming nationalism. But, as the West’s ( except for outliers like Australia and Canada) descent into nativism and populism suggests, merely mellowing nationalism could have been a folly. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;Against the backdrop of the return of the nationalism in the West, more poignantly in Europe, it is leaders like Emmanuel Macron who represent the best hope for the continent. He is cosmopolitan, unencumbered by past legacies and is beholden to both a world order that is not zero-sum and insular. Macron also has a vision for France that is at odds at bottoms up demand for a more parochial, inward-looking, and nationalist entity. &nbsp;Stripped of accretions, Europe is France and Germany complemented by a few other smaller entities (nations). So, whatever direction either take will determine the nature and future of the larger European Union. But, within this Franco-German combine (or core Europe), Germany and its politics, is fragmenting into the solvent of reaction and polarisation, it is perhaps Macron’s France that is the last holdout against these forces. 
&nbsp; 
Can, the question, is Macron hold the forte so to speak? 
&nbsp; 
Perhaps. 
&nbsp; 
But, for the French president to be a beacon amidst gloom and doom, he needs clarity of vision, &nbsp;a deft and a pragmatic approach to policy making and a bit of a review of himself. 
&nbsp; 
I will dwell on each theme in reverse sequence.

Youth and idealistic exuberance can, at times, lead to what may be called a semblance of arrogance. This is perhaps what is happening to Macron. To obviate the perception of arrogance, Macron must mellow down in terms of attitude and approach and develop communication strategies and techniques that do not jar with people. &nbsp;He must not only be accessible but also come across as someone who the people of France can relate to and identify with. Having said this, communication skills can go only so far. Unless and until communication has substance, it is mere rhetoric and spin. What, the question here is, would constitute substance for Macron? 
&nbsp; 
The young president of France must gain conceptual clarity on the nature of nationalism and structural clarity on the European Union. Broken down, this means that Macron must understand that nationalism cannot be wished away and his aspiration of cosmopolitanism, howsoever noble, at this stage in world history, remains just that: an aspiration. But this does not mean caving in to the pressures of nationalism. It means sublimating the concept and its emotional wellsprings and projecting them onto the larger Union. Herein lies the challenge for Macron whose nature is to fund a delicate balance defined by equipoise between the two, with the ultimate goal of a more expansive European identity. 
&nbsp; 
The natural concomitant to the clarity of vision in terms of the conceptual and the emotional must lie in policy grids and frameworks which actually work for the people. These must be informed by the past, defined by the present and oriented towards the future, in ways that enhance peoples’ welfare, in the expansive sense of the term. 
&nbsp; 
In combination, the admixture of “prescriptions” offered here might constitute a useful starting point to inject sobriety and proportion in Europe but, more importantly, redeem the entity, especially in its eyes. Europe and the European Union are too special and unique to be frittered away at the altar of competing nationalisms and consumed by these along with forces and clamour of nativist populism. 
&nbsp; 
The challenge to salvage Europe is, counter-intuitively, exacerbated by the Democrat’s successes in the United States’ midterm elections. The Democrats, neither have a conceptual toolkit nor practical policy markers to deal with and counter Trumpism. In all likelihood, they will, if not mimic but take a leaf from Trump and bend to the forces of nativist populism in the United States. There then is no one in the West who can actually take on substantively these insalubrious forces and trends. With faith in himself, whose feature must be humility complemented by a robust understanding of the nature of challenge(s), Macron must gird his sleeves and set to save and redevelop project Europe.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it.

It would appear, in hindsight, that the European Union, forged after the devastating world wars that consumed Europe in fratricidal conflicts fuelled by nationalism and balance of power politics, was more an attempt to tame nationalism than expunge it. This may have been both fundamentally practical, given the potency of nationalism, but also a folly that is now panning out in the Union. The aspiration to tame nationalism might have been practical because the historical memory of the concept was fresh in Europe; it then could on have been erased and banishing it might even have meant its recrudescence. Through functional integration and gradualism, the aspiration might have morphed into taming nationalism. But, as the West’s ( except for outliers like Australia and Canada) descent into nativism and populism suggests, merely mellowing nationalism could have been a folly. Against the backdrop of the return of the nationalism in the West, more poignantly in Europe, it is leaders like Emmanuel Macron who represent the best hope for the continent. He is cosmopolitan, unencumbered by past legacies and is beholden to both a world order that is not zero-sum and insular. Macron also has a vision for France that is at odds at bottoms up demand for a more parochial, inward-looking, and nationalist entity. Stripped of accretions, Europe is France and Germany complemented by a few other smaller entities (nations). So, whatever direction either take will determine the nature and future of the larger European Union. But, within this Franco-German combine (or core Europe), Germany and its politics, is fragmenting into the solvent of reaction and polarisation, it is perhaps Macron’s France that is the last holdout against these forces. Can, the question, is Macron hold the forte so to speak? Perhaps. But, for the French president to be a beacon amidst gloom and doom, he needs clarity of vision, a deft and a pragmatic approach to policy making and a bit of a review of himself. I will dwell on each theme in reverse sequence. Youth and idealistic exuberance can, at times, lead to what may be called a semblance of arrogance. This is perhaps what is happening to Macron. To obviate the perception of arrogance, Macron must mellow down in terms of attitude and approach and develop communication strategies and techniques that do not jar with people. He must not only be accessible but also come across as someone who the people of France can relate to and identify with. Having said this, communication skills can go only so far. Unless and until communication has substance, it is mere rhetoric and spin. What, the question here is, would constitute substance for Macron? The young president of France must gain conceptual clarity on the nature of nationalism and structural clarity on the European Union. Broken down, this means that Macron must understand that nationalism cannot be wished away and his aspiration of cosmopolitanism, howsoever noble, at this stage in world history, remains just that: an aspiration. But this does not mean caving in to the pressures of nationalism. It means sublimating the concept and its emotional wellsprings and projecting them onto the larger Union. Herein lies the challenge for Macron whose nature is to fund a delicate balance defined by equipoise between the two, with the ultimate goal of a more expansive European identity. The natural concomitant to the clarity of vision in terms of the conceptual and the emotional must lie in policy grids and frameworks which actually work for the people. These must be informed by the past, defined by the present and oriented towards the future, in ways that enhance peoples’ welfare, in the expansive sense of the term. In combination, the admixture of “prescriptions” offered here might constitute a useful starting point to inject sobriety and proportion in Europe but, more importantly, redeem the entity, especially in its eyes. Europe and the European Union are too special and unique to be frittered away at the altar of competing nationalisms and consumed by these along with forces and clamour of nativist populism. The challenge to salvage Europe is, counter-intuitively, exacerbated by the Democrat’s successes in the United States’ midterm elections. The Democrats, neither have a conceptual toolkit nor practical policy markers to deal with and counter Trumpism. In all likelihood, they will, if not mimic but take a leaf from Trump and bend to the forces of nativist populism in the United States. There then is no one in the West who can actually take on substantively these insalubrious forces and trends. With faith in himself, whose feature must be humility complemented by a robust understanding of the nature of challenge(s), Macron must gird his sleeves and set to save and redevelop project Europe. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Can Emmanuel Macron save Europe?

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-may-says-no-brexit-is-an-alternative-to-draft-deal-177526">UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit</a>

Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels.

"We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated," May told parliament, to cheers from some lawmakers when she mentioned the possibility of no Brexit.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">Khashoggi killing: Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Salman was not involved, 5 others face </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">death</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533"> penalty</a>

Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525">Delhi double murder: After killing, 3 accused went to </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525">police</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-double-murder-after-killing-3-accused-went-to-police-station-confessed-177525"> station &amp; confessed</a>

Fashion designer Mala Lakhani and her domestic help Bahadhur were murdered late Wednesday night in Delhi's Vasant Kunj.&nbsp;

Three men have been arrested for the murder. Police said the men murdered Lakhani and Bahadur and robbed valuables from her home.&nbsp;

"Lakhani had set up a workshop in her house for cutting and tailoring. Accused Rahul was working as a tailor master there. He along with his associates Rahmat and Wasim made a plan to murder. They stole valuables from the house," Delhi Police told ANI.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">India, China agree on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">importance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542"> of maintaining peace along </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-on-importance-of-maintaining-peace-along-border-177542">border</a>

A year after the Doklam standoff, top defence officials of India and China have agreed on the importance of maintaining peace in the border areas while implementing the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-is-us-ally-not-vassal-state-macron-hits-back-at-trump-177519">France is US ally, not vassal state: Macron hits back at Trump</a>

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told Donald Trump that France was the United States' ally and not a vassal state after the US president attacked him in a series of tweets that demonstrated how much their relationship had soured.

UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels.

UK PM May says 'no Brexit' is alternative to draft deal after 4 ministers quit Prime Minister Theresa May told British MPs Thursday that they faced the possibility of Britain exiting the EU with no deal or no Brexit at all if they failed to back her draft agreement with Brussels. "We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated," May told parliament, to cheers from some lawmakers when she mentioned the possibility of no Brexit. Khashoggi killing: Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Salman was not involved, 5 others face death penalty Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said Thursday. Delhi double murder: After killing, 3 accused went to police station & confessed Fashion designer Mala Lakhani and her domestic help Bahadhur were murdered late Wednesday night in Delhi's Vasant Kunj. Three men have been arrested for the murder. Police said the men murdered Lakhani and Bahadur and robbed valuables from her home. "Lakhani had set up a workshop in her house for cutting and tailoring. Accused Rahul was working as a tailor master there. He along with his associates Rahmat and Wasim made a plan to murder. They stole valuables from the house," Delhi Police told ANI. India, China agree on importance of maintaining peace along border A year after the Doklam standoff, top defence officials of India and China have agreed on the importance of maintaining peace in the border areas while implementing the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan. France is US ally, not vassal state: Macron hits back at Trump President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told Donald Trump that France was the United States' ally and not a vassal state after the US president attacked him in a series of tweets that demonstrated how much their relationship had soured.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/with-trump-sitting-nearby-macron-calls-nationalism-betrayal-176693">attack on Emmanuel Macron</a>, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.

In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence.

"Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

"They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US&nbsp;came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!"

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Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062311785787744256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062331024426913792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333534214520832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333882610171907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War.&nbsp;

After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%."

"He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!"&nbsp;

"MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!"

Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside.

'Bromance' dead?&nbsp;

Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter.

The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect."

But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity.

Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting."

In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding.

Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said.

But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry."

The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized.

"I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!"&nbsp;

"Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary. In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence. "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted. "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!" Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........ — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × ......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War. After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%." "He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!" "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!" Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside. 'Bromance' dead? Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter. The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect." But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity. Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting." In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding. Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said. But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry." The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized. "I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!" "Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.

After Macron rubbishes nationalism, Trump goes on massive Twitter tirade against him

Trump attacks Emmanuel Macron on Twitter; threatens France on wine tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched another attack against Emmanuel Macron over the French president's call for a European army.

"Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted. "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US&nbsp;came along. Pay for NATO or not!"

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Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062311785787744256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Over the weekend, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-macron-agree-on-defence-after-insulting-european-army-spat-176575">Macron angered Trump</a> by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European security.

Trump and Mcron agreed on Saturday on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macron's call for a European army as "very insulting".

Meeting for talks at the Elysee a day before commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Macron welcomed Trump under rainy Parisian skies with a firm handshake. But there appeared to be less immediate warmth in the greeting between the two than in the past.

"We want a strong Europe, it's very important to us, and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want," said Trump.

"We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States."

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Macron delivered a speech&nbsp;condemning the rise of nationalism&nbsp;as dozens of world leaders—including President Donald Trump—gathered in Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.

“Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” Macron said. “By saying, ‘Our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace and what is essential: its moral values.”

Macron didn’t mention Trump or the United States by name in his remarks, and his message was likely meant for several world leaders in the audience and listeners worldwide, given&nbsp;the rise of nationalist movements&nbsp;throughout Europe.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched another attack against Emmanuel Macron over the French president's call for a European army. "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched another attack against Emmanuel Macron over the French president's call for a European army. "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted. "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US came along. Pay for NATO or not!" Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × Over the weekend, Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European security. Trump and Mcron agreed on Saturday on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macron's call for a European army as "very insulting". Meeting for talks at the Elysee a day before commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Macron welcomed Trump under rainy Parisian skies with a firm handshake. But there appeared to be less immediate warmth in the greeting between the two than in the past. "We want a strong Europe, it's very important to us, and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want," said Trump. "We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States." Meanwhile, Macron delivered a speech condemning the rise of nationalism as dozens of world leaders—including President Donald Trump—gathered in Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. “Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” Macron said. “By saying, ‘Our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace and what is essential: its moral values.” Macron didn’t mention Trump or the United States by name in his remarks, and his message was likely meant for several world leaders in the audience and listeners worldwide, given the rise of nationalist movements throughout Europe.

Trump criticises Macron again over European defense remarks

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged dozens of world leaders marking a century since the end of World War I to come together for a joint "fight for peace".&nbsp;

"Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other," he told leaders gathered at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Speaking to an audience that included US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, he called for leaders to fight "withdrawal, violence and domination".

"Together, we can ward off threats -- the spectre of global warming and the destruction of the environment, poverty, hunger, disease, inequalities, ignorance."&nbsp;

After spending a week touring the former battlefields of northern France, he urged leaders not to forget the slaughter, "one hundred years after a massacre whose scars are still visible on the face of the world". &nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged dozens of world leaders marking a century since the end of World War I to come together for a joint "fight for peace".

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged dozens of world leaders marking a century since the end of World War I to come together for a joint "fight for peace". "Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other," he told leaders gathered at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Speaking to an audience that included US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, he called for leaders to fight "withdrawal, violence and domination". "Together, we can ward off threats -- the spectre of global warming and the destruction of the environment, poverty, hunger, disease, inequalities, ignorance." After spending a week touring the former battlefields of northern France, he urged leaders not to forget the slaughter, "one hundred years after a massacre whose scars are still visible on the face of the world".

At WWI ceremony Macron urges world leaders to 'build hope, not fear'

President Emmanuel Macron gathered his new government for its first post-reshuffle meeting on Wednesday and struck a contrite tone, looking to reboot his presidency after months of criticism and slumping polls.

"People expect us to show steadfastness and coherence," he told the 35-member cabinet, a day after shaking up the administration and appointing close ally Christophe Castaner as interior minister, responsible for police and internal security.

"For me, the object of this government is simple: to build a power for the 21st century. Every day we need to explain the reforms being made, respond to concerns, but know that any single response doesn't hold unless we have a stronger nation."

In a pre-recorded, televised address to the nation on Tuesday night, hours after carrying out the long-awaited reshuffle, Macron acknowledged making mistakes in his first 17 months in office, including off-the-cuff remarks that have led people to accuse him of arrogance and self-importance.

"My determination and my plain-speaking may have upset or shocked some of you, and I hear the criticism," he said, adding that he understood citizens were eager to see results from his reform agenda.

"I know there is impatience, I share it," the 40-year-old former investment banker said. "Gradually, I'm sure, your daily life will get better because the government is on the right track and, above all, getting to the root of the problems."

Macron enjoyed a bullish first few months in office, with business and consumer confidence improving and unemployment falling, but his fortunes have turned in recent months.

GDP growth forecasts for this year have been scaled back from 2.0 per cent to 1.7 per cent, the fall in unemployment has stalled and there is general consternation around Macron's reform agenda.

But it is more the style of his presidency that has rankled. His remarks berating striking workers for "kicking up a bloody mess" or dismissing critics of his labour reforms as "slackers" have turned off many voters.

A scandal involving an Elysee Palace bodyguard caught on camera beating up May Day protesters further tarnished his reputation.

Polls once showed more than 60 percent approval for Macron's leadership, but now hover around 30 percent.

Even former members of his inner circle are critical. When former interior minister Gerard Collomb quit this month, he spoke of a lack of humility in Macron's team and the risk of hubris - excessive pride that leads to a downfall.

The next presidential election is not due until 2022, and the political opposition is largely in disarray. But Macron's reform programme is so ambitious that he must stick to a tight schedule to carry it out.

Already there have been delays - planned changes to the number of parliamentarians and the introduction of some proportional representation have been postponed. But Macron was clear on Wednesday that plans to overhaul the pensions and unemployment benefits systems would not be knocked off course.

"We have a nation to transform," he told the ministers. "The workload before us is immense ... the goal remains the same."

President Emmanuel Macron gathered his new government for its first post-reshuffle meeting on Wednesday and struck a contrite tone, looking to reboot his presidency after months of criticism and slumping polls.

President Emmanuel Macron gathered his new government for its first post-reshuffle meeting on Wednesday and struck a contrite tone, looking to reboot his presidency after months of criticism and slumping polls. "People expect us to show steadfastness and coherence," he told the 35-member cabinet, a day after shaking up the administration and appointing close ally Christophe Castaner as interior minister, responsible for police and internal security. "For me, the object of this government is simple: to build a power for the 21st century. Every day we need to explain the reforms being made, respond to concerns, but know that any single response doesn't hold unless we have a stronger nation." In a pre-recorded, televised address to the nation on Tuesday night, hours after carrying out the long-awaited reshuffle, Macron acknowledged making mistakes in his first 17 months in office, including off-the-cuff remarks that have led people to accuse him of arrogance and self-importance. "My determination and my plain-speaking may have upset or shocked some of you, and I hear the criticism," he said, adding that he understood citizens were eager to see results from his reform agenda. "I know there is impatience, I share it," the 40-year-old former investment banker said. "Gradually, I'm sure, your daily life will get better because the government is on the right track and, above all, getting to the root of the problems." Macron enjoyed a bullish first few months in office, with business and consumer confidence improving and unemployment falling, but his fortunes have turned in recent months. GDP growth forecasts for this year have been scaled back from 2.0 per cent to 1.7 per cent, the fall in unemployment has stalled and there is general consternation around Macron's reform agenda. But it is more the style of his presidency that has rankled. His remarks berating striking workers for "kicking up a bloody mess" or dismissing critics of his labour reforms as "slackers" have turned off many voters. A scandal involving an Elysee Palace bodyguard caught on camera beating up May Day protesters further tarnished his reputation. Polls once showed more than 60 percent approval for Macron's leadership, but now hover around 30 percent. Even former members of his inner circle are critical. When former interior minister Gerard Collomb quit this month, he spoke of a lack of humility in Macron's team and the risk of hubris - excessive pride that leads to a downfall. The next presidential election is not due until 2022, and the political opposition is largely in disarray. But Macron's reform programme is so ambitious that he must stick to a tight schedule to carry it out. Already there have been delays - planned changes to the number of parliamentarians and the introduction of some proportional representation have been postponed. But Macron was clear on Wednesday that plans to overhaul the pensions and unemployment benefits systems would not be knocked off course. "We have a nation to transform," he told the ministers. "The workload before us is immense ... the goal remains the same."

Fighting slump, Macron seeks presidency reboot with cabinet 2.0

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran.

The French government announced it was freezing assets belonging to two suspected Iranian intelligence operatives, as well as others belonging to Iran's ministry of intelligence and security.

The decision to take retaliatory measures and go public with the accusations was taken three months after the alleged plot to bomb a meeting of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) in a suburb of Paris.

"This extremely serious act envisaged on our territory could not go without a response," France's interior, foreign and economy ministers said in a rare joint statement.

"In taking this decision, France underlines its determination to fight against terrorism in all its forms, particularly on its own territory."

A French diplomatic source told AFP that the security forces had concluded that "the head of operations at the (Iranian) intelligence ministry ordered it".

Iran immediately denied any involvement, as it did in July when the MEK accused it of being responsible.

Raids across Europe

The alleged bomb plot came to light two days after thousands of Iranian opposition supporters gathered at an exhibition centre outside Paris on June 30.

The meeting was attended by two allies of US President Donald Trump, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The People's Mujahedin was formed in the 1960s to overthrow the Shah of Iran and it continues to organise opposition to the current leaders of the Islamic republic who took power following the 1979 revolution.

Belgium announced in July that it had arrested a couple in a Brussels suburb who were suspected of preparing to drive a car packed with explosives to the French rally.

But a total of six people were then detained in coordinated raids by European police.

One of the detained men was an Iranian diplomat based in Vienna who was stopped by German police.&nbsp;

The diplomat, Assadollah Asadi, was targeted by the asset freezes announced by French authorities Tuesday, as well as Saeid Hashemi Moghadam, who the French diplomatic source said was head of operations at the intelligence ministry.

Asadi is set to be extradited to Belgium to face trial, German authorities announced on Monday.

"We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest, and call for his immediate release," a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Diplomatic strains

The measures announced Tuesday come as French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani are at odds on a host of issues.&nbsp;

Macron, who hoped to improve ties with Tehran at the start of his presidency last year, has allied with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal which limits the Islamic Republic's atomic programme.

While US President Donald Trump has pulled out of the agreement and denounced it, Macron has been vocal supporter and has worked to keep the accord alive despite US sanctions.

But Macron is at loggerheads with Rouhani over the wars in Syria and Yemen, in which Iran is a major player, and has raised concerns about the country's ballistic missile programme.

The US considers Iran to be the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism because of its links with a host of armed groups, particularly the powerful Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, as well as other networks in Iraq and Yemen.

Iran has been blamed in the past for carrying out attacks in countries as far afield as Argentina, India and Thailand.

The French diplomatic source said Iran was suspected of carrying out "several" assassinations of opposition figures in the European Union since 2015.&nbsp;

Also Tuesday, around 200 French police launched a dawn anti-terror raid on one of the biggest Shiite Muslim centres in France, the Zahra Centre France, as well as the homes of its directors.

Eleven people were questioned -- three of them arrested, security sources told AFP, including for the illegal possession of firearms.

The Zahra Centre France was founded in 2009 by Yahia Gouasmi, a pro-regime activist and religious figure who has spoken in support of Hezbollah.

Gouasmi is also the founder of the Anti-Zionist Party in France and an associate of controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a convicted anti-Semite.

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran.

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran. The French government announced it was freezing assets belonging to two suspected Iranian intelligence operatives, as well as others belonging to Iran's ministry of intelligence and security. The decision to take retaliatory measures and go public with the accusations was taken three months after the alleged plot to bomb a meeting of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) in a suburb of Paris. "This extremely serious act envisaged on our territory could not go without a response," France's interior, foreign and economy ministers said in a rare joint statement. "In taking this decision, France underlines its determination to fight against terrorism in all its forms, particularly on its own territory." A French diplomatic source told AFP that the security forces had concluded that "the head of operations at the (Iranian) intelligence ministry ordered it". Iran immediately denied any involvement, as it did in July when the MEK accused it of being responsible. Raids across Europe The alleged bomb plot came to light two days after thousands of Iranian opposition supporters gathered at an exhibition centre outside Paris on June 30. The meeting was attended by two allies of US President Donald Trump, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The People's Mujahedin was formed in the 1960s to overthrow the Shah of Iran and it continues to organise opposition to the current leaders of the Islamic republic who took power following the 1979 revolution. Belgium announced in July that it had arrested a couple in a Brussels suburb who were suspected of preparing to drive a car packed with explosives to the French rally. But a total of six people were then detained in coordinated raids by European police. One of the detained men was an Iranian diplomat based in Vienna who was stopped by German police. The diplomat, Assadollah Asadi, was targeted by the asset freezes announced by French authorities Tuesday, as well as Saeid Hashemi Moghadam, who the French diplomatic source said was head of operations at the intelligence ministry. Asadi is set to be extradited to Belgium to face trial, German authorities announced on Monday. "We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest, and call for his immediate release," a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Diplomatic strains The measures announced Tuesday come as French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani are at odds on a host of issues. Macron, who hoped to improve ties with Tehran at the start of his presidency last year, has allied with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal which limits the Islamic Republic's atomic programme. While US President Donald Trump has pulled out of the agreement and denounced it, Macron has been vocal supporter and has worked to keep the accord alive despite US sanctions. But Macron is at loggerheads with Rouhani over the wars in Syria and Yemen, in which Iran is a major player, and has raised concerns about the country's ballistic missile programme. The US considers Iran to be the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism because of its links with a host of armed groups, particularly the powerful Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, as well as other networks in Iraq and Yemen. Iran has been blamed in the past for carrying out attacks in countries as far afield as Argentina, India and Thailand. The French diplomatic source said Iran was suspected of carrying out "several" assassinations of opposition figures in the European Union since 2015. Also Tuesday, around 200 French police launched a dawn anti-terror raid on one of the biggest Shiite Muslim centres in France, the Zahra Centre France, as well as the homes of its directors. Eleven people were questioned -- three of them arrested, security sources told AFP, including for the illegal possession of firearms. The Zahra Centre France was founded in 2009 by Yahia Gouasmi, a pro-regime activist and religious figure who has spoken in support of Hezbollah. Gouasmi is also the founder of the Anti-Zionist Party in France and an associate of controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a convicted anti-Semite.

France accuses Iran over bomb plot near Paris, Tehran denies allegations 

WION Speed News: Watch top international & national news of the morning, September 21, 2018

As US President called G-7 countries to admit Russia, French president Emmanuel Macron said European members "unanimously oppose" Russia's entry.

"I have been Russia's worst nightmare," Trump said, adding, "but with that being said, Russia should be in this meeting," the US president said as he left for the G7 meet. Trump's move was backed by Italian PM &nbsp;Minister Giuseppe Conti which is a G7 member.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Le dialogue, encore et toujours. Échanger, tenter de convaincre, sans cesse, pour défendre les intérêts des Français et aussi de tous ceux qui croient que le monde ne se construit qu'ensemble. Avec le Président américain, avant l'ouverture du G7. <a href="https://t.co/7iI2rtAoEN">pic.twitter.com/7iI2rtAoEN</a>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1005138461924438017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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However, both France and Germany opposed Russia's entry into the elite club.

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"We are in agreement that a return of Russia to the G7 cannot happen unless substantial progress is made in terms of the problems with Ukraine," Merkel said.

The G7 nations had ended Russia's membership after it annexed Crimea in 2014, the group was formerly known as G8. The US president strongly backed Russia's entry, saying: "Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting?

"I would recommend - it's up to them. But Russia should be in the meeting, should be a part of it."

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said European members of the G7 will "unanimously oppose US President Donald Trump's call for Russia to be readmitted into the club".

Reports said British PM Theresa May was also against Russia's entry.

Russia's entry has been a sticking point with Europeans with reports of Russians allegedly involved in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain which led to several European countries recalling their diplomats from Russia with British PM Theresa May taking a tough stand for renewed international pressure on Putin to address the issue including the Crimean annexation.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZDstU42Y2Qg" width="560"></iframe>

Reports said British PM Theresa May was also against Russia's entry.

As US President called G-7 countries to admit Russia, French president Emmanuel Macron said European members "unanimously oppose" Russia's entry. "I have been Russia's worst nightmare," Trump said, adding, "but with that being said, Russia should be in this meeting," the US president said as he left for the G7 meet. Trump's move was backed by Italian PM Minister Giuseppe Conti which is a G7 member. Le dialogue, encore et toujours. Échanger, tenter de convaincre, sans cesse, pour défendre les intérêts des Français et aussi de tous ceux qui croient que le monde ne se construit qu'ensemble. Avec le Président américain, avant l'ouverture du G7. pic.twitter.com/7iI2rtAoEN — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 8, 2018 × However, both France and Germany opposed Russia's entry into the elite club. × "We are in agreement that a return of Russia to the G7 cannot happen unless substantial progress is made in terms of the problems with Ukraine," Merkel said. The G7 nations had ended Russia's membership after it annexed Crimea in 2014, the group was formerly known as G8. The US president strongly backed Russia's entry, saying: "Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting? "I would recommend - it's up to them. But Russia should be in the meeting, should be a part of it." French President Emmanuel Macron's office said European members of the G7 will "unanimously oppose US President Donald Trump's call for Russia to be readmitted into the club". Reports said British PM Theresa May was also against Russia's entry. Russia's entry has been a sticking point with Europeans with reports of Russians allegedly involved in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain which led to several European countries recalling their diplomats from Russia with British PM Theresa May taking a tough stand for renewed international pressure on Putin to address the issue including the Crimean annexation.

Europeans nations 'unanimously oppose' President Trump's call to admit Russia into G7: Macron

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/-europeans-nations-unanimously-oppose-president-trumps-call-to-admit-russia-into-g7-macron-143208">Europeans nations 'unanimously oppose' President Trump's call to admit Russia into G7: Macron</a>

As US President called G-7 countries to admit Russia, French president Emmanuel Macron said European members "unanimously oppose" Russia's entry.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/watch-macron-may-have-put-too-much-pressure-on-trump-at-the-g7-summit-leaves-thumb-imprint--143212">Watch: Macron may have put 'too much pressure' on Trump at G7, leaves thumb imprint</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron on&nbsp<a href="http://wionews.com/world/-europeans-nations-unanimously-oppose-president-trumps-call-to-admit-russia-into-g7-macron-143208">Friday met US President Donald Trump in&nbsp</a>Canada for the continued trade talks and put pressure on the US on its decision to impose tariffs&nbspon metals imports. But, he may have put a tad bit too much, which was evidently seen by the aftermath of the handshake - which left a prominent imprint on the US Presidents hand.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/despite-losing-unsc-seat-maldives-govt-thanks-india-for-support--143215">Despite losing UNSC seat, Maldives govt thanks India for support</a>

A day after Maldives failed to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, losing to&nbspIndonesia, the government of Maldives thanked the Indian government for supporting its candidature in the UNSC.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-heads-to-china-for-sco-summit-143220">PM Modi heads to China for SCO Summit</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning departed for China's Qingdao to attend the two-day long 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/pak-interim-pm-reviews-fatf-requirements-on-terror-financing-143210">Pak interim PM reviews FATF requirements on terror financing</a>

Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk reviewed on Friday the measures taken by the country to meet the requirement of the global watchdog Financial Action Task Force over terrorism financing.

&nbsp

Europeans nations 'unanimously oppose' President Trump's call to admit Russia into G7: Macron As US President called G-7 countries to admit Russia, French president Emmanuel Macron said European members "unanimously oppose" Russia's entry. Watch: Macron may have put 'too much pressure' on Trump at G7, leaves thumb imprint French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday met US President Donald Trump in Canada for the continued trade talks and put pressure on the US on its decision to impose tariffs&nbspon metals imports. But, he may have put a tad bit too much, which was evidently seen by the aftermath of the handshake - which left a prominent imprint on the US Presidents hand. Despite losing UNSC seat, Maldives govt thanks India for support A day after Maldives failed to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, losing to&nbspIndonesia, the government of Maldives thanked the Indian government for supporting its candidature in the UNSC. PM Modi heads to China for SCO Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning departed for China's Qingdao to attend the two-day long 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Pak interim PM reviews FATF requirements on terror financing Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk reviewed on Friday the measures taken by the country to meet the requirement of the global watchdog Financial Action Task Force over terrorism financing.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed support for "strong multilateralism" in Ottawa Wednesday before the G7 summit, where US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies are sure to raise hackles.

Displaying a united front, the two leaders in their 40s said in a statement they "support a strong, responsible, transparent multilateralism to face the global challenges."

The pair were scheduled to hold formal talks and a private dinner on Wednesday, followed by a joint news conference early Thursday.

Those discussions are likely to focus on Trump's decision last week to impose punishing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Washington's closest allies, including Canada, the European Union and Japan.

In retaliation, all of them have either hit back with their own tariffs on US goods or threatened to do so, as well as challenging the US trade measure at the World Trade Organization.

Both Trudeau and Macron had tried to persuade Trump not to impose the tariffs.

"There will be frank and sometimes difficult discussions around the G7 table, particularly with the US president on tariffs," Trudeau told reporters.

His private meeting with Macron, he said, "will be an opportunity to talk about the relations between Canada and France that are going very well, but also to highlight the challenges that we are going to have around the G7 table, and to make sure we are aligned."

Economic order 'under attack'

The EU and Canada were originally shielded from the aluminum and steel tariffs, but Trump ended that exemption last week.

Since then, Trudeau, Macron and other European leaders have toughened their tone, lamenting what they see as rising US protectionism.

"The world economic order is... under attack," Canada's Trade Minister Francois Philippe Champagne commented.

Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow, however, framed the trade spat as a "family quarrel" which he said would be "worked out," while adding that his administration "will do what is necessary to protect the United States, its businesses and its workforce." 
Macron -- who had formed an unlikely bond with Trump -- declined to characterize his last conversation with the US leader, but unnamed White House insiders told US media it was "terrible."

Still, the French leader pledged to have a "productive and frank discussion with President Trump at the G7," the Group of Seven industrialized democracies.&nbsp

"It does not detract from the friendship we have for each other and the friendship between our two countries," he said.

Trudeau, who has been cordial with Trump, said in March he had received assurances that Canada would be spared as they worked toward a revamp of a 1994 continental trade pact with the United States.

But that all changed with the announcement of the US levies, and Trudeau retaliated with Can$16.6 billion (US$12.9 billion) in tariffs on US goods.

The two sides are also deadlocked on negotiations over the future of their North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico. Ottawa refuses to grant US demands for a clause that would end the trade deal after five years unless it is renewed by the parties.&nbsp

Canada has also rejected "for now" a proposal floated by the White House for new separate US trade deals with Canada and Mexico.

The left-leaning Trudeau and Macron see each other as natural allies in a world increasingly shaped by right-wing nationalism. That bond should only grow deeper ahead of the G7 in Quebec.

According to a statement, they settled on the creation of an international working group to advance research and best practices in artificial intelligence, as well as a new defense alliance.

The French-Canadian Council for Defense Cooperation will meet by year's end and look at boosting cooperation between their respective armed forces, including conducting joint military operations and partnering on UN missions.

Focus on trade&nbsp

The GSeven summit on Friday and Saturday in La Malbaie, a small town 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Quebec City, will bring together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Trudeau hoped to put the focus on jobs, security concerns, cleaning up the world's oceans and empowering women. But officials concede the agenda is likely to be overtaken by trade disputes.&nbsp

"I think it's fair to expect that any discussions on the global economy... in the current environment will quickly turn into a discussion about trade," a senior Canadian official said.

The other six members of the G7 are holding out hope they can find common ground with Trump, but are prepared to stand up to US protectionism.

"The challenge is to try to preserve a form of unity within the G7, but not hesitate to express firmly and strongly the interests of France and of Europe," Macron's office said.

Displaying a united front, the two leaders in their 40s said in a statement they 'support a strong, responsible, transparent multilateralism to face the global challenges'

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed support for "strong multilateralism" in Ottawa Wednesday before the G7 summit, where US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies are sure to raise hackles. Displaying a united front, the two leaders in their 40s said in a statement they "support a strong, responsible, transparent multilateralism to face the global challenges." The pair were scheduled to hold formal talks and a private dinner on Wednesday, followed by a joint news conference early Thursday. Those discussions are likely to focus on Trump's decision last week to impose punishing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Washington's closest allies, including Canada, the European Union and Japan. In retaliation, all of them have either hit back with their own tariffs on US goods or threatened to do so, as well as challenging the US trade measure at the World Trade Organization. Both Trudeau and Macron had tried to persuade Trump not to impose the tariffs. "There will be frank and sometimes difficult discussions around the G7 table, particularly with the US president on tariffs," Trudeau told reporters. His private meeting with Macron, he said, "will be an opportunity to talk about the relations between Canada and France that are going very well, but also to highlight the challenges that we are going to have around the G7 table, and to make sure we are aligned." Economic order 'under attack' The EU and Canada were originally shielded from the aluminum and steel tariffs, but Trump ended that exemption last week. Since then, Trudeau, Macron and other European leaders have toughened their tone, lamenting what they see as rising US protectionism. "The world economic order is... under attack," Canada's Trade Minister Francois Philippe Champagne commented. Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow, however, framed the trade spat as a "family quarrel" which he said would be "worked out," while adding that his administration "will do what is necessary to protect the United States, its businesses and its workforce." Macron -- who had formed an unlikely bond with Trump -- declined to characterize his last conversation with the US leader, but unnamed White House insiders told US media it was "terrible." Still, the French leader pledged to have a "productive and frank discussion with President Trump at the G7," the Group of Seven industrialized democracies. "It does not detract from the friendship we have for each other and the friendship between our two countries," he said. Trudeau, who has been cordial with Trump, said in March he had received assurances that Canada would be spared as they worked toward a revamp of a 1994 continental trade pact with the United States. But that all changed with the announcement of the US levies, and Trudeau retaliated with Can$16.6 billion (US$12.9 billion) in tariffs on US goods. The two sides are also deadlocked on negotiations over the future of their North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico. Ottawa refuses to grant US demands for a clause that would end the trade deal after five years unless it is renewed by the parties. Canada has also rejected "for now" a proposal floated by the White House for new separate US trade deals with Canada and Mexico. The left-leaning Trudeau and Macron see each other as natural allies in a world increasingly shaped by right-wing nationalism. That bond should only grow deeper ahead of the G7 in Quebec. According to a statement, they settled on the creation of an international working group to advance research and best practices in artificial intelligence, as well as a new defense alliance. The French-Canadian Council for Defense Cooperation will meet by year's end and look at boosting cooperation between their respective armed forces, including conducting joint military operations and partnering on UN missions. Focus on trade The GSeven summit on Friday and Saturday in La Malbaie, a small town 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Quebec City, will bring together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Trudeau hoped to put the focus on jobs, security concerns, cleaning up the world's oceans and empowering women. But officials concede the agenda is likely to be overtaken by trade disputes. "I think it's fair to expect that any discussions on the global economy... in the current environment will quickly turn into a discussion about trade," a senior Canadian official said. The other six members of the G7 are holding out hope they can find common ground with Trump, but are prepared to stand up to US protectionism. "The challenge is to try to preserve a form of unity within the G7, but not hesitate to express firmly and strongly the interests of France and of Europe," Macron's office said.

Macron, Trudeau support 'strong multilateralism' ahead of G7 summit

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday his phone calls with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and other world leaders were just like&nbsp;sausages: better not explain what's inside.

During a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron was asked about a CNN report on Monday saying that a phone call between the French leader and Trump last week had been "terrible."

Borrowing a famous quote from 19th-century Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, Macron summed up his policy of refraining from making off-the-record comments about his conversations with other world leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality.

A readout from the French presidency of Macron's call with Trump last week said the 40-year old president had told Trump that his decision to slap tariffs on the exports of US&nbsp;allies were both "illegal" and a "mistake."

The shorter White House readout of the same call said the conversation had focused on trade and immigration, without elaborating.

Macron, appalled by his predecessor Francois Hollande's frequent off-the-record comments to journalists, has kept the press at a distance since his election last year and banned his aides from giving behind-the-scenes accounts of his presidency.

He said on Tuesday that he would have a "useful" and "frank" exchange with Trump at the next G7 summit in Canada on June 7-8 about both issues on which they agree and those where they disagree.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday his phone calls with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders were just like sausages: better not explain what's inside. During a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron was asked about a CNN report on Monday saying that a phone call between the French leader and Trump last week had been "terrible." Borrowing a famous quote from 19th-century Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, Macron summed up his policy of refraining from making off-the-record comments about his conversations with other world leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality. A readout from the French presidency of Macron's call with Trump last week said the 40-year old president had told Trump that his decision to slap tariffs on the exports of US allies were both "illegal" and a "mistake." The shorter White House readout of the same call said the conversation had focused on trade and immigration, without elaborating. Macron, appalled by his predecessor Francois Hollande's frequent off-the-record comments to journalists, has kept the press at a distance since his election last year and banned his aides from giving behind-the-scenes accounts of his presidency. He said on Tuesday that he would have a "useful" and "frank" exchange with Trump at the next G7 summit in Canada on June 7-8 about both issues on which they agree and those where they disagree.

Watch: Phone calls with Trump like 'sausages', says Macron

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he hoped Donald Trump would return to Iran nuclear negotiations but that for now French companies would have to decide for themselves how to react to renewed US&nbspsanctions against Tehran.

The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US&nbsppresident, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also "issues on which we have differences".

The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US president, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also 'issues on which we have differences'

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he hoped Donald Trump would return to Iran nuclear negotiations but that for now French companies would have to decide for themselves how to react to renewed US&nbspsanctions against Tehran. The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US&nbsppresident, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also "issues on which we have differences".

Macron hopes Trump will return to Iran nuke talks

President Emmanuel Macron told executives from the world's biggest technology firms on Wednesday that he wanted innovation to be a driving force for the French economy, but also that they needed to contribute more to society.

The French leader paints himself as a champion of France's plugged-in youth and wants to transform France into a "startup nation" that draws higher investments into technology and artificial intelligence. He is also spearheading efforts in Europe to have digital companies pay more tax at source.

Macron's guest-list included Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, IBM's Virginia Rometty, Intel Corp's Brian Krzanich, Microsoft Corp's Satya Nadella and a raft of other big hitters in the corporate world.

"There is no free lunch," he quipped in English to the executives lined up on the steps of the Elysee Palace for a photo call at a lunch meeting. "So I want from you some commitments."

As Macron spoke, IBM announced it would hire about 1,400 people in France over the next two years in the fields of blockchain and cloud computing.

Ride-hailing app Uber also said it planned to offer all its European drivers an upgraded version of the health insurance it already provides in France in a drive to attract independent workers and fend off criticism over their treatment.

Macron will hold one-on-one talks with Mark Zuckerberg on tax and data privacy on the sidelines of the Tech For Good summit - a day after the Facebook chief executive faced questions from European Union lawmakers.

Those talks will be frank, an Elysee official said ahead of the meeting. While Macron will be pitching France Inc, he will also push his case for a European Union tax on digital turnover and a tougher fight against both data piracy and fake news.

Zuckerberg on Tuesday sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies, apologising to leaders of the European Parliament for a massive data leak but dodging numerous questions.

Macron told the executives that business needed to do more in tackling issues such as inequality and climate change.

"It is not possible just to have free riding on one side, when you make a good business," the French president said.

Zuckerberg on Tuesday sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies.

President Emmanuel Macron told executives from the world's biggest technology firms on Wednesday that he wanted innovation to be a driving force for the French economy, but also that they needed to contribute more to society. The French leader paints himself as a champion of France's plugged-in youth and wants to transform France into a "startup nation" that draws higher investments into technology and artificial intelligence. He is also spearheading efforts in Europe to have digital companies pay more tax at source. Macron's guest-list included Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, IBM's Virginia Rometty, Intel Corp's Brian Krzanich, Microsoft Corp's Satya Nadella and a raft of other big hitters in the corporate world. "There is no free lunch," he quipped in English to the executives lined up on the steps of the Elysee Palace for a photo call at a lunch meeting. "So I want from you some commitments." As Macron spoke, IBM announced it would hire about 1,400 people in France over the next two years in the fields of blockchain and cloud computing. Ride-hailing app Uber also said it planned to offer all its European drivers an upgraded version of the health insurance it already provides in France in a drive to attract independent workers and fend off criticism over their treatment. Macron will hold one-on-one talks with Mark Zuckerberg on tax and data privacy on the sidelines of the Tech For Good summit - a day after the Facebook chief executive faced questions from European Union lawmakers. Those talks will be frank, an Elysee official said ahead of the meeting. While Macron will be pitching France Inc, he will also push his case for a European Union tax on digital turnover and a tougher fight against both data piracy and fake news. Zuckerberg on Tuesday sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies, apologising to leaders of the European Parliament for a massive data leak but dodging numerous questions. Macron told the executives that business needed to do more in tackling issues such as inequality and climate change. "It is not possible just to have free riding on one side, when you make a good business," the French president said.

There is no free lunch, I want some commitments: Macron to tech giants

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Iran nuclear deal and the prevailing situation in Syria on Tuesday.

The two leaders discussed the matter over the phone and assured their commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. 
 
The talks have come ahead of the Economic Forum meeting scheduled for next week in Russia where the two leaders will hold the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Russian Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said that the Iran Nuclear Deal can be discussed without the participation of United States. He also&nbsp;called the US decision on Iran as "rash".He further said that for the continuation of the deal it was important for Tehran to make concessions.

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;pulled the United States out of an international agreement that aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, earlier this month.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Meanwhile, the Russian Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said that the Iran Nuclear Deal can be discussed without the participation of United States and called the US decision on Iran as 'rash'

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Iran nuclear deal and the prevailing situation in Syria on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed the matter over the phone and assured their commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The talks have come ahead of the Economic Forum meeting scheduled for next week in Russia where the two leaders will hold the meeting. Meanwhile, the Russian Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said that the Iran Nuclear Deal can be discussed without the participation of United States. He also called the US decision on Iran as "rash".He further said that for the continuation of the deal it was important for Tehran to make concessions. US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of an international agreement that aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, earlier this month. (With inputs from Reuters)

Putin held talks with Macron on Iran Nuclear deal

President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iran's Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday, with the two leaders agreeing to work toward "the continued implementation of the nuclear deal" following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement, the French presidency said.

"The French and Iranian presidents agreed to pursue their joint efforts with all nations involved, with the aim of continued implementation of the nuclear deal and maintaining regional stability," Macron's office said in a statement.

'The French and Iranian presidents agreed to pursue their joint efforts with all nations involved,' Macron's office said in a statement

President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iran's Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday, with the two leaders agreeing to work toward "the continued implementation of the nuclear deal" following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement, the French presidency said. "The French and Iranian presidents agreed to pursue their joint efforts with all nations involved, with the aim of continued implementation of the nuclear deal and maintaining regional stability," Macron's office said in a statement.

Macron, Rouhani agree to seek 'continued implementation of nuclear deal'

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone Tuesday with Donald Trump, just hours before the US president is widely expected to pull out of a key nuclear deal with Iran, his office said.

In a terse statement, the Elysee Palace said only that the two men "discussed matters relating to peace and stability in the Middle East," with no specific mention of Iran.

Macron has positioned himself as the emissary for European officials seeking a compromise that would keep the deal intact, after months of warnings by Trump that it fails to guarantee Tehran won't eventually build a nuclear weapon.

He had hoped to successfully argue his case during a state visit to Washington last month, but later made no secret that he believed Trump had already made up his mind to scrap the Obama-era accord.

Their discussion Tuesday came as Britain, Germany, France and a senior EU official met Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Brussels and "used this opportunity to reiterate their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the (deal) by all sides", the bloc said in a statement.

Trump said on Twitter that he would announce his decision at 1800 GMT, in what could be his most consequential foreign policy move yet.

In a terse statement, the Elysee Palace said only that the two men 'discussed matters relating to peace and stability in the Middle East,' with no specific mention of Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone Tuesday with Donald Trump, just hours before the US president is widely expected to pull out of a key nuclear deal with Iran, his office said. In a terse statement, the Elysee Palace said only that the two men "discussed matters relating to peace and stability in the Middle East," with no specific mention of Iran. Macron has positioned himself as the emissary for European officials seeking a compromise that would keep the deal intact, after months of warnings by Trump that it fails to guarantee Tehran won't eventually build a nuclear weapon. He had hoped to successfully argue his case during a state visit to Washington last month, but later made no secret that he believed Trump had already made up his mind to scrap the Obama-era accord. Their discussion Tuesday came as Britain, Germany, France and a senior EU official met Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Brussels and "used this opportunity to reiterate their support to the continued full and effective implementation of the (deal) by all sides", the bloc said in a statement. Trump said on Twitter that he would announce his decision at 1800 GMT, in what could be his most consequential foreign policy move yet.

Macron speaks with Trump hours before his announcement on Iran nuclear deal

Two rights groups campaigning for the French government to halt weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said on Sunday they were taking their case to France's highest legal authority.

Pressure has been mounting on Macron to scale back arms support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are leading the coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi group that controls most of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa.

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 million, with no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough to ease the crisis.

Droit Solidarite, a legal NGO, and Aser, which specialises in armament issues, demanded in March that export licenses to Saudi Arabia and the UAE be withdrawn. They gave Prime Minister Edouard Philippe a two-month ultimatum.

They have had no response, so the groups said they would present a legal challenge on Monday to the Conseil d'Etat, France's highest legal authority, which advises the government on legislative matters and arbitrates on public policy issues.

"It will be up to (Council of State) to decide on the legality of the export licence authorisations issued by the prime minister," ASER et Droit Solidarite said in a statement.

The two argue that France is violating national and international law by selling arms that are being used in the conflict in Yemen. The United Nations and rights groups accuse the coalition of targeting civilians, which amounts to a war crime, a charge the coalition denies.

Previouslt, Macron defended French weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, but said he was concerned by the humanitarian situation and would host a conference on the issue before the summer.

Seventy-five percent of French people want Macron to suspend arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, a YouGov poll found. Several rights groups also have warned of possible legal action if the government does not halt its sales.

“Since the start of the conflict in Yemen, France has adopted a very specific process whereby all sales of military equipment are analysed on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of reinforced criteria that reflect respect for international humanitarian law and the risk of harm to civilian populations,” Macron said at a news conference alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

France is the world’s third biggest arms exporter and counts the two countries among its biggest purchasers.

Droit Solidarite, a legal NGO, and Aser, which specialises in armament issues, demanded in March that export licenses to Saudi Arabia and the UAE be withdrawn

Two rights groups campaigning for the French government to halt weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said on Sunday they were taking their case to France's highest legal authority. Pressure has been mounting on Macron to scale back arms support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are leading the coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi group that controls most of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa. The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 million, with no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough to ease the crisis. Droit Solidarite, a legal NGO, and Aser, which specialises in armament issues, demanded in March that export licenses to Saudi Arabia and the UAE be withdrawn. They gave Prime Minister Edouard Philippe a two-month ultimatum. They have had no response, so the groups said they would present a legal challenge on Monday to the Conseil d'Etat, France's highest legal authority, which advises the government on legislative matters and arbitrates on public policy issues. "It will be up to (Council of State) to decide on the legality of the export licence authorisations issued by the prime minister," ASER et Droit Solidarite said in a statement. The two argue that France is violating national and international law by selling arms that are being used in the conflict in Yemen. The United Nations and rights groups accuse the coalition of targeting civilians, which amounts to a war crime, a charge the coalition denies. Previouslt, Macron defended French weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, but said he was concerned by the humanitarian situation and would host a conference on the issue before the summer. Seventy-five percent of French people want Macron to suspend arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, a YouGov poll found. Several rights groups also have warned of possible legal action if the government does not halt its sales. “Since the start of the conflict in Yemen, France has adopted a very specific process whereby all sales of military equipment are analysed on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of reinforced criteria that reflect respect for international humanitarian law and the risk of harm to civilian populations,” Macron said at a news conference alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. France is the world’s third biggest arms exporter and counts the two countries among its biggest purchasers.

French government faces legal pressure over arms sales to Saudi, UAE

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US&nbsppressure to limit its influence in the Middle East.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the deal reached between Iran and six powers in 2015 before he took office, has threatened to pull out by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its “flaws”.

Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016.

Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all.

"We are not worried about America's cruel decisions ... We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.

"If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories ... In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran."

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<h5>If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be,' said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation</h5>
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"If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be," said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation.

"But if they want to weaken Iran and limit its influence whether in the region or globally, Iran will fiercely resist."

Tehran has made repeated threats to walk away if Trump does, but several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that as long as Tehran was not excluded from the global financial and trading system, it could consider respecting the accord.

Diplomats say Tehran would rather the deal remain intact out of concern about a revival of domestic unrest over economic hardships that mounted over the years sanctions were in place.

EUROPEAN POWERS VOW TO UPHOLD DEAL

Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord and, in an effort to address U.S. complaints, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when pivotal provisions of the deal expire - and its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Whatever Trump decides, France, Britain and Germany will stick to the deal because it is the best way to stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb, French Foreign Minister Yean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday after meeting his German counterpart.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the deal, which is being policed by U.N. nuclear inspectors, "makes the world safer", and would do everything possible to uphold it.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, now in Washington for talks, said the deal had weaknesses but these could be remedied. "...At this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he said in a commentary in the New York Times.

"I am sure of one thing: every available alternative is worse. The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them."

Even if Trump rejects a possible remedy being worked out by U.S. and European officials and decides to bring back sanctions, the most drastic U.S. measures targeting Iran's oil sales will not immediately resume.

There are at least two avenues potentially offering more time for talks after May 12.

The agreement has a dispute resolution clause that provides at least 35 days to consider a claim that any party has violated its terms. That can be extended if all parties agree.

And if Trump restores the core U.S. sanctions, under U.S. law he must wait at least 180 days before reimposing penalties on banks of nations that do not slash purchases of Iranian oil.

Iran's clerical rulers have repeatedly ruled out reducing its sway across the region, as demanded by the United States and its European allies. Tehran says its missile capabilities are purely defensive and nuclear ambitions only civilian in nature.

The UN&nbspnuclear watchdog says it is maintaining the "world's most robust verification regime" in Iran and has repeatedly said Tehran is complying with the deal terms.

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US pressure to limit its influence in the Middle East

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US&nbsppressure to limit its influence in the Middle East. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the deal reached between Iran and six powers in 2015 before he took office, has threatened to pull out by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its “flaws”. Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016. Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all. "We are not worried about America's cruel decisions ... We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. "If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories ... In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran." If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be,' said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation × "If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be," said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation. "But if they want to weaken Iran and limit its influence whether in the region or globally, Iran will fiercely resist." Tehran has made repeated threats to walk away if Trump does, but several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that as long as Tehran was not excluded from the global financial and trading system, it could consider respecting the accord. Diplomats say Tehran would rather the deal remain intact out of concern about a revival of domestic unrest over economic hardships that mounted over the years sanctions were in place. EUROPEAN POWERS VOW TO UPHOLD DEAL Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord and, in an effort to address U.S. complaints, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when pivotal provisions of the deal expire - and its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen. Whatever Trump decides, France, Britain and Germany will stick to the deal because it is the best way to stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb, French Foreign Minister Yean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday after meeting his German counterpart. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the deal, which is being policed by U.N. nuclear inspectors, "makes the world safer", and would do everything possible to uphold it. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, now in Washington for talks, said the deal had weaknesses but these could be remedied. "...At this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he said in a commentary in the New York Times. "I am sure of one thing: every available alternative is worse. The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them." Even if Trump rejects a possible remedy being worked out by U.S. and European officials and decides to bring back sanctions, the most drastic U.S. measures targeting Iran's oil sales will not immediately resume. There are at least two avenues potentially offering more time for talks after May 12. The agreement has a dispute resolution clause that provides at least 35 days to consider a claim that any party has violated its terms. That can be extended if all parties agree. And if Trump restores the core U.S. sanctions, under U.S. law he must wait at least 180 days before reimposing penalties on banks of nations that do not slash purchases of Iranian oil. Iran's clerical rulers have repeatedly ruled out reducing its sway across the region, as demanded by the United States and its European allies. Tehran says its missile capabilities are purely defensive and nuclear ambitions only civilian in nature. The UN&nbspnuclear watchdog says it is maintaining the "world's most robust verification regime" in Iran and has repeatedly said Tehran is complying with the deal terms.

Iran says could remain in nuclear deal if its interests guaranteed: State TV

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-karnataka-polls-authorities-seize-cash-articles-worth-rs-152-crore-134795">Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore</a>

The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slams-yeddyurappa-for-threatening-voters-134801">Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters</a>

Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">Putin opponents protest across Russia before </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">presidential</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789"> inauguration</a>

Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">South Korea faces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">dilemma</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788"> over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw</a>

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/2000-french-police-on-streets-for-anti-macron-protest-134783">2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest</a>

Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

&nbsp

Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today. Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Putin opponents protest across Russia before presidential inauguration Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule. South Korea faces dilemma over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign. 2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

French president Emmanuel Macron left his Australian audience wondering after he called Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's wife "delicious".

"Thank you and your delicious wife for your warm welcome, the perfect organisation of this trip," he said.

"Thanks to you and Lucy, thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister," he added.

Twitter confirmed the Faux Pas. 
&nbsp

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I think President Macron just described Lucy Turnbull as "delicious"
— Jamie Cummins (@jc_cummins) <a href="https://twitter.com/jc_cummins/status/991526437457874944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Lucy Turnbull aka Malcolm's "delicious wife", according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
— Sarah McPhee (@_SarahMcPhee) <a href="https://twitter.com/_SarahMcPhee/status/991527261533683713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EmmanuelMacron</a> calls <a href="https://twitter.com/LucyTurnbullGSC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LucyTurnbullGSC</a> “delicious”. I mean, you wouldn’t complain, would you. <a href="https://t.co/SvaPJjFLOc">https://t.co/SvaPJjFLOc</a>
— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) <a href="https://twitter.com/carolinemarcus/status/991555671937073153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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“Delicious wife” makes the official transcript from <a href="https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TurnbullMalcolm</a> office. <a href="https://t.co/W3saTBIu1k">pic.twitter.com/W3saTBIu1k</a>
— Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) <a href="https://twitter.com/carolinemarcus/status/991607446929006592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

Speculation, however, is rife that Macron was referring to the word délicieux, which can be used to describe a very tasty meal.

Macron is considered to have a strong command over the English language. 
&nbsp

Speculation, however, is rife that Macron was referring to the word délicieux, which can be used to describe a very tasty meal

French president Emmanuel Macron left his Australian audience wondering after he called Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's wife "delicious". "Thank you and your delicious wife for your warm welcome, the perfect organisation of this trip," he said. "Thanks to you and Lucy, thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister," he added. Twitter confirmed the Faux Pas. I think President Macron just described Lucy Turnbull as "delicious" — Jamie Cummins (@jc_cummins) May 2, 2018 × Lucy Turnbull aka Malcolm's "delicious wife", according to French President Emmanuel Macron. — Sarah McPhee (@_SarahMcPhee) May 2, 2018 × .@EmmanuelMacron calls @LucyTurnbullGSC “delicious”. I mean, you wouldn’t complain, would you. https://t.co/SvaPJjFLOc — Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) May 2, 2018 × “Delicious wife” makes the official transcript from @TurnbullMalcolm office. pic.twitter.com/W3saTBIu1k — Caroline Marcus (@carolinemarcus) May 2, 2018 × Speculation, however, is rife that Macron was referring to the word délicieux, which can be used to describe a very tasty meal. Macron is considered to have a strong command over the English language.

Macron calls Australian PM's wife 'delicious'

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on saving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over the coming weeks despite threats from US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East.

As per reports, the Iran government had claimed that the US had breached the agreement by criticizing it ahead of President Donald Trump's decision about whether to abandon the deal.

Rouhani had said that Trump's critical comments about the deal had built "fear and ambiguity for different countries and businesses for their relations with Iran" which could ultimately hamper the country's economy.&nbsp;

Macron, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, came to Washington last week in hopes of persuading President Donald Trump not to reimpose sanctions on Iran before a May 12 deadline and imperil the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. The deal — struck by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — under Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama.

The United States has been trying to drum up support for new sanctions against Iran and has repeatedly threatened to tear up the 2015 agreement.

Trump on January&nbsp;12 gave the three European nations an ultimatum to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Key U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them.

Trump sees three defects in the agreement: a failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire.

At a news conference with Trump on Tuesday, Macron said he wanted "to work on a new deal with Iran" to limit Iran's nuclear program in the short term and long term, restrain its ballistic missile activities and curb what the West sees as its destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.

The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on saving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over the coming weeks despite threats from US President Donald Trump. The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East. As per reports, the Iran government had claimed that the US had breached the agreement by criticizing it ahead of President Donald Trump's decision about whether to abandon the deal. Rouhani had said that Trump's critical comments about the deal had built "fear and ambiguity for different countries and businesses for their relations with Iran" which could ultimately hamper the country's economy. Macron, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, came to Washington last week in hopes of persuading President Donald Trump not to reimpose sanctions on Iran before a May 12 deadline and imperil the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. The deal — struck by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — under Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama. The United States has been trying to drum up support for new sanctions against Iran and has repeatedly threatened to tear up the 2015 agreement. Trump on January 12 gave the three European nations an ultimatum to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Key U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them. Trump sees three defects in the agreement: a failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire. At a news conference with Trump on Tuesday, Macron said he wanted "to work on a new deal with Iran" to limit Iran's nuclear program in the short term and long term, restrain its ballistic missile activities and curb what the West sees as its destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.

Macron, Rouhani will work on saving Iran nuclear deal despite threats from Trump

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