Amid massive demonstrations, Macron delays Charles’ visit
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Ongoing unrest across France and calls for a new round of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's pension plan persuaded officials to postpone a planned state visit next week by Britain's King Charles III.
Violent French pension protests erupt as 1M demonstrate
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — More than 1 million people demonstrated across France on Thursday against unpopular pension reforms, and violence erupted in some places as unions called for new nationwide strikes and protests next week, coinciding with King Charles III's planned visit to France.
Macron wants French pension plan implemented by end of year
March 22, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron is stubbornly resisting growing discontent on the streets of France, saying on Wednesday that the pension bill he pushed through without a vote in parliament to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 must be implemented by the end of the year.
AP PHOTOS: Marseille carnival melds resistance with revelry
Macron welcomes back to France journalist freed in Mali
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A French journalist who was held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years in Mali was welcomed home by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, one day after his release.
French protests drag on after Macron’s pension plan push
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French garbage collectors, refinery workers and others were striking again on Tuesday against President Emmanuel Macron's decision to force the divisive bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 through without a vote in parliament.
Heaps of garbage in Paris streets become protest symbol
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Garbage. Heaps, mounds and piles of it are growing daily — and in some places standing higher than a human being.
A strike by Paris garbage collectors, which begins its 16th day on Tuesday, is taking a toll on the renowned aesthetics of the French capital, a veritable blight on the City of Light.
French government survives no-confidence votes over pensions
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Parliament adopted a divisive pension bill Monday raising the retirement age in France from 62 to 64, after lawmakers in the lower chamber rejected two no-confidence votes against the government.
Macron’s leadership at risk amid tensions over pension plan
March 19, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A parody photo appearing on protest signs and online in France shows President Emmanuel Macron sitting on piles of garbage. It's both a reference to the trash going uncollected with Paris sanitation workers on strike — and to what many French people think about their leader.
Vandals attack French politician’s office over pensions row
March 19, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron pledged Sunday to protect lawmakers facing threats for supporting his push to raise the retirement age, amid sustained strikes and protests over the pension bill ahead of high-stakes votes in parliament Monday.
French protesters march past garbage piles, resisting Macron
March 18, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A smattering of protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise France's retirement age from 62 to 64 took place Saturday in Paris and beyond, as uncollected garbage reeked in the streets of the French capital amid a strike by sanitation workers.
Violent protests in France over Macron’s retirement age push
March 17, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Angry protesters took to the streets in Paris and other cities for a second day on Friday, trying to pressure lawmakers to bring down French President Emmanuel Macron's government and doom the unpopular retirement age increase he's trying to impose without a vote in the National Assembly.
France’s Macron risks his government to raise retirement age
March 17, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron ordered his prime minister to wield a special constitutional power Thursday that skirts parliament to force through a highly unpopular bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote.
How French government’s special power to impose a bill works
March 16, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron chose on Thursday to shun parliament and impose his unpopular pension reforms via a special constitutional power, the so-called “Article 49.3.”
Macron’s pension plan advances despite strikes across France
March 16, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Thousands of people angered over President Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age joined a national strike on Wednesday as a committee of lawmakers advanced the proposal.
Macron launches 500-day countdown to Paris Olympics
March 14, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron launched the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday, bringing the public up to date with his government’s hopes for the Games, including the ambitious use of the Seine.
Macron faces crucial test amid anger over his pension plan
March 13, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron is facing a crucial test this week as the battle over his unpopular plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is set to reach a peak in the streets and at parliament, deepening a widely shared feeling that he doesn't hear the grievances of the French.
French protests push for withdrawal of Macron’s pension plan
March 11, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 staged a new round of protests Saturday to push the government to withdraw the unpopular plan.
Macron insists pension reform is needed, despite protests
March 10, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on the need for raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 in order to make the French pension system financially sustainable in the coming years, in a letter to workers’ unions released Friday.
French strikers renew pressure on Macron to ax pension plan
March 8, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Tens of thousands of people marched in Paris and other cities across the country Wednesday to denounce the government's pension plan as unfair to female workers, in demonstrations meant to coincide with International Women's Day.
France on strike: Unions say ‘non’ to higher pension age
March 8, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — More than a million demonstrators marched in cities and towns across France on Tuesday, in a new round of protests and strikes against the government's plan to raise the retirement age to 64.
Unions vow to shut France’s economy down amid pension battle
March 6, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Roads blocked, oil refineries disrupted, planes grounded and trains halted — unions are threatening to shut down France’s economy this week in what they hope is their toughest riposte yet to President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age.
Congo leader urges Macron to back sanctions against Rwanda
March 4, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi urged visiting French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday to pursue international sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged military support to the M23 rebellion.
King Charles III picks France, Germany for 1st state visits
March 3, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — King Charles III will travel to France and Germany for his first state visits since becoming monarch, Buckingham Palace said Friday, underscoring Britain’s efforts to build bridges with its European neighbors following years of strained relations caused by Brexit.
At Gabon talks, a debate on who pays to save world’s forests
March 2, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — A summit on how to protect the world's largest forests underway in Gabon is set to be dominated by the issue of who pays for the protection and reforesting of lands that are home to some of the world's most diverse species and contribute to limiting planet-warming emissions.
Senators debate raising retirement age in France to 64
March 2, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The French Senate started debating President Emmanuel Macron’s contested pension plan Thursday, and the centrist government hopes to find a compromise with conservative members of the upper house of parliament to be able to push the bill through.
Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa
February 27, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reduce the number of French troops in Africa under a “new security partnership” with the concerned nations and to roll out more ambitious economic policies, in a bid to boost France's waning influence in the continent.
Macron defends contested pension plan at French farm fair
February 25, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron sought to defend his unpopular pension plan Saturday in an effort to show he hears concerns of farmers and other ordinary citizens at France's biggest farm fair.
Macron champions pension plan as key to French economy
February 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron advocated Tuesday for his contested plan to increase the pension eligibility age as part of the pro-business policies he has promoted since he took office in 2017, saying people need to work “a little longer” to make the system financially sustainable.
France’s debate on contested pension bill to head to Senate
February 17, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The lower house of France's parliament debated a contested pension bill aimed at raising the country's retirement age from 62 to 64 during what was expected to be lawmakers' last discussion on the proposal before sending the legislation to the Senate.
Unions vow to disrupt France in March as protest ranks thin
February 16, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The ranks of marchers were thinner during a new wave of strikes and protests in France Thursday against an unpopular pension reform, but unions put the accent on a planned March 7 general strike which they hope will bring the country to its knees.
China’s top diplomat starts weeklong Europe tour in Paris
February 15, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, had talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about the war in Ukraine on Wednesday at the start of his trip to Europe, amid renewed tensions between China and the United States.
French pension tension triggers turbulent parliament debate
February 15, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Sparks are flying over French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age — not just in the streets, but in parliament too. The proposed pension reforms have unleashed the most turbulent debate in years in the National Assembly, with uncertainty looming over the final outcome.
Nearly 1 million French march in 4th day of pension protests
February 11, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Police were out in force across France on Saturday as protesters held a sometimes restive fourth round of nationwide demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to reform the country's pension system.
Macron weighs kicking Putin out of French Legion of Honor
February 10, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine’s wartime leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now been bestowed with France’s highest medal of honor. But there’s a problem: Russian President Vladimir Putin has the same medal.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy makes emotional appeal for EU membership
February 10, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked his Western allies Thursday for more weapons and said “a Ukraine that is winning” its war with Russia should become a member of the European Union, arguing the bloc won’t be complete without it.
Lower turnout in renewed protests over French pension reform
February 7, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of French marched in a third round of protests Tuesday against planned pension reforms, while new nationwide strikes disrupted public transport and schools, as well as power, oil and gas supplies.
French lawmakers debate Macron’s controversial pension bill
February 6, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France’s parliament on Monday started debating a deeply controversial pension bill aiming to raise the minimum retirement age that’s touched off a wave of strikes and large street demonstrations, with more protests set to come this week.
Netanyahu visits France amid spike in Mideast tensions
February 2, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with France’s president, business leaders and members of France’s Jewish community during a trip to Paris starting Thursday that has angered Palestinian supporters amid a new spasm of violence in the Mideast.
Unions buoyant as 1.27 million French protest pension reform
February 1, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — An estimated 1.27 million people took to the streets of French cities, towns and villages Tuesday, according to the Interior Ministry, in new massive protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age by two years.
France doesn’t rule out sending warplanes to Ukraine
January 30, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, The Netherlands (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France doesn’t exclude sending fighter jets to Ukraine, but laid out multiple conditions before such a significant step might be taken.
French finance minister backs pension push, UAE’s COP28 pick
January 30, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Trying to sell France to Emirati investors Monday, France's finance minister highlighted what he described as the business-friendly overhaul of President Emmanuel Macron — while sidestepping ongoing protests back home over a planned pension overhaul.
France must raise pension age to 64, prime minister says
January 29, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France’s prime minister insisted Sunday that the government’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is “no longer negotiable,” further angering parliamentary opponents and unions who plan new mass protests and disruptive strikes this week.
Russia’s path to 2024 Olympics takes shape, Ukraine objects
January 26, 2023 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia's path to sending a team to the Paris Olympics next year became clearer on Thursday amid fierce objections from Ukraine.
The International Olympic Committee indicated on Wednesday it favors officially neutral teams from Russia and its ally Belarus at the 2024 Olympics despite a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to exclude them entirely.
Algeria’s army chief on discreet 1st-ever visit to France
January 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Algeria’s powerful army chief is on a discreet but extraordinary official visit to Paris, the first by a top-ranked Algerian general since independence from France more than six decades ago.
EXPLAINER: Why Macron, French unions at odds over pensions
January 23, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The French government is presenting a bill on Monday that foresees broad changes to the pension system that will notably push back the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.
Unions aren't happy, and more than 1 million people took to the streets last week to reject the measure.
France asks Burkina Faso to clarify troop departure reports
January 22, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he was awaiting “clarifications” from Burkina Faso’s new junta leader following a report saying authorities in the West African country ordered hundreds of French troops to leave within a month.
Macron to hike military funds amid Ukraine war, new threats
January 20, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday proposed to boost defense spending by more than a third through 2030 and to “transform" France's nuclear-armed military, to better face evolving threats and take into account the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Silver, Macron meet to discuss goals with NBA back in Paris
January 19, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had a meeting this week in Paris and was asked by a gracious host how he takes his coffee.
“Un sucre?” French President Emmanuel Macron asked.
France: Over 1 million march against raising retirement age
January 19, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — At least 1.1 million people protested on the streets of Paris and other French cities Thursday amid nationwide strikes against plans to raise the retirement age — but President Emmanuel Macron insisted he would press ahead with the proposed pension reforms.
Spanish, French leaders sign friendship treaty in Barcelona
January 19, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez signed a friendship treaty in Barcelona on Thursday to strengthen relations between the European neighbors, as both leaders faced protests on their home fronts.
French PM unveils pension changes, unions call for strikes
January 10, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Tuesday unveiled a contentious pension overhaul aimed at raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, which prompted vigorous calls for strikes and protests from leftist opponents and labor unions.
Japan PM in Paris to discuss Ukraine, climate, food security
January 9, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida started a weeklong trip to Europe and North America in Paris where he held talks Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron on key issues including North Korea and the war in Ukraine.
Amid unrest, Iran’s hardliners turn their anger to France
January 8, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian hardliners on Sunday burned French flags outside the French embassy in Tehran, protesting cartoons published by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that lampoon Iran's ruling clerics.
France’s Macron opens up about love to autistic interviewers
January 8, 2023 GMTLE PECQ, France (AP) — The question for France's president about his teenage romance with a teacher at his high school was so close to the bone, so eye-popping in a country where politicians largely keep their private lives to themselves, that the interviewer couldn't quite rustle up the courage to ask it.
Macron to overhaul France’s struggling health care system
January 6, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced an overhaul of France’s struggling health system Friday, including new funding methods for doctors and hospitals, more hiring and other organizational changes.
‘Very sad’ Macron congratulates Argentina for World Cup win
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Dejected but still proud of France’s World Cup team, French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Argentina and Argentines for their win in Sunday’s final.
Mbappé electrifies in World Cup epic, ends up on losing side
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick seemingly from out of nowhere to electrify the World Cup final, he ended the tournament as the leading scorer with eight goals, and he still missed out on winning a second straight title.
France’s dismay mixed with awe for Messi in World Cup final
December 18, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — In the pain, there also was consolation. Losing to Argentina in the World Cup final wasn't the ending that heart-broken France fans hoped for.
France, Morocco restore normal relations after visa dispute
December 16, 2022 GMTRabat, Morocco (AP) — French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Friday that France has restored normal consular relations with Morocco following a year-long dispute linked to Paris' decision to slash the number of visas for Moroccans.
Macron returns to Qatar for love of sport, despite criticism
December 16, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is about to jet off to Qatar for the second time in a week, despite broad concerns about the emirate's human rights and environmental record. Why? Because France is in the World Cup final, and Macron really is a big soccer fan — as well as a prominent advocate of the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
Venezuela’s Maduro enters 2023 seeking global recognition
December 15, 2022 GMTLIMA, Peru (AP) — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was not invited to a summit of Western Hemisphere leaders in June. But by October, he traveled to Egypt for a conference where he joked with French President Emmanuel Macron and shook hands with John Kerry, the U.S.
Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0
December 14, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer's latest superstar against perhaps the sport's greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Macron ‘immensely proud’ that France in World Cup final
December 14, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said he was ”immensely proud” that France reached the World Cup final after he traveled to Qatar to watch the team's win over Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday.
France’s Macron engineers new diplomatic push for Ukraine
December 12, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Emmanuel Macron calls it "combat diplomacy.” The French president has vowed to make every effort to support Ukraine — including by hosting an international conference Tuesday meant to help the country make it through winter.
France to make condoms free for anyone under 25, Macron says
December 9, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — France will make condoms free in pharmacies for anyone up to age 25 in the new year, President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday.
The move comes as the government says sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among young people, and as this year’s exceptional inflation is cutting especially deeply into the budgets of France’s poorest.
‘Let’s open our eyes’ to rising xenophobia, Macron warns
December 5, 2022 GMTFrench President Emmanuel Macron visited a camp in France where authorities rounded up Jews before and during World War II, and said Monday it’s time to “open our eyes” to resurgent antisemitism and xenophobia.
Macron hits New Orleans’ French Quarter, meets with Musk
December 3, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived Friday in Louisiana, the American state most closely aligned historically with his country, to celebrate their longstanding cultural ties and discuss energy policy and climate change.
Germany welcomes Biden comments in trade dispute
December 2, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Germany on Friday welcomed President Joe Biden's apparent willingness to discuss tweaking U.S.
Bidens entertain more than 330 guests at 1st state dinner
December 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The first White House state dinner of President Joe Biden's administration drew big names Thursday from fashion, entertainment, politics and business who turned out to help celebrate French President Emmanuel Macron and the return of large social events after the pandemic.
Biden, Macron vow unity against Russia, discuss trade row
December 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron vowed to maintain a united front against Russia on Thursday amid growing worries about waning support for Ukraine's war effort in the U.S.
EXPLAINER: US-European differences on climate law persist
December 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday tried to allay concerns raised by French President Emmanuel Macron about a clean energy law that benefits electric vehicles and other products made in North America.
Red, white, blue theme for French White House state dinner
December 1, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Butter-poached Maine lobster, beef with shallot marmalade and an American cheese trio will be served when French President Emmanuel Macron takes his seat Thursday as the guest of honor at a red-white-and-blue themed White House state dinner, the first for President Joe Biden.
Biden, Macron ready to talk Ukraine, trade in state visit
November 30, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Washington on Tuesday for the first state visit of Joe Biden's presidency — a revival of diplomatic pageantry that had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK minister says Australian submarines will assure neighbors
November 28, 2022 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s shift to nuclear-powered submarines will assure its South Pacific neighbors of its commitment to regional security, Britain's Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific said Monday.
Jon Batiste to sing for Macron at Biden’s 1st state dinner
November 27, 2022 GMTNANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Musician Jon Batiste is on tap to perform at President Joe Biden's first White House state dinner on Thursday that will highlight long-standing ties between the United States and France and honor President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron says he’s not main focus of campaign accounts probe
November 25, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday denied that he was the main focus of a judicial investigation into suspected illegal financing of electoral campaigns in 2017 and 2022.
The comments come after leading French newspaper Le Parisien first reported on the probe on Thursday.
Venezuela’s government, opposition to resume negotiations
November 24, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — The government of Venezuela and its opposition announced Thursday the resumption over the weekend of long-stalled negotiations meant to find a common path out of their country’s complex crisis.
French prosecutors probe alleged illegal election financing
November 24, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — French national financial prosecutors said Thursday they have opened an investigation into suspected illegal financing of electoral campaigns in 2017 and 2022. A leading French newspaper reported that the probe targets President Emmanuel Macron’s winning election bids.