1 million march in France, unions call new pension protests
March 23, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French unions called for new nationwide strikes and protests next week, which will coincide with King Charles III's planned visit to France, after more than 1 million people demonstrated throughout the country Thursday against unpopular pension reforms.
No red carpet? French unrest impacts King Charles III’s trip
March 23, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Unrest in France is tarnishing the sheen of King Charles III's first overseas trip as U.K.
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.
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.
Paris Olympics organizers looking for 45,000 volunteers
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The Paris Olympics is putting out a call for 45,000 helpers.
Organizers of the 2024 Games are launching a drive this week to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers willing to work without pay at the world’s biggest sports event.
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.
US aid worker and French journalist freed in West Africa
March 20, 2023 GMTNIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An American aid worker and a French journalist kidnapped and held by Islamist extremists were freed and flown to Niger's capital Monday, four days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country.
French journalist kidnapped in Mali in 2021 is freed
March 20, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A French journalist held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years in Mali was released Monday, according to the French president and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which campaigned for his release.
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.
New ticket lottery launches for Paris 2024 Olympics
March 15, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Paris Olympics organizers kicked off the individual ticketing program Wednesday for next year’s Games, after an initial round of package sales left many buyers feeling frustrated at high costs.
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.
Neither protests nor garbage piles stop French pension bill
March 13, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — An unpopular bill that would raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64 got a push forward with the French Senate’s adoption of the measure despite labor strikes, street protests and tons of uncollected garbage piling higher by the day.
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.
UK, France mend ties, leaders agree to tackle Channel boats
March 10, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Friday to strengthen the military ties between their countries and step up efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel, at a summit that signaled a thaw in relations after years of Brexit-induced chill.
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.
Senegal’s ex-prime minister in custody after criticism
March 10, 2023 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal's former prime minister has been taken into custody after he publicly suggested that the country's president had funded a French politician during a recent visit.
Cheikh Haguibou Soumare was detained Thursday but he has not been told the charges against him, his lawyer Adama Gueye told a press conference Thursday.
Europe dissolves Iran trade system that never took off
March 9, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — European countries said Thursday they have decided to dissolve a system that was conceived in 2019 to enable trade with Iran and protect companies doing business with it from U.S. sanctions, but only ever processed one transaction.
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 asks Lebanon to question 2 suspects in 1983 bombing
March 8, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — French authorities have asked Lebanese prosecutors to detain two people suspected of involvement in a 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed dozens of French troops, Lebanese judicial officials said Wednesday.
UK says plan to stop Channel migrants pushes bounds of law
March 7, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. government said Tuesday that it was ready for human-rights legal challenges to a tough new law intended to stop tens of thousands of migrants a year reaching the country in small boats across the English Channel.
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.
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.
French soccer president resigns amid misconduct probe
February 28, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French soccer federation president Noël Le Graët resigned Tuesday after a government audit found he no longer had the legitimacy to lead because of his behavior toward women and his management style.
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.
Danish former minister charged with revealing state secrets
February 21, 2023 GMTCOPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A Danish former defense minister who had publicly claimed that Denmark's secret service helped U.S. intelligence spy on several European leaders said Tuesday he has been charged with divulging state secrets.
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.
Harris to join Western leaders at Munich Security Conference
February 16, 2023 GMTMUNICH (AP) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will join the leaders of France, Germany, the U.K. and dozens of others Friday at a security conference in Germany to discuss the next steps in supporting Ukraine as the Russian invasion nears its one-year anniversary.
Audit denounces French soccer boss Le Graët for harassment
February 15, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Noël Le Graët no longer has legitimacy to remain as French soccer federation president because his management style and behavior toward women are "incompatible with the exercise of his functions," a government audit released Wednesday found.
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.
Japan’s Nissan reports better profit as chip crunch eases
February 9, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Nissan reported a 55% jump in its October-December profit Thursday, as the Japanese automaker gears up for a less bumpy journey with its French alliance partner Renault.
Profit for the quarter at Yokohama-based Nissan Motor Co.
Zelenskyy seeks weaponry in surprise trips to London, Paris
February 8, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Western support for his country in surprise visits to Britain and France on Wednesday, pushing for fighter jets to battle Russian invaders in a dramatic speech to the U.K.
Zelenskyy flies West: If it’s Thursday, this must be Belgium
February 8, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — First, the Ukrainian president flew overhead on his way to Washington. Then on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew overhead to Britain.
Farmers drive tractors to Paris to protest pesticide ban
February 8, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Hundreds of farmers drove their tractors through Paris on Wednesday to amplify their demand to be allowed to use banned pesticides on sugar beets and other crops to ensure “food sovereignty” for France.
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.
Renault, Nissan reboot auto alliance for post-Ghosn era
February 6, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Automakers Renault and Nissan on Monday formalized their reboot of a relationship that had grown rocky, culminating in the spectacular fall of top executive Carlos Ghosn, who had led successful turnarounds at both companies before his arrest and daring escape.
Media watchdog urges release of journalist detained in Kabul
February 6, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) —
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders along with 14 French media outlets and production companies on Monday called on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to release a journalist imprisoned for a month in Kabul.
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.
Ukraine pushes for Western fighter jets after tank deals
January 31, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine won support Tuesday from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain Western fighter jets, but there were no signs that larger nations like the U.S. and Britain have changed their stance of refusing to provide warplanes to Kyiv after almost a year of battling Russia's invading forces.
France braces for major transport woes from pension strikes
January 30, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France's national rail operator is recommending that passengers stay home Tuesday to avoid strikes over pension reforms that are expected to cause major transport woes but largely spare high-speed links to Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
French prime minister unveils plans to tackle racism
January 30, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Name it, act on it, sanction it.
That is the focus of a new drive against racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination of all kinds that was announced Monday by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
Automakers Renault, Nissan to make cross-shareholdings equal
January 30, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Nissan and Renault have agreed to equalize the stakes they hold in each other, both sides said Monday, ironing out a source of conflict in the Japan-French auto alliance.
Up to now, Renault Group has held a 43.4% stake in Nissan Motor Co., potentially giving it a larger say in how the Japanese automaker is run.
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.
Paris rallies demand release of Europeans imprisoned in Iran
January 28, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Families and friends of a growing number of Europeans imprisoned in Iran gathered in Paris on Saturday to call for their release.
The French government this week denounced the plight of seven French citizens held in Iranian prisons, calling the detentions “unjustifiable and unacceptable.”
Russia issue looms for Paris Olympics, Zelenskyy rebukes IOC
January 28, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — The question of if and how Russia competes at the Olympics hangs over the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
Just as it has now for five straight Olympics during Thomas Bach’s leadership of the IOC, whose support this week for some Russians to compete in Paris was publicly challenged Friday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
French rugby president Laporte resigns in corruption case
January 27, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte resigned on Friday to avoid further embarrassing France's preparations for staging the Rugby World Cup this year.
A Paris court in December found Laporte guilty of passive corruption, influence peddling, illegal interest taking and misuse of corporate assets.
France recalls ambassador to Burkina Faso, pulls out troops
January 26, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — The French foreign ministry said Thursday it is recalling its ambassador to Burkina Faso for consultations, one day after Paris decided to withdraw troops from the West African country following a demand by its military rulers.
French troops to withdraw from Burkina Faso within a month
January 25, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France's foreign ministry said Wednesday that French troops deployed to fight extremists in Burkina Faso will withdraw within a month following a demand by the country’s military rulers — which came after a similar move from neighboring Mali.
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.
France is “very sexist,” watchdog body says, sounding alarm
January 23, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Five years into the #MeToo movement, French society "remains very sexist in all of its spheres,” a government-created equality watchdog said in an annual report Monday that also sounded the alarm about double-digit rates of sexual violence reported by women.
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.
France, Germany renew alliance strained amid war in Ukraine
January 22, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France and Germany committed Sunday to giving Ukraine “unwavering support” and to strengthening the European Union as they sought to overcome differences over defense, energy and economic issues on the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty.
Report: Man loses testicle after clubbing by Paris police
January 22, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Doctors amputated the testicle of a young man who got clubbed in the groin by a police officer during a huge Paris demonstration and who plans to file a lawsuit, daily French newspaper Liberation quoted him as saying in an article published Sunday.
Burkina Faso ends ties with French troops, orders departure
January 22, 2023 GMTOUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso's junta government late Saturday ordered hundreds of French troops to depart the West African country within a month, following in the path of neighboring Mali, whose nation is also headed by a coup leader.
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.
By the numbers: President Biden at the two-year mark
January 19, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden notches two years in office on Friday. That represents 730 days since his inauguration — and a whole lot of other numbers as well.
The story of the first half of Biden's term, at least by the numbers, is a mixed bag.
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 soccer president targeted by sexual harassment probe
January 17, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — French soccer federation president Noël Le Graët is under investigation for sexual harassment and “moral harassment,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said Tuesday.
In a message to The Associated Press, the prosecutor’s office said the investigation was opened Monday following a report by the General Inspectorate of Education, Sport and Research.
Economic woes, war, climate change on tap for Davos meeting
January 16, 2023 GMTDAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — The World Economic Forum is back with its first winter meetup since 2020 in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, where leaders are seeking to bridge political divisions in a polarized world, buttress a hobbling economy and address concerns about a climate change — among many other things.
Biden and Kishida discuss Japan ‘stepping up’ security
January 13, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held wide-ranging talks at the White House on Friday as Japan looks to build security cooperation with allies in a time of provocative Chinese and North Korean military action.
French soccer president steps back pending investigation
January 11, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Noël Le Graët agreed to step back from his duties as president of the French soccer federation on Wednesday following an emergency executive committee meeting into his behavior.
The 81-year-old Le Graët has faced claims of sexual harassment and the soccer federation is the target of an investigation ordered by French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
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.
Lebanese Hezbollah condemns Charlie Hebdo cartoons in France
January 10, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group on Tuesday condemned the cartoons published recently by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that mocked Iran's ruling clerics and urged France to punish the publication.
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.