Paris, France | AFP | World powers are vying to develop so-called “hypersonic” weapons that travel several times the speed of sound, with France the latest to join a field led so far by Russia and China. Hypersonics are like missiles that travel at over five times the speed of …
Read More »France to seek tougher oversight of 5G network gear
Paris, France | AFP | France will require telecommunications companies to allow more government oversight and control of the equipment required for next-generation 5G wireless networks due to security concerns, a government official said Tuesday. The move comes as several Western nations have barred China’s Huawei from participating in contracts for …
Read More »Decades of Franco-German friendship
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Enemies during both world wars, France and Germany have since forged a close friendship, acting together as the powerhouse driving the European Union. Below are highlights of their relations since the end of World War II: – Beginnings of EU – – May 9, 1950: French …
Read More »France nears implementation of digital tax
Paris, France | AFP | France will push ahead with its own tax on large internet and technology companies by introducing a bill that would be retroactive to January 1, its finance minister said Sunday. The move comes as the European Union tries to finalise an EU-wide levy. “We are …
Read More »Abloh’s catwalk thriller in Michael Jackson-themed Vuitton show
Paris, France | AFP | Virgil Abloh paid tribute to Michael Jackson — a fellow African American from the Midwest whose “prodigious talent catapulted him to unparalleled fame” — in his Louis Vuitton show Thursday at Paris men’s fashion week. The designer — the first African American ever to lead …
Read More »Macron’s ‘Great Debate’: How will it work?
Paris, France | AFP | Facing the biggest test of his presidency, President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday launched a series of public forums inviting voters to express their concerns and hopes after two months of anti-government protests. Here’s how the government plans to carry out its “Great National Debate”, aimed …
Read More »Macron unveils ‘great national debate’ to calm protests
Paris, France | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday spelled out the questions underpinning his “great national debate”, a public consultation aiming to quell “yellow vest” anger after nearly two months of sometimes violent protests. Macron made his appeal in a “letter to the French” released on Sunday, …
Read More »Several injured as massive explosion rips through Paris bakery
Paris, France | AFP | A powerful explosion destroyed a bakery in central Paris on Saturday morning, injuring several people and blowing out dozens of nearby windows after a suspected gas leak, police and AFP journalists. Around 200 firefighters were mobilised to battle the fire that broke out after the blast and rescue residents in …
Read More »France vows tough response as new ‘yellow vest’ demos loom
Paris, France | AFP | France braced for a fresh round of “yellow vest” protests across the country on Saturday, with the authorities vowing zero tolerance for violence after weekly scenes of rioting and vandalism in Paris and other cities over the past two months. Officials have warned they expect …
Read More »France bracing for bigger, more violent ‘yellow vests’ demos
Paris, France | AFP | French officials said Friday they expect this weekend’s “yellow vest” demonstrations to be bigger and more violent than a week ago, as the protest movement which had shown signs of fatigue gains fresh impetus. National police chief Eric Morvan told France Inter radio he expected …
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