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☆ EU Strikes Deal to Unjam European Air Traffic Reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union on Wednesday agreed on a deal to unjam air traffic reform in a bid to bring order to the mosaic of airspace regulations that is blamed for chronic delays and unnecessary emissions across Europe. The Belgian EU presidency said on Wednesday that negotiators from the European Council presidency and European Parliament had reached provisional agreement on reforming the "Single European Sky", aiming to increase capacity, lower costs and increase the air traffic control system's adaptability, while also trying to reduce aviation's environmental impact. The deal comes after decades of foot-dragging, political divisions and union opposition, and still needs to be approved by the Council and the European Parliament. Under the agreement, member states will set up national supervisory authorities to assess air traffic control's structure and financial sustainability. Member states can merge economic and safety oversight functions in the same administrative entity, cutting red tape and conforming to common organisational models.

Persons: Georges Gilkinet, Eurocontrol, Geert De Clercq, Tim Hepher Organizations: PARIS, European Union, European Council, Council, Parliament Locations: Europe, Belgian

☆ Farmers in Europe Step up Protests Against Rising Costs, Green Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Farmers say they are not being paid enough, are choked by taxes and green rules and face unfair competition from abroad. French farmers have already won several concessions, including the government dropping plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel. On Wednesday, European Commissioners proposed limiting agricultural imports from Ukraine and greater flexibility on rules on fallow land in a bid to quell protests. In Italy, farmers have blocked traffic with hundreds of tractors near motorway access points near Milan, in Tuscany and elsewhere in recent days. While a deal looks possible on fallow land, the question of talks on a major trade deal with the Mercosur group is more contentious.

Persons: Marco Trujillo, Philip Blenkinsop PARIS, Adelin Desmecht, Gerald Darmanin, Bruno, Coldiretti, Le Maire, Abdul Saboor, Jean, Stephane Brosse, Gus Trompiz, Dominique Vidalon, Benoit van Overstraeten, Geert de Clercq, Charlotte van, Phil Blenikinsop, Alvise Arminelli, Ingrid Melander, Ros Russell Organizations: EU, South, Farmers, Mercosur, French Finance, European Commission, South American, Charlotte van Campenhout Locations: BRUSSELS, Europe, Brussels, Belgian, France, Paris, Belgium, Zeebrugge, Ukraine, Mercosur, Italy, Milan, Tuscany, Bordeaux, Amsterdam

A SUV car drives on a street in Paris as Paris City Hall will organise a public vote on the place of SUV cars in the French capital, France, November 20, 2023. After banning rental scooters in September in the wake of a citizen's vote, Paris will hold a local referendum on Feb. 4 about "the place of SUVs in the capital". Since SUVs can be hard to distinguish from other models, City Hall wants to introduce higher parking fees for thermal engine cars weighing over 1.6 tonnes and for electric vehicles over two tonnes. "(The SUV vote) is to tell all those who continue to use their private cars because they're the richest: No! In a few years, in a few months, they won't be welcome in Paris with this type of behaviour," Belliard said.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, David Belliard, Anne Hidalgo, Belliard, Paris, Philippe Noziere, Henri Duret, Antonia Cimini, Clotaire Achi, Louise Dalmasso, Geert De Clercq, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Paris City Hall, REUTERS, Hall, Reuters, Manufacturers, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, PARIS

☆ France test-fires long-range ballistic missile in bid to boost nuclear deterrence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Nov 19 (Reuters) - France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It added that maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons is required given the international environment. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The new M51.3 missile, which is expected to enter service around 2025, is developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus (AIR.PA) and French defence group Safran (SAF.PA).

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Safran, Geert De Clercq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Russia, French Navy, Airbus, Ballistic, Thomson Locations: France, Ukraine

☆ France Test-Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile in Bid to Boost Nuclear Deterrence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said on Sunday. It added that maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons is required given the international environment. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The new M51.3 missile, which is expected to enter service around 2025, is developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and French defence group Safran.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Safran, Geert De Clercq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: PARIS, Russia, French Navy, Airbus Locations: France, Ukraine

☆ Napoleon hat fetches record $2.1 million at Paris auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A bicorne hat believed to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte sold for a record 1,932,000 euros ($2.11 million) at the Drouot auction house in Paris on Sunday. The price beat the 1,884,000 euros paid for another Napoleon hat at Drouot in 2014, a official at the auction house said. "One million four hundred fifty thousand (euros) to my left, 1.5 million, we have 1.5 million in the room, 1.5 million for Napoleon's hat. We're leaving it at 1.5 million for this major Napoleon symbol, I'm selling for 1.5 million (before fees), no regrets, sold," auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said as he brought down the hammer to applause. Ahead of the auction, Osenat told Reuters the black beaver felt hat in the traditional bicorne shape was a trademark for Napoleon, who had owned about 120 such hats throughout his life.

Persons: Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon, Jean, Pierre Osenat, Osenat, Ardee Napolitano, Geert De Clercq, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Reuters, Bonhams, Thomson Locations: Paris, London

☆ France may sell real estate to cut deficit, review seniors' unemployment benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Johanna Geron Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 19 (Reuters) - France wants to reduce government spending on office space and may consider real estate sales in a bid to reduce the state deficit, the budget and finance ministers said in a media interview on Sunday. The government also plans to review unemployment benefits for seniors, they said. Budget Minister Thomas Cazenave told La Tribune that the government wants to reduce the amount of office space occupied by the administration by 25%. "We may also consider real estate sales," he added. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Digital Security Bruno Le Maire, Thomas Cazenave, Johanna Geron, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Cazenave, Elisabeth Borne, Geert De Clercq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Economy, Finance, Industry, Digital Security, French Junior, Public, REUTERS, Rights, Budget, La Tribune, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

PARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak, has lost more than two metres (6.5 ft) in two years and shrunk to its lowest level since precise measurements started 22 years ago as warmer summers reduced snowpack size, researchers said on Thursday. She added this year's particularly low level was probably due to a lack of rain and a hot summer. When precise GNSS satellite measurements started in September 2001, the Mont Blanc stood at 4,010.40 metres. A view of the Mont Blanc mountain from Le Brevent, in Chamonix, France, June 14, 2022. Farouk Kadded at Leica Geosystems said that this year, for the first time since 2015 - when scientists started measurements in June too - Mont Blanc's snowpack in September had remained virtually unchanged from June.

Persons: topographers, Mont, Cecile Taffin, Mont Blanc, Le Brevent, Denis Balibouse, Farouk Kadded, Topographers, Kadded, Kate Entringer, Dominique Vidalon, Manuel Ausloos, Geert De Clercq, William Maclean, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Leica, Thomson Locations: Blanc , Western, Chamonix, French, Mont Blanc, Le, France, snowpack

☆ Renault sets Nov. 15 date for first investor day for EV unit Ampere
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of Renault is seen at the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Renault SA FollowPARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Renault (RENA.PA) on Thursday announced the first investor day for its future electric vehicle company, named Ampere, will take place on November 15. Renault's Chief Executive Luca De Meo last month said the unit, which Renault plans to list on the stock exchange as a standalone business by spring 2024, could be valued at up to 10 billion euros ($10.47 billion). ($1 = 0.9550 euros)Reporting by Gilles Guillaume, writing by Tassilo Hummel, editing by Geert De ClercqOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Ampere, Luca De Meo, Gilles Guillaume, Tassilo Hummel, Geert De Clercq Organizations: Renault, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Companies Renault SA, PARIS, Thursday, Renault's, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France

[1/5] Bed bugs are seen in a sofa bed, in L'Hay-les-Roses, near Paris, France, September 29, 2023. At the Paris Gare de Lyon train station, travellers said they doubted whether authorities would be able to get on top of the problem. Once I get home, I'll have to wash all my clothes," Laura Mmadi, a sales worker heading to the south of France said. Deputy mayor Gregoire called on insurers to include bedbug cover in house insurance policies, as low-income people rarely had the means to call in pest control firms. Reporting by Antony Paone and Geert De Clercq; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stephanie Lecocq, Charles de, Emmanuel Gregoire, Elisabeth Borne, Clement Beaune, I'm, Laura Mmadi, Sophie Ruscica, Anses, bedbugs, Sacha Krief, Gregoire, Antony Paone, Geert De Clercq, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Paris Olympics, Paralympic, Transport, Gare de Lyon, Thomson Locations: L'Hay, Paris, France, Charles de Gaulle, Nice

[1/5] Models present creations by the creative studio of Pierre Cardin fashion house for their Spring/Summer 2024 Women's ready-to-wear collection show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday with a Pierre Cardin show in the headquarters of France's Communist Party, which was bathed in blue light to conjure up the colour of the ocean. It was the French label's second show at Paris Fashion Week since founder Pierre Cardin died in 2020, building on its space-age catwalk in March after a gap of more than two decades. Fashion Week, which runs until Oct. 3, will feature more than 100 designers, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes, dozens of new international designers, as well as French fashion house Balmain whose show will go ahead despite the theft of part of its collection. Thieves seized the vehicle carrying some 50 items between a Paris airport and the label's headquarters in the French capital.

Persons: Pierre Cardin, Stephanie Lecocq, Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Fabien Roussel, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Saint Laurent, Van Noten, Lanvin, Sandra Auger, Elizabeth Pineau, Geert De Clercq, Alison Williams Organizations: Paris, REUTERS, Rights, France's Communist Party, Paris Fashion, French Communist Party, Espace Niemeyer, Balmain, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, French, Givenchy

☆ World War One cemeteries, Rwanda genocide sites, Argentine torture center declared UNESCO World Heritage
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Geert De Clercq | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

So far, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan have been the only memorial sites inscribed on the United Nation's cultural agency's closely watched World Heritage list. At a meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, UNESCO member states agreed to add the World War One and Rwanda sites to the list, after adding the Argentina torture memorial on Tuesday. The World War One sites encompass a series of military cemeteries, battlefield burial grounds and memorials between the north of Belgium and the east of France. The 139 sites trace the outline of World War One's Western Front and hold the remains of tens of thousands of soldiers of several nationalities. The World Heritage Committee's annual meeting ends on Monday.

Persons: Rima Abdul, Malak, Geert De Clercq, Leslie Adler Organizations: Navy Mechanics School, UNESCO, Memorial, United, UNESCO World Heritage, Wednesday, Twa, ESMA, Navy School of Mechanics, Thomson Locations: Argentina's, PARIS, Belgium, France, Argentina, UN, Auschwitz, Poland, Hiroshima, Japan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Europe, Buenos Aires, UNESCO

☆ Apple France workers call strike ahead of iPhone 15 launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] An Apple logo is pictured outside an Apple store in Lille, France, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Unions at the Apple (AAPL.O) France stores have called for a strike on Friday and Saturday ahead of the iPhone 15 launch, demanding better pay and working conditions. "Management having decided to ignore our perfectly legitimate demands and concerns, the four unions of Apple Retail France ...call for a strike on Sept. 22 and 23," CGT Apple Retail said in a union front statement on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. CGT Apple Retail union member Karine Chouchane told French daily Liberation that Apple France workers may mobilise in three quarters of Apple's stores in France. Apple France could not immediately be reached for comment.

Persons: Stephanie Lecocq, Paris Opera Garnier, Karine Chouchane, Apple, Geert De Clercq, Louise Heavens Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Rights, Management, Apple Retail France, Apple Retail, Paris Opera, Thomson Locations: Lille, France, Paris, Liberation, Apple France

☆ French ambassador in Niger being held hostage by junta, Macron says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference, on the second day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 15 (Reuters) - France's ambassador in Niger is being held hostage at the French embassy by the military junta which has seized power in the West African nation, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. "As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic members which are being literally held hostage at the French embassy, and food is prevented from being delivered. They're eating military rations," Macron told reporters during a visit to Burgundy. Reporting by Michel Rose; editing by Geert de Clercq and Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Amit Dave, Macron, Michel Rose, Geert de Clercq, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Niger, West African, Burgundy

☆ Belgian Justice Minister in Hot Water Over 'Pipigate'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

At a parliament hearing, Van Quickenborne apologised and said he had not been aware of the incident the night it happened. Van Quickenborne has round-the-clock protection following a failed attempt to kidnap him last year. Van Quickenborne said he had no access to police video, but in parliament he played footage of cameras at his house. Opposition politicians blasted Van Quickenborne. "You have given a whole new dimension to the concept of the Belgian joke," said opposition party N-VA's Yngvild Ingels.

Persons: Geert De Clercq, Vincent Van Quickenborne's, Van Quickenborne, Josie Kao Locations: Geert De Clercq BRUSSELS, Belgium, Belgian

☆ 'Pipigate' peeing scandal puts Belgian minister in hot water
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Geert De Clercq | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vincent Van Quickenborne talks to the media as he arrives at a budgetary control meeting in Brussels October 17, 2012. At a parliament hearing, Van Quickenborne apologised and said he had not been aware of the incident the night it happened. Van Quickenborne has round-the-clock protection following a failed attempt to kidnap him last year. Van Quickenborne said he had no access to police video, but in parliament he played footage of cameras at his house. Opposition politicians blasted Van Quickenborne.

Persons: Vincent Van Quickenborne, Francois Lenoir, Vincent Van Quickenborne's, Van Quickenborne, Geert De Clercq, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Rights BRUSSELS, Belgium, Belgian

☆ Tourists from Morocco shot dead after straying into Algerian waters on jet ski- survivor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RABAT, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Algerian authorities shot dead at least one Moroccan tourist after a group of five strayed into Algerian waters on jet skis, according to one of the survivors. Another member of their group was detained by the Algerian authorities, Kissi said. Moroccan authorities said they could not comment on the case, calling it a judicial matter. Mustafa Mechouar, the father of Abdelali Mechouar, told Reuters he believed his son was dead and wanted to bury him. "I appeal to Moroccan and Algerian authorities to reach an agreement to bring my son back to me to observe a proper funeral and burial for him," he said.

Persons: Mohamed Kissi, Morocco's, Kissi, Bilal, Abdelali Mechouar, Mohamed, Bilal Kissi, Bilal Kissi's, Mustafa Mechouar, Ahmed El Jechtimi, Tarek Amara, Geert de Clercq, Angus McDowall, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rabat, Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Moroccan, Saidia, Algeria, Morocco, Algiers, Algerian, Oujda, Rabat, Tunis, Paris

☆ French consumers forced to cut back on essentials, Carrefour CEO warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Dominique Vidalon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are seeing a non-spending tsunami in France," Chairman and Chief Executive Alexandre Bompard told Franceinfo radio. The government is eager to get food inflation - more than twice the overall French inflation rate of 5.1% in July - on a downward path, wary that such high levels could undermine fragile consumer confidence. 'SITUATION OF DEPRIVATION'"They see their margins increase while the French are in a situation of deprivation," Bompard told Franceinfo. On Tuesday, Le Maire vowed to step up pressure on retailers and producers to accelerate price cuts. "I am meeting retailers tomorrow and the producers the day after tomorrow ... with one objective: accelerate the fall of prices."

Persons: Alexandre Bompard, Sarah Meyssonnier, Bompard, FinMin Le Maire, Bruno Le Maire, Henkel, Franceinfo, Le Maire, Dominique Vidalon, Geert de Clercq, Silvia Aloisi, David Goodman, Conor Humphries Organizations: Carrefour, Entrepreneurs de France, Paris, Paris Longchamp Racecourse, REUTERS, Wednesday PARIS, Finance, Retailers, Procter, Gamble, Unilever, G, Henkel, Thomson Locations: Paris Longchamp, Paris, France, Carrefour

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Paris will ban pony rides for children in its public parks from 2025 following a campaign by animal rights activists who argue that the ponies are not well treated. Pony rides have been a popular feature in Paris parks like Champ de Mars, Parc Monceau and Parc du Luxembourg for decades, mostly on the weekends and during school holidays. It just turns ponies into entertainment objects," Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) activist Amandine Sansivens said. Stephane Michaud, director of AnimaPoney - which operated pony rides in several Paris parks but has now closed half of these - said his ponies work only about 150 days per year. They love the contact with the ponies," said Celine Papouin, whose daughter confidently sat astride a pony in Parc Monceau.

Persons: Paris Animaux Zoopolis, Stephanie Lecocq, Champ de, Zoopolis, PAZ, Amandine Sansivens, Stephane Michaud, Celine Papouin, Geert De Clercq, Jan Harvey Organizations: Paris, REUTERS, Rights, Parc du, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Monceau, Parc, Parc du Luxembourg, Rambouillet, Parc Monceau

☆ Pre-Olympics swimming event at risk as storms dirty Seine river
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( America Hernandez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paris 2024 Olympics - Training for test swimming event for Paris 2024 - River Seine, Paris, France - August 4, 2023 A tourist boat is pictured on the River Seine beside the Pont Alexandre III bridge REUTERS/Stephanie LecocqPARIS, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Participants of this weekend's Open Water Swimming World Cup were barred from a Friday morning training session in Paris' river Seine as heavy rainfall caused water quality to dip below health standards, the French Swimming Federation (FFN) said. The women's 10 kilometre race on Saturday - a qualifying event for marathon swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympics - is still scheduled to go ahead, pending a new river water quality test on Friday evening. "The water quality tests are done regularly, and they are progressively improving," the spokesperson added. International federation World Aquatics did not immediately respond to a request for comment about further backup plans for the races if Seine water quality does not improve this weekend. The city has been working on clean-up efforts to make the Seine swimmable again, as it was during the 1900 Paris Olympics more than a century ago.

Persons: Pont Alexandre III, Stephanie Lecocq PARIS, Jacques Chirac, America Hernandez, Geert De Clercq Organizations: Paris, French Swimming Federation, Olympics, Thomson Locations: Seine, Paris, France, Villette, Egypt, Italy

FILE PHOTO-A woman walks past a Credit Agricole logo outside a bank office in Reze near Nantes, France, May 12, 2021. The results boosted Credit Agricole SA's (CAGR.PA) stock, which was up by about 5% at 0817 GMT, making it the best performer within France's blue-chip index CAC 40 (.FCHI). Helping the positive sentiment, the investment vehicle of the mutual banks that control Credit Agricole said it would spend 1 billion euros on the bank's shares, further tightening its grip on the lender. The vehicle currently owns 60.2% of Credit Agricole SA and said it had no intention to go beyond 65%. Degroof Petercam has client assets of 71 billion euros, while Indosuez said it had assets under management of 130 billion euros at the end of 2022.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Degroof, France's, JP Morgan, Degroof Petercam, Indosuez, Xavier Musca, Musca, Mathieu Rosemain, Geert de Clercq, Piotr Lipinski, Ingrid Melander, Augustin Turpin, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Agricole, CAC, PARIS, Credit Agricole, Credit Agricole SA, Royal Bank of Canada, Barclays, Credit Agricole's, Indosuez, KBC, Thomson Locations: Reze, Nantes, France, Belgian

☆ Dutchman running from Amsterdam to Kyiv to buy ambulances for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Piroschka Van De Wouw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

He will run from Amsterdam to Kyiv to raise money for Ukraine. REUTERS/Piroschka van de WouwAMSTERDAM, Aug 1 (Reuters) - A Dutch ultrarunner is running from Amsterdam to Kyiv to raise funds for charity and demonstrate how close the Ukraine war zone is to Western Europe. The aim is to raise money to buy ambulances that Dutch charity Zeilen van Vrijheid (Sails of Freedom) will take to Ukraine. So far - after 10 days and about 500 km of running - Kragtwijk has raised 22,000 euros via his Ultra4Ukraine GoFundMe page, nearly enough for one ambulance, which costs 30,000 euros. Running towards the east, Kragtwijk will pass through Berlin and Warsaw and hopes to reach Kyiv in September.

Persons: Boas Kragtwijk, van, Piroschka van de Wouw, Christian Levaux, Geert De Clercq, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, Ukraine, REUTERS, AMSTERDAM, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Kyiv, Ukraine, Western Europe, Kragtwijk, Germany, Berlin, Warsaw

☆ Micromobility submits bid for Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, July 31 (Reuters) - Nasdaq-listed Micromobility.com (MCOM.O) said on Monday it had submitted a non-binding bid to acquire bankrupt Dutch electric bike maker VanMoof Amsterdam for an undisclosed sum. Its initial non-binding bid was positively received and the company is now preparing to present its binding offer, it said in a statement. It has said that administrators are now considering whether it can sell assets and restructure to save the business. VanMoof sold around 200,000 bikes for more than 2,000 euros ($2,250) each before going bankrupt, partly due to high maintenance costs. Reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Geert De Clercq; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: VanMoof, Anthony Deutsch, Geert De Clercq, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Nasdaq, Thomson Locations: Amsterdam

☆ UNESCO recommends adding Venice to list of world heritage sites in danger
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Gondoliers row their gondolas through the Venice Canal as the city prepares for the Redentore Festival celebrations in Venice, Italy, July 15, 2023. REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri/File PhotoJuly 31 (Reuters) - UNESCO experts have recommended that Venice and its lagoon be added to its list of World Heritage in Danger as Italy is not doing enough to protect the city from the impact of climate change and mass tourism. UNESCO World Heritage Centre experts regularly review the state of the UN cultural agency's 1,157 World Heritage sites, and at a meeting in Riyadh in September, a committee of 21 UNESCO member states will review more than 200 sites and decide which to add to the danger list. Other sites recommended to be put on the danger list this year are the cities of Kyiv and Lviv in Ukraine. A spokesperson for the Venice municipality told Reuters the city "will carefully read the proposed decision published today by the Center for UNESCO's World Heritage Committee and will discuss it with the government".

Persons: Manuel Silvestri, Geert De Clercq, Augustin Turpin, Federica Urso, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, UNESCO, Heritage Centre, UN, Reuters, Center, World Heritage, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, Danger, Riyadh, Odessa, Ukraine, Timbuktu, Mali, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Kyiv, Lviv, Paris, Rome

☆ Fire on car carrier ablaze off Dutch coast now less intense
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, July 28 (Reuters) - The fire which has been burning on a car carrier off the Dutch coast has lessened in intensity and salvagers have been able to board the ship to secure stronger tow lines, authorities said on Friday. Smoke rises as a fire broke out on the cargo ship Fremantle Highway, at sea on July 26, 2023. The Dutch coastguard said on its website on Thursday that the cause of the fire was unknown, but an emergency responder is heard in a recording released by Dutch broadcaster RTL saying, "The fire started in the battery of an electric car". An investigation has been launched by the Panama Maritime Authority and the Netherlands is assisting the inquiry, the Dutch Safety Board has said. The 199-metre (653-ft) Fremantle is drifting about 17 km from the northernmost Dutch coast, the coastguard said.

Persons: Miranda Murry, Daniel Leussink, Geert De Clercq, Marine Strauss, Anthony Deutsch, Tassilo Hummel, Philippa Fletcher, Leslie Adler Organizations: Panamanian, Fremantle Highway, Fremantle, Ship, Coastguard, REUTERS, K Line, Kawasaki, Dutch coastguard, RTL, Panama Maritime Authority, Dutch Safety, coastguard, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Coastguard Netherlands, Dutch, Netherlands, Fremantle, Germany, Egypt, Wadden, Denmark

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