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☆ France to give armoured vehicles to Lebanese army - defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - France will send dozens of armoured vehicles to the Lebanese army so it can properly carry out patrol missions in the country, France's defence minister said in remarks published on Monday. "We will pursue our partnership with military equipment, notably for the transport of troops protected by armour, which is key to maintain patrols," he said, adding that several dozen armoured vehicles would be given to the Lebanese army soon. "Our support for the Lebanese army is for the long-term whatever the current difficulties," Lecornu added. Paris will also provide medicines and is setting up a joint programme to purchase medical supplies at reasonable prices for the Lebanese army in the future, he said. France has sought to use its historical relationship with Lebanon to try to defuse tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, but violence has spiked.

Persons: Lebanon's, Sebastien Lecornu, Lecornu, John Irish, Gareth Jones Organizations: Lebanese, United Nations, UN Interim Force, Thomson Locations: France, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Paris, United States

☆ France Sends Second Helicopter Carrier to Gaza Coastline Eyeing Medical Help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - France will send a second French helicopter carrier off the coast of Gaza as it works with Israeli and Egyptian authorities to find a way to provide medical assistance to people affected by the bombings in the besieged area. Paris has already sent the Tonnerre carrier to the eastern Mediterranean on what President Emmanuel Macron described as a mission to support Gaza hospitals. Egypt this week began admitting limited numbers of wounded across its Gaza border. Speaking to France Info radio, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the helicopter carrier Dixmude would also now be heading to the region. He said he hoped that France's decision to send ships would encourage others to do so therefore creating critical mass.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sebastien Lecornu, Lecornu, John Irish, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: PARIS, Defence Locations: France, French, Gaza, Paris, Egypt

☆ Macron flies to Israel to push for humanitarian truce, proposals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video-conference with the families of French hostages by the Hamas militants who had entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 20, 2023. His advisers said that beyond showing solidarity with Israel, Macron wanted to make "proposals that are as operational as possible" to prevent an escalation, free hostages, guarantee Israel's security and work towards a two-state solution. The French leader upped the ante before the trip, telling reporters he would only travel to the region if he thought the visit would be "useful". Macron will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and centrist leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid for the opposition. Macron has vowed on national television that France would "not abandon any of its children" in Gaza.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Benoit Tessier, Netanyahu, Abbas, PARIS, Macron, Israel doesn't, Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, Karim Emile Bitar, Mahmoud Abbas, Macron's, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Israeli, Arab French Gaullist, IRIS, Reuters, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Paris, France, French, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Arab French, Beirut

☆ French Military Intelligence Says Israeli Strike Not Behind Gaza Hospital Blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By John IrishPARIS (Reuters) - A blast at a Gaza hospital was not the result of an Israeli missile strike, but likely caused by a misfiring Palestinian rocket, the French military intelligence directorate (DRM) said on Friday. Palestinian officials said 471 people were killed in the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital on Tuesday. Gaza's health ministry blamed an Israeli air strike, while Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by militants. "There is nothing that allows us to say that it is an Israeli strike, but the most likely (scenario) is a Palestinian rocket that had a firing incident," the DRM said. According to the DRM, the impact crater was too small to have been caused by an Israeli missile.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Israel, Emmanuel Macron, John Irish, Chris Reese, Rod Nickel Organizations: Reuters Locations: Gaza, Palestinian, Al, Ahli, Arabi, Israeli, Israel

☆ France's Macron sees hope for hostages in Gaza after Qatari mediation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video-conference with the families of French hostages by the Hamas militants who had entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 20, 2023. Thirty French citizens were killed on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants launched an attack into Israel and seven are still missing. French medical aid would be sent in the coming hours to join Egyptian efforts backed by the United States to bring supplies into Gaza, Macron said. Macron said he was also focusing on trying to avoid an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel and messages had been passed on the Lebanese side. "We warn everyone, we are doing everything to avoid escalation but the security situation remains by definition unstable because it is at a very high level of tension and pressure."

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Benoit Tessier, Israel, Macron, Paris, John Irish, Chris Reese, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Paris, France, Qatar, Saudi, Egypt, United States

☆ French military intelligence says Israeli strike not behind Gaza hospital blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 20 (Reuters) - A blast at a Gaza hospital was not the result of an Israeli missile strike, but likely caused by a misfiring Palestinian rocket, the French military intelligence directorate (DRM) said on Friday. Palestinian officials said 471 people were killed in the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital on Tuesday. Gaza's health ministry blamed an Israeli air strike, while Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by militants. "There is nothing that allows us to say that it is an Israeli strike, but the most likely (scenario) is a Palestinian rocket that had a firing incident," the DRM said. According to the DRM, the impact crater was too small to have been caused by an Israeli missile.

Persons: Mohammed Al, Masri, Israel, Emmanuel Macron, John Irish, Chris Reese, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Al, Ahli, Israel, Gaza City, Gaza, Palestinian, Arabi, Israeli

☆ Hamas hostages: what we know so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Israel has responded by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing thousands, and has said it will act to free the hostages while wiping out Hamas. Hamas has suggested the hostages could be swapped for approximately 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israel has said that there will be no end to the blockade of the enclave without freedom for Israeli hostages. Israel says the hostages were taken to Gaza but their exact whereabouts within the enclave are unknown, making their rescue more complicated. U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration is "workin’ like hell" to find American hostages held by Hamas.

Persons: Rachel Goldberg, Hersh Goldberg Polin, Ammar Awad, Israel, Kan, Mia Schem, Jake Sullivan, Jim Risch, Alberto Fernandez, Rishi Sunak's, Sunak, Ofir Engel, Kibbutz Be'eri, Garcovich, Ivan Illaramendi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gal Hirsch, Hakan Fidan, Joe Biden, Britain's Sunak, Argentina's Fernandez, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Biden, Charlie Devereux, Crispian Balmer, Kylie MacLellan, Patricia Rua, John Irish, James Mackenzie, Patricia Zengerle, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Monday, Reuters, U.S, French, Tel Aviv . U.S, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, Rafah, Egypt, Thailand, Argentine, France, Portugal, Portuguese, Chilean, Spanish, Italy, Turkey, Germany, U.S, Franco, Berlin, Tel Aviv

☆ Estonia's Kallas Dismayed by Hungary's Orban Handshake With 'Criminal' Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

With great pomp, Viktor Orban and Putin held talks in China on Tuesday. Broadcast on Russian television, Orban told Putin that he had never wanted to oppose Moscow and is trying to salvage bilateral contacts. "It was very, very unpleasant to see that," Kallas, one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders, told Reuters in an interview in Paris. At least 2,600 Hungarians and 600 Soviet troops were killed in the fighting. This is the reality, but it doesn't mean that we should lose our interest in these areas," Kallas said.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Vladimir Putin, Kaja Kallas, Viktor Orban, Putin, Orban, Ukraine's, Kallas, Emmanuel Macron, he's, John Irish, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Union, Ukraine, Reuters, Criminal Court, ICC, Republicans, Hamas Locations: Moscow, Estonian, Hungary, Russia, China, Paris, Ukraine, Soviet, Kyiv, U.S, Israel, Nagorno, Karabakh, Western Balkans, Middle East

BRUSSELS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - European Union leaders aim on Tuesday to settle on a united approach to the crisis triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel after days of confusion, infighting and mixed messaging. Some officials and lawmakers also criticized von der Leyen, who visited Israel on Friday, for not declaring that the EU expects Israel to abide by international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders did. Von der Leyen stated that position publicly for the first time at the weekend. Commission officials have insisted von der Leyen had already conveyed the message privately to Israeli officials and defended her swift visit to Israel as an important sign of solidarity. The EU leaders are likely to task ministers with exploring potential risks in more detail, according to officials.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Von der, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, der Leyen, Michel, John Irish, Andrew Gray, Howard Goller Organizations: Union, European Council, EU, European, Von der Leyen's, Israel, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Gaza, Europe

☆ Macron to address nation amid rise in antisemitic acts in France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron will meet political party leaders on Thursday and address the nation on TV to call for unity and try to prevent any spillover of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in France, where there has been a rise in antisemitic acts. France has Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish populations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has in the past contributed to tensions between the two. Antisemitic acts have risen in France since Hamas attacked Israeli towns on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. Israel has responded by launching the most powerful bombing campaign on Gaza, ruled by Hamas, in the 75-year history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, killing more than 1,200 and destroying whole neighbourhoods. Darmanin said France had seen a spike in online hatred but also more direct threats.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Wolfgang Rattay, Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, Esther, Eitan, Macron, Ingrid Melander, Nicolas Delame, John Irish, Elizabeth Pineau, Janet Lawrence Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, France Inter, Israel, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, France, Israel, Gaza, Darmanin, Palestinian, French

☆ No current talks with Taliban, Afghanistan's Massoud says, promising guerrilla warfare
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Massoud, who operates from overseas, said the NRF had been forced to change tactics because it could not fight the well-equipped Taliban conventionally. Massoud dismissed any suggestion of returning to Afghanistan as part of a Taliban reintegration scheme of former officials. "Those people who left Afghanistan, they left for more than just house or a car. "If the Taliban announced that they accept elections, today we all can return because this is what we want." The most recent elections in Afghanistan were held under the U.S.-backed administration which Taliban deposed in August 2021 when Western troops withdrew.

Persons: Ahmad Massoud, Ahmad Shah Massoud, Massoud, John Irish, Michael Perry Organizations: National Resistance, of, Taliban, U.S, Western, Thomson Locations: of Afghanistan, Soviet, Paris, France, PARIS, Afghan, Afghanistan, Panjshir, Kabul, Ukraine

But in an about turn, Macron announced on Sunday that the ambassador would return to Paris and French troops would leave. Two security sources in Niger said Itte had flown out of the country. Demonstrators hold placards and Niger's flags as they gather outside Niger's embassy in support of the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum in Paris, France, August 5, 2023. Crowds of junta supporters have spent days camping outside a French military base to demand the troops' departure. Some analysts have expressed concern that the withdrawal of French troops from Niger could further hamper Western efforts to stem the violence, which has risen since the coups, and bolster Russian influence in the region.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sylvain Itte, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Itte, Catherine Colonna, Yucouba Abdou, Abdou, Niger Mohamed Bazoum, Stephanie Lecocq, Paris, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Moussa Aksar, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, Anait, Toby Chopra, Estelle Shirbon, Philippa Fletcher, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Niger, Quai, French, Nigerien, Reuters, REUTERS, France, Thomson Locations: Niger French, NIAMEY, Niger, Paris, France, Niamey, French, N'Djamena, Niger's, West Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sahel

"The public in West African countries has become increasingly wary of hosting a Western military presence," said Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at London-based risk firm Verisk Maplecroft. "The French exit from Niger will push Western troops further away from the central Sahel." The U.S. has refused to call the Niger takeover a coup, meaning it can avoid severing ties for now. Unlike France, American forces do not actively engage with Niger forces against Islamist militants and could be open to working within a transition to civilian rule. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the French military base in the capital calling for the troops' departure.

Persons: Mahamadou, Mucahid Durmaz, Verisk, Emmanuel Macron, Russia's, Washington's, Defence Lloyd Austin, Washington, Nathaniel Powell, Joe Biden, Macron, Aissami Tchiroma, It's, Oxford Analytica, Paris, Jalel Harchaoui, John Irish, Edward McAllister, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Andrew Gray, George Obulutsa, Andrew Heavens Organizations: French Army, REUTERS, London, Russia's Wagner, Defence, Oxford, Protesters, France, Military, Royal United Services Institute, Thomson Locations: France, Nigerien, Niamey, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger PARIS, DAKAR, West Africa, West, Russia, United States, Libya, The U.S, Nairobi, American, West African, Afghanistan, AFRICA, French, Africa, It's, CHAD, GUINEA France, Chad, Paris, Sahel, Europe, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon, London, Brussels

Qatar, a wealthy Gulf Arab state with diplomatic ambitions, is pressing both sides to engage in more talks and reach "understandings," sources told Reuters earlier. The diplomat described the New York meetings as "talks for talks," saying the idea was to lay the ground for future indirect discussions to achieve an "understanding" on the nuclear issue. Washington suspects Iran's nuclear program may be aimed at developing nuclear arms, a charge Iran denies. The United States also says Iran has provided one-way attack drones for Russia to strike Ukraine and wants Tehran to stop. The Biden administration's efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal have failed and many diplomats now regard it as beyond resurrection because of Iran's nuclear advances.

Persons: Hossein Amir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Majid Asgaripour, spokespeople, Donald Trump, Iran's, Biden, Antony Blinken, We'll, we're, Parisa Hafezi, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Humeyra Pamuk, John Irish, Howard Goller Organizations: Iran's, West Asia News Agency, UNITED NATIONS, Qatari, Reuters, General Assembly, New, U.S, United, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran, WASHINGTON, Qatar, United States, Russia, Doha, U.S, Gulf Arab, New York, Ukraine, Washington, European, Oman, Saint Paul , Minnesota, Paris

☆ Venice avoids being added to UNESCO list of endangered sites
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A UNESCO committee has decided not to add Venice to the organisation's World Heritage List in Danger, disregarding a recommendation from experts and sparing the Italian government from an embarrassing verdict on the city's condition. "The World Heritage Committee ... has made the decision not to inscribe Venice and its Lagoon on the World Heritage List in Danger," UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, said in a statement as the committee met in Riyadh. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said adding Venice to the list would have been an "undue move" not based on objective facts. Venice, known for its canals and cultural sites, has long been threatened by floods and mass tourism. However, UNESCO said more work was needed to protect the fragile lagoon city.

Persons: Gennaro Sangiuliano, Sangiuliano, MOSE, Angelo Amante, John Irish, Alvise Armellini, David Holmes Organizations: UNESCO, Heritage, Thomson Locations: Venice, Riyadh, Italian, Rome, Paris

REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS/LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Britain, France and Germany said on Thursday they would retain ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that could provoke Iranian retaliation. The JCPoA agreed with Iran in 2015 envisaged a "Transition Day" eight years later, when remaining ballistic missile and nuclear-related sanctions on Iran would be lifted. But Britain, France and Germany will now transfer UN sanctions on Iran that are due to be lifted next month into domestic law, while Britain and the EU will retain existing sanctions, Britain's Foreign office said in a statement. The crux of the JCPoA pact, which Iran made with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S., limited Tehran’s nuclear programme making it harder for it to get fissile material for a bomb in return for relief from economic sanctions. We stand ready to reverse our decision, should Iran fully implement its JCPoA commitments," the E3 said, referring to a mechanism that would immediately restore all UN sanctions against Iran.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, Josep Borrell, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, Sachin Ravikumar, Parisa, David Holmes, Timothy Gardner Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, REUTERS, Reuters, EU, Iran, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Iran, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia, Tehran, United States, China, U.S, Dubai

☆ France says controversy over Morocco aid misplaced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paris and Rabat have had a difficult relationship in recent years notably over the issue of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants France to recognise as Moroccan. "This is a misplaced controversy," Catherine Colonna told BFM television when asked why Morocco had not made an official request to Paris for urgent assistance despite accepting help from Spain, Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. "We are ready to help Morocco. Paris has made 5 million euros ($5.4 million) available for non-governmental organisations operating in Morocco, Colonna said. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France 2 earlier on Monday that Rabat, a "brotherly" nation, had the capabilities to cope alone with the rescue efforts.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, BFM, Colonna, Emmanuel Macron, Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Gerald Darmanin, John Irish, Nicolas Delame, David Holmes Organizations: United, France, Polisario, Western, Observatory, Immigration, Thomson Locations: Morocco, France, Paris, Rabat, Western Sahara, Moroccan, Spain, Britain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, It's, Algeria, Algiers

☆ France says Niger coup not definitive, president must be reinstated
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said on Friday that a power grab in Niger was not definitive and that those responsible still had time to accede to international demands that the ousted president be reinstated. "If you hear me say attempted coup d'etat, it's because we don't consider that things are definitive," Colonna was quoted by French media as saying. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being held in the presidential palace and it remains unclear who is in charge of the country after soldiers on Wednesday evening declared a coup that sparked widespread condemnation. In a statement signed by its chief of staff, the army on Thursday declared support for the soldiers who stripped President Mohamed Bazoum of power. "President Bazoum must be restored to his constitutional functions," Colonna said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Catherine Colonna, Colonna, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Bazoum, John Irish, John Stonestreet Organizations: West African ECOWAS, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Niger, Papua New Guinea

'ONLY HOPE' FOR STABILITY IN SAHELNiger became a democratic outlier in West Africa's Sahel region following military takeovers in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad since 2020. All four countries of the arid Sahel region, just south of the Sahara, are now run by military leaders after soldiers in Niger said on Wednesday night they had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. France, which has had counter-insurgency troops in West Africa for a decade, has turned to Niger to base the bulk of its forces. Their role is solely to support Niger's army when local forces identify operations in the border regions connecting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The European Union decided in December to set up a three-year military training mission in Niger, to which Germany contributes troops.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, juntas, Moussa Aksar, John Irish, Nellie Peyton, Bate Felix, Emelia Sithole, Leslie Adler Organizations: Islamic, National Assembly, REUTERS, European Union, DEMOCRATIC, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, John, Thomson Locations: West Africa, Niger, Africa's Sahel, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Russia, France, United States, U.S, Russian, Niamey, ACLED, Germany, Italy, Guinea, Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Paris

ORTN/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERSNIAMEY, July 27 (Reuters) - Niger's army command on Thursday declared its support for a coup instigated the previous day by soldiers of the presidential guard, saying its priority was to avoid destabilising the country. President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou earlier urged democratic forces in the country to resist the power grab, as western officials said the status of the coup attempt was unclear. They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, with the president inside. Massoudou also called on "democrats and patriots" to make the "attempted coup" fail, according to a posting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Niamey was quiet on Thursday morning as citizens awoke to heavy rain, closed borders and a nationwide curfew imposed by the coup instigators.

Persons: Major Amadou Adramane, Mohamed Bazoum, Hassoumi Massoudou, Bazoum, Massoudou, Bate Felix, Boureima Balima, Moussa Aksar, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, John Stonestreet Organizations: Niger Army, Reuters, REUTERS, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, REUTERS NIAMEY, West, Central Africa, Sahel

☆ Jane Birkin, British-born actress and singer, dies at 76, French media report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The 74th Cannes Film Festival - Photocall for the film "Jane par Charlotte" (Jane by Charlotte) presented as part of Cannes Premiere - Cannes, France, July 8, 2021. Director Charlotte Gainsbourg and cast member Jane Birkin pose. REUTERS/Johanna GeronPARIS, July 16 (Reuters) - British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, a 1960s wildchild who became a beloved figure in France, has died in Paris aged 76, the French Culture Ministry said on Sunday. Birken was best known overseas for her 1969 hit in which she and her then-lover, the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, sang the sexually explicit “Je t’aime...moi non plus”. Jane Mallory Birkin was born in London in December 1946, daughter of British actress Judy Campbell and Royal Navy commander David Birkin.

Persons: Jane, Charlotte, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, Johanna Geron PARIS, Birkin, Birken, Serge Gainsbourg, John Barry, Roselyne Bachelot, BFM, Jane Mallory Birkin, Judy Campbell, David Birkin, Michelangelo Antonioni, Gainsbourg, John Irish, David Goodman, Frances Kerry Organizations: Cannes, Cannes Premiere, French Culture Ministry, Le Parisien, Royal Navy, Thomson Locations: France, Paris, French, British, London, Charlotte

☆ Czech billionaire Kretinsky closes in on Casino after 3F abandons bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kretinsky has been vying to take control of Casino against the 3F Holding group, led by telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and businessman Moez-Alexandre Zouari. The group is saddled with net debt of 6.4 billion euros ($7.1 billion) and is teetering on the brink of default. "Today, after months of work, 3F has decided to not submit an offer," 3F said in a statement. Along with Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière’s Fimalac, he would inject 1.2 billion euros ($1.35 billion) in equity to take a 53% stake in France's sixth-largest retailer. The bidders would also convert 4.9 billion euros of debt into equity.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Kretinsky, Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, Moez, Alexandre Zouari, 3F's, Marc Ladreit de, Fimalac, Casino, John Irish, David Holmes, Emelia Organizations: Casino, 3F, Attestor, Financial, Global Commerce, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: Czech, France's, Casino

☆ Actress and singer Jane Birkin dies, France loses an 'icon'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, July 16 (Reuters) - British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, a 1960s wildchild who became a beloved figure in France, has died in Paris aged 76. Jane Mallory Birkin was born in London in December 1946, daughter of British actress Judy Campbell and Royal Navy commander David Birkin. [1/8]A person takes a photo near the house turned museum where late actor and singer Jane Birkin has lived with singer Serge Gainsbourg, in Paris, France July 16, 2023. "It's unimaginable to live in a world without you," said French singer Etienne Daho, who produced and composed Birkin's last album in 2020. She is survived by two daughters the singer and actress Charlotte, born in 1971, and Lou Doillon, also an actress, born in 1982.

Persons: Jane Birkin, Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Jane Mallory Birkin, Judy Campbell, David Birkin, John Barry, Michelangelo Antonioni, Pascal Rossignol, Gainsbourg, Jane, Etienne Daho, Brigitte Bardot, Bardot, Jacques Doillon, Jean, Louis Dumas, Charlotte, Lou Doillon, Kate, John Irish, David Goodman, Frances Kerry Organizations: French Culture Ministry, Paris Mayor, Royal Navy, REUTERS, Moi, BBC, Vatican, Thomson Locations: France, Paris, French, London, British

Those export controls, which "were imposed for important reasons," remain in place, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office said in statement. "The Prime Minister discussed Sweden's accession to NATO with our partners in Vilnius, including with President Erdogan," the statement said. Ahead of the NATO summit, Turkey, already seeking assurances over the F-16s in talks with Washington, asked that Canada's export controls also be rolled in to the final discussion, the person familiar with the talks said. At Vilnius, Canada outlined its position to Turkey on rules regarding uses of any exported technologies, and was awaiting a response. This means the talks on export controls are no longer frozen, a move that helped play a role sealing Erdogan's pledge over Sweden, the person said.

Persons: Erdogan, Tayyip Erdogan's greenlight, Justin Trudeau's, Joe Biden, Devlet Bahceli, We've, Huseyin Hayatsever, Jonathan Spicer, Steve Scherer, John Irish, Tom Perry, Jamie Freed Organizations: NATO, Atlantic, Organization, Canada, Canadian, Washington, U.S, Kurdistan Workers Party, European Union, Nationalist Movement Party, Erdogan's, Thomson Locations: Turkey, Erdogan, ANKARA, Canada, Ankara, Sweden, Stockholm, Vilnius, Washington, United States, Armenia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Finland, Turkish, Ukraine, Turkey's, Helsinki, European, Istanbul, Ottawa

VILNIUS, July 12 (Reuters) - British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday he had warned Ukraine that its international allies were "not Amazon" and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more. London has been one of Kyiv's staunchest supporters since Russia's invasion last year, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain and its allies will double down on its support for Ukraine. Wallace recalled that he had travelled last year to Ukraine, where he was presented with a shopping list of weapons. "We were always grateful to the UK, prime ministers and the minister of defence because the people are always supporting us," he said. Asked about Wallace's comments, Sunak said that Zelenskiy had been grateful for the support given so far and that more support would be forthcoming as required.

Persons: Ben Wallace, Kyiv's staunchest, Rishi Sunak, Wallace, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Sunak, John Irish, Kylie MacLellan, Alistair Smout, Mark Heinrich, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: British, Ukraine, U.S, NATO, Thomson Locations: VILNIUS, Ukraine, London, Britain, Lithuania, Vilnius

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