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☆ Johnny Depp marks celebrity comeback with Cannes opening film
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] The 76th Cannes Film Festival - Opening ceremony and screening of the film "Jeanne du Barry" Out of competition - Red Carpet arrivals - Cannes, France, May 16, 2023. Johnny Depp poses. REUTERS/Yara... Read moreCANNES, May 16 (Reuters) - Johnny Depp seemed back in full celebrity mode on Tuesday, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans before the premiere of the Cannes Film Festival's opening film "Jeanne du Barry," which marks the actor's first major role since his high-profile defamation trial. "There are hundreds of film festivals all around the world, but there's only one Cannes," Douglas told the crowd. "Even the casting - some would say stunt casting - of Johnny Depp as the king offers a few early thrills and then mostly yawns," wrote The Hollywood Reporter.

☆ Senegal opposition leader appeals conviction threatening his presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Diadie Ba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DAKAR, May 15 (Reuters) - Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has appealed a libel conviction that could prevent him running in presidential elections next year, one of his lawyers said, as another round of protests broke out on Monday. Last week, Sonko received a suspended six-month sentence for libel stemming from his accusations that the minister of tourism had embezzled funds. The conviction casts doubt over Sonko's eligibility to run for president in an election that where President Macky Sall is widely expected to seek a third term. Sonko has denied the charges and denounced the conviction, as well as another trial he is facing on charges of rape, as politically motivated. Hundreds rallied in Dakar last week in the latest show of protest against Sall's potential bid for a third term in the upcoming February poll.

☆ An A.F.P. journalist was killed by rocket fire near the intense fighting in the area around Bakhmut.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Anushka Patil | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A video journalist working for Agence France-Presse, the French news agency, was killed by rocket fire near the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine, A.F.P. Some of the heaviest battles of the war are being fought in and around the nearby city of Bakhmut. The journalist, Arman Soldin, 32, and four colleagues were with Ukrainian soldiers when they came under a Grad rocket attack on Tuesday afternoon, the agency said. Mr. Soldin is the 17th journalist to be killed in Ukraine since 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. His death came just two weeks after a Ukrainian journalist was killed and an Italian journalist injured in an attack on their way to the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

☆ The life of Karl Lagerfeld, the late Chanel designer whose career was honored at this year's Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Avery Hartmans | Rachel Askinasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Years after Lagerfeld's death, questions still remain about the benefactors of his estate, which was estimated to be worth more than $200 million at the time of his death. French newspaper Le Parisien reported in 2020 that a group of seven people close to Lagerfeld were listed in his will, but those heirs are still in dark about what they'll receive and when, WWD reported. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP ImagesSource: WWD

☆ Fact Check-French TV report from 2015 about UK pedophile inquiry shared as new
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of French news coverage in 2015 of a historic UK child sex abuse inquiry is being shared online as though it shows events in 2023. One Facebook user uploaded the 83-second clip in late April alongside text reading: “BREAKING NEWS On french TV. Scandal in UK. However, the clip was published on the verified YouTube account of French news outlet CNews on May 21, 2015 (here). The video of a French news channel discussing a historic child sex abuse inquiry in Britain is from 2015, not 2023.

☆ China's cooperation with Europe 'unlimited' as with Russia - Chinese envoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, April 24 (Reuters) - China's cooperation with Europe and other nations is "endless" just as its ties with Russia are "unlimited", China's envoy to the European Union said, giving some reassurance of China's neutrality over Ukraine in an interview published on Monday. It was unclear when Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassador to the EU, gave the interview to the Chinese news outlet The Paper. Sino-Russian cooperation is "unlimited", and the same is true for China and Europe." China's naval and air force drills in the Taiwan Strait and around the island of democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own, have also drawn criticism from Europe. On Sunday, in an opinion piece in French newspaper Le Journal Du Dimanche, Borrell called on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait.

☆ Photos show crowds storming the headquarters of the world's richest man as they protest France's proposed retirement age raise
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Protestors opposing France's plans to raise the retirement age stormed LVMH headquarters. Top executives, including LVMH CEO and world's richest man Bernard Arnault, have offices in the building. Striking railway workers entered LVMH's headquarters to protest the French government's proposal to raise France's retirement age. Lewis Joly/AP PhotoFrench President Emmanuel Macron proposed raising France's retirement age to 64 by 2030, saying that France's pension system needs the reform to be able to support future generations of retirees. Lewis Joly/AP PhotoArnault is currently the richest person in the world, and recently saw his net worth cross over $200 billion.

☆ Macron criticised for saying Europe should take independent stance on Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, April 10 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron has caused a stir by saying Europe has no interest in accelerating the conflict in Taiwan and should become a "third pole" independent of both Washington and Beijing. Political actors on both sides of the Atlantic criticised the president's position as being too accommodating of China, just as it carries out military drills around Taiwan. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. He added that the French president was "increasingly isolating himself in Europe." If Europe doesn't "pick sides between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, then maybe we shouldn't be picking sides either [on Ukraine]," the Republican senator said.

☆ Macron says Europe should not follow U.S. or Chinese policy over Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 9 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said in comments published on Sunday that Europe had no interest in an acceleration of the crisis over Taiwan and should pursue a strategy independent of both Washington and Beijing. Macron has just returned from a three-day state visit to China, where he received a warm welcome from President Xi Jinping. "The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and adapt to the American rhythm or a Chinese overreaction," Politico quoted him as saying. On Friday, an adviser to Macron told reporters in Guangzhou that Xi and Macron had a "dense and frank" discussion on the issue of Taiwan during their meetings. Macron travelled to China with a 50-strong business delegation including Airbus and nuclear energy producer EDF, which signed deals during the visit.

☆ French feminist politician under fire for Playboy front cover
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, April 3 (Reuters) - French junior social affairs minister Marlene Schiappa is facing criticism from her own party for posing in a white dress for the cover of Playboy, with French media reporting Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne called Schiappa to express her displeasure. The furor comes at a time of social unrest in the country as the government is facing a big backlash over pension reforms. The Playboy cover will be accompanied by a 12-page interview in which Schiappa, who brought in legislation outlawing catcalling and street harassment, talks about women's and LGBT rights. In France, women are free. The Playboy issue is available to buy from April 8th, according to Le Parisien.

☆ Fact Check-‘15-minute city’ is an urban planning concept that promotes easy access to essential amenities
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A “15-minute city” is an urban planning model that envisions an environment where people can access amenities within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transport journey from their homes. However, multiple experts who spoke to Reuters said the urban planning idea has been widely misinterpreted online. WHAT IS A 15-MINUTE CITY? Versions of a 15-minute city have been implemented in Paris and Melbourne, while other areas like Ottawa (here) and Scotland (bit.ly/3Hil13x) (page 61) have proposals in place. The 15-minute city is an urban planning concept that envisions a living environment with easily accessible essentials.

☆ Fact Check-Video of French police clashing with firefighters is from 2020
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Footage of a face-off between French police and firefighters during a protest in 2020 has been falsely linked online to demonstrations in 2023 against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the pension age. “An astonishing video of French firefighters taking on police in Paris four days ago,” wrote one user sharing the video on Facebook on March 28 (here). But the video was originally shared by French news agency Hors-Zone Press in January 2020 (here). According to a Reuters report, the 2020 clash broke out while French firefighters were demonstrating over their working conditions and demanding more pay (here). The video shows a clash between French police and firefighters during a demonstration in 2020.

☆ Atos in talks with Kretinsky over sale of Tech Foundations business-Le Monde
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, March 1 (Reuters) - French technology consultancy Atos (ATOS.PA) is in talks with Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky about the possible sale of its Tech Foundations business, Le Monde reported on Wednesday. According to our information, the management is also talking with Daniel Kretinsky ... who for his part is interested in the group's historic business of IT services Tech Foundations," the French newspaper said. Kretinsky holds a minority stake in Le Monde. Spokespeople for Kretinsky and Atos declined to comment. In October, Atos said it had been approached by several players interested in buying Tech Foundations, which groups activities the company defines as approaching maturity, such as data centres and business process outsourcing.

☆ Jeff Bezos finally collected the Légion d'honneur awarded by France about a decade ago at a 'secret' ceremony, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jeff Bezos collected France's prestigious Légion d'Honneur on February 16, Le Point reported. French President Emmanuel Macron gave Bezos the award at a private, unannounced ceremony, per Le Point. President Emmanuel Macron presented the Amazon founder with the Légion d'honneur at a "secret" private ceremony on February 16, according to the report. Le Point published a photograph of Macron sitting with Bezos, who's wearing a pale grey suit, inside the ornate Elysée Palace. About 2,200 French citizens and 300 foreigners are awarded the Légion d'honneur annually.

☆ France's Macron, Ukraine's Zelenskiy discuss wartime plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Feb 19 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed strategies on Sunday, including what the Ukrainian leader described as joint decisions ahead of this week's anniversary of Russia's invasion of his country. The two leaders spoke by telephone as Western leaders pledged at a conference in Munich to strengthen their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's latest military attacks. "...We also discussed important decisions that we are planning for this week - for our year of resistance." Macron also reaffirmed to Zelenskiy his support for a 10-point peace proposal laid out by Zelenskiy, during their phone call. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Ron Popeski, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The 19th-century 'miracle' heart relic of holy French woman and no trace of disease, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Scientists found no trace of disease in the preserved heart of a French woman who a pope beatified. Pauline Jaricot, whose health was poor, was supposedly "cured" after a visit with the Pope in 1837. Some members of the Catholic Church see the recent findings as a sign of a miracle. Despite living with poor heart health for most of her life, Catholics have said a visit to Pope Gregory XVI in 1837 miraculously "cured" her of heart disease. "No evidence that was inconsistent with natural and spontaneous conservation not mediated by the hand of man, which can be considered a miracle by the Roman Catholic Church, could be retrieved," the scientists said.

☆ China says it wants its busted balloon back after the US Navy fished the suspected spy craft out of the ocean
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China now wants its busted balloon returned to it after the US shot it down. US Navy divers fished pieces of the massive balloon out of the Atlantic Ocean this weekend. The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. February 4, 2023. Chinese officials have admitted the balloon belongs to China but said it was a weather balloon that blew off course. Newly released images from the US Navy show divers pulling debris from the massive balloon out of the Atlantic Ocean.

☆ Iran behind hack of French magazine Charlie Hebdo, Microsoft says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Zeba Siddiqui | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 3 (Reuters) - An Iranian government-backed hacking team allegedly stole and leaked private customer data belonging to French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, security researchers at Microsoft said on Friday. The caricatures were part of a media campaign that Charlie Hebdo said was intended to support anti-government protests in the Islamic nation. A press officer for Charlie Hebdo said the magazine had no comment on the matter "for the moment." loadingThe hack-and-leak targeting Charlie Hebdo was part of a wider digital influence operation with techniques matching previously identified activity linked to Iranian state-backed hacking teams, Microsoft researchers said in a report. Two accounts impersonating a Charlie Hebdo editor and a technology executive also posted the leaked data before Twitter banned them, Microsoft said.

TOKYO/PARIS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - French car maker Renault (RENA.PA) and its Japanese partner Nissan Motor (7201.T) aim to formally unveil a deal to reshape their alliance in London on Feb. 6, two sources close to the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Renault has consistently declined to comment publicly about the talks with its Japanese partner, while a spokesperson for Nissan declined to comment on Thursday. French newspaper Le Figaro reported late on Wednesday that the companies would announce 4 to 5 joint projects to relaunch the alliance. The future shape of the Franco-Japanese alliance has implications for both companies as well as their junior partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T). Renault, for instance, has said it will partner with companies from China's Geely Automobile Holdings (0175.HK) to semiconductor giant Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O).

☆ Ronaldo-Messi rivalry set for new chapter in Riyadh
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Manasi Pathak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The highly anticipated showdown, which will take place at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, reportedly had more than two million online ticket requests. The bidding for a VIP "Beyond Imagination" ticket to the match has already topped 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) in an auction that is set to end later on Tuesday. While Thursday's friendly will be Ronaldo's first in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old's first competitive appearance will come in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday when Al Nassr host Al Ettifaq. French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Monday that PSG will earn just over 10 million euros for the game. ($1 = 3.7556 riyals)($1 = 0.9247 euros)Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Final farewell: From Sidney Poitier to Pope Emeritus Benedict a look back at the influential figures who died in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +55 min

Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___Dan Reeves, 77. A Cuban-born artist whose radiant color palette and geometric paintings were overlooked for decades before the art world took notice. A prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films.

☆ 'The Serpent' serial killer Charles Sobhraj returns to France - media
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the release of Sobhraj, known as the "bikini killer" in Thailand, and 'The Serpent" for his evasion of police, earlier this week on health grounds. A lawyer for Sobhraj in France did not immediately respond to a request for comment. I have to sue a lot of people," AFP quoted Sobhraj as saying. Associates have previously described Sobhraj, 78, as a con artist, a seducer, a robber and a murderer. In 2021, the BBC and Netflix (NFLX.O) produced a drama series based on the story of Sobhraj’s alleged killings.

☆ Two dead, several wounded after shooting in central Paris
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French security personnel secure the street after several shots were fired along rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement, in Paris on December 23, 2022. A shooter killed two people and wounded four others in a gun attack near a Kurdish cultural center in Paris on Friday, the prosecutor's office said. An investigation into murder, manslaughter and aggravated violence has been opened, the Paris prosecutor's office said. A 69-year-old man had been arrested and was in detention, the prosecutor's office added. A second witness, speaking to BFM TV, said the suspected gunman was a white man who opened fire in silence.

PARIS, Dec 23 (Reuters) - A gunman killed three people at a Kurdish cultural centre and nearby Kurdish cafe in central Paris on Friday, prompting violent protests in nearby streets as night fell. President Emmanuel Macron said France's Kurdish community had been the target of a heinous attack. All three of those who died were Kurdish, a lawyer for the Kurdish cultural centre told Reuters. Julien Verplancke who works at another local restaurant, Chez Minna, said staff from the Kurdish restaurant emerged from the premise in tears after the shooting. Salih Azad, a prominent figure from the Kurdish community in Marseille, said he knew one of the victims, a 26-year-old woman who had lived in Paris for several years.

☆ Leo Messi used a 'growth mindset' to finally win his World Cup trophy—here's what that looked like
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The only major item missing was a World Cup trophy until Sunday, when Messi's Argentina defeated France in a 4-2 penalty shootout after an extra-time thriller. The approach may sound familiar: It's reminiscent of psychologist Carol Dweck's theory of the growth mindset, which posits that talent is only a starting point. Many non-athletes champion their own versions of the growth mindset, from billionaire Mark Cuban to actor Will Smith. Studies show that students who are taught the "growth mindset" by educators are able to improve their test scores more than their peers, over time. And despite long being recognized as a global superstar, it took him roughly 16 years over five World Cup tournaments to finally land his elusive prize.

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