PODCAST: What does it mean to be French and how will France's budget impact you?
We start by testing out Le Chat, France's new AI tool, and examine why president Emmanuel Macron is so enamoured of AI technology.
The 2025 Budget is finally approved, with tax hikes for the wealthy and an increase in the eco tax on plane tickets - but perhaps the most controversial element is planned changes to the VAT threshold for micro-entrepreneurs, aka France's 200,000 freelancers, contractors and sole traders.
France has new nominations for UNESCO World Heritage status - including eight castles in south-west France which have a fascinating history and are a little off the usual tourist trail.
A French train passenger has been making headlines after he was fined €150 for using his phone on speaker, so we're taking a look at what the rules are on phone use on French trains, and what else you can be fined for (especially important for the owners of pet snails).
And finally, what does it mean to be French? The prime minister wants a public debate on it, so we're attempting to sum up the concept of Frenchness, with the help of a few famous writers and an emperor.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
36 minutes ago
- LeMonde
Mali junta accuses foreign powers of destabilization plot
The authorities in Mali on Thursday, August 14, said a French national had been arrested on suspicion of working for French intelligence services, and accused "foreign states" of trying to destabilize the country. The ruling junta, which came to power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, also said that dozens of soldiers had been detained in recent days for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government. Impoverished Mali has been gripped by a security crisis since 2012, fueled notably by violence from groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group, as well as local criminal gangs. In a statement read on national television, the military said "fringe elements of the Malian armed security forces" were held for seeking to "destabilize the institutions of the republic." "These soldiers and civilians" are said to have obtained "the help of foreign states," the government said. The French national was held on suspicion of working "on behalf of the French intelligence service." Security sources told AFP that at least 55 soldiers had been arrested, and the government said it was working to identify "possible accomplices." The junta confirmed the arrest of two generals, including Abbas Dembélé, a highly respected figure in the army and a former governor who was recently dismissed from his position. Security sources told AFP the arrests were made mainly within the national guard – a branch of the army from whose ranks emerged Defence Minister Sadio Camara, a key figure in the junta. Several observers noted that some of those arrested were close to Camara, but he has not been questioned so far. 'Misappropriation' On Tuesday, Mali's civilian former prime minister Choguel Maiga and a number of his former colleagues were taken into custody as part of an investigation into claims of "misappropriation of public funds." Maiga, a former junta heavyweight, was appointed prime minister in 2021 before being dismissed at the end of last year after criticizing the military government. He had criticized being excluded from decisions about the continued leadership of the generals, who had initially promised to hand power back to elected civilians in March 2024. No connection has been made between his arrest and those of the soldiers accused of wanting to overthrow the government. The junta, led by President Assimi Goita, has turned away from Western partners, notably former colonial power France, to align itself politically and militarily with Russia in the name of national sovereignty. The Malian army and its Russian mercenary allies have been tasked with hunting down the jihadists and are regularly accused of committing abuses against civilians.
Euronews
12 hours ago
- Euronews
Polish army to mark 1920 military victory with large Warsaw parade
A large military parade will take place in Warsaw on Friday to commemorate Poland's victory there against the Red Army in 1920. The celebrations will be attended by nearly 4,000 Polish soldiers as well as almost 200 army representatives from allied countries including the US and the UK. The events to mark Polish Army Day will include a wreath-laying ceremony led by Poland's President Karol Nawrocki and his wife Marta. For the first time, a naval parade in the Baltic Sea will also be held, with 20 ships as well as hydrographic and rescue vessels appearing in the waters around Hel. Great show of force in Warsaw and on the Baltic The main highlight of the celebrations, however, will be the military parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada, which will begin at midday. "We will be showing the most modern equipment at the disposal of the Polish Armed Forces," spokesperson for the General Staff of the Polish Army Colonel Joanna Klejszmit told Euronews. Tanks as well as lighter vehicles will be used in the procession, she added. F-16 aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters will also be on display, as will Himars rocket launchers, according to Poland's defence ministry. The airshow will feature the Australian Army's E-7A Wedgetail early-warning aircraft. "We will be joined for the first time ever by soldiers from Australia. They are stationed in Poland with their early reconnaissance aircraft, so there will really be something to see," said Colonel Klejszmit. During the dress rehearsal, Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised the special role of France, recalling that the support of French commanders was crucial to the Polish victory at the Battle of Warsaw. "This is special, because the Battle of Warsaw also with the participation of French troops, the support of French generals, commanders, could have been victorious, so we will thank our allies as well," Kosiniak-Kamysz explained. The two events — the parade and the naval parade — will start at the same time and will be broadcast live. In an interview with Euronews, Lieutenant Colonel Michał Tomczyk said interest in the military is growing year on year, especially given the current security concerns in Europe over Russia's all-out war in Ukraine. He noted that 15 August is the time when many people express their desire to join the army. "In fact, every garrison in Poland organises its Polish Army Day. There, there will be an opportunity to talk to military personnel and ask about recruitment or particular training courses," he said. On Saturday, the celebrations will continue with the ceremonial opening of the Museum of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 in Ossów. Poland currently spends over 4% of its GDP on defence and, with 216,100 military personnel, has the third largest army in NATO.
Local France
14 hours ago
- Local France
French word of the day: Bled
Why do I need to know bled ? It's useful when describing a particular type of place, but be careful because it can have negative connotations. What does it mean? The word bled comes from Arabic, and is used in North Africa to mean 'town' or 'country'. Since arriving into the French language, it has developed two different meanings. Advertisement First of all, it's often used to refer to a person's village or country of origin, their 'homeland'. You'll mostly hear this from first or second generation immigrants in France, when they are talking about the area they or their family came from. Just as many Americans will be used to hearing stories about "the old country", the word bled conveys a sense of dual belonging. Many French people of North African descent return to the bled to visit family during the summer. The second meaning is more pejorative, and refers to a village or small town which is isolated and deemed to be of little interest. (For a certain type of person, this could be any place that isn't Paris .) It's roughly equivalent to describing somewhere as a 'one horse town' or a 'hick town' or perhaps 'in the middle of nowhere'. To really add emphasis to how small and out-of-the-way the town or village is, you can add paumé (lost) to bled . Use it like this Cet été je vais retourner au bled pour voir mes grands-parents – This summer I'm going to the old country to see my grandparents. Il n'y a même pas de restaurant dans ce bled – There's not even a restaurant in this backwater. Il vient d'un petit bled paumé dans l'ouest de la France – He comes from a one-horse town in the west of France.
