🔴 Live: Macron opens UN ocean summit in Nice in bid to boost marine protections
World leaders attending the UN Ocean Conference in Nice have been told to come up with concrete ideas and funding to tackle what organisers call a global "emergency" facing the neglected seas.
The appeal for unity comes as nations tussle over a global plastics pollution treaty, and the United States sidesteps international efforts to regulate deep-sea mining.
Around 60 heads of state and government are attending the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei.
French President Emmanuel Macron opens the high-level summit on Monday, two days after the president said France would restrict bottom trawling in some of its marine protected areas but was criticised for not going far enough.
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Euronews
31 minutes ago
- Euronews
14-year-old kills staff member in French middle school knife attack
A 14-year-old pupil fatally stabbed a school staff member during a routine bag check on Tuesday at a middle school in eastern France, officials said. The teenager was arrested at the scene. The incident occurred at Françoise Dolto School in Nogent, near Dijon. A police officer assisting with the bag checks sustained minor injuries while apprehending the suspect, who used the same knife in both attacks, according to the National Gendarmerie. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act as "senseless violence," writing in a post on X: "While she was looking after our children in Nogent, an educational assistant lost her life. The nation is in mourning and the government is mobilised to reduce crime." Though deadly incidents in French schools are rare, there is growing concern about violence on campuses. In response, the Education Ministry introduced bag checks earlier this year. Over two months this spring, officials confiscated 186 knives and detained 32 individuals, the Interior Ministry reported. Prosecutor Denis Devallois confirmed that the suspect had no prior criminal record. Education Minister Élisabeth Borne said the boy had been involved in the school's anti-bullying initiative and was previously suspended briefly for classroom disruption. The stabbing occurred just outside the school gate, where the 31-year-old educational assistant was standing alongside police officers conducting checks. Classes were suspended for the day and counselling was made available for pupils and staff. A fellow classmate described the 14-year-old as "normal" but occasionally "a little bizarre," adding that they never thought he would be capable of such an attack, according to local media reports. The incident follows a similar tragedy in April, when a student stabbed four classmates in western France, killing one. That attack prompted the prime minister to call for stricter measures to combat knife violence in schools. The road to a diplomatic reset in EU-China relations is paved with escalating tit-for-tat trade measures, casting a shadow over efforts to ease long-standing disputes. On Tuesday, Chinese authorities announced a six-month extension of their anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the EU, citing the complexity of the case as justification for the delay. Initially launched in June 2024, the probe will now run until the end of the year, targeting more than €1.75 billion in pork exports, particularly from Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The announcement came as Brussels and Beijing are seeking to stabilise relations despite years of friction, exacerbated by US president's trade war against China and a shifting global order. A crucial milestone in this process will be the EU-China summit, now confirmed for the second half of July 2025 in Beijing. But China's extension of the investigation into pork imports show that the trade relationship between the EU and China is still fraught, with each side using sensitive sectors, such as electric vehicles for the EU and agriculture for China, as leverage in their negotiations. Pork is a strategically important product for both sides: China is the world's largest consumer, and EU farmers export significant quantities of offal products like ears, feet, and snouts, which are highly valued in Chinese cuisine but have little value in other markets. Pork is a strategically important product for both sides: China is the world's largest consumer, and EU farmers export significant quantities of offal products like ears, feet, and snouts, which are highly valued in Chinese cuisine but have little value in other markets. However, the pork investigation is viewed less as a genuine trade concern and more as a bargaining chip in wider trade negotiations. The pork probe is widely interpreted as China's response to the EU's recent decision to impose tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs). Brussels argued the tariffs were necessary to counteract state subsidies and prevent market distortion, as Chinese EV manufacturers rapidly increase their presence in Europe. At the time of their announcement, China sharply criticised the EU's EV tariffs as protectionist, warning of 'necessary measures' to defend national interests, signalling that Tuesday's extension of the pork probe might now be part of a broader strategic play. Key discussions on EV tariffs recently took place in Paris, where Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao met with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in talks that covered also broader concerns such as rare earth export controls and public procurement access. At the heart of the negotiations is a potential shift from punitive tariffs to a system of minimum prices for Chinese EVs. This approach aims to address the EU's concerns about unfair competition while avoiding outright trade barriers, potentially serving as a model for future high-tech trade frameworks. 'Negotiations for an agreement on a price undertaking, which would then replace the existing duties we have in place, are continuing at both technical and political level,' a European Commission spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. This latest clash echoes earlier episodes in China-EU trade relations. Last week, the EU hit back with restrictions on Chinese medical device makers, limiting their access to public procurement contracts in response to Beijing's 'Buy China' policy, which disadvantages EU firms in Chinese markets. All these moves reflect an established pattern of reciprocal measures, with both sides targeting politically sensitive industries to gain a negotiating advantage. Another potential flashpoint is China's restriction of rare earth mineral exports, which are critical components for many EU manufacturing sectors. Though initially aimed at the United States, these restrictions have implications for Europe and are now part of a wider toolkit of Chinese leverage. The EU now hopes that these restrictions will soon be lifted and addressed the topic in Paris' talks last week. 'All we have so far is an indication from the Chinese government via a statement by the spokesperson for their Commerce Ministry that they are indeed looking at this issue and that they're going to find a way to address it,' said a European Commission spokesperson on Tuesday. 'As far as we know, nothing has been formally communicated to us in a structured way,' the spokesperson continued, adding that once the bloc receives such communication, it will need time to assess it. Amid the back-and-forth, there have also been signs of goodwill. China recently expanded market access for certain Spanish food products in an apparent signal that it remains open to negotiation. A crucial milestone in this process is the EU-China summit, now confirmed for the second half of July 2025 in Beijing. Both sides hope it will serve as a platform to recalibrate their economic ties and potentially defuse one of the most complex and consequential trade disputes of the decade.
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
French Senate to vote on regulating fast fashion
The bill is targeted at Chinese-founded e-commerce giant Shein, which has a reputation for selling lower quality clothes at a very low price. Easy to order and replace, fast fashion items are exported to France on a large scale, causing pollution and saturating markets. Adopted by the lower house National Assembly in March 2024, the bill will be voted on by the Senate later on Tuesday and is expected to pass, with backing from the government and widespread support in the chamber. The vote is not the final legislative hurdle: a joint committee of senators and lower house deputies is expected to meet from September to produce a joint text, prior to the final adoption of the law. The text plans to "reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry", said Anne-Cecile Violland, the centre-right member of parliament who proposed the bill. Fast fashion is a growing market in France and between 2010 and 2023, the value of advertised products grew from 2.3 billion euros to 3.2 billion euros. Around 48 clothing items per person are released into the French market each year, and 35 are thrown away every second in the country, according to the state environmental agency Ademe. Fast fashion poses a "triple threat", said the minister for ecological transition, Agnes Pannier-Runacher. "It promotes overconsumption, causes ecological disaster and threatens our businesses," she said. Slamming an "invasion" of products that "do not last", the minister expressed hope it would help change things in Europe. Once adopted in France, the European Commission will be notified to ensure it complies with European law according to Pannier-Runacher. Targeting fast fashion The Senate, dominated by the right, modified the bill to target "ultra" fast fashion companies, such as Asian websites Shein ou Temu. The Senate's amendments plan to leave out French and European brands that may be affected by the bill, such as Zara, H&M and Kiabi. The fashion giants will still be obliged to notify their customers about the environmental impact of their products, according to the new bill. "I have no intention of making French brands that contribute to our country's economic vitality pay a single euro,' said rapporteur Sylvie Valente Le Hir, member of the right-wing The Republicans party. The bill will impose stricter sanctions on fast fashion companies by scoring their "environmental communication". This "eco-score" will affect all fast fashion companies, Pannier-Runacher said. Those with the lowest scores will be taxed by the government up to 5 euros per product in 2025 and up to 10 euros by 2030. This tax cannot go beyond 50 percent of the price of the original product. Advertisement ban The bill would impose sanctions on influencers who promote such products and ban fast fashion advertisements. The regulation of the fast fashion industry will only succeed with a "collective effort", and not by targeting "a single actor," Shein spokesperson Quentin Ruffat told RTL radio on Monday. According to Ruffat, the law will add "a tax of 10 euros per sold item of clothing by 2030" and "impact the purchasing power" of French people. Environmental organisations are also worried that the law may be misinterpreted. Debates may amount to an interesting framework which still lacks substance, according to Green Senator Jacques Fernique. On Monday, the Textiles Industry Union (UIT) recognised the bill as "a first step" and hoped for its "rapid adoption ... even if the text does not entirely fit our expectations".
Euronews
2 hours ago
- Euronews
Lost Auguste Rodin sculpture sells for €860,000 at auction in France
A small marble sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin, which was long thought to be a copy, has fetched €860,000 at an auction in France, at the Château de Villandry (Indre-et-Loire), according to the website of the Rouillac auction house. 'Le Désespoir' ('Despair'), a variation on the famous 'Porte de l'Enfer' ('The Gates of Hell'), was produced around 1892. It depicts a woman hugging her knees and holding her foot. It had disappeared after being sold at an auction in 1906, and its owners had it sitting on a piano in their home, believing it was a replica. After a six-week investigation, they were informed of its authenticity. French auctioneer Aymeric Rouillac told AFP that he went to the Comité Rodin in March and the body, considered to be the leading authority on the French sculptor, confirmed it was not a fake after much research and a genealogical survey. Rouillac described the 28.5cm marble as an 'extremely rare' find. "We have rediscovered it," he added. And sold it for nearly one million dollars to an anonymous American buyer. Following Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, artists have been speaking out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation raids and offering support to protestors in LA. As reported by Euronews, Trump deployed another 2,100 National Guard members and 700 US Marines, in what the authorities have dubbed Task Force 51 meant to "provide continuous coverage of the area" as unrest in Los Angeles continues. Many celebrities posted messages on social media supporting the protestors and criticising the National Guard's deployment, including Eva Longoria and Mark Ruffalo. Longoria took to Instagram to express her frustration and described the actions as 'Un-American', while Ruffalo shared a lengthy message to Instagram with the caption: "When you have working class people going after the poor and other working class people you know you are living in an oligarchy." He added: "The billionaire up at the top is stealing you blind, and you are worried about the poorest of the poor ruining your life? You are pointing your guns in the wrong direction... The president is a grifter." Ruffalo's post went viral, racking up to 200,000 likes—including from other celebrities, including Jennifer Garner and Halle Berry. Une publication partagée par Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo) Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong posted a scene from one of the LA protests to his Instagram over the weekend, which he captioned with a middle finger emoji and an ice cube emoji, while Tyler, The Creator wrote on his Instagram Story: 'FUCK ICE.' Singer and actress Reneé Rapp also condemned ICE's actions, writing: 'Fuck ICE fuck this administration fuck all of yall who are complicit in ensuring that this happened this is a fucking disgrace.' One of the most notable reactions came from Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, who attended the 'very peaceful protests' himself and claimed to have been teargassed by authorities. 'Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They're inciting this,' he wrote on Instagram. Finneas also reposted a clip that appeared to show a reporter, Lauren Tomasi, being shot in the leg with a rubber bullet by law enforcement while she was reporting from the scene. Elsewhere, Grammy-winning rapper Doechii spoke out against the immigration raids in Los Angeles at the 2025 BET Awards last night. During her speech, Doechii said that though she was 'honoured' by the award, she wanted to 'address what is happening right now outside of the building'. 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' she continued, citing Trump's deployment of the National Guard. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,' Doechii added. 'I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' The heated situation has also prompted a fierce political backlash. Governor Gavin Newsom took to X to announce his plans to sue the federal government over the National Guard deployment, calling it 'an unconstitutional act.' "This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted. He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard. The order he signed doesn't just apply to CA (California). It will allow him to go into ANY STATE and do the same thing. We're suing him."
