Saving the ocean: 'We have to be optimistic because it's our only planet'
13:13
09/06/2025
Don't let deep sea become 'wild west', Guterres tells world leaders in Nice
Environment
09/06/2025
Global push to ratify high seas treaty, that is two-thirds of oceans
Environment
09/06/2025
UN Ocean Conference opens in Nice today to tackle ocean "Emergency'
Environment
09/06/2025
World leaders urged to step up and cooperate for overexploited oceans
France
09/06/2025
Macron opens UN ocean summit with call for multilateral mobilisation
France
09/06/2025
Global Ocean Summit opens in Nice with calls to boost marine protections
Environment
06/06/2025
French dock workers block shipment of military material for Israel
France
06/06/2025
"Racism in France has always been a question of anti-migrant and anti-Muslim bias"
France
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
an hour ago
- LeMonde
Macron calls Gaza humanitarian blockade a 'scandal'
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, June 9, that the humanitarian blockade of Gaza was a "scandal" and "shameful," calling for the reopening of humanitarian supply routes. Macron also called for a truce in the besieged Palestinian territory as tens of thousands of people staged rallies across France after Israel stopped a boat, carrying a dozen activists, including Greta Thunberg, from reaching Gaza. The rallies in Paris and at least five other cities were called by left wing parties. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, called the seizure of the Gaza boat by the Israeli military "piracy." Macron meanwhile urged the immediate liberation of French nationals among the 12 activists on the vessel. He "requested that the six French nationals be allowed to return to France as soon as possible," his office said. France was "vigilant" and "stands by all its nationals when they are in danger," he added. The French government called on Israel to ensure the "protection" of the activists, and also called the humanitarian blockade of Gaza "a scandal" and a "disgrace."
LeMonde
2 hours ago
- LeMonde
Macron says imposing a moratorium on seabed mining is 'an international necessity'
French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders on Monday, June 9, called for global rules to govern the seabed and warned against racing to exploit the ocean floor in a thinly-veiled rebuke of US President Donald Trump. Growing anxiety over Trump's unilateral push to fast-track deep-sea mining in international waters shot to the surface at the opening of the UN Ocean Conference in France. "I think it's madness to launch predatory economic action that will disrupt the deep seabed, disrupt biodiversity, destroy it and release irrecoverable carbon sinks – when we know nothing about it," said Macron. Imposing a moratorium on seabed mining was "an international necessity," he added. The number of countries opposed to seabed mining rose to 36 on Monday, according to a tally kept by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an umbrella group of non-governmental organiations. Trump was not among the roughly 60 heads of state and government in Nice, but his spectre loomed large as leaders defended the global multilateralism he has spurned. Of particular concern, his move to sidestep the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and issue permits directly to companies wanting to extract nickel and other metals from waters beyond US jurisdiction. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for "clear action" from the seabed authority to end a "predatory race" to exploit the ocean floor. "We now see the threat of unilateralism looming over the ocean. We cannot allow what happened to international trade to happen to the sea." The deep sea, Greenland and Antarctica were "not for sale," Macron said in further remarks directed clearly at Trump's expansionist claims. The ISA, which has jurisdiction over the ocean floor outside national waters, is meeting in July to discuss a global mining code to regulate mining in the ocean depths. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he supported these negotiations and urged caution as countries navigate these "new waters on seabed mining." "The deep sea cannot become the wild west," he said, to applause from the plenary floor. 'Wave of hope' Island nations also spoke out against seabed mining, which scientists warn could result in untold damage to ecosystems largely unexplored by humanity. "Here in Nice, we can feel that the looming threat of deep sea mining, and the recent reckless behaviour of the industry is seen by many states as unacceptable," said Megan Randles from Greenpeace. Macron said a global pact to protect marine life in international waters beyond national jurisdictions had received enough support to become law and was "a done deal." The high seas treaty struck in 2023 requires ratifications from 60 signatory countries to enter into force, something France hoped to achieve before Nice. Macron said the treaty "would be implemented" after roughly 50 nations ratified and 15 others formally committed to joining them. His office said this would happen by the end of the year, but did not name the countries. "Today's surge of ratifications for the High Seas Treaty is a tidal wave of hope and a huge cause for celebration," Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, told AFP. 'Prove you're serious' On Monday, the United Kingdom announced plans to extend a partial ban on bottom trawling in some of its protected marine areas. Macron said on Saturday that France would also restrict the destructive fishing method in some of its marine protected areas but was criticised for not going far enough. Greece and French Polynesia announced Monday the creation of new protected marine parks, following similar action from Samoa this week. Just 8% of global oceans are designated for marine conservation, despite a globally agreed target to achieve 30% coverage by 2030. But even fewer are considered truly protected, as some countries impose next to no rules on what is forbidden in marine zones or lack the finance to enforce any regulations. The summit will not produce a legally binding agreement at its close, but wealthy nations faced calls to cough up the missing finance to make ocean protection a reality. Small island states turned out in numbers to demand money and political support to combat rising seas, marine trash and the plunder of fish stocks that hurt their economies. "We say to you, if you are serious about protecting the ocean, prove it," said President Surangel Whipps Jr of Palau, a low-lying Pacific nation.
LeMonde
4 hours ago
- LeMonde
One year on, Macron remains entangled by fallout of rash snap elections
Ten months after the facts, the political earthquake was still a topic of conversation, even during the Paris Book Fair at the Grand Palais. In front of a bookstall, amid the hubbub, former culture minister Françoise Nyssen, accompanying President Emmanuel Macron on his visit, suddenly confided: "Thank you for the dissolution," she whispered to him, referring to his decision to dissolve the Asseblée Nationale and trigger snap parliamentary elections, the night his side was beaten in the European elections of June 9. "I was really proud of you. What's more, it was June 9, my birthday." Briefly taken aback, Macron replied: "I will be forgiven with time." "It wasn't a bad decision," approved a woman listening in. "No, because people have to be made to take their responsibilities," Macron said, glancing at the journalist's boom mic recording the conversation. "Otherwise, things fall apart from the inside. I've seen it happen before." Was Macron sincere? During his televised New Year's address on December 31, 2024, when France was entering 2025 without a budget after the first post-dissolution government, led by Michel Barnier, had been toppled, the president publicly admitted for the first time that the move had, "for now, brought more divisions to the Assemblée than solutions for the French people." He added: "Clarity and humility require us to recognize that, for the moment, the decision has produced more instability than calm, and for that, I take full responsibility."
