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Local France
4 days ago
- Local France
OPINION: Seine swimming is part of a quiet revolution in Paris
One of the greatest joys of this summer in Paris for me has been swimming in the Seine - at the three free bathing spots that the city opened up at the start of July, more than a century after swimming in the river was banned because the water was too polluted. These swimming spots have proved extremely popular with locals and tourists alike - 40,000 people have swum so far and there are often queues to get into the sites, especially on hot days. READ ALSO : Everything you need to know about swimming in the Seine in Paris this summer I can entirely see why. The thing I've been struck by as I plunged into the river this summer (aside from the gorgeous relief of cool water on a hot day) is the sense of sheer joy at each site. Even the Parisians, normally famous for their reserve/grumpiness, can't hide their excitement. Advertisement One morning I heard an older French lady call to her friend across the water: "Look at us! Swimming in the Seine, can you believe it?!" Head to any one of the three swimming spots and you'll hear similar sentiments. You can understand the sense of disbelief among longtime residents - the photo below of the Seine banks taken in 2015 paints a very different picture. Vehicles drive on the lower quais of the River Seine on June 19, 2015, before the riverbanks were pedestrianised. Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP Instead of the throngs of picnickers, joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers and families who today fill the quais (lower riverbanks) there were cars thundering along a highway. The river itself was filthy - far too polluted to swim in and even the fish had mostly left or died. The transformation has taken significant investment and a lot of political will. The pedestrianised banks of the Seine, pictured in 2025 during the summer 'Paris plage' events. Photo: Alain Jocard/AFP The total cost of cleaning up the Seine was €1.4 billion and - much as I appreciate it - they didn't spend all that just to give me a nice swimming spot in the summer. The ability to swim in it is a by-product of a cleaner river - one that is now brimming with diversity and no longer acts as a dumping ground for the factories further upstream. A random statistic - 40 species of fish now live in the river, compared to just four in 1970 (along with a goodly collection of river plants and weed which you might encounter while swimming). Mayor Anne Hidalgo and her predecessor, Bertrand Delanoë had to fight a series of legal battles to get the cars off the river banks permanently in 2018 and open them up to locals and tourists to use as a leisure space. They faced a stiff political battle too, despite various temporary and partial pedestrianisation schemes proving popular. Advertisement And the river banks are just one example of the enormous changes that have taken place in Paris over the past decade and a half - hundreds of streets pedestrianised and turned into green spaces, more than 1,000km of cycle lanes created, 130,000 trees planted so far (the plan is to have 170,000 by 2026). For me the best explanation of the overarching goal of this policy comes from Hidalgo's deputy mayor, David Belliard, who said : 'The redistribution of public space is a policy of social redistribution. '50 percent of public space is occupied by private cars, which are used mostly by the richest, and mostly by men, because it's mostly men who drive, and so in total, the richest men are using half the public space. "So if we give the space to walking, cycling, and public transit, you give back public space to the categories of people who today are deprived." The Seine quais are a prime example of this and are now one of the most vibrant and exciting spaces in Paris, especially on summer evenings. The Bercy swimming site on a summer evening. Photo: Emma Pearson Before we get too carried away, let's not pretend that Paris is perfect - the city still has a long way to go on air pollution, the public transport is largely inaccessible to people with disabilities while the housing shortage seems to get worse every day. Multiple other problems exist; no-one is trying to pretend that the city is paradise. Advertisement But to my mind, the quiet revolution in how the city space is used is equal to anything that Baron Haussmann did with his eye-catching architecture. Many of those who oppose action on climate change peddle the myth that you can either take action on the climate or you can maintain a good standard of living, but you can't have both. Paris is the living proof that this isn't true - can anyone truly look at old photos of the Seine and believe that its use then was better than what we have now?
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Burger King Announces Major Menu Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Burger King has rolled out a suite of new beverage options, the company confirmed to Newsweek on Friday. As part of the new menu lineup, the fast-food giant introduced four Iced Coffee Cold Foam options and two Real Juice Lemonades. Why It Matters The product launches highlight Burger King's ongoing efforts to diversify its drink menu and respond more directly to consumer preferences. The expansion comes as the fast-food market sees increased competition over beverage offerings, with chains like Starbucks and McDonald's driving innovations in coffee and refreshments. A Burger King in Ancenis, France, is pictured on April 29. A Burger King in Ancenis, France, is pictured on April 29. LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Burger King is now selling four Iced Coffee Cold Foam options—Vanilla, Mocha, Plain and Black—with the plain variety limited to select locations. The chain has also launched two Real Juice Lemonades: Strawberry Lemonade, made with real fruit juice, and Mango Peach Lemonade, a blend of lemonade with peach and mango juices. Prices for these new beverages are set at a recommended $2.49 for a small, $2.79 for a medium and $3.29 for a large, but actual prices may vary by location. These drinks have become available nationwide, according to a Burger King spokesperson. "The new Strawberry Lemonade is made with real fruit juice for a delicious and refreshing beverage and the Mango Peach Lemonade is a vibrant blend of lemonade with real peach and mango juice," the spokesperson told Newsweek. The drink menu additions follow Burger King's recent debut of the BBQ Brisket Whopper, described as the first menu item created through its "Whopper by You" platform. The new program allows customers nationwide to submit their ideas for new Whopper sandwiches on the chain's official website. The BBQ Brisket Whopper includes slow-cooked brisket, crispy onions, American cheese, sweet barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, creamy mayo and a flame-grilled quarter-pound patty, and will also be offered as a Whopper Jr. The new menu item will be available for a limited time at participating U.S. locations. What People Are Saying Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Burger King launched these new drinks to gain a portion of the market share that has exploded over the past few years. The want to target those incremental Starbucks, Dutch Brothers and McDonald's beverage drinkers." Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Burger King is the latest to offer new menu options in the form of coffee cold foams and lemonades in the hopes of luring back customers. Over the last two years, as inflationary pressures have weighed heavily on consumers, many have favored staying at home and cooking over dining out, and the result has been declining revenues and profits for many fast food chains." What Happens Next The company has launched these new menu items as part of a broader strategy to drive customer engagement and refresh its core offerings in the U.S. marketplace. "Like other restaurants, Burger King is introducing new items in an attempt to draw in customers who haven't frequented their locations as much as prices increased," Beene added.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Uruguay Striker On Loan At Lens Opens Up On Inter Milan Life: 'All The South Americans Helped Me'
Uruguay Striker On Loan At Lens Opens Up On Inter Milan Life: 'All The South Americans Helped Me' Inter Milan loanee Martin Satriano opened up on the hardships of settling to life at a club as big as the Nerazzurri. Speaking to El Espectador Deportes via FCInterNews, the Uruguayan striker admitted he had fellow South Americans help him find his feet. Advertisement Martin Satriano joined Inter Milan as an up-and-coming teenager from Club Nacional de Football in 2020. After spending one year in the youth academy, he made his professional debut in the summer of 2021. However, stiff competition for places at San Siro forced the Italian powerhouse to loan the 24-year-old out several times. Indeed, he first left the club for a season-long loan at Brest. Then, he moved to Empoli in 2022/23 before re-signing for the French outfit in 2023/24. While many expected him to return to Stade Francis-Le Blé, he chose Lens instead. Unfortunately, he slumped to a long-term cruciate ligament injury last October and only recently returned to action. Inter Milan Loanee Martin Satriano Opens Up on Life at San Siro Brest's Uruguayan-Italian forward #07 Martin Satriano (L) celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) and FC Metz at Stade Francis-Le Ble in Brest, western France, on April 7, 2024. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images) Luckily for Satriano, he found numerous South American stars at Giuseppe Meazza. Advertisement Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, and Lautaro Martinez were there for him, helping him develop a sense of belonging. Fellow Uruguayan compatriots Diego Godin and Matias Vecino were also helpful. 'At Inter Matías Vecino and Diego Godín helped me a lot,' Satriano admitted. 'There were also many South Americans who supported me like Alexis Sánchez, Lautaro Martínez, and Arturo Vidal.' Then he revealed he never considered returning to South America despite several setbacks in Europe. 'I never thought of returning to South America,' he added. 'I've always done very well in every team I've played for in Europe. Advertisement 'Of course, I would like to return to Nacional where I have experienced beautiful moments, but this only at the end of my career. 'The national team? I still have a lot of room for improvement and would like to come back. 'No one from Bielsa's coaching staff has called me, but I want to improve so that I can count on me.'
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
OnlyFans Content Could Be Banned In Sweden
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sweden's parliament has passed a law that extends its ban on purchasing sexual services to include live, online sexual acts, which could have an impact on the subscription platform, OnlyFans. Newsweek has reached out to Sweden's Committee For Justice, which passed the bill, via email for comment. Why It Matters Founded in November 2016, OnlyFans is an online content-sharing platform that can be used to share all kinds of creator-driven content, such as photos, recipes and writing but is particularly popular among sex workers. The platform has more than 350 million registered users worldwide and 4 million creators, according to its website. Sweden employs the "Nordic Model," approach to sex work and has done so since 1999. The approach aims to abolish the sex industry through criminalizing clients and third parties. Organizations including Amnesty International and the Global Network of Sex Work Projects do not support the Nordic Model. An OnlyFans spokeswoman shared the following statement with Newsweek: "OnlyFans complies with all laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates." This photograph taken in Nantes, western France on May 21, 2025, shows the logo of social network OnlyFans. This photograph taken in Nantes, western France on May 21, 2025, shows the logo of social network OnlyFans. LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The legislation will criminalize paying for real-time sex performances online. The law will make it illegal to pay someone to carry out a sex act remotely, such as on a livestream, with the specific purpose of this act being viewed by the person paying. However, users are allowed to both pay for and watch pre-recorded sexual material or live streams that they have not requested. Individuals who are found guilty of purchasing these services could face imprisonment, in alignment with existing penalties for buying sex in Sweden. Individuals profiting from or promoting these acts could face up to four years in prison. The law though is not targeting performers, with the focus on the purchaser. Swedish lawmaker Teresa Carvalho said in a post on social media that it is time to "modernize," sex purchase laws to protect people from risks posed by the "new sex industry." Sex worker advocate groups have criticized the bill. What People Are Saying Teresa Carvalho, a Swedish member of parliament said after the bill passed in a post on social media: "It is high time to modernize the sex purchase law so that it includes sex purchases made remotely via sites such as t. ex. Onlyfans…We know that behind the new sex industry, hidden behind screens, styled in filters and packaged as 'freedom', there is a dark reality." Sanna Backeskog, a Swedish member of parliament was quoted by TT news agency as saying during the parliamentary debate: "This is about digitalized prostitution, where the boundaries between pornography and human trafficking are blurred but where exploitation and abuse are present." The European Sex Worker Rights Alliance, in an email shared with Newsweek, said: "The law, passed despite overwhelming opposition from sex workers, academics, digital rights organizations and international human rights bodies, will push sex workers, especially migrants, LGBTQI+ people and women, further into precarity and surveillance. It expands the definition of 'pimping' to include online facilitation and fails to clearly distinguish between consensual adult content and exploitation. Meanwhile, lawmakers dismissed sex workers' testimonies with shocking levels of ignorance and condescension, one MP even suggesting that well-written protest emails must have been authored by pimps. These comments make it painfully clear: we cannot rely on Swedish lawmakers to make informed or humane decisions about our lives." What's Next The law will take effect after July 1.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jennie Matches Her Blackpink Bandmate Lisa's Lofty Debut
Blackpink's Jennie debuts at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 with Ruby, becoming just the fourth K-pop ... More female soloist to enter the top 10. South Korean singer and actress Jennie Kim arrives for the screening of the film "The Idol" during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 22, 2023. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images) Blackpink's Jennie has been a global superstar for years, and now she's ensuring that she's earned that title both as part of a group and entirely on her own. The singer's debut solo album Ruby launches inside the top 10 on the Billboard 200 this week, immediately becoming a historic win for the musician. As she arrives inside the highest tier, Jennie joins a small – but constantly growing – group of K-pop female soloists who have accomplished the same feat. Jennie's Ruby opens at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 this week, marking her first top 10 entry on the ranking of the most-consumed albums in the U.S. The tally, which blends album sales, streaming activity, and track sales, highlights the biggest releases throughout America each week, and this time around, that includes the K-pop soloist's strong seller. In its first frame, Ruby starts with 56,000 equivalent album units. Streaming contributes 29,000 of those units, while pure sales account for 26,500. The nearly even split between sales and streaming shows that fans are not only buying physical and digital copies of the set, but also playing it repeatedly on streaming platforms. As she debuts inside the top 10, Jennie earns a spot in an elite club. She is now just the fourth K-pop solo female musician to reach the highest tier on the Billboard 200. Her Ruby album ties as the second-highest-charting release by a woman from the K-pop space working on her own. Only one other artist has managed to chart higher, and it's one of Jennie's friends. Jennie's Ruby lands at the same position as another Blackpink member, Lisa. Just earlier this month, Lisa's Alter Ego also debuted at No. 7. Twice's Nayeon has also managed to land at No. 7 on two occasions. She first managed that showing with I'm Nayeon, and then later with N.A. Jennie's top 10 debut follows in the footsteps of her Blackpink bandmate Rosé, who currently holds the record for the highest-charting solo album by a female K-pop artist. Her debut collection, Rosie, peaked at No. 3 last year, powered by the Bruno Mars-assisted single 'Apt.' Ruby starts at No. 2 on the Top Album Sales chart, immediately becoming her first hit on that list. This means that among all albums sold in the U.S. this week, Ruby was the second-most-purchased, coming in behind only Mayhem by Lady Gaga. The project also debuts at No. 13 on the Top Streaming Albums chart. It's clear that it's sales count is more impressive than its performance on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, though No. 13 is still a lofty placement for any K-pop soloist.
