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Euronews
31-07-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Light stimulation shows promise in slowing Parkinson's, scientists say
French scientists are experimenting with a new way to combat Parkinson's disease: using light to stimulate damaged nerve cells in the brain. Researchers from a biomedical research centre affiliated with Grenoble University Hospital announced their progress on Radio France, explaining that while the trial is still at a very early stage, it could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease. Around 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson's, and that figure is expected to double by 2050, according to Parkinson's Europe. There is no cure, but researchers have been searching for ways to slow the disease and alleviate symptoms, which include tremours, muscle rigidity, and slowness of movement. If it is successful in larger studies, the French clinical trial could help disrupt the progression of the disease through a non-invasive technique that stimulates the functional recovery of neurons, or nerve cells. The study targets dopamine-secreting neurons, which are critically affected as Parkinson's progresses. Around half of these cells may be damaged by the time symptoms appear, while patients lose an average of 10 per cent of their dopamine receptors per year, according to Dr Stephan Chabardès, a neurosurgeon at Grenoble University Hospital. The aim of the trial is to slow down patients' neurological deterioration, Chabardès said. The technique directs light beams to neurons deep inside the brain to target mitochondria – responsible for energy production within the cell – to stimulate them and improve their function, thereby revitalising the damaged cells. Chabardès said that in order to access these deep brain regions, the researchers developed a special compact device that combines advanced expertise in electronics, photonics, and nanotechnology, enabling the system to get smaller without sacrificing performance. "It is the combination of this medical expertise in neurosurgery with expertise in micro and nanotechnologies that makes it possible to achieve these medical feats," he said. So far, the technology has been applied to seven patients with early stages of the disease, and preliminary results indicate a slowdown in the deterioration of symptoms in three of them, especially with continued stimulation. It appeared that the light stimulation helped restore some brain function in these three cases, Chabardès said. "It's very preliminary, but what we are seeing is quite promising," Chabardès said. He noted that researchers will only launch a larger clinical trial if the study finds a tangible and stable effect.
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Bloomberg
Nestle HQ in France Raided in Mineral Waters Investigation
French authorities raided the local headquarters of Nestlé SA near Paris on Thursday, as the scandal into the Swiss company's treatment of bottled mineral waters deepens. The evidence-gathering inspections, first reported by Radio France, were confirmed by the country's anti-fraud office, known as DGCCRF. The case concerns Nestlé's use of prohibited filtering methods for natural mineral waters.
Euronews
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Iran charges two imprisoned French nationals with spying for Israel
French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been detained by Iran for more than three years, have been charged with "spying for Israel", according to their relatives and diplomatic sources. On Wednesday, Noémie Kohler, Cécile's sister, announced that an Iranian judge had handed the couple three charges which included "spying for the Mossad", "conspiracy to overthrow the regime" and "corruption on land." The couple's families maintain that Kohler and Paris were on a tourist trip when they were arrested in May 2022. More than three years on, the couple remain unable to access independent legal advice. As it stands, Tehran has not confirmed the charges, which are punishable by the death penalty in the country. Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source told Radio France that "if confirmed", the charges were "totally unfounded." Although the pair — a 40-year-old literature teacher and her retired 72-year-old partner, who was formerly a maths teacher — have been accused of espionage since their arrest in May 2022, Iranian authorities had previously not specified which country the couple was allegedly spying for. For months the couple have been living in a heightened state of "psychological torture", according to Noémie Kohler, who stated that since December, Iranian authorities have been warning Cécile and Jacques of an "extremely severe and imminent" verdict coming their way. The past week has proved particularly challenging for Cécile and Jacques' relatives, in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the Evin prison — which was where the couple was detained — killing 71 people according to Iranian authorities. Following the strike, Iranian authorities announced that a number of prisoners would be transferred to other penitentiary sites. However, Cécile and Jacques' families did not know if the pair were among those transferred. However, on Tuesday — eight days after the Israeli strike — France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot announced that a diplomat had been able to visit Cécile and Jacques, in a bid to obtain proof that they were alive. Despite this, the French foreign ministry did not specify where the visit took place, leaving the couple's whereabouts unclear. On 16 May, the French government lodged an application against Iran with the International Court of Justice, qualifying Cécile and Jacques as "state hostages" and accusing Iran of violating the right to consular protection enshrined in the Vienna Convention. The French government has repeatedly called for the release of Cécile and Jacques. Days before Israel's strike on the Evin prison, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he had called for the couple's release during an exchange with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. In the post shared on 21 June, Macron wrote, "Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be released. Their inhumane detention is unjust. I expect them to return to France." According to estimates from NGO Hostage Aid Worldwide, around 15 Europeans and dual nationals from Sweden, France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany and the UK are imprisoned in Iran. Human rights groups accuse Tehran of practising a policy of hostage diplomacy, using Europeans and dual nationals as "bargaining chips" to facilitate its negotiations with the West.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Wimbledon star, 26, has second career as a RAPPER and released eight-song EP after duet with fellow tennis player
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CORENTIN MOUTET certainly makes plenty of noise on the tennis court as one of the sport's biggest wind-up merchants. But he also does so off it - with his very own music career. 5 Corentin Moutet admitted he prefers rapping over tennis Credit: Alamy 5 He dropped an EP in 2020 before two further singles Credit: X Moutet, 26, certainly likes to shake things up with his off-beat unconventional and maverick brand of tennis. It has earned the lefty - not one to shy away from controversy or conflict on the court - a career-high ranking of No51 and £3.4million in prize money. And he starts his Wimbledon campaign today hoping to hit all the right notes and beat his second-round runs in 2019 and 2023. Because away from tennis, Moutet has a side hustle. READ MORE ON TENNIS ARE THEY COURTING? Emma Raducanu enjoys series of cosy days out with fellow tennis ace The Frenchman is a keen pianist and also fancies himself as a bit of rapper, too. In fact, the Paris native revealed he actually prefers rap music over tennis - but appreciates his professional sporting career can fund his singing venture. Moutet told Radio France in 2021: "Tennis and rap are at the centre of my priorities. Maybe a little more tennis because that's what allows me to finance what I do in rap. "In everyday life, I prefer to rap. But tennis is cool nonetheless. It's a crazy sport, and again that's how I make a living. I find it more fun to rap. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'But I give myself 100 per cent in both. On the court, I forget the music. And in the studio, there is no tennis.' Moutet enjoys music so much that in 2020, he released an eight-song EP album. 'Look at me, you PIG' - Tennis star snaps racket and screams at rival in frosty handshake after losing Wimbledon warm-up Ecorche - 'skin' in French - dropped in the October, with Moutet making the most of the Covid lockdown to record his songs. The translated track titles are Dream, Invisible, Beautiful Hell, Little Brother, If You Knew, In The Land Of Stars, Monsters and Psychoanalysis. Following in the footsteps of compatriot tennis-star-turn-singer Yannik Noah, Moutet then added 37.5 to his portfolio in 2021 - his best-performing song on Spotify with 15,000 listens. And his most-recent number, No Fake, came out in 2024. The album cover for it is a burning US dollar bill on a clay tennis court. Moutet - whose best Grand Slam result so far was round four at the 2024 French Open - also featured on fellow tennis player Denis Shapovalov's single Drip just weeks before his own EP. On the EP he brought out during Covid, Moutet added: "I had time to kill. I grew up alone, far from my parents. I felt the need to indulge in a lot of things. 'At the age of 16, this is the only way I can find expression. I took it a bit like therapy. Especially at the beginning. 'Then over time I began to appreciate the richness of the French language, to work more on my lyrics, to play with rhymes.' 5 Moutet is never far from controversy when he plays tennis Credit: Getty 5 The unorthodox Frenchman might be off beat on the court - but not off it Credit: The Times
Euractiv
01-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
All you need to know about France's public broadcasting reform
PARIS – France's long-overdue public broadcasting reform finally landed in parliament on Monday and immediately ran into a wall of opposition. Culture Minister Rachida Dati took the floor to present her long-delayed plan to overhaul the country's public media landscape, pitching it as the only way to save a system in decline. "To grow stronger, public broadcasting must come together," she said, as left-wing MPs tabled over 1,000 amendments to push the bill examination to the autumn. As it stands, the reform proposes the creation of a new holding company named France Médias , which would merge Radio France , France Télévisions , and the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) under the authority of a single chair and chief executive officer. That top job – appointed by France's media regulator Arcom, itself headed by a French president appointee – would come with sweeping powers and a five-year term. A recent report commissioned by Dati's own ministry warned that maintaining the status quo would pose "an existential threat to public broadcasting," citing shrinking audiences, misinformation and ultimately "a loss of legitimacy." Only a unified strategy under the head of France Médias could secure long-term viability, according to Dati, who rejected any suggestion that editorial independence is under threat. For trade unions, however, the creation of such a holding company could represent "a risk to pluralism and the freedom of information," as control could potentially be centralised in the hands of a single boss. Another concern voiced by the public broadcasters' staff, who have been on indefinite strike since Monday, is that the reform might serve merely as a smokescreen for "budget cuts." "The budgets will be merged, yet no allocation key has been specified for distributing funds among the various broadcasters," Maria Afonso, a trade union representative at France Médias Monde told Euractiv. "The future CEO will be able to decide how much funding goes to each outlet, without the stations having any say in the matter," she added. Public broadcasting: how many divisions? French public broadcasting is a vast entity comprising dozens of radio and television channels. It employs around 17,000 people directly, along with thousands of freelancers, producers, technicians, and other service providers. These various entities currently operate as distinct companies, with a combined budget exceeding €4 billion in 2024 – an increase of €228 million compared to the previous year, largely to offset inflation. At the heart of the current structure are three main players: France Télévisions , which operates seven TV channels; Radio France , home to seven radio stations; and the INA, a public body responsible for archiving and commercialising audiovisual content. These three organisations, alongside the French state, are also shareholders in the French arm of the Franco-German channel Arte . France Télévisions also co-owns TV5 Monde alongside French-speaking broadcasters from Switzerland, Monaco, Belgium's Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Canada and Quebec. Then there's France Médias Monde (FMM), created in 2008, which comprises Radio France Internationale, France 24, and Monte Carlo Doualiya. Its remit is to promote France and the French language internationally, and could eventually be folded into the new holding. Since the scrapping of the television licence fee in 2022, public broadcasting has been funded by a portion of VAT revenue – a measure cemented into law last December – and tightly regulated advertising. For example, Radio France caps its ad time to an average of 17 minutes per day on certain stations. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany has a similar fragmented landscape of public broadcasters, with each Land having its own TV and radio services. Countries like the UK ( BBC ), Italy ( RAI ), and Spain ( RTVE ) operate through single national organisations instead. A 'political' reform? French President Emmanuel Macron first proposed the reform in 2017, but it was repeatedly postponed: first by the pandemic, then by the collapse of the Barnier-led government last year. It has now returned under Dati, though opponents criticise it as more of a political totem than a genuine policy, especially as she has been increasingly open about her ambition to run for mayor of Paris in 2026. 'The minister claims public broadcasting is in crisis, but that's simply untrue,' said Anne Guillé-Épée, delegate of the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) at France Télévisions. She pointed out that France Inter is the country's most popular radio station, its youth audience is growing, and public TV channels broke viewing records during the Olympics. 'With this holding company proposal, the French right is essentially trying to bring public broadcasting to bow,' Guillé-Épée added, also condemning frequent attacks on public media from far-right channels owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré. The far-right Rassemblement National wants to privatise public broadcasting, but its MPs may nonetheless support the bill in the French Parliament. Meanwhile, the culture minister – embroiled in various legal proceedings – can count on backing from her right-wing party, Les Républicains, and from some MPs in Macron's centrist bloc. The parliamentary debate on the bill is unlikely to conclude this week, with MPs set to take up the matter in autumn. (mm)
