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Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macron wraps up UK state visit with defence pact 'reboot'
French President Emmanuel Macron wraps up a three-day state visit to Britain on Thursday with a summit aiming to "reboot" defence ties with a focus on joint missile development and nuclear co-operation. Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also expected to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and curbing undocumented cross-Channel immigration. Ahead of the summit, which follows two days of events spanning pomp and politics, trade and culture, France and Britain announced their "defence relationship" will be "refreshed". They will order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles -- long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies -- while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia since 2022. Starmer and Macron will also agree to deepen nuclear cooperation and "work more closely than ever before on nuclear deterrence", according to Britain's defence ministry. A new declaration will for the first time state that the British and French deterrents are independent but can be coordinated, and that an "extreme threat to Europe" could "prompt a response by both nations", the ministry said. - Threats 'multiplying' - The partnerships -- to be developed under a refreshed Lancaster House agreement first struck in 2010 -- herald a new "entente industrielle", making "defence an engine for growth", it added. "From war in Europe, to new nuclear risks and daily cyber-attacks -- the threats we face are multiplying," Starmer said in a statement. "As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today's agreements take our partnership to the next level. "We stand ready to use our shared might to advance our joint capabilities -- equipping us for the decades to come while supporting thousands of UK jobs and keeping our people safe." Late Wednesday, at a speech to London's financial community, Macron said the two countries were "stronger together". Starmer and Macron will also on Thursday dial into a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" on Ukraine. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. Starmer's office said this week that the call would "discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia". They will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. - 'Innovative solutions' - Macron's visit, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit, has been loaded with Anglo-French bonhomie and unifying rhetoric, alongside the usual pageantry of such occasions. Macron and his wife Brigitte received a particularly warm welcome Tuesday from the Francophile King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The pair toasted a new "entente amicale" at a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, hailing the importance of cross-Channel relations amid various emergent threats. Wednesday saw the French president's visit turn to politics, with a Downing Street meeting with Starmer focused on migrant small boat crossings -- a potent political issue in Britain. It is set to feature again at Thursday's summit. Downing Street said the two leaders had "agreed on the need to go further and make progress on new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent to break the business model" of cross-Channel people smugglers. Macron also met with Anglo-French business representatives during the visit, while joining Starmer at the British Museum to formally announce a landmark cultural exchange. France will loan the famous Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the 1066 Norman conquest of England, to the British Museum for 10 months from September 2026. In return, London will lend French museums the collection from the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo site, one of England's most important archaeological sites, as well as other medieval "treasures". bur-jj/jwp/tw/sco
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Macron: Britain and France must shoulder burden of keeping Europe safe
French President Emmanuel Macron became the first European leader since Brexit to undertake a state visit to the UK and address a joint sitting of Parliament. Macron urged Britain and France to collaborate closely on European security, defence, and the migrant crisis, emphasising their shared responsibility as the continent's leading military powers. He stressed the urgency of defending Europe against Russian aggression in Ukraine, warning that its advance threatens all European nations. Acknowledging Brexit as a past event, President Macron called for a renewed close bond between the UK and France, highlighting cultural exchanges like the Bayeux Tapestry display. The visit included a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside discussions on critical political issues such as the ongoing Channel migrant crossings. \
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emmanuel Macron and Wife Brigitte Have Another Awkward Airplane Moment Ahead of Royal Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, appeared to have another awkward exchange when they were filmed arriving for an official state visit with the British royal family Footage showed the Macrons deplaning at RAF Northolt as the president offered a hand to his wife, which she seemed to ignore In May, Brigitte appeared to push her husband's face as they prepared to deboard a plane in Hanoi, VietnamFollowing their viral moment back in May, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, had another awkward airplane exchange on Tuesday, July 8, ahead of their official state visit with the British royal family. As the Macrons deplaned at RAF Northolt — where Prince William and Kate Middleton waited to welcome them — the French president, 47, reached up to extend his hand to his wife to help her down the stairs. Brigitte, however, chose to hold on to the rail until she reached the ground, seemingly snubbing her husband's gesture. Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales. The couple were all smiles as they greeted William and Kate, both 43, with Emmanuel bestowing a royally unusual — but not protocol-breaking — kiss to Kate's hand. It was certainly a less scandalous moment than when the Macrons went viral in May after Brigitte appeared to push Emmanuel's face as they prepared to deboard a plane in Hanoi, Vietnam, at the start of a Southeast Asia tour. Later, an official at the Élysée Palace downplayed the incident, saying, "It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh," per Reuters. The Macrons appeared to be in good spirits for the rest of their first day in the U.K. Brigitte even shared a laugh with Queen Camilla as she and King Charles welcomed them for the first state visit made by France in 17 years. The two power couples posed together on the Royal Dais at Datchet Road near Windsor Castle, where the president and his wife will be staying during their visit. Later, the two couples took in an exhibition of art from the Royal Collection with a special connection to France in the castle's Green Drawing Room. The French state visit will last from July 8 through Thursday, July 10, with plenty of other official events planned, including a royal gala. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Macron previewed the event in a post to X, in both English and French, ahead of the trip. 'The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by History and strengthened by trust,' he wrote. 'Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture. These are all areas in which we seek to act together and deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way," Macron added. Read the original article on People
L'Équipe
08-07-2025
- Sport
- L'Équipe
Cameron Norrie - Carlos Alcaraz, Grand Chelem, Wimbledon, Quarts de finale, Mardi 08 juillet 2025
Wimbledon, Grand Chelem, Quarts de finale C. Norrie C. Alcaraz (2) 2 3 6 4 Grand Chelem, 08 juil. 2025
Sky News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Watch live as Emmanuel Macron gives speech
French President Emmanuel Macron is addressing parliament on the first day of his three-day state visit to the UK.
