Latest news with #french
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
France says it has common ground with China on environment
France says it has common ground with China on environment (Photo: AFP) France and China have found "points of convergence" on the environment, french minister for ecological transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher said Friday at the end of a visit to Beijing. Her trip came ahead of the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), which is due to start in Nice on June 9, and the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November. After the United States again withdrew from the landmark Paris climate agreement once President Donald Trump returned to office in January, France has advocated for the European Union and China to form a united front on environment and climate. "Points of convergence were clearly felt," Pannier-Runacher told AFP after holding meetings with multiple Chinese officials, including environment minister Huang Runqiu and natural resources minister Guan Zhi'ou. "Commitment to the Paris Agreement " and "multilateralism" were two such points, she said. Pannier-Runacher said she was hoping for a joint-statement ahead of the COP30 summit to help give momentum to negotiations. "At a time when science is doubted by some, when the impact of climate deregulation on our lives is contested (...) it is important for the European Union and China to assume their responsibilities," she said. Huang told Pannier-Runacher that China would "keep observing the objectives set by the Paris accord and work with all parties to promote positive results" at the COP30 summit, a statement issued by his ministry said. China is the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, but has embraced renewable energy sources, electric vehicles and is working to reduce carbon emissions. It plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2060, and some analysts have speculated that slowing growth and rapid renewable installations mean emissions have already levelled off. Emissions indeed fell in the first quarter of 2025, an independent think tank said earlier this month. Pannier-Runacher hailed China's "dynamism," saying all could learn from its "quickness" on adopting renewable energy technologies . The french minister also said China was a leader in those technologies, and expressed hope it would invest in France and other European countries to create jobs.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘Unsettled start of meteorological summer' warn Met Eireann as best day of bank holiday weekend revealed
MET Eireann have confirmed "unsettled weather' is on the cards for the June bank holiday - as the best day of the weekend is revealed. Punters visiting Bloom on Sunday will get the best of the 3 Visitors at Bloom tomorrow will get the best of the weather this weekend Credit: Fintan Clarke, Creative Coalesce 3 Mixed conditions are on the cards this weekend Credit: Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather suggested that 'swirls of sand' reported could be from wildfire smoke in Canada. He said: 'Apart for the smoke from She said: 'Overall it's going to be a fairly unsettled bank holiday weekend and start to the meteorological summer. READ MORE IN NEWS 'Now, there will be some drier spells, especially tomorrow and early on Monday - but they'll generally be punctuated by spells of rain and showers and it is going to turn quite breezy at times too.' Today will see 'outbreaks of rain spreading from the west through the day followed by sunny spells and showers' later on. Aoife said: 'This morning many areas are going to start off dry, but rain in the west will spread across the country through the morning and early afternoon. 'Sunny spells and scattered showers will follow behind later. Quite a breezy day today with moderate to fresh southwest winds and highs of 15C to 20C.' Most read in Irish News Tonight showers will move into the west and northwest and then will gradually spread eastwards overnight. The meteorologist said: 'The rain is going to be heavy for a time in the west and north before it eases and turns patchier towards morning. Var in the french Riviera has undergone torrential downpours and mass flooding claiming multiple lives 'Lows tonight 7C to 11C with moderate westerly winds.' Tomorrow, for the first day of June, will bring sunshine and rain. Aoife said: 'It's going to be the start of meteorological summer and it's shaping up to be the best day of the weekend with a mix of sunny spells and well scattered showers. 'The showers are going to be most frequent over the northern half of the country with the best of any sunshine further south. 'Highest tomorrow, 13C to 18C in moderate to fresh westerly winds.' The weather pro explained that the unsettled conditions are 'set to continue next week'. She said: 'Bank Holiday Monday is going to start off dry with sunshine but it's going to turn wet and windy through the day as a band of heavy rain and strong winds spreads from the west.' Rainfall 'will turn heavy in places', bringing 'strong and gusty' winds to the southwest. Aoife added: 'That will clear on Monday night to leave a breezy day on Tuesday with sunny spells and showers and Wednesday is going to be another day of sunny spells and scattered showers.' Highest temperatures on Tuesday will range between 12C to 15C, while Wednesday will fall to 11C to 15C. 3 Swirls of sand have been reported in Ireland Credit:
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
French taxi protests test PM's budget-cutting resolve
A french taxi driver gathers for a strike protesting over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, in Paris, France May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor Taxis are seen as french driver gathers for a strike protesting over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, in Paris, France May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor PARIS - French taxi drivers are protesting regularly over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, highlighting the challenge Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces as he seeks to slash next year's budget. Bayrou is hoping to push through a 40 billion euro ($45 billion) budget squeeze in 2026, positioning the collective belt-tightening as an act of civic duty to correct the country's gaping deficit. After pensions, health spending is the single biggest drain on the budget. As part of efforts to rein it in, the government hopes to make 150 million euros in savings on the 6 billion euros it shells out annually to private taxi and ambulance firms ferrying patients back and forth. Cabbies from across France, many of whom rely on the state fares for a sizeable chunk of their income, have descended on Paris since mid-May for angry protests that have led to dozens of arrests. Some out-of-town drivers have slept in their cars while others have tried to block access to Paris' airports and have threatened to do the same to the French Open tennis tournament taking place on the outskirts of the capital. Sandra Vialatte, who heads a taxi firm in the Loiret region south of Paris, said the government was not listening to the industry's proposals to lower costs. "We understand that savings need to be made, we have solutions to save money, we try to propose them but they close the door to discussions," she said during a protest last week. France has a long history of flouting EU overspending rules and currently is running the biggest public sector deficit in the euro zone at an estimated 5.4% of economic output this year. The government's planned 40 billion euros in budget savings is necessary if France is to have any hope of meeting its deficit target next year of 4.6%, which it says is a vital first step towards reaching an EU ceiling of 3% by 2029. France's budget woes are undermining its efforts to ramp up defence spending to counter potential Russian aggression, and are also drawing unwelcome scrutiny from ratings agencies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats threaten the country's economic growth. The independent public audit office warned on Monday that the social welfare and health systems' finances were "out of control" in part due to the soaring costs of services like medical transport. Bayrou, a long-term debt hawk, has promised to deliver a blueprint in early July to share the pain broadly as he tries to hammer home the idea that France will never get a grip on its public spending without a collective effort - and sacrifices. "All French people will have to make an effort," Bayrou said on BFM TV on Tuesday, adding that he wouldn't "target any category of French people at the expense of another." The hard left and far right alike say Bayrou is doing just that, however, by singling out the taxi drivers. Centrist lawmaker Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade said the government had to hold the line, though, if it is to have any chance of meeting the 40 billion euro savings target. "Things got a little bit out of control with the taxis in recent years, and now the tap needs to be turned off," he told Reuters. "The government needs to stand its ground." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Together with India in fight against terrorism": All party delegation member Ravi Shankar Prasad meets with India-France friendship group
Paris [France], May 28 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met with the president of the India-France friendship group, M Thierrry Tesson, on Monday as part of a diplomatic visit to the country to promote India's stance against terrorism. The BJP MP led delegation had met with the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence too. The India-France friendship group reaffirmed their support for India's fight against terrorism. While talking about the meeting, the BJP MP expressed happiness that the group stood with India in its fight against terrorism. 'We are very grateful to the Vice Chair of Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, along with all her colleagues in the Senate in this majestic building, who have only one word to say - we are together with India in the fight against terrorism. They agreed that France and India, and the whole democratic world, need to speak in one voice in the fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan and supported by the State of Pakistan,' Prasad told ANI. Conveying his regards to the members of the group, who are also part of the National Assembly in France, Prasad added, 'We heard them and are very grateful, and we are touched. Two of the Senators came to India in the Foreign Affairs Committee. They are also present here. It was a very emotional moment for us. We convey our great regards and thanks to the members of the Senate who have wholeheartedly supported the cause of India. The energy, compassion, love for France and India and the people - that is the takeaway.' The Indian Embassy in France also highlighted the meeting, during which the members reaffirmed their strong ties and voiced 'united support for India's fight against terrorism.' The All Party Indian Parliamentary Delegation met the Members of Parliament in the French National Assembly (Lower House) led by @Tesson59, President of the India-France Friendship group. Parliamentarians reaffirmed strong ties and voiced united support for India's fight against terrorism,' the Indian Embassy said in a post on X. In another post on X, the embassy highlighted the meet with french senators and Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, Vice President of India France Friendship Group. 'An exchange with French Senators (@Senat) of the India-France Friendship group and Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs, led by Ms Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, Vice-President of the India-France Friendship Group, who reaffirmed solidarity with India's fight against terrorism, reinforcing long-standing ties between India and France,' the post read on X. Earlier today, the BJP MP took a dig at Pakistan for promoting Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to Field Marshal despite recent military and strategic failures during Operation Sindoor by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. He said, 'The most hilarious aspect was that the general whose forces were defeated at the hands of India decisively was promoted to Field Marsh. This is state of denial.' Despite the military setbacks, Pakistan's government is projecting the outcome as a 'historic victory,' praising General Munir's leadership during the conflict. General Asim Munir became only the second army officer in Pakistan's history to be elevated to Field Marshal. While speaking to French journalists the BJP MP highlighted the complex relationship between Pakistan and terrorism while emphasising that the distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has effectively disappeared. 'Today, there are 52 designated terrorists by the UN. The distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has withered away. Terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a part of the military state of Pakistan. You know that there is no democracy there,' said the BJP MP. He emphasised that terrorism is not just an India-centric issue but a global phenomenon, with Pakistan-based terrorist groups and patrons involved in the majority of cases. (ANI)
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Wifirst and Louvre Hotels group expand strategic partnership across Europe
Building on the success of their collaboration in the United Kingdom and France, Louvre Hotels Group is strengthening its strategic alliance with Wifirst, reaffirming its commitment to digital innovation across its hospitality portfolio. This next phase of the partnership extends to 14 additional hotels across Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. This new milestone demonstrates the trust we've built with Louvre Hotels Group over the years. We're proud to support their ambitions with best-in-class connectivity solutions. Our mission is to ensure guests enjoy a seamless and secure digital experience — wherever they are in Europe. Vince Jouan, VP EMEA at Wifirst The newly signed hotels will benefit from Wifirst's WiFi as a Service model, delivering cutting-edge infrastructure, built to guarantee fast, reliable, and secure connectivity. With digital demands rising, this level of service has become a cornerstone of both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. Wifirst has consistently demonstrated technological excellence and operational reliability. They are more than a provider — they are a strategic partner who understands our vision. Expanding our collaboration into new markets was the natural next step to ensure our infrastructure remains robust, future-proof, and scalable. Philippe Cadon, Operation Support Director at Louvre Hotels Group This international expansion confirms Wifirst's position as a key partner of Louvre Hotels Group in delivering consistent guest experiences across borders. For more information, visit or follow us on linkedin. About Wifirst Wifirst is the European leader in managed WiFi for professionals. The operator deploys and operates high-performance, secure and sustainable "as a service" connectivity solutions. Its know-how and technologies appeal to IT decision-makers from the largest companies and public organizations (AccorHotels, Havas, The French Ministry of the Army, Norauto, The Ascott, etc.) In 2023, Wifirst joins the Next40: a program from the Ministry of Economy which identifies the most promising companies of the french tech ecosystem. Wifirst covers 29 countries and is present in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Germany where he has acquired the german operator Hotsplots, specialiser in on-board WiFi solutions. For more information: Sarah Battoue
