Paris, France | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron came under fire Wednesday over his policy on jobless benefits after a press leak pointed to plans to tighten monitoring of people on the dole. The investigative weekly Canard Enchaine, citing an internal memo, said those receiving jobless benefits would be …
Read More »Macron in Niger says Sahel jihadist fight to continue in 2018
Niamey, Niger | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Niger late Friday for a morale-boosting visit to France’s Barkhane anti-jihadist force and told troops the fight against extremists in the region would continue in 2018. Former colonial power France has been leading regional counterterrorism efforts in West Africa’s Sahel region, …
Read More »Macron in Niger for Christmas dinner with French troops
Niamey, Niger | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Niger late Friday for a morale-boosting trip that will see him have Christmas dinner with some members of France’s 4,000-strong Barkhane anti-jihadist force. Former colonial power France has been leading regional counterterrorism efforts in West Africa’s Sahel region, but is …
Read More »Macron criticised for celebrating 40th birthday in royal style
Paris, France | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday celebrated his birthday at the iconic chateau of King Francois I, a choice denounced by critics as an example of how he is “cut off from the people”. Macron, who turns 40 on Thursday, is spending the weekend with his …
Read More »Netanyahu faces pressure in Europe amid Jerusalem protests
Paris, France | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a trip to Europe on Sunday facing widespread criticism of the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state and pressure to engage in the peace process. In his first meeting with French President Emmanuel …
Read More »France’s Macron seeks warmer ties in former colony Algeria
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday made his first official visit to Algeria, announcing that he came as a “friend” despite France’s historically prickly relationship with its former colony. Ties between Paris and Algiers have defrosted in recent years, a half-century after French forces brutally …
Read More »France’s Macron says Trump’s Jerusalem move ‘regrettable’
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday branded as “regrettable” his US counterpart Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling for efforts to “avoid violence at all costs”. Addressing a press conference during a state visit to Algeria, Macron affirmed “the attachment of …
Read More »Macron, on African tour, vows to release files on Burkina hero
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday kicked off his maiden African tour by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso’s assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a revolutionary hero in many parts of the continent. The threat of terrorism has cast a shadow over …
Read More »On Africa tour, Macron vows to open files on Burkina hero
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron kicked off his maiden African tour Tuesday by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso’s assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a hero in much of the continent. The terror threat has cast a shadow over Macron’s swing through …
Read More »Burkina grenade attack greets Macron’s Africa tour
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | Three civilians were wounded in Burkina Faso on Monday after a grenade was thrown at French troops shortly before President Emmanuel Macron touched down for the start of his first Africa tour. The French president is embarking on a three-day trip of western Africa …
Read More »