World News by Wild Rose

Internet users in China are watching the protests in France with a mix of geopolitical cynicism, domestic pride and sadness at the damage to French landmarks. The protests started in September, when students and teachers in southeastern Paris rallied against deteriorating school conditions. Those specific grievances quickly escalated into nationwide protests at the rising cost of living and declining public services. What began as peaceful marches has since dissolved into violence, with rioters...

France is adding 20% more security forces for Saturday, 24 October, as Macron warns illegitimate protests will be banned and unions plan a 5 November strike. The post France Boosts Security for Saturday Protests appeared first on The Rio Times.

The cost of options hedges against more gains in Treasuries surged to its highest level since March on Thursday, as investors sought the safety of US government bonds following a spike in oil prices and a deepening fiscal crisis in France.

Thursday's planned demonstrations are outlawed in parts of Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble.

The disease, which usually affects cattle, has been identified in a patient who died in early October.

The US president has turned his attention to France, but his comments appear to have been dismissed by Macron.

Qatari and French leaders stress need to restore freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz.

Research carried out by the Alliance4Europe NGO suggests that pro-Russian networks manipulated information online in an effort to exacerbate anger in France ahead of last weekend's massive protests and subsequent unrest. After analysing more than half a million posts across various social media platforms, the group says it was able to track the campaign back to the start of September. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Omri Preiss, Managing Director at the Alliance4Europe.

Research carried out by the Alliance4Europe NGO suggests that pro-Russian networks manipulated information online in an effort to exacerbate anger in France ahead of last weekend's massive protests and subsequent unrest. After analysing more than half a million posts across various social media platforms, the group says it was able to track the campaign back to the start of September. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Omri Preiss, Managing Director at the Alliance4Europe.

French bond yields have topped 5%, their highest level since 2002, after widespread protests and violence over the weekend. It's a sign that investors are losing confidence in France's finances, as the government grapples with budget and debt problems. Also in the show - chipmaker Nvidia says it's invested $10 billion in European tech firms to boost the 'AI economy,' and the UK approves a controversial natural gas field as PM Andy Burnham faces pressure over energy costs. 

Donald Trump and his inner circle are using unrest in France to push unsubstantiated claims blaming the riots on immigration, even showing French protest footage at midterm rallies. But there is no evidence linking immigration to the unrest, and it's prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to accuse world leaders of making “stupid comments” at France’s expense. Trump’s focus comes as Republicans face mounting pressure ahead of the midterms and his approval rating hits a reported record low.

Marine Le Pen is set to officially launch her presidential campaign this weekend at the National Rally two-day party congress in Orléans. The latest Ifop poll, carried out in the wake of the mass protests and riots in France, suggests the far right leader would win the first round of the presidential election by a wide margin, and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon emerged as her most likely opponent in the runoff. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a surprise stop in Riyadh to meet Saudi Crown Prince during his ongoing Gulf tour.

The CGT, one of France's largest unions, wants the 5 November strike to spread after Wednesday's talks with the prime minister. The post Top French Union Urges Wider Strikes appeared first on The Rio Times.

⁠French President Emmanuel ​Macron landed in Riyadh on Wednseday, ‌adding an ⁠unscheduled stop to his ‌ongoing tour of the Gulf ⁠region. The president's office said the visit aimed to demonstrate “France's solidarity” ​with Saudi Arabia in ‌the face of attacks launched by the ‌Houthis against its territory. Details by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Douglas Herbert.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned comments by "foreign leaders" on the violent protests in France on October 17. He has now arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of his Gulf tour.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu met with union leaders today in France. His government admitted law enforcement officers had lost control this past weekend during protests which resulted in scenes of violence and looting. The country is bracing for more protests – the Yellow Vest movement called on demonstrators to take to the street on Saturday. As the events unfold, far-right leader Marine Le Pen is gaining popularity. Details and analysis by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi.

In the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, a water crisis is a daily reality, with some residents going without water for weeks. The network is being repaired, but at the current pace, France's Court of Auditors says replacing all of it would take 208 years. Now, a judicial investigation has been opened in Paris into the crisis, following a citizen-led legal action. Our France 2 colleagues report.

How France got here: the votes against Le Pen, the 2024 gamble, the court case, the debt and the October 2026 riots, with both sides of the argument. The post Why France Is in Crisis, and How Macron Lost His Grip appeared first on The Rio Times.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised world leaders for making “stupid” comments about the rioting on the sidelines of protests in France, in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron said the leaders were taking aim at France in the context of coming elections in their countries and added that they had been influenced by fake videos generated by artificial intelligence about the riots. Some of the worst urban violence to hit...

French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez both faced tough questions from members of parliament over the handling of last weekend's violence. Lecornu has promised a massive deployment of police for future protests, while Nunez said the military will be used to back up the security forces. Details by FRANCE 24’s Ellen Gainsford live from the prime minister's office.

When the French fight high fuel taxes, they don yellow vests and march. When angry farmers want better pay, hundreds of them drive tractors down the Champs-Elysees. And when museum workers want better tourist management, they strike and shut down the Louvre. Passionate public protest is as French as “La Marseillaise”, the 1792 anthem that enshrines the collective duty to fight tyranny in the country’s national identity. But this month, the most violent demonstrations in years – and tough...

In France and beyond there is widespread disagreement over what led to some of the worst unrest seen in French cities in modern history.

Champions League football game takes place amid backdrop of unrest over education issues and the cost of living.

Paris wants more Algerian crude and liquefied gas as Europe heads into winter; Algeria can add oil quickly, but extra LNG is harder to find. The post France Asks Algeria for Oil and Gas 19 Oct appeared first on The Rio Times.

President Macron's Gulf visit aims to address rising energy prices and strengthen ties amid regional security concerns.

France will reinforce police with troops and mount a huge security operation for more protests planned on Saturday, the government said on Tuesday, acknowledging failures in its response to last weekend’s violence. “The deployment next Saturday will be massive,” Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, adding that the immediate priority was to restore order after rioting and looting swept Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities on October 17. In a sometimes rowdy debate, Interior Minister Laurent...

French cities that imposed a curfew Monday saw a generally calm night, after October 17 protests devolved into violent riots this past weekend. Despite criticism from citizens, France's government said it is maintaining the measure where necessary on Tuesday night.

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome François Gouyette, former French ambassador to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Against a backdrop of violent unrest at home and escalating conflict in the Middle East, French President Emmanuel Macron's Gulf diplomacy underscores the increasingly blurred boundaries between domestic economic security and international strategic commitments. Ambassador Gouyette argues that the visit serves a dual purpose: alleviating France's energy pressures while reaffirming its longstanding defense partnerships with Gulf monarchies. Insisting that "France has to play its role as a key partner," Gouyette portrays French military assistance as an expression of strategic solidarity rather than direct participation in the war with Iran.