France’s iconic Eiffel Tower was shut on Thursday as nationwide strikes and protests swept across the country, with unions demanding the government scrap austerity plans and raise taxes on the wealthy.
The Eiffel Tower closed its doors to visitors on Thursday as France was gripped by a wave of nationwide strikes and mass demonstrations against proposed austerity measures and spending cuts.
Thousands of workers, retirees, and students filled the streets of more than 200 towns and cities, calling on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to abandon budget proposals introduced by his predecessor. The draft measures include welfare freezes and significant cuts, which unions argue will erode living standards for low- and middle-income earners.
In Paris, protesters marched from Place d'Italie while visitors arriving at the Eiffel Tower were greeted with signs announcing its closure due to the strike.
“I’m disappointed, but I understand — it’s a fight for their rights,” said Portuguese tourist Fabio Rocha.
The strike comes amid intense political turmoil and economic challenges. France’s previous minority government collapsed in September after losing a confidence vote, leaving the new prime minister racing to form a cabinet and present a budget.
With a national debt exceeding €3.3 trillion, about 114% of GDP, and last year’s deficit nearly double the European Union limit, President Emmanuel Macron’s administration faces mounting pressure from EU partners and financial markets to stabilise public finances.
Unions, however, insist the government should instead target the country’s wealthiest with higher taxes.
“It’s the first time we’ve had three days of strikes in a month without a government or a budget. It shows the level of social anger,” said Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after...
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei has declared a “decisive victory” over the U.S. and Israel, signalling a &...
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to...
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part o...
At least four people died after a small dinghy carrying migrants to Britain sank in the English Channel, French authorities announced on Thursday.
World leaders have welcomed a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. announced on Wednesday, following a tense day marked by threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to wipe out Iranian civilisation if a deal was not reached.
A train driver has died and several passengers have been injured after a high-speed train collided with an army lorry carrying military equipment at a level crossing in northern France on Tuesday morning (7 April), the local prefecture and railway operators said in separate statements.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran's "whole civilisation" on Tuesday in a post on social media. Meanwhile, the UN failed to reach an agreemement on a resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after China and Russia used their vetoes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment