French President Emmanuel Macron visited Paris' iconic Notre-Dame cathedral on Friday, marking his final visit before the landmark reopens to the public next week, following more than five years of intensive reconstruction.
The cathedral was severely damaged by a devastating fire on the evening of April 15, 2019, which destroyed much of the roof and caused the spire to collapse. The fire, which shocked viewers worldwide, also threatened the cathedral’s bell towers, although they and the façade survived. The blaze was an international tragedy, with the sight of the medieval structure in flames drawing global sympathy.
Since the fire, a massive reconstruction effort has been underway to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory. On Friday, drone footage revealed the completed spire, while scaffolding remained in place around parts of the façade as workers rushed to finalise the restoration ahead of the official reopening on December 7.
Whilst the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, French authorities have speculated that an electrical fault or a discarded cigarette may have been to blame.
Macron’s visit comes at a time when the world-famous cathedral is on the verge of returning to its role as a symbol of French heritage, following years of painstaking restoration.
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Paris today to discuss European security, regional developments, and bilateral relations, according to media reports referring to sources from the Foreign Ministry.
Manchester City remain optimistic about Erling Haaland’s return before the season ends. The 24-year-old striker, who injured his left ankle against Bournemouth, is set to miss upcoming matches but is expected to recover in time for the Club World Cup and help City's push for a Champions League spot.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
AnewZ provides an examination of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, and explores her ascent in French politics, her controversial policy positions, and the recent legal challenges she faces.
France’s constitutional court ruled that politicians can be barred from office immediately if convicted of a crime, raising the possibility that far-right leader Marine Le Pen could be disqualified from the 2027 presidential race if found guilty in her upcoming embezzlement trial.
Samsung has appointed Roh Tae-moon as interim head of its consumer and smartphone unit following the passing of Han Jong-hee. With CEO Jun Young-hyun now solely leading the company, Samsung faces key challenges in its chip business and rising competition.
The upcoming Beatles biopic will be told through four films.
Russian billionaire Vadim Moshkovich, founder of Rusagro, faces charges of embezzling 30 billion roubles ($357 million). His arrest is among the most high-profile in Russia’s business world in recent years.
The Swiss government announced on Tuesday that the value of Russian assets frozen in the country has risen to 7.4 billion Swiss francs ($8.38 billion) by the end of March 2025, up from 5.8 billion francs last year, due to newly identified funds and ongoing investigations into sanctions violations.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Russian billionaire Vadim Moshkovich, founder of Rusagro, faces charges of embezzling 30 billion roubles ($357 million). His arrest is among the most high-profile in Russia’s business world in recent years.
India's government has introduced a bill proposing sweeping reforms in the management of waqf properties, allowing non-Muslim members on waqf boards and enabling the state to determine disputed land ownership, sparking concerns among Muslim groups and opposition lawmakers.
Greece plans to invest €25 billion in a sweeping multi-year defence strategy, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament on Wednesday, marking a major step in modernising the country’s armed forces and reinforcing its strategic posture amid regional tensions and global uncertainty.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday, as both nations looked to deepen their strategic partnership and navigate rising global tensions through renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to appear in court on Wednesday over allegations of failing to pay €1 million in taxes on image rights earnings during his first tenure at the club. Prosecutors seek a prison sentence of nearly five years and a €3.2 million fine.
Samsung has appointed Roh Tae-moon as interim head of its consumer and smartphone unit following the passing of Han Jong-hee. With CEO Jun Young-hyun now solely leading the company, Samsung faces key challenges in its chip business and rising competition.
The upcoming Beatles biopic will be told through four films.
Russian billionaire Vadim Moshkovich, founder of Rusagro, faces charges of embezzling 30 billion roubles ($357 million). His arrest is among the most high-profile in Russia’s business world in recent years.
The Swiss government announced on Tuesday that the value of Russian assets frozen in the country has risen to 7.4 billion Swiss francs ($8.38 billion) by the end of March 2025, up from 5.8 billion francs last year, due to newly identified funds and ongoing investigations into sanctions violations.
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