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Fall in demand sees Bordeaux vinyards ripped out

France — Link

As consumers increasingly turn their backs on the tannin-rich wines of Bordeaux,  winegrowers in the region are ripping out their vines and turning to the planting of other crops and even laying solar panels for electricity production.

Mass rape victim Gisèle Pelicot gives moving address to court

France — Link

Gisèle Pelicot, 71, who was subjected to rape by dozens of strangers over many years when her husband sedated her into a comatose state and recruited men online to sexually abuse her, on Wednesday took to the stand at the trial in southern France when she told the court women who have been raped must know that 'it's not for us to have shame'.  

Macron to make state visit to Morocco

International — Link

French President Emmanuel Macron is to make a state visit to Morocco beginning on October 28th, in a move to mend high tensions between Paris and Rabat over recent years with what Moroccan King Mohammed VI called 'a renewed and ambitious vision covering several strategic sectors'.

Israel's endless war driven by the 'reason of the strongest'

International — Opinion

Israel does not intend to bring the war in Gaza and Lebanon to a halt with its military successes against Hamas and the Hezbollah, writes Mediapart co-founder and former publishing editor Edwy Plenel in this op-ed article. Israel’s war aim, beyond the riposte to the October 7th 2023 Hamas attacks, is to bring an end to the project for a Palestinian state, and its supporters, he argues, and everything must be done to halt this unending war.

Scientists seek secret of 19th-century Corsican apéritif

France — Link

French scientists are studying the contents of a 144-year-old bottle of Vin Tonique Mariani, an apéritif invented by a Corsican pharmacist, which was a forebear of Coca-Cola and which is now under revival, to establish whether its ingredients really meet past claims of its ability to cure nervous conditions and impotency.  

France warns US firm over purchase of popular medicine

France — Link

Private equity firm CD&R is in exclusive talks to buy 50% stake in Sanofi's consumer healthcare arm Opella which makes the best-selling Doliprane drug in France; meanwhile the French government has also bought a small stake in the company and has warned the American buyers of penalties if they shift production abroad.

French mayors warn ministers: budget cuts will put public services and social cohesion at risk

France

The new French government under prime minister Michel Barnier plans to make savings of up to 60 million euros through tax rises and spending cuts. At least five billion euros of these scheduled savings in the 2025 budget – which will be debated by MPs this week - will hit France's local authorities, to the dismay and concern of regional political leaders. Here, mayors from three very different communities all tell Mediapart of the real-life consequences that these cuts will have locally, in particular on public services and in adapting to climate change. Interviews by Ilyes Ramdani.

Rallies across France in support of rape victim Gisèle Pelicot

France — Link

Demonstrators gathered across France to show their support for mass rape victim Gisèle Pelicot whose ongoing trial saw her ex-husband as well as some 50 defendants – aged from 26 to 74 – take the stand.

One French town's endless battle against the drug dealers

France — Report

Last summer the town of Échirolles in south-east France witnessed a surge of violence as drug-related shootings left two people wounded. The town, which is in the suburbs of the city of Grenoble, is now trying to fight back and the mayor recently wrote to President Emanuel Macron pleading for more resources to be able to tackle the problem of drug dealing and its impact on local residents. As Yannis Angles reports from Échirolles, the town council is also taking its own initiatives, including moving people out of a building that is notorious as a hotspot for the illicit trade.

Driver faces murder probe after cyclist is run over in Paris

France — Link

A Parisian driver has been accused of intentionally running over a cyclist who got in his way. Protests are planned across the country following the cyclist's tragic death.

Baby dies after migrant boat gets into difficulties in Channel

France — Link

The boat was found to be heavily loaded with migrants and some were in the water when the rescue team arrived on Thursday evening.

Floods cause damage, power outages in France after heavy rain

France — Link

Damage was caused in France's mountainous southeast region after days of heavy rain.

Macron slams ministers over leaked Israel comments

France — Link

French president goes on attack to try put lid on brouhaha that sparked row with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

France to cut prices in Martinique after costs of living unrest

France — Link

Martinique has been rocked by cost of living protests that have left four people dead in clashes and shops and businesses set alight or looted.

French police release anti-Western activist Kemi Seba

International — Link

The controversial activist known for his pan-Africanist stance, was released from French custody without charge, two days after he was arrested in Paris.