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French president's latest tour of Africa comes at a time of ever-increasing competition from China and Russia, and growing resentment of the close economic ties between France and its former colonies, which some see as a form of continued exploitation.

After more than two tonnes of cocaine washed ashore, locals in villages along the Normandy coast have described an influx of unfamiliar people in luxury cars and 4x4s who have been scouring the sand.

The sovereign will also address the German Bundestag during a six-day tour of France and Germany next month.

Macron said France harboured no desire to return to past policies of interfering in Africa ahead of an environment summit in Gabon, the first leg of his trip.

Government is banking on support from Senators belonging to the conservative Les Republicains (LR) party, who favour raising the minimum legal retirement age from 62 to 64, and having citizens work longer to obtain a full pension.

Tributes will be paid to Just Fontaine at French games scheduled across the coming days as the sport mourns the passing of another legend following the death of Pele in December.

Six French and Ugandan activist groups had accused the company of failing to protect people and the environment from the Tilenga oil development and the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Report accused French Football Federation boss Le Graët, whose mandate ran to 2024 and who denies wrongdoing, of 'inappropriate behaviour’ towards women.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Paris before a visit to several African countries, has said the numbers of French troops stationed in Africa are to be reduced, while cooperation with its allies on military training and supplies of equipment will be increased.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on Saturday after China called for urgent peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, said he would visit Beijing in early April to further the initiative, but cautioned that a settlement would depend upon the condition that 'the Russian aggression was halted, troops withdrawn and territorial sovereignty of Ukraine and its people was respected'.