France to ban girls from wearing abayas in state schools Ban on loose-fitting dresses worn by some Muslim women provokes row over secularism The Guardian - UK · Aug 28, 2023
New French education minister bans abaya dresses in schools France will ban children in state-run schools from wearing loose-fitting, full-length robes known as abayas, worn by some Muslim women. This is the first major announcement from new education minister Gabriel Attal, who spoke to French media on Sunday ahead of the back-to-school season. Radio France Internationale · Aug 28, 2023
France set to ban Muslim students from wearing abaya in state schools Left-wing opposition party criticises ‘policing of clothing’ and calls minister’s announcement ‘unconstitutional’ The Independent UK · Aug 28, 2023
Who's in, and out, in France's new government? President Emmanuel Macron has reshuffled ministers in key domestic portfolios such as education, housing and urban affairs in a bid to put the government in a stronger position to continue its reform programme and respond to recent riots. The 41-strong cabinet has eight new members, with more traditional MPs and… Radio France Internationale · Jul 21, 2023
France rolls out plans to get tough on costly social security fraud The French government is clamping down on social security fraud - which the Court of Audit says costs the country between 6 and 8 billion euros a year – rolling out plans to make it harder to get benefits while also hiking up penalties for those who cheat the system. Radio France Internationale · May 30, 2023
France to crackdown on 'super rich' tax evasion, help middle class French minister for public spending Gabriel Attal promised on Tuesday to tighten tax controls on the "ultra-rich" and multinationals and to ease the pressure on the middle classes as part of an anti tax fraud plan. Radio France Internationale · May 9, 2023
French government invites taxpayers to tell them where to spend their money As French income tax season opens, the government wants to know what people think should be done with their taxes, and has launched a programme for taxpayers to tell them. Radio France Internationale · Apr 25, 2023
Queues return to petrol stations as government and TotalEnergies cut fuel rebates The fuel rebates put in place by the government and TotalEnergies are set to drop by 20 and 10 cents per litre respectively as of Wednesday, 16 November. Queues have formed again in front of certain service stations as motorists seek a last cut-price tankfull. Radio France Internationale · Nov 16, 2022
Tens of thousands take to the streets of Paris in protest over cost of living, climate inaction Nearly three weeks into a strike that has forced filling stations across France to close, an estimated 140,000 demonstrators – according to the organisers – took to the streets of Paris this Sunday in protest against soaring living costs, fuel strikes and climate inaction. Police say participation was far lower. Radio France Internationale · Oct 16, 2022
French debt levels back in focus as government gets to work France’s new government reaffirmed the country’s pledge to lower debt after the COVID-19 pandemic forced President Emmanuel Macron to carry out an unprecedented spending splurge to prevent the economy from crashing. Tribune News Service · May 21, 2022
France says it has frozen more than 800 million euros worth of Russian oligarch assets France has frozen more than 800 million euros ($879.20 million)worth of assets belonging to Russian oligarchs, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday. He provided no details. Reuters · Mar 23, 2022
France says sanctions starting to have impact on Russia - govt spokesperson French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Friday sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia in reaction to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine were starting to have a "real impact". Reuters · Mar 18, 2022
No plans at this stage for French President Macron traveling to Ukraine There are no plans at this stage for French President Emmanuel Macron to travel to Ukraine, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday. Reuters · Mar 16, 2022
French companies must implement sanctions against Russia - govt spokesman French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Tuesday it was paramount that French companies respect sanctions against Russia decided by the European Union and that oil giant TotalEnergies was doing that. Reuters · Mar 15, 2022
Reuters · Mar 10, 2022 Macron's French re-election programme will propose retirement age at 65 The re-election programme of French President Emmanuel Macron will feature a proposal to set the retirement age in France at 65 - compared to the age of 62 at which many currently retire - government spokesman Gabriel Attal told RTL Radio.
Reuters · Feb 15, 2022 Macron to assess Mali situation with foreign heads of state on Wednesday - government spokesman French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a top-level meeting at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday evening to discuss further steps regarding the country's military presence in Mali, said French government spokesman Gabriel Attal.
Reuters · Feb 15, 2022 France: Russian retreat from Ukranian border would be positive sign France has not yet verified whether Russia is pulling back some troops from Ukraine's border but if the information is correct, this would be a "positive sign", French government spokesman Gabriel Attal told journalists.
Radio France Internationale · Feb 2, 2022 French leader Emmanuel Macron still not a candidate for presidential polls French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal quashed speculation that President Emmanuel Macron would this week declare his candidacy for April's presidential election, saying that Ukraine and the Covid pandemic are still high on his agenda.
The Guardian - UK · Jan 20, 2022 France to ease restrictions; Austrian parliament approves mandatory vaccination – as it happened French PM says from February work from home guidance will be changed and nightclubs reopen; Austria will have Europe’s first universal jabs mandate