France

A pilot was left hanging from a powerline after a crash involving his F16 fighter jet in France, authorities say. The Belgian military aircraft came down in northwestern France on Thursday morning, causing eight homes to be evacuated. Both pilots survived after ejecting before impact. One of them had been left hanging from a powerline after his parachute got caught, the prefecture of the region said. The F16 fighter plane had taken off from Florennes in Belgium and was unarmed when it crashed. Authorities placed a 500-metre security perimeter around the crash site, mobilised 40 firefighters and 20 rescue vehicles, and created a crisis management operation in response. The crash occurred in the French region of Brittany between Landaul and Pluvigner, near Vannes, police said. The Belgian Air Force tweeted that the pilots had been flying to the French Naval Air Station at Lorient, just west of where the crash took place. The air force confirmed the pilots used their ejectable seats to … [Read more...] about F16 fighter jet crash in France: Pilot left dangling from powerline after parachute got caught

France's finance minister has said the European Union should introduce a common set of rules to govern virtual currencies, which at the moment are regulated at the national level. This comes on the back of his Thursday's comments when he said he planned to try and block the development of Facebook's newly-unveiled cryptocurrency Libra in Europe. Bruno Le Maire made the comments at an OECD conference on Thursday, adding that such a block would protect "monetary sovereignty". He said: "I want to be absolutely clear: In these conditions, we cannot authorise the development of Libra on European soil." Arriving at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Helsinki on Friday, Le Maire said a "common framework" on digital currencies was needed at the EU level. He also urged the creation of a European "public digital currency," but failed to give any more details. Facebook unveiled its new venture in June, with plans to allow users to make payments across Facebook-owned apps, including Whatsapp … [Read more...] about France wants to block Facebook’s new Libra cryptocurrency from Europe

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French president Emmanuel Macron will meet next month to try and eliminate violent extremist content online in the wake of the March 15 terrorist attacks in Christchurch New Zealand, said a press release by Ardern's office. The meeting co-chaired by Ardern and Macron will aim to have world leaders and CEOs of tech companies agree to a pledge, called the Christchurch call, to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. A lone gunman killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch while live streaming the event on Facebook. “The March 15 terrorist attacks saw social media used in an unprecedented way as a tool to promote an act of terrorism and hate. We are asking for a show of leadership to ensure social media cannot be used again the way it was in the March 15 terrorist attack,” said Ardern. “It’s critical that technology platforms like Facebook are not perverted as a tool for terrorism, and instead … [Read more...] about New Zealand, France to host summit in bid to stop extremist content on social media

There was a time, not so long ago, when Jonny May was notable as an England winger who ran sideways and did not score tries. In his first seven Tests, spanning a full year, he failed to trouble the scorers and it was frankly inconceivable that one day he could be considered the world’s best winger. Look at him now. The way he played against Ireland last week was as good a wing performance as I think I have seen. He was note perfect in the rudiments of chase that ball, win that box kick, get your team further up the field by dominating in the air. It comes as no surprise to me to hear he was a decent pole vaulter as a teenager, for the leap he has made with his game is huge. What caught the eye in Dublin, where he scored England’s first try and made their third with a brilliant kick, wasn’t the things that historically he can do well, namely catch the ball and run fast. It was what he has grafted onto that through pure hard work: defensive awareness and a range of … [Read more...] about Why Jonny May gives England the edge in Six Nations clash against France – Paul Grayson

FURIOUS Karim Benzema has demanded France let him play for another national team after being snubbed from the latest squad. French FA president Noel Le Graet yesterday claimed the in-form Real Madrid striker would never represent his country again. Benzema, 31, has been blacklisted from the squad after he was charged with conspiracy to blackmail French team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. Hitting back at Le Graet, Benzema tweeted: "Noel I thought you were not interfering in the decisions of the coach! "Know that it is me and I alone that would put an end to my international career. "If you think I'm finished, let me play for one of the countries for which I'm eligible and we'll see."Benzema was born to Algerian parents and in 2006 turned down the chance to represent the African nation. But he has performed a U-turn having missed out on the 2016 Euros and 2018 World Cup with France. Fifa rules mean it would be extremely difficult for the former Lyon star to play for another … [Read more...] about Benzema demands France let him play for another national team he is ‘eligible for’ after Les Bleus snub