The French capital can’t endure “a third weekend of chaos” after an estimated 136,000 protesters clashed with police, Valerie Pecresse, the president of the greater Paris region, said on Monday.
But while the “gilets jaunes” – or “yellow vests”, after the fluorescent street jackets that drivers must carry in their vehicles – take the capital hostage, French President Emmanuel Macron shows little willingness to back down either.
Mr Macron, who in the course of 18 months has fallen from being the embodiment of a modern France to being derided as the “president of the rich”, has staked his political identity on never giving in to the streets.
As recently as 2013, a similar group – the "bonnets rouges" (or "red hats") – made socialist president Francois Hollande backtrack on an eco-tax on heavy vehicles, and Mr Macron is determined not to join the ranks of his predecessors who have had their public policies overturned by street protests.
But coming between motorists and their vehicles never boded well for a French president. The “gilets jaunes”, many of whom come from France’s poor rural regions, have risen in protests over the tax, which they say has made it impossible for them to financially reach the end of the month.
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Read more:
Macron calls crisis meeting as 'yellow vest' unrest spreads across France
Demonstrations have a long history in the West – but are self-defeating when posing a threat to ordered society
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So far the clashes have led to three deaths – including that of an elderly woman injured by a tear-gas canister in her apartment – the defacing of some of France’s iconic historic sites and the splintering of French society, including within Mr Macron’s own party.
At a party meeting on Saturday, the representatives of La Republique en Marche (LREM), split along two lines: the hardliners who push for the continuation of Mr Macron’s tough stance and those who advocate for defusing tensions and reaching a compromise.
Discord also seeps among the bearers of the "yellow vests". Jacline Mouraud, one of the representatives of the movement, received death threats and has asked for police protection to attend the coming meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
"These threats are the making of the hard-line fringe of the 'gilets jaunes' movement, of anarchists who want France to remain into chaos," Mrs Mouraud told French newspaper Le Figaro. She added that if she does not receive police protection she will not be able to attend a meeting with Mr Philippe on Tuesday.
The growing phenomenon of "fake news" is also playing its part in inflaming spirits. Images of injured protesters that received more than 140,000 shares and riled French society against police brutality have later been found to be old images of protests in Spain.
Fake rumours of police officers damaging iconic monuments disguised as protesters have also done the rounds on social media.
Officials estimated between 1,500 and 3,000 people infiltrated the Paris protest intent on causing destruction and attacking police.
Mr Macron has postponed a planned visit to Belgrade because of "problems" at home, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Monday.
"We were preparing for President Macron's visit. Unfortunately, because of the situation and the problems he faces, president Macron asked me to postpone his visit to our country for a few weeks," Mr Vucic said in a televised press conference
Mr Macron would have been the first French head of state to visit Serbia since Jacques Chirac in 2001. He was scheduled to meet Mr Vucic on Wednesday evening and pay tribute to a cemetery for fallen First World War soldiers on Thursday, before returning to Paris.
Mr Philippe earlier cancelled a scheduled trip to Poland.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
