Solar and wind farms need to coexist with the landscape and not become a blight on France’s natural heritage, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned.
He said more renewables were needed but these should be considered on a case-by-case basis and eco-power could harm the natural landscape.
He also said France had benefited from its nuclear industry.
Mr Macron was speaking in French Polynesia where he remembered the debt owed to the country after it was used as a nuclear testing area for 30 years.
He also visited the Criobe research centre, on Moorea Island, where scientists are studying the ways in which climate change is affecting coral and its biosphere.
"There are places where solar or wind projects are well coordinated, well thought out, fit into the landscape [and which] are accepted by the population and also make it possible to develop economic returns,” he said.
But with solar or wind projects, "where they create too much tension, distort and disfigure the landscape, you have to know where to adapt or give up,” he added.
“You have some of our regions, which have already built a lot of wind turbines. Like everywhere we must know a reason to keep them. We must listen.
“We have passed a reform that is important, which makes it possible to take into account the position of elected officials, to improve local consultation," Mr Macron said.
Mr Macron said he wanted to develop solar, which represents "less nuisance for fellow citizens" and in particular less "visual" nuisance.
"I do not want our landscapes to be damaged. It is part of our heritage and of our deep wealth, of our identity"
He also defended the nuclear industry role in France.
"We are the country in Europe that has the least tonnes of CO2 emitted per capita, and why? Because we have historic nuclear power," Mr Macron said.
In French Polynesia, Mr Macron did not apologise for the nuclear tests, as a long-running campaign has demanded, but did admit France owed the island chain a debt.
"The nation owes a debt to French Polynesia. This debt is from having conducted these tests, in particular those between 1966 and 1974. Nobody can claim that they were clean," he said.
The legacy of French nuclear testing in the territory remains a source of deep resentment among locals who think their home was chosen, at least partly, because of its distance from France.
"I want to tell you clearly that the military who carried them out did not lie to you. They took the same risks... There were no lies, there were risks that weren't calculated, including by the military.
"I think it's true that we would not have done the same tests in La Creuse or in Brittany," Mr Macron said, referring to regions inside mainland France. "We did them here because it was further away, lost in middle of the Pacific."
Officials earlier this month denied any cover-up of radiation exposure. French investigative website Disclose reported in March that the impact from the fallout was far more extensive than authorities had acknowledged, citing declassified French military documents.
France’s Parliament on Tuesday approved a compromise climate bill that was intended to transform travel, housing and industry.
But environmental activists said the bill did not go fast or far enough to slash the country’s carbon emissions.
Backed by President Emmanuel Macron, the legislation touches on issues central to French culture and economy, including farming, historical buildings and the aviation and automotive industries.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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The%20specs%20
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UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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