Published: 19 Feb 2013 09:04 GMT+01:00 | Print version
Updated: 19 Feb 2013 09:04 GMT+01:00
Paris has officially resumed development aid to Mali after suspending it in the wake of a March 2012 coup that triggered a rebellion in the north and French military intervention, according to France's development minister.
"We stopped aid for development for months following the coup and now, today, we are renewing (that aid)," Pascal Canfin said on Monday during a visit to a hospital in Mopti, central Mali, built using funds from France and Belgium.
Mopti was the scene of clashes between Malian troops and Islamists in January before the start of the French-led campaign to rid northern Mali of armed Islamist groups.
Some 150 million euros ($200 million) will be unfrozen, Canfin said. "In Timbuktu there is only water and electricity (left) for a few days. So we have to quickly get the country back on its feet," said Canfin, who will meet Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore on Tuesday.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, announced Monday that the EU would host a donor conference in mid-May in Brussels to reinforce efforts to stabilize the west African former French colony.
As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent. READ () »
France's disgraced former budget minister, forced out of office over a tax fraud scandal, will not seek re-election to his former parliamentary seat, a newspaper reported Sunday. READ () »
Spain's world championship leader Marc Marquez will start on pole in Sunday's French MotoGP on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans after coming out on top in Saturday's qualifying. READ () »
A man was arrested on Friday after causing a scare at the Cannes Film Festival, where he attacked a TV studio with a gun loaded with blanks and a dummy grenade, police and witnesses said. READ () »
French actor and newly-minted Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu on Saturday compared President Vladimir Putin to the late Pope John Paul II and said the ex-KGB agent is what Russia needs as a leader. READ () »
France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law following months of bitter political debate. READ () »
Struggling French oyster farmers, whose haul has diminished in recent years, are set to receive some much needed help from their Swedish counterparts, by importing oyster spats from Sweden for the first time. READ () »
France's highest court the Constitutional Council cleared the divisive gay marriage bill on Friday, paving the way for same sex unions to become legal. Francois Hollande said he would sign the bill into law as soon as Saturday. READ () »
While many in the world of football raised a glass to David Beckham when he announced his retirement on Thursday, elements in the French media as well as PSG fans in Paris could not hide the fact they feel a little cheated by his minimal contribution on the pitch. READ () »
Thieves have stolen Chopard jewellery worth $1 million at Cannes Film Festival, French police reported on Friday. The jewellery was due to be loaned to film stars over the coming days. READ () »
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.