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Added on the 17/02/2022 11:06:33 - Copyright : France 24 EN
In Marseille, demonstrators against Emmanuel Macron's pension reform march to oppose the increase of the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 years. IMAGES
France's National Assembly passes a bill designed to combat foreign interference, including a trial allowing intelligence services to use algorithmic surveillance techniques, currently reserved for counter-terrorism, for this purpose. IMAGES
The United Nations begins withdrawal of MONUSCO peacekeeping forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo by handing over a first UN base to the national police. During an official ceremony at the Kamanyola base, close to the Rwandan and Burundian borders, the flags of the United Nations and Pakistan, the countries of origin of the peacekeepers in charge, were replaced by those of the DRC. IMAGES
France's new Culture Minister Rachida Dati says she embodies "the cultural diversity that makes our society so rich". At a handover ceremony with predecessor Rima Abdul Malak, Dati vows to fight for France's "cultural exception" to ensure that "culture in France is not just another commodity". SOUNDBITE
A convoy of French soldiers from Tabarey-Barey arrives in Niamey, Niger. The withdrawal of the French troops had been demanded by Niger's generals soon after they came to power in a coup at the end of July, and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their departure at the end of September. IMAGES
US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin says that the US would "evaluate any future steps that would prioritise both our democratic and our security goals" referring to the situation in Niger in a speech made in Nairobi. The comments comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal of French troops and diplomats from the country. "We really want to see a diplomatic solution evolve" says Austin. SOUNDBITE