News
Death of Jacques Delors - Tributes have been pouring in following the death of the former minister of French President François Mitterrand and president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, at the age of 98. Politicians have paid tribute to what they described as “one of Europe's "giants" with "humanist values". French President Emmanuel Macron praised Delors, as a "statesman with a French destiny" he added "I salute his commitment and his ideal ”. Former socialist president François Hollande said, “the disappearance of Jacques Delors will create strong emotion throughout Europe as he had contributed to shaping it”.
Jacques Delors helped create the single market allowing the free movement of people, goods and services within the bloc. Serving from 1985 to 1995, Delors also laid the groundwork for the single European currency, the euro. Delors served three terms as European Commission president, longer than anyone else.
Eiffel Tower closes due to strike action - The Eiffel Tower closed its doors to the public on Wednesday after staff went on strike on the 100th anniversary of the death of its creator, Gustave Eiffel. Many disappointed tourists who had booked tickets to access the 134-year-old monument were told it was shut and they would be contacted by email. The CGT union said the industrial action, which was taking place ahead of contract negotiations with Paris City Hall, which owns the tower, was in protest over “the current
