Latest news with #EmbassyofFrance
Axios
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your D.C. Weekend: Bastille Day parties, teas and tours
Grab your beret and rosé — Bastille Day is Monday, but French festivities are happening all weekend. Why it matters: D.C. goes big for Bastille between our French expats and Francophiles. 🔜 Pro tip: Many of the events are ticketed and may sell out, book tout suite. 🍷 Bastille Summer Soirée at the Embassy: Party like a diplomat at this chic party with fine wines, a "culinary tour de force," and live music under the stars. Embassy of France | Fri, 6–10:30pm Tickets: $140 🫖 Moulin Rouge Afternoon Tea: Sip French tea with sweet and savory bites, live Can-Can shows, and optional Veuve pours (+$20). Bistro Du Jour Capitol Hill | Fri-Sun, 2:30–4:30pm Book on Tock or OpenTable: $90 pp 🪗 Bastille Day at the Park: The annual family-friendly celebration includes pétanque, pastries, trivia and accordion music. Fessenden Park, Tenleytown | Sat, 2–4pm Tickets: $5 🌭 Pastis Bastille Weekend: Head to Union Market's bistro for raclette, fancy hot dogs, and special rosés and Champagnes. Sunday bonus: Fresh-shucked oysters and Magnum rosé tastings with San Tropez-based winemaker Minuty (12–3pm). Pastis | Sat-Mon, All day Free reservations and walk-ins 🦪 Bleu, Blanc, Rouge at Café Riggs: Head to the swanky Penn Quarter hotel for a Parisian garden party. On tap: A Whispering Angel rosé garden, oyster and crêpe stations, and sweets galore. Riggs Washington DC | Mon, 6–9pm Tickets: $80 🚶♀️ Bastille Day Tour: Join Alliance Française for a French-themed historical walking tour that ends with Champagne and DJ tunes. Lafayette Square → Alliance Française | Mon, 5–9pm Tickets: $29 More fun things to do this weekend 🥥 The Piña Colada Festival returns to all DMV Colada Shops Thursday through Aug 3. Head to a tropical rooftop launch party at the 14th Street location with coconut-y drinks and DJ tunes (tickets $25). 🎶 Flashband debuts at The Atlantis on Saturday with " 2000s Remixed," a one-night-only event featuring eight new bands performing creative mashups and reimagined hits from the 2000s (tickets $32.50). 💃 Romantasy meets dance party at Culture House DC in Southwest for A Ball of Thorns and Roses on Saturday. Pro dancers show off faerie-style performances before the public joins in on the fun — faerie wine included (tickets $66).
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin TD advised to ‘chill the beans' as debate over Wexford's involvement in Norman celebrations continues – ‘we will not bow the knee in 2027'
Describing the celebrations, many of which will take place in Co Wexford, as 'scraping the barrel of colonialism, imperialism and English royalism', Deputy Ó Snodaigh has now accused members of WCC of smearing him as 'anti-Norman'. Responding to a discussion in Wexford County Hall during a council meeting, the deputy said he was 'highly amused' by the 'outrage' his comments had caused and hoped director of services, Eamonn Hore, had calmed down after reading them. Now Mr Hore has moved to defend Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations and his own position on the event.. 'I was both surprised and amused to read Deputy Ó Snodaigh's most recent polemic on the European Year of the Normans,' said Mr Hore. 'And surprised to see the deputy enquiring if I had a chance to recover. Well, the deputy's concern continues to bring a smile to my face every time I reflect on this. And I have calmed down.' Mr Hore's surprise extended to the deputy's take on the European Year of the Normans and its place in the Wexford calendar. "Clearly, he has not checked it out properly and still does not get it. As posted on the Embassy of France in Ireland's Facebook page last week, it is 'an opportunity to revisit this common cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage, through several major public events'. Hardly the reconquest of Ireland or the re-introduction of the penal laws.' Noting that Deputy Ó Snodaigh latest discourse on the subject referenced 'apartheid', 'pioneering landlords of yore', and 'a public relations exercise by a right wing regional coalition government', Mr Hore noted that this followed on from earlier invocations of Cromwell, the Famine Queen (Victoria), and 'scraping the barrel of colonialism'. "This is pretty sensationalist and over the top stuff, no matter which way you look at it,' said the WCC official. Happy to concede that the Sinn Féin deputy's comments on his own Norman heritage were 'reasonable and on point', Mr Hore, however, was less complimentary on the assumed lack of detail and preparation which has gone into the European Year of the Normans celebrations in Co Wexford. 'Deputy O' Snodaigh said in a radio interview with Seán Moncrieff that Minister Browne 'leapt in both feet first', that it is not properly planned, that this is being done in a haphazard way, that there is no real purpose to it, that the title is cobbled together, that it is only to promote Normandy, that William the Conqueror is being specifically celebrated, that this is not related to Ireland, that no thought has been put into it. "All incorrect deputy if you care to examine in more detail. 'Simply put for Wexford, this is a continuation of WCC's initiatives in developing the Norman Way, commencing back in 2016; the New Ross Municipal District's (NRMD) successful application to develop the Norman Centre in New Ross; the development of the New Ross High Hill Norman Gardens; the tourist trail around the magnificent St. Mary's Church; and the wall murals project highlighting aspects of New Ross town's Norman past and heritage. "This is allied with the magnificent work and interpretation of Norman Wexford that is Ferns Castle, the home of Diarmuid MacMurrough, King of Leinster. MacMurrough was 'legally' tried in Ferns in 2019 as part of the Norman 850th anniversary events. The overwhelming verdict of the trial was not guilty. We will be calling for a re-trial in 2027. Perhaps Deputy O 'Snodaigh would like to function as a Brehon for the re-trial.' In addition to these events, Mr Hore also noted the work of the Ros Tapestries, the visit of the French Ambassador to New Ross in 2022, and the 'history, culture, agriculture, stories, legends, recently discovered medieval documents, festivals, fun and architecture' which will all form the basis of Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations. Taking umbrage with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's suggestion that many in Wexford would voice their dissent at the county's participation in the event, Mr Hore said recent history proved otherwise. 'Here in Wexford fully one third of all surnames are Norman, the highest percentage in the country,' he said. 'The Wexford heraldic crest includes Norman references and also pays homage to our great rebel past, you will not go far in Wexford without encountering a pike. Many of us wear pike pins. 'The crest of New Ross features William Marshal's bridge, and a stag and hound – all references to our Norman past. The GAA crest of the Bannow Ballymitty club features a Norman Knight on horseback fully armoured. The crest of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) features the Norman heritage building of Johnstown Castle – as does the crest of St. Martin's GAA Club. The RMD crest includes the words – Vor a Gooude O' Aul, our ancient Norman-related Yola language which, when translated, means 'For the Good of All' and that is what we are endeavouring to do with this compelling and exciting project. 'As Davy Fitzgerald once said 'chill the beans'. I think the deputy should chill the beans. If you throw down a gauntlet to Wexford people, we will gladly accept the challenge. We have been acknowledging our Norman heritage for many years in the correct way – I do not think any of us have converted to royalism yet and we will not bow the knee in 2027."
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India and France wrap up SHAKTI 2025, strengthening military interoperability and strategic defence partnership
The 13th French Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13th DBLE) hosted the eighth edition of the Indo-French Army exercise SHAKTI from 18 June to 1 July 2025 in France, according to a release by the Embassy of France in India. The exercise involved more than 500 legionnaires and military personnel from various units of the French Army, the Foreign Legion, as well as the French Air and Space Force, and the French Navy. The Indian contingent of 90 personnel primarily comprised a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, besides personnel from other arms and services. About 50 armoured and tactical vehicles and fighter jets have been deployed in this exercise. The joint drills were held in two phases. The first, which took place from 18 to 21 June in Aveyron, Monclar district, focused on ramping up joint training on shooting, issuing orders, and combining units. The second phase, from 22 to 26 June in Herault, involved the deployment of the Monclar Combined Arms Tactical Group (GTIA) as part of an open-field exercise in semi-urban combat training during both day and night, the release said. Live Events The legionnaires of the 13th DBLE had earlier participated in the SHAKTI 2024 exercise in India and were determined to continue developing this strategic partnership with a view to enhancing interoperability, refining and sharing best practices in tactical drills, and training with contemporary military technologies. Exercise SHAKTI was a vital opportunity for Indian and French military personnel to boost joint operational preparedness for facing the toughest combat situations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in a realistic semi-urban terrain, while strengthening ties with a strategic partner. Serving as an effective platform for exchanging best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPS), Exercise SHAKTI will pave the way for deeper cooperation and mutual respect between the French and the Indian armed forces, as well as significantly reinforcing the Indo-French defence partnership , the Embassy of France in India noted in its release. Indo-French defence exercises such as Exercise GARUDA between the air forces, Exercise VARUNA between the navies, and Exercise SHAKTI between the armies are held regularly and have grown in scope and complexity over the years. They attest to the shared commitment of both nations towards peace, stability, and global security. In this context, the Indo-French Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI-VIII continues to strengthen operational interoperability and mutual cooperation between the Indian and French Armies. Held at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in Southern France, the exercise features the participation of 90 personnel, primarily from the Indian Army's Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, alongside the French Army's 13e Demi-Brigade de Legion Etrangere. In an official statement, the Army said, "The Indian Army contingent has departed today for France to participate in the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, taking place in La Cavalerie, France, from 18 June to 01 July 2025. The exercise will foster synergy and interoperability in the conduct of counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain." Exercise SHAKTI is an annual military training engagement conducted alternately in India and France. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hans India
11-06-2025
- Hans India
CBI files chargesheet against 8 accused, including law officer, in French Embassy visa fraud case
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in the French Embassy visa fraud case, indicting the local law officer of the consulate as well as some of his family members. A total of eight accused have been charge sheeted by the investigating agency in the French Embassy scam. They include the local Law officer in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France, his father, brother and wife, two visa agents and two middlemen. The visa scam pertained to the enticement of Punjab-based youths for Schengen visas, through a network of agents and also illegal issuance of visas in lieu of huge sums of money. A network of visa agents used to tap youths from Punjab, who were issued Schengen visas, in connivance with senior officials of the French Embassy. The International Division of CBI had registered a case in connection with the alleged visa fraud involving the Embassy in 2021. While probing the scam, the agency also managed to secure India's first silver notice issued through Interpol, which enabled it to expand its investigation abroad and trace the assets of embassy officials, built on the proceeds of crime. "The then Local Law Officer in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France targeted applicants from Punjab seeking Schengen visas, through a network of visa agents and induced them to give a huge amount of money for obtaining Schengen visas," the agency said in an official statement, citing its investigation findings. A network of visa agents, mostly based in Punjab, received money ranging from Rs 13 Lakh to Rs 45 Lakh from each visa applicant and in lieu of these large sums of money, visa applications were processed by the accused, and after issuance of Schengen visas, the accused destroyed the visa documents and files. During the investigation, huge amounts of cash and multiple documents relating to properties worth crores, acquired in India and abroad, were found at various locations in Punjab and Delhi. Two accused visa agents were the key co-conspirators who funnelled the money through various bank accounts, which ultimately reached the accused Local Law Officer and his family members- brother, father and wife through the two middlemen. The CBI sleuths successfully coordinated with multiple agencies, including international agencies, to secure evidence in the case. The International Operations Division of CBI coordinated with the International Police Cooperation Unit and was also successful in getting India's first Silver notice published in the case.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Haryana to introduce French in Sanskriti Model Schools
Gurgaon: The department of school education, Haryana, has announced a collaboration with the Embassy of France in India to introduce French as a foreign language in district Sanskriti Model Schools across the state starting from the upcoming academic session. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was between the school of education department, Panchkula and the French govt. This initiative is part of the Haryana-France language collaboration project and aligns with the vision of the national education policy (NEP) 2020. Regular TGT-English and PGT-English teachers currently serving in govt schools of Haryana are invited to participate. Prior exposure to French is preferred and selected teachers will receive a fully sponsored 6-month training in Institut Francais in India, located in New Delhi and will be deployed in district Sanskriti Model Schools to introduce French as a third language. A SCERT Haryana official said the move aims to compete with private schools. While the May 22, 2025 letter is confirmed, it hasn't been processed internally yet, leaving details like French teachers unclear. The directorate of school education has shared the information and nomination forms with SCERT Gurgaon, DIET principals, and district officers, asking them to inform eligible teachers before the deadline.
