Latest news with #FrenchSenate
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nestlé hit with shocking accusations of misleading its customers: 'It doesn't stand up to the reality'
Nestlé is in hot water after French regulators and consumer watchdogs accused the brand of misleading consumers by referring to its Perrier products as "natural mineral water." As detailed by The New York Times, the European Union has strict rules surrounding the designation of water as "natural." Nestlé Waters, Perrier's parent company, allegedly failed to adhere to those regulations because it uses filters and ultraviolet sterilizers to treat its water. A French Senate investigation revealed that Nestlé hid its treatment of Perrier and other bottled water with the assistance of the government, with members of President Emmanuel Macron's office aware that "that Nestlé had been cheating for years," according to the report. "This scandal is a sort of textbook case of regulatory capture and state-industry collusion," said Sen. Alexandre Ouizille, who headed the six-month investigation. (Macron's office did not respond to the Times but has previously denied allegations of collusion.) Nestlé has a market value of over $250 billion. Ouizille told the Times that the brand's dishonest labeling practices brought in at least €3 billion ($3.5 billion) at the expense of consumers who trusted the multinational brand to live up to its claims. However, Nestlé chief executive Laurent Freixe suggested earlier this year that consumer expectations surrounding "natural" products were unrealistic, with environmental contamination making it increasingly difficult to source safe, clean water without human intervention. "This romantic idea that you can take pure water from the source, bottle it without any intervention and ensure food safety is just that: romantic," he told Swiss media, per the Times. "It doesn't stand up to the reality of human activity." Climate scientist Peter Gleick, who co-founded the Pacific Institute — a California-based research firm focused on ensuring water security, which is endangered by the effects of rising global temperatures — agreed with this assessment in a statement to the Times. "This is part of a longer trend of growing threats to groundwater," Gleick said. However, he also suggested Nestlé's marketing tactics could harm the company's bottom line. "They want to sell spring water because it carries a premium in the public's eye," he said. "Now if they're just reprocessing it the way they process tap water, it's harder and harder for them to claim that. And as people learn that, they'll lose money." Do you think we should be trying to pull pollution out of the atmosphere? Absolutely I need to know more In some situations No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Nestlé affirmed the quality of its water and didn't admit to misconduct. Yet it acknowledged "common challenges" in the bottled water industry and suggested that regulations should be more consistent and clear. "With food safety as a primary goal, the company reiterates that all its natural mineral water products on the market have always been and remain safe to drink, and their unique minerality is as shown on the label," the company said, per the Times. On a personal level, you can contribute to a cleaner future by avoiding single-use plastic products. Usually derived from polluting dirty fuels, plastics can take 1,000 years or longer to break down, shedding microplastics and toxic chemicals into the environment in the process. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Malay Mail
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
France moves to enshrine consent at the heart of rape law
PARIS, June 19 — The French Senate passed a bill late yesterday that includes lack of consent in the country's criminal definition of rape, paving the way for its official adoption in the coming months. The vote comes several months after a court in Avignon found a French man guilty of drugging his wife so he and strangers could rape her. The case drew renewed attention to the widespread crime of rape and the issue of consent. The bill passed this week redefines all sexual assaults — including rape — as 'any non-consensual act'. France's lower house of parliament approved a slightly different version of the bill in April. Yesterday's vote is not the final legislative hurdle. A joint committee of senators and lower-house MPs is expected to draft a joint text prior to the final adoption of the law in both houses. 'Consent is not saying no,' said Equality Minister Aurore Berge, but 'saying yes, an explicit yes, freely, without constraint or ambiguity'. The vote is a 'decisive step towards a genuine culture of consent', she added. The bill passed by both chambers defines consent as 'free and informed, specific, prior and revocable', adding that it 'cannot be inferred from the victim's silence or lack of reaction alone'. France's current legal definition of rape defines it as 'any act of sexual penetration... by violence, constraint, threat or surprise' but this bill would specify that there is 'no consent' under these conditions. While yesterday's vote shows an emerging consensus, some lawmakers and activists have expressed concerns about the change. Advocates say this will enable the law to better hold perpetrators accountable. But opponents say they fear the change will lead investigators to focus excessively on the victim's behaviour. Consent-based rape laws already exist in several European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. — AFP * If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221/016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
Times of Oman
02-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
France expresses strong support for India against terrorism, trade ties deepen: Piyush Goyal
Paris: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed India's gratitude to France for its unwavering support and solidarity following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising the shared commitment between both nations in maintaining zero tolerance against terrorism. Goyal is on his three-day official visit to Paris as part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from 1-5 June 2025. Goyal highlighted the strong understanding between India and France on counter-terrorism efforts. "The French people and government also stand for zero tolerance against terrorism, just like India," he stated. "The French Senate delegation that visited India fully supported India's stand and gave us confidence that the world stands with India when we are fighting against terrorism in all forms, whether state-sponsored or non-state actors," Goyal said. The April 22 attack, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, is one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The minister drew parallels between both countries' experiences with terrorism, referencing the devastating 2015 Paris attacks that killed approximately 125 people just days before the COP21 climate summit. "Acts of terrorism in France have caused a lot of damage," Goyal noted. "The people and the government of France can understand India's anger. They could connect with the displeasure the people of India felt," Goyal said. The visit underscores the deepening ties between India and France, built on the strong personal relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron share a very deep personal connect and rapport and have had frequent interactions, giving afresh momentum to the strong French-India ties," Goyal emphasised. This momentum was recently demonstrated in February 2025 when India and France co-hosted the AI Action Summit, which Goyal described as "a strong endorsement of our shared objective to further the ethical use of artificial intelligence and promote good regulations." During his Paris visit, Goyal is scheduled to meet with CEOs of several French companies to encourage investment in India, leveraging the country's market of 1.4 billion people and its skilled workforce. The minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his French counterparts and trade ministers from around the world. A key focus of the discussions will be advancing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with France being one of its strongest supporters. Goyal is set to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maurus Sarkovic to take the trade partnership "to the next level at the earliest." The meetings aim to advance the Horizon 2047 roadmap finalised between Modi and Macron, which includes a mini-ministerial gathering of trade ministers from major economies to discuss strengthening multilateral trading systems and WTO reforms. The minister highlighted the role of approximately 120,000 Indians living in France as "a living bridge between India and France." He also mentioned the upcoming Swaminarayan temple near Paris as a symbol of Indian culture and heritage in Europe. In a significant cultural collaboration, the Louvre has entered into an MoU with India to help establish the Yug Yugeen Bharat Museum, described as the world's largest museum, which will showcase India's rich cultural heritage at the North and South Block complex in New Delhi.
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
French Senate delegation meets Indian official; discusses defence, global challenges, and bilateral roadmap
New Delhi: The French Embassy in India on Tuesday thanked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri for hosting the French Senate's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & the Armed Forces, highlighting the strength of the India-France partnership. Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy posted, "Thank you Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri for hosting the French Senate's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & the Armed Forces, and the very interesting and fruitful discussions on France-India ties, global issues and steps to build on PM Modi's recent France visit." India and France have long maintained close, friendly relations rooted in a Strategic Partnership launched on 26 January 1998. This was India's first-ever strategic partnership and continues to be one of its most comprehensive, with both nations committed to enhancing their strategic autonomy through expanded bilateral cooperation. The foundation of this partnership rests on strong engagement in defence and security, civil nuclear energy, and space exploration, now bolstered by a growing Indo-Pacific collaboration. In recent years, India-France ties have grown to include cooperation in maritime security, digital and cyber technology, advanced computing, counterterrorism, and sustainable development. The bilateral relationship is driven by shared democratic values, a commitment to multilateralism, and a rules-based international order. Regular high-level exchanges, defence deals, joint military exercises, and deepening technological and climate collaborations are shaping a new trajectory for this partnership. The year 2023 marked a historic milestone as both countries celebrated 25 years of their Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from 13-14 July 2023 as the Guest of Honour at the French National Day, during which the two sides adopted the ambitious 'Horizon 2047' roadmap. The document outlines a joint vision for the next 25 years, which will coincide with the centenary of India's independence and 100 years of diplomatic ties with France. Cultural diplomacy has also played a key role. The 'Namaste France' Festival in Paris, held from July 6-9, 2023, drew over 20,000 attendees and showcased India's diverse artistic and culinary heritage. France is also home to a large Indian diaspora, with significant populations in both mainland France and its overseas territories, and over 50 active Indian community organisations contributing to people-to-people engagement.
