Latest news with #Parisian
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
France to ban smoking in parks, beaches, and near schools
PARIS (AP) — France has struggled to kick its smoking habit. A new public health decree published Saturday aims to change that. In the coming days, smoking will be banned in all French parks and sports venues, at beaches and bus stops, in a perimeter around all schools, and anywhere children could gather in public. In a country where smoking has for generations been glamorized in cinema and intertwined with the national image, government crackdowns on tobacco use have met resistance. 'In France, we still have this mindset of saying, 'this is a law that restricts freedom,'' Philippe Bergerot, president of the French League Against Cancer, told the Associated Press. The ban aims ''to promote what we call denormalization. In people's minds, smoking is normal,' he said. ''We aren't banning smoking; we are banning smoking in certain places where it could potentially affect people's health and … young people.' It's been illegal to smoke in restaurants, bars and public buildings since a series of bans in 2007 and 2008. Ever-higher taxes mean a pack now costs upwards of 12 euros ($14). Yet more than 30% of French adults still smoke cigarettes, most of them daily, one of the higher rates in Europe and globally. The Health Ministry is particularly concerned that tobacco remains popular among young people, citing public health statistics showing that 15% of 17-year-olds smoke. Black market cigarette trading is common. More than 200 people in France die each day of tobacco-related illness, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said in a statement Saturday. That adds up to some 75,000 deaths per year. In a Paris park as the ban loomed, views were mixed. Parisian Natacha Uzan welcomed the énd of smoking in restaurants. But she said: ''Now outside, in parks, I find it becoming a bit repressive.' The broader ban is a ''good thing' for Anabelle Cermell, mother of a 3-month-old boy. ''I tell myself, oh, it's really not ideal for him, but there's not much I can do about it, or I would have to … not take the bus, not go to parks.' The government said last month that the new ban would take effect July 1. The official decree introducing the ban was published Saturday, and a health minister's statement said that a government order specifying the perimeters set by the ban would be published in the coming days. Electronic cigarettes are exempt from the new ban. Other European countries have gone farther. Britain and Sweden have tightened smoking regulations in public spaces. Spain is extending its smoking ban to café and restaurant terraces, which are exempt from France's new ban. ___ Angela Charlton in Paris contributed.
Local France
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Local France
Four French policemen to stand trial for beating black musician
On the evening of November 21, 2020, Michel Zecler was beaten up in his Parisian music studio after police confronted him for a supposed "strong smell of cannabis" and for not wearing a mask, as required at the time because of Covid. The four-minute ordeal ruptured his left biceps tendon. The policemen's accusations of "violence" and "rebellion" against Zecler were quickly dismissed, and video footage released five days later contradicted the initial police account. The policemen will stand trial for illegal use of force, a source close to the case said Friday, though they will not face aggravated hate-crime charges, even though Zecler said at least one of the policemen made racist comments. Prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to classify the attack as a hate crime. "We regret that the aggravating circumstance of racism was not retained, despite the evidence gathered and testimony that confirmed it," said Caroline Toby, Zecler's lawyer. Advertisement "Nevertheless, the court decided that the accused should answer for their actions before a criminal court, and took into account the seriousness of their actions," she added. At the time, President Emmanuel Macron said the police's actions were "unacceptable" and "shameful". The policemen later admitted the use of excess force and two of them have already spent a month in jail. This trial "is consistent with the reality of this case, namely that at no time has it been established that racist remarks were made by the police officers", said Jean-Christophe Ramadier, the lawyer of one of the officers.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
10 famous graves worth travelling the world for
When we think of traveling to our dream destinations, we usually think of ancient ruins, majestic mountain landscapes, architectural marvels and city glamour. But some of the most profound experiences lie in hushed cemeteries and forgotten people. These graves are not just burial plots; they are landmarks that whisper stories of fame, legacy, and controversy. This is not on the to-do lists of many people but, they sure have their own fan followings. Here are 10 of the world's most fascinating graves that attract millions of visitors annually. Elvis Presley, Graceland, Memphis, USA Graceland is not only a house; it's a pilgrimage. The King of Rock and Roll rests in the Meditation Garden of his legendary mansion. What many don't realize is that Elvis's body was temporarily buried elsewhere after an attempted grave robbery required his reburial on the grounds. Now, more than 600,000 fans pay their respects annually, particularly during Elvis Week. Oscar Wilde, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France credit: wikipedia A century since his passing, Wilde still attracts throngs. Wilde's grave, a dramatic sculpture by Jacob Epstein, was so defaced with lipstick kisses and graffiti that in 2011, a glass screen was installed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Notwithstanding this, the location is still a fixture on Parisian cemetery tours, where Wilde lies alongside Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison. William Shakespeare, Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, England Emblazoned with a haunting curse upon any who would move his bones, the resting place of Shakespeare is a literary pilgrim's destination. Yet there is no peace; legend has it that his skull was removed by 18th-century tomb raiders. Ground scans in 2016 suggest the myth may have more fact than fiction. Charlie Chaplin, Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland The silent film master was even subjected to drama after death. Two months after Chaplin's burial, robbers stole his coffin and held it for ransom. The robbery was planned, the body was retrieved, and Chaplin was buried again with fortified concrete. His resting place now remains quiet but safe in the countryside of Switzerland. Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore, USA Each January 19th, Poe's birthday, someone mysterious would stop by his cenotaph at Westminster Hall, depositing three roses and a bottle of cognac. Identified only as the "Poe Toaster," the enigma finished in 2009, but the ritual continues, now managed by local historians and devoted fans of the grotesque. Princess Diana, Althorp Estate, Northamptonshire, England Diana's tomb is shielded from public sight on an island at Althorp Estate. But thousands have still flocked to visit the nearby memorial. Despite security measures, there have been at least four attempts to break into the tomb site, only making it more attractive as a site of both respect and royal intrigue. Marilyn Monroe, Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, USA CREDIT: WIKIPEDIA In a city of stars, no one shines as brightly as Marilyn. Her crypt, which is often kissed and rose-covered, has been said to have been visited three times a week for years by Joe DiMaggio with six red roses. It's still one of LA's spookiest, most glamorous destinations. Susan B. Anthony, Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, USA Anthony's grave was a symbolic location for women voters in the 2016 United States presidential election. Her gravestone was famously stickered with "I Voted" stickers, and in 2020, officials placed a Plexiglas cover over it to safeguard it. It's a quiet touchstone of feminist history tourism these days. Johannes Brahms, Zentralfriedhof, Vienna, Austria Vienna's vast Central Cemetery is the last resting place for musical royalty. But in a macabre turn, Brahms' tomb was allegedly desecrated by a 2008 thief who pilfered his teeth, along with Johann Strauss Jr.'s. The cemetery is still a haven for music fans, though. Terry the Dog (Toto), Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, USA Terry, the canine actor who portrayed Toto in The Wizard of Oz, was originally buried in her owner's backyard, which was subsequently demolished. In 2010, fans were able to construct a statue at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, making the cult terrier a four-legged legend.
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
Kenzo brings mischief back to Paris' iconic Maxim's with a riot of color and clash
PARIS -- Few Paris addresses conjure myth quite like Maxim's, the gilded Belle Époque haunt where artists and aristocrats once jostled for a seat at dinner, and a place immortalized in Cole Porter's lyrics and classic Hollywood films as the very symbol of Parisian chic. On Friday night, at Paris Fashion Week the renowned restaurant-turned-nightclub became the improbable stage for Kenzo's latest co-ed show — a riot of pop color, celebrity and cultural collision served tableside. Guests perched around white tablecloths as Nigo, the first Japanese designer to helm Kenzo since the late, great Kenzo Takada, set out to prove the house can still surprise. What unfolded was a knowingly playful mash-up of preppy classics and off-kilter eveningwear: eye-popping pink dresses loosely gathered and knotted, each one tossed with a Left Bank silk scarf; a slinky tuxedo jacket paired with a blaring urban-printed tee in wild color, topped with a cartoon bunny in intentional clash. Think cocktail hour by way of Shibuya street style. Tongue-in-cheek references ran rampant — a circus master's striped waistcoat here, sheeny tiger-motif pants there, all nodding to Kenzo's signature mix of high craft and subcultural wink. If the goal was to recapture the house's historic sense of fun, Nigo went all in. While the creativity on display was undeniable, the sheer abundance of ideas sometimes made it hard for a single vision to shine through. With so many bold references and layers echoing recent seasons' spirit of collaboration and eclecticism, the collection sometimes felt more like a lively collage than a focused statement. Still, there were moments where the craftsmanship and playful accessories truly stood out, offering glimpses of the distinct Kenzo spirit that Nigo has made his own. Since joining Kenzo, Nigo has brought a fresh spirit of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, most visibly in his headline-grabbing work with Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton and his frequent partnerships with artists from across the globe. That outward-looking energy has helped pull Kenzo back into the pop-culture conversation, blending the house's playful legacy with new momentum. As part of the LVMH stable, Kenzo now enjoys the reach and resources of the world's largest luxury group, giving Nigo freedom to experiment, push boundaries and reawaken the brand's irreverent roots. It was a night that nodded to both past and future. After a string of worn years under the previous design duo, Kenzo seems determined to shake off old dust and reclaim its seat at Paris' most storied table. The show at Maxim's — equal parts fashion circus and cultural memory — was a reminder that Paris style is best served with a wink, a clash and more than a little mischief.
Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kenzo brings mischief back to Paris' iconic Maxim's with a riot of color and clash
PARIS (AP) — Few Paris addresses conjure myth quite like Maxim's, the gilded Belle Époque haunt where artists and aristocrats once jostled for a seat at dinner, and a place immortalized in Cole Porter's lyrics and classic Hollywood films as the very symbol of Parisian chic. On Friday night, at Paris Fashion Week the renowned restaurant-turned-nightclub became the improbable stage for Kenzo's latest co-ed show — a riot of pop color, celebrity and cultural collision served tableside. Guests perched around white tablecloths as Nigo, the first Japanese designer to helm Kenzo since the late, great Kenzo Takada, set out to prove the house can still surprise. What unfolded was a knowingly playful mash-up of preppy classics and off-kilter eveningwear: eye-popping pink dresses loosely gathered and knotted, each one tossed with a Left Bank silk scarf; a slinky tuxedo jacket paired with a blaring urban-printed tee in wild color, topped with a cartoon bunny in intentional clash. Think cocktail hour by way of Shibuya street style. Tongue-in-cheek references ran rampant — a circus master's striped waistcoat here, sheeny tiger-motif pants there, all nodding to Kenzo's signature mix of high craft and subcultural wink. If the goal was to recapture the house's historic sense of fun, Nigo went all in. While the creativity on display was undeniable, the sheer abundance of ideas sometimes made it hard for a single vision to shine through. With so many bold references and layers echoing recent seasons' spirit of collaboration and eclecticism, the collection sometimes felt more like a lively collage than a focused statement. Still, there were moments where the craftsmanship and playful accessories truly stood out, offering glimpses of the distinct Kenzo spirit that Nigo has made his own. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Since joining Kenzo, Nigo has brought a fresh spirit of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, most visibly in his headline-grabbing work with Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton and his frequent partnerships with artists from across the globe. That outward-looking energy has helped pull Kenzo back into the pop-culture conversation, blending the house's playful legacy with new momentum. As part of the LVMH stable, Kenzo now enjoys the reach and resources of the world's largest luxury group, giving Nigo freedom to experiment, push boundaries and reawaken the brand's irreverent roots. It was a night that nodded to both past and future. After a string of worn years under the previous design duo, Kenzo seems determined to shake off old dust and reclaim its seat at Paris' most storied table. The show at Maxim's — equal parts fashion circus and cultural memory — was a reminder that Paris style is best served with a wink, a clash and more than a little mischief.
