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tourist tax on hotel nights next year, coinciding with the city hosting the Olympics. The current tourist tax in Paris ranges from 0.25 euros to five euros per night, depending on the type of accommodation. The government's plan to triple the tourist tax is part of its 2024 budget, set to be expedited through parliament without a vote before Christmas. The proposed increase, a 200-percent surge, is intended to contribute to funding public transport for the Olympic events. Paris hoteliers have expressed strong opposition to the government proposal. The UMIH hotel and restaurant union and the GNC group of hotel chains jointly issued a statement condemning the move, stating that it poses a threat to the competitiveness of the hospitality sector and France's international image during the high-profile Paris 2024 Olympics. Government estimates suggest that the tripled tax would generate 423 million euros annually, surpassing the 200 million euros initially deemed necessary for funding public transport. Catherine Querard, the president of GHR, a union representing the hospitality and catering sector, expressed concern that the increased tax rate could lead to a rise in hotel prices, placing blame on the industry. Hotels have already adjusted their rates for the Olympic period, spanning from July 26 to August 11. President Emmanuel Macron's government, lacking a majority after the 2022 elections, plans to use article 49.3 of the French constitution to push through the 2024 budget without a parliamentary vote.

Coinbase Global secured registration with the French markets regulator on Thursday, as it seeks to expand globally under its Go Deep, Go Broad strategy. France's AMF watchdog has given Coinbase virtual asset service provider (VASP) approval, a green light for the company to operate digital currency services. Registration will allow Coinbase to offer its full suite of retail, institutional and ecosystem products and services to users in the country. «Achieving VASP status in France allows us to continue to grow globally in the best possible way, onboarding the next one billion people into crypto, while ensuring consumers' assets are secure and that compliance is prioritized,» said Daniel Seifert, vice president and regional managing director, EMEA, at Coinbase. Coinbase had also said earlier this year it was in discussions with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in the Abu Dhabi Global Market over a potential license for a regulated exchange.

It has been predicted by the AA that around 16.4 million journeys by car will take place on Saturday and it has made a warning about long traffic.

Embassy consular staff stationed there. Thank French authorities for working on this through the long holiday weekend," the Indian Embassy in France said in a post on X. The French authorities on Friday grounded an Airbus A340-300 with 303 Indians onboard after they received a tip-off that the passengers traveling in the plan were likely to be victims of human trafficking.

detained the flight after they received an anonymous tip-off that said the plane was carrying passengers "likely to be victims of human trafficking," the Paris prosecutors office was quoted by AFP as saying. According to the report, two men, who were among the passengers, were taken into custody on Saturday. "Identity checks are being carried on the 303 passengers and on the cabin crew," said the prosecutor's office.

Legend Airlines did not officially respond to the allegations and Liliana Bakayoko, claiming to be the lawyer of the company asserted that the airline has not done anything wrong and “is at the disposal of the French authorities," a report by news agency AFP said. The lawyer added that a customer arranged for the charter of the plane and assumed the responsibility of authenticating the identity documents of every passenger. She noted that this customer shared the passenger details to the airline 48 hours before the scheduled flight.

Nicaragua with 303 Indian passengers was grounded in France on Friday, leading to a comprehensive investigation into potential human trafficking activities. Here's a breakdown of the key details surrounding this incident. Flight Details and Grounding The Romanian charter company-operated flight, originating from Dubai, was scheduled for a technical stopover at the Vatry airport in France.

Nicaragua-bound plane carrying 300 Indian passengers on suspicion of ‘human trafficking’, said Liliana Bakayoko, who was a lawyer for the airline. Speaking to AFP, Bakayoko said, “The company denied any wrongdoing in the incident and is at the disposal of the French authorities. But the airline would take legal action if the prosecutors file charges." The plane had taken off from the United Arab Emirates.

Alex Batty, the missing British boy who was found last week walking alone near the French city of Toulouse, has officially told his story — and made corrections to his own earlier statements.

France after a Nicaragua-bound plane that took off from the UAE carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded in France over suspected "human trafficking." «French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access.

Mint’s queries till press time. Furthermore, the two countries are now exploring opportunities in Asia, expanding their focus beyond Latin America and Africa.

Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will attend the 75th Republic Day parade in national capital Delhi on 26 January 2024. The confirmation makes Emmanuel Macron the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious annual event. Emmanuel Macron took to microblogging siter ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, to declare his acceptance of the invitation extended to him by the Indian Government.

Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest come January 26 after the European country accepted India's invitation to be a part of India's Republic Day celebrations, becoming the sixth French leader to attend the event US President Joe Biden reportedly declined India's invitation to be the Republic Day chief guest, citing reasons believed to be influenced by the State of the Union address, his re-election bid, and Washington's increasing focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict. Ties between India and France have grown steadily in recent years. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour during the French National Day celebrations.

Tourists are spread throughout India during this time, primarily in the north when snowfall transforms Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh into a winter wonderland. However, many still have no plans and some just like to celebrate Christmas at home. 1.

Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, has surged to $44,050, marking over 1.4% increase and signaling a buoyant phase for the crypto industry. This upswing coincides with Coinbase’s strategic expansion, as the company secures a crypto license in France, indicating a broader global outreach. Meanwhile, tech maverick Elon Musk has announced plans for ‘X’ to delve into financial services by mid-2024, potentially reshaping the fintech landscape.

SDGs) and SDG-related climate targets, including through multilateral institutions where India and Germany are members, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA)," the two sides said in a joint declaration of intent released in May 2022. The two sides are also considering expanding their collaboration into Madagascar and Ethiopia, Dhanda told Mint.

Barbie, Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, and Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon emerged as prominent contenders across various categories. They feature in the lists for score and sound. Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest and Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things also made significant strides in makeup, visual effects, and score.

European Union finance ministers have sealed a deal to reform the 27-nation bloc’s fiscal rules after France and Germany finally adhered to a compromise

A wildcat strike by staff at Eurotunnel, which links Britain and the European continent and paralyzed dozens of Eurostar trains, has ended

Coinbase has received regulatory approval from France’s Financial Markets Authority to conduct business as a digital asset trading venue.

By Ardee NAPOLITANO