Millions for Notre Dame – But Nothing for Us, Say Gilets Jaunes

THE GUARDIAN: Yellow vest protesters angry over high taxes and inequality march in Paris days after blaze

Riot police and protesters have fought running battles in the centre of Paris as gilets jaunes anti-government demonstrators in fluorescent yellow vests led street marches over what they called “a crisis” of high taxes and economic inequality.

Less than a week after the fire that destroyed the roof and spire of Notre Dame Cathedral, firefighters rushed to put out multiple small fires around the Place de la République, as motorbikes, bins, bicycles and cars were set alight on roads and pavements. Groups of masked men threw projectiles and police fired teargas. Some rioters in masks smashed the window of a sports shop and ran in to loot it, emerging with bags full of goods. » | Angelique Chrisafis in Paris | Saturday, April 20, 2019

Billionaires Face 'Yellow Vest' Scorn over Notre-Dame Pledges

THE TELEGRAPH: Billionaire French tycoons faced a mounting backlash on Wednesday over tax breaks on their huge donations to restore Notre-Dame, as Yellow Vest protestors said the hundreds of millions of euros should be spent on tackling France's social problems.

The contributions to the cathedral's renovation approached €900 million (£780m) on Wednesday as the owners of Chanel and Dior stepped forward with donations along with Disney and the technology giant Apple.

However, the outpouring of cash has angered supporters of France's Yellow Vest movement, which noted that President Emmanuel Macron's "rich friends" stood to receive major tax breaks linked to donations in support of the public good and restoring national treasures.

They also pointed out that the sudden willingness of wealthy businesses to turn out their pockets showed that money was available to boost the French government's coffers. » | James Rothwell and Henry Samuel | Thursday, April 18, 2019

THE TELEGRAPH: Macron plans to shut elite school for future leaders » | Henry Samuel in Paris | Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Notre Dame Cathedral Fire: The World Mourns the Loss of a Paris Icon | DW News

French President Emmanuel Macron is vowing to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, after a blaze destroyed much of the 12th-century church late on Monday. The exact cause is still unknown, but firefighters say it is now under control and partially extinguished. Authorities say the cathedral's structure was largely saved, but the fire gutted its roof and caused its spire to collapse. One firefighter was injured during the blaze. Many valuable artworks inside were lost or damaged. And, people around the world are lamenting the devastation of an architectural jewel that has survived well over eight centuries and is a symbol of France's heritage.

Notre-Dame Fire: Pledges to Rebuild Cathedral Pass 600 Million Euros after Donations from French Billionaires - Latest News

THE TELEGRAPH: … Pledges to rebuild Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral have now topped 600 million euros (£518 million) as French billionaires signalled they would contribute significant donations.

According to AFP, promises made by France's corporations along with the country's richest families have poured in after a devastating fire ravaged the 850-year-old building, leading to fears it could collapse.

Business tycoon Bernard Arnault, and his luxury goods group LVMH, pledged 200 million euros (£173 million) towards the reconstruction of Notre Dame, while a billionaire fashion mogul, Francois Pinault, said he would give 100 million euro (£86 million) to the cause.

French President Emmanuel Macron last night launched a fund-raising campaign to rebuild the national landmark. » | Chris Graham, David Chazan and Jamie Bullen | Tuesday, April 16, 2019

THE NEW YORK TIMES: A France in Turmoil Weeps for a Symbol of Paris’s Enduring Identity » | Michael Kimmelman | Monday, April 15, 2019

Notre Dame Fire: Paris Mourns as Emmanuel Macron Commits to Rebuilding the Famous Cathedral

French president declares: 'We will rebuild Notre Dame together' as distraught Parisians and stunned tourists gaze in disbelief at inferno in the 850-year-old Gothic cathedral, which sits on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine. Macron hails the courage of firefighters who saved the façade and main towers from the fire's ravages, which caused the spire to collapse and the roof to fall in. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire which may be linked to renovation work.

THE GUARDIAN: Notre Dame is a warning to Europe: don’t take what you value for granted » | Gilles Gressani and Mathéo Malik | Tuesday, April 16, 2019

The Guardian View on the Notre Dame Fire: We Share France’s Terrible Loss

THE GUARDIAN: One of the great symbols of France has suffered terrible fire damage. The whole of Europe is scarred too

It feels as though the very heart of France and the soul of Europe have been suddenly and viciously ripped out. The fire that coursed through large sections of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday evening was an act of blind and terrible destruction that causes a great stab of emotional pain to us all.

In a frighteningly short time, it gutted and humbled one of the great buildings of Paris, in an act of annihilation of one of the emblematic places of Europe that had survived the brutality of the French revolution and the world wars of the 20th century.

The fire struck quickly and seemingly uncontrollably. It gathered force with immense power and ferocity, engulfing much of the roof and the central spire as it caught hold. The difficulty of marshalling full and effective firefighting operations to protect the building, which is on a small and historic island in the middle of the Seine, was quickly evident and agonizing. » | Editorial | Monday, April 15, 2019

Paris's Notre-Dame: Attacker Shot Outside Cathedral - BBC News

French police say they have shot a man outside the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, after he tried to attack an officer using a hammer. Police have closed the area and are asking people to stay away. Reports say the attacker has been injured and his condition is not clear. Eyewitnesses reported tourists fleeing for cover. France is in a state of emergency since attacks by jihadists in Paris left 130 people dead in 2015.

Right-wing Historian Shoots Himself in Notre Dame Cathedral 'In Protest at Gay Marriage'
MAIL ONLINE: Man kills himself in iconic Parisian attraction / French media reports say historian Dominique Venner shot himself / He is known to be a virulent opponent of gay marriage / The 78-year-old also fought in a militant paramilitary group / The historic site was close to the public

A right-wing historian shot himself dead in front of hundreds of tourists at the altar of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today, apparently in protest at France's legalisation of gay marriage.

Dominique Venner, who had recently been campaigning against gay marriage in France, is said to have calmly walked past the crowds milling around the 850-year-old Cathedral, one of the most popular tourist sites in the world, before taking out a Herstal automatic pistol.

The 78-year-old put the gun in his mouth and fired before collapsing on to the altar, according to French media reports.

Mr Venner, who was awarded a prestigious prize by l'Académie française for one of his historical works, was a former member of the Secret Army Organisation (OAS), the paramilitary group which fought against France giving up Algeria as a colony.

He was jailed for 18 months in La Santé Prison as a political undesirable for his role in the ultra-national organisation and was freed in 1962.

A report by Europe 1 radio station reads: 'According to our information, he is Dominique Venner, essayist and former member of the OAS who was close to the anti-gay marriage movement.'

The Cathedral was full of visitors when the horrific incident took place, at around 4pm. 'There was screaming and lot so shouting following a loud bang,' said one witness. 'People were naturally very scared and began to run out in panic. » | Sam Webb | Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Dominique Venner »

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