Macron to visit Notre Dame Cathedral before reopening after 2019 fire

French president to give ‘republican and secular’ speech outside monument days before it reopens to public

As firefighters doused the embers of the blaze that threatened to destroy Notre Dame Cathedral on 16 April 2019, Emmanuel Macron promised the church would be restored “more beautiful than ever” within five years.

In two weeks, the French president will visit the monument that has been returned to its former glory with the help of millions in donations and hundreds of specialist artisans using age-old skills.

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Hegseth, advocate for firing ‘woke’ military leaders, picked for defense secretary – Reuters

  1. Hegseth, advocate for firing 'woke' military leaders, picked for defense secretary  Reuters
  2. Trump's defense choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host's experience  The Associated Press
  3. Pentagon stunned after Trump picks Pete Hegseth for defence secretary  The Guardian US
  4. 'Frightening': Van Jones reacts to Hegseth's military ideology  CNN
  5. 'Who?' Some Republican senators surprised by Trump's defense pick  NBC News
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South Korean actor Song Jae-lim dies aged 39

Star of Korean dramas Moon Embracing the Sun and Queen Woo was found dead at his home in Seoul

Song Jae-lim, a South Korean actor known for his roles in dramas Moon Embracing the Sun and Queen Woo, was found dead at his home in Seoul. He was 39.

Officials at Seoul’s Seongdong district police station didn’t immediately comment on the cause of death.

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Swedish firm censured for use of C-word in ads for vaginal health supplements

Regulator deems posters offensive, though Elexir Pharma argues term is ‘not loaded in the same way as in the UK’

The Swedish advertising ombudsman has criticised a company for using the C-word in posters to promote vaginal health supplements, saying the use of the “gross profanity” is offensive to consumers.

The ads, displayed on public transport in Stockholm and Gothenburg, feature the phrase “you can cunt on us” in pink writing.

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Notre-Dame Cathedral Is Ready to Reopen in December – The New York Times

  1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Is Ready to Reopen in December  The New York Times
  2. Macron to visit Notre Dame Cathedral before reopening after 2019 fire  The Guardian
  3. Notre Dame Bells Ring Out for the First Time in 4 Years, Heralding its Upcoming Completion December 8th  Good News Network
  4. Opinion: A joyous sound unites Paris and Portland  Press Herald
  5. Video New details revealed for the Notre Dame’s grand reopening  ABC News
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France boycotts COP29 after Azerbaijan’s ‘colonies’ attack – POLITICO Europe

  1. France boycotts COP29 after Azerbaijan’s ‘colonies’ attack  POLITICO Europe
  2. Argentina withdraws negotiators from Cop29 summit  The Guardian
  3. Why Is a Petrostate Holding This Year’s Climate Talks?  The New York Times
  4. Head of U.N. Climate Summit in Azerbaijan Caught on Tape Pushing Oil & Gas Deals  Democracy Now!
  5. Azerbaijan accused of ramping up repression of critics ahead of hosting UN climate summit  The Associated Press
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Haiti police accused of shooting two patients, attacking staff of French medical charity – Miami Herald

  1. Haiti police accused of shooting two patients, attacking staff of French medical charity  Miami Herald
  2. 2 patients in ambulance killed by vigilantes, police in Haiti, aid group says  The Washington Post
  3. Aid group accuses Haiti police of taking part in deadly attack on ambulance  CNN
  4. Doctors Without Borders ambulance in Haiti ambushed and two patients killed  The Guardian
  5. MSF outraged by police attack on ambulance and execution of patients in Haiti  Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International
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Spain floods: Málaga evacuates thousands as nation faces fresh storms – Euronews

  1. Spain floods: Málaga evacuates thousands as nation faces fresh storms  Euronews
  2. Thousands evacuated from Malaga as areas of Spain hit with nearly a month’s rainfall in one hour  CNN
  3. Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain  The Elkhart Truth
  4. Schools closed and people evacuated as torrential rain returns in Spain  The Guardian
  5. Must See: Flooding in Spain doesn’t stop residents from commuting  WPRI.com
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Hamas not engaging in hostage deal, so Qatar asked it leave Doha, Blinken says – The Jerusalem Post

  1. Hamas not engaging in hostage deal, so Qatar asked it leave Doha, Blinken says  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Qatar's Emir to visit Turkey on Thursday, Turkish minister says  Reuters
  3. With Time Running Out, Israel's Hostage Families Just Got Some Horrific News  Haaretz
  4. Qatar decides to suspend mediation efforts in Gaza, officials say, as Israeli strikes kill at least 16  CBS News
  5. Qatar Denies It Is Expelling Hamas Officials  The FP
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Hezbollah claims it attacked Tel Aviv’s Kirya military base with drones – The Jerusalem Post

  1. Hezbollah claims it attacked Tel Aviv's Kirya military base with drones  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Updates: Hezbollah attacks Israeli army HQ; Israel hits Gaza ‘safe zone’  Al Jazeera English
  3. Israel’s military says rocket barrage fired at Israel from Lebanon as millions seek shelter  NBC News
  4. ‘History repeats itself’ as South Lebanon Army veteran, Israeli killed side-by-side  The Times of Israel
  5. Sirens sound in Haifa, surrounding area as five rockets cross into Israel  The Jerusalem Post
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Russian naval officer accused of ‘war crimes’ killed in Crimea car bombing – The Guardian

  1. Russian naval officer accused of ‘war crimes’ killed in Crimea car bombing  The Guardian
  2. Ukraine says it blew up a Russian naval commander with a car bomb in occupied Crimea  CBS News
  3. Senior Russian naval officer killed in car bomb hit claimed by Kyiv  NBC News
  4. Top Russian naval commander accused of war crimes is assassinated in Ukraine-planted car bombing: report  New York Post
  5. Russian navy officer responsible for strikes on civilians killed in SBU operation, source says.  Kyiv Independent
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Despite optimism around chances for Lebanon deal, immense obstacles remain – The Times of Israel

  1. Despite optimism around chances for Lebanon deal, immense obstacles remain  The Times of Israel
  2. Israel says it has expanded its military ground operation in Lebanon  CNN
  3. New defense minister says ‘disarming Hezbollah’ a war aim, drawing look from IDF chief  The Times of Israel
  4. Israel wants freedom to strike Lebanon even after ceasefire, France says  Reuters
  5. While Israel Seeks Deal in Lebanon, IDF and Hezbollah Escalate Their Attacks  Haaretz
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