Illustration - Christmas in Paris

Illustration - Christmas in Paris

FRANCE, PARIS (75) 19TH ARRONDISSEMENT, LA VILLETTE AT CHRISTMAS TIME, JOUR DE FETES 2017, CHRISTMAS MARKET Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

France: Mass Mobilization as “Block Everything” Movement Rallies Citizens

On Wednesday, September 10, French police arrested nearly 500 people as the “Block Everything” (“Bloquons tout”) protests aimed to disrupt transport and daily life across France following the collapse of Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government over unpopular austerity measures. Authorities reported around 200,000 participants nationwide, while the CGT union claimed over 250,000. The protests included blockades, fires, and barricades, particularly in Paris at locations such as Gare du Nord, Place du Châtelet, and Place des Fêtes. Police deployed 80,000 officers and used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Despite clashes and disruption on highways and public transport, the largest demonstrations remained relatively calm.

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Illustration - Protest sign. Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Illustration - Protest sign. Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Illustration - Protest sign. Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Illustration - Protest sign. Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Bloquons-tout At Place des Fetes - Paris

Demonstrators taking part in the "Bloquons-tout" mobilization pictured at Place des Fetes, Paris, September 10, 2025. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

President Macron Meets with Gerard Larcher - Paris

Journalists in the Salle des Fetes of the Elysee used as a press room as the French president meet with political forces at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

(240209) -- DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform acrobatics during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province has feted Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city. Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. TO GO WITH "Spring Festival gala fetes Tanzanian, Chinese audience" (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua)

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

(240209) -- DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province has feted Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city. Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. TO GO WITH "Spring Festival gala fetes Tanzanian, Chinese audience" (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

(240209) -- DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province has feted Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city. Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. TO GO WITH "Spring Festival gala fetes Tanzanian, Chinese audience" (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua)

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

(240209) -- DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe perform during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province has feted Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city. Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. TO GO WITH "Spring Festival gala fetes Tanzanian, Chinese audience" (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

TANZANIA-DAR ES SALAAM-CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-GALA

(240209) -- DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian artists perform traditional Tanzanian dance during a Spring Festival gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 7, 2024. A virtuosic gala performance Wednesday night by 37 artists from China's Zhejiang province has feted Tanzanians and Chinese alike in Dar es Salam, Tanzania's largest city. Tanzanian artists also joined members of the Zhejiang Performing Art Troupe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in the conference hall of the Chinese-built Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. TO GO WITH "Spring Festival gala fetes Tanzanian, Chinese audience" (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

Kenya fetes new world marathon record holder

STORY: Kenya fetes new world marathon record holder DATELINE: Oct. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:03 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of exteriors of the hotel 2. various of Kenya's new world marathon record holder 3. various of Kiptum being awarded 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ABABU NAMWAMBA, Kenya's sports cabinet secretary 5. various of the awarding ceremony 6. various of celebrations 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KELVIN KIPTUM, Marathon world record holder 8. various of the awarding ceremony STORYLINE: The Kenyan government on Tuesday feted new marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum for his astonishing 2:00:35 victory in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. The 23-year-old broke the previous record of 2:01:09, set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in last year's Berlin Marathon. Kiptum, who also holds the Valencia and London marathon titles, was awarded 5 million shillings (about 33,580 U.S. dollars) by the Kenyan government. Kenya's sports cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba said it was the coun

China-backed technology skill contest fetes African students

STORY: China-backed technology skill contest fetes African students DATELINE: Sept. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:05:49 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of ATC Awards ceremony 2. various of deputy president of Kenya coming into the hall 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RIGATHI GACHAGUA, Deputy President of Kenya 4. various of ATC Awards ceremony 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ESTHER MUORIA, Principal secretary of the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ministry of Education 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ROSEMARY GATHONI, Student from Kenya 7. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): JOHN TAKUDZWA, Student from Zimbabwe 8. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): VICTOR MUE, Scholarship winner, student from Kenya STORYLINE: Forty-nine African students have been awarded after they emerged winners of Africa Technology Challenge (ATC) Season 8, a contest initiated and sponsored by AVIC International, a Chinese company. The eighth season of ATC, which began in July, consisted of 83 teams formed by 3

Newly Elected President Francois Hollande's Inauguration - Paris

Newly Elected President Francois Hollande's Inauguration - Paris

Newly elected French president Francois Hollande is sworn-in during his official inauguration, in the 'Salle des Fetes' of the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France on May 15, 2012. Photo by Ammar Abd Rabbo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Portsmouth fetes 105th anniversary of end to Russo-Japanese War

Portsmouth fetes 105th anniversary of end to Russo-Japanese War

PORTSMOUTH, United States - North Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, rings the bell on Sept. 5, 2010, in commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the signing of a peace treaty named after the city that formally ended the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War through the mediation of then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

Toyota fetes opening of 1st Russia plant

Toyota fetes opening of 1st Russia plant

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - Toyota Motor Corp. President Katsuaki Watanabe (L) and Director and Adviser Hiroshi Okuda show Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) around Toyota's car assembly plant on the outskirts of St. Petersburg on Dec. 21 after the opening ceremony for the plant. Toyota is the first Japanese automaker to start production in Russia.

Marukome fetes completion of 1st ever overseas plant in California

Marukome fetes completion of 1st ever overseas plant in California

LOS ANGELES, United States - Marukome Co. President Tokio Aoki (far left) and other officials crack open a cask of rice wine in a ceremony to dedicate the company's first miso (fermented bean paste) factory in Irvine, California, on Dec. 5. ''I am pleased to be able to contribute to the health of Americans through miso,'' Aoki said at the ceremony.

Japan fetes new adults, ratio of 20-yr-olds hits record low 1%

Japan fetes new adults, ratio of 20-yr-olds hits record low 1%

URAYASU, Japan - Women who turned 20 pose for photos with Mickey Mouse at Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 8 to celebrate Coming-of-Age Day. The ratio of those who entered the new year at the age of 20 hit a record low of 1.09 percent amid the graying of Japan's population.

McDonald's fetes 50th birthday, opens anniversary restaurant

McDonald's fetes 50th birthday, opens anniversary restaurant

CHICAGO, United States - McDonald's Corp., the world's biggest fast-food chain, marked its 50th anniversary with a gala in Chicago on April 15. Glen Volkman (shown), 66, who was the first customer of McDonald's first restaurant, bought a cheeseburger at the 50th anniversary restaurant in downtown Chicago.

'Yawara-chan' fetes her 28th birthday with determination

'Yawara-chan' fetes her 28th birthday with determination

OSAKA, Japan - Ryoko Tamura, bidding for an unprecedented sixth straight world title in the upcoming world judo championships in Osaka, smiles behind her birthday cake at an Osaka hotel on Sept. 6. Tamura, who turned 28 on this day, said the coming one year will be crucial for her.