Latest news with #Avignon
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
France steps closer to defining rape as lack of consent
The French Senate passed a bill late on Wednesday that includes lack of consent in the country's criminal definition of rape, paving the way for its official adoption in the coming months. The vote comes several months after a court in Avignon found a French man guilty of drugging his wife so he and strangers could rape her. The case drew renewed attention to the widespread crime of rape and the issue of consent. The bill passed this week redefines all sexual assaults -- including rape -- as "any non-consensual act". France's lower house of parliament approved a slightly different version of the bill in April. Wednesday's vote is not the final legislative hurdle. A joint committee of senators and lower-house MPs is expected to draft a joint text prior to the final adoption of the law in both houses. "Consent is not saying no," said Equality Minister Aurore Berge, but "saying yes, an explicit yes, freely, without constraint or ambiguity". The vote is a "decisive step towards a genuine culture of consent", she added. The bill passed by both chambers defines consent as "free and informed, specific, prior and revocable", adding that it "cannot be inferred from the victim's silence or lack of reaction alone". France's current legal definition of rape defines it as "any act of sexual penetration... by violence, constraint, threat or surprise" but this bill would specify that there is "no consent" under these conditions. While Wednesday's vote shows an emerging consensus, some lawmakers and activists have expressed concerns about the change. Advocates say this will enable the law to better hold perpetrators accountable. But opponents say they fear the change will lead investigators to focus excessively on the victim's behaviour. Consent-based rape laws already exist in several European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
Scoop
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Kirsten Morrell Releases New Single 'Buddah (Forget You)'
Kirsten Morrell, the former lead singer of Goldenhorse, releases a new single ' Buddah (forget you)' taken from her forthcoming album Morrellium set for release late 2025. For this song Kirsten pulled together an impressive line-up of musicians, engineers, and music producers. In keeping with the rest of the new album, this song marks a stylistic departure from her previous music. ' Buddah (forget you)' is an uplifting slice of 80s inspired pop and follows the release of new album singles ' Avignon ' and ' Strawberry Fool '. Morrellium recording started in Hammersmith, London, with Pete Woodroffe. From there it travelled to LA for her Goldenhorse co-writer, Geoffrey Maddock, for further development. Then Kirsten went back into the studio with her Kiwi team in NZ to add the finishing touches. This will be Kirsten's second solo album in a career that has spanned numerous rock, pop and classical music releases.
Grazia USA
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Saoirse Ronan Is Expecting Her First Child With Husband Jack Lowden
Saoirse Ronan at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 show held at the Palais des Papes on May 22, 2025 in Avignon, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) Saoirse Ronan has confirmed she is pregnant! The four-time Oscar nominee is expecting her first child with husband Jack Lowden, as confirmed by People magazine on Sunday, June 1. Rumours of the Little Women star's pregnancy began to quietly swirl following her recent appearance at Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2026 show in Avignon, France, where the Irish actress, an ambassador for the house, wore a minimalist slip dress with a lace trim and an empire waist that, with effortless elegance, revealed the faintest suggestion of a baby bump. Saoirse Ronan during the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 at Palais Des Papes, on May 22, 2025 in Avignon, France. (Photo by) Ronan and Lowden's romance began the way many Hollywood love stories do—on set. In 2018, they met when starring opposite one another in Mary Queen of Scots . Though it's unclear when they officially began dating, after years of quietly building a life together, the couple reportedly wed in a private ceremony in Scotland in July 2024—unsurprising for two talents known for keeping their personal lives out of the spotlight. During the press tour for the film, Lowden gushed about his future wife. 'The woman is a force of nature on and off screen, and utterly fearless and a brilliant leader as well,' he said during an AOL panel. 'For being 24 years old, it's just constantly amazing to me, not just her work, but how she is on a set is amazing.' On the work front, their creative partnership has continued to flourish as well. Most recently, Ronan, 31, starred in The Outrun , a visceral portrait of addiction and recovery set in the Shetland Islands, adapted from Amy Liptrot's memoir. Lowden, 35, served as co-producer on the project. 'Through my partner in crime, life, and love,' Ronan told W magazine , about how she came about the role. '[Jack] handed me the book and said, 'This is the next role that you have to play.'' Saoirse Ronan and Jack Lowden attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2025 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by)
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EQT Real Estate acquires a five-building logistics portfolio across three locations in Southern France
Acquisition of five logistics assets totaling approximately 148,000 square meters Let to nine tenants, this highly reversionary portfolio has a weighted average remaining lease term to break of less than two years With this transaction, EQT Real Estate will meaningfully increase its exposure to the core Southeast and Southwest France logistics markets STOCKHOLM, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT Real Estate is pleased to announce that EQT Exeter Logistics Value Fund IV has acquired a best-in-class logistics portfolio of five warehouses. The portfolio of big-box assets totals approximately 148,000 square meters and are located in the key Southern France submarkets of Avignon and Toulouse. The warehouses' respective locations offer proximate access to core population centres via key motorways, including the A20 and the A7 which provide connectivity to Marseille and Lyon. The properties feature Grade A technical specifications, including eaves heights averaging over ten meters, as well as ample loading and maneuvering features. The portfolio benefits from a strong, global diversified tenant base and is well-suited to meet the growing needs of today's modern logistics users. This acquisition strengthens EQT Real Estate's exposure to core Southern France submarkets, which are structurally undersupplied and continue to experience resilient demand. These are highly desirable occupier markets benefiting from the excellent connectivity which supports supply chains along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. John Toukatly, Partner, Chief Investment Officer, European Logistics at EQT Real Estate, said: "We are excited to add these top-tier logistics properties to our portfolio. Situated in supply-constrained markets, these assets are highly attractive to a wide range of major big-box tenants and are well aligned with EQT Real Estate's strategy of acquiring modern, high-potential logistics properties in underserved areas across Europe. With our operational and asset management capabilities, we intend to further enhance the value of this high-quality portfolio." EQT Real Estate was advised by PwC (financial and tax), Gide and GMH Notaires (legal and notarial), CBRE (commercial), Tauw (environmental), AMF (ICPE and PM) and Gleeds (technical and ESG). ContactEQT Press Office, press@ This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: Press Release_EQT Real Estate acquires a five-building logistics portfolio across three locations in Southern France_02062025 Picture View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sophie Turner Is Regal and Sassy in a Micro Set at Louis Vuitton's Cruise Show
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Sophie Turner may not be in Cannes with some of her Hollywood peers, but she too is having a very French spring. On Thursday, the actor jetted off to Avignon, a charming city in the South of France, for Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2026 show at Palais Des Papes. The Joan star exuded both regal elegance and an undeniable cool girl factor in a deep navy Louis Vuitton set with a bold gemstone print. The top was a slick zip-up jacket with structured shoulders and an hourglass, peplum-like silhouette. The bottoms, meanwhile, were tailored micro shorts. Both pieces were covered in the same print, which featured rows of yellow, blue, and clear gems, plus little ornaments of the Louis Vuitton logo. Turner styled the set with the fashion house's funky, chunky white Berlin pumps with black accents. She also carried a little gray-and-black leather handbag and coordinated her glossy, navy manicure with her fit. Others in the front row at the Parisian brand's show included Emma Stone, Chloe Grace Moretz, Cate Blanchett, and Jaden Smith. Turner has been in the South of France filming a newly-released short film with St-Germain. In the clip, she is seen getting ready for a date, which for her involved ordering pre-made food and preparing some fresh, crisp Hugo Spritzes. Last year, the actor spoke to Harper's Bazaar about her summer plans, and jokingly compared herself to a Hugo Spritz. 'What do a spritz and I have in common? Well, we're both pretty flirty,' she said. 'We're bubbly, sweet. I think refreshing—I hope I'm refreshing—and not too overpowering.' Here here. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
