France takes EU reins with push for more sovereignty
The Hindu
A leitmotiv of the French presidency over the next six months will be the need for greater autonomy for the 27-nation bloc.
French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to a pair of leading European figures Friday as France formally took the reins of the 27-nation bloc for the next six months with big ambitions.
Mr. Macron was accompanied by the head of the EU’s executive arm, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, at France’s famed Pantheon to honour the memories of Simone Veil and Jean Monnet.
Veil was a Holocaust survivor who repeatedly broke barriers for women in politics. She spearheaded the fight to legalize abortion in France and was the first woman president of the European Parliament. Monnet was a founding father of the European Union.

The Union Home Ministry has announced a major policy shift for ex-Agniveers, raising their reservation in Group C posts of the Central Armed Police Forces from 10% to 50%, starting with the Border Security Force. Ex-Agniveers are exempt from physical tests but must clear written exams, with a minimum qualification of Class 10 pass. The move aims to provide stable government jobs for Agniveers retiring in 2026, sparking debate on its impact on other candidates.












