John Leicester

  • 15 June 2020, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rostock: The hybrid ferry “Copenhagen” operated by the Scandlines shipping company will be sailing with the new rotor sail installed in May from the beach at Warnemünde to its berth in the Rostock seaport. The ship shuttles between Gedser (Denmark) and Rostock on the Baltic Sea. The Norsepower rotor sail is a modern version of a so-called “Flettner rotor”. It is designed to propel the ship using wind energy, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by four to five percent. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB (Photo by Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)Environment

    Sails are making a triumphant comeback as cargo shipping looks to slash its huge carbon footprint with the power of wind

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • The Grain de Sail II, a cargo boat, sails off Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, northwestern France on February 28, 2024. Based in Saint-Malo, western France, the 52 meters sailing boat has a capacity of carrying 35O tons of goods, crossing the Atlantic Ocean each year to reach the United States and the Caraibean Islands as it imports and exports goods by offering companies which want to decarbonate their shipping trade a service. The Grain de Sail II was founded in 2012. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP) (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)Environment

    Sail-powered cargo ships make comeback to dent shipping’s huge carbon footprint

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • Concept car Peugeot Inception at the Mondial de l Automobile at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, Paris, France, on October 14, 2024. This automotive industry event brings together the world s leading automakers and major players in new mobility technologies. (Photo by Stéphane Mouchmouche / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by STEPHANE MOUCHMOUCHE/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)Finance

    Brewing EV trade war between the EU and China takes center stage at Paris Motor Show

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • Jean-Luc Melenchon holds out handPolitics

    French left-wing coalition poised for shock victory over Macron’s centrists and Le Pen’s far right in legislative election

    By John Leicester, Lori Hinnant, and others
  • Marine Le Pen speaks at podiumPolitics

    Far-right party takes strong lead in France’s legislative election, while Macron’s centrist group trails badly in first-round voting

    By John Leicester, Lori Hinnant, and others
  • Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" on display in the Louvre.

    Scientists discover new chemical ‘fingerprint’ in ‘Mona Lisa,’ revealing more about how Da Vinci painted the masterpiece

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • FILE – Jane Birkin poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Jane By Charlotte’ at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, July 8, 2021. France’s Culture Ministry and French media say singer and actress Jane Birkin has died at age 76. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

    Jane Birkin, a style icon and ‘complete artist,’ dies at 76

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • FILE – Mark Hamill salutes as he arrives at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2019. When air raid alarms sound in Ukraine, they also trigger a downloadable app that has been voiced by “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill. With his gravely but also calming baritone, he urges people to take cover. He also tells them when the danger has passed, signing off with “May the Force be with you.” In an interview with The Associated Press, the actor said he’s admiring Ukraine’s resilience from afar in California.(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)Tech

    Star Wars’ Mark Hamill is leading a drive to send drones to Ukraine. Now he’s also the voice of the country’s air raid system

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • Orsay Museum curator Christophe Leribault, stands beside “A Boating Party” by French painter Gustave Caillebotte at the Orsay Museum, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 in Paris. France has acquired the stunning impressionist masterpiece for its national collection of art treasures, using a donation from French luxury goods giant LVMH to pay the 43-million euro ($47 million) price tag for Gustave Caillebotte’s “A Boating Party.” (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

    France is buying an impressionist masterpiece for $43 million a little help from from luxury goods giant LVMH

    By Catherine Gaschka, John Leicester, and others
  • A man wears a face mask as he walks in front of a restaurant, in Saint Jean de Luz, southwestern France, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. The French government announced this week new measures to fight the spreading of the virus as France reported a record high of 208,000 new infections on Wednesday. Mask-wearing is already mandatory inside shops, public facilities, office buildings, and public transports across France.Arts & Entertainment

    France bans popcorn sales at movie theaters amid Omicron surge

    By John Leicester and The Associated Press
  • WHO Coronavirus Pandemic ItalyHealth

    Coronavirus outbreak is now a pandemic, according to the WHO

    By Nicole Winfield, Colleen Barry, and others