"Building Codes"

#13085506

11 December 2025

MP Anne Stambach-Terrenoir gestures during a discourse in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound and that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect their own documents regarding ecological compensations, violence against opponents, and non-compliance with regulations. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085487

11 December 2025

A 'Ecureuil' (i.e., squirrel) places a banner at the top of a tree near the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. It quotes an article of constitutional law that reads, 'Everyone must take part in the preservation and improvement of the environment'. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, and there are issues of violence against opponents and non-compliance with regulations. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13085489

11 December 2025

Members of the collective 'La Voie Est Libre' pose for a picture in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse before the hearings. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. In Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085492

11 December 2025

One of the main lawyers for opponents of the A69 highway, Julie Rover, receives applause when quitting the court. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned A69 highway between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, and there are issues of violence against opponents and non-compliance with regulations. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13085493

11 December 2025

Gille Garrick, an opponent of the main collective of opponents, speaks to the crowd after the end of the hearings in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085494

11 December 2025

Gille Garrick, an opponent of the main collective of opponents, speaks to the crowd after the end of the hearings in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085495

11 December 2025

Jean Olivier, head of the NGO 'Amis de la Terre', speaks after the hearings. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. In Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085496

11 December 2025

One of the plaintiffs' lawyers, Mr. Faro, speaks to opponents after the hearings in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-compliance with regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers. This takes place in Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025.

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#13085497

11 December 2025

People leave the Administrative Court of Appeal after the hearings. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-compliance with regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13085499

11 December 2025

MP Christine Arrighi listens to lawyers for the opponents after the hearings. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-respect of regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13085503

11 December 2025

An opponent holds a sheet reading 'Anacronism69'. A final hearing on the legality of the environmental authorizations for the planned highway A69 between Toulouse and Castres takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on December 11, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 ask the court to nullify all environmental authorizations given for the A69 project. Opponents gather in front of the Administrative Court of Appeal during the hearings. They argue that this highway is not legally sound, that NGE/Atosca (builders) do not respect even their own documents about ecological compensations, violence against opponents, non-compliance with regulations, etc. NGE/Atosca and the Minister of Ecology plead that this highway is 'necessary by nature' and that the first decision of the Administrative Court to scrap the authorizations is an 'anomaly'. The verdict will be given on December 30, 2025. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the justice decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13042131

30 November 2025

The Italian flag (tricolore) and the European Union (EU) flag fly side-by-side on a yellow stucco building facade, centered between two windows with brown wooden shutters in Arezzo, Italy, on November 20, 2025. The flags signify national and regional identity, often displayed on government or public buildings.

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#13041309

30 November 2025

Daily wage workers work at an under-construction residential building in Siliguri, India, on November 30, 2025. The new codes replace 29 existing laws and aim to reform India's labor market, a key element in helping the Indian economy achieve its potential. India's gross domestic product (GDP) quickens to 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, up from 5.6% in the same quarter last year.

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#13041311

30 November 2025

Daily wage workers work at an under-construction residential building in Siliguri, India, on November 30, 2025. The new codes replace 29 existing laws and aim to reform India's labor market, a key element in helping the Indian economy achieve its potential. India's gross domestic product (GDP) quickens to 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, up from 5.6% in the same quarter last year.

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#13035681

28 November 2025

Lawyer Alice Terrasse for the plaintiffs speaks to the press after the hearings. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025, where plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the works to continue on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of the justice system. More than a dozen lawyers are present as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes again in courts. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free') wants the building of the highway to be stopped until all the judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 will be sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway will cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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#13035682

28 November 2025

A poster reads 'Lawyers Environment' inside the Administrative Court of Appeal. A rare hearing takes place in the Administrative Court of Appeal of Toulouse, France, on November 28, 2025. Plaintiffs against the A69 are joined by the SAF (Union of French Lawyers) to request the recusal of two judges of the panel who participated in a ruling reauthorizing the continuation of works on the planned A69 highway. Plaintiffs have already asked these judges to recuse themselves, and they refused. Plaintiffs go to the Administrative Court of Appeal, stating these judges must be recused to protect the confidence of French citizens in the administrative courts and the entire judicial system. Lawyers also plead for the impartiality of justice. More than a dozen lawyers are present as this is a very rare case in the French justice system. According to custom, if a judge has already judged a case, he recuses himself if the same case goes again in courts. The main association 'La Voie est Libre' (i.e., 'The Way is Free'), opponents want the building of the highway to stop until all judicial decisions on the content are given. Opponents of this project say that the reprofiling of the N126 is sufficient for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost far less money. The A69 highway costs EUR512 million (in 2018 euros without inflation) for 54 kilometers.

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