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world17h ago
Le scoop! France’s last newspaper hawker celebrated with prestigious award
- Ali Akbar, 73, received France’s National Order of Merit at the Élysée Palace for his decades of service to the press.
- Emmanuel Macron called Akbar the “most French of the French” during the ceremony.
- Akbar has sold newspapers in Paris for more than five decades, becoming a local institution.
- Akbar plans to continue selling papers and jokes that retirement will have to wait until the cemetery.
- He said selling papers is about joy and connection, not profit.
- Macron highlighted Akbar’s journey from Pakistan to Paris in recognizing him with the honor.
- Akbar’s son and family background are mentioned as part of his life story.
- Akbar’s role extended beyond selling; he built relationships with customers including politicians and students.
- The Guardian notes Akbar’s humor and warmth as key to his long career.
- Akbar’s story is set against the backdrop of a shrinking newspaper industry in Paris.
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