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Planet warming at ‘unprecedented pace’, according to new study

Looking at decade averages, temperatures climbed 0.26 degrees Celsius from 2014 to 2023, said the study published in the journal Earth System Science Data.

In that same period, average global surface temperatures reached 1.19C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial benchmark for…[Read more]

French security authorities foil plan to attack football events during Paris Olympics

France’s security authorities have foiled a plan to attack soccer events during the Paris Olympics, the country’s interior minister said Friday.

Gerald Darmanin said in a statement that members of the General Directorate of Internal Security arrested an…[Read more]

Ratings agency S&P downgrades French credit score from AA to AA-

Ratings agency S&P on Friday downgraded France’s credit score for the first time since 2013, citing a deterioration in the country’s budgetary position.

S&P justified its decision to lower its rating for the EU’s second-largest economy to “AA-” from “AA” by saying the budget…[Read more]

Macron calls the rise of far-right parties an ‘ill wind’ for Europe

France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday raised the alarm over the “ill wind” of the rise of the far right in European politics, during a state visit to Germany ahead of key EU elections.

Macron noted a “fascination with authoritarian regimes” in Europe, singling out Vikto…[Read more]

European elections: French parties compete for seats at the EU parliament

Europeans will be voting from June 6-9 for members of the European Parliament, where France holds 81 of the 720 seats up for grabs. French voters will choose among candidate lists submitted by the country’s political parties; those hoping to lead their parties to EU v…[Read more]

Nadal defeated by Zverev in likely French Open farewell

Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first-round defeat against Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev on Monday, suffering only his f…[Read more]

Police shoot man dead in New Caledonia after protesters attack

A police officer and his colleague were “physically attacked by a group of around fifteen individuals” in Dumbea just outside the capital Noumea, forcing him to draw his weapon, said prosecutor Yves Dupas.

The total death toll from over a week of riots now stands at seven.

“In…[Read more]

Paris Orly air controller strike sparks mass flight cancellations over weekend

The cancellations will affect commercial flights from 0400 GMT Saturday through to late Sunday, the DGAC authority said.

The strike comes as France’s second busiest airport prepares for a massive influx for the Paris Olympics, that start July 26. It is the second…[Read more]

Giroud to retire from France duty after Euro 2024

Olivier Giroud intends to step down from international duty with France after Euro 2024.

The AC Milan striker is France’s all-time top scorer, with 57 goals in 131 appearances and won the World Cup in 2018.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward has been named in Didier Deschamps’ provisional…[Read more]

Lewisham woman, 82, bikes up Mont Ventoux to raise Gaza aid funds

An 82-year-old grandmother has taken on one of the Tour de France’s most famous mountains to raise funds for aid to Gaza.

Anne Jones, from Lewisham, south London, rode 20km (12 miles) up Mont Ventoux in southern France to support Amos Trust’s Gaza appeal.

“I would rather use my…[Read more]

France to declare state of emergency in New Caledonia as unrest turns deadly

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office on Wednesday said a state of emergency would be declared after at least three people were killed in New Caledonia amid violent protests that erupted over the passage of a constitutional reform that angered pro-independence…[Read more]

French postal service celebrates baguette with scratch-and-sniff stamp

The French Post Office on Friday rolled out a scratch-and-sniff postage stamp to celebrate the world-famous baguette, once described by President Emmanuel Macron as “250 grams of magic and perfection”.

But it was unveiled Thursday, the day of Saint-Honore, the patron saint of…[Read more]

France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the Ukraine war

Speaking to Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe, Séjourné said Paris estimated total Russian casualties, including wounded, at 500,000 in the war, now in its third year.

“Europe and its partners will remain united and determined, for as long as n…[Read more]

France opens probe of TotalEnergies over 2021 Mozambique attack

The probe follows a legal complaint brought by victims’ families and attack survivors, accusing the French energy company, which was developing a major liquefied gas project in the region, of failing to protect its subcontractors, the prosecutors’ office told AFP.

The survivors and…[Read more]

The ‘massive phenomenon’ of work-related deaths in France

As May Day celebrations fill the streets with festive marches and labour union protests across French cities today, a darker truth boils below the surface. In a country often applauded for its strong labour protections, two workers die each day due to job-related accidents, according to…[Read more]

France charges ex-wife of top IS group official with crimes against humanity

A woman identified as Sonia M., the former wife of the jihadist group’s head of external operations Abdelnasser Benyoucef, was charged on March 14, Le Parisien said Saturday.

The Yazidi woman, who was 16 when she was forced into slavery by Benyoucef, accused Sonia M. o…[Read more]

French PM announces crackdown on teen violence after fatal assault on schoolboy

France has in recent weeks been shaken by a series of attacks on schoolchildren by their peers, in particularly the fatal beating earlier this month of Shemseddine, 15, outside Paris.

The issue has come to a head with the far-right National Rally (RN) accusing Attal…[Read more]

France to repatriate bodies of colonial soldiers killed in 1954 Vietnam defeat

The operation will happen “in the coming days”, the statement added.

Dien Bien Phu in northern Vietnam was the site of an epic battle against Vietnamese communist forces in 1954 that spelt the end of France’s colonial empire in Indochina.

Vietnamese fighters hemmed…[Read more]

France to deliver old armoured vehicles, new missiles to Ukraine

In an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, Lecornu said that President Emmanuel Macron, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had asked him to prepare a new aid package, which will include old but still functional French equipment.

“The Ukrainian army needs to…[Read more]

Former French PM Philippe’s mayoral office searched in corruption inquiry

The mayor of Le Havre, is widely seen as a potential candidate to succeed Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 French presidential election.

The judicial source, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the search was “part of a preliminary investigation opened in…[Read more]