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Zelensky presents Ukraine ‘victory plan’ to Macron in Paris

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on Thursday to present his plan for defeating the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the French president who pledged the meeting would reaffirm France’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on…[Read more]

When Europe’s railroad dining cars were the height of luxury

On October 4, 1883, the legendary Orient Express departed Gare de l’Est in Paris for the very first time, slowly winding through Europe on its way to Constantinople, as Istanbul was then known. During a seven-day round trip, the service’s 40 passengers — including several promine…[Read more]

Marine Le Pen’s niece starts own party: What it means for French far-right

Marion Marechal, 34, has launched Identite-Libertes, through which she hopes to strengthen France’s ‘national camp’.

The niece of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has founded her own political party aimed at becoming a new force in the country’s growing right-win…[Read more]

French treasure hunt for buried owl statue ends after 31 years

A mass treasure hunt appears to have come to an end, after an announcement in France that a buried statuette of a golden owl has finally been unearthed – after 31 years.

A 31-year-long treasure hunt that drew in thousands of enthusiasts across France appeared to have come to an end T…[Read more]

Judge rules public can view video evidence in French mass rape trial

Warning: This story contains distressing details from the start.

A French judge has reversed a ruling in the trial of a man who is accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over a decade.

Lawyers for Gisèle Pelicot, 72, had earlier…[Read more]

PM Barnier tells parliament France must trim its ‘colossal’ debt

New French PM promises ‘targeted tax hikes’ and spending cuts in order to cut budget deficit, national debt.

France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier has outlined the policy programme of his new government, seeking to shore up its fragile position just three weeks after taking of…[Read more]

France’s left rages at Emmanuel Macron for shutting it out of power despite election victory

A furious French left called for mass protests across more than 130 towns and cities Saturday after French President Emmanuel Macron named a right-wing prime minister, despite the left’s surprising victory in July’s tumultuous elections.

The New Popular…[Read more]

80 years on, French lake still polluted by World War II bombs

A French environmental group has found artillery shells dating back to World Wars I and II and even the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 in a lake in eastern France. Water samples from Gerardmer in the Vosges mountains show high levels of TNT explosive as well as metals like iron, titanium…[Read more]

Murder of Paris student fuels anger at failed deportation

The murder of a 19 year-old female student in an exclusive neighbourhood of Paris is fuelling new calls from the French right for tougher action on immigration.

The body of the young woman, named only as Philippine, was found on Saturday, half-buried in the Bois de Boulogne park on the…[Read more]

Charity cyclists find battlefield route quite tough

Cyclists travelling through France are facing an emotional test of endurance, as they pay their respects to thousands of men killed in World War One.

Team Blind Dave, led by West Bromwich fundraiser Dave Heeley, have completed four days of their seven-day challenge to cycle 1,000km (600 miles)…[Read more]

French champagne makers aim to protect grape harvesters from abuse

Champagne vineyards are taking steps to better protect seasonal workers from abuse, hoping to restore the iconic bubbly’s damaged reputation after reports emerged last year of migrant workers living in appalling conditions and other labour violations.

French champagne producers…[Read more]

Speed limit on vital Paris ring road falls to 50km per hour on October 1

The speed limit on the ring road that surrounds and delineates the city of Paris will be limited to 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour starting on October 1, the city’s mayor announced on Monday. The decision, which immediately drew criticism for having been taken…[Read more]

France’s newest nuclear reactor shuts itself down

France’s newest nuclear reactor automatically shut itself down Wednesday, a day after starting up for the first time. The state-owned operator said there was no need for concern and that shutdowns can happen during such “long and complicated” startup processes. The European Pressurised Reactor…[Read more]

Paralympics closing ceremony has Paris partying

The Paris 2024 Paralympics concluded with a sparkling closing ceremony on Sunday to round off a fantastic summer of sport in the French capital.

Twenty-four artists from the French electronic music scene led a party atmosphere despite heavy rain at the Stade de France in front of 4,400 athletes…[Read more]

Mass protests erupt in France after Macron picks Barnier as PM

More than 100,000 take to the streets across France to protest President Macron’s decision to appoint centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister.

More than 100,000 left-wing demonstrators were reported to have taken to the streets across France to protest President Emmanuel M…[Read more]

France on charm offensive as New Caledonia simmers

For the Pacific Islands, climate change, geopolitics and security have often been the bread and butter of any summit.
But at this year’s Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Meeting – the region’s biggest diary event – there was another hot topic thrown into the mix: that of New Caledonia and the unres…[Read more]

Paralympics organisers forced to change Triathlon plans over Seine water quality concerns

With rain forecast for Paris, concerns about the River Seine’s water quality has prompted a change to the schedule of the swimming leg of the Paralympic triathlon, organisers said Thursday. The swimming part of the event will take place on September 1,…[Read more]

Telegram boss banned from leaving France in criminal probe

Telegram boss and founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the messaging app, Paris prosecutors say.
Mr Durov, 39, has not been remanded in custody, but placed under judicial supervision, and has to pay a €5m (…[Read more]

Serbia makes a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a shift away from Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms.

The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a…[Read more]

French prosecutors call for film star Depardieu to face trial in new rape probe

Paris prosecutors have requested a criminal trial for French actor Gerard Depardieu over allegations he raped and sexually assaulted fellow actress Charlotte Arnould at his Paris home in August 2018. Depardieu is already set to face another trial in October for…[Read more]