French pro-Palestinian group contests government decision to shut it down

A French pro-Palestinian protest group is contesting a government decision to shut it down, saying the move was politically motivated and based on “false” arguments as part of a wider crackdown on the movement for Palestinian rights.
Urgence Palestine (Emergency…[Read more]

Poland and France deepen defence ties amid doubts over U.S. support

France and Poland signed a treaty on Friday to increase cooperation on defence, nuclear energy and other measures, in a sign of growing alliances between European nations amid concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe’s security.
The signing came a day before Ukraine hosts leaders…[Read more]

‘Spectre of war has returned’ to Europe, Macron warns on 80th anniversary of V-E Day

French President Emmanuel Macron struck a sombre tone on Thursday as he presided over ceremonies in Paris commemorating the 80th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that…[Read more]

French left divided over the term ‘Islamophobia’ after the murder of a Muslim in a mosque

United in condemning the murder of Aboubakar Cissé at the mosque in a small southern French village, the radical left La France Insoumise and the Socialists are split over the use of a term that reignites tensions in France.
At Place de la République in P…[Read more]

Mates in banger rally to Spain in memory of friend

Two friends will embark on a 2,000-mile journey (3,220km) from Birmingham, through Europe to Benidorm in an “old banger” in memory of their friend who passed away.

Simon Lewis, 57, from Gloucester, and Kevin Paskin, 53, from Worcester, are taking part in Benidorm Bangers charity road trip…[Read more]

‘More will come to us now’: what does Le Pen verdict mean for far-right’s future?

Near a roast chicken stand at a rural market, Jocelyn Dessigny was giving out leaflets bearing a photograph of the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and the words “Save democracy!”

“It is a political attack,” he said of Le Pen’s criminal conviction this…[Read more]

Nationwide “Hands Off” anti-Trump protests gather thousands of people

Around 1,200 “Hands Off!” protests are planned across the U.S. on Saturday, reflecting growing opposition to President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk, over their controversial policy changes. Protests are also organized globally. Bob Vallier, a spokesperson…[Read more]

France’s Macron to host Canada’s Carney in Paris on Monday

French President Emmanuel Macron will host Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a meeting in Paris on Monday in Carney’s first foreign visit since taking office, Macron’s office said on Saturday.
Carney also plans to visit Britain next week at a time of trade frictions with U.S.…[Read more]

French PM says EU tariff on American bourbon probably mistaken

The European Union was probably mistaken in targeting American whiskey in its riposte to U.S. tariffs, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Sunday, calling for talks to avoid more damaging duties on France’s cognac industry.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened…[Read more]

Visitors flock to Paris’s Pompidou Centre before it closes for renovations

Art lovers catch last glimpse of prestigious art collection before gallery shuts for five years for major revamp

Tourists and French visitors alike filled Paris’s landmark Pompidou Centre at the weekend to catch a last glimpse of its prestigious art collection before it…[Read more]

Macron’s diplomatic comeback: from France’s domestic crisis to reshaping Europe’s defense

French President Emmanuel Macron is back at the center of global diplomacy, seeking to ease relations with President Donald Trump, championing a Ukraine peace plan alongside his British counterpart, and seeing his longstanding desire to boost European defen…[Read more]

France to tap Russian assets for 195 million euros this year, minister says

France will use interest from Russian assets to fund another 195 million euros ($211 million) in arms for Ukraine, Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a newspaper interview.
France also plans to hand over some of its older armoured fighting vehicles, such as its…[Read more]

American women in police custody in France after baby thrown from hotel window

A young American woman has been taken into police custody after her newborn baby was thrown out of a window of a Parisian hotel, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.

The newborn received urgent medical care, but did not survive. Authorities are i…[Read more]

Macron and Trump rekindle their ‘bromance’ amid strategic tensions over Ukraine

Trump greeted Macron as a “very special man” during their Oval Office meeting, exchanging their characteristic firm handshake as the French leader sought to leverage their personal relationship to strengthen US backing for Ukraine.

They hugged, they gripped hands,…[Read more]

France’s Macron and Donald Trump meet in Washington: Four key takeaways

United States President Donald Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday for discussions on Ukraine, European security and trade.

Macron, who has built a cordial rapport with Trump, was the first European leader to visit him since the b…[Read more]

Tech titans and government leaders gather in Paris for landmark AI summit

Political and tech leaders convene at the Grand Palais in Paris on Monday for a summit on artificial intelligence co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The goals of the two-day event are to promote ethics and accessibility in…[Read more]

French PM François Bayrou survives another no-confidence vote over social security budget

France’s National Assembly on Monday rejected another no-confidence vote tabled by the left-wing France Unbowed party against the minority government of centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou. Bayrou had used Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass asp…[Read more]

Macron says France will apply ‘Notre Dame strategy’ on AI

President Emmanuel Macron says France will “commit to a clear timeline” and “deliver” on AI development, as Europe risks falling behind the US and China. He likened it to the rapid Notre Dame cathedral rebuild.

On the opening day of an AI summit in Paris co-hosted by India, French…[Read more]

Fire ravages Paris district town hall, leaving spire ‘in danger of collapsing’

A fire in Paris’s 12th district town hall broke out overnight from Sunday to Monday, ravaging the roof and bell tower of the 19th-century building. Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez warned the 36-metre spire was ‘in danger of collapsing’ after firefighters extin…[Read more]

France imported record amount of US crude in November

French crude imports in November included a new high from the US.

Customs data show imports at 4.3mn t (1.04mn b/d), up by 7pc on the year and down from 4.5mn t a month earlier.

Deliveries of US crude were just over 1.25mn t, up from the previous record of slightly more than 1.2mn t in…[Read more]