Macron isolated as legislative third-place finish prompts rethink of his legacy

French President Emmanuel Macron’s camp saw an embarrassing third-place finish in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, behind both the far-right National Rally party and a new leftist alliance. With the National Rally now poised to secure the…[Read more]

France to reduce troops in West and Central Africa to 600, say sources

France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to limit the French military footprint in the region, three sources told AFP.

In February 2023, Macron announced “noticeable…[Read more]

Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in successful Paris Olympics opening ceremony rehearsal

Curious onlookers gathered on bridges as dozens of boats snaked along the Seine river on Monday in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ unique opening ceremony next month.

A total of 55 boats made the journey from Pont d’Austerlitz, named after a French…[Read more]

Macron urges New Caledonia residents to lift roadblocks after weeks of unrest

President Emmanuel Macron Tuesday called on residents of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to dismantle barricades after weeks of unrest, adding the situation remained “unacceptable”

In a public appeal, Macron called for “the firm and definitive lifting of…[Read more]

Versailles palace briefly evacuated due to smoke from roof works

The Palace of Versailles was briefly evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after plumes of smoke were spotted amid renovation work on the roof near the Marble Court, an area of the original château built in 1623 by French King Louis XIII.

The palace press office told The Associated Press…[Read more]

France to lift state of emergency in riot-hit New Caledonia

Seven more mobile force units will soon arrive as reinforcements in New Caledonia, the Elysée said in a statement on Monday, also indicating a state of emergency would end as planned in the French Pacific territory on Tuesday morning local time.

The state of emergency would end on…[Read more]

Macron suspends New Caledonia voting reform following deadly violence

The reforms, which would have altered voting rights, are feared by the Indigenous Kanak people who say they would have marginalize them further. The issue has caused the worst violence on the archipelago in decades.

The violence flared on May 13 in response to attempts by…[Read more]

French military instructors in Ukraine would be ‘legitimate target’, Russia says

French military instructors training soldiers in Ukraine would be a “legitimate target” for Russian strikes, Moscow’s top diplomat said Tuesday, amid reports France could send trainers to the country.

France does not officially have military personnel assisting or…[Read more]

Macron, Zelensky to discuss Ukraine’s needs in Paris on Friday

“As Russian strikes intensify on the front line and against energy infrastructure, the two presidents will discuss the situation on the ground,” the presidential palace said Tuesday.

The meeting between the two leaders is set to take place after D-Day commemorations.

The Ukrainian…[Read more]

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]