#France

Editorial Staff Updated 12 days ago

Thousands rally against racism in Paris suburb to defend newly elected Black mayor

Demonstrators march in support of Bally Bagayoko, facing racist attacks since his election.

Editorial Staff Updated 12 days ago

China Executes French National Convicted in 2010 for Drug Trafficking

France's foreign ministry expresses consternation over the execution of a French citizen sentenced to death in China.

Editorial Staff 12 days ago

Briefing: The rise of Evangelicals is transforming French Protestantism

Strategic angle: French Protestantism is experiencing a shift as Evangelicals gain prominence, bringing a more conservative and open approach to faith.

Editorial Staff 13 days ago

Briefing: France announces crisis loans for firms hit by fuel-price surge

Strategic angle: Emergency loan programme launched to support small and medium-sized businesses affected by rising fuel costs.

Editorial Staff 13 days ago

Briefing: Is opposing Israel 'anti-Semitism'? France’s latest attempt to fight hate risks inflaming it

Strategic angle: The French government is backing a draft law that conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, raising concerns about free speech.

Editorial Staff 14 days ago

Briefing: Paris police ban annual French Muslim event over ‘major terrorist risk’ from far-right groups

Strategic angle: The Annual Gathering of the Muslims of France has been canceled due to concerns over potential far-right violence.

Editorial Staff 15 days ago

Briefing: Trump’s dig at Macron that his ‘wife treats him badly’ sparks anger in France

Strategic angle: Footage of US President Donald Trump making fun of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte during a private lunch has sparked anger in France.

Editorial Staff 15 days ago

Briefing: Three minors among four charged over foiled attack at Bank of America Paris branch

Strategic angle: French authorities have charged four individuals, including three minors, in connection with a thwarted attack involving a homemade explosive device.

Editorial Staff 16 days ago

Briefing: France Faces Criticism from US and Israel Over Arms Exports Amid Iran War

Strategic angle: The Israeli government halts arms imports from France due to overflight rights dispute.

Editorial Staff 16 days ago

Briefing: France's far right splits over the question of sovereignty as several mayors take down EU flags

Strategic angle: Several newly elected mayors from Marine Le Pen's party have removed the EU flag from their town halls, causing divisions among nationalists.

Editorial Staff 17 days ago

Briefing: France eyes ban on social media for under-15s

Strategic angle: Proposed legislation could suspend accounts of users under 15 and prevent new registrations.

Editorial Staff 18 days ago

Briefing: France's political parties face uncertainty ahead of presidential race

Strategic angle: With local elections concluded, parties are grappling with candidate selection for the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

Editorial Staff Updated 18 days ago

French authorities foil bomb attack outside Bank of America branch in Paris

France's counter-terrorism prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation into a foiled bomb attack outside a Bank of America branch in central Paris.

Editorial Staff 18 days ago

Briefing: French football team ends American friendlies on high success

Strategic angle: France's football team comes back from the US with two victories under its belt.

Editorial Staff 19 days ago

Briefing: Mrs la maire - Maureen Searle becomes the first foreign-born woman to run a French town

Strategic angle: In a historic election, Maureen Searle, a British-born woman, has made history by becoming the mayor of a French town.

Editorial Staff 19 days ago

Briefing: France condemns Houthis for entering Middle East war

Strategic angle: French officials criticize the Iranian-backed group for escalating tensions in the region.

Editorial Staff 19 days ago

Briefing: The week in pictures: Massive daytime attack on Ukraine, 'No Kings' and France's adieu to Jospin

Strategic angle: France held a national tribute to former prime minister Lionel Jospin while Russia launched a significant daytime attack on Ukraine amidst global protests.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: Football fever comes to New York with unveiling of France's World Cup jersey

Strategic angle: The French Consulate in New York unveiled France's 2026 World Cup kits, featuring a mint-green away jersey in tribute to the Statue of Liberty.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: Substack, a digital refuge for writers, accelerates its growth in France

Strategic angle: Since 2017, the US platform has enabled users to publish content as monetizable newsletters, winning over many journalists and writers.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: France unveils aid to shield key sectors from soaring fuel prices

Strategic angle: The French government announces €70 million in aid to support transport, fishing, and agriculture amid rising fuel costs.

Editorial Staff 21 days ago

Briefing: France rebukes Lavrov, says Russia does not defend international law

Strategic angle: France’s foreign minister criticizes Russia for violating international law in Ukraine and Iran.

Editorial Staff Updated 21 days ago

South Africa disinvited from G7 in France

France rescinds President Cyril Ramaphosa's invitation amid US pressure.

Editorial Staff 21 days ago

Briefing: Football: France edge past Brazil in World Cup dress rehearsal in Boston

Strategic angle: Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Ekitike both scored as France found their bearings in Boston with a 2-1 friendly win over Brazil.

Editorial Staff 22 days ago

Briefing: France bids farewell to ex-PM Jospin who 'modernised' nation

Strategic angle: A national tribute led by President Macron honors Lionel Jospin for his significant contributions to welfare reforms.

Editorial Staff 22 days ago

Briefing: France is 'more and more keen' on Australia critical minerals investment, minister says

Strategic angle: Australia's Resources Minister highlights France's growing interest in critical minerals projects amid global competition.

Editorial Staff 22 days ago

Briefing: Vote transfers between France's right and far right are increasingly common

Strategic angle: Voters in recent municipal elections have shown a trend of alternating support between the far right and mainstream right to counter leftist candidates.

Editorial Staff Updated 23 days ago

Emblematic MeToo trial of Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan awaits verdict

Tariq Ramadan, a well-known Swiss-Egyptian Islamic scholar, has been tried in absentia for the rape of three women in Paris, with the verdict to fall on March 25.

Life

Briefing: Famed Lille bakery shares story behind its 'gaufres' on International Waffle Day

Strategic angle: This Wednesday is International Waffle Day – a celebration for waffle lovers everywhere, particularly in France.

Editorial Staff 23 days ago

Editorial Staff 24 days ago

Briefing: From afar, American students in France feel the shockwaves of Trump

Strategic angle: As academic freedom declines in the US, some young people are choosing France for advanced degrees, facing challenges along the way.

Editorial Staff 24 days ago

Briefing: French economic growth undercut by war in Iran, national statistics office says

Strategic angle: The French economy will grow by only 0.2% in the first half of the year instead of the 0.3% forecast, according to Insee.

Editorial Staff 24 days ago

Briefing: France's traditional parties dream of a return to the classic left-right contest

Strategic angle: The Socialists and right-wing Les Républicains find hope in recent municipal election successes despite ongoing challenges.

Editorial Staff 25 days ago

Briefing: After strong showing in France's major cities, will left even qualify for 2027 presidential runoff?

Strategic angle: Carys Garland discusses insights from Renaud Foucart on the evolving political landscape in France post-municipal elections.

Editorial Staff Updated 25 days ago

Le Pen's far right suffers setbacks in French mayoral elections, ex-PM Philippe wins key race

Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally fell short in key municipal elections, while former prime minister Édouard Philippe solidifies his political standing.

Editorial Staff Updated 25 days ago

Macron's role in Paris mayor election comes under scrutiny

Socialist frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire accused President Emmanuel Macron of intervening in the election process.

Editorial Staff 26 days ago

Briefing: Marseille mayoral race narrows after hard-left withdrawal

Strategic angle: In France’s second city, Marseille, the mayoral race has become more focused with the withdrawal of the hard-left candidate.

Editorial Staff 26 days ago

Briefing: 'All eyes are on the three biggest cities– Paris, Marseille and Lyon'

Strategic angle: FRANCE 24's journalist Antonia Kerrigan discusses the political stakes in France's major cities.

Editorial Staff 26 days ago

Briefing: Why the second round of France's municipal elections matters

Strategic angle: The vote on Sunday, March 22, will provide valuable national insights, focusing on the far-right's result and the dynamics within the left and right.

Editorial Staff 27 days ago

Briefing: French employees' cigarette breaks cost companies €5 billion a year, study estimates

Strategic angle: A new study reveals the significant financial impact of cigarette breaks on French companies.

Editorial Staff Updated 28 days ago

Yazidi genocide trial in Paris: Prosecutors seek life sentence for French jihadist

The prosecutor requests life imprisonment for Sabri Essid, accused of crimes against the Yazidi community.

Editorial Staff Updated 28 days ago

France's FM to visit Lebanon in show of 'support and solidarity' amid Middle East war

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will visit Lebanon to express solidarity with the Lebanese people amid ongoing conflict.

Editorial Staff Updated 28 days ago

'StravaLeaks': France's aircraft carrier located in real time by Le Monde through fitness app

Le Monde reveals a security flaw as a French sailor's Strava activity exposes the location of the Charles de Gaulle.

Editorial Staff 28 days ago

Briefing: French stock up on essentials as war triggers price fears

Strategic angle: With the war in the Middle East triggering fears of a hike in prices for everyday goods, consumers in France are rushing to stock up on essentials.

Editorial Staff 29 days ago

Briefing: In Nice, right-wing leader's refusal to choose between the right and far right sows confusion

Strategic angle: Bruno Retailleau's indecision complicates the political landscape ahead of the elections.

Editorial Staff Updated 29 days ago

Macron reveals 'Free France' as name of new aircraft carrier

The nuclear-powered vessel will be the largest warship in Europe, set to replace the Charles de Gaulle by 2038.

Editorial Staff 29 days ago

Briefing: Paris appeals court rejects French government bid to suspend Shein

Strategic angle: A Paris appeals court has dismissed the French government's attempt to suspend the controversial e-commerce platform Shein.

Briefing: 'Macron alone in his tower': No candidates defending his govt or mandate in France's local elections

Strategic angle: The absence of candidates supporting Macron's government highlights a fragmented political landscape in France.

2026 Municipal Election Results: Key Takeaways from a First Round Marked by Low Turnout

The second round will be less promising than hoped for the far right, despite significant gains in cities in the southeast.

Briefing: Negotiations in full swing in French cities over mayoral vote

Strategic angle: Following the first round of municipal elections, the race for major French cities is intensifying with cross-party alliances forming.

Briefing: French court examines Yazidi genocide for first time in trial of jihadist

Strategic angle: Sabri Essid is being tried in absentia, charged with 'genocide,' a first in France.

French voters head to the polls for the first round of local elections

While most towns will have elected their mayors by this Sunday night, several major cities could face a fiercely contested second-round run-off next week.

Briefing: 'French employees who vote for the far right feel isolated and are more distrustful of their colleagues'

Strategic angle: A new study reveals that workplace frustration and distrust contribute to support for the Rassemblement National.

France picks mayors in test of political mood ahead of 2027 polls

Polling stations across mainland France have opened for the first round of the municipal elections, with uncertain outcomes in major cities.

Briefing: Ivan Jablonka, historian: 'The use of last names is a particular trait of antisemitism'

Strategic angle: Historian Ivan Jablonka discusses the implications of name usage in the context of antisemitism following recent remarks by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Briefing: Undercover in Iran: How French spies gather Intelligence in the Middle East

Strategic angle: What role does human intelligence gathering have to play in the war in Iran?

Briefing: France: Far-right strength put to test in local elections

Strategic angle: Voters in France are heading to the polls in local elections seen as a litmus test for next year's presidential vote.

Briefing: In France's municipal elections, 2027 presidential race looms large

Strategic angle: France holds municipal elections on Sunday – including for the mayor of Paris – less than a year before the 2027 presidential vote.

France beats England 48-46 to claim back-to-back Six Nations titles

A thrilling match sees France triumph over England in a nail-biting finish.

Briefing: The French wine producers saying 'oui' to alcohol-free options

Strategic angle: Non-alcoholic wine is gaining traction in France, particularly among younger consumers, prompting renowned producers to enter the market.

French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan, Macron says

A French soldier has died and several others were wounded in a drone attack during a training exercise in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Briefing: Middle East war live: Several French soldiers wounded, one officer dead in Iraq after drone attack

Strategic angle: French President Emmanuel Macron condemns the attack in northern Iraq that resulted in casualties among French soldiers.

Briefing: France 'not sending any vessels to the Strait of Hormuz', Defence Minister Vautrin says

Strategic angle: Catherine Vautrin confirms no plans for naval deployment amid tensions in the region.

Briefing: Ukraine's Zelensky to meet with Macron in Paris on Friday

Strategic angle: President Zelensky aims to discuss increasing sanctions on Russia during his European tour.

Money

Briefing: Support For Nuclear Energy In France Rises To 61%, Survey Finds

Strategic angle: A recent survey indicates a growing support for nuclear energy among the French population.

Briefing: War in Iran and Lebanon: France steps up evacuation of its citizens by air, land and sea

Strategic angle: France is intensifying efforts to repatriate its citizens amid escalating conflict in the region.

Briefing: Large French cities see prices rise again as house prices surge

Strategic angle: According to the LPI-IAD barometer, most French cities experienced price increases in 2025, especially in major metropolitan areas.

Macron announces ‘purely defensive’ mission to reopen Strait of Hormuz

President Emmanuel Macron outlines France's initiative to ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway.