France step up search effort after flood

Rescue services stepped up their search efforts in southwestern France on Sunday after floods cut off several villages and killed two people in Italy, with eight still missing in France. Breil-sur-Roya, a French village close to the Italian border, was a scene of devastation with houses buried in mud and turned-over cars stuck in... Read More

Egypt’s Al-Azhar slams Macron’s Islam remarks as ‘racist’

Scholars at Egypt’s prestigious Sunni Islamic institution, Al-Azhar, have denounced remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron on “Islamist separatism” as “racist” and spreading “hate speech”. Macron on Friday unveiled plans to defend France’s secular values against radical Islam, describing Islam as a religion “in crisis” worldwide. “He made false accusations against Islam, that have... Read More

Moment of Mbappe brilliance gives France victory in Sweden

Kylian Mbappe scored with France’s only shot on goal on Saturday in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden in the opening round of matches in the Nations League. Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute, squeezed past two defenders, waited for goalkeeper Robin... Read More

France asks Afghans not to free Taliban who killed its citizens

France objects to release of three men jailed for the murders of French nationals in Afghanistan. France has objected to the release of three men jailed for the murders of French nationals in Afghanistan as part of Kabul’s decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners as the last phase of fulfilling a condition set out... Read More

Two French confirmed dead in Beirut blast, France steps up probe

France has stepped up its probe into the massive Beirut port blast last week by handing it to investigating magistrates, prosecution sources said Friday, as it was confirmed two French citizens were among the 171 people killed. The investigation has now been entrusted to two magistrates who can ultimately decide whether to press charges... Read More

France issues Niger travel warning after killing of aid workers

French citizens urged to avoid travelling to Niger if possible as reserve attack raises questions over troop deployment. France has issued a warning against travelling to Niger after six French aid workers were among eight people killed by suspected fighters at the weekend. The foreign ministry said on its website on Wednesday people were “strongly... Read More

More migrants cross Channel to Britain as political tension rises

British border agents brought ashore migrants in the port of Dover on Monday after picking them up from an inflatable boat as they crossed the Channel, the latest in a surge of crossings that is causing political tensions with France. Taking advantage of hot weather and calm sea conditions, more than 500 migrants have... Read More

Italy Returns Stolen Banksy To France On Bastille Day

Italy on Tuesday returned to France a stolen artwork by British artist Banksy that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks at the Bataclan music hall. The chief prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Michele Renzo, told the French ambassador that it was significant that the handover was... Read More

Jean Castex named French PM after Edouard Philippe resignation

The French president has tasked Jean Castex with forming a new government after Philippe’s resignation, the Elysee says. French President Emmanuel Macron has named Jean Castex, who coordinated France’s reopening strategy after the coronavirus lockdown, as the country’s new prime minister, according to the Elysee Palace. The relatively low-profile Castex replaces Edouard Philippe, who... Read More

Macron ‘confident’ of progress in Russia ties after Putin talks

French President Emmanuel Macron is confident of progress in key areas with Russia, including notably the crisis in Libya, his office said on Friday after a video conference summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Macron is “confident that we can make progress with Russia on a number of subjects,” a senior French presidential official told... Read More