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France to elect mayors in run-up to key presidential vote

The polls to elect mayors and councillors for six years are to be held in two rounds -- on Sunday, then a week later on March 22.

Here's what to know:
What's the context?
The local election comes with the far-right National Rally (RN) party seeing its best chance at winning the presidency in 2027, when centrist Emmanuel Macron will have to step down after the maximum two consecutive terms in office.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe is one of the candidates with the best chance next y...

France fired up by chance to retain Six Nations

The reigning champions' hopes of a Grand Slam went up in smoke last week as they were blitzed by a dazzling Scotland performance which ensured that three teams come into the final weekend in contention to win the title.

Scotland head to Ireland with both knowing that victory could be enough to win the championship.

But France remain in pole position as a bonus-point victory over England would almost certainly be enough to retain their title.

And Fabien Galthie's team have their eyes on th...

French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan

Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month engulfed the Middle East in war, multiple attacks attributed to pro-Iranian factions have targeted the region where foreign forces are based as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition.

The member of the armed forces "died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq," Macron posted on X, adding that several soldiers were also wounded.

He did not say who was behind the attack.

The French military said earlier that drones had ...

Top US, China economy officials to meet for talks in Paris

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in France on March 15 and 16, the department said.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will also attend the talks, his office confirmed.

"Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward," Bessent said in a statement.

Greer said separately that the Trump administration would "continue to seek fa...

Vingegaard soloes to victory in Paris-Nice fifth stage

The Dane had pulled on the leader's yellow jersey in the lashing rain at Uchon on Wednesday and tightened his grip on overall victory after shaking off his rivals to coast to victory in the sunshine at Colombier-le-Vieux in south-east France.

The Visma-Lease-a-bike rider had attacked on the Saint-Jean-de-Muzols climb during the hilly 206.3km stage and crossed the line 2min 02sec ahead of French rider Valentin Paret-Peintre.

"I really wanted to win today and so did the team," said Vingegaa...

Fears grow for French loans at Louvre Abu Dhabi as war rages

The museum, which opened in the United Arab Emirates in 2017, has so far escaped damage from nearly 1,800 Iranian drone and missile strikes launched since the conflict erupted on February 28.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum -- which remains open -- said the safety of its visitors, staff and collections remains its "top priority".

But concerns are mounting in France.

"The works must be removed," said Didier Selles -- who helped broker the original agreement between France and the UAE.

He told...

France coach Galthie beefs up his second row for England 'Crunch'

The defending champions are bidding this weekend to back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time since 2007.

Just as he did against Italy and their powerful pack, Galthie has opted for the hulking Toulouse pair in the engine room.

"Thibaud is undoubtedly the best in the world in his position, and Manny's not far behind," France's forwards coach William Servat said on Wednesday.

It is the ninth time that Galthie has picked them together in the second row, making them his second-most ...

Iranian sea mines: the West's waterborne nightmare

US forces have struck 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, more than a week into the Middle East war.

Any Iranian mining of the key shipping lane, as its forces did in the 1980s, would be a nightmare for Western demining teams.

Here's an explainer:

- What are sea mines? -

"Mines are the weapon of the poor," a former senior officer with the French navy and specialist on the subject told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Yet "they pose a fundamental threat ...

Vingegaard seizes control of Paris-Nice with stage 4 win

The imperious Dane took the race-leader's yellow jersey after attacking Red Bull-Bora pair Daniel Martinez and Tim van Dijke on the steep final climb, one kilometre from the finish of the 195km stage from Bourges to Uchon.

Colombian Martinez was second at the summit, 41sec adrift, and now trails Vingegaard by 52sec overall in the eight-day race.

German Georg Steinhauser is third overall 3:20 back after coming home fifth on the day almost three minutes after the winner.

Cross-winds early o...

French aid worker killed in DR Congo air strike

Since taking up arms again in 2021, the M23 has seized swathes of the mineral-rich Congolese east with Rwanda's backing, unleashing a fresh spiral of violence in a region long plagued by fighting.

Despite Rwanda and the DRC signing a peace deal at US President Donald Trump's urging in early December, in the latest attempt to end the conflict, clashes between the M23 and Congolese army have continued.

Humanitarian sources reported that several buildings had been targeted in the overnight st...

French Paralympian Bauchet's golden end to a 'tough' day

However, that is just what happened to the French skier as he pulled off a remarkable comeback to seize the fourth gold medal -- and 10th overall -- of his Paralympic career at the men's alpine combined standing event on Tuesday in Cortina.

"I think it's one of my favourite gold medals," the 25-year-old told reporters after winning France's first gold in alpine skiing at the Milan-Cortina Games.

"Because it was hard to believe I could do it in the first place.

"And on top of that, my fam...

Spain's Ayuso takes Paris-Nice race lead after team time-trial

Ineos, led by Kevin Vauquelin and Oscar Onley, won the team time-trial at Pouilly-sur-Loire with Ayuso's Lidl-Trek outfit second.

Frenchman Vauquelin powered his team to a big finish in the 23.5km ride through the Nievre in central France giving the British team a two-second advantage on Lidl-Trek.

Decathlon CMA-CGM were third at 11sec with double Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard's Visma-Lease team fourth at 15sec.

Ayuso took the yellow jersey from American Luke Lamperti thanks to t...

France suspects foreign interference in key mayoral races

The campaign was aimed at lawmakers of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party who are running to be the mayors of the southern cities of Marseille and Toulouse, AFP learned, with the first round of voting Sunday.

France's VIGINUM agency, which tracks foreign disinformation campaigns, said it had detected inauthentic-looking websites and social media accounts with "foreign technical markers" that had been targeting "a French political party and... some of its candidates in the municipal el...

EU chief, Macron say Mideast war exposes Europe energy vulnerability

They spoke at a nuclear energy summit which was briefly interrupted by Greenpeace protesters as the US-Israeli war with Iran entered its second week.

Von der Leyen said Europe's turn away from civilian nuclear power had exposed the continent's fossil fuel "vulnerability".

"It was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emission power," she said at the opening of the second Nuclear Energy Summit just outside Paris.

"For fossil fuels, we are c...

Nuclear power summit to open in France

Germany's Max Kanter sprints to Paris-Nice second stage win

Astana's Kanter powered clear of New Zealander Laurence Pithie and Belgian Jasper Stuyven in a nervy finale as the peloton caught Dutch rider Daan Hoole late after he had led for the final 20 kilometres.

"Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming, right?" exclaimed Kanter after crossing the finish line, having achieved, at 28, just the third victory of his career and the most significant.

"I'm so happy. I've been waiting for this for so long. It's a dream to win here, this race has such prestige."...

G7 'not there yet' on release of oil reserves: French minister

Earlier Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven advanced economies, said the G7 would this week discuss a possible release of strategic oil reserves.

A possible meeting of G7 leaders on the energy issue could take place this week, Macron told journalists on his way to Cyprus.

However, speaking to reporters after chairing a video meeting of G7 finance ministers, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the group was "not...

Macron says France, allies preparing 'defensive' mission to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Speaking during a visit to Cyprus to discuss regional security, Macron said the mission would be aimed at escorting container ships and tankers in order to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz "after the end of the hottest phase of the conflict".

"This is essential for international trade, but also for the flow of gas and oil, which must be able to leave this region once again," said Macron in Paphos on the southwestern coast of Cyprus.

Speaking alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodo...

France to host G7 finance meeting on Mideast

The French finance ministry said in a statement the meeting at 1:30 pm (1230 GMT) would "review the situation in the Gulf from an economic point of view" and "events of recent days".

French finance minister Roland Lescure earlier told Franceinfo radio he had agreed with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other G7 finance ministers to hold the meeting over a week after the start of the US-Israel war against Iran.

The idea, he said, was "to see how the conflict develops, how the markets...

Macron to visit Cyprus as French warships deploy to counter Iran threat

Macron will meet his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos to show "solidarity" and detail moves to "strengthen security around Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean", the Elysee said on Sunday.

The visit will take place as the war pitting the US and Israel against Iran is in its second week, affecting much of the Middle East.

Cyprus on Monday was targeted by Iranian-made drones, leading Macron to order France's Charles de Gaulle...

American Lamperti edges Paris-Nice opener

The eight-day event known as 'the race to the sun' ends March 15 in Nice after crossing a broad variety of terrains including tough mountains.

Lamperti, of the Education First team, beat the Belgian Vito Braet and the Venezuelan Orluis Aular was third on the hilly opening 170km run.

Monday's stage is a flat 187km flat run, followed by a team time-trial, then four more hilly runs and one mountain slog.

Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard is the favourite to win the overall with...

Berger's lead narrows at rain-hit Arnold Palmer

Play was held up for an hour as a quarter-inch of rain hit Florida's Bay Hill in a 15-minute mid-afternoon period, leaving greens briefly unplayable as grounds crew scrambled to remove the water.

Berger -- a four-time PGA Tour winner, chasing his first title in five years -- led by six strokes before the break. When play resumed, the American runaway leader survived a scare on 13 as his ball somehow held up in thick grass on the water's cusp.

But he still had to settle for a bogey after tw...

Scotland throw open Six Nations title race with stunning win over France

Scotland ran in seven tries -- including two apiece from wings Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn -- for their highest score against France, who managed six tries of their own in a remarkable encounter at Murrayfield.

Had France recorded their fourth straight bonus-point win of this season's edition in Edinburgh they would have secured back-to-back titles and stayed on course for the Grand Slam.

Both France and Scotland have 16 points heading into next Saturday's concluding fixtures, although the...

Key to Scotland win over France was fast start, says Steyn

The 32-year-old was named man of the match after he and fellow wing Darcy Graham scored two tries each in a match they actually led 47-14 at one point.

That would have been a record Scottish victory over France but instead Steyn and his teammates had to settle for a highest ever score after outscoring France by seven tries to six.

"I think we knew you couldn't come and try to contain them, you had to fire shots at them," Steyn told the BBC.

"You just knew it was going to be a great day.

...

Scotland stun France 50-40 to take Six Nations to wire

Had reigning champions France recorded their fourth straight bonus-point win of this season's Championship, they would have wrapped up back-to-back titles.

But Scotland ran in seven tries as they posted their highest score against France, who managed six tries of their own in an enthralling contest.

Both France and Scotland now have 16 points heading into next weekend's 'Super Saturday' round of concluding fixtures.

France will retain their title by achieving a better result against Engla...

Berger extends lead midway through Arnold Palmer Invitational

The 32-year-old American entered the clubhouse with a six-shot lead over a crowded field, as he chases his first PGA Tour win in five years.

"I actually feel like I played better" today, said Berger, despite having made a flawless 63 the previous day.

"I think the course was a little tougher today. The green speeds are up there. The pin positions are tough."

A four-time winner on the PGA Tour, whose last triumph came at Pebble Beach in 2021, Berger started his second round with intent, im...

Dupont says France must forget Six Nations title talk against Scotland

Reigning champions France, the only unbeaten side after three rounds, will retain their crown with a game to spare should they secure a bonus-point win in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Even if they slip up against Scotland, they can still lift the trophy with victory over England at the Stade de France in their tournament finale on March 14.

"It's important to win competitions when you're in a position to win them," France captain Dupont, 29, said at Murrayfield.

"Obviously, for many reasons, i...

Tuipulotu urges Scotland to stay in Six Nations title hunt against France

The Scots have never finished higher than third in the Six Nations era and were last crowned kings of European rugby union when they won the final Five Nations in 1999.

But if they manage to beat undefeated France with a bonus point and also deny Les Bleus a losing bonus point, they would leapfrog their visitors at the top of the table.

France, however, will retain their title with a game to spare should they secure a bonus-point win over Scotland, regardless of other results.

"It's mass...

Scotland coach Townsend hails 'instinctive' France ahead of key Six Nations game

The former Scotland and British and Irish Lions international featured for two leading French clubs in Brive and Montpellier during his playing days, but he now believes the elite Top 14 is "on a different level from what it was when I was there".

Reigning champions France have been the team of the Six Nations so far, with 18 tries across a trio of bonus-point wins.

Another such victory in Edinburgh would see them retain their Six Nations title with a game to spare and leave them on course...

French starlet Seixas to take on Pogacar at Strade Bianche

Pogacar's long-range attacks in his three victories at Strade Bianche have become the stuff of legend, and he has been imperious on the picturesque white gravel roads of Tuscany.

Last year, the four-time Tour de France winner claimed victory at Strade Bianche despite crashing 50-kilometres form the finish and losing around 30 seconds to his breakaway companion Tom Pidcock.

The 27-year-old is once again the overwhelming favourite this weekend, but the rise of Seixas has led some to believe ...

Berger sets early pace at Arnold Palmer with 'unbelievable' 63

The 32-year-old American -- a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, whose last triumph came five years ago at Pebble Beach -- picked up three birdies on the front nine, but caught fire with six coming in.

The early pace-setter rolled in three straight birdies starting on the 10th, before adding another with an 11-foot putt at the par-three 14th, and two more birdies on the 16th and 18th for a bogey-free round of 63.

Berger sits three clear of recent Pebble Beach champion Collin Morikawa and Sw...

Lens beat Lyon on penalties to reach French Cup semis

French international forward Florian Thauvin was the hero for Lens with a goal and an assist in normal time before he converted the decisive kick in the shoot-out.

Lens are Paris Saint-Germain's closest challengers at the top of Ligue 1, sitting four points behind the reigning champions.

Now they are through to the last four in the Cup, in which they will host Toulouse next month as they dream of lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.

Lens had been 2-0 up at the interval ...

France coach Galthie slams Scotland for 'smallest changing room in the world'

Reigning champions France, the only unbeaten side in this season's competition after three rounds, will retain their title with a bonus-point win in Edinburgh on Saturday, regardless of other results.

A Scotland win could turn the title race into a three-way contest, with Ireland, heading into the final round of 'Super Saturday' fixtures on March 14.

France have been the team of the tournament, with 18 tries across a trio of bonus-point wins, but that did not stop Galthie from complaining ...

France to let US planes not involved in Iran strikes use air base

The announcement came after President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said that US-Israel military operations in Iran were conducted "outside international law".

"US aircraft providing operational support (not combat aircraft) have been accepted at the Istres air base in France," the general staff said.

"France has required that the assets involved in no way take part in the operations conducted by the United States in Iran, but strictly in support of the defence of our partners in the region. ...

Dempsey returns as Scotland shuffle pack for Six Nations clash against France

The back-row forward's tournament appeared to be over after he suffered a bicep injury in last month's 31-20 win over England at Twickenham.

But after missing the tense, come-from-behind 26-23 win away to Wales a fortnight ago, Dempsey has been cleared to face France at Murrayfield.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has selected a new front row as part of five personnel changes to his starting line-up, announced on Thursday.

Looshead prop Pierre Schoeman and hooker George Turner, both replac...

France recall fit-again Jalibert to face Scotland

Jalibert is one of a trio of Bordeaux-Begles backs returning to the side following injury problems.

Centres Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana, who started in France's tournament-opening 36-14 victory over Ireland, come back into the side in the place of Pau pair Emilien Gailleton and Fabien Brau-Boirie, who lined up against Wales and Italy.

Gailleton scored a try in each of those matches, while Brau-Boirie also crossed the whitewash on his France debut in the 54-12 thrashing of Wales.

...

Galthie's France blessed with unprecedented talent: Saint-Andre

After three successive victories, the reigning champions travel to Edinburgh on Saturday knowing that a bonus point victory would be enough to retain their title -- while also ensuring their Grand Slam dream remains intact.

That is a far cry from Saint-Andre's four years in charge, when France never finished above fourth and even took home the wooden spoon in 2013.

"We have an incredible squad and a depth which is very well managed by Fabien Galthie," Saint-Andre, who currently coaches Pro...

Macron urges Netanyahu to avoid ground offensive in Lebanon

"I called on the Israeli prime minister to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity and to refrain from a ground offensive," Macron said on X, after Israeli ground forces pushed into several border towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon, a former French protectorate, was drawn into the Middle East war on Monday when the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes at the weekend....

Scotland's Steyn expects Six Nations 'fun' against France

France will wrap up the title with a game to spare should they secure a bonus-point win at Murrayfield, regardless of results elsewhere, while Scotland could leapfrog Les Bleus at the top of the table if they secure a similar victory.

Glasgow wing Steyn, a try-scorer in Scotland's last-gasp 26-23 win away to Wales in Cardiff a fortnight ago, is well aware of the threat posed by a dynamic France team.

But Steyn reckons both sides will be committed to an attacking game.

"We know the challe...

France says planning G7 finance meeting on Mideast

"I have spoken with various counterparts, in particular Scott Bessent, who is the US treasury secretary," French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure told Franceinfo radio.

"And we agreed to hold a meeting which will take place at the beginning of next week," he added.

"We want to let a week go by to see how the conflict develops, how the markets evolve. We'll have the finance ministers and the central bank governors there as well."

France holds the rotating presidency of the Group...

Strasbourg spot on against Reims in French Cup

First-division Strasbourg repeatedly came close against their second-tier visitors but the game was still scoreless on 83 minutes when the hosts were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Spanish-Irish midfielder John Patrick on the arm.

Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli and Paraguayan winger Julio Enciso both stepped up to take the kick.

After a face-off as neither man was prepared to relinquish the ball, diminutive Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco stepped between them and ushered...

France deploys aircraft carrier to Mediterranean over Iran war

"I have ordered the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, its air assets, and its escort of frigates to set course for the Mediterranean," he said in a televised speech a day after he warned of the risk of the conflict spilling over Europe's borders.

The Charles de Gaulle carrier has been pulled out of a deployment in the North Atlantic to head for the eastern Mediterranean. It made a stopover in the Swedish port of Malmo last week.

Macron said he was also sending additional air defence unit...

France deploys jets over UAE to protect its military bases

France has hundreds of navy, air force and army personnel based in the United Arab Emirates. Its Rafale aircraft are stationed at the Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi.

"These Rafales and their pilots are mobilised to ensure the security of our facilities," Barrot told the BFMTV broadcaster in response to a question on French action in the United Arab Emirates over the weekend to neutralise Iranian drones.

"They have carried out operations to secure the airspace above our bases."

On Sunday, "a ...

The French village where Ayatollah Khomeini fomented Iran's revolution

But the inhabitants of Neauphle-le-Chateau have still not got over their famous guest, as the US-Israeli war against Iran puts the spotlight back on the ayatollah's legacy.

Khomeini, the original spiritual guide of Iran's modern theocracy, spent barely 120 days ensconced in a villa in the village 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the French capital, before returning in a blaze of publicity to complete the ousting of the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the Iranian Revolution in early 1979.

A...

Real Madrid superstar Mbappe in Paris for treatment on knee injury

Mbappe was "in Paris accompanied by members of the Real Madrid medical staff," the striker's camp said in a statement.

"In agreement with the club, he is undergoing further tests on his knee," it continued, "with the aim of optimising his follow-up care and preparing for his comeback. No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment."

Mbappe has been struggling with an injury to the external ligament of his left knee since the end of 2025 and missed last week's Champions League play...

France arrests activists blocking ship over alleged Russia uranium links

Around 20 protestors carrying signs reading "Stop toxic contracts" and "Solidarity with Ukrainians", blockaded the Mikhail Dudin at the northern port of Dunkirk early on Monday morning, to prevent it from unloading its cargo, an AFP journalist observed.

French authorities then arrested four individuals, Dunkirk police told AFP, adding that the blockade was lifted around 09:00 am (0800 GMT).

Greenpeace has repeatedly accused France of maintaining ties with Russia's state-owned energy compan...

Macron to set out how France's nuclear arms could protect Europe

The speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, at France's Ile Longue nuclear submarine base, comes after the launch of US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilising the Middle East.

"What we are experiencing demonstrates that in the world to come, power and independence will be two indispensable forces for dealing with the proliferation of threats," said a member of Macron's team.

Macron is set to update France's nuclear doctrine as Russia's war against Ukrai...

France, Germany, UK ready to take 'defensive action' against Iran

The three countries' leaders were "appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region, including those who were not involved in initial US and Israeli military operations", said the joint statement.

"Iran's reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region," the statement added.

"We call on Iran to stop these reckless attacks immediately.

"We will ...

Macron to set out how France's nuclear arms could protect Europe

The speech by Macron, at France's Ile Longue nuclear submarine base, will be closely watched across Europe, which for decades has relied on the United States' nuclear deterrent but is now increasingly debating whether to bolster its own arsenals.

He is expected to update France's nuclear doctrine, with a member of his team telling AFP to expect "fairly significant shifts and developments" but declining to give any further details.

Macron has previously proposed to consider how France -- ...

France warns of 'provocation' if Russian drone buzzed aircraft carrier

Sweden said one of its navy vessels spotted and jammed the drone 13 kilometres (eight miles) from France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

On Thursday, Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson told the broadcaster SVT that the drone "probably" was of Russian origin, noting that "there was a Russian military vessel in the immediate vicinity at the time".

"If indeed... there is a potential Russian origin for this incident, the only conclusion I would draw is that it would be a ridiculous pro...

French left-wing politician sparks antisemitism row over Epstein jibe

Speaking at a gathering in Lyon on Thursday evening, Melenchon invoked the name of Jeffrey Epstein, after recent disclosures detailed the convicted sex offender's extensive ties to the world's rich, famous and powerful.

"I wanted to say 'Epstein', sorry, it sounds more Russian, 'Epsteen'," said the France Unbowed (LFI) leader.

"So now you'll say Epsteen instead of Epstein, Franckensteen instead of Frankenstein," he told a laughing audience.

The comments, which came ahead of municipal ele...

UK Labour party loses parliamentary seat to left-wing Greens

Labour also finished behind the hard-right, anti-immigrant Reform UK party in the by-election for the parliamentary seat of Gorton and Denton in Manchester, as the country's traditional two-party system fractures.

The result in a seat that Labour has dominated for decades shows how the party is being squeezed by both ends of the political spectrum and is likely to increase chatter about how much longer the 63-year-old Starmer can stay in office.

It also suggests that Britons appear more wi...

Iranian in possible France prisoner swap jailed for a year

Esfandiari, 39, was also handed a permanent ban from French territory, according to an AFP journalist present at the court.

Esfandiari's lawyer said she would be filing an appeal.

Observers see her as a potential bargaining chip in negotiations with Tehran for the release of French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who are still waiting to leave Iran.

She was arrested in France last year over comments she is accused of having made on social media, including on Palestinian militan...

France appoints new president at Louvre after jewellery heist

Christophe Leribault, who replaced Laurence des Cars, was appointed president of the iconic museum by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said he will "lead major projects for the institution's future" such as security and modernisation. Leribault will also have to "restore a climate of trust," added the culture ministry.

As director of the Louvre, Leribault will be in charge of the vast former royal palace that apart from the hugely embarrassing the...

Louvre president hands in resignation to Macron: Elysee

Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation letter to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, with the Elysee "hailing an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs a period of calm and a new strong impetus to carry out major security projects".

Des Cars has been under rising pressure since the October robbery at the museum that saw $100 million of French crown jewels stolen. The theft is currently the subject of an inquiry.

The Louvre, a former royal pal...

Senegal PM vows to double penalty for same-sex relations

Ministers passed the bill to the National Assembly after approving it last week, following multiple arrests of people accused of same-sex relations, which are already a crime under Senegalese law.

"Anyone committing an act against nature will be punished by five to 10 years' imprisonment," compared with one to five years under the current law, premier Ousmane Sonko told parliament on Tuesday.

Police this month said they arrested 12 men, including two local celebrities and a well-known jour...

France demands explanation from US envoy over 'surprise' no-show

Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris reposted comments by the administration of Donald Trump which denounced "terrorism" and left-wing violence in France after the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23.

The new diplomatic row broke out after Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, already criticised France for what he said was its insufficient action against antisemitism.

He was summoned to the French ministry last year but skipped that...

France demands explanation from US envoy over 'surprise' no-show

Kushner, whose son Jared is married to US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, has already been summoned once before over his criticism of France's handling of antisemitism. He skipped that meeting as well, sending an official instead.

On Monday, France moved to block Kushner from having access to government ministers.

Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris reposted comments by the Trump administration about the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23.

On ...

France to revoke US envoy's govt access after summons no-show

The move is the latest instance of diplomatic friction between Paris and the United States under President Donald Trump, with Paris bristling at what it sees as repeated interference by Washington in domestic matters.

Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, has already been summoned once before over his criticism of France's handling of antisemitism. He skipped that meeting as well, sending another official instead.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner...

Votes may 'melt like snow': Reform, Greens eye Labour UK bastion

The Manchester suburb of Gorton and Denton has been a Labour stronghold for decades.

But Nigel Farage's anti-immigrant Reform UK party and left-wing populists the Greens are hopeful of exploiting widespread disaffection with Starmer, already raising doubts about his longevity.

"I'm not voting for Labour this time because they're absolutely useless," said long-time Labour voter Sue, who has a homemade Vote Reform UK poster in her window for Thursday's parliamentary by-election.

Richard, a ...

Two Russian security personnel were on board France-seized tanker: sources

The two men were employed by Moran Security Group, a Russian private security company, and were tasked with monitoring the crew and gathering intelligence, a source with knowledge of the matter said on condition of anonymity.

The source said dozens of vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" are equipped with such crew protection teams, notably to escort them in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean -- all supplied by Moran Security.

"When they pass near European coasts or military assets, they ...

Dane Vingegaard to start season at Paris-Nice in March

The 29-year-old had been due to start his campaign last week at the UAE Tour but a training crash in Spain on January 26 forced him to change plans.

He also crashed last year during Paris-Nice and was forced to abandon the race ahead of the sixth stage, while sitting second in the overall standings behind Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate Matteo Jorgenson.

"I am excited to be at the start of Paris-Nice once again," Vingegaard said in a statement released by his team.

"As a team, we have a titl...

France giant Meafou capable of being 'world's best' lock

Meafou put in a man-of-the-match performance in France's 33-8 Six Nations victory over Italy on Sunday, scoring his first try in his 14th appearance for Les Bleus.

And he did it in his first start for France in this season's tournament, having been overlooked for the two previous matches in favour of rising star Mickael Guillard.

"When he wants to, Manny can be the best second row in the world, and I think he's doing what he needs to live up to that and play the way he did tonight," Ramos ...

After two convictions, France's Sarkozy seeks to merge sentences

The one-term president from 2007 to 2012 has faced a series of legal challenges since leaving office, receiving two definitive convictions in recent years.

"A request to merge sentences is an extremely routine procedure in this situation," his lawyer Vincent Desry told AFP.

In December 2024, he exhausted his last legal recourse in the so-called "Bismuth" case over trying to extract favours from a judge and served a sentence with an electronic ankle tag that was removed in May last year aft...

Galthie praises France lock Meafou and defence

Meafou played the entire 80 minutes alongside second-row partner Thibaud Flament and also scored France's second try.

Wary of Italy's forward power, Galthie had brought his engine room hulks Meafou and Flament back into the team in place of the more mobile Mickael Guillard and Charles Ollivon, who had started in the 36-14 victory over Ireland and 54-12 trouncing of Wales.

With France's scrum under pressure throughout the match, Galthie left on both locks for the entire match and introduced...

Bielle-Biarrey breaks record as France beat Italy in Six Nations

Try-machine Bielle-Biarrey struck inside three minutes for his 24th try in 25 Test matches for France.

Les Bleus looked set to run away with the victory after further scores from man-of-the-match Emmanuel Meafou and Thomas Ramos but the Azzurri hit back with an Ange Capuozzo try.

But wing Gael Drean's debut try after Italy winger Louis Lynagh had been yellow-carded, and another from Emilien Gailleton put the gloss on France's victory and kept them on course for the Grand Slam.

"It was tou...

Bielle-Biarrey breaks record as France beat Italy in Six Nations

Try-machine Bielle-Biarrey struck inside three minutes for his 24th try in 25 Test matches for France.

Les Bleus looked set to run away with the victory after further scores from man-of-the-match Emmanuel Meafou and Thomas Ramos but the Azzurri hit back with an Ange Capuozzo try.

But wing Gael Drean's debut try after Italy winger Louis Lynagh had been yellow-carded, and another from Emilien Gailleton put the gloss on France's victory and kept them on course for the Grand Slam.

"It was tou...

Fly-half Jalibert ruled out of France side to face Italy

The FFR gave no reason for Jalibert's absence but local daily Sud-Ouest claimed the Bordeaux fly-half has a problem with his left calf.

He is expected to be back for the match against Scotland on March 7 at Murrayfield.

Jalibert, who was handed his chance because of injury to Romain Ntamack, also missed France's three November Tests last year due to a muscle injury in his left thigh.

Toulouse's Thomas Ramos, initially slated to start at full-back, will move to fly-half, a position he has ...

Defence the priority for France against Italy, says Dupont

Although France have romped to convincing victories over Ireland and Wales in their first two tournament matches, they have conceded two tries in each when defending close to their own line.

"There are many areas where we need to improve, but if there is one area to prioritise that would be our defence close to our line, where we have conceded tries quite easily," said Dupont, although he acknowledged that France were well ahead in both matches when they did so.

"We need to be tougher in t...

France's Galthie lauds 'success story' Italy ahead of Six Nations clash

Gonzalo Quesada's team have impressed in the tournament this season, first edging out Scotland 18-15 in a drenched Rome before putting the wind up Ireland in Dublin a week ago before eventually succumbing to a 20-13 defeat.

Only two years ago, Italy were denied a historic first-ever Six Nations win in France when Paolo Garbisi hit the post from a penalty with the last kick of a 13-13 draw in the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille.

A team that went on a record 33-match losing run in the Six Nat...

Italy bring back Capuozzo for France Six Nations trip

Capuozzo missed Italy's first two tournament matches with a finger injury suffered playing for his club side Toulouse against La Rochelle in December.

He returned to training last week but did not make the squad for the 20-13 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.

The French-born 26-year-old is 10th in the list of Italy's all-time top try-scorers with 16 in his 31 Tests.

Although usually a wing, he replaces Lorenzo Pani at full-back after the 23-year-old Zebre back was given his first start for the...

French minister pledges tight security at rally for killed activist

Quentin Deranque, 23, died from head injuries after being attacked by at least six people on the sidelines of a protest against a politician from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party in the southeastern city of Lyon last week.

His death has fomented tensions ahead of municipal elections next month and presidential polls next year, in which the far-right National Rally (RN) party is seen as having its best chance yet at winning the top job.

President Emmanuel Macron -- who is serving hi...

Traore backs 'hungry' Italy against France in Six Nations

Having beaten Scotland in their tournament opener, they narrowly missed out on a first away victory against Ireland in the Six Nations, after leading at half-time.

This weekend, Italy head to Lille to face the tournament holders, who began their campaign by hammering Ireland and then Wales.

"The recent matches show the team is working hard to become what they are right now because they're hungry and they want the world to see that they're growing, they're evolving," Traore told AFP on Wedn...

Paris prosecutor calls on Epstein victims in France to testify

The call to file complaints and give evidence follows the latest cache of millions of files released last month by the US Justice Department from the investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

"We already want to stand alongside these victims," Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told broadcaster Franceinfo. "If they wish, we will receive all the statements they would like to make, either in the form of complaints or testimony."

The Paris prosecutor's office has jurisdiction when a...

First woman envoy for Palestine dies in France: family

"She died today," her sister Zeina told AFP, without providing further details.

Born in Lebanon in 1949, Shahid was the first woman to represent the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) abroad, beginning her career in Ireland before also becoming representative in the Netherlands.

She served as envoy in France and later as the representative at the European Union.

She was one of the first Palestinians to establish contacts with Israelis who were in favour of peace efforts.

"Leila Shah...

France arrests nine over far-right activist's killing

Quentin Deranque, 23, died after sustaining a severe brain injury when he was attacked by at least six people last week on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician speaking at a university in the southeastern city of Lyon.

The incident has fuelled tension between France's far right and hard left ahead of municipal elections in March and the 2027 presidential race, in which the far-right National Rally (RN) party is seen as having its best chance yet of winning the...

France grants safe haven to anti-Kremlin couple detained by ICE

His 29-year-old wife Nadezhda, a former volunteer for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was expected to arrive on a separate flight from Miami, also on Monday morning.

But she did not show up at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as planned.

"I am in shock," a visibly distressed Alexei, who had not seen his wife for more than 20 months, told AFP at the airport.

The couple were both swept up in US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, and had been held by the country's...

France loosens rules on allowing farmers to shoot wolves

Once hunted to extinction in France, wolves began crossing over from Italy after gaining protected status under the 1979 Bern Convention.

But they have been killing more livestock, too, with 12,000 farm animals lost last year, according to preliminary figures.

Under current rules, farmers can only shoot wolves if they attack animals inside a protected enclosure -- a restriction centrist President Emmanuel Macron's government said would now be relaxed.

"Protected or not, farmers will have ...

Killing of far-right activist stokes tensions in France

Quentin Deranque, 23, died of his wounds after being attacked Thursday on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician speaking at a university in the city of Lyon.

The incident has fuelled tension between France's far right and hard left ahead of municipal elections in March and the 2027 presidential race.

The investigation is still ongoing, but the government has already blamed rhetoric from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party for fuelling the violence that le...

'Ultra-left' blamed for youth's killing that shocked France

The victim, 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, died of his wounds after being attacked Thursday at a protest against a left-wing politician in the southeastern city of Lyon.

Supporters said Deranque had been providing security at a protest against an appearance by Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament for hard-left party France Unbowed (LFI), when he was assaulted by a gang of rival activists.

Deranque was hospitalised after the attack and placed into a coma, but prosecutors on Satur...

Wales' Tandy tips hat to France after Six Nations hammering

Wales's two tries were overshadowed by France's eight as the visitors put on a sparkling display of open rugby at the Principality Stadium.

"If you look at the athletes France have, if we kick a little too far, or if there's an offload, they come alive," Tandy told the BBC.

"You have to tip your hat to France and where they are as a team."

Tandy's team has now shipped 50 points or more in four of the five games he has been in charge for -- England only managed 48 last week -- and have not...

France run rampant to thrash sorry Wales 54-12 in Six Nations

Wing Theo Attissogbe scored twice in the second half but it was fly-half Matthieu Jalibert who orchestrated France's biggest ever score against Wales, improving on the 51 they scored at Wembley in 1998.

The Bordeaux-Begles no. 10 showed off his pace and skills as he scored one try and teed up three others as France made it two wins from two.

After two rounds they are the only side that can still claim a Grand Slam while Wales sit bottom of the table with two thumping defeats.

Steve Tand...

France's Macron urges calm after right-wing youth fatally beaten

The death of the young man -- identified only as Quentin -- has intensified tensions between France's far-right and hard-left who are both eyeing 2027 presidential elections.

He had been in hospitalised in Lyon on Thursday after being attacked while providing what his supporters said was security for a protest against an appearance by hard-left MEP Rima Hassan at the Lyon branch of the Sciences Po university.

The office of the Lyon prosecutor on Saturday told AFP he had died of his wounds....

French prosecutors announce special team for Epstein files

With Epstein's known circle now extending to prominent French figures after the release of documents by the US authorities, the prosecutor's office said it would also thoroughly re-examine the case a former French modelling agency executive Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of the American financier, who died in custody in 2022.

The new team will work closely with prosecutors from the national financial crimes unit and police with a view to opening investigations into any suspected crimes ...

Paris police shoot dead knife man at Arc de Triomphe

The man was shot several times by police as he threatened officers during the ceremony to rekindle the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier, a police source told AFP.

One of the officers on honour guard duty sustained slight wounds from a knife blow before another officer opened fire on the attacker, according to the gendarmerie. The man was also carrying scissors.

France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said the suspect, a French citizen born in 1978, died of his wounds a...

Cash-starved French hospitals ask public to pitch in

This week, the Basque Coast Hospital Centre (CHCB) in Bayonne was the latest to appeal to the public to help fund urgent needs and purchase medicine, medical devices and vaccines through what it calls "citizen loans".

Under the scheme, people lend money to public hospitals that later reimburse them, with interest.

The model has emerged in France over the past few years, with several hospitals and nursing homes inviting people to invest in their healthcare facilities.

The CHCB hopes to rai...

Macron slams 'antisemitic hydra' as he honours 2006 Jewish murder victim

To commemorate Halimi, whose abduction and murder in 2006 horrified France, Macron planted an oak tree in the garden of the Elysee Palace, joined by Halimi's sister, Anne-Laure Abitbol.

Macron stressed that the fight against antisemitism must involve all French people, and called for a "penalty of ineligibility" for elected officials guilty of antisemitic and racist remarks.

Halimi was kidnapped by a gang of around 20 youths in January 2006 and tortured in a low-income housing estate in th...

Cracknell given Six Nations debut as Wales make changes for France

The 31-year-old No.8, who won his first cap in November, features in a revamped back row following last week's 48-7 thrashing by England -- Wales's 12th successive Six Nations defeat and their 22nd loss in 24 Tests.

Tandy has made four personnel changes and two positional switches following the Twickenham trouncing, with props Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis -- the latter making his first Test start since the 2023 Rugby World Cup -- replacing Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin in the front row.

T...

Merz, Macron to address first day of Munich security meet

Russia's war against Ukraine, which is set to enter its fifth year this month, will be high on the agenda, alongside efforts by European NATO members to build up their defences.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived Friday in Munich, is due to speak at the annual gathering over the weekend as is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, organisers said.

They are among more than 60 heads of state and government and around 100 foreign and defence ministers who have descended on the so...

Hundreds of thousands without power after storm lashes France

High winds and hard rain brought chaos across southern France, northern Spain and parts of Portugal on Thursday, forcing cancellations of flights, trains and ferries and disruption on roads.

French officials said a truck driver was killed when a tree smashed through his windscreen, while dozens were injured in weather-related incidents in Spain and a viaduct in Portugal partially collapsed because of flooding.

French forecasters said the storm, named Nils, was "unusually strong" and France...

France picked uncapped Brau-Boirie at centre to face Wales

The 20-year-old will start in the French midfield alongside his Pau teammate Emilien Gailleton, 22, after Bordeaux-Begles pair Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana were ruled out through injury.

The rest of the starting XV for Sunday's match is identical to the one that thumped Ireland 36-14 in France's tournament opener last week.

Galthie had hinted at pairing the Pau centres against Wales when he played them together with the rest of the starters in training on Tuesday, as Depoortere and...

'Exhausting' off-field issues hang over Wales before France clash

Last weekend's 48-7 thumping at historic rivals England in their tournament opener came with a backdrop of another crisis in the nation of little more than three million people.

Last month the Welsh Rugby Union, founded in 1881, began the process of culling one of its four professional clubs, the Ospreys, in the latest instalment of the off-field problems engulfing the governing body.

The Swansea-based side's owners are likely to take over Cardiff.

Only the Scarlets in Llanelli, the Dra...

France seeks probe after diplomat cited in Epstein files

The case around diplomat Fabrice Aidan, who has rejected all the charges, is the latest to shake France in the fallout following the US Department of Justice's release last month of new Epstein investigation files.

"When I learnt about it, I was appalled," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday told the RTL broadcaster.

In an X post late on Tuesday, he said he was referring allegations against Aidan to the public prosecutor, and launching an internal inquiry into the "foreign affai...

French court to rule on July 7 in Marine Le Pen appeal trial

A lower court last year handed the 57-year-old veteran politician a five-year ban from public office over a fake jobs scam at the European parliament, dashing her presidential ambitions.

If the appeals court upholds last year's bombshell ruling, the three-time presidential candidate would be banned from running in 2027, widely seen as her best chance at the top job.

At the end of Wednesday's proceedings, the court's president said it will deliver the ruling on July 7 in the early afternoon...

Macron says wants 'European approach' in dialogue with Putin

He spoke after dispatching a top adviser to Moscow last week, in the first such meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"What did I gain? Confirmation that Russia does not want peace right now," he said in an interview with several European newspapers including Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"But above all, we have rebuilt those channels of discussion at a technical level," he said in the interview released on Tuesday.

"My wish is to share this w...

Macron backs ripping up vines as French wine sales dive

The head of state visited the huge Wine Paris trade show on Monday, telling producers there that their business was a part of "France's way of life".

Efforts to help the crisis-hit industry include the government's latest 130-million-euro ($155-million) "arrachage" fund which opened last Friday, offering loss-making owners subsidies to uproot their vines.

"It has to be done... so that the others (producers) retain their value," Macron said.

France's wine sector is dealing with over-produc...

A French yoga teacher's 'hell' in a Venezuelan jail

Camilo Castro, who has Chilean origins, was detained on June 26, 2025 after crossing into Venezuela from neighboring Colombia, where he lived.

His plan was to renew his Colombian visa by exiting and immediately re-entering the South American country.

But he was pounced upon by masked agents from Venezuela's intelligence services, who whisked him away to an underground prison in the oil city of Maracaibo.

His ordeal there provides an insight into conditions suffered by hundreds of dissiden...

French cycling hope Seixas dreaming of Tour de France debut

Seixas is just 19 but starts the new season as the leader at French team Decathlon CMA CGM firmly in the spotlight.

In his first season he kept pace with cycling's elite, taking third place in the road race at the European Championships behind four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar and double Olympic gold medallist Remco Evenepoel.

"Obviously when you follow these guys once, it gives you a lot of confidence," Seixas told AFP at his Sierra Nevada altitude training camp in Spain.

"Be...

France detects Russia-linked Epstein smear attempt against Macron: govt source

Politicians, celebrities and royals have been caught up in the turmoil after the US Justice Department last week published a new cache of nearly three million documents related to the investigation of Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

France's Viginum agency, which counters foreign disinformation campaigns, detected Wednesday the operation involving a fabricated video report "accusing President Emmanuel Macron of being involved in the 'Epstein affair'", the...

Lebanese army must be given 'means' to disarm Hezbollah: French FM to AFP