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39 results for “France”

• International · 2026-10-03

  Student protests over school conditions turn violent in France for third consecutive day

  Thousands of students across France are protesting against severely overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and deteriorating school buildings infested with vermin and plagued by extreme temperature fluctuations. Clashes between police and demonstrators have spread to major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, resulting in over 2,000 arrests across more than 735 disrupted schools. The government has accused the far-left party La France Insoumise of encouraging the unrest, though party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon denies the charge and insists the protests are self-organised.

• International · 2026-10-23

  Storm Adam kills at least four in southern France floods

  Storm Adam brought severe flooding to southern France on Tuesday, resulting in at least four deaths in the Bouches-du-Rhône region and Corsica, with one additional injury reported. Authorities have issued warnings as a second storm, Austen, approaches from the Atlantic Ocean towards the country's northwest.

• International · 2026-10-25

  Shooting and widespread protests convulse France and spread across Europe

  A gunman opened fire near Paris, killing one person and wounding five others, including a 12-year-old girl, in what President Macron described as a "racist terrorist attack." Days later, approximately 410,000 people participated in nearly 300 protests across France over the cost of living and education. The unrest spread to riots and looting in Italian and Spanish cities, as well as protests in Albania.

• International · 2026-10-04

  Violent protests erupt across France over school overcrowding and teacher shortages

  Student-led protests over overcrowded classrooms and understaffed schools began in Paris and spread rapidly to major cities across France. The unrest resulted in over 2,000 arrests, 76 injuries, and disruptions affecting 735 schools nationwide. The government blamed far-left opposition for encouraging the demonstrations, though the movement's leaders disputed this characterization.

• International · 2026-10-02

  Three days of violent student protests in France result in over 2,000 arrests

  Student-led protests over teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms have entered a third day of unrest across France, resulting in more than 2,000 arrests and hundreds of injuries. Over 500 schools have closed as demonstrations that began with blockades merged with a broader public-sector strike on Tuesday.

• International · 2026-09-09

  Trump does not oppose UK, France and Canada's ban on Israeli settlement trade

  On 8 September, the United Kingdom, France and Canada announced they would ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which they consider illegal under international law. President Trump said he would speak to the countries involved to understand their reasoning, but did not condemn the move. Israel's government responded angrily, with its Foreign Minister accusing the countries of encouraging antisemitism.

• International · 2026-10-26

  Marine Le Pen announces candidacy for France's 2027 presidential election

  Marine Le Pen, the longtime leader of France's far-right National Rally, has formally announced her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. She is expected to be a leading contender in what observers describe as a closely watched race. The announcement comes during a period of continuing social unrest and political tensions across the country.

• International · 2026-10-31

  France experiences third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests

  Approximately 320,000 people participated in demonstrations across France on Saturday, marking the third straight weekend of nationwide protests. The demonstrations formed part of a broader wave of unrest spreading across Europe over concerns about living costs and government policy. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that protests were largely peaceful but condemned an 'extraordinary' level of violence from rioters, highlighting an attack involving a Molotov cocktail against police in Paris.

• International · 2026-09-08

  UK, France and Canada impose sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements; Israel closes British consulate

  The United Kingdom, France and Canada announced coordinated sanctions against Israeli West Bank settlements, including trade and arms embargoes, with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accusing settlers of ethnic cleansing. Israel retaliated by ordering the closure of Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem, while the United States declined to join the measures amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.

• International · 2026-10-24

  Hundreds of thousands protest across France during National Rally congress

  An estimated 410,000 people participated in nearly 300 protests across France on 24 October, demonstrating against the cost of living and the education system. Meanwhile, in Orléans, thousands of counter-demonstrators marched against the National Rally's congress, where Marine Le Pen was launching her presidential campaign. Nearly 1,000 arrests were made nationwide as clashes and looting occurred, particularly in Paris, where police deployed water cannon and tear gas.

• International · 2026-10-25

  Hundreds of thousands march across France as cost-of-living protests turn violent

  Approximately 410,000 people participated in nationwide protests across France on 24 October, demonstrating against rising living costs and education system failures. Violent clashes erupted in Paris and other cities, resulting in nearly 1,000 arrests and 53 injured police officers.

• International · 2026-09-13

  Britain, France and Canada introduce sanctions on Israeli settlements, escalating diplomatic tensions

  Britain, France and Canada have announced trade restrictions and sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Britain's Foreign Secretary describing the measures as a response to 'ethnic cleansing'. Israel retaliated by closing Britain's East Jerusalem consulate and accused the countries of antisemitism, while the United States declined to impose similar sanctions.

• International · 2026-09-28

  France's National Rally secures record Senate seats and forms first parliamentary group

  Marine Le Pen's National Rally and allied parties achieved a record result in French Senate elections held over the weekend, winning 14 seats total and meeting the 10-seat threshold to establish a parliamentary group in the upper house for the first time. Le Pen described the outcome as a "historic victory" that will strengthen her 2027 presidential campaign, while investigative outlet Mediapart published allegations attributed to party leader Jordan Bardella from 2013, which he denied as "crude forgeries."

• International · 2026-10-18

  Major protests over cost of living in France turn violent with widespread looting

  Hundreds of thousands of French people demonstrated on 17 October against rising living costs, with organisers reporting 550,000 to 800,000 participants nationwide including 110,000 in Paris. The peaceful marches were marred by significant looting and vandalism in multiple cities, prompting the arrest of approximately 400 people. Senior government figures condemned the violence and pledged that those responsible would face prosecution.

• International · 2026-09-27

  Latvia blocks EU plan to delist Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman

  EU ambassadors provisionally agreed to remove Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the bloc's sanctions list as part of a three-year renewal of broader sanctions against Russian entities, but Latvia's prime minister blocked the agreement after Ukraine called the delisting unacceptable. France had pushed for Usmanov's removal, reportedly under pressure from Azerbaijan regarding detained French citizens.

• International · 2026-10-12

  14-year-old opens fire at school near Marseille, injuring two staff members

  A 14-year-old student brought a hunting rifle hidden in a guitar case to Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, near Marseille, on 12 October and opened fire, wounding the headmaster and a teacher. A staff member disarmed him before he could continue. Authorities said the attack appeared unrelated to ongoing high-school protests elsewhere in France.

• International · 2026-10-23

  Macron describes Paris-area shooting as racist terrorist attack

  A gunman fired from a moving car in suburbs near Paris, killing one person and injuring five others, including a 12-year-old girl, over approximately 15 minutes. President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and condemned the attack as targeting people for their skin colour or religion, calling it a significant moment for the nation. France's anti-terrorism prosecutors are investigating the incident as murder connected to a terrorist enterprise.

• International · 2026-10-18

  French nationwide protests against cost of living spark widespread riots

  On 17 October, between 550,000 and 800,000 people protested across France against rising costs, with demonstrations in major cities including Paris, Lille, Marseille and Limoges. Some protesters engaged in rioting, looting shops and vandalising public buildings, leading to around 400 arrests and strong condemnation from President Macron and Prime Minister Lecornu.

• International · 2026-10-11

  Glucksmann secures over 66% in French Socialist primary first round

  Raphaël Glucksmann won the first round of the Socialist party primary for France's 2027 presidential election, receiving more than 66% of the vote according to Le Monde. The primary, which featured candidates including Olivier Faure, Ségolène Royal, Emmanuel Maurel and Jérôme Guedj, will determine the party's representative in the 2027 presidential race. This substantial first-round victory positions Glucksmann as a leading figure on the French left.

• International · 2026-08-30

  Former French PM de Villepin and Socialist leader Faure stake out positions for 2027 presidential race

  Dominique de Villepin, a former Prime Minister of France, has indicated he will run for president in 2027 but will not participate in a primary election, which he criticized as 'the latest gimmick for the desperate.' Olivier Faure, the Socialist Party leader, announced he will join a primary contest scheduled for October to help select a single left-wing candidate for the election.

• International · 2026-11-01

  Youth-led protests over cost of living and war turn violent in Western Europe

  Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators protested across France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands during the weekend of 31 October and 1 November against rising costs, military spending and underfunded public services. Clashes with police, looting and arrests occurred in multiple cities including Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich and The Hague. Authorities reported varying estimates of participant numbers and differing accounts of the violence's extent.

• International · 2026-10-19

  Israel arrests 10 suspects in West Bank settler attacks on American and French officials

  Israeli police arrested 10 people in the occupied West Bank following violent attacks on an American photojournalist and the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, France, both travelling with European diplomats. The arrests occurred after a weekend of violence that drew international criticism and raised questions about Prime Minister Netanyahu's response to the incidents.

• International · 2026-09-18

  Russia places Nestlé and Auchan operations under state control

  Russia has placed the local operations of Swiss food company Nestlé and French retailer Auchan under temporary state administration, transferring control to L.E.V. Management, a Russian firm headed by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev. Moscow justified the move by designating Switzerland and France as unfriendly countries amid the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions.

• International · 2026-10-24

  Anti-government and cost-of-living protests spread across Italy, Spain and Albania

  A wave of unrest swept through several European cities on 24 October, with violent clashes and looting reported in Italian cities, a student protest turning violent in Barcelona, and anti-government demonstrators attacking government buildings in Tirana. These protests echoed broader cost-of-living and social demonstrations that have recently affected France.

• International · 2026-10-20

  Israel arrests 10 suspects over settler attacks on American journalist and French mayor in West Bank

  Israeli police arrested 10 people in the occupied West Bank following a series of attacks on Western nationals, including American photojournalist Heidi Levine and the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in France, who were travelling with European diplomats. The pre-dawn raids targeted suspects linked to violent incidents and illegal construction. Rights groups have highlighted that such prosecutions are rare when Palestinian victims are involved, despite a documented surge in settler violence against Palestinians since late September.

• International · 2026-10-18

  Masked Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in West Bank village

  According to the Associated Press, a delegation of European diplomats and Catholic church representatives was attacked by masked Israeli settlers while visiting Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank. The targeted diplomats included the Belgian consul general and representatives from France and Poland.

• International · 2026-09-22

  EU Ambassadors Move to Delist Russian Oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman, but Latvia Blocks Agreement

  European Union ambassadors provisionally agreed to remove Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from sanctions while extending restrictions on approximately 3,000 other Russian-linked individuals and entities for three years. However, Latvia's prime minister subsequently blocked the deal, following Ukraine's criticism of the proposed delisting.

• International · 2026-10-01

  Hundreds arrested as French student protests over school overcrowding turn violent

  At least 450 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested and 76 injured during protests by French secondary school students over overcrowded classes and teacher shortages. The demonstrations began in Paris and spread to multiple cities including Dijon, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille and Marseille, with students blockading schools for several days.

• International · 2026-10-24

  Drive-by shooting described as racist terrorist attack kills one and wounds five near Paris

  A gunman carried out a drive-by shooting across two towns south-west of Paris over approximately 15 minutes, killing one person and injuring five others, including a 12-year-old girl. President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and described the attack as a "racist terrorist attack" targeting people because of their skin colour or religion. The suspect, identified as Kevin T, was arrested shortly after the incident.

• International · 2026-08-30

  De Villepin signals 2027 candidacy and Faure enters Socialist primary in developing French presidential race

  Former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced his intention to run for the French presidency in 2027, but ruled out participating in a primary election. Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, declared he would join the United Left primary scheduled for October to help select a single left-wing candidate for the election.

• International · 2026-10-16

  World abandons leap seconds in favour of leap hours

  At the General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles, delegates from 69 countries voted to eliminate the leap second, which has been used since the 1970s to keep official time synchronized with Earth's rotation. From 20 May 2027, Coordinated Universal Time will operate continuously, with a leap hour to be introduced only when necessary, potentially not for thousands of years.

• International · 2026-10-31

  Large-scale strike and protests across Italy target Meloni government and cost of living

  Tens of thousands of Italians participated in a nationwide strike and demonstrations across more than 50 cities on Friday, organised by the trade union USB. The protests focused on rising costs of living, education funding cuts and opposition to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government.

• International · 2026-10-26

  Egypt authorizes military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks

  Egypt's parliament voted on 26 October to authorize President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to send military support to Saudi Arabia in response to attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement. Sisi emphasized that Egypt's role would be strictly defensive and aimed at protecting Saudi territory, not at launching operations against Yemen.

• International · 2026-10-25

  Youth riots in Barcelona and pension march in Madrid unfold simultaneously

  A student protest in Barcelona became violent on Saturday evening, resulting in 128 arrests including about 32 minors and injuries to fifteen police officers. The same day, roughly 25,000 people marched in Madrid demanding pensions be linked to inflation and calling for equal pensions between men and women. These events reveal different concerns affecting Spanish society across age groups.

• International · 2026-11-01

  Summer Youth Olympics opens in Dakar, first IOC event held in Africa

  The 2026 Summer Youth Olympics officially opened in Dakar, Senegal, marking the first International Olympic Committee event ever to be held on the African continent. Thousands of young athletes from around the world are competing in what organisers have described as a historic milestone for African sporting development.

• International · 2026-10-15

  World Timekeeping Authorities Vote to Abolish the Leap Second

  Delegates from 69 countries at the General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles have voted to eliminate the leap second and adopt a new system that will keep Coordinated Universal Time running continuously from 20 May 2027. The change will replace frequent one-second adjustments with a single leap hour adjustment, which scientists estimate will not be necessary for thousands of years.

• International · 2026-10-12

  Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration across French supermarket chains

  A cyberattack of unknown origin disrupted refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets on 12 October, causing millions of euros worth of fresh and frozen food to spoil. Hackers gained control of temperature-control software supplied by Danish firm Danfoss, causing some refrigerators and freezers to heat up to 50°C overnight. Major chains including Coopérative U, Intermarché, Carrefour, Monoprix and E.Leclerc were affected.

• International · 2026-09-07

  Far-right AfD achieves strong victory in Saxony-Anhalt but lacks absolute majority

  The Alternative for Germany party secured 43.8% of the vote in Sunday's Saxony-Anhalt state election, more than twice the share won by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats. Although the AfD won the most seats, it fell three short of the 42 needed for an outright majority in the 83-seat parliament.

• International · 2026-09-07

  US envoys Kushner and Witkoff hold first Kyiv talks with Zelenskyy in renewed peace push

  American peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Kyiv on Sunday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in their first diplomatic visit to the Ukrainian capital. The meeting came after the envoys spent three hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the previous day, as the Trump administration pursues efforts to end the four-and-a-half-year war. While Kremlin officials described the Moscow talks as productive, neither side announced a breakthrough.