France in the news: protests and riots after PSG clinched the title; tensions over Gaza, Nafo sanctions, and outrage over systemic issues. France — a Western European republic with overseas territories.
US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has urged European capitals to shoulder more defense duties, describing migration as an "invasion" on European shores during the Normandy D-Day commemorations. He has emphasized that real allies must share risks and responsibilities, while noting that the main international ceremony was skipped by senior officials.
Connor Graham has moved to seven under after a five-under 67 on the Old Course, leaving him joint third and four shots behind leader Lev Grinberg, who has inspired a French challenge after an opening 66. Dutchman Melvin Muller is two off Grinberg, with several Scots also in the mix as the field heads into the final 36 holes on Sunday.
Israel has announced the approval of 2,162 new Jewish homes in the occupied West Bank, including a new settlement near Jerusalem and expansions near Nablus and Hebron. Officials say the project aims to strengthen Israeli control on the land, while Palestinians warn it deepens occupation and threatens future peace.
A collage of spring recipes from Guardian and sister outlets highlights miso, herbs, greens, and flexible methods. From a speedy cauliflower‑based risotto to slow‑cooker dips and a lamb shoulder with peas, the stories center on accessible, fresh ingredients and time‑saving techniques for weeknights and gatherings.
Health authorities have identified at least 13 hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, including three deaths. Passengers and crew have been evacuated to multiple countries and are being quarantined and closely monitored; more than 600 contacts in about 30 countries have been traced and are under follow-up as testing and isolation continue.
Amid Cannes backlash, Xenia Fedorova’s public role in Bolloré’s media empire has intensified scrutiny of Kremlin-linked messaging in France. Sources describe a widening industry response to Bolloré’s influence across Canal+, CNews, Europe 1 and StudioCanal, with lawmakers and press groups calling for greater transparency.
Pope Leo XIV has confirmed a Europe-focused itinerary this year, including a visit to UNESCO in Paris and planned stops in Spain and Lourdes. The Vatican says the trip is part of efforts to engage European Catholic communities amid rising secularism.
Global alcohol consumption is waning as health concerns and tighter budgets drive down servings across beer, wine and spirits. IWSR shows a 2% annual drop in servings from 2019-2025, with the trend echoing a long-term decline in per-capita consumption. Producers are cutting costs and launching lower-alcohol offerings to adapt.
A coalition warns that using AI facial age estimation to assess the age of unaccompanied asylum seekers could push children into adult detention or prisons. The Home Office has awarded a contract to Akhter Computers to test AI tools ahead of a 2027 rollout, while officials stress safeguards and advisory use.
The World Cup is expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches this summer, with sportsbooks and prediction markets driving a record- breaking wagering surge in the United States. Analysts say mobile betting, broader formats, and mainstream interest are fueling this growth, while U.S. lawmakers weigh regulation of prediction markets.
Drones have killed and wounded civilians in multiple market towns in Sudan’s conflict zones, with reports of attacks in Abu Zaeima, Ghubaysh, Kubum and other locations. Rights groups warn the toll is rising amid ongoing fighting between the army and RSF and near-daily drone strikes across Kordofan and Darfur.
Tricapital Angels has led fresh investments totalling over £3 million across HonuWorx, Kaly and Sisaltech, backed by Scottish Enterprise with £6.8m of member capital deployed in two years. Norwegian investor Mogens Mathiesen joins as strategic adviser as the group targets ocean tech, sustainable construction and biotech.
Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters and detained about 430 activists. National security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir has posted footage showing bound activists kneeling while he taunts them; the video has provoked condemnation from multiple governments, Israeli ministers and rights groups, and rapid deportations of the detainees.
The updates cover ongoing immigration issues across several countries: Colombia's tuition-free policy impact and its political transitions; U.S. courts discussing CDL authority and deportation matters; France dealing with deportation orders for immigrant students; and a U.S. judge ruling on entrapment in a voting case.
France has moved to repeal the 1685 Code Noir in a bill that would remove the remaining formal slave-law from French law. Macron has signaled reparations must be discussed, while cautioning against false promises as lawmakers prepare for a vote. The issue ties France’s colonial legacy to ongoing debates on racism and inequality.
Australia has imposed entry bans and asset restrictions on four West Bank settler outposts and three Israeli individuals, including far-right figure Ben Zion Gopstein, in response to rising settler violence. The measures, coordinated with partners including New Zealand, stop Australians from sending money or assets to the listed people and entities.
France has barred Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his actions toward passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla. The decision comes amid global reaction to a video showing Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla detainees, which drew condemnation from foreign leaders and even Netanyahu’s coalition partner.
France has suspended some EU border checks at the port of Dover due to heavy queues caused by the EU Entry-Exit System (EES). Passengers face long waits today, but processing times are improving as authorities relax checks during the bank holiday weekend amid record May temperatures.
A Dominican court has ruled that Wander Franco has been a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who was sentenced to 10 years for sexually trafficking her daughter. Franco has been exempted from punishment under judicial pardon; full sentencing is set for June 16. MLB says it will review the ruling.
A bomb has hit a passenger shuttle carrying military personnel and families near Quetta, Balochistan on 24 May 2026, killing at least two dozen people and wounding dozens more. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility; carriages have overturned, nearby buildings have been damaged and hospitals have declared emergencies.
Israel has intercepted a Gaza aid flotilla, detaining activists and deporting them. A minister has been filmed taunting detainees, triggering condemnations from allies and a push for accountability. Protests have erupted in Bilbao as activists allege abuse during detention.
A heatwave has swept across France, the UK, Spain and Italy, with multiple drownings and heat-related deaths reported as temperatures exceed records for May. Authorities warn of ongoing extreme heat through the week as storms and heat domes are expected to persist.
A persistent heat dome has driven unprecedented May temperatures across western Europe this week, with the UK and France having broken May records (Kew Gardens provisionally 35.1°C). Ambulance services have reported record call volumes, amber heat-health alerts have been issued, thunderstorms and fires have followed the heat, and officials are urging caution around open water.
Canada has pressed Israel for an independent investigation into the mistreatment of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla. Ottawa has also reaffirmed its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion and West Bank violence, amid reports of abuse and detentions in international waters.
A jury has convicted a man of torturing and raping a woman in France, while a separate case concerns a campaigner who was drugged and raped by her husband alongside dozens of accomplices. The stories highlight ongoing debates over justice, victim protection, and systemic delays in French legal proceedings.
Russia has warned foreign citizens and diplomatic staff to leave Kyiv, saying it is preparing systematic strikes on decision-making centres, command posts and drone facilities after a weekend barrage. EU and several European states have summoned Russia's envoys and said the threats are an unacceptable escalation; diplomats in Kyiv have not publicly departed.
France is investigating a failure to act after the disappearance of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl, and the discovery of her body near Fleurance. A 41-year-old father is in custody as the key suspect, amid renewed concerns about prior sexual assault allegations and the handling of those cases.
France and Norway have broadened defence cooperation, including partaking in forward nuclear deterrence and joint planning, as Macron and Stoere push Europe toward greater strategic autonomy amid concerns about U.S. commitment. The agreement complements recent pacts with Britain and Germany, and signals a shift in Nordic security posture.
A pan-European heatwave has shattered May temperature records in the UK and France, with London and Kew Gardens reaching 35C while minimum temperatures stay above 20C for consecutive nights. Met Office warnings are in place as authorities warn of heat-related health impacts and potential storms across parts of England.
The UN's WMO has warned a record-breaking hot year is likely to occur by 2030 as El Niño strengthens, with 2027 potentially setting a new global heat record. The latest report notes rising fossil-fuel emissions and intensifying heatwaves across Europe and beyond, underlining the urgency of cutting emissions and accelerating clean energy adoption.
France has repealed Code Noir and is considering reparations as lawmakers move to the Senate after a near-unanimous Assembly vote. The historic slave code governed colonial slavery and is now being removed from the books, with discussions turning to compensation for descendants of enslaved people.
A coalition of Europe’s largest economies has urged the European Commission to expand and sharpen EU trade defenses. The signatories want more frequent use of safeguard investigations, quicker WTO referrals, and a new resilience tool to protect strategic sectors and value chains. They also advocate allowing anti-subsidy duties to be applied directly to companies.
France has opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes after French activists on the Global Sumud flotilla have alleged physical, sexual and psychological abuse during their May 18 detention by Israeli forces. The probe has been launched by the national counterterrorism prosecutor (PNAT) after a foreign ministry referral and will be handled by France's crimes-against-humanity unit.
Edgar Morin, the globally influential French thinker known for cinema verité and a transdisciplinary approach, has died at 104. Macron has praised him as a defender of humanity and humanism personified. Morin’s work spanned autobiography, sociology, philosophy, ecology, and more, shaping debates on globalization and the climate and influencing generations of scholars.
Belgian prisons are overcrowded, with 13,733 inmates in mid-May against a capacity of 11,064. Detainees face extended isolation, scarce medical care, and staff shortages. France reports similar strain, with Villepinte housing 1,332 inmates in a 703-capacity facility amid a heatwave and warnings from the UN about degrading conditions.
Fans celebrated PSG's win in Budapest but violence erupted across about 15 French cities. Authorities have detained nearly 400 people, with Paris accounting for roughly 300 arrests. Planned Champs-Élysées celebrations are still set to proceed with the team hosted by President Macron at the Élysée palace.
French authorities have detained hundreds as celebrations for PSG’s Champions League win last night escalated into clashes across multiple cities, including Paris. Police report injuries among security forces and civilians, with arrests rising as a Champs-Élysées celebration event is planned for today.
South Africa's squad has faced visa delays ahead of its World Cup preparations, delaying travel to Pachuca, Mexico, and threatening to disrupt the opening game schedule against Mexico on June 11. Most players are set to travel after a visa setback for assistant coach Helman Mkhalele is resolved.
France has intercepted the oil tanker Tagor, which is suspected of sanctions-busting for Russia. The ship, departing Murmansk, was boarded more than 400 nautical miles off France’s Atlantic coast. Macron says the vessel was flying a false flag and poses a threat to security and the environment as Western sanctions intensify efforts to curb Russia’s war financing.
France is expanding its AI credentials as SoftBank plans up to 5 GW of data-center capacity and major investments in AI infrastructure ahead of the Versailles-based Choose France event, with Macron seeking to position France as a global AI hub.
France has limited Israeli participation in Eurosatory 2026, banning government representatives and the Israeli national pavilion, and restricting Israeli firms to displaying only air-defence products. Israel has criticized the move as discriminatory and politically motivated; organisers say the rules are a national decision.
Israel's Defence Ministry has reported a record $19.2 billion in defence exports for 2025, with Europe and Asia-Pacific as major buyers. More than half of deals are worth $100 million or more, despite criticism over Gaza and broader regional conflicts. G2G sales exceed $10 billion, while missiles, radar, and optronics are among the largest categories.
The memorial, called L'Archive, has been unveiled on the Seine in Paris with two black brass steles honoring victims of the 1994 genocide. President Macron and President Kagame have praised the move as a milestone in acknowledging France’s past, while discussions on France’s responsibility continue.
A cross‑country study using mobile phone data finds people retreat indoors during extreme heat, while malls and parks offer refuge. The UK and Europe face rising temperatures and pressure to adapt school and city infrastructure for resilience. Governments are rolling out heat action plans amid social inequalities in vulnerability.
Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi, renowned for Persepolis, has died aged 56. Tributes from leaders and cultural figures note her universal impact and advocacy for freedom. Her work spans graphic novels, film, and political engagement.
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission has been operating with rotating fighter jets to safeguard Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Interceptions have increased, with French detachments and Russian aircraft involved in missions around the Baltic Sea. The incidents follow drones entering Baltic airspace and a Serbian-Russia dynamic tied to wider security concerns.
A complaint filed in Paris has alleged rape of a minor and human trafficking involving a former Elite Model agency supervisor and a prominent figure in the fashion world. The developments may allow other victims to join the proceedings, though the accused has denied the allegations amid France’s statute of limitations rules.
NASA has since been coordinating with Roscosmos as air leaks in a Zvezda tunnel prompt a safety posture on the ISS. Four Crew-12 astronauts are preparing for a potential Dragon-based evacuation while Roscosmos conducts an extended repair operation to the tunnel, which has long suffered cracks and leaks.
The pope has begun a weeklong visit in Madrid, greeted by Spain’s Catholic royalty. He is meeting abuse-survivor groups and addressing the parliament as part of a broader effort to connect with young Catholics and European audiences amid ongoing clergy-crisis discussions.
Bernadette Chirac, the long-serving partner of former French president Jacques Chirac, has died at 93. Macron has called her death a loss to France, noting her influence, charity work, and stark political candor that helped shape the era around her husband’s career.