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France

France’s far-right Le Pen threatens to bring down government over budget bill

Le Pen, on trial for embezzlement, is demanding a freeze on electricity taxes and higher pensions, putting pressure on the minority government to negotiate.

3 hours ago

China-EU relations

European Union launches WTO case against Chinese tariffs on brandy exports

2 hours agovideocam

Banking & finance

Singapore, Hong Kong among top picks in Asia for investment: HSBC

3 hours agovideocam

ITTF

Wang wins 3rd straight World Table Tennis Finals title after 4-0 rout of Harimoto

The world No 1 has endured a tough time since a shock loss at the Olympics – that he avenged in Fukuoka – but ended the season in fine style.

5 hours ago

Wang Chuqin putting Tomokazu Harimoto away in less than 40 minutes to mark his third consecutive WTT Finals title, all of which were against his Japanese rival. Photo: Xinhua

Sexual harassment and assault

French father sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping teenage daughter

The man also had ‘total control’ over the victim and offered her up to strangers for sex.

23 Nov 2024 - 1:05PM

Donald Trump

Editorial | Torch of international cooperation to burn despite Trump return

China’s President Xi Jinping along with leaders at the Apec and G20 summits make it clear multilateralism is still the way to go.

22 Nov 2024 - 2:23AM

Israel-Gaza war

ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and a Hamas leader

The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people.

22 Nov 2024 - 1:08PMvideocam

A man mourns holding the body of a child, who was killed in an Israeli strike, at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in Gaza. Photo: AFP

South Korea

Telegram to delete deepfakes targeting South Koreans

This comes as South Korea’s media regulation agency pushes the company to boost its monitoring of such content.

20 Nov 2024 - 7:12PMvideocam

Asean

Western powers bring ‘little’ value to Asean forum, may fan China tensions

Experts say adding Canada, France and the UK to Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus could dilute the platform’s ‘effectiveness’.

20 Nov 2024 - 5:03PMvideocam

China trade

Hennessy plan to trial bottling cognac in China prompts strike in France

Strike involved about 500 workers at a bottling plant in Cognac in southwest France.

20 Nov 2024 - 1:26PM

Bottles of Cognac are stored at the Hennessy factory in Cognac, southwestern France. Photo: Reuters

Crime

‘Family destroyed’: children of French mass rape victim speak of heartbreak

Daughter believes she was also assaulted by her father, Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted drugging and raping his wife with dozens of men.

19 Nov 2024 - 5:58AM

Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisele Pelicot, talks to journalists during a break in the rape trial of her father Dominique Pelicot with 50 co-accused, at the courthouse in Avignon, France on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Food and Drinks

Legendary French chef makes foray into Asia, but not where you’d think

Christian Le Squer, of Paris’ three-Michelin-star Le Cinq, talks about taking on a whole new challenge at La Maison 1888 in Da Nang, Vietnam.

18 Nov 2024 - 7:15AM

Food and Drinks

These Ukrainian chefs find hope at top cooking school in France

Driving from their Mariupol homes, trainee Ukrainian cooks are attending star chef Thierry Marx’s school dedicated to ‘casualties of life’.

16 Nov 2024 - 5:15PM

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong French Film Festival returns with classics for its 53rd year

The fest kicks off at City Hall with this year’s Cannes fave L’Amour Ouf and includes Q&A sessions with featured filmmakers and actors.

18 Nov 2024 - 4:11PM

This year’s Hong Kong French Film Festival celebrates 53 years of cinematic savoir faire. Photo: Alliance Française de Hong Kong

Climate change

Cop29 host tries to calm waters after diplomatic turmoil

The UN climate talks are in disarray after a French minister cancelled her trip and Argentina withdrew its delegation.

15 Nov 2024 - 2:14AMvideocam

Attendees arrive for the Cop29 UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday. Photo: AP

The Netherlands

Dutch investigate alleged police violence after banned Amsterdam protest

Social media footage seemed to show police officers beating protesters who had been released after being taken away from the protest.

14 Nov 2024 - 6:58PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong office attracts firms to live up to its name

City is being reinvigorated as regional business hub thanks to success of body bringing in hi-tech talent.

14 Nov 2024 - 6:15AM

US presidential election 2024

Trump could send EU hurtling toward tariff war with US and China, Macron warns

The French president added that European countries risked being divided depending on their relative dependence on the US or Chinese market.

14 Nov 2024 - 6:06AMvideocam

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a round table discussion in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Zhuhai

Editorial | Zhuhai horror shows need for measures to prevent recurrence

Car attack on Guangdong crowd as they exercised, leaving 35 dead, a reminder that safety in public places cannot be taken for granted.

14 Nov 2024 - 1:13AM

Japan

France sends its nuclear-powered carrier to Japan – and a ‘message’ to China

Analysts say the deployment aims to bolster alliances, deter adversaries and demonstrate France’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

12 Nov 2024 - 10:37AM

Food and Drinks

Profile | From ‘picky’ eater to 3-Michelin-star restaurant chef in Hong Kong

Japanese chef Hideaki Sato of Ta Vie talks about how Chinese food influences his French cuisine and his recent ‘dream come true’ in France.

10 Nov 2024 - 1:15PM

Retailing

L’Oreal strengthens China supply chain to reduce risk of disruption

‘We are working on this programme of localisation, trying to produce as much as we can, where we can in China,’ executive says.

8 Nov 2024 - 5:15PM

L’Oreal is tweaking its global supply chain to protect against disruptions. Photo: Reuters

High Jewellery

Style shoot: The Tiffany Céleste collection’s archival inspiration

Tiffany & Co.’s current chief artistic officer for jewellery and high jewellery is Nathalie Verdeille who burrowed into the brand’s archives to revisit classic pieces.

8 Nov 2024 - 10:00AM

US presidential election 2024

Putin congratulates Trump on election victory, says Russia is ready for dialogue

Russian president praises ‘real man’ Trump in his first public remarks since US election win.

8 Nov 2024 - 10:10AMvideocam

Heidi Klum

Recap | Want to bump into Beyoncé, Beckham, William and Kate, Rihanna or Clooney? Celebrity vacation spots revealed!

Discover the top holiday destinations in Europe, Asia and around the world where Hollywood A-listers, superstar singers and all the top celebrities like to take their vacations.

7 Nov 2024 - 6:00PM

Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz, pictured here at Paris Fashion Week in September, are known for enjoying breaks in Caribbean island getaways such as St Barts or Turks and Caicos. Photo: Getty

Malaysia

Malaysia lauds court win after Filipino heirs’ US$14.9 billion claim rejected

The ruling ends the claimants’ years-long legal battle with Malaysia over a colonial-era land deal.

7 Nov 2024 - 2:30PM

Malaysia’s law minister Azalina Othman Said described the French court’s ruling as a “historic victory”. Photo: Facebook/ybaos

Middle East

Iranian student in underwear protest put in ‘specialised care centre’

Authorities say she suffers from ‘psychological fragility’; activists say other women opposing the system have been sent to such facilities.

7 Nov 2024 - 2:29AM

Middle East

Concern grows for Iran woman detained over underwear protest

Activists fear the student – seen as a feminist icon after stripping outside her university – could be confined in a psychiatric institution.

6 Nov 2024 - 5:31AMvideocam

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France

The latest news, analysis and opinion on France. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Paris

Head of State

President Emmanuel Macron

Head of Government

Prime Minister Michel Barnier

last updated:

25 September, 2024