In a first, France welcomes Russian army deserters
AFP CAEN, France – Six Russian soldiers who fled the fighting in Ukraine have found refuge in France and hope to receive asylum, in a landmark case of Russian deserters…
French cement maker Lafarge to face trial on terrorism funding charges
Reuters PARIS – Cement maker Holcim’s Lafarge will face trial in a French court on charges that its Syrian subsidiary financed terrorism and breached European sanctions in order to keep…
Algeria bars France from wheat import tender as relations sour, sources say
Reuters Algeria excluded French companies from a wheat import tender this week and required that participating firms did not offer French-origin wheat, in apparent fallout from renewed diplomatic tensions between…
Osama bin Laden’s son banned from France after years spent painting in Normandy
Agency Report Bruno Retailleau, France’s new hardline interior minister, said he had signed an order permanently barring Omar bin Laden from the country. The family name may be best associated…
France’s Macron urges halt to arms exports destined for Israel’s use in Gaza
Agency Report French President Emmanuel Macron has called for other countries to stop delivering weapons to Israel that will be used in its war in Gaza, where more than 41,000…
Child ‘trampled to death’ in asylum seekers’ Channel crossing: minister
AFP Several people died, including a young child, when an overcrowded boat attempted to cross the Channel to Britain, French authorities said on Saturday. Another would-be asylum seeker was injured…
Public allowed to see video evidence in France mass rape trial
AFP A court trying a French man charged with enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily drugged wife ruled on Friday that the public could be present when video…
EU bans Algerian spread toasted on social media
In Algeria, the product’s international success is a source of national pride. AFP The EU has blocked imports of an in-demand Algerian hazelnut spread that became popular in France after…
‘I am a rapist,’ says Frenchman in mass rape trial
AFP AVIGNON, France – “I am a rapist,” a 71-year-old Frenchman accused of drugging his wife so he and scores of strangers could assault her told a court Tuesday, returning…
PSG refuse League order to pay Mbappe disputed €55 million
AFP PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) refused Thursday to pay departed striker Kylian Mbappe a disputed 55 million euros ($60.6m) despite a French league (LFP) order to do so earlier…