france

Political Reactions to Marine Le Pen's Conviction

Here are various political reactions to Marine Le Pen's conviction on Monday, including a five-year immediate ineligibility sentence in the European parliamentary assistants' case. US President Donald Trump's administration said it was "concerning" to exclude candidates from politics, in response to a French court's ...

Le Pen Denounces Presidential Ban as 'Political Decision' Against Democratic Rights

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen launched a scathing critique of the recent judicial decision that bars her from running in the upcoming French presidential election, calling it a “political decision” that undermines democratic principles. In a fiery interview on the French TV channel TF1 Monday, Le Pen argued that the ruling directly ...

Souad Massi Urges Paris and Algiers to Reconnect

She is one of the artists who best embodies the deep bond—and tensions—between France and Algeria. Souad Massi says she feels "sad" about the current diplomatic crisis between the two countries, which, according to her, "should talk things through like a couple," as she told AFP in an interview. Performing at the Berlin Philharmonie on ...

Macron Ready to Receive Syrian President Subject to Conditions

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that he was ready to receive Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Chareh, provided that the Syrian government opens up to all segments of civil society and commits to ensuring security conditions necessary for the return of Syrian refugees. "A government that represents all components of ...

Macron and Aoun Denounce Israel's "Unjustified" Strikes on Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s southern suburb "unacceptable", saying it was a "violation of the ceasefire" agreed in November between Israel and Hezbollah. Speaking at a joint press conference with Lebanese counterpart President Joseph Aoun, at the Elysees Palace, Macron said “I expressed ...

Macron and Aoun to Hold a Video Meeting with al-Sharaa on Friday

French President Emmanuel Macron, who will receive his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun in Paris on Friday, will also have a “trilateral meeting” with him and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who will join them “remotely,” the Élysée Palace announced on Thursday. “This will be an opportunity for the three heads of state to ...

Boualem Sansal: Five Years in Prison and an Unfolding Diplomatic Crisis

As Paris looked for signs of de-escalation from Algiers, the Dar al-Beïda court delivered its ruling. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 500,000 dinars (approximately €3,470). The sentence falls short of the ten-year term requested by the public prosecutor a week ...

Disney's 'Snow White' Walks the Woke Line and Stumbles

Boosted by discounted movie tickets during France’s annual Printemps du cinéma, Disney’s Snow White remake drew crowds between March 19 and 25. But behind its commercial success lies a storm of criticism—surrounding the cast, storyline, and values—long before the film even hit the big screen. A Reimagined Snow White Under Heavy ...

French FM Says China can Help Bring Russia to Ukraine Negotiating Table

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged Beijing on Thursday to help bring Russia to talks over ending its war in Ukraine as he met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. France and China have sought to boost ties in recent years, but Paris has also pressed Beijing on its relations with Moscow, which have strengthened since the invasion of ...

Ukraine: Macron Announces New €2 Billion French Military Aid

On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron announced an additional €2 billion in military aid from France to Ukraine, accusing Russia of demonstrating a "willingness for war." On the eve of a summit he is organizing in Paris with nearly thirty countries ready to contribute, in various ways, to the "security guarantees" that Europeans wish to offer Kyiv in ...

'L’Ennemi, un livre pour la paix,' Comes to Life on Stage

Sometimes, a small book can spark a profound change. During the Christmas holidays, what seemed like a simple children’s book, L’Ennemi, un livre pour la paix turned out to be a deep source of inspiration. With its delicate illustrations and powerful, minimalist text, this book moved readers with its humanity and impact. What began as a ...