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France
France
The latest breaking news and stories on France, a country in western Europe known as a semi-presidential republic, and the world’s seventh largest economy. Also covering France’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on France’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
Paris
Head of State
President Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron
Head of Government
Prime Minister Michel Barnier
Portraits of Cecile Kohler (left) and her partner Jacques Paris along with a placard reading “Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions” outside the Palais Bourbon, France’s National Assembly in 2025. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

Libya

France’s Sarkozy challenges conviction over alleged Libya funding

Malaysia

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

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Transport and logistics

Train driver killed after France high-speed rail collides with truck

Two people are in critical condition, while 11 others sustained less serious injuries.

Part of the TGV train after its collision at a level crossing after is collision with a lorry between Bethune and Lens, in Bully-les-Mines, in the Pas-de-Calais region, northern France on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran calls for ‘human chains’ around its power plants before US deadline

Tehran defiant after the US president warned the ‘entire country can be taken out in one night’.

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Damage control’? Behind France, Germany’s bid to contain Iran war oil fallout

The European powers are leading calls for de-escalation but analyst notes ‘the age of soft power as a substitute for hard capacity is over’.

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Nato

Opinion | In denying Trump airspace, Europe has drawn a line for Nato

Growing European defiance to US demands raises a critical question: is Nato a club of equals or a mechanism for enforcing one nation’s agenda?

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
New Openings

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Le Le’s launch to Thong Smith’s debut

Progressive Vietnamese arrives in the form of Le Le, while Bangkok’s cult-favourite boat noodle specialist Thong Smith debuts in Wan Chai.

Britain

Major sponsors drop out of London festival headlined by Kanye West

Pepsi and Diageo pull out of Wireless Festival as PM Starmer weighs in on US rapper who has praised Nazism in the past.

South Korea

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) toasts with Emmanuel Macron during a luncheon for the French leader at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: French and Japanese-owned ships make first Hormuz crossings

France and Japan have called for a ceasefire in the conflict, with Macron saying the waterway can only be reopened when the bombing stops.

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A container ship operated by the French CMA CGM shipping company runs into the port of Marseille in June 2018. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

The Iran war is a wake-up call to many countries about their overdependence on the US for security.

US-China trade war

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US, Israel war on Iran

Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz demanded at 40-nation talks

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage via its blockade of the waterway, said the UK’s foreign minister, who hosted the meeting.

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British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosts a virtual meeting with foreign ministers. Photo: EPA
Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong can become global hub for autism support: Unesco official

Chief Executive John Lee highlights importance of better understanding and acceptance of autistic people at event marking World Autism Awareness Day.

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Crime

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

People stand outside the Bank of America headquarters in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Japan

Japan, France to draw road map for supply of critical minerals

It aims to lower their high dependency on China, which mines about 70 per cent of the world’s supply and refines some 90 per cent.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US may exit Iran war in 2 to 3 weeks, threatens to quit Nato

The declaration was the US president’s clearest so far that he intends to soon end a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

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US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addresses the media after trade talks with the Chinese delegation in Paris in March. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Trump urges countries seeking oil to go to Strait of Hormuz and ‘just take it’

Amid high prices of fuel during the Iran war, the US leader urged nations to buy American oil or ‘just take it’ from the Strait of Hormuz.

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Trump singled out Britain and France as unhelpful in the month-long war. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Japan

What Macron’s Tokyo visit means for an anxious Japan and its ties with France

Japan is enlisting French support amid a global energy shock and a diplomatic rupture with Beijing.

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US-China relations

Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

Readers discuss the postponement of the US president’s visit to Beijing, and the underlying impulse behind American military action.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Henry Jacques’ Les Toupies is a French love story in crystal

The ‘spinning tops’ limited edition collection spans 3 chapters and 6 fragrances, with pairs of sculptural crystal flacons, each with finely drawn personas.

Henry Jacques’ Les Toupies Collection of 3 pairs of specially designed flacons. Photo: Handout
China-EU relations

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Crime

France convicts Chinese captain of oil tanker linked to Russian shadow fleet

Chen Zhangjie, who is currently at sea, was jailed for a year in absentia. The Borocay was thought to be transporting Russian oil to India.

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Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

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