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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
Jewellery by French glass maker Rene Lalique at the Lalique museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, eastern France. On Sunday it was reported that thieves stole millions of euros worth of jewellery from the museum. Photo: AFP
Crime

Jewellery worth millions of euros stolen in French museum burglary

The jewellery stolen from luxury glassmaker Lalique’s museum in northeastern France was reportedly crystal and could not be melted down.

Extreme weather

‘Help us’: wildfires ravage France, Spain, Portugal forests as mercury soars

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China trade

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

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US, Israel war on Iran

Minefields, stalled talks keep Strait of Hormuz in strategic limbo

Iran’s grip on maritime traffic through the strait remains both ‘real’ and ‘strong’ even amid the cessation in hostilities, analysts say.

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Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

US touts regional ‘balance’ in missile sale to Singapore. What does it mean?

The latest deal sheds light on distinct strategies in a broader American policy of ‘distributed deterrence’, analysts say.

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US-China relations

Which Trump will show up at Nato summit? Odds are it will be the fuming one

US president’s impatience and distrust of multilateral groupings has Nato’s 31 other members walking on eggshells before next week’s key meeting.

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Sexual harassment and assault

British teen rapists get detention after outrage at lenient sentences

The two boys were originally given youth rehabilitation orders after raping two girls; videos of the attacks were shared online.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London, where the Court of Appeal reviewed the controversial sentences. Photo: AP
Thailand

Thailand says photo of France’s Macron kneeling before king is AI-generated

The king and Queen Suthida visited France this week to mark the 170th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Climate change

Video | European heatwave sparks scramble for air conditioners

Only 18 to 26 per cent of French households had air conditioning in April.

Extreme weather

In heatwave-baked France, ‘madness’ and chaos grip air-conditioner shoppers

Consumers in Paris besiege Lidl supermarkets for low-cost cooling units, leading to long queues and brawls.

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A man cools off at a fountain near the Eiffel Tower during a heatwave in Paris last month. Photo: AP
Banking & finance

China’s World Bank journey hits lending limit: why it is being phased out

Ministry of Finance eyes move towards knowledge sharing as wealth gains and US pressure curb lending for a nation that is now the world’s top bilateral creditor.

A woman walks by the World Bank building in Washington. The World Bank will reportedly cap sovereign lending to China at US$2 billion for the 2026-2031 period before ending it altogether. Photo: AP
Education in Hong Kong

Should Hong Kong ban smartphones in schools and who makes final call?

No consensus exists among educators and parents in Hong Kong on whether there should be a blanket ban on gadgets, as seen in some countries.

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China-EU relations

China’s Fifa fever, EU’s trade deadline: 7 global relations reads

From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026.

China-EU relations

‘World without bearings’: Lorenzi sees economic conflict and unplottable fixes

Prominent French economist warns that Europe must reach strategic pact with Beijing and enact structural reforms as global order enters volatile era.

People cool off near the Trocadero fountain in front of France’s Eiffel Tower last week during a heatwave. Jean-Herve Lorenzi, president of Le Cercle des economistes, contends that major European powers must reach a strategic agreement with China. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

Spain blames over 1,000 excess deaths on heatwave, in second-hottest June ever

At the heatwave’s peak, June 23, almost 75 per cent of the population were exposed to health risks due to heat. The hottest June was in 2025.

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A tourist drinks water in Barcelona, Spain, on a hot day. File photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

Rima Edbouche – the anti-WAG? Meet Ousmane Dembélé’s modest hijabi wife

Ballon d’Or winner of 2025 and Paris Saint-Germain member Dembélé is repping France at the World Cup 2026 – supported by his low-key wife.

Emmanuel Macron

Macron urges more opposition to the death penalty as global executions rise

At a global summit in Paris, the French president defends human dignity amid a surge in state killings.

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JD.com

JD.com’s bid for Europe’s Ceconomy clears German hurdle but EU subsidy probe looms

Other member states have also put the deal under scrutiny, including an ongoing foreign investment clearance process in Austria and Spain.

The JD.com logo is seen on its sorting centre building in Beijing, November 11, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Ukrainian oligarch among 3 wounded in ‘deliberate’ Monaco explosion

Police hunt fugitive after a rare explosion wounds multimillionaire Vadym Yermolaiev and two others.

Extreme weather

Couple detained in France after 15-month-old twins die of dehydration

Four other children hospitalised as prosecutors investigate a tragedy unfolding during summer heatwave.

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

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On AliExpress, Alibaba’s international retail site, this month’s debut of air conditioners in Germany saw local warehouse inventory for a Midea model completely wiped out by Thursday. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

As China dominates solar and energy sector, fears emerge over EU’s new crackdown

Brussels’ unease over European reliance on Chinese tech sees the bloc impose bans and restrictions, as fears mount on how far it will go.

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At The Smarter E Europe 2026, around 2,800 exhibitors, including 750 Chinese firms, showed how a 24/7 renewable energy supply can be achieved. Photo: handout
Malaysia

Malaysia narrows hunt for replacement missiles after Norway axes contract

Turkey, South Korea and two unspecified European nations are in the frame to replace a cancelled Norwegian anti-ship missile.

Extreme weather

Europe’s record heat has overwhelmed Paris mortuaries

With temperatures eclipsing 40 degrees Celsius, heat-related deaths are rising.

China's military weapons

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

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Eurosam’s SAMP/T NG on display at the Eurosatory defence fair in Paris. Photo: Seong Hyeon Choi
China’s private sector

Final insurance frontier: Hong Kong sees opening in mainland China’s space boom

Like maritime trade centuries ago, the space economy is built on high-risk, high-value journeys. Hong Kong wants to be its insurance hub.

The rapid expansion of China's commercial space industry is creating growing demand for specialised insurance products covering launches, satellites and other space-related risks, industry participants say. Photo: Weibo
Aviation accidents

Skydiving plane crashes in northeastern France, killing 11

Group of nurses on first tandem jump die in full view of loved ones as aircraft plunges ‘straight down’.

Extreme weather

France sees 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave

Most of the fatalities involved older people and the mortality rate is expected to rise.

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