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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
A US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off. 16. Washington has approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s fighter jet deal to ‘quietly’ boost South China Sea defences

The jets are part of a close, ‘under the radar’ US-Malaysia defence partnership, even as Kuala Lumpur continues engaging China positively, analysts say.

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Britain

UK and France seal ‘one in, one out’ deal to return migrants arriving on boats

Auctions

Original Birkin bag by Hermès sells for record US$10 million at Paris auction

European Union

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen easily survives parliament no-confidence vote

EU lawmakers dismissed allegations against Ursula von der Leyen regarding private text messaging with Pfizer’s CEO, misuse of funds, and election interference.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a no-confidence vote amid far-right tensions and corruption allegations. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

EU urges China for rare earth access amid US tariffs, growing supply worries

European officials demand action to reduce dependency – but analysts warn more time needed to implement strategy.

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Donald Trump

Trump marvels at Liberian president’s ‘good English’. It’s his nation’s official language

The awkward exchange adds to a pattern of Trump’s unusual compliments to foreign leaders.

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Israel-Gaza war

US sanctions UN human rights expert critical of Israel’s war in Gaza

Francesca Albanese, who has called Israel’s Gaza war ‘genocidal’, dismisses US sanctions as ‘mafia style intimidation’.

Smoke rises as a Palestinian man inspects the site of Israeli strikes on buildings at Gaza’s Old City market. Photo: Reuters
My Take

Opinion | It’s time for business to stop profiting from Israel’s ‘economy of genocide’

A UN report has exposed dozens of corporations making money from the atrocities being committed across Palestinian territories.

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Britain

UK and France to declare ‘coordinated’ nuclear deterrent

Both countries will jointly respond to any ‘extreme threat to Europe’, as they reboot their defence ties with a focus on missile development.

North Korea

Secret Japanese life of North Korea Kim Jong-un’s mother exposed in new book

A new book reveals that the leader’s maternal grandfather was a Japan-based smuggler who had to flee to North Korea to escape prosecution.

Ko Yong-hui (centre, in pink) with her friends in Japan. Photo: Yoji Gomi
Tourism

Going to Paris? Escape the city for a night at these fantastic retreats

From countryside inns serving amazing food to wine excursions and Instagram hotspots, add a stay at one of these to your next Paris trip.

Les Roches Rouges. Photo: Instagram / @lesrochesrouges
Extreme weather

Wildfire loses intensity in southern France, firefighters continue battle

Lockdown lifted and residents allowed out after wildfire reached France’s second-largest city.

China-EU relations

UK and France must end dependency on US and China, Macron says

State visit marks symbolic reset in UK-France relations, signaling a post-Brexit thaw.

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Emmanuel Macron

King Charles hosts France’s Macron in first European state visit since Brexit

The countries hope to ‘reset’ post-Brexit relations, addressing issues like English Channel migrant crossings and a proposed Ukraine security force amid royal fanfare.

President of France, Emmanuel Macron and King Charles speak in Windsor, England on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Tourism

Take a bike trip along France’s west coast to discover its beauty and history

Enjoy great views and explore Nazi remnants from World War II on a ride along La Vélodyssée, the French section of the Atlantic Coast Road.

La Rochelle old harbor. Rear view of a bicycle looking at city view while standing on observation point.
The Philippines

F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific

Analysts say the advanced fighter jet’s deployment shows Manila’s deep integration into US deterrence planning in the region.

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United States

Opinion | Decades of America’s ‘exorbitant privilege’ is ending, thanks to Trump

The US president is systematically destroying faith in the dollar in global financial markets and among governments and central banks.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine plans to expand drone production with allies after war, Zelensky says

Cooperation would take place with all countries that can help with investments, individual parts and production facilities, Zelensky said.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system during a visit to a military training area. Photo: dpa
SCMP Highlights

Chinese AI scientists, Beijing’s message to Brics: SCMP daily highlights

From most of world’s top AI scientists hailing from China to an exclusive on Albanese’s Beijing visit agenda, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture

Paris Haute Couture Week 2025: Michael Rider’s Celine debut steals the spotlight

Dior and Valentino are skipping haute couture week, while it’s unclear whether Giorgio Armani will be at his Armani Privé show – but Celine and Patou offer plenty of excitement.

China-EU relations

Why France is toasting China’s new tariff on European brandy

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the ruling as a ‘positive step’, after Beijing granted exemptions to France’s top cognac makers.

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Beijing’s decision to exempt a string of French cognac makers from a new anti-dumping duty on European brandy has received a warm reception in Paris. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Pope Leo signals continuity on fighting child abuse with Vatican appointee

France’s Bishop Thibault Verny, 59, will head the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission, replacing American Cardinal Sean O’Malley.

Pope Leo XIV looks on during a meeting promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy in Rome, Italy, on June 26. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China, EU near EV tariff deal, state media says, refutes ‘trade diversion’ fears

‘Final step’ in resolving EV tariff dispute hinges on EU political will, CCTV says, as Xinhua calls diversion fears ‘grossly overstated’.

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China-Middle East relations

China’s Wang Yi urges new international deal on Iran after US, Israeli attacks

The top diplomat also warns of potential ‘nuclear disaster’, saying strikes on Iranian facilities set ‘bad precedent’.

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Swimming

Take the plunge: swimming returns to France’s Seine after over a century

Three outdoor pools set up by Paris authorities will be open from Saturday until August 31.

Fluidion workers test the Seine river water quality on Thursday, ahead of the opening of the three Seine swimming pools from Saturday to August 31 in Paris. Photo: AP
Profile

The French theatre production scaling literal and philosophical heights

Corps extrêmes delves into the psyche of extreme sports athletes – we meet its creator and one of its stars.

American climber Ann Raber and Italian highliner Luca Chiarva star in Corps extrêmes. Photo: Pascale Cholette
Britain

UK welcomes French police puncturing small boat carrying migrants

The BBC broadcast footage of officers damaging the vessel, full of people, as it was about to set off, with PM Keir Starmer’s office calling it a ‘significant moment’.

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E-commerce

France fines Shein US$47 million for ‘deceptive’ pricing amid EU scrutiny

Shein did not offer discounts based on the lowest price in the previous 30 days, and sometimes raised prices before applying a reduction.

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