France

Turkey Raps France, Says US Only Counterpart in Northeast Syria

Turkey's top diplomat on Friday ruled out a role for French troops in Syria, saying it was only negotiating with the United States which has sought to head off Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters there. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Paris of turning a blind eye to Turkey's security concerns, and called on France to take back ...

Macron to Visit Lebanon After Election of New President

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed the "crucial election" by Lebanese lawmakers of army chief Joseph Aoun as president and said he would soon visit the country. Macron spoke with Aoun hours after the former army commander became the new president of Lebanon ending a two-year vacuum in the country's top post. France "will ...

STL Acquires Christian Lacroix to Revive Iconic Haute Couture

The Spanish fashion conglomerate Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL) announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Christian Lacroix brand, with the goal of reviving the once-iconic label to its former glory. The deal, made with the US-based Falic Group, which specializes in duty-free retail, was a “private transaction,” with ...

Deschamps to Step Down as France Coach After 2026 World Cup

France head coach Didier Deschamps will step down from the role when his current contract ends after the 2026 World Cup, a source close to the team said on Tuesday. Deschamps led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title, becoming only the third man to win the tournament as a player and a manager. He took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012 and has ...

Pierre Boulez Centenary: Reviving the Avant-Garde and Shaping Tomorrow’s Sound

2025 will be marked by the celebration of the centenary of Pierre Boulez, a major composer of 20th-century contemporary music. Through concerts, unpublished editions, and commissions to current composers, the music scene will pay tribute to this genius of the avant-garde, an essential figure in music and pedagogy, as well as a builder of cultural ...

Le Drian Will Attend the January 9 Session

The French President’s special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, will attend the January 9 parliamentary session convened to elect a president, after an invitation by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Le Drian will begin a visit to Beirut on Tuesday as part of his mission of good offices, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs ...

France Asks Citizens to Avoid Iran Until 'Hostages' Released

France on Tuesday urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran until French nationals held there have been released. "The situation of our compatriots held hostage in Iran is quite simply unacceptable. They have been unjustly detained for several years, in unworthy conditions," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, urging French nationals not ...

France's 2007 Presidential Campaign: Sarkozy Faces Conviction

Accused of having received Libyan funds to finance his 2007 presidential campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy appeared on Monday before the Paris court in a historic trial.  Former president Nicolas Sarkozy, already convicted for corruption in the Bismuth case and for illegal campaign financing in the Bygmalion case, faces justice for the third time in ...

Macron: Iran 'Main Strategic and Security Challenge' in Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said Iran was the main strategic and security challenge in the Middle East, citing the acceleration of its nuclear programme and support for Russia's war against Ukraine. "Iran is the main strategic and security challenge for France, the Europeans, the entire region and beyond," Macron said in a speech ...

Charlie Hebdo: A Decade of Resistance Through Satire

On January 7, 2015, a devastating terrorist attack struck Charlie Hebdo, killing twelve people, including eight members of the editorial team. Ten years after this tragic event, the satirical weekly, which survived the horrific massacre, continues to defend the values of free speech with the same vigor. In a special issue set to be published this ...

France Stresses Importance of Protecting Syria from Foreign Exploitation

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, stated on Sunday that it is "essential that no foreign power" takes advantage of the regime change in Damascus to weaken Syria, while his Syrian counterpart began an official visit to Qatar. "Syria will obviously need help, but it is essential that no foreign power, as Russia and Iran ...

Female Circus Artists Take Center Stage at the Biennale

A major event in contemporary circus arts, the Biennale internationale des arts du Cirque (BIAC) will open on January 9 across Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, focusing on female-led creations. This year’s edition achieves a milestone, with half of its 66 performances either created or directed by women in an art form historically dominated by ...