In the wake of the weekend violence in France, political camps have been trading blame for the "chaos". The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally, which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr David Lees, Reader in French Studies at the University of Warwick, says that far-right candidate Marine Le Pen "is trying to use these events as a vehicle for pushing her popularity ahead of the elections next year".
In the wake of the weekend's violence, the political camps have been trading blame for the “chaos”. The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally, which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell takes a look.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday that a summit between Russia, China and the US would encourage President Vladimir Putin to prolong the war. The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin had proposed a summit next month with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the war on terms that would favour Moscow. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.
France announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities on Monday after weekend demonstrations over soaring prices degenerated into some of the worst street violence in recent years. Images of riots and looting in France over the weekend have been seen across the world and are worrying the country's tourism industry. Could the violence put off foreign tourists from visiting? FRANCE 24's Selina Sykes reports.
Speed limits on a US military grade satellite system are hindering Ukrainian forces' ability to coordinate drone strikes against Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday. Zelensky said frontline units had reported that the Starshield equipment "stops functioning at speeds of 130-160 kilometres (80-100 miles) per hour in various sectors of the front". Separately, a Ukrainian army brigade has announced the rescue of a wounded soldier from the front line using an aerial drone, describing the evacuation as the first of its kind. The brigade published a video showing the drone lowering itself to the ground, before a man in combat gear fastens himself to a winch onboard and is lifted upwards. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg reports from Ukraine.
Following a weekend of #violence and #looting, the French government has announced localised #curfews, financial support for affected businesses and a tougher judicial response, while keeping the option of a state of emergency on the table.
Five men with alleged connections to the major criminal group DZ Mafia are accused of murdering, in 2020, the elder brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci – now deputy mayor of Aix-en-Provence. The trial, set to begin on Monday, highlights the threat posed by mafia-style drug trafficking networks in the region. FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza reports.
France's central government asked some local authorities to impose curfews and faced pressure over security failings on Monday after a weekend of riots and looting borne out of nationwide anti-government protests. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu did not rule out declaring state of emergency but said it was more appropriate for now to apply partial and localised curfews, without providing details of which cities would be affected.
At least 2,400 people were arrested in France during protests over the weekend, some simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, others on suspicion of theft and looting. In an official address, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that “those who looted will have to pay for the damage”. But who exactly are these rioters?
Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Andrew Smith, Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London. France's escalating social unrest has exposed a troubling disconnect between legitimate popular grievances and the government's increasingly security-focused response. Smith argues that the violence accompanying otherwise largely peaceful demonstrations reveals serious failures of policing, while President Emmanuel Macron's response offers "very little of substance." Drawing parallels with France's historic protest movements, Smith identifies a "convergence of causes" rooted in economic insecurity, educational inequalities and political paralysis. He warns that a repressive response risks deepening the crisis, calling instead for a renewed commitment to "participatory social democracy."
Four soldiers were killed and dozens injured in a fire at a military base in Alberta province, one of the worst peacetime tragedies to hit Canada's armed forces on home soil, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election. FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley looks back at Lecornu's remarks in the wake of the violent protests that shook the country over the weekend.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday blamed immigration for unrest during protests in France and urged the country to tighten its migration rules. Trump's post comes after similar comments made by Vice President JD Vance on Saturday. Vance, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate in the 2028 election, also drew a connection to upcoming midterm races for congressional seats on November 3, where Republicans are not expected to perform well. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday began a Gulf tour aimed at securing oil and diesel supplies in an effort to bring down prices, after a weekend of violent protests sparked by soaring living costs. Macron, just hours after slamming France's "unbridled" violence in an address late on Sunday, arrived in OPEC member Kuwait where he was welcomed by the emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.
With the US midterm elections just weeks away, data centers are emerging as a major political issue for both Republicans and Democrats. There are about 3,000 facilities currently operating in the country. With that number potentially doubling in the coming years, concern – and, in some cases, anger – is growing among voters. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson report from West Virginia.
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest higher living costs and the poor conditions in schools and other public services in France over the weekend. Police arrested nearly 2,400 people after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops.The widespread unrest deepens political uncertainty in France as it prepares for elections in six months.
Youths and police clashed for a second consecutive day on Sunday in Milan, where at least 200 people were arrested during protests over the cost of living. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a security meeting for Monday to address the violence, which evoked scenes of chaos and looting in Paris. FRANCE 24's Seema Gupta reports from Rome, Italy.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday said he had asked regional authorities to impose curfews in some cities. The measures, which he said would be "partial" and "localised", are intended to protect businesses after weekend demonstrations spilled over into street violence. Lecornu also accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election. Watch our replay.
France’s escalating protest movement is exposing a widening disconnect between political leadership and public frustration, while raising questions about the country’s long tradition of social unrest. Chris Reynolds, Professor of French and European Studies at Nottingham Trent University, argues that President Emmanuel Macron’s latest address was characterised by a troubling “sense of detachment,” offering little to resolve the structural grievances driving the demonstrations. Drawing parallels with May 1968 and the Yellow Vest movement, Reynolds warns that violent unrest risks eclipsing the legitimate concerns of largely peaceful protesters, undermining public sympathy and reshaping political debate ahead of the presidential election.