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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
Police officers in uniform and plainclothes police secure the site after a deadly school shooting, in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on April 15, 2026. Photo: via Reuters
Social media

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

Americas and the Caribbean

Top Peru ministers quit in protest over stalled US F-16 jet deal

Middle East

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Human rights

French activists sue ‘deceptive’ laughing gas suppliers

A road safety group is seeking a ban on Chinese and Polish companies behind a firm that markets the gas from operating in France.

Partygoers in Spain inhale laughing gas (nitrous oxide). The substance was implicated in over 450 serious road accidents in France last year, a number that has multiplied by 40 in six years. Photo: Red Door News
China's military weapons

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

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China airliners

Exclusive | Maker of China’s C919 jet weighs supply chain weaknesses amid delivery delays

The firm still relies on overseas suppliers for some critical parts, while labour shortages also pose problems, a company source says.

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Artificial intelligence

Elon Musk summoned in France to show up over deepfakes on X, Grok probe

French prosecutors want to interview Musk over the dissemination of Holocaust denial and sexual deepfakes, and political interference.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington in November. Photo: AFP
Japan

‘Dragon Ball’ diplomacy: Japan’s Takaichi builds rapport with personal touches

Japan’s first female prime minister uses expressive gestures, thoughtful gifts and music to connect with foreign leaders.

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China airliners

‘Not compromising quality’: why China’s C919 is falling behind on deliveries

Deliveries of the home-grown airliner billed to take on US, European competitors have been slow, with just three dispatched in the first quarter.

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China technology

Letters | Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO’s victory more than a sporting achievement

Readers discuss ZXMOTO’s wins in the WorldSSP class of the Superbike World Championship, and the connection between competition for oil and the space race.

Riders Valentin Debise (right) and Federico Caricasulo (left) pose with Zhang Xue, founder of Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia on February 20, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

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The Hong Kong Gold Exchange kicking off the Year of the Horse with its traditional Chinese New Year opening ceremony in Sheung Wan. Photo: SCMP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

US, Israel war on Iran

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

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European Union

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

An illustration shows an EU flag and smartphone with social media app icons displayed. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

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Philippine Navy Colonel Dennis Hernandez (left) looks on as United States Marines Colonel Robert Bunn speaks during a Balikatan briefing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Prabowo’s overseas trips draw scrutiny as Indonesia urges fuel restraint

Since his inauguration in October 2024, Prabowo has gone on 51 official visits, travelling to 28 countries and chalking up 99 days overseas.

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Art

Stunned Frenchman wins US$1 million Picasso with US$117 raffle ticket

Sales engineer Ari Hodara wondered if it was a hoax when he got a call after the draw at Christie’s auction house in Paris.

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Sexual harassment and assault

‘Truly monstrous’: Germany jails Chinese student in Pelicot-like rape case

Zhongyi J. repeatedly drugged, assaulted and filmed his girlfriend, sedating her so heavily that her breathing repeatedly stopped.

A protester at a March rally against sexual violence in Hanover, Germany, holds a sign with the Gisele Pelicot quote ‘shame must change sides’. Photo: dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

After ‘wonderful’ talks with Lebanon, Israel envoy says more dialogue coming

Sides commit to more engagement as Trump urges disarming Hezbollah, but analysts warn a durable Israel-Lebanon deal remains unlikely.

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Britain

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

The Philippines

US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot

The facility in Davao signals that defence ties are now focusing on sustainment, endurance and operational continuity, analysts say.

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Soldiers fire a howitzer during the annual joint “Balikatan” military exercises between the US and Philippine troops in Aparri, Cagayan province, in May 2025. Photo: Reuters
Ghana

France open to engaging on slavery reparations, says Ghana

The African nation says discussions with President Macron last week included economic inequities, structural racism and looted artefacts.

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A sign hangs at the entrance of a dungeon used to house slaves at Elmina Castle in Ghana. The centuries-old site was a major centre of the transatlantic slave trade. File photo: Reuters
European cinema

Juliette Binoche isn’t worried about AI replacing human intelligence

Humanity and intuition are the secrets to great art, according to Juliette Binoche, who talks about her directorial debut In-I In Motion.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Chanel opens the doors to le19M, a secret world of couture artisans

Inside le19M, Chanel’s dedicated new home for métiers d’art, centuries of savoir‑faire meet a new vision of couture craftsmanship.

Crime

French police find naked boy, 9, locked in father’s van since 2024

The child, who was malnourished and unable to walk, says he was put in the vehicle because of ‘big difficulties’ with his dad’s partner.

A car drives past a road sign at the entrance to Hagenbach, France, where a boy was rescued this week from his father’s van. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

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Storage tanks are seen at an oil refinery in Yokohama, Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, as Mount Fuji looms in the background. Photo: AFP
Emmanuel Macron

Macron woos Trump to G7 summit with French palace dinner. Will he bite?

An official said the French leader was ‘begging’ the US president to attend the June meeting.

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SCMP Highlights

Dying man leaves riches to young wife; fisherman’s surprise catch: 7 highlights

From a missing elderly hiker in Hong Kong to a tragic car accident in Singapore, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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