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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
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
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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US, Israel war on Iran

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

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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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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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.

Charity founder Peri Cochin speaks on the phone with the raffle winner in Paris, France, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
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.

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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.

Kanye West performs at Hollywood Park Grounds in 2024, in Inglewood, California. Photo: TNS
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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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.

Le19M, Chanel’s new, purpose-built site dedicated to the métiers d’art, houses hundreds of artisans, including flower-making specialist Lemarié – shown here preparing a garment during the making of Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection. Photo: Handout
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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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.

A terminally ill Chinese man bequeathed his US$43 million fortune to his wife, who is 28 years his junior, causing outrage among his ex-wife’s family. Photo: Douyin
US, Israel war on Iran

Why US-Iran truce may not end high airfares and flight disruptions

According to airline bosses, it will still take months for jet fuel supplies and prices to normalise.

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US, Israel war on Iran

No let-up in Israeli attacks on Lebanon as US-Iran ceasefire teeters

Israel’s relentless Lebanon strikes threaten to shatter the fragile truce as peace talks loom.

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Food and Drinks

Dish in Focus: Beetroot – juniper – roses at Feuille

Feuille’s Joris Rousseau turns beetroot into a quietly radical pre-dessert that bridges his vegetable-first philosophy with a pastry finale.

Feuille’s beetroot pre-dessert creation in Hong Kong has made diners rethink the flavour of the vegetable entirely. Photo: Studio PMK
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong halts oyster sales from French brand over possible gastroenteritis link

Centre for Food Safety orders import suspension of Josephine brand oysters after cases of suspected food poisoning in Netherlands.

Hong Kong food safety authorities have ordered an immediate halt to the sale of oysters from French brand Josephine. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

As France pulls gold from the US, how can China become the next global gold hub?

Federal Reserve is no longer seen as a ‘safe’ place for nations to store gold as Trump’s unpredictability spooks the world’s central banks.

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Iran

French detainees back in Paris after ‘terrible ordeal’ in Iran

The pair had been under house arrest at the French embassy in Tehran ever since being freed from more than three years in prison in November.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Israel says battle in Lebanon continues despite Iran war truce

Hezbollah pauses attacks, sources say, but Israel says operations in Lebanon will go on.

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An Israeli strike in Tyre, Lebanon on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

Portraits of Cecile Kohler (left) and her partner Jacques Paris along with a placard reading “Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions” outside the Palais Bourbon, France’s National Assembly in 2025. Photo: AFP
Libya

France’s Sarkozy challenges conviction over alleged Libya funding

He was found guilty in September of criminal conspiracy and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Malaysia

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

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