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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 most high-profile target was French ‌former business executive Thierry Breton, who served as the European commissioner. Photo: dpa
Social media

US hits 5 Europeans with visa bans in ‘censorship’ row

Former EU commissioner Thierry Breton is among those barred as the US targets individuals it says are involved in censoring US social media platforms.

Fame and celebrity

Who is Samuel Arnold, who plays Julien in Emily in Paris?

Britain

2 men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds in Jewish community

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China-EU relations

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

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China has slapped provisional anti-subsidy fees of up to 42.7 per cent on European producers of certain dairy products, including various types of cheese and cream. Photo: AFP
Year in Review

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

SCMP Plus looks back at the year’s 10 most popular Daily Pulse bulletins, covering China issues related to diplomacy, trade and economics.

Israel

Jews worldwide urged to ‘come home’ to Israel after Bondi massacre

Gideon Saar says ‘Jews are being hunted across the world’ following the December 14 Isis-inspired shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia.

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Crime

France presidential palace insider arrested for stealing exclusive silverware

A silver steward and two accomplices to face trial after investigators recovered 100 items of national heritage from a personal locker, car and home.

Visitors view a table set with plates and glasses for official dinners at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: AP
Middle East

Macron announces new aircraft carrier for France

Replacing the Charles de Gaulle by 2038, the nuclear-powered vessel will be far larger than the current flagship.

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China’s military

J-16s vs Rafales: Chinese air force puts jets to the war-game test

State broadcaster offers a look at a PLA exercise simulating an air combat scenario between Chinese and foreign forces.

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Ukraine war

Russia says Putin open to Ukraine war talks with France’s Macron

Moscow’s response came after the French president urged Europe to ‘re-engage’ with the Russian leader.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin tastes pastries in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik/Kremlin via AP
US-China relations

Editorial | Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

The plan’s watering down of America’s antagonism towards China bodes well for both nations and the world.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a meeting in the White House in Washington on December 2. Photo: CNP/Abaca Press/TNS
Emmanuel Macron

African teen who raised Macron’s ire with fake French coup video has no regrets

The Burkinabe teen said he had posted the fake video as a way to make money but despite millions of views, only earned US$8.

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Ukraine war

Rubio says won’t force deal on Ukraine as Europeans join Miami talks

Trump envoys are meeting officials from Kyiv and Moscow, but the question of ceding territory remains a stumbling block in negotiations.

European Union

Shein avoids France site ban after removing illegal goods

French court rejects Shein site ban, citing sporadic offences, as platform removes illicit items, but must enforce age checks for adult products.

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The Shein logo seen displayed on a smartphone along with a shopping cart. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

TikTok seals US deal but core algorithm could still rattle ties with China

Compliance questions remain and Beijing’s approval for the spin-off is not guaranteed, observers say.

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A new entity, named TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, will come into effect in the United States on January 22. Photo: Getty Images
New World Development

Rosewood opens French ski resort after sources say hotel brand is not for sale

Luxury hotel group announces Courchevel resort’s opening, just days after sources said the prized brand was not for sale.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Palace Museum says Egyptian exhibition will be most profitable show yet

About 700,000 people expected to visit display over nine-month run, director Louis Ng says.

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Crime

‘Used medicine to kill’: French doctor jailed for life for poisoning patients

Prosecutors allege Frederic Pechier tampered with IV bags to discredit colleagues, resulting in 12 deaths, including a four-year-old.

French former anaesthetist Frederic Pechier arrives at Besancon’s courthouse on Monday. Photo: AFP
China trade

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

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Hong Kong transport

Elior Group begins training workers for Hong Kong aircraft disassembly industry

Company leaders optimistic firm can secure land for operations by third quarter of 2026, but call for tax breaks to boost nascent industry.

Instructor Martin Law (right), who was trained at Elior’s base in France, works with a trainee on an aircraft electrical supply system. Photo: Jonathan Wong
European Union

Opinion | A complicated new EU-China showdown is quietly taking shape

For now, both sides still need each other and there is nowhere else to turn. But behind this reliance, irritation and paranoia are rising.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Paris

Louvre crisis: why jewel heist, staff unrest push museum to breaking point

A US$102 million jewel heist exposed the Louvre’s security flaws, but strikes and decaying infrastructure threaten the world’s most visited museum.

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The Philippines

Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems

The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.

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European Union

As I see it | Russia will end the European Union, not the other way around

The end of history is more history, as Hegel might have said, with the postmodern unified EU potentially reverting back to rival modern states.

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The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas signs an agreement to transfer to Ukraine a tranche of proceeds from frozen Russian assets during a meeting in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

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A customer purchases pork at a supermarket in China’s central Anhui province. China is the world’s largest pork consumer. Photo: Getty Images
China-EU relations

Opinion | Why China-France ties are blossoming in an era of global uncertainty

As Paris pursues strategic autonomy and Beijing seeks national rejuvenation, both powers are poised to reimagine a new global order.

Food and agriculture

French farmers spray manure, block roads over cow ‘mass slaughter’ policy

Farmers in southern France are incensed by the government’s mandatory slaughter of herds to contain ‘lumpy skin disease’.

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