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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
Bardot gives a press conference in December 1965 in Hollywood for the film “Viva Maria”. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Brigitte Bardot, French icon and animal rights activist, dies at 91

Bardot became a global star in “And God Created Woman” in 1956, starred in 50 other films, then left acting to focus on animal rights advocacy.

Crime

Paris Metro stabbings suspect moved to psychiatric hospital, prosecutors say

China consumption

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

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Crime

Police arrest suspect after man stabs 3 women in separate attacks on Paris Metro

Due to the ‘very high level’ of ‘terrorist threat’, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez asked officials to strengthen security across France.

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A train entering a Metro station in Paris. Three women were stabbed and wounded at three different Metro stations on Friday, including Opera, Arts et Metiers and Republique. A suspect has been arrested, police said. Photo: AFP
Russia

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Laurent Vinatier is in prison in Russia and facing more spying allegations, but Moscow says it has reached out to Paris.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Bruno Gouery, who plays eccentric Frenchman Luc on Emily in Paris

The French actor also played Didier in The White Lotus alongside Jennifer Coolidge, and starred in a Johnny Depp-directed film last year.

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Consumers

From Shein to Labubu, French shoppers are buying Chinese for Christmas

This year’s wave of popularity for Chinese brands has not waned in France’s capital, with Shein’s store packed and Labubu dolls dotting trees.

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Shoppers queue for the opening of the first physical space for Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein in Paris. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Fujian enters service, J-10C impresses: 10 China military developments in 2025

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.

Israel-Gaza war

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

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Africa

Algeria brands French colonisation a crime, demands reparations, apology

France’s rule over Algeria from 1830 until 1962 remains a sore spot in relations between the two countries.

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French troops in Algiers in 1956. The North African nation of Algeria suffered some of the most brutal forms of colonial rule. Photo: AP
China’s military drills

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

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Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV
JD.com

Burglary of JD.com warehouse in France prompts investigation, speculation

The theft, with over 50,000 items stolen by some estimates, casts a shadow over the Chinese e-commerce giant’s first Christmas in France.

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Social media

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

Former EU commissioner 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?

The French actor said Emily in Paris changed everything for him; he also executive produced and starred in a short film titled Nolan’s Treasure.

Samuel Arnold, who plays Julien on Emily in Paris, in 2024. Photo: @superssama/Instagram
Britain

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

Had the plan come off, it would have resulted in ‘one of, if not the, deadliest terrorist attack in UK history’, say counterterrorism police.

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A makeshift memorial to honour the victims of the December 14 mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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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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A person with Israel’s flag and other people attend a ceremony to mark the National Day of Reflection for victims and survivors, at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AP
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.

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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The war game simulated an encounter between Chinese and French multi-role fighters. Photo: CCTV
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.

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.

Residents react at the site of a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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