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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
A protester interrupts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) as he testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images
Asean

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.

Africa

Islamic State claims bold attack on Niger’s strategic airport hub

United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

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Africa

Niger’s junta accuses foreign leaders of sponsoring airport attack

Niger’s military ruler vows retaliation after gunmen attack an air force base before being repelled by Russian fighters.

A satellite image shows roadblocks at the entrance of Diori Hamani International Airport. Photo: Vantor via Reuters
South Korea

Rich South Korean mums face ‘worst nightmare’ over European baby food recall

Parents fret over ‘Gangnam formula’, a brand associated with wealthy families, after French firm Danone recalled it over toxin fears.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firm, Elior Group sign deal to set up aircraft dismantling centre

But project’s launch depends on availability of a separate plot for recycling fuselages.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Trump’s actions signal an openness to G2, give China leverage with US allies and open the door for other powers to use coercive force.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Fame and celebrity

5 things to know about Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson – and his IRL love life

Bridgerton season 4 focuses on the love story of Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha, and Benedict – here’s what to know about the actor who plays him.

Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture

Paris Haute Couture Week highlights from Chanel, Armani, Dior and Valentino

Nicole Kidman and Dua Lipa attended Matthieu Blazy’s feather-filled Chanel show, while Jonathan Anderson used florals for his Dior creations.

The Philippines

Filipino’s death fuels concern over coercive recruitment in Ukraine war

Observers say the case of John Patrick reflects human exploitation and the structural pressure on Russia’s manpower resources.

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Ukrainian soldiers fire the BM-21 Grad MLRS at an undisclosed location in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on January 24, amid the Russian invasion. Photo: EPA/24th Mechanised Brigade Press Service
China-EU relations

‘Mother of all trade deals’: EU pivots to India in historic trade shake-up

Brussels diversifies away from China and US risks, while the pact makes India a more attractive place for European firms to sell vehicles and fuel growth.

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The European Council president, Antonio Costa (left); the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen (right); and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose ahead of their meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Luxury in China

As LVMH returns to growth, is the slump in China’s luxury market finally over?

LVMH saw its sales in China rise in the second half of 2025, as the vast Chinese luxury market shows signs of recovery.

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Spain

Spain busts cocaine trafficking ring that used ‘floating bases’ at sea

Spain seizes 10 tonnes of drugs and arrests 105 suspects, while Portugal intercepts a record haul from a ‘narco-sub’.

Style Edit

Style Edit: APM Monaco’s bejewelled winter race night

The jewellery brand celebrated its latest creations in its Hiver and Yummy collections at a night at the races at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley.

APM Monaco ambassador Eva Longoria wears pieces from the Hiver collection. Photo: Handout
European Union

Opinion | Trump has laid bare the ‘Scramble for Europe’

Faced with an aggressive Trump administration, an unapologetic Russia and a rising China, European efforts towards strategic autonomy may be too little, too late.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-EU relations

European leaders say the quiet part out loud: order no longer constrains power

EU leaders appear to have finally accepted they are facing a new era of great power competition – the question now is how they respond.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s foreign, mainland Chinese firms hit record high as gold deal hailed

John Lee highlights ‘unprecedented achievements’, unveils landmark pact to develop gold trading ecosystem, including clearing platform with Shanghai.

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Insurance

AXA becomes second insurer to redomicile from Bermuda to Hong Kong

At least three other local insurers, including local unit of Canada’s insurer Sun Life, are planning the same move, industry players say.

An advertisement for French insurer AXA is seen on a building in Hong Kong on February 27, 2018. Photo: Getty Images
Russia

Russian shadow tanker’s Indian captain, crew in French custody

The Grinch is suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctions-busting ‘shadow fleet’ for the vessel’s failure to fly a flag.

Emmanuel Macron

Macron pushes forward France’s social media ban for under 15s

France’s health watchdog said that 90 per cent of children between 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet.

China-EU relations

Germany’s Merz talked tough on reform. Will stark car slump force action?

Export slide matched by import upward swing comes amid divisive debate on how German industry can deal with China’s manufacturing prowess.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesia

Indonesia’s defence deal with Bosnia signals Asian middle power’s clout

The deal is in line with Jakarta’s goal to pursue an ‘active and free’ foreign policy beyond its Western partners.

President Prabowo Subianto (third from left) and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (left) at the military academy in Magelang, Central Java in 2024. Photo: AFP/Indonesia’s presidential palace
United States

Editorial | Trump’s antics at Davos further erode trust in US leadership

No exaggeration to say Trump is openly using US power to upend both the world economy and the global order.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Watch Trump showcase his ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos

Donald Trump has extended invitations to dozens of nations and hinted at the board’s future role as conflict mediator - with him as chairman.

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European Union

Macroscope | Why Europe struggles to stand up to Trump

Despite being equipped with powerful tools in its economic arsenal, Brussels lacks the leverage needed to keep Washington in check.

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Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte (left) speaks to US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21. Photo: AFP
ICBMs

Past nuclear weapon tests linked to 4 million premature deaths globally: report

Norwegian People’s Aid details a deadly legacy of tests since 1945 that continue to sicken and claim lives.

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On July 3, 1970, France conducted its fourth and largest nuclear test on Fangataufa Atoll, French Polynesia. Photo: Getty Images
United States

Trump’s freewheeling Davos speech stirs unease among global audience

Harsh rhetoric from the US leader at forum combined threats towards allies with praise for traditional adversaries during a 70-minute talk.

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European Union

Explainer | What is the ‘trade bazooka’ the EU may use against Trump’s Greenland threats?

Under pressure from the US president, the bloc is considering measures that could inflict billions of dollars of losses on American firms.

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