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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
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, who is studying in Singapore, allegedly filmed himself “licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine”, and uploaded the video on social media. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

French teen in Singapore faces jail for licking vending machine straw

The public nuisance offence carries a jail term of up to three months and a fine.

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Africa

Mali’s junta in crisis as defence minister is killed in massive coordinated attacks

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump’s oil crisis is accelerating the end of the fossil fuel era

Science

Will China’s mathematicians join a global effort to boycott the United States?

Question hovers as world’s premier mathematics conference faces revolt over American visa rules and foreign policies.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Africa

Mali junta reports ‘terrorist’ attacks on several targets

The landlocked West African nation has been ruled by the military since a coup in 2020.

China-France relations

Macron touches Beijing’s nerves on Taiwan and Tibet as he heads for the exit

French president is trying to shore up his legacy of strategic autonomy before leaving office next year, analysts say.

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China exports

Flood of small parcels from China pushes Belgian airport to limit

Belgium’s top customs official says main problem is that many products do not meet EU standards.

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Parcels at the Cainiao Liege eHub in the city’s airport zone, which handles products from China sold on Alibaba’s AliExpress platform. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images
China-EU relations

‘It’s a tightrope’: why Europe’s wind industry faces a growing China dilemma

A debate is swirling in Europe over what role China should play in its wind power push, as the continent confronts the Middle East energy crisis.

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Hong Kong economy

Blooming good: Monet, maestros shine as garden art bridges East and West

Show features exhibits from Art Institute of Chicago, Beijing’s Palace Museum, Palace of Versailles and Hong Kong Museum of Art.

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.

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
Americas and the Caribbean

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

Peru’s interim president defers decision on the US$3.5 billion deal to his successor who will emerge from a run-off vote in June.

A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet. Photo: AP
Middle East

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

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.

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’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, on its maiden sea trial last November. Photo: CCTV
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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A ground crew member directs a C919 jetliner operated by China Eastern Airlines at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on April 15. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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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A domestically-produced C919 lands at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Photo: Handout
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.

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

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

A vessel is seen at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
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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Some 34 per cent of the global oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz last year. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inspects the French Republican Guard upon arrival at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
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.

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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