Europe is sweltering under an unusually early blast of heat, with forecasters warning that a powerful "heat dome" is driving temperatures far beyond what is typical for this point in the year. The surge came after a record-setting Monday, when France registered its hottest May day ever recorded, according to the national weather agency, while the UK also hit unprecedented highs. Meteorologists say the spike is being fuelled by a mass of hot air from northern Africa, trapped beneath a high-pressure system over western Europe…

France has barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country after he posted a video ridiculing bound activists detained by Israeli soldiers during a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. "From today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory" because of "his reprehensible actions towards French and European citizens" involved in the humanitarian flotilla, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X. Barrot said he was also joining Italy in pushing for European Union sanctions…

More than 16 years after Air France Flight AF447 plunged into the Atlantic, a Paris appeals court has convicted Airbus and Air France of corporate manslaughter in the 2009 Rio-Paris disaster, the deadliest plane crash in France's history, which claimed 228 lives. Among those killed were three Irish women: Jane Deasy of Co Dublin, Eithne Walls of Co Down and Aisling Butler of Co Tipperary. All three were doctors travelling home after a holiday in Brazil. The ruling marks a new chapter in a long-running legal battle that has…

Macron Defends Europe’s Influence in Africa Amidst Rising Chinese Presence During a pivotal two-day economic summit in Nairobi, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for Europe’s ongoing role in Africa, contrasting it with the expanding influence of China across the continent. Speaking to Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, Macron reflected on his outspoken condemnation of colonialism upon assuming office in 2017. However, he emphasized the importance of not attributing Africa’s contemporary issues entirely to its…

In a landmark development, French President Emmanuel Macron has designated Ghana as the first nation to benefit from France's National Health Platform. This innovative digital system aims to create secure, patient-focused health records, enhance professional communication, and expand telemedicine capabilities. This announcement came during a significant bilateral meeting in Paris with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. The discussions took place against the backdrop of the One Health Summit in Lyon, where both leaders…

France has revoked South Africa’s invitation to the forthcoming G7 summit, removing Pretoria from the guest list for the high-profile gathering. Paris rejected early claims that Washington had pushed for the exclusion, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa likewise dismissed suggestions of U.S. pressure. South Africa, not a G7 member, had been slated to attend as an observer. French officials said they were pursuing a “streamlined G7” and have invited Kenya instead, citing its role in helping France prepare a major…

France has rejected claims that it shelved an invitation to South Africa for the June G7 leaders' summit under pressure from Washington, saying instead that Kenya was chosen as a guest in advance of President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit there. Paris previously said the summit at Evian-les-Bains will host the leaders of India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya as special invitees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making his first trip abroad since the Middle East war began, will attend alongside senior ministers from…

France has called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Iran, elevating the issue to the world’s top diplomatic forum as member states weigh next steps and potential responses. The request places Iran back on the Security Council’s immediate agenda. While details on timing, the precise agenda and potential outcomes were not immediately available, an emergency session would allow council members to receive briefings, consult behind closed doors and consider statements or resolutions addressing the situation.…

France Returns Djidji Ayokwe Drum to Côte d'Ivoire: A Step Toward Reconciliation In a significant move toward addressing historical injustices, France has officially returned the Djidji Ayokwe "talking drum" to Côte d'Ivoire. This drum, looted during a colonial military campaign in 1916, symbolizes not only the cultural heritage of the Ebrie tribe but also the broader reconciliation process between France and its former colonies. The three-meter-long drum served as a crucial means of communication for the Ebrie people,…

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called for calm ahead of nationwide rallies planned in memory of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist whose killing last week has jolted France and inflamed already raw political tensions. Authorities are bracing for potential clashes between extremist groups, particularly in Lyon, where a large march is set to proceed under heavy security despite the city’s Green mayor urging the state to ban it. Police expect 2,000 to 3,000 participants and anticipate…