Winemakers in France's Champagne region were this week gathering a bumper grape harvest thanks to a shift into hotter climates, but there was a bitter after-taste: the slump in demand for bubbly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic means an excess in stock of bottles of the prized beverage.

COVID-19 pandemic takes sparkle out of champagne

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have expressed concern over the health of Alexei Navalny and called the situation worrying. Watch report.

France and Germany offer immediate help to Putin's prominent critic Alexei Navalny

A 19th-century oil painting stolen from occupied France during World War II has gone on display in a bid to trace its rightful owners. This happened after it was returned by the son of the German soldier who took it on orders from above.

Nazi-looted French painting on display in search for rightful owner

Germany and France want to give more money and power to the World Health Organisation after the COVID-19 pandemic underscored long-standing financial and legal weaknesses at the U.

Germany, France push for WHO reform talks in September

France has decided to send more experts to Mauritius to examine and decide the fate of the Japanese ship that leaked oil into waters off the coast of the Indian Ocean island.

France sends experts to help Mauritian government with wreck

The French Health Ministry on Sunday reported 3,015 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the second day in a row in which new cases have surpassed the 3,000 mark.

French new COVID-19 cases above 3,000 for second day

Afghanistan started releasing Taliban prisoners on Friday the final hurdle in long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides, even as President Ashraf Ghani warned they were a "danger to the world".

Paris protests release of Taliban prisoners who killed French nationals

The US President Donald Trump is planning to sit out the emergency Iran summit that was proposed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. On Friday, Putin called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to convene on Iran to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey will not back down to threats of sanctions nor to incursions on its claimed territory in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is in a standoff with EU-member Greece over oil and gas exploration rights.

Turkey 'will not back down' in east Mediterranean standoff, says Erdogan

France has stepped up its probe into the massive Beirut port blast last week by handing it to investigating magistrates, prosecution sources said Friday, as it was confirmed two French citizens were among the 171 people killed.

Two French nationals confirmed dead in Beirut blast as France steps up probe

Authorities in France recently discovered a 30-year-old corpse in a basement while overseeing renovations of a mansion in Paris. The mansion in question, was sold for $41.

30-year-old corpse found in Parisian mansion during renovation work

President of France Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned the 'cowardly" attack on humanitarian workers in Niger and said he would do everything to shed light on the incident in which eight people died.

Macron condemns 'cowardly' attack in Niger, vows to fight 'terrorist groups in the Sahel region'

Six French tourists and their local guide and driver were killed Sunday by gunmen riding motorcycles in an area of southwestern Niger that is home to the last West African giraffes, officials said.

Six French tourists among eight killed by gunmen in Niger

France on Saturday dispatched a naval vessel and military aircraft from Reunion to Mauritius, where desperate efforts are underway to contain an oil spill polluting the archipelago's iconic reefs and protected ecosystems.

France deploys teams to Mauritius as oil spill disaster worsens

France and Germany have quit talks on reforming the World Health Organization in frustration at attempts by the United States to lead the negotiations, despite its decision to leave the WHO.

Germany, France quit WHO reform talks amid tension with Washington

The social media giant, Twitter Inc has decided to label the accounts which are state-affiliated media outlets to help people know which accounts are directly or indirectly related to their government.

Twitter to label state-owned media and officials' accounts

After a huge fire at the very famous and historic Notre-Dame last year, the workers have started dismantling the grand organ. The organ, which is the biggest instrument in France, will now be restored by the experts for the fifth anniversary of the fire — that took place on April 15, 2019.

Notre Dame's grand organ's dismantled for restoration in Paris

Chinese foreign ministry criticized France on Tuesday after Paris announced the suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong. "The erroneous remarks and actions concerning Hong Kong made by France are interfering with China's internal affairs.

China condemns France's decision of halting ratification extradition treaty with Hong Kong

Travellers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely now must undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports. French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting August 1 for passengers France is allowing in from a list of approved countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure.

France starts testing travellers from 16 nations for coronavirus

Britain on Saturday urged France to get tougher on stopping migrants using the Channel to reach the UK, with one minister saying the crossings were "unacceptably high".

UK urges France for 'tougher action' on Channel migrants

A century-old postcard showing a French country lane has helped researchers paint a picture of the final hours before Vincent van Gogh committed suicide 130 years ago.

Tree roots tell story of Van Gogh's final hours after lockdown discovery

The French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain, speaking ahead of the arrival of Rafale fighter jets has said it shows "strong partnership between our 2 countries." Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal at Delhi's Palam airport where French Military Plane landed with COVID medical aid, envoy Lenain said, "India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine" and " it is going to be like this for COVID." France sent 120 ventilators, along with 50,000 serological test kits 50,000 nose and throat swabs to India on Tuesday. This the French envoy said is in "reciprocation" of Indian help to France when it was hit by COVID.

WION exclusive conversation with French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain

Ukrainian government and Russia backed rebel forces have begun a full and comprehensive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. This attempt is the latest in the series of peace efforts between the two sides. Watch report.

Ukraine-Russia ceasefire: Germany and France welcome the decision

A volunteer assistant suspected of setting a French cathedral on fire was rearrested, then indicted and detained in pre-trial custody by prosecutors overnight Saturday to Sunday.

Volunteer indicted over French cathedral fire

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