France plans to ban children under 15 from social media sites and to prohibit mobile phones in high schools from September 2026, local media reported on Wednesday, moves that underscore rising public angst over the impact of online harms on minors.


France plans social media ban for under-15s

A former anaesthetist has been jailed for life for intentionally poisoning 30 patients, 12 of them fatally.


Recall 2025: How & why 'doctor death' poisoned patients in France

French police arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of stabbing three women on Paris Metro Line 3 during the afternoon rush hour, following attacks at multiple stations and a manhunt using surveillance footage.

Paris Metro Stabbings: Three Woman Injured in Stabbing Spree On Line 3 Metro in Paris

Paris Metro Stabbing: French Police Arrest Suspect in Paris Metro Stabbings of Three Women

France has narrowly avoided a government shutdown after lawmakers approved emergency legislation in a last-minute vote. The move comes amid political pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and growing divisions in parliament.

While the legislation ensures continuity of government operations, it highlights ongoing instability and fiscal challenges facing France’s leadership.

French Lawmakers Pass Last-Minute Emergency Legislation To Avoid Shutdown

The chief butler at France’s presidential palace has been arrested for allegedly stealing antique tableware worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.


Macron's chief butler accused of stealing silverware 

The European Union is delaying a massive free-trade deal with South American countries after fiery protests by farmers and last-minute opposition by France and Italy threatened to derail the pact, seen by its backers as an important geopolitical move for both continents.


EU Delays Mercosur Trade Deal After Farmer Protests in France, Italy 

Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels on Thursday outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free-trade deal with South American nations.

Brussels: Volatile Farmers Protests Delay Mercosur Deal Signing

France deployed its army to accelerate the vaccination of cattle against lumpy skin disease on Dec 18, seeking to contain an outbreak that has fuelled a new wave of farmers’ protests in southern France.

France fights spread of lumpy skin disease, A-400 military plane transports 400,000 vaccines

An “breaking news” video falsely claiming French President Macron was overthrown went viral, racking up 13 million views before being exposed as fake. Even Macron heard about the “coup” from abroad. Watch it here!


Fake video claiming ‘coup in France’ goes viral

Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels on Thursday outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free-trade deal with South American nations.


France protest: Farmers block streets of Brussels as EU mulls trade deal with Mercosur bloc

AI-generated video claiming 'coup in France' goes viral 

France said on Monday the lumpy skin disease affecting cattle is under control in the country even as farmers continue a second week of protests against the government's handling of the virus by blocking highways with tractors and dumping manure.

France protests: Highway blockades in France over Govt's cattle disease handling

Farmers across France have taken out tractor rallies in protest against the EU’s trade deal with South American countries, particularly the Mercosur agreement, which they fear will undermine local agriculture. Anger has also grown over cow culling policies, with farmers arguing that these measures and the trade deal threaten their livelihoods and food security.


French Farmers Stage Tractor Rallies Over Mercosur Deal

Police used tear gas to disperse protesting farmers Friday as veterinarians culled more than 200 cows infected with nodular dermatitis, or lumpy skin disease, at a farm in southern France. The deadly outbreak, which cannot be passed to humans, has sparked fears among locals and highlighted tensions over the government’s handling of the crisis. One of the main French farmers’ unions, Confédération paysanne, called for “blockades everywhere”. 


French farmers are angry over cow culling & Mercosur deal, Louvre Museum workers extend strike

India is set to host the AI Impact Summit 2026 as announced by Honʼble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 19–20 February 2026. The Summit will be the first- ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South and a global platform that will lead conversation on leveraging AI for People, Planet & Progress.


India-France AI summit: French envoy calls summit a key moment; UN chief to attend summit 

France's first lady Brigitte Macron apologised on Monday, December 15, for using a slur against activists that sparked a feminist backlash, trying to quell an incident that generated a social media trend against her.


French First Lady Brigitte Macron apologises for slur after feminist backlash 

India-France AI Summit: Event held in UN for AI Action Summit 2026 set to take place in New Delhi

Global leaders and tech experts gathered at the United Nations for the AI Action Summit 2025, focusing on responsible artificial intelligence, global cooperation, and governance frameworks. The curtain-raiser event also confirmed that the AI Action Summit 2026 will be hosted in New Delhi. 


AI Summit 2025: Event Held in UN for AI Action Summit 2026 Set to Take Place in New Delhi 

French farmers are angry and protesting against the government's mass culling of cows to contain an outbreak of lumpy skin disease. So far, 113 cases have been detected, leading to the slaughter of 3,300 cattle. Farmers are demanding widespread vaccination instead of culling, arguing that the policy is excessive and harmful to their livelihoods.

French Farmers Protest Mass Cow Culling Over Lumpy Skin Disease

France said on Monday the lumpy skin disease affecting cattle is under control in the country even as farmers continue a second week of protests against the government's handling of the virus by blocking highways with tractors and dumping manure. Lumpy skin disease is a virus spread by insects that affects cattle and buffalo, causing blisters and reducing milk production. While not harmful to humans, it often results in trade restrictions and severe economic losses.


France protests: Cow culling due to a lumpy skin disease sparks outrage across France

French farmers are protesting the culling of over 200 cows after a single case of disease sparked the mass slaughter. The move has caused outrage among farmers, who are demanding alternative solutions to prevent further culls and protect their livelihoods.


French Farmers Protest Culling of Over 200 Cows Over Single Disease Case

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is facing a major political test as he races to pass the full national budget before the New Year deadline. With opposition resistance mounting and economic pressures rising, this video breaks down what’s at stake, how the negotiations are unfolding, and what a delay or failure could mean for France’s government, economy, and Lecornu’s leadership.

Lecornu Faces Challenge of Passing the Full Budget Before the New Year Begins

France’s social security budget heads into a knife-edge vote on Tuesday that could plunge Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government into a new political crisis and open a €30-billion gap in funding for welfare, pensions and healthcare. 


France eyes political turmoil if PM Lecornu's budget proposal fails to pass

Lyon glows as its iconic Festival of Lights brings historic monuments, streets, and squares alive with vivid colours and breathtaking artistic installations. The French city turns into a stunning nighttime canvas, attracting visitors from around the world.


France: Lyon’s mesmerising festival of lights transforms the city

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing for a strategic EU–China meeting with President Xi Jinping. The visit included high-level talks on economic cooperation, global issues, and diplomatic engagement. Macron also took part in sightseeing with Xi, reflecting both formal diplomacy and cultural exchange between the two nations.


China-France ties: Xi Jinping rolls out the red carpet for Macron

The French military used anti-drone measures after five unmanned vehicles flew over a closely guarded base housing nuclear ballistic submarines, a source told AFP on Friday.&nbsp;Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin praised the military personnel at the submarine base on Ile Longue, a peninsula off the Brittany coast in northwestern France, for "intercepting" the drones.&nbsp;Mysterious drone flights over airports and sensitive military and industrial sites have rattled nerves in Europe in recent months.&nbsp;Concerns are growing that such disruptions could be part of Russian hybrid war tactics three-and-a-half years into its invasion of Ukraine, which is backed by the European Union.&nbsp;At least five drones were detected above the base at around 1830 GMT on Thursday, said the source close to the case.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-takes-up-issue-of-indians-serving-in-russian-army-with-putin-mea-urges-citizens-to-reject-such-offers-modi-putin-russia-ukraine-war-1764946864914">PM Modi takes up issue of Indians serving in Russian Army with Putin; MEA urges citizens to reject such offers</a>&nbsp;An anti-drone and search operation was launched by the marine battalion, which protects the base, the source added.&nbsp;The maritime prefecture declined to say whether the military had used firearms or anti-drone jamming guns.&nbsp;The Ile Longue base is home to France's four ballistic missile submarines -- Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible.At least one is permanently at sea to ensure nuclear deterrence.&nbsp;A judicial investigation into Thursday's incident was to be opened by the military prosecutor's office in Rennes, the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture told AFP.<h2>'Intended to cause concern'&nbsp;</h2>"Sensitive infrastructure was not threatened," Guillaume Le Rasle, spokesman for the maritime prefecture, told AFP.&nbsp;He said it was "too early to determine" the origin of the drones, adding however that those flights were "intended to cause concern among the population".&nbsp;Vautrin said any overflight of a military base was prohibited in France.&nbsp;"I would like to commend our military personnel at the Ile Longue base for intercepting the aircraft," she told broadcaster TF1.&nbsp;"A complaint has been filed, an investigation is underway, and it is this investigation that will determine what this overflight was all about."Detecting the drones, making them non-operational by jamming them, or even shooting them down, are all complex and hazardous tasks.While Russian involvement is suspected, it is difficult to prove.&nbsp;France and the United Kingdom are the only European countries other than Russia with nuclear weapons.&nbsp;France has maintained a sea-based nuclear deterrent force since 1971.&nbsp;France's ballistic missile submarines are equipped with M51 strategic missiles with multiple nuclear warheads.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-badam-ka-halwa-to-jhol-momos-here-s-what-was-served-at-president-s-banquet-for-putin-1764957339266">From Badam ka Halwa to Jhol momos: Here's what was served at President’s banquet for Putin</a>&nbsp; The Ile Longue base is a closely guarded site, employing 2,000 people including 1,500 civilians who maintain the four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.&nbsp;It is protected by 120 maritime police officers in coordination with marines.&nbsp;Drone flights are prohibited over the Crozon peninsula, which includes Ile Longue, as well as over a large part of the Brest harbor, in order to protect the military infrastructure located there.&nbsp;However, drone flights in the restricted area are not uncommon."There are precedents," said Le Rasle.&nbsp;On the night of November 17 to 18, a drone flight over the Crozon peninsula was reported, but no military installations were flown over.Last month, French police launched an investigation after an unidentified drone was spotted flying over a police station and a train carrying battle tanks in the city of Mulhouse near the German border.&nbsp;On Friday, Irish police said they were investigating the sighting of several unidentified drones in the skies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane landed in Dublin this week.

Concerns are growing that such disruptions could be part of Russian hybrid war tactics three-and-a-half years into its invasion of Ukraine, which is backed by the European Union.

The French military used anti-drone measures after five unmanned vehicles flew over a closely guarded base housing nuclear ballistic submarines, a source told AFP on Friday. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin praised the military personnel at the submarine base on Ile Longue, a peninsula off the Brittany coast in northwestern France, for "intercepting" the drones. Mysterious drone flights over airports and sensitive military and industrial sites have rattled nerves in Europe in recent months. Concerns are growing that such disruptions could be part of Russian hybrid war tactics three-and-a-half years into its invasion of Ukraine, which is backed by the European Union. At least five drones were detected above the base at around 1830 GMT on Thursday, said the source close to the case. Also Read: PM Modi takes up issue of Indians serving in Russian Army with Putin; MEA urges citizens to reject such offers An anti-drone and search operation was launched by the marine battalion, which protects the base, the source added. The maritime prefecture declined to say whether the military had used firearms or anti-drone jamming guns. The Ile Longue base is home to France's four ballistic missile submarines -- Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible. At least one is permanently at sea to ensure nuclear deterrence. A judicial investigation into Thursday's incident was to be opened by the military prosecutor's office in Rennes, the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture told AFP. 'Intended to cause concern' "Sensitive infrastructure was not threatened," Guillaume Le Rasle, spokesman for the maritime prefecture, told AFP. He said it was "too early to determine" the origin of the drones, adding however that those flights were "intended to cause concern among the population". Vautrin said any overflight of a military base was prohibited in France. "I would like to commend our military personnel at the Ile Longue base for intercepting the aircraft," she told broadcaster TF1. "A complaint has been filed, an investigation is underway, and it is this investigation that will determine what this overflight was all about." Detecting the drones, making them non-operational by jamming them, or even shooting them down, are all complex and hazardous tasks. While Russian involvement is suspected, it is difficult to prove. France and the United Kingdom are the only European countries other than Russia with nuclear weapons. France has maintained a sea-based nuclear deterrent force since 1971. France's ballistic missile submarines are equipped with M51 strategic missiles with multiple nuclear warheads. Also Read: From Badam ka Halwa to Jhol momos: Here's what was served at President’s banquet for Putin The Ile Longue base is a closely guarded site, employing 2,000 people including 1,500 civilians who maintain the four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. It is protected by 120 maritime police officers in coordination with marines. Drone flights are prohibited over the Crozon peninsula, which includes Ile Longue, as well as over a large part of the Brest harbor, in order to protect the military infrastructure located there. However, drone flights in the restricted area are not uncommon. "There are precedents," said Le Rasle. On the night of November 17 to 18, a drone flight over the Crozon peninsula was reported, but no military installations were flown over. Last month, French police launched an investigation after an unidentified drone was spotted flying over a police station and a train carrying battle tanks in the city of Mulhouse near the German border. On Friday, Irish police said they were investigating the sighting of several unidentified drones in the skies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane landed in Dublin this week.

Concerns are growing that such disruptions could be part of Russian hybrid war tactics three-and-a-half years into its invasion of Ukraine, which is backed by the European Union.

France takes anti-drone measures after drone flight over nuclear submarine base

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, strengthening economic cooperation, and coordinating on key global flashpoints. Both leaders stressed the need for peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza, calling for diplomacy, stability, and restraint. This video breaks down what their renewed partnership means for Europe, China, and the wider geopolitical balance.

Macron, Xi Hold Bilateral Meet, Sign 12 Agreements

France will introduce a voluntary military service of 10 months beginning next year, President Emmanuel Macron said, in the face of what it views as a growing threat posed by Russia. Now France is not alone,  Germany pledges 260,000-strong army. Poland and the Baltics ramp up defence. Europe’s biggest rearmament since 1945. 


France Unveils New Voluntary Military Program To Counter Global Threats 

French antitrust watchdog on Thursday dismissed a complaint filed against Microsoft, opens new tab by local search engine Qwant which accused the U.S. company of abusing its dominant position. The Autorite de la Concurrence, as the watchdog is known, said Qwant failed to bring elements sufficiently convincing to sustain its claims and also declined to enforce the interim action against Microsoft requested by Qwant.


French antitrust watchdog dismisses complaint filed against Microsoft 

Macron's new voluntary military program aims to boost France’s defense capabilities 

france

France, News on France, stories on France, articles on France, France stories at Wion, France news, France latest news