Latest France News

Virgin Mary statue, a symbol of resilience, returns to Notre Dame Cathedral 5 years after fire

Nov. 15, 2024 15:28 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — A medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, known as “The Virgin of Paris,” returned to Notre Dame cathedral Friday evening, five years after surviving the devastating 2019 fire that engulfed the landmark. The nearly six-foot-tall stone sculpture, a symbol of...

A French student who was arrested and detained in Tunisia returns to Paris

Nov. 15, 2024 10:45 AM EST

PARIS (AP) — A French doctoral student detained in Tunisia returned to Paris on Friday after weeks of top-level diplomatic discussions. Victor Dupont, a 27-year-old pursuing a Ph.D. at Aix-Marseille University’s Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic Worlds,...

McIlroy one off the lead at World Tour Championship and in good shape to clinch Race to Dubai title

Nov. 15, 2024 09:00 AM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The path is clear for Rory McIlroy to clinch the year-long Race to Dubai title and be crowned the European tour’s best player for a sixth time. He’s well in contention to win the season-ending World Tour Championship, too. ...

Police make 2 arrests after brief fan-fight at high-security France-Israel soccer match

Nov. 15, 2024 04:40 AM EST

PARIS (AP) — French police officers made two arrests after a brief fan-fight at a Nations League soccer game between France and Israel, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said Friday. Stewards “immediately contained” the scuffle inside the Stade de France national stadium on...

Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security

Nov. 14, 2024 17:19 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — There was a brief altercation between a small number of fans early into Thursday's Nations League soccer game between France and Israel despite heavy security inside the stadium, a week after violence erupted in Amsterdam in connection with an Israeli club team’s visit. ...

A France-trained force aims to strengthen Ukraine's defenses at a critical point in war

Nov. 14, 2024 15:40 PM EST

A FRENCH MILITARY BASE, France (AP) — A French military task force with a festive name — “Champagne” — is wrapping up a mission that's no party: training a whole new brigade of several thousand Ukrainian troops who will be joining the fight against Russia's invasion armed with...

Notre Dame's restoration surplus of nearly $150M will be used for future preservation

Nov. 13, 2024 19:47 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — More than five years after the devastating fire ravaged Notre Dame, igniting nearly $1 billion in pledged donations within days, restoration chief Philippe Jost says €140 million (around $148 million) still remains from the funds as the cathedral prepares to reopen next month. ...

French prosecutors seek a 2-year prison sentence and ineligibility period against Marine Le Pen

Nov. 13, 2024 15:26 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — Paris prosecutors on Wednesday requested a 2-year prison sentence for far-right leader Marine Le Pen and an additional 5-year period of ineligibility to run for office, in a trial over the suspected embezzlement of European Parliament funds where her ability to participate in the...

French farmers protest EU-Mercosur deal that will increase South American imports

Nov. 12, 2024 20:52 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — French farmers protested Tuesday against a trade deal that would increase agricultural imports from South America, saying it hurt their livelihoods. The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached...

Olympic medalist withdraws from French boxing elections citing racist and sexist attacks

Nov. 12, 2024 13:46 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — Sarah Ourahmoune, a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games, has withdrawn her bid to become president of the French boxing federation, saying she has been the target of vicious racist and sexist attacks. In an open letter published this week, Ourahmoune said she...