Latest France government News

An American swims in Paris' Seine River before the Olympics despite contamination concerns

Jul. 04, 2024 15:51 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — A 75-year-old American swimmer took a dip in the Seine River on Thursday, braving the murky waters in central Paris to celebrate the Fourth of July and highlight the French government’s efforts to clean up the river for the Olympic Games. He had good timing: Hours...

France's government spokesperson is attacked on the campaign trail, days before decisive election

Jul. 04, 2024 14:39 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — In the final stretch before France's high-stakes parliamentary elections Sunday, several candidates have reported being attacked on the campaign trail, including government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot. The French interior minister said Thursday that 30,000 police...

Hezbollah fires over 200 rockets into Israel after killing of senior commander

Jul. 04, 2024 14:38 PM EDT

BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese Hezbollah group said it launched over 200 rockets on Thursday at several military bases in Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed one of its senior commanders. The attack by the Iran-backed militant group was one of the largest in the monthslong...

France's government spokesperson is attacked on the campaign trail, days before decisive election

Jul. 04, 2024 05:45 AM EDT
PARIS (AP) — France's government spokesperson is attacked on the campaign trail, days before decisive election.

Election anxiety curbs Olympic enthusiasm among Parisians ahead of the Summer Games

Jul. 04, 2024 05:19 AM EDT

PARIS (AP) — Just three weeks before the Olympics, the excitement that was building up in the host city is now mingled with anxiety about France’s political future. The far-right National Rally’s strong results in the first round of a rushed election has darkened the ambience...

Russian-linked cybercampaigns put a bull's-eye on France. Their focus? The Olympics and elections

Jul. 04, 2024 01:44 AM EDT

PARIS (AP) — Photos of blood-red hands on a Holocaust memorial. Caskets at the Eiffel Tower. A fake French military recruitment drive calling for soldiers in Ukraine, and major French news sites improbably registered in an obscure Pacific territory, population 15,000. All are part...

Biden at 81: Often sharp and focused but sometimes confused and forgetful

Jul. 03, 2024 22:25 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's conduct behind closed doors, in the Oval Office, on Air Force One and in meetings around the world is described in the same dual way by those who regularly see him in action. He is often sharp and focused. But he also has moments,...

Far-right National Rally candidates, including one who wore Nazi cap, scrutinized in French election

Jul. 03, 2024 17:58 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — As it stands on the threshold of power in France, the far-right National Rally is facing scrutiny about some of the candidates it hopes will help it secure a ruling majority in legislative elections on Sunday, including a woman it has pulled from the high-stakes race over a photo of...

Money issues may sink proposed New Jersey branch of acclaimed Paris museum. Mayor blames politics

Jul. 03, 2024 16:41 PM EDT

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey officials say financial concerns spurred state lawmakers to rescind $24 million in funding for a planned outpost of Paris’ acclaimed Pompidou Center in Jersey City. But the city's mayor said he believes his deteriorating relationship with Gov. Phil Murphy led...

Renowned Nazi hunter in France advises Jews to choose far right over far left in elections

Jul. 03, 2024 12:28 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — Days ahead of France's crucial parliamentary elections, renowned Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld is sticking to his advice that if voters are faced with a duel between Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and a far-left competitor, they should choose the far right. ...