French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has said that the criminal response to the riots and looting must be “extremely firm.” Otherwise, he warned, shop owners and residents will “take justice into their own hands.” The minister made the remarks on Tuesday, 20 October, during a visit to Lille, where he...
Around 3,000 shops damaged in riots and looting in France
Approximately 3,000 shops and retail outlets in France were damaged because of mass unrest over the past weekend. The government has announced financial support measures for entrepreneurs, while law enforcement agencies continue a large-scale operation to identify and detain those involved in the riots and robberies. The unrest erupted on...
France accuses Musk of trying to influence European debates through X
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has accused X owner Elon Musk of using the platform to organize “massive online harassment campaigns” against European leaders. The remarks were made on October 13, 2026, at a conference of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Barrot linked the accusation...
France launches its own next-generation fighter project
After withdrawing from the joint Franco-German FCAS fighter program, France is advancing its own project to develop a next-generation fighter and modernize its aviation. This was stated by the Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, General Jérôme Bellanger. The French side has definitively parted ways with...
215 teenagers and more than 700 police officers injured in French school protests
High-school protests in France have entered their third week. According to the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, 215 teenagers, 85 school staff and 715 police officers and gendarmes have been injured since the mobilization began. The authorities have promised to consider the students’ demands and to present a “roadmap”...
French high school protests spread to more than 1,200 lycées
High school students in France are continuing protests over the state of school buildings, overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of teachers. The actions have spread to more than 1,200 lycées, and some parents and teachers have joined them. The movement began in the poorer suburbs of Paris and within a...
Spanish Senate rejects friendship treaty with France on the day of Macron’s visit to Madrid
Spain’s Senate on 29 September 2026 rejected ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France. The vote was 142 against, 106 in favour and one abstention. The vote took place on the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Madrid. The document was signed by...
EU Council sanctions former head of RT’s French branch
The Council of the European Union has added Ksenia Fedorova, former head of the French division of the Russian state television channel RT (Russia Today), to its sanctions list. The restrictive measures were imposed over her involvement in Russian hybrid activity and the dissemination of pro-Kremlin narratives. The decision was...
Paris tightens protection of critical infrastructure and defense industry sites over Russian hybrid warfare threat
The threat of Russian hybrid warfare against Europe is “real and documented” by the majority of European intelligence services, including France’s, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on BFMTV. Downplaying that threat would be irresponsible, he said. Sabotage and drone incidents across Europe are becoming systematic. Nuñez cited an attempted...
French far-right leaders unexpectedly issue a harsh condemnation of Russia’s actions
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally group in the French National Assembly, and party president Jordan Bardella issued a joint statement categorically condemning Moscow’s actions. The politicians called Russia’s decision to place the assets of French and European companies operating in Russia under temporary administration a hostile act...