Justice and the far-right shape a French Saturday
Jordan Bardella opened off-record press meetings, granted a Frankfurter Allgemeine interview and is preparing a foreign trip ahead of the Paris appeals court's July 7 ruling that could bar Marine Le Pen from the 2027 vote. A Paris magistrate opened a judicial investigation into Jamal Khashoggi's assassination, naming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Lot-et-Garonne prefect condemned death threats against the Agen mayor and the local mosque association, and the Élysée confirmed Pope Leo XIV's first French state visit in 18 years.
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Bardella opens off-record press and foreign-capital circuit ahead of July 7 Paris appeals ruling on Le Pen's eligibility
Jordan Bardella has begun preparing to take over as the Rassemblement National's 2027 presidential candidate ahead of the July 7 Paris appeals court ruling in the FN European Parliament assistants case, which could bar Marine Le Pen from the contest, France Info reported. The 30-year-old party president is now holding off-record meetings with journalists, appearing alone at international summits, granting an interview to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung this week, and meeting ambassadors in Paris. RN officials say a foreign trip in the coming weeks is under consideration to harden his international stature before the verdict lands.
French judge to investigate Khashoggi assassination after complaint against Saudi crown prince
A Paris judge will investigate the 2018 assassination of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi after rights groups filed a complaint against Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French sources told AFP on Saturday. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office confirmed an investigating judge from the crimes against humanity unit will probe the complaint for torture and enforced disappearances. The probe follows a court of appeal ruling on Monday that overturned years of opposition to the case on admissibility grounds.
Pope Leo XIV to make first official state visit to France in 18 years
Pope Leo XIV will travel to France for an official state visit from September 25 to 28, the Vatican announced on Saturday, marking the first such trip by a pontiff in 18 years. The visit includes stops in Paris, where he will visit UNESCO headquarters, and Lourdes. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news, saying the visit 'will be an honor for our country, a joy for Catholics, and a great moment of hope for everyone.'
French prefect condemns death threats against Agen mayor and mosque association president
The prefect of Lot-et-Garonne condemned death threats made against Agen mayor Laurent Bruneau and Messaoud Settati, president of the city's mosque association, on Saturday, May 16. Bruneau received an anonymous letter containing three large-caliber bullets and violent language, and filed a complaint. Settati received similar threats on Friday and also filed a complaint.
All Events
Every other event tracked in France, with a one-line preview.
fr33Six detained in Paris after Palestinian flag unfurled on Eiffel Tower during Nakba protest
Six activists from Extinction Rebellion were arrested in Paris on May 16, 2026, after unfurling a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower during a protest marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. Police detained them on suspicion of entering a protected area without authorization and endangering safety. The incident sparked political reactions, including criticism from French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, who contrasted the arrests with the lack of consequences when the tower was illuminated with the Israeli flag in 2023. The event highlights ongoing tensions in France over public displays of solidarity with Palestine.
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Six detained in Paris after Palestinian flag unfurled on Eiffel Tower during Nakba protest
Six activists from Extinction Rebellion were arrested in Paris on May 16, 2026, after unfurling a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower during a protest marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. Police detained them on suspicion of entering a protected area without authorization and endangering safety. The incident sparked political reactions, including criticism from French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, who contrasted the arrests with the lack of consequences when the tower was illuminated with the Israeli flag in 2023. The event highlights ongoing tensions in France over public displays of solidarity with Palestine.
Six activists from Extinction Rebellion were arrested in Paris on May 16, 2026, after unfurling a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower during a protest marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. Police detained them on suspicion of entering a protected area without authorization and endangering safety. The incident sparked political reactions, including criticism from French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, who contrasted the arrests with the lack of consequences when the tower was illuminated with the Israeli flag in 2023. The event highlights ongoing tensions in France over public displays of solidarity with Palestine.
fr21China Welcomes French Law Easing Restitution of Colonial-Era Looted Artefacts
China has welcomed France's new law simplifying the return of artworks looted during the colonial era (1815-1972), raising hopes for recovering thousands of objects taken during the 1860 sacking of the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces. The law allows restitution by decree, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed interest in strengthening cooperation on the issue, which is tied to China's nationalist narrative and strained EU relations.
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China Welcomes French Law Easing Restitution of Colonial-Era Looted Artefacts
China has welcomed France's new law simplifying the return of artworks looted during the colonial era (1815-1972), raising hopes for recovering thousands of objects taken during the 1860 sacking of the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces. The law allows restitution by decree, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed interest in strengthening cooperation on the issue, which is tied to China's nationalist narrative and strained EU relations.
China has welcomed France's new law simplifying the return of artworks looted during the colonial era (1815-1972), raising hopes for recovering thousands of objects taken during the 1860 sacking of the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces. The law allows restitution by decree, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed interest in strengthening cooperation on the issue, which is tied to China's nationalist narrative and strained EU relations.
fr18L&T and Exail partner to supply unmanned mine warfare suite for Indian Navy MCMV program
Indian defense firm Larsen & Toubro and France's Exail have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver an advanced unmanned mine countermeasure suite for the Indian Navy's 12-ship Mine Counter Measure Vessel program, valued at approximately $5 billion. The suite includes autonomous and remotely operated systems for mine detection, classification, identification, and neutralization. India currently lacks dedicated MCM vessels after its last minesweeper was decommissioned in 2019.
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L&T and Exail partner to supply unmanned mine warfare suite for Indian Navy MCMV program
Indian defense firm Larsen & Toubro and France's Exail have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver an advanced unmanned mine countermeasure suite for the Indian Navy's 12-ship Mine Counter Measure Vessel program, valued at approximately $5 billion. The suite includes autonomous and remotely operated systems for mine detection, classification, identification, and neutralization. India currently lacks dedicated MCM vessels after its last minesweeper was decommissioned in 2019.
Indian defense firm Larsen & Toubro and France's Exail have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver an advanced unmanned mine countermeasure suite for the Indian Navy's 12-ship Mine Counter Measure Vessel program, valued at approximately $5 billion. The suite includes autonomous and remotely operated systems for mine detection, classification, identification, and neutralization. India currently lacks dedicated MCM vessels after its last minesweeper was decommissioned in 2019.