World News by Wild Rose

The social unrest roiling France is being closely watched for a possible spillover effect beyond the country’s borders that could reshape European politics, Chinese analysts said. The crisis is a major stress test for French politicians as they navigate deep-seated economic and societal tensions in the run-up to the country’s presidential election in April next year, according to the analysts. A critical question was whether the riots would subside quickly or escalate into prolonged instability,...

The comment is an apparent swipe at Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, who both face elections in coming weeks.

The leader of France's hardline CGT union on Wednesday called for strikes after talks with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu over fresh protests collapsed. As the country is reeling from last weekend's riots, the government offered "no measure or an acknowledgement of our demands" Sophie Binet, secretary general of the CGT, told reporters after a meeting between Lecornu and union leaders.

The European states say their support for Riyadh is 'defensive', but analysts warn Houthi reaction may complicate that.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, October 21: The identities of some 300 suspects from Saturday's riots are emerging in the Paris courts. Meanwhile, the far-left France Unbowed party has promised legal action against the French government for claiming the radical left was responsible for the degeneration of protests. Also, as the UN warns that global warming is on track to reach 2.6°C this century, the UK greenlights new drilling in the North Sea. Finally, we look at the literary trend of hate-reading.

As PSG face Barcelona in a Champions League clash, fans weigh in on whether football should be a political platform.

Donald #Trump seizes on unrest in #France to attack immigration and the #Democrats, using the issue as a campaign message ahead of the November 3 US #midterms.

In the wake of the weekend's violence, the political camps have been trading blame for the “chaos”. The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally - which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr David Lees, Reader in French Studies at the University of Warwick, says that Marine Le Pen "is trying to use these events as a vehicle for pushing her popularity ahead of the elections next year".

In the wake of the weekend's violence, the political camps have been trading blame for the “chaos”. The riots have played into the hands of the far-right National Rally - which has been quick to capitalise on the anger and fears over law and order. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr David Lees, Reader in French Studies at the University of Warwick, says that Marine Le Pen "is trying to use these events as a vehicle for pushing her popularity ahead of the elections next year".

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Andrew Smith, Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London. France's escalating social unrest has exposed a troubling disconnect between legitimate popular grievances and the government's increasingly security-focused response. Smith argues that the violence accompanying otherwise largely peaceful demonstrations reveals serious failures of policing, while President Emmanuel Macron's response offers "very little of substance." Drawing parallels with France's historic protest movements, Smith identifies a "convergence of causes" rooted in economic insecurity, educational inequalities and political paralysis. He warns that a repressive response risks deepening the crisis, calling instead for a renewed commitment to "participatory social democracy."

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election. FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley looks back at Lecornu's remarks in the wake of the violent protests that shook the country over the weekend.

The violence that rocked France this weekend as cost-of-living protests degenerated into looting and burning nationwide is raising alert levels across Europe, where elections will be held in at least half a dozen countries next year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Donald Trump of trying to pressure Kyiv into surrendering to Russia, escalating a week-long row with the US president. The Opening Trade has everything you need to know as markets open across Europe. With analysis you won't find anywhere else, we break down the biggest stories of the day and speak to top guests who have skin in the game. Hosted by Anna Edwards, Guy Johnson and Tom Mackenzie. (Source: Bloomberg)

Thousands protest in Paris and other cities against rising cost of living.

Hundreds of thousands of ⁠people are expected to ​demonstrate across France on Saturday as students, trade union members and remnants of the Yellow Vest movement join forces to protest rising cost of living and ​the country's fraying social model. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

Just about everyone is worried about what is going on in France right now: the country’s public finances are in sorry shape and there are fears that the French bond selloff, and the country’s growing debt crisis, might spillover into the rest of Europe. On top of that, the 2027 elections have investors worried: The two leading candidates, Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, aren’t seen to be up to the task of taming France’s fiscal turmoil. Shahin Vallée was an advisor to Emmanuel Macron when

France’s National Assembly is voting on a comprehensive bill to tackle gender-based and sexual violence, following public outrage over the rape and murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna. The proposed law includes stronger investigations, specialised police units and courts, and dedicated support for child victims. However, campaigners and lawmakers warn that funding remains uncertain, while several measures have been dropped over budget concerns.

France's far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella deleted data from a former activist Facebook account as soon as allegations surfaced that he wrote anti-Semitic comments in his youth, French investigative weekly Le Canard enchaîné said Friday, piling pressure on the top ally of presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would make drastic savings to bring France's public deficit back in line if she wins next year's presidential election. The government forecasts the national debt will hit 5.4 percent this year despite the EU setting a 3 percent limit for member states. 

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has reiterated her "complete confidence" in National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella, accused by investigative news outlet Mediapart of making anti-Semitic comments in 2013. But some analysts say the frontrunner in the Élysée Palace race may seek to distance herself from her protégé should the controversy end up damaging her campaign.