French farmers have escalated protests across the country, blocking motorways and access to ski resorts, to voice strong opposition to the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement. Citing concerns over unfair competition and differing production standards, unions have called for the deal's rejection, leading to a postponement of the crucial vote.
A French court in Besançon has sentenced former anesthetist Frederic Pechier to life in prison for poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died. The court found him guilty of deliberately inducing cardiac arrests between 2008 and 2017, reportedly to discredit colleagues and satisfy a 'thirst for power.' He faces a minimum of 22 years before parole eligibility and is permanently banned from medical practice.
President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant increase in fines for drug users in France, tripling the penalty from €200 to €500 during a visit to Marseille. This move is part of an intensified national crackdown on drug trafficking and related violence, aiming to deter consumption and disrupt criminal networks.
France's Interior Ministry confirmed a cyberattack on its email servers, leading to unauthorized access of sensitive files, including criminal records. Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as 'very serious,' with investigations ongoing and one arrest made.
France's highest court, the Cour de Cassation, has issued a landmark ruling making it significantly easier for Jewish families to reclaim art and property stolen during the Nazi occupation. The decision, stemming from the Armand Dorville case, redefines the burden of proof in spoliation claims, marking a pivotal moment for restitution efforts.
France insists on robust security guarantees for Ukraine as a prerequisite for any discussions on Kyiv ceding territory to Moscow. This stance, articulated by an adviser to President Emmanuel Macron, follows recent peace talks in Berlin involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, aiming to end Russia's nearly four-year-old war.
French and American military satellites have successfully executed joint maneuvers, demonstrating coordinated orbital operations. These rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs) were conducted as part of US Space Command's Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender, which France formally joined in October 2024, signaling enhanced allied cooperation in space defense.
Workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris initiated a renewable strike on Monday, December 15, leading to the museum's closure. The industrial action stems from long-standing grievances over deteriorating working conditions, insufficient staffing, and a perceived lack of resources, exacerbated by recent security breaches and structural issues.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has directed local authorities to reinforce security around Jewish places of worship and Hanukkah events across the country. This directive comes in response to a recent terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, which resulted in 16 deaths and 42 injuries. The heightened security measures will be in effect throughout the Hanukkah period, from December 14 to 22, 2025.
Paris has officially cancelled its traditional New Year's Eve musical celebration on the Champs-Élysées for December 31, 2025. The decision, driven by escalating security concerns, including those related to illegal immigration and crowd control, aims to mitigate risks associated with large public gatherings. Fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe will proceed, with a televised concert replacing the live event.
Naval Group is developing a new French cold-launch vertical launch system for the FDI frigate, designed to increase its surface-to-air missile capacity from 16 to up to 64, a four-fold increase. This system will integrate CAMM and CAMM-ER missiles, avoiding reliance on foreign launchers, and is expected to be operational in the early 2030s.
France has significantly increased its stake in satellite operator Eutelsat to nearly 30%, becoming its largest shareholder. This strategic move, involving a €717 million investment as part of a €1.35 billion capital raise, aims to bolster the OneWeb LEO broadband constellation, enhance European digital sovereignty, and provide a robust alternative to non-European satellite services.
Paris observed the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on December 12, 2025, with a low-key reception, reflecting evolving climate policy priorities in France. The landmark accord, adopted in 2015, aimed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a goal still facing significant challenges despite progress in renewable energy.
The French Navy has intercepted a flagless fishing boat off the French Antilles, uncovering 2,360 kilograms (5,200 pounds) of cocaine. This significant nighttime operation contributes to over 31 tons of narcotics seized by the French Navy in the Caribbean this year, underscoring the region's role in international drug trafficking.
French vaccine company Valneva SE announced positive final Phase 2 results for its single-shot Chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®, in children aged one to eleven. The trial demonstrated strong antibody persistence for 12 months and a favorable safety profile, supporting future Phase 3 development in this age group.
Aurania Resources Ltd. has been granted three new exploration licenses—Epona, Taranis, and Bélénos—in the Brittany Peninsula and northern Pays de la Loire, France. These licenses target polymetallic metals, including gold, and aim to explore the South Armorican Shear Zone, aligning with France's and the EU's goals for securing domestic metal supplies.
European nations, members of the Council of Europe, met in Strasbourg to consider changes to migrant protection frameworks, including reinterpreting the European Convention on Human Rights. This move, influenced by mainstream parties adopting stricter policies and rising far-right sentiment, has drawn criticism from rights advocates concerned about weakened protections.
French First Lady Brigitte Macron is under fire after a video emerged of her using a 'sexist insult' to describe feminist activists. The activists had disrupted a performance by actor-comedian Ary Abittan, who was previously accused of rape, at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris. Macron's office stated her comments were intended to calm the actor and criticized the 'radical methods' of protest.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu secured a narrow parliamentary approval for the 2026 social security budget on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The critical vote, which passed 247-234 with 93 abstentions, involved significant concessions, including the suspension of President Macron's 2023 pension reform until after the 2027 presidential election, highlighting the fragility of the minority government.
Benin's government, with crucial intelligence and logistical support from France and military assistance from Nigeria and ECOWAS, successfully thwarted a coup attempt by mutinying soldiers on Sunday, December 7, 2025. President Patrice Talon confirmed the situation was under control, condemning the destabilization effort.
