Author: Jourdain David

Thieves in France stole two truckloads of champagne before police recovered the liquid loot – worth €600,000 (£525,000) – in a high-speed chase. The drama began on Saturday near Reims, in the heart of the Champagne region, where the lorries were reported stolen. Officers were able to locate the vehicles, which were equipped with tracking devices, and gave chase on the A4 motorway between Reims and Paris. The champagne was eventually retrieved but the thieves managed to escape. The lorries were stolen from a Reims-based company between Friday evening and Saturday morning, French media say. According to Le Parisien newspaper…

Something unprecedented is happening this weekend in Paris, brought about by the war between Israel and Hamas and its spill-over in Europe. For the first time ever, a major demonstration being attended by representatives of the major political parties includes the far right – but not the far left. On Sunday afternoon thousands of people heeded a call from the Speakers of the two houses of parliament to show their support for French “Republican” values and their rejection of antisemitism – this in the face of a steep rise in antisemitic actions since 7 October. Among the first to announce…

Far from a distant observer, one of a chorus of countries offering opinions on the Israel-Gaza war, France feels very much caught up in the conflict. It is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community and has the largest Muslim population of any European country. A recent YouGov poll suggested over 70% of French men and women fear Middle East tensions and violence could well spill over at home. There are fears about general security, as well as concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia. The French authorities have reported a steep rise in antisemitic acts across the country. On Friday, during our…

Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC. In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was “no justification” for the bombing, saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel. While recognising Israel’s right to protect itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza, he said. But he also stressed that France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas. France – like Israel, the US, the UK, and other Western nations – considers Hamas a terrorist organisation. When asked if he wanted other leaders – including in…

The government has ordered an independent inquiry into a migrant mass drowning in the English Channel. At least 27 people including a pregnant woman and three children died when a boat sank in 2021. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said an inquiry would look at the circumstances of the deaths to give victims’ families the clarity they deserved. It comes after an investigation into the UK’s deadliest migrant boat incident made two recommendations. A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said the UK’s emergency response had been hampered by the lack of dedicated aircraft to carry out aerial surveillance…

French police believe a graffiti campaign featuring Star of David stencils may have been the work of Russian intelligence. In the last 10 days around 250 blue Stars of David – similar to the one on the Israeli flag – have appeared on buildings in Paris and its suburbs. They prompted an outcry from French politicians, who presumed the signs were antisemitic. But from the start investigators were more circumspect. While politicians made comparisons with Nazi-era graffiti to “out” Jews in their homes, investigators pointed out the Stars of David were randomly distributed, with no obvious Jewish connection in the choice…

A French tourist held in Iran for over a year on national security charges has been sentenced to five years in jail. Louis Arnaud, a banking consultant, was arrested in September 2022 – accused of participating in anti-government protests and of contributing to anti-government propaganda. He has been held at the notorious Evin prison in the capital, Tehran, ever since. The French government on Wednesday called for his immediate release. “This conviction, which has nothing to support it and the absence of any access to a lawyer, is unacceptable,” said the country’s foreign ministry in a statement. Mr Arnaud’s family…

Eighty years ago, squadron leader Frank Griffiths escaped Italian-occupied France during World War Two. He was the only survivor of a seven-man crew whose RAF bomber was shot down in August 1943. His escape was the culmination of a three-month journey which saw him cross some of Europe’s highest peaks, hiking 80 miles (128km) in three nights. Now his great-grandson, Adam Hart, has retraced his epic trek to safety on foot. But even as an accomplished athlete himself, Mr Hart said the physical ordeal gave him even more respect for his ancestor. “I’ve competed in Ironman competitions, but I was…

Up the French coast from the Spanish border, tourists were enjoying a warm autumn day, basking in the Mediterranean and hiking along the arduous coastal paths. But behind the idyllic appearances, local feelings have been running high. Two years ago, with little warning, the French government closed four small roads linking this area with its southern neighbour, Spain. France says the aim of the closures is to stop illegal immigration. It has linked the move to anti-terrorism controls. But Banyuls-sur-Mer’s 6,000 residents have for decades shared numerous economic, cultural and personal ties with the population on the other side of…

A second-hand dealer in France has appeared in court accused of deceiving a couple by paying €150 (£130) for an African mask which he resold for €4.2m. The pensioner couple found the mask from Gabon at the home of an ancestor who had been a colonial governor. They sold it to the dealer in 2021, only to find out its true value following an auction six months later. As the case opened on Tuesday, Gabon’s government asked for proceedings to be halted and the mask returned. The saga began when the couple – who are in their 80s and live…