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France to borrow record €340 billion as Covid-era debt comes due

The French ​government will sell a record amount of bonds to investors next year as it faces a surge in Covid-era debt due for redemption and needing to be refinanced, the public debt management ​office ‌said on Tuesday amid mounting concern about France's surging public deficit and borrowing rates.

World

"We ask for the baccalaureate, it brings back the BAC": in Saint-Denis, the anger of the high school students

For the third day in a row, many students at the Paul Éluard High School blocked their school on Tuesday, the day the public service was mobilized. After the clashes of the previous day with the law enforcement forces, high school students and professionals mostly recount their daily lives: overloaded classes, absent teachers, degraded buildings – and a deep sense of abandonment.

World

France: High schools blocked to get more resources for education

Students block #lycées everywhere in #France to demand more human and financial resources for education. The movement also extends to higher education. A total of 338 schools are affected by actions and at least 40 persons have been arrested according to the Ministry of Education.

Politics

French civil servants strike, demand additional budgetary resources

French civil servants were mobilising in large numbers on Tuesday, with more than 170 rallies planned across France. A coalition of unions are demanding additional budgetary resources for schools, hospitals, and other public services. Among those on strike are firefighters, pushed to their limits by the summer's historic wildfires. Here's a look at one of the protests in Lyon.

World

Maricarsen and the housing crisis in Spain: are there solutions?

The eviction of Maricarsen, a 87-year-old woman who was evicted from the apartment she rented for seven decades in Madrid, once again focused on the housing crisis in Spain. His case provoked protests and reopened the debate on the price of rent, the expansion of tourist housing and the protection of tenants. What is behind the Spanish housing crisis and what solutions are on the table? We analyzed it in The France Debate 24.

World

Employees away: Eiffel Tower director announces departure

The announcement of the departure of Patrick Branco Ruivo, general director of the iconic Parisian monument, arrives following the eviction of female employees during the visit of a Hindu religious dignitary in early September. In a statement, the Eiffel Tower operating company denounced an "unacceptable situation".

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World

Calais Jungle: A child and 2 women killed during Channel crossing attempt

A 10-year-old child and two women died Monday on the treacherous migration route across the English Channel from France, apparently trampled to death on a boat packed with more than 100 people, French authorities said. The so-called “taxi boat" ran into difficulty off the northern French coast, with its passengers asking for help, authorities said. Such inflatable boats attempt the dangerous crossing after picking up people from the beaches of northern France, where they wade into the sea to clamber aboard. FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin tells us more.

Politics

France's Le Pen defiant after top ally hit by antisemitism claims

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen on Tuesday vowed to hit back at allegations of antisemitism targeting her de-facto number two Jordan Bardella, which have punctured her buoyant campaign at a time she is riding high in the polls. Le Pen, who is aiming to win the Elysee at her fourth attempt next year in a far-right breakthrough that would send a shockwave across Europe, lambasted the Mediapart website that published the claims and said Bardella has her "total confidence".

World

League of Nations: Olise allows the Blues to chain against Belgium

Zinédine Zidane's French team, largely redesigned and rejuvenated, perfectly kept the shock in Belgium and brought back a success of prestige thanks to a personal exploit by Michael Olise at the end of the meeting (1-0), Monday in Brussels in the League of Nations.

World

Can Parisians really teach us to be happier?

We welcome back Alex Durand and Tom Carles – better known as AT Frenchies – to talk France, America, friendship and the pursuit of happiness. The childhood friends-turned-internet phenomenon are back with their new book, "Pardon Our French". From growing up together to building a life between France and the US, Alex and Tom share their unique take on what makes Parisians tick, their transatlantic journey, their love of two cultures and the challenges of writing a book together.

World

Monroe: "Singing before the pope is once in a lifetime!"

She is one of the few artists who sang in front of Pope Leo XIV during the great prayer vigil at the Stade de France on Friday, September 25. At only 18 years old, Monroe, prodigy of the lyrical song, astonished by her maturity. The young soprano was first revealed to the general public by Prodiges, on France Télévisions, before being chosen to represent France on Eurovision 2026. She began a new chapter in her career with a tour of cathedrals and churches.

Politics

French public service strike day puts pressure on govt ahead of budget vote

French civil servants went on strike on Tuesday ​and high school students blocked the entrances to schools in a show of discontent with planned budget cuts ahead of next year's presidential election. Seven months before the election, and just two days before the government unveils its 2027 budget draft, opinion polls consistently show the deep unpopularity of France's centre-right government and of ​President Emmanuel Macron. FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar reports from Paris.

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Politics

FRANCE 24 report: Anxious Ukrainian arms makers wait to sell abroad

Volodymyr Zelensky is in New York, pleading with Ukraine’s allies for more military aid to fend off Russia. But Ukrainian arms producers say the country could be bringing in significant revenue of its own, if only they were allowed to export their products: they say their production capacity far exceeds what Ukraine can afford to buy. A year ago already, the president said he agreed – in theory. But in practice little has changed, and Ukrainian firms are growing impatient and anxious, as FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg reports.