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Quebec separatists vow independence vote after provincial election win

The separatist Parti Québécois won provincial elections on Monday, but fell just short of enough seats to govern alone in Canada's French-speaking province, Quebec. The victory comes just two weeks ahead of a vote in Alberta, Canada's economic powerhouse, on whether it wants to begin the process of leaving the country.

Politics

Quebec votes as separatist surge poses test for Canada PM

Quebec separatists eyed a return to power in Canada's majority French-speaking province Monday in an election that could test Prime Minister Mark Carney's message of national unity to confront the United States. Carney is popular in Quebec, and the possible success of the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) is not seen as a repudiation of his stance toward President Donald Trump, whose trade war and annexation threats have infuriated Canadians. FRANCE 24's Christopher Guly reports from Ottawa.

World

Euro falls to 17-month low against dollar on French debt concerns

The euro has stumbled to a 17-month low against the US dollar on concerns about France's ability to bring its public finances in order. The currency has dropped nearly 7 percent from its peak in late January. Meanwhile, global oil prices have fallen despite ongoing tensions around the Arabian Peninsula, after the G7 agreed to release up to 100 million barrels from strategic reserves and oil flows from the Persian Gulf returned to pre-war levels.

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Politics

France high school protests: Can the government regain control?

Up to 500 schools are expected to be totally or partially closed in France as student protests continue to rock the country. The demonstrations, which have been going on for over two weeks, have spread nationwide and are set to continue and the unrest appears to have caught the Macron government off guard. The protests have confronted French security forces with a daunting task, and the situation is likely to feature at this week's cabinet meeting, where the interior and justice minister will warn that there are few police resources to deploy.

World

Up to 500 French schools to be closed Monday as protests continue

Up to 500 French high ⁠schools will begin a second week of total or partial closures on Monday as protests over dilapidated schools and classrooms, overcrowding and teacher shortages precede a nationwide day of demonstrations on Tuesday. Reporting from outside a high school in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, France 24's Luke Shrago says things are relatively calm as of early Monday morning as students seek to rebuild the momentum of last week’s protests following a weekend lull.

Politics

Le Pen stands by top ally Bardella as anti-Semitism claims hit star of French far right

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.

Politics

Hundreds of schools to shut Monday as France braces for more student protests

France's education minister said lessons would be "totally or partly suspended" at up to 500 high schools on Monday after several days of sometimes violent protests against teacher shortages, dilapidated school buildings and overcrowding in classrooms. The minister said 24 schools had been "burned or ransacked" since the start of the protest movement.

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Politics

Italy’s Ustica enigma: Can French files solve mystery crash blamed on stray missile?

France’s decision to share defence documents with the Italian judiciary has raised hopes of a breakthrough in investigations into the 1980 crash of a passenger jet near the island of Ustica, which a former Italian president claimed was mistakenly shot down by a French fighter jet. Sceptics caution that the files are unlikely to shed light on one of Italy’s most enduring mysteries, let alone reveal a culprit.

Politics

Barricades & the blame game: the French school protests

In a week that’s seen the heroism of the captain, crew and passengers on board FlyDubai flight 1073 heralded, eye witnesses report seeing the co-pilot trying to kill the pilot and destroying the cockpit controls in order to crash the plane. Despite being stabbed repeatedly, Captan Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overwhelm the suspect and regain control of the aircraft after its rapid descent of more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds. They prevented a 9/11-style catastrophe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

World

No fairytale return for Zidane as Italy hold France at the Stade de France

The Stade de France was filled to capacity as the new French national team manager, Zinedine Zidane, prepared to make his home debut. The very side against whom he had ended his playing career in 2006 was once again the opponent he faced. Despite Michael Olise’s splendid free kick, the French were quickly overpowered by a clinical Italian side.

Topic: French | RocksNews