‘Blood and fire’ in France: Battles on the streets of Paris as riot cops charge pension protesters

‘Blood and fire’ in France: Battles on the streets of Paris as riot cops charge pension protesters

Anti-government rioters brought ‘fire and blood’ to the streets of France today – days after a state visit by King Charles was cancelled because of the violence. Up to a million people joined Tuesday’s marches against President Emmanuel Macron raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote. Ones in cities including…

Sir Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape, sexual abuse’ over three years from 12

Sir Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape, sexual abuse’ over three years from 12

Olympic cycling and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins today spoke out about suffering ‘borderline rape and sexual abuse’ from the age of 12 by a coach. Sir Bradley, 42, said the face of the adult – who he did not name – still haunted him. He disclosed he now ‘hated cycling’ and only…

Karim Benzema ‘turns down invitation to retirement ceremony at the Stade de France by email’

Karim Benzema ‘turns down invitation to retirement ceremony at the Stade de France by email’

Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema has reportedly turned down an invitation to a retirement ceremony at the Stade de France by email.   France will face the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.    Ahead of the campaign opener, a group of French national team players who recently retired, including Hugo Lloris and Raphael…

SARAH VINE: Is it so bonkers to see Charles as Britain’s first republican King? 

SARAH VINE: Is it so bonkers to see Charles as Britain’s first republican King? 

Hardly surprising, when you think about it, that the incendiary mob rampaging through France has it in for King Charles. They’re up in arms at the thought of raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 – and here’s a man who’s taking on a huge job and a punishing new work schedule at the…

Charles and Macron were to enjoy Michelin-starred Versailles banquet before state visit cancelled

Charles and Macron were to enjoy Michelin-starred Versailles banquet before state visit cancelled

Luxuries prepared for King Charles that infuriated French anti-government protesters included his ‘favourite vintage cheese’ and bottles of wine ‘worth hundreds’ before his state visit was cancelled, it emerged today. 30-month-old Comté and accompanying Claret were all part of a Michelin-starred banquet being prepared in the Palace of Versailles as part of the state visit….

French mob set police vehicles on fire with Molotov cocktails as rioting continues

French mob set police vehicles on fire with Molotov cocktails as rioting continues

France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has said ‘far-Left’ rioters were using mortars to fire explosives at the police amid the intensified violence between security forces and protesters on Saturday. Three police vehicles were completely burned out, and multiple officers injured. The prefecture which covers Sainte-Soline in western France meanwhile revealed that two protestors were ‘in…

Is it safe to visit Paris right now? Latest travel guidance for France

Is it safe to visit Paris right now? Latest travel guidance for France

Are restaurants and attractions open as usual? The Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles and Arc de Triomphe were closed on March 23 but have since reopened. Most restaurants and shops should also now be operating as usual, but could close at short notice due to more strike action or violent protests – indeed a McDonalds…

French president is caught REMOVING £2,100 luxury timepiece during TV debate on pensions

French president is caught REMOVING £2,100 luxury timepiece during TV debate on pensions

A video has emerged of the French president in which he appears to remove a luxury watch during a televised debate on pensions.  The video shows Emmanuel Macron, 45, gesturing with his hands throughout the half-hour interview while sporting an expensive watch on his left wrist, which has vanished later as he continues to speak. …

Chaos in Paris as police fire tear gas at protesters and baton-charge crowds

Chaos in Paris as police fire tear gas at protesters and baton-charge crowds

There has been fresh chaos across France today with protestors clashing with police, as tens of thousands demonstrated the controversial pension reforms pushed through parliament last week. As nationwide demonstrations enter their ninth night, striking images showed huge blazes erupting in the western city of Bordeaux. Firemen had to put out flames which were engulfing…

Emmanuel Macron survives no-confidence vote by just NINE votes over hugely unpopular pension reforms

Emmanuel Macron survives no-confidence vote by just NINE votes over hugely unpopular pension reforms

French President Emmanuel Macron’s government today survived a no-confidence vote by just nine votes. The poll in the National Assembly on Monday was triggered by the head of state raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote. The no-confidence motion needed 287 votes to pass but got 278 – a tiny…

French protesters set fire to Lyon town hall in nationwide uprising against Macron’s pension reforms

French protesters set fire to Lyon town hall in nationwide uprising against Macron’s pension reforms

Protesters have ransacked and attempted set fire to a town hall in Lyon, France, during violent protests against French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms today. Slogans like ‘Macron is done’ and ‘Power to the people’ were seen scrawled across Lyon’s City Hall early this morning after protesters tried to set it alight yesterday evening. It…

Paris gripped by another night of violence over Macron’s pension reforms

Paris gripped by another night of violence over Macron’s pension reforms

Paris is being shaken by a second night of violent protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told radio station RTL on Friday that 310 people were arrested overnight, most of them in Paris, after protests on Thursday. Rioters clashed with police during demonstrations on Thursday night, with officers…

Château de Gudanes: Australian couple behind incredible French renovation open house to public

Château de Gudanes: Australian couple behind incredible French renovation open house to public

The Australian couple behind an incredible 18th century château restoration in France have announced that their home is ready to open to the public after almost ten years of renovations.  Karina and Craig Waters had no idea how long it would take to restore the sprawling Château de Gudanes in Verdun when they bought it…

Rishi Sunak heads to Paris amid fears Emmanuel Macron will refuse to take back Channel migrants

Rishi Sunak heads to Paris amid fears Emmanuel Macron will refuse to take back Channel migrants

Rishi Sunak attempted to woo ‘close ally’ France today with a thawing of cross-Channel relations as he seeks a deal over small boat migrants.  The PM spoke privately with President Macron for an hour in Paris this morning about the thousands crossing the waterway  – as well as the Six Nations rugby. Ms Sunak used the…

Morrissey, 63, will perform two HUGE outdoor concerts in London and Leeds this summer

Morrissey, 63, will perform two HUGE outdoor concerts in London and Leeds this summer

Musical superstar Morrissey has announced he will play two huge outdoor shows this July. The former Smiths frontman will take to the stage at London’s Crystal Palace Park on July 9, and Leeds Millennium Square on July 12. Morrissey, 63, is also embarking on a European tour, including a sold-out date at London’s Eventim Apollo…

Pete Doherty and wife Katia de Vidas reveal they are expecting a baby girl in May

Pete Doherty and wife Katia de Vidas reveal they are expecting a baby girl in May

Lisa Moorish – 2003 Pete and Lisa had a brief fling in 2003, and the English singer-songwriter eventually welcomed their son Astile, now 18. The singer was once-banned from seeing his son because of his drug habit, but after going to rehab and getting clean, he became a much more hands-on dad. Lisa told Metro in 2009:…

President of France, Emmanuel Macron congratulates Bola Tinubu on his emergence as Nigeria’s President-elect

President of France, Emmanuel Macron congratulates Bola Tinubu on his emergence as Nigeria’s President-elect

President Emmanuel Macron of France has congratulated Nigeria’s President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory in the February 25 election.    The President-elect confirmed this to newsmen after presenting his Certificate of Return to President Buhari in his country home, Daura, Katsina State, on Wednesday night, March 1.   Recall that Tinubu had earlier on…

Teacher stabbed to death in class by ‘possessed’ 16-year-old student in France

Teacher stabbed to death in class by ‘possessed’ 16-year-old student in France

A Spanish-language teacher has been stabbed to death in class by a 16-year-old French high student claiming to be “possessed” and hearing voices.   The deadly attack took place today, Wednesday, Feb. 22, at a private Catholic school named after Saint Thomas Aquinas in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a high-end beach resort town in southwestern France.   The…

Aldi becomes third supermarket after Asda and Morrisons to ration cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers

Aldi becomes third supermarket after Asda and Morrisons to ration cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers

Aldi today became the third UK supermarket to ration fruit and vegetables. The German-owned discount retailer has followed rivals Asda and Morrisons by imposing customer purchase limits on salad vegetables after supplies were hit by disrupted harvests in southern Europe and north Africa. ‘We are limiting purchases of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to three units per…