The Latest Breaking News from Radio France Internationale

In a traditional New Year's Eve address, French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that his decision to call early parliamentary elections in June had brought more political instability to France rather than "solutions for the French people" – acknowledging that the high-stakes move had led to months of political deadlock.

On 1 January, France ushers in not just a new year, but a new set of laws – those passed in 2024. From speed limits to the price of stamps, language tests to low-emission zones, here are the changes coming in 2025.

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen zone on Wednesday, expanding the borderless area to 29 members and ending a 13-year wait for the two eastern European countries.

Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law an act that will commute to jail time the sentences of about 60 prisoners on death row.

French screen icon Brigitte Bardot, aged 90, denounced on Tuesday what she called a "massacre" of chamois—a species of goat-antelope native to the mountainous regions of Europe—in the Doubs department, where the local police chief has authorised the culling of 594 animals for the purpose of "vegetation protection".

It’s been a busy year for President Emmanuel Macron: the world watched him preside over the Paris Olympics, D-Day commemorations and the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral. But on the domestic front it’s been a veritable "annus horribilis" – marked by political turmoil, loss of influence and all-time low popularity.

In a significant escalation of military engagement, France has launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria as diplomatic efforts to strengthen stability in Lebanon are ongoing and a fragile ceasefire with Israel continues to hold.

France will deploy more than 90,000 police officers and gendarmes for New Year's Eve. The cities of Paris and Strasbourg will be under heightened surveillance.

International visitors are back to Paris during the winter holiday season, driven by the Olympics Games this summer and the recent reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral.

Joseph Fourier was a French mathematician, born on 21 March 1768 in Auxerre, France. His name is closely associated with the Fourier series and Fourier transform, mathematical tools utilised in a wide range of applications. He is also one of the 72 scientists and mathematicians whose names are engraved on…

Kenyan police have detained demonstrators, including an opposition lawmaker, at rallies protesting against a series of abductions allegedly carried out by security forces. Dozens of Kenyans have reportedly been abducted since youth-led anti-government demonstrations began this summer.