Category: France

Are French Scholars Really ‘Mad Hyenas?’

Commentary The Chinese ambassador in France has called French scholar Antoine Bondaz a “small-time thug” and “mad hyena” on Twitter in response to criticism about its human rights record. The public remarks have caused public uproar, and motivated politicians and academics to issue one condemnation of China after another. I don’t think it’s necessary to…


French COVID-19 Patient Numbers Rise Again, Adding to Pressure for New Lockdown

PARIS—The number of patients with coronavirus in French intensive care units rose on Saturday to a new high for this year, increasing the pressure to impose new restrictions that President Emmanuel Macron says will probably be needed. France had 4,791 ICU patients being treated for COVID-19, up from 4,766 on Friday, health ministry data showed….


9 Countries Summon Chinese Envoy Over Xinjiang Row

Nine U.S. allies in Europe have summoned China’s ambassadors in protest after Beijing slapped sanctions on a dozen European officials, researchers, and institutions that have been vocal about the regime’s human rights abuses. The “sanctioning of members of Parliament and scientists is absolutely incomprehensible,” said German foreign minister Heiko Maas in a March 23 statement…


9 Countries Summon Chinese Envoys Over Xinjiang Row

Nine U.S. allies in Europe have summoned China’s ambassadors in protest after Beijing slapped sanctions on a dozen European officials, researchers, and institutions that have been vocal about the regime’s human rights abuses. The “sanctioning of members of Parliament and scientists is absolutely incomprehensible,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a March 23 statement…


Facebook Sued in France Over Hate Speech, False Information

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Tuesday it is suing Facebook in France for allegedly violating the European nation’s consumer code with deceptive promises to fight hate speech and false information. In a press release, the Paris-based free press watchdog alleged that the U.S. social media giant has broken its own terms of services to “allow…


France Hit by 3rd Virus Surge; Culture Minister in Hospital

PARIS—France’s high-profile culture minister has been hospitalized for COVID-19, the latest senior official to become ill as the nation faces a third surge of coronavirus infections, this one propelled by a highly contagious variant first found in Britain. Roselyne Bachelot, 74, announced last weekend that she tested positive and her hospitalization was made public Wednesday,…


Macron Says France to Reopen Embassy in Tripoli on Monday

PARIS—France will reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli next Monday to show its support for the North African country’s new authorities, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday. Libya’s new unity government took office on March 16 from two warring administrations that had ruled eastern and western regions, completing a smooth transition of power…


The Gorgeous Wines of Alsace

One of France’s finest wine-growing regions, and one of its least understood, is the northern district of Alsace, a hilly region bordering Germany with a populace that’s as comfortable speaking German as it is French. Moreover, the grape varieties of Alsace (almost all of them white) are also found in Germany, with riesling, gewurztraminer, and…


The Heart of the French Renaissance: Château de Fontainebleau

The art and architecture of the Château de Fontainebleau in France influenced the evolution of art not only in France but also across Europe.  From the 12th to the 19th century, the kings and queens of France lived at the Château de Fontainebleau. First, King Louis VII built a hunting lodge and chapel on the…


Quebec, France Resistant to Encroaching ‘Woke’ Ideology

Commentary Last month, Quebec Premier François Legault took to Facebook to criticize “radical activists” who he said are taking political correctness to extremes. He was in part reacting to the suspension last September of a francophone University of Ottawa professor for using the N-word in class. “If we don’t defend someone who is a victim…