France's Sarkozy: no deal with Socialists against far right

France's conservative party leader, Nicolas Sarkozy, on Wednesday ruled out making any alliance with Francois Hollande's ruling Socialists to stop the increasingly popular far right from winning regional councils in elections this month.

President Hollande vows to strike back on Islamic State's 'act of war'

French President Francois Hollande said the near-simultaneous attacks that left at least 127 dead an "act of war" organized abroad by the Islamic State and vowed to wage a "merciless" fight against the militant organization.

Hollande put France's security at its highest level Saturday morning with the military continuing to patrol France's streets to give residents a sense of security. Parisians were encouraged to stay home. Hollande declared a three-day period of national mourning.

Arafat poisoning inquiry dropped by French prosecutors

By BBC News

French judges say they have dropped an investigation into claims Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was poisoned.

Arafat died in Paris in 2004, aged 75. His wife says he was poisoned, possibly by highly radioactive polonium.

Four dead in shootout in Roma camp in France

By BBC News

Four people have been killed in a shootout at a Roma camp in north-eastern France, police say.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters those killed "in cold blood" included a six-month-old baby, a man and a woman.

France train attack: investigators focus on extremist motive

By The Guardian

Police continue to question gunman after French interior minister says intelligence services had flagged up suspect’s links to radical Islam

France train shooting: Americans overpower gunman

By BBC News

Three people have been hurt after a heavily armed man opened fire on a train in northern France, before being overpowered by two American passengers.

Danny Cipriani to chase England World Cup squad spot against France

By The Guardian

Sale Sharks man set for opportunity at full-back from bench in warm-up game. Paris match will see Mike Brown start for first time since March.

UK and France to sign Calais security deal

By The Guardian

Deal contains measures to tackle human traffickers and commitments to boost humanitarian support for vulnerable migrants

Mistral warships: Russia and France agree compensation deal

By BBC News

A deal has been agreed in which Russia will receive compensation for France's decision last year to cancel the sale of two warships, both countries say.

French student charged with murder and links to a terrorist organisation

By The Guardian

A man arrested on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks in the Paris area has been charged with murder and attempted murder as well as having links with a terrorist organisation.

Sid Ahmed Ghlam was taken into custody by police on Sunday after he called an ambulance having apparently shot himself in the leg. Investigators believe he was planning an “imminent” attack in Paris or the city’s suburbs.

French Press Says Le Pen Will Hover Over Elections

By Le Figaro

On Monday morning, the day after the first round of the French presidential election, French newspapers devoted just as much attention to the high score earned by third-place candidate Marine Le Pen as they did to the two candidates who will advance to the second round.

French Press Says Le Pen Will Hover Over Elections

By Le Figaro

On Monday morning, the day after the first round of the French presidential election, French newspapers devoted just as much attention to the high score earned by third-place candidate Marine Le Pen as they did to the two candidates who will advance to the second round.

The morning after election day, France woke up with a "vague hangover" according to French daily economic journal Les Échos, which bames this collective queasiness on the high score earned by far-right candidate Marine Le Pen (17.9%). According to columnist Jean-Francis Pécresse, the shadow of the Front national candidate will "hang over the campaigns of the second round."

France widens HSBC Swiss bank inquiry to global holding company

By The Guardian

French prosecutors have expanded their investigations into the activities of HSBC’s Swiss subsidiary to include its global holding company, the bank has disclosed.

Authorities completed an investigation into HSBC Suisse for alleged tax-related offences earlier this year, turning over a file to prosecutors to make a formal decision.

The bank said on Thursday that prosecutors were now investigating HSBC’s global holdings company and had set bail at €1bn (£724m). In the previous investigation, bail was set at €50m. In a short statement announcing the investigation on its corporate website, HSBC says it will vigorously contest the proceedings.

Hollande Prepares Battle for Round 2 of the Presidential Election

By Le Figaro

The key phrase for Socialist François Hollande's campaign between the two rounds of the French election will be "bringing people together."

Yesterday was the first round of the French presidential election. Socialist François Hollande came in first place, with UMP candidate and current president Nicolas Sarkozy finishing right behind him. The second round of the election-- the run-off between the two candidates-- will be held in two weeks.