Le Monde in English

UK PM was warned of 'risk' over former UK ambassador Mandelson's ties to Epstein Government documents released on Wednesday show that Keir Starmer was warned about appointing Peter Mandelson in a December 2024 due diligence report. The PM has already faced calls to resign over his decision.

UK PM was warned of 'risk' over former UK ambassador Mandelson's ties to Epstein

Vincent Clerc, CEO of shipping company Maersk: 'In Asia and the Middle East, our fuel supply points risk running dry' The head of the Danish maritime transport company tells Le Monde how the war in the Middle East has forced the world's second-largest shipping line to deploy new sea routes. Ten of the company's ships are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of shipping company Maersk: 'In Asia and the Middle East, our fuel supply points risk running dry'

France says 20,000 citizens have returned from Middle East since start of Iran conflict Of the approximately 400,000 French citizens who were living or travelling in countries in the Middle East at the moment of the outbreak of the war between the United States and Israel and Iran, nearly 20,000 have returned home, the government said Wednesday.

France says 20,000 citizens have returned from Middle East since start of Iran conflict

French aid worker killed in Democratic Republic of the Congo President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of the aid worker, who was working for UNICEF, the UN children's agency, in Goma, an eastern DRC city held by the M23 rebel group. Macron called for 'respect for humanitarian law.'

French aid worker killed in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hungarian PM Orban campaigns on fears of war and hatred of Ukraine Threatened in the polls for the April parliamentary elections by Peter Magyar's party, nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has portrayed his rival as an agent who serves Kyiv and the European Union.

Hungarian PM Orban campaigns on fears of war and hatred of Ukraine

In southern Beirut: 'Dahiyeh is destroyed, but that changes nothing for us. We support Hezbollah.' On the outskirts of the deserted Shiite neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, militants and a few remaining residents watch helplessly as Israeli strikes destroy entire areas, day after day.

In southern Beirut: 'Dahiyeh is destroyed, but that changes nothing for us. We support Hezbollah.'

At least six killed in Swiss bus fire, likely deliberate act according to police Fribourg Canton police chief police confirmed on Wednesday that while 'an intentional act is the most likely scenario,' at present 'there is no evidence' it was a terror attack.

At least six killed in Swiss bus fire, likely deliberate act according to police

In Dubai, Iranian entrepreneurs are caught in the crossfire: 'Iran has become a black hole' Long established in the financial stronghold of the United Arab Emirates, the community now fears reprisals against relatives who remain in Iran.

In Dubai, Iranian entrepreneurs are caught in the crossfire: 'Iran has become a black hole'

Iranian Kurdish fighters in Iraq hope Tehran's 'hated dictatorship' will fall Between 4,000 and 5,000 Iranian Kurdish fighters are based in Iraqi Kurdistan. They have high hopes for the US-Israeli operation in Iran.

Iranian Kurdish fighters in Iraq hope Tehran's 'hated dictatorship' will fall

Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a satellite communications center in Haifa, along with military bases in Israel, and US targets elsewhere in the Middle East, including Iraqi Kurdistan and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain.

Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel

War in Iran and Lebanon: France steps up evacuation of its citizens by air, land and sea Of the 42,500 French travelers who have reported their presence in the Gulf, Israel or Lebanon to authorities, 7,500 have requested assistance to return home. Repatriating them during a conflict has become a logistical nightmare for the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

War in Iran and Lebanon: France steps up evacuation of its citizens by air, land and sea

Alleged Rihanna mansion shooter charged with attempted murder Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, was charged with attempted murder on Tuesday after opening fire at the singer's estate on Sunday. Ortiz, who has previously been involuntarily committed, posted on Facebook about a number of celebrities and claimed that Rihanna wanted to kill her.

Alleged Rihanna mansion shooter charged with attempted murder

From 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week: The rise of '996' work culture in French start-ups Driven by the race for artificial intelligence, some French start-ups now value total employee commitment and constant availability as key conditions for success.

From 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week: The rise of '996' work culture in French start-ups

Christophe Lecourtier, current ambassador to Morocco, expected to lead the French Development Agency Having obtained the government's approval, Christophe Lecourtier's appointment still needs to be confirmed by Parliament. The French Development Agency is one of France's main tools for international influence.

Christophe Lecourtier, current ambassador to Morocco, expected to lead the French Development Agency

Syria appoints Kurdish military official assistant defense minister Sipan Hamo, the Kurdish official, had taken part in talks on the agreement the Syrian state reached with the Kurds at the end of January, which aimed to integrate Kurdish forces and institutions into the central government.

Syria appoints Kurdish military official assistant defense minister

Jewish settlers escalate West Bank terrorist attacks under the guise of war with Iran Within just one week, Jewish extremists have killed five Palestinians and wounded 15. While these acts are sometimes condemned by the army or the government, in practice, Israeli authorities turn a blind eye.

Jewish settlers escalate West Bank terrorist attacks under the guise of war with Iran

Doctors Without Borders announces arrest of two employees in the Central African Republic On Monday, the Central African Republic's Ministry of Defense announced the arrest of a French employee of the NGO. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is due to visit Bangui on Thursday.

Doctors Without Borders announces arrest of two employees in the Central African Republic

Madagascar's leader fires PM, suspends government Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, who seized power in 2025, said in a statement on Monday that a new prime minister would be appointed 'shortly.'

Madagascar's leader fires PM, suspends government

France calls for new funding for civil nuclear energy At the second world Nuclear Energy Summit, held in Paris on Tuesday, EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also announced a strategy to support small modular reactor investments, backed by a €200 million guarantee.

France calls for new funding for civil nuclear energy

EU urges member states to lower taxes on energy 'If you are at all able to lower taxes on energy, especially on electricity, there is a huge potential' to reduce consumer bills, the European Union's energy commissioner said.

EU urges member states to lower taxes on energy

French local elections: Radical left candidates targeted in disinformation campaign A network of websites and fake social media accounts has attacked La France Insoumise mayoral candidates, such as Sébastien Delogu in Marseille. The sophisticated and well-funded operation's backers have yet to be identified.

French local elections: Radical left candidates targeted in disinformation campaign

Russia's use of poison: A reality Europe has been slow to confront On February 14, five European countries acknowledged that the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was caused by a neurotoxin. Yet for decades, Russia has carried out toxic attacks, particularly under Vladimir Putin's presidency.

Russia's use of poison: A reality Europe has been slow to confront

Dominique Eddé, Lebanese writer: 'The present moment is overwhelming; it is one of destruction. All that remains is to think and to stand tall' Confronted with the 'armed madness' unfolding in the Middle East, the Lebanese essayist calls for resistance from 'any intelligence capable of otherness and empathy.' 'It is up to each and every one of us to save within ourselves what makes our species human,' she writes.

Dominique Eddé, Lebanese writer: 'The present moment is overwhelming; it is one of destruction. All that remains is to think and to stand tall'

France scales up anti-drone measures to industrial level as threat rises As the government prepares to change the law to strengthen protection for sensitive sites, the industry is gearing up for a boom in the anti-drone market.

France scales up anti-drone measures to industrial level as threat rises

UN inquiry says Russia committed 'crimes against humanity' in deporting Ukrainian children The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russia had deported or transferred 'thousands' of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.

UN inquiry says Russia committed 'crimes against humanity' in deporting Ukrainian children

Hegseth announces 'most intense day' of US strikes against Iran The US secretary of defense said the war will continue as long as President Donald Trump decides.

Hegseth announces 'most intense day' of US strikes against Iran

Senegal's LGBTQ+ community lives in fear as fight against AIDS faces setback The country has regularly seen homophobic protest fueling assaults and public denunciations. Within this climate, organizations working to fight HIV worry that individuals will turn away from vital care and prevention services.

Senegal's LGBTQ+ community lives in fear as fight against AIDS faces setback

Senegal's LGBTQ+ community lives in fear as fight against AIDS faces setback The country has regularly seen homophobic protest fueling assaults and public denunciations. Within this climate, organizations working to fight HIV worry that individuals will turn away from vital care and prevention services.

Senegal's LGBTQ+ community lives in fear as fight against AIDS faces setback

Ig Nobel prizes moving to Europe because US 'unsafe' to visit The awards, which celebrate the sillier side of science, have held raucous ceremonies that see the winners showered with paper aeroplanes at universities in Massachusetts since 1991. The 36th edition will be held in the Swiss city of Zurich on September 3.

Ig Nobel prizes moving to Europe because US 'unsafe' to visit

EU chief calls Europe shift from nuclear energy a 'strategic mistake' President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was speaking at the opening of the second Nuclear Energy Summit in France on Tuesday,

EU chief calls Europe shift from nuclear energy a 'strategic mistake'