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Ukraine to Receive US LNG via Greece as Winter Energy Pressures Mount

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Ukraine will begin importing US liquefied natural gas through Greece this winter, using the Trans-Balkan pipeline to help stabilise its energy supply amidst ongoing Russian attacks. The announcement followed a meeting in Athens between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who emphasised Greece’s growing role in supplying American LNG to reduce regional dependence on Russian gas.

Zelensky said the first deliveries are expected in January, noting that Ukraine urgently needs external supplies to offset the damage inflicted on its domestic gas infrastructure. Kyiv has allocated close to €2bn—backed by European Commission guarantees and bank financing—to secure gas imports through March. The deal comes as the EU pushes toward a complete halt of Russian gas imports by 2027.

During his European tour, Zelensky also met French President Emmanuel Macron and signed a letter of intent for Ukraine to potentially acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, along with air defence and radar systems. The visit highlighted Ukraine’s dual battlefronts—strengthening its military capabilities while preparing for a harsh winter as Russia intensifies attacks on energy facilities and multiple regions report continued casualties.

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Zelenskyy Set to Seal Major Air Defence and Warplane Deals in France

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris to finalise major defence agreements with France, aiming to boost Ukraine’s long-term air defence and aviation capabilities amid intensified Russian attacks. Speaking ahead of the visit, Zelenskyy said a “historic agreement” would be signed on Monday, covering combat aviation, air defence systems and other military support. The visit comes as Russia increases drone and missile strikes while reporting ground advances in the Zaporizhzhia region.

According to sources, France is preparing a 10-year strategic aviation agreement that could include the provision of Rafale multi-role fighter jets, supplementing Ukraine’s future fleet alongside U.S. F-16s and Sweden’s Gripen aircraft. Paris is also expected to announce additional SAMP/T air-defence systems and Aster 30 missiles, with some deliveries drawn from French stocks and others through long-term orders. Macron had already pledged more Mirage jets and new missile batches, though questions remain over how the expanded assistance will be financed.

Zelenskyy is set to meet defence manufacturers including Dassault before signing letters of intent and contracts. A separate forum will bring together Ukrainian and French drone-sector companies to deepen cooperation. French officials say the goal is to align the country’s defence industry with Ukraine’s needs and strengthen its capacity to counter Russian aggression. France and Britain continue to push for forming a coalition of nations prepared to deploy troops and assets to Ukraine or its borders once a peace deal is reached.

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France Remembers Bataclan Attacks as Jihadist Threat Persists a Decade Later

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As France marks ten years since the deadly Bataclan attacks, the nation faces renewed reminders of the enduring jihadist threat. Authorities have arrested Maëva B, a 27-year-old French convert linked to Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker from November 2015, on suspicion of plotting a violent act. The arrest underscores the persistence of home-grown extremism, even as large-scale terror plots have diminished following the fall of the Islamic State.

The coordinated Paris attacks on 13 November 2015 killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more, becoming a defining moment in France’s modern history. Since then, intelligence agencies have strengthened counter-terror capabilities, yet experts warn of “ambient jihadism” — a decentralized, ideology-driven threat fueled by social networks, political polarization, and global conflicts like the Israel-Gaza war.

Thursday’s national commemorations include tributes at attack sites, the opening of a memorial garden, and the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in France’s tricolour. Survivors continue to share how their lives were forever altered, while Abdeslam’s offer to participate in “restorative justice” has drawn outrage from victims’ families, who insist terrorism cannot be treated as an ordinary crime.

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Algeria Pardons Jailed Novelist Boualem Sansal Amid Diplomatic Efforts

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Almost a year after his arrest at Algiers airport, French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, 81, has been pardoned by the Algerian presidency and allowed to leave the country. Sansal, who has been at the center of a tense diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers, departed for Germany on a military plane to receive medical treatment for prostate cancer.

The release came after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier directly appealed to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, leveraging his trusted relationship with the Algerian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Tebboune for the “act of humanity,” highlighting France’s respectful and calm approach in securing Sansal’s freedom.

Sansal had been sentenced to five years in prison in July for remarks deemed to undermine national unity, having long been critical of the Algerian government. His pardon was granted on humanitarian grounds due to his advanced age and fragile health, overriding earlier unsuccessful appeals from France.

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Sarkozy Released from Prison Under Strict Conditions

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Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been granted early release after serving just three weeks of a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy linked to alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. A Paris court approved his release on Monday under tight judicial supervision, including a ban on leaving France and restrictions on contacting individuals tied to the case.

Sarkozy, 70, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, appeared via video link, describing his time in solitary confinement as “gruelling” and “a nightmare,” while thanking prison staff for their humane treatment. The prosecutor supported his release but insisted he avoid further contact with witnesses in the ongoing “Libyan dossier,” ahead of his appeal scheduled for next March.

His brief incarceration marked the first time a former French leader has been jailed since 1945. Sarkozy was held in an isolation wing with limited freedoms due to security concerns. His imprisonment also sparked controversy after a visit from Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, prompting complaints from lawyers over conflict of interest. Throughout, Sarkozy maintained he would “never admit to something I haven’t done.”

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Protest Disrupts Israel Philharmonic Concert in Paris

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A concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris was disrupted multiple times on Thursday night when protesters set off flares in the auditorium. Four people were detained after clashes broke out in the Pierre Boulez hall, forcing the performance led by conductor Lahav Shani and pianist Sir Andras Schiff to be temporarily halted due to smoke and commotion.

The event had already faced criticism from a French performing arts union and calls for a boycott by pro-Palestinian activists. While French ministers condemned the disturbances and defended artistic freedom, some political voices argued the protest was justified due to their opposition to the Israeli state.

Despite the chaos, the venue confirmed the troublemakers were removed and legal action will follow. The concert eventually resumed and concluded peacefully, with authorities stressing that violence and threats to public safety have no place in cultural spaces.

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France’s National Rally Prepares for Snap Elections as Bayrou Faces Confidence Vote

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France’s far-right National Rally (RN) signaled on Monday that it is preparing for potential snap elections, warning that Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s efforts to save his minority government are unlikely to succeed. Bayrou faces a September 8 confidence vote after unexpectedly announcing it last week in a bid to push through unpopular budget-tightening plans for 2026.

RN president Jordan Bardella said the party “must be ready for anything, including a return to the ballot box,” and revealed that 85% of RN’s candidates have already been selected. Marine Le Pen, despite being barred from standing for election due to a conviction for embezzling EU funds, remains the party’s dominant figure and said she and Bardella would meet Bayrou out of courtesy but expect little from the talks.

With opposition parties including the Socialists and Communists committed to voting against Bayrou, his government’s collapse appears imminent. If defeated, President Emmanuel Macron could either appoint a new prime minister, retain Bayrou in a caretaker role, or dissolve parliament for new elections. While Macron previously ruled out early polls, fresh elections could further fragment parliament, with RN poised to gain strength.

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French Court Bars Marine Le Pen from 2027 Presidential Race Over Embezzlement Conviction

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In a landmark ruling, a French court on Monday barred far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running in the 2027 presidential election after convicting her of embezzlement. Le Pen, 56, received a five-year ban from public office, along with a four-year prison sentence—two years suspended and two under home detention—and a €100,000 fine. The court found her guilty of misappropriating over €4 million in EU funds to pay her party’s staff, a charge she denies. While she vowed to appeal, the ruling could significantly reshape France’s political landscape ahead of the next election.

Le Pen’s conviction sparked outrage among her supporters and right-wing figures worldwide, with allies calling it judicial overreach. Billionaire Elon Musk accused the judiciary of targeting political opponents, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed solidarity, tweeting, “Je suis Marine!” Le Pen condemned the decision as a politically motivated attempt to derail her presidential bid, asserting that millions of French citizens were “outraged to an unimaginable degree.” Despite her ban, she retains her parliamentary seat until the end of her term.

With Le Pen’s future uncertain, speculation is growing over who will lead the National Rally (RN) into the 2027 election. RN President Jordan Bardella, 29, is seen as her likely successor, but political analysts question whether he can rally the broad electorate needed to win. The court also found the RN party and 24 of its officials guilty, imposing a €2 million fine. As appeals in France can take years, Le Pen’s legal battle may continue well into the election cycle, keeping the political climate tense.

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Scottish Painter Jack Vettriano Dies at 73 in France

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Renowned Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, best known for his iconic painting The Singing Butler, has passed away at the age of 73. His publicist confirmed that he was found dead in his apartment in Nice, France, on Saturday, with local reports stating there were no suspicious circumstances. Remembered as a deeply private and humble man, Vettriano gained widespread popularity for his evocative paintings depicting themes of romance, mystery, and nostalgia.

Born in 1951 into a coal mining family in Methil, Scotland, Vettriano took up painting in his early twenties and was largely self-taught. His breakthrough came in 1988 when two of his paintings sold at the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual show, leading to a successful career despite criticism from the art establishment. The Singing Butler fetched a record-breaking £744,800 at auction in 2004, and a reinterpretation by Banksy is expected to sell for up to £5 million this week.

Vettriano’s later work became more overtly erotic, mirroring his own hedonistic lifestyle, which included struggles with drugs and alcohol. Despite his immense commercial success, he often clashed with art critics, believing their disapproval stemmed from jealousy and his lack of formal training. “I am a melancholic romantic,” he once said, describing his paintings as both a celebration of women and a reflection of human desires. His legacy lives on through his captivating and widely admired artwork.

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French Finance Minister Confident on 2025 Budget Talks Amid Political Tensions

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French Finance Minister Eric Lombard expressed optimism on Friday regarding ongoing talks to pass the 2025 budget bill, emphasizing that negotiations were “on the right track” despite potential compromises still needed. Speaking to TF1 television, Lombard reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the public sector deficit to 5.4% of GDP this year, down from nearly 6% last year, amid concerns over tax shortfalls and increased spending.

As lawmakers from the Senate and lower house continued closed-door discussions to finalize the much-delayed budget, Lombard acknowledged the risk of a possible no-confidence motion. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to invoke constitutional powers to push the budget through without a regular vote, a move likely to provoke backlash from opposition parties, including the far-left and potentially Marine Le Pen’s far-right RN party.

Jean-Philippe Tanguy, an RN lawmaker on the panel, criticized the draft budget for lacking significant spending cuts, calling it a “phantom budget.” He warned of mounting financial risks as France approaches February without an approved fiscal plan, noting that the rising cost of state debt has already increased by 8 billion euros. The uncertainty has rattled investor confidence and could have further consequences if no resolution is reached.

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