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France Unveils Voluntary Military Service to Boost National Readiness

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France has launched a nationwide recruitment drive for a new 10-month voluntary military service aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to respond to growing security and civil-defence challenges. The programme, announced by President Emmanuel Macron last year, will begin in September and is open to French citizens aged 18 to 25 who want to contribute to national resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Under the scheme, 3,000 young people will join the army, navy or air force from September, with numbers rising to 4,000 in 2027 and up to 10,000 a year by 2030. Participants will earn about 800 euros a month and carry out a wide range of tasks, including disaster relief, counter-terrorism surveillance and technical roles such as drone operation, mechanical work, medical support and logistics.

The initiative is part of a wider European shift as countries reassess their defence needs amid concerns about Russia and uncertainty over long-term U.S. security commitments. French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said the programme supports a move toward a more flexible “hybrid” military model, with recruits free to return to civilian life, join the reserves or pursue full-time service after completing their term.

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French Farmers Block Paris Over Mercosur Trade Deal

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French farmers staged a pre-dawn blockade of roads and landmarks in Paris to protest the European Union’s proposed trade agreement with South American Mercosur nations. Members of the Coordination Rurale union, joined later by FNSEA and young farmers’ groups, drove tractors along the Champs Élysées and around the Arc de Triomphe, causing traffic jams stretching up to 150 km, while police maintained a calm presence.

Protesters voiced concerns that the Mercosur deal would flood Europe with cheap food imports, undermining domestic agriculture, and criticized the government’s handling of the lumpy skin disease outbreak, advocating vaccination instead of culling. Senior union member Stephane Pelletier described farmers as feeling abandoned and betrayed by the trade accord.

The demonstration adds pressure on President Emmanuel Macron ahead of an EU member vote expected Friday. While Paris secured some concessions, the deal remains politically sensitive, with municipal elections approaching and strong opposition from the far right. France has vowed to continue opposing the agreement in the European Parliament if it is approved.

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Western Europe Faces Fresh Snow and Ice as Storm Goretti Disrupts Travel

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Western Europe prepared for another bout of severe winter weather on Wednesday as storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year, swept in from the Atlantic. Heavy snow fell across parts of France, including the Paris region, while cold weather and ice warnings covered large areas of France and Britain. Authorities warned that conditions were likely to worsen in the coming days, particularly in southern Britain.

The storm triggered widespread transport disruptions, with flight cancellations, train delays and blocked roads reported across several countries. Dutch airline KLM cancelled around 600 flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, marking a sixth consecutive day of disruption, citing heavy snowfall and shortages of aircraft de-icing fluid. In France, bus services in Paris were suspended, and aviation authorities ordered airlines to significantly cut flights at the main Paris airports.

Governments urged caution as conditions affected daily life and supply chains. French officials banned trucks and school buses from roads in many northern regions, while Dutch authorities advised people to work from home if possible. Retailers warned of potential supply disruptions, especially for fresh produce, as snowfall heavier than usual for the region continued to strain transport networks.

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Brigitte Bardot to Be Laid to Rest in Saint-Tropez by the Sea

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French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot, who died last month at the age of 91, will be buried on Wednesday in the Riviera resort town of Saint-Tropez. Her funeral service will take place at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church, followed by a private burial in a local cemetery overlooking the sea, in the town where she spent much of her later life away from the public eye.

A public tribute open to residents and fans will be held at the Pré des Pêcheurs in La Ponche, the historic quarter of Saint-Tropez. Bardot rose to international fame in the 1950s with And God Created Woman, becoming a defining symbol of liberated femininity and a global pop culture icon. She was also the first celebrity to model for a bust of Marianne, emblem of the French Republic.

After retiring from films in 1973, Bardot withdrew from public life to focus on animal welfare, becoming one of France’s most prominent animal rights activists. In later years, her outspoken support for the far-right National Front and controversial remarks on social issues led to multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred. Several political figures, including Marine Le Pen and Equality Minister Aurore Bergé, are expected to attend the funeral.

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Macron Brings Ukraine and Allies Together to Push Security Guarantees

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French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from more than 30 allied nations in Paris as efforts intensify to secure long-term security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The meeting includes members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” as well as US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, amid claims from Zelensky that a US-backed peace plan is largely agreed.

While around 90% of the proposed framework is said to be settled, the remaining disagreements centre on territorial concessions Ukraine is being asked to consider. Russia currently controls most of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine and has shown little willingness to compromise, while continuing intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during winter. Ukraine, meanwhile, has stepped up drone strikes inside Russia, including on energy facilities.

Talks in Paris are focused on defining post-war security arrangements, including the possibility of a multinational reassurance force, long-term military and economic support for Ukraine, and guarantees in case of renewed Russian aggression. European allies are also seeking a clear US commitment to act if Russia breaches a future peace deal, though broader geopolitical tensions involving recent US actions abroad and disputes over Greenland risk overshadowing the discussions.

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Louvre Reopens After Strike Delay, Some Sections Remain Closed

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Paris’ Louvre Museum reopened on Monday after a three-hour delay, though several sections remained closed as staff partially resumed a strike over pay and working conditions, according to Reuters. Employees had held a meeting earlier in the day to decide whether to continue rolling industrial action, which began last month and was paused during the Christmas period.

The labour dispute has added to the challenges facing the world’s most visited museum, which is still reeling from a major jewel heist in October. In that incident, four burglars stole jewels worth about $102 million in broad daylight, and the stolen items have yet to be recovered.

The Louvre has also been grappling with infrastructure issues, including a recent water leak that damaged ancient books and raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the historic building. Together, the strike, security lapse, and maintenance problems have put renewed pressure on museum management and French authorities.

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France Tightens Food Import Controls Amid Farmer Protests Over Mercosur Deal

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France has announced stricter checks on a range of food imports in response to protests by farmers who argue they face unfair competition from countries with weaker agricultural regulations. The move comes as opposition grows in France to a proposed European Union trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, as well as concerns over livestock disease controls.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the new measures aim to ensure imported food meets EU standards, particularly regarding the use of banned pesticides and fungicides. France will soon issue a decree suspending imports of products found to contain prohibited substances, including mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim. Fruits and vegetables such as melons, apples, cherries, strawberries, grapes and potatoes will only be sold if they show no traces of these chemicals.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said any imported product failing to meet these standards would be barred from entering France. While Germany and Spain support the Mercosur deal, critics in France fear it would lead to cheaper imports, especially beef, that do not comply with EU environmental and food safety rules. The government said protecting farmers, public health and fair competition is non-negotiable and urged the European Commission to extend similar rules across the EU.

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George and Amal Clooney Granted French Citizenship to Protect Family Privacy

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Actor George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, and their twin children, Alexander and Ella, have been granted French citizenship, according to official government documents. The move comes after Clooney expressed concerns about raising his children amid the pressures and scrutiny of Hollywood. The family, who also hold U.S., British, and Lebanese ties, primarily reside on a farm in France, while maintaining homes in England and Kentucky.

Clooney has openly discussed his desire to provide his children with a more normal upbringing, away from the constant attention of paparazzi and Hollywood fame. “I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. France – they kind of don’t give a sh*t about fame,” he told the New York Times, emphasizing that the country offers a safer and more private environment for his family. He has also previously written to media outlets requesting that his children’s faces not be published.

France’s strict privacy laws make it illegal to photograph individuals in private spaces or share personal information such as home addresses. Celebrities in France are further protected, as photographers can face legal action if they capture images outside official appearances, a system that Clooney and other public figures have welcomed as a safeguard for their personal lives.

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Europe Condemns US Visa Bans Targeting Anti-Disinformation Advocates

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The European Union, along with France and Germany, strongly condemned U.S. visa bans on five European citizens, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who have been involved in combating online hate and disinformation. Washington accused them of censoring free speech and imposing undue restrictions on U.S. tech companies, a move that European officials described as unjustified and an infringement on Europe’s legislative autonomy. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of protecting Europe’s independence and the freedom of its citizens.

Breton, who helped design the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), faced particular scrutiny from the Trump administration. The DSA requires tech companies to tackle illegal content such as hate speech and child sexual abuse material, but the U.S. argued it unfairly targets American platforms and citizens. Previous disputes, including fines against Elon Musk’s X platform, have heightened tensions between Brussels and Washington over internet regulation and freedom of expression.

The visa bans also affected activists from the U.K. and Germany, with both countries expressing support and solidarity. German authorities called the bans unacceptable, noting that digital rules are determined in Europe, not Washington. British and international organizations described the U.S. actions as authoritarian and an attack on free speech, while the EU signaled it may respond decisively to what it views as a coercive measure undermining democratic norms.

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Elysee Palace Silverware Keeper to Stand Trial Over Alleged Porcelain Theft

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France’s presidential silverware keeper and two other men will stand trial over the suspected theft of valuable porcelain and tableware from the Elysee Palace, Paris prosecutors said. The presidency had reported the disappearance of items used during state dinners and official events, with the total value of the missing objects estimated between €15,000 and €40,000. The French presidency has not commented on the case so far.

Prosecutors said the silverware keeper, identified as Thomas M., and his partner Damien G. were arrested on suspicion of theft, while a third man, Ghislain M., was detained on suspicion of receiving stolen goods. Investigators found around 100 items in Thomas M.’s locker, car and home, including copper pots, Sevres porcelain and Baccarat champagne glasses. Authorities said suspicious inventory adjustments had raised internal alarms, suggesting the thefts may have been planned in advance.

Some stolen items were allegedly offered for sale online, including air force-stamped plates and ashtrays found on a resale platform. Sevres, a key supplier to the Elysee, later identified several missing pieces on auction websites, with some items since recovered. Ghislain M., who reportedly worked as a guard at the Louvre Museum, has been barred from returning to his post pending trial, which is scheduled for February.

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