The French parliament has after a months-long debate passed a controversial anti-Muslim bill despite strong criticisms from lawmakers who assert that the legislation breaches religious freedom.

Public anger against the French government’s renewed measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 has re-invigorated the Yellow Vest protest movement.

French President Emmanuel Macron has changed his phone and phone number in light of allegations that Pegasus spyware might have targeted him.

France accuses Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of "provocation" by pushing for a two-state solution in divided Cyprus during a visit to the small Mediterranean island.

An Israeli spy malware used by oppressive regimes to snoop on human rights activists and journalists worldwide, has also targeted the phones of top French, Iraqi and Moroccan leaders and 15,000 Mexicans, reports unveiled.

Thousands of people marched around France to protest President Emmanuel Macron's plans to force vaccination of health workers and require a COVID-19 free certificate to enter places such as restaurants and cinemas.

The head chefs of about 20 world leaders arrived in Paris on Monday for a week-long visit that gives them a tour of France's gastronomic culture.

French police officers fire tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Paris, as thousands of people protested throughout France over new coronavirus restrictions.

The European Union (EU) says it will create a sanctions regime targeting officials in Lebanon, which has been grappling with an economic crisis amid a failure to form a new government.

French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will withdraw more than 2,000 troops from West Africa’s Sahel region in the coming months.