Category: France

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he was in Jordan as part of a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, during which he has signed defence agreements with Gulf states.

“Today in Jordan. Security is the top priority and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts toward it. Ukraine is doing its part. Important meetings ahead,” Zelensky said on X.

The visit comes after Ukraine – which has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations – agreed to cooperate on defence with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian anti-drone experts have been deployed to all three countries since Iran responded to US-Israeli aerial bombardments that began more than one month ago.

Cheap drone interceptors

A Ukrainian team is also in Jordan, a senior official told AFP earlier this month on the condition of anonymity, without elaborating.

Watch moreIn Brussels, volunteers assemble drones to be sent to Ukraine

Ukraine uses a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones.

It has proposed swapping its interceptors for the expensive air-defence missiles that US allies in the region are currently using to down Iranian drones.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Les cookies et technologies similaires que nous utilisons sur Mediapart sont de différentes natures et nous permettent de poursuivre différentes finalités.

Certains sont nécessaires au fonctionnement du site et de l’application mobile (vous ne pouvez pas les refuser). D’autres sont optionnels mais contribuent à faciliter votre expérience de lecteur ou de lectrice et d’une certaine façon à soutenir Mediapart. Vous pouvez les refuser ou les accepter ci-dessous, selon leurs finalités.

Acceptez-vous que Mediapart utilise des cookies ou technologies similaires pour les finalités suivantes ?

Vous pouvez faire votre choix, pour chaque catégorie, en activant ou désactivant le bouton interrupteur.

Enregistrer et fermer

KitKat, owned by Swiss food giant Nestle, confirmed in a statement sent to AFP on Saturday that “a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe”.

The shipment, weighing around 12 tonnes, disappeared last week while heading between production and distribution locations, it said.

“We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” a spokesperson for the brand said, referring to its catchphrase.

“But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.”

The brand warned that “the theft may lead to a shortage of KitKats appearing on shelf”, acknowledging that “consumers, unfortunately, may struggle to find their favourite chocolates ahead of Easter”.

The stolen truck had left central Italy and was making its way to Poland, with a plan to distribute the bars in countries along the way.

KitKat did not say where specifically the goods had gone missing, but said “the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for”.

“Investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partners,” it said.

KitKat warned that the missing chocolate bars “could enter unofficial sales channels across European markets”.

It said it was possible to trace the stolen goods by scanning the unique batch codes found on each bar.

“If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately,” it said.

Elsewhere in international action, Ivory Coast cruised past South Korea 4-0 in England, while Belgium impressed with a 5-2 win over the United States in Atlanta. France are back in action on Sunday against Colombia, three days after a statement 2-1 victory over Brazil, with heavy squad rotation expected.

In Spain, Barcelona have been dealt a major blow: Raphinha is set to miss five weeks and will notably be sidelined for the Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid.

In figure skating, Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry were crowned world champions in ice dance in Prague, continuing a remarkable partnership already crowned with Olympic gold last month in Milan.

And in the NBA, San Antonio’s hot streak rolls on. The Spurs secured an eighth straight win with a dominant 127-95 victory over Milwaukee, powered by an all-around performance from Victor Wembanyama and a triple-double from Stephon Castle.

Les cookies et technologies similaires que nous utilisons sur Mediapart sont de différentes natures et nous permettent de poursuivre différentes finalités.

Certains sont nécessaires au fonctionnement du site et de l’application mobile (vous ne pouvez pas les refuser). D’autres sont optionnels mais contribuent à faciliter votre expérience de lecteur ou de lectrice et d’une certaine façon à soutenir Mediapart. Vous pouvez les refuser ou les accepter ci-dessous, selon leurs finalités.

Acceptez-vous que Mediapart utilise des cookies ou technologies similaires pour les finalités suivantes ?

Vous pouvez faire votre choix, pour chaque catégorie, en activant ou désactivant le bouton interrupteur.

Enregistrer et fermer

If you’re looking at coverage of the French tax declaration and thinking ‘I wonder if that applies to me’, then chances are, it probably does. Here’s a look at who has to do the annual declaration and who is exempt.

EXPLAINED: Who has to do a tax declaration in France in 2026?

Laws require many homeowners in the south of France to do compulsory works each year to help prevent the spread of wildfires — but as fires become more common, the laws have been expanded to cover properties further north, including in Brittany.

French government expands obligatory wildfire prevention work for homeowners

France’s ‘spring time law’ will come into effect shortly — and it’s one that any dog-owner walking their four-legged friends in rural areas needs to know about. 

The little-known French law that could see dog owners fined €750 this spring

How strictly does France enforce its vaccination requirements for children?

Reader Question: Is it compulsory to vaccinate children in France?

While French citizenship is not automatic for children born in France, those who are born to British parents are usually entitled to British nationality (and, therefore, a passport) from birth.

The UK’s new rules on dual nationals mean that any child who is entitled to British citizenship must obtain a UK passport in order to enter the UK – or they might be barred from entry.

Here’s how to apply for the passport.

How to get a British passport for a child born in France

Like many other historically Catholic countries, France is a big fan of Easter — which is next weekend. All around the country, you’ll see shopfronts and bakeries decorated with chocolate rabbits, chickens, bells, and other signs of spring. But, there are some rather more unusual traditions, too… 

Flying bells and giant omelettes: 8 ways the French celebrate Easter

Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“This morning, the Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land … from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as they made their way to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass,” a statement issued by the Patriarchate said.

“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”

“This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world, who during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

There was no immediate response from the Israeli police.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement describing the incident as “an offence to the faithful”.

Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, separately said on X he had summoned Israel’s ambassador over the incident.

Since the Middle East war began on February 28, Israeli authorities have banned large gatherings, including at synagogues, churches and mosques.

Public gatherings are limited to around 50 people.

The Latin Patriarchate had already announced it had cancelled the traditional Palm Sunday procession that normally runs from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem and draws thousands of worshippers each year.

The Patriarchate said Cardinal Pierbattista was stopped “while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act”.

“The heads of churches have acted with full responsibility and, since the outset of the war, have complied with all imposed restrictions,” the Patriarchate said.

“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” it said.

“This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the status quo.” 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)