France’s top General claims that Russian cruise missiles are able to evade American made PATRIOT missile defence batteries in Ukraine And that European-made interceptors are now more successful (From early November hearing)

Out Monday, back in Friday. New/Old French PM Sébastien Lecornu has had quite the week. He’s made the same promise not to force through laws but also demanded ministers not challenge Macron’s 2027 successor (optimistic the gov will last that long).

#BREAKING: Macron reappoints his last PM Sébastien Lecornu Another shock from a week of shocks He’ll have to have one hell of a new mission statement to avoid total and immediate rejection

#BREAKINGNEWS French government collapses just hours after ministers announced, Sébastien Lecornu out as PM 🇫🇷 Left and Right refused to accept another gov based on Macron’s own party Far-right calling for new elections

Netherlands Air Force F-35A with a UAV kill mark, marking the downing of a Russian drone over Poland on September 9–10.

#BREAKING: Ex French president Nicolas Sarkozy will be in prison within days "If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent." - Sarkozy at the court Sentenced to 5 yrs for plot for Libya to fund his political campaigns

French PM Francois Bayrou officially out in a crushing (but totally expected) defeat Macron to appoint new PM in "next few days" (That's if he finds someone to accept the poisoned chalice ... )

As UN says airdrops cost 100x truck-borne aid, France shares pix of its latest aid drops of 40 tons Approx GPS of the drop: 31°28'16.4"N 34°23'00.2"E That puts it far north of the main displaced populations in Gaza, not far from the most northerly 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' aid site

One of my all-time favourite tech anecedotes #AI

Weirdly Napoleonic Egypt vibes as Paris installs palm trees in Place de la Concorde ...

Macron made the same point twice last weekend but it slipped through most media He also suggested allies could join French military’s nuke exercises! France (and UK) nukes are no replacement for US but would provide a massive deterrence for EU borders

#Russia SU-35 jet made 3 super close passes of a French drone over the Eastern Med The French drone was on a surveillance mission Sunday #Ukraine #Syria #Israel #Lebanon #Gaza

"We’re hearing *broad support* for [UK-France-led troops in Ukraine] - recognition that Europe needs to step up and is ready to,” a senior Western defence official told me Mishmash of 🇪🇺🇨🇦(🇹🇷?) troops possible but it'll need individual consent ... But UK already backtracking on 🇫🇷 sketch of plan

This is Winston Churchill visiting the White House during World War II. Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.

Macron gave us a tour around the Elysee Palace! Compared to the UK's palaces, it's refreshingly modern, filled with (an eclectic mix of) art that talk to the Macrons x.com/CNNFrancePR/...

The first French Mirage fighter jets arrived in Ukraine! It's been a remarkably quick turnaround, with Ukrainian pilots ready to get them up in the air France has already been supplying the missiles and glide bombs that should make these jets indispensable

An incredible day as the world sees Notre Dame reborn 2,000 artisans 2,000 oaks 340,000 donors in 150 countries Nearly $900M raised It’s not the cathedral we knew, but it’s still the Notre Dame we love

Difficult to understand how anyone(!) looking at Europe’s security with its weird patchwork of kit and skills could think that there’s any alternative to NATO Ireland’s navy is 8 ships Luxembourg has 3 aircraft UK struggling to get nuke subs out to sea

France backs independent work of the ICJ as warrants come down for Netanyahu/Gallant Macron still dancing a fine line between anger at Hamas/Israel support vs France's support for human rights in Occupied Palestinian territories "This is not a judgement but a formalisation of an accusation"

Just used "forewent" in an obituary. Got it past the editor. 2/2 feeling very pleased with myself.

France does get exaggerated praise for its Ukraine aid, especially compared to Germany (Scholz presumably avoiding the PR...) But Paris took important lead on several areas: - (very) speedy provision of Mirage jets and training - training/equip of a full brigade - backing of Czech ammo call

First impressions of Bluesky: Everyone is nice to everyone, except Musk, whom everyone hates There's no bookmarking 🦕

Lots of chatter around Biden giving Ukraine's ATACMS free reign in Russia - UK/France 'followed' But Macron appeared to greenlight SCALP strikes on military sites in Russia (aiming at Ukr) back in May "Strategic ambiguity" been French obsession for a while now edition.cnn.com/2024/05/28/e...