The Latest Breaking News from Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to wage "war" against drug trafficking during a visit to Marseille, tripling fines for drug users to €500 and promising to pursue criminal network leaders blamed for deadly violence in France's second-largest city.

Talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine have intensified, with France and other European powers stressing the need for robust security guarantees for Kyiv before any discussion of territorial concessions. While negotiators report progress on Western-backed assurances, deep differences remain over land occupied by Russia.

President Emmanuel Macron is to visit Marseille on Tuesday. In the wake of the murder of 20-year-old Mehdi Kessaci, brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci, last month, Macron plans to make the fight against drug trafficking the focus.

France’s First Lady said she was sorry if her words "hurt victims" but insisted that her remarks were private.

The speech is the latest in a series of warnings by Western defence and security authorities about the growing hybrid threat from states such as Russia, Iran and China.

France wants to delay member states’ vote on the agreement amid mounting farmer anger. But the EU executive says a shifting global geoeconomic landscape makes the deal urgent.

Proposal is part of new package of security guarantees, backed by the White House, that could mark breakthrough in reaching agreement

When French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to China in early December for his fourth state visit, the itinerary began with the expected formalities. There was a red carpet reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and high-level talks with President Xi Jinping on trade, technology and Ukraine.

The victims of the Bondi Beach attack were ordinary people — children, elders, community leaders, and families — gathered for a peaceful religious celebration, and several lost their lives while trying to protect others.