France mulls recognition of Palestinian state, waiting for 'useful time'

While some European countries, such as Spain and Ireland, have recognized the State of Palestine in a bid to safeguard what remains of the 'two-state solution,' President Emmanuel Macron is delaying the decision, but making small steps toward it.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, May 25, 2024.

Jerome Delay / AP

South Africa: The ANC's historically low score signals the end of its political dominance

The waterfront of Benghazi, in northeastern Libya, in March 2024.

ABDULLAH DOMA / AFP

Benghazi, Libya's new hub for illegal immigration to the US

Photograph of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a betel leaf vendor in Benares on May 27.

ISHAN TANKHA FOR «LE MONDE»

From humble tea seller to religious leader, Narendra Modi's transformations to win over the Indians

From modest origins and hailing from a village in Gujarat, the prime minister has gradually built a reputation as a man of the people who can surpass caste divisions.

Café Kafka, Prague. Photo from the series

Cyril Bitton / Divergences

Kafka, perpetual influencer

As we celebrate the centenary of his death on June 3, 1924, the author of 'The Trial' is still very much alive, both in bookshops and on social media, said writer Sarah Chiche.

Loïc Froissart pour M Le magazine du Monde

Visiting Rouen during the Normandie impressionniste festival

At the Normandy town's Musée des Beaux-Arts, the work of American painter James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) dialogues with works by the artists he influenced. Festival director Philippe Platel revealed his favorite Rouen venues.

A photo from the 'Cicha Woda' (Calm Water) series, begun in 2018 by Polish photographer Piotr Pietrus.

Feature

Elvire Camus

The women who stop their periods: 'It's so much easier not to have them'

Many women are choosing to stop menstruating by taking the pill continuously. The practice is harmless, but it still generates many misconceptions and concerns.

6 min read

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French Open 2024: Dimitrov vs. Sinner and Alcaraz vs. Tsitsipas in quarters

Pravfond, the discreet slush fund for Russian spies and their foreign legal woes

Rugby: Dupont guides France to Sevens glory

Ruling populists declare victory in Serbia local vote despite opposition claims of irregularities

Trump joins TikTok, app he once tried to ban

EU elections: Macron's coalition tries to remotivate members at last major rally

Euromore, Russia's new information warfare weapon

Joe Biden, trapped by his support for Israel, seeks a way to end war in Gaza

South Africa's president urges parties to find common ground in talks after election deadlock

Yet again, French Open fails to fill gaping holes of empty hospitality seats

Kylian Mbappé wore the PSG shirt for the last time. Does anyone care?

'I'm Lilian's son, but above all I'm Marcus Thuram'

Editor’s Picks

Interview

Gaïdz Minassian and Michel Lefebvre

Historian Olivier Wieviorka: 'D-Day makes for great storytelling'

D-Day is one of those few historical events that can be commemorated in a joyful and festive spirit, says the professor, who explains the widespread enthusiasm of the French people for the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.

16 min read

Demonstrators at a rally against the far-right Alternative for Germany party in Münster (North Rhine-Westphalia), western Germany, February 16, 2024.

Interview

Léa Iribarnegaray

'In Europe, 18 to 34 year olds do not know what it is like to live in an authoritarian state'

Terrorism, economic and climate crises, Covid-19, wars: All over Europe, young people have grown up in an anxiety-inducing environment, which some may express through a far-right vote in the European elections, says CNRS researcher Céline Belot.

6 min read

The U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C., June 15, 2015

Column

Corine Lesnes

2024 US presidential election: 'The current electoral system encourages doubt and controversy over results'

Some states have signed a pact that would prevent a candidate from being declared the winner of the presidential election without a majority.

2 min read

Opinion

Editorial

France's bad grade from Standard & Poor's shakes its economic credibility

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