France had aimed to double its defence budget from 2017 levels by 2030. However, Macron pledged to reach the target by 2027. A military budget that stood at 32 billion euros ($37.40 billion) in 2017 will rise to 64 billion euros by 2027, with an additional 3.5 billion euros allocated for next year and another 3 billion euros in 2027.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in extra military spending in the next two years because of new and unprecedented threats, ranging from Russia to nuclear proliferation,

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that France would increase its defence budget more quickly than originally planned, announcing additional spending of €3. 5 billion ($4 billion) for 2026 and €3 billion for 2027 amid military threats from Russia.

A man has escaped from a prison in France by hiding in a bag belonging to his cellmate who was being released after finishing his sentence, an official told local media.

The escaped prisoner "took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out," the prison service said.

He "took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out", the prison service said in a statement to AFP news agency. French media have reported that the escaped prisoner was serving several sentences and was also under investigation in a case linked to organised crime.

Inspired by Delphine Cascarino's stunning six-minute spell in the second half, France surged past the Netherlands 5-2 on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals at the UEFA Women's Euro. France's third straight win ensured it won Group D,

France score four times in the second half to come back and beat Netherlands 5-2 and progress to the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025 as Group D winners.