Anna Smolchenko
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@AFP correspondent covering Ukraine, Russia, France and international affairs. Back on Twitter. Just my own opinions
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Articles by Anna Smolchenko
Judo legend Teddy Riner joins fight for French presidency
PARIS (AFP) — France’s five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced Monday that he would run in next year’s presidential election, after expressing concern about the “rise of the far right.” “My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election,” the 37-year-old said in a surprise announcement on social media.
Judo king Riner joins fight for French presidency
France's five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday he would run in next year's presidential election, after expressing concern about the "rise of the far right". "My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election," the 37-year-old said in a surprise announcement on social media.
Judo king Riner joins fight for French presidency
France's five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday he would run in next year's presidential election, after expressing concern about the "rise of the far right". "My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election," the 37-year-old said in a surprise announcement on social media.
Judo king Riner joins fight for French presidency
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Judo king Riner joins fight for French presidency
France's five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday he would run in next year's presidential election, after expressing concern about the "rise of the far right". "My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election," the 37-year-old said in a surprise announcement on social media.
France launches 'attempted murder' probe after petrol bomb attacks on security forces
France on Sunday launched an attempted murder probe after petrol bombs were thrown at security forces during Paris protests, as footage of an officer in flames sparked outrage. On Saturday, clashes erupted in Paris and other cities after hundreds of thousands of people staged a third weekend of protests against soaring living costs. The Paris police prefecture said that several hundred rioters had attacked security forces with projectiles, including a Molotov cocktail.
France opens 'attempted murder' probe over petrol bomb attacks on security forces
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Clashes break out as hundreds of thousands protest in France
C lashes erupted in Paris and other French cities on Saturday after hundreds of thousands of people staged a third weekend of protests at soaring living costs. More than 500 people were arrested as police fired water cannon and tear gas to disperse rioters on the sidelines of the demonstrations, where regular protesters marched in Halloween costumes.
Le réalisateur russe en exil Andreï Zviaguintsev évoque son déracinement avant la sortie de "Minotaure"
Sélectionné pour représenter la France aux Oscars, "Minotaure" du réalisateur russe en exil Andreï Zviaguintsev a reçu de nombreuses distinctions dans le monde du cinéma, ce qui n'empêche pas son auteur de ressentir un certain déracinement. Le film, qui sort mercredi en France, s'intéresse à Gleb, chef d'entreprise respecté mais dont la vie intime semble péricliter. Sa femme Galina s'ennuie dans son existence de femme au foyer bourgeoise et il la soupçonne d'entretenir une relation extraconjugale.
For exiled Russian director Zvyagintsev, triumph without belonging
Exiled Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev's latest film, Minotaur, won the second-highest honour at the Cannes Film Festival and was selected to represent France at the Oscars. But despite his triumphant return to filmmaking after a nine-year absence, and with his first feature produced in exile, a sense of displacement still hangs over the filmmaker's life.
Ex-PM says Putin cannot admit 'mistake' over Ukraine
Despite growing economic trouble and rising unease among ordinary Russians and the elite, President Vladimir Putin is not ready to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, his former prime minister said on Saturday. Speaking to AFP in an interview, Mikhail Kasyanov, Russia's prime minister from 2000 to 2004, said he believed his former boss understood he had made a mistake by invading Ukraine in 2022 but would persist with the course he had set.
Ex-PM says Putin cannot admit 'mistake' over Ukraine
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Ex-PM says Putin cannot admit 'mistake' over Ukraine
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Garry Kasparov, opposant au Kremlin, prévenu que sa vie est "en danger"
L'opposant russe en exil et ancien champion d'échecs Garry Kasparov et l'un de ses soutiens ont été prévenus par les services de sécurité américains et lituaniens que leur vie étaient "en danger" et qu'ils devaient prendre des mesures pour leur sécurité.
Kremlin critic Kasparov says US intelligence warned life 'in danger'
Kremlin critic and chess legend Garry Kasparov said Thursday that US and Lithuanian security services had told him and his ally that their lives were in danger and urged them to take security precautions. "News that I, along with my longtime associate and co-founder of the Free Russia Forum, Ivan Tyutrin, are on a list of assassination targets did not come as a surprise to me, but it is nevertheless a shock," the 63-year-old said on social media.
Pope urges Europe to help combat 'lies and deceit' in world affairs
Pope Leo XIV warned on Monday that relations between nations were becoming increasingly uncivilised with people boasting of "lies and deceit", urging Europe to help break the spiral and foster respect in international ties. Speaking in the city of Metz near the border with Germany where he was wrapping up a four-day visit to France, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics did not mention any world leaders by name.
Pope urges Europe to help combat 'deceit and lies' in international ties
Pope Leo XIV warned on Monday that relations between nations were becoming increasingly uncivilised with people boasting of "lies and deceit", urging Europe to help break the cycle and foster respect in international ties. Speaking in the city of Metz near the border with Germany, where he was wrapping up a four-day visit to France, Leo did not mention any world leaders by name.
Pope to speak on united Europe from French border town
Pope Leo was to speak on Monday about the future of Europe and its integration, giving a distinctly political dimension to a landmark visit to France, which has sparked scenes of spiritual jubilation. The leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics wraps up his four-day trip with a visit to Metz, a northeastern city that repeatedly changed hands between France and Germany in past conflicts.
Putin acredita que não pode 'recuar', afirma jornalista russo exilado
Mundo Notícia Usada para todas matérias e reportagens que retratem fatos ou descrevam situações. Matéria baseada em fatos observados e verificados pelo repórter com fontes diversas. Notícias não possuem a opinião do repórter. Quando há análise, deve haver as duas definições: notícia e análise.
Putin cree que no puede dar "marcha atrás", dice periodista ruso exiliado
Vladimir Putin se ha atrincherado en sus posturas, y cree que no puede dar "marcha atrás" en Ucrania, declaró a la AFP el periodista ruso exliado Roman Badanin, que ha coescrito un libro sobre el ascenso al poder y la vida privada del presidente de Rusia. "Al comienzo quería una victoria rápida para reforzar su posición en todos los aspectos, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional", explica a la AFP Badanin, que ha pasado más de dos décadas investigando a Putin y a su entorno.
From FBI warning to literary acclaim: the Russian journalist who took on Putin
When two FBI agents showed up on the doorstep of Roman Badanin's California home in the autumn of 2025, they were smiling but the message they delivered was troubling. Badanin, an exiled Russian journalist who has spent more than two decades investigating President Vladimir Putin and his entourage, could become the target of an attack by a "foreign intelligence service", the agents warned. His wife and four children could be at risk, too.
Europe struggles to respond as Russia escalates shadow warfare
European spy chiefs worry that Russia's war against Ukraine is increasingly spilling over onto their soil, but Kyiv's Western allies are struggling to come up with countermeasures to halt Moscow's "hybrid" attacks. Denmark's intelligence agency warned on Thursday that Russia is "actively" preparing sabotage operations against its defence industry.
Europe struggles to respond as Russia escalates shadow warfare
European spy chiefs worry that Russia's war against Ukraine is increasingly spilling over onto their soil, but Kyiv's Western allies are struggling to come up with countermeasures to halt Moscow's "hybrid" attacks. Denmark's intelligence agency warned on Thursday that Russia is "actively" preparing sabotage operations against its defence industry.
Boris Nadezhdin, o opositor que achava que poderia continuar em liberdade na Rússia
"Fiquei na Rússia todo o tempo que pude", afirma na França Boris Nadezhdin, um dos últimos críticos ao Kremlin a residir no país sem estar preso, transformado em um símbolo inesperado da oposição à guerra na Ucrânia. "Tentei até o último segundo não ultrapassar as linhas vermelhas, mas parece que elas se moveram", diz à AFP o político de 63 anos nos subúrbios de Paris, aonde chegou no início de agosto após fugir da Rússia passando pelo Cazaquistão.
Boris Nadezhdin, el opositor que pensaba poder seguir en libertad en Rusia
"Me quedé en Rusia todo el tiempo que pude", afirma desde Francia Boris Nadezhdin, una de las últimas voces críticas con el Kremlin que residía en el país sin estar encarcelado, convertido en un símbolo inesperado de la oposición a la guerra en Ucrania.
Boris Nadezhdin, o opositor que achava que poderia continuar em liberdade na Rússia
"Fiquei na Rússia todo o tempo que pude", afirma na França Boris Nadezhdin, um dos últimos críticos ao Kremlin a residir no país sem estar preso, transformado em um símbolo inesperado da oposição à guerra na Ucrânia. "Tentei até o último segundo não ultrapassar as linhas vermelhas, mas parece que elas se moveram", diz à AFP o político de 63 anos nos subúrbios de Paris, aonde chegou no início de agosto após fugir da Rússia passando pelo Cazaquistão.
Boris Nadejdine, l'opposant qui pensait pouvoir rester libre en Russie
"Je suis resté en Russie aussi longtemps que possible." L'une des dernières voix critiques du Kremlin résidant dans le pays sans être en prison, Boris Nadejdine a finalement décidé de fuir en France, après être devenu un symbole inattendu de l'opposition à la guerre en Ukraine.
Exiled Putin critic says push for peace put him in danger
Veteran Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin never planned to flee to France. "I stayed in Russia for as long as I could," the anti-war politician told AFP from a hotel in the suburbs of Paris. "I tried, until the very last moment, not to cross any red lines, but apparently the red lines have shifted." Nadezhdin, 63, is an unlikely rebel. Critics long described him as a token member of Russia's liberal opposition.
Pro-Kremlin commentator denounces 'censorship' in France
A Russian TV commentator ordered to leave France after accusations of parroting pro-Kremlin propaganda on Friday slammed what she called "censorship" and "political pressure". Disinformation experts have raised the alarm about the influence of Xenia Fedorova, a former journalist for Russia's state-run channel RT, as France heads into one of its most consequential elections, with the far-right eyeing presidential power.
Paris funeral homes overwhelmed after record heatwave
France on Monday counted its heat-related deaths, as a funeral business representative said Paris morgues have been overwhelmed by a spike in fatalities during a record-breaking heatwave. The government defended its response to the heatwave, which eased on Sunday after days of punishing temperatures that disrupted daily life and forced the closure of many schools and landmark tourist attractions.
Prisión, separación y exilio: padre e hija rusos marcados por un dibujo antiguerra
Anna Smolchenko lun, 15 de junio de 2026, 8:12 a.m. UTC 3 min de lectura Agrega Yahoo como fuente de noticias preferida para ver más de nuestras historias en Google. Cuando Alexéi estuvo bajo arresto domiciliario en marzo de 2023, María fue internada durante un mes en un albergue (Natalia KOLESNIKOVA) (Natalia KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/AFP) Cuando María Moskaliova tenía 12 años, hizo un dibujo de unos misiles volando sobre una bandera rusa hacia una mujer y un niño de pie junto a una de Ucrania.
Un dessin, la prison et l'exil: un père et sa fille défient Poutine et sa guerre
Etre réduit au silence, séparé de sa fille puis incarcéré 19 mois avant de fuir la Russie, tout ça pour un dessin d'écolière: si dénoncer la guerre lui a coûté cher, Alexeï Moskaliov affirme ne rien regretter. Aujourd'hui réfugiés à Strasbourg, dans l'est de la France, père et fille ont accepté de raconter à l'AFP leur histoire, aussi tragique que rocambolesque, devenue un symbole de la répression qui s'abat sur toute voix critique depuis l'invasion russe de l'Ukraine en 2022.
Comentarista russa de TV desperta preocupações na França
"A Rússia é capaz de ajudar a economia francesa", afirma em francês fluente a russa Xenia Fedorova em uma das emissoras de televisão mais influentes da França, onde as autoridades temem a "desinformação do Kremlin" a meses da eleição presidencial. Fedorova, de 45 anos, é a ex-diretora da filial francesa da emissora estatal russa RT, proibida na França após a invasão da Ucrânia pelo presidente russo, Vladimir Putin, em 2022.
Una comentarista rusa de televisión desata las alarmas en Francia
El diario Le Monde ha bautizado a Xenia Fedorova como "la propagandista más influyente del Kremlin en Francia". (Xavier GALIANA) (Xavier GALIANA/AFP/AFP) "Rusia es capaz de ayudar a la economía francesa", asegura en un francés fluido la rusa Xenia Fedorova en una de las televisiones más influyentes de Francia, donde las autoridades temen la "desinformación del Kremlin" meses antes de la elección presidencial.
Comentarista russa de TV desperta preocupações na França
"A Rússia é capaz de ajudar a economia francesa", afirma em francês fluente a russa Xenia Fedorova em uma das emissoras de televisão mais influentes da França, onde as autoridades temem a "desinformação do Kremlin" a meses da eleição presidencial. Fedorova, de 45 anos, é a ex-diretora da filial francesa da emissora estatal russa RT, proibida na França após a invasão da Ucrânia pelo presidente russo, Vladimir Putin, em 2022.
Former Russian insider says fear pushed elites to embrace Putin war
Few believed Vladimir Putin would invade Ukraine despite troops massing on the border for months (Alexander NEMENOV) (Alexander NEMENOV/AFP/AFP) Fear and distrust took hold in Moscow soon after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. Some officials and businesspeople started removing their smartwatches ahead of sensitive meetings, fearing possible surveillance or eavesdropping by security services, or leaving their cell phones in briefcases.
Wagner stronghold in CAR holds the line despite Kremlin shakeup
← AFRICA NEWS | Home AFRICA NEWS By Celine Clery and Anna Smolchenko in Paris Libreville, Gabon (AFP) Dec 23, 2025 AFP A mural depicting Vladimir Putin and fatigue-clad Russian paramilitary fighters has appeared in the Central African Republic ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections as the country seeks to recover from decades of violence.
Wagner stronghold in CAR holds the line despite Kremlin shakeup
← AFRICA NEWS | Home AFRICA NEWS By Celine Clery and Anna Smolchenko in Paris Libreville, Gabon (AFP) Dec 23, 2025 AFP A mural depicting Vladimir Putin and fatigue-clad Russian paramilitary fighters has appeared in the Central African Republic ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections as the country seeks to recover from decades of violence.
Les attaques au Mali, un camouflet et un tournant pour la Russie
En 2023, des mercenaires russes triomphants aidaient l’armée à reprendre pied dans le nord du Mali, tête de pont de la stratégie russe en Afrique de l’Ouest. Trois ans plus tard, le vent a tourné pour Moscou, dont l’image est écornée par son incapacité à défendre la junte et la ville symbole de Kidal lors des attaques rebelles sans précédent du week-end.
Hungary vote delivers a blow to Trump-style politics, but not its demise
PRIME Minister Viktor Orban's defeat in Hungary is a blow to global nationalists and signals waning allure of the Trumpism movement in Europe, but the vote result should not be seen as a turning tide for right-wing populism. For years populist leaders had drawn inspiration from the self-styled "illiberal" politician who on Sunday lost to political newcomer Peter Magyar in a bitterly fought legislative election.
La défaite d’Orbán, coup dur mais loin d’être fatal pour les populistes de droite en Europe
La défaite du Hongrois Viktor Orbán, figure de proue des droites populistes européennes, est un coup dur symbolique porté à ce mouvement qui reste toutefois solidement implanté sur le Vieux continent à la veille d’élections majeures, soulignent des analystes.
Macron afirma que las burlas de Trump sobre su matrimonio no merece respuesta
Anna Smolchenko (Afp), Anna Smolchenko (Afp) El presidente francés, Emmanuel Macron , declaró el jueves que los comentarios burlones de Donald Trump sobre su matrimonio no merecían respuesta, calificándolos de "ni elegantes ni apropiados". Pero tras varios días de tensiones por los ataques estadounidenses e israelíes contra Irán y por la OTAN, un Macron visiblemente irritado lanzó su propio ataque, diciendo que "se habla demasiado" y que "esto no es un espectáculo".
Macron afirma que las burlas de Trump sobre su matrimonio no "merece respuesta"
Francia En un almuerzo privado en la Casa Blanca, el magnate dijo que la esposa de Macron "lo trata muy mal" y que el presidente francés aún se estaba "recuperando del derechazo a la mandíbula" Emmanuel y Brigitte Macron, durante su visita a Seúl (Corea del Sur)JEON HEON-KYUNAgencia EFE El presidente francés, Emmanuel Macron, declaró el jueves que los comentarios burlones de Donald Trump sobre su matrimonio no merecían respuesta, calificándolos de "ni elegantes ni apropiados".
Far-right French president no certainty despite rise of extremes
Infographic with a map of France showing the political leaning of the winning list in the 2026 municipal elections in cities with at least 100,000 inhabitants, based on Interior Ministry data as of March 23, full results (Paz PIZARRO) (Paz PIZARRO/AFP/AFP) France's local elections show the appeal of political extremes is growing in France, but Marine Le Pen's far-right party is not necessarily poised to win the presidency next year when Emmanuel Macron must step down, analysts said Monday.
Para o codiretor de 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin', chegar a Hollywood parece irreal
Há dois anos, Pavel "Pasha" Talankin era cinegrafista em uma escola de um pequeno povoado russo, onde filmava aulas patrióticas e exercícios matinais após a invasão da Ucrânia por Moscou. Neste fim de semana, porém, ele chegará à noite mais importante de Hollywood como codiretor de um documentário indicado ao Oscar que expõe a propaganda e o doutrinamento de crianças nas escolas russas. Reviravoltas tão bruscas do destino deveriam ser "ilegais", brincou Talankin em entrevista à AFP em Los Angeles.
Para o codiretor de 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin', chegar a Hollywood parece irreal
Há dois anos, Pavel "Pasha" Talankin era cinegrafista em uma escola de um pequeno povoado russo, onde filmava aulas patrióticas e exercícios matinais após a invasão da Ucrânia por Moscou. Neste fim de semana, porém, ele chegará à noite mais importante de Hollywood como codiretor de um documentário indicado ao Oscar que expõe a propaganda e o doutrinamento de crianças nas escolas russas. Reviravoltas tão bruscas do destino deveriam ser "ilegais", brincou Talankin em entrevista à AFP em Los Angeles.
Para el codirector de "Mr Nobody", el salto a Hollywood parece irreal
"Mr Nobody Against Putin" ganó el premio BAFTA al mejor documental (JUSTIN TALLIS) (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP) Hace dos años era camarógrafo en una escuela de un pequeño pueblo ruso, donde filmaba clases patrióticas y ejercicios matutinos tras la invasión de Ucrania por parte de Moscú.
For Russia's 'Mr Nobody', Hollywood leap feels 'unreal'
'Mr Nobody Against Putin' won a BAFA award for best documentary last month (JUSTIN TALLIS) (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP) Two years ago he was a videographer at a small‑town Russian school, filming patriotic lessons and morning drills in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. This weekend Pavel Talankin will walk into Hollywood's biggest night as the co‑director of an Oscar‑nominated documentary exposing the propaganda and indoctrination of children in Russian schools.
G7 inches closer to tapping oil reserves to tackle price rise
The Group of Seven advanced economies inched closer Wednesday to tapping strategic oil reserves to tackle the rise in crude oil prices due to the Middle East war as energy ministers said they stood ready to take "all necessary measures". The announcement came before G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran, now into its second week, at a video conference meeting chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron.
France to expand nuclear arsenal and let European allies host atomic weapons
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France will expand its atomic arsenal and could deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time, as he unveiled an unprecedented plan to bolster security on the continent.
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