Fernande Grudet, a.k.a. Madame Claude, who ran France’s most famous brothel, has died. Her clients were said to include John F. Kennedy, Marlon Brando, and the CIA. “She will take many state secrets with her. She was a legend,” a former Paris police chief told AFP. She was 92.
Far Right French Politician Marine Le Pen Acquitted of Hate Speech
On Tuesday, the New York Times reports, a French court acquitted Marine Le Pen, the president of the far-right National Front party, of charges that she incited religious hatred against Muslim with comments she made while campaigning for her current position.
French Preschool Teacher Admits He Made Up Story of Being Attacked By Jihadi
A French preschool teacher who ignited a manhunt in a suburb north of Paris after he said he was stabbed in the neck by an ISIS sympathizer admitted to police today that he actually just invented the entire story.
After a terrifyingly impressive showing in the first round of local elections, France’s far-right Front National failed to win control of any of the country’s 13 regions in the final round, although it did win a record 6.6 million votes.
German lawmakers voted today to aid France in the fight against ISIS in Syria. Per the AP, Germany will engage in a “broad noncombat mission” by sending reconnaissance jets and a frigate to support French operations.
French Authorities Still Unsure Whether Top Suspect in Paris Attacks Killed in Police Raid
Earlier today, the Washington Post reported that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Belgian national believed to have masterminded the terror attacks in Paris last week was killed in a police raid this morning. The New York Times and the Associated Press, however, report that French authorities are still unsure.
Heavy Gunfire Reported in Paris Suburb as Police Search for New Suspect
According to The Guardian, reports are emerging of “heavy gunfire” in the Paris suburb of St. Denis. France’s iTélé reports the shooting is connected to the investigation into Friday’s attacks that revealed the possibility of a second, unidentified suspect.
Early Morning Anti-Terrorism Raids Take Place Across France
Anti-terrorism forces undertook coordinated raids across France early Monday morning, The Guardian reports. Details are scarce but raids were reported to have taken place in Toulouse, Grenoble, Calais, and at least one Paris suburb.
“Instead of silence or helpfulness, social media pukes out stupidity, virtue-signaling and vicarious ‘enjoyment’...of a terrible tragedy by people thousands of miles away, for whom the event is just a meme they will participate in for a couple of days, then let fade into their timeline.”
French Police May Have Stopped One of the Paris Terror Suspects and Let Him Go
Just after dawn on Saturday, the Associated Press reports, French police questioned and released Saleh Abdeslam, now the focus of an international manhunt, after pulling him and two other men over on their way to the French border with Belgium.
France Launches Airstrikes on ISIS Capital in Syria
French military planes carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS strongholds on Sunday in the wake of the attacks on civilians in Paris. CNN reports that targets in Raqqa, Syria were hit by 20 bombs delivered by 12 planes.
'SNL' Replaces Cold Open With a Touching Tribute to Paris
Saturday Night Live forwent its usual opening monologue in favor of a somber tribute to Paris, after a series of attacks that have rocked the city.
Merchandise Manager for Eagles of Death Metal Killed in Paris Attacks
The identities of people killed in the tragic attacks on Paris Friday night are starting to be released.
A Man Was Miraculously Protected From Flying Shrapnel by His Cell Phone During the Paris Attacks
A man who had just finished a call on his cell phone is alive now because of that phone, which proved a powerful shrapnel shield in a pinch.
ISIS Claims Responsibility for Paris Attacks That Killed 128 [Updated]
The city of Paris is reeling from a series of horrific attacks that reportedly left 129 dead and hundreds more injured. The bombings and shootings occurred at at least six locations across the city, including bars, restaurants, the national stadium and a concert hall.
Don't Fuck With These Finch Traps Unless You Want to Fight a Shovel-Wielding Underwear Man
Half a dozen members of the Bird Protection League converged on bird traps in Audon, a township in southwest France, Monday morning in an effort to stop the alleged poaching of thousands of protected finches. But, as they soon learned, if you wanna save finches, you’ve gotta get through one angry, shovel-wielding man…
