Major General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), paid tribute to Florian Montorio during a ceremony at Beirut airport ahead of the repatriation of his remains to France.Montorio, 39, was killed on Sunday when a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance came under small-arms fire near Ghanduriyah in southern Lebanon.

Three other peacekeepers were wounded, including two seriously, according to UNIFIL.“We are here to honour you,” Abagnara said during the ceremony, praising the soldier’s service and sacrifice and emphasizing that his contribution would endure through the mission’s ongoing work.

UNIFIL said the patrol had been attempting to restore access to isolated positions when it was targeted by what it described as non-state actors. The group Hezbollah has been alleged to be involved. The mission has launched an internal investigation and urged Lebanese authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials including France’s ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, and UNIFIL Chief of Staff Paul Sanzey, who highlighted France’s longstanding role in the peacekeeping mission.

France has been a key contributor to UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978, deploying troops for patrols, demining operations and support to Lebanese armed forces in the volatile south region.Montorio was posthumously awarded UN and Lebanese Army medals in recognition of his service.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.The incident underscores ongoing risks faced by peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where tensions persist despite the absence of large-scale hostilities in recent years.

The case centres on allegations that Lafarge, via its subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria, paid millions of euros in 2013 and 2014 to armed groups and intermediaries to ensure continued production at its Jalabiya facility in northern Syria during the country’s civil war.

The ruling follows a 2022 case in the United States in which Lafarge pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to designated terrorist organizations and agreed to pay a $778 million fine, marking the first time a corporation faced such charges under U.S. law.

French prosecutors allege that the company made payments totaling at least 4.7 million euros ($5.5 million) to groups including Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, in exchange for access to raw materials and safe passage for employees and goods.

The payments allegedly continued until September 2014, when Islamic State fighters seized control of the plant.Lafarge completed construction of the $680 million facility in 2010, shortly before the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, triggered by protests against then-president Bashar al-Assad.

While many multinational firms exited Syria in 2012, Lafarge maintained operations, evacuating expatriate staff but retaining local employees until the site fell under militant control.Defendants include the company, its former chief executive Bruno Lafont, several former operational and security staff, and two Syrian intermediaries.

They face charges including financing terrorism and violating international sanctions.The French national counter-terrorism prosecutor’s office has argued that Lafarge acted with “a single aim: profit,” seeking the maximum corporate fine of 1.12 million euros and confiscation of 30 million euros in assets.

Prosecutors have also requested a six-year prison sentence for Lafont, who has denied knowledge of any illicit payments.During the trial, former deputy managing director Christian Herrault said the decision to keep the plant operating was driven by concern for local employees rather than financial gain.

Lafarge was acquired by Swiss group Holcim in 2015, which has said it had no knowledge of the Syria-related dealings.A separate judicial investigation into potential complicity in crimes against humanity remains ongoing.

The case originated from a 2017 inquiry following media reports and complaints filed by the French finance ministry, non-governmental organizations, and former employees.

The three men, taken to Syria by their parents at the age of 11 or 12, were allegedly forced to participate in propaganda activities, policing duties and combat roles under Islamic State, according to legal filings submitted in France.

A source familiar with the case said the detainees are seeking recognition as victims of a war crime due to their recruitment as minors.Their lawyers, Marie Dose and Matthieu Bagard, said in a joint statement that the French authorities were failing to uphold obligations under international conventions prohibiting the use of child soldiers.

They argued that the men’s transfer to Iraq and continued detention amounted to inhumane treatment rather than victim protection.The detainees are among approximately 5,700 suspected Islamic State fighters of multiple nationalities transferred from Syria to Iraqi custody earlier this year, following shifts in territorial control in northern Syria.

France has opened investigations into the three men for alleged terrorism-related offenses committed during their time in Syria.The lawyers contend that, instead of pursuing prosecution, French authorities should prioritize repatriation and rehabilitation, citing the circumstances under which the individuals were recruited and their age at the time.

Hundreds of French citizens joined the Islamic State after it seized large areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014 and declared a so-called caliphate. Iraqi authorities, supported by a U.S.-led coalition, declared victory over the group in 2017, while Kurdish-led forces in Syria defeated its remaining strongholds in 2019.

Since then, thousands of suspected fighters and their families have been held in detention facilities across Syria and Iraq. Kurdish authorities in Syria have repeatedly called on foreign governments to repatriate their nationals, but most Western countries, including France, have proceeded cautiously, often handling returns on a case-by-case basis.

The recent transfer of detainees to Iraq has renewed scrutiny over their legal status and future, particularly in cases involving individuals recruited as minors.

France, host of this year’s G7 summit, has scheduled the gathering in Evian-les-Bains from June 15 to 17. The dates were adjusted to accommodate an event Trump is hosting at the White House on June 14 to mark his 80th birthday, according to sources familiar with the planning.

Trump’s relations with several G7 leaders have deteriorated amid tensions over his administration’s war with Iran and broader disagreements on security and diplomacy.

He has also issued repeated criticism of NATO, a defense alliance that includes all G7 members except Japan.Sources said it was not yet confirmed whether Trump would attend the Evian summit, and his absence would risk undermining the meeting at a time when Washington has expressed skepticism about multilateral forums.

The invitation to Versailles, a 17th-century palace built under Louis XIV near Paris, is intended as a high-profile diplomatic gesture highlighting longstanding ties between France and the United States ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations on July 4.

A senior White House official confirmed that Macron had extended the invitation, but said Trump had not yet decided whether to attend the G7 summit or the Versailles event.

Macron’s office declined to comment. A French official said planning for any bilateral visit remains at an early stage and that the format of the reception has yet to be finalized.

Lebanese state media reported fresh Israeli strikes, while the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for a building near the southern city of Tyre, signaling ongoing operations despite the broader regional truce.

Hezbollah, which entered the conflict by launching attacks on Israel on March 2, has not claimed any operations since early Wednesday. Three Lebanese sources close to the group told Reuters it had halted fire on northern Israel and Israeli forces in Lebanon as part of the ceasefire arrangement involving Iran.

The Israeli military said it “continues fighting and ground operations” against Hezbollah, underscoring that hostilities along the Lebanon front remain active.Lebanon’s army warned residents against returning to southern areas, citing ongoing Israeli attacks and the presence of advancing Israeli forces.

It urged civilians to avoid exposed zones until conditions stabilize.An AFP correspondent in the Tyre region reported limited civilian movement southward, despite the displacement of hundreds of thousands since the conflict expanded into Lebanon.

Hezbollah is expected to issue a formal statement clarifying its position on the ceasefire and Netanyahu’s assertion that Lebanon is excluded from the agreement, the Lebanese sources said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, while welcoming the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, said the situation in Lebanon remained critical and called for its inclusion in any broader de-escalation framework.

Macron made the remarks at the start of a defense meeting with advisers and cabinet members, according to official statements.While endorsing the ceasefire as a step toward de-escalation, Macron emphasized that broader regional stability would require addressing tensions affecting Lebanon.

The French president did not provide further details on how Lebanon could be incorporated into the agreement, but underscored the urgency of the situation there in the context of ongoing regional developments.

France has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and Macron’s comments reflect Paris’s continued focus on preventing spillover effects from wider conflicts.

A proposed genetically modified mustard crop in Canada is intensifying divisions between farmers seeking climate resilience and an export-dependent industry wary of losing premium global markets that demand non-GMO produce.

Dallas Leduc, a fourth-generation farmer in Saskatchewan, sees promise in the new genetically modified mustard hybrid being developed by BASF. Farming more than 10,000 acres in a region marked by sandy soils and persistent drought stress, Leduc said the crop could improve yields and profitability in an increasingly challenging environment.

He described the innovation as a practical tool to sustain farm incomes under harsh climatic conditions.The new crop, designed to produce oil similar to canola while tolerating herbicides, is expected to be more resilient in arid conditions where traditional canola often fails. BASF aims to secure regulatory approval in the United States as early as next year, with Canadian commercialization expected to follow within a few years.

However, the technology has drawn strong opposition from mustard growers and exporters who rely on strict non-GMO standards in key overseas markets. Trent Dewar, a Saskatchewan farmer producing specialty mustard for international buyers, warned that even minimal contamination from genetically modified crops could undermine Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of non-GMO mustard.

Mustard exports, valued at around $150 million annually, are small compared to Canada’s canola sector, which generates approximately $8.9 billion. Yet for producers in semi-arid regions such as Palliser’s Triangle, mustard has historically provided a stable income where other crops struggle.

Industry representatives say the risk of cross-contamination is significant because the genetically modified hybrid and traditional mustard belong to the same species, Brassica juncea. This allows pollen from one crop to fertilize the other, raising concerns about unintended mixing through wind or pollinators.

Norm Hall, chair of Sask Mustard, said the industry is lobbying federal authorities to block the introduction of the new crop, citing the potential impact on export markets. He described resistance among growers as widespread, noting that many had not anticipated such a development being considered.

France, which imports roughly half of its mustard seed from Canada, maintains strict non-GMO standards. Christophe Planes, sales and marketing director at French processor Reine de Dijon, said the company systematically tests all supplies to ensure compliance. He indicated that the presence of genetically modified traces, even at low levels, could disrupt sourcing decisions.

Contracts reviewed by Reuters show that many buyers require non-GMO certification, although specific tolerance thresholds are often determined by individual purchasers. Industry participants say this ambiguity adds to uncertainty about how markets would respond if contamination were detected.

Canada’s mustard sector remains sensitive to historical precedent. In 2009, traces of a genetically modified flax variety known as Triffid were found in European shipments, leading to a collapse in exports that have yet to fully recover. Growers and exporters say this episode underscores the risks associated with introducing genetically modified crops into supply chains reliant on strict quality standards.

Peter Gorski of Broadgrain, which markets Canadian specialty crops globally, said international buyers view contamination risks with extreme caution. He compared the potential presence of GMO material in mustard shipments to a foreign object in food products, reflecting the severity of market reactions.

BASF, for its part, maintains that safeguards can be implemented to prevent cross-contamination. Brent Collins, who heads the company’s seeds and traits division in Canada, described the hybrid as a necessary innovation that could expand canola production into new areas and meet growing global demand for vegetable oils.

The company estimates that up to two million acres could eventually be cultivated with the hybrid crop across Canada and the United States, particularly in regions where existing oilseed varieties perform poorly. Collins said BASF is working to address growers’ concerns and ensure coexistence between genetically modified and traditional crops.

Industry groups remain unconvinced. Rick Mitzel, executive director of Sask Mustard, said coexistence is not feasible given the biological characteristics of the plant. He argued that even small-scale adoption could jeopardize the integrity of non-GMO supply chains.

The debate reflects broader tensions between technological innovation and market access in global agriculture. While genetically modified crops can enhance productivity and resilience, their acceptance varies widely across regions, particularly in Europe, where regulatory frameworks and consumer preferences remain restrictive.

The stakes extend beyond Canadian producers. Kacy Gehring of Mountain States Oilseeds in Idaho said uncertainty surrounding GMO contamination could discourage farmers from growing mustard altogether, potentially affecting global supply chains and food manufacturing.

Despite the concerns, some farmers remain committed to adopting the new technology. Leduc acknowledged the risks but said economic pressures leave little choice. Operating in a region increasingly affected by drought and climate variability, he said access to more resilient crops could be critical to maintaining viability.

The divide between proponents and opponents has widened as commercialization approaches, with industry meetings reflecting growing urgency among traditional mustard stakeholders.

Calls for legal and political action have intensified, although representatives acknowledge that regulatory frameworks in Canada do not typically consider market impacts when approving new crop technologies.

The 15-member council had been due to vote Friday on a proposal introduced by Bahrain, but the session was deferred, with diplomatic sources citing the observance of Good Friday as the official reason. No new date for the vote has been announced.

The draft resolution, backed by the United States, would permit member states, acting individually or through multinational coalitions, to use “all defensive means necessary” to ensure safe passage through the strait and deter interference with international navigation. The mandate would apply for an initial period of at least six months.

The proposal comes as Iran has effectively constrained traffic through the vital shipping lane in response to U.S.-Israeli military actions, disrupting global energy flows. The strait typically carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making it a critical artery for global trade.

Bahrain’s UN ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei described the resolution as timely, warning of the wider economic impact of disruptions to shipping. However, the measure faces resistance from key council members, including Russia and China, both of which hold veto power and have expressed concerns that authorizing force could escalate the conflict.

Chinese envoy Fu Cong said such authorization risks legitimizing “indiscriminate use of force,” while Russia has criticized what it views as unilateral approaches to the crisis. France, another permanent member, has signaled cautious support after revisions emphasized the defensive nature of the proposal.

Analysts say the resolution faces significant hurdles. Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group said it is unlikely to gain approval without broader consensus, particularly if it does not address underlying political drivers of the conflict.

Separately, Donald Trump said countries facing fuel shortages should secure their own supplies in the region, adding that U.S. forces would not intervene on their behalf.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against any “provocative action” at the Security Council, cautioning that further steps could intensify the situation.The draft reflects rare consideration of force authorization by the council, underscoring the severity of the disruption to global energy markets and maritime security.

During his stay in Japan, Macron signed a cooperation roadmap covering critical minerals and defense, and held talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, alongside a meeting with the imperial couple.

He also praised Europe’s “predictability,” in comments widely interpreted as a contrast with recent U.S. policy decisions.The remarks followed criticism from Trump, who described France as “very unhelpful” in the Iran conflict and made personal jibes at Macron.

The exchange highlights growing transatlantic friction as the war continues to reshape global alliances.Macron’s visit to South Korea comes amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, particularly linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.

The waterway’s effective closure has driven up oil prices and strained import-dependent economies across Asia.South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for deeper cooperation with France in an opinion article, emphasizing collaboration in artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, hydrogen technologies and space.

“In an increasingly fragmented and uncertain international environment, partnerships between democratic nations are becoming strategically essential,” Lee wrote.

Seoul has already introduced a fuel price cap to cushion the economic impact of rising energy costs, marking its first such intervention since 1997.Macron’s itinerary in South Korea includes a bilateral summit with Lee, participation in an economic forum, and a visit to a Korean War memorial honoring French troops.

The trip also features cultural engagements, including a dinner with figures from the country’s film and music industries.

The visit underscores France’s effort to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific while navigating diplomatic strains with Washington over the direction and handling of the Iran conflict.

The move, announced by Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram, will redirect procurement spending toward domestic suppliers and allied countries, according to an Israeli defense spokeswoman.

Policy rift deepensIsrael said the decision was in response to several French actions, including recognition of a Palestinian state, exclusion of Israeli firms from defense exhibitions, and a ban on Israeli aircraft carrying munitions for operations against Iran from transiting French airspace.

“The French ban was imposed despite prior coordination,” the spokeswoman said, adding that Israel viewed the measures as harmful to bilateral defense cooperation.

France’s presidency said its position was consistent with its policy since the start of the conflict, after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Paris for not allowing Israel-bound military flights to cross its airspace.

According to a French parliamentary report, Israel’s procurement from French defense firms totaled about $260 million between 2015 and 2024, primarily involving components rather than complete weapons systems.

France does not directly export arms to Israel but supplies parts used in broader defense production chains.

The decision signals a further deterioration in defense ties between the two countries as the regional conflict intensifies following a military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28.

Israel’s defense ministry said it viewed the developments “with great severity,” warning of potential long-term impacts on strategic cooperation.