White House

In a joint news conference on Thursday, President Biden said the two countries had found common cause on major issues, including the war in Ukraine.

In what might be perceived by some as a reflection of increasing tensions between US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, a young oak tree presented as a gift by the French president during an official visit to the US last year, and which was symbolically planted in the White House gardens by the two leaders before being placed in obligatory quarantine, has died.

Presidents Trump and Macron are expected to tackle pressing foreign policy issues from Iran deal to Syria as French leader starts US state visit.

White House spokesman admits regrets that a high-profile US government representative did not join world leaders present on Sunday's march.

During a dinner in honour of François Hollande, the seat next to Barack Obama went to a New York museum director.

Three-day state visit this week gives president chance to improve country’s image, with morale among American investors in France at new low.

Talks before G8 and NATO summits between presidents Obama and Hollande at the White House focussed on Europe's economy and Afghanistan.