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Contest marked the first in French TV history to feature every candidate in race, with all eleven getting to speak for about 18 minutes each. 

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he urged countries and politicians not to 'shirk their responsibilities'.

The cash-strapped far-right Front National has been forced to turn to Russian banks to help fund it.

Instead labour leaders behind the massive strikes in French overseas region want a package of measures worth €2.5 billion right away.

Presidential election could see record abstention rate with 37% of people saying they plan to abstain in first round, against 20% in 2012 vote.

The plan, which follows protests across the French territory in South America, entails sending extra police forces, creating a tribunal and a jail.

Opponents of the independent candidate claim he would struggle to govern because he would be unlikely to muster a parliamentary majority.

A mother and her child are among those seriously injured and the town's mayor was also hurt when a bonfire exploded at Villepinte, near Paris.

The further you travel on RER commuter tran from Paris , the greater the support for the anti-immigrant, anti-Europe Front National. 

French embassy in Beijing advises nationals to be vigilant after stabbing, though unclear if linked to Paris shooting of Chinese national.