- Merkel slams successor over far-right support on immigration bill
- PSG sweat on Zaire-Emery fitness for Champions League play-off
- Stock markets firm on ECB rate cut, corporate results
- Russian drone barrage kills eight in east Ukraine
- Mexican economy shrinks for first time in three years
- 'No awkardness' for Dupont's France with Jegou, Auradou selection
- Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after hostages freed
- BBC apologises to staff over Russell Brand sex complaints
- Nostalgia and escapism: highlights from Paris Couture Week
- UK prosecutors defend jail terms of environmental activists
- Qatari emir tells Syria leader 'urgent need' for inclusive government
- British sailor Davies completes Vendee after 80 days at sea
- Dubai airport clocks record 92.3m passengers, extending hot streak
- IOC presidential contenders deliver their vision for sport in post-Bach era
- Stock markets rise on ECB rate cut, healthy corporate results
- Tears of joy for Thai hostages freed in Gaza
- No survivors after helicopter collides with plane over Washington
- Rwanda-backed M23 pledges to 'march all the way to Kinshasa'
- Jonny Gray returns for Scotland against Italy in Six Nations
- Russian drone barrage kills three elderly couples in east Ukraine
- Italy turn to Allan for Six Nations opener against Scotland
- US economic growth steady in 2024 as Trump takes office
- Leipzig sign in-demand Xavi Simons from PSG until 2027
- Israel halts prisoner release after Gaza hostages freed
- Merlier at the double at Al-Ula Tour
- French rapist Dominique Pelicot questioned over 1990s cases
- Gray returns for Scotland against Italy in Six Nations
- El Salvador merchants no longer obliged to accept bitcoin
- 'I'm out of here': French town braces for rising floods
- ECB cuts rate again as eurozone falters, with eye on Trump
- UK unveils 'counter-terror style' police powers to stop migrants
- No survivors from plane, helicopter collision in Washington
- France hands over last base in Chad amid withdrawal
- Six arrested over plot to kidnap French YouTube star
- Doubters 'drive' Morgan's Wales before Six Nations opener in Paris
- Figure skating mourns victims of US plane crash
- Richard Gere to be honoured at Spain's top film awards
- Gerrard leaves Saudi club Al-Ettifaq by mutual agreement
- New-look Champions League produces jeopardy, but giants survive
- Syria, Qatar discuss reconstruction during emir's visit
- France, Germany stall eurozone growth in fourth quarter
- Sri Lanka lose quick three after Australia declare on 654-6
- Fly-half Prendergast starts for Six Nations champions Ireland against England
- DR Congo leader vows 'vigorous' response as Rwanda-backed fighters advance
- Russian champion skaters aboard crashed US plane: state media
- Gaza militants hand over eight more hostages
- Top Palestinian militant to be freed in Israel prisoner exchange
- Australia declare on 654-6 in first Sri Lanka Test
- Top Palestinian militant freed in Israel prisoner exchange
- Koran burner shot dead in Sweden, five arrested
'Monte-Cristo', 'Emilia Perez' frontrunners at France's Cesar film awards
Home-made hit "Monte Cristo" topped the nominations released Wednesday for the Cesars, France's version of the Oscars, followed closely by international awards season frontrunner "Emilia Perez".
"Monte Cristo", a high-budget French adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' epic novel "The Count of Monte Cristo", was the second most-watched film in French cinemas last year and leads the Cesars nominations with 14.
Lead actor Pierre Niney is the frontrunner in the best actor category, but faces competition from Francois Civil who starred in the surprise French comedy hit of the year, "Un p'tit truc en plus" ("A Little Something Extra").
The film about a father and son who go to work in a holiday camp for people with disabilities topped the French 2024 box office and picked up 13 nominations.
"Emilia Perez", directed by Frenchman Jacques Audiard and the most-nominated film for the Oscars, was picked in 12 categories for the Cesars, including best film and best director.
The surreal musical odyssey about a narco boss who transitions to life as a woman shattered the record for the most Academy Award nominations for a non-English-language film last week with 13 Oscar nominations.
It was also the second-most nominated film for Britain's BAFTA awards, according to the shortlist unveiled on January 15, behind Vatican thriller "Conclave".
The Cesars will be handed out in Paris on February 28 marking the 50th anniversary of the awards.
Winners are picked by the 4,951 members of the Cesars academy.
M.White--AT