Greg Smithsimon
@gregsmithsimon.bsky.social
I’m a researcher on politics, activism, and immigration in France. I read the French news so you don’t have to! I occasionally post summaries and links to news stories in France that I haven’t seen in the US. I also research climate change and transit.
10th anniv the 13 novembre attacks in Paris, when I was living there with my family. The next day felt different than in New York. I didn't feel the collective catch-the-eye acknowledgment of what had just happened. The commemoration, later protest, at République was more familiar.
November 13, 2025 at 8:20 PM
10th anniv the 13 novembre attacks in Paris, when I was living there with my family. The next day felt different than in New York. I didn't feel the collective catch-the-eye acknowledgment of what had just happened. The commemoration, later protest, at République was more familiar.
Among the many things I learned from the jewel heist at the Louvre is that "walkie-talkie" in French is "talkie-walkie." I have no idea why. Maybe because "w" is rare in French? While we're at it, why isn't it a walky-talky?
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Cambriolage au Louvre : ce que l’on sait des deux suspects interpellés
L’un des suspects a été interpellé à l’aéroport Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle alors qu’il s’apprêtait à quitter le territoire pour l’Algérie. 150 prélèvements de traces ADN et papillaires avaient été réali...
www.lemonde.fr
November 13, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Among the many things I learned from the jewel heist at the Louvre is that "walkie-talkie" in French is "talkie-walkie." I have no idea why. Maybe because "w" is rare in French? While we're at it, why isn't it a walky-talky?
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
A Republicain mayor unveils a monument to “victims of communism” and Le Monde demurs, saying the Left long ago denounced Stalinism, and the Right frequently tries to downplay the crimes of Nazi fascism by highlighting Stalin. Most left parties protested the event.
www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...
www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...
Saint-Raphaël crée la polémique en inaugurant une stèle en hommage aux « victimes du communisme »
Le maire Les Républicains de la commune varoise, habitué des coups médiatiques, a assuré vouloir « mettre fin au mensonge sur la réalité du totalitarisme communiste ». Le PCF s’est rassemblé avec d’au...
www.lemonde.fr
August 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
A Republicain mayor unveils a monument to “victims of communism” and Le Monde demurs, saying the Left long ago denounced Stalinism, and the Right frequently tries to downplay the crimes of Nazi fascism by highlighting Stalin. Most left parties protested the event.
www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...
www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...
“So how do you explain that you don’t negotiate with terrorists”?asked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after the US named the Sinaloa cartel a terrorist organization, then announced a deal with cartel head El Mayo in exchange for information (from
la Jornada) www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025...
la Jornada) www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025...
"¿No negocian con terroristas?": Sheinbaum cuestiona a EU por caso Zambada
La mandataria cuestionó cómo Washington por un lado designa “organizaciones internacionales terroristas” a los cárteles y por otro negocia con los miembros de esos grupos.
www.jornada.com.mx
August 20, 2025 at 3:18 AM
“So how do you explain that you don’t negotiate with terrorists”?asked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after the US named the Sinaloa cartel a terrorist organization, then announced a deal with cartel head El Mayo in exchange for information (from
la Jornada) www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025...
la Jornada) www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025...
Feminist in Morocco charged with blasphemy for a post w/ t-shirt saying “Allah is a lesbian,” calling religions fascist, misogynist & (vocab alert) phallocrate (believing women are inferior to men). I’m familiar with French media coverage.How is it framed in Morocco? www.france24.com/fr/afrique/2...
La militante féministe Ibtissame Lachgar arrêtée pour des propos jugés blasphématoires au Maroc
Le procureur du roi du Maroc a annoncé dimanche l'ouverture d'une enquête et le placement en garde à vue de la militante Ibtissame Lachgar. Sur une photo partagée sur les réseaux sociaux, elle apparaî...
www.france24.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Feminist in Morocco charged with blasphemy for a post w/ t-shirt saying “Allah is a lesbian,” calling religions fascist, misogynist & (vocab alert) phallocrate (believing women are inferior to men). I’m familiar with French media coverage.How is it framed in Morocco? www.france24.com/fr/afrique/2...
Georges Ibrahim Abdallah to be released from French prison to Lebanon, convicted in 1982 of killing a US military and an Israeli embassy official. Protests for him highlighted US/France differences—calling him a political prisoner and against life imprisonment. www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Georges Ibrahim Abdallah libéré, après quarante ans de détention
A la suite de la décision de la cour d’appel, jeudi 17 juillet, le Libanais, condamné pour complicité d’assassinats terroristes en 1987, va quitter la prison de Lannemezan (Hautes-Pyrénées) et être ex...
www.lemonde.fr
July 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Georges Ibrahim Abdallah to be released from French prison to Lebanon, convicted in 1982 of killing a US military and an Israeli embassy official. Protests for him highlighted US/France differences—calling him a political prisoner and against life imprisonment. www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Le Monde reports that the US executed its 26th prisoner this year, already the most annually in a decade. Nine more people are a scheduled to be executed in 2925. Most happen in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Peine de mort aux Etats-Unis : vingt-six personnes ont été exécutées depuis le début de l’année, au plus haut depuis une décennie
Un détenu de 54 ans condamné à la peine capitale en 1993 a été exécuté par injection létale, mardi, en Floride. Neuf autres exécutions sont prévues en 2025.
www.lemonde.fr
July 16, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Le Monde reports that the US executed its 26th prisoner this year, already the most annually in a decade. Nine more people are a scheduled to be executed in 2925. Most happen in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
France gets a thorough intro to the term “nepo babies” with a list of more than a dozen children of stars. Le Monde’s copyeditors deftly avoid giving the neologism a “le” or “la.” But in case you want to use it yourself, they do quote a researcher who refers to “un” nepo baby.
Les « nepo babies » au cinéma, ces « fils et filles de » qui trustent le devant de la scène
A l’instar des Etats-Unis, une nouvelle génération d’« enfants de » déferle sur le cinéma français. Ils assument plus ou moins leur prestigieux héritage tout en tentant de se faire un prénom.
www.lemonde.fr
July 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
France gets a thorough intro to the term “nepo babies” with a list of more than a dozen children of stars. Le Monde’s copyeditors deftly avoid giving the neologism a “le” or “la.” But in case you want to use it yourself, they do quote a researcher who refers to “un” nepo baby.
New nation: an agreement in France will create the state of “New Caledonia.” Residents will have dual nationality with France. www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...
En Nouvelle-Calédonie, l’accord sur l’avenir institutionnel de l’archipel suscite de premières réactions contrastées
Les signataires ont souligné, samedi soir, lors d’une rencontre avec Emmanuel Macron, la difficulté à faire accepter le texte dans l’archipel, où il sera soumis à un référendum en février.
www.lemonde.fr
July 14, 2025 at 3:44 AM
New nation: an agreement in France will create the state of “New Caledonia.” Residents will have dual nationality with France. www.lemonde.fr/politique/ar...