JOHN LEICESTER

AP Sports Writer
A Sentinelle patrol on duty as spectators gather outside France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral for the inaugural mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris for it's formal reopening for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Notre Dame’s reopening celebrated its saviors as much as the cathedral’s resurrection from fire
The reopening ceremonies for Notre Dame were as much a celebration of people as they were a rejoicing of the cathedral’s resurrection from fire.
 
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, speaks in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)
An archbishop’s knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.
 
The baptistery designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is pictured as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool via AP, File)
Notre Dame’s reopening will begin with an archbishop’s knock on the doors. Here’s what comes next
The reopening this weekend of Notre Dame is a succession of ceremonies to breathe life back into the iconic cathedral and celebrate the recovery from its devastating fire in 2019.
 
A waiter works as French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the nation following the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a day after a historic no-confidence vote at the National Assembly left France without a functioning government. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 in Versailles, outside Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
France’s Macron vows to stay in office till end of term, says he’ll name a new prime minister soon
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027 and said he will name a new prime minister within days.
 
The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP)
Notre Dame’s reopening will have solemn rituals, grand opera, heads of state and high security
The reopening of Notre Dame this coming weekend will be a high-security affair, with a repeat of some measures used during the Paris Olympics.
 
The sailboat 'Grain de Sail II' sails off Saint Malo, western France, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Climate solution: Sails make a comeback in shipping, to dent its huge carbon footprint
Seafaring pioneers are spearheading a comeback for wind power in the shipping industry, to dent its huge carbon emissions.
 
The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP)
Notre Dame Cathedral unveils its new interior 5 years after devastating fire
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral has showed its new self to the world Friday. Rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy stonework have erased somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.
 
FILE - Gisele Pelicot speaks to media as she leaves the Avignon court house, southern France, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)
French mass rape trial prosecutors demand maximum sentence for Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband
A high-profile rape trial in France is moving into a new phase with prosecutors setting out the verdicts and punishments they want for 51 men men accused of raping Gisèle Pelicot, 71, while she was drugged and rendered unconscious by her husband of nearly 50 years.
 
FILE - Ukrainian soldiers train at a military camp in eastern France, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool, File)
A France-trained force aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses at a critical point in war
A French military task force with the festive name “Champagne” is wrapping up a mission that’s no party. It has been training a new brigade of several thousand Ukrainian troops who will soon be joining the fight against Russia’s invasion.
 
French and Dutch investigators raid Netflix offices in probe of suspected financial wrongdoing
Judicial officials say prosecutors and police investigators who specialize in fighting major fraud and corruption have raided Netflix offices in France and the Netherlands.
 
FILE - A group of Kurdish migrants from Iran and Iraq who failed in their attempt to reach the United Kingdom by boat after being discovered by the police refuse to return to shore on the beach of Ambleteuse, northern France, on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
French ships and a ferry recover bodies of 3 migrants in latest failed crossing of English Channel
French rescue vessels and a passenger ferry have pulled the bodies of three migrants from the English Channel. The latest deaths pushed the count so far this year of dead and missing in the busy waterway’s French side to above 50.
 
People gather to take part in a protest against sexual violence, in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Demonstrators in France praise Gisèle Pélicot’s courage in harrowing drug and rape trial
Women and men have demonstrated together in Paris and other French cities in support of Gisèle Pélicot and against sexual violence.
 
The Paris FC soccer club banner is seen outside the Charlety stadium in Paris, France, Thursday, Oct.17, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
France’s richest family shaking up soccer with planned purchase of second-tier Paris FC
France’s richest family, the Arnaults of luxury empire LVMH, has announced the planned purchase of second-division soccer club Paris FC.
 
The Peugeot Hypersquare is presented at the Paris Auto Show, in Paris, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Paris Motor Show opens during a brewing EV trade war between the EU and China
Auto manufacturers competing to persuade drivers to go electric are rolling out cheaper, more tech-rich models at the Paris Motor Show. They are targeting everyone from luxury clients to students yet to receive their driving licenses.
 
France's Prime Minister Michel Barnier delivers a speech at the National Assembly, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
France’s prime minister vows to curb debt as he faced baptism of fire at heckled parliament
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faced a rough ride at parliament as he laid out his proposed policies in an inaugural speech that highlighted how difficult governing will be for his minority government.
 
New French prime minister Michel Barnier looks on right during the handover ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron has named EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France's new prime minister after more than 50 days of caretaker government. (Stephane de Sakutin/Pool Photo via AP)
France’s new prime minister twice voted against gay rights and critics won’t let him forget it
Critics have found a skeleton in the closet almost as soon as Michel Barnier was named France’s new prime minister.
 
New French prime minister Michel Barnier delivers a speech during the handover ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron has named EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France's new prime minister after more than 50 days of caretaker government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Macron names EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister
President Emmanuel Macron has named EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister after more than 50 days of caretaker government.
 
A boat thought to be with migrants is escorted by a vessel from the French Gendarmerie Nationale off the Wimereux beach, France, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. A boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel as they attempted to reach Britain from northern France on Tuesday, plunging dozens into the treacherous waterway and leaving 12 dead, authorities said. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)
A day after 12 deaths, other migrants risk their lives trying to cross the English Channel
The deaths of a dozen migrants on the English Channel hasn’t stopped more boats from attempting to cross from France to the U.K.
 
A view of one of the vessels from the French Gendarmerie Nationale in the port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, after participating in the rescue operation after a boat carrying migrants ripped apart attempting to cross the English Channel. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)
A boat with dozens of migrants rips apart in the English Channel off France, killing 12
Officials say a boat carrying migrants has ripped apart in the English Channel as they tried to reach Britain from northern France, and 12 are dead. Dozens of people were plunged into the treacherous waterway, and many didn’t have life preservers.
 
Dmytro Melnyk of Ukraine reacts during the men's preliminary round sitting volleyball game against Iran at the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
A Ukrainian Paralympian left the warfront to compete in Paris. His mind is on his platoon in ‘hell’
For Ukrainian volleyball player and infantry officer Dmytro Melnyk, coming to Paris to compete at the Paralympic Games has come at a cost. He had to leave behind his platoon of 35 soldiers on the front lines of the war against Russia.
 
Sarah Adam of the United States, left, blocks Zachary Madel of Canada during the 2024 Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby match United States against Canada at the Champs Mars Arena Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
At Paralympics, women are blazing trails in male-dominated and roughest of sports, wheelchair rugby
At the Paralympic Games in Paris, women are blazing trails in the roughest of sports — mixed-gender but male-dominated wheelchair rugby. Sarah Adam is the first American woman to compete at the Paralympics in wheelchair rugby.
 
Tom Cruise is lowered on the Stade de France during the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Paris closes the Olympics, and Los Angeles turns to Tom Cruise for its 2028 mission
Paris has closed out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a star-studded show in France’s national stadium.
 
Flashes of lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Paris and the Olympics have changed each other during their summer fling
During the 2024 Olympics, crowds from Paris to Tahiti have surprised even themselves with their enthusiasm for two and a half weeks of sports. They’ve plunged into the party like Léon Marchand parting the waters for his four swimming golds.
 
Nacer Eddine Zorgani prepares for the night's boxing matches at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Meet Nacer Zorgani, the vision-impaired Para-judo athlete who doubles as boxing’s Olympic voice
A visually impaired Para-judo athlete is captivating crowds at the Paris 2024 Olympics as a boxing announcer. Despite his blindness, Nacer Zorgani’s deep voice commands the attention of thousands of spectators at boxing events.
 
A cyclist rides in front of an Olympic-themed new mosaic by the mysterious French street artist known only by the name Invader, Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024, on the banks of the Seine River, during the 2004 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Leicester)
Mystery Paris street artist ‘Invader’ glues up new work to celebrate Olympics and delight fans
The mystery French street artist known only as “Invader” has struck Paris again, this time to celebrate the Olympics. Invader has been cementing his quirky mosaics to Paris walls since the 1990s, usually at night and without permission.
 
Jeanne Musaga shops at a social group store, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Epinay-sur-Seine, France. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)
Paris Olympics food donations seek to help needy, contribute to sustainability and set an example
Food that goes uneaten at the Paris Olympics is helping those in need around the French capital. It’s part of an effort to cut down on food waste and contribute to organizers’ commitment to sustainability.
 
FILE - Bryce Wettstein, of the United States, performs during the women's skateboard park practice session during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. The San Diego native could emerge from the women's park competition with a medal, new lyrics or both. She's liable to be the only one strumming a ukulele between runs. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Music and medals: U.S. skateboarder drops into Olympic bowl with an apt new song: “Perfect Moment”
Keep an eye out for Bryce Wettstein when she and other skateboarders drop into the Paris Olympics’ bowl. She’s likely to be the only one strumming a ukulele between runs on Tuesday. Yup, this 20-year-old both soars and sings.
 
FILE - South Africa's Dallas Oberholzer waits to perform with other competitors during the men's skateboard park practice session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
The 49-year-old skateboarder who crossed paths with dragons on 4-wheeled odyssey to 2024 Olympics
Of the 10,500 athletes at the Paris Olympics, skateboarder Dallas Oberholzer is surely the only one to have crossed paths with dragons on his four-wheeled round-the-world odyssey to the 2024 Games.
 
Amine, a 21-year-old student and apprentice bank worker, drives to a police station for his daily 6:30 p.m. obligatory check-in, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in France. Amine is among more than 150 people whose movements have been restricted during the Paris Olympics because French authorities deem them to be potential terror risks for the Games. Amine says he’s not a threat and blames a police mix-up for his predicament. He is barred from leaving his suburb of Paris, except for his required daily trip to report to police. (AP Photo)
Takeaways from AP’s story on Olympics security hitting minorities, others flagged as terror risks
French authorities are making wide use of discretionary anti-terror powers to keep hundreds of people they deem to be potential security threats away from the Paris Olympics.
 
FILE - A police officer walks past a Paris Olympics canvas at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, File)
Olympics security means minorities and others flagged as potential terror threats can’t move freely
French authorities are making broad use of discretionary powers during the 2024 Olympics and their run-up to keep hundreds of people they deem to be potential security threats away from the biggest event modern France has ever organized.
 
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