Jean-Michel Blanquer

France is grappling with its own version of a blackface scandal, after activists blocked a theater performance at the Sorbonne university in Paris involving actors with black masks.

Four black rights groups staged the protest Monday against a performance of "The Suppliants" by ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, arguing the masks promote racist stereotypes.

By AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, PARIS, France, Jul 19 - French lawmakers have secured a deal on a bill that would outlaw the use of mobiles phones in schools starting in September, one of Emmanuel Macron's pledges during last year's presidential campaign.