France picked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne as its new candidate for the next European Commission as the incumbent, Thierry Breton, abruptly quit on Monday with tough words for the EU's re-elected executive chief Ursula von der Leyen.

France's powerful European Union commissioner Thierry Breton abruptly resigned with a parting shot at the bloc's chief on Monday, in a dramatic upset the day before Ursula von der Leyen

Von der Leyen offered France a more powerful job ‘as a political trade-off’ in return for replacing Thierry Breton

Several people died early Sunday during a failed attempt to cross the English Channel from northern France, French authorities said. A rescue operation is underway, and survivors of the tragedy have been taken to the sports hall in the northern town of Ambleteuse, according to a statement from the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais region.

Eight migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France in a small rubber boat died early Sunday, officials said.

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot looked set to join Olympique de Marseille as a free agent after the Ligue 1 club said both parties had reached an agreement.

Marseille have reached an agreement in principle with France midfielder Adrien Rabiot to join the club. "The player will join OM subject to the results of a medical," the nine-time French champion said Sunday.