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France Cuts 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 0.7%

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France has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 0.7%, down from the previously projected 0.9%, according to a mid-year public finance update presented to lawmakers by the Finance Ministry. The revised outlook reflects weaker-than-expected economic performance during the first half of the year.

Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the downgrade was driven by a slower start to the year, partly due to the impact of special budget legislation. He also cited the challenging international environment, including ongoing instability caused by the conflict in the Middle East, as a factor weighing on France’s economic prospects.

The updated forecast highlights the pressures facing Europe’s second-largest economy as it navigates domestic fiscal challenges alongside global geopolitical uncertainty. The government is expected to continue monitoring economic conditions while adjusting its fiscal strategy to support growth and maintain financial stability.

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WHO Warns Europe Faces More Deadly Heatwaves as New Extreme Temperatures Build

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe could face “more deadly weeks” as another powerful heatwave develops over the Atlantic. Temperatures in parts of Portugal and southern Spain are expected to reach as high as 43°C in the coming days. WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge urged governments to strengthen preparedness, noting that countries with established heat-health action plans responded more effectively during the recent extreme weather.

The previous heatwave, which swept across Europe between June 20 and June 28, is considered by experts to be the most severe ever recorded in the region. The intense heat disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure, strained healthcare systems, and contributed to around 3,700 preliminary excess deaths in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Scientists have linked the record-breaking temperatures largely to climate change.

The WHO emphasized that vulnerable groups, including elderly people living alone, care home residents, and homeless individuals, continue to face the greatest risks during prolonged heat events. With fewer than half of the WHO’s European member states having comprehensive heat-health action plans, the organization is urging governments to improve emergency preparedness and build more resilient healthcare systems ahead of future heatwaves.

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NATO Selects Saab GlobalEye Aircraft in $4.5 Billion Early-Warning Deal

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NATO has announced plans to acquire up to 10 Saab GlobalEye airborne early-warning and surveillance aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $4.5 billion, choosing the Swedish system over Boeing’s competing E-7 Wedgetail. The new fleet will replace the alliance’s ageing AWACS aircraft and strengthen NATO’s surveillance and early-warning capabilities against modern threats, including drone swarms and evolving battlefield challenges.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the GlobalEye platform, built on Bombardier Global 6500 business jets, represents a multinational programme involving European, Canadian, and U.S. industries. Saab said deliveries could begin as early as 2030 if negotiations are completed soon, with each aircraft expected to cost between $400 million and $450 million. The alliance is now entering formal contract negotiations with the Swedish defence company.

The decision comes as NATO members continue increasing defence spending amid heightened security concerns in Europe. While the initial GlobalEye aircraft will not include air-to-air refuelling capability, officials expect that feature to be added in future upgrades. The announcement boosted Saab’s shares, while reinforcing NATO’s long-term strategy to modernize its airborne surveillance fleet.

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Suspect in Monaco Parcel Bomb Attack Found Dead in Ukraine

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A Ukrainian woman wanted in connection with a parcel bomb attack in Monaco has been found dead in Ukraine, according to the country’s Security Service (SBU). Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, was the subject of an international manhunt after authorities accused her of planting an explosive device at a Monaco apartment building on June 29, injuring three people, including two seriously. Her body was discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.

The SBU said Berezovska returned to Ukraine on July 1, where she contacted family members and two men, including a current officer in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence intelligence directorate and a former law enforcement officer. Both have been detained on suspicion of her murder, with investigators alleging the intelligence officer confessed to the killing. Authorities also reported finding a basement room resembling a torture chamber during searches linked to the investigation.

Monaco prosecutors believe Berezovska disguised herself as a man while carrying out the attack before fleeing through Italy and Germany. Interpol had issued a Red Notice seeking her arrest on charges including attempted murder and criminal conspiracy. Local media reported that the intended target was businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, a sanctioned Ukrainian-born real estate developer living in Monaco, though authorities have not officially confirmed the victims’ identities. The investigation into the bombing and possible accomplices remains ongoing.

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French Court Verdict to Decide Marine Le Pen’s 2027 Presidential Bid

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Marine Le Pen is set to learn whether she can contest France’s 2027 presidential election as a Paris appeal court delivers its verdict on her electoral ban. Le Pen was convicted in 2025 for embezzling more than €4 million in European Parliament funds and received a five-year ban from holding public office. She has denied any wrongdoing and appealed the ruling.

If the court upholds the ban, Jordan Bardella is expected to become the presidential candidate for the National Rally. Opinion polls suggest Bardella would remain a strong contender, although Le Pen has played a key role in transforming the party into one of France’s leading political forces over the past decade.

The appeal court could also reduce or remove the electoral ban while still upholding her conviction, potentially allowing Le Pen to run. However, if her prison sentence, including home detention with electronic monitoring, remains unchanged, campaigning would become significantly more difficult. Le Pen is expected to address the nation in a televised interview following the court’s decision.

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France Signals Openness to SAMP/T Air Defence Sale to Turkey

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France is showing renewed openness to a potential sale of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey, marking a significant shift after years of political resistance. According to sources, the change follows recent discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, although negotiations remain at an early stage and no agreement has been reached.

Turkey is seeking the SAMP/T system as part of its planned “Steel Dome” integrated air and missile defence network. The project, launched jointly by Turkey, France and Italy several years ago, had stalled due to tensions over Syria, Libya and disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish officials now say there is renewed political willingness among all three countries to revive defence cooperation, including possible technology transfer and joint production.

Despite the positive signals, any potential deal is expected to face diplomatic and political hurdles. France is likely to consult with Greece and Cyprus before moving forward, given its defence partnerships with both countries. Officials stress that the latest discussions represent only the beginning of a lengthy process, with any future agreement likely to involve the upgraded version of the SAMP/T system.

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Massive Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate in Southwest France

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More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from over two dozen towns and villages in southwestern France as a fast-moving wildfire continues to spread near the Spanish border. The blaze has already burned around 4,600 hectares in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, with strong winds expected to worsen conditions and make firefighting efforts more challenging.

France has received support from the European Union, which is deploying four waterbombing aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden to help contain the fire near Perpignan. The wildfire has injured five people, including a firefighter, while authorities have restricted public access to areas near the route of the Tour de France to allow emergency teams to operate safely. The race will continue with reduced support vehicles.

The wildfire follows an unusually hot early summer across France and Western Europe, leaving forests and grasslands highly vulnerable to fire. Across the border in Spain, another wildfire has scorched thousands of hectares, while separate blazes have also forced evacuations in the Castellon region. Authorities are continuing investigations into the causes of the fires as emergency crews battle to bring them under control.

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Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd Resume Suez Canal Route for Key Shipping Service

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Danish shipping company Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd have announced that one of their joint Gemini network services will resume transiting through the Suez Canal instead of taking the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The move marks a significant step toward restoring normal operations on the crucial Asia-Europe shipping corridor.

The two companies had previously diverted vessels around southern Africa due to security concerns in the Red Sea, where attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants disrupted global shipping routes. The prolonged detours increased transit times and shipping costs for international trade.

Maersk said the decision was made jointly with Hapag-Lloyd after conducting detailed assessments of the current security situation in the Red Sea. The companies described the move as the beginning of a gradual return to the trans-Suez route while continuing to monitor regional conditions closely.

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SSPX Priest Says Future Pope Could Reunite Breakaway Catholic Sect with Vatican

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A priest from the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group recently excommunicated by the Vatican, expressed hope that a future pope would restore ties with the Church. Speaking during a Mass in Wil, Switzerland, Father Georg Kopf said he believes another pope will one day “open the door” and welcome the group back into full communion, similar to the actions of Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

The SSPX was excommunicated after four bishops were ordained without the approval of Pope Leo, a move the Vatican described as a serious violation of Church law. Founded in 1970, the Switzerland-based group is known for preserving the traditional Latin Mass and opposing several reforms introduced by the modern Catholic Church. The Vatican said it had offered dialogue before the ordinations but considered the unauthorized appointments grounds for automatic excommunication.

During his sermon, Kopf insisted the ordinations were not intended to create a parallel church or sever ties with Rome. Instead, he said they were carried out out of loyalty to the Catholic faith and concern for the spiritual well-being of believers. Drawing parallels to the reconciliation efforts of Pope Benedict XVI, he expressed confidence that future Church leadership could once again seek unity with the breakaway group.

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Uber Halts Most Europe Food Delivery Expansion Amid Delivery Hero Pursuit

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Uber has paused most of its planned food delivery expansion across Europe, just months after announcing its entry into seven new markets, according to a report by the Financial Times. The company has reportedly shelved launches in five of the seven targeted countries, including Austria, Norway, and Greece, while continuing operations in Finland and Denmark.

Earlier this year, Uber had unveiled plans to expand Uber Eats into Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Romania, expecting the move to generate an additional $1 billion in gross bookings over the next three years. However, the company is now focusing on strengthening its presence in markets where it has already launched.

The reported slowdown comes as Uber continues pursuing a takeover of Germany-based Delivery Hero. In May, Delivery Hero confirmed it had received a €33-per-share takeover offer from Uber. Reuters also reported that Uber increased its stake in the company to nearly 37% after acquiring additional shares from Aspex Management. While Delivery Hero declined to comment, Uber has not officially responded to the report.

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