UK politics: Polls open in Holborn and St Pancras byelection – as it happened Voters choosing replacement for Keir Starmer, who announced he was standing down last month The Guardian - UK · 14h ago
French minister invites UK to ‘come all the way back’ to the EU Finance minister, Roland Lescure, welcomes Burnham’s pledge to explore closer ties with bloc The Guardian - UK · 15h ago
'Potemkin budget’: French government slams Marine Le Pen’s plans "You're dreaming in colour", "a Potemkin budget, flimsy as cardboard", "purely incantatory, utterly unenforceable": the government torpedoes the counter-budget put forward by National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. Euronews · Oct 7
EU weighs windfall taxes on energy firms amid growing economic strain EU ministers meeting in Dublin on Friday and Saturday are considering a windfall tax on energy companies, as price volatility continues to destabilise the economic outlook. Euronews · Sep 18
France cuts growth forecast again as economic uncertainty weighs heavy France's economy will grow less than expected in 2026, meaning the government will miss its budget deficit target, Finance Minister Roland Lescure has said. It is the third time this year the government has cut its growth forecast. Radio France Internationale · Sep 11
Far-right AfD scores historic win in Saxony-Anhalt, rattling Berlin and Paris The AfD’s record result in Saxony-Anhalt has sent shock waves through Germany and beyond, piling pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and raising fresh concerns across Europe over the far-right’s advance. Radio France Internationale · Sep 7
Germany’s Merz 'deeply shocked' by far-right AfD's historic electoral victory German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the press on Monday that he was "deeply shocked" by the far-right AfD's historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt's state election a day earlier. The AfD is labelled a "right-wing extremist" group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, and some of its staff are former members of a… France 24 · Sep 7
If Europe's AI sovereignty relies on Mistral, 'we're doomed': French finance minister European sovereignty in artificial intelligence (AI) cannot depend on a single startup like Mistral, France's Finance Minister Roland Lescure warned on Wednesday, amid tensions between the United States and China over the technology's development. about the possibility that Mistral might abandon developing state-of-the-art AI models to become primarily a provider… The Economic Times · Sep 3
Can French debt really be cancelled? Mélenchon’s proposal sparks debate Mélenchon’s call to cancel part of France’s debt heats up the presidential race, with prominent French banker Matthieu Pigasse backing the proposal. Euronews · Aug 27
Europe races to contain mega wildfires as fresh heatwave threatens France and Spain Firefighters in France and Spain are battling massive wildfires that have displaced over 320,000 people and threatened Bordeaux as another heatwave looms. Fires remain out of control in parts of Spain, while European nations have deployed aircraft, troops and helicopters to bolster firefighting efforts amid worsening climate-driven wildfire conditions. The Economic Times · Jul 27
French economy minister on Spain's debt proposal: 'It's interesting' French Economy Minister Roland Lescure reacts to Spain's proposal for a new joint EU debt instrument worth up to €850 billion, while warning of potential risks. "If one country transfers its debt to the whole community, that might be an incentive for that country to take on more debt," Lescure… Euronews · Jul 10
India, France discuss critical minerals, investments at Economic and Financial Dialogue India and France are set to bolster economic ties, focusing on critical minerals and financial connectivity. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart explored enhanced cooperation in multilateral forums and boosting cross-investments, particularly in high-speed rail. The Economic Times · Jul 3
'We cleared the plates': Versailles dinner becomes stage for Trump's surprise signature of Iran deal US President Donald Trump unexpectedly signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran during a state dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles on Wednesday. The move surprised ministers and guests who had expected a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland later this week. France 24 · Jun 18
How Trump decided to sign a deal with Iran at Versailles palace US President Donald Trump signed an initial deal with Iran at France's iconic Versailles palace. The surprise signing occurred during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump announced the agreement to reporters as he was departing France. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was involved in the document's… The Economic Times · Jun 18
Euronews · Jun 1 'Creating thousands of high-skilled jobs': SoftBank to invest €75bn in French AI data centres The project is SoftBank Group's largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. Once completed, its planned 5 GW capacity would make it Europe's largest data centre project as the region seeks to expand AI infrastructure and compete with the US and Asia.
Radio France Internationale · May 19 G7 finance ministers seek common ground despite divisions over Russia and trade The world's leading economies have pledged renewed multilateral cooperation to tackle growing threats to global economic stability stemming from the war in the Middle East, after high-level talks in Paris that also exposed strains between the United States and several of its allies.
The Economic Times · May 19 G7 finance ministers vow cooperation to face 'heightened risks' Global economic leaders met in Paris to tackle instability caused by the Middle East war. They pledged cooperation to manage challenges like energy and food supply disruptions. Discussions also covered tariffs and Russia. The G7 aims for coordinated responses to global economic risks. Leaders will meet again in Evian to…
France 24 · May 19 G7 finance ministers call for action on trade imbalances as Russia sanctions divide US from allies Finance ministers from the G7 group of advanced economies were unanimous on the need to take on global trade imbalances, according to the statement released Tuesday following a second day of Paris talks. But the US decision to extend a waiver on sanctions against Russia in the wake of the…
The Economic Times · May 19 G7 finance ministers explore responses to Iran war fallout Global finance leaders met in Paris to address economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. France's finance minister called for increased aid for vulnerable nations. Discussions also covered diversifying critical mineral supplies and maintaining pressure on Russia. G7 nations aim to build new partnerships amid global tensions and trade system…
Radio France Internationale · May 18 G7 ministers meet in Paris to seek common ground on China and Middle East war Finance ministers and central bankers from the G7 nations gather on Monday in Paris where they will try and settle differences on everything from the stalemate in Iran, securing supply chains for critical minerals and the oil-price shock. As host, France will try and keep the plates spinning.
The Economic Times · May 18 G7 finance chiefs seek to tackle imbalances as trade strains unity Finance ministers from the Group of Seven are meeting in Paris to discuss global economic tensions, trade imbalances and coordination on critical mineral supplies, amid growing geopolitical divisions within the group.
Radio France Internationale · May 6 G7 ministers discuss trade security and China dependence in Paris G7 trade ministers were holding a second day of talks in Paris on Wednesday as the global economy faced growing pressure from US tariff threats, war in the Middle East and concerns over dependence on Chinese raw materials.
Euronews · May 5 EU finance ministers urge caution amid Trump tariff threats and trade tensions EU finance ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday sought to downplay US president Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threats. Some viewed his announcement as yet another post on social media by the US President.
Radio France Internationale · Apr 21 France seeks €4bn savings to cover cost of Middle East war French Prime Minsiter Sebastien Lecornu has asked the government to find €4 billion in additional savings to cover the costs of the war in the Middle East, which Finance Minister Roland Lescure estimates will cost France between €4 and €6 billion.
Radio France Internationale · Apr 6 France rolls out 'flash fuel loans' to shield small firms from oil price spike France is preparing to roll out a rapid financial lifeline for small businesses grappling with soaring fuel costs, as the economic fallout from the war in the Middle East continues to ripple across key sectors.