France

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy. Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate oil companies that have not reduced gasoline prices in line with the falling crude cost, accusing them of "gouging". The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for up to 35 billion dollars worth of Thaad interceptors?to replenish U.S. stocks after the 'Iran War. SK Hynix, a memory-chip giant, plans to raise more than $29 billion via a Nasdaq IPO to fund its expansion...

The U.S.-Iran diplomatic relationship has resulted in a reduction of gasoline prices for Americans. This is the sixth consecutive 'weekly drop, and a 15% decrease from the peak reached in May. According to GasBuddy, the?national average gasoline price fell by 14.1 cents per gallon in the past week. It was $3.85 a gallon on Sunday. Prices fell in the majority of states. GasBuddy data revealed that gasoline prices dropped by 25 cents per gallon over the last week in Colorado, 22 cents in Arizona, and 21 cents (per gallon) in Ohio. This drop could ease the pressure on 'U.S. Donald...

The French economy is set to grow modestly in '2026, as a spike in oil prices squeezes consumers. This will only be partially offset by a recovery in industrial production, according to the national statistics agency INSEE. INSEE's latest outlook forecast that the euro zone's 2nd-largest economy will grow?0.7% in this year following a 0.9% growth last year. The oil price spike caused by the Iran War would be a 0.2 to 0.3 point drag on the economy. INSEE stated that as companies pass higher costs on to consumers, the households will 'bear the brunt' of the energy crisis due...

According to diplomatic sources, and an analysis of corporate policy suggestions, the Trump administration's plan to boost vital minerals production through price regulation is being met with skepticism from G7 allies and a divided mining sector. Negotiations for a Western Trading bloc are also stumbling due to concerns over cost and governance. First proposed by the U.S. Vice President JDVance announced the trading bloc in February. It aims to wean the West off China. China became the largest mineral producer by operating on a loss, and lowering prices for building blocks used in semiconductors, computers servers, military equipment, and countless...

Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, said at the annual general meeting held on Friday that French citizens prefer to have energy companies 'cap fuel prices' at the pump rather than pay a tax on superprofits. He was answering a climate NGO's representative who asked if?the company could do more to help ease the price shocks for consumers. TotalEnergies has been criticized for its massive profits from oil price spikes caused by the war in Iran. French politicians are pushing for a tax on the company to help lower prices. Pouyanne claimed that a survey had revealed that French...

France has written a U.N. Security Council Resolution on setting up a international mission to restore?movement?in Strait of Hormuz?and You could submit it, if The conditions are "right",?the Foreign Ministry said on Friday as Washington struggled to put to a vote an anti-Tehran text that Russia and China might claim is biased. The control of the narrow waterway is a major obstacle to ending the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has lasted for three months. It's a vital artery in the global energy trade, and its virtual closure caused oil prices to skyrocket. The U.S. and Bahraini resolutions on the strait have...

Data exclusively shared with shows that demand for electric vehicles has risen in Europe as fuel prices linked to the 'Iran War' have pushed sales of second-hand and new EVs. This is a boost for the auto industry. While?sales for fully electric cars in Europe are expected to grow 30% by 2025, the adoption of EVs on the continent is still behind industry expectations. 'Carmakers - from Fiat-owned Stellantis to Volkswagen, who had invested heavily to meet the expectation of a much higher EV market, have booked multi-billion dollar charges in the past year to cover asset writedowns. The rise...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on allies on Tuesday to disrupt Iran's.financing network and said that the Treasury would clear its outdated sanctions list to.make it easier for the financial institutions to.root out the most sophisticated terrorist funding schemes. Bessent said that after the G7 finance leaders met at Paris, participants in an anti-terrorism funding conference should "stand in full measure with us" against Iran. Bessent stated that "this will require our European partners, for example to join the United States by taking action against Iran, including by designating its financiers and unmasking their shell and front company, closing its...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on allies on Tuesday to'more forcefully disrupt Iran’s financing networks. He also said that the Treasury would scrubbing its outdated sanctions list to make it easier to root out sophisticated terrorist financing schemes. Bessent, in remarks prepared for a conference on anti-terrorism finance after the G7 finance leaders had met in Paris said that participants should "stand with us fully" against Iran. Bessent stated that "that will require our European partners, for example to join the United States by taking action against Iran, by designating its financials, unmasking their shell and front companies and?shuttering their...

Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Economy Commissioner, said that the extension of a waiver for Russian sanctions showed that 'G7 members are not always in agreement. Dombrovskis stated that the G7 was a forum to discuss and cooperate with like-minded allies. He said, "But, well... we're not always 100% in agreement on everything. This is unfortunately one of those topics." He praised, however, the joint statement after the G7 meeting. It was said to be a positive outcome of the meeting between the central bank governors and finance ministers. Dombrovskis stated that he was reassured by the United States, who said that...

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria will spend $11.6 billion in 2026 servicing its debt, which is nearly half of the projected revenue for government. He called for a reform to a global financial structure he claimed penalized African borrowers. He said that debt-servicing costs were crowding out expenditures on infrastructure, health care and education despite the government's tax reform aimed at increasing revenues in Africa’s most populous nation. Data from the Debt Management Office shows that Nigeria will spend $5.15 billion servicing debt by?2025. Tinubu, speaking at the Africa Forward Summit, held in Nairobi on Tuesday,...

The rise in government borrowing costs over the long term is not slowing down, and there are more aggravators every day. If you have been enthralled by the gravity-defying markets of this year, then look no further for where stress is growing in world markets. The debt, oil, inflation and interest rate risks, combined with the domestic political and geopolitical uncertainties, as well as the waning demand from the private and public sectors for long-term bonds, have pushed borrowing costs in the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies to their highest level in over 20 years. According to ICE Bank...

The heatwave in June that sent temperatures soaring across Europe has'recorded 3700 deaths over the normal number. Authorities have warned that the figures are preliminary, and may rise. Experts say that the heatwave which lasted between June 20 and 28 was the worst ever recorded in Europe. It caused disruptions to the power generation system, damaged infrastructure, and overwhelmed the healthcare systems. Scientists said that climate change was most likely to blame for the extreme heat. Stephanie Rist, French Health Minister, told local TV on Friday that there were 2,025 excess death in France due to the heatwave. The increase...

Undertaker Zouhaier Hertelli has received frantic?calls? from families, retirement communities, and the police, all desperate to find space in a refrigerated morgue for those who have died due to the heatwave that is sweeping France. France's Public Health Agency said that there were at least 1,000 extra deaths between last Wednesday and Sunday. The numbers are not final, however, as they will likely increase. Hertelli’s funeral home, located in Orly near Paris, can store 32 bodies. All are currently occupied. Hertelli pointed to the compartments with labels indicating the name of deceased, date of arrival at the funeral home, and...

The public health agency announced on Sunday that France had recorded 1,000 "excess" deaths due to the heatwave sweeping Europe. It warned, however, that the true number was likely higher. Sante Publique, which has compiled a preliminary list of deaths, said that the majority of deaths involved elderly people. It also predicted that the mortality rate would rise as more information becomes available on deaths in residential care and homes. Europeans are suffering through a scorching heatwave, which has been linked to at least dozens of deaths. The heatwave has also caused power disruptions and damaged infrastructure. Scientists said that...

The heatwave in France this week was one of the worst ever recorded. Many city dwellers sought any refuge they could find. They checked into hotels for air conditioning and pools. On Wednesday, temperatures in 'Paris' reached a record of?40.9° Celsius (105.62° Fahrenheit), a day after France had its hottest recorded day since records began. Few private apartments, especially in the capital with its dense population, have air conditioning. Around three-quarters (75%) of Paris roofs are made of sheets of zinc. This material is a heat-absorber and conductor. This has caused a rush for hotels in both cities and outside....

The French development minister made an 11th-hour appeal to the World Bank, Thursday. He urged?it not to give in to pressure from the United States, its largest shareholder, and to stick to the climate finance target that is due to expire at the end this month. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has asked the World Bank to abandon its target to dedicate 45% to climate-related lending and instead focus on core development, including a returning to fossil fuels projects. Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) has been extended for an additional year, but it is likely to expire without...

Ulysse Zackary, a 21-year-old Parisian woman who lives in an attic apartment beneath zinc roofs, has melted soap bars and the pressure inside wine bottles is pushing the corks out. She sleeps with wet towels in order to deal with the record-breaking heatwave. He said that the 9-square metre (97-square foot) apartment became "an oven" within a few sunny hours. This highlights the challenges facing residents in Paris and London, as rising temperatures reveal the shortcomings of homes designed to retain heat rather than reflect it. Western Europe is gripped by a heatwave which has caused power outages, closed schools...

The French development minister made an 11th-hour appeal to the World Bank on Thursday. He urged it to "resist the pressure of its largest shareholder, the United States, and stick to a climate financing target that is due to expire at the end this month. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has asked the World Bank to abandon its target to dedicate 45% to climate-related lending and instead focus on core development, including a resurgence in fossil fuel projects. CCAP (Climate Change Action Plan) has been extended for a year, but many Europeans and other World Bank investors are...

On Thursday, the mayor of Paris warned busy Parisians that they should slow down as large parts Western Europe remain in the grips of a deadly, heatwave which has killed dozens of people, caused power outages, and closed schools and cultural landmarks. In the face of a heatwave in France, Sebastien lecornu activated the highest health service mobilisation level. This meant that non-urgent procedures could be cancelled so as to concentrate on those who are affected by the weather. Paris experienced another scorching day on Wednesday after temperatures in France's capital reached a record high of 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6...

Children at the Harris Primary Academy Mayflower, located in Chafford Hundred just east of London cooled off by slurping ice lollies and splashing in paddling pools. Advikhaa said, "I feel cooler and airier" about the special measures. These include allowing the children to swap their school uniforms with lighter clothing. The aim is to make it easier for the children to cope with the high temperatures. Thousands of schools across Europe sent their pupils home because they couldn't find a short-term solution to the record-breaking heat. Many schools cannot protect their students from heat because such incidents are becoming more...

Pharrell, the Louis Vuitton designer and pop singer, created a giant artificial water fall to set a backdrop for his spring-summer 2027 collection. The launch of Paris Fashion Week took place on Tuesday as a heatwave that broke all records engulfed large parts of France. As they walked on the sand, models wore a mix of denims, hoodies, and flashy jackets. Others carried tiny monogrammed bags while others carried surfboards. The show was heavily influenced by American surf and skate culture. The silhouette of many looks included low-cut sneakers with white rubber soles and laces that resembled Californian lifestyle brand...

Annie Genevard, France's Agriculture Minister, said on Friday that France would ask the European Union for a suspension of the carbon border tax imposed by the EU on fertilisers due to rising prices caused by the Middle East conflict. The U.S. and Israel's war against Iran, which began a month ago, has caused supply disruptions that have led to higher fuel prices. The EU's carbon-tax scheme, which was introduced in January, is blamed by growers for the rise in fertiliser prices. "On Monday, I will be in Brussels and officially ask the European Commission to suspend the carbon tax on...

T&E, an advocacy group for clean transport, said that electric vehicles could make up as much as 85% of all new car sales by 2035. This is based on the EU's plans to lift its 'effective ban' on new combustion engine models. However, this % share may drop to as little as 50%. In December, under pressure from automakers, the European Commission proposed that CO2 emissions be reduced by 90% in 2035 compared to 2021, rather than zero, for all new cars and vans. T&E criticised the EU for its biggest retreat from green policies in years. The proposals would...