Europe

French legal press association says that it will ask court to strike down the sweeping powers the law gives to intelligence agencies.

 Michel Sapin said tests are also needed on French-made cars though he says he has no 'particular reason' to suspect wrongdoing.

President Hollande called for mechanism forcing countries to take an obligatory number of refugees, though avoided use of word 'quota'.

Despite German opposition to idea, Emmanuel Macron calls for permanent fiscal transfers to poorer countries to avoid end of euro.

French interior minister announces increased identity and baggage controls at stations and more police patrols on board international trains.

Former Italian PM said French economic decline and a rise in Eurosceptism and populism weakens Franco-German 'entente' and therefore the EU.

A mini-reshuffle has taken place involving President François Hollande's senior advisor on the European Union. First the advisor was shunted to the prime minister's office, then it was confirmed he would remain as the head of state's 'sherpa' in charge of summit meetings in Brussels. As Ludovic Lamant and Mathieu Magnaudeix explain, this rearranging of advisors on the deck of state is symbolic of how, nearly three years after his election, President Hollande has shown himself incapable of presenting a clear, coherent and strong policy on Europe that would enable France to punch its full weight in Brussels. The result, fear some observers, is that France has lost considerable clout in the corridors of European power.

Global companies are increasing their R&D teams in France, as tax credits are helping the country become a European technology hub.

After slow start in photovoltaic power, France starts work on 360m euro project able to supply electricity to a city the size of Bordeaux for a year.

American video streaming giant launches across Europe on Monday amid fears it will undermine investment in France's home-grown movies.

Finance minister says growth for 2014 will be 0.5% - half the original forecast - as figures show French economy stagnant in second quarter.

Figures expected to show on Thursday that French economy barely expanded during second quarter of this year after stagnating in the first.

The national statistics office INSEE says consumer price index fell by 0.3% last month amid wider fears of deflation across Eurozone.

Study shows France welcomed 84.7 million foreign visitors in 2013, more than in 2012 and well ahead of the United States and Spain.

Manuel Valls says the eurozone's economic policies are not effective, adding that there will be 'difficult' months ahead for Europe.