Justice minister François Bayrou presented a cabinet meeting on Wednesday with his bill of law to introduce greater probity in political life, just as he and his centrist party is caught up in an allegations of fraud over the misuse of European Parliament funds, and another minister battles accusations of favouritism in past business activities.
France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said it was 'extremely' possible that the country will miss its target of bringing its public deficit down to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, which is below the 3.0 percent threshold required by eurozone rules.
France's legendary croissant, brioche and other pastries most traditionally eaten as a breakfast treat are under threat of a shortage of butter, the price of which has more than doubled in a year.
At a press conference following the meeting in Paris on Tuesday evening between French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Theresa May, the French head of state, who has previously warned May that a tough deal awaits Britain's referendum decision to leave the EU, said of the so-called Brexit negotiations that until they come to an end 'there is always a chance to reopen the door'.
Despite the statements of support for the Paris accord on combating climate change by US cities, states and other groups since President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the agreement concluded in December 2015, they could encounter difficulties in implementing the accord on a sub-national basis.
British Prime Minister Theresa May met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday, with Brexit preparations and the introduction of stronger policing of extremist propaganda on social media high on the agenda, after which the two leaders are due to attend a France-England football friendly match, when French fans will be encouraged to sing the UK national anthem as a mark of respect after recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.
A French judicial investigation has been opened into alleged payments made by French-Swiss cement-maker LafargeHolcim to armed groups in war-torn Syria, including the Islamic State group, in order to keep a cement-producing plant operating in the country.
New French environment and energy minister Nicolas Hulot, a figurehead of the French Green movement, announced on Monday 'we are going to close some nuclear reactors and it won't be just a symbolic move'.
The first round of France's legislative elections have left at least 245 women candidates in lead positions before the second round play-offs next weekend, which would mean, in the likely case that they move on to win, an increase of 95 in the number of female MPs in the National Assembly.
Rafael Nadal, 31, on Sunday won the final of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros against Stan Wawrinka in a convincing straight three-set victory which gave him a record tenth title, prompting his Swiss opponent to say the Spaniard is 'the best-ever player on clay'.
