France’s Centre-Val de Loire reshapes its industrial base with defense deals, reusable packaging and Amazon hiring
Centre-Val de Loire is diversifying beyond agriculture and cosmetics, as defense packaging, reuse startups and Amazon hiring reshape jobs and industry.
Polestar’s Europe-first push lifts sales share to 78%—but widening losses and tariffs cloud the outlook
Polestar says Europe made up 78% of Q1 2026 sales, up 7%, as it launched in France—yet tariffs and price pressure widened losses.
Guadeloupe’s economy steadied in 2025 as inflation cooled to 1.3%, French central bank arm says
IEDOM says Guadeloupe’s economy stabilized in 2025 as inflation cooled to 1.3% from 2.6%, with tourism and private investment leading.
Vietnam moves to lock in imported coal supplies for 2026 as power demand keeps climbing
Vietnam’s industry ministry is working to secure imported coal for 2026 to protect power generation as demand rises and global coal markets remain volatile.
French military spending in Martinique props up local jobs and contractors—but doesn’t remake the economy
French defense and infrastructure spending in Martinique supports jobs and local contractors, but the island remains dependent on public transfers and tourism.
France’s EV sales surge 55% in early 2026, hitting a record 27.8% market share as incentives kick in
France’s EV sales rose 55% in the first five months of 2026, reaching a record 27.8% market share as incentives and social leasing expand.
Mayotte bets on startups, desalination and a Bayrou-backed plan to jump-start the island’s economy
Mayotte is pushing an economic reset: Mamoudzou is backing new entrepreneurs, Bayrou unveiled a plan, and desalination aims to ease chronic water shortages.
France’s Rafale fires new MICA NG missile at supersonic speed as India weighs $33B deal for 114 more jets
France says a Rafale fired an MICA NG missile while supersonic, as India negotiates a €30.2B (about $32.6B) order for 114 more jets.
France’s Patrouille de France jets head to the U.S. for America’s 250th, with July 4 flyover in New York
France’s Patrouille de France returns to the U.S. June 8–July 4, 2026, for “Liberté 250,” culminating in a July 4 flyover over New York.
Paris’ CAC 40 slips below 8,000 as hotter U.S. inflation and Middle East tensions rattle markets
Paris’ CAC 40 fell below 8,000 on May 12, 2026, as hot U.S. inflation and Middle East tensions hit stocks and lifted French yields.
France’s AI ecosystem hits 972 companies, as Databricks, Workday and SoftBank spotlight a global push
France’s Hub France IA counts 972 AI firms after 375 additions in 2025, as Choose France spotlights training, infrastructure and legal risks.
France’s Lann-Bihoué naval air base marks 80 years with a six-hour air show over Brittany
France’s Lann-Bihoué naval air base celebrated 80 years with a six-hour air show May 10, 2026, as organizers expected 40,000 visitors.
India OKs Plan to Buy 114 Rafale Fighter Jets in Deal Worth Up to $38.5 Billion—But Local Assembly Still Unsettled
India approved a plan to buy 114 Rafale jets worth up to about $35.6B, but the contract isn’t signed as talks hinge on local assembly.
SoftBank pledges €75B (about $81B) for AI data centers in France, biggest such infrastructure bet in Europe
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son pledged €75B (about $81B) for AI infrastructure in France, including €45B for data centers in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
Scania to spend €70 million (about $76 million) to build electric trucks in Angers, France, ending Sweden-only output
Scania will invest €70 million (about $76 million) to assemble electric trucks in Angers, France, adding jobs and aiming for a hybrid line by 2029.
France’s top general warns Germany’s defense buildup could eclipse Paris’ edge within five years
France’s top general warns Germany’s defense spending surge could erase France’s edge within five years, as FCAS cooperation stalls.
France taps U.S. startup Vast for 2027 astronaut flights—Thomas Pesquet to ISS, Arnaud Prost to Haven-1
France signed a 2027 deal with U.S. startup Vast: Thomas Pesquet returns to the ISS, while Arnaud Prost flies to Haven-1 for a two-week mission.
EU lawmakers revive push to let Brussels approve arms exports—raising a new sovereignty fight for France
EU lawmakers revived a plan to shift arms export licensing to the European Commission, a move France warns would erode its control over sales.
France’s Campus AI targets 3 gigawatts nationwide as Bpifrance, Mistral and MGX double down on “AI gigafactories”
France’s Campus AI plan jumps to 3 GW nationwide, with Macron citing €7.5B ($8.1B) as Mistral secures priority access to compute.
Paris appeals court convicts Airbus and Air France in 2009 AF447 crash, fines each about $243,000
Paris appeals court convicted Airbus and Air France over the 2009 AF447 crash that killed 228, fining each €225,000 (about $243,000).