Background: A severe June heatwave in France has already overwhelmed hospitals, forced event cancellations, and caused drownings and a child's death. New development: France's national health agency now reports over 1,000 excess deaths from June 24, with 85% among those aged 65 and over. Mortuaries and funeral homes are overwhelmed, with occupancy at 66% nationwide, up from the normal 30-45%; two funeral homes in central Paris have been at full capacity since Friday. At least 40 additional drownings occurred as people sought relief in waterways. Epidemiologist Antoine Flahault notes that most hospital beds lack air conditioning, which could reduce heatwave mortality by at least 40%. Experts call for long-term urban cooling measures, including increased green spaces and water features, as Europe warms at twice the global average.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) has faced internal turmoil under High Representative Kaja Kallas, with officials questioning its effectiveness and mandate. Now, France and Germany are publicly debating the future structure of the EEAS. France proposes strengthening Kallas's role by making her a first executive vice-president with authority over foreign affairs, trade, and development, while Germany has floated diluting her powers and transferring them to the European Commission. A French discussion paper outlines three models: empowering the Commission, shifting the EEAS closer to the Council, or strengthening both institutions simultaneously. Paris prefers the third option, which would give Kallas significant authority within the Commission. The debate reflects broader challenges in making EU foreign policy more effective amid global fragmentation, with EU foreign ministers set to discuss the issue in September.

Background: Iran has consistently demanded domestic control over uranium enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz as conditions for a nuclear deal with the US. Today: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's offer, announced on June 29, to cooperate with Oman on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that only Iranian forces will handle mine clearance under the Islamabad memorandum with the US. Gharibabadi warned France not to complicate the sensitive situation with provocations. The dispute comes amid fragile US-Iran de-escalation channels and an interim peace deal, with both sides seeking to keep the accord on track after recent strikes.

Background: French lawmakers had previously reached a compromise on a bill targeting ultra-fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu, banning influencer advertising and imposing penalties. Today: The French Senate approved the bill on June 29, 2026, finalizing the legislation. The advertising ban will take effect at the turn of the year, with penalties for influencers. The law now specifically targets "ultra-express platforms" such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, excluding French and European brands, though a precise definition of criteria is still pending. Platforms must also pay a rising environmental contribution per product and display messages encouraging repair, reuse, and restrained consumption. The move follows a joint call from Germany, France, and the Netherlands for stricter EU regulations on ultra-fast fashion.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €3 billion loan to Airbus, the largest commercial loan in its history, to support research and development in commercial aviation, defense, and space sectors. The financing, signed with an initial €1 billion tranche, aims to bolster European technological autonomy and competitiveness against US and Chinese rivals, including Boeing and Starlink. The loan will fund investments through 2030 across facilities in France, Germany, and Spain, and includes efforts to reduce aircraft emissions.

Christopher Ford, former U.S. assistant secretary of state, proposes a 'potentially ubiquitous modular aerial capability' (PUMA-C) to address gaps in NATO's extended nuclear deterrence. The concept would equip existing European long-range conventional missiles with small nuclear warheads, leveraging Franco-British nuclear cooperation, to provide a more credible and flexible theater-level deterrent against Russian coercion. Ford argues that France's new 'forward deterrence' doctrine is insufficient due to doctrinal rigidity and limited flexible nuclear options, and that the PUMA-C concept could be developed more quickly and cheaply than building new nuclear-only delivery systems. Ford published the proposal in an article on War on the Rocks.

In an interview, geopolitics analyst Dawud Al Ansari discusses Oman's role as a neutral mediator in Gulf tensions, emphasizing its pragmatic diplomacy and commitment to stability, free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and dialogue. He contextualizes French President Macron's meeting with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq as part of broader efforts to reduce regional instability affecting global energy markets.