In the ongoing Paris school abuse scandal, a court has handed the first conviction of a school monitor, sentencing a 25-year-old to an 18-month suspended prison term for sexually assaulting a kindergarten-age girl at a leisure centre between October 2023 and July 2025. The court found the child's testimony consistent and precise. The case follows earlier acquittals of other staff, including a 36-year-old acquitted of sexual assault on nine preschoolers and a 47-year-old acquitted in June. Since the start of the year, Paris has suspended 132 aides, including 52 suspected of sexual abuse, highlighting a systemic problem.

France's High Council for Climate (HCC) published its annual report warning that France is unprepared for the pace and scale of climate change, citing a 2.2°C warming since 1900-1930 and increasingly frequent heatwaves. The report calls for a significant acceleration of emission reductions and adaptation policies, including doubling funding for decarbonisation, extending heatwave plans, and upgrading infrastructure. It warns that current policies are insufficient to meet climate goals.

French President Emmanuel Macron's nomination of conservative Senator François-Noël Buffet as the new Defender of Rights (ombudsman), replacing Claire Hédon, has sparked widespread opposition. Buffet's past opposition to same-sex marriage and assisted reproduction, and his abstention on the constitutional right to abortion, have drawn strong criticism from associations and unions, including Greenpeace France, Planning Familial, and Inter-LGBT, who argue his views are incompatible with the institution's values. An online petition against his appointment has gathered over 113,000 signatures. The nomination requires parliamentary approval.

The European Commission and MBDA signed agreements for the HYDIS project, launching a 3-year concept phase for the AQUILA hypersonic missile interceptor. The project, co-funded by the EU and four participating states (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands), aims to develop a European counter-hypersonic and anti-ballistic interceptor, intensifying competition with the rival HYDEF program led by Spain's SMS and Germany's Diehl Defence. The Hydis project's steering committee validated the final concept review milestone on Friday, selecting a solid-propellant rocket motor concept for the interceptor. The remaining year will focus on advancing critical technologies to Technology Readiness Level 3. The interceptor will target hypersonic glide vehicles, cruise missiles, and maneuvering ballistic missiles, with the final concept review focusing on the terminal phase of interception. Avio worked on the solid rocket motor propulsion, ArianeGroup and Roxel on the final stage control mechanism, and Lynred on the terminal infra-red sensor. Thales provided performance data for sensor suites, and GKN Fokker worked on integration into the MK41 naval launcher. The European Defence Fund plans to allocate €100 million for an endo-atmospheric interceptor in 2026, with only one of the Hydis or Hydef proposals to be funded.

Background: French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had previously withdrawn the flagship plea-bargain measure after deputies rejected the bill in committee. The French Parliament definitively adopted the criminal justice reform bill on July 9, after the government dropped the controversial plea-bargaining measure due to opposition from left-wing parties and lawyers. The final law expands the jurisdiction of departmental criminal courts to recidivists, allowing them to impose sentences up to life imprisonment. It legalizes the use of genetic genealogy from private databases in criminal investigations. Pre-trial detention rules are reformed: the expiration of the 30-day deadline to rule on a release request no longer triggers automatic release but requires a contradictory debate within five days. An emergency extension mechanism is introduced for offenses punishable by at least five years in prison when there is a risk of flight or danger to persons or property. Victim support is improved, particularly for sexual and domestic violence victims, including mandatory information about legal assistance and legal aid at the time of filing a complaint. The law also addresses a legislative gap regarding pre-trial detention of minors aged 16 and older accused of crimes.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has conducted a high-profile diplomatic campaign since his appointment, visiting Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and meeting with French President Macron and US President Trump. The efforts have resulted in the US initiating the process to remove Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list and lifting sanctions. Shaibani, a former rebel official, has been a key figure in Syria's pragmatic foreign policy, balancing relations with Russia, Israel, and the US.

The anti-independence bloc in New Caledonia has gained control of the Congress after forming a governance coalition with the Oceanian Awakening party, which holds four seats. Virginie Ruffenach was elected president with 28 of 54 votes. The alliance, focused on reconstruction following deadly unrest in May 2024, does not address long-term institutional issues. The pro-independence FLNKS failed to secure a majority.

France has returned 23 Syrian archaeological treasures that had remained in the country since a 2011 exhibition loan. The artifacts, including Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic-era pieces, were flown to Damascus aboard President Emmanuel Macron's aircraft during his landmark visit. The return marks the first cooperation under Syria's post-Assad campaign to recover antiquities held abroad, signaling a renewal of cultural ties after years of war and diplomatic isolation.