French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has proposed a ban on the hijab in public, sparking backlash and accusations of Islamophobia. The proposal is part of a law on combating 'radical Islamism' and is set to be put to a referendum, despite concerns within her own party.

French police investigating the 2012 murders of the al-Hilli family and a cyclist in Chevaline have discovered a Luger pistol in Lake Annecy, near the crime scene. The weapon, found by British tourists, is being examined to determine if it matches the P06 model used in the killings. The discovery offers a potential new lead in a case that has remained unsolved for 14 years.

Background: The French Senate had approved a bill targeting ultra-fast fashion platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, banning influencer advertising and imposing environmental contributions. Today: France has started enforcing the environmental penalty on ultra-fast fashion items, with fees starting at €0.50 for underwear and rising to €12 for jackets in 2026, potentially reaching €19.50 per item by 2030, capped at 50% of pre-tax price. The measure, effective Tuesday, follows the law passed in June and targets Asian e-commerce giants. China criticized the law as discriminatory and a potential WTO violation, while the European Commission's concerns about EU law compliance were reportedly dispelled. The fees are part of broader efforts to curb the environmental and economic impact of ultra-fast fashion. Additionally, imports of small parcels from China into the EU have fallen 30-40% since a separate EU levy on such shipments took effect in July. Shein, valued at $26.2 billion in its Hong Kong IPO, declined to comment, while Temu argued it is a marketplace and not a fast fashion company.

Eleven EU member states, including France, Germany, and Spain, have jointly called on the EU to replace unanimity with qualified majority voting in foreign policy decisions to prevent single countries from blocking action. The proposal, sent to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outlines five principles including constructive abstentions and exploring treaty options. The move follows Hungary's repeated use of vetoes, but any reform requires unanimity, posing a significant obstacle.

A major cyberattack disrupted French education systems over the summer, forcing some schools to use paper timetables and registers as the new school year began. The breach, detected in late July, compromised personal data of teachers and pupils. While most academies have restored services, Toulouse and Nantes remain affected, with digital access suspended and full restoration expected within weeks. The incident highlights cybersecurity vulnerabilities in public infrastructure and adds strain to the start of the academic year.

Elliott Management, a US activist investor, has acquired a stake in Air Liquide, the French industrial gas giant. The move positions Elliott to potentially influence Air Liquide's strategy and operations, which could impact the global industrial gas market and the company's shareholder value.

Sweden has confirmed the order of four Luleå-class frigates from Naval Group in a deal worth 4.3 billion euros, with detailed specifications now released. The ships will feature a mix of Swedish, French, and British systems, including a Bofors 57mm main gun and a 40mm secondary gun, replacing the French 76mm and 20mm systems. Saab Trackfire remote weapon stations are fitted instead of Narwhal cannons. Armament includes RBS15 anti-ship missiles and Torped 47 torpedoes, substituting Exocet and MU90. For air defense, the CAMM-ER missile is selected over Aster 15, and the Sea Giraffe 3D AESA X-band radar is added for littoral operations. Deliveries are scheduled from 2030 to 2034, with the first vessel named HMS Luleå (2030), followed by HMS Norrköping (2032), HMS Trelleborg (2033), and HMS Halmstad (2034). The contract was confirmed on August 31. Swedish Navy Chief Admiral Johan Norlén emphasized the frigates' role in Baltic Sea control and NATO interoperability, with potential future integration of drones.