The Bank of England’s deputy governor Clare Lombardelli told BBC News that the new fiscal plan, anchored by energy‑price cuts and frozen rail fares, should shave roughly 0.5 % off inflation by next year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to price stability. Such measures aim to preserve household purchasing power while signalling fiscal prudence to markets.
BBC News
French Social Security Bill Passes by a Slim Margin
Libération reported that the PLFSS (budget of the Sécurité sociale) cleared the National Assembly with a narrow 13‑vote majority, a win for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu who negotiated concessions, including abandoning the proposal to double medical co‑payments. The vote underscores the fragility of coalition politics yet reflects a willingness to safeguard the welfare state.
Libération
La Croix
Australia Enforces Youth‑Only Social‑Media Ban
According to Al Jazeera, Australia has taken a decisive step to protect minors by prohibiting anyone under 16 from accessing ten major platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The policy reflects a broader governmental push for moral guardianship over digital environments, resonating with traditional concerns about youth exposure.
Al Jazeera (english)
Economy — Markets, Energy, and Digital Finance
Oil Prices Slip Amid Ukraine‑Russia Tensions and Fed Outlook
ABC News noted that crude settled lower for the second session, with WTI at $58.25 and Brent at $61.94, as traders weighed the uncertain outcome of Russia‑Ukraine peace talks and awaited the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision, which could sway the dollar and oil demand. The dip illustrates the delicate balance between geopolitical risk and monetary policy.
ABC News
Bitcoin Surge Triggers Major French Bank’s Crypto Roll‑out
The BBC‑affiliated coverage in ABC News highlighted Bitcoin’s rise past $93,000, prompting BPCE to launch a retail crypto service offering Bitcoin, Solana, Ether, and USDC through its banking app—a move that blends traditional finance with emerging digital assets, aiming to capture a stable revenue stream.
ABC News
Wall Street Holds Its Breath Ahead of Fed Rate Decision
ABC News reported a modest decline in the Dow Jones and S&P 500 as investors await the Fed’s policy meeting, with mixed employment data suggesting a possible 0.25 % rate cut. Market participants are gauging whether the central bank will adopt an accommodative stance to sustain growth without igniting inflation.
ABC News
International — Diplomacy and Conflict Zones
Zelensky Seeks Papal and Italian Support in Rome
RFI detailed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s audience with Pope Leon XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic backing and dialogue on prisoner‑of‑war issues, especially concerning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The visit underscores Ukraine’s reliance on traditional alliances for legitimacy.
RFI
M23 Rebels Capture Strategic Town of Uvira Post‑Peace Accord
Libération reported that, days after a Rwanda‑DRC peace agreement, the M23 militia seized Uvira, a key eastern Congolese town, threatening the fragile ceasefire and highlighting the volatility that can follow diplomatic settlements. The development raises doubts about the durability of recent accords.
Libération
UAE‑Backed Forces Consolidate Control Over Southern Yemen
In a report by RFI, United Arab Emirates‑supported troops of the Southern Transitional Council took control of the Hadramaout governorate, expanding their hold over the south and altering the regional balance of power, a shift that could reshape future negotiations with Saudi‑backed forces.
RFI
La Croix revealed plans to merge the Carmelite seminary in Paris with the Saint‑Sulpice institution in Issy‑les‑Moulineaux, driven by dwindling enrolments and a desire to maintain high‑quality formation for future priests, a pragmatic step to sustain traditional religious education.
La Croix