Versailles features in G7 diplomacy and Franco-US diplomacy, highlighting France’s historic seat of power and its role in shaping global governance.
At Evian-les-Bains, G7 leaders press Trump to help break deadlock over Ukraine while eyeing renewed sanctions on Russia and pursuing a broader Iran endgame. Zelenskyy attends sessions on Ukraine; Macron seeks consensus and European autonomy amid tensions over U.S. engagement and Iran diplomacy.
Hospitals are facing renewed scrutiny as patients report poor-quality meals and high levels of waste, with costs rising despite longstanding standards and programmes meant to elevate nutrition in NHS catering.
SoftBank has announced a €75bn plan to build AI data centres in northern France and to develop up to 5GW of capacity by 2031. Governments and companies are tightening domestic energy plans in response, prompting talks on interconnectors, local refineries and nuclear or modular-reactor options to meet the data centres’ huge electricity demand.
Israeli strikes have continued in southern Lebanon despite a US‑Iran interim deal that includes a Lebanon ceasefire. Lebanese state media and health officials have reported multiple strikes, deaths and injuries; Hezbollah and Iran have warned of responses. Israeli officials have said troops will remain in southern Lebanon and have not accepted withdrawal terms tied to the deal.
Trump will attend a dinner with Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains. The events center on Ukraine and Iran, with Trump set for bilateral talks with European leaders and others including Qatar, UAE, Egypt and India.
France hosts a high-profile Versailles dinner to coax President Trump to stay through the G7, aiming to cement Ukraine sanctions and a united stance against Russia, while Macron seeks to project EU strategic autonomy amid domestic headwinds.