Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended a ceremony on Saturday marking the start of construction for a new $167 billion mega dam project in Tibet. The project aims to boost the national economy as well as increase the country's capacity to produce clean energy, but it raises risks to biodiversity and to relations with India. Also in this edition, we look at the success of Barcelona's tourist tax scheme.

US Senate Republicans have voted to cut $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid – a victory for US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised PBS and NPR. Meanwhile, Trump is scaling up his pressure campaign against Fed Chair Jerome Powell and taking credit for an ingredient swap at Coca-Cola. 

Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that it was "unlikely" he would fire the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, after reportedly floating the idea to Republican lawmakers. The US president has repeatedly criticised Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates fast enough, but is constrained in his ability to dismiss him. Also in this edition, Brazil calls for "urgent talks" with Washington over looming 50 percent tariffs that are set to take effect on August 1.

The US Bureau of Labor of Statistics will be releasing its June inflation data this Tuesday, with economists forecasting a slight uptick in consumer prices because of the impact of tariffs. FRANCE 24 spoke to Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP, about the impact of import duties on US inflation. Also in this edition: the French government considers a spending freeze in a bid to find €40 billion in savings and cut the deficit.

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping new round of tariffs targeting eight countries, with Brazil hit the hardest. The move, which comes despite a US trade surplus with the South American giant, raises economic and political tensions as the August 1 implementation date looms. Meanwhile in corporate news, Nvidia has become the first publicly traded company to surpass a $4 trillion valuation, overtaking the size of France's entire GDP.

US e-commerce giant Amazon has expanded its "Prime Day" promotional event this year to four days, in a bid to give shoppers "more time to shop and save". US President Donald Trump's global trade war has increased the threat of higher prices for US shoppers. While forecasts show another record year for sales, other indicators are highlighting cautious consumer sentiment. Also in this edition: Trump's 50 percent tariff threat on all copper imports could hurt global producers like Zambia.

US President Donald Trump announces a 50% tariff on copper after sending tariff letters to 14 different trading partners. Also, Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026. Plus, France's parliament approves a controversial bill on agriculture which brings back a pesticide that was banned in 2020.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced new "reciprocal" tariffs on 14 countries that would come into effect on August 1 unless a deal was struck before then. Japan and South Korea vowed to pursue negotiations with Washington – as did South Africa – but promised to defend their national interests, setting the stage for difficult talks. Also in this edition, the BRICS summit wraps up in Brazil, with Trump making headlines there too.

US President Donald Trump has sent letters to several countries dictating new tariffs that will be implemented on August 1. Also, France's poverty rate has surged to its highest level on record. Plus, one of the world's largest Legolands has opened its doors to tourists in Shanghai.

A walkout by French air traffic controllers is causing major disruptions to summer travel, impacting not just French airports but also the country's airspace. Next, the US House of Representatives has passed Donald Trump's sweeping budget bill, stripping millions of Americans of food benefits. Plus, France's antitrust agency is fining fast-fashion retailer Shein €40 million for deceptive business practices.