Talks begin today towards sealing a controversial merger deal between state-owned gas producer Gaz de France and utility company Suez that would create a world energy leader and block a hostile bid from Italy.

France’s debt-ridden public finances are in a “very worrying” state, a government-commissioned report warned, urging the country’s leaders to balance the budget by 2010 at the latest.

French antitrust authorities slapped record fines on the country’s three mobile operators today after a four-year investigation found that Orange, SFR and Bouygues illegally shared sales data and conspired to undermine competition.

Electricite de France (EDF) is set to raise up to €7bn when it is partially privatised next week, it was announced today.

Residents from riot-torn suburbs were to march in Paris today – Armistice Day, marking the end of WWI – waving white handkerchiefs to call for an end to more than two weeks of violence.

European leaders called for relief from high oil prices this week, with Britain’s Treasury chief urging OPEC to increase production and the French president asking oil companies to further cut prices and boost investment in renewable energy.

France is planning a tax on airline tickets next year to help finance the global fight against poverty, President Jacques Chirac said today.

France Telecom, which owns UK mobile phone operator Orange, said today that it would cut 7,500 jobs in its home country this year.