PROVENCE, France (Reuters) -France is missing out on the investor optimism that has defined Europe's markets this year, hamstrung by its strained public finances and political volatility that threatens to paralyse policy until at least 2027.

The first weeks of summer have been cruel for Europe with two heat waves leaving much of the continent under heat warnings. June was the hottest on record for western Europe.

France looks to build off an impressive win when they go up against Wales in UEFA Women’s European Championship action on Wednesday.

The European Court of Human Rights has delivered damning judgments against Russia. In finding published on Wednesday, the court said Moscow was responsible for widespread violations of international law — from the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014,

This summer in Paris, a sunset cigarette under the Eiffel Tower could come with an unexpected price tag. Starting July 1, France has banned smoking in all outdoor areas frequented by children

Britain and France are to order more Storm Shadow missiles, as they step up work to replace the weapon as part of a refreshed defence pact. Storm Shadow, or as the French call it SCALP, is a long-range missile which has been supplied by both the British and French to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says Russia could pose a security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade and that defense industries in Europe and Ukraine must be ramped up.

A fast-moving wildfire reached the outskirts of Marseille, France’s second-largest city, on Tuesday, leading its airport to be shut down, with residents told to stay indoors and shut all openings to be safe from the smoke.