French high school students are subject to a new ban on mobile phones as they return to classes for the 2026-09-01 academic year. ^[1] Electric vehicles, including hydrogen models, accounted for 38% of new car registrations in August 2026. ^[2] New car sales in France rose by 2.3% year-on-year in August to 94,351 units, according to the Automobile Industry Platform (PFA). ^[3] European and US long-term government bond yields increased on Monday, with the German ten-year yield rising 37 basis points to 3.313% and the French ten-year yield rising 37 basis points to 4.161%. ^[4] Child sex abuse scandals are looming over France as the school year begins. ^[5] France is preparing for the start of the school year as pupils head back to classrooms. ^[6] The mobile phone ban is intended to reduce distractions and improve student focus within the classroom environment. ^[7] The increase in electric vehicle sales followed the launch of the third phase of a social leasing program on July 16, 2026, aimed at households with lower incomes. ^[8] Germany released preliminary inflation figures for August showing the consumer price index rose 2.9% year-over-year, compared to 2.8% in July. ^[9] The United States and Iran conducted reciprocal strikes in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in weeks. ^[10] US Treasury yields rose following comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, with the ten-year yield increasing 34 basis points to 4.752% and the thirty-year yield up 48 basis points to 5.254%. ^[11] The current market level is approximately 10% lower than the average for August during the 2010-2019 period prior to the pandemic. ^[12]