France's PM Barnier appoints new government in shift to right

FRANCE 24

21 September 2024 at 1:42 pm·1-min read

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Saturday unveiled his new government after months of political deadlock in the wake of inconclusive snap elections. The cabinet line-up marks a shift to the right as left-wing protesters took to the streets for a second round of demonstrations. Read FRANCE 24’s live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded.

Summary:

The French presidential palace unveiled a new centre-right government Saturday, more than two months after elections that produced a hung parliament and deepened political divisions as France grapples with economic and diplomatic challenges.

The government, led by conservative Michel Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, will face the tough task of having to plug a gaping hole in public finances, which could involve having to decide on politically toxic tax rises.
The 39-member Cabinet includes primarily ministers from Macron's centrist alliance and the conservative Republicans.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
The long political career of France's new prime minister, Michel Barnier
Critics blast new French PM Barnier for having twice voted against gay rights
French PM Barnier says he will defend key Macron policies, toughen stance on immigration

Sky News
Hezbollah was either lucky or knew how to inflict maximum damage - either way it's deeply worrying for Israel
For two weeks Israel has scored stunning successes against Hezbollah and made steady progress. Last night its enemy struck back with remarkable accuracy and timing. The soldiers had been sitting down for their evening meal when the drone struck a military base in the northern town of Binyamina.
Malay Mail
What inheritance tax? Loke says not once discussed by Cabinet, tells DAP MPs to ‘get facts right’
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Transport Minister and DAP secretary general Anthony Loke today shot down news reports that the A...
Reuters
Lessons from Iran missile attacks for defending against China's advanced arsenal
Iran's missile barrage this month against Israel, after a similar large-scale attack in April, shows the value, as well as the shortcomings, of U.S. and allied missile defences in a potential Indo-Pacific conflict with China, analysts say. Although differences between the two scenarios limit the lessons that can be learnt, the nearly 400 missiles of different types that Iran has fired at Israel this year offer the United States and China some idea of what works and what does not. For Washington, the main takeaway from Iran's Oct. 1 attacks - the largest sample yet of ballistic missiles fired against modern defences - could be that Beijing's missiles would be more difficult to intercept than Iran's and that the ability to strike back would be needed to deter a mass attack, said Collin Koh of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
People
Donald Trump Calls Kamala Harris the R-Word at Dinner with Billionaire Donors: Report
The former president reportedly lashed out about donors not appreciating him at the dinner, according to 'The New York Times'
The Telegraph
Hezbollah fleeing Israeli ground assault without putting up a fight
Hezbollah militants are fleeing southern Lebanon, offering limited resistance to the Israeli ground invasion.
The Telegraph
‘Dad’s Army’ map of how to conquer Taiwan released by China
China has released a Dad’s Army-style animated map of a future takeover of Taiwan, while surrounding its islands with battleships and aircraft in a simulated invasion.
Malay Mail
ETS train to Ipoh late by two hours after passenger deliberately yanks emergency brake; KTMB warns of legal action
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — An intercity train to Ipoh, Perak that departed last night and was scheduled to reach its destina...
CNN
Reporter: ‘This seems to be the bloodiest attack on Israel’ away from frontlines since October 7
More than 60 people have been injured in a drone attack in Israel, according to first responders. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not release any details of the incident, saying only they had “intercepted” an unmanned aerial vehicle that was launched from Lebanon.
Malay Mail
‘Many desperate for help’: Samenta says positive economic indicators mask severe challenges as rising costs threaten Malaysian SMEs, urges govt support
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has cautioned that many SMEs a...
Sky News
An Israeli attack on Iran's oil bases could have massive repercussions - and may help Trump's chances of winning election
A high noon is coming in Israel's conflict with Iran, a ballistic missile showdown may be in the offing or perhaps something more asymmetrical and covert. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deciding how to retaliate for Iran's multiple rocket attack on 1 October this year. In a video address on Sunday morning, Benjamin Netanyahu warned his ministers: "Talk little, do a lot."
Malay Mail
Four Bills to watch out for in the last Dewan Rakyat sitting of 2024: Two on online safety as scams and cyberbullies spike, one for gig workers, and one on citizenship
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The third meeting of the third session of the 15th Parliament kicks off today and runs till Decem...
Bloomberg
Singapore to start trial of opposition leader in lying scandal
Singapore’s opposition leader is set to start his trial on Monday for allegedly lying, potentially drawing more scrutiny on his party before a general election that must be held by next year.
CNN
4 Israeli soldiers killed, more than 60 people injured by Hezbollah drone in one of bloodiest attacks on Israel since Oct. 7
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed and more than 60 people injured in a Hezbollah drone attack on an army base in central-northern Israel, according to first responders and the Israeli military.
Associated Press
Hezbollah's drones are a fierce and evasive threat to Israel
One of the worst mass casualty strikes on Israel in a year of war came not from dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles nor the repeated barrages of rocket fire launched by Hamas and Hezbollah. The unmanned aerial vehicle, laden with explosives, evaded Israel's multilayered air-defense system and slammed into a mess hall at a military training camp deep inside Israel, killing four soldiers and wounding dozens. It’s the latest achievement for Hezbollah’s drone fleet and has shined a light on Israel’s struggle over the past year of war to knock down unmanned aircraft incoming from as far away as Yemen, Iraq and Iran.
AFP News
Afghan Taliban vow to implement media ban on images of living things
Afghanistan's Taliban morality ministry pledged Monday to implement a law banning news media from publishing images of all living things, with journalists told the rule will be gradually enforced.The new law detailed several rules for news media, including banning the publication of images of all living things and ordering outlets not to mock or humiliate Islam, or contradict Islamic law.
Malay Mail
‘Enough is enough’: PM Anwar says political interference in judiciary a thing of the past
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The era of the government tampering with judicial independence for politics’ sake is over, Prime...
AFP News
China insists won't renounce 'use of force' to take Taiwan as drills end
China insisted on Monday it would never renounce the "use of force" to take control of Taiwan, after ending a day of military drills around the self-ruled island that Beijing said was a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces.Beijing said its exercises served as a "stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence' forces".
France 24
Canada and India expel top envoys in dispute over assassination of Sikh activist
Canada and India each expelled six diplomats on Monday, including their respective ambassadors, in tit-for-tat moves as part of an escalating dispute over the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada. India and Canada each expelled the other's ambassador and five other top diplomats, after New Delhi said its envoy had been named among "persons of interest" following the killing of a Sikh separatist leader.New Delhi said it was withdrawing its six diplomats from Canada, but Ottawa sai
The Hill
Johnson: US is in ‘most dangerous situation since World War II’
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in an interview Sunday that the U.S. is in “the most dangerous situation since World War II,” citing the economy, global tensions and the southern border. “Everywhere I go, Kristen — and I go to blue states, and blue districts, swing districts — that the No. 1 concern on…
The Telegraph
How ‘tree-hugging’ Hezbollah duped the UN in southern Lebanon
United Nations peacekeepers supposed to keep Hezbollah from Israel’s border have instead been outmanoeuvred and intimidated into allowing the militant group to build up extensive military might, their critics claim.

Summary:

Latest stories