Canada is trying to salvage its relationship with Mexico after falling out with Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is working urgently to mend strained ties with Mexico, after relations collapsed late last year when Canadian offi...
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has unveiled a sweeping budget plan that includes scrapping two public holidays—Easter Monday and 8 May, which marks Victory in Europe Day—to tackle the country’s growing debt crisis.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has warned lawmakers that France faces a “mortal danger” as public debt grows by about €5,000 every second. He criticised the many public holidays in May, saying they harm economic productivity, and urged the nation to work harder to stabilise finances.
Bayrou’s plan is part of a wider effort to reduce public spending by nearly €44 billion. It includes cutting two public holidays—Easter Monday and 8 May—freezing public sector hiring, removing tax breaks for pensioners and businesses, and introducing a new tax on the wealthiest. At the same time, defence spending will increase by €3.5 billion in 2026 and another €3 billion in 2027, following President Emmanuel Macron’s call to strengthen national security amid global challenges.
France’s budget deficit reached 5.8% of GDP in 2024, exceeding the EU’s 3% limit. The government aims to reduce it to 4.6% next year and meet the EU target by 2029.
The holiday cuts have drawn strong criticism. The far-right National Rally condemned the move as an attack on French history and workers. Left-wing parties and unions argue it threatens social rights and national heritage.
Bayrou’s government is fragile, with a divided parliament and the threat of a no-confidence vote this autumn. If the budget fails to pass, President Macron may have to appoint a technocratic government or face political deadlock.
Despite opposition, Bayrou insists the reforms are needed to avoid a financial crisis such as Greece’s long austerity period.
“We still have time, but urgent action is needed,” he said.
The budget will be debated in parliament in the coming months, with Bayrou’s political future uncertain.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
Chinese automaker Chery has denied an industry-ministry audit that disqualified more than $53 million in state incentives for thousands of its electric and hybrid vehicles, insisting it followed official guidance and committed no fraud.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is working urgently to mend strained ties with Mexico, after relations collapsed late last year when Canadian officials indicated a preference for pursuing a U.S. trade deal without Mexico.
U.S. President Donald Trump should proceed with imposing additional sanctions on Russia, as they could help bring the war in Ukraine to an end, Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on Friday in a Reuters NEXT Newsmaker interview.
Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a new military plan to take control of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in its nearly two-year conflict with Hamas and raising alarm among humanitarian agencies over the deepening crisis for civilians in the enclave.
Russia and Ukraine have traded fresh strikes amid mounting international pressure to end the ongoing conflict, as the Kremlin confirms that President Vladimir Putin will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived in the UK for a working visit with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, as political tensions and protests loom over U.S. foreign policy.
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