Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Ecuador Backs U.S. Sinking of Vessels in Pacific Anti-Drug Operation 
U.S. Issues Cuba Health Alert as Illnesses Rise 
Australia Plans New Rules Giving Users Control Over Social Media Feeds 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Yen Rebounds as BOJ Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
Trump’s Arlington Arch Project Faces New Court Restrictions 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Drone Attack 
Trump Peace Envoys Meet Zelenskiy in Kyiv After Putin Talks 
Sara Duterte Posts Bail Over Grave Threats Case 
Flavio Bolsonaro Rallies Brazil Opposition Ahead of Election 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Add as a preferred source on Google
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faces mounting pressure to form a new government before Monday’s crucial budget deadline, as political divisions deepen within France’s conservative Les Republicains (LR) party. The reappointed leader must present a draft budget bill to cabinet and parliament amid one of France’s most turbulent political moments in decades.
Internal rifts have shaken the LR party, whose executive body declared that “the trust and conditions are not in place” to join Lecornu’s cabinet. However, many LR lawmakers reportedly favor accepting ministerial roles to influence the national budget, according to Le Monde. The tension underscores the fragile alliances Lecornu must navigate to secure support for his government.
Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a key LR figure, has laid out firm conditions for participation—chief among them the maintenance of President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64. Barnier insisted that LR’s support depends on commitments to deficit reduction, pension reform, security, and competitiveness. His stance clashes with left-wing parties, who demand the reform’s suspension.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure warned that his party would move to topple the government unless the pension reform is scrapped. Meanwhile, centrist UDI expressed conditional support without joining the cabinet, and Macron’s ally Horizons refused to back any government that upholds the pension law.
Lecornu hinted at possible compromise, saying “all debates are possible as long as they are realistic.” He must now craft a credible plan to reduce France’s budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to around 4.7%-5% in 2025. Failure to form a cabinet or secure parliamentary backing could force France into temporary emergency spending measures, echoing last year’s political stalemate.
With just hours remaining, Lecornu’s promise of a “renewal and diversity” cabinet remains unfulfilled—leaving France’s political future hanging in the balance.
