Deep Dive
Who is France's new Prime Minister?
François Bayrou, a long-standing ally of Emmanuel Macron and leader of the centrist Democratic Movement Party.
Why did Macron appoint a new Prime Minister?
Macron was forced to appoint a new Prime Minister after Michel Barnier was toppled by the gridlocked National Assembly, leaving France without a budget for 2025.
How long did Michel Barnier serve as Prime Minister?
Michel Barnier served for 90 days, making him France's shortest-serving Prime Minister.
What challenges does François Bayrou face as Prime Minister?
Bayrou must find a long-term budget solution and convince hostile parties to refrain from toppling his government, which is complicated by his close ties to Macron.
What did Joe Biden's clemency grant include?
Biden commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern US history.
Why did Biden grant clemency to 1,500 people?
The White House stated that these individuals were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.
What is the current situation in Georgia regarding protests?
Mass protests have been ongoing for over two weeks due to contested election results, with heavy police violence reported and over 400 protesters arrested.
What caused the protests in Georgia?
The protests were sparked by allegations of vote rigging in favor of the ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream Party during the October 26 election.
What is the latest economic news for the UK?
The UK's GDP unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% in October, marking the first back-to-back decline since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
What sectors contributed to the UK's GDP decline in October?
Services showed no growth, while production and construction fell, and sectors like oil and gas extraction, pubs, restaurants, and retail experienced weak performance.
What is Tokyo's plan for a four-day working week?
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to introduce a four-day working week for its employees starting April 2025 to address Japan's low birth rate and make child-rearing more feasible.
Why is Japan implementing a four-day working week?
Japan is facing an unprecedented fertility crisis, with a fertility rate of 1.3 and a projected birth rate below 700,000 in 2024, the lowest since records began in 1899.
- François Bayrou appointed as France's fourth Prime Minister in 2024
- Political crisis due to a divided National Assembly
- Challenge of securing a budget for 2025
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