Leaders of France's Socialist Party met with new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday, seeking to get big concessions on the budget in talks that could shape the final stretch of President Emmanuel Macron's second term.

Paris

France is experiencing widespread strikes across key sectors, including transportation, education, energy, and health, as citizens protest proposed budget cuts aimed at reducing national debt. The strikes are expected to cause significant disruptions, particularly in the Paris region, where up to 80% of metro services could be affected and a large proportion of teachers are expected to walk out.

The unrest comes as President Emmanuel Macron appoints Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister, a move that has further fueled public dissatisfaction. Multiple labor unions have announced coordinated protests, marking the first such joint action since the pension reform strikes in 2023.

France’s new prime minister faces bumpy ride with nationwide strikes

With many French citizens fuming about plans for severe budget cuts to rein in the nation's debt September 18th is expected to be what's called in French a Jeudi Noir or a Black Thursday with strikes disrupting multiple sectors across the country. Be it in the transportation, education, energy or health sectors many French citizens have already given their notice. They'll be coming out in force at hundreds of planned protests. In primary schools, one-third to 45% of teachers are expected to strike. For parents, that means having to find a plan B. Remote work, there is no choice but work from home and watch the kids. We made arrangements. We're lucky to have the grandparents in the Paris region. So she'll be welcomed with open arms by grandma. As for transportation, it's the Paris region that may be hit hardest. Some 80% of the capital's metros could be disrupted. Except for the automated lines, no trains are expected to run except for during rush hour. Scores of drivers have already said they'll be striking. 91.3% have said they're striking. That's a huge score and it's true we got people mobilized in record time. It's proof of the disgruntlement of our colleagues and the French people in general. Outside Paris, only one in three TER or regional trains and one in two intercity ones are forecast. While most of the high-speed TGV trains are expected to run. Airports may see some disruptions but the main air traffic control union said they'll strike at another time. With anger running high over Emmanuel Macron's choosing a close ally, Sébastien Lecornu, as his new prime minister. And over the still-on-the-table budget cuts, over half a dozen labor unions have said they'll be marching together. A first since 2023 and the pension reform strikes.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the U.S. and Beijing "have larger agendas to work out" after media reports of China's internet regulator ordering top tech firms to halt purchases of the American company's AI chips and cancel existing orders.

Beijing

China tells tech firms to stop buying Nvidia's AI chips, FT reports

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it lowered interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, its first rate cut since December 2024. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady has more.

Washington

Fed cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

Large-scale protests took place in central London in response to Trump’s state visit, with demonstrators highlighting his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Trump's historic UK state visit met with protests in Windsor

On the same day a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding emphatically denied by Israeli officials.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that foreign laboratory tests on biological samples obtained from her husband showed that he was poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya says foreign tests show her husband was poisoned

Prosecutors formally changed Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and said they intend to seek the death penalty. Authorities also revealed exchanges between Robinson and his roommate.

Utah County

Prosecutors formally charge Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle and were greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has the latest.

Windsor

Trump greeted by British royal family at Windsor Castle

The eyes of the global financial markets are on the US Federal Reserve. It's expected to be cut later on Wednesday, around a quarter-point. But US President Donald Trump has called repeatedly for much steeper rate cuts.

Global markets watch as Trump challenges Fed independence

The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

New York

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

Trump begins state visit to London amid rising political tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

Trump announces second U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

Charlie Kirk’s killing prompts broad threats from Trump administration

The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

What to know about Rubio's trip to Israel, Qatar summit

President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

Trump announces second strike on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

Arab, Islamic leaders meet in Qatar after Israeli attack on Hamas

HBO's medical drama, "The Pitt" beat out heavily-favored Apple TV's "Severance" for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Apple TV's "The Studio" walked away with 13 awards and broke the Emmy record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season.

Los Angeles

"The Pitt," "The Studio," and "Adolescence" win big at Emmy Awards

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials amid the nation's recent strike in Doha, Qatar, and intensified attacks in Northern Gaza.

Israel hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched through London in a rally billed as in support of free speech. Many of the chants and speeches at the rally, which was organized by a far-right activist, were protesting against immigration.

Thousands in London march in rally organized by far-right activist

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Separately, Caracas said 18 armed U.S. Navy personnel raided a tuna boat sailing in Venezuelan waters.

San Juan

U.S. sends jets to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

Trump calls on NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, as Israel intensified its attacks against northern Gaza. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Marco Rubio visits Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire talks

NATO announced plans to beef up the defense of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Warsaw

Ukraine Invasion

NATO bolsters its eastern flank after Russian drones hit Poland

Protests broke out in Chicago on Saturday against President Trump's immigration crackdown. A group of Catholic clergy led what they called a "People's Mass" outside the Great Lakes Naval Base. The base will also be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a staging area for deportations.

Breakdown