President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new 35-member government Sunday after talks to break a political deadlock. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s second cabinet includes key figures like Jean-Noel Barrot (foreign affairs), Catherine Vautrin (defense), and Laurent Nunez (interior).

Paris

France's president has announced a new cabinet lineup following Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's second attempt to form a government. Most key ministers, including those for justice, foreign affairs, finance, and culture, have retained their posts. The appointment of Rachida Dati as culture minister has created tension within the Republicans party, which opposes its members participating in the government. New appointments include Laurent Nunez as interior minister and Catherine Vautrin as defence minister. The reshuffle comes as the government faces pressure to resolve political deadlock and present a budget, with opposition parties already planning motions of no-confidence.

France's president unveils new cabinet lineup

As was the case last week, the French waited until Sunday evening to find out the composition of the new government. It marks Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's second attempt to form a cabinet as he faces pressure to break months of political deadlock and produce a budget. A majority of the top jobs remain unchanged. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barraud and Finance Minister Roland Lescure all kept their roles. Culture Minister Rachida Dati also retained her post, which may pose a dilemma for her party, the Republicans, which had nominated her as a candidate for mayor of Paris in 2026. After voting against its members participating in the government, the Republicans announced that those who accepted their nominations as ministers could no longer claim to be members of the Conservative Party. Among the new appointments is incoming Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, head of the Paris police, who replaces Bruno Retailleau, the leader of the Republicans. Another new appointment is that of former Labour Minister Catherine Vautrin, who has been named defence minister. It's a line-up that the Prime Minister, who was reappointed on Friday after resigning last Monday, is pinning his hopes on. A mission-driven government has been appointed to provide France with a budget before the end of the year. I would like to thank the women and men who have freely committed themselves to this government, putting aside personal and partisan interests. Only one thing matters, the interests of our country. But not everyone is happy with the choices. The far-right National Rally announced it would file a motion of no-confidence on Monday, as did the hard-left France unbowed. Meanwhile, the leader of the Socialists, Olivier Faure, stated no comment on social media. With the new team tasked with presenting a 2026 draft budget in the coming hours, the pressure is on.

U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted in Tel Aviv with cheers and a military ceremony as he met families of hostages held in Gaza and addressed Israel's parliament. He now travels to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to join world leaders in discussions on Gaza's future.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Trump meets with Israeli leaders and hostage families

Twenty living hostages were released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity as a ceasefire continues to hold. Families in Israel describe emotional reunions while others continue to await confirmation about missing relatives.

Families reunite as ceasefire brings hostages, prisoners home

Israeli officials have confirmed that all 20 living captives have been released in Gaza.

Israel confirms all 20 living captives in Gaza have been released

The carefully choreographed Israel-Hamas exchange is underway, with Israel set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners following the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza. Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

Israel-Hamas swap begins as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release

Following his visit to Israel, President Trump will stop in Egypt to co-host a major summit in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The meeting will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss efforts toward peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Donald Trump to co-host chair Gaza peace summit in Egypt

The French presidency announced Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's new cabinet line-up on Sunday (October 12), with most top jobs remaining unchanged at a time when opponents are demanding a political shift to win their support for urgent budget talks.

French presidency unveils new cabinet as budget pressure intensifies

Seven captives have been handed over to the Red Cross, who will facilitate their transfer to Israeli forces.

Israeli military says Red Cross has received 7 captives in Gaza

On his way to the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he expects the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to hold, despite concerns Hamas won’t abide by the deal.

Washington

Trump says the 'war is over', Gaza rebuild to start immediately

China on Sunday (October 12) called U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical and defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, but stopped short of imposing new levies on U.S. products.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

Beijing blames U.S. for trade tensions, defends rare earth curbs

Afghanistan and Pakistan said they killed dozens of each other's troops during a night of heavy border clashes between the two countries. Afghanistan's Taliban forces launched attacks on Pakistani troops along their shared border in what it called "retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul".

Chaman

Border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan leave dozens dead

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an address by U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel's parliament.

Ceasefire holds in Gaza ahead of hostage release, Trump visit

Zelenskyy called Trump for a second consecutive day to discuss defence and Ukraine's energy sector. It comes as Russia further intensifies its attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure ahead of its harsh winter.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy has second call with Trump amid Russian strikes

On Sunday, the minister of armed forces in Madagascar acknowledged an officer selected by a military group supporting demonstrators calling for President Andry Rajoelina to resign as the country's new army chief.

Antananarivo

Madagascar’s president says coup underway

With a trade war between the U.S. and China intensifying ahead of a Nov. 1 tariff deadline, there’s growing concern Beijing will use Taiwan as a bargaining chip.

Taipei City

Growing fear China will use Taiwan to bargain with U.S.

In a televised address ahead of the planned release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity despite ongoing divisions.

Netanyahu urges Israel put aside ‘differences’ with Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Democrats for his decision to lay off thousands of workers across the U.S. government as he followed through on his threat to cut the federal workforce during the government shutdown.

Trump lays off thousands of U.S. government workers amid shutdown

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv as 48 of the last remaining hostages are expected home after two years of the Israel-Hamas war. The crowd cheered Donald Trump as the peace deal's broker but there were jeers for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tel Aviv braces for hostage release planned for Monday

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather films, died Saturday at the age of 79, according to U.S. media reports. Entertainment journalist Johanna Schneller remembers Keaton as 'feisty and funny'.

Hollywood

Oscar winner Diane Keaton dead at 79

Former President Biden is now receiving radiation and hormone therapy to treat his prostate cancer, an aide said. The cancer is considered aggressive.

Biden receiving radiation, hormone therapy to treat aggressive cancer

It is unclear how many people were inside the Tennessee plant that exploded on Friday, but at least 16 people were reported on Saturday. Sheriff Chris Davis announced that there are no survivors. Nicole Valdes reports.

Tennessee

No survivors in Tennessee plant explosion, sheriff says

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in London marked two years since the War in Gaza. However, the British government has seen enough. Haley Ott reports that police have been given sweeping powers to curb repeated demonstrations.

London

British Parliament designates Palestine Action a terrorist organization

Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has addressed hundreds of thousands of Israelis in what's known as “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv. Witkoff hailed President Donald Trump for securing the ceasefire. The crowd was less receptive to his praise for Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. envoy booed for praising Netanyahu at Tel Aviv rally

A ceasefire is in effect between Hamas and Israel after just over two years of war. An exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinians held prisoner is set to take place in the coming days, and U.S President Donald Trump is set to visit the region on Monday.

Trump set to visit Middle East as peace plan take effect

The families of hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 are eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones. The peace deal between Israel and Hamas would see the hostages returned within 72 hours of its implementation Friday.

Families of hostages in Gaza await their release

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's had phone calls with Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump about defence and energy infrastructure. Russian strikes have led to widespread blackouts in Ukraine.

Trump holds call with Zelenskyy after Russian strikes

Gaza City lies in devastation — returning Palestinians find their homes reduced to rubble and familiar streets erased. It comes after a U.S-brokered peace deal came into effect.

Sderot

Gaza City in ruins as Palestinians return to find only rubble

About 200 U.S. troops have begun arriving in Israel to set up a coordination center aimed at facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid, as well as logistical and security assistance into Gaza. They are not expected to enter the territory.

Jerusalem

U.S. troops arriving in Israel to oversee Gaza ceasefire

North Korea has displayed one of its latest intercontinental ballistic missiles at a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang. Leader Kim Jong Un and senior officials from China, Russia and Vietnam were in attendance.

Pyongyang

North Korean weapons on display at Pyongyang parade

President Donald Trump says the U.S. will reimpose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports after Beijing curbed exports of rare-earth minerals, ending months of trade calm.

Trump revives U.S.-China trade war with new tariffs

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for keeping "the flame of democracy burning amid growing darkness." Machado opened up to CBS News about her decades of fighting for fair elections in an exclusive interview while in hiding.

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