France's left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon says the left is "ready to govern" after emerging as the largest political bloc in parliament. However, the country faces a political deadlock as no party won a clear majority. Discussions are underway to form the next government as the left-wing alliance won the most seats but not enough for an outright majority.

Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron calls a snap election following a bruising loss to the far-right in a European Parliament ballot.

France snap election

France's left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, has claimed readiness to govern after securing the largest political bloc in parliament. Despite this achievement, the country remains in political deadlock as no party has emerged with a clear majority. Discussions are ongoing to form the next government, with the left-wing bloc having won the most seats but falling short of an outright majority.

Newly elected assembly members faced questions from journalists, but definitive answers about the new government’s formation remain elusive. There is an anticipation of a transitional government managing immediate concerns, especially regarding the upcoming Olympic Games. Party leaders will now enter negotiations to form a governing coalition.

The left-wing alliance, composed of parties ranging from the far left to centre-left, has expressed its commitment to addressing key issues such as repealing the retirement age increase and raising the minimum wage. However, differences within the alliance, particularly about the selection of the next prime minister, present a challenge. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed, is vying for the prime ministerial position, a prospect some center-left members oppose.

For now, Gabrielle Attal retains the role of prime minister after President Emmanuel Macron declined his resignation. François Ruffin, a left-wing leader, emphasized the responsibility to meet public expectations amid a potentially volatile political climate. Marine Le Pen's far-right national rally, now the third-largest group in the assembly, may seek to exploit any instability for political gain.

President Macron's call for snap elections aimed to clarify France's political direction, but it resulted in further ambiguity. The electorate revealed their opposition but provided no clear mandate for governance. This leaves the presidency weakened and the prospect of a prolonged period of unstable government.



French left ‘ready to govern’ as country faces hung parliament

France's newly elected assembly members ran a gauntlet of journalists as they arrived to start their new jobs. But there were few definitive answers to questions about what the new government will look like or when it will take shape. I think there will be a period of a transitional government where immediate concerns will be managed by the ministers already in place. That's especially for the Olympic Games. After that it will take as long as it takes. You shouldn't be in a hurry when it comes to democracy. Party leaders will now start negotiations to see if a governing coalition can be formed. The surprise winners are the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, with the largest number of seats, but well short of a majority. It's fractious, made up of parties from the far left to centre-left. It wants to repeal the rise in the retirement age and increase the minimum wage. We have the responsibility at the New Popular Front to not disappoint the French people. We must hear the anger, the disappointment, but also the mistrust of a certain number of voters, those who did not come to the polls, including those who cast their vote for the far right. Gabrielle Attal will stay on as prime minister for now. President Emmanuel Macron turned down his offer to resign. The left-wing alliance will be tested by who they want to succeed Attal as prime minister. Leader of the far left, France unbowed, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has his eye on that prize, but many on the centre-left would find that unacceptable. One of the leaders of the left, François Ruffin, said it perfectly well. He said the French gave us another chance, which means that if there is no improvement in the political climate in the next few months, then it will be Marine Le Pen winning the following time. And that's a very serious threat on the political climate in France. The far right national rally is down, but not out. It's now the third largest group in the assembly. Its parliamentary leader, Marine Le Pen, could seek to capitalise on any political instability. Emmanuel Macron called the snap elections to provide clarification for France. The opposite happened. The French people showed what they are against, but not what they are for. The presidency is weakened, and months, perhaps longer, of unstable government lies ahead. Bernard Smith, Al Jazeera, Paris.

The funeral proceedings of the late football players Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva took place in the church of Gondomar in their hometown in the east of Porto. Family members, teammates and coaches joined thousands of mourners to pay their final respects.

Gondomar

Thousands gather to bid farewell to Liverpool's Diogo Jota

McMahon's most recent projects included Netflix's whodunit "The Residence" and the Nicolas Cage drama "The Surfer," which premiered earlier in the year at SXSW.

Melbourne

Australian-American actor Julian McMahon dies, 56

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing as U.S President Donald Trump looks to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel has previously accepted the US proposal, meanwile Hamas has "submitted a positive response" to the mediators.

Doha

Middle East Conflict

Israeli hostage negotiation team to fly to Doha to hold talks with Hamas

A forestry worker injured in a wildfire in the western Turkish province of Izmir has died from his injuries, raising the death toll in recent days from the fires to three, as emergency crews also continued to battle a blaze in a province bordering Syria.

Hatay

Turkiye’s wildfires declared national emergency

Search and rescue operations continued overnight after flash floods slammed central Texas, killing dozens, officials said. More than 20 children are still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp hit by the floods, the Kerr County sheriff said.

Kerrville

Rescues continue in central Texas after deadly flash floods

Officials in the U.S. state of Texas say at least 13 people have died in overnight flash floods after torrential rains triggered an overflow of the Guadalupe River. Nearly 20 children attending a summer camp in the south-central area are missing.

Kerr County

Deadly Texas floods: Search efforts underway for missing children

Türkiye has been battling wildfires for more than a week, with its western province of Izmir among the hardest hit. Thousands have been forced to flee as flames threaten homes and villages.

Ödemiş

Turkiye wildfires: At least two dead as fires burn for eighth day

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Jerusalem

Hamas says it is  'positive' about latest ceasefire proposal

President Trump brought pomp and circumstance to his signing of the "big, beautiful bill" on Friday, with an Independence Day ceremony at the White House that included a B-2 bomber flyover.

Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump signs "big, beautiful bill" as tariff deadline looms

Heavy rainfall in central Texas caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and unleash a torrent of water. The bodies of at least 13 children and adults have been recovered and more than 20 girls are missing from a sleepaway camp.

Floods kill at least 13 in Texas, over 20 missing from summer camp

The talk comes a day after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine, Iran and other issues in a call the Kremlin described as "frank and constructive."

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy, Trump agree on joint defense efforts in phone call

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

See The Full Story