In a series of significant global developments, Michel Barnier has been appointed as France's new prime minister, the world's first artificial intelligence treaty has been signed, and China has increased its funding for African projects.
Michel Barnier, at 73, has become the oldest prime minister in modern French history. His appointment comes after more than 50 days of a caretaker government following snap elections in July 2024 that resulted in a hung parliament. Barnier, a conservative Les Républicains lawmaker and former European Commissioner, faces the challenging task of forming a government that can survive in a fragmented political landscape.
The French National Assembly, with its 577 seats, is currently divided among various political factions. President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party and Barnier's Les Républicains, along with their allies, hold 213 seats, falling short of the 289 needed for an outright majority. This situation has forced Macron to rely on support from the far-right National Rally party, led by Jordan Bardella, to secure Barnier's appointment.
"The election was stolen from the French people"
The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition, which won the most seats in the July elections, has vowed to oppose Barnier's appointment. This political deadlock comes at a critical time, with the deadline for submitting the 2025 national budget approaching and the French people returning to work from their summer break.
In international news, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel have signed the world's first legally binding artificial intelligence treaty. This agreement, adopted in May 2024 under the direction of the Council of Europe, requires signatories to implement safeguards against AI threats that could violate human rights or the rule of law. The treaty is separate from the EU AI Act, which entered into force in June 2024 and is considered the world's first comprehensive AI law.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to increase China's funding for projects in Africa by nearly $51 billion over the next three years. This commitment includes $30 billion in credit lines and approximately $10 billion in fresh investments. China has been Africa's largest trading partner since 2009, with bilateral trade reaching $282 billion in 2023.
In Haiti, a state of emergency has been expanded nationwide due to escalating gang violence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country to discuss efforts to hold national elections and support a Kenyan-led security force. Haiti, with a population of about 11.4 million, has been grappling with severe security and humanitarian challenges since gaining independence from France in 1804.
On a lighter note, a unique dating trend has emerged in Spain. Single individuals are visiting Mercadona supermarkets, Spain's largest chain, at 7 p.m., placing exotic fruits like pineapples in their carts to signal their availability. This creative approach to finding love comes as Spain reports one of the highest rates of single-person households in Europe, and global online dating app revenues reached approximately $5.61 billion in 2023.