
HUNDREDS of thousands took to the streets on Saturday, responding to a call from France’s alliance of left-wing parties, who have condemned the appointment of a conservative new prime minister, Michel Barnier, as a power grab.
More than 150 protests across the country challenged President Emmanuel Macron’s decision not to appoint a PM from the far-left bloc following July’s indecisive national assembly election.
The left, particularly communists (PCF) and the France Unbowed party, view Mr Barnier’s appointment as rejecting the electorate’s will after their alliance, the New Popular Front, topped the poll.

A chance find when clearing out our old office led us to renew a friendship across 5,000 miles and almost nine decades of history, explains ROGER McKENZIE

ROGER McKENZIE argues that the BRI represents a choice between treating humans as commodities or as equals — an essential project when, aside from China’s efforts, hundreds of millions worldwide are trapped in poverty

The colonial mindset behind the governance of the UN is the reason for its inertia when it comes to conflict resolution, argues ROGER McKENZIE – but can China’s Global Governance Initiative point in a new direction of global equality?