French PM pressures divided parliament to pass contested 2026 budget

Boualem Sansal, the Franco-Algerian writer, made his first public appearance on France 2 after spending a year in detention in Algeria. During the interview, he expressed concerns about speaking freely due to potential reprisals against his family.

Ouaihid Ben Faiza, a notorious drug lord in France, has been granted daytime release from a high-security prison for work purposes, returning to prison at night. This decision has raised significant controversy due to his history of escape and serious criminal activities, prompting criticism from prison unions and the Justice Minister, while his lawyer argues it supports his reintegration into society.

England faced Argentina in their final match of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, with Argentina coming off a strong performance after defeating Wales and Scotland earlier in the tournament. The match was anticipated as a key contest to conclude the series for both teams.

Officials from the United States, Ukraine, and European nations, including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, convened in Geneva to discuss a proposed peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This meeting comes amid reports of a new 28-point peace plan drafted by the US and Russia, which has sparked significant debate regarding its implications for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Senior officials from the United States, Ukraine, and national security advisers from France, the UK, and Germany convened in Geneva to discuss a revised proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth year. The meeting focuses on reworking a draft peace plan originally proposed by Donald Trump, which has faced criticism for being overly favorable to Russia.

The Labor government is poised to pass long-awaited nature laws this week, with negotiations ongoing with the Greens and Liberals to secure the necessary support for Senate approval. The government has indicated it can finalize a deal by Thursday, amid years of debate over environmental law reform.

France defeated Australia 48-33 in a thrilling match at the Stade de France, marking the end of the autumn series for both teams. The victory allowed Les Bleus to conclude their November campaign on a high note, despite moments of inconsistency that allowed Australia to stay competitive throughout the match.

A Ukrainian delegation, supported by representatives from France, Germany, and the UK, is set to engage in direct talks with US officials in Geneva on Sunday. This diplomatic effort follows ongoing discussions about a US-backed peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, which has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders.