- Maneskin's Damiano David releases first solo song
- US returns to Iran latest batch of ancient clay tablets
- Trump to meet Zelensky after tensions over Ukraine war
- US officials warn weakening storm Helene still 'dangerous'
- Afghan embassy in UK shutters after Taliban cuts ties
- 'No ego' before Alonso clash, says Bayern boss Kompany
- French rape trial sparks timid debate about masculinity
- Pope says Church must 'seek forgiveness' for child sexual abuse
- UK watchdog bans Naomi Campbell from running charity over 'misconduct'
- Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire after truce bid fails
- Alcaraz, Medvedev win Beijing openers as Zhang scores big upset
- Bastianini sets record time in Indonesia MotoGP practice
- At least 3,661 killed this year in Haiti violence: UN
- French minister says in favour of adding 'consent' to rape law
- Workers remove Olympic rings from Eiffel Tower -- for now
- X says complied with Brazil court orders, should be reinstated: source
- Draper ready to take lead for British tennis
- Cuts, cash, credit: China bids to jumpstart flagging economy
- France's debt weighs heavier ahead of budget debate
- The Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes
- Shigeru Ishiba: Abe-critic wins Japan top job at last
- Iran treads carefully, backing Hezbollah while avoiding war
- Draper ousts second seed Hurkacz at Japan Open
- EasyJet founder makes life hard for 'brand thieves'
- Return to sender: waste stranded at sea stirs toxic dispute
- 'Broken' news industry faces uncertain future
- On remote Greek island, migratory birds offer climate clues
- Ishiba, Takaichi face off in Japan ruling party vote for next PM
- Taken from mother by nuns, victim seeks answers as pope visits Belgium
- 595th-ranked Zhang stuns US Open semi-finalist Navarro in Beijing
- Cowboys halt skid with victory over Giants
- Indian artisans tackle waste with creative upcycling
- Morbidelli fastest in first Indonesia MotoGP practice
- China cuts amount banks hold in reserve to boost lending
- Hong Kong, Shanghai extend surge as China optimism boosts markets
- Hardline French interior boss stirs controversy just days into job
- France rugby superstar Dupont checks out NFL's Chargers on LA 'vacation'
- Pope to meet sexual abuse victims in Belgium visit
- Gaza war resonates but has global diplomacy shifted one year on?
- Yankees down Orioles to claim 21st division title
- Vietnam president reiterates support for Cuba during official visit
- Madrid return to scene of last defeat for Atletico derby clash
- 'Dangerous' duo Wirtz and Musiala highlight Bayern-Leverkusen showdown
- Springboks rally behind under-fire Libbok before title decider
- Ailing New Zealand butterfly collector gives away life's work
- Mexico's new president takes reins of shaky economy
- 'Misinformation megaphone': Musk stokes tension before US election
- Australia eye strong start in bid to topple All Blacks
- Plan to overturn commercial whaling moratorium sinks in Peru
- Man City must solve Rodri riddle, Ten Hag vexed by Man Utd miscues
France's debt weighs heavier ahead of budget debate
France's vast public debt pile grew in the second quarter, official figures showed Friday, as Prime Minister Michel Barnier's shaky minority government girds itself for a gruelling budget debate.
New borrowings of 68.9 billion euros ($77 billion) between April and June increased the country's debt pile to almost 3.23 trillion euros, or 112 percent of annual output, data from statistics agency INSEE showed.
The figures underline the scale of the challenge for Barnier, the former European Union commissioner and Brexit negotiator heading a centrist and conservative coalition heavily outnumbered in the National Assembly lower house.
With the chamber roughly divided in three since July's parliamentary election, the NFP left alliance and far-right National Rally (RN) could oust the new government at any time if they joined forces in a confidence vote.
There is scepticism among financial players of Paris' ability to get its debt and annual deficit under control.
Ratings agency S&P downgraded France's creditworthiness earlier this year.
And just this week the yield on France's debt -- the return investors can expect for holding 10-year government bonds -- outstripped the measure for Spain for the first time since 2006, pointing to falling confidence among investors.
Barnier is expected to lay out the broad strokes of his policy Tuesday in a speech to lawmakers that will also be closely watched by markets.
His new budget minister Laurent Saint-Martin said Wednesday that the draft 2025 budget law would be filed "in the week beginning October 9".
"Our public finances are in a grave state, and I won't beat around the bush," Saint-Martin said, warning that this year's annual budget deficit would likely top six percent of GDP -- twice the European Union limit.
He blamed lower-than-expected tax receipts and companies holding off on hiring and investment for much of the worsened picture, as well as saying local and regional administrations had spent more than planned.
"We will have to make a significant collective effort" to get the public finances under control, Saint-Martin warned.
Barnier and his team say they aim for more spending cuts than tax increases to right the ship, prompting accusations of "austerity" from the left.
But the prime minister said Sunday that higher levies on big firms and very wealthy individuals could be part of the equation.
L.E.Campos--PC