French PM Lecornu Resigns Hours After New Cabinet; US Supreme Court Begins Term
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has stepped down today, mere hours after presenting his new cabinet. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court commences a new term with significant cases, and a federal judge halts President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon. In Washington, the government shutdown continues as Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over funding and healthcare subsidies.
Lecornu's resignation comes after less than a year in office, following President Emmanuel Macron's cabinet reshuffle. He had served as Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities before his appointment as Prime Minister in May 2022.
The Supreme Court's new term kicked off today with several high-profile cases. Among them is a dispute over a Colorado law prohibiting 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ+ minors, and a challenge to the 1965 Voting Rights Act's preclearance requirement.
In Oregon, a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from deploying National Guard troops. This ruling came after the White House attempted to send troops from California and Texas to assist in managing protests. Trump later authorized National Guard troops to be sent to Illinois, where protests were ongoing outside an ICE facility in Chicago.
Negotiations in Washington remain gridlocked. Democrats have withheld votes from a short-term funding plan, insisting Republicans engage in discussions about extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies. Top congressional leaders from both parties have dug in their heels, signaling that the ongoing government shutdown will likely persist.
In other news, a blizzard over the weekend stranded hundreds of trekkers on Mount Everest. Rescue efforts are underway, with around 350 people successfully evacuated, but more than 200 others still awaiting rescue.
Lecornu's resignation leaves France's political landscape in flux. The Supreme Court's new term promises significant rulings on crucial issues. The government shutdown in the US continues, with no immediate signs of a resolution. Meanwhile, rescue efforts on Mount Everest continue as trekkers await evacuation.
