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After the election: France seeks a reconciler

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Le roi est mort, vive le roi! Gabriel Attal submitted his resignation to the Élysée Palace on Monday. And President Emmanuel Macron immediately asked the 35-year-old prime minister to continue to run the government for the time being “in order to guarantee the stability of France.”

Following the election results, there is a certain sense of relief in the Élysée Palace, even if it is unclear which majority will continue. On the evening of the election, the President announced that he wanted to wait and see how the new parliament was “structured” before making a decision.

The constitution gives the president the task of appointing a prime minister to form a government. In doing so, the head of state must take the majority situation into account. However, after the early elections, this is anything but clear. For the first time since the Fifth Republic, no party alliance comes anywhere close to an absolute majority of 289 seats.

The strongest force is the red-green alliance “New Popular Front” with 182 seats. This is followed by Macron’s alliance with 168 MPs. The Rassemblement National (RN) is entering the National Assembly in alliance with the breakaway Republicans with 143 MPs. In 2017, only eight MPs from Marine Le Pen’s party sat in parliament. Since 2022, there have been 89.

The RN has failed to achieve its goal of a government majority, but the gains are significant. From now on, there are three almost equal blocs. They have replaced the right-left split that existed until 2017 and which previously allowed for orderly changes of power. The majority situation in the parliamentary chamber has never been so undecided.

The balance of power within the left has shifted

Insiders do not expect a new government team to be appointed before the Olympic Games. The National Assembly will hold its first session on July 18. Just one week later, on July 26, the Summer Games will be officially opened with a parade on the Seine.

The Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure has called for a quick agreement on the name of a possible prime minister in the left-wing alliance. The Socialists have emerged stronger from the electoral alliance, which is based on the historical model of the Popular Front against the threat of fascism in the 1930s. In 1936, the Socialist Prime Minister Léon Blum led the Popular Front government.

The new Popular Front is made up of the left-wing party LFI, communists, greens and socialists. It is linked to the so-called NUPES alliance, with which the left succeeded in entering the National Assembly in a stronger position in 2022.

The balance of power has now shifted. The left-wing party LFI has 75 MPs, the Socialists 65, the Greens 33 and the Communists nine. Previously, LFI had 75 MPs, but the Socialists (31) and Greens (23) were significantly weaker.

LFI has also excluded or not nominated several well-known MPs because they had rebelled against the authoritarian leadership of the party’s founder, Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The party’s coordinator, Manuel Bompard, nevertheless claimed the left-wing party’s privilege of choosing the prime minister. It is “republican custom” that the strongest faction chooses the head of government.

The Socialists have a different approach in mind. “Our country is more divided than ever before. We need a master weaver who can put the country back together,” Faure said on the radio station France Info. Faure warned that the red-green coalition must think of the ten million French people who had placed their last hope in the Rassemblement National (RN). “We must bring the villages and the high-rise housing estates together and take their need for security seriously,” said Faure.

“Mélenchon has taught the left to win again”

Green Party leader Marine Tondelier gave a sketch of the future head of government on France Inter radio, who could also come from civil society. He would have to “pacify and repair” the country, agree with the New Popular Front’s program, bring competence and experience, and create consensus. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The latter was a clear reference to the 72-year-old founder of the Left Party, who was the first to announce his claim to leadership on election night. Mélenchon is known for his choleric outbursts and his authoritarian leadership methods. Both Tondelier and Faure reject him as a possible prime minister.

The former parliamentary group leader of the Left Party, Mathilde Panot, told the radio station RTL that Mélenchon had not disqualified himself as a candidate for the highest government office. “Jean-Luc Mélenchon has taught the Left how to win again. He gave millions of people hope when he won 22 percent in the presidential elections,” said Panot.

The four parties had entered the European election campaign separately and had also argued frequently in the National Assembly over the past two years. After June 9, they drew up a 150-page program in record time that cleared up two foreign policy issues. The Socialists won their way with their demand to condemn Hamas as a terrorist organization. The left-wing party LFI had portrayed Hamas as a “resistance movement” since October 7 and refrained from criticizing it.

The four parties also agreed not to demand peace negotiations from Ukraine, as had been demanded by the Left Party. The program emphasizes “the need to defend Ukraine and peace on the European continent.” Both foreign policy breakthroughs are largely due to the EU’s top candidate, Raphaël Glucksmann, who received 14 percent of the vote with the support of the Socialists. Glucksmann has long warned against Russian imperialism.

He also stands for a clear course in Middle East policy: solidarity with the victims of the Hamas attacks, but also criticism of the actions of the Netanyahu government. Mélenchon is pursuing a completely different course. He woos the predominantly Muslim banlieue youth with pro-Palestinian theses. He suspected intellectuals like Glucksmann of “defending the genocide in Gaza”. When pro-Palestinian students blocked the elite university Sciences Po, he wrote on Platform X: “The youth of Sciences Po are saving France’s honour in the face of genocide.”

In the parliamentary elections, Mélenchon made a pact with the New Anticapitalist Party, which has been accused of glorifying terrorism because it celebrated the “major Hamas offensive,” despite opposition from the other parties in the alliance. When all parties, even the RN, demonstrated against anti-Semitism in Paris last November, Mélenchon’s left-wing party did not take part, ostensibly because the demonstrators did not call for a ceasefire. In his blog at the beginning of June, Mélenchon wrote that anti-Semitism was “a residual item” in France. In doing so, he downplayed the explosive increase in anti-Semitic attacks since October 7.

Expensive election promises

The president of the umbrella organization of Jewish organizations CRIF, Yonathan Arfi, accused Mélenchon of trivializing anti-Semitism. Arfi warned on Monday against the Left Party’s participation in the government. “A coalition with those who have been conducting an anti-Semitic campaign for months is not possible,” said the CRIF president. A key figure in Mélenchon’s course is the EU MP Rima Hassan, who claims the nickname “Lady Gaza.” The left-wing spokesman appeared in front of the cameras alongside the Franco-Palestinian lawyer on the evening after the first round of voting.

Hassan says she grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and came to France at the age of ten. After the Hamas attack on October 7, she repeatedly turned the victim narrative on its head. She sees the Palestinians as an oppressed ethnic group with whom the disadvantaged banlieue youth in the French suburbs can identify.

The social and economic policy program of the New Popular Front reads as if France had a huge budget surplus to distribute. The pension reform is to be reversed within two weeks. Socialist leader Faure said on Monday that Macron’s government had decided to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 using constitutional article 49.3. The same article could also be used to reverse the decision. The procedure according to 49.3 means that a law is considered to have been passed without further voting if the government is not overthrown by a motion of no confidence.

Other plans include raising the minimum wage from 1,400 to 1,600 euros. The wages of the 5.7 million public sector employees are to be raised by ten index points. This would cost almost 20 billion euros. The red-green coalition is counting on additional revenue through heavy taxation of higher earners. The wealth tax, which had been converted into a property tax, is to be reintroduced. Instead of five tax brackets, there will now be 14.

The left-wing alliance is dependent on other parties to form a majority. “I am ready to work with all republican parties in the interests of France and the French,” said Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, who heads the presidential party. The leader of the center-right Mouvement démocrate party, François Bayrou, also signaled his willingness to talk on Monday. “A path is emerging. We must take steps toward each other,” Bayrou said on the radio station France Inter. “The first step is that we recognize each other as partners,” said Bayrou. He does not believe that France is ungovernable.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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