Yield on 10-year government bonds passes 5% amid failure to pass budget and fallout from violent street protests Business live – latest updates France’s borrowing costs have climbed above 5% for the first time in 24 years as political concerns and the government’s failure to agree a much-delayed budget spook the financial markets. With some civic buildings still smouldering from recent riots, a fresh bout of selling pushed up the yield – or interest rate – on bonds issued by the second largest economy in the eurozone. Continue reading...
French borrowing costs hit 24-year high as civil unrest and budget fears spook markets

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Europe stands by Ukraine, but how long can that last?
As US support ebbs away, looming European elections and growing financial strains across the continent could fracture the precious coalition that has kept Ukraine afloat Europe woke up last Friday to another belligerent outburst from Donald Trump – this time berating Ukraine’s wartime leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy again. Just a few days after his diesel deal with the Kremlin, the US president said Zelenskyy was more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin and blamed Ukraine’s leader for rocketing oil prices – without any reference to the impact of his own war on Iran. The contrast in Europe was obvious. When Zelenskyy walked into the multi-coloured summit room of the European Council headquarters in Brussels that Friday morning, the EU’s 27 leaders burst into applause, getting to their feet to offer big hugs and brisk handshakes. European Council president António Costa told Zelenskyy an

Thousands march in Greece over public education failures as Macron blasts ‘stupid’ commentary on French protests – Europe live
Students, teachers and civil servants have shown up in Athens, with demonstrations also in Thessaloniki and other cities Meanwhile, back to Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, the US president, Donald Trump, has just welcomed the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen held by Moscow on allegations of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine ( 11:24 ). In a post on Truth Social, he said : “Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return - an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no “swap” necessary for this release. Continue
Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard after four years in prison
Hubbard was jailed after being accused of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
US congressional candidate Brad Lander freed after West Bank detention
Lander says dozens remain in Israeli custody after being detained while helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives.

Macron accuses foreign leaders of exploiting French riots
The comment is an apparent swipe at Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, who both face elections in coming weeks.

Australian politicians say they are paying thousands for their own security upgrades amid rising threats
Home and office safety a common concern in Australian federal police and Asio safety briefings with politicians following alleged attack on MP Helen Haines Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices after numerous federal politicians told police and Asio in safety briefings that they were worried about widening threats after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. The Labor government and politicians across the parliament are still considering how they will respond when they return to Canberra next week, with ideas being floated including a new committee on MPs’ safety, greater resources for police, and motions of condolence for Haines, who lost both her legs after Monday’s incident . Renewed calls from the crossbench for reforms to question time and the tone of debate in parliament are unlikely to