Biden lead widens in U.S. election as votes trickle in

13 Sept 09:46 Key points summarised by AI

Joe Biden significantly expanded his lead over President Trump in crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, moving him closer to securing the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency.
President Trump remained defiant, making unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and initiating legal challenges, with his campaign seeking to raise $60 million to fund these lawsuits despite experts deeming them unlikely to alter the outcome.
As the methodical counting of mail-in ballots continued, particularly in urban Democratic strongholds, Biden's lead solidified, leading to protests from both Trump and Biden supporters near vote-counting centers.
Despite Trump's refusal to concede and plans for recounts in states like Georgia, Biden's campaign prepared for a potential transition, with a spokesman asserting the government's capability to manage any refusal to leave office.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

19 Oct 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.