French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new prime minister. Barnier, 73, was the EU's chief Brexit negotiator. He now faces the challenge of forming a government in a divided National Assembly. Barnier, a member of the right-wing Republicans, replaces Gabriel Attal. Some opposition groups, especially the left-wing New Popular Front, are unhappy with the choice. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, criticized the appointment. The far-right National Rally has said it will judge Barnier based on his actions regarding France’s budget, due by October 1st.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has humorously claimed he prefers Kamala Harris to win the U.S. presidential election. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin remarked that Harris' "infectious" laugh made her Russia's preferred candidate over Donald Trump. Despite his ironic tone, Putin's comments come amid tense U.S.-Russia relations, with fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration against Kremlin-run websites and media employees. Earlier, Putin dismissed Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. These remarks further illustrate the ongoing geopolitical chess game between the U.S. and Russia as the U.S. election approaches.

A suspect was fatally shot by Munich police on Thursday after opening fire on officers in the Karolinenplatz area. The incident occurred at 9 a.m. near the Nazi-era history museum and Israeli Consulate. Police responded to reports of a person carrying a long gun and exchanged shots with the suspect, resulting in fatal injuries. No bystanders were harmed. The suspect's identity and motive are currently unknown. An investigation is underway. The suspect used an old firearm with a repeating mechanism. Bavaria's Interior Minister confirmed the police response was prompted by the suspect's initial gunfire.

Kamala Harris' presidential campaign has accepted the rules for the September 10 debate against Donald Trump. The debate, hosted by ABC News, will feature muted microphones for each candidate when it's not their turn to speak. This is the first debate between Harris and Trump, following Joe Biden's withdrawal as the Democratic candidate. The campaign is prepared to follow the rules, but hopes for moments where the microphones will be unmuted, allowing for unrehearsed responses. The debate will be held on September 10, with strict rules in place to maintain a structured discussion.

A Russian airstrike struck a military training institute and a nearby hospital in Poltava city, Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties. The attack killed at least 50 people and injured approximately 300 others. Two ballistic missiles caused extensive damage to both structures. Rescue efforts are currently underway to retrieve individuals trapped under debris. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has initiated a cabinet reshuffle and dismissed his deputy chief of staff in response to the incident. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of military personnel and civilians in the region.

Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan Olympic marathon runner, has died from injuries sustained in a petrol attack by her former boyfriend. The incident occurred on Sunday in Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained. She suffered extensive burns and was receiving treatment before succumbing to her injuries. Local authorities report that the attack was motivated by a dispute over land ownership. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Cheptegei was a talented athlete who competed in international events, including the Paris marathon. Her death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the athletic community.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has withdrawn its support for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government. The move comes after a deal struck in 2022 between Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was ended. Trudeau must now seek support from other opposition parties to survive confidence votes. An election is required by October 2025. Trudeau has ruled out an immediate election, but his government's stability is uncertain. The NDP's decision increases pressure on Trudeau, who faces declining poll numbers. The prime minister has pledged to continue governing and delivering on social programs despite the setback.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a formal apology to victims of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives. In a parliamentary address, Starmer acknowledged the state's failure to protect citizens, saying "it should never have happened." He expressed deep sorrow and accepted responsibility on behalf of the British government. The apology comes after a public inquiry report into the blaze was published. Starmer's historic apology marks a significant step towards accountability and justice for the families affected by the tragedy.

On November 5th, Americans will elect their next president. Initially, Joe Biden was expected to run against Donald Trump, but following a poor debate on June 27th, Biden withdrew from the race on July 21st. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Harris now leads in national polls and has secured enough delegates to win the Democratic National Convention nomination. Her main challenge will be addressing issues from Biden’s presidency, such as high inflation and foreign policy turmoil, which Republicans are likely to highlight. At 59, Harris is younger than both Biden and Trump, giving her a potential advantage with voters.

A shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulted in four deaths and 30 injuries on Wednesday. Law enforcement responded quickly, securing the school and evacuating students. One suspect is in custody, according to the Barrow County Sheriff's Office. The FBI has dispatched agents to assist with the investigation. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and experiencing chaos as students and teachers sought safety. This incident adds to the troubling trend of school shootings in the US, prompting renewed discussions on gun laws and safety measures. President Joe Biden has been briefed and is coordinating with officials.