The Guardian: France’s candidates make final pitches as Macron extends poll lead over Le Pen
Macron accuses Le Pen of ‘living off fear’ as both try to get Mélenchon voters to turn out for them
France’s two presidential contenders have traded their last blows before Sunday’s deciding runoff, with polls suggesting fear of a Marine Le Pen victory was outweighing dislike of Emmanuel Macron and his record.
Hours before a media blackout was due to begin at midnight, the incumbent and his far-right challenger made their final pitches to undecided voters in radio interviews and on walkabouts, with Le Pen saying Macron’s polling lead would be proved misleading.
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MIDDLE EAST
Gaza militants fire rockets, Israel responds with strikes in biggest escalation since last war.
Israeli police, Palestinians clash again at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem amid heightened tensions.
Tensions threaten to boil over in Jerusalem's Muslim quarter.
Iran refuses to abandon avenging Soleimani despite U.S. offers.
US says Iran nuclear deal does not ensure sanctions relief.
Fighting rages in Yemen's Marib despite UN truce.
Yemen’s rebels criticize new, US-led task force in Red Sea.
Captagon: Jordan's undeclared war against Syria drug traffickers.
Putin demands Russia gain control of Jerusalem church as promised.
ASIA
Afghanistan: Kunduz mosque attacked during Friday prayers.
Afghanistan: Taliban orders TikTok, PUBG ban for 'misleading' youths.
Shanghai promises to improve access to food supplies and trade amid ongoing COVID-19 shutdown.
Shanghai escalates Covid lockdown restrictions.
Sri Lanka minister warns crisis will worsen as inflation hits record high.
US warns against China military presence in Solomon Islands.
Beijing quiet as North Korea turns up the heat with missile tests.
South Korea and North Korea leaders sent ‘personal letters’ to each other this week.
New Pakistan government says willing to curb fuel subsidies.
Myanmar junta chief calls for peace talks with ethnic rebels.
AFRICA
France says mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group staged 'French atrocity' in Mali.
UN investigators blocked from site of suspected killings in Mali.
Somalia: At least six killed in Mogadishu attack near beach.
Cameroon signs military deal with Russia.
Niger approves hosting more European forces amid Mali withdrawal.
Libya's newly approved gov't holds first meeting.
Rwanda president says UK migrant deal 'not trading in humans'.
Kenya mourns former president Mwai Kibaki.
EUROPE
NATO, Russia eye each other as both up forces in the Med.
UN chief to meet Putin next week; Russia declares intent to control Donbas and southern Ukraine.
A divided France votes amid a 'shift to the right'.
Le Pen accuses Macron of 'not liking the French' and tells him election victory is 'not inevitable' despite trailing in polls as rivals launch final day of campaigning.
Ban on Russian gas would plunge Germany into recession, warns Bundesbank.
German Foreign Minister Baerbock begins Baltic tour with promise of stronger support.
No 10 network targeted with spyware, says group.
France issues international arrest warrant for ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn.
AMERICAS
Covid was the THIRD leading cause of death for Americans in 2021 - only trailing heart disease and cancer - making up one in every US deaths.
Stunned lawmakers want investigation after air stunt prompts Capitol evacuation.
Florida governor signs law revoking Disney's special status.
Cuba and US take tentative step with talks on migration.
Former president of Honduras extradited to U.S. on drug trafficking charges.
Ecuador begins effort to extradite Rafael Correa from Belgium.
Las Bambas: Peru copper mine halts operations amid protests.
Colombian soldiers killed in roadside bomb attack.
Brazil: Bolsonaro’s pardon of ally draws opposition challenges.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Taliban arrest IS 'mastermind' of Afghan mosque attack: police.
Can the Afghan Taliban contain the threat from ISIL?
‘We found nothing:’ Thousands of IS victims still missing.
US launches its first drone attack on Afghanistan.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks stumble 2.8% as worries about interest rates worsen.
World’s biggest food company has hiked prices by 5%.
A growing amount of Russian oil is being sent 'destination unknown' as wary buyers try to avoid affiliation with the sanctioned nation.
Elon Musk says he has $46.5 billion in financing to buy Twitter.
Twitter bans ads that defy climate change science.