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The Economist
Sophie Pedder is Paris bureau chief for the Economist.
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Sophie Pedder
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FROM Sophie Pedder
To the Point
The candidate of 'savage globalism' beats the 'high priestess of fear' After a campaign of creative name-calling, Emmanuel Macron was elected President of France yesterday with 65% of the vote to Marine Le Pen's 35%. But right-wing populism is hardly on the run. Macron's new party holds no seats in Parliament, and Le Pen's National Front did better than ever before. French voters made clear their outrage -- about the economy, immigration and a swelling number of refugees. We look at the consequences for France and the EU, with populist nationalism on the rise in Hungry, Poland and elsewhere in Europe.
To the Point
Je Suis Charlie Hebdo: I Am Charlie Hebdo As the manhunt for suspected killers continues, France is assessing the consequences of yesterday’s slaughter of satirical writers and cartoonists. The magazine Charlie Hebdo was already under police protection, but the sudden attack has shocked France and the rest of the Western world. Politicians and church leaders have called for national unity, but French Muslims are reporting attacks on mosques in several parts of the country.
To the Point
France's Burqa Ban Begins Today The French law that went into effect today does not use the words "women," "Muslim" or "veil," but says that it's illegal to hide the face in a public place. It was pushed hard by President Nicolas Sarkozy, even though only a small minority of the country's five million Muslim women actually wear the burqa. When Parliament passed it, there was widespread public support. Today, there was a protest outside the Notre Dame cathedral. Sophie Pedder is Paris Bureau Chief for the Economist magazine.
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?