May to Scotland: not the time for referendum

We take a look at how the French press is covering plans by major labour unions to hold strike action on Thursday, January 19. We also find out about a Paris referendum on scooters, a mass kidnapping in Burkina Faso, varied views on Martin Luther King Jr Day (including a controversial statue) and finally, why Blue Monday isn't really a thing.

Caretaker Prime Minister Eduard Heger has been unable gain a new majority in parliament and plans to call an early election this fall. Some fear the result could threaten liberal democracy in Slovakia.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have jointly announced in-person talks, in London on Monday. This comes amid long-running post-Brexit negotiations on Northern Ireland.

Mali's ruling junta will postpone a constitutional referendum but maintain a previously agreed timeline to return to civilian rule, a government spokesperson said in a statement read to the press Friday.

It was like an estranged couple agreeing to give themselves another chance. Announcing the "Windsor Framework" in late February, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were emphatic that the UK and the EU are allies, trading partners and friends.

Britain is in the throes of a serious economic crisis and many Scots are wondering if things wouldn’t be better if their country was independent.

The UK is the first new member and European country to join CPTPP, which is made up of 11 Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev says the constitutional reforms could usher in a "new Uzbekistan" with more civil liberties. They would also free him up to rule until 2040, rather than his current likely deadline of 2026.

The council turned down yet again an opposition proposal to cap the age of retirement at 62. Opponents of Macron's pension reform are now mobilizing for June 6 protests and strikes.

Malians are due to take part in a referendum on Sunday that paves the way for elections and democratic rule in 2024. Repeated postponements and two military coups have stood in the way of the poll since 2017.

The government plans a 75% emission cut by 2050 but the right-wing Swiss People's Party warned the plan will cause energy prices to rise. A separate vote on higher corporate taxes is being held.

The amendments are expected to facilitate a transition to civilian leadership in the junta-ruled West African country. Observers voiced concerns over last week's referendum, saying the vote was marred by irregularities.