Candidates for the 2017 presidential election, Emmanuel Macron (R), head of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, and Marine Le Pen, of the French National Front (FN) party, pose prior to the start of a live prime-time debate in the studios of French television station France 2, and French private station TF1 in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Feferberg/Pool
Reuters: French presidential rivals clash in crucial TV debate
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized Emmanuel Macron, her centrist rival for the French presidency, as a "smirking banker" representing globalization gone wild when the two met in a crucial pre-election TV debate on Wednesday.
"Mr Macron is the candidate of globalization, Uberisation," Le Pen said, firing an opening salvo. "And all of this has been directed by Mr (outgoing Socialist President Francois) Hollande."
After being attacked by Le Pen for not preventing big French companies from being sold to foreign firms, Macron said she had not properly prepared for the debate and did not seem to understand economic issues.
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MIDDLE EAST
Putin pushes Syria safe zone plan.
Syria rebels 'suspend' participation in Astana peace talks.
Erdogan says to discuss Syria operations with Russia's Putin, Trump.
11 journalists killed in Iraq in past year: watchdog.
Lebanese army intensifies crackdown on ISIL fighters.
Saudi land push in Yemen would cause heavy casualties: top prince.
Food imports to war-torn Yemen at all-time low: NGO.
Mahmoud Abbas set to meet Donald Trump in US visit. Trump and Abbas to discuss peace efforts at first talks.
Iran Golestan mine explosion: More than 50 trapped. 21 dead trying to save workmates trapped in Iran mine.
Iranians must give Rouhani second term to make good on nuclear deal: vice president.
Iran says Saudis seeking tension, calls Riyadh comments 'destructive'.
Only one in four Middle East men backs equality, study suggests.
ASIA
China's Xi hails ties with Philippines as Duterte cools on US.
US warns of 'third country' sanctions over North Korea.
China urges all sides in North Korea standoff to 'stop irritating' one another. China's Xi urges restraint on Korean peninsula.
Activity at North Korea nuclear site resumes: monitor.
China warns its citizens in North Korea to leave as conflict with US looms.
North Korea says US professor detained for attempted subversion.
South Korea calls for North's denuclearization before dialogue.
Anger grows in South Korea over US anti-missile system.
Japan's anti-war constitution to be debated as North Korea tensions rise.
Blast hits NATO convoy in central Kabul. Kabul bomb attack targeting Nato convoy kills eight.
Four Pakistan 'Taliban members' executed after military trials.
Pakistani, Indian DGMOs make hotline contact after soldiers killed across border.
Philippines says Trump recognized 'great job' Duterte is doing.
AFRICA
Millions of Nigerians face hunger in wasteland recaptured from fighters.
Crisis-hit South Sudan hikes fees to register aid agencies.
Libya rivals call for efforts to end crisis. Libya PM in rare meeting with rival strongman.
Seven Chinese vessels detained off West Africa for illegal fishing.
Egypt's Sisi in UAE for talks.
Rocket attack on UN camp in Mali kills one, wounds 9.
Nine Malian soldiers killed in central Mali attack.
Millions are on the brink of war-driven starvation in South Sudan.
Boko Haram leader Shekau 'injured in air strike'.
AFRICOM commanders make visit to Mogadishu in bid to improve security.
Voters disillusioned ahead of Algeria poll.
Buhari misses cabinet meeting amid health fears.
EUROPE
Le Pen and Macron come out swinging in high-stakes TV debate. Macron, Le Pen clash in bad-tempered French pre-election TV showdown.
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen says her rival Macron is complacent about extremists. Le Pen as president would seek French electoral law change: aide.
EU negotiator Barnier reveals plan for Brexit talks.
UK will not pay 100 billion euro EU exit bill, says Brexit minister.
UK parliament dissolves ahead of snap elections.
Kremlin: Merkel promised to discuss settlement in Ukraine with Poroshenko.
Greek court blocks new extradition request for Turkish soldiers.
Czech parties look to avoid snap election after PM quits.
Security guards to protect Dutch ATMs from explosion thefts.
Romanians rally against plan to pardon corruption offences.
AMERICAS
Puerto Rico seeks bankruptcy protection: governor.
Trump vows to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace, offers no new policies.
FBI chief says he had to tell Congress of Clinton email news.
Tillerson lays out Trump's 'America First' foreign policy to skeptical officials.
From safe zones to terrorism, Trump talks Syria with Putin.
Senate intel panel to CIA headquarters for briefing on Russia probe.
Donald Trump lashes back at Hillary Clinton's claims misogyny, FBI, Russia cost her election.
Trump won't trade US jobs for China's help on North Korea, says official. Venezuela violence flares as foes decry Maduro's power shakeup.
Venezuela's Maduro starts constitution rewrite amid protests.
Exclusive: U.S. senators seek sanctions, other ways to address Venezuela crisis.
Brazil FM calls Maduro's constitution move a 'coup'.
13 Venezuelan government supporters die in bus crash.
NSA collected over 151mn phone records in 2016 despite surveillance law changes.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US Defense Secretary Mattis Says additional $21Bln from Congress to accelerate anti-Daesh campaign.
Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on NATO convoy in Kabul.
Al-Qaeda claims it is ‘fighting alongside’ US-backed coalition forces in Yemen.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Facebook adding 3,000 people to screen out violent content.
US Federal Reserve keeps key lending rate unchanged.
Apple's dilemma: what to do with $256 bn cash pile.
China's HNA now largest Deutsche Bank shareholder.
Apple reports unexpected fall in iPhone sales.
