France’s centre-left President Emmanuel Macron (main picture) has clarified comments attributed to him which suggested his handling of recent political challenges points has resulted in a more unified France by merging the left and right of the nation’s political system.

The reports followed Macron’s efforts to stymie a shift to the right in French politics evident in the June election for the European Parliament that saw the far-right anti-immigration party National Rally achieve a vote share in France twice as big as Macron’s own centre-left party.

In response Macron immediately called a snap early election for France’s National Assembly which resulted in a hung parliament after which he rejected centre-left nominees for prime minister and appointed right-winger Michel Barnier who in turn has taken almost three months to negotiate a new government featuring increased right-wing representation.

French media outlets have since quoted remarks attributed to President Macron in which he claimed he had achieved “la merge” but a presidential spokesperson clarified the comment saying M Macron had acknowledged that he had actually achieved “la merde”.

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PHILADELPHIA: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed suggestions that US President Joe Biden is a “lame duck” because of his age and a noticeable decline in his cognitive abilities following his decision to drop out of this year’s presidential election.

The Prime Minister’s comments followed a personal meeting between Mr Biden and Mr Albanese at the President’s private home in Delaware.

Mr Biden began the meeting by welcoming “Mister Banese” before asking: “Do you mind if I call you Al?”

He then went on to mention several visits he had made to Austria including his meeting with Archduke Franz Ferdinand “just before he was tragically shot”.

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