French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted by a vote of no-confidence.  The life-long politician will probably not attend the government’s Christmas party but that shouldn’t detract from the festivities as by his own admission he “is not a fun guy”, and he has little time for the “bluster” of his younger colleagues.

Finally some good news out of the Middle East where the US and France have brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah with the fighting having stopped in the early hours of this morning. The region remains extremely tense, but this is a big step in the right direction.

Finally some good news out of the Middle East where the US and France have brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah with the fighting having stopped in the early hours of this morning. The region remains extremely tense, but this is a big step in the right direction.