Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday the closure of the local offices of the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera, after his government unanimously voted for its closure. The measure taken by the Israeli government was not further detailed by Mr. Netanyahu.
Hamas called the Israeli government’s decision a “blatant violation of press freedom” aimed at “hiding the truth” about the war in the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with La Provence and La Tribune Dimanche published on Saturday, Emmanuel Macron condemned “with the greatest firmness” the blockages at Sciences Po and in universities. He believes that these actions “prevent debate” and says he is “in favor” of the evacuation by the police of blocked universities, “at the request of the establishments”.
The head of state also addressed the question of institutions. He repeated that introducing “a proportional element” to the legislative elections “would be good for democracy”, while the subject divides his camp. He also mentions the limitation to two of the number of successive presidential mandates. This rule “is there and I am not going to change the Constitution”, but, “if you ask me my personal opinion, I think it is always better when we leave the choice to the voters”, he says.
In southern Brazil, the state of Rio Grande do Sul remains devastated by floods, which killed at least sixty-six people and displaced 80,000 other residents from their homes – 15,000 found refuge in shelters set up by state authorities. More than a million homes are deprived of water and the scale of the destruction is currently incalculable, according to civil defense. In total, half a million people were directly affected by the disaster and at least one hundred people are still missing.
Eduardo Leite, the state governor, who described the situation as “dramatic and absolutely unprecedented”, will receive Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday for the second time since the floods began. He has already called for a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild the region.
Around 8,000 people, according to the prefect of Indre, Thibault Lanxade, participated in a white march in Châteauroux on Saturday in tribute to young Matisse, 15, killed by a teenager of the same age on April 27. The route of the white march passed through symbolic places in Matisse’s life, notably his elementary school, his father’s restaurant and the one in which the teenager did his apprenticeship.
The march ended with a release of balloons, while those close to Matisse embraced each other during a time of contemplation. Hundreds of white or pink roses were left in front of Matisse’s father’s restaurant.
Stade Toulouse, winner of the English team Harlequins (38-26) on Sunday in front of its stadium audience, qualified for the eighth Champions Cup final in its history, the first since 2021. “We had a great First period. In the second half, we stood together, we didn’t break down, we stayed together. We had enough resources. Congratulations to Harlequins, we are super happy,” declared Romain Ntamack, the Toulouse fly-half, at the microphone of France 2.
The five-time European champion will face the Irish province of Leinster on May 25 in London, which eliminated it in the semi-finals of the competition in the two previous editions.
And also :
European elections. What to remember from the first debate with the seven main candidates
Israel-Hamas War. Benyamin Netanyahu denounces the “extreme positions” of Hamas, which accuses him of “sabotaging the efforts of mediators”
Diplomacy. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in France for an official visit
Transphobia. Several thousand people demonstrated in around fifty cities against discrimination against trans people.
Televisions. “Numbers and letters”: France Télévisions announces the end of the game show after more than fifty years of existence
Soccer. Real Madrid champion of Spain for the 36th time
