Latest news with #Libération
France 24
a day ago
- Health
- France 24
US signals 'powerful shift' in vaccine policy as RFK Jr fires experts
An advisory panel for US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has voted to rescind recommendations for the flu vaccine, The New York Times reports. Kennedy recently fired 17 experts on the advisory panel, replacing them with eight anti-vaxxers. On Thursday the panel voted to walk back vaccine recommendations for the common flu. The reason? A common (and false) argument of anti-vaxxers: that thimerosol, an ingredient in the flu vaccine is linked to autism. The Times says the decision signals a "powerful shift" in the way federal officials approach vaccines. It also delivers the first blows to a scientific process that has provided effective and tested vaccines to Americans for decades. It's important to note, as the Australian academic website The Conversation explains, that the preservative thimerosol is mercury-based and used in some drug products because it prevents contamination by killing microbes. However, it is hardly ever used in flu vaccines today. The website explains that the argument that vaccines cause autism first surfaced in 1998 when a now-discredited report in the medical journal The Lancet was published, claiming that several children developed autism following the flu vaccine. The Financial Times reports that the Trump administration will also stop funding for GAVI, the global vaccine group that provide free shots for meningitis, malaria and other disease prevention to people in poor countries. Kennedy says the alliance has ignored science and failed to justify billions of dollars the US gives in funding. The US being the alliance's top donor, this decision will sharply dent GAVI's efforts to raise over $9 billion for vaccination campaigns dedicated to a half a billion children in the next five years. The Washington Post's editors, meanwhile, profile Susan Monarez, a respected scientist who is acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and who could be on track to hold the position permanently. She had a confirmation hearing this week with US senators and impressed with her ability to avoid contradicting Kennedy's decision and avoid endorsing it at the same time. The Post's editors say that if confirmed, she could be a real impediment to those seeking to upend vaccine policies that have saved countless lives. French newspaper Libération looks at the famine in Gaza on its front page and asks the question: Is famine being used as a weapon of war by Israel in Gaza? The paper investigates the chaotic distribution of humanitarian aid in the Strip. Liberation explains that the system of aid is built around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American NGO and the only organisation allowed to distribute aid. Traditional NGOs are refusing to work with the GHF, telling Libération they believe it has militarised humanitarian aid and facilitated the chaos. Over 500 people have been killed since the GHF set up its aid distribution points. Libération also accuses the Israeli army of setting up aid mainly in the south of the enclave, cutting off aid to the rest of the population – a form of ethnic cleansing, it says. Finally, the controversial nuptials of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos are underway in Venice this weekend. His opulent three-day wedding celebration has drawn support from Venetian business owners who are happy to cater to the hordes of rappers, celebrities and tech billionaires descending on the Italian city. Nonetheless, it's sparked widespread protests from locals and activists fed up with the added strain it will put on a region that's already suffering from overtourism. Il Giorno, the Italian paper, looks at the controversial wedding of "Mister Amazon" and Lauren Sanchez. In many ways, The New York Times says, San Giorgio, where emperors once met with popes, is fit to host the patron of Protesters say it's not about the wedding but what it represents: the Americanisation of an inherently European city, and a tech billionaire who's cosied up to US President Donald Trump.
El Chorouk
16-06-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
French Newspaper Refuses to Publish Article on Algeria by 'Impartial' Historian
Malika Rahal, a French historian and writer of Algerian origin, exposed the lie of freedom of expression in France, revealing a secret she had kept for about three months. However, she was forced to disclose it after realizing that the freedom of the press, so lauded in France, is merely a lie. Malika Rahal revealed that she was commissioned to write an article for the French newspaper 'Libération' at the same time the newspaper intended to prepare a file on Algerian-French relations, which are experiencing one of their worst periods in over six decades. However, this left-leaning newspaper, known for its centrism and criticism of right-wing ideas, withheld publication of the article for reasons that remain unclear. The writer and historian Malika Rahal stated: 'I was commissioned to write an article in mid-March 2025, as part of a file published in 'Libération' on relations between France and Algeria, a file coordinated by researcher Paul Max Morand. After the first version, I was asked to produce a longer version to conclude the series.' She added: 'During discussions with the editorial board, objections were raised, but the explanations provided were deemed satisfactory. Nevertheless, the publication of the article was continuously delayed, without any explanation given to Paul Max Morand, the person in charge of the file, or to me (Malika Rahal). Its publication has now become pointless after more than a month since the last article in the series was published in April 2025.' The writer was forced to publish her article in another platform known for its anti-colonial and anti-colonialist stances, after realizing that the French newspaper was not serious about honoring its commitment to a distinguished historian and writer of Malika Rahal's caliber. This raises more than one question about the remaining credibility of values that France and other Western system countries have long defended, namely freedom of expression and the press. 'Relations in the Time of Retailleau and Gaza' The French newspaper did not clarify the reason for its reluctance to publish the article, which was titled 'Algerian-French Relations in the Time of Retailleau and Gaza.' However, its content indicates that those in charge of 'Libération,' which is considered one of the strongholds of French media not hostile to Algeria and immigrants in general, are no longer as they once were. Instead, it has become like other French newspapers, controlled by considerations that have nothing to do with freedom of expression. Among what was stated in Malika Rahal's article: 'French-Algerian relations have been in crisis since 2024 when France, like the United States, joined in affirming Morocco's (alleged) sovereignty over Western Sahara. One of the elements explaining this recognition is the role played by Morocco in normalizing relations with Israel (the Zionist entity) at the African Union level and at the Arab world level, where Morocco joined the Abraham Accords in 2020. Undoubtedly, other factors in French policy contribute to this recognition, but since that date, the previous model of bilateral relations no longer seems to work, with more violent tensions and unexpected reactions from both sides. On the French side, the intensity of statements and belligerent stances is inconsistent with the recent development of French society, but conversely, their impact on the people of this country can be devastating.' It seems that the newspaper's management could not tolerate some of the 'stings' contained in the article, such as the role played by the French Minister of Interior in undermining the multi-ethnic and multi-religious French society due to his racist statements and stances, as well as the struggle led by Algerians against French occupation, which ended long decades of colonial darkness and became an inspiration for many peoples in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as Malika Rahal wrote. The article also touched upon the nature of French settler colonialism in Algeria, and its transfer of the equivalent of one million Europeans (Pieds-Noirs), which was one-tenth of the Algerian population, and what accompanied it of 'the genocidal ambition to eliminate the indigenous population, which is a constant feature in cases of settler colonialism, as colonizers seek to seize their lands and impose their status in the country,' in addition to the forced displacement and massacres suffered by Algerians at the hands of the French occupation army, which was ultimately defeated with Algeria gaining its independence and ending the illegal situation that gave the European group what it did not deserve at the expense of the legitimate rights of Algerians.
Local France
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Local France
French Word of the Day: Démago
Why do I need to know démago? Because this word has become more common in political discourse in recent years. What does it mean? Démago - roughly pronounced day-mah-go - is the shortened version of the word démagogue , though it might also be the shortened version of démagogie (demagogy) or démagogique (demagogic) depending on the context. As you might've guessed, the word démagogue translates as demagogue in English, and it refers to a person who appeals to the desires and prejudices of the masses to attain political power and popularity. Advertisement The 'o' ending is a fairly common one in French for a shortened, more casual version of a word eg restaurant = resto , exposition = expo (exhibition, usually of art but can also refer to a display, for example le modèle expo would be the display model of an item in a shop). These are casual so more common in spoken than written French, but they're not regarded as rude. Within the world of politics, d émago is somewhat similar to the way that French people shorten the word fasciste to become facho . The shortened version of démago carries the same meaning, but it is a bit lighter and more colloquial than the full term. For example, the left-wing publication Libération recently ran the headline Edouard Philippe, enfin une droite pas démago (Edouard Philippe, finally a right-wing that isn't demagogic). Use it like this J'ai suggéré que nous augmentions la responsabilité des dépenses et ils m'ont qualifié de démago. - I suggested we increase spending responsibility and they called me a demagogue. Certains pensent que le candidat est anti-libéral et démago, mais nous verrons ce que les électeurs en penseront dans une semaine. - Some think the candidate is illiberal and demagogic, but we'll see what voters think in a week.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ubisoft sexual harassment trial: Up to three years suspended prison sentences requested
The trial of three former top executives from French video game giant Ubisoft – the maker of games like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry - took place this week in Bobigny, France. Serge Hascoët, Thomas François and Guillaume Patrux appeared before the Bobigny criminal court on charges of psychological abuse, sexual harassment and attempted sexual assault. The prosecutor called for suspended prison sentences of up to three years and fines for all three, describing the accusations as 'extremely serious'. The public prosecutor's office requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a €45,000 fine against the company's former No. 2, Serge Hascoët; one year's imprisonment and a €10,000 fine against game designer Guillaume Patrux; and a suspended sentence of three years in prison as well as a €30,000 fine against the former vice-president of the editorial department, Thomas François. The verdict is expected on 2 July. The trial, seen as a landmark #MeToo moment in the male-dominated video game publishing industry, followed the publication of an in-depth investigation by Libération and Numerama in 2020. It highlighted working conditions plagued by harassment, humiliation and discriminatory comments, as well as the psychological, sexist and sexual harassment that had been going on at Ubisoft for around ten years. The testimonies that poured in painted a damning picture of what went on behind the walls of the Ubisoft studios. When François was questioned about a sexual assault that a former colleague had accused him of committing, and for which she had testified on the stand the previous day, he replied that he had 'no recollection.' The three defendants pleaded amnesia and their denial was roundly rebutted by the civil parties' lawyers. According to them, the trial was really about the 'extremely virile and childish culture' at Ubisoft, the French flagship of an 'industry built by men and for men.' The civil parties and the defence also deplored the fact that no proceedings have been brought against the legal entity Ubisoft, its CEO Yves Guillemot and Marie Derain, the head of human resources. 'This trial could have been exemplary,' according to Marc Rutschlé, union delegate at Solidaires Informatique. He told L'Humanité: 'It wasn't three isolated individuals who created this atmosphere of widespread harassment. Their impunity was organised. There are no defendants and many victims. The whole structural aspect has been evacuated.' Previously, Guillemot allegedly referred to some of the accusations as 'generational differences of opinion' and 'creative friction'.
Euronews
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Landmark French #MeToo trial for gaming giant Ubisoft comes to an end
The trial of three former top executives from French video game giant Ubisoft – the maker of games like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry - took place this week in Bobigny, France. Serge Hascoët, Thomas François and Guillaume Patrux appeared before the Bobigny criminal court on charges of psychological abuse, sexual harassment and attempted sexual assault. The prosecutor called for suspended prison sentences of up to three years and fines for all three, describing the accusations as 'extremely serious'. The public prosecutor's office requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a €45,000 fine against the company's former No. 2, Serge Hascoët; one year's imprisonment and a €10,000 fine against game designer Guillaume Patrux; and a suspended sentence of three years in prison as well as a €30,000 fine against the former vice-president of the editorial department, Thomas François. The verdict is expected on 2 July. The trial, seen as a landmark #MeToo moment in the male-dominated video game publishing industry, followed the publication of an in-depth investigation by Libération and Numerama in 2020. It highlighted working conditions plagued by harassment, humiliation and discriminatory comments, as well as the psychological, sexist and sexual harassment that had been going on at Ubisoft for around ten years. The testimonies that poured in painted a damning picture of what went on behind the walls of the Ubisoft studios. When François was questioned about a sexual assault that a former colleague had accused him of committing, and for which she had testified on the stand the previous day, he replied that he had 'no recollection.' The three defendants pleaded amnesia and their denial was roundly rebutted by the civil parties' lawyers. According to them, the trial was really about the 'extremely virile and childish culture' at Ubisoft, the French flagship of an 'industry built by men and for men.' The civil parties and the defence also deplored the fact that no proceedings have been brought against the legal entity Ubisoft, its CEO Yves Guillemot and Marie Derain, the head of human resources. 'This trial could have been exemplary,' according to Marc Rutschlé, union delegate at Solidaires Informatique. He told L'Humanité: 'It wasn't three isolated individuals who created this atmosphere of widespread harassment. Their impunity was organised. There are no defendants and many victims. The whole structural aspect has been evacuated.' Previously, Guillemot allegedly referred to some of the accusations as 'generational differences of opinion' and 'creative friction'. Lost for over 150 years, one of JMW Turner's earliest oil paintings is about to go on display at London's Sotheby's before being auctioned. Titled 'The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent's Rock, Bristol', it depicts a dramatic stormy scene engulfing Hot Wells House in Bristol, UK - as seen from the east bank of the River Avon, where the Clifton Suspension Bridge now sits. Painted by Turner when he was just 17 years old, it is now believed to be the artist's earliest exhibited oil painting, having been displayed at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1793. Its last public appearance was in 1858, at an exhibition in Tasmania, before disappearing into private collections for over a century and a half. Upon being rediscovered last year, Turner's signature was revealed during the restoration process. 'Its reemergence now allows viewers and scholars alike to appreciate the startling ambition of this great artist at such an early moment in his career, by which stage he is already demonstrating a level of confidence and competency in oil painting far beyond what was previously known,' a press release states. The painting will go on public display at Sotheby's in London from 28 June to 1 July 2025, ahead of being auctioned for an estimated value of £200,000-300,000 (approx. €237,544 to €356,316). The auction also coincides with the 250th anniversary of Turner's birth, as various exhibitions and events across the UK - including London's Tate, National Gallery and the Turner Contemporary - celebrate the artist's legacy. Considered one of the world's most influential 18th-century artists, Turner was a key figure within Romanticism and best known for his dramatic landscapes, ambient with bold colour and tumultuous skies. While 'The Rising Squall' had previously been referenced in obituaries, it was mistaken as a watercolour and therefore excluded from the first catalogue of Turner's exhibited oil paintings. Based on a drawing from the artist's earliest sketchbook and a watercolour, both of which are currently held at the Tate Britain, the artwork is believed to have been first acquired by, and possibly painted for, Reverend Robert Nixon - a friend and early supporter of Turner's. Before now, experts considered Turner's earliest exhibited oil painting to be the 'Fisherman at Sea', displayed at the Royal Academy in 1796.
