Echoes of the week of Politis

Photo of the week: crush in Kherson

Residents of the city of Kherson, liberated by the Ukrainian army on November 11 after nine months of Russian occupation, are not done with the rigors of war. Images of jubilation in the streets, marching troops, scenes of food distribution followed, here six days later in the center of the city. Faced with the arrival of winter in this devastated area, the government is preparing evacuation of residents. (Photo: BULENT KILIC AFP)

Number of the week: 49

This is, in millions, according to a study published in Human Reproduction Update, the average concentration of gametes per milliliter in the sperm of the world’s male population. In halving in less than 50 years, it is now in a “subfertility” zone. Since 2000, sperm counts have declined by 2.64% per year, compared to 1.16% from 1972 to 2000.

Super profits: the tax-free right

The right-wing senatorial majority, supported by the government and the Macronist senators, rejected two amendments aimed at tax super profits harvest of the energy crisis and the increase in inflation. One, presented by the left, was by a large majority; the other, proposed by centrists, especially Modem, was more discussed. Right and Macronie: Do birds of a feather flock together?

Minor penalty for Current values

The Court of Appeal confirmed the first sentence: Current values was convicted of racist insult against Danièle Obono. As a reminder, the far-right magazine had in August 2020 published an abject story depicting the LFI MP as a slave, all accompanied by drawings depicting her with an iron collar around her neck.

However, the the penalties are lower those of first instance and are limited to a suspended fine of 1,000 euros, against a fixed 1,500 euros for the newspaper director and a journalist. In addition, the director of the publication, Geoffrey Lejeune, was released, which he does not hesitate to boast about in an editorial that proclaims: “They wanted to silence us. They have multiplied our forces tenfold. » It makes you wonder which side is winning.

Sophia Chikirou in vice

Once again for La France insoumise. According to the information of releaseSophia Chikirou, the new LFI deputy for Paris and former communications adviser to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, could be the subject of a accusation in the coming weeks. The suspicions refer to acts of aggravated fraud (a crime punishable by 7 years in prison and a 750,000 euro fine) linked to his role in financing the rebel leader’s presidential campaign in 2017.

A 173-page expert report, made public by Mediapart last August and published in part by releaseoverwhelms Sophia Chikirou, who was both main i leader from the media company Mediascop – renamed L’Internationale in 2019.

The judicial investigation has already led to the indictment of Marie-Pierre Oprandi, accountant of the campaign of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of Bastien Lachaud, deputy of Seine-Saint-Denis, and of the association L’Ère du peuple, in charge of campaign logistics.

The accusations they are serious : the team would have declared fictitious services to the National Commission on Campaign Accounts and Political Financing and/or would have overcharged some in order to be reimbursed by the State. The report is also surprised by the lack of activity of the company Mediascop outside the electoral period.

Straub turns off the light

Raw-skinned Jean-Marie Straub was a down-to-earth, materialistic and rebellious filmmaker. His death, at the age of 89, announced on November 20, follows shortly after that of Jean-Luc Godard, with whom he maintained a personal and artistic friendship.

As the author of film about socialismStraub, with whom his wife, Danièle Huillet, who died sixteen years ago, was linked to the production for decades, revolutionized the way of making music or classical texts heard, while showing urban or rural landscapes.

Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach (1967), Otto (1970), Moses and Aaron (1974) or Sicily! (1999) are some of the great titles of a demanding filmography and staggered light(s), a word that must be taken in all its meanings. Once widowed, Jean-Marie Straub continued to tour, mostly Or Somma Luce (2009), taken from Dante, sublime elegy to his missing wife.

Sorry for the aid in Mali

With discreet force, France has decided suspend aid to the development of Mali. Revealed by AFP, the reason, according to a source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would be the rapprochement between the ruling junta and Russia, through Wagner’s mercenary group, although Bamako denies this cooperation.

The Quai d’Orsay specified that humanitarian aid and support for “Malian civil society organizations” they would stand, without however naming names. A vagueness that worries associations and local authorities linked to Mali. “Cutting this funding will shut down essential, even life-saving, activities […] for the benefit of populations in situations of great fragility or poverty”Oxfam, CCFD Terre-Solidaire, Handicap International and Doctors of the World have expressed outrage in a letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron.

Trump on Twitter: A frustrated comeback

Reactivated on November 20, Donald Trump’s Twitter account has not (yet) recovered its former devastating charm. After a “survey” organized on November 18 in the social network of which he brutally took the reins, Elon Musk decided reinstate the former president of the United States, supported by 51.8% of the 15 million voters. But Trump must respect his exclusivity pledge to Truth Social, a network he created himself. Hence its discretion: temporary, so unknown is this quality.

Penicaud sneaker at Manpower

The former Minister of Labor has just entered the impressive sneaker dressing room by Emmanuel Macron. After Brune Poirson, former Minister of Ecological Transition who left for the hotel company Accor, the former Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie appointed to the management of the start-up Sweep (supplier of Saint-Gobain and JCDecaux), here it is that Muriel Pénicaud joins. Manpower, temporary specialist. Who is the next couple for?

Case Lola: Arcom warns Hanouna

Cyril Hanouna and C8 have been (again) given a formal warning by Arcom, this time over their handling of Lola’s murder. The audiovisual regulator indicates a “Not treating an ongoing legal case lightly“. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to real penalty against the chain of Bolloré, great used to notices

Gameover at Gamekult

It’s game over for France’s second largest video game media outlet: the vast majority of journalists on the editorial staff of Gamekult, a site known for its sharp criticism and independence, have just announced their resignations. Seven permanent staff and twenty freelancers supported the pure player, who resisted advertising operations – unlike most specialized media, which depend on it.

The site could afford it thanks to its 12,000 subscribers, even if it meant offending the big studios. Owned by the TF1 group, it has just been sold to the well-known Reworld group an “undertaker” draining the media of its substance while exploiting its employees to exhaustion. Among his previous victims: Grazia, Sciences and Life … The Gamekult staff, known for their in-depth research and penchant for quality over quantity, therefore prefers to turn off their consoles before the final knockout.

Fillon-style Ciotti?

The chained ducktells us that the ex-wife of the very right-wing Éric Ciotti, Caroline Magne, accumulated up to three jobs in the Assembly (as a parliamentary assistant to Éric Ciotti himself), in the city of Nice and in the Alpes-Maritimes. He who had declared that he preferred to vote for Zemmour than Macron, will he finally follow the path of Fillon?

Indulgence for hunters

Morgan Keane was killed at the age of 25, while chopping wood at home, by a boar hunter’s bullet (read our long report on the subject). The trial of the shooter and the leader of the raid was awaited. asked the prosecution 6 months in prison for each, as well as respectively 18 and 12 months of suspension, but especially the definitive withdrawal of your hunting license. Decided on January 12.