The editorial staff of “Libération” compiles the main news from this Wednesday, December 18.
Every morning, the editorial staff of Libé selects the essential news in France, the rest of the world and those to follow during the day.
In the midst of turmoil, Bayrou continues his consultations
Criticized from all sides for having chosen to go to Pau in the midst of the crisis in Mayotte, François Bayrou assured Tuesday that he would not leave any challenge “no response”but without advancing on its solutions. Answering questions from the National Assembly for the first time on Tuesday, he promised to form a government “in a few days”. The deputies did not fail to question him about his choice not to go to the devastated archipelago. The Prime Minister justified himself by invoking the need not to “separate the province and the circle of powers in Paris” : “Pau is in France […] I was also in my place as a citizen”he pleaded. This Wednesday, he receives Nathalie Delattre, leader of the Radical Party, and Eric Ciotti, president of the Union of Rights for the Republic, at Matignon.
Mayotte: first night under curfew and call for donations
The devastated archipelago emerges this Wednesday from a first night under curfew, put in place to ensure security and avoid looting after the deadly passage of Cyclone Chido in the archipelago. Emmanuel Macron, who had announced that he would go there in the coming days, “will be Thursday in Mayotte”announced the Elysée Tuesday evening. The new Prime Minister François Bayrou will follow suit as soon as “(s)one government will be formed”in order to “mobilize all state resources”, he said on France 2. To rebuild the archipelago, the head of government is banking on solidarity. Thus, donations up to 1,000 euros will give rise to the right to a tax reduction equal to 75% of the amount paid, announced Matignon.
Global coal demand at record high
With 2024 set to be the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, global demand for coal has reached a record high of 8.77 billion tonnes, the International Coal Agency announced on Wednesday. energy (IEA). However, global demand “should stabilize in the coming years” due to the strong progression of renewable energies, writes the IEA in its annual report on coal in the world, which covers the period 2024-2027. The use of coal, a particularly polluting fossil fuel, continues to increase in some emerging economies, such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Mutual insurance companies increase their prices by 6% on average
Supplementary health insurance with mutual status will increase their prices by an average of 6% in 2025, a lower increase than in 2024, but which remains much higher than that observed over the last decade, according to Mutualité Française, the federation which represents them. Individual contracts, taken out in particular by retirees, “will increase on average by 5.3%”announced the organization, based on figures from 41 mutual insurance companies, representing 19.9 million people covered. Mandatory collective contracts covering employees via their company “will increase by 7.3% on average”and optional collective contracts “6.8%”details the Mutuality.
Genocide of the Tutsis: life imprisonment confirmed for Philippe Manier
At the end of more than six weeks of appeal, the Paris Assize Court confirmed Tuesday evening the life sentence handed down at first instance against Philippe Manier, former Rwandan gendarme, who was retried for his involvement in the genocide Tutsis. Philippe Hategekimana, 67, naturalized French under the name Philippe Manier, was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity for almost all the charges against him. “You were the zealous arm of the genocide through your determined but also decisive action”declared the President of the Court, adding that without him, “the facts would not have reached such magnitude”.
To be continued today
Nicolas Sarkozy fixed in the Bismuth affair
The Court of Cassation will rule this Wednesday around 2 p.m. in the wiretapping case. In this case also called Bismuth, if the high court rejected the appeals, Nicolas Sarkozy, 69 years old, would be definitively sentenced for corruption and influence peddling to three years of imprisonment including one year under an electronic bracelet – an unprecedented sanction for a former head of state. But the Court of Cassation could also order a new trial by annulling, in part or completely, the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal.
Sainte-Soline and three other basins threatened with suspension
The Bordeaux administrative court of appeal must rule this Wednesday from 3 p.m. on the appeal of opponents against the environmental authorization issued in 2017 for the Marais Poitevin reservoirs. Out of 16 basin projects examined, the public rapporteur proposed suspending four, including that of Sainte-Soline, because of their impact on the little bustard, an endangered bird species.
Analysis
Biodiversity, water, food, health, climate… Why we must manage these five crises jointly
In a major report called “Nexus” and published on Tuesday, experts from IPBES, the “IPCC for Biodiversity”, recommend addressing all of these crises together and detail more than 70 possible responses, some of which are very inexpensive. Read the analysis.
The report
“The most beautiful Christmas gift”: the town of Thiberville receives a legacy of ten million euros
For the 1,800 inhabitants of this Normandy town, it is “an early Christmas gift”: a certain Roger Thiberville has decided to bequeath his fortune to this village, his namesake. A legacy that already fuels numerous projects. Read the report.
The portrait
Cristina Fallarás, strong voice
The Spanish journalist, who has become a #MeToo figure in her country, collects and speaks for those who, like her, have been victims of sexual violence. The portrait.
