Every evening, the editorial staff of Libé selects the news of the day that should not be missed in France and the rest of the world.
Israel and Hamas sign agreement for ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza
According to Israeli media and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, an agreement for a ceasefire was reached this Wednesday. Negotiations accelerated in Doha, Qatar, the main mediating country with the United States and Egypt. The Prime Minister of Qatar confirmed the information. Same story with American President-elect Donald Trump, who wasted no time in posting a message on his Truth Social network: “We have an agreement for hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. THANKS !”, he wrote. The first releases could begin as early as Sunday according to several sources. The agreement must still be ratified by the Israeli war cabinet, which is scheduled to meet this Thursday. Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet also affirmed that the ceasefire agreement with Hamas had still not been concluded and that the final details were still being worked out. More information here. The inhabitants of Gaza have not experienced any respite from the incessant bombings since the truce that came into force on November 24 and lasted a week, allowing the release of around a hundred hostages.
In Ukraine, the energy sector hit by a “massive” Russian attack
The attack looks like a response, the day after a large salvo of Ukrainian drones in Russia. Of the “essential infrastructure” in western Ukraine were hit by a new attack «massive» of Russian drones and missiles this Wednesday, January 15 in the morning, announced the Ukrainian authorities. Russia shot “more than 40 missiles” et “more than 70 drones”, targeting the energy sector in Ukraine, declared Volodymyr Zelensky, specifying that “Ukrainian air defense had shot down at least 30 of the 40 Russian missiles launched.” Our article.
The Livret A rate will increase to 2.4% from February
The Livret A is losing its luster: its rate will fall to 2.4% in February 2025. A bitter pill for savers, but a boon for social housing, according to Bercy. Sluggish inflation would justify this tightening. The popular booklet holds up better, at 3.5%, to appeal to the most modest. A dance of rates that leaves a bittersweet taste. Our article
Rugby players Jégou and Auradou recalled to the Blues, one month after the dismissal of charges of rape in Argentina
A month after the dismissal of the accusations of rape in Argentina against them, the two rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou were called this Wednesday, January 15 by the coach of the XV of France for the Six Nations Tournament. The second row of Pau and the third row of La Rochelle, 21 years old and one selection each, appear in the first list of 42 players who will arrive in Marcoussis after the European cup matches of the weekend. “Today, there is a dismissal of the case which was obvious and which is clear. So from the moment there is a dismissal of the case, we consider that they are innocent», Declared the coach of the Blues on Monday on RMC. More information here.
Fires in Los Angeles: wooden buildings, scapegoats for urban planning negligence
How can the second largest city in the United States fall prey to such devastating fires in a region that is accustomed to fighting fires? In Los Angeles, the flames caused the deaths of 24 people in one week and reduced 12,000 buildings and vehicles to ashes. As extreme weather events, increasingly intense and frequent as the planet warms, weaken human infrastructure, attention is turning to the favorite construction method of Californians, and more broadly Americans: wood. In the “city of angels”, 90% of homes are made from this material, perceived as very vulnerable to fire. Our article.
UK bans ‘zombie drug’ xylazine
The United Kingdom announced on Wednesday a ban on more than 20 “dangerous substances” including xylazine, an anesthetic for veterinary use which, combined with opioids, has been wreaking havoc for several years in the United States. “I am concerned about the growing presence of these drugs on the streets of the UK”said the Secretary of State in charge of police, Diana Johnson, quoted in a press release. “Synthetic drugs wreak havoc wherever they are found,” she added. Since June 2023, there have been at least 400 deaths in the UK linked to nitazenes and “this figure is expected to increase in the coming years,” according to the press release.
Online romance scams: “The victim is aware that something is wrong but their judgment is impaired”
The story of a woman who was extorted out of thousands of euros by believing she was having a long-distance love affair with Brad Pitt is a new example of the sentimental scams that abound on the internet. Psychologist specializing in these cyberattacks, Nathalie Granier returns to Libé on the levers and consequences of this phenomenon, facilitated by the improvement of artificial intelligence. Above all, it reminds us that no one is truly safe from falling into the trap: the attackers target their victims, who gradually lock themselves into a bubble comforting them in the idea that they have a privileged relationship. Our interview.
Also read on Libération.fr
Los Angeles fires: in the musical world, treasures gone up in smoke
Among the many losses recorded by the music industry in the fires which have been ravaging several sectors of Los Angeles for a week now, rap producer Madlib announced the destruction of his house where he stored his impressive record collection. Recording studios ravaged, record collections or archives destroyed… From big names to independents, the Californian music world is also paying a heavy price. Our article.
What is the human metapneumovirus, this winter virus which is currently circulating in China and igniting social networks?
The MPVh has been singled out on social networks as responsible for a “new Covid”, cases of which have been increasing for several weeks. It is actually well known and comes back every winter, including in France. It is also a cousin of another well-known pathogen: the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the main cause of bronchiolitis. Like it, MPVh is generally benign, it does not cause symptoms or “a bad cold”describes Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, head of the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infections at the Pasteur Institute. Our article.
In the Antilles, the Hayot group targeted by a complaint for “agreement” and “abuse of dominant position”
Four whistleblowers have just taken legal action to shed light on the suspicious practices of the company GBH, following the revelations of Liberation on the exorbitant margins of the Hayot group, very present overseas. With a turnover of more than 4.5 billion euros, the multinational present in mass distribution, the automotive sector, agriculture and industry defends itself from any undue profit. Our article.
