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 to do so. However, Netanyahu did not provide further details on the decision. The Hamas organization condemned Israel’s move, calling it a “blatant violation of press freedom” aimed at “hiding the truth” about the conflict in Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the blockades at Sciences Po and universities in an interview published on Saturday. He expressed support for the evacuation of blocked universities by law enforcement, at the request of the institutions. Macron also discussed the introduction of proportional representation in legislative elections, a topic that divides his party, and expressed his view on limiting presidents to two consecutive terms.
The southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil continues to be devastated by floods, which have led to the death of at least sixty-six people and displaced 80,000 others. One million households are without water and the extent of the destruction is immeasurable. Governor Eduardo Leite has called for a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild the region and will meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss the situation.
A march was held in Châteauroux, France, in memory of 15-year-old Matisse who was killed by another teenager. Approximately 8,000 people participated in the march, which ended with a balloon release and the laying of roses in front of Matisse’s father’s restaurant. The route of the march passed through significant places in Matisse’s life, including his school and the restaurant where the tragic incident occurred.
The Stade Toulousain rugby team qualified for the final of the Champions Cup after defeating the English team Harlequins. This victory marked their eighth appearance in the final, the first since 2021. Toulouse will face the Irish province of Leinster in the final on May 25 in London. The team’s performance was praised by players and fans alike for their resilience and teamwork.
In other news, important developments include the European elections, President Xi Jinping’s visit to France, protests against transphobia in multiple cities, the end of the game show “Des chiffres et des lettres” on French television, and Real Madrid’s 36th La Liga title. These events highlight a diverse range of topics and global issues that are shaping current affairs.
