Energy crisis in France: Macron convenes a Defense Council

Emmanuel Macron is convening a Defense Council on Friday morning to take stock of gas and electricity supplies and to examine scenarios to avoid shortages and make savings. Scheduled for 10:00am at the Elysée Palace, this council brings together “the competent ministers” on this issue, such as Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of Public Accounts Gabriel Attal and the ministers in charge of the Energy Transition Christophe Béchu and Agnès Pannier-Runacher, as well as experts. The aim of this CDSN is “to take stock of the situation of our gas and electricity supply in order to prepare for all situations this autumn and winter”, explained the presidency. It will also focus on “European energy solidarity”.

United States: Biden denounces Trump's “extremism”

Joe Biden, in a rare direct attack by his Republican predecessor, on Thursday denounced the “extremism” of Donald Trump and his supporters, accusing them of shaking the “very foundations” of American democracy in the city that was its birthplace. In Philadelphia (east), he proclaimed: “Donald Trump and the 'MAGA+ Republicans' represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.”

The former president, and those who subscribe to his “Make America Great Again” ideology, “do not respect the Constitution. They don't believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people,” insisted the Democratic president, in a speech that the White House had promised to be “major.” Behind him, illuminated against the night sky, is “Independence Hall”, a red brick building where the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution were adopted.

US Open: Serena and Venus Williams eliminated in the first round of the doubles

Serena Williams, who announced her upcoming retirement, and her elder sister Venus were knocked out in the first round of the women's doubles tournament at the US Open on Thursday, beating 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 by Czech pair Lucie Hradecka/Linda Nsokova. After their defeat, the two American women aged 40 and 42 respectively left without saying a word the huge Ashe Court, which was still full of some 23,800 spectators, like Monday and Wednesday when Serena won the singles. Given Serena's announcement of her imminent retirement in early August, this doubles match was possibly her very last with Venus. In a clear boost of confidence, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek hurried, like Carlos Alcaraz in the men's category, to advance to the 3rd round of the US Open, before Rafael Nadal's second match.

Artemis: the sky is brightening for Saturday's launch to the Moon

The stars seemed to gradually align for the launch of NASA's new rocket to the Moon on Saturday, thanks to encouraging weather forecasts and the resolution of technical problems that caused the launch to be postponed earlier this week. The liftoff is scheduled for 14:17 (18:17 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but it is still possible over the next two hours if necessary. The chances of favourable weather during this shooting window are 60%. “The weather is looking good” and should not be “blocking”, assured Melody Lovin, who is in charge of analysing the weather forecasts, at a press conference on Thursday.

IN SHORT

A retired New York police officer was sentenced Thursday to ten years in prison in Washington for participating in the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, the longest sentence handed down to date against one of the attackers.

The rapper Timal was ordered Thursday evening by the Meaux court to pay 6,000 euros for “acts of cruelty to a domestic animal”, two days after airing a video in which he hit his dog, AFP learned from lawyers for the parties.

Hundreds of firefighters were mobilized Thursday to fight a fire along a major highway in California, hit by a dreadful heat wave.

Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed for two years with Chelsea from FC Barcelona, the two clubs announced overnight from Thursday to Friday.