World news: military tensions, space conquest, and societal issues
On Sunday, Russia once again used the Oreshnik missile, a weapon capable of carrying nuclear charges, during intensive bombings in Ukraine. These overnight attacks killed at least four people. This type of missile had already been used last November against the city of Dnipro, marking a worrying step in the escalation of the current conflict.
In this context of tension, experts are questioning Europe's security. As the United States withdraws some troops from Germany, a "gulf" seems to be widening in terms of defense. The question is whether France possesses the technological and financial capacity to replace American Tomahawk cruise missiles in order to maintain effective deterrence on the continent.
Meanwhile, China continues its international ambitions with success. A Chinese rocket took off for the Tiangong space station for a one-year mission. This event is historic as it marks the first space flight of an astronaut from Hong Kong, 43-year-old Li Jiaying, symbolizing a new stage for Beijing's space program.
In France, the economy and the media are at the center of discussions. A recent study shows that road taxation weighs heavily on the budget of the French, with fuel taxes bringing in nearly 90 billion euros a year to the state. Furthermore, Maxime Saada, the president of Canal+, took advantage of the Cannes Film Festival to firmly defend his channel against a petition calling for a boycott of the Bolloré group.
On the social and cultural front, Wallonia is worried about the progressive disappearance of its typical cafes and bistros. Although a member of parliament proposed classifying these places as intangible heritage, the Walloon government is not yet convinced. In France, however, Catholic youth are showing a certain vitality: 12,000 middle school students from the Île-de-France region are gathered this weekend in Jambville for the "Frat" gathering on the occasion of Pentecost.
The world of sports is also preparing for its major events, not without some difficulties. The organizers of Roland-Garros already fear that the 2026 edition will be less spectacular than that of 2025. Regarding the 2026 Football World Cup, the Iranian national team announced that it would set up its base camp in Mexico rather than the United States, a choice motivated by political tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Finally, in the United States, the federal capital is becoming a symbolic battleground. In Washington, many artists and anonymous collectives are using street art to express their opposition to President Trump. This "artistic guerrilla warfare" recalls historical forms of resistance and shows how culture is now entering the American political debate.