On Wednesday October 22, Fayard editions publish Mass is not saidnew book by Éric Zemmour, which inaugurates the “Pensée libre” collection. After French Suicide And French Destinythe author continues his reflection on the future of France and Europe. He defends a spiritual and identity revival, convinced that the survival of our civilization requires a return to its Christian roots.
In his interview with JDNews this October 15, Éric Zemmour affirms that “ France without Christianity is no longer France”. He explains that he wanted to answer a question that fascinates him: how to save Christianity in Europe? For him, the dechristianization of France, which began in the 18th century, has worsened since Vatican II and is now accompanied by Islamization linked to immigration. The essayist sees in this double movement a historical danger for the nation and invites “a Judeo-Christian surge” facing what he describes as an erasure of identity. Zemmour judges the political class to be blind to religious issues, while, according to him, faith structures civilizations more deeply than the economy or secularism.
The boss of Reconquête rereads the history of the Republic as a long process of rupture with Catholicism and believes that today, it must choose between reconnecting with the Christian roots of France or allowing itself to be submerged. He also denounces wokism, “new secular religion” of the West and calls for rebuilding a French identity based on Christian heritage. Finally, he sees the rise of conservative Catholicism in the United States as a sign of hope, heralding a spiritual revolution likely to cross the Atlantic. His motto: ” Identify. »
2 – Trial of two brothers for having cut down an olive tree in homage to Ilan Halimi
This Wednesday, October 22, the trial of two Tunisian twin brothers begins at the Bobigny criminal court accused of having cut down, on the night of August 13 to 14, the olive tree planted in Épinay-sur-Seine in homage to Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man tortured and murdered in 2006. The two suspects, of no fixed address, were arrested on August 25 after being identified using their DNA. The police found videos on their phone of them practicing using a chainsaw. Prosecuted for destruction of public property, they face up to two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros.
The trunk of the tree had been sawn down just above the memorial plaque bearing Ilan Halimi’s name, sparking a wave of indignation. The mayor of Épinay, Hervé Chevreau, denounced an anti-Semitic act and promised to replant a new olive tree “in the fall with the whole community”. The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, assures that “the Nation will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish” and promises that “all means” will be deployed to punish this act of hatred. The president of CRIF, Yonathan Arfi, for his part denounced “a way of shouting anti-Semitic hatred”.
3 – The European Parliament awards the 2025 Sakharov Prize
This Wednesday, October 22, the European Parliament will unveil the winner of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Union’s highest distinction in human rights. Three finalists remain in the running: imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut (Belarus) and Mzia Amaglobeli (Georgia); journalists and aid workers in Palestine and conflict zones, represented by the Palestinian Journalists Union, the Red Crescent and UNRWA; as well as students in Serbia. The final decision will be announced in Strasbourg during the plenary session of Parliament.
Created in 1988 in tribute to the Soviet physicist and dissident Andreï Sakharov, this prize rewards each year individuals or organizations working for freedom of expression and fundamental rights. It comes with an endowment of 50,000 euros and will be presented during a ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Strasbourg.
This edition takes place in a context where, according to the latest Eurobarometer, European citizens expect Parliament to defend, above all, peace, democracy and human rights. Past winners include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege and Nadia Mourad. Note that Sarah Knafo, Reconquest MEP, had proposed the name of Charlie Kirk, assassinated in September, for this edition, in order to salute “his fight for freedom of expression” – but his application was not selected among the finalists.
4 – Gérald Darmanin goes to CNews
Gérald Darmanin.
© Mathilde Kaczkowski
/ Hans Lucas via AFP
This Wednesday, October 22, at 9 p.m., Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Justice, will be the guest of Gauthier Le Bret in 100% Politics on CNews for a special program devoted to his new roadmap for Place Vendôme. Recently renamed within the Lecornu government, the Minister of Justice will detail his priorities and his vision of a “judicial revolution”.
On X, on October 19, Darmanin was already highlighting “concrete” : the opening of a new prison with 200 places in Villenauxe-la-Grande and soon 800 others in Marseille, ensuring that its ” promise “ on prison construction. But its major project lies elsewhere: putting victims at the center of the penal system. The minister denounces a model where they too often remain “the blind spot” of justice and promises to simplify procedures, accelerate sanctions and guarantee a response “useful, fast and effective”.
This turning point is welcomed by several legal practitioners, such as Me Nathalie Bucquet, who nevertheless emphasizes that such a reform will have to be accompanied by significant human and financial resources. For Darmanin, the coming judicial revolution aims as much to repair the injustice suffered by the victims as to restore the confidence of the French in republican justice.
5 – The good news of the day
On October 18, Cédric et la Chocolaterie opened its doors at 33 avenue de l’Opéra. After his pastry in 2019 and his café in 2024, Cédric Grolet adds a new address to his sweet universe, inspired by childhood dreams. “No adult has validated my range of chocolate”confides the chef, who listened to the children to create a joyful and sincere collection. The magical place reveals a giant chocolate fountain weighing 150 kg, walls of matte tablets and trees with luminous pods worthy of Alice in Wonderland. No air conditioning: Grolet prefers the heat and aromas of chocolate.
As for sweets, pralines, mendiants, marshmallows, orangettes and fruit jellies are available in white, milk and dark chocolate. Each candy takes the shape of its ingredient – peanut, hazelnut, almond – and the packaging, eco-designed and 100% French, extends this gourmet poetry. The icing on the cake is that ten golden tickets have been hidden in the shelves, offering an exclusive tour of the chocolate factory. An opening full of magic by Cédric Grolet, for children… and big dreamers.
